Try It Tuesday: Boogie Wipes Teacher Appreciation Gift

I can't believe how fast summer has gone by and tomorrow I am going to my son's preschool orientation and Wednesday we have our Education Celebration Open House at the school for both kids for them to being in their school supplies, meet with their teachers, find their lockers, get signed up for the bus, put money in their lunch accounts and all sorts of other little things to get them ready for their first day of the school year next Tuesday.

As as Saline Ambassador for Boogie Wipes, Kandoo Products, and Puffs Fresh Faces, I am given free product to pass out and share and the large canisters of 90 Boogie Wipes are perfect for sharing in the classroom. 

I made up this label above that you can print off and use yourself and give your kids teachers, daycare providers or other hard working people a neat little gift. I just printed them off on paper, cut out and used double sided tape to adhere them tot he top. And just tied a little raffia around to make it seem more like a present. My kids will be presenting their teachers with these canisters on Wednesday.

Make It Monday - Simple Microwave Blueberry Oatmeal

 You can eat clean and have a hot meal very quickly. Old fashioned oatmeal can be made in the microwave and will save you time in the morning but still provide you with a nutritious breakfast.

Simple Microwave Blueberry Oatmeal
1/2 C old fashioned oatmeal
1 C unsweetened almond milk (or unsweetened coconut milk or skin milk or water)
1/4 C fresh blueberries
1 packet stevia

Directions: Combine all ingredients and stir together. Microwave on high for 1 1/2 minutes. Remove and stir oatmeal then return to the microwave and cook fro 1 1/2 minutes longer.

Pottery Time: My Favorite Style of Bowl/Dish

This is my favorite style of bowl to make with slab rolling and hand building. I just like the fluidness of the ripples on the edge. My last post about bowls and dishes I had a couple with the same type of edges.

To make this I slab rolled by clay out then went over the piece with a rolling texturing tool. Next I cut out a circle using a template I created on newspaper. Finally, using a bowl mold I shaped the edges in the wavy pattern you see above.

This bowl I made to hold jewelry (or whatever) for one of my friends that I gave a pottery and bead necklace to that coordinates with this bowl.

Be sure to check out my other posts about pottery pieces I have created.

Thrifty Thursday: FREE Character Appearance at Nickelodeon Universe

Nickelodeon Universe is located within the Mall of America and is an Amusement Park of fun rides and characters. And while it does cost money to go on any of the rides at Nickelodeon Universe (read my Toddler Tuesday post about discount tickets), meeting the characters is FREE! They do take your picture and hand you a little piece of paper to go buy the pictures they took, but you can take your own pictures. Be sure to check out the Nickelodeon Universe website for the schedule of character appearances to be sure you know who is available to meet at what time/day. During the summer and school breaks there are daily (many times a day) character appearances, but during the school year it is often only on weekends and sometimes on Toddler Tuesday.

Wordless Wednesday: Hiking in Kaplan's Woods

Try It Tuesday: Reclaimed Wood Name Sign

So, we bought this little rustic cabin recently and are working making it our own. We wanted to keep the rustic charm of it, but make it look more rustic intentionally through decor and some updates. This is one of those projects, which was simple to do.

This project was a no-cost one. I used some reclaimed lumber that was left behind in our garage from the previous owners, sticks from out yard and a rock (apostrophe) and acorn cap (dot over the i) that I found in our yard, and some twine and hot glue purchased for other projects that was leftover.

I just cut the wood to the size we wanted and cleaned it up. I left the paint on the wood the way it was so that it helped add to the rustic quality of it. Then I just drilled holes in the top so I could tie my twine through and laid out my twigs to spell out the words and then hot glued them in to place.

Below you can see the picture of the sign as it hangs on our little rustic cabin. I wasn't there when my husband went up to work on adding some new windows and siding and trim (these were all added new to make it look more cabin-y) and hung it at that time. I have not seen it yet, but soon. He says everything looks even better in person.

Make It Monday: Crock Pot Clean Eating Asparagus Soup

Crock Pot Clean Eating Asparagus Soup
1 1/2 pounds of steamed asparagus
2 med. potatoes, cubed
1 small onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 C chicken broth
plain greek yogurt, optional
chives, optional

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients in a 3Qt. Slow Cooker
• Cook on Low for 5-6 hours or High for 3-4 hours
• Using an immersion blend, blend until smooth. If blending in a blender, add ingredients slowly, only about 1 cup at a time
• Top with a dollop of plain greek yogurt and chives if desired
• Enjoy!