Toady Pen & Trunky for Spring

{Toady}

How cute is this little toad pen?  Perfect for a little toad like myself.;)  Yes, I'm a toad.  And if you haven't heard the story, you have to know that I had no choice about it.  When I was a baby swimming in the tub my Grandma Johnson came in, saw me swimming, and proclaimed, "She looks like a little toad!  A little Emmy-toad!"  Needless to say...it stuck.;)

So when I was walking through the dollar area at Joann's I had to have this little guy. And behind that cute little toad is some fun fabric I picked up for a few projects I've been working on {and hope to share with you soon!}. They are taking forever, but crafting always comes #2 or #3 in the battle for my time. #1? Ah, you already know the answer to that...:)
{Zebra Owls}
I can hardly believe its been a year and over 5,500 downloads since I first posted the pattern and tutorial for this owl!  This sweet lady ordered 2 owls from me on Etsy a few weeks ago.  Actually she thought she was getting the owl when she bought the pattern so I offered to make her few.  After she got them she ordered 2 more {pictured below} and I had to show you how great they turned out!  Cute right?

{PJ's & Snow Play}
Now for the homefront...I giggled when Ethan's teacher told me that they were having pj and pancake day.  If only we could all be so comfortable getting on the bus and facing the world in our pajamas.

February in Utah is so weird.  It will snow like crazy and be freezing cold, and then the next week be warm enough to walk around without a coat. This week its been back to snow which bring out the snow play that we can't resist...

{Ready?}
And it may be fun in the snow, but it doesn't change my feelings about spring.  If you're trunky for a change of season like I am, then you may be interested in these fun projects I posted last year!  Yes, they are a little early...but well, I'm ready.  Just looking at the pictures made me smile.;)

Click Here for how I made this Cookie Flower Bouquet.

Click Here for this fun egg and grass post!



XOXO: Emmy-Toad ;)

The Heart

{My Dad}

You won't meet a more tenderhearted hearted, Gospel centered, loving man. 

So about 10 days ago when my mom called me with tears because my dad was in the hospital my heart dropped. It was pretty much a no brainer to jump in the car and make the 800 mile journey to be with them.

After a few scary moments,  he was released from the hospital diagnosed with atrial fibrilation.  In my terms...his heart flutters. 

Evidently millions of people --like my dad-- have this condition and many are not even aware of it.  Treated, the complications can be minimized.  Untreated, the inefficiency of the heart to pump all of the blood out {because of these flutters} can cause the blood to pool and clot, and there is a high probably of having a stroke. 

{While home I took this picture of this picture that my grandma had up in her home.  Dad in the younger years...;)}

Fortunately, he's now aware of his condition and is taking the steps for treatment.   Thank-you to those who have kept him in their hearts and prayers.   We love you Dad.

Its times like these that life really gets put into perspective.  For that I am grateful. 

{Trey and Lucy}
Although our trip was brief and we didn't get to see everyone we would have liked to {missed you Greyson!}, we played with Trey and Lucy as much as we could...

As some of you may know, their mom Tanya has been amazingly ill.  I have to admit that seeing her near starvation with my brother poking needles into her just about did me in.   No she isn't dying of some terminal disease {although she may feel like it}, she's 9 weeks along.  Thank goodness for IV's and pumps of Zofran.  Ah, Tan.  I'm so sorry.

{Poor Cat}
And if my dad and Tanya don't have it bad enough...how about this cat.   Nobody really knows where it came from, but its been hanging around my parents properties for years now.  My grandpa Peggy has always treated it right {bringing it all sorts of leftovers and treats} and has been caring for it since the accident...you see, my mom hit it backing out of the driveway a few weeks ago. 

So sad.  But don't feel too badly...as an outdoor cat life has taken on new meaning inside my sweet grandma's rehab unit.  Okay, her house.

Sidebar: And look how skinny my mom is!  Medifast.  Nice work mom!  And as for the silly gal with the hat...my little sister.  Steph the camera-ham.;)

{Hugs}
 Needless to say our little trip was full of heartfelt hugs...

and enjoying life each day...

especially coat-less and enjoying the Oregon sun in February!

I spent more time out swinging this little guy than I had planned...

but I couldn't help it.  I love him, and I'm a complete sucker for that contagious giggle and screams of "Mo, Mo! PEEZ!"

{VDay Evolution}
My first & probably favorite memory of Valentine's Day was converting shoe boxes with construction paper and markers into mail boxes for my classmates.   3rd grade.  Loved it.

Then for most of my teenish years Feb 14 was usually spent in longing...wishing to spend "day of  love" with whomever was lucky enough for me to have a crush on that year.

My 20's helped me to more fully understand that my only true source of happiness and unconditional love comes from a wise Creator and Heavenly Father who fills any void like no other.

And now, in my 30's my heart is full of love.  Not just for the man who swept me off my feet, but for the little men who are now always at my feet.

 Ah, The Heart.

Heartie Treat & Printable

{Lovely Treat}

For an afterschool snack, I asked Ethan's little friend if she'd like a cookie. She said she didn't....until she saw these!  I mean really, who could refuse a heart sugar cookie on a stick?  {Well, actually what kid refuses a cookie? She must of been trying to be polite...sweet gal.;)}

They aren't as perfect as Bakerellas cake pops, but they were just right for our little crew.  And it was magical how fast they disappeared!

But before we talk about any more about cookies I want to give this to you...

{Print it up Baby}
I know, isn't it a cute one?

I didn't really have one specific use in mind when I made them, but just started adding cute stuff I thought I'd use.  I figured they come in handy when I needed to make a little valentine something or other...

Click here to print this sheet of love!:)





And now back to those lovely cookies...

{Bakin' Boy}
Just a simple stick.  My boys can't get enough of them, and I'm not even talking about sword fighting.  Making these treats isn't rocket science, but I thought you'd like a behind the scenes...just for fun.;) 

So let's get to it!  Grab your favorite apron, the best sugar cookie recipe you have, and a good size heart shaped cookie cutter.

Now for what may just be the hardest part of this little project...finding some skewers.  Since its probably been a while since your last BBQ so be sure to check all the way back of your cupboards.  {Or maybe even that drawer you throw everything into...:)}

Make your cookies just a little chubbier than you usually would and squiggle {yes, I'm pretty sure that's an official cooking term;)} the end of the skewer into the cookie.  {I cut off my skewers to about 5", but if you like 'em long stemmed, go for it!}

{The Fixin's}
Cream cheese frosting is always my 1st choice on any baked good, but royal icing just sets so nicely... and you can use plastic wrap to keep it pretty.  This one is your call, but either way be ready for the little hands around your house to take action!  {PS If you need a good royal icing recipe I used this one and it was great.}

Those red sprinkles left over from Christmas will work perfectly...

{ah kids...nothing like eating pure sugar?}  

on the cookies!;)

And there you have it.  The makings of a great winter afternoon.:)

{Just Because}
I wanted to add this picture somewhere in the post, but it didn't really fit.  So here it is...just because I like it.;)



XOXO-Toad