The ghoulish cupcakes

Happy Halloween again! I think I showed ya'll my ghoulish little cupcakes already, but I don't remember, and I definitely didn't get a chance to tell you about the fab frosting I found!

So, here are the ghoulish cupcakes I made!

I got the ideas from this page I tore out of a magazine!

When I was at the store, I found this icing. I hate icing cupcakes because it's never easy/pretty. But oh my. This was heaven!!!!!

They are now sold out, and it was only in the Halloween section. I'm gonna have to find this again!

Anyone used this before? Happy Halloween again!
Mrs. Jones

Hallow-Eve!!!

Happy Halloween from my little fur baby! Hope you have a wonderful day!

I think she got tired!

XOXO,
Mrs. Jones

Remembering Butterball

One year ago today, we brought home a tiny, precious puppy named Butterball. He had been much dreamed of, and he was beyond loved. Many of my blog friends went through the rough five days that followed with me.

Our precious Butterball was only with us for five days. He came home on Oct. 31, and died just a few days later on Nov. 5. It was one of the hardest weeks of my life. It sent me into a tailspin that lasted for months. It took six months before I was myself again. A year later, I can look back and see Butterball as a sweet, short blessing. But it still hurts. It always will.

I am, however, grateful that I had a wonderful husband standing by me each step of the way. It had never been a battle to be happy, and to simply function before. Loosing my dream made those things so hard. But, Butterball did send us a sweet blessing. In December, we got Eve Belle. So in a few more weeks, we'll be celebrating one year of having our baby girl. It helped so much to have her. I'm grateful to my sweet in-laws for giving us such a precious girl.

Many people may not understand just how much we loved Butterball, and how much he meant in his short life. But I know some of you get it. And I know so many of you were there for me a year ago - first to celebrate, then to mourn.

Without my husband, my sweet Eve Belle, and so many friends, I'm not sure we'd be in this wonderful place in our lives today. And without Butterball, whose short life and death taught me so much about myself, my marriage, and my dreams, I know it wouldn't be the same.

I love you Butterball. Always and forever.

XOXO,
Mrs. Jones

The Diva Belle

She looks pretty happy, doesn't she? We got her a new soccer ball and it's still a little small (she can still get her teeth into it) but she loves it all the same!

Happy Thursday!
Mrs. Jones

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Oh boy. Do I love this time of year. Really. I do.

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!!!!!!!

So, who's with me? Who's started? Who's procrastinating? Who's deal-hunting? I'm on deal hunting mode right now, that's for sure.

I already picked up my first two presents of the year. LLBean monogrammed tote bags I got on sale for my MIL and future SIL - and one for Mr. Jones to give me - arrived a few days ago. I'm a little behind in getting started this year, but I think I'm getting there!

I'm a little worried about shopping for my sister, but I will weasel some ideas out of her.

I picked up a few great things tonight. Check out this Hip2Save post on how to get two customized Vista Print calendars! I paid just $7 total for both of them, after shipping! Check off the grandparents' Christmas present!!!

I picked up another cute little deal this past weekend. I got the one-day-only sale at Old Navy. I got a grey fleece vest for just $5!

Perfect for so many outdoor days this fall! Old Navy is still having a huge online sale. I may need some jeans. Or a coat. Or many other things. :-)

I'm also looking at Tanga (via some fab coupon/deal sites of course) for some fun Christmas presents. Everyday with Rachael Ray and Shape Magazine for under $4/year? Yes please! Perhaps these will be something my mom will enjoy and use? We'll see! I haven't decided yet.

Now tell me about your Christmas (or just fun) shopping!
XOXO,
Mrs. Jones

Mrs. Jones, MA

One week later, I'm back!

And it's time to CELEBRATE! I successfully defended my thesis yesterday. I've got one more session with my adviser next week to make the needed revisions to submit it to the graduate school, and that is the FINAL school-related thing I ever have to do.

The defense went well. I feel like the weight of 1,000 different things has just been lifted off my shoulders. It's like I can breathe again.

I took today off of work, and I'm having a "me" day. It's wonderful. I've got so much to share, things to tell you. So I'm back to blogging. Back to me. Back to my life. It's time to rejoice!!!!

Life is good. I'm happy. I'm done with school.

Thank you for all the sweet e-mails, tweets and messages!
XOXO,
Mrs. Jones

Deep breath

Hello blogworld.

I know you can't tell as much as I can, but I haven't been here in about a week. The two posts that did go up were scheduled.

I have giveaways planned for THINK PINK fun. And I have so much to say. So many stories to tell. But I'm exhausted, and it is time to start taking care of me first. I made it to the gym today, for the first time in a few weeks. And oh my heavens am I going to hurt tomorrow.

For the first time, I don't care that I'm not blogging right now. I miss it, but it will be here in another week.

So, for the next week, I'm going to disappear from my little blog. I have to get through the next week. I have to meet a huge deadline at work (and work this weekend). And then I have to defend my thesis on Thursday.

So, please forgive my absence over the next 7-10 days. Who knows, I may be back sooner. I've never really taken a blog break before. But this time I think I need to. Please, please, please pray for me. This could be a wonderful week (on the other side) so I just have to make it though.

XOXO,
Mrs. Jones

Sugarland, take me away!

If you follow me on Twitter, you have heard the story - and seen some iPhone pictures already. But for the rest of you, I had the most fabulous Thursday night in recent memory! I scored some fabulous second row, center seats to see Sugarland, and three of my beautiful friends got to come with me!

It was a night for the ages for sure! Little Big Town opened for Sugarland, and I fell in love with their music again listening to them perform. I think the fact that the four of them are married to each other is kinda cool too!

Then, there was Sugarland!!! Oh it was a sight to behold!

Little Big Town joined Sugarland for part of the encore, and it was the most beautiful thing.... I need to figure out what songs they sang!

And to make it even better, I got to share it with some friends, including the lovely Lindsey!

Hope you enjoyed my little concert experience with me!!! I am pretty darn proud of my pictures, and I think this will give me the nudge to learn a few more things about my camera!

XOXO,

Mrs. Jones