Helpful family travel packing lists at Familyfun.com

This website is a great resource for the summer planning and activities. They have packing list for almost every activity. See the links below. I was looking for a What to pack for the beach (lake or reservoir) list. I found a good one at familyfun.com. I enjoy lists and the more lists the better. So I have included a general family packing list for you. I also take my lists with me in a labeled manila folder. I use the list to help me re-pack for the trip back home. It's also for my husband because he can't read my mind nor do I want to tell him what to look for. We can work off the same list. Happy Summer again everyone.

Check out the link here for a Beach Packing Checklist - and More Great Family Fun Travel Ideas at the Familyfun.com site.

Here's another list for a beach trip: Family Packing Travel List

A general family packing list: General Family Packing list

Front room window treatment

A simple and elegant front room window treatment from a Utah home show. I am attracted to the simple yet elegant style. It isn't stuffy (or stiff like some front room window treatments) but it has a sense of sophistication to it. I like how they tied the valance pattern into the trim at the bottom. It is defiantly customized work. It's so "not off the rack" and you can tell that.

A close up of the valance pleats.

Our garden progress in late May!

It's growin'!

Here's our garden-standing at one fence looking at the other side. I will update this shot as the summer rolls along. I know I will already be one busy canning and preserving momma this year. I hope my new $89.00 Costco orthodic shoe inserts will serve me well as I stand at the water bath canner in late August and September. (Oh and those orthotics were a great deal! My Dr. told me I needed them-Yes, I feel old talking about shoe orthotics)
We ate a small yellow crookneck squash in Utah on May 31st! Here's our plant. That is really early for Utah and it's exciting (thanks to God because there wasn't a late frost this year). I am happy we grew a lot of plants inside this year. It is worth it. We can eat healthier sooner. I am so proud of my little farmer husband. The zucchini is not far behind.

Here's our exotic melons growing inside a wall of water--Lookin' great! We are selling some of our exotic melons at the local farmer's market this year. I hope they will be a hit-We will be passing out samples in hopes of selling them ALL! If you are interested send me an e-mail!

L to R- Beets, carrots, two rows of peas, and onions in the distance. Lookin' good. We do wide rows so they are easier to weed and till in between.

Are you thinking? Good for you but I don't have room for a large garden. Well, NO problem go ahead start small with a potted tomato plant. Get on over to your local nursery and buy a tomato plant, soil, and a pot. Don't forget to put it in full sun, water when the soil is dry, and enjoy YUMMY fresh red tomatoes off the vine soon.
Happy Gardening everyone.

Mothering Poem & My summer blog posts plans.

HOW TO REALLY LOVE A CHILD
Author: Unknown

Be there.
Say yes as often as possible.
Let them bang on pots.
If they're crabby, put them in water.
If they're unlovable, love yourself.
Realize how important it is to be a child.
Go to a movie theater in your pajamas.
Read books out loud with joy.
Invent pleasures together.
Remember how small they are.
Giggle a lot.
Surprise them!
Say no when necessary.
Teach feelings.
Heal your own inner child.
Learn about parenting.
Hug trees together.
Make loving safe.
Bake a cake and eat it with your hands.
Go find elephants and kiss them.
Plan to build a rocket ship.
Imagine magic.
Make lots of forts with blankets.
Let your angel fly.
Reveal your dreams.
Search out the positive.
Keep the gleam in your eye.
Mail letters to God.
Encourage silly!
Plant licorice in your garden!
Open up.
Stop yelling.
Express your love a lot.
Speak kindly.
Paint their tennis shoes.
Handle with care!
CHILDREN ARE MIRACULOUS!

This poem reminds me of the Mommy I want to be this summer...a fun, active, involved, and creative mom. As you know, school is out we are now all in full mothering mode! I hope to keep up my blog posting but we'll see how it goes. My cute kids come first and I need to BE THERE and I NEED sleep too so I can refreshed and ready to tackle the next day. I know you understand and we all are in the same boat.

So, you all are officially invited to follow my blog (see how on the left hand column) for the summertime. You won't want to miss my quality (not quantity) posts!

My summer motto is "We remember moments, not days".

Public library summer reading programs starting in June!

**Don't forget to check your local libraries for summer reading programs this month**

Here's information for the Weber County, Utah Libraries

Quoted from their website: "Registration Begins Monday, June 1st for Go Green! 2009 Children's Summer Reading Program Register starting today for the 2009 Children's Summer Reading Program, at all library locations. The fun will run through June and July. Children aged 3 through 12 will most enjoy this FREE program. Read at home (or be read to) for three or more hours, and earn a prize! Come to fun, educational activities every other week, beginning June 8. For more information, please call 337-2639."

Weber County Library page

My daughter is graduating from Kindergarten!

My first born daughter graduates from Kindergarten TODAY (that is picture from the Internet and not her). I wanted to share some things we are planning to do at home in her honor this weekend. The school isn't doing anything formal for the parents. Bummer!

Here are a few songs we will play in her honor.

Kindergarten Graduation Songs
ABC
This Little Light of Mine
I Believe I Can Fly
What a Wonderful World
A darling cap & tassle cupcake idea from No Fuss Fabulous!

Quoted from the site: "Graduation caps never looked so good! These A+ chocolate desserts are easier than flunking Calculus. Just buy a package of Reeses peanut butter cups and Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Squares. Flip the Reeses over, place the Chocolate square on top, and pipe on a string of yellow frosting for the tassel. To make them extremely fuss-free, we used premade yellow frosting from the baking aisle. Serve them alone with a napkin or as a cupcake topper, either way you will definitely earn a diploma in fabulousness from all your friends. Congratulations - Hats off to you!"

Here's a simple paper graduation hat craft.

Happy Graduation to all the grads from preschool up to college!

Summertime car tip-save money too!

Save $ on stopping for convenient store drinks this summer! Keep a small drink cooler in the back of your car filled with drinks and ice. There's nothing like a cold Capri Sun for the kids and a cold Diet Coke for mom after a trip to the park or to see a friend.

Saving energy, patting myself on the back, and dry jeans.

As a fellow American, I want to try a little bit harder to live a "greener" life (little by little). So today I dried our jeans out on the deck. Then I patted myself on the back for the effort to save energy. I live a pretty simple life with a lot of the "usual" daily mommy task and obligations (don't we all). I try to break the monotony of the daily grind by mixing up life and I have saved some energy!

You got to start somewhere, right?

Think of something you can do today to save energy then pat yourself on the back and enjoy.

How to get along with your Mother-in-law...

Val Baldwin a relationship expert on a TV show called Good Things Utah in Salt Lake City. I found an article on the TV station's website, http://www.abc4.com/ that caught my eye. She gives some great advice on how to get along with your mother in law. You need to read it. It is a short article and I think makes some great points for both sides. I wanted to share this with you in case you need some ideas on communication. Good Luck-Check out the link here:

Val Baldwin: How to Get Along with Your Mother-in-Law - ABC 4.com - Salt Lake City, Utah News

Organizing the garage-Memorial Day weekend!

This Memorial Day weekend we are going to clean the garage. It needs help bad! The garden is almost all planted and now we have time to clean the garage. Here's some simple easy garage organizing tips from last year I want to share with you today.

Our mountain bikes hang from the ceiling on a pulley system. We purchased them at Target last year. It was worth the money to have them up off the floor all winter. Watch their ads they might have a sale again soon.



We use a wall mounted shoe rack at the bottom of our garage stairs. We don't wear shoes in the house so we keep ALL of them in the garage.

A recycling area- White tall trash can for crushed soda cans, the blue trash can is for trash, and a box for newspaper recycling. This is not rocket science but it's worked for us.

Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone. My weekend will be filled with patriotism, grave visiting, family togetherness, cook-outs, eating yummy foods, home projects, and a family garage cleaning party!!

Memorial Day weekend-Honey to do list idea!

If you are itching to paint an accent wall in your home this weekend? Then head on over to Home Depot for their Memorial Day Behr paint promotion. They have a online paint rebate found HERE. It is good from May 21-25, 2009. You can get $5 off a one-gallon bucket of paint or $20 off a 5-gallon bucket of paint! I haven't seen this type of coupon before so it's a great deal. Have fun!

Thanks to Utah Deal Diva!

Growing lettuce indoors

A before shot from March 2009 It WORKED! We grew tasty lettuce and spinach indoors under grow lights!

It was tender and good. I like the spinach better but both tasted great. Be inspired grow something indoors this winter and eat it. YUM!

Tip for the day using peanut butter!

Sorry this is a gross picture. It's my daughter who found gum and got it in her hair! Yuck I know. But the THE TIP OF THE DAY is peanut butter got all the gum out of her hair with-NO CUTTING! Rub on and pull in in a downward motion to the ends and eventually it all came out. I had to share so you could keep this in the back of your mind for when your time comes. :0)

Organizing the pantry

Organizing is a constant effort for me because I have little "un-doers" and a husband working behind me most of the time. I was working on my pantry this past week. Here's some quick tips in case you are feeling the urge.

**TIP** Use labels because your family can't read your mind! I suggest doing a little pantry organization orientation with the family after all the work is done. Then cross your fingers that things are put in the right spots.

I alphabetized the spice envelopes from front to back in a plastic container. Know I know what I got and I won't over buy in the future!



All my birthday supplies such as candles, frostings, sprinkles, cupcake liners, frosting tips, and cake decos are all in one box and easily accessible.

Then I stacked the less used items on the bottom with the lid on and the spice envelopes on the top. Very nice.

Passionate Blogger Award!

Norah from Norah's Menus and Recipes gave me this award. I like Norah's blog because she uses fresh ingredients for the everyday family. You should check it out. Thank you Norah for following my blog and for giving me this passionate blogger award!

The Rules:

1. Put the logo on your blog.

2. Write five things you are passionate about apart from blogging.

3. Tag 5 people on your lists and let them know you tagged them.

5 things I am passionate about:

1. Family unity- I love being with my three kids and my sweetheart. I enjoy playing and working together.

2. Creating things from scratch when I have time- Home design and decor projects, new foods, parties, digital scrapbooking, and an occasional craft.

3. Volunteering- I feel very strong about this.

4. My faith life and belief system

5. Saving money by bargain shopping, couponing, gardening, and garage sale-ing.

I am tagging only 4 passionate bloggers this time:

Megan at Focusing on The Bible, Family, and the Great Deals

Heidi at the Nelson Family

Vicki my friend at a family private blog

Joy at JOYS OF HOME

JC Penny b-day pictures-A Yearly gift to my child and to me the mother!

I love getting my kids yearly b-day pictures taken at Target and/or JC Penny! I never buy the school pictures. I think they are over priced and they don't show their personality. Lifetouch is the company Target and JCPenny uses anyway.

Here's what I do for my kids annual b-day studio pictures:

I use a package pose coupon (from the newspapers or off their website). The package pose coupons range from $5.99-$8.99. You know the coupons right? You get a set amount of photos from ONE pose of your choice (photo sizes listed on the coupon) for the coupon price. I go in with the mind set of NO up selling! For example: no sepia, no black and white, no borders, and the traditional color photos are GREAT for my walls! I also have a pose in mind for my walls when I get there. I usually get an extreme close up every other year and a full body pose on the other year.

My 2 year old just got her picture taken as a ballerina with a huge tutu on-CUTE! If I do the birthday pictures this way I can go back for "school pictures", Halloween, Christmas, Easter, summer, and sister pictures for Father's day!! Then I don't break the bank and I feel good about my "deal" and have great pictures of the kids.

Do you have any photo tips to share? Please leave a comment!

A great family room!

Ah what an inviting and warm family room!

I like:

• The simple and elegant fireplace accessories. They don't take away from the stone work....actually I LOVE IT! I believe art work makes a house a home.
• Notice how they hung the window treatments. They are decorative (saves money too).
• I like the coffee table accessories and varying heights. My kids would break those but they look great!

Free samples online

I like free stuff...who doesn't? A site must be "safe" and worth my time to sign up for the free stuff. There are a lot I pass up. I am very selective on what I sign up for these days. I have ONE recommendation for you today- The Walmart wire free samples. Check it out HERE. They offer new ones every so often. Check back and see what they have to offer.

Freebies online TIPS: I use a junk email address (created for this purpose), I never use my real b-day, I use my home address of course, and I spell my last name funny. I can't make you any promises on junk mail or spam but I haven't had any problems with the Walmart wire ones. My favorite freebies from Walmart wire have been: small Huggies baby wipe samples, Nature-made vitamins, powered drink mixes, and feminine products. Good Luck.

What do you hang on big walls?

Scale is important when placing things on walls.

I was at another Utah Home show a few years back and saw this breakfast nook shelf. I like the placement in the breakfast nook. So, I took a picture to remember. Sorry lady you are on my blog.

I like:

• The warm red paint
• The window topper shape with the three decorative ties/tabs (can't see the fabric really)
• The round silver platter on the shelf
• The black painted shelf placement with the dark table and chairs

I don't like:

• The shelf decor-In my opinion the galvanized steel potted trees are fine alone but to just put three of the same up there in that arrangement lacks interest.

Solution- Keep one galvanized steel potted tree and find two other similar but a little different shaped pot and some greenery in varying heights. Go to Tai Pan Trading company, Michael's, JoAnn's, or even Walmart and create your own. Rearrange the grouping with the three elements described and display them on the shelf- Now the shelf will have a common element (3 galvanized steel pots with greenery), the silver platter, and an interesting grouping. Is that clear as mud?

Birthday boy card

Happy birthday to our nephew. Sorry for the blurry photo I was in a hurry to get to the b-day party. I thought this card has a sweet thought to it. Go ahead and copy this phrase and hand write it on one of your upcoming b-day cards.

A simple and thoughtful Mother's Day (or Father's Day) card idea.

This Mother's Day (Father's Day) card is from my daughter who is in preschool. A brad helps you twist the preschoolers hand to the side to show the picture of us together. The front

The back says:

Children have a certain way
of growing bigger every day,
but these little hands
and this special smile
will stay in your heart

for a long, long while.

Happy Mother's Day everyone!

City life mural anyone?? A Utah home show mural

This mural is amazing. I am not sure who painted it though. I think it would be great for a tween or a teenagers room.

I wanted to point out the window toppers. That is "do-able" but the mural Nah-HIRE IT OUT!

Be inspired use paint to create!

Instead of cupcakes....a rice crispy kitty.

My 2 year old daughter was given this rice crispy treat from her Sunday school/nursery teacher. I think it is a neat alternative to cupcakes. The possibilities of shaped rice crispy treats are endless. Just wanted to share with you today.

You don't always need mantel decor...Just a nice large painting!

Hey mix it up....Hang the over sized painting lower to the mantel ledge and put the fireplace decorations on the hearth instead. This allows the focus to be on the painting. This picture was taken at a Utah Home show a few years back. I didn't design this house.

I like:

• The slim delicate candles in a grouping of 4 for a change.
• The varying candle heights for interest. Nice!
• The plant fullness on the other side of the hearth
• The over sized painting hung lower to the mantel

Staci's easy fajitas

These fajitas are easy, tasty, and filling.

Ingredients:
Whole wheat tortillas
Fat free sour cream
Green peppers
Red peppers
Onions
Boneless skinless chicken breasts (cooked in a skillet till no longer pink)
Western Family Brand fajita spice mix in a pouch (I just follow the directions on the Western Family brand spice pouch!)

Optional: A sprinkle of cheddar cheese & salsa if desired