Thursday, March 28, 2013

Open Tabs: Easter Edition

Interrupting my little break because I want to do an Open Tabs for Easter! If you're looking for a last minute idea {or if you have one to share!} hope this is helpful:

* He Is Risen letter garland tutorial: my friend Melissa and I made this today - love it!

* Inspiration for Easter dinner table decor - print out the lovely watercolor butterflies and then work them into your entire table! Mine are ready and waiting!

* Empty Tomb Donut idea: for Easter morning perhaps!?

* For dessert after Easter dinner - perhaps with a chalkboard stating, "He is Risen!"

* We're also enjoying these, this and this.

* Just stumbled upon this video from the Jesus Storybook Bible for Easter.

New clothes for all of us girls are at the ready and now, to prepare our hearts. Ideas to share? Please leave them in the comments!


Monday, March 25, 2013

Blog Break

Hey Friends,

I know some of you write and are concerned when you don't see a post from me - I'm taking a bit of a break for at least this week.

Blessings,
Monica

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Crocheted Dishcloths


Crocheted dishcloths are always nice to have on hand for a little homemade gift! I used yarn I already had, tied with doily and twine! Lovely!

I made these in January and now cannot recall which combination of stitches I used. There are lots of simple dish cloth ideas out there. Hoping to learn to knit at some point, but enjoyed making these as well!

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Slow Day







Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Mama's Night Off

As much as this mama loves her home and family, sometimes a little time away is just the thing for refreshing a tired spirit and outlook. For me, this was a Friday night and it was oh-just-right timing and it is amazing what three quiet hours can do for a person.

It was nearing sunset - so armed with a Michael's coupon, my camera and a great playlist - I headed out. First stop: the boat landing to catch the beauty being written across the water and sky.







Songs I especially enjoyed were:

Jason Gray ~ Good to be Alive
The Afters ~ Life is Beautiful
Natalie Grant ~ Your Great Name 

It's about a 30 minute drive for me to Michael's and just during the drive, I could feel myself relaxing and allowing some of the stress to leave. I don't know when I've spent an hour just poking around in a store - it was so fun. I did not have an agenda, wasn't looking for anything in particular - just enjoying the opportunity to slow and take my time.

My camera battery died that night, but here are a few goodies I found captured the next day with a freshly charged battery. {note: Michael's gives teacher's 15% off their purchase, take your homeschool membership card and you can receive it too! I took my HSLDA membership card. You can use this in addition to a 40% off coupon.}












All are very *me* and I know I will have fun enjoying them in many ways in the days to come. Chippy aged looking birdcage, grey felt flowers, chalk board stakes {!!} and neat tag labels ~ very fun! And, a very refreshing night off!

Monday, March 18, 2013

Organ Concert and Playing Tourist


There is a church in town that offers free organ concerts regularly and I've long wanted to make it there to enjoy one! We finally made it and it was fun because we'd been studying Bach that week and got to hear some Bach on the organ!

We sat in the balcony so we could see the organ and organist - it was very interesting to watch!



There is a very old cemetery surrounding the church and we had fun meandering through and pretending to be tourists afterward! It was a beautiful day and I was glad for some fresh air and sunshine. I had fun looking for interesting shapes, textures and seeing the weathering process that had taken place on so many surfaces.