Yummy!

Well this weeks topic is one of my favorite things. I figure Oprah has them, so I can have them too. Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Blueberries, Cranberries, Huckleberries, etc. Yummy!

I love berry muffins too. Here is one of my favorite recipes. It came from allrecipes, but I adapted it a little, so I will call it my own. :)

Blueberry, or any berry for that matter, muffins

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon or so of cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon or so of nutmeg
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries/huckleberries,raspberries/etc

Crumb Topping
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/2 or more teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter (room temperature)

1.Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or line with muffin liners.

2.Combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. Place vegetable oil into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup. Mix this with flour mixture. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups right to the top, and sprinkle with crumb topping mixture.

3.To Make Crumb Topping: Mix together sugar, flour, butter, and cinnamon. Mix with fork till there are small crumbles and sprinkle over muffins before baking.

4.Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until done.

Try them, you will not be disappointed!

Enjoy!

Hidden Treasures

Zombie Mom Comics

I remember while growing up my mom would always have a stash of hidden treasures somewhere in the house. They were things like Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, M&M's, Rolo's, Caramello's, etc. My dad had his own too. His was usually Reeses Peanut Butter Cups. We always new if we wanted a treat, we just had to search.

My Dad's treasure was always somewhere in the freezer. My moms on the other hand, well there were lots of places. In the side drawer in her room, or one of the other many junk drawers she had, you could find them in the basket on top of the fridge, in a bowl in the top of the cupboards, and my favorite place, the wheat grinder shelf/cabinet.

Yes, my mom has a shelf with a built in wheat grinder. It is an old antique from my grandparents. It has the grinder inside with the lever to turn on the out side. We always loved to turn it. Imagine our surprise when chocolate candy and chewed up wrappers started coming out! yeah, I think that was the last time they were hidden in there.

I also had my own hiding places. I had 4 older siblings and one younger one. The younger one I did not worry about, but the older ones made me nervous. Halloween would come around and it was time to hide you stash again. And like my dad, there is something about frozen Reeses Peanut Butter Cups. Well I hid mine in the ice dispenser. Then I forgot about them. Well, my brother ended up with chocolate, peanut butter, foil wrapper ice. Yeah, that was a mess. Oops!

As a mom, I don't really have a hiding spot yet. My kids are not old enough to steal my favorite treats and treasures. I can just put them up on a high shelf in the pantry, and they are safe. I have not had to worry about them climbing the pantry shelves, yet. I see it coming int the near future though, so I will have to start finding my hiding spaces now. Maybe in the e canning pots at the top of the pantry, maybe in my silver flower vase, maybe even in the unused toilet paper roll holder/stacker thing. Oh the ideas.

Where do you hide your treasures.

My New Favorite Mop

For my Birthday I bought a Swiffer Wet Jet for myself. Well I Left it unopened and left for Colorado. It is there that I heard of the Rubbermaid Reveal. When I got home, I promptly returned it, and purchased the Reveal. I used it for the first time tonight, and have to say, it is awesome! I highly recommend it. (Oh, and I was not even thinking of the blog at the time when I used it, but it all worked out.)

Here are the best parts about it.

It is wider then the Swiffer and other brands

It has washable pads

You can fill the container with your own cleaners and use it over and over again.

You can buy extra pads so one can be in the wash and one on the mop.

It has a Sweeper attachment, so no Swiffer sweeper pads either!

No sink full of dirty water.

No mop to let sit and dry, you just throw it into the wash!

Your floor drys faster since you use less water.

It works great! I highly recommend it! It was on sale for $20 at Target, and I bought an extra microfiber mop pad and sweeper pad so it cost $30 or so, so the same amount as the Swiffer and a box of 10 pads or so. And I can wash these at least 100 times!

If you hate sweeping and mopping like I do, I highly recommend this.

Favorite Things

Spring is my favorite season. I have always loved it. I think it started all because my birthday is in spring, but here is a list of some reasons why it is my favorite, even if I don't get to experience it all since I am in Washington now.

• New Flowers


• Everything is Fresh and Clean


• Thunderstorms (when I lived in Colorado. We do not get them very often in Seattle.)


• Fresh Cut Grass


• The smell of rain (when I lived in Colorado. You do not smell it much in Washington since it rains so often, as odd as that sounds)


• Spring Cleaning


• Being able to open the windows and air out my house


• The Tulip Festival in Mt Vernon, Washington


• The random Spring Blizzard that usually happened in Colorado


• Playing outside with my kids


• Puddle Jumping


• Rain Boots and Jackets


• Getting our vegetable garden ready


• Hanging Fuchsia Pots


• My new hot pink razer scooter that I can ride with my kids


• Garage Sales


• Birds Singing


• Strawberries


• Shortcake with the above


• Seeing my awesome neighbors again after the long winter.


• Starting outdoor projects

Oh there are so many more, but I will leave you with these for now.

What are your favorite parts of spring?

Chain Reaction

The Columbine

The Colorado State Flower

And one of my favorite flowers.

12 years ago on April 20, 1999 my life was forever changed. A town known as Littleton, Colorado was forever changed, the United States school system was forever changed, and you may have been forever changed.

I am not sure how many of you know my background, but I grew up in that town called Littleton. One that will forever be known for Columbine. When people ask me where I am from and I say Littleton, they say that sounds familiar. Then I say, yeah it has been in the news. Then Columbine is remembered.

So, you are probably wondering, did I go there? No, I did not.

Littleton is bigger then you think. There were two school districts. I was in the other school district. I lived about 7 miles from Columbine. Although, Columbine is located by one of my favorite parks, Clement Park. It had a fountain, batting cages, softball fields, a snack shack, three different play areas, we had a blast there.

I was in 8th Grade at the time. A time to get excited because you are going to high school next year, but this tragedy made it terrifying. I get scared easily, I let things go to my head. My sense of security and safety were shattered. My perception of life and school was changed.

So why am I telling you this when the theme this week is "online." Because the King 5 news here in Washington is doing a wonderful thing to remember Columbine in a positive way, that you can find online. Rachael Scott was the first victim of columbine. A sweet girl full of compassion. Here in Washington they are promoting Rachael's Challenge. It has been going on for a while now, but it is nice to have it brought back to the surface. It is a challenge to pass on kindness and stop bullying in school. I am not in school, but I have children that will be. How can I raise them to make them be a better person?

I know that even though I am not in school, I can still pass on kindness and compassion. I know that I have been and will be upset by someone, it is life, it happens. But how am I going to react? I can go out of my way to be kind to them regardless of how they made me feel. I can serve them, take them cookies, show compassion.

So focus on kindness, focus on compassion. It only takes one person to make the world a better place.

Join me in being a part of the chain reaction.

(I know the video is long, but it is worth it. Join the chain reaction!)

Today is Thursday!

Yes, today is Thursday. That means yesterday was Wednesday. And yes, I am sure you know the days of the week, but sometimes I seem to forget which day it is. That seemed the case all day on Wednesday. Don't you hate it when you do that! It makes the week seem so much longer, but it seemed so much worse thinking it was Thursday when it was only Wednesday.

All day Wednesday, I was excited that tomorrow was Friday. I was excited that my husband was working from home, That we were going to be going on a date tomorrow, that we had nothing to do tonight, no meetings, scouts, etc. (Although I just remembered there is enrichment this week.)

Then it hit me, I would remembered it was only Wednesday. Then I would go on thinking it was Thursday again forgetting I talked with myself about it only being Wednesday. I did that cycle about three times or so.

Now, I can actually be excited that today is Thursday. Like Rachel, a day with nothing much to do. Preschool, Enrichment/random church meetings, not much else. I might do some vacuuming, and the normal tidying up. That would be nice.

So Thursday, I am glad you are finally here. That means tomorrow is Friday and I have a weekend to look forward too.

Happy Thursday everyone, and yes, it is finally Thursday.

What is General Conference

This April was the 181st annual conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is held the first weekend in April and the first weekend in October. There is a special session to the Young women of the church ages 12-18 and their mothers and leaders the weekend before conference in April. The weekend before conference in October is a special session for all the women of the church. Elder Holland spoke about what conference is. I thought for those of you who are not members of the church, might like some insight from an apostle. Elder Holland asked us not only to ponder the messages we heard, but what a unique phenomenon General Conference is.

• There are no topics given. Each speaker seeks the Lord for revelation and guidance as they prepare to speak.


• They prepare there talks for members and non-members alike. "Those who know us very well and those who do not know us at all... To families, parents, children at home, those single, those with no children, those far from home, young, old, youth, middle aged..." To everyone.


• Conference is not just meant for members, it is to uplift others from any faith. It is to warn and expound on the moral and physical values affecting the world. It is for everyone.


• "When they speak on difficult subjects that most of the audience is not guilty of such things, but under a solemn charge to issue warning to those who are."


• For those who are doing all they can and the best they can, by teaching and listening with the spirit at least one of the speakers will speak for you in your own certain circumstances. "One way or another, God will have his voice heard."


• Every testimony is one of love and a warning. "Even as nature will testify herself will testify in the last days."

What a unique phenomenon conference really is. If you are not a member and are interested in watching, hearing, or reading some of the messages. You can find them here. Conference is always streamed live as well in April and October. I know that the prophet is real and that he speaks the work of God. We are so blessed to have a prophet on the earth today.

Easy Fabric Flowers

I know there are tons of tutorials all over the Internet for these, but people keep asking to have a tutrial here, so I learned how to make some. THEY ARE SO EASY!! I was terrified, really, they look so hard, but I made one in ten minutes. Seriously. Easy Peasy! Supplies

Fabric Scissors, or a Rotary Cutter (I would have used a Rotary Cutter, but mine is missing)

Thread

A hand needle

A Ruler or something to use to measure

Cut your Fabric into 5 Squares. Any size will do. I made a few different sizes, but i really like the smaller ones I made with 2.5 inch squares

Thread your needle and make it long enough to fit five "petals" on, before they are cinched.

Fold your squares into a triangle. You can press them if you want, but I didn't and it worked fine.

Sew the open ends of your triangle loosely so that it can be gathered.

Thread them on, one by one until they are all attached. Cinch them together as tight as you want to form your flower.

Tie the ends together.

Add a button or another embellishment to cover the center.

Ta-da! A easy fabric flower!

With fabric flowers, there are endless possibilities!

Wendesday Wreath

Hello! This is actually Cali today, not Jenni. We swapped days this week, just so you are not confused.

Anyways, a few weeks ago I told you about a craft I had started, but not yet finished. I am actually going to break it up into two tutorials, since I can. So here is the Yarn Wreath. (You can Find the fabric flowers here.)

I have seen these all over recently so I decided to jump on the band wagon, and since I have had readers tell me that even though it is somewhere else on the Internet, they prefer to have the tutorial here, so here you go. That, and the tutorials I looked at did not tell me how much yarn to use, so you will get that here as well. Supplies

1 Small Wreath Form (I used the dollar store again.)

1 ball of yarn (I used about half of it give or take a little.)

That is it!

I started my wreath by overlapping some of the yarn as I wrapped it so it would stay in place.

I then tightly wrapped it around my wreath form.

It was really simple. A little time consuming, but I did not fell all that great that week, so it was nice to just sit on the couch with my rice bag and mindlessly wrap yarn around the form.

Anyone can do it.

This is what it looked like when it was covered. I just tied off the end. I am sure you can glue it if you want.

I wrapped a little bit of ribbon around it and added some fabric flowers. I just pinned them on so I can use the form for other holidays, or seasons.I am trying to figure out how to pin on a little Peep Bunny or Chick and not have it leave a mess.

So if you want another easy door decoration, here you go! There is just something about wreaths that make your house seem happy and welcoming. Enjoy!

Coming Out

That is right, I am coming out of the closet. I have a secret. Well it will not be a secret anymore, but I think I love PBS Kids Shows, and Children's Music more then my 2 and 4 year old do.

That is all....

No seriously, we went to a Caspar Babypants concert at the library yesterday, and it is probably the 5th time we have seen them. They are performing today at a library closer to us and I am so sad that my 2 year old did not want to go. He said "We saw them yesterday." ("Yesterday" and "Last week" are some of his favorite words at the moment.) That is all I can think about. We are missing a free concert at the library.

It is not just them. We go to almost every free children's concert around, either at the library, or the summer festivals, etc. I just love them. Mostly it does not matter who is performing, but there are a few children's performers that I do not like and we have left early when we can. I just love children's music. My kids are going to be in high school and there mom is not going to be listening to the oldies station, I will be rocking it out to the Wiggles, or Caspar Babypants, or Lunch Money. (I think they are my favorite right now.) There are many others.

Also, during quiet time, I have to refrain myself from watching Word Girl, or Martha Speaks. (I do get my Ellen in, and I do like Ghost Whisper.) I know I can't watch them when my daughter is still awake. She will want to watch them too, and there goes my break! I fell odd watching them without with my kids. I'm an adult, I should be watching adult shows! In the morning, my kids get to watch two shows while I get ready. I am sad if I miss Dinosaur Train, I don't get to watch Sid the Science Kid, or I miss the super story answer on Super Why.

Seriously, I am really odd. But now you know. And when I come to you with a really odd fact about Palaeobatrachus (a Dinosaur that looks like a a frog,) the Elements, or I have a random use of vocabulary words, etc. You will know that I did not learn it from school, I learned it from a children's song, or PBS Kids.

Are you hiding any secrets in the closet? Join me in coming out of the closet!

Projects

Well, my hope this week was to post a tutorial for you, but I am only half way done with the project, and the part I am done with would be okay to post all by itself, but kind of boring. I am planning on doing it in two separate posts anyways, but I would like to post the finished project with the first part. If that makes any sense. So how odd it is that this week is "Behind the Scenes."

So here you have it, behind the scenes at my house. Another unfinished, but hopeful project. It seems that I am good at that. Well actually the fact that I started it is good for me so it should be easy to finish. Behind the scenes I am not good at starting projects. I like to find the ones I like, and collect fabric, paper, or whatever other medium is required for the project. I just have a hard time actually cutting into it and starting! I just need to get that courage. That and when I start a project i have to finish it, but recently i seem to have lost that drive. Hopefully it will come back soon!

So that is behind the scenes here. It is not to say that it has been a lazy week, just busy. From "Pi" day on Monday, to the fact that leprechauns caused some serious havoc through my house. It has been a very busy and a very fun week. Oh and there was even sunshine today, and when there is sunshine here in Washington, the projects can wait!

What unfinished projects are staring you down at the moment?



PS Here is another thing I have been doing this week. I am in charge of Sharing Time this week in church. (I teach the little children at church.) The topic this week is "We are led by a living prophet today." I have been studying about President Monson, the president of the church. In the June 2008 Ensign there is a pull out section all about him. (I wish I could find the link online!) The other day I decided to read the first presidency message. It was President Eyring, "Safety in Counsel." It got me really excited for general conference coming up, and goes along great with the primary theme this month. I highly recommend it. It has definitely been helping me "behind the scenes" with primary.

"And in the mornin', I'm makin Waffles!"

There is something about eating pancakes or waffles for dinner. We fairly, if ever, eat them for breakfast. That typically only happens when we are visiting family. (My husbands family has a waffle tradition.)

So what is there no limits about pancakes and waffles you ask. The syrup and sauces, that is what!

Here are some of my favorite Syrup and sauce recipes.

Blueberry Sauce

• 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 cup orange juice
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the blueberries, 1/4 cup of water, orange juice, and sugar. Stir gently, and bring to a boil.
2. In a cup or small bowl, mix together the cornstarch and 1/4 cup cold water. Gently stir the cornstarch mixture into the blueberries so as not to mash the berries. Simmer gently until thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the almond extract and cinnamon. Thin sauce with water if it is too thick for your liking.

Serve with whipped cream if you want. (They are yummy either way!)
This sauce is also good on ice cream, cheese cake, in smoothies, etc.

I-Hop Cinnamon Roll Pancake Sauce (Thanks Angela!)

Melt ¼ cup butter

Add:
¾ cup brown sugar
2 T half and half or milk
1 T ground cinnamon
1/8 t salt
1/8 t ground cloves
Microwave until bubbly (1-1 ½ min)

Add:
1 T half and half or milk
1 T flour
Whisk until well blended

Easy as that!

Buttermilk Syrup

1 1/2 C Sugar

2 Tbs light Karo Syrup

3/4 C buttermilk

1 Stick of Butter

2 tsp Vanilla

1 tsp Baking Soda

Combine first 4 ingredients in a pan twice the size you think you will need, and bring to a boil.

Remove from heat and add vanilla and then the baking soda.

It will foam up quite a bit (hence the larger pan.) Serve immediately.

It will store in the fridge for a few days, although it will not be as foamy, but it is still yummy!

Put these last two together, and you have my very favorite! They will always be my favorites and always had been. In fact for a side note, when I was in 1st or 2nd grade, I broke my collarbone. I was sent home from school and the doctor at the Dr's office did not even ex-ray me and sent me home with an adult sling and said I would be fine. Well I went home and laid in bed the rest of the day. My mom made my favorite dinner of waffles with strawberries and whipped cream (although it was cool whip growing up) and I did not come down to eat it. That was when she really knew something was wrong. She took me to the ER, and sure enough it was broken. Nd I have a tiny Teddy bear sling to show for it. So there is my randomness, and onto the recipes.

Growing up, like I said before, it was cool whip, and strawberries mixed with a ton, and I mean ton of sugar. Lucky for you, my tastes has refined a little bit and these recipes are yummy!

Whipped Cream

1 C Chilled Heavy Cream

1 T Sugar

1 t Vanilla

Before I make cream I put my kitchen aid bowl and whisk in the freezer. About 20 min to an hour before I make it.

Add ingredients to mixer and let it go till it is as firm as you like it.

I am still perfecting the thickness of the cream to my liking. Jenni always makes the best cream, mine is a little runny, but like I said, I grew up on cool whip, so this is new to me still.

Strawberries

8 cups (about 2 1/2 lbs) Strawberries

6 T Sugar

Wash and top your strawberries if they are fresh. We don't want any green of course. ;)

In a large bowl place 3 cups of strawberries. Crush with a potato masher.

Slice the remaining 5 cups of strawberries and add to the bowl of mashed ones. Add the sugar too.

Stir and let it sit to macerate foe 30 min-2 hrs.

By mashing some of the strawberries up and letting them sit, it makes it a little more saucy, and they don't run off the waffles or pancakes. It is so yummy!

Well I hope you go eat waffles or pancakes for dinner tonight, or breakfast. And remember, it is a no limit food! Try some sauces today!

Do you have any favorite toppings? Please Share!

Grocery Day

Tuesdays are typically my grocery shopping days. If you have been following the blog for a while you probably have noticed that I am pretty frugal. I cut coupons, take advantage of free days and activities, shop sales, etc.

So why do I shop on Tuesdays you ask?

Tuesdays are the last day to use last weeks adds. Sometimes if I know that something is going to sale out or a coupon will expire, I will go earlier, but Tuesdays are the best days for the deals.

I also receive my Red Plum Mailer on Tuesday. It is the one with next weeks grocery ads. Then I can compare prices and see if there is a better sale.

I also like shopping on Tuesdays because I can wait and see what the new coupons will look like on Sunday as well.

So that is typically why I do the grocery shopping on Tuesdays. Then I also know I am not shopping multiple days in a week for groceries. I try to hit them all at once. (Aside from Fred Meyer, their ads run till Saturdays.)

When do you do your grocery shopping trips. Any tips?

The Real Reason My Kids Have Quiet Time

Yup, that is what it is right now. Quiet time. Oh how I love quiet time. A time for me to finally write my blog post which I forgot about, and take care of the other things I need to to or have been working on. (The office is a mess thanks to the latest project of sorting clothes and the closet.)

Quiet time is for me more then my kids. I am able to clean up or work on a project with out them getting into it. I am able to sit on the couch and eat a snack while watching "Lets make a deal" or "Ellen" without them asking me questions. It is a time for me. My husband gets a break at work for lunch, so why not me too.

And lets face it, sometimes our kids need a break from us. It is a time for my daughter to "Do whatever she wants" in her room. She said that yesterday. "I can do whatever I want during quiet time mom." In regards to my 4 year old licking the window. Gross! But hey, it is her free time as well. Yes I check on her occasionally, but she is able to read, play, chill out with out her brother bugging her or me bugging her.

It is good for all of us.

So what do you during quiet time. Do you have a quiet time? If not, what do you do for some down time for yourself?

Now off to work on my office, or eat a cookie and watch the end of "Lets Make a Deal."

Enjoy your quiet time!

The Superbowl

I have a love affair with the Superbowl. Okay, I know it sounds odd, but I do. There is one huge reason for it though. I met my husband at a Superbowl party. So thus, the Superbowl is celebrated in my home every year. It is usually just us, but some day it will be a huge party. Like when church is not at 1:00. Anyways do you want the story behind it? I am sure you do, so here it is.

Seven years ago due to the Super Bowl James and I met. Our friend Jeremy was throwing a Super Bowl party and we both ended up there. I was apprehensive about going due to the fact that it was a co-ed over nighter. But I was assured it would be chaperoned by his parents and the boys were sleeping upstairs while the girls were downstairs. I was still apprehensive, but my roommates were fighting again, (they always fought) and the spirit kept telling me to go. Well obviously James is the reason why I was supposed to go.

Jocelyn and I went up early Saturday with Jeremy and hung out and James got there later. I had my eye on him from the start, but nothing happened till Sunday.

It was Fast Sunday, and we all bore our testimonies that day in church. It was interesting, a bunch of kids from BYU-Idaho taking over his home wards testimony meeting, but they all really seemed to enjoy it, and that was one of the best experiences to be a part of. We then went back to Jeremy's house after church.

Matt had a flat tire, and I volunteered to help change it. All the guys were pretty impressed, and that then got all the girls annoyed with me and then Matt because all the other girls were out there too. I left. He could not get the lug nuts off and I was done with all the girls. So I went off to hang out with the animals. Jeremy's parents had some Donkeys or Mules. I can't remember which. So I hung out with them for a while while waiting for the game to start. That is when James made his move and came out to figure out who I was. We talked, hung out then went to watch the game.

To tell you the truth I do not remember who played or won. I know it was the Janet Jackson Super Bowl though. (I did not see the halftime show due to being on the phone with my parents, thank goodness!) I actually did not pay attention to much of the Super Bowl because James and I were flirting with each other the whole time, and from then on it is history.

(I am just glad we did not die on the way back to Rexburg that night thanks to Dan's crazy driving mixed with bald tires, mixed with ice! Then there would be no history!)

That semester then involved me chasing him, and winning his heart with goodies, and his roommates sure loved me too. There were cookies, (Jocelyn, I will always have fond memories of that night!) cheese cakes, regular cakes, more cookies, etc. I enjoyed myself, and I am sure James did too, although one plate of cookies was ate by his roommates before he could enjoy them.

Stewart, Dan, Chris, and Brady (Jame's Roommates) became great friends that semester. Due to my roommates not being able to get along with each other, I stayed far away. Whether it was at James or Jeremy's apartments. There were actually a lot of people involved. What a fun semester it was.

I loved dating James. We never did anything expensive. We were both pretty cheep and will still admit that we still are, but there is nothing wrong with that. We went to the the dollar theater on Tuesdays when it was cheaper, we would go to the grocery store together, go to James' dance labs, we went on a lot of walks, orchestra concerts, fine arts performances, plays, many Comic Frenzy performances, and just hung out. It was great. I am proud to say that I was James' first kiss. It took us both two months to work up the courage to do that. He was only my 2nd kiss. We were then engaged two months later at the end of May. We actually got engaged the night of Ben's (his younger brother) graduation from high school. Then 3 months later in August we were married. Yes, some people think that is fast, but when it is right, it is right. Why make such a good thing wait.

Oh how I love being married to the man of my dreams! And oh how I love the Superbowl because of it!

1 Hour or Less Valentine Wreath

Yeah, that is right, one hour or less, and it only cost about 3 dollars! Less if you recycle some old fabric scraps, an old towel, etc.
Here are the instructions. Sorry for the lack of pictures. I started taking them and missed cutting and pinning. Oops, but you'll get the idea. (I hope.)


Supplies
1 wreath form ($1 at the Dollar Store)
4-6 felt squares (4/$1.00 at Joannes)
Pins (I already had some, although some heart ones would be cute in this too)
scissors
small cup
ribbon
marker

Trace circles onto your felt.
One square gets you about 24 squares

Stack your felt about 3 thick and cut them out.

Pin them to your wreath. Pushing up the circles as you go along so it is not flat.

Tie a ribbon on.
Hang on your door, or where ever else you want to.

And there you have it, a $3.oo/ 1 hr wreath!

Enjoy!

Use it!

We went to the library for Pajamarama Storytime on Tuesday. While we were there a friend of mine ended up being there too. Her daughter was checking out tons of books. chapter books, that she will read by next week. And when I say tons it is probably like 15 or so, and the girl was only 10. Seriously! It was amazing. From her I learned that the cap on books you can check out at one time is 100. 100! Seriously! I am not utilizing the library properly! My other friend had a good stack of books and movies too!

I wish my family would have used the library more growing up. I probably would not have struggled with reading as much. Who knows. I hated it as a kid. I still have a hard time starting a book now. (I have had Hunger Games sitting in my kitchen since Thanksgiving I think. Sorry Jenni!) There is just a bad taste in my mouth for reading. I was in special classes, tried hooked on phonics, etc. It was not fun. It can be fun I just have to get into it. I have blogged about some of my favorite books before, (Shannon Hale=Awesome!) but I still have a hard time. That is why we are trying to use the library in our family on a regular basis so that some day my kids will be the one hitting the checkout cap at the library. Someday you will see me with my kids checking out 100 books. I hope so at least!

So you, even if you don't like reading, use the library. If all else fails, you can check out a movie.

Monday, Monday

I cannot help but think of Monday with out this song popping into my head. And now it will be there the rest of the day.

What is your Monday song?

Framed

(Imagine A picture of my family here.

I can't find one at the moment of just my siblings. Darn it!)

I grew up with 3 brothers and 2 sisters. There was bound to be fighting and breakage going on in the house. I mean, wait, we were the perfect children. We all sat down for dinner and loved every bite, we did our chores immediately when asked, we never talked back, seriously, we were perfect. Well, I was. I mean come on, little Cali, Number 5 of the 6. She could never do anything wrong. And I never did. I was always framed for it. Alright, I was not, and am not perfect, and I framed my siblings as well. It was never anything too bad, just the usual sibling stuff.

There was the one time where I called my mom a bad name because my brothers and sisters told me to do it and it was supposedly a nice word. Yeah, I had to wash my mouth out with soap for that one. That was the last time I trusted them. Well not really, I still trust them, but I can read and know how to use the dictionary now, so it is better.

There was the time my sister Tiffany fell down the stairs and broke her heal and she told my mom that my other sister Kacie pushed her. Kacie said her that she did not push Tiffany. So I guess Kacie was framed. (I am pretty sure Kacie has admitted the truth 15 years or so later. I am not sure though. She did push me and cause my wrist to be broken, so who knows. I do love her though. Really. We did not get along for a long time, and now we talk all the time. I love my sisters.)

We always cheated at card games. We always tried to frame each other for that as well. My Grandpa was the best at that though.

There were a few holes in the walls, I am sure there were broken dishes, candy stolen from moms secret stash that we were always trying to pin on each other, or the notorious empty Diet Coke Cans. Come on mom, don't you remember drinking that can? I bet it was Kacie! She is always drinking your Coke!

Seriously, we have all been framed at one point or another. Weather it be family, friends, your crazy neighbor, etc. It happens. I am just glad I can laugh about them.

What is the craziest, best, silliest, or aggravating thing you have been framed for? I would love to hear!

Rushed

It seems like I am always rushing. I am late to a lot of things. My daughter has been late to preschool both days this week, but hey, at least I picked her up on time. I rushed through the mall yesterday so my kids would not have to shop too long. I have rushed through Walmart so I could pick up my daughter from preschool on time. Rush here and there to get somewhere. But why do I do this to myself! Why is it so hard to do something slowly and right the first time so I don't have to return things I did not mean to buy, or so my kids can be on time to school/church/play dates on time! It just is hard though.

It is a hard habit to break!

It seams like by Christmas break I was getting a handle on the schedule of school and things, then we had a two week break and now I am starting back at square one! Seriously why is it so hard to wake up early when you don't have to be somewhere for a few weeks. Why is it so hard to get out of the house when you don't have anything planned. Seriously. It has thrown me off. Now I am at a new normal as well. I have new church responsibilities that have thrown my brain and focus on the fritz. Why do I do this to myself. I will never get more time, I just have to make something of the time I have. I have to set a new routine and stick to it!

Here is to getting back on track with the new year! Here is to new routines and time management! Good luck on your quest as it is surly a quest for me!