Barbie Dream House

In 2013 we purchased a $150 Barbie Dream House. It came with everything needed to play and have fun. A few days later it fell apart....5 hours of work on Christmas day and it wasn't even New Years day before we had to start super gluing it together.

Fast forward to 3 years later and our daughter is 6 years old with too many Barbie dolls for her house...so what is this DIY'er going to do? MAKE A NEW ONE!  (Side note the other day...I went to move the house and the entire back fell off...grumble.)

I have an old cabinet and will make a video detailing my progress and the end results. Wish me luck!

Gardening heals your soul!

While out watering my plants I realized how much I rely on them. Not only for nourishment but for support. My plants do not judge me (unless I do not care for them), they do not argue with me and all in all they love me. At least in my mind. I never realized that until today when I was watering them with my youngest. My daughter is a green thumb as well and loves the outdoors and nature as much as I do. Honestly it is a trait that both of my Grandparents had that continued through all of us.

My garden may be small now but it is beautiful, green and lush. Outside we have a lime tree, blueberry bush, tomato plant, two strawberry plants and some dark pink Asiatic Lilies. Inside I have several herbs, green onions, bell peppers, daisies (from an amazing friend) and three house plants. Funny how I say that isn't much. I grew up with my Grandfather having a large farm with crops galore and my Grandmother having a wonderful garden in the city. Honestly her garden reminded me of the Secret Garden. I would go in there with her next to her small pond and read books and talk about my life issues. I am deeply wanting this for my own children. A place outside for them to relax and meditate, an area for yoga would be amazing! Along with a garden that will nourish them and teach them about growth and life.



I hope you all have found peace and love in your day today!

Namaste

Fast Track to Recovery

It has been awhile since I have updated on my recovery. The recovery process is slow, as in two months, BUT I am doing the best I can and actually listening to my chiropractor. She is amazing and I am so thankful for everything she is doing for me!

I was released to do two yoga poses, child's pose and cat/cow. Plus a lot of stretching. I had my first massage as well, I was totally freaked out. The massage therapist was great and talked with me the whole time. Most people are unable to relax when they talk, made a world of difference for me. I should add that I only did the massage because my chiropractor told me to. :) And I am not regretting it one bit. Totally helped me relax, and my muscles felt amazing afterwords.

My memory and emotions are getting in check as well. I do have my days that I become overly emotional, honestly it is difficult not being able to do everything I want to do. My memory is coming back as well. I still live off of post in notes and my calendar, eventually I will get back to normal.

It has been 5 weeks and 1 day since my accident. I have 6 to 7 weeks of recovery left. Seems like a long time but it will be here before I know it. I just hope that I can remain "good" and listen and take everything slowly. I can't wait to be able to run again and do full yoga sessions. Some day soon.


Hope everyone is doing well!
Much love!

Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love banana's and I love chocolate. Why not combine the too?! Today I made banana chocolate chip cookies with the help of another blogger (Eat at Home Cooks). I will say that these cookies may not taste like the ones from the store but they are yummy and great for breakfast with a cup of coffee/tea!

Here is the recipe:

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 ripe mashed bananas

1 egg

3 1/4 cups flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

semi-sweet chocolate chips – 1 bag

(The recipe only called for 1 cup of chips, but we also like chocolate a bit too much.)

Cream the butter and sugar together in a mixer bowl.  Add the eggs and bananas.  In a separate bowl, stir together the dry ingredients.  Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until combined.  Stir in the chocolate chips.  Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto a baking sheet or stone.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

The cookies are soft, not like your typical cookie. They really do go well with coffee or just as a quick snack!

Hope you enjoy!!

Car Accidents Suck

On July 29th 2012 I was in a bad car accident. I was rear ended three times while I was stopped, the other cars were going 50+ miles an hour. This is why I have been neglecting my blog. And I am sorry!!!

What all is wrong with me as of Wednesday the 22nd. 

•    The bone of above my jaw is crooked. 
•     My neck is 1-2 inches to the left, in my neck there are 4 discs that are jammed together and straightened. due to the disks that are pinched (and everything else) I get daily headaches, memory loss and I am moody. Now moody as in; angry, upset, sappy, crying, etc. The memory loss is beyond horrible. I have the memory of someone with Alzheimer's which is not good.
• My entire spine is pushed to the left and wavy. This is causing severe pinching in the nerves and spinal cord. Which is why I say "My spine hurts". 
• There are a couple discs in the middle of my back that are jammed together. 
• My lower back muscles are all sprained and there are several jams in the spine down there as well.
• My collar bone on the left side has broken off from my spine and ribs. NOT GOOD! It explains why I couldn't raise my arms. Minimal pain so no need for a brace and I probably wouldn't wear it.
• My pelvic bone is pushed two inches forward on the right side and about 3-4 inches up making my legs uneven and I look like I have a peg leg when I walk. 
• Due to pain medications and muscle relaxants my liver failed me. I had to stop taking meds and go on other medications to get that to work properly.

I can't run, walk/stand/sit for over 30 minutes to an hour at a time, jumping is a huge no no, headaches have been miserable, memory loss is irritating, not being able to lift my 2 year old daughter and hold her is killing both of us.

I was told that doing yoga prior to all of this is the ONLY reason I didn't break my back. I am a FIRM believer in yoga more than ever. I can help in so many ways.

I am going to the chiropractor and it has been amazing. I have gone only 3 times and I have felt a HUGE difference. I will be going 2-3 days a week for awhile but I am being told that I should be back to pre-accident in 2 months. So we are looking at a total of 3 months of recovery for me. 

Life is hectic for us, my grandmother in law is here helping take care of the house and kids while I recover. I couldn't be more blessed with an amazing family!

Stay safe and healthy friends!

XOXO

Fall Hair Clips!

I love making hair clips! Honestly if I just did that everyday I would be set for life.

Oh, how I love to be crafty!

Turkey hair clip! (Eyes can be added)

Pumpkin Hair clips!

I have them for sale on my facebook page Busy Bugs Boutique or over at my webpage (that is currently being transferred over to a better page and to the new name Old Website that is currently being changed!

I hope everyone is had a great day!

Orange Push-Ups, the way to my childhood heart.

Remember those delicious Orange Push-Ups?

Running around the yard, playing in the sprinklers was the best part of summer. Our parents/baby sitter always topped it off by coming into the backyard with those delicious orange push ups. I remember sitting on the decks, steps or sidewalk dripping wet and sticky from the amazing taste of those push-ups.

Now enters the day I found an amazing recipe from Pinterest by a user (Averie Cooks) claiming that this smoothie tastes just like the orange push up. Of course I was judgmental at first, I mean how can anyone recreate the amazing taste! Then of course I had to try it. Honestly, it is a cheap recipe. And why not?

So glad I did!

Look at that yummy concoction! Sorry for it being a phone picture but honestly, it doesn't last long in anyone's hands. 

It taste's amazing, just like an orange push up and perfect for a hot summer day. My kids love them, when they see me buy the frozen juice they know exactly what they are going to have on a hot day. 

Here is the recipe:

Orange Push-Up Smoothie

1 can orange juice concentrate, slightly thawed (Hawaii's Own Mango Orange is the best)

1 C. Milk (half and half, cream, nut milk or soy milk also work)

1/2 C. Sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 C. Ice, or to taste

Combine all ingredients (except ice) in a large blender. Blend until smooth and the sugar and dissolved well. If you like you can add more milk or water. Add the ice and blend until smooth. 

Makes about three 8 oz portions.

She also has several more smoothie recipes at the above link. I can't wait to try those out as well!