Common Core: Graphic Organizers for Reading Literature Grades 3-5

Honey Cinnamon Roasted Chickpeas

Bumble Bee Birdhouse Hand Painted Gourd Art - Busy as a Bee ADORAbLE GiFT IDEA CUSTOM ORDER Available so Cute Designs by Sugarbear Original

Cascading Garden Pom Poms! Great Wedding or Party Idea!

So I've been searching of ways to start doing crafts for budget weddings and fell in love with the idea of the very popular can't-get-enough-of-POM POMS. I bought bulk 20x30 inches of tissue paper online and started to make them. I couldn't stop. I kept making all sizes. I then hung them from the ceiling and took a million pictures of them. I couldn't stop that either. The photos just could not capture the true beauty of these things. Why is this POM POM tutorial different than any other you may ask??  I have a few ideas that you may like. This is DIRT CHEAP and SO adorable. They are easy, super fun to make and can be made MONTHS before the event date.  

 Things you may need: 

• Tissue paper
• Scissor
• Galvanized wires or any thin floral wire (optional)
• Fishing line or clear sewing thread to hang

I cut my 20x30 inch tissue paper into 2 pieces measuring 15x20in. I used 16 of those size sheets to create a huge POM POM. When I was done I folded the 15x20 inch sheets in half (creating 10x15in sheets) and made medium size POM POMS and so on. Keep folding in half to create smaller size POM POMS etc. The more sheets you use the thicker the flower pom pom will be.

I started by folding the 10 sheets of 7.5x10in inch tissue paper. I folded them at about 1 INCH folds until it looked like an accordion.

 

Accordion folds.

 Cut the ends round (semi circle) for roses. Cut them pointy if you want another petal look.

Do the other side...

Cut your wire about 5-7 inches.  Make a half inch loop if you will be hanging these from each other. This however is not necessary BUT easier when hanging.

Tie the folded sheets together and twist the wires at the bottom. Should look like this.

 

Make sure you tie the wire in the center of your fold. This assures that when hung, your POM POM will hang straight!

Hold it fanned out.

Start separating one sheet at a time on one side then do the other side.

 

 Both sides-top view.

 Sorry if I'm OVER explaining.

Here is a mini version (this is 5x7.5in paper) CUTEST ONE!

Cut the wire on the bottom to about 2 inches and make a loop. Grab with a needle nose pliers (easier) and twist with hand.

 

You can also make a HOOK instead of a loop. This makes it easier to hang in different locations if you change your mind...

Loops will not show.

  

You can layer your colors of tissue paper to achieve a variation of colored petals.

 

Few different sizes.

To the far left center, there is a light switch witch shows in comparison, the sizes of these lovely things!

You can use them as ROSES on the dining table. Just flatten the bottoms to sit...um...flat :)  I used battery operated tea lights in the center.  They come in many colors and flicker like real candles. VERY safe. Too bad I could not capture how really beautiful they glowed. 

 Close the petals around the tea-lights.

Enjoy...

To use MY sizes shown in this cascading tutorial, here they are...

I used 20x30 tissue paper
X Large   15x20in (16 sheets) (20x30 folded in half)

Large      10x15in (12-14 sheets) (15x20 folded in half)
Medium  7.5x10in (8-10 sheets) (10x15 folded  in half)
Small      5x7.5in (6-8 sheets) (7.5x10 folded in half)
X Small  3.75x5in (6-8 sheets) (5x7.5in folded in half)

You can buy bulk tissue packs online (better deal) or you can find them at the 99 cent stores. - See more at: http://www.craftymoods.com/2011/01/cascading-garden-pom-poms.html#.U7K7EPkhC-0

Wednesday Wedding Inspiration: Harry Potter

But what would a Harry Potter themed wedding look like I hear you cry?! Well….prepare for horcruxes, golden snitch cake pops, broomstick favors and even a few chocolate frogs! I solemnly swear that I’m up to no good…

~pantry made with Ikea bookshelves~

Our pantry in our kitchen is the size of a regular closet. When we first added it, we chose wire shelving.
That quickly became old because things would tip over and it was just a giant mess.
It just so happened that 2 Ikea billy bookshelves fit perfectly.

I like how everything is all neat and tidy now. I recently made a trip to the store and loaded up on matching glass canisters. I think this makes a huge difference.
It's so easy now when I am baking, I can see everything clearly.

Thanksgiving Prep: Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes

Continuing with my thanksgiving prep I present a completely new idea. Well…. at least I think it’s new. :~)

As you may know this is the first year I’m cooking Thanksgiving dinner. I’m feeling the pressure to make things very traditional but I also want to make them my own (with health and nutrition in mind, of course!) So instead of the old fashioned candied mashed sweet potatoes with marshmallow on top, I’m going for sweet potatoes in the crockpot.

The idea here was to make something festive, light, fun and EASY. There are some things I just don’t want to have to worry about yet I still I want, like sweet potatoes.

So yesterday I did a bit of experimenting. I cut up one mother of a potato cranked on the crockpot and I was pleasantly surprised that my idea worked. Now I have a new sweet potato dish and I can’t wait to see how everyone likes it on the big day!

Note: I used 1 pound of potatoes and it was a little much for the amount of marinade. So I’m upping it a bit for the “idea”. Again, think of this as a “formula”, doubling and tripling, even halving as necessary. You could also throw in some carrots!

• 4 large sweet potatoes (about 5 inches long)
• 1 tbsp honey (21g)
• 1 tbsp molasses (20g)
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 tsp ground allspice
• dried or fresh parsley for garnish

Clean (scrub) the potatoes with water. Cut into large chunks leaving skin on. Add them to the crockpot.

In a small bowl whisk the honey, molasses, vinegar and all spice to make the marinade.

Pour the marinade over the potatoes, stir to coat.

Cover and cook on high for about 4 hours until potatoes are nice and soft.

Serve in a casserole dish with a sprinkle of parsley.

Approx Nutritional Information per serving

Servings	Amt per Serving
4	1/4 Recipe (about 150g – I’m going by 1 potato each)
Calories	Fat	Fiber	WWPs
150	0g	4g	old: 3	new: 4
Sugar	Sat Fat	Carbs	Protein
13g	0g	35g	2g