Her Golden Birthday

Our sweet daughter turned 15 on the 15th!

She is  kind-hearted, faith loving, creative, and intelligent.

We are so blessed that God chose us to raise this beautiful soul.

Happy birthday to our sweet daughter!  We love you so much!

Dad and Mom
xoxo

Camping Gear I Love (Part 2)

Since we head out to camp so often, finding things that make the experience run smooth is really important.


This dishpan (made for RV's or boats) has  personally been one of my favorite additions.  It holds service ware for up to six.  That's plates, bowls, cups, and silverware.

I line it up to my camper sink and the water drains right into the sink from the little dishpan underneath.  I don't have to waste numerous towels to lie the dishes on after rinsing.

It stores easily in my microwave when it isn't being used.  And gosh!  I'm really impressed with how sturdy it is made, not flimsy at all.

The Camco mini dish drainer and rack is just under $9 on Amazon.

The next item is one we just used for the first time on our latest camping trip.  It is an outdoor (collapsible) trash can.

It holds a 13 gallon kitchen trash bag inside.  Check out the clips!  The clips will hold the bag in place.  I zip it up during the day to keep any ants out.  At night, we always throw the trash into the trash receptors so raccoons don't get into it.

My husband really liked having this.  Some camp grounds have trash poles that you hang your bag on, high off the ground.  Not all parks do.  We learned that in August when we were at Jamaica Beach camping.

There are many different brands on Amazon, and many are made out of different material.  I liked this heavy-duty material.  I bought the deluxe size here for $15.  Since it collapses, I can easily store it on the side of my camper refrigerator until the next trip.

Money well spent on both items :)

Happy camping!

Camping Gear I Love (Part 1)

*I am not receiving any endorsement fees for sharing.  I just like to share a good thing when I find it.*
Patty

Little Flowers Girls Club - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Persistence, and the Lotus Flower

Earlier this month, Little Flowers started back up.  I had signed up to teach September for the 5-8 year olds. 

We learned the virtue of persistence by reading, The Tortoise and The Hare, reading about St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, and studying the meaning and looking at pictures of the lotus flower.

(Photo credit: my friend Cindy)

The craft that the little girls painted, glued, and put together.  St. Elizabeth Ann Seton started the first free Catholic school in America.

The lotus flower is a great representation of persistence and resurrection.

Lastly, for a snack, I made these edible crayons!  Didn't they turn out darling? 

They are actually chocolate-covered pretzel rods! 

And folks, at this point, I have to say thank you, Jesus, for Pinterest and all the ideas I find there!  I love Pinterest :)

Patty

Camping Trip to the Piney Woods Region of TX

This was our homeschool for a couple of days this week.

We drove over to the Piney Woods region of TX,  and it did not disappoint!

On the way, we stopped off at Sulpher Springs, TX to see America's only see-thru public bathroom!

Call me crazy, but I saw this on a travel Texas video and thought if I was ever in the area, I would definitely stop to check it out.  Ha ha!

Here's inside the bathroom looking out.

Daddy was peaking in.  That silly man ;)

It's definitely a room with a view!

Just one of those random, check it out, kind of things to do.

Back on the road, we eventually pulled into the state park that (unbeknown to us), is known for some Big Foot sightings.  (Not sure if they were serious or not?!)

Our campsite was breathtaking!

We explored, fished, and even did school work (this is how we school on the road).  After a taco dinner, we headed back to the fishing pier to catch the super pink sunset :)

Day 2 consisted of egg & sausage breakfast followed by kayaking, fishing, exploring, and just be-ing!

We were only gone about 48 hours this time, but it was a peace-filled 48 hours.  I'm so grateful for the peace and quiet :)

Patty

The Oldest Child

David and I spent the Saturday (of Labor Day weekend) visiting our oldest at college.  She was really needing a set of wheels this year, so we delivered the old grocery-getter, because what college girl doesn't want one of those?! Ha ha

She and I went for lunch and did some grocery shopping, David spent some time helping her in her apartment, then we cleaned up for Mass before heading home.

She loves her new job - teacher's assistant (TA)  for her old anatomy and physiology professor.  She is doing great all around and this makes my heart happy!


Patty

Acorn Jewels

Every fall when we pull out these acorn jewels that the older kids made in 2013, Miss Clementine asks to create some as well. 

In August, I asked her godmother (who happens to live in Illinois by loads of oak trees) to mail us a box of acorns and acorn tops.

She was happy to accommodate :)

Color the tops in with marker.

Place in rice (to keep the tops steady while you fill with glue).

Patience now :)  These take about two days to dry completely and transform into beautiful acorn jewels.

(24 hours later and still wet)

These are so easy and fun to make, adding color to your autumn days!  

(I originally found the idea over on Pinterest, but the link is no longer available.)

Patty