Wednesday Deals

Check this one out! Free Fries at Burger King on 12/16. You don't need a coupon or anything!

Read about this Freebie for more info here!

I guess it must be free food week because Chilis is also giving away free Chips and Queso when you join their email club. I'm grabbing this one for sure...

Head to the Chilis sign up page to print off your free coupon!

That's all I have for now, but leave me a comment letting me know about sweet deals you have found this week:)

Christmas Pine Cone Decoration

Source: Stuff a Chicken via  Faith's Pinterest

I found this on pinterest and decided to make one of my own today with some added decorations. Here is the final product! Like it?

It was dark by the time I finished it so I didn't get a very good picture. I will try again tomorrow.

It was super easy to make and took me only about 15 minutes.

Let me show you how!

1. Here are the materials you need:

A few scented pine cones

Christmas ornament balls

Cute Ribbon

Scissors

Glue gun

2. Place the ribbon through the loop of the ornaments and glue it to itself like this: 

 3. Once it is dry, measure out the ribbon to your desired length and cut it.

4. For the pine cones just glue the ribbon directly in the center of the pine cone. Use plenty of glue so it holds.

 5. Once you have glued and cut all the ribbons, arrange them in the order you want them.

6. Glue the tops of the ribbon to themselves and hang it from desired location

 I hung mine from the light outside our door!

Now it smells like Christmas inside our house AND outside:)

What do you think? Let me know if you try it!

This Tuesday craft post is linked up to:

boermanramblings,Today's Creative Blog, Funny Polkadot Giraffe, 
Sugar Bee Crafts, Not Just A Housewife, Hope Studio

It's a Pinterest Christmas

Now that Thanksgiving is past, I can finally listen to Christmas music without upsetting too many people...and I can start decorating! Christmas decorating is extra fun this year because I have so many unique ideas from pintrest! Check out my Pinterest here. 

To give you a sneak preview, here are some of my favorite decorating ideas:

I love this idea for above the windows! I've seen a couple variations of it, but this is by far my favorite.

Source: Fresh Poppy Designs via Faith's Pinterest

I just bought the pine cones to make this adorable door decoration. Bonus if they are the delicious smelling ones! I love the plaid ribbon giving it a country Christmas feel.

Source: Stuff a Chicken via  Faith's Pinterest

What about these adorably DIY ornaments! Fun project to make with friends or kids and give as a little Christmas gift with an added handmade touch. The letters are just scrap booking stickers and the stars are made out of jewels and glitter glue. I love it!

Source: Scrapbook Set via  Faith's Pinterest

Now this one is easier than it looks. Just take a glass jar, place greenery of your choice at the bottom. Add a handful or two of cranberries and add water to make them float. Then place a simple floating candle at the top. Voila you have yourself a very classy Christmas candle!

Source: Better Homes and Garden via  Faith's Pinterest

I don't know about you, but I can't wait to get started with all this decorating!  I would love to see some of your holiday decorations as well so leave me a comment with a link to your creative ideas!

Happy Christmas Decorating!

Vacation is over

After a week's break from school and normal life, I'm taking a moment to look back on all of the weeks' events. All the papers I had ambitiously planned to write while on break are still unwritten, my house is a disaster, there's nothing really to show for my week except for the memories that were made!


Do you ever get that feeling at the end of the day that you accomplished nothing? I often get that until I take a moment to remind myself of the little things that add up!


Thanksgiving Day we had my husbands brother's family over. We had a rough time with the Turkey, but it all ended up looking great. Here is my first Thanksgiving dinner:

 I'm sure I missed something, but Holly and I had a lot of fun trying to make a feast!

We even had pumpkin pie and oreo pie to top it all off.

 Oh but the day did not really begin until BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING!

Needless to say, I'm a big fan. Nicole, and I stayed up all night standing outside of stores in long freezing lines and doing some crazy shopping. I got most of my Christmas shopping done though, and saved quite a bit!

 After staying up all night, I went to hang out with my sister-in-laws for the day. Even though I was exhausted, we still had fun playing games, watching movies, and making this sweet gingerbread train!

We topped the weekend off with indoor ice skating which I LOVE

And then a fun trip to the mall:)

So now you understand why my papers are still unwritten! It was a great vacation weekend and I had a lot of fun! 
What did you do over your Thanksgiving vacation? Share some memories with me:)

I'm Thankful For:

Six amazing months of marriage with my sweet hubby

 My wonderful family

My new Konrath family

A healthy sister and new nephew:)

My best friend who has always been there for me

My sister-in-law and her family who we are spending thanksgiving with

My blog and all the new friends I have made this year

My church family (I don't have a picture of everyone)

A reason to live...for the glory of God

The postman who delivered the amazing Black Friday Ads right to my door!

 

Turkey and all the other yummy thanksgiving foods...which by the way, I am cooking my first Turkey this year!

I could go on and on. When I really sit back and think about it, I am one blessed girl. I am so thankful for all of my friends and family and for you my blog readers! You make my life extra special!
This is my first thanksgiving with Jimmy and although I am missing my family, I love the new experience of trying to figure out how to cook a turkey and all the other wonderful things that accompany that. We are starting new traditions and it's a lot of fun!

Leave me a comment and tell me about your favorite Thanksgiving tradition and what you are thankful for this Thanksgiving.

Coupon Day

I've got some more freebies for this week! Woohoo! Check them out and leave me comments if you use them:)

Check out this free 8x10 collage print here

Vista print is offering all sorts of free gifts this week. Deals don't get any better than this. For free, you can order:

100 Holiday postcards

250 Business cards

10 Photo Christmas cards

1 Photo calendar

140 Holiday labels

1 Mug

1 Holiday stamp

1 Tote bag

Find your Vista Print Freebies here

AMC Theaters is offering free popcorn to their facebook fans on Dec 2-4. Just like their facebook page and print off the coupon here

My new nephew

I'm such a proud Auntie:) Even though I'm far away and haven't seen him yet, I love him already!

His name is Aiden Pavel Cech. He was born yesterday 11/22/11, weighed 8lbs 1ounce, and was 20 in long!

Isn't he adorable?

I got to talk with my sister Helen twice yesterday and she told me that he has been smiling in his sleep:) I'm hoping to be able to skype into the hospital today which would be awesome. I can't wait to see him! 

30 more days and I will be home for Christmas!

 Isaiah 43:1b-3a 

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

*Photo is taken and copyrighted by Faith Konrath

I’m __blank___ Because…

Ashley over at Little Miss Momma asked us to join her in a filling in the "blanks" post and link back to her site!

you can see hers { here }

I’m weird because…

I mix coffee with hot cocoa powder and it's the greatest

I get excited about Christmas like an 8 year old

I don't like seafood

I have a coupon folder that I take shopping with me like a dork

I hate wearing skirts

I wear snowflake earrings every time it snows in MN

I practice Zumba moves in front of the mirror...in attempt to make them less awkward.

I love the smell of camping and campfires.

I can't fall asleep in jeans

I sometimes say what's on my mind without thinking it through.

I brush my teeth more than 4 times a day.

I like to knit and I'm not old.

I have an obsession with candles

I laugh at my own jokes...sometimes harder than the people I'm telling them to.

Cows are my favorite animal

I’m a bad friend because…

I don't always answer my phone or my text messages

I'm not very good at staying in touch

I'm a people-pleaser and not always very honest

I schedule more than I can handle and always end up letting someone down

I am sometimes selfish

I’m a good friend because…

I will always be there for you when you need me

I will listen to you and do all that I can do to help

I will pray for you and want what's best for you

I will help you when you need help

I will get a matching Henna Tattoo with you in a different language

I will tell you if I think you are doing something that will hurt you

I will find crazy fun weird things to do when we hang out to keep us entertained

I will make an absolute fool out of my self with you and love every minute of it

I will make you feel less weird

 I’m sad because…

I miss my family

There are a lot of hurting people in the world who need Jesus

I wish I could be a better testimony for Christ

I’m happy because…

You are reading my blog:)

Jesus loves me

I have an amazing husband who loves me

I married into an awesome family

Christmas is close

Almost 3000 people have read my blog

My nails are painted grey

I have the week off school

I’m excited for…

Seeing my family and my soon to be born nephew

Buying, wrapping, and giving Christmas presents

Making pinterest projects

Black Friday shopping with my best friend

Listening to Christmas music

SNOW

There it is! Now you try it and link back to my post so others can read yours too:)

Happy Family Time

It's not looking like I'm going to be able to make it home to be there when my new nephew is born:( I was very disappointed when all of my plans fell through. 

I have been reminded lately of how easily I take things for granted. A lot of times people groan or roll their eyes when you mention having to spend the holidays with family. However, I think most of them don't realize how much their family means to them until that "family time" is taken away. 

Although my family has been through it's share of rough times. I love them all more than they know. My brothers and sisters and I have a special bond that going only going through hard times can create. I'm so thankful for that. I love that even after being gone for months at a time, going home still seems like home to me. 

Yes, moving 12 hours away was a choice that I willingly made, knowing that it was going to be difficult. I have never regretted it because I am so very confident it was what God wanted me to do....and I got the most amazing husband out of it all;) 

Still, there are moments when it is so terribly hard to be missing out on the things that most people would take for granted. 

I want to remind those of you who are with your families this week how blessed you are to be with your family. Be extra mindful this Thanksgiving not to take your time with them for granted. 

Ask your grandparents stories from their past, remind your parents of how much you appreciate them, cherish the time you have with your brothers and sisters, and hug your nieces and nephews an extra time.

I guarantee you will never regret it. 

A man travels the world over in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it.
-- George Moore

Leave me a comment and tell me something special about your family that you are looking forward to this holiday season:)

A day in my life

This is my last semester of classes before I start student teaching! Woohoo! My life is going to change a lot come January. 
I realize I have been writing a lot lately about crafts, recipes coupons etc, so today I'm going to mix it up a little and give you a peek into my life! 

 Sound fun? Maybe!

Well today I woke up at the crack of dawn to go to Zumba class! Zumba is actually one of my favorite ways to start the day because after that class, I actually feel awake! 

Not to mention, it makes me feel much better about the fact that I'm an awkward dancer because most of the other people in the class can't dance either! Just trust me when I say I'm an awkward mover. It's not pretty!

On my way home, I stop at the Walmart to buy some paint for making crafts. The cashier tells me that minors can't buy paint and I have to bring my parents back with me. This hasn't happened to me in quite a while, so I was surprised. When I asked her how old she thought I was, she said "fifteen"! Bahahah I'm twenty....I can buy paint.

 When I got home, I had some time to talk with my sister Helen for a while on the phone. She is having her baby next Tuesday and I'm very excited for her. I'm praying for a way to get home to be there for it all...we will see!

Isn't she beautiful?

My sister Helen and her sweet family!

They took their own photos and are amazing photographers! Check out their website by clicking here.

As my day goes on, I shower and get cute before driving to school for my one class on Thursdays. Today i was unpleasantly surprised by the fact that we had a test and I had forgotten about it. Normally I'm a huge nerd right before tests. I'm the girl who makes note cards, flash cards, and her own review sheet! This was the first time I have ever forgotten about a test so I was mortified! 

Funny thing is...I feel like I did better on this test than on the last one where I studied for hours before hand. I will let you know when I hear back!

After class I stop at the post office to overnight mail one of my Etsy Shop chalkboard frames. I was not happy to find out that it was going to cost me 27.00. That's almost more than my frames cost! 

*Note to self: Never doing that again!

After that little upsetting adventure, I head back to school to tutor for a half hour and then drive back home!

The rest of my afternoon is spent being a housewife, running errands, blogging, making frames, or whatever else needs to be done while I wait for my hubby to come home and take me on a date. It's Date Night!

Yup I have a good life:)

Leave me some comments and tell me about your day! Hope you're having a good one:)

Extreme Couponing?

Have you ever watched the TLC Extreme Couponer show? I think it's awesome watching the total go from $400 to $7 or whatever it ends up being....imagine how much money those women have saved! 


Well, what they don't tell you on TLC is that those women spend 40+ hours a week clipping coupons and looking for those deals.

That's reason #1 why I will never be an Extreme Couponer!

  However, I will admit...I clip coupons, and take my black folder of coupons with me when I shop.

It's fun and I LOVE to get great deals on things...who doesn't?

Here are some of the great deals I have found this week and am more than happy to share with you:

Free McDonald's Medium Fries

This coupon is good until February of next year! B

uy a Coke or any other soft drink and get a free medium fries. 

Mmm yum!

140 FREE Vista Print Christmas Labels

I'm not sure how long this one lasts, but Vista Print is offering 140 free labels.

 You can use them as gift tags, or cute return address stickers. 

They even have photo options for mailing out your Christmas Cards! 

How Perfect:)

20 Free Holiday Cards from Staples

Great Christmas Cards to send to family and friends! Lots of designs to chose from.

I ordered mine yesterday! 

Note: They do charge shipping if you order online which is about $9.

Hope you enjoy this weeks freebies and deals! Check back for more next week:)

DIY Fabric Flowers

Some of you have been asking me how I made the fabric flowers in my Button Flower Frame Post.

It's simple, fun and super cute so I'm going to teach you how!

The only supplies you need are:

• Strip of cute fabric
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun
• Creative hands

So let's get started!

1. Cut a strip from your fabric about an inch and a half wide. The longer you cut it, the bigger your flower will be.

 2. Using your sewing machine, sew a straight stitch through the middle of the fabric strip. Do not back stitch the front or the end.

 3. Leave enough thread at the ends to pull,

 4. Gently pull the thread and gather the fabric together to create the ruffles. This is the tricky part!

 5. Pull the gathering through the entire strip of fabric. Be gentle so the thread doesn't snap.

 6. Once the fabric is all gathered together it should look similar to this.

 7. The fabric will naturally fold in half at the seam once you have gathered it. Start rolling the seam together, holding it tight with your fingers.

 8. Keep rolling it around itself in a circle until you run out of fabric. You can gather it tighter or looser depending on how you want the flower to look. 

 9. This is what the flower should look like on the other side of the rolled fabric.

 10. Once you have your flower looking like you want it, cut out a small square of the same fabric and smear it with hot glue or fabric glue. I have used both and they both work well.

 11. Cover the back side of the flower with the glue so that it holds the seams together. 

 12. Finally, cut around the fabric square to make sure that none of it is sticking out on the front of the flower.

 The back should look similar to this.

 Flip it over and...voila there you have it: You're very own handmade flower!

 I like to make these flowers in to clips, headbands or other cutesy fashion accessories!

Happy Crafting!

This Tuesday craft post is linked up to:

boermanramblings
Today's Creative Blog
Funny Polkadot Giraffe
Sugar Bee Crafts
Creative Itch
Not Just A Housewife
Hope Studios