Saturday Happenings.....

 

Pottery Painting....Friday Fun Day

 

Mardi Gras Crew Jois de Vivre 2016

Fairy Girl was crowned the princess for this year!

what do you think of the royal thrones?  We arrived to catch the tail end of the parade; you know, because we were biking...and then one of the males in our family had to shower...and groom ....men.  This is the King and Queen of 2015; their titles are handed over later in the evening to their successors.


we present to you, the royal court of 2016!

King Cupcakes...YUMMY!  none of my clan found the baby:


Our gracious hosts!


The princess of 2016, bids you farewell

biking the Lowcountry

we biked 18 miles round trip...and earned our dinner:)



this photo....I have to be very honest....my kiddos HATE when I take their pictures...and you know, with smart phones, it's easy and it's often...but these genuinely, happy and beautiful smiles....biscotti...and dinner bribes:)...Hey, whatever works!  I have NO shame in capturing those moments, real or perceived;)

Today we had another most wonderful picnic...

this time at Jarvis Creek. Then we took a nice hike around the creek, followed by a spending spree at Barnes and Noble (several books for our homeschool shelf)! Perfect girls' day out!
If that wasn't perfect enough, we took advantage of Panera's online rapid ordering. When I arrived, I noticed our order was not on the shelf, so I knew that meant they were out of something. They were out of Angel Girl's pasta, and our iced green teas. We just chose other items, no biggie to us. But the manager was SO nice, he tossed in Angel Girl's soup for free, the drinks for free, extra baguettes and free pastries. We got $30 worth for about $11! (Another soup was free from earning one).
Abundance arrives in fun ways when you're open to receiving it! Grateful 

I was asked to do one of those seven day nature photo post challenges on Facebook...

which is kind of funny to me, because anybody who knows me knows the challenge for me would be, "seriously, just one????"....so, in keeping with the spirit of this particular challenge, I cleverly narrowed it down to just one per day :D  Here are the seven photos I posted:

beautiful day for a picnic on the pier

Lowcountry Wind Symphony presents: Concert Classics

January 31, 2016 performance at St. John's Lutheran on Lady's Island

 

  

me: on the way to my gig:)

 

 

post concert gathering:

Happy 12th Birthday Little Angel!

There was shopping, and Starbucks:

(no, she did NOT have coffee:)

we dined!

and then there was cake!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful girl...I can't believe she'll be a teenager next year!
We love you!

bowling for Angel Girl's bday....photo with Grandma and Grandpa

new creations hit the shop today!

www.etsy.com/shop/DFInspirations

from toddler to twelve (almost...I have two more days of 11 with my little angel:)

scenes from my birthday:

it was a great two days...and there were two cakes...you know, because my husband and mom did not communicate with one-another.....SCORE!

Coconut Chai Latte

PREVIOUSNEXT

Rachel Morrow (The Food Matters Team) 

http://foodmatters.tv/content/homemade-coconut-chai-latte

CHAI SPICE INGREDIENTS 

• 4 tsp ground cinnamon 
• 2 tsp ground ginger 
• 1 tsp ground cloves 
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg 
• pinch of black pepper 

METHOD 

1. Mix this spice blend together and store in a small jar. 

CHAI LATTE INGREDIENTS (Serves 2) 

• 2 tsp of your homemade chai spice blend 
• 1 cinnamon quill 
• 2 star anise 
• 4-6 cardamon pods 
• 2 cups coconut milk 
• Honey to sweeten (optional) 

METHOD 

1. Add all chai latte ingredients to a small pot over medium heat, bring to a simmer and lower heat. 
2. Simmer for 5 minutes then strain out spices. 
3. If you want to create a beautiful frothy latte, give your chia milk a quick buzz in the blender or with a blending stick. 
4. Enjoy immediately! 

in which daddy joins us for our girls' day out

Homeschooling Piper

Did you know that we always pull an ottoman up for Piper when we sit at the table to do school? Math is his favorite subject:

MADD (not Mother's against drunk driving...although I can't think of too many who are for it:)

Yesterday...went to Michael's....no kiddos....I think I was there for about three hours. I also think I might have a condition....I shall call it "Michael's Attention Deficit Disorder." I'm quite certain it's already a thing, just may not have been named previously.
Basically, I went in, not to buy, but just to look around, observe, learn, get inspired for a new and cool idea I have for my shop. I did accomplish that; made zero purchases towards that idea.
But somehow I found this nautical canvas ribbon. I knew I had to have it. And then I knew I had to create a nautical wreath for our front door....because you know....boating.

Then I saw these amazing large distressed letters of the alphabet. I think I walked around the store with them for two hours. I didn't buy them.
Then I found some smaller, colorful letters....I chose: S-E-A (that spells "sea," because you know...embracing our coastal life-style)
Then I knew I had to create a wall hanging for the downstairs bathroom...which still has primer on. We never finished painting it....it's been over a year. I'm happy with the bright white primer...it used to be a dank maroon in a small, enclosed space .... It kind of freaked my girls out...the white is good....anyway, I started wandering the store aimlessly trying to figure out what to do with those letters. And then I found a gorgeous ocean blue distressed frame...but not for that bathroom. Soon went back for more letters ... S-E-A...again ...and craft paper ....and, and, and..$100 later (after my teacher discount)....I have a bag full of cool burlaps and glitters and things.
So I'm sure y'all agree now, that if anybody has Michael's Attention Deficit Disorder...I do. I'm also willing to bet a few of my friends do too!
And if you're still reading this long-drawn-out post, you're more crazy than I am. 😜
The end!
(Finally:)
I created these last night: