I've been busy...

Here are some of my favorites...all in the shop waiting for you!

You know your bathroom is dirty when...

So you know the cleanliness of your home has taken a turn for the worse when your toddler takes things into his own hands. This morning when we were getting ready for church we heard that scary silence that only comes when a toddler is is up to no good. We found him in the upstairs bathroom. Literally taking matters into his own hands. He had the comet. Oh yes. It was in a baby proofed cabinet so the fact that he got his hands on it proves his genius right? Anyway. By the time I got there the sink was covered, the toilet was covered, his toilet was covered, the floor was covered and the tub was covered. What was I to do but clean the bathroom, right then and there, in my church clothes. He left the bathroom and made periodic checks to make sure I was doing my job. The bright spot in all of this is that at least this proves that I do clean the bathrooms...how else would he know what to do with the comet?

Summer fun and bun in the oven.

Last night I did some research and found some new parks in the area to take Moses to. I feel like summer is slipping away so fast that we have to act now and not put off things that we want to do...Belmont park is one of a few on the list I made last night.

The best part of this one was that it had a splash park! How fun is that! And free!!One of Moses challenges at the moment is keeping his clothes on...we had to fight to keep the swim diaper on here. Then we had to fight to get his shorts back on before he played at the nearby playground.

We had a great morning...we love finding new places and are really trying to take advantage of the great city we live in while we still live here. With Doug's job we never know when or where that next move will be. :)

My mail man has been good to me this week...I got a fun package from Scottie that included this super cute house...I LOVE anything with our name on it...

And now I will really look like a pro with my website on a tag and all. :)

And earlier this week I got a great package from my MIL that included this sweet dresser scarf that she stitched along with some other goodies including some fall clothes for Moses!

This week baby is the size of a fig (1 1/2in long).How come this doesn't look fig sized to me?

Last week when we went to our first doctors appointment, the nurse matter-of-factly stated that I should expect to gain between 25-35lbs. I had to try hard not to laugh out loud. Even Doug could hardly keep a straight face. I wanted to say "try doubling that number sister". I don't do anything half heartedly....last time I was pushing 55lbs of "baby weight". At least this time I know enough to not worry about it and hopefully by the grace of God it will all just melt away again...a girl can hope can't she? :)

Hope your weekend is swell...I'll work on a giveaway real soon! :)
xoxoxo

I am a birthday cake brat.

There are very few things that I am bratty and demanding about. At least I would like to think that there are...I am sure the loved ones in my life could point out more but this is not their blog. :) Every year Doug asks me what I want for my birthday and every year I give the same answer: a birthday cake. Not homemade. Not that he made from scratch. But a yummy bakery made rectangle of a pallet for mounds of butter cream icing and huge delish flowers. Those who know me well, know my distain for cake mix in a box so they sometimes find it strange that this is what I want for a birthday cake but...what I give and what I get are two different things right? So, every year I tell Doug that this is what I want. And every year he tries too hard. One year he got a round variety flavor cake. One year I think he got a red velvet cake. I have blocked the other years out but it's not that he doesn't try he just tries too hard. He wants so much to please me that he goes above and beyond. Last night we had the talk. Honey, I say, I want a cake, a rectangle, white or yellow cake with butter cream frosting and lots of flowers, from a bakery. He gave me this look like I was nuts, like after years of failed requests he would try to be creative again. I have faith in you honey. :) Heres a link. (choc butter cream filling with butter cream frosting on the outside, yellow cake). :) He's a good honey. :) And here is where you may think I am a weirdo...I put that yummy new cake right in the freezer...I love me some frozen cake. :)

Doug is the best present giver. He always knows just the thing to make me happy. I am far from a frou-frou girl and he knows that. He gets me gifts that speak to my practical side and I wouldn't have it any other way. One year for Valentines day he got me a bouquet of Henckle knives. One year an arrangement of super quality gardening tools. As much as gifts are my love language it seems that the more practical they are the more they sing to me. Any birthday money I am blessed to receive is treated the same way...what can I get that will bless me for a long while and not just for the right now? This year anything I receive will go to completing my bedroom set with a nightstand. :) We have one of the above (in a dark wood color)because that's all the money we had at the time and you don't just go charging a nightstand. :) As I think back through the years of gift receiving, the things I remember the most are things I still use today...
Like my mixer. I love this mixer so much and use it year round...

and nesting mixing bowls...I LOVE these. I got a set years ago and still use them every day. I have a semi-set in white. Moses busted one and I have requested a new set in fun colors for my birthday. :) So, this totally wasn't the post I was planning today but here we are. :) Let's see a post on YOUR blog about some of your favorite gifts through the years.

Hope you are well and blessed! :) xoxo

For the Love of my sanity.

Help me breathe some life into my shop. :)

It's a BOGO SALE!
Buy One Item and Get One For 50% Off!!!

50% will come off of less expensive items(s).
Please DO NOT PAY but wait for a revised invoice!! :)

Does not apply to custom orders!!

xoxo

boy vs. table.

Boy loses and has his first shiner. He has officially entered boyhood. :) For some reason his new mark of tough guy-ness doesn't photograph well but his left eye has quite the blue and purple tint to it...not to mention that he constantly looks like he is giving you the stink eye thanks to the swelling. :)

We made a surprise trip to Radford this weekend...Moses learned the wonders of the trampoline...

and thoroughly enjoyed Canaan's company the whole weekend...

Moses loved to follow him around...

We drove down to surprise Michelle for her birthday. :)

And visit with friends...this photo pretty much typifies our times together...lots of food, talking and silly stories.

And now we have the joy of watching our kids have a battle of wills...or play together. :)

It was a fun weekend but ended all too fast...

About the size of a kumquat...

That's how big baby is this week...and is a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce,minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin. I'm not even sure what a kumquat is but there you have it.

The giveaway this week is being hosted by GroceryMama. Go there to enter to win a towel set!

And do yourself a favor and go see Kristi here...look at the amazingly cute pillow she made from the humble pillow-top I made for her...she is AmAzInG!!

And just because I love you...one of my FAVORITE chocolate cake recipes. And its from Cooking Light...my favorite cooking magazine...so you can tell yourself that it's good for you. I made this a couple of weeks ago...yum! You should make it this weekend.

Texas Sheet Cake

Ingredients

Cooking spray
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
2 cups all-purpose flour (about 9 ounces)
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa, divided
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract, divided
2 large eggs
6 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup fat-free milk
3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375°.

Coat a 13 x 9-inch pan with cooking spray, and dust with 2 teaspoons flour. Set aside.

Lightly spoon 2 cups flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine 2 cups flour and next 4 ingredients (through salt) in a large bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Combine 3/4 cup water, 1/2 cup butter, and 1/4 cup cocoa in a small saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Add to flour mixture. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until well blended. Add buttermilk, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and eggs; beat well. Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake at 375° for 22 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Place on a wire rack.

Combine 6 tablespoons butter, fat-free milk, and remaining 1/4 cup cocoa in a saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Gradually stir in powdered sugar and remaining 2 teaspoons vanilla. Spread over hot cake. Sprinkle cake with pecans. Cool completely on wire rack.

I added sprinkles because they make even a pity party seem festive. I seem to be climbing out of the pit at the moment...though some moments still kick my bum but it's getting better by the day...I even made something new today...

Remember those cute little kitchen towels your granny would crochet a button and handle to? Well at least my granny did...lots of them. When we were in SC my sister in law and I discussed how great these towels are but how they need to be modernized a bit...well here is my go...what do you think? It's in the shop if you can't live without it. :)

Have a great weekend! xoxoxo

Things accomplished by the prayers of friends.

The last 24 hours have been better ones. I have still been sick, sick and tired but they have been better. I am thankful for the prayers of each and every one of you who take the time to remember me in yours...I can feel their affect in my life. Please don't stop now!

Here are a few things I was able to get done in the last 24 thanks to Him, you and my wonderful honey:

-Laundry-ALL done and put away
-Hung a photo that had been sitting in the hall for weeks
-cut Moses hair...like a big boy and all...pics of that later
-gave Moses his first popsicle.
-played outside with Moses while Doug cut the lawn
-got some things made for the shop
-cleaned my workspace
-posted new things in the shop
-threw away a million things that needed to be thrown away
-MADE DINNER!!!!
-went to our first baby poppyseed appointment and found out that our insurance will cover 100% of the prenatal appointments!!
-went out and got the materials for two baby gifts
-went to the post office and am now 100% up to date on things I need to ship
-thought of a great way to transform my linen closet into my crafting closet

Like I said, I am still super tired and pretty sick but this gives me hope to cling to, even if it's not much.

Right now I cling to this verse:

Psalm 127:3 Children are an inheritance from the LORD. They are a reward from Him.

Pretty amazing if you think about that verse. God has given me my children as a reward. My very own inheritance from the Lord that He trusts ME to take care of. A humbling job request, huh?

Thanks for your love and continued prayers! xoxoxoxo

An honest post...lacking fluff.

Before we get to the heart of things I should take the time to thank my sister in law for this great bunch of goodies that arrived unexpectedly and deliciously at my doorstep today...if lifted the clouds if only for a moment. :) Thanks friend!

And the winner of this weeks drawing is Kristi. :) I can't wait to see the goodies you make with this fun ideas and your amazing talent!

I've been avoiding the 'ol blog all day. Partly because the energy to get here and write anything legible seemed too daunting for most of the day and partly because even I am sick of me. And I have managed to convince myself that most in my life are probably sick of me too...in order of closeness...proximity and not necessarily relationship.

Then I decided that this is my blog and I would take the risk of finding one sympathetic ear who knows that I am not the "woe is me type" someone who remembers that I am a doer and a getter. I check things off my list, I do fun things with my toddler, I make my family healthy meals, I cuddle with my husband for TV time, I keep my house clean and my home organized and I run a successful (albeit small)business. I am patient(as I can be) and kind.

But not in this moment. Not now. Right now I am tired and lazy. Sick on top of sick(I got Moses' cold on top of my normal nausea). I celebrated today because Moses had veggies for two days in a row. I am forgetting to read my Bible in the morning. I am forgetting to read Moses his devotional. I have had a load of laundry in my dryer for three days now. I am cranky and no fun to be around. I am not long in patience. I am short in temper. I don't even know me right now. I have been terrible at keeping in touch with ALL of my friends...therefore isolating myself more. I take forever to respond to an email/convo/voicemail. I feel like I am stressing my husband out a little...or a lot. My house is a mess. You could write in the dust. How is that for a confessional?

Once again I share because maybe you are in this place too...or have been and need to know that it is normal. I do not doubt that God is good and I know that this won't last forever. That doesn't make it fun...it just makes me pray harder.

The post in which I complain about a two haircut day...

the last 24 hours have not been my friend. Not a single one of them. Yesterday my uncle came into town for his monthly visit with us. We had lunch then took Moses to see the firetrucks that were being displayed in the parking lot for little ones to explore. Best day of his life I am sure. Immediately afterwards we had to get home so that Doug could get to sleep...he started his overnight shifts this past Monday...another paragraph. Moses went to bed soon after and my uncle and I dozed while we watched TV and waited for Moses to get up from his nap. When Moses got up we decided that we would go to the mall so that I could get a haircut while Moses and my uncle had their own adventures in the mall. So. I sit in the chair. I ask for a bob, but not too much length taken off of my shoulder length hair...I mostly wanted some shape since I was in the process of growing it out. The girl, whose boyfriend and child are hanging out in the seat next to me...literally carrying on, tells me that she doesn't know how to cut a bob...red flag. Two other girls (and I purposely use the word girls here...maybe 18-19 in age, not maturity) come over and give her a few instructions so I begin to feel a little better...because there are folks nearby that seem to know what they are doing and I am all for giving folks a shot. Stupid stupid me. The haircut begins with NO washing of the hair. A first for me. A red flag. She never takes the time to straighten up my part, or ask me how I part it. Another first. Tears well up in my eyes as I see rather long chunks of my hair fall to the floor but I push them back because certainly those long chunks are coming from the back of my head where I would expect them to be from. Oh and I am facing away from the mirror. She eventually wets my hair and my entire face with a with a misting bottle. Happily she cuts away...I still can't see myself. She eventually turns me towards the mirror to ask what I think (after one of the other girls comes over to give her some more guidance in shaping my bob). Gulp. It looks like I have a mix between some sort of badly cut bob and a MULLET. I tell her about the mullet. She calls another girl back over and snarkily says "she says it looks like a mullet". I'd also like to add that at this point that my hair is still wet enough that I have not the fullest idea of how bad it is at this point. The other girl comes and shapes it up until I think it looks OK. I think. We go home and immediately I run to the bathroom. Horror. Tears. Burning ones. I gulp them down and go ask my uncle to be sure that I am not a pregnant nut. He agrees that it is bad. One side of my head has at least 30-40% more hair than the other and is a good two inches longer than the other side. Not an exaggeration. I promise that it is not. I verified it with a non-hormonal person. I immediately realize that I cannot go out in public like this. Cannot. Will not. I start to call other hair cutting places around the area while Moses eats dinner. I cry as the first person tells me they are too booked to take me. I call the next and they can take me if I come right now. Moses finishes and I put him in the car with dinner still on his face. As I walk into the salon the lady immediately knows who I am, since I told her the story on the phone. ALL of the women who are there cutting hair stop and mouths drop. No joke. That is how bad it was. The woman who fixed my hair apologized to me dozens of times while she worked. She ended up having to cut it up to my ears because of how badly it had been cut. It is so short now that I can't even look at it without crying....even if the hair cut is SO SO much better. This morning when Doug came home I cried to him about how ugly and homely I feel...cause I do. This morning was another series of small disasters. Doug got home too late to go to church, Moses has a cold of some sort so his demeanor is particularly pleasant...not, we are still trying to find our new flow to life with Doug's new schedule...I know that it will be good eventually but the transition is tricky. I am sick of being sick and not feeling well. I'm tired of being tired. I have no creativity in me at the moment. But I know that my life is good and so is God and that this is just a sharpening time but I also know that I am weary. So that is my story at the moment. I promise not to come back until I have happier things to say.

A different kind of giveaway...

This giveaway is for those who sew. Amy Butler's Sew-it Kit. I bought this kit in hopes that I could make cool things but it turns out that I don't like to follow directions...but there are some very cool patterns and idea cards in this kits...totes, pillows, bags, etc. The only things missing from this kit if the two pieces of fabric but the rest is all there...waiting for a better sewist than me to tackle...If you like to sew you won't be disappointed. Just leave me any 'ol comment on this post and I will choose the winner on Monday. :)

Today we spent the morning getting these new spectacles for Doug. Isn't he cute in them? He tried contacts for a while but they weren't doing much for him so we went back to glasses...I love these new ones...

And this is the first baby item that I am dying to own, Kuster JellyBaby Changing Mat...to me a changing table is a necessity. This time around we are hoping to get a dresser that is the right height to use as a changing table...we bought the one we had for Moses for $25 and sold it last winter for $20. :) My favorite part of this one is that you can wipe it clean..they do sell liners but you don't really need them and it's made from memory foam! :) I think it has made it to the have to have list. :)

And I am six sales from 2000!!! :) The 2000th sale will get a surprise in with their order...the more items you purchase the bigger the surprise. :) Could it be you?




And I must confess that I went out today and got my box of chicken patties...the fillets just didn't cut it...all that whole breast fillet was faaar too healthy for what I was craving. :) And I may or may not have bought popsicles...but they are mini and the perfect size for Moses...and I may or may not be banned by my husband from the grocery store for some time...may...or may not. :)

Have a great day! xoxof

A photo confessional.

Do you see this foolishness here? Ok, so many many people keep their freezers packed to the gills on a regular basis right? Right. Not me. I hardly every shop the freezer section and when I do it is for veggies or oven fries. So even though I have been the "I want to vomit to get rid of the nausea" queen of this household I am still having cravings that make me almost panicky. Panicky people. Panicky. In my freezer, at this moment are no less then six types of bread products, FOUR kinds of ice cream, three kinds of chicken and on and on the craziness goes. Today I HAD to have chicken patties. Old school ones, like the terrible for you ones. Slathered in mayo and ketchup. mmmmmm. We went to the grocery after taking Moses to the park today and I happily pushed the enormous cart that Moses insists upon using (the little car ones). Parked myself in front of the Tyson frozen chicken section and scan the shelves for my fix. Tenders, nuggets, fillets, ahh there are the patties...wha-what! Out? They were out of patties and tears immediately sprang to my eyes. Over chicken patties people. We walked through the rest of the frozen section and came back to settle on fillets. Not quite what I had in mind but it worked. And that is the basic story of my days lately. My life as a crazy person who cries over chicken patties. My nausea has not gotten any better but my cravings and emotions are getting crazier by the day. :) Still love me?

Yesterday morning before the nausea set in I did manage to make these tasty treats...since blueberries are so cheap this time of year...you should try them...almost good for you with two cups of berries and two cups of oatmeal. Served with vanilla ice cream makes a tasty treat.

Blueberry Crisp

2 c. oatmeal
2/3 c. flour
1 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. salt
2/3 c. melted butter
1 lg. can blueberry pie filling (I used 2c of fresh berries instead)

Mix everything but the pie filling. Put 2/3 of the mixture in a 9 x 13 inch pan. Cover with pie filling. Top with remaining 1/3 mixture. Bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Makes 15 servings.

xo

Very Superior.

104 As a 1930s wife, I am Very Superior Take the test!

Even if I don't keep my hose lines straight or fail to wipe of the milk jug or I wear pajamas instead of a nightgown...I am still a Very Superior 1930's wife. :) And darn proud of it. :)

Just in case you were wondering I thought I would introduce some folks to you...you may have seen their blogs over on the left and wondered why in the world I link to them...well this is Jeremy Pegg. He is one of the most awesome guys that I have ever had the privilege to meet in my life. He and his wife Pam, also a good friend to me, took me into their home when I had no place to stay (right when I knew I had to leave that former unhealthy relationship)...because of them I got to see what a good and healthy and wonderful marriage looks like. I know that a large part of my current emotional health is due to them taking me in when they did and letting me be absorbed in their lives. :) I miss them often and a lot...in church searching Doug and I scan the personalities for Pams and Jeremys. They are in the process of adopting a baby girl from Columbia and I know few people who deserve to be parents as much as they do. :) Jeremy is co-owner of Enigma Productions and also one of the greatest photographers that I know. Jeremy has photographed most of the important moments of my life...college graduation, engagement to Doug, our wedding, maternity, birth of Moses and family portraits. His eye for great shots is amazing. Below are a few examples of his work...also any wedding photos I have shown were his as well. :) I can't fail to mention that he is also a great man of God and gives amazing sermons. You can go here to hear him...WELL worth your time.



Another link on the left that you may wonder about is my other good friend, Aaron. He is also Jeremy's best friend and co-owner of Enigma. Aaron is an amazing artist, a great guy and guaranteed to make you pee your pants with laughter at some of the stories or jokes that he tells. He is one of the most naturally funny, if not the funniest, people that I know...He is also an amazing speaker as well and a great man of God. You can hear him here as well. Also well worth the time to listen to the one marked Aaron. Aaron is another personality that we search for in the church crown as well. We miss him and his wife and kids often and much...great folks like that don't come around all that often.

So now you know a little more about a few of my links. Their blogs are great and so are they. :)

Here is the latest little critter in the shop...sweet little blossom is waiting just for you to take him home! :)

And in case you missed them...crisp and sweet apple towels...

And pear ones too...you can get them all here! :)

Hope your day is great and wonderful! xoxo