Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Miniature Memories

Well, the Principessa had her birthday...and her party...the party was a lovely day...we had several friends over to make dollhouse rooms out of shoeboxes...given the fact that there were many children there, and I have not asked permission to post pictures of them on my blog, you will only see pictures of the Principessa...
So dollhouse passion goes back A L O N G way in our home...when I was young, I LOVED miniatures...I'll never forget the year I was away (at camp, I think) and came home to a 3 foot or so dollhouse...I loved that house...as an adult, I have continued to love all things small...hoping my dad still had my dollhouse, I asked about it...somewhere through the course of time, it was no longer there...not sure what happened...so I asked my dad if he would make me another one...and he did...it is very special...and very large...when I have a good place to display it (or when my children are old enough to not cause damage), I will put it out and you can all see it...but I digress...so, over time, I just put this away until...well, I am not sure what I was planning on doing...
SO, last year, I stumbled across a post from a bloggy friend who re-ignited this passion within me for small things again, and I was determined the Principessa was going to have some sort of a dollhouse...well, that did not work out quite the way I had planned...so I settled my heart on making dollhouse rooms from shoeboxes and then I thought we could attach them to a tri-fold display board and eventually form a house...hopefully of more than bedrooms...she doesn't seem to keen on making a kitchen yet...so that is what we did for her party...made dollhouse rooms. We used scrapbooking paper for wallpaper ( I REALLY did TRY TO EXPLAIN that wallpaper is usually subdued and often the same on all the walls...but who am I to mess with creativity?), we made carpet from towels...and throw rugs too...that was actually much cooler than I expected...

a good friend loaned me her copy of "Tiny Treasures" from the American Girl Library...this book is VERY COOL...and shows how to make very miniatures from common objects. I highly recommend this book for daughters interested in making some neat things. Anyway...it really was quite a bit of fun.




Now, since this is my blog and it doesn't run in REAL TIME...I am saving the greatest surprise for last, but this was one of the first things that happened...so, my very good friend (the one mentioned above...), well she found the Principessa a sweet dollhouse...


I was really too stunned to think clearly...it is such a beautiful thing that we can work on together...I can't wait to go to the dollhouse store with the Principessa and oh and ah over all the beautiful little treasures...It is going to be fun...but...there was just this little nagging deep down inside me...I feel like I am often pulling her to the cool things I want to do...but one look at these pictures (taken by my very good friend...I hope you all have one, because they are priceless...)and I KNEW...
this was something we could do TOGETHER...Mother/Daughter Bliss....



Now, just so you do not get the wrong idea here by my over gushing....the Principessa was blessed beyond measure by all of her guests...dear friends who got her just the right thing...and we are working on some extra special thank yous...it might take a while, so please be patient...you are not forgotten at all...special things take time...and in our home, sometimes they take longer because I keep forgetting where I left my brains last...I am really excited about this last surprise though and you all will get them soon....maybe!



Wednesday, January 27, 2010

How sweet is this?

What a VERY GREAT IDEA....Love how this was re-purposed!

http://designdazzle.blogspot.com/2010/01/tv-entertainment-center-turned-play.html


C~




Monday, January 25, 2010

Cereal...is it for breakfast?

Have you all noticed the subtle switch in the cereal market? Many are now stating that they have whole grains and less sugar. General Mills is one of those who have made the switch, and I really appreciate having a quick and easy AND healthier option. As a member of Blog Spark, I was given VIP coupons, the online coupon link, and the information from General Mills and MyBlogSpark...coupons in hand, I went to the store and chose our cereal...Cheerios, of course...a staple, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, a nice change of pace, Honey Nut Cheerios and Reese's Puffs (I mean you got to live a little...) Now, I know some of you are cringing...how could you feed THAT to your children...what about Oatmeal, it is SO NUTRITIOUS...cereal is full of empty calories, sugar, etc...well, my family (myself included) does not care for oatmeal...and I cannot be cooking eggs, bacon, etc everyday...not exactly the best way to cut fat and all...and cereal is the option that works in our home.
So, have you noticed all the little boxes on the front of the box? It tells you...right on the front...in a clear and easily understandable way how much sugar, etc is in each serving. Now I love THAT...Also, did you know that General Mills Big G cereal contains at least 8 grams of whole grain per serving, and more than 20 General Mills cereals deliver 16 grams or more.
This site has alot of interesting information about cereal and breakfast...I would recommend you take a look at it. I was a little surprised...try them out...and here is a link for a coupon to try them again.
Still concerned about the sugar? Either grab one that is low in sugar or mix a cereal that has more sugar with one that has very low sugar...and add some sliced bananas or strawberries and you have...Breakfast!



Monday, January 11, 2010

Recommended Reading

Stacey McDonald has written an EXCELLENT article on Legalism...

C~

Friday, January 8, 2010

Josh Harris gets a little too close...



A great message....


Thursday, January 7, 2010

Financial Giveaway

Go here to read about a great giveaway...
C~



Saturday, January 2, 2010

Difficulties

I have been reading on Facebook and in various blogs and in talking with people and hearing what a difficult year 2009 was for so many...while it was for us too, I think that they have forced us to see where our faith truly is...Do we really TRUST God...BELIEVE that He really cares for us and is only good all the time...Can we see God's hand in the difficult times...as I sit here and reflect...as I am formulating my personal goals for 2010...as I think of the darkest days of my walk last year where there were days all the faith I had was that He Is...I think...those struggles make me rely on Him in ways that I don't when all is good...Those struggles chip of portions of my hard heart and get down to the tender flesh...those struggles form me more and more into the image of Christ...and for that, I can be thankful...I can say today that "ALL things work together for good, for those called according to His purpose." I can see some of the good in it...I may not even know the extent of his purpose, but knowing WHO HE IS helps me know there is a purpose.
I will be posting my goals for this year when I have developed them a little more fully, but for now, I just want to encourage you to be of good cheer and also to press on toward the prize and to Fight the good fight...because ALL THINGS work together for good...All....things....
Love,
C~