Thankful Tuesday...Big Poot Style

Today's Thankful Tuesday is brought to you by Big Poot... aka...my husband Scott!


My ABCs of Gratitude...

I am grateful for:

Amber, my heart and soul;

Bawdy broads, like Bette Midler;

Charisma, to which I owe every success;
Dramatic Literature, my professional passion;
Excelsior Springs, a quaint hometown;
Fliver, my reasonably reliable and spacious Ford Focus;
Germany, beer, schnitzel, sauerkraut, oh my;
Honky-Tonk music, the rock of my soul;
Imagination, which lights the days;
Jews, because they gave us laughter and Jesus;
Kansas City, a thriving arts community with room to breathe;
Lovely lady friends, like Cyndi, Sarah, Kerry, and Dawn;

Mer-Mom, who gave me an open mind;

Nighttime, because it's the right time;
Ozark Mountain weekends, a hillbilly hideaway;
Poot Manor, a house which is truly a home;
Questions, without which there would be no answers;
Rushing rivers, which soothe as they ramble;
Shakespeare, "better a witty fool than a foolish wit";
Tina Turner and Tom Jones, because they wail;

Utah, for inspiring so many good jokes and great stories;
Vegetables, for adding color and carotene to my plate;
Whiskey Sevens, to spice up the night;
X-cellent man-panions like Mark, Keith, Trevor, Patrick and Jeremy;
Yahtzee night with the Poot Crew;

Zinc, which tastes like metal but always works.

That was fun, but I left a few things out. I am also grateful for kind in-laws, a loving extended family, being able to do what I love for a living, three acres of natural beauty, skylines, oceans, lakes, peaches, plums, soft pillows, yellow legal pads, roosters (from whence my name comes), Russian novels, French cheese, Missouri wine, Arkansas woodlands, Texas hills, Florida islets, Minnesota friendly, monkeys and all things Poot.

Thanks Poot for such a fun and sweet list! There is never a dull moment in my day thanks to you! I love you!

XOXO
Amber
(aka Lil Poot)

A mini cookie meltdown...

Over the weekend I decided I wanted to make a nice fall treat for the new parents, Keith and Kerry. I found the perfect recipe for gluten free pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. You can find the recipe here. The recipe is really quick and yummy!

We were in a hurry and trying to get dinner ready to take as well. I was on cookie duty and read the recipe over and over. I am one of those cooks who has to go exactly by the recipe. As I was mixing it together, I thought to myself "this is a little gooey" but baking gluten free is always unpredictable. So I really didn't think much of it. I kept checking on the cookies and they just didn't seem to be cooking...at all! Poot asked me if I forgot any ingredient and that is when I realized what I had done. I had put the entire can of pumpkin in and the recipe only called for 3/4 cup. Oopsy...

For some reason I did not take this mistake lightly. I just sat there and cried over the cookie dough that wouldn't cook. Poot tried to calm me down but nothing was working. He suggested that I go buy another box of cookie mix and just double the recipe. Simple fix but I wouldn't let it go. I just kept beating myself up over a silly mistake.

On the way back to the grocery store we had just left, I realized that I really am too hard on myself. I put way too much pressure on myself. It blew me away when I actually sat and thought about it. I make all these lists and then get angry when I don't accomplish enough. I am always complaining that there are never enough hours in the day. When in reality I need to just give myself a break! Why do we seem to be our worst critic?

In the end, doubling the recipe was the perfect solution. The cookies were fabulous! Why is it that the silliest things become our breaking point? I guess I just needed a good cry.

So with my mini meltdown out of the way, this week I vow to breathe a little more, go easy on myself, and maybe just maybe only write one list. And I am NOT going to beat myself up if it all doesn't get done.

On a lighter note...we got to spend some time loving on Oliver. He is such a cutie! I couldn't put him down!



We of course had to welcome to the family with a moustache photo:





I think from now on when I am having a bad day... I will just go and visit Oliver and eat a few pumpkin chocolate chip cookies! Oh yeah.... and go a little easier on myself.

XOXO
Amber

Shop Update!

I updated the shop tonight! It is fully stocked with some beautiful fall Vintage pieces. Here are a few of my favorites:





Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend.
XOXO
Amber

So cute!!

Well now that I have a new little man in my life....I think he needs these:

Pattern found here.


Pattern found here.


Pattern found here.

This website is amazing for free patterns. I have printed off so many that I want to make. Just now need to find the time to make them!

**Correction...In order to actually view the free patterns you must sign up to become a member. It is quick and free....and worth it! The links I posted for the actual patterns will not work because I was logged into my account on that website. Sorry!**

Looking forward to the weekend. It is going to involve:
* a play reading
* bbq
* cleaning out closets/downsizing
* an etsy update!
* snuggling with Oliver
* catching up on the dvr (there are sooo many shows I need to watch!!)
* yard/garden cleanup
* fall decorating

What are your plans??
XOXO
Amber

Thankful Tuesday...on Wednesday!

I had a lot to be thankful for yesterday! I was able to see my brother one last time before he heads off to Spain. He is in the air right now!

Love you bub!!

And...

Oliver Steven Wayne Day was born at 9:37pm yesterday. He is one cute little man. He was 9 lbs and 20 ounces and has a full head of dark curls. I can't wait to love on him this weekend. Aunt and Uncle Poot love you very much Oliver!!


Mom, Dad, and baby are doing great!

Congratulations Keith and Kerry! He is one handsome little man!

**Don't forget if you would like to do a Thankful Tuesday post here on Hoot-N-Annie, email your list and any photos to ambercox711@hotmail.com **

XOXO
Amber

Going Away Party

It seems like my brother just got back from his year trip to Spain, but next Wednesday he will be heading back again. I am so excited that he has been asked to teach English again, but will miss him sooo much!!! We threw a little going away party for him last night and had such a good time. We were up until 4am!! I am getting to old for that, I think.

We gave him some really nice going away gifts. Ha!


I always travel with a project! I felt like such a little old lady last night. Saturday I woke up with the most horrific back pain. I think I pulled something in my sleep. I wasn't very mobile yesterday and sat on a heating pad crocheting. I was the LIFE of the party.


Okay so I lied... Poot was the life of the party! We had some really bad storms blow through Kansas City last night. There were reports of teacup size hail! We were so thankful that we didn't get any of the giant hail! It was so fun to sit out in my mother in laws sun room and listen to the storms.


Good times were had! Eric... I love you so much and will miss you! Have a great time in Spain and soak it all up. Hopefully Two Poots will strike gold and get to come visit this year!

(This picture was taken at 4am so I am looking a little scary!)

Friday I had the day off from work and spent it with Kjirsten. It was so nice to catch up and get in a little girl time! We seriously could talk for days on end. It is crazy! We of course had to hit up our favorite little thrift store and found the most amazing pjs:

If they hadn't been $8 we would of been fighting over them. We crack ourselves up when looking at things there. We find ourselves saying "It is so cute, but not for $4!". Ha...we are cheap.
I found two Sassoon skirts for super cheap! Score! They fit me... Score! I wore the navy one to my brother's party last night:

Doesn't it look like I am in a Shell Shack in Florida? We were at the Mermaid Grotto (My mother in laws).

Well...I am off to relax a little in hopes that my back will start feeling better. Plus Poot is down with the flu! It is going to be a nice relaxing evening with Dexter here at Poot Manor.

How was your weekend?
XOXO
Amber

Preparing for Halloween...

Target is evil! There I said it! I need to just stay away from their Halloween section this year because it is chocked full of amazing things that I "need" for our upcoming Halloween Party. It is NEVER to early to start preparing. So after browsing Target and searching online, I have found some great inspiration for Halloween here at Poot Manor!
(All images found via google search)








I can't wait to start decorating. I am going to try and dig my decorations out this weekend. Have you started decorating your house for Fall??

XOXO
Amber

Thankful Tuesday

Today's Thankful Tuesday is from Kjirsten. I have known Kjirsten for close to ten years and just love her to pieces! She has seen me at my highest and lowest and still considers me a close friend. We don't get to see each other very often, but when we do we pick up right where we left off. I can honestly say I don't know very many people who have a heart has big as she does and today I am thankful to have her in my life!

Kjirsten says:

I am thankful for many things...

(Image found via google search)
*A loving gracious God
*A wonderful husband that supports my crazy crafting addictions, who is there while I am battling with flare ups due to my Crohn's Disease and fibromyaliga (He jokes that he should have claimed the "lemon law" on me due to my health...I am thankful he didn't),that supports us so that I am able to stay home with...

*Three healthy, beautiful children
*Our family, I was raised far away from any family, so I am so happy to be close to most of my husbands family (his brother and their family just moved across the country)
*A house to call home that is cool when it is hot outside and that is warm when it is cold inside
*Our car...we are a one car family and I am thankful that ours is still working (keeping our fingers crossed that ole' Bessy will keep moving along)
*Long time friends and new friends that are beautiful both inside and out!:)
*To be able to craft
*Our freedom, to live in the US

Be sure to stop by Kjirsten's blog Simply Loverly and say hello!!

I would love for you to join in on Thankful Tuesdays! Please email me your thankful list at ambercox711@hotmail.com. I would love to post it here!

Happy Tuesday!
XOXO
Amber

Patience is something I don't have

This weekend I did a little "window shopping" on Amazon. Here are a few things I can't wait to own:

I don't have to wait too much longer. It is out on 10-19-10! I am loving their first single so I am sure the album will not disappoint.


Now this album I could NOT wait to order. I pre-ordered it and got the cd, dvd, and LP! It will even be shipped to me before the release date of 10-12-10. The countdown to it arriving at my doorstep has already begun!


Emily from The Black Apple has published a paper doll book that will be out 11-2-10! This is definitely going on my Christmas wish list!!


Alicia Paulson is the reason I started reading blogs. I happened upon an article on her several years ago and read every single post she ever wrote. She is one of the most talented ladies I know...or wish I knew. Ha! If you have never read her blog, go there now! Not only is she crazy talented, but she is an amazing writer and photographer!


I wish I could be neighbors with Shauna and her husband. I happened upon her blog when I needed it the most. Being gluten intolerant can be a little discouraging at times. You can get in a rut with your diet and I was ready for a change. Shauna changed my view on my relationship with food after reading her first post. Even if you aren't gluten intolerant, you should stop by her blog. Her way of describing food will have you drooling instantly! Her first book was so helpful and full of recipes. I know that this one will be even better because her husband "The Chef" is involved! Yum!

And since we are the subject of patience...Friday while driving to work I was suddenly stopped while driving through down town Kansas City, to let more than 10 of these guys pass!!!

I was in awe. They were so adorable and walked right in front of my car in the middle of the city! (The Circus was in town)And I didn't even think to dig out my camera and take a picture. On my way home from work I was stopped again for the ring leading Elephant. It was definitely my lucky day! I guess if I am stopped in traffic for elephants, I don't lose my patience!
I hope you had a great weekend!!
XOXO
Amber

Join in on the FUN!!

There are some great things going on in the blog world right now. Stop over to Strumpets Crumpets and sign up for the Craft Supply Swap!

This is a great way to get rid of some of your crafting supplies that you may no longer use. In exchange you will get a box of new supply goodies that you will use! Easy Peasey!!!

To get yourself in the mood for Fall and to maybe expand your crocheting skills...stop over to The Itsy Bitsy Spider. There you will find tons of crocheting inspiration, but you can also sign up to participate in this:

I really enjoyed making the crochet candy corn so I can't wait to try my hand at a pumpkin!

So what are you waiting for??? Go sign up for some FUN!!
XOXO
Amber

A little bit of this and that...

Last night was craft night. My mom started working on a crochet bag. It is amazing and I can't wait to try it for myself. It will be the perfect bag for toting my projects around in.


You can find the pattern here. Attc24 is an amazing blog chocked full of crochet goodness.

My brother thought it would be a nice hat, but it was a little too big.


I decided to try my hand at a few crocheted candy corns:



That adorable love bullets pouch is from Hot Butter on etsy. Ashley does an amazing job and it is the perfect pouch to carry all my crochet supplies.

My Aunt Paula is such a sweetie and is always willing to work out the nastiest knots in my yarn.

Doesn't it look like a big pile of spaghetti?

I did a little thrifting last weekend and found some amazing things to add to the shop and a couple of things to add to Poot Manor.

I love the recycle coffee mug!! The font is perfect!

My mom did a little "picking" while out on her morning walk. She actually found this out at someones curb out for the trash!

It is huge!!

I decided to add a little cuteness to my desk at work with a few goodies from the last craft swap I was in:


Tonight it is very cool and rainy. It was the perfect night for this for dinner:

This along with a grilled cheese=yumminess!

Sorry for all the randomness!

I can't believe that tomorrow is already Friday. I love four day work weeks. Well...I am off to do a little crocheting.
XOXO
Amber