In my spare time

I've been keeping busy with playdates, crafting, and family visits. I really would like day where I could sleep in until noon or so, but I don't think that is gonna happen anytime soon! A person can always dream though....

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I finished a fantastic book: The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. This book was a great read. The main character, Precious, is the kind of character every book needs. She has patience, wisdom, and inner peace. Get the book. I promise you will enjoy it.

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Yesterday my mom gave me my grandmother's quilt . I debated whether I should use it or store it away. I decided to use it. We only live once, and I will derive great pleasure from using it. It is in perfect condition since it was never used. It is fun to look at the fabric and wonder if which came my grandmother's dresses or my father's shirts.

Isn't it lovely?

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It is May, but I've decided to start making X-mas gifts now. I hated how I was making things up to the last minute last year. It was hard on my hands. This year I am making scarves and fingerless gloves for all the ladies! I am going to crochet little flowers to attach to the scarf and gloves....everyone needs some bling bling, right?

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And finally, the kids' art is taking over the fridge, so I decided to steal an idea from my friend Sara. She took strips of wood and glued on clips. Then she attached them to the wall:

Here is what I used:

You can use the E6000 to attach a button or whatever to the clips. I used quilted fabric with a button sewn on. It dressed the clips up a little.

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Alright, that is enough for today. I am off to read!
Have a wonderful week!
~Karen

Thanks Mimi!

Go here and look at the picture!

Okay, so you have looked?

I was reading the news this morning. News of the swine flu is scary. I was reading the article when Mimi walked up and said :

"OH NO! How many dentists are there????"

Thanks Mimi for making me smile. ~Karen

Products we <3!

We are bossy. Well, mostly me anyway. I like to tell people when I like something. Maybe my bossy-pants ways led me to blog? Definitely. Anyway, here are some products we love! Hope we can convince you to try!

Laundry
After trying just about everything out there, I came across this stuff. It is simply the best! It's safe, non-toxic, and biodegradable! We had some rashes and skin issues that have now gone away since switching! It comes in a cloth bag, and has 80 loads in this small bag! Also, they have excellent customer service!
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Love Borax. Great with stain removal, mold removal, general cleaning. Super cheap and lasts forever. Also, comes in a recyclable box!
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Cleaning
Vinegar can be used to clean just about anything. I love mixing it with water in a spray bottle. I also happen to like the clean smell of it. You can purchase it in bulk , and it will last a long time.
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Personal Care
We have tried just about every deoderant out there...I was concerned about the aluminum – used in commercial antiperspirants – which has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease. This stuff is the best. I love it!

I also LOVE this soap, and it is all that we use.

We use this on our hair. Each of the Dr. Bronner soaps boasts 16 or so uses. We generally just wash our hair with it.

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In the Kitchen
I don't know what I would do without curry powder. I have tried all the brands, and I usually end up liking the generic ones the best. Stir fry some veggies, and sprinkle on the curry powder! Try some curried butternut squash on cous cous!

AH! The George Foreman. Has 5 interchangable, dishwasher safe plates...can I say any more? Seriously, this thing is amazing. It was a gift to us, and we use it DAILY!

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Toy of the Week!
Generic Jenga blocks.

Okay. I am done with my bossy know-it-all tips for the day.
Have a good week!
~Karen

Yay! It's Friday!

This week has flown by. We have been busy, and I am tired. This sweet blanket is for a friend's daughter. I love all the girlie colors in it!

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Lately Mimi has shown a great interest in making notes for people. She was especially mad at me one day, and I received the following love letter:

Later she drew this one of me. Can you tell what I was doing????

Cleaning the ceiling fan, of course!
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The kids love to play a little game called "Seth, the Waiter" with Kevin. Kevin pretends to be their waiter and his name is Seth. He gets them water and snacks. You get the idea. He also likes to charge them for whatever they eat or drink. He gives them receipts, and they pay with fake money.

Mimi got smart though, and has been making coupons for herself. Free "vater" or water....I imagine they both taste the same....;)

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Jenga blocks are great for tower building.
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Have a great weekend! ~Karen

Weekends Rock!

The unfinished painting that sat in our garage for over a decade has suddenly sparked new interest in our family. Everyone has ideas. And many of you emailed me or told me the man's eyes were not only vacant but creepy.

They are still pretty creepy. This mixed media thing is not working for me...so, nothing was finalized. Kevin said he doesn't want to see the thing for awhile. So, it might be something we set in a corner and think about....

These eyes are the best IMO, but Kevin wouldn't let me. It cracks me up! Gotta love Elmo!

And finally, I would somehow like to use this quote from Thoreau.

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The garden is alive and growing. We worked on it all day.

Can't wait to get food from the garden. Hope everyone is having a good weekend.
~Karen

Unfinished

Our internet provider was down most of the day! How horrible is that? I can't function without online access! Isn't that sad?

The painting above is something Kevin did a decade or so ago, and it has sat unfinished in our garage. I finally asked him to finish it. Kevin said he didn't want to, and that I could do whatever I wanted to do to it....SO, I am thinking of making it a mixed media portrait...What do you think?

Let me know!
~Karen

Weekend Projects