Hello!
I’m smack in the middle of a 4-day weekend of sorts! The kids are off of school for a teacher conference.
This week my son’s elementary school celebrated Veteran’s Day early. They gathered information (name, rank, branch) about the veterans in each student’s life. So, for instance, my son has 3 grandparents that served in the military and he was able to honor them with a paper cut-out posted inside the school. They held an assembly on Wednesday and invited local veterans to come to school for the event. I don’t know how many came to the actual assembly, but I do know that 35 veterans agreed to come speak in each classroom and answer questions.
The school uses the event to not only honor the veterans for their service, but to help educate the kids about our country’s history and how to show respect for the people who have risked their lives serving in the military. They even talk about mental health in an effort to breakdown the stigmas associated with that topic. It is really incredible to be in a school that enriches our children’s lives and those in the community in a variety of different ways.
So what did I do this week? Well, I talked about dock or treating on Monday. I wish you all could have been there!
Then on Wednesday I wrote about my effort to preserve my children’s childhood mementos by reusing silica gel packets. I think this once again proves that you never know what you’re going to get when you visit this little spot on the Internet!
Here’s the Happy List…
CAR JACK WEATHER VANE
This DIY weather vane by Scavenger Chic is sitting on an old car jack!
Are you as blown away by how clever this is as I am?
(image: Scavenger Chic)
Joan from Scavenger Chic has a really detailed tutorial on how to make this weather vane, so no excuses!
If you need me, I’m out looking for an old car jack.
PERFECTLY ROASTED CHRISTMAS POTATOES
I’m going to try roasting potatoes like this this weekend. Don’t they look delicious?
Recipe and more inspiration can be found over at This Mess Is Ours.
(image: This Mess Is Ours)
THE JOY OF PAINTING
The conversations in the Jones household are quite…eclectic. Earlier this week my daughter and Handy Husband were having a debate about the identity of Bob Ross. My daughter thought it was a politician, which could be true. Handy Husband was convinced it was a painter. He was right. That led us down the rabbit hole otherwise known as YouTube and as a family we watched Season 31, episode 7 of The Joy of Painting.
This is 24 MINUTES of watching Bob Ross painting. I can’t even tell you how engrossed we all were in this video from 1994. No joke! There is something so soothing about Bob Ross’ voice. Plus, it is funny when he says in his soothing voice, “let’s do something crazy” and then he switches paintbrushes or something. He sucked us in and we couldn’t stop watching until we saw how he finished the painting.
I don’t know what this says about our family, but if there were 31 seasons and there are currently 1.8 million YouTube subscribers on this channel, we aren’t the only ones enjoying The Joy of Painting.
TIN ICICLE ORNAMENTS
I just love these tin icicle ornaments from SchoolHouse Electric, an Oregon company!
There are 50 icicles in this cute container for $20.
(image: Schoolhouse)
IRELAND
I’m not exactly sure what is going on in this picture, but it definitely looks like a movie version of Ireland and I was mesmerized!
MINT
Practicality aside, I love the mint color on this vintage sink.
This photo comes from Bria Hammel Interiors and if you like modern farmhouses, you’ll love her newest reveal. There are so. many. drool-worthy pictures!
(image: Bria Hammel Interiors)
BLESSING MIX
This idea for a Blessing Mix from Jamielyn at I Heart Naptime is so sweet! She also has a free printable to show what each item in the mix means.
For example, pretzels are ‘arms crossed and folded in thanks and prayer.’ M&Ms are ‘memories of those who came before us to guide us to a blessed future.’
This would be a neat treat to put in a clear bag or container and gift to your neighbors before Thanksgiving. It is also easy enough for even the youngest kiddos to help make.
(image: I Heart Naptime)
WORDS TO PONDER
“A high school student wrote to ask, ‘What was the greatest event in American history?’ I can’t say. However, I suspect that like so many ‘great’ events, it was something very simple and very quiet with little or no fanfare (such as someone forgiving someone else for a deep hurt that eventually changed the course of history). The really important ‘great’ things are never center stage of life’s dramas; they’re always ‘in the wings.’ That’s why it’s so essential for us to be mindful of the humble and the deep rather than the flashy and the superficial.” – From The World According to Mister Rogers
Have the happiest of weekends, folks!
P.S. If you’re on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest, I’d love to connect with you there too!
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