Scary-Journey's year in review 2012

A lot has happened in the last year.  This is just a few of the highlights of my year. 

We started the year off on a sad note.  It's so hard to say goodbye.  The hot water heater.  Then, Mr. Wash and Mrs. Dry.  sigh.  Sad. 

We perked up a little and started to pay attention (especially while driving) because Nick got his permit (AHHHH!).

We talked about our favorite word in our house. 
What? 
Our favorite word. 
What?
I said, our favorite word.
Wait, what?

RT and Bella attended their first Sweetheart dance.
We were introduced to Mr. Artsy Photographer
My favorite fun word to say:  lozenge.
Sang along to:  Da Doo Ron Ron Ron Da Doo Ron Ron.
I became a vegetarian (yea, and am still getting a lot of flak about it)
I was witnessed. (and still am harassed witnessed)
Toured the walking paths, even found some money along they way.
Got a new pet named Arthur (the carpenter ant) who had a short circle of life
Got another (rescue) pet, a puppy this time and named him Pippen.
Our first Halloween craft posts along with our first guest blogger, Anthony
Discussed my families problem with batteries.
We also went on some trips:
Arboretum
Willowbrook Wildlife Center
Michigan
Door County
Museum of Mexican Art
Museum of Contemporary Art
Humane Society
Danada Equestrian Center (hay ride)

That's the short version of my year.  If you want more details, you'll just have to read the posts.  :) 
I think 2012 was a fun year and I am looking forward to what 2013 has to offer.

Happy New Year!

Lights at the Zoo

Went to Brookfield Zoo to see the Christmas lights.  We braved the cold (it was about 20degrees F). 
The Zoo does this every year.  They set up extra trees and decorate them.  Lights are put up around the zoo.  They had the lights on trees (that surrounded the main fountain) that were set to music and they would blink to the tune of the songs they played.  Pretty cool.
This is the first year that we have gone to the zoo this time of year to check out the lights.  We have been members for years but never got around to seeing the lights. 
Of course, the boys were trying to get out of seeing the lights.  They just wanted to go hang out and have dinner with their grandmother (we did that after the lights).  I do have to say that they thought it was cool when we got there.

We saw Rudolph!  He looked well rested after his LONG trip he made the other night.

zoo lights

This one looks funny.  It looks like Bella is punching RT.  Nick just stepped into the picture and Alex is yawning (he had a sleepover the night before...need I say more)

We got to hug a couple of polar bears.  They were pulling a sleigh.  Maybe Santa uses polar bears at the North Pole to pull his sleigh in the off season?  We'll have to ask him the next time we see him.

Carpet Stain Remover

This carpet stain remover is a must have on your list of things for your wild party that you are planning for tonight.  I have proof that it works!

I found this carpet stain remover on Jillee's blog.   Jillee blogs about some cool things, check it out.  You can read the post and how to's for the carpet stain remover here. 

This story is a little gross, but, if you have a dog, you can probably relate.  Bella and I were having a great time playing with Legos in the family room.  Pippen came over to hang by us.  He had that look.  You know, the one where he might throw up (barf, hurl).  I quickly rushed him outside and he sat down by the door and stared at me.  I thought maybe I was overreacting and decided to bring him in.  Once again, he was practically in my lap with this odd look.  He turns, and I decide to rush him out the door.  Before I can manage to get him outside, he throws up on the carpet (in front of Newton, who jumped and ran out of the room).

I didn't get a picture of the before (with barf).  I can see the relief on your face.  I had to clean it up right away and I wasn't in the mood for taking pictures.  It wasn't a pretty sight.  You didn't miss much. 

I scrubbed the stain and RT used the carpet cleaner and it looked good.  Until it started to dry.  RT used the carpet cleaner a couple more times all with the same result. 

I searched online for carpet stain removers.  Then, I remembered Jillee's blog, One Good Thing by Jillee .  I found her solution for removing a carpet stain.   1/2 ammonia to 1/2 hot water, spray on area, place rag over area and iron the area.  Seemed pretty simple.

I tried it and am happy to report that it works. 
Here is a look before:  (without the barf)

you can see a faint stain

 

 And the after picture:

I tried combing through the carpet thinking the stain might reappear.  (it hasn't)\

 

I would say that Pippen is pretty lucky I found this stain remover. 
And, I think he should stay away from whatever it is that made him throw up!

A walk in the Arboretum

We had a slight dusting of snow and decided to go for a little hike in the Arboretum.  I think snow makes everything look beautiful.  Sorry to say that my pictures aren't that exciting with all of the browns and white.  The gray sky probably didn't help.  It looked a lot better in person.  Maybe next time you should just come along with me.

  

starting our little hike
Well, this was taken in the car.  I made RT stop so I could get this picture.  He said I could just take it when we get out.  I, of course, couldn't wait, and took the picture.

Bella's pink coat adds a splash of color

Thought all of the trees looked like a wall

we got to walk through the wall of trees

I was calling it the candy cane forest. 

from the movie, Elf.  love that movie!

Bella sitting on "Big Rock"

yes, that's what it's called.  Big Rock.  Probably took days (months or years) to name.

walking back through the forest

 

Yes, that's an outhouse.  Bella said, "That's where we parked!"  I said, "How do you know?"  She said, "we parked by the green outhouse."  I said it's always good to have landmarks when you go on your hike.  Bella suggested that they paint all of the outhouses different colors so you know where you parked your car.  Good idea!  We'll have to mention that to them the next time we go.

Up and coming artist

I do talk a lot about art and artists and, especially, art-city.org .  I enjoy artists and their artwork.

This time I get to talk about an up and coming artist.  One that you should keep your eyes on.  She is just starting out.  Her first showing is at the local library.

The first second of our family to break out and have her artwork on display.  (her grandmother is an artist and has shown her paintings)  I guess it runs in the family.  :)

Here is a little insight to the artwork from the artist, herself:

 

i made it in art class .it is a native amarcan blankat.my gramathr is a artist.  we had to look it up in a book .thos are the one,s i picked.  There were several different designs in the book.  It had to be a story. The sides of the picture had to be the same thing.  My story tells evil and nice.  The green is an evil color, the other side is nice colors.   The little S's on the bottom are smoke. 

e

Ok, I know it's just the library.  How many young artists get this great opportunity?

Bella was quite proud. 

And so are we. 

Christmas Celebrations

I probably should have posted this a day or so after Christmas.  I guess I have been trying to recover from our Christmas celebrations. 

On Christmas Eve we got to see (my side of the) family.  The kids had a great time with their cousins.  My mom and  Steve had a nice spread of food (and even had something for that odd vegetarian in the family). 

Nick is standing on the stairs so he looks like a midget

Nona and her grandkids

This one looks like Bella got a time out

It was good that they were able to hang out and be silly with their cousins.  Burn off some of that extra excitement about Christmas. 

We did let the kids open one present Christmas Eve.  Alex was funny.  He thought the present that he was opening was underwear.  He kept telling me that he had enough underwear (Santa brought him some last year.  Santa's good like that, he knows when you need underwear).  The gift was from Pippen and was socks.  Alex likes to leave his socks around and Pippen (a few months ago) ripped a few.   Odd, but, we don't have any pictures from Christmas Day.  We did have RT's side of the family over.  Again, it was good to see family.

Merry Christmas

"Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."

And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" Luke 2:8-14

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

Baking Christmas Cookies

Lots and lots of Christmas cookies.

Thought I would attempt some Christmas cookie baking today.  I made a double batch of sugar cookies, a double batch of ginger snap cookies and some mint/chocolate fudge.  (RT loves fudge)  My helper (and sidekick) pooped out on me several times and left me all alone with the baking (and some of the decorating).  Baking without a helper made it a LONG morning of cookie baking.  I did want to make another kind of cookie, but, I think it's going to have to wait until next year.  For now, I'm all cookied out.

My other kitchen helper

 Pippen was hanging out with me in the kitchen while I was decorating the last of the sugar cookies.  He likes being in the kitchen with me when I cook.  Usually he just lays somewhere inconvenient and waits for me to trip over him.  If I ask him to get up and move, he won't.  This time he picked a spot in the corner and got all cozy.  Before he got cozy, he decorated a few cookies for the kids.  This year he is trying to promote eating yellow snow.

yellow snowflake cookies

Snowman Ornament from Paint Stick

I know this craft has been done a million times.  It's a really easy craft that is definitely doable under $1.00.  I had all of the supplies on hand, except for the paint stick, which was free from Home Depot.  Great classroom project.  You can paint the paint stick (yea, funny) and let the kids assemble the rest in class.

Supplies needed
Paint stick
white paint
black felt or black foam
googly eyes (is it google eyes or googly eyes?)
orange foam for nose
black buttons (or, my favorite, the black Sharpie)
felt for a scarf
ribbon (to hang ornament)
glue
hot glue (or strong glue to attach ribbon to back of ornament)

Paint your paint stick with the white paint.  (I used paint three times in that last sentence)  Yes, you should paint both sides.  You might have to give it a couple of coats of paint if yours has writing on it.  I  had to cover up orange writing because it was from the orange store = Home Depot. 
Hot glue a ribbon loop onto the back of your paint stick.  Make it long enough so you can hang it from the tree.  I used the thinner side of the paint stick as the top (figuring his head is thinner than his body).
Cut out a hat from your felt or foam (We used black foam to make it sturdier). 
Cut a carrot nose out of your orange foam.
Glue your hat onto your stick.  Add the googly eyes, carrot nose and draw a mouth. 
Cut out a strip from your felt for a scarf and tie it on.  You can glue it to make sure it doesn't fall off or get taken off my some little elf helper.
You can use black beads for his buttons, decorate with some snowflake sequins.

And, you're done!

We did this project with our Daisy troop at their Christmas party

lots of snowman ornaments!

Good job, Bella!

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care

With hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there...

I love that Christmas poem, The Night Before Christmas,  by Clement C. Moore!

I FINALLY have stockings for the dogs.  Yes, Newton is 10 and has never had a stocking.  Santa usually just drops a few things for him around the fireplace.  Last year, Bella found a stocking and taped a piece of paper to a stocking.  On the paper she wrote: Newton.  This year, since we have Pippen, Bella insists that he have a stocking too. 

I have LOTS of extra stockings laying around.  Well, not laying around.  Packed in with the Christmas decorations.  Bella picked out two.  I wrote the names in glue and then sprinkled them with GLITTER!  (I love glitter!)  I let it sit overnight, shook off the extra glitter and

there you have it.  Personalized stockings for the dogs.

Now we wait patiently for Santa Claus (Saint Nicholas) to arrive! 

Christmas Sing-a-long

This was the 4th annual Christmas Carol Sing-a-long.  This idea, started by RT and a friend of ours, is to have people of all faiths come together and sing Christmas carols, all while remembering Jesus' birth.

The sing-a-long has always been held outside, in our downtown area.  We've had some interesting weather over the years.  Extreme cold (our first year) to huge snowflakes.  It feels very magical.  People stop to listen.  Cars slow down.  Some people even join us.

This year we held it in a different location.  Due to the bad weather, and the location, we were able to sing our carols indoors this year.

Singing carols, remembering Jesus, the reason for the season, is a great way to put you in the holiday spirit. 

Of course, the hot chocolate and cookies they served this year was helpful, too.  :)

Scary-Journey and the "Eye" Ornament

Sounds like the title of a horror movie.

"Scary-Journey and the Attack of the Eye Ornament"  

AHHHH!!!  It's going to get me!  HELP!!!

Alright, enough goofing around, let's get back to the post and our ornament.

I thought this Google eye ornament was really cool!  Click on the link and you can check out Alexa's blog to find details on exactly how she made her eye ornament. 

Easy supply list:  Styrofoam ball, googly eyes, glue and ribbon.

For our googly eye ornament, Bella just (randomly) glued googly eyes all over a Styrofoam ball.  Well, it wasn't random, if you ask Bella.  It was artistically planned out by Bella, the artist. 

I stitched the bow together for the top so it would stay together while trying to attach it to the foam ball.  I used an eye hook straight pin to secure it into the Styrofoam ball.  Added a Christmas hook (you can also use ribbon or string) and it's all ready to put on your Christmas tree!

Santa! Santa's coming! Santa's coming!

Santa's coming!  I know him!  I know him!

Took a little ride to the North Pole so we could have a little visit with Santa and tell him what we want for Christmas.  A lot of people had the same idea so we had to wait in line to see him.

we even brought the pups with us

They have to tell Santa what they want for Christmas, right?

At times the wait seemed a little long

Pippen, resting his head on Newton's back

It was definitely worth the wait!

Our experience was magical once we got a glimpse of him.

There were some fun things to do while we waited for our special time with Santa.

They even had a little carousel to ride while we waited

(yes, that's RT on the carousel)

Hi Bella!

It was all worth our wait.  Santa Claus was very excited to see all of us. 

He asked us what we wanted for Christmas (and we told him).  He listened, hanging on to each word we said.  I know he was making notes in his head.  He would later let the elves know what to pack for Monday night's trip.  He was very busy.  So many people traveled to see him. 
Before we left, he let us get a picture so we could remember our magical trip.

Thanks, Santa! 

Easy to make Necklace

I found this DIY necklace in the Family Fun magazine's December/January 2013 issue for easy to make Christmas gifts (It's on page 82, check it out!).  It's pretty simple and doesn't cost much to make one necklace.  It is definitely doable under a dollar.

Kids can make them and give them as gifts to their friends (or family members).  Bella had fun making her own designs.  They are also fun for big people to make, too! 

Supplies needed:
Washer(s) (the "s" is there incase you want to make multiple necklaces)
nail polish (or craft paint)
ribbon or cord, long enough to go around your neck

We used nail polish.  I like it because it's sparkly and shiny. We started out with a white coat of nail polish.  Make sure that your washer dries completely.  We used white because it was like having a fresh piece of paper.  Weird, I know.  You can use any color as the base coat.  Then, pick a color and start painting on your washer (again, making sure that the polish dries before adding the next color)  The fun is making your own design.  There is no wrong way.  Let yourself go!   Oh, and don't forget to add a clear top coat to seal in your beautiful artwork! 

I'm trying to get a close up using the carpet as a background

I had a little trouble because I was trying to avoid...

photo crasher

yea, Pippen is my little shadow he has to know EVERYTHING I'm doing

by the way, he thinks it smells good

Here's the closeup (without the nose, but a paw in the background)

 

I used a shoelace that I picked up from the dollar store and glued it into a metal clasp to make it easy to wear.  You could also use a ribbon for a softer look.  I think I'm going to have to cut the shoelace a little smaller for Bella.  This one was a little too long for her.  Well, I thought it looked nice, but, Miss Fashion Queen told me she likes her necklaces to be a little shorter.

You can purchase a washer for less than a dollar (you might even have some on hand), nail polish (we had on hand) and ribbon, cord or string (probably have it on hand).  Very inexpensive to make and very easy to change your necklace everytime you change your outfit!

Thanks for helping today, Pippen!

 

*Update:  for more ideas on necklaces check out the one I did here and here.  Leave me a message and let me know how your necklace turns out.  I would love to see a picture! 

Making a List and Checking it Twice

I finally decided to start my Christmas shopping.  I was hoping I could put it off forever.  Good thing I don't have a huge list of people and lots of things to buy.
Today I was having trouble finding a toy for Bella.  She's really into Legos.  Specifically the Lego friends line.  I couldn't find the set that she wanted and looked online.  Some of the stores are sold out and some places online have it for twice as much as it goes for in the store. (yea, I couldn't figure that one out either)  I did find a Wal-mart store close to my moms house that has it in stock.  I called my brother, Steve, to tell him about it and even sent him a link so he would know what I was talking about.  I was running out to a store to check if they have the Lego set and said I would call him and let him know if I found it.
Well, I forgot to call him.  I was at another store when Steve texted me telling me that he was running out to Wal-mart to see if they have that Lego friends set.  I think he was more nervous than I was about finding this gift!
About fifteen minutes pass and I get a call that he found it.  He was pretty excited about it.  I told him to buy it and I would try to avoid paying him for it.  Just kidding.  I'm going to pay him.  I wanted to make the story a little more interesting.
So, I noticed how excited he was about finding that gift.  I told him I would send him the rest of my list and he can finish my shopping for me.
I think he was cool with that.
Why should we get stressed over the holiday shopping?  Why should we have to fight the crowds?  Once he has finished my shopping, he can start on yours.
Hey, I just started a little side business for you, Steve! 

Decorated can - a pin on Pinterest

This started out as a great idea that I saw on Pinterest.  The directions made it look so easy so I had to try it.

Of course, it failed.  But, I turned it around and saved the day!

I had all of the supplies on hand.  Empty can, paint, glue and scrapbook paper.

I painted an empty soup can (lime green).  Don't judge me by my color choice.  I'm making this for Bella and wanted to do her favorite color, which I realized changes by the minute.  One minute it's pink, then purple, then red, then orange, then green, then blue.  I think she was on orange, but, then she changed her mind and said she likes pink (again).  I couldn't keep up, so, I chose lime green.

Anyway, the next part was to glue clear stones onto the side of the can using modge podge.  Seemed simple enough, except the stones wouldn't stick to the can.  Very frustrating. 

So, I decided to find some fancy paper and glue it to the can.  I thought the pink zebra stripe paper would do the job.  I thought it looked cool with the green at the top and bottom of the can.

I wanted to do something with the clear stones so, I cut a flower out of another piece of paper and glued it to the bottom of the clear stone, attached a magnet to the back and am now able to place it on the can (If I want to). 

I would say I saved that pinterest pin's butt. 

Old Christmas Lights Upcycled

I have a bag of used Christmas lights. 

Used lights?  Or burnt out lights? 

They have been hanging out in a bag in the basement waiting to be recycled.  I have had them for quite a few years.  Yea, I probably should have found something to do with them a long time ago.  I'm a little slow at some things.  I didn't want to just throw them away.  So, I (finally) figured out what to do with them.  Better late than never.

Supplies needed:
Used (burnt out?) Christmas bulbs
Paint (red, green, silver)
paint brush
Optional:  glitter (everything is better with glitter)

Decide what color(s) you are going to use and start painting the glass.  You won't be able to use these again as lights (they don't work, remember?).  These are just going to be decorations.

 

I used clothespins to hold them while I painted them and to make it easier for them to dry

My bowl and tray

I added mine to my thrifted bowl. I put some clear marbles (had them on hand) in the bottom, then added the newly painted Christmas light bulbs. 

I put some in a decorative bowl in my living room.  Makes things festive.

After the bulbs have been painted:  If you are blessed with artistic talents (meaning you can paint and people know what it is that you painted) then you can paint a tree, santa, stocking, candy cane or an angel onto the light bulb.  If you do not have that talent (or just don't want to show off, like me) you can cut out a small picture (that will fit onto the bulb) and modge podge it onto the bulb.  You can add glitter to the bulb and make them sparkly!

If you don't want to add them to a bowl and show them off, you can put a magnet on the back and spread some holiday cheer by putting them on your refrigerator.  Or, tie a rope (shoestring) around the end and spread even more cheer as you wear it as a necklace!