So “our Juli” mentioned to me recently that she’d like to see-well, anything-on my blog. Haha, I guess it is time I did something. I have lots of project info. to share soon, but just can’t seem to get around to blogging about it before I am entrenched in the next project. In the meantime, I took this video the other morning at Megan’s insistence. It shows one of the main (and most pleasant) contributors to our long and inefficient morning routine. Enjoy my crazy cute girlies:
I know I have been MIA lately. I’ll figure something out soon. 
In the meantime, head to http://www.swingsetsonline.com/backyard-ideas/backyard-blog/playsets/January%202012/Double_the_Prize_Double_the_Fun_Sweepstakes to enter for some serious summer fun! Check out what they are offering two winners:
and
So, I am really lagging behind on Christmas prep; but I figured I’d share just in case you are looking for a last-minute friend gift for your kids or even just a fun activity. We made four batches of the recipe below, 2 red and 2 white and layered them into 9 pint mason jars.
1. Heat water to boiling in a medium saucepan.
2. Measure a generous 3 1/2 cups flour into a medium-large mixing bowl (one that holds at least 8 cups.) Reserve extra to add if the dough is too sticky. Mix in the salt and cream of tartar.
3. Once the water is boiling, whisk in the oil and food coloring. Remove from heat and add peppermint extract. Remember that it will smell strong now, but will be diluted greatly once mixed with the flour.
4. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour the water mixture in. Stir with a spoon until flour is incorporated, then turn it onto the counter or a cutting board and knead until smooth.
5. Layer each color in mason jar, pressing down gently (You don’t want to smash them together too much, so they are easy to separate and play with.)
6. Print tags below and attach with twine, yarn, or ribbon.
Here is a pdf: candy cane tag 2
Merry Christmas you guys! I wish you a quick finish on your projects and to get to bed before midnight on Saturday! Keers
While I have been slaving away like a crazy little elf; we have also been up to a lot of fun things in these past few weeks. I figured I’d share some pics of the gingerbread houses we made last night. (Actually, there were requests to share for Grandma Lu and Harrison–2 very important people. ) So without further ado:
Meg’s masterpiece: full of things that she didn’t really want on there. (She says as she eats them.)
Emily’s house: winner in the heavy- weight division.
Amanda’s decor was a little more spartan. She stopped decorating as soon as she realized she could eat the candy.
Mom and Dad had fun too. Check Mike’s creative roof and frosting trees. Mmmm, delicious Christmas fun.
Backyard Discovery is giving away an Oxford Playset and Cedar Chateau Playhouse for the holidays. Can you imagine the look on your kids face when they saw that in the backyard? It would be incredible! Just head over to Backyard Discovery on Facebook and like them to enter.
I have been daydreaming about the Silhouette Cameo for a while and was super excited to see the big crafting blogs offer a special black Friday deal for the Cameo. I almost bought one at 12:01 last night, but this morning Mike sent me a link to Amazon, where the Cameo is selling for $249, PLUS no shipping and no sales tax. I thought it was worth passing along.
…you know, just in case you are pining away like me.
I am over at Whatever DeeDee Wants today sharing some ideas for creating a fun and inexpensive centerpieces for your table. Check the options then come on over and see how to put it together:
(Seriously, easy and on the cheap, ladies!)
If you want to put those kiddos to work, here is a tutorial for making paper turkey place holders.
I am a little late, but wanted to post some pictures from Halloween. I have been neglecting my blog for several projects (and lots of elf work on the doll house we are putting together for the girls for Christmas-yay! I am taking pics to post tutorials for any of you crazies that might want to make doll furniture-the things we do!) Anyhow, we had so much fun, I had to share. This year I even got into the fun and put my hair up into a big bouffant. The girls couldn’t stop cracking up when they saw me. I loved it!
My little princess. She is so in love with her dress. She requested “special princess hair” Um???? This is what I came up with and she was thrilled with it. I love how she gets all quiet and demure when she is happy about something like that. So cute.
Emily was equally stoked about her flamingo costume. She looked so stinkin’ cute! I wish I had taken more pics. The back was hilarious with it’s little drape of tail feathers by the bum.
…and my little candy corn witch. What can I say? This girl just kills me! Don’t you want to hug her after seeing this?
Emily has been asking to make mosaic votives like the ones we did at Christmas time. I thought that they would be an excellent addition to our Halloween decor; and after some procrastination we finally got around to making some. The girls loved this activity and it is so easy and relatively low mess, it’s perfect for after school or for a long weekend like we are starting tomorrow. Really, I don’t know what I was waiting for.
clear votive candle holder (Or re-use small canning jars as we did. We loved how the rounded 1/2 pint jars looked. I think something big like a pickle jar would also be great.)
tissue paper
mod podge ( I recommend the gloss finish) thinned white glue will also work in a pinch
scissors
paint brush
1. Lightly sketch your design onto the tissue paper if needed. Cut out the pieces, I used strips to give it a pumpkin-y feel; the girls preferred more of a mosaic technique.
3. Brush a thin coat of mod podge onto an area. It dries fairly quickly, so it is best to just coat a few inches, apply tissue, then move to the next section. It is alright if it gets a few wrinkles and uneven spots. This will give the design more character. Slick a little more mod podge over the tissue paper to adhere it to the glass.
4. Work your way around the entire exterior, covering all of the glass with a final coat to seal. If there are areas where there is a ridge or bead of mod podge, smooth out with the brush so that everything is even and flat along the glass.
Once it is completely dry, place a candle in your new holder and arrange on the table or line your spooky sidewalk with pumpkin luminaries. I recommend LCD votives – not only are they safer for little hands; but if you turned the glass upside down, you will need them as there isn’t enough O2 for a candle. Enjoy!
Last week was spirit week at the girls’ school and I have to admit that crazy hair day is something we all really look forward to. This year the girls wanted big bouffants. They are in love with the book Big Bouffant and were convinced it was the perfect style. I spent the night before watching youtube videos and then scheming ways to do it with less work. This is what we ended up with (possibly a little less pretty than a real 60′s beehive, but it only took about 20 min. to accomplish and the girls were thrilled. I thought it was pretty darn fun too. )
Emily with her petit bouffant (I think it looks like Suess hair)
Meg with la grande bouffant. It was pretty darn impressive in person.
…and Amanda sporting her daily occurring crazy hair–post nap hair. She manages to pull it off though.
