Father’s Day Gifts From Years Past

When you spend all your allowance on video games or going to the mall with your friends, you have to get creative with presents.  My children are known for their crafty cards for Mother's and Father's Day and they never fail to please us.  Their personalities show in the cards and their father loves them enough to keep them in his drawer for memories.  It's fun to look back on them and I decided to share with you a few of his favorites.

Our daughter is the typical Daddy's Girl.  She leans towards her father for advice, casual conversations, and even hilarious impromptu dance sessions.  With each card she makes, she exudes a quite crafty strategy that I like to call Laugh and Cry.  

Her humor throughout her writing keeps the tears from falling too far on her father's face.  He's not a crier, but when his favorite holiday comes around, a few tissues come in handy.  

Our son takes a more minimalist approach, keeping it short and sweet (with little to no pictures, but a great writer doesn't need graphics!).  It's quite beautiful how much my husband's heart is warmed around this time of year.

He'll be the first to admit he's made a bunch of flops, but our children never fail to hug and kiss him everyday.  They never fail to display affection for him when he needs it most.  They never fail to love him.  So, it's funny when he looks at me with their Father's Day cards in his hands and a tear in his eye and he says, "I must be doing something right" because he does.  He does something right every time!

An American Flag Pillow

My favorite holiday is the 4th of July.  When I was a kid it used to mean fireworks and free hot dogs at the fire station.  Since then it's become a reminder of the men and women who have served our country.  I have many family members who have served in the military and who are currently serving.  I created this pillow for my friend Stacey, whose husband just returned safely from deployment.

The fabric was ordered from Ebay.

After cutting the flag out, I used hem tape to secure the fabric to the burlap.

A handmade pillow perfect for Memorial Day and July 4th!

I hope you enjoyed the patriotic twist on my burlap pillow.

I am linking this post to: 

Savvy Southern Style

By Stephanie Lynn

Honey Butter Sauce for Chicken and Waffles

 I've never had chicken and waffles in a restaurant although Gladys Knight's is very close by.  My logic: If I can make something at home, I won't order it in a restaurant.

So when my sister visited last summer she requested chicken and waffles.  I happily obliged!  It’s a surprisingly good combination.  The chicken was flavorful and the waffles were light and fluffy on the inside.  I recommend that you drizzle honey butter on top.  It makes them even better!   

Ingredients- Honey Butter Sauce

1/2 cup salted butter

1/3 cup honey

Directions 

Melt butter in small saute pan, and cook until it turns a golden brown.  Drizzle in honey and stir to incorporate.  Serve and enjoy

*If chicken and waffles aren't your thing honey butter goes well with muffins and rolls.  My kids love it on popcorn.

I am linking this post to: 

Weekend Potluck

Cleaning Out the Flower Bed

The front flower bed had become wild looking.

After years of not weeding the plants had become overgrown and unmanageable.  As the spring weather rolled in it was time to tackle more yard work.  So I dug up all the old plants in the flower bed and removed all the weeds. 

Here's what the flower bed looks like now!

 We have lots of shade in the front of the house, so I chose to plant hydrangeas.  I love hydrangeas!  I have 2 small plants on the other side of the yard that I've had success with so adding more was any easy choice.

 Hydrangeas remind my husband of his late Nana.  I planted them with her in mind.

The Endless Summer Hydrangea has repeat blooms from spring through fall.

Mulch adds the finishing touch.

I added few hanging baskets for instant color.

Flowers on the front step make for a pretty entry.

Our old door mat was wearing thin, so I replaced it with this one.

Cleaning up the flower bed truly made a difference.  I enjoy sitting on the porch looking out into the yard much more now.

What have you been up to lately?  Have you planted your flowers yet?

Cocktail Coasters

Summer is all about spending time outdoors and outdoor entertaining is on my mind!  We've been working very hard on our deck to create a casual area for eating and a place to sip a cocktail or two.  And since no one likes water rings left on their furniture, I made a few coasters.

Ceramic tiles are cheap, I bought mine for about .30 each at Home Depot.  Wallpaper samples are free from Serena & Lily and Farrow & Ball. (Thanks again, Caitlin!)

I used a tile as my guide, then traced and cut the paper into 4 squares.

 To adhere the paper to the tiles I used equal parts clear Elmer's glue and water.  After the paper was dry I gave each coaster a few thin coats of Polycrylic.  I allowed them to cure for a few days before using.  The last step is to add felt pads or cork to the bottom of each coaster for surface protection.

They would also make a thoughtful housewarming gift.

Easy and inexpensive!

Cheers to summer!

I am linking this post to:

Summer Celebration Link Party
The SITS girls
Cupcakes and Crinoline
It's Overflowing

Mailbox Makeover

 My mailbox was looking rough, don't you think?!  Mildew, rust and peeling paint.

 I've wanted to give it a makeover for quite some time.  The weather was beautiful this weekend, making it perfect for outdoor projects.

 I picked up some supplies from Home Depot and got to work.  I decided to stain the post after cleaning off most of the mildew(I used Varathane- Kona).  I unscrewed the mailbox from the post then painted it with Rust-Oleum Hammered, copper-spray paint.  Once everything was dry, I gave the post and the mailbox a clear coat for weather protection.

I ordered the vinyl number decal from Etsy.

I love to see flowers growing by the mailbox!  With no design in mind, I added a few plants and flowers.  I finished it off with a layer of mulch.  Instant curb appeal!

Hopefully they will hold up well throughout the summer and fill in nicely.

Now if I could only keep my neighbor's Chihuahua from peeing on them.  Grr!



I am linking this post to:
The SITS girls

Etsy Dreaming, Random Thoughts

I love to make pillows and have dreamed of selling on Etsy for quite some time.  I've researched and procrastinated for a very long time.  I've thought about it and talked myself out of it, at the same time.

What if they hate it?  What if nothing sells?  I want my kids to see the world as being full of unlimited possibilities.  To take risks!  I know in my heart that it's time.  I need to worry less, let go of fear and doubt.

My husband's advice...Just do it!  What are you waiting for?  We'll figure it out!

I wonder if one day, I’ll work up enough nerve to list my first item.