Lego Building Challenge #1 - Supermarket (Wegman's anyone?!)

Summer is here!  Time is aplenty.  Challenge your little (or big) builder with a Lego theme for the day.  If you have to, break apart all of those old creations that have been gathering dust and start fresh!  Need some inspiration for themes!? Check back every Monday for a new building challenge!

Lego Building Challenge #1 - Supermarket

Old-Fashioned Learning Fun, Inspired by the Delaware Children's Museum

Last week, we went to the Delaware Children's Museum in Wilmington, DE.  It resides in a huge warehouse that used to be home to a bar / restaurant back when we were in college.  I will tell you - the museum is a GIANT upgrade.  At $10 a ticket with AAA, it was a GREAT value.  We were there for three hours, and we could've stayed for more.  Because my right shoulder seems to sag below my left shoulder due to the gargantuan weight of my pocketbook, I didn't bring my camera.  But, we got tons of good ideas for low-tech, old-school summer activities as a result of exploring the museum.

Make Your Own Soccer Ball Cake (or Tennis Ball Cake.. or Baseball Cake... or...)

So, now you know how to make the best ever chocolate cake recipe (from a mix).  It's time to decorate it, with no Martha Stewart skills or tools required!

To make a soccer ball, tennis ball, baseball, volleyball (you get the point!) cake, you have two choices... You can purchase a ball-shaped cake pan from somewhere like Jo-Ann Fabrics.  I used this Wilton Soccer Ball 3D Cake Pan.  Don't forget to google for a Jo-Ann coupon (at least 40% off). Plus, they frequently offer $0.97 flat shipping.   They also sell baseball cake pans, volleyball cake pans, etc., but any of them will do...  You're just going to cover it with frosting anyway, so the little details from the pan won't be visible.

Don't feel like ordering a cake pan?  I've heard that you can use glass bowls to bake a round cake.  Disclaimer:  I've never tried this, so proceed at your own risk!  Interested? Here's a tutorial from livestrong.com. 

Okay, now that we've covered the pan part, let's get to the fun, sweet stuff!!

Make Your Own Easy Soccer Ball Cake
(or Tennis Ball Cake or Baseball Cake or Basketball Cake or Volleyball Cake)

Three Songs to Get You Pumped on a Monday Morning!

It's Monday morning.  If you're in the North East, it's been a gloomy weekend.  We are waiting for that strange yellow ball called the "sun" to grace our presence.

It's time to turn to YouTube to get me pumped up....   But what are my songs of choice?

First up, Can't Hold Us by Macklemore -


If this song by the Thrift Shop guy doesn't get your head moving, I'm not sure what will!  This video has had 45 MILLION views, and I think 1,000,000 of them might be mine!


Then, try a little "Keep Your Head Up", by Andy Grammer....

This song is just plain positive and has a great beat.



And, last....  "Troublemaker" by Olly Murs

I think Olly Murs was a British X Factor winner.  I'm not saying this song is going to change the world or has a special message, but it's crazy catchy!

What gets you going on a Monday morning?

Upcycled Glass Jelly Jar - From Trash to Treasure in 15 Minutes

Sometimes, I clean and save empty glass jars.  I'm not sure why.  There's something inherently crafty about them.  However, there's nothing crafty about them if you let them sit on a counter, collecting dust (as is usually the case in my house!).

Sometimes, inspiration strikes.  I was looking for a container to hold Q-tips on my bathroom counter.  Using an old jelly jar (with a name like Smuckers, it has to be good), a scrap of fabric and glue, an upcycled apothecary jar was born!

Here's how to make yours...  This whole project took about 15 minutes, total. 

Upcycled Glass Jelly Jar - From Trash to Treasure