Friday, June 28, 2013

Car Trips With Kids - Reduce the Chaos!!




"Are we there yet?"
"I'm hungry!"
"He's on my side!"
"He's looking at me!"
"I need to potty!"
"Don't make me stop this car!"

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Watercolor-Crayon Resist - Kids' Art



Welcome to Ms. Nancy's Art Class!

Today's easy project requires very little materials, and set-up is a "snap"! Watercolor-Crayon Resist is enjoyable for all ages.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Haircuts Without Tears



How did my "unofficial barber" career begin?  I was a Sophomore in college when I did my first haircut. One of my friends in the dorm said she desperately needed a haircut, and she asked if anyone had ever cut someone's hair. How did it turn out? Read on to see!

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Retirement Feelings - School Supply Stress






Retirement Feelings - School Supply Stress
Summer, 2012

As strange as it may seem, walking into a store and seeing countless racks of new school supplies during the summer following retirement affected me in a very negative way.  Feelings of  illness suddenly overwhelmed me combined with grief and regret that I would not be returning to school. When I arrived home, I did some real soul-searching.  

Monday, June 24, 2013

Quick and Easy Pizza Bread




Pizza Bread was a favorite of my boys when they were small.  This delicious dish is fast, easy, and the kids can help design their own creations!  Now I'm teaching the grand-kids how to make Pizza Bread!

Friday, June 21, 2013

Indoor Tree House



"A Tree House??  Out of that piece of junk??  You've got to be kidding!!"

I will be the first to admit - I sometimes have wild ideas, but I really thought this one would work.  Each week as I taught my Sunday School class, I looked at the old "catch-all" wooden desk that had been in the classroom longer than I had been there. This ancient desk was really showing its age: the wood was somewhat splintered around the edges, and the top was water-spotted and damaged by crayons, markers, and glue, etc.  

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

. . . still in vacation bible school . . .







I just finished another super-great, faith and fun-filled week of Vacation Bible School!!  How did my Vacation Bible School "career" begin??  Read on-----

Friday, June 14, 2013

Nancy's Hush Puppies



 Living near the Gulf means lots of fishing trips, and, of course, delicious fish fries!  These melt-in-the-mouth Hush Puppies were created as the perfect compliment for the "Catch of the Day"!!  You may serve them with fish or any main dish, eat as a dessert, or both.  You may want to double the batch - my family says they are "simply to die for"!!

Monday, June 10, 2013

Surviving Retirement - 1 Year Later



June, 2013

It's difficult to believe that it's been a whole year since I retired.  So much has changed in this past year.  Less work stress and more rest have definitely made a difference.  I feel more relaxed, and I'm even sleeping better.  I actually feel rested when I wake up!

Friday, June 7, 2013

Turn Cleaning Day into - RUG HOPSCOTCH!!




It's the dreaded CLEANING DAY!!  Your spouse in on the computer, the kids are on the couch watching TV or Video Games while complaining that the vacuum cleaner is too loud, and you are sweating, doing this horrible job alone again!  Sound familiar??  Then break the habit and try -----

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Tissue Paper Collage


Welcome to Ms. Nancy's Art Class!  Tissue paper collage is an easy kid's project that can be done with materials you have around the house. The glue dries shiny, giving the tissue paper the look of stained glass! 

Monday, June 3, 2013

Nancy's Peanut Butter Bar Cookies



This recipe that I adapted has long been a family favorite and is frequently served at family gatherings.  Now, my Peanut Butter Bar Cookies are being enjoyed by my grandchildren! These delicious bar cookies pack well and are often mailed to relatives and friends. I hope this recipe becomes one of your family's favorites!