November 17, 2013

DIY: SALT DOUGH ORNAMENTS


I love a Christmas tree with a whole lot of character, covered with homemade decorations. This weekend we decided to put up the tree! A day before, we set it up to "air out" and decide that it would be a great time to create some tree decor of our own. A week or so prior I looked up some ideas for making ornaments that will last a long time. I discovered...rather re-discovered these salt dough ornaments that I believe I made once in elementary school. They are very easy to make.

What you will need:
2 Cups of flour
1 Cup of salt
1 Cup of water
Cookie cutters
Rolling pin
Straw or toothpick (straw preferred)
Acrylic paint
Ribbon/yarn/string
Mod Podge (optional but preferred)


Combine flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Gradually add the water and kneed the dough until smooth, with the consistency slightly more firm than play dough.

Form dough into a ball and with a rolling pin, roll out the dough on a floured surface. I just sprinkle the counter and roll out the dough on that.





Using the cookie cutters, cut out your shapes and transfer them to a cookie sheet.

With your straw or toothpick create a hole at the top of your ornament which you will string threw your yard or ribbon. The straw make a perfect size, so if you use a toothpick circle it around to create a larger hole.





Set your oven to 200 degrees fahrenheit and set it in the over to bake. A lot of recipes told me 1 hour but mine ended up needing 2.

Let your ornaments cool completely. If you prefer you can add a thin coat of white paint, mixed with a touch of water to thin it out,  as a "primer." I only apply this to the front of the ornament. If you decide to do this, let the white paint dry and then proceed to have fun decorating!


Let your creations dry and then add a coat of Mod Podge, I used the Satin finish and once everything has dried (shouldn't take more than 20 minutes). I prefer to use decorative ribbon because it really stands out on the tree.

These also make a wonderful gifts for grandma and grandpa!


 

November 12, 2013

ITS ALL ABOUT ME

Sometimes it is all about me, as in I take a chunk of time out of my day where I do whatever I truly want to do. For instance, Aaron took the boys grocery shopping after work on Sunday; he came all the way home to get them then left soon there after giving me about two hours of down time. I thought to myself,  what shall I do with all this time? I got dressed to work out. Working out is not fun for me but I figured I would get that out of the way so that I could spend more time with Aaron later on. Was that what I really wanted to do? No. What I really wanted to do was to fix myself a drink, grab some chocolates and watch a marathon of The Hills, so that's what I did.


I kind of felt bad that I skipped my workout, I've been very lazy but I want to change all that..so last night I worked out. And I think I will again tonight!


What have you done for yourself today?

November 8, 2013

LET THE SUNSHINE IN

The Wonderful Elizabeth of The Bradleys was gracious enough to nominate me for the Sunshine Award. She selected 10 questions for me to answer and in return I must ask 10 questions to other bloggers whom I will nominate. I decided to stick to some of Elizabeth's question and then created some of my own.

 The Rules:
  1. Include award logo in a post or on your blog.
  2. Link to the person who nominated you
  3. Answer 10 questions about yourself that the person who nominated you asks.
  4. Nominate 10 bloggers to receive the award. (make sure to link your nominees to the post and comment on their blogs letting them know you have nominated them)
My questions for you!
  1. What is the latest book you have read and what did/do you like about it?
  2. What is one thing you like that most people dislike or what is one thing you dislike that everyone else seems to like?
  3. What is your food weakness?
  4. What is your favorite season and why?
  5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
  6. Why did you start your blog?
  7. If you could prefect one skill or talent what would that be?
  8. What is one thing that feel you must do to treat yourself?
  9. What was the weirdest dream you've ever had (that you can remember)?
  10. What three fictional characters would you love to meet?
My nominations:




What is the latest book you have read and what did/do you like about it?
Heaven by V.C. Andrews. I admit those books are my guilty pleasures but sometimes a girl just wants to indulge in a soap opera style novel. Currently I am reading The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.

What is your favorite thing to cook/make?
I love a classic roasted chicken on a bed of vegetables with a side of mashed potatoes. Nothing beats comfort food for me and my family, plus it's very simple to nail! Check out Ina Garten's recipe.

What is your food weakness?
Cheeseburgers and Chocolate! I don't think any explanation is required.



What is your favorite season and why?
Fall of course. The color, the fashion, the warm beverages. The farms, the food and the amazing golden lighting around sunset as the light shines through the red, orange and yellow trees. What is not to love?

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I wish I wasn't such a softy. I think people tend to take advantage of that and my willingness to forgive so easily.

Why did you start your blog?
I will copy and paste from my about me section... "I love to write and I use my blog as a way to develop my skills while I share my story with others, no matter if it’s one person reading it or 1 million (yeah right lol). I feel like there are so many blogs written by mothers who stay at home that working mothers don't have their story told quite as much."

What could you continue learning about your whole life because you love it/are obsessed with it?
Writing and literature! I love writing and I love to read.


What do you like most about your husband?
I love how he's such a partner. He brings me coffee in bed on the weekends. He makes breakfast on the Sundays when he's home and he is a great father. I love him.

What was the weirdest dream you've ever had (that you can remember)?
I have had many weird dreams as I dream a lot and I remember them all. Recently I had a dream that Chef Gordon Ramsey new restaurant he had opened in Toronto (not in real like). When I got there it was filled with ghosts that were just floating around like. They started off as a gray mist that materialized into solid looking gray ghosts, something that you would see at the Haunted Mansion in Disney World.

What three fictional characters (from books) would you love to meet?
Poison from Poison by Chris Wooding. It's my favorite book and she's such a strong character
Charlie from The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Jonas from The Giver by Lois Lowry

November 4, 2013

HELLO NOVEMBER


I had contemplated titling this post “So long October!” but that didn't seem as positive as it would be to welcome the new month. The holidays are right around the corner and I am practically sitting on my hands, stopping myself from dragging out my decorations. To get me through the next few weeks I would like to focus on the month we are in. I want November to own its place in the year and I wish to centralize it around family, because that would be a fantastic introduction for what is to come. Thank you Elizabeth for inspiring this post.

Here are my goals for the month of November:

Put pictures in my frames & get new photo’s developed.
Learn to cook something new.
Teach Joshua how to prepare cereal in the morning.
Get Joshua a wallet and have him be responsible for his own allowance
Tell my husband “Thank you every day” for the little things that mean a lot.
Have family movie nights with popcorn and hot chocolate.
Finish reading The Night Circus (I’ve been busy with school)
Have a great time in New Jersey (going for thanksgiving).
Decided on whether or not we will try for baby #3