Geocaching!

If you have never heard of geocaching, it is kind of a treasure hunt that results in getting your little ones out for fresh air and lots of exercise!  

There are these little containers hidden all over the world (yes, the world!) by other geocachers.  You are given coordinates, map, and clues to find them, and when you do find them, you sign the log and sometimes leave behind a little trinket, taking one if there is one to take.  Other times,  you get additional coordinates that will lead you to another cache, that will result in a log/trinkets.  This is very exciting for a 6 year old little boy.

  We started doing this in England as a way to get out for Sunday walks in the beautiful countryside, and now we have started here as well.  There are so many nearby!!  When everyone needs to just get out, it is a great way to hang out as a family.

(A magnetic cache that was found on the underside of the trash can.)

Cool Ideas from Magazines

I love how they used the vertical space!

For a easy party in the fall...

Soleil would love to play with these!! Yarn+doll clothespin+paint+craftfoam (tail)=mermaid

An Appointment with Mom.  A daily ritual for afterschool....

(I tried it today with unsuccessful results.  

I am hoping it is due to the fact that Tate was exhausted after I picked him up!)

Random Creating

This is a Nancy Drew book that I saw at the book store. I am inspired to scrapbook like this in the future! I have always loved the style, but didn't know how to start. I may copy this exact layout just to give it a try.

I want this in my living room. Notice the little hammock in the bottom? Paul isn't going for it...

My new iPhone case that I made today. All I need to add is a little snap up on top. This would be a great project for a girl scout troop (since all the kids seem to have cell phones these days!), maybe as easy Christmas present for someone.

From Family Fun Magazine:

I want to make it, not for a pet, but for the kids. They used clear tops of disposable baking containers as sky lights, had windows cut out in the sides, and even a treat shoot on top, made from a cardboard tube. (I think Soleil would go for that if we put goldfish crackers down it!)

Tate's scrapbook page. I helped, but only a little.

And tomorrow, this guy starts school. In a new country. In a new school. Entirely in Spanish.

I am nervous and a little sad. I really miss being at our old school in Bath, UK, and the school run will be very different. (I miss my friends!) Also, after having him home from early June until now, I have gotten used to the routine of both kiddos. I am not ready to let that go.

Things I Love Right Now...

Cooking Amongst Chaos

We finally got all of our things that have been sitting in storage for the last 3 years while we were living in the UK. See, when we moved to London, everyone said that most rented places came with furniture. Also, we anticipated a much smaller place. Both were true, but we didn't anticipate moving to Bath. (Such a wonderful surprise, really.) When we did move to Bath, we got lots of items from freecycle or IKEA and attempted to give or sell it all when we left. But we still had a lot of leftover stuff. And then the stuff from storage. And stuff we bought to make it for the last 2 months. Lots and lots and lots of stuff.

We are going to have the biggest garage sale you have ever seen!

I love many of the memories we have brought back from our time in the UK, but I also bring back a few lessons. One of them being that we can live in a smaller place AND that we don't need so much stuff. Even my packrat husband has been changed from this experience.

Right now, though, we have a ton of boxes all around that require sorting. This means that I do not have the time and/or energy to make elaborate meals. I can't wait to get back into, though!!! For tonight, out menu consists of:

• Campbell's Tomato Soup (requested by Tate)
• Pacific Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup (adult version of #1!)
• Grilled Cheese (Kid version and baby swiss/cojack for me)
• Grilled Ham Sandwich (for the major carnivore in the family)
• Spinach Dip and Chips (to use up extra spinach from last night)
• Random Fruits and veggies in frig/freezer as sides

Another quick meal has been to use a bag of FROZEN MEATBALLS. Meatball subs are so easy once you add a baguette, Pizza Squeeze (I know, I'm disgusting), and melted cheese. The little ones just eat the meatballs warmed up with the random fruit/veggie thing.

BREAKFAST FOR DINNER is another easy one with scrambled eggs, frozen waffles, and bacon. Bacon is easy if you prepare it by putting on a lined baking sheet and baking in the oven for 15-20 min.

Any other good suggestions that you use when you want to keep dinner simple and easy?

SMASH!

I saw these at the Archiver's store and sooo cool. Since we were moving during my birthday, I think I may treat myself to some of the fun bits as my belated bday present. (Wait--I said that about getting a electronic die cutting machine...)

I am waiting for the big Archiver's event at the Mall of America for both purchases. I love all the hype at these sorts of things!! I traded my husband a weekend football game out of town for a full kid-free day to shop.

Time to Make the Gifts!!

Yes, it is still about 85F/30C, but if you are going to make Christmas presents, now is the time!!

I was inspired after finding this book (and blog-http://superclea.blogspot.com/), and now I am ready to at the very least, start to make a list of ideas.

My sister or mom gave me a great book by either Good Housekeeping or BH&G one year of edible things to make. I couldn't find the link, but I did find this idea for this yummy looking bark from GH. http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food/holidays/homemade-food-gift-ideas

And of course, Martha Stewart, my queen, has a whole list of things you can make for other people. I actually used her recipe for bath bomb favors for my wedding and they were great.

http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/gifts-for-her

What are you making for Christmas???

My poor neglected blog...

I am so happy to be back! I have been reading lots of blogs during this time, trying get ideas of how to decorate the new house.

Here are a few great links I found:

http://www.thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/

http://theinspiredroom.net/

and of course, http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/

We do not have all of our furniture yet. It is somewhere between St. Louis and here, and hopefully it will be found soon. The kids aren't complaining, as they have all of their toys, but our house is like one open romper room at the moment.

A quiet corner of the kitchen, necessary for my sanity whilst cooking dinner.Tate's shop. This is a temporary version, as the table is borrowed from my dear friend, Jen Shea Thomas.

This was on the wall when we moved in, and it is definitely staying! (I love it.)

Flowers from the garden. The green heart from a dear friend in the UK.And our garage sale pile. In our dining room. Yes, classy. (It grows daily.)

Moving Bulletpoints

1. Macaroni and Cheese Yellow is NOT a good paint color. (But try convincing a 6 year old boy of that...)
2. There is wireless internet EVERYWHERE in America! For FREE!! (Gas stations, restaurants, McDs)
3. It has been 2 months since we have had any furniture. (But I have to admit, I love to sleep on an air mattress. Am I the only one?)
4. The is NO perfect house. A visit to Pottery Barn might make you think there is, but really, there isn't.
5. There is a lake with a beach and a playground and restaurants less than 5 minutes away!!! YAY!
6. In reference to #5 and #6, things will not turn out as you envision them. Some things will disappoint, but what's cool is that some things will be delightful surprises!

I know, I know...postings are boring without pictures. I will try to find one online of the lake near our new casa...

(Bayside Grille on the water)

Apologies!

So sorry, readers... this has been a rough couple of weeks.

*My dad beat all odds and is recovering from heart bypass surgery.
*Still NO furniture.
*I cannot get a decent cup of tea for anything.
*The inside of the 3 American hospitals I have been in during this time is comparable with fancy hotels. no joke. They even have valet parking.
*I am wearing shorts for the first time in 3 years I think.
*I am never moving again. (Ok, I am, but I will pretend like I am not.)
*My neighbor has a huge pot belly pig. With tusks.
*I cannot wait to create as soon as my craft stuff gets here. Scrapbooking is first on the agenda. Oh no, wait, I guess decorating the scrap room is first.

Photos to come!

I plan on resuming regular blogging activities as soon as possible :) Meanwhile, I will read your entries on my phone (I can barely work the thing) to keep me inspired as the days go by.

Further Delays

Good news: We found a lovely home. It is sweet, in perfect condition, and on a kid friendly culdusac.
We have also been enjoying getting to know Minneapolis.

Not so good news: My dad is in the hospital with heart and kidney troubles. We are in Michigan with my family until further notice.

I might be able to do a few posts on my parents' super cool iPad that my dad has here while I hang out with him. I have been reading other blogs during the quiet moments, and they have been a helpful distraction when I need it. :)

I hope you are all having a great summer so far.

Be back soon!!

Sorry folks... this move is kicking my butt. I promise to post when I can:)

Happiness Project Inspiration

I am reading this, recommended by my friend, Sophie.

It is pretty good. It is about a woman who makes a list of small things that she can do each month to make a positive change in her life. She is a bit intense about how she goes about it, but the general point is a great idea.

My 2 things for the month are:

1. Go to bed earlier/get more sleep.

2. Write more letters to friends. (One letter for

one friend per week.)

I LOVE anything mail/post related. I love sending and receiving letters and even playing mail/post man with Tate.

pretty mail calligraphy

Felt Mailbox Pattern

Found a scrapbook store in France. :) Love the postcard stamp.And totally unrelated, another friend of mine and I went to Trowbridge today. We found this excellent Italian cafe that had amazing antipasti. When I went to the toilet.... It made my day.

Rocker for Summer

In the back of the great British magazine, Country Living (VERY different from the US version...) there was a little ad.

I'm in love with their rockers!!!

How pretty would this be in a secret garden? (Funny enough, I think that is the name of this model.)
And as a snuggly place for a book? Tate would LOVE it.

Easter Break 2011

Ever head to Ikea, just to eat the meatballs (or 99p breakfast in our case) and to be inspired?? Seriously, we got out of there spending less than a tenner. It was the first day of Easter Break, and the weather wasn't great, so we just let the boy run around the place, took lots of pictures, ate cheap food, and thought about ideas for the next house.

Later in the week, we made marbled Easter Eggs with Shaving Cream painting. I got the idea from smilemonsters Linky Party (on my sidebar). She has a post most Fridays with lots of things to do with kids.

Since Paul was home for the 2 weeks, I was able to escape to The Makery and FINALLY learn how to sew on a zipper!! (It is much easier than it seems, now that I have had a formal lesson.)

And I got to help my friend, Kirsty, make this amazing looking Hello Kitty cake. So fun!

Nope. I don't want to leave Bath. I was able to spend some good time with friends and will be savoring every moment with them in the weeks to come. I really wish the UK and the US were closer....

And on a totally unrelated note, I am sooo making this for my chihuahua loving dad.

(He has 4 of them.)

Let Me Eat Cake

Reading this, that I found at the library...

The cover isn't that cute, but the book is really good!

When I was googling the cover, I found another book with the same name. And I will be reading it, too when I can:)

And it doesn't stop there....apparently, this is the hot shirt of the moment because Beyonce wore it. (It IS cute.) However, it is $45.50. MARKED DOWN FROM $70! FOR A TSHIRT!!!

So then I looked further, and this one was much more affordable, at Dylan's Candy Bar for $15.

And lastly, found this great foodie blog, which I have bookmarked already.

http://theletmeeatcake.com/

Savoring the Simple

Tea with friends.

A smiley babe.

Our dining table. (Paul sold our real table in preparation for our move to the US.)

Cute little boys who love to do photo shoots.

Stamped tags, available at The Makery.

Today I showed the house (to sell) to a Lady. As in "married-to-a-Lord". To me, being American, it sounded all fancy, which made me go into overdrive cleaning the house. I might be in bed before 9pm tonight! She was lovely, and actually a completely down to earth grandma who was super sweet to the baby.