Gadgets and Gizmos That I Really Like

Drawer storage.

It makes a world of difference!

I first came across these drawer organizers from IKEA when Sarah was preparing for dorm life last summer.

You receive six (two of each size).  The girls and I use these to keep our "unmentionables" organized in our dresser drawers.

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Where have I been??  Sarah introduced these little smoothies to me this spring.

These are my go-to when I'm running errands (and that always seems to happen when it's lunchtime).

They can run high in sugar, but one of these is so much better then a fast food pit stop.  You know what I mean?

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Pictures of feet are so awkward!!  

But I love my B.O.C. sandals.

I'm all about keeping my feet comfy because of my varicose veins, and the heat makes my legs just ache!  This in turn affects my feet.  In the south, there's a lot of tile, too.  So I need something comfy to walk in.

When your feet are happy, your legs and the rest of your body are happy!

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Catholics dedicate the month of May to Mary.

I recently found this beautiful book to use with our family Rosary time.

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What about any of you?  Do you have any favorites you'd like to share?

Patty

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Current Status

Sunshine is her favorite accessory ;)

Patty

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All of My Chicks Under One Roof

Sarah finished her first year of college (pre-nursing) on May 1.  I helped her pack up and move back home for the summer.  The year went incredibly fast.  I still cannot believe just how fast.

Her closet is full to the brim and so is my heart.  I have all my chicks under one roof for three months!!

The other night my husband and I ran an errand and when we arrived home afterward, it was such a GREAT feeling knowing that Sarah was home and home for the summer.  No words can describe it.

I know.  I know.  They all leave the nest eventually.  That's why the feeling is so overflowing when you do have them all (even just temporarily) under your roof.

Patty

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Beach/Pool Gear I Love

I recently wrote a post about some new camping gear I tried and really liked.  There were some other items on that trip I tried for the first time that I thought was worth sharing.

*No reimbursements for these reviews.  Just wanted to share the good things I come across.*

Water Shoes ~

You never know when you may make contact with a jelly fish, sting ray, or sharp rock when swimming in the ocean or walking along the beach.  Then there are those beaches that get so incredibly hot, one can blister their feet from the heat.  (Those are the worst!)

I bought these CIOR Fantiny water shoes for Miss Clementine because they were lightweight, super easy to get on (even when wet), the mesh allows for quick drying, they are easy to wash out and off, and they are comfy!  I can't forget the large selection of color choices either.  Win Win!

On day two, she started sporting some irritation on the back side of her heel, (the upper part).  The back of the water shoe rides high.  I slapped a band aid on each to prevent a blister and off she went.

Beach Chair ~

I wanted a new beach chair for my birthday (for the seashore and the gorgeous state park lakes we frequent).

This Rio backpack beach chair came from Academy, but I know you can find them on Amazon as well.  

It's my favorite color, has an attached pillow, reclines in four positions, attached cup holder, lightweight,  and the storage in the back is great for books and magazines, phones or tablets. The padded straps are adjustable and the makes for hands-free carrying if you want.

Do you have any favorite beach/pool gear you like?

Patty

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A Marian Tea Party & Mary May Baskets

There's a lovely book that made its arrival into our home in Miss Mabel's Easter basket. 

It's filled with precious ideas surrounding tea parties with themes throughout the year.  

Today, using ideas from this book, we celebrated The Blessed Mother by having a tea party.  It was so sweet!

There were four little girls dressed in their Sunday best sitting around my dining room table.

I made sugar cookies the day before.  There was also fresh fruit on the menu.

The little girls were invited to bring flowers for Mary (the centerpiece).  

One mommy potted in the tiniest pots a little flower for each girl to have afterward.  

Then we prayed a decade of the Rosary.

I then brought out the supplies to make Mary May baskets.  These turned out so beautifully!  So precious!

They included a holy card of Mary (with the Hail Mary prayer on the back), two types of silk flowers,  and chocolates.

The girls could hang these on a neighbor's door, give them to a grandmother, or keep them for themselves (which I think they all did the latter ;)

We listened to a play list filled with child-friendly Marian hymns.

It was such a sweet and precious afternoon!  And I get to do it again next week for another group of little girls.  

Patty

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Camping Gear I LOVE

I tried out a few new things on our camping trip to the seashore in April.

Since I was so pleased with them, I'm going to write a couple of posts about theses new-to-me  products in case there are other sports enthusiasts or camping folks out there.

Towels

When we first started camping with all the kids, I had a towel and washcloth for each.

A LOT of space was taken up.  Too much space.

I switched to these, Wise Owl Microfiber Towels ::

Super soft, extra absorbent, fast drying (all important when camping)!

These towels come in 2 sizes, large and extra large.  The large is plenty big.

They can pack down to a 5"x7" (for the large), which is perfect for any fitness activity!

A washcloth is also included, but I don't personally care for the washcloth that comes with it.  I'm not sure if it is actually cleaning my skin??  It feels as though it is sliding over my skin.

(These two are for Miss Clementine and myself.)

These are the large, 24"x48".

They come in different colors so everyone can have their own.



Clothesline

In the past, using a nylon cord and packing a bunch of clothesline clips was such a pain in the bum.

No more.

I purchased this iTowe camping clothesline ::

It is so perfect for camping because it is versatile and has a compact storage bag.  The best part is that I can hang the line because of the elastic cord and end hooks.

*I am not being reimbursed for any advertisement here.*

Camping Gear I Love (Part 2)

Do you have any favorite or must-have items for camping?  Please share!

Patty

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My (Early) Mother's Day Gift

I was practical this year.

I asked for my door to be repainted and have a new lock set added.

(My hubby is talented and awesome!)

Before ::

After ::

I am SOOOO happy with how it turned out!

Before ::

Something had started to oxidize on it over the winter.  It was totally in need of a face lift.

The first step was to sand it.

Then David took it down and hung a "temp" up for the day.  (We were home all day, so it was safe.)

He primed it.

Then he painted it with three coats of the main color.  It dried quickly outside (the weather was perfect for this).  He used his fancy sprayer (have no idea what type it is except it's a fancy one).

After ::

I love the new lock set, too!

The inside handle ::

I am just so pleased with the final look!

David and the kids had suggested a navy-ish color, but I didn't want navy.  When I went outside, I saw my throw pillow on the bench and knew right away that was the blue we were looking for.


Color ~ Dark Iris
Paint ~ Valspar Duramax, Exterior Satin, Base 4

Patty 

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