Ah! Blown Away, Crash!

December 13, 2019 Brigitte BrulzLeave a comment

I attended an author meeting a couple of years ago where we discussed picture books with nontraditional formats. After the meeting, I wrote a post called Author Meeting Inspiration.

Here is a snippet of that post concerning one of the nontraditional formatting styles:

Alphabet books that tell a story in alphabetical order with limited (1-2) words per page. We looked at the book Oops, Pounce, Quick, Run! by Mike Twohy, which is a great example of this idea. Even though he used only 1-2 words in alphabetical order on each page, Mike Twohy was able to tell a story of a mouse and a dog. The illustrations are definitely important in a story like this. I really liked this concept, so I decided to create my own story following this structure. For our own personal enjoyment, my daughters decided to illustrate the story I wrote. Who knows, maybe my story will turn into another book in the future.

I can’t believe that was already over two years ago! I still have the “book” my daughters and I had created after that meeting. It’s called Aah! Blown Away, Crash!

I took it out a few months ago and brought it to be critiqued at my monthly writer’s group. My group’s insight on a couple of the pages was very beneficial!

Even though there are only 1-3 words per page, I have still gone through a few rounds of editing to get the story just the way I want it (and approved by my group). Now, I have it memorized!

So, why am I telling you this? Well, I am hoping to finally turn this story into a book in 2020. I plan to give some updates throughout the process in the New Year.

Are you curious what all of the other letters stand for? Would you like to see this as a book? I’d love to hear from you!

Ramblings

Simple Thanksgiving Craft for Kids to Show Thanks

November 18, 2019April 6, 2020 Brigitte BrulzLeave a comment

Can you believe it is already almost Thanksgiving?

Of course we should be thankful all year round, but this time of the year is a great reminder to talk about and show thanks for what we do have. For the past few years, my daughters and I have enjoyed creating a Thanksgiving chain and a Thanksgiving tree to display some of the things we are thankful for.

This year, I decided to create a thankful wreath with my daughters. It has been hanging on our wall for a little while now and is a great reminder that we have a lot of blessings in our lives.

You can learn more about our kid-made thankful wreath to show gratitude on Hands On As We Grow here if you would like.

Do you have a special activity you do in your family to show thanks?

Pickles, Pickles, I Like Pickles · Ramblings

Happy National Pickle Day!

November 14, 2019November 10, 2019 Brigitte BrulzLeave a comment

Will you be doing anything special to celebrate National Pickle Day today? How about visiting the Mount Olive Pickle Gift Shop in North Carolina?

Although I won’t be in Mount Olive on National Pickle Day, I was really excited to be able to make a stop there earlier this year with family while we were on vacation.

We successfully made it the the corner of Cucumber and Vine and found the gift shop. I was kind of surprised we had to stop at a guard station before entering the parking lot area.

Another surprise for me was the size of the gift shop. I don’t know why, but I had envisioned a large store full of pickle themed items. It was probably a good thing the gift shop itself was smaller than I had anticipated because it still took me (and my daughters) quite a while to decide what pickle themed items we wanted to purchase – there were so many goodies to choose from!

We ended up buying t-shirts, an apron, postcards, cards and envelopes, a keychain, and a stuffed pickle toy (isn’t it cute?).

We also picked up a bookmark and scratch ‘n sniff pickle stickers. So, yes, the gift shop was definitely big enough to hold plenty of pickle themed souvenirs!

It was also neat for me to see my book Pickles, I Like Pickles on a shelf for sale there.

Did you see these 20 gifts under $25 for pickle lovers?

According to an informational sheet we picked up while at the gift shop, “Mt. Olive is the best-selling brand of pickles, peppers and relishes in the U.S.”

Mount Olive Pickle Company does not offer tours; however, if you stop in the gift shop, you can ask to watch a video about Mount Olive Pickle Company. Asking to watch the video is like a secret code to a backroom filled with jars of pickles and an area to watch the video.

My daughters and I had actually seen the video ahead of time while we were working on the course I created for Schoolhouse Teachers entitled Foods and Food Production.

You can also watch the Mount Olive Pickles Tour video from the comfort of your own home here if you are unable to make the trip to Mount Olive.

Those who have the opportunity to watch the video at the gift shop will also get a chance to choose a jar of pickles to take home. My family decided to choose jars of pickles we hadn’t tried before. Thankfully, they all made the trip back home safely.

I am so glad we had the opportunity to visit!

How will you celebrate National Pickle Day?

Pickles, Pickles, I Like Pickles

20 Pickle Gifts Under $25 for Pickle Lovers

November 1, 2019October 27, 2019 Brigitte BrulzLeave a comment

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I may make a small commission at no extra charge to you if you click on a link and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I greatly appreciate all purchases you make using these links. Thank you!)

Do you know what November 14th is? National Pickle Day!

In preparation of National Pickle Day, I have put together a list of 20 gifts under $25 (at the time of this writing) for pickle lovers. These would also make great Christmas gifts for those pickle lovers in your life (or yourself if you are a pickle lover)!

Check out 20 gifts under $20 for Pickle Lovers (posted for last National Pickle Day) and 20 more gifts under $20 for Pickle Lovers (posted for National Pickle Month in July) if you missed them last time.

These are all items I found by doing an online search and have not seen them in person. So, please do your own research before making a purchase to determine if it is truly what you want.

Pickle T-Shirts

These pickle t-shirts come in a variety of sizes and colors for men, women, and children. Which one is your favorite?

Just A Girl Who Loves Pickles T-Shirt

It may say “Just a Girl…”, but these shirts are available to fit men, women, and youth. There are a variety of background colors including slate, baby blue, heather grey, heather blue, and pink available.

Dancing Pickle T-Shirt

This dancing pickle t-shirt is available in select sizes for men, women, and youth. There are a variety of background color to choose from such as black, navy, royal blue, dark heather, and purple.

I Love Pickles T-Shirt

This I Love Pickles t-shirt is available in select sizes for men, women, and youth. Background colors to choose from include black, asphalt, royal blue,cranberry, and purple.

I’m Here To Eat All The Pickles T-Shirt

This t-shirt is available in select sizes for men, women, and youth. Black, navy, asphalt, royal blue, and purple are the possible background choices.

Pickle Hats

Do you prefer sun hats or baseball hats? Either way, these pickle hats will have you covered.

Pickles Bucket Sun Hat

Keep the sun out of your eyes with this pickle bucket sun hat that is available in one size.

“Basketball Playing Pickle” Sun Hat

For the pickle loving basketball player who wants to offer protection to the eyes from the sun.

Pickle Baseball Hat

This pickle baseball hat is available in khaki or white.

Dill With It Denim Baseball Hat

This particular hat only comes in blue; however, it appears there are other links to hats that have the same “Dill With It” and pickle design available in grey, red, and blue.

Pickle Bags and Packs

Check out these four pickle bags and packs to see if there is one just right for you.

I’m Kind of a Big Dill Drawstring Bag

Take a pickle drawstring bag with you on your next vacation, gym visit, or whatever else you may need a bag for.

Pickles Backpack

This pickles backpack is made out of recycled water bottles.

Dill With It Canvas Tote Bag

The description suggests using this pickle tote for things such as carrying books home from the library and wrapping Christmas presents.

Insulated Pickle Lunch Tote Bag

Keep warm food warm and cold food cold for hours (according to the description) with this insulated pickle lunch tote bag.

Pickle Towels

Choose between one of these pickle themed towel choices to be used in the kitchen, on the beach, or in the bathroom.

Pickle Hand Towels

This is a set of two pickle hand towels.

Just So You Know… I’m Kind of a Big Dill Kitchen Hand Towel

This kitchen towel measures 16″x24″.

I’m Kind of a Big Dill Hand Towels

This is a set of two matching kitchen hand towels with pickles.

Large Pickle Beach/Bath Towel

It’s may be too cold to go to a beach (at least in some places), but this large pickle towel can be used as a bath towel, too. This pickle towel measures 32″x52″.

Pickle Books

Even adults may enjoy a pickle themed children’s book!

Pickles, Pickles, I Like Pickles by Brigitte Brulz

Of course, I had to add this to the list! This is an item from this list that I have actually seen in person. Free coloring pages, activity ideas, and a teacher’s guide are available to go along with Pickles, Pickles, I Like Pickles on Fun Extras.

I Would Love you Even if You Were a Pickle by Bucleigh Newton Kernodle

I would love you even if you were a pickle. I have ever told anyone that before.

Stop That Pickle! by Peter Armour

Why does someone need to stop a pickle?

Pickle-Chiffon Pie by Jolly Roger Bradfield

You could try to invent your own “pickle-chiffon pie” after reading this book.

What is your favorite pickle themed item?

Crafts and Projects · Writing Appearances

Pumpkins and Potatoes

October 23, 2019 Brigitte BrulzLeave a comment

What can grow in a garden, be turned into a variety of tasty foods, and be fun to play with? Did you think pumpkins?

It is October, which is a perfect time for pumpkins. And pumpkins do grow in gardens (like these two we grew in a pot this year).

Pumpkins can be turned into a variety of tasty treats (like the pumpkin pie, pumpkin muffins, and pumpkin seeds my family has made and enjoyed).

And pumpkins can be a lot of fun to carve, paint, and read about. Check out these 22 children’s books about pumpkins if you missed it!

But, another answer to what can grow in a garden, be turned into a variety of tasty foods, and can be fun to play with is…Potatoes!

Our family grew a lot of potatoes in our garden at our previous house. I loved having plenty of potatoes to enjoy ourselves and share with the local food shelf.

Potatoes are so versatile and can be made into many different tasty foods. Did anyone celebrate National Potato Chip Day this year?

Potatoes can also be a lot of fun to play with. Isn’t this potato creature interesting?

And you can even be a scientist with an a-maze-ing potato experiment!

But, have you ever thought of painting with potatoes?

Well, potato drop painting was the topic of the most recent post I had published on Hands On As We Grow. You can check out Messy Fun Potato Drop Painting for Kids (on Hands On As We Grow) if you are interested in seeing how my daughters created this masterpiece with potatoes and paint.