Simple Santas

This was absolutely the simplest of crafts.  I have needed more boxes for bathtub shelves  lately (thank goodness!)  so we have had plenty of them at the day care to play in.  When I box up a shelf I have to completely man-handle the box, cut it and make it fit because our shelves are made to order. 

That being said I had quite a bit of scrap cardboard.  So I cut a simple oval-ish piece for both kids for Santa's face.  Then I cut out the hat for them from red construction paper and tore strips of newspaper for the beard.  The boys suggested the crayons on their own.  So they used glue sticks and colored and pasted.  I think they turned out great.

I love these.  They are so simple and require very little yet filled the spot called "craft time" in our day.  I get some of the sweetest pictures of these kids.  This one is one of my favorites.

Even though I can't have children of my own, I have been blessed and am continuing to be blessed by the children in my life. 


there... i said it.

The Dirty Dirty Part 3

Among several spots in our home that need a good cleaning out, this is the third one that I am sharing with you!  Let me tell ya, it's not easy to show the world what a slob I can be.  But I am playing "show and tell" as a sort of incentive for myself to get it done and also for you.  Maybe you have an area that needs straightening, a "catch-all" spot... don't you?

Well, also,  the end of the year is coming and I am particularly funny about taking un-necessary dirt and clutter into the new year.  In fact, I once read in a Feng Shui book that you need to sweep out all the old dirt,  from the previous year, right out the door.  I got what they meant and every year I begin to do weird stuff the last few weeks of the year.

Here is the tacky spot in my home that I tackled today.  The linen closet in my hall.  I have a thing for vintage sheets but I use the softest of soft flannel sheets during the winter and from about October until March that is what we use.  So what's the point of keeping them in this tiny spot when they can be bagged up for a few months?  I wound up keeping two sets down and a spare set for the guest bedroom.  Just in case they aren't fond of the flannel sheets for that room.  Mostly, the towels needed to be sorted, refolded and put in their correct spaces and everything else for that matter.  All in all this re-do took about twelve minutes.  And that is just silly because I have been putting it off for months. 

Before... not terrible but needs help.

 Flat sheets in with the towels??? Have I gone MAD???

 What a lazy slob.  This is how I kick myself when I look at these pictures.

Why is my Fourth of July flag even in there???

 Spread it all out to decide what goes in the attic and what stays.

 Stored extra pillows up top instead of on the floor.

Flannels on the right, looking forward to warmer weather on the left.

Gosh I love that old poppies flat sheet.  I want a dress made out of it.

 Refolded and refluffed.

I use the ones on the right, Shaun likes the ones on the left. 

We are quirky about the wash cloths too.

 I am beginning to be able to breathe again.

The fan stays.  It is still needed in the kitchen at times.

 And as for you vintage pillowcases... this doesn't mean Mommy doesn't love you.

See you in the Spring!

Little Treats

Listen up y'all.  I am serious when I say that I am sharing this recipe for your own good.  It is so easy and sinful.. I mean delightful.  There are only three ingredients to this treat.  I only allow myself to make no more than a dozen, ok eighteen, or so, at a time because I will literally each all of them if I'm not careful. 

All you need is a bag of pretzels (not the stick kind), a bag of Rolos and some pecan halves.

I am suddenly wondering if I have posted this before.  I was probably hoggish last Christmas and didn't want to share.  Which generally happens when I make these. 

Lay out 12 or so pretzels on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.  Next unwrap 12 or so Rolos.  Enough to cover one Rolo per Pretzel.  Pop your pan into your preheated to 350 degrees oven for three minutes.  After three minutes, take them out and gently press a pecan half on each melty Rolo. 

You're gonna feel so hoggish over these that you'll be rootin' out from under the door!

I wish I had taken a picture of the results on a pretty Christmas plate but truth be known they didn't last that long.  I picked this recipe up from the Hugh McFartin' show last year during the recipe portion of the program that his wife does.  She talks so fast I had to run get a pencil to write it down before I forgot.  With so many ingredients and all.

Christmas Tree Suncatchers

Y'all... I came up with this one all by myself!  I promise.  This morning when I was cutting out big Christmas trees for the kids to glue paper cut out ornaments on, I said "wouldn't it be neat if you could see light through these?"  And one thing led to another and before you know it, there was one hanging in the kitchen window.  You can do these with children or by yourself.  Either way... you're going to stand back and say "that is so cute."


And now.. I will silently work my magic.

Isn't that just precious?   I am sure they would look equally as pretty on the Christmas tree itself with the lights shining through.  Thanks for playing!