Too Cute To Toot

I always enjoy looking at quilt ideas.  It is one of those hobbies that I started to pick up several years ago but I had to make a decision and pick only one hobby (and I picked scrapbooking) but that doesn't mean that I don't still hope to make more quilts!  For example, this one from The Olsen Family is fantastic and something I have never seen done before - can't wait to get a chance to make it someday!

We love Bubbles in this house so, when I saw this idea, I thought it was super cute.  Crossing the Bugger-Dixon Line gives a super easy tutorial on making your own bubble wands.  I love this idea!

Do you still have Easter Eggs laying around? (the plastic ones, not real ones - they would be stinky!)  Here's a great idea for a count down using those plastic eggs from Sun Scholars.  You could use this countdown for the end of the school year, a visit to grandma's or an upcoming vacation!

This idea from In My Spare Time is not only cute all on its own, she takes it a step further and shows how she uses all kinds of letters to teach her daughter how to spell her name.  I love both ideas!

With Father's Day right around the corner (or so it seems) it is time to start thinking about some great ideas!  Here's one from Nothing But Country that is super creative. 

That's all for this week - hope you enjoy :-)

Fitblogger Challenge

Another week on this little Fitblogger challenge!  I will admit that I started this specifically to win the giveaway one of these weeks but I have yet to win! HA!  I even created a Twitter account just to meet the requirements (I will be cancelling it!)  But, ultimately, it has helped me make some changes.  I'm sticking with my same goals!

1) No Pepsi (or at least very little) - had one rough day this past week; Tuesday.  It was HOT and HUMID! Nothing tastes better on a hot day than an ice cold Pepsi (or 2!)  I'm back to no Pepsi though so all is ok.

2) Snacking - there were several nights last week that I chose a glass of Crystal Light over a snack which is good!  (As I sit here munching on some cinnamon twists from Taco Bell after Grocery shopping !)

3) Treadmill - I did not walk 5 days last week; and I did not walk today so I'm hoping for 4 days this week.  The Treadmill and I are NOT friends.  I do not enjoy it but it is a necessary evil, right?

The check out this challenge just click HERE

Weekly Challenge - Creating a Chore Chart

A Bowl Full of Lemons is hosting a weekly challenge once again!  It's been a little while since she hosted one (or I participated - I think I missed a few).   This weeks challenge is to create a chore chart for your children.  She invited Becky from Organizing Made Fun to share her ideas this week.  One of the things I liked that Becky shared is an "age appropriate list" for chore ideas.  I think it is easy to think that your children are either not able to do certain things OR expect too much out of them and her lists really help put that into perspective. 

I just recently finished reading a book (which I'll talk about in a later post about the what I'm reading) that shared a concept about creating a chore chart and the concept of jurisdictions as well as an easy reward system.  One of the things I was intrigued by with this system is the fact that it is set up by routines - creating a wall chart and using sticky notes to assign tasks to each child.  These could be individual tasks such as making a bed, putting away PJ's, or putting away toys.  Than, instead of "chores" a child is assigned a Jurisdiction such as helping with laundry, vacuuming, etc.  The reward?  A penny for each task completed.  Simple, huh? 

Yes, I'm being a little vague because I have to read the book first, understand the concept more, and than make my plan and implement it.  I already see how my kids are starting to help.  My 2 year old loves to throw things away - he knows where the trashcans are and is more than willing to help in that area.  He is also learning to feed the dog and we are working on picking up toys when we are done playing.  The 1 year old likes to wipe off his place with a wet wipe. 

If you already use a chore chart - what do you use?  How do you get your children to help with chores?

Interrupted Service

Just an FYI - Blogger went down on Wednesday and just came back up at about noon today, Friday.  You were able to look at things, I think, but I couldn't access anything  .... I even had to repost a "post" that disappered because they had to take it back to a certain time in order to do the fix they needed to do.  So, with that said, my normal posts I do on Thursday did not happen and I'm not sure if I'll get my normal recipe up today!  I usually try to write posts at least 2-3 days in advance but that's hard to do when you can't access the system :-)  So . .. even my normal posts this weekend may not get up as tonight I have to work on finishing up a couple of grad gifts and we have various committments this weekend.  We'll see how it all goes - maybe I'll get a chance to post before Sunday but, if not, enjoy your weekend!

What I'm Reading (and other misc. topics)

I just finished reading The Rocky Mountain Legacy Series by Kristen Heitzmann.  This is a series of 5 books that begin with the book shown above, Honor's Pledge.  The story takes place in Colorado Rockies and are based upon the life of Abigail Martin.  She is a strong willed young woman who seeks adventure and goes after what she knows is truly in her heart.  Each of the 5 books follow her life has she walks through happiness, heartbreak, and joy once again. 

These are books that I had on my shelf and have read several times.  They are easy reads but are also very interesting and realistic.  As you read each story, you are drawn into the lives of the people involved; share they successes and feel their losses.  I often found myself not wanting to put the books down just so I could find out what was going to happen. 

I would recommend these books as enjoyable reads - especially on a rainy day or for reading by the pool (if only I had one ha!). 

I also just finished reading this book, The Forgiving Hour, by Robin Lee Hatcher.  This is a powerful book that talks about adultery. Not just the hurt that it causes but the long lasting ramifications.  It does not focus on the act but rather the process of healing in all of the lives that are impacted and the truths that are taught could be applied to any area of bitterness or hurt. 

This book is a great read; it very quickly brings you into the lives of the characters and keeps you there to the end.  There is a moment when the reader will wonder if there really is hope and forgiveness, which is often hard to see in a book.  I would recommend this book to anyone; don't let the topic scare you, it is  the story that will touch you.

I'm in the midst of reading a few other books as well

1.  The Power of a Positive Mom - I slowed down on this one as I felt that I was really flying through it and not learning what I needed to learn.

2. Falling Forward by Sandi Patty - I thought I would have this one finished but, I had been reading it before bed; with my husbands new job, he is in bed by 8:00 so, when I go to bed, it is kinda hard to read;-)  I need to bring that out to my desk and read it in the evenings when all is quiet. 

3.  I just reading the book on the Duggar family and I'm looking forward to reading about how they "survive" with their large family.

I'm trying to learn to use the library and not spend money on books.  I've done this recently with getting books for the kids and I also ordered a book that I'll be using with my Good Morning Girls group for the summer. I wanted to see if I really liked the book before I spent any money on one of my own.  This is breaking a habit for me - I tend to think that I "need" every book that goes with any lesson or any theme we are studying and that really isn't the case.  If I find a book that I love or my kids love . . . than I'll add it to a list and pick them up along the way :-)

My husband recently asked me if I would like a Kindle or a Nook - I'm indifferent on that item for the time being.  I think that if I was on the go all the time, I might really like one so I could just carry it in my purse but, since I'm home 99% of the time, I don't see it as a need right now.  Plus, then I would have to spend money on e-books :-)

Do you and on Kindle or Nook?  If so - do you love it?

and

What are you reading?

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I'm loving . . . that I can have the windows open.  It clears out the house from all of those winter smells (you know we all have them!) and I just love feeling that breeze through the house.

I'm loving . . . that my boys make little accomplishments!  Today, Josh learned to blow bubbles on his own and loved doing it and Nate learned how to climb down the stairs.  Maybe he could help grandma practice? (hahaha)

I'm loving . . . . the treadmill.  Nope, still doesn't work HA! 

I'm loving . . . being able to stay home.  Not for the reasons you think but, sadly, because I've really enjoyed reading in the recliner more lately ;-)  I really need to get back to that to do list!

I'm loving . . . . our weekends.  We haven't had weekends in a year and half.  The work hours for my husband are REALLY long and weary but, we are getting to have Saturday and Sunday off for now. 

I'm loving . . . that festival season is right around the corner.  I'm waiting anxiously for my first elephant ear :-)

What are you loving today? 

Too Cute Not To Toot!

First up this week are some Mother's Day Ideas.  Yes, I know, Mother's Day is done and gone but, these all come up at the end of the week so I thought I would share anyway.  There are other days you can use these gifts for like Birthdays and Christmas and they don't have to be just for mothers - you could also use them for friends, new moms, brides - to - be, or sister (in-laws too).  Or, just save them for next year!

I've seen tin can treats done for other things and never could figure it out (obviously there were no tutorials on the others I saw!) but Our Best Bites gives all the info you need to make this adorably cute gift idea.

Here is a printable coupon book from Tip Junkie that you can also personalize with photos if you chose the correct template. (I just noticed that there were several options available - you chose what you want to do!)

I found an idea for a Shrinky Dink Bracelet from two different sources; two totally different looks so I want to share (Do you remember doing Shrinky Dinks?  They were so much fun!)  First up is, At Second Street

And also at Stories by Me

Craftomaniac created this really adorable "Favorite Things" basket.  If you know someone who has to spend any time in the hospital - this would also make a great gift idea as well - my cousins did something similar for me when I was in for 6 weeks with Josh.  They brought me a bag full of sample perfumes, chapstick, candy, gum, Bath and Body Works stuff and tons of magazines!

Here's a great "simple" garden idea from The Dragons Fairytail  I'm not into tilling up the ground and putting in anything huge - this would take up very little space especially if you only want to grow lettuce :-)  (And it would keep the rabbits out!)

I love these letters from Artsy Fartsy Mama.  I just started a letter series with Josh (we are still on A) and I think these would be really great to use with the lessons.  I think I even have fabric downstairs AND I bet my mom has some quilt batting I could steal borrow when I see her this weekend (she probably has some scrap fabric I could also steal borrow so I wouldn't have to spend any money on this project for awhile! HINT HINT mom! hahaha)

I think that is where I'll stop for now - blogger is giving me a few fits tonight and I have lost a few more items I had posted this week - I'll try again later this week and add them in for next week :-)  I like this time of year because I'm seeing lots of "general" ideas instead of just holiday ideas! 

Enjoy your week :-)