"Hell Hole to Haven in One Week Flat!"

Ok so, as I moped around the house last week, asking the inevitable "Why Me?" questions, something came to me.. My home, my balance, my life is in the chaos it is in because of something I am doing. right? So I scoured the internet in search of answers.. hours upon hours, I spent, searching. (those of you who know me, KNOW that I can research the hell out of anything!). I looked high and low for answers, how do I bring it all back under control.. the house, the laundry, our schedule, my business.. It took DAYS of research and in the end, I came to no further of a conclusion then where I had began.. But the answer DID come! it was a light bulb moment that hit me days after the research and inquiries were far gone.

THERE ISN'T ONE.

That's it. What had I been searching for? A magic pill.. a formula of some kind that I could mix in a bottle, sprinkle across my kitchen and watch the haven I have been looking for appear?! that wasn't happening. I had researched, and researched.. and the truth was, I knew it all already! I hadn't learned anything new. I read and re-read the same answers I had read 2 years ago, when the same boat capsized! I know about flylady, I know every group on yahoo, every homekeeping site on the web, every book, every method, I have been there.. done them all and failed at each and every one! :-) SO, what was the answer?

IT wasn't WHAT I was doing, it was what I WASN'T doing!

fatigue. kids. lack of sleep. over-scheduling. yada, yada, yada.. if there's an excuse out there, I've used it! well, clearly the problem is that NOTHING is getting done.. no, the problem is that I am DOING NOTHING! (don't fight me on that, I have plenty of proof!) Everything I read tells me to take it slow..15 minutes here, half an hour there, baby steps... Right? for me? Wrong! I'm no good at baby steps, so for the next week, I will be taking this hell hole I call my life, and making it into the haven I want to be a part of. With Gods guidance, this 1 week boot camp, will put me back on track and keep me there.

WHAT'S DIFFERENT NOW!?

I know, I asked the same thing? What will make this time any different then the other times. This time.. I have MY answer..

It wasn't WHAT I was doing, it was what I WASN'T doing!

I've learned that every bit of it boils down to discipline! Yep, DISCIPLINE! That's the difference! That's the one thing that not too many homemaking sites and methods talk about, and you know what? THATS what it takes. The discipline to get up when your body says no. The discipline to shut up when you wanna say what's on your mind. The discipline to keep on going when all you want to do is stop. The discipline to shut it down, when you want to keep on going. The discipline to Do what I say I will DO. The most successful people in the world, are that way because they have disciplined themselves beyond what the average joe cares to deal with (a very difficult place to be for a naturally un-disciplined person).

SO!

THIS week, I will get up off of my lazy butt, EVEN when I don't feel like it and do the things I have scheduled to do. THIS week, if I am too tired because I stayed up too late - SUCKS to be me! THIS week, NO excuse will be enough. THIS week - By the power of God, I will BE disciplined, i will commit to making it happen.. because frankly, that's ALL. IT. TAKES.

Tackle it Tuesday!!!

.. begins again!  with.... CLUTTER.. oh, the big C word is my home's greatest downfall!!  So, I have NO choice but to take part in the big declutter.. I'll pick a spot later and DD and I will knock it out and post our before and after pics.  Wish my luck! I'm gonna need it! 

ps:  Thank You, 5 minutes for mom for motivating me to this end!  (can you tell where I spent time this morning? she has some awesome pics of her cluttered zone destroyed!) 

I can't believe I'm spinning!!!

Thanks to some marvelous friends on Ravelry, I am spinning!!! I can't believe it!

I know I am a bad, bad blogger! But I have put some things in place that will, hopefully, make it possible to have a nicely updated and interesting blog, we'll see!

I have been busy - between the kids, homeschooling, homemaking and keeping, (yes, there's a difference ;o) knitting and, now my newest hobby - spinning, I've really got to stay on top of my game to keep my blog updated. My lack of consist ant content is simply a sign of my lack of organization. LOL However, with the help of my newest favorite website, Happy Housewives, I am slowly coming around. It's like boot camp, and I LOVE it!

Playsilks, Puppies & Soap, Oh my!

So what on earth have we been up to?? So much!
Making homemade toys, soap and getting our little pug Pinky re-adjusted to being home. (See previous posts below for details on each)

In an effort to rid our home of plastic-blinky-blinky-blinky-non-imaginative toys, we are on a quest to make new, fun, natural material toys to replace the ones we're just gotten rid of. One of which are these lovely playsilks! What is a playsilk -- hmm.. here's a good definition. We had so much fun dying them with koool aid yesterday, and dd and son began having fun with them almost immediately.


In addition to the playsilks, we've been playing around with wool roving, making felted balls and fairies. What fun that was! Click below to flip through the pics to see the felt ball making fun!

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The kids had a ball! And it was a most impressive science project!


Many of our toys are typical Waldorf inspired toys ~ very simple toys, faceless dolls (to make way for imagination) and natural materials. DD has also been on a very big Fairy kick and added fairies to our list toys to make. Here is her first Waldorf inspired fairy, named Angelica. We plan to make more very soon, and with each go, we plan on getting better at it! ;-)

All of the wool roving for this project and the felted balls, was given to us by some dear fellow ravelers, who read about our interest in natural wool toys, and donated some wool to experiment with! From color dyed, to natural combed wool to raw wool straight from the sheep! This little play has provoked some kind of a desire to play with wool (oh no! Could the spinning bug be hitting home!), and as such we have 2 LB of roving on order from The Sheep Shed Studio. Maybe I won't spin it.. {clearing her throat}, I simply DON'T have time...
...TO BE CONTINUED.

So, I decided to show my gratitude to these generous wool-giving ladies, by sending them some handmade soap we recently made. That was another fun venture. Click through the stack below to see the process (you can also click to enlarge and see a description.:

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In more news ~~ Pinky is home and settling in just wonderfully!


She did have a vet appointment yesterday for a small imperfection we spotted in her eye. All is well, however, and we left with some eye drops to administer 3 times a day.... oh joy! But hopefully, this will mean clear, beautiful eyes for a long time to come.




Until later..

n

Hats, Scarves Bags, and Boxes

Boy, what a bunch of updates I have! I have been so bad at keeping everything updated, but I will truly try much harder to stay up to date here. Our horrible HughesNet connection is partly to blame, and the rest is simply time. I think if my connection as faster, my time issue would probably resolve itself. But, until then.. we carry on.. :-)

First, a FO:
My dear sons new hat, scarf and mitts set! Isn't he a cutey pie!

And a WIP:


Chevron Scarf
Pattern: Scarf Style by Interweave Press
Yarn: Bernat Softee Chunky

I've wanted to try this pattern, and being a new knitter, decided I would do this in a solid color first time around, not expecting much.. I L-O-V-E it! The pattern is really very, very simple, and produces such lovely results ~ even in a solid color. Can't wait to see it some to life in color!


We are gearing up for our new Homeschool year (yes, we start just about anytime during the year!). Our Sonlight curriculum just arrived in the mail and it looks like so much fun! Now, we await our Math U See Beta and Abeka Cursive Handwriting and we're off the the races! It's also time to get our reading list in for the six flags 6 hour reading program and time to sign up for the Pizza Hut Book It! program.

On the home front:

Listen In:
Momma's sweet baby crying sleepily as he learns to fall asleep on his own..

View from the front window:
Nippy, nippy.. wait! Is that snow?!

Supper Plans:
Cabbage and Ground turkey (Yum!)

In the garden:
Gardening Plans: We will begin out Square Foot porch garden any day now!

Beauty in the common things:
The peace of sweet baby boy finally falling asleep (yes, that quickly!) and the quiet time between then and the moment I lay my head down (The ONLY few tranquil minutes I have all day!)

On the Needles & Hooks:
hmm, lets see: 2 hooded scarves that are just draaaging on.. , socks, sleeves & a Chevron scarf. In the next week: Another diaper soaker for the baby, Tiramisu Baby Blanket (gift), Koolhaas hat and the Hemlock! (Yes! Can't wait!)

Something New:
My beautiful new Lexie Barnes Lady B knitting bag! Love it! All the room I need, I can get a few small project, a couple of large projects, all my needles and all my every day stuff (including a diaper!) in this bag! It's water proof, has sturdy, non-slip shoulder straps, double zipper, matching needle cases, TONS of pockets, and is absolutely gorgeous to boot! (see pics below!)

n

Breakfast in Bed... :-D

DD decided that she would make Breakfast today, since I've been under the weather the past few days. She decided toasted Blueberry Bagels and butter were in order, and a delicious cold cup of milk. She also decided that this pretty serving plate would make a grand compliment to her breakfast plan! Pretty decisive for a 5 yr old, I think! So we sat in bed together and ate our bagels and shared our cup of milk. It was a delight!

n

I love a fire! Big update...

What a pretty fire hubby threw together. It's just a tiny bit nippy in the morning now, but with one of these fires going, we can warm the house up and save cash by not messing with the thermostat! :-)

Please accept apologies for not updating in so long, there has been so much going on. Obviously, the Holidays beginning are part of the chaos. We went away for a long week on vacation during the week of Thanksgiving, and sice we've been back the babe and I have both been sick and are just starting to see the light of days again. So, what have I been up to:

~~~~I AM IN LOVE ~~~

Truly! No honestly! I have found a hobby that I cannot put down. CROCHETING and KNITTING! I love them, love, love, love them both! I have been doing a massive amount of "yarn arts" over the past couple of weeks and am in progress of completing all of our Christmas gifts for our family. So, need I say that future posts will probably have quit a bit to do with my new found love!

stay tuned!
n

Wonderful Gathering of Friends!

Well we had a grand time yesterday and a big bash at my home! It was nice, and the first party I have had in a great while. I have been very busy planning for this, and it was well worth it. We had a lovely lady here from Stampin'up , who showed us how to make beautiful cards that look like expensive, personalized stationary cards that cost $3 - $4 each, but cost MUCH less! We also learned how to make beautiful holiday gifts, and how to use the stamps to add elements to a wall. The menu was:

Rice & Beans
Deviled Eggs
Salad with Homemade Dressing
Fruit & Veggie Platter
Pumpkin Bread
Harvest Mini- Muffins
Connie's Banana Pudding! (This was SUCH a hit!)

The kids had a great time, and I can't wait for my next swaree!

n

Menu Planning with iCal!

Originally uploaded by Ngabriel

My menu plan is finally done! yeaayyyy!!!! ok, so as I searched the web for a software program that would make it easy for me to organize a monthly menu plan, I became somewhat frustrated. Then I decided to give my iCal (the calendar program on my mac) a try. To my surprise, it worked like a charm! I set up 3 meals a day, for 2 weeks. Each meal is set to repeat on that same day every 2 weeks. So I end up with a 2 week rotating menu. In the notes section, I can enter things like the recipe, etc. I truly enjoy it and I hope you can find something just as user friendly to work your magical menu wand over! :-D Bon Appetite!

n

Favorite Breakfast recipe!

HPIM4763.JPG
Originally uploaded by Ngabriel

After much trial (and gnashing or teeth!), I have finally completed my menu plan! And in celebration, I am exploiting my absolute favorite breakfast recipe ~ Dutch Puff! Have you heard of it, you probably have. I came to know it through a blog that I visit often, and it has become a lethal weapon in my menu planning arsenal (especially with baby around!). I love it because I can quickly throw (literally) together 3 quick ingredients, and beat up and store in the fridge overnight. Then in the morning, pre-heat the oven, pour and oven bake for a few minutes! It cannot get any easier. We have it with pure maple syrup, molasses, bananas or fruit spread or preserves! mmmm! If you haven't heard of it, here is the recipe, courtesy of Kim @ Large Family Logistics:

Dutch Puff

2 cups freshly ground pastry flour or what ever you have on hand
2 cups buttermilk, milk, or cream
8 eggs
1 stick of butter

Put all ingredients except butter in your blender. Blend until smooth. Let sit overnight. In the morning put one stick of butter in a 9x13 pan and place in oven while it is preheating to 425. Blend ingredients again and add to baking dish. Cook for 20 minutes. It will puff up real big and then deflate once it has set out a few minutes. Top with Blueberry Sauce or maple syrup.
Wheat free version: use 1 cup rice flour and 1 cup tapioca flour


Enjoy!

n

GoldenRod

While going through one of my DD's Prairie Primer lessons, one of the assignments was to draw Goldenrod and research it's uses. After gleaning inspiration from Like Merchant Ships (one of my favorite reads! :-D) , I came to realize that this herb is the same nuisance weed that grows abundantly along Ga highways & roadsides! And... after doing some more digging, I discovered the herbs wonderful therapeutic properties ~ a long time home remedy, often used as a tea to treat urinary tract infections & kidney stones. And, when in harmony with a few "roadside florals," I think it makes for an adorable arrangement!

n

9/30 Commitment to Loveliness!

It's time for another Commitment to Loveliness! This is a fun way to increase femininity and beauty in our lives each week without even trying! All you have to do is choose five things that you would like to work on or do during the week that will increase the loveliness in your life!

Here is my list for this week:

1. Take the time to sew SOMETHING this week!
2. Return the house to "Home"
3. Re-organize my Pantry.
4. Pick some flowers & bring them into the house.
5. Start using my "Motivated Moms" Planner.

n

I've decided to join these lovely ladies, over at "Less of Me.." in planning my week. So in addition to my usual Commitment to Loveliness, I will begin posting "Monday Meanderings" each monday. This is so that I can seperate my more-practical weekly goals, from the more-"lovely" weekly goals. Some will probably be the same, but there will be some that differ on each list. So here we go:

1. Bible Study/ Devotions ~
   This week, I will continue my study of Godly Beauty and begin to "Really" read the book "Escape to God" by Jim Hohnberger.
   
2. "Must Do"~
   
   • - Take a little time and Bless each room to "Return" my house to Home, after a very hectic last week.
   • COMPLETE my menu plan.
   • Begin 1st week of my "12-Week Christian Holiday Planner".
     
   • Plan Sabbath School lesson for this Sabbath.
     
3. Home Project~
   I would really like to get my pantry back! SO this week I am going to commit to getting that pantry re-organized!
   
4. Train Them Up~
   
   • Find knitting needles, to begin the knitting unit in the Training Our Daughters curriculum.
     
   • Find 7 cartons for Stewardship Street "Math" class.
   • Gather together necessary items for ms. "Ruby" doll / proverbs 31 study.
     

1. Menu Planning~
   
   • When I have finished planning my monthly rotating menu, I will post here wach week what the plan is for that week.
     

Living Room Done! Yaaaaay!

I am done with my living room!




It took some time, and made for a very complicated week, but I am glad it is done. I wasn't able to do my curtains, because turns out the rod was too short, but as soon as I can exchange it, my curtains will be up as well! And I was able to give the gift of hospitality already this Sabbath! It was great to have people here, and so much fun. My house is finally feeling like a home. Now to move on to my other projects!

n

A Site to Remember : Lady Lydia Speaks

A lovely site that I am learning quite a bit from is Lady Lydia Speaks, a sub-site of Ladies Against Feminism [LAF]. Topics like Homemaking, Feminine Dress, Hospitality, Manners & The Arts are covered. Read one of the many articles, or visit the store or message boards. Here is one of my favorite articles on keeping the home tidy. Her website is fabulous as is her blog! Also be sure to check out her articles on the LAF website, by clicking on "Lady Lydia Speaks" in the left navigation bar after you enter the site. Enjoy!

Commitment to Loveliness!

I love this idea, and this is one of my ultimate goals. So it was very timely that I came across this at Emma's Blog at Charming the Birds from the Trees.

"It's time for another Commitment to Loveliness! This is a fun way to increase femininity and beauty in our lives each week without even trying! All you have to do is choose five things that you would like to work on or do during the week that will increase the loveliness in your life!"

Here is my list for this week:

1. Make hand sewn thrown pillows for living room.
2. Begin Going to Bed Earlier! (with a 4 month old, we'll see how this works!)
3. Complete a rotating menu plan.
4. Move furniture back into the living room & put home back in order!
5. Have a home Spa Day (hair, manicure, etc.)

Amazing Fabric Prices!

So, the color of our walls somewhat surprised us. See, they were to be a beautiful serene sand color. It is a textured paint, and has tiny black specks throughout. Well, we bought 4 gallons of it FIVE years ago!!! LOL (I know!) But, we opened it last week and it looked great! We painted and all was well, until it dried ~ at which time it took on a greenish tone. So now the room's walls are an earthy maroon and green! Ok! I'll work with that! I am going to make my own throw pillows and table cloths for end tables. So, I went looking for fabric. Of course Walmart's $1 fabric section was my first stop! But, to no avail, no upholstery fabric there. And their regular upholstery fabric was $8/yd. Yikes!!! So, a friend of mine mentioned a place, and took me there last week. PHENOMENAL! A warehouse, nothing particularly pretty, but if your willing to jump into the HUGE pile of remnant fabric, you will be rewarded with a "50 cents per pound" price tag!!! I was able to get these fabric remnants, all for $3.25! And an extra $1 for 2 lbs of fabric my DD picked out for herself. I'll never shop anywhere else for fabric EVER again! ;-D


I believe I will use the darker solid & rose print on the side end tables... the solid as table cloth, and the roses as a runner. I will be making 3 huge floor 'throw' pillows, for extra seating, from the lighter solid in the background.







And these will be my coordnating sofa throw pillows. I'll also be using the piping on everything to pull them all together a bit!

$3.25! Did I already mention, I'll never shop anywhere else for fabric EVER again!
n

Looky, Looky what I found!

Well, since the floors are finally done, I've decided that it's time to create an inviting atmosphere in the living room this time around, so I can feel good about being hospitable, instead of feeling like the room is bombarded with clutter. In the past, I had a lovely (but LARGE) table in the corner that has served as my office. Well, this time I really wanted something smaller that could fit in the corner, and not be so obvious. I prayed for guidance, and decided that an old desk downstairs, although big and tall, wasn't quite as big as the old table, so I'd use it! Then one night , last week, I went o church for an evangalistic meeting. and on the back of a church members truck was this beauty! In the middle of it was a sign that said "FREE to anyone who is interested!". I could have jumped for joy!!! A little cleaning up and polishing, and this baby will be absolutely quant in our *new* living room! Thank You Lord for your angel kisses!

n

Our floors are done!

I am so happy and grateful for our new hardwood floors. We decided to go with Hemse flooring from Ikea. VERY affordable and they look great down. Now I will say, that this seemed to be a 2 man job, although hubby did most of it on his own. A family relative came by for some time to help out a bit and the rest went down fine! We went ahead and painted to walls since the disgusting carpets were up anyway, and it all came out very nice!