Suspended pearls?....Tried It Tuesday

Well....HELLO there!

It's been one month since my last confession....

I mean...blog post!

Y'all...I didn't fall off the planet, 

but I did fall into some major 

lesson plannin' and weddin' plannin'.

I haven't taken any naps...SHOCKER!

I have been fallin' asleep readin' my Kindle app...early... 

just about every night 

since school started.

I'm not gonna lie...I needed a break.

I can't promise that I will be back on my

bloggin' routine, but I will pop in every now

and then in the next comin' months.

I'd ask for understandin', but I know I don't 

need to explain myself.

Y'all KNOW.

I did want to share a pretty neat-o "tried it", so...

I'm linkin' up with one of my BBB's Holly 

from Fourth Grade Flipper

for her Tried it Tuesday.

I saw this super awesome pin and I wanted to test

it out before the weddin'.

Source

Pearls suspended in water?  

Sign me up!

Except...they aren't really suspended in water.

They are suspended in clear gels...in water.

I wanted.

I NEEDED!

What did I do?  

I got on my trusty friend, Amazon,

 and found these to order...

Transparent Water Gel Vase Fillers 

and 

Unique Elegant Vase Fillers-Black and White Pearls

I did read the reviews and found out that the red

ones look more pink, so I didn't buy red.

My colors are black, red, and white, so I stuck with

just black and white.

I waited patiently for them to arrive to my mailbox.

You know I'm NOT very patient...at all.

They FINALLY came though and

I was so ecstatic when I opened the package.

I read the directions and they were pretty intense.

I made my bestie read them too...to tell me I wasn't crazy.

I ran up to Dollar Tree and got two clear vases.

I stopped at Winn Dixie and got a gallon of Distilled Water.

My supplies...

The little clear things on the left are the gels.

The assorted black and white pearls are on the right.

Distilled water and vases in the back.

I used 8 cups of water and filled up the two vases

with the gels and water.

It takes about 12 hours for them to expand.

Look...you can't even SEE the clear gels. 

It just looks like water.

Why didn't I invent this?

WHY?

You move the pearls wherever you want.

I was impatient and put them in before the gels

were finished expandin'.

This mornin' when I woke up,

I had more gels than fit the

two vases.  

I really could have used three.

Check the clear gels out. 

It's crazy to me that you can't see 

them when they are covered with water.

I still have pearls left to put in a third jar.

 Now all I need are some floatin' candles.

I'm doin' lots of different table decorations,

but I will definitely be purchasin' some 

more supplies on Amazon this week to 

make more of these vases.

These could be used in your house with flowers,

or candles, or whatever...not just for a weddin'.

I'm gettin' giddy because so many things are startin' 

to come together with plannin'.

I've missed you!

Happy Tuesday, friends!

Tried it Tuesday...Two for Tuesday

Did you know that out of all the linkys, I have been most loyal to 

Tried it Tuesday?

Do you think it's because I have some major love for Holly at 

Fourth Grade Flipper?

I think so!

Tried it Awesomeness #1: Updated Blog Design

So...what do you think about the new blog design?

I am in LOVE!

Erika at Honey Bunch Blog Design is a SAINT...I'm serious!

She is SO patient and truly takes her time creatin'

EXACTLY what you want.

I truly don't know how she does it, but I couldn't be

more ecstatic with what she has created.

I really wanted to try somethin' new and brighter for my space. 

She completely captured my personality while

still keeping some of my elements from my original

blog design, which I love.

If you are considerin' tryin' an update, head over to 

Erika and tell her Alison sent you!

You will love her!

Tried it Awesomeness #2: Hog's Breath Inn-Carmel, California

This wasn't a new experience for me.

In fact...I've eaten at Hog's Breath a TON!

The atmosphere cannot be beat.  

It's quaint and invitin'.  

You feel like you are in a little hidden world and want to stay

there forever...enjoyin' the surroundin's, the drinks, the food...

the whole shebang!

It is owned by our dear friends, Kaiser and Claudia.

They also own many restaurants that 

you should check out if you are in CA.

Kaiser Grille-Palm Springs

Chop House-Palm Springs

Jackalope Ranch-Indio

Grind Brgr Bar-Palm Springs

Kaiser Grille-Palm Desert

Here's what I had....Dirty Harry

(yes...after Clint Eastwood)

DIRTY HARRY

cut of prime sirloin, garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus,

mushrooms, whole grain mustard sauce 

It was sooooooo DEE-LICIOUS!

I'm so glad I tried this!

Y'all...I would've licked the plate if I wasn't 

with all these snazzy people!

My parents seriously have the best friends in the world.

They are so fun to be with!

Aren't they cute?

I also picked up another Hog's Breath Inn long-sleeved t-shirt.

It's a tradition for me.  

Tried it Awesomeness #3: Homemade Hummus

Who is absolutely crackin' up at all this time 

I have been spendin' in the kitchen?

Maybe it's because my mama has every appliance,

spice, ingredient, etc. known to mankind in her pantry?

Maybe it's because she has enough counter space for 

me to spread out?

Maybe it's because it's summer and I'm tryin' to expand 

my horizons?

Who knows, but eventually it will stop...right?

Please say, "Yes!"

I have made hummus before with the help of Jerm...okay...

quit yellin' at your computer...I'll tell the truth...

Jerm actually made it and I watched.

I thought I would be brave and try it on my own because I was cravin' it.

How hard could it be right?

I can open cans and dump in beans and garlic.  

I can sprinkle spices and drizzle olive oil, but 

I cannot...I repeat...CANNOT work a 

food processor without gettin' stuff EVERYWHERE.

There was probably more hummus on me than in the bowl.

You know what though?

I don't care.

It was GOOD!

I'm just gonna go ahead and link up again with Christy from

Teaching Tales Along the Yellow Brick Road for 

Eating, Drinking, Linking...Oh My! because well...

this post was dedicated to food again and I know Christy

will be proud I made food because she is awesome like that!

I'm also linkin' up with The Teaching Tribune for Two for Tuesday

where the idea is to put two products on sale for 50% off for Tuesday.

#1: Rockin' Behavior Beads

This is my most wishlisted item and very popular!

They are on sale for $2.

#2: Red, White, and Blue...my teachers says I have to mulitply by more than TWO!

This is my newest item and it's super cute. 

If you missed it yesterday on Monday Made It, you can 

grab this on sale for $1.13.

 

Also, my sweet friend Mandy from The 4th Grade Journey 

has a giveaway goin' on.  

Head over and check it out!

Happy Tuesday, friends!

Tried it Tuesday and Two for Tuesday...

Hello, Tuesday!

It's time for me to link up with my super sweet BBB Holly from

Fourth Grade Flipper for Tried it Tueday.

Today equals week one of my summer gone.

Why is it movin' so fast?

I am tryin' to take pictures every day to document 

my vacation with my family.

I am savin' them to my camera roll on my phone, so I can

print them out when I get home.  I'm backin' up often

since I've broken my thumb drive and dropped my phone

in a toilet the past two months.

So disgustin'!

Here are a few that I have shared on Instagram after

creatin' collages on Instacollage Pro.

I think I have shared this app before...it's free in the iTunes App store.

It's fun...kind of like me! 

First day in Cali...spendin' the day with my mama.

Not missin' the Florida humidity!

Day 2 hangin' with mama at Tehama while dad golfs.

Day 3 Cali...hangin' with dad at the vineyard...checkin' on the grapes.

You will find these grapes in bottles of Bogle, Cupcake or Mark West wines.

 Day 4 Cali...lunch date at some friends' house for Father's Day.

Day 4 Cali...continued.

Day 5 Cali...bein' lazy...all of us got new covers delivered for our 

iPad minis from Amazon Prime.  Watched some 

soccer and helped make dinner. 

I took advantage of Target havin' iPad minis on sale last week for $199

and got my mom one and my dad one.

I used my Red Card and it was $189 a piece. 

Tried it Awesomeness #2: Two for Tuesday with The Teaching Tribune

I have placed two items on sale for 50% off.

#1: Have You? Check before you turn in your work

You can read about how I use this in my classroom here.

#2: Turquoise & Orange Binder Covers-Editable

Only $1.13

These are up in Double Trouble, the TpT

collaborative store that Miss Nelson and I have together.

Congratulations to Sarah M. for winnin' the
$50 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway.
Sarah, check your email!
Thank you to EVERYONE for participatin'.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Tuesday, friends!

Elements Wanted and STEM Sleuths...Tried it Tuesday

It's Tuesday.

I'm officially done with the 2013-2014 school year.

I wanted to link up with one last school related

Tried it Tuesday with my sweet BBB, Holly from Fourth Grade Flipper.

Tried it Awesomeness #1:  Elements Wanted Posters

My sweet friend, Chelsea, from 5th Grade Wit and Whimsy

shared a really neat Science project that she did with her

class this year and was kind enough to share with me

what she was doin'.

Read her post here and one I wrote here.
I took my kiddos to the Technology Lab where we could
work on our posters...it went much quicker this way.
I will definitely be doin' this again next year.
I learned a lot of new and interestin' facts about the elements
and so did my Rockstars.

Sorry for the poor picture quality.  I had one of my students
take pictures after I had already loaded them in their mailboxes
to go home.  I had forgotten to take pics while they were hangin' up.

Tried it Awesomeness #2: STEM Sleuths

Meet Ted Borduas

 Ted and I used to teach

together...many moons ago in Naples, Florida.
Ted is a phenomenal 5th grade teacher who gets
his students excited about all things,
but especially in the area of STEM.
Ted has created mini videos for teachers and students
to enjoy in his STEM Sleuths series.
He has videos on Sound, Properties of Water, Clouds,
the Sun and Stars and many other topics.
Check them out here.
*If you're a Florida teacher, these will be extra helpful for you.

I've included a sample for you.



Tried it Awesomeness #3: Two for Tuesday with The Teaching Tribune

I have placed two "Science-y" items from my TpT store on sale
for 50% off.

#1: S.T.E.M. Edition-Behavior Beads

#2: Science Vocabulary Word Wall Words & Definition Cards

Don't forget to check out my friend Jessica's giveaway
every day this week over at Literacy Spark.
If you missed yesterday's post about the giveaway.
Click here.

In other news....I reached 500 followers on Bloglovin'!

I'm thinkin' about what I want to do to celebrate.

Any ideas?

YAY!

Happy Tuesday, friends!

Zentangle & Boogers...Tried it Tuesday

We are gettin' closer and closer to the end.

I am down to less than one month...

includin' weekends.
I can do this...I can do this.
YOU can do this too!
It's time to link up with my sweet friend Holly from
Fourth Grade Flipper for Tried it Tuesday.

Tried it Tuesday #1: Zentangle 

One of our Guidance counselors introduced Zentangle to 

my kids last week and they LOVED it!

I was thankful she had time to do this with them 

because I had originally wanted to do this and forgot.

What is Zentangle?

The Zentangle Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way

 to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns.

Almost anyone can use it to create beautiful images.

 It increases focus and creativity, provides artistic satisfaction

 along with an increased sense of personal well being. 

The Zentangle Method is enjoyed all over this world across a

 wide range of skills, interests and ages.

We believe that life is an art form and that our Zentangle Method

 is an elegant metaphor for deliberate artistry in life.

Education

At all age levels, whether in public, private or home school environments, 

creating Zentangle art has been associated with improved:

Handwriting
Eye/hand coordination
Creativity and personal expression
Problem solving
Cross-cultural understanding, using various cultural symbols such as 

Indian henna patterns, Celtic knotting, Zuni pottery, 

Maori tattoos or Islamic tiling.
Relaxation and focus
Confidence

  *Taken from the Zentangle website.

She gave them a sheet to practice some different designs.

She made this tutorial sheet up to fit the needs of my 5th graders

after doin' lots of research & Pinterest browsin'

on her own.

They then got to Zentangle inside a palm tree.

It was awfully QUIET...which is NOT normal in my room.

They were given the first letter to Zentangle in and then had to 

write the other letters of their name.

 Here is a Zentangled palm tree.

Then the 5th Graders taught their 3rd Grade buddies how to Zentangle.

It was great to hear and see them showin'

their buddies what they learned.

This was a win-win for both parties. 

Tried it Tuesday #2: Tryin' to take a class picture

These are my babies.  I've had them for two years.

I'm goin' to miss these Boogers like crazy!

I'll probably snot-sob cry when they leave me.

Shh...don't tell them that I'm a total wimp.

We TRIED to take a nice picture 

(check out the bunny ears on me)

LOL! 

This is a lil' more accurate for my Rockstars and I.

I got my revenge for the bunny ears...

all is well!

Seriously...how could you not get attached to all these

wacky personalities?

I love them.

That is all.

Happy Tuesday, friends!