Dandelion

I was blowing dandelions with my daughter the other day and just happened to catch this photo. I wanted to share it with all of your wonderful women along with this verse. This scripture always lifts my spirit and makes me feel strong.

My husband is off for a while, so I'm going to the next two weeks for a much needed break from my blog. I've gotten really harried from blogging and need to take a step back and readjust. Also, I'm working on some changes and hope to have an updated look for you soon!

Have a blessed weekend!

Coupon Book

Before I begin this post, I just want to say that my prayers go out to Oklahoma and everyone who was effected by that horrible storm. May God bless you and keep you safe.

My coupons were in need a big overhaul! So, I decided to make my very own organization coupon book! I hope that you enjoy seeing my process and get some ideas to do one of your own.

So, before the overhaul I used to stuff all of my coupons into three envelopes. I had my Extra Bucks, Toiletries and Food. It worked okay at first but then I found myself shuffling through a pile of coupons to find the one that I wanted. It made using coupons very discouraging to say the least!

I laid out all of my coupons and divided them into categories that best suited my needs.

I used the above protector sheets to hold my coupons. They fit into a three ring binder perfectly. I found mine at Staples.

I used filing labels for each category that I chose and put it on the flap above each pocket.

And my final results are a well-organized coupon book where I can easily find the coupon I am seeking!

I hope you found this inspiring and try to make something for yourself, let me know if you do and what you did!

Liebster Award

I have been nominated for the Liebster Award by Britney @ The Princess and Her Cowboys, thank you  Britney for noticing me! 

This blogger award is to help you get to know your fellow bloggers better and is a great way to help grow small blogs. Here are the rules:

1.        Say “Thanks!” to the Liebster Award nominator on your blog and give them a gracious link back.

2.      Answer 11 questions from the nominator.

3.      List 11 random facts about yourself.

4.      Present the Liebster Blog Award to 11 other blogs who have less then 200 followers, or who you think deserves to be noticed. Don’t forget to leave a comment on their blog so they know about it!

5.      Copy and paste the blog award onto your blog ~ show it off!

Questions for me:

1.) If you could pick a store to win a shopping spree to, which would it be and why? Probably Target or Walmart since that is where I do most of my shopping and it would practical : )

2.) Why did you start blogging? For something to do? I went from working full time in an office to staying home with my daughter and needed something to do at the computer since that's what I'm used to and I love to create and share things!

3.) What is the most unique thing about you that a lot of people wouldn't know? That I need to eat ice cream every night if possible : ) (or some type of sweet!)

4.) What is your favorite thing to create? Crafts for the home. I love trying to make the home a beautiful and welcoming place. I also love making a card or gift for someone and seeing their face when they open it : )

5.) If you could be any fictional character, in novels or movies, who would you be and why? I think I'd like to be Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice, she is a great strong women and I would love to wear those dresses and go to dance parties during that time!

6.) Who is your favorite blogger to follow? Right now I'm really enjoying Rain on a Tin Roof, Restoration Beauty, and Ruffly Ribbons & Ramblings.

7.) What percentage of your pins have you made? I've tried to make a lot of them, but I think more than anything they give me ideas for making something of my own.

8.) What is your favorite color? I've never really had one, but right now I'm really partial to soft blues, turquoise and brown colors, earthy tones. 

9.) What is your dream destination? Gosh, anywhere with a beach where I can just relax and soak up the sun! I'd love to visit Hawaii. 

10.) Who is your favorite person and why? That's easy, my husband of course! He is steady, reliable and just a great all round person! I don't think anyone doesn't love him!

11.) What advice would you give to others just starting out with their blog? I would suggest checking out and following my pinterest board about blogging here. I have great tips listed from awesome fellow bloggers and all of their suggestions have really helped grow my blog and make it something I love and enjoy!

11 random facts about me:

1.) I did synchronized swimming for a long time!

2.) I have five siblings.

3.) I was homeschooled.

4.) I love ice cream, oh, wait I mentioned that already : )

5.) I just started up running again, but its all new to me this time, you can read about that here.

6.) My husband was my first boyfriend.

7.) I love shopping at resale and restores!

8.) I've really been enjoying the show Burn Notice.

9.) I have to sleep with ear plugs.

10.) I never thought I'd be saying this, but I LOVE my mini-van!

11.) I love to blog and share with you and hope to get to know you better!

Spotlighting these bloggers:

Selene @ Restoration Beauty

Robyn @ Ruffly Ribbons and Ramblings

Alicia @ Scribal Mom

Elena @ Cropped Stories

Jessica and Hilary @ Domestic Bliss Squared

Bethany @ A Fish Who Likes Flowers

Helen @ And Who Says You Can't

Ana @ Babble Dabble Do

Nancy @ Do Small Things With Love

Melissa Kaylene @ Willamette Valley Wonder Woman

Jeanette @ Fig and Sparrow

Questions for the bloggers:

1.) What is your favorite hobby and why?

2.) What is your favorite blog?

3.) What is your dream vacation?

4.) What do you do to keep your blog fresh?

5.) Where and how do you get your ideas for blog post's?

6.) What is your favorite color?

7.) If you could be any fictional character, in novels or movies, who would you be and why?

8.) Who is your favorite person in the whole world?

9.) What percentage of your pins have you made?

10.) What is the most unique thing about you that a lot of people wouldn't know?

11.) What advice would you give to a new blogger?

DIY Foot Scrub

I confess I have really dry cracked feet. I suck at putting lotion on, but I'm determined to have nice soft feet for the summer! So, I found this great foot soak and scrub on Pinterest. It really has been working, but the foot scrub brush that I picked up at Walmart hasn't been bad either : ) 

Give it a try! If anything its really relaxing because of the lavender and warm water!

Run for God

I have always hated running. I have tried to run for many years and have slightly enjoyed it when my husband and I would go running in the woods at a park, but that was rare and I still struggled. So, when I heard about this program that my church was hosting I signed up my husband and I. It has actually been amazing for myself and has really encourage my husband to make time to exercise. 

The program trains you to run a 5k, we are almost there, the race is in June. I've learned a lot from this program, but the highlights so far for me have been learning how to run on the balls of my feet and not landing on my heels, you can learn about that here. Secondly, I'm learning to SLOW DOWN and not try to run super fast, but to find my "all day pace" (a pace where you feel like you can go all day running). 

So, needless to say I've actually been enjoying running! You can check out the program here if your interested in getting a book for yourself. If anything I encourage you not to give up whatever exercise your doing! Keep up the good work!

Cream Cheese Frosting

I LOVE cream cheese and I LOVE cream cheese frosting even more! So, I came up with what I think is the perfect blend of cream cheese, butter, powder sugar and vanilla and wanted to share it with you!

Cream Cheese Frosting

4oz. cream cheese

1/2 stick unsalted butter

1tsp vanilla

1 cup powder sugar

Mix above ingredients and spread over your favorite muffin! I put mine on a pumpkin muffin and sprinkled with cinnamon.

About Me

(this photo has never been seen by anyone, until now!)

Why I began blogging

She probably doesn't know this but I was inspired to blog by my sister-in-law (you can check out her blog here). I didn't know anything about blogging until I started reading her's. Then when I quite my job to stay home with my baby girl I decided to try and start my own blog for something to do. Blogging has not only given me something to do in my free time, but it has helped developed my confidence, my craftiness and my community. Plus I love it!

(I like this photo because we are both being ourselves and not posing)

My husband and our home

I met my husband through a friend at the time, she is now my sister-in-law and we are married to brothers. He was my first date and will hopefully be my last! We got married almost six years ago and lived in a basement apartment.

(my first attempts at decorating!)

It was really nice, small and easy to clean! Then about three years ago we started renting here:

(our current home)

It is a great home, just too large and expensive for us right now, since I quite my job. Right now we are in that stage of looking, waiting, looking and waiting some more! But, we are trusting God to take us to the right place. We have decided we want to stay in the area as it is where my husbands job is and where both of our families live. We aren't great travelers, we love our home, family and community. My husband who is  a chef dreams of owning his own business one day and very soon here you will get to taste his culinary abilities as he is putting together some stuff to sell on my etsy shop!

My daughter

(having fun with my baby!)

Is an absolute miracle to me. Two miscarriages led me to developing hyperthyroidism which then led to the doctors advising me not to get pregnant until I got it resolved. But of course we accidentally got pregnant with my daughter! Our prayers had been answered about getting pregnant, but now I had this vital problem with my thyroid which the doctors where telling us would not be safe for the baby! So, after praying for healing I went to get things checked out and guess what? My thyroid was back to normal! I was able to have a normal pregnancy with no complications and we have been blessed with a healthy beautiful little girl who gives us so much joy!

My background

I am one of six kids and I have the middle child syndrome : )  Both of my parents are artists in their own rights, my dad owns his own house painting business and my mom went to art college before having all of us children.

(my loving parents : )

My mom taught me how to be expressive in my art and my dad taught me how to be orderly in my art. I have always been a lover of art and crafts because of my parents. I don't have anything real big to put on my resume I only have my associate of art degree from a local college and seven years of working in an insurance office under my belt, but I LOVE arts and crafts, they keep me motivated, inspired and joyful!

Now you know about me let me get to know you!

Please comment on my posts as I love hearing from you! You can also contact me via e-mail: madalyn.mcarthur@gmail.com, facebook, bloglovin, google+, pinterest, and etsy.