When an experiment goes right

Posted on December 21, 2011 by

On Tuesday, my daughter and I had an opportunity to spend some girl time together. We did some nails and watched a movie. Then she suggested we make some vegetable bread. While I admired her desire to make something healthy, I was quite sure lettuce wouldn’t work in bread. Then I started to think about how unsure I was about it working and not wanting to waste the ingredients. I stopped my negative thoughts and decided that the time together and trying something new with my girl leading the way was worth the investment even if it flopped.
After getting mentally invested, I realized I didn’t have enough yeast. I plunged ahead by adding some extra baking powder. I divided the dough in half and discussed the possible veggies. We landed on shredded carrots and diced tomatoes. I added Italian seasonings and powdered garlic. We kneaded and added some extra flour–the veggies made the dough a bit sloppy.
After letting it rise. I shaped the dough into two big and two small loves. Half of it was veggie. It went into the oven and came out great. The outside of the bread was hard on the top, but the inside was soft and tasty. We enjoyed this bread with some homemade chicken soup. My husband said the bread tasted like something from Panera’s. Since I really like Panera’s, I took that as a great compliment.

Posted in Cooking and Baking | Tagged | 1 Comment

My freezer paper stencil onesies

Posted on November 25, 2011 by

I think I might burst if I don’t write something. I haven’t seemed to master the keep on top of house, kids, craft and writing like so many bloggers. I have been busy–especially in the digital scrap booking department. So, to set my mind at ease–and relieve the guilt of not having posted in so long–here are some samples of my attempts at freezer paper stenciling.  

 

This monogram turned out great. It was crazy cutting it out. While I love the font I used, it was not in anyway practical. 

This is a simple flower with a button. Not too complicated. 

I had fun with this one. It’s a reverse stencil. I ironed on the heart and painted out from the center. 

 
 

In my fantasy world, I have endless time, energy and resources to do all the crafting I dream up. With the holidays now here, I hope to do a lot of crafting. Got to fight the time, energy and resource limitations–and get a hold of time management.  
 
 
 

Posted in Crafting | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Baby gifts: ties and vests

Posted on September 21, 2011 by

I have been following some blogs checking out baby gifts. I have had a friend who did the tie t-shirt and was excited to give it a try. Then, I ventured out onto my own. My first attempts where following the tutorial at Crapivemade.com? Here are my creations:

My first onesie tie

This is my first onesie tie.

I liked the way it came out and decided to make more.

I tried making my own template, but I think I like hers better.

Then I went into a new direction: vests. I made my own template and am pleased with how it came out.

I need to experiment with girlie designs too. But I will leave that for another day.

Posted in Crafting, Sew | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

My Ta-Da list

Posted on August 19, 2011 by

I was feeling a bit discouraged about what I wasn’t getting done on my To-Do list. To-Do lists aren’t my favorite, but I do see the benefits. If I don’t have a direction to go in, I tend to spin my wheels without getting much done–so it seems. It becomes a to-do (did you know to-do is defined as “bustle; fuss”?). My ever increasing to-list becomes a to-do making me feel crazy inside.
Not that I want to totally scrap the to-do list idea, it is a good thing. I want to turn discouragement into courage by fighting the lie: I haven’t done anything today. So, I have decided to make a Ta-Da list (defined as “a jovial interjection in making an announcement, taking a bow, etc.”). This will be my backwards to-do list. I will write down the things I have done today. So, here is my–wow, is it really 2pm–Ta-Da list:
(Note: This is not chronological)
Got out of bed, dressed, brushed teeth, ate breakfast.
Listened to the Daily Audio Bible.
Prayed.
Took a shower and cut my hair.
Swept bathroom floor and wiped down the counters–hair gets everywhere.
Fed baby girl snacks, read to her countless books, played with her.
Cleaned up one of the “played with her” piles.
Emptied and loaded the dishwasher.
Put away breakfast things and wiped down the table.
Changed little girl’s diapers.
Folded laundry.
Put in another load and flipped it.
Worked on my budget planning.
Read and deleted a bunch of e-mails.
Had a nice talk with my mom–good relationships should be on everyone’s to-do list but rarely make it on the radar as important.
Made pizza dough for our pizzas tonight.

So, I could kick myself for everything I didn’t do. Rather, I will stand tall for what I did do. Once encouraged, I will take a look at that to-do list again and remind myself I have what it takes to succeed in those challenges. Maybe I should take a break first; I’ve been busy.

One more thing to add to my Ta-Da list: wrote and posted blog entry.

Sweet.

Posted in Time and organization, Writing | Tagged | Leave a comment

The First Day of School is Coming up Fast

Posted on August 14, 2011 by

The first day of school is coming up fast.
The flurry of buying supplies, over. I hope.
The energy, kid energy, both positive and negative are serging.
I wonder what my days will be like, again, with a single little one toddling around.
At times, a quiet house.
Little blocks, board books and new words.
Exploring. Lots of exploring.
Long naps for Elmo and Pink bear with their beloved. I hope they are long, even if it’s just one.
Could I have time to create?
Only if I Buy up the moments and choose wisely.
Then comes the rushing sound of students returning. Backpacks and lunch bags trailing behind.
There are stories to share both of victories as well as wounds.
School projects and field trips and homework.
The first day is coming up fast.
Take a deep breath.
Ready. Set. Go!

Posted in Parenting | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Feeling Fat

Posted on August 8, 2011 by

I feel fat.
It’s not that I jumped on a scale or couldn’t fit into my pants. It’s just a feeling. I am by no means in the best of shape nor the shape I dream of being, but I have lived many a day like this and haven’t felt fat. Today is my fat day. I think this comes around ever so often. I hate feeling fat.
Feeling fat usually leads to feeling ugly and feeling all around yuck. It doesn’t motivate. It doesn’t energize. It depleats. It slugs and moans and groans. It begs for compliments while the claws are out. The inside is soft and hurting. The outside is a fortress ready for the inevitable attacks.
The feeling will go at some point. Maybe even later this day–I did take some extra time with my hair and face. That’s good, right? Oh, to fight back and win the war.
The war isn’t won by exercise and eating right–even though they are great to do. It isn’t defeated with compliments as good as it might feel in the moment. It could be battled with the right combination of hormones; I’m just dreaming now. The answer eludes me just as much as when the monster will strike again.
I think of my daughters and want to solve it for them. If I can capture the monster, I can give them tools to fight it too. I think many girls fight it regardless of their shape and size. In the end, I know it has nothing to do with reality. Sometimes feelings are just that way.
Here’s what I’ve done so far:
1. I took a nap. It’s not something I can do always, but I could today. Having rested, I am in a better place to think.
2. I did a reasonable amount of grooming and chose clothes I feel comfortable and attractive in. Not going to win a fashion award in this, but I don’t want to hide myself either.
3. I am writing. That is a salve for me. It doesn’t work for everyone. But for me, it gets it out and, usually, it leads to better resolve.

What do I need to do next? I do need to do things that are positive. Things that are good to do. It doesn’t have to solve it all. I have responsibilities that need my attention. I’m already moving in the right direction. I have won.

Posted in Parenting, Writing | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Things I Hear Myself Say Day After Day…

Posted on June 23, 2011 by

Here are some of the things I might say on a typical day. Most of it isn’t original to me. I hope the repetition of the good will stick with my children all their lives, and the repetition of the bad, gulp, will fade into the background.

Was it loving, necessary or true? If not, don’t say it.

Obey, right away, with a happy heart.

This is going to take a lot longer now that you said, “When is this talk going to be over?”

You win or lose by the way you choose.

The answer to nagging is “no.”

I would be glad to talk with you if you would come into the same room I am in.

If what you are trying isn’t working out, try something different or get help.

If I have to clean up your stuff, I get to decide if it is trash or treasure.

You can do whatever you want, but you have to face the consequences of your choices.

Have you had any water today?

I love you.

Grumpy gets 15 minutes on his/her bed. (That includes me, but none of my kids have sent me there. I have sent myself.)

You really can’t find anything to do? I can make some suggestions.

When you are an adult, you can stay up as late as you want.

Yes, I know you don’t want a nap. Only adults want naps.

Posted in Parenting, Writing | 2 Comments
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