Playing with Fire

When it's 100+ degrees outside and you're dying for some quick/fun entertainment...why not build a fort and roast marshmallows - INDOORS? 

Here's what you'll need:

construction paper

scissors

tape

rocks

marshmallows

skewers

camping supplies (binoculars, sleeping bags and flashlights)

fort making supplies (couch, kitchen chairs, sheets/blankets)

baking pan

Take 1 or 2 sheets of black construction paper and cut into four sections.

Crumple up for "coal" - my guys loved this... "What are we doing?" They kept asking. (I like to keep them in suspense!) 

Cut and tape your "flames" out red, orange and yellow construction paper. (PS - I am aware that my fire looks more like a lotus flower, but whatever... the boys loved it.)

Take flames, "coal", rocks and pan. Build fire!

We ate our weight in marshmallows and made animal sounds while eating them. I kept looking through the binoculars and saying, "Did you hear that? It was a wolf, eagle, snake, owl, etc.! What sound does a wolf... make?" My youngest kept picking up his binoculars and saying, "Where Mommy? Where?" LOVE IT!

We then got into our tent/fort and read the Berenstain Bears: Spooky Old Tree with flashlights and headlight beaming.

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It was so much fun. We will do this again for sure. xo

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Camping

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Last night, my boys are reduced their carbon footprint by camping with their Dad and Papa Dude in the front yard! No nightlights. No music. No sound machines. No A/C. It's their first time ever to "camp." We'll see how it goes. I'm hopeful, but I have a feeling city boys won't make it through the night. What do you think? What are the odds they made it through? Do I have any readers willing to make a wager out there? ha ha ha  -xo

Around the House: Bringing the Outdoors In

chair

See the amazing chair above? That right there is the closest I ever want to get to camping. Just looking at that breath-taking chair, I can feel the sun on my face, smell the pines and relax. All the bliss and none of the yucky stuff like port-a-potties, bugs, no showers, sleeping on the ground and the like. I've been camping... once! Not my cup of tea. But that doesn't mean I can't enjoy all the beauty and fun that camping has to offer. It seems there are many who would agree with me...

embroidery chairs

rug

curtains

joel dewberry fabric

tent

sweetie pie bakery

bird camper

The fantastic irony of this little post is that while typing I was attacked by a huge fly. Okay, attacked is a strong word, but the noise their little wings make when swirling past my ears gives me the creeps. And yes, I realize I'm little neurotic. Oh, before I go I wanted to show you the amazing vintage pillowcase my husband picked up at a thrift store years ago. (The inspiration for today's post.) It reminds me of the pine trees on my Grandparent's old farm in North Carolina. Today the pillowcase is treasured by my oldest!  Happy Monday. May you enjoy all the outdoors has to offer - inside and out! xo

lovely isn't it?