Fun Things From Japan that I bought today

There is all kinds of fun stuff around here to buy, but today I saw this Nativity Set, a kokeshi one at that and for 40 bucks!!!!  I had to have it.  I love nativity sets, and ones from different places are awesome. 

The Japanese also have all these little erasers that look like food, animals, you name it. I found this one today and just had to get it.  for the BURGER of course. :)  I also let the kids pick out some erasers and bought some for little gifts for later.

I also found this book at the book store, figured I'll be here for awhile longer, I wanna be able to say more than Hello and Thank You Very Much. :) 

Pneumonia

I have been feeling horrible for the last couple of weeks. Finally my friend had to drag me to the ER and we found out that I had pnuemonia, luckily it was in the beginning stages, but man it still knocked me out.  I have crochet a little and read of little, but mostly slept and slept, and ate, and helped my boys do homework and slept.    I am grateful that I am feeling much better and that I have such wonderful people to help me.  Now it is time to get my craft on and make some fun stuff!!!

Hair Pretty Ribbon Board

Hair Accesory Holder Tutorial

 A hair pretty holder for the girls room.  

 here is what I did. I took this frame, too the metal out of it and painted it with some brown paint. Just put the paint right onto the board and smooth out with a brush.   Make sure that you cover everything. You might even need a second coat. Next I took the ribbon that I wanted to use and measured it out to the length that I needed.  I measured it and spaced it where I wanted it to go, Then I glued it to the back of the metal that goes inside of the frame.  We hung it in the girls' room and started putting all their pretties on it.

Jane Bites Back

This is actually the first one in the series, I ended up reading the second one before this one.  Just like the other it was a fun read.  Just a different take on Jane Austen with her being a vampire and her learning new and different things.   I enjoyed every second of it and am hoping that there will be a 3rd one soon to go with these.

A Book Review on : Shiver By Maggie Stiefvater

My friend let me borrow this book, she really loved it and so did I.  I started it on Tuesday and finished it today Sunday. (hey, for a woman with 4 kids and during spring break, that is pretty dang good )   :)

If you like Twilight more than likely you will like these.  Of course these ones are all WOLF!!

It is an interesting take on being a werewolf and it kept me interested all the way to the end, now I am getting ready to start the next book in the series. (If I am not interested, I just put the book down and move on.) I am excited to see how things turn out  for Grace and Sam and the rest of the amazing characters in this book. 

Happy Reading!!

There is Beauty All Around

It has been Spring Break this week here in Okinawa.  I took the kids to Torri Beach not too far from our house.  As I was walking back from the bathrooms with the girls I saw these flowers and was awed at the beauty of them up against the background of the rocks and the ocean.  I decided to try taking shots from different angles to see which one turned out better.  I would have to say that all three turned out fairly well.  What do you think?

Japanese Garden Collages

I signed my boys up at the Arts and Crafts center here on base to do a project.  THis is what they made.

Monster number 2 is like me, quick and crazy.  It's busy little garden, but it looks like him.

Monster number 1 is a little more miticulaous.  He took a little more time, but got the effect that he was wanting.

I thought it was a good experience for them to get out and do something new.  We'll see what they have next month for them to try out. 

Another Classic

I love this movie.  It's funny, has romance, singing and dancing.  I love Gene Kelly!!  I think he is rather goodlooking and very talented.    I watch this when I need a good pick me up.  Plus who hasn't heard of the song "Singin' in the Rain"?

Old Movie Day

I love old movies.  I love the singing, I love the dancing, I love the acting.  I love the fact that there is no cussing, no nude scenes, or sex scenes.  That I don't have to worry about my kids watching them with me.    I ordered a few of my favorites on DVD and since we were having a very quiet at home Sunday, (we are still sick)  Mom got her choice of movies while the kids watched with her. 

Today's Choices were Please Don't Eat the Daisies with Dorris Day.  And High Society with Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra.   I started thinking about how many peopl have probably never heard of these incredible preformers, let alone seen any of their movies. 

I decided that maybe I would start sharing a little bit about some of my favorie older movies.   Some of you may love these titles.    So here goes :

High Society is a fun semi musical (they don't sing all the way through it) Also has Louis Armstrong on it.  About a woman who is getting married for the second time, but her first husband lives right next door.  It is really fun and entertaining. I have loved this one since I was young.

Please Don't Eat the Daisies- is about a family living in New York, he becomes a famous critic, she wants to move to the country with their 4 kids. (can you imagine 4 kids in a 2 bedroom apartment in New York?)  There is only one song in it, which is the title of the movie.  But I'll give you a hint, one of their kids eats daisies on one of their first days in the counrty.   

Both my girls loved the movies, the boys were in and out.    Who knows what tomorrow will bring. :)

Single Letter Art on Canvas

I ordered these 10x10 canvas's not knowing what I would do with them.  I decided to make each one of my kids some "art" to put up in their room.  I used some of their favorite colors.  cut the letters out on my cricut using the storytime catridge. 

I painted the canvas with the different colors, after it dried I used glue to modge podge the paper letters on, also covering the front of the paper.  Let it dry and walla, you have a cute fun hanging for your kids' room.  (or maybe even your room)

Crochet Purse

I have been practicing my crocheting.  I made a "washcloth" type and thought, hey why not fold it over, sew it together and make a purse.   I took one of the headbands that I was making to make the handle.  This one kind of reminds me of a carrot, guess it is fitting for the Easter Season.

For over a week now I have had at least one person sick.  The boys have been home from school for almost the entire week. (yes I am going a little crazy) I haven't been able to do much or get much done with them all here needing my attention.  I have had a little time to start thinking of new things I want to make.  First off I went and got flowers to plant outside of our military housing.  I'll post pictures later when I am completely done, but I am so excited!!!  Maybe it will feel more like home now.   Today I am making cookies and bread and also dinner to take to a family who is ready to have a baby.  Hopefully the daddy makes it back in time. (she is contracting and trying to hold off until his plane gets here tonight).    I am praying that this week goes a little more smoothly than last week did, of course it it is only a 3 1/2 day school week and then it is spring break. (10 1/2 days worth, I pray that I keep sane)  Any great ideas to keep my kiddos busy during that week?    We already signed up for an art class for the boys one evening, my oldest has cub scout day camp the first 2 days. (here in Okinawa they do all Scout Camps and Girls Camp during spring break week)  I just hope the weather stays nice so that maybe we can get some beach time in.