Just something to think about...

Bee Jaded Jewelry Giveaway WINNER

It's time!

The winner of this week's giveaway for
a $40 credit to Bee Jaded Jewelry is...

LUCKY #15


Congrats!
Email Jessica at beejaded@gmail.com.

And, a discount announcement!
Jessica has been kind enough to extend the following
to all of our {SIG} readers...

~ All {SIG} fans will receive 10% off their entire order. ~
~ Only $2.00 shipping thru Thursday Aug 4, 2011. ~

Email Jessica at beejaded@gmail.com with the following...
~ Your order & be very specific! ~
~ Your address ~

I will send you an invoice that reflects the discount.
Email me with any questions.
Happy Shopping!!
Bee Jaded Jewelry

Baked Pasta w/ Broccoli & Meat

This has got to be one of my favorite "go to" recipes.
We especially like any type of baked pasta in the winter.
But it is just as great in the summer.
And the left overs are fabulous!

From the prep work to time in the oven,
it normally takes me about 30 minutes.
And I am being conservative.
I have 3 munchkins running amuck so it adds time on.

What you need:
12 oz Pasta of your choice (best w/ ziti or rigatoni)
1 lb Meat of your choice (love me Italian sausage)
3 tbsp unsalted butter
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
3 cups milk
1 head of broccoli
1/2 cup grated Parmesan


Let's get to cookin'!

Get your oven going, 350 degrees.
Lightly spray your baking dish w/ spray.
Cut your broccoli in to about 1" pieces.
{I like to measure everything out &
have it ready to pour in as needed.}

1. Fill up a large pot w/ salted water & boil.
2. On medium/high heat, start browning meat. You want to make sure the meat is broken up in to small pieces. Cook until no longer pink.
   
3. Add 3 tbsp of butter and stir well.
4. Once butter is melted, start to sprinkle in the flour, stirring constantly throughout the process. This is the base of your cream sauce.
5. Stir in 3 cups of milk. Keep an eye on this, stirring until sauce thickens.
6. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and any other favorites. We love Tony's in this house so I always add a dash or 2 making this a bit spicy. Even the kids love it!

Now, I will say this, I normally wait
until the above is finished before I start
messing with cooking the pasta.
I just leave my sauce on low heat.

1. Add pasta to boiling water. Cook for about 5 minutes.
2. Add broccoli to boiling pasta. Cook for about 3 minutes.
3. Drain pasta and broccoli.
4. Pour in to the sauce mix. Add the grated parmesan.
5. Stir well, letting all the ingredients "get to know one another"
6. Pour in to baking dish.
7. Sprinkle a bit more parmesan on top.

Now it is time to pop that baby in to the oven!
Or, if you want to cook ahead, this is good for 48 hours
in the fridge or just pop in to the freezer for later in the week.

Cook for about 25-30 minutes.
Serve nice & hot!


Kitchen Tips:
~ Need more sauce, the ratio of butter, flour, & milk is 1:1.
This means for every extra tbsp of butter, you need another
tbsp of flour and 1 cup of milk.
~ Make it low fat by using skim milk & lean meat.
~ If you don't have lean meat, make sure to rinse the meat
before you continue cooking. This will wash out the grease.

I would LOVE to hear if you try it out!
Happy cooking!!!

Tuesday Ramblings...

You know it is embarrassing when
you don't have internet on your phone.
Why?
Well, because I run my business on the internet.
I just haven't been able to justify the cost of the media package
for my good ol' Crackberry (which I got for free for blogging).

But now, it is imminent.
I.need.internet.access.now.
Really.
I am very serious.
When you go to a meeting full of moms of multiples and
everyone is asking to see your website but...

you have to BORROW an iPhone.
{insert really red cheeks here}

This should be a clue.
So instead of an Android phone, why not a tablet?
T-Mobile has this one...

And I want it.
Business expense?
Absolutely.
Now I have to decide which is more important.
The tablet or new furniture for the workroom?
Decisions.

A dear friend gave me this sign.
It was a surprise.
And I try to live by this every day.
As a matter of fact, it hangs in my workspace.
To remind me.
Thank you Adrienne!

Love my B&D.
In the summer heat, this beats having to put the oven on.
I haven't baked in it but it is perfect for french fries, nuggets,
garlic toast, & many other things that
taste better baked instead of nuked.

This is what you get to wake up to after a really bad storm
rolls through with massive lightning/thunder and some
very serious winds, a huge tree limb in the backyard.

Just another mess to clean up.
But I really can't complain because we got a good rain
out of the deal and with the massive drought we are experiencing,
we will take anything that comes with rain.

Don't forget to enter in the Bee Jaded Giveaway!

Bee Jaded Jewelry GIVEAWAY

I am so excited about this giveaway.
Simply because I LOVE my necklace.
I wear it every.single.day.
It rocks!

Now, I will admit, I switched out the chain.
My trio's hands are all over this necklace and
I didn't want them to break the other one.
I have put it aside & plan on wearing it.
BUT, for now...it has to be this thicker chain.
And it still is killer!

Here is a little bit about Jessica, the owner & designer behind Bee Jaded.

I am a Mom of 3 to... almost 8 year old son - Adrian, and b/g twins - Emma & Sage, 4 1/2. My husband Joe & I, along with our 3 kiddos live in the Houston/Cypress area. I have always been the crafty/*creative type since as long as I can remember. I wanted jewelry that *inspired me & had meaning. I started hand stamping jewelry in Feb. of 2010 - mostly making necklaces for myself, my sisters and closest friends, and fell in love with it. First I made pieces with my kids names on it, then came the birth dates, anniversaries, and my "LOL" design came when my kids seriously had me laughing out loud. I then started to incorporate the birthstones & pearls & am constantly learning new techniques & having new ideas. I love that each piece is not 'perfect' because each individual letter is stamped by hand, but when the piece is finished it all comes together so 'bee'autifully. I love that each piece is *unique to each individual and a true one-of-a-kind. When people started asking where we got them I was so excited & I thought why not sell them.

The name ...

I knew I wanted to incorporate my kids somehow & having only one daughter -Emma Jade - who loves jewelry & everything girly I thought 'JADE JEWELRY' would be perfect, but it was already taken. From there I searched for web domains that were available and along came BEE JADED, & with that my slogan *Bee Unique *Bee Creative *Bee Inspired - which I have recently shortened to *unique *creative *inspired, but it 100% incorporates what my jewelry is all about. So in June of 2010 my website www.beejaded.com went live & I made my first sale shortly after. Most of my designs are named after the person I originally made it for, unless I make them on the fly in which case they get names like "The LOL". I couldn't leave my husband & daughter out so I have designs for kids & men too. I also do custom orders. If someone has an idea that they don't see on the website I will gladly do my best to bring their inspiration to life.

Bee Jaded has something special for everyone in the family.
Need a special something for the hubs?
Check out these awesome wrist cuffs.


I know I'm not a guy but I think I am going
to have to get one of my own!

It gets better.
I want to get my girls one of these.
{and there are several designs to choose from}


Let's not forget Grandma!
A pretty necklace, appropriately named, "The Nana".


And a beautiful keychain for anyone special in your life.
{the key ring is your choice between a circle or heart}


And finally, another favorite of mine.
I'm gonna have to come up with an excuse to get these.
They are SOOO me.

I don't know if you can see but there is a baseball stamped
on the Grant tag & a flip flop stamped on Gracie's tag.
I think that is pretty cool.
Hello baseball moms!

I could probably go on & on & on.
But now it is time to discuss what you are going to win.
How about a $40 Gift Certificate for anything Bee Jaded has?
Or even a custom piece?


Yeah...for reals.

Now you need the deets to enter.
Please remember to make SEPARATE COMMENTS to get all entries counted!
You have through July 29 at midnight CST to enter.

1) Become a follower of the {SIG} Blog & leave a comment.
2) Get a friend to follow the blog & leave a comment w/ their name.
3) Become a fan of the {SIG} Facebook page & leave a comment.
4) Become a fan of the Bee Jaded Facebook page,
leave her some {SIG} love on her wall,
& don't forget to comment here!

This is going to be worth it ladies & gents!
Grab this opportunity to get something beautiful for yourself!
And, be on the lookout...there may be a little somethin' extra
when the winner is announced on Saturday.

Go on...get it!
Show some love!
Bring some back!

PS - Monday Ramblings has got a new day.
Tuesday Ramblings it shall be!

Just something to think about...

Skye Reve Fabrics & {SIG} Giveaway WINNER

Finally, the time has come!
93 entries for this fabulous prize.
A combo giveaway for a {SIG} pattern and $15 to Skye Reve Fabrics.
You can't go wrong!

Random.org picked...

Yep, that is LUCKY #7!
And who might the winner be?
Here is her comment...

Please contact me via email for the deets!
Thanks to everyone.

Next Monday Bee Jaded Jewelry is our sponsor
for the big giveaway & you won't want to miss out.
$40 to spend in store & a little extra somethin', somethin'...

which will remain a surprise until the winner is announced!
Now, go enjoy your weekend!

?? Friday Five ??

I thought this would be a good idea.
Friday Five.
Five questions for me to answer.
Or Andrea...or the whole crew.

If you have a question, please leave it in the comments.
I'll pick another 5 for next Friday.

How do you have time for sewing with 3 little ones?
{Stephanie B.}

Well, sewing time is broken in to tiny increments.
I get 5 minutes here, 5 minutes there.
If I'm lucky, I'll get a good tv show to catch their attention
and then have a little block of sewing time.
I find that I do most of my online stuff (emails, FB, etc.) while
they are awake because it can be interrupted easily.
When the kids go down for nap and bedtime, I start my heavy sewing.
Oh, Mondays & Thursdays, they go to their grandparents for the morning.
That helps because I get uninterrupted sewing time!

How did you learn to sew and how long have you been doing it?
{Rachel W.}

I have known how to sew for a very long time.
My grandmother taught me.
I use to use her machine for little projects.
And then, I forgot almost all about it. Sad.
I did a couple of projects like curtains & what not,
but never really ventured in to clothing.
But when I became a SAHM, I needed a creative outlet.
I also wanted the kids to have cute clothes.
And not pay the outrageous amount I would have to
in order to outfit three kids at the same time.
So I picked up my Target Singer special & started again.
Since then, it has been a landslide of projects & what not.
I am a creative driven person. It has always been that way.

How do you handle all the odds and ends of a
fast growing business while running a household?
{Kristi L.}

Hmmm, truth be told...
I do have someone come in once a month to clean.
Otherwise, cleaning occurs on a daily basis.
Seriously, I sweep the floor about 4 times a day.
That is the only way to keep up with the mess.

I am also fortunate to have a husband that does kitchen duty.
This is after I do the cooking though.
And during the week, only after dinner.
On the weekend, he helps quite a bit.

For the laundry, I gotta say, I scored BIG with my inlaws.
My MIL loves to do laundry.
Loves.
Like, really, really loves.
So the kids' clothes is done by her.
Our stuff gets done when it gets done.
The advantage to having a month supply of undies.

And we do pay a guy to cut the grass every other week.
I use to love to do it.
But since I can't hear the kids while I'm out there mowing,
I prefer not to do it right now.
I do plan on doing it next year & us saving the money.

What is your daily schedule like
when it comes to balancing your kids, household and SEWING?
{Ami S.}

The kids have just started waking up later so the schedule
has shifted a bit but I still have them napping as well.

Wake up time is around 7-7:30.
Breakfast soon follows.
When everyone is healthy, we go outside after breakfast.
After running around for a while, we cool down & watch TV.
This is when I get to sit down & start getting my sewing together.
Sometimes we run errands right after breakfast.
And on Wednesdays, the kids have dance.
We do lots of coloring & painting as well as reading.
Then it is time for lunch around 1pm.
Down for naps from about 1:45 to 3:30.
Lots of time to sew & do house stuff.
Then they are up and because they wake up somewhat grumpy,
I put the tv on for them to kind of wake up.
And there are days we get right in the car to do errands.
Daddy comes home around 4:45 and really watches the kids.
I cook and do sewing/business duties.
6:30-7ish is dinner.
8pm is bedtime!

Where do you get your sense of style?
{Suzanne P.}

Um, me?
Style?
I'm not sure that I have any, haha!
What I do like is seeing fabrics together that contrast
and pull colors out of the fabric they are paired with.
Also, the fabric talks to me.
No joke.
I've been dubbed "The Fabric Whisperer".
I just lay the fabric down in front of me,
move it around, layer it, play with it.
Then when my eye sees what I want, I stop.

My favorite fabrics are those that have punches of color.
I'm a total retro fan as well.
And let's not forget my love of all that is skulls when it comes to cotton prints.
Gritty designs.
Skater inspired or rock inspired.
But then there are the softer fabrics.
Those vintage pastels...gotta love me some of that.

AND...

Polka dots.
I don't know why there is a fascination with polka dots but there is.
Dunno.


Thank you to all that asked questions!
I look forward to the comments left here
so I can pick out more for next week.
Don't be afraid to ask what is on your mind!

This is why life is worth living.

Being able to sew brings a smile to my face.

It makes my kids feel special.

Yesterday they had their first dance class.
I had the opportunity to make them each a part of their uniform.


For Ian, his shorts.
This boy LOVED the tap portion of class.


For Sofi & Gabi, the ballet wrap skirts & tulle pompom hair ties.


I had to share with all my new followers.
These babies are MY LIFE.
Aren't they precious?

Easy Peasy Beer Bread Recipe

I wanted to share a recipe that I finally perfected this past week.

We have made an okay version of this many times,
but after a lot of recipe research,
I think I have got it just right.

You wouldn't think 4 ingredients would be that difficult, right?

And yes, I said FOUR ingredients.

I'm talking insanely easy...

...mostly for us people who like things
that cook simply and taste awesome.

So tell me, does this look awesome?

Easy Beer Bread

What you'll need:

3 cups self-rising flour

1/3 cup sugar

12 oz. beer of your choice

2-3 Tbl. butter/margarine (optional)

How to make:

Prepare a large loaf pan (mine is a 5" x 8") by greasing with cooking spray.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the self-rising flour and the sugar.

Pour in the beer.

We always use Shiner Bock Black Lager.

We are from Texas.

We don't even drink beer at our home,
but we are Texas-product snobs.

No beer makes better bread than Shiner Bock.
Period.

But since it may not be available to all
of you poor souls who don't reside here,
let me just say that different beers
will make the bread taste a little different.

Go for what sounds good to you!

Back to cooking...

Mix the beer into the flour mixture just until it is moistened.

Start with a spoon and then use your hands to finish mixing it up. Just don't over mix it!

It will be sticky, but when it's ready just plop it in your prepared loaf pan and gently pat it out evenly into the pan.

Now you will let the pan of dough sit.

Put it in a warmish place and allow it to rise for 45 mins or so.

This is important to producing a fluffier loaf.

This is something I used to not do.

It looks, feels, and tastes so much better if you don't skip this step.

At some point, while your bread is sitting, preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

After rising time is over, bake for 50-55 minutes.
Now for the butter...this is optional for you, but not in my house.

Melt the butter/margarine about halfway through cooking time,
pull the bread out of the oven, pour the butter evenly over and continue to cook.

When it is done it will have a gorgeous, shiny crust on it
and the butter will have infused all sides of your bread.

Check out that beauty!

Your bread is now ready and can be cut as soon as it's cool enough for you to handle. I used an electric knife for easier cutting, but a serrated knife will work too.

As you can see, I barely managed to get a sliced picture of my loaf before it had all been eaten!

I served this alongside a roast (cooked in the same beer!) and carrots/potatoes.

The best part is that once you buy a 6 pack of beer and a bag of self-rising flour, there's plenty left and since it's so easy, just an excuse to make another loaf!

Enjoy!

Don't forget to enter in the SKYE REVE & {SIG} Combo Giveaway!

PS ~ Astrid here...I will be making this recipe this weekend!

Skye Reve Fabrics & {SIG} GIVEAWAY

Skye Reve Fabrics...
oh the wonderful things I could say.
Like, go on forever & a day.

Seriously, Natasha is a DREAM to work with.
I was lucky to have found her.
Not only that, she has impeccable taste
when it comes to choosing fabrics.

She has been my numero uno fabric supplier
for just about a year now.
I can trust her to be my eyes,
and to surprise me with little goodies.
She has even bailed me out in emergency situations.
{eh hem...the Cy Fair Magazine shoot clothing crisis, read HERE}

Bottom line, I go to Natasha first.
If she doesn't have it, I cry.
Then I put on my big girl panties & go to fabric.com.
But it just isn't the same.
I much prefer Natasha.

So, for today's giveaway,
you get to choose any {SIG} pattern
that is available in the {SIG} Etsy Pattern section.
{2 more being listed today, bundles do not apply}

AND
Da-da-dum...

Since you probably need some pretty fabric
to make that skirt or pants from the pattern,
you will also receive a $15 gift certificate to...

SKYE REVE FABRICS

which should be MORE than enough
to make at least one item from the pattern,
if not 2 or 3 if you pick from her sale section.

How about them apples?


Or them apples...


Or...them apples...

{all these pretty apple prints are available, just click on the pic}

Of course, you know you gotta return the love.
To enter, please leave a SEPARATE comment on the BLOG.

1) Become a follower of the {SIG} blog & comment here.
2) Become a fan on the {SIG} Facebook page & comment here.
3) Become a fan of Skye Reve Fabrics Facebook page
and leave her some love so make sure to leave a comment on her wall
saying HI & that you are coming over from {SIG} & comment here.
4) Finally, get a FRIEND to follow the {SIG} blog & when you comment,
make sure to let me know who that new follower is!

That is 4 entries, total.
Not too shabby!
You have until FRIDAY, July 22 at midnight (CST) to enter.
Winner will be announced on Saturday.

Now, go on...
get outta here.

Share the {SIG} love.
And bring back some of your own!

Monday Ramblings...

You don't realize what you cannot live without until it is broken.
I had no idea how dependent I am on my key pouch.
I bought it 8 or 9 years ago.
Well worth every penny.
I'm serious.
I use it daily.
All my keys & id/cards are in/on it.
I don't leave home without it.
This is my baby.
The chain broke.
I was devastated.
Lost.
Like, gonna die because my keys
were separated from the cards type of die.
No bueno.

Listen, when you have triplets,
having free hands is an absolute MUST.
Purses are for dressing up.
This key pouch has saved me.
I slip it in my pocket and I have 2 free hands.

So I trek to The Galleria.
Was trying to avoid going.
I even tried to purchase a new one.
But alas, it wouldn't work online.

In to the LV store I went.
The clerk promptly told me they could
fix it on the spot.

JOY!
Complete and utter joy.

I'm lame, huh?
But I am all better now.


We don't really decorate our home.
No fancy furniture.
No "conversation" pieces.
Many unfinished home improvement projects.
{a story for another post}
All because of 3 beautiful kids.
Nothing nice stands a chance in our home.
At least, not right now.

But the kids artwork?
It is a focal point.
This is one of many walls covered in art.

Love.


Since we are focusing on kid driven photos today,
here I am in my daily uniform.
The tank is Mossimo from Target.
I have virtually every color there is.
I wear them every day, without fail.
Even in the Houston's super cold winters.
{haha...insert sarcasm here}
I pair it with shorts or jeans.
I'm boring.
But it works and I'm comfortable.
And, the ponytail is also a daily staple.


I would love to hear about you.
Quirks?
Daily rituals.
Things you can't live without?
Holla!
{in Astrid speak, that means leave a comment}