Boring Chalkboard to Va Va Voom Chalkboard DIY Makeover!

I started with the largest plain chalkboard size they had at Hobby Lobby and it was $12.99- a good deal if you ask me!

Then I painted the frame white:

I also purchased 12 wooden circles at Hobby Lobby (2 for $1.00).  I laid them on a trash bag outside and did my favorite thing with them....

SPRAYPAINTED!!!! It took me several coats because I bought the super cheap kind and I definitely should have paid $2 more and gotten the good, Krylon spraypaint...lesson learned

Voila', 12 spraypainted circles....and you're done!

Just kidding.

Next I glued the circles onto the top and bottom of the frame and added my flav-o-favorite...a peacock feather!

Testing, testing, 1-2-3

Yay! Time to make a to-do list...or plan out my menu for the week...or just write "Winning!" really big across the thing.

Linking up with:

A Winner and Some Fun Categories

Thank you everyone for participating in the Crawler Covers giveaway!  The winner of 5 pairs is.....

#30...APRIL!!!!

Send me an email to retrogalusa@aol.com with your shipping info and the 5 pairs you would like and your Crawlers will be on their way!

Now for some category fun.

My top picks today for CHENILLE:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Happy Tuesday! We are headed to the Infantry Museum...it's unreal. What are you doing today?

As if I didn't already love her...

I had to go and meet The Pioneer Woman and become OBSESSED!  The woman is a jewel...as in a true ruby...seriously, look at this face and tell me it doesn't make you want to be her best friend?

Okay, maybe this one would be a better, current representation:

And here is her favorite picture of her husband that she refers to as "Marlboro Man", whom we also got to meet...errrr...see, not meet, but we were close enough that it felt like we were brave enough to go up to him and ask to take a picture with him:

Her caption for this picture: "This. This. This is what chaps are all about. And don't let anyone try to tell you otherwise." Which you can find in her cookbook between chicken spaghetti and chicken friend steak.

Her husband is one tall dude with a cowboy hat and boots...and all of her many blog posts about how good looking he is are believable (and don't worry, I still think my husband's cute behind would look even better than this in  chaps...no offense Ree)

Then we met her yougest, the two boys...or saw them at least.  They are the cutest things you ever did see...decked out in their button down shirts, tucked into cowboy style wrangler jeans, boots and a belt. 

She was just the friendliest, sweetest gal.  I went with my friends Amy and April and I couldn't have asked for  better company.  She talked to all of us without making us feel rushed, even though the line was tremendous.  Right before we walked away she looked at me and said, "You look so cute!" My new claim to fame....THE PIONEER WOMAN THINKS I'M CUTE!!!!

I always thought people who stood in ridiculously long lines to meet people were....um....well, ridiculous.  I never could think of anyone that I liked enough to stand in line that long for...but I finally found someone that was worth the line...and she didn't disappoint :)

I loveee that lady.

Here we are, all one big happy family:

(She had BLACK boots on this time!)

Trellis

I love trellis prints but they have always intimidated me when I thought about doing a trellis pattern on something.  So today, I overcame my fear and gave it a shot.

Trellis Square Plate and Tea Mug Set

And a tote bag!  Gearing up for the farmers market :)

Anyone else out there who loves a good trellis print?

Crawler Covers GIVEAWAY!!!!

Hello to all my mama's out there with little babies who are crawling or will be crawling...or for my mama's out there who are looking for a cute, trendy fashion for your older children....this is the giveaway for you!

Fate Goddess on Etsy has an amazing shop, filled with the cutest crawler covers and other fun things!

Polka Dots

Stripes

Some for the boys

Some for the older gals

Some for the older guys

Some for the holidays

Some because mommies like to dress up their babies

And some just because they are FUN!

Some for EVERYONE!!!

Kinda makes me wish she made them in my size!

Soooo, GUESS WHAT????

One lucky winner will be winning 5 pairs of these cuties!!!  Yes, I said FIVE pairs of your choice!!!

How to enter:

1. Visit Fate Goddess and come back to let us know your favorite item from her shop.

2.  "Like" Fate Goddess on facebook and leave a separate comment letting us know.

3.  Blog about this giveaway and leave a link to your blog.

4.  Retweet this by clicking the "tweet" button at the top of my blog.

Each entry counts! The more entries you participate in, the more chance you have of winning!

The winner will be chosen next Tuesday!

2 year old distraction

Caleb has a fever and he is the whiniest little thing that you ever did see.  Trying to comfort him has proven to be quite a daunting task.  He is beside himself and can't seem to get comfortable.  I remembered a cute, cheap activity that I read about last week and decided it was worth a try.  It's such a simple concept, but for a 2 year old, it's AWESOME...and I will have to say for a 24 year old it was very awesome to have 20 minutes of no whining!  

You need two bowls or pots half filled with water and ice and a slotted spoon.

Then you show them how to move the ice cubes from one bowl to the other!

I'm thinking Caleb felt like a real scientist....doing experiments with cold concoctions....

Trying to find the perfectly icy formula...discovering a new ice species....

Or not....

At least he has proven the formula is safe for consumption :-)

Week Review in Pictures

Our week in pictures!

Last Saturday: We went to see one of our youth group kids at his track meet.  It was warm, beautiful and a lot of fun!  Caleb was mesmerized by the athletes.  

Monday: Dreary day but a good day. 

Headband day because some days I am too lazy to wash my hair.

 Caleb got a good nap in and I sat out on the porch looking at my new shoots in my flower bed, grateful for the first signs of spring and watching the rain.

Caleb got to play in the puddles when he woke up

I also made Caleb a plate...Monday was a pretty fun day

Tuesday: We went to Bible study, out to lunch with our friends (where Caleb knocked over an entire, huge glass of water on the both of us!) and then we went to an FRG meeting.  Seth's captain sent us home with a bag of "Muncho's" because we had never tried them.  Caleb is hooked.

Wednesday:

Dr. Seuss' Birthday and Caleb's 2 year old photoshoot

Stopped to look at the pretty trees that are blooming everywhere around here

Thursday:

Play date with Amy and April.

Caleb had such a fun time with his little study buddy.

Seth came home early and crashed on the couch.  Caleb thought he needed a buddy.

Friday:

Caleb and I headed out early to hit up the consignment sales.  He is so silly.

Then we had lunch and ice cream with our friends.  This is Caleb and his buddy chillin out.

Today is rainy again and we are trying to think of something fun to do!

What did you do this week?