Our Perfect Baby. And Winner Announced.

Sweet little miss has reversed her nocturnal tendencies.

So I am officially declaring her best baby ever.

Although I did say the same thing about her brother puppy.

And he promptly ditched his kibble for a steady diet of My Little Ponies, toilet paper and underwear.

So I'm not holding my breath.

She is mellow.

Relaxed.

Flexible.

Praise Jesus because she pretty much lives in the car.

She has started smiling.

And cooing.

And it's the sweetest sound ever.

She's living up to her middle name quite nicely.

She's a joy.

And we really love her around here.

She also likes give-a-ways.

And her Auntie Julie who is the big winner this month.

Jules, Starbucks and Pen and Paint happy mail are en route, my friend.

Thanks to everyone who linked up this month.

That was fun.

Happy Birthday, Pintertest Kitchen: Candy Corn Fudge and a Giveaway!

Fake birthdays are stressful.

So this month's Pintertest is quick and easy.

Then we're on to the real reason you're here.

A ridiculously fabulous fake birthday giveaway.

Recipe adapted from here.

1 bag white chocolate chips

1 can condensed milk

orange food coloring

Original recipe called for Limited Edition Candy Corn Oreos.

They were very limited.

As in nowhere on the Peninsula.

So I subbed with the more toxic looking Halloween Oreos.

I also added Limited Edition Candy Corn M&M's.

Here's what you do.

Line bottom of 8x8 pan with parchment paper.

Chop about 12 Oreos in quarters and line bottom of pan with half of them.

I sprinkled some of the M&M's on top of the Oreo pieces.

Set aside while you prep the fudge.

Combine white chocolate chips and condensed milk in microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 2 minutes.

Add food coloring and stir until you reach desired orange color.  I used about 10 drops.

Stir and heat for 30 seconds more.

Repeat until fudge mixture is fully melted.

Pour fudge into your 8x8 pan.

Sprinkle with remaining Oreos pieces and more M&M's.

Let chill in fridge for about 4 hours.

Cut and serve.

Easy.  Festive.  Fun.

But sweet.

SUPER sweet.

You've been warned.

On to the fun stuff.

So many goodies.

So many generous blogging friends with fabulous shops.

All willing to share.

I love them.

Here's a detailed run down of what's up for grabs.

Lindsay from Pen and Paint is offering one of her kitchen prints.

You pick the color/theme.

Green, red, blue or yellow (pictured below, top row, second from right).

You need one.

Heather of CM Handmade is offering a custom "EAT" burlap banner.

How perfect is that?

I kind of wish I could win.

Julie is offering any one printable from her shop.

They are wallpapered all over our house.

I adore them.

Hannah is parting with a pair of her Happy Days earrings.

Your choice.

I have 4 pairs and I want 44 more.

And Katy is offering any one print from her shop.

Such encouraging words.  I love her work.

She also makes a mean button.

And last but not least, a $25 Starbucks gift card from me.

Because I'm not the craftiest.

Maybe I'll dust off my washi tape and make you a gift card sleeve.

We'll see.

One lucky Pintertester wins ALL.

How, you ask?

Easy as pie.

Link up below!

Your link is considered your entry.

Linkers, for additional entries share this post via Facebook, Twitter and/or Instagram.

Leave a separate comment indicating each way you've shared.

But YOU MUST LINK UP TO WIN.

Giveaway closes Friday, October 12.

Winner will be chosen randomly and announced Monday, October 15.

Grab a cute new button and have fun!

Winners!

OK, people.

This is going to be short and sweet.

And not super fancy.

Jamie's bridal shower is tomorrow and I've got baking, shopping and prepping to do.

Both girls have sleepovers at different houses.

One has a party tomorrow and I still need to get the gift.

Also, the carpet cleaners are coming between 1 pm and 3 pm because they missed a spot.

And shower favors need to be picked up by 4:30.

Groomer wants Kobi to go in for a test walk up her new ladder before she'll book an appointment.

Today sometime.

Also, Dave and I need to look like Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne by tonight.

For an Olympics Opening Ceremony party.

Come as your favorite Brit.

The choice was obvious.

Dave will most likely be wearing eyeliner.

And I'm supposed to bring cupcakes for that, too.

It's one of those days where I wish there were 124 hours instead of 24.

I'm already exhausted.

Basically, it's 6 am and I'm in my pink polkas.

Picking your names, old school.

Because let's face it.

11 True Random Number Generator screen shots = SNOOZEFEST.

Ready?

I'm so excited to give this stuff away!

Julie's prints.

Four lucky winners.

And they are...

Susan

Laurie Hawley

Natalie

Kathy

 Email me with your choice.

Next.

Katy's prints.

Four more lucky ladies.

Denise

Jen Smith

Ashley Helenius

Leslie

Congratulations, girls!

Email me with your choice.

 One pair of Happy Days earrings.

Winner is...

Jeannett

Email me your choice.

Woo hoo!

I love giving away other people's stuff!

Next?

Daylight Designs Invite package from Mel Larson.

Super lucky winner is...

Melissa

Email me for claim deets.

 

And, last but not least, Make Pie $20 store credit goes to...

Cara

Again, email me for deets.

Congrats all!

And thank you, from the bottom of my busy, overflowing heart.

To date, we've raised $4,925.00!

With more fundraisers in the works.

Keep spreading the word.

We're just getting started.

Gigglebean Giveaway and Dated Family Portraits

My friend Jessica is a fantastic photographer.

She has a pretty fantastic name, too.

And a pretty fantastic giveaway going on over at her Gigglebean blog.

This is us in 1993. At a youth group retreat near Santa Cruz.

Dave's the hottie (top row, centerish) in the letterman jacket.

I'm in the row below his, in a white shirt with more bangs than main hair.

Those bangs.  I remember that prep process clear as day.

It involved an unhealthy amount of Aussie Hair Spray and a plastic white visor.

Photog extraordinaire is rocking the maroon Northface jacket in my same row, 4 sets of horrid bangs to my right.

Anyhow, back to 2011.  Quickly.  Please.

Or 2009, actually, when she took family portraits for us.

Before I started this blog.

I could go on and on and on about her magical talent.

But I figured a picture is a worth... Well, you know.

Here are some of my favorites.

Let it be noted that both girls were fighting colds that day and pretty crabby/snotty.

Jess + Photoshop = Adios runny nose x 2.

Jess + bribe candy = Adios crabby x 2.

Girl's got mad photog, editing AND people skills.

My girls loved her.  And we think she's pretty great, too.

When Gigglebean hits 500 Facebook fans, she's giving away a free local photo shoot.

So hop on over to her Facebook page and become a fan.

For your chance to win, leave a comment here saying that you did.

And if you don't live in the Bay Area, enter anyway.

When you win, book a flight.  It's a perfect excuse to visit.

You can stay at our place.  I'll do your bangs.

Wordless Wednesday: Winner Announced!

Congratulations, Jamie!

From a total sign hog (and her older sister).

Make Pie Not War: A Blog Birthday Giveaway

About 8 years ago my husband went to have burritos with friends.

And came home wanting to take out a small business loan, learn how to screen print and start a clothing company.

They even named it that night.  Right there in the little taqueria.

Disciple Clothing Company.

I was 8 months pregnant with Kayla.  And hormonal.

Making rash decisions left and right.  So I agreed.

But it really was the perfect fit.

Jason was our ridiculously talented graphic designer.

Drew was a marketing genius with 104,789 myspace friends and connections to EVERY band on the planet.

And there was Branden, my brother, and his crazy sales skills.

And Dave, our self-taught screen printing workhorse.

It seemed like a slam dunk.

And, looking back, it was.  We had a blast.

All the printing was done in our garage and our living room was always filled with boxes.

We took a crash course in Christian Musical Festival 101.

Spirit West Coast: Del Mar and Monterey.

Joshua Fest.

Creation Fest.

Joy Fest.

Every Fest known to man.

And though it was hard work, those were the best of times.

Dave and Drew worked together in youth ministry.

So we had unlimited access to cheap (we paid them in clothes) labor.

And they worked hard.  And we are forever grateful.

We met lots of wonderful people.  Amazing companies.  Lifelong friendships.

It was very exciting to see a dream that was born on a whim over chips and salsa come to fruition.

And a little company based out of our home garage grow and make a name for itself.

Sadly, in May of 2007, a band threatened to sue us over trademark issues.

Although we were growing, we were still too small to fight against a record company.

So we hung up our screens, closed up the garage and called it a day.

R.I.P. Disciple Clothing Company.

It was fun while it lasted.

-------------------------------------

But enough with the sad stories.

Guess what?!

My blog turns one on March 8!

And I'm giving YOU a present.

A $50 store credit to Make Pie Not War

Alana Little is one of those wonderful people we met during our Disciple days.

She is gorgeous, hysterical and full of life.  She lights up a room.

And her company is amazing, too.

Just leave a comment below and you're entered for a chance to win.

And I don't even really care what you say.

You can head over to Make Pie's Etsy shop and tell me what you'd buy.

Or just "hi" is fine.

You can even tell me that you love bands that sue over trademark issues.

Whatever your little heart desires.

Winner will be chosen randomly.

"Like" Make Pie Not War's Facebook page for a second entry.

Tweet about the giveaway for a third entry.

Just leave me separate, additional comments saying that you did.

Giveaway will go through Tuesday, March 8.

Winner will be announced on Wednesday, March 9.

Alana's jewelery is beautiful.

And I'm so excited to share it with you.

Happy Birthday, little blog!