Forecast ... Rain

I know that we need it, and it makes everything more green and lush, but still I prefer a sunny weekend. I have plenty to keep me busy inside, and the rain will keep me there doing what I really should be doing instead of sitting out in the sun reading, going for a walk, or driving around with the windows open enjoying the warm air.

                                This is what my weekend plans include - laundry, Etsy orders and...

Taryne's Piano Recital

Hopefully beginning my Mason Jar Disaster Do-Over!

I hope you all have a great weekend and I'll be back on Monday.  Next week I'll have a bunch of photos to share, possibly a recipe, and definately the results to my Mason Jar Disaster Do-Over!!  

xo,

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Fabulous Friday Finds ...

When I was small I remember going with my Mother to visit my Great Aunt Gert. There are two things from her house which I will always remember. The first is that she had a fish tank with sea horses swimming around inside. This was very magical to me then because sea horses were supposed to live far out in the ocean, and here were some right in her livingroom! Amazing! 

 The second thing I will always remember is her set of Russian Nesting Dolls, also called Matryoshka Dolls. I'm not sure exactly what attracted me to these dolls, but I recall sitting at my aunt's kitchen table and playing with them while everyone around me talked. I would take them all out and set them up from largest to smallest, put them all inside one another again, and start over. I probably did this for hours. 

 Ever since then I have been in love Matryoshka Dolls. I'm still not sure if it's because of the fact that there are many dolls all hidden inside the largest, the beautiful colors, or the happy little faces smiling at me, (most likely all three reasons!) but I just can't get enough of them. And lucky for me these dolls have become a trend. There are tons of items out there featuring these happy little dolls. 

 So this week my chosen theme is all about Matryoshka Dolls! Just take a look at the colorful, fun things you can find with these dolls! As usual all of the items are found on Etsy, but this week each one is handmade. All the photos have a number, and a direct link to each Etsy shop is listed below the collage if you'd like to pay them a visit! 

 Enjoy :)

1}  Matryoshka Russian Nesting Doll Rattles from RegalCottage on Etsy

2}  Russian Nesting Doll Necklace from SilentRoses on Etsy

3}  5-piece Russian Doll Stacking Matryoshka from artmatryoshka on Etsy

4}  Matryoshka Mini Print from littlebeehive on Etsy

5}  Rose Matryoshka Nesting Doll Printable from FantasticToys on Etsy

6}  Matryoshka Baby Doll Peasant Dress from PalmTreePrincess on Etsy

7}  Custom Russian Doll Cookies from TheFancyLadyGourmet on Etsy

8}  Big Matryoshka Ponytail Holders from gracebows on Etsy

9}  Eco-friendly Matryoshka Baby Quilt from SewnNatural on Etsy

Do you have a favorite item from this collection?

I really love them all, and couldn't choose just one!

Happy Friday :)

xo,

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Pinterest Challenge Redo Announcement ...

A few weeks back I blogged about a Pinterest Craft Challenge I took on for tinted mason jars.  The jars in the photo for the DIY were so pretty, I decided I must have a rainbow of these jars for myself. I mean just look at them!! 

Photo source Pinterest.com

 It had all seemed so simple, but after two failed attempts my jars looked nothing like the ones pictured above :(  The paint looked too thick, streaky, and even a bit lumpy. I even made this statement at the bottom of my post "At this point I'm not sure if it was me or the DIY, but I will not be attempting this ever again.". 

{If you'd like to read the entire disastrous story click here ---> 

Tinted Mason Jar Craft Disaster Story.}

After giving up on this challenge, I angrily set my messed up jars on a windowsill where they have been since that day.  I just couldn't bring myself to throw them into the recycle bin after all the work I put into them.   

Lately though I have been having a change of heart, and whenever I walk by these jars I think to myself  that there must be a way to make this work!  So I now retract my statement about never attempting this again, and will try this ONE more time!  

I think I have come up with a different way for this project to work, but will it or won't it?

Stay tuned to find out  ... will post my FINAL results next week :)

Hope to see you back tomorrow for my weekly "Fabulous Friday Finds" blog post!

If you are new to my blog this is where I chose a theme, search Etsy for nine products which fit this theme, and then create a beautiful collage with a link to each shop featured. 

Have a great day!

xo, 

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Semi Wordless Wednesday ...

Yes it's only Tuesday, but I thought I'd get an early start on WW.
{It must be Wednesday somewhere!!}

 The photo I'm sharing today is of my son Zachary in his scout uniform, and his best friend Patrick in his military uniform, during the Atkinson Memorial Day Parade yesterday.
One day they were playing legos together, and with a blink of an eye
they grew into these incredible men.  

Childhood is only but a moment in time.  

Accept every sloppy kiss given, and each bouquet of weeds while you can :)

Happy Wordless Wednesday!!  Link up your WW photos below.  I always return the ♥!

xo,

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Memorial Day Monday

In the U.S.A. today is a national holiday ~ Memorial Day. This is a day to remember all of the fallen soldiers, who gave their lives for our country. Left behind are family and friends who mourn the loss of these brave individuals. There will be many parades and ceremonies held around the country to show our thankfulness for their sacrifice, and to remember their honor. 

 Later on this morning my family will be attending out town's Memorial Day Parade. Autumn will be marching with the Atkinson Youth Baseball and Softball group representing her softball team. Zachary will be representing his former Boy Scout troop, along with his friend Patrick who is in the ROTC. They will be leading the Pledge of Allegiance during the ceremony held after the parade. 

Later on this afternoon we will be celebrating the beginning of the summer season by enjoying the nice weather, and having a little cookout. My favorite part of a cookout, or any meal actually, is dessert. I know some of you already know this ;) So today I'd like to share a recipe for a treat I made. It is perfect for Memorial Day as it has fresh fruit, and includes the colors red, white, and blue.

 

Ingredients:

 1 small package of Pillsbury Sugar Cookie Dough

1 8oz. package of cream cheese, softened

1 large container Cool Whip

4 cups any kind of fruit

Directions:

1} Spray a mini muffin tin with non-stick spray

2}  Roll sugar cookie dough into 1-1/2" balls and place one in each cup

3}  Bake at 350 deg. for 7-10 mins, checking to make sure not to overcook

4}  As soon as you remove from oven use the back of a spoon to press and dough down which has not sunked into a little bowl shape

5}  Remove shells from pan to cool

6}  Beat softened cream cheese in a large bowl til smooth and fluffy; add entire container of Cool Whip and beat til blended smooth

7}  Place mixture in a decorator's bag, or in a ziploc bag with corner snipped off, and squeeze in to the baked shells.

8}  Decorate with fruit your choice of fruits

9}  Keep refrigerated til ready to eat; Enjoy!!



Hope you all have a lovely and peaceful day,

xo

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