Our House in the Middle of Our Street

{This Moment}

2012-01-27T06:00:00.000-06:00

This moment is...um...a little bit random, I know. It makes me laugh hysterically and that's why it's one of my favorites from the past week. Talk about random--this photo is my best friend's mother's adopted dog who is not only wearing a tobasco doggie shirt, but shivering like the dickens. Wow. Join others with a favorite moment from the week!

Usborne Bookshelf Giveaway: "How Big Is A Million?"

2012-01-26T13:49:00.004-06:00

photocredit

My first giveaway from my Usborne bookshelf is the book called "How Big Is A Million?" by Anna Milbourne. It is part of the Pipkin series, called The Pipkin Complete Collection and includes the titles, "How High Is the Sky", "How Deep Is The Sea", and "How Big Was A Dinosaur", for little curious fact-finders.

Pipkin the penguin loves to ask all kinds of questions about the world to help him grasp how big our Earth is. This is a very sweet story about his journey to find out what exactly a million looks like.

While finding out how penguins stay warm, and who they're likely to run into in the South Pole, the reader also is given an introductory to math; 10, 100, 1000, and eventually a million. Included in this story is a poster that is sealed for the future reader to find out what Pipkin saw. Here is a peek inside so you can see what the illustrations look like. This book is hard back and suitable for children up to 7 years old.

To be entered in this drawing for "How Big is a Million?", please leave me your name and email address so I can contact you. You can get an extra entry for all of the following:

2) become a follower of this blog on Google reader, RSS, etc. and tell me in an extra comment

3) Become a twitter follower and tell me in an extra comment

This giveaway is open to continental US , and will be drawn by random generator on the evening of Thursday Feb. 2nd. The next giveaway will be Feb. 23rd.

New on the Blog; A Rundown

2012-01-25T19:14:00.002-06:00

Source: marie-francesca-x.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

I just wanted to do a short post on all of the new features on the side-bar of the blog for those who rarely read them (ahem, Hi mom!) and for those just passing through with a hopeful recipe search. Here's the rundown of what I recently updated:

Beneath the photo of Stefan and I is a text box that has my email address for those who are interested in my Usborne bookstore, and a link to the wonderful lady who took our family's photos this past fall. You can contact her through her blog.
The red rectangular link will take you directly to my Pinterest boards. What is pinterest, you say? Only the most addictive thing since sliced bread smothered in Paula Deen's crunchy butter balls. With chocolate. Pinterest is a visual 'cork board' of sorts, where one can categorize different boards ("Home", "Style", etc.) and glean worlds of visual eye candy from the web. And from eye-candy I mean of the 'dream-house' or 'future kitchen' variety, not the type that gets you in trouble. ;) That red button will take you to everything I fancy: want to read, wear, make, see, or teach, etc.. Or eat. Enjoy!
Underneath that is my Usborne Bookstore button, with the Usborne balloon logo. Click on that and it will take you directly to my online store. Read more about why I chose to become a representative of Usborne here.
Next is the search engine for this blog. Can't remember a witty title of a post on who-knows-what? Type it in there if you remember me talking something vaguely familiar about it, and see what comes up. It will not take you to another site, but just bring up any posts that may be relevant from my blog only. Neat.
The little picture of my feet, in a canoe, in the mountains? That's my fancy smancy 'blog grab button' with the text box. Like what you see here and want to share the love on your own blog? Copy everything in that little white box, and paste into your own little html gadget...do...hickey...thing. Now my little picture will grace your blog wall! Thanks. Mwah.
The next three buttons are just fun little flare I liked to add to my blog to not only give it some color, but to show my readers other blogs that I love. And I mean love. They don't get wall space if I don't read them daily!
Blog archive is just a tidy little button that shows each month since I first became a blogger (years? wow...) and how many posts are in each month. If you so fancy and want to go back to July 10, just press that with your mouse and you'll read all my posts on melting in the heat, and trying to get my kids back inside the air conditioning...or something.
The Label section is for those who are here tooling around without a lot of time to spare. Want to only read my thoughts on home schooling? Click that link to take you to all of those labelled posts. Wanna' see what I knit my kids in the past 3 years? Yup, you've got it, hit the knitting label.

I hope that clears up some confusion with all the little do-dads if you're new here. Enjoy and look around!

Announcement: Here's My Card

2012-01-24T14:17:00.003-06:00

photocredit

Ever since right after Christmas I've had a big announcement to share, but wanted my 'ducks in a row' before I let anyone know. I recently joined the Usborne team and am thrilled to be a representative of their company. I thought about this for over a year, when I was first asked to join because of my enthusiasm for this wonderful brand of children's books. I did reviews on my blog (1, 2), mentioned them on facebook, and even added them to our home schooling curriculum through the last two years. It finally just made sense to become a member of their company simply to get the discount on all the books I was buying (birthdays and other gifts included!) and if someone else happened to be interested, I could lead them to books I'd be buying for my own children...that's how much I love them. I was doing all the advertising for free!

Here are some questions answered, all of which Stefan, in one way or another, has asked me, so I'm using that as a springboard for a question and answer post.

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But...you're a stay at home mom, why would you want to put in the time and effort?

Well, like I said before, my first and foremost priority to joining the group is to get a really good discount on books I'm going to buy anyway. They're not $.01 on Amazon, either. Usually buying a used copy and paying the standard $3.99 shipping comes out to more than buying a new copy from the website, and definitely not cheaper than my discount.

As for the effort, it did take a bit of work, man-hours anyway, to get things where I wanted them. I wanted to design a blog button (see left!) that would link straight to my store, so if any of you readers were interested in perusing, it would very simple. Thanks to the internet and a few hours of trail and error with photo-bucket, blogger, and html code, I was able to figure out how to do that on my own, along with an "Our House" grab button (coming later)! I ordered free business cards that I really like from vistaprint.com, and ordered 250 gold labels with all my information from an etsy seller ($10, very inexpensive) so I can label all my books as they go out of my hands and into customers for easy reference. Again, a bit of time, but the roll of labels will last for a long time.

Stefan and I decided I could join assuming this won't take much of my lacking spare time. It won't and it hasn't, other than a few nap-times consumed with the efforts mentioned above. I will have to go to a monthly meeting and I enjoyed the first one, but they are optional and really only for helping one in the company with insights and new books to review.

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Why did you choose this company to make into your side business?

I was already buying upwards of $100 worth of Usborne books per year for our family, why not make it 25% cheaper, and if there happened to be opportunities where someone was interested in buying books from me, great. Because I am already so in love with these books, advertising for them is just so natural--because I'm already enthusiastic it just bubbles over into conversation. It's so easy to tell someone about a great product that you love and use in your own home, because you love it.

I have always had a love for children's literature and if there was such a thing as "children's literature" emphasis in my English degree from UNL, that's what I would have done. I feel this is a very organic branch of my personality because I am so energetic about children, literacy, and a love of reading, and I'm also extremely organized which helps running a small, out-of-home business like this.

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What do you expect out of all of this? What are your goals?

My goals are simply to save my family money in the long haul on books for home school, birthday, and Christmas gifts for our own children or their friends. If others were interested in hosting a home show (host earns a lot in free books!), I would definitely be willing to do that. It's basically like a little book party, but for a specific brand of books. I may do 'e-shows' a couple times a year, which will be out of this little blog here, but other than about 2 blog posts per month, reviewing different Usborne books, and some giveaways, I do not expect this to become a large entity. I have no goal of paying off a student loan, or even helping with the grocery bill, as a matter of fact, though wouldn't that be nice! It's just something I do anyway with expressing to others how much I and my children enjoy the books.

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Miscellaneous...

I am more than happy to be a reference for books for you or your children --Usborne or not. Something I clearly love to do is do book reviews and match personalities with interesting reads! I will continue to review all types of books for adults and children often, and even post our home school curriculum as that comes up from time to time. I will be posting twice a month, intentionally on Usborne books that I love. This is a simple way to start slow with the business, get acquainted with new books and old favorites, and allow people to become familiar with what I'm doing in a fun way.

I will also do a blog post once a month on that month's specials. This won't interfere with any other features I have, but will probably be a bonus post on a weekend, perhaps the first weekend of the month, to give potential customers plenty of time!

If you know me in person, and hosting a home show is something of interest to you, please feel free to contact me from my contact text box (above, left side bar) or email SSLAMAST@gmail.com. I am happy to answer questions, place orders, and recommend books to you. Hosting a show can earn you (the host) hundreds of dollars in free Usborne books, for the use of your home for a group of people for an hour or two. If you'd like to go to a home show, but don't want to host, I would love to put your name down for a future invite to my own home, just contact me from above or leave me a comment!

Please feel free to look around on the website by clicking the Usborne logo I have on the left-handed side bar, near the top of the page. It links directly to my site. Of course, I know this website is very 'beta' form, and I was happy to learn that they are completely revamping their website and revealing it in February...so, very soon! It will be much more visually appealing and user friendly. I have seen parts of it and it has a much more modern feel and better picture quality. Patience, please!

Happy Reading! I hope you and your family will find these books as wonderful as I have, and help you engage with your children to begin the love of reading...and stay tuned for a giveaway this week!

"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents." ~ Emilie Buchwald

Visual Monday: Children Reading

2012-01-23T14:30:00.003-06:00

Source: ourwestside.com via Debbie on Pinterest

Source: cnn.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: marvelouskiddo.blogspot.com via Lizzy on Pinterest

Source: theimaginationtree.com via Dot To Dot on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

....Wait...what?

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How could I have the title of Children Reading and not include a Reading Rainbow shot?!

This week is full of fancy announcements, a new side bar feature or two, and even a giveaway. And yes, this week's Visual Monday is kicking it off. Stay tuned!

{This Moment}

2012-01-20T06:00:00.000-06:00

Join the fun remembering a moment from the week.

Linky Love

2012-01-18T19:00:00.003-06:00

Source: 4.bp.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

It's been a long time since the last version of Linky Love was put out...near Thanksgiving I believe! It's time again for some great finds from the web, and if you care to join me in passing around your latest and greatest leave them for me in the links!

I loved this post on living without credit cards. We've been credit card free for..hmm...3 years now? We haven't missed it one bit.
I'm thinking of Christmas presents for next year (sick, I know) and these designs and ideas have been inspiring.
I found this 'real life fast forward' start to finish painting video SO neat. Was thinking of letting my children watch it, too.
Still going on your new years' resolution to eat healthier? This simple overview helps break it down.
With our kids getting older and being invited to more birthday parties, I loved this idea of having the child make this simple and fun present.
My girl Ani D is back. Ordering soon!
Yes I totally did ask for this for my birthday. I'm hopeful. :)
Um, cute, as ever.
Stefan has been researching wood burning stoves lately. Just think, I could have one of these beauties heating up our (future, far away, not-bought-yet-house) cozy living room some day.
Speaking of Stefan, he also said he'd make me this...and I'm not letting him forget it!
If you're local: two great new treateries: GUP Kitchen (specializes in local foods, and it's a food truck!) and Le Cupcake (gluten free gourmet cupcakes people!!)
Loved this titled, "Don't Carpe Diem". Amen. Amen!

Color Theory Class

2012-01-18T13:57:00.002-06:00

Source: purlbee.com via Bridget on Pinterest

I am very excited to tell you all about a one-night class I am signed up for at Art & Soul here in Lincoln, called Color Theory I. One of my '26 Before 27' goals was to learn about the color wheel, at a more formal level than just mixing and matching my wardrobe, and painting my house. When a friend of mine told me he had been accepted at Art & Soul to begin teaching a color theory class, I told him I'd be interested as it was something I had planned on learning! He is teaching 3 levels of color theory, and each is a prerequisite to the next (i.e. I have to take color theory I before color theory II, and so on). Because I am not planning on going back to school for a design degree-- I just have small ambitions and love to learn-- I am only taking the first level.

If you are local: Art & Soul makes it easy to register online, and it's $40 for the first level. The class will include all the supplies you need, and there is a take home project. The color wheel quilt above was my first nudge into being interested in color theory, as it's in a sewing book I own and I think it is beautiful and well crafted, each color blending well into the next. As a blogger and someone who loves to work in my home creatively for myself (decorating, sewing and knitting home goods, etc.) and others, I really wanted to get a strong hold of color theory so I can choose items or fabrics, and even blog design layouts, that are well coordinated.

Art & Soul is located at 5740 Hidcote Drive, and here is the link to register for Color Theory I online. Scholarships are available. I am excited to take this class and develop a better sense of color theory and how I can use it for various activities I love! Any questions for David R, the instructor, can be directed here.

Movie Review: Midnight In Paris

2012-01-17T13:09:00.002-06:00

Source: redbox.com via Debra on Pinterest

This was one of the movies I was really excited to see back in 2011. It never worked out for Stefan and I to go out to the theaters to see it, so I immediately put it on our netflix queue and it has stayed at spot #1 until it was finally out for viewing. Stefan is always always a bit skeptical of my movie choices, and especially the romantic comedy ones, but I'll let you in on a little secret...he actually likes about 90% of all the movies I choose. He has a worse track record with his own choices, and for that I give him my smug little face and continue on with my queue dominating (!).

This movie, though, perhaps...was a bit lost on him. Over a lifetime ago when I was in college, I was an English major near the top of my class, with a French minor. Never mind that my last semester I scraped by with 9 credit hours, a third trimester pregnancy, and a deathly fear of graduate students sharing my 300 level rooms which made me quit aforementioned minor right in the nick of time to save my--well, you know--from a C+ average and a fried phonetic brain. Thank goodness for elective choices equaling an existing and finished minor.

Anyway.

What I'm trying to get at is...you may not like this movie unless you have read (and know the authors well enough to guess them upon entrance in the movie) many of the famous authors of the 20s and 30s, and have seen, and read about many of the famous artists and schools of thought during that time, too. A love for all things Francophone doesn't hurt either.

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Me = love. Stefan = whaa?

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This story is a modern romance, only the romance is a man falling out of love with his fiance, and into love with a culture, and a long gone era. After midnight each night, the main character, Gil, would go for a walk around Paris, and a car from the 20s would pick him up. In this car would be a slew of famous artists, writers, and cultural savants from the Roaring 20s and their lovers. Gil receives inspiration from these meetings and is in the process of rewriting his novel as his relationship with his fiance, actress Rachel McAdams, spirals downward.

The cast was spot on, especially loved Adrien Brody as Dali, and it's quite a hopeful stretch of 90 minutes for Woody Allen, who wrote and directed. I also loved the music, which is exactly what you'd expect in a French movie; an accordion and jazzy bass and drums outside of the nearest bistro on a cobblestone street.

I would only recommend this movie to a hopeless romantic, someone who has read a lot of the famous novels out of that time (think The Great Gatsby and anything by Gertrude Stein) or has knowledge of those influential artists. I give it 4 out of 5 stars, and at just over an hour and a half, it's not a movie that you have to give up an entire night to (I start to get cranky around the 2 hour mark...). Paris, Je t'aime!

Visual Monday: MLK

2012-01-16T16:52:00.002-06:00

Source: google.com via Shannon on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Caleb on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Rosemary on Pinterest

Source: bing.com via Meg on Pinterest

Source: bhamwiki.com via Sandy on Pinterest

Source: a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net via Amaliya on Pinterest

Sunday Special: 2012 Movie List

2012-01-15T19:34:00.007-06:00

Source: miss-design.com via Naziha on Pinterest

Something Stefan and I love to do is watch movies together. We are avid Netflix users, and we usually average about 3 movies a month and watch many things on instant play along with that. I always have a regular 'movie list' going in my notebook, just so I don't forget any titles that look interesting to me. Netflix makes it so easy for the film addict, because you can prioritize which movies you want to see in an order, or even 'save' ones that aren't available on DVD yet, but will eventually end up in your queue. We watched a lot of movies over our holiday break between Christmas and New Years, and I'm already 7 down! I will have reviews coming of all of the ones I've seen (with the exception of Shrek 3, absolutely pitiful) soon enough!

The Child
~~Soul Surfer~~
~~The Illusionist~~
Another Year
Moneyball
~~Midnight in Paris~~
Brave
The Last Lions
~~Super 8~~
~~Page One~~
Winter Tale
Project Nim
Jane Eyre (the newest version)
Certified Copy
Hugo
J Edgar
Wanderlust
~~Shrek 3~~
Of Gods and Men (2nd try...)
~~Sherlock Holmes #2~~
Tin Tin
War Horse
Batman

Updated:

My Life with Marilyn
The Ides of March
The Wildest Dream
Desert Flower

2012 is already off to a really good start, as I've loved a number of them that I've seen. If I'm bored with a movie, we won't watch it all in one night but most of the ones we've seen we finished in one sitting, and I've been very happy with the choices.

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Do you make a movie list or are there a rotating number of films that look good to you? I'm always up for a movie title suggestion! Leave it in the comments!

Saturday Special: 2012 Book List

2012-01-14T18:39:00.006-06:00

Source: 30.media.tumblr.com via Ann on Pinterest

I am a die-hard reader. I love to talk books. I love to recommend them to others. I love to write reviews and pass on my own to those who would borrow and read. And while we're talking about goals, why not share a few lists of my own? An important list I have made for the last couple of years is my book list. Generally I am a fast reader, and can read a book a week. However, there are books that take me upwards of 4 weeks, and some that only take me a couple of days. I like to have about 25 on a list for each year because, for me, that's pretty do-able. This is what I'm starting with this year:

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
The Element by Sir Ken Robison
Life Together- Bonhoeffer
Reclaiming Christianity by A.W. Tozer
Rainbow Valley (#7)
Rilla of Ingleside (#8 in "Anne of Green Gables series), both by Montgomery
Swamplandia by Karen Russel
Truth + Beauty by Ann Patchett
Playful Learning (H) by Mariah Bruel
The Write Start (H) by Jennifer Hallissy
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Attributes of God: Vol. 1 by A.W. Tozer
Tactics by Greg Koukl
A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog by Dean Koonzt
Summer at Tiffany by Marjorie Hart
Lunch in Paris by Elizabeth Bard
Screen Doors and Sweet Tea by Martha Hall Foose
The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
My Life in France- Julia Child
Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier
The Purpose of Man by A.W. Tozer
Real Marriage by Mark Driscoll
Erasing Hell by Francis Chan

Updated:

At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon
One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

Don't be intimidated by my book list. I know many people like to read but wouldn't even dream of reading 25 books in one calendar year, but it's a big hobby of mine. I feel perfectly fine telling you I won't spend 5 minutes in all of January through December watching a single football game, shopping at the mall during Lemon Days, or be training for a marathon. It's just what I prefer to do with my free time.

PS- The (H) means for home-school.

PPS-Yes, I know there are only 23 books listed...I like to keep my options open for those last couple of slots through the year. Good books get published in the summer, too!

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Do you make book lists for yourself? What are you currently reading or just finished? What's on your list?

{This Moment}

2012-01-13T06:00:00.000-06:00

This {moment} deserves an explanation. Yes that is my daughter. Yes she wanted a spider-man face. No, she has no idea who spider-man is... We went to a birthday party that had live entertainment along with awesome face painting, a magic show, and the most creative balloon animals I've ever seen. This was a fun way to celebrate a sweet boy that goes to our church!

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Join the fun and capture a moment from your week.

2012 Goals; a snippet.

2012-01-12T14:01:00.004-06:00

Source: imgfave.com via Sarah on Pinterest

My goals for 2012 are short and tidy, but the hardest part of any resolution is simply trying to squeeze out more time than is available to us within a twelve month period. I like to take this list and jot out thoughts and intentionally sit down to think about, overall, what I want to accomplish with the time I'll be given, God willing.

As far as physical health goes, I'd like to continue on my path of making sleep, exercise, proper nutrition, and portion control important, and other than loosing a bit more weight (just to be back at college weight, so close!) I'm in maintenance mode for this, but it's still a goal. I learned a couple years ago that I'm the best version of myself when I get between 8-9 hours of sleep at night and get plenty of exercise.

Another goal is something that we've had to really compromise on. We have a goal of not having one, or both of us, away from the house during evenings more than 2 times per week (and yes, already, week #2 of the new year and we've failed. Both weeks.). With all of our activities, groups, friends, blah blah blah, there were maybe 1 or 2 days a week we were home...just HOME, a number of months on end. That had to stop. It's so easy to get into a frenetic schedule, and for what? I agree that relationships with close friends are very important, and deserve nurturing and intentional time. There are only so many continuing education we can do at a time (Stefan and I are both big fans of learning, so classes, etc. are hard for us to pass up, separately, usually, based on our individual interests), and sometimes, even if something sounds really fun, it just needs to be let go of for the health of the family.

Our goals involving children are bath time (cough), potty training Anikka which is going well, continue praying fervently for our children, their friends, and yes, even their future spouses, and also giving more grace and understanding to my sensitive child who seems to need many cuddles these days.

A financial goal we have had for a long time is to be debt-free, or at least don't incur more debt. So far we are on maintenance mode for this, but this year I am trying to specifically save for a nice camera. I have wanted a new one for years and our simple, everyday point and shoot is very near to biting the dust. I also want to try a bit of an experiment just with myself--to buy more things at the thrift store than I would at say, Target, or just pass things up altogether. I'm not being rigid with myself on this, just maybe more mindful of what types of treasures I can recycle by buying used even more than I already do. And for heaven sakes, make those silly market totes, more reusable napkins and nice tablecloths, runners, and place mats from my ginormous stash. It's just sitting, waiting to be used.

Relational goals will be continuing to invest a lot of time with family members (immediate and also extended), and spend more time with our really close friends. After a bit of prodding of one of my best friends, I realized that these relationships are so easy to misprioritize* because you think, 'they'll always be there when I have time', but when you need them in the every-day, you've had so many missed opportunities to make them even stronger if you neglect them. I'm hoping to spend at least 1 day a month with 3 specific groups of people (or persons) and making it work, which means cutting other things.

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Do you write out your goal(s) every January? Do you make yearly goals? Are you a type A personality? Oh wait...talking out loud again...that was awkward...

*yes, it's a word. even according to urban dictionary ;)

2011 Goals Recounted...

2012-01-11T14:29:00.004-06:00

Source: wanderlustandco.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Last year's goals were a little vague on the blog, but in my journal I had written them out to a T, and I was interested to do a small recap to see how I've grown in a year. Looking back, I feel I did well on some, poor on others, and maintained a steady line on a few.

*Goal achieved: maintained workout routine throughout entire year (5 days a week, M-F, 30 minute spinning, followed by completely getting ready before kids start day around 7AM). This has been a really really really* good routine for me. I have noticed my energy is better when I workout regularly (duh, knew this before kids, but a couple years after really got stuck in a slump), I'm in a better mood, I sleep better, and of course weight management is fairly effortless.

*Goal achieved: I have lost weight in the past 6 months, though not as much as I originally intended (still want 15 lbs gone), but I am over my half-way mark and that's very satisfactory to me. I simply restricted my intake/portion controlled all meals, and with above workout, it basically fell off. It was hard at first to not be allowed seconds, but now my stomach has 'shrunk' in a sense so that I feel just right when I'm done with my meal.

*Goal achieved: Our spiritual growth has had a season of intense blooming. A leadership position for Stefan at the church has been very encouraging for him, and a 40 week bible study on Hebrews with a fabulous teacher was just what I needed for weekly stability. Both of our prayer and study times have increased and we have had a better relationship because of it. We are on the same page for the spirituality for our children which involves: nightly prayer time (they pray for someone of their choosing), singing a song, reading a bible story every day. We're establishing good routines that will hopefully come to fruition in the future.

*Goal maintained: Our debt is slowly decreasing (and with our house to be sold SOON, that will wipe away a good chunk of it!) and our savings is slowly increasing. We've been working on this/living this lifestyle for a number of years, now we're on maintenance mode.

*Goal not achieved: Bath regularly for children has...humph....been poor. My goal is to do every other day (and every day in the summer) but it is sometimes days before I realize I can't remember when my kids last had a bath. Good grief. Get with it, Sarah!

*Goal not achieved: I did not say no nearly enough, and I'm not making a great transition so far through 2012. I struggle too much with this. I feel that because I am able to do something, I should do something, and that is simply not true or helpful. and This probably needs to be the highlight goal of the year. Stefan has wanted me to scale back to the bare bones minimum for awhile. I have four relationships that I want to cultivate a lot this year, and that will be a very high priority.

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Tomorrow will be a fun post about my 2012 goals, followed by a {This Moment} on Friday, and 2 bonus posts (fun lists for 2012) over the weekend! Did you stick to your goals for the last year? What were you most proud of?

A Year In Photos...

2012-01-10T15:43:00.003-06:00

Started off the year with lots of walks outside in the freezing weather, and plenty of goals.

The kids began their winter art projects (or 'what's in the art box').

In February, apparently there was no snow and the kids were able to dig in sand, albeit frozen.

We also celebrated Anikka's 2nd birthday with a little family party.

March saw plenty of cousin time...

and the beginning of Float for Life lessons for Ani.

Easter was celebrated in April with easter egg hunts at the grandparents' houses...

and our first try with square foot gardening.

In May the kids often were brought along to the farmer's markets to sample the wares...

and in June, we celebrated Father's Day (without, apparently, a photo of their father!) with a backyard bbq.

In July there was plenty of trips to the zoo,

Ani's first time seeing fireworks,

Lukka's chance to stay up later than everyone else (kids) to *play* with fireworks,

both children's first experience with VBS (and mama some free time!),

and of course a trip that didn't start out so well...

but ended well.

In August we got the kids to the county fair as usual to see the animals,

and welcomed a new cousin to the brood.

October was all about outside with an all-church gathering,

and a carmel apple!

...and we're ending with October and a fall snack, because I barely took out my camera for November and December, and I think y'all should be tired of my December Photos!

Visual Monday: Reflect

2012-01-09T13:10:00.004-06:00

Source: flickr.com via nikaela on Pinterest

Source: lauraburkhart-thedaylight.blogspot.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: ffffound.com via Kokenut on Pinterest

Source: americansurfer.tumblr.com via Polly on Pinterest

Source: arthound.net via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: 4.bp.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Holiday Week

2011-12-26T06:00:00.001-06:00

Source: google.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Just popping in to say I'm taking the next week or two off to enjoy family, the holiday season, and other loved ones. I plan to be in my pajamas more than usual, read, and plan the upcoming semester (I actually enjoy that...). Have a good week. I have tons of movie + book reviews, gift reveals, and plenty of lists and loves to share come the New Year. Celebrate! See you soon...

DPP//25

2011-12-25T14:15:00.002-06:00

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Merry Christmas!

DPP//24

2011-12-25T14:12:00.001-06:00

My try at bokeh. Meh, you can't win them all.

DPP//22+23

2011-12-23T15:46:00.002-06:00

Alright I know, I officially stink at keeping up with this DPP thing. Taking a picture and posting it every day is really hard when I'm used to popping out 5 posts in two hours and scheduling them for Monday-Friday.

This is a few pictures of a fun (and freezing) morning we had with the kids at Holmes Lake. Notice that 1/2 in thick sheet Anikka is trying to kick? That's a block of ice, which the sport of breaking should be in the Olympics (hey, broom ball? Come on).

You'll have to look really hard at the photo to find the large sheet they are holding up (before stomping to glass-resembling smithereens). We spent about 30 minutes just picking up frozen pieces out of the water to let the kids karate chop and they loved it!

This last photo is very interesting...under normal Spring, Summer, and Fall circumstances, you can't see anything through the mucky water of Holmes Lake but during the Winter, when the lake is frozen, you can see to the bottom clear as crystal. This track was interesting to us, and when Stefan just happened to put a stick down near the (white, in picture) small patch of ice, what would pop out of the hole but a muskrat! These animals are normally nocturnal, and in all my years of playing around ponds, lakes, and streams I have never seen one. He was small but at least a good foot long, including another 6 inches or so for a tail. It was so neat because we could see him as if through glass because of the ice, so the kids saw him swim through his trail he had made through the mud, and to the other side of the inlet (where we discovered his hole near the ground). Very cool!

DPP//21

2011-12-21T12:39:00.001-06:00

Brisk, but sunny.

DPP//20

2011-12-20T14:36:00.002-06:00

Even if there is no snow on the ground, my kids are loving making their own snow flakes!

DPP//19

2011-12-20T14:30:00.001-06:00

These beautiful stockings were hand-made for our family from my mother in law. She did everything from crocheting every single one of those snowflakes (seriously, with thread, people!), cutting and sewing up the boot, and felting those sweet little winter scenes atop each one. Didn't she do a fabulous job? I love having them hanging up above our entry, even if we don't have a proper mantle. I think they look like they could have been bought in a fancy department store. Can't wait to fill them up (next year, ahem) with goodies! If you know her in person drop her a line on how nice they are on facebook-I'm sure she'd love to hear it!

DPP//18

2011-12-19T09:35:00.001-06:00

Festival of Cuteness.

DPP//17

2011-12-19T09:33:00.001-06:00

Rehearsal.

DPP//16

2011-12-16T13:55:00.001-06:00

Sometimes sick days can be fun...especially if Burl Ives is singing you to sleep.

DPP//15

2011-12-15T15:17:00.001-06:00

Cookies at Mrs. Carla's house; always a treat.

DPP//14

2011-12-14T14:17:00.001-06:00

DPP//13

2011-12-13T15:44:00.001-06:00

It is so hard to get any decent light in our house, especially during these dark days, but here is an advent treat fresh off the calendar (to the left): Enjoy a hot cocoa with cookie.

DPP//12

2011-12-13T14:16:00.001-06:00

New Library books are always a welcome treat in this house.

DPP//11

2011-12-11T06:00:00.000-06:00

Veggie pot pie. A staple for cold weather.

DPP//10

2011-12-10T15:47:00.001-06:00

Annual tradition: Bake + Make days with Oma, and Grammy. Oma's treats are for the family, Grammy's are for the neighbors.

DPP//9

2011-12-10T15:44:00.002-06:00

Our living room, otherwise known as 'the book sale'.*

DPP//8

2011-12-08T13:57:00.001-06:00

DPP//7

2011-12-07T19:45:00.001-06:00

Annual Christmas baking day!

DPP//6

2011-12-06T14:17:00.001-06:00

DPP//5

2011-12-05T14:29:00.001-06:00

Anyone else have one of these?

DPP//4

2011-12-04T15:25:00.001-06:00

DPP//3

2011-12-03T16:33:00.002-06:00

DPP//2

2011-12-02T14:31:00.002-06:00

What is the DPP? Find out here.

DPP//1

2011-12-01T15:07:00.002-06:00

What is DPP? Find out here.

December Photo Project: A Primer

2011-11-30T06:00:00.002-06:00

Source: tredways.org via Rebecca on Pinterest

This December (ahem, tomorrow!) I'll be participating for the second time, in my friend's annual photography project. For an entire month, I'll just be posting one photo a day. It's a time for quiet on the blog, letting my mind stew lots of new blog posts, but also to enjoy the full season that is upon us. This year we've (I've) really reined back and have almost nothing planned in December...and it will stay that way. A few play-dates, and of course each Grandma (or Oma) will get their special baking days with the kids and I, but other than that, we're not doing anything else.

At home we enjoy our own traditions of an advent calendar, and a daily Jesse tree, along with ^ baking days, but the presents are finished, mostly packaged, and the family photos are ready to be sent. Enjoy friends.

***

So what IS the DPP? It's a photo challenge to shoot and upload one picture per day until Christmas. Please find my friend RT (yes, in real life! She's so cool)'s explanation of what the DPP is, how to join, how to grab a badge like mine on the left and how to keep up with it via Facebook if you're so inclined. Be sure to follow RT's blog, too, so you can keep up with her lovely photos all December long!

***

Shhhh! It's starting...!

Recipe Share: Baked Apple...casserole?

2011-11-29T14:42:00.003-06:00

Source: Uploaded by user via Cami on Pinterest

Yes, I know this isn't my picture, and ahem*, I'm working on it! Every stinkin' time I make this, I try to remember to take a picture of it for the blog, and every time there is almost none left...when I remember. Anyway.

What you need to know: This is a mix between baked apples, baked oatmeal, and apple crisp...with fruit. Yeah. I'll try to remember to publish a photo when I make it again, you work on making this crowd pleaser. This dish is great because it: 1) makes your house smell good 2) is pretty darn healthy 3) it's easy peasy 4) Who doesn't love apples in the Fall?

This recipe was adapted from The New Better Homes and Garden Cook Book.

Ingredients:

4-6 cooking apples (I used Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, and Granny Smith...because I like them)

1/2 cup+ raisins

2 tblsp brown sugar (or sucanat, or honey)

1 tblsp cinnamin

1 tblsp nutmeg

1/2 cup apple juice

1/2 cup thick oats

1/3 cup slivered or chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans)

1/2 cup chopped dates (or other dried fruit)

whip cream (optional)

carmel sauce (optional)

Core and chop apples, leaving the skin on. Place apples in a casserole dish, I use a 9X13, as I've usually made this item for at least 8+ people. Combine all ingredients and mix well. Pour apple juice into the bottom of the pan, throughout. Bake apples at 350 for about 45 minutes, or until apples are tender. If your oven generally runs hotter, you may want to check on them after 30, to see if you need a bit more juice. Serve warm and with whip cream + carmel sauce! Enjoy.

Visual Monday: Hello, December

2011-11-28T06:00:00.000-06:00

Source: domesticease.com via Sydney on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Patrice on Pinterest

Source: ashbyhouse.com.au via Ashby on Pinterest

Source: thatkindofwoman.tumblr.com via Dakota on Pinterest

Source: travel.nationalgeographic.com via Jesse on Pinterest

{This Moment}

2011-11-25T06:00:00.000-06:00

Join others around the world to savor a sweet moment from your week (or two!)

Happy Thanksgiving from Our House

2011-11-24T06:00:00.000-06:00

Source: google.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Happy Thanksgiving y'all. Hope you enjoy some rest during the holiday, and spend it with those you love.

Get the Craft Outta Yo House 3

2011-11-23T06:00:00.001-06:00

Remember when I had last call for this a bit ago? There were a number of things I did over the weekend, and here is just a small (minutely small) snippet of it. The rest I either didn't take pictures of, or can't because of the holiday coming up. Here's just a small taste of our weekend.
***
We spend 24 hours together (about 15 women, 10 of which stay the night) at Roger's B&B, and craft til we drop (or realize it's time to go out to eat!). This year we had a great group of gals, mostly ladies who have always gone to it, with a few newbies. We worked all day and night until 5 of us decided to go to Blue Orchid for dinner. Yum. End of story.
When we got back we resumed our craft stance until well into the night when I was the first one to go to bed at 11:30!
Wake up at 7:30 and get ready for the day. Breakfast around 9 (another yum) was quiche, fruit + granola, juice, coffee, and a muffin. Just a few of us decided to stay after that until around 11 when the last 3 left. Here's just a bit of what I made, in pictures:

I had seen this autumn leaf felt banner awhile back. Loved it, and this was a cute (and cheap, and easy!) way to dress up an entry way.

I made a TON of fabric christmas bags, and here are the fabric piles I didn't get to yet. I believe I made around 12, with plenty left to go. We've used fabric bags instead of Christmas wrap/sacks for years, but it seems I've outgrown our stash. Of course I made a ton of extra for friends, extended family who have presents sent to them, and just generally on hand in case anyone wants to buy a few from me.

Aren't these bulbs-in-a-jar cute? Kaitlyn always does such a great job, and I didn't even get a shot of the "community craft" she had us all make--recipes on our own individual pot holders.
Some of the other things I worked on were:
*A blue + white felt snowflake wall/door art
*worked a lot on Ani's Christmas sweater (still about 20 rows left)
*made my own pot holder with PW Spicy Corn Chowder as my recipe

It may not sound like much but other than the 8 hours of sleeping and the 1.5 hours of eating at Blue Orchid, I spend every other moment crafting. And it was a blast. Thanks Kaitlyn for putting it together, love it every year!

Baby Shower: Books + Diapers

2011-11-22T12:39:00.004-06:00

A couple weekends ago, I helped throw a baby shower for a good friend. This shower was a bit more specific than your average shower--because the mom-in-honor already has 3 children! She is expecting her fourth, but recently moved to Lincoln and had never had a Grace baby shower. That had to be fixed! Since she has both genders already at home, she doesn't really need a lot of baby gear/clothing, but I feel that every baby should be celebrated, and so I had the idea to do a Diaper + Book shower. It was a really fun and the small crowd of good friends made it a good experience. I'll tell you a little bit about it and the crafts I did to give it a bit of an extra whimsical touch.

I love hanging garlands or banners of any kind, but I had seen something similar to the above picture on Pinterest, and thought the pastel colors would really make a sweet entrance. All of the fabric I had gotten from a friend for free, and with the help of a friend (my co-host) J, we were able to make this massive 'streamer' garland in under 30 minutes! The fabric is almost like a crepe paper, though I don't know the content. It literally crinkles just like crepe paper, though obviously is much easier to work with. We just simply tied two strips of each color around a chunky string of hemp/twine and hung it up. Unfortunately, our church doesn't have hooks already above the door frames, so we had to use a heavy-duty duct tape (it really was a fairly heavy banner) to secure it in place. This made a wonderful gift for the mom--to use to celebrate birthdays or special occasions. I would definitely make one of these again!

The view of the table is a little sparse, but we decorated with gender-neutral baby banners that I always have on hand for showers. Keeps it simple and clean, but still celebratory. You can see the stacks of books behind the food--just another bit of 'book shower inspiration' I came across way back when I first wanted to do this. I wish I would have added more, though, as looking back it seems like the table is very under-decorated. There are other books (you can see 2 board books atop the stacks) around the room, and the mom got to keep all of the books that were unwrapped.

***

Our menu was brunch, and I loved all the food!

*Mini sausage/ham + egg casseroles in ramekins (with little star toothpicks if you look closely)

*coffee cake with streusel topping

*baked apple + fruit

*donut- holes

+nuts and grapes

*juice and milk 'mocktails' with donut- hole kabobs (see below)

These little mocktails were so fun to make. Obviously most people at baby showers aren't having the real thing because the mother isn't encouraged to drink much (if any) alcohol during pregnancy (or, ahem, at 10Am in the morning). What goes best with donut-holes? Why milk of course! Rich chocolate milk, white milk, and OJ for the non-dairy people was what we offered. Each cup came decked out with cute barber-shop style green paper straws and a large star 'kabob' spear (made with a Martha Stewart star punch and a lot of glue!) with 2 donut holes on it. I was first inspired by this picture to use donut-holes at a baby shower (and also this one), and knew I had those star skewers from the last baby shower I did. I put two and two together and love how they turned out.

***

For a lot of baby showers, most moms love (and I mean LOVE) getting hand-made onesies and pants from the attendees. I made this project optional, but everyone did one anyway and they all turned out very cute. New baby will have plenty of clothes that belong just to him or her, and made with love.

The next thing I did was, since this was a book shower, I threw together a children's literature quiz. The two prizes were 1) a book for the mom to keep and 2) a $5 gift card for Barnes and Noble for the winner to keep. Everyone enjoyed themselves, I think, although some questions were harder than other if you can't remember your nursery rhymes!

After the game the mom was able to open her gifts and it was a lot of fun to see all the wonderful books given (from board books to literature books), and all the diapers offered for those first few months!

{This Moment}

2011-11-18T06:00:00.000-06:00

ohh cousins!

Join others to remember a sweet moment from the week.

Recipe Share: GF Veggie BBQ Pizza

2011-11-16T06:00:00.000-06:00

Source: mybakingaddiction.com via Ashton on Pinterest

One of my favorite things that I really miss from 'before' is cheap, greasy pizza. Pizza Hut was my favorite pizza place and I can still smell the overwhelming garlic on their breadsticks. Gluten, however, loves that place, too, and I can no longer eat there. I went without pizza for a long time because for a number of years after I was diagnosed with celiac, I could only find tiny, expensive (and disgusting) GF pizzas in the freezer section, and I was too nervous (lazy?) to make my own...especially knowing they wouldn't taste the same! Alas, this can now be made easily with the help of my good friend Bob and his Red Mill mixes. With their GF pizza mix a staple in our pantry, this pizza literally has only a few other ingredients. It's actually quite healthy, too. I first tasted a similar pizza at my friend M's house, who I believe got a similar recipe from The Dish. We're all friends here, so let's share!

Ingredients:

*1 package GF pizza crust (or make your own from scratch)

* 1 bottle of Famous Dave's brand Apricot Bourbon bbq sauce (flavor NOT optional, people)

* 2 bell peppers chopped, (red, orange, yellow are the best)

* mozzarella cheese, 2 cups

*any other veg to layer (optional :)

Prepare GF pizza crust as directed. Heat oven to 425. Once crust has been heated once (see package directions--with GF crust, you want to do this because otherwise it may not get fully cooked), layer a lot of bbq sauce on crust, spread generous handfuls of peps and veg over pizza, and layer with cheese. Enjoy after the 15-17 minute cooking time. You may need a bit of milk with this, as it's SPICY! yum.

The great thing about this package is it makes 2 crusts, so prepare one for dinner, and prepare another one and put it in the freezer for later. It's amazing after so many YEARS without a frozen pizza, how nice it is to have one on hand.

Get the Craft Outta' Yo House! Call

2011-11-15T06:00:00.000-06:00

Source: lilluna.com via Lora Joy on Pinterest

I'm game for round 3 of Get the Craft Outta' Yo House! Miss B has done it again and schemed and planned a way to gather a bunch of awesome ladies, food, wine, and their craft (whatever that is!) at Roger's Bed & Breakfast this Saturday. If you're local and you're interested, there are a few spots left, if you're on facebook let me know and I'll invite you to the shindig. Should be an awesome time...it always is!

There is a cost, around 10$-12 per person, but let me tell you, it is worth every penny. Some of us go out for dinner, others ask for 'pretty please' take out, and still others just munch on the food brought and wait for the fantastic breakfast in the morning. Will we see you there? $10 people...I'd pay MUCH more for uninterrupted sewing time. Believe me.

Visual Monday: Rest

2011-11-14T13:31:00.003-06:00

This is a fitting topic for this week's {Visual Monday} as I'm taking it low-key in the early week due to an absence of Spouse, and also remembering our pastor's wonderful sermon (Sabbath Stewardship) from yesterday on the Sabbath--mainly taking a day to rest fully and praise Him in however you enjoy creation. With that; rest.

Source: designsponge.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Source: pixdaus.com via Reneé on Pinterest

Source: piaulin.com via aneta on Pinterest

Source: 28.media.tumblr.com via Ana Sofia on Pinterest

Source: wishflowers.tumblr.com via Janey on Pinterest

Source: awelltraveledman.tumblr.com via Hillary on Pinterest

{This Moment}

2011-11-11T06:00:00.000-06:00

Join others and savor a moment from the week.

Craft Sneak Peeks

2011-11-08T13:56:00.002-06:00

There are always a few crafts going on over here. Some are big, multi-week preparations, some are small, 30 minute quick fixes.

Others in the works for gifts, surprises, and parties.

But, always, something.

Visual Monday: Cloud

2011-11-07T13:25:00.002-06:00

Source: data.tumblr.com via Krischja on Pinterest

Source: imageshack.us via street stitch on Pinterest

Source: moonlightrainbow.tumblr.com via Erica on Pinterest

Source: google.com.au via Julie on Pinterest

Source: unicornsvictory.tumblr.com via Vejde on Pinterest

Source: favim.com via Marcy on Pinterest

{This Moment}

2011-11-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

The creativity of this one is fascinating to watch.
*
Join others in savoring a moment from your week.

20 Things I Won't Be Blogging About

2011-11-02T13:50:00.004-05:00

Source: designsponge.com via Eva on Pinterest

I recently saw this post and then this one, and thought it'd be fun (and hello, honest) to participate. Obviously I wish there were more hours in the day, too, messes stress me out, and I'm constantly over scheduled. Let's all give ourselves a little grace, eh?

I (maybe) clean my floors twice a year. (And that's a BIG maybe.)
I am a tooth-brushing nazi for myself. I often forget to brush my own children's teeth once a day...as in...they might get their teeth brushed a couple times a week.
There have been times when wet laundry sat so long it grew black mold. Time(S)!
I can't stand cleaning bathrooms. I will happily clean OTHER PEOPLE'S bathrooms before mine. The shower, needless to say, pretty much always has a ring.
Stale air makes me feel like I'm going to get sick (see #8).
Children who have no sense of personal space get on my nerves in about three seconds.
My tantrums often rival those of my 2 and 4 year old.
I dope myself up with sleepy-time Dramamine when I fly so I won't get sick. This is why I hate flying with my children (as in, I can't DO that when they're with me...)
I don't even know how to clean the outside windows, and am perfectly fine with the watermarks.
I secretly think I have the best taste in music. And I will try so hard to hide my smug face if I talk about it with others. (oy, the shame)
I'm an introvert who prefers pj's and myself to that loud! person! over! there! and jeans + jewelry.
I get frustrated most days that it takes us (3) 20 minutes to leave the house on any given day when it should take (me) maybe 2.
I have never wanted to go on a small missionary trip. Or big.
I never want to really go further south than Nebraska, because I hate the heat and humidity.
On that note, I may have SAD in the summer--when it feels like a swamp here for 3-4 months I am the most miserable person to be around. Steer clear. (See #7)
When my kids find me in the computer room "trying to send off a quick email", I'm usually hiding from them and trying to get a minute of quiet in.
Repeat #16, only "just quickly checking things (Facebook)".
Repeat #16-17, only "going to the bathroom".
I can buy you a fantastic gift, make 10 meals in succession, make appointments for you and clean your house but please, watching your kids? That might kill me.
I only offer #19 to a select few. And I'm not telling who that is.

See? 20 Things I Am Not Proud Of.

I don't ever want to pretend I have it all together. On any given day I would never admit that, but I don't want anyone else to think that...like, ever.

This space is really a couple things to me 1) a place to document family life 2) a place to remind me of the things I'm interested and doing at this point in my life 3) a place to practice writing (not telling too much more about that...!) and 4) a place to provide and share tips that I am simultaneously learning.

In short, I have never claimed that I'm perfect, and I won't ever claim that. However, I do want to intentionally recognize the joy --however small and seemingly insignificant-- of the mundane, every day mess and document it for myself. And that's why I write here. Because I need to practice recognizing it.

Recipe Share: PF Chang's Lettuce Wrap Knock-offs

2011-11-01T14:42:00.003-05:00

For those of you who have found (and love) Pinterest, this recipe got immediately 'pinned' to my foodie board, and was one of the few that make the cut into the kitchen.

Back story.

We always go out to Chipotle. Like, always. If my husband is around and there is some reason that we're going out, it's there. And although I love a good Chipots share, I also love other food (yes, that's right honey, look away!). One of the restaurants I love is PF Changs. The closest one is an hour away but whenever we have our kid-free weekends, I try to push for a slice of Omaha with a side of Lettuce Wraps. Please?

Enough of that. When I saw the pin for make-at-home lettuce wraps I quickly repinned to my foodie board, and then printed out the recipe from the original website. I, ahem, did a few things differently as I lack the human will and determination to follow a recipe to the T. It's a character flaw that usually ends up on the positive side, more often than not. I'll give you the recipe as I made it, and then what I would have done differently. If you want the original go to the link...and quit reading my blog.

Kidding.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground chicken breast

1 onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

powdered ginger 1/2 tsp.

2 tblsp peanut oil (substitute for allergies)

5 tblsp soy sauce

1 tblsp water

3+ (to taste) Tblsp peanut butter (I used chunky because I didn't want to chop peanuts, also)

1 heaping tblsp honey

1 tblsp + 1 tsp rice vinegar

2-3 tsp chili garlic sauce (yes, it's red in the grocery store, and yes that confused me terribly)

1 bunch of green onions, chopped

1 8 oz can of water chestnuts drained (CHOPPED-uh, my mistake using sliced)

10 leaves butter lettuce or head lettuce rinsed and stacked

salt + pep to taste

Add oil to a pan on Med high heat and add garlic, onions, salt + pep and cook until onions translucent. Add ground chicken, and ginger. Cook until chicken no longer pink. Next step taken from website: Meanwhile, in a microwave safe bowl, combine sesame oil, soy sauce, water, peanut butter, honey, rice vinegar, chili garlic sauce and pepper. Microwave for 20 seconds, then stir until smooth. Add into the skillet and stir to combine. Then add green onions and water chestnuts for 1-2 minutes. Stir until fully combined, and then eat with lettuce as a wrap.

What I would have done differently:

Next time I will get the CHOPPED water chestnuts rather than the (quite) large sliced ones. Big mistake as they look like a sore thumb above, when at PFC's they are just a nice little unobtrusive crunch. I also think the ground chicken was a waste of money. We have been buying a roasting chicken each week so my husband can have very spicey chicken with our rice bowls, and half of that chicken could have easily substituted for this dish. Note: this does taste slightly different than PF Changs, but it is a darn good replication. Make sure your lettuce is fresh and crisp, as that adds a nice texture. Enjoy!

Visual Monday: Spook

2011-10-31T13:14:00.002-05:00

Source: Uploaded by user via Aurelia on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: lilluna.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: ffffound.com via Dima on Pinterest

Source: coolest-homemade-costumes.com via Lauren on Pinterest

{This Moment}

2011-10-28T06:00:00.000-05:00

Join the fun!

Printing with Kids

2011-10-27T06:00:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite things to do in high school art class and later as an adult, was to use lino blocks and stencils to print. Lotta Prints is a great place to start with this as she explains all of the most common ways to do it, and has big chunky graphics to entice even the most modest of creative souls. My kids often see me flip through my printing utensils when I'm looking for something else, or they see me making greeting cards, whatever, and they always ask to do it.
*
I am not always in the mood to generate crafts with my kids because in case you haven't noticed, it's a BIG mess for a little amount of time (or rather, time they are into it, time you put into it can also be in the BIG category). By reading amazing kid art blogs like The Artful Parent and The Crafty Crow, among others, I began to think about how much I loved crafts when I was little. Then I began observing the kids, they were so into painting/modeling/what have you that when doing these things they were often silent because they were so focused.
I needed to get back on the wagon of sucking it up, setting out the supplies, letting the chaos ensue, and allow my kids to be creative.

This was and is a great 'starter' project for crafting with kids because it is an idea they've never executed before, and the end result is actually pretty true to the stencil. I don't like to help my own kids with their ideas or work because I have a tendency to (ahem) be a perfectionist when it comes to things like this. They generally feel better about their work when they are doing it themselves and only want me involved if they ask me. I get materials and smocks out, explain the general idea, grab a book and join them at the table while they go to town. It has worked for us.

Needed Items:

Construction paper

scissors

paint + brushes

tape

Smocks/Old T

Ask the children what type of object they'd like to paint and cut out a very basic outline. Tape the piece of paper that you originally had to cut through to make the outline. Tape the stencil over top of the chosen construction paper, preferably just onto the table, rather than the paper itself (so as to not rip it when you take it off at the end) and show children how to 'fill in a stencil'. Use a bigger brush and "pop" up and down within the stencil with the paint. Slower around corners so there is minimal seeping of paint (why the tape is handy). Set out to dry and viola!

Pumpkin Patch~ An Autumn Staple

2011-10-26T11:48:00.003-05:00

Every year going to a local pumpkin patch has been a staple for our family. Hayrack rides, choosing a pumpkin, and the tiny petting zoo are all favorites of the kids (mine) and fortunately my husband is a good enough sport to come along. We almost always go with Stefan's family, as his sister now has two children, and the oldest one loves to tag along with our two.

This year the kids played on a jungle gym, dug in the corn bus, went through a corn maze, down the largest slide ever, and cried because they couldn't jump on the massive jumpers (we just didn't have any time! They were closing!) at Roca Berry Farm.

Here is Ani feeding a little goat. The petting area was a little scarce this year and because it was a really hot day for late October, a bit, ahem, smelly. The kids still enjoy it every year and thank goodness for Oma, who was paying attention to the kids and taking their pictures! The top three are from her.

Here is a cute little reminder why we love to do things as a (bigger) family. It's so fun to see cousins growing up along side each other, taking care of each other, and loving to play together. And look at all that blond hair!

Reno: Antique Dresser

2011-10-25T06:00:00.000-05:00

About a year ago I purchased an antique dresser at an Estate Sale for about $10. I liked the style, the large drawers, the massive mirror, and the price. I can't believe it actually took a year to get this to where we wanted it. After the initial deep cleaning (all 10? 20? spider EGG SACKS) It sat for months at our in-laws storage unit, and then a long time it sat in our own room, unused, and still rife with age and nicks.

I have a half of a small closet to put all of my clothes--every season, too, in 3 of these things. It's not much, but I have minimal amounts of clothing so it worked for a year. I think, however, that Stefan was a little, ahem, crammed. He asked me what color of paint I wanted, and on a nice sunny day he and the kids set to work to painting.

Here is the after, with new Anthropologie (sale!) knobs attached. It's a nice sky-blue color, and goes well with the picture set on top. The other three items are a green bowl (made by a local Grace Chapel potter), an IKEA milk bottle, and a glass vase? candle holder? I believe from my mother in law. I like the look of it all together.

(Please excuse the poor lighting. Even the middle of the day, with all lights on and windows open, this is the best I can get with a point and shoot. I guarantee it's cute and "breezy" upon entrance.)

These would not have been my first choice of knobs, and in fact the only two reasons I selected them were because they 1) were in the sale bin and 2) had a matching amount of 8. Most Antropologie knobs are adorable and almost offensively priced. ONE knob for $8-14.95...when you normally need 6-8 is just downright cruel. I do think, however, that cute hardware makes or breaks a piece of reno'ed furniture (here are the ones we got for Anikka's room) and so I was glad that I got these for a decent price and that they match other colors throughout our bedroom and house. It was either these or the Japanese fish.

What have you redone in your home lately? Leave me a link to see!

Visual Monday: Sick Day

2011-10-24T12:53:00.002-05:00

Source: paintedfishstudio.com via Indy on Pinterest

Source: None via Fiona on Pinterest

Source: None via Amanda on Pinterest

Source: pinkwallpaper.blogspot.com via Cathy on Pinterest

Source: None via Nicole on Pinterest

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Dawn on Pinterest

{This Moment}

2011-10-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

Join in the fun with Soulemama and others around the world.

Book Review: A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard

2011-10-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

Source: google.ca via Jocelyn on Pinterest

You may have already recognized the name, but Jaycee Dugard was the woman who was abducted in 1991, and recently found 18 years later. Her name has been all over the news, and this is her memoir of the time she lost.

When I heard of the poise of this woman on a tv special, and heard she had a book out, I thought I might read it. I don't remember hearing much about her story last year, but that isn't strange since we don't have television (just internet and netflix), and I rarely read the news unless Stefan forwards something to me that he thinks I might like.

This book is very hard to write a formal 'review' on, because of the story's nature. This girl went through unimaginable things, and it would seem she wrote this book to reclaim the past that was ripped from her, and to warrant freedom from her kidnappers. This book is devastatingly sad, filled with abuse (sexual and verbal, and even physical abandonment) and pain. It's also filled with courage and the hope that Jaycee had that someday she would get out of this situation, and see her family again, specifically her mother.

Jaycee gave birth to two daughters while she was in the backyard, and throughout the 18 years she was a prisoner there, she made many animal friends whom she cared for, and who brought her joy. I believe the foundation she started may use animal therapy for abuse victims because of how they help(ed) her cope with the past.

I don't know that I would recommend this book to many people. The graphic nature of this book (and the fact that she was a child) may not be suitable for most. I would would also recommend not leaving this book out if you have children who can read.

Of course after all those warnings, do remember how the story turns out, as she has now been reunited with family, and is raising her own children, driving, and living as a free woman. I wish her a full and happy life.

Last Day at the Zoo

2011-10-19T06:00:00.002-05:00

This past week was the last week our local zoo was going to be open until next year. I was really having a hard time fitting it in with our schedule, but the weather was beautiful all last week and I knew we'd really miss it if we didn't get out there.

I nixed a bit of the afternoon nap, woke up the sleeping one, strapped on some shoes, packed a snack and we went! It was a good decision, as spontaneous kid-related ones usually are (and might I add, rare around here). Something I almost always have to say "no" is the train, because even though we're members and get free admission, it is NOT cheap to go on the train.

This time I said "YES!" to a train ride and the kids loved it, beaming the whole two times around the track. We got to see a few animal favorites, dig in the sand for about an hour, saw some friends, and then waved good-bye to another zoo season. We had a great time and I'm so glad that my philosophy on this particular day was "yes!"...not something I am generally used to.

Until next year, Lincoln Zoo!

Movie Review: Forks Over Knives

2011-10-18T06:00:00.001-05:00

Recently I watched a movie called "Forks Over Knives", just another documentary about healthy food choices, our national food & obesity epidemic, and the S.A.D diet (yes, those are the acronyms for Standard American Diet, and they are not far off). This movie was more or less news and information I already knew, since I read The China Study years ago. This was the book in documentary form, from explaining the theories of Dr. Campbell and Dr. Esselstyn, who lament the american diet and encourage to eat a animal-product free diet (vegan) or what they call in the movie, "Plant based whole foods", which is also becoming a popular buzz phrase in itself.

I would recommend this information to everyone because if their claims are true--that diet and nutrition (plant based whole foods) can decrease and diminish cancers and disease--it could literally save this nation billions of money in health care (going from solution based to preventative), keep us all more healthy, and of course, fit, which is also a huge problem in the US.

I know these are very general statements, but The China Study in itself is such a researched and academic read that it's hard to go into without writing 10 huge posts on it to convey all the information. For this reason alone, I'd recommend this documentary, as it puts the book into a visual form, allowing easy access to very important information.

So...we've all been told to eat more leafy greens...what are you waiting for?! At least research it! It could save your life.

Visual Monday: Library

2011-10-17T13:21:00.002-05:00

Source: tumblr.com via Tiffany on Pinterest

Source: imgfave.com via Lynette on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Absitively on Pinterest

Source: None via Lara on Pinterest

Source: None via Ally on Pinterest

Source: 28.media.tumblr.com via Aria on Pinterest

Taking A Break...

2011-10-10T13:43:00.001-05:00

...this week as I rest, enjoy the weather, go camping, and glean some fresh ideas for posts. See you next week!

Source: inspacesbetween.com via Evielyn on Pinterest

{This Moment}

2011-10-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

Join in the fun of remembering a sweet moment from the past week.

Recipe Share: Coconut Chicken Curry

2011-10-05T14:06:00.002-05:00

Source: cookingforseven.com via Renae on Pinterest

Recently I stretched my foodie limits to include Indian cuisine.

Okay so I made a pot of soup.

But really, the main fare in this household are things we know and love, like imitation Chipotle-style rice bowls, raw summer meals, and of course corn bread salad. Our community group eats a pot-luck style meal every other week together and we try to have a cohesive theme. Enter Indian.

I should note, also, that just about everyone else in our group are foodies, too. Either they love to cook or they love to eat well or both. I needed something easy and healthy to put on my repertoire. My friend R's pinterest board included a title of 3 things I like: Coconut.Chicken.Curry.(soup...okay four). I went to the site it was originally snagged from, Cooking for Seven, and made it for our guests. Here's the recipe, and as usual, I did not follow it well. If you want the original, click on the last link. My differences: more onion, more curry, add garlic, butter instead of oil.

Ingredients:

butter, 4 tbsp
3 chicken breasts, cut into tiny pieces
2 yellow onions , chopped
1/2 tsp ginger
5 cloves of garlic, minced
2 cups chicken broth
1 can coconut milk
2 tbsp curry
1 jalapeno, seeded/minced
2 tbsp lime juice
1 small green pepper, chopped
1/2 c chopped cilantro
1/2 c coconut flakes
2 c cooked jasmine rice (optional)

Instructions:

1) Cook chicken in butter with onions, garlic, ginger, salt & pep to taste

2) Add broth, milk, curry, jalapeno. Bring to boil, then turn down to a simmer over med. heat. Add bell pepper, and cilantro. Simmer for a couple of minutes.

3)Spoon into bowls over cooked rice, add coconut to top for garnish and eat.

This was probably a 'safe' way to go with trying Indian, since I thought it was a bit bland, but still good enough and of course with the rice; satisfying. If you're expecting a lot of hot spicy-ness, look elsewhere, as this is a mild soup. I think my kids liked it. I think if I made this again, I'd half everything, take out the chicken, and mix it with the rice as a rice side-dish.

First Family Camping Trip

2011-10-04T14:03:00.002-05:00

This past Friday to Saturday night was the first time we went camping with the kids. Stefan and I love to camp, but I admit I hadn't done it in years (I have a weird thing with being too hot, and nursing while without showers...). We thought the kids were now at a good age to show them what it's like, and they loved it. Of course, the free exploration of the outside and the camp-fire were just the peaks of their excitement. The sleeping bag and sharing the tent was the epitome of a good time to them.

We went to Wagon-train and got a perfect little spot situated next to a creek and this wonderful old climbing tree. The kids could easily maneuver into and out of this little spot and they played there for about two hours.

When the sun sets now in the Fall, it gets dark quickly and cold! Our children each had 3 layers on (one of them being wool!) and they were still cold. Of course I forgot hats for them since it was such a spur of the moment trip. I'll be better prepared next time.

Of course the thing I love most about camping is the fire. I can sit in my chair all evening and just watch it and stay warm. For some reason I did not even get to read a sentence out of that book, since someone always needed something, or it got too dark, but I think I'll have plenty of time when we go again in two weeks, since (I hope) Stefan gets off work a little earlier.

Anikka loving the fire...she looks a little dazed but they just loved watching it, especially in their own little chairs .

Visual Monday: Camping

2011-10-03T13:17:00.002-05:00

Source: 4.bp.blogspot.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Source: allposters.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: whimsicalraindropcottage.tumblr.com via Karyn on Pinterest

Source: sunset.com via erin on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: urbanoutfitters.tumblr.com via Hailey on Pinterest

Some very pretty camping pictures this week. We just took the kids on their first camping trip on Friday and they loved it. The sleep was a little less than desirable, but we all had a good time. We're going again in two weeks! These pictures make me itch to get back out there.

****
Where are your favorite camp spots?

{This Moment}

2011-09-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

Join in remembering a great moment throughout the week.

Knock It Off: Starbuck's Salted Carmel Hot Chocolate

2011-09-29T14:17:00.003-05:00

photocredit

Before I get started, I should warn you there is almost nothing redeeming about what I'm going to share. Whole foods? Out the window. This recipe is NOT healthy by any means, unless you happen to be using raw milk & cream to whip your cream. Seriously, even then, it would be masked by the massive amount of sugar. Just sayin'. Carry on.

Ingredients
*favorite hot cocoa mix (I love to make homemade mix, but I also like "Swiss miss" for prepackaged)
*Torani's carmel syrup
* Smucker's Sunday Syrup (Carmel)
*Whip cream
*Kosher or Flake Salt (not table salt!)
*Milk

Grab your favorite mug and begin by adding the carmel (torani) syrup to your mug. These are good starting off points, because you can always add more: 2 tblsp for 12 oz, 2 1/2 for 16 oz, 3 for 18+ oz. This amount gives just the hint of that carmel flavor without it being too sugary. Set aside.
Next heat your milk on the stove or in the microwave (90 sec on high) until preferred temperature. Pour heated milk into cup and stir syrup and milk mixture. Add your favorite hot cocoa mix until incorporated. Add a about a tsp or two of the smucker's syrup throughout the milk mixture. Add a pinch of kosher/flake salt to mixture. Do not stir! Add your whip cream, smucker's syrup (as shown in picture) across the top and sprinkle another pinch or two onto the top of the whip cream. Enjoy!

Even with buying all these ingredients you can probably make 50 cups of the stuff for the price of 2 venti Starbucks treats. It will last you all season :) And really...don't think about the calories....

Book Review: The Rhythm of Family

2011-09-27T15:14:00.004-05:00

Source: amazon.com via Sarah on Pinterest

The Rhythm Of Family by Amanda Blake Soule and Stephen Soule had been on my wishlist since back in Spring, when (I think) I first heard of it. I'm an avid reader of Soulemama's blog. I love her thoughtful posts, her children's funny antics, her knitting and sewing addictions, and her chosen lifestyle. I also should admit that I have her other two books, purchased with weeks of their release dates. I didn't expect this book to be too different from her previous two, The Creative Family and Handmade Home. It does have a couple homey crafts mixed between it's pages, but there are a lot more recipes, and the main difference is this seems to be a compilation of seasonal (monthly) essays written by the two Soules through the calendar year.
The photography is even better than the last two, and I could definitely see the mix of seasons within the pages, but I have to admit, this is probably my least favorite of the three, mostly because of my expectations. I don't know that I would categorize this book as a craft book, or a cook-book...perhaps lifestyle?
The writing from Blake Soule is well done, as is found daily on her blog. It was just an extra glimpse into their daily life between the family of seven. There are times when her husband, Stephen Soule, writes on her blog, and this is certainly a shared effort. There is one essay per month per spouse, and then usually the DIY/craft aspect is written by the Mrs. I really, really want to love this book, and I think I do, as I'll keep this in my craft book-shelf and skim through for the WHO bread recipe a time or two, but I to be perfectly honest, I'd give this book a 3 out of 5 stars. Stephen Soule's writing is just a bit too...mystical and flowery for me. If you want the best of the bunch (from a crafter's opinion) start with the middle book, Handmade Home, and journey back to The Creative Family for excellent projects and directions.

Visual Monday: Fancy Drinks

2011-09-26T14:59:00.003-05:00

Source: ourbestbites.com via Paige on Pinterest

Source: fredflare.com via Kendal on Pinterest

Source: None via Catie on Pinterest

Source: starbucks.com via Shanna on Pinterest

Source: marthastewart.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: nancycreative.wordpress.com via Sarah on Pinterest

{This Moment}

2011-09-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

Join the fun of remembering a moment. Happy weekend!

First Day of Autumn; A Playlist

2011-09-21T13:56:00.000-05:00

So Long (Sweaty) Summer

2011-09-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

While we on the wagon of glorifying fall to nullify summer, a spoof.
Please replace the word "sweet" with "sweaty" as this horrid summer was the hottest most people can remember...so: a tribute to your leaving!

Visual Monday: Autumn

2011-09-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

This week we're celebrating the first day of Autumn, also know as one of the best days of the year. Not only is summer as far away as it possibly can be, but it's also the start of the holiday season, filled with warm and cozy things like knitting, hot chocolate, leg warmers and oversize sweaters. Enjoy the lovely week!

Source: honeyandjam.com via Deanna on Pinterest

Source: tig-fashion.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: nauticalstripesandcritterskirts.tumblr.com via Maria on Pinterest

Source: thepapermulberry.blogspot.com via Letrecivette on Pinterest

Source: shop.lovefeasttable.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: whatsupmynerdizzles.tumblr.com via Fionnuala on Pinterest

{This Moment}

2011-09-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

I finally caught a non-stink face! Join the fun with many others and savor a simple moment.

Home School Resources: Links we Love

2011-09-15T14:34:00.003-05:00

Source: ladyanndeborja.tumblr.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Today I'm just sharing a list of my favorite go-to resources for home schooling. It's a list of where I find games, books, crafts, and fresh inspiration. Also included are articles I've loved about home schooling.

One of my favorite websites about homeschooling, updated daily, is Simple Homeschool. It's a shoot off branch of SimpleKids & SimpleMoms, and they often have great giveaways, advice, and have concise and interesting topics.
A friend recently guided me to World Book Online to find the general requirements of each grade.
At the curriculum fair I went to in April, I remembered two vendors that I want to revisit if they return. One was Hepner's Legacy and the other was Miller's Pads and Papers (don't be fooled by the poor websites, they have great products at good prices).
TED Talks. Go. Watch. Now. All of them. Awesome. Even if home schooling is a laughable topic to you, you're still a human and these would benefit you. Seriously.
Haven't had a ton of time to look in depth at these online programs (downtime, games) but here they are: Starfall, JellyTelly, and Yahooligans (a search engine specifically for children).
Many channels and magazines have great website extensions for children. These include PBS, History Channel, National Geographic, and
Cricket Magazines...for every age up to about 15, these are quality magazines with no advertising. Language, Sciences, and History are the main focus of specific mags but they branch and include other subject-related activities and reading material in each issue. We love them! We get: Click! and Ladybug, and eventually we'll get Faces (world cultures) and Dig (archeology/history) when the kids are older.
We love Usborne! Just read my last post...
A website with gobs and gobs (an overwhelming about of gob....) is Pinterest. I find so many awesome things through this site, many that I've been able to replicate and use with my own family. Here is my board on Kids/Homeschooling (see picture above).
Rhythm of the Home quarterly online magazine gives seasonal activites, recipes, and musings for parents of small children.
and of course blogs. and blogs. and more blogs...too many to list, though a few I love are: The Artful Parent, The Playful Learning Blog, and the Magnifying Glass.
NCHEA is a homeschooling is a Christian Home Educators Association, and here is the National, homeschooling association, HSLDA, which I think is non-Christian based.

...and of course they keep coming...I'll probably be adding to this list for a long time, and please if you have a link please leave it!

Home School Curriculum: Books, Games, and More

2011-09-14T13:30:00.006-05:00

Source: playfulearning.com via Sarah on Pinterest

I always love to read what others are doing for home-schooling, so I thought it might be helpful for anyone who is interested in learning more about it, doing it already but needs some fresh resources, or who loves to do activities/read with their (or others') children. Today I'm going to just list the main books we hope to go through this year, some resources we use, games + puzzles that will aid us, and the curriculum I have for this year.

The schedule of subjects are Monday-Thursday, with each day getting about 3-5 subjects, depending on how busy that day normally is for us. We have music class on Wednesdays at 11, so usually I can get quite a bit done in that morning (5 subjects) whereas Thursdays I often have other things going on, and so I leave it at 3. The main things we are focusing on this year are: Math, Language Arts (LA), Science, Social Studies, French, and Art. We also incorporate Free Play or "Recess" at least once a day for an hour. That, however, could be in the morning or afternoon, since I try to have all 'school' lessons done by lunchtime, leaving all afternoons free for imaginative play and rest.

This year we're following Oak Meadow curriculum for Kindergarten, though I must say it's only the first month of school and I'm less than impressed. I was not able to view this before I bought it (used, online from a Waldorf group) though I do like it more than other 'complete packages' I had seen at the Home School curriculum fair back in April. I love the emphasis on health and nature, and I like the craft books, but I am a little disappointed in the academics of this package. Lukka is much farther ahead than this yearly plan, and it would be boring for him to go backwards. The nature crafts and seasonal activities are good, but very simple. I will not be repeating this curriculum with Ani and I will probably sell it even before the school year is over. The nice thing about curriculum is (unless you write in it) it will pretty much hold its' value, so I expect (thankfully) to get most if not all of my money back on this purchase.

We plan to use many, many Usborne books, which I love and think I will mostly plan my entire next year around, using 'curriculum money' instead to just buy more of these because they are worth it!

This year we will be going through the following Usborne books: the Flip Flap Body book (science), See Inside Houses Long Ago (social studies), How Things Work (science), Things People Do (social studies), First Thousand Words in French, French Flashcards, Farmyard Tales: Telling the Time Flashcards (math), Art Sticker Book (art), Stories From Around the World (LA and social Studies), Then and Now (social studies) and the internet-linked First Encyclopedia of the Human Body (science). This is quite a collection but they are such awesome books.

For more LA learning processes we're using the uppercase Sandpaper letters and lowercase sandpaper letters, and for Math I had a custom set made for numbers 1-20. These are so helpful for any game you make up, putting letters together for word formation, and tracing (that's what the sandpaper is for, tactile learning) and then copying. Although these are somewhat expensive, I feel that I will get all of my money's worth for these three sets because not only did we use the uppercase last year, but we'll use them (probably) for another 2-3 years (including simple math like addition, subtraction, and even spelling) for Lukka, and then Anikka. They are sturdy as they're made onto birch wood, so I even expect these to be held onto for the grandchildren.

We love the Kumon and Golden Book workbooks for practice for things like numbers, letters, and games, but I am easing up on those this year. Last year I believe Lukka did about 7-8 and that was a lot. I have 4 this year, and one of them is just simply "How to Draw" to give him more confidence in that area. He will mostly just be writing dictation in a regular notebook.

We're supplementing with a couple of other books for each subject, with Art we're using the Art Book for Children (thanks, Steph!), and I'm basing the activities off of each painting that it goes through. We'll read through a copy of The Year at Maple Hill Farm for social studies and some science, and to study the seasons, and tag on reading through (again) Richard Scarry's Best Storybook Ever because it has.everything.in.it. and my kids love it! Of course we're reading through their small bibles with one story per morning, Monday-Friday, and reciting one verse per week (every day) from "One Hundred and One Best Rhymes for Children" and singing a song out of the Oak Meadow songbook. This year for more LA I also will be reading aloud the following classics (abridged for children--found in the Target $1 bin!): Pollyanna, Black Beauty, White Fang, and Treasure Island. I am also hoping to snag a copy of this a bit later in the Fall and read through it in it's entirety for Science, and get this cd soon to aid with French (Uni verse meaning one verse of the song is sung in French).

We're also using a little beach ball globe for some of our social studies, math, and LA activities, supplemented with some awesome jumbo floor puzzles I picked up. The first one is a 2' X 3' world map puzzle (large!)that looks like this and the second is one that is specifically of Canada, though I'd like to find an American one, too. We have the See N Spell game, which Anikka loves, and for math the most amazing game ever (really, every child should have this--SO many things you can do with it): Imaginets. The majority of our 'downtime' (i.e. we've done everything and have a lot of free time left) will be spent either playing with play-doh, cutting & pasting or sticker activities, or regular puzzles and block time, or free reading. Should be a super fun year and I get more excited when I write all this out!

Now that I have written it, it does seem like a lot but many of these books we've actually already read, and we'll just be going through them more in depth, talking about the concepts more, and plugging in activities to go with them. Looking forward to this year with Lukka (and Ani, who "does school" right along with us).

First Day of School...In Between-y

2011-09-13T13:23:00.002-05:00

Well yesterday was our first day back to (home)school and it went...alright. I think I've figured out if I call it school it will be horrible! awful! not to mention long! but if I never say the word 'school' again, I'd have perfectly attentive little activity masters, calm and sitting engaged kids, and... anyway.

Lukka is in an 'in between' stage now because although he has already mastered half of the Kindergarten curriculum that regular schools learn in a year, he's still quite young at 4 (just turned, in fact, in June) and I don't want to squash that free-play loving sprite who wants to just play outside with more hours of sitting still. Instead I've written a plan for each day that involves at least 3-4 subjects, and includes a recess time (which means nature walk, free play in the backyard, playing at a friend's house, etc.). Each subject takes between 10 minutes and 30 minutes. I'm also teaching the kids basic French this year, and so far they know the song Frere Jaques and a few colors. I'll make a list of my resources for tomorrow, and all the books we'll be going through or reading, but I wanted to share a fun little craft Lukka and I did last week before ' school was in ': The Daily Chart.

I first saw this idea awhile back on a blog reviewing the book "Crafting with Kids" by Jennifer Casa. I loved the way it mixes numbers, months and days of the week with weather in a fun way. The one above took me about an hour and a half to make (cutting out all the little felt pieces isn't hard, just time consuming). Then I took a fabric marker and had Lukka write in the days of the week and the shorter months onto linen by dictation. Then I cut the pieces out for him and with fabric glue he nudged them on to the different colored strips. This will be something we do everyday in "circle time". It encourages him to look outside and predict the weather, and learn the days of the week & months of the year--something little minds have a hard time figuring out! So far, he has enjoyed doing this, and along with our seasonal banners we have up in our school room (waiting to put up that Autumn banner soon!), I hope he is able to grasp the changes throughout the year.

***

What have you made lately? Leave me a link to see!

Visual Monday: School

2011-09-12T13:04:00.003-05:00

This week is our first week 'back to (home) school' and in honor that, I give you my visual monday: school edition for all things inspiring. If you'd like to glean more amazing play spaces ideas, educational activities for home or after-school, and DIY links for things like home made finger paints and glue, you can follow my For the Love of Learning pinterest board. Enjoy!

Source: behance.net via Alvaro on Pinterest

Source: 1.bp.blogspot.com via Paula Andrea on Pinterest

Source: alphamom.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Source: 3.bp.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: rhythmofthehome.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Sarah on Pinterest

{This Moment}

2011-09-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

Something a little different today. Join the fun.

Linky Love

2011-09-08T06:00:00.001-05:00

Source: rumplestiltskein.tumblr.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Linky Love is here again. I love to share my great, interesting, or worthwhile links every month, so enjoy! This month is all about books, school, fall, fashion, and of course, what would it be without a bit of crafting and food mixed in? In no particular order...I give you...the bullets:

Teachers, parents, and child-care providers get excited for some well designed free printables. They actually exist.
Looking for frugal items to stash in a bin for rainy days and crafting with littles around? Here is a great list.
This new farmhouse (kitchen shown here) has me drooling for our own little plot of land. Don't ask Stefan how many animals I want. He'll just roll his eyes.
There's still a place in my heart for this job. Yes, wanted to be one until I was about 16 and scraped by in my Chem class. Travelling and learning--the perfect combination.
And another thing about life-long learning....
probably the prettiest food blog I've seen in awhile. Haven't tried any of the recipes, just can't get over the beautiful shots.
Cute headband+bun hair tutorial. Might try this.
Just need to find the hour to watch this PBS special on the teenage brain. Yes, I really am interested...it's just that FNL has been taking up all my time!
I think I stumbled upon this gem awhile back from a friend's facebook page (link maybe?). Anyway, I really have enjoyed the articles.
Oh-la-la I love everything in here. Simplicity and nature. Also love the sister scarf shop, Dear June. It must be the packaging!
Yardsaletreasuremap.com um...as if I needed a reason!
The next few books on my nightstand will be: Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks and A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard.
The Zinn Project: teaching a people's history. Again, educators, homeschoolers, or life-learners. I can't remember if I shared this last time, so I'll post it again.
Anyone local? I'd love to try out the new Art & Soul shop. Complete with kid and adult cooking and art classes. I have yet to get out there.

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Find anything great over the internet lately? Leave me some links!

Craft Goals: End of the Year

2011-09-07T06:00:00.001-05:00

Source: hawthornethreadsblog.com via Sarah on Pinterest

I have big craft goals to attend to these next couple of months, some are just for fun, pinned to my "Make Do and Mend" board, and some are gifts for the end of the year. This fort, above, is something I'd like to make before mid-October, and I know I have enough scrap fabric to do it. In fact, I could probably make 20 of these with all the fabric I have.

Source: psimadethis.com via Sarah on Pinterest

I found this on pinterest and thought it was so cute, perhaps because it's my favorite color and it's a scarf. I also have a growing pile of purged tees recently...so...there's that.

Source: elsiemarley.com via Sarah on Pinterest

This is actually on my to-do list for this week as next week we're (finally) starting school at home. This is for Lukka to grasp the concept of dates/seasons/weather and it should be fun!

Source: thriftyknitter.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Here is my 'sweater for the boy, Christmas 2011' project. Every year I knit my kids a sweater, cardi, or in this case, vest, for their Christmas "to wear" portion. I opted for a vest this year because the last two were just too dang hot for the dude, and I think this could easily be applied as a layer through the fall, winter, and even early Spring. It won't be in the color rust, though the picture is nice, I believe a gray, blue, green, or brown will suit my blue-eyed boy nicely.

Source: etsy.com via Sarah on Pinterest

This is my 'humph' pattern set for the girl this Christmas. I'm not entirely set on this, but I do know it would be a good choice since a) it looks basic and timeless b) it would look good as a solid color and c) my little furnace girl wouldn't get too hot in it. I'm just not sold yet so if you have a cute knitting pattern rec that fits those aforementioned qualities I'm all ears!

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What's on your to-do list? Do you ever make gifts?

Ani's Dresses

2011-09-06T06:00:00.001-05:00

Awhile back when I had my mornings of sewing, I had two cut-outs of Lotta's simple dresses for Ani. One in a cute color palette of fruit pattern, and the other an awesome fall hounds-tooth scheme in corduroy. Here are the finished projects, each with their own vintage button from a lovely stash a friend gave me!

I used regular bias trim for the button loop holes, and hand-made matching bias for the arms and neck holes. Of course it normally matches right up but she's sitting and so it looks a bit off.

Here is an up-close of the fruit dress where I put the bias trim on the outside to create a slight cap sleeve effect and open neck with decorative stitch (read: didn't know what the heck I was doing. You can see the insides of the sleeves here...a bit rough. The neckline worked out).

Here is her second dress, another great print that I'd been saving for her. This dress looks exactly like the Lotta Jansdotter pattern, just an easy sleeveless dress with a stitched line for the collar line and arm holes.

Here is the detailing on the back. A cool green button works really well with this print; reminds me of the 70s. You can see here that the two dresses are different since there is no decorative stitching or outside bias trim. Ahem.

Here is an up close of this dress. I was a bit nervous both of them wouldn't turn out because I had to really increase room everywhere (pattern was made for an 18 month old) and of course I had never sewn clothes before that week, either. Needless to say they look great on her, and her reaction was, "Mommy made dresses for me, I wear them today!" The only thing I disliked about the pattern was that there was no drawn diagram in the book--just words--to explain how to piece together the bias trim. I am a visual learner and even though I love to read, when I follow patterns I expect there to be a step-by-step way of doing things in drawn form. It took me awhile to figure it out and I still just think I got lucky on the second try. Next time: visuals!

All in all a good learning experience, and a few cute dresses/tunics for the upcoming months.

Labor Day

2011-09-05T06:00:00.001-05:00

Source: digitaljournalist.org via David on Pinterest

Some history on the first Labor Day. Enjoy the long weekend everyone!

{This Moment}

2011-09-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

Join the fun with others around the world. Remember and savor.

Movie Review: Buck

2011-09-01T06:00:00.001-05:00

Source: buckthefilm.com via Elsa on Pinterest

When Stefan and I were in Colorado a few weeks ago, one of the relaxing things we did on our vacation was go to a movie. Rarely do we go to movies in the theaters, but we had a couple hours to kill where nothing was really going on in the city. We each had our "I really want to see this" choices, which were pretty much akin to our genders, but this was the movie we agreed on. I love horses, Stefan loves documentaries and it was a perfect fit.

BUCK is the true story of the real horse-whisperer. The man who inspired the film The Horse Whisperer , Buck Brannaman, had a tumultuous upbringing with a violent father, and finally came to a place of peace around horses. As Buck said in the movie, "I don't help people with horse problems, I help horses with people problems". The story itself is set up in documentary form ranging from his early childhood abuse and neglect, to his early twenties trying to figure out life, to showing many of his clinics and interviews with people he has helped with their animals and their life in general.

This movie was funny at times and all around touching. Stefan and I both felt that a lot of the principles Buck talks about could be applied to many parts of life, including parenting or other relationships. The main theme of the show is 'breaking' versus 'respect' and finding out which works better and why. We both thought this film was very well done and worth our money and trip to the theater.

I give Buck 4 out of 5 stars (and all the awards it won can back me up) for its genuineness, vulnerability, and lessons learned. I'd recommend this movie to anyone who loves a true story, or a show about animals, or a heartbreaking journey.

Movie Review: The Help

2011-08-31T06:00:00.001-05:00

Source: thehelpmovie.com via Lesley on Pinterest

My church has recently started a Women's Event where ladies of all ages and stages can just relax, get to know one another, and hang out while doing something fun. It's only happened a few months now but I had a pretty good time setting up our August get-together--going to see The Help in theaters! It was a good turnout and about 10 of us showed up. I thought it might get a good reaction since I know a lot of the ladies in our church love to read, and The Help was one book I knew many women had read. I thought it was a safe bet for spending $9 and an evening together and I wasn't wrong. This movie is definitely worth the money.

The story is about a girl named Skeeter (blond above) and her desire to write about the Southern maids who raise the rich, white children and live just at or below poverty line in the segregated era of the 60s. Skeeter befriends the maids of her best friends, and through their courage and others', she is able to write an anonymous book and publish it and confront her own past between her parents and their 'help'. The Help is a wonderful 400+ page book that anyone could read within a few days, and the movie doesn't skirt anything except the deep relationship between Minnie and Celia (read the book); which I'm sure just got cut due to time constraints.

The Help really has it all: good acting, excellent story line and dialogue, comedy, drama, and heart. Not only is this a good investment for a girls' night out, but I think most men would like it, too. Think When Harry Met Sally, or Fried Green Tomatoes-- it's a very touching and engaging story.

I give this movie a 4 out of 5 because I can't stop recommending it to people and I'm going to re-watch it with Stefan when it comes out to Netflix. Plus, it's worth it just to see what Minnie's "terrible awful" is!

PS-Read the book, you won't be disappointed.

Movie Review: True Grit

2011-08-30T06:00:00.002-05:00

Source: google.bg via Ioana on Pinterest

This has been out of theaters and on disc for awhile but it's still recent so I thought I'd include it in my week of movie reviews. This is a remake from The Duke's version but seems like anything the Coen brothers make turns out well, which is why I agreed to watch it.

True Grit is the story of a young girl whose father has been killed by an outlaw. She tries to avenge her father by hiring a rugged lawman named Cogburn to track him down and kill him, and holds him to his word when she hides along for the ride.

The plot is interesting and the action is fun to watch. I'm not one for westerns, but perhaps this changed my mind. It was a good movie- well written dialogue with comedic relief, interesting scenery, an accessible plot and of course the nice music helps, too. The ending is also bittersweet, as well, and one I didn't expect, though probably a realistic one during the late 19th century.

I give this movie 3 out of 5 stars because I enjoyed it, I laughed a few times, I might have shed one glistening tear, and because it was something both my husband and I could watch together and appreciate together. It's a good use of your movie night at home.

Movie Review: Tree of Life

2011-08-29T06:00:00.001-05:00

Source: impawards.com via Moniky on Pinterest

This week is all about the movies. I've seen so many good ones recently--in theaters and at home--that I wanted to share. I'll have four days of movie reviews and a {This Moment} to wrap up the week.

The movie Tree of Life had been on my wishlist to see for a few months before it came to the theater. It wasn't at the Ross for long, and I knew I'd miss it in town, being as Stefan rarely likes to pay for movies when we get Netflix. It came, it passed, and I thought I'd be watching it alone one nap-time in the future. When I went on a little weekend getaway with a friend a couple weeks ago, we decided we had time to catch a flick during the evening, and we agreed on Tree of Life.

A few things I'll say about it, first. We watched it at an incredibly late hour and it is long. Our tiredness and it's unique nature caused us to think it a little slower than it probably was. We didn't get out of the theater until near midnight. (yawn)

There is a photo-montage in the middle. My mom warned me, I had no idea. Dinosaurs were included. That's just what it sounds like.

Now, for the review: this film is beautiful. And by beautiful, I mean it's an art film that was specifically made with nostalgic and aesthetic intentions. Every single frame could be a still picture. Simply for this reason alone, I thought it was worth the time spent watching.

The story, however, is a little bit deeper than most films nowadays. This is no "Hangover" and it's one that takes a little bit (okay, a lot) of work to process, understand, and follow with very little dialogue. I don't believe Sean Penn's character (an older version of the main boy) had any speaking lines at all. This movie is based around body language, silence, movement, and assumptions that are left unsaid. The story follows a family who grew from newborns to teenagers, and within that time period, try, loose, and accept the relationship, or lack thereof, with their father (Pitt).

The audience finds out early on that one of the sons is dead, and that causes the oldest son to ponder his memories of his father, and his mother, and then his brothers. The mother and her thoughts and day-dreams are also heavily projected in this film, as she relies on the promise of grace and a bigger presence surrounding us all.

People, this is a deep movie, not something to watch while folding the laundry and trying to make sure the toddler isn't eating popcorn. It's a sit-down, get your snacks beforehand, date night kind of movie. One where preferably you've got time to go out to coffee afterwards and talk about it.

I give this a 4 out of 5 simply for it's lovely and poetic nature, but even I can't really comment well enough on the story line because I feel I only understood part of it. Then again, I was pretty tired!

PS-The dinosaurs totally tripped me up. Just sayin'.

{This Moment}

2011-08-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

Join the fun. A new member of the family to love and cherish. Picture taken by Oma's phone. (PS. Not mine)

Cookbooks and Flavor Infused Memoirs

2011-08-25T13:48:00.003-05:00

As this week of garden and food related posts is nearing it's end, I thought I'd put in a small post about what cookbooks and foodie-memoirs I've been enjoying lately...and those that I want to read. I love to check out cookbooks at the library and I try to cook at least one thing per book before I give it back. It's just a fun way to try new things, especially if they are flavors or specialties I might never make otherwise.

Source: amazon.com via Sarah on Pinterest

I love Giada's show, cookbooks, and recipes. I don't think I've made anything I didn't love. I find that her recipes are much easier to watch than to read, though, and I like that she uses very basic and whole ingredients. Try: green basil smoothie!

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

I LOVE these "Everyday Food" cookbooks, from Martha Stewart Kitchens, because there is a picture on every page(!) and the food always turns out well. A very hefty cookbook, too, could cook out of it for (almost) an entire year.

Source: amazon.com via Sarah on Pinterest

This book is just plain pretty. The color and design, and photography is so well done, and it reads more like a memoir than an actual utilitarian cook book. This is almost elitist foodie manifesto + recipes :) I loved the back section about where the author, Super health foodie, Heidi Swanson, gets all her gourmet goods.

Source: anthropologie.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Splendid, funny, and really unique, this has been one of my favorite cookbooks that I've borrowed this year. Yes, it's an entire book on ingenious ice cream, sorbet, and frozen concoctions and the cover design is no tease. This book has humor and plenty of tips...almost overwhelming instructions for flavors of ice cream, but even the names of each type is exotic. For the sweet tooth!

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Again, I didn't get to preserving much this year, but if I did, I might have this open on the counter helping me out. Lots of nice pictures and very interesting and creative recipes, this book of River Cottage fame does not let you down. Makes you want to eat healthy.

Source: goop.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Sneaky sneaky...vegetables find their way into basic dishes 2.0. Jessica Seinfeld's second cookbook of the same nature has plenty of new items to try, pictures on every page (are you seeing a pattern here?) and only one recipe that doesn't make flying colors on the 'health factor test'. Try: whoopie pies get a belly buster makeover.

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Here's the book I wish I had borrowed two years ago. For anyone new to a CSA program--THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU. It goes through all the vegetables one could expect in a basic CSA box, alphabetically, and gives you between 4-10 recipes for each. I learned a new way to eat radishes this year...

Source: powells.com via Kelly on Pinterest

This memoir was a very touching look of a family who, in the 70s, left every manner of 20th century civilization to create a land-based homesteading life and business. It's the memoir of the oldest daughter of this family, and how the work load, loss of a sister, and pretty faces working in the fields tore this family up. It's a tear-jerker and a very interesting viewpoint of the Nearings (whom inspired Martha Stewart as a young lady), as this little girl grew up living next door. Very good story, though very sad.

Source: amazon.com via Sarah on Pinterest

And lastly, the foodie book on my list...to be read this fall. I'll let you know... :)

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What are you reading lately? Come across any cookbooks you can't live without? Leave them in the comments!