Cowboy Dresser

I refinished Little Brother's dresser this week! I wanted to share this project with you because it was super simple and cheap! 

My son's room is done in a Cowboy theme. Therefore, I didn't have to worry about all the fine touches of this dresser, since we were going for a rustic look.

Supplies:
Old dresser
Paint of desired color and brush
Fine and rough grained sand paper
Rough rope of desired thickness (I used 1/2 inch) of enough length to create however many handles you have on your dresser!
Drill with bit to match thickness of your rope

First, I took out the drawers, took off the old handles and drilled holes for the new rope handles.  Use the rough grained sand paper to smooth down the rough edges the drill make create around the holes.

 

 

Next, I painted the drawer fronts and the dresser. Most likely you will need two coats! After it is dry, lightly sand the edges with the fine grained paper to create a worn, rugged look.

 



Then came the tricky part. You have to cut the rope and twist it into the holes to create the handles. I just frayed the back of them because they went in so tight I did not need to put anything behind, but you may need to do so.

Finished!

Sometimes you don't have to be a Super-mom to create something new and fun for your family. I don't have much time or money for all the projects I see posted and pinned, but occasionally I can put some simple effort into something great!

Have fun!

Mommy & Me Notebook

First off, this was not my idea. I saw it on Pinterest on various sites, and was inspired to start this with both my daughter and son. We have only been doing it for about a week and it has already given me laughter, tears and precious jewels to "ponder in my heart."

The Notebook: Well, I took the easy way. I got a plain spiral notebook for each child, took a permanent marker and wrote "Mommy and Me" plus their name on the cover. Then I wrote each one a personal opening letter explaining the purpose of the notebook. I have seen others that have bought beautiful journals and others who have created elaborate, personalized covers, either for their child, or with him. There's many options.

The Process: You write your child a letter. From the heart. Any topic. Leave the notebook on your child's bed. Your child will then find time to write you a letter back, and leave it on your bed. Don't put the pressure on yourselves to respond immediately, but make sure it is at least every couple of days.

My daughter was ecstatic about the activity. She wrote to me about how much she loved the idea and wanted to keep our notebook forever. I have enjoyed seeing her sensitive heart in her writing. Sometimes with moms and little girls, there is a lot of "attitudes" in our daily interaction. I have found our notebook to be a perfect opportunity to see past those normal everyday conversations. It is refreshing!

My experience with my son has been totally different! He is much younger and his writing capabilities have not quite developed, though he reads well. I have had a great laugh each time I received the notebook back from him, for instead of notes, he has given me a drawing of a wild cat each time. One day a lion, a tiger the next. I received a "jaygr" yesterday. It took me a moment to realize that was a "jaguar!"

I encourage you, whether in this way, or some other creative way, open up the doors of communication between you and your child. As they grow and mature into young adults, you will be blessed by your relationship, by knowing who this beautifully created person is, and you will be better able to help them and encourage them through the things in their lives, if you know what is going on in their life!

Left-over Easter Candy

 

You've got it; we all do. That bowl full of Easter candy still sitting there. I decided to come up with creative ways to use it! Here is how we used our Peeps: decorative border for a cake I made for Bible Study. How can you use your left-over Easter candy? Post in the comments!!

Easy Bird Feeder

I am having trouble uploading photos...

I have been seeing all types of birds around our house lately. I found this really easy way to make a bird feeder that is fun (and healthy!) for the kids too!

Step 1: Cut an orange in half.

Step 2: Have kids scoop out the middle of the orange and eat it! (We saved ours for lunch)

Step 3: In a bowl, mix together peanut butter and bird seed. (you could also use mixed nuts, oatmeal, etc.)

Step 4: Poke holes in the sides of the hollowed-out orange and tie strings to the sides.

Step 5: Let kids "mush" together a ball of the mixture and "squish" it into the hollowed-out orange.

Step 6: Go outside and find a place to hang your orange. We made sure to put them somewhere we could watch from the window!

Homemade Turkey/Chicken Pot Pie

One of my all-time favorite meals!

 

Ingredients:
3 Tbs Butter
3 Tbs Flour
3/4 c chicken broth
3/4 c half and half cream
2 1/4 c turkey/chicken
1/2 c chopped carrots
1/2 c frozen peas
1/4 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp pepper
pie shell (top and bottom)

Directions:
Melt butter in pan. Stir in flour. Add broth and milk and cook on med-low until thickened, stirring frequently. In a separate bowl, combine turkey/chicken, carrots, peas, thyme, and pepper. Mix in cream sauce. Pour into pie shell and place top shell. Bake at 350* for approximately 30 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Enjoy!

What to do with all those Christmas Cards?

I love Christmas cards, but we get SO many every year that I don't know what to do with them all! When we first got married, I would set them out on the counter. But as our family grew, and especially after we got into the ministry, I began to have very limited counter space during the holidays! That's when I began to get creative (which is hard for this gal!).

Last year, I taped a giant piece of wrapping paper up on the wall and then taped all of the Christmas cards to the sheet. It was adorable!

This year, we decided to try something different - a paper chain with all of the cards hung on it!
I found this to be not only a fun, easy craft project for the kids, but also a counting activity for my 4 year old (we held each chain loop for 30 seconds). By the end, I was even attempting to make things interesting by counting in foreign languages - did great in spanish and german, failed at french by making it only to 14, and then royally failed with a whole 6 in japanese, but made for chain-making entertainment!  Here is our product:

 

Enjoy those Christmas cards, and Merry Christmas!!!

How to Have a Successful Grinch Party

My mom says that I will find any reason to have a party. She's right! Made-Up Reason Parties are my way of creating fun memories with my kids. One of the ways we decided to kick-off December this year was a Grinch Party. It is easy-peasy.

Grinch Party Essentials

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! book by Dr. Seuss. Having a reading of this wonderful classic is a must! You can find it at any local library!

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas movie. Yes, there is the new Jim Carey one as well, but there is none like the original. Besides, my kids are still a little young for the more modern, adult version.

Grinch attire. Yes, I have Grinch pajamas. But really all you have to wear is green! (Unless you want to be Cindy Lou Who, like my princess was!)

Camera! Make sure you capture the best grinchy faces and save those memories!

 A Feast! Three words: green food coloring. A few drops can turn any regular food into grinchy fanfare. If you really want to go all out, have a Who Feast, with Who-Pudding and Roast Beast!
Here were our choices:

Grinch-wheels







Ingredients:
1 pkg cream cheese
1 pkg full size flour tortillas
1/2 cup salsa
1 can green chiles
1 cup shredded cheese
green food color (amount desired)

Directions:
Blend all ingredients (except tortillas!) in large mixing bowl. Spread mixture evenly over tortilla (about 1/4 cup on each). Roll tortillas and wrap in saran wrap. Chill for 1 hour. Slice the tortilla roll along the length to create beautiful green pinwheels.

Grinch Punch

 

Ingredients:
1 liter 7-Up
1 can pineapple juice
1 quart lime sherbet
White Syrup
Green Sprinkles

Directions:
In a punch bowl pour in 7-Up and juice. Scoop sherbet on top. As the sherbet melts the punch will turn green. To decorate your cups, put a tiny bit of white syrup on the rim and then dip in green sprinkles. Enjoy!

Grincho Nachos

You guessed it, nacho cheese and green food color!

Be Creative!
There are so many things you can do to make a party like this a success. Just use your creativity and let your kids join in! It will be a great memory!

I think we have discovered a new family tradition!