Happy Memorial Day Weekend

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!



I hope you all have a fabulous weekend celebrating however you most enjoy it - spending lots of time with family and friends, doing lots of yard work, or just enjoying time with your own family.  For us, we are spending time with my family at the 1st Annual McMaster Memorial Day Weekend Party.  We plan on having some good old "just us" family time too.  I've decided to give myself "permission" to take a break from blogging (not that I really need permission since I really do this for fun!).  With that said, I'll see you back here on Tuesday with another "Too Cute Not to Toot" post!  Next week I'll share our summer binder with you as well as how I organize the Too Cute ideas I REALLY want to make.  I also want to share with you my some ideas I have for our homeschool room too! 

Hard to believe that this is the unofficial start of summer . .. did we even have winter??

Enjoy your weekend, I know I will!!! 

Weekly Menu - May 26 and a little of this and that

WHEW!  Another week went by :-)  The weather this week cooled off at the beginning of the week after a very hot weekend but it is forecasted to be in the 90's on Sunday and Monday before cooling off again!  I was thankful for cooler weather because I planned Soup for one meal this week!  I tried out a few new recipes this week so you can look forward to seeing those in coming weeks too.

Before I post our menu, I thought you might enjoy these photos.  Last year, we couldn't even get the boys to run through a sprinkler in the hot weather let alone get in the water.  Well, last weekend I happened to pick up a fish watering can.  Then I went back the next day and picked up a second one because I was tired of hearing "that's my fish mama" so now each boy has their own!!  On Thursday, the boys wanted to play with their watering cans so instead of standing in the kitchen to fill them up I got the idea to fill up a tub with water and this is what happened:

 We started by me filling the bucket with empty containers.  It was constant running from the kitchen - the boys loved it and were soaking wet but there was no way I could keep this up all day.

 That is when I got smart and found the hose, hooked it up and put it in the bucket so it would stay filled except . .. . two little boys had fun with the hose.  Josh even figured out how to drink out of the hose.  The trick is that I turned it on very, very low :-)  Eventually the bucket was full and over flowing so I put the sprayer on the end of the hose.

Maybe that wasn't such a great idea HA!  I ended up trapped in the garage and someone enjoyed spraying me :-) 
Now, on to our menu!

Saturday: We are having a family gathering for Memorial Day Weekend.  Originally, it was at our house but due to some scheduling issues in getting everyone here, we are having it at my brothers house so that he and my niece can actually be there for part of it (She plays soccer and has a tournament that day).  We are doing a cookout and all bringing some favorites.  I'm going to take Taco Salad and a Pan of Taco Dip with chips. 

Sunday: It is supposed to be HOT HOT HOT on Sunday so we are planning to take the boys to beach.  I have a three year old that has been asking to go to the beach for WEEKS.  I highly doubt the big lake will be warm enough to "swim" in but they just like to play on the shore anyway.  I used to try to always plan our picnics and make food and have discovered the joy of fast food picnics :-)  I think we will pick up some KFC or Lee's Chicken before hitting the beach (or sometimes we go into McDonalds and eat where it is cool before getting to the beach HA!)

Monday:  Happy Memorial Day!  It is supposed to be hot again! I'm planning to do "brunch" for lunch with eggs, bacon, sausage, and toast (I have one kid who loves bacon and one who loves sausage!) .  Then for our "cookout" we'll have Brats, Fruit/Dip, Spaghetti Salad, and I want to make a dip I found on Pinterest called "Poolside Dip" and have it with chips/crackers.

Tuesday: Keeping it simple!  Tatar Tot Casserole, Roasted Cauliflower, and a Salad

Wednesday: I think my husband will be at practice so the boys and I will make some homemade pizza

Thursday: Balsamic Glazed Pork Loin (I had planned this for a week ago but we ended up having pulled pork BBQ instead), Cheesey Rice and Broccoli Casserole, and Rolls

Friday: I am going scrapbooking!  This was something unexpected that came up and I can't wait!  So my "Boys" will have hot dogs and/or Mac and Cheese while I head out for a girls night out!

I'm going to cheat this week and buy our snacks/cookies.  I'll pick up a package of Darryl's favorites for his lunch, we happen to have Oreo's here already and I think in this hot weather, some frozen fruit bars and ice cream sound good to me!

Food Friday - Cherry Fluff Stuff

Wow, can you believe that it is Memorial  Day Weekend!  First off, I'd like to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my mom.  Yep, it is her birthday today!  Now, back to food.  Whether you are celebrating with friends or just with your family, we all enjoy food on these long weekends so I wanted to share this simple, cool salad recipe with you . . it almost counts as a dessert too!

Cherry Fluff Stuff (aka 4th of July Salad)
adapted from MY MOM (in honor of her birthday HA!)

This salad has been a favorite for years and year - we even had it served at our wedding reception we love it so much.  The ingredient list is small, it is easy to throw together and it is cool and refreshing especially in the midst of a hot summer!

1 small can of crushed pineapple, well drained (this time I used Pineapple tidbits and that worked well too)
1 can of Cherry Pie Filling
1 can of Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 -8 oz container of Cool Whip (you can you more - it just makes it lighter and fluffier and not so sweet)

Mix everything together and chill for at least an hour. 

Enjoy your weekend!

What I'm Reading!

I haven't done a "what I'm reading" post in awhile because I haven't been reading too many really great books lately.  As a matter of fact, I've read a couple books that I wish I hadn't wasted my time, got half way through one book and said to myself "Seriously, why am I reading this stupid book" HA and have even thought about going to the local Christian book store, looking at "real" books, making a list of what I want and budgeting a little more money for my book habit so I can get so GOOD books!! GEESH!!

With my rant done, I do have a couple of books to pass on to you.

First up is an actually book I read - I have this series, as well as the original series, in  hardcover thanks to my mom.  A Wandering Heart (An Angel Island Novel) by Thomas Kinkade is the third book in this series.  This one bring a movie crew to the Island to use the perfect setting to record.  The main star meets someone on the island who changes her life.  The story winds through that discovery and is just so enjoyable to read!   Now, here is the sad news .. .. you may or may not know that Thomas Kinkade passed away at the beginning of April (just a few days after this book was released).  I am hoping that Katherine Spencer will be able to continue the books - I'd hate to lose "touch" with the great characters in both of the series.

This is one of those books that you shouldn't judge by the cover - when I saw this cover my thought was that it would not be a good book because it looks kind of cheesey . . .but A Dream Unfolding by Karen Baney was a great book.  It was a story that made me want to curl up on the couch and just read to get to the end to find out what happened.  Sometimes, an author writes a bunch of sentences and it gets published - sometimes though, they write a story that allows you to feel part of the lives of the characters and that is what I found from this book.  It is historical fiction and tells the store of a young wife who learns from many difficult lessons as she and her husband travel west in a wagon train.  I've added books 2 and 3 to my wish list :-)

I'm working now on clearing out my Kindle and deleting some books from my account.  Did anyone else end up with tons of dictionaries uploaded from Kindle?  I have them in about 6 languages - I think it was an amazon error but now I have to delete them all!!  I really want to get rid of stuff I am not going to read so I can stock up on some GOOD stuff for this summer - I'm sure I'll be outside a lot while the kids play so books are needed!

99 Things

It's been awhile since I've seen anything in blog land that I've wanted to "copy" but I saw this idea over at Our Happily Everafters (and have seen it a few other places too) and decided to join in on the fun!

The things in bold are things I've done/accomplished/experienced.

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii


5. Watched a meteor shower


6. Given more than you can afford to charity


7. Been to Disneyland


8. Climbed a mountain


9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo


11. Bungee jumped


12. Visited Paris


13. Watched a lightning storm


14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning


17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty


18. Grown your own vegetables


19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
 (Ok, I didn't actually see it but we went to the museum to see it and didn't know it was  a holiday so it was closed!)

20. Slept on an overnight train


21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort


25. Held a lamb


26. Gone skinny dipping
 (don't freak out - it was at camp, in the dark, with a few girl counselors - the things you do at camp)

27. Run a Marathon


28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice


29. Seen a total eclipse


30. Watched a sunrise or sunset


31. Hit a home run


32. Been on a cruise


33. Seen Niagara Falls in person


34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors


35. Seen an Amish community


36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person


39. Gone rock climbing 


40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt


43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant


44. Visited Africa


45. Walked on a beach by moonlight


46. Been transported in an ambulance


47. Had your portrait painted


48. Gone deep sea fishing


 49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person


50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling


52. Kissed in the rain


53. Played in the mud


54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie


 56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business


58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen


61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies


62. Gone whale watching


63. Got flowers for no reason


64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma


65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy


70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt


73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades


75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person


80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican


82. Bought a brand new car
 (Does a lease count?)

83. Walked in Jerusalem


84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve

86. Visited the White House


87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating


88. Had chickenpox


89. Saved someone’s life


90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Got a tattoo

94. Had a baby


95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit


98. Owned a cell phone


99. Been stung by a bee

 

I was actually surprised by how many I've done . . but there are some on that list that I don't even plan on doing either!!

Too Cute Not to Toot!

So, let me explain a little something.  I have a few key blogs that I use to pick out my ideas - they host weekly linky party for crafts and such and gives me lots of opportunities to visit other blogs I would otherwise never find.  One of my loyal blogs has stepped back from blogging to focus more on her family (which is fantastic!) so I lost one of my favorite resources.  I'm trying to avoid using only Pinterest for the sole reason that Pinterest has kind of taken the personal touch away from blogs. No worries, I just have to find some other prime resources to get great ideas from to share with all of you!

First up is this cute idea from Artsy Va Va  and is perfect as so many in my region, at least, are getting ready to plant.  I know you can purchase corks online if you are like me and don't buy anything that has a cork :-)

I will admit that I first saw this idea on Pinterest but I'm putting it here because I also found it on a blog through a linky party.  The idea comes from Stars and Sunshine and looks so yummy!!

This idea from The Oxford Place Diaries and the real reason I'm posting it is to remember it.  It's a filing system and, if you know me, I'm always looking for ways to be more organized and even though I think setting up a system like this one might be time consuming - I like the over all idea and might try to incorporate it more into my day!

I love strawberries (and so does my son Josh!) so when I saw this great recipe from Recipes We Love, I couldn't pass it by.  I might have to try it out for the family party this weekend!

I love photos, as you may know, so when I find a cute idea that uses photos I have to share.  Ask Anna shares an easy tutorial for making photo blocks.  They would make a great gift for the grandparents but also a fun toy for the kids or a great conversation piece sitting on a coffee table.  What a great fun gift for a bride using engagement photos too!

You may recall that a few months ago I attempted to make a wreath using a pool noodle but it did not stay together.  After looking at this tutorial from Fox Hollow Cottage I think I discovered my problem . . . I cut the noodle in half!! :-)  Well, anyway, I think it is a cute idea  for a wreath overall whether you use a regular form or a pool noodle!

I created a summer planner for all of the activities we are going to hopefully do but it is open for change as I come across new ideas.  I love this idea from Train up a Child - I know my boys would love it and I think it is something I need to do on a day my husband is home too - he loves stuff like this!  As a side note (more to myself as a reminder) this site is one I want to check out for ideas for homeschooling and other things - it looks like a great blog.

This idea from Pre K and K Sharing because it is a beached theme unit and I have a three year old that has been asking to go to the beach since we had that really hot week in March.  We are actually hoping the weather cooperates and we can go to the beach Memorial Day weekend!!  This unit is a little old for my kids but I think I can take it and make it fit their level if needed.

Growing up, every once in awhile my mom would make homemade donuts.  I saw this post over at Life.Love.Larson and it made me hungry for just that :-)

I absolutely love this idea for a huge photo statement from This Girl's Life.  Down the road, I've mentioned wanting to go towards a beach/cottage feel in the living room so when I saw this idea I knew instantly that this will be an art piece in that room.  I'll be working on taking photos of the beach - the sand dunes, the water, the tall grasses - all to incorporate into a canvas like this . .. can you tell this makes me happy???

This cute wreath idea comes from Simply This and That and is cute but I can see, just as is stated in the tutorial, that this would be time consuming.  I think it is cute enough to warrant the time though :-)

My laundry room is out of the way where no one but me sees it but I still like to have it look nice since I spend a fair amount of time in and out of that room.  I really think that this idea from Burton Avenue is cute and easy.  To be honest, I like it best before it was antiqued but that is just me :-)

This idea from The DIY Dreamer is one of those "smack myself on the forehead ideas".  Why?  Because I've seen the magnets all over blogland using the glass beads but never ever thought about buttons!  Not only would these look cute in a craft room they would be great for working with kids on color!

As you can see, I had no problem finding some new sources - some right on my own blog list that I hadn't taken time to look through before :-) 

Coming up soon - I'm going to show you how I organize all of these ideas that I want to make - admittedly, it is time consuming to go back through all of the blog post and look for a particular idea plus I tend to get distracted and find millions of other ideas.  Instead I've created something that is working for me and I'll share that with you too!

Screen Doors and Fresh Wave

I bet you wonder where I'm going with a blog title like that, don't you?  Well, I really just want to share a couple of new products we've tried recently and actually really like.  (And no, I have no affiliation with any company - this is just my own personal opinion!)

First up is the Magic Mesh Instant Screen Door from Bed Bath and Beyond.

I had seen this in a recent flyer from BBB and thought it might work for us and then, much to my surprise, my mom picked one up and gave it to us.  Our main entrance is our Sliding Glass door in the kitchen.  Nope, not ideal but replacing it with a nice set of french doors is pretty far down on the list right now.  Our regular screen takes a beating throughout the year and now that the kids run in and out, that screen tends to get left open all day long.  Sure the dog loves it, but so does the outdoor cat (who, by the way, got in before we left on vacation and we didn't know it  . . until we got back!  It wasn't a big deal but boy was she glad to get back outside HA!).  When my husband looked at this, he was pretty skeptical that it would work and I was a little concerned that it would be a pain.  We figured we would try it and if it didn't work to keep it up, we could take it down and I could put it up on warm days when the slider was going to be open all day.

Boy we were wrong.  The screen is perfect.  Now, as with all things, we learned things after we put it up that would have made it a little neater but it still works fine.  The magnets REALLY pull it back together.  Even on a windy day, when the wind caught it a little while it was open, you could actually see the magnetics trying so hard to pull together HA  The kids quickly figured out that they can walk right through it and yes, you can really go through it with full hands.  The dog has NOT figured it out yet but has accidentally gone through it a few times.  The only time it is a pain is when the slider is closed and you have to go through both the slider and the screen to get out - but it is really similar to have a door and a screen door to go through I guess. 

When my husband put the sticky tabs on it to hang it, he did not realize they were actually Velcro so the Velcro didn't go on the same direction which is why we have a slight problem at the top - the pieces don't stick.  I really just need to pick up some more Velcro and we can fix that easily.  Also, we had to hang it, obviously, on the outside because there was no where to attach the second side if we hung it inside the door.  Even hanging  it outside, we had to attach one side to the glass door that doesn't open/close since the screen is bigger than our door opening but I don't think anyone would notice just walking in and out the door.  We both think it looks nice too and because it is darker/thicker, it also helps shield the sun a little from the kitchen too.


The next item is also from Bed, Bath and Beyond and is called Fresh Wave.  It is an Odor Neutralizing Product.

A little history.  When my husband was traveling over the road down to Chicago a few times a week he listened to a Chicago Radio Station every day and they would have a pet specialist come on the air periodically.  This Fresh Wave product is what they recommended to help neutralize any pet smell in your house.  When Darryl told me about it, I tried to find it but couldn't.  Well, last weekend while out and about, I got to spend a little time in BBB (my favorite store right now, by the way!).  I went into the bathroom and thought "Wow, it smells nice in here" and then I noticed a canister of the Fresh Wave Crystals sitting on the counter.  Needless to say I picked some up!  There was a combo pack with a 14 oz jar and then a small "sample" jar for $14.99.  We have a few stinky areas in our home (HA) one is the kitchen/stairwell/basement.  Because the stairs come right up to the basement - all musty, pet related smells (the little box sits near the bottom of the stairs) greet you as you walk in the door.  I placed the 14 oz canister on one of my new shelves in the kitchen and it actually blends in with the wall :-)  It really works - it smells good and keeps odors at bay.  Now for the true test.  I took the small one and put it in Nate's room.  No he doesn't stink but his diaper trash pail gets more use than any other one because all three boys end up getting changed in there at some point during the day (My two and the munchkin I babysit).  I can change the trash daily but throughout the day, wow, some days it's enough to knock you out.  On Thursday evening of last week I finally put it in there (there were some nasty diapers that day - so I doubted it would work).  I opened his door to get him up on Friday and it smelled clean and fresh in his room despite the trash (yes, I left it in there on purpose).  What a difference!!   Even if your home isn't "stinky" this product is just so fresh smelling.  I did not get one for the bathroom but I am going to - it's too good NOT to have one in there!!


There is one last product I picked up at Bed, Bath, and Beyond last weekend and that is a two pack of the Damp Rid tubs. 

The photo just shows the refills but I purchased the starter "kit" with the buckets - two for $5.99.  My sister-in-law uses these in her house and told me they actually worked so I picked them up for my bathroom and basement.  I've noticed a difference in the moisture level in both areas.  The one in the basement is placed in a little area right off the laundry room and within 24 hours I noticed that the floor in that area didn't look as damp and this morning I noticed it is dry looking.  I placed the 2nd one in the bathroom and have noticed instead of staying damp all day, it dries out pretty quickly after showers.  I plan on picking up the refill pack (4 refills for $6.99) soon so I have them when the others are gone.  Sometimes it is just a little thing that helps out :-)

I did pick up a few other things on my outing like a new paper towel holder that hangs in the kitchen (one less thing on the counter!), a banana holder (wait, a NEW thing on the counter HA!) because we ALWAYS have banana's sitting on the counter in our house, and a bottle to hold olive oil.  I used to have one but the cork eventually fell apart and I just never replaced it - my husband has been asking me too for . .years :-)

Have you tried any new products that are worth sharing?