Jan
2010

the things we do

categories: Uncategorized
The things we do for our hobbies.  (No, not hubbies.  Hobbies.)

I needed a tree branch.  Nothing large.  Just a small branch with little sprouts out to each side. 

So, I ventured into the cold. 

Old shoes? Check.

Scarf? Check.

Warm clothes? Check.

Coat? Check.

My goal.  Get the branch and get back into the warmth of the house. 

An easy task?  No.  We don’t really have any large trees.  ha.  The neighbors do.  Any other day, there would have been a wide variety of twigs and whatnot in our yard.  Not today. 

So, the poor little tree, (it’s about 7 years old), in our front yard had to sacrifice a cute little branch, for the sake of a craft. 

Sorry, no pix of the final project today.  I will post them tomorrow. 

Jan
2010

a new year {2010}

categories: encouraging verses, new camera pix, Uncategorized
Wow.  2010.  It just doesn’t seem possible! 

The last puzzle piece of 2009 is in place and a new year begins. 

I feel like I should be setting goals, planning projects, dreaming, reaching, achieving… and at the same time, I seem to be stuck in the same.  The here & now of my life.  Afraid to take risks.  To try something new.  Just comfortable. 

Maybe it’s a stay-at-home mom issue.  A feeling of not “doing anything”.  No importance.  No significance.  Just blah.   

Maybe it’s an “almost 40” thing.  I didn’t think that turning 40, (which I will do in mid-February), would be a big deal.  The closer it gets, the more daunting it becomes. 

I’m not sure what it is.  But I’m not a big fan of this feeling. 

Maybe it’s spiritual.  I will be honest, my daily devotions, time spent with God, hasn’t happened much lately.  I know I am saved.  I know He loves me.  I do spend a lot of time talking to God.  Praying.  But time in His Word, is where I fail. 

Seems like here I am again.  New year.  Same feeling.  Clinging to these verses…

  • Jeremiah 29:11-14a   “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD,…” 

Dec
2009

cute shoes! uh, no.

categories: holidays, my family, Uncategorized
Today was the day that we bowled.  It’s a tradition.  We always bowl sometime during the week between Christmas & New Year’s.  My sister is a teacher, so she’s free.  My mom stays at home and my dad’s retired, but works occasionally…and Nick is off from school and of course, I’m free.  So, other than Kevin, we all go bowling. 

I remember bowling when I was little.  The loud, smoke filled bowling alley.  People drinking and rowdy. 

Now, the bowling alley is a different experience.  More family friendly.  (Asthma friendly too). 

It was a fun day. 

Dec
2009

chocolate soynut butter cookies

categories: holidays, new camera pix, severe peanut allergy, tasty treats, Uncategorized
soynut-cookies-dec-17
Found a yummy recipe online for “Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies”, but changed it up a bit, so that it would be peanut-free. 

Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup creamy soynut butter
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup canola oil (I used vegetable oil)
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 2 large egg whites
  • 1 large egg
  • 12 oz. all-purpose flour (about 2 2/3 cups)
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 2/3 cup semisweet chocolate minichips (I used over 1 cup–1/2 a bag– of regular semisweet chips)

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350′.
  2. Combine first 8 ingredients in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth.
  3. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl; stir with a whisk.
  4. Add flour mixture to soynut butter mixture, stirring just until combined.
  5. Stir in chocolate chips.
  6. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart on baking sheets (I used a Pampered Chef Medium scoop and Pampered Chef baking stones).
  7. Bake at 350′ for 12 minutes or until golden.  (When using stones, I baked for 14 minutes, then removed from oven and allowed them to sit on the stone for at least 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack.)
  8. Cool on wire rack.

Yield: approx. 3 dozen

Nutritional info based on using peanut butter:  Calories 128; Fat 4.5g; Cholesterol 6mg; Carbohydrate 20.5 g; Sodium 106mg; Protein 2.3g; Fiber 0.6g

Dec
2009

pretty pleats for paper

categories: holidays, new camera pix, simply scrappin, Uncategorized
pleats-step-81
Whew!  It’s been a long week. 

I had the stomach flu for most of the week, then towards the end of the week, I had 2 events to get ready for.  One being my husbands family Christmas and the other, a coffee fellowship time at church this morning.  Whew! 

Today, I finally worked on my December Daily. 

I got out my sewing machine and decided to make pleats for paper! 

Here’s how:

  • Cut a scrap of paper that is the appropriate size for your layout (paper project).  Then cut a piece of ribbon quite a bit longer….I didn’t measure it, but I would guess almost double the length. 
pleats-step-1
  • Next I applied adhesive to the back of the ribbon (or it can be applied to the paper).
pleats-step-2
  • Begin your ribbon with a little excess hanging off of the edge so that you can tuck it around the back.  Now you can start to create pleats along your paper.  Pleats can be as close or as far apart as you want. 
pleats-step-3
  • Once you have reached the end of your paper, wrap the end of your ribbon around to the back and secure.  You are ready to sew! 
pleats-step-4
  • Paying attention to the direction that your pleats fold, sew in the same direction.  You can use whatever type of stitching that you want.  I used a zig-zag stitch. 
  • Here are 2 examples of the pleats that I made. 
pleats-step-5
pleats-step-6
  • To finish, you can simply trim off the excess paper along the bottom, (or leave it) and attach to your project!  I also added a santa flair pin to this set of pleats. 

It’s as simple as that! 

That completes my December Daily: Day 4. 
pleats-step-7

Dec
2009

kate’s purse

categories: holidays, my family, new camera pix, Uncategorized
purse-a-web
My niece & nephew have spent the entire weekend with us.  In a house of 3 people, the youngest being 15, there aren’t too many things to entertain a 10 & 6 year old. 

EXCEPT for……. 

Craft supplies! 

Kate, the 10 y.o. made this cute purse.  For the most part, all by herself!  She came up with shape, handstitched the edges, (whipstitch, is what I call it), hemmed the flap, we added a snap for closure, a shoulder strap and a flower & button embellishment!  It’s quite a pretty bag! 

We’ve also strung many letter-beaded bracelets, hand embroidered hearts and lettering onto fabric, sketched, AND we’ve been to our local museum for the Annual Christmas Tree Festival, (which I have gone to for yeeeeaaarrrs), drove around to look at the Christmas lights, shopped for furniture, drank hot chocolate, watched Christmas movies and MORE!  (I’m going to need a vacation from my weekend…lol) 

Hoping to work on my December Daily later tonight/tomorrow….I will post pictures soon! 
purse-b-web

Dec
2009

cozy Christmas

categories: holidays, new camera pix, Uncategorized
ornament-womens-group-dec
Last night I attended a “Cozy Christmas” women’s event for our church. 

We had a nice evening of fellowship, fun Christmas games and of course all sorts of Christmas goodies & coffee. 

Today, I had lunch & Starbucks with my great friend, Lisa.  It was nice to slow down and enjoy great conversation & time with her. 

I have been working on my December Daily…can’t believe it’s December.  I will be posting some pix from my DD tomorrow.