Insta Friday

I'm linking up with Jeannett for Insta Friday this week.  I'm devonl9 if you want to follow

Hot chocolate!

Our Elf arrived.  Skippy Chippy stayed at the North Pole this year.  Meet Snowflake

Little Patches with Christmas bedding :)

 

My handmade stockings.  Love them

The most beautiful two-toned tree in Newport Beach

Drive Thru Nativity

If you live in Orange County this is a great event!  It takes place at Mount of Olives Lutheran Church in Mission Viejo(24772 Chrisanta Drive). You can drive through in your car and listen to the message on the radio or you can walk through and view the actors and animals up close.  My family has been in the nativity twice and we had a great time.  It was wonderful to remember the true meaning of Christmas during this busy time of the year.  I encourage you to check it out this year.  You will not be disappointed!

My daughter as an angel on the hill

My family "acting" in the marketplace

What I Wore Wednesday

Today I'm linking up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy. 

 

Excuse the messy office.  Those papers are still on the ground!  Someone needs a talking to...

 

Boots- Sonoma at Kohls

Sweater socks- made by me :)

leggings- Mossimo at Target

Dress- Kohls (old)

Jacket and scarf- Old Navy

 

I shop at cheaper stores.  And I usually only buy it if it's on sale or I have a coupon.  My mom taught me well...and she is still the best shopper I know.  I just can't justify spending a lot on clothes- except for a few favorite jeans and tops that I HAD to have.

 

Happy Hump Day

xo Devon  

 

 

Yum!

I made this delicious dinner tonight. I will post the recipe because you will WANT to make this. It's kid friendly!!

For our Tummies on Tuesday

If you haven't done so already- It's time to get out that crockpot! 
On Black Friday, Target was selling small crockpots for $8!  Just big enough for 2 chicken breasts and some ingredients.  I love my crockpot so much.  It helps me stay organized during the busy sports season (which is all year around here) and I always have a healthy dinner ready. 
Enjoy this little recipe.  Serve it with some rice and veggies.

1 to 1.5 lbs chicken tenderloins
1 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup vinegar
1/4 cup lemon lime soda (diet is OK)
2-3 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper


Mix all ingredients in slow cooker and refrigerate 1 day prior. Cook on low 4-6 hours or until done. Voila!

xo Devon

Selling Mania

I have been posting like crazy on Ebay and Craigslist!  Mostly because I don't like too much stuff around...but the money is nice too ;)   I'm selling Rainbow Magic books (because we have close to 70), some toys and other goodies.  I'm looking forward to seeing how the auctions end.

Years ago, George and I sold ceiling fans on Ebay.  We stored them in our downstairs bathtub, stacked to the ceiling and shipped them all over the U.S.  It was a nice little side business but the fans were so expensive to ship and sometimes items were broken during shipping.  Funny thing is, I sell on Ebay but I rarely purchase.  Not sure why that is...
Hope you are enjoying your Monday!
xo Devon

Santa's arrival in Mission Viejo

What: Santa will be arriving to bring in the holiday spirit.
When: November 25. 3-6pm. With Santa arriving at 6pm.
Where: Mission Viejo Civic Center

http://www.mvactivities.com/events_full.htm

Scrabble tile pendants

Good morning! Have you seen scrabble tile pendants before? I have been making them and they are so fun to design. I know some people that will find these in their stockings :)

Black Friday

I have gone shopping every Black Friday since I can remember. My mom and I hit the stores early, which years ago was 5am. Now early is 8pm on Thanksgiving. (or 4pm if you go to Michaels). I vividly recall standing in line at the Disney store at 5am for a prize given to the first 100 people. We waited for what seemed like hours and our prize was a Holiday Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal. Of course that bear still decorates my staircase! I also remember spending hours at the mall and not finding anything to buy. How is that possible? Fast forward years later and we got to the mall at 9:30am today, bought a few things, went to 2 Targets for a few items and that was it. How was your shopping?
xo Devon

P.S. My daughter says she loves Black Friday...only because she got a $5 stuffed animal at Build a Bear. If you know my daughter, you understand how she REALLY did not need another stuffed animal. Only a Gaga would buy one...

Things I'm loving in November

10. Butternut Squash soup from Paradise Bakery. Mmmm Delish!

9. Building forts in the living room

 

8.  Being able to walk Irelyn to school each day
7. My husband- He always has a positive attitude. Love him

6. Good health insurance
5.  Gingerbread Houses

4. My Moms Next group Thursday mornings at church
3. My new pillow from Costco. I left my other favorite one at a hotel...grrrr
2. Yogurtland dates with my mom and daughter

and #1. Teavana. Amaretti Herbal Tea hot, Blueberry Bliss and Pineapple Kona Pop cold. Seriously, everything is wondeful there.

What I Wore Wednesday

Today I'm linking up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy

Running errands and lunch with Mom

 

Top and tank- Target

skirt- H&M

leggings- Target

shoes- Converse

Necklace- Urban Outfitters

 

xo Devon

For our tummies on Tuesday

Here is another recipe from my box. I've had many Chicken Curry recipes- but this is by far the tastiest. I like to use this when guests come over or for a special meal. It is really great left over too and it has a really good comforting taste.

Chicken Curry

2 lb. chicken breasts, cut into 1-2 inch pieces

1 1/2 T. butter

1 tsp. curry powder

1 apple, diced into bite sized pieces

1 med. onion, diced

1 can cream mushroom soup

3/4 c. cream

white or brown minute rice, as much as you like

Melt 1 T. butter, add curry, chopped apple, onion, soup and cream. Place chicken into 9X13 pan. Pour mixture over chicken and bake uncovered 1 hour 15 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through, at 350 degrees.

Cook rice. Saute onion, slivered almonds, raisins in 1/2 T. butter. After sauteed, mix with the rice in a large bowl. Use sauce from chicken as a gravy over rice.

This is seriously good!

Getting crafty

I have always loved being creative and making beautiful things.  I must get it from my mom.  While I was growing up, my mom and her BFF had a business and would go to boutiques to sell.  They called themselves Bunny People and if only I could show you a picture of the bunnies they made.  I don't even know if I can describe them..."sock puppet looking bunnies with clothes and accessories" but that doesn't even do it justice.  I will be on the hunt for an old photo!
Back to me...
My friends and I used to walk to Michaels and get plaster statues to paint. We would spend all day making them perfect. It's a fun idea for your kids

I LOVED to finger knit. Do you remember doing that?

 

 

In third grade, we made a candy dish.  It was the gift for our parents and we made it from paper and laminated it.  I thought it was amazing so when I got home I made one for everyone in my family!

 

I enjoy making things so I read a lot of magazines, blogs and websites for inspiration.  Here are a few recent things I have done.

I got this hallway idea from my friend Katie at Minivan Diva.  I spray painted the frame and chalkboard. and made the L frame on the right.

 

  Inspiration from the show Cougar Town :) heehee

But I love it in kitchen





Have fun getting crafty!
xo Devon

Insta Friday

Linking up with www.liferearranged.com for Insta Friday.  follow me- I'm devonl9

 super awesome old car

 



Japanese Garden at sunset in Newport Beach

Making scrabble tile pendants today

 

Have a wonderful weekend!

xo Devon

What I Wore Wednesday

Linking up with Lindsey at the The Pleated Poppy. 
I'm new to What I Wore Wednesday and this week I'm giving it a try.  It's going to get me out of the mommy rut and help me put a little extra effort into my outfits. 

For family photos.

necklace- Macy's

skirt- Target online.  It can be a long skirt or a strapless dress!

tank- Nordstrom

sweater- Old Navy



For our tummies on Tuesday

This is one of my favorite recipes.  It is delicious and so easy to make.

This is soooooo good!! (from my crockpot cookbook)

Chicken Noodle Soup with Sweet Potatoes

6 to 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces (We prefer chicken breasts so I substituted and used 3 breasts)
2 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
1 onion, chopped
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 tsp. marjoram
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 bay leaf
1 14 1/2 oz can chicken broth
8 oz. egg noodles, cooked

Combine all ingredients except the egg noodles in the Crock pot. Cover; cook on low for 8 to 10- hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. Stir in cooked egg noodles before serving.

New blog!

Welcome :)  This is my new blog!  I'm excited to get started again with recipes, fun tips and things I've learned.  I hope you enjoy reading.

xo Devon