Collections

Both of my kids are wonderful naturalists, and collect 'treasures' from the outdoors every time we go anywhere.  As much as I love this hobby of both of theirs, I absolutely deplore the displaying of these treasures.  It's messy, dusty, unattractive and utterly impossible to keep clean.  Until now.  Recently we (as in my husband) ripped out the carpet in both kids' rooms and replaced it with a wood laminate (post coming about that later!).  While the floor renovation was going on, I took advantage of the chaos to slim down my kids' collections.  Only with their permission, of course.  Then, on to ideas to corrall the stuff.  My daughter and I, armed with our 40% coupons,  visited Hobby Lobby.  In the glass aisle, we found many gorgeous containers (with lids to keep out dust) to keep her wonderful finds in.  The key is to get as many of the small things inside enclosed containers, so only the big things are left out.  That way, when it comes to dusting...yes, I said dusting...it is much easier to do!  So, I no longer cringe when my kids pick up rocks/acorns/cicada shells while we are hiking.  Now I know they are going to a more organized and beautiful space!