Craft Guilt

I'm going to have to admit something right here and now in Blogland that's not going to be popular and that I'm not proud of.  

I do not like children's crafts.

There it is right out there.  

I get why they're important.  But in this one year, Youngest Daughter has brought home the Eiffel Tower made out of straws, a giant tissue paper flower the size of a large lampshade, Rapunzel's entire castle, complete with a blonde braid, and a Jack who can (by pulling a cord) climb the beanstalk and visit the giant.  Those are just the few I can remember.  And the deal is . . . what to do with them!!

So, I am very pleased to say that Youngest Daughter has brought home a craft that I adore and plan to keep.  My guilt at secretly crushing the 125 plastic straws and the accompanying blue painter's tape is now assuaged.

This is a craft that works for me.  And here is why:

*  The craft has a sentimental element.  I'm pretty sure that the foam base of this little bird is cut in the shape of Youngest Daughter's hand, so I have a forever memory of the sweet and tiny size of her hand.  I do have a tender spot for any crafts memorializing tiny hands, feet, or fingerprints.  ::sigh::

*  The craft includes something natural.  I don't mind a craft that has a little bit of nature in it (hence my disdain of the plastic straws and painter's tape!).  Small stones, twigs, and shells are delightful.  I'm pretty sure that under the bright red, orange and brown, those feathers really did use to belong to a chicken somewhere.

*  The craft is useful.  Who couldn't use a clever way to keep their recipes up and out of the olive oil . . . or flour . . . or melted white chocolate.  My recipe cards and recipe books are a testimony to the fact that I've needed this craft around my kitchen for about 20 years.

So, yes, all in all a very enjoyable craft.  And it certainly comforts my heart to be able to say so.

Bookends

I came upon this little vignette on a trip through the living room . . . maybe with another load of laundry, or to let the whining dogs out the door, or to rescue a child from certain mental death-by-geometry.

And there it was, a moment you can't stage or plan but just enjoy . . .and then hope they don't see you running for the camera.

The two girls poring over the American Girl magazine.  Older daughter having left that "land" years back but still interested in who the new American Girl for this year is.  Younger Daughter just making the discoveries of Molly and Kaya and Kit and the doll you can create to look "just like you."

My bookend daughters.  One constantly introducing the other to a new stage of life, and the other keeping fresh the discoveries of past joys.

Wishing you a blessed day and maybe a fresh, joyful discovery today too!!

Flowers in Bottles

I just love these beautiful green bottles in which my very favorite salad dressing comes.

So, I was delighted when I had enough to put some large, bold Gerber daisies in.

A bit of simple twine around the neck and a few baubles and beads and it's complete.

 

Sweet and simple way to decorate a spring table.

My Yellows and Purples

While I take a bit of a blog break, I'll leave my dear yellows and purples for you to enjoy.  Mmmmmmm, I'm just eating these up . . . figuratively of course.  Happy Spring!  And I hope all those still buried under ice, sleet, and gray-ness will soon find color popping out all over!!

Just the Way Your Family Likes It

Jumbo Tin of Virginia Peanuts - $ Not Cheap

Double Bag of SunMaid Raisins - $ Pricey

Deluxe Size Jar of Salted Almonds - $ Steep

XXL Bag of Milk Chocolate M&M's - $ Expensive

Supersize Can of Cashews - $ Costly

Getting To Make Trail Mix Just the Way Your Family Likes It - $ Priceless

PINK!

If you have been up to your elbows in toilet bowl scrubbing, dust mopping, and laundry.

If you have worn yoga/sweat pants, baggy shirts, and a head band for more days than not over the past month.

If the colors in your life seem to be comfy couch taupe, soccer socks black, and macaroni and cheese yellow.

Then you really must attend a birthday tea party and reconnect yourself with all the things you love/loved about being a girl and also enjoy a healthy dose of pink (sparkles also included).

Birthday tea parties are all about:

Presents wrapped in bright colored flowers, curly ribbon, and paper that is . . . PINK!

A tea table that is frilly, elegant, adorned with roses and very . . . PINK!

Guests in floppy, self-decorated hats, swathed in . . . PINK!

A birthday girl with glowing eyes and rosy cheeks a lovely shade of . . . PINK!

Cupcakes with a mound of frosting, rolled in sprinkles, 

and topped with a rose in the perfect shade of . . . PINK!

Girls that can only take so much tea and crumpets and must

escape to the backyard, all while wearing every shade of . . . PINK!

Treats to take home for girls that were just too sugar-laden

to take it all in, along with beautiful silver demitasse spoons, one each, 

from the personal collection of the Birthday Girl's

grandmother . . . a treasure!

 

So much fun.  I remembered exactly why I love being a girl . . . frills, ruffles, rosy cheeks, friends, laughter, sweets, flowers, tulle, ribbons, boas, hats . . . and lots and lots of . . . PINK!