I have lived in my house since 2002. It's a little house but cozy. I truly love it! As with any home (unless you custom build) I wanted to change a few things after getting settled in. One of the first things was to install a dishwasher. My kitchen isn't very big nor does it have many cabinets so I would be losing precious storage space for this to happen. As the months past I just couldn't figure out how to fit it in - Oh but those hours spent each week standing at the sink :( After a few years I gave up grumbling about having to wash them. I started to spend the half hour thinking, singing, and praying. Now cherish this time - I no longer want a dishwasher.
The last week and all of next week is going to be super pack. My sister in law is getting married~YEAH! I have much to do and not much time to do it in. So that being the case, I will be directing you to some blogs that I love to read!
Grace Unceasing is thoughts by Amy Thompson (my Aunt). She is doing a series of posts on a book about the lives of Kennya and Stephan Baldwin. It's good stuff! Hop on over and check it out.
Getting ready for Presence on the Patio (Medina, New York) this Saturday. Many things still left to do. Stirring, cutting, stitching, baking, folding, packing - You get the idea.
Helping my Sister-in-law pull things together for her wedding in 3 WEEKS!
Looking forward to several little girls coming over for a sleep over this Friday. Haily has been looking forward to this and is planning lots of things for them to do. It's times like these that I am glad we have the basement to "contain" most of the fun.
Wondering why I said "Yeah sure" to Haily having several girls over the night before one of my craft shows?!?!?
Tired thinking of everything that still has to happen this week and trying to remember that life goes on even if I don't get it all done :)
Night Y'all!
( I'm loud to use y'all 'cus I really say that, being from Virginia 'n all)
HaHa I crack myself up
When growing up my mother taught me to cook lots of homemade things. I have carried that into the season of life I am in now. Bread, mashed potatoes, desserts, well they're a piece of cake. Pasta was never on my list of homemade "from scratch". Until my daughter asked if we could make some pasta...I of course said "why not". Within a week I purchased a pasta machine. I guess I could have made it without the pasta machine but I sometimes I tend to dive right in. Last Sunday Haily and I dove on in by making ravioli. Never mind the fact that I didn't have {stuff} for the filling or any sauce. I'd figure something out. Here is a series of pictures showing start to finish...
For the filling I used a block of cream cheese with some fresh basil, salt, pepper and an egg. The sauce is just a can of tomatoes, crushed with italian spices and fresh garlic.
Oh, that little blurb on the picture with my daughter mixing the eggs in (with her favorite utensil - her hands). It says the shells are being saved for the compost pile...stay tuned for the upcoming compost post.
Life has been busy~birthdays, birthdays, and...well birthday parties. Life happens and sometimes you have to give up something.
{For me that something was blogging}
I really missed blogging and found myself daydreaming about different posts but with a full time job outside the home along with everything else I just could fit it in. I prefer to keep my family my priority so that is what I have been up to lately. I will work on a post tomorrow that highlights the last month and then it's back on track for me! I have a lot of happenings around here; I just need to get them on paper, or sew through them,or get them on the walls, or just plain hammer them out.
Today we didn't have any plans to do anything and with no practices for praise team or evening service I decided to get some baking for the upcoming week done. Haily has started taking her lunch to school so I have been making healthy snacks for her to pack. Today I am going to try Honey Pumpkin Muffins and whip up some granola. These will take the place of a snack cake and chips.
Watch for my series on the 30 Day Shred and Budgeting for the New Year. -I have been wanting to do a series on budgeting for a while but with my life being so busy for the last couple of months I haven't had time to put it together. -As far as the 30 Day Shred, that's another story. Normally when I have more time to garden and really work around the house I don't need to put much effort into exercising. Doing a days worth of housework and yard/garden work is plenty of movement. Now with my daytime desk job and trying to get the business underway I haven't been getting much exercise at all. This has added to my waistline and just being overall uncomfortable. So dear friends, I will be taking you on my journey to get back into shape. Keep in mind I want to be healthy {not just lose weight}. To me pounds don't matter as much as being able to rake my lawn without getting winded or carrying laundry baskets up and down the stairs without my legs feeling like jello. I will be updating you on all the details including my starting weight and measurements. I might even be real brave by posting before pics :)
It's been a while since I have posted all because it's been a little busy in my house. My family took off to the hills of Virginia to visit family for Thanksgiving. We had a great time with my brother at his little "cabin" and spent Thanksgiving at my Aunt and Uncles in Knoxville, TN. All the ladies were in the kitchen cooking and baking... Now, usually if there are more than 2 women in a kitchen at one time someone ends up in a huff. I am happy to say that we ended up with 4 1/2 (the 1/2 was my daughter) in the kitchen and managed to get the food on the table at the same time, with everything warm and big smiles from everyone. YES, all the "cooks" helped each other out. We made lots of memories and hope to make it a tradition each year.
The Friday after we got back I was scheduled to be at a show. This usually isn't a problem but I had no clue how much jam to bring. I went for overkill and decided I should have 150 jars. I spent the entire week making jam and getting ready. I think the total was 75-85 jars in 3 days. After working a full work week and making jam all night, I was pooped.
This week has settled down and my house is in full swing Christmas mode. The tree is up and the lights are on the house. We have our manger on display and oh...Gifts??? I like to give, my daughter likes to give and my husband likes to save ;) You see Aaron and I are geared differently. I would give everything I had away and he makes sure we still have a place to sleep at night. I am glad that God knew what he was doing when he put us together. We truly balance each other out. Since we are trying to pay off debt (only 1 year left on our car and another small loan) and are working toward me being able to stay at home with our children (1 here, more to come) we have to keep our budget in check. We spend about $10 on our close friends, $20-$30 on family, and buy something we need for each other (I already received my pots and pans this year). My husband also has employees that we do something for. We usually spend around $500. To some this might seem cheap and to some it might be generous but it works for us and our budget. I also like to give a little something to people in our lives that are special or we think might need cheering up. You don't have to spend much money to show someone you care and appreciate them. Here are some gift ideas:
Baking: When doing your holiday baking, just bake a little extra. Your neighbor that snow blows your driveway or the widow down the street would love receiving a home baked treat from you. Cookies and bread can be frozen, so bake in bulk then freeze. You will have it on hand when a person comes to mind.
Sewing: If you sew, crochet, or knit make some dishcloths or towels. I love getting these each year. Not only does it keep me from buying them throughout the year, I think of the person who made the gift and say a quick prayer for them when I use it.
Friends: I have several friends that started a business on the side. I like to use them as a source for gifts as they are local and I am helping to support their family. Beth has been a dear friend for several years. She is very artistic and that shows in the jewelry she makes. I have bought many items from her and love each one. Stop by her site to check out some of her items. Melissa has just branched out and started a photography business. I know that I can't "buy" something from her but I can put money towards someone to have pictures taken by her. She is awesome to work with and I love her photos. You can check them out here. Patricia over at Primele can offer custom gift tags and calligraphy for you stationary needs. Personalized items are fun gifts. Maybe you have a friend that has something to offer. Call them up and see what they have to offer.
Hand written cards: Never under estimate the power of a hand written note. Since email and texting came in the picture our lives seem a little less personal. Pick up a pack of cards from the $ store and write out a note to someone special. They will appreciate the time you took out of your busy life to think of them.
I hope this gives you some ideas for inexpensive gifts. You don't need to have a large budget to warm a heart this Christmas season.
I forgot how much I miss the mountains. I am spending some time with my brother and family for Thanksgiving. I don't have any internet (or phone) connection where he lives so I won't be posting for a couple of days.
My daughter has been losing teeth like crazy lately. She loves to wiggle them but doesn't like when it's time for them to come out. Last Christmas when my brother Eric was visiting and Haily kept complaining about a loose tooth she had. Whining and complaining is not a friend of my brothers so he "talked" her into letting him pull it.
Here's the story:
It was his last day here; I was on the computer upstairs and Haily, Aaron, & Eric were downstairs. I heard this hair curling scream from downstairs and ran as fast as I could to see what happened to my baby. The kitchen floor was painted in blood and the trail led to the bathroom. I peek in to see Aaron and Eric surrounding Haily, whose head was in the sink. They were splashing water in her face and she was not happy about it. I finally was able to give her a hug and ask what happened. She told me that "Uncle Eric promised he wouldn't pull until I said ok..." Eric had distracted her enough to tap the tooth out. It was that loose (not sure why she bled so much).
(Move forward to today)
We are planning to visit Eric in Virginia for Thanksgiving. Haily has a tooth that is loose but won't come out because the new tooth is starting to come in behind it. I couldn't resist telling her "It's a good thing we will be at Eric's soon. He will get that tooth out for you"
Can you hear the screams yet?? Do you have any funny stories or memories about teeth?
I was visiting Our Family Highlights and loved the poem she shared. I thought it would encourage us moms with young children so I am sharing it with you.
"The Toy-Strewn Home" by Edgar Guest
Give me the house where the toys are strewn,
Where the dolls are asleep in the chairs,
Where the building blocks and the toy balloon
And the soldiers guard the stairs.
Let me step in a house where the tiny cart
With the horses rules the floor,
And rest comes into my weary heart,
For I am at home once more.
Give me the house with the toys about,
With the battered old train of cars,
The box of paints and the books left out,
And the ship with her broken spars.
Let me step in a house at the close of day
That is littered with children’s toys,
And dwell once more in the haunts of play,
With the echoes of by-gone noise.
Give me the house where the toys are seen,
The house where the children romp,
And I’ll happier be than man has been
‘Neath the gilded dome of pomp.
Let me see the litter of bright-eyed play
Strewn over the parlor floor,
And the joys I knew in a far-off day
Will gladden my heart once more.
Whoever has lived in a toy-strewn home.
Though feeble he be and gray,
Will yearn, no matter how far he roam,
For the glorious disarray
Of the little home with its littered floor
That was his in the by-gone days ;
And his heart will throb as it throbbed before,
When he rests where a baby plays.
This recipe was given to me by a friend which she got from The Duggar Family website. I made my first batch back in March and have been using ever since. Our family does about 1 load of laundry per day for a family of 3. Here is the breakdown of the cost to get started (I don't remember exactly what I paid, so I used prices from an online store).
5 gallon bucket w/lid $5
1 bar Fels-Naptha Soap $2
1 box Washing Soda $8
1 box Borax $8
That is $23 which breaks down to $3.29 per month for laundry soap. Keep in mind that you have enough washing soda and borax to last for 3 more batches. It could add up to be a great savings for your family.
You will need a 5gal bucket, 1 Fels-Naptha soap, 1 box Washing Soda (not baking soda), & 1 box Borax. Now let's get cookin' makin' some soap...
*Put 4 cups of water in a pot (I use one I don't cook with) and bring to a boil
*Shred the bar of soap
*Add the shredded soap to the boiling water and stir until melted
*Fill the 5 gal bucket half full with steamy hot water
*When all the soap is melted pour it into the bucket. Add the 1 cup Washing Soda and 1/2 cup Borax.
*Mix, mix, mix!!! Then fill the bucket up to the top with hot water.
*Put the lid on and let it sit over night. It will get very thick.
* The next day (or whenever you get to it) you are ready to finish up the soap. Get a couple of containers and something to pour with. I bought these at Wal-Mart but you can use some old laundry soap containers too.
* Fill each container half full with the soap and then fill with hot water to the top. Shake each time you use it because it will settle some. I use the same two containers and keep the bucket in the basement.
I found this little quiz on a blog I check just about every day. The tempation to see if I was correct about my style was too strong (even though I don't like taking these things). Here it is.......
COUNTRY CASUAL
Your home expresses your open, easygoing approach to life. You love unique finds, and can turn a few mismatched garden chairs or floral teacups into a charming arrangement. You appreciate a pretty mix of relaxed pieces, like painted wood or weathered furniture, lovely florals and other patterns, lots of throws and pillows, mementos and bunches of fresh flowers that give your home a unique sense of breeziness and charm.
You value comfort. Your home is a warm and open friendly place, and you feel happiest when everyone is cared for and relaxed in your space. Elements like pillows, throws, overstuffed furniture, and good lighting set the mood. You may also enjoy layering different fabrics or mixing patterns to create a cozy effect.
I'm back!!! Lately I have had way too much to do and somthing had to give. I wanted to let the laundry go since that is the one thing I could put off. Well when I think about it I don't mind sorting or putting into the washer. I also like to smell the clean fresh clothes drying and to feel their warmth as I take them out of the dryer...that's where the task turns from love to hate not really like. My wonderful husband on the other hand despises laundry left unfolded and not put away. The next logical thing that had to be put to the back burner was the computer. Don't get me wrong I have hopped on fb at midnight for like 5 min or so but I have really stayed away from the computer. The reason for my sabbatical you ask... 1) I had my first and second show to get ready for 2) Haily started 5th grade-my how the time goes quickly 3) Fall programs started at church and I had Sunday School stuff to get ready :) 4) Gardening HAD to get done... I could keep going but mentioning gardening brings me to a thought. I'm thinking that my arm (the inside fleshy part, the part that shakes when you raise your arm to wave..you all know what I'm talking about) and rump hurt. As I was cleaning out the mint that has taken over my herb garden bees started to buzz around. Before I knew it I was stung in the arm. I ran around my back yard like someone was chasing me with a knife. Then before my sweet husband could stop me I was stripping off my shirt and swinging it all around. The bee was STUCK inside my shirt. I felt stupid after I realized what I had done and made a glance up to make sure my neighbors didn't see me (I knew they could hear me). I slowly put my shirt back on and went to digging again. Then came the bees; 20 or so this time. I ran like a mad women, they chased me, they were in my shirt again, off it came again!!! I could still hear it buzz, buzz, buzz. I realized that I had a BEEhive hair do. Yup they were in my hair. I started shaking my head all around and next thing I knew my hand went to my rump. It got me right smack dab in the middle of my behind...I was DONE!! I have to say that getting stung 2 times is enough for me to call it quits. So that is what I have been up to. Things are getting back into a schedule for us.
I hope to share more on organizing our everyday stuff as it can get nuts if we don't stay on top of things. I have many little tips that I use to keep my house in check while still serving in other areas.
Here's the lowdown on what's been going on... CRAZINESS!!! At the Chamberlain household on quaint Cary Ave things have been nuts. We started 4 projects this summer and by we I mean we are handing out the bucks not doing the work because that would be way, way too much on the plate. We instead chose to have contractors redo the front steps + platform, back steps + small deck, install a fence to enclose the entire back yard (including 4 gates (who needs 4 gates for a 50x100 lot???apparently I thought we did)), and finish basement. In the midst of this I am trying earnestly to get my business ready for my first show (2 weeks and hoping that if I count slowly it will be longer than 2 weeks), have some girlfriends over, and go on a mother/daughter retreat. WHEW... I think that I might have bit off more than I can chew. BUT I don't think I have gone CRAZY as I would have in the past. Yes, the good Lord above has taught me something (no, it's not the word no- I am sure He will be molding me on that really soon). I realized it's ok if my life isn't perfect, it's ok to have a messy house when the girls come over, who cares!! (I used to care a lot but not anymore, nope that's not me, I'm done with that). Life is not about how clean your house is or if the weeding is done-hey we could have dirt floors and a drought so that nothing grows not even those pesky weeds. The fellowship and bonding that we do with one another is more important. NOW, I'm not saying that nobody will care-we all have those friends (can we really call them that???) who might mention that you could use a couple hours of housework but use selective hearing when it comes to that. This is a big one accomplishment for me especially since my MIL is a housekeeper...Even she says who cares. LOVE that woman!!! Hopefully my husband will be delighted when he reads this (Honey, do you read my blog?) because it was a source of friction during that WONDERFUL first year of marriage for us.
