Even compost can be beautiful.

Pancakes again. Thanks girls :o)

Time for a change

I'm shifting gears with this blog and I'll be making a few changes. Please bear with me :o)
More posts coming soon!
-HA

If Rasheeda can do it so can you!

My son was given this bag of chips as a snack at church. I have never heard of HOMEGIRLS Potato Chips (It's All That) before.

The chips had some sort of super spices on them and I couldn't quite place what the flavor was supposed to be unless... it was that when you mix all spices together, you come up with a new flavor ;o)

The whole bag as only $0.25 which is a pretty good deal overall.

Do they have these where you live? Honestly, I've been in this area for about 6 years and I've never seen these on the shelf before..... anyway....

The 3 homegirls mentioned on the front are Kathy, Maria, and Rasheeda and they have a message for YOU HomeGirl.

*******Here is what is written on the back.********

MOTHERHOOD: As we look to becoming mothers one day, we will produce children with good manners and good minds. We are the first teachers.

WE ARE GOING TO CHANGES THIS THING
AROUND

MARRIAGE: We should save ourselves for marriage. Why should a man respect us if he can have us before marriage? Respect yourself and everyone will respect you. NO RING...NO THING!

WE ARE GOING TO CHANGES THIS THING AROUND

THE POWER WITHIN US: The power within us is stronger than the negative forces outside of us. So our message to bad influences is ... STEP OFF!

WE ARE GOING TO CHANGES THIS THING AROUND

There is a new bag on the block ... and it's all that ... and a bag of chips

**********************************************************************

So there you have it. When you down and out and surrounded by bad influences. Think about homegirl chips, say the pledge, and change this thing around. You can do it!

Could it be???

I've won a give-away in blogging land. My very first win and I'm just so excited. It was from the Caffeinated Crafter whose blog I just love. She does a bit of everything and it's always so fun! It's box of all different crafting supplies. The CC wrote, "I'll raid my studio for fabric scraps, ribbon, beads, yarn, fur... you name it. I'll stuff the box full... " so I'm so excited and can't wait to blog about the contents of my mystery craft box!

Slight detour

On my way home from a pediatric doctor's appointment for the boys, we swung through the garbage dump lot. Since we live in the city limits, garbage items aren't taken directly to a landfill, but rather a large paved lot with a row of dumpsters on one side and a pile of bigger things that will be broken up and then taken to the land fill. Anyway, we swung through and couldn't believe what people were throwing away. First of all we got this highchair. It's not even wobbly, doesn't have stains, and the snap, leather strap, and slides all are in normal working order. Why it would be headed for the landfill and not put on freecycle or craigslist 'free' is beyond me. The same day we also got a bedside table (for me), an old pram, and a backless vintage chair/seat with an upholstered top and a small roll on each side. 2 weeks ago we got a step 2 playhouse, you know the one with the pink roof and purple door?

In the past few years I've gotten the following things on freecyle or craigslist 'free' section. Baby clothes, a pop-up camper, a toddler bed, couch/love seat/chair combo, my piano, fabric, futon bunk bed, baby swing, and that's not even counting trash pics. Sad to think that so much useful stuff is discarded, but it's nice to be able to intercept something that is otherwise headed to the landfill.

The Stiffled Escape Artist

"Mommy, take my lock off."

One step closer to princess

Looking through my old photo albums there are numerous pics of little me with total and undeniable bed head, we're talking hair that hadn't seen a brush that day...at all. After 2 boys, when I had girl#1 I decided that I'd always make sure that her hair was cute and brushed or a pony tail at least. Here is a tutorial on one of my favorite styles to do for her cute little head. I call it 'the Maid Marian'.

Requirements:
-Hair long enough for a single ponytail
-basic knowledge of french braiding
-one of the combs w/the pointy handle
-6 elastics or hair restraints.
-water bottle
(click to enlarge pictures for a better look)

1.) Part hair right down the middle from forehead all the way to the back of the neck. make one side a pony tail.

2.) Using the pointy side of the comb, starting and ending at the part (about3-5 inches back from the forehead depending on head size) section out a half circle on one side of the head. Secure both loose sections of hair.

3.) Repeat step #2 but for the other side of the head, creating a section on the crown of the head that is a full circle. Tie up the hair in the circle so it won't get in your way.

4.) Starting at the front of the head, do a french braid and only add from the hairline side of the braid letting the bulk of it ride along the part of the circle. Pick up hair until about 1/2" after the ear. Braid until the end.

5.) Repeat step#4 on the other side. You should be left with something very similar to this when you're done. Almost done.

For a true Maid Marian, pull the hair from the circle back and down and secure into a pony tail at the bottom of the circle. Join both braids together at the bottom of the circle and facen them. Let the rest of the hair hang down underneath.

For a cute variation, pull the hair from the circle, braids, and the bottom all together into a pony tail.