Bible Journaling

When my child was young, it seemed like I could still find time to be creative. Once he started schoool, things got so much harder! I work full-time but also volunteer heavily. I guess you could say my creativity comes in the form of fundraising these days.  I am just in a season of life that doesn't lend itself to being creative.

I rejoined Life Book again this year but have not done a single lesson. Right now, I am attempting to dive into the world of Bible journaling. I purchased Shanna Noel's 100 DAYS OF BIBLE PROMISES. So far, I have only finished one day. I put together a little kit of journaling items that I could take with me. Some individuals have done wonderful and elaborate painted pages. I won't be able to do that. But I am hoping to start using my lunch hour to do some creative journaling and connecting with God.

AT HOME IN THIS LIFE with Jerusalem Greer

I wish I could remember how I first ran across Jerusalem Greer. I have been following and linking to her blog for years. Jerusalem is definitely a kindred spirit. I have enjoyed learning about her and her family over the years. As a Sunday School teacher, I often looked to Jerusalem for inspiration on how to celebrate different moments in the liturgical calendar. I was super excited when she released her first book, A HOMEMADE YEAR: THE BLESSING OF COOKING, CRAFTING, AND COMING TOGETHER. This book gave me so many wonderful ideas about how to celebrate different holidays and bring faith-based activities into my home. Another thing I love about Jerusalem is that she and I seem to have shared vision of how we would like our lives to look. She is further down the path than I am but I dream of a farm or home in the country and a simpler life for my family. While Jerusalem has touched on her own journey on her blog, she is now exploring it in further depth with her new book AT HOME IN THIS LIFE: FINDING PEACE AT THE CROSSROADS OF UNRAVELED DREAMS AND BEAUTIFUL SURPRISES. I feel like I am at a crossroads in my life right now and I cannot wait to read this book! I just finished Shauna Niequist's PRESENT OVER PERFECT and I feel that this is the next book I need to read.

In Jerusalem's own words:

"At Home in this Life is the story of how everything I thought would make me happy came undone, and then how I found a way to make myself at home in this beautiful, messy, amazingly tender, completely unbalanced life, by imperfectly practicing one spiritual discipline at a time—smack in the middle of raising kids, mending the sweaters and burning the bread."

Jerusalem's new book comes out in May but you can preorder now!

If you preorder the book, she is including a pre-order gift pack!

• 2 coloring sheets download
• 1 printable download
• 5 Digital Wallpapers
• Access to video tour of Jerusalem's Home and Farm
• Early Access to the At Home in this Life Etsy Curated Collection

To find out more about the preorder special, go here.

2017 Word of the Year

In 2011, I chose "remember."
In 2012, I chose "breathe."
In 2013, I chose "believe."
In 2014, I chose "thrive."
In 2015, I did not choose a word. I looked at the new year with fear and loathing.
In 2016, my words were "simplify" and "happiness."

For 2017, I have chosen the word "strength."

The end of 2016 was tough. It was hard to find motivation to do anything and I often became idle with despair. At the end of September, I started a new exercise program with Kaia Fit. I am tired of being overweight and weak. Slowly.....slowly.....slowly I am getting stronger. I want to be strong of body and heart in 2017. I want to stand strong in my convictions and my relationships and I want to find the strength to stand up to injustice wherever I find it and to be strong when others need me.

Here is hoping I find strength in all different forms in 2017.

A Christmas Mystery

My son loves nutcrackers. I have no idea why. This is not a passing phase. He has continued to add to his nutcracker collection for years. He loves attending Nutcracker performances. We couldn't afford to go this year and he was so disappointed. (Until I won free tickets from a local radio station!)

Noodle and I both love to decorate for holidays. We watch the "Great Christmas Light Fight" together and dream about having the resources to do a really big display at Halloween and Christmas. Instead, we have to satisfy ourselves with some shabby lighted garland.

Recently, I went on a Costco run with my friend Monique. I was helping her pick out a television. I have a love/hate relationship with Costco. I always get overwhelmed when I go and I can't focus. I end up wandering aimlessly up and down the aisles. After we picked out a television, Monique went over to the health aisle. I told her I wanted to check out the holiday decorations. Just for fun. I warned her, though, not to let me get too crazy. "Costco is the kind of place where you go for groceries and walk out with a six foot tall Nutcracker."

Five minutes later, I send Monique a text:

Now, there is no way I am going to spend $256 on a nutcracker. Even though I was tempted!

In the meantime, our Elf on the Shelf named Crumpet brought my son a new nutcracker as he does every year. It was a big hit. I figured that would be our great nutcracker moment of this Christmas. Noodle did inform me that he asked Santa for a giant Nutcracker but he knows Santa can't get EVERYTHING on one's wish list.

My husband got home today and found this sitting on our front porch.

It is a giant inflatable Nutcracker. Now, very few people know about my son's love of nutcrackers and even fewer know of my joke about getting a 6 ft. tall nutcracker. So where did this come from?  So far, no one has owned up to it.


When my son gets home from school today, this is what he will be greeted by:

Thank you to our mysterious Nutcracker benefactor!!!

Making Our Own TINY MAMA

For the past few years, we have subscribed to Bobbledy Books. It is a direct subscription service of pictures books and music for kids. Even though my son is outgrowing the books, we still love their whimsical drawings and stories.

The newest book to arrive was TINY MAMA. It couldn't have been more timely. TINY MAMA is the story of a little girl who carries a doll with her everywhere she goes named Tiny Mama. Not only is Tiny Mama a loyal companion but she also whispers advice to the little girl. When the little girl is faced with the behavior of a unkind boy, Tiny Mama reminds the girl of the Golden Rule. One day, however, the behavior of the boy pushes Tiny Mama to tell the girl to go head and hit the boy. The little girl must then learn about the consequences of that action and figure out how to make things right.

My 7-yr-old has been struggling lately to deal with emotions. He recently hit a friend in the face and had to face some pretty stiff consequences. I appreciated the timely nature of this book and how it talks about how everyone makes mistakes but that the important thing is to learn from them and figure out a way to make it right.

I told my son he could make his own Tiny Mama for his pocket to help him remember this lesson.  When I was cleaning out the garage recently, I found some packages of Shrinky Dinks. I thought this would be the perfect way to make our first Tiny Mama. There was some trial and error as Noodle found it difficult to draw his picture large enough.

We didn't stop with Tiny Mama. I made a tiny version of my son that I could carry in my pocket or handbag. We also made a tiny version of our cat. Noodle was very impressed with how quickly the images shrunk in the oven. It only takes about 2-4 minutes. Our final tiny masterpieces were too small to make anything with but we already have ideas for keychains and necklaces and all kinds of other projects! This is a great activity for a rainy day.

Loss and Daffodils

(Image from Natalie Creates)

When we first moved to our new rental back in 2011, I was feeling very sad. Gary had lost his job one year prior and still hadn't found a new one. We were one year into a slippery slope of calamity and our downward slide continues. When we moved to Pacific in October 2011, I needed to do something to feel like myself. I decided to plant daffodils in the front flowerbeds. It would be months before I would be able to see them bloom but it gave me something to look forward to. I loved my daffodils so much. It made me happy every year to see them bloom again.

This past Spring, our landlord at Pacific asked us to leave. We were forced to move right in the middle of Noodle's 8th birthday and my 40th birthday. Not exactly how I had pictured celebrating these milestones. After two months of frantic searching, we ended up in a smaller house paying $600 more rent per month. But at least we managed to find something and stay in Petaluma. We packed up our belongings in boxes and decided to leave all the many plants we had lovingly planted.  I left my Fourth of July rosebush that was a gift from Gary and the fruit trees I had nursed back to health after the landlord had allowed them to be choked by ivy and (most heartbreaking) my beloved daffodils.

I thought the worst was over once we had settled in but I had no idea how vindictive my ex-landlord was going to be. Last week, we went to Small Claims Court. It felt dirty and uncomfortable and I hated having to do it. But that money meant a great deal to us. We received the judgment yesterday and it was a disappointment. We were only awarded about 1/4 of our claim. The hardest pill to swallow is that our landlord is charging the new tenant (who moved in exactly one month after we left) about $600-$700 more rent per month than we paid. He is not hurting for money. But I learned hard lessons and I won't make the same mistakes again.

In the past, I started watching the flower beds in the front yard around this time of year. When I saw my daffodils begin to pop up, I knew Spring was on the way. I wish so much I had dug up my daffodil bulbs before we left. I had thought at the time it would be a nice gift to the place we called home for 3.5 years to leave them. Now it just leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. 

I saw the photo above on Natalie's blog today. Natalie has become a source of inspiration for me recently. She gives me a glimpse into the kind of home and lifestyle that I hope to build for myself someday. I don't know when it will happen. Some days I despair that it never will. I have to have hope that it will. And when it does, I hope there will be daffodils.

Life Book 2016

A few years ago, I did the Life Book course. I loved the combination of mixed media art lessons combined with self-help. It challenged me to really think about my life and to be creative on a regular basis.  This year, I decided to try again.

My creative life has dried up over the past few years.  I think about how I used to make things all the time when my son was young. I sewed and painted and knitted and did all sorts of things. Then, my creativity dried up along with my joy. Over the past five years, fear and anxiety have taken over my life and squashed my happiness. This year, I am going to try and take it back.

As you all know, we moved to a new rental house last Spring. I lost my workroom. Now, I have some of my art supplies on a baker's rack in the kitchen/dining room. Much of my supplies are still packed up in the garage. I am already behind on Life Book because I am still trying to find my materials. It is frustrating and I have come close to throwing in the towel. This weekend, I finally gathered enough materials to attempt the first creative warmup.

Work in progress:

Bacchus was fascinated and got right in the middle of my work. He ended up with paint on his nose.

I tried to pick a phrase that would be meaningful for this new year and this new venture. I thought about how I have let worry take over my life. Another Life Booker posted a variation on this quotation and I thought it would be perfect:

While this isn't my best work, it's a start. I am going to try to "exchange worry for wonder" this year. I need to get my happy back.

If you'd like to join me in Life Book, you can register here any time. All the videos are available the whole year so you are never behind.

Wish me luck!

2016 Word(s) of the Year

I have been participating in picking a Word of the Year since 2011.

In 2011, I chose "remember."
In 2012, I chose "breathe."
In 2013, I chose "believe."
In 2014, I chose "thrive."
In 2015, I did not choose a word. I looked at the new year with fear and loathing.

It's time to renew this practice.

This year, I decided on two words which I think will go hand in hand.

The first word is "simplify."

Oddly enough, I had already decided on this word when I discovered the The Bloggess chose it as well.

I need to rid my life of clutter and stuff. Not only physical items but emotional and mental clutter as well. It's time to decide what really matters and get rid of the rest.

Along with that I chose the word "happiness."

The last time I felt truly happy unfettered by fear and anxiety was in 2010. That was when my husband lost his job and we started a downward spiral that continues today.

While my problems continue, I must remember that I can control my reaction to those problems. I cannot let these challenges steal my happiness. Life is short. It's time to get my happiness back.

DIY Rebel Alliance Tshirts

I made something!!!

It is so much harder now for me to do anything creative. We are in a smaller house and my only work space is the dining table where we eat. So I can't leave any projects out!

We have three birthday parties this month. Money is always very tight so I tried to think of something I could make as a present. All three boys like "Star Wars" and I thought it might be fun to make something "Star Wars" related since the new movie is coming out.  Recently, I saw a man walking down the street with a Rebel Alliance tshirt on. I loved the graphic quality of the image and felt confident I could make something using the Freezer Paper Stencil technique.

There are freezer paper stencil tutorials all over the internet so I won't go into too much detail.

Materials:
Freezer Paper
Rebel Alliance image (there are lots on the internet)
Fabric paint (I used Tulip's Matte True Red)
Black tshirt
Foam brush


First, I searched for an image of the Rebel Alliance symbol and printed out an enlarged version.

I then laid a piece of freezer paper over the image and traced it with a pencil. I cut the image out of the freezer paper to make a stencil.  Once you have your stencil, you will need to place it on your tshirt with the shiny side down. Use a hot iron over the paper to get it to stick to the shirt. Make sure all the cut edges have a nice seal.

Time to paint!

I placed a paper shopping bag inside each shirt to prevent paint from soaking through. You will probably get some bleeding and you don't want it to soak through to the back of shirt. You want a nice sharp edge to your image so I prefer to dab the paint on with a foam brush. It is much better to dab paint on from above than smooth it on within the stencil. You don't want any paint to get under the edges of the stencil.

I don't like the black to show through so I did a first pass when the paintbrush and let it dry. Then, I went back over a second time. Once the paint has fully dried (don't rush this!), carefully remove the stencil. When you are peeling, bits of the freezer paper can sometimes get left behind. I pulled some off with tweezers. The rest will eventually come off in the wash.

I think the shirts look pretty cool! Hopefully, the boys will like them!

Feeling Lots of Feelings

I know I haven't checked in in awhile. My life is at a very strange point.  When we moved in May, I lost my office so I am now down to a baker's rack in the kitchen. My only space to create is the dining table. Since the dining table is our only eating space, I can't leave any projects out. I have felt completely uninspired for a long time.

I look at photographs of all the things I used to make and it makes me sad. When Noodlebug was little, I sewed him handmade clothes and costumes and knitted him things and made him toys. Somehow I even found time to create mixed media canvases and other projects. Now, I don't do anything creative. It is as if the stress of life and constant financial worry has drained all the creativity and drive out of me.

I did mange to pull together some Halloween costumes. This year, our little family went as some of the Feelings from "Inside Out."  Meet Sadness, Anger, and Fear.

I'm not sure how to get my creative mojo back. I'm feeling a bit lost right now.

I Am Changing

I have felt for awhile now that I am on the edge a big change in my life. It wasn't just the fact that I turned 40 in May. Many of my peers spent the time leading up to their 40th birthdays getting fit and losing weight. As much as I would have liked to focus on that, I spent the time leading up to my birthday losing my home and starting over yet again. This latest move has forced me to re-evaluate many aspects of my life. I spent the Summer getting rid of a lot of stuff. I'm almost done cleaning out. This is not a konmari approach but more something driven out of fear and necessity. If we have to suddenly move again, I need to limit how much we have to pack and move. This blog has been idle because I haven't been creating anything.  Instead, I have been dismantling things. I have yet to open all the boxes from my old workroom and make tough decisions about getting rid of craft and art materials. It has been so long since I have sat down to create anything at all. I used to paint. I used to collage. I used to sew.  What happened to that person?

The last five years have been tough. Our lives completely changed when my husband lost his job.  Although we are both employed now, we are not making the money we did back then. Our new rental costs us $600 more than the old one.  Almost all my paycheck goes to cover rent and we usually run out of money by mid-month. We are trying desperately to dig out of the debt accrued while my husband didn't have a job. We'll get there.  It is just a painful process in the meantime. I am working towards the goal of owning a home again. That is my sole focus right now.

As we work through these difficult times, I am starting to think about who I really am right now. I find myself attracted to surprising things and people. I am drawing inspiration like never before from Instagram. I am feeling called to start a Bible journaling practice to re-focus my faith journey. I am changing my style and how I look. I am trying to figure out ways to get healthy while working full-time and taking care of two households. Things are happening.

I decided to join Brave Girl University to re-take some of the Brave Girls Club classes that meant so much to me several years ago. I think I need to spend some time figuring out who I am and what I really want. I feel myself withdrawing from a lot of things that used to give me joy and turning away from the company of others.  It is as if I am building a cocoon and isolating myself to start the painful process of becoming someone else.

I am not sure what is going to happen but recently I have been turning to Rainer Maria Rilke who meant so much to me in my college years:

"How could we forget those ancient myths that stand at the beginning of all races, the myths about dragons that at the last moment are transformed into princesses? Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage. Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love.

     So you mustn't be frightened...if a sadness rises in front of you, larger than any you have ever seen; if an anxiety, like light and cloud-shadows, moves over your hands and over everything you do. You must realize that something is happening to you, that life has not forgotten you, that it holds you in its hand and will not let you fall. "

Brave Girl University

A few years ago, I was looking for inspiration and guidance. I knew I was experiencing a lot of change in my life and I needed a way to gather my thoughts about everything that was happening. My friend directed me to Brave Girls Club. I loved it because their classes combined some really great self-help guidance along with creative instruction. Best of both worlds!  Over the years, I have taken several of their classes.  I feel like my life is changing yet again and it may be time to retake some of my favorite BGC classes like Soul Restoration and Life Restoration. When I went to investigate signing up, I discovered that the wonderful people at Brave Girls Club were embarking on a new adventure!

Starting TODAY, Brave Girl University is launching!  For a $25 per month subscription, you get access to online courses by over 80 different teachers!  And many of my favorites! I can't wait to take classes from Junelle Jacobsen, Mindy Lacefield, Stephanie Ackerman, Tamara Laporte, Jeanne Oliver, and so many more! I love online classes because I can do them whenever I find a spare moment. And I love knowing that as long as I am a subscriber, I will have access to these classes. No deadlines!

I can't wait to see what this new adventure is like!  Maybe I will actually get a moment to create something. It has been awhile and I think my soul needs it.

Why I Love Evy's Tree

(This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own and 
I received no compensation in any form for this post.)

In January 2012, like many others, I was closely following Ashley Hackshaw's cancer journey. Ashley is such a creative spirit and I had received so much inspiration from her blog. I prayed for her and marveled at her strength in the face of such extreme adversity. It is a testament to Ashley's impact on the blogging world that so many bloggers and shop owners came together to create a special auction that would benefit Ashley and her family.  Leading the charge was Amy Miraflor of Evy's Tree.

I had never heard of Evy's Tree before but was immediately charmed by Amy's embellished hoodies. I loved that she had developed this cottage industry out of her home. I didn't win one of Amy's hoodies but I did become a customer.

(Vintage Brilla)

In 2013, Amy decided to grow her business and launched a manufactured line. It was about this time that I FINALLY realized that Evy's Tree was in my own backyard!!! I kept buying hoodies and anxiously awaited the day when Evy's Tree would expand enough to open a storefront in Sonoma County.  That finally happened during the last year.

So, why do I love these hoodies so much?  I am a plus-size girl. It can be very very hard to feel good in anything when you are plus-size. Every time I admire clothing on FB or IG, I will invariably discover that it does not come in my size. I can't even do Stitch Fix which so many of my friends are crazy about. My size isn't available. So, when I find something that makes me feel good when I wear it, it's a BIG DEAL!  I love that Evy's Tree offers XS through 2X. (or 0/2 through 20/22).  Another problem that many women have with online and catalog orders is that it is hard to know how something will fit if you aren't the size of the model wearing the clothes. Evy's Tree is so great about having all their lovely employees model their hoodies. Fans of ET tend to have their favorite "fit model" that they always look for on FB and IG.  (I love Nicole and Harmony)  Seeing these hoodies on women of all shapes and sizes is not only inspiring but very helpful in ordering!

I also love how the company is supportive of families. They seem to take care of their employees. When I visit the showroom, I am always impressed with how kind everyone is. Every employee that walks through introduces himself or herself to me and makes me feel welcome. That is pretty darn special!

The hoodies are pricey. They are considered a luxury brand with lots of wonderful little details. I can't always buy them when they come out. But I watch for sales like a hawk! The team releases 2-4 hoodies per month. The brand has quite the cult following that has even inspired FB groups like "Evy's Tree Styling, Resale, Chat."

Here are some of my favorite Evy's Tree moments.  I am 5'7" and wear a size 16.

(Ashley Stripe in XL)

(Blush Diana in XL)

(Sea Glass Reece in XL...although I will be sizing up to 1X if I get another one of these)

(Josie Tunic in Vintage Grey in XL)

(Here I am in the ET Showroom wearing the new Lisa Golden in Large)

(Cognac Brilla in 1X)

(Addyson--unbelted--in XL)

(Christie in Mauve in size 2X--Slightly too big but definitely size up unless you want it super-fitted)

(Side view of Christie--a size 1X would have been perfect)

(Sienna Ashley in size XL worn with Grace and Lace extender)

The hoodies allow me to be comfortable and casual while also being slightly more dressy and put together.  Plus, they layer so nicely!!!

Recently, Evy's Tree realized the need for a rewards program. If only I had had that two years ago!  This referral link will get you 10% off your first purchase. From time to time, I will post photos of me wearing new releases just because I like to drop by the showroom!

It is always great to be able to support a wonderful company filled with wonderful people!

For the most up to date info on Evy's tree, follow them on Instagram @evystreeofficial or on Facebook.  If you live in Sonoma County, I HIGHLY recommend you follow @evystreeshowroom.

Inspiration from Hymns

(Beautiful Piece from Take the Cannoli)

I haven't done anything creative in awhile.  I just got a few materials to start Bible Journaling recently but have not had a moment to sit down and begin.

I have been thinking a lot about hymns lately. I grew up in Texas and spent a lot of time in my grandparents' Baptist church in Waco. My grandmother would often walk around the house humming hymns and they make up a great deal of the soundtrack of my youth.

A few of my favorites:

"Blessed Assurance"
"Just a Closer Walk with Thee"
"The Old Rugged Cross"
"What a Friend We Have in Jesus"
"I'll Fly Away"
"O Christ the Same"
"How Great Thou Art"
"Softly and Tenderly (Jesus is Calling)"

Have you ever noticed how many classic hymns address trouble and strife?

Many of my favorite childhood hymns are not in my current Lutheran hymnal but I am making an effort to collect them into a list. I would like to do something creative with these hymns. I'm going to keep on collecting hymns on this post and then I to put some of the lyrics into a new piece.

Do you have any favorites?

CBC Guide to Disneyland: Part Two

Welcome to Part Two of my series about Disneyland!

RIDES

Plan on getting to the park at least a half hour before it opens.  It can take many families awhile to get out the door in the morning so you can get in a lot of rides if you go early. Cast members will let the crowds into Main Street first before the rest of the park opens. One the rest of the park opens, plan your strategy. If you have more than one adult and it looks like the park will be crowded, send one adult to a Fast Pass ride to grab passes for later and then meet up with the rest of the family at your first ride of the day. Expect long lines at rides like Peter Pan. 

Fast Passes are so great for busy rides! They are an absolute MUST for Radiator Springs Racers. If you are going to California Adventure, be there before it opens and head to the left hand side of rope drop.  Once they drop the rope, head directly to the Radiator Spring Fast Pass machines. They WILL run out of passes so get this out of the way first.

Although Disney does a brilliant job with lines, plan on bringing a small activity to keep the kids busy while waiting. My son had a small "Cars" tractor that kept him completely occupied. My friend's little one had a small lunchbox-sized container with little plastic figures. Although there are lockers with charging stations throughout the park, we decided to conserve energy on our phones and did not let the kids use them. Charging stations are often full and we wanted to keep our phones charged up in order to check the wait times at different rides.

Kids ages 7 and up can ride on their own.  The rides with the strictest height limits are California Screamin' and Tower of Terror.  My 7-year-old was able to do all the rides this year. 

ENTERTAINMENT

Do not miss the evening parades and fireworks!!!  Each part of Disneyland has something special. Disneyland has its evening parade and Fantasmic! show as well as fireworks.  California Adventure has the Pixar Parade and World of Color.  We have found the Pixar Parade to be less crowded than the Disneyland parade.  

We always indulge in a World of Color dining package that gets you preferred viewing for World of Color.  There are various packages but we typically get the Carthay Circle package.  It is a fixed price dinner.  At the end of dinner, you get Fast Passes for the preferred viewing area.  It is still standing room so prepare accordingly.  There is now also a Fantasmic! dining package but we have yet to try that one.

When it gets hot and crowded, take the time to explore the many other entertainment options in the park. Although we haven't seen it yet, the Aladdin show is supposed to be amazing!

SOUVENIRS
Stop by City Hall when you first enter the park and ask for a button.  They have all kinds such as a Birthday button, an "I'm Celebrating!" button, First Time Visitor buttons and more.  They are free and make a great souvenir.  When they write your name on the birthday button, cast members will tell you Happy Birthday all day long!

You can always buy Disney themed t-shirts and other merchandise in advance to save money but there are some things you will only find in the parks. My one souvenir from this last trip was the Disneyland "I am Here" Starbucks mug because you can't get it anywhere else.  I also happen to believe that every visitor needs a pair of mouse ears.

Even though it can be pricey, make sure and take advantage of the various Disney photographers throughout the parks. After they take your photo, they will give you a Photopass card. You can reuse this same card every time you get your photo taken.

If you have a Star Wars fan, do not miss the Jedi Training Academy!  My son loves it!!!  Try to hit the very first show if you can. Go early and make sure your kids sit in front. If they are wearing Star Wars apparel, it can help them get chosen. And enthusiasm goes a long way! If your child get picked, they will participate in the show and get a special certificate at the end. **2016 UPDATE--You must now register your child for the show as soon as the park opens to ensure a spot!**

One of my son's favorite souvenirs this year was his Autopia driver's license. After riding the ride, you will exit past the booths where you can get this card made. I think it costs about $5.  He carries it in his wallet all the time!

Little girls will most likely want a makeover at the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique.  They have a knight package as well. VERY PRICEY. But it may be an important one-time experience for your child.  ($60-$195)

My family also loves pin trading.  You can get a starter package in the park or at the Disney Stores.  They usually come with a lanyard and a few pins.  My son loves to trade pins!  It has been good for his self-confidence. We only trade with Cast Members.  Trades are one-for-one and cast members will not turn down your child.  Just watch for cast members wearing pins.  Some people buy giant lots of pins through eBay and other discount outlets to save money. I do not recommend this because the pins are almost always fake. Invest in a few inexpensive ones and let your kids trade for ones they really want.

I bought my son an autograph book from the Disney Store for our first trip. Any book will do.  He loved getting autographs from all his favorite Disney characters and it has been a special souvenir for him.

Although this isn't technically a souvenir, don't miss rubbing Aladdin's Magic Lamp in the Bazaar shop in Adventureland across from the Jungle Cruise. And have your video camera ready! For 50 cents, my son got his fortune told with great theatrics!

In California Adventure, grab a newspaper on Buena Vista Street.  They are free and make a fun souvenir. If you need a break for your kids to run around, head over to Grizzly Peak for the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.  Kids figure out a variety of challenges in order to earn their Wilderness Explorer Badge. It feels like being in a really fun park right in the middle of Disneyland!  Kids can run around and climb and do zip lines.  A great hidden treasure.

There is so much to do and see at Disneyland!!! Make sure to take in all the little details around the park.  Do not force yourself to try and ride as many rides as you can.  You will all be miserable.  Take your time. Don't stress.  Focus on the rides with the shortest lines and the ones you absolutely must do because your kids love the characters.  Don't worry about the rest.  Have a great time.  Because it really is one of the happiest places on Earth!

CBC Guide to Disneyland: Part One

It is no secret that we are big Disneyland fans in my family!  I celebrated my 10th, 30th, and 40th birthdays there!!!  I love it that Disneyland and I share milestone events.  This year, I turned 40 and Disneyland is turning 60!

When I turned 10, Disneyland was having a special promotion where certain guests were awarded prizes as they came through the gate.  I won a lifetime pass!  (You can see me holding it in the above photo)  My parents confiscated it so that I wouldn't lose it.  Instead, they ended up losing it. I never even got to use it.  But it was still an exciting day and a fun memory.

Disneyland is definitely my happy place.  One of the items on my bucket list is to be able to stay in the Adventureland Fantasy Suite at the Disneyland Hotel.   Of course, getting to stay in the Disneyland Dream Suite wouldn't be too shabby either!!! Maybe for my 50th birthday.  Until then, here are some of my favorite tips for an affordable and fun Disneyland visit.

If you have a smartphone, makes sure and purchase the Touring Plans app. This has definitely changed how I visit Disneyland. You can see real-time updates on lines and it can help you decide which rides to go on and which ones to get FastPasses for.

ACCOMMODATIONS

We love staying in official Disney hotels but they are pricey.  You do get perks!  By staying in a Disneyland hotel, you get the extra Magic Hour Early Admission on select days.  This can be purchased in addition to a regular ticket by non-hotel guests but not for California Adventure.  You can also take advantage of Pinocchio's Workshop for childcare as a guest of a Disneyland Hotel. This is a great option for families with kids ages 5-12 that allows grownups to have a night out on their own during their visit. And, of course, you receive all the outstanding Disneyland customer service and concierge service that comes with staying in an official hotel.

As much as we love those perks, we would rather save a few hundred dollars on a cheaper hotel that we could spend within the park. Our very favorite place to stay is the Best Western Park Place Inn and Suites.  The rooms have a mini-fridge and microwave and a light buffet breakfast is included right next door. For four nights, we paid $501 including parking. Parking is currently $10 per night.  We park our car and leave it there the whole visit.  Why? Because this is absolutely the closest hotel to Disneyland INCLUDING the Disneyland Resort hotels.  You cross the street and enter the main gate.  It is fantastic!!!  Especially when you are tired at the end of the day.  No messing with shuttles or waiting to get your car out of a crowded lot. Since we don't really spend much time in our hotel beyond sleeping, this hotel is a perfect fit for us. The property also has a pool in case you need a break from the park.

DINING

Since we save money on the hotel and breakfast, I like to splurge on a few nice meals during our visit.  Everyone must eat at Blue Bayou at least once.  You cannot beat the ambience.  I am not a fan of the food. however.  Very expensive for what it is.  So, if you have already had your Blue Bayou experience, I suggest making a reservation at Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue.  It is one of our family's favorites!!! It really feels like you have gotten away from the park when you eat here. The outdoor location is lovely and quiet and there is a petting zoo right next door.  The fixed price menu is simple.  It is table service and includes all you can eat barbecue chicken and ribs, ranch beans, coleslaw and cornbread. Desserts are extra.  We love the family-style eating arrangement and casual atmostphere.  **2016 UPDATE---Big Thunder Ranch BBQ has been permanently closed for the Star Wars expansion.**

Another favorite splurge is Carthay Circle in California Adventure.  The perfect place for a grownup meal.  We always get the World of Color Dining package here which gives us preferred viewing for the show.  The dining experience really feels sophisticated and the service is excellent.  Reservations highly recommended.

We did the character dining experience at Ariel's Grotto one time.  You are definitely paying for the characters with this one.  If your child is a fan of the Disney princesses, this is the meal you should book. However, I was disappointed with the food and atmosphere.  One time was enough for us. We also made a reservation for the Goofy's Kitchen character breakfast at the Disneyland Hotel. Again, very pricey.  You are paying for the character experience.  I liked the variety in the buffet. Definitely something for everyone. And my son was excited to see so many characters come by.

For a special snack, I like stopping by the Mint Julep Bar in Disneyland for beignets.  They are Mickey-shaped and make a fun (yet sugary) treat. Stay away from the Mint Juleps as they taste a bit like cough syrup. Another nice break spot is the Wine County Trattoria in California Adventure. We found you can get a great view of the Pixar Parade from the terrace. Plus, the grownups can have a glass of wine.

For another high-end experience, leave the park and head for Napa Rose in the Grand Californian. Everything is absolutely delicious. I had my engagement dinner here!!!

Part Two will cover some of my favorite attractions and souvenirs!

Greek Mythology Birthday Party

Noodlebug turns 7 today and we had a Greek Mythology birthday party in the park yesterday.  Because I am in the middle of a move, we kept it simple!

Noodle has loved Greek mythology for years. Ever since he went through my Barefoot Books inventory and found all the books on the subject.  For his party, my friend Susie created the wonderful Greek Temple backdrop from cardboard.  The perfect photo opp!  My son went as Zeus and I went as Medusa.

All Noodle's friends dressed up as their favorite mythological creatures and characters.  For activities, we had "Paint a Shield," "Paint a Greek Pot," and glitter tattoos.  For "Paint a Shield," I bought packages of 16 inch cake circles. They were the perfect size!  At $6.29 for a six pack on Amazon, it was MUCH easier than hand-cutting circles out of foam core.  I made handles on the back of each shield using silver duct tape.  The kids had a choice of using acrylic paint or paint pens. In retrospect, I would have only had paint pens out on the tables. Much easier and less messy to use.

(Noodle holding his shield!)

For "Paint a Greek Pot," I put out photos of ancient Greek pottery along with mini flower pots and paint.  I got the mini flower pots at the Dollar Store. They came in packs of 3.  Again, using only paint pens would have been best but the kids loved the activity.

I bought two kits of Glitter Tattoos and they were a big hit!  Super easy to use.  Much easier than face painting and less messy. Once the glue sets, the tattoos don't come off so there was no need to worry about them wiping off onto clothing. Plus, the stencils made it easy to get a perfect image every time.

For the grand finale, we had a pinata.  I just got a classic bull pinata and we pretended that it was the Minotaur.  Everyone loves a pinata!

For food, we did fresh fruit, cheese, and pretzel sticks and Noodle baked his own cupcakes.  It was a very simple party in the park but the kids had a great time!

As a bit of a joke, I grabbed a piece of cardboard and made a "burnt offerings" station for gifts.  I just propped up the cardboard in front of a big plastic storage tub.

For favors, we kept it simple.  Each child got one mythological character from the Mythical Realms Toob:

I also printed and laminated this free printable for Communications4all:

I think the kids had a great time.



I can't believe I have a 7-yr-old!

(This post contains some affiliate links to products that I used)

Pinterest Fail: Mickey Tie Dye Shirts

We are going to Disneyland next week with some friends and I very much wanted to make some special t-shirts for us to wear.  I saw this fun tutorial from the Kids Activities Blog and wanted to try it.

So cute, right?  I bought similar colors because I thought the shirts could be reused for Fourth of July later on.  I was excited to see the final results.


WOMP WOMP

 

 

Wow. Really really bad.  I followed the directions exactly.  100% cotton shirts.  Soaked them in soda ash.  Gathered the Mickey design with dental floss and tied off with one inch of rubber bands. Not sure what went wrong.  The red color seemed to leak a bit so the image became distorted. Looks like a giant bloody heart.  I cannot let anyone wear these ridiculous shirts. We will have to chalk it up to a Pinterest Fail.

ART IS YOU Petaluma 2015

It's that time again!!!  The amazing ART IS YOU Mixed Media Retreat on the West Coast!  I only got to take one class this time but it was terrific!

This year, I took a class called "Resin Heaven" with Jen Crossley.  Jen was a wonderful and patient teacher with a great sense of humor.

Here are some examples of Jen's work that we were attempting to recreate:

First, she taught us how to make our own molds using Pinkysil and rubber stamps.  These molds can then be filled with ICE resin to make the centerpiece of the pendant.  Since we didn't have time to wait for the resin to dry, Jen handed out a few ready-made pieces to complete our projects.

This was really working out of my comfort zone as I had never worked with molds or ICE resin before.  I'm not too great at wirework either!

I kept at it and, with some help from Jen, managed to finish my piece!

It is hard to see but my resin image says "Sixpence."  Don't look to closely at my wire-wrapping!





A really fun class and I learned a lot!

The West Coast ART IS YOU will be back next year in Santa Rosa!  The event will be in mid-April so start planning now!  Get all the details here.

Week Four: Renting in Sonoma County

I had to laugh a bit when I saw this article in a recent issue of the local ARGUS COURIER newspaper.

"Housing Crisis Squeezes Petaluma Residents"

No joke!  You are in a bad situation if you are looking to rent OR if you are looking to buy. There is just no inventory. I broke down and started looking into apartment living this past week.  One bedrooms at the Azure Apartment Homes begin at $2020 a month with three bedrooms going as high as $3480.  At the Park Central townhomes next to Azure, they have a waiting list with one bedrooms starting at $2000 a month and two bedrooms going as high as $3226.  Insane!

We are starting to get a feel for the rentals market although we are constantly surprised by how high rents are.  About 1-2 houses pop up each day.  Houses on the west side go for higher rent.  For example, there is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house that is 1300 sq ft going for $2700 per month. Another house that looks like it is on the east side is 3 bedroom, 2 bath and 2200 sq ft and is renting for $2900.  More house but not much higher rent than the west side location.

If you are looking in the $1700-$1900, be prepared for 2 bedroom, 1 bath apartments or older townhomes with no amenities. MAYBE a house.  A tiny one. None have much in the way of outdoor space or storage.  When you hit $2500, you can get a three bedroom with a bit of outdoor space and garage.  Often very dated interiors. There isn't much in between.   We had hoped to spend no more than $2300. 

So, do you go for the cheaper option knowing you will be cramped and miserable without any decent outdoor space and will probably have to pay for a storage unit?  Or do you stretch your budget to the breaking point trying to find a place your family will be comfortable in?

We found a property that would definitely be a stretch for us but we like the neighborhood and it has a lovely backyard.  I submitted an application on Wednesday and we attended the open house on Thursday.  I did everything I could think of to give us an edge and I left feeling confident that we had a shot at the house.  I was definitely in better spirits over the weekend. Today, I saw that they are doing another open house on the property tomorrow.  I don't feel they would do this if they felt they had a good applicant.  I really thought this was going to be the break we were looking for.

With only a month to go, we are faced with some tough decisions.  There was only one house we could see over the weekend.  It was small and overpriced but I was willing to consider it. My husband was not.  So, we don't really have any options right now unless something pops up during the week.  I am starting to feel like we should take a less desirable approach.  There is a small 2 bedroom 1 bath duplex near my church.  No yard.  No garage.  Very little living space. But it would be LESS than we can afford.  It might be worth trying to tough it out there for a year and put our stuff in storage.  This is assuming we could even GET the property.  I am feeling like I would rather go small and be uncomfortable for awhile rather than spend a bunch of money for something that we didn't even really like. I think we'll attend the open house tomorrow.  

Time is running out.