Beneficial Thinking

In no particular order, here are my favorite posts from this week.

1. Everyday Cinnamon Rolls by Our Best Bites
   Yumm-O! Can't wait to try them!
2. Scrapbook Space: Melissa Samuels by Scrapbook Trends Blog
   I love seeing other people's scrap spaces... and get ideas off of them!
3. Wrapping Paper & Ribbon Wall Rack by 33 Shades of Green
   I'm not sure if I'd use it for wrapping paper, but I'd love one of these for ribbon!
4. You Know You're a Photo Project Junkie When...  by Write. Click. Scrapbook.
   Love this project. Make sure you get all the way down to the end and look at the "today's Bonus" ideas.
5. The Art of Being Still by Uncluttered
   How often do we take time to just be still?
6. Pottery Barn Inspired Shelf by My Repurposed Life
   I have been looking for something like this for my son's room. Then, in addition to the hooks, I can do some that are just a simple shelf but look similar.
7. What to Do When You Can't Possibly Prepare Enough by the Simple Dollar
   What a great reminder to save! Keeping Ellen's family in my thoughts and prayers.
8. My First Ever Product Review by Fill Up Your Mug and Sit Awhile
   I actually had the Goody Simple Styles Spin Pins in my hand and almost in the cart... and then I put them back. But now that I know someone who tried them, I will definitely go back to make the purchase! Thanks Sarah R.
9. Window Display Cabinet by My Repurposed Life (found through Remodelaholic)
   This looks similar to an old cabinet that a friend of mine had that I loved.
10. Transforming Furniture by Unclutterer
    We don't have a small house, but I love these ideas for a child's room or to hide beds away when guests aren't visiting.

10. Take a mommy-and-me class

11. Find time to go outside with Ben while daddy is at softball

12. Speech therapy for Ben

13. Follow-up with sleep clinic and ENT about Ben's tonsils

14. Follow-up with cardiologist about Ben's hole in his heart

28. Find a paint color for the main portions of the house



43. Hang glass-blown balls


48. Carpet the great room

52. Get the driveway sealed

53. Get a shed in the yard

55. 2010 Taxes

Well, unfortunately we won't be able to go to Outer Banks this year, but if we were, I would have made this recipe to take with us and throw it in the oven the night we got there. When I want to add meat I usually do a combo of ground beef and Italian sausage, about 3/4 lb. each. I have also been known to throw in whatever veggies I have on hand—mushrooms, green peppers, etc.


Rattray, Diana."Stuffed Shells." Recipe. About.com. 2010. The New York Times Company. June 9, 2010 <http://southernfood.about.com/od/pastarecipes/r/bl30223n.htm>.

Mr. Potato Head by Playskool

Don't underestimate the power of learning through play. I bought Mr. Potato Head two weeks ago for my son, who has speech problems. Although he knew the body parts, he was only saying a few of them. Since we have started "playing" with Mr. Potato Head, he has started saying mouth, feet, arm, nose, ear, and eyes. It's amazing the new things kids can learn with new toys!

So, I bought some paint samples over the weekend and painted some squares on the wall tonight! Now comes the hard part, I have to choose a color from the five swatches painted on the wall in the kitchen (or try again). Then, even harder, I have to find a color (or colors) for the adjoining Great Room.

After all the painting is done, we're going to put new carpet in the Great Room! I can't wait to get the super-light carpet out and get something a little darker and more durable. Oh, the decisions that were made before we had a child. So that is what is spurring on all the upcoming painting.

I'm going to try to get a picture taken of the paint samples in the light tomorrow. Have a great night!

Monday		Steak... YUM Grilled Portobello Mushrooms Corn on the Cob Fruit Salad
Tuesday		Homemade Pizza (with Store-Bought Dough)
Wednesday		Chicken Fried Rice
Thursday		French Dip Sandwiches Sweet Potato Fries
Friday		Grilled Chicken Sandwiches Baked Potatoes Green Beans
Saturday		Dinner Out
Sunday		Leftovers

A special thanks to Laura from "I'm an Organizing Junkie" for hosting Menu Plan Monday!