Dollar Store Bowls

Okay, so my previous post was about treasure hunting in dollar stores and the different things you can treasure hunt for.  You may recall, I found these great bowls for a dollar each and told you I would write a separate post on what we did to make them "our own".

I love love love the combination of turquoise and red together.  This is on topic.  Those of you know who know me are thinking..'Oh my gosh, she forgot what she was talking about again...BOWLS, Amy, BOWLS' - but this all comes together in the end.

Here are some examples of this magical color combination I found on Pinterest.

    

(If you would like to know what sites these pictures lead back to, I just searched "turquoise and red" on Pinterest.)

As I was saying...turquoise and red.  Right?!?  RIGHT?!  You can see my point!  So when I saw the beautiful turquoise of these dollar store bowls, it seemed a great option would be to pair them with red.  I simply asked each of the family members to draw their own version of a heart on each one with a Porcelaine China Paint Pen.  I followed the instructions on the paint pen: create, and bake (this, by the way, is the ONLY time I consider myself to put creating and baking together - I am not so much the cook.)

Here is what we came up with:  

(I can guess what you are thinking, but my husband actually considers "Darth" at the beginning of his name a compliment...)

I'm super happy with how individual each family member's heart came out.  They kind of make me think of the individual bowls Goldilocks may have picked up at the Three Bear's table - Papa Bear, Mama Bear, Big Sister Bear, and Little Sister Bear.   Except each one, in my eyes, is "just right".

And lastly, here's how they look on our open shelving:

Treasure Hunting

Since I was a little girl, I have fancied myself a pirate perpetually on a treasure hunt.  Living in the downtown district of my hometown, there were always thrift stores, yard sales, and a Factory 2-U (Oh, yes...Factory 2-U) available within walking distance.

There really is something so fun about going somewhere with $5 in your pocket and wading through cassette tapes, finished Highlights magazines, and cheap wicker baskets to peel back the funky sheets and find that perfectly glazed piece of pottery with a $2 price tag (and just enough room to hold your paintbrushes).  THE TREASURE!  (Is anyone else imagining hoisting it high as light beams and music radiate from it?)

Thrift stores and bargain bins are some of the fun, but it's also great to go to a dollar store on a lazy day and see what they have to offer.  Here are just a FEW of what I think are some pretty great things I have found at Dollar Stores:

So, recently I found some bowls at the "Dollar Tree" that caught my eye.  We needed new bowls, and the color is my favorite.  Of course, the price was right, so I picked them up:

Okay, I had intended to tell you what became of these turquoise beauties, but this blog is already pretty long, and if you're anything like me...you're bored now...so, I think I'll show you the simple thing we did to dress them up in another blog (if you're kind enough to be interested and return)!

Til' next time, folks!

Reason #2: How I Know I am Watching Too Much "Star Trek"

Reason #1: How I Know I am Watching Too Much "Star Trek"

Here is comic #1 illustrating how I know I am watching too much Star Trek.

I think only Trekkies will really appreciate this, so I hope those geeks Dan and Robbie are checking the blog.  If not, I am just amusing to myself, and that's never failed me before.

There will be more to come...  Oh yes, much more to come...

And, as a kindness to those of you unfamiliar with Star Trek...I give you the inspiration:

Cereal Necklaces

Sometimes the girls and I make cereal necklaces for breakfast or a snack. (Mmmm...breakfast jewelry..*droool*)  Do you guys remember candy necklaces?  Of course you do. This is a fun cereal version of the sugar filled candy necklaces we all remember and love.    

Cereal necklaces are just that.  I don't think a customary list of instructions and supplies is needed.  Just these few tips:

1.  Elastic string is best so the kiddies can pull the cereal to their mouths.
2.  The littler ones who lack the hand-eye coordination to put the string through the cereal will likely  need a blunt needle tied to one end to help them guide the string through.
3.  Tie a single cheerio (or other cereal) to the other end to stop the others from falling off.
4.  The necklace itself isn't enough to fill up a belly, so have a big glass of milk or some fruit on hand to supplement.

My next blog will be titled,  "How to Make Shoes From Bacon" - so you can be looking forward to that.

And now ve vill commence ze pictures:

(the star shaped cereal is the "Dora" cinnamon flavored cereal - I think it adds something extra)

(The above pictures were taken with my film camera.  Laura says it is expired film.  Kinda neat.)  

 (They're even pretty when they're stuffing their mouths!) 

Unprepared...

I've never considered myself one of the more "prepared" parents.

In my personal experience - one day I was staring at a little white stick, trying not to touch the wet end, shrugging and saying, "All right, let's do this thing." And, the next thing I know, I am holding a child in my arms, thinking, 'Oh, that's what all the fuss is about,' as I gently blow on her face to rouse her from her sleep to keep me company.

It is nine years later and most days I still feel like motherhood just mostly "happens" to me.  And, I (with my husband) do our best and pray God will take care of the rest.

Even so, I've never really considered myself at a disadvantage from any of the more "prepared" moms.  I think it becomes apparent early on, that no matter how many parenting books you read...or how much money you spend on Baby Einstein videos...no matter how big your box of "someday baby" clothes is...or how many years you waited until the timing was "just right"...

You can never be prepared for the day you say:

"Are you fanning yourself with your pizza!?"

A Working Class Hero is Somethin' To Be

The girls and I have been very sick lately.

I mean, like...couch-ridden-Star-Trek-marathonin-sauntering-about-in-a-moo moo-and-Perry-the-Platypus-slippers-no-clean-laundry-no-clean-dishes-same-peanut-butter-jar-left-open-on-the-counter-for-four-days-S-I-C-K.  Sick.

The combination of being on the couch with nuthin' much to do and adoring Robert as he sweetly brought home dinner to his sick family each night (after an already long day at work) inspired me to make this very amateur comic for him.  Enjoy.