Patent

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A technique for molding pieces of popcorn candy having different geometric shapes that are interfittable, making it possible for the user to integrate the pieces in any desired manner to create art objects that are both displayable and edible and have a flavor predetermined by the user. The technique is carried out by means of a corn popper which converts kernels of corn into a batch of popcorn and a family of molds having different geometric shapes. A bonding agent is prepared by boiling a blend including sugar and syrup to create a molten cream and then adding flavoring thereto. A portion of the molten cream is intermingled with the batch of popcorn and the resultant flowable mix is used to fill the molds. After cooling and hardening, the shaped pieces of popcorn candy are then removed from the mold and interfitted as desired, using the same molten cream to integrate the pieces to form an edible art object. ...or it's a POPCORN BALL.

Forgetful

On Sunday we enjoyed dinner at my parents. Well, enjoyed was a bit relative. The food was good, and it was nice to visit with my parents, sister, BIL, grandma, and Saylor was all smiles. Ryan was the opposite of all smiles. Refusing to sit at the table or eat, crying, bossing, and spending more time in time-out than not; it was not his best showing. In fact, it was one of his worst public displays.

This came less than 24 hours after Adam and I had just discussed how hard it is to figure out how to discipline your child, especially when you're outside your own house. Do you hold firm even if others think you should give in? (I'm talking to you, Dad, who offered Ryan a cookie after he ate exactly zero bites of dinner :)) Do you let them go play when everyone else is eating to avoid a scene? We don't do that at home, but we're a little more immune to his piercing protests than others. Do you make everyone listen to him scream while in timeout or try to get him to stop crying? Anyway, we decided to just take off shortly after dinner. Ryan fell asleep on the way home and slept for 3 hours, so I think we know what part of the problem was. He's also two, so there's that rainbow of an age to consider as well.

As soon as he was transferred to bed and I started on my Hymnal Picture Frame project, I realized that in the rush to get out the door, I had left my entire purse/phone/camera/checkbook at my parents. Grrr! My mom called later and said she and my dad would drive it up later in the night. I felt really silly for forgetting my purse but my mom informed me that I was not the only one who had forgotten something that day. After my sister and her husband left with Saylor, my parents looked around and found one tiny thing had been left behind. Again.  This was the 2nd time they'd gone home and forgotten their dog, Milo! Ha Ha! I think we all know how your priorities change when you have a kid...you forget all about the dog...sometimes literally.

But something tells me Nika would have been a better dinner companion than Ryan that day.

Hymnal Picture Frame

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For a total cost around $5, this project was a fun addition to the music room I just painted! 

1. Buy an unfinished 8x10 wide wood frame. I  got mine for $4.99 at Hobby Lobby after negotiating the price down since the wood didn't match up well in the corners.
2. Pick up an old hymnal at a garage sale, from a family member, or ask if your church has any out of service. I knew my mom had a stash of these from the church I grew up in, published in the 60's and she was happy to give me two.
3. Carefully cut pages from the hymnal using a scissors. I picked out some of my favorite classic hymns. I also cut off the leather front cover using a scissors.
4. Remove the frame back and use Mod Podge and a sponge brush to apply glue to the back of each page, then wrap it around the frame. Be sure to start from the top of the frame so that as you layer them, the titles won't get covered up. Smooth each of them around the groove of the frame with your finger.  Apply 1-2 coats of Mod Podge to the entire frame once it is covered to seal everything in.
5. Paint the frame back-board and let it dry. I painted it the same color as my wall so the hymnal cover would look like it was "floating". You could also try scrapbook paper, but I was afraid the weight of the hymnal cover would be too much.
6. Glue the front cover of the hymnal to the center of the back-board. I used Super Glue but Mod Podge might work depending on the weight of the cover.
7. Insert the backing into the frame and hang on the wall!

Here's the final project hung in my music room. I actually made two of these to hang on either side of the window. You can see how the hymnal cover complements the accent wall in my room, which is one of the reasons I choose this hymnal. It also is a great memento from my home church and these are all songs I grew up loving to sing and play.

You could modify this idea in so many ways. This room also serves as our "library" and I think a large display of classic book covers with popular passages on the frames would be cool. It could also be great in a kid's room with a collection of Dr. Seuss books, Little Golden Books, or other favorites! But for now, I love the idea that for around $10 I made two cool pieces of art that are meaningful and classy!

How else could you modify this idea? Please feel free to share in the comments!

Music Room/Office Before and After

Although this room is far from complete, I wanted to post an update on our office/music room since I spent a day and a half over Christmas break getting it and the bathroom painted.

Before: 

After:

 

Before:

 After:

 

Before:

 After:

Piano Before:

 Piano After (opposite wall):

It's amazing what some paint (Red Clay Hill and Hawthorne Woods from Diamond Vogel) and a mirror can do! Those were the only things added to the room!

Future plans: Red curtains or wood shades of some sort, a desk and low filing cabinet on the wall where the toy chest is now, updated pictures in the frames on the piano, and more wall art.

Family Letters

I finally finished a project that's been in the works for months and am really happy with out it finally worked out! The pictures are poor, as usual, but hopefully it gives you an idea of the final product. Here's a little "how-to":

Materials & Instructions:

• Chip board or light-weight wooden letters. I picked mine from a variety of styles at Hobby Lobby. (the F,I,Y are from one set, A,L,t,h,b,n from another in 2 sizes, M from another and the e's and o's after from yet another)
• Paint and paintbrush. I used leftover purple latex paint from painting my kitchen because I wanted it to help pull the two rooms together. I gave it two coats on the top and sides with a small paintbrush. Hint: Don't let them dry on newspapers--they'll stick and you'll have to use a nail file to get all the newspaper off!
• Sandpaper. After drying, I sanded the letters to give them a more weathered look, especially on the edges.
• Scrapbook paper, scissors, Mod Podge, paintbrush. I bought a pack of scrapbook paper as a set and since my scrapbook paper wall didn't stay up, I used the paper I'd taken down and just cut out pieces I liked and glued them to the letters by brushing the back with Mod Podge and wrapping them around the letters. My favorite part of this paper was that parts have a metallic finish, so they catch the light and add some shine to the otherwise-flat-looking letters.
• Poster Strips and Mounting Tape. Trust me, sticky-tack doesn't work. For the large letters, I used Command Poster Strips, either one or two per letter so if I ever take it down, it won't damage the wall. It was tricky to find something thin enough for the small letters, so I ended up using Scotch Foam Mounting Tape and just cut it in tiny pieces. It's labeled "permanent" but I'm hoping it will be minimal damage in the small amounts I used.

Here's a wide shot of the room so you can see how it fits in with the colorful look of our living room. I know it's not for everyone, but we like it just a little bit vibrant!

Living Room Before and After

I've done a Living Room: Before & After post before, but thought it was time for a little update. If you want close-up pictures of some of the details, see the original post. 

Living Room Before:

 Living Room After:

Before:

 After:

Before:

After:

(need to find decor for the shelf yet)

Here are few details on where we got most of the decor over the past 6 months:


Diamond Vogel: Paint--it's a tan with a gold tone that we also used in the hallway and stairwell.
Nebraska Furniture Mart: Leather couch and chair, accent chair, end table, entertainment center.
Bed, Bath & Beyond: curtains, accent pillows, four medallions wall decor
Hobby Lobby: Vase and silk flowers, chipboard letters for "Family" wall letters (see this post for more info on how I made these)
Ver Hoef Custom Woodworking: I designed the shelf to match the style of the entertainment center and my mom had Ver Hoef make it for me for Christmas! I love it and can't wait to find things to put on it!

Future plans: We'd love to replace the carpet sometime since it is very stained and a little too light and gray for our taste. I'm still contemplating painting the wall behind the TV an accent color, but not sure which direction to go...purple like the kitchen? blue to match the top of the curtains? I think I'll wait to see what I can find for the shelf to see if that spruces it up enough!

2 Years + 3 Months Old

Ryan had a fun month with Christmas and lots of family time. One of the best memories was sitting at the dining table on Christmas night with my family and he went into a long, drawn-out speech after which he announced in his best preacher voice, "Now we pray!"  He talks a lot but has a few "miscues" including calling pears "parrots", chocolate milk "chlockate chip melk", lemonade "ehmalade" and M&M's "lemon-ems". One thing we've noticed is his use of pronouns. He started saying "He has one, she has one, and I have one" instead of "Daddy have one, Mommy have one, Ryan have one." We're still working on colors, letters, and counting, but have seen a little progress.

He's loving the new toys he got for Christmas, especially his Hot Wheels cars and race track. He also loves the additions to his farm animal collection. With the odd weather this winter, I can see how he is confused because sometimes he'll ask to go outside and play in the (non-existent) snow and other times he wants to go play soccer or football. He loves chasing Nika around, wrestling, and playing downstairs in his toy room.

Ryan's become a bit clingy lately, especially to me. He used to go to nursery willingly but now it's virtually impossible to peel him off us to leave him, so he's sat through church the last two Sundays. We hope this is just a phase. He also has new excuses of why he doesn't want to do things (like sit on the potty) which include "because because I too scared", "because because I too sad" or "because because I crying". He never says "because" just once!


Ryan's favorite restaurants are "Old Donald's" (brought on by a few road trips) and Pizza Ranch! His eating habits at home are generally good, especially liking vegetables (corn, peas, carrots, but not green beans), mashed potatoes, cheese in any form, muffins,  but like most kids, he's constantly negotiating for ice cream cones, cookies, fruit snacks, or other  "sthnackths".

What a funny little dude we have. Despite all that comes along with the typical "two's" we have having fun watching him discover new things and learn new skills. We're looking forward to a great new year!