HAND MADE JEWELRY

Today I made a bracelet.  I have no experience making jewelry, but was walking through Michael's and thought I'd give it a try.  I bought a How To book, beads, wire, tools and got to it.  For the most part it was pretty easy.  I chose black, silver and gray beads thinking about pairing it with a little black dress.  For the How To - first you cut and round the edge of the wire.  Then pick out your bead pattern and put the beads on the wire.  When you are happy with the pattern round the other edge of the wire and viola, a spectacular piece of jewelry handmade by you.

GARDENING IS MY THERAPY

I love gardening. I can remember planting my mom's way-past-fresh potatoes and onions and being so disappointed when my dad found them and uprooted them from their new homes.  Needless to say, my family never had a vegetable garden - for long, anyway.  But now that I have my own home, flat property and the time for daily watering and weed removal I am growing my own fruits and vegetables.  And LOVING it.  Last year Mr. Construction built me a 16x30 raised bed fenced in garden complete with locking door.  We are growing a variety of tomatoes, squash, lettuce, jalepeno/green/red peppers, cucumbers, peas, green beans, watermelon, pumpkins, strawberries, basil, mint, dill and rosemary.  To add to the fun, my daughters love being outside with me and helping me water - not so much weed... Some things I have learned:

-Water daily except after a storm (and in the morning)
-Tomatoes will split if the consistency of the watering changes
-Pick lettuce before it "bolts" for the best flavor
-The more you harvest, the more the plant yields
-Build your garden in a sunny spot with access to water
-Chipmunks enjoy the flowers on squash plants

What I have yet to figure out:

-How to get green and red pepper plants to flower and bear veggies
-How to keep chipmunks and birds from eating the strawberries
-How worms get into raised beds
-Why the leaves are turning yellow even though I water thoroughly

Happy Gardening!

MY KIDS LOVE APPLE JUICE

Every season and throughout the day my girls want apple juice.  It's got a lot of sugar though, so I often buy Mott's for Tots apple juice.  "Mott's for Tots^® has 40% less sugar than 100% apple juice and a great taste kids love—it's an easy and healthy way to spoil 'em."  For a limited time, you can get a free sample through VocalPoint.  Just in time for the hot summer days!

DECORATING WITH KIDS ARTWORK

I know you have it.  That bin with all of your kids drawing, coloring and paint pages.  It sits above your refrigerator, in the toy room or by your mail.  It makes you feel guilty every time you stick another masterpiece in it.  Well, let go of that guilt!  I've searched around and found some elegant ways for everyone to enjoy your kids work.  I've been inspired and hope to post my own display soon!

 

 (Found here, here, here and here)

GOIN' COASTAL

A lot of fun was had by all at the Goin' Coastal concert - at least from our group! We really enjoyed Zac Brown. He sounded exactly as he does coming through the radio speakers. Unfortunately we never did find our seats. Nonetheless, we did find lots of good places to watch the concert.

Curious about my concert apparel?  Below is what I wore.  The top and shorts are from Tommy Hilfiger.  My inspiration was from the post below, an Americana look - which can also double as a 4th of July outfit.  I was missing the cowgirl hat and boots, and I was surprised that there were no hats for sale in the stadium.  You see, my only cowgirl hat was re-arranged and "flowered" by my 4 year old for an Easter hat parade.  Definitely not appropriate for a country concert any longer.  Sigh.  I am on the lookout for a new one and some cute tan boots too.

FATHER'S DAY

This weekend many families will be celebrating Father's Day. I feel very lucky to have had a father who loved me, taught me how to hit a baseball, put a worm on my hook so I could catch a fish or the occasional turtle, scared my mother with rubber snakes, reminded me to respect myself and others, taught me to keep an eye out for what others miss and that I will continue to learn for the rest of my life.

I also feel very fortunate that my daughters have a father who puts them first, takes them on lawnmower rides, reads their favorite stories over and over, teaches them how to make things with their hands and that they are able to create masterpeices from plain materials.

Enjoy your day with your family and never take a moment for granted.

COUNTRY CONCERT

Jay and I have tickets to the Kenny Chesney Goin Coastal Tour this weekend. I'm really excited to meet friends of ours there, do some old-fashioned tailgating and sing along to some great country tunes. I'm nervous about leaving our girls overnight, especially our one year old. Nana and Poppy know how to wear little girls out though, so I'm crossing my fingers all goes well.

I've been trying to decide what to wear to said concert. I've been to a Brad Paisley & Dierks Bentley concert, but that doesn't make me an official cowgirl. Here's some inspiration I found on the web. If you have any advice, I'd love to hear it!


(found here, here, here and here..)