moreygirl

Chicken Noodles

2012-01-27T11:15:00.001-06:00

Do you have a recipe that just tastes like home? That's how I am with these Chicken Noodles. Except I don't ever remember Mom really fixing these:) My mom is a great cook. I love everything that she makes. When we were growing up, some of our favorites were: chili, Danish meatballs, creamy cheesy potatoes. I think almost every meal (if it had meat) had gravy. She is the queen of gravy. I l.o.v.e. gravy.

Anyway, now that I'm starving, I was not a good cook when I got married. Not. at. all. **I'm not saying I'm a good cook now;)** We ate a lot of yucky stuff and it didn't (doesn't) help matters that Matt does not eat vegetables or fruit. I have never seen him eat fruit, but he will eat green beans on occasion and of course sweet corn. Potatoes, yes, but usually in the form of fries. (If you are worried about my children eating their veggies, don't. I fix them even if Matt doesn't eat them.) Also, he doesn't really like anything that has spices in it (also known as "flavor".) So as you can see, this limits what I fix for supper.

Matt usually wants grilled something, whether it's porkchops, hamburgers, steaks, you get the idea. I, on the other hand, want something with gravy:) and I don't want to go outside to grill when it's 20 degrees outside. So I started making Chicken Noodles when we first got married.

This is my go-to dish when I have to take a meal to someone. And it's really easy. really.

To start, I use a large can of chicken stock in my dutch oven on the stove.

I usually don't wait til it's boiling but when it's starting to get really hot, I throw in a bunch of Amish-made noodles. I like the "homemade" noodles the best because they don't break down as quickly as the egg noodles, and I usually let this sit on the stove awhile.While the noodles are swimming, I get out my rotisserie chicken. That's right. I use a Sams one, because they are always bigger than anywhere else. And these have so much flavor, I think it's better than fixing my own chicken.

Once I get all the meat of the bones, the noodles are usually boiling. I turn the stove way down to low and mix in the chicken and a can of cream of chicken soup. I know, there are lots of pins on pinterest right now for the "make your own cream of whatever soup" because everything in the soup is bad for you. Well, have you read those recipes? The ones I read are just flour and milk (basically). I add the soup for the flavor and it makes the stock nice and thick - like gravy! I also salt and pepper to taste, because I did learn that from my mom.

chicken noodles over mashed potatoes

I usually serve the Chicken Noodles over mashed potatoes. Matt eats his with cottage cheese (which totally grosses me out). The boys love it and there are always leftovers because I make so much. And just like lasagna, it's even better the next day!

I think I'm off to the store for a chicken. I'm hungry now!

wiww

2012-01-26T08:17:00.002-06:00

I like stripes. What can I say? I think I wear them weekly. I'd buy a striped shirt before I'd buy a flowered one. There other night, Evie and I headed over to the mall. We ended up at the Loft to pay a bill. She pointed out that almost everything in the store was horizontal stripes. And what's the first rule of looking skinnier...this is where Stacy and Clinton come in...no horizontal stripes!

I don't know though. There's just something about a cute stripe. I cannot resist it.

See? Tomato red with a turquoise necklace? Yes, please.

I love this sweater. You'll be seeing it a lot coming up;) Oh, yeah and those jeans fit like a glove now! No muffin top! It's officially 10 pounds lost since 11/1/11.

My hair looks really dark in that pic too. But I just had Gretchen lighten it up. I love my haircut too. The first pic though, it's a little too curled under than what I like. I like it sticking out all crazy.

By the way, I've been reading this blog: Simple Mom. I had bought her book about organizing before I'd read her blog. I really like her. I don't always agree with everything that she says, but for the most part, she's on target. I found where she uses the oil cleanse method for her face wash. At the risk of sounding like a crazy hippie, and since I am just out of my normal cleanser, I thought I'd try it. I've only done it once, but after a week or two, I plan on giving you my results and feedback on it.

What have you been trying new this year?

linking up with the pleated poppy.

Creative God - week 3

2012-01-24T09:50:00.002-06:00

Genesis 45-50 & Job 1-18

Week 3 and in Job. Job is hard for me. Is it hard for you to read? Sometimes (depending on where I'm at in my life), I think his friends actually sound smart. Have you ever read it like that?

I hope that we learn that the things that we say do matter. We definitely don't want to be putting words into God's mouth. It's a whole lot about judging someone else's circumstances and outcomes. We automatically think that they've "done something wrong", that they've sinned. And we ourselves are just a little bit better. I know that I've been guilty of this.

I hope too that we could be as strong as Job. That we wouldn't want to "curse God and die" like Job's wife says to do. But that we would try to rectify our relationship with God. On Sunday, our pastor just talked about how even if you haven't prayed or talked with God for a while, it's like meeting up with an old friend. He's there to listen to our small talk and there for the big stuff.

This pin from pinterest really nailed it, I thought.

Source: cookingwiths.blogspot.com via Heather on Pinterest

Those are my thoughts for this week. I hope you know that these posts are more for myself than for you. I don't want you to think that I'm preaching. What were your thoughts on the reading this week?

Creative God - week 2

2012-01-17T08:06:00.006-06:00

Only week two and I'm a day late! Sorry!

Yesterday, I went to a visitation for a man that I really only had spoken to a few times in my life. But those few times had a serious impact on me and I wanted his family to know. You see, about 4 years ago...just a few weeks from the exact date...my dad was in a serious accident. It was foggy that day and another semi pulled out in front of my dad's and he went straight into it.

It was a pretty exhausting day at the hospital. We were there most of the day since the accident happened that morning. While we were in the waiting area of the emergency room, one of the brothers that owned the other truck showed up. He just wanted to make sure Dad was ok and that we were ok. He stuck around for awhile just to be sure, gave us all hugs, and told us he was praying.

Fast forward a couple of years and I was attending a mom's group in our small town. I actually got to know his daughter a little bit. We chatted about her dad. I even told her about his visit to the er that day. We didn't really get a chance to be great friends though, her family was relocated to another town. But you could tell that she was just as sweet as her dad.

And last night I stood in line for five hours at her dad's visitation. He was suddenly killed in a single car accident. He was 56. There were more people there than I think anyone expected. I am pretty sure his family realizes how truly loved he was. How he surely must have blessed his friends and community. What a witness he was.

I kept thinking about what I had read yesterday morning. How Joseph was sold into slavery and ended up in Egypt just to be able to save the lives of his family later on (Genesis 45). God provided even when Jacob thought his son was lost. He knew what needed to happen in order for them to survive. It's definitely not what Jacob had in mind and I'm sure that not what this family had in mind either. But there is a plan. God has a divine plan that we cannot understand.

== Did you guys have a good week reading? I hope so! Keep it up! ==

wiww

2012-01-11T08:34:00.001-06:00

My mom got me two scarves for Christmas. A red one and a mustard color one. I had asked for them because I kept seeing awesome outfits on pinterest for them.

I've been trying to pair them up with sweaters and shirts that people usually wouldn't put them with. A black shirt with jeans and a yellow scarf doesn't really scream my style. But my pink and gray sweater...yup, that's what I did:)

I've also been going to the gym a few times a week. I've lost 8 pounds now, since November. I need to lose 15 to reach my goal weight of 145. My body though, is changing drastically. And these Old Navy jeans that I'm wearing here are almost too big! I'm just really happy to not feel like I have to cover up love handles with an oversized sweater anymore. I mean, I know I am not a super model, but losing weight sure makes you feel like one!

oh, the sweater and the scarf are from Target too.

Do I have any tips on losing weight? Find someone to do it with you. It's a lot easier for me to go to the gym when I know Michelle's going to be there. Find a class that you like too. If all I did was run on a treadmill, I would hate it. I love the bodypump (weight lifting) class and the spin classes.

Also I think that my diet has changed just because I have the mentality now that I don't want to undo all my work at the gym for just a couple of cookies. Don't get me wrong though, I totally stuffed my face Friday night when we went to the steakhouse. I even ate the whole dessert by. my. self. I'm trying really hard not to be obsessed with the calorie game though. So when I'm home, I try to be really good. Like last night, I fixed chicken strips and french fries for the boys. So I had a huge plate of lettuce with a chopped up chicken strip on it, a little cheese, and a couple of croutons. Oh and zesty italian dressing instead of ranch. Definitely less calories than three chicken strips and a pile of fries.

I do definitely feel better, physically and about myself. I have better posture too. I'm more confident. I think getting up and going is easier too.

I don't want you to think I'm bragging either. When I started, my weight was just about 10 pounds off of what it was when I brought Bo home from the hospital. He will be five next month. I'm not calling it baby weight anymore!

I'll keep you updated on my weight though. I really want to make it to my goal.

linking up with the Pleated Poppy!

Creative God - week 1

2012-01-09T13:02:00.000-06:00

Here we go again! Let me start off by saying, I already had to read two days in one this week! But so is life. I'm sure there are going to be more weeks like the last. But I'm staying kept up this year. I still write in my thanks journal. That seems to help me more than anything right now. Hopefully, I can do the reading right along with it this whole year!

It's kind of funny how things work out though when you are reading the Bible everyday. I subscribe to Mark Driscoll's pod casts (look them up in itunes). He's the pastor out at Mars Hill Church in Seattle. He and his wife just wrote a new book about marriage, which is pretty awesome too. But I usually listen to a podcast, which is about an hour long, while I do my paperwork. One of the latest ones was the story of Adam and Eve and the Tree of Life. He, of course, connected it to marriage and his book.

All of these Old Testament stories are some of favorites. I can see the flannel-graphs and those big 8x10 cards in my head that my teachers used when I was little, when I read these stories again. I love these stories, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Esau. It's funny how your perspective changes on these stories when you grow up and have kids of your own. I am always overly empathetic when I read stories. Always putting myself in their shoes. Wondering why Rebekah would favor one boy over the other. Finding it interesting that Isaac lied and said Rebekah was his sister, the same as his father Abraham lied about Sarah being his. Noah is probably one of my favorite stories though. I wrote a blog about doing what God tells us to do last year. I would hope that I could do what He says, but I still fail at the small things sometimes.

Never "good enough", but Grace is enough.

Let me know what your favorite was this week! I hope you followed along too!

What's all this business

2012-01-06T15:13:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to fill you in on what's going on here at moreygirl:) I have hired Moxie Pear to update my website. I'm super excited to be working with Lisa. I've followed her work for a long time now. And she seemed to be the best fit for me and my business!

She's been diligently putting everything where it needs to be, so it's going to be easier for you to just stay in one place while checking out everything that I do. This blog though will stay here at blogspot though, so don't worry.

Here's a sneak peek at what we've started on!

I am also busy getting new pictures of the goods too:)

Oh, and how do you like the new pink couch that I scored on Craig's list?! I'm so excited about it. Matt was a little less than thrilled that we have a pink couch in our living area. Well, build me a new studio/sewing room and I will move it!

But seriously, this find on craig's list is the stuff you read about on design blogs! I've never been that impressed with anything I find on craig's list. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it on there! I had to have it!

A rainbow of felt, ready to be made into button flowers!

A new bag. Fresh and bright! I think you're going to love the new bags!

And some necklaces, made with the same fabrics and patterns as my bags! These are also going to be available with hand stamped charms...awesome gifts to give!

I put this out there on facebook too, but if any of you would like to give a little testimonial about me and moreygirl (whether photos or handmade goods) shoot me an email. I would love to be able to include your words on my site!

Remember, everything at the current shop is marked down! Get it now before it's gone!

resolutions and a new year

2012-01-02T09:14:00.001-06:00

So I know that every blogger in the blogosphere is posting on resolutions. It's the new year, it's what you do. I like making resolutions. That is, until the end of the year rolls around and I'm still fatter and lazier than I wanted to be.

So my thought for this year is "one month at a time". That's right, I'm not going to drive my self crazy with the year thing. Because we all know we say to ourselves, "oh, I already failed and it's only January 25. There goes that resolution. Guess I'll start again next year."

I'm through with that. I know that I can make it for one month. I've done it. Remember back last summer, I went a whole month without buying new clothes for myself. And a whole month without soda (I'm sure I blogged about it, can't find the link).

So for this month, I'm only going to make a few resolutions. Something I know I can handle/do. Plus I can change them next month if I need to. But I'll know that I can follow through on what I say I'm going to do.

more cowls...working on #4

cowls...thinking I'm going to do a tutorial for you!

January Resolutions 2012

Read my Bible everyday. Do it with me? Please?
Go to the gym at least 3 times a week (even if I have to go without my gym buddy).
No fast food.
Get the new moreygirl site up and running with lots of new items.
No new clothes for myself.

That all is doable and not impossible. If I stated #5 as a year resolution, I know it would be killing me by January 15 to get a new sweater, and you know what? I'd go buy it. But I know I can handle that for 30 days. Numbers 1 & 2 will probably be an every month resolution. But if I fail on it, I have the rest of the year to work on it.

What do you say? Think this is cheating on resolutions? It's the best solution I can come up with! :) What are you doing for your resolutions this year?

Creative God Series

2011-12-29T13:06:00.000-06:00

What do you think? You want to try this again with me? I failed miserably last year at reading everyday. But I've had some interest from some fellow bloggers in it lately and if you want to read along with me, I'll try it again!

Here are the rules again for a recap:

Here's the deal:

In order to follow along, get a one-year chronological Bible. I don't really think that the translations matter that much. The one I have is the New Living Translation. It's super easy to read.
Read it everyday, then we'll check in here on Mondays. I'm going to blog my favorite and/or inspiring verse and I want you to either write your own post (leave a comment with a link there) or leave your thoughts right in the comments.
Spread the word! Use the button at the bottom to let others know what we are doing.

Notice, I changed the second point from a whole post about the reading to a verse. Part of the reason these posts didn't get done is because I was just too lazy to write the post. Just being honest here. And just like always, making excuses for not spending my alone time with God. So are you in?Here's the button if you are! Copy the code. {I will add this post to the link at the top under my header.}

the long and short of it

2011-12-27T15:52:00.000-06:00

So on the nights that we just stay at home and watch tv, this is what I do:)

I crochet. It's not knitting. I use a hook, not needles. It's fun. You should really try it.

Ever since I saw this thick chunky yarn, I have wanted to make a cowl. But I wasn't sure if I like long cowls or short cowls:)

So I made one of each...What do you think? Long?

or short?

Oh yeah, I'm going to be adding these and some more colors to the new improved shop soon!

handmade Christmas

2011-12-27T14:00:00.001-06:00

I wanted to show you the little village that I made for my mom for Christmas! It was a very addicting craft! My desk was a mess for about two weeks straight.

I had to set them up on my mantle before I gave them to her, you know, just to make sure that they looked good! She got six of them all together. I used cereal boxes and lots of hot glue to construct them. I followed the directions that I found here: http://www.bigindoortrains.com/primer/glitterhouses/glitterhouses.htm

That site also gives you the background on them and tons of printable patterns.

This little house was my favorite. All of the houses eventually got wreaths. They were made by wrapping a green pipe cleaner around a pencil and hot gluing three tiny red balls to them. I found all of the supplies I used at Joann, except of course the cereal boxes. Even these little fences are from Joanns. If I had been looking for something like that though, I would have never found them! They are with all the wooden items that you can paint and decorate.

The little plaques that they are glued to were a happy accident. I had originally planned to glue them to 5x7 canvases. But my Joann's didn't have any small canvases anymore. When I turned around though, there were lots of these little wooden plaques. They had the notches cut out on the corners already. All I had to do was paint them with a little white craft paint.

I also used a gray sharpie and drew the little stepping stones on the plaque. The "bushes" are that spanish moss. It came on a roll and I just cut little pieces off and hot glued them on. Then everything got covered with that "snow" - remember that stuff from when we were little? It dries hard and clumpy just like snow. Then I used a mix of school glue and water and painted the base with it. I used that really huge glitter to cover the ground.

I knew I didn't want plain old green trees to go with this village, so I went searching on the internet for something better. I found a girl who had bleached hers. I just literally dipped them in bleach til they were white. That worked out pretty well! I added a little more snow and some glitter to them too!

All in all, it was a really fun craft to make. I will probably make my own next year. There really wasn't anything I didn't like about this craft. It does make a huge mess though, considering the glitter, the moss, the bleach, and tons of little cardboard window cutouts!

A Christmas Quiz

2011-12-24T10:00:00.001-06:00

And just for fun, a little Christmas Quiz. I stole this from Heather @ We are the Holdens. You should go read her quiz too!

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate? 

 Hot chocolate, Michelle's hot chocolate to be exact.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? 

Wrap them

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?  

I like both, but this year it's colored lights.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? 

no

5. When do you put your decorations up?

 Right after Slone's birthday on Novemeber 30.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? 

Mom's whole meal. This year we are having ribs. But chili is a tradition too.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?

 It seems like we always opened gifts on Christmas eve. I remember thinking we always got a lot that night and Christmas morning wouldn't be any fun because there wouldn't be that much. But we'd wake up to a whole bunch more. Mom is good at making a little look like a lot!

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? 

 I don't remember. I was never huge into Santa. I was probably frightened by the thought of someone getting in our house while we were asleep.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

 I got the boys pajamas, so they will open those.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

 It just has huge colored lights on it and some wide green garland. The boys have put their handmade ones from school on it too.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it?  

I like it. But I wish it could snow without getting on the roads. Maybe we need heated roads?!

12. Can you ice skate?  

I have never been ice skating in my life.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

I can't remember a specific one. We never really made lists. But whatever Mom did get me was always way better than what I did ask for. 

14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you?  

Remembering the greatest gift, Jesus. Giving. Happiness.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? 

 Do I have to pick? I seriously don't have a problem picking at the dessert table, except if I can fit them all on my plate.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?  

That my family waits to open gifts until everyone can be there. And we get gifts for everyone! And there's a lot of us now!

17. What tops your tree? 

 a glittery white star.

18. Which do you prefer: giving or receiving? 

 giving, especially giving something I made for them.

19. Candy canes: Yuck or Yummy?

 yum, but just the originals. 

20. Saddest Christmas song?

 I'll be home for Christmas

The boys have a SpongeBob movie that has a great Christmas song. Turns out Matt does have a little bit of holiday cheer, this is his new catch phrase for the season!

Have a great Christmas!

A Christmas tour

2011-12-23T11:30:00.000-06:00

I wanted this post to be a vlog, but do you know how hard it is to get even the littlest things done while your kids are on Christmas vacation?!

I thought I would take you on a little Christmas tour of my house. Well, actually, it's just my living room, because I really don't have that many decorations. It's not that I don't want a ton, it's just I have no where to store them when it's not Christmas. And Matt is a bit bah humbug on any seasonal decorations.

The new thing this year is the ball ornament wreath I made. If you're on Pinterest, you've seen it. It's out of an old wire hanger (that I had to get from Michelle, because I had no hangers!). I bought some no shatter balls at Target and strung them on. You can see the wire a little bit, so if I did another one I would buy a pack of smaller ornaments too and add them here and there. I also thought about hot gluing the little ones in it too, but I have never bought any smaller ones.

The trick here is to hang it on a mirror so it looks really big!

And the tree...

There aren't very many ornaments on it. Just the one the boys made this year. We're trying to build up our handmade supply:)

This is the only Santa I have in the house. I don't really like Santa. He never got me what I wanted as a kid and this year I'm going to have an extremely disappointed 7 year old that's not going to get what he asked for. Slone even got a letter from Santa at school, basically (in a 7 year old's mind) promising him a ds. Thanks a lot.

But this Santa was painted by sweet Ruth from our church. I got it at a white elephant exchange a couple of years ago.

And here's our "mantle". My littleputz houses sit on it with a few additions like the tractor Slone just got for his birthday (but cant play with. Don't get me started.) The houses were my Grandma Morey's. They have "Japan" stamped on the bottom of them. Mom says she always had them on top of her tv. But I don't remember that. They were always in Texas during Christmas when I was little.

A cute little snowman with a candy cane.

And just a snowflake that I have hanging in a frame.

With all the hustle and bustle, I hope you have a Merry Christmas!

sale and big changes

2011-12-21T11:25:00.000-06:00

Christmas is less than one week away! Can you believe it?! Then it's New Years before I know it!

There are some big changes coming to moreygirl this new year too! So in honor of a new year, it's out with the old and in with the new! moreygirl is having a sale on everything in the store. If there is something you've been eying, you had better get it now, because I'm making no promises that it will be back in the store!

Now here's the deal:

I have marked everything down in the shop...no coupon codes!
This includes the sweetest baby booties you have ever seen!
I cannot guarantee that anything will be there by Christmas. So buy something for yourself, so it won't matter! ;) But I will ship within 1 business day.

moreygirl will be closed for a week or so after January 1st, while we are loading it up with lots of new items! Hope you will join us for the sale and the grand opening!

some favorites

2011-12-15T12:10:00.002-06:00

Not only have I been doing a couple of shows and sewing, I also photographed a wedding! And I've made a few Christmas cards and taken a couple of kids/family shots!

Here are some of my favorites from the last couple of weeks.

Matt and Christa were the absolute best! She had a vision on what she wanted for a wedding/reception, and I have to say, it was one fun party. They pulled it all together better than most weddings I've seen. Christa's a teacher and wanted to run with the chalkboard theme. Just look at the chalkboard when you walked into the hotel for the reception!

And get this, the groom did it! Did I say that I love this couple!?

Then I get an email from them saying they want Christmas and thank you cards...combined. Oh, and they wanted red and burlap. And they let me just run with it! They are the dream wedding clients! This is what I came up with for the front of the card:

They loved it! and so did I.

This is one of my favorite shots from the happy day!

It was a great day! You can check out the rest on the photography part of moreygirl.com.

my first vlog

2011-12-14T15:25:00.002-06:00

and it's for wiww.

A couple of disclaimers:

1. The bloggers I know aren't boring, it's just most vlogs are. That was not clear:)

2. It's a rainy icky day here and I should've turned on a light.

3. When I say it's all about me, what I mean is, if I'm comfortable with myself then what does it really matter what they say.

4. Thought I should clarify....I do love my hair! It took me a couple days to get used to it. But it's an awesome color and I love the cut.

linking up to the pleated poppy

two questions

2011-12-05T16:30:00.001-06:00

If you know me, I want answers...Either comment or email:)

1. If you had to describe me to someone who I’ve never met by telling one story about me, what story would you tell?

2. What do you think I do better than most other people?

A Handmade Holiday

2011-12-01T11:53:00.001-06:00

Ok, people. If you live in the Peoria area, you need to come to this! All handmade, and you can participate too! It's sponsored by my MOPS group! See you there:)

The first 50 people in the door get a ticket to participate in the star craft for free!

We wanted to show you a couple of the crafts that you can participate with us in! First we have a Moravian star. These look awesome on a tree! We will show you how to make your own and even send you home with the directions to make more!

(there is a small fee for this craft)

We will also be putting together these little bottle cap tags for you to attach to packages, keychains, or whatever else you can think of! They can be personalized or left just Christmas-y. (there is a small fee for this craft)

We also have one more craft available (there is a small fee for this craft).

Plus don't forget the handmade artists that will be selling their goods on Saturday too! There will be lots of unique items, perfect for Christmas shopping!

All of the proceeds from the crafts go directly to help our MOPS group provide ongoing services for local moms! We hope you can join us!

wiww

2011-11-30T14:37:00.001-06:00

I hate writing the first sentence to this post every week! I never know what to say. It usually goes something like this...well, this is what I wore. lame.

But I found this on pinterest:

Source: etsy.com via sewfunbymonique on Pinterest

I thought it went really well for wiww:)

This last week was ka-ra-zy! So I've only got one pic to show you:)

I'm really digging the scarves this year. This one is from Old Navy. It's a circle scarf. I wrapped it three times so it would be up around my neck...cuz you know, I don't want the Target fiasco to be repeated!

I just paired it with a brown sweater and my jeans and my new red boots:)

I promise to take a better picture but I love these shoes:)

I wore this get-up to Slone's school Thanksgiving play. Here's my little Indian reading his part:)
Lexi thought he was a turkey:)

linking up to the pleated poppy and real momma.

Thankfulness Recap

2011-11-29T07:57:00.001-06:00

I think it's really awesome when you start focusing on one thing in the Bible, for me it's thankfulness lately, and everywhere you look there is something about it.

You've all heard my spiel about giving thanks. How it all started with that book...One Thousand Gifts. I even gave a little devotional about it at MOPS two weeks ago. And we made Thanksgiving journals.

Oh yeah, and it was Thanksgiving!

By the way, did you have a good Thanksgiving? I did! We headed over to Matt's family on Thursday. Ate turkey, played scrabble. Then I stayed up all night with my sisters, sister-in-law, and niece and went Black Friday shopping. Oh my, I will never do that again. Well, I will stay up with my sisters but never deal with those crowds again. I think the best time to go would have been around 7am on Friday.

This is Lyn and I hanging out in her van while the rest of them shopped Toys R Us. Hey, we are crazy, but not quite as crazy as the ones in the store! Charity got kicked out of the line for cutting:)
(and that, my friends, is a whole other blog post, lol)

Laura getting her stash of Christmas goodies for her coworkers:)

And as Michelle pointed out, yes, we are in the panties section. We are in line! It went all the way around the perimeter of the store. But we had a great time laughing and acting crazy in that line. We were quite the entertainment for the ladies behind us:)

Back to my original thought....Michelle was kind enough to send me this verse when I was getting ready for Christa and Matt's wedding (which, by the way, pics will be posted soon!) It is amazing how God used her to remind me in my nervousness of thankfulness.

Philippians 4:6-7

(MSG)

^6-7Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Ever feel...

2011-11-23T08:02:00.001-06:00

like this?

I'm the one getting choked:) And Life is laughing about it! Those cuties are my nephews by the way.

Sorry for the lack of posts this week! I've been busy taking lots of pics, getting ready for the holidays coming up, sewing:), and enjoying some time with my family! I'll be back this coming week with some goodies for you:)

I am thankful for:

my life

my family

good food

a forgiving Savior

and you:)

Oh and a friend posted this on facebook so it's what I'm jammin to this Thanksgiving morning!
I like "was it ever really mine"

Happy Thanksgiving!

wiww

2011-11-16T11:58:00.001-06:00

Today started off rough for me. I get some nasty sinus headaches, especially when the weather changes. It was just one of those mornings. But I have so much to get done that I decided to get up and take a shower. I am working at home today, but will have to take the boys to church tonight so I can't just wear sweats.

How do you tie your scarves? Did I ever tell you the story about when I was in Target and could feel something in between my legs? I couldn't for the life of me figure it out and was almost too scared to look down! When I did look, my scarf had worked its way in between my legs and was sticking out the back like a tail...mmm, cute.

I'm trying to tie them differently now. At least so they are shorter and not crotch length!

I really like this short way. You just wrap it around your neck twice then tie the two short ends together. Then bunch it all around to cover up the little knot.

And I like the figure eight style too...

To do this one you fold the scarf in half and drape it over your neck.

Then just pull one end through the loop.

Then twist the loop like an eight and pull the other end through it!

Wha-La! A funkier way to wear it.

So what are you wearing this week?

linking up Pleated Poppy :)

Sharing the Beauty {Creative God Series}

2011-11-15T12:09:00.001-06:00

Last one, people!

We've talked about all these great things...What a creative God we have, what a beautiful world we live in, and how to be joyful in our creativity. But really what good is it, if we don't share it!

I'm hoping that you realize that is what I'm doing here...with this little blog. That I want to share with you the beauty that God is creating in my life. That I might be reminded not to take it for granted, like I so often do. That it truly is the little things that matter.

Romans 12:1-2

^1-2 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Side Note: That's the Message Bible again, I guess I'm going to have to buy one. I've had that verse memorized in the King James version for a long time and it was like reading a new verse!

Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him.

Did you read that? Oh, how He works. Yesterday, I gave a little devotional at MOPS. I talked about the One Thousand Gifts book. How I so want a bigger, better house, but evidently God is teaching me patience. An outlet burnt up, the sink is leaking, I have no closets...and the list goes on and on. But if I can't be grateful for this little house, how am I going to be grateful for a big one? If I don't know what it is to do without, how will I ever appreciate it when I do get it? If I can't keep this one clean...let's just stop right there;)

I'm going to use my chores as an offering, use my talents as an offering. It says right up there in that verse that that is the best thing that we can do for Him. Quit worrying about our peers, and quickly respond to Him.

I hope that this little series has been a blessing for you! I know that it has shown me a lot more that what I bargained for!

He works like that a lot, doesn't He?

wiww

2011-11-09T16:21:00.000-06:00

So this is just a comfy one....oh, if I were on What Not To Wear you know Stacy and Clinton would be yelling about "comfy" right now! But I just got home from the gym and took a shower and amstaying home. So I get to be comfy.

sweater = old navy

red/orange tank = target

jeans = target

Oh, I love that bracelet too! It looks like a Joel Dewberry print. I got it at Pier One:)

I think this pic is funny...I'm checkin out my butt.

But look how much better my legs look in this one! These jeans were always a little tight, a little muffin top. But no more! Thanks to Michelle for getting me to the gym!

I just got an email about these cute sweater dresses from target...I might just have to get one or two...or five.

Source: target.com via Heather on Pinterest

linking up to the pleated poppy and real momma.

Growing More Amazing Everyday {Creative God Series}

2011-11-08T10:44:00.000-06:00

By choosing to do things that are pleasing to God, we can more fully and deeply grow in faith and creativity.

-----------------------------------------------------

I really like how this verse translates in the Message Bible. It fits perfectly in what I have been stressing all along....we can be creative/inventive! And lets do it to encourage love and to help out!

I really don't think I can add anything to that!
Maybe you should join this though:

It will definitely encourage love!

toothless

2011-11-07T19:45:00.001-06:00

That's right, we, I mean Slone, just lost his first top tooth. He officially looks like a grade school kid.

I love this photo and his egg head. He's not really an egg head. I also adore that little freckle on his eyelid. He has one on the side of his nose too.

This pic was taken probably 15 minutes after the tooth came out. If I would have taken it right after, you would have thought I punched him in the face with the blood on his lip, missing tooth and tears streaming down his face.

I convinced him to let me tie some floss around his tooth and the other end to the door. Then I slammed the door. The tooth went flying! His face was priceless when he realized that his tooth was gone! I'm kicking myself for not taping it! He was a little startled by the little bit of blood and kinda freaked out on us. He kept yelling that his tooth hurt. Matt kept yelling that he didn't have a tooth so it couldn't hurt.

Matt and I laughed and laughed (after Slone calmed down). Especially while I was crawling around on the floor looking for the tooth. It's times like that (the laughing with Matt) that I really like being a mom. Like we have our own little private club with our own little inside jokes.

I'm excited to see this kid grow up! Seven is just around the corner! We are getting ready for a party and a sleep over!

Baking and Pinterest

2011-11-03T15:29:00.003-05:00

This post is in response to Kinze's post yesterday:)

I regularly spend time on Pinterest and pin and pin and don't get up and do!

But yesterday I got it in me that I was going to make this bread:

Source: farmgirlfare.com via Heather on Pinterest

Let me tell ya, bread has never worked for me. I've tried probably a half a dozen times and it's always been way to hard or dense or it's not raised (or risen?).

But yesterday it did! And it was wonderful! This girl's instructions were very easy to follow and gave tips along the way on what to look for. I couldn't believe it when the bread was actually rising:)

The boys loved it and so did I! It's going to be so yummy with soup and chicken and noodles!

I'm not really sure why there's that break in that loaf though. It was only there for that cut? Whatever/ it still tastes awesome!

So there you have it! Some pins are worth the try. I've also made the cheesy garlic strips that are in my foodies folder. They are pretty good too. I used a different dough recipe for those. I just googled a no-rise pizza crust and found one that worked. I also posted about these that I found on pinterest too!

Source: moreygirl.blogspot.com via Heather on Pinterest

So what have you made? Share your pins!

wiww

2011-11-02T17:46:00.000-05:00

I'm running out of inspiration on this, people! I am not as confident as I seem! And I have realized I don't generally break out of the box on my outfits either.

wha-wha-whaa

So here we go! Outfit number 1.

I have not actually worn this outfit out in public. I'm not sure about the whole skinny belt on me. I feel like I have pregnant boobs again. The whole look is maternity. And I'm not going to the gym to get the new mama glow!

Maybe a wider belt? I don't know. I'm just not feeling it. I don't really have much of a difference between my hips and my waist.

Do you like my necklace? I made it. I found the huge wooden balls at Joanns and just strung them up.

Number 2

This sweater is so comfy, I could live in it. I probably will this winter. It was wide, almost bell sleeves on it. I feel like my mom when I wear it. Not in a bad way. In a "I'm gonna be like my mom when I grow up way". I'll dress it up a little with some jewelry. And when it's really cold I'll wear a long sleeve shirt underneath it.

Number 3

why yes, I'm a photographer...why do you ask?
focus much?

But you get such a good view of my messy couch and left over mug:)
But this is something I'll wear out for a MOPS meeting or something fun like that. It's just a tank and a cardi from Old Navy.

Whew. I'll try harder this next week. I wore a couple of cute outfits this week but I forgot to take pics!

What'd you wear this week?

linkin up: the pleated poppy

{Creative God Series} Knowing God

2011-11-01T13:56:00.000-05:00

God is continually drawing us to himself in everything we experience.

~Gerard Hughes

--------------------------------------------------------

We are getting close to the end of this little series. Only two more after this!

This week's focuses on Knowing God. Really knowing God. And the only way to really know someone, anyone not just God, is by spending time with them. We spend time with God when we are in His word.

I know, it's hard. It's hard to keep up. It's hard to get up to read it early. It's hard to keep from being distracted. I get it. Hebrews 5:11-14 talks about it.

I have a lot more to say about this, but it is hard to get it across to you since you've picked up this bad habit of not listening. By this time you ought to be teachers yourselves, yet here I find you need someone to sit down with you and go over the basics on God again, starting from square one—baby's milk, when you should have been on solid food long ago! Milk is for beginners, inexperienced in God's ways; solid food is for the mature, who have some practice in telling right from wrong.

Well, just punch me in the gut.

So the last week, I've been going to the gym with Michelle. I love it. It's fun. It's new. But I am so sore. I bought a heating pad...that's how sore I was. I was trying to "eat the solid food" when I was really just ready for the milk.

So it's ok to not be the big body builder-read my Bible for an hour everyday saint.
We'll get there.
We don't start there.
We start by giving thanks and reading a little at a time.
Baby steps.

This is a peek into my gratitude journal. We'll be making them at MOPS this month:)

post-game halloween

2011-11-01T11:25:00.000-05:00

So halloween was more of a success than I thought! I had to be one of the room moms in Slone's class this time. I signed up for it, he asked me to. Otherwise, I would've picked the Christmas party but whatever. So I had to head to school at two. They have a parade in the school and walk up and down the hallway and get to show off their costumes to the high schoolers.

The star trooper and Bumble Bee are mine:)

Then they came back to the room where we did crafts (I was in charge of that) and games and had a pizza party! Here's the little craft I found at Hobby Lobby. It's just a coloring puzzle and little felt vampires, witches, ghosts, and bats.

I packed them up in the stripy bags and wrote Boo! on the stickers. If they didn't get them all colored at school, they got to take them home.

This was our best star trooper pose. So of course this is our best transformer pose...

Then we headed over to Uncle Chick's and Aunt Chelle's for trick or treating since we live in the country! Thanks for inviting us Michelle! We got to hang out with Cinderella and Woody.

Forget the glass slippers, this Cinderella rocked her leopard print shoes!

I'd say my boys had a great time. They really got the hang of it this year. It was a fun day!

where it comes from

2011-10-31T09:50:00.000-05:00

Do you know?

No, not babies.

The milk in your fridge.

What does that matter you say? Well, my dad hauls milk for a local dairy near the town where my kids go to school. And he hauls it to Prairie Farms in the town where I do all of my shopping. So when I buy milk, I buy Prairie Farms milk if they have it. And not all the stores have it.

Not Sam's Club. It's called Member's Mark and it comes from Harvard IL.

But Target, yeah, Peoria's Target sells it straight from Peoria:)

You wanna know how I know?

I found this website:

http://www.whereismymilkfrom.com

Oh yeah, I know I'm a dork. I probably wouldn't have ever really cared except for my dad.

That's him at the beach with Taylor, my niece.

He is the best. dad. ever.

You might not ever think about where your groceries come from, where your meat comes from and your veggies too. But I think it is important to be aware. Just aware, not crazy. Just like the whole craze on organic foods. Not always sure that it's the better choice (my opinion). I still buy the strawberry milk but it comes from Indiana. I grow my own tomatoes and peppers, but any other veggies I buy from the Red Barn down the road or at the Farmer's Market. Of course in the winter, I'm subject to the grocery store. But I still think veggies and fruit are better (organic or not) than junk food.

I just think that it's great to support the local families. And if I can, I will. That's why I love handmade things so much. Especially things made here. Especially when I know the person.

Ok, I'll get down from my little soapbox!

Have a terrific Monday! Thanks for the feed back last week too! I love hearing from everyone:)

Crazy Life

2011-10-28T10:30:00.000-05:00

Things were a little crazy this week! Everything seems to be coming down at once! I started last week a little down in the dumps, feeling sorry for myself. Same old, same old way of thinking. Then I started reading One Thousand Gifts, thanks to Hannah and her lovely blog:) (more on this book and blog later)

Anyway, from that book I started my thankful list. And my attitude has changed. I'm happy, energized, encouraged, just better. Oh, and I ran my first 5K with Michelle, then she convinced me to go to Body Pump! And I finished my projects for the week! Here's a look at them!

This awesome messenger was a special order for my new friend, Margie! She is a photographer over in the Macomb area. She takes some beautiful pictures! Check her out at G. Jean Photography.

Hi Margie!

These were another special order from Cassie. They are little ballet bags for her two girls! Cassie is married to Matt's cousin. Her girls are the cutest and they look like they could be my boys' sisters.

I finally finished Brady's IH quilt! It turned out great! I'm really glad that project is over:) and Gretchen and Nick are all moved in and their new house looks great. I'll take some pics next time I visit!

And I had an engagement session last weekend too! Molly and Caleb are great and I think their wedding is going to be super fun!{Molly, you can expect your pics to be up by tomorrow morning!}

And I also have a question for you all!

What would you like to see more of on the blog?

Let me know! I know that wiww is pretty popular...I know, I missed it this week but I'll do it next week! Still like the Creative God series? Just taking some suggestions:)

Celebrating Community Creativity

2011-10-25T08:39:00.003-05:00

This week's Creative God series focuses on creatively serving God with or in your community. I think this is something that is extremely important. There are tons of non-profits and ministries that you can be a part of.

Source: samaritanspurse.org via Katherine on Pinterest

This year we are doing the Operation Christmas Child. I'm sure you've heard of it. It's from an organization called Samaritan's Purse. Basically, it's a shoe box that you fill with little goodies to send to a child overseas...a child that probably doesn't have much.

Source: thekrazycouponlady.com via Gina on Pinterest

You can pick if you want the box to go to a boy or a girl. I picked to give two boxes to two boys. I'll have the boys help fill them. Hopefully, it makes them think about someone else instead of what they are getting for Christmas. Anybody else's kids talking about that yet?

The more we are focused on helping and blessing others, the better off we are.

Just look at these kids in this video:

Source: youtube.com via Teah on Pinterest

I hope you are encouraged to help! If you need a box or info you can contact me or click the link! We are off this morning to fill ours!

{favorite accessories} inspiration workshop

2011-10-20T13:19:00.000-05:00

The best way to spruce up an outfit is with accessories. And I love most accessories...bags, scarves, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, you name it.

Some of my favorite ones though are the ones that mean the most to me.

Such as my wedding ring. It's white gold and a square cut. Exactly what I wanted but never mentioned it to Matt. He picked it out. I asked him one time why he didn't pick yellow gold. He said something about it looking better in chrome. You can take the boy out of his truck...

The middle ring is an old one from my mom. It's hand-painted ceramic. Jil did it. {Hi, Jil :)} Did I mention I just saw Jil at the Spoon River Drive. She was carrying a moreygirl bag! I love Jil!

And the third one, you've seen before in a wiww. It was Mom's too.

I've also been wearing my felt flowers. They will be going on my coat and purse for the winter. Did you see them in the shop?

Inspiration Workshop from Gussy.

have you checked out the holiday gift guide yet?

wiww

2011-10-19T16:28:00.002-05:00

Today might be a little boring. It's cold here today. Like 50. Yeah. Laura tried to tell me how cold she was in SC with like 65-70 degree weather...uh huh.

I have to head to the school today to pick up the boys. Slone has a bad cold and it's in his ears. So we are headed to the doctor's office straight after school. They get out early today so it's not that bad. Then tonight I have a planning meeting with my MOPS girls!

This is what I usually wear....when I want to be comfy.

Boring. But at least I put on a necklace and cute earrings:)

Oh, and the shoes...love these shoes. But they are killer hard on my feet. Like literally hard.

So there you have it! Not a going out outfit but real life.

Celebrating your Creativity

2011-10-18T12:49:00.001-05:00

Have you read this before? Do you understand it? Do you realize what it implies?

I'll give you a hint. It's the last line.

Do you love yourself?

Or do you tear yourself down? Do you have a running downgrading list in your head all the time?

Are you not good enough? Smart enough? Pretty enough? Creative enough?

You see, before you can ever love another, you have to love yourself. And I'm not talking about a puffed up, conceited jerk. I'm talking about having respect for yourself. To know that {because of JESUS} you are worth loving.

So the next time you are tempted to say "I can't do this" "I'm just not that creative", try it! You might like it. You might just succeed at it!

A little disclaimer here: I struggle with this too. I think so&so's better than I am at this and that. I get it! This is just a reminder to you and to me that we are worth it!

By the way, the reference for this verse is Galatians 5:14.

farm progress

2011-10-15T11:00:00.001-05:00

I've been working all week on Brady's quilt! I have a little bit more done on this now but wanted to give you and Gretchen (Brady's mom) a sneak peek!

This is going to go in his bedroom perfectly with his red walls:)

My boys think Brady is super lucky. It's just the wrong color for them:) They need green!

I'll have another update the farther along I get!

wiww

2011-10-12T15:47:00.000-05:00

Well, this day is getting away from me! I think I better get my wiww posted! Or I might be in trouble from a few of my regular readers;)

I bought this dress at Target the other day. I didn't even make it to Target when they brought out all the Missoni stuff. And by the time I did get there, it was all gone. Anyway, I was digging through the clearance section and found this dress...inside out...with a sweater over it. I think someone was trying to hide it. But it was my size and I thought it was really cute. oh, and I broke out the leggings:)

I think everything I have on in this shot is target. lame. With the exception of my necklace and bracelet. My mom gave them to me for Christmas last year. I did pick them out though. I love that black and white necklace, and I wore it all the time. Until one night at a pizza joint my niece Maggie asked me why I would wear a necklace with a skull on it! I didn't even understand what she was talking about!

See him with his little rhinestone eyes?

I wasnt' really happy about that. But whatever. I don't think it's really that noticeable when I'm wearing it. And nobody has asked me about it when I have worn it. So I'm going to keep wearing it!Here's my shoes. Those zipper flowers are clips from Target too.

I have to help with Slone's halloween party this year at school. I'm thinking this and my orange sweater with my skull necklace:) That's about as into halloween as I get!

Linking up with Pleated Poppy and Momma Go Round!

Making Time for You {Creative God Series}

2011-10-11T11:12:00.000-05:00

Time is what we want most, but what we use worst. - William Penn

Why is that? I know I do this. It's quite sobering. We all want more time...more time to do what? Work?

Please. I'm not just talking about getting your work done. I'm talking about doing something that you enjoy and being creative about it. Maybe instead of watching a movie with the kids, you take a bike ride or search for cool leaves in the yard. Maybe make a small journal about a book you're reading. Maybe join a mops group and meet some new moms instead of just a playdate with your best friend.

While all of those things are fine on their own...maybe they need a little spicing up.

What about our routine chores around the house? Instead of just putting away the dishes, how about rearranging the cabinet where you keep the dishes? How can you make it more useful? I bought a keurig coffee maker last year when my old one gave out. I really didn't want it sitting on my counter advertising to everyone that I bought the expensive machine.

So I got creative.

I have this cabinet in my kitchen. It's tall and skinny. I am sure that it's a broom closet. But my broom is too tall and doesn't fit in it. So I store my extra baggies and paper plates and plastic silverware in it. But the top of the cabinet wasn't really being used.

There's my freezer list on the outside of the door.

Here's what I came up with. I attached a shelf and some mug hooks. I have my very own little coffee station!

Underneath in that basket is where I keep the kcups. It works for me.

But while all this work is fun work...Jesus calls us to spend some time with Him alone.

This way I make some more time for myself since all my coffee stuff is together. Then I can spend more time drinking my coffee while I do these devotions. The verse that spoke to me this week was:

Mark 6:31

{Jesus said} "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

He wants us to spend our quiet time with Him. To talk with Him and worship Him.
Keep that in mind this week while you are rushing about and don't forget to take that time for yourself and Jesus!

moreygirl monday

2011-10-10T21:26:00.000-05:00

We had another great weekend at the Spoon River Drive!

Charity and I laughed and had such a great time together, that alone was worth it! It's rare that we can just do that. There's usually four little boys ~~buggin~~ needing us:)

I do have a few of my items left over, but a lot of my new bags that I made are gone! I'm going to be busy this week getting some custom work done. If you bought a special order hat from me over the weekends, I finished them! So they will be in the mail tomorrow! I also have an awesome messenger bag to make {Hi, Margie!}...I'm super excited about the fabrics she picked out...so excited I will probably want to keep it! Don't worry I'll post pics when I'm done with it!

Have you signed up for my newsletter yet? I'm planning on offering special codes through the newsletter. You'll also get first notice of special order dates! (Because I don't offer special orders all the time...I would run out of time!) So sign up! You get a coupon for the shop if you do!

And you will want these when you see all the choices in the shop!

They come ready to give in these awesome little pails!

They also come with these "To: From:" cards that read this:

I'll be adding them all to the shop tonight!

Happy Friday & Weekend News

2011-10-07T19:02:00.001-05:00

Today was a fun day! I got to spend it with my friend Gretchen and I made her curtains for her new house! I'll definitely post some pics when she gets them all hung up! They turned out so awesome:)

Tomorrow and Sunday I will be at the Shed on Rt 116 again for the Spoon River Drive!

Come and see me! I've already met a bunch of my blog readers and I want to meet you!

Monday is MOPS!

I love my group. I tell you this all the time, but if you are a mother of a preschooler, you NEED a MOPS group! This month we are talking about adoption and foster care.

And we are making these:

Yeah, you get to make those awesome little acorns too:)

Join our group on facebook if you want more info there. And read our blog.
Well, just come! You'll love it!

{fall} inspiration workshop

2011-10-06T13:02:00.000-05:00

Fall is here. It's really here. Summer rushed off. I miss it already. Oh, it's not that I don't enjoy fall. It's just summer is wonderful. I'm already missing the pool, the sunkissed skin, the pedicures, flipflops, and the beach.

But the last week of this fall weather has been wonderful. The sun has been shining. It's warm. It's comfortable. Life is good. The bounty is being harvested. The boys are in school. The husband is busy.

Yeah, life is good.

It's good when you get to burn candles like these.

And get mini white pumpkins from Aunt Joy. Thanks, Aunt Joy! The boys ask daily if we can eat them.

This is the few from my north windows. I'm thankful for the view. I'm thankful fall brings Thanksgiving. I'm not thankful for the other fall holiday. Yeah, I'm bah humbug about halloween. But I do enjoy the season. It's just second best in my book:)

linking up with gussy

wiww

2011-10-05T15:23:00.000-05:00

Here we go. Another week. Are they going by faster!?

I haven't really been very creative in the outfit department lately. I've been busy sewing and getting ready for fall shows.

But I did manage to get dressed. But it was long sleeve tshirts and jeans like this:

This is pretty standard uniform for me...I'm going to try to branch out.

Tell me...how old do you have to be before leggings are stupid?

I really want to know. I have some but no guts to wear them.

New scarf...made by me.

Do you ever feel like this?

Source: tumblr.com via Sheila on Pinterest

I do. a. lot. :)
haha
Have a great Wednesday!

Linking up with the Pleated Poppy!

being a mom is hard

2011-10-04T16:03:00.000-05:00

I'm going to take a one week break from my Creative God series, since I spent the afternoon in the principal's office.

Oh, yeah, you read that right. I've never been to the principal's office because of anything I've done. But Bo had some issues at school today. Nothing huge. Just a little testing of authority. You know, because he thinks he's in charge.

But I have learned through all of this that I really hate disciplining my kids. I realize that I have to do it. But I hate it. I don't think it's that I think they won't love me, because I don't have those issues and I was disciplined. But it's way uncomfortable. way.

And the realization that my kids...and I...are not perfect. I felt defeated leaving the school. I felt like a bad mom. {waves hand} Yup, that's me, the mom with the kid that pinches his teacher. criminy.

But I can't dwell on that...I'm putting that out of my mind. I am a good mom. I do have good kids. I'm proud of myself and them. But being a mom is hard. And it takes patience and knowledge and wisdom and knowing "this too will pass".

So I'm saying a little prayer for the other moms out there. The ones that have had a bad day...or week. It's ok, we all have em.

Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven't stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you'll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.

Colossians 1:9-12 

linking up:

Spoon River Drive 2011

2011-10-03T12:42:00.000-05:00

We had lot of fun this last weekend! Moreygirl was all set up in "the Shed". Everything looked great!

Charity came over from Iowa and sat with me! She's been busy making the most awesome baby slippers and ruffle booties you have ever seen!

I mean, just look at them!

I sorta wish I were having another baby, just so I could have them.

Did I mention that they are knitted out of organic yarn and packaged up, ready to give?!

These are going in the shop asap! I just got to take some pics of them and load them in there.

moreygirl also had some repeat customers! Check out this bag from last year!

And as it's been for the last three years...another "moreygirl" has come to visit me! She's the sweetest lady and her last name is Morey:) She visits the drive every year and brings her grown up granddaughters. One of them just had the sweetest little baby girl. It's so nice to visit with them every year!

Here's part of my booth:

My little antique baby bassinet with cart...that I love! It holds the baby blankets and a couple of pillows. I also have my ruffle scarves again, but they are almost gone! Don't mind the wildlife photos...they are the next booth over. Don't ask;)

There is still some great stuff! So come out and see us next weekend! We are at the Shed on Rt 116 both Saturday and Sunday 8am - 5pm!

Spoon River Drive

2011-09-30T18:49:00.000-05:00

is tomorrow morning! I spent the day dragging my stuff all down there:) I will be set up at the Shed on Rt 116. It's located about 3 miles east of London Mills and 10 miles west of Farmington.

I'll post some pictures about it soon!

diy inspiration workshop

2011-09-29T07:06:00.001-05:00

This week inspiration is from Gussy again.

She's asked us to name our favorite diy inspirations that we love.

One of the best websites, in my opinion is ana white. Her site used to be called knock off wood. She has tons of plans for woodworking. From shelves to furniture. I had my dad help me build a cubby bench for my back porch for the boys, and I was sure I could do a project on my own...

This is a repost of my own post in June 2010.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This is one of the projects that I've been working on for the last couple of weeks. I am in love with this secretary's desk. I need a little desk of my own to keep all my "girl junk" off of the trucking desk.

I got the plans off of Knock-off Wood. If you haven't checked out this girl's site, you should. You'll be addicted.

It's really nice since I can fold up the door and my mess is hidden inside. I was a little chicken to build the drawers like the plans called for though. (well, actually I was too tired. MDF is heavy!) But I found these awesome file folder boxes at the Container Store. They fit perfectly on the bottom shelf.

I don't know if you can tell it or not in the pic, but i painted it a deep purple. I am in love with that color right now. I found some awesome jewelry at Pier One today in the same color:)

Here's a shot of it open...

There's my favorite coffee mug on the coaster Slone made me for mother's day. My new little sew kit from Border's that I scored for $7! It has like twenty Amy Butler patterns in it plus some fabric! And my ipod and my calendar.

And some of the books that I've been reading.

Matt says that I need to quit building furniture. My house is too small. But I am addicted! I'm trying to figure out what to build next;)

--------------------------------------------------------------

I haven't built any furniture since then. But I am going to build myself a new dining table one of these days. I've also got big plans for a craft studio too! Oh, but I have to be patient on that stuff.

Really, though, if you aren't scared to try something new, building that furniture was really rewarding! You should try it!

wiww

2011-09-28T11:46:00.000-05:00

Here we are again...another Wednesday!

I wore this on my little weekly shopping trip to get groceries and I had a $10 off coupon at Old Navy so you know I had to stop there. They had their clearance half off the clearance price! I got lots of more outfits for wiww:)

I got these little flats at gap last year. They are fine for a couple of hours but they are miserable to wear any longer than that. It's like walking on cardboard, no support. Hey, they were really cheap.

Here's what my hair looks like:) I really love it. I love it more the more I see it.

And I wore this on Sunday. Those are my favorite jeans. They are from gap. I guess I need to go get the short ones because I need to wear some with my flats. Those bracelets there are some cheapies that I crocheted over. They took forever to do. Maybe I'll show you how one of these days:)

There you have it! Another week! Happy Wednesday!

Linking up with the Pleated Poppy.

Uncovering Your Resourcefulness

2011-09-27T09:56:00.002-05:00

There's a lot of women out there who say "I just don't have the money, time, patience, supplies, or whatever to be creative." "If I had the stuff like she does, I could be creative too."

Does that sound like you? I've been guilty of it. "If only I had a bigger space to work in." "If only I had a bright and airy studio instead of this basement." If only, if only...

But really the resources we need are not out of our reach. We make the time to do what we want to do. And there is ~~stuff~~ supplies everywhere to use.

Here they just took leaves and some contact paper or some colorful paper and feathers...

Source: familyfun.go.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Source: katherinemariephotography.com via Melissa on Pinterest

I made these last night out of flour, a little sugar, salt and yeast (I had them all in my pantry). And they were yummy!

Source: melskitchencafe.com via Heather on Pinterest

When we focus on what we have...what God has given us...He can do great things! Remember the boy with the two fishes and 5 loaves of bread? Jesus turned it into a meal for five thousand people! (John 6:1-13)

Are you willing to give up your little "lunch" for a big feast? I believe God wants us to use our creativity for Him, to glorify Him. And no one is blessed when we're too scared or lazy to do something about it!

linkin up:

moreygirl monday and new hair

2011-09-26T09:19:00.000-05:00

so I have the best hair dresser ever! She not only does my hair but she's a terrific friend:) Oh, and it helps that her husband, Nick and Matt were friends before we knew each other! Gretchen invited us over for supper and I got new hair! We were a little nervous about a crazy color, but we had lots of laughs.

This is the before:

This is during, obviously.

And the final result! She put a bunch of red...we were thinking it was going to be purple. Gretchen is going to order new stuff and I think I'm going to try blue..eek!

Or I can part it on this side for a different look! I absolutley love it! And I'm excited that it's a little funky. I think it matches me and what I do now!

There will be more and better pics of it for wiww! I'm totally obsessed with it now:) Thanks, Gretch!

Oh, have you checked out the newbag in the shop? I've made a couple coordinating zippies and notebooks! Check them out right now!

linkin up:

family room

2011-09-22T13:16:00.000-05:00

This Inspiration Workshop on the Family Room is from Gussy.

Honestly, this family room is in no way my dream room.

Oh, I'm comfortable in it, but it's so incredibly ~~small~~ cozy:)

Save putting on an addition, there's not a lot I can do in here. I guess I could buy new furniture. But I'm thinking not...at least til the boys are a little bit older. They still use these as trampolines. You can see their toy stash over on the right on the bench. Every night they have to pick up their toys at least out of this room. Once or twice a week, I make them take all the toys upstairs and we start fresh.

The couch and chair we bought used from Matt's cousin. They are ok. Not my style. But we only watch tv on them. The window I bought at an antique store. It's got green chippy paint on it. I love it! A yarn wreath that I made hangs in front of it.

There's the Windish tatting that Audrey made us for a wedding gift that hangs above the couch. And the fleece houndstooth blanket that I made last winter. I try to keep things to a minimum in here. It looks way cluttered since there's not a lot of room. Also, anything in here is fair game for the boys to use as a toy prop.

The carpet is navy. I really love this carpet when it's freshly vacuumed but it easily shows every piece of lint. I wouldn't pick this color again. But at least my room isn't all brown:)

Our house has some really cool woodwork though. I love the arch in here. And all of the baseboards are about 8 inches tall too.

Our tv sits on the left on the wooden dresser. The room is only 12x12. So there's not a lot of furniture moving going on in there. That's our front door and directly to the left of it is the door going into the office.

You can also see the tip of the nose of Matt's deer hanging on the wall. I hate it. But I'm used to it.

As far as the feel of this room? I like it. I wish it were bigger. But it's good for now. We usually sit around the kitchen table to talk so we usually just watch tv in here. The boys play in here all the time. So it's usually a disaster...you've seen it...in the backgrounds of my wiww:)

wiww

2011-09-21T10:51:00.001-05:00

I thought I would show you what I wear when I stay at home all day.

I don't dress up and I will wear jeans at home but usually in the winter. Today is a nice day but I have a huge sinus headache.

Pretty simple. Sweatshirt and yoga pants. And my slip on tennies. They did have a strap on them but they are cut off now:)

I sewed yesterday jammin' to my Pandora app. It started playing "I hope you dance". Remember that song? LeeAnn Womack. I always think of Laura, my sister, when I hear it. At one point in the song, LeeAnn says "don't let some helpin' heart leave you bitter." I will never forget Laura turning to me and saying "What'd she say?! Some hellbent whore?!"

Oh, good times when we used to live together:)

I can't sing along without singing about some whore.

I love my hair but it is in drastic need of a color.

Anyway, this is what I wear when I do this:

It's in the shop this morning! Along with a large zippie and mini zippie.

Oh and the shop is fresh and new this morning too!

As it turns out, I'm going to phase out the etsy shop. I should be able to control my items better here.

I am also starting a newsletter the moreygirl scoop!

It's just going to be monthly and it will have coupon codes, if there are any shows that I'm at,

and new announcements!

linking up with Lindsey today:)

your creative passions

2011-09-20T12:05:00.000-05:00

What do you think of when you hear "your creative passions"? Is it sewing? Crafting? Music?

You all know what mine is:)

Jesus was a carpenter's son. I'm sure He did some carpentry work.

Do you think He enjoyed it? Do you think He was relaxed when He did it? Do you think He liked it?
I'm pretty sure that Jesus did everything passionately.

Source: reveriemine.com via Kali on Pinterest

I think that we really do need to be creative. I think it's in everyone of us. I think that we really do need to follow these rules.

Don't give up.

Practice.

Have Fun!

Do something creative today, even if it isn't technically "art".

mondays

2011-09-19T18:41:00.000-05:00

Grocery shopping, laundry, straightening up...you know the drill. It's Monday.

This weekend I read a couple of inspiring blogs.

http://www.scoutiegirl.com/

and

http://createasfolk.com/

I'll warn ya, they are business-y blogs but they have some really good advice on how to stay busy at home. I've been working my fingers to the bone getting ready for Spoon River Drive. Are you coming?

Source: ourparkblog.blogspot.com via Jacque on Pinterest

I've been working on a few of these things.

Like number 4. 5. 9. 16. 17.

I'd like to be go-getter. Jump out of bed happy. You know, just be happy.

I am happy, just grumpy sometimes.

And I wholeheartedly believe statement #1.

And I'm always conscious of # 21. Some how she always finds out:)

chocolate cake

2011-09-16T10:08:00.002-05:00

Word of advice...

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT bake a chocolate cake and think that you can keep from eating it all...yourself.

The boys have helped, but um, yeah. I've ate most of it.

It's the Best Chocolate Cake Ever recipe from the Pioneer Woman.

Only it's not. Really...It's my mom's recipe for Texas Cake. But it's just like the pioneer woman's recipe only we use sour cream instead of the buttermilk.

I am also adding a couple bags and accessories to the shop this weekend.

I'm also working on a really cool quilt for a cool kid:)

My boys aren't quite as excited about this one though. I've already got requests for a John Deere quilt:)

Hope you have a great weekend!

wiww

2011-09-14T09:40:00.001-05:00

ha! this post is for my friend Evie. She says I'm so confident. Confident in what I wear. I'm here to tell Evie and you that I might change my outfit today before I walk out the door!

I really do want to be confident but lots of times I succumb to the fear that I might stand out. Dumb, I know. There have been people in my life that have made me feel little, inferior, stupid...over clothes. You know what though? You take the clothes off at the end of the day. They are not you. They might reflect you, but they are not you. They could never compare to what's inside. Hate to think what the haters' insides look like.

Here's what I'm wearing today...yes, today. I didn't take very many pics last week. I've been busy busy, getting ready for fall shows. But today, Bo has his preschool physical.

sweater : Kohls

tank : old navy

cropped jeans : target

boots : rue lala

I just got these boots and I love them. I wanted some that don't come up so far on my legs. My calves don't always fit:( But I also have troubles with my foot being to tall...I have no instep and my foot is really thick there and I have to work to get these on...at least until they stretch out.

The things we do for fashion!

Hope you have a fabulous Wednesday!I'm linking up with Lindsey!

As my friend, Hannah, told me today: Make it Great!

Creativity can make a Big Difference

2011-09-13T09:01:00.000-05:00

Have you seen these shoes?

Source: None via Sarah on Pinterest

They are pretty hot right now. They are called Toms. The company was started by a guy named Blake. He was visiting Argentina when he decided to make and sell shoes. And every time he sells a pair, he gives a pair to a kid in a third world country.

Source: mybluecanoe.tumblr.com via Rylee on Pinterest

A cool concept. God created us to be creative and use our creativity for Him. There are lots of creative professions that He mentions in the Bible, such as, bakers, potters, sewers and embroiderers. I especially like the mention of sewers and embroiderers.

I am finally getting through to Matt that this little sewing/photography/art business is legit. He seems to think that people can go without the things I make. Moreygirl has been slowly getting more successful, but I'm still not sure that he can see it...or understand it. That people really do love handmade, even if they can't make it themselves. That people really do want something made just for them. That people just want to feel special.

Embroidery is something that I'm sure Matt would think trivial. But that whole creative process is so important to God that He talks about it for the garments of the high priest.

So when some people say that handmade things don't matter, you can rest assure that God handmade you, and you matter. And He's not through with you yet. You are a work, a handiwork, in process.

As for the story about Toms, I think I'll read Blake's book.

I'm also thinking I need these;)

Source: toms.com via Katy on Pinterest

MoreyGirl Monday

2011-09-12T14:44:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone! Did you have a good weekend? We had our local fall festival this weekend. There were rides and games and lots of fun activities. We rode a couple of the rides...namely, the Hustler.

The boys hated the Hustler. I'm not really one to laugh at my kids when they're scared but Bo was hilarious. I can't wait to take them to Six Flags sometime.
The pic up there is from the much more pleasant Scrambler:)

I also want to introduce you to Liz! Her blog is called Behind the Scenes. She's a teacher, a believer, and a thirty-one consultant. And she is doing a giveaway on her blog this week. And I'm a part of it!

Go over and check it out now!

I've also got two more bags going up in the shop shortly!

I had asked this question before...and everyone said to go for it;) but these two bags are Previously Loved Bags. I carried them both. They've been cleaned and washed and are ready to be carried again! I will say they wash up beautifully. I washed them in cold water and laid them out to dry. You can do that with just about any MoreyGirl bag too!

rainbows

2011-09-09T11:15:00.001-05:00

We had a little rain last night while we ate our supper. I looked out the window to see this!

Can you see the double rainbow in that pic? It's to the right of the bright one.

I hadn't seen a rainbow that bright in a long time:) Once, at our old house, a rainbow ended right in our yard. That was pretty cool. No pot o' gold though.

This one was a full rainbow though. Right over our little homestead.

Hope you have a great weekend!

10 years and a choice

2011-09-08T09:32:00.000-05:00

Ten years! Can you believe it? Matt and I made it. Today is our 10 year anniversary.

I am here to tell you that it was not always easy. We fought. a. lot. The first 3-4 years of our marriage were the hardest of my life. Hands down. We are two of the most stubborn people you will ever meet and that did not jive so well those first few years.

Here's a copy of our vows. Even then I knew I didn't want to recite the same old vows everyone else does. Pastor Mike had these from a previous wedding he had done. I knew then that I couldn't have written anything more eloquent than this.

Can you read it? Here's what it says:

When I become your wife today, I enter into a new phase of life and I do so with joy and with anticipation of the life we will share together.

Making God our first priority, I commit to building a life with you where we acknowledge God's presence everyday, helping you grow in your Christian walk as you help me with mine.

I know that love is a choice that is made and not just an emotion, so I will make the decision to love you every day.

May we share in the changes of life with flexibility, faithfulness and respect for each other.

I promise today to share with you all that I am and all that I will become until we are parted by death.

We actually read those words ten years ago. I cried when I read mine. They give me goosebumps today.

I know a lot of people think that if you love someone it should be easy. I wish I could give you an actual formula to make it easier. But the truth is: it's not easy.
Nothing that you really care about is...ever.
Having kids = work. Raising kids = work. Successful business = work. Skinny body = work.
See where I'm going with this?

Now, things are easier. We still have our issues, we still fight, but it is easier. Maybe we've gone soft in our old age. Maybe we've realized that love will choose to take the back seat for someone else, if it means they'll be happy.

It won't work without work. I have to remind myself of this a lot of times. Matt can drive me insane but I choose him. He truly is the man that I want to be with. I wouldn't have it any other way.

inspiring books

2011-09-08T08:14:00.000-05:00

Gussy's link today is on books. Books. I can't remember a time that Dad didn't have a book in his hands. For that matter, my grandparents always read too. Usually, it was the Bible. I think that is pretty amazing. I wonder what my kids will say about what I read when they grow up.

Source: google.com via Jenn on Pinterest

When I was in high school, I read a lot. I mean I always had a book. I read The Scarlett Pimpernel over and over. There was a copy of it at the Galesburg library that was little and red and blue. Someone had written in the margins. I really loved that little book.

I also read a lot of Bodie Thoene. She wrote/writes historical fiction. The Zion Covenant was a series that I loved. It's a great tale of German Jews in 1939. There is a lot of things in them about the war, and how people must have felt, that really get you thinking about what life must have been like in Europe during that time. I think I might have to reread these now!

Bodie also wrote some books called The AD Chronicles. They are historical fiction too. They are based on Bible times. The story line that stuck with me there is Rachel whose boys were killed at the time when Harod ordered all the baby boys to be murdered because the New King had been born. That was a point of view that I had never even thought about. It made those Bible stories really real to me. That there were people back then that had feelings and thoughts.

Lately, some of my favorite books have been Blue Like Jazz. It's by Donald Miller. He wrote another book called A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. It's about his realizations while he edited Blue Like Jazz. He talks a lot about building a better story for ourselves. Not settling for the life that we are leading. That we are actually writing the book of our lives...would anyone want to read it when we are done?

Awesome book.

“If you aren’t telling a good story, nobody thinks you died too soon; they just think you died.”

~Donald Miller

craftiness and indecisiveness

2011-09-07T12:23:00.001-05:00

I'm in charge of the creative activities at MOPS. And our first meeting of the year is next Monday! I'm so excited! So excited in fact, that I can't decide on a craft!!

I really, really want to make these:

Source: vanessachristenson.com via Heather on Pinterest

I think I will make them today and see how hard they would be to teach. We are going to have a little bit of extra time on Monday for crafts so it might be a good day to teach these. And I already have the knit fabric.

Or we can do these:

I crocheted the ruffle edge on the EAT towel...too much for mops? I can teach that part or we can just glue on the ribbons and ricrac. Maybe I'll just take both and let them decide there!

The idea for the towels came from Life Made Lovely. She had a post on them. She saw them here. I kind of did my own little take on them:)

Tell me, which would you rather do? I can always save one for a later meeting.

wiww

2011-09-07T09:01:00.001-05:00

This week I wasn't quite as dedicated in taking my picture. But I would like to show you what I look like for the most part if I stay home all day.

It's usually a tank top and either yoga pants or sweat pants. No makeup, except for maybe what I slept in.

I went to a party last week too. I wore this little dress I got from Old Navy. I bought it at the beginning of summer in a medium. I thought I'd be super skinny right away after running (I wasn't) but at least I got to wear it this summer.

I also want to draw your attention to the background in that photo! I do clean my house every now and then! It's just the living room ends up being the playroom when the boys are home. Hopefully this improves since they are both in school now!

Last week it went from 100 degrees on Thursday and Friday to a cool 70 degrees on Sunday! The weather has done some serious havoc on my sinuses!

This was Sunday's outfit. The boys all went four wheeling, I went out to lunch with Mom & Dad.

I wanted to tell you this too! I did really well on my goals for this last month! No buying clothes and no pop. I did cheat a little though, but both times it was by accident (kindof)! I went into SalVal one day and ended up with a Banana Rep black sweater vest for $2. I couldn't resist! and one night we were over at some friends having supper. Jen had some pepsi's out and I grabbed one. I had drank about half of it when I thought "this tastes horrible". Then I looked at the calories and couldn't believe I was wasting 150 of my allotted amount on that! Then I remembered I wasn't drinking pop for the month!! So I did drink a half a can:(

But other than those two times, I stuck with it! Last Friday though, I got a coupon in the mail for 40% off of the gap. Well, I went in and found some great jeans! I thought I deserved a reward! Watch for them next week on wiww;)

discovering your creative side

2011-09-06T08:52:00.000-05:00

I do honestly believe that God created each and every one of us with (even a little) creativity. I know there are some of you out there that say this isn't true. I know you are there, because this is the same thing that my mops group says every month! But let me tell you, I think our little group is really blossoming into a creative group! There doesn't seem to be quite as much whining about our crafts lately;)

I don't care what they say though, there is plenty of creativity to go around! We all named our kids didn't we? We all got up and got dressed and fixed our hair. We have all picked wild flowers and put them in a vase. And we have all colored a picture with some crayons. There is a little creativity in everything we do, I think. Nobody colors with the brown crayon all the time.

In I Corinthians 12:12-27, Paul talks about the parts of the body and how they all have to work together. There is none that is better than the other. Because if we were missing one part, all the rest would know it. Each piece was creatively designed to work together. To get along with each other. Not to out-do but to compliment.

It's that way in life, we need someone else's idea to make it though organizing our closets, another idea for a recipe for supper, and another on how to decorate our home. And when we gather all these things together, we have this creative person with their own style. Everything is brought together and works differently just like God created our bodies.

What an amazing thing! We have creativity built in. We can pick and choose how to use these little talents but just like our bodies, they need exercise. So I challenge you today to do just a little something creative! I want to know what it is too! :) I'll be back with mine later.

another first day

2011-09-02T14:23:00.000-05:00

Finally, the day that I thought would never happen has come. My little baby Bo grew up on me. It's just preschool but he does seem so little. Actually, I'm not as sad as I was when Slone left for preschool. I think I was more nervous. But Bo will have his big brother there so it's not quite as bad.

I feel a little guilty though. I'm actually happy to have a break. I get every afternoon off! Bo is the most opinionated and determined child I know. And he's not always the easiest child to raise.

I mean, just look at that face! t.r.o.u.b.l.e.

Really, though, there would be nothing without him. Bo is a fourth of this family and we wouldn't function without him.

He was embarrassed because I wanted to take his picture by the bus.

He's not quite the poser his brother is.

He was so excited about school. Even though he tried to act cool. I am so excited for school too. Even though my heart breaks a little that he's gone.

But three o'clock is coming fast!

max

2011-09-01T16:21:00.000-05:00

oh, how I love this little kid. He is the funniest two year old I know. It helps though, that his parents are two of my favorite people in the world. He's my nephew. His name's Max. He doesn't know a stranger.

The hair...love!

See, he's the best!

Thanks, Mick for bringing him over! I have so much fun with your kids...well, and you too, of course!

Love ya!

click here to see all of them:)

all things vintage

2011-09-01T08:17:00.001-05:00

I believe there's vintage and there's crap. Sorry, that's just the way it is. And around these parts it seems like antique stores are full of crap. There's tons of dirty old stuff that's been discarded. Or you have to wade through a bunch of reproductions. But it seems like there is always that diamond in the rough.

But give me something that I can paint or recover and I'm all about that;)

I've been known to buy my fair share at auctions. In fact, I've scored the 4 bowl pyrex set that are the yellow, red, green and blue bowls. I have a couple cool afghans. Mom just gave me a set of corell dishes to use in my kitchen. None of the furniture in my house is new. Most of it bought at auctions or second hand. I even have a chair I picked up out of the garbage (I recovered the seat, don't worry).

I love vintage things. Actually, I would almost have all vintage stuff. Especially, if it's vintage and it was my mom's.

Some of my favorite vintage things are what my mom has given me.

Check out that owl. She painted it. Before I was born. I saw the same one on Nester's site a while ago. She got hers at a yard sale. Nothing else here is vintage...mushroom: pier one, lamp: target, little bowl: gordmans.

She also painted that little vase there in 1977. Mushroom is pier one again and the birdie is from target.

It reads "Sue 1977" on the bottom of it.

I've had this ring for awhile now. Mom let me take it. I remember her wearing it a lot when I was a kid. It seemed like a huge ring back then. She would let use try on her rings during church. She had another turquoise ring that had "CJ" stamped on the backside of it. We thought that was cool because those are my sister's initials. I love this ring though, because everytime I put it on, I think my hands look like hers.

I got these just yesterday. My mom doesn't throw anything away and we were looking for some art to decorate my house with. We couldn't find the picture that I wanted. But I found her old jewelry box. These beauties were a high school graduation gift from one of her teachers. Her name was Mabel. They are awesome.

Thanks, Mom! Love you!

Linking up:

wiww

2011-08-31T07:16:00.000-05:00

This week isn't too exciting. I'm sorry to say that none of these pictures are really that good. I don't know what the deal was with my settings. I obviously never looked at them and just snapped away!

Are you sick of seeing these pics yet? haha. The dress is from Anthropologie. I bought it on sale at the end of last summer. (That's the only way I can afford anything there - on sale.) But since I've been running it's kinda big on me! I was really excited about that!

This dress is from Kohls. I l.o.v.e it. It's just a knit fabric so it's not too dressy. I wore it to church on Sunday with that little white sweater. It's always freezing in church. I even got to go out for pizza after church. You think it was the dress? ;)

Wore this shopping one day. The shirt is Old Navy. It's really thin so it was perfect for the 80 degree weather we were having. The shorts are JC Penney. The have the pleats and are puffy. I didn't think I'd like them. But I really do!

This is what I wore on Saturday at home. The shirt is actually a dress from the gap. I bought it at a yard sale. It's a small and when who ever washed it, it ended up really short. So I just chopped it off and stretched out the ends so they would roll.

All in all, I'm excited about how my body is changing since I've been running. I haven't really lost a ton of weight though (I mean the 15 pounds that I want to lose). Matt says to quit obsessing over it. He's right but it's hard not to think about that, especially when you've been doing so much work and that's your main goal. But I'm looking so much better in my clothes that I am starting to get over it!

linking up:

our wildly artistic God

2011-08-30T08:01:00.001-05:00

Did you read your book this week? Remember? Here's the link!

Well, this week we were to reflect on all the amazing-ness that is God's creation. How He made each and every molecule. That He had a purpose for everything. That no thing was an after thought.

I am amazed at all of His creation. Look at these:

Source: flickr.com via Dengalee on Pinterest

Just fruit and vegetables are amazing, I think. That a seed can produce a plant, plant produces a fruit, fruit produces a seed. And none of them are alike. Every single fruit has a distinct flavor and color.

Then, on top of all of that marvelous creation, He created us, in His own image. And we can take those amazing things that He created and use them...

Source: thatkindofwoman.tumblr.com via Andrea on Pinterest

and eat them...

Source: sweetpaulmag-digital.com via Jolene on Pinterest

and create with them...

Source: pauladeen.com via Maria on Pinterest

and be inspired by them!

Source: alisaburke.blogspot.com via Linden on Pinterest

How thankful am I that He did not make everything in black and white and feed us manna everyday. That He put in us the desire to make something with our hands, whether it be with fabric or with food. That He loved us enough to do all of it for us.

linking up:

moreygirl monday

2011-08-29T09:37:00.001-05:00

Good morning! Did you have a happy weekend? I did. I worked on a few things around here and revamped the blog. What do you think of that?

I did it all myself. I took the pics on a timer and ran back and forth the whole time. It was probably pretty funny if you could've seen me. The whole thing was pretty glamorous, especially since our pigs are on the other side of that shed:)

So if you want to put a moreygirl button on your blog, here's the link for all of them:)

I also made up this little zippie pouch this weekend...

It's in the shop this morning!

And Big News!!

I'm busy working on Whoa Nellie Crafts again! I'm going to be posting all of my tutorials over there. And I'll be setting up some classes again soon! But for today there is a tutorial on this very zippie pouch! Just in case you wanted to make your own!

linking up:

favorite color

2011-08-25T06:42:00.001-05:00

This one is tricky. I have so many!

But I love this one:

Source: etsy.com via Ashley on Pinterest

because I would so do this in my kitchen...

Source: houseofturquoise.com via Rosemary on Pinterest

Those tiles...i love them! And you could accent with the red, like on the knobs of that stove.

Red's not your thing? Well, how about yellow?

Source: jenniferjohner.typepad.com via Shannon on Pinterest

Lime is one of my favorites too!

Source: houseofturquoise.com via laura on Pinterest

A coral looks awesome with it too!

Source: google.com via Bethany on Pinterest

Purple is superb with it!

Source: decodir.com via Laura on Pinterest

So I guess aqua is my favorite right now;) It'll be different once the fall colors start coming out!

You can check out more of the colors I love by following my pinterest:) you know your addicted too!

wiww

2011-08-24T09:45:00.001-05:00

The more I do these the more I realize I'm not quite as fashion forward as I thought I was:) Fall and winter make for cuter outfits I think. I'm not into the whole layering thing, especially when it's hot out. But I do love me some cute dresses.

It's from Target and I wore it to church on Sunday. I wouldn't wear this dress this spring because I thought it made me look fat. I'm thinking that it wasn't the dress, I was just fat.

These are the shorts that started the whole running thing. I'm so proud that they fit now! No rolls hanging over the waist band!! No having to look for flowy shirts to hide the muffin top!

Date night with Mattie and the boys. We just went to Avanti's so we didn't dress up. But I did wear my huge wedges with the skinny pants. I love that look!

This is today. We are just chillin at home. Wrink-l-y! But who cares. I'm sporting my new bag:) Here it is:

I'll post it in the shop later! I bought the pattern from Noodlehead. She's awesome!

Here's a pic I wished would've not been blurry.

Sloney Baloney, you make your mama's heart melt.

While all of this is fun and I love checking out what everyone wears, let's not forget this:

Source: applesandonions.tumblr.com via Jen on Pinterest

Do you ever feel...

2011-08-23T06:02:00.004-05:00

like a plastic bag, drifting through the wind, wanting to start again?

Can you name that song? I'll give you the post to think about it:)

I'll explain...or try to anyway. My sis-in-law, Mick, posted this song on fb the other day. I added it to my running list. Yeah, I still do that. I'm shooting for 15 miles this week. I've done 6 so far this week. Anyway, I ran last Tuesday. I had a hard time with it. I'd just found out that Leah, a 19 year old from our church had passed away that morning. She'd had cancer.

I just kept thinking how lucky I was to even be running.

How lucky I was to have made it past the young age of 19.

That was how old I was when I met Matt.

How lucky I was to experience my life so far.

To be able to know my children.

To understand that God is good.

All the time.

Pastor Don preached on the sovereignty of God on Sunday. You know, why things happen, why God would let certain things happen, why He is right in letting things happen. He asked who had had the perfect life so far. Mary raised her hand and I honestly felt that I could have too. It hasn't gone smoothly all the time and I've sinned and had to take the hard road for awhile, but I have a terrific life. He's given me everything that I need and so many times, I waste it and take it for granted.

It was a rough run. I tried to take stock of my life while I was out there. I kept going back to Leah. Her theme verse was Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you or forsake you." As that song played while I ran, I couldn't help but think of Leah's verse.

It talks about all those things...strong, courageous, don't be afraid. Have you figured it out yet?

Firework

It misses the one thing that we need to be a firework though. Jesus. He's the only way we're going to burn brightly. I believe Leah did.

So all that said...I've let the fire go out on my little "I serve a creative God" series. I'm going to start that back up again on Tuesdays. I'm going to use this book that I got from Mom for Christmas.

How perfect is that?! You wanna join me? The book is here: amazon. And there's a kindle version! Is anyone else addicted to that app? I'm just going to write about the lesson. No biggie. Just my thoughts. I'd like to hear yours.

You got a week to decide.

linking up:

moreygirl monday

2011-08-22T17:31:00.001-05:00

Wow! Monday already! Today is the first full day of school for Slone. We found out on Friday that Bo will start in two short weeks! He's really excited. I think he's more excited for the bus ride home with his brother than actually school:)

This past weekend I worked on some more stuff:)

This bag is awesome cuz it's reversible. I'm really lovin' it!

Oh, and these cutie earrings! I really love them:) I got a whole bunch of them!

I will put everything in the shop tomorrow. I've got to get my supper ready!

linking up here:

first day, first grade

2011-08-19T08:26:00.000-05:00

How did this happen? When did first grade get here?

He wasn't super excited about school, but he was happy to get to see his friends. He's like his mama and gets nervous, until he figures everything out.

He can tie his own shoes now. I asked him if he needed help. He didn't.

I get nervous for him. I hope he finds his class ok. I hope he likes his teacher. I hope some of his friends are in his class. I hope...See, I told you he was just like me.

How many pictures do you think Marty the bus driver was in today? :)

This is the third first day he's had. And every year, I become more aware of how life slips so quickly by. He'll be seven in just a few months. He says "summer took too fast." I agree, Buddy. So did the last seven years.

front porch

2011-08-18T07:54:00.000-05:00

I have always loved front porches. Who doesn't want to sit out there sippin coffee and watch the sun come up? or maybe sippin lemonade and watch the sun go down?

My favorite houses are almost always craftsman style houses...or arts and crafts stlye houses. The workmanship of them is awesome. And the front porches that go with them are usually awesome.

Source: ourlittlenest.com via Rachelle on Pinterest

Actually, the best part about these houses are the doors and windows.

I really haven't had much say in where I live...my mom and dad decided that when I was a kid. Matt has told me where we were going to live both times too. Well, it's not like he told me...it just kind of worked out for us when we were engaged. His cousin had a house at the edge of a little town.

This must be when we first saw it? Because my in-laws gave me a little swing that fit perfectly on the right side there. I painted it red. I had a lot of potted flowers. It was my favorite place to be in that house and we sat there a lot, until our legs fell asleep because the very cute red swing had been hung a touch to high.

But we rented there, and Matt's goal was always to buy. He came home one day and said he'd found a house. It's the house we live in now. The front porch faces west and it's hot out there in the summer. The previous owners "updated" it, very poorly I might had. We havent done anything to it. But we did take our picture there last fall.

I love that picture.

But as for what I'd really want on a porch?

1. ceiling fan, please...
2. blue ceiling
3. a swing
4. ferns
5. some couches and chairs

Source: livinginlilly.tumblr.com via TT on Pinterest

Source: houseofturquoise.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: marthastewart.com via Lesley on Pinterest

Source: notmybeautifulhome.tumblr.com via Ginny on Pinterest

linkin up with gussy today:)

wiww

2011-08-17T08:57:00.000-05:00

Do you like this little series, or is it dumb? I can't really decide. I like looking at other people's wiww, but mine seem kinda stupid.

I really need a full length mirror or set the time on my camera...but then what would I do with my hands?

Church outfit : shirt is Calvin Klein and cropped skinnies are target

Old Settlers Days outfit : all old navy

Date night with my boys : all target, those are the same skinnies that I wore to church. That big bracelet is from pier one. I actually love their jewelry.

The lace shirt is target again. I was supposed to meet a girl about maternity pics and baby pics that night, but turns out she won't be getting maternity pics...she went into have her baby that night! So we never got to meet!

New earrings that will be in the shop soon! I love them!

I copied this from Casey at the Wiegands... I hadn't done one in awhile. Hope you have a great Wednesday!

1. What time did you get up this morning? 6 am

2. How do you like your steak? medium

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema: hop

4. What is your favorite TV show? white collar

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? the beach.

6. What did you have for breakfast? cocoa krispies

7. What is your favorite food? pizza

8. Foods you dislike? olives and blueberries

9. Favorite place to eat? good tequilas

10. Favorite dressing? ranch

11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? chrysler 300

12. What are your favorite clothes? dresses and tall shoes

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? I'd like to see where Jesus lived.

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? 1/2 full!!

15. Where would you want to retire? with matt on a beach

16. Favorite time of day? sunset

17. Where were you born? central illinois

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? football

19. What is your favorite fragrance? how the clothes dryer smells coming back in the window

20. What is your favorite face cream? I don't know

21. Favorite baby/kids products? little crochet hats

22. People watcher? yes.

23. Are you a morning or night person? can be both.

24. Do you have any pets? nope, don't want any either

25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? not yet;)

26. What did you want to be when you were little? a mom.

27. What is your favorite memory? when matt asked me to marry him

28. Are you a cat or dog person? dog person

29. Are you married? yes :)

30. Always wear your seat belt? of course!

31. Been in a car accident? yes.

32. Any pet peeves? complainers and people that have to "blow up" their stories

33. Favorite pizza toppings? pepperoni and green peppers

34. Favorite flower? peonies

35. Favorite ice cream? nothing beats plain old vanilla

36. Favorite fast food restaurant? taco bell

37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? once, forgot to put on my blinker when I parallel parked.

38. From whom did you get your last email? i'm sure it was spam

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? ikea, pottery barn, old navy

40. Do anything spontaneous lately? maybe i will today

41. Like your job? love it.

42. Broccoli? yes, please

43. What was your favorite vacation? the cruise with matt, now i hope we get to take one with the boys

44. Last person you went out to dinner with? matt and the boys

45. What are you listening to right now? josh radin

46. What is your favorite color? aqua and lime

47. How many tattoos do you have? none.

48. coffee drinker? yes

weekend recap

2011-08-15T09:55:00.000-05:00

We headed off to Old Settlers Days in Brimfield this weekend. The boys think that it's awesome. There's a parade, pedal pulls, and some rides.

The flag raising was cool. Evidently, the firemen do this every year. I had never seen it. We usually are down at the other end of the parade at a friend's house. But this year we walked up town.

Our national anthem gives me goose bumps every single time.

The boys on the other hand were just ready for the candy to be thrown out:)

Good thing Bo had on his cargo pants so he could fill his pockets with his stash of candy! I forgot to take any bags to collect it in.

Then there were the pedal tractor pulls. Bo got second and Slone got third. I'm not sure either of them really got what they were supposed to be doing. But Slone said he should have tried harded after he saw the trophy with the big gold tractor on it.

Check out Bo's cheezin smile while he pulls:)

When am I going to learn to not talk while I'm taping!?

Then the boys rode a few rides. Swings were the favorite of the day:)

It was the most beautiful day.

matters of the heart

2011-08-12T07:30:00.000-05:00

Do you ever feel really passionate about something? Something that you know is vitally important but other people don't always get it? Or they talk it down like it's not that big of a deal?

I have something like that that lays on my heart all the time. It's my MOPS group.

I'm on the leadership team at the Christ Alive! Community Church group. I'm in charge of the creative activities...are you surprised?;) I also run our blog -which I'm going to be updating very soon!

The running joke in our group is that everyone new that comes either heard about our group from "Heather or the internet". Isn't that how it goes when you love something so much? You talk about it. You invite people to come. You meet with those people more often.

I think the reason this group is so important to me is I didn't have very many friends my own age when I had Slone. I had my sisters, my mom, and a couple people at church. But no one who was really going through some of the same mothering stuff that I was. Then after I had Bo, I suffered from some post-partum. I was never diagnosed or anything, but let me tell ya, that 6-9 months after he was born was rough on me. I looked forward to going to MOPS, being able to drop the boys off in their moppets rooms, and not feel guilty about sitting with some other moms and talking about our lives.

For the most part our group is pretty drama free. We don't judge each other. Well, I don't feel judged anyway. And I'm in no position to judge anybody. I don't think any of us go to the same church, but we all meet at this church once a month. Some of us work, some don't. Some have 2 kids, some have 4.

I truly believe that a MOPS group or any moms groups is vital to a new mom. Or any mom for that matter. I also think it wouldn't hurt anyone to join a group with new and different people instead of your same old friends. Different points of view are good. Learn something new.

So here I am, inviting you again...if you live near Peoria, IL, I really encourage you to come to our little group. We'll like you, I promise! You can get all the details on the blog here. If you aren't from around here, look up MOPS.org and search for a group near you. You might be surprised at the things you will learn!

linking up to The Wiegands today:)

gardening

2011-08-11T07:53:00.000-05:00

This isn't a garden perfectly manicured with no weeds, bugs, or worms. This is my little garden, right in my back yard.

Dad came over and helped me build it. Actually, I think he did most of it then. I saw the idea for a raised bed in a magazine. I thought it would work better than just a regular garden that would be way to easy for someone (cough*Matt*cough) to run over with the lawn mower. Don't think he woundn't. He mowed down a beautiful forsythia bush because "it took too much time to mow around." uh huh.

I've been harvesting tomatoes and green peppers for three years now. The boys seem to like checking it out. They really like to pick everything for me, except the weeds. To be honest, I'm not very good at that either. But it's a dirty job.

That was just this morning, before the dew was gone. It was a whopping 58 degrees while I was out there! Kinda chilly!

But oh the tomatoes look delish! They usually make their way into a bacon and tomato sandwich. I'm going to have to make salsa or some spaghetti sauce though. I have way to many for just sandwiches. Maybe you'd like to come over for one? :)

wiww

2011-08-10T07:16:00.000-05:00

I havent ever done a wiww post before. What is wiww? It stands for what i wore Wednesday by the Pleated Poppy.

So here we go...

I look real happy, don't I? The top is old navy and shorts are old navy. The shorts are actually yellow though. Keepin it real with the mess in the background.

Next day...I wore this dress at home all day. It's from Target. A little happier and still the mess.

This is what I worked on while I wore it:

after

before

Then I wore this before MY 4 MILE RUN! I finally did it!

I should have taken an after pic of that! not so pretty:) But look at my bicep in that pic;)

yes and no

2011-08-09T09:11:00.000-05:00

I found this cute blog the other day that gives you different writing challenges. This one looked like fun so I thought I'd try it.

Source: thisismechallenge.blogspot.com via Heather on Pinterest

Here we go:

5 things I have a hard time saying yes to:

1. olives...sometimes a few black ones on my pizza are ok.
2. being patient...especially when I'm ready for things to move on.
3. getting up early...but I do it anyway but only on weekdays.
4. cooking...but I have to do that.
5. nursery duty at church...I was in that nursery so much when my kids were babies I never want to go back in that room.

5 things I have a hard time saying no to:

1. Bo and Slone.
2. candy bars...Reese's and twix
3. fresh home grown tomatoes...I have eaten one or two with every meal since they've been ripe.
4. internet...nuff said
5. going swimming. Matt said one time that we could get a pool...except nothing would get done at our house! He's right, I would be out there all.the.time.

Source: etsy.com via Julia on Pinterest

I think I'll do a little sewing and laundry today:) Have a good Tuesday!

moreygirl monday

2011-08-08T21:09:00.001-05:00

Just a little moreygirl update for your Monday (I almost didn't make it!) I finished another bag, stitched up 4 quilt blocks for my bee, and made the cutest felt flowers! We also had a fun weekend of dirtbikes and fourwheelers! And I picked a bunch of tomatoes:)

The bag is just a nice sized tote. I love it! I want to keep it but I have too many that I've kept. What would you think if I cleaned up the moreygirl bags I've used and sold them at discounted prices? Is that ok to do? I really want to know.

I also made a bunch of these little felt flowers.

I love these! They'd look cute on your winter jacket, or on your bag, or pinned to your sweater! Cute!

Here's one of the blocks I made for my quilt bee. I made two of these. They were pretty easy once I got going. I actually really love them. She picked out very similar print as I did in my quilt:)

I missed taking any pics of my cute dirt biker. He didn't stay still as long as my tomatoes did:)

linkin up

embrace the camera

2011-08-04T07:40:00.000-05:00

Today I'm linking up with Emily at the Anderson Crew. I couldn't think of a more clever title than what she's already done.

Couldn't you just eat him up?! This was just this morning. Bo isn't up yet and we're watching pbs and blogging next to each other on the couch:)

Hope you have a great day! Have you checked out these little guys in the shop?

commitment and a shop update!

2011-08-03T20:28:00.001-05:00

I've made a couple of commitments to myself for the month of August. No buying clothes for myself. And no buying any more moreygirl supplies until I've depleted my stash.

Source: vegnewssavvyvegan.blogspot.com via Julia on Pinterest

I came to this decision after reading some ebooks while I was on vacation.

Miss Minimalist is a little more extreme than what I want to go. Such as, she has no tv. But she has some really good points about "stuff". 31 days gives you a Martha challenge and a Mary Challenge everyday with a good bit of Scripture thrown in. Neither book is a cure all but it sure makes me feel better to clean out some stuff and stay organized!

I also saw it on Thrifty Decor Chick, which is a really fun blog to read! She didn't buy any diy supply stuff for all of July. I'm going to work on using what I have instead of running out and buying new supplies.

Another commitment is to not drink any pop (can you tell I'm from the mid-west now?:) for the rest of the month. That will probably be the hardest because I crave it! Which brings me to another book that I've been reading:

It's about craving a relationship with God as our comfort instead of food. Eye opening. Read it.

So today I worked on what I had. And I came up with these!

They are e-reader cases. They are large enough to fit an ipad, so most of the other e-readers will fit. They also have a front pocket for all the extras. You could also use it for a project folder, adding a notebook and all your notes, receipts and stuff.

A great way to keep your stuff organized! Check out the shop! There's quite a few things going in there soon!

Life's a beach

2011-08-02T15:51:00.001-05:00

At least, it should be... We had a terrific time! The boys thought the ocean was the best thing ever. I do too, by the way. I would so live there if Matt would. He hates water of all kind. I'm no fish, but I can catch me some pretty good rays.

My whole family went, except my brother and my husband. We were just having such a great time, I didn't really have time to miss him. He had to work, and since he hates water anyway, we went without him.

But I so wish he was in this picture:

The boys also had the best time because all their cousins where there! They are always asking if Jack and Sam can come over and spend the night:)

This one is funny...it has the boys all in it...even if he didn't want to be (Bo) and even when he did (Jonah).

Mom and Dad and their girls...wish Jake was there.

and the grandkids minus Calliegh.

i love how Dad is looking at Mom. The wind was something that night too. Aren't I glamorous?

These pics were all taken by my talented sister Laura. She's probably the most amazing person I know. Slow, but amazing;) You know I gotta tease you, Laura! She seriously needs to write a book, you know, in her spare time:) Love you, Laura! Isn't she beautiful?

All in all, a great time with family! And now I'll leave you with my favorite shot:)

blog worthy....

2011-07-21T16:06:00.000-05:00

How do you know if something is blog worthy? I surely can't tell half of the time. Oh, I know I like to write the tutorials and recipes and picture taking. But how much of me, telling you, about how cute my boys are, can you take before you tune out? How many times can I tell you "we went swimming today" before you hate me? My sister has a pool, by the way, that's the only way to go if you need some cheap fun for the summer...have your sister get a pool!

It's been really hot here for the last week. And when we haven't been swimming, we've been slackin' in the house. I've been making these while we watch the Spectacular Spiderman for the umpteenth time...

crochet flowers about 3.5 inches wide

I'm going to offer them at all the shows I'm doing this fall! I've been making them in some fun fall colors. You can pin them on your blouse, purse, headband, scarf, where ever. How about on your new check book cover?;)

I've got a few of these made up and they will be for sale shortly too! I love them!

I'm really excited to share all of this with you guys, but I think I'm going to enjoy the last few weeks of my summer vacation! Both boys will be in school this year and I'm counting down the hours until I get a whole morning or afternoon to myself! (I don't know which until we find out which preschool class Bo is in)

I'll still be posting, just not every day like in the winter. Maybe once a week. I hope you are having a fabulous summer too!

I finished my quilt!

2011-07-14T23:12:00.002-05:00

I got it done! I'm really excited about it too!

These were the blocks I had the flickr group make...remember?

I used a black with tiny white pin dots for the binding. I machine stitched it on. I am not patient enough to hand stitch it. It would have never been finished if I had tried!

I'm going to use it for picnics and park outings. Bo is especially excited to have a picnic on it. He's been asking non-stop since I got it done:)

I backed it with a twin sized sheet from Target...where else:)?

Happy picnicking:)

homemade moon sand = fail

2011-07-12T09:53:00.000-05:00

I've seen this recipe all over the web lately. Both the boys are obsessed with the idea of moon sand. Well, they are obsessed with really any toy, gadget, or expensive thing they market towards kids during Saturday morning cartoons. Anyway, I thought it would be fun to try it.

The recipe I had called for 4 cups of sand, 1 cup corn starch, 1 cup water. I thought maybe the koolaid would color the sand, but it didn't. Maybe because ours was yellow? I don't know.

Adding the cornstarch. I didn't have quite a full cup. That might have been our problem.

The boys lost interest pretty quickly after the mixing point. The sand didn't hold together like moon sand is supposed to. Maybe store bought moon sand is the same way? Because we all know it never works quite like the commercial says!

We would have been better off just to add some water. That's what it ended up like, wet sand...

As you can see, there is no shortage of sand here! The "moon sand" was soon integrated in with the regular sand.

Whatever...win some, lose some. At least it was just a little sand and cornstarch and a pack of gross koolaid:)