Knot No-Hem Shorts

The Crafty Critique has this super cute tutorial for Knot No-Hem shorts and I couldn't wait to make a pair for my darling daughter. There is always a stack of jeans in her drawer that are too short, but fit fine at the waist. I tell her that I'm going to stop feeding her vegetables so she'll stop growing (and stay my baby girl forever!) - but she insists that won't work. She is so smart. {smile} And how cute are these shorts anyway with a band of fabric - any color you want - to accessorize the edge?

This would also be helpful for those {raunchy} shorts that are so popular. You know the ones. They are missing legs. Obviously this is a rough time with our economy (and over in China where all our clothing is made) when they can't afford to put legs on the shorts. Now you can just add a band of super cute fabric and make them a proper length.

So here is the finished product - what do you think (don't mind the horrible lighting)? Are you going to make some for your daughter? I know she'd love them!! They took less than 30 minutes - and that included my daughter choosing the fabric. :)

2012 Summer Bucket List

Do you have a summer bucket list created yet? Do you know what this is? It is a list of things (some big and some smaller) that you would like to do over the summer break with your family. This is a great way to make sure summer doesn't slip by too quickly. Remember, we are building memories that will be treasured for a lifetime (even after we are gone). Get out a pencil and paper and jot down some ideas (and have your kids help brainstorm) that you would like to add to this summer's adventure. Then take some  time to turn these ideas into a *work of art* to hang in your kitchen. This way you can refer to it often - like when the kids are declaring they are *bored*.

My darling daughter and I have been working on ours. Here is a glimpse into our bucket:

• Camping (back yard and state park)
• Catching fireflies
• Visiting Conner Prairie and going up in their balloon
• Attending an outdoor concert
• Memorize Scripture
• Play in the sprinkler
• Paint rocks
• Attend VBS and invite friends and neighbors
• Learn about a new missionary
• Go fishing
• Have a new family over for a cookout
• Swim as much as we can
• Lay out on a blanket and look for shapes in the clouds
• Play with playdoh
• Spend time on the canoe and paddle boat
• Make a *passport booklet* for the local parks we plan on visiting
• Summer Reading program through our library

Do you create a bucket list with your family? If so, what fun and interesting things are on your list this year?

 

 

 

Healthy Eating

I recently watched the documentaries, King Corn and Forks Over Knives. My conscience has been pricked. I am becoming more and more aware (especially as I have experiences pain in my own body from the foods I eat) of the fact that our bodies truly are impacted by the foods we choose (yes it is a choice here in America) to eat. I am not able to become a vegan. I enjoy a good steak or chicken on the barbie too much for that sort of drastic change (although I said that once about dairy and now I am dairy free....). But, I would like to remove as much processed food as we can from our diets and incorporate as many fruits and veggies.


I want to teach my daughters to love the food that God created. I *love* to see how excited our 6 year old is about my husband's vegetable garden (I say that it is his because I don't want to claim any credit for his hard work). I loved picking strawberries from the local UPick garden this spring and then making our own freezer jam and being able to thank God (with my daughters) for the perfect strawberry growing weather we have been blessed with this year.


I also want to help train my daughter's taste palettes to love fresh veggies and fruits. I don't want them to think they need to drown food in salt, fat and sugar in order to make it taste good. This is a big problem in our country! We want food to taste super salty, sinfully rich, or lockjaw sweet - and we are teaching our kids to only like food that has this strong flavor. This is one reason for the drastic increase in childhood obesity.

Summer is upon us and the hot 90 degree days are perfect for a yummy frozen treat! How about frozen bananas (and/or other fruit) that are whipped up like soft serve ice cream? How yummy does that sound? This is a great way to eliminate the sugar loaded, high fructose containing creamy dessert from your kids' diet (or at least cutting way down) and include more fruits that are loaded with Vitamins and Minerals they actually need to be healthy.


Introducing..... Yonanas Ice Cream Treat Maker

I cannot wait to get my own Yonanas Ice Cream Treat Maker

The Best Plum

A friend gave this to me and I just had to share. I am not sure who the original author is (definitely not me), but the message is so powerful that I hope you are encouraged as well.

Photo Credit

The Best Plum

You should learn that you cannot be loved by all people:

You can be the finest plum in the world,

Ripe - juicy - succulent

And offer yourself to all,

But you must remember there will be people

who do not like plums.

You must understand that if you are the World's Finest Plum

And someone you like does not like plums,

You have a choice of becoming a banana.

But you must be warned that if you choose to become a banana,

You will be a second-rate banana.

But you can always be the best plum.

You must realize that if you choose

to be a second-rate banana,

You must remember that

there will be people who do not like bananas.

Futhermore, you can spend your life

trying to become the best banana

(which is impossible if you are a plum)

OR, you can seek again to be the BEST PLUM!!!

Thinking about what to get your darling Mother for the upcoming holiday? Here are a few of my unique suggestions.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Stumped about what to get your Mom, the woman who wiped your poopy butt and runny nose for so many years and still loved you? You want to make her feel special and want her to know how much you love, appreciate and respect her, but she seems to have everything, right? I know the feeling. So here are some ideas for your Mom that are different than the standard flower flat and card. She may appreciate the added thoughtfulness of a unique present this year.

 

Gadget Lover: Kindle Fire  - This is a fantastic gift idea! My own mother did just get one and she loves it. She can carry around several different books with her to work and doctor appointments. She can use it all over the house for reading and checking email. She can even watch a movie on Netflix!







If your Mom already has a Kindle Fire - maybe she'd like to
have a Kindle Fire Genuine Leather Cover to protect it?






Outdoor Enthusiast: I think this is a delightful idea! This hanging bird bath - First Nature 3004 Globe Style Bird Bath and Waterer - looks awesome. Since I am a cat owner (well, I think my cat is of the opinion that she owns me), I dread having birds bathing too close to the ground. But now if this was up in the tree, they could enjoy a bath and I will enjoy watching them. Wait, does that make me a little freaky because I want to watch the birds take a bath? Lol!







Book Lover: If your Mom loves books and loves to learn new things (especially if it grows her love for God's Word), this may be a fascinating book: Most Misused Verses in the Bible, The: Surprising Ways God's Word Is Misunderstood. It releases on May 1st, so I have not had a chance to review it myself (I think it sounds intriguing!!).

The Home Baking, Cook-off Queen: I LOVE poached eggs on toast and I think the Back to Basics Toaster and Egg Poacher looks FABULOUS!! You can set it for just toast, just an egg (or other pre-cooked meat like ham) or both!





I saw this on another email and just had to pass it along. Not sure what sort of Mom this would be a great idea for - but if maybe YOUR Mom is a taser packing Mama and she'd like to have one in pink? My Mom would be very confused if I bought this for her, but I have an Aunt who would think it was awesome! lol!  Safe. Easy. Perfect for Mom.



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