Modge Podge Dresser

We needed a dresser for the girls, so I went to a resale shop here in town.  The owner is an amazing talented young lady and I just picked her brain!!  She had this dresser(it was a plain off white wood dresser.) and told me about her idea for modge podging scrapbook papers on the drawers, so I looked it up and tried my hand at it.  I love how it turned out.  Yes, I know my own mistakes on the dresser and I am hoping it holds up over time(the design, not the dresser!)  My oldest helped me pick out the papers that I used for each drawer!  Unfortunately, I don't have a before picture---bummer!

What I learned:  Do not use modge podge as the final coat---it's a bit sticky.  The drawers stuck and I had to repaint a coat where it took off paint!!  YIKES--what a project!  I'm not a perfectionist, so I decided today, just to be done with it...and enjoy it.    I sprayed it with a clear type of sealant in the end.  The picture that is above the dresser was painted by my sister in law, Jackie, a few years ago, and it goes wonderfully!  Thanks Jackie-- again!  I love my paintings through out our house that are painted by my mother in law and my sister in law!  It's fun to have artists in the family.  Our artists:  two sisters in laws, my cousin, my paternal grandmother, my aunt, my uncle (my aunt was my uncle's art student in college!) my mother in law, and my own kiddos.

Treasure Hunt

Sometimes, like the other night, my hubby amazes me at his genius way of playing with the kids.  They evidently had built a fort and then had a treasure hunt with these clues!  I will type out what they say, so you can enjoy them also.  (my notes are in ( ))
Clue 1:  Go South to a place of Sparks!(Mark--our son, goes by this nickname at times)  You will find Clue #2 under the place where your bottom moves the fastest!(the boys have a slide on their bunkbed)
Clue 2:  Going on a trip?  You will find Clue #3 if you are packing(there are suitcases from our unpacking in the living room)
Clue 3:  Go East where the Sun rises(our sunroom)  Be careful for the 4th clue may be under your bottom...(it was in the couch)
Clue 4:  I-I-I would tell you where the Clue #5 is but he is so cold, I don't want to visit(in our freezer).
Clue 5:  Your last Clue.  If you follow your heart, it will lead you back to the start. (to the fort).
Enjoy, Love Dad.

I went to a ladies meeting this night and the kids told me about it in the morning.  This is my husband!  Genius!  No tv--just fun with Dad.  Thank you Lord for a great hubby!

Trying this tonight!!

Marinade for Chicken



Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Ready In: 10 Minutes
Servings: 32(This is funny....I just saw this...no wonder it was a lot of marinade!!)
"This simple marinade is made from ingredients many people have on hand (vegetable oil, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, wine vinegar, lemon juice, and seasonings), and can be prepared in minutes."
I am using Chicken Thighs--if you haven't used this part of the chicken---start NOW. Always yummy!! Maybe because thighs tend to be full of fat-haha!!
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
3/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/3 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons finely minced fresh
parsley
Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, mix together oil, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, wine vinegar, and lemon juice. Stir in mustard powder, salt, pepper, and parsley. Use to marinate chicken before cooking as desired. The longer you marinate, the more flavor it will have. This is from AllRecipes.com

This was super flavorful...will cut the recipe down next time...haha!

Make your own Chalkboard Paint!

Recipe of Chalkboard Paint:

3 teaspoons acrylic paint (color of choice), PLAIN OLD ACRYLIC CRAFT PAINT WORKS FINE
1 1/2 teaspoons glazing medium (water based)
1/2 teaspoon powder UNSANDED tile grout

USING A SPONGE BRUSH, apply 3 OR MORE coats on your painting surface. Sand with 400 (or more) grit sandpaper between coats, however, if you're careful and use a sponge brush, sanding might not be necessary.

When you're done painting, condition your chalkboard finish by placing a piece of chalk on its side and rubbing down the entire surface. Wipe it clean with a felt cloth and then wipe it again with a slightly damp cloth.

Thanks for the idea!!

A Different kind of Giveaway---4 Amish Novels by Beth Wiseman

Watch this trailer to learn about the first book in the series...turn off the music on my side bar first!

MY WINNERS!!!: The 4 books: Sherri! The first book: Nicole C!
These books are not new, they have been read and passed on, so I am passing them on to you...(the winner). You can do the same if you want and host a giveaway when you are done reading them.
Beth Wiseman is one of my favorite authors of Amish fiction. If you don't know much about the Amish, you will learn some things very quickly...I've even learned some German.  My father in law knows German(some) and sometimes asks some questions in German.  One day, I actually knew what he said!! HA!  I use some German in my vocabulary just for fun!  My hubby and I get a kick out of using "wonderbaar" for great/wonderful.

So, this giveaway is for the first 4 out of 5 books in a series...one of the best I've read of my Amish books!
So, for your entries:  Leave a comment about what you know of or have heard of the Amish or that you have "no idea about the Amish."
Post on your blog/facebook/twitter/communities for extra entries...but leave me a comment for each one that you have done.  In all of your entries leave your email--encrypted ---such as: jaime at gmail dot com. I will draw the winner by the infamous random number generator Friday evening after 5pm.

Oh, and for the second runner up, I will be giving away the first book in this series(another used copy, but still good!)

I can only ship to a stateside address, so if you are a missionary, then send a stateside address...if you win.

The reason I don't have the fifth book---I read it from my local library! So, maybe you can do the same!!

If your entry is left anonymous and there is no email with it, I will delete it in the end from the entries. Also, any extra comments that are not entries, I will also take out from the drawings. Please leave that email or a way to get in touch if you win:).


FYI--I had to delete a few comments...b/c I couldn't find an email:
Here are a few that I deleted that had names, but no links...please enter again!!
Tricia, Loretta, Kim, Wearyrn,Dorene, Sherry, Sue Hess, Janet. I did delete anon's, if there was no info. Hope you all get a chance...drawing in 30 minutes!

Our 4th of July Craft Day

I have used our "craft" money for different things over the summer---only fun stuff for the kids---but one of the things we did was a craft day on July 4th that ended in a yummy family picnic at the house!  I love our family!  We had our nephew Grant over for part of it, so he was helping to decorate some cookies!

School Shopping Done!!

Matthew's Math











Matthew's Grammar and Reading

Katie--ACE Math







This is the bulk of everyone's school--Bible, History, Science, Reading.English--Latin based method

Katie and Melissa's Grammar

Mark's Grammar







So, I have done it...the only things that are not pictured are the kids' writing program--- a prompt style method of writing and each of the kids' extra reading books that they will be reading through out the year--a lot of BJ Booklinks and more!! 
My sister in law gave me the kindergarten---so we are truly blessed in that area!!


I really am amazed at the deals that I got---very helpful right now!

Matthew's Birthday---6/23 --he turned SIX!

 I experimented with cake pops---loved how it turned out...they were very yummy!!

 has a hard time sitting still...

This is a typical Matthew post...his energy, happiness and serious cake pop eating!!! 

Another Dream...and update

Here's the bedding that I have picked out for another one of my "dream a little dream"--we will see if it happens.  I've been told--aka suggested--that I should not buy any of it now...hmmm...go figure, some people think that jobs bring in money--so, I will wait til my birthday or til the job comes.   I wish I could do a product review on this...hehe!!! and get this bedding free!!

On the job front, we have looked at many places in Houston, a couple in Dallas and a couple have just recently popped up in Longview that we are looking at.  Please pray for us to stay calm in this "trusting" time of job searches!  You could pray for an open door for the right job/place too!!

What is something that you are  "saving up" or waiting to buy?

Bonding Over Beauty GIVEAWAY!!!

And the WINNER is:  Laura !  Congrats!!!!!!!

Greenleaf Publishing sent me another copy of this book to giveaway to one of my readers!  I couldn't be more thrilled!   I loved reading this book and I believe that you will too!  Read over the blog post below for a short review of this book.  For 3 possible entries:  leave me a comment, be a follower(current or new)--leave a separate comment that you are one or became one, or post this blog entry on your facebook/blog/twitter---and again leave me a separate comment for this too.  I will do the "random number generator" thing and choose my winner by Thursday, July 21st, at 5pm CST.  Please include your email in your comment(s)...you can encrypt it by leaving spaces and spelling @ and . , for example:  jane doe at gmail dot com .  Can't wait to see who wins!!!

Bonding Over Beauty ---loved this book!

I have been reading this book for the last two weeks and I must say I have read such great ideas to implement with me and my girls!  This book is by Erika Katz, a former model and actress, and she has used what she has learned over time to help with her own daughter and her growing up into a young lady.  She presents all of this material is such a way that we, moms, can teach our daughters in a "bonding" and fun way.

Ever since my Katie has approached age 11, I've been gathering info on things like hygiene, inside and outside beautification,  puberty and beyond years, and so much more!  This book has been such a fun and practical way of learning(for myself and for teaching my girls!).  It has really helped with the "why" of the things us women do.  I don't know if you are anything like me, but once I know the "why," things just stick with me more!  Or at least I start to do them more!  I will definitely keep this book as my reference---I have so many pages dog-eared!

This book has given me some great ideas for facial scrubs, ways to prevent the need for botox --haha!!!--most moms would love to pass this one on and to apply it too, the "perfect" ponytail, great recommendations for certain affordable brands for make-up, removal, and more!   It even teaches about nutrition--one of my favorite topics!  I'd have to say the one word that wraps this book up is practical!   I did receive this book for free by the Greenleaf Book Group Press to review.  I had no idea what a great asset this would be to my "library."  Thanks Greenleaf and Ms. Katz!
Their website is a great resource too!!

The publishing company is sending me an extra copy to give away--be on the look out next week for a great giveaway!!!

Locks of Love --Melissa's story of giving in her own way!

 The wet look of all that hair!!

 Waiting for Dedra--our beautician friend at JC Penney's

 Dedra sectioned off Melissa's hair

 The first "lock"

 All the locks!  Each lock had to be 10 inches to donate...curly hair is pulled straight to achieve the length.

 Sister Melissa!

Dedra and Melissa at the end...Dedra did an awesome job and she straightened Melissa's hair.  Melissa has wanted to donate to locks of love for making wigs for the children that lose their hair because of chemo.  Her heart goes out to those kids that have cancer.  She prayed over her hair before we went into the salon and for the girl that would get to use her hair--that she would be all well.  What an amazing idea---Locks of Love!