Archive for the ‘home’ Category
Daylight Savings Time is Over – Fun Clock Roundup
Hello sunlight! No more waking up in darkness. Daylight savings time ended this morning at 2 am. Did you remember to turn your clocks back? It’s so easy now that we all have computers and cell phones, but how would you like to turn back time on these wall clocks?
DIY Wall Clock Kit from Radius Design
Talin Wall Clock from Crate and Barrel
Cool Kids Contemporary Clock from Tik Tak Things
Adobo Cook-Off, Fire Pit and a Long Bike Ride
What a fun-filled weekend!
- Attended a Filipino food cook-off, Adobofest 2011, in one of the many forest preserves around Chicago. It seemed pretty well attended, but I heard there were four times as many entries as there were this year. More on this event tomorrow.
- Used our fire pit for the first time. Told the kids this was a close to camping as we’ll ever get! I’ve never been camping. Ever. But I am open to the idea of putting up a tent in the backyard one nice summer night. Maybe next year?
- Abby’s soccer team won their game after a harsh season opener (they lost 8-2)!
- And I rode 50 miles in the North Shore Century Ride! Started with a lovely sunrise over Lake Michigan – but quickly turned into a rainy mess of a day. I was drenched by the end. Took me 4 hours and 25 minutes, and on somewhat spongy tires for the middle leg of 20 miles (Oops.). It was really fun, but I won’t lie – it was a lot of work in some spots. And, I’m not very athletic at all. This may be my one big athletic accomplishment to date.
I’m ready for a relaxing week. Too bad it won’t be… always something happening around our here! *grin*
Have a great week everyone!
Tags: adobo, backyard, bicycle, Evanston, Filipino, Filipino food, fire pit, living, North Shore Century Ride
Thursday Tip: Lunchtime Jello
How is everyone doing? This school year took off with so much energy, and I feel like I’m just now coming up for some air… getting ready to go back down into the river of household-heading, room parenting, writing, blogging, crafting, etc. Like so many, I have a problem saying NO, and I have a penchant for starting projects every time I see something cool. But, after realizing I have way too many daydreams and not enough finished products, I thought I better try to tidy up my projects-in-progress before I start something new.
In the meantime, there’s been plenty of activity around here… hope to share soon. And now, for a Thursday Tip.
More often than not, I’m using reusable lunch containers for my daughter. The ones we have actually fit her cooler lunchbox from L.L. Bean.
My husband saw that I was making some Jello, and suggested I pour some right into the lunch containers. Totally worked – no staining, either! (He’s so smart.) There was enough Jello for four containers, and the rest was put into an 8×8 glass pan.
I’d love to hear your lunchtime tips… what are some favorite lunchtime meals?
Tags: Jello, kids, lunch, lunch boxes, school
Back to School Teacher Gift Idea
I thought it might be fun to give an apple to my kids’ teachers like Kendra did (guest blogger on Tatertots and Jello), but last year we gave spider plants and they grew with the class (cute play on words that wasn’t intentional). This Fall I added a little flag to usher in the school year. A little card would suffice for your teacher… or even a handmade picture by your student!
Spider plants are so easy to care for. They don’t need much light, and if you forget to water them, they’ll wilt, but won’t die that easily. These were just replanted, so they look a little droopy. But I’m sure in a few days, they’ll start to perk up.
Tags: planting, plants, preschool, school, teacher gift
Wordless Wednesday: Too Hot Outside

http://niles.patch.com/articles/before-the-bbq-aperitifs-and-appetizers
30 Days of Creativity: Day 6 and 7
How does your living space reflect your creative nature? Share a picture if you can!
I love our home with its strong architectural style… it sets a nice foundation in itself for being surrounded by art. And, like lots of parents, we like hanging up the kiddie art. Ours are along the stairs heading down to the basement. Some adorn the cabinets in our kitchen. Over the years, my husband and I have picked up bits of art on vacations or from local artists…we like showcasing them around our home. Hanging in our dining room are lithograph plates with Andy Warhol’s famous daisy. We’ve also collected some pottery reminiscent of the Arts & Crafts period and blown glass pieces by Robert Fritz (we’re blessed to call him a friend). Count those with some framed black and white architectural photographs, and framed art along our entryway… creative moments are everywhere in our home.

Picture by Abby - April 2010
Relax! Do you relax to create or create to relax?
For me, it’s like two sides of the same coin. But, sometimes, if I’m writing an article with an actual deadline, it can be a little stressful, especially when crafting equipment break.
Tags: 30 days, home, home decor



















