Crescent Pepperoni Roll Ups

I was at the grocery store tonight and walked passed a packet of pepperoni and had an epiphany of what I would make for supper. I have seen these floating around Pinterest and I thought they looked easy enough for this domestically challenged fiancé.

You need a package of crescent rolls, pepperoni, and mozzarella cheese. I have also seen versions where you cut a piece of string cheese and half. I opted out of that version, I feel like the cheese would be too chunky when it's done. I also added basil. Ever since living in Italy I have been adding basil to everything I cook. The Italians always put one basal leaf on every pizza. It has a soft spot in my heart :) Aaaaanyway, here's what you do.

1. Preheat the oven to 375.

2. Spread the crescent rolls out on your greased cookie sheet.

3. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on the crescent roll.

4. Add some pepperonis. I used 4-5 per roll, but think I could have added 1 or 2 more to fill it out.

5. Sprinkle on that delicious basil.

6. Roll up the crescent roll and try to keep the cheese and pepperoni tucked in side.

7. Bake at 375 for 12-15 minutes.

8. Enjoy!

Let me tell you these were ridiculously delicious. I have been trying to step up my domestic goddess game as of late. Kevin is well into his busy season as a CPA and works from about 7am to 9pm and doesn't get home until after 9 most nights. I am not one to dote on my significant other (he can fend for himself) but I know he appreciates it when I have some supper ready for him when he gets home. It also encourages me to eat more than a bowl of cereal for supper. I might have to mix these little guys into the rotation.

Diabadass

Today is my "little" sister's 10-year anniversary of having Type 1 Diabetes (Ok, so she's not "little", she's 15. I still consider her my "little" sister). I would like to start by posting my parents' Facebook statuses:

Mom:

"Today I'd like to acknowledge our daughter, Macey Jann Spensley, and her 10 year "diaversary"! She's put up with counting every carb she's eaten in those 3,650 days, over 20,0000 finger pokes, almost 800 insulin pump site changes, 4000 insulin injections before getting her pump, over 20 miles walking in the JDRF annual Walks. But in those 10 years I've never witnessed a tear, meltdown or major complaint from her about being diabetic. Her favorite time of the year is because of diabetes. Camp Hertko Hollow has introduced her to a huge family of "Diabadasses"!! They're the best support team I could ask for her to have!! Love you girls, guys and counselors!!! Here's to a cure being found and no more diaversaries!!!!! Love ya Macey!!"

Dad:

Ten years ago today Macey was diagnosed withe Juvenile Diabetes. She is an amazing daughter! I've never met anyone as positive or as tough as she is. She is my hero!


I remember the day Macey was diagnosed with Diabetes very vividly. My brothers and I came home from school and dad called and had us all get on speakerphone and told us the news. She was 5. I didn't understand what Diabetes was then, but our family knows a lot about what it is now. I want to be clear (because this always bothers me)--she has Type 1 Diabetes--caused by your pancreas failing to produce insulin to break down the sugars in the blood. She does not have Type 2 Diabetes--often caused by obesity. There is nothing anyone could have done to prevent this from happening to her.

As noted in my parents' statuses, Macey deals with a lot on a daily basis but never complains or feels sorry for herself. She has always had a positive attitude and took her diabetes in stride.

The best thing that has come from her diabetes is the friends she has made because of it. Every summer, she attends Camp Hertko Hollow, a summer camp for children and teens with diabetes. They have a full staff of doctors and nurses, and many of the counselors also have diabetes. Everyone there knows what Macey goes through on a daily basis, and they are a great support team for each other. I have went with my mom to pick Macey up a few times, and there are always tears from nearly every camper. Here are some posts from the Hertko Hollow Facebook page:

That awkward moment when you think of the last day of camp from the previous year, and wanna cry because you miss it so much ♥


Diabetes: It's what we have, not who we are.


I would love nothing more to be sitting in a cabin w/ my bestfriends talking & laughing & being camp-happy. I miss camp so freaking bad....


My Blood Sugars Are High, I'm Spilling Keytones, And I Can't Sleep Because I'm Checking Every Hour. I Wish I Had Hertko Staff To Take Care Of Me..♥


‎2011 was a hard year for me. I had Ketoacidosis twice! The first time, it wasn't to bad, but the second time, I was knocking on deaths door... I got tired of being a diabetic and just stopped taking care of it, without my parents knowing... No body understood what was happening to me, so I was lost. That was in Novmeber, since then, I have gotten back to myself, and I know that diabetes isnt going to stop me from living, it isnt going to take over me!! I know, that one day there WILL be a cure, whether it is in my lifetime or not, there will be one. I had a pump, but when I got sick, the doctors took it away, so Im on shots again.. :/ They said I could earn it back, so thats my goal! Nothing is going to stop me now! Ijust cant wait for camp, Imissed it in 2011... It broke my heart! I cried!! There was a flood warning, so my family and I were worried, but not to worry! Im going for sure this year!! Teen Week 2012!!! Woo hoooo!


Diabetes is pronounced dia-bea-teez & not die-ah-beat-us because we refuse to let it beat us ♥

I could keep going, but I won't. Macey met her best friends at camp, and they refer to themselves as "Diabadasses." 

There is no cure for diabetes, but research and advancements are being made everyday. JDRF is a great cause to support.

Just wanted to dedicate this post today to my brave little sister. You're an inspiration to me with your positive attitude and strength. 

Love you, sister!

Hanging Paper Hearts

I have a very easy craft for you today that ANYONE can do. Valentine's Day is coming up and I thought it was time I get a few decorations up. Alas--hanging paper hearts!

Here's what you need:

This project only cost me $3-- $1 for the book from Goodwill (as much as I would like to say "Embers of the Heart" was already in my collection, I got it from Goodwill) and $2 for the thread. I already had the scissors and needle on hand.

 Cut out your hearts. I cut mine in different sizes for a varied look.

Cut a long piece of thread. I did some arms length wide, and some a little longer and some a little shorter.

Poke your needle through the heart. I always aimed for a little higher than halfway down. Pull the thread all the way through so the first heart is at the very end.

Secure with clear tape. I ONLY did this for the first heart at the bottom of the string.

Put your next heart on. I left about 1 inch between every heart.

 To get the hearts to stay in place, poke one hole and then make a loop and poke a second hole through the heart. This will help the heart to stay in place and not slide down.

Keep going...

Leave about 4 inches at the end of the strand. I taped the last heart just like I did the first heart.

Make more strands! Lay your strands out as you make them so they don't get tangled. I would say it took 3-5 minutes to string one strand.

Tape each strand to the bottom of the top blind. When the blinds are closed facing down OR when the blinds are open, you won't notice the tape.

Ta da!

I am pretty darn happy with how this turned out. It probably took about 30 minutes total after cutting the hearts out. I think when Valentine's Day is over I may move it to our bedroom where love and hearts is always appropriate!

On the personal front, I've been getting too many sub jobs and can't keep up with all the crafts I have planned! Ok, I'm kidding. I'm thrilled to be working everyday. I'm just bursting with creative energy this week. Need.To.Make.Things.

I also have to share this. I got a random package in the mail today. I was so excited because I love getting packages. Well, it's from "CDS-Global" in Des Moines which is some random company. I can't figure it out. Never heard of them or gave them any information. But my name and address are on the label. Anyway, they sent me a random bag that looks like half purse, half lunch box. There was no note or anything. The label on the package said "Please enjoy your FREE GIFT from Conde Nast Publications." I don't know who that is either. I wish it was a cute purse lunchbox. Anyone need a non-cute purse lunchbox?? I have one for sale!!


Mystery solved! Mom got me a subscription to Brides magazine and I guess it came with a bag. Still, however, for sale! :)

Psst... don't forget to click on the Facebook icon above and "Like" Start Acting My Age on Facebook to receive updates when...I update. :)

Etsy Feature: craftEs

I am beefing up my blog and entering the world of guest posts, product reviews, and shop features. My first victim guest feature is my friend Ellie! I went to college with Ellie at UNI. We were both Elementary Education majors! She currently lives in the Twin Cities where she is a substitute teacher. She owns a shop on Etsy called CraftEs where she [currently] sells some pretty awesome handmade jewelry.

[Click the pictures to links to her shop]

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Ellie Woodward and my Etsy shop is craftEs. I started craftEs a little less than a year ago as a way to sell my surplus of crafted goods. I tend to find a project I love to make, and make things in bulk. Usually I don't create specifically for the shop, but instead I create simply to get the creative "bug" out of me. I don't have a use for ten necklaces, or eight pairs of similar earrings, so I take them to the shop in hopes that somebody else will be able to enjoy them!

What is your favorite thing to craft?

My favorite thing to craft definitely depends on my mood! For a few months it was anything using my new sewing machine skills, then anything made of felt, and now beaded jewelry. I used to make beaded jewelry a LOT as a kid, so it's good to be back in familiar territory. but who knows, maybe next month it'll be something different!

What inspires you to craft?

I am most inspired by current trends. I like to make things that I see in stores and online. Often times I wonder, "Can I make that myself?" I especially like to make things that I would wear myself. :)

What is your favorite piece in your shop?

I actually have two favorite pieces in the shop. The first is the multi-colored memory wire bracelet, and the second is the multi-colored four-strand bracelet. They are similar pieces, and I love the alternating sizes of the see beads, and the randomness of the colors. You can wear them with anything--jeans or a special occasion!

Thanks for sharing your talents with us, Ellie! I can definitely relate to getting that "creative" bug out, as well as finding inspiration in things you see in stores that you know you can make yourself! I think my favorite piece is the multi-colored 4-strand bracelet. Ellie is a talented woman! I have seen some fabulous clutches and headbands she makes as well. Go check out craftEs and support a starving teacher! :)

{Side note: In explaining to Kevin what "Etsy" is, he was wondering why I don't sell all the things I make. I selfishly like to hoard all my crafts and display them all over the house. He thinks we're going to run out of room. Guess we'll need a bigger place!}

If you aren't familiar with Etsy, it's a website where thousands of vendors sell handmade goods.

Swirl Marble Nails

I found this video on My Girl Thursday's blog and I wanted to share it. I haven't tried this and I don't know that I'm digging the extra long black and white swirl nails, but it's a very cool technique that I might try if it was a little subtler looking.

What do you think?

Cinnamon Snails

Hey guys! Hope you had a great weekend. What did you do? Anything exciting? We had our monthly card club this weekend and it was a lot of fun as usual. When we left I was thinking once a month isn't enough! I wanted to share quickly what I made to share. I got the recipe from Sada Lewis. I thought they looked delicious (and easy for this domestically challenged lady). They were a hit! Give 'em a try.

Peas and Carrots

I found this tattoo today and fell in LOVE with it. How perfect?! For those of you who are new here, see our engagement story to learn the story behind "peas and carrots."

Now, I would never get a tattoo of peas and carrots, but I am thinking I could use this as inspiration for a logo for our wedding. I love this logo that is a theme throughout the wedding from a woodsy wedding, found on green wedding shoes. I have been trying to think up a cute logo for our own wedding that might pop up in the small details. This might be a winner.

{via}

I did some searching of other cute peas and carrots things and found these cute necklaces on Etsy.

{via}

My BFF Tonia drew me this picture for Christmas of Kevin and I. You probably don't understand any of it other than the peas and carrots thing, so I would like to explain a few of the elements so you get just how awesome this really is.

The carrot is Kevin singing karaoke to me. He's singing "Hands Down" by Dashboard Confessional, which is kind of "our song." It's my favorite song to hear him sing. He also has a beard, because I prefer it. I am the pea pod, wearing a Brand New t-shirt because I simply love them. I'm also holding an Italy bag because I spent a summer there, and... I love it. I love this picture a great deal. Am I missing anything, Ta?

Finally, I guess I assume everyone has seen Forest Gump because it might be one of my favorite movies (it's a tie between that and A League of their Own). If you haven't seen it, or if you have seen it, here is a clip about Forest and Jenny and peas and carrots.

"We go together like peas and carrots..."