Don't Forget....

Remember....

Once I hit 300 followers....I will be doing a special giveaway!

So....spread the word and tell me people to follow along!

Happy weekend! I'm at home sick....I hope you aren't!

XOXO,

Hilary

james? James. JAMES!!!!

I am not one to go out on a limb by myself and do something....

BUT.... a few weeks ago I signed up for a women's Bible study series at our church (The Village). Normally...if I do anything like this, I like to have a friend to go with. But...we have really started to try and make an effort to become a lot more involved in our church. It's really hard since we live 45 minutes away from the church.... but we have to remind ourselves that we are serving our God!

Anyways...the Bible study started on Tuesday. I was SO tired and drained from work that day and was trying to think of EVERY reason not to go ( i am exhausted....i have a headache...my throat hurts....i need a nap...)! It was so bad! At the last minute, I decided that I should probably go...I knew I would regret it if I didn't.

I was nervous because I didn't know anyone going and didn't know anyone in my small group (they do a large group teaching and then you break out into your small groups to discuss). But let me just say....it was AMAZING! We are doing a whole, in-depth, study on the book of JAMES. One thing that we have to do each week for "homework" is to read the whole book of James. I did this on Wednesday...and holy cow! I am in for a great ride! This book is amazing! There are so many every-day struggles that it points out and talks about. I can only imagine how much I will learn about myself, God, and life in general.

Have any of you ever really studied the book of James??
I would love to hear your thoughts on the book!

One great thing has happened so far....I have already made a great friend from it! I sat next to Heather in our small group....she emailed me later because she thought i looked familiar and she was trying to figure out where she knew me...we have been emailing a ton since Tuesday and will be meeting up for dinner on Monday night! I am super excited! We are going to work to motivate eachother in our Bible study (which I really need).

I will keep you updated on the study...you should try reading the book of James to see what it has in store for you. It's only 5 chapters....no excuses. Read The Message version...I really enjoyed it!

Pray for it to ice over tonight so there will be no school tomorrow!!!! :)

XOXO,

Hilary

Weekend Re-Cap....

So, today is my GREAT friend Becky's birthday! Her husband planned a fun surprise night for her birthday last night....so we all met up for dinner at Cattleman's in the Stockyards here in Fort Worth. I would have to say that she was quite surprised to see us all there! It was so much fun! After LOTS of steak....we all went out on the town for a while. It was quite interesting....our night was filled with drinks, another (random) birthday party, Casey making friends with RANDOM people, we might have done the Cupid Shuffle a few times, free chicken wings and chips/hot sauce from the mentioned OTHER birthday party, etc etc etc..... We all had a blast!

To top it all off...this weekend marks the END of duck hunting season!!!!! I cannot tell you how happy I am to get my husband back...at least for a little while! He hunts SO much when he can! He was so sweet though...he told me that since I was a good sport, he booked us a hotel room for last night at a nice hotel in downtown Fort Worth! We LOVE little getaways like that! It was only one night....but we really felt like we were on vacation! :)

I also wanted to share some new frames that I have added in the last week or so! Check them out!!!

Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I think that they are all pretty darn cute! And believe me....so much cuter in person!!!! The orders are still coming in, and I am still enjoying the heck out of it all!!!

If you know anyone with a baby, birthday, wedding, housewarming, etc, coming up....you need to order a frame for them!!!! I would love to make one for you!!! :)

Visit my Etsy shop :
http://www.etsy.com/shop/blissfullyenamored

Become a fan on Facebook :
http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/Hilabeans-Frames/271307370336?ref=ts

Or email me :
hilary.hymer@gmail.com

Remember....when I hit 300 followers, I am planning on doing a giveaway! So tell people all about my blog so that we can get this show on the road!!!! :)

I hope you all have a wonderful new week ahead of you! Enjoy it and make the best of it!

XOXO,

Hilary

(and yes....I have officially run 6 out of 7 days!!!)

PROUD....

I have to say....I am super proud of myself!! I am really bad at making excuses not to work out or exercise....but this week...I think I have gotten over that!! I have managed to run 5 out of the 6 days this week so far! The only reason that I missed a day was because I didn't get home until 10 last night...and I was NOT going to be unsafe and run by myself so late! I made up for it by getting up this morning and going straight outside to run. We have to be somewhere at 3 today.....so I might try to get outside and run another mile just to really make up for missing a day. I am finally getting to where I am STARTING to enjoy running more! I feel a little better about it each day...especially now that the soreness from day 1 and 2 are gone! It has been beautiful outside and I really have no excuses!

I did pretty well eating better this week! I really stuck to my Special K and enjoyed it! Sometimes I get sick of things too fast....but I was good! I actually need to run out and get some more today! Just think about it....two boxes of Special K lasted me 5 days. I ate a cup for breakfast and a cup for lunch....so really we spent about 6 bucks on my breakfast and lunch all together this week! What a money saver and you don't feel HUGE after eating it! My favorite flavors are the Chocolatey Delight, Red Berries, and Blueberry! YUM!! I could snack on it all the time!!! I did have ONE cheat meal last night...we went to Uncle Julio's ( a delish Mexican restaurant) and I had about 3 flour tortillas, queso, and a margarita!!! I couldn't help myself!!! But I just had tortilla soup as my meal....that balanced it out...right?!

Ahhhhh well....

Okay....here is the deal....

I have been planning a great giveaway....I am going to wait and do this giveaway when I get to 300 followers!!! Spread the word!!! The quicker I get 300 followers....the quicker you have a fun giveaway to enter!!!! Get on it!

Have a wonderful weekend! I will fill you in on mine on Sunday...... :) It's going to be a fun one!

XOXO,

Hilary (aka....the runner)

NEW YEAR....

Don't laugh...but I am just now getting into actually executing my new year's resolution....better late than never...right?

I am trying to start running more and eating more healthy! (yes...i know.....who isn't?!)

Have you ever been to www.sparkpeople.com??? I used it a few years ago...it is a GREAT website! It's completely free and lets you track your exercise and eating! It even lets you keep track of your water consumption each day! It's pretty user friendly! You should go try it out!

Here is my daily plan....I am telling you this so that I have it in writing you might keep me motivated!!

For the next two weeks :

Breakfast :
1 cup of Special K (strawberry or chocolate delight)
with with either skim milk or fat free vanilla yogurt
orange juice

OR fat free vanilla yogurt and fresh berries

(TRY to cut out the coffee)

Lunch :
1 cup of Special K
skim milk
an orange

Dinner :
Chicken (baked or grilled)
sauteed vegetables - zucchini, onion, broccoli, red potatoes

Any snacks:
berries
apple sauce
yogurt

and of course...LOTS of water!!!

I am trying to run/walk a mile each day. I am try to beat the time from the day before each time! To the end of my street and back is exactly 1 mile. When I get tired of that...I may run in another neighborhood and add some distance. I bought a resistance band tonight and did some strength stuff with that, crunches, jumped rope, etc! I am one of those people who really does not enjoy running....but I REALLY wish I could get into it....maybe this will do it!

I am one of those people that REALLY has to have some motivating music to get me going...here are some of the songs that I love running to right now :

KE$HA - Tik Tok ( i want to break out in a dance everytime I hear this song!!)
Britney Spears - Freakshow
Cascada - Evacuate The Dancefloor
Lady Gaga - Bad Romance
Jay Z and Rhianna - Run This Town
Ludacris - How Low
White Liar - Miranda Lambert
Soulja Boy - Swing
Jay Z - Empire State of Mind

I told you...I have to have some fun/fast motivating music!!!

What songs motivate you when you are working out?! I need some new ideas!!! :)

Also...what are YOU eating to stay fit and what are you doing to work out?! I love getting new fresh ideas! Hit me with 'em!!

Happy Running....

Hilary

WINNER!!!

After counting up all of the entries.....

....and drawing a name......(no pictures to prove it....but i promise i did!!)....

.....the giveaway winner from Holy Macro is.........

drum.roll.please.


........Ashley @ ABC : Life From The Start Of The Alphabet !!!!!!

Go check out her blog and send her some excitement for winner!!!!

Thank you to all of you who entered!!!! The response was AWESOME!! I am thinking of putting up a little giveaway of my very own....meaning a giveaway of fun things that I have/will pick up here and there! I have already started gathering and, I have to say, there is some CUTE stuff!!!

Have a perfect weekend!!!

XOXO,

Hilary

It's THAT Time Again!!

Hey ladies!!

I am making another BIG shipment of frames this weekend! Get your orders in NOW for shipping on either Saturday or Tuesday (depending on how fast you get the order in)!

I would LOVE to make a frame for you or a friend!

Look online at my Etsy shop and make orders through there! Anything can be customized!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/blissfullyenamored

Also....if you haven't yet...become a fan of my frames on facebook!!! Click Here : Hilabeans Frames Fan Page

And....while you are at it....scroll on down and enter my giveaway!! It ends TOMORROW!!!!!

Well...I am off to paint and get ready for a SUUUUUUPER fun (sarcasm entered there.....) teacher conference tomorrow! Then it's off to our hometown for the weekend! I will try to get the winner up on Saturday morning!

Have a perfect weekend!!

XOXO,

Hilary

Stupid TV....

Hi....My name is Hilary...and I might just be addicted to TV! UGH! We literally come home every night from work...throw on comfy clothes...cook dinner and sit down in front of the TV! So unhealthy.....but so enjoyable! :) Oh well...

Here are some of the shows that are feeding my addiction:

SEEEEEEEE!! I told you that it's a little ridiculous!!!

What shows are YOU obsessed with?!?! Come clean people! I might need to add your obsessions to my list..... :)

Don't forget to scroll down and sign up for my giveaway!! It ends on FRIDAY!!!

XOXO,

Hils

Etsy Review!!!

What a great day!!!

My lovely new friend Valerie at Next To Heaven has done a WONDERFUL (if I do say so myself...) Etsy review on my Etsy shop and frames!! I am so excited! This is my first one ever!!

Hop on over there and check it out!

Let me know what you think!!

And...duh....become her follower!!!!

I want to hear your thoughts!!!!

XOXO,

Hilary

Oh my word....for me?!

I recieved this little beauty when I got to work this morning! Thank you SOOOOOOOOO much to my sweet friend Julie @ Brown Eyed Belle! You should mosey on over and become a follower of her blog!!! She is so stinkin' cute and sassy!!! Plus...she has a fun little giveaway going on right now (hear that Julie...I am promoting you!!!)! Go check her out!

The rules are pretty simple: Tell seven interesting facts about yourself and tag some blogs (seven or less) So, here we go!

1. I said that I would NEVER be a teacher (my family REALLY thought I would be perfect for it!) and here I am...after 3 years in the sales world.....teaching fourth grade!

2. My biggest passion and dream is to open my own store in a few years...gifts, cute clothes, and accessories! I think about it ALL the time! You would buy from me....right?!

3. I HEART ANIMALS! I could live on land and basically open up a zoo and be content! :)

4. I went to a REALLY small college that had as many students as my high school (about 2,000).

5. My husband really is my best friend. People ask me how I knew he was "the one" and I always tell them "Because nobody has EVER made me laugh the way he does!"

6. When I get bored...I get crafty! I love making stuff and being creative! It really is a stress reliever for me too!

7. I HATE HATE HATE to clean! I mean I try to keep my house tidy....but it really erks me and puts me in a crappy mood to clean! I am a little messy...but I can tell you where anything is! :)

I will come back in a little while and nominate some winners!!!

Speaking fo WINNERS....look what I just won at Brown Eyed Belle's blog:

Precious little OMG notecards!
A cool and colorful spring-ish bangle from Forever 21 (loooove the print!)!
A cute and fun cosmetic bag...I cannot ever have too many of those!!
And a SUPER sassy luggage tag! Now...I just need somewhere to go!!! :)

Go visit her blog and become a follower...you WILL NOT be sorry!! She is so fun!!!

Don't forget to scroll down and enter my giveaway!!!!

Have a perfect night!!!

XOXO,

Hilary

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

Vickie over at Holy Macro has offered to do a GREAT little giveaway for my followers!!!

I know that many of you (a lot like myself) LOOOOOVE photography and love to create some amazing photography of your own! Holy Macro has some awesome camera strap cozies to offer! I have been eyeing these for a while now and love them all! These little "cozies" just slip right over your boring 'ol camera strap and make it more fun and exciting! I don't know about you....but I HATE my dumb 'ol Canon strap that came with my camera! I want something fun and sassy to personalize my camera much more!

Here are some of the cozies that Holy Macro has to offer that are my favorite:

BIG BUBBLES :



POLKA BIRDIE :



STRIPE HYPE :



DANDY DAMASK :



SOPHIE'S GARDEN:



Holy Macro has agreed to give away a CUTE little CHA CHA CARNIVAL strap to the winner of this giveaway!

CHA CHA CARNIVAL :




This is what you have to do to win it :

1. Become a follower or let me know that you are a follower of my blog!
(leave a comment) - 1 entry

2. Leave your name and email address in a comment - 1 entry

3. Jump over to her Etsy shop and tell me what YOUR favorite item is!- 2 entries

4. Post this giveaway on your own blog!! (leave a comment to let me know!) - 3 entries
5. Become a Fan of Hilabeans Frames on Facebook!- 5 entries!!!
(leave a comment here to let me know!)

THAT IS TWELVE POTENTIAL ENTRIES!!

CONTEST ENDS FRIDAY JANUARY 15th!!

Get going ladies!! Win this cute little cozy!!!

Hope you have had a wonderful weekend!!

XOXO,

Hilary

Giveaway from another....

Check out this awesome giveaway AFTER you enter mine!!!

http://xoxoyvonne.blogspot.com/2010/01/giveaway-time.html#comment-form

XOXO,

Hilary

Boxing Up and Shipping Out!

As you all know...I have been working my tail off this week getting frames done! What an amazing week it has been (especially since I got an "ice" day off of school)! I have gotten some awesome response from my frames so far! Keep it coming ladies!! Spread the word!!

Well...today is the day that I am sending out my first big shipment! I am boxing all these little pretties up so that they can meet their new owners and be loved to pieces! I cannot wait to hear what everyone thinks about them!

Please let me know if I can put together one of these cute frames together for you or a friend! They are perfect for birthdays... housewarming... babies... weddings... and just because!! Of course...they are fun to have in your own house too! :)

Etsy Shop :
http://www.etsy.com/shop/blissfullyenamored

Email:
hilary.hymer@gmail.com

Also....because you all have been so wonderful and encouraging....I will have a giveaway coming up soon! Be on the lookout! I might even post it tonight!!!! It's super cute and I cannot wait! I even wanted to keep it for myself! I'm not going to tell you what it is.....you have to be patient!

I am planning on possibly doing a FRAME giveaway when I reach a certain amount of followers....so spread the word about that too!

I hope you all have an amazing weekend! We were told that this is the COLDEST weekend that Texas has had in 13 years!!!! How crazy is that?! I don't even want to leave the house!!!!

XOXO,

Hilary

BANANAS!

The upstairs "art room" and the garage at my house look a bit like a war zone right now! Want to know why?!

Because I have recieved SO many frame orders in the past few days! It is bananas! I have about 20 frames ordered at the moment! I am absolutely LOVING it! I am having such a blast taking orders and getting to work on them! And of course...it all gets the creative juices flowing when someone says,

"I want one for _________ room...and these are my colors: ________________. What can you come up with?!"

So fun!

I making shipments this Saturday...so if any of you lovely ladies want to put in orders...get them in now and you should be able to get your frame fairly quickly!

It's so exciting to hear everyone's sweet comments about my creations! What an encouragement! Plus....I especially LOVE hearing comments AFTER someone has recieved their fun frame! It makes my heart happy!

Email me if you would like to place an order!

hilary.hymer@gmail.com

Etsy Shop (because you want to browse and buy one):

http://www.etsy.com/shop/blissfullyenamored

Facebook Fan Page (who doesn't want to be a fan?!):

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hilabeans-Frames/271307370336?v=photos&ref=nf#/pages/Hilabeans-Frames/271307370336?ref=ts

I will leave you with some newer frames that have been added to my Etsy and my Facebook Fan Page :

Black and Turquoise Leopard Frame:

Navy and Gold Damask Frame:

And for those of you who are concerned....I did get much more sleep last night!! WHEW!!! But I still feel like I will be playing catch-up on the sleep again tonight! :)

Hope you all have a WONDERFUL day!!

XOXO,

Hilary

Oh My Stars!

What a loooong Monday! I decided that today would be known as "Extra Concealer Monday"..not because I broke out over the weekend or anything...but because I only got 3 hours of sleep last night (between a sick dog...snoring husband..and a sugar rush) and then had to get up and teach fourth grade!!! ARG! I am glad that this day is virtually OVER!

Dear Sweet Precious Angelic Fourth Grade Class....

I am sorry if I was a bit cranky today...I will be much more well-rested tomorrow
(we all hope...right?)!

Love....

Your Awesomely Amazing Teacher

Casey is picking up Chipotle for dinner....so all I have to do tonight is eat, paint if i want to, and sleep!!! YESSSSSS!!!!

Onto more interesting things....

Look what my cute new little friend Julie @ Brown Eyed Belle gave me:




Thank you so much Julie!! It really did make my day!!!

I am sharing this award with these lovely ladies :

Kristen @ While We're Waiting
Miss Headbands and Handbags
Amanda @ My Life As A Wife
Valerie@ Next To Heaven
Summer @ Summer Wind
Heather @ Small Town Girl

Enjoy the love girls and spread it around!!! :)

XOXO,

HHL

Facebook Fan Page?

As you can tell...I am trying to get my new frames out there as much as possible (I am so sorry for those of you who are sick and tired of hearing about them!!!!)! I just really want to get as many orders placed as I can and as much promoting out there as I can right now while I am not SUPER busy with teaching! I am sure you understand...you do...don't you?!

Well...I have posted blog updates.....opened up my Etsy shop....emailed a bunch of friends and family....and NOW I have even started a Facebook Fan Page! Please click on the link and become a fan! It will be worth it....promise!!

Also...for those of you who do a lot of online promoting and stuff...I would love any other ideas that you have for me to promote my frames! I am ALL ears!

I am making a big store run tomorrow to gather some supplies that I need for upcoming orders. Let me know if I can grab something for YOU! I would love to put together a custom frame for you or a loved one! They make AMAZING (if I do say so myself....) birthday gifts, housewarming gifts, wedding gifts, baby gifts...etc!

Email me for more info!!!
hilary.hymer@gmail.com

XOXO,

Hilary

Shop 'Til You Drop!

I have officially opened up shop....
"What kind of shop?"....you ask?!
My Etsy shop!!!!

I am so excited about this new venture and hopefully it will be very successful!!!



http://www.etsy.com/shop/blissfullyenamored

Come check it out!!!! Let me know what you think and let me know any tips and ideas you have! I would love to hear 'em!!!

Well...I am off to watch some scary movies with the boys!
Have a perfect night!

NYE Recipes

I hope that everyone had a WONDERFUL New Years! Ours was very relaxing! We ended up cooking a big dinner...watching a movie....and watching the ball drop on tv with our friends Billy and Becky!! We had a great time! I tried to make sure that everyone stayed awake until midnight....but i'm pretty sure that some people dozed a little during the movie!!! :) Oh well! What can ya do!?

I had some requests for some of the recipes that I used last night for dinner...so here they are!!!

Mexican Corn Dip

Ingredients :

• 2 cans of Mexicorn (drained)
• 1 cup mayo
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/4 of a red onion
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  
• 1 bag (8oz) shredded cheddar cheese
• salt and pepper to your liking
  

Just mix it all together and chill in the fridge. Serve with Frito Scoops! (easy huh?!)

Green Bean Bundles

Ingredients :

• 2 cans whole green beans
• 8-10 slices of bacon
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup of butter
• Dash of garlic salt

-Divide the green beans into small bunches (abt 5-7) and wrap them with 1/2 slice of bacon. Place them into a backing dish.
-Melt brown sugar and butter together and pour over the bundles in the baking dish.
-Dash with garlic salt and back at 350 degrees for 30 min.

Crafty Mac and Cheese

-Okay...so here is the deal with this recipe...we found it on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives the other day! Casey REALLY wanted to try it...but it seemed expensive since they used SO many types of cheese! We toned it down a bit and it was AMAZING!!!!!!

Ingredients :

• 1 box of ziti pasta
• 1/2 package of bacon- chopped (the real recipe calls for pancetta...but the bacon worked!)
• 1 package shredded mozzarella
• 1 package shredded colby jack
• 1/4 of a brick of velvetta
• 2 cups of heavy whipping cream

-Cook and drain the pasta as directed.
-in a separate skillet, cook the bacon until crispy (dont add any oil or anything...it will get greasy on its own!!)
-when the bacon is crispy (don't drain!!), go ahead and add the cheeses (save a little of it to sprinkle on at the end!) into the skillet along with the whipping cream and whisk it until creamy and melted
-in a big bowl....put the pasta in and then pour the bacon/cheese sauce in and mix it all up. Place in a casserole/baking dish, sprinkle with remaining shredded cheese, and bake on 350 degees for 25 minutes

You will have some AWESOME and bacony mac and cheese!!!

Peach Crisp
(this was a recipe i found yesterday...it was super easy...it ended up being awesome!)

Ingredients :

1 pouch Betty Crocker oatmeal cookie mix
1/2 cup cold butter (i ended up adding a little bit more)
1 can (29 oz) peaches - drained (you can use any fruit that you would like!)

-in a large bowl, place cookie mix....cut in the butter using a fork until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs
-in an 8 inch square baking dish, place the peaches
-sprinkle the cookie mix over peaches
-bake 25-30 minutes or until topping is golden brown
-i even sprinkled a little bit of cinnamon and sugar on top when it was done! it would be great with vanilla ice cream too!

I hope that you all try these recipes! They were great and really easy! Let me know if you have any questions! I would love to hear how your dishes turned out! :)

XOXO,

Hilary