Have Laser, Will Travel

Ben, our founder and fearless leader, took a trip to meet with the shop master of the Woods of Blakmyre this week for a laser engraver collaboration.

(https://www.etsy.com/shop/WoodsOfBlakmyre)

Clark Blamires, who also happens to be our dad/father-in-law, was the one who inspired us to start our own wood burning business. He's a master craftsman and artist. Ben went to Connecticut so they could learn from each other and make lots of fun things together.

It was a well-timed trip since they made Father's Day signs together and that's coming up soon! Hours in the workshop yielded some Father's Day and business signs and great memories.

Ben and Clark burned some of their favorite "dad phrases." You've probably heard some from your dad too: 

"Money doesn't grow on trees!"

"Shut the door, you're heating the yard!"

"Hi Hungry, I'm Dad."

Ben's dad used to say "It's dang near noon!" and tell his kids to get out of bed no matter what time it was in the morning.

What are some of your dad's favorite sayings? We'd love to hear them in the comments!

 

Six Sharable Quotes for Memorial Day

 On Memorial Day we honor those who have given their lives for our country. It's a day to decorate graves and remember loved ones and others who have passed away. 

We've collected a few favorite patriotic quotes and words that remind us to be grateful and to remember our country's heroes. Feel free to download and share.

5 Summer Party Charcuterie Boards

We all know charcuterie boards are really just little themed buffets on a platter. We also know, they can be really delicious food to either graze on or make a meal of. 

And, they just look so appealing!

With summer upon us, and get togethers with family and friends coming up, we've come up with a few good ideas for charcuterie boards we think your guests will love.

A traditional charcuterie board is made up of cheeses, cured meats, fruit, nuts, and sometimes crackers and spreads. It's hard to go wrong when you serve those goodies. But why not try a themed board, or something that's special to your family?

Board #1 The Americana

With Memorial Day just a few days away, an Americana charcuterie board would be a great idea for a feast. You could include typical  American fare, dressed up in red, white, and blue. Or just choose foods of those colors, like blueberries with white cheeses and red meats. A hamburger or hotdog bar would be easy to do as well.

Board #2 The Dietary Special

Do you have friends and family with special dietary needs? So do we. 

Traditional boards are already gluten free. If you decide to add crackers, remember to make sure your GF friend can eat them. A dairy-free board is also possible. A non-dairy dip could be a good substitute for cheese. Try to find out if your guests have food allergies so you can be sure there's something at your gathering that they will be able to eat.

Board #3 The Sugar Overload

Pile your board high with chocolate of all types for a dessert board: white, dark, milk, peanut-buttery, shaped. Or create a beautiful mix of cookies, either homemade or store bought. The important thing is that it looks beautiful. Cruise the internet for ideas for pretty charcuterie layouts.

Board #4  The Budget Board

Ingredients for a charcuterie board can add up fast at the grocery store. Your guests will still love something more simple, but still delicious. Use what you already have at home to start your board. Opt for less expensive cheeses and meats. Fill in spaces with fruit and crackers. Use cute dishes, either your own or borrowed. You don't have to go bankrupt to have a party.

Board #5 The Meat Lover

Chicken strips, steak bites, jerky, sausages, wings, you name it! Just be sure to have some bread and fruit for accompaniment and some good sauces for dipping.

A few other good charcuterie board practices include having tongs or toothpicks for guests, using small plates to encourage portion control, and labeling your foods so people know what they are.

Milestones

With our oldest graduating from high school this year, we've been thinking a lot about the big events in his life. His first day of school, his baptism day, the day he got his driver's license ... and now, graduation. It's bittersweet knowing our time with him at home is drawing to an end as he makes plans for his future. 

We're not the only ones in this boat. Parents all over America are happy/sad about their kids' milestones. Sure, we are proud of them, but those teary eyes are also a sign of a little sadness at them growing up.

Psychology Today calls it the parenting paradox.

(https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/packing-success/202205/holding-while-letting-go). 

To stay balanced, we need to learn to let go while still holding on to our growing relationship to our adult children, or even our little children from year to year.

You could find a million blogs, websites, or news articles that will all tell you how to parent your child. But you are the one who knows them best. We find that as we look for what's best for our child and partner with God and others who care for our children that things tend to work out just fine.

Where do you go for help with parenting? We'd love to hear from you in the comment section below.

 

May the 4th Be with You

If you're a Star Wars fan, you're not alone in the galaxy. May the fourth (as in "May the Force be with you") has become a regular celebration among Jedis and Stormtroopers alike. It's a favorite with children, too, but why should they have all the fun?

If you want to throw a good Star Wars party for grown ups, here are a few ideas for you, plus a free party planning sheet to download.

Of course, we use the term "grown ups" here loosely. Star Wars tends to bring out the kid in all of us.

Refreshments are a must at any party. Besides the usual Yoda Soda and Wookie Cookies, you could opt for some more savory food. BB-8 pancakes, lightsaber grapes on a skewer, and Death Star meatballs could be yummy. 

"Grown up" activities could include a costume contest, build-your-own-lightsaber activity (followed by a duel, of course), and a Star Wars trivia game like this one from Amazon. Or you could just make up your own trivia game.

If you need tips for decorations, the internet has a Bantha-load of ideas on how to make your party room look amazing.

 As for the guest list, that's up to you. But we suggest not inviting any Sith. They are kind of downers. If your leanings are to the Dark Side, we suggest you plan a party for the day after May the Fourth. The Revenge of the Fifth.

#THANKYOUBUSDRIVERS

Have you thanked your school bus driver lately?

Every year on the 4th Tuesday of April is National School Bus Driver Appreciation Day. This year it falls on April 23.

These men and women drive our kids to and from school all year long. We trust them. They care about our children. And they are trained to keep them safe.

So how can we show our appreciation for our bus drivers? We don't have to wait for National School Bus Driver Appreciation Day to thank them with a kind note, or a drawing from a student or parent. Gift cards and candy are nice too. Whatever it is, your bus driver will be happy they are appreciated. 

You can share your love and support by using #thankyoubusdrivers when you post on social media as well. Let us know what you do for your bus driver this year in the comments below.

Thanks to Our Teachers

It's that time of year again! The weather is getting warmer. The kids are almost done with school. And you need to figure out what in the world to give your child's teacher for a thank you gift.

Well, we did a highly unscientific survey of some of the teachers we know (and we know quite a few). Here are the things they told us they would appreciate for end of year or teacher appreciation week presents.

1. Not a Mug

Of all the teachers we spoke to, only one said she didn't mind getting a mug for a present. The others said they have an abundance of "Best Teacher in the World" crockery. Another no-no was lotions and other similar products. Their toiletry baskets overfloweth.

2. Gift Cards

Teachers love gift cards they can use to buy classroom supplies or go out to eat. Alternately, classroom supplies are much appreciated. More than one teacher we spoke to said they always need glue sticks and wet wipes and that their dry-erase markers seem to just get up and walk away. Asking your child's teacher what they need may be the best way to go.

3. Something Personal

If you know your teacher well, you can get them something they actually like. Our daughter had a teacher who collected all things owl. New teachers might also need supplies with their names on them. A package of pencils that read "Please return to Mrs. Wingo," a sign with their name on it, or a personalized stamp or stickers for their library books.

4. Appreciation

We all like to be appreciated. It takes a special person to be a teacher, and the ones we spoke to said their favorite thing to get from their students is a nice note. It could be a drawing, or a poem, or a simple "Thank you for being my teacher."

We are always looking for new ideas. Let us know how you decide to appreciate the teachers in your lives when you leave a comment below.