One of my most popular posts of all time here on The Hill hangout was called “Summer Art Projects.” Who knew that so many parents look online for inspiring art projects for their children? After I participated in a chat yesterday focused on incorporating art and creativity into your homeschool day, I was challenged anew to give my girls more time, space, and resources to create. Littles have such an artistic imagination and they need more freedom to let it run wild! After all, God is the master creator, and we are created in HIS image. He has gifted each of us with the ability to create unique things, if only we will take the time to develop the spark.

So to get your artistic wheels spinning, here are 10 MORE summer art projects you and your kids can enjoy:

1. Kathy at Art Projects for Kids introduces us to self-portraits in the style of James Rizzi. My girls had never done a raised image like this before, so it was a new, fun concept. Here is how Pitty Pat’s turned out:

Obviously, we used different media than Kathy recommended, but it’s what we had on hand and since art is free expression anyway, we went with it While we created, we talked about how God made us each with unique qualities, but that we are all made in His image.

2. Gah! Do we love Georgia O’Keefe’s flower paintings, or what?!? Deep Space Sparkle used Georgia’s inspiration to create these flower masterpieces using construction paper, oil pastels, watercolors, and patterned (scrapbook) paper. This would also be fun using painted paper. As you cut and paste, you can discuss Matthew 6 where Jesus tells us not to worry about what we have. God makes the flowers beautifully clothed and gives them the food they need. Won’t He much more care for us, His beautiful creation?

3. We’ve talked about doodling our memory verses before. I adore a project that kills two birds with one stone, and this one definitely fits the bill. The girls think of it as a fun art project, but what they don’t realize is that at the same time they are committing God’s word to memory. Creativity AND hiding His word in their hearts – my kind of project!

4. Blow painting is fun and can be executed in a variety of ways. All you need is watered down acrylic or tempra paint in several colors, a few straws, a medicine dropper, and water color paper. Here’s an example from Kabubble:

Simply use the medicine dropper to add a few drops of paint to the paper. Use the straw to blow the paint around in all directions. You can put paper in a cookie sheet to keep the mess to a minimum.

This is also a great project to do with a crowd. We did this one in VBS last summer. The message was that no matter which way life blows you, God is making you into His beautiful masterpiece.

5. The inspiration for drawing fireworks came from Art Projects for Kids. Can you tell she’s one of my favorite online sources for art ideas? Kathy is an art teacher and has developed hundreds of art lessons, many of which she shares at her site. This project was fun because BOTH of my girls could do it well. No frustration that big sister’s piece looked better than little sister’s

6. An easy, fun outdoor project is a Chalk Self Portrait (aka Dead Body Outline). All you need for this project is a bucket of chalk and a sidewalk or driveway. The girls lay down on the driveway, and I outlined them in chalk.

Then I gave them free reign to decorate themselves any way they’d like. Again, we discussed that God made us all with the qualities He chose for us. We have so many things to love about ourselves and thank Him for, because He created us just the way He wants us.

7. Kandinsky was a Russian abstract artist known for his concentric circle paintings. Our friend Kathy once again gave us great inspiration for using Kandinsky’s ideas to create a piece of our own.

We were short on time the day we created these, so they could have used a few more “leaves”, but I was happy that both of my girls worked together happily on this project. Big sister cut out the tree trunk, and little sister cut her own circles. This would be a fun project to adapt for a science lesson on how leaves change with the seasons. And since everything we teach should be God-centric, you can build on God as the organizer of time and changer of seasons: “He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” (Daniel 2:21)

8. Artsonia is another great online source for art ideas. It is an online museum of children’s artwork. You can spend hours looking through pieces that have been submitted. We loved the paper cutting projects like this horse:

All you’d need are scissors, paper, and scraps of random materials. What a fun way to use up all your left-over art supplies and show kids that God is knitting together the random parts of our lives into a beautiful creation that He can use.

9. Print-making projects are a little more involved and require a few special items to create, but they can also be a lasting treasure. Fine Lines has done a great tutorial on how to use styrofoam plates to create beautiful prints.

We did these in VBS a couple of years ago, and I was so touched by how much care the kids took with their pieces. We were discussing how time-consuming it is for missionaries to translate the Bible into other languages. We demonstrated by having the kids write a Bible verse onto a piece of styrofoam backward (because words have to be written in mirror-image to print correctly.) It was difficult for them, but they persevered. It taught them how painstaking it is to translate something, and how grateful we are to have easy access to God’s Word. My daughter’s print hangs in my kitchen.

10. Summer is a fabulous time for extended art projects like these papier mache Greek Urns from Art Lessons for Kids (different site than Art Projects for Kids).

We will be studying Greek history in the fall, so we will definitely be making these. They give an in-depth tutorial on supplies and instructions. This will be a fun outside project, as it will be messy and the Alabama summer sun will help the papier mache and the paint to dry faster.

Do you have a favorite website for art ideas? A Pinterest board of great art projects you’ve pinned? Posts on your own blog of great pieces your kiddos have completed? Leave a link in the comments so we can all check them out!

In December, you might remember, we took the family to Disney World. We had a magical time at the parks and visiting with our friends. It was just as fun as you might imagine and we had a ball. One of the nicest surprises of the trip was how much the food at Disney had improved since we’d last been there. Granted, it had been quite a few years since we’d been to Disney. In fact, Jonathan and I had never been to Disney since we got married 13 years ago. However, the food was as much an adventure as the rides and character meet-ups. One of the best meals we had at Disney was at Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant in Downtown Disney. I ordered the Pumpkin Ravioli with Browned Butter Sauce.

Y’all.

Not only was it one of the best meals at Disney, it was one of the best meals I’ve ever had IN MY LIFE. It is the perfect combination of flavors: homemade ravioli filled with pureed pumpkin and mascarpone cheese, topped with a browned butter sauce, brown sugar, toasted pecans, fresh arugula, and shaved parmigiano reggiano cheese. It was creamy with a hint of sweetness and set off perfectly with the earthiness of the toasted pecans and the peppery arugula. I knew I would have to try to replicate it when I got back home.

My version is definitely the knock-off version (I’m sure Wolfgang would not approve), but it is a really delicious substitute if you aren’t headed to Disney World anytime soon. Plus, my version is simpler and works well for busy families. Here’s what you’ll need:

1 package butternut squash ravioli (See, I told you mine was a shortcut.)
1 stick butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 head of arugula
1 package parmigiano reggiano
1 small package of pecans

In a pan, bring about six cups of water to a boil. Drop in ravioli and boil until al dente.

Drain in a colander. Set aside.

In a skillet, melt the stick of butter. Allow it to keep cooking until it begins to turn a golden brown color. Whisk in the brown sugar and set aside.

In a 400 degree oven, toast the pecans on a cookie sheet for about 3 minutes. Don’t skip the toasting step, as it brings out the wonderful flavor of the pecans. However, pecans burn very quickly, so don’t let them go longer than about 3-5 minutes.

Once the ravioli, pecans, and butter are done, you are ready to plate your dish. Place a few ravioli on the dish and top with a smidge of shaved parmigiano reggiano. Spoon browned butter mixture over the top.

If you are unfamiliar with parmigiano reggiano, this is what you’re looking for:

It is a hard cheese that is beautiful when shaved over the top of Italian dishes.

Next, place a handful of the arugula leaves over the top. Arugula is in the lettuce family, but it is tougher than romaine or green leaf lettuce and it has a distinct peppery flavor.

Top with the toasted pecans and more shaved parmigiano reggiano.

Enjoy! To see other delicious recipes, visit our Recipe Index.

What’s your favorite Disney meal?

Y’all.

It was my friend Sophie’s new book.

I might have squealed a little in delight.

You all might know Sophie better by her blog name, BooMama. She writes all sorts of goodies about life in the south, life in a family, and life in the Lord. She is hilarious to the core. She will make you howl with laughter and then spin you right into Truth so fast you never saw it coming. But you’ll be nodding your head in agreement just the same. She’s just a gem of a writer.

You know what makes Sophie’s book so fun to read? Her people are my people. She writes the words I’d say about my people if I could. And in a world where the south is presented in the media as uneducated and backward, Sophie celebrates the wonderful treasures we have below the Mason-Dixon line – humor, family values, rich traditions, and good food. If you’d like a sample, you can read the first chapter here.

While Sophie’s book won’t hit the shelves in your local bookstores until June 4th, you can pre-order a copy (or 12) of A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet: Southern Stories of Faith, Family, and Fifteen Pounds of Bacon on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Books-A-Million. Y’all order one for your mama for Mother’s Day!!

We’ve been on a sandwich kick around here lately. I’m not usually all that fond of sandwiches, but in the past few weeks I have made several that were out of this world. This Cube Steak Sandwich is one of them. Jonathan has declared that this sandwich is one of his all-time favorites. That’s high praise ’cause the man knows his sandwiches.

Here’s what you’ll need:

A package of cube steak
A package of brown gravy mix (Or make your own if you’re so inclined)
A small onion
A package of sliced mushrooms
Salt
Pepper
Garlic powder
Hoagie rolls
Sliced provolone or pepper jack cheese

Spray a baking dish with cooking spray. Place the cube steak in it in a single layer.

Chop the onions and mushrooms. Layer over the meat.

Cook the gravy over medium heat in a saucepan according to package directions. When thick, pour over meat and veggies.

Cover tightly with foil. Bake on 375 degrees for about 30 minutes. Veggies will be tender and meat will be cooked through. Place meat on hoagie rolls. Pile on the onions and mushrooms. Top with slices of cheese. Enjoy!

To try some of our other delicious sandwich recipes, check out our Recipe Index.

Linking up with Savvy Southern Style.

Our back porch was in need of a little sprucing up after the winter. We have the basics in place – a swing, a rocking chair, a side table, etc. But if the girls and I are going to spend the summer out there, we want it to be a little more luxurious than just the bare necessities. We like pretty spaces, and we felt like all we needed was a little inspiration and a little cash, and we could take our porch from drab to fab. Here’s the plan we came up with:

I’ve already purchased a few of the accessories and am just waiting on a few more to arrive. Stay tuned for a porch reveal in the next few days!