DIY Button Bracelet

I saw a wonderful button bracelet DIY a few weeks ago. But I can't seem to remember where I saw it. It might have been a blog or Pintereset. I wish I could remember. Anyways, last night I was totally inspired to make a Button Bracelet! So I got a hair tie and asked my mom for some old buttons and got to work. I loved how it turned out! 

Directions
1. The bracelet is a black hair tie. Put it around a large jar to stretch it out before making the bracelet. 2. Take the string and loop though one button at a time and tie around the band. 3. Do this until the buttons go all the way around the band. I overlaid them a little so that way there was definitely no band showing. Very easy! And always one of a kind! Enjoy.
love, Carlee

Peach Fried Pies

Fried hand pies are so much fun! You can hold them in your hand and eat them in about 5 bites. What more could you want? And I just couldn't let summer pass on by without trying these. This recipe is a little lengthy but it is so worth it! Bare with me.

Dough

-Put 2 1/2 cups of flour, 2 1/2 tsp sugar, 3/4 tsp salt, 9 tablesps of butter (chopped into 1/2 inch cubes), in a mixer and mix on medium speed. Add 1/4 cup and 3 tablespoons of milk and 1 tsp lemon juice to mixture. And mix for about 1 minute until the dough starts to come together. Don't over mix. Put dough on a flat surface, gather into a rectangle and flatten slightly. Wrap it in plastic and refrigerate for 2 hours. 

-After 2 hours, on wax paper lightly flour dough, paper, and rolling pin. Roll out until 1/8 in think. Cut the dough with a 4 in round cookie cutter. 

Filling

-Prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with several inches of ice water. Set a smaller bowl inside.

-In a saucepan put in 2 1/2 cups of chopped peaches, 1/3 cups of sugar, 1/8 tsp of salt and cook over low-med temp for about 5 minutes. 

-In a small bowl combine 1/2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of cold water. Mix. Then pore into saucepan with peach mixture. Cook 1 more minute. Remove from heat and add 1 1/2 tsp of cinnamon. Mix in. Transfer mixture to bowl in ice bath and cool for about 5 minutes. 

Assemble pies

Put about one tablespoon of mixture onto pies, fold over into a half moon and pinch edges with a fork. Regriate for 15 minutes. 

Fry the pies

Put a skillet on the burner on high. Let heat up for 2-3 minutes. Fill the skillet with 1/2inch olive oil. Put pies in and fry until golden brown. 1- 1/2 minutes per side. 

Got all that. I told you it was a lot. But like I said it is so worth it! They are yummy yummy. The recipe makes 10 to 12 pies. And are perfect for the end of summer.
love, Carlee 

5 Tips: on how to write a '100 things I love about you' list.

Recently I wrote a '100 things I love about you' list to Clark. It was a lot of fun to write and I knew it would be something that he would enjoy reading. Here are some tips for writing one. 

1. Be honest. Don't lie or fabricate this list. It is supposed to be sweet and personal.
2. Don't turn hates into loves.  I have read some list that my friends have done for their boyfriends and they turned things that annoy them about there boyfriends into things they love. Don't do this. If you hate something that they do, don't say you love it.

3. Mix it up. Don't write all the lovey dovey stuff in one section and the practical stuff you love about him in another. Mix it up and it will stay interesting and he will enjoy reading it.
4. Get to the details. This is an important one. No one wants a generic list that can apply to anyone. Pay attentions to the little things he does for you and write those.
5. Have a good time. This should be fun to write not a chore. If it starts to feel like a chore step back from the list and come back in a few days when you have fresh thoughts.

I would recommend handwriting it and not typing it out. It is more personal handwritten. Enjoy writing it and I hope he appreciates the list! 
love, Carlee 

Garden Princess

So I had this dress on yesterday. Obviously? Just the dress no shoes, no accessories, no jackets. Just the dress. But I made this flower crown out of actually flowers and my little brother immediately called me a garden princess. Which I thought was super cute. I want to try making a flower crown out of fake flowers that way I can keep it forever. 

Dress Old Navy

I would be lying if I said that I was happy and cheerful lately. I have been so unmotivated and uninspired the last few days nice I have gotten home. I miss Clark so much. After spending four amazing days with him in Georgia, it is so depressing being without him. And since I am not working anymore I don't know what to do with myself everyday. But I guess it will get easier. Just like it did when he was in basic training. 

I love Clark so much and this is the situation we are in right now. So I just have to make the best out of it and take it day by day. It's not going to be easy but no one every said it was. Does anyone else have experience with military relationships or long distance relationships? 
love, Carlee 

Oreo Ice Cream Cake

It should no be a surprise to you all that I love ice cream. I have said it before and I am sure I will say it again. I have never liked actually cake. I just don't like the texture of it, its too dry or something. So for as long as I can remember I have had ice cream cakes for my birthday. Well I thought if Dairy Queen can make amazing ice cream cakes so can I. 

Directions
1. You will need a cake pan that the button can come out. My mom used to make wedding cakes so I had one on hand. 2. Let 1/2 gallon of vanilla ice cream thaw for 5 minutes. 3. Scoop 1/2 of the 1/2 gallon ice cream into cake pan and flatten evenly. 4. In a bowl, crush 20 Oreos in small pieces and mix 1/4 cup of chocolate syrup in. 5. Spread this on top of vanilla ice cream. 6. Take the rest of the 1/2 gallon and about 15 crushed up Oreos and mix on low-med in a mixer. 7. Spread this layer on top. 8. Freeze for 3 hours.  9. Remove edges of the cake pan so the cake is just on the circular bottom. 10. For the frosting use whipping cream and spread on top and around edges. 11. Freeze overnight. 

I hope you all enjoy. I know that I wont be buying anymore ice cream cake. I am excited to make one for the next special occasion for my family. And for my birthday I think I will make a Reese peanut butter one with chocolate ice cream. My mom said I need to figure out how to make the crunchy middle layer in the dairy queen ice cream cakes. Challenge accepted. Enjoy. 

love, Carlee 

Stehekin

This week I rode the Lady of the Lake ferry up to Stehekin WA. You can only get to Stehekin by boat or airplane. You get on the ferry at Chelan Wa and ride 50 miles up Lake Chelan to Stehekin the last town on the lake. It is so beautiful. I have lived only 20 minutes from Chelan all my life but I haven't ever rode the ferry to Stehekin. Why not? I don't have a good answer for you. But I thought this summer was a perfect opportunity to do so. 

Tank top c/o Sugarlips, Jeans Silver, Jacket American Eagle, Shoes Converse. 

After the boat docked we (my family and I) walked two miles to the bakery. The Stehekin bakery is famous for there delicious pastries. I had a sandwich and ice cream when I was there. The bakery and the restaurant in town get all there produce from the Garden. The gardener has been there since 1975 and he sells to the shops and the people of the community. The garden is huge and beautiful. He also makes his own honey and goat cheese and everything is for sale. This the main source of fresh produce in Stehekin. There is no grocery store. 

There is camping sites, fishing, hiking, horse back riding, etc. in Stehekin. I would love to ride the ferry up, camp, and come back a few days later. I think that would be a blast. 
love, Carlee 

Lake Chelan Shores on Dwellable

South and Camouflage

I am home. I told you all in my last post that I would be home Friday but Clark asked me to stay the weekend and I couldn't say no. I mean I flew 2,000+ miles to get to South Carolina I might as well stay as long as I can. So I booked another flight and got home today. Monday. I had the best weekend! We ended up in Augusta GA because that is were he is stationed after Basic Training. So I spent the weekend in Augusta. It was beautiful and everyone was so nice. I loved it.

We arrived in Columbia SC on Wednesday night. Thursday was family day and was the first time I got to see Clark. I had to find him in a sea of guys all with shaved heads wearing the same thing but when I did find him I hugged him so hard and started to cry a little. We spent the rest of Thursday on the military base playing mini golf, eating pizza, meeting Clark's friends. It was a good day. Friday Clark graduated basic training. After the ceremony we (his family and I) got to take him with us to his next station in Augusta GA. We spent the day in the swimming pool, eating at the Waffle House and going to the mall. On Friday Clark checked in to Fort Gordon and he found out he got on off post pass for the weekend and he asked me to stay. So I did.

Augusta is so beautiful. Everything was so green! I really loved the river-walk near downtown Augusta it was beautiful and the houses where huge. It was fun to explore a little piece of the US that I had never been to and I am sure I will be back so much more to visit Clark. It was a great weekend. I am so glad I stayed. I feel like a young girl in love for the first time! Such a great feeling. 

I really wanted to see some fire flies but I couldn't find any. I did get to experience a good southern storm. I hope everyone else has a wonderful weekend. And I am officially back in the blogging world.
love, Carlee

Been a long time..

..since I came around been a long time but I am back in town and this time I'm not leaving without you. 

Lady Gaga reference! So unfortunately I will be headed back to Washington State without Clark so the above lyric isn't true. But it has been a long time since I have seen him. I am flying out tomorrow at 630am to South Carolina to see him! Yay for me right? I will only get to see him for three days but I will take it. 

Shirt Forever 21, Heels Target, Pants Old Navy, Jacket thrifted. 

I actually don't wear heels very often. I would prefer not to actually. You see I am 5'9 so I am pretty tall I don't need extra height to make me taller then all the guys around me. But these are my favorite pair of heels. I got them at Target like 3 years ago and I just love them. They are comfy and perfect with almost anything. Note to self: Serious face doesn't look sexy it just looks angry. Also three outfit post in a row, record! 

(source)

I love this print. I hope it's true! I will be back in four days. Talk to you then.
love, Carlee

The Stampede

Last night I went to the Omak Stampede. This is its 79th annual rodeo! The Omak Stampede was started in 1933 and has been going ever since. It is a 4 day event. With a rodeo, carnival, venders, etc.  It is a lot of fun and I go every year. My hometown is 30 minutes from Omak where Stampede is held. It is a big out going and people all over Washington, Canada, and Idaho come out to see it. If you are ever in north central Washington the second weekend in August you should check out the Stampede. The rodeo is great and I would definitely recommend if you have never been to a rodeo before. 

Plaid shirt JCPenney's, Sandals Gap, Shorts American Eagle, Tank Forever 21, Belt Target. 

My family and I arrived at the Stampede grounds around 5:30pm and my little brother went on some of the carnival rides. We walked around got some teriyaki chicken and curly fries. Then headed to our sets for the rodeo at 7pm. The rodeo was awesome. Except no one rode a bull for the full 8 seconds which was disappointing. We strolled back to our car around 1030pm just to find we and 6 other cars had been blocked in my 10 cars! It was alright though it look about 15 minutes for the owner of one of the cars to come and we made friends with the other people waiting to get out. 

Rodeos are also the perfect excuse to were red plaid. Not like it is ever a bad idea to wear red plaid but still. This is a new red plaid shirt and I love it. I have another one and this one might take the spot for most loved red plaid shirt in my closet. I don't know yet though. I guess I will have to wear it a few more times to figure this out. I am sure that won't be an issue. Happy weekend!
love, Carlee

Plum tree

We have a few fruit trees in our yard. And one of them is a plum tree. Duh? A couple of days ago I was driving into my driveway and realized how pretty the color of the plums were. They aren't rip yet but I think that is what I loved about them. The plums were a mixture of colors. Light yellow, orange, pink, and purple. I think that is what made them so pretty. Once I saw this I knew that I had to take photos by it. It was beautiful!

I have two more days left of work for the summer. I am excited to be done and have a couple of weeks to enjoy the end of summer and go on some mini advetures. But I am also a little sad. I have met some really great friends and really awesome kids while being a lifeguard this summer. And it is going to be hard to say goodbye tomorrow. Originally I wasn't even suppose to be a lifeguard I had another job lined up for the summer but it just didn't feel right so I became a lifeguard and I am so glad that I did. There are other some aspects of the job I wont miss... but this is a positive post:D 

I didn't realize that the colors in my top matched so perfectly with the colors of the plums. Pretty great huh? Have a wonderful Thursday! 
love, Carlee

Headed down south

There is Clark in the very middle front. And no he isn't usually bald. It is a military thing. :D 

In exactly 6 days I will be on a plane to Atlanta GA. Then driving from there to South Carolina so watch my boyfriend graduation Army basic training. I am so excited. I have never been to the south and I can't wait to see all it has to offer. Plantation, long driveways lined with trees, huge bugs, humid weather, lighting storms, good food. I am excited. Can you tell?

I've talked to Clark 3 times in 10 weeks. Wow right? I have written him a letter every single day. 57 as of today. And he has of course written back. But I have only talked to him on the phone 3 times. One time at the end of his week 4 training, one time because he was in the hospital with pneumonia (yes, I was freaking out), and one time at the end of week 8 training. He has done really well and I am so proud of him and what he is doing for our country. 

On another note, I will be gone for about 4 days. So no blogging for me then. I am sure I will be updating my instagram frequently so follow at carlee_rj. I will let you know all about my travels and my experience when I return of course! 
love, Carlee 

Peach Pecan Ice Cream

I absolutely love ice cream. It is definitely my favorite dessert and I can come up with almost any excuse to buy some! It is also great anytime of the year. So as the peaches turn ripe this season I thought what I perfect thing to mix peaches and ice cream. I hope you enjoy.

What you'll need
-6 cups of vanilla ice cream
-2 cups chopped peaches
-2 tablespoons sugar
-1 cup chopped pecans
-Bread pan
Directions

-1. Leave ice cream out to soften for about 5 minutes. 2. Chop peaches into small squares put in microwaveable safe bowl and put the sugar on top of peaches and microwave for 30 secs. 3. Take out to cool completely. 4. Chop about 1 cup of pecans and set aside. 5. Scoop about 6 cups of ice cream into bowl, mix on low for a minute. 6. Pore in peaches and pecans and mix on low. Should be soft and well mixed like a milkshake. 7. Pore into bread pan (or any pan with straight edges.) 8. Let freeze for about 3 hours. 9. Enjoy.

I lined the bread pan with wax paper. I thought this was a good idea but its not. Once you get to the bottom of the pan it rips and you could end up with pieces of chucks in the ice cream. Ew. So doesn't use wax paper like I did. The ice cream is super good. It is already gone and I made it yesterday!It's the perfect summer treat. 
love, Carlee