About Me

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Mysteries, polka dots, California Rolls, TJ Maxx, cozy blankets, rainy days and getting the first spoonful of peanut butter out of the jar make me smile. Spiders, rude people, cold fingers and toes, baby leashes, people that don't wrap their packages before going to the Post Office, poison ivy and Math (pretty much all of it) make me want to scream. My perfect day would be spent with my wonderful husband and sweet girls- watching movies in our jammies! Of course, having the movie theater to ourselves would be great, too. Please pass the popcorn and M&M's.:) I am saved by the grace of God. He is my constant companion and hears my every prayer. What a blessing! I'd love to hear from you! Lori at toosillysisters@cox.net

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Skansk Grat, Apple Dancing and Bartering

American Girl Class!
Kirsten!


          We started the day with bartering.  The girls amazed me with 
      corn husk dolls...


                                   sparkly notebooks and frames...


                                  colorful pot holders...


      stuffed matryoshka dolls, doll blankets and pillows, headbands 
    and rings...


                                     and blingy flip flops!


                               It's such fun to watch them shop.:)


                     Then, we worked in the kitchen...


           making a traditional Swedish dish that Kirsten would have
        enjoyed on a cold morning....
        (Can't wait for cold mornings to return!)


                Skansk grot (SKONE-sk groot)  - Swedish Rice Pudding
             It was yummy!  (recipe below)


         Since we didn't have the time to make a quilt we did the next 
      best thing!
      We created Paper Quilts on notecards! 
      (Purchased at TJ Maxx)



            Then, the girls painted some wooden boxes that we will 
        finish at our next class.


                It was a fun time for visiting and giggling.  Aren't girls 
          the best?:)



          Back inside, the girls practiced Apple Dancing!  It is not easy,
       let me tell you.
       Super fun to watch, though.:)


           The girls had to dance while keeping an apple from falling!


         This is the kind of fun that pioneer children had.  No TV and
       Nintendo back then!
       The girls really had a good time trying this.:)  


Skansk Grot:

1 large apple
a tsp. butter
1 cup white rice
1 cup water
3 inch cinnamon stick
4 cups milk
3 TB brown sugar
1/3 cup raisins (we skipped this)
1 tsp. vanilla
Cream 
Honey

1. Skin and cut the apple into tiny pieces.
2. Use your fingers to rub butter over the bottom of your saucepan.
3.Put the rice, water and cinnamon stick into the saucepan.  Place the pan over med. heat.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil.  
5. Lower the heat until the mixture simmers. You will see tiny bubbles along the edge of the pan when it is simmering.
6. Cover the pan and simmer the rice 10-15 minutes, or until the water is absorbed.
7. Pour the milk into the saucepan.  Turn up the heat and stir until it begins to simmer.
8. When the milk begins to simmer, turn down the heat to low.  Carefully add the brown sugar, chopped apple and raisins.  Stir gently.
9. Cover the pan and allow the porridge to summer for about 45 min.  As it cooks it will thicken.  Stir it once or twice as it cooks.
10. Turn off the heat and take the pan from the stove.  Remove the cinnamon stick.  Stir in the vanilla.
11.  Pour the porridge into a bowl.  Serve it warm with cream or honey.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Please join me...

Allow me to take you on a trip...


to meet some fairies!


                                  Fairies are not easy to find.


       But on this warm summer eve, they were all together in 
     this lovely garden!


        These two precious fairies shared their icy treats with us.


                  They even taught us how to make fairy houses!


                         This lovely maiden joined in the festivities!


      I do believe that she wanted to remain in the garden with 
    the fairy folk!


Alas, there was music to be made and entertainment to be enjoyed as the night went on...


       Who is this kind and handsome man?  He seems to be a 
    fairy pack horse of some sort.:)


          It was dreamy watching the fairies work their magic.


        Pumpkins, rose petals and a tree stump.  What fairy
     dreams are made of!


   Don't you wish that you could join them?  This only happens
  once a year so you will have to mark your calendar.


                                      This little fairy is my favorite.


                                     Precious...


       The fairies had so much to do so we hurried on to the 
    next bit of fun!


            They created wind chimes for a bit of musical magic...

      
       It was quite warm so a quick fairy shower was enjoyed by 
    all as the sun went down...


The night came to a close as fire dancers performed and lanterns were released into the sky.  It was a magical ending to a very enchanting day.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

How to have a H.E.A.R.T for your Kids


   I am really excited/nervous about the new school year!  I know it is only July, but this year I have been selected to be a part of The Old Schoolhouse Crew!  Throughout the year, books, games, etc. will be sent to me and I will review them.  Even if you don't home school, the information will be valuable to you and your family.  My first review will be on the book by Apologia (love them!) "How to Have a H.E.A.R.T for Your Kids".  It focuses on the relationship you have with your children- with a biblical view.  I feel that in the rush of activities and life I have (sadly) lost touch with the real reason I started homeschooling.  I wanted more quality time with my girls.  This book will be a lovely start in focusing on what really matters to all of us.  Our children.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Turtle: The Incredible Journey

Beautiful. Exciting. Dramatic. and Heartwarming. Escaping hungry crabs (hands over my eyes!) and hiding from sharks is just the beginning of this little turtle's life adventure. We marveled at the gorgeous footage the cameras are able to capture. You almost feel like you are traveling with this tiny creature! They are only as large as the palm of a child's hand when they are born. It's truly incredible that any of them survive. The journey is both lovely and treacherous.  The scenes with the Portugese Man O'War jellyfish are frightening and breathtaking, until you find out the turtle's little secret.:)  I had no idea that they traveled so far and that they have the capability to find their way back to their home- no matter what. Another one of God's amazing creations.:) Dive into the deep before this gem leaves the theater!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Don't just sit there!

If you can't take the heat.
Go jump in the pool.:)

Here are some other fun things 
to do:


Free for the month of July!  Go here.


Host a Harry Potter movie marathon!  Recipe for Butter Beer and fun t-shirt ideas found here. (Thanks Design Dazzle!)


Turn off the TV and have a nightly Family Story time.  Wonderful book selections are found in Read for the Heart.  I am currently creating a *huge* book list from this.  (Thanks Angel!)


Glitter your Toes!

I prefer Martha Stewart glitter and a bright, funky color.  I am rockin' deep PURPLE right now!
Paint the nail color on and sprinkle super fine glitter on top of it before the paint dries.
Smile.

This is crazy cute.
And FREE.
Smile some more.
(Thanks, Make It and Love It!)


These will make you smile every time you look at them.
I want to make one. 
Wanna join me?
(Thanks, Nancy!)


What fun things would you like to share?

**Fun Bananagrams game giveaway here!**

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

It's Never Too Soon

I pray for my girls all the time.
I have started to pray for their future husbands, too.


                      They are in the world right now... somewhere.
                    

                           I pray that they know and love the Lord.
                  I pray that they will grow to be kind, loving and 
                  strong.
                  I pray that they will love and cherish my girls. 
                  Someday.


                                Each day brings us closer to that time.


                                      sigh.

Conversation Starters

Fun little conversation starters.
Dreaming about a trip around the world?


Cutest little robot since Wal-E.
Moveable arms, legs and head.


Mad Men.
Don Draper.
The 50's.


                                                  Going in the shop tonight.
                                  One of a kind.
                                  $14.99 each.