Being creative is easier than you think - It doesn’t have to be messy or complicated - it can be as simple as singing out loud or shaking a snow globe - Play with your food, put flowers in a pitcher, cut out pictures you like from a magazine - It doesn’t have to take all day, or hours to set up - It doesn’t have to be perfect - it’s all about the process - not the product - You don’t have to be Martha Stewart - just channel your inner 8 year old and have fun! -

Here are some easy way to be creative that just take 5-10 minutes. Sure lots of them are marketed to kids, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with them too.

We keep these around and hand them out - just because - you never know when you might need a laugh- Googly eyes make everything better. We put them on everything from condiment bottles to kleenex boxes and ipads.

Snow globes aren’t just for winter scenes anymore - These have falling cherry blossoms and fall leaves too. Get lost just for a minute or two watching them fall.

If you’ve got water - you can paint a picture with these books -It’s better than coloring -

If you have an ihone you can turn your photos into watercolors with this app. Then you can upload your images to Shutterfly and turn them into notecards. Literally on your phone.

Nothing is easier than a Kaleidoscope. Marble Kaleidoscopes make anything into a wonder - point it at flowers and pets and china - you can hold your phone up to the peep hole to preserve your masterpiece

We love these memo notes - perfect for doodling or leaving creative messages - they come in squares and shapes.

PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD - Focaccia Art & Charcuterie Cups are fun for all ages and not complicated - follow the links above for detailed instructions.

Grab a Glue stick, a magazine & some scissors and make a collage . You can also make collages on your phone using your camera roll. We use one called PicCollage 

Creative Helpers

What we are reading

If you haven’t discovered Canadian Author Louise Penny yet, check your local library for her Three Pines Series with Inspector Gamache. There are 18 Titles to keep you busy. Yes, they are murder mysteries, but with vivid characters and wonderful descriptions with complex plots. - Most of the titles are set in Quebec. This is the latest title in the series.

This Week’s Podcast

Another one of our favorite Canadians - the late Stuart McLean - This podcast is made by his longtime producer with behind the scenes vignettes for all of the original Dave & Morley Stories from the Vinyl Cafe radio show - Humor at it’s best. Profanity Free - suitable for all ages.

What we are Watching

Full disclosure: - We previously recommended 1923 with Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford, but this series has taken a nasty turn with too many cruel characters, and we have abandoned it.

Music

This week in History

1983 - Final Episode of M*A*S*H

From our Readers

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