Party Freebie...

So, I actually have a creative jive going right now (yay!)... but I have to play around on the computer every once in awhile (to change things up a bit-ya know?)
And looky what I found...
FREE printable place cards from Rachael Ray. You just print, cut and fold! Now all I need is the dinner party to go with! Hmmmm...

Thank you Rachael!

(There are several styles to choose from!)

The Art of Bento Boxes...

I am simply amazed at what can be accomplished by 'other types' of artists, and I don't speak of those in the studio or craft rooms -I speak of the ones in the kitchen...

Inside this adorable little box, holds the artistic intuition and creative spirit of a person driven by the same madness as artists, like myself, but with a whole other palette in which they work from. The boxes (or canvas), can be a simple plastic box with possible cartoons (or anime) printed on them, to an elaborate lacquer box- one that might have multiple compartments. They can be an art form in-and-of-itself.
I love this cute one with cherry blossoms!
Oh... back up, you might say. Bento? What in the world is a bento? Bento is a Japenese "packed meal", usually a lunchtime meal. A Bento box has come a long way as to what foods (or artist's media) are packed in a box. Traditional foods include rice, bite-sized fruits, vegetables, and hard-boiled eggs... Nowadays, you might find chicken nuggets, cheese squares, meatballs, and even leftovers. It's not really "what" you put in though, it's "how" you put it in... And I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves. . . ;)






Aren't they just fabulously amazing? And just so visually stimulating? They are so full of color and speak a story all their own. All the work and care that goes into one little piece of art...

What fun! I love the whole idea of Bento Boxes... it sure beats a turkey or PB&J day after day (course, don't get me wrong- I love PB&J!) But I mean, imagine opening up your lunch bag/cooler and pulling out an adorable-looking little box, then opening it up and finding a piece of art, TO EAT!?
-It's after midnight, and I am soooo hungry!

Well, I find these little packed meals so inticing and I've had thoughts of these for my kids lunches this fall... With fresh ingredients of fruits and veggies, rice... it's a healthy treat!
Here's a little site I found that has more background information, etc. It also has an onigiri How-to. (Onigiri are "rice balls" or as in the pictures above, rice piggies or hello kitties...) You'll find it HERE.
Now, go and eat something- fresh and healthy! ;)

My first award...

Wow! I've been awarded the Brilliante Weblog Award from my friend, Nancy, over at My Crafty Little Page. That is sooo very sweet of you, my dear. Thank you!
Now, the rules state that I must give this award to at least four other bloggers... hmmm.... how can I choose? There are sooooo many brilliantly talented bloggers in "blogland", and it would be hard to choose just four.
First, the rules:

Put the logo on your blog.

Add a link to the person who awarded you.

Nominate at least 4 other bloggers.

Add links to those blogs on yours.

Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.

Oh, dear, before I choose, know that all of you inspire me, make smile, make me laugh, even make me cry (for good reasons!), and touch my life in some way... I choose:

Gina {Gingerbread}

Elizabeth {E2C2}

Tina {Glue on My Fingers, Paint in My Hair}

Amy {Inspireco}

Sherelle {My Crazy Life}

Rebecca {RS Out of Hand}

Thank you, girls, for your words and images of inspiration, kindness, and fun!

Gotta love a do-rag....

when it's on kids as cute as these! The older two made theirs at library camp... and when they came home with them, McKenna had to have one, as well! Then they posed for the camera and gave me everything they had! Nothing like a big smile to brighten your day?

Time for a crafty post...

My mother-in-law is starting to understand my vintage and artsy craze. I think she might think I'm a little nutty still, especially when I tried explaining to her about using old ledgers. But I was excited when she sent me a vintage card for mother's day! (One from her Gran-gra's old stash!)

Here's a little card I made for her
(with a vintage card, no doubt!)...

Hugs!

Life at the beach...

Awwwww.... the beach. Total bliss. Total fun.

Total-ly what we needed.

What a wonderful and relaxing trip with some oldy, but goody friends! This year, we bought the kids BIGger, sturdier boogie boards, in hopes that they would last (and they did). Even the "big boys" went into Lake Jackson and got a couple more so they could go out and surf with the kids. We were glad they did, because they had a really great time. There had been storms waay out in the gulf, and it was causing overcast skies and some REALLY BIG waves, the first couple days. But they were great for boogie-boarding!

Here are some great individual moments...

McKenna is at a perfect stage/age this year. I didn't know how she would react to the sand, the surf, etc... But she LOVED every bit of it! She was timid and not so sure of the water at first (because even at the shoreline, the waves were strong). But she soon became brave and decided it was either her or the waves (the waves lost). She walked right in, water up to her ankles, sat down, reached for handfuls of wet sand and let it all run through her fingers... over and over. She was so fun to watch. She was also fun to photograph, because she stood still for more than two seconds!


This year, Bailey had the goal of finding a whole sand dollar. After last year, when only one was found by Griffin?, I really didn't have much hope that she would (course, I didn't tell her that!)
The kids went out two mornings and an evening over by the bridge (where the good shell hunting is), but it wasn't until their last outing (on our last day there) when the tide had gone waaaaay out, that they found some beautiful big shells and SEVERAL whole sand dollars! Oh there was so much excitement... and I shared the joy of the blessing with her (me of little hope sometimes.... ;)


A new and rare find was jellyfish. The kids saw a couple out in the surf, while a few others had been washed up onto the beach. I had never seen one "in real life" before... funny how it resembled those silicon implants that I'll never need... ;P




Most of our nights were spent playing games of all kinds; the latest being Pirates of the Carribean LIFE... Arrgh, fun game matey!



But of course, one night had to be spent 'crabbing'.... Oh what fun! I would say "the kids" had a blast, but the adults had just as much fun. Poor Michele would have had so much more fun, if her knee hadn't been giving her such fits! :( Sorry, Michele!

We found all sorts of crabs... The prize crab was a blue crab... we caught several, but it was either Erik or myself that caught this beauty!
We went and got shrimp and crabs for our big seafood boil for the next night's feast... oh and I must say.... sooooo very YUMMY!


My little photographer girl...Bailey took the beachy seashell photo, and I thought it was a nice little set-up she put together!

We had a family picture taken this year in hopes that there was one for the Christmas cards for this year... the wind was sooooo uncooperative! And if one or two kids were looking the right way, the other*s) weren't. But it was fun, and I think there will be something we can use between the two cameras... Candid fun was all I was looking for anyways.

And take a look. I literally cried in pure joy after downloading and seeing this....

Childhood is the most beautiful of all life's seasons.
~ Author Unknown

All in all, a wonderfully blessed trip! Thanks for checking in.
'Til later...

Winner! Winner! Winner!

Oh, sweet friends.... thank you for your patience! The beach was a fabulous trip, one that we needed quite a bit- but I'll tell you more about it in another post, cuz I know you've anxiously and patiently been waiting for the revealing of a winner from my 50th post giveaway.

Thank you so very much for your sweet and dear comments! You make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. ;) It's so heart-warming to read your comments and know that I've touched your heart in some way.

Now, without further ado...
Using the system from random.org, the winner is.....











If you haven't been over to Gina's blog, you simply must go visit (click on her name above, or on my side blogroll)... she is quite the little talent in so many ways... look for some of her scrumptious recipes!

Congratulations, Gina! Email me with your addy info!

50th Post Giveaway!!!

Wow, my 50th post! I know, I know- there are many blogs out there that hit their 50th post within a couple months... and it's taken me almost a year! What can I say? (maybe a little more? LOL)
Well, it's been an adventure... and I didn't know if it would be something I would enjoy, but I'm definitely liking this blogging thing. I've have been so blessed by meeting some great new friends, and keeping touch with wonderful and dear family and friends... Thank you All for inspiring me, supporting me, and saying hello! It's truly fun and endearing to write what just comes to mind, and find that it has inspired you or touched your heart in some way. So to celebrate, here is a bloggy giveaway for you all...


Leave a comment on this post between now and Saturday, July 12 and you'll be entered into a random drawing for one of my mini journals, along with a lipstick mirror and gloss... I will announce the winner on Sunday or Monday when I'm back from the beach! Good luck!

{{{HUGS}}}
Shannon

Off to the Beach...

Well, it's been an interesting week. I never plan enough time to prepare for a trip... So scurry, scurry I go to get everything together. ;P
But whatever I forget, I guess I didn't need it that bad (unless it's McKenna's diapers?! lol)

I leave you with a smile, a cheerful good-bye, good thoughts and many blessings until I return!

Be on the lookout for my auto 50th post and GIVEAWAY while I'm away!!!

Beach Sand by Raymond A. Foss

Maybe it is the memories
the change of pace that brings us there
the sense of vacation
maybe the smell of the place
the sights of the gulls, the dunes, the grasses
but oh it is the feel of it,
the crunch and slide of it
the feeling of beach sand
so different from dirt, soil, loam
no, not earthy, moist, rich,
but oh so granular and gritty
even when wet,
moveable paper spreading under toes
sliding beneath the soles
smoothing my skin
clearing my mind
unburdening me of the rest
drawing me to the tactile, the feel
of beach sand...