Flower Fun

Do you sometimes feel like you spent to whole day being buzy but not getting anything done? That's how the last week or so has been. I spent every night last week doing some kind of sports activity. My hubby went on a golfing trip out of town for the weekend. Had a back spasm on Sunday morning.....ouch. So, cleaning up after thing one and thing two (that's my kiddos by the way) has been a tad more difficult. I did manage to make these fabric flowers because crafting keeps me sane. They were super easy and surprisingly quick to make. I just cut circles, layered them and tacked them down with a needle and thread. Here is a link to a tutorial that used Pretty Fabric Flowers

The rick rack one took a little more time...but I think it's super cute! Here is a link to the ric rac flower tutorial Ric Rac Flowers

We had some family potratits done last night so I actually did my hair and makeup...so I had to take some pictures of myself. In the bathroom mirror of course.

I clean up pretty nice I think. I even got some compliments about my hair and makeup from my five year old son!

Gotta another buzy week ahead. Toliet is broke, dryer is broke, car needs an oil change, and I need to pack for our week long trip to Pennsylvania amoung other things. Hope you are having a great week!

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Vacationing with the Whole Gang

In less than 2 weeks my family will be traveling to the Poconos in Pennsylvania to meet up with my parents, my husbands parents, and brother and sister in law with their 3 boys.... plus throw a few cousins in there. The drive is going to take approximately 17 hours....which I am a little scared of. I plan on making some activity bags, having lots of snacks, and loading up on the DVDs and DS games. My kids are actually pretty good travelers, however  I am little concerned about shear amount of miles we will be embarking on.

Most of all I am concerned about the actual vacation...as in us all getting along and most importantly having a blast once we get there. I found a great article on the Real Simple Blog by Erin Kane one of the Manic Mommies from the Manic Mommies Podcast. Check out Manic Mommies Website They are hilarious ...it's like hanging out with your best girlfriends when you listen to them. They offer some great tips for working Moms.

Here is the link Tips for Vacationing with the Extended Family

Here are some highlights and what I plan on using....By the way we are staying at a resort that has condos so we have a kitchen and laundry available. I am spoiled I don't think I would vacation without with a family :)

1. Create a house fund: Use a combined fund to pay for household items that will be used by everyone during the week. Use to pay for toilet paper, paper towels, water, pop, juice, milk, snacks, and other items to be used by all.

2. Designate at least one Quiet Room: Have a room set off where people can escape the noise and chaos. This is especially important for us since one of my nephews is autistic

3. Account for Different Schedules: Babies are up early while others like to sleep in.

4. Give the Moms and Dads a break: One of the great things about traveling with a group is that there is an opportunity to escape...even if it's just for afternoon of golfing for the guys or shopping for the gals. The ladies on this trip are planning a trip to New York City. This will be my first visit and I am super excited to see it.

5. Have a Basic Meal Plan for Dinners: This is one of my own...well I kind of I got the idea from a friend. Pick a night for each family to prepare a meal or pay for a dinner out. You could do Taco Tuesday, make your own pizzas, or cook your best dish everyone raves about.

Do you have any tips/ideas for vacationing with your extended family?

In Remembrance

My Husbands grandma passed away last week. She was a great lady....she broke the mold, so they say. She always had homemade goodies for us like cookies, pasties, pickles, pies and tea. If you had a favorite pie or cookie she would make it special just for you. My favorite was her banana cream pie and pasties. If you have never had a pasty from the U.P. (Upper Penisulla of Michigan) you are missing out. It's similar to a pot pie filled with beef and veggies and she made the best.

She was born and raised in Oklahoma and moved the U.P. when she married her husband. I admire her independence, that is a long way to move from her Oklahoma family. But she never lost her Okie accent and her roots in the cold long northern winters. She loved her family more than anything and lived to make them happy. She maintained her independence up until the day of her passing, she was 86 years young.  

 In her honor I made up some sweet tea today. If you have never made it is super easy. Just take a jug and fill it with water and 5 or 6 tea bags depending on how strong you want it. Set it in the sun for a few hours.  If you like your tea sweet just add some simple syrup. Take 2 parts sugar with one part water, bring it to a boil and let it cool. You can add it by the glass or sweeten up a whole jug

Some of Grandma's Tea Jugs

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She also was very talented at embroidery. She spent hours keeping herself buzy by making pillowcases, tablecloths, towels, and table runners. Her are some pictures of some of the items I am lucky enough to own.

I passed some of the time in the car making knitted dishcloths just like she used to make.

While the Kids are Away.....

I was stuck working the weekend. So, the kiddos headed up North with my Hubby and got to spend some time alone. Which is a great thing for a little while at least. I kept myself pretty buzy so I haven't really had time to sulk too much about missing out on all the summer fun in the U.P. ( Upper Peninsula of Michigan for you non-Michiganders)

I did a little organizing in my Craft Room/Mom Cave

Fabric and yarn organize in hanging closet organizers that I got from a friend for free.....brilliant :)

Decided to do a little furniture painting.....cuz anyone with little kids knows you can't paint without getting "help" from them.

I used some primer and some paint that we had around from when moved in and painted. Picked two pieces to do.

My little sewing machine table that I got from my Mom that she got from a school auction. It used to be in the Home Education room where I went to high school.

 My goodwill bookshelf. I think I paid 2 bucks for.

I used a blue called Caribbean Breeze. I think it turned out very Shabby Chic with the primer underneath...no need for a second coat. Not exactly sure where I am going to put this but I will post pictures later.