Inexpensive Kids Hat Rack Solution

Despite the fact that my OB told me during my pregnancy that neither of my giant headed children (cruel right??) would ever be able to wear a hat, my girls LOVE hats.  And they are everywhere.  Out of desperation and a lack of expendable cash to buy anything, I found a wonderful solution.  And since the hats cover up the assembly, the materials you use can be whatever you have around.

Take a look!

MATERIALS
1-2 inch ribbon
plastic hangar clips or clothespins (from dollar store)
Needle and heavy thread


HOW TO
Measure your ribbon to the wall length you want.  Then sew a clip every 6-10 inches (Depending on the type of hats).  I just used 2 push pins at the top and bottom to attach the ribbon to the wall.  You can use the clip to hold onto the hat rim or hang the hat on the top of each clip.  THATS IT!

The Importance of Love

I am sure I have broken some sacred rule in blogging, having not posted anything in quite some time.  I have a long list of things ready to go, but felt compelled to find just the right blog to kick off the new year.  Yes, even in February.  

So here I am on Valentine Day, playing with my girls and their friends.  The husband starts to apologize for not having bought me flowers, and I realize, with all honestly, that I don't need any of that.  I have everything I need in front of me and that in itself is a celebration of love.  My happy kids, my amazing husband, and a life I am so thankful for.

So the day goes on, I start noticing a headline that catches my attention.  It is about Ellen Page coming out.  When I finally got to watch her speech, which had me teary, I found myself conflicted.  Part of me is so frustrated that this is considered "news" because I want to believe we have reached a place in humanity where the act of love and loving someone is a way of life and not something shocking.  But on the other hand, since that sadly is not the case, I want everyone to witness this beautiful woman's open acceptance of herself and celebrate it.  As a mom, I want to hug her, and apologize for the pain she has endured hiding herself from the world out of fear.  I want to make sure that my girls, whatever path they are led down, feel confident and proud of who they are and not be afraid to follow their hearts.  I want so desperately for them to live a life filled with love and to give that out to the world around them.  While I have always felt that everyone has a right to follow their own path, and my heart hurts when I see that we still have a portion of our country (and the world) that is fearful of what they consider different (regardless of the lack of impact it has on their own lives) watching her speech was a reminder to me of the immense job I have as a parent.  It is up to each of us to teach our kids how so very important the act of love is.  It isn't enough to "tolerate" but rather to wake up each morning, being so thankful you have another opportunity to experience this amazing world, and to experience love and share it with others.   Love is not easy, and can sometimes be painful, but it is so very worth it.

So that is my goal for this year, to work harder at showing my girls the importance of love and kindness, and hope that they can see the potential of where that can take you in life.  I believe it can take us all some place beautiful.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ellen-page-comes-as-gay-680563

Thanksgiving

I had so many grand plans for my Thanksgiving post.  A reflection on all the things I am so grateful for, my plans for sharing that appreciation with my kids and the lovely meal plans I was to prepare.

But instead, potty training, colds and a cat emergency consumed the last week.  So before I pass out from exhaustion and my sister's hot whiskey/honey cold killer I will leave you with the most amazingly awesome recipe I have ever found to replace the traditional turkey.

Behold!  Heaven for your mouth being hugged by a warm blanket of bacon.  I will never cook a whole turkey again.

This recipe is super easy, but be warned you need to read ALL the instructions first and get your schedule down.  Unless of coarse you want to partake in the most common of holiday traditions to announce dinner will be at 2 except, not really, you will eat at 6:30…

And my recommended changes - add more bacon, brine for only 1 hour and if you don't like a little spice, cut down on the chili pepper.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bacon-wrapped-turkey-breast-stuffed-with-pear-hash-recipe/index.html