shoutingforha

One Thousand Gifts (958 -970)

noreply@blogger.com (shoutingforha) — Mon, 28 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

958. The blue of a robin's egg.
959. An army of 5th graders having a great time at the end-of-year picnic.
960. A slideshow of elementary school memories.
961. My guys rocking out at the talent show.
962. Elementary school graduation. I am so excited about our next adventure... Middle School.
963. The start of summer vacation. Lazy days, kids playing, going to the pool, time spent with family and friends... I love it all.
964. An evening spent putzing around with my hubby. I love spending time with him, no matter what we do.
965. Late nights spent talking with friends.
966. The sound of kids playing spotlight tag on a gorgeous summer evening.
967. The smooth taste of French press coffee with a touch of cream, of course.
968. The smell of sunscreen on my boy's skin.
969. Dinner, good conversation and laughter with new friends.
970. A night out with one of my oldest friends. I'm so glad to know her and be known in return.

For more lists of gratitude, head over to

noreply@blogger.com (shoutingforha) — Sun, 27 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

DIY Stiffened Felt Boxes | How About Orange

Homemade Bubble Solution and Blowers | Hellobee

Sand Cast DIY | Honest to Nod

Mason Jar Candles | Fine and Feathered
I thought these were really pretty.

How to Swap Out an EOS Lens Mount | & Be One Traveler Long I Stood

Whole Grilled Chicken

noreply@blogger.com (shoutingforha) — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:36:00 +0000

Today I would like to share my favorite way to cook a chicken. It requires almost no effort and the result is probably the most juicy and flavorful chicken you will ever eat. I promise.

You will have to excuse the quality of some of my pictures. I snapped these with my iPhone and am still trying to figure out what lens/settings are best in the Hipstamatic App.

Start off by heating your grill. My personal preference is charcoal, but if you are using a gas grill, I won't hold that against you. For you charcoal users, make sure you spread the heated briquettes in a nice even layer. You don't want any hot spots.

I prepared the chicken by removing the backbone with a sharp pair of kitchen shears. Liberally season the inside and outside of your bird with whatever makes you happy. I opted for gremolatta which is a blend of salt, pepper, garlic and lemon zest. Lay the chicken bone side down on the grill making sure to press it flat.

Now for the fun part. Lay something heavy on top of the chicken. As you can see, I used one of my big cast iron frying pans. A brick or two wrapped in aluminum foil works well too.

Put the lid on the grill and let the chicken cook for about 20 minutes.

Remove the weight and flip the chicken so that it rests skin side down.

Replace the pan or brick, close the grill and let the chicken cook for another 20 minutes. Remove the chicken from the grill and allow it to sit for a few minutes before carving.

See how easy that was? I hope you will give this method a try.

5th Grade Talent Show

noreply@blogger.com (shoutingforha) — Wed, 23 May 2012 17:33:00 +0000

Well, it's official... My boy is now a middle schooler. We just got home from the 5th grade graduation ceremony and end of year festivities. Our whole family is excited about this next chapter of life, but I have to admit it was a little strange to realize that we were walking away from the elementary school for the last time.

As in years past, my boy performed in the year-end talent show which took place yesterday. My hubby accompanied him on guitar and, in a stroke of genius, decided to prop our little flip cam on his amp. I love being able to see my boy play from that vantage point instead of my usual place out in the crowd.

Enjoy!

Crossing the Bridge

noreply@blogger.com (shoutingforha) — Tue, 22 May 2012 05:30:00 +0000

I'm heading up to the school this morning to watch my boy perform in his last elementary school talent show. His drum gear has been loaded into the back of the Suburban and I've made sure the battery on the camera has been fully charged. Like all his previous performances, I want to make sure I capture it on film.

Tomorrow will be his last day in the fifth grade and, as is the tradition, he will walk over the wooden bridge that symbolizes the transition from elementary school into middle school. My boy is ready... We're all ready to embark on this new chapter. This is an exciting time in his life, but my heart can't help but wonder how we reached this point so quickly.

The days may have been long at times, but the years have been all too short.

I think that's one of the great mysteries of motherhood. When you're stuck in the middle of the trying twos (or threes as it was for us), you feel like the days will never end. Then all of a sudden your once tiny little boy is towering over you and on his way to middle school. Each precious moment having slipped through your fingers like tiny grains of sand.

I often wonder if time feels different to my friends with multiple kids. Some of them will have thirty years or more from the time their first child enters the world until their last leaves the nest. I have eighteen. And to be honest, with every passing year I find myself wanting to dig my heels into the ground just a little bit deeper in an effort to slow the passing of time.

Tomorrow, I am not going to let myself shed a tear. I will lift up a silent thank you for the eleven years that have already passed. I will wholeheartedly enjoy the moment and look forward to the adventure that lies ahead.

~~~~~~

I am linking up with Just Write today. Stop by Heather's blog to read other posts or add one of your own.

One Thousand Gifts (946 - 957)

noreply@blogger.com (shoutingforha) — Mon, 21 May 2012 13:28:00 +0000

"Keep your face to the sunshine

and you cannot see the shadow.

It's what sunflowers do."

~ Helen Keller

946. My boy's wild bedhead. The crazier the hair, the better he slept.
947. The long, leaf covered branches of the weeping cherry tree. I love how they sway in the breeze and provide shade on the corner of the back patio.
948. Watching my boy perform in the 5th grade musical, "Lewis and Clark."
949. Freshly painted front steps. I only wish I would have done it sooner.
950. Having a few days to spend at home after a busy week. It felt good to get my house back in order and finish a few projects.
951. Warm gingerbread with lemon glaze.
952. Winding down the final few days of elementary school.
953. My boy's drumming. I love it when he sits down and just plays... no iPod, no other instruments, just drums. I know I'm biased since I'm his mom, but gosh, he is really good.
954. Pop corn popped in a pot on the stove. My dad used to make it this way when I was a kid and in my opinion, nothing tastes better.
955. Getting twelve hours of uninterrupted sleep. After another crazy week, I really needed it.
956. A hubby who forgives me when I get mean and cranky.
957. My boy's kindergarten teacher who decided to throw an end of elementary school party for her old class. It was fun to see how much everyone had grown and catch up with those who had moved to other schools.

For more lists of gratitude, head over to

noreply@blogger.com (shoutingforha) — Sun, 20 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Skateboard Swing | Little Bit Funky
What a great idea!

Make Your Own Flower Vase DIY | A Beautiful Mess

Paper Hydrangeas | Aunt Peaches

10 Snapshots You Should Keep in Your Phone's
Photo Album | Apartment Therapy

Paper Mache Animal Heads | Lil Blue Boo

Vietnamese Coffee Jello | That Winsome Girl
I am not a huge jello fan, but after seeing this,
I may consider giving it another try.

One Thousand Gifts (935 - 945)

noreply@blogger.com (shoutingforha) — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:52:00 +0000

935. Field Day. It's hard to believe this is my boy's last one.
936. Going on a school field trip to the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL. It was a long day, but the kids had such a great time.
937. Listening to my boy explain what they talked about in his Puberty Ed class, or as the boy affectionately calls it, "The deodorant and crotch hair lecture." Oh, my heavens. I don't know that I've ever been so amused.
938. A whole chicken cooked on the grill. It was so flavorful and juicy that my mouth is watering just thinking about it.
939. Tylenol Sinus. It's the only thing that helps to clear my pollen ravaged sinuses.
940. Soaking rains that make my lawn and shrubs so green and lush.
941. My hydrangea bushes covered in blooms.
942. A first birthday party. Watching the little cutie eat his cake was so much fun.
943. A Mother's Day gift of an iPhone 4s. I really love it.
944. Two new hearts for my collection.
945. A great Mother's Day spent with my boys. I am one lucky lady.

For more lists of gratitude, head over to

noreply@blogger.com (shoutingforha) — Sun, 13 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Homemade Flavored Butter | Please Note

All Purpose Lemon Cleaner | Pencil Box

Paint a Quick Confetti Dishtowel | Make and Takes

Hand Printed Tea Towel DIY | A Beautiful Mess

Dipped Wooden Utensils | House of Earnest

A T-Shirt Quilt | Lil Blue Boo
A perfect way to use your kiddo's old t-shirts.
and Little Bit Funky too.

Panzanella

noreply@blogger.com (shoutingforha) — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

I have been on a Panzanella kick lately. The return of warm weather always puts me in the mood for lighter menu options. In that regard, Panzanella is an ideal dish. It's the perfect side dish to go along with summer's countless barbeques and makes a delicious light lunch.

This recipe is courtesy of the one and only Ina Garten, a.k.a. The Barefoot Contessa.

Panzanella

1 small loaf French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (approximately 6 cups)
olive oil
1 tsp. kosher salt
2 large tomatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 cucumber, unpeeled and seeded, cut into chunks
1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 a small red onion, cut into quarters and thinly sliced
20 large basil leaves, coarsely chopped

For the vinaigrette...

1 tsp. minced garlic
1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
3 Tbs. champagne vinegar (I've also used red wine vinegar)
1/2 c. olive oil
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Place the bread cubes on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake in a 400 degree F oven for 10-15 minutes or until toasted and golden brown.

Place the tomatoes, cucumber, red and yellow bell peppers, red onion, basil and bread cubes in a large bowl. Toss to combine.

Using a whisk, blend all of the ingredients for the vinaigrette and pour over the vegetable/bread mixture. Toss until everything is coated. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

Allow the Panzanella to sit for 20-30 minutes before serving so that the flavors can combine.

Enjoy!

Glimpses of My Boy, vol. 2

noreply@blogger.com (shoutingforha) — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:30:00 +0000

It's been two and a half years since my last Glimpses of My Boy post and so much has changed since then. I have noticed that as time passes, I have no problem remembering all of the big events in my boy's life. It's the day-to-day stuff that unfortunately seems to fade from my memory.

With the last remaining weeks of my boy's elementary school career drawing to an end, I thought it would be the perfect time to take another peek at my boy.

Harry Potter Lego creations lining the top of his bookcase.

A silly horse head mounted on the wall.

A place to do homework, be creative, or fiddle with a wooden robot.

My boy's antique coat tree. Instead of holding coats, it is the perfect resting place for his furry trapper hat, "real Indiana Jones whip." On weekends, it also holds his backpack.

The boy's very own fireproof safe. It's the place where my sentimental guy keeps all special treasures from years gone by. Pictured: A plastic vial containing the pin from his finger and the rock from his elbow, his tooth fairy box with all of his lost baby teeth inside (Eww!), "Mr. Bee," a favorite chewy toy from when he was a baby, a recordable picture frame (the boy likes to listen to his 9-month-old babbles), little hankies cut from one of his blankets (he used to tuck them into his pocket just like Owen), and the bow tie he wore at my sister's wedding along with the yellow dump truck he insisted on carrying as he walked the aisle.

A place to sit and read.

The boy's ever-growing collection of pocket knives.

The top of my boy's retro thrift store dresser. It holds a jar of seashells collected in California, fossils, pictures, the fish tank, a model of a fighter jet, a miniature replica of the Wall Street bull and his three money jars: one to give away and one to save and one to spend.

Giant size 10.5 shoes lined up under his dresser.

His special blankie, now worn and tattered, draped over the side of his loft bed.

His ever-growing collection of rocks, fossils and minerals.

The boy's current favorite drum kit... a vintage Lugwig kit with a 50's Gretsch snare drum.

The boy's drum lesson notebook and practice log.

As we enter this new phase of life called Middle School, I am filled with a mix of emotions. Sadness that the sands of time are slipping all too quickly through my fingers and excitement for what lies ahead.

I am thankful to have this blog as a place to store memories. It will be fun to look back at this post and others in the years to come.

One Thousand Gifts (921 - 934)

noreply@blogger.com (shoutingforha) — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:40:00 +0000

921. A vase full of peonies, one of my favorite spring flowers.
922. Handwritten letters from my niece. Best. Mail. Ever.
923. A sick day spent with my boy. I never like it when my boy doesn't feel well but I love getting the chance to hang out with him all day.
924. Listening to my hubby talk gibberish in his sleep. So funny.
925. Strawberry Crumb Bars. Oh, my heavens these things are delicious. I think I've found my new favorite springtime treat.
926. The way our privacy fence has transformed our back yard. It's so peaceful and quiet back there.
927. Fireflies. They made their appearance early this year.
928. Rye toast.
929. An overcast day.
930. The Chicken Tikka Masala and Samosas at Shalimar. Best Indian food ever. It's also one of my favorite places to go on a date with the hubby.
931. Finding a bird's nest in the holly bush by my front door. Inside are two tiny white eggs with brown speckles. I'm pretty sure they belong to a pair of finches that I've seen flitting about.
932. Sunny mornings after late night rains.
933. A bowl of oranges, lemons and limes. The bright colors make me happy.
934. The way sunny days dot my boy's cheeks with more and more freckles. It's adorable.

For more lists of gratitude, head over to

noreply@blogger.com (shoutingforha) — Sun, 06 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Molded Concrete Planters | In Words and Pictures
I thought these were lovely.

Learn To Sew A Simple Cotton Top | A Beautiful Mess

Baked Apple Pie Egg Rolls | Spoon Fork Bacon
Yum! I have some egg roll wrappers in
the freezer so I might need
to give these a try.

Adventures in Glass Etching | A Beautiful Mes

How to Patch a Hole in Your Drywall | The Art of Manliness

Fruit Balloons DIY | Oh Happy Day
How fun is this?!

The A to Z of the Boy and Me

noreply@blogger.com (shoutingforha) — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

A friend sent me this meme ages ago and I promptly lost it somewhere in my inbox. When I randomly across it the other day, I thought I would give it a go. The boy decided to play along too.

A. Age: (the boy) 11, (me) 38, at least for another month...
B. Bed size: (the boy) A full sized bed, a.k.a. The Lodge. (me) We sleep on a regular old queen, although the hubby thinks we need to up-size to a king.
C. Car: (the boy) Maserati, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Aston Martin, Bugatti, Lamborghini... You can tell I like cars. (me) I couldn't possibly care less about cars. Right now I drive a GMC Suburban, a.k.a. The White Whale.
D. Dogs: (the boy) My dog, Brick, is BOSS. (me) I had an overgrown Sheltie as a child and then six years ago we got Brick, the king of the mutts.
E. Essential start to your day: (the boy) I never want to get out of bed. I need an extra 30 minutes of sleep. (me) I would say time, but given that I rarely get a leisurely start to the morning, a big cup of coffee will do.
F. Favorite color: (the boy) red, (me) green
G. Gold or Silver: (the boy) I would like some golden bricks. (me) Silver, although my antique wedding ring is gold.
H. Height: (the boy) 5 ft. 3 in. (me) 5 ft. 1 3/4 in. The stinker has passed me by over an inch.
I. Instruments you play: (the boy) I'm the god of rock and a really good drummer. (me) I can play the piano and am the only member of my musical family that can read music.

J. Job title: (the boy) The BOSS. (me) Wife, mother and habitual volunteer.
K. Kids: (the boy) I guess. (me) Just one. But with such an amazing boy, who needs more?
L. Live: (the boy) In my house. (me) A quaint Civil War era town just south of Nashville.
M. Mother’s name: (the boy) Amy, (me) Kathy
N. Nicknames: (the boy) Mr. Kool Kat, The BOSS, monster, booger and gigantor. (me) Aunt Mimi, Ames, Babe
O. Overnight hospital stays: (the boy) When I was born and then when I got sick ten days later. (me) Four nights when the boy was born. The first two were because of the massive kidney stone I passed, the second two were after his birth.
P. Pet peeves: (the boy) Obnoxious children at school. (me) Rude people, drivers who can't merge lanes and that park over the line in parking spaces. I need a full space to park the land yacht.
Q. Quote from a movie: (the boy) "Fool of a Took!" ~ Gandalf, Lord of the Rings, Return of the King (me) "Certainty of death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for?" ~ Gimli, Lord of the Rings, Return of the King. Some days I feel like it could be my personal motto. Although if you asked the boy he would probably say my favorite quote is, "You'll shoot your eye out!" (A Christmas Story).
R. Right or left handed: (the boy) I'm a lefty. (me) I'm a righty.
S. Siblings: (the boy) No. Does Brick count? (me) A fraternal twin sister (we don't look alike) and identical twin half-brothers (they do).
U. Underwear: (the boy) I go commando. Just kidding. I wear boxer briefs. (me) Yes, I wear them and it drives me nuts that they are so darn expensive.
V. Vegetable you hate: (the boy) Lettuce. I hate salad. (me) Beets. I think they taste like dirt.
W. What makes you run late: (the boy) Sleeping in too late. (me) I always try to be on time, but when I'm running late it's usually the boy's fault.
X. X-Rays you’ve had: (the boy) At the dentist, when I severed my tendon in my finger with a pocket knife, and when I wrecked my bike and had a rock embedded in my arm. (me) Dental, a broken toe from trying to punt furniture, a broken pinky finger courtesy of the dog, and a dye test/x-ray of my fallopian tubes after years of trying to get pregnant a second time.
Y. Yummy food that you make: (the boy) I like bacon. (me) Isn't everything I make wonderful and delicious?
Z. Zoo animal: (the boy) Warthogs. Weird isn't it? (me) I have a thing for penguins.

A Peek Inside My Refrigerator

noreply@blogger.com (shoutingforha) — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

I thought I would give you a peek inside my refrigerator. I just came back from the grocery store and, as a result, the poor thing is packed to the gills. Can you tell that we like to eat around here?

While my refrigerator is filled with a wide variety of foods, I have a thing for sauces and condiments of all kinds. I have such an extensive assortment that it's not uncommon for guests to exclaim, "Holy cow! You have a lot of condiments!"

I'd like to share a few of my favorites with you today.

1. Better Than Bouillon - Better Than Bouillon concentrated paste food bases are made primarily from meat, seafood, or vegetables. This gives them a richer and more natural flavor than ordinary bouillon cubes or granules.

Well, technically this really isn't a sauce but I'm going to include it anyway.

When I cook, I try to use homemade stock whenever possible. That said, Better Than Bouillon is a worthy substitute. It comes in handy when I don't have any stock on hand or if the flavor of my dish needs a little something extra.

My late father-in-law is the one that first introduced me to Better Than Bouillon. At the time, it could only be purchased in restaurant supply stores. These days, you can find it in the soup section of any grocery store. They even sell it at my local Costco.

The low fat, low salt Better Than Bouillon comes in a variety of flavors: chicken, beef, ham, turkey, vegetable, lobster, fish, clam, chili, and mushroom. You can also buy organic, vegetarian and kosher versions of the bases. Keep in mind that the flavor is highly concentrated, so a little dab does the trick.

Give it a try. You will be thrilled with the results.

2. Huy Fong Vietnamese Chili Garlic Sauce

I keep a jar of this sauce on hand and break it out anytime something needs a little extra heat. It is an amazing addition to any Asian recipe and can transform a simple bowl of noodles into a real treat.

3. Mrs. H.S. Ball's Chutney

I have to give my sister credit for turning me onto Mrs. H.S. Ball's delicious assortment of chutneys. Her husband is originally from South Africa and his family liked to bring bottles of the stuff back to the states after trips visiting family.

I first sampled the chutney at her house and immediately fell in love. At the time, Mrs. H.S. Ball's could only be purchased in South Africa. Sensing my plight, my sister was kind enough to share a few bottles from her precious stash. Ten years later, Mrs. H.S. Ball's full line of chutneys can be purchased here in the states through a variety of retailers, Amazon included.

Mrs. H.S. Ball's Chutney comes in four different flavors: Original, Peach, Hot and Chilli. I have tasted a lot of chutney in my day and, in my humble opinion, you would be hard-pressed to find something better.

The balance of sweet and sour is spot on and it makes a wonderful accompaniment to any meal. Try it with curries, in chicken salad, in a marinade or as a sauce for chicken, beef or fish. It's even wonderful spread on a sandwich.

I hope you will give some of these sauces a try. They can turn even the most simple meal into something special.

*** The opinions expressed in this post are strictly my own. I have not been compensated in any way for these product reviews.

Laid To Rest

noreply@blogger.com (shoutingforha) — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:36:00 +0000

photo credit

I received a letter from Ft. Logan National Cemetery on Saturday. It was a letter that I had been anticipating for over six months... A letter telling me that my father, who passed away last October, had finally been buried.

"Dear Ms. [Ha],

The internment of [your father], was accomplished on April 25, 2012 at Fort Logan National Cemetery. Enclosed please find the monument inscription sheet and a map of the cemetery indicating the section and the number of the gravesite..."

When I read the words, I was filled with two conflicting emotions... relief and shock.

On one hand, I was happy to hear that my father's remains had finally been laid to rest. At long last, everything had been tied up in a neat little bow. Well, as neat as possible considering the circumstances. It saddened me that the process had taken so long, but I recognized that it was ultimately beyond my control.

On the other hand, it was a little shocking to read something about my father's death. As crazy as it sounds, this was the first official document I've received since his passing. For over six months I've known that he was gone, but this was the first time I'd actually read the words. It somehow made it seem more final... As if his death itself was somehow not the end.

My father's grave marker is inscribed with the word "Vietnam." I always knew he spent time in the Army, but I didn't realize that he had been enlisted during Vietnam... Yet another tidbit that I never knew about the man who raised me.

During a recent visit to my sister's house, I picked up my dad's old tackle box and one of his fishing poles. Gifts she grabbed for my boy; the grandson that he never knew. Oh, the things that my father missed..

I've already learned a few new tricks just by simply digging through the box's contents, but there are so many lures and jigs that I don't know how to use. I'm hoping that it's something the boy and I can figure out together. With summer vacation looming around the corner, it seems like the perfect time to give it a try.

~~~~~~

I am linking up with Just Write today. Stop by Heather's blog to read other posts or add one of your own.

One Thousand Gifts (904 - 920)

noreply@blogger.com (shoutingforha) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

904. Finding more crazy pictures on my boy's iPod. I love discovering the random photos he snaps and all the crazy Apps he likes to use (like Aging Booth or BaldBooth).
905. Realizing I happen to have $1 in my purse (I generally don't carry cash) so I can buy a copy of The Contributor. I like supporting this good cause.
906. Recovered cushions on our patio furniture. Instead of paying $150+ to replace the sad, old cushions, I spent $12 on some tablecloths and made new ones myself. Score!
907. Fresh cooked tortillas. Oh, my heavens. They are so much better than the ones you can buy on the grocery shelf.
908. Reading tweets and being so amused that I can't stop laughing.
909. My boy's excitement over his new Airsoft gun that was purchased with his own hard-saved money.
910. New recycling bins in my laundry room.
911. A beastly dog who, despite his size, still thinks he can sit in my lap.
912. The smell of homemade granola just pulled from the oven. I can't wait have a bowl with some dried blueberries sprinkled on top.
913. A stack of freshly laundered towels. I love the clean smell of detergent, dryer sheets and the tiniest hint of bleach.
914. Knowing there are just 18 days left of school. Not that I'm counting...
915. Spending the morning cooking with some lovely older ladies from my church.
916. Strolling through all of the booths at The Main Street Festival. I love our town.
917. Enjoying a meal of sushi with my guys.
918. Getting 12 hours of sleep. I've been running on empty and it felt wonderful to finally catch up on some rest.
919. Walking around the giant Nashville Flea Market.
920. Listening to my hubby read to the boy before bedtime. He has such a great reading voice and I especially love all the different voices that he uses.

For more lists of gratitude, head over to

noreply@blogger.com (shoutingforha) — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 19:23:00 +0000

Make a Succulent Wreath | Better Homes and Gardens

How to Tie a Bow Tie: An Illustrated Guide | The Art of Manliness

Growing Celery Indoors: Never Buy Celery Again | 17 Apart
I might have to give this a try...

Random Thoughts on a Friday, vol. 2

noreply@blogger.com (shoutingforha) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

1. I found this drawing the other day in a pile of random papers. I'm not sure how I missed it before but I think it might make the perfect Christmas card for next year.

What says Christmas better than a bloody knife wielding snowman with an eye patch. Ho! Ho! Ho!

2. All four of the baby robins are dead. While I don't miss being dive bombed by the mother bird every time we walk out the back door, I am a little sad. The circle of life can be a bit cruel sometimes.

The mama bird built an especially small nest this year and, as the little birdies grew, there simply wasn't enough room to hold them all. As a result, three of the creatures fell out of the nest and were most likely snatched by one of the many hawks that circle the skies above our home.

The fourth bird seemed to be fine when I checked the nest on Wednesday afternoon, but by Thursday morning the nest was empty. My guess is that the giant Great Horned Owl that I've seen sitting in the trees surrounding my yard plucked the little guy out of the nest during the night.

I am hoping that the robins elect to build their nest in a more secure and secluded spot next year. Why they though it was a great idea to build their home out in the open, on top of a porch light no less, is beyond me.

3. My boy starts the dreaded TCAP standardized test today. Around here it is more commonly referred to as T-CRAP or the Tennessee Child Abuse Program. As you can tell my child is looking forward to the next four days.

In the past, my boy has never really worried about the test, however, this year is a different story. The state of Tennessee decided to make the test count for 15% of the student's overall grade and a weighty 35% of the teacher's total evaluation, a fact that the principal and teachers have never let the kids forget.

For months, the boy has been coming home saying things like, "If I mess up on the test, they will make me repeat 5th grade again and Mrs. B. will get fired." In my opinion, that seems like a heavy burden to place on a bunch of elementary students.

I heard a report on NPR the other day stating that the reason for the decision to make the TCAP scores part of the student's overall grade was because the state thought "elementary students weren't taking the test seriously enough." That may be the case in other counties, but here in our school district, where students generally score in the advanced or proficient range, it seems like overkill.

Despite my feelings, the test must go on. The hubby and I have done everything we can to put the boy's mind at ease and to alleviate some of the pressure that's been heaped on his shoulders. I've tried to make sure he has a variety of tasty and nutritious foods to take for lunch and snack and I even picked up an ample supply of bubble gum to be chewed during the test (one of the special privileges granted during TCAP).

I keep reminding the boy that once TCAP is finished, it will be smooth sailing into summer vacation and then 6th grade. The remainder of the year will be filled with exciting field trips, the 5th grade musical, field day, the 5th grade picnic, the talent show and graduation. It's going to be a busy month.

4. The hubby is taking the boy to see Van-Halen in concert tonight. I wouldn't call either of them super-fans, but the return of David Lee Roth was just too much to pass up.

I, on the other hand, will be enjoying a quiet evening at home with the old fur-ball.

What about you, dear readers? Do you have any exciting plans for the weekend?

And the Winner Is...

noreply@blogger.com (shoutingforha) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Congratulations to #3, Futsak, who wrote,

You are the winner!

I will email you the free copy of the

That Works For Me! e-book.

For those of you who weren't so lucky, remember

that you can still save $1 on your purchase

by using the code SAVE1.

A Change of Color

noreply@blogger.com (shoutingforha) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:06:00 +0000

My kitchen has been red for what seems like forever. I loved the color when the paint was new; Bee Balm Red it was called. Unfortunately it had long been discontinued and I could never quite find a perfect match to cover the scrapes and scratches that dot the walls over time.

My love had slowly turned to indifference, then to dislike and finally to hate. I could hardly stand to look at the red walls anymore. As a result, I didn't enjoy being in my kitchen.

I was in Home Depot on Sunday and decided that enough was enough. I walked into the paint section and scanned at the dozens of paint swatches waiting for my eyes to settle on the one that felt "right."

There it was, the perfect color amidst a sea of swatches. Impulsively, I bought a gallon of a dark, rich brown called Roasted Nuts. I didn't tell my guys about my purchase. I tucked the can into the laundry room and went about the rest of the day.

As soon as I dropped my boy off at school yesterday I started painting, secretly hoping that I hadn't made the wrong choice. It was tedious work making sure every detail of the embossed wallpaper was covered in a nice thick coat. But when it was finished, my heart felt at home.

It's funny how something as simple as changing the color of a room can have such an effect. I find myself wanting to hang out in my kitchen again. In fact, I'm sitting there now, sipping coffee while I type these words. I'm also daydreaming about the meals that I will cook and the memories yet to be made in this freshly painted room.

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I am linking up with Just Write and Five for Five today. Stop by to read other posts or add one of your own.

One Thousand Gifts (891-903)

noreply@blogger.com (shoutingforha) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:27:00 +0000

891. My boy's obnoxiously orange Colorado State University sweatshirt. In addition to the usual green and gold, the university decided to bring back the original school colors of pumpkin and alfalfa.
892. Chilly mornings followed by warm afternoons.
893. Listening to my son practice the songs for the 5th grade musical Lewis and Clark. "It was Lewis and Clark. Clark and Lewis..." I can't wait to see the show.
894. Getting to hang out with one of my book club buddies.
895. The deep rhythmic breathing of my boy when he sleeps.
896. My freshly paved street.
897. Getting the stubborn grass stains out of the knees of my boy's pants. Victory!
898. Laying on the trampoline with my boy and watching the clouds float by.
899. The smile on my boy's face when he discovered episodes of Little Bear on Amazon Prime (we ditched cable TV). It was his favorite show when he was a little guy. I love how sentimental he is.
900. Homemade peach ice cream. It's so good, it could become a fattening habit.
901. Evenings spent with my hubby.
902. Letting our schedule start to revert back to the lazy days of summer, despite the fact that we still have 4 1/2 weeks left of school.
903. The weekend. It's my favorite part of the whole week.

For more lists of gratitude, head over to

noreply@blogger.com (shoutingforha) — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Rainy Day Fun: Free Printable Toys | Apartment Therapy

These are really cool!

Children's Art Vase | Aunt Peaches

Fresh and Colorful: Decorating With Radishes | The Kitchn

I thought this was a unique and lovely idea.

How to Screen Print at Home | The Art of Doing Stuff

DIY Watering Container | A Journey to Dream

What a great way to reuse an empty milk jug.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a free copy of the new
That Works For Me! e-book.

The Robin's Nest

noreply@blogger.com (shoutingforha) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

1. As you long-time readers might recall, we had a mama robin that decided to build her nest on top of our back porch light three years ago. While we were out of town on spring break, the sneaky little lady set up residence again. By the time we got home, the eggs had already been laid. We've been tiptoeing out the back door ever since.

Last time, I had my camera lens jammed into the next every few days in an effort to document the whole process. This time, I've decided to leave the little birdies alone. The boy and the beast are constantly going in and out through the back door so giving them a little peace and quiet is the least that I can do.

My son had other ideas.

Once he saw the tiny beaks peaking over the edge of the nest, he couldn't resist taking a peek. The slightly blurry picture above is one that my boy snapped using his iPod. As you can see, there are 4 ~~lizard-like~~ adorable little birdies nestled in the nest.

I suppose it won't be too long until these little guys will be making their first flights. I'm excited that we have a front row view.

Giveaway: Enter to Win a Copy of That Works For Me!

noreply@blogger.com (shoutingforha) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

UPDATE - 12:00 PST COMMENTS ARE CLOSED for the giveaway. I will use a random number generator to select a winner.

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image source

Several months ago, I was approached by Kristin Welch from We Are That Family, home of the popular blog carnival Works For Me Wednesday. She, along with freelance writer Jennifer DeGroot, had decided to create an e-book featuring over 800 of the best WFMW submissions.

I was thrilled to learn that two of my WFMW submissions were going to be included: #49 DIY Lotion Bars and #425 Delivering Meals.

That Works For Me! is chocked full of useful tried and true tips that are organized in 24 easy-to-navigate categories: Baby, Beauty, Blogging, Cleaning, Craft, Décor, Frugal, Garden, Gift, Green, Holiday, Homeschool, Hospitality, Kitchen, Laundry, Marriage, Odds and Ends, Organization, Parenting, Pets, Recipes, Time Management, Tech/Computers and Travel.

I am delighted to offer one lucky reader a FREE COPY of That Works For Me! The giveaway will close at midnight EST on Wednesday, April 25. The winner will be chosen at random and will be announced on Thursday, April 26. To enter, just leave me a comment at the end of this post.

The e-book regularly sells for $8 with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit Mercy House. For a limited time you can receive $1 off by using the code SAVE1 when you purchase your copy here.

During the month of April you can visit the That Works for Me! website and submit your own tip for a chance to win a $150 Visa Gift card to spend on house cleaning services. Doesn't that sound great? You can earn an extra entry by liking That Works For Me! on Facebook or following them on Twitter.

You can also follow them on Pinterest to see more great tips or even submit some of your own.

Don't forget to leave a comment to enter the giveaway. Good luck!

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This is not a paid review, however, I did receive a free copy as a thank you for my participation in the e-book.