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Ahhhh...these two books are probably my favorite books.  Several years ago a dear friend of mine introduced me to "Blueberries for Sal", and just recently I discovered "One Morning in Maine". 

These books are beautifully written and illustrated by Robert McCloskey.  What I appreciate most about these books is that Sal is a respectful, cheerful, sweet little girl.

"Blueberries for Sal" is just delightful.  It always brings a smile to mine and my children's faces whenever I read it...and it reminds me of a my dear friend as this is her favorite book.

In "One Morning in Maine" I was refreshed when reading it as there is not the typical snotty"big sister" attitude but rather ...one where the big sister delights in her little sister - just how it should be.

If I could decorate any room...I would take some of the illustrations from these two books and have them framed....they are delightfully simple...but full of expression.

I borrow these books from the library so much that when our librarian sees them come in she knows who ordered it in...(smirk).

Community Service

Today my daughter and I did community service.  Our very little town has a very little food bank/thrift store.  We went to clean and organize the thrift store.  We had a great time laughing with the other ladies and we both enjoy cleaning and organizing...so this service was really a treat for us. 

To our delight we were able to pick a few things as a thank you for our time.  So once again I was blessed with "free" treasure.

I love this little jacket and hope the brown swirly shirt fits me.  My favorite treasures are the lunch boxes.  I have been thinking about making sandwich/snack wraps for my husband and son, but could not find the right manly material.  I really think it a waste to put lunches in throw away baggies and cringe everytime I do...so these little treasures are more than I could even imagine (so true of the Lord isn't it - to give us more and above what we thought we wanted).  Anyway, they have a nice little spot for a sandwich and two compartments for snacks - I'm thrilled and can't wait to pack lunch!

Here is what my daughter was given...she didn't pick this out as she thought it would be not very tasteful to ask for this.  She picked out some material for doll clothes but the lady who runs the thrift store just loves my daughter and appreciated her hard work so much that she insisted she take this china doll home...my daughter was so blessed.

So far all of my "treasure hunting" has cost me...nothing!  Thank you Lord for caring for my "wants".

Want to see more treasures?  Hop on over to this blog:   http://www.mylifeonataffypull.blogspot.com/2012/04/garage-sale-treasure-is-back.html

Friend or Foe?

My heart rejoices as "flowers" start to bloom.  I truly believe that God wholly intended dandelions to be friends not foes. 

They have so many uses from medicinal to dying fabric...but my very favorite use of the dandelion is "first flowers".

You know what I mean....it is always the same sweet story.  A toddler with oh so chubby hands waddles up with a handful of flowers, freshly picked - just for you!  The flowers are of course dandelions.  Accompanying these beautiful flowers is the most glorious smile.

I still get "flowers" from my oldest to youngest and delight in each bouquet.  They are a special way that my children show love for me.  I proudly display my bouquet for all to see on my window sill. 

A while back we were helping at a cow round up.  After the work was done there is always a big feast.  The place that held the feast was dotted with dandelions.  I watched as my youngest picked these special flowers for some of the ladies.  I watched the reaction to his kind gesture from these tough cowgirls....one put it in her pocket and smiled with delight for she knew the treasure she had just been given, but the others, even though they said thank you, put them back on the ground.  It broke my heart as I watched the confusion in my little guys face...for he thought his gift was a most special one, but they didn't.  These young gals didn't know what treasure they held in their hands but someday when they have little ones they will...and my prayer is that they don't throw the treasured gift on the ground but proudly display them for all to see! 

The first bouquet is so important.  It is a child thinking of others, making an effort to give something to show love and appreciation.  It is equally important for the receiver of the gift to display it, to accept it, to cherish it...so you see our little, happy, golden friends dotting our yards are not foes they are friends teaching little ones about life.

Friends not foes. Next time you need to rid your yard of "weeds" - take a moment and think about your first treasured bouquet of them. If you are a young lady who has not received a "first bouquet", may this post serve as a lesson to you. May your heart sing with anticipation of the day you do get your first bouquet and may you treasure it and display it for all to see.

Mums For Your Mum

We made these beauties for Easter but I think they would be a huge hit for "Mum's Day".  We got the delightful idea from "What's New Cupcake" Cookbook.

Put colored sugars in seperate bowls.  Cut marshmallows on the diagonal letting them drop into the sugar of choice.  You will need roughtly 20 marshmallows for each mum.  Press sticky side into sugar and then place first row around edge of frosted cupcake, repeat for second and third rows.  You can either put a color cordinated candy in the middle or sprinkle some colored sugar.

EASY...SIMPLE...BEAUTIFUL

More Treasure

As I was thinking about these "treasures" I started to laugh - I feel like a pirate as these treasures were almost a steal!  In my last post about treasure hunting I told you to check your local library.  Well, this week I am still going to encourage you to do just that.  Our local library was having a $1 bag of books sale...so all these books cost me $1!  How's that for a piratey find! 

For more encouragement to get out there and treasure hunt skip on over to my friend's blog where other bloggers are linking up with her to share there treasure hunting stories. http://mylifeonataffypull.blogspot.com/

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday to my husband...a great guy...a guy who is passionate about God, family and his country.  I'm a blessed woman to be his wife. 

The children and I had so much fun getting ready for Dave's birthday celebration.  We cleaned up the house, wrapped presents, fixed potato salad (can you believe I've never made it before????) and prepared the rest of dinner.  The best part about planning this celebration was making the cupcakes with my daughter.  (directions below)

This idea comes from "Cupcake, Cookies & Pie, Oh, My!" Cookbook, page 156.  To make these "Soda Shop" cupcakes here is what to do:
*Spoon 3/4 vanilla frosting into small bowl and freeze 30 minutes
*Divide remaining vanilla frosting among 3 microwaveable bowls. Tint one bowl pink with red food coloring, tint one bowl chocolate with cocoa powder, leave third bowl white.
*Working with one color of frosting, microwave the frosting - 10 - 15 seconds.  Holding a cupcake by the liner (we used silver), dip into the melted frosting, allowing excess to drip back into the bowl.  Transfer to cookie sheet.  While frosting is still wet, top the cupcake with some sprinkles or decorating sugar.  Repeat with 4 more cupcakes.  Repeat the process with 5 cupcakes for each color frosting. 
*Remove the vanilla frosting from the freezer and use a small spoon to shape the frozen frosting into balls.  Place a scoop of frosting on top of each cupcake, pressing down slightly to secure. 
*For chocolate malt, dust top of each cupcake with cocoa powder, for strawberry soda add sprinkles, and for vanilla creams add the chocolate sprinkles.
*Cut bendy straw to shorten both ends - insert.
*Color sytrofoam cups with red stripes.
*Place cupcakes inside cup.  These will be top heavy so if transporting wait till you arrive to assemble... My older son thought that filling the cups with candies would help them not be so top-heavy.

My daughter and I have made many a cupcake and these were by far my favorite to assemble...happy cupcaking!