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20 Classic Summer Dessert Recipes

Summer is nearly here, and with it, tons of outdoor parties and requests to bring "a dish to pass". If you are outside of Minnesota, that means pot luck. Now, everyone will be going to Pinterest looking for the newest and cutest idea....but not you, oh no. You're going to click on one of these links, make one of these nostalgic gems, and grab all the attention because people are going to straight up go, "Oh man! I remember these from when I was a kid!" and gobble everything all up. Then there … [Read more...]

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St. Patrick’s Day Libations

The idea of green beer has never really been that appealing to me but the festive fun surrounding St. Patrick’s Day is something I look forward to each year.   So the ScrapPop Popstars have compiled a few fun ideas to help everyone feel a wee bit Irish this St. Patrick’s Day! The Sparkling Shamrock Cocktail I like this recipe from Happy Healthy and Motivated is refreshing, fun and takes less than 5 minutes to make.  And who doesn't love a creative use of a garnish? Mike's March … [Read more...]

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A Tale of Two Elephants-a pattern review with bonus cocktail recipe (yeah, it was that kind of project)

So, here's my review for this month. I decided to make elephants for my little carnies as part of their Valentine's Day gift. I had no idea what I was doing... I chose the DIY Fluffies Love Elephant pattern. My pattern was delivered, and I printed it out, looked it over quick, and didn't think much of it...then I sat down to make these guys and read that the seam allowances WERE NOT included in the pattern. No problem, I thought. I'll just trace 1/4" around all the pieces. Ah? Nope. I was … [Read more...]

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From Clutter and Chaos to Lego Center Sanity!

If you are a parent, you have stepped on a Lego or cursed the piles of random pieces throughout your home at some point. Well, I decided I couldn't live one more minute with Legos all over my house! After my husband and I discussed a very vague plan, we packed the kids in the car and we were off to Ikea!  We were the last ones to drop off our three kids to the lovely staff at the ever so popular Kiddieland  before the wait time began. Phew, that was a close one.   Knowing we had limited … [Read more...]

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The Banyan Tunic-a pattern review

Well Hello. I am so excited about this pattern! It's the Banyan Top & Tunic from Figgy's Patterns available at Go To Patterns.com (affiliate link) Here is the cover shot for the pattern. As you can see, it comes with a "boys" and a "girls" option, and tunic or tee length for the girls.  Georgia already has a top like this from Old Navy or Target or something, and I love it on her, but it's a little too short to wear with leggings, and I was already trying to work out how to hack a … [Read more...]

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Post Holiday Blues

It is that time of year where I am torn between getting excited about the year ahead and fighting to get motivated through the gray winter of Chicago.   As I see the family calendar slowly filling up...even the summer months I can’t yet even identify with, I think I am stuck in what I can best describe as the post holiday blues. December packs a one-two punch in our home with 4 birthdays and the Christmas Holidays. And just like that --- it’s over. I believe a big factor contributing to my … [Read more...]

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Another Pattern Review, and a lesson learned.

Time for another pattern review! So this time I tried sewing for me. It's the Luna Top by Liola Patterns from Go To Patterns. This is what it's supposed to look like: Cute right? I mean, if you're familiar with Y seams, this thing is a breeze, and very slimming with the darts and such....but if you should happen to disregard that old idea that you should prewash your fabric, then perhaps your garment will shrink, like a lot. Add to that the midwestern phenomenon that is "Winter Weight" … [Read more...]

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R.I.P Olaf — A Christmas Break Kid Craft

No, this isn't an anti-Frozen post, but who doesn't love to build a snowman.  The challenge here in Chicago is we haven't really had any real snow. So, I decided we could certainly at least celebrate with melted snowmen! I saw this clever idea for a melted snowman ornament on Pinterest and of course had to give it a try first at home and then as a room parent at school. It's quick and easy with very little clean-up! Do you want to build a snowman, a melted snowman that … [Read more...]

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December Birthday Fun!

Kids December birthdays are hard! First, let's hope I don't forget it.  And second, it's hard to make it special with all the hoopla going around for Christmas. Earlier this week, my first born son turned 9!!! How is that even possible!?! In order to try and make it special, we created a couple family birthday traditions: 1. He always gets a special message from our elf on the shelf, Buddy. This year Buddy took full advantage of a banner to share his birthday sentiments and hung it right … [Read more...]

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Dress up those “Gift Cards”…

It is the most wonderful time of the year…for everyone but the people who make it happen! That’s right, I am talking about the pack mules, the photographers, the cooks, the cleaners, the Christmas spirit bringers…the MOMS (and some dads…just not in my house) And with all the trimmings and the trappings and the gifting and the gabbing, comes teacher gifts. You know, the people who give my children some knowledge and me the most glorious 6.25 hours a day alone, 180 days a year. With five … [Read more...]