Flag Windchime

This pretty little wind chime is much easier to make than I would have thought.  And you know how I feel about doing really hard stuff–and calling it crafting.  Don’t like it one little bit. So, please trust me when I say this one is fun, fast and pretty dang easy…or it wouldn’t be here.

What you’ll need:

scissors

ruler

red, white, and blue craft foam

small hole punch

50 gold or star brads

30 small paper clips (ours were gold)

1 white hanger

24 white or clear pony beads

ribbon

13 bells (ours were 3/4 inch gold)

Instructions:

1. Cut out a 4 1/2- by 4-inch blue craft foam rectangle. Punch 4 evenly spaced holes on one of the long sides of the rectangle and 7 on the other.

2. Space the brads or stars evenly on the blue rectangle.

and affix them.

3. Cut out 7 red craft foam strips: three 1/2 by 8 inches, four 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches. Cut out 6 white craft foam strips: three 1/2 by 8 inches and three 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches.

4. Punch holes in both ends of all of the strips and thread paper clips through all the holes.

5. Attach the 7 short strips to the bottom of the blue square. Thread 4 paper clips through the holes at the top of the blue square.

6. Slide all the pieces onto the hanger–with 2 or 4 beads between–to form the flag.

7. Attach a bell to the clip on each strip.

8. Shape the hanger into a triangle shape and tie curly ribbon at the top.

Let freedom ring…or…

jingle…

if you please.

Either way.

Go USA!

Happy States

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My friend Jenny said once that coming to visit my family was like “falling into a box of puppies.”  That has made me smile ever since she said it. Seriously, I wonder if I’ve never been paid a higher compliment.

Well, as it turns out–my sweet little family isn’t alone in our puppy-like behavior. It seems that, according to MSNBC’s Live Science writer, Jeanna Bryner, our whole state is scoring like one gigantic canine kennel. In an article on the happiest states in America–Utah is ranked #1. Get that.

* Utah: 69.2
* Hawaii: 68.2
* Wyoming: 68
* Colorado: 67.3
* Minnesota: 67.3
* Maryland: 67.1
* Washington: 67.1
* Massachusetts: 67
* California: 67
* Arizona: 66.8

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Apparently, we are also much less neurotic that some of our sister states. THAT I wouldn’t have guessed. Ha ha.

Here is an excerpt:

“Of the personality factors, neuroticism took a toll on a state’s cheery count, suggesting people living in the happiest states are more relaxed than their gloomy counterparts. For instance, West Virginia, Mississippi and Kentucky were ranked as highly neurotic and showed lower well-being scores. Utah, on the other hand, had a significantly lower level of neuroticism than other states.”

If you’d like to read the entire article or to see where your state ranks click on the link below. You might just be surprised to find that you and your neighbors are more content than you thought.

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In the meantime, I need to go feed my puppies.

Copy of as Father ChristmasHappy Birthday Daddy!

How To Be An American

Sep11th1I only have little ones, right now. Two 20-month-olds, to be exact. And while I know it’s too early for patriot stories, and lessons on territory disputes, and tea parties (the Boston kind)–I know it’s never too early to start teaching little souls what really matters. Like courage, and respect, and bravery. It’s not too early for them to learn reverence for solemn things, and love for people who sacrifice. Even if they aren’t in a developmental place where they can comply with the teachings, those sweet babies notice when I stop and feel. They notice, and to my amazement, generally reflect my mood. They feel. And so, when we speak of things like wars, and remembrances, of towers and countries, and constitutions, I want my sweethearts to understand how much was paid for them to enjoy the life they have. I want them to grow up with a profound sense of gratitude, and a knowledge of how and why their country works. Sep11th3

I am a part of a generation that says a lot, and does very little. Especially in the political arena. We protest, we complain, we bash, we YouTube. And yet, I find that when I actively question many of my peers on the issues they are protesting, or supporting, they have a very finite understanding of how this country works. Of why this country works. Many of them have never even read the constitution, or know how many branches of government we have. Sep11th5

I want my children to know. To know the heritage they are a part of. The country that they must be actively engaged in maintaining. And so far, I’ve found that the best way to teach them is by example. Sep11th2

Today, I’m going to learn a little bit more about this place I call home. I’m going to say a prayer of thanks for those who have gone before. I’m going to remember those who fell, whether on this day 6 years ago, or in the centuries preceding.Sep11th4

And hopefully someday they’ll see my example, and fold their arms, too.

~ April

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Week 26 Food Storage Prompt: 100 lbs. wheat

Falling

Day 3

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Please insert one verse of Willie Nelson singing, “On the Road Again.” What are those roller coastery things in front of us any way? We don’t drive on stuff like that where I come from.

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Don’t worry. New York roads aren’t this steep. I was just trying to be artsy, but instead I think it’s making me carsick….

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Ooooh—looky. Another toll booth. What a shockeroo. I told you…they are everywhere.

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About midway, we pulled over for a roadside picnic.

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My personal favorite item? Mini bananas! Who knew such a thing existed? Maybe they are from some teeny tiny tropical island, with really small people on it. ha ha

I crack myself up.

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These cute babies just keep popping up.

Just a tad more driving and finally, finally we reach our destination—

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Niagara Falls! Do you feel like you are stuck in the middle of some crazy people’s home movies? Well, that my friend, if because you ARE!

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Be brave, little piglet. This place was cool—even from the American side.

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The babies didn’t have passports to cross over to the Canadian side…

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where most of the post cards come from.

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It was simply beautiful…and big and loud and steep…

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and no–we are not going down there to get reeally close.

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In fact, this romantic place felt much safer for some of us, behind a sturdy glass wall.

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It did, however, inspire a few folks to do some outrageous things.

Honestly, the nerve of some people.

 

 

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Week #20 Food Storage Prompt: 20 lbs. of sugar

Balloon Fest

Every single 4th of July since the beginning of time a strange custom has been taking place.  Here’s how it works. Long before normal people even are even stirring the truly stalwart and/or ridiculous are hauling their sleepy little bodies out of their soft warm beds…

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to end up here…in this parking lot.

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with bleary-eyed babies…

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still in pajamas…

all for these beautiful “bubbles”…

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and this pink pig…

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and this tiger…

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and this bear…

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and this balloon filled sky.

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To be honest…

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watching their wonder was by far the best part.

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But I have to say…the fruit pizza didn’t hurt either!