it's o.k. to blog about coffee

Sometimes it takes nothing more than a coffee drink to make my day a little sunshiny-er. I've gotten the same drink at Starbucks since the beginning of time. Starbucks is by no means my favorite place to enjoy coffee... but certainly the most convenient.  I usually try to support locally owned businesses instead of chain places, but there are those days... ya know? So Starbucks was o.k. for today. And, after all these years, I've finally mastered properly ordering my favorite Starbucks treat.  A kind employee recently told me that the little markings on the side of the cup are the way they keep up with what you order.  So... if you order a caramel latte with ice and soy milk they look at you like they have no idea what you just said. BUT if you say, "double tall iced caramel soy latte," they get it... like you said it in plain english and everything. Sometimes I even add little things to my drink to see how long the name can possibly be... like a "skinny" or a "half pump"... makes me feel young and hip. What kind of coffee do you like?

PS... here's a picture of the husband and myself at the azalea trail run 10k this past weekend. We both set personal records... Charlie did his personal best and I did my personal horrible-est. Seriously an 80 year old and a pregnant lady finished before me. 

coffee filter flower

It started harmlessly enough. Just a simple crafting project to pass the time with Millie G. We wanted to make a flower... and so we began. An hour later, it was time for Millie G.'s nap and I... well... I couldn't stop! I was glittering and glue-ing and twisting and sprinkling... sad really. Anyway this glittery flower came from coffee filters and simple around the house crafting supplies. I thought it would be nice of me to share with all of you about how to make one for yourself... incase you might ever need a glittery coffee filter flower for any reason.

Here are a few supplies that I used. Feel free to incorporate anything else!

The MUST-HAVES are: coffee filters, spray glue, tape.

Begin by flattening out a coffee filter until it looks like a circle. Then tear or cut other coffee filters... each one will be a gradually smaller circle than the last one. Decorate each coffee filter as you see fit... paint, marker, pens. Cut some petals from cute wrapping paper or scrapbook paper (I used a light peach-y color) and glue 'em down. Then place the largest filter on the "stem" (I used a dowel rod) by sticking the stem through the center of the flower. Hold in place with small amount of tape. Do the same with remaining filters... some on top and underneath the largest one... holding each in place with small amounts of tape. I added some curling ribbon between some of the layers for a little pizzaz! When it looks like a flower you can start spraying the heck out of it and shaking glitter here and there. Add a little note to the stem and DONE!

Our flower's final destination was in the hands of Ms. Jordan Smith who swept the title of George County's Jr. Miss last Saturday night. She happens to be my cousin and Millie G.'s hero. Everyone loved the flower and the trail of glitter it left for miles around. Good thing a little glitter never hurt anybody!  Make a mess with some glitter today!

this week's library book

Dinosaur vs. Bedtime by Bob Shea

During last week's Wednesday afternoon trip to our local public library, this little book caught everyone's eye. It is bright and simple. Both characteristics are necessary to achieve reading it to a 4, 2 and 1 year old at the same time. It's a smart story about a dinosaur who wins every challenge... like stomping in a pile of leaves, going down a big slide, eating a bowl of spaghetti etc...

However, the dinosaur is finally defeated after a long battle with bedtime. The artwork in this book makes me happy. I like the real images and simplicity of the drawings and fonts. Bedtime wins! Little Dean laughs out loud at that part every time. 

He can share in the dinosaur's feeling of utter defeat after being overcome with sleep. Sometimes little Dean wakes up from his nap outraged by the fact that he "accidentally" went to sleep. Anyway, we love our Wednesday trips to the library. It's exhausting for me... keeping them still and quiet and off the top of the book cases... but it's worth it to see them excited about books. What do you love about your library?

dean turns four

It was a scrumptious day for a race! Dean's fourth birthday party was my "away from home birthday party" debut. It was nice... except I forgot chairs... and forks... and something to light the candle with... that would've been a nice touch. Soooo, besides all that it was like a dream. My parents arrived in town yesterday afternoon with a John Deere Gator, charged and ready to ride. For the party, we invited all Dean's friends along with their battery-operated ride-on toys. Everyone rode until all the batteries were dead. They took a few swings at a stubborn pinata and ate cake (without forks).  Dean didn't even want to stop and open presents! Now he's starting the 3rd hour of his nap. Bless.

So, if you're planning a race at the park for your child's birthday here are a few tips for success...

1. Don't forget forks

2. Plan the party at a non-meal time (10am is perfect) so you won't have to provide a meal

3. Don't get balloons... they just flap in the wind all day and get on everyone's nerves

4. Make sure the park has benches or some seating for adult party-goers

5. Choose a grassy area for the race (it cushions the crashes... 4 year olds like to crash!)

o.k. Go to a lot of trouble for someone you love today! It's so worth it. Love, love!

easy bear

This little felt bear was a project for my RVA "pretty" class. It was super easy and perfect for little girl snuggling. Take some time to make a panda today!

computer nook

How did this space happen? 

Our "computer nook" happened completely by accident. On a quest to make our bedroom more romantic, we moved the computer out and put it in the corner of our living room. It turned into the most fun spot for a computer. 

Why do I love it? 

Well, first, it's by a window and natural light gives me large amounts of joy in the bottom of my heart. Secondly, the kids can watch a movie while I get a little work done. Third, I love the old shutters behind the desk that hide all the ugly computer wires. I also love my son's artwork hanging crookedly from the shutters.