Easy Kids' Craft: Dyed Pasta Necklaces

While I was busily cooking on Wednesday and Thursday I kept the girls occupied with this cheap and easy craft. Here's what you need:



White vinegar
Ziploc bags
Food coloring
Rotini or other pasta with holes
Wax paper
Yarn/string

What to do:
Put 1/3 cup of vinegar and lots of drops of food coloring in Ziploc bag
Fill 3/4 of bag with dry pasta
Shake it until pasta is covered (you can add more vinegar or coloring if needed)
Remove from bag and lay a single layer on wax paper to dry overnight



The next day, have the kiddos string the pasta into necklaces, bracelets, tree garland, whatever. :)

Baby It's Cold Outside

Maybe not today so much, but the other night I had to run to Publix for some pasta noodles and my coat alone was not cutting it. I assessed the situation:

Arms: warm
Legs: warm
Torso: warm
Neck: not warm

Solution: Cowl!

I've read countless blogs about the amazing cowl with nary an interest. Until that night and my chilly neck. A cowl is not only a practical item, it is also a fairly quick knit and I have lots of stash yarn that would be perfect for it. Here are some of the contenders for Cowl #1 ('cause from what I've seen, they're addictive and I'm just going to commit to wanting to make more than one).

Gloria Cowl

Darkside Cowl

La-la-love-you Cowl

Give thanks

It's been a lovely day with friends and family. I successfully made a great dinner. I played some Wii and even won a few rounds.

I'm thankful this year in a way that I don't think I've ever been before. God has blessed our family abundantly and I am super thankful!

13 Things I Don't Want to Forget About Mexico

* The sound of a traffic jam outside the gate
* Fresh cut roses for sale on the side of the autopista
* Windy rides in taxis
* Saying "Hasta luego", whether you will or not
* Everything-arias
* Mountains of fresh produce at the market
* Brightly colored buildings and graffiti
* Being in the middle of a thunderstorm as it comes down the mountain
* The taste of fresh bread
* Fresca toronja
* Tipping everyone and buying toilet paper
* Gorgeous old churches and buildings
* Mariachis for rent

New-er Hair

As some of you know, I was highlighting my hair pretty hot and heavy over the summer. It turns out that the Paul Mitchell school down the street has some really great prices. Well, it occurred to me when we decided to come to Mexico, that I may not be able to highlight anymore. So before we left, I dumped a box of brown on my hair and figured it'd been a good run.

That was until Deborah found this great little salon in town. And their prices are even better than the Paul Mitchell school! I went a few weeks ago with the other ladies here in the program, but I just got a pedicure.

Yesterday I went back with Jacqueline for a trim, but the "mechas" or highlights were such a good deal that I decided to get some. The language barrier was a little difficult at times, but armed with photos of this haircut, I think I made out pretty good. :)

Sisters

I come from a family of all girls. I've been blessed with two sisters who I'm sure I've devalued at times in my life, but who now I appreciate very much. One lives far away in Colorado, the other closer, but she's about to move. And we're about to move, so I guess that's a moot point.

As the girls get older I find myself reminiscing more and more about when we were little. Little things like the way they help each other, or tell on each other, or try to fix a problem that will get them both in trouble before I find out are daily reminders of my childhood.

I've said before that I'm very happy with their age difference and that's not just talk. Alison got a whole year with Emily before she started school. She was already quite a person herself when Emily was born, so she was really quite helpful. As Emily's getting bigger, I love watching how they care for each other and assert their personalities.

Yesterday we went to the Zoologico de Chapultepec in Mexico City and they were all about the adventure. I was really pleased that I got to snap this photo:



It makes my heart smile to know that as we embark on this great adventure, they will not be alone -- they'll always have each other.

James 1:26-27

26-27 Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air.

Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this:

Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.

---

Lately I've been spending a lot of time thinking about this adventure we're about to embark on. There are details to work out, monies to raise and lots of other things, but I feel an immense peace.

God is good and He will make it happen for His glory. :)

I voted

I sent in an absentee ballot from Mexico.

Tuesday is a very important day for the history of our nation -- not be apathetic, don't count anyone out -- just go vote.

Don't know where your polling place is, click here.