A Guide for 2010

I have seen this as an email forward in years past, but having received it today, I enjoyed reading it just as much.  I thought others might enjoy reading it as well as we look toward 2010.

Health:

1.       Drink plenty of water.
2.       Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3.       Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4.       Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
5.       Make time to pray.
6.       Play more games.
7.       Read more books than you did in 2009.
8.       Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9.       Sleep for 7 hours.
10.    Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

11.    Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12    Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive  present moment.
13.    Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14.    Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15.    Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16.    Dream more while you are awake.
17.    Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18.    Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19.    Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20.    Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21.    No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22.    Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.  Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23.    Smile and laugh more.
24.    You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society: 

25.    Call your family often.
26.    Each day give something good to others.
27.    Forgive everyone for everything.
28.    Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of  6.
29.    Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30.    What other people think of you is none of your business.
31.    Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will.  Stay in touch.

Life: 

32.    Do the right thing!
33.    Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.
34.    GOD heals everything.
35.    However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36.    No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37.    The best is yet to come.
38.    When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39.    Your inner most is always happy. So, be happy.







photo by Tojosan

Easy Visual Reminder for Sorting Similarly Sized Kids Clothes

If you have children that are the same gender that are in similarly sized clothes, you probably have had the problem that we have run into here from time to time.  There would be a shirt with some very non-specific size like "medium" or there would be a 8/10 sized shirt that ran either much smaller or much bigger than the size would indicate, and then we'd forget who the shirt belonged to.  This got especially confusing because shirts that we would associate with Noah would become Jack's shirt after Noah grew out of it.

So, one day I went through all of the boys' shirts and put a single dot on the tags of Noah's shirts.  On Jack's, I put two dots.  And, now when Noah outgrows a shirt, I just add another dot to the tag and it's easy to remember that it's now Jack's shirt.

Of course, while my kids love tagless shirts, it has thrown me for a loop on how to keep up with them with dots.  On some of them, I've just done it very small on the back of the shirt on the collar area (depending on the shirt).

So, for poor Jack, this means that hand-me-downs will always be plentiful and easily identified.  Sorry Jack, but my checkbook appreciates it.







This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday.

If This Blog Post Was a Friends Episode

I love the show Friends.  It is probably one of my very favorite television shows.  One thing that always cracked me up about Friends is the way that they named their episodes.  Each episode's name starts with "The One..." and then ends with a short description of something that happens in the episode.  Some examples are "The One with The Candy Hearts," "The One Where No One's Ready," and "The One Where Ross and Rachel Take a Break."


If this blog post was an episode of Friends, it would be called "The One Where Angie Turns 33."

And She Wasn't Even Close to Being Six Years Old

Molly turned five this fall.  Even before her birthday, we were already agreeing on what we would buy her for her sixth birthday -- the American Girl doll Felicity (whom she always is mistakenly calling Fill-a-CITY).  Molly has often been found telling complete strangers that she will be getting Felicity for her sixth birthday.

While this is not a technically correct photograph at all, since Molly was sitting so close to me, I was glad to get her expression captured when she opened this surprise gift on Christmas Eve.  (Check out those big eyes!)

I hope that your Christmas was filled with fun surprises and lots of joy as well.

7 Quick Takes: December 18, 2009 (Volume 25)

~ 1 ~

Today I was so excited to finish up school with the kids before starting our Christmas Break.  The kids were excited too, but I think I might have been even more excited.

The house was kind of messy, and so when we finished school I told them we all had to clean up and as soon as the house looked good, Christmas Break would officially start.  I kid you not -- I have never seen them clean that fast in my life.

~ 2 ~

Speaking of Christmas Break, I'm taking a little blog break until after Christmas.  So, while I may be working some online off and on, I won't be writing for a little over a week.  I thought it would be wonderful to take a nice break.

If you're a blogger, do you plan on taking time off for Christmas? 

~ 3 ~

It would seem that this is going to be 7 Quick Takes -- The Christmas Edition.  So, let me just continue with that.

I downloaded the Relient K Christmas album - Let It Snow Baby...Let It Reindeer.  What a fabulous collection of songs!  If you like to rock out while listening to Christmas music, you just might love this album too.  The other day, I also downloaded Third Day's Christmas album, but I can't quit listening to Relient K long enough to actually listen to it more fully.

~ 4 ~

I actually heard Third Day's album when I was over at my friend Amanda's house this week.  We had a fabulous "school Christmas party" one day with her family and our family.  We did Christmas crafts, watched some Christmas movies, ate pizza (and carrots and apples), and just had a wonderful time.

I don't know how we would survive homeschooling if we didn't have such amazing friends that also homeschool.  (In fact, the day before that, in the afternoon, the kiddos and I went and played at another homeschooling family's house and had a fabulous time.)  We are so blessed to have a wonderful Catholic homeschool group in our area!

~ 5 ~

My Christmas cards have not yet been mailed.  I only just picked them up on Monday, and was very disappointed with how one thing on them came out.  Oh well -- what can I do now?

I do have my postage now though, so I have to get busy with working on a Christmas letter this weekend so I can hopefully get these darn cards to people before Christmas.

~ 6 ~

This week, we delivered lots of home baked goodies as Christmas gifts for religious ed teachers, church staff, several people at Eric's work, and so on.  I just love giving out tasty treats as gifts.  My kids, on the other hand, kept asking why we weren't keeping one of the goodie tins for home.  I stopped myself from saying, "Hey kids -- there's a reason that Daddy and I just bought an elliptical trainer."

~ 7 ~

And the angel said to them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign to you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

~ Luke 2 : 10 - 14

This post is linked to 7 Quick Takes Friday and Weekly Wrap-Up.

photos by: gold Christmas ball by krisdecurtis  /  Christmas baubles by Chris_J  /  Nativity by Loci Lenar

Fun Christmas Craft: Paint Stirring Stick Christmas Trees

At the beginning of December, we went to Home Depot for one of their kid workshops.  We were very bummed that instead of getting to make a small wagon (like for stuffed animals), they said they had run out of kits more than an hour before the workshop was ending. 

I thought about just leaving, but they gave an alternate craft to make.  I saw what their idea was -- a Christmas tree out of five paint stirring sticks.  I'll be honest here, that made me come pretty close to turning around and walking out.  But, we were there and I figured, "Well, why not?"

We used three small nails (should have used four though), a hammer, and five paint stirring sticks.  It's probably hard to see, but there are actually two sticks running horizontally on the bottom, with all of the other sticks sandwiched in between them at the bottom.  This craft was super easy to make and very quick.  The cool thing was that we also got to decorate them at home (as a school art project).  Quite frankly, the craft would have been incomplete without what we did next.

We got out our already assembled paint stick Christmas trees, craft paints, sponge brushes, cotton swabs, and Sharpie markers (which we didn't end up using, except for to write the kids names and the date on the back of the trees).

Each of the kids picked their own shade of green and painted the tree with the sponge brushes.  They also used brown paint to paint the small bit of tree stump at the bottom.  (I assisted with painting the edges for those that needed help.)

 

 

I let each of the kids pick five to seven different colors of paint and put them on their own personal paint trays (or leftover baby shower plates, if you want to be technical about it).  They then painted with cotton swabs.  It was fun to see that although I had a preconceived notion of how these would look, the kids each came up with their own designs.

I just loved the way that these came out!  The kids had a fabulous time working on these, and I got a lesson in not being so quick to dismiss an alternative idea.  Who knew they would turn out so cute?  In the end, I was glad they ran out of wagons -- these will be Christmas decorations we will cherish for a long time to come.

This post is linked to Frugal Friday.

Homebaked Christmas Goodies (2009 Edition)

I have spent the last few days busily working away in the kitchen.  While it has been a lot of work (especially all of the clean up), I have enjoyed it because I was working on my annual goodies for CCD teachers, church staff, some of the people at Eric's work (his boss, the employees that report to Eric, and one communal one for the other managers), and whomever else is in our life in any given year who seems to fit into the group of people that we give this type of gift to.  For instance, this year also included our tap/ballet teacher.

We had such a good time delivering all of the goodies today!  I love knowing that I am giving items that I took the time to make myself, and I like knowing that I was often thinking of those who would be receiving them while I was working on all the baking.  (I have to admit, during the longest stretch of working, it was also made a little easier with my iPod and the Relient K Christmas album.)

This year, I packaged everything in 8x8 foil baking tins that came with covers.  The contents this year included:

- Spritz cookies that were in the shapes of flowers/stars (take your pick) and Christmas trees (I used a cookie press on these)

- Cherry chip cake balls

- Chocolate truffles (I rolled each of these in either nonpareils, rainbow sprinkles, coarse blue sugar, or red sanding sugar)

- Peppermint Bark

- Fudge with walnuts

- Pine Bark (aka Cracker Candy)

- A baggie full of Holiday Snack Mix

I just love picking out the variety of things that I will pack up in the goodie baskets each year, and I really love the joy of delivering them!  To me, giving home baked goodies are not only a finer thing, but they're a frugal option when you need to give out many gifts.

Those Moments That Bring Life Into Sharp Focus

It's easy to let life slip by us, isn't it?  I know I'm guilty (too guilty) of finding time to play on Facebook or Twitter, but "forgetting" to do an activity that I told the kids I would do.  Or, I grumble when my Mom asks a favor while I think I am too busy doing something that probably isn't all that important anyway.

I think that there are so many of us that find ourselves caught up in life, but not in the important things -- those things that, if we knew we would die tomorrow, we would wish we had focused on more.  Probably very few (hopefully none of us) would say, "Wow -- I wish I had been more active on my blog."  Instead, I suspect many of us would cite things like our families, our friends, or our church, for example.

Every so often though, something happens that brings life into sharp focus.  You have a sudden clear vision of exactly what is important, and also of what really isn't all that important.  It has been my experience that it usually happens a moment, and it's not something that you expected.

It's something like when we were driving to an All Saints Party in November, and I got the cell phone call from my Mom that started like this, "Dad is at Grandma's house, and he thinks she may have died.  I'm on my way there now."

I vowed that I wanted to bring more focus to my life after that.  But, it's so easy to forget about that once things start to settle.  This seems especially true because those kinds of moments don't usually happen to someone often.  It would seem that I had another one of those moments less than a week ago.  (It doesn't seem right to have them happen so close to each other.)

Let me tell you, while the unexpected death of your 90 year old Grandmother puts a focus on your life, seeing a pediatric cardiologist who is normally jovial walk into a room after "checking some measurements against the normal range" with a serious look and a deep breath, life gets a whole lot more focused.  Then, when words like aortic aneurysm are said as the doctor looks from you to your eight year old child, the priorities in your life become, in an instant, crystal clear.  

I think that over our Christmas break, I need to make some plans to help me live so that my true priorities really come through in my life.  I know all too well that once life settles, it's easy to forget that sharp focus.  But I also know that I need more of it.

If anyone has some great tips of how to manage your time or how to work on priorities, I would really appreciate it!

(I don't really want to get into a lot of medical details right now, but I also don't want anyone reading to worry that we are looking at anything life threatening right now.  Although we'll have to worry about things a lot sooner than we once thought, we're still fine enough for now.)


 





photo by ToniVC

The Art of Egg Arranging

Do you ever do something that makes perfect sense to you only to have someone else think that it's odd?  

I suppose I should have had a clue that my egg arranging was not necessarily the norm when I had to coach Eric about what pattern to use eggs in the carton.  You see, I'm all about there being a nice even weight distribution in the egg carton.  So, if I have to grab out two eggs, I'll grab out one from somewhere in the carton, but then the second one needs to come from the opposite side of the carton from whichever spot will balance out the other empty spot.

I suspect I need diagrams here, huh?  Sorry -- I don't have them.

When one of my sisters was using eggs at my house, I later got out the carton and then said, "You used some eggs, didn't you?"  She asked how I knew, and I said it was because the eggs were out of order.  She laughed at me, and later had to tell some people about what a crazy thing I did with the eggs.  I was relieved when at least a couple of other people said they do the same thing.

With holiday baking coming up this week, I think I'm going to be doing a lot of egg re-arranging.  (Oh, and then a little bit of annoyance each time I can't balance it out exactly.)

Do you have any kitchen quirks that you don't actually think are all that quirky?  









photo by Undeleterious

7 Quick Takes: December 11, 2009 (Volume 24)

~ 1 ~

I have recently read about a lot of people doing more relaxed schooling during December (or some portion of December).  I thought this sounded like a great idea, and so we started doing just that this week.  Of course, with having had a busy week, it was an easy decision.

While we have continued with math lessons and practicing piano each day (and social studies read alouds for the week), our days this week having also been filled with activities like: games, Legos, problem solving at the grocery store, going to Mass, a science lesson of watching someone's heart on an echocardiogram (thanks for taking one for the team, Jack), some video/TV watching (MythBusters one afternoon, and The Nativity Story one night after a Reconciliation Service), lots of free reading time, crafts, and whatever else pops into our head that has educational merit that is something we don't normally do.  Can I just tell you how fun it has been?

Next week, we are looking forward to doing some baking as part of school, as well as Christmas "party" school day with one of our favorite homeschooling families.

~ 2 ~

Happy Birthday today to one of the best men I know -- my Dad.  We love you like crazy!

~ 3 ~

 Why is it that my kids all name jobs that they want to do when they grow up that have nothing to do with going to college?  It's not that I'm a snob about it, but darn it -- I want those kids to all go to college.  When I was their age, I was saying that I wanted to be a teacher.

What do my kids want to be?

1. A Walmart employee (or maybe a hotel owner -- so there may be some hope for college there!)

2. A Build-a-Bear Workshop employee

3. A hair stylist, ballerina, tap dancer who works at Noah's hotel (see number one)

Good thing you aren't allowed to pick your profession when you're five years old, huh?

~ 4 ~

I love kids books that crack me up.  This week, we read Falling For Rapunzel by Leah Wilcox, and that's exactly what happened.  Everyone in the house laughed about it.  It is such a cute story, works on rhyming, and is just down right hilarious.  (It would seem that Rapunzel just can't hear what Prince Charming is saying while she is high in her tower.)

If you haven't read it, be sure to either pick it up or check it out from the library.  Too cute!

"Rapunzel, do you have any rope?"

Rapunzel dropped a cantaloupe. 

~ 5 ~

 Just love the new Dockers "Wear the Pants" campaign that they started.  If you haven't seen it yet, go check it out.

~ 6 ~

 The baby shower that I threw for my sister-in-law last weekend went really well!  It was nice to have so many people over, and she and her husband got a lot of great things.

And, as a side bonus -- we got our house so clean!  Thanks to everyone in the house (and my Mom too!) for helping to clean the house and get food ready.

~ 7 ~

I've been working on knitting (with my loom) a blanket for Christmas.  Christmas is now two weeks away, and while it is the correct width, it is only about nine inches long right now.  I'm either going to have to get to work or I'm going to end up wrapping it still attached to the loom with an IOU with it.

Wish me luck! 

This post is linked to 7 Quick Takes Friday at Conversion Diary.

Photos by: yarn shop - missteee / manipulatives -  jimmiehomeschoolmom

Christmas Shopping for Siblings in The Mom Shop

 

I have written about our Christmas "Mom Shop" before, but it seemed like the perfect time of year to talk about it again, especially since my kids are already saying at least a few times a week, "I can't wait until we do the Mom shop again!" 

 

One of the most vivid memories I have about Christmas growing up was one year when my school had a Christmas shop.  (This was back in the day when they still could have called it a Christmas shop, mind you.)  The idea of this little store is that kids could bring money and shop for their families.  The reason that I remember it so clearly is because I remember the pride and delight I felt to be able to do some shopping all by myself.

 

I realized two years ago that I had never given my own children that same opportunity for a sense of pride and giving come Christmas morning. I knew that I had to remedy that situation.  However, the thought of taking them into a store and asking them to pick out things frightened me.  So, I took a cue from my memory of Christmas shopping at school and carried on with my idea.

The Plan

 

So, two years ago, after a trip to Walmart, I had enough small toys to set up "Mom's Christmas Shop" in my bedroom. I bought a few gifts that I thought would be appropriate for each child -- all costing between $1.48 - $4.98. Despite the various costs, I actually only priced my items right around $1 per item.  (Last year, when the boys were receiving allowance, I charged them closer to the actual item's price.  However, I continued to look for items that were $5 and under.)  

 

Then, I invited each of our boys (then aged eight and six) to shop without each other. For instance, when Noah came to shop, I had one area of gifts to choose from for Jack and one area of gifts to choose from for Molly. I allowed Noah shop for one gift for each of them, and we worked on wrapping the gifts together. Then, I put away the gifts that were possible for Jack, and I put out the ones for Noah.  I invited Jack up and let him shop and wrap. The boys used money from their own allowances to shop.

Last year, we were excited to allow Molly to shop as well.  Since she was only just barely three when we began this new tradition, we envisioned her trying to keep all of the toys for the boys for herself and throwing a fit.  Because we didn't allow her to shop, I just picked out an item from her for each of the boys from the leftover toys.

The Benefits

 

One of the things that I really like with this method of shopping is that I can pre-select things that I think are appropriate, and my kids don't have to be overwhelmed with deciding from a whole store of toys.

I had thought to just return the extras to Walmart for a refund. But, then I realized, "Hey -- why not just keep the leftovers to fill their stockings?" (My kids didn't remember that they are the same.)

 

The Results

 

When Christmas morning has come each year that we have done it, our kids seemed to be literally glowing with pride and anticipation!  While they were thrilled to receive gifts, they definitely were most excited to see their siblings open the gifts that they had chosen.  In a lovely twist, it seemed that the gifts that had come from a sibling became some of the favorite gifts.  Molly cherished the $3 baby doll that came with a bottle, and gave a mild smile to the American Girls Bitty Baby Twins that she got from us.

 

I cannot recommend this method of holiday shopping for siblings enough!  I can already see that it is going to be a cherished family memory in years to come.  And, while gifts may come and go, those memories will be forever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday and Finer Things Friday.

photo by allerleirau

Great Deal Alert: Nintendo DS Game Deal

I'm not sure how much longer this deal will be up, but the newest Club Penguin game for the Nintendo DS is marked down from $34.99 to $9.98 at Amazon.com!  And, not only is it the game, but it the bundle pack, so it comes with the game, a Club Penguin DS skin, a special Club Penguin stylus, and a code for 2500 coins on ClubPenguin.com. 

I just knew I had to pick up one of these at this great price!

7 Quick Takes: December 4, 2009 (Volume 23)

~ 1 ~

I. must. clean.

In just a few days, I will be hosting a baby shower for my sister-in-law at my home.  Nothing like a party to force you into really a nice deep cleaning around the house, I suppose.  I actually have a bunch of things to do before the shower, but it should be a nice afternoon.

~ 2 ~

We are gearing up for St. Nicholas Day this weekend.  My kids are very excited, just like I always was when I was a kid.  Although we only do one small gift (between the three kids, the gifts averaged at right about $5/kiddo), they are eager to see what will await them.

On the topic of small gifts though, what are some of your favorite stocking stuffers for kids?

~ 3 ~

We just got our paperwork for Eric's health insurance for next year.  We have just a few days to make decisions and get it all turned back in.  I'm not sure why it has to be that way every year, but it is.

More importantly, I don't understand why we have to pay more for our monthly premiums each year, yet we also get an increase in our copays and introducing this year -- a deductible as well.  Oh well, I guess I can understand the increase in price, because they are cutting some of what they cover and making us financially responsible for more of it.

Yeah, it makes perfect sense.

~ 4 ~

I know that a lot of people around the U.S. right now are probably at the point where they are tired of coming up with creative ways to use leftover turkey.  But do you know what?  I only got to have turkey on Thanksgiving and then a few rolls with some turkey on them on the drive home the next day (from my grandparents house).  So, darn it -- I'm in the mood for turkey.

Good thing I went to Aldi's for the first time ever and picked up a Butterball turkey at a great price.  I have to decide when to make it (so I know when to start thawing it), but then I'm all psyched to have some turkey at home.

In preparation for when we get tired of turkey though, anyone have any great leftover turkey ideas?

~ 5 ~

I was excited to get to change my ringback tone on my cell phone to "Carol of the Bells" by Straight No Chaser just after Thanksgiving.  It was apparently a whole family event, because the kids had to call my phone and then so did my Mom.  Then the kids made me play the song on my iPod several times.  I didn't know it, but it is apparently Noah's favorite Christmas song.

~ 6 ~

I recently searched around town and the Internet for this Pastry Chef set from Step 2 for Molly for Christmas.  I just thought it looked so cute after reading about it in the most recent issue of Family Fun Magazine.

Much to my displeasure, what I thought was going to be a single click on Amazon.com actually ended up being an all-out search.  I have not linked you to Amazon, as a matter of fact, because they are out and there are third party sellers trying to get almost $60 for the set right now (which should be around $25).

I was thrilled to then find that Step 2 sells them on their website!  But, the catch is that they only sell a two pack of this toy on their site.  Get this though -- it was on sale for $29.99 for the two pack!  (Right now, it's up to $49.98 for the set of two, but that is what retail price would be for two.)

So, not only did I manage to get a toy that I wanted, but now we have another gift just waiting to be given to someone else!  WooHoo!

~ 7 ~

I recently heard this passage from Matthew's Gospel (when my friend Amanda put it on a mixed media painting) and I realized that I need to think of it a lot more often than I do:

Learn from the wildflowers in the field, and behold the birds in the sky.  Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will wear.  Your Heavenly Father knows what you need before you even ask Him.

This post is linked to 7 Quick Takes Friday.

Photos by: cleaning by The Shopping Sherpa / turkey by Another Pint Please... / flowers by Martin_Heigan

Be Sure to Check Out the Giveaways at Joyful Holidays!

Brenda, the super homeschooling Mom that is the powerhouse behind Tie That Binds Us, The Curriculum Choice, and Our Lifestyle of Learning (as well as a writer at a number of others sites), has started back up writing at her fabulous holiday blog, Joyful Holidays.

I have really been enjoying following along with Brenda as she shares fabulous ideas for Thanksgiving and Christmas preparations!  One very cool thing that has been happening for the last couple of days is a series of giveaways from wonderful Etsy sellers.  There are eleven days of giveaways -- so you definitely have time to visit! 

So, don't hesitate to go check out Joyful Holidays, not only for the fabulous giveaways, but for the great holiday ideas too!  Thanks for inspiring me to have an even more wonderful holiday season, Brenda!

A Non-Knitter Makes Knitted Christmas Gifts!

I'm so excited to read the Works for Me Wednesday posts this week, as the theme this week is all about Christmas gifts!  Although I'm trying to finish up my shopping (within the next week, I hope!), I still love getting ideas, especially since I'm sure many of them will be handmade goodies.

Speaking of handmade goodies, be sure to check out my ideas for baking goodies to give out as gifts, as well as making not so edible cookies (felt ones, actually) for Christmas as well.

Here's my offering for this edition -- knitting Christmas gifts for the knitting-challenged.

Just a year and a half ago, I had never used a sewing machine, and I had absolutely no idea how to do any needlework types of crafts (like embroidery or knitting).  I'm still far, far, far from being a pro, and I have to use some aids at times, but I'm happy to say that not only am I making and giving those handmade felt cookies, but I am also giving some knitted (on a loom) gifts this year too!  So, take heart, if you have always wished you could be more crafty, there definitely is hope for you!

I used the Knifty Knitter round looms to make the two completed hats shown, and am working on another one that is still on the loom.  I used super soft yarns for all of those projects -- the pinks are bamboo and the brown is alpaca.  As far as I'm concerned, nothing makes knitting better than using wonderful yarn.  And my big challenge for this Christmas?  On the long loom (also by Knifty Knitter) is a blanket!  It's taking a lot longer than a hat, but I'm keeping at it!

So, if you're like I was just not too long ago and you long to create but think you're hopeless, maybe try something like the kit I used for learning embroidery or the looms sets (round would be easiest to start with, but the long ones are a great addition).  Another major help to me was having my Mom around to help me (and Eric to help me with figuring out loom directions), but YouTube videos can help too.

Making handmade things for Christmas not only blesses the receiver, but as far as I'm concerned, it really can bless the giver too.  It's really hard for me to be in a bad mood while I'm using bamboo yarn.  I'm hoping that at least one of my bamboo hat receivers (who lives in my house) will also find it hard to be in a bad mood wearing it! 








This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday and Finer Things Friday.

Starting a Homeschool Preschool Co-op

Join me over at The Homeschool Classroom to read tips about how to start your very own homeschool preschool co-op.  Even if you're not interested in homeschooling in the future, a homeschool preschool co-op may be a valid alternative to a pricey private preschool.

A Little Effort Ahead of Time Can Really Save You Later

Last night, we were rushing around close to dinner time.  We hadn't planned what to have for dinner, so we were left with that far too familiar dilemma about what to make when it was already getting close to 6 pm.

Thanks to some pre-planning, however, we were able to have a tasty dinner in no time!  I know -- I just said we hadn't planned, and now I'm saying that we planned.  We hadn't planned for dinner that night, but we were able to take advantage of the fact that I had previously purchased and browned several pounds of ground beef.  I made a couple of pounds of that ground beef into sloppy joes (which I made into two different meal portions), and then I made the rest of the ground beef into taco meat.  I froze all of these into meal sized portions in Ziploc bags.

So, although we hadn't planned for dinner, we were able to quickly throw together a meal of sloppy joes thanks to some time spent after a trip to the grocery store.


Do you have any go to meals or quick tricks that help you on nights like this?  Trust me -- I could use them!

 





This post is linked to Tasty Tuesday.


photo by AZAdam