tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4872609842178604312024-03-04T22:51:38.375-07:00Ever Never Againprojects. crafts. food. gifts. ideas. inspiration.Haley @ Ever Never Againhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757989545667493576noreply@blogger.comBlogger313125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487260984217860431.post-8839409846520455942016-08-03T09:05:00.002-07:002016-08-03T09:05:46.874-07:00Rio 2016: Opening CeremoniesWe are so excited for the Olympics!! This weekend we had an olympic get together with some friends to start getting in the spirit of the games. We met at a park and brought Brazilian or Olympic themed foods, and set up stations with the different sports for the kids to try. We also set up this flag for family photos, which turned out really cute. It was also our podium for the medal/closing ceremonies, where all the kids were awarded a chocolate gold medal and we played the national anthem.<br />
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For sports, we had gymnastics, track and field, soccer and golf. In gymnastics we had a 2x4 balance beam on the ground, a mat for tumbling, ribbon sticks (see how to make them, <a href="http://everneveragain.blogspot.com/2012/08/new-uses-chopsticks.html" target="_blank">in this post</a>) and a bouncy ball for rhythmic gymnastics.<br />
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For track and field we set up markers for long jump, hurdles (see how to make easy ones, <a href="http://everneveragain.blogspot.com/2012/08/new-uses-chopsticks.html" target="_blank">here</a>), and frisbees for discus.<br />
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For food, we had the teddy graham swimmers (as seen on Pinterest ; )), USA fruit kabobs (strawberry, blueberry, mini marshmallows), <a href="http://lifemadesimplebakes.com/2014/06/pao-de-queijo-brazilian-cheese-bread/" target="_blank">Brazilian cheese puffs</a>, olympics rings (gummy lifesavers),</div>
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Brazilian lemonade, and these Brazilian steak and chimichurri chips that Lay's is making for suckers like me. They also have a bunch of other international flavors in honor of the olympics, so you could just do an olympic chip party with flavors from around the world. I highly recommend the Brazilian Lemonade. I followed the recipe from <a href="http://playzwithfood.com/home/brazilian-lemonade/" target="_blank">playzwithfood, here</a>. It's seriously so good. I just stocked up on limes again yesterday, because we are definitely making more. (All your need is limes, a little sugar, water, a little sweetened condensed milk, and a blender!)<br />
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I actually didn't bring this this time, but we had another Brazil party once and I made this veggie flag of Brazil, with a little blue food coloring in the ranch dip. Just another idea : )<br />
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Since the kids at the park were of all different ages from 1-10, we didn't make it a competitive event, we just let everyone have fun trying the different sports. So at the end everyone got a gold medal made out of chocolate coins. I just hot glued the ribbons to the back and we were golden.<br />
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We are excited for the opening ceremonies on Friday!! Let the games begin and Go Team USA!!<br />
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My boys are huge fans of the PBS show Odd Squad. So they have been counting down to the Odd Squad Movie that will be airing on Monday, August 1. Thing One had an Odd Squad birthday bash this winter and I thought now would be a good time to share some of that party fun. We might pull out some of these things again and have a movie watching party next week. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVsWMzXizqUdlvEFIWCWjoXcrtsF-nhJxio9ho0LtclPRp4jVrJ0e9Ag3Xmxbds1UU1iw1ULBtTRHoZbimFu9GTXMCqx2N4q76JeCVyFQaQ-ILRE8TqBmXCf0Ls-r9JCqeHb955pIpmPj/s1600/odd-squad-1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVsWMzXizqUdlvEFIWCWjoXcrtsF-nhJxio9ho0LtclPRp4jVrJ0e9Ag3Xmxbds1UU1iw1ULBtTRHoZbimFu9GTXMCqx2N4q76JeCVyFQaQ-ILRE8TqBmXCf0Ls-r9JCqeHb955pIpmPj/s640/odd-squad-1920.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Of course we had to have Delivery Debbie's Pizza and juice boxes for Miss. O. We also had a jug of Unicorn Tears. My husband and I actually even dressed up as Delivery Debbie and Delivery Doug. If you don't like pizza, you can always go with egg salad sandwiches....</div>
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We set up an area with the Mathroom, which served as a photo booth backdrop later as well. This was also the craft station where all the agents got to create their own gadget out of recycled materials .<br />
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Thing One dressed up as Oscar. All the kids got a badge (find free Odd Squad printables at the PBS website, <a href="http://www.pbs.org/parents/oddsquad/printables/" target="_blank">here</a>). Here's Thing One with the gadget he created. All the kids were so creative and they loved doing this! It was really fun to see what they could make with just some trash and duct tape. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eaWjneLitBOgZ3iChMbYwCPDFR2aVAM-hT2UynitoOxo0lAFTaFFpQFkqauGUEOTxcPk05mnXbIBW2_7P2GdQu_dTHBLFNK2BhftCa0J0jwhwqga8iHz4zsvTux8CXXmxqAaefVl1UfO/s1600/IMG_5247+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eaWjneLitBOgZ3iChMbYwCPDFR2aVAM-hT2UynitoOxo0lAFTaFFpQFkqauGUEOTxcPk05mnXbIBW2_7P2GdQu_dTHBLFNK2BhftCa0J0jwhwqga8iHz4zsvTux8CXXmxqAaefVl1UfO/s640/IMG_5247+-+Version+2.jpg" width="548" /></a></div>
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They also had to solve an odd problem. We had a huge blob on the loose and they had to figure out how to divide it into a small container for each of them, evenly. (The blob was just homemade blue gak--<a href="http://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-for-kids/gak-attack/" target="_blank">get the recipe here.</a>) I printed little Odd Squad seals for the mini containers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwtl0VRIa1Z5BihlWiB9Du9ATU5PQX4WnG-3j0PRgwpStCJIQ1lfrHkk_dssBKS_wyA5m9_C96H9VLlNU-oDam5zYsrr9TyVgU_kGQ65MttrUeATmfQJhuZkJqlTd8RTZKxmDsmbFG9j5/s1600/IMG_5253+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwtl0VRIa1Z5BihlWiB9Du9ATU5PQX4WnG-3j0PRgwpStCJIQ1lfrHkk_dssBKS_wyA5m9_C96H9VLlNU-oDam5zYsrr9TyVgU_kGQ65MttrUeATmfQJhuZkJqlTd8RTZKxmDsmbFG9j5/s400/IMG_5253+-+Version+2.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
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I love Polly Graph's Lemonade Stand. Of course in the winter she has to switch over to hot chocolate. </div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Since our party was in the winter we went with her hot cocoa version, and made hot cocoa cupcakes. A lemonade stand would be really fun in the summer though.</span></div>
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We love Odd Squad, and we are looking forward to a fun movie day at home on Monday. I hope you are having a happy summer. It's going too fast!<br />
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<br />Haley @ Ever Never Againhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757989545667493576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487260984217860431.post-28260783463001343132016-06-30T07:31:00.002-07:002016-06-30T07:31:33.397-07:00Cup Cartoons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Howdy! I saw a cool art project recently and we tried it and loved it, so I thought I'd share it with you. It's cheap and easy! All you need is two clear plastic cups and a variety of permanent markers. We used fine point Sharpies. </div>
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Step one: use black marker to draw a simple character on the cup. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDE73_JSVJRzcz0du1uKIXTt_AKNzz9YB9yqR5nsUv73GsSDnS24AlV-lFonkWOBovixr2_qXw7vkwNDfgNakP2IdUUG98iXOYTUeI35ZrJoitO0MrbuV84UmiWo9MAKNhC_9VGp2g5wm2/s1600/IMG_6197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDE73_JSVJRzcz0du1uKIXTt_AKNzz9YB9yqR5nsUv73GsSDnS24AlV-lFonkWOBovixr2_qXw7vkwNDfgNakP2IdUUG98iXOYTUeI35ZrJoitO0MrbuV84UmiWo9MAKNhC_9VGp2g5wm2/s400/IMG_6197.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Step 2: Slide another cup over the first, then use colored markers to draw clothes and accessories for your character. </div>
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Here's what it looks like when you take them apart.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugbArQ5DBmUyf9CWPRTK7XjDPaYRyXZa6sBTg4x0XCVvvoPD0BhvqtiRK4RUjFPrxzOWXC1GeumXiM8Qhrcb4Bno_TNlepRm9vIsregZUx_3otF3AOjYyH2LfhK8MEA4_tP4njJq9P5dr/s1600/IMG_6198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugbArQ5DBmUyf9CWPRTK7XjDPaYRyXZa6sBTg4x0XCVvvoPD0BhvqtiRK4RUjFPrxzOWXC1GeumXiM8Qhrcb4Bno_TNlepRm9vIsregZUx_3otF3AOjYyH2LfhK8MEA4_tP4njJq9P5dr/s400/IMG_6198.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Then rotate the top cup a quarter turn and draw another scene. </span></div>
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You could do multiple characters on the bottom cup and then just make a top accessory cup for each of them. Things One and Two loved doing this. If you are looking for a non-messy craft time, this is it! I hope you are having a happy summer!<br />
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You are loved!<br />
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<br />Haley @ Ever Never Againhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757989545667493576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487260984217860431.post-57035608654387940302016-06-13T20:31:00.003-07:002016-06-13T20:31:57.758-07:00South Dakota Summer Vacation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hello! Happy summer, it's hot here and finally feels like summer! I'm so excited for all the adventures we will have and for the lazy days too. We just got back from Yellowstone and I'm just starting to sort through pictures. Last summer we spent a week in South Dakota and loved every minute of it, so I thought I'd share about that trip in case you are still planning this summer's adventures.</div>
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2016 is the 100th anniversary of our National Parks. National Parks are my absolute favorite and basically every vacation we ever take in America will likely include a trip to a National Park or Historic Site. I just think it is such a great value and a great opportunity to really see America. If you are going to visit more than one place in a year, I definitely recommend getting an Interagency Pass. The Interagency Pass is $80 and it's good for one year for your entire family (or whoever is in your car) at any of the national parks/federal lands/historic sites throughout the country <a href="https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm" target="_blank">(read about that here</a>), there's at least 64 places just in Colorado. Additionally, if you are in the Military or 4th grade, your pass is free (for the whole family)! You can see all the places your National Parks pass is <a href="https://store.usgs.gov/pass/PassIssuanceList.pdf" target="_blank">good right here.</a> </div>
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I've mentioned before that <a href="http://everneveragain.blogspot.com/2014/05/learn-and-explore-all-summer-activities.html" target="_blank">our boys love earning Jr. Ranger badges</a> at all the National Parks/Memorials/Historic Sites. Thing One earned SIX badges on this South Dakota trip, and the whole family had fun exploring together from climbing to caving, we did it all. Here's the highlights:</div>
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We were driving from Colorado, so we decided to start by swinging up north to <a href="https://www.nps.gov/deto/index.htm" target="_blank">Devil's Tower</a> in Wyoming. We spent just a couple of hours here checking out the visitor center and climbing on the boulder field. The rocks were huge and I was a little nervous as the crevices between them were large enough to swallow a small child or two, but it was fun and we returned with both boys. It's cool to watch the expert rock climbers make it to the top. They look so tiny up there! It was a great chance for us to stretch after several hours in the car. Then we continued the rest of the way to Rapid City, SD.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1Cg2yKiq5Z5_xPwA7RNmfqghQnCc_yC3pbhSHqQWFyRZuytNA89zJX_ooUAInHKK6L5kOOi6U_bSwQaDPUxLE0xU-uFhAE4Qj-Eamclz2SpcPIvqQZNpKexocWC107tQ9qfyMLoqjdp1/s1600/IMG_0142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1Cg2yKiq5Z5_xPwA7RNmfqghQnCc_yC3pbhSHqQWFyRZuytNA89zJX_ooUAInHKK6L5kOOi6U_bSwQaDPUxLE0xU-uFhAE4Qj-Eamclz2SpcPIvqQZNpKexocWC107tQ9qfyMLoqjdp1/s640/IMG_0142.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-BA7jkV4V_ZriJ07nNl2_jV64FtaxE2AfcuQaN6eNQ__-4ziy3JKF59VztiBBVn1rcnHlbUfDBPp8uznROYJ8hbjDahzfAXaImpWkNtlcFe2ZrvMsDVKevb6ggRMbcqNLPwMpSSjxECr/s1600/IMG_1478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-BA7jkV4V_ZriJ07nNl2_jV64FtaxE2AfcuQaN6eNQ__-4ziy3JKF59VztiBBVn1rcnHlbUfDBPp8uznROYJ8hbjDahzfAXaImpWkNtlcFe2ZrvMsDVKevb6ggRMbcqNLPwMpSSjxECr/s640/IMG_1478.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The view of Devil's Tower from afar.</div>
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When we got to Rapid City we spent the first day just exploring the small town. It's a super cute town with lots for families to do. We especially loved the splash park in Main Street Square. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSKw_O28xBbMUZhAtG5brNrYZxHAJCcwugFMKYbP03IJfm-PXgqbkskVwwXIQX6BizhkUfjOE5mKULEDOvWgb16_B09xaRQLqHlw8MkpEaJbfV6AGt1FHNq6nzNHgJZ7zgu6525VhUNc5/s1600/IMG_3641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSKw_O28xBbMUZhAtG5brNrYZxHAJCcwugFMKYbP03IJfm-PXgqbkskVwwXIQX6BizhkUfjOE5mKULEDOvWgb16_B09xaRQLqHlw8MkpEaJbfV6AGt1FHNq6nzNHgJZ7zgu6525VhUNc5/s640/IMG_3641.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Rapid City is known as the "City of Presidents" because they have a statue of every president on the corner of almost every downtown block. Check out <a href="http://www.visitrapidcity.com/" target="_blank">the city website here</a> for info on the presidential scavenger hunt. Things One and Two loved trying to find them all and match up the picture clues.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUXxuYvuNDAj0jsm0uZxsl0K1vrb-aPNh3pqR2DEdqMDj3c5r-20yM3u0CBGWMYomprQf_EZyKc9t9s-2zfetq2iqIMoTJ8Bcz7G6lM3kWuRWzdlrqlehUGHSYgAQX7LLUZrWfs0TgMwM/s1600/IMG_3650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUXxuYvuNDAj0jsm0uZxsl0K1vrb-aPNh3pqR2DEdqMDj3c5r-20yM3u0CBGWMYomprQf_EZyKc9t9s-2zfetq2iqIMoTJ8Bcz7G6lM3kWuRWzdlrqlehUGHSYgAQX7LLUZrWfs0TgMwM/s640/IMG_3650.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The other thing that was fun in Rapid City was Storybook Island. This is a giant free park that is filled with play forts and characters from classic children's tales. The park is free, but they sell snacks and charge for rides on the mini train and carousel (you are not allowed to bring in outside food, but there are picnic tables just outside the gates in the city park). This was a great afternoon activity for young kids. Both boys loved finding characters from so many stories (The Wizard of Oz, Winnie the Pooh, Cat in the Hat, and all the classic fairy tales).</div>
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The next day we sent to both <a href="https://www.nps.gov/wica/index.htm" target="_blank">Wind Cave National Park </a>and <a href="https://www.nps.gov/jeca/index.htm" target="_blank">Jewel Cave National Monument</a>. The great thing about the caves is that weather is never a factor. Whether its rainy or 100º the caves are cool and mostly dry. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspp2azHtA3rQN9NAOHJzFMp6YzPAurSR-TG2ju4T8oAEhP8Zyw28mboGBw_I_QJ-HUP9lssvyGq2md3T6TEADoTkiHpHNYAWhIRvWbGLK6irwIyxYvqZyIbS15E7McU8pDffYGIvVkV8U/s1600/IMG_0183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspp2azHtA3rQN9NAOHJzFMp6YzPAurSR-TG2ju4T8oAEhP8Zyw28mboGBw_I_QJ-HUP9lssvyGq2md3T6TEADoTkiHpHNYAWhIRvWbGLK6irwIyxYvqZyIbS15E7McU8pDffYGIvVkV8U/s640/IMG_0183.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Wind Cave National Park.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPVCgamw135wQpoMxbr4LaZo_HrYSPS68zlehBluGOgiSdKti5e47Mj3jqK0Eztl0u9tUyMlzdyfNN0w5SH3XZwIbju-Tw1FznEzJvygXiNNQQkX5tpkyk5nbWYyInukku0Dwu8ItPiXg/s1600/IMG_3675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPVCgamw135wQpoMxbr4LaZo_HrYSPS68zlehBluGOgiSdKti5e47Mj3jqK0Eztl0u9tUyMlzdyfNN0w5SH3XZwIbju-Tw1FznEzJvygXiNNQQkX5tpkyk5nbWYyInukku0Dwu8ItPiXg/s640/IMG_3675.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Jewel Cave National Monument. The caves were a little different than other National Parks/Monuments, because you do have to pay to go down into the caves. You can hike and explore above ground, but going into the caves requires a tour guide for safety, so you need to buy tickets and plan your day around the time of the tour you're taking. We stuck with the short and really basic tours, since we had pretty small kids. Young kids are not permitted on the longer underground hikes. So make sure to check all the details before buying your tickets. </div>
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One of our favorite parts of the trip was driving through <a href="http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/custer/" target="_blank">Custer State Park</a>. It's so beautiful. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNdevxCKBZF6yqoPK9y87Zei9VKyH0ujwmerG6yzNYSP6Mh2Gwq6Lf6PvUzg8DgHa7PuwRoKaO-mN9FjPqBb9rOCQxYmoHClFzzBpfjZ2N53sFZFt4W_DbGyJgsY2NNRRSVdtCrye3EDz/s1600/IMG_1756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNdevxCKBZF6yqoPK9y87Zei9VKyH0ujwmerG6yzNYSP6Mh2Gwq6Lf6PvUzg8DgHa7PuwRoKaO-mN9FjPqBb9rOCQxYmoHClFzzBpfjZ2N53sFZFt4W_DbGyJgsY2NNRRSVdtCrye3EDz/s640/IMG_1756.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We drove Needles Highway and hiked around Sylvan Lake.<br />
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Of course we went to Mt Rushmore,</div>
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and saw Crazy Horse.</div>
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We did do Bear Country USA. It's like a drive through zoo of bears, and a few other animals. It was both weird and cool. It was pretty fun to see all the baby bears and so many big bears, but felt really touristy. A lot like the zoo I guess. </div>
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I wouldn't have know about this if I hadn't read it on another blog, but out toward the Badlands you will find the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/mimi/index.htm" target="_blank">Minute Man Missile National Historic Site</a>. If you are a collector of Jr Ranger badges, or interested in the Cold War, this is a good stop. Thing One and I went through the museum-like visitor center in about 45 minutes and watched the video, which was pretty interesting. </div>
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Probably my favorite day of the trip was the day we went to Badlands National Park. We saw buffalo, big horn sheep, a burrowing owl, and a turtle fossil and the landscape was just amazing. </div>
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It was over 100º the day we were there in July, so we actually drove out to Wall Drug for a few hours in the afternoon, had dinner there, and came back to the Badlands for a sunset hike. It had cooled off a lot by then and the sunset was amazing.<br />
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Wall Drug was the highlight of Thing One's trip. He had built it up in his mind and I don't think he was disappointed. : ) They have a splash pad in the "backyard" now and that was great because like I said, it was 100º!<br />
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The boys also loved the live dinosaur. Wall Drug is an experience for sure. If you haven't been there, you just have to go. I enjoyed reading the history of it (<a href="http://www.walldrug.com/" target="_blank">find it here)</a>, and we all enjoyed our free ice water and a stop at the ice cream parlor (and the restaurant, and the bookstore, and the arcade...).<br />
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On our last day we toured the Big Thunder gold mine, and also panned for gold. They have gem panning for younger kids so that they are sure to find some treasures. We didn't find a lot of gold, but did have a good time.<br />
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And that was our trip to South Dakota. I couldn't recommend it more. The whole time we just kept saying how fun it was. America has a lot of really great places to visit. I feel pretty lucky to be in Colorado where we are 8 hours or less to so many awesome National Parks. Rapid City is just a 6 hour drive from Denver. So you can leave early and be there for lunch. Even a long weekend would be worth the drive. Whatever your plans this summer, I hope that you get to enjoy some nature and some history and make some awesome memories with your family. Happy 100th, <a href="https://www.nps.gov/index.htm" target="_blank">National Parks</a>. We love you a lot!</div>
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Happy summer and happy travels!!</div>
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<br />Haley @ Ever Never Againhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757989545667493576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487260984217860431.post-77312425406697750952016-05-22T14:39:00.001-07:002016-05-22T14:39:32.138-07:00Book Review: God Gave Me YouI haven't mentioned this here, but our family is about eight months into our own adoption journey. While every adoption looks different, they certainly call it a journey for a reason. Ever since we started filling out paperwork and connecting with other adoptive families, I have been very interested in hearing different families' adoption stories.<br />
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I just finished reading a new book, that was released this month: <i>God Gave Me You</i>, by Tricia Seaman & Diane Nichols. Trisha is an oncology nurse, who was taking care of a terminally-ill single-mom. This mother was facing a terribly painful and uncertain time, and as she got to know her nurse Tricia, came to believe that she would be the best person to take care of her son when she passed away. After just three weeks of knowing one another, she asked Tricia to adopt her son and raise him. Amazingly, Tricia and her husband had already been going through the process of becoming adoptive parents. While they were expecting a baby, this story shows how God sometimes has other plans, yet He does such an amazing job of preparing us for them, even when we don't see the turn coming in the road. It's a moving story of how two strangers became one big family in a matter of weeks, and how love and support can change a person's life and death.<br />
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This quick read is a great reminder that every day is a gift, and we can make it through our darkest days when we have a friend to walk with us.<br />
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You can find <i>God Gave Me You </i>at <a href="http://books.simonandschuster.com/God-Gave-Me-You/Tricia-Seaman/9781501131837" target="_blank">Howard Books</a>, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.<br />
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** I received a free copy of God Gave Me You from Howard books for my honest review. All opinions here are my own, because it's my blog. **<br />
<br />Haley @ Ever Never Againhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757989545667493576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487260984217860431.post-6888736579848123442016-04-19T13:40:00.003-07:002016-04-19T13:40:59.873-07:00Book Review: Close to You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hi Friends! Remember how <a href="http://everneveragain.blogspot.com/2016/01/2016-reading-goals.html" target="_blank">I had a long list of mostly serious books to read</a> at the beginning of the year, and mentioned I was going to need to work in some lighter reads for fun? Well, I found a good one! <i><a href="http://books.simonandschuster.com/Close-to-You/Kara-Isaac/9781501117329" target="_blank">Close to You</a></i> by Kara Isaac comes out April 26th, and you will definitely want to put it on your summer reading list!</div>
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When Howard books told me about this story, I jumped at the chance to read it. Both my sister and my cousin lived and studied in New Zealand in college. I'm the only one in my immediate family who hasn't been there, so this was my imaginary ticket! The main character is smart and funny kiwi Allison Shire who keeps on keeping on in the midst of her life's biggest disaster to date. At the moment, that means this scholar, with a doctorate in literature, is leading tours all over New Zealand with groups dressed entirely in Lord of the Rings garb and speaking Elvish.</div>
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Meanwhile Jackson Gregory has signed up for the ultimate LOTR fan club tour in order to schmooze his great uncle into investing in his business--an investment he desperately needs. The only problem is, Jackson knows nothing about The Lord of the Rings or the Hobbit. Perfect. </div>
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If you've ever wanted to traipse all over New Zealand, if you've ever had a career disaster (like both of these main characters),<i> </i>if you've ever read a Lord of the Rings book (or seen the movies), or if you just like a good love story; you will love this book! It is well written, with a great setting and fun characters. This is Kara Isaac's first book. How I love to see people succeed! </div>
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Happy reading!</div>
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** Howard Books gave me a free copy of this book for my honest review. All opinions on my blog are my own. </div>
<br />Haley @ Ever Never Againhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757989545667493576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487260984217860431.post-6273920143036999082016-04-05T09:38:00.001-07:002021-04-17T10:00:53.868-07:00Sole HopeHi Friends! We are on Spring break this week and loving it! Trees are starting to come alive with new leaves and even some blossoms. I love spring because it's like all of nature is coming back to life. It's so exciting to see something new. Along those lines, I have discovered something new (well, new to me). It's an organization called Sole Hope. They are based in Jinja Uganda and they are helping to solve a unique problem. Several years ago a couple read about how many people in Africa are infected by jiggers, a sand flea that burrows into toes and the webbing between them, and then lays thousands of eggs. These fleas in the feet are very painful and and lead to other diseases. They looked at all the angles of solving the problem and then created Sole Hope. They bring in people who have jiggers (or travel to them), and clean their feet, remove the jiggers, and provide education about how to keep from getting them. Then each person is given a new pair of shoes as well as a foot care kit, and finally their house and property is sprayed with a pesticide that kills the jiggers to eradicate them and keep everyone healthy. Check out<a href="https://solehope.org" target="_blank"> Sole Hope's website</a> to see their awesome work!<br />
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One of my favorite parts about the organization is that they employ local shoe makers to make the shoes that they distribute. I read once about how some well-meaning shoe companies had actually hurt communities by giving everyone a pair of shoes, putting the local cobblers out of business and causing them to have to move elsewhere for work. Then when those shoes had been worn though there was no where to get shoes. I love this more sustainable approach. Best of all, they invite people like you and I to be a part of this process. The shoes are all made out of recycled blue jean or denim. In order to make shipping as efficient as possible, Sole Hope asks groups in the U.S. to get together and have a "Shoe Cutting Party." Last week we had a cutting party and it was fun and easy! We gathered up our old jeans that have been waiting for a project such as this. The fronts of these pants are pretty worn,<br />
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but the backs are still in great shape, perfect for cutting out shoe pieces! If you don't have jeans, you can also just buy a few XL pairs at the thrift store. </div>
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So we rounded up our jeans, </div>
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ordered a party pack with the patterns and instructions (<a href="http://solehopeparty.org/" target="_blank">order a cutting party here</a>), and invited friends to come over and trace and cut. </div>
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For each pair ten pieces get cut out of denim<br />
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and two pieces get cut out of plastic milk jugs, as heel supports.</div>
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Then all those pieces get pinned together and labeled,</div>
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and put into packs of 10 in a gallon size bag. Everyone that comes is asked to bring just $10 help cover the cost of paying the shoe makers in Uganda, and shipping the materials. Best $10 you'll spend!<br />
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When you see how much trash there is just between all the seams, buttons and pockets, you realize how efficient it really is to cut them here and ship only the needed pieces. We saved the pockets for a later project...stay tuned :)<br />
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I have already planned a second cutting party, and I'm thinking this will be something we do on a regular basis. I love their awesome holistic model. <a href="http://www.solehope.org/" target="_blank">Check out Sole Hope's website here. </a></div>
<br />Haley @ Ever Never Againhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757989545667493576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487260984217860431.post-63406751793408490042016-03-26T13:22:00.001-07:002016-03-26T13:22:24.275-07:00Let's Make Rabbits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hi again! I didn't think I'd be posting again before Easter, but we just read the cutest book, and since it's about rabbits, I thought I'd share it during Easter weekend (even though we know Easter is more than bunny rabbits and peeps). We have read lots of Leo Lionni books, but somehow I'd never seen <u>Let's Make Rabbits</u>. It's a sweet book about two rabbits, one pencil-drawn, and one scissor-cut. You know how I love a craft inspired by a children's book! </div>
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As soon as we turned to the first page, and I saw the scrap paper, I thought of this pile of papers I had left over from some projects we did this fall. The paper we used is handmade in India, fair trade paper from <a href="http://equalexchange.coop/" target="_blank">Equal Exchange</a>. I can't see it there now, you might only be able to order it at Christmas time...anyway it was perfect for this book craft.</div>
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Pencil draws a rabbit, and scissors cuts one out of scrap paper. I held some graph paper over the picture and traced each of the pieces to make patterns for our own scrap rabbits.</div>
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I wrote on the pieces so we would know which side was "face up." Then we traced the patterns face down on the back of the paper we wanted to use.</div>
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Then we cut them out and used a glue stick to stick them together. </div>
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don't forget to make a carrot!</div>
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It's fun to have some indoor actives this year, since we got another 8 inches of snow this morning... </div>
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We had to cancel our egg hunt, and instead we said "Let's make rabbits!"</div>
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Wanna make some? Well hop to it!</div>
Haley @ Ever Never Againhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757989545667493576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487260984217860431.post-53224251358041185452016-03-24T21:21:00.000-07:002016-03-25T15:14:24.798-07:00Penguin FoodsHi! Happy Spring! Our's is off to a chilly start with more than a foot of snow yesterday. Since Easter is this weekend, I thought I'd share another creative way to eat those leftover hard-boiled eggs. You know we like to do low key theme days around here. It usually just involves me realizing we have several things that go together and then gathering them up the night before and checking Pinterest for a food inspiration. We recently did a penguin day. I gathered up books, stickers, a puzzle and a book on tape, and just let the boys choose what they wanted to do.<br />
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For lunch they had a boiled egg turned into a penguin, as well as crackers with cream cheese, carrots, and olives. The egg's wings and head are held on with toothpicks, so just have kids watch out for those : )<br />
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For the crackers we just spread cream cheese on and stuck on the head, wings, beak and feet. Easy and fun! I hope you have a wonderful easter weekend.<br />
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Jesus loves you to death....and back. : )<br />
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Haley<br />
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P.S.- If you are looking for other post-Easter ideas for using up hard boiled eggs and way too many peeps, you <a href="http://everneveragain.blogspot.com/2014/04/post-easter-snacks-and-crafts.html" target="_blank">might like this post </a>or just search "eggs" at the tops of the blog, for all the fun Easter stuff we've done. : )Haley @ Ever Never Againhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757989545667493576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487260984217860431.post-67392781742030063482016-03-07T08:58:00.002-07:002016-03-07T08:58:43.621-07:00No Sew Quiet Book<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hi Friends! It's been a long time since I posted something crafty. I made a little quiet book for a special two-year-old and I thought I'd share it with you. I love finding ideas on Pinterest for stuff like this so I want to share mine in case there's an idea that would help someone else. In the past I've sewn together quiet book pages (<a href="http://everneveragain.blogspot.com/2012/02/quiet-book-pages.html" target="_blank">see some here</a>), but sewing takes a little longer, so I put this whole book together with felt and hot glue. Yep--it's a NO SEW! I found this little canvas book at Target and thought it would make a great quiet book. The pages are a lot more durable than the felt base I've used in the past, and the rings pop open so I could take out the pages to glue them and just pop them back in in whatever order. I also kept out a few pages, so I could make some new pages and trade them out (hypothetically). </div>
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I ironed on the tree decal and jut hot glued the flowers. I used permanent markers to write "Quiet Book." On other pages I used fabric markers, but having done both, I would recommend Sharpies rather than fabric markers. The fabric markers bled a lot and the Sharpie was much cleaner. </div>
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Ribbon rain<br />
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The car is two layers with a space for the ribbon to run in-between so that it can move back and forth. The car wash is a t-shirt sleeve cut into strips.</div>
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The sock monkey doesn't do anything. I was going to make it a puzzle with a barrel of monkeys on one page to hold the pieces, but ended up just gluing it all on. The pom pom is fun to pet. </div>
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The mail box has letters and you could always add new ones or paper ones as well.</div>
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The frog's tongue is elastic so you can stretch it and slurp in the fly. It's fun to use these giant googly eyes too. The fox is playing peekaboo behind the tree.<br />
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Laundry pages are really popular it seems. It's fun to take the clothes out and clip them on. I used a little piece of clear vinyl to make the window, and left the washer open on the right side to slide the clothes in and out. </div>
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The last page is a bowl full of cherry pom poms and a pie crust with a lattice that she can weave.<br />
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Hopefully our little friend will enjoy her quiet book. Hot glue is amazing. And between the ready made canvas book base, and the hot glue, this was a pretty fast project. Which just happens to be all I have time for these days. : ) It feels good to make something fun again though. That's all for today!</div>
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I hope that you are well! </div>
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Know that you are LOVED!</div>
<br />Haley @ Ever Never Againhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757989545667493576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487260984217860431.post-88025336615180052502016-01-25T20:52:00.001-07:002016-03-11T14:19:05.803-07:00Book Review: Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hi friends! How are your new year's resolutions going? I have finished my first book of the year and it was so great! I'm excited to share it with you today. <i><b>Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World</b> </i>is Kristen Welch's newest book. You may recognize her as the co-founder of <a href="http://mercyhousekenya.org/" target="_blank">Mercy House Kenya</a> and <a href="http://fairtradefriday.club/" target="_blank">Fair Trade Friday</a>. Her travels, her work with the young moms in Kenya, and her own parenting experience as a mother of three, come together to give her a unique and valuable message about parenting in the 21st century. I love that she draws from other writers and speakers as well in the book. She shares thoughts and research about how we are making our families overly kid-centric, and setting up impossible standards. I was lucky enough to get an advance e-copy of the book for my honest review, so I can give you a peak at what you have to look forward to when <a href="http://raisinggratefulkids.com/" target="_blank">it comes out THIS WEEK</a>! </div>
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Here's a few of my favorite quotes from the book:</div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"The American Dream and the pursuit of happiness have morphed from a quest for general contentment to the idea that you must be happy at all times and in every way.(--Lori Gottlieb) If we fix every problem, cater to every need, and bend over backwards to keep our kids happy all the time we are setting them up for a false reality because life won't always offer them the same courtesy. "</span> </span></b></blockquote>
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Any of that sound familiar to anyone? I have seen so many articles lately detailing how utterly unprepared for life the upcoming generation of young adults is. This book hits the nail on the head and addresses some of the biggest problems facing teens and young professionals, because of choices their parents made or didn't make when they were younger. It's one of those books you find yourself saying "exactly!" to all the time. </div>
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Overall it was just a great reminder of what our kids really need, and that it's ok for them to be different and not to have everything everyone else has. The truth is often times the kids that look like they have it all are missing the most important pieces, and their future adult-selves will be the sad ones proving it. After reading <a href="http://onethousandgifts.com/" target="_blank">One Thousand Gifts</a> last year, I heartily agree that authentic gratitude is absolutely essential to happiness. If we aren't grateful then likely that means we have set ourselves up to expect more, and nothing steals joy like disappointment. I don't think raising grateful kids means asking them to set their expectations low, rather, as Kristen talks about in the book, it is helping them to grasp the bigness of the world and their smallness in it. When we are able to expose our kids to different cultures, struggles that are common in many parts of the world, and even the difficulties those around us are facing; they are equipped with perspective and compassion that allows them to not only appreciate good things, but also to see how they can be part of good things for others. </div>
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I think this would be an awesome book to go through as a book club with other parents. </div>
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Kristen even has a free journal that you can download and print to go along with the book:<a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/295844134/Journal-FINAL" target="_blank"> go here.</a> And <a href="http://raisinggratefulkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/raising-grateful-kids-discussion-guide.pdf" target="_blank">a discussion guide right here!</a> So yeah, it was made to talk about with your friends, or your spouse, or both. : )</div>
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This book was a great way to start out the year. Parenting is not going to be easy, and not every moment is going to be happy; but love, gratitude, and a commitment to some biblical principles can still guide our kids to a happy life. And ultimately I think that's what all parents want for their kids. Order your copy today <a href="http://raisinggratefulkids.com/#front-page-3" target="_blank">right here.</a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9PmmnvcEQej_3vXv32ZlJDAjeBApzgrjXIyWHksQHO9Qd-oFDutgT17GZp_BPO71Er91nv6G0N0WfnMzO3VEQRTCknivnur9r1inZEceGviXkRTTBKuSEyXX5LJSeIVtynKrw2kcHmcZ/s1600/raisinggratefulkids-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9PmmnvcEQej_3vXv32ZlJDAjeBApzgrjXIyWHksQHO9Qd-oFDutgT17GZp_BPO71Er91nv6G0N0WfnMzO3VEQRTCknivnur9r1inZEceGviXkRTTBKuSEyXX5LJSeIVtynKrw2kcHmcZ/s640/raisinggratefulkids-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thanks for reading! You are loved!<br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D487260984217860431%23editor%2Fsrc%3Ddashboard&media=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-ka_Q8kG-BjI%2FVqbSgpWVP-I%2FAAAAAAAACZA%2FD9e6m1v7rmU%2Fs640%2FRGK2.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=QSiw7gCQpKBa&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 66px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 250px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D487260984217860431%23editor%2Fsrc%3Ddashboard&media=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-ka_Q8kG-BjI%2FVqbSgpWVP-I%2FAAAAAAAACZA%2FD9e6m1v7rmU%2Fs640%2FRGK2.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=QSiw7gCQpKBa&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 66px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 250px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Haley @ Ever Never Againhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757989545667493576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487260984217860431.post-86445461419677580242016-01-17T19:42:00.001-07:002016-01-17T19:42:58.946-07:002016 Reading Goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hello! Happy 2016! It's the beginning of the year so we are eating healthy and setting goals. </div>
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In 2015 I joined a couple of friends in the most relaxed book club ever. We pick a few books that we want to read and then over the next 2-3 months read them in whatever order. This is helpful because it means we can swap books, if we aren't trying to read them at exactly the same time. At the end of the quarter we get together and discuss all three, plus the fate of the county, education, politics, political correctness, parenting, faith and everything else we can think of... but we do start with the books. : )</div>
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Thanks to my book club accountability and some free books to review from Howard Books, in 2015 I read:</div>
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What Alice Forgot - Moriarty</div>
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The Husbands Secret - Moriarty</div>
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Tiffany Girl - Gist</div>
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More Than Happy - Miller</div>
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If You Find This Letter - Brencher</div>
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Woodlawn - Gerelds</div>
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Their Eyes Were Watching God - Hurston</div>
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I also discovered audio books, and started walking and reading at the same time. Bonus! So I listened to these books as well:</div>
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American the Beautiful - Dr. Ben Carson</div>
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Just As I am - Billy Graham</div>
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The Great Divorce - C.S. Lewis</div>
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The Screwtape Letters - C.S. Lewis</div>
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There's lots of book challenges floating around out there. One of my book buddies suggested we do this one, of course we'll have to chose together what we'll read for book club, but if I were to fill it out myself, here's what I'd be aiming to read this year:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8C_dXRHAxC7kJZrPUDj7BwoYKX0SCRe0650K2hPVYCCWaLcScDzOIFyODabUp_bBQGnb-uyRxi4Yd97a0OKnSxm-XBHxTVMzjr3u_soS9AZCUX5f6v-OxVRxBOeCsrkknH-iLNqgv-OXV/s1600/2016readinglist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8C_dXRHAxC7kJZrPUDj7BwoYKX0SCRe0650K2hPVYCCWaLcScDzOIFyODabUp_bBQGnb-uyRxi4Yd97a0OKnSxm-XBHxTVMzjr3u_soS9AZCUX5f6v-OxVRxBOeCsrkknH-iLNqgv-OXV/s640/2016readinglist.jpg" width="490" /></a></div>
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Here's the challenge:</div>
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Read a book...</div>
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<li>published this year: <b>Raising Grateful Kids</b> --Welch <i><span style="color: #351c75;"><--I got an advance copy of this and will review it here in a week or so. It is so good!</span></i></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">you've been meaning to read: <b>For the Love</b> --Hatmaker <i><span style="color: #351c75;"><--I'm also reading this right now</span></i></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">recommended by a bookstore: <b>Fates and Furies</b> -- Groff <span style="color: #351c75;"><--supposedly President Obama's fav book of 2015 (He has time to read?!?)</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">you should have read in school: <b>To Kill a Mockingbird</b> -- Lee</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">chosen by your spouse: <b>The Language of God </b>--Collins</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">published before you were born: <b>The Keeper of the Bees </b>--Stratton-Porter <i><span style="color: #351c75;"><--chosen by my mother-in-law, her favorite book.</span></i></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">you didn't finish: <b>The Locust Effect</b> --Haugen <i><span style="color: #351c75;"><-- this is just so heavy and hard to read, but the message is important and I need the reminder that there is evil in the world and it is worth fighting.</span></i></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">you own but haven't read: <b>When Helping Hurts </b>-- Corbett <i><span style="color: #351c75;"><--I have audio plans for this so although, yes, this is the 3rd time I've put it on my list, it is happening this year!</span></i></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">that intimidates you: <b>Half The Sky </b>--Kristof & WuDunn <i><span style="color: #351c75;"><-- this is is the same hard and heavy category as The Locust Effect, so I know it's going to be a tough read, but worth it. Kicking myself that I didn't watch this </span></i></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>documentary when it was on Netflix, and hoping it comes back.</i></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;">a book that you have already read: <b>Mere Christianity </b>-- C.S. Lewis <i><span style="color: #351c75;"><--another audio plan, I've discovered I love listening to C.S. Lewis rather than reading him. It's just so much easier to digest when I'm hearing it. </span></i></li>
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"A book you've been meaning to read" could be it's own list. I'll add to that <b>Rhinestone Jesus </b>by Kristen Welch and <b>Interrupted</b> by Jen Hatmaker, and these two Holocaust books: <b>The Hiding Place </b>and<b> The Auschwitz Escape</b>. I might as well round out my Holocaust category and watch Schindler's List this year too, since I've never seen it. It's not that I want to read about the Holocaust, but I think it's important to know, and to never forget...'</div>
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After those I might have to find something lighter to read. : ) I'm sure I'll read some not on this list and there will be several I don't get to again this year, but it's a starting point. What are you reading this year? Have you read any on my list? </div>
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Here's to setting goals and good books!<br />
You are loved!<br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D487260984217860431%23editor%2Fsrc%3Ddashboard&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-NKrzo4VYrbs%2FVpsTTzn-5YI%2FAAAAAAAACYk%2F49a4GRFFI5E%2Fs320%2Fholocustset.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=QSiw7gCQpKBa&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 193px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1554px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D487260984217860431%23editor%2Fsrc%3Ddashboard&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-NKrzo4VYrbs%2FVpsTTzn-5YI%2FAAAAAAAACYk%2F49a4GRFFI5E%2Fs320%2Fholocustset.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=QSiw7gCQpKBa&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 193px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1554px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a></div>
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Haley @ Ever Never Againhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757989545667493576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487260984217860431.post-28844639910275148912015-12-15T11:42:00.000-07:002015-12-15T11:42:54.839-07:00Christmas Joy and a Tiny Craft<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hi Friends! We are enjoying a wonderful snow day, and it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. We have been enjoying a really great Christmas season. The last few years for some reason I have felt down about the commercial, selfish version of Christmas that seems to surround us in our culture. This year we've taken care to keep the crazy out of Christmas, and I'm enjoying it like no other. All is calm, all is bright. </div>
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Thing Two is learning to read, and he sounded out a banner that we have that says "Joy to the World." Since it's Christmas time "joy" seems to be plastered on everything in every store and decoration. Thing Two is loving recognizing that word when he sees it, and it's been the perfect reminder for the rest of us. Thing One said, "Mom, he finds 'joy' wherever we go!" and Thing Two said, "I can see joy everywhere!" How true. We tend to find joy whenever we remember to look for it. That's exactly what we are doing this year. May you find joy this Christmas! </div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="text Luke-2-10" id="en-ESV-24975" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;">And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great JOY that will be for all <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-24975Q" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-24975Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>the people.</span><span class="text Luke-2-11" id="en-ESV-24976" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>For <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-24976R" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-24976R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>unto you is born this day in <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-24976S" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-24976S" title="See cross-reference S">S</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>the city of David <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-24976T" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-24976T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>a Savior, who is <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-24976U" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-24976U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>Christ <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-24976V" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-24976V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>the Lord."</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> Luke 2:10-11</span></b></span></blockquote>
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Now, as long as you are here, I thought I'd share a tiny, easy Christmas craft that I made just for fun. I'm trying to use up things we have around the house, and I've had these 2" terra-cotta pots for a while just waiting for the right craft. Since we have twigs in the backyard and always plenty of play-doh, the only thing I had to buy was the pine-tree pipe cleaners. You can get those and the terra-cotta at Hobby Lobby. Aren't these little pine trees cute? They would make great placard holders or office gifts maybe? A perfect desk-size tree : )</div>
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Here's the quick run down. Use wire cutters to cut the pipe cleaners into different sizes. The biggest pieces I used were half a pipe cleaner. </div>
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Then arrange them by size and twist them unto a skinny 6" long twig. To make the branches shorter just twist around an extra time. </div>
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I used about four pipe cleaners for each tree. Leave about two inches of twig at the bottom. Fill the terra cotta pot with play-doh and press it in to make it firm. Insert the tree base into the play-doh and squash it around the trunk to hold it tight and straight.<br />
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If you want you can add a little moss to cover the play-doh. If you don't have the terra cotta, you could also tie a little scrap of burlap around the play-doh base instead. That was my original idea, and then I saw the pots. </div>
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Here's to happy, easy crafts. Just say "no" to Christmas crazy, friends. Find joy! You are loved!</div>
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-Haley</div>
<br />Haley @ Ever Never Againhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757989545667493576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487260984217860431.post-60531977513486309812015-11-24T14:09:00.002-07:002015-11-24T14:09:50.454-07:00Thanksgiving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hello! It's been so long, but here I am. I have been intrigued by all the "grown-up coloring" going around. I thought maybe it would be fun to print some fall and thanksgiving themed pages to have around on Thanksgiving. It's supposed to be snowy and in the 20's here so we will need an alternative to the football and after dinner walk that we usually do. It turns out my kids really like these intricate coloring pages and a big cup of sharpened pencils. Here's <a href="http://www.u-createcrafts.com/free-fall-adult-coloring-pages/" target="_blank">a link to a few great fall coloring pages</a>.</div>
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We spent a half hour coloring together yesterday. Even Thing Two, did a really careful job, and usually he just scribbles. I love spending time together like this. Whether you need a little quite time during a week off of school, or something for the whole fam-damly on Thanksgiving, a quick Pinterst search, a printer, and some colored pencils could bring you a lot of relaxed family time. Here's wishing you a peaceful day of giving thanks. We have so much to be thankful for.</div>
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"The greatest thing is to give thanks for everything. He who has learned this knows what it means to live. He has penetrated the whole mystery of life: giving thanks for everything."<br /> <br /> --Albert Schweitzer</blockquote>
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Ephesians 5:20</blockquote>
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Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything...</div>
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Happy Thanksgiving!</div>
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-- Haley</div>
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Haley @ Ever Never Againhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757989545667493576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487260984217860431.post-49999113805188737812015-09-21T08:27:00.002-07:002015-09-21T08:52:57.718-07:00The Syrian Refugee CrisisThis weekend we went to the mountains for a little while. We spent an hour or two climbing up a trail and enjoying the view. At the end of the short hike my kids were thirsty, hot, hungry and dirty. We had plenty of water with us and snacks in the car and that night we tucked our boys safely into bed, after they bathed and put on fresh jammies. But after we got home I saw <a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/refugees-receive-backpacks-in-macedonia/" target="_blank">this post from Samaritan's Purse</a> about all the refugees traveling to escape the violence that has over taken their cities (ISIS).<br />
I thought, if my kiddos were tired, hot and dirty after just a couple hours of walking, what must these kids feel like? Many have been traveling for weeks, and most have lost everything in the journey. There's no clean jammies and warm bed waiting at the end of the day. In fact, they often don't even know what country they will be in at the end of the day.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="450" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m28!1m12!1m3!1d12379571.596876541!2d19.010851929596512!3d40.75418650582114!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!4m13!3e2!4m5!1s0x152ff813b98135af%3A0x967e5e5fc542c32a!2sAleppo%2C+Syria!3m2!1d36.2116828!2d37.1472998!4m5!1s0x47449ceaf6fd27a3%3A0x850276e585876b22!2zT2RtYXJhbGnFoXRlIEhvcmdvxaEsIDIyLCBIb3Jnb8WhLCBTZXJiaWE!3m2!1d46.1405284!2d19.904902399999997!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1442582646642" style="border-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Gill Sans W01 Book', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;" width="600"></iframe><br />
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<b>World Vision</b> has put together the map above that really helps us understand the enormity of this journey. It shows how a family coming from Aleppo, Syria to the border of Serbia will have to travel over 1,400 miles (<a href="https://www.worldvision.org/news-stories-videos/google-map-refugees-walking-syria-serbia?&campaign=10680861" target="_blank">Check out their post about this: here</a>.) Many of these miles are being trekked on foot. World Vision also has a great post about what is happening, who is affected and how World Vision is responding with aid. <a href="https://www.worldvision.org/news-stories-videos/syria-war-refugee-crisis" target="_blank">You can click here to read that and to help through World Vision.</a><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: x-large;">"Nearly 12 million Syrians have been forced from their homes by the fighting — half are children."</span><br />
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-- World Vision<br />
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<b>Samaritan's Purse</b> has been posting updates from their workers on the ground in Greece, and other check points. They have been helping with medical care (with some of their staff doctors checking on refugees at certain check points), and distributing backpacks with much needed health and hygiene items as well as snacks and comfort items for kids. <b>Their help is tangible</b>. If you are watching news clips of thousands of people walking and walking; everything they own in a plastic grocery bag--and wondering what you can do, here is something you can do. Watch the video to get a sense of what's happening, what these families are going through, what they've lost and how desperately they need hope, and see how Samaritan's Purse is helping them. <a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/refugees-receive-backpacks-in-macedonia/" target="_blank">You can donate directly to Samaritan's Purse's European Refugee Relief by clicking here</a> (and scrolling to the bottom).<br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;"> "We've not come here for enjoyment. All of us are hopeless people." </span></blockquote>
We can't look away from what families just like ours are going through on the other side of the world. I don't know what is going to happen to these families, but I know this:<br />
They need help <i>today</i>.<br />
They need hope to make it to tomorrow; to the next check point. <br />
There are good organizations making a real impact in this ongoing crisis and we can partner with them.<br />
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I feel like there's so little I can do to help, but I think too often we claim our ability to only make a small impact as an excuse to do nothing. We can not do nothing.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”</span></div>
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Haley @ Ever Never Againhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757989545667493576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487260984217860431.post-39006653187231399492015-09-13T15:12:00.000-07:002015-09-13T15:12:03.716-07:00Book Review: Woodlawn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Football season is officially underway. With football on TV, fall in the air, and a movie based on the book on the horizon, now is the perfect time to read the inspiring true story of <u>Woodlawn</u>, by Todd Gerelds. </div>
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Woodlawn is set in Birmingham, Alabama in the 1970's. Coach Tandy Gerelds is struggling to integrate a team of high school football players in an era and a community that wants anything but to work together. He tries everything to get his guys to break down barriers and truly be a team, but to no avail. Finally, a bootlegger-turned-preacher named Wales Goebel shows up and shows them that the way to be united is not to put on the same jersey, but the same heart. As the entire team experiences a change of heart and a new-found faith, they finally are able to work together and let every player shine, especially their African-American superstar: Tony Nathan. At a school where black and white students couldn't even walk the halls together (due to violence), this is an amazing feat. I love the story of this faith-born brotherhood, but I also love the personal stories of the men who brought it about: the coach, the team chaplin and a local evangelist. </div>
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I am looking forward to seeing the movie, but I have a feeling it will not adequately explain the amazing back stories of Wales Goebel and Hank Erwin. These men had such interesting lives and give God all the credit for the difficulties they overcame. I'm sure they never thought they would be changing the course of a football team, but their authenticity affected those young football players deeply and allowed them to hear the message of Jesus Christ's love that they both experienced and shared with the team. </div>
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Woodlawn the movie (with Sean Astin & Jon Voight) comes out October 15, 2015, but the book comes out <b>this week</b>! That give you a month to get the whole <i>true</i> story which, trust me, you have to hear! <a href="http://books.simonandschuster.com/Woodlawn/Mark-Schlabach/9781501118067" target="_blank">Order the book here</a>, or check your local book store. </div>
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** I received a free copy of Woodlawn from Howard Books for my honest review. All opinions are my own, of course : ) **</div>
<br />Haley @ Ever Never Againhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757989545667493576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487260984217860431.post-54087586194054356442015-08-25T10:18:00.001-07:002015-08-25T10:18:40.327-07:00Homestead, Faux-mstead<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hi! With kiddos going back to school, it's starting to feel like fall. Like harvest time. I mentioned that we are reading Little House on the Prairie, and it's making me feel all homesteady. Of course it's all fun and games for us, because our survival isn't dependent on being able to preserve all the fall harvest. Still, we are trying to make sure nothing gets wasted. We got a late spring freeze here that killed a lot of trees' blossoms, so I've noticed a lot of local apple trees around us didn't grow any apples. We were lucky and ours did! We got about 60 fireside apples from our little tree. Many of them have worms or bugs, so we are trying to use those up more quickly by making crockpot applesauce, and pies. Pie for breakfast!</div>
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I have never canned anything, but I keep thinking I'm going to. I'm getting closer. I have purchased canning jars and supplies, and we used one to make some fridge pickles this week. Baby steps. : ) We got to use our homegrown garlic, carrots, celery seed, coriander (cilantro seeds), and farmers market cucumbers. We used Ted Allen's recipe from the Food Network, and they tasted like pickles in just a few hours. The boys love them! We will definitely use this recipe again! <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ted-allen/refrigerator-pickles-cauliflower-carrots-cukes-you-name-it-recipe.html" target="_blank">Here's the link to the recipe</a>. </div>
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I hope you're week is going well! You are loved!</div>
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<a href="" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Haley @ Ever Never Againhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757989545667493576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487260984217860431.post-38268912491724496112015-07-30T13:53:00.000-07:002015-08-03T09:44:11.604-07:00Garden: Midseason Success and Failure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
How's your summer going? Ours has been so full of so many good things. I am so thankful for this season with our family. We've been having a lot of adventures together. But even when we are just at home we are staying busy. Our garden is one thing we all work on together. </div>
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I am so thankful that we get to have a garden, and even more thankful that we don't rely on it alone to be able to eat. We are reading the Little House books right now and thinking about how families used to have to grow enough to survive gives me a whole new respect for homesteading life back then. </div>
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Every year we seem to have different challenges in the garden. This summer it's often felt like we are failing out there. Squash beetles have killed some of our squash, we have planted peppers three different times and they just keep dying. Twice I planted beets and something ate them the minute they come up. Half the green beans I planted didn't come up and none of the cucumbers. We started tomatoes earlier than ever and we've had fewer than ever ripen up. Nonetheless, the season's not over, and we <i>are</i> enjoying <i>some</i> success. Here's a few things that did work and are making us happy. </div>
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The few beets that did come up have beautiful tops. I can't wait to sauté these up with some butter and snow peas. Our snow peas also did great this year and we picked several bowls full. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagbrbc-C1NoP_vC8TEe8dQ6vY_Qc4QrXTNoYiPQ_ARsaxpP8SfoJE2Bxm9KtQ9VHJNu7ZMNBCpt-P0JNoXQZiilcIQ3WFOIsOh40XEnoC0_Ufl6xYrVXm-8NC96P83v6tgsKcamhkFsK7/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagbrbc-C1NoP_vC8TEe8dQ6vY_Qc4QrXTNoYiPQ_ARsaxpP8SfoJE2Bxm9KtQ9VHJNu7ZMNBCpt-P0JNoXQZiilcIQ3WFOIsOh40XEnoC0_Ufl6xYrVXm-8NC96P83v6tgsKcamhkFsK7/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Some friends of ours gave us this windmill. I love seeing it in the garden. It's perfect for our little city farm. We planted some spaghetti squash nearby and they have over taken the bottom of the windmill. There's five good-size spaghetti squash on this trellis. The ones at the bottom are huge!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHmclWvLwVFhaVm84Vl9G2P7vg8BwA-DqZdju5b0_3e_9cLTHUPd4pCyieqCX59ycYc-VjYCg2c8uJ4PmV5b9GTB3zKO0XK8gImiYBSZR4XgPiXLIuaTYP9K_FYIXQ0-MPjHW_M_cgWaE/s1600/IMG_3867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHmclWvLwVFhaVm84Vl9G2P7vg8BwA-DqZdju5b0_3e_9cLTHUPd4pCyieqCX59ycYc-VjYCg2c8uJ4PmV5b9GTB3zKO0XK8gImiYBSZR4XgPiXLIuaTYP9K_FYIXQ0-MPjHW_M_cgWaE/s640/IMG_3867.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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One of our planters was more weeds than veggies. A lot of things we planted just didn't come up there, so we pulled out the young onions (which are still a usable size), and tilled it up and started over a couple weeks ago. Everything else below we picked in the last couple of days. When I put it all together I realized, we aren't failing. Some things are working, and seeing this pile of stuff we grew makes me happy, and eating it together will make us healthy. What more could we ask for? It's enough. I'm still hoping for more tomatoes in the next couple months though ; )</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLj8gZGpkmekN2DpeNoseN_-TaFXHl3fthK4dfg3igX3nWri61oGq-g2_d-hzJ43s-re8dupV9cupZ8_1nG-VgVfZe1Me3AY_Kdb_nHDz1xl5pIrkHTDMCKseofmvf6uH5fNEingkJ99V/s1600/IMG_3878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLj8gZGpkmekN2DpeNoseN_-TaFXHl3fthK4dfg3igX3nWri61oGq-g2_d-hzJ43s-re8dupV9cupZ8_1nG-VgVfZe1Me3AY_Kdb_nHDz1xl5pIrkHTDMCKseofmvf6uH5fNEingkJ99V/s640/IMG_3878.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I hope you are enjoying the fruits of your labor, whatever they may be, and finding that they are enough. Happy summer! We'll be taking advantage of the last couple weeks of summer fun before school schedule starts here. Oh how I love these long and full days.<br />
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You are loved!<br />
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<br />Haley @ Ever Never Againhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757989545667493576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487260984217860431.post-78771604735235592552015-07-01T09:49:00.000-07:002015-07-01T09:49:11.467-07:00Family Fun Night: Paddington<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sometimes on Friday nights we like to do something special with the boys. Usually nothing fancy just a good time together: game night, a movie, camping in the backyard or a free activity in town. A few weeks ago we had a Paddington Bear night. We got the book from the library, rented the movie from Redbox, and made special desserts and snacks to munch on while we watched the movie. Something about having a theme makes the night even more special for them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7feY5x_3Q2GYNr6Ef9TjSlcPTb1CxMCPnwznv0G_CWKAhSR3eNfwUtAnvD04OU5PgNSNRtUSnXtWXVOni8Tb8L2tPNOgMPCyBHHVhtMYIJHgik2pqzHiQI-5otXIh6YFxDmjsSb2OEBJb/s1600/paddington2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7feY5x_3Q2GYNr6Ef9TjSlcPTb1CxMCPnwznv0G_CWKAhSR3eNfwUtAnvD04OU5PgNSNRtUSnXtWXVOni8Tb8L2tPNOgMPCyBHHVhtMYIJHgik2pqzHiQI-5otXIh6YFxDmjsSb2OEBJb/s640/paddington2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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They both had these plain teddy bears. I turned them into Paddingtons using some felt and fleece I had left over from other projects. The hat was no-sew I just hot glued two pieces of felt together and added a little brown ribbon. For the coat I just traced the body of the bear from the knees up (plus about a 1/2 inch all the way around) onto two layers of blue fleece. I made the sleeves extra long so I could roll them up as a cuff. Stuffed animal clothes are really easy to make. Felt and fleece are great because they don't frey and you can do minimal sewing or just hot glue. Older kids would probably have fun making the clothes themselves with felt, scissors and a little help with hot glue. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggeAp_xm5U3fYZn85CgXleL6ZR1UDhyBfeEUgyMXAjJ6qRj1-ZJzATs8LJbdnKdylV1YfB7qhP9bikZNkGfWVS0gr6WtAML4LtppawMHcxchOWpviIwup16k06q8DkrM_N9l9lyn-FoAOy/s1600/paddington1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggeAp_xm5U3fYZn85CgXleL6ZR1UDhyBfeEUgyMXAjJ6qRj1-ZJzATs8LJbdnKdylV1YfB7qhP9bikZNkGfWVS0gr6WtAML4LtppawMHcxchOWpviIwup16k06q8DkrM_N9l9lyn-FoAOy/s640/paddington1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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For dessert we had ice cream, marmalade and teddy grahams.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8T97oW9B892BZvwFNJYX4v1acU0871lbEXVPffDM87ndUxSrdOhj3EeLDPYlwEYYtJjXvJBgwlLCnrbA1NTbr91c5TA5R1aQPdExZdU21HPdTiP3kHLRaCo2bE_iFB0rlaEgTKNIq8wYU/s1600/IMG_1376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8T97oW9B892BZvwFNJYX4v1acU0871lbEXVPffDM87ndUxSrdOhj3EeLDPYlwEYYtJjXvJBgwlLCnrbA1NTbr91c5TA5R1aQPdExZdU21HPdTiP3kHLRaCo2bE_iFB0rlaEgTKNIq8wYU/s640/IMG_1376.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The marmalade is really good if you put some in a dish and warm it up for a few seconds in the microwave then pour it over the ice cream. Yum.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikButc96aP0jd5A9EsQUF8lpf0tioHDOziAPcdfXxh0peyr9Fa3iuJhlzr8nlp2k59lZU2P8xby5ACzU6XpyGZO6E_bY8572BkviCkhrvDF48INYP1QesvAvNRPWW0jcMiTzBZzcUI03XM/s1600/IMG_1379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikButc96aP0jd5A9EsQUF8lpf0tioHDOziAPcdfXxh0peyr9Fa3iuJhlzr8nlp2k59lZU2P8xby5ACzU6XpyGZO6E_bY8572BkviCkhrvDF48INYP1QesvAvNRPWW0jcMiTzBZzcUI03XM/s640/IMG_1379.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We also made a s'mores mix with the Teddy Grahams, chocolate chips and mini marshmallows.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrMPj5ZDGZlTU8GzfdH1Nc4Tz_TmNP36wqWJxBo3dv-Vz8Go1TPBOAgTtePO7Gd_GlIgHFvOD1W4Ep4P6YGD6ABic5F3-QuyZ4_RTvTtu8TVnuLu-I93a1YQh3RzUIorpiJMsaODcIuq4/s1600/IMG_1381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrMPj5ZDGZlTU8GzfdH1Nc4Tz_TmNP36wqWJxBo3dv-Vz8Go1TPBOAgTtePO7Gd_GlIgHFvOD1W4Ep4P6YGD6ABic5F3-QuyZ4_RTvTtu8TVnuLu-I93a1YQh3RzUIorpiJMsaODcIuq4/s640/IMG_1381.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We loved our Paddington night. Spending time together doesn't have to be expensive or complicated, but I feel like we have to do these things on purpose or the weeks just slip away. Maybe your family would like a Paddington night? : ) I hope you are having some fun family time this summer! 4th of July, here we come!<br />
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Haley @ Ever Never Againhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757989545667493576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487260984217860431.post-65302457438624680102015-06-23T12:38:00.003-07:002015-06-23T12:38:34.551-07:00Apricot Appetizer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hi there! I hope you are staying cool. (ha that just made me think of year books --"Stay cool 4ever, see ya next year!") Not like <i>that</i> cool, although obvs you are that cool or you wouldn't be reading this. </div>
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<i>Anyway</i>, I thought today I'd share an easy summer appetizer we tried recently. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmNBM_EAUYF_kxhyphenhyphenhXvI3h7Lu5GvrJGTFpaF3OcRYLSHxSdI4CKZmXutRfJYbTReDrXYROLjSakqzzUpvll1dtsvH9fQRt66hji7XVxH2uZ0IVXa7jUw4DTM4JKEFN5D-uvDZbP6MgeL1/s1600/apricots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmNBM_EAUYF_kxhyphenhyphenhXvI3h7Lu5GvrJGTFpaF3OcRYLSHxSdI4CKZmXutRfJYbTReDrXYROLjSakqzzUpvll1dtsvH9fQRt66hji7XVxH2uZ0IVXa7jUw4DTM4JKEFN5D-uvDZbP6MgeL1/s640/apricots.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><u>Apricot Appetizer Bites</u></b></div>
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You will need:</div>
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4 oz. goat cheese</div>
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1 tbsp fresh thyme (finely chopped, plus sprigs to garnish)</div>
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2 tbsp dried cranberries (or dried cherries), chopped</div>
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honey</div>
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whole almonds</div>
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dried apricots</div>
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These are so simple and flexible I wouldn't even call this a recipe, really. Let the goat cheese sit out at room temp for a few minutes or microwave for just a few seconds to soften first. Mix the chopped thyme and cranberries into the goat cheese. Smear the cheese onto the apricots and top with an almond. Drizzle lightly with honey and throw a few extra sprigs of thyme and cranberries on the plate to garnish. </div>
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Pretty and delish! I love that this is a no cook appetizer, because then you really can stay cool 4ever. That's important when it's 94º warm out.</div>
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Have a great day, friends!</div>
Haley @ Ever Never Againhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757989545667493576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487260984217860431.post-77345611062685372442015-06-17T16:07:00.003-07:002015-06-20T06:44:17.307-07:00Simple Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hi Friends! I haven't posted much because we are busy doing summer! I love summer. I think I especially love it because in summer we bask in a free schedule, and lots of free small town activities. I feel like I see a lot of blogs or articles about moms who can't stand having their kids home all summer. Maybe different ages are harder, but I love that we get to spend every day together in the summer--I've been looking forward to it! </div>
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We got a reminder of what a gift this time is this week when we heard about a local 8 year old little girl who died, after getting a cancer diagnosis just 14 days ago. Everyone is devastated for this family. It makes me so glad that I am taking time to spend playing with my kids. I know I will never regret enjoying (and teaching my kids to enjoy) the simplest things. Every single day is a gift you guys, we are not guaranteed even one more. </div>
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Additionally, the longer I live here, the more convinced I am that we live in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GilmoreGirls" target="_blank">Stars Hollow</a>. <span style="text-align: center;">This is what we've been doing: </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">A free hot air balloon festival, is always the sign that it's almost summer. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ehIJYARgKBeAVLfz_1G0c_ew0C8-4g9afsGJ9fjOSq4HfaCAQMKMigEmrWQTk-ybv42LF0k3ND7OsRTcPR9-5ZDgVs2K6fJVCejoEexQCjYdZbojmuTm936mgqTVwzw0DNS43D1zs1nn/s1600/IMG_3148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ehIJYARgKBeAVLfz_1G0c_ew0C8-4g9afsGJ9fjOSq4HfaCAQMKMigEmrWQTk-ybv42LF0k3ND7OsRTcPR9-5ZDgVs2K6fJVCejoEexQCjYdZbojmuTm936mgqTVwzw0DNS43D1zs1nn/s640/IMG_3148.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Working on summer reading programs and visiting the library robot,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8MrVRp-Z7tU6MJE8i272WYFQi7ieiD61LcAUSMooYTKxTmvUGHj4yLgnqZEXU1s1RHt8xoAs1gqMtsRg2DIAEbYTVGUfLtlqobXuihORieMcSzwdefdYBHzHNwj74lwHFZz3UQrPtVab/s1600/IMG_3246_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8MrVRp-Z7tU6MJE8i272WYFQi7ieiD61LcAUSMooYTKxTmvUGHj4yLgnqZEXU1s1RHt8xoAs1gqMtsRg2DIAEbYTVGUfLtlqobXuihORieMcSzwdefdYBHzHNwj74lwHFZz3UQrPtVab/s640/IMG_3246_2.jpg" width="374" /></a></div>
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We're having picnics in the park, and going to free concerts in the park.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1Zn8RvQQY6Lg6rOlRO45JNCZUEgFWMCHguQV8os4rmAaYU0eTwirtfR-5lmpEvwxYEUu6rd4Me8Er4WVzUipBMDnc3NsGK9ExJBblusetOU6Ch_PZQrvFN1KH7KjsEF-5b3aweusIMBy/s1600/IMG_3281_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1Zn8RvQQY6Lg6rOlRO45JNCZUEgFWMCHguQV8os4rmAaYU0eTwirtfR-5lmpEvwxYEUu6rd4Me8Er4WVzUipBMDnc3NsGK9ExJBblusetOU6Ch_PZQrvFN1KH7KjsEF-5b3aweusIMBy/s640/IMG_3281_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Farmers markets. This radish festival was over-the-top Stars Hollow. They had a radish piñata, radish toss (corn hole), radish stamping art projects, radish taste testing, and this radish jewelry making station. I am telling you, I'm pretty sure I saw Taylor and Human Kirk there.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDaB3SdgCr6taGMAiFocK5aJxcXvA1UIma5jrminX0tZTcMdxDXjIOhvSNGvLGjIpCOW_OFHpC42V3m7vfYtRdufyb5OjwwXbCjysDUi2K0Po62R-PRxW5-sGl8aKXsYCwPXLtjxb1Tjj-/s1600/IMG_3287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDaB3SdgCr6taGMAiFocK5aJxcXvA1UIma5jrminX0tZTcMdxDXjIOhvSNGvLGjIpCOW_OFHpC42V3m7vfYtRdufyb5OjwwXbCjysDUi2K0Po62R-PRxW5-sGl8aKXsYCwPXLtjxb1Tjj-/s640/IMG_3287.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We bought our yearly National Parks Pass; the one that gets you into all the national parks and monuments in the country. We already used it at a Cabrillo National Monument (lucky us!), and we have Rocky Mountain National Park, and about 5 more in South Dakota on the list for this summer. Things 1 & Thing 2 have their sights set on some more <a href="http://everneveragain.blogspot.com/2014/05/learn-and-explore-all-summer-activities.html" target="_blank">Jr. Ranger badges</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuR3Q1FOK0OUpO6KavinO23MQaVj4N9FDHmq4Mn8QIxsQYFZRUjQVPmJ-lIhYgKjUpRPjWuYF2myJ9LsxSfBoqzkluMuTY8tmgiK8WrR4pQm3JhiXKpHmAa8Zrzd-LO50CaWLTU3SplW5/s1600/IMG_3461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuR3Q1FOK0OUpO6KavinO23MQaVj4N9FDHmq4Mn8QIxsQYFZRUjQVPmJ-lIhYgKjUpRPjWuYF2myJ9LsxSfBoqzkluMuTY8tmgiK8WrR4pQm3JhiXKpHmAa8Zrzd-LO50CaWLTU3SplW5/s640/IMG_3461.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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We are starting to eat out of the garden for this season. Lots of baby greens, and several handfuls of snow peas and sugar snaps, so far. I love that Thing 1 likes going out to look for ripe veggies from the garden. He's been watching those peas like a hawk. Thing 2's favorite garden activity is eating stevia leaves, which he calls "candy plant." Some beautiful blooms from our flower garden have been brightening up our kitchen too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFpfo-TAMl13zMXEgcjg1P6fXuakRq8f3PRj1MqJqPZSE6azaP0Rmy80NBpfeZikib6-dCMN4N30YHiujVnBu_1vNs4qTaVcigHOHnZ559YUapLcKqay_D1Qd1bIiNQzHwKZJxaFj_uQs/s1600/IMG_3463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFpfo-TAMl13zMXEgcjg1P6fXuakRq8f3PRj1MqJqPZSE6azaP0Rmy80NBpfeZikib6-dCMN4N30YHiujVnBu_1vNs4qTaVcigHOHnZ559YUapLcKqay_D1Qd1bIiNQzHwKZJxaFj_uQs/s640/IMG_3463.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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That's pretty much our simple summer. I'm grateful for every day of this life, and I will not take anything for granted. I hope that you are having happy days too, Friends. </div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"> "Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you will look back</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"> and realize they were the big things."</span></div>
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Haley @ Ever Never Againhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757989545667493576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487260984217860431.post-78202060736448097612015-06-02T13:39:00.000-07:002015-06-02T13:47:01.132-07:00Mini Float Boats<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So our little girl friends in Brazil got fairy dolls and little houses (<a href="http://everneveragain.blogspot.com/2015/05/felt-fairy-houses-and-crafting-for-cause.html" target="_blank">here if you missed it</a>), but we knew the boys would probably didn't want a flower doll. We wanted to make something they could all play with together, or on their own, so we made little boats and peg boys to go with them. These were so easy, quick and cheap to make. We made 20 I think and I don't know if we even used a whole pool noodle. This is a great summer craft/toy for kids.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCM922iihyphenhyphenB7uNaJK3J4oLgO9oU8MIObkwznsxx2ePMCdOEdRqAvh1BjpqQ0lCEyNmGYLAedWxJRWB0ucGZzCCFc_SIDew7UdUGej7TRiTs_uymCVtnGv5Rx6zWYqWgbACwpTrfTmBI1bP/s1600/float+boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCM922iihyphenhyphenB7uNaJK3J4oLgO9oU8MIObkwznsxx2ePMCdOEdRqAvh1BjpqQ0lCEyNmGYLAedWxJRWB0ucGZzCCFc_SIDew7UdUGej7TRiTs_uymCVtnGv5Rx6zWYqWgbACwpTrfTmBI1bP/s640/float+boat.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Here's what you need:</div>
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pool noodle</div>
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duct tape</div>
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wooden skewer</div>
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serrated knife</div>
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scissors</div>
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craft knife </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxM_SQMFYAXGpCWwL_P4c8jHrkMLkGpNgD1Q89-VVSBaRKouv_IeftwSO07oePO5E8d5lSJLihvww_UjlQiKhojhS6qnffVFlzYyOdDoYewRI1fF0kMAL41WV5CR77plEp_wRjgQOEyeAE/s1600/IMG_1318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxM_SQMFYAXGpCWwL_P4c8jHrkMLkGpNgD1Q89-VVSBaRKouv_IeftwSO07oePO5E8d5lSJLihvww_UjlQiKhojhS6qnffVFlzYyOdDoYewRI1fF0kMAL41WV5CR77plEp_wRjgQOEyeAE/s640/IMG_1318.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's how you make them:<br />
1. Using the serrated knife (I just used a steak knife) cut a 4" piece of pool noodle.<br />
2. Cut the 4"piece in half down the middle; then it should look like this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFi4oje_EqPgXt__1rJYZV6p8wwrSi8NL5isPR1MB65V5Z2eGEuwjtFMPbhYXmpOCldIfXbB4U7t7gj0um1zZ-OaU_Iiincxs5l6dlYeT5vfcX-kahyphenhyphenyXGiDFfHU90Al1qUbyxC1KIJ1r/s1600/IMG_1327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFi4oje_EqPgXt__1rJYZV6p8wwrSi8NL5isPR1MB65V5Z2eGEuwjtFMPbhYXmpOCldIfXbB4U7t7gj0um1zZ-OaU_Iiincxs5l6dlYeT5vfcX-kahyphenhyphenyXGiDFfHU90Al1qUbyxC1KIJ1r/s640/IMG_1327.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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3. Turn the pieces over and cut off just the round edge to make the top of the boat flat. Like this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0EzCSV-vc1ziGBk9ujHVL0y1AQ-2cMyDU7lAZbWAGjmcKd_blmUrLDVXBt0uVpfv6ttB73GztddzkFJi_MwqP7AtXW82Z7yRCaArUnKb-bBdAjO-6jWyDuJbXPSYnCmouNgfiwnVEUGo/s1600/IMG_1328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0EzCSV-vc1ziGBk9ujHVL0y1AQ-2cMyDU7lAZbWAGjmcKd_blmUrLDVXBt0uVpfv6ttB73GztddzkFJi_MwqP7AtXW82Z7yRCaArUnKb-bBdAjO-6jWyDuJbXPSYnCmouNgfiwnVEUGo/s640/IMG_1328.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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4. Cut a 5" piece of wooden skewer, keeping the pointed end on one side. I used smaller skewers to start with, you can see they were about 8" long, and a little thinner than average BBQ skewers. This is the perfect length for the boat, because we then used the 3" piece that we cut off to make little fishing poles.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutIoWltgxwM4TDPZFsORuntSryp42gwPPIUo97Z-xzX-UC3-jNg_qrUyYQqG_XQbptny4CdE-Gg75GJYg3c00hZcydaafPX3prDVIAfwGXp0lgxgsSlSc1bCdHn1OLeNkqgbpIBBwIlv9/s1600/IMG_1331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutIoWltgxwM4TDPZFsORuntSryp42gwPPIUo97Z-xzX-UC3-jNg_qrUyYQqG_XQbptny4CdE-Gg75GJYg3c00hZcydaafPX3prDVIAfwGXp0lgxgsSlSc1bCdHn1OLeNkqgbpIBBwIlv9/s640/IMG_1331.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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5. To make the sail: slightly overlap 2 pieces of duct tape, 3.5" long, sticky side up. Then use 2 more pieces to cover the sticky sides, so you have duct tape on front and back. Use the scissors to trim up any sticky edges. You can use additional thin pieces if you want to make a stripe down the middle or other designs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiU7HuhYilAc_tXAULYgkEiMhMAK8f7_z0v_zQsJw9wZFu27oG7UYIfaHKSYUh8ojkWjQ7hGYFJA5OWiPPR0MxBLkro9UBgoHrXxL9yB8yN_Qvx5aAkBT1u8pAo7EdiPaBBsfqJrdixJ9J/s1600/IMG_1332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiU7HuhYilAc_tXAULYgkEiMhMAK8f7_z0v_zQsJw9wZFu27oG7UYIfaHKSYUh8ojkWjQ7hGYFJA5OWiPPR0MxBLkro9UBgoHrXxL9yB8yN_Qvx5aAkBT1u8pAo7EdiPaBBsfqJrdixJ9J/s640/IMG_1332.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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6. Use the craft knife to cut 2 small slits in the center of the sail, 1/2" from the top, and 1/2" from the bottom. Then slide the skewer through and insert the pointy end into the flat side of the pool noodle boat. Now you have a boat! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8FizVMp_vY_m_Iy3rSVM7vGB-YpiXjKwTkOqzJg1sWfXQ-EdKt-VtENuzQPpltwgTu0dEfiOInwH5p6mpnTrSt1AlSDw19eTG26Su18pHLgVEQ9TIcLxdUz237-DEbrkIcXy-Ui87u90/s1600/floatboat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8FizVMp_vY_m_Iy3rSVM7vGB-YpiXjKwTkOqzJg1sWfXQ-EdKt-VtENuzQPpltwgTu0dEfiOInwH5p6mpnTrSt1AlSDw19eTG26Su18pHLgVEQ9TIcLxdUz237-DEbrkIcXy-Ui87u90/s640/floatboat2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you want to make a fishing pole, just use the piece of skewer you cut off (or cut a 3" piece), and hot glue a small length of nylon thread/yarn to the top. Cut 2 small fish shapes out of felt and hot glue the thread in between them. </div>
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To make the peg guys we actually used the fabric paints (the same ones we used on the fairy houses). These have such fine points it was really easy to do details like eyes and mustaches. They are a little quirky, but we'll call that "personality." I especially like Thing One's in the back with the "crazy eyebrows" ; ) We sent a big group of fishermen and boats to our little friends in Brazil. I think they will be given to the kids with the story of how Jesus's closest friends came to be his friends <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%205&version=NET" target="_blank">in Luke 5</a>. I love that story, because those guys didn't do anything different than they had been doing. They'd been fishing all night and caught nothing, but when Jesus said put out your nets one more time, they were willing to trust Him, and it made all the difference. I hope that the boys in Brazil will like them. I picture them having boat races in a little stream somewhere. I hope that these little homemade gifts are just a reminder that they are loved. I think these boats would be great for Operation Christmas Child boxes too! I hope you are enjoying summer with your favorite people!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEzeELr9bpb_ctgAnbuCUA4Im0ImIxYd4H2EH5ZzvcR4EQH-nsoJflbob9LlWn3qvQ3ryqQK0BS4_KLJ799GoCPJEI5sHwbYYqvUNGwbyb1hNCAlCzLbyZgSXCwVViNLweXJNEeMteeBT/s1600/IMG_3165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEzeELr9bpb_ctgAnbuCUA4Im0ImIxYd4H2EH5ZzvcR4EQH-nsoJflbob9LlWn3qvQ3ryqQK0BS4_KLJ799GoCPJEI5sHwbYYqvUNGwbyb1hNCAlCzLbyZgSXCwVViNLweXJNEeMteeBT/s640/IMG_3165.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thanks for reading!<br />
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**To see other things we've made with pool noodles, check out these posts:<br />
<a href="http://everneveragain.blogspot.com/2013/06/pool-noodle-pool.html" target="_blank">Pool noodle ball pit & Light sabers</a><br />
<a href="http://everneveragain.blogspot.com/2013/02/indoor-basketball.html" target="_blank">Pool noodle basketball hoops</a><br />
<a href="http://everneveragain.blogspot.com/2012/08/new-uses-chopsticks.html" target="_blank">Pool noodle hurdles/soccer goals</a><br />
<a href="http://everneveragain.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-owl-wreath.html" target="_blank">Pool noodle wreath base</a><br />
<a href="http://everneveragain.blogspot.com/2014/01/cabin-fever-cures-2014.html" target="_blank">Pool noodle indoor putt-putt course</a>Haley @ Ever Never Againhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757989545667493576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487260984217860431.post-54458042298294188152015-05-23T23:09:00.001-07:002015-05-23T23:09:26.506-07:00Felt Fairy Houses and Crafting for a Cause<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hi friends! Sorry it's been so long. May somehow just picks up speed and is over before I know it! Anyway, I've been keeping out of trouble by staying busy with some fun craft projects. Remember when <a href="http://everneveragain.blogspot.com/2015/04/guys-and-dolls.html" target="_blank">we made the flower fairies</a>? Well, my sister just returned from a trip to Brazil, where she meet a whole bunch of sweet kiddos that a friend of ours has been getting to know over the past couple of years. These kids are living a very different reality than our kids. I had just showed her these little dolls, and my sis thought that these would be a great way for us to show the girls that we were thinking of them (from afar) and to remind them that they are loved. (We made stuff for the boys too, I'll post about that later).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Mohj218DuUziMhowl_IwWMRaDyoFAEnspnPc7uaaUQsZaHtQpKI1iJ78HuTf3sqJWN1NrtMjcBi8YjHD7rjIufwWfV9ybpU0ZbqLOLr59pd4Zeu8yXV-avp1j8C-ysv2c87yLdUMv52P/s1600/IMG_3112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Mohj218DuUziMhowl_IwWMRaDyoFAEnspnPc7uaaUQsZaHtQpKI1iJ78HuTf3sqJWN1NrtMjcBi8YjHD7rjIufwWfV9ybpU0ZbqLOLr59pd4Zeu8yXV-avp1j8C-ysv2c87yLdUMv52P/s640/IMG_3112.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We are sending them with this verse, and reminder:</div>
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<span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don’t fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? </span></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Luke 12:27-29 (The </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Message)</span></span><br />
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<b>Our message to them, and to you, is this: you are more beautiful to God than the most exquisite flowers. Flowers are here today and withered tomorrow, and God still made them beautiful to behold. YOU are beautiful and YOU are precious to Him. </b><br />
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So a few friends and my mom helped make a tiny army of flower fairies and then I decided that every doll could use a little house. So I made up a quick, easy, and cheap little house...and then we made 30 of them! Wanna make one for your favorite little person? Here's how:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztFgQGCwzdjE4l7m3U4fYCYui9OPJXuWv80T6qC3AGFiTqAGOyn4lHnr25Zz4qLBPPAvRMxsIowb86XD4AQHMLh_WPips0VUu_rXl3N3A_tN0zBseSVdvJdH8uB_klyleHg8P-9CgBImO/s1600/fairyhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztFgQGCwzdjE4l7m3U4fYCYui9OPJXuWv80T6qC3AGFiTqAGOyn4lHnr25Zz4qLBPPAvRMxsIowb86XD4AQHMLh_WPips0VUu_rXl3N3A_tN0zBseSVdvJdH8uB_klyleHg8P-9CgBImO/s640/fairyhouse.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's what you'll need:</div>
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<ul>
<li>3 sheets of felt (1 for the house, 1 for the roof, 1 for the door, or just a scrap in another color)</li>
<li>hot glue and glue gun </li>
<li>colorful buttons</li>
<li>green and black puffy paint</li>
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You can buy the felt at craft stores like hobby lobby, by the "sheet" they are $ 0.25 You can be creative and use any colors you'd like (see the Frozen house, below). For the houses we sent to Brazil, I used 1 piece of brown/tan and one piece of grey for the roof and then some colorful scraps of colors I had on hand for the doors. Start by folding the brown felt in half, hamburger style. I just line up the edges and hold them together, then slip the scissors into the fold. Stretch while you cut and you should get an even cut every time. Then you can either sew the short sides together, <b>or hot glue them together </b>about 1/8" from the edge, <b>if you want this to be completely no-sew. </b></div>
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Turn the felt inside out to put the seams on the inside. Then you can glue on a felt piece for a door, and one for a door mat (this helps the house stand up better). I used buttons to make a doorknob and flowers, and fabric paint (puffy paint) to make some flower stems and grass.</div>
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After that dried for a couple hours, I flipped it over and made a window with black puffy paint on the back. Almost done!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHqXjX8cyZTAMsXiV74sb2NpAc0rCjegOttdyv5_ps4QQLYNmkjJkecGn0kFG-G5kwjEwiogWtl-SbwNJT_eSKKc_dTZFH9xkqlGMtItUk8_HfDa9uoNc86Rk7ifpfv5oteUlThSQ2n3V/s1600/IMG_1306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHqXjX8cyZTAMsXiV74sb2NpAc0rCjegOttdyv5_ps4QQLYNmkjJkecGn0kFG-G5kwjEwiogWtl-SbwNJT_eSKKc_dTZFH9xkqlGMtItUk8_HfDa9uoNc86Rk7ifpfv5oteUlThSQ2n3V/s640/IMG_1306.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For the roof, you can measure out a circle about 8" in diameter. I actually traced a small (dessert size) paper plate with about an extra 1/2" around the outside and found this was the perfect size.Then fold the circle in half, and cut through just one layer to the middle.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCh6n7k-eH5D5PrHiJkE2q4sOsJEPhbiOvGmDNShp6CgM-o_yJclX6lago63n7QWUG3cmlb5nHgYeM6CKq9gHeDaXnCXrtEaPv8nLqwrg-EvWL5FdIrHP8bNQ5Ekp1ySsYKZmmhOh5pQzJ/s1600/IMG_1312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCh6n7k-eH5D5PrHiJkE2q4sOsJEPhbiOvGmDNShp6CgM-o_yJclX6lago63n7QWUG3cmlb5nHgYeM6CKq9gHeDaXnCXrtEaPv8nLqwrg-EvWL5FdIrHP8bNQ5Ekp1ySsYKZmmhOh5pQzJ/s640/IMG_1312.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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To give the roof a little peak, put hot glue on one edge of the slit you just made in the roof and along about 2" of the perimeter. Over-lap by about 2 inches and press down to join the sides.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8W18r4_ex25_QlefeZzEyRAcUUFO045mAenSlzTx8pRvJpTzWQ9ydH5AGojiIzr69Vd0bYBz-boZKLVWXMeDOO5qOt18P-jJghjmHuGgYUwVsLSFmu2KoPt_5QCd1Gqchal9o-HuMgUA/s1600/IMG_1313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8W18r4_ex25_QlefeZzEyRAcUUFO045mAenSlzTx8pRvJpTzWQ9ydH5AGojiIzr69Vd0bYBz-boZKLVWXMeDOO5qOt18P-jJghjmHuGgYUwVsLSFmu2KoPt_5QCd1Gqchal9o-HuMgUA/s640/IMG_1313.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
To connect the house to the roof: Place the roof top-side down on a table. Run a line of hot glue around about 1/3 of the top outside edge of the house, then turn it upside-down onto the roof about 1/2 inch from the roof edge and press it onto the roof from inside of the house. Then hot glue around the rest of the top outside edge of the house and press it down from the inside. Here's what it should look like, as you are looking inside the house from the bottom. The top of the house forms a little lip on the inside and then looks nice and smooth on the outside. (I hope this makes sense!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0WskSkifSeew5NC11vQwjQIGt3Mx_VSNm_RiEzQCzGV3HJKJDuh6IGw2Rz64bCwQefZgh9GtskTby6w4Qyfl2EXPD5CN4lnovpBmQ9EVhMG0S3H4xsjnDZJ4eLbk3r69WQLhV4-r9fmh/s1600/IMG_1314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0WskSkifSeew5NC11vQwjQIGt3Mx_VSNm_RiEzQCzGV3HJKJDuh6IGw2Rz64bCwQefZgh9GtskTby6w4Qyfl2EXPD5CN4lnovpBmQ9EVhMG0S3H4xsjnDZJ4eLbk3r69WQLhV4-r9fmh/s640/IMG_1314.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Finally, cut through the house along two sides of the door: the doorknob edge and top of the door. Now your door opens, and you have a little house! Ta da! I hope the kids receiving them will like them, and that the dolls will remind them they are indeed beautiful. </div>
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Like I said at the top you can use different colors to make different kinds of houses. If you want your fairy house to look like a tree stump, you could try using brown for the house and green for the roof. When my boys saw all the little play houses I we were making, they wanted one too. Since we made a little Elsa peg doll, I decided we probably should make a Frozen castle. I did snowflakes and swirls in white and glow-in-the-dark, so this one actually glows in the dark, which Thing Two really likes. :) </div>
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If you'll indulge me a have just a few rambling thoughts to end with.</div>
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Sometimes it's hard to think about the very difficult circumstances that people (and especially children) are living in both near and far. We live our easy and fun-filled lives; playing and crafting and baking. While so many are struggling to just survive. I think this all the time when I'm scrolling through Pinterest. I follow moms and friends and bloggers on Pinterest, but I also follow some amazing non-profits and ministries working in difficult places around the world. So I see things like :</div>
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"Fluffiest Cupcake Recipe" and "100 Fun Activities for Your Summer Bucket List" </div>
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right along side: </div>
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"Victor lives in Guatemala and has been waiting for a sponsor for 256 days" and " Our teams are working with earthquake survivors to provide clean water and tarps." </div>
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How do we reconcile these things? Right there next to each other. Extreme privilege, and extreme poverty. Hobbies and heart break. I don't know. I do know that I want to see the poverty, I don't want to forget about it. I need to be reminded, so I don't get wrapped up in my own world. I think we always have the opportunity to use our talents and the things we enjoy for others. Sometimes it's just finding a way to connect the dots. If you love crafting and want to help kids around the world, you might want to check out <a href="http://www.crafthope.net/blog/" target="_blank">Craft Hope</a>. Years ago Jade had these same thoughts. What if we could combine a passion for crafting/hand-making things, with the desire to make a difference in the world? That is just what she does at <a href="http://crafthope.net./">crafthope.net.</a> She has led campaigns to send super hero capes to kids fighting life-threatening diseases, quilts and comfort items for orphans in the slums of Kenya, dresses for girls in Mexico, and finger puppets to orphans in India (to name a few). She's always starting a new project, and it's awesome to see the results of so many creative people pulling together to make a difference. </div>
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I think these little fairies and houses would be perfect to fit into an <a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/pack-a-shoe-box/" target="_blank">Operation Christmas Child Box</a>. There's lots of opportunities to craft for a cause. It's a heartfelt, tangible way to give. What a privilege. </div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The way to be happy is to make others so. </span><blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Robert G. Ingersoll</span></blockquote>
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Thanks for reading. See you soon, friends!Haley @ Ever Never Againhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757989545667493576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487260984217860431.post-86820085599994539542015-04-26T13:49:00.002-07:002015-04-26T13:49:48.423-07:00Book Review: Tiffany Girl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi! It's a rainy spring day here. The perfect kind of day for curling up with a good book. I just finished reading a sweet novel by Deeanne Gist, called <i>Tiffany Girl</i>. Here's a teaser for you:</div>
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"The heir to Tiffany's jewelry empire is left without a staff when glassworkers go on strike just months before the opening of the much-anticipated Chicago World's Fair and the hyped mosaic Tiffany Chapel. Desperate and without another option, Tiffany turns to a group of female art students to finish the job. Flossie Jayne answers the call, moving to a New York City boardinghouse with high hopes of making a name for herself as an artist and defying those who say that the work can't be completed in time--least of all by a set of young, inexperienced women."</div>
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You guys, I really liked this book! I'm learning that I'm a sucker for historical fiction. Gist's attention to detail and sincere effort to bring as many true elements to the story as possible really transported me back to 1893. The main character, Flossie, is making the difficult transition from compliant daughter to independent woman, without the help of a husband--something that just wasn't done before the turn of the century. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzY83Ro7TK7Rd3UO8X1mc6xL6j4HwdYoqolT1LRXg4aalN-9T5A9O9a7HfnYg9AUQLQz2fTel9Xi3uSNfOPGjOTEcV87nFPzv58A28S17fMaZxZt3hvyWq7W6NwY8WIwiPxSH4qUmt6HZ/s1600/tiffany-girl-9781451692440_hr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzY83Ro7TK7Rd3UO8X1mc6xL6j4HwdYoqolT1LRXg4aalN-9T5A9O9a7HfnYg9AUQLQz2fTel9Xi3uSNfOPGjOTEcV87nFPzv58A28S17fMaZxZt3hvyWq7W6NwY8WIwiPxSH4qUmt6HZ/s1600/tiffany-girl-9781451692440_hr.jpg" height="640" width="420" /></a></div>
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What I love about this story is that it's not all happily ever after. Flossie learns to work hard, pursue her dreams, and enjoy success, but not without hardship, and sometimes utter failure. Real life is like that. The characters living at the boardinghouse with Flossie give this tale color, depth, and a love story. I really enjoyed reading the author's note at the end where she sorts out all the real details from the fabricated ones. This was such an interesting time in the history of America, for women, for commerce, and for art. </div>
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When I got my copy of this book in the mail, the first thing I noticed was how thick it was. I was worried it would take me forever to read. It's 500 pages and I am a <i>slow</i> reader. Once I started reading it though I didn't want to stop. I finished it in 4 days, my fastest read this year. So yeah, you're going to like it. : )</div>
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Tiffany Girl will be release on May 5, 2015, you can <a href="http://books.simonandschuster.com/Tiffany-Girl/Deeanne-Gist/9781451692440" target="_blank">read more about it and pre-order it here. </a></div>
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**Just so you know**<br />
I received a free copy of this book from Howard Books, for my honest review. All the opinions here are my own, of course.Haley @ Ever Never Againhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757989545667493576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487260984217860431.post-31548100873919894182015-04-21T20:39:00.000-07:002015-04-21T20:39:01.129-07:00Earth Day 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy Earth Day! I feel like every day is Earth Day around our house, so I like to always take this day to just share a few things we are doing to be green, save some green, and grow some green. We have a backyard compost (which I have <a href="http://everneveragain.blogspot.com/2013/04/composting-101.html" target="_blank">talked about here</a>), we recycle way more than we throw away, but my favorite part of the famous earth-friendly trio, is reuse. When we can reuse items to plant gorgeous veggie plants, I feel like we're going green x2. Perhaps the best thing about reusing items is that it always means saving money--my favorite thing to do! </div>
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If you haven't started some seeds inside for your garden this year, Earth Day is the perfect time to get them planted. Set them in a sunny window for the next few weeks, until it's safe to plant outside and you'll enjoy a jump start on the season. Tons of items that you would normally recycle can be reused first as excellent planters. Here's a few we've been using:</div>
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Next time you stop by Starbucks (or anywhere with a plastic to-go cup), wash and save the cup, lid and straw, all three can be used to make an awesome mini greenhouse!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvbsaWTJeD1wDCdNRfhcwdKup_UQ9ummf-uRXvdiUZgDvBWqE2Gs4xRZMa2RjarGwIgfaw0WRN4wKfshE4IhhHn4u5tHkLk7VhAWontKLJAhOUpFmxBgkFCL3coNLICn7Iec0zx7JV-z6/s1600/IMG_1185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvbsaWTJeD1wDCdNRfhcwdKup_UQ9ummf-uRXvdiUZgDvBWqE2Gs4xRZMa2RjarGwIgfaw0WRN4wKfshE4IhhHn4u5tHkLk7VhAWontKLJAhOUpFmxBgkFCL3coNLICn7Iec0zx7JV-z6/s1600/IMG_1185.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Anytime you use a water tight container, you need to make sure to cut a hole for water drainage, otherwise you run the risk of root-rot. Just use a craft knife to cut an "X" in the bottom, or cut a tee-pee shape and press in, to make a triangular opening.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrY19qI8-K4oVRe2iVRJZX4C_8kMCMs2VY6wXGf_yf8FohO3jttjOr1QNBOpnjiaFW1aPgt2wuYPkRL3Nku5CJuKTms_ChTYnJAqzMGPFa6dXuwSx56p7-bjnQdds3QSv6uFPR-0_Iu6o/s1600/IMG_1187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrY19qI8-K4oVRe2iVRJZX4C_8kMCMs2VY6wXGf_yf8FohO3jttjOr1QNBOpnjiaFW1aPgt2wuYPkRL3Nku5CJuKTms_ChTYnJAqzMGPFa6dXuwSx56p7-bjnQdds3QSv6uFPR-0_Iu6o/s1600/IMG_1187.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Fill a little more than half-way with potting soil, and plant your seeds. </div>
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Water gently, and snap the top on. Press a finger through the straw opening to loosen it up and make sure some air/heat can escape. Now you have a little greenhouse that will keep the soil temperature extra warm and moist, which helps your seeds sprout faster!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUIsnj0on1KjoAeF1TEU-P8DxvoKmfOkLiNPQlP0kLDGpA8LFYr6lGD6VSnL5A_eFWzhFqZCJBWsWwE9VmmdBpZtMxeOjrwPMwyJS33oo8Kx56qSnxcpQjbNcY5ESthFH6bpq8vmUfxyx/s1600/IMG_1191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUIsnj0on1KjoAeF1TEU-P8DxvoKmfOkLiNPQlP0kLDGpA8LFYr6lGD6VSnL5A_eFWzhFqZCJBWsWwE9VmmdBpZtMxeOjrwPMwyJS33oo8Kx56qSnxcpQjbNcY5ESthFH6bpq8vmUfxyx/s1600/IMG_1191.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Place your greenhouse cup in the sun and watch it steam up. If you do several cups with different seeds, you can use sticker labels or write directly on the cup so you'll always know what's what. To keep from over watering, just spray your soil every other day with a spray bottle. This light watering also means you shouldn't have any water dripping out the bottom yet. See how the sides are steamed up?<br />
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In a week or less, you should see a little sprout and you are on your way! You can remove the lid once seeds sprout, or keep the lid on until you get the second set of leaves, the ones that look like tiny tomato plant leaves. : ) </div>
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When you remove the top, grab some packing or duct tape and cover over the straw opening on the top of the lid. Then turn it upside down and you have a saucer for your plant to catch the water that will run out the bottom (where you cut your drainage hole). Now you can start watering normally with a watering can or whatever you like to use. Once your plant is a few inches tall, insert a toothpick halfway in the soil next to it, and slip the straw over the toothpick. This will serve as a little support steak for the plant to keep it from falling over. Pretty cool huh? A whole green house kit, that you would have just thrown out (well, recycled of course).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wUlQfAaWhcKk9_fv3hqZSnyl43aAlRGa5IquH3MpBMhMDLswYo5EOQoabLD5SlWOx7DvAIRfQ4DkqtmRy8JNGKXDgQji-5o6-_szPX9EIl3aq9ycQNJJj6ks5OgsRF97NUwGlmTWKjle/s1600/IMG_1222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wUlQfAaWhcKk9_fv3hqZSnyl43aAlRGa5IquH3MpBMhMDLswYo5EOQoabLD5SlWOx7DvAIRfQ4DkqtmRy8JNGKXDgQji-5o6-_szPX9EIl3aq9ycQNJJj6ks5OgsRF97NUwGlmTWKjle/s1600/IMG_1222.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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I am a strong believer that <b>everyone should have a garden</b>. If you have so much as a tiny balcony you can have a one pot mini veggie garden. If you want to save a few dollars, it's so easy to start plants from seeds inside. Whether you are in a small space, or just don't have a lot of sunny windows for starting seeds inside, you can make a small window box using recycled containers. I like to use these salad boxes as a window box tray to put all the plants in and catch the water that drains out. Plus you can easily carry all your plants outside in one container for a little extra sun on warm days. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOeuefxoLBcdnv49Gnn2jkZ4m9Drdnc2XjaFNjEoylGgMuwYJJy6yvDUpG5FszKBKSS_BrWCHSZ2ZRTYRPdBcR3bBk42G0E3rQgRdoPbTGorbOGzzm4yVvqCqXRmZ9Inq2HAcawo8QXuTo/s1600/IMG_1210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOeuefxoLBcdnv49Gnn2jkZ4m9Drdnc2XjaFNjEoylGgMuwYJJy6yvDUpG5FszKBKSS_BrWCHSZ2ZRTYRPdBcR3bBk42G0E3rQgRdoPbTGorbOGzzm4yVvqCqXRmZ9Inq2HAcawo8QXuTo/s1600/IMG_1210.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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If I was planting just one or two pots on a small balcony or porch, I would have the window box below:<br />
1 tomato (get a plant labeled "determinate" for best results in a pot)<br />
2 peppers,<br />
1 4-pack of marigolds to attract pollinators and deter pests<br />
2 small basil plants<br />
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These easily fit in one salad box.<br />
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You really only need to look as far as your fridge to get all the supplies you need to start your garden indoors. Yogurt containers make great pots, as the lids are perfect saucers, and the size gives your plant lots of room to grow. The Chobani containers would also work great as the greenhouse starters, with the clear lids they have. </div>
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If you really want to start early, you can plant your seeds in early March, but know that they will need a good size container to make it until at least Mother's day when it's safe (here in Colorado anyway) to transplant them outside. Gallon milk jugs work great, just cut off the top and use the bottom as a planter. Don't throw away the top half either; cut the top half into strips and it makes perfect water-proof plant markers!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vBnFd12W65H2YvXPakSzngxQncteut8iUV2Lqoz3QIQGn7eTYcqIjTUbv6xBPFFFfc3AWIoxBn63O4_ySxRkqlkQjS4tVvnCWpuV1PshvRm2ttzLxt7CNDhBDesSFDPCVHEeEync4XmL/s1600/IMG_1228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vBnFd12W65H2YvXPakSzngxQncteut8iUV2Lqoz3QIQGn7eTYcqIjTUbv6xBPFFFfc3AWIoxBn63O4_ySxRkqlkQjS4tVvnCWpuV1PshvRm2ttzLxt7CNDhBDesSFDPCVHEeEync4XmL/s1600/IMG_1228.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's our peppers all with the milk jug plant markers, keeping everything organized, for free!<br />
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I hope you are finding ways to reduce, reuse and if all else fails, recycle. And even more than that filling your space with happy plants. I think the best way to go green is to grow green! </div>
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Have a happy week!</div>
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<br />Haley @ Ever Never Againhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16757989545667493576noreply@blogger.com0