Category Archives: Uncategorized

Color-full

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We gather lots of broken crayons around here.

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And they get stored in these extra large ice cream containers. When it gets about half full, I turn to ways to upcycle them.

Watching & waiting
More waiting

The hubby is pretty good at discovering bargains on ebay and found this Crayola Melt & Mold Factory at a decent price. It comes with a couple mold styles and looked like it would be a good way to occupy school-agers this summer.

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Here is where I insert the facts. If you have only a few broken crayons, this is the way to go because this is how many (I’m being Very generous) you can melt in one sitting. And in one sitting I mean 45 minutes from beginning to end. I wasn’t very impressed with the results as there were air gaps in the molds in the end so you ended up with half-baked crayons. Not very sturdy for those with a firm grip.

Time to move on obviously.

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My tried and true method that I have had a lot of success with are these little silicone bakers. They are great for practicing color sorting or color mixing that All ages greatly enjoy. I’m sure you can find many shapes in silicone bakeware or candy molds, but I just use the ones I already have.

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My round crayons give new shape, color, and variety to the crayon bin.

Did I mention they are stackable? Quite the item to take outdoors as well. It’s pretty hard to lose these bright round disks, and even harder for them to get choked on. They make great paper weights when the wind is blowing (so you can never have too many).I have a few other ideas I’m planning with these gems for the future. I’ll have to let you know how they work out.

Hope this “Free Tip Friday” brightens the start to your weekend!

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Ta-Da!

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We’ve had a heatwave.

Plain and simple, the vegies I usually plant for a later harvest have struggled.

So to compensate, I dug through my stash of old sheets and between the hubby and I, came up with an idea that just might do the trick.

I present the Cucumbers of July 16, 2018 complete with sunburn and impending death.Cucs shaded9.jpg

What our young cucs needed was some relief in the form of shade. So I looked into the mesh shade cloth that you see at greenhouses and larger gardens.

It’s very nice, but I want to save a few pennies. That’s the whole point of gardening right?! Grow your own vegies to save on the grocery bill? And of course there’s the flavor 😉

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So here’s what we came up with. Two giant ‘sails’. Really just a curtain with rod pockets at top and bottom. Some old pipe came in handy to attach it to our raised bed. And when storm clouds rise or the weather turns fair, we gather it in the middle and tie it up until danger of getting ripped passes.

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Taken just 1 week after assembling this shade curtain. And I will admit to having some nice rainfall to help the situation. Just a good all around combination.

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And here’s the mandatory garden view.

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Adding this post to my new page, “Free Tip Friday”. New content on the way!

 

 

A to Z News/Sunday Sampler

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Each year since 2014, I’ve participated in the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge. It’s a blogging extravaganza in which you blog every day except on Sundays. There is no big prize involved. You are only required to enter a blog post for each letter of the alphabet and to visit at least 5 other bloggers each day and let them know you were there. It’s a wonderful way to meet tons of new people, and keep in touch with old acquaintances. I have read some wonderful writing, learned new things, and, hopefully, given inspiration to others by completing this challenge for the last 4 years. I encourage you to visit this link right here to see for yourself what all the hoopla is about.

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This is not the time for the big “Reveal” of my own personal theme. That comes on March 19. But you are welcome to visit the tabs at the top of this page to read some of my past ones. I would love to know if you are thinking about participating.

Sign up list goes up March 5. Whatever you can contribute in the realm of an A to Z theme, feel free! There are categories for everyone. Hope to see you there!!

Corner To Corner/WPC

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Corner

From the 2017 Missouri State Fair quilt exhibit.

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Because of the lighting (or lack thereof) and shadows this isn’t the best shot. It is, however, a huge inspiration to us quilters who try to use up all our fabric stash in one fell swoop. The Corner to Corner division in this quilt is what makes it different and loveable. The hand quilting is what got it a ribbon. Personally I think the creator deserved a blue one.

For other entries in the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge, Click here.

1892 Residence/ThursdayDoors

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This Thursday Door is not currently on any historical registry, but listed on a ‘Walking Tour’ guide of Lawrence, Kansas. This is the home of Joseph McConnell, built in 1892. A really lovely home to pass by! (I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned I’m a bit partial to yellow homes.)

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Described as a 2.5-story domestic building in the Eclectic style. Frame Style with wet-laid stone  foundation. Siding is original clapboard. (This means No Vinyl Siding!!) Its cross gable roof is covered with asphalt shingles.

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The old post and the brick-lined street are just another endearing part of the historical era that Lawrence has made efforts to keep. A great example for other cities to follow. Hint, Hint, Sedalia, Missouri.

 

 

Jack & Jill(and Ben)/WPC

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Evanescent

means lasting or staying only a short time

A real treat to these boys is getting to roll down the hill. These moments make a heart full.

Sharing with you this week a fleeting moment in the life of a childcare provider.

Evanescent

 

Jake/Weekly Photo Challenge

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Heritage

This week for my entry, I’d like to share a piece of our heart. Jake gets to stay at home starting next week with his mother and soon-expected sibling. We have grown pretty attached to this little guy but we know he will still stop in to visit now and then.

I’d like to think I’ve shared a little bluegrass music heritage with him in his first year and a half.

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And now, dear daughters, you know why I collect banjos 😉

For other great Weekly WordPress Photo Challenge entries, click here.

Southern Belle/#AtoZChallenge

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During the month of April, I’m participating in the Blogging From A to Z Challenge for my 4th year in a row – 3 of which are on this blog. Each day, except Sundays, there will be a post for the letter of the day as well as keeping with my personal theme of Quilts and Quotes. Feel free to leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you! Also check out the other A to Z’ers in the comment section of the Official A to Z Blog Page.

Davy Crockett has become a favorite in the hearts and minds of two of my daycare brothers. At least the song. You see, their dad has used it as a ‘lullaby’ for them to settle in with at bedtime. And when they come to my home for daycare, they are singing it to the infants whenever they are crying. My family thinks it’s the sweetest thing ever. So I’ve recorded it for your listening pleasure.

The only connection here with “Southern Belle” quilt block is the fact that Davy Crockett was born in Tennessee, a Southern state. So with that connection, we’re going with it.

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And yet another single, 6-inch block for the upcoming quilt top. Sometimes, I have to wonder about the name choices for these blocks and the ‘why’. I have not a clue what was going through their minds to give it this name. But it will be a pretty addition and I will now always think of Benson and Hudson and Davy Crockett when I see this block.

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They have that Southern Charm, believe me!

Join me again next week for more of the April A to Z Blog Challenge 2017!

The Parking Lot View/Thursday Doors

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Thursday Doors this week is a bit different for me.

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We’re taking in the nighttime appeal of Lawrence, Kansas. Here is the very well-loved ‘Mass’ Street with it’s festive look for the holidays.

But now let’s take a look at the other doors you may have missed if you normally park along the store fronts.

The Blackbird

We parked in a back lot and were able to find these hidden gems.

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I’d like to return during the day to browse here.

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And maybe here too. KC Royals attire is an absolute Midwest must!

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Not sure which store this belongs to,  but they seem patriotic.

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And this one I’m pretty sure is a ‘No’.

So just for the record, Lawrence, you have some attention-getting doors. Can’t wait for warmer weather to peruse some more.

Check out Norm 2.0 for other Thursday Door blog entries. Just find the blue frog link at the bottom.

When I Walk Past Here

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MFA1 (2)

The below announcements can be heard on radios here in the Mid West.

3/16/17

Good morning. A weaker Dollar has boosted commodity prices in general and grains/soybeans in particular during the overnight hours. The weaker Dollar has been a “buy the rumor/sell the fact” type of reaction to the Fed’s decision yesterday afternoon to raise short term interest rates by ¼ %. Weather focus is beginning to shift from the southern hemisphere to U.S. forecasts. Dry conditions across much of the winter wheat belt will persist into early April while a wetter pattern is forecast to set up across the Midwest over the next two weeks . The northern Midwest will turn colder than normal during this period. The deep south will be dry enough the next two weeks to allow timely corn planting there. Export sales for the week ended March 9 were as follows (million bu.):

2016/17                                                   2017/18

Corn 49.4 8.6
Soybeans 17.3 8.3
Wheat 9.7 2.7

 

While walking past this elevator on the Katy Trail, occasionally my thoughts turn to this.

 

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Tree lined March 4, 2017

I shared this sneek-peek recently. Now for some closer looks.

Doors at the top.
Blocked in doors

Pointing out some ‘door’ detail.

Close and closer looks at the lighted door at the bottom. We are only seeing one side here as it was getting late and we needed to head home. The Katy Trail Park closes at sunset.

I hope you enjoyed our evening stroll.

Check out Norm 2.0 for other Thursday Door blog entries. Just find the blue frog link at the bottom.