My Only Bad Habit...

I hope everyone got their entries in for the Smiling Green Apples clothespin giveaway!  The contest is closed now, and I will announce the winner tomorrow!  Be sure to check back here tomorrow to see who won!!

Unless you are Cross Canadian Ragweed or Cody Canada (yummy, yes!?), everyone has more than one bad habit.

My least favorite bad habit is chewing my nails.  Seriously.  I bite my nails until they are so short they hurt.  I know, its gross, which is one reason I am constantly washing my hands.

I've tried keeping my nails painted, so they look pretty and subconsciously I won't want to chew on them.

Didn't work.

I tried getting acrylic nails, so they would look pretty band be really hard to bite off.

That didn't work, either.  I bite the fake nails off, then my own nails!

So, I'm getting tired of having fingers that hurt because I chew my nails.  And I'm tired of having ugly nails.  And, my son is picking up on my bad habits and starting to bite his nails, too!  

Any advice on how to STOP!? 

What bad habits do you have, that no matter how hard you try, you can't break?

Every Song a Memory

This morning as I was cleaning and preparing for the day, I had my cell phone ringing out my play list.  It got my brain running (which frankly, only music and coffee will do first thing in the morning!)  I thought I'd share some of those with you this morning, and the thoughts and memories that accompany them.  Warning...my musical preferences have an enormous range of styles!

The first song that cam on was an accapella version of Great is Thy Faithfulness.  I thought it was a nice coincidence (thought I don't really believe in them) that the first song I heard reminded me that "morning by morning new mercies I see."  That was a great bit of worship to start my day off!

Oh my.  See?  Maybe I shouldn't have done this.  You'll see the dirty music secrets no one knows about me.  Song number two: Stryper's Honestly.  But seriously, doesn't everyone love 80's love ballads?!  The best memory I have of this song happened not long after Barb Wire Man and I started dating each other.  He comically lip-synced the entire song to me...complete with motions.  I am pretty sure I laughed so hard I cried.

Song number three: God's Not Dead by the Newsboys.  Flower and I love when this song comes on in the radio, because we turn it up loud, and sing it out as loud as we can!  This song always gets me energized, and is one of my favorite songs to run to.  And I get goosebumps every time I hear it!

Mmmmhmmm.  Another side of me many people don't see.  Song number 4, I Stand Alone by Godsmack.  This is more of my running music, and one of the few songs that has absolutely no lyrical meaning to me.  No memories...its simply a song that has a good beat to run to!

I Walk the Line, by the great Johnny Cash.  I mean, what kind of Texan would I be if I didn't listen to Johnny Cash.

Song 6....Keep on Loving You, REO Speedwagon.  You know why I like this song so much, other than the fact that I really like REO Speedwagon?  Its fun to sing to.  Perfectly in my range.  And that is why I like this song.  I can sing to it and sound amazing.


Leader of the Band, by Dan Fogelberg, is a song I grew up hearing.  I love to sing to it (really, that is the most important thing, after all), but mostly, it reminds me of my Daddy.  Almost every word of this song makes me think of him.  No one writes songs like this anymore.  No one can sit with a guitar and sing and sound like heaven like this anymore.  It is one of my dad's favorites, and will always be one of mine.

Song numero 8 is by Firehouse.  Love of a Lifetime.  Yes, more 80's love ballads, but as sappy as it sounds, it so applies to Barb Wire Man and me.

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, by Mumford and Sons came on next.  One of my all time favorite hymns, by far.  I really hate when a hymn comes on, I start belting it out, and the singer messes it up.  And by messing it up I mean making their own rendition and not following the way it was written!  Mumford and Sons did an excellent job keeping it as it should be!

Metallica.  Because Nothing Else Matters.


Good grief.  How do I go from Metallica to Tammy Wynette?  I guess I'm just a Stand By Your Man kinda girl!

And then, the Little Man woke up and said he had to watch Dinosaur Train.  So my music time was over.  What are the top 10 songs on your playlist?

One last thing!!  Our Smiling Green Apples giveaway ends at 5AM (Central Time) on Monday, so make certain you get your entries in today!  You don't want to miss these!

Credit: Smiling Green Apples

You better head over and sign up! Be blessed today!

My Favorite Dessert Recipe Link up!

No one in my family eats many sweets.  Well, I take that back.  Barb Wire Man is not a big sweet eater.  Rarely have I ever seen him eat a piece of cake, pie, cookie or brownie.  I only like it occasionally.  My kids are not big sweet eaters because I just don't allow it.

But every now and then, a sweet tooth will attack.  And I indulge.

My all time, most favorite evvvvvver sweet in the world is dump cake.  It is the simplest thing in the world to make, since all you do is dump a can of crushed pineapple and a can of cherry pie filling into a pan, sprinkle it with yellow cake mix, dot it with butter and bake it.  Unfortunately, I'm allergic to pineapple, and haven't been able to eat my favorite thing ever in several years.  It really sucks, friends.

So, I move on to my next all time favorite: Peach Cobbler.

It has to be just right, though.  Some make their cobblers with pie-like crusts, some make them with more of a cake/dumpling topping.  The latter is how I prefer and make mine.  I found this recipe in an old cookbook that I inherited from my Grandma, and it has been my go-to dessert for awhile now.  Since I found this recipe, and didn't make it up entirely on my own, I'll share it with you today!  (Remember....the only thing I'm stingy with are my original recipes!)

Peach (or any fruit) Cobbler, Texas Style

2 Cups of fresh fruit mixed with 1 Cup of sugar OR 1 can of fruit pie filling  **trust me...fresh is best!**

1 C Sugar 

1/4 tsp. salt

1 stick of butter

3/4 C. flour

2/4 C. milk

Mix sugar and fruit.  Let set to pull out juices.  Heat oven to 350 and melt butter in a square baking dish.  Mix all dry ingredients, then slowly pour in milk.  Mix until there are no lumps.  Pour batter over the completely melted butter, but do not mix or stir!  Spoon fruit mixture over the batter.  Again, do not stir!  Put it in the oven, and allow to bake for about 45 minutes, or until the top is browned and a toothpick comes out of the topping clean.

For this cobbler to be at its finest, top with some homemade vanilla ice cream, or fresh cream.  It is delish!

How about you?  What is your favorite go-to dessert?  Be sure to share a link to your favorite dessert recipe here!  It can be an old post or a new post...all I ask is that you be sure to follow my blog before you link up, and be sure to share with your friends! (Link up ends on 7.25 @ 4:59 AM) Don't forget to enter in the giveaway! 

Be Blessed!

Christmas in July - Part 3

I think this may be the last Christmas in July post I am able to squeeze in this month.  I've tried to get lots of neat shops in here though, and I hope you have found some really neat things!

Heart Felt Truths
This shop has such a neat premise behind it.  All of the items at Heart Felt Truths are made of felt.  Each one is designed to help teach our children about God through story telling and felt!

Credit: Heart Felt Truths

This is such a great way to help teach children about why Christians celebrate our holidays, and is a wonderful tradition to start with your family.  This is something every Sunday School class should have as well!  If you enjoy crafting, you can even purchase DIY kits!  You can read more about their mission, and about their business on their blog, Heart Felt Truths.


Aurie's Designs
Aurie's Designs is full of wonderful journals, albums, cards, bookmarks and more!  Each one of them is beautiful, but of all of them, I think this is my favorite:

Credit: Aurie's Designs

You know, I'm a sucker for anything that has images from the 40's and 50's on it!  I'm also a sucker for anything that you can put a pen to and write.  Everything in Aurie's Designs is OOAK hand-made, by a mother /daughter team (Aurie and Tre).  Through the month of July , everything at Aurie's Designs is marked down 15%.  As an added bonus, anyone reading this blog today can get an additional 5% off


First Light Glass
I have always wanted to work with glass.  I never have, and don't know the first thing about it, but it has always intrigued me.  Unfortunately, I have children who could break...foam.

Credit: First Light Glass

First Light Glass has beautiful glass art work.  This butterfly pendant is one of my favorite things (I love butterflies, since they represent new life!)!  First Light Glass also has glass bowls, crosses, night lights, spoon rests...and that is just the beginning.  All made out of glass!  (Anyone want to take my kids so I can learn to work with glass!?)

Pruitt Creations
I don't need to go into the stories about how I've nearly thrown my sewing machine out of the window to remind everyone how bad I am at sewing.  Or how much I don't care for it since I can't get it perfect right away.  Having said that, I admire anyone who can get a few pieces of fabric to come together into an entirely new item.

Credit: Pruitt Creations

Pruitt Creations is full of handmade pillows, gifts, coin purses, cozies, quilts, and hoop art.  Here's a little hint for you, too.  Go ahead and head of to Pruitt Creations right now.  Why?  Because I will be having a giveaway from there soon!  Not going into too much detail, because I don't want to give it away.  Just know that you will need to follow my blog and know what your favorite thing from Pruitt Creations is!


I hope I have given you some great shopping ideas!  It won't be long before Christmas is actually here!  Don't forget to check out these shops, and don't forget to enter the Smiling Green Apples Giveaway, and don't forget tomorrow we will be having a linky party to share our favorite dessert recipes!!  Be blessed today!

Smiling Green Apples and Giveaways!

Remember these?

Credit: Smiling Green Apples

They are the super cute clothes pins I featured last night week from a cute shop called Smiling Green Apples!  I also made it quite apparent that these gorgeous clothespins were mine!  They came in yesterday evening, meaning they came in just in time for laundry day!  I'm super excited to get to hang laundry out today!  (Although, if you recall, there isn't a thing on this earth that will get me excited to actually fold the laundry!)

See these black damask clothespins here?   

Credit: Smiling Green Apples

These are the ones Flower thought were the prettiest!  I told her the blue ones were ours, and she informed me that I should have picked the black ones because those were her favorite.  I told her they were for....well, we will get to that in a bit.  I told her they were for something else, so she told me I had to order some of the black ones.  I intend on doing so!

Christy, the creator at Smiling Green Apples, also included these cards in my package!  I sat down yesterday to write a note to my Granny and realized I was out of cards.  I was so excited to see these, and I can't wait to send them to friends!  Thank you, Christy!

Today, I want to share more about Smiling Green Apples, and the owner, Christy!  Make certain you read all the way to the end, because there will be an announcement you don't want to miss!!

Credit: Smiling Green Apples

Christy, tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Christy Cox Mayton, I'm a SAHM with four very individual children, and married to my beset friend.  I'm a born and raised Virginia girl.  I'm an avid reader, crafter, and all around DIY'er.  I left a ten year career in retail management after my youngest son was diagnosed with Autism, and althought I miss the high pace world of reatail, I'm glad I made the decision to be with my family.  Being at home reignited my love of crtafting, which spawned my Etsy shop.

What would most people be surprised to learn about you?

I think people would be surprised to learn that I am a hopeless romantic...(sigh)...maybe that's the southern girl in me.  Oh how I long to live in a world where gentlemen never forget to open the door for a lady (and I so appreciate the ones who still do). The world is so chaotic, and nothing can distract me from it as well as a good love story!

Credit: Smiling Green Apples

If you could eat lunch with any three people, living or dead, who would you choose and why?

The thre people I'd have lunch with would be Mother Theresa (who couldn't learn something from a woman with that much love in her heart), Ree Drummond (and I insist she cook) because I think she would be so fun to have out with, and Sean Conner because I am oddly fascinated with him.  And should any of them call and cancel, I say martha Stewart, because although her presence would both terrify and awe me at the same time, that is one brain I'd love to pick at for awhile.

Who do you draw your inspiration from?

I have to say I draw my inspiration from the women in my family, and I have a VERY big family.  I've learned something from every one of them.  My aunt taught me to crochet, my other aunt taught me to decorate even the simplest things to make them special, my Mom taught me every cleaning and stain removing trick in the book....the list is endless.  I was fortunate to grow up very close to my Grandma and Great-Grandma.  Those ladies are from a generation where you did everything yourself, and you got creative with it.  I remember my great-grandma teaching me how to make braided rugs and weave wool blankets.  My Grandma (better yet, my Nanny) taught me how to do everything from quilt to make jelly and can tomatoes.  I'm blessed.

What is your favorite item from your shop?

My favorite items in my shop, although I love them all for obvious reason, are probably thne felt cake toppers.  I love anything a little whimsical, a little soft, and a lot colorful.  My FAVORITE one is thecloud cake topper with the ribbons rainbow attaching them.  I think I drew a picture that looked just likethat one every single notebook I had from Kindergarten on through high school! hahaha!

Credit: Smiling Green Apples

Where are the other places around the internet we can find you?

Right now, I'm only on Etsy, and I'm considering opening a second shop in the fall with my crocheted items made with quality yarns.

Now....for the fun part!!

Those pretty Black damask clothespins that Flower thought were so pretty?  She wanted them so badly, but they could belong to any one of you, because Christy has so kindly sent them as a giveaway to one of my readers!

I know there are a lot of my readers out there who hang their laundry out to dry like I do.  These clothes pins  are sealed so that are safe to use outside.  They won't run if it rains (not that I have to worry about there here since it so rarely rains!) like many decorative pins do.  Seee?  I hung my laundry out with them today even!

Laundry and so many other household chores are SO mundane....make it a little easier on yourself by using pretty supplies!   Here's what you have to do in order to enter....

1.  You must be a follower of my blog.  Any entries thaat are not will be disqualified!

2. Visit Smiling Green Apples, come back, and leave a comment telling me what your favorite thing in Christy's shop is. (1 entry)

3. Share this giveaway on Twitter, and leave that you did so in a separate comment. (1 entry)

4. Share this giveaway on Facebook, and leave that you did so in a separate comment. (1 entry)

5. Share this giveaway in a Blog post, and leave a link to it in a separate comment (2 entries)

***please make sure ALL comments are on THIS post.  Any comments left on any other posts will not be counted!***

There you have it!  You can enter up to 4 times for the drawing!  The contest to win these:

will end on Monday!! 

You Learn Something New...

So, I found out the other day you can actually purchase things on Facebook!

I've always put pictures of my "for sale" items up on 13 Plum's Facebook page.  Then, if someone wanted to purchase it, I would send a Paypal invoice, or wait for a check, or plan to meet up to deliver.  It wasn't complicated, but..it was complicated.

So then, my friend at Lil' Miss Texan popped up with this awesome new app!  It allows people to actually shop and pay through Paypal directly from Facebook!

After annoying her with a gazillion questions about how in the name of goodness to set it up, I finally got it!  I don't have all my items added just yet...that is going to take a bit of time since I have so much for sale.

Up in the right hand corner, you'll see a little shopping cart that says "Shop Now".  Click on that, and you can see everything I have for sale.  Pretty easy, huh?

I think this is going to be a pretty awesome deal...at least I pray it is!  So, would you do me a favor?  Head over to 13 Plum's Facebook page and hit "LIKE"!!!  There are a lot of times that I list sales and new items on there before I ever get around to announcing it on Etsy, Twitter, or anything else.  So this is a good way for you to keep up on last minute and/or spur of the moment sales!

In fact, if you will go like my page, and leave a comment there, I will send you a coupon for 15% off anything in my shop!  (It won't be hard to find...every picture in this blog is linked back....and almost every link on this page will take you there!) Hope to see you there soon!

Be Blessed!

Texas Etsy Finds of the Day!

Everyone and their brother knows by now that I love Texas.  I set out in Etsy the other day to find shops that are right here in Texas.  And there are lots.


Quilting Frenzy - Converse, Texas
I love quilts.  I hate quilting.  Really, I hate sewing.  My Granny tried to teach me to quilt, and I completely understand the how's and why's.  But I can't make my edges line up!

Credit: Quilting Frenzy 

Quilting Frenzy has 5 pages worth of beautiful quilting on Etsy.  This yellow and blue quilt is my favorite.  That color scheme is one of my all-time favorites.  I had a hard time trying to decide between showing this lap quilt, or a white on white pillowcase Quilting Frenzy has.  White on white is another of my most favorite looks!  This month, you can get 10% off any item at Quilting Frenzy by using the coupon code "CIJFRENZY10" when you check out!

The Yellow Roses - Corpus Christi, Texas 
The quickest way to my heart is to remind me of either of my grandmothers.  Just like quilts remind me of my Granny, these remind me of my Grandma.

Credit: The Yellow Roses 

In fact, these remind just about anyone who knew her of my Grandma!  I still have the one she made me 30 uhh, 29 years ago!  In fact, the more I look around at The Yellow Roses, I wondering if she might have known my Grandma!  Anyhow....every little girl in the world needs and Raggedy Ann.  Flower has the one I played with.  There are some adorable little wallets at The Yellow Roses, too!  During the month of July, The Yellow Roses is offering free shipping!

Corky Crafts - Fort Worth, Texas 
Everything at Corky Crafts is made from wine corks...I know a few people who could help Corky Crafts out with supplies.  They shall remain nameless here, but they know who they are!

Credit: Corky Crafts

This topiary from Corky Crafts would look super cute on my mom's patio.  That where we spend most of our time drinking win....uhhh, tea.  Corky Crafts also has some neat little cork tags.  They would look so neat hanging as a fan pull, or as a wine bottle decoration!  (There are also some neat little Christmas Ornaments at Corky Crafts, too!)  If you are in the Dallas area, you can even schedule to pick up your order, rather than paying extra for shipping!

Forever Grace 2 - Amarillo, Texas
My last shop for today, Forever Grace 2, is located a whole 45 minutes from my house!  All I did was search "lace", and this beautiful lace romper popped up!

Credit: Forever Grace 2

This romper is simply gorgeous. How I wish Flower was little enough to wear something like this.  Even if it came in her size, her style is, well, far from mine.   Still, though, I think the "Daddy's Girl" Dress on her shop is the neatest idea ever.  You will have to stop in at Forever Grace 2 and take a look!

So, those are my awesome Texas shops for today.  I have several more lined up that I'm excited to share with you, too!  Please check these shops out.  Remember....the people who own these shops (I'm including myself and 13 Plum Creations here!) really depend on traffic and purchases.  The money goes straight to helping families, which goes straight to helping our economy.  So really.  Go now.  Visit these shops!

Be blessed!