Leaving On A Jet Plane....

In less than 72 hour I will be out of state.  I am excited, to say the least, about this little adventure that I will take with our daughter.  I LOVE to travel.  I love to travel just about anywhere!  Even going on a mini vacation to somewhere an hour or two away is a treat and I get excited about it!  If life permitted, I would travel constantly.  I would write travel articles for families and such.  I would wander aimlessly.  My soul loves a little, or big, journey.  I honestly feel peaceful when I am wandering.  I think that some day(when the kids have grown) I will pack my bags, load up my car, and just drive for a couple of weeks and see where the road and my soul take me.  At any rate.  In just over 48 hours, my daughter and I will be leaving the boys behind for 6 days and flying to visit my sister, her husband, and my dad.  It is going to be a much needed trip.  It is also a much looked forward to trip.  So, with this little adventure upon me and my summer trip less than 6 months away, I have been thinking that it is time to invest in some new luggage.  Being as I LOVE purple, I found this great American Flyer set that I just adore. I am going to have to track it down for our summer trip to the Outer Banks.

I have also been thinking it is time to get our daughter a proper suitcase.  I found these cute cases on Pottery Barn Kids website.  I always like luggage that is a little "unique".  1)Because it's cute and 2)it makes it much easier to find on the luggage belt in baggage claim!  PBKids is also great as they are one of the companies that will embroider names on the luggage!  I am really looking forward to taking trips with our daughter.  I love traveling with our son as well, but I think girls/female types just get along a bit better while on the road/air/train/boat.  I have so many places that I want to go with my children.  I know some will happen while other will only be dreams.  But, here's a few of the places I would love to travel to with our children, either soon or when they are grown.

*Backpacking through Europe for 1 to 2 months
*On a biking/hiking trip through Croatia
*Maui, Hawaii
*The coasts of Northern California and Oregon
*Costa Rica

I could go on and on, but I think these are some of my top choices right now.  Travel on and enjoy the journey!

Yarn Wrapped Bottle

So, I saw the great idea and decided I had to try it!  Why?  Well, 1)It looked really cute and could be adapted to nearly any color scheme, 2)It looked easy to do, and 3)I am always about finding ways to re purpose items!  Here's what I used:

*1 Empty wine bottle - but you could use nearly any container, beer bottle, other other bottle/glass container.
*Yarn.  Most crafting stores carry a huge assortment of colors and thicknesses.  Keep in mind, the thinner the yarn, the more time it will take to wrap around the bottle!
*Mod Podge
*Sponge "paint" brush
*Trinket - optional

Get creative.  You can even combine different colors, thicknesses, and types of yard, ribbon, or string!  I also added a water lily for a finishing touch.

Here's my assembly process:  have fun creating and using your imagination.

The assembly process is also simple.  I began at the bottom of the bottle, applied about a 1 to 1 1/2 inch line of mod podge around the bottom of the bottle.  I held the yard in place with a finger until I had it wrapped around the bottle a few times.  After you have wrapped it around 4 or 5 times, you will find that the string is fairly secure.  As you wrap up, keep adding glue and wrap the yarn around the bottle(over the glue), be sure to try to keep "gaps" between rows minimal.  They will occur and that is fine, just watch for the big ones!  Once I reached the top of the bottle I left about a 6 inch length of yarn hanging.  I had a metal "trinket" that said "Tradition".  I tied this to the yarn, added my flower(fake one) and was done.  This entire little craft took about 10 minutes max.  I even made a couple for some friends!  Too cute.

A Day At Disney World

Walt Disney World is, truly, one of the most magical places in the world.  It is also probably one of the busiest places on Earth, but if you are prepared you can make a great experience out of a Day(or two, or ten) at Disney.  Growing up, I had grandparents that lived in Florida.  So, we were lucky that we got to visit The Magic Kingdom a few times when we were younger.  It is especially interesting for me now when I take my children to The Magic Kingdom.  It is great to remember it as I did and great to create new memories with my children.  Disney is actually in the process of adding new attractions to The Magic Kingdom, but a lot of the park is as I remembered it growing up.  I must admit, I kind of miss 1000 Leagues Under The Sea.  However, the Pirates of The Caribbean Ride is very "cool".  The Swiss Family Robinson Tree is still there, as is The Haunted Mansion, Tom Sawyer's Island, The Country Bear Jamboree, It's a Small World, Dumbo, and The Speedway(to name a few).  Over the years I have seen the additions of Splash Mountain, The Adventures of Winnie The Pooh, Pirates of the Caribbean, Monsters Inc, and others.  And yes, I have witnessed the revamping of The Enchanted Tiki Room and Space Mountain.  The park has seen a lot of upgrades, yet has also kept a lot of its' original charm.  I think that holds a special place in the hearts of many people that have been to The Magic Kingdom through the years.

I will always have my favorite rides and experiences though.  Included in those are It's A Small World, Big Thunder Mountain, The Haunted Mansion, and Space Mountain.  Disney is nearing the end of its' largest ever addition onto The Magic Kingdom.  The park is nearly doubling in size Fantasyland.  I personally can't wait to see the new additions when we take our daughter later in the year for her 5th birthday.  I have loved sharing in this park particularly with my kids.  Our older son is now a teenager and, in his words, "too old" for Disney.  Me - well, that will probably never happen.  But, I do remember sharing some wonderful experiences with him at The Magic Kingdom when he was younger.  Now, we can share memories and create new ones with our daughter in this wonderful magical place.

I do have a few recommendations when it comes to The Magic Kingdom park and some things that may help you when planning your next trip.  First off is preparing.  Traveling to the park with a younger child I always pack an extra set of clothes, a swim suit, and a bag for any clothes that get wet from water.  I also pack snacks and sandwiches.  I do this every time and have never been told that I can't bring food into the park.  Next is your arrival.  If you've never been to The Magic Kingdom, be prepared to the "journey" between the parking lot and the park itself.  Once you have parked, you will go to (what I call) the crossing area.  Here you have the choice of either taking the ferry across a small lake or the tram.  I recommend taking the ferry to the park in the morning.  A couple of times we've been graced with the viewing of Goofy water skiing!  Then, take the tram back at night.  It is a nice ride for weary bodies and you get to go through the hotel.  Just be prepared for longer lines on the tram if you stay through the fireworks(which are a must of course).  Next is actually a step I recommend doing before you even arrive at the park.  On Disney's web site you can now print free customized maps of the parks.  They help you to highlight the "must see/do" items and they are a great keepsake as well!  So, once you've arrived at the parks entrance, pull out your customized park map and get ready for the day.  Be sure to check on parade and fireworks times so that you can plan appropriately for those as well as you don't want to miss them!  I have found that the two areas that tend to get the busiest are Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.  So, I typically head to Fantasyland first, followed by Tomorrowland, and then take it from there.  Disney does offer a great ride pass option if you get to a ride that has a long line.  Simply find a kiosk, slide in your park entry ticket, and a ticket will be issued for the quicker ride lane for a later time in the day.  We also will typically eat lunch at, or near, the Golden Oak Outpost.  We find the Dreams Come True Parade time and eat shortly before the parade so we have a good seat for it.  The photo above I took from that area.

The Magic Kingdom also offers some wonderful, unique, experiences.  Of course there are the many character meet and greets that are spread throughout the park and throughout the day.  Disney is now also offering their "Piratical Experience" where, for around $30/person, you enter a special place where you are first given an official pirate name.  You are then hijacked off to the Muster Station where your party of Buccaneers is transformed into genuine pirates including beard, scars, earrings, face paint, clothing, and more!  The final treasure is a Pirate Portrait to commemorate your Pirate escapade.  Another great offering now is the, extremely popular, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.  This "Dream Come True" fantasy offers three packages that range in price from $50-$190/person.  During this experience, your Fairy Godmother In Training transforms your little one into a beautiful princess or knight.  They can choose from 3 hairstyles and they get makeup and a "costume" gown/outfit as well!  Many people will follow up this experience with a meal in the Castle.  If you would like to do this though, be sure to make a reservation!

The Magic Kingdom truly does offer an experience for nearly everyone.  They have attractions that are great for younger ones, rides that provide a thrill factor for older ones, memories from the past for some, and nearly unlimited opportunities to create new memories that can be cherished in the future!  Disney even makes it easy to keep photographic memories with their photo cards.  Once your first photo is taken by a Disney photographer(they wander throughout the parks), they will give you a photo card.  Every time you have your photo taken by and Official Disney Photographer, simply hand them your card and they will keep all of your photos in one place.  It takes a couple of days(at times) for the pictures to be available for viewing, but you simply go online and voila - your pictures are ready for your viewing enjoyment and can simply be ordered.

Throughout the year, Disney also holds special events.  There is, of course, a separate fee for these events, but they are well worth it!  One surprise we had two years ago was during a visit in late October.  Upon entering the park, we learned that they were actually doing the filming for the Disney's Christmas Day Parade!  Yes, shocker, they film the parade in late November - it's not live on Christmas Day.  They stop the parade and do retakes of different parts.  But, one of the coolest parts of that day was being part of the crowd that got to watch Mariah Carey perform in front of the castle!  A couple other events that are a "Can't Miss" include Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and their Christmas celebration complete with "snow" and creamy hot chocolate to enjoy during the amazing parade!

As the day starts to come to an end, we will typically track down some sort of delectable delight, find a place to sit in front of the castle, and snack as we wait for the night time parade.  I have been to all of the major Florida theme parks and I can openly admit that Disney has got the parade thing down to a science.  Their parades are, by far the absolute best!  I, even today, get a huge smile on my face as the castle lights up and fireworks fly over it!  It is one of those sights that one can try to describe, but unless you have experienced it you will never fully understand.

Now I don't know if I can wait another 7 months before our next visit!!!!!  Here's wishing you all a very magical and memorable journey!

Sea Cows!

I have always loved Manatee's.  I am not sure what the draw is.  Perhaps it is their gently nature.  Perhaps it is that they look so "cuddly", at least for a life form that lives in the water.  Manatees are often referred to as Sea Cows.  They are truly a gentle species that, for the most part, enjoy a fairly laid back life.  They tend to live along coastal areas and in rivers in warmer areas.  In Florida, I have had a chance to see these creatures in their natural habitat. There is something amazing about watching animals in their natural setting, uncaged.

I have also taken my daughter to see the Manatee Exhibit at SeaWorld.  Like me, she could spend a lot of time just watching them swim and eat.  It is especially fun to watch the babies interact with their momma's.  If you are in Central Florida though and would like to see them in a more natural setting the rivers are a great place to start.  During the cooler months, they flock to the St John's River and one of their favorite "hang outs" is Blue Springs State Park.  In warmer months, they tend to be found along the coast, in rivers, and often in boat docking areas.  These wonderful sea cows love to spend their days sleeping, swimming, and eating.

The Manatees are on the Endangered Species list.  Part of this is due to their gentle nature and slower speeds of swimming.  Manatees are somewhat curious and love to get close to boats and docks.  They are strong swimmers, but tend to take life slowly.  Often you will see Manatees with scars on their backs and chunks missing from their "tail".  This is typically due to the fact that they move slowly and often get too close to boats.

If you ever have a chance to see these wonderful animals, I highly recommend it.  They are just so darn cute and lovable!

The End Of An Era

It seems like there are several events in each persons' lifetime that are forever memorable.  One of those events occurred over the course of many years.  That series of events were those of NASA's shuttle program.  I remember thinking how "odd" it was when I first saw the shuttle design and if it would work.  I remember being called into the school library so that we could all watch the launches on TV.  I remember how cool it was to watch the landings on TV too.  And yes, I remember where I was when both The Challenger and Columbia met their fateful ends and how shocked the nation was.

Growing up, the shuttle program was undoubtedly "cool".  But, living in the Midwest I really didn't grasp the entire "awesome factor" (as I would have called it in those days).  It wasn't until I moved to Florida that I became more in awe of the program.  Living in east Orlando, I could actually walk out my front door, go into the street in front of our home, look east and see the shuttle blazing into the sky.  The image to the right I took with a 55mm lens as I stood in front of our home.  But what was just as cool was when the shuttle would land at Kennedy Space Center.  I never saw a shuttle land, but I always knew when it was nearly home.  No, I wasn't watching it on TV.  The tell tale sign that the shuttle had arrived back home safely was the sonic boom we would hear.  Our windows would rattle and you could hear it clear as could be.  The first couple of times I experienced it, I honestly thought someone has shot a rifle or a small bomb had gone off.  I freaked a bit.  But, once I learned what it was it was cool and I found that I began to look forward to it.

Over the years, I would faithfully step outside of our home or my office and look to the sky to watch the shuttle fly into space.  Over the years, I would faithfully wait to hear the sonic boom upon the shuttles' return.  I even drove out to the coast a couple of times to watch a launch.  Let me tell you, that was an experience all in its' own right.  Only those that have experienced can truly understand what its' all about. First there is the sheer amazement I always had at the extreme volume of cars and people that packed the Beachline and coast from Titusville to Cocoa Beach.  As the launch time neared, you could see and feel the anticipation growing.  I always watched in Cape Canaveral, it was double fun to be able to enjoy the ocean too!  Shortly after launch you would see the shuttle rising, the smoke trailing, and the excitement of those witnessing the launch filled the air.  I would stand and watch the shuttle flying, at what I knew to me would be an absurd speed, into space.  If that wasn't cool enough, you only had to wait just a short while before you could hear the rumble, feel the rumble.  This is no exaggeration.  You could literally hear and feel the sound waves of the shuttle(excuse me if my lingo is not exact here).

I, of course, was present for the final shuttle lift off on July 8, 2011.  I took our son, daughter, and my niece.  I heard the sonic boom of the final shuttle landing, of Atlantis coming home. It is a part of our Nation's history that I feel so blessed to have been able to experience in some small part.  Knowing it was the end of an era was a little saddening, but I also know great things are on the horizon.  But oh, what a great part of history to say I got to see.  Maybe, some day when I'm older and maybe have grandkids, they will ask me about what it was like when the Shuttle program was going on.  They'll probably be asking for a school report or such, but I think it will be a great experience to share.

Finding Your "Happy Place"

Finding Nemo has got to be one of my all time favorite movies.  It's not only a funny movie that also tries to teach kids some great lessons.  It is also a movie that has some great lessons for adults too!  One of the biggest messages/lessons that I got from the movie was from Dory and Crush.  Yes, Dory is a little ditsy and off-the-wall, but aren't we all a little?  Yes, Crush is extremely laid back - a trait I think most of us could do more with.  But, the biggest lesson these two remind me of is that we all need to enjoy life and find our happy place!

Dory is battling short term memory loss and trouble seems to find her.  But despite her issues in life, she tries to take on each situation with an attitude filled with positivity.  The reality is that life will have its' ups and downs.  We will have days that we simply want to crawl into bed and hide under the blankets all day.  However, that really doesn't solve much.  I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason......good and not-so-good.  When we are faced with a tough situation, we need to accept it for what it is, learn from it, and deal with it in the best way possible.  Yes, I also understand that is much easier said than done.  For years I have been the poster child for "freaking out" over even smallest of glitches in my life.  Yet, over the past couple of years I have been fervently working to learn from the battles and hard times, accept them(with even a half hearted smile) and move on.  I have a way to go, but I am seeing progress.

A big part of this process of progress, of accepting my tough days and hard lessons, has been learning how to relax more.  Crush is a perfect example of this.  He seems to take life in stride, accepting what is and going with the flow of life.  At one point in the movie his son "slips" out of the current.  He makes a statement that he basically trusts that his "little dude" is going to be just fine.  He just knows it.  Sometimes letting our children go, taking chances, and simply trusting that life will be "OK" is a very hard thing to do.  But, as I have started to put my faith in trusting life and trying to accept what is going on around me for what it is and learning from it, I have also found myself more relaxes.  There are even times my husband has asked if I am "OK" because I am talking more calmly and acting more relaxed in situations that used to freak me out a bit.

A big part of bringing both happiness and relaxation into my life has been finding my happy place.  My ultimate "Happy Place" is sitting in a chair on the beach, my feet buried in the sand, sun warming my body, and just existing as I listen to the waves crashing on the shore.  However, in reality(at least at this point in my life), I can't wave a wand and be at the beach every time I am stressed or having a rough day.  So, I have turned to meditation(of sorts).  When I find myself getting stressed and worked up over something, I now try to slow down for a moment, recognize what is causing these feelings and see if there is anything I can do to correct it.  I try to learn from it.  I accept it for what it is and then I begin to simply breathe.  I push all thoughts from my mind.  If a thought pops in, I excuse it.  To do this I focus on my breathing.  I lay(or sit) down, close my eyes, and as I breathe in I mentally say to myself "I am breathing in".  As I breathe out mentally tell myself "I am breathing out".  I really focus on breathing and trying to relax my body.  I do his for 5 minutes or longer and I find that I really begin to relax and I can think more clearly.

My life lesson today --- well, the reality is that life can down right suck at times.  But, if we try to stay positive, if we accept the hardships for what they are and learn, if we try to relax a bit and trust in life, and if we simply find our own happy place life can be just a little bit easier and a lot more enjoyable.  Life is too short to worry so much.  Live life, love life, and be happy!

Keeping Memories Alive

I am an avid memory keeper.  My memories are my treasures, my keepsakes.  For this reason I am also an avid photographer.  I am by no means a professional, but I love to take photos of nearly everything that is a part of my life or my families life.  No matter how trivial the photo may seem, each one is important to me because it represents something that has played in part in my life.......whether it is big or small.

So, I am always open to new ideas for ways to catalog, display, and preserve my memories.  I journal, scrapbook, and take thousands of pictures.  I came across a cute idea from 7 Gypsies - a card catalog of memories!  The basic idea was that you create a section in the "catalog" for each month of a year.  Then, you place note cards in for each month.  Write the month and year on top of the note card and then as moments "crop" up, you can jot down the specific date of the event and a short note.  You can also add any photos or other memorabilia.  I use colorful paperclips to attach photos/mementos to that specific years note card(s).  At any rate,  I really loved the idea so I decided to make my own version.  I personally think it turned out pretty great!

Here's What You'll Need:
*I got a small wooden crate from a local craft store.  The one I opted for will fit a standard note card(as seen in photo at right).
*Wood stain - available at home improvement stores and some crafting stores.
*Paint brush to apply stain to wood
*A drawer pull
*Various embellishments for outside of crate and for the individual monthly dividers.  I used a wide variety of items including metal  embellishments, paper, stickers, and rub-ons.  Let your imagination be your guide.
*Double sided tape
*Liquid Nails - or other permanent glue
*Memory envelopes(mine are two large ones that I can put small items in.  They are part of the SmashBook line of products).
*Lots, and lots of note cards
*Archival safe pen
*Colorful paperclips
*Tab dividers
*Your choice of scrapbooking papers for each month.

Put It Together:

This project is a process of following your minds "eye" and letting the creative process take you where it will.  Once I gathered my supplies, the first step was to stain the crate.  I put a trash bag on the patio and stained the crate on that so I didn't spill any on the flooring.  Once the crate is stained, allow it to dry completely.  While the crate is drying you can begin decorating the month divider cards.  To do this, I took a standard note card and applied paper to the card that I wanted for that month.  I attached mine to the note card with the double sided tape.  Now add any rub-ons, stickers, or other embellishments to the front of each months note card.  I opted to use letter stickers to write each month on the card and then coordinated with embellishments that seemed appropriate for that month.  Most crafting stores have a great selection of scrapbooking/memory keeping supplies.  I typically use JoAnn, Michael's, or Hobby Lobby.  When your crate is finally dry,  you can add any embellishments to the front, sides, or back.  I only decorated the front.  I found a great drawer pull at Hobby Lobby and added a few metal items such as a "clock"(representing time), a key, and metal disc that says "wander", and such.  I also had a great ticket that I added along with a butterfly and rhinestone "squiggle".  I didn't really have a specific plan in place for the box or monthly note cards.  I just added items until each thing seemed "right" to me.

This was the finished product from the front!  It fit  the perfect feeling that I wanted for this memory keeper.  Truly use your imagination, your personality, and follow your creative energy.  There is no wrong way to do this(well, at least I don't believe so).  Once the crate is finished and the monthly note cards are decorated, I simply added a clear tab divider to the top of each month so it would be easier for me to distinguish where each new month began.  I chose to leave them empty, but you could add a month or designs to the little inserts and add them as well.

As you can see from the photos I have posted of my own little project, I really did use a wide variety of items to decorate the outside of the crate and each months cards.  I tried to have fun going through my crafting stash to find items I could use.  (It also helped me weed out some items I wouldn't use on any project either so I could donate them to my daughter's class).

The end product was great!  It turned out perfectly for me!  I may start making these as gifts too.  I have filled cards with specific dates and memories.  I don't use one card for each memory/date.  I just write the date and jot down a note about what happened that day and if I have room below that for another entry on a different day, then I keep adding until the card is full.  I have also attached game tickets and other memorabilia to the cards.  I think years down the road, it will be fun to look back and go over what we did through the years!

A Garden Fairy Canopy

When decorating our daughter's bedroom, I was trying to think of ideas that would be cute and easily changed out/swapped for new ideas as she grows up.  The hand painted tree, that is partially noticeable, was one addition that I will post on later.  One idea, that our daughter loved, was the garden fairy canopy.  It was a simple task to put together and she loved sitting in it, looking at books inside her hideaway, and even took a few naps in her special place.

Here's What You'll Need:
*Standard Hula Hoop
*1 1/2 to 2 inch satin style ribbon
*Floral/leafy garland(swag)
*8 yards of fabric for the "walls".  I used a Tulle from JoAnn.
*Glue gun and glue sticks
*Ceiling hook
*Decorative butterflies
*Fishing Line
*Scissors




Assembly:

Begin by wrapping the hula hoop with ribbon.  I did this to hide the plastic of the hoop.  I also secured the ribbon into place with glue every so often.  Next cut two lengths of ribbon.  Mine were each about 6 feet long.  Tie each end of the ribbon to one of four opposite "corners" of the hula hoop.  I left enough extra ribbon so that it would dangle.  Now you will cut the fabric into 4 sections, each will be 2 yards(or 6') long.  I then glued the fabric to the outside of the hula hoop and then folded it over the top of the hoop and let it fall inside the hoop and drape to the floor. You will put one section of fabric between where each of the ribbons are tied to the hoop.  I used the tulle  as I didn't need to put any hem in the bottom.  Now you will  secure the garland to the hoop.  I used a thin, clear fishing line and secured the garland to the hoop by tying it to the hoop near the ribbon areas and then also adding some touches of glue in a few spaces.  Again, with the Tulle fabric, the glue was able to go through the fabric to the ribbon covered hoop.   Next, add a couple of decorative butterflies.  I also secured these by using fishing line and tied them to the garland.  The final step is to put your hook in the ceiling, then tie the ribbon "lines" together to make a loop, and hang!

Side note:  I also made her a soft pillow that went inside for the "floor".  I simply used two of her old baby blankets, sewed them together leaving a 6" hole so that I could stuff it with pillow stuffing and then sewed it shut!  Voila!

"Just The Girl's" Memory Box

My girlfriends are part of who I am.  I don't know what I would do without them in my life.  We've shared laughter, tears, wine, food, great stories, days shopping, wine, movie premiers, the triumphs and trials of parenting, parties, wine, and life in general with each other.  They are the girls I can talk with anything about.  We accept and love each other for who we are.  I have shared so many amazing moments with these ladies and I cherish each and every one of them!

Being a crafty soul, I love to make gifts for family and friends as I really feel it adds a personal touch.  One of the gifts I made for a girlfriend(years ago) was a memory box.  I purchased a wooden box from a local crafting store, decorated it and then filled it with photos and mementos from years gone by.  I loved it and have made similar boxes for family members.

This is a relatively simple gift to pull together.  You will need:
*Wooden box - available at most crafting stores.  Mine had a latch and handle on it.
*Ribbon - one to wrap around the box and one (thinner) for the handle
*Rub on decals/words.
*Embellishments - I used a variety of items from companies such as K&Company, Jolee's, a brad, fabric flowers, some very cute scrabble style "sticker" letters, and a few other odds and ends.  Use your creative energies!
*Mod Podge
*Crafters glue
*1 sheet of scrapbooking paper
*Photos of whatever you are showcasing for box front
*Pictures and memorabilia for inside the box.

To Make:
I traced the front and back of the box onto the paper and then cut it out.  Be sure to trace onto the back of the paper.  Then apply a light layer of mod podge to the front and lay the paper in place.  Allow to dry and then repeat with the back side.  If you want a glossy look to the paper, you can put light layer of mod podge over the top of the paper.  Just be careful not to overdo it so the paper bubbles.  Next cut a length of ribbon to be wrapped around the box(as shown above with the brown ribbon).  I glued this ribbon into place.  Where the ribbon ends meet, I put the flower over that point.  Tie some thinner ribbon(white) around the handle.  Again I "spiced" up the knot of the handle ribbon with a little ornamentation.  Next I added my photo.  Then I put on the rub ons and any other embellishments that I wanted.  On the inside of the box I place another rub on saying and rub on flowers.  Then I filled the box with some photos and other memorabilia.  Done!

The finished product was great.  You can easily also paint the outside of the box if you would like too.  If you do opt to pain the outside of the box, I would do that first and then proceed.  I simply liked the look of the natural wood along with my other embellishments.

Happy crafting!

Ten Wishes

My family, my children --- they are my life!  I want the best for them as they grow and I want them to always know how very much I have always, do, and will always love them.  I love to scrapbook and I feel that scrapbooking/creative memory keeping provides me with a great way to not only document the past, but to tell stories and record hopes, dreams, and thoughts for the future.  So, when my children were ages (almost) 2 and 13 I made a page that listed 10(of the many) wishes that I had for their futures.

*May your life be filled with excitement, great memories, love, laughter, and joy

*May you find happiness in the little things.

*May you always believe in yourself.

*May you have the courage to do what is right and stand up for what you believe in.

*May you know true joy in your life.

*May you find true love.

*May you fine a career path that is fulfilling and enjoyable.

*May you always know that you family and God are your strength and support.

*May you always remember that you are loved so very much.

*May you realize all of your dreams

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*May you remember to keep on believing in fairies and wishing on stars.

*May you find your prince, your knight in shining armor, and know true love.

*May you learn to find happiness through simplicity.

*May you always have time to laugh and play.

*May you find a life of peace, balance, and joy.

*May all your dreams come true.

*May you always be true to yourself and kind to those around you.

*May you always be filled with hope.

*May you always know how much you are loved.

*May your journey through life be filled with an unending flow of blessings from God.

Custom Piggy Bank

I had looked for a cute piggy bank for our daughter for a while and I never found exactly what I was wanting.  So, I decided to make my own for her one day when I found some "blank" white piggy banks during a visit to our local Michael's craft store.  It was relatively simple to create, just let your creative juices flow.  You can also look up "piggy banks" in a Google search and view images to get some ideas. But, here is what I did.....

Supplies:
*"Blank Canvas" piggy bank.  These can usually be found at most craft stores.  I know that our local Michael's, Joann, and Hobby Lobby carry them.  They are not usually on sale, but that means you can apply the typical 40% off coupon to them!
*Paints that you will need for your chosen design
*Paint brush(if applicable to your design).

Instructions:  These are hard - so take notes.  Take piggy bank out of packaging.  Get paints(and brushes if applicable ready).  Get your creative juices flowing and decorate!  For this version I purchased an opalescent and purple puffy paint, the kind that have the tip on top for application.  I then just started applying dots in "somewhat" of a pattern and just let my creative self take the design wherever it went.  This was the end result!  I was fairly pleased and our daughter likes it too!

The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter

 Living in Central Florida, most definitely, has its' perks.  We are close to the beaches, we have year round (typically) warm temperatures, and -- we have some of the most amazing theme parks in the world in our own "backyard".  I remember, as a child, coming to Orlando for vacations.  I remember what the theme parks were like in the 80's and 90's.  However, it has been in past 10 to 15 years that the theme parks seem to have exploded with growth and some pretty astounding attractions.  One of which was the fairly recent addition of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universals Islands of Adventure.  It is simply unbelievable.  The detail with which the Wizarding World was designed is indescribable.  AND - it has been announced that Universal will be expanding this area of the theme park within the next couple of years.  For those of you that have been lucky enough to visit, you know first hand how wonderfully magical this world of Harry Potter is.  I will attempt to give you a brief glimpse into, what has become, one of the top attractions at any of the Orlando theme parks.

We will begin with the rides.  One of the most thrilling, and technologically advanced rides, is Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey.  As you enter Hogwart's Castle, you immediately know that this is going to be an unforgettable experience!  You are treated to a first hand glimpse of the Portrait Hall.  Where great wizards and witches roam from picture to picture and have interesting tid-bits of things to say.  As you continue your journey through the castle you will enter Dumbledore's office and may even be greeted by this powerful and wise wizard himself!  You even get to tour the Dark Arts classroom where you are greeted by Harry, Ron, and Hermione.  They invite you, a muggle, to join them at a Quidditch game.  Once you reach the main ride, you are seated on a special bench.  The Quidditch game quickly turns "crazy" and soon you are soaring around the Hogwart's school grounds being confronted by spiders, dementors, The Whomping Willow, and dragons!  It is amazing and can not be described in enough words.  Once the journey is complete, you exit into Filch's Emporium where you can purchase a wide array of Harry Potter themed items and you can also view/purchase a photo souvenir from your experience.

The next ride is located next to The Forbidden Journey and it is called Flight Of The Hippogriff. This is a family friendly roller coaster.  Our four year old daughter says it is her favorite and she loves holding her arms up in the air as the coaster speeds you through twists and twirls amongst the pumpkin patch by Hagrid's Hut.

The final ride(for now) is called The Dragon Challenge.  For those of you who visited the park prior to The Wizarding Worlds' creation, this was known as Dueling Dragons.  Now, once you enter this ride, you have the option of choosing to ride on either a Chinese Fireball or a Hungarian Horntail.  I must say this floor less roller coaster is one of my favorites!

There are three "shows" within The Wizarding World.  The first is the frog Chorus.  This delightful show showcases the Hogwart's choir and, of course, singing frogs!  I couldn't stop smiling throughout the performance and our daughter was enchanted with the singing frogs.

Another treat is the TriWizard Pep Rally.  During this show Witches from Beauxbatons and Wizards from Durmstrang provide the audience with a brief exposition of each school's respective performance.

The Final "show", to me is not really a show but more of an experience.  If you opt to do this, I will warn you that lines can be very long, but it is a very unique experience!  Upon entering Olivander's Wand Shoppe the lucky witch, or wizard, gets to test out several wands until just the right want picks them!  At that point, wind whips through the air and it is apparent that a wand has chosen its' master.  If you do not want to wait in the line, you can purchase wands in the store within Hogsmeade Village.

The Village of Hogsmeade is a delight in itself!  Although there are not rides in the village, it is an area that you need to allow plenty of time to explore!  Dervish and Banges shop offers a wide variety of Harry Potter themed souvenirs, clothing, and wands.  I like to buy a few postcards here and them have them stamped with the official Hogsmeade stamp at The Owl Post.  You can also have the inside of your wand box stamped as well.  Then, simply wander along the street and take in all of the amazing details.  You can easily picture yourself in the movie with all of the witches and wizards stocking up on their magical supplies.  While exploring, be sure to try a Pumpkin Juice and a hot or iced Butterbeer.  I am partial to the iced Butterbeer and treat myself to one every time I visit!  Also keep an eye out for the owl clock in the village square!

Another "must do" while in Hogsmeade is a visit to Honeyduke's candy emporium and Zonko's  These two stores are a complete delight to the senses!  Yes, they have chocolate frogs and every flavor jelly beans!

A visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter would not be complete without getting a close up view of The Hogwart's Express Train located at Platform 9 3/4.  It is very lifelike and a great photo opportunity with the train conductor.

If your a bit hungry, be sure to try lunch at The Three Broomsticks.  The food is themed around traditional English meals.  I can also state that it is very pleasing tasting!  They have a great selection of dining options for even the picky eaters!  Below are a few more snapshots from the park.

Hagrid's Hut

Mandrake Plant as can be seen while in line for The Forbidden Journey

Dumbledore's Office(look closely at the balcony and you'll see Dumbledore in the shadows)

The Butterbeer is here!

Deliciousness in a cup!   Butterbeer!

Attention to detail on Hogwart's Castle

A replica of Hermione's dress in a storefront window.

The Dark Forest that surrounds Hogwart's.

A visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is like nothing you've ever experienced.  It is truly magical!