Warm Winter Fuzzy Hat Ornaments

I have to say that homemade ornaments are my favorite, because they're also memories made. Last year we made gorgeous Dried Fruit Ornaments, which I love. But my little ones wanted to help out so bad and it just wasn't a very kid friendly project. So, this year we made Fuzzy Winter Hat ornaments. So much more on a more kid friendly level! 

All you need is yarn and the card board from a toilet paper or a paper towel roll.

 Cut about an inch piece of the end of the card board roll for the brim of the hat. And about 40 to 45 pieces of yarn 10 to 12 inches long. 

 Take a piece of yarn, fold in half, and put the loop through the card board roll.

 Pull yarn ends through the loop so it wraps around the card board.

 Pull each piece tight and push strands together so the card board is well covered.

When all your card board is wrapped tie ends together and cut off excess strands. Now your warm fuzzy hat is ready for the tree!

My kids loved doing this all together. They made them for their friends and teachers.  We actually had some of the neighbor kids join us to make more before the night was over. 

Happy Holidays!

xoxo

The Letter 4

Baked Pancakes

It's been awhile.... a long while! So, I thought I'd share something with you.  What I'm about to say I normally mumble with my head hung in shame, but it's probably time to admit it out loud... I CAN'T FLIP A PANCAKE!!!

Yep that's right, I've tried and failed miserably every single time.  But there's an alternative, or in my case a life saver, you can bake them in a sheet cake pan! If you've ever had upside down pancakes, it's just a variation of that. 

All you need is:

2 1/4 cups Bisquick

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 cups milk

3 eggs

Mix all four ingredients, pour in a greased sheet cake pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes. Then top with butter, syrup, fruit...whatever is to your liking.

It's super easy and always my go to for slumber parties! I'm probably the only oddity that can't flip a pancake, but these are just delicious anyway. Enjoy:)

xoxo

The Letter 4

Homemade Playdoh and Dye

If you know me, you know I am not a fan of summer. I sunburn easy and I don't tolerate the heat well, not to mention I have two of three kids that are the same. However, I do love summer nights, snow cones, and nature...in all it's beauty! In the past we've shared yummy healthy things to eat as well as natural  things that are good for your hair and body. Today we decided to have some fun with it though. So, we made our own dye and play dough.

We've actually done this a few times and my kids love to see what colors we can draw out of different things and then what color they'll actually be when we mix it with the play dough. 

This time we used orange peels, lemon peels, cucumber peels, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and nutmeg. All you do is boil about a cup of water with 1/2 cup or more of whatever you want to bring color out of. Sometimes it takes more or less, but part of the fun is the discovery :)

 For the play dough we basically used what I call the traditional recipe, you know, flower, water, cream of tartar, salt, and vegetable oil. But for this project we made it in small separate batches, which makes it tons easier to add the color.

So, easy peasy. In a small pan combine 1/4 cup of flour, 1/4 cup of homemade dye (instead of the straight water), 1/2 a teaspoon of cream of tartar, 2 and 1/3 tablespoons of salt, and 1/2 a table spoon of   

I also love this because if my 1-year-old, who eats everything, happens to pop some of it in his mouth none of it will make him sick :) 

Hope you all are enjoying your summer. 

xoxoxo

The Letter 4

What The Future Holds For The Letter 4

Have you ever stood in the door way ready to leave a beloved place, suitcase in hand, ready to close the door, and take those next reluctant steps toward something new? Well, for me, the past few days I've felt like I've been standing in the doorway of this little space we call The Letter 4 with a tear in my eye and my heart full of memories and smiles, slowly closing that door.  But with encouragment from our dear family, friends, and followers, I decided to throw that door back open, unpack my suitcase and stay! Yes, that means The Letter 4 will continue :)

I'm so grateful to Jamie for starting and asking us to be a part of this with her. She put her whole self into it, staying up around the clock, making sure everything was beautiful and just so. She made this happen. And a part of me didn't think I could stay if she didn't. But with all the work, time, and love all my sisters put into this blog, I don't think I can abandon it at this point. Even though Jamie isn't blogging right now :( , maybe if we wish on a star, cross our fingers, and throw a few pennies in a well, she'll come back to post sometimes.

So until then, you'll be seeing the rest of us around here. Only there will be some changes, you've probably already noticed some of them. Truthfully, us other sisters could never do Jamie's job. We're not even sure how she did it, but she is amazing!!! For now, we're just going to keep things simple and share our project, ideas, thoughts, talents, and whatever else we can think of. We hope to see you around, we love your comments and thoughts!

A quick note: To our sponsors, a sincere thanks! We loved having you be a part of The Letter 4. And we loved being a part of your blogs. Thank you also to those who participated in all the giveaways, link parties, blog hops, and all the other crazy fun bloggy things! 

Now that the suspense it out of the way LOL, hope you all have a good night.

Love,

The Letter 4

Creative Success Systems Book Review: Realizing Your Goals

I can't tell you how excited I am to be able to do this book review for Creative Success Systems http://www.creativesuccesssystems.com/. Not only do I completely love this book, but it was also written by our very own incredible cousin, Michelle Hess Withers. Just a little bit about Michelle, she grew up in Tremonton, Utah, served her church in Denmark for 18 months, graduated in Economics from Washington State University, has ran 3 successful business, has taught classes on goal setting as a business trainer for over 10 years, is a wife, and mother of 4.

Have you ever read a book on motivating, goal setting, habit for etc. and felt beyond inspired and just good. Then you decided to make things happen, but realize your not sure what step to take next? Well, my favorite thing about Creative Success Systems is that it's not just an inspirational book that inspires you to achieve your goals. It's also exactly what it says it is, a system, a guide. Michelle teaches steps and techniques to make it to that finish line and accomplish that dream. We all know we come from different walks of life, have different personalities, different ways of remembering, and learning. But not to worry, there's something for everyone and every type.

Many of you have maybe heard of dream board or have made one for yourself. I'm a very visual person, so I love this. Creative Success Systems talks about dream boards and creating them. If you can see your goals and constantly be reminded of them, you are more likely to accomplish them. Michelle's son Porter, a very talented swimmer, does an activity to keep his Olympic goal in his mind. And after you read some of the experiences Michelle shares in her book, no doubt we will see Porter there one day. 

One of my favorite lines in the book is, "a goal unwritten is only a wish." Unfortunately having a dream board everywhere you go would be difficult and annoying, but having them simply written where you can see them often helps you to be able to hold that focus. I love what Michelle did with her daughter Abi and her ballet goals. They got an old point shoe to write and draw her goals on them, so creative!!!

While I've loved being able to do this book review, I have to admit it's been a very challenging one for me to write. Why? Because I literally want to share the entire book, but sadly I can't do that. Fortunately, you can get the book as either an ebook or a hard copy at http://www.creativesuccesssystems.com/book.html. It's geared for both adults and youth. Michelle has worked with people from all spectrums, women, families, athletes, small businesses, etc. So the stories and experiences she shares are from and broad range and there's something for everyone to identify with.

I'm excited for everyone to read Creative Success Systems and hope to hear your stories, which you can share on her site.

Michelle will also being going on tour and doing goal setting seminars in Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and California, seminars are only $5.00, so check it out and see if she's coming to your town. Also watch our Facebook, to find out where she'll be.

xoxox
The Letter 4

Body Fling

Nothing funner than flinging with family :) My favorite part of the video is where you see our aunt fling near the edge of a cliff with a smile on her face, check it out!

Body Fling is an awesome interactive experience. Body Fling is designed to get families and friends off the couch and do something together. Great for family reunions, dates, church activites or anyone that just wants to get into the Next Big Fling. Get a Body Fling today!

Click here to visit body fling and purchase your own!

Double Braided Crown Tutorial

So, I feel like I can be a princess on Star Wars with this hair do. Kind of a big deal. And guess what? You can to with this step by step tutorial! :)

Basically, you're going to make a part across the crown part of your head and pull that hair towards your face. Make a dutch braid around your whooooole head. It's kind of difficult when you're doing the back. Takes a lil' practice, or if you have a sis/mom/friend with a pair of spare hands that's good, too! Once you run out of hair, braid all the way to the end and wrap it back around in front and go ahead and bobby pin it down. Done and done.