CHRISTOPHER LOWELL'S DECORATING TIPS USING MIRRORS

"Place a mirror across from a window — and you get another window. Opposite a doorway, it appears as if another room is beyond. Not only do mirrors expand a space, but they're timeless."

—Christopher Lowell, author of One-of-a-Kind Decorating Projects

SMOCKING PROJECT

I am taking a beginning smocking class through the Ft. Worth Berry Patch.  Tomorrow is the last session in the workshop.  I am busy finishing up on this week's homework.  Can't wait to see the final product!  I will post pictures when it is finished.

PONDERISMS

A girlfriend sent me this listing of

"Ponderisms".

The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.

If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?

Does pushing the elevator button more than once make it arrive faster?

Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?

Do illiterate people get the full effect of Alphabet Soup?

Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things and drink whatever comes out?"

Life is sexually transmitted.

There are two kinds of pedestrians:  the quick and the dead.

If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, then what is baby oil made from?

In the 60's, people took acid to make the world weird.  Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.

Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

HARVESTING FLOWER SEEDS

Purple Coneflower

As summer comes to an end, don't forget to collect your perennial flower seeds to share with friends and family.  It's an inexpensive way to continue your favorite flowers for generations.  The key to successfully saving seeds is to collect them when they are matured - but before they fall off the plant.  The seeds of most flowering plants can be harvested after they dry on the plant.  You can plant most perennial seeds in the garden in the fall.  Start them in a protected spot in loose, well-drained soil. Water them well after planting and give them a covering of mulch. They'll readily sprout in spring.  You can sow annual seeds in the spring.  You can plant them directly in the garden or get a jump on the season and start them early indoors.

Black-eyed Susan

Until you plant your completely dried seeds, store them in a cool, dry place in a labeled envelope, jar, or handmade seed packet. Be sure to note the plant's name and preferred growing conditions (such as full sun in moist soil), and any other information you want to remember come planting time. When stored properly, most seeds stay viable three to four years.

Marigold

Flower seeds  make terrific gifts or Christmas stocking stuffers for your gardering friends and family.  You can make the gift more elaborate by adding a beautiful pot and gardening tools.

BROWN DAMASK COLLECTION

What a wonderful collection of brown damask creations
by
 etsy and etsykids shops.

DIAPER CAKE

CENTERPIECE

by

Baby 2B Nashville

ELEGANT DIAPER CLUTCH

by

Sugar & Snails

LOVELY  CHANGING TABLE PAD COVER

by

Lullabies & Lollipops

TRENDY BURP CLOTH AND BIB SET

by

My Little Pumpkin Designs

SNAZZY SECURITY BLANKET

by

Snazzy Snugglies

CHIC FABRIC FLOWER

by

Jaidie Bug Boutique

ELEGANT PARTY INVITATIONS

by

Ink OBSESSION Designs

Check out these creative artist and their shops

at

etsy

etsykids

THREE - A - DAY

I am never sure if I take the right amount of supplements in my daily diet.  The following recommendations is from the March 2010 Good Housekeeping magazine. 

Vitamin D

1,000 IU daily

Heart Health and Lowers Blood Pressure

Reduces risk of Breast Cancer

Calcium

1,000 mg daily

(take with vitamin D to enhance its absorption)

Stronger Bones and Teeth

May Reduce Blood Pressure

May Reduce Risk of Colon Cancer

Omega - 3 Fish Oil

(containing EPA and DHA)

500 mg daily

Lowers Risk of Heart Disease

May Boost Mood and Work as an Antidepressant

WORDS OF WISDOM

"If a child is given love,

he becomes loving...

If he's helped when he needs help,

he becomes helpful.

And if he has been truly valued at home...

he grows up secure enough to

look beyond himself to the

welfare of others."

Dr. Joyce Brothers

ZOONIVERSITY AT MANSFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY

African Pygmy Hedgehog

Bearded Dragon

Wallaby

Wednesday, I took the grandkids to the Mansfield Public Library to check out books and attended a presentation by Zooniversity. The program highlighted six live animals. Absolutely wonderful! If you have a chance, check out Zooniversity .

WEIKEL'S BAKERY - ONE OF THE BEST IN TEXAS

If you ever travel along West State Highway 71 through La Grange, Texas - you must stop at Weikel's Bakery .  It is one of the best bakeries in Texas!  It has a wide assortment of sweet rolls, pigs-in-a-blanket, cookies, pies, cakes, kolaches,....  They are mouth-watering and to-die-for delicious!  I especially like their cinnamon rolls, pecan bars, and kolaches.  On the weekends, you have to get there early because they quickly sell out.

Poppy Seed Kolache

2010 BUCEK FAMILY REUNION IN SCHULENBURG TEXAS

One of the last photos taken before leaving the Bucek Reunion on July 10, 2010.  The reunion was held in Schulenburg, Texas at the historic Sengelmann Hall which recently underwent a restoration.

PILLSBURY'S ITALIAN ANTIPASTO SQUARES

This is a delicious appetizer from Pillsbury . 

INGREDIENTS

2 cans (8 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
or
2 cans (8 oz each) Pillsbury® Crescent Recipe Creations® refrigerated seamless dough sheet
4 oz thinly sliced salami
4 oz thinly sliced Swiss cheese
4 oz thinly sliced pepperoni
4 oz thinly sliced American cheese
4 oz thinly sliced capocollo (cured Italian ham) or cooked ham
4 oz thinly sliced provolone cheese
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 jar (12 oz) sliced roasted red bell peppers, drained
1 can (2 1/4 oz) sliced ripe olives, drained
1 egg yolk, beaten
DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly butter 13x9-inch pan or spray with cooking spray.

2. If using crescent rolls: Unroll 1 can of dough into 1 large rectangle; place in pan. Press in bottom and 3/4 inch up sides of pan to form crust, firmly pressing perforations to seal. If using dough sheets: Unroll 1 can of dough; place in pan. Press in bottom and 3/4 inch up sides of pan to form crust.

3. Layer all meats and cheeses in order listed over dough. In small bowl, beat 2 eggs, the garlic powder and pepper with wire whisk until well blended. Pour over meat and cheese layers. Layer roasted peppers and olives over top.

4. If using crescent rolls: Unroll second can of dough into 1 large rectangle; press into 13x9-inch rectangle, firmly pressing perforations to seal. If using dough sheets: Unroll second can of dough; press into 13x9-inch rectangle.

5. Place over top of layered ingredients. Pinch edges to seal. Brush beaten egg yolk over dough. Cover with foil.

6. Bake 30 minutes. Remove foil; bake 15 to 20 minutes longer or until deep golden brown. Cool 15 minutes before serving. Cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. Serve warm.

DISPLAYING CHILDREN'S ART WORK

What do you do with all your child's art work?

Parent magazine shows several different ways in which to display a child's best artwork.

HOOKED ON PLAYING ON-LINE FAMILY FEUD

If you haven't played the on-line Family Feud game, you should not play it.  My daughter and I played it while on vacation, and now I am hooked on it.  Even though I am not a very good player, I look forward to it everyday.  Such a sad state of affairs!  At least I draw the line and only play the free episodes.

ALEXANDER HENRY'S "YOU AND ME" CRAYON ROLL UP

I listed a new crayon roll up this week.  It was created from Alexander Henry's designer cotton called "You and Me".  It depicts children from aroung the world dressed in their country's apparel.  Love the colors and diversity!

This specific crayon roll up holds 12 crayons.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

SnazzySnugglies In RUFFLED REBELLES SHOP

I am so excited!  

I placed some of my SnazzySnugglies creations in a local store called Ruffled Rebelles in downtown Mansfield.  Thanks Delilah and Jim!

JULY 4, 1776 - INDEPENDENCE DAY

Independence Day is the national holiday of the United States of America commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR

At the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the US consisted of 13 colonies under the rule of England's King George III. There was unrest in the colonies concerning the taxes that had to be paid to England. This was commonly referred to as "Taxation without Representation" as the colonists did not have any representation in the English Parliament and had no say in what went on. As the unrest grew in the colonies, King George sent extra troops to help control any rebellion. In 1774, the 13 colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia Pennsylvania to form the First Continental Congress. 

In April 1775 as the King's troops advanced on Concord Massachusetts, Paul Revere would sound the alarm that "The British are coming, the British are coming" as he rode his horse through the late night streets.  The battle of Concord and its "shot heard round the world" would mark the unofficial beginning of the colonies war for Independence. 

The following May the colonies again sent delegates to the Second Continental Congress. For almost a year the congress tried to work out its differences with England, again without formally declaring war.  By June 1776 their efforts had become hopeless and a committee was formed to compose a formal declaration of independence. Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert R. Livingston and Roger Sherman. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the first draft which was presented to the congress on June 28. After various changes a vote was taken late in the afternoon of July 4th. Of the 13 colonies, 9 voted in favor of the Declaration, 2 (Pennsylvania and South Carolina) voted no, Delaware undecided, and New York abstained.  To make it official John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence. It is said that John Hancock signed his name "with a great flourish" so "King George can read that without spectacles!."

The first newspaper to print the Declaration was the Pennsylvania Evening Post on July 6, 1776. On July 8th the Declaration had its first public reading in Philadelphia's Independence Square. Twice that day the Declaration was read to cheering crowds and pealing church bells. Even the bell in Independence Hall was rung. The "Province Bell" would later be renamed "Liberty Bell" after its inscription - Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof

Although the signing of the Declaration of Independence was not completed until August, the 4th of July has been accepted as the official anniversary of United States independence. The first Independence Day celebration took place the following year - July 4, 1777. By the early 1800s the traditions of parades, picnics, and fireworks were established as the way to celebrate America's birthday.

Resources:

http://www.holidays.net/independence/story.htm

FIREWORK SAFETY TIPS

An outdoor barbecue with family, friends, and food is a great way to spend a 4th of July weekend.  If fireworks or sparklers are part of your plans, you need to be aware of the dangers and be prepared for any mishaps.  Read up on these important firework safety tips provided by GoodHousekeeping.  Because of the dangers, they recommend taking advantage of local professionally organized fireworks shows in your area.