Thursday, December 6, 2012

Well this could be fun...


I am now officially on Instagram!
I'm still learning what all of the buttons are, and I'm still learning how to take photos in bad lighting...
But go ahead and follow me, and leave a note so I can follow you back!

My user name is MissYellowShoes of course.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Easy Peasey Healthy Meal


Hummus, avocado, tomato, and delicious bread.
Could you ask for anything more?

Healthy doesn't have to be yucky. (that's what I always thought) 

I made this meal for Mike and I a few days ago and I can rate this open faced sandwich 5 golden stars!
I made these bagels from scratch and replaced the regular bread with the bagel bread. 

(psst! I added some Italian herbs to my dough)

It's a quick meal.
It's a delicious meal.
You try it and let me know how many stars you'd rate it.

Monday, December 3, 2012

Baby Steps


"Mrs.Girr, you have chubby cheeks"- little girl from preschool
(true story)

I'm taking those first few baby steps towards a healthier lifestyle. I figure that it will take me quite a while to reach my goal weight and to have a healthier body. 

Maybe that's why I've been fearful of taking on a healthier lifestyle. It's just easier to eat whatever I'm craving, and eating what I want gives me satisfaction immediately. 

I've had the fear of failure in front of me for too long. I've feared that I'll work so hard and deny myself so much only to have nothing to show for it.


So here I am, taking my baby steps. 

Stay tuned.



Monday, November 26, 2012

Dolls

So I have this belief that being a woman allows me to have stuffed animals and still be considered a sane human being. 
I've always had a love for dolls.
First I collected ceramic dolls, then regular plastic dolls, and now I have a thing for scrap fabric dolls.





I just scored two bags full of scrap fabric (for free) and see a few of these dolls in my future. 

Now all I need is the time.



Saturday, November 24, 2012

Cutey Kids

Mike and I aren't planning on having kids for a few more years,but a girl can dream.


This little Lion jacket is adorable and it doesn't look like it would be that hard to make.
All you would have to do it add a little mane after yarn and a tail with some ribbon. The nose, ears, and claws could be easily made with felt. 


Of course, being crafty me, I'm sure to have some of the cutest bibs around.
These little bows would be soooo easy to sew onto a regular bib. 

Can I hear an "Awwww!" for this next one?


I know that Mike will make a great daddy, and one of my dreams is to have a photo shoot like this one.
I'm sure that this is something we could all treasure forever.


Life in Vermont equals cold cold winters. How sweet would it be to wrap a baby up in this little sleeping bag quilt? Perhaps the squares could be made from Mike's and my old baby clothes?

So this post is not an announcement of any kind.

I am not pregnant. 

I'm just a married girl dreaming of sweet days to come. 

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Thanksgiving Activities in the Preschool


What's been going on this month in our preschool classroom?


The kids have been making the classic hand-print turkeys...


They've also kept themselves busy by "cooking" a Thanksgiving Feast almost every day!


During our Native American lessons, I taught the kids how to weave. They did pretty good for 3 and 4 years old.


I made little pockets with plastic "windows" for each student's weaving project.


We made little paper tepees for our Native American village  


The kids have been really getting creative in the use of natural materials during play time.
Pine-cones become people, seashells become houses...it's pretty neat.


We made these hand-print Mayflower boats while learning about the voyage of the pilgrims.


I bought some of those decorative Indian corn things and gave them to the kids to play with. As soon as they got outside, the kids started "planting" the corn with a "fish" just like Squanto taught the pilgrims to do. 


So there are just some of the activities our preschool group enjoyed this November. 
I hope they can inspire you to try something new with your class. 

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Oh, How Much We Change


Looking at those two pictures above, I can't believe they're of the same girl.

One was from my sophomore year in high school, and the other...well...the best day ever.
How much have I changed in those years?

I used to be the super self conscious girl who wouldn't even order a meal at McDonalds because she was too shy. I was nerdy and goofy and didn't really know how to put myself together. My hair was a wreck and my clothes never really matched or fit right. 
I wanted to be one of the pretty girls and had dreams of continuing my education by going to college.

Well now that I think about it, I'm still insecure and my hair is it's usual mess. My clothes don't match but I've accomplished my childhood dream of becoming a teacher. I sometimes hide my insecurities by being funny and making people laugh with me and not at me. I'm a little better about talking to total strangers (half of you fall into that category) and I am much much better at being transparent. 

People can accept for me who I am and know that I'm not hiding anything. I'm not a hypocrite so if I'm struggling with something, you'll all know about it. 

Being totally open my heart makes you feel secure, but it often takes me out of my comfort zone. 

Why do that to yourself?

Because I can grow as a person and as a Christian when I'm out of my comfort zone. And sometimes there's someone else out there (maybe one of my frequent readers) who is going through the same things that I am. Taking a peek into another girls heart can give a different perspective and bring comfort.

If sharing my feelings annoys you, just realize that these words might actually be helping someone else. 



Thursday, November 1, 2012

So 90's

Well I know don't know about you guys, but my last thrifting trip was awesome!
I got so much!

Okay, so I bought three tops.... But for a girl who is used to walking out sad and empty handed, three tops is a big deal. 


The one I am most excited about it a jean blouse/jacket thing. You know, the kind that used to be popular in the 90's?

I've been hunting one down all summer long. 
$4.99 was a total steal!

Here are some of the looks I'm really excited about putting together.


I can tie on my jean shirt over a summer dress. Add a pin for some cute personality.


Another version of the shirt-over-the-dress look. Defiantly roll up the sleeves or you'll look stuffy (in my opinion).


Here's something new. Layer a tank top and jacket/sweater over the jean shirt. This could get a little bulky  so make sure your jean shirt is nicely fitted. 


This last idea is the simplest one. Replace your typical cardigan outfit with a jean shirt. It adds interest in a look and you can't really go wrong with dark or white wash jean.




Wednesday, October 31, 2012

I dreamed my whole house was clean...


So here’s a little piece of my heart. Everyone knows that I’m an open book and I don’t hide much.

I've been feeling down lately because I can’t be “the perfect wife.”

Mike and I are both teachers. That means that our feet hit the floor before the sun comes up. We work hard all day and make it home just as the sun is making its “farewell”. I try to cook something mildly edible and plan lessons and activities for the next day.


 Don’t miss-read my post. I’m not complaining about work. I love my job and it’s my passion. I wouldn't be happy if I wasn't pouring my heart into preschool.

But I don’t think that I was prepared for the adjustment marriage was going to take.  Again, don’t miss-read me. Mike and I are doing fantastic as far as relationships go. He’s my best friend and I’m so happy to be with him! What I wasn't prepared for was the whole responsibility of running a home.


I know that all of the veteran moms are reading this and thinking “yeah, just deal with it” but how in the world do I juggle meal planning, cooking, cleaning, working, socializing, blogging, and crafting? Please! Give me some wisdom!

I feel like I can’t do everything I want or need to
 so I have to let things go here and there. Before I know it, the dishes have piled way high or I haven’t picked up a crochet hook in a month. Our bed has just been made after several days of looking like a hamster attack.


Where is Martha Stewart when I need her?



Sunday, October 28, 2012

I made pompoms


Come on. Admit it.

Like me,  you've pinned countless pins on Pintrest saying to yourself "I WILL make this!"

I have made an honest effort to actually go back to my boards and use the ideas I've pinned. 
I mean, what's the use of brilliant ideas all organized and available at my fingers tips if I don't use them?

So this past weekend, when I was asked to help decorate for a baby shower, I flew to some of my old boards and found these beauties. 





I made 20 pompom flowers and I can't tell you how easy this project was. All you do is follow this easy pompom diy I made a few months ago, and hot glue the pompoms onto sticks.


So simple, so pretty.

Anyone going pompom crazy yet?

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Antique Adventures: Red


So if you guys remember a few weeks ago, I found an original Dream Pet on one of my antique adventures
Well, I was lucky enough to not only find another original...but this one was in a free box!


I'm naming him Red. I know...not totally original, but I really think it fits.

He's a little red dog with a slightly bobbly head. His ear had wires on the inside so I can perk them up in a surprised expression or down for a more natural look.


I think he's really cute and he fits so well in the smallest spaces.


Have a happy Saturday!




Sunday, October 21, 2012

Hands on Learning


My teacher tip today is a quote from one of the best elementary teachers ever...Miss Frizzle.

"Take chances, make mistakes, get messy. "

Get messy

One of the scariest things a mother can hear. Most kid's can't get messy and dirty at home. They don't really get chances to tear apart daisies to see how those petals are attached. They don't get build with those mini pumpkins bought during October. 

"You'll break it"
"That's a decoration"
"Don't get your clothes dirty"

Well...at preschool... we have what I call "Controlled Chaos".



If you would have walked into my classroom last Friday, you would have become overwhelmed by the sweet smell of daisies. Then you would hear the happy chatter of children making "flower soup". 


It was so exciting to see what the kids were doing with the daisies.
I thought that they would just peel them apart, get bored, and walk away.
Before I knew it, I had little ones bringing toys from different stations to the flower table.

My kids were soon playing "house" and "chef" and learning science all at the same time! They play went on for an hour. 

 I had a nice vacuuming job at the end of the day, but it was totally worth it!


Sunday, October 14, 2012

Tuesday Will Change My Life



It’s been a while since I've shared anything about my dad’s cancer. 

Maybe it’s because giving the situation up to God has put my soul at rest. I've placed my father’s health in my God’s hands and walked away in full trust. I know God will do what is best, and I’m okay with whatever that is.

Well…treatments have stopped and we've been placed in a waiting period for the last 6 weeks. I’m human in admitting that I've been fidgety once or twice while waiting for test results. These results will determine if all the treatments worked, what the next step is…all that cancer stuff.

A few days ago, I was sitting in the car while Mike drove us home. I looked at the gorgeous fall leaves and took in my favorite season when I realized something. I had a choice to make.

 Tuesday’s test results were going to change my life. 

I would either hear “The treatments have worked. You’re father is in good health!” or “I’m sorry, we’ll try and come up in another plan to battle this cancer.”

 I have no control over what the doctor tells us, that’s God’s plan. But I do have a choice in how I will react.

I have decided with whatever news comes my way, I will rejoice in my God.

He loves me, and he loves my dad more than I ever could. I know that I can trust him now and always because of that love.

So…if Dad is cancer free, I will praise my God.
If  Dad isn't getting any better, I will praise my God.

Tuesday will bring news that will change the rest of my life…but that news can’t break my relationship with my God.


Dad, if you’re reading this…I love you.