Thursday, December 31, 2009

December 31, 2009


I could tell you how are are recovering from bronchitis and pnemonia but that is not a very fun way to start out a post. Tonight we are going to be enjoying some fun food. Cheese Sticks, Cheese Dip, Ranch Dip, Chips, Crudites, Chocolate Chip Cookies and Banana Punch.

Our Christmas decorations are still up. We used colored lights on our tree this year and it was very warm and cheerful. We're not ready to take them down just yet. Shane's parents gave me a pair of fuzzy, red snowflake pj's for Christmas and they have been my new uniform this week. I luh-huh-huv them. We had a nice Christmas with Shane's side of the family. Every year it is a lot of fun to see the kids get to play with their cousins. We both have wonderful families, that is a blessing we love.

This week we've rented a lot of movies and spent a lot of time on the couches with the Christmas lights and fireplace on. We've been playing a lot of games.

I'm scheming for wintry mantle ideas when I take my Christmas things down. Some tall sticks, silver beaded garland, white candles...lots and lots of white candles.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Playroom Pictures

This is a picture of the playroom when the previous owners lived here. It was the gym/crib/animal kingdom area where the dog and turtles lived. The second picture starts the after pictures. We painted the room Edgecomb Gray. We just got back from Hobby Lobby where Jibs screamed bloody murder the entire time I was making the biggest decision of the day-what ribbon to buy for my curtains. And there I stood holding a snotty nosed, screaming, red faced one year old sweating bullets while I debated between green or blue ribbon, wide or skinny. Not even the evil stares of customers could break my resolve to be able to say: Mission Impossible Accomplished. Here are, for your viewing enjoyment, the Playroom Pictures.











































Fabric for curtains: $12
Ribbon (curtains & pictures): $14
Package of Upholstery Tacs to hang curtains: $.99
Massage Package for my tired shoulders: $50

Monday, December 21, 2009

Post Office Acoustics

Why do the voices of my children get amplified when we are at the Post Office?

Two years ago we walk in and my son yells, "LOOK MOM, STAR HORES!!! (Wars, and yes we are in speech therapy). Thank you and yes, we are the family on staff at the church down the road.

Last week we walk in and get to the counter. I'm taking care of my postal business and the two big boys are standing to my left. One of them tells the other in the most loud, crystal clear voice you've ever heard, "Ow, that's my weiners don't hit me there!" I gave them 'the look'. You know, the "we don't talk about weiners, or any body parts at the Post Office unless we want to die look." I did not want to turn around to walk out. I contimplated insurance on my package as long as possible and then turned to do the walk of shame to the door.

Thankfully the line was all the way out the door so I had an extra long walk of shame.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Timber.......

We lost the fun, whimsical tree today thanks to our resident 1 year old. We're all doing as good as can be expected under the circumstances. Christmas clean up is starting a little early this year. We may be decorating an unsuspecting ficus tree to please the kiddos. If we do pictures will be sure to follow. One look at those heartbroken little faces should let you know that you'll be seeing a new tree soon. Thank you and have a nice day.















Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Don't be deceived!!!

Drum Roll Please....INTRODUCING the State Of My Home Right This Very Second........

Here's the deal. I love Martha. I love Growing Kids God's Way and want to raise obedient, happy little boys. I love Ina and cooking a great dish. I love decorating with ideas I learn from my dear friend Nester. And I love to talk about all these things on my blog. HOWEVER, don't ever think I have it all together because I don't. Come on it, you'll enjoy this.

I don't have on a lick of make-up. We have a Staff/Elder Christmas Party tonight and I look horrible right now.
The kids have been watching Saved By The Bell all morning.





The babies mess from DINNER last night-he throws his food and utentials on the floor. Growing Kids God's Way not working today. Or yesterday. (to the right, they are dressing themselves)











Spilled milk and more floor shots.












Laundry and supplies for our dinner party tommorow night at our house. That's right-22 are coming. The last frontier of my office. Where is all this stuff supposed to go?













The baby throwing a horrible fit. He's been wearing his pj's toga style for about 2 hours.















Breakfast dishes. Pecan Sweet Rolls. Very high in. Sugar. And pouring rain. Cold, pouring rain.


















Tons of dirty dishes.
Thank you and have a nice day.

Sitting Room

Shane got on the tall scary ladder to hang these. He could be dead. But he, and my arrangement on the top of my armoire survived this Friday night fun.


We took a big old piece of plaid linen...


Attached 24 ring clips...


One manly man hanging the biggest rod I could find...


And here is what we came up with(I apologize for the dark picture, I'm a cooking decorator who wishes she could take good pictures).


I have a feeling we'll be experimenting with what to do with these windows. For now, even though 4 of the windows are covered I love how the fabric warmed this room up.


We went to http://www.fabric.com/ to order fabric. My fabric was all between $3.98 and $7.98 a yard which is a steal for great fabric. I was so pleased with the quality of it. More rooms to come...


Monday, December 7, 2009

I Heart SAM'S CLUB!

Oh how I love going to Sam's. It all begins with an $ .87 Pibb Extra. I love everything about Sam's. The samples, the ginourmous bulk items, the cement floors, the produce. Sigh. I love it. You would be so proud of me. Today we made our annual trip for our Youth & Family Christmas dinner.

I've been geering up for self-control for weeks because usually I get in there and go nuts. Or buy nuts in bulk or something like that.

Today I spent less than $20. Wanna know what I got? Mamaw and Aunt Linda discovered Sharp White Cheddar Cheese. Yes mam they did. Life changing. Truly. So I got that, bananas, and a 3 pack of Vanilla Soy Milk.

When Shane and I got married we went shopping to set up our new little kitchen. We went to Sam's because when you're poor and eat free samples for dinner that's where you go. Kidding. Kindof. Anyway, I needed flour. Sam's had a 20pound pack of flour so clearly that is what I bought. Lord have mercy, I did not even bake at the time. The flour took up one cabinet out of the 4 we had. It was really funny and comical after I realized what I had done.

Today I wrote down some prices on stuff. I'm always curious how prices compare to the things I buy most at the grocery store. If you are interested in comparing these prices to your grocery store you can print this post. Oh what a bunch of bargain shoppers we are:

KETCHUP 6.27 (2) 44OZ BOTTLES
MUSTARD 4.64 (2) 30 OZ BOTTLES
HOT SAUCE 2.86 3 PK
PREGO 7.83 2 PK 67 OZ (EACH BOTTLE WAS 4LB3OZ)
PARMESAN 7.98 24OZ
RAMEN NOODLES 5.88 36 PACK
CRUSHED TOMATOS 2.68 102OZ CAN
MAC AND CHEESE 7.37 12 PK
PURE VANILLA EXTRACT 6.88 16OZ
CHICKEN BROTH 5.38 (3) 32OZ
CHICKEN BROTH 7.88 (12) 14OZ CANS
PEANUT BUTTER 7.22 96OZ
GRAPE JELLY 3.42 (2) 22OZ SQUEEZE BOTTLES
HONEY 11.33 80OZ
CAPTAIN CRUNCH 4.82 (2) 20OZ BAGS
FRUIT CREAM OATMEAL 8.46 40 PKGS
CHOCOLATE CHIPS 9.34 72OZ
LUZIANNE TEA 10.86 96 COUNT
FOLGERS 9.32 48OZ
APPLE JUICE 3.98 (2) 96OZ
SUGAR 5.69 10 LB

Is this not the most riveting reading material you've laid your eyes on all day??!!!! Now that a good time has been had by all I'm off to go do something. OK, OK, I didn't want to say but you guessed right-I'm gonna find something to clean. Unless I get sidetracked that is...

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Cultivating Friendships

Have you noticed the older you get the more intentional you have to be about cultivating good friendships?

The hustle and bustle of life take over and friendships can get pushed to the back burner.

I have no earth shattering thoughts on the topic other than I was just thinking of it today. There was an email that went around once talking about Get Yourself Some Girlfriends. To have lemonade with or something? You know the one...you had it to forward it to 6 of your closest friends or you didn't love Jesus and your wish wasn't going to come true. OK, yeah, you know what I'm talking about now.

Here are some things I like to invite friends over to do:
  • share recipes (shocker of all shocker's!)
  • come over Friday night with their family for Dessert and Coffee
  • I am going to plan a formal dinner with my friend Amy. We want to have several courses and use the fine china.

My friend Becke' came over and helped me pack my old house, clean my new one, and unpack my new one. Wow, now that is some love right there.

I'm thinking these next few weeks I am going to make time for friends. Leave the piles of laundry, the fans that need wiped down, the garage that could use some organizing, the leaves that could be raked...and invite some folks over for some fun.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Strata, Fruit & Fabric

Thanks to all my family for giving money to me for my birthday I got to order 33 pounds of fabric that Mr. UPS delivered to me manana. (does that mean yesterday cause that's when it came???). Do you know that joker did not even ring the bell to let me know he left a huge amount of fabric propped against my door? It was wrapped in clear wrap. Here is a sneak peak of what I'll be up to this week.




Here is a Strata recipe from Gale Gand I'll be trying this week. It's a fun way to use up that last bit of ham.

Strata:

5 cups of cubed french bread (with crust)

10 large eggs

1 quart whole milk

1 tsp dry mustard

1 tsp salt

add in's you want: ham, cheddar, bacon, onion, spinach, tomatoe, mushroom

- butter a 9x13 pan

-put bread cubes in dish and sprinkle with the cheese

-in a large bowl whisk together the eggs, milk, mustard and salt. pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes. sprinkle the filling ingredients of your choice over the egg mixture and fold them in gently. cover and chill for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours.

-heat the oven to 350 degrees

-uncover the baking dish and bake for 60 minutes, until the mixture has puffed up slightly and is golden brown on top, and the strata doesn't shimmy with uncooked custard when you shake the pan. that's right you heard me right, you'll be doing the old shimmy test to test the doneness. that right there is reason enough to try this dish.

-tent he dish with foil if the top is browning too quickly. let cool for 5 minutes before serving. serve by the spoonful, using a large serving spoon.

we'll be having strata with fruit for dinner. the nice thing is this dish can be prepared in advance since it has to chill. it's sort of like a quiche except more fun since you get to shimmy and tent it.