It’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted a happiness report over here. It’s not that I haven’t had things to be happy about…it’s just that I have been so busy with regular life lately to actually sit down and share some things with you all.

First off, last week a friend of mine and I went to one of my newest places to go to in Kansas City. High & Dry is in a little house where my new pal Jamie does the most amazing thing with furniture and home goods. I’ve purchased a table from her and a hutch and keep going back for more goodies. I got the cute little red plate above plus a lot of other neat things at her studio during this past visit. Just walking in there and being inspired by her work makes me happy! (Also, if you are interested in where those little snack mix cones came from, head over to my guest post on the Mom it Forward blog where I give a review of the neatest cookbook, Picture Me Cooking.)

I had an absolute “pinch me” moment last week when Beth from I Should Be Folding Laundry asked if I would be interested in contributing some pictures to a March of Dimes fundraising Etsy store she was opening. As I read through her email, I kept thinking… “but wait, I’m not a photographer!” Then, as I read further down where she listed the names of the other 9 photographers who would be contributing, I felt so honored. The names on the list were all people I have greatly admired for so long now for their talent in photography. I’m not sure that I belong with this talented group, but I sure am tickled to be there.

The photo above is one of four pictures I have for sale at the Etsy store, June Afternoons. Click here to see all four of my prints for sale. To see the entire selection of prints (and books) available from all of the artists, click on over. All proceeds go to benefit The March of Dimes.

Kelly (7) and Ella (4) share a room and 99% of the time it is a complete disaster. Even when they clean their room, it is still like glimpsing at tornado alley. Today, as I do about once a month, I got totally fed up and spent a good part of the day cleaning their room. 5 large donate bags and 3 bags of trash later I was done. Their dressers were gone through, their closet was completely cleaned out… under the bed and dressers were cleaned and vacuumed. Can I tell you, doing this kind of work… when I actually sit down and take the time to really do it and don’t have a lot of interruptions, gives me the biggest happiness boost! It feels so good. Give cleaning and decluttering a try next time you need a happiness boost.

If you want a really good laugh, check out this website “Dear blank, please blank.” It is “spit diet coke all over your computer screen from laughing so hard” funny.

I hope you all have lots of happy encounters lately! What’s is on your happiness list currently?

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I thought and thought and thought about how I should conduct this giveaway when it hit me. I need some help from you all, and if you help me you will be entered into the drawing to win the “Honey I’m Home” apron from Julie’s store, Simply Aprons.

I recently started a weekly column over at the family friendly site, Blogged In. The new column is a fun one and is all about weekend cooking. Our weekday schedules are hectic, but as time passes and the kids get older and more involved in things, the weekends are catching right up. The new column, Dishing It Up Weekend Style, gives me the chance to share some of our favorite weekend menus with you. The concept is to share ideas that will help families to gather around the table, even on the weekends when the door is revolving with people running in and out.

This is where you come in. I would love to have you share with me some of your favorite weekend recipes. In return, I will promote your blog and recipes in my column giving you complete credit, and you will be entered to win the prize. Please take the steps below to be entered to win:

• First, visit Julie’s Etsy store and take a look at her gorgeous aprons. She will be adding more designs soon, so go ahead and bookmark it now as a favorite. Oh – and Mother’s Day is coming up! Julie’s aprons make a great gift for Mom!

• Email me at kristen at dineanddish dot net (replace at with @ and dot with .). In your email include the link to at least one main dish recipe and one side dish or dessert recipe that you think makes a great weekend dish. In the email, please include:

Your name and your blog name (with link)
The names of your recipes, including the permalink to where they are on your blog
A written note within the email that gives me permission to link back to your blog through my column, and if you are oay with it, to use your recipe photo on the printable recipe sheet (with credit back to you).

• Leave a comment in the comments section of this post saying that you have emailed me your recipes and would like to be included in the drawing
• All entries to win this apron must be received by 11pm CST, Friday, May 9th. The random drawing will be held on Saturday, May 10th and the winner will be notified by email.

I am excited to see what kind of things you all cook up on the weekends! Thanks for participating.

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After getting my mind back onto what I was originally there to do, I started looking around for the guest gifts. I was hoping to find some kind of wire wrapped beaded serving ware or tongs, but I didn’t find anything like that listed. Then I took a look at wine charms, but that doesn’t seem very original. I’d like the gift be related to food or eating. Something practical, yet unique and of course, as always, I’m working on a budget here! I’d like it to be something that when they would use or look at, they’d remember the good time we had (hopefully!) that night.

The search is still on. I’ll probably search around Etsy more and see what might be out there. I may also look at some other food / party blogs and see if there are any gift ideas there. I’ll keep you posted and if you have any ideas for me, feel free to let me know.

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