31 days of Little Things -Reading Aloud

I still occasionally read aloud to my kids.  Well, lately it has been only my youngest.  He is 10 in the 4th grade but he still enjoys the sound of my voice - lol. We just finished reading War Horse by Micheal Morpurgo.  My youngest is interested in World War II so I thought he might enjoy a read about World War I.  My criteria for a read aloud is that it must be something I enjoy reading too.  This fit that criteria.  I will admit this book does explore death and can be a tear jerker in places. My son is in 4th grade so he was pretty sensitive to some of the scenes. However, these are handled gingerly by the author.  We had some great discussions about this book. This is a great tale about loyalty and friendship between beast and man.

Need some more suggestions for Read Aloud check out Life as Mom post.  She has some great ideas and links.

I am linking up to Nester's 31 days of blogging.  Check out what everyone else is writing about.

31 days of Little Things - Waiting for the bus

I have taken to waiting for the morning bus with my son.  He is 14 and conversation doesn't come easy.  There are things he wants to share with me but it is hard.  So I wait and listen.  He opens up a little out there in the darkness waiting for the bus as I hold my coffee trying to warm my hands. It is our little bit of time. I try not to say much.This is when I hear what is going on in his life. He doesn't need me to say anything but just to be there.  The hardest thing in parenting I found is to just listen and not direct or advise. There is certainly a time and place for that but not in this early morning dawn.

31 days of Blogging - Oh some Linky Love

Thought I would send out a little linky love.  Today is the last day to register to vote in my state of Washington. 

Teacher Tom had a great article on Charter Schools, " Say No to Charter Schools." Charter Schools are up for vote in the state of Washington.

I saw this on Blogher and thought she had some amazing points.
5 Things you didn't sign up for when Beoming A Stay at Home Mom

Check out what everyone else is blogging about for 31 days straight.

31 days of Little Things - Saturday Breakfast Tradition

We are breakfast people.  There I said it.  My husband is Mr Breakfast and regularly makes us these really fabulous egg scramble or breakfast sandwiches during the week.  I am totally spoiled in that department.  On some Saturdays, we hit up our favorite breakfast places.  It hasn't always been Saturday but at least twice a month we eat breakfast out.  It is a tradition we have with our kids.  They are usually family run joints.  The food is good and everyone knows your name. It is a little something that we all look forward to.

I am joining Nester in blogging for 31 days straight.  Check out what everyone else is blogging about.

31 days of Little Things - Halloween Story

My youngest wants to be a werewolf for Halloween.  Out and about on Monday, Mrs Epi and I picked up this werewolf costume -mask and shirt.  I was so excited to show him after school.  He put it on right and way and ran to the mirror AND startled himself looking in the mirror.  It was so classic.

That is a little something that has made me smile all week long. 

I am linking up with Nester's 31 days of blogging.  Check out what all the 31 dayers are blogging about.

31 Days of Little Things - The War on Frump



 

The Nester is once again doing 31 days of blogging. Check out what others are writing about for 31 days.

My best friend and I have been subtly trying to win the War on Frump.  We are trying to break out of our Mommy Uniform and kick it up a notch.  We have resorted to taking advice from her 15 year old by wearing something you love, something you like(compliments/matches), and some bling.  The amazing thing is I actually feel really better when I do this.  I have no idea if I look better but I do feel more put together.  I have been wearing real shoes not sneakers and breaking out the jewelry. We both agreed that it still had to be comfortable. We laugh because our Hubbies are oblivious to our little war. IS your mommy uniform getting you down?  KICK IT UP A NOTCH!

31 days of Little Things - Pendants/banners/Garland

Hi my name is Heather and I like to make Banner or Pendants.  It is ran addiction.  I made this one with the help of Chuckles.  It's festive, right? Of course I got the idea from Pinterest.  The original is from Twig and Toadstool and it was a colorful skeleton one.

 

 

 

It is small thing I do to make things interesting. Most aren't that complicated. I don't do complicated and most are made with construction paper. Here are some examples :

4th of July
Bunny Garland
Apple Banner
Peeps bunny Banner

I joining the Nester in blogging for 31 days straight.  Check out what everyone else is blogging about. For my series so far click here.

31 days of Little Things - Do you pin?

Do you pin as in Do you use Pinterest?  I admit I am addicted to this site.  I love that it acts like a storage place for your idea boards essentially.  I was always forgetting to bookmark those great ideas I would see out in blog land or I would have no idea why I had something bookmarked. Secondly, I have tried so many things because of pinterest and the majority have been really successful.  You can click on my link located on the right side of my blog to follow my pins on Pinterest. There are a lot of 31 dayers (those people who are linking up to Nester and committing to blog for 31 days) who are doing 31 days of Pinterest. Here are a few. 31 Days of Pinterest: Pinned to Done, 31 (more) Days of Pinterest, 31 Days fo Pinterest, 31 Days of Pinterest Projects. ( I am pretty sure I missed some) This one is cracking me up 31 Days of My Non-Pinteresting Life. 

Here is a link to my pinterest board that has things I have tried and were successful. My favorite are some of the food ones such as Banana Bars and Hootenanny.

The Nester is once again doing 31 days of blogging. Check out what others are writing about for 31 days.

31 Little Things - Rubbermaid Mop

Please check out what everyone else is blogging for 31 days. The rest of my 31 Little Things Series can be found here.

This falls in the category of  a little Household Tip.

I think I may have turned into a Mop snob.  I really don't know how it happened.  I have lots of wood flooring and animals (2 cats/2 dogs) plus the two man wrecking crew.  Doesn't that sound like a nightmare - fur city.  I mop a lot.  I admit I broke up with my Swifter Wet Jet. Sorry Swifter, I didn't want to buy your pads anymore. Don't they remind you of giant sanitary napkins. I use The Reveal Spray Mop by Rubbermaid.  I love the washable pads and the interchangeable bottles.  Yes at the outset this is a little pricey but so worth it.  I love I never have to buy those pads and I can fill the bottles with whatever I wish.  It also feels a lot studier than the Swifter Wet Jet to me.

*** This is totally NOT endorsed by Rubbermaid. Though I wouldn't be opposed to it. ( LOL)

31 Little Things -Been Baggin It

The Nester is once again doing 31 days of blogging. Check out what others are writing about for 31 days.


A local bigger town than the one I live in has a plastic bag ban.  So, if you don't want to be charged 5 cents for a paper bag you must bring your won bags. They are about 2 months into their ban.  It has been challenging for me to remember my bags especially at non grocery store places. There has been a learning curve. I have found not all bags are created equal. 

Most grocery stores you can purchase these fake cloth bags.  There work well except you have to wonder how you clean said bags.There was a statistic out that 85% of people don't clean reusable bags - EWWW!

I have been trying to keep this Avon small foldable bag in my purse.  I have a hard time remembering to put it back in my purse.  I love how small it folds up.

I like these wipeable plastic bags.  They also stand up on their own.  I think the cashiers like these the best.

I accidentally purchased these wipeable zipper ones.  These are a little annoying. The opening is hard to get your hand in.  I consistently find that the cashiers/baggers overload these.

It is nice to have an insulated bag.  I got this handy dandy one from Mrs Epi's hubby.  It is really nice when the cashier actually uses it for cold items.

I really would like this Totebuddy.  It is like a trapper keeper for your bags. It is a little bit on the pricey side but I like how it keeps all your bags organized.

31 Days of Little Things - Wild Kingdom and Squirrel Moment #1002

On Monday, I wasn't feeling the greatest and I was out and about grocery shopping.  I just wanted to be DONE! When I saw this car with the whole dashboard filled with mini plastic animal figures.  It cracked me up.  They had the whole animal kingdom ont heir dashboard.

Which leads me to my squirrel moment. 

Squirrel Moment - random though or idea not related to what is currently being discussed or related to the current situation or purely a chain of thought progression

 

What kind of person drives around with the whole Wild Kingdom on his dashboard. How do they stay upright?  Stick with me, then I saw this cool digital art project for kids at Mrs Knight's Smartest Artists.  Where you take pictures of plastic animals outside to practice your digital photography.  YOU KNOW I HAD TO GIVE IT A SHOT!

 

I know I am a little odd.  Something that made me smile actually ended up being a little inspiring. 
I am participating in Nester's 31 days of blogging. Please check out what everyone else is blogging about. (YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO!) For my complete list of 31 day post click here.



31 Little Things - Blog Anniversary

I am participating in Nester's 31 days of blogging.  Please check out what everyone else is blogging about. (YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO!) For my complete list of 31 day post click here.

Today's gem is a little funny from the funnies. Today is my blog anniversary.  I have been blogging for 5 years.

In case you didn't know, my blog is named after an out house that was placed against my fence way back in 2007.   This is the post that started it all. I have collected a lot of related honeypot funny stuff.  A couple months back this cartoon, Tundra, ran in the paper. It cracked me up.  So this is my little funny for the day.

 

In case you need more reading material, check out these posts.

Wizard of Ooze aka "What to Show Out of Town Guests"

Fan Mail

Headquarters

 



This blog has been an amazing outlet for me.  I can't believe I have been blogging for 5 years. My best Friend made me this exploding Honeypot that I have sitting on top of my desk- Honeypot Central.  Someday I am going to do a video of  it exploding.

 

31 days of Little Things - Easy Halloween Crafts

I have decided I am crafty NOT handy.  I love to craft with kids.  When I had kids in the morning, I would often be crafting by 7 am.  I love a good easy little craft.  Here is an overview of some my favorites. I think these crafts are probably best for elementary age. (Notice the Paper Plate Theme)

Paper Plate Skeletons make a big window statement in my neighbor's window. It makes me want to make some for my windows this year.  This craft uses brads which are immensely fun for the younger kids.

Paper Plate Skulls
This is based on a Day of the Dead Craft. My youngest wanted to do this craft again this year. The skull with the mohawk was my hubby's last year.  The family that crafts together STAYS together.

Paper Plate Mummy

Haunted Houses are probably the most request Halloween Craft. Something about being open the windows.  This craft tends toward more adult involvement especially with cutting the windows out.

Frankenstein

 Halloween wouldn't be complete without a good Frankenstein craft. 

The Nester is once again doing 31 days of blogging. Check out what others are writing about for 31 days. I joining Nester with my own 31 days of Little Things. Little things that inspire, motivate, and help me get through my busy life.







31 days of Little Things - Starting the Week Right

Source: via Melissa on Pinterest

I saw a facebook post that said what do you do to get ready for Monday. I thought this would make a good post for this Monday. I like to start my week off smoothly.  I find Mondays to be a bit rough.  I do a little bit of preparation to make my week run smoothly otherwise things just get overwhelming. Preparing for my week usually happens on Sunday. For it to be smooth sailing for me these things need to happen

I have the majority of my kids laundry done for the entire week.  There is nothing worse than running out of clean stuff before the weeks end or searching for a clean pair of socks.  It sucks the life out of me.  I do occasionally run loads during the week but the majority is done on Sunday.

I use a notebook to map out my appointments and commitments so I know what I am up against for the week.  I like to write things down.  It is very loosely organized but it is in my handy dandy notebook so at least it is in one location. For more information about my really high tech (not) handy dandy notebook click here.

I grocery shop for the entire week on Mondays. I have usually made up my grocery list on Sunday when I browsed the paper. The coupons might not be clipped but the ads have been browsed.

This is the bare minimum I have found I need to do prior to Monday to make my week successful.

The Nester is once again doing 31 days of blogging. Check out what others are writing about for 31 days. I joining Nester with my own 31 days of Little Things. Little things that inspire, motivate, and help me get through my busy life.

31 days of Little Things - Sign Wisdom

I saw this on a sign in my town.  These type of signs are hugely popular around here especially at church's but this was on a auto place sign.  It is my little deep thought for today.

The Nester is once again doing 31 days of blogging. Check out what others are writing about for 31 days. Haven't seen read my whole series click here for the complete list.

31 Days of Little Things - Sock Bin

Yes, I have a sock basket by my garage door.  My kids hate wearing socks so it seems in the house.  We live in a two story and they couldn't seem to make it downstairs with their socks.  I GAVE UP.  So my little solution was to keep the socks in the laundry room .  Both my son's currently wear the same size so all the socks are folded the same way.  When they wear different size, I folded them different. The basket happens to be on the way out to the garage where the shoes are kept.  It also gives me a visual reminder of how many socks are left.  Believe me, I need the reminder.

The Nester is once again doing 31 days of blogging. Check out what others are writing about for 31 days. I joining Nester with my own 31 days of Little Things. Little things that inspire, motivate, and help me get through my busy life.

31 Days of Little Things - Cookie Baking Tips

Some people are cooks and some people are bakers.  I feel I am a baker.  I like to bake.  Blame it all on my Mom, she made us bake growing up.  Thanks Mom! I have found a couple of tools that make baking cookies easier.  I use a Silpat mat, silicone mat.  This mat is worth every penny I paid for it. Even when you forget your timer and over bake your cookies, you still can get those puppies off the mat.  In fact, they were moist and chewy. Yes, I had a whole sheet I over baked this week because I forgot the timer. The picture doesn't do it justice but these cookies were Burnt with a capital B.

burnt cookies

 I also use a cookie scoop also know as an ice cream scoop.  This turns the cookies out in a uniform size and shape. 

cookie scoop

This is my go to cookie recipe.  I got it off a blog that no longer exists.  I call these cookies "The World's Best Cookie"

World's Best Cookie

World's Best Cookie

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup Shortening
1 cup White Sugar
2 Cups Brown Sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp Vanilla

4 1/2 Cups Flour
2 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Salt
1 Cup of Chocolate Chips
1 Cup of Butterscotch Chips (very important, just not the same without them)

Nuts optional

Mix the first 6 ingredients together, then slowly incorporate the dry ingredients and fold in the chips and bake @ 375 degree for 8-11 minutes depending on whether you like a soft chewy cookie or a crisp one.

This makes a large amount of cookies.  I often freeze half the dough and bake the other half later.  Life as Mom at Good Cheap Eats had some examples on how to do that.

 This is a little thing I do to make baking cookies easier. The Nester is once again doing 31 days of blogging. Check out what others are writing about for 31 days. I joining Nester with my own 31 days of Little Things. Little things that inspire, motivate, and help me get through my busy life.

31 Little Things - Booking It October

 

The Nester is once again doing 31 days of blogging. Check out what others are writing about for 31 days. I am also linking up to Life As Mom and her Booking It Linky Party.

I am a reader.  It is my guilty pleasure.  I have been in a total book glut lately.  I have too many good books to read.  I read to keep inspired and creative.  It is the food of my soul.  It is also a little thing I do to feed my brain.

What I read this month

Kisses for Katie which was a selection last month at Life As Mom.  It took a while to get this title through the library.  This book in part inspired my 31 Little Things Series.  If you haven't heard Katie's inspiring story.  Here is a little snippet from Amazon:

Katie Davis left over Christmas break of her senior year for a short mission trip to Uganda and her life was turned completely inside out. She found herself so moved by the people of Uganda and the needs she saw that she knew her calling was to return and care for them. Katie, a charismatic and articulate young woman, is in the process of adopting thirteen children in Uganda and has established a ministry, Amazima, that feeds and sends hundreds more to school while teaching them the Word of Jesus Christ.

What I took away from Katie story is how she felt called to do this ministry and it isn't easy.  Katie is just trying to make a difference to 1 person.  Katie is amazing but also very human. 

I also read, "The Quarter Acre Farm - How I kept the Patio, Lost the Lawn, and Fed my Family for a Year", by Spring Warren. In some ways this reminded a little of Barnheart by Jenna Woginrich. It is a book about how Spring pledged that 75% of food she ate by weight would come from their garden for 1 year.  I thought it was well written and loved the recipes and tips she included.  The book was encouraging and made me want to have a better garden and eat from it.

31 days of Little Things - Front Door Decorating

Source: deliacreates.blogspot.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

I saw this pin on pinterest with magnetic spiders for your front door.  I have a metal door.  So I got a $1 packet of misc plastic Halloween what nots and my glue gun.  I glued magnets that I had to the back of the spiders. Is it just me but the glue gun makes me feel POWERFUL?  This is what I ended up with. 

The wreath was Martha inspired.  I made it last year.  It was pretty cheap to make too. Post with more information here.

The Nester is once again doing 31 days of blogging. Check out what others are writing about for 31 days. I joining Nester with my own 31 days of Little Things. Little things that inspire, motivate, and help me get through my busy life.