Roof with a View

TNT Tip

Here are a couple of unique ways to organize everyday items that seemt to be taking over your home.

1. Use a pretty teacup and saucer as a "catchall" on your bedroom dresser or nightstand to store loose change, jewelry and what-have-you.
2. Use a wine rack on your bathroom counter to hold towels, bubble bath, loofahs, shampoo and even pretty glass bottles as decoration.
3. If your reading material and remotes are taking over your living room, store them in a flat tray that you can conveniently slide under your couch or chair and pull out when needed.

(Courtesty of All You Magazine)

Savory Smackerel

Crockpot BBQ Chicken

A great lunch meal to place in the slow cooker before leaving for church. Easier still; shred the meat and put on a hamburger bun. Will serve our family of four two meals.

• 6 skinless chicken breast halves (boneless)
• 1 (12 ounce) bottle barbeque sauce of your choice
• 1/2 cup Italian salad dressing (I use fat free)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Worchestershire sauce

*The ingredients give it a wonderful flavor. I recommend using a barbeque sauce that you really like to secure you get a great flavor

*Place chicken in the slow cooker. In a bowl, mix the barbeque sauce, Italian dressing, brown sugar and Worchestershire sauce. Pour over the chicken. Cover and let it cook 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 on low (if chicken breasts are frozen). If the chicken is not frozen I recommend 4 hours on low depending on your individual slow cooker. If you plan to serve it as barbeque about an hour before eating take out chicken and cut in small pieces or shred and return to the slow cooker.

(Courtesy of What's for Din Din?)

Mommy Marketing Moment
A BIG thank you to our reader, Ashlie M., for making today's MMM possible. She not only recommended this Mommy business but did an interview and put this all together for YOU. Thank you, Ashlie! Here's a BIG RWAV hug from us to you!

Mommy Marketing Moment comes to you courtesy of WhiMSy Love’s Nikki Mans. Nikki describes herself as a “wacky goofball” at times and a “girly romantic” at others (hence “WhiMSy Love”). One thing is for certain, she is definitely at all times “eclectic,” whether it is in her music tastes, various collections, or artsy aspirations! This mom of 2 adorable girls (Pazely age 5 & Zoey age 6 1/2) somehow manages time to design various fabulous pieces of dazzling love!
Check out her “FunkOlicios” vintage button rings (her daughters’ favorite hand made items that “mommy” makes) on Etsy.

Or how cute would these Pinwheel Cupcake Picks be for a summer time party?
A unique spin on the traditional table place card for a wedding reception could be these “Fork Easles” that Nikki creates (which could also be used to display a favorite photo, recipe, or poem)! Wouldn’t these “Writing on the Wall” be perfect for your favorite book-lover? They would look so nice in your home’s reading nook!

And these are but a FEW of the one-of-a-kind items this busy mom makes! But before you write her off as another “superwoman” whose powers are not of this planet, let me assure you, Nikki Mans is just a normal mom who has her priorities straight - Jesus, Family....and then Crafts! ;-)

Her daughters are in part responsible for inspiring Nikki and these “mini crafty versions” (as she puts it) of her are often found in their own art center (which Nikki says is often a “complete pigsty”...just like hers) or literally under mommy’s feet finding hidden trinkets in the desk drawers to feed their imagination as Nikki gets busy crafting. She says she’s loosened up over the years, neverminding the “messes” that seemed to get in the way of business. Now she views these messes as “too fun to pass up!”

“WhiMSy Love started out as a creative outlet to feed my passion to make, make, make stuff. It also makes me feel very proud to help pay the bills.” And Nikki may be getting more help paying the bills soon; WhiMSy love made it into Greece’s Glamour magazine’s June 2009 issue!

Her advice to other moms (or anyone) going into their own business: “I'm learning with my business this simple statement is true: ‘However much I put into it is how much I get in return.’ If I dedicate my time in creating nice, quality items & take really sharp, interesting pictures & list the items in my shop at a frequent cycle, than I see a definite return in all my hard work.” Just like most of us, she notes that it takes lots of work to be consistent; and the reality of a stay-at-home mom proves that you “can’t just make stuff” all day. There is a lot of juggling involved to keep the house clean, be present in your children’s lives, be a good wife, friend, etc., but “laughter and silliness” seem to help this Mommy get through it! Nikki has become “comfortable with who she is and who she is becoming.” Verses like Psalm 139: 14 “...I am fearfully and wonderfully made” and Nehemiah 8:10 “...the joy of the Lord is your strength” help to reach that state of heart and mind for her. “I would not have such a freedom, joy & surety of who I am if it were not for my relationship with Jesus.” A humble, content woman, Nikki says, “I’ve got my family, my heath, and crafty supplies. What more could I ask for?”

“Authentic” is another word to describe WhiMSy Love and Nikki Mans for the handmade items and for the person that she is. No wonder so many comment on her “enthusiasm”, “zest for life,” and see this wonderful woman as “inspiring”.

For more daily inspiration, great ideas for kids and crafting, or first dibs at cool sales and random specials, subscribe to her blog http://whimsy-girl.blogspot.com//. To shop now, check out her Etsy shop as well!

Happy Saturday!