Dried Apple Bird Feeder (Pinterest fail)

I saw the cutest little pin the other day. It just screamed fall craft and right now I am slightly obsessed with fall. 

I just HAD to make it!

Here is what I did:

I sliced apples with my mandolin and dehydrated them.

Next I had my daughter help to string them on wire.

We added some cute ribbon.

Finally I hung it outside. 

Looks super cute outside, however two days later we had a huge rain storm.... All the apples rehydrated and turned to mush. ☔️😕 after that it attracted bees so I had to toss it out. 

I think if I was to redo this I would wait until winter and stick on a little birdseed with some peanut butter to give the birds more to eat. Also, I won't have to worry about rain or bees!

Handprint Owl Painting

I seem to be on a kick with the handprint art activities. But who can help it? Kids hands are so cute at this age. Plus, getting paint all over your hands is such a 'hoot' for kids. (Pun intended, sorry I couldn't help myself.) 

First get out a piece of cardstock. (I always recommend using cardstock over standard paper for kids crafting it just holds up much better.)

Coat your little ones hand with paint and with their fingers together place the print in the center of the page.

Next use brown to paint the branch. I used pencil to lightly outline the branch for my daughter. 

Cut white eyes from scrap paper and glue onto your owl.

We added goggly eyes because they are so much more fun than just drawing an eyeball!

Use a bit of orange paint and make a triangle for the beak.

Next use yellow red and orange to add some fall leaves to the end of the branches. 

Hang up and enjoy!

Pinned It, Nailed It! Fairy surprise sandwich.

Original pin:

http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/58069/make-a-fairy-sandwich

My attempt:

Verdict:  Nailed it!

Super easy and it thrilled my 5 year old!

Here's what you do:

First: Invest in a few basic mini cookie cutters. (I've used mine more times than I can count: Jello Jigglers, cutting bologna and cheese into fun shapes for lunches, shaped quesadillas, cutting fresh fruit....) 

Cut out a shape in the lower corner of ONE slice of bread.

Add peanut butter (and/or jelly) to the second slice:

Put the bread together.

Gently shake the sprinkles into the cut out shape.

Tip: if too much pours out (as it did for me) just shake off the extras into the sink. The base layer will stick to the peanut butter. 

Pinned It, Nailed It! Pony table decoration.

My attempt:

I have to admit, I like my version a little better. I did try to use a Mason jar at first but all the marking on the outside made it hard to see what was inside. I decided to use the small juice glasses instead. I also had rainbow sprinkles to match with pony party colors. 

Fun and easy decoration. Very economical too!

Original Pin:

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/350858627190291082/

Fall Means Apples!!!!

Fall means apples and what better way celebrate that then to paint an apple?!

I started with an 8 1/2 X 11 piece of white card stock and just sketched this simple shape on it.

My daughter painted in the seeds and the stem then moved on to painting the "skin" of the apple red.

Next comes the fun part. Coating your child's hand with green paint and have them plunk it right on top. This will the the "leaf".

Quick, simple, and fun!

Pinned It, Nailed It! Crepe paper rainbow.

The original pin:

http://www.smartypartiesblog.com/2013/09/lexis-rainbow-my-little-pony-party.html?m=1

My result:

Verdict: Success!

This was very simple to make. 

1. Select tissue paper colors. Cut to desired length and cut enough to span the width you'd like to cover.

2. Make some white tissue paper poms.

(see tutorial here) http://icingdesignsonline.blogspot.com/2013/02/happy-diy-rainbow-tassel-and-paper-pom.html?m=1

3. Tape crepe paper to wall or surface you are using. Tape tissue-pom clouds to cover top edge of crepe paper rainbow. 

4. Stand back and admire what you've created!

Meatless Monday: Greek chickpea salad

We have decided ( read  that as "I have forced"😀) my family to join the meatless Monday  movement. 

Here is our first main course. A Greek chickpea salad. Inspired by a pin test recipie but I have thrown own little twist in and made it my own.

I started with the core ingredients:

cucumber diced 

red onion diced 

red pepper diced

1 can of chickpeas

A good sprinkle of oregano

Next add 1/4 cup white wine vinegar and 2 tbsp olive oil and toss well.

At this point I taste tested and decided it just needed a bit more. I added a good squeeze of Romaneo Basil Vinegarette dressing and also diced a large tomato from my garden.

Perfect! And even better after it sat overnight in the flavors really had a chance to meld together.