Happy Birthday, Mr. President

A pretty vintage postcard I found online.

President's Day is a great time to remind everyone of what wonderful leaders we've had in America and reflect on history. They always have special little lessons at school especially the primary grades. As I think about this I chuckle. Not to be disrespectful. But, because BOTH of my sons (6 1/2 years apart age wise) tried to chop down a tree in my yard after hearing the "George Washington chopped down the cherry tree and could not tell a lie story."  This story whether historically accurate or not almost cost me TWO trees!! Both were caught in action and of course, did not tell a lie when confronted.

 I found some fun facts to share about two of our most loved forefathers, General George and Honest Abe. (Most of these came from Wikipedia and other such pages.) Hope you enjoy.

General George Washington (preferred this name to President)


A favorite Christmas story in our home is :

When Washington Crossed the Delaware by Lynne Cheney (wife of former VP Dick Cheney) She has written several wonderful children's books.

• Was considered a promising student. Taught business forms in school at age 9. (I like the thought of this because I think we should at the very least teach every child in public school how to balance a check book!!)
• The Gregorian Calendar that we use today was adopted during his lifetime.
• He was about 6'3"
• RED HAIR!!! (That surprised me.) Did not wear a wig but powdered his hair.
• He took his presidential oath on a Masonic Bible.
• He helped lay the cornerstone of the Capitol Building as mason
• One of his favorite horses was named-Nelson

"I can only say that there is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted for the abolition of slavery."~George Washington


President Abraham Lincoln

• He was Republican
• Born on Sinking Spring Farm in Hardin, KY
• Was considered lazy by some because he didn't like farm labor. (This gave me hope for my boys. ;-))
• Mostly self educated and loved to read
• Later became an avid axeman and fence builder
• Owned a general store
• Was County Postmaster
• Became a Lawyer teaching himself and studying alone
• Like General Washington one of his early careers was as county surveyor. Interesting common thread I thought.

"Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them? " ~ Abraham Lincoln

Here's a link to some cute president's day craft activities to do with the kids:
http://holidays.kaboose.com/presidents-day/presidents-day.html


Enjoy!

A Joyful Baby Blue Event

Wanted to share a baby boy shower collaboratively thrown by my talented family. We are fans of the eclectic and no one pulls together shabby chic better than my Mother who hosted at her home. This table was delightful. Don't you just love the ceramic baby booties!! The petit fors came from our favorite local baker. They are a shower staple. Uncle Mike made the baby blue and white chocolate covered coconut bon bons. Yum!!

I captured the photo to the left of this children's table before it was finished. But, I had to show you the little tea set as the centerpiece. Tres adorable.

To make the diapers/nut cups, cut a 5 inch square of a printed flannel. Fold once across the middle diagonally to make a triangle. Bring the 3 corners together and pin with a small safety pin. Using metal tongs dip in melted paraffin. (Be very safe. This is a hot procedure.) Set the "bottom" on a waxed paper lined cookie sheet to set up. You can use the tongs to open the top a little and shape if needed while still hot. Once they are set and the paraffin has stiffened, you can fill with peanuts. We always put a dollop of mustard in the bottom of one to dry before filling. Whoever gets the "dirty diaper" wins a prize. It's really cute and everyone gets a kick out of it. We've each taken a turn making these. However this batch was extra specially made by my Grandmother.

Little touches are the best! These paci mints are always a favorite too! Large Lifesavers, a dab of the white icing in the tube, and a jelly belly of your color choice(s).  

Isn't the umbrella a cute centerpiece on the gift table!?

There was a little robot motif mixed in as well in some of the labels and place cards. The new baby's nursery has a robot theme but a much brighter color pallet so these were used for fun.

Every time you celebrate, you should have a little joy!!   

One of my contributions to our Italian style lunch buffet, mini caprese salads on the cutest little appetizer forks that I accidentally found looking for toothpicks.

I just love the way everything came together! P.S. Etiquette aficionados, we did scoot the silverware to the proper place before the guests arrived. ;-)

Mimi Brenda's Secret Lasagne Recipe.

Tulips wrapped in a variety of papers found in the scrap booking aisle were guest favors.

Little Boy Blue come blow your horn,
The sheep's in the meadow the cow's in the corn.
But where's the boy who looks after the sheep?
He's under a haystack fast asleep. ~ Nursery Rhyme

Joy!