Push Pin Art

Another Spring Break craft that Bella just up crafted all by herself.

There are some cute ideas out there for push pin art on a canvas.  I have seen:  heart, ampersand, LOVE, an initial, pineapple, etc.  There are several variations, of course.  You can leave the canvas white or you can paint it.  Use different color push pins.  Add a splash of color and add something else to your picture (a colorful button?).

I'm sure there is a lovely tutorial out there.  Search Push Pin art.  Check out Pinterest.  I'm sure you can spend numerous hours perusing the millions of ideas they have to offer.  Or, just use your imagination and make your own creative canvas art.

Supplies needed:
Canvas
push pins (we used silver)
paint (optional)
pencil

The pencil is to lightly draw your design on the canvas.  If you are doing something like a pineapple, you can probably print one, cut it out and trace it onto the canvas.

Next step?  Start putting in your push pins.  (yea, I'm sure there's a  more elaborate tutorial out there.  Maybe with pictures?)

Bella decided to go with a "B"

What will you make?

Funny Search Results

It's that time again.  Time to look at what people search to reach my blog.

I do this periodically for kicks.  It's fun to see what people search online and how they end up on my blog.

Here's a little taste:


Daisy Flower cookie at Panera
   I think I have a picture of the cookie and the girls were Daisy's at the time.  Still a little strange.

Daddy Daughter Ice Cream Family blog

I did an post on Daddy daughter dance, but, ice cream family blog?  I don't remember anything about ice cream on my blog.  Maybe I should talk about ice cream more?

My daughter is in a size 6 dance dress 

?

Your mother doesn't live here

I have a post with that title.  It's weird that someone would actually search that and my blog comes up.



I think I'll have to talk about some strange things (or not?) from now on and see if anything changes.

I'll let you know!

Eating Healthy

I don't have to go into all the details about how we have been (trying) to eat healthy (or do I?).  We make meals from scratch, read labels, limit processed foods, low sugar and sodium, etc.

I have been trying to drill all of this into my kids' heads.   I'm never sure what yes in and what doesn't quite make it inside their heads.

With Nick, it all hit him when he took a cooking class in High School.  The teacher told him the same things we had been saying for years and they finally sunk in.  Nick is very conscious of what he eats. Wants everything that goes into his body to be nutritious. He's actually good at reading labels and knowing how much protein or carbs are in various foods.

Alex took a cooking class last semester (yes, I think that everyone should know how to cook.  I taught them the basics and the class gave them a little more information) and now he's worried about what he is eating.

Well, I'm not totally sure that he's worried about what he is eating.  He told me that he wants to eat healthier and I replied he should eat his meals at home.  Make your own food.  I told him to read labels and not eat out.  (His idea of eating out is fast food).

It's a tough journey.  At least he recognizes good/healthy food.

Now to get him off the fast food track.........

Bella's Banana Bread

We had some bananas that were ripening a little too quickly.  Bella decided to look to the Internet and find an easy Banana Bread recipe that she could whip up quickly.  I told her that I have a recipe.  One that I have used for years.  She told me that she wanted to do this one on her own.

I have to say, she did a great job!  Very moist and absolutely delicious!

Sorry I don't know where she found the recipe, so I can't give credit.

Here's the recipe:

Bella's Banana Bread

3 bananas, mashed well
1 egg
1 tsp baking soda
2 cups flour
1 1/8 cups sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup walnuts
2 Tbsp buttermilk or milk

Oven: 325F.

In a bowl mix flour, baking soda.  Set aside.

In a larger bowl, mix egg, sugar and oil until well combined.

Add the dry ingredients and stir well.

Add milk, vanilla and bananas.

Mix in walnuts.

Pour into loaf pan and bake 50-75 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.




Let us know what you think!

Enjoy!

Free Music

It's getting warmer outside!  Spring is finally here.  I probably shouldn't say that too loud.  Mother Nature might just throw in a snowstorm.

When the weather gets warmer, you don't need a jacket when you go outside.  You can start working on your garden.  You can drive around with your windows down.  And, you can get free music to listen to while out driving.  That's when the car near you is blasting their radio and you can hear it the next block over clearly inside your car while your windows are rolled up.  When this happens, I tell the kids to roll down the windows because we're getting some free music.

National Card and Letter Writing Month

Once again, it's National Card and Letter Writing Month.  I forgot to post this earlier in the month.  You still have time to put pen to paper and send someone a little note by snail mail.  Everyone enjoys getting personal mail.  Why not cheer someone up and send them a handwritten letter or card?

Bathroom Update

I haven't given an update because I'm upset it isn't finished yet.  I can see the end, tho.  This remodel won't go on forever (did I just jinx it?)

The floor (and tub surround) tiles are in, the vanities will soon be installed.  A little pain, grout, mirrors, fixtures and doors and everything can hopefully go back to normal around here.