Happy National Camera Day

Courtesy of: SnapKnot

Free Fourth of July Printables

I like to do a little decorating for the Fourth of July. Maybe it's because it's so close to my birthday or maybe it's because my favorite color is red. Anyway, I've found a couple of sites that have some really fun and free printables for the Fourth. 

Jill from My Three Sons has some cute printables for rocket popsicles. We call them bomb pops. You know the red, white and blue ones. 

I love the USA and Uncle Sam's Hat printables (and more!) at Amanda's Parties to Go. 

How about a red, white and blue banner? I think I'd like to make one to hang on my fireplace mantel. Land of Nod has the free printable for you.

 Gotta get those kids involved too. My grandkids love to help me decorate. Crystal & Co. has 12 fun flag crafts to do with your little ones.

Catch My Party has this adorable Patriotic Sign for you. She also has a blog hop with LOTS more Fourth of July printables. You must check this out!!! 

Happy decorating!!
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Wordless Wednesday

                                                 Does a chicken make a good pet?
 

Along Came You-- Book Review

Along Came You by Karana Drummond, illustrated by Estelle Corke is a children's book I read and have been asked to review. On the positive side it's a boardbook which is great for little hands. It is sturdy and well made. The Illustrations are very colorful and realistic. 

 I read the book and then gave it to my daughter-in-law to read. She reads a ton of books to her two-year old. We both agreed that this was not our favorite book. There isn't an actual story but instead the author compares her life before and after having her daughter. Some of the comparisons are quite nice..."Before you, my world was quiet. After you, there is joyful noise." However, some of the comparisons seem a little condescending and not very nice... Before you, I read books with a thousand pages. After you, I read your favorite book a thousand times." 

 It's not a book that very little children would probably sit still for. I think older children who would understand the comparisons might find the board book format very "kiddish". I would not buy this for my grandchildren and really wouldn't recommend that you buy it either.

 

Vacation Tips

 I would never wear shoes like this when traveling. They'd have to wait until we reached our destination!

Jerry and I will be traveling this summer with my sister and her family and again off and on with the grandkids. Thinking about what to pack, what to do in the car and other details could make my head spin or...I can use these tips to make the task a lot easier! 

 1). Pack less than you’ll need. Stick to things that look great on you in two or three colors. Don’t forget to pack things you can’t do without like Gathered’s Satin and Silk Lotion. 

 2) In life, the journey is as important as the destination. Don't schedule every minute: allow for the unexpected. Unplanned detours often end up being even more enjoyable than planned stops! (especially with little ones!)

 3) Take lots of photos. It might seem like an annoyance at the time, but when you get home you and those you love will be glad you did. Make sure to pass the camera around so everyone gets a chance to document, and that way you're sure to "be in the moment." (easy to do using your phone's camera--even the kids can take photos)

 4) Play travel games. It doesn't matter if you don't have kids, remember when you were one? You're never too old to play them, and it helps the time zoom by whether you're driving or flying. Our favorite is "20 Questions."

 5) Go online and read the local newspapers for the areas you'll be traveling to. It's a great way to absorb the local color and learn about local events. www.onlinenewspapers.com has listings of 10,000 newspapers from around the world.


 Are you traveling/vacationing this summer? Wishing you safe travels and lots of wonderful memories!
 

Wordless Wednesday

                                                         That's my kind of piano!
 

Dry Brush Nail Art (no tools needed)

Need a new summer look for your nails? I love this easy to do dry nail art. Check out this video to see how easy it is!


 

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all dads, especially my own father!

Wordless Wednesday

Kind of like a stone Jenga game!

 

Wordless Wednesday

                                         He just couldn't resist playing in the water.
 

Another Favorite Rhubarb Recipe

Jerry just loves this rhubarb recipe. It's his all-time favorite. In fact he loves it so much that I don't even have a photo to share with you. It's that good! (simple, fast, delicious and gone in a flash)

Quick Rhubarb Crunch Dessert

Ingredients
6 cups chopped rhubarb                   1 white or yellow cake mix
2 cups of sugar                                  3/4 cup margarine
1 egg                                                 1/2 cup water
4 T. flour                                                                          
Put diced rhubarb in lightly greased 9 X 13 pan. Mix sugar, egg and flour and spread over rhubarb. Sprinkle dry cake mix on top of sugar mixture. Slice margarine over cake mix. Pour water over all.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.

YUM!!


 

A Plethora of Rhubarb

If you are like some of us in MN who have rhubarb growing in abundant measure you might be interested in this recipe. It's for rhubarb bread. While it doesn't use a lot of rhubarb it sure is tasty!

For this Rhubarb Bread you will need: 
1 1/2 cups diced raw rhubarb
1 1/2 cups of brown sugar
2/3 cup oil 
1 egg slightly beaten 
1 cup sour milk 
1 Tsp. vanilla 
2 1/2 cups of flour
1 Tsp. salt 
1 Tsp. soda 
1/2 cup chopped walnuts 
pinch of cinnamon

 Mix brown sugar, oil and egg together. Mix dry ingredients together. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk to other mixture. Fold in rhubarb and nuts. Fill 2 lightly greased loaf pans 2/3 full. Sprinkle with topping. Bake at 325 for 1 hour. 

Topping: 1/3 cup granulated sugar mixed with 1 Tbsp. melted butter

 *This recipe works for muffins too. Just bake them for about 18-20 minutes. 
 Enjoy!