Goodbye "Christmas in July"

I wish I could say I got a lot more done for my "Christmas in July" venture but what can I say?

Oh , I know!! Hello August!! The month where 3 of my 4 grandbabies were born, my daughter~in~law's 30th b~day party is in the works & I get to do the decorating with help from my girl Heather, so excited! It's party time!!

Batman Book Bag

I made these for my grandson's birthday party for the party bags. (His mommy enlisted me for help) He's Batman right now. (Sometimes Spiderman) Depends on the day.
They were super easy. I actually timed myself making one , 12 minutes start to finish!! I'm not a seamstress either. 5 bags total. Not sure  how long it took all together because I finished my laundry too ;)

 A headband for his "Sissy"

to wear to the party

Party pics coming soon!

Thanks for looking!

4 Days Left of Christmas in July!

SO.... Did you know that you can freeze unfrosted cookies for 6-12 months if you store them in an airtight container? Here's a tip...wrap your completely cooled cookies in plastic wrap then put them in a ziplock.   Frosted cookies will freeze up to 3 months, put a date on your calendar for September and invite your fellow "Wannabe ready for Christmas Zealots" over and add to your collection in the freezer.
I thought I would share a favorite cookie recipe that my daughters & I love to do together. Easy peasy.
Tastes better frozen so you better hide 'em behind that scary looking freezer burned stuff ;)

"Like Girl Scout Cookies"

Unsalted Ritz Crackers

Chocolate Almond Bark

1/2 tsp. Peppermint Extract

Crushed Peppermint

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler, stir in extract then dip the crackers one at a time till coated.

Lay on waxed paper and sprinkle with crushed peppermint

Let them dry completely before freezing.

note: I've used salted Ritz crackers before and they're tasty too.

I'm making these tonight!!

B.O.O.Ps - Bustin' Out Of Phoenix!: Tie-Dye Tanks for SALE!!!

B.O.O.Ps - Bustin' Out Of Phoenix!: Tie-Dye Tanks for SALE!!!: "Do you LOVE our signature pink tie-dye tanks ?!? Well, we do too and we've heard from a few of you that you'd like one as well! Now is your chance."
Visit our Team's blog to view and place your order!
http://bustinoutofphoenix.blogspot.com/

5 More Days of Christmas in July

I really surprised myself and actually bought a Christmas present today!
I thought I would share one of my traditions with you....
My sister-law Teresa & I have a tradition that we have done forever it seems.  We do a "Goody Box" filled with random fun gifts, nail polish, earrings, notecards etc...
We agree on a $ amount to spend and then we "try" to stick to the deal.
I buy her a pretty hat box and fill it every year with my idea of what I think she'll have fun with.  And that's what I bought today!
We don't live in the same state and we really never get to spend the holiday together, so it's a fun way to for us to feel close  at this special time of year. I always get mine from her in time for Christmas. But when it comes to me getting mine mailed to her, I shoot for Christmas but it's usually closer to New Years!

NOT THIS YEAR right?   Fill 'er up!!

Christmas in July!

Every year I'm determined to get an early start on Christmas so that I can truly enjoy the beauty and meaning of the celebration. I've heard "Christmas in July" for years and always associated it with commercialism & turned away from it.But this year I'm going to embrace it. I promise myself starting today to plan my budget first, right? Then start my beloved internet shopping!! If I actually will wrap things when they arrive, that's a bonus. Trick is to remember what's in the package come December ;)  
Do you all have any fun ideas & traditions that you would like to share? I would love to hear about it!

Forgiveness

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.
Lewis B. Smedes

Ephesians 4:32
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

~So after careful self-examination on this friendship thing,(my previous post) I realized that I'm the one at fault.  Here's what I want to do about it... I am going to forgive myself and also those that I have been hurt by.   Life is short right?  Wouldn't we all have so much more fun and be more fulfilled if we could let go of pride, give a little more benefit and just enjoy people being who they are and allow ourselves to be who we were created to be & are? I'm just asking for grace.
 Of course that is not permission to act however we want, after all, we need to take personal responsibility in relationships. We all need to own up for our behaviour and be respectful of one another. Don't ya think? 
Do you have thoughts on this? Please feel free to leave a comment ;)

Friendships

My heart has been heavy these days about my friendships. I'm feeling the pain of conviction and the sting of neglect when it comes to my friends.
Do you ever get into one of these funks?  I would love for you to comment if you have thoughts on it.How do you bring yourself back around ?  What you do to step out and do something about it.....

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."
~John 15:13

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."
~Mother Teresa

"My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me."
~Henry Ford

The only way to have a friend is to be one.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

You can always tell a real friend: when you've made a fool of yourself he doesn't feel you've done a permanent job.
~Laurence J. Peter

I love the promise of hope when I'm feeling this way.
Jeremiah 29:11"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

Birdy Baby Shower Family Style

My niece Jessica was showered by her family last weekend. 

We had a fun time celebrating her and her family.

Can't wait to love on that baby!! 

Mommy

Mommy & Daddy

"Green Popsicles"

Birds Nest Cupcakes

Boys & Food.... a natural attraction

Gentlemens Games

Presents!!

Games

Happy Winners

Auntie Love

"Fun Funding"

Thank you to all of our sweet fans and fam that came out to support "The B.O.O.P.s"
We love and appreciate you all so very much.
Congratulations Margaret on winning my "Bust Cups" raffle ;)

B.O.O.P.S FUNDRAISER

Hey All You Locals!

Hope you all can make it to Rubio's tonight(if you're still toughin' it out here in town)....
Come out and support "Team B.O.O.P.s " ( Bustin' out of Phoenix)in the fight against breast cancer from 5-8 P.M. tonight.
Rubio's on 44th St. & Indian School is generously donating 20% of all orders to us during this time so please consider "dining" out tonight ;) mention that you are there to support "Team B.O.O.P.s."
PLUS!!!! We will be holding a raffle for 2 free rooms from "Choice Carpet Cleaning", 1 free photo session from Heather or 2 dozen of my red velvet cupcakes!  Tickets will be $1 each so come buy a few, it's worth the gamble ;)

Thank you for supporting us!
Visit our blog...
http://bustinoutofphoenix.blogspot.com/
Joyce , Heather & Melissa
Walk 60 Miles? We can do that!
Please feel free to donate to me
http://www.the3day.org/goto/jjonovich

"Chocoholic~ness"

Just a few pics of the "choc-co-laa-tee--mess"

"Make a Wish"

"Cheese"

Silly boy



<>              "Still Daddy's Girl"

Daddy's/ Poppy's boys...Thumbs Up!

Cake Please ;)

Goooo....stuff



Kyle sure loves her "Aunt Minna"



It was a happy day huh Honey?
(flat tire in a 109 degree weather and all)





Happy Birthday Handsome!

Today's My Man's B-Day,
I will take a minute to brag on him.
He is a godly man who loves his family, honors The Lord and blesses me beyond words.
I love him with all my heart.
I pray he has many more happy, healthy, fun, blessed, content, peaceful years with at least a few more "hole in ones" ;)

Happy Birthday Honey! XOXO

P.S. Tomorrow I'll post some birthday dinner celebration pictures of the "chocoholic~ness"

God Bless America

U.S.A.

Home of the Free

Annual Chapparal 4th of July Parade

Our Restored 77 GMC
(2nd year in the parade) 

"One Tough Patriot"

He still likes his cotton candy ;)

"We Want You!"

Dog Piles

Whip you with my sweaty shirt

MMM...Babies

All done, bath time!