Back to School

Yesterday was Addison's first day of school and so far so good.  He woke up on time and got ready without me nagging.  He did take a 15 minute nap after his shower and that freaked me out because I thought he was going to be late.  But, I need to remember he's a boy and it only takes him 30 minutes to get ready instead of an hour it takes me.  The bus was late picking him up and dropping him off, of course.   Oh and he did let me take pictures of him with my printables. I am so surprised.

He said he likes his teachers.  He really likes his math and science teachers, of course.  None of his friends are in his classes except for his orchestra class but that is ok he can meet new people.  He came home happy without any complaints so I constitute that as a great 1st day of school.

Half of the GUNCLE team, aka Michael, came over and we took Addison out for dinner to celebrate his 1st day of school.  Addison wanted to eat at Sweet Tomatoes, of course.  We had a blast and Addison told us everything that happened that day.  It is getting harder and harder to get details out of this teenager.  I am starting to get Fine as the answer to every question I ask.  Ugh teenagers!!!

Now since I have my days to myself again I can find a job, finish my app, finish projects (like Jack's invitations), and update my Etsy site.  It's amazing when you are alone how much you can get done in one day.

Speaking of Jack's invitations, our wonderful friends John and Megan have asked me  to make their little boy 1st Birthday invitations.  I am honored to make them and am loving making them.

I love that I can craft for others since Addison is growing out of all the things I make.  I made him place ribbons and he was not really excited about them. Ugh teenagers!  Here are the felt ribbons I made.

I'm selling them in my Etsy store because The Chosen One thought they would great for kid's parties.  I am helping Addison's school this year with the Robotics Club and I was thinking I could use them for little competitions.

Well, I hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of the school year.  I need to figure out what I am going to make for dinner.  I promise to share my Orange and Cranberry Muffin recipe soon.

Talk to you soon,

Summer is Over - First Day of School Printable

I can't believe it has been a month since my last post.  Sorry about that.  Remember I was so excited that June was coming to an end and I thought I was going to have all this time?  Well, that so did not happen.  It got crazy busy with Addison going to Robotics camp and Aerospace Engineering camp.  Addison also still had diving practice.  When I did have down time I was crafting or spending time with friends and family.  I really haven't even been cooking or baking, which is bad.

Well now we are getting back in the swing of things.  Summer is almost over.  This is Addison's last week of his summer vacation.  I am letting him enjoy his last week which in Addison language means playing with friends, watching movies, and playing video games.  I am shopping to get him ready for school and trying to get him back on a school schedule.

This is Addison's last year of middle school so I believe it should be a great year.  I want it to go as slow as possible because I am not ready to have a son in high school.  I am going to miss spending time with him this summer but I will not miss spending my days in the car.  Soon he will be driving himself and I will miss these times.

I was thinking about a printable for school and you can see I decided to make some chalkboard printables.  I don't think Addison will probably let me take a picture of him with these for his first day of school but maybe you guys can use them.  Just click on the picture or the link to find the printables.  They are in PDF form and are 8"X10".

First Day of School

I have also uploaded the Back to School printables if you are interested in printing them out.  I am having fun with the chalkboard effect and will probably be creating many more things.

Back to School Printables

I have a lot to post about this week so don't worry I will be back soon.  I need to share some great things I have crafted.  I also need to share my recipe for the Perfect Orange Cranberry Muffin.

Talk to you soon,

I survived June

June is almost over. What does that mean?  Summer swimming and diving are over.  Diving Championships were Sunday and Addison did great he got 5th place.  Addison is eligible to swim at the County Meet but that is not until July 14.  So now we don't have to go to 3 practices a day.  He will still have to practice a week before the County Meet, but it won't be as crazy as June.  I will now have time to finish orders and enjoy my summer.  I don't have to sit and wait for Addison 2 hours every morning, afternoon, and then night.  I can actually clean and organize my house.  No more 4 hour meets twice a week.  Oh I can start cooking again.  I just bought a canning book that I am really interested in using.  I should try me first recipe this week.  Where is that book?  I have no earthly idea where I put that book.  Did I mention that I need to clean and organize my house?

Well, Addison is gone this week at Diving Camp so I will have time do all the stuff I love to do.  Unfortunately, I am not cool anymore and my meaning of a good time is cleaning, organizing, crafting, cooking, and baking.  What happened to the days I would go out every night and not get home until 5 AM?  Hey, Chosen One  and Melissa, Do you remember those nights?  A loud smokey club does not appeal to me what so ever.  And we all know my raver pants do not fit anymore.  :)  Now a really great restaurant, with great friends, great food and great wine.  That's more like it.  Maybe I should try a new restaurant this week.  Any suggestions Melissa?

While I am blogging, I am on the phone with The Chosen One and she is sharing a recipe for Split Pea Soup.  I am thinking it will be the perfect to make this week.  I thought it would be nice to share it with you guys also.

By the way, I have asked The Chosen One many of times to guest blog.  She loves cooking and crafting just as much as I do.  She would have some great recipes to share.  But, she always says she too busy.  So come on blog world, let's convince The Chosen One to guest blog at least once a month.

Here's the Split Pea Soup recipe:

The Chosen One's Split Pea Soup

by Faith Ishii

1 medium to large onion chopped fine
2 or 3 carrots chopped fine
3 cloves garlic, minced
6-8 cups chicken broth
1 pound split peas, soak for 2 hours
1 ham hock or ham (as much as you would like)
2 bay leaves


Put all vegetables and 2 tablespoons of oil in a pot and cook until translucent.  Add chicken broth, split peas, ham, and bay leaves.Bring to a boil.  Then lower the heat, cover and simmer for 2 hours. Add salt and pepper to taste.  Serve warm with a nice crusty bread.

Well, I need to go and start doing things on my crazy long list.

Talk to you soon,

Father's Day Tickets

Father's Day is Sunday.  Addison and JT are going to the Braves game tomorrow with Addison's friend Mason and his father.  I think they will have a blast watching baseball, eating hot dogs and drinking beer (the Fathers not the sons).   Addison also bought JT a couple of Star Wars inspired t-shirts on Etsy that will be here later on this week.  Men are so different than women.  I could tell you 5 things I want right now but when you ask JT he says he doesn't want anything.  I had to email JT pictures of shirts for him to even think about what he wanted.  He finally told Addison which two he liked so Addison could purchase them.  By the way Addison is growing up to fast.  He has his own debit card now and is all about saving his money.  I was proud when he went online and bought something for his Dad.

Here's are the two shirts Addison bought for JT, he got them on Etsy from Engram Clothing:

We are NOT a family of nerds I promise,  ;) ;)

Tomorrow I will go over to Mason's house and hang out with his mother, Lisa and his two younger sisters.  Hey, the men will be gone so we will just watch girly movies and do girly stuff.  I guess I might bake JT's favorite cake for him since I won't have to make dinner.  I'm such a great wife.

I came up with some Father's Day Tickets for a last minute present.  JT, Addison, The Chosen One, Adrian, and I came up with a ticket.  I bet you can guess which ticket is mine (it is not the Hall Pass one).  I hope you enjoy this free download.  Just click on the link or picture below.  Print them out, cut them, and tie them together. Or I guess you could just give him the whole sheet of paper and he can cut it when he wants to use one.  A Perfect Father's Day present for a Perfect Father.

Father's Day  Tickets

I would also like to Thank all my readers and customers.  I have been getting a lot of orders lately in my Etsy store.  I am so grateful that you all are enjoying what I am creating.  I have been very busy this summer with Addison and crafting orders but I am  not complaining.  Thank You again.

Talk to you soon,