Iron On

A few weeks ago, I think someone spiked my water or something because I went nuts during the kids' nap time.  I was cranking out the crafts, left and right.  I even updated my Facebook status: "Crafternoon.  Nothing in the house is safe."  That quickly became the case.  One of the projects/crafts that I started was ironing little shapes onto our regular clothes.  (I can never remember what this is called.  I always have to ask the craft store ladies for "that stuff that I use to iron to pieces of fabric together" and they always help me get what I want.)  

It started with this green shirt that I just bought.  I love a good tee and I love the color green, so I was sad when I got a little bleach spot on it.  See, I'm pointing at it in the picture below.  My solution was to try and put a cute little design over it to hide it.  I went to my cute shape default: a bird.  I had this image of birds fluttering up and around me on the shirt, so I cut out a bunch of birds.  I awkwardly tried to lean back while putting the birds on me to try to get the right positions all while looking in the mirror.  It was awkward to the max.  Thank goodness no one was around to see me.

I finally decided that one bird to cover the spot would be sufficient.  Well, and one bird on the bottom back would be for kicks (see first picture).  I ironed that sucker on there and stiched around the edges to secure it.  That night I did the ulitmate cool test and wore it to youth group.  The teenagers loved it.  When one girl gave the compliment and asked if I made it, I launched into the whole story of how I was going to try and make several birds flutter on the front, etc.  I think all she heard was blah, blah, blah.  I should have just said yes and thank you.  

Up next: an elephant shirt for Burl.  After he woke up from his nap, I put it on him and took him to the mirror.  Here's the other test: ask children what I made.  I asked Burl, "what's on your shirt?" and he gave a very excited and loud elephant sound.  Arm extended out for the trunk and a big sound.  Burl recognized it.  Winning.

He obviously thought the whole thing was pretty awesome.  Well, anytime he gets to make noises and be silly in front of the mirror is pretty awesome for him.  

Last but not least, Fern got a new little outfit.  This is actually one of Burl's old onesies that I found for her.  I cut out a little owl scene from some cute fabric scraps that I had and made her an embellished sleeper.  We call this one the jailbird sleeper.  My mom just calls it pitiful that "the wittle gurl has to wear da big brover clothes.  Oh, that's pitiful."  Word-for-word quote.  She doesn't have to wear it, really.  She has plenty of other ones.  But, now that I embellished it, it's definitely in her rotation.

There it is.  A few iron on projects from my crazy crafternoon.  Iron-on stuff (not the technical word, just what I call it) is one of my favorite things to craft with.  It's cheap, easy, and it helps me make the things I buy from the store just a little bit more whimsical.  And we all know that we could use a bit more whimsy in this world.

This Week's Menu

Every Sunday I try to post my menu for the week.  This is how I do our food: I write a menu, I make a list, and I try to stick with it.  Sometimes my menu might change depending on what may or may not be on sale and in stock when I get to the store.  It's not rocket science, but I like to pretend it is.  

Last week I posted about my big switch from buying my groceries at Walmart and other places to buying everything at Publix.  My friend Juli said that I would still make the walk of shame back to Walmart every so often.  She was right.  In preparation for Burl's little party, I got most things at Walmart this week.  It was not pretty.  Back to Publix I go.  

Here's what I'm making this week:

5 bean chili

Lasagna, salad, fresh bread

Salad with rotisserie chicken, fresh bread

Dinner out for Burl's burfday

Burl Is About To Turn 2

Burl is about to turn two years old on Monday and I'm very excited.  I thought that I would be sad about him becoming older.  I'm not.  I'm so happy about him and all the new things that he does.  He is at such a fun age, and I think that I say that all the time.

From what I've been told, it gets better and better with each stage and I'm choosing to believe them because so far I agree with them.  I once read an article where a gal with young kids like mine said that she asked her father-in-law which was his favorite stage of his children.  I can't remember everything that he told her, but basically he went through each stage and talked about the joys of each...babies are cute and precious and fun; kids are cool and eager to do stuff; teenagers are growing and becoming their own person; then they're adults and it's so cool to watch them be adults and become parents (even though I won't pressure my kids to be parents if they don't want to, but being a grandparent seems pretty cool).  


With much excitement, Burl carries his party invitations to the mailbox.

That father-in-law from the article never picked a stage.  He enjoyed each one for what they were. I hope that's me.  I'm only at year 2, so I'm don't have a ton of experience with my children growing older.  From what I can tell, everyday is great!  That's what I like.  Excitement and joy over everyday with my children.    


I compare the picture above of Burl at 4 months to the picture below of Burl this week, and I just smile.  My how he's grown.  How he's grown into this fun little guy who is eager to help me cook, who peals the carrots and sneaks a bite.

This 2 business, I like it.  Monday we're going to celebrate all day.   Balloons, fun activities, special food, and a lot of smiling.  I'm excited!  I'm not in a rush for him to grow older, I'm just enjoying the ride while it lasts.

Perfect And Beautiful Have A Conversation

I like pretty things, and someone once said that "mama can't have pretty things."  They were wrong.  This mama has pretty things and loves pretty things.  But, I'm learning that this mama can't have sacred things.  I know that my walls will get drawn on, furniture will break, stains will happen, and the dishes might never get done.  It's never going to be perfect.  Especially when it comes to decorating.  Instead of perfect, I make due with what I have:

I paint chairs that I get for free.  Even when Fern wakes up early and I'm so close to finishing the first coat.  Perfect would say "buy something that is exactly what you want." Beautiful says, "no thanks.  These chairs will look great painted white."

Perfect says, "buy that desk and filing system from Pottery Barn.  They're very expensive, but worth it." Beautiful says, "Don't waste the money on something that can be easily damaged by toddlers.  Make the one like you saw at your friend's house.  It will cost less than $30."

Perfect says, "hire a decorator to pick something out that is perfect for Fern's room." Beautiful says, "but that's not fun!  Make something for her walls-like something from pallets!"

Perfect says, "wait for the perfect shelves that are the perfect height and looks so pretty." Beautiful says, "go ahead.  Let John saw down the ones already here.  They'll work well and don't cost a thing!"

Perfect says, "a china cabinet is the proper storage for china and dishes." Beautiful says, "oh no you didn't, perfect!  A massive TV cabinet will do the job just fine!"

Perfect says, "Floral arrangements are worth the money, even if they last for only a week." Beautiful says, "Girl, just take some scissors to those bushes outside and stuff 'em in a pretty container."

When I have elements that aren't expensive and easy to do/make/create, then it takes the pressure off of myself to strive for perfect.  Taking simple things and letting them "make due" frees me up from worrying about the state of things.  If things don't start perfectly, then I don't have to keep them perfect and I get to enjoy my life and not worry.  That is a beautiful thing.