Art-full January / February

I've SO enjoyed making time to be creative in a different vein lately.  When I sew purses or wallets I relish the feeling of creating something out of nothing but pieces of fabric. However, everything has to be done 'right' for it to turn out well.

Since I've been feeling more free-spirited, I decided to try my hand at art journaling. I bought watercolor pencils, a book, and jumped in.

The above is my first attempt, and is a complete copy from a true artist!  With my daughter in our classical education, we always begin by 'copying the masters', and so I did exactly the same.

For my sweet niece's birthday, I made a personalized candle jar for her.  I copied a lot of her Instagram photos, arranged them, and added quotes at the bottom. After figuring out the right sizes of photos to fit the jar (from Ikea), I printed on vellum and attached with double-sided tape.  My niece is an amazing gift-giver, always so thoughtful, and I was very happy to create a little something for her, OF her!

Our homeschool co-op had an 80's dance the first week of February and I was privileged to do the decorations.  I'm an 80's girl at heart so the giant Rubik's cube, Pac Man, and big hair was easy as pie for me. I was even more thrilled when I found WHAM's first album at Half Price Books!  I used to own it, and mine had their group name as WHAM! UK.  Displaying THAT album would have fulfilled my inner 13-year-old self even MORE!

My trusty sweet girl helps me make samples for the Geography through Art class that I teach on Fridays. Last week we celebrated China and the Chinese new year. We both noticed creating the Chinese letter symbols was very therapeutic!

Favorite Books from 2014

My husband and I challenge each other every year to read one book a week.  I don't think we've ever made it to 52, though!  It's still a worthwhile goal, though, so we're trying again.  Here are some that I enjoyed this past year.

 

  

Why Shoot a Butler? by Georgette Heyer.  My first Heyer mystery and I am hooked!  I'm always thankful when I read Ms. Heyer on my Kindle because she uses exquisite language and I am always looking up so many new words!
 

 

A Yorkshire Christmas by Kate Hewitt.  A fun Christmas read.  The writing evoked a lot compassion for all three of the main characters and the ending was satisfying. Even though I haven't made it to Yorkshire yet, I could well imagine the snowy roadways!

 

Death at Blenheim Palace by Robin Paige.  I read this in England after touring Blenheim Palace so that may be why it's one of my favorites!  The grandeuer of the grounds, buildings are stunning, and the village of Woodstock is lovely. An intriguing mystery. 

 

A Place of Healing by Joni Eareckson Tada.  Joni has suffered so much in life, and continues to trust God, and in His goodness.  This spoke to me on many different levels.

 

 

The Measure of Katie Calloway by Serena Miller.  Katie Calloway endures a cruel husband, and when she has an opportunity to escape, she doesn't hesitate.  I admired her determination in the face of obstacle after obstacle.  Love the description of the Michigan woods as well.

 

 

Free Country by George Mahood.  This is a FUN book!  Two men decided to rely solely on the generosity of strangers to travel from Lands End to the northernmost point of Scotland.  Definitely some laugh out loud moments!

Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis. Beautiful, heartfelt, inspiring. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Olivia at Nine

Dear Olivia,

You are a precious nine-year-old this Christmas.  The changes I see in you this year is a maturity and appreciation for things.  How many times did you thank us for your toys yesterday, and you were soooo thankful to see Narnia today.  You are also an expert with the candle lighter this year.  Always before you loved to blow out the candles, now you are lighting them (with supervision) and arranging them.  Right now all the lights in the house are out except the Christmas tree lights, and you have five candles burning! 

What hasn't changed is your imagination!  Tonight we were steam cleaning the carpet, and as we put the towels down on the carpet, you would jump from one to one, smile on your face, and delighted as you flew over the wet carpet.  You disappeared upstairs for a few minutes, and came down with your big Belle doll, and she accompanied you on your journeys.  Then you would toss her to a towel and jump after her!

Now there are four more candles lit.  You knew I had a basket of candles, and you were determined to find them!  I love your determination!

Tonight we saw Voyage of the Dawn Treader.  During one of the scary parts, you leaned over and whispered in my ear "The good thing about movies is you know the good guy won't die." That's my girl : )  You are such an optimist.

I'm so happy you love your Christmas gifts.  Last night you went to sleep with your Rapunzel doll, and your survival kit next to your bed.  You like the dress design studio a lot, and your babies are all dressed and tucked into bed with warm blankets.  The pillow pet penguin - oh you wanted that so much!  We bought it and Grandma Lee sent the money - I wish she wouldn't have, though, because she bought you so much already!  You hugged and hugged it, and slept on it last night.  You have an amazing animal rescue shelter in  your room, everyone is tagged and has a special place to sleep.  Cozy beds, too, only the best for your animals!

We are grateful for you, and love you soooo much! 

We are so busy with school, errands, Bible study, AWANA ~ anything I can put together in the morning to be ready at night is a help!!  I've also been utilizing my crockpot more often. The less mess in my kitchen, the better!!


Mexican Mess ~ Kid-Tested, Mom-Approved : )

Crockpot Minestrone, bread

Meatloaf, sweet potatoes  (yippity-skippity, an oven meal!)

Oven Fried Sesame Chicken, Asian Garlic Broccoli & Red Pepper stir fry



Mexican Mess
1 lb ground turkey, browned with onion and garlic
1 can ranch beans
1 can seasoned black beans
Add beans and simmer 20 minutes. 

Cook brown rice.  Layer on plate, beginning with rice, then meat and bean mixture. 

Serve with: chopped tomatoes, lettuce, shredded cheese, salsa, fritos, avocado.

Crockpot Minestrone
I made this last week, and we all loved it!  The measurements are approximate, but after all, it's soup, what can go wrong?!!

1 box chicken broth
1/2 jar leftover spaghetti sauce
1/2 finely chopped onion
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 cups chopped carrots
2 cans kidney beans
1 can cannenlini beans
3 garlic cloves, minced
Italian seasoning, pepper

Cook on low until you come home!  I cooked my pasta separately, then added it right before we ate.  If I had zuchini on hand, I would add that towards the end of cooking. Serve with parmesan cheese and crusty bread.  Delcious!



Oven Fried Sesame Chicken
This is a new recipe.  We love sesame!  I also like to use chicken thighs occassionally, because I often am stuck in a boneless-skinless chicken breast rut.  I am planning on using breasts and thighs ~ we'll see what the grocery store prices are!

2 lbs chicken breasts, thighs or wings

1/2 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
4 Tbsp. sesame oil
1 bunch green onions, including bulbs, diced
4 tsp. minced garlic
Sesame Seeds


Directions:


Combine ingredients, except chicken, in a large ziploc bag.  Add chicken, coat well, cover and refrigerate for at least two hours, turning at least once. Transfer chicken to a baking dish (discard marinade).  Sprinkle with sesame seeds and bake chicken uncovered at 425 degrees F. for about 45 minutes, turning once after about 25 minutes.

Good, clean fun

About a year ago, I was at HEB all by myself buying groceries.  I love my dear family, but it was good to have some time to myself.  I was checking off my list, and as I was standing in front of the laundry detergent, I discovered Shout Color Catchers.

Wowza, I thought, these are really great!  Because I've noticed my colors bleeding even though my mamma trained me well to separate my colors, and never - ever mix whites with anything.  Yes ma'am.

So anyways, the excitement that I felt over finding a new laundry product was...well, it was SAD!

I called my sister on my cell phone as I wheeled my buggy up to the front, and whined her "I HAVE to have something other than going to the grocery store for my fun night out.".

Of course she agreed.

She's a FABULOUS sister. 

In the past, I've gone scrapbooking.  Now, however, I'm 8 years behind on my 9-year-olds life, though, and the thought of dragging out all that self-condemnation just doesn't really motivate me. 

On our community website I saw a notice for a monthly womens Bunco night.  I sent off an email, and the Lord gave me wisdom to sign up only to be a substitute.  I didn't know any of the women, or what the group would be like. 

I had my first opportunity to sub last week.  I was encouraged as I saw ladies walking in, wearing big smiles and cute outfits.

A cute pair of flip-flops and fun jewelry with a friendly face is the ticket to my heart. 
The ladies were all friendly, and it was FUN!  No pressure except to enjoy drinks, snacks, and a great connecting point in our neighborhood.  I am so thankful that I found it, and that it worked out the way it did. 

FUN!  No angst over scrapbooking layouts, mourning as I look at pictures of our sweet 2-year-olds chubby hands.  Just FUN!

And I won't be the lady partying in the laundry aisle any more.

So glad I don't have to live in a box

I am so so grateful for summer!  O and I made a doll yesterday - hand stitched, and then I 'helped' her make a dress for it that does not fit at ALL!  A seamstress I am not! 

Other things I have time to do with her is sort out rocks and gems, and put them into labeled bags.  I offer choreographical suggestions for her 'movie songs', which are rarely used!.  Right now her favorite is 'You Belong With Me' and 'Cha Cha Slide'.  And then, of course, I watch and download her movies of herself performing these songs!  

O has tickets made for when my sister and her family come down this weekend.  Tickets for her piano performance, movie songs, and Empire Strikes Back movie.  Hope they bring enough quarters!!

Plus, I've done some much needed cleaning out - the bookcase in our bedroom looks much better, the freezer is cleaned out (there was orange gunk in there for the past two months from O's experiment gone bad), and all of the laundry is caught up - including organizing W's sock drawer.  

What is it about all these mundane accomplishments that are so satisifying?  For me, I think all these little things that I don't have make time for build up into a big pile of guilt.

Now my little sweetie is making gifts for her cousins, and she's learning the extremely varied musical preferences of her mama.  Love to hear singing "Grace, Grace, God's grace" and then "Stop! Cause I really love you.  Stop!". 

Why Don't We Just Dance - Josh Turner
Whip It - Devo
Sunglasses At Night - Corey Hart 
Summer of '69 - Bryan Adams 
The Power of Your Name - Lincoln Brewster 
Missing You - John Waite 
Melody - Kate Earl 
Love Will Keep Us Together - Captain & Tennille 

In the cool of the evening - Rosemary Clooney 

If This Is It - Huey Lewis & The News 

I Melt With You - Modern English
Heart of Rock-N-Roll - Huey Lewis & The News 
Grace That Is Greater - Bart Millard
Faithful God - Shannon Wexelberg
Don't You (Forget About Me) - Simple Minds  
Don't Go Breaking My Heart - Elton John & Kiki Dee 

Cuts Like a Knife - Bryan Adams
All Your Promises Are True - Shannon Wexelberg