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A Minute out of the Norm: Painted Candle Holders
There is something about a candle in Autumn. Even a small flame gives off heat as we adjust to new temperatures outside. Something as simple as looking at a warmly-lit candle can heat me up from the inside out. Temperatures have fallen here in NE Ohio and my neighbor friend and I enjoyed a craft that can be enjoyed of all ages, from 4 years old to 37 and older. What you will need: A glass jar. We used two mason jars that I have used for canning garden veggies in previous years. You can also make smaller candle holders with baby-food jars. This is a great job for recycling…
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Valentines Day Dress It Up!
Valentine’s Day!Pure fun.Simple decorations can turn a coffee table into a place to sit and talk, read poetry and remember that romance is alive and well and living within! Candle holders of every shape and size bring warmth and generate smiles. Pinks and reds carry the love theme. Have fun decorating, and do not worry about perfect matches! Need some great poems? Here are some snippets. Lord Byron is there for you!“She Walks in Beauty” She walks in beauty, like the nightOf cloudless climes and starry skies;And all that’s best of dark and brightMeet in her aspect and her eyes…… “To Ellen”Oh! might I kiss those eyes of fire,A million…
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Winter Weather Driving
Brrrr … It is cold out across the great Midwest. It is winter after all and inclement weather is to be expected! Today my family will be packing up and driving several hours to meet the two newest members of our family: Twins! a beautiful niece and nephew. But with that comes a 5+ hour drive, leaving lots of room for a bumpy ride. What do you pack in your car in case of emergency during inclement weather and possible time stuck in the car on the side of the road? On my to to-pack-in-case-of-emergency is: Blankets Hats, gloves, jackets Some candles and a lighter. (I asked this question on…
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Tasty Tuesday: Cinco de Mayo Looking Good
This first week of May has my Norwegian/German heritage brain receiving the following messages: “Arrrrrrrrrrriba (that’s me rolling an r), via con Dios, hasta luege, burrito, y si si! It’s in my roots to want that southern sun and warmth. In the taste buds too! Ahhhh but don’t forget the beauty of the food that is offered with this fantastic Latin lovers cuisine. Most of it is caressed by the gorgeous tomato. We even have it our vocabulary to have a superstar be a ‘hot tomato’. So, if you have it; flaunt it. I tried. We had a great gathering of friends over for an outdoor easy fare dinner. Everything…
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A Simple Gift to Make That Looks Good!
At thanksgiving time, I like to have something set up for folks to do wile either waiting for the turkey to fill the house with that undeniable, wonderful aroma … or to do while waiting for that undeniable FULL feeling to fade. We have put together simple quilts, sewn up patchwork pillow cases, made Santa faces out of magnolia pods and even painted tree ornaments. All were fun and a bit challenging. I think being artistically challenged allows us not to go for perfection… but allows us to be perfectly content! And after a large meal… being content is a good thing! This year we will be putting together a…
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A Minute Out of the Norm: Science!
I have to admit I have an affinity for science! I remember as a child making ‘mud pies’ in the backyard. Armed with a big bucket, I’d add water… dirt… leaves… sand… whatever I could find… and thoroughly enjoying watching the change. Add a little bit of this and a little bit of that and watch what takes form. Add enough dirt to the water and my mud-soup practically went from a liquid to a solid. I never thought of it as science but in hindsight … it was watching matter change, and therefore in its own way science. Just the beginning of a lifetime love of watching science take…
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A Minute Out of the Norm: Christmas Craft Idea for the kids
I struggle with Christmas ideas for my deployed husband. The deadline for getting packages in the mail is quickly approaching and I know I need to get everything wrapped up and mailed. But it is hard to wrap ‘nothing’. Hubby says that he doesn’t need anything. Hubby tends to get his boxers in a tizzy if I spend too much money. [He’s the financial conservative in the family… I’m all about keeping the economy going ;)] So when Hubby says he doesn’t need anything and doesn’t want me to spend money … makes it hard to send a Christmas package. So I was walking the crafts section of our local…
