Dollar Store Challenge....a little late

An old yard sale chair finds it's home under our tree, next to the garden. I love to find old chairs at yard sales.

A few weeks ago, I joined a dollar store challenge. Like most weeks of mine, it took an un-expected turn and I never got it posted. I thought my dollar store challenge idea really turned out kind of dumb. HOWEVER...my daughter liked it.

Her plan, to attach a magnet onto the back, find some cute push pins (we can make them cute) and use them for her locker next year at school. OKAY....that's an idea. She has to give simple gifts to the other cheerleaders at one point this summer, and thinks that this might be an idea.

This might be an idea for Young Women's, Activity Days, or any youth group activity.

The cork board comes in a pkg. of 4. They are approx. 4 1/2" square.

Mod podge the cork board.

Add the pre-cut scrapbook paper, embelish, and mod podge over the paper and embelishments.

Simple-cheap. Just how we like it. It works for a teenage girl.

Put this on a pillow: The world isn't so big that you do not make a difference just by living your life.

Remembering those we love....

And spending a fun day with the ones that still fill our days with memories.

Every girl needs a Raggady Ann

Sweet baby

Others stopped by, remembering this little girl that touched our hearts and lives.

And so....We decided to ride our bikes into a neighboring town just north-east of our home. The plan...to stop at A&W for a rootbeer freeze.

And we're off! Round trip = 15 miles. AUGH!!!!!

We're sticking together. Nobody has ditched their very slow mother

We trudged UP-HILL most of the way there. I was exausted. (note: I'm the only one that has no exercise/move your body routine)
FINALLY....We arrive at A&W. Since I don't like ice cream, I enjoyed just a little and passed it off to my daughter. Was okay about that. I didn't want to loose all those calories I just burned off.

On our way back, the cows were cheering us on!!!


Just as the Primary/Childrens song says:

"I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world. Heavenly Father created for me."

OKAY...I have to be completely honest. My husband, feeling bad for me zipped home ahead of me, got the truck and came back to pick me up! I only went 11 miles. HAHAHAHA
Be it known though....I was not complaining!!! Maybe it was the sweat dripping from my face, and the look of "I'M GOING TO DIE" that let him know I was on my last leg


Put this on a pillow: Families are Forever (thank heavens)

***Domestic Fashionista is having a 100 post giveaway!!!!! Her blog is great!***

Least Favorite Question

They say (who is they?) that there are no dumb questions. WELL, I BEG TO DIFFER!!!!

This is definitely my worse, despised, send shivers up my spine question...

I can have walked through the door and with no hello, how are you... I get asked,

"What's for Dinner?."

JUST VENTING!!!!!

TONIGHT...PIZZA! Like it or not. I've got laundry :)

Put this on a pillow: Burnt toast is actually fairly symbolic to motherhood. If you're the one who burned the toast, you scrape it off and eat it yourself. If they burned it, you eat it because they burned it specially for you ~EmilyWatts

I used to have a purple door. YEP...you heard it, purple. My sister seriously made fun of it. Not in a nice way either. Last year it was painted red. Which changed everything for the front porch decor.
I don't care so much about the front porch during the winter months. But SUMMER.... It's heaven to me. And I want the front porch to say...

"Hello, come on in!"

In the corner, a vintage red childs folding chair. It has a twin and a small card table to go with it. FUNNY...how it's "vintage." It was once my husbands. HAHAHA Made the pillow a few months ago for my kitchen. Moved it out to the front porch. Flowers guaranteed not to die.

All the pots were spray painted with Krylon paint / Celery.

Found a great yellow bird house 50% off at a boutique on Federal Ave. I would have never paid full price. But felt okey doke about it at this price.
Who lives at this house? Whoever it is, their last name must begin with an R.

Purchased the R at HOBBY LOBBY, and covered with some funky fun scrapbook paper. JUST like the rest of you groovy ladies do.

So much more to do and add. But it's a start!!

Enjoy everything sunshine and summer you can. Before we know it.....We'll be wishing for the sunshine and summertime.

Put this on a pillow: A true friend is someone who is there for you when he'd rather be anywhere else.

Here's an Idea....

Here's an idea for Young Women's or a youth group.

This Tie Dye kit is $10.00 at Walmart.

These cute girls got together Saturday night at our house and went tie dye crazy.

My daughter told her YW class about it on Sunday and they are doing this for their Wednesday night activity.

Head to toe tie dye.

I've been trying to think of something clever to tie dye myself. It looked like so much fun. Except less giggling, dancing, cheerleading and talk with my project.

OKAY...maybe alot of talking.

NOTE: I've BEEN TRYING TO LEAVE COMMENTS AT YOUR WONDERFUL BLOGS THIS MORNING, AND BLOGGER WON'T LET ME!!!! I SURE HOPE THIS IS FIXED SOON!!

Put this on a pillow: Learn something new and then teach it to someone else. You will both have something new and interesting to talk about.

Do you have a quiet place? A place that settles you? Maybe quiets your worries?

This is my quiet place.

This summer she would be 4. As I cleaned up her garden from the winter I thought "What would a four year old little girl want in her garden?"

Pink heart. Little tennis shoes. A tricyle for playing

Pink, yellow and green birdhouse for pretending and day dreaming.

Every little girl loves a tea party. More pink for a 4 year old girl.

a friendly bird to sing her sweet songs.

I then filled in the bare spots with snapdraggens, zinias and bright happy flowers. And as always look forward to the next few weeks as it brightens up. It's a good spot for me to stare, think, reflect, and realize how blessed I really am.

Put this on a pillow: Be still and know that I am God.

Saturday any one? YARD SALES....

HELLO!!! I could feel that I was going to be seeing airplanes falling from the sky again. SO...I took a deep breath and slowed down a bit. A BIT I might say. I guess, I just let things go that I could. I'm looking forward to visiting all the blogs I've missed, and and get some GREAT ideas, be inspired, laugh, and just relax with everyone!!

I took a couple hours this morning to go yard selling! It wasn't a big yard sale day. But I'm going to share 3 things that made me glad for yard sales!

This great twig basket was a D-E-A-L ! (It's about 2 1/2' tall) 10 cents. YEP...a dime. Brought it home then cute daughter planted some annuals in it. I added an old wooden heart to the front and plopped it in a flower garden.


Rooster and hen salt and pepper shakers. They were a buck. I really didn't even want to pay that much, but liked them enough to bite the bullet (ha-ha).

$2.00

Need I say more?!!!! (HAND DONE)

Finished up the morning stopping by our favorite bakery for brownies and cookies bigger than your hand!! We can cut these puppies in fourths or sixths and everyone gets enough.

I've enjoyed the day in the yard and being with my family! Took some fun pictures of my favorite spots. How about you? How was your Saturday?

Put this on a pillow: Getting back on the right track usually involves getting out of a rut. (I think I was definitely in a rut)

I posted awhile back about my cheap tissue poppies that sit on my kitchen window seal. (see hear if you want to be dazzled)

Well, I found some vintage patterns at the local DI (thrift store) They were a quarter a piece. I had to smile at the patterns I picked up because, they were patterns my mom had when I was a small girl.

Hmmmm...... It's a sad day when you suddenly realize you're vintage.

Also found a cute "Ballerina" pitcher from the Antiques and Collectibles store. They really are cute. I don't think the picture gives them justice though.

I do think I could win the "UGLIEST TABLE" award. SOMEDAY....I will get a new table. But for now, I'll enjoy how it wiggles back and forth while we cut our meat. And when we move it, a leg falls off. I'm just glad I have a table :)

Put this on a pillow: You decide your own direction, so make your journey one you'd want to read about.

Sunday was WONDERFUL

Sure hope everyone enjoyed their Sunday. I know I did. The whole day was great, but the best part of the day was about 6:20 p.m. when we got a phone call from this handsome fellow.

I lived for this moment. Thank heavens I'm married to a pack rat. We have a few old phones on hand. Hooked them up, and everyone was able to participate in the conversation at the same time. It was an absolute treat to have 3 of my 4 children talking on the phone. I have a sinking feeling that the 4th child was with us to. It was a good time! Our next scheduled phone call is Christmas day.

My cute family gave me the bike of my dreams. Love the basket, which will come in handy as I zip around my little community taking care of my church assignments. It couldn't come at a better time. Today I start what we are calling "Healthapalooza". My entire family, sisters, parents, nieces, nephews, in laws, are getting in shape.

LOVE THIS BIKE!

Took the bike for a little spin with my daughter.

She wore these.

We're a bit goofy.

A thought for women....

Put this on a pillow: There is something about spirituality that is central to the life of a woman. Not the kind of spirituality that only takes you to church on Sunday. I am talking about the kind of spirituality that makes you behave like a child of God. ~Marjorie Pay Hinckley

SMALLVILLE...

SMALLVILLE

I LOVE this show!! My husband started watching it years ago, I made fun of it and him for watching it. AUGH! What was I thinking? THEN, my kids borrowed a few of the first series from their friends about 4 years ago, and I WAS HOOKED! I SERIOUSLY THINK I'M THE BIGGEST FAN.

TONIGHTS episode? Did anyone watch? What did you think? I don't know but, that Tess drives me nuts! Sometimes I wish she wasn't part of the story line. I would be fine with more Lonna Lang then her. And that says alot since, I was really tired of her.

BUT here's the big questions.... isn't this the final season? SO...when they said that next week was the SEASON FINALE, what does that make you think? Is it coming back next year? AND WHEN WILL CLARK FLY???? I've been waiting now for two seasons.

Chloe, my favorite woman in the show. Always has been always will be. There should be a Chloe and Clark. Not Lois and Clark. And so help me, if she dies.... I'm pretty sure I'll shed real tears.

The end. And I can't think of a better way to end.

Collecting Something Besides Dust...

What do you collect, besides dust? (note, I'm speaking for myself. If you randomly stopped by my house, you might really think that's exactly what I collect.)

I enjoy old salt and pepper shakers.

These sat on my grandma and grandpas table. My grandparents have been gone for years, but I remember these vividly. I can still see my grandpa salt and pepper his eggs and toast. (I'm trying them out here for awhile. Lucky deal, the sconce was a $1.00 at the DI. All I had to do was spray paint it white. And the floating shelf I picked up on my way home from BYU last Saturday at Target for $2.84)

Pucker UP!!

Once my mother in-laws. They are so adorable.


My theory, "IF YOU WAIT, THEY WILL GET MARKED DOWN. If someone else get's them first, they just weren't meant to be. Or maybe you just saved yourself a couple bucks."

Stopped by the "Antiques and Collectibles" yesterday. I've been watching these go down for months now.

Yesterday was the big day. They went from $19.00 to $2.95 for the WHOLE SET!! I told the employee while checking out, I felt kind of bad for the antique dealer. She just brushed it off and said "Oh, Don't." Hmmmm...... OKAY!

Put this on a pillow: Live and work but do not forget to play, to have fun in life and really enjoy it. ~Susan Hayword

Country Living

While flipping through my new issue of Country Living Magazine that came in the mail today, I WAS STOPPED IN MY TRACKS. LET ME EXPLAIN.....

Last month cute daughter tried out for cheerleader. We had to make a very large 6' x 6' poster. We made it bright, sunshiny, outdoor type. At the bottom we had a flower garden of large tissue paper flowers. I had to google the instructions and they turned out to be a lot of fun to make and really, really darling.

I liked them so much I downscaled them and made some for my kitchen window. (Oh, Oprah and Martha would be so ashamed. They have no idea what they're missing do they?) I liked them, but thought maybe everyone would think they are a little tacky so kept them to myself.

They remind me of poppies.

LOOK.... Page 76 of Country Living Magazine, bottom of the page.

TISSUE FLOWERS! (tacky or not) HOLY TOLEDO.

Look how adorable they are. Made from vintage patterns. OH MY WORD... I'll be stopping by the DI (thrift store) tomorrow to pick me up some vintage patterns.

Put this on a pillow: To thine own self be true. (tacky or not,hu?)

I Joined...

While visiting The Polka Dot Daisy, I read of a challenge that was issued at Family of Shorts. She is hosting a Home Redo - One Room at a Time. Not wanting to add more to my plate, I signed on. HAHAHAHA. The challenge this month is the Living Room. Okay, I do think my Living Room could use some help. We are to post pictures of the room and then at the end of the month post the makeover pictures.

This might be tricky. I don't have a budget. I can't purchase new furniture, I just plum don't want to spend a whole lot of $$$ doing this. SO...any suggestions would be grand. (Maybe Oprah could send Nate my way, and surprise me with a living room makeover)

Fireplace

Alot going on here. I need to organize it a bit more.

Dated flowers above the mirror.

I like the mirror. It has a small lip on it to display different items. Not thinking the flowers are all that groovy.

The picture over the piano is to small.

Mirror and sconces, hmmmm.....

I need to brighten this room up a bit. Paint would do it a world of good. But with the dark couches, I don't know what color to paint with!!!!! We'll see what happens. Like I said, I love ideas. Send them my way.

Put this on a pillow: Walk towards the sunshine, and the shadows will fall behind you.