Well, as usual, I am a little behind the power curve. Even though Lent officially began on Ash Wednesday, I am just now contemplating what I want to eliminate from my life to help prepare my heart for Easter. I considered chocolate (like so many others) but while I love it, it is certainly not a constant source of distraction for me. Perhaps, caffeine? Breads? Exercise???
After spending several days thinking about Lent, I finally came to a decision. I have decided to give up the computer and my online sales until Easter.
Recently, I have been grappling with this idea anyway. Placing my enjoyment of the hobby and its extra income on one side of the scale and the added stress and time not focused on my family on the other side of the scale. This gives me an opportunity to truly evaluate the effect of the computer and sewing business has on my daily life.
Thank you for your support and have a Happy Easter!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Amy Butler Pattern and Fabric Giveaway!
I just could stand not telling you about this giveaway! This collaboration between Fresh Squeezed Fabrics and The Fabric Shopper. The winner receives one Amy Butler Design Frenchy Bags pattern and a $25.00 gift certificate to spend at Fresh Squeezed Fabrics. Go over and take a look at the multiple ways to enter!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
It's Monday! Get Organized!
It’s is time for Menu Planning Monday! We are still running crazy around here with practices and meetings so our menu is simple and sweet.
Sunday: Fish Sandwiches and sautéed asparagus (I used grouper. They were breaded and pan fried.
Monday: Crust-less Quiche, Oven roasted broccoli. This I made this quiche last weekend and froze it. It really comes together more like a breakfast casserole – cubed bread, 6 eggs or so, a little milk, cheese and ham or sausage, cooked. The key to it tasting “not-frozen” is to freeze it unbaked. Thaw, then top with cheese and bake. You would never know it was prepared ahead of time.
Tuesday: French Dip Sandwiches and Green beans. These sandwiches are made from baked sirloin that was then sliced. Top with sautéed onions. Then I make brown gravy from a packet and add in Liptons, French onion soup mix. The sandwiches are supposed to be dipped into the sauce. My kids LOVE that, but my husband pours his on top.
Wednesday: Spaghetti and spinach salad
Thursday: Chicken and Dumplings and spinach salad. YUM! To make this quick, I roll out refrigerated biscuits for the dumplings.
Have a fabulous week!
Sunday: Fish Sandwiches and sautéed asparagus (I used grouper. They were breaded and pan fried.
Monday: Crust-less Quiche, Oven roasted broccoli. This I made this quiche last weekend and froze it. It really comes together more like a breakfast casserole – cubed bread, 6 eggs or so, a little milk, cheese and ham or sausage, cooked. The key to it tasting “not-frozen” is to freeze it unbaked. Thaw, then top with cheese and bake. You would never know it was prepared ahead of time.
Tuesday: French Dip Sandwiches and Green beans. These sandwiches are made from baked sirloin that was then sliced. Top with sautéed onions. Then I make brown gravy from a packet and add in Liptons, French onion soup mix. The sandwiches are supposed to be dipped into the sauce. My kids LOVE that, but my husband pours his on top.
Wednesday: Spaghetti and spinach salad
Thursday: Chicken and Dumplings and spinach salad. YUM! To make this quick, I roll out refrigerated biscuits for the dumplings.
Have a fabulous week!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
It is about LOVING not being RIGHT - The Indian Talking Stick
The smell of residual smoke is in the air. It is tense. Angry voices can be heard. Far off drums are beating. The sound of stone scraping against stone is heard where the grown men huddle. Younger men are eager. Older men are solemn. The ground seems to vibrate under scurrying feet. It is humid and difficult to breathe. Older women pack dishes and clothing into messy piles and rush them into the tent. Wishing they could say something, but knowing, now is not the time. Older children push smaller children into dark tents. Babies are hushed.
Boundaries have been crossed. All could be gone. In 5 minutes? In and hour? Tomorrow? An entire people could be gone, forgotten.
Fate arrives. Angry voices are yelling, screeching. Boastful young men beat on their chest. Weapons are shaken in the air. You don’t have to understand the Cherokee language to know war is at hand.
An old man reaches from a large bag and slowly pulls out the Talking Stick. Everyone knows what this means. In an almost instant, bodies sit; yelling turns to hot glares and weapons sit on folded legs.
Everyone knows the rules and is willing to abide by them. The person with the Talking Stick gets to speak first. They get to speak as long as they wish until they feel their point has been made. No else may speak, only listen, until the talking stick is handed off to the next. Time passes. Some yell when they speak, some become frustrated, some are calm, but all get an opportunity. The yelling slowly fades and weapons sitting in laps become something to pick and twiddle instead of an object to injure.
It is over and anti-climatic at the least. Days of endless talking have resulted in tribes shuffling down a dusty path. Some young are disappointed; they wanted to show their new found strength. The wise, though, are solemn and relieved; they go hug their families. They understand that life is about love, not about who is right.
The disaster has been averted. This time it worked. It doesn’t always work, but this time it did.
I need to think about this. Does the Indian Talking Stick need a place in my family? Jesus understands love. He was willing not to just comprise, but to give it all up for love. Even for people who were determined to be right.
Here is a cute craft tutorial that explains how to build an Indian Talking Stick.
Indians would make their own Taking Stick, decorating the talking stick to symbolize their life, accomplishments and strengths. This site gives some great ideas for embellishing the Talking Stick. Have your kids reflect on their accomplishments and strengths as they decorate. Your family could even add decorations as conflicts are resolved.
Thanks for visiting!
Boundaries have been crossed. All could be gone. In 5 minutes? In and hour? Tomorrow? An entire people could be gone, forgotten.
Fate arrives. Angry voices are yelling, screeching. Boastful young men beat on their chest. Weapons are shaken in the air. You don’t have to understand the Cherokee language to know war is at hand.
An old man reaches from a large bag and slowly pulls out the Talking Stick. Everyone knows what this means. In an almost instant, bodies sit; yelling turns to hot glares and weapons sit on folded legs.
Everyone knows the rules and is willing to abide by them. The person with the Talking Stick gets to speak first. They get to speak as long as they wish until they feel their point has been made. No else may speak, only listen, until the talking stick is handed off to the next. Time passes. Some yell when they speak, some become frustrated, some are calm, but all get an opportunity. The yelling slowly fades and weapons sitting in laps become something to pick and twiddle instead of an object to injure.
It is over and anti-climatic at the least. Days of endless talking have resulted in tribes shuffling down a dusty path. Some young are disappointed; they wanted to show their new found strength. The wise, though, are solemn and relieved; they go hug their families. They understand that life is about love, not about who is right.
The disaster has been averted. This time it worked. It doesn’t always work, but this time it did.
I need to think about this. Does the Indian Talking Stick need a place in my family? Jesus understands love. He was willing not to just comprise, but to give it all up for love. Even for people who were determined to be right.
Here is a cute craft tutorial that explains how to build an Indian Talking Stick.
Indians would make their own Taking Stick, decorating the talking stick to symbolize their life, accomplishments and strengths. This site gives some great ideas for embellishing the Talking Stick. Have your kids reflect on their accomplishments and strengths as they decorate. Your family could even add decorations as conflicts are resolved.
Thanks for visiting!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Boutique Wild Child Giveaway!
Don't forget to check out Boutique Wild Child Blog! They are hosting their fisrt giveaway! Photoshop and Microsoft Digital Imaging guru, Stacy, has several digital frames for you to use for digital scrapbooking or any other digital photo projects you might have!
How do you win?? Just become a Boutique Wild Child Follower and post a comment and you are entered to win! A winner will be chosen on Friday March 6th. Deadline to enter is midnight eastern time on Thursday March 5th.
Good luck!
How do you win?? Just become a Boutique Wild Child Follower and post a comment and you are entered to win! A winner will be chosen on Friday March 6th. Deadline to enter is midnight eastern time on Thursday March 5th.
Good luck!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Frugal with the All-American Snack
My daughter is addicted to popcorn. She eats it almost everyday as a snack. I purchase a box of little microwaveable pocorn at the grocery store and *POOF* it's gone. Not to mention, those bags are not inexpensive!
A couple of weeks ago, the family was watching "Good Eats" during TV time and Alton Brown did a show about popcorn (we love this show, by the way). The episode included how to cook your own popcorn on the stovetop. Now I know what you are thinking as you begin smelling that all too familar burnt smell, but his trick actually worked. He proposed that the shape of the cooking pan/bowl plays a key role in how many kernels pop. Most store-bought stove-top popcorn is done in aflat aluminum pan. Alton says that a nice stainless steel bowl works much better because it always popped pieces to move upward and leave kernels at the bottom for more heat.
Long story short, my family tried his trick and it worked to perfection!
Pour about 2T of vegetable oil in your bowl and about 1/3 c popcorn. Cover with aluminum foil and poke wholes to let steam out. Using your tongs, gently, shake your bowl (constantly) on the stove eye.
It takes about 5 minutes total, about the same time to use the microwave, to get perfect popcorn! The frugal part?? Well, a box of microwave popcorn can cost almost $4 for 10 snack bags. A bag of just popcorn kernels costs about $1.50 and contains more servings.
Oh, one more hint. If you are still using the microwave bags, store the unpopped kernels in a plastic bag and when you have enough, cook them as mentioned above. Voila, an extra serving!
Happy Popping!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Menu Planning Monday
Well, we survived a viral attack on our family this past week. Both the kids were home a couple of days from school. This threw my schedule off a bit, but we are back in action for this week!
The past couple of weeks, I have devoted a little more time to menu planning than usual. Soccer season has started and we are all getting home later than usual so I am on the lookout for meals that can be made in 30 minutes or LESS but are also CHEAP! This is what I came up with this week!
Sunday: Pan fried pork chops, vegetable egg noodles, oven roasted veggies.
Monday: Crock pot ham and potatoes, salad
Tuesday: Sausage and Egg Hash, Almond orange apricot crescent rolls
Wednesday: Homemade Egg Rolls
Thursday: Homemade Pizza - Ok you caught me, it is frozen and I bought it from the store :)
VEGETABLE EGG NOODLES
1 package of egg noodles cooked according to directions
1 T. butter
1 small onion, sliced
1 cup fresh mushrooms, slided
1/2 bag of spinach
Melt butter in skillet. Add onions and mushrooms and cook over medium low heat until onions are transluscent. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Add to cooked egg noodles and season with salt and pepper as desired.
The past couple of weeks, I have devoted a little more time to menu planning than usual. Soccer season has started and we are all getting home later than usual so I am on the lookout for meals that can be made in 30 minutes or LESS but are also CHEAP! This is what I came up with this week!
Sunday: Pan fried pork chops, vegetable egg noodles, oven roasted veggies.
Monday: Crock pot ham and potatoes, salad
Tuesday: Sausage and Egg Hash, Almond orange apricot crescent rolls
Wednesday: Homemade Egg Rolls
Thursday: Homemade Pizza - Ok you caught me, it is frozen and I bought it from the store :)
VEGETABLE EGG NOODLES
1 package of egg noodles cooked according to directions
1 T. butter
1 small onion, sliced
1 cup fresh mushrooms, slided
1/2 bag of spinach
Melt butter in skillet. Add onions and mushrooms and cook over medium low heat until onions are transluscent. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Add to cooked egg noodles and season with salt and pepper as desired.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Macho Nachos!
This has turned into a family favorite! (shhhh, did I mention that it's healthy??)
Macho Nachos
1 pound ground chicken or turkey
1 garlic clove, minced
1 small onion, chopped
1 small zucchini, chopped
1 small carrot, chopped
1 small can corn
1/2 can black beans
1 packet taco seasonings
Approx 1 cup chicken stock
Handful of chopped fresh cilantro
1 bag of corn chips or Doritos
1-2 tomatoes, chopped
1 avocado chopped and sprinkled with lime juice
Shredded cheese
In a skillet, cook chicken/ turkey over medium high heat. Add next 6 ingredients and cook until vegetables are tender crisp and onions are translucent. Add packet of taco seasoning and stir. On packet of seasoning, the directions usually call for the addition of water. Add the amount instructed but add chicken stock instead. Add cilantro and cook for another 5 minutes or so. Place chips on plate and top with meat and veggies. Add additional toppings as you want. My entire family loves this meal! Have a great week!
Macho Nachos
1 pound ground chicken or turkey
1 garlic clove, minced
1 small onion, chopped
1 small zucchini, chopped
1 small carrot, chopped
1 small can corn
1/2 can black beans
1 packet taco seasonings
Approx 1 cup chicken stock
Handful of chopped fresh cilantro
1 bag of corn chips or Doritos
1-2 tomatoes, chopped
1 avocado chopped and sprinkled with lime juice
Shredded cheese
In a skillet, cook chicken/ turkey over medium high heat. Add next 6 ingredients and cook until vegetables are tender crisp and onions are translucent. Add packet of taco seasoning and stir. On packet of seasoning, the directions usually call for the addition of water. Add the amount instructed but add chicken stock instead. Add cilantro and cook for another 5 minutes or so. Place chips on plate and top with meat and veggies. Add additional toppings as you want. My entire family loves this meal! Have a great week!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Envelope System Wallet GIVEAWAY!
Well, I have had it. I am tired of my debt. I don’t have a lot of debt, thanks to my ever mindful, responsible, and thrifty spouse, but my debt remains. A friend said recently, “In order to eliminate debt, you must consistently spend less than you make”. Uh yeah, I got that part. Another well intentioned friend said, “You need to set up a monthly budget”. Yep, I do that too. Over the years I have slowly come to understand why I can plan the month and still over spend. One, plastic isn’t “real” money and two; I am in charge of 90% of our family’s discretionary spending. You know; groceries, clothing, birthday party gifts, haircuts, presents, etc. Now that my real problems have been identified, I have found a remedy. It is known as an Envelope Based System. How has the Envelope System helped? Let me count the ways!
1. It is so easy to put $50.00 on that little plastic debit card and really hard to break a $20.00. I don’t know why, it is just a fact of life. A study several years ago showed that people who used debit/credit cards spent at least 15% more than planned compared to those that used cash.
2. It helps you stick with the budget that has been set up. I determined that I could spend $200/wk and have plenty for gas, food and small incidentals like paper cups for a school party. That is $800/month. That leaves me $600 to put towards savings and debt. Before using the Envelope System, I was always sweating for the next paycheck because I had spent all $1,400.
3. Using the Envelope System has made me prioritize my spending, rather than wasting it on impulse purchases.
4. The Envelope System helps prevent dipping. I definitely have a more define perspective on where my money goes and what I will need in the near future.
Sounds perfect, right?! Almost. Paper envelopes wear out quickly, don’t fit in my purse well, coins fall out everywhere and they aren’t fun to look at! But I love my new Envelope System Wallet! It has 3 labeled envelopes, a quilted change purse, and a single pocket wallet. The envelopes can have any labels you choose including your favorite Bible verse or special saying. The zippered coin purse can also be used to hold plastic, like membership cards, emergency credit cards, and insurance cards. The wallet is large enough to hold a checkbook, deposit slips and coupons but small enough to fit in your purse.
Join the Envelope Revolution by participating in N’ STITCHES DESIGNS FIRST GIVEAWAY!!
Daily Decalogue of Pope John XXIII
1. Only for today, I will seek to live the livelong day positively without wishing to solve the problems of my life all at once.
2.Only for today, I will take the greatest care of my appearance: I will dress modestly; I will not raise my voice; I will be courteous in my behavior; I will not criticize anyone; I will not claim to improve or to discipline anyone except myself.
3. Only for today, I will be happy in the certainty that I was created to be happy, not only in the other world but also in this one.
4. Only for today, I will adapt to circumstances, without requiring all circumstances to be adapted to my own wishes.
5. Only for today, I will devote ten minutes of my time to some good reading, remembering that just as food is necessary to the life of the body, so good reading is necessary to the life of the soul.
6. Only for today, I will do one good deed and not tell anyone about it.
7. Only for today, I will do at least one thing I do not like doing; and it my feelings are hurt, I will make sure no one notices.
8. Only for today, I will make a plan for myself: I may not follow it to the letter, but I will make it. And I will be on guard against two evils: hastiness and indecision.
9. Only for today, I will firmly believe, despite appearances, that the good Providence of God cares for me as no one else who exists in this world.
10. Only for today, I will have no fears. In particular, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe in goodness. Indeed, for twelve hours I can certainly do what might cause me consternation were I to believe I had to do it all my life.
2.Only for today, I will take the greatest care of my appearance: I will dress modestly; I will not raise my voice; I will be courteous in my behavior; I will not criticize anyone; I will not claim to improve or to discipline anyone except myself.
3. Only for today, I will be happy in the certainty that I was created to be happy, not only in the other world but also in this one.
4. Only for today, I will adapt to circumstances, without requiring all circumstances to be adapted to my own wishes.
5. Only for today, I will devote ten minutes of my time to some good reading, remembering that just as food is necessary to the life of the body, so good reading is necessary to the life of the soul.
6. Only for today, I will do one good deed and not tell anyone about it.
7. Only for today, I will do at least one thing I do not like doing; and it my feelings are hurt, I will make sure no one notices.
8. Only for today, I will make a plan for myself: I may not follow it to the letter, but I will make it. And I will be on guard against two evils: hastiness and indecision.
9. Only for today, I will firmly believe, despite appearances, that the good Providence of God cares for me as no one else who exists in this world.
10. Only for today, I will have no fears. In particular, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe in goodness. Indeed, for twelve hours I can certainly do what might cause me consternation were I to believe I had to do it all my life.
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