Time to read Tuesday: Books, Glorious Books!

One word. Kindle. Where had this been all my life?!? My sweet sister in law got me a Kindle Fire for Christmas this year and I downloaded some of the free stuff on it from Amazon and it was cool, but I wasn't super sure it was going to replace my real life books with pages and stuff.

But it totally has!

My library has a really cool digital library of ebooks that can be downloaded right to your device, FOR FREE!! This was a game changer! It has seriously taken my reading to new levels. #imahugenerd
I don't have to wait for weeks to check out books on hold. I feel like I am a reader again!

Instead of a stack of books accompanying me on my journeys, I have my skinny little kindle, full of amazing things to read. It has come with me to Texas, to the pool, to the beach and it was a life saver when we were camping, cause I could read in the dark, in the tent without a light! I am a little late to the game, but I think I am converted!

So far I have read about a billion books and here's what I would recommend for a little time to read Tuesday!

Such an amazing and TRUE story! World War 2, super awesome french lady spy who snuck downed American pilots out of enemy teritory, worth a read!

The sequel to Something Borrowed that picks up where the last book left off. It's a super cute and quick read!

This book kept me reading until all hours of the night on our Texas trip! Another World War 2 story (I was on a historic fiction kick, what can I say?) This book was way super sad and people kept dying left and right, so it was pretty depressing, but a very accurate account of what happened!

I love Fixer Upper SO stinkin' much! I like to think that if Brien and I just decided to quit our jobs or needed some extra money on the side that we could be the Chip and Joanna Gaines of Colorado. I mean he has the business experience and the construction experience, and I can make things look pretty for cheap. Just sayin'. Any way, the book is super sweet and all about their lives before the show and how they got to where they did and it's pretty fun to read!

So my 8th graders a few years ago had a book club with this series and they kept telling me I needed to read, but I was all like, "No Friends, it's just like the Hunger Games only not as good." and I was pretty much right, but it is pretty good. And I sure did finish all three books last week while Brien was gone, so they are okay, I guess.

Right now I am working on these two books...

I heart Jen Hatmaker. She cracks me and the book doesn't lack in the humor department. I think I might want to be like her when I grow up! Also it provides some much needed breaks from my other more serious book...

Apparently there is a show, but not on any channels that I have, but it's set in the future and super creepy, because I am pretty sure if we had the wrong people in charge that this book could actually happen!

So there you have it, me in all my nerdom. Let us be serious, if you have not gotten on board with the ebook brigade, you might want to consider it! Happy summer reading!

Make something Monday: 4th of July Fireworks

It has been crazy town USA at the wood house the last week, y'all! Immediately following our trip to Wyoming for the weekend, my mister left us to get trained for his new position in New Mexico. 5 wild days alone with these crazies...

I am not gonna lie, we sure had fun, but we were glad when daddy came home!

Now that this week is a little more normal, we have been getting in our groove a little... 

We actually squeezed in a little craftiness! Hurray, for make something Monday!

This week we did 4th of July Firework salt paintings! 

You need:

Dark construction paper

Elmer's glue--Use the good kind, I'll explain why in a minute

Salt

Glitter (optional, but fun)

Table salt

Paint

First design some fireworks...

Here's why you need the good glue... Because stuff actually sticks to it! Callie used Elmer's and hers came out perfectly. Kellen was a titch impatient and used the dollar store glue and his salt didn't stick and when he painted it most of the salt fell off. Sad times.

Next, while the glue is still wet (duh) sprinkle on the salt and glitter. We did a combination of both

Then shake of the excess in the trash.

Once the glue has dried a little you can paint the salt! Again, my fella, was a little impatient and started painting when it was still wet and his salt continued to flake off...

But he's 3 and doesn't seem to care too much, so it was fine!

Here is the finished product!

They came out SO cute and we are ready for a happy 4th of July!

More Adventures in Texas Part One

The first week of summer we got off to rip roaring start with a quick trip to Texas! It was glorious and here's why, it was just the girls and just for shopping, and just what we needed!

We left at the crack of dawn on Thursday, like 4 in the morning...

First stop: Coffee!

The rest of the drive was so long... You know that feeling when you are making great time and you think, "Yeah. I am speed racer. Getting places efficiently." I mean, we had crossed over into Texas by 9 am. But then I forgot just how big Texas is. Long story short we arrived about 7:30 pm. Thanks Metroplex traffic and random rain storms.

After a loooonnnnggg day in the car, we were whipped for the night, we needed our beauty rest for shopping the next day.

The main purpose of the trip was to take my mother in law on her first trip to Texas and visit Canton. You see, Canton is perhaps the most glorious shopping experience of all times. It's a once a month flea market. But not just any flea market, the biggest one in the whole state. Texas is big, so that's saying a lot!

It's miles and miles of anything that you could possible imagine buying. If you can't find it at Canton, it might not exist!

Giant metal T-Rex for your yard? Canton has you covered.

We actually ended up seeing this in someones truck when we were driving down the interstate back to Kilgore!

We had a BOLO (be on the look out) list as long as my arm and we were determined. We were looking for furniture and fun things to re-do or re-purpose. Most of the shops are inside pavilions, but the real treasures are outside, in tents. That's where you can find all the stuff that's unfinished so you can make it look like the stuff in the pavilions and not pay a fortune!

Plus, I was crazy inspired for a bunch of new projects I want to try. Or rather that I want Brien to try. I think he might not like me or Canton too much, because I am full of new ideas! 

I can totally make this!

And also this!

Add this to the list!

This is just old fence pickets. We got some laying around, I know it!

This is just old shutters, $300? No thank you. I have a husband with a saw!

Here is what I actually bought...

I thought this unfinished little monogram laurel would look oh-so-cute on my front door. P.S I am totally painting my front door red!

A set of four of these hideously painted chairs that I scored for $80!

And this 100 year old 5 panel door, for $30!

Here's what I am going to do with them...

I found these identical chairs at an inside pavilion with a table of course, but this set was $800. Umm I will get a can of paint and fix that right up for!

So big plans to white wash with chalk paint and then stain those super cute little nooks and crannies on the back. I am pretty excited to get started on them!

Annnddd...

I am going to turn my door into a head board. Since my fella threw away all of my pallets, I think I might just use this instead. It needs to be sanded and sealed, some crown molding and done, new bed.Or maybe a coffee table. I haven't decided yet!

Do you see why I am torn? I should have bought a few more doors!

Things I should have bought, that are on my list to keep my peepers out for are...

A dough bowl. How cute would this be with some pine cones in it or some Christmas ornaments during December?!?

A cotton boll wreath. Cotton was ALL the rage at Canton. I bet Joanna Gaines uses it a bunch in her houses (I actually heard she shops at Canton for things for her store!) I didn't want to pay a fortune, they were like $80, I am thinking I can re-create this somehow!

Back to Canton... After a crazy rainstorm and a quick rest,

We collected our treasures and headed back to town. That night we went out to eat and went to see Wonder Woman, which really was so wonderful. Callie loved it and decided that she now would like to be in the military or maybe a super hero. I believe she could certainly do both! 

 After we had shopped til we dropped, we settled in and showed Grandma Denise how great Texas really is! More on the rest of the trip later!

What's Cookin' This week: Blueberry Cupcakes

We are all out of  sorts and not on any kind of schedule this summer! Yikes, I am usually better than this! Thanks to another week of school stuff (just getting professionally developed in teaching reading) we have not been home ALL week, again.
This week is math and VBS, then the family reunion, so not really getting any less busy!
My eldest keeps quietly reminding me, that she will be sticking to the schedule she created years ago and so far, she has done it!
Last Wednesday, due to an overabundance of blueberries in the fridge (I am talking 8 pounds, y'all) she decided she wanted to make blueberry cupcakes.

All the berries!

She did everything, followed the recipe exactly, and they were AMAZING!  So I thought I would share!
Here is the link...http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/missys-lemon-and-blueberry-cupcakes-recipe-1995516

I am not talking light and fluffy cupcakes. They are rich and sweet and SO good and I think I may have found my new food photographer!

She even garnished them with mint leaves from my herb garden. How cute is that?!

Do you see what I am talking about with these pictures, yum!

So that's what's cookin' around here, hopefully next week, since we are finally free to enjoy the summer, there will be lots more yummy treats to share about!

Fashion Friday: The end of the year!

While we were on our trip last week, I ran out of space on my phone for pictures. A bunch of times. Sad day! It's time for another outfit picture clean out! The last few weeks of school we had super weird weather, so it's kind of a smattering of cold days and hot days, so here goes:

Top: Jane

Jeans: Target

Flip flips: Target

Dress: Target

Scarf: Target

Flats: Amazon

Dress and shoes: Old Navy

I need a new jean jacket! I mean they are the tuxedo of teaching clothes, but I have had this one forever and it fits weird, time to move on!

Jacket: Forever 21

Dress: Gap

Flats: Wal-mart

Necklace: Made it!

Top: Jane

Necklace:?

Leggings: Nordstroms

Flats: Target

Tee: Loft

Skirt: T.J Maxx

Flip flips: Target

Necklace: Made it!

Tee: Old Navy

Vesty thing: ??, Thrifted

Pants: Gap

Flats: Target

Top: ??, Thrifted

Jeans: Target

Flip flops: Target 

Dress: Old Navy

Necklace: Jane

Flip flips: Old Navy

Whew... All caught up! This week has been super sweet cleaning clothes and yoga pants for traveling, nothing worth seeing, trust me! 

Thirfty Finds Last Month!

Since my favorite thrifty store shut down a few months ago, I have been searching high and low for a new place to get fun clothes and all that jazz. A few weeks ago, Kellen and I found a little place, but it was the jackpot I was hoping for! Maybe it was because it was a Saturday or maybe they just didn't have what I was looking for, but I did manage to find some fun things...

H&M top: $4

I thought this was a cute little top, it sheer and flowy and you can't go wrong with black and white!

Loft Tee: $3

I realized I have a closet deficiency in whites in my closet, and this one had a cute little sequin detail at the top, so it was coming home with me!

Tank:$1

Because you can't have enough grey tanks!

Sleeveless top: $3

This is actually Navy and it's super cute with my patterned shorts, score!

 Loft Sleeveless tee: $4

I thought this would be cute with a skirt or capris for school!

Joggers $5

I have no idea what brand it is, but I have been wanting some joggers for a while and was afraid to spend $30 because they are so trendy, but these ones are so stinkin cute, I wish I would have found  them sooner!

That's all for this month, fingers crossed that we find a replacement for our old store. I will keep you posted!