Ladybug Tutu

Yesterday was my sweet Anna's first birthday.  I can't believe she is 1!  Where did time go?

We are so very blessed to have Anna in our family.  She brings added sweetness and joy to all our lives.  All my boys (husband included) adore Anna.  How could you not love a little girl who smiles all the time?

I've had quite a few people tell me lately with amazement, "She is such a happy baby!"  I am confused by this as I would think all babies are happy, but I guess that isn't the case.  Thankfully, God has blessed us with three very happy and friendly kids.

Enough about how much I love my kids, on to what I made Anna!

Anna has a ladybug room, ladybug slippers, the nickname Anna bug, a ladybug birthday cake and now, a ladybug tutu!

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Big Canoe, Georgia...A Great Vacation Spot

Are you looking for a great mountain vacation spot?  My parents found one and included us in the great vacation: Big Canoe, Georgia.

Big Canoe is in the foothills of North Georgia Appalachians. Big Canoe is just one hour north of Atlanta. It is a gated community with over 8,000 acres. 1/3 of this land has been set aside for wildlife.  It is beautiful.

There is so much to do in Big Canoe.

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Mama's Peach Cobbler Recipe

My Mama makes the best cobbler.  I have loved it ever since I was a young girl.  This recipe is for a Peach cobbler, but you can use this recipe with just about any fruit and have a fantastic recipe.

This recipe is the perfect mix of fruit, crunchy topping and gooey inside.  Can you get better than that?

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School Printables

Today is my little man Ryan's first day of Kindergarten.  I can't believe that he is 5 and starting school.  Where did the time go. 

In honor of his first day, I thought I would share some great school printables for your picture frame.

From La Belle Parties

From Eighteen25

From Free Time Frolics

From The Craftress Mom

Have a great school year!

Steel Cut Oats-A Wonderfully, Healthy Meal

Breakfast has always been a challenge for me.  I'm not a fan of the typical breakfast foods.

Wait!!!!! I wasn't a  fan typical! 

Recently, I've found another breakfast option that I actually enjoy. 

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Ladybug Slippers

I've liked many of my favorite crochet pattern makers Facebook pages.  I like to keep tabs on what they are creating and selling. One of the best things about following these pages is the chance to occasionally test patterns.

Well, I struck gold the other day!

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Garden Jewels-A Guest Post

My friend Dottie surprised me with the gift of this Garden Jewel she had made herself.  I love it.  Light plays off the glass sparkling against the greenery.    Dottie got the idea from an online magazine article in www.womansday.com/specials.   She varied somewhat from their directions and has since experimented making quite a few different designs.    Dottie shared the tips she has found helpful.

 

First, she shopped  for a variety of inexpensive glass pieces  at thrift stores and garage sales.  She played with these to plan a design for the tower.  If freestanding, she found a large cake stand  worked.  For a piece like mine to be placed on a pole, a small vase might be chosen.   Once she had planned and assembled her tower, Dottie found silicone glue with an applicator easiest to use.    If possible she suggests a fine bead of glue which will not be as noticeable.    If a piece is uneven, it might be necessary, however,  to use more glue and it does dry clear.     Dottie found that it worked best to put the pieces together in twos.   Glue  "two"  together, letting  them sit overnight to dry.  Next day,  add the next two pieces, glue together, let sit overnight to dry.  Continue until you have built  your tower.  Watch carefully so that pieces do not shift until glue dries.

 

Several days drying time should be allowed each finished piece.  Rebar with PVC electrical conduit or tubing can be used as a pole to hold the tower.  This can be bought and cut at a hardware store.   The base of the tower can be glued to the top of the pole once it is pounded into the ground.  My husband used a piece of chrome pipe over my rebar pole and stretched gaskets to hold the tower in place.   I imagine there are a variety of ways to keep the tower standing upright  if not designed to be freestanding.     

 

Dottie made one piece with small glassware, using glass jiggers and  an empty perfume bottle to hold the small rod for the base.   She placed that small  "Garden Jewel" in a potted plant. 

 

Mary

 

Mary is Shannon's Mom and has been a guest blogger before.  We appreciate her sharing this great project with us. We hope you're inspired to add some bling to your yard!

 

Snow Cone Syrup Recipe

Shannon sold me on the Pampered Chef Ice Shaver that she featured a few weeks ago.    I told her about wanting one about two months ago and she suggested it. I got a deal on Amazon and I am loving it. I made snow cones for the kids and I for the first time and we loved them.

I wanted to share a simple koolaid based snow cone recipe.  I am all about getting more bang for my buck and for saving myself time. Therefore, I prefer to make a large recipe so that I don't have to make it every time I want a snow cone (which is daily with the heat).

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