DIY Stained Glass Votives & Decorative Tealights

I signed up for Craftaholics Anonymous' Handmade Gift Exchange and I'm hopeful that this will be the time where my partner reciprocates... fingers crossed! My partner lives in Northern California and seems to like many of the things I do. I decided to make something and gift something that I myself would enjoy receiving. 

These stained glass votives would be right at home on our patio so I'm hoping my partner loves them!

The best part? These are upcycled baby food jars!

Jalapeño Cheddar Soft Pretzel Bites

I love semi-homemade anything. I mean, what's there not to love? Homemade taste + easy breezy convenience = recipe for success. And these jalapeño cheddar pretzels surely won't disappoint... promise!

18 Week Bumpdate

How far along: 18 weeks and 4 days today

Meal Planning - Week 1

Are you a fan of weekly/monthly meal planning. I know it's a great way to stay organized during the week, ensure there are healthy meals on the table each night, and to keep the grocery budget in check. With the baby on the way, I'm trying to put more thought into every penny I spend. Meal planning seemed like a painless opportunity to make a dent in my ridiculous grocery bill.

After spending more time than I'd like to admit thinking about this, I have come to the conclusion that the best meal plans use items on hand and a few fresh ingredients that can be used between multiple recipes.

This is what I came up for this week:
(please visit the links individually before pinning!)

Monday - My French Bread Pizza with Salad & Ranch Dressing

Tuesday - Chef-in-Training's Baked Crispy Ranch Chicken with Rice and Corn on the Cob

Wednesday - The Country Cook's Spasagna (made with ground turkey) with Garlic Bread & Salad

Thursday - Tastes Nice's Taco Bake (made with ground turkey) with Seasoned Rice, Corn, Salsa, Sour Cream and Black Beans mixed in

Friday - Prevention Magazine's Salmon and Summer Vegetable Pockets (with Lemon & Herbs)

Saturday - Free! Going to a birthday party BBQ so we'll get full on goodies elsewhere

Sunday - Number 2 Pencil's Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken with Roasted Potato Salad

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I'm linking to:

Tatertots & Jello | S3 | Classy Clutter | I Heart Nap Time | Mine for the Making | Flamingo Toes | Craftomaniac | Shabby Creek Cottage | My Girlish Whims | Stone Gable | Young and Crafty | Nifty Thrifty Things

17 Week Bumpdate

How far along: 17 Weeks, 4 Days today

16 Week Bumpdate

How far along: 16 weeks, 4 days today :)

Wining & DIYing - A Girls' Night In

I have the two best friends that anyone could have! Unfortunately, now that we don't all work together (we met while teaching about 8ish years ago) and we all have thriving careers and conflicting commitments, we don't see each other nearly enough.

After reading How-To Start a Wine Club from Hosting and Toasting, I begged my girlies to take a shot at it with me. We decided that we'd combine two of our favorite things - wine and crafts - and turn it into our monthly, no-exceptions, can't-miss-it Girls Night In. We call it Wining and DIYing (playful take on wining and dining) and rotate hosting each month.

In March, I hosted the first visit and we made Spring Embroidery Hoop wreaths inspired by AKA Design+Life's spring mantle and paper flower wreath. I shared this photo on Instagram:

The following month, Meg hosted and we created tea-cup bird feeders similar to these by Something Wonderful. That was also the night that I got share with my besties that Joe and I are expecting! So, please don't worry - no vino for this lady.

Then, in May, Trish hosted and we did ceramic mugs:

It's my turn once more and I posted a little teaser of a hint on Instagram yesterday afternoon... Check it out! Any guesses on what we might be making tonight? I'll share soon!

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15 Week Bumpdate

How far along: 15 weeks 4 days