recycled pallet garden

You know the weird feeling you get when you learn a new word, and then suddenly you are hearing or seeing it over and over again?  It's such a strange feeling, and even has a name, the Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon.  Just watch, you are going to hear it about it again, soon!
My recent experience with Baader-Meinhof included garden pallets, not that I hadn't HEARD of garden pallets before, but....  it's like this.  I saw this garden project posted on Guard'n Planet's facebook page (which I love their blog, you should check them out!) http://www.facebook.com/guardnplanet?ref=ts
which recycled old pallets and used them as a raised garden bed!  I immediately wanted to do it, but thought where in the world do I find old, wooden pallets?   That very day, my neighbor just two houses down put one out for the garbage pickup!  Within 2 weeks, I had (actually my husband and  kids, who I bribed into going and bringing home) collected the 3 pallets I wanted all from different neighbor's trash!  It's just crazy how that works!

Here's how we did it:
Painting the pallets was fun, something that really excited the kids about this project!  We used a gloss spray paint. 
We turned the dirt under where the pallets would fit, and put down a weed barrier.  Then we added some old hay to stabilize the rockier pallets. 
I bought some compost and potting soil, and began filling the gaps in the pallets.  In the picture we have planted jalapenos, but I also have okra, eggplant, bell peppers, tomatoes, and melons to add to it! 
My big concern was our dogs, who immediately came and checked it out.  I was afraid they would think it was a new sunbathing patio for them.  So far, they have left it completely alone, which I contribute to the spaces in the slats. 

My Mommy Tips:

• I don't recommend using white.  The old wood just soaked up the paint, and even after 2 cans I wasn't satisfied.  The red and blue only needed one can of paint each. 
• Buy kid size gardening gloves.  The pallets are just splinters waiting to happen.!

San Jacinto Monument and battlegrounds

The San Jacinto Monument

Every lover of Texas history should visit the San Jacinto Monument, where Texas secured her place in history as a free nation!  But there is alot more to do and enjoy at the monument.  Growing up in nearby Pasadena, I have countless memories of field trips to the monument, family outings in the park and fishing trips.  
The grounds are beautiful, covered with trees and perfect for a picnic!  The day we were there, a local archeology group was conducting a dig, and my kids enjoyed watching them as they found .... nothing.  Well, not while we were there, but it was fun watching!  There is a nice hike, it starts off on a boardwalk through the marsh, then takes you down to Houston Ship Channel, and back through more of the marsh.  You can encounter lots of native wildlife, especially waterfowl. 

View from the observation tower

The observation tower is the highlight of a visit to the monument.  15 feet higher than the Washington Monument, thanks to the star at the top, it is the tallest column monument in the world!  An elevator ride takes you up to the top.  You can also watch the movie, Texas Forever, in the theatre.  Texas artifacts can be found in the Monument's museum, including Sam Houston's personal diary!

My Mommy Tips:

• The park bathrooms have real plumbing, not port a potties, which is a good thing!
• Take the fishing poles, there are lots of great places to fish. 
• Pack a lunch, the museum does not have food, and there are not any really close restaurant nearby. 
• For a nice, sit down lunch or dinner, try the Monument Inn, and watch as ship pass along the Houston Ship Channel; http://www.monumentinn.com/ 

For more information on the San Jacinto Museum; http://www.sanjacinto-museum.org/

Nearby attractions:
Battleship Texas; http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/battleship-texas

Armand Bayou Nature Center; http://abnc.org/

where the wild things are

Where The Wild Things Are was one of my favorite books as a child, and one of my favorites to read to my children.  I heard of the book's author and illustrator, Maurice Sendak's recent passing, I was saddened and thought of a way to honor him and his book in our home.  When the kids arrived home from school, we read the book together while eating their after school snack, then I suprised them with some new art supplies; construction paper, glue, crayons and markers.  My older kids helped my little one (and humored him a little), as we drew pictures of the wild things, with their terrible teeth and terrible eyes and terrible claws.  They cut them out and then my four year old put on his dinosaur costume, we didn't have a wolf costume, and he "tamed" them.  We then put on him a construction paper crown, and we all danced a "wild rumpus" with the paper cutouts!  We finished the evening by eating dinner together in my boy's room, "and it was still hot.".

My daughter and I took the art of Where The Wild Things Are a little further, and painted the colorful flowers found at the beginning and end of the book on a window screen.  The texture of the screen resembles the unique drawing in the book.

My Mommy Tips:

• Instead of free handing the pictures, use coloring pages found online; http://www.coloring-book.info/coloring/coloring_page.php?id=224
• If you have more money or time than I did, or if you want to celebrate this book at Halloween, there are Where The Wild Things Are costumes available.  I think a Where The Wild Things Are Halloween Party would be adorable! http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=366713&catid=185837&aid=333971&aparam=rubies_costumes_where_th&CAID=878d9fc1-21f3-46ff-9b8b-f756fa1fff04

Trinity Trail, Fort Worth

Before you read about how much I enjoyed the Trinity Trails, and I did, I need to make a point here.

Do you see the proximity of my four year old, on his little bike, with the RIVER?  I posted this picture first to prove that I am loosening up on my fear of water (where my children are concerned) because he IS NOT WEARING A LIFEJACKET! 
I mean, yeah, I brought it, it's in the car, but I DIDN'T PUT IT ON HIM!
And I wanted to...

If you are looking for a fun place for family bike rides, you have got to visit the Trinity Trails in Fort Worth!  You can ride for miles on the wide concrete trail along the Trinity River.  The paved trail is also easy for my four year old to ride, since he is still in training wheels.  There are very few steep inclines or declines, which are important when riding with a little one, and no car traffic.   There are lots of places to stop and rest, and play.  We enjoyed a picnic at Trinity Park, where Mayfest is held each year.  It has a nice playground, huge pecan trees and miniature train rides! We grabbed a cool drink on the way back at the Woodshed Smokehouse, which even offers bike racks to tired riders coming up from the river.  Their patio overlooks the water, and is so relaxing.  Too relaxing, because I didn't react fast enough when my four year old took off his bike helmet and THREW it in the river!  Luckily, the current was slow, and we were able to fish it out with a long stick!  And, I took some relief in knowing that, at least, it floats!

My Mommy Tips

• Trinity Park has port a potties, so make sure the kids go at home.
• 
  
• The Forest Park Miniature Train only takes cash.  Their times vary on the season, the weather, etc., so check before making promises.  It's a fun, approximately 35 minute ride along the river.  http://www.fpmt.us/

For more information, and maps to of the trails, http://www.trinitytrails.org/

  

nature shirts

Want a fun summer art project?  Paint t-shirts using stencils made from leaves, flowers, twigs and other items found while outside.  It makes a great activity while camping, at the lake, beach or park! 

My daughter's Girl Scout troop loves to decorate t-shits.  It's fun for them to wear matching shirts they made when we are going to an event.  At our recent campout we made "nature" shirts.  They hunted for natural items around the camp, and laid them out into a collage on the shirt.  If you have time, press the items down for about 10 minutes, using something flat, but not so heavy that they will be crushed.  We used spray fabric paint, applying either a little or a lot, for different designs.  They loved it and I liked that they were really looking at the leaves and flowers for specific designs, and noticing some of the wonders found in nature!

I found the idea at http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/nature-t-shirt-660632/  They used bleach, but I wanted the girls to make it themselves.  I think the paint worked great!

Texas Drive Ins

Brazos Drive In, Granbury

Summer means so many things to me, but close to the top of the list are warm nights at the drive in.  I've only been to a couple of these, but I sure think it's time to visit a few more! 


In Abilene, visit the Town & Country Drive-In.  It originally opened in 1956. 
http://towncountrydrivein.com/DriveIn.aspx
Like them on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TownCountryDriveIn

 In Rule is The Tower Drive In http://www.towerdriveintheatre.com/

The Tascosa Drive In http://tascosadrivein.com/ has entertained folks in Amarillo since 1952. Visit their facebook page to see what's playing;  http://www.facebook.com/TascosaDriveIn?ref=ts

Clarendon boast the Sandell Drive In, check out their facebook page for the latest movies; http://www.facebook.com/sandelldrivein

The Midway Drive In, near Turkey, was built in 1955.  http://www.midwaydrive-intexas.com/index.html and their facebook page; http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midway-Drive-In-Theater/124354774254121

The Stars and Stripes Drive In in Lubbock; http://driveinusa.com/  Visit their facebook page http://www.facebook.com/starsandstripesdrivein?ref=ts

Lamesa has the Sky Vue Theatre http://skyvuelamesa.com/

In Weslaco is the Wes-Mer; http://wesmerdrivein.com/

Visit Shiner and The Cross Roads Drive In http://www.crossroadsdrivein.com/

The Graham Drive In has been around since 1955; http://www.grahamdrivein.com/  And they have a facebook page; http://www.facebook.com/GrahamDriveIn

The Brazos Drive In, in Granbury, has been open since 1952!  Families arrive early to be certain of getting a premier parking spot in the front row.  Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to spread out on the grass during the movie, or a football or frisbee for fun before the 1st and 2nd features!  The Brazos also offers theatre style seating by the concession stands!
http://www.thebrazos.com/home.htm Follow along on their facebook page; http://www.facebook.com/brazosdrivein?ref=ts

Tyler offers you The Sky Vue http://www.tylerdrivein.com/

The Galaxy Drive In in Ennis has 5 screens http://galaxydriveintheatre.com/; http://www.facebook.com/galaxydriveintheatre?ref=ts

Starburst Bingo

Think Bingo, with a tasty twist. 

This weekend I'm going with my daughter's Girl Scout troop on our first cabin camping trip!  We are all very excited, and the girls had fun deciding games and activities for the trip.  One of the games we are going to play is Starburst Bingo.  It's played like a regular Bingo game, except instead of using a "dobber" or little plastic disk, we use Starburst candies. 


What's so fun or different about that?  Well, imagine your just about to say Bingo, when the caller pulls out a number that's not a number, it's a direction to eat one of the yellow Starburst off your card.  Or eat a pink Starburst off your neighbor to the left's card.  Or place an orange Starburst (my personal favorite) on the card of your neighbor to the right.  It's fun and guess what you get when you yell "Bingo"!  A package of Starburst!