Good Wednesday morning!
The Gallery Pics are the remaining Six Flags' photos. Oh, and the picture I took of the Goliath sign at night. It turned out well, so I thought I would share. Once again, I didn't ride it, but Roxie did (twice) so I feel I can post it as long as I'm honest about why I added it to The Gallery.
By the way... If you have known me two minutes you know I love to try NEW things. I forgot to tell you what new experiences I had this past weekend. I ate at the Marietta Diner (which has been featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives). I rode the Scorcher and Batman for the first time. Oh, and I saw Wonder Woman and her Invisible Airplane. This may sound a little sad to you, but I LOVE experiencing firsts... big or little. (I also love going to restaurants and hotels which have been featured on The Travel Channel. Marietta Diner is the fourth Diners, Drive-ins and Dives eatery I've visited, and I've been to two of the hotels featured on Great Hotels. I'm not bragging... just informing. Well, maybe bragging a little.)
RANDOMNESS #1 - Guess what? It IS a federal offense to go around and take pictures of random mailboxes. Who knew?
Not really. I just couldn't get a shot of the mailbox with all the kids running around after school... too many witnesses. I'll try again today. (And I said "Not really" like I had checked in the Federal Book of Laws or something. I'm still not sure if taking this picture will land me in the local jail or not. That would be something new for me. I've never been "booked" before. I'm sure it isn't a pleasant experience, but the stories I would be able to tell... It would open up a whole new chapter for me. Hmmm. Still not worth it. I'm going to make some calls before I photograph today.)
RANDOMNESS #2 - I haven't been able to speak of this before today because I had to compose myself. Have you heard FOX cancelled 24 after this season? Are they insane? They say it is going to be fine because there is going to be a 24 Movie. One movie! That's not enough Jack Bauer to sustain me! What am I supposed to do now? Watch rerun after rerun after rerun of America's Funniest Home Videos? (I do that anyway!) I'm very sad... and I am legally changing Austin's name to Jack. It's the least I can do as a die-hard fan of the show.
NOTE - Don't mention this to Austin. I'll tell him myself when the time is right.
RANDOMNESS #3 - Tomorrow is "Permanent Crown Day." I hope, I hope, I hope I will be able to share the END of this story Friday.
Special Guest Hints
8. She was an avid water skier back in the day. She LOVED it!
9. She married one of her best friends from high school, but they didn't start dating until college.
10. She is a BIG scrapbooker (one of the things I like most about her).
11. She laughs easily and often. (She's one of those people you want to be around.)
Okay. That's it. I will tell you I did receive a correct guess on my e-mail yesterday. However, the Comment Section needs to give it another try. If nothing else, the Big Reveal is tomorrow, and we'll get to know EVERY intimate detail of her life. (Not really. She wouldn't answer those questions!)
Easter "Oldie"
My Easter "oldie" has to do with Easter morning. Everyone knows I love Scavenger Hunts. This one is for the little ones in your family.
When your child wakes up Easter morning, have an egg on their pillow beside their head. The outside of the egg should say, "OPEN ME." Inside the egg, leave a clue to the next egg. (For example, "Look under your bed.") When the child finds the egg under his/her bed, it will contain another clue. ("Look beside the refrigerator.")
Hide each child's eggs in different places with different clues all over the house. The last egg, of course, will tell them exactly where their Easter Basket has been hidden. ("Look on the front porch.")
You can hide as many or few as you like. I think between five to ten would make it fun for the preschool crowd. (Maybe more for the elementary-age child.)
It will only take a few minutes, but it will start the day off in a fun and exciting way. (And it's easy and inexpensive.)
Wednesday Wisdom - Today's wisdom doesn't come in "quote" form, but it is wisdom nonetheless.
Rules of Chocolate Easter Eggs
1. If you get melted chocolate all over your hands, you're eating it too slowly.
2. Chocolate covered raisins, cherries, orange slices and strawberries all count as fruit, so eat as many as you want.
3. If you can't eat all your Easter chocolate, it will keep in the freezer. But if you can't eat all your Easter chocolate, what is wrong with you?
4. If calories are an issue, store your chocolate on top of the fridge. Calories are afraid of heights, and they will jump out of the chocolate to protect themselves. (I have never heard this before. It makes me happy.)
5. Money talks. Chocolate sings.
6. Chocolate has many preservatives. Preservatives make you look younger. (Again, another scientific fact I did not know. Why don't reporters talk about this on The Today Show EVERY DAY? It should be the number one story.)
7. The problem... How to get two pounds of chocolate eggs home from the store in a hot car. The solution... Eat the eggs in the parking lot.
8. Why is there no such organization as Chocoholics Anonymous? Because no one wants to quit.
The Great Egg Drop
This came from my Family Fun Magazine (received yesterday) from a mom named Jodie Fitzgerald. However, we did this every year while Austin was in elementary school. The local fire department would bring the "bucket" truck and a fireman would drop the eggs from great heights. The child (or children) whose egg(s) didn't break received prizes.
However, this idea makes it doable at home since most of us do not have access to fire department "bucket" trucks.
Preparing the Drop Zone
We usually set up in the driveway or garage (depending on the weather). We spread out a disposable splat mat, such as a painter's tarp or a plastic tablecloth. Then we use spray paint or colored duct tape to create a target in the middle. The target is about five feet in diameter, marked with various points to be won: 100 for the bull's eye, then 75, 50 and 25 for the outer rings. At the edge, we prop a six-foot ladder.
Cushioning the Eggs
At the start of the party, we empty a bag of items onto a table... cotton balls, craft foam, paper towel tubes, pre-cut plastic bottles, pipe cleaners, scrap paper, and so on. We add scissors, glue and tape. At "GO," the kids have 30 seconds to grab an egg and supplies, and three minutes to make a cushion using the materials they've chosen. We've seen eggs swaddled in layers of paper, taped into plastic cups, wrapped with pip cleaners, and covered in cotton balls.
Playing the Game
Since we often play two or three rounds, we start the kids on the bottom rung of the ladder and have them climb a step or two after each egg drop. If an egg lands on the target unbroken, you get the designated number of points. If it cracks, you don't get any points. The kids use a new egg each time, but the cushioning supplies dwindle as the game goes on. This makes each round more challenging.
This sounds fun to me. I think I might add it as a challenge in Survivor - Easter Island!
So much to do, and so little time. Heavy sigh. Have a lovely Wednesday. It's going to be a beautiful day here in the South. Tomorrow I'll share a fun date, Blog Linkage, another Easter "oldie," Gallery Pics AND our April Special Guest will be revealed. It's going to be a great day on A Simple Life (if I do say so myself).
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Faux Snickerdoodles
Good Tuesday morning!
The first Gallery Pic was taken before the concert (Roxie and friends). Because Roxie does not like her picture made wearing a bow tie, it is the only concert pic I have. I have also posted several from our day at Six Flags, and I'll post a few more tomorrow.
RANDOMNESS - A few days ago, I mentioned seeing someone knock a mailbox into the air with their car mirror. I came across this old post the other day, and before I share my little bit of Randomness today, I thought I would re-post my "mailbox" problem I wrote about a year or so ago.
In the past, I had quite the reputation of ACCIDENTALLY hitting mailboxes with my passenger-side mirror. Because I drive vans, I tend to over-compensate by driving a little close to the edge of the road (as opposed to the middle). Thus, while I am being very considerate of the drivers coming toward me, I have a problem with mailboxes sitting too close to the edge of the road. (I actually haven't hit a mailbox in a very long time... only once in the last four years, nine months and six days. Having said that, I will probably hit several tomorrow.)
Also, mailboxes are much more durable than you would think. I have only had to stop and talk to mailbox owners two or three times out of the dozens (okay... hundreds) of boxes I have hit.
And I know what some of you are thinking. "Doesn't that count as a wreck?"
I would have to answer, "No. No, it does not. But thanks for asking."
Having written that over a year ago, I have to say I still have not hit a mailbox since that time. (Which means I have gone FIVE years, nine months and six days.) But I do feel the pain of the mailbox owner whose mailbox was sent flying the other day... because he has put his mailbox securely back on its pedestal using... DUCT TAPE. That's right. One big ol' strip of black duct tape is all that is holding the mailbox in place.
And since I am somewhat of a mailbox-hitting expert (past experience only), I know it is just a matter of time before I, or some other driver of a massive vehicle knocks that sucker off the pedestal once again.
I'm planning on taking a picture today to share in the Gallery tomorrow. Unless, of course, it's a federal offense to take a picture of someone's mailbox. Is it? I'll be sure and take it from the side that doesn't show the address. Wish me luck!
Easter "Oldie"
Today's Easter "oldie" will make someone very happy. Because it is Easter, flowers are showing up everywhere. Take a little time and buy a few Easter lilies to share with some of your elderly neighbors. It will make their day, and since they aren't able to get out quite as much (if at all), it will bring a little spring into their homes. (And everyone needs that!)
Make sure your little guys help pick out the flowers AND deliver them. If you have time, you could even bake some Faux Snickerdoodles (see recipe below) to go with the flower.
Take time to make a "moment" for someone else TODAY.
Special Guest Hints - I had a few guesses yesterday. Let me give you a couple more hints and see if you can get a little closer...
4. She was 23 when she married.
5. She was 28 when she had her first child, a son.
6. She was 31 when she had her second child, a ________. I could tell you, but that would be TMI ("Too Much Information") for some of you.
7. She was literally one of the first people I met when I first started church at Gardendale First Baptist 16 years ago. Actually, I think she was number two.
Does that help a little?
Faux Snickerdoodles
These are too easy for words. You will need the following:
1 Spice Cake Mix
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
4 tablespoons sugar
4 tablespoons cinnamon
1. Mix cake mix, eggs and oil.
2. Using a teaspoon (or a melon baller), place cookie dough on a slightly greased cookie sheet.
3. Combine sugar and cinnamon and put in a clean salt shaker. (Or you can buy the sugar/cinnamon mixture in the Spice Section of your grocery store now.)
4. Sprinkle sugar/cinnamon mixture on each cookie before baking.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 9 minutes.
That's all, folks. Now, do these cookies taste exactly like Snickerdoodles made from scratch? Not quite, but they are soft and cinnamon"y" and very, very good. (And so much quicker to make when a bunch of kids are on the way over to the house.)
Have a lovely spring Tuesday. Tomorrow A Simple Life will be bursting with info... more pics from Six Flags, Seasonal Traditions, Wednesday Wisdom, an Easter "oldie," hints about our April Special Guest, etc., etc. But don't waste today waiting for tomorrow. Enjoy every moment.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The first Gallery Pic was taken before the concert (Roxie and friends). Because Roxie does not like her picture made wearing a bow tie, it is the only concert pic I have. I have also posted several from our day at Six Flags, and I'll post a few more tomorrow.
RANDOMNESS - A few days ago, I mentioned seeing someone knock a mailbox into the air with their car mirror. I came across this old post the other day, and before I share my little bit of Randomness today, I thought I would re-post my "mailbox" problem I wrote about a year or so ago.
In the past, I had quite the reputation of ACCIDENTALLY hitting mailboxes with my passenger-side mirror. Because I drive vans, I tend to over-compensate by driving a little close to the edge of the road (as opposed to the middle). Thus, while I am being very considerate of the drivers coming toward me, I have a problem with mailboxes sitting too close to the edge of the road. (I actually haven't hit a mailbox in a very long time... only once in the last four years, nine months and six days. Having said that, I will probably hit several tomorrow.)
Also, mailboxes are much more durable than you would think. I have only had to stop and talk to mailbox owners two or three times out of the dozens (okay... hundreds) of boxes I have hit.
And I know what some of you are thinking. "Doesn't that count as a wreck?"
I would have to answer, "No. No, it does not. But thanks for asking."
Having written that over a year ago, I have to say I still have not hit a mailbox since that time. (Which means I have gone FIVE years, nine months and six days.) But I do feel the pain of the mailbox owner whose mailbox was sent flying the other day... because he has put his mailbox securely back on its pedestal using... DUCT TAPE. That's right. One big ol' strip of black duct tape is all that is holding the mailbox in place.
And since I am somewhat of a mailbox-hitting expert (past experience only), I know it is just a matter of time before I, or some other driver of a massive vehicle knocks that sucker off the pedestal once again.
I'm planning on taking a picture today to share in the Gallery tomorrow. Unless, of course, it's a federal offense to take a picture of someone's mailbox. Is it? I'll be sure and take it from the side that doesn't show the address. Wish me luck!
Easter "Oldie"
Today's Easter "oldie" will make someone very happy. Because it is Easter, flowers are showing up everywhere. Take a little time and buy a few Easter lilies to share with some of your elderly neighbors. It will make their day, and since they aren't able to get out quite as much (if at all), it will bring a little spring into their homes. (And everyone needs that!)
Make sure your little guys help pick out the flowers AND deliver them. If you have time, you could even bake some Faux Snickerdoodles (see recipe below) to go with the flower.
Take time to make a "moment" for someone else TODAY.
Special Guest Hints - I had a few guesses yesterday. Let me give you a couple more hints and see if you can get a little closer...
4. She was 23 when she married.
5. She was 28 when she had her first child, a son.
6. She was 31 when she had her second child, a ________. I could tell you, but that would be TMI ("Too Much Information") for some of you.
7. She was literally one of the first people I met when I first started church at Gardendale First Baptist 16 years ago. Actually, I think she was number two.
Does that help a little?
Faux Snickerdoodles
These are too easy for words. You will need the following:
1 Spice Cake Mix
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
4 tablespoons sugar
4 tablespoons cinnamon
1. Mix cake mix, eggs and oil.
2. Using a teaspoon (or a melon baller), place cookie dough on a slightly greased cookie sheet.
3. Combine sugar and cinnamon and put in a clean salt shaker. (Or you can buy the sugar/cinnamon mixture in the Spice Section of your grocery store now.)
4. Sprinkle sugar/cinnamon mixture on each cookie before baking.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 9 minutes.
That's all, folks. Now, do these cookies taste exactly like Snickerdoodles made from scratch? Not quite, but they are soft and cinnamon"y" and very, very good. (And so much quicker to make when a bunch of kids are on the way over to the house.)
Have a lovely spring Tuesday. Tomorrow A Simple Life will be bursting with info... more pics from Six Flags, Seasonal Traditions, Wednesday Wisdom, an Easter "oldie," hints about our April Special Guest, etc., etc. But don't waste today waiting for tomorrow. Enjoy every moment.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Easter Brunch Party
Good Monday morning!
The Showcase Pic is, of course, from our Six Flags' weekend. This is the only picture of me from this trip, and it was right after we rode Scorcher, so it isn't the most flattering. But it is of me and Roxie having fun, and I like it!
Get ready to be very, very hungry. The Gallery Pics are from our Friday night visit to the Marietta Diner. If you are ever within ten minutes of Six Flags Over Georgia, put the Marietta Diner on your itinerary. It was GREAT!
RANDOMNESS - I have a new favorite nut now. (No, Mikie has not been replaced.) I'm eating pistachios. They are WONDERFUL! My old favorite nut (other than Mikie) was the cashew. Just letting you know about any and all changes to my diet because I know it either interests you greatly... or not at all!
Special Guest Hints - Our Special Guest for April will be revealed Thursday, April 1. As always, I have a few little hints for you. Joan, if you guess this one, you are my hero!
1. She is the wife of one, and mother of two.
2. She was a cheerleader in 10th grade.
3. She grew up on the river.
Okay, Joan. Give it your best shot! There will be more hints tomorrow.
Easter "Oldie"
You have all probably heard of the Easter "oldie" for today... but just in case you haven't tried this yet, below are the instructions for a Resurrection Egg Hunt.
Resurrection Eggs
You can buy these "kits" at most Christian book stores. If you want to do it yourself, number plastic eggs 1 through 12 and hide them with all the other eggs you will be hiding that day. (Make sure you don't hide the resurrection eggs in hard-to-find places.) When the hunt is over, have all the children sit in a circle and ask for Egg Number 1. Have the child who found Egg Number 1 open it revealing what you put inside. Then read the scripture and tell the story one egg at a time.
1. Bread - Matthew 26:26. While they were eating Jesus took a piece of bread, gave a prayer of thanks, broke it, and gave it to His disciples. "Take and eat it," He said, "This is My body."
2. Coins - Matthew 26:14-15. Then one of the twelve disciples, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and asked, "What will you give me if I betray Jesus to you?" They counted out thirty silver coins and gave them to him.
3. Purple cloth (representing a purple robe) - Mark 15:17. They put a purple robe on Jesus.
4. Thorns - Matthew 27:29. Then they made a crown out of thorny branches and placed it on His head, and put a stick on His right hand; then they knelt before Him and made fun of Him. "Long live the King of the Jews!" they said.
5. Scourge (a small piece of rope or thick string) - Mark 15:15. Pilate wanted to please the crowd, so he set Barabbas free for them. Then he had Jesus whipped and handed Him over to be crucified.
6. Cross - John 19:17-18a. He went out, carrying His cross, and came to "The Place of the Skull," as it is called. (In Hebrew it is called "Golgotha.") There they crucified Him.
7. Nails - John 20:25b. Thomas said to them, "Unless I see the scars of the nails in His hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in His side, I will not believe."
8. Sign - Luke 23:38. Above Him were written these words: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
9. Sponge - Matthew 27:48. One of them ran up at once, took a sponge, soaked it in cheap wine, put it on the end of a stick, and tried to make Him drink it.
10. Spear - John 19:34. One of the soldiers plunged his spear into Jesus' side, and at once blood and water poured out.
11. Rock - Matthew 27:59-60. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a new linen sheet, and placed it in his own new tomb, which he had just recently dug out of solid rock. Then he rolled a large stone across the entrance to the tomb and went away.
12. Empty - Matthew 28:6. He is not here. He has risen just as He said.
This is a wonderful way to add the Easter devotion to the traditional Egg Hunt.
Weekend Review
While Mikie and the boys were doing yard work this weekend, Roxie and I were roller coaster ridin' at Six Flags. I rode Scorcher (my new favorite), Batman, Great American Scream Machine, Run Away Mine Car (my old favorite), the "slingy ride" that goes in circles, and the Acme Roller Coaster.
I was ready to hop on board Super Man, but I had a bag. They would not even let me stand in line with the bag! They told me to rent a locker. I didn't want to rent a locker. EVERY other ride at Six Flags had cubbies for shoes and sunglasses and hats and BAGS, but not Super Man.
So I politely asked the lady if I could just stand in line with everyone and walk through when it came time to get on board. "You can NOT get in line with a bag," I was again told. This made no sense to me, but I did not argue. I waited patiently for Neisa, Hannah, Roxie and Lauren to pass above me and I took pictures from below. I was a saint!
Let the record show, the girls did not wear shoes so somewhere on the platform there were cubbies for shoes and sunglasses and hats... but NOT bags!
Roxie and a few others had to ride Goliath. I did not feel the need to ride Goliath. Could I have ridden the giant coaster? Of course. Would I have ridden the giant roller coaster if no one had been willing to ride it with Roxie? Absolutely. However, God answered my prayer with a "YES," and I didn't have to free fall 20 stories to make my daughter happy.
No one was willing to ride the Wheelie or the Giant Flying Swings with me. The circular motion either made them sick OR they just wanted to do the thrill rides. I understood and was very "go with the flow." But for the record, I want it duly noted I can ride the Wheelie six times in a row and not throw up. It's a gift... I know. I can't walk for about 20 minutes after I ride it six times in a row, but I do NOT throw up.
The Awards Ceremony for the competition was held at 6:00 p.m. CST, so we headed to the amphitheater. The Intermediate Band won a Silver trophy (which is excellent), and the Advanced Band (which is Roxie's band) won GOLD! It was a great ending to a great day.
But wait... it wasn't over yet! Since we had driven over the night before, we didn't have to leave with the buses. We decided to eat dinner and ride a few more coasters. Roxie wanted to ride Goliath again, but the original Goliath riders left on the bus. Into this story walks Tim with his son, Nick. They, too, had driven. They were going to stay a little later. Tim wanted to ride Goliath in the dark. Go, Roxie, go. Stay with Mr. Tim! Another little answered prayer!
Papa John's Pizza, one more bathroom stop and we were Birmingham bound!
My Sunday list of things to do was not humanly possible.
Church
Wash and pack Austin's clothes
Austin leaving at 2:00 for symphonic band concert
Mike and I leaving at 3:15 for symphonic band concert
Get Roxie to church class at 4:00
Pick Roxie up at 5:00 for dinner
Get Roxie back to church for 6:00 Bible Study
Get on my knees and pray as Josh drives to Area Bible Study across town
Yeah. Something had to give. Mikie called his parents, and they were ready, willing and able to attend the 30-minute concert. That left me free and clear to pick up and drop off to my heart's content!
Homework, Amazing Race and bed ended our weekend. Oh, is anything better than being in your own bed? Simple pleasures!
NOTE - I told Austin it was my gift to him to do his laundry his first year at college as he transitioned into his new life. April 27 will be my last load of "Austin Laundry." Notice has been given and received. I'm counting down the days! (Josh and Roxie will be given the same gift when the time comes... unless they make me mad. I'm kind of hoping they make me mad.)
Easter Brunch Party
With its long holiday weekend, Easter offers a nice opportunity to host a get-together for friends and family. Whether you plan to handle the entire meal yourself or go potluck, an afternoon brunch is a great way to celebrate the season.
Make sure to send out invitations at least two weeks in advance, giving guests time to respond while allowing yourself time to make any final preparations.
Decorating for the gathering can be a simple affair. Just use the cues of the season... budding flowers, fresh colors, and of course, bunnies. Pile decorated eggs into attractive bowls or baskets, place arrangements of Easter lilies and pussy willows in corners, and set the table with an Easter theme. Sugar-coated fruit and flowers make an easy, yet elegant, Easter centerpiece.
Have a quick welcoming craft to engage kids while guests arrive, like Easter Bunny Gear (see below), to allow adults a chance to set up the potluck buffet or just mingle. Once their holiday finery is completed, kids can show their stuff in an informal Easter parade.
The meal, too, can continue the holiday theme. Deviled eggs and a platter of baby and sliced vegetables served with dip make appealing appetizers. For the main meal, serve up Easter Ham Sandwiches accompanied by potato salad. A carrot cake will provide a sweet finish to the menu.
For after-brunch entertainment, invite kids to participate in games. They can play the tag variation Fox and Rabbit or head out individually on a Carrot Scavenger Hunt (see below).
For an extra special treat, reward the participants with Jelly Bean Carrot favors. If a wind down activity is needed, ask an older child to read an Easter story to the younger children. Try one of these three: Pooh's Easter Egg Hunt, The Easter Story, or Rechenka's Eggs.
Easter Bunny Ears
For instructions AND pictures of the Easter Bunny Ears, go to this website for step-by-step directions. (www.familyfun.go.com/crafts/easter-bunny-ears-662781/)
Carrot Scavenger Hunt
Your kids will not only love their vegetables, they'll seek them out.
You will need the following:
Orange construction paper
Green construction paper
Scissors
Glue
Snacks
Instructions
1. Cut out 20 carrots from orange construction paper and glue on the green construction paper tops.
2. "Plant" them all around the house under sofa cushions, in the silverware drawer, or taped to the refrigerator door, for example.
3. Then send your kids around the house to gather all the carrots. Let them redeem their carrots for snacks, such as a small box of raisins, a pack of gum, a bag of pretzels, or a piece of carrot cake.
This party idea was taken from www.familyfun.com.
Have a glorious Monday. Tomorrow's recipe is too easy to believe, but I feel I must post it just the same. I'll also have more hints about April's Special Guest, another Easter "oldie and some more pics from my weekend in Atlanta. Can you contain your excitement?
Feel free to add your name to the bowl for the third Mystery Bag Party Contest. Six winners will be drawn May 12, and I'll share more details as the time draws nigh. (That's church talk for "closer to time.") Just leave your name in the comment section, on Facebook, or e-mail me saying you want to enter the contest and it will be done!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Showcase Pic is, of course, from our Six Flags' weekend. This is the only picture of me from this trip, and it was right after we rode Scorcher, so it isn't the most flattering. But it is of me and Roxie having fun, and I like it!
Get ready to be very, very hungry. The Gallery Pics are from our Friday night visit to the Marietta Diner. If you are ever within ten minutes of Six Flags Over Georgia, put the Marietta Diner on your itinerary. It was GREAT!
RANDOMNESS - I have a new favorite nut now. (No, Mikie has not been replaced.) I'm eating pistachios. They are WONDERFUL! My old favorite nut (other than Mikie) was the cashew. Just letting you know about any and all changes to my diet because I know it either interests you greatly... or not at all!
Special Guest Hints - Our Special Guest for April will be revealed Thursday, April 1. As always, I have a few little hints for you. Joan, if you guess this one, you are my hero!
1. She is the wife of one, and mother of two.
2. She was a cheerleader in 10th grade.
3. She grew up on the river.
Okay, Joan. Give it your best shot! There will be more hints tomorrow.
Easter "Oldie"
You have all probably heard of the Easter "oldie" for today... but just in case you haven't tried this yet, below are the instructions for a Resurrection Egg Hunt.
Resurrection Eggs
You can buy these "kits" at most Christian book stores. If you want to do it yourself, number plastic eggs 1 through 12 and hide them with all the other eggs you will be hiding that day. (Make sure you don't hide the resurrection eggs in hard-to-find places.) When the hunt is over, have all the children sit in a circle and ask for Egg Number 1. Have the child who found Egg Number 1 open it revealing what you put inside. Then read the scripture and tell the story one egg at a time.
1. Bread - Matthew 26:26. While they were eating Jesus took a piece of bread, gave a prayer of thanks, broke it, and gave it to His disciples. "Take and eat it," He said, "This is My body."
2. Coins - Matthew 26:14-15. Then one of the twelve disciples, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and asked, "What will you give me if I betray Jesus to you?" They counted out thirty silver coins and gave them to him.
3. Purple cloth (representing a purple robe) - Mark 15:17. They put a purple robe on Jesus.
4. Thorns - Matthew 27:29. Then they made a crown out of thorny branches and placed it on His head, and put a stick on His right hand; then they knelt before Him and made fun of Him. "Long live the King of the Jews!" they said.
5. Scourge (a small piece of rope or thick string) - Mark 15:15. Pilate wanted to please the crowd, so he set Barabbas free for them. Then he had Jesus whipped and handed Him over to be crucified.
6. Cross - John 19:17-18a. He went out, carrying His cross, and came to "The Place of the Skull," as it is called. (In Hebrew it is called "Golgotha.") There they crucified Him.
7. Nails - John 20:25b. Thomas said to them, "Unless I see the scars of the nails in His hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in His side, I will not believe."
8. Sign - Luke 23:38. Above Him were written these words: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
9. Sponge - Matthew 27:48. One of them ran up at once, took a sponge, soaked it in cheap wine, put it on the end of a stick, and tried to make Him drink it.
10. Spear - John 19:34. One of the soldiers plunged his spear into Jesus' side, and at once blood and water poured out.
11. Rock - Matthew 27:59-60. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a new linen sheet, and placed it in his own new tomb, which he had just recently dug out of solid rock. Then he rolled a large stone across the entrance to the tomb and went away.
12. Empty - Matthew 28:6. He is not here. He has risen just as He said.
This is a wonderful way to add the Easter devotion to the traditional Egg Hunt.
Weekend Review
While Mikie and the boys were doing yard work this weekend, Roxie and I were roller coaster ridin' at Six Flags. I rode Scorcher (my new favorite), Batman, Great American Scream Machine, Run Away Mine Car (my old favorite), the "slingy ride" that goes in circles, and the Acme Roller Coaster.
I was ready to hop on board Super Man, but I had a bag. They would not even let me stand in line with the bag! They told me to rent a locker. I didn't want to rent a locker. EVERY other ride at Six Flags had cubbies for shoes and sunglasses and hats and BAGS, but not Super Man.
So I politely asked the lady if I could just stand in line with everyone and walk through when it came time to get on board. "You can NOT get in line with a bag," I was again told. This made no sense to me, but I did not argue. I waited patiently for Neisa, Hannah, Roxie and Lauren to pass above me and I took pictures from below. I was a saint!
Let the record show, the girls did not wear shoes so somewhere on the platform there were cubbies for shoes and sunglasses and hats... but NOT bags!
Roxie and a few others had to ride Goliath. I did not feel the need to ride Goliath. Could I have ridden the giant coaster? Of course. Would I have ridden the giant roller coaster if no one had been willing to ride it with Roxie? Absolutely. However, God answered my prayer with a "YES," and I didn't have to free fall 20 stories to make my daughter happy.
No one was willing to ride the Wheelie or the Giant Flying Swings with me. The circular motion either made them sick OR they just wanted to do the thrill rides. I understood and was very "go with the flow." But for the record, I want it duly noted I can ride the Wheelie six times in a row and not throw up. It's a gift... I know. I can't walk for about 20 minutes after I ride it six times in a row, but I do NOT throw up.
The Awards Ceremony for the competition was held at 6:00 p.m. CST, so we headed to the amphitheater. The Intermediate Band won a Silver trophy (which is excellent), and the Advanced Band (which is Roxie's band) won GOLD! It was a great ending to a great day.
But wait... it wasn't over yet! Since we had driven over the night before, we didn't have to leave with the buses. We decided to eat dinner and ride a few more coasters. Roxie wanted to ride Goliath again, but the original Goliath riders left on the bus. Into this story walks Tim with his son, Nick. They, too, had driven. They were going to stay a little later. Tim wanted to ride Goliath in the dark. Go, Roxie, go. Stay with Mr. Tim! Another little answered prayer!
Papa John's Pizza, one more bathroom stop and we were Birmingham bound!
My Sunday list of things to do was not humanly possible.
Church
Wash and pack Austin's clothes
Austin leaving at 2:00 for symphonic band concert
Mike and I leaving at 3:15 for symphonic band concert
Get Roxie to church class at 4:00
Pick Roxie up at 5:00 for dinner
Get Roxie back to church for 6:00 Bible Study
Get on my knees and pray as Josh drives to Area Bible Study across town
Yeah. Something had to give. Mikie called his parents, and they were ready, willing and able to attend the 30-minute concert. That left me free and clear to pick up and drop off to my heart's content!
Homework, Amazing Race and bed ended our weekend. Oh, is anything better than being in your own bed? Simple pleasures!
NOTE - I told Austin it was my gift to him to do his laundry his first year at college as he transitioned into his new life. April 27 will be my last load of "Austin Laundry." Notice has been given and received. I'm counting down the days! (Josh and Roxie will be given the same gift when the time comes... unless they make me mad. I'm kind of hoping they make me mad.)
Easter Brunch Party
With its long holiday weekend, Easter offers a nice opportunity to host a get-together for friends and family. Whether you plan to handle the entire meal yourself or go potluck, an afternoon brunch is a great way to celebrate the season.
Make sure to send out invitations at least two weeks in advance, giving guests time to respond while allowing yourself time to make any final preparations.
Decorating for the gathering can be a simple affair. Just use the cues of the season... budding flowers, fresh colors, and of course, bunnies. Pile decorated eggs into attractive bowls or baskets, place arrangements of Easter lilies and pussy willows in corners, and set the table with an Easter theme. Sugar-coated fruit and flowers make an easy, yet elegant, Easter centerpiece.
Have a quick welcoming craft to engage kids while guests arrive, like Easter Bunny Gear (see below), to allow adults a chance to set up the potluck buffet or just mingle. Once their holiday finery is completed, kids can show their stuff in an informal Easter parade.
The meal, too, can continue the holiday theme. Deviled eggs and a platter of baby and sliced vegetables served with dip make appealing appetizers. For the main meal, serve up Easter Ham Sandwiches accompanied by potato salad. A carrot cake will provide a sweet finish to the menu.
For after-brunch entertainment, invite kids to participate in games. They can play the tag variation Fox and Rabbit or head out individually on a Carrot Scavenger Hunt (see below).
For an extra special treat, reward the participants with Jelly Bean Carrot favors. If a wind down activity is needed, ask an older child to read an Easter story to the younger children. Try one of these three: Pooh's Easter Egg Hunt, The Easter Story, or Rechenka's Eggs.
Easter Bunny Ears
For instructions AND pictures of the Easter Bunny Ears, go to this website for step-by-step directions. (www.familyfun.go.com/crafts/easter-bunny-ears-662781/)
Carrot Scavenger Hunt
Your kids will not only love their vegetables, they'll seek them out.
You will need the following:
Orange construction paper
Green construction paper
Scissors
Glue
Snacks
Instructions
1. Cut out 20 carrots from orange construction paper and glue on the green construction paper tops.
2. "Plant" them all around the house under sofa cushions, in the silverware drawer, or taped to the refrigerator door, for example.
3. Then send your kids around the house to gather all the carrots. Let them redeem their carrots for snacks, such as a small box of raisins, a pack of gum, a bag of pretzels, or a piece of carrot cake.
This party idea was taken from www.familyfun.com.
Have a glorious Monday. Tomorrow's recipe is too easy to believe, but I feel I must post it just the same. I'll also have more hints about April's Special Guest, another Easter "oldie and some more pics from my weekend in Atlanta. Can you contain your excitement?
Feel free to add your name to the bowl for the third Mystery Bag Party Contest. Six winners will be drawn May 12, and I'll share more details as the time draws nigh. (That's church talk for "closer to time.") Just leave your name in the comment section, on Facebook, or e-mail me saying you want to enter the contest and it will be done!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Friday, March 26, 2010
Weekend Happenings
Good Friday morning!
The Gallery Pic is a picture of the cousins (and Aunt Bev) taken at Brad's Birthday Bash. I held one or two back in case I didn't feel like taking pictures yesterday after the dentist... and I was right. I didn't feel like taking pictures yesterday after the dentist.
RANDOMNESS #1 - I will NOT post a "picture of the day" on Project 365 TODAY, Friday, March 26. I will, however, post Friday AND Saturday's photos late Saturday evening. Roxie and I are headed to Atlanta this afternoon for a band concert to be held tomorrow morning, so I'll be posting when we return from our little trip. (More on the band trip in Weekend Happenings below.)
RANDOMNESS #2 - The tooth saga continues... unfortunately. It went something like this...
"Is this going to hurt me in any way?" I asked the hygienist.
"Oh, no. We're just going to 'pop' the permanent crown in place."
But first, she had to remove the temporary crown. "Just a little wiggle" is code for "I'm ripping that sucker off your gum... regardless of the cement holding it in place."
Okay. Not the most pleasant feeling in the world, but definitely not a 10 on the pain scale. I was going to be fine.
Then the hygienist placed/wedged/hit with a sledge hammer the permanent crown on top of what was left of my poor, broken tooth. I sat straight up. "OWWW!"
"Did you feel that?"
In my mind I screamed, "Ya think?" In real life, I simply said, "Yes."
"Okay. Let's try again." Is it just me, or does "trying it again" make NO sense whatsoever.
Once again, the hygienist placed/wedged/hit with a sledge hammer the permanent crown on top of what was left of my poor, broken tooth. I sat straight up. "OWWW!"
"Hmmm. Let's numb you up."
Once again, in my mind I screamed, "Ya think?" In real life, I simply said, "Yes, please."
My dentist came in and, without asking me once if I could still feel anything, numbed me from the top of my head, to the back of my ear, to the base of my neck... and then he proceeded to try to put the permanent crown in my mouth... six times.
"We're going to have to send this back to the lab. It is a bad fit," he told me.
One more time, in my mind I screamed, "Ya think?" In real life, I simply said, "Okay."
They "popped" the temporary crown back in place and told me to come back next week, April 1, to try again.
I told them I would come back, but by then I plan to have entered the Dental Protection Plan. I've heard they give you a new identity, fake dental records, a new house, a new family... and in my case, enough dental cement to keep the temporary crown I now have for the rest of my life. It sounds like a good deal. (I just hope I get a really cool name... like Desiree' or Stormie. You know. Something just a little different from the norm.)
I mean, I'll miss Mikie and the kids and all, but how much more can a beyond wimpy 48 year-old woman take? No, really. Answer the question!
Easter "Oldie"
Today's Easter "oldie" is another transition tradition for the 8, 9 and 10 year-old crowd in your family. It's a variation of the traditional Easter Egg Hunt.
Midnight Easter Egg Hunt
You'll need to have this Egg Hunt the night before Easter (or the night of Easter). When it gets dark, hand each child a pastel colored flashlight. They have to find the eggs in the dark, which makes it much more challenging and a lot more fun.
In our family, we had a ten year-old who had outgrown the regular Egg Hunt, but we also had four and five year-olds who were just getting started. This Egg Hunt will keep it fun and exciting for all ages (up to a certain point).
You can also make the Midnight Easter Egg Hunt a scavenger hunt to make it even more "age-appropriate." Just make sure to assign an adult to the little guys. (See my March 17 post for Scavenger Hunt ideas.)
Weekend Happenings
Roxie and I leave for Atlanta after school today with her friend, Hannah, and Hannah's mom, Neisa. The band concert is scheduled for Saturday morning at 7:00 Birmingham time. Leaving today will keep us from having to be at the school at 3:30 a.m. Saturday. (Which means waking up and getting ready to leave around 2:15 or 2:30 a.m. Saturday.) After the concert, the band and parents are spending the day at Six Flags Over Georgia. I must have a normal amount of sleep to enjoy Six Flags Over Georgia all day Saturday. And I do want to enjoy this trip. Thus, the early departure time.
It's going to be fun. We're going to eat at The Marietta Diner before we check into our hotel. After we check in, we'll watch a little TV and go to bed at a normal hour.
But here is the best part of the plan... We get to sleep until 5:30 a.m. or 5:45 a.m. I know! So much better than 2:15 a.m. Right?
While Roxie and I are having a ball at Six Flags, Mike and Josh are doing something together Friday night, and Austin and Melia are going on a date.
I'm afraid the boys' Saturday will not be quite as much fun as the girls' Saturday. Their day includes some yard work, but I'm sure they'll put some "fun" in the day somewhere.
Sunday will be a little different because Austin has to head back to JSU early for a band concert... which means Mikie and I will be heading to JSU to attend the 5:00 concert.
And then our different-than-normal weekend will be over, and we'll get ready to head back to school and work and laundry... the more-than-normal.
Have the most wonderful weekend. I'll be riding things called "Goliath," "Superman" and "The Ninja" all day Saturday. I'll also be praying my crown doesn't fly off in the middle of all the fun I'll be having!
Next week will be EXTREMELY busy on A Simple Life. Our Special Guest for April will be making her appearance Thursday, April 1. I will be giving hints Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, so be ready to guess! I'll also have more Easter activities and ideas for you and your little ones to enjoy. I have the easiest cookie recipe IN THE UNIVERSE for you to try Tuesday. I could go on and on, but you get the idea.
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pic is a picture of the cousins (and Aunt Bev) taken at Brad's Birthday Bash. I held one or two back in case I didn't feel like taking pictures yesterday after the dentist... and I was right. I didn't feel like taking pictures yesterday after the dentist.
RANDOMNESS #1 - I will NOT post a "picture of the day" on Project 365 TODAY, Friday, March 26. I will, however, post Friday AND Saturday's photos late Saturday evening. Roxie and I are headed to Atlanta this afternoon for a band concert to be held tomorrow morning, so I'll be posting when we return from our little trip. (More on the band trip in Weekend Happenings below.)
RANDOMNESS #2 - The tooth saga continues... unfortunately. It went something like this...
"Is this going to hurt me in any way?" I asked the hygienist.
"Oh, no. We're just going to 'pop' the permanent crown in place."
But first, she had to remove the temporary crown. "Just a little wiggle" is code for "I'm ripping that sucker off your gum... regardless of the cement holding it in place."
Okay. Not the most pleasant feeling in the world, but definitely not a 10 on the pain scale. I was going to be fine.
Then the hygienist placed/wedged/hit with a sledge hammer the permanent crown on top of what was left of my poor, broken tooth. I sat straight up. "OWWW!"
"Did you feel that?"
In my mind I screamed, "Ya think?" In real life, I simply said, "Yes."
"Okay. Let's try again." Is it just me, or does "trying it again" make NO sense whatsoever.
Once again, the hygienist placed/wedged/hit with a sledge hammer the permanent crown on top of what was left of my poor, broken tooth. I sat straight up. "OWWW!"
"Hmmm. Let's numb you up."
Once again, in my mind I screamed, "Ya think?" In real life, I simply said, "Yes, please."
My dentist came in and, without asking me once if I could still feel anything, numbed me from the top of my head, to the back of my ear, to the base of my neck... and then he proceeded to try to put the permanent crown in my mouth... six times.
"We're going to have to send this back to the lab. It is a bad fit," he told me.
One more time, in my mind I screamed, "Ya think?" In real life, I simply said, "Okay."
They "popped" the temporary crown back in place and told me to come back next week, April 1, to try again.
I told them I would come back, but by then I plan to have entered the Dental Protection Plan. I've heard they give you a new identity, fake dental records, a new house, a new family... and in my case, enough dental cement to keep the temporary crown I now have for the rest of my life. It sounds like a good deal. (I just hope I get a really cool name... like Desiree' or Stormie. You know. Something just a little different from the norm.)
I mean, I'll miss Mikie and the kids and all, but how much more can a beyond wimpy 48 year-old woman take? No, really. Answer the question!
Easter "Oldie"
Today's Easter "oldie" is another transition tradition for the 8, 9 and 10 year-old crowd in your family. It's a variation of the traditional Easter Egg Hunt.
Midnight Easter Egg Hunt
You'll need to have this Egg Hunt the night before Easter (or the night of Easter). When it gets dark, hand each child a pastel colored flashlight. They have to find the eggs in the dark, which makes it much more challenging and a lot more fun.
In our family, we had a ten year-old who had outgrown the regular Egg Hunt, but we also had four and five year-olds who were just getting started. This Egg Hunt will keep it fun and exciting for all ages (up to a certain point).
You can also make the Midnight Easter Egg Hunt a scavenger hunt to make it even more "age-appropriate." Just make sure to assign an adult to the little guys. (See my March 17 post for Scavenger Hunt ideas.)
Weekend Happenings
Roxie and I leave for Atlanta after school today with her friend, Hannah, and Hannah's mom, Neisa. The band concert is scheduled for Saturday morning at 7:00 Birmingham time. Leaving today will keep us from having to be at the school at 3:30 a.m. Saturday. (Which means waking up and getting ready to leave around 2:15 or 2:30 a.m. Saturday.) After the concert, the band and parents are spending the day at Six Flags Over Georgia. I must have a normal amount of sleep to enjoy Six Flags Over Georgia all day Saturday. And I do want to enjoy this trip. Thus, the early departure time.
It's going to be fun. We're going to eat at The Marietta Diner before we check into our hotel. After we check in, we'll watch a little TV and go to bed at a normal hour.
But here is the best part of the plan... We get to sleep until 5:30 a.m. or 5:45 a.m. I know! So much better than 2:15 a.m. Right?
While Roxie and I are having a ball at Six Flags, Mike and Josh are doing something together Friday night, and Austin and Melia are going on a date.
I'm afraid the boys' Saturday will not be quite as much fun as the girls' Saturday. Their day includes some yard work, but I'm sure they'll put some "fun" in the day somewhere.
Sunday will be a little different because Austin has to head back to JSU early for a band concert... which means Mikie and I will be heading to JSU to attend the 5:00 concert.
And then our different-than-normal weekend will be over, and we'll get ready to head back to school and work and laundry... the more-than-normal.
Have the most wonderful weekend. I'll be riding things called "Goliath," "Superman" and "The Ninja" all day Saturday. I'll also be praying my crown doesn't fly off in the middle of all the fun I'll be having!
Next week will be EXTREMELY busy on A Simple Life. Our Special Guest for April will be making her appearance Thursday, April 1. I will be giving hints Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, so be ready to guess! I'll also have more Easter activities and ideas for you and your little ones to enjoy. I have the easiest cookie recipe IN THE UNIVERSE for you to try Tuesday. I could go on and on, but you get the idea.
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Air Show Date
Good Thursday morning!
The Gallery Pics today are from Brad's 18th Family Birthday Party Monday night. He is actually 18 years-old TODAY! I would say "Happy Birthday, Brad" on A Simple Life, but no self-respecting 18 year-old male reads A Simple Life. Not even a good nephew like Brad. Plus, I have told my kids and Bev's kids (along with Mikie and Tommy) to stay away from the blog this week because I don't want the details of Survivor - Easter Island revealed to them until Easter. So I will send my birthday wish the old-fashioned way... via text and Facebook.
RANDOMNESS #1 - Guess what? I received a phone call from my Aunt Connie yesterday afternoon. Guess what else? She has many aprons which she inherited from her grandmother several years ago. Can you see where this is going? Aunt Connie told me NOT to buy an apron. She thinks she has a brown organza apron with white trim (which would go ever so nicely with my pearls) she would love for me to use. One day, do not be surprised if you see a picture in Project 365 of me standing by the stove in my brown organza apron with white trim and pearls. (I won't be cooking or anything like that. It will just be for the picture. If you read the article carefully yesterday, you know there is a difference between a "cooking" apron and a "hostess" apron. The apron my aunt is describing most definitely sounds like a "hostess" apron.
RANDOMNESS #2 - You'll have to wait until tomorrow before I give details about my dentist visit today. I forgot my appointment is at 10:00, and this post will be over and done by then.
I have been thinking there should be a different name for this particular type of torture. When you say, "I'm getting a crown today," shouldn't there be anticipation, excitement and skipping involved? No. This is wrong. Today, while I'm under massive amounts of pain medication, I will try to come up with a new name for this particular "procedure."
And yes, I've been told I will not be given massive amounts of pain medication for this final "little" fitting. Just watch!
Easter "Oldie"
This Easter "oldie" has been mentioned time and time again. It is simple, yet fun. Inexpensive, yet very doable. Let your little ones pick an "Easter" color for their bath water the night before Easter (or the night OF Easter). When I think of Easter, I immediately think of green, purple, yellow, light blue... anything pastel. So just a drop or two of food coloring in the bath water should do the trick. And it will make your little guy or gal happy. Colored baths are just one of life's simple pleasures!
Blog Linkage - I really like my Blog Linkage tips today. One post is funny, and the other will make you think about your relationships.
1. The first post can be found on the website www.jacksonhaines.blogspot.com. It was written March 18 and is called "About Friendship." You will need to scroll down a post or two. It is a beautifully written post about the different kinds of friends in your life.
2. The funny post was written by BooMama under My Blog List yesterday. It is called "Marketing to Men." It is hilarious and true. I loved it, so I know you will, too!
Air Show Date
I'll begin describing this date by saying I've never been to an air show before. I have wanted to go, but have yet to do so. I do have friends who have attended these shows, and they have enjoyed them very much. That being said, if you decide to do this with your date, remember I'm only passing on info here.
The Maxwell Air Force Base Thunder Over Alabama is Saturday and Sunday in Montgomery. Head south and join the crowds to watch the Thunderbirds!
"The Air Force’s leading fighter jet demonstration team, the Thunderbirds, and the Army’s parachute team, the Golden Knights, are two major acts headlining the event, along with dozens of other performers and displays."
Here are some of the FAQs from their site:
1. Can I bring coolers or backpacks?
Backpacks, coolers and glass containers will not be allowed. However, baby diaper bags are acceptable.
2. Will my vehicle or I be searched?
Perhaps. Security forces will conduct random vehicle and personal searches. Visual inspections of hand-carried items will be conducted. There will also be a heavy K-9 presence in parking areas and at base gates.
3. What will it cost to attend the event?
Nothing. There is no cost to attend the air show. (THAT MEANS FREE, FOLKS!)
4. What time does it start?
The gates open at 9:00 a.m. and flying demonstrations start at 11:30 a.m. Flying demonstrations will continue throughout the day and gates close at 5:00 p.m.
5. Will there be a place to sit?
Bleacher seating will not be available for the general public. Guests are advised to bring blankets and folding chairs.
6. What will there be to eat and drink?
A variety of foods and beverages will be sold at concession stands.
7. Will restroom facilities be easily accessible? (The most important question on the list!)
Yes. Portable restrooms will be located throughout the air show grounds. Several will be located near parking areas and along high-traffic routes. (Not the best answer... but doable.)
8. Should I bring my camera or video camera?
Definitely! Still and video cameras are allowed and encouraged.
It does sound fun, and it would be something you and your date would remember for years to come. For more information, you can check this website (http://blog.al.com/bargain-mom) and click on "Entertainment" on the left sidebar. It will take you to a page with directions to the Air Show and a little more information.
Have a great Thursday. Tomorrow I'll have another Easter "oldie" and Weekend Happenings. I may or may not have a long, long essay about my "crown." I may or may not be giving my dentist a good review. You never know!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics today are from Brad's 18th Family Birthday Party Monday night. He is actually 18 years-old TODAY! I would say "Happy Birthday, Brad" on A Simple Life, but no self-respecting 18 year-old male reads A Simple Life. Not even a good nephew like Brad. Plus, I have told my kids and Bev's kids (along with Mikie and Tommy) to stay away from the blog this week because I don't want the details of Survivor - Easter Island revealed to them until Easter. So I will send my birthday wish the old-fashioned way... via text and Facebook.
RANDOMNESS #1 - Guess what? I received a phone call from my Aunt Connie yesterday afternoon. Guess what else? She has many aprons which she inherited from her grandmother several years ago. Can you see where this is going? Aunt Connie told me NOT to buy an apron. She thinks she has a brown organza apron with white trim (which would go ever so nicely with my pearls) she would love for me to use. One day, do not be surprised if you see a picture in Project 365 of me standing by the stove in my brown organza apron with white trim and pearls. (I won't be cooking or anything like that. It will just be for the picture. If you read the article carefully yesterday, you know there is a difference between a "cooking" apron and a "hostess" apron. The apron my aunt is describing most definitely sounds like a "hostess" apron.
RANDOMNESS #2 - You'll have to wait until tomorrow before I give details about my dentist visit today. I forgot my appointment is at 10:00, and this post will be over and done by then.
I have been thinking there should be a different name for this particular type of torture. When you say, "I'm getting a crown today," shouldn't there be anticipation, excitement and skipping involved? No. This is wrong. Today, while I'm under massive amounts of pain medication, I will try to come up with a new name for this particular "procedure."
And yes, I've been told I will not be given massive amounts of pain medication for this final "little" fitting. Just watch!
Easter "Oldie"
This Easter "oldie" has been mentioned time and time again. It is simple, yet fun. Inexpensive, yet very doable. Let your little ones pick an "Easter" color for their bath water the night before Easter (or the night OF Easter). When I think of Easter, I immediately think of green, purple, yellow, light blue... anything pastel. So just a drop or two of food coloring in the bath water should do the trick. And it will make your little guy or gal happy. Colored baths are just one of life's simple pleasures!
Blog Linkage - I really like my Blog Linkage tips today. One post is funny, and the other will make you think about your relationships.
1. The first post can be found on the website www.jacksonhaines.blogspot.com. It was written March 18 and is called "About Friendship." You will need to scroll down a post or two. It is a beautifully written post about the different kinds of friends in your life.
2. The funny post was written by BooMama under My Blog List yesterday. It is called "Marketing to Men." It is hilarious and true. I loved it, so I know you will, too!
Air Show Date
I'll begin describing this date by saying I've never been to an air show before. I have wanted to go, but have yet to do so. I do have friends who have attended these shows, and they have enjoyed them very much. That being said, if you decide to do this with your date, remember I'm only passing on info here.
The Maxwell Air Force Base Thunder Over Alabama is Saturday and Sunday in Montgomery. Head south and join the crowds to watch the Thunderbirds!
"The Air Force’s leading fighter jet demonstration team, the Thunderbirds, and the Army’s parachute team, the Golden Knights, are two major acts headlining the event, along with dozens of other performers and displays."
Here are some of the FAQs from their site:
1. Can I bring coolers or backpacks?
Backpacks, coolers and glass containers will not be allowed. However, baby diaper bags are acceptable.
2. Will my vehicle or I be searched?
Perhaps. Security forces will conduct random vehicle and personal searches. Visual inspections of hand-carried items will be conducted. There will also be a heavy K-9 presence in parking areas and at base gates.
3. What will it cost to attend the event?
Nothing. There is no cost to attend the air show. (THAT MEANS FREE, FOLKS!)
4. What time does it start?
The gates open at 9:00 a.m. and flying demonstrations start at 11:30 a.m. Flying demonstrations will continue throughout the day and gates close at 5:00 p.m.
5. Will there be a place to sit?
Bleacher seating will not be available for the general public. Guests are advised to bring blankets and folding chairs.
6. What will there be to eat and drink?
A variety of foods and beverages will be sold at concession stands.
7. Will restroom facilities be easily accessible? (The most important question on the list!)
Yes. Portable restrooms will be located throughout the air show grounds. Several will be located near parking areas and along high-traffic routes. (Not the best answer... but doable.)
8. Should I bring my camera or video camera?
Definitely! Still and video cameras are allowed and encouraged.
It does sound fun, and it would be something you and your date would remember for years to come. For more information, you can check this website (http://blog.al.com/bargain-mom) and click on "Entertainment" on the left sidebar. It will take you to a page with directions to the Air Show and a little more information.
Have a great Thursday. Tomorrow I'll have another Easter "oldie" and Weekend Happenings. I may or may not have a long, long essay about my "crown." I may or may not be giving my dentist a good review. You never know!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Survivor - Easter Island
Good Wednesday morning!
The Gallery Pics are from the Girls' Night Out Monday evening (first set of Mystery Bag Party Girls... also known as the Soul Sistas). We had a bite to eat at Jim & Nick's, and then enjoyed a couple of hours of boisterous fellowship. Good times... good times.
RANDOMNESS #1 - Yesterday morning, I was taking Roxie to school. There was a truck in front of me driven by a high school student. In front of my very eyes, I watched this truck pass a mailbox... and knock it three feet into the air (meaning it was knocked completely off it's pedestal... or mailbox stand... or whatever you call it). Wow! I have hit that mailbox at least a half dozen times in the 16 years I've been driving my kids to school, but never once did I send it flying. Pretty impressive.
To his credit, the young man pulled over and "took care of things," and I drove by slowly. I couldn't help wondering as I watched him in my rear view mirror if I had loosened the mailbox from it's pedestal... or mailbox stand... or whatever you call it when I whacked it half a dozen times over the course of 16 years.
Or had I been right all along. That one particular mailbox was located WAY TOO CLOSE to the side of the road. On behalf of myself and the truck-driving young man who finally killed the mailbox, I tend to believe it was definitely TOO CLOSE to the side of the road.
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
RANDOMNESS #2 - I'm finally getting my permanent crown tomorrow. To say I'm excited to have this procedure completed after five months would be an understatement. To say I'm excited to have a drill in my mouth close to "an almost exposed" nerve would be a downright lie. To say I'm checking on some medication which will put me out until the first of April would be very accurate. Tune in tomorrow. I'll let you know if I survive or not!
RANDOMNESS #3 - I already have a name to put in the bowl for the next Mystery Bag Party. The drawing will be held May 12 and the date of the party will be announced soon after. If you would like to go ahead and put your name in the pot, feel free... but there is still plenty of time!
The following is the second part of the Southern Living article I started yesterday entitled "Our Sunday Best" by Valerie Fraser Luesse. As I said, it just spoke to me about the way things "used to be."
The Hostess Apron - "When you saw my grandmother's mint-green organza apron, you knew some cucumber sandwiches were coming out," my friend Rebecca says. Back in the day, Southern women wore kitchen aprons, which they actually wiped their hands on while they cooked, and hostess aprons, which adorned and protected their good dresses while they served guests. Hostess aprons are all over the Web (girlyaprons.com, jessisteele.com), so this would be a fairly simple charge to lead if we all work together.
Take the Pledge - Preserving our heritage takes commitment. We have to band together. So, Ladies, wherever you are, stand up, raise your right hand, and repeat after me: I, (insert name here), pledge to do my part to bring back the Easter dress. While I'm at it, I pledge never to wear white shoes before Easter or after Labor Day. As for that hostess apron... I pledge to tie one on!
I think I may go apron shopping later today.
Easter "Oldie"
Ahhh! Another Easter "oldie" to add to your collection.
Crescent Roll Tombs
These are a preschool version of the tomb cookies you leave in the oven overnight the night before Easter. (See yesterday's post.)
You will need the following:
1 can Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
8 large marshmallows (one for each roll)
1. Mix sugar and cinnamon mixture together and put in an empty and clean salt shaker. Set aside.
2. Pull the crescent rolls apart and have them on several paper plates already in their original triangle form.
3. Let your preschooler use a cooking brush and lightly brush the inside of the crescent roll with butter.
4. Place the marshmallow in the center of the roll and show the child how to roll the crescent roll around it.
5. Let your preschooler brush the outside of the crescent roll with butter.
6. Now the child can sprinkle the top of the crescent roll with the cinnamon/sugar mixture.
7. Place all of the finished rolls on a cookie sheet and cook according to the instructions on the crescent roll package.
While the crescent rolls are baking, open your Bible and tell your child the story of the Resurrection. (Read John 21:1-30 to be familiar with the story.)
Explain to your child the marshmallow they used in the recipe represents Jesus after He died on the cross, and was wrapped in the burial clothes. The crescent rolls are like the tomb where they put Jesus' body. Now, you want to wait for the rolls to finish baking.
When you remove the rolls from the oven, you can look through the crescent roll and see that it is empty except for some remnants of the white marshmallow (the burial clothes).
This is just a simple visual example of the story they will hear every year for the rest of their lives. But children are very visual, and seeing something makes it much more real to them.
While you are eating your Crescent Roll Tombs, finish the story of Jesus' Resurrection. Ask the following questions:
1. Did Jesus immediately go back to heaven? (No. He went to talk to his disciples.)
2. Which disciple didn't believe it was Jesus talking to him? (Thomas)
3. What did Thomas have to do to believe it was really and truly Jesus? (He had to touch the holes where the nails had been in Jesus' hands and feet.)
4. Do you think you would have believed it was Jesus?
5. How do you think the disciples felt when they realized it really was Jesus?
NOTE: You can also use a children's version of the Easter story to read to them instead of from the Bible. Pictures keep them interested and the books will be on their level.
Wednesday Wisdom - I'm not sure why, but I wanted to share a few quotes from my favorite character from my favorite book... Anne of Green Gables. I'm just in an "Anne" sort of mood.
I know I chatter on far too much... but if you only knew how many things I want to say and don't. Give me SOME credit. Anne Shirley.
Ruby Gillis says when she grows up, she wants to have a line of beaus on a string and make them crazy for her. I'd rather have ONE in his rightful mind. Anne Shirley.
And I promise I'll never do it again. That's the one good thing about me. I never do the same wrong thing twice. Anne Shirley. (Ahh. I wish I could say that about myself!)
I love Anne Shirley.
Survivor - Easter Island
Well, it's finally here... and only two years in the planning! Survivor - Easter Island.
This is a transition tradition, of course, designed for tweens, teens and young adults who have outgrown the traditional egg hunt, but still like to have fun together.
My sister and I have decided to divide the teams by family (Martins vs. Faulkners). One team will wear one color buff (or bandanna in our case), and the other family a different color. There will be four people on each team (one dad and three kids each). There will be five challenges, all of which have been inspired by years of watching Survivor. I will describe the challenges below, but as always make it your own!
1. Food Challenge - Three people from each team will compete in this challenge. The first one from each team will have to eat a bowl of pureed carrots (every bite) and return to their team before the next person comes to the food table.
The second person will have to eat a plate of fried parsnips (six or seven strips). When that person has eaten everything on the plate, the third person will step up.
The third person will be blindfolded. When the cover is removed from the third and final plate, there will be a small chocolate Easter bunny, a Peep and a small amount of jelly beans. However, the jelly beans will be the "trick" jelly beans. Some of them will taste like dirt, etc.
That will end the Food Challenge. The team who finishes all three dishes first will receive a point.
2. Obstacle Course - This challenge will depend on your own backyard. My Mom has a fort in the backyard, so one member from each team will stand on the fort and guide their teammates through an obstacle course. The people going through the obstacle course will be blindfolded.
Our course will include the following: walking to a hoola hoop, taking the hoola hoop to a huge tree stump and placing it over the stump; walking to a backyard swing, sitting down and swinging back and forth ten times; finding and picking up two plastic Easter eggs, and keeping them until they return to the starting point; etc. Once a player returns to the starting point, the next player will head out on the course.
There should be one player from each team on the course at all times, with one team member from each team on the fort yelling instructions and directions to their team member on the ground. The first three members from a team who successfully complete the course will be declared the winners of that challenge and will receive a point.
3. Fire Challenge - Yes, we're really going to have a fire challenge using flint. Everything the teams need to make a fire will be available for them to use. There will be a time limit on this challenge (7 to 10 minutes), and if the teams are unable to start a fire, we will call it a tie and move on.
4. Puzzle Challenge - Buy four 25 piece puzzles from the Dollar Tree. Make sure all four are different. Put the puzzles together and paint them all the same solid color. (Since it is Easter, we're going to paint two puzzles lime green and two puzzles light blue.) This should be done a couple of days ahead of the event to make sure the puzzles are nice and dry.
Have a table for each team. The teams have to successfully put ONE puzzle together. Remember, the puzzles are solid colors, and they are mixed in with a completely different puzzle.
When one complete puzzle has been finished by a team, the team is declared a winner and awarded one point.
5. Relay Challenge - Across the yard there will be two tables. On the tables there will be four film canisters, four Mentos and a diet Coke.
One at a time, a member from each team must run to the table, fill the film canister 3/4 full of diet Coke, put a Mentos in the canister, close the canister and run back to his/her teammates. The canister lid will shoot off like a little rocket when the pressure builds in the canister.
Once the canister has "exploded," the next team member will run and repeat the process.
The first team to have all four canisters successfully "explode" will be declared the winner and awarded a point.
Now comes the fun part. Tribal Council! Beverly is going to be Jeff Probst. The losing team must bring their lit torches (tiki torches from my back yard) to Jeff Probst and hear the final words... "The tribe has spoken," right before extinguishing their lit torches.
Just for fun, we're going to record each team member from the losing tribe talking about the loss and their thoughts about the competition in general.
What will I be doing during this time? Why I'm the videographer AND the photographer AND the Challenge setter-upper! When Beverly isn't "being" Jeff Probst, she will also be working cameras and helping with the set-up.
Unfortunately, as of today, I cannot tell you if this is going to be a success or not. We're hopeful, but we won't know for sure until April 4. Check back April 5 to see how it all unfolds!
Have a lovely Wednesday. Tomorrow I'll have a fun date, Blog Linkage, another Easter "oldie," and some randomness to share. It should be a good day.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics are from the Girls' Night Out Monday evening (first set of Mystery Bag Party Girls... also known as the Soul Sistas). We had a bite to eat at Jim & Nick's, and then enjoyed a couple of hours of boisterous fellowship. Good times... good times.
RANDOMNESS #1 - Yesterday morning, I was taking Roxie to school. There was a truck in front of me driven by a high school student. In front of my very eyes, I watched this truck pass a mailbox... and knock it three feet into the air (meaning it was knocked completely off it's pedestal... or mailbox stand... or whatever you call it). Wow! I have hit that mailbox at least a half dozen times in the 16 years I've been driving my kids to school, but never once did I send it flying. Pretty impressive.
To his credit, the young man pulled over and "took care of things," and I drove by slowly. I couldn't help wondering as I watched him in my rear view mirror if I had loosened the mailbox from it's pedestal... or mailbox stand... or whatever you call it when I whacked it half a dozen times over the course of 16 years.
Or had I been right all along. That one particular mailbox was located WAY TOO CLOSE to the side of the road. On behalf of myself and the truck-driving young man who finally killed the mailbox, I tend to believe it was definitely TOO CLOSE to the side of the road.
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
RANDOMNESS #2 - I'm finally getting my permanent crown tomorrow. To say I'm excited to have this procedure completed after five months would be an understatement. To say I'm excited to have a drill in my mouth close to "an almost exposed" nerve would be a downright lie. To say I'm checking on some medication which will put me out until the first of April would be very accurate. Tune in tomorrow. I'll let you know if I survive or not!
RANDOMNESS #3 - I already have a name to put in the bowl for the next Mystery Bag Party. The drawing will be held May 12 and the date of the party will be announced soon after. If you would like to go ahead and put your name in the pot, feel free... but there is still plenty of time!
The following is the second part of the Southern Living article I started yesterday entitled "Our Sunday Best" by Valerie Fraser Luesse. As I said, it just spoke to me about the way things "used to be."
The Hostess Apron - "When you saw my grandmother's mint-green organza apron, you knew some cucumber sandwiches were coming out," my friend Rebecca says. Back in the day, Southern women wore kitchen aprons, which they actually wiped their hands on while they cooked, and hostess aprons, which adorned and protected their good dresses while they served guests. Hostess aprons are all over the Web (girlyaprons.com, jessisteele.com), so this would be a fairly simple charge to lead if we all work together.
Take the Pledge - Preserving our heritage takes commitment. We have to band together. So, Ladies, wherever you are, stand up, raise your right hand, and repeat after me: I, (insert name here), pledge to do my part to bring back the Easter dress. While I'm at it, I pledge never to wear white shoes before Easter or after Labor Day. As for that hostess apron... I pledge to tie one on!
I think I may go apron shopping later today.
Easter "Oldie"
Ahhh! Another Easter "oldie" to add to your collection.
Crescent Roll Tombs
These are a preschool version of the tomb cookies you leave in the oven overnight the night before Easter. (See yesterday's post.)
You will need the following:
1 can Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
8 large marshmallows (one for each roll)
1. Mix sugar and cinnamon mixture together and put in an empty and clean salt shaker. Set aside.
2. Pull the crescent rolls apart and have them on several paper plates already in their original triangle form.
3. Let your preschooler use a cooking brush and lightly brush the inside of the crescent roll with butter.
4. Place the marshmallow in the center of the roll and show the child how to roll the crescent roll around it.
5. Let your preschooler brush the outside of the crescent roll with butter.
6. Now the child can sprinkle the top of the crescent roll with the cinnamon/sugar mixture.
7. Place all of the finished rolls on a cookie sheet and cook according to the instructions on the crescent roll package.
While the crescent rolls are baking, open your Bible and tell your child the story of the Resurrection. (Read John 21:1-30 to be familiar with the story.)
Explain to your child the marshmallow they used in the recipe represents Jesus after He died on the cross, and was wrapped in the burial clothes. The crescent rolls are like the tomb where they put Jesus' body. Now, you want to wait for the rolls to finish baking.
When you remove the rolls from the oven, you can look through the crescent roll and see that it is empty except for some remnants of the white marshmallow (the burial clothes).
This is just a simple visual example of the story they will hear every year for the rest of their lives. But children are very visual, and seeing something makes it much more real to them.
While you are eating your Crescent Roll Tombs, finish the story of Jesus' Resurrection. Ask the following questions:
1. Did Jesus immediately go back to heaven? (No. He went to talk to his disciples.)
2. Which disciple didn't believe it was Jesus talking to him? (Thomas)
3. What did Thomas have to do to believe it was really and truly Jesus? (He had to touch the holes where the nails had been in Jesus' hands and feet.)
4. Do you think you would have believed it was Jesus?
5. How do you think the disciples felt when they realized it really was Jesus?
NOTE: You can also use a children's version of the Easter story to read to them instead of from the Bible. Pictures keep them interested and the books will be on their level.
Wednesday Wisdom - I'm not sure why, but I wanted to share a few quotes from my favorite character from my favorite book... Anne of Green Gables. I'm just in an "Anne" sort of mood.
I know I chatter on far too much... but if you only knew how many things I want to say and don't. Give me SOME credit. Anne Shirley.
Ruby Gillis says when she grows up, she wants to have a line of beaus on a string and make them crazy for her. I'd rather have ONE in his rightful mind. Anne Shirley.
And I promise I'll never do it again. That's the one good thing about me. I never do the same wrong thing twice. Anne Shirley. (Ahh. I wish I could say that about myself!)
I love Anne Shirley.
Survivor - Easter Island
Well, it's finally here... and only two years in the planning! Survivor - Easter Island.
This is a transition tradition, of course, designed for tweens, teens and young adults who have outgrown the traditional egg hunt, but still like to have fun together.
My sister and I have decided to divide the teams by family (Martins vs. Faulkners). One team will wear one color buff (or bandanna in our case), and the other family a different color. There will be four people on each team (one dad and three kids each). There will be five challenges, all of which have been inspired by years of watching Survivor. I will describe the challenges below, but as always make it your own!
1. Food Challenge - Three people from each team will compete in this challenge. The first one from each team will have to eat a bowl of pureed carrots (every bite) and return to their team before the next person comes to the food table.
The second person will have to eat a plate of fried parsnips (six or seven strips). When that person has eaten everything on the plate, the third person will step up.
The third person will be blindfolded. When the cover is removed from the third and final plate, there will be a small chocolate Easter bunny, a Peep and a small amount of jelly beans. However, the jelly beans will be the "trick" jelly beans. Some of them will taste like dirt, etc.
That will end the Food Challenge. The team who finishes all three dishes first will receive a point.
2. Obstacle Course - This challenge will depend on your own backyard. My Mom has a fort in the backyard, so one member from each team will stand on the fort and guide their teammates through an obstacle course. The people going through the obstacle course will be blindfolded.
Our course will include the following: walking to a hoola hoop, taking the hoola hoop to a huge tree stump and placing it over the stump; walking to a backyard swing, sitting down and swinging back and forth ten times; finding and picking up two plastic Easter eggs, and keeping them until they return to the starting point; etc. Once a player returns to the starting point, the next player will head out on the course.
There should be one player from each team on the course at all times, with one team member from each team on the fort yelling instructions and directions to their team member on the ground. The first three members from a team who successfully complete the course will be declared the winners of that challenge and will receive a point.
3. Fire Challenge - Yes, we're really going to have a fire challenge using flint. Everything the teams need to make a fire will be available for them to use. There will be a time limit on this challenge (7 to 10 minutes), and if the teams are unable to start a fire, we will call it a tie and move on.
4. Puzzle Challenge - Buy four 25 piece puzzles from the Dollar Tree. Make sure all four are different. Put the puzzles together and paint them all the same solid color. (Since it is Easter, we're going to paint two puzzles lime green and two puzzles light blue.) This should be done a couple of days ahead of the event to make sure the puzzles are nice and dry.
Have a table for each team. The teams have to successfully put ONE puzzle together. Remember, the puzzles are solid colors, and they are mixed in with a completely different puzzle.
When one complete puzzle has been finished by a team, the team is declared a winner and awarded one point.
5. Relay Challenge - Across the yard there will be two tables. On the tables there will be four film canisters, four Mentos and a diet Coke.
One at a time, a member from each team must run to the table, fill the film canister 3/4 full of diet Coke, put a Mentos in the canister, close the canister and run back to his/her teammates. The canister lid will shoot off like a little rocket when the pressure builds in the canister.
Once the canister has "exploded," the next team member will run and repeat the process.
The first team to have all four canisters successfully "explode" will be declared the winner and awarded a point.
Now comes the fun part. Tribal Council! Beverly is going to be Jeff Probst. The losing team must bring their lit torches (tiki torches from my back yard) to Jeff Probst and hear the final words... "The tribe has spoken," right before extinguishing their lit torches.
Just for fun, we're going to record each team member from the losing tribe talking about the loss and their thoughts about the competition in general.
What will I be doing during this time? Why I'm the videographer AND the photographer AND the Challenge setter-upper! When Beverly isn't "being" Jeff Probst, she will also be working cameras and helping with the set-up.
Unfortunately, as of today, I cannot tell you if this is going to be a success or not. We're hopeful, but we won't know for sure until April 4. Check back April 5 to see how it all unfolds!
Have a lovely Wednesday. Tomorrow I'll have a fun date, Blog Linkage, another Easter "oldie," and some randomness to share. It should be a good day.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Monday, March 22, 2010
Cheesy Barbecue Sloppy Joes
Good Tuesday morning!
The Gallery Pics are from our marshmallow roast Saturday night. I'm telling you, if you have already asked for a turkey fryer and a HUGE propane tank for Mother's Day, you really should ask for a fire pit, too. It is so much fun, and depending on who you have over, relatively safe.
REMINDER - On May 12, in honor of my 400th post, I will be announcing the winners of the THIRD Mystery Bag Party. Six lucky women will win an opportunity to climb in the Big Gold Van and go on a little adventure. The new destinations for this Mystery Bag Party are VERY exciting! I'll have more details in April, but I wanted you to know there is a specific date. There is a contest. There is a chance (Robin, Joan and Cam). There is always a chance!
Speaking of Mystery Bag Parties, we had our fourth get-together of the Soul Sistas (the first Mystery Bag Party Girls) last night at Jim & Nicks. (I'll have pics in the Gallery tomorrow.) I'll keep having the Mystery Bag Parties until there are at least 200 or more girls participating. (It's a goal!)
I told you I wanted to share something I read recently. Today is Southern Living Day on A Simple Life. This article AND the recipe are both from this month's issue. The article made me a little nostalgic.
The article is called "Our Sunday Best" by Valerie Fraser Luesse, and every word rings familiar to me. I'll be sharing parts of her little essay today and tomorrow.
A friend of mine visited a college campus recently and was aghast to see coeds walking to class in shorts and tank tops best suited to the gym. "My grandmother used to put on lipstick to go to the mailbox," she said wistfully.
Some icons of our feminine past won't be missed at all. To that bonnet hair dryer and clear-to-here girdle, we say good riddance. To the teasing comb, we offer a more reverent farewell. Together with Aqua Net hair spray, it gave generations of pageant hair the strength to bear a tiara, and that ought to mean something.
But as we boldly march forward, let us remember that "Mama 'n 'em" knew a thing or two about style. And I can name two blasts from our past that deserve a comeback.
The Easter Dress - We used to start shopping for our Easter dresses before the Valentine's candy was even stale. An Easter dress was your prettiest, dressiest Sunday-go-to-meetin' ensemble of the year. It screamed spring: floaty fabrics in pastel colors; short sleeves, puff sleeves, or no sleeves; store-bought or handmade. Pearls required. Hat and gloves optional after 1960. If you were under 12, you wore pastel dotted Swiss, patent leather Mary Janes, and maybe a color-coordinated hat with a little elastic band that hooked under your chin. No matter what your age, the biggest challenge was trying not to shiver, since even the Deep South tends to have a mysterious cold snap on Easter (perhaps as a divine reminder that this is a worship experience, not a fashion show.)
Do you remember? Tomorrow, Part Two.
Easter "Oldie"
Today's Easter "oldie" is a recipe, of course. Enjoy!
Resurrection Cookies
After dinner the Saturday before Easter, you will need to sit down and make these cookies with your family. It is a wonderful way to share the story of Easter... BUT YOU HAVE TO DO THIS THE NIGHT BEFORE EASTER!!!
You will need the following:
1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
A pinch salt
1 cup sugar
1 zip-lock bag
1 wooden spoon
Duct tape
Bible
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. (This is very important. Don't wait until you are almost finished with the recipe).
2. Place pecans in zip-lock bag and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested. He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.
3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.
4. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.
5. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.
6. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain the sweetest part of the story is Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.
7. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
8. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto a wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.
9. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.
10. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.
11. GO TO BED!
12. Explain they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20-22.
On Resurrection Sunday (Easter morning), open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.
This is a wonderful way to start your Easter morning. It is fun, interesting and keeps the emphasis on the true meaning of Easter.
Cheesy Barbecue Sloppy Joes
I made this recipe Saturday night, and it was a HIT! A HIT, I tell you. (Again, remember this recipe came from this month's issue of Southern Living.)
You will need the following:
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup bottled barbecue sauce (your favorite)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons chopped jalapeno peppers (optional)
1 tablespoon liquid form jalapeno peppers (optional)
1 or 2 packages frozen garlic Texas toast
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1. Brown ground beef in a large skillet. Drain well.
NOTE - This is where I strayed from the recipe a little. Since I wanted to prepare the meal ahead of time, I browned the meat and put it in a slow cooker before adding the rest of the ingredients an hour before the guests were to arrive. I mixed everything and then cooked it on low for an hour.
2. Stir in tomatoes and next three ingredients. (If you want to add the peppers and the liquid, add those at this time, too.
3. Prepare Texas toast according to package directions. Serve beef mixture over Texas toast.
4. Sprinkle with cheese.
This is an open-faced sandwich not to be eaten with your hands. This is a DELICIOUS open-faced sandwich! Enjoy!
Have a wonderful Tuesday. Tomorrow's Seasonal Tradition is a transition tradition for the teenagers in your family. We're going to play a little Survivor - Easter Island! It should be fun! I'll have a little Wednesday Wisdom and the rest of the article I started above. Yep... Wednesday should be a good day.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics are from our marshmallow roast Saturday night. I'm telling you, if you have already asked for a turkey fryer and a HUGE propane tank for Mother's Day, you really should ask for a fire pit, too. It is so much fun, and depending on who you have over, relatively safe.
REMINDER - On May 12, in honor of my 400th post, I will be announcing the winners of the THIRD Mystery Bag Party. Six lucky women will win an opportunity to climb in the Big Gold Van and go on a little adventure. The new destinations for this Mystery Bag Party are VERY exciting! I'll have more details in April, but I wanted you to know there is a specific date. There is a contest. There is a chance (Robin, Joan and Cam). There is always a chance!
Speaking of Mystery Bag Parties, we had our fourth get-together of the Soul Sistas (the first Mystery Bag Party Girls) last night at Jim & Nicks. (I'll have pics in the Gallery tomorrow.) I'll keep having the Mystery Bag Parties until there are at least 200 or more girls participating. (It's a goal!)
I told you I wanted to share something I read recently. Today is Southern Living Day on A Simple Life. This article AND the recipe are both from this month's issue. The article made me a little nostalgic.
The article is called "Our Sunday Best" by Valerie Fraser Luesse, and every word rings familiar to me. I'll be sharing parts of her little essay today and tomorrow.
A friend of mine visited a college campus recently and was aghast to see coeds walking to class in shorts and tank tops best suited to the gym. "My grandmother used to put on lipstick to go to the mailbox," she said wistfully.
Some icons of our feminine past won't be missed at all. To that bonnet hair dryer and clear-to-here girdle, we say good riddance. To the teasing comb, we offer a more reverent farewell. Together with Aqua Net hair spray, it gave generations of pageant hair the strength to bear a tiara, and that ought to mean something.
But as we boldly march forward, let us remember that "Mama 'n 'em" knew a thing or two about style. And I can name two blasts from our past that deserve a comeback.
The Easter Dress - We used to start shopping for our Easter dresses before the Valentine's candy was even stale. An Easter dress was your prettiest, dressiest Sunday-go-to-meetin' ensemble of the year. It screamed spring: floaty fabrics in pastel colors; short sleeves, puff sleeves, or no sleeves; store-bought or handmade. Pearls required. Hat and gloves optional after 1960. If you were under 12, you wore pastel dotted Swiss, patent leather Mary Janes, and maybe a color-coordinated hat with a little elastic band that hooked under your chin. No matter what your age, the biggest challenge was trying not to shiver, since even the Deep South tends to have a mysterious cold snap on Easter (perhaps as a divine reminder that this is a worship experience, not a fashion show.)
Do you remember? Tomorrow, Part Two.
Easter "Oldie"
Today's Easter "oldie" is a recipe, of course. Enjoy!
Resurrection Cookies
After dinner the Saturday before Easter, you will need to sit down and make these cookies with your family. It is a wonderful way to share the story of Easter... BUT YOU HAVE TO DO THIS THE NIGHT BEFORE EASTER!!!
You will need the following:
1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
A pinch salt
1 cup sugar
1 zip-lock bag
1 wooden spoon
Duct tape
Bible
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. (This is very important. Don't wait until you are almost finished with the recipe).
2. Place pecans in zip-lock bag and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested. He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.
3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.
4. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.
5. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.
6. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain the sweetest part of the story is Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.
7. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
8. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto a wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.
9. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.
10. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.
11. GO TO BED!
12. Explain they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20-22.
On Resurrection Sunday (Easter morning), open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.
This is a wonderful way to start your Easter morning. It is fun, interesting and keeps the emphasis on the true meaning of Easter.
Cheesy Barbecue Sloppy Joes
I made this recipe Saturday night, and it was a HIT! A HIT, I tell you. (Again, remember this recipe came from this month's issue of Southern Living.)
You will need the following:
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup bottled barbecue sauce (your favorite)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons chopped jalapeno peppers (optional)
1 tablespoon liquid form jalapeno peppers (optional)
1 or 2 packages frozen garlic Texas toast
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1. Brown ground beef in a large skillet. Drain well.
NOTE - This is where I strayed from the recipe a little. Since I wanted to prepare the meal ahead of time, I browned the meat and put it in a slow cooker before adding the rest of the ingredients an hour before the guests were to arrive. I mixed everything and then cooked it on low for an hour.
2. Stir in tomatoes and next three ingredients. (If you want to add the peppers and the liquid, add those at this time, too.
3. Prepare Texas toast according to package directions. Serve beef mixture over Texas toast.
4. Sprinkle with cheese.
This is an open-faced sandwich not to be eaten with your hands. This is a DELICIOUS open-faced sandwich! Enjoy!
Have a wonderful Tuesday. Tomorrow's Seasonal Tradition is a transition tradition for the teenagers in your family. We're going to play a little Survivor - Easter Island! It should be fun! I'll have a little Wednesday Wisdom and the rest of the article I started above. Yep... Wednesday should be a good day.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Ladybug Party
Good Monday morning!
I'll give you a little warning. This is a LONG post, but it is divided into sections, so skip what you must, read what you want and don't let the length get you down. I've tried to put a little something in for everyone!
The Showcase Pic this morning is of two of my favorite guys from last week's camping trip... Mikie and Sparkle. I know it's not my "most current" work, but I like it!
The Gallery Pics are from our last day camping. Well, we weren't actually camping as much as we were enjoying the track at Talladega. I'll tell you all about it below!
A Camping Story - Wind"y" Creek - Part 4
Sadly, it was time to pack up and head home. We were tired. We were cold. And I had a mountain of laundry to take care of when we hit the door of our home, sweet home. But wait! There was just one more thing we had to do.
Michael (not to be confused with Mikie) had heard that 21 race car drivers (FAMOUS race car drivers) were going to be testing their cars from 8:30 to 5:30 Tuesday at Talladega.
It was open to the public. The public was going to be sitting in the good seats. The public was going to be able to use the REAL bathrooms and NOT the portable potties. There was going to be a Question and Answer session at lunch with two of the drivers... Kurt Busch and Jeff Burton. Oh, and the best part (other than the real bathrooms)... IT WAS FREE.
We arrived not knowing if it would be "300 people crowded" or "6,000 people crowded." We didn't know where to sit to get the best pictures of the famous race car drivers. But guess what? There were hardly any people there at all (definitely in the 300-people range). And guess what else? Five minutes after we sat down in our nice seats the two famous race car drivers walked down the aisle BESIDE US and stood almost DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF US! It was perfect! (Except for some kid in an orange hoody who decided to get a closer look by standing in front of me and the drivers. Don't worry. I was not unkind... but Mikie had to handle most of the picture taking since he had a better view.)
The Question and Answer session was WAY over my head, but I laughed when the other people laughed, and I groaned when the other people groaned, and I applauded (LOUDLY) when they talked about the new spoilers. (Don't ask me... I have NO idea.)
All in all, it was an exciting experience. While Roxie and I (along with Ally and Bryant) probably didn't get into the racing as much as the other people in our group, it was a first for the Faulkner Five. And that means we had THREE "firsts" this camping trip.
1. First time camping with the Tuggles.
2. First time partaking of a Crab Boil.
3. First time watching a fake race at Talladega (and meeting Kurt Busch and Jeff Burton).
WOW! That's a successful camping trip!
We ended our day with lunch at a local McDonald's before heading home. The Tuggles went back to Wind"y" Creek for one more night, and we headed home to my laundry room. We were tired and smoky, but definitely happy.
And I guess this is the part of the story where I finally type the words...
THE END!
Weekend Review
Friday night found me and Mikie free and clear to enjoy a date. We arranged with our Tuggle friends to double since they were childless for the evening, also. We did the "movie and a dinner" thing, and had a great time. (It's amazing how much fun you can have in climate controlled buildings, which means my body temperature was neither too hot nor too cold. Just the way I like it!)
Austin worked, Josh went to the movie with a friend and Roxie went to Tuscaloosa to watch the gymnastics meet with her buddy.
Saturday, Mikie, Josh and Roxie headed to Oxford for a visit with Mike's parents. Austin had to work that afternoon, so he wasn't able to go, but he and I hung around the house together. He worked on homework and I worked on the house. (More laundry, you know.)
Saturday night we had our Hoover friends over for dinner and a marshmallow roast. That was fun. Oh, and I tried a new Southern Living recipe which was very, very good (and very, very easy). I'll be sharing it with you tomorrow, so you need to come back just for the recipe.
I took my first nap in ten days on Sunday afternoon. And Roxie woke me up from my first nap in ten day to go shopping for a couple of hours. I forgave her (sort of), and we headed out looking for the elusive denim capri. (FOUND THEM!)
And then it was time for Amazing Race AND finishing homework AND packing AND laying out books, etc. for school and work the next day. Heavy, heavy sigh. Spring Break is one of the shortest weeks in the year, don't you think?
I'd love to hear what any of you did this past week. Did you go somewhere new or exciting? Did you discover a new restaurant, campground or activity some of us would be interested in trying? If so, leave it in the Comment Section or on my e-mail, and I'll be sure to share it in the next day or so.
Easter "Oldie"
I have yet another Easter "oldie" for your Easter files. You do have Easter files, don't you? Yeah. Me neither. That's one of the purposes of A Simple Life... you don't have to keep files!
New Creation Celebration
Try this party which was "created" for your immediate family. Fun, easy, inexpensive AND it teaches a Biblical truth. You can't beat that.
Bible Concept: When we love Jesus, we become joyous new creations.
Scripture Basis: 2 Corinthians 5:17
You will need the following:
Bible
Vinegar
Dull pennies
Plastic eggs
Surprise Cupcakes (see recipe below)
Surprise Cupcakes
Prepare a box of cake mix according to the directions on the package, but do not bake the batter. (Make sure there is one cupcake per person attending this party.) Fill ice-cream cones half full of cake batter, then add a gumdrop. Continue to fill the cone to one inch from the top. Bake according to the directions or until golden brown. Cool and decorate with icing, shredded green coconut and tiny jelly beans.
This party is a celebration of the newness of spring, and of our hearts when we love Jesus!
Tell each person they are required to wear something "new" or "different." They can borrow something from another family member, make a new paper hat or wear a shirt backwards.
You may wish to decorate a festive party table by covering it with Easter gift wrap and setting the table with colorful paper goods. For an extra touch, fill an Easter basket with fresh flowers and place it in the center of the table. Fresh flowers colorfully accentuate the party theme of "new life."
Gather family members and warmly welcome them to the New Creation Celebration. Say, "I see you all have on something 'new.' Can you guess what each other's new item is?" Encourage family members to tell their guesses about what "new" item each person is wearing. Have each family member explain what is new and different.
Then ask the following questions:
1. Does wearing something new or different make you a different person? Why or why not?
2. If people can't change themselves by what they wear, how do they change?
3. Who is the only one who can bring us new life so we truly become new creations?
Say, "Jesus is the only one who helps us become truly new creations. How does He do this? Let's see if the Bible has the answer." Choose someone to read aloud 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Ask the following questions:
4. How do you think we become changed by loving Jesus?
5. Why is there great joy in being new creations in Christ?
6. What do you think happens to show we're new creations?
Invite family members to each take a dull penny and tell ways we are like dull pennies before we love Jesus. Then drop the pennies into a bowl of vinegar and soak them for several minutes. Play the game listed below while the pennies soak:
Egg Roll Relay - Hand a plastic egg to each person. On "go," challenge players to roll the eggs to the other end of the room in any way they desire such as with their noses or toes or hands. When they reach the opposite end of the room, players must switch eggs with another person and return to their starting places, again rolling the eggs on the return trip.
Now hand each person a paper towel and scoop out a penny. Have everyone rub and polish his or her penny until it shines brilliantly.
Now ask the following question:
7. How are these shiny pennies like our lives when we love Jesus?
Say, "When we love Jesus, we become changed like new creations... just as the dull pennies became like new. We know we're new by the joy we feel inside and by the way we're able to love and accept others. There is no greater joy than the joy we have in being new creations in Christ!"
Have family members gather at the party table and help themselves to a Surprise Cupcake. Before enjoying the special treats, offer a prayer thanking God for Jesus' love and for the way we become changed when we love Him.
Explain each Surprise Cupcake has a surprise inside to remind everyone about the way we change inside when we love Jesus. When someone discovers the hidden surprise, he or she is to say, "I'm changed inside, and I love Jesus!"
Let family members keep their shiny pennies to remind them how new and bright their lives are as a result of Jesus' love.
Taken from Affordable Family Fun.
Ladybug Party
Here are some fun ideas for a ladybug party this spring.
Upon the guests' arrival, give the kids ladybug attire (an antennae made out of a plastic headband, black pom poms and black pipe cleaners).
Craft - Buy enough small flower pots for each guest. Have your guests stamp their fingerprints on the pots with red paint. Each fingerprint can be a ladybug’s body. The kids can also paint black dots on the ladybugs. At the end of the party, the kids can take the pots home.
Note - Print out interesting ladybug facts and tape a different one on each flower pot before the children decorate so they can learn something about ladybugs.
Note - In clean plastic cups which fit inside the flower pots, you can make pudding topped with crushed Oreo cookies and gummy worms. Place a cup in each pot. The children can eat this as a dessert.
Games
1. Play Pin the Spot on the Ladybug!
2. Play Spot the Spot! Cut out hundreds of black spots and write “winner” on the back of a few of them. Tape the spots everywhere... indoors where the guests will enter or all around the party table or outside on your deck or patio.
Toward the end of the party, have the children collect all of the spots. The children who find the spots with “winner” written on the back win a small prize!
These ideas were taken from www.pepperspollywogs.com.
Have a glorious (but cold) Monday. Tomorrow I will have the Southern Living recipe I tried Saturday night. It received five stars from the Faulkner Five. Not bad! I'll also have another Easter "oldie" in recipe form, and I'll be sharing something I recently read with you, too.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
I'll give you a little warning. This is a LONG post, but it is divided into sections, so skip what you must, read what you want and don't let the length get you down. I've tried to put a little something in for everyone!
The Showcase Pic this morning is of two of my favorite guys from last week's camping trip... Mikie and Sparkle. I know it's not my "most current" work, but I like it!
The Gallery Pics are from our last day camping. Well, we weren't actually camping as much as we were enjoying the track at Talladega. I'll tell you all about it below!
A Camping Story - Wind"y" Creek - Part 4
Sadly, it was time to pack up and head home. We were tired. We were cold. And I had a mountain of laundry to take care of when we hit the door of our home, sweet home. But wait! There was just one more thing we had to do.
Michael (not to be confused with Mikie) had heard that 21 race car drivers (FAMOUS race car drivers) were going to be testing their cars from 8:30 to 5:30 Tuesday at Talladega.
It was open to the public. The public was going to be sitting in the good seats. The public was going to be able to use the REAL bathrooms and NOT the portable potties. There was going to be a Question and Answer session at lunch with two of the drivers... Kurt Busch and Jeff Burton. Oh, and the best part (other than the real bathrooms)... IT WAS FREE.
We arrived not knowing if it would be "300 people crowded" or "6,000 people crowded." We didn't know where to sit to get the best pictures of the famous race car drivers. But guess what? There were hardly any people there at all (definitely in the 300-people range). And guess what else? Five minutes after we sat down in our nice seats the two famous race car drivers walked down the aisle BESIDE US and stood almost DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF US! It was perfect! (Except for some kid in an orange hoody who decided to get a closer look by standing in front of me and the drivers. Don't worry. I was not unkind... but Mikie had to handle most of the picture taking since he had a better view.)
The Question and Answer session was WAY over my head, but I laughed when the other people laughed, and I groaned when the other people groaned, and I applauded (LOUDLY) when they talked about the new spoilers. (Don't ask me... I have NO idea.)
All in all, it was an exciting experience. While Roxie and I (along with Ally and Bryant) probably didn't get into the racing as much as the other people in our group, it was a first for the Faulkner Five. And that means we had THREE "firsts" this camping trip.
1. First time camping with the Tuggles.
2. First time partaking of a Crab Boil.
3. First time watching a fake race at Talladega (and meeting Kurt Busch and Jeff Burton).
WOW! That's a successful camping trip!
We ended our day with lunch at a local McDonald's before heading home. The Tuggles went back to Wind"y" Creek for one more night, and we headed home to my laundry room. We were tired and smoky, but definitely happy.
And I guess this is the part of the story where I finally type the words...
THE END!
Weekend Review
Friday night found me and Mikie free and clear to enjoy a date. We arranged with our Tuggle friends to double since they were childless for the evening, also. We did the "movie and a dinner" thing, and had a great time. (It's amazing how much fun you can have in climate controlled buildings, which means my body temperature was neither too hot nor too cold. Just the way I like it!)
Austin worked, Josh went to the movie with a friend and Roxie went to Tuscaloosa to watch the gymnastics meet with her buddy.
Saturday, Mikie, Josh and Roxie headed to Oxford for a visit with Mike's parents. Austin had to work that afternoon, so he wasn't able to go, but he and I hung around the house together. He worked on homework and I worked on the house. (More laundry, you know.)
Saturday night we had our Hoover friends over for dinner and a marshmallow roast. That was fun. Oh, and I tried a new Southern Living recipe which was very, very good (and very, very easy). I'll be sharing it with you tomorrow, so you need to come back just for the recipe.
I took my first nap in ten days on Sunday afternoon. And Roxie woke me up from my first nap in ten day to go shopping for a couple of hours. I forgave her (sort of), and we headed out looking for the elusive denim capri. (FOUND THEM!)
And then it was time for Amazing Race AND finishing homework AND packing AND laying out books, etc. for school and work the next day. Heavy, heavy sigh. Spring Break is one of the shortest weeks in the year, don't you think?
I'd love to hear what any of you did this past week. Did you go somewhere new or exciting? Did you discover a new restaurant, campground or activity some of us would be interested in trying? If so, leave it in the Comment Section or on my e-mail, and I'll be sure to share it in the next day or so.
Easter "Oldie"
I have yet another Easter "oldie" for your Easter files. You do have Easter files, don't you? Yeah. Me neither. That's one of the purposes of A Simple Life... you don't have to keep files!
New Creation Celebration
Try this party which was "created" for your immediate family. Fun, easy, inexpensive AND it teaches a Biblical truth. You can't beat that.
Bible Concept: When we love Jesus, we become joyous new creations.
Scripture Basis: 2 Corinthians 5:17
You will need the following:
Bible
Vinegar
Dull pennies
Plastic eggs
Surprise Cupcakes (see recipe below)
Surprise Cupcakes
Prepare a box of cake mix according to the directions on the package, but do not bake the batter. (Make sure there is one cupcake per person attending this party.) Fill ice-cream cones half full of cake batter, then add a gumdrop. Continue to fill the cone to one inch from the top. Bake according to the directions or until golden brown. Cool and decorate with icing, shredded green coconut and tiny jelly beans.
This party is a celebration of the newness of spring, and of our hearts when we love Jesus!
Tell each person they are required to wear something "new" or "different." They can borrow something from another family member, make a new paper hat or wear a shirt backwards.
You may wish to decorate a festive party table by covering it with Easter gift wrap and setting the table with colorful paper goods. For an extra touch, fill an Easter basket with fresh flowers and place it in the center of the table. Fresh flowers colorfully accentuate the party theme of "new life."
Gather family members and warmly welcome them to the New Creation Celebration. Say, "I see you all have on something 'new.' Can you guess what each other's new item is?" Encourage family members to tell their guesses about what "new" item each person is wearing. Have each family member explain what is new and different.
Then ask the following questions:
1. Does wearing something new or different make you a different person? Why or why not?
2. If people can't change themselves by what they wear, how do they change?
3. Who is the only one who can bring us new life so we truly become new creations?
Say, "Jesus is the only one who helps us become truly new creations. How does He do this? Let's see if the Bible has the answer." Choose someone to read aloud 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Ask the following questions:
4. How do you think we become changed by loving Jesus?
5. Why is there great joy in being new creations in Christ?
6. What do you think happens to show we're new creations?
Invite family members to each take a dull penny and tell ways we are like dull pennies before we love Jesus. Then drop the pennies into a bowl of vinegar and soak them for several minutes. Play the game listed below while the pennies soak:
Egg Roll Relay - Hand a plastic egg to each person. On "go," challenge players to roll the eggs to the other end of the room in any way they desire such as with their noses or toes or hands. When they reach the opposite end of the room, players must switch eggs with another person and return to their starting places, again rolling the eggs on the return trip.
Now hand each person a paper towel and scoop out a penny. Have everyone rub and polish his or her penny until it shines brilliantly.
Now ask the following question:
7. How are these shiny pennies like our lives when we love Jesus?
Say, "When we love Jesus, we become changed like new creations... just as the dull pennies became like new. We know we're new by the joy we feel inside and by the way we're able to love and accept others. There is no greater joy than the joy we have in being new creations in Christ!"
Have family members gather at the party table and help themselves to a Surprise Cupcake. Before enjoying the special treats, offer a prayer thanking God for Jesus' love and for the way we become changed when we love Him.
Explain each Surprise Cupcake has a surprise inside to remind everyone about the way we change inside when we love Jesus. When someone discovers the hidden surprise, he or she is to say, "I'm changed inside, and I love Jesus!"
Let family members keep their shiny pennies to remind them how new and bright their lives are as a result of Jesus' love.
Taken from Affordable Family Fun.
Ladybug Party
Here are some fun ideas for a ladybug party this spring.
Upon the guests' arrival, give the kids ladybug attire (an antennae made out of a plastic headband, black pom poms and black pipe cleaners).
Craft - Buy enough small flower pots for each guest. Have your guests stamp their fingerprints on the pots with red paint. Each fingerprint can be a ladybug’s body. The kids can also paint black dots on the ladybugs. At the end of the party, the kids can take the pots home.
Note - Print out interesting ladybug facts and tape a different one on each flower pot before the children decorate so they can learn something about ladybugs.
Note - In clean plastic cups which fit inside the flower pots, you can make pudding topped with crushed Oreo cookies and gummy worms. Place a cup in each pot. The children can eat this as a dessert.
Games
1. Play Pin the Spot on the Ladybug!
2. Play Spot the Spot! Cut out hundreds of black spots and write “winner” on the back of a few of them. Tape the spots everywhere... indoors where the guests will enter or all around the party table or outside on your deck or patio.
Toward the end of the party, have the children collect all of the spots. The children who find the spots with “winner” written on the back win a small prize!
These ideas were taken from www.pepperspollywogs.com.
Have a glorious (but cold) Monday. Tomorrow I will have the Southern Living recipe I tried Saturday night. It received five stars from the Faulkner Five. Not bad! I'll also have another Easter "oldie" in recipe form, and I'll be sharing something I recently read with you, too.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Weekend Happenings
Good Friday morning!
The Gallery Pics are from our recent trip to New Zealand. Just kidding. Just kidding. Or as the kids like to say, "JK! JK!" As promised (or threatened), more camping pics!
NOTE - For all of you out there who loved Planet Earth (Discovery Channel), a new 11-part series is beginning this Sunday night (also on Discovery Channel) called Life. Since all of our favorite shows are scheduled right now (24, LOST, Amazing Race, Survivor and Celebrity Apprentice), we don't feel we can add another series to the mix at this point in our lives. However, in about six to eight weeks, all of our shows will be OVER... and there will be a void left in our life. And we will begin watching the 11-part series called Life which we taped and saved for just such an occasion.
A Camping Story - Wind"y" Creek - Part Three
Our next camping day looked promising. As we walked to the bathhouse for showers, there was little or no wind. When we walked back to our campsite after our showers, there was a large, bright yellow thing in the sky. (I believe it was the sun.) And there was a new color mixed with the dark gray clouds. (I believe people call it "blue.") Yes, indeed. It was going to be a warmer, brighter day. NOT!
Ten minutes later, the wind began again, and the blue disappeared (as did the large, bright yellow thing). But we considered ourselves fortunate... still no rain.
Our day was slow and relaxing and very camp-like. We once again had our "Breakfast of the Champions." The kids rode bikes, fished off the bank, played volleyball. The older teens read, texted friends, and walked around the campground with the adults. The adults drank coffee, sat by the fire, and walked to check on the whereabouts of the kids. The dogs napped, swam, and barked at the geese. It was a good day.
But wait! We did something different. Something I had never done before. I love trying new things... big or little. We had a Crab Boil!
That's right. A Crab Boil! Several people I've mentioned this to have "done it for years." No one told me. Ever. So I'm going to pretend you are me, and you've never had a Crab Boil either.
First, you start with a giant pot placed on a giant burner placed away from the camper and small children and dogs. Then you add gallons of water. When the temperature reaches 210 degrees (rolling boil), you add like 1,000 red potatoes... or a regular-size bag of potatoes. Your call. You also add a big bag of carrots (more for color than anything else).
At this point, add one more thing in the Crab Boil... a bag of spices which comes in a yellow box called "Crab Boil." And to be on the safe side, add some liquid from a bottle called "Crab Boil," too.
A little while later, someone scoops a potato out of the boiling water and you "fork test" it for tenderness. Yes! It is fork tender. Now you pour in a huge bag of corn... like 1,000 cobs of frozen corn (or 20). Again, it's your call. You add a gigantic bag of sliced sausages. You slice onions and throw them in the mix.
A few minutes later, someone says, "It's time to add the shrimp." (I know. It's confusing, isn't it? The box of spice says "Crab Boil." The bottle of seasoning says "Crab Boil." But you add shrimp. Don't ask questions... just do it!)
Add four pounds of shrimp to the mix, and one or two minutes later, your Crab Boil is ready... to sit for 20 minutes.
But after the 20 minutes, it really is ready to scoop into huge trays.
I am not a shrimp eater (or a crab eater, for that matter), so I feasted on corn, potatoes, sausage and pretty carrots. Oh, and rolls. We had rolls, but they stay OUT of the Crab Boil pot. That's the beauty of a Crab Boil. No one is left out. There is something for everyone! I loved it.
Guess what I'm getting for Mother's Day? That's right. A giant pot and a giant burner and a huge can of propane. I'm so excited. I usually get three hanging baskets of flowers for my front porch, but I want the pot, burner and can of propane so much more!
And that, my friends, was the end to another great day of camping at Wind"y" Creek. But wait! There's more!
On Monday, I will share Part Four or our little camping story. We not only participated in New Thing #1 (Crab Boil), but the next day on our way home from the trip, we participated in New Thing #2 (???). It was very exciting... and it has led to New Thing #3 which will be coming up in a few weeks (for Mikie and the boys).
Are you sitting on the edge of your computer chair?
Easter "Oldie"
It's time for our Easter "oldie." Remember, I'll be posting an Easter idea from the archives every day until Easter (except weekends).
Video Easter STUFF Scavenger Hunt
Because we have teenagers, we did this two or three years ago. We put all the guys in one van (Mikie, Austin, Josh, Uncle Tommy, Brad and Zac), and all the girls in another van (Me, Roxie, Aunt Bev, Katie and Grandmother).
We had a set of things we had to find in a specific time limit (1 hour and ten minutes). We had to video each item or a person standing beside the item. The first team to make it back to my Mom's house won. (We beat the guys by five minutes. For every minute you are late returning, you lose a point.)
The list went something like this:
1. Easter Egg Tree (Video someone standing next to the tree.)
2. Easter Inflatable (Video someone standing next to the inflatable.)
3. Church sign with the word "Easter" on the sign. (Video the sign.)
4. Use some of the money in the attached envelope, go to K-Mart and buy one Easter item. (If it is the same item the other team buys, it cancels out the point. Video yourself going through the store.)
5. Find a cross in a yard or in front of a church. (Video someone next to the cross.)
6. Use some of the money in the attached envelope to go through a fast food drive-thru and order ONE milkshake with six straws. (Video everyone taking turns drinking the milkshake.)
7. Somewhere hidden in your car is a pair of bunny ears. Find the bunny ears and take turns wearing them. (Video everyone wearing the bunny ears.)
8. Go to Southside Baptist's park and find three Easter eggs hidden inside the fence. (Video people looking for the eggs.)
You get the idea here, too. Use the neighborhoods and areas you are most familiar, and make it fun. We had a ball, and pitting the guys against the girls made it even more competitive.
Weekend Happenings
What can I say? Our weekend has lasted all week long. But if you want to get specific, the Faulkner Five will once again be going in five different directions this Friday evening... well, actually four because I'm going with Mikie. Austin is working at the Chick. Josh is going to the movies with a friend. Roxie is hanging with a buddy. And Mikie and I are going on a double date with some friends... dinner and a movie.
Saturday will find Mikie, Josh and Roxie visiting his folks in Oxford, and Austin working a couple of hours. I'm planning on trying a new recipe Saturday night. How does Barbecue Sloppy Joes on Garlic Texas Toast sound to you? It sounded good to me, too, when I saw it in my new Southern Living Magazine yesterday. (And it doesn't look too difficult. It's worth a try.)
Sunday we'll have church (and, I hope, some leftovers for lunch). And then it will be time to start getting ready to go back to school and work. Heavy, heavy sigh. These last nine weeks are the longest of the whole school year, don't you think? I know education is very important, but it does get in the way of a lot of the fun, doesn't it?
I hope your family has had a great Spring Break. Big vacations or little outings... It doesn't matter as long as you spent time with friends and family, does it? Monday we'll come back in full Easter mode, so it will be a very busy week. I'll finish up the very long Camping Story, and we'll move on to something new. (And everyone said, "Amen!")
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics are from our recent trip to New Zealand. Just kidding. Just kidding. Or as the kids like to say, "JK! JK!" As promised (or threatened), more camping pics!
NOTE - For all of you out there who loved Planet Earth (Discovery Channel), a new 11-part series is beginning this Sunday night (also on Discovery Channel) called Life. Since all of our favorite shows are scheduled right now (24, LOST, Amazing Race, Survivor and Celebrity Apprentice), we don't feel we can add another series to the mix at this point in our lives. However, in about six to eight weeks, all of our shows will be OVER... and there will be a void left in our life. And we will begin watching the 11-part series called Life which we taped and saved for just such an occasion.
A Camping Story - Wind"y" Creek - Part Three
Our next camping day looked promising. As we walked to the bathhouse for showers, there was little or no wind. When we walked back to our campsite after our showers, there was a large, bright yellow thing in the sky. (I believe it was the sun.) And there was a new color mixed with the dark gray clouds. (I believe people call it "blue.") Yes, indeed. It was going to be a warmer, brighter day. NOT!
Ten minutes later, the wind began again, and the blue disappeared (as did the large, bright yellow thing). But we considered ourselves fortunate... still no rain.
Our day was slow and relaxing and very camp-like. We once again had our "Breakfast of the Champions." The kids rode bikes, fished off the bank, played volleyball. The older teens read, texted friends, and walked around the campground with the adults. The adults drank coffee, sat by the fire, and walked to check on the whereabouts of the kids. The dogs napped, swam, and barked at the geese. It was a good day.
But wait! We did something different. Something I had never done before. I love trying new things... big or little. We had a Crab Boil!
That's right. A Crab Boil! Several people I've mentioned this to have "done it for years." No one told me. Ever. So I'm going to pretend you are me, and you've never had a Crab Boil either.
First, you start with a giant pot placed on a giant burner placed away from the camper and small children and dogs. Then you add gallons of water. When the temperature reaches 210 degrees (rolling boil), you add like 1,000 red potatoes... or a regular-size bag of potatoes. Your call. You also add a big bag of carrots (more for color than anything else).
At this point, add one more thing in the Crab Boil... a bag of spices which comes in a yellow box called "Crab Boil." And to be on the safe side, add some liquid from a bottle called "Crab Boil," too.
A little while later, someone scoops a potato out of the boiling water and you "fork test" it for tenderness. Yes! It is fork tender. Now you pour in a huge bag of corn... like 1,000 cobs of frozen corn (or 20). Again, it's your call. You add a gigantic bag of sliced sausages. You slice onions and throw them in the mix.
A few minutes later, someone says, "It's time to add the shrimp." (I know. It's confusing, isn't it? The box of spice says "Crab Boil." The bottle of seasoning says "Crab Boil." But you add shrimp. Don't ask questions... just do it!)
Add four pounds of shrimp to the mix, and one or two minutes later, your Crab Boil is ready... to sit for 20 minutes.
But after the 20 minutes, it really is ready to scoop into huge trays.
I am not a shrimp eater (or a crab eater, for that matter), so I feasted on corn, potatoes, sausage and pretty carrots. Oh, and rolls. We had rolls, but they stay OUT of the Crab Boil pot. That's the beauty of a Crab Boil. No one is left out. There is something for everyone! I loved it.
Guess what I'm getting for Mother's Day? That's right. A giant pot and a giant burner and a huge can of propane. I'm so excited. I usually get three hanging baskets of flowers for my front porch, but I want the pot, burner and can of propane so much more!
And that, my friends, was the end to another great day of camping at Wind"y" Creek. But wait! There's more!
On Monday, I will share Part Four or our little camping story. We not only participated in New Thing #1 (Crab Boil), but the next day on our way home from the trip, we participated in New Thing #2 (???). It was very exciting... and it has led to New Thing #3 which will be coming up in a few weeks (for Mikie and the boys).
Are you sitting on the edge of your computer chair?
Easter "Oldie"
It's time for our Easter "oldie." Remember, I'll be posting an Easter idea from the archives every day until Easter (except weekends).
Video Easter STUFF Scavenger Hunt
Because we have teenagers, we did this two or three years ago. We put all the guys in one van (Mikie, Austin, Josh, Uncle Tommy, Brad and Zac), and all the girls in another van (Me, Roxie, Aunt Bev, Katie and Grandmother).
We had a set of things we had to find in a specific time limit (1 hour and ten minutes). We had to video each item or a person standing beside the item. The first team to make it back to my Mom's house won. (We beat the guys by five minutes. For every minute you are late returning, you lose a point.)
The list went something like this:
1. Easter Egg Tree (Video someone standing next to the tree.)
2. Easter Inflatable (Video someone standing next to the inflatable.)
3. Church sign with the word "Easter" on the sign. (Video the sign.)
4. Use some of the money in the attached envelope, go to K-Mart and buy one Easter item. (If it is the same item the other team buys, it cancels out the point. Video yourself going through the store.)
5. Find a cross in a yard or in front of a church. (Video someone next to the cross.)
6. Use some of the money in the attached envelope to go through a fast food drive-thru and order ONE milkshake with six straws. (Video everyone taking turns drinking the milkshake.)
7. Somewhere hidden in your car is a pair of bunny ears. Find the bunny ears and take turns wearing them. (Video everyone wearing the bunny ears.)
8. Go to Southside Baptist's park and find three Easter eggs hidden inside the fence. (Video people looking for the eggs.)
You get the idea here, too. Use the neighborhoods and areas you are most familiar, and make it fun. We had a ball, and pitting the guys against the girls made it even more competitive.
Weekend Happenings
What can I say? Our weekend has lasted all week long. But if you want to get specific, the Faulkner Five will once again be going in five different directions this Friday evening... well, actually four because I'm going with Mikie. Austin is working at the Chick. Josh is going to the movies with a friend. Roxie is hanging with a buddy. And Mikie and I are going on a double date with some friends... dinner and a movie.
Saturday will find Mikie, Josh and Roxie visiting his folks in Oxford, and Austin working a couple of hours. I'm planning on trying a new recipe Saturday night. How does Barbecue Sloppy Joes on Garlic Texas Toast sound to you? It sounded good to me, too, when I saw it in my new Southern Living Magazine yesterday. (And it doesn't look too difficult. It's worth a try.)
Sunday we'll have church (and, I hope, some leftovers for lunch). And then it will be time to start getting ready to go back to school and work. Heavy, heavy sigh. These last nine weeks are the longest of the whole school year, don't you think? I know education is very important, but it does get in the way of a lot of the fun, doesn't it?
I hope your family has had a great Spring Break. Big vacations or little outings... It doesn't matter as long as you spent time with friends and family, does it? Monday we'll come back in full Easter mode, so it will be a very busy week. I'll finish up the very long Camping Story, and we'll move on to something new. (And everyone said, "Amen!")
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
A Dragon Date
Good Thursday morning!
The Gallery Pics are from Day 2 at Wind"y" Creek. (I know what you're thinking. Just be glad we didn't stay a whole week!)
A Camping Story - Wind"y" Creek - Part Two
We were hopeful the weather on our second day of camping would be much, much better... and in some ways it was. It did NOT rain. However, the clouds AND the wind AND the "COLD TO THE BONE" temps hung around for the rest of the day. It was too cold to take the boat out to test the patch-up job Mikie had performed on the enormous hole in the living well, but there was still plenty to do.
After a hearty breakfast of pancakes, eggs, bacon, two kinds of sausages and hash browns (the Tuggles know how to DO breakfast), the kids spent the morning riding bikes and playing beach volleyball. Josh found a fishing spot he liked away from the camping crowds. Austin found a nice, warm place to catch up on some reading in the back seat of the truck.
Sparkle enjoyed naps behind her log wind shield. Patch, the Tuggle's smallest pup, explored our campsite. (As our camping time increased, Patch became braver and braver, and extended his boundaries. The Faulkners were amazed Patch always came home when called. Beagles are notorious for NOT coming home when called. They put their nose to the ground and follow scents until they look up three miles later and have no idea where "home" is. Well, that and the Tuggles actually TRAINED their dogs.) Nala, the Tuggle's lab, played in the water chasing ducks and geese if they came too close. (Oh, and she always came when they called, too. She even sat when she was told. We were again amazed.)
We had company this particular day of our trip. Julie's parents came bearing gifts. Gifts of ribs AND pork chops AND potato salad AND baked beans AND made-from-scratch pound cake AND sweet tea... Oh, my! It was a lip-smackin', finger-lickin' EXCELLENT lunch. Eric, Leisa and Anna Knight came for the day, also. After our feast, we went on a long walk around the campgrounds. After the exhausting long walk, we settled in chairs around the campfire beside the water to visit for awhile. It was the perfect camping day... except for the clouds AND the wind AND the "COLD TO THE BONE" temps. But we decided to overlook those three little things.
Since Anna wasn't going to be with us when the sun (HA!) went down, she wanted a couple of scary stories by the fire. I told Peelin' Potatoes and got a pretty good jump out of most of the people around the fire. Then Kelci told a story... and she made it to the very end before she added, "This is really better if someone comes from behind and scares everyone at this part." We looked around, but no scary person was making an appearance so it became a little more funny than scary which was fine with me. When you sleep in a tent with only the thinnest piece of nylon between you and whatever is "out there," you really want to go to bed believing everyone in the world is kind and decent and NOT scary.
After our guests left, the day ended in the typical camping fashion. We had leftovers for dinner. We set up a movie theater in the tent, and the kids watched Zathura. The parents sat around the table in the camper and talked. S'mores were eaten. Bathhouse trips were made (and made again by the womenfolk). It was a very good day.
NOTE - The bathhouses at Wind"y" Creek are very, very good. They are cleaned not once, but TWICE, a day. There is even a new bathhouse which is lovely. (You can only say a bathhouse is lovely after you've been to some of the campgrounds we have visited over the years.) Bathhouses are a deal breaker to women campers everywhere.
NOTE - When camping with a new family, there are many unknowns. The Tuggles were wonderful. Easy to be with, well-behaved kids, well-behaved pets, parents who bring good food... the list goes on and on. However, I had a very long talk with my guys about the Faulkner Five FACADE. Camping with three teenagers can make or break you on good days, and we really wanted to keep up the "perfect facade" I've created here on A Simple Life.
We agreed if things started to go downhill, I would scream "Facade! Facade!" to remind them to straighten up. I didn't really think about what an odd word it was to scream. I didn't think about the Tuggles wanting to know why every five minutes I screamed the word. Thus, the Tuggles now know the Faulkners are not perfect. They've been sworn to secrecy, but I have my doubts.
Let me know if you hear any rumors, and I'll put them to rest.
Easter "Oldie"
As promised, here is your first Easter "oldie."
Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt
NOTE - We had this egg hunt four or five years ago. I didn't want you to think our older teens were still hunting eggs!
This is something for the tween set. There are six kids in our family, so each child is assigned an egg color. If there are 14 clues, then there are only 14 hiding places with six eggs in each place... one egg per child. (When Roxie figures out the clue, she may find a total of six eggs in one hiding place, but she knows to get the yellow egg which is her assigned color, etc., etc.) Here is a sample of some of the clues.
It's smaller than Grandmother's house.
It's just a little red.
Last year she hid the eggs real deep!
This year they're on top, she said.
(Six eggs hidden at the shed behind my Mom's house.)
It's a porch just like Grandmother's,
As pretty as can be.
Across the street at Miss Olivia's
Easter eggs you will see.
(I broadened the search to include two or three neighbors' homes as well... with their permission, of course.)
In the yard, you will see many,
But special is one tree.
Aunt Bev taught you all to climb
So high you can see and see.
(Six eggs hidden in the "climbing tree.")
A gazebo is something we do not have.
We know one is nearby.
Miss Linda and Mr. Charles have said
Find your eggs and go bye-bye.
(Six more eggs hidden in a neighbor's gazebo.)
You get the idea. The clues do not have to be rhymes. The eggs can be hidden in harder places, also. When I made the clues, I always mixed them up. Each child had the same clues, but each child had them in a different order so they were running everywhere. The first one back to the front porch won a dollar.
Blog Linkage - I have three "must reads" for you today. All three are under My Blog List, so it's easy to just click and read.
1. Today's post on Nitty.Gritty. is about Jody's little girl, Teagan, who would have been 13 years-old today. A very sweet post from an amazing mom.
2. Tara's posts are usually more visual than verbal since she is a photographer... and I love that! I love when pictures tell the entire story. She has a post this week called "Light Sabers," and it took me back to when my boys were little and light sabers were slept with, packed in suitcases for trips and generally, just a part of our everyday lives. Simple, simple pleasures.
2. On Sherri's Blog, Sherri has written a post about finding joy in her life again after the loss of her Bronner. It is an eye-opener.
I also have a new blog listed under My Blog List. It is the blog of Sara Phillips. Sara and her family have recently moved to Vancouver to start a new church. I thought it would be fun to watch from afar as she and Jeff (and Emily and Ty) begin a new chapter of their life in a very different location. (Jeff was our Student Minister a few years ago. He and Sara are definitely stepping out of their comfort zone to follow God's plan for their lives.)
A Dragon Date
Does your little one want to see How To Train Your Dragon? If so, you may want to take him/her to Quintard Mall's AmStar Cinemas March 27 or March 28.
They will be having a Viking's Carnival, which is a mall-wide celebration of the movie's release. The How To Train Your Dragon Magically Enchanting Weekend starts at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 27 and noon Sunday, March 28.
There will be a mall-wide scavenger hunt sponsored by Best Buy. You can also meet characters from the movie, sample free food from local restaurants and create your own personalized shield with assistance from the JC Morgan Art Gallery.
Quintard Mall is located in Oxford, which is only a little over an hour from our area. You would have time to talk on the drive down, and re-live your date on the drive home. Stop by Mellow Mushroom after the movie and share a pizza.
Remember, it's not just a movie! It's an adventure!
This information was found on http://blog.al.com/bargain-mom.
Tomorrow I'll be sharing more of our Camping Story, another Easter "oldie," and Weekend Happenings in the Faulkner household. Check back if you have a chance. I hope you are all having a great Spring Break, and making wonderful memories with your family!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pics are from Day 2 at Wind"y" Creek. (I know what you're thinking. Just be glad we didn't stay a whole week!)
A Camping Story - Wind"y" Creek - Part Two
We were hopeful the weather on our second day of camping would be much, much better... and in some ways it was. It did NOT rain. However, the clouds AND the wind AND the "COLD TO THE BONE" temps hung around for the rest of the day. It was too cold to take the boat out to test the patch-up job Mikie had performed on the enormous hole in the living well, but there was still plenty to do.
After a hearty breakfast of pancakes, eggs, bacon, two kinds of sausages and hash browns (the Tuggles know how to DO breakfast), the kids spent the morning riding bikes and playing beach volleyball. Josh found a fishing spot he liked away from the camping crowds. Austin found a nice, warm place to catch up on some reading in the back seat of the truck.
Sparkle enjoyed naps behind her log wind shield. Patch, the Tuggle's smallest pup, explored our campsite. (As our camping time increased, Patch became braver and braver, and extended his boundaries. The Faulkners were amazed Patch always came home when called. Beagles are notorious for NOT coming home when called. They put their nose to the ground and follow scents until they look up three miles later and have no idea where "home" is. Well, that and the Tuggles actually TRAINED their dogs.) Nala, the Tuggle's lab, played in the water chasing ducks and geese if they came too close. (Oh, and she always came when they called, too. She even sat when she was told. We were again amazed.)
We had company this particular day of our trip. Julie's parents came bearing gifts. Gifts of ribs AND pork chops AND potato salad AND baked beans AND made-from-scratch pound cake AND sweet tea... Oh, my! It was a lip-smackin', finger-lickin' EXCELLENT lunch. Eric, Leisa and Anna Knight came for the day, also. After our feast, we went on a long walk around the campgrounds. After the exhausting long walk, we settled in chairs around the campfire beside the water to visit for awhile. It was the perfect camping day... except for the clouds AND the wind AND the "COLD TO THE BONE" temps. But we decided to overlook those three little things.
Since Anna wasn't going to be with us when the sun (HA!) went down, she wanted a couple of scary stories by the fire. I told Peelin' Potatoes and got a pretty good jump out of most of the people around the fire. Then Kelci told a story... and she made it to the very end before she added, "This is really better if someone comes from behind and scares everyone at this part." We looked around, but no scary person was making an appearance so it became a little more funny than scary which was fine with me. When you sleep in a tent with only the thinnest piece of nylon between you and whatever is "out there," you really want to go to bed believing everyone in the world is kind and decent and NOT scary.
After our guests left, the day ended in the typical camping fashion. We had leftovers for dinner. We set up a movie theater in the tent, and the kids watched Zathura. The parents sat around the table in the camper and talked. S'mores were eaten. Bathhouse trips were made (and made again by the womenfolk). It was a very good day.
NOTE - The bathhouses at Wind"y" Creek are very, very good. They are cleaned not once, but TWICE, a day. There is even a new bathhouse which is lovely. (You can only say a bathhouse is lovely after you've been to some of the campgrounds we have visited over the years.) Bathhouses are a deal breaker to women campers everywhere.
NOTE - When camping with a new family, there are many unknowns. The Tuggles were wonderful. Easy to be with, well-behaved kids, well-behaved pets, parents who bring good food... the list goes on and on. However, I had a very long talk with my guys about the Faulkner Five FACADE. Camping with three teenagers can make or break you on good days, and we really wanted to keep up the "perfect facade" I've created here on A Simple Life.
We agreed if things started to go downhill, I would scream "Facade! Facade!" to remind them to straighten up. I didn't really think about what an odd word it was to scream. I didn't think about the Tuggles wanting to know why every five minutes I screamed the word. Thus, the Tuggles now know the Faulkners are not perfect. They've been sworn to secrecy, but I have my doubts.
Let me know if you hear any rumors, and I'll put them to rest.
Easter "Oldie"
As promised, here is your first Easter "oldie."
Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt
NOTE - We had this egg hunt four or five years ago. I didn't want you to think our older teens were still hunting eggs!
This is something for the tween set. There are six kids in our family, so each child is assigned an egg color. If there are 14 clues, then there are only 14 hiding places with six eggs in each place... one egg per child. (When Roxie figures out the clue, she may find a total of six eggs in one hiding place, but she knows to get the yellow egg which is her assigned color, etc., etc.) Here is a sample of some of the clues.
It's smaller than Grandmother's house.
It's just a little red.
Last year she hid the eggs real deep!
This year they're on top, she said.
(Six eggs hidden at the shed behind my Mom's house.)
It's a porch just like Grandmother's,
As pretty as can be.
Across the street at Miss Olivia's
Easter eggs you will see.
(I broadened the search to include two or three neighbors' homes as well... with their permission, of course.)
In the yard, you will see many,
But special is one tree.
Aunt Bev taught you all to climb
So high you can see and see.
(Six eggs hidden in the "climbing tree.")
A gazebo is something we do not have.
We know one is nearby.
Miss Linda and Mr. Charles have said
Find your eggs and go bye-bye.
(Six more eggs hidden in a neighbor's gazebo.)
You get the idea. The clues do not have to be rhymes. The eggs can be hidden in harder places, also. When I made the clues, I always mixed them up. Each child had the same clues, but each child had them in a different order so they were running everywhere. The first one back to the front porch won a dollar.
Blog Linkage - I have three "must reads" for you today. All three are under My Blog List, so it's easy to just click and read.
1. Today's post on Nitty.Gritty. is about Jody's little girl, Teagan, who would have been 13 years-old today. A very sweet post from an amazing mom.
2. Tara's posts are usually more visual than verbal since she is a photographer... and I love that! I love when pictures tell the entire story. She has a post this week called "Light Sabers," and it took me back to when my boys were little and light sabers were slept with, packed in suitcases for trips and generally, just a part of our everyday lives. Simple, simple pleasures.
2. On Sherri's Blog, Sherri has written a post about finding joy in her life again after the loss of her Bronner. It is an eye-opener.
I also have a new blog listed under My Blog List. It is the blog of Sara Phillips. Sara and her family have recently moved to Vancouver to start a new church. I thought it would be fun to watch from afar as she and Jeff (and Emily and Ty) begin a new chapter of their life in a very different location. (Jeff was our Student Minister a few years ago. He and Sara are definitely stepping out of their comfort zone to follow God's plan for their lives.)
A Dragon Date
Does your little one want to see How To Train Your Dragon? If so, you may want to take him/her to Quintard Mall's AmStar Cinemas March 27 or March 28.
They will be having a Viking's Carnival, which is a mall-wide celebration of the movie's release. The How To Train Your Dragon Magically Enchanting Weekend starts at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 27 and noon Sunday, March 28.
There will be a mall-wide scavenger hunt sponsored by Best Buy. You can also meet characters from the movie, sample free food from local restaurants and create your own personalized shield with assistance from the JC Morgan Art Gallery.
Quintard Mall is located in Oxford, which is only a little over an hour from our area. You would have time to talk on the drive down, and re-live your date on the drive home. Stop by Mellow Mushroom after the movie and share a pizza.
Remember, it's not just a movie! It's an adventure!
This information was found on http://blog.al.com/bargain-mom.
Tomorrow I'll be sharing more of our Camping Story, another Easter "oldie," and Weekend Happenings in the Faulkner household. Check back if you have a chance. I hope you are all having a great Spring Break, and making wonderful memories with your family!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Amazing Race - Easter Style
Good Wednesday morning... and Happy St. Patrick's Day!
The Showcase Pic is from our camping trip to Wind Creek... which you will hear about over and over and over again for the next three or four days. (Sorry!)
The Gallery Pics are from our camping trip to Wind Creek... SAME AS ABOVE!
A Camping Story - Wind"y" Creek
Because of torrential rains Wednesday, regular rain Thursday, and morning rain Friday, the Faulkner Five decided to wait one more day before heading to Wind Creek to camp... on the ground... in a tent. After a talk with the lovely State Park Representative, she agreed with my decision. "We had 5" of rain this week. Everything is either mud or a big puddle." All righty then. Saturday was looking good.
Our camping buddies for the weekend, the Tuggles, had a pop-up, so they didn't have to worry about sitting in the mud and muck. They headed down Friday, as planned, with Roxie in the backseat.
Mike, the boys and I finished most of the packing Friday night, so we would be ready to leave bright and early Saturday morning.
It was not to be...
1. Josh had a (very) little fender bender in Movie Gallery's parking lot, but it required a police report so it took a little time. (He was returning a movie FOR ME before we left to avoid late charges.)
2. Mike broke the "drain thingy" off the live well (or living well, as I continue to call it) in our boat, so there was a big gaping hole in that particular part of the boat. I thought if we drove the boat fast enough, water would not have enough time to get in the living well (thus, sinking the boat). Mikie said my theory had "holes in it." So he had to make a "quick" trip Wal-Mart to get some "fix the hole in the boat" stuff.
3. The Faulkner Five always leave several hours late on camping trips. Packing up the ENTIRE house takes a little doing... for me, at least.
But we were determined to have the best camping trip ever. (We had already survived the worst camping trip ever!) And, as I'm trying to learn daily, it helps to put things into perspective.
Perspective #1 - I decided I would stand on the pier with all my camera equipment for the first few boat rides... just to make sure. And if a hole in a boat is a good Spring Break story, just think how great the pictures of all the kids baling water out of the boat as they try to make it back to shore would be. Classic.
Perspective #2 - Josh's first "wreck" was basically nothing. No one was hurt and a fender bender (unfortunately) is in most people's driving future.
As you might have guessed, this is going to be a Three- or Four-Parter. We hadn't even left the driveway yet, and I had enough material for today's post.
Tune in tomorrow when we ACTUALLY go camping!
NOTE - Beginning tomorrow, March 18, I will be sharing one OLD Easter idea from the Archives, as well as new Easter traditions, parties, recipes, etc. So every day until Easter (not counting weekends) you will be receiving not one, BUT TWO, Easter ideas.
If you are thinking we already DID Amazing Race - Easter Style last year, you are correct. However, for any Newbies (and as a reminder to the Oldies), I am re-posting this idea for Easter fun with your older kids and teenagers. (See below for details.)
Next week's Seasonal Tradition will be completely new AND exciting. (I call it SURVIVOR - EASTER ISLAND.) That's right. For those families who have outgrown the traditional Easter Egg Hunt, I will have all the details for a Survivor-style Easter competition which will blow your bunny ears off! Needless to say, the Faulkner Five will be taking on the Martin Five (my sister and her family) to see which family can outwit, outlast and outplay for the title of Sole Surviving Family - Easter Island! (And yes... there will be parsnips and carrot soup in the "gross food" challenge. And no... I will be playing the part of the cameraman, so I will not be eating parsnips and carrot soup blindfolded.) Good stuff!
But, for the record, ALL of the six Faulkner/Martin kids have asked to do Amazing Race - Easter Style again, so it was definitely a hit. (I'm thinking we'll have to do another Amazing Race course next year.)
Wednesday Wisdom - Of course, today I'll be sharing a little Irish wisdom with all of you. I've heard a couple of these quotes before, but I didn't know they were Irish in origin.
"A hair on the head is worth two on the brush."
"Everyone is wise until he speaks." (After I've talked to a new person one-on-one for a while, the most common comment is, "You're a lot different than what I thought." I'm wondering if I appear a little wiser before I sit down and chat awhile. Hmmm.)
"A son is a son till he takes him a wife, a daughter is a daughter all of her life." (I'm hoping this one is not totally true. Mikie's still a sweet son to his Mom. I'm hoping I can have sons AND two new daughters one day.)
Okay. It's time for the Amazing Race - Easter Style... ONE MORE TIME!
Amazing Race - Easter Style!
This falls under "transition traditions" for teenagers who once hid Easter eggs in your family. If your family set aside a day for traditional egg hunts, this is something new and fun to try with the now older kids in your family.
1. Plan a trip to The Galleria after school on Friday or the Saturday before Easter.
2. Divide your family into two teams.
3. The clues are on a piece of paper in a large manila envelope. There are two places during the Race the teams will receive envelopes from other people in the mall.
The following is a copy of the instructions, clues and envelopes:
Each team will have the following when the Race begins... 1 manila envelope; 1 instruction sheet; 1 pen; 1 digital camera; $15.
When the Race ends, each team should have all of the above, but also two envelopes (one from Auntie Annie's Pretzels and one from their Grandmother), and a signed Easter card for their Grandmother.
Each team will start together in the same place. I will hand a large manila envelope to each team. Of the eight clues I am about to show you, Team One will be racing in order (1 - 7), and Team Two will be racing backward (7 - 1). They will not know the difference. They have the same clues, just in a different order so they won't arrive at the same destinations at the same time. The following is the information on the instruction sheet.
WELCOME TO THE AMAZING RACE - EASTER STYLE!
YOU MUST COMPLETE EACH TASK IN ORDER. NO RUNNING IS ALLOWED. THE FIRST TEAM TO REACH THE PIT STOP OF THE RACE WILL BE DECLARED THE WINNER... HOWEVER, YOU MUST HAVE ALL THE ENVELOPES YOU HAVE COLLECTED WITH YOU WHEN YOU CHECK IN OR YOU WILL SUFFER A FIVE MINUTE TIME PENALTY.
YOU WILL HAVE $15 FOR THIS LEG OF THE RACE. COUNT YOUR MONEY, AND BEGIN!
1. Find the elevators in the middle of the Food Court. Ride up to the 2nd floor and back down again a total of three times. You should exit on the 1st floor. NOTE: YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE SECOND FLOOR THREE TIMES BEFORE YOU GET OFF THE ELEVATOR ON THE 1ST FLOOR.
2. Make your way to the Book Store in the mall. Find an Easter book. Take one member's picture with the book.
3. Go to where children are having their picture made with the Easter Bunny. Take one member's picture with the Easter Bunny behind them. NOTE: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT IN LINE AND HAVE YOUR PICTURE MADE WITH THE EASTER BUNNY. HE JUST HAS TO BE IN THE BACKGROUND OF YOUR PICTURE.
4. Go to Auntie Annie's Pretzel stand. Order one order of cinnamon pretzel sticks with one cup of icing and one large Coke. Don't forget napkins and three straws. Ask the clerk for your next clue after you place your order. (THE PERSON BEHIND THE COUNTER WILL HAND THEM AN ENVELOPE WHEN THEY ASK. THE ENVELOPE HAS TO BE OPENED, AND IT WILL TELL THEM TO GO TO THE FOOD COURT AND FIND THEIR GRANDMOTHER WHO IS SITTING AT ONE OF THE TABLES. THEY ARE TO SIT DOWN AND EAT THEIR PRETZEL STICKS, DRINK THEIR COKE, AND THEIR GRANDMOTHER WILL HAND THEM THEIR NEXT ENVELOPE WHEN THEY FINISH.)
THE ENVELOPE HANDED TO THEM BY THEIR GRANDMOTHER WILL TELL THEM TO GO TO THE CAROUSEL. ONE PERSON HAS TO RIDE THE CAROUSEL... OR THEY CAN DO THE ROADBLOCK.
ROADBLOCK - IF ONE PERSON IS NOT WILLING TO RIDE THE CAROUSEL, THEN THE GROUP HAS TO STAND BESIDE THE ENTRANCE TO THE CAROUSEL AND WAIT UNTIL IT MAKES TWO COMPLETE RIDES. (NOW THEY LOOK BACK AT THEIR SHEET OF PAPER.)
5. Find the Gourmet Bubble Gum machines in the mall. Each person on the team must find and buy their favorite flavor. Before you move on to the next clue, EACH person must blow a bubble with their bubble gum.
6. Go to BumperNets. EACH person must play one game before moving to the next clue. It can be air hockey, pinball, pool, etc. You do not have a lot of time. REMEMBER... PLAY ONLY ONE GAME PER PERSON. (It is acceptable for air hockey to count for two members of the team. The third member of the team would need to play another game. The games can all be played at the same time.)
7. Go to the Hallmark Store and pick out an Easter card for Grandmother. Watch your money. (BE CHEAP!!!) Purchase the card. ALL three team members must sign the card with the pen in the manila envelope. Seal the card and put it in the manila envelope to give to Grandmother at the end of the race.
8. Make your way to the entrance of J. C. Penney's and look for Grandmother. This is the Pit Stop of this leg of the race. Remember, the last team to arrive may be eliminated.
Now remember, this is Team One's list. Team Two's list will begin as follows and go from 7 to 1.
1. Go to the Hallmark store and pick out an Easter card for Grandmother. Etc., etc., etc.
Each Team's number 8 on the list will be the same.
I arrived at The Galleria early to talk to the clerk at Auntie Annie's Pretzels, and left the envelopes. (The clerks LOVED helping me out. They couldn't wait until the two teams arrived and asked for their clues.)
I hope I've made it clear. If you have any questions, just contact me in the comment section or e-mail me, and I'll try to clear up any confusion.
This was a HUGE success for my family.
Have a very green Wednesday! Do something a little Irish today! Tomorrow I have a fun date, a "re-posted" Easter activity, Blog Linkage and Part-Two of A Camping Story - Wind"y" Creek. It's a classic. You will NOT want to miss the next couple of day!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Showcase Pic is from our camping trip to Wind Creek... which you will hear about over and over and over again for the next three or four days. (Sorry!)
The Gallery Pics are from our camping trip to Wind Creek... SAME AS ABOVE!
A Camping Story - Wind"y" Creek
Because of torrential rains Wednesday, regular rain Thursday, and morning rain Friday, the Faulkner Five decided to wait one more day before heading to Wind Creek to camp... on the ground... in a tent. After a talk with the lovely State Park Representative, she agreed with my decision. "We had 5" of rain this week. Everything is either mud or a big puddle." All righty then. Saturday was looking good.
Our camping buddies for the weekend, the Tuggles, had a pop-up, so they didn't have to worry about sitting in the mud and muck. They headed down Friday, as planned, with Roxie in the backseat.
Mike, the boys and I finished most of the packing Friday night, so we would be ready to leave bright and early Saturday morning.
It was not to be...
1. Josh had a (very) little fender bender in Movie Gallery's parking lot, but it required a police report so it took a little time. (He was returning a movie FOR ME before we left to avoid late charges.)
2. Mike broke the "drain thingy" off the live well (or living well, as I continue to call it) in our boat, so there was a big gaping hole in that particular part of the boat. I thought if we drove the boat fast enough, water would not have enough time to get in the living well (thus, sinking the boat). Mikie said my theory had "holes in it." So he had to make a "quick" trip Wal-Mart to get some "fix the hole in the boat" stuff.
3. The Faulkner Five always leave several hours late on camping trips. Packing up the ENTIRE house takes a little doing... for me, at least.
But we were determined to have the best camping trip ever. (We had already survived the worst camping trip ever!) And, as I'm trying to learn daily, it helps to put things into perspective.
Perspective #1 - I decided I would stand on the pier with all my camera equipment for the first few boat rides... just to make sure. And if a hole in a boat is a good Spring Break story, just think how great the pictures of all the kids baling water out of the boat as they try to make it back to shore would be. Classic.
Perspective #2 - Josh's first "wreck" was basically nothing. No one was hurt and a fender bender (unfortunately) is in most people's driving future.
As you might have guessed, this is going to be a Three- or Four-Parter. We hadn't even left the driveway yet, and I had enough material for today's post.
Tune in tomorrow when we ACTUALLY go camping!
NOTE - Beginning tomorrow, March 18, I will be sharing one OLD Easter idea from the Archives, as well as new Easter traditions, parties, recipes, etc. So every day until Easter (not counting weekends) you will be receiving not one, BUT TWO, Easter ideas.
If you are thinking we already DID Amazing Race - Easter Style last year, you are correct. However, for any Newbies (and as a reminder to the Oldies), I am re-posting this idea for Easter fun with your older kids and teenagers. (See below for details.)
Next week's Seasonal Tradition will be completely new AND exciting. (I call it SURVIVOR - EASTER ISLAND.) That's right. For those families who have outgrown the traditional Easter Egg Hunt, I will have all the details for a Survivor-style Easter competition which will blow your bunny ears off! Needless to say, the Faulkner Five will be taking on the Martin Five (my sister and her family) to see which family can outwit, outlast and outplay for the title of Sole Surviving Family - Easter Island! (And yes... there will be parsnips and carrot soup in the "gross food" challenge. And no... I will be playing the part of the cameraman, so I will not be eating parsnips and carrot soup blindfolded.) Good stuff!
But, for the record, ALL of the six Faulkner/Martin kids have asked to do Amazing Race - Easter Style again, so it was definitely a hit. (I'm thinking we'll have to do another Amazing Race course next year.)
Wednesday Wisdom - Of course, today I'll be sharing a little Irish wisdom with all of you. I've heard a couple of these quotes before, but I didn't know they were Irish in origin.
"A hair on the head is worth two on the brush."
"Everyone is wise until he speaks." (After I've talked to a new person one-on-one for a while, the most common comment is, "You're a lot different than what I thought." I'm wondering if I appear a little wiser before I sit down and chat awhile. Hmmm.)
"A son is a son till he takes him a wife, a daughter is a daughter all of her life." (I'm hoping this one is not totally true. Mikie's still a sweet son to his Mom. I'm hoping I can have sons AND two new daughters one day.)
Okay. It's time for the Amazing Race - Easter Style... ONE MORE TIME!
Amazing Race - Easter Style!
This falls under "transition traditions" for teenagers who once hid Easter eggs in your family. If your family set aside a day for traditional egg hunts, this is something new and fun to try with the now older kids in your family.
1. Plan a trip to The Galleria after school on Friday or the Saturday before Easter.
2. Divide your family into two teams.
3. The clues are on a piece of paper in a large manila envelope. There are two places during the Race the teams will receive envelopes from other people in the mall.
The following is a copy of the instructions, clues and envelopes:
Each team will have the following when the Race begins... 1 manila envelope; 1 instruction sheet; 1 pen; 1 digital camera; $15.
When the Race ends, each team should have all of the above, but also two envelopes (one from Auntie Annie's Pretzels and one from their Grandmother), and a signed Easter card for their Grandmother.
Each team will start together in the same place. I will hand a large manila envelope to each team. Of the eight clues I am about to show you, Team One will be racing in order (1 - 7), and Team Two will be racing backward (7 - 1). They will not know the difference. They have the same clues, just in a different order so they won't arrive at the same destinations at the same time. The following is the information on the instruction sheet.
WELCOME TO THE AMAZING RACE - EASTER STYLE!
YOU MUST COMPLETE EACH TASK IN ORDER. NO RUNNING IS ALLOWED. THE FIRST TEAM TO REACH THE PIT STOP OF THE RACE WILL BE DECLARED THE WINNER... HOWEVER, YOU MUST HAVE ALL THE ENVELOPES YOU HAVE COLLECTED WITH YOU WHEN YOU CHECK IN OR YOU WILL SUFFER A FIVE MINUTE TIME PENALTY.
YOU WILL HAVE $15 FOR THIS LEG OF THE RACE. COUNT YOUR MONEY, AND BEGIN!
1. Find the elevators in the middle of the Food Court. Ride up to the 2nd floor and back down again a total of three times. You should exit on the 1st floor. NOTE: YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE SECOND FLOOR THREE TIMES BEFORE YOU GET OFF THE ELEVATOR ON THE 1ST FLOOR.
2. Make your way to the Book Store in the mall. Find an Easter book. Take one member's picture with the book.
3. Go to where children are having their picture made with the Easter Bunny. Take one member's picture with the Easter Bunny behind them. NOTE: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT IN LINE AND HAVE YOUR PICTURE MADE WITH THE EASTER BUNNY. HE JUST HAS TO BE IN THE BACKGROUND OF YOUR PICTURE.
4. Go to Auntie Annie's Pretzel stand. Order one order of cinnamon pretzel sticks with one cup of icing and one large Coke. Don't forget napkins and three straws. Ask the clerk for your next clue after you place your order. (THE PERSON BEHIND THE COUNTER WILL HAND THEM AN ENVELOPE WHEN THEY ASK. THE ENVELOPE HAS TO BE OPENED, AND IT WILL TELL THEM TO GO TO THE FOOD COURT AND FIND THEIR GRANDMOTHER WHO IS SITTING AT ONE OF THE TABLES. THEY ARE TO SIT DOWN AND EAT THEIR PRETZEL STICKS, DRINK THEIR COKE, AND THEIR GRANDMOTHER WILL HAND THEM THEIR NEXT ENVELOPE WHEN THEY FINISH.)
THE ENVELOPE HANDED TO THEM BY THEIR GRANDMOTHER WILL TELL THEM TO GO TO THE CAROUSEL. ONE PERSON HAS TO RIDE THE CAROUSEL... OR THEY CAN DO THE ROADBLOCK.
ROADBLOCK - IF ONE PERSON IS NOT WILLING TO RIDE THE CAROUSEL, THEN THE GROUP HAS TO STAND BESIDE THE ENTRANCE TO THE CAROUSEL AND WAIT UNTIL IT MAKES TWO COMPLETE RIDES. (NOW THEY LOOK BACK AT THEIR SHEET OF PAPER.)
5. Find the Gourmet Bubble Gum machines in the mall. Each person on the team must find and buy their favorite flavor. Before you move on to the next clue, EACH person must blow a bubble with their bubble gum.
6. Go to BumperNets. EACH person must play one game before moving to the next clue. It can be air hockey, pinball, pool, etc. You do not have a lot of time. REMEMBER... PLAY ONLY ONE GAME PER PERSON. (It is acceptable for air hockey to count for two members of the team. The third member of the team would need to play another game. The games can all be played at the same time.)
7. Go to the Hallmark Store and pick out an Easter card for Grandmother. Watch your money. (BE CHEAP!!!) Purchase the card. ALL three team members must sign the card with the pen in the manila envelope. Seal the card and put it in the manila envelope to give to Grandmother at the end of the race.
8. Make your way to the entrance of J. C. Penney's and look for Grandmother. This is the Pit Stop of this leg of the race. Remember, the last team to arrive may be eliminated.
Now remember, this is Team One's list. Team Two's list will begin as follows and go from 7 to 1.
1. Go to the Hallmark store and pick out an Easter card for Grandmother. Etc., etc., etc.
Each Team's number 8 on the list will be the same.
I arrived at The Galleria early to talk to the clerk at Auntie Annie's Pretzels, and left the envelopes. (The clerks LOVED helping me out. They couldn't wait until the two teams arrived and asked for their clues.)
I hope I've made it clear. If you have any questions, just contact me in the comment section or e-mail me, and I'll try to clear up any confusion.
This was a HUGE success for my family.
Have a very green Wednesday! Do something a little Irish today! Tomorrow I have a fun date, a "re-posted" Easter activity, Blog Linkage and Part-Two of A Camping Story - Wind"y" Creek. It's a classic. You will NOT want to miss the next couple of day!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Weekend Happenings
Good Friday morning!
When all else fails, I can take photos of the pups for the Gallery... and that is exactly what I did yesterday. Sweet, sweet beagles.
ATTENTION! ATTENTION! ATTENTION! - I will NOT be posting on A Simple Life until Wednesday, March 17 (St. Patrick's Day). On Wednesday, everything returns to normal. I will NOT be posting on Project 365 Saturday, Sunday or Monday. I will return to Project 365 Tuesday evening. I'm taking a little break... but I will return.
RANDOMNESS - I said yesterday I wanted to talk about "perspective" for a moment today. First, I want to encourage everyone to find the Louie Giglio DVD entitled Indescribable and watch it from beginning to end. It would make a great family devotion for teens and parents to watch together. It would also make a wonderful Easter Basket gift for your teens. Our church bookstore will have about a dozen in the next few days for purchase. This DVD will put your life, your problems, your existence into "perspective." It will stay with you for days after you watch it.
Second, I wanted to share something I saw this past Wednesday at The Galleria. As I was waiting for the buses to show up from the Band Competition, I was sitting in the food court. I watched a little family of four approach me. There was a very cute mommy, an equally cute daddy, a beautiful little girl about three or four years-old, and a toddling little brother. As the family came closer, I could see the little toddling brother had several physical handicaps... and I lowered my eyes.
But they came and stood in front of me as they tried to figure out where to eat. The little boy held his mommy's hand, dropped it and walked over to his sister. She absently rubbed his little head. He toddled over to his daddy who, while reading the menu, picked him up and kissed his cheek before setting the little boy down again. The child NEVER stopped smiling.
My heart broke for that little boy and his family. I know his future is going to be riddled with unkind remarks from other kids AND adults. He will be judged by how he looks before he is ever known for who he really is. He will be left out of games because he is different. There will be times he will have to sit alone at a lunchroom table. His life will not be an easy one.
But in the safety of that little family of four he was accepted and loved and treated as normally as any other toddler. When they looked at him, they didn't avert their eyes. They held his hand, rubbed his head, kissed his cheek... and even though his physical handicaps were very obvious to "outsiders," to them he was simply their son and brother.
As I watched this precious family of four make their way down the food court, I had to ask myself, "What have I complained about today?" "Have I told God thank you for another day with my family?" "Have I told all of my kids and my husband how much I love them today?" "Have I held their hands, rubbed their heads and kissed their cheeks today?" "Do they know they are accepted and loved (no matter what) in the Faulkner Five?"
Even more importantly, "Do they know they are accepted and loved (not matter what) by their Heavenly Father?"
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14.
And God doesn't make mistakes. That little boy is fearfully and wonderfully made... knit together by GOD in his mother's womb. Is he perfect? No. No one is perfect. But while I can hide some of my imperfections, his are very obvious to the casual observer. Is he loved? Oh, most definitely... not only by the sweet little family God chose for him, but by his Creator, too.
No wonder he was smiling.
Perspective. It's a pretty important word to keep close to our hearts, isn't it?
Before the Faulkner Five set out to create yet another camping story, I wanted to share another oldie with you before the weekend.
Camping Story #3 - Where, Oh Where, Are All the Campers?
A year or two AFTER the Georgia fiasco, we did indeed decide to try another out-of-state camping trip another family. Roxie was three or four, so she was along for this one. We went to a campground in the beautiful state of Tennessee known for it's hiking trails, waterfalls and beautiful foliage. The pictures on the brochure were lovely, picturesque even, and we looked forward to spending a fall weekend in the great State of Tennessee.
When we arrived, we were surprised to see the "set-up" of the campground. There was a huge circle and campers set up tents and pop-ups under trees as you went around the circle. In the middle of the huge circle, across a grassy field, was the BATHHOUSE. There were no trees in between the tent and the BATHHOUSE, but it was still quite a little hike. However, the campsites were great. Picnic tables intact, fire pits ready to go, level spots to pitch the tents. We were excited.
As the guys got busy with unloading, Roxie, the other mom and I made our way to the BATHHOUSE to check it out. Oh, my! "Rustic" is a kind word to describe the facilities. Very kind.
"Well, maybe there's another bathhouse we can drive to and use," we reasoned. There was... and in comparison, it was a twin. Hmmm?
"Did you bring flip flops?" we both asked. We had, so once again, we decided to trade in the beautiful scenery and great weather for a less than perfect bathhouse. (MUCH less than perfect!)
The first night of our trip was peaceful and relaxing. The weather was great and after our trek to the Bathhouse in the Middle of Nowhere, we bedded down. We had planned on hiking to a waterfall the next day, so we knew we needed our rest.
The following day was gorgeous, and after breakfast we began our hike to the famous waterfall. On this hike, we had to go across a swinging bridge (always interesting), through creeks, and up the famous Tennessee mountains. When I say up, I mean up the entire way. We hiked forever... and then we hiked some more. Roxie and Grant (both three or four at the time) were troopers and thankfully, did not ask us to carry them. That would have been very difficult. Several hours later (or maybe just 90 minutes), we came upon the waterfall. Yes, it was beautiful. We looked at it for about five minutes.
Then we noticed how many people were with us looking at the waterfall. We hadn't hiked up the mountain with all these people. They weren't hot and sweaty. Some of the women even had on make-up and their hair was done. Some of them had the nerve to be wearing cute shoes, too! Who were these people? Where had they come from? Why were they looking at OUR waterfall?
So I asked one particularly cute woman, "Did you hike up here?"
"Uh, no. We drove," was the smug reply.
"What do you mean you drove?" I asked.
"There's a main road right over there." I turned around and there it was. A perfectly good paved road.
"Where did you come from?" I inquired.
"Oh, we're staying in a RV down at the campground," Miss Priss answered before she walked back to her BMW!
Before she could get back into her car, I yelled, "How long does it take to drive here from the campground?"
"About five minutes, give or take a minute," she called over her shoulder, and then she was gone.
"I think I hate her," I mumbled to Mikie.
He assured me that 90 minutes up a mountain would translate into 30 minutes going down the mountain. That made sense. And at this point, hot, sticky and more than a little grumpy, what was 30 more minutes.
Down we went, and 60 minutes later (NOT 30), we were back at our campsite. We stayed in our little cluster of tents for the rest of the day hydrating ourselves.
On Sunday, we decided to just hang around our campsites and play which was fine with the six kids. But we started noticing something strange around the noon hour. It was like an exodus of some kind. Everyone was leaving.
"Well, just because Alabama has a three-day weekend doesn't mean Tennessee has a three-day weekend. Everyone has to go back to school and work tomorrow," Mikie reasoned.
That was fine, except by 2:00 p.m. we were IT. I mean NO ONE was left in the huge circular campsite. It was like we had been dropped off by a helicopter in the wilderness.
"Do we have a gun or a knife or a big stick or something in case there's a wild bear attack or a bunch of hillbillies descend upon us," I asked Mike.
"I have my pocket knife, and we have those plastic knives you bring to spread peanut butter," was my husband's reassuring answer.
"This could be a very long night."
And it was. Just the last walk to the bathhouse alone was unnerving because someone (one of the people leaving... probably Miss Priss) had turned all the bathhouse lights off before heading out, and we walked across a field in pitch blackness looking for the building. And, of course, when we found it, it hadn't changed a bit... still very gross.
We went to bed a little early, and I think the four adults slept with one eye open. (I was, again, unable to pass out and painfully aware of how vulnerable we were in the middle of nowhere with no communication or weaponry of any kind... unless you count throwing screaming children at whatever is attacking you as "weaponry.")
I have never been so happy to see the sun in all my life. We ate breakfast and packed up our campsite in record time to head home. Think, think, think of the Good Things from this trip.
Good Thing #1 - Roxie and Grant were WONDERFUL hikers. If they had been even a little less sturdy, it would have been the end of the adults as we took turns carrying them up to the top of the mountain.
Good Thing #2 - The waterfall was pretty... not Niagara, but pretty, just the same.
Good Thing #3 - We weren't bitten by any of the spiders in the bathhouse... and there were a lot of spiders in the bathhouse.
Good Thing #4 - We weren't attacked by any bears or hillbillies. I think this is huge.
Good Thing #5 - That's it. Once again, I did the best I could to come up with Good Things #1 through #4.
And for some reason or another, we have never even discussed camping in Tennessee again. I'm not sure, but I think it was the bathhouse. I may forget dates and events, but a bad bathhouse... that's burned on a woman's brain forever!
DISCLAIMER: If you are a hillbilly (or are related to a hillbilly), I meant no offense by the reference above. I'm just saying if a hillbilly had happened to come out of the woods in the dead of night in Tennessee in an abandoned campground, it would have been very, very frightening. (In all fairness, it would be frightening in Alabama and Georgia, too.) Again, no offense.
Weekend Happenings
Camping? Yes. When? I'm not sure.
We (me, the Tuggle mom, the Tuggle children and Roxie) were supposed to leave this afternoon around 2:00 to pick out two spots and set up camp before the menfolk joined us... because that's the kind of hearty women we are! But after a quick call to the campsite, the very nice Alabama State Park Lady told me, "If I were tent camping this weekend, I would definitely wait until tomorrow so it could dry out a little. We had five inches of rain yesterday and everything is either under water or mud."
Appealing, isn't it?
So I made an executive decision. The Faulkner Five will leave early, early tomorrow morning to meet up with our Tuggle friends who are camper people (which means they do not have to worry about water seeping into the bottom of their living quarters)!
Tent dwellers have to be very concerned with water seepage, you see.
But it's all good. No matter what, we're going to have at least three nights around the campfire. We'll fish, ride in the boat, play basketball, ride bikes, sleep late and fish some more. It will be the MOST fun ever!
Oh... and just so you know, everyone gets two s'mores each night. No more, but no less!
I should have a story or two to share next week!
Have a great weekend. If you are having Spring Break, I hope it is filled with fun and good moments and memories. If not, make the most of the two days you do have! As I stated above, I will NOT be posting Monday or Tuesday of next week, AND I will not be able to post pictures in Project 365 until Tuesday evening... but I will definitely have a picture a day for Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday... definitely!
On Wednesday, we'll jump right into Easter Traditions, Recipes, Parties, etc. because Easter is going to be a little early this year!
Take care, and I'll talk to you WEDNESDAY!
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
When all else fails, I can take photos of the pups for the Gallery... and that is exactly what I did yesterday. Sweet, sweet beagles.
ATTENTION! ATTENTION! ATTENTION! - I will NOT be posting on A Simple Life until Wednesday, March 17 (St. Patrick's Day). On Wednesday, everything returns to normal. I will NOT be posting on Project 365 Saturday, Sunday or Monday. I will return to Project 365 Tuesday evening. I'm taking a little break... but I will return.
RANDOMNESS - I said yesterday I wanted to talk about "perspective" for a moment today. First, I want to encourage everyone to find the Louie Giglio DVD entitled Indescribable and watch it from beginning to end. It would make a great family devotion for teens and parents to watch together. It would also make a wonderful Easter Basket gift for your teens. Our church bookstore will have about a dozen in the next few days for purchase. This DVD will put your life, your problems, your existence into "perspective." It will stay with you for days after you watch it.
Second, I wanted to share something I saw this past Wednesday at The Galleria. As I was waiting for the buses to show up from the Band Competition, I was sitting in the food court. I watched a little family of four approach me. There was a very cute mommy, an equally cute daddy, a beautiful little girl about three or four years-old, and a toddling little brother. As the family came closer, I could see the little toddling brother had several physical handicaps... and I lowered my eyes.
But they came and stood in front of me as they tried to figure out where to eat. The little boy held his mommy's hand, dropped it and walked over to his sister. She absently rubbed his little head. He toddled over to his daddy who, while reading the menu, picked him up and kissed his cheek before setting the little boy down again. The child NEVER stopped smiling.
My heart broke for that little boy and his family. I know his future is going to be riddled with unkind remarks from other kids AND adults. He will be judged by how he looks before he is ever known for who he really is. He will be left out of games because he is different. There will be times he will have to sit alone at a lunchroom table. His life will not be an easy one.
But in the safety of that little family of four he was accepted and loved and treated as normally as any other toddler. When they looked at him, they didn't avert their eyes. They held his hand, rubbed his head, kissed his cheek... and even though his physical handicaps were very obvious to "outsiders," to them he was simply their son and brother.
As I watched this precious family of four make their way down the food court, I had to ask myself, "What have I complained about today?" "Have I told God thank you for another day with my family?" "Have I told all of my kids and my husband how much I love them today?" "Have I held their hands, rubbed their heads and kissed their cheeks today?" "Do they know they are accepted and loved (no matter what) in the Faulkner Five?"
Even more importantly, "Do they know they are accepted and loved (not matter what) by their Heavenly Father?"
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14.
And God doesn't make mistakes. That little boy is fearfully and wonderfully made... knit together by GOD in his mother's womb. Is he perfect? No. No one is perfect. But while I can hide some of my imperfections, his are very obvious to the casual observer. Is he loved? Oh, most definitely... not only by the sweet little family God chose for him, but by his Creator, too.
No wonder he was smiling.
Perspective. It's a pretty important word to keep close to our hearts, isn't it?
Before the Faulkner Five set out to create yet another camping story, I wanted to share another oldie with you before the weekend.
Camping Story #3 - Where, Oh Where, Are All the Campers?
A year or two AFTER the Georgia fiasco, we did indeed decide to try another out-of-state camping trip another family. Roxie was three or four, so she was along for this one. We went to a campground in the beautiful state of Tennessee known for it's hiking trails, waterfalls and beautiful foliage. The pictures on the brochure were lovely, picturesque even, and we looked forward to spending a fall weekend in the great State of Tennessee.
When we arrived, we were surprised to see the "set-up" of the campground. There was a huge circle and campers set up tents and pop-ups under trees as you went around the circle. In the middle of the huge circle, across a grassy field, was the BATHHOUSE. There were no trees in between the tent and the BATHHOUSE, but it was still quite a little hike. However, the campsites were great. Picnic tables intact, fire pits ready to go, level spots to pitch the tents. We were excited.
As the guys got busy with unloading, Roxie, the other mom and I made our way to the BATHHOUSE to check it out. Oh, my! "Rustic" is a kind word to describe the facilities. Very kind.
"Well, maybe there's another bathhouse we can drive to and use," we reasoned. There was... and in comparison, it was a twin. Hmmm?
"Did you bring flip flops?" we both asked. We had, so once again, we decided to trade in the beautiful scenery and great weather for a less than perfect bathhouse. (MUCH less than perfect!)
The first night of our trip was peaceful and relaxing. The weather was great and after our trek to the Bathhouse in the Middle of Nowhere, we bedded down. We had planned on hiking to a waterfall the next day, so we knew we needed our rest.
The following day was gorgeous, and after breakfast we began our hike to the famous waterfall. On this hike, we had to go across a swinging bridge (always interesting), through creeks, and up the famous Tennessee mountains. When I say up, I mean up the entire way. We hiked forever... and then we hiked some more. Roxie and Grant (both three or four at the time) were troopers and thankfully, did not ask us to carry them. That would have been very difficult. Several hours later (or maybe just 90 minutes), we came upon the waterfall. Yes, it was beautiful. We looked at it for about five minutes.
Then we noticed how many people were with us looking at the waterfall. We hadn't hiked up the mountain with all these people. They weren't hot and sweaty. Some of the women even had on make-up and their hair was done. Some of them had the nerve to be wearing cute shoes, too! Who were these people? Where had they come from? Why were they looking at OUR waterfall?
So I asked one particularly cute woman, "Did you hike up here?"
"Uh, no. We drove," was the smug reply.
"What do you mean you drove?" I asked.
"There's a main road right over there." I turned around and there it was. A perfectly good paved road.
"Where did you come from?" I inquired.
"Oh, we're staying in a RV down at the campground," Miss Priss answered before she walked back to her BMW!
Before she could get back into her car, I yelled, "How long does it take to drive here from the campground?"
"About five minutes, give or take a minute," she called over her shoulder, and then she was gone.
"I think I hate her," I mumbled to Mikie.
He assured me that 90 minutes up a mountain would translate into 30 minutes going down the mountain. That made sense. And at this point, hot, sticky and more than a little grumpy, what was 30 more minutes.
Down we went, and 60 minutes later (NOT 30), we were back at our campsite. We stayed in our little cluster of tents for the rest of the day hydrating ourselves.
On Sunday, we decided to just hang around our campsites and play which was fine with the six kids. But we started noticing something strange around the noon hour. It was like an exodus of some kind. Everyone was leaving.
"Well, just because Alabama has a three-day weekend doesn't mean Tennessee has a three-day weekend. Everyone has to go back to school and work tomorrow," Mikie reasoned.
That was fine, except by 2:00 p.m. we were IT. I mean NO ONE was left in the huge circular campsite. It was like we had been dropped off by a helicopter in the wilderness.
"Do we have a gun or a knife or a big stick or something in case there's a wild bear attack or a bunch of hillbillies descend upon us," I asked Mike.
"I have my pocket knife, and we have those plastic knives you bring to spread peanut butter," was my husband's reassuring answer.
"This could be a very long night."
And it was. Just the last walk to the bathhouse alone was unnerving because someone (one of the people leaving... probably Miss Priss) had turned all the bathhouse lights off before heading out, and we walked across a field in pitch blackness looking for the building. And, of course, when we found it, it hadn't changed a bit... still very gross.
We went to bed a little early, and I think the four adults slept with one eye open. (I was, again, unable to pass out and painfully aware of how vulnerable we were in the middle of nowhere with no communication or weaponry of any kind... unless you count throwing screaming children at whatever is attacking you as "weaponry.")
I have never been so happy to see the sun in all my life. We ate breakfast and packed up our campsite in record time to head home. Think, think, think of the Good Things from this trip.
Good Thing #1 - Roxie and Grant were WONDERFUL hikers. If they had been even a little less sturdy, it would have been the end of the adults as we took turns carrying them up to the top of the mountain.
Good Thing #2 - The waterfall was pretty... not Niagara, but pretty, just the same.
Good Thing #3 - We weren't bitten by any of the spiders in the bathhouse... and there were a lot of spiders in the bathhouse.
Good Thing #4 - We weren't attacked by any bears or hillbillies. I think this is huge.
Good Thing #5 - That's it. Once again, I did the best I could to come up with Good Things #1 through #4.
And for some reason or another, we have never even discussed camping in Tennessee again. I'm not sure, but I think it was the bathhouse. I may forget dates and events, but a bad bathhouse... that's burned on a woman's brain forever!
DISCLAIMER: If you are a hillbilly (or are related to a hillbilly), I meant no offense by the reference above. I'm just saying if a hillbilly had happened to come out of the woods in the dead of night in Tennessee in an abandoned campground, it would have been very, very frightening. (In all fairness, it would be frightening in Alabama and Georgia, too.) Again, no offense.
Weekend Happenings
Camping? Yes. When? I'm not sure.
We (me, the Tuggle mom, the Tuggle children and Roxie) were supposed to leave this afternoon around 2:00 to pick out two spots and set up camp before the menfolk joined us... because that's the kind of hearty women we are! But after a quick call to the campsite, the very nice Alabama State Park Lady told me, "If I were tent camping this weekend, I would definitely wait until tomorrow so it could dry out a little. We had five inches of rain yesterday and everything is either under water or mud."
Appealing, isn't it?
So I made an executive decision. The Faulkner Five will leave early, early tomorrow morning to meet up with our Tuggle friends who are camper people (which means they do not have to worry about water seeping into the bottom of their living quarters)!
Tent dwellers have to be very concerned with water seepage, you see.
But it's all good. No matter what, we're going to have at least three nights around the campfire. We'll fish, ride in the boat, play basketball, ride bikes, sleep late and fish some more. It will be the MOST fun ever!
Oh... and just so you know, everyone gets two s'mores each night. No more, but no less!
I should have a story or two to share next week!
Have a great weekend. If you are having Spring Break, I hope it is filled with fun and good moments and memories. If not, make the most of the two days you do have! As I stated above, I will NOT be posting Monday or Tuesday of next week, AND I will not be able to post pictures in Project 365 until Tuesday evening... but I will definitely have a picture a day for Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday... definitely!
On Wednesday, we'll jump right into Easter Traditions, Recipes, Parties, etc. because Easter is going to be a little early this year!
Take care, and I'll talk to you WEDNESDAY!
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
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Friday...
Finally, some new basketball action shots.
The JV team had two 40-minute games Friday, so I thought I would just go ahead and start filming now!
And here's the obligatory Bryant Tuggle pic. He's a HUGE supporter of our baskeball team. Always has been... always will be. Well, until he gets his own driver's license!
Saturday...
We spent the day with the cousins Saturday. Monica, Amy, Roxie and I shopped at Brookwood, ate at Yolo's and went to the movies (Pirates 4). It was a great day, but the best part was our celebrity sighting...
That's right! Will Ferrell! (Please feel free to use your imagination. I know we did!)
Sunday...
Mikie's 50th Family Birthday Celebration! Everyone knows 50 year-old men LOVE the Green Lantern...and their wives really like Ryan Reynolds! (How cool would it be to have your picture on a birthday party plate package? Another goal, perhaps?)
What do you give a 50 year-old guys for his birthday? Cards... filled with money, Ricky Skaggs' concert tickets, a True Grit DVD and a Red Devil's Food Cake with Divinity Icing (from his Mom). It was a very good day!
Lovely Melia gave him the True Grit DVD. (I LOVE that movie!)
And it wouldn't be a birthday without a hug from Roxie!