Snow Globe Fun

We followed the Martha Stewart steps (here) to make our snow globes.  I couldn't decide about adding the water, glitter and glycerin, because I had read on other posts that the green from the bottle brush trees wears off and eventually turns the water green.

 It just didn't seem like a snow globe without the water and glitter!  It was my daughter's idea to make these, but I am lovin' them and getting a little carried away!  There are so many ideas on Pinterest, too.

I found the lamb in a tube of farm animals in the train section of Hobby Lobby.  I found the bottle brush trees in the doll house section.  The ideas are crazy when you stare at all the miniature things!  I also bought many bottle brush trees from Wal-Mart.

Check out the Martha Stewart link, but basically here is what we did:

1. Gather jars, small items and glitter.  We used a sparkly glitter and a white glitter and combined them (Hobby Lobby.)  Also, I used some plastic snow that I had from last year and glued that around the animal and the trees on the lid, so the ground would be white.
2. Distilled water
3. Glycerin from the pharmacy (found mine at Wal-Mart)

Prep your lid by sanding it.  Use some rubbing alcohol to clean it.  If you decide to make these, don't skip the step of sanding the inside of the jar lid. We tried to skip it and the glue wouldn't stick. Also, I tried several types of glue, but found that E6000 Industrial Strength Adhesive worked quickly. We let them dry for twenty-four hours.  You could paint the lids first if you want a pop of color.  After they were dry, we filled the jars with the distilled water almost to the top; a good several drops of glycerin and the glitter.  We had to tweak the amount of glycerin and glitter by testing and adding if the glitter fell too fast or wasn't enough.
 

I have some more to share, once they are dry and complete!

Thank you for stopping by!

Oh, and Merry Christmas!! 

 

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Christmas Simple

I hadn't planned to make snow globes.  My daughter wanted to give some as gifts, so we made several, which prompted me to make a snow globe centerpiece for my kitchen table.  I found the caravan ornament at World Market and made the wreath for the door from a needle stem off the Christmas tree and a small bow.

Don't you just want to curl up in that cozy little spot?  My old dough bowl keeps all the 'snow' contained and the large cloche covers it all.

The reason for remodeling the kitchen fairly neutral was so that I can add any color according to the holiday or season.  Scandinavian style (A Swedish Intent)  is my fav, so I used simple decor and red and white check ribbon (Hobby Lobby, but if you live in my town, I bought it all!)

It was such a gloomy day to take pictures!  The bottle brush trees came from Wal-Mart, of which I bought almost all they had.

I made the wreath from a coat hanger and some boxwood stems from my yard.  The small hearts everywhere also hint at a Swedish style.

I love cinnamon!  Here, it is stored in an old ironstone vase for easy access during the holiday season.

The butcher block got a makeover for the holiday, too.  My daughter and I went on a walk through the woods and grabbed lots of greenery to decorate the house.  I cut the top of a small pine tree and placed it in an old enamel pot of my grandmother's with some water.  The garland is made of Scandinavian flags.  I love the crosses on each.

This fresh wreath is in our foyer.  I found the burlap brown and cream check ribbon at a specialty store in Memphis while visiting my sister.  I wish I had bought more!

There are lots of River Birch trees growing near the lake.  I peeled some of the bark off and punched these hearts out and stuck them on the wreath.  I think I will make more and punch a small hole in each to hang as ornaments on the tree...my tree is naked right now and has been for two weeks.

I am crazy about this ribbon...It looks so good with the brown and cream transferware plates displayed in the glass behind it.

 

I shared this truck with you last year where it was displayed in my son's room.  It stayed in there all year, as it seems I didn't quite get around to storing all my decorations.  The vintage lightbulbs hung on my grandparent's tree every year.

On a sign I passed the other day, it read, "J is for Jesus, O is for others, and Y is for yourself."  Placing these letters on the mantle helps us keep that in perspective.  Now, if we could just always keep that order!

 The lamb is a reminder of why we celebrate the birth of Christ.

I made the bow for this large wreath and added the pheasant feathers and some antlers for more impact. 

Last year, I tried the wreath without the painting, but the nail holes were so high, that I had to hang the wreath way above the mantle or proceed to do a big patch up job.  This year, I opted for easy and just hung it over the painting. 

It is so much cozier at night.

This has a Scandinavian appeal to it, too. I made the cake stand from an old seed dispenser (wooden part) I found in Charleston, SC and added the silver tray to the top.  The candles are held in Jefferson cups I found at flea markets.  They are easily found and usually inexpensive pewter pieces.

 

I hope to post a bit more regularly before Christmas...'hope' is the operative word.  We have moved on to our master bedroom and bathroom remodel and my house is in a bit of chaos.  Of course, you can't see my master bed that is sitting in my living room or the chairs and side tables piled around my naked evergreen tree!  Wrapping paper and Christmas projects or school projects are in every corner.  What a mess!  I'll share the photos with you later!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

here

  

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A S'mores Outdoor Birthday Party

 

 My oldest daughter is now eleven!  We celebrated with a 'S'mores Outdoor Birthday Party.' 

Making very simple cupcakes, I combined a jar of chocolate icing and vanilla icing to achieve the light chocolate color as the backdrop for the pretzels and miniature marshmallows 's'mores.'

I found a stack of outdoor themed paper at one of the craft stores and made cones to hold the popcorn.

She is a little old to make cone paper hats, so this was my alternative!

Big logs from our firewood pile, plus camp stools surround our small copper fire pit.  We gave flashlights as party favors (Big Lots: ten for ten dollars,) knowing the darkness would come quickly.  You have to love an outdoor party, where all the mess is contained!  I put a large French basket on the front porch to hold gifts.  I didn't spend much time on decorations, but did make a few warm spots for parents to sit.  Rob set out several games for the girls to keep them entertained.

Corn hole, bobbing for apples, eating hot dogs, cupcakes, and s'mores, plus opening gifts made the time pass quickly.  Not all the girls knew each other, so having games is a great way to make everyone feel included.

 
 

Happy Birthday Ashlyn!



Thanks for stopping by!

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Favorite Photo Friday

 

  Last year, the Fall Festival in Fort Mill, SC was my most favorite.  Maybe it had something to do with the beautiful blue sky, the corn maze, the horse rides, the pumpkin carving or the warm apple cider.  Maybe it was because people at fall festivals are in good moods and cheer seems to be in the air everywhere.  More than likely it was watching my kids play and trying to record and save every sight of laughter and fun with the beautiful backdrop of golden leaves, bales of hay and fields of corn.

 

Well, we are now onto our Master bath remodel.  I don't seem to have the energy for it!  Let's hope with my lack of enthusiasm, it doesn't end up purple, yellow, green and bright orange.  I will share the before pictures soon, so that you can see my husband's desperation!



I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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Ouija Boards, Horoscopes and Crazy 8 Balls: What Does the Lord Say?

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When men tell you to consult mediums and spirits, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God?  Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?  ~Isaiah 8:19

 

Recently, I came across this verse and it immediately brought back a memory of the Ouija board game my sisters and I used to play as children.  Games such as the Ouija board, the Crazy 8 ball and the shrunken head experiment were popular 'toys' at the time, and my family, indiscriminately saw them as entertainment like Monopoly or Scrabble.  What exactly are these 'toys' that can sneak in and desensitize children, as seemingly innocent forms of entertainment? What does the Bible say about such things?

 "...Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves." (Matthew 7:15) While this verse refers to people, many of the 'toys' on the market today are disguised as 'wolves in sheep's clothing.'

 

The Ouija board (now available as a 'glow-in-the dark' board game) is a spirit talking board that some view as harmless; others say it is associated with the threat of demonic possession.  A movable indicator tells the spirit's message by spelling it out on the board during a seance.  Even if there weren't countless and eery stories about demonic possession, this game, even in 'fun' is against the teachings of God's word.  Its purpose is to communicate with the dead.  A newer and similar board is called the 'Angel Board,' which boasts it will connect you to your guardian angel.  What a clever and even more deceptive way to lure our children to communicate with the 'other side.'

The inventor of the Crazy 8 ball was inspired by a 'spirit writing' device used by his clairvoyant mother.  It was first marketed as a crystal ball.  When asked a yes/no question, it answers with one of twenty responses predicting the future.  It was unpopular sold as a crystal ball, so a Chicago company refashioned it to look like a billiard ball.  Under this disguise it became a popular 'toy.'   

One of the strangest 'toys' I had was the shrunken head kit, which included instructions on how to shrink an apple, and the supplies to make it look like a real shrunken human head.  In the recent children's movie 'Hotel Transylvania,' talking shrunken heads hang on each of the guest's door.  Even though the kit is meant to be 'all in good fun,' have you ever wondered what is a shrunken head?  It is exactly what the name implies and was used for trophy, ritual or trade.  The macabre act of severing and shrinking the human head was believed to harness the spirit of the enemy and to prevent the soul from avenging his death.  Surprisingly, there was a significant trade of human shrunken heads in the 1930's.  The United States finally outlawed the import during the 1940's.  Apparently, the toy industry decided to keep the idea alive by recreating the shrunken head with an apple and marketing it to children.
 

The presence of the Ouija or Angel board, Crazy 8 balls, horoscopes, shrunken (apple) heads, and palm readers are in our world today; as are tarot cards, psychics, fortune telling, contacting the dead and sorcery.  Unfortunately, many are available to our children as games.  Innocent children don't naturally see things as sinister, particularly when it comes in the form of a game.  Wouldn't it be just like the devil to devise a board game to deceive our children?

What is a parent to do?  God's word tells us to be alert and to teach our children.  "Be alert...your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8)  I pray that I will 'be alert' and aware of the culture around me; that I "don’t become so well-adjusted to my culture that I fit into it without even thinking." (Romans 12:2 The Message)  About God's truths, the Bible says, "Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." (Deuteronomy 11:19) The 'world' will certainly teach them untruths when they 'walk along the road,' when they go to school or to a friend's house.

The Bible says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world..." (Romans 12:2) Without Christ, I lived 'of this world' the first twenty-one years of my life.  I know what the world has to offer and what it teaches.  Understanding God's character and His word are the weapons our children must carry to be in this world.  God's word in their hearts and an awareness of what is 'the pattern of this world,' with its deceptions and beguiling lures, will hopefully offer discernment to my children as they 'walk along the road' of life. 

While preparing this devotion for my children, my youngest daughter came home from school and was so excited to show me a toy her first grade friend had given to her; a Crazy 8 ball.  Small and attached to a plastic ring, it appeared to be a toy from a fast food restaurant.  She proceeded to tell me to ask it a question and then she would shake it to get the answer.  To a six year old, this seemed like an innocent game.  She had no malice attached to it, nor did her friend who gave it to her. 

Do I respond as an over-reactive parent and snatch it from her hands?  Do I ignore it and think, "Its just toy.  Let her have it for some fun"?  In that moment, God's scriptures returned to me, and all I could hear resounding in my head was, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world.  She has plenty of other toys; toys which are wholesome and peaceful, and promote creativity and learning.  This 'toy' with its hidden meaning and masked design, is against the teaching of God's word." 

I asked my little girl if I could hold the toy to inspect it closely.  I distracted her with her tea set and dolls.  She forgot about the Crazy 8 ball.  Later, I explained to my children that parents don't allow their children to play with certain toys, because they are dangerous and can cause physical wounds.  There are some toys that seem fun and entertaining, but the meaning behind them is against God's word.  These toys are deceptive and can cause spiritual wounds.

I am not sure they grasped fully what I was saying.  In their little minds, a toy is a toy.  As their parent, some toys are not just toys.  God's word says, "If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."  (Matthew 18:6)  As their mom, I certainly don't want them to stumble.  As parents, I hope we are alert to the toys which are against God's word and to those things that could cause our little ones to stumble.     



Verses
Do not practice divination or sorcery. ~Leviticus 19:26
Do not turn to mediums or seek spiritists, for you will be defiled by them.  I am the Lord your God.  ~Leviticus 19:31
I will turn my face against the person who turns to mediums.  ~Leviticus 20:6
Then the Lord said to me, "The prophets are prophesying lies in my name.  I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them.  They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries, and the delusions of their own minds."  Jeremiah 14:14
Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead.  Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.  Deuteronomy 18:10-12
 

Questions for my children
What are some other 'toys' that may have a hidden meaning against God's word? (Pokemon, several video games, etc..)
If it is 'just a game,' what is the harm in playing with such things?
What does God say about contacting the dead or inquiring of someone to tell the future?
What would you do if you were at a friend's house, and they wanted to play with a Ouija board or any of the other toys we have discussed?

Thank you for joining me for this 'Life Lesson' Sunday.

This topic always seems to stir up controversy.  Even among my christian friends, some feel this is a bit legalistic.  What are your thoughts?


Blessings to you!

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Favorite Photo Friday



 





A Fall Festival Maze-Running through the Sorghum!

I love the Fall!

 

 

Have a great weekend!

 

 



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A Little Punkin'

 One of my girlfriends is having a baby!

A group of us gave her a shower for her little boy. 

In addition to the two pumpkins for the body, I used a small pumpkin and some vine to make the pacifier.  For the eyes, I cut slits in the pumpkin and pushed in two scales from a large pine cone.  Small pine needles are sticking out the corners of his closed eyes.  Certainly you could carve the face, but I didn't trust the outcome.  The hair was made from tendrils that grew from the pumpkin.

I made a little rattle from a small squash wrapped with a corn stalk to resemble the handle.

The blanket is made from corn stalks and wrapped loosely around the baby.  Everyone calls babies, 'Punkins' or 'Little Pumpkins,' so it seemed like the perfect display to welcome guests on the front porch, especially since it is Fall!

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!
 

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