Our Party Plans for Saint Valentine's Day ~ 12 Ideas for a LOVE-ly Day

Happy Friday, Friends!! After two days of intense posts, I'm ready for something light and sweet!! Valentine's Day is just a week away, and I am sooooooper excited!! Holidays are a big deal around here.  We bake, we craft, we read, we dress, we dance for our favorite occasions.  I like to keep a Valentine's day Pinterest board stuffed full of great ideas (although most of them will never get used) so that I can plan something new and fun for our family to enjoy each year.  

Here's a few things that I'm hoping will make this year's festivities memorable!

♥ For the Classroom:

Great stories that capture the spirit of any holiday are a must in this house.  I found a huge list of a variety of books online, and really appreciated this compilation of Real Love Read-Alouds from Not Consumed.

For the little ones, an active game such as this Heart Hopscotch from Toddler Approved is a great way to exercise gross motor skills and practice counting at the same time.  And, its *easy* to make!!

I'm loving this Musical Hearts Game from No Time for Flash Cards.  I honestly think our whole family will end up playing it...and laughing the entire time. Get out your love jams.  Steve and I are making a playlist today.  So far I've contributed "I Only Wanna Be With You" by Hootie and the Blowfish.  You know you love some Hootie!

Last year the boys wrote a Love sensory poem from Calico and Cupcakes, and I'm going to do it again this year, because their answers were so precious.  The lines say, "Love sounds like.....Love feels like.....etc."  My favorite answer was "Love smells like BACON."  Mmmmm Hmmmm!!

♥ For Our Taste Buds:

I always make something crazy good for our Valentine supper, something that requires a dress code of elastic waistband attire, but the kids would just as soon eat mac 'n cheese if only they could have their fill of the sweets.  I thought it might be cute to give them each a box (or small decorated brown paper bag) filled with this Strawberries and Cream Puppy Chow from Life, Love & Sugar for dessert.

Even though I won't be indulging this year, I thought I would make my lover a fun little cocktail to enjoy before dinner (and maybe steal a couple of sips!). 15 Love Cocktails for Valentine's Day from All Yummy Recipes has a fantastic list of sippers, and I really want to try them all. Gin and Jam is the one featured here, because Hendrick's Gin is my faayyyvorite!

Homemade gifts, to me, are the best gifts of all.  These Heart Candy Jars from The 36th Avenue might take a bit of time, but I think they would make really sweet teacher or grandparent gifts.  As a bonus, when the candy runs out, the jar would make a perfectly lovely candle holder!  The tags are FREE to print on the website as well!

♥ For {Fashion} Fun

This is our lil' Charlie, dapper in his Love Day duds at 11 months.  I discovered this adorable top from Antsy Pants on Etsy and couldn't resist.  The company has lots of sweet clothing for boys, and a great variety of sweet attire for many holidays.  

Why do I have this here?? I haven't polished my nails since 2001!  But, I think if I had girls in la casa we would be all over this Valentine's Day Mani from the Beauty Department!  Mucho cuteness! So, for those of you who have girls, I say go for it! 

Okay, I confess I cannot resist these Knit Boot Toppers from Etsy.  Aren't they so cute? They also come in grey with red hearts, which is my pick.  Yes? No? What do you think??

♥ For the Home:

This Crayon Hearts from Martha Stewart craft has been circling the web for a couple of years now, and I've always wanted to do it, but have never tried.  Now that most of our crayons in the classroom are worn down to little stubs, or broken in pieces, I think it's a good time to make it happen! They will be so pretty hanging in front of a window...until someone's mysteriously curious fingers rip them down, grind them into the carpet, or try to eat them.  Okay, maybe I should rethink this one!

I have to say that while I curse Pinterest for many reasons, I love admit to loving it for just as many. One reason is no matter what the holiday, I can find beautiful FREE printables to decorate our home with (EASY PEASY!!). This one from  A Thoughtful Place is so lovely!  If you search "Free Valentine's Day Printables" you will come up with loads of options for cards, gifts and decor.  Sweet!

♥ For the Heart: {One of my favorite quotes of all time....}

Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of trouble, attempts what is above its strength, pleads no excuse of impossibility..... It is therefore able to undertake all things, and it completes many things, and warrants them to take effect, where he who does not love would faint and lie down.  Love is watchful and sleeping, slumbereth not.  Though weary, it is not tired; though pressed, it is not straitened; though alarmed, it is not confounded; but, as a lively flame and burning torch, it forces its way upwards and securely passes all.  

- Thomas A Kempis (1379-1471) -

How are you planning to celebrate? 

Do you have a favorite craft, book, recipe or gift idea? 

We'd love to hear it!

The Perfect Last Minute Gift ~ Creative Handmade Bookmarks

Hello, Friends!! I'm so happy you are here, because today I have a wonderful gift to share with you! My beautiful friend, Kelly, from This Ain't the Lyceum, has ever so kindly offered to compose a guest post for me, since I've got a little "I'm trying to grow a baby here" fatigue goin' on, and blogging has been taken over by naps and snacks. She truly understands!  If you haven't added Kelly's blog to your list of favorites, you will need to do that right now, because I promise her sense of humor, zest for life and all things motherhood, her beautiful writing style and creative approach to homeschooling (sprinkled with the perfect amount of sarcasm) will keep you coming back week after week. Thank you, Kelly, for sharing your creative genius with all of us today!...

Inadvertently, at some point in the final days before Christmas, one of your kids is going to utter the words, “I still need a present for my music teacher, best friend, grandma, cousin, mailman,
etc.!” Do you a.) pull out your hair while walking them around a crowded store or b.) search
through the house for new­ish items to re­gift, provided the recipient has poor eyesight? Well no more! Let me present you with the perfect, last minute gift idea that is practical and useful
for the recipient, yet simple enough for non­crafty types of all ages and created from items easily
found around the house. Behold, the humble bookmark.

Bookmarks can be as simple or elaborate as your imagination. They look great tucked in an
envelope, used as a gift tag, peeking out of a stocking, or slipped in a favorite book. My kids range in age from three to eleven and bookmarks are still a fun craft we can all work on together. I’m going to share a few of our favorite designs to inspire you and then the sky’s the limit!

My favorite bookmark was inspired by this pattern over at Wee Folk Art. I took Kimara’s gnome design and altered it slightly. I make these out of cereal or cracker boxes, covering the glossy, product side with patterned paper, and cut the gnome’s hat, beard and book from other scraps I find lying around the art table or magazine bin. ‘Highlights’ magazines usually have enough red for a bright hat.

I use a store bought bookmark as a template for simpler bookmarks. If you need a template, I’ve
often used these as well.  My kids cut bookmarks from magazine covers and give bundles to
friends or we’ll cut some of my youngest’s artwork out, and paste it to cardboard for grandparents
whose refrigerators are otherwise covered with masterpieces.

Bookmarks can be adorned with the smallest bits of scrapbook paper, washi tape, stickers and
stamps. If you have a laminator or clear packaging tape, your creations can be made water
resistant and include items like pressed flowers too. Here’s an array of some of our favorites.Can
you see the teeth marks in the laminated ones? Perfect for a house with littles. The bookmarks
may outlast the board books.

Do you save Christmas cards? Why not upcycle them into a festive bookmark? The two layers of

The possibilities are endless. Forget the last minute store run and spend a fun evening at home
creating a useful gift that your friends and family are sure to enjoy for years to come. Who knows, it might be a new Advent tradition in the making.

Wake Up & Smell the Wine ~ It's Time to Shop Online!

If you already have all of your Christmas shopping done and every gift is wrapped and labeled and stacked under your sparkling tree, then you should probably stop reading this and go find your tiara, because you are officially the Queen of Christmas! If, however, you are not finished, or in my case, you haven't even started, then read on!!...

Last year I wrote a post where I shared a few of my favorite gift ideas from Etsy as a way of promoting small business.  I still feel passionate about buying local, shopping in your main street stores, and even supporting independent online businesses instead of dropping all of your cash at the big box and chain stores, but I have to be honest, there is one other reason why I prefer to shop this way: it is soooooo much easier with kids.  Honestly, shopping on small town main street doesn't take a lot of time and planning.  The kids can hang out with the babysitter or grandparents while you shop. It's great for family efficiency and for the local economy!  Even more convenient is shopping online.  Jump into your jammies, pour yourself a beverage of choice (preferably made with grapes), turn on Pandora Christmas tunes, and it's a fingertip trip!

Now, I'm not totally down on shopping with kids....I'm just a little weary of doing it all of the time...

Because we homeschool, one or all of my kids are usually with me when I run errands.  As you might already guess, if I'd rather wear a hair shirt or become a Democrat for a day than shop with all five boys. I literally have to mentally prepare myself for the mission.  And, we NEVER go into a store without a family huddle first.  By huddle, I usually mean mommy grunts out some threats, bribes and exhibits an unmistakable "I mean business" face.  Then, once in the store, I put that cart in "R" for race.  Charlie is strapped in, snack in hand, and the other boys just have to keep up.  It's normal for me to turn around about 50 times to remind the boys through clenched teeth to "watch out, pay attention, stop running, and stay together."  

Sometimes, I get a little too focused on lipstick shades and stuffed olives and do not detect the boys playing catch with random items down the center isles - until the (un)friendly Target employee decides to whip out her wand of chastisement, then I'm on high alert. I also tend to sweat a lot when I take the tribe on a spending spree with me.  There's nothing like the feeling of arriving at check-out with your favorite sweater sticking to your back and your bangs plastered to your forehead.  No matter how in control you feel with kids in tow, you just don't look the part.  It's those moments when I say to myself, "Wake up and smell the wine, honey.  There has to be an easier way."  So, this Christmas, I'm giving myself permission to online shop a little more than last year.  Gas up your truck, Mr. UPS man, because you're going to be putting the country miles on that big bad sassy brown gift wagon!!  And, with all of the extra energy, patience and Christmas cheer I'm going to have, I might even bake you some cookies!

So, do you want to see what I've found so far??  Most of these goodies are from Etsy.  It's my favorite website! So many unique, funny and beautiful things, something for everyone, and a showcase of incredible love and talent just waiting to be found....and bought....and shared....and admired.  Let's get to it!!

When I saw this Personalized Bowling Set from Hill Country Woodcraft I went a little nuts.  Their Etsy page has a fantastic variety of quality handmade wood toys that are unbelievably cute.

I think that these Lap Desks from BaZing Designs may actually make doing homework more fun for my kids.  They can take the desk in the car, outside or under the table fort.  You can personalize them with pictures and names or buy one of their stock items.

Do you know what this Six Bottle Oak Wine Rack from WineSpirations is made from?? A repurposed wine barrel! I love it!!

These Little Birdie Nesting Bowls from Tasha McKelvey are custom made and have scored at spot on my refrigerator wish list (which I keep visible for my husband to help take the mystery and confusion out of shopping for me.)  She has many adorable in-stock items that will ship for Christmas.

If you know anyone who loves popcorn (I'm raising my hand), Gourmet Popcorn Seasoning from Deli Cove Spice Company is the perfect gift.  They have so many fantastically fun flavors such as beer and Key Lime Pie. They also sell cocktail rim sugars. Ooo, Yahh!!

I really love that scarves and neck warmers are still in this season.  This Hand Crocheted Neck Scarf from Second Life Creations is beautiful and would give any coat or outfit a lovely romantic look.

Even though I don't have any girls, I'm buying these Boot Toppers/Boot Cuffs from Dream Spun Kids.  They are just too adorable!! They come in so many different colors, and really snazz up a jeans and boots or a dress with boots outfit.

Handmade cases for electronics are so much more fun than the boring ones at Best Buy.  I love this I-Pad Case from Five Sprouts Stitching. Yellow is my favorite color, and the chevron print gives it a modern edge.They also have cases in a variety of prints and colors for many other electronic products.

A watch is a timeless gift to give a man, but a Leather Watch from Creative Urges is timeless and personal all in one.  Can you believe the band is handmade? I can see it on my man's wrist right now!

As long as I'm showcasing gifts for guys, I was so excited to find this Manly-Man Fragrance Soap Grenade.  A perfect little stocking stuffer for all my boys, who are so into army and hunting stuff.  

I know that there are so many different kinds/brands of jewelry out there, so jewelry is a popular gift.  But, I just couldn't pass up sharing this Family Tree Necklace from Soul Peaces. They have a number of beautiful pieces on their Etsy site that I admire for their unique simplicity.

My husband probably won't be too happy with me, but our Goldens, Stella and Rose, might be sporting these Personalized velvet dog collars from ShopMimiGreen this year!

That's all for now folks!! 

If you have an Etsy site, or if you have a product from an online independent retailer that you'd like to share with us, please leave a link in the comments!

My 5 Minute $15 Patio Furniture Makeover

Since I've spent the past two days rearranging furniture in our little country abode to make room for the Christmas tree, and unpacking boxes of red, green and glittery things to spread throughout the house, I'm definitely in the mood to decorate!  On the way to the dentist today, the boys and I scream-sang our fave Christmas tunes, and somewhere in the middle of "Let it Snow" I had a domestic epiphany: Why not spruce up the front porch with a little patio chair make-over for Christmas? (Because the 700 boxes of lights that my husband bought at Home Depot last night might not be jazzy enough??)

After the dentist, we traipsed into Wal-Mart to grab a few necessities, and of course I had to swing by the craft section.  In 5 minutes, I had $15 worth of red and black plaid fleece, a box of safety pins and a plan to make our wicker chairs look wonderful! 

Now, if you know anything about me, any DIY project that I dream up has to be: 

1. Cheap 

2. Easy 

3. Able to be completed with a baby on your hip.

Here's how I did it (it's so easy, you don't really need to even read the directions):

First, I cut the 3.5 yards of fabric in two equal pieces. Then, I simply laid out the long seat cushions and proceeded to wrap them like a gift, cushions face side down, and used the safety pins to secure the fabric to the cushions.  

The cushions were complete in just 10 minutes!  Then, I remembered that I had bought a red pillow ($5 at the Dollar Store) and some sequins to recreate a pillow I saw in the Land of Nod catalog (which was super overpriced for a pillow, so I figured I could make it myself).  I just used a little liquid stitch to secure the sequins and voila!

As a finishing touch, I sprayed the cushions with Scotch water-proofing spray, just in case by some miracle it should ever snow.  In less than 30 minutes I gave our little country porch a festive Christmas look! Then, Stella and Rose took over.  THE END!!

Make This Advent Memorable!

On December 2nd, the Christian church will begin their celebration of the season of Advent. The literal translation of Advent, from the Latin adventus, is coming or arrival. It is typically used when referring to something extremely important.  Advent is the anticipation of the coming of Jesus Christ, our Savior and our King.  

It's difficult to maintain a spirit of anticipation of the coming of Christ during Advent.  Most of us, especially children, have a greater sense of anticipation toward decorating the tree, baking cookies, stringing lights and most of all opening gifts laid quietly beneath the tree by Santa on Christmas Eve.

Advent has sort of become Christmas, and Christmas (which is typically celebrated for 12 days, up until Epiphany) has sort of become "take down the tree and make some resolutions" time. 

If you are interested,  I believe that there are a few simple things parents can do to help our families experience a deeper sense of Advent at home:

1. Put up decorative reminders that draw your attention and focus 

into the anticipation of Christ's coming.  

This year I created simple luminaries to put in the window of the kitchen.  We will light them in the evening while having supper together.  They would also look lovely on a fireplace mantle, a buffet or as a centerpiece on a table.

After drawing the letters on each soup can (I used the large Progresso ones), I drilled evenly spaced holes along the letter pattern. A hammer and large nail would also work. 

Then, after washing the marker off (be sure and do this, or it will bleed through the paint), I spray-painted the cans white.  Any festive color would be great, even metallics!

To dress the cans up, just embellish with ribbon of any coordinating color, if you like.

Add a candle, and you're all set! 

(Be sure to use tea lights or small votives so that the flame shines through the letters.)

2.  Purchase or create your own traditional Advent wreath with candles. 

 These adorable wreaths would be fun to make with the kids!  Teach your children the history and significance of the wreath to make it even more meaningful.  Light the proper candle(s) each night, gather round, say prayers and sing songs (we love O Come, O Come Emmanuel).

3.  Create an Advent calendar of some sort, or purchase one with the windows that you can open, one for each day leading up to Christmas.  

I loved this idea from  Martha Stewart.  It would be so cute hung across a tall upright piano or even on a large mirror. Place something small in each stocking to remind your family of Jesus.  For example, pieces of straw (manger), a star (Star of Bethlehem), a cross, a lamb, etc. If it's in your budget, tuck in Christian ornaments that the children can add to the tree!

4.  Celebrate the Feast of St. Nicholas on December 6. 

We have found a lot of great resources and ideas from this website and have created many wonderful memories with our children on this day this day together.

5. Print out some simple activity or coloring pages that your kids can enjoy while you make supper, or to keep the little ones content during evening prayer time.  

I found these Free Printable (Christ-Centered) Advent Coloring Pages online, printed out several copies and put them in a folder marked "Advent." 

6.  Finally, for my fellow homeschoolers, you can find various printable activities at Raising and Teaching Little Saints to incorporate into your religious education.

Come back and visit us on Wednesday, when I'll be posting my favorite Advent and Christmas picture books!

Boob Tube Rebellion & DIY Porch Lights

Why did I make these buckets of awesomeness in the middle of the day when my house was a wreck and the toilet needed plunging?? Because that's what crafty crazy people do when they're trying to postpone the inevitable. What's inevitable, you ask (or didn't ask)?? 

The cold, that's what....

You know what I dread most about the cold creeping into my days? It makes me feel LAYZEEE.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE fall, I long for fall, I daydream of fall during the 100+ degree days when the wind whips my hair to shreds and my skin feels like sandpaper.  But, despite those warm temps, summer puts me in a "get it done" kind of mood.  Followed by a "drink it cold" kind of mood.  But, that's not where I'm goin' here...

What I mean to say is that there's a distinct shift internally that takes place in me when the cold sets in. It's a shift toward baking....lots and lots of baking, big pots of soup, big sweaters to cover the soup and the baking, flannel jammies on at 5:00 p.m. and my fanny fixed to the couch.  Sometime the couch time is reading, and sometimes it's tubing.  Damn the tube!!

Well, this year I'm rebelling against the cold and the tube.  My first step of action is to try and extend our days outdoors. I thought that maybe if I could entice our children to sit out on the deck and star gaze or read with me under some blankies with some cocoa I might be a hero - one who saves us all from the temptation of evening television or endless, mindless snacking. A hero who establishes a habit of something, other than wanting to watch TV, when the freezing cold kicks us back inside. Here's what I came up with:

We don't have a fancy outdoor fireplace or fire-pit.  Lord knows I'm saving every little shiny dime in hopes of being able to build a house one day.  So, ambiance had to be purchased on the cheap.  

Here's my list of supplies:

1.  Galvanized buckets (I used 3)

2.  Scrap fabric or ribbon (scraps because Hobby Lobby is forever away.)

3.  Pillar candles of different sizes (cheap Dollar Store/Wal-Mart ones.)

4.  Glue dots or other adhesive

5. Pine Cones (from the yard)

6.  Sand (stolen from the boys' sand pile)

Each bucket cost around $10 to make.  Too much?? Consider the unlimited uses for those galvanized buckets after you retire the porch lights!  Now, for the assembly:

You might think that Home Depot has the best deal on these buckets, but I suggest you shop around.  I found mine for $6.99 at Tractor Supply.  Just one of the many perks of living on a farm and actually having a reason to shop at T.S.!!

Okay, I'm gonna be honest here.  If I had it my way, I would have used burlap ribbon, because I have a thing for burlap right now. But, ya know what?? I'm 60 miles from any store that might actually sell burlap ribbon, so I found this fabric in my scrap bin, and  pulled a Tim Gunn and made it work!

Pinking Shears - chosen for this type of material, because it doesn't fray in a pretty way.

"Ribbon" dimensions: 43" Long x 5" Wide (it's up to you, I just wanted to cover up the big "Behrens" sticker, since I'm too lazy to scrub the label off.

I'm not really the bowsie type.  So, I just tied a square knot.  I'm sure there's probably a more uptown way to dress the bucket, but this suits me just fine.  I also added a few glue dots around the top edge to help secure the fabric.

Next, fill the bucket 3/4 full with sand, while your kids run around the yard or the neighborhood scrounging up some pine cones.  Then, with the buckets full, do a couple of bicep curls and say to yourself, "I'm crafty and I'm fit!"  Finally, center the candles in the sand and surround with the pine cones.  Even better if you have some cinnamon oil to apply to the cones to make them scented!

After hauling the buckets out to the porch, I grabbed a bunch of old blankets and some quilts, a few of the books that we're all reading and placed them by the patio furniture.  At this point, my boys were giving me a great big "HUH???"  Until they saw the candles....then they got that glazed over pyro look, and I began to wonder just how good my idea actually was!

Last night the older boys had football practice, so Henry and Charlie and I stayed home to do some yard work.  After baths, I found Henry staring out the classroom window.  Then, he turned to me a sweetly asked, "Mamma, when can we go outside and light the candles and you read me a story??" 

Gasp!! NO show-show (his TV lingo)?? Woo-Hoo it worked!!...

 I won't remember watching cartoons for the hundredth time with Henry, but this - this I will remember. 
I just hope it will last!