coffee

New Beginnings and God's reminder

It's been a while, so long that blogger has changed a lot lol, and I'm going to have to spend some time digging around figuring things out.  So long that I've started a new online business, we started homeschooling our children and we've added another darling baby to our family. So long that Ari is walking....yes!  walking!  

I forgot how nice it is to have a place where I can come and just write.  To write my words and thoughts and what God shares with me.  I have been lacking lately in my spiritual walk, and it's no ones fault but my own.  Caught up in so many unimportant things as well as just the craziness of life with littles.  It's so easy to put off time with God, or just say well, my time praying while I drive is good enough, not making it a point to spend time in his word or communicating with him other than when it's convenient for me.  hmmm.  yeah, that hasn't been working too well for me lately.  Makes me short tempered, impatient and sort of screamy.....not good when you have 6 littles under 12, a business to run, house to care for and hubby.... oh the poor hubby

so, yesterday, I got out a new coffee cup that I bought myself this week and made myself some coffee and dug out my trusty bible and turned to Philippians.  I had just made my munchkins their eggs for breakfast before we started homeschooling for the day and Ela, our 3 month old, was still sleeping.  I went out back after telling the kids I needed a few minutes and imploring the bigs to be nice to the litles etc, and prayed that God would show me what He had for me.  I had had one of "those" mornings with my babies where nothing was going right and I was having anxiety about the busy weekend we had planned.  I opened my eyes and found the wind had turned my pages to Ephesians 6....so I started reading....10-20 seemed especially fitting for the day, and really just the time in my life lately and I got one of those silly grins on my face....one of those where you know God has you pegged and is ready to roll when you are.  5 minutes is all I had before Ela woke and needed to eat and the kids needed me, but 5 minutes was all it took for God to adjust my perspective to where it needed to be and give me the reminder that He is there waiting for me to jump back into the game so to speak.  To help me not be screamy and trying to control every moment of my life, to not be quite as nervous with the unknown and things I can't change and the reminder to take joy in the little things.  It's amazing how quickly I can forget that part....

Ephesians 6:10-20

New International Version (NIV)

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Awesome Idea for Making Your own Fabric!

This is so fun, you have to go check it out Here!

pattern for herringbone knitting, a cowl in particular

I was moseying around in blogland and found this awesome blog you have to come check out...

it has all sorts of patterns for making wonderful knit things, Here's the one I like!

Need to make fabric flowers?

Here's a fantastic list of links for 40 different kinds!  

Happy Sewing!

An easier way to silk screen (at home)

Hop over Here and check it out!  So going to do this soon!

Sharing: DIY Cabinet/Wall Decals

Hop on over Here and check these out then make some for yourself!

Make your own buttons!!!

These are really awesome, and if I ever get a minute and the supplies I'm totally doing this!

It would be a fun project for older kids too and then you can preserve their artwork too!

Hop over Here and check it out!

Cool Idea.

Hop on over Here and check this out!

Simply Sharing: Book Strap Tutorial

Another to-do for my list!!!

Hop on over HERE and check out how to make this fabulous carrier!!!

Sharing Rainy Day Fun

We've had a rainy day streak in our neck of the woods, but I just found this blog/tutorial and thought I'd share!

Hop over Here to see how it's done!

I always wanted to "make" an umbrella

I don't know about you, but I've always wanted a cute umbrella and can't ever find one that I really like and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.... found this tutorial that shows how to recover your existing umbrella so you can use whatever cute fabric you like and end up with an umbrella that puts a smile on your face every time you get to use it on a rainy day!

another Awesome thing on my "to-do" list

Found this tutorial today,

I am making plans to make this dress for each of my girlies...I have been hoarding fabric and such for a while but haven't had time to sew with our baby so sick, but hopefully after surgery this month we will have a few months to just be a family again and I will have a bit of time to sew for my kiddo's.  I have some fantastic Dr. Seuss fabric I will pair with red for my Rue, and some fantastic mod fabric for my Raven, some funky eclectic fabric for V and some sweet soft fabric for our Ari.  This looks easy enough that it shouldn't take me forever and they will each have something fun for the upcoming summer months.  I will post pics whenever I get them finished, be sure to leave a link if you make one so I can come see!

Another Gem Of an Idea

Here's another fabulous idea by itself or to bounce off of for some inspiration,

if you make one leave me a link so I can see your fabulous fabric (I think I have a fabric addiction) 

and what you come up with!

Here's the Link!

mmm....something good to eat

These look awesome... if I get a moment when I'm home I may even tinker with an egg/dairy free version, as the docs feel that Ari may have a milk protein intolerance and since she is getting my milk that means no egg/dairy products for me {;0)  Luckily I have found dairy free chocolate chips and margarine/butter and a fantastic site on substitutions for eggs, so we shall see what I can come up with.  

I never really new all the things that contain some sort of dairy or egg product until I had to cut it out....

Anywhoo, here's the link, go check it out and let me know how they turn out

Something to Share

So, here's the first of many yet to come of some projects I have found that I want to try or use for inspiration... this is a blog that I have just recently stumbled upon but has many awesome idea's so be sure to check it out when you have a moment!

Click Here to head over and see how she made her own batik fabric with crayons

Happy Mom Day!!

In honor of my mother, I thought I'd share two cookie recipes that I grew up with...my mom made them often, and every time I make them for my kids I think of her.

Here's the recipe link for Oatmeal Scotchies,

and here's one for the czechoslovakian bar cookies she used to make.

I hope Mother's day finds you well, and that you are surrounded by those you love!

Found a cool idea for your little girlies

I saw this, and so wanted to share with you.....go check it out!

Pretend Makeup at the Polka Dot Daisy

I will be posting a craft for the munchkins of my own later today or tomorrow......It's kind of like a stained glass window of sorts that the kids can make, with things you already have....no glass involved!

I'm still learning.....

I was catching up on some blog reading, and found this post on Gypsy Mama's website...so I thought we could play along together.....

I’m still learning to let my husband be my husband, and God be God.

I’m still learning that it’s okay to say “no” sometimes, when asked to do something.

I’m still learning to quiet my thoughts and the business around me, so I can here God’s quiet whisper.

I’m still learning to just say thank you when someone compliments on something of mine, instead of explaining it away.

I'm still learning to let my kids be kids, and not little adults.

I'm still learning to treasure every moment like it's my last,
instead of getting so caught up with the "things" I have to do......


Okay, it's your turn.....

Winter

Over at Incourage a challenge was made to use the creativity that God has woven into us all, and stretch our "wings" a bit.  So, I thought I'd give this a try, we'll see how I do, as I've never attempted Haiku before now.....

Winter

Soft, Crunchy, Crisp Snow

Glorious White, Clean, and New

Moment to Reflect

Dumplings

So, I've never attempted to make the beloved dish that my Grandma used to make, and she never passed on the recipe to me.  Now, years later, my grandparents were coming for Christmas to my Dad's house and Dad asked me to make chicken and dumplings and bring it to share with dinner.  Needless to say, I was a little worried that whatever I concocted it wouldn't come close to my Grandmother's recipe from long ago.  I was small and didn't pay much attention, and since then my grandma had suffered a stroke that has left her left side pretty much useless.  But, long story short, I threw some chicken in a pot with some water and bullion and let it cook while we opened presents, and then skimmed the foam off and let the chicken cool so I could shred it.  Then I found a recipe for dumplings that I hoped would not produce a chewy tough result, but rather a light and fluffy dumpling.  Much to my surprise, they turned out wonderful, and I believe it will be a common dish for me to make to bring to the family gatherings from now on.  I am also excited to experiment with other soup dishes to see what else the dumpling can add too.... Hooray!

Dumplings:

Ingredients:

    * 2 cups of white flour
    * 4 tsp. baking powder
    * 1 tsp. salt
    * 4 tbsp. soft margarine or butter
    * 1 cup of milk (or more)

Method:

   1. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
   2. Cut in butter that's been kept at room temperature or use soft margarine.
   3. Stir milk lightly into the flour mixture with a wooden spoon and adjust amounts to make sure that you have a moist dumpling dough. (not too much though, or you get "fluff" balls, as my kiddo's called them)

Dumpling Cooking Tips

    * Make sure your soup or stew is on a gentle simmer. The liquid does not have to be boiling to achieve tender dumplings. Remember that pot temperature rises with the lid on and you don't want the contents to stick and burn.

    * Drop dumpling dough into the liquid by teaspoonfuls or for larger dumplings use a tablespoon.  Cover your pot with a lid so that the dumplings can steam.

Check your dumplings after 10 minutes. You can use a knife to cut a slit in one dumpling to check inside. Cook until dumplings are no longer raw in the middle. Ladle into serving bowls, including a dumpling or two per bowl.