Let's go on a picnic!

It is sheer coincidence that today, National Picnic Day, I am posting about this recent find, but very fitting... So here it goes!

I have been wanting a picnic basket for some time now. Probably since a certain child busted the handles off of the one my parents had bought me when I was in HS. I've dropped hints, shopped around, looked at Goodwill. But everyone I found was either a weird size, had flimsy handles, cost way too much or was broken so badly it was good for nothing but decoration. Until the other day. Went to Goodwill and found this lovely gem....

The only thing wrong with it is a little bit of the decorative wood trim is chipped, but what you can't make out in this photo is that little red tag there says $1.99!!! Sturdy handles, big space, durable wood and a great price!

It fits my fancy enamel thrift store plates very nicely (although the charger plates are a bit too big), if we are doing a picnic for two or it can hold a big stack of paper plates and plastic cups if we're doing something for the whole family. I can't wait to start using it! I can envision so many special moments using this little basket!

Shoebox Swap!

I recently took part in this gift swap over at the Homespun Heart and it was so much fun! Usually these blogging sisters use a theme like "clean sweep" or "noel" for their swaps, but this time around it was choose your own theme and I think it kinda makes the element of surprise a little bit more fun.

My swap partner was April and we literally had the same answers to most of the getting know to you questions. We didn't get to talk much before the swap deadline, but are fastly becoming friends through facebook chat. Special bonus...She lives like 10 minutes from Trish, so I'm hoping to meet her soon!

Here is what I received from April...

Some yummy smelling coffee from Maple Valley, a book, magazine, recipe cards (I needed some for a new something I'll post about soon), blank note cards, super soft socks, notepad, pretty necklace and that little hook thing on the socks is a bookmark with blue jewels and a moon on it!

For the box I sent her I went with an outdoors kind of theme. It included some Woods Coffee, cinnamon pine cones, a votive candle w/ a basket holder, a book, recipe cards, a jar of "Friendship Soup" mix, outdoor themed toys for her kids and an apron I made that looks just like this one...

I had so much fun doing this swap and enjoyed putting the package together. Can't wait for the next one!

Never a dull moment here...

Today was a day just like any other day. Fed the kids breakfast, got some coffee going and when I sat down to drink my coffee in the living room I notice this guy messing around with his car. My thoughts were that's so sad that he's having car problems. Then he starts beating on the car, yanking stuff out and pouring stuff onto it. (may have just been water, I'm not sure) He begins to walk away from the car and we start to see it smoking. Then the smoke starts billowing out. I call 911 and when the firetruck got here the engine compartment was a full on blaze!

The fire department quickly got the fire under control and just as I'm typing this the tow truck is hauling the SUV away. I've come to the conclusion that we will rarely get those calm serene mornings that we dream of. Even when we're calm and quiet, the outside world comes smashing in! Enjoy your day!

Offering Hopsitality

I've been featured on a wonderful blog over at Offering Hospitality for my spring parties I have done with the kiddos!!!
Head over to their blog and read today's post challenging us to do something fun for the first day of summer.

I'm really enjoying learning from these ladies and growing in the area of hospitality and now my head is swirling with ideas of how to celebrate the first day of summer with my kids. I'm sure that big beautiful lake outside my window will play into it somehow!