Moss Monogram

A friend pinned this idea for making a moss letter monogram and I was excited to make one of my own.  I think it's perfect for those of us longing for some spring color right now! 

I started with a wood chip letter from Hobby Lobby or Michaels...I can't remember anything anymore...or you could also trace and cut out a letter from cardboard.  A diaper box is the perfect cardboard consistency!  

You need sheet moss, too.  Also found at the craft store.  

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Simply cut the sheet moss around your letter and hot glue securely into place.  

And....behold your custom spring monogram!  

Right now I have mine in our downstairs bathroom.  It adds the perfect touch of green!

I think this easy project beats the $79 Pottery Barn moss letters!

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The "Big Girl" Room

We are wrapping up some small projects around the house before this baby makes his debut.  Ellen is officially out of the crib and in a big girl bed!  (The transition actually couldn't have gone any easier....maybe because I always prepare for the worst!?)  She moved into Clare's room and is on the bottom bunk while Clare is enjoying oldest-sisterhood and reigning on the top bunk bed.  

The room used to have this built-in bench in this alcove.  It was actually at an odd height to really sit on.  It did have storage underneath, but we really never used it for anything.  So all in all, it was kind of taking up a large chunk of space in the room.  

We took it out...

...then painted, I extended the diamonds all the way to the floor, and added in baseboards.  

And here it is all finished...

We knew the room would feel more open with the (large) bunk bed tucked to the side, but underestimated just how much bigger the room would feel!       

The bed no longer blocks the window (like it did here before)... 

and there's a lot more floor space to play.

Overall, operation big-girl room has been a success!!

Heaven - by Clare

I like the hearts, peace signs, and flowers.  Looks pretty nice to me.  :)

My Mini Kitchen Update

I was never a huge fan of the hardware on our kitchen cabinets.  New countertops and a backsplash are in the eventual future, but this upgrade was inexpensive, easy, and made a difference.

The old hardware was a bit too fancy for my left-brain and the silver kind of got lost in the big picture.  I like the simplicity of the new black pulls and the way they stand out.    

Jude helped me open the 24 new pulls...and then we waited another week for the remaining 6 since I forgot to include the island cabinets in my final count...

And here's a side-by-side before and after:

blah

wow!

The forgotten island....

Big impact for a small price.  

Counters and backsplash coming sometime this century....

Happy Monday! 

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}

Linking up on our snow day (!) with Like Mother, Like Daughter.

{Pretty} Steady snow fall all day. 

{Happy}

2 - one hour segments in the snow makes for one very happy little boy!

{Funny} Jude's name written in "Spanish."  (I think it's actually his attempt at cursive...)

{Real} 8 1/2 months preggo on a snow day.  Keepin' it real!

The Things He Says

"If we had a pet crocodile boy I would name it 'Chompy.'  And if it was a girl it would be named Francesca."

"You have to be really careful when you're standing on the edge of a volcano."

"Give the lady a chance to answer!"

"She [Ellen] hit me with the apple and it hurt.  There are bones on it!"

Shredded Chicken

A friend told me she tested out this "pin" from pinterest on shredding chicken and that it worked great.  I was intrigued and had to try it myself...

(I had several cooked chicken breasts ready to make chicken packets.) 

I tossed them in my stand mixer with the beater blade on...

And this was seriously about 10 seconds later.  If that. 

Beats standing and shredding chicken with forks!  I'll definitely be doing this again!

A Valentine's Day Poem

(BY CLARE)

Happy Valentine's Day!

xoxoxoxoxo

PS - I'm making these cinnamon rolls for breakfast (from a can).  Thank you, Pinterest!  

Lent

 " Even now," declares the Lord,

"return to me with all your heart,

with fasting and weeping and mourning."

Rend your heart and not your garments.

Return to the Lord your God, 

for He is gracious and compassionate. 

slow to anger and abounding in love,

and He relents from sending calamity.

-Joel 2:12-13

Valentines Past and Present

Last year Clare and I made these glowstick valentines that she was very excited to hand out at school.  

And this year Jude is excited to be handing out these for his classmates.  

Nothing says love like glow sticks...or Star Wars!

(I'm also wondering how many souls got out of purgatory during Valentine signing...it took every moment of my patience!)

PS - You can find the template to print out your own Star Wars valentines here!  

10 on the 10th

Linking up with Rebekah tonight for 10 pictures on the 10th.  

(How is it already February 10th?!?)

Dressed for Mass

Shoe search.

Mardi Gras Sunday Donuts.

 Solo trip to Target!

 Napping in the big girl room. 

Math test tomorrow.

Lightsaber battle.

Curls before bed.  

Bedtime stories. 

Making Monday's lunches.  

7 Quick Takes

TGIF!  Joining Jen and the others on this fine Friday!

-1-  
I had to laugh when I first saw this...so true!

someecards.com

-2-  

Maybe I'm a little too excited here (wait, see picture above as to why things like this excite me...), but we did some re-arranging upstairs to make room for Baby #4 and I found this hamper at the thrift store that fits into my new plan for dirty laundry.  (We don't have a laundry chute.)  Since it's twice as big as the one I saw at Walmart, and was only $3, I was sold.  

-3-  

I think Ryan is going to gift me this pillow because he thinks it is awesome...

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-4-  

I was playing with Jude the other day and enjoying a "meal" he had "made" in our play kitchen.  He had set the table with 2 coffee mugs, one for each of us.  I took a "drink" from my cup and was told very matter of fact-ly, "It's beer because we ran out of milk."  Because that's how your pregnant mother rolls??

-5- 

And score another one for Jude: He was invited to a birthday party next week.  I asked him what he would like to give his friend for his birthday.  His gift idea is a puppy.  A real one.

-6- 

Other big news of the week is that Clare and Jude started swimming lessons!  They were both very eager to begin and I'm looking forward to Jude developing more confidence in the water and Clare improving her strokes.  I'm also looking forward to sweating out any water weight over next month since it's about 200 degrees at the indoor pool.  

-7- 

Lastly, I just have to brag and say how lucky I am to have such wonderful friends.  Some of my girlfriends recently surprised me by toasting in my honor at our mom's night out.  What a nice surprise from some wonderful ladies!  I am blessed!

Have a great weekend!