Annual Camping Trip

I love traditions and Matt and I have not really created a whole lot of our own.  This year for Memorial Day, we decided to have a big family camp out and start an annual family fishing derby.  We made reservations, divided up the meals, pitched some tents and despite technical difficulties, we had a lovely time cooking over the fire, taking walks and playing games.  

We stayed at Lake Wenatchee State Park, just outside of Leavenworth.  It was a beautiful weekend.  No rain, lots of sun, wonderful scenery and lots of fish caught!

  

Matt's family, my family and the Gagnons were all there (13 humans, 5 dogs, and many a dead fish).  We made trips into Leavenworth and Plain, WA.  You can't miss Shocolate in Leavenworth!  Delicious!

The derby was won by Abby who caught a 4 lb. 1 oz. Rainbow Trout from the dock!  All the rest of us caught maybe one-pounders and we were out in the boat in the deep, cool waters.  

We are looking forward to next year!

Star!!!

I've always loved these big metal star thingies and in honor of the stars and stripes, I thought I would make one for the 4th of July/ Summer season.

Here's what you need:

• paper scraps
• metal star
• ink pads
• glue
• somewhere to hang your star!

Here's what to do:

1. I sorted through all my paper scraps and decided which ones to use!

2. I measured and cut each piece. 

 

3. I edged the paper pieces with dobbers and ink.  First, you add pigment from your stamp pads.  

 

 Then you rub the dobber along the edges.

4. Then, I glued the pieces to the metal star!  

6. It is hanging in the front big window with my little red lanterns!

Here are a few other things I have for the season!  I love my PartyLite Symmetry Pillar Holders.  So Versatile and we had to put baseballs in honor of our Seattle Mariner's!  Go M's!

 

www.partylite.biz/christinakonrad

My FAVORITE Holiday: July 4th!

I am not sure why, but the 4th of July is my favorite holiday!  I love it because it is a time to get together and share special moments, without the pressure of cooking a fancy meal or delivering the perfect gift.  In fact, it is a good time to reflect on the abundant blessings we have as Americans and how we can contribute to the blessings of others!  And, I have a fond love of rustic decor and red, white and blue!

Here's a couple crafts in honor of our freedom!

Supplies:

• Wreath form
• Ribbon
• 12" x 12" sheets (scraps) of scrapbook paper
• Ruler
• Paper cutter
• Bone folder
• Double-sided tape
• Buttons, assorted
• Hot-glue gun

Here's what to do:
1. Cut a sheet of paper into 6 pieces, each measuring 4" x 6", for large medallions. (To create a medium-size one, use 3" x 6" sheets, and for the small size, use a 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" sheet.)  Each medallion takes two pieces of paper so if you want 3 of a particular pattern, you will need 6 pieces.

2. Fold each piece of paper going across the length of the paper in accordion-style. Use a bone folder to sharpen creases.
  

3. Fold each pleated piece of paper in half.  I tied the two halves together with a short piece of string.  Then, using double sided stickies, or glue, adhere all the separated spaces together to form a circle. Gently spread pleats apart.

 

 

 

 

I made approx 12 of each size for my wreath.

4. Starting with largest medallions, hot-glue each to wreath in an attractive pattern. Continue with medium and small sizes until wreath is covered.

 

5.  Lastly, add a button to the center of each medallion.



The finished product!

What happens...

...when you leave the puppy alone in the house?

This does! All the couch cushions awry, Kleenex box chewed up and strewn about the place, lotion bottle chewed open and a nice moisturizing layer on the couch and red pillow, Matt's new glasses case chewed to pieces and the glasses a bit damaged, Matt's planner shredded and the contents of the recycle bin chewed and strewn about.  There is evidence that she may be a hoarder as it was mostly in a pile on her blanket.

The good news is that she did eat her real food, didn't chew the remote controls, didn't go potty in the house and isn't barking outside since I put her out when I got home.  Obedience training is a must in the near future!

We weren't sure how it would go and I needed to go run an quick errand so I thought I would give her the chance to be responsible.

She didn't handle it well! Yikes.  She is grounded and for sure will be going to the kennel when we leave.

What's so great about Picket Fences?

There is a song I used to really like by Chely Wright called Picket Fences.  The chorus says:

Tell me what's so great about picket fences

Paintin' them is such a mess

And a big back yard where kids can play

I'd probably never get a moments rest

And setting the table for five at five

Only means more dishes to load

What's so great about picket fences

I guess I'll never know

I used to reflect on this idea when I was younger and still single.  I used to envy my friends who started families young and wondered if it would ever happen for me.  Well, Matt and I are going on two years married in July and we are having some fertility issues.  (Prayers appreciated!)  It makes me really think about being thankful for what I DO have and not always thinking that there must be something else/ more.  I have had many friends who have walked gracefully through this same struggle so I feel like I am handling this hurdle a bit better than I might have otherwise.  I just keep remembering, which is something we can all benefit from, that "the grass is greener where you water it!"


Well, I made a craft, also pulled from Pinterest!  It is a reminder to be thankful for the green grass RIGHT WHERE I AM!


Here's what you need:
tuna cans, cleaned (I used canned chicken cans, bigger than tuna.  I think if I did them again, I would have used regular tuna cans!)
clothes pins
spray paint
anything you might want to use to decorate them inside or out


Here's what you will do:
1. Adhere clothes pins all the way around the edge of the can.

2. Spray Paint the entire thing in a desirable color.
3. Let dry.
4. Decorate.

Cherry Blossoms

I love Cherry Blossoms!  They are bright and beautiful and lovely.  It means Spring is here and that means Summer is on it's way!  Happy soul!

Here's my newest Pinterest idea made mine!

 

This came from Pinterest but I didn't like how the paint looked after dipped in a pop bottle, so I went for finger painting!

Cherry Blossom Painting.

Here's what you need:

Blank canvas

paints

Here's what I did:

First I painted the sky.  

Then I added grass.  

I was going to stop there, but I felt like it needed another layer...so I added soil.  

Then I painted the sprawling branch.  Then by dabbing my finger, I placed the blossoms sporadically around the branch.  Then I added leaves and accents on the branch to make it look a little more real.  I hung it on the wall behind my beautiful vase full of cherry blossom sprigs.

Yeah!

Our Newest Family Member!

Matt and I have been talking for a LOOOOOOOONNNNNNG time about getting a dog!  Well, we finally did today! 

Meet our girl, Saben _______ Konrad (named after the notorious Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide and needing a middle name). 

She's a rescue pup and we don't know a ton about her.  What we do know is that she's about a year old, she's about 50 lbs., she has the most adorable line down her face and a white tip on her tail and spotted paws, she's very calm but can be playful, she's part Hound/ part Shar Pei, she jogged with me tonight and she chases ducks!  She also came from Spokane!