Creativity at work....Revisited

So I was informed by the daddy of the creative child here...that he had been following my latest blog entries, but just didn't "get" the most recent one about play dough....





 so I guess I have been viewing this through my "mommy" lenses and perhaps I should explain what I am seeing here.

This comes from a woman that cried in art class...when given a lump of play dough...all I could think to do was cook it...either in the form of cookies, cakes or well....cookies.
So it just reminded me that there is nothing much more special than the way our mothers can see so much in so little...see that what may look like a blob to others actually is dirt bikes racing up that hill...

 So once again we made play dough. 


Put play dough in their hands and the creativity happens!  I love it!

Creativity at work....

I love it when the kids go missing and this is what I find......

 

Yeah...for Lincoln Logs!

Thrift store find....$3 complete set! Never had been used!

Play Dough

This would be my preferred recipe...you know, I suppose it is because of the nostalgia. My momma made it for me too. I remember making this with her for my friends as a birthday gift as well.

She would store it in a Tupperware container to keep it from drying out. These days Tupperware is readily found at thrift stores.

Mom's recipe actually came from La Leche Club brochure that she received at the time we were rather young....so it has been in the family a long time. Thanks to google..one can find anything...and relive the memories of years gone by and create new special memories for my own dear, "man clan"! Hope you enjoy making this and making many hours of fun for your little ones.

Earth Friendly Play Dough

• 1 cup flour (not self-rising)
  
• 1/2 cup salt
  
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  
• 1-1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  

Mix in saucepan over low heat. (It does not have to heat long.) Dough is ready when it rolls into a ball. Keep dough fresh in an airtight container. If you need to make different colors, add food coloring while mixing over heat.

( I did not add my color in the pan...I divided the dough into 5 sections and kneaded it in after using cake icing color...my hands did not fare well. However, the kids like the swirled look of the color. The hands are also dyed....not to be confused with dead. MLC kept asking me why did I do that to my hands...I just kept telling him...I love you lots, Bud....) So much for that perfect manicure....just not my reality today:-)....maybe a week from now:-)

The quantity shown was from a double batch.
http://www.teachnet.com/lesson/art/playdoughrecipes/earthfriendly.html

Repurposed corn cobs

Ok, I know all the nutrition is in the peel, but to be honest...I don't like the peel. And after trying to get the kiddos to eat it and finding that they had spit it out randomly throughout the house...I have conceded and I peel apples. I rationalize it. The waxy polish on the apples can't be great for them anyway. And the pesticides...you know....I can be a push over!

I was rather amazed a few days ago when the 3rd of 3 in the man clan requested the corn cob holders. Many years ago I attended a course regarding organization...the lady was rather comical regarding having items in the kitchen which only have one use and she was brutal regarding the corn cob holders. Being that the man clan has always been so enamored by the sports themed corn cob holders which I possess, I had never decluttered to the extent of ridding my drawer of these. I have news for her! It is my pleasure to declare the corn cob holders a multi use item!!!! Thank you, my dear, MLC 3rd of 3!

Snow in our "neck of the woods"...a very rare thing

Back to blogging after a few weeks of all of us sharing winter sniffles, the toddler with an ear infection, the oldest with tonsillitis, and it all started with the middle child having some ambiguous "fever virus". Thankfully, we are beginning March with every one well. The 1st of March was memorable due to snow in SE Alabama! We had no accumulation, but the older two of the
"man clan" got to live out a dream of southern boys! They played football in the snow! For any northern readers...it may seem laughable. These boys were giddy. It made for a very happy, memorable morning.

Found this on Sweet Tea Please.

I found this exercise prompted me to organize my photo files.....I had too many random folders with less than 4 photos within them! I moved and organized. Thank you Leah Belle for the prompting!

Here are the rules:
1.) Go to your 4th folder where you store your photos.
2.) Select your 4th picture (no exceptions)! Seriously.. no exceptions. (Sorry, Leah Belle, had to organize first!)
3.) Post the picture with an explanation and link it back to your tagger.
4.) Tag 4 people to do the same!




Found it neat that after my preliminary organizing, my 4th of July potluck folder fell as my 4th folder! What a memorable night we enjoyed with friends from the community! Looking forward to making it an annual event!

If you find this of interest...consider yourself tagged...if you do not have a blog, consider posting to facebook!

A Bench of Boys

Not all mine...but I would claim them all. Certainly a fun crew!
Regarding the ones that are not mine....I love their momma!
Can I just say she is one of my heroes...mom to 5 boys and she is
still sane! Her family pic is on my fridge, just so when I am overwhelmed, (yes, I get overwhelmed at times)...I pray for her!



If you would be interested in reading a commentary regarding what the boy in the white shirt at the end of the bench is doing, you can read it here. He's mine! Just gotta love boys!

One of the best perks from blogging recipes!

Friday morning these were delivered to me.

Yep, the recipe was followed from here.
The results were shared with me and my happy kiddos.
I must say that would be a sweet perk from blogging our favorite recipes!!! Thanks for sharing, Viki!

Dad had the day off!

We met friends at Callaway Gardens for a fabulous, fall day. We enjoyed a picnic, toured a garden, saw tractors and more tractors and rode bikes. What a pleasure it is for the boys to ride to their hearts content! Absolutely a lovely day!


There's John (the bestman in our wedding), and my dear, EJC! EJC, thanks for such a lovely day! This pic was taken to indicate how far ahead of them I was on the trail:-)!!!!


My beloved Lisa friend is most certainly one of the sweetest people in this world. We love her dearly!


JOC is just a blur! Very typical for him all the time!

Too cool now that he's taken the 10 speed!

Now that's my boy..thanks for posing!

No need to worry. MLC did enjoy being that close to his Daddy:-)



I like this one, maybe because I did not have to work for the pose!






EDC 1 of 3


JOC 2 of 3



Coming down the infamous antique slide together!

Oh yeah, that's a "do again"!


and again!


John Deere extravaganza!!!!

Just For Fun!!!

This is a new mint condition brown version of my own...A GIRL CAN DREAM! One question though....WHY AM I SO PRACTICAL!!!!

MY PERSONAL PURSE CONFESSIONS:

1. Describe your favorite purse...I am embarrassed to admit...for two years now my Vera Bradley black backpack/purse/diaper bag has been my bag of choice. Now that my MLC is getting bigger and does not really need everything that is usually carried in a diaper bag, several times I have tried to transition away from it to no avail! I will pull out one of the pretty, more trendy handbags only to become frustrated with its lack of organization. I have married this bag.
I can find most anything in it with my eyes on the road and one hand one the wheel. The cell phone rings...side pocket.... Digital camera...front pocket under flap... Pens...other front pocket under flap. Urge for chap stick....only the best yellow tube...front little zipper pocket above the flapped pocket....See what I mean?!?!?! When you have bonded with a bag like this, will I ever find another that I can love equally or more, besides another one just like it? It is time...the bag is looking rather worn and tired.

2 What 4 things are ALWAYS in your purse...Burts Bees Balm, Lip Stick..MK Mocha Freeze, pens (including a sharpie), Credit Cards/cash/check book

3. What is the most unusual thing you carry with you on a regular basis...scissors

4. What is the strangest thing you have ever found in your purse...a cow (toy of course)

5. Is your purse an "open book" or a "private sanctuary"....in reality...it seems to be an "open book"....I dream of someday it becoming a "private sanctuary"

6. Do you change purses often or tend to use the same one for everything... Refer to question 1..................

#1 7. Any "purse wisdom" you would like to share....everyone ought to try a Vera Bradley at least once in their lives..a little pricey maybe....but the quality is worth it and the attention to detail is obvious!!!To celebrate the upcoming passage of my MLC from a diaper wearing to a spiderman underware wearing "baby" boy...I think it is time to turn in the diaper bag/backpack. I have found these 2 styles....One of them is greatly reduced too!!!! What do you think?!?!?!

Thanks to Tonja @ Gatherings for this fun item!!!