From Snoop Dogg to Nail Polish

This post won't be nearly as exciting as the news that Snoop Dogg has had an epiphany while in Jamaica & has changed his name to Snoop Lion.  {I hope I never have an epiphany like that}

Nor as exciting as the almost unceasing coverage of the Olympic games on NBC........ what shows did NBC have before the Olympics?

Nor is this post as exciting as the beyond boring news coverage of the local elections today that my political junkie of a husband is watching.

I really do love my husband, & I absolutely adore his mind.

I love how it works......... and even how it doesn't work.  I love the way he thinks about things, & solves problems.  I love the fact that he talks to me about his political views on things. 

Most of his political views I share........... or have adopted....... or have been brain washed into believing.  And strangely, I'm okay with that!

However, there are sometimes when this pink-loving, monogram-addicted Georgia peach just has enough political talk.  It's like my brain can't soak in anymore.  It's usually times like these that I just nod.  Or say things like "Ummhmm" and "Oh, is that right?"

It's also usually times like those that my thoughts to turn to bigger & better things.  Like painting my toe nails!

Thanks to my friend Julie, I've become very aware of the amazing wonders of nail polish!

I'm even in a special, secret, undercover ops Facebook group dedicated to such fabulosity!

Now, I'm still a novice in the polish world.  I mean, my polish collection still fits in a small sized shoe box, but it's growing!

Because you asked (just pretend you did), I'll give you my top 3 favorite polishes!  I highly suggest you liven up those little pigs with a new color & stat!

1.  Sephora by OPI "Blasted Gold" topped with "I Found a Pot of Gold" {gorg gold glimmer}
2.  China Glaze "For Audrey" {a beaut of a blue...... very Tiffany-esque}
3.  China Glaze something or other.......... it's a lilac-y purple & it's so pretty!

 

The Boys Are Back in Town

My boys got back last night, and I'm SO glad that they are back.

I love & adore my husband!  I don't like to spend any night apart from him.  But I can do it!

I love & adore my son, & I hope I never spend another night away from him again!  {at least for awhile}

I missed that little peach so much!

If you read my post from yesterday, then you know about my apprehension in letting him go for an overnight trip with my husband (away from Mommy.)  He did great!  Although he is EXHAUSTED today!

AND our reunion last night was beyond precious!

My husband said that when they pulled in our neighborhood that WJ announced, "Home!  Mommy!"

When he walked in the door I nearly sprinted to him, scooped him up, & hugged & kissed him for a very long time.  {and I only gave my husband a quick smooch}

That sweet little boy looked at me with those big brown eyes & just giggled, letting me know that he liked Mommy's cuddles & that he wanted more.  It was adorable!  And such a refreshing relief to know my baby boy missed me, & was glad to be back home.

As I was talking to my Mom today, I got to thinking that WJ has never had a mommy to miss him being gone before.  It makes me cry thinking about that.  A sweet boy to not have welcoming arms to run into after he spends the night away or has been at school all day.

All of that is over for him now, but it was the plight of his life before we rescued each other.

Now it's just a distant memory........fading.........fading...........fading!

We are thankful that God has plans for all three of us that include each other, & that our sad memories without each other are truly fading!

Family took My Family

If you know me personally, then you know that both my husband & I come from fairly large families. 

He's the oldest of 4.

I'm the oldest of 5.

{Yes, we are firstborns.  Yes, we rock!  Yes, we rule!  And yes, we LOVE being firstborns!}

Having a large family certainly has its perks!

Like stealing a sibling's Hulu login......... which was given to you by another sibling....... who isn't the sibling who has the Hulu account.

Or like having a million people to call & text you on your birthday........ because they HAVE {I meant want} to!

Or like having an enormous amount of food at Thanksgiving!

It's really, pretty awesome!

My husband's family is the biggest group of helpers I've ever met.  It's really sweet.  They go willingly & happily to help family move, paint, or do home repairs.......... even in the dead of summer!

That's where my babies are now.

My husband took our son with him to south Georgia this weekend to help his youngest brother lay tile in his new house.

I wasn't sure if this was a good idea or a bad idea, but we did it anyway.  Only one night away from Mommy, & Daddy was with him the whole time.  I've been told that there have been no major breakdowns from WJ, so I'm taking that as a good sign!  However, I don't like being without my guys.  I am past ready for them to come home, & I'm a little anxious to see how WJ does next week.

Sometimes that bond between new parents & a newly adopted child can feel so fragile.

You sometimes worry if one wrong move is going to undo all the good that's happened.

It's totally not true!  One wrong move doesn't undo all the good that's happened.  But I do sometimes feel like our new relationship is a little like Humpty Dumpty, & I have to tell myself otherwise.

Nothing, absolutely nothing, has seemed to bother WJ, so I'm really hoping & praying that this won't either.  But I'm thinking I'll know for sure tomorrow.  I am assuming that I'll mostly be able to tell by the way he responds & reacts to me.  I'm thinking lots of cuddle time & book time tomorrow......... if not for him, then for me!  And I'm desperately fighting the urge to want to climb in his bed & sleep beside him all night.  {I've missed that baby boy}  However, he snores.  Very.  Very.  Loudly.  So, I'm sure that precious moment would end before it even began.

Enough for now.  Gotta finish up those Double Doozies before my guys get back!

p.s. - I've had lots of time in my craft room, & I think I just may have a new product for y'all!  Stay tuned for more!

Epicly Mundane {with a cherry on top!}

Today was just one of those mundane days.

Surely you know the kind.

Laundry.  Cleaning.  Errands. 

Taking out the trash. 

Wiping dirty bottoms (well, "bottom".  my child only has one.)

Trying to convince my son that nap time isn't over yet!

You know........... everyday life stuff!

I love everyday life!  That's where the nitty gritty happens. 

It's where surprises pop up and miracles happen and joy overflows! 

It's also where your kiddo tinkles on his foot {and you and the bath rug, all because he just wasn't paying attention} and takes an hour to eat his breakfast and asks to watch TV a thousand times.......... to which I say "no" 999 times.

WJ - 1
Mommy - 0

BUT today was the former!  Where surprises pop up and miracles happen and joy overflows!

While we were out running errands, I hear WJ announce from the back seat - "I love Mommy!"

Now, I'm sure that this thrills ANY mother's heart when her precious one tells her this --- no matter their age or stage in life.

But for a Mommy who has prayed for a child for a long, long time.

For a Mommy whose child is still not fully communicating with English yet.

For a Mommy who has never heard these words come unsolicited from her child's mouth.

It was miraculous!!!!

There were fireworks going off!  Confetti was falling!  And balloons were being released!

It was glorious!

Not only did WJ say "I love Mommy!" once, but he said it THREE times!

I was on cloud nine........ still am actually!

As for the cherry on top of this epicly mundane day, that goes to my sweet husband!

After he came home from work, he came & gave me one of those hugs....... you know, the kind where it feels like he melts into me & just wants me to hold him.......... I love those hugs......... it makes me feel like he needs me to undo all the yucky that may have happened during his work day.  It makes me feel like he's glad to be home & glad to be mine!  During said hug, I hear him tell me, "You look cute today!"

Um-hmm!

'Nuff said.

The End.
(or as WJ says "Be End")

Double Doozie My Hiney!

Yep, that's right.  I said double doozie, my hiney!

For some bizarre reason, lately I've had an obsession with double doozie cookies!

You know, the ones that look like this.  {drool}

Be.still.my.beating.heart!

The thing is....... every time I take WJ with me to Publix (in my defense, we also grocery shop at Kroger & sometimes WalMart & Target), he asks for a cookie........... oh, & he asks for those shopping carts with the cars on them and he's crushed if they aren't available!  Anyway, when we are shopping at Publix, he asks for a free sugar cookie with sprinkles, & I end up buying a double doozie!

What is wrong with me?  I've gotta stop before these double doozies all end up going to my hiney!

However, before I stop this current obsession, I want to make a batch of homemade ones.  When I was searching for exactly how to spell the "doozie" part of double doozie, I had a serendipitous encounter with this recipe for homemade double D's!  Holla!

Guess what I'm baking this weekend & then sending with my husband to work on Monday so as to avoid eating ALL of them???!!!!

What about YOU?

What's your current food obsession?

Maybe it's not a food.  Maybe it's polish or handbags or clothes?

Do tell.  After Monday, I'll be needing a new obsession anyway!

And next week, I'll try not to blog about cookies........... 

Cookies for Daddy!

It's no secret!  I LOVE BAKING!  I think I mostly love baking because I love eating sweets.  Can I get a resounding "amen" on that one?

Last week I had the idea that I would get my son to bake cookies with me, & surprise Daddy with a yummy treat when he came home from work.  {ok, so maybe the cookies were partially to satisfy my craving for a home-made cookie, but can we just keep that between us?}

Mommy's little helper!

I knew that my plan would either be a fabulous success or fail dramatically with Momma & baby boy & our two kitties all crying on the floor covered in sugar & flour.

Well.......... it was a great success!  Little Bit was a huge help with measuring & pouring into the mixer bowl & licking the paddle attachment!  He was surprisingly tidy & neat & careful!  It was a lot of fun for both of us!

This sugar cookie recipe was one that I remember making with my Mom when I was young, so to begin making these with my son was a very special generational connection!

Below is our family recipe {which for all I know may be on the back of some powdered sugar box - if this is the case, please keep me in the dark - it's blissful here}

Refrigerated Sugar Cookies

Cookie:
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. almond extract
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tartar
- Mix together butter, sugar, egg, & flavors.  Blend in dry & sifted ingredients.  Cover & chill 2-3 hours.  Keep dough in fridge & take out small portions at a time to keep dough at its best consistency.  Roll dough on floured surface to 1/4" thickness.  Cut your favorite shapes.  Bake at 375 degrees for 7-8 minutes on a lightly greased cookie sheet.  Remove to wire racks to cool.

Icing:
1 Tbsp. butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. lemon or lime juice
2 Tbsp. water
- Cream together & spread on cooled cookies.  EAT & ENJOY!

 

Welcome Home, Baby Boy!

As most of you know, my husband & I recently returned from Africa with the cutest little boy E-V-E-R!  We have worked on & towards the adoption of this little guy (even though we weren't matched with him until January-ish) for over a year now {it felt SO long, but I know others who wait much longer than this!}  Some days, I still can't believe we've done it!  That we've waded through the paper pregnancy phase, traveled the globe, & brought home our sweet boy.......... BUT we have!


It is absolutely incredible to be a family of 3, & look into our son's big brown eyes & fall madly in love with him!  Everything is new for him..... even English, but we are having a blast.  My little guy loves his Mommy & gives the best hugs & kisses you can imagine!  We are so thankful that God has blessed us immensely with our bundle of joy!  I already can harldy remember what it was like before God graciously allowed us to be a family!  It's so wonderful!

Because our little guy is a little older, I wanted to have the house decorated a little bit when he/we finally arrived home! {we were in-country for a whole month!}  I had printed out pictures we had of him, both current & past, and had placed them in photo frames all around the house.  He loves walking around the house & seeing himself!  It's totally presh!

I also made {surprise! surprise!} a Welcome Home Ragamuffin wreath & Kissing Ball topiaries in the colors of his birth country's flag.  The colors are Red, Yellow, & Black.  Not my first choice when choosing colors (a little too bold & primary for me), BUT I totally love the way it all turned out!  In fact, I still have it all displayed in our living room on the mantel.  It makes me so happy every time I see it!

I couldn't find a Welcome Home banner for his wreath, so I decided to make one!  I'm totally in love with pennant banners, so it was an easy choice!  :)  I just wish it could've been a little bigger & more visible from a distance.......... but I still like it alot!

The Kissing Ball ribbon topiaries have got to be my favorite!  I'm really, really loving the way that they turned out!  Don't you love 'em too?

Could it be any cuter?  ;)

I also made a large pennant banner to hang above the mantel in our LR, but it was too long for that space.  Insert husband's genius!  He suggested that we hang it in our son's room, & it looks great there!  Super easy to make & I was totally pleased with the result!

Welcome Home, baby boy!  You are a delight, you are a joy, & just like that Olivia book we read together, you wear me out!  We hope & pray many things over your young life, but at the top of the list are these two:  That you'll know you were never really an orphan!  We were always coming for you!  AND That you will know deeply & personally the rescuing, life-changing love of God the Father!

NEW PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT: Burlap Topiary

May I let you in on a little secret?  I totally & ardently adore topiaries!  Maybe it's the Southern belle in me!  I just think they are the epitome of class & charm!  Love 'em, love 'em, love 'em!

So, you already know about my Ribbon Collection that includes the Ribbon Wreath & Ribbon Topiaries, right?  If not, you can see them on my Etsy page!

Well, let me introduce you to my Burlap Collection............ you know the Wreath, but have you met it's complement the Topiary?  Seriously, the burlap wreath said to the burlap topiary, "You complete me!"

Ok, pardon me.  Moving on!

Let me introduce you!

Pink & green & burlap adorableness

Would look totally great with a matching Burlap Wreath!

Now that you've met {and hopefully LOVE it}, please feel free to share on your Facebook page, pin on Pinterest, & tweet on Twitter.  Also, please visit my Etsy shop browse around & don't forget to place your order!  Use code SGSBurlap10 for 10% off your Burlap Topiary order, or code SGSBurlap15 for 15% off when you order 2 or more Burlap Topiaries! (coupon code expires 7/11/12)

WINNER of the 1,000 Fan Giveaway!

And the winner of the 1,000 Fan Giveaway is AMANDA LEWIS HEARN!

Congratulations, Amanda!  You are the *Grand Prize Winner!  Please contact me at sweetgeorgiasweet@gmail.com to claim your prize.

{*winner will be redrawn if prize not claimed in 48 hours}

Thank YOU ALL for participating in the giveaway!  There were a TON of entries!  Thank you for being a fan on FB, for being blog followers, for ordering wreaths & topiaries, & for interacting with me on FB.  I love my job, & I love y'all!  Y'all are the GREATEST!!!!!

Have a fabulous weekend!

1,000 Fan Giveaway!

I am SO excited & can hardly believe that in less than a year Sweet Georgia Sweet has over 1,000 Fans!  Even more than that, you are placing orders & coming back for more!!!!  I am so thankful for you!

I know that you've just been so excited, waiting with such intense anticipation for me to return from Adoption Leave & post the info on the 1,000 FAN GIVEAWAY!!!!  I think it will be well worth your wait!  There are truly some ah-mazing vendors & prizes included.  Wooohoo!!!!

Sweet Georgia Sweet

You may or may not remember, but I promised a giveaway at 750 fans & was unable to do so at that time.  SO, you will be happy to know that the Grand Prize Winner will receive TWO prizes from Sweet Georgia Sweet!!! (pictured below)   Yippee!!!!  A ribbon wreath AND a matching topiary!  I just love the mix of colors:  turquoise, aqua, yellow, & fuschia.  It would go great in an entryway, living room, bedroom, kitchen, or ......... well, anywhere!



Three Little Monkeys Studio

Gretchen at Three Little Monkeys Studio is offering a $35 Store Credit to The Grand Prize Winner!  $35 will buy you the entire party collection ... invitations, cupcake toppers, banner, & more!  Below is a picture of one of my favorites from her party collections!

You can also follow Gretchen's blog by clicking HERE and check out her Etsy shop HERE!

Custom Vintage Bumblebee Party Pack

Rosie Posie Designs

Ashley at Rosie Posie Designs (formerly Paperlicious Girls) is giving away a personalized melamine platter to the Grand Prize Winner.  I absolutely LOVE Ashley's melamine platters!  I love to display them all year long (& change them out for different seasons), & they also make perfect gifts.  You can visit her Etsy shop HERE & go ahead & pick a design for your platter; this pic is one of my faves!  So cute!!!!

The Preppy Ladybug

Shannon at The Preppy Ladybug (a fellow Georgia business) is giving away a set of 24 note cards with matching address labels.  Shannon offers lots of GREAT products on her website, make sure to go check it out!  I have ordered her note cards & address labels, and I love them!  Here is a picture similar to the one I ordered for my new son!  Adorable, right?

Blue Plaid Turtle Flat Correspondence Note Card

Two Prince Bakery Theater

Dorangela is one of my business besties!  I just love her, her blog, & her fabulous, unmatched creativity ........ & we are going to finally be able to meet later this month at a fun event in Atlanta.  Yay, yay, yay!  Dorangela is offering the Grand Prize Winner one (1) dozen gourmet gluten free & vegan cookies.  Yummy!  You can follow her blog HERE!

 

The Ruffled Cupcake

Annelee at The Ruffled Cupcake is so sweet, creative, & a pleasure to order from!  She is giving away the hair pretty pictured below.  Now how darling is that!!!???  I love it!  The Grand Prize Winner will be able to pick the hardware they prefer (elastic headband, fabric wrapped hard headband, or alligator clip.)  To see Annelee's other darling items, check out her Etsy shop HERE.

Doodlebugs and Butterflies

Sarah at Doodlebugs and Butterflies is offering the Grand Prize Winner a $10 store credit.  Sarah is another fellow Georgia business, & I just love her work!  I've ordered from her several times, & will order again!  Here is one of my favorite little numbers from her!  I'm really thinking I may need to order this for my niece's first birthday party!  Too cute!

Here is the link to enter the GIVEAWAY!!!!  I'm using Rafflecopter to help make things super easy for y'all.  I hope you win!!! Now, go for it! :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway