Link Roundup - Mid Week Melting Edition

So, I have WAY too many links to wait all the way for the weekend. I try not to overload you as it is, I promise. :>) Anyway, we are finally getting sunshiny days with highs in the 40s and it is wonderful! Of course, the snow is going to be slow to melt because there is just so darn much of it, but I really can't complain.

Let's get to the good stuff!

MAKE
I'm enchanted by these Ribbon and Pearl Necklaces (and bracelets) at Blue Cricket Design.

Also at Blue Cricket Design, Easy Peasy Scrap Fabric Barrettes.

Easy - check. Cute - check. Reuses something - check! turn a zipper into roses at All For This Penny.

Boo Beary Binks has a great tutorial on how to make a dreamy tulle bed canopy. I have to admit, I would probably never have thought to *cut* the hula hoop, and it makes things a zillion times easier!

One of those simple but very well received ideas: Beauty Shop In A Box at Chasing Cheerios. My favorite part is that the cords are cut off - I'd probably never think to do that and they'd just be in the way anyway. Not to mention they are no (obviously!) no longer plug-innable and therefore not posing the temptation.

I am amazed at this handmade chain maille shirt made out of pop tabs, wire, key rings, and duct tape at Baba's Farm Life. Just amazed. I'm REALLY amazed at this honest-to-goodness chain maille shirt at Random Interesting Stuff/Pondered in My Heart.

Homemade Family Yahtzee at Happy at Home - what a fun idea!

Home Sweet Homebodies has a great tutorial on turning an adult fleece shirt into toddler hat, mittens, and scarf. Nicely done!

EAT
Our Catholic family has never abstained from meat on Christmas Eve, though it's a fine tradition - especially when something like this Broccoli and Three Cheese Lasagna is on the menu, at Feels Like Home.

I'm still searching for the perfect meatloaf recipe, and once I find it, these Meatloaf Tips at Tipnut will help me cook it properly. :>)

On my "to try someday" list - growing herbs. Tipnut explains basil. (First I need to get a better handle on my recipes, so I know what herbs I really use, and I haven't made much progress since this. Sigh.)

On that same list, making yogurt. Katie at Kitchen Stewardship has a guest post at Nourished Kitchen with 10 Tips For Perfect Homemade Yogurt.

DO
Since Hubs is my go-to guy for all things techy, I need to show him this article on How to Optimize Your Computer (for free!) at Bargaineering.

Though I don't link to it often, Here In The Bonny Glen is one of the first blogs I started reading, and I love it! Lissa posted By The Pricking Of My Thumbs regarding her kids' Shakespeare club. (Note: if you're wondering why on earth a mother of six would take the time to do such a club, read Alice Gunther's Haystack Full of Needles and tell me if it doesn't get you fired up to do the same with your kids!) {Note 2: that Amazon link is an affiliate link.}

Speaking of homeschooling, check out this amazing assortment of snowman letter S stuff for pre-kindergarteners at Confessions of a Homeschooler! Holy cow! And what I love about finding stuff like this, is that I'm pretty sure all the other letters are on there, too. :>)

Check out Conversion Diary's list of Ten Best Links of 2009 - there's all kinds of stuff on there.

I've been eyeing the iPod Touch for a while, but I keep telling myself that I don't really need one. Until I see a post like this one at Here in the Bonny Glen where where Melissa Wiley explains how much she uses hers and for what during a typical day. Excerpts of this post are at Faith & Family Live and check the comments for more info on Catholic apps.

Also at Faith and Family Live, In Search of Picture Books - recommendations for when your little one is ready to move beyond board books. There certainly are a lot of options out there, and I love to hear about what other kids (and moms!) enjoy. I laughed at the repetition part - a certain fluffy-headed Honker has been choosing the following three books for pre-nap and bed reading: Snow White, More Snow White, Snow White Again! (Guess who got a Snow White book from Grandma? At least it's short, and it doesn't make me want to poke my eyes out.)

Are you like me, piling up strings of Christmas lights that don't work, but have no idea what to do with them? Thanks to Shaye, I clicked onto this info about Christmas Light Recycling.

Farmers and rust go together like peanut butter and jelly, but without the deliciousness. Tipnut has suggestions on how to remove rust stains.

Happy clicking, and I'll have plenty more links for this weekend!