Fairy Catching

Gracie really loves Tinkerbell at the moment, so when she asked me to help her catch fairies, I wasn't sure how to go about it, but I wanted to make it happen for her. 

Since I didn't think we could just net up any of these elusive little creatures, I thought we'd make a fairy garden in the backyard to lure them to us. 

It's been a project that we worked on for about a month, whenever we came across something new to add. 

First, we went shopping for some plants that looked like they would be good for fairies. Then we planted them in a big, half barrel. 

Next, we found a good fairy house and set to work readying it for them. 

There was lots of glitter glue and paint involved in this portion.

Next, we set the house up in the garden and added a sparkly blue path to help them find their way. 

Now, to wait. Here fairy, fairy, fairy....

Treasured Memories August Projects

This month, I got a kit of papers from Sassafrass Lass, and some Studio Calico alphas and cute paper clips. I also got some lovely pale blue lace and ombre yellow rafia. Fun stuff!!

I decided to finally scrapbook my beloved swinging pictures. These are some of my favourite pictures ever, so I had fun with this project.

I really liked the papers. Loved this woodgrain pattern that I used for the frame. 

Isn't that lace beautiful?? 

If you want to make your own pinwheels, like I did, simply cut or punch a square of paper, and then make a small snip in at all four corners, heading for the centre (but be careful you don't cut too far!!) This will make four triangle shapes on your square. Then fold one edge of each triangle into the centre and secure with a brad or button.

The butterflies are fussy-cut from some of the Sassafrass paper. 

Aren't those paperclips nice? I love the little flags. They almost feel like material. 

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 I also made a cute little card.  The tag on the front is actually a Pebbles tag, and the one inside is from the Echo Park patterned paper from my last kit.

To make this rosette, I cut a little strip of tulle and sprayed it with glimmer mist about halfway. Then I just twisted it into a rope and twirled it into a flower shape, securing it with double sided tape when it was all done. 

I used one of the paper clips as a leaf, too. See it??

I really liked this little journaling block from the Echo Park paper. Makes me want to pick flowers in an old-fashioned bike, even though in my world bikes are for riding downhill in the mountains.... Plus, a nice sentiment. Enjoy the Ride! Think I will. 

Chocolate Mint Cookies

For those of you with a ton of mint and too much rain to sit outside and drink mojitos this year:

These are not something I scooped from my backyard.... 

I know the picture looks a little unappealing, but these cookies are delicious and they use up the fresh mint in my herb garden. They taste like Girl Guide Thin Mints.

Here's the recipe:

Chocolate Mint Cookies with Fresh Mint Leaves

1 2/3 C all-purpose flour

1/3 C unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp fine sea salt

2 sticks butter, room temperature, softened

1/4 C granulated sugar

1/2 C packed light brown sugar

1 egg, room temperature

2 1/2 packed tablespoons Fresh Mint, chopped fine

1/2 C semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 C dark chocolate chunks or chips

Preheat the oven to 375 F and line cookie sheet with parchment paper (or spray sheet).  

Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.  

In a separate bowl, cream the butter and both sugars together until light and fluffy.  Add in the egg and mix until smooth.  

Stir in the finely chopped mint leaves.  

Add the dry ingredients in two steps, scraping down the bowl after each addition.  Mix until just combined, don't over mix.

Stir in the chocolate chips by hand.  

Scoop by the rounded tablespoon onto cookie sheets. 

Bake about 8-9 minutes, removing from the oven when the cookies appear just set.  For a soft cookie, make sure to not over-bake.  

Makes about 40 cookies.

Zoo Trip

A few weeks ago, we visited Brad's sister in Calgary and visited the zoo with her, her daughter, and Brad's parents (who go by GG and Grand Dad, now). We had so much fun. I love the Calgary Zoo.

 Checking out the penguins:

And the giant, penguin statue:

Hippos!

Gracie loved the phones that you could listen to. I'm not sure if she understood the animal facts, but she liked the fact that someone talked to her when she picked up the phone.

See the hippo in the water??

Checking out the gorillas with Grand Dad:

 Barely contained by strollers:

Cousin Paige:

Check out these elephants!

And these ones!!

 Checking things out with GG:

And enjoying the rides at the park

  and the kid's train

and the merry-go-round!!

Paige picked a flamingo for her first ride.

That's a sea turtle, she's riding!

and now a hippo:

and a frog!

Paige picked a gorilla for this ride!

We had a great trip and a fun morning at the zoo!

Last Day of gymnastics

Okay, again these pictures are old. Gracie finished gymnastics up in June, but I'm just getting around to posting some pictures of her last day now, at the end of July....

Gracie and Berlyn both liked the trampoline, but I think it was Berlyn's favourite.

Sorting coins? Simple game, but they loved it. Perhaps a banking career is in their future?

It took Gracie awhile, but she mastered the bear crawl across the ladder.

And, if I do say so myself, she's a natural on the bars. She's part monkey.... Brad's part, of course ;)

When you're so little, your entire body can fit into the ring most people use for one hand, that's when you think, maybe this is the sport for her.

 Kick your toes up, 

And flip!

 And a little help to stick the landing.

See, a monkey, even when she's riding a 'horse'

Or an owl?? Check out the twist with that hula hoop!

It's hard to take photos and be the hands that keep them safe, so don't mind the blur.

The rope was her favourite part, I think.

Sliding into the foam pit:

A little help, please!

Ball play on the floor mats.

And part of the group lined up and ready to run for their stamps at the end of class. 

I really liked gymnastics and think Gracie actually learned a lot and had fun. I think we'll probably be back at the gym this fall.