Marvel Cave & More Boy Funnies

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I have a great “funny” to share from our trip to Branson, Missouri. As we entered the wonderful Marvel Cave (true to its name), my very perceptive 7 year old son, Gabe, said “We’re in Mother Nature’s nostril!”

Also, when we arrived at the gates and I made everyone use the restroom, Jack came running out after he was finished declaring, “Wahoo! I partied in the man cave!” I never knew using the restroom could be so fun. I must be missing something (and we all know exactly what THAT is — the same missing item that puts me at a grave disadvantage while camping). Gotta love boys!

I Heart Danish Design

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It began when my glamorous older sister married a man from Denmark. And he came with the coolest gadgets and sense of aesthetic. Not anesthetic – aesthetic (look it up). Then I had to go and marry a Norwegian of my own and any resistance was lost. I heart Danish design. I’m not such a modernist but I love the classic, older stuff as well as some of the new items. I love to go to the Danish Edge and click on crafts and browse through some of the artists’ creations (love the swirl light and the chair above). Just don’t search for the vaginal mirror (that particular artist actually excels in ceramics). I told you not to do it!

Cowboys & Cowgirls – New Dwell Collection

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Love most things Dwell. Dwell for Target, Dwell at Design Public. I love the dots. I love the animals. I love, love, love this cowboy collection…and even more because they have a pink version. Not that I’ll be buying that one for any of my boys, but… Check it out at Design Public.

The Stendig Calendar

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I’m not sure why I like it so much – it reminds me of the decades-old-default-calendars in Corel Draw (way back to versions 4 & 5!) that I used to make for meal calendars back when I was newly married but even those had room for writing in a meal plan! Everything you always wanted to know (or not) about the famous Stendig Calendar. Classic design. Reasonably priced, too, for a classic. Although, you can’t really write the family schedule on this now, can you? If you can, I’d like to see it! Much more appropriate for display purposes.

Jack, Oreos & Star Wars

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Don took the kids to see Star Wars: Clone Wars and when they got home, I told them they could have sandwich cookies and milk for a snack. They weren’t “real” Oreos but the store brand duplex kind with vanilla on one side and chocolate on the other. Jack started digging in and while only eating the chocolate sides, he excitedly proclaimed, “I only like the Dark Side!” Don and I could not stop laughing. He is a huge Darth Vader fan. Yikes!

Pretty Washcloth Knitting!

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In case you don’t have a grandma to knit these for you, these are so much fun and work great in the kitchen! What a pretty one for fall. Download the free pdf pattern here. Enjoy!

Shopping Cart Sleeping

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Guess we were keeping Ben from his nap! My sister, LeAnne, has started calling him the Benjinator and we think it fits…except when he’s sleeping, of course (then they’re perfect little angels, huh!!). I was just lucky to have the camera with me!

Raw Milk from Branched Oak Farm

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Lovely little farm. I drove quite a ways on dirt roads this morning to outside of Lincoln to find it. Legally they cannot advertise their sale of raw milk in traditional ways but I’m assuming it’s okay to critique the milk we just bought from them on our blog — it’s like drinking the best ice cream you’ve ever had. I have been reading up on milk issues (pro and con) for awhile now and have always wanted to try raw milk. We are loving it. This particular little farm has grass fed jersey cows and the milk is organic and not destined for big milk producers. Very clean, very good milk. If you want more information on raw milk, please visit realmilk.org. Yes, yes, we have read the warnings and studied up on the subject. I certainly wouldn’t get raw milk from a farm producing for a big dairy but I have to say, we absolutely love this milk! I picked up some kefir starter (my kids love this!) and grass fed beef there, too, this morning so I’ll have to let you know how it is later but I’m hoping spectacular.

Cute Fall Porch Decor

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I like pumpkins on my porch but this is even cuter. Found it here. They have other vegetables with other styles (some on clearance for $4.88 – check out the zucchini dog). Love it. I probably won’t buy any until we’re moved but still wanted to share.

First Day of School!

First day of school. First day of all day Kindergarten for Jack [sniff, sniff]. He did not seem concerned at all and was chomping at the bit to get there (thank you, preschool!). The house is much too quiet. Even with Don home from work on vacation! Having said that, I think I could get used to this…

Silver Dollar City

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We skipped out of town on a last minute vacation to Branson, Missouri. What a fun filled place for families! We spent two entire days at Silver Dollar City and my kids now claim it’s their favorite amusement park. Granted their only other theme park experiences include Adventureland in Des Moines, Noah’s Ark Waterpark in the Wisconsin Dells and Worlds of Fun in Kansas City. Two fun-filled days and the driving wasn’t bad, either. Don and I ate at a restaurant that we would drive out of the way for again called Lambert’s. There are only three in the U.S. You must find them. Soon. Worth every mile. They throw the rolls at you and walk around with huge vats of fried okra (surprisingly fabulous) and potatoes and onions and the like and heap things on your plate while you’re eating. If I ranked my vacations by eating establishments, this would rank tops! Perhaps a tie with the German restaurant we ate at in Hill City, South Dakota. Food is such an important part of my life. I must exercise a whole lot this week!

UK Pub: Photoshop Creative

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Field trip to Barnes & Noble last night. Always dangerous, pocketbook-wise. The kids each got to choose a book and I walked out with two issues of a British pub: Photoshop Creative. Very nice! At $15 each, not cheap but great content. I was looking for ideas for a catalog cover on my plate this week. I don’t scrap but, oddly enough, found some of the best cover from the latest issue of Digital Scrapbooking magazine. Who knew? Fun stuff!

Grosgrain: Girl’s Giveaway Blog! (sew cute!)

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I don’t have any girls but I would remiss if I didn’t pass along the latest find I have seen recently: a blog where the creator gives away the things she makes. And it’s all good. Check it out here and have fun! Hope one of my friends wins something…and if I ever do have a girl (not that one is in the works), I will expect hand-me-downs from these same friends that are going to click there. Yes, that means you.

What I Designed Today: Family Silhouettes

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I couldn’t get rid of these black frames (new in package) at my garage sale. I had to do something with them and we got a new black bed for our bedroom to help “stage” the home so I pulled them out and in an hour I forced each kid to stand sideways against the wall and take a digital picture, blacked it in and printed them with a great quote. Cheap, easy (two of my favorite words)…and I love it!

House for Sale!

Our address is 21201 Schofield Drive in Gretna, NE! It’s taken us over 2 months to just clear out the kids’ toys and make very minor cosmetic changes to get the house ready to sell. It’s fairly new and in great shape and should look like new again when we list it this week. Wish us luck. Pray for us. It’s a tough market but we’re confident and trying to be faithful. If we’re meant to move, it will sell. If not, we’ll hang around and roll with the punches. My only question is: how come before you move you get everything just the way you want it? New kitchen sink and pull-out spray faucet, new wood laminate floors in the upstairs bathrooms, garage and basement cleaned out and organized, stained the deck, new paint upstairs throughout, new carpet. Sounds great, huh!