Dip Happens...

Been busy will be back to a regular posting schedule soon.

This is Caitlin's doing at her brother's bday party last year!

Get your Garage Sale on!

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

9-4

We have a great variety of baby, toddler and household items.

baby toys
baby clothes - lots with tags on still
misc baby gifts still in box
stroller
eddie bauer bassinet
crib new in box
push and ride on toys
fish rocker
kids books - board, harcover and soft
potty chair
toddler clothes
scrapbooking supplies
stationery supplies
home decor
2 tv's
coffee table
mini tobbagon
misc electronics
misc household
adult clothes and books
LOTS LOTS MORE!

Bins priced at .10 and .25!
Everything is going - nothing is coming back in the house!!!

26582 Mallard Court
South Lyon, MI 48178

The Heights of Elkow Farms
Off 11 Mile between Martindale and Milford Road

Few other families in the sub are having garage sales too.
The City Wide Garage Sales are going on at this time as well!

I Scream for Ice Cream Pretend Play Menu!

Designed for my daughter to sprinkle up her birthday party!

Available in my etsy shop! Great favors!

Take me out to the ballgame!

Bookies Bar & Grill before the game.

My little fan

Date 13/52
Theme: Take me out to the ball game!
Location: Detroit
Day/Time: Friday 1:10

Opening Day for the Detroit Tigers has become a favorite tradition of ours. In Michigan, you never know what the weather will be like.  One day you could be in shorts eating ice cream and the next day you could be shoveling snow. Last week, I packed up all the winter gear and of course as luck would have it - we needed it.  However, we were dumb optimistic and dressed for the promised degrees of "in the 50's".  I don't think it got above 40 and with the winds it felt even colder!!!  BUT....

We had a great time! We hung out with a bunch of friends and supported our struggling economy.  We were so cold we ended up heading out a tad early and grabbing dinner.  It was nice hanging out with my hubby, seeing the Tigers win and getting our date in before the busy weekend.

A DAY OUT!

Date 12/52

Theme: A DAY OUT!

Location: Brighton
Day/Time: Saturday 1-3pm

With Easter and two kids birthdays within a week our lives are pretty busy here - I'm pretty much addicted to party planning and am in my glory right now finishing up the details  ice cream themed party....BUT I knew we needed to use our wonderful Allison who was home for college so we signed her up for 2 hours and went into a nearby town called Brighton. 

We stopped in to a favorite little shop called Oh, My Lolli for a few last minute Easter basket treats.  Next, we went to Brighton Bar & Grill - small salad for me since they have the best dressings!  Guinness for the hubby.  Lastly, to Downtown Main - I love this place!  Actually, I love anywhere you can order a chocolate covered strawberry but their food is great and drink-e-poos taste so yummy.  I always get the Mango Martini and it tasted perfect halfway through the day!!!  We managed to do all this in under 2 hours!  It was so nice to have a little break in the middle of the day.  Most of the time when we go out on a date we come home to sleeping kids it was a nice change of pace to come home to kids so excited to see you.

A PERFECT 10!

Date 12/52
Theme: Fashion Show
Location: Our House
Day/Time: Saturday Night 7pm

For this date I spent some time shopping earlier in the day.  I gathered a bunch of things I might want for Spring and some things my husband needed too.  I tried on the different outfits and got his opinion - sometimes I listened, sometimes I didn't.  He did the same.  We made our return piles and got some laughs out of the "dad jeans" that are headed back to the store!  In addition, we ordered a few swimsuits online for me.  I felt good about the date because I got to cross a few things off my TO DO list and we chatted and laughed the whole time.  I learned that when I buy something that I wouldn't normally buy - something my husband would like I might actually like it too.  Definately a fun easy date.  To make it a little more fun I'd suggest the score cards numbered 1-10!  :)

Sneak Peak - Scream for Ice Cream

St. Paddy's Day Parade! Corktown, Detroit.

The Family...

My Connor Patrick Griffin

Looking on at the Parade

Caitlin & Uncle Terry

Happy St. Patricks Day everybody!

Monday Night Movie Night

Date 11/52
Theme: Monday Night Movie Night
Location: Our House
Day/Time: Monday Night 8pm

After a super FUN but busy weekend filled with TONS of quality family time {Ann Arbor Hands on Museum and the Detroit St. Patricks Day Parade} we scheduled a last minute do-over.  We both fell asleep this weekend our our original date night so we snuck in a little Monday night date.  Dan decluttered the living room so I can relax and I ran to the library to get a movie.  Dan made poporn and I got the movie ready.  It felt like Friday already.  We rarely watch a movie on a Monday night!  So we settled in and watched Food Inc. - a movie that very much makes you THINK.  Super interesting and had it not been so late it would've been a great topic of discussion.  Highly recommend this amazing documentary. More to come on this subject!


MAKE-UP POST :)
Date 10/52

Theme: Fish Fry Friday
Location: Moose Ridge Grill
Day/Time: Friday 4:30

We ventured out together as a family to a Friday Night Fish Fry.  We got there early and had the place to ourselves!  I got a glass of wine and just after our appetizer arrived a local was singing.  Dan and I got to enjoy each other and watch our well mannered little ones enjoy a night out too.

Something must be in the water....

must be the time of year to throw a baby shower

lots of special requests lately!

all available in my little etsy shop.

FREE PRINTABLE - dresser drawer labels {girl}

BEFORE

AFTER

CAITLIN

So as this little one gets ready to turn three we are prepping her for a few chores.  She already feeds the dog and the next thing she chose was to put her laundry away - "all by myself" as she says.  Caitlin helped pick out some of the pics for the labels (thus the Strawberry Shortcake items) & decided what went where.  She is so proud of her new chore and is doing great - I'm sure it will wear off in time but for now she is having a lot of fun learning and helping mom!  If you'd like me to send you the printable files for these so you can use them too.  Just email me at carrigriffin@yahoo.com and I'll get them sent out to you!

Simon Says...

Date 9/52

Theme: Simon Says!
Location: Couch
Day/Time: Saturday 8:30 PM

Lazy date night (hubby a bit jet lagged - just got in from Japan) consisted of relaxing on the couch and catching up on American Idol episodes.  I've been a fan for awhile and Dan has been here and there.  However, last season my hubby got really into it because of the unpredictability of Adam Lambert (or maybe it was bikini girl?).  I swear what used to be considered girly gossip at friend get-togethers was dominated by the guys dishing over thier favorite contestants and why last season. So when someone jokingly suggested having a finale party - the joke became reality and yes, we did go to an American Idol Finale Party!

What can I say?  We love to watch.  Its totally entertaining to us.  Even slightly competitive...I love to try and be "right" and what I mean by that is say what Simon says.  After each performance we say what we think and what we think Simon will say...Will they like it?  Wrong song choice? Pitchy? Wrong "look"? You get the idea...Do you watch? Have a favorite Idol?  We think the season is going to have a tough time topping last season but it will still be fun to watch and see what they come up with on ........AMERICAN......IDOL!

Night Owl Collection

I helped throw a shower for a friend of mine over a year ago and just loved creating this little collection.  Its inspired from the Litto kids silly owl crib set.  She used it for nursery - SUPER CUTE! Since it has been a favorite among clients. And what a fun theme for a nursery!

fun art found here

add a stuffed owl or two!

Project nursery featured owls too.

What a hoot!

Thin Mint Martini Please!

Date 8/52

Theme: Martini Night Out
Location: The Living Room (not ours - thats really the name of the place)!
Day/Time: Saturday at 9pm

Being that my hubby was only in town for 12 hours from last week to this week I really needed to have a drink I was pretty sure we'd be scheduling a make-up date.  BUT....my parents were at the house and I was glad Dan was up for getting out for a little while. 

So we headed to our favorite hang-out by where we used to live and frequent often pre- kids.  Its a little local hang out that serves up unique pizzas & fabulous drinks.  We met up with two other couples and were soon sipping on our favorite martini's. A thin mint martini for me (think Girl Scout cookie but in a yummy drink) & Dan's usual is the Cajun.  It was nice to get out for a few hours & only spend a little $ yet feel like a million bucks!

Did I hear the word TREAT?

If you say the word "treat" in our house everyone gets excited - even the dog! On busy days I dread figuring out whats for snack. Here's a little trick I've been using for awhile and its so easy. We call it the "Treat Tin". Take a cupcake tin and fill with mini containers - the Glad ones fit perfectly. Then fill up the containers with a variety of colorful treats! Have the kids help or do it yourself as a surprise - either way its sure to spice up snacktime or help out with some additional choices at mealtime. Ours fits perfectly in the fridge too!

Depending on the age and level of your kids you can make it educational too. Pick out something yellow? Count three celery pieces. Choose a fruit. Who's says you can't "play" with your food at the table, right?
I can't guarantee they'll eat their broccoli but they will like getting to pick from all the fun choices.
The kids will love it and more importantly so will you! 

I've also used this idea for salad makings, arts and crafts, etc - so many possibilities!  Have fun with it and be sure to share any ideas you have too! Another bonus - they are a snap to put away!

a trip down honeymoon lane...

Date 7/52
Theme: a trip down honeymoon lane...
Location: Our House
Day/Time: Saturday at 9pm

I was super impressed when my husband suggested that we watch our honeymoon videos & look through our picture albums for a future date night.  I mean really...I'm usually the creative one!  I thought it was a great idea and went well with Valentines!  So we did it!  We loved looking back on all the fun times and things we did!  We stayed in St.Lucia for almost two weeks!  It was paradise!

Oh, what I wouldn't do to be here right now!

Or riding horses on the beach...

Or having a nice dinner with JUST my hubby...

I'd even go deep sea fishing again if it meant...

dessert delivered to the swim up bar in the afternoon!

Super fun date!  If we would've planned a bit better we would've made the yummy drinks that we enjoyed so much down there - maybe we'll open the bar on a future date night and make our favorite drinks!  Cheers!

Crossing my fingers...

I just entered a little contest to get a makeover! 

Not a me makeover but a blog makeover! 

I get super excited over this kind of stuff...colors, layouts, fonts especially!  I don't have the time to dazzle in it as much as I would like to so I'm hoping to get a fresh, modern-hip look real soon.  I just discoved this great site on Tuesday and have been keeping my fingers crossed ever since.  It called Queen of the Castle and its a resource for home managers.  Thats me - Home Manager, CEO of the Griffin Fam! So take a look its neat-o!  They have these great DIY Valentine treat bags!

Breakfast OUT of bed! {Project 52 Date Night}

Date 6/52

Theme: Breakfast OUT of bed!
Location: forty-two degrees north

Day/Time: Sunday 10:30 AM

Dan and I both love to read and its one of the things we still really try to make time for. Seems like most of our dates fall in the evening so we decided to switch things up a bit and take a morning to ourselves {Thanks mom!}.

We went into the city to try out forty-two degrees north. This new dining destination provides both a feast for the eyes as well as the palate! The setting is stylishly urban and you over look the river. We brought magazines, books & of course our appetites! I think the waitress might have thought we were moving in and.....well....we were for awhile! We did the full brunch. I loved all the toppings for the oatmeal and the made-to-order omelette's & waffles were great too! We sat there for almost three hours eating, reading and chatting. We are definitely going to do this again!

New Pretend Play Menu - Italian!

This new design is for a friend of mine {thanks Betsey}!

She had it personalized for Bella and her family.

Got a few more in the works so I'll show them off soon!

Current designs are available in my etsy shop!

Favorite SUPERbowl snacks!

Whether your getting ready to watch the BIG game or the BIG MONEY commercials here are a few of the recipes I get asked to make every year! Do you have a favorite you'd like to share?

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Garlic Mushrrom Tartlets