Homemade Ornaments – Glittery Acorns

December 15, 2014December 24, 2014Leave a comment

After several nature walks early this fall Aaron and I had amassed quite a collection of acorns. I wasn’t sure what we were going to do with them so they say for a while.

And as so many things happen these days, I was in Pinterest and saw the cutest decorations made out of them and had to copy them.

Tools needed for acorn ornaments:
-lots of acorns with the tops (cupule) and branch stem attached
– Krazy glue
– Glitter in colors of your choosing
– Parchment paper
– Baking twine or packing string( the more thin the better)
– Small bowl or cup

Step 1: Make sure all acorn tops are attached. Wiggle them a bit to test. If any pop off reattach with Krazy glue.
Step 2: Cut string into three inch length pieces. One for each acorn. Tie the string around the stem and knot it twice. Bring the two halves of string together and knot it at the ends creating a loop to hang on tree branch or to attach to ornament hook.
Step 3: Fill bowl or cup with glitter.
Step 4: Lay large sheet of parchment paper on table next to bowl of glitter.
Step 5: Holding the acorn by the twine cover the nut entirely with Krazy glue. Dip glue covered nut into glitter. Completely cover in glitter. Lay on parchment paper to dry.
Step 6: Repeat steps until all acorns are covered.

This is not a craft for the wee kids as the glue can get messy in less mature hands, but older children will love it.

Happy decorating!

What We Are Reading – December 9th

December 9, 2014January 3, 2015Leave a comment

This installment of What We Are Reading is comic focused, surprise!!! You know the Pinkelton household likes to read comics and my book pics for this week are all graphically driven. Here goes…..

Tiny Titans Sidekickin’ It by Art Balthazar Franco

Aaron has his face in this series as usual and requests we read him a few of the stories every night before bedtime. The books reference characters who grow up to become real adult heroes and villains. A few of these good and bad guys are unfamiliar to me which means that after he goes to sleep I have to reference…

The DC Comics Encyclopedia

Yes this book does exist and yes it does rock. We also have the Marvel version this and both of them are read for fun and as reference guides. You must have them on hand if your kid or you are into the comic world.

Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud

In catching up on my Girl on Guy podcast listening, Aisha Tyler and her guest Scott Gimple of the Walking Dead spoke of this book. It gets deep into the history, meaning, and art behind of of my favorite forms of literature. I have a few weeks off for the holiday and hope to get this one read by the new year.

What are you guys reading this holiday season?

My Greatest Mistake

November 30, 2014December 17, 2014Leave a comment

After trying to make a Bourbon Apple Pie for thanksgiving and forgetting to buy a crust, and getting phyllo instead of puff pastry dough for the top, I was pretty pissed. I had already begun the preparation of the filling, was halfway through a beer, and was not going back to the store. After explaining the apple (no pie) a la mode dessert possibility to my husband, his response, ” Just serve the filling alongside the ice cream.” That’s why I married him folks!

For all of you who want something yummy and easy here is the recipe.

Two cans of apple pie filling(spiced or not spiced)

One tablespoon fresh ground cinnamon

1/2 cup brown sugar

One tablespoon All Spice

1/4 cup Jim Beam Bourbon

1/4 cup Apple Jack or Apple Brandy

One teaspoon of vanilla extract

Throw it all in a bowl and bake it at 350 for 20 minutes. Serve over ice-cream.

Enjoy!

Let’s Shop for Little Boys

November 27, 2014December 9, 2014Leave a comment

Here are a few gift ideas for little boys in your world. Need to buy a gift this season and have no kids yourself? Or do you have only girls in your home and have no clue what little boys like? Here are a few of our son’s favorites…

Batman, Robin and the Batcave by Imaginex

This Batcave playset by Imaginext is at the top of our son’s Christmas list. The action figures are easy for small hands to hold and the multiple feature playscape is perfect for hours of crime fighting play.

Under the Sea Connectagons by Hearth Song

If you are looking for things to build their love of building, look to the Hearth Song website for this Under the Sea Connectagons set. The disks stack onto one another to create endless adventures with coral, plants, sea turtles, seahorses and other ocean life.

Lego Juniors construction site playset

We are moving up from Duplo to Lego Juniors this Christmas with sets form the Lego Juniors collection. These sets come with pre-built elements to make your child’s introduction to standard sized Lego pieces easier. Created for kids ages 4-7 these Juniors building sets come in construction site, pony farm, Batman and other themes.

Need more ideas?

Looking for gifts for budding musicians? This Rainbow Learning Guitar or the Giant Floor Piano are sure winners.

Shopping for artists? Try the The Lil’ Davinci Art Frames or the My Space Art Portfolio.

If you must buy clothing try this Batman Beanie or this I’m Batman tee (notice the B-man love); both from Gap Kids.

Happy shopping!!!!!