Beethoven

I was given this scary Beethoven from my sister-in-law who got it from our Granny. I loved the idea of having a Beethoven sit on our piano, but this one was a little scary and kind of dingy looking. He actually wasn't dirty, but the way he was painted made it look like it.

 

First, I took off the worn out and ugly black felt glued underneath.

Then, I laid down a cruddy old tarp on the driveway so I wouldn't make hubby mad by getting paint everywhere.

Then, I spray painted him white. I suppose I could have painted him any color really, but decided white would most classic. When he was dry, I glued a new piece of white felt underneath so he wouldn't scratch whatever surface I set him on.

And, viola! Still a little scary because of the stern look on his face, but much more pleasant looking all clean and white.

The same day I spray painted Beethoven, I also sprayed painted an old woven basket I had. It was quite ugly beforehand (sorry, didn't think to take a before picture). But, painted red, it will make a lovely accent in one of my rooms. And give me added storage :) Spray painting things just might be my new favorite way to transform something.

 



Homemade Lemonade

Now that I have a lemon tree, I have been finding more and more uses for fresh lemons. Here is a recipe for fresh homemade lemonade that everyone will love.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups sugar
8-9 cups water
1 1/2 cups lemon juice
zest from 1-2 lemons

Put sugar, 1 cup of water, and zest into a saucepan and cook on low until sugar dissolves. Do not allow to boil. When all the sugar is dissolved, cool in the fridge.

Meanwhile, juice enough lemons to make 1 1/2 cups of fresh lemon juice.

 When all your lemons are juiced and the water and sugar mixture is cooled, it's time to add all the ingredients together. First, I used a strainer and strained off the zest from the water and sugar mixture when adding it to the pitcher. Then I added my lemon juice. You can strain this as well if you do not like as much pulp. Then add the remaining water (7-8 cups) until the lemonade is to your liking. I like my lemonade a little more weak so I added more water.

Serve in a pint sized mason jar and garnish with a lemon slice.

Activity Book

A year or so ago I made an activity book for Bode to keep busy at church and on car rides. I am constantly asked "Where did you get that?" so I thought I would share how easy it is.

First I got an old 1" 3 ring binder from our collection of unused junk. You know you all have one somewhere not being used. Then at the store I bought:
- magnetic dry erase markers
- peel and stick velcroe (I bought black so it would match the black binder I found)
- clear sheet protectors that fit into a 3 ring binder

I attached the rough side of the velcroe to the binder on the inside.

I then attached a small piece off the soft velcroe to the part of the dry erase marker where the magnet was.

Now, the only thing left to do is fill it with whatever you want them to do. Currently Bode has practice sheets for all the letters of the alphabet and then some bonus shape tracing and connect-the-dots. Really, you could put anything you want. I also have a blank page in the back in case he just feels like doodling.

The dry erase markers have a felt eraser on their lid, but I also usually have an old washcloth for him to use to wipe it off too - it's quicker and easier. But when (WHEN, not IF) your child forgets to wipe it down, you can always go back and spray it down with some Windex and it will come clean.

You are now free to enjoy sacrament meeting, car trips, whatever...