The Amazing Race

First of all, if you don't watch the reality show "The Amazing Race" you are not going to get this post at all and I'm sorry, but I just had to post about this. 

The other day my family and I were outside doing some yardwork. My parents were pulling stuff out of our garage to go to my aunt's yard sale and my little brother and sister and I were stuck with a job much less pleasant. We have this crab apple tree in our backyard and when all of the apples had fallen off of it, it was our task to pick them up. Sounds simple enough, right? Well when the tiny apples are embedded in the wet ground and some of the grass has grown over them, it's far from simple. Anyways we were all grumbling about it when my little brother said "What if this was an 'Amazing Race' challenge (my family and I all watch every season of Amazing Race together). "Why don't we pretend that it actually is and we're doing the Roadblock? We can have pretend teammates and Dad can be Phil!" I said. My "teammate" was my friend Abbey, the blogger of Millybeans since her and I have always talked about racing together. Little sis's was her best friend, and my bro couldn't decide whether his should be Luke Skywalker or God (tough choice, huh?). I won that "leg" of the race and so I went racing in to the garage and jumped on a piece of cardboard that I was pretending was the mat (I almost went flying and slipped but my balancing skills saved me!). My dad congratulated me on coming first and announced that I had "won" a trip to Bora Bora! They (my parents) have promised to make us a real Amazing Race this summer with challenges and an actual prize!

Phil (the host)

You might be wondering why I would post about my boring old life, but I do have a purpose, just bear with me. Chores are a lot more bearable when you're having fun and you're turning them into a game. Whether you're cleaning your room and put on some music to create a dance routine while you fold and vacuum or if you make yardwork a reality TV game show (like me!) or if you sing while you work. My brother and sister and I had a lot more fun and got on a lot better when we were playing a game (though he did throw a couple of crab apples at me!). Next time you don't feel like doing chores, have fun and make it a game or a dance and see how much more enjoyable it is!

My Favorite Movies

Here's some of my favorite movies, and why they are! Hope you might be encouraged to try them!

Mirror Mirror

One of my top movies for sure! I love how it's funny without trying too much, a romance, and an all-around lovable movie. If you haven't seen it, Mirror Mirror is a twist on the classic Snow White story with some new characters and plot changes, but I think it's for the better! Snow White is played by Lily Collins, her prince by Armie Hammer, and the queen by Julia Roberts! 

Soul Surfer


















Soul Surfer is based on the true story of professional surfer Bethany Hamilton. With the great message, special effects, and gripping story, it'll keep you on your toes, and may even surprise you in the end! AnnaSophia Robb was cast as Bethany Hamilton, Helen Hunt as the mom, Dennis Quaid as the dad, and Carrie Underwood in her debut film as Sarah Hill, Bethany's youth group leader!

Secretariat

This movie is all about Secretariat, the winner of the Triple Crown in 1973. The Triple Crown is a series of three races over a couple of weeks. The races are the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. All three races must all be one by the same horse, and if they're not, then there's no winner. This is a great family movie, but if you aren't big on horses, it might not be your top choice! Penny Chenery is played by Diane Lang. 

The Princess Diaries 2: The Royal Engagement

This is my best friend and I's favorite movie that we watch every time we get together! You'll journey with Princess Mia as she struggles to become the queen of her old-fashioned kingdom, Genovia, in a modern world. You'll laugh as she tries to find a husband before it's too late and the crazy escapades that only a very special princess can go on! This movie appeals to the part in every girl that wants to be loved and treated, and just be a princess. Anne Hathaway stars as Princess Mia, and Julie Andrews as her grandmother, the queen. 

A Dolphin Tale

The heartwarming story of a dolphin and a boy. You'll laugh and cry as you watch Winter, the dolphin, adapt to life without one of her key limbs. Though it may sound boring, it's a beautiful story, one that your whole family will enjoy! Dr. Clay is played by Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd as the mom, Nathan Gamble as Sawyer, Kris Kristofferson as the grandpa, with Hazel played by Cozi Zuehlsdorff. 

There are so many other movies that I'd like to list, but these are just a few at the top of my list! I also love all of Pixar's movies, except for Brave, and the classic old Disney ones. 

Simply Girly-Girl!

Here's a new blog that one of my best friends just started! It's called Simply Girly-Girl. It's full of stuff for all you girly girls out there! I already love it, and I hope you will too! Check it out at simply-girlygirl.blogspot.com!

Simple, Do-It-In-A-Weekend Crafts

Sorry I haven't posted in so long, but I've been really busy! I put together a couple of crafts that are easy and you can finish in a weekend! I have pictures and then the name of the website to find the instructions. Hope you enjoy!

Infinity Scarves

comeonline.com

Tom's Pillow

millybeans.com

Camera Strap

youcanmakethis.com

Twist Headband

fineandfeathered.com

Colorful Frames

wanelo.com

Glitter-Coated Vases

I don't know about you, but I LOVE glitter! Now, I'm not a girly-girl, but I do love sparkles! Here's a really fun craft idea that I found on Pinterest. Hope you enjoy!

Supplies:

• Glass containers (preferably with smooth, straight sides)
• Glitter (I used Martha Stewart Crafts glitter in Wintermint and Bronze from Michaels)
• Foam brush
• Painter’s tape
• ModPodge

For the first vase I used a small cylindrical vase and using the foam brush, applied a thin and even coat of ModPodge on the interior walls of the vase. Next up, I dumped in a generous amount of glitter and rolling the vase in my hands, tapped the sides to get the glitter to evenly coat the ModPodge.

Then just let the vase dry. It takes a few hours, depending on how thick you apply the ModPodge. Any excess glitter can just be scooped up and put back in the original container for reuse. If you miss any spots on the vase, simply apply a second coat using the same technique using a thin layer of ModPodge, then applying glitter and swirling to coat.

Here's the finished product! A beautiful vase coated in
glitter and just waiting to hold some fresh flowers

I was not smart enough to come up with this. I found it on Pinterest and went to the link. Here it is: 

http://www.thesweetestoccasion.com/2012/07/diy-glitter-vases/

You can go there and find even more fun ideas to make simple thins special!

Boredom Busters!

I came up with a list of boredom busters for you. You can use these ideas any time. They're especially good for days when you're snowed in or a Saturday where you don't have anything planned. 

1. Make up a song or dance routine  to your favorite song, then dress up and video it!

Materials:

Video camera (an iPhone or an iPad with a video app would work fine too)

iPod 

Crazy dorky outfit
2. Start an embroidery project. I know, I know. It sounds really boring and old fashioned, but it's really fun! The best part is that you can do it while you're watching TV! You can embroider any design on it, or a quote. 

Materials:

Embroidery Hoop (you can find one at any craft store)

Small square of fabric in any pattern

A design that you can either iron-on or trace on (again, both can be found at any craft store)

Thread

Embroidery Needle (no different than a regular hand-sewing needle except that it's usually thicker and has a duller tip)

3. If your mom is anything like my mom, she probably gets a lot of design magazines and catalogs, like HGTV, Better Homes and Gardens, Coastal Living, Ballard Designs, and Potterybarn to name a few. Anyways, find all of the magazines like that you have lying around the house. Ask your mom if she's done reading them so you don't get in trouble later on. Cut out all of the furniture or entire rooms in it that you like, then glue them onto a sheet of paper. Now you've got your dream house. You can arrange things by room or something, or just have a giant collage!

Materials:

Old Magazines (that your mom is TOTALLY done with)

Paper

Glue or Tape

Scissors

A Sense of Style

4. Making a list of what your dream life would look like. 

Here's mine:

• Married to my crush
• Living on a horse farm in the country
• Beautiful colonial or craftsman
• 2 dogs: a Golden Retriever and a Poodle
• 2 cats: an Egyptian and a Calico (One's really thin and the other's fat so they balance each other out!)
• 5 kids, some of them adopted, named Pearl, Audrey, Jeanne, Ben, and Sam
• Being a stay-at-home-Mom
• Blogging
• Owning and running an online interior designer business
• House will have 4 bedrooms, living room, kitchen, family room, home office, 3 bathrooms, and a craft room

Materials:

Paper

Pen

An Idea of What You Want To Do With Your Life

5. Think of one of your favorite movies. Now, write down all of the characters in it. Even down to the little parts. Now give all of the people, say, at your school, a part. I took everyone from "The Hunger Games," like Katniss, Peeta, Gale, Haymitch, Effie, and Cinna. Then I gave parts out to people I knew. It was so much fun! But maybe it's just me. I do like something interesting. 

Materials:

Pen

Paper

Favorite Movie (that has a lot of parts)

An imagination