Announcing!

MY ETSY SHOP!

Please stop by and check it out. Only 3 items right now, but more to come!

Can't argue

with nature.

I love living here.

um...I LOVE these.

that's all I have to say about that.

Saturday:: something to think about

::

Today's "Saturday:: something to think about" comes from my good friend Calvin.

Calvin: "yep, Christmas is just around the corner.

And what better way to celebrate a religious holiday than with a month of frenzied consumerism."

Hobbes: "I'm surprised other religions haven't picked up on that."

Calvin: "Getting loads of loot is a very spiritual experience for me."

::

I wonder what message it sends to the children of this generation that we spend a month in madness trying to prepare for one day, Christmas. We don't spend a month preparing for Easter, birthdays, St. Patrick's Day, or even Arbor Day. Why do we do it for Christmas?
I know the idea behind gift giving at Christmas time and I've read up on St. Nicholas. I know that I enjoy wrapping up and giving gifts. I know I like to receive gifts. But why on earth does it consume our minds from somewhere in the middle of November until the morning of December 25th? What is it that causes stress, arguments and even drives some to murder over a stupid fad of a toy that won't be cool in January?
::
How can we teach our children that the mailers full of toys are not what Christmas is really about? How can we change the tone from one of "get! get! get!" to one of thankfulness of the ultimate gift which is salvation? I will strive this year to help take the focus off gifts and onto the position of our hearts towards the man of which we celebrate: Jesus.

And more crochet

A few more crochet items off the hook.

First, a brown number with coordinating stripe ribbon. And second, a new babe hat. Fun stripes with alternating front post double crochet brim.

Love them!

(kinda sorta strategically placed for photo)

On to the next!

Gettin' my crochet ON!

Believe it or not, I edited these photos, saved them, and then couldn't recover the saves.
Boo.

But, nonetheless here you go.
Six hats done, 3 more to come.

Pictures not doing these justice AT ALL!!! The above is a cute lavender, you can see that right? Well, the flower is this incredibly deep purple. The two colors are so beautiful together. And the orange button makes it a home run!

The one below has the cutest color combo, again unjustified by the (light blue) button catching the flash.

Alone, the above green is less than desirable, but with that blue button, OH MY, I am loving it!!!

Girl hats are much easier to make than boy hats. Girls give you ribbon and buttons and flowers. Boys, on the other hand, give you stripes. And more stripes. I guess the pom pom is pretty cool.

Get YOUR crochet ON!

Seven Pounds

= saddest movie ever.

I LOVE this clothing line!

I am absolutely IN LOVE with this label, Olive Juice Kids.

Recently, the Holiday catalog came in the mail and I am smitten. Here's a peek:

Even the little models are sooo adorable.
I love the feelings of realness that the models exude; that the photographers create.
I love that despite the cost, the garments look wearable.
I think I might copy both the above outfit and the one below, for myself!Don't be surprised if you see me showcasing quite a few Olive Juice catalogs on here!

Saturday:: something to think about

This is a feature to give light into who I am: a thinker, an analyzer, a question asker. The following is a quote I have posted in my home and read frequently. It helps me remember my role, that it is honorable and valuable. My wish is that someday the president will add this quote into one of his speeches so that the entire human race would hear, and be convinced, of how highly valuable the role of a mother is.
...

"Of course, much of the world would agree that being a housekeeper is acceptable as long as you are not caring for your own home; treating men with attentive devotion would also be right as long as the man is the boss in the office and not your husband; caring for children would even be deemed heroic service for which presidential awards could be given as long as the children are someone else's and not your own."
...

Why is it that when someone asks us what we do we feel ashamed to have to say we stay-at-home with our kids? As if our decision indicated a lack of education, a lack of motivation, and a lack of ability. The question, 'what do you do?' is innocent enough. People don't always recognize the implications of that question though, and that is ok. It is my choice to decide how it will effect me.
...

Let the answer to the question, "what do you do?" NOT be to me the measure of my acceptance or worthiness.

...

This passage comes from this book, written by Dorothy Patterson. I haven't read the book (i know, i know!!) but I would like to. This passage jumped out at me whilst I was skimming a friend's copy.

create :: journal

I have the most fun, creative, ninja loving (best) friend. I say "(best)" because it almost seems that we are "too old" to be saying "best friends." But, she is the one who knows me almost as well as my husband does. She could prepare me my favorite dessert, cook me a dinner according to my specifications without me giving them to her, and she could order me coffee at Starbucks. She and I have a sister-like relationship that grew out of a time in our lives that otherwise would have been very lonely, had we not spent so much time together.

Her birthday was this week and as she is a voracious reader, constant note jotter, and notebooks and journals lover, I thought, "what would be a better gift than a journal!" So, bring out the pretty paper, use my rotary paper cutter and self-healing mat, some Elmer's spray glue, vintage pictures with quirky captions, make a trip to kinko's and VOILA! Here it is!

Now all is needed is to pack and ship. I could write here, "I hope she likes it." But, I'm not going to because I really have no doubt in my mind she is going to love it! And I love it too!
Happy Birthday!

the BEST cookies EVER!!!

When I think about my kids and what kinds of things I want them to remember about me, I won't lie, I want them to remember me for these cookies.
I want them to tell their friends, "My mom makes the BEST monster cookies, EVER!!!" And I want them to use three exclamation points and all.

These really are incredible cookies. The first time I had them, I ate a dozen. And anyone who eats them for the first time, eats a dozen. They are THAT good.

I won't be egotistical and say the recipe was mine to begin with.
I got it from a friend about 7 years ago.

I am a firm believer that the color of M&M's determines how good they taste.
And while these are pink/hot pink (for breast cancer awareness) (they were on sale) my color of choice is green. If I could buy ten bags of M&M's a only use only the green ones, I would.

The dough overflows my largest Pyrex bowl when complete.
It's messy.
It's delicious.
It makes A TON!
(Usually I freeze half.)

The recipe:
6 eggs
2 2/3 cups brown sugar
2 cups white sugar
1/2 tbsp. vanilla
1/2 tbsp. corn syrup
4 tsp. baking soda
2 sticks butter (softened)
2 2/3 cup peanut butter
9 cups oatmeal
1 12oz bag choc. chips
1 12oz bag M&Ms

Mix ingredients in the order listed, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Using a ice cream scoop, or a 2 tbsp. spoon, drop onto cookie sheets about 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake for 12 mins. at 350 degrees. Let them sit on the cookies sheet for 2 mins before removing them to cookie rack.

ENJOY! and may your kids also think you're the best mom in the universe for making these scrumptious and satisfying treats!

crock-pot results?

"mom?"

"yes?"

"I like the soup that you made."


Melt my heart.

Get your bake on!

Today was spent in the kitchen.
I had a box of apples that I
needed to do something with, so I made applesauce,
apple juice and I prepared 4 pie fillings and 1 crisp filling.

Needing to make the kids an after school snack, I made
Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies from this cookbook.
I also made chai from this cookbook. I don't have pictures
to prove I made the chai but I'll say, it is sooo tasty,
there wasn't anytime for pictures!

And, lastly, I made dinner. Well, actually, this was the
first thing I made, but for the sake of pictures, it was last. I
recently inherited a crock-pot and really wanted to get
started using it. I decided on this recipe which has red lentils
and quinoa in it, two of my favorite things! Honestly, I'm a little
nervous it is not going to be good. Let's hope the crock-pot
fairy waves her little wand over it - and soon!

Here's to a full day of cooking, baking, drinking and enjoying fall!

When you're 8

The pumpkin patch post

Like everyone else in the month of October, we went to the pumpkin patch.
Although, I will argue that we had the most fun, and were with the coolest people.

Down on the farm

We're down and out this weekend! Down state and out in the country, that is!

Our weekend will be filled with good food, great company, new babies,
and of course, lots of dirt, outside play, and hikes!

Our totally awesome hosts, Stu and Patty. They are truly a gift!

We look forward to making many more memories out here!
Thank you for a great weekend!