The Lazy Mom's St. Patty's Breakfast

Ok, so maybe it's not because I'm lazy.  Maybe just tired.  Either way, here's what Jackson had for breakfast this morning......

Lucky Charms and green milk!  How very festive of me, I know.  Especially when all the blogs and facebook messages talk about green pancakes and other fun breakfasts.  What can I say?  I'm not a morning person.  He was excited though.  "Mommy, this tastes just like regular milk!"  Must have been a St. Patrick's Day miracle.

Have you seen GroopDealz today?  Sorry if you are sick of me passing along these deals, but I am a sucker for some cute vinyl, and this fits the bill.

It's made to fit a 6x12" area and only $5 plus $1.50 shipping!  This would be a great addition to my spring decor (or lack therof).  To check it out, click here - remember these deals only last a few days, so if you are viewing this late, the deal may have changed.



Spring is in the Air!

With the temperatures today and tomorrow in the 60s, and Free Rita's Day (aka 1st day of Spring, but really, which is more important??) right around the corner, Spring really is finally in the air!  Here's a little more of the spring decorating I did...still not a whole lot because I've been gearing up for Jackson's birthday party this weekend, but at least it's progress!

My changeable wreath finally has a home on the door leading to our garage - although soon the St. Patricks day flowers will have to go!

I loved my cloche nest so much, I decided to throw a few more nests together (see the super simple how-to here).  Since this tiered plate rack stays out year round anyway on the buffet in our dining room (mainly due to lack of storage), it needed a touch of spring!



Here's a close-up of one of the nests....

Happy St. Patrick's Day and (almost) Spring, everyone!!!

Click here for a list of parties I may have linked to!



Cheese Dome Gets a (Spring) Makeover

When I started reading all kinds of crafty and decorating blogs, I noticed a recurring element....these little trays with cute glass domes covering them, filled with all kinds of different goodies.  Evidently, one of these is called a "cloche."  I had no idea what a cloche was, and why you would need one (other than to decorate with!) until I saw someone else call it a cheese dome.  Now that made a little more sense, although I'm from the country, and we just slice the cheese (I first typed "cut the cheese" but I know that phrase might give some of you...who are most likely from the country also... the giggles and distract your focus from the rest of this post....) and put it on a regular old plate....but I digress.

Clearly, a cloche/cheese dome was a much needed decorating accessory and it went on my list of things to "hunt for."  I finally found one at one of my favorite local thrifts for around $3.  Score!  Here's what it looked like when I bought it...

And a few coats of spray paint later (shhh....don't tell, but it still needs a few more coats), here it is....

Since as of this morning I still had not done any spring decorating, I decided to give the cloche a little spring makeover.  I used some spanish moss I had gotten at the dollar store...

I didn't realize how messy this stuff is!

...formed it into a little nest, and put a few eggs inside.  I have seen soooo many great tips on how to make cute eggs, but confession:  I cheated and bought these at Christmas Tree Hill.

You can definitely see how this needs more paint!



I really want to find a cute little birdie to put inside, but just haven't had time....lots going on around here lately!  Here's some more pictures of the finished product...for now it's home is the coffee table in the living room, but we'll see how long it lasts there, since it tends to be more of a "kid zone."

I realize this shot is more of the table, but I love my table!  More on that someday.

I'm loving my cheese dome/cloche and I'm excited that it can be changed for any season!



Click here for a list of parties I may have linked to!!

Thank you so much to Someday Crafts for featuring this project!!

Number Vinyl from GroopDealz

Remember my rant about how I love anything labeled or numbered?  I have to say, I think my heart skipped a beat when I clicked over to GroopDealz today.... vinyl numbers!! 

Love, love, love!  And the price?  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!  $2, plus $1 for shipping!  I ordered two sets - one for me and one to save for a gift - and paid a grand total of $5!  There are so many things you could do with these numbers; the possibilities are almost endless.  I'm not sure what I'm going to do with mine, but I'll get back to you on that.

Click here to get yours!

From the Archives: Elmo Cupcakes

A few heavy, serious posts around here lately.  Needed a change.  What's the opposite of heavy & serious?  ELMO!  Really, can you think about that giggle without at least a little smile sneaking across your lips?  I think not.
I made these cupcakes for J's 2nd birthday (almost 3 years ago!!) back he was super obsessed with Sesame Street and before there were fun crafty blogs and linky parties to visit.  Since Elmo is still super cool with the under 4 set, I thought I'd post and share how EASY they are to make - and I am definitely not a cake decorator!  I did originally get the general idea for these cupcakes online, but have absolutely no idea where.  I'll just give you my version of the how-to.

1. Make your cupcakes.  Please just go ahead and use a box mix.  Your 2 year old really is not going to care - I promise.  I prefer Funfetti.  :)
2. Make icing (again, if you are going the easy route, just use a tub of the Betty Crocker or whatever is on sale).  I tinted mine with some red food coloring so it wouldn't be as noticeable.
3. Spread icing on cupcakes, and then dip the tops in red sprinkles, or jimmies, whatever your preferred name is.  You want the longish kind - not the sparkly sugary kind.
4. Add the mouth - half an oreo.  Use a serrated knife to cut, because breaking an oreo in a straight line is harder than it looks.
5. The nose is an orange gumdrop - just stick it right in the middle!
6. The eyes are white chocolate wafers with a little dot of black decorating gel.

There you have it - super simple and adorable!  Add some red plates & napkins and you've got yourself an Elmo party.  Have a great weekend everyone!!

For a list of some parties I may have linked to, click here!

Thank you, Frugal Girls!!!

Beauty in the Midst of Despair

So much sadness and devastation lately - the news about Ethiopian adoptions, the earthquake in Japan (which we are experiencing through the eyes of our Japanese exchange student, whose family is safe as they do not live too close to where the earthquake was, but is still understandably shaken), a story of a farming family located about an hour away from us who lost seven of their eight children in a house fire.....and we also had an event happen that was "close" to us when a local family involved in our church experienced a terrible tragedy last weekend as their 3 year old son (J) passed away after a tragic household accident.  I truly cannot even begin to imagine the pain that his parents (K & L) are feeling at this time.  When things like this happen, whether they are large scale natural disasters or a personal tragedy, we begin questioning or doubting God.  We may never understand on this side of heaven why God chose to take little J, and although it is difficult, we can trust in his sovereign plan.  I wanted to share an email that was sent from a family member of K, L, & J.... 

"From the time L found J unconscious…. To when he arrived by ambulance at his daddy’s workplace, (the ER)  From Friday night to Monday morning (57 hours)…. It was a long grueling weekend. 

K and L certainly suffered greatly through it all, but as they dealt with their sorrow and the decision to remove J from life support K specifically prayed for God to just let him KNOW please let him KNOW…that J would be safe…  He just needed a peace to know he would be ok…and that J would be with God.  Where would his decision send the soul of his precious son?

Last evening as the family went back to their home to separate and go through J's things…  K found J's Cubbies Awana book.    He had forgotten this lesson… but it was the very last Awana lesson they did together for 2/27/11 was this…  (Don’t skip the top line!!!)

And the last verse that J said to Mr. Dave… was this:

God spoke to them!!   Some will say that is a coincidence…  but we KNOW!

This was a tremendous relief and blessing to know that J had this lesson just last week.  His last time at church… 

Our sin debt has been paid, but there comes a point in time that each one of us will need to accept the gift of eternal life, the gift that has been offered by Christ.   He said, I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the father, but by me.  John 14:6.       Romans 10: 9 says, That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thy heart that God has raised him (Christ) from the dead, Thou shalt be saved." 

-------------------------------

Although this certainly doesn't take away the pain, the promise of heaven is a comfort.  Please pray for this family.  A memorial fund has been set up (by extended family without K&L's knowledge) in J's name.  The goal is to raise enough money for a down payment on a house for the family ~ it would be a huge blessing to not have to return to the rental house where the accident occurred.  If you feel so inclined to give, feel free to leave your contact information (email) in a comment and I can forward you the information.

Reminder....if you haven't already, please consider signing the petition which asks the Ethiopian government (Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and the Ethiopian Ministry of Women's, Children's, and Youth Affairs) to reconsider their new position of limiting adoptions by 90%.  I am typically NOT a petition kind of person, however I do believe in advocating for children and families.  Thank you!

PS ~ I promise, this blog will not turn into a soapbox!  More crafty and domestic goodness on the way!  :)

Six million.

Dear Friends,

As you know, we have a huge heart for adoption, and especially adoption from Ethiopia.  Recently there have been rumors that Ethiopian adoptions would be greatly reduced.  Estimates vary on the number of orphans in Ethiopia, but I have seen some as high as six million.  Six million.  These children need homes and loving families.  Decreasing the number of adoptions will take away that option for many.  The following is taken from a blog I read of a family who recently returned home from Ethiopia with their son.....she gives more information and ways that you can help......

 {please read... and do all you can}

Visiting Hannah's Hope (the transition home where Tucker lived until we could bring him home) each day while we were in Ethiopia was something we always looked forward to. Walking into the courtyard found us surrounded by children of all ages... orphans. They were desperate for you to play with them, touch them, hold them... someone to care and to pay attention to them. One day I found myself surrounded by a bunch of little girls all with arms up to be held. I know I couldn't pick them all up so I walked over to the side and sat down on the ground. They all tumbled into my lap aching for my arms to wrap them up. I did my best to hold each of them and smile and talk to them. They needed me in the moment, but what they truly need for a lifetime is a forever mommy. Not just someone to snuggle them for a few minutes before they go eat lunch, but someone to snuggle them all day every day. They need a family and a home.

Right now that possibility is in jeopardy. There have been rumors floating around for a few weeks, but an email sent out from our agency confirmed our fears...

"Over the last two weeks there have been many rumors, and then an official announcement, stating that the Ministry of Women’s Affairs has a plan to decrease the numbers of adoptions that are approved.  This proposal states that they have plans of only approving 5 adoptions a day—decreasing the number of approved adoptions by up to 90%.

Really, there is no way to put into words the negative impact this would have on Ethiopian children, if it is to become a reality.  Of course we all wish that these children would remain in their birth family, but, under the current system there are not enough resources for these families to allow this to happen. The Joint Council on International Children’s Services (JCICS) is asking all of us to step into our roles as advocates and to participate in this cause.  Below is a post from JCICS outlining what you can do...

Joint Council: Emergency Campaign for Ethiopian Children

What You Can Do:

1)      Sign the petition to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi – and pass it on!

2)      Have you adopted from Ethiopia?  Please send us up to 3 photos and 50 words or less with what you would like the Ministry to know about your child – we’ll compile the information and send a book to the Ministry of Woman’s Affairs.  Send your photos and stories to advocate@jointcouncil.org by Sunday, March 12, 2011 to be included.  Please note that sending photos and stories gives Joint Council unrestricted right to use the information you provide.

3)      Share…Please send this Call to Action to family members, other adoptive parents, and everyone you know!  Post, forward and share your adoption stories via Facebook, Twitter, and blogs.  Make sure you include us in your posts so we can all hear your stories!  Here’s links to our pages: Facebook, Twitter and our blog.

4)      Stay informed: Get up-to-date information regarding the situation in Ethiopia by signing up to receive information from us:  click here to do so, make sure you choose “country and issues specific information” and “Ethiopia.”  And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and our blog!

5)      Help ensure our advocacy can continue: Joint Council is a non-profit and receives no government funding.  Please join us in ensuring more children live in safe, permanent and loving families.  Donate today!

Please help! Please sign the petition and spread the word. Do something! Lives and hearts are a stake.

Me again....here's another quote I just read from BeTheAnswer -
"The Ministry’s plan which calls for the processing of only five adoption cases per work day, will result not only in systemic and lasting damage to a large sector of social services, but will have an immediate impact on the lives and futures of children.  Moving from over 4,000 adoptions per year to less than 500 will result in thousands of children languishing in under-regulated and poorly resourced institutions for years.  For those children who are currently institutionalized and legally available for adoption, the Ministry’s plan will increase their time languishing in institutions for up to 7-years."
Pray for these precious children and for the many families waiting to bring home their Ethiopian child!!