simply living

summer reading...(my own kindle cover)

2011-06-29T13:48:00.001-04:00

So for Mother's day hubby got me a Kindle.

I wasn't sure just how much I would like it. I really love the feel of

actual books. I like looking at the book and actually

seeing how much I have read

and how many more pages till the end of the book.

BUT...I have been pleasantly surprised!

I really love my Kindle!

It is so easy to just turn on and read, "flip" pages,

and very easy to just plop it down for a sec and come right back

to the place you stopped reading.

This summer has been pretty busy with kid's activities and

my summer school schedule.

Yes...two classes this summer that are requiring a lot of reading and writing.

But...it is almost done....and has to get done in order to get my MSN.

(Master's degree in Nursing Education)

Despite being busy...I am still able to find some time to read and

I have been doing all my pleasure reading on my Kindle

(except of course my internet reading....blogs, FB, etc........).

While I really like lots of the Kindle covers on the market,

I decided to make my own and save some $.

This is what i made...

(inspired by this blog post )

I used old jeans, scraps of gingham,

cut out flowers from scrap floral design,

button, hair elastic, and hair elastic headband.

viola.....

I think I did a pretty good job.

It has that worn, comfy look...

less "techy" (doubt that is a word...but less electronic like, if you know what I mean)

Hope you are enjoying your summer

and are able to get some good reading in!

Happy Weds!

sharing at...

Springing forward..^^...^^..^^

2011-03-16T16:09:00.000-04:00

So happy the seasons are changing!

I love the longer days...sunshine just makes me smile!

On Sunday, my daughter, A, and I went to the park,

to rollerskate...

and ended up spending more time on the swings~

Ava likes to close her eyes while swinging...

she asked me to do the same and I must say...

I could not do it for very long...sorta scary...

too funny!!!

We laughed so much, it was awesome!

Are you adoring the blossoms this time of year?

I am....

I'll share some from around our yard and neighborhood:

our very first brussel sprouts!
they were very yummy roasted
with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

our cabbages...

slaw and egg roll stuffing bound.

Leaving our neighborhood is lovely.

The streets are lined in blooms!

Happy warm weather!

Farewell 2010....

2011-01-01T13:26:00.000-05:00

December just flew by...as it always seems to do.

I certainly did not get to continue my "posting pic a day"...

just got busy enjoying the season.

I was blessed to spend many fun times in December with friend and family.

I met my nephew, born last Christmas Eve in Germany

to my brother and his awesome wife.

My grandmother, great grandmother to my kids,

and my great aunt were finally able to visit us here in Charlotte.

We enjoyed plenty of holiday cheer with wonderful friends and neighbors.

Sharing some images from December...

Our Charlie Brown kids Christmas tree....

Logan....nephew...isn't he a cutie?

Aunt Beth and Ava enjoying Beth's Christmas present....her Ipad

Granddad and his grandchildren

Gingerbread people from Trader Joe's...loved this!

Kids getting ready to taste their creations

I love my Christmas bird...a gift from a dear friend

Candy canes were enjoyed by the kids all month long

Great old Santa sleigh.....usually filled with Hershey kisses

A giant coloring book from when I was a girl...

Note the date..."1976"......I colored this when I was Ava's age!

Me and my lil man

my big man and lil' man

Mom and her girl

Cousin Hannah with kids

Snow....

Happy kids!

Our dog, Guinness, trying to catch snowballs.

Hope everyone enjoyed the season as I did with friend and family.

Wishing all a happy new year to come!

Bring on 2011........

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-07T12:43:00.000-05:00

40.14

Rob and I before heading out to

my party...

yep....ended up having another party

at our neighborhood clubhouse.

Shared the birthday celebration with

Christy....a great lady.

We had a great time...

air band and all.

Rob is attempting to be a Beatle

& I am rocker girl. HA!

40.15
Ava & I headed out to the Charlotte Symphony to see
The Magic of Christmas!
It was a wonderful girl day and evening.
Symphony, to the Ritz to see the giant gingerbread house,
pizza at Brixxs, and doughnuts on the way home!

40.16

I love my mantle.
This year I added starfish that I glittered!

40.17

Lendy, named by Ava, our Christmas elf
has returned!

HOPE WE ARE ALL ENJOYING THE SEASON!

catching up...

2010-12-04T18:25:00.000-05:00

So I am catching up...

I am still taking a picture every day,

the hard part has been uploading every day.

So many things to do this time of year.

40.4 is a pic of flowers my girlfriend gave me at the beach when we were chillin'.

Looking at them reminds me of my good friends

and how blessed I am to have

such good friends.

40.5

Ava did this for me....love it!

40.6...loving our tree!

40.8

my girl hanging in the tree...

missed a day taking photos..

so I took two pics of each little ones.

my lil man...

they love playing outside!

40.9

the kids going outside to collect

pine cones to glitter.

40.10

Our entry...lovely (I think :)

40.11

I actually took this picture the next day,

because this is where I was for two days.

Hammering out my health policy and politics paper.

40.12...messing with Guinness...our crazy dog.

40.13

My little man checking out what gifts he wants for Christmas!

Ok....all caught up.

Will do better....

hehehehe!
Happy Holidays!

forty and fab...

2010-11-24T15:21:00.000-05:00

So I am now forty. I am actually very happy...

and never thought about being "this age."

((My mom passed away at 45))

I am really embracing this new decade for me.

I feel as though I have learned so much...

about what is really important in life.

As part of my first year in my forties...

I am going to take a picture each day to document
what my life is all about.

The pictures might be very random,

but I think rather interesting.

I might share a glimpse into what I have been creating,

what I have been cooking or eating,

or what my family and I are up to.

I will share the first three days of 40 below.

((Yes...I meant to start on the actual day, but I got busy...

and since I make my rules :)

I will try to post each day...but might not.

***The pictures will be taken on the actual day***

Day one.....says it all. Feet in the sand, watching/listening to the ocean.....

Day two. Back to my home routines. Thinking of the fall and

the scents of pumpkin spice.

Day three. Tis' the season for kid crafts. Beck brought this home

and I set it out for display.

I had a wonderful time ringing in my fortieth.

I was blessed to have special friends to join me in my favorite place...by the ocean.

(any place by the ocean is my favorite place)

God blessed us with absolutely beautiful weather.

I must say I have not laughed that hard in a long time.

Some of my girls are hilarious.

Looking forward to an awesome year!

All about owls...

2010-11-03T17:54:00.010-04:00

whooo....whoooo....

The school year started and Fall is here.
It seems as if the summer just flew by in the blink of an eye.
I am happy to see Fall and the cooler temps (finally) are refreshing.

I have still been crafting and creating....

one of my latest (and one of my favorites)
is this cute little upcycled dress for A.
I bought 3 XXL tees at a thrift store and
using Lil Blue Boo's Sienna dress pattern...
this is what I created.

Ava loves it...and so do I.
I freezer paper stenciled (one of my new techniques I am loving)
the owl with fabric paint.

so comfy! :)

I was seeing lots of funky, folksy kinda owls all over the blog world,
and decided to make my own.
I used this pattern.

lil boy adopted the one below...the one I made.

Lil A made the one below...picking out the fabric and
even doing some of the stitching.

awwww....cute.

Then staying with the owl theme,
I found an owl in one of A's coloring books.
I traced and colored with permanent markers on shrinky dink film.
I really like how quirky and cute it turned out.

I put the lil owl on a necklace with wooden beads....

Happy Fall !!!

more things...

2010-08-11T23:18:00.012-04:00

Wow...
the summer is flying by.
But doesn't it always.
I have enjoyed it as much as possible.
My children keep me smiling
and drinking....he he he!

I have been creating as much as I can.
So, I will share here.

I tried making a shirt.
This was my first attempt at darts and
pin pleats (I think that is what they are called...
At first the fit was funky,
so I used matching fabric scraps
(leftover from teacher's gifts and bag)
and now it fits better.

I like it!!

Remember this photo from last post?
Random, too small clothes...

I freezer stenciled the word Dance...

and all together made this:

Not bad for my first try with this pattern.

I have figured out where to improve....so the next dress will be even cuter ;)

My lil man wanted to pose too.
So he is showing off one the tie dye creations we have made.
This was a fun project for all. Especially when we got to "reveal" the results.

Not only do I create, but so do my children...

aren't they cute?

~~~ Happy Wednesday! ~~~
off to the beach :)

Have plenty other projects to share when I return.

Making me happy...

2010-07-25T13:50:00.013-04:00

I just seem to feel happy being creative and creating things.
Especially reusing items and making things spending little money.
I am a very visual person and creating anything (even cooking food)
is very relaxing for me.
Some people listen to music...
I create.

Last post I showed off my beach towel/cover up I created.
Well, one of my friends asked me if I would make her one.
(yes, I was very flattered)
So I did.....and even used the extra bit of towel to make a little skirt for her girl.

from what I hear, they like.
(which I am so happy because I have never sewed anything for anyone...
other than family)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, I saw several tutorials on hand stamping on metal washer jewelry.
So I thought I would try it out.
Especially since the material was cheap. The washers are from the local hardware store and the alphabet stamps were from Harbor Freight.

So I played around and this is what I made:

Ava's with an elastic cord so she can easily take on and off.

This one is my sister's...she is so close to finally finishing college. (yippee!)

A mommy necklace. For my friend who has a boy Ava's age and a set of twins (boy/girl).
They are soooo cute!

For my friend Sarah.

ummmm...this could be addicting. Might have to stamp out some more.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Look below to see what I pulled out of the "not fitting anymore" stash.
Ava's shirts and leggings and one of my old maternity tees.
I made a cute halter dress for Ava.
Now...as soon as Ava cooperates, I will post a pic.

Happy Sunday!

bags and such...

2010-07-07T13:41:00.010-04:00

I was very pleased with my latest attempt at making my own bag.
I wanted something lively and colorful and light for the summer...not too big.
I found a great tutorial and this is what I made.
I embellished with a flower.

Then I found this idea
for a beach towel dress/coverup.
Not only did I use her tutorial...but when I went to Target
I found the same towel she used...
and since I loved the blue dots...mine looks like hers.
Although I tie mine like a halter and I made a slit on the side.

It is really comfortable. And it really is not that hard to make.

with the leftover from the towel I made Ava a drawstring bag for the pool.
((take note...Ava cut her own hair...decided to add some side swept bangs...
not too bad)) :)

I have been thinking of making an easy pillowcase dress for Ava.
So when I found this "not so pretty" pillowcase in my closet
(no idea where it came from)
I knew it would make a comfy nightie.

Ava loves it.

pardon the morning hair and wrinkles...she wore it the night before.thought I would share some kid pics from the weekend..

happy hump day!

red, white, and blue...

2010-06-30T12:09:00.013-04:00

just in time for the fourth.

Inspired by different handmade wreaths, I decided to make my own.
I used a grapevine wreath (already on hand) and strips of leftover fabric.
I cut strips of fabric and tied bows all over the wreath and
I "separated" the blue area from the red area with some found fake carnation flowers.

I really like the way it turned out.
:)

On to the kitchen.
I have been wanting to try making my own homemade strawberry freezer jam.
Ava got busy mashing all the berries.... and adding (and tasting) the sugar.
(yes, ava has crazy hair, some days we just don't fight over it...)

Very quickly we made our own jars of beautiful strawberry jam!
mmmmm...

Gotta show of the fruits of my man's labor...
loads of tomatoes and crazy cucumbers.

I also stitched up some red and white striped cloth napkins.
I just love using cloth napkins.

RED, WHITE, & BLUE.

-Shannon

What we've been up to...

2010-06-25T10:20:00.010-04:00

growing.
My children are growing and so is our garden.
Ava and her grandpa planted this sunflower that has grown to about 10 foot tall.
It is wonderful!

I have been wanting to make growth charts for my kids for a long time.
I finally got around to doing so.
My brother and wonderful sister in law sent the kids name plaques for Christmas.
I decided that they would work great as toppers for our growth charts.

I used wood boards (mdf boards already primed) and secured the toppers.
I printed baby pics and birth day stats.
I used my laminator (with the adhesive back) to attach the photos and info.

I attached the boards to the wall with screws.
I bought two cheap metal tape measures and after the boards were attached
to the wall I marked the proper length (at the bottom of the board) and
cut through the metal tape measure.
I used my dremel to drill holes in the tape measure and
was able to use thumbtacks to secure to side of boards.
And yes....my boy is taller than Ava at 2 1/2 than she was at 3....he is a boy :)

Ava posing....she is in her bathing suit most of the summer.

Speaking of summer (which I can't believe is already here and underway...
We decided to make a summer to do/idea list.
I found inspiration for this on another blog.
Fun times!
Hope we are all enjoying the sun!

recent photos

2010-06-18T13:36:00.003-04:00

HOPE EVERYONE HAS A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

TGIF!

Handmade teacher appreciation gifts

2010-06-10T10:44:00.009-04:00

Wow....this school year has gone by so quickly!

I can hardly believe that my little girl is done with kindergarten.

She had a great year and we were blessed with amazing teachers.

I decided to make our teacher's gifts this year.

They definately deserve the time spent and I love creating.

I was inspired by this tutorial and found some great fabric to work with.

The inside is lined with a matching ruffle at the top and drawstrings.

I filled the bags with some yummy chocolate.

Used these labels from a free template found online.

I also included a little button bookmark too.
I wrote a special note to each teacher on the back.

Here is my happy girl! ((not sure about that crazy expression of hers.. :)

Ready for first grade! (next year)

A little of this and that...

2010-06-08T12:32:00.017-04:00

Our first sunflower from our garden!

This post contains a few accessories I've been making.

I thought these fabric bangles were easy and fun to make.

Ava and I have matching bracelets... :)

I used a tutorial from V & Co. found here.

daughter's

mom's

Easy felt flower barrettes.

Loving that smile.....
You can clip your bow to headbands too!

Simple "poppy like" flower using satin ribbon.

Simply singe the edges with a flame.

With all the different hair bows. barettes,
I thought we could display them to keep them in one place...or try to...

you know how a six year old can be. But we are trying.

I got a dollar store frame, Ava had fun painting it and adding sparkly stickers.

We added ribbon and this is what we got.

It works.

I made a ribbon flower pendant from a tutorial found on this site.

Again, Vanessa has wonderful ideas!

This bag is so easy to grab and go...great for grocery shopping and such.

A little flair makes a nice touch.

The bag is actually made by Fleurville using their Re-Run fabric made from plastic bottles.
I love "green" things!

This flower pendant will look cute on several things.

Welcome summertime!

Sew much fun....

2010-06-05T13:08:00.008-04:00

Yes, I am still on my sewing kick. I am enjoying creating new things from what I already own.

I recently found out how to use elastic thread.

I came across this tutorial for a redo using a men's dress shirt.

Disney (what a fun name) is the blog author and I love reading her blog.

Check it out here.

I made a couple of changes.

She added snaps to secure some of the gaps between the botton holes and

I decided to just sew the shirt closed. Viola, no gaps.

below picture not that clear...taken by Ava.
I think this is a great summer shirt to wear when eating great food and
drinking cold beer. Plenty of room and no worries about the belly...... :)

So time to make something for my pretty girl...

There are plenty of tutorials on how to make a

simple shirred or smocked (not sure what the right word is...) dress.

So this is what I made.

I really like this dress on Ava (and so does she).

How fun...cute dress from fabric I have had for several years!

Still having experimenting with elastic thread, I found this easy tutorial

for a fun summer scarf.

Dana (author of the MADE blog) has so many great ideas!

This one was made of a light brown checked seersucker.

Maybe I have inspired someone...
Happy Saturday to all!!!

Twirly skirt for my girl...

2010-05-24T08:17:00.007-04:00

Yea....I did it!

Finally....

I have been wanting to try making my
little girl (although she would prefer to be called a big girl)
a cute little skirt.

So we took a trip to the fabric store and she picked out the fabric.
I might be making a matching mommy skirt. (while my girl is still okay with matching mom)

For the contrasting top and bottom band ...

I was able to use fabric I already had from when I made a crib skirt (a long time ago) for Beck.

After the skirt was made, I realized she needed a cute black tank to go with it.

So.....I looked in her clothes from winter and found a long sleeved black shirt

that was too tight under the arms.

SO...viola....made it into a tank.

I am loving this repurposing of clothes :)

I'm happy and so is Ava.

The skirt is a full skirt...which gives it its "twirl"....Ava loves to spin around and have the skirt "fly out".

I was inspired by this tutorial... she has lots of great ideas.

Ava also is proud of her new shoes...those crazy, light up twinkle toes by sketchers. (A gift for learning to finally tie her shoes, finishing dance, and kindergarten graduation)

Luckily, the cost of her shoes were offset by this outfit being less than $10.

Enjoy....happy monday to all!

Recycled shirt...for me...

2010-05-21T09:15:00.005-04:00

Yes, I am still on my sewing kick and having lots of fun!

I just love the idea of refashioning, repurposing, reusing...whatever you want to call it.

I have been so eager to try so many of the tutorials that I have been reading lately...

and I knew when I saw this one that I had to try it.

Now mine looks slightly different. I changed the neckline a bit.

here goes.....

Not bad...if I must say so myself. And best of all my "new" shirt was free!

Next is a skirt for Ava.

Happy Friday!

gift for our babysitter...

2010-05-19T15:55:00.006-04:00

Isn't a great babysitter priceless?

We are fortunate to have found a lovely girl who my kids adore.

She is homeschooled and graduating in the next couple of weeks...

then she is planning on attending Johnson and Wales culinary school.

(you know I love that!)

She sent me the most beautiful silver and yellow floral graduation announcement.

I commented to her how much I loved her announcements and she said that

yellow and silver are her favorite colors.

hmmmm.....gift idea.

I had just found this tutorial and thought I would give it a try.

This was made for less than $10 and I love it.

there is a slight silver sheen to the fabric

Ava now wants me to make her one too...

I am pretty sure our sitter will enjoy her purse...plan on tucking in some extra $ inside. (there is a small pocket on the inside....attached to the lining :)

enjoy and happy wednesday!

What I have been up to...

2010-05-14T16:17:00.012-04:00

Been a long time since I blogged.

So many things going on with life...

I just never set aside any time to write.

now....I kept thinking "You know that would be a good idea to blog about"

I did this at various times.,,,but it never happened.

So why blog?

Well, I am not good at writing in a journal.

Honestly my handwriting stinks and my brain goes faster than my pen...

so therefore journaling with pen and paper just isn't fun for me.

Especially when I can't even read what I wrote.

So one reason to blog is so I can ..sorta.. journal about my day to day.

I can share life...

life with my children, my food, and my crafting...

and whatever else I feel like.

Now I know I am not the best writer ...but who cares... :)

I will actually end up printing my blog (have you seen that..very cool).

It is like you can print a very neat book, a journal, with pictures.

I think that would be a wonderful keepsake.

So, anyway...for now (no pressure on me)

I am going to start blogging more.

So what have I been up to? well a lot....

but something fun I have beed doing is that I have actually pulled out my sewing machine

and tried some sewing projects.

I came across some cool blogs (which is wonderful, but be warned you can spend

lots of time looking at the great sewing blogs out there...)

There are some great ones that demo the basics for people like me.

I had been saving hubby's old dress shirts for something...
and came across several blogs that give tutorials on how to refashion a men's dress shirt

into an adorable little girl dress.

So here it is...my first try...I am pleased.
Here is the shirt (I took the picture after I had already cut the arms off)

I had to adjust the arms a bit..but I like. It is a tad small for Ava but she still wanted to wear.

I made the ring above from the scraps using this tutorial.

You'll love her blog.

So here is Ava...striking a few poses...

the best pose of all...

Hope you enjoyed!

Happy Friday to all!

so close to Christmas...

2009-12-19T22:44:00.015-05:00

So...I had good intentions of posting Christmas pics each day ......
for the twelve days before Christmas.

But, life happens. Little man, Beck, was sick and not sleeping good...

so mommy had no time and any spare time I needed sleep.
So thought I would share some more Christmas images from around my house.

Meet Lindy. (named by Ava)
Lindy came to our home last year, from Santa,

to be our house elf. He watches the lil' ones and

each night reports back to Santa.

The next morning,

Lindy finds a new post, somewhere to watch the kids.

Ava and Beck love looking for Lindy in the morning.

It is so cute ...watching them look all over and screaching with
happiness when they find him.
Lindy is fun to have around.

On Christmas night he goes back to the North Pole...

and if we are lucky he will come back next year.

We have been enjoying our tree...

We have been loving our tree since the beginning of December.

Ava poses by the tree before her dance recital.Beck, after a long morning of play, takes a rest.

Ava and Mom make a gingerbread house.

Ava really enjoyed licking all the icing...yummmy!

We packed a Christmas package for Uncle Todd & Aunt Beth.

They are stationed in Germany.

They are expecting their own Christmas gift very soon....a baby Logan.

What in the world? you ask.

Well I got crafty today and finished making my

"Chillin" Santa ornaments from chile peppers.

not quite done with the faces...quirky and cute. I like.

And now six days before Christmas...

I hope everyone is enjoying this season & time of year!

Twelve days till Christmas!

2009-12-13T20:41:00.003-05:00

Finally a post...

thought I would share some holiday photos &

will try to post new pictures each day till Christmas.

so my first picture will be from my mantle....

tis the reason for the season!

I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays!

I like this take on healthcare...

2009-09-15T20:14:00.002-04:00

OK...I know I am in the healthcare industry,
working for a home health agency &
independently contracted with a pharmaceutical agency
educating and working with certain patients on one particular drug,
But...I am tired of the back and forth banter of the "healthcare debate."
Not everyone is going to be happy...but the current system
HAS to change. Really
I listened to Dr. Weil this morning on the Diane Rehm show.
I really like Dr. Weil and I am very interested in an integrative, holistic approach to medicine.
Dr. Weil was discussing his new book, Why Our Health Matters.

One of his websites...click here...discusses his book. (brief but excellent overview)
It is true and we all believe...
"Our long-term goal must be to shift our health care efforts from disease intervention to disease prevention and health promotion." Dr. Weil.

BUT
Our country is just not doing enough in the area of health education.
We have taken physical education out of the daily school routine.
gimme a break....we are told "exercise 30 mins. a day"...
but we don't give our children that chance in school.
If exercise is so important to us, it should reflect by our emphasis on this in school.
Don't even get me started on the drink machines in schools and the lunches.
Let's teach our children where food comes from and what real food is!

How about more education for our adults on the mind & body.
Our bodies are built for healing....and the majority of people
do not know how to help in their bodies' own healing processes through alternative methods...
instead we are looking for our answers in a pill.

Being a nurse I could really go on and on...but I won't.

I am really giving props to Dr. Weil's new book.
I love his philosophy on health.
Now I need to practice what I preach, what I believe in...
and take care of my own mind and body.
On that note I am off to bed!

My boy is 2...

2009-09-12T19:18:00.006-04:00

My boy is two today!!!

My sweet, adorable Beck!

We love him &

he loved his birthday...

especially the ice cream cake.

We have been blessed with a wonderful family!!!

and all love "our little man"!!

Beck on his Birth day...Sept. 12, 2007

what a wonderful change to our lives...

God has blessed us!

I remember....

2009-09-11T16:59:00.004-04:00

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
It is one of those days that you know you will always remember where you were and
who you were with. You knew the memory of that day would be
permanently etched into your mind.
I was in nursing school and was sitting with one of my classmates, Mike...
we were studying for a nursing quiz that morning.
Another classmate, Cheryl, walked in on us studying...
"Have you guys heard? A plane crashed into one of the World Trade Center towers?"
Well, we had been studying for awhile (such good students..lol) and had not heard.
We went into our lounge area where other students and teachers had gathered and
turned the tv on the news...
whoa.....what in the world was happening? I could not believe what I was watching!
I was in complete awe...we watched as both of the towers came down.
Dear God, what is going on?
Shock is what we all felt.
I lived in NYC for some time (loved it!) and had friends there...
I remember always coming up to the street from the subway,
eyeing the twin towers and knowing which way was south.
And the people....how many people worked in those towers?
Our teacher decided not to give us our quiz (after we brought it to her attention
that this was no ordinary day).
I went home and stayed glued to the TV all day...all night...
do not even think I went to the bathroom until I absolutely had to.
Oh...the lives changed forever!
Those that lost loved ones...
those forever hurt/injured from helping those in need.
I will say a prayer today for those families touched by this day.

My brother serves in the Air Force...
may we thank all those that serve our country...
the military, firemen, police, and relief response workers.

Below is a pic of my bro'
(not sure how fond he is of this pic...I like it

so I will also post a picture of him and his wonderful wife, Beth,
who are expecting a baby boy this December :)Thanks brother for serving!

and yes I am proud to be an American!

I will not forget!

Admiration for Jane Goodall

2009-09-10T21:03:00.006-04:00

I really adore Jane Goodall.
I recently listened to an interview with her on NPR and she is one powerful lady.
She was discussing her new book, Hope for Animals and Their World.
From the sound of it, the book is truly inspiring. How we should not give up hope...
that just one determined person can make a huge impact.
She really has taken her passion and created that into her life's work.
Something we all wish we were doing.
I really enjoyed learning more about her work at her website.
She also has a program for our youth, called...
Roots & Shoots: Empowering youth to make a positive change happen.
Dr. Jane states..
"Roots creep underground everywhere and make a firm foundation. Shoots seem very weak,
but to reach the light, they can break open brick walls. Imagine that the brick walls are all the
problems we have inflicted on our planet. Hundreds and thousands of roots and shoots,
hundreds and thousands of young people around the world, can break through these walls.
We CAN change the world."

A program making positive change in our communities, for our animals and our environment.

Don't you just love that!

Anyway....just a short post to share my thoughts on an inspirational lady!
enjoy :)

Happy Labor Day...what a start!

2009-09-07T10:39:00.002-04:00

Good morning! :)
What a beautiful day it is...I am writing with my laptop outside on my table on our deck.
Let me tell you...the temperature is great, weather beautiful.
YES...I started out the day with homemade zucchini chocolate chip muffins, bacon, canteloupe,
and a big cup of coffee.
Life is good!
Today we are celebrating with friends, neighbors, and family at the pool.
Later a boat ride and swim on the lake.
Good food, drink, and fun!
I can't think of a better way to wrap up the summer!
Have a happy, relaxed, fun day all!

Off to school ...

2009-08-27T18:02:00.008-04:00

So my girl is off to school.
SO hard to believe it is that time...time for her to start kindergarten. She was very excited to go and I know she is going to just love school. Did I cry her first day? I walked her to class and was fine...she eagerly went into her class and sat down at the table with the other children.

and then...the teacher gave me a small ziploc bag...inside a tea bag and cotton ball...
with this note...

then I had tears...tears of joy :) MY BABY GIRL IS BECOMING A BIG GIRL!
my girl was in school...and I already was happy with her teacher...
(although I must admit, knowing that her teacher was teacher of the year for the whole school last year did mean something)
Ava's first day was a half day with just a handful of other children in her class. Her first "real" day was today, Friday. She went the whole day with the whole class. Last night, we had a First Day of School Eve dinner. ((I was inspired by another blog I read, Nienie dialogues...see link on this page.....the author survived a fatal plane crash, forever changed...her crash was a year ago....you should read her entries from even before her crash...amazing lady with amazing faith and love for life....she inspires me))
Ava decided she wanted pizza and ice cream...so that is what we had....yummmm :)

with full tummies we all went to bed and in the morning off to her first big day of school.
Ava really wanted to ride the bus and we decided she could ride it home. (the bus comes too early in the morning...)
Here she is ...all smiles after her first ride on the bus...

so...what did she say was her favorite thing from her first big day?

"riding on the bus with NO seatbelt"

hmmm...

time...

2009-07-28T20:29:00.004-04:00

Aren't they cute?!
We are fortunate enough to live in a community on Mountain Island Lake and blessed to have a boat to enjoy going out on the lake as often as possible. Our family really enjoys being on the lake and swimming, eating, drinking, and just relaxing. Taking friends out is extra special fun. Both my little ones really love the water...so it is great!
It is so hard to believe just how fast they are growing and how time just seems to fly by. I took my boy this week to have ear tubes placed due to his recurring ear infections (Ava had the same thing). While he was in for the procedure I waited in the waiting room holding his stuffed bear, Across from where I was sitting there was an elderly lady (probably late 70s) and her son and daughter (both probably in their 50s). Yes, I heard a little of their conversation, so I was able to figure out that they were brother and sister taking care of their mother.
I started to think.....whoa...if I get to live as old as this lady, my son and daughter might have to take me to the doctor. Then I got teary.....because I started to think how it seems like yesterday when they were newborns. I know how valuable each and everyday is with my children and family...it really takes a conscious effort to try to remember to live for each day and be grateful for each day...live in the moment. I know these things...but working so hard to live by those words. I am probably like so many people and just get bogged down in trying to get the day to day things done and make plans for the next day and the next day. hmmmm...I just need to slow down, stop worrying about all the things I need to do or should do and savor this time as much as I can.
I'll try!

mmmm...summer fruits & veggies :)

2009-07-24T17:49:00.010-04:00

Oh the joy of summertime fruits and veggies...
I always have fun deciding just how I am going to use the wonderful food we grow and those foods given to us by family and friends. Our friends, Joel and Sarah, gave us some enormous zucchini from their garden. I really don't think I have ever seen a zucchini in person quite as big :)

My cutting board is not small....really this was a huge zuke....so I made some fried zucchini fritters..yummy!

Then found a recipe for chocolate chip zucchini muffins. They turned out great! I was even able to get my super picky five year old girl to eat them up. They freeze great and can be popped in the microwave for one minute. love them!
I took my children to a local farm....and just as we pulled in, a truck with several farm workers and loads of fresh blackberries was being unloaded. These berries were beautiful. Of course I came home with quite a bit of berries.....
I laid some out on a cookie sheet to freeze individually before I freeze them in bags. And yes....
that is a Sam Adams blackberry beer. I just had to indulge while I made the below picture...
BlackberryClafoutis. This was yummy, despite my really poor attempt at taking a picture.
I got the idea from a blog I follow (let me warn you her site is wonderful).... please click here and you will see her oh so lovely pics of her clafoutis. ((I enjoy saying the word, clafouti......I am a little crazy, you know!))

We do not get much sunlight in our back yard...but we really wanted tomatoes, peppers, and herbs. So we just planted them in our front yard :)
OH....the fruits of our labor. Well actually Rob's since he is the one that has been watering and taking care of the plants. I am just too busy with the kids, LOL!

hmmmm....tomato sandwiches...

I love summer!

farewell crib..... forest/trees same thing...

2009-07-19T15:14:00.012-04:00

Well my little boy has decided the crib just isn't for him.
Just a few nights ago, Beck was not feeling well due to his reoccurring double ear infection (going to see about tubes this week) and has been sleeping with me...mommy. On this night he was upset/frustrated and had started to push on me. Rob went to put him in his crib so he could have a cry then I was going to get him. Well, Rob put him in his crib and Beck basically took a run for the rail and catapulted and did a complete flip out of the crib. Poor guy. I consoled him and he slept with me in my bed. The next night he did not have any more fever from his ears, so we tried to put him to sleep in his crib. Normally he goes to sleep very easily. We read to him, rock him briefly, then lay him down and he puts himself to sleep quietly. Rob put him down and left the room while I was across the hall reading to Ava. I started to hear Beck cry, but did not go to him immediately because I knew he would probably just cry for a few and then go to sleep ((he had slept the previous three nights with me)). After awhile he was still crying...then Rob opened Ava's door with Beck in his arms. He had gotten out of his crib. Well he got one more night with mommy.
The next day we bid farewell to crib and hello to big boy bed,

Going to have to add some decoration to the wall now that the crib is gone and the bed is so low.
It was sad to see the crib go because it is the last time I plan on using it :(

Ava decides to help Beck get comfortable with his bed.
Priceless.
Beck has now slept in his new bed for four nights (although the transition time to bed is longer. I have to get on the floor with my head resting on his bed and rub his back until he is good and asleep...hopefully this time will become shorter). He also has taken one nap in his bed.
Not bad for less than a week with the new bed.

OK....now for a cute tidbit on why I just love little people and the things they say.
Rob, Ava, Beck, and I all went to Greensboro to visit friends. Our friends have a cute little cat named Forest. Forest happens to have his very own room. Ava has been to our friends house before and has met the cat and knows about Forest and his room. Before we get to their house I asked her if she remembered the cat's name and she did not. So I told her..."Forest".
So we get to our friends house and I hear her talking to the cat. She is calling the cat something, but it is not Forest.
I say, "Honey, what are you calling the cat?"
Ava replies "Trees"
I tell her the cat is name is Forest.
Ava says..."same thing" (mind you she says this with a touch of attitude)
hmmm ...Forest, Trees....same thing. (we all enjoyed a laugh and called the cat Trees the rest of the night.

Aren't kids great?

all for jerk...

2009-07-02T23:29:00.003-04:00

Has anyone ever really bought a whole chicken and cut it into pieces? hmmm.
Ok. I do consider myself a bit of a foodie. I love everything to do with food and about food.
So since it is the holiday weekend and we are going to be grilling up some grilled jerk chicken....I purchased whole chickens and cut them into the pieces myself. YEP...breasts, thighs, legs, and wings. I have always seen various food show host/hostesses performing this task but never have attempted myself. Well....my thoughts: not too bad or difficult, but quite messy and slightly icky. Once I was done I felt the need to sanitize everything in the kitchen area, including washing my hands in scalding water only to then spray them with my "greener version" of hand sanitizer spray (clean well). I was proud of myself :) I know have a bag of cutup chicken marinating in my frig in a wonderful jerk marinade (provided by my brother-in-law)...and the chicken was cheaper to buy this way...which always makes me happy. Can't wait to eat!
I actually bought some plantains at the farmer's market to make with the jerk chicken! yumm!
will post pics with the resulting jerk chicken soon!

sand feet

2009-06-17T10:16:00.004-04:00

my beach art :)

So I wanted to do some sort of project with sand and initially had found a project where you make sand footprints. Basically you get wet sand (not too wet) and place child's foot in sand to get their footprint. Then you pour in plaster of paris and let dry. Viola...you get a sandy foot.

Well my little ones could not quite create a good clean footprint due their wiggly cute toes. So I decided to try something else. (I had brought the plaster of paris and wire to make a hanger...needed to do something, lol)

So I took her flip flop and his little croc shoe and made shoe prints instead. I found shells on the beach and decided to use their initials. We do call them "A" and "B" all the time :)

I think it turned out cute....a little something different to hang in a little space on my wall.

Thought I would share. You can really expand on this and make any sort of beach sand art using shells and plaster of paris. enjoy!

favorite room @ the beach...

2009-06-11T08:37:00.003-04:00

Nothing is better than the outdoor shower at the beach! It is a prerequisite when looking at what cottages to rent. Nothing fancy, just hot water and a spot to place your shower necessities is all that is needed. I LOVE IT! I never use the indoor shower at the beach....really I don't. I love to be all sandy and then step into the outside shower. When you are done there is none of that "steamy too hot bathroom" feel...instead you get the refreshing salt air smell and feel :)

My husband and children enjoyed it too. I am pretty sure Ava will be like mom and enjoy outside showers as much as I do. If possible I would have a outdoor shower at my year round home...hmmmm just not sure if the home owner's association would like that...ha!

say cheese...

2009-05-19T20:39:00.005-04:00

Ok, my little ones.....say cheese..! Ava and Beck have this down pat. I just had to share this cute picture (wish it was a little clearer). Yes, Ava's favorite color is pink and she does own a pink jeep (thanks to grandmom). Beck loves this jeep and insists she take him for a ride whenever she has it out of the garage.

These two are keeping me busy!

Ava is now five and making me laugh with some of the things she says. Lately it has been, "for real" and "right". If she thinks her dad or I do not believe what she is saying she says, "for real" with a matter of fact look. I do laugh at this, although sometimes it can be a tad bit on the sassy side and I have to get "real" with her.

In the van she has been using the word, "right?" after every observation or statement she makes. Whew...sometimes answering can be exhausting, but I am glad she likes to hold conversations.

The scents in our yard...

2009-05-15T21:36:00.011-04:00

I love this time of year. I really love the scents experienced outdoors this time of year. Right now the smell of the honeysuckle that is growing on our fence makes me smile. We have chocolate mint (yes, there is such a thing) in a container by our hammock that smells like thin mints...mmm! We also have a giant rosemary bush, basil, thyme, and oregano in our herb garden. It is so fun to teach Ava about the herbs and let her smell them. ((now getting her the eat them is a different story, although she did try the chocolate mint :)
And of course what could be better than the aroma of yummy food on the grill. I think grilling all the time is wonderful...but nothing is better than a late cool evening after a hot day with good food on the grill and a bucket of cold beer/wine with friends.

I am so ready for the summer time, I love it!

Mom's List

2009-05-11T13:11:00.006-04:00

my mom

I am hoping everyone had a great mother's day!
Sometimes it is so hard for me to believe that I am actually a mother...a mom to two beautiful, amazing children. Who knew how much a "mother's love" really is? I had absolutely no idea that I had the ability to feel the way I feel, the love, for my children. It is the most important job in my life....the raising of my children and everything that encompasses. Wow...I always think...Am I able to do this? But as fellow moms know...we can and we do what we have to do. This mother's day I am grateful....very grateful to be a mom! I also am grateful for having the time I did with my mom, but also sad that she is not here to see me as a "mom". Sixteen years ago, my mom left this lifetime.....but has never lost that special place in my heart!

This Sunday, at church, the pastor's wife, Marilynn Chadwich delivered the message... "Mom's List"...Seven Secrets to Reaching Your Dreams

((I loved the message and wanted to share the notes, everything below is from the notecards given at the service))

1. Learn to see the beauty - ...they saw that he was a beautiful child...-Hebrews 11:23

2. Grow with the grain- Train up a child in the way he should go and in keeping with his gift or bent... -Proverbs 22:6a
3. Dream big and know the race you're running - ...let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. --Hebrews 12:1b

4. Lighten your load- Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles..- Hebrews 12:1a

5. Every dreamer needs a team- ..spur on another on toward love and good works. -Hebrews 10:24

6. Help others reach their dreams- ...if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed...then your night will become noonday. -Isaiah 58:10

7. Train yourself to sustain yourself- I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. - 2 Timothy 4:7

There are always mountains to climb as we reach for our dreams. How we climb matters... Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith...-Hebrews 12:2a

Hope you liked...if you want to see Marilynn deliver this message, 30 mins long...go to foresthill.org and click on message.

A bed bug tale...

2009-05-07T15:33:00.010-04:00

It is 9:oo at night and I am comfortable in my bed thinking of going to sleep when a little visitor comes into my room. Ava, my recently turned 5, little girl comes in telling me, "I can't sleep."

The rest goes a little something like this:
mom-why can't you sleep honey?

ava-there are little things biting me in my bed

mom-what kind of little things?

ava-there are bed bugs in my bed

mom-bed bugs? hmm..one bed bug or more?

ava-there are ten bed bugs in my bed

mom-are they big or little?

ava-they are so little, like smaller than the tippy part of your pinky nail, only I can see them

mom- so i can't see these bed bugs in your bed?

ava-nope, only I can

mom- does it hurt when they "bite" you?

ava-yes...like this (ava pinches me :)

mom- hmmm, I would not like that...maybe those bed bugs are asleep now.

ava-nope mom...they do not sleep, they don't even take naps, they stay awake

mom-well maybe I can go change your sheets and wash them

ava-they won't work mom..they will just hop up and be on the new sheets, they have very strong legs

mom-what if we turn the ceiling fan on and blow them off?
ava-mom...i told you they have really strong legs and they will just stay on the sheets

~~~by now ava is in my bed thinking she is going to snuggle and sleep with me. I know daddy will be coming up soon and hopefully he can get her to bed (ha!) ~~~

mom- ava, you know you can't sleep in my bed until you are grown up
ava- i know mom, i will be too big and there isn't enough room for you, me, and daddy when i am big like you
mom-so how long will these bed bugs stay in your bed?
ava-until I am about 6 years old, they like 4..hmm 5 year old girls like me.
mom- well i am not sure what to do..we will just have to wait till daddy comes upstairs.

Daddy caves in and lets Ava sleep with me and he goes to the guest room :)
(he really can't sleep with a little one who ends up with her legs and arms all over you, facing the wrong way in the bed)

thought i would share.

feeling good!

2009-05-04T16:32:00.005-04:00

I think this warmer weather has got me feeling so much better! I feel more energized and happy. I probably suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder) in the cold, gray months of winter. I just love the longer days! Who knows, perhaps my vitamin/supplement regimen is helping too. All I know is a feel good! yippee!

The picture is from the planter on my front steps. It had just rained and I walked outside right before 8pm....and the air had that crisp after rain smell and the temperature was perfect (after a hot day). I snapped this photo b/c the color stood out when I looked on my porch and made me smile :)

Here we are 2009!

2009-01-05T09:50:00.000-05:00

I still am amazed at how quickly time can fly by! This year I have so much I want to do and accomplish. Most of all I want to be "a constant work in progress." I want to work at improving so many aspects of my life....and since no one is perfect (something I remind myself everyday) we can only strive to constantly be working on ourself. I plan to share more of my thoughts and plans with others here on my blog. I will be working on my blog this week.
My goal: to be a better me for my husband, children, family, and friends.

how busy life can be...

2008-10-07T09:21:00.000-04:00

It is amazing just how busy your life can be...yet at the same time feel as though you still have more you want to do. Wow. Summer has come and gone, preschool for Ava, Avon walk is almost here, Beck is one, and it is almost Halloween! Life can go by so fast and I am trying my hardest to stay "in the moment/present" and enjoy my time, my life. I still have a huge urge to create, but have to put it aside for just awhile while I figure out the best balance for my day to day things. I know the "best" will always change and I need to learn to be okay with that. My goal is to be able to have "creative" time for me notched in my routine by the beginning of November (which is my birthday month, what a good birthday present to me from me). I hope to be able to list some new and different things on etsy perhaps. The hair bows are fun...but were just a result of me using what I have (too much ribbon) and finding something to raise more money for my Avon walk ((which is almost at $2000)). I really want to create using recycled materials...and I do love flowers. hmmm...will continue to write down my ideas as I attempt to create more "order" in my life. hehe!

LIFE IS GOOD!

in the beginning

2008-04-29T10:31:00.000-04:00

so this is my 1st blog...why? thought i would share with others and see if i like blogging. so...right now i am busy being a mom and prepping items for my booth where i will be selling handmade barrettes, onesies, and lil tees to help raise funds for my avon 2day walk in october. at the same time i am setting up an etsy shop to sell the same items. am i crazy for trying to mother and craft? probably...but my soul feels as though it needs an outlet... crafting is what i love and feel like doing.