Let us press on to know Him and as surely as the rain in the spring, He will return to us.Hosea 6:3
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
keeping focused
Let us press on to know Him and as surely as the rain in the spring, He will return to us.Hosea 6:3
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
getting ready
I have been busy getting ready.
Getting ready for a jewelry sale this weekend.
Collecting supplies for school.
Collecting supplies for school.
Cutting out hundreds of timeline figures.
Laminating
Cutting them out again.
We go on vacation next week, so I only have 4 weeks left to get everything ready for school. I am feeling the pressure. I have my lesson plans done for the fall and only have a handful of books left to order, but I have not begun on our spring lesson plans yet. I still need to finish laminating the time line figures, hang the century lines and do a bit more rearranging/organizing before we are ready to start school.Last month I posted my summer "to-do list". I have gotten a good bit of it done, but still have a way to go with lesson plans. There are a few things that I can see now will not get done before we start school:
finish house # mosaic
type up recipes
Frog/lily pad game
It was a pretty ambitious list, so if I accomplish everything on the list but these three things, I will feel pretty good. Well, I've got lots to do, so I better get back to work!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Muffin Tin Monday
I just realized that I forgot to link back to Sycamore Stirrings for MTM when I posted this this afternoon!
Left to Right: Freeze dried strawberries, crackers with strawberry cream cheese, bananas, Trader Joe's animal crackers, Stacey's Pita Chips, starburst, craisins, more pita chips, monterrey jack cheese cubes, bananas, crackers with BP and Famous Chocolate Wafers
Nothing left but banana peals, Starburst wrappers and freeze dried strawberry dust!
"I love muffin tin Monday!"
Left to Right: Freeze dried strawberries, crackers with strawberry cream cheese, bananas, Trader Joe's animal crackers, Stacey's Pita Chips, starburst, craisins, more pita chips, monterrey jack cheese cubes, bananas, crackers with BP and Famous Chocolate Wafers
Nothing left but banana peals, Starburst wrappers and freeze dried strawberry dust!
"I love muffin tin Monday!"it's awfully quiet
The kids have been MIA for about 20 minutes now. Doors closed. Not a sound. I wonder what is going on in there?
Sunday, July 27, 2008
my head is still spinning
We have had quite a weekend. Friday was busy grocery shopping, making cookies and knox blox and loading up the car for Saturday's yard sale.
Saturday we had our yard sale (at a friends house) and I took Regan to rehearsal for her musical. Then Regan and I went to see High School Musical Live in Norfolk while Phil picked up the babysitter and went to worship practice with the rest of the crew, finally we all met up at our friend Steve's birthday party.
Today, I actually got to sleep in a bit since church does not start until 10:30am. After church we had a cookout, came how for a quick nap and then headed back out to see Regan sing in the Musical she has been learning this week at Western Branch Baptist Church's "Super Summer Singing Funner."
Regan made a friend this week, Ashley, that is her on the left. They were attached at the hip from day one, but it turns out that Ashley lives in CA and is just here visiting her family. Regan is pretty sad, she has even gotten a bit teary-eyed at the thought that she might never see Ashley again (which of course makes me so sad too). Hopefully they can get together at least once more before Ashley leaves and then write each other.
Saturday we had our yard sale (at a friends house) and I took Regan to rehearsal for her musical. Then Regan and I went to see High School Musical Live in Norfolk while Phil picked up the babysitter and went to worship practice with the rest of the crew, finally we all met up at our friend Steve's birthday party.
Today, I actually got to sleep in a bit since church does not start until 10:30am. After church we had a cookout, came how for a quick nap and then headed back out to see Regan sing in the Musical she has been learning this week at Western Branch Baptist Church's "Super Summer Singing Funner."
Regan made a friend this week, Ashley, that is her on the left. They were attached at the hip from day one, but it turns out that Ashley lives in CA and is just here visiting her family. Regan is pretty sad, she has even gotten a bit teary-eyed at the thought that she might never see Ashley again (which of course makes me so sad too). Hopefully they can get together at least once more before Ashley leaves and then write each other.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
summer bliss
I was reading my friend blog the other day about watching her dad eat tomato sandwiches as a child and it occurred to me, I had totally forgotten my summer love, home grown tomatoes. 
After reading Bronwen's blog I promptly went to the store for a loaf of "mushy white bread" and headed to the garden to find some tomatoes. My garden has not been doing very well this summer, so I was pleased to find two ripe, juicy tomatoes waiting to be picked and eaten!
I think this was the best sandwich I have had in a long time, and I am already thinking about the one I am going to eat today for lunch, if I can wait that long!
After reading Bronwen's blog I promptly went to the store for a loaf of "mushy white bread" and headed to the garden to find some tomatoes. My garden has not been doing very well this summer, so I was pleased to find two ripe, juicy tomatoes waiting to be picked and eaten!
I think this was the best sandwich I have had in a long time, and I am already thinking about the one I am going to eat today for lunch, if I can wait that long!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
what should I do with all this fabric?
I bought this beautiful fabric awhile back when Walmart was getting rid of their fabric department. I think I have 9 yards total. Originally I was going to make a new duvet cover for our bed and a skirt for me. I love the fabric, but I wonder if it is going to be too dark in our room....
What do you think?how do you know when it is time for a yard sale?
This picture should be a pretty good clue that we have too much stuff in our house! Time to eliminate some stuff!
I am taking some things over to a friends house for a yard sale on Saturday. Cleaning out the kids stuff is easy for me (as long as they are not around while I do it)! Here are a few of the things that we have all set to go already
These, plus about 10 shopping bags full of toys in the attic.
Now when it comes to my own stuff, it is much harder to make the decision to get rid of it. In the past I have been ruthless when it came to eliminating the amount of stuff in our house. Right now I am struggling to be that determined.
On the bright side, I came across these jeans while I was going through my closet today.
Last time I put these on they were TIGHT!
I am taking some things over to a friends house for a yard sale on Saturday. Cleaning out the kids stuff is easy for me (as long as they are not around while I do it)! Here are a few of the things that we have all set to go already
These, plus about 10 shopping bags full of toys in the attic.
Now when it comes to my own stuff, it is much harder to make the decision to get rid of it. In the past I have been ruthless when it came to eliminating the amount of stuff in our house. Right now I am struggling to be that determined.On the bright side, I came across these jeans while I was going through my closet today.
Last time I put these on they were TIGHT! 
Monday, July 21, 2008
Muffin Tin Monday
I must confess, we cheated a bit on our Muffin Tin Monday...The past few weeks have been so busy with family visiting and VBS etc, we have missed out on Muffin Tin Monday. So this week we decided to have our muffin tin lunch early. I even prepped this post on Saturday just to be sure I got it up on time!
Here is our rainbow muffin tin
Left to Right: Red gold fish, orange carrots, yellow popcorn, green ranch, blue airheads, purple grapes, red (pink) ham, orange carrots, yellow corn chips, green apple, blue goldfish and purple craisins. Some of the colors are a stretch, I know, but they were the best I could do!
Left to Right: Red gold fish, orange carrots, yellow popcorn, green ranch, blue airheads, purple grapes, red (pink) ham, orange carrots, yellow corn chips, green apple, blue goldfish and purple craisins. Some of the colors are a stretch, I know, but they were the best I could do!Sunday, July 20, 2008
weekend with my family
Both of my sisters and their families were camping about 30 minutes from us this weekend. We got to hang out with them Friday and Saturday and had a great time. Here are a few of the many pictures I took.
Marching band in Williamsburg
Bon fire, the boys were in charge, can you tell?
S'mores! (don't look too closely at his hands)
Me and my sisters
Phil and Lulu at the beach on Saturday
Josiah holding a jellyfish!
Lulu playing with a bucket of water. She would get her hands all sandy, then wash them off in the bucket, and then do it all over again.
Audrey, Micah and Max, digging in the sand.
Max dug so deep, by the time we left he had himself a pretty big hole. That's his head sticking out of the ground.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
how many is too many?
I just can't get enough of those $.22 boxes of crayons at Walmart. I will probably go back for more next week.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Juice bag purse tutorial
Okay, so this is a little picture heavy, but I need lots of pictures and this way I will be sure not to leave anything out!
First, you need 28 juice bags for a purse without pockets.
Cut a whole in the bottom of each bag, rinse and let dry.
I use double sticky tape to keep the bags from slipping when I sew them together. I have use all kinds and Scotch- permanent, double sided tape is the best. I like the 1/2 inch width.
First I tape together two bags, over lapping about 1/2 inch like this:
Repeat 8x (you need 8 of these). Sew together with a zig zag stitch.
Tape 4 of these pairs together, side by side, I usually overlap about 1/4 in here. Zig-zag stitch.
Repeat with remaining 4 pairs. You should have two pieces like this:
Pleats- I folded over about 1/4 in. pleats - Left to Right: near inside edge of first bag, at straw whole on second bag, at straw whole on third bag and at inside edge of fourth bag. Pleats should be folded towards the center of the bag and stitched one at a time. Repeat on second panel trying to match width of first panel.
Find something round, like a small plate, to trace curved edge on bottom corners of one panel.
Put wrong sides together and zig zag stitch starting on one side of bag, following curved line you drew at corners all the way around to other side. Trim corners outside of stitches.
Sew five bags together in a strip, fold in half and place around top of bag.
Stitch yoke (I think that is what it is called) to top of bag (still zig zag). This is the hardest part, really. I could not do a continuous stitch all the way around since the bags are pretty stiff. I found what worked best was to do the side when the pieces overlapped first, as far as I could go without it slipping off the bag, then turn it over and do the other side lastly I did the corners of the bag (where it goes from front to back panel visa-versa)
For the straps, stitch 7 bags together in a strip (These straps are perfect for a kid, but for an adult you might want to make them a bit longer, maybe add a bag or two). Fold over one third of the way (this part requires a lot of tape).
Fold the other side over top of that. Stitch down the top piece like this:
cut this piece in half and attach to bag. Be sure to reinforce the straps, I did two rows of zig zag on each. Ta Da! Your bag is done!
First, you need 28 juice bags for a purse without pockets.
Cut a whole in the bottom of each bag, rinse and let dry.
I use double sticky tape to keep the bags from slipping when I sew them together. I have use all kinds and Scotch- permanent, double sided tape is the best. I like the 1/2 inch width.First I tape together two bags, over lapping about 1/2 inch like this:
Repeat 8x (you need 8 of these). Sew together with a zig zag stitch.
Tape 4 of these pairs together, side by side, I usually overlap about 1/4 in here. Zig-zag stitch.Repeat with remaining 4 pairs. You should have two pieces like this:
Pleats- I folded over about 1/4 in. pleats - Left to Right: near inside edge of first bag, at straw whole on second bag, at straw whole on third bag and at inside edge of fourth bag. Pleats should be folded towards the center of the bag and stitched one at a time. Repeat on second panel trying to match width of first panel.
Find something round, like a small plate, to trace curved edge on bottom corners of one panel.
Put wrong sides together and zig zag stitch starting on one side of bag, following curved line you drew at corners all the way around to other side. Trim corners outside of stitches.
Sew five bags together in a strip, fold in half and place around top of bag.
Stitch yoke (I think that is what it is called) to top of bag (still zig zag). This is the hardest part, really. I could not do a continuous stitch all the way around since the bags are pretty stiff. I found what worked best was to do the side when the pieces overlapped first, as far as I could go without it slipping off the bag, then turn it over and do the other side lastly I did the corners of the bag (where it goes from front to back panel visa-versa)
For the straps, stitch 7 bags together in a strip (These straps are perfect for a kid, but for an adult you might want to make them a bit longer, maybe add a bag or two). Fold over one third of the way (this part requires a lot of tape).
Fold the other side over top of that. Stitch down the top piece like this:
cut this piece in half and attach to bag. Be sure to reinforce the straps, I did two rows of zig zag on each. Ta Da! Your bag is done!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Garden Party for Lulu and Audrey
Here are the cupcakes for tomorrow's birthday celebration.
I think they turned out pretty cute, even if my lettuce on the sign is a bit droopy :)
I think they turned out pretty cute, even if my lettuce on the sign is a bit droopy :)
