A Happy Home

This has been the longest week ever.

My little Hot Rod was sick.

Then I got sick.

Then my Shane got sick.

Now I'm looking around at a neglected house.

Instead of getting to sprucing things up I'm browsing blogs.

I did open the windows to let fresh air in while I browse.

Does that count for something?

I keep trying to motivate myself that I'll feel so much better if I can get it together around here.

But the truth is, I still don't feel 100% great.

The boys and I went out back today to play in our very own mud pit.

My 4 year old loves to bring me the tiny purple flowers.

My 5 year old put a worm on my shoulder.

I freaked out and am pretty sure he won't do it again.

My 1 year old enjoyed a mud mask on his face.

We had a snack of apples and peanut butter.

They came in and got a bubble bath.

I combed there hair and they climbed into their soft pj's.

They are all cuddled up on my white bed with clean sheets.

The fan is on and it makes for a very good nap.

The breeze is blowing my curtains which is nice.

I think I'll go light a candle and show my house some love.

Thank you beautiful Pottery Barn candlesticks for motivating me to...

toooo...

tooooooooo.......

think about how nice it is when everythings clean and tidy.

There is nothing like a Spring day with open windows to make a person feel better.

Maybe I'll cook something extra special for dinner tonight.

Right now I'm off to turn on some music and light a candle...and maybe lay down again.

Green Thumb

(Isn't this the prettiest picture? I don't know where I found it, is that illegal to post it on my blog? I hope the po-po don't come get me)

Here's my dilemma. We have a 6 foot privacy fence in our backyard and the man behind us is raising doves or love birds or something. His cages in his yard are, well, ghetto looking from our view. I need to know something I can plant to shield the view. I want it to be green all year (aka EVERGREEN for the pro's familiar with the lingo). I want something fast growing too.

I would love to grow clump growing Bamboo. There are 2 types of Bamboo-the kind with runners that shoot new sprouts up to 10 feet under ground (you do not want to plant this in a neighborhood or the Property's Owner Association will come find you)...then there is the clump growing kind that blooms where it is planted. I like how tall it is and the green leaves are real wispy when the wind blows. You like that?

Holly Tree maybe?

I don't think I like Cypress looking stuff.

And I want something very affordable.

I do hope some green thumber will read this and come to my rescue.

Weekend In Review

Today I was invited to do a guest post at Moop & Saba. She is such a good friend who always has the most thought provoking posts. Becke' has started photography and really has a gift for it.

Along with that, here's the State of the Union at our house. We have run from the 'bug' for 3 months. As my husband said last week, "It feels like it is getting closer and closer to us." My sweet little Hot Rod has been puny since Saturday. He is so stinkin' sweet and cuddly right now. You know me, my bathrooms are Pine Sol'ed, the sheets and matress pads are washed, every surface is Lysoled, we keep opening the windows to air the house out, and my mom got us some more Lampe Berger oil...it is antibacterial (cleans the air) and smells the house with a wonderful fragrance-we like Sweet Pear.

This is one of our little Superhero's. This is what I wake up to most days. Boys who have shed their pj's for just undies and a cape. He's got a chocolate mustache-why is that so stinkin' cute?
Lastly, a girl in our community is fundraising for a mission trip. A group of 7 monkeys came to play in our yard this weekend. My sister and her family sent them to play in our yard. They were very well behaved!!!

If you have a Little Caesar's in your area don't forget that today Large One Topping Pizza's are only $3.99!!!! March Madness Special! Happy Spring Break week to my Blogland friends!!

Barefoot Contessa's Chicken Stew

One of my very favorite things to do is peruse my cookbooks and cook something extra special. Ina is my favorite cook. Sticks of butter, fresh herbs, heavy whipping cream. Every recipe I have made of hers is worth it's weight in gold. Well, there was the time the bottom fell out of my Honey Vanilla Pound Cake right before company came, but I'm sure it was me and not her.

Here is what makes this Chicken Stew extra special. Fresh ingredients. Made from scratch goodness. This recipe will take some time to prepare. You can roast your chicken and prepare the dish in advance. That is what is wonderful about this dish. Great for company or those days when you have free time earlier in the day and you just want something you can pop into the oven. And it smells amazing baking away in the oven.

Next week I am going to teach you how to roast chicken. You are going to love it. The chicken always turns out perfect and flavorful. I don't think you'll ever boil chicken for a dish again. And roast chicken is so simple.

This is the dish going in for the first round to bake. Once you put it in you make your biscuits for the top.

Handmade biscuits are suprisingly simple as well. A few ingredients and you are off and running. These bisquits have fresh parsley in them.

Turn the dough out onto a well floured surface and roll. If you don't have a cookie cutter use a glass.

This is what your Chicken Stew looks like when it comes out of the oven.

CLICK HERE for the complete printable recipe.

School Next Year...Public? Christian? Homeschool?

This has been the topic around our house the last week or so. What to do in regards to school for our oldest son next year.

I'd like to share our decision because we've come to one. I am very excited. It has been a process and I am confident it has been God directed.

The discussion for what to do next year snuck up on us this year. Registration for public school is tomorrow. It was nice to have a deadline for our plans.

Drum Roll Please...We will be homeschooling again next year.

Ya'll it has been a process I tell you. Homeschooling is not my first choice. Really and truly. I registered my little Hot Rod in public school last year and was very heavy hearted that I was in disobedience to God after I did it. Why the heavy heart? Our public schools are the best. Christian principles, Christian teachers, good families, lots of parental involvement, top notch really. Why not LORD? was my question. I don't know why ya'll. The heaviness was there though and I could not ignore it. So, we withdrew his registration out of pure obedience to the heaviness in our hearts that we were veering from God's plans for our family. When I withdrew his registration the heaviness was lifted. I mean instantly it was gone.

So we get to this year. My first choice would've been Christian school, public school, then homeschool. I'd like to share my journey. As you read, this post is in no way whatsoever a call for all families to homeschool. I'm not really even passionate about it (you know, like we must all homeschool or the end is near! no no no, none of that here). We're trying it again this year because separately we prayed, came together, and were on the exact same page. Isn't that God for you?! I love when he creates unity. Gives me chills. And make my heart burst with JOY!

Words God has given me to confirm this decision. John 17-many prayers for protection and sanctification.

Holiness. This is the main word that has come to mind. Holiness for my little ones. Short and sweet we want another year with him at home where we are instilling a groundwork for his little heart. As I pray for the decision Holiness is the word I keep getting.

Sacrifice. For me. I don't know. Call me lazy I guess. I can be a quitter. With his school I can't. It is a big responsibility that scares me to death. The word God gave me this morning...Anna, my righteous one will live by faith. If you shrink back I will not be pleased with you. (Hebrews)

Your Time is My Time. This is a biggie. I've been on the computer a lot less this week. It threatens to become an idol in my life. He has a job for me to do on this earth. Right now, in this season, part of my job description is teaching my kids. I didn't pick it, but I rejoice that he has a plan for me, that he revealed it, and he will equip me and enable me.

Lastly, Proverbs 31. Ahh. The final confirmation. Words I have written in my Bible about this chapter. Words that define any lot in life if done for the glory of the LORD. Hard worker, strong, gets up early, stays up late, works with her hands, helper to the helpless, plans ahead, provides for her family, invests her time in profitable trading, faithfully instructs, manages her household, her children respect her.

And then the rebuke to my soul. In all my prayers I told God what I did and did not want. Tonight I have a new prayer. Lord, I want to do whatever you want me to do. Whatever will bring the most GLORY to your name is what I desire. You can have my time, my plans, my ideas, my blogging time, my Facebook time, my year. These little boys you have entrusted into our lives are our greatest treasure. Enable us to boldly lead them in truth. You are the ultimate picture of a life of sacrifice. You finished the work God had for you to do while on earth. Please establish the work of our hands for us, Yes Lord, establish the work of our hands for us. Amen.

A Moment Of Silence, Please

I realize I have already posted once today.

This is a request for every reader to please pause for a moment of silence.

It appears my oldest two sons are outgrowing naptime.

Out of curiosity how old were your children when they gave up naps?

Do you have rest time at your house?

What does it look like?

If you're wandering if I want to go to Starbuck's for coffee to grieve the answer is yes, yes I do.

Fashion Emergency Part III

Dear Divas,

Having a cute, pulled together look is not about having a closet full of expensive, designer clothes.

It is about shopping SMART.

With a few key pieces you can always have something to wear.

The key to looking great is about ACCESSORIZING.

Shoes.

Purse.

Belts.

Jewelry.

A basic, solid colored core wardrobe.

What does that mean???

Every closet should contain:

A great fitting pair of blue jeans. Pay $$$ if you have to, to get a great fit and look. Go shopping and try some high end ones on. You don't have to buy them, but try them on to see what you could look like. Save $$$ to invest in this. The beauty of a pair of great jeans is you can wear them dressy or casual. If you pair them with a cute shirt, jacket and heels you are date night ready. If you pair them with a football t-shirt, tennis shoes and a baseball cap you are soccer game ready.

A great fitting pair of black slacks.

Some solid color shirts. For sure a white, black and brown. You need t's, tanks, long sleeve, and 3/4 sleeve. These are for layering your look.

Lightweight pants or capris.

Jacket(s). Denim, Khaki, a fun color, doesn't matter. If you stay at home full time I'd say one jacket will suit you fine. If you are in the business world then you know, the more jackets the MERRIER!

A pair of flats (shoes) in either black or brown. (This is the most simple thing you can do to update your wardrobe.) This is to wear with your black pants or jeans. On those days when you want to be comfortable but look cute you can put on your jeans, flats (instead of tennis shoes), a solid color shirt and...

JEWELRY.

Here is the thing about jewelry. Right now, you either wear it or you don't. If you wear it you know how great you feel when you put that necklace, bracelet and earrings on. You sparkle. Even if it's a gloomy, rainy day you shine. Here's the thing. Your jewelry is what is going to take your look from DRAB to FAB.

This kind of closet can be built up over time. Think about simple, basic when you are shopping though. You should be able to wear your shirts with all your pants. Jackets should be able to inter-mingle with shirts and pants.

Your mission this week: Look around while you are out. Pay attention to the women that are well dressed that catch your eye. What is it about their look that you like?