Friday, June 15, 2012

Adventuring with a Purpose

I have two great passions: 1) hanging with my ladies and 2) creating things that are free or nearly free.   And, so what could be more fun that combining your two loves??   Well, I can’t think of anything.
A great adventure always starts with a plan and where it goes from there is up to you.  Sometimes to get this plan kick started you need something a little unexpected.  Let’s say this something is a metal star.

star before

My kids love nothing more than having a purpose for our adventures.  We had the metal star and we needed to find something to add to it to make it special.
We knew that something special could be found down a path like this.  In nature the possibilities are endless!

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hike3

And, we knew there would definitely be treasures to find at a beach like this.

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It was the perfect day.  Eight miles of trails and so many great finds along the way. 
So, what did we do with the star??  

star after

How’d we do it?  So simple.  We used a tree trimming scissor to cut branches into the correct sizes and super glued them on to the star.   I love how it now has that nautical feel that I so love and it was FREE!!

found twigs
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It feels like the days slip by too quickly and the time I am able to spend with my kids goes by way too fast.  It is so fun to be able to spend a day doing something we both love together!
maggie

I don't always make it to all of these parties each week but I sure do love them all.
Mondays
Tuesdays
Wednesdays
Thursdays
Fridays
Saturdays
Sundays
Thank you to all of these amazing sites that are
so gracious to host each week!
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Thursday, June 7, 2012

Educational Fascination: Globes and Maps



When I was in third grade I think would have given my best pair of jelly shoes to take home the big pull down map that was in my classroom.  Well, things have not changed.  I am excited to announce that I have finally secured one for myself.
I was out one day a few months ago, searching desperately for a metal tub to plant my salsa garden in, when I drove by an antique store and just had to stop in.  I think that it was destiny.  There it was, my 1920 Denoyer- Geppert World Map. 
There was no price tag on it and the lady behind the desk had to call the owner.  I paced nervously with a price in my head that I knew I couldn’t go over.  She came back, the price was $40…SOLD!
This beauty is now hanging proudly in my bedroom.
Here is how the room looked before…boring!

mapsbefore

And now with the map hanging in all of its glory!  (Don’t knock me on the tv, I cannot get myself to get a new one until this one dies and I need this one to watch my Real Housewives shows without the kids in the room.)

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map2

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So, when I got home I had to of course Google this map and see what kind of treasure I had.  I couldn’t find this exact map anywhere…bummer!  But, I did find a United States map (same year and maker) that sells for $550.  I am telling myself that mine is worth the same…I like to do that!
Okay, then I saw this map in Country Living magazine.  I knew that if this map made it into country living,  then my map was certainly a treasure!  I like to tell my husband that I am a trendsetter…this helped me prove my point…ha ha!!

white-chair-and-ottoman-0512-mdn
I think that the map goes well with the rest of my beachy bedroom.
Here’s the other half of the room…click the pic to see the whole room.

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My fascination with educational items also extends to my living room.  I think that having both a map and a globe when I was a grade-schooler may have been too much for me too handle.  How fun are these?  And what I like the most is that they just add a little pop of color into that corner of the room.

globes2 
globes1

Okay, the trendsetter that I am, I spray painted my tall globe with chalk paint.    Then, last week I spotted a similar globe at a trendy downtown store for a whopping $450…what???

Mine: $5 plus paint
chalk globe

This is the same globe I spotted but at an online store.
Theres: $450

chalkboardglobe

Online someone commented that this stuff is useless because now we have the internet.  I disagree…I love things that take me back to my childhood and there are just so cool to look at!!
maggie

I don't always make it to all of these parties each week but I sure do love them all.
Mondays
Tuesdays
Wednesdays
Thursdays
Fridays
Saturdays
Sundays
Thank you to all of these amazing sites that are
so gracious to host each week!
Pin It

Monday, June 4, 2012

Strawberry Cheesecake Salad

 Happy Monday!  It is the time of year that I love…summer!!  To me summer means get togethers with friends and families.  And, to help you with your summer planning I am sharing this perfect potluck recipe for strawberry cheesecake salad. 

Strawberry Cheesecake Salad
Strawberry Cheesecake Salad
12 oz. whipped topping- I use the lite to save a few calories
1 sm. package cheesecake pudding
3 (6oz.) strawberry yogurts
1 lb. fresh strawberries sliced
3 bananas sliced
miniature marshmallows (approx. 1/2 bag)
In a large bowl stir together thawed whipped topping, yogurts, and pudding powder.  Let sit in fridge for at least one hour.  Add strawberries, bananas, and marshmallows just before serving.  Keep refrigerated.

This salad is so easy to make and my family thoroughly loves it!!
Enjoy!
maggie
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