love this.

Available at MadeByGirl’s Etsy Shop.

Love it.

And The Winner Is…

Wow, everyone! This blog giveaway and Etsy anniversary celebration for Two Florida Girls has been fun! So much fun that I can promise you…we’ll do it again!

I know, I know…you want me to get to the good stuff…the winner!

Thanks to random.org we have a winner! Yay! This is so fun!

And, who had comment number 27 you ask?

Elizabeth! Who said “Reusable Coffee Cozy – Candy Floral with Yellow Circles. I visited your store and love this!”

Congrats, Elizabeth! Check your email.
(If Elizabeth doesn’t respond within 48 hours, I’ll choose another winner.)

Two Florida Girls Celebration Giveaway

Today, we celebrate the one year anniversary of Two Florida Girls. What a fun year it’s been! We’ve “met” so many wonderful people via the Etsy community and we’ve had such a great time creating. Kati and I are so excited that we want to let you in on the celebration.

SALE–Everything in the shop that’s “In Stock” in 35% off. Prices have already been changed in our shop to reflect the sale. Sorry, but this does not include bean bags, pacifiers or custom orders. Sale runs from now through Thursday, February 4.

GIVEAWAYS–We are having three different giveaways! One right here on my blog, one on Kati’s blog, and one for our Facebook fans. Three chances to win something great from Two Florida Girls!

NEW PRODUCTS–We’ve introduced two new products. Check out our Checkbook Cozy and Business Card Cozy. And, thanks to two of our fans who gave us the suggestion.

Now…onto the good stuff…entering this giveaway. In my giveaway, you can win one of these hair clips (all of these and more are available in the Little Florida Girls section of our shop)…

Ribbon Heart Clip

Ribbon Clover Clip

Mickey Mouse Ribbon Clip

Entering to win is simple…and just because I’m feeling generous, I’m going to give you LOTS of ways to get extra entries.

FIRST:

• Leave a comment on this post letting me know which of the above items you’d like to win.

EARN EXTRA ENTRIES: You can earn an extra entry for any of the following. Be sure to leave a comment on this post for EACH thing you do.

1. Visit Two Florida Girls and let me know something from the shop that you love.
2. Mention this giveaway on your blog, Twitter or Facebook. Link back to this post. Leave a comment letting me know that you did.
3. Add Two Florida Girls as one of your favorite shops on Etsy. Leave a comment with your Etsy user name. If you already “heart” our shop, leave a comment letting me know.
4. Become a fan of Two Florida Girls on Facebook. Leave a comment letting me know that you did. If you’re already a fan, leave a comment letting me know. (Here’s the link to our fan page–http://www.facebook.com/pages/Two-Florida-Girls/128583822121?ref=ts)
5. Visit my sister’s blog (the other half of Two Florida Girls) and enter to win her giveaway. Leave a comment here letting me know that you did.

All entries must be received by Midnight (EST) on Thursday, February 4. PLEASE leave your email address if it is not visible on your profile. A winner will be chosen at random using random.org. Winner will be notified on Friday, December 5. Winner will have 48 hours to respond or another will be chosen. International entries are welcome!

My Reading List

Well…my reading list was growing long before I got sucked into…

The Twilight Series.

Yes…it’s true. I gave it a shot, at the request/recommendation of several friends and I’ve now gotten sucked in. I am currently on the second book (New Moon), but once I’ve finished the series, there are several other books I’m looking forward to reading.

In no particular order, here’s what is in my reading queue…

• Primal by Mark Batterson: I’m a fan of this pastor/author. His first two books were great and I’m looking forward to this one.
• Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers: This was recommended to me years ago, but I never got around to reading the three-part series. It came up in conversation at work the other night, so I’m adding it back to the list.
• Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall, Denver Moore and Lynn Vincent: This was recommended to me while I was still in grad school and when I saw Sarah’s review of the book on her blog, I was reminded that I’d like to read it.
• The Unlikely Disciple by Kevin Roose: Speaking of my sweet friend Sarah…her husband Casey wrote a review of this book on their blog and I am intrigued. I’d like to check it out.
• The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs: My friend Katie reviewed this book on her blog last year and I was intrigued then. However, it came to my mind again last week when we had a group of very strict Jewish families staying at the Village. I’m interested in understanding their customs and thought this book might be a clue into their lifestyle.

So…looks like I should get a library card. After I complete the Edward and Bella saga, that is.

My Latest Project

As you might recall, I created some fun Christmas Tree and Snowman hair clips and we introduced them to our Etsy Shop right before Thanksgiving. Well, because they were so well received, I decided to figure out something for Valentine’s and St. Patrick’s Days.

And…

Here’s what I came up with yesterday…

Loving the pink and green!

Very classic.

I can hardly handle the cute little shamrock!

So simple. So perfect.

It was very fun to create these…and we’ve already had a couple of orders. Go check them out at Two Florida Girls!

Graham Cracker Cookies

I discovered this cookie recipe online a few years ago and it quickly became a favorite amongst my friends. They are kind of like chocolate chip cookies with a secret ingredient. And, no, the secret is not the M&Ms…what kind of secret would that be since you plainly see them?! The secret ingredient is graham cracker crumbs. I made some last night…for no good reason, except that I wanted to. Thought I’d share the recipe with the rest of you! Enjoy!

Graham Cracker Cookies

3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup M&Ms
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Beat together margarine and sugars until light and fluffy. Blend in egg and vanilla. Add combined flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking soda and salt. Mix well. Stir in chocolate chips (sometimes I combine mini chocolate chips and regulars for a total of 2 cups…just mixes things up a little bit! ) and M&Ms.

Drop dough by heaping tablespoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets about 3 inches apart. Press 2 or 3 additional M&Ms on top of cookies if desired. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on sheet about 3 minute and remove to wire racks.

Conversations with Paul :: part three

Paulie loves his friends Buzz and Woody.

I should have written this post a long time ago, but I just haven’t gotten around to it. You may recall that my most adorable three-year-old nephew is crazy about Toy Story. And, he has really developed a friendship with the one and only Buzz Lightyear. He was given his own Buzz Lightyear toy shortly before his little sister was born. He played with his little 8-inch Buzz all the time, making him talk and fly. Somewhere along the way, Paul decided he needed a “big Buzz.” No one’s sure where he got this idea since we don’t think he’d ever seen a “big Buzz” at the time he started bringing it up. And, the first time Paul told me about this “big Buzz,” the conversation went a little something like this…

Paul: Mimi, I tell Mommy I need to go to the store.
Me: What store do you need to go to?
Paul: I tell Mommy I need to go to Target!
Me: Why do you need to go to Target? Do you need to get something?
Paul: Yes! I tell Mommy I need a big Buzz.
Me: Oh, Buddy, it’s almost Christmastime. I think a big Buzz is a good thing to ask for for Christmas.
Paul: Mimi, I tell Mommy I need big Buzz now!
Me: Do you have money to buy big Buzz?
Paul: Yes!
Me: How much does he cost?
Paul: I don’t know!
Me: Ok, Paul. I think you could ask for a big Buzz for Christmas.
Paul: Ok. I ask Grammy and Pops.
(At which point, I gave Paul the phone and he called my Dad. He told my Dad almost exactly what he told me about the big Buzz.)

I believe the above conversation happened in late October or early November. After that, Paul stopped to look at the “big Buzz” at Target or Disney or wherever he saw them. He would push all the buttons and check him out. Funny enough, he never asked to bring Buzz home with him. I guess he just trusted that Christmas was coming.

On Christmas Eve, Paul and I ran to Target to pick up a couple of last minute things and he said…

Visiting Buzz on Christmas Eve.

Paul: Mimi, we need to go see Buzz. I just know Santa will bring him to me!
Me: Alright, Buddy, let’s go see him.

I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried. I love him (Paulie, not Buzz). He makes my heart so very happy.

And, in case you’re wondering…yes, Santa did come through and Paulie did get his big Buzz for Christmas.

The Obligatory New Year’s Post

I feel like this kind of post is obligatory for a blogger in the New Year. It just seems like the thing to do. So…here’s my Top Posts of 2009.

Based on WordPress stats…

1. Top Sixteen FB Status Updates During the Debate (3,020 views)
2. Lilly Pulitzer Coffee Cozy Giveaway (1,743 views)
3. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes (1,081 views)
4. I Told You: “It’s Just What I Do” (520 views)
5. 30 Things That Make Turning 30 Alright (451 views)
6. tripleCdesigns Giveaway (395 views)
7. Tenth Avenue North Wins! (392 views)
8. Two Florida Girls Giveaway (392 views)
9. Gongy & Squish Giveaway (344 views)
10. More Holiday Baking :: Pumpkin Cupcakes (312 views)

WordPress says those are the Top Ten Posts of 2009, but these are some of my favorites (in no particular order)…

1. Announcing Our New Etsy Shop
2. I Think I May Have Ruined Him
3. Well Said, Mr. Batterson.
4. The Fourteen Layer Cake
5. Pulling Off the Surprise of the Century
6. Living Facebook Free
7. Life as I Know It: An Update
8. You Have All That You Need…And Then Some: a conversation with God
9. Conversations with Paul
10. 365 Days and Counting

Conversations with Paul :: part two

Here’s another installment of “Conversations with Paul.” If you missed the first one, check it out here. If you haven’t been around here long enough to know who Paul is, he’s my three-and-a-half year old nephew (when did he get that old?!) who I absolutely adore.

So proud of his creation!

My sister is the best mom in the world. And, she often does little hands on crafts and projects with Paul. Each Christmas she helps him to make an ornament for family and friends. Of course, this year was no exception. Paul worked diligently to paint and assemble some adorable reindeer ornaments (with the help of Mom, of course). I saw Paul a few days after he created his ornaments and he was very excited to give me one. He was so very proud of his work and gave me a big smile almost identical to the one in this picture. And the conversation that followed put a big smile on my face. It went a little something like this…

Paul: Mimi, I make this for you!
Me: Thank you so much, Paul! I love it. You made this? It’s so cool! (And more compliments followed than you would care to read here…in short, I made a very big deal about his ornament.) Thank you! Can I hang it on my tree?
Paul: No, Mimi.
Me: What? I can’t put it on my tree? I thought that’s what I was supposed to do with it.
Paul: (in all seriousness) No, Mimi. You don’t have a tree. Kasey and Matt have a tree.
Me: (trying not to laugh) Yes, you’re right, buddy. I don’t have a tree. Thanks for reminding me.

Good grief, I love that kid! If you want to know about the reindeer ornaments, check them out over on Kati’s blog.

It’s Official: I’m an Employed Graduate.

Well…it’s official. On Saturday, I accepted my diploma cover, shook a few hands, smiled for a few pictures and walked across a long stage in my second Palm Beach Atlantic University graduation ceremony. Funny enough, I was the next to last person to be called in the ceremony! That was so funny to me…having a last name that starts with “P,” I don’t think that’s ever come close to happening to me. At any rate, I am officially finished with my Master’s in Organizational Leadership. Crazy!

Definitely official.

And, then…on Monday, I started my new job at Give Kids The World Village in Kissimmee. I’m excited about it! Job or no job, God is good, but once again He is proving His faithful provision in my life. And…who wouldn’t love a job where orientation day starts out with a big “hello” from Mickey and Minnie?!

All in a day's work.