Rainbow Rice

We are at our wits end- we are tired of winter here.  It isn't too cold and there isn't any snow but it is still too cold to spend all day every day outside.  Which is what I would do if I had my choice.  Not because I'm an outdoorsy person- because let's face it- I'm not.  I guess it depends on your definition.  I like the outdoors but I would never be able to survive if I was left in the wilderness alone- even if they did give me a knife.  Though I did spend a whole summer outside selling cherries from a truck- I got the best tan EVER- I have never looked so good.  (I do not condone tanning and if you saw the state of my almost translucent legs you would know that was true)    I just like the sun on my face, I like the fresh air, I like walking or biking places instead of driving, I like the TV to be off and the breeze blowing in my face (not the lethbridge breeze mind you),  I like smelling like the fresh outdoors, I like being active and most of all I like to see my kids being active.
Life is better when we can be outside.  That being said- I hate the cold and I won't hang out outside if it is cold.  So we have been coming up with fun things to do inside and taking advantage of the warmer weather when we can.  Sometimes it is a true test of my imagination and lets face it- the imagination of pinterest.

We recently found an activity that has captured the attention of my children like nothing else does these days.  I like to call it Rainbow Rice- or miracle rice.  They will play with this stuff nicely for an hour- after that it gets a little crazy and rice ends up everywhere.  But an hour of attention keeping fun play time- that is a miracle.  I am a firm believer in rainbow rice.  Super easy to make and super results!

Just take a couple of cups of rice (no need to be exact) a few drops of food coloring and a tablespoon or two of rubbing alcohol- mix it around in a bag and shake it up.  Lay it out on a cookie sheet with some waxed paper underneath- put your stove on the lowest setting pop it in until it is completely dry (don't forget about it and go out for a girl's night like I did...  Though nothing bad happened...  Justin ended up turning the oven off) and play with it.  A warning though- your house will smell like rubbing alcohol- just open the windows....

 Ruby and Myers mixing up the colors.

 All the colors waiting to be dried....

 And the end result.  We just layed out a blanket and when we were done we just gathered up the blanket and dumped it back in the container.  There were some rice casualties and I am still finding rice everywhere but- it is pretty minimal.

And they loved it so a little leftover rice is fine by me...

My Loves 2012

Well, it is Valentines day- 9 years ago today Justin proposed!
I am not a major Valentine's Day girl.  I just am so run down after the Christmas and New Years holidays that I don't even feel like I have caught my breath and Valentine's Day is upon us.
Ruby and I did take time to make a heart garland and a few glittered hearts to celebrate.
I thought it would be appropriate today to share with you my list of things that I am loving right now.
Since it is the day of love after all.
I love Martha Stewart glitter- seriously is there any other glitter that is as beautiful?  I think not.  Ruby and I love it.  Myers is banned from glitter until a later date- he likes to eat it and get it in his eyes.  We only use glitter when he is having a nap...  But lets face it, I am always looking for an excuse to use glitter...

I love my plate wall.  Yes it may be a little old ladyish but I still love it.  I am always looking for great plates to add to it.  It is going to be epic and beautiful!

I am loving creating and learning right now.  My new sewing books that I got for Christmas are among the many things that I love.  I can't wait until I make the time to actually sew for myself.  I have so many things swirling around in my head....

I am seriously obsessed with the new mad hatter line from Shabby Apple.
This dress takes my Valentine's Day breath away.

I also really love this.  There are no words.  I found it via Pinterest.  I also really love pinterest.  I am going to make something like it soon.

I love hard work, exercise, and a clean house.  I just wish I was better at all of them.

I love green smoothies and healthy eating.  I love home cooked meals.

I love talking to my mom on the phone and getting caught up on all the goings on.

I love how Noni loves his papas.  Both of them.  He just really loves them.  It might have something to do with the wrestling but he definitely has a special place in his heart for his papas.

I love mail and packages.

I love memories, and reminiscing about the good times.  I just wish my memory was better.

I always love getting random texts or messages from my sisters.  It makes me feel loved and missed.

Ohio.  I am loving Ohio.  It has lots to offer and great friends.  Justin loves his job- and that is always great.  It has taken some time but I do love it here.

I love the promise of spring on the horizon.  I love spring.  I love sun and warm weather.

I love thrift stores- especially out east.  There is always some sort of wonderful treasure to find....

I love Ruby's desire and knack for learning.  She amazes me every day.  Right now she is working on reading- she has a few books she can read and we are working with her.  I love to teach her and to know that the things that she knows I have taught her.  I love to hear her in primary answering questions.  That is where I truly get to see what her little brain absorbs at home and what she learns even when I don't think she is learning anything.  I am always amazed.

I love all that Noni is.  He is a little bit of a DESTRUCTO- at least that is what we call him.  He can be a little bit crazy- ok A LOT.  And he gets into everything.  But he is so sweet and wonderful.  He never likes to see anyone sad or upset and if you are he will be the first there to hug you and kiss you.  Though, lets face it, he is the one who causes the tears about 75 percent of the time- (at least for Ruby) but he is there to make her feel better after.

I love Justin.  He is wonderful and my most favorite person.  I love seeing him come home after work.  My heart and spirit lifts when I hear the garage door.  And not just because I am about to go crazy from all that being a stay at home mom entails, but because I like him.  He is fun to spend time with and he makes me laugh.  Every day.

I love family.  And I love you all.  Thank you for being part of my life- for the comments and the messages and the letters and the love.  I guess that is what Valentine's Day is for me- a time to really pay attention to the love that I receive and give throughout the year.

Falling asleep on the job

Sundays are hard days for us.  Justin has to be at church 2 hours early for meetings and has to stay for about 2 hours after so that leaves the kids and I to get ready and come home and get lunch- that is enough to make any day hard....  But Myers also ends up missing his nap.  It is always a toss up trying to decide if I should get him to sleep or just stay up until bed time.  If I get him to nap too late then he won't go to bed at night but if I don't put him down for a nap normally he takes matters into his own hands and he ends up like this.

Sleeping on the job.  It always amazes me when he falls asleep like this.  Isn't he just so cute?

Impromptu Candlemas of 2012

Candlemas-  I love Candlemas.

This year we happened to be in Alberta around the time that Candlemas should be taking place.  So we thought- why not?  And we had ourselves a small celebration of the holiday that has grown to mean so much to us.  It wasn't our usual 'cram 500 people into a house that holds 10' party but it was enjoyable all the same.

We made 7 pounds worth of crepes and ate every last one.  They were delicious.  

My personal favorite is banana, chocolate pudding and whipped cream.

Delicious.

The kids loved Candlemas too!

I mean really?  Who doesn't?

There I am, eating my signature crepe...

And  close up- you don't want to get too close- it can get ugly...

Can't leave out the founder of Candlemas!!  There he is in all his glory...  Along with a couple of newbies!

And of course- the Candlemas talent show.  I wrote a little ditty myself- as I tend to do.  It turned out ok- we could have used a little bit of practice and some cameras and phones that had sufficient memory and battery.  I don't know if the full rendition got recorded or not.

But just for your enjoyment, and so I won't forget it- here it is.

It is sung to the tune of Bruno Mars' song- Just the way you are.

Oh, her size, her size, make the plates look like they're not shining

Her pears, her pears, fall perfectly without her trying

Its so beautiful, and I'd eat it every day

Yeah, I know, I know, when I compliment her she won't believe me

And it's so, it's so, sad to think that she don't see what I see

But every time she asks me do I taste ok, I say

When I see you crepe, there's not a thing that I would change

Cause you're amazing, just the way you are

And when you pile, the whole room stops and stares for a while

Holy crepe  you're amazing, just the way you are(yeah)

It’s crisp, It’s crisp, I would eat it all day if she let me

This half, this half, she tastes so heavenly

It's so beautiful, and I eat her every day

Oh, you know, you know, you know, I'd never ask you to change

If perfect's what you're searching for then just stay the same

So, don't even bother asking if you taste ok

You know I'll say

When I see you crepe, there's not a thing that I would change

Cause you're amazing, just the way you are

And when you pile, the whole world stops and stares for a while

Holy crepe you're amazing, just the way you are

I should have been a song writer- I know... You should see my other Candlemas renditions. It is probably one of my least known passions....
You can see one of them here, and here. Sadly I don't have a video of the time we did Wicked the Candlemas Musical- but take my word for it- it was LEGENDARY!