Marvelous Monday: Hope

Hope.

Grief.

I know the words "Marvelous" (as in Marv. Monday) and "Grief" are oxymorons but bare with me....

There is a real family...



that lost this sweet, handsome, cooooool son, brother, grandson, cuz, brother-in-law.

As you can imagine...shock, sadness, anger, loneliness, fear, all the emotions that accompany grief followed suit. However, there was never a loss of hope.

Soon following, this family invested in a form of therapy~a faithful steed. It quickly became not just any steed but their youngest daughter's loving companion and bestest friend. The Lord used this animal to bring smiles to many a sad and gray day.

Sadly, this sweet boy had to be put to rest yesterday. Even thought it's an animal instead of a person~once again, the same family. The same emotional roller coaster of loss. Still~no loss of hope. This 17 year old girl's Facebook status the night of her loss was this:

today.... I not only lost a friend, but i lost the best companion and horse a girl could ever have. his death will not go without tears but i am here to say that even though through all this rain and thunder, the Lord is still shining His light through the storm.



Why am I telling you all of this? Well, it so happens that the real mother and real father of that real family...

...just wrote a real book on the topic of loss and hope in the midst of it. Interestingly enough, this book was hot the press within the last couple of weeks. Note: as you can see, it's not just a book of enticing stories and shallow antecdotes. Their real story and their real words have been put to the test.

Perhaps you don't feel like the topic applies to you. Perhaps you just know someone facing it at a distance. Loss may happen to "other people" for a time. But one day, you'll be faced with the same range of real emotions and the real choice of where you will turn. What's Marvelous about this Monday is you too can have real hope.

Here's what real people just like you and me are saying about the book:

"It's beautifully written. I gained a lot of insight into the nuances of grief. The book shows that we all need to keep working on how we relate to those who are grieving and what we, the grieving, can or should expect from those around us--...difficult waters there...From my point of view, the book's biggest strength is the HUMANITY Glenda and Preston expressed in it..."

"I got the book today at Family Christian Book Store and I am so excited about reading it! I have already read a couple of chapters and I can so relate to your feelings of grief...you really don't know what grief is until you have personally experienced it. It's a little tough reading it...reminds me of those first few months after I lost my son..."

"Thank you so much for the book. It has been a blessing!"

"I recieved my copy yeterday and can't put it down."

[Shameless plug] If you'd like to check out Finding Hope in Times of Grief for yourself or even as a gift, click here for the book or here for Kindle OR to join in the action, you can come take part in the Facebook group here.

The Timberland Story by Tim Sanders

Free-for-all Friday: Craft time

On Monday, I posted some birthday tips I recently learned and am tucking away in my memory for future celebrations. Donna told me I should post the cupcake craft from the party. It was really easy and you could probably adapt it in some way for any occasion.

Here is what you need:

Any size terra cotta pot and water dish



I got the idea from a Christmas craft my daughter brought home from preschool~a candy cane jar (see... it really is a versatile craft). Hats off to her teachers who were brave enough to let a class of 10 three year olds get into paints!

And here, you have the cupcake pot!



If you are brave like the preschool teachers, you can have the little guests paint their own pots. This time, my sister and I went ahead and painted the mini-pots in the party colors for the girls and boys and glued the "cherries" on top.  Note: in the candy cane pot above, painted wooden knobs were glued on top to serve as a knob to pull the top off. We just used pink and red fuzzy balls and they serve the purpose fine.

Initially, I was going to do bigger terra cotta pots and dishes but I'm glad I ended up choosing the mini ones b/c the fit in a cupcake stand (kinda~if you didn't breathe on them~ha!) and made a nice centerpiece before and after craft time...toppled over and all...wish I'd gotten a pic before the topple.

Sooooo...for the craft, the kids decorated their "cupcakes" w/ stickers, glitter glue and beads. The glitter glue proved me juuuust brave enough for our cute little crowd (ranging from age 2 to 6). :) My fav line as I saw the red glitter glue covered all over one cupcake was, "Look! I made a chocolate cupcake!" Priceless. My other fav line was "When do we get to eat a REAL cupckake?" Again, priceless.

The munchkins were precious as they so diligently decorated their cupcakes. I've never seen eight children so still and quiet so I'd say the cupcake craft was a success!

Let us know if you use this in any shape or fashion for your next celebration so we can join in the fun!

Love,
Hannah

Book Review and Giveaway

The Life Ready Woman by Shaunti Feldhahn and Robert Lewis

Are you a ‘Doing it all’ or ‘Do what matters’ woman?

Whether a stay at home; or working mom, an airplane-hopping executive, an empty-nester caring for multiple generations or a single juggling high demands of career and personal life, today's fast-paced modern world leaves women gasping for balance. We as modern Christian women want to look to the Bible for guidance on how to manage our lives -- but because the world of women looks so different today than it did when the Bible was written, it is hard to find chapter and verse that seems to apply to our situation today.

Thankfully, God has given us exactly that timeless, unchanging guidance for how to find peace, clarity, and God's best for our lives once we know where to look! The Life Ready Woman: Thriving in a Do-It-All World, reveals a profound biblical roadmap for how each of us can find the abundant life we are longing for, rather than the stressful, torn, how-do-I-balance-it-all life we often feel like we are trying to keep up with today. Actually being a LifeReady Woman means that you are clear about your life, bold in your faith, and able to find God’s best for you, and the end result will be that you not only survive but thrive in our do-it-all world.

My Personal Review:

This book is a must read by all women no matter what stage of life. One of my favorite parts of the book is found on page 142 "A choice for one thing is a choice against another". Life is full of situations and opportunities. There is valuable insight and life guidance tips; no matter if you are spending your daylight hours with a newborn at home or as a top executive  This book provides thought provoking questions and things to consider no matter your season of life and how to live each day to the fullest as you carry out your calling. The subtitle of Thriving in a Do-It-All-World snagged me. It doesn't say; thriving and doing it all. The honesty this books conveys about how our choices impact not only the present, but future seasons of our life is insightful while also being sensitive to each of our individual situations and callings.

I believe you will find this book not only insightful, but impactful not only today, but as you continue on your journey as a woman.  I am thrilled that the publisher has provided a new copy of this book for me to giveaway on my blog. If you would like to be entered in a drawing for your own copy of the book please leave a comment with your name and email here. The winner will be drawn on Friday, February 26th and notified by email and also posted on my blog.

Love,
Caroline (aka Happy Four)

Train Up Tuesday: Heart Awareness

You may already know that February is American Heart Awareness Month. I've caught news blurbs and such on the morning shows reminding us of signs of heart disease. It's very serious stuff.

I thought I would bring our attention to that "other" heart that we should be even more attentive to. In the last several months, I'm sure as a parent your heart has been broken as you've no doubt seen coverage of the perils and mistakes made by young starlets (like Lindsay Lohan and Miley Cyrus). Their stories open the door for conversations and media stories regarding the parental care (or lack thereof) and the advice these young people were given as they were growing up before the world. I imagine that at some point they were given that bit of "advice" that I always cringe to hear - "just follow your heart." It always sounds good and poetic but it always seems to lead to the wrong paths. Why is that?

Well, to get to the "heart" of the matter, Jeremiah 17:9 tells us that the "heart is deceitful above all things" and some versions go on to say it is "desperately wicked" or "sick" or "beyond cure" "who can know it?".

If the heart is deceitful, it will trick our minds and spirits into doing what isn't right or best for us and certainly not what brings glory to God. Only God can search out the heart, steer the heart and "establish the steps of a righteous man." (Psalm 37:23) It isn't simply a matter of maturity and being old enough to know what one should do.

How can we avoid just "following our heart" and giving better advice to our children? Get them grounded in God's Word and teach them to communicate regularly with the One who made them, who has a divine plan for them, who loves them unlike anyone else can, who wrote a "Love Letter" to them to guide them and sent a Comforter to lead them.

Teach them to "guard their heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." (Psalm 4:23) And since it is the wellspring of life, we need to make sure it is filled with things that we can trust to make us more surefooted.

Parenting - it's a tough task and not for the faint of heart, but God can give us everything we need to give our children all they need to follow the heart of God rather than just following their own hearts.

Much love,
Ashlie

Marvelous Monday: Birthdays Tidbits

It seems springtime is birthdays galore and believe it or not, I don't think we've had many posts about birthdays on RWAV. This past weekend, we celebrated our twins' FIRST birthday. We wanted to celebrate the day they were born, one year of survival as parents of multiples and also make it special for our oldest daughter who has been very patient with us--all while keeping the cost down and "getting the biggest bang for our buck."

Planning a small party for twins was a little different than my planning for one especially since we are blessed to make sure both genders are duly represented. :) Since our twins were born on Valentine's Day and we LOVE cupcakes, we decided to go along with the cupcake theme b/c cupcakes seem to incorporate Valentines and birthdays.

I'm sure many of you ladies have planned flawless birthday parties that would WOW me big time and how I'd love your tips! I'm only entering my fourth year of birthday party planning experience so this newby is still learning. I thought I'd share the lessons I took away from this celebration just in case it will benefit your future birthday celebrations.

• ALWAYS, always, always order your cakes to be picked up one FULL day (maybe even a day and a half) before the party to leave room for error and repair time! Trust me on this one. Our Karen can attest to this as well. I learned from her a long time ago (click here for a gooood laugh) and she was wiiiiiise beyond her years!
• If you live in the region where Harris Teeter's are located, they provide you with a custom 6 inch "patty cake" (aka smash cake) for your child's first birthday. They even provided one for each of the twins making two free patty cakes. Bless them. If you don't live near HT, it never hurts to ask the bakery at your fav grocery store.
• A couple of my friends are wonderfully impressive cake bakers (cough, cough...Donna) and amaze me with their ease of creating amazing cakes for special occassions. This would not be a strength of mine or something that comes easily (how I wish). In fact, it completely stresses me out. Therefore, I have become a big fan of the ole cupcake cake which looks like a cake but is really cupcakes underneath. For this birthday, we were even able to do a cupcake shaped cupcake cake. The stripes on the bottom were vanilla and the white part up top were chocolate cupcakes.
• VistaPrint is your BFF (best friend forever)-invitations, banners, magnet party favors. In case I've never mentioned it (ha!), I big fat heart VistaPrint! Just be sure to order at least 21 days prior so you can pay the cheaper shipping.
• The heart wreath craft is my other new BFF. Any future occassion=heart wreath craft will be implemented in some shape or fashion. Here is how I milked it for all it was worth for the cupcake birthday. Can't beat a CUTE and inexpensive decoration!

• Having a "candy bar" really makes a great party favor and it just looks soooooo happy sitting there with all of it's colors (special thanks to Dolly for this idea). It was a not only a hit with the kids but adults, too. I might also want to do this for every occassion. Matter of fact, it's still up and I wish people would start scooping away b/c we have candy coming out the wazooooo. Oh....and don't include little things of sprinkles for the children to take home b/c they WILLLLLL get the lid off and it WILLLLL make a mess in their paren't car if not before.

• Have someone assigned to the simple task of taking pictures for you b/c you will be busy and most likely will not. We were blessed to have a sweet girl do this for us. However, all of the above pictures happen to be from my IPhone for some reason.
• Set up as much as you can the day before so you can enjoy "the day of" with the most important reason for the party--your children.
• Be sure you and your hubs (or helpers) kinda talk over a "flow" for how you envision the party going. This way everyone is on the same page and you can each make sure things keep moving despite the excitement. This will also help keep your guests from standing around with awkward quiet moments and forced to say dumb things like "soooooo....how bout those Panthers?" :)
• Just know that probably one or two things most likely will go wrong or just not meet your expectations. Go ahead and decide you are just going to be OK with it. When it happens, rollllll with it, baby. Shake it off. It won't matter by the next birthday party and if nothing else, it will make a funny memory.
• Take a deeep breath and ENJOY celebrating. It is a gift from the Lord!

Now, I've been trying to twist Donna's arm to share some of her amazing cake creations for those of you that are cakemakers and would enjoy the ideas. :) She's humble and doesn't like to brag so maybe ya'll can help me out. Also, we'd love to hear some of your traditions or helpful celebration tips. Do Share. We'd especially love to hear some of your favorite party themes and ideas. I love how we can learn from each other!

Love,

Hannah

Formula for Orphans in Haiti: Can You Help?

Here in Atlanta, it's hard to imagine what everyday life must be like in Haiti. From the moment my eyes open in the morning to the time they finally close at the end of the day (or, a lot of the time, after the start of the NEXT day--LOL!), things are very busy. From changing diapers to cleaning up applesauce spills to doing carpool to a nighttime run to Target for milk ... the hours are filled with plenty to do--and all with the conveniences and luxuries of a ready supply of diapers ... clean water to wipe up messes ... a car that runs ... and several nearby stores with plenty of milk to go around. Indeed, we are blessed and thankful.

But not so far away, there are children living not only without these luxuries, but also without parents ... or parents who are able to provide for them. These children are living in orphanages in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere--and they need our help.

I hope that, in my busyness, the needs of others are never far from my thoughts. 

Haiti has been on my mind a lot since the big earthquake of January 2010. I was so glad to learn that our 2010 Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes went to Haiti. (In fact, some of my friends and former colleagues at Samaritan's Purse have been distributing gift-filled shoe boxes there the last couple of weeks.)

Last month, a friend and fellow adoptive parent, Jason Young, traveled to Haiti with a footwear ministry called Soles4Souls. While he was there, he had the opportunity to visit an orphanage called Maison des Enfants de Dieu. You can read more about the orphanage, which is home to some 70 children, here--but please allow me to share a brief excerpt: "Each month, due to limited space and financial ability, the orphanage turns away over 80 children whose parents stand in line for sometimes hours to bring their children in because they can not afford to care for them."

I cannot imagine.

Jason was very moved by his visit to the orphanage and wanted to do something to help. So he contacted the orphanage director, who told him that one of the biggest needs is formula for infants. He has committed to collecting 1,000 bottles of formula for the babies at Maison des Enfants de Dieu. By March 16. (That's less than a month away from now!) He plans to personally deliver the formula to the orphanage in April.

How can you help? I am glad you asked!

Option 1: Donate formula by dropping it off at or mailing it to:
2300 Holcomb Bridge Rd
Ste 103-C5
Roswell, GA 30076

(One idea: You could even order formula on Amazon and have it shipped directly to the address above.)

Important Details:

• No glass, please. These could break when being transported.
• Similac or Infamil is acceptable. FYI: The babies there spit up less when using Similac.
• Ready-made, concentrate, and powder formula is acceptable. FYI: Ready-made and concentrate are preferred since the water there is not always safe and bottled water is limited.

Option 2: Donate any amount of money here. We will then buy formula at a bulk price.
100 percent of what you give will go toward this immediate NEED. Any amount is greatly appreciated.

You also can send me (Karen) your formula checks, and I can go buy formula with them or get them to Jason. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions--and feel free to spread the word as well! Thank you so much for your help with this important project!

P.S. I want to give a shout out to some of the moms in my online mom's group. These kind ladies have given the above formula (or checks that helped to purchase the above formula). And there are more checks that have arrived or that are on the way to be used for this wonderful cause. THANK YOU, Ladies!

P.P.S. The photos in this post are from Jason's trip to Haiti last month, with the exception of the formula picture. I took that one just a little while ago. I would love to post an updated photo of our tabletop filled with formula for Haiti!

ShoutOuts!

Hope you ladies had a wonderful Valentine's day with the loves of your life!!!! I know my V Day decorations make me feel so happy that I'm going to have trouble parting with them. :) I may just milk them till the end of February. Speaking of happy, we celebrated a FUN birthday this past weekend and I learned a few tips that I'll pass on soon. In the meantime:

The Ladies of Roof with a View have been BUSY!

• Have you noticed the Valentine Sizzle our designer, Jamie has given the roof up top? I big fat heart the cuuuuuute heart pizazz she gave us!!!! Jaime, PLEASE leave it up at least until the end of Feb. Just like my decorations, it makes me happy!
• Musing Foodie (aka CC) posted her long awaited recipes on how to make her 8 minute lava cakes and homemade chocolate cups from this post!
• You may enjoy reading here how our Donna celebrated Valentine's with her family! What a great way to teach your children the joy of a good celebration while making practicing manners FUN. :)
• Money Saving Mom has featured a guest post here by our Richelle (aka Carolina Clipper) who shares a tool to calculate the costs of recipes.
• Wednesday in the Word's Glenda has been doing a great Bible Study on the book or Ruth that you can check out here AND her (and her hubs') book, Finding Hope in Times of Grief, is HOT off the press earlier than expected and available to order here on Amazon (no longer in preorder status)!!!

Be sure to check out all of the above and give these sweet girls some big shoutouts from the ROOF. We love them!

Happy Tuesday!
Hannah

Thrifty Thursday: Bun in the Oven

We alll love to save money and that is what Thrifty Thursday is alllll about but let's put a lil spin on things. Shall we?

One way to save money is to bake your own bread. Awhile back a girl posted a book on a sister site steered by none other than our Donna. This book about making your own bread--artisan bread--looked interesting but I kinda left it at that. Since then, ev.er.y.one. is talking about artisan bread. It has taken on this city by a storm and it's all the rage. Musing Foodie (aka CC) loves it. Carolina Clipper did a giveaway of the same book. People are raving about it, I tell you.

As I sit here with my bag of Amish Friendship Bread starter that I accidentally fed whole wheat flour, I have one question....

Who are the artisans and WHAT ABOUT THE AMISH?!?!? We can't forget the Amish, people!

While I'm in awe of the foolproofishness (just made up that word) of some of my favorite peeps' (I've been known to "play" Amish and wanna BE Amish) bread batter, I wonder if the artisan bread breakthrough will stand the same test of time? Only time will tell, tiiiime will tell.

In the meantime, let me just show you HOW much fun you can have with Amish Friendship Starter. I found this post on my personal blog from my last Amish baking fest. If you want to have the same fun, ask Musing Foodie for the white version of the starter or me for the whole wheat version (sigh) OR you can click here and start your own trail of Amish Friendship. Regardless, whatever bun you put into that oven, just take time to remember the Amish. :)

Sidenote: after I wrote the above, I stumbled upon Musing Foodie's latest attempt at AFB. Her ears must've been burning (pun intended). Poooor, sweet CC. At least we came kinda close to being able to have our own real barn raisin'. Be sure to cheer her up and enter her precious pink pancake giveaway if you pay her a visit.

A Day in the life of Amish Friendship

by HPS

Characters:
Jedidiah Stoltzfus-the hubs
Rose Stoltzfus- HPS
Ida Stoltsfuz- my daughter
Esther Yoder- my friend, Stacey

Greetings to you this eve. After the barn raising today, Jedidiah, Sister Esther, little Ida and I made a quick stop by the Bird in Hand for some oil and sugar so that I could bake my Friendship Bread. Upon arriving home, Esther was so helpful by taking some laundry off the line, churning the butter and playing with little Ida while I did some light quilting before we supped together. Here are some pictures of our day.

The men were working so hard and this is going to be such a blessing for the Smucker Family.

Ida frolicking at the raising
Our family at the Bird in Hand. How handsome is my Jedidiah?!?!? Sister Esther at the line and my Ida, her little helper
Some quick quilting before putting the bread on the table.
HARK!!!! Did someone say "bread"?!??! Sister Jane Austin (Cissie), I am writing to inform you that your friendship starter was a success. The aroma in my kitchen is delightful and the results have been most pleasing to the pallet.

...AND here are the preparations to spread the wealth. Who will be the lucky recipients?
Come, brethren, let us partake! Who will benefit from Amish Friendship? Keep your eyes peeled, readers, keep your eyes peeled! You never know where this little piece of Amish friendship will appear. :)

Signed,
Sister Rose Stoltzfus (AKA HPS)

*Don't ever say this sister can't get into character. Told ya I wanted to be Amish. :)

Train Up Tuesday: Valentines to the Forgotten

I've really enjoyed seeing the many posts about Valentines Day. We have some very creative and crafty ladies! I'm hoping to make a photo frame inspired by Hannah's vase. Be sure to scroll to "older posts" to see what all the ladies of the Roof have been up to lately!

Are you making or buying Valentine cards this year? I've seen some really cute ideas on marthastewart.com and on familyfun.com. It makes me wanna do them all! :) We are making valentines at our house. This year, we are using doilies, stickers, glitter...all that fun stuff. I wanted to do something "special" and meaningful to mark the day, too. James 1:27 kept coming to my mind and we take so much time to care for orphans during Christmas; I thought this would be a good time to reach out to widows. My own mother was a widow for a short period when my brother and I were small children, so these precious people (widows) are close to my heart. My mother-in-law works in a nursing home, so I thought that would be a PERFECT outlet for our cards. A chance to bring a smile and encourage them with God's love.

Have you gals come across the "VALENTINE" in John 3:16? I came across it several years ago and just love it. You basically just print out the verse, but letters are lined up so that you spell out VALENTINE (hidden in the verse). We decided to use this on the cards my boys and I made.


I just want to encourage you to spread a little of God's love during the special "love-day". I'm sure you are already good about doing that anyway, but perhaps in making or sending valentines you could also use it as an opportunity to send something to a "forgotten" one. Widows, soldiers, shut-ins. There is a great list of folks who would love the gesture, I'm sure! Share your ideas with us, please!

Xoxo,
Ashlie

The Clipper and her Challenge

We meant to share this with you for Thrifty Thursday this past week but time got away with us. Our Carolina Clipper is hosting a Pantry Challenge and you may be interested. Really, you can do this at anytime but tomorrow starts the second week of the Pantry Challenge lasting from February 1-15, 2011. If you missed the first week, no problem! We’d love for you to join us this last week.

What is the Pantry Challenge?

It’s not a competition…the point is to use existing foods and resources to feed your family for a set period of time in order to reduce your grocery spending. Click here to read the full story behind the Pantry Challenge.

The challenge is easy for some and difficult for others. That’s why Carolina Clipper created the Pantry Challenge February 1-15, 2011 Facebook Group. It become a fun way to connect with people cleaning out those pantries while adding to their wallets. We’d love to have you share your ideas, tips, and tricks! Join the FB Group Pantry Challenge February 1-15, 2011 today and tell them you heard about it from the ROOFtop!

Marvelous Monday: Chocolate Cakedy Cake Cake Cake

Ever since our Musing Foodie did her diddy on Valentine Sizzles, we've been waiting on pins and needles for her "whip up in 8 minutes" lava cake and those homemade chocolate cups (hint, hint, CC)! Donna also posted this HEAVENLY and sinful chocolate cake. It seems us women can never get enough chocolate so while you wait for that lava cake recipe, I'll give you a couple more morsels of chocolate to tease your pallets.

I was cleaning out my email box and ran across this novelty idea from Katie L~5 minute chocolate mug cake!

• 4 tablespoons flour
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons cocoa
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
• A small splash of vanilla extract

• 1 large coffee mug (MicroSafe)

Directions:

1. Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
2. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.
3. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.
4. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.
5. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
6. Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
7. EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?
Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!



Remember this scene from My Big Fat Greek Wedding?

Well, sweeties, have I got THE BundT recipe for you! It's not just any bundT. It's a Chocolate Chocolate Chip BundT. Caroline (aka Happy Four) made this for me when I had my twins and it has been made repeatedly since.

I'll admit at first I was bundT challenged...

...but am happy to report the past few attempts have been bundT success! Our grandmother's weren't lyin' when they said a lil crisco and flour are your friend.

Want me to say BundT one more time? Ok. I will. Click here for such BundT goodness that it won't be around long enough to put a plant in it!

Need something to top all of this chocolate? What better than chocolate? Let's not forget Amy A's homemade chocolate icing that she shared with us here.

Do you have some chocolate favs you'd like to share with us? Either way, you ladies have noooooo excuse but to have yourselves a scrumdillylish Valentime's w/ yo men!

Love ya'll!
Hannah

Free-for-all Friday: DIY Valentine Wreaths!

Alllll I have to say is some of our peeps have some goooood lookin front doors! Two of my college sistah friends were feeling pretttty crafty and shared some presh DIY Valentine Wreaths. Trust me that you'll wanna try these.

First, we have Claire in VA. Claire and her kiddos made this darling wreath.

LOVE it. Wanted it. Tried it. Here YOU have it...

What you need:

• Large heart cut out of sturdy cardboard
• Colored tissue paper (cut in 5x5 squares), around 6 dozenish
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Coordinating decorative ribbon

Cut tissue paper in 5x5ish squares

Put hot glue on cardboard heart and glue tissue paper onto heart. Fill with as much tissue paper as you can.

I'm not gonna lie. This started out as a craft to do w/ my 3 year old but she became a little distracted after she realized there was a large surface area to fill so I cut her two smaller hearts where she could go crazy. It actually occupied her quite well. She covered one with leftover hearts from this craft and then made a smaller heart wreath for her bedroom door.

Finished product! I'll admit I like Claire's reddish one better but since we have a red door, we went hot pink and light pink.

Note from Claire: Be careful that your wreath isn't directly exposed to natural elements such as rain, snow, etc. because the tissue paper will bleed.

Next up we have Jennifer C. of good ole NC but we call her Cole. Cole whipped up this adorable wreath.

 What you need:

• Styrofoam wreath or straw wreath w/ plastic wrapping left on
• Pack of 36 in. red felt cut into 3 inch circles
• Straight pins

 Fold circles in half and then in half again. Stick straight pen through bottom like so (don't my girls nails look fab?!?!!?)...

 ...and stick onto wreath.

She said the trial run took about 1 hr. 45 minutish but that it's soooo cute that it was worth it. She loved it so much she also made a smaller one. Maybe her learning curve will help it go even faster for you!  Granted, this may be an adult only craft but her hubs was out of town so this was one fun way to fill her time!Thanks, Coley. B-E-A-utiful!!!

I love all of these FUN, easy and affordable Valentine ideas! What tricks do the rest of you have up your sleeves?!?! Do tell! Do tell! We wanna know! Special thanks to Claire Bear and Coley for sharing their ideas. Also, I LOVED getting an email from an extra special reader, Anna, that she enjoyed doing this craft with her 3 boys. Here was their finished product. How pretty!?!?

TGIF, ya'll!

Love,

Hannah

roofwithaview (at) gmail (dot) come

And the winner is...

Drumroll...and the cookbooks go to...Tia! Thank you for participating in the Southern Living Cookbook Giveaway! You are about to be the proud owner of 3 paperback mini-cookbooks, courtesy of AmyA.

Thanks to all of you for participating and continue to be on the lookout for other fun prizes we enjoy featuring here on The Roof!

CC

Train Up Tuesday: Why Not Y?

Cabin fever, cabin FEVER! It has been CRAZY up in my house lately. A week of cabin fever due to the "white out" that we had a couple weeks ago in NC while my husband was on a ministry trip. And then last week, another week of cabin fever while taking care of a 2 1/2 y.o. baby boy who had developed pneumonia. I was looking for Calgon (or anybody else) to "take me away" ;-) I'm ready for SPRING so we can get out of the house and enjoy the great outdoors again.

Cabin fever is enough to stress you out, for sure. Lately, when I'm stressed, a good run kinda clears the air. Realistically, though, with 3 small boys at home, those opportunities to take a good run in my neighborhood are few and far between. Enter "The Y". My hubby and I were members like an eternity ago and we have 2 great Ys within 5 minutes of our house, but we haven't been members in several years. I think I assumed with kids, other responsibilities, and just being "tired all the time" the likelihood of ever getting there and taking advantage of our membership were slim.

However, a few months ago, we reevaluated our position. We looked at the benefits of physical activity and discipline, naturally, but we also looked at the opportunities for me to get out of the house...and NOT have to hunt for or pay extra for a sitter. Since our Y (and you'll have to check the details at your local YMCA) includes 2 hours of childcare per day, it's a perfect opportunity for me to workout, get in shape, sweat away my stress (and hopefully all those nasty germs trying to creep in), and perhaps make some new friends. OR it's a good time to just relax in the steam room....or in the lobby with my iPod. In fact, I know of a few friends who work out the first hour a couple times a week and then just relax and maybe read the last hour.

I think something like the Y is great for any family with young kids but especially if you don't have lots of hands to help you during the week (there are people ready to watch your babies) , or you live in an area perhaps away from your family and friends where you don't know lots of people yet (the caretakers at the Y are trustworthy).

Maybe you don't have a Y near you. Consider some other options, like a Bible or book study or hobby group that provides childcare. You will love it and your kids will likely thrive and enjoy the chance to get to know some other people. A healthy body, mind, and spirit will help cure some of this cabin fever. And be of good cheer....spring will come ;-)

Much love,
Ashlie