Something Blue, Something New

I finally got the new blue Mason jars. They are soooooo pretty!
 

I imagine they will be showing up quite often. :)  Now for the something new....

After months of discussion we took the plunge and purchased another vehicle.  Just in the nick of time as Chuck's truck developed a transmission problem on the way to purchase this.  As soon as it is out of the shop the kids and I will be ready to hit the road.  Just in time to spend afternoons in Grammi and Grandpa's pool!

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!

Summer Cooking

Just a few weeks ago it felt like the cold would never go. Now it feels as if summer has arrived. The sunshine and warm weather beckon the kids and I outside. All of the outside time has left me scrambling for dinner a few times.

Even with menu planning on way too many occasions I was caught at 4:30 or so without dinner started. The temptation to run out and grab a quick burger is not something that can happen often. As we all know it is a killer on the budget!

My solution is to do something I am calling summer cooking. On Monday I look at my monthly menu and decide what we are eating Monday - Friday. I then use nap time on Monday to prepare the main events for the week.

Here is a peek at this week.

Monday: Grilled Pork Chops

Grilling is something we will be doing more often to prevent heating up the house.  Chuck has a pitch in later this week.  He is taking in a sausage cheese dip.  While I was already using the grill I went ahead and browned the sausage.  I not only use the grill for grilling in the summer I will also use it with a cast iron skillet for general cooking. 

Tuesday: Spaghetti

One for this week and one for the freezer. It is a great time saver to pull it out to thaw and heat up.

Wednesday:  Hamburgers

Again using the grill.

Thursday:  Roasted Chicken
 

I purchased this from Sams. As I was cutting the meat off the bone I put the small bits in a container to turn into chicken salad. That will make a quick, cool lunch.

Friday:  Meatloaf

 

Baked late in the evening or early in the morning.  I will slice it before re-heating. 

 

Each day before we headout for afternoon play I will get my side dishes ready to go.  My hope is that by doing this I can avoid some stress in the early evening.  It gets crazy with Chuck coming home and the kids leaving. 

 

The great thing is that if plans change I can move a menu item to the weekend or throw it in the freezer for later use. 

 

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!

Time in the Garden

The days are warming up and that means I am spending most of my time outside. It feels great but boy does it wear me out!   The garden was tilled yesterday and then planted today.  As rain is in the forecast for the next five days or so I was in a hurry to get it in. 
 

 

I did most of planting while Megan was as school.  I did save her a row of green beans to plant.  This satisfied her gardening bug at least for the moment. 

I put in five rows of green beans, ten tomato plants, two zucchini, one bell pepper and six pickling cucumbers.  I also removed the frost covers from the raised beds.  Check out those cabbage!

Using frost covers is the best thing!  I am thrilled with the results. 

It is very satisfying to put food on the table that is from your own garden.  If you think you can't do this I want to encourage you to give it a try.  Just growing one thing on your own.  Once you taste the freshness there will be no going back. 

Have you ever seen your child this excited about a store bought bag of lettuce?  

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!

Personalized Photo Bag

This morning the little men showed up with flowers, a card and a box of candy for me. So sweet! After I relished the moment I panicked as I hadn't taken the time to do anything for their mom. Oops! It had been on my mind but never made it to the top of the list. Not like me, but some seasons are busier then others.  So after I moved it to the do right now list I hit my craft area and started brainstorming.

I had some tote bags and fabric markers and it went from there. I decided to add a picture of the boys to the bag. Trust me it is not as hard as you think!  After you have picked out your picture and edited it. I used Picasa (it's free) to make a collage, frame the photos, add a background and boys names on the pictures. Then I gathered my supplies.
 

Cut a piece of freezer paper to 8x11.  You will then print your picture onto the freezer paper.  (print the picture onto the shiny side.)  Add heat and bond onto the backside of the picture.  Trim the heat and bond if needed.  Then remove the backing and iron the picture onto the bag. 

While I was doing this the boys were playing and I was asking them what they loved most about Mommy.  I picked their best answer and added it to the back of the bag with fabric makers. 

I then traced their hands.  Eli drew in his and Abe wrote his name.  For a last minute project I think this turned out great! 

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!

All in a Day...

The weather is so pleasant this week... sunny and in the mid 70's. The type of weather that makes me throw the windows open and go about my task with more joy then normal.

My dad showed up the other day with a sack of fresh green beans. Just because... that is the way my parents are. ♥

They have me longing for produce fresh from my own garden.  Yum! 

I have slowly started to purchase my flowers.  I spent some time in the morning planting. 

Of course there is always a never ending list of household chores to be done.  Tuesday is the day I dust and vacuum the living room. 

It is also the day I wash sheets. 

It doesn't get much better then line dried sheets!  A simple pleasure I never tire of. 

Caring for the boys takes up the biggest part of my time.  They are active little guys. :)

 

Saturday Chuck and I celebrated our 12th anniversary.  We went to a charming little town not far from us and browsed some little shops.  I came home with some berry and star twigs that I used to fill up a crock.

 

   

 

Mondays laundry leads to Tuesdays ironing.  I enjoy ironing especially when I can do it on the back porch. 

 

I can smell the lilac bushes as sit outside and type this.  Hmmm... I couldn't resist cutting some to fill a vase. 

Dinner was shared outside.  Something I hope we can do often this summer. 

Chuck and Megan walk up and dump the compost bucket most evenings.  It makes my heart smile when I see them walking and talking together.

Then I was off for a women's ministry planning meeting.  Not something I am usually a part of.  They have some concern about women with young families not joining in and I had an idea to connect them. 

 

 

 In case you are wondering my idea was to do an online Bible study for those who can't make the commitment to be out their homes on Tuesday mornings or Wednesday evenings.  Either a Good Morning Girls study or the same study that was being done on Tuesday mornings.  That way women of the church were still able to connect with each other.  My pastors wife loved the idea.  I was asked to head it up but I am not sure I can make that commitment at this time.  We'll see! 

 

All in a day...

 

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.  Proverbs 31:27

 

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!

Piano Recital

Megan performed at her first piano recital! She was excited and then very nervous. I was concerned for a moment that she might not go through with the recital. For those of you that have been around for a while you know that new things are difficult for Megan.   She is certainly not one that craves being the center of attention.  Her teacher (and long time friend of mine) is awesome!  When I told her that Megan was a little nervous she took her aside and practiced her pieces and offered words to calm and encourage Megan. 

After she returned her to her waiting seat she was all smiles and ready to go.
 

I admit that when she went up to play I had butterflies in my stomach!  I was praying she would do well. 

She did a fantastic job! 

 

Megan and her teacher, Mrs. Young.

 

My tenderhearted girl is growing into such a sweet young lady.  I am proud of you Megan!

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!

Joy in the Ordinary

Look around, really look around and you will find joy... joy in the everyday... joy in the ordinary things.

I feel like I haven't been a very good blogger lately.  Life is full and I feel like I am in a little rut.  Spring is slow in coming this year and I think that might have something to do with it.  There have been a few warm, sunshine days mixed in here and there.  I am thankful for those and have been enjoying them to their fullest. 

It is said the April showers bring May flowers.  I have a feeling that May is going to be full of beautiful blooms!

I think my girl might be ready to skip spring and head straight for summer!

I am in the process of starting a new adventure... composting!  I have two of these containers and am going to give it a whirl.  I am lucky to have a very supportive husband who is always willing to give me a hand when I start something new. 

 

As the school year is starting to finish up the calendar has been full.  Last week Megan had a school wide choir program. 

 

Today has been busy with a trip to the hardware store and yard work.  This evening we will be joining friends for dinner.  I hope that you are having a great weekend!

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!