Get it Right! .. a journey remembering. my. why's.

Yaay! My Garden!

2010-03-23T14:23:00.003-04:00

I absolutely LOVE PlanGarden.com! Here's my planned garden for 2010! (feel free to click to enlarge :>)

2010 is here! yaay!!

2010-01-03T15:04:00.002-05:00

I don't really think i should be blogging today, considering my mind is in a HUGE fog, so much so, that I ended up in Breman, GA, 40 minutes west of Atlanta, when I SHOULD have been on my way headed east!

So, anyways, I have big plans this year - bigger than I knew! This year, I plan to have the home I've always wanted.. clean, organized, welcoming and always full of people! That's right! I plan on upping the visitor factor BIG time.. visitors, lunches, a few dinner parties and special events should make the place fun. I also plan on finishing a few home projects we have in the works and taking our homeschooling and our marriage to a whole new lever this year. BIG goals for a big year!

I love to knit.. and I love cupcakes.. so...

2009-10-21T01:01:00.002-04:00

Ok, so I admit, I am a lover of both knitting and cupcakes (although I don't eat very many anymore!). For those of you who don't know, I am an AVID knitter, if I'm doing nothing else... i am knitting! So when I saw this episode of Matha, I was floored! I ask you, how much more adorable can one get?

Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies!

2009-08-17T19:00:00.005-04:00

As I prepared my meal plan about a month ago, i came a cross a chocolate chip recipe on one of my favorite blogs, Cheeseslaves! This blog has made my transition to eating the Nourishing Traditions way, so much easier with tips, recipes and general healthy eating knowledge. I highly recommend this book to EVERYONE! It's amazing the lies we've been told about what we eat by the food industry and the FDA, and this book clears the matter up! The book is actually:

oh, sorry.. got completely off track.. :) I came across the Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (that I have modified since then, mostly because I didn't have everything I needed at the time!) Feel free to use the original recipe above, or my modified recipe below, they are both honestly very good, but my modifications made this already amazing recipe produce even more perfect cookies! I have never baked a more perfect cookie then these! Crisp on the outside, soft an chewy on the inside. enjoy!

The "Perfect" Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour (i used fresh ground, but regular whole wheat worked too!)

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

6 TBSP salted grass-fed butter (butter from grass-fed cows)

2 TBSP organic extra virgin coconut oil

1/2 cup plus 4 tablespoons organic evaporated cane juice (we got our Florida Crystals Organic Cane Sugar at walmart)

1 large pastured egg (or free-range if you can’t find pastured)

1/4 teaspoon water

(original recipe calls for) 6 ounces organic non-GMO chocolate chips (available at the health food store) BUT I ran out and used 2 oz Ghirardelli all natural 60% cacao bittersweet baking bar. NOTE: it's good with both! if you want the healthier version, use the chips. If you don't mind, use the bar. I will use the chips whenever i have them, they do not effect the taste of the cookie, but they do effect how health they are.. :)

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

2. MELT the butter until just melted, pour into a bowl and add the coconut oil and sugar. Mix by hand until just blended. Add the egg and water and mix until just blended.
3. by hand, stir (or fold) in the flour and baking soda until just blended.
4. Add the chocolate chips and mix until evenly distributed. OR use a knife to cut your bar into slices, and then cut across he slices so you get small chunks about the size of a pinky nail. mix them in until evenly distributed.
4. pick up rounded Tablespoons of dough, and gently shape into a ball (don't handle to much!) and place onto baking sheets (I line my baking sheets with Silpat silicone baking mats). Bake 10-12 minutes.
5. Transfer cookies to wire rack. Store in airtight container.
Easy Peasy! perfect cookies! enjoy!

Home parties for... Nintendo DS? :)

2009-08-12T19:12:00.003-04:00

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

I have to give kudos to Nintendo for this marketing approach. I LOVE it! The marketing strategy is outstanding. Gives a new meaning to the Tupperware Party. "Product Parties," in essence, where each guest received their own DS to sit around, play and relax with friends! Not only did they get the word out to a market that could actually afford their product (and more then one at that - gifts for daughters, mothers, friends, etc.) , but they took on a new target audience that has not traditionally been a user of their product, professional women. They CREATED a new market, and it worked!!

Wish I could do the same thing with my Handcrafted Soap and Bath items... hmmmm.... ;)

Not Me! Monday: My ignorance, My bliss? :/

2009-08-10T11:23:00.004-04:00

"Are you feeling guilty for not washing your child's swimsuit after they wear it? Feel greasy because you don't wash your hair every day? Overcome with embarrassment because your child was rude while out to dinner? We'll don't be! Not Me! Monday was born out of my desire to admit some of my imperfections and reveal a few moments I'd rather forget. You may find it therapeutic to join in and do the same thing!"

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else has not been doing this week.

When I read about Not Me! Monday, I figured I had better jump in with both feet and add it to my weekly blogging experience, since there are too many imperfections to count!!! LOL Talk about a leap in blog content! So, on to the denial! ... as for me? Here's what I have NOT been doing:

I have NOT been ignoring the HUGE laundry pile that mocks me.. YES!!! as if it isn't even there. total and complete ignorance, on my part. If i dont look at it, it wont be there, right? wrong... only works until everyone has nothing to wear.. and you have to start wearing your husbands undies.. haha! Ok, so, thankfully! HUBBY to the rescue! he saw me sinking and came to my rescue. My hero!!!

I have NOT been feeling completely overwhelmed lately, to the point of hiding behind my new favorite show, and burying my head in a book every chance I get. It's time to get back on top of it all, a day at a time.

and, here's a biggie! I have NOT been allowing my kids (and myself) to eat all manner of AWESOME things!!! {{pukey face}}.. we must cut that out now.. vacation is OVER! LOL

Cheap BG 2.0"s anyone!?

2009-07-14T11:57:00.002-04:00

So, I've listed some used BG 2.0 in great used condition on Diaperswappers, and thought this would be the easiest way to share all of the photos. I'm selling them for $5, $4 and $3 a piece!

"Hell Hole to Haven in One Week Flat!"

2009-06-27T19:59:00.002-04:00

Ok so, as I moped around the house last week, asking the inevitable "Why Me?" questions, something came to me.. My home, my balance, my life is in the chaos it is in because of something I am doing. right? So I scoured the internet in search of answers.. hours upon hours, I spent, searching. (those of you who know me, KNOW that I can research the hell out of anything!). I looked high and low for answers, how do I bring it all back under control.. the house, the laundry, our schedule, my business.. It took DAYS of research and in the end, I came to no further of a conclusion then where I had began.. But the answer DID come! it was a light bulb moment that hit me days after the research and inquiries were far gone.

THERE ISN'T ONE.

That's it. What had I been searching for? A magic pill.. a formula of some kind that I could mix in a bottle, sprinkle across my kitchen and watch the haven I have been looking for appear?! that wasn't happening. I had researched, and researched.. and the truth was, I knew it all already! I hadn't learned anything new. I read and re-read the same answers I had read 2 years ago, when the same boat capsized! I know about flylady, I know every group on yahoo, every homekeeping site on the web, every book, every method, I have been there.. done them all and failed at each and every one! :-) SO, what was the answer?

IT wasn't WHAT I was doing, it was what I WASN'T doing!

fatigue. kids. lack of sleep. over-scheduling. yada, yada, yada.. if there's an excuse out there, I've used it! well, clearly the problem is that NOTHING is getting done.. no, the problem is that I am DOING NOTHING! (don't fight me on that, I have plenty of proof!) Everything I read tells me to take it slow..15 minutes here, half an hour there, baby steps... Right? for me? Wrong! I'm no good at baby steps, so for the next week, I will be taking this hell hole I call my life, and making it into the haven I want to be a part of. With Gods guidance, this 1 week boot camp, will put me back on track and keep me there.

WHAT'S DIFFERENT NOW!?

I know, I asked the same thing? What will make this time any different then the other times. This time.. I have MY answer..

It wasn't WHAT I was doing, it was what I WASN'T doing!

I've learned that every bit of it boils down to discipline! Yep, DISCIPLINE! That's the difference! That's the one thing that not too many homemaking sites and methods talk about, and you know what? THATS what it takes. The discipline to get up when your body says no. The discipline to shut up when you wanna say what's on your mind. The discipline to keep on going when all you want to do is stop. The discipline to shut it down, when you want to keep on going. The discipline to Do what I say I will DO. The most successful people in the world, are that way because they have disciplined themselves beyond what the average joe cares to deal with (a very difficult place to be for a naturally un-disciplined person).

SO!

THIS week, I will get up off of my lazy butt, EVEN when I don't feel like it and do the things I have scheduled to do. THIS week, if I am too tired because I stayed up too late - SUCKS to be me! THIS week, NO excuse will be enough. THIS week - By the power of God, I will BE disciplined, i will commit to making it happen.. because frankly, that's ALL. IT. TAKES.

Starter Cultures for you!!

2009-06-22T10:06:00.003-04:00

Ok, so stay tuned for quick updates on what's going on with me.. But first, I have an awesome contest to tell you about! Someone will win 3 starter cultures from Cultures for Health! If you're not familiar with cultures, they're the little starter buddies, you need for making your own healthy fermented foods like, yogurts, kefir, kombucha and cheeses.. Check out CheeseSlaves Blog, to find out ALL the ways you can enter to win! Good Luck!!

Stitches South Pic!

2009-05-06T10:07:00.000-04:00

Well, I swear I'm making an earnest effort to keep up with blogging on this personal blog! I've got to get better at it, and I will be using it as an accountability point as well! (As you can see, I've already failed by missing 2 "tackle tuesdays" in a row!).

So, excuse me as I update, with a few pics of what we've been up to lately. The first pic being of my 2 pumpkin butts in front of our LYS's (local yarn shop's) vw bug! This was at Stitches south last wee, we had a Ball!!
Sent on the Now Network� from my Sprint® BlackBerry

Fullearths is in full swing!

2009-05-06T09:56:00.000-04:00

I've been uber busy trying to keep up with everything, I think mostly because I re-opened business. Yaay!

BUT its like adding kid number 3 ya know? The adjustment period? Well, same thing.. boy, this new "baby" has me running circles! However, I'm sure that, in time things will settle all in, and I dream of a home that runs like a well oiled business! ;-)

In the meantime, soap:
Sent on the Now Network� from my Sprint® BlackBerry

2009-05-06T09:09:00.001-04:00

Test

Tackle it Tuesday!!!

2009-04-28T08:54:00.004-04:00

.. begins again! with.... CLUTTER.. oh, the big C word is my home's greatest downfall!! So, I have NO choice but to take part in the big declutter.. I'll pick a spot later and DD and I will knock it out and post our before and after pics. Wish my luck! I'm gonna need it!

ps: Thank You, 5 minutes for mom for motivating me to this end! (can you tell where I spent time this morning? she has some awesome pics of her cluttered zone destroyed!)

Moms! Win an HP mini 1000!

2009-04-28T08:10:00.002-04:00

I know I've been gone for quit a bit! Spending a lot of time at my other blog, re-opening Fullearths, etc. and getting my new etsy shop up and running - all in addition to being at home, homeschooling, housekeeping, meal making, wife being, soap making, order knitting - has taken up much of my time! LOL BUT, I rejoin you, oh momma bloggers with a awesome mom give away from 5 minutes for mom.com - a New HP Mini 1000 laptop computer. Itty bitty tiny techy cutey ( I must admit for a mac girl, it's rather cute!) So head on over (the computer link will take you right there) and sign up for the drawing! I am!

Throwing in the Towel..

2009-02-03T15:28:00.002-05:00

Well, I'm considering gong back to work.. Why? I'm no good at what I do here. simple enough! All the kid training, house cleaning, cooking, teaching etc. Is not what I'm "trained" for, so I've reached my last straw and decided it's time to hang it all up. I did believe that it was my God given duty to be here, caring for my family and raising Godly children, but obviously that's not his plan for me, or my kids, so I know when to quit fighting. I'll do much better bringing in enough income to send the kids somewhere, and pay someone to clean the house.

Big dreams of a farm and living sustainably destroyed, I know.. but what else is there to do? Some are cut out for it, and others.. are not. I'm one of the others.. Do I think it's best for my kids? At this point, I think it's better. Not sure how the whole thing will play out, not sure of the details, but I'll keep things updated as I go along. Who knows, maybe now, I can actually keep this blog up to date?! ;-)

A knitters Journal

2008-12-29T22:17:00.003-05:00

Of course, Ravelry is the ultimate be-all of needle art organization for most fiber artists, but I've come to realize that electronic organization is not for everyone. It seems, more and more people have joined the movement back to pen and paper organization.

While browsing for a Nintendo DS sock pattern, I came across this VERY neat knitting journal! I absolutely love the idea (and I'll be sure to post pics of my own journal when I get around to making one)! As much as I love Ravelry (and I do!), one must admit that there is NO substitute for the *touch and feel* of fiber arts. There's a certain sensual tingle that runs up every knitters spine when they run a piece of luxurious, fluffy, silky fiber through their fingers. A knitting journal is the perfect way to combine this strange "touchy" addiction with the ability to keep track of projects, needles, stash, and gift and queue lists. A physical journal is the perfect place for fiber swatches ~ wether it be the yarn for that specific knitting project, or the roving for your next creatively designed handspun yarn ~ swatches are perfect - the touch and the feel. As long as you have all of the proper elements, a journal should be fairly simple and fun to assemble. Grace, at Kathyrn Ivy.com, has been so completely thorough in this area, by providing everything you need to get started - and it's all free! The site even includes all of the free printable pages you'll need to create your own fiber organizational masterpiece!

Put THAT on your New Years Resolution list! ;-D

It's all come to a Cohesive Culmination!

2008-12-26T09:53:00.002-05:00

www.Cohesive Culmination.com

Ok, so there's a double meaning here..

Firstly, please visit my dear friends new blog! There are only a few posts, but he is VERY new to the blogoshpere, and I've found his posts to be quit interesting thus far!!! (

although I may be a bit biased.. :-D ). Oh! While your there, click on a few ad links to cheer him up this holiday season!

Yes, all of my Christmas knitting, and other planning has come to a very neat finale, and it was a beautiful day!!! Our family is SUCH a blessing!! We have done al we can to teach our children about the true meaning of Christmas - the celebration of Christs birth, the wonderful gift of the ability to GIVE, and a time of family bonding. They honestly LOVE the family bonding time, and I couldn't imagine Christmas without it. It has to be the biggest part of Christmas for us!

I spoke with a friend yesterday, who did NOT share that family time. For the first time, is dawned on me, that this is not the way for Christmas for everyone! Some spend this holiday (and others) alone. Some spend it with acquaintances, or even friends, but there are those who spend it alone. What a breakthrough for me! Thank you LORD for the family time you have given us, I will cherish it and never take it for granted again!

$100 Walmart Give away!!

2008-12-09T01:33:00.000-05:00

Click here to Check it out!

Sense & Sensibility E-PATTERNS are here!! YAAY!!!

2008-11-06T00:04:00.003-05:00

I absolutely love long, flowing, dresses and skirts. I love the feminine, vintage wardrobes of a time when ladies were ladies. In my arsenal of, somewhat limited, resources, I have stashed away a few websites that I adore that offer this type of attire, or sewing patterns for this type of attire.

Well, I have had my eye on this website for SO long, LOVING the 1910 tea Gown Pattern as my favorite. Well, come to find out, Sensibility.com is now finally offering e-patterns for immediate download! Yipee!!!! Talk about instant gratification! (doing the happy dance!)

Updated knitting Projects!

2008-10-10T01:08:00.001-04:00

I can't believe I'm spinning!!!

2008-09-29T22:37:00.002-04:00

Thanks to some marvelous friends on Ravelry, I am spinning!!! I can't believe it!

I know I am a bad, bad blogger! But I have put some things in place that will, hopefully, make it possible to have a nicely updated and interesting blog, we'll see!

I have been busy - between the kids, homeschooling, homemaking and keeping, (yes, there's a difference ;o) knitting and, now my newest hobby - spinning, I've really got to stay on top of my game to keep my blog updated. My lack of consist ant content is simply a sign of my lack of organization. LOL However, with the help of my newest favorite website, Happy Housewives, I am slowly coming around. It's like boot camp, and I LOVE it!

Exhaustion has set in...

2008-09-04T09:48:00.003-04:00

Well, this is just a post to post.. Because it's been so long. We are back from our wonderful vacation! It was great!

But.. now we're back.. :-) the laundry has piled up, the house is out of sorts ( to me at least!). I am back on our MOTH schedule, which has been a God send! And we have begun schol again. I have also gotten our meals menu together. I AM, however, having a really hard time, fitting in my work schedule.

Things usually work them selves out though, so I am not worried. Just pretty tired! I am glad and feel so blessed that school is going so well! DD is dong wonderfully with her new Math U See curriculum. Some of the concepts are a bit of a challange for her to grasp, but that's the fun of it I think. It really keeps it from getting stale. Life as it is, is a blessing, just needs some fine tuning. Thats the exhausting part.. when I'm not quit so exhausted, I'll post exactly what fine tungin resources we are using.. but until then!

n

Playsilks, Puppies & Soap, Oh my!

2008-07-01T13:32:00.005-04:00

So what on earth have we been up to?? So much!
Making homemade toys, soap and getting our little pug Pinky re-adjusted to being home. (See previous posts below for details on each)

In an effort to rid our home of plastic-blinky-blinky-blinky-non-imaginative toys, we are on a quest to make new, fun, natural material toys to replace the ones we're just gotten rid of. One of which are these lovely playsilks! What is a playsilk -- hmm.. here's a good definition. We had so much fun dying them with koool aid yesterday, and dd and son began having fun with them almost immediately.

In addition to the playsilks, we've been playing around with wool roving, making felted balls and fairies. What fun that was! Click below to flip through the pics to see the felt ball making fun!

The kids had a ball! And it was a most impressive science project!

Many of our toys are typical Waldorf inspired toys ~ very simple toys, faceless dolls (to make way for imagination) and natural materials. DD has also been on a very big Fairy kick and added fairies to our list toys to make. Here is her first Waldorf inspired fairy, named Angelica. We plan to make more very soon, and with each go, we plan on getting better at it! ;-)

All of the wool roving for this project and the felted balls, was given to us by some dear fellow ravelers, who read about our interest in natural wool toys, and donated some wool to experiment with! From color dyed, to natural combed wool to raw wool straight from the sheep! This little play has provoked some kind of a desire to play with wool (oh no! Could the spinning bug be hitting home!), and as such we have 2 LB of roving on order from The Sheep Shed Studio. Maybe I won't spin it.. {clearing her throat}, I simply DON'T have time...
...TO BE CONTINUED.

So, I decided to show my gratitude to these generous wool-giving ladies, by sending them some handmade soap we recently made. That was another fun venture. Click through the stack below to see the process (you can also click to enlarge and see a description.:

In more news ~~ Pinky is home and settling in just wonderfully!

She did have a vet appointment yesterday for a small imperfection we spotted in her eye. All is well, however, and we left with some eye drops to administer 3 times a day.... oh joy! But hopefully, this will mean clear, beautiful eyes for a long time to come.

Until later..

n

Puppia Harness - Now available!

2008-06-22T01:16:00.004-04:00

Our new shop, Puppia Pets, is now stocked with beautiful harnesses for your pet. So, why a Puppia Harness? Here are just a few reasons, the Puppia Harness is a best bet for your small dog:

- High quality materials are used in manufacturing. Makes for a very durable Puppia Harness!
- No velcro, so your pup will NOT pull away. Velcro harnesses can be dangerous for very active pooches.
- Puppia Harnesses have the sizing down! They are very well fitting, making them exceptionally comfortable for your pet.
- No neck/throat strain. If you have a small breed (like my pug, Pinky), then you know how delicate their throats can be. This harness puts the pressure of pulling across the chest, as opposed to the throat.
- The Puppia Mesh Harness is awesome in the summer heat!
- More control for you! It is easier to control a dog across the chest, then it is to control by the neck alone.

These are just a few reasons the Puppia Harness is one of the most popular small dog harnesses available today. For A full selection of Puppia Harnesses ( including the Puppia Orion, Puppia Rainbow, Puppia Dotty, and the Puppia Spring Harness ), at VERY impressive prices, check out Puppia Pets!

n

Knitting Projects!

2008-05-30T18:31:00.002-04:00

Click on each photo, to shuffle through pics!

Does $10 go a long way?

2008-04-05T18:27:00.007-04:00

When it comes to a produce Co-op, it does!

We are pretty pleased with our stash from the Produce Co-op we joined. The Co-op is a group of folks who come together to buy fruits and veggies in bulk. In GA, one family goes to the Georgia State Farmers Market every 2 weeks, and purchase fruits and veggies in bulk. They then bring them all home and divide them up among all the family "Baskets". This means that each family is able to get more for their money than they would at their local grocery store.

This is our first week, and we were a little bit unprepared. We brought this big basket, that we THOUGHT would be big enough, but others were there with laundry baskets! So, hubby grabbed one of the smaller stashes ( I wouldn't have done that, but momma was busy with baby in the car) and packed our basket up, and in two weeks, we'll be better prepared with a much larger vessel of some sort!

So here's what we got for $10:

1 lb Strawberries
1 lb Broccoli
1 bunch Bananas
2 lbs Carrots
2 ears Corn (? maybe this smaller stash was for non-corn lovers?)
5 Apples
5 Potatoes
1 lb Grapes
2 Heads Lettuce
2 heads Collard Greens

Now, I think that's pretty good, especially for one of the smaller bounty's. It worked out just fine, because this is just enough for our small family of 4, for 2 weeks. We look forward to our next visit, when we will be much more prepared and hopefully, just as pleased!

Here's another way to make your $10 go far! For those of you who are faithful users of Ravelry , the knitting and crocheting community, Check out Revelraiser, a fundraiser for the amazing folks behind this absolutely awesome site! So your not the donating type? oh, you WILL be when you see THESE BREATHTAKING PRIZES!!! If for nothing else, you must check out the link just to drool!

I turn my back for 10 seconds....

2008-03-05T23:23:00.003-05:00

So, here's why I should NEVER turn my back on the kids to ask the sales person a quick question, right?

I turn my back for just a quick question, and I turn back to my baby boy dressed like the missing princess from YMCA! Oye Vey! My poor baby.. do you see the eveil fairy godmother back there? Yes, she's the culprit!

Needless to say the people around me thought this was hilarious, Daddy? ~ not so much.. LOL

We are very close to starting our new school year, our Sonlight curriculum is here and looks VERY interesting! We're really excited to get started. DD had such a great time putting together the castle box that the books came in! All we need to get now is our handwriting from Abeka and Math U See and we're all set!

Listen In:
Birds? chirping? Yes! Early morning bird songs are so pretty.

View from the front window:
Kids at play, must be spring break?

Supper Plans:
Fish

In the garden:
Gardening Plans: We will begin out Square Foot porch garden any day now! Hubby bought the wood, now I wait!

Beauty in the common things:
We are so blessed to have a home, our health and so much of everything we take for granted!

On the Needles:
Silk Sleeves, Koolhaas hat, and finally, my Shetland Triangle! (Thank YOU Trudi!), Socks and Chevron Scarf.

Something New:
Baby boy is walking! (he's actually been walking for about a month, but I forgot to tell you.. hehe) and Video Podcasts!!! LOVE Vcasts, and this one --> Lets Knit2gether, in particular!

I'm Mrs. Beaver!

2008-03-05T23:17:00.001-05:00

Which Chronicles of Narnia character are you most like?
created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Mrs. Beaver

Peter Pevensie

63%

Mrs. Beaver

63%

Aslan

63%

Lucy Pevensie

60%

Edmund Pevensie

57%

Susan Pevensie

50%

Mr. Beaver

40%

Oreius

33%

The White Witch

30%

Mr. Tumnus

30%

Ginarrbrik

13%

Hubby is Peter!

2008-03-05T22:49:00.001-05:00

Hats, Scarves Bags, and Boxes

2008-02-27T21:24:00.007-05:00

Boy, what a bunch of updates I have! I have been so bad at keeping everything updated, but I will truly try much harder to stay up to date here. Our horrible HughesNet connection is partly to blame, and the rest is simply time. I think if my connection as faster, my time issue would probably resolve itself. But, until then.. we carry on.. :-)

First, a FO:
My dear sons new hat, scarf and mitts set! Isn't he a cutey pie!

And a WIP:

Chevron Scarf
Pattern: Scarf Style by Interweave Press
Yarn: Bernat Softee Chunky

I've wanted to try this pattern, and being a new knitter, decided I would do this in a solid color first time around, not expecting much.. I L-O-V-E it! The pattern is really very, very simple, and produces such lovely results ~ even in a solid color. Can't wait to see it some to life in color!

We are gearing up for our new Homeschool year (yes, we start just about anytime during the year!). Our Sonlight curriculum just arrived in the mail and it looks like so much fun! Now, we await our Math U See Beta and Abeka Cursive Handwriting and we're off the the races! It's also time to get our reading list in for the six flags 6 hour reading program and time to sign up for the Pizza Hut Book It! program.

On the home front:

Listen In:
Momma's sweet baby crying sleepily as he learns to fall asleep on his own..

View from the front window:
Nippy, nippy.. wait! Is that snow?!

Supper Plans:
Cabbage and Ground turkey (Yum!)

In the garden:
Gardening Plans: We will begin out Square Foot porch garden any day now!

Beauty in the common things:
The peace of sweet baby boy finally falling asleep (yes, that quickly!) and the quiet time between then and the moment I lay my head down (The ONLY few tranquil minutes I have all day!)

On the Needles & Hooks:
hmm, lets see: 2 hooded scarves that are just draaaging on.. , socks, sleeves & a Chevron scarf. In the next week: Another diaper soaker for the baby, Tiramisu Baby Blanket (gift), Koolhaas hat and the Hemlock! (Yes! Can't wait!)

Something New:
My beautiful new Lexie Barnes Lady B knitting bag! Love it! All the room I need, I can get a few small project, a couple of large projects, all my needles and all my every day stuff (including a diaper!) in this bag! It's water proof, has sturdy, non-slip shoulder straps, double zipper, matching needle cases, TONS of pockets, and is absolutely gorgeous to boot! (see pics below!)

My new year is just beginning!

2008-02-03T22:42:00.000-05:00

well, I really need to blog more often. Today is a new day! I will blog more often, as I settle into my new home/homeschool/cleaning schedule. So this is a quick update.

what's new in knitting? my baby boys adorable hat!

what's new around the house?
a new schedule that I think will really work! I've kept my days, and added seasonal, etc. but enough that I'm doing small intervals of cleaning in between this littel guy wanting my attention.

what's new in sewing?
I need to get my machine fixed, as the tension is off, and it doesn't matter what I do, nothing works. then I need to make 2 aprons and a knitting needle case, for all my beautiful new needles I got for my birthday from my dear hubby!!! ( I must blgo about my beautiful needles later!).

what's new with friends?
ahhh, a dear frined is leaving to go to California! I will miss her dearly, but luckily, the internet and other modern techno's make the world a much smaller place. Of course, that doens't mean that lovely "written" letters on beautiful paper, won't be in order!

I know this is a quick post, but I promise to give more detail this week. Until then..

n

Cutest little wool soaker butt!

2008-01-12T19:48:00.000-05:00

Just finished little man's wool soaker! How cute! It turned out really nice, I like it a lot with the small adjustments I made to the pattern. Thanks to my dear friend Trudi, I started out with the Ottobre wool soaker pattern as a base. Then I came across a few other patterns that I liked different details of, so I added the additional ribbing from the Sheepytime Sheepy Sack pattern at the bottom of their pattern page. I love how it came out. I made the legs just a bit longer. And I made the waist a bit longer as well, and then folded it down in half, before lacing the drawstring through. I thought about adding eyelet holes for the drawstring, but decided against it, so that as he grows bigger if I need, I can unfold the waist for a longer rise and not have to worry about holes from an eyelet row. The Ottobre pattern was super quick to work up and was a pleasure to knit, so I'll definitely be doing about 6 more of these! :-D

n

"Momento Bowl" & Beautiful Yarn Storage Ideas

2008-01-10T12:48:00.000-05:00

We've come across a great book, "Weekend Knitting" by Melanie Falick. I highly recommend this book if you appreciate the beauty in the medium that we work with as knitters and crocheters. The pictures are heartfelt and warm, the ideas are great and the little tid-bits throughout the book, capture the rythmic, homely essence and pure beauty of knitting.

From this book, comes an awesome idea ~ We call it our "Momento Bowl." While our bowl is still a work in progress, it is still pretty and inviting. As we finish projects we will begin adding smaller sample balls of yarn and prettier needles. But for now, the simplicity of what we have works both as a beautiful storage solution and a Momento Bowl to share and create memories with friends for a long time to come!

Weekend knitting describes it best:

"Inevitably, if you leave knitting projects or pretty yarns or knitting books around your house, some of your guests are going to want to knit while they're visiting. To be ready for such situations, try setting up a quests knitting bowl or basket. In it place a small piece of knitting (just a few rows worked on a set of pretty needles) and yarn leftover from finished projects. When quests ask to knit, invite them to add on to the knitting you've started with whichever yarn they like best from the bowl. After a while (months or years, depending on the industriousness of your guests), you'll have a long, colorful ribbonlike momento- a memory quilt of sorts - of creative time spent with friends and family. You'll see the inevitable holes created bu the knitters who learned to knit on this ribbon as well as the complicated stitchwork of the experienced knitters who have stopped by."

-- Weekend Knitting, P. 129

Speaking of storage solutions -- do you see my nifty little yarn ball winder? Oh, I absolutely love! See how neat my balls are? (you should have seen them before!). On the storage front, this book has some great ideas for decorating with yarn (I've starred [*] my favorites!):

"

Place pretty colors together in clean wooden bowls*, natural baskets, or other creative holders. Scour yard sales and antique shops for unusual choices. Casually combining an assortment of colors often leads to new discoveries about how colors play off one another.
"Dress" a vintage dress form in yarn. Drape yarn across it's shoulders, or around it's neck or waist.
Drape yarn around the back of a chair or on the door of a cabinet or armoire.
Fill an armoire with yarn and leave doors open to display.
Use a hank of yarn as a curtain tie-back.
Hang different colors of yarn on the pegs of a coat rack.
String an assortment of yarn on a cord and hang form a wall hook. *
Line up cones of yarn on a shelf.
Set up shelves and cubbies along an entire wall and arrange the yarn in a pleasing sequence of colors and textures. While some knitters will do this in a storage or workroom, it can also work well in a more public space.
If you like to paint, draw or take photos, consider using your yarn as a subject for a still life. "

-- Weekend Knitting, P. 41

DD Learned to KNIT!!!!

2008-01-10T11:32:00.000-05:00

After much trial and error ~ well, a little trial and error.. :-D, It is with great pleasure and excitement that I announce that DD has got it!!! She learned to knit! We tried a few months back and she wasn't ready yet, but after her big sis came for a visit and learned to knit, she decided to give it another try.. and she got it! She's very excited, and spends her own time concentrating on "her" knitting.

She is really enjoying it and keeps adding to our Momento bowl.. (I'll fill you in on this neat tid-bit later).

Here she is casting on (her favorite part). She is already planning her Christmas gifts for next year!

Now we can sit and knit together.. oh the joys of mother-daughter bonding.

n

Stinky Diapers?

2008-01-09T23:54:00.000-05:00

Well, turns out that my dear little ones cloth diapers were coming out of the dryer smelling somewhat fishy because, Desitin contains COD LIVER OIL... hehehe That would be a really good reason! But after a good stripping, cold wash, then Hot wash with 1 C baking soda, dawn, Oxyclean and 2tiny caps bleach, then a few really HOT washes, all clean and smelling fresh again!

Breakfast in Bed... :-D

2008-01-08T11:22:00.000-05:00

DD decided that she would make Breakfast today, since I've been under the weather the past few days. She decided toasted Blueberry Bagels and butter were in order, and a delicious cold cup of milk. She also decided that this pretty serving plate would make a grand compliment to her breakfast plan! Pretty decisive for a 5 yr old, I think! So we sat in bed together and ate our bagels and shared our cup of milk. It was a delight!

n

Hello and Happy New Year!

2008-01-03T15:06:00.000-05:00

Well, Christmas gifts are done, and the holidays are over! What a wonderful time of giving! Everyone loved their gifts (that's my moms lace scarf in the pic). One thing I learned in making gifts this year, I will be starting VERY soon on next years gifts! :-D

It has been some time since I posted, mostly because of the holidays - preparation, guests, festivities and aftermath. I hope everyone's Christmas was blessed and New year will be great! I thought I'd give a little update and get used to getting on (and off) of my blog, in an effort to make it a more regular part of my day... :-) So, I was browsing around some of my favorite blogs this morning, and went to check on the Large Family Logistics blog to see if she was back up and running. And she is! not too many posts, as she is taking care of her precious little guy, who was brought to this earth prematurely, and is doing exceptional now! So, other then a few minor updates, there won't be much going on, HOWEVER.. there is so much wisdom in this site. and I find myself going back time and time again, for motivation, wisdom, inspiration. When I forget what to do, how to do it, or don't know where to get the energy to do it from!, I wander back over and read various topics on home keeping, home management, home Schooling, etc. I decided to borrow an update feature from her, I think it's kind of neat, short sweet to the point, so with a few minor personal adjustments:

Listen In:
:-( little sniffles, coughs (from mom AND baby) and the hum of the Vick's humidifier.

View from the front window:
Pretty day in GA, cool and crisp but bright and sunny!

Supper Plans:
New years Leftovers~Yes we still have them!

In the garden:
Greens & Kale (Broccoli is all gone! it was mm mmm yummy!)

Beauty in the common things:
Little gleam of sun, shining through the window.

On the Needles & Hooks:
3 scarves and a big cozy wrap! (It's that time of year!)

Something New:
I am finally on Ravelry! Yeay! I LOVE this site, if you haven't signed up for an invite yet, please do, it is awesome! For those already on Ravelry, my page is http://www.ravelry.com/people/ngabriel
Please come by and visit!

Knitting. Crocheting. Lets Talk!

2007-11-29T19:30:00.000-05:00

Ok, so to update everyone on the world I have been living in for the past couple of weeks!, :-D I am currently working on several projects, both Knit and crochet, for the holidays. In doing this, I have opened up a world I new nothing about. Oh, the community that exists of people with this like interest, is phenomenal! So, here goes:

Websites & Blogs:
Ravelry - I so want a Ravelry page, but alas, I am on the waiting list.
Crochetme - A great Crochet community by the author of the book by the same name. Be sure to check out the very cool Blog as well!
BrooklynTweed - This guy's talent is beyond belief!
Betz White - Felted Cup o' Joe's as seen on Martha.
Happy Yellow House - Free Patterns for Crocheted Afghans!
Handable - Home of KnitAble, CrochetAble & Countable PDA sofware! Keep track of your knitting projects, stash, needles, patterns, gifts, etc. How could I pass it up!
KnitMap - Have you seen this!!! Find your local yarn shop! Oh beauty, we found one nearby and a girlfriend and I will be taking a day trip to THIS beautiful shop near us. Find the shop near you!
Oneskein - the knit-A-Long blog to the companion book (see below).
PurlSOhO - a pretty place to shop...
Susan B. Anderson - Blog of the author of the amazing "Itty Bitty Nursery" book. (see below)

Books: See side panel under "Books I'm reading! There's a whole section there with my Crochet/Knit titles in order of adoration! :-D

I love a fire! Big update...

2007-11-05T13:18:00.000-05:00

What a pretty fire hubby threw together. It's just a tiny bit nippy in the morning now, but with one of these fires going, we can warm the house up and save cash by not messing with the thermostat! :-)

Please accept apologies for not updating in so long, there has been so much going on. Obviously, the Holidays beginning are part of the chaos. We went away for a long week on vacation during the week of Thanksgiving, and sice we've been back the babe and I have both been sick and are just starting to see the light of days again. So, what have I been up to:

~~~~I AM IN LOVE ~~~

Truly! No honestly! I have found a hobby that I cannot put down. CROCHETING and KNITTING! I love them, love, love, love them both! I have been doing a massive amount of "yarn arts" over the past couple of weeks and am in progress of completing all of our Christmas gifts for our family. So, need I say that future posts will probably have quit a bit to do with my new found love!

stay tuned!
n

Got Milk? Yes! But NOT your kind!

2007-11-05T12:51:00.000-05:00

I have been a raw milk believer for quite some time now. It is illegal to sell raw milk in GA for human consumption. Why? Not sure.. Only thing I can think of is maybe DOA and GA Government, and the dairy industry won't make the billions they generate by pushing the processed poison they call milk? Anyways, the only way to buy raw milk, is to buy PET milk, milk for your "pet" to consume. Recently, the Ga Department of Agriculture decided it would be a good idea to try to make farmers have to put a gray dye in all raw milk. BAD IDEA GUYS! I have a better idea ~ mind your business and allow ME to feed my family with what I feel is best!

n

Re-discovering a Lovely Hobby

2007-11-05T10:29:00.000-05:00

I Love, Love, Love this necklace!

While pregnant, I took up crocheting to pass time, and make cuties for the new babe. After babe came along, I stopped and have just recently re-started my addictive compulsion! LOL. I am all-in, head first, and there's no coming up for air! :-D .

I have decided to make all of our Christmas gifts this year, and what you see here is one gift I plan on trying my best to conquer! A new friend has these beautiful necklaces, and bracelets for sale at her Etsy shop. She will have the patterns for sale as well, and I'll post the link here as soon as they are all available!

In addition to the above thread crocheted item, the following items are on my Work in Progress Christmas list (WIPCL):

1 Afghan
2 Tea & Cookie Sets
1 Poncho
1 Amigurumi Doll
2 Little Bunny's
1 felted Checkers set
5 convertabe Neck warmers/hats
1 Flannel Travelghan
1 Pair slippers
3 Necklace sets
1 set Rattles

Wow, what a list... I think I forgot something! I'll keep everyone posted as I finish my projects!
Happy Monday!
n

Wonderful Gathering of Friends!

2007-11-05T09:49:00.000-05:00

Well we had a grand time yesterday and a big bash at my home! It was nice, and the first party I have had in a great while. I have been very busy planning for this, and it was well worth it. We had a lovely lady here from Stampin'up , who showed us how to make beautiful cards that look like expensive, personalized stationary cards that cost $3 - $4 each, but cost MUCH less! We also learned how to make beautiful holiday gifts, and how to use the stamps to add elements to a wall. The menu was:

Rice & Beans
Deviled Eggs
Salad with Homemade Dressing
Fruit & Veggie Platter
Pumpkin Bread
Harvest Mini- Muffins
Connie's Banana Pudding! (This was SUCH a hit!)

The kids had a great time, and I can't wait for my next swaree!

n

History ~ Time Travelers Unit Studies

2007-10-15T20:57:00.000-04:00

DD and I are really, really enjoying the Time Travelers New World Explorer Unit Study, by Homeschooling in The Woods. Amy was wonderful to do business with, and is a homeschooling mom herself. She and her family did a tremendous job on these unit studies! We absolutely cannot wait to move on to the other units. In this pic, dd is holding her "Old Ships Log," her "Ptolemaic Map" and the anatomy of a ship (just one of the very many mini projects included, to be compiled into a lapbook at the end of the unit!). The amount of projects you end up with at the end of this unit is amazing! You can see a picture of them here. In our picture, on dd's lap is her Notebook. So during the process of going through this unit, your child is also lapbooking and notebooking and ends up with a complete one of each at the end of the unit. { TTLapbook outside/inside & TTNotebook} Every day is laid out for you with lesson text, projects and all the project pages and instructions you will need. With one day being a project day to finish up any in-complete projects for that week. These units are really well done! I HIGHLY recommend! Stay tuned for more fun projects!

updated to add: I just discovered that this Old Testament Lapbook that I have been searching for, for quite sometime, is ALSO done by Homeschool In The Woods! It's their Old Testament Hands-On Activity Pak. I should have know! Have I already said that you MUST check this company out? Because you must.. :-)

"Daddy's Shirt" Dress?

2007-10-15T15:10:00.000-04:00

We had a great time sewing last week! Discovered an awesome way of making a very cute dress out of Daddy's old shirt, and a neat (and easy) wrap skirt. I found them both on one of my favorite blogs! See both posts here, and the directions for making the dress here, and the skirt here then here. The front of the dress is the back of daddy's old shirt, the back of the dress is the front of daddy's old shirt and the pantaloons are daddy's old sleeves!

I love the skirt, as it is very flattering & I love long skirts! It was very simple and whipped up in just a few hours. I plan on making several more of these! The (wrinkly) skirt pics are at the end of the slide show :-D {Note: Please forgive the wrinkles, as I had to quickly jump into bed to nurse a sleepy teething baby back to sleep, LOL }now, on to the show.....

Menu Planning with iCal!

2007-10-15T00:31:00.001-04:00

Originally uploaded by Ngabriel

My menu plan is finally done! yeaayyyy!!!! ok, so as I searched the web for a software program that would make it easy for me to organize a monthly menu plan, I became somewhat frustrated. Then I decided to give my iCal (the calendar program on my mac) a try. To my surprise, it worked like a charm! I set up 3 meals a day, for 2 weeks. Each meal is set to repeat on that same day every 2 weeks. So I end up with a 2 week rotating menu. In the notes section, I can enter things like the recipe, etc. I truly enjoy it and I hope you can find something just as user friendly to work your magical menu wand over! :-D Bon Appetite!

n

Favorite Breakfast recipe!

2007-10-15T00:19:00.001-04:00

HPIM4763.JPG
Originally uploaded by Ngabriel

After much trial (and gnashing or teeth!), I have finally completed my menu plan! And in celebration, I am exploiting my absolute favorite breakfast recipe ~ Dutch Puff! Have you heard of it, you probably have. I came to know it through a blog that I visit often, and it has become a lethal weapon in my menu planning arsenal (especially with baby around!). I love it because I can quickly throw (literally) together 3 quick ingredients, and beat up and store in the fridge overnight. Then in the morning, pre-heat the oven, pour and oven bake for a few minutes! It cannot get any easier. We have it with pure maple syrup, molasses, bananas or fruit spread or preserves! mmmm! If you haven't heard of it, here is the recipe, courtesy of Kim @ Large Family Logistics:

Dutch Puff

2 cups freshly ground pastry flour or what ever you have on hand
2 cups buttermilk, milk, or cream
8 eggs
1 stick of butter

Put all ingredients except butter in your blender. Blend until smooth. Let sit overnight. In the morning put one stick of butter in a 9x13 pan and place in oven while it is preheating to 425. Blend ingredients again and add to baking dish. Cook for 20 minutes. It will puff up real big and then deflate once it has set out a few minutes. Top with Blueberry Sauce or maple syrup.
Wheat free version: use 1 cup rice flour and 1 cup tapioca flour

Enjoy!

n

Botanical Garden Field Trip

2007-10-14T23:52:00.001-04:00

HPIM4783.JPG
Originally uploaded by Ngabriel

Our field trip to the Botanical Gardens was absolutely beautiful! If earthly beauty, touched by sin, can be this breathtaking ~ Can you imagine heavenly beauty, in all it's perfection? I surely cannot! But I can't wait to see it!

n

The Microwave Diet!

2007-10-14T22:21:00.000-04:00

I just discovered a new diet, that I think EVERYONE should go on!

See, hubby and I have recently gotten rid of our microwave, and I realize that my weight has declined. Tonight, the thought dawned on me. It's because of the lack of the microwave! See, as I was finishing my delicious supper, I walked to the kitchen thinking "Mmm, that was so good, I could eat some more.' However, the casserole was cold as ice from being refrigerated, and would mean waiting, at least, another 20 minutes before I had another piping hot serving! So, of course, in that very moment, I also thought "Nah, I'm OK." EUREKA!!! Thus the secret to my weight loss! HA!

This diet comes highly recommended!! :-D
n

GoldenRod

2007-10-05T00:51:00.000-04:00

While going through one of my DD's Prairie Primer lessons, one of the assignments was to draw Goldenrod and research it's uses. After gleaning inspiration from Like Merchant Ships (one of my favorite reads! :-D) , I came to realize that this herb is the same nuisance weed that grows abundantly along Ga highways & roadsides! And... after doing some more digging, I discovered the herbs wonderful therapeutic properties ~ a long time home remedy, often used as a tea to treat urinary tract infections & kidney stones. And, when in harmony with a few "roadside florals," I think it makes for an adorable arrangement!

n

9/30 Commitment to Loveliness!

2007-10-01T18:17:00.000-04:00

It's time for another Commitment to Loveliness! This is a fun way to increase femininity and beauty in our lives each week without even trying! All you have to do is choose five things that you would like to work on or do during the week that will increase the loveliness in your life!

Here is my list for this week:

1. Take the time to sew SOMETHING this week!
2. Return the house to "Home"
3. Re-organize my Pantry.
4. Pick some flowers & bring them into the house.
5. Start using my "Motivated Moms" Planner.

n

2007-10-01T17:09:00.000-04:00

I've decided to join these lovely ladies, over at "Less of Me.." in planning my week. So in addition to my usual Commitment to Loveliness, I will begin posting "Monday Meanderings" each monday. This is so that I can seperate my more-practical weekly goals, from the more-"lovely" weekly goals. Some will probably be the same, but there will be some that differ on each list. So here we go:

Bible Study/ Devotions ~
This week, I will continue my study of Godly Beauty and begin to "Really" read the book "Escape to God" by Jim Hohnberger.
"Must Do"~
- - Take a little time and Bless each room to "Return" my house to Home, after a very hectic last week.
- COMPLETE my menu plan.
- Begin 1st week of my "12-Week Christian Holiday Planner".
- Plan Sabbath School lesson for this Sabbath.
Home Project~
I would really like to get my pantry back! SO this week I am going to commit to getting that pantry re-organized!
Train Them Up~
- Find knitting needles, to begin the knitting unit in the Training Our Daughters curriculum.
- Find 7 cartons for Stewardship Street "Math" class.
- Gather together necessary items for ms. "Ruby" doll / proverbs 31 study.

Menu Planning~
- When I have finished planning my monthly rotating menu, I will post here wach week what the plan is for that week.

HomeschoolBoutique.com/ Our OTHER uniform!

2007-10-01T16:26:00.000-04:00

Our favorite, online, homeschool attire shop is giving away FREE T-shirts! Check them out at HomeSchool Boutique

Our absolute favorite shirt (and the one we get THE most feedback from) is my DD's field-trip "Uniform" shirt.

We get SO many comments on this great shirt everytime we go out! The store has a ton of other awesome stuff, (VERY reasonable priced to boot!) so make sure you check them out!

ps: Tell her Nichole from Atlanta sent you! :-D

getting baby to sleep...

2007-09-27T21:07:00.000-04:00

Well, trying to get this little teething babe to sleep for longer then a few short hours has been a true struggle as of late. Thus, my lack of posting. Mamma's been going on very little lately, and is soooo sleep deprived. We are using Hylands Teething Tabs, which seem to work a bit, but not for long. Anyone have any ideas? Anything would be greatly appreciated!

Living Room Done! Yaaaaay!

2007-09-23T01:05:00.000-04:00

I am done with my living room!

It took some time, and made for a very complicated week, but I am glad it is done. I wasn't able to do my curtains, because turns out the rod was too short, but as soon as I can exchange it, my curtains will be up as well! And I was able to give the gift of hospitality already this Sabbath! It was great to have people here, and so much fun. My house is finally feeling like a home. Now to move on to my other projects!

n

A Site to Remember : Lady Lydia Speaks

2007-09-16T17:13:00.000-04:00

A lovely site that I am learning quite a bit from is Lady Lydia Speaks, a sub-site of Ladies Against Feminism [LAF]. Topics like Homemaking, Feminine Dress, Hospitality, Manners & The Arts are covered. Read one of the many articles, or visit the store or message boards. Here is one of my favorite articles on keeping the home tidy. Her website is fabulous as is her blog! Also be sure to check out her articles on the LAF website, by clicking on "Lady Lydia Speaks" in the left navigation bar after you enter the site. Enjoy!

Commitment to Loveliness!

2007-09-13T01:32:00.000-04:00

I love this idea, and this is one of my ultimate goals. So it was very timely that I came across this at Emma's Blog at Charming the Birds from the Trees.

"It's time for another Commitment to Loveliness! This is a fun way to increase femininity and beauty in our lives each week without even trying! All you have to do is choose five things that you would like to work on or do during the week that will increase the loveliness in your life!"

Here is my list for this week:

1. Make hand sewn thrown pillows for living room.
2. Begin Going to Bed Earlier! (with a 4 month old, we'll see how this works!)
3. Complete a rotating menu plan.
4. Move furniture back into the living room & put home back in order!
5. Have a home Spa Day (hair, manicure, etc.)

Sewing Pattern Sale!

2007-09-13T00:43:00.000-04:00

Check your local Joann's sale flyer (or check online), for their $1.99 pattern sale going on this week and 3 days next week! This week, all Butterick patterns are $1.99, and next week Simplicity patterns are $1.99! I'm headed over there tomorrow to stock up!

Amazing Fabric Prices!

2007-09-12T23:53:00.000-04:00

So, the color of our walls somewhat surprised us. See, they were to be a beautiful serene sand color. It is a textured paint, and has tiny black specks throughout. Well, we bought 4 gallons of it FIVE years ago!!! LOL (I know!) But, we opened it last week and it looked great! We painted and all was well, until it dried ~ at which time it took on a greenish tone. So now the room's walls are an earthy maroon and green! Ok! I'll work with that! I am going to make my own throw pillows and table cloths for end tables. So, I went looking for fabric. Of course Walmart's $1 fabric section was my first stop! But, to no avail, no upholstery fabric there. And their regular upholstery fabric was $8/yd. Yikes!!! So, a friend of mine mentioned a place, and took me there last week. PHENOMENAL! A warehouse, nothing particularly pretty, but if your willing to jump into the HUGE pile of remnant fabric, you will be rewarded with a "50 cents per pound" price tag!!! I was able to get these fabric remnants, all for $3.25! And an extra $1 for 2 lbs of fabric my DD picked out for herself. I'll never shop anywhere else for fabric EVER again! ;-D

I believe I will use the darker solid & rose print on the side end tables... the solid as table cloth, and the roses as a runner. I will be making 3 huge floor 'throw' pillows, for extra seating, from the lighter solid in the background.

And these will be my coordnating sofa throw pillows. I'll also be using the piping on everything to pull them all together a bit!

$3.25! Did I already mention, I'll never shop anywhere else for fabric EVER again!
n

(Home)School Uniform is here!

2007-09-12T23:43:00.000-04:00

DD's uniform is here! She is very excited, and I am too (less laundry for me at the end of each week!) I think it will also help to instill a sense of discipline about her schooling, and teach her to take care of her clothing. I got this one from Cookies Kids . It's extremely durable, stain repellant with permanent pleats, so it will be an easy peice to learn "care of clothing" on.

n

Looky, Looky what I found!

2007-09-12T22:52:00.000-04:00

Well, since the floors are finally done, I've decided that it's time to create an inviting atmosphere in the living room this time around, so I can feel good about being hospitable, instead of feeling like the room is bombarded with clutter. In the past, I had a lovely (but LARGE) table in the corner that has served as my office. Well, this time I really wanted something smaller that could fit in the corner, and not be so obvious. I prayed for guidance, and decided that an old desk downstairs, although big and tall, wasn't quite as big as the old table, so I'd use it! Then one night , last week, I went o church for an evangalistic meeting. and on the back of a church members truck was this beauty! In the middle of it was a sign that said "FREE to anyone who is interested!". I could have jumped for joy!!! A little cleaning up and polishing, and this baby will be absolutely quant in our *new* living room! Thank You Lord for your angel kisses!

n

Our floors are done!

2007-09-12T20:25:00.001-04:00

I am so happy and grateful for our new hardwood floors. We decided to go with Hemse flooring from Ikea. VERY affordable and they look great down. Now I will say, that this seemed to be a 2 man job, although hubby did most of it on his own. A family relative came by for some time to help out a bit and the rest went down fine! We went ahead and painted to walls since the disgusting carpets were up anyway, and it all came out very nice!

My Purpose

2007-09-12T20:17:00.000-04:00

I started this blog in an effort to record my growth ~ from where and who I am today, to where I envision I am going ~ where I believe God is leading me. I hope that this blog will be a blessing to other families as they strive to reach their ultimate goals.