New Blog

I've decided to move on and start a whole new blog.  It will have more of a purpose and theme.  I'm excited about sharing fun, easy, and creative ideas for celebrating with family...creating family traditions and memories throughout the year. 
Check back...I will be announcing the launch of my new blog soon!

Jumping Right In...

Almost a year since I was here. Hmmm...so much was going on, I just could focus time, energy, or mental concentration on this blog. It has been a tough year with one thing and another, but I mostly feel like we've come out on the other side. Nothing life shattering, just life jarring. Through it all I've realized I need to call on God much more, and spend time daily in prayer...well, multiple times daily.
I know, DUH.
Lately I've been feeling the need to come back--to share, to connect, to release...

So, my goal for today is to put up a new header...thankfully it is NOT Spring 2010.

I'm ready for a new beginning.

I can't believe Easter is just around the corner. This year I want to make my kids homemade goodies and get them simple, natural toys. Maybe some gardening supplies...like seed packets, little pots.

For some sweet, natural handmade toys perfect for an Easter basket, check out Garden Mama's great giveaway!

I love spring and Easter celebrations! I am so ready for warmer weather, greening trees, and family get-togethers with delicious food!

New Things

New things are happening in my kitchen. Here is what I have done in the last week:

-Made homemade chicken stock
-Made spouts with quinoa
-Made homemade cream of mushroom soup (for casseroles)
-Cooked most of our meals from scratch
-Cooked and baked with coconut oil
-Made homemade Thai coconut chicken soup

I've also stopped buying:
-boxed mac & cheese
-canned soups, chili, spaghettios

Next steps I want to take:
-stop buying all processed food...crackers, tortillas, bread...(need to make alternatives first)
-learn to make sourdough bread
-find a recipe for Ranch dressing that my kids will eat
-find a recipe for non-dairy creamer that my husband will use
-buy local eggs and chicken from a farm
-cut back on white sugar

There are more things I want to do, but I'll get overwhelmed if I try to change everything at once...I do still have to feed four children and my husband!

I am reading:
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
And these blogs: Kitchen Stewardship, GNOWFGLINS

So far I'm having a blast...hopefully I wont burn out before I make more positive changes!

Sunshine Break

We woke to the comforting sounds of rain on our roof. We don't get a lot of rain here, so it was nice and cozy. Throughout the morning the clouds dissipated and the sun shone bright and cheery. We quickly pulled on socks, shoes and jackets to head outside for the first time in way too long.

The snow from over a month ago had finally melted away. Our new walker was utterly delighted to explore on her own two feet.

A puddle perfect for jumping into, riding through, and splashing rocks was filled with the sky and the sun.

It was a beautiful break in the middle of winter.

Right Now

Right now...

I'm sitting at the computer, drinking coffee, listening to instrumental Christmas music on Pandora, enjoying my quiet morning house as the sun comes up on a snowy world.
Only one of my four children is awake...and he is quietly watching Little Bear while he drinks his morning milk.
Wait...a happy squeal from the little one's room...my one year old daughter is now awake. I'll let her play in her crib for a couple of minutes.

Today...
There will be a Christmas, oops, I mean a Holiday party at school for my two oldest. Sending cranberry muffins and candy canes.
So, at home we will have our own little party with our little 3 year-old friend, who I care for during the day, my 2 1/2 year-old son, and my one year old daughter. I am thinking...mini cupcakes to sprinkle and a Christmas story...if I have the chance, maybe I'll whip up some sugar cookie dough for Christmas shapes and frosting and sprinkles...but as I write this I think the mini cupcakes will be much easier and just as fun.

A few minutes later...
Well, three out of four children are now up and our little friend is here. Little one year old miss is eating fist-fulls of scrambled eggs, two others are squabbling (as usual), and one is back to his milk and Little Bear...time for me to get us all going.

Hmmmm

Playing around with fun blog designs. Maybe this will inspire me to post more. Part of my problem is TIME. Part of my problem is what to write about. I think I need to see my blog as my personal journal and not write for an audience. But I'm also considering focusing on food. We'll see .

Oh, my eleven-year-old daughter just started a blog for home school. She is going to post things she is learning about as well as creative writing stuff...and probably whatever she happens to think would be fun. She is such a sweet, fun-loving, happy girl. I'm so blessed to be able to be her mom.
Please stop by her blog and leave her a kind comment.
Thanks!