I have been looking for a Christian based weekly meme for a while. If you know of others PLEASE comment below about them! If you want to join in check it out at Internet Cafe Devotions. This week's question is as follows:
How would my life look if I no longer struggled with taking responsibility for my actions? What if I was completely free from blaming others for my actions through Christ’s power…
I am going to start by saying that I am terrible at blaming people for my mistakes. TERRIBLE! I blamed the pregnancy for not disciplining and teaching my daughter. I blame my husband for me not having dinner done on time. In fact I have been known to blame my parents for not teaching me not to blame people for my actions!
Now it I might be ok with this but for the fact that under the heat of the moment I spout my mouth off and make a scene. I have been working on this for quite some time (with Christ's help) and have actually come a long way. Sadly I still have a LONG way to go!
If I no longer struggled with this problem I would have a much better marriage and be a better mother. Sure we would still argue but blaming people drives a wedge between people while other forms of disagreements can actually bring people together (that is as long as you handle them properly).
Saturday, February 28
Thursday, February 26
FO Friday!
Ok, so I am running late! Tomorrow morning I will be adding my FO to this page but until then I am leaving Mr linky for all to love. Please read the rules!
Ok, I have it up!
It is a Coocoon used as a photo prop with babies. I made it as a barter with a friend. I got photos of one of my designs professionally photographed and she gets this.
Sorry, Mr. Linky will be back next week!
FO Fridays Participants
Ok, I have it up!
It is a Coocoon used as a photo prop with babies. I made it as a barter with a friend. I got photos of one of my designs professionally photographed and she gets this.Sorry, Mr. Linky will be back next week!
| 1. Marianne (rav Mar1anneC) |
Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.
Tuesday, February 24
KaBoom Placespace finder!
Moving all the time, like we do, I like to know what is around a perspective place to live before I even have a chance to visit. That is why the play space finder from KaBOOM! is so awesome! (just click the pic to link to the site.) You can find play spaces wherever you go! Like on vacation, moving, or even one that was newly built in your area! The play space finder is still in beta so if you have a suggestion go and suggest it!
(on a side note: I am looking for memes to do, esp. ones that will challenge me as a Christian and in my walk with God. If you know of one please comment the link to me!)
For more AWESOME stuff go over and check out WFMW at We are THAT family!
Thursday, February 19
FO Friday: Shorties
So last week I had 3 more rows and I finished them Saturday. This is a pair of shorties that was inspired by Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Jacket. It is made to fit a 9 month old.
Look at the rules before posting on Mr. Linky.
Mr. Linky will be back next week for our next FO Friday
Look at the rules before posting on Mr. Linky.
Mr. Linky will be back next week for our next FO Friday
Vegetables Au Gratin
I am just going to say I love this recipe. It is easy, quick and has so many substitution options that you can use basically everything. All measurements can be fudged a bit one way or the other. I don't actually own measuring cups so... I am kinda guesstimating on all the numbers.
Serves 6-8 (these are smaller portions, you will get less if you are like most American's and are used to Super Sized food)
Preheat oven: 350 F.
About 20 minutes actually cooking and another 20 minutes baking.
Need:
Spice/herb options:
Anyway check out the RECIPE SWAP for more recipes!
Serves 6-8 (these are smaller portions, you will get less if you are like most American's and are used to Super Sized food)
Preheat oven: 350 F.
About 20 minutes actually cooking and another 20 minutes baking.
Need:
- 1.5 pounds (4 cups) of cooked veggies (I have been known to use raw but I like crunch. Esp good are broccoli, carrots, cabbage, green beans, zucchini and cauliflower. I have also used corn, dandelion leaves, spinach, sauerkraut and potatoes in smaller amounts.)
- 1/2 cup corn flakes/bread crumbs/croûtons
- 3 T. of olive oil, butter, some other cooking oil...
- 1/3 cup chopped onion (I like to use more)
- 3 T. flour
- 1 t. salt
- 1/8 t pepper
- 1.5 cups milk (or use some form of stock and dried milk)
- 1 cup of grated cheese (I have used Velvetta to Chedder and even Swiss... use whatever you have!)
- Saute chopped onion and cooking oil in saucepan over low heat.
- After sauted to your satisfaction add flour, salt and pepper.
- Continue cooking, stirring continually until bubbly and add milk.
- Continue stirring until smooth and add cheese.
- Stir until melted and then stir in veggies.
- Put into pan for baking cover in bread crumbs (Note: you can stop here and freeze for later!)
- Bake in oven for 20 minutes or until bubbling.
- Add cooked ham, beef, chicken or some other meat (I have been known to use corned beef hash)
- Add a cup of cooked rice.
Spice/herb options:
- 1 t. Parsley
- 1/2 t. of curry
- 1/2 t. ground allspice
Anyway check out the RECIPE SWAP for more recipes!
Family update.
I felt the need to update family things. These times just go so fast that I know I will forget all the cute things the kids have done if I don't record it.
G is finally REALLY crawling. Before he was letting his feet/legs drag and low crawling with his arms. Of course G being G, also figured about walking at the same time. He is now pulling himself up and walking around things while holding on to them. Hubby thinks that he is trying to talk and has named me "Bubu" because whenever he starts heading for me he just keeps saying "bubu". He also eats a WHOLE box of cheerios in one sitting. G also LOVES being swung around and bounced around.
N is starting to get jealous and rough house with G a little too hard. G likes rough housing but sometimes N takes it too far. She still isn't all that big. she wears a 2T and a 3T but really fits the 2T better. She is just a small kid. She eats well and her favorite food seems to be Ramen soup.
Daddy and I are going through the house. The goodwills down here won't take children's clothing anymore (Actually they will take it, but they throw it out! Stupid CPSIA law!) so I am freecycling a lot of junk. It is hard to believe that we only have a month and a half left here.
G is finally REALLY crawling. Before he was letting his feet/legs drag and low crawling with his arms. Of course G being G, also figured about walking at the same time. He is now pulling himself up and walking around things while holding on to them. Hubby thinks that he is trying to talk and has named me "Bubu" because whenever he starts heading for me he just keeps saying "bubu". He also eats a WHOLE box of cheerios in one sitting. G also LOVES being swung around and bounced around.
N is starting to get jealous and rough house with G a little too hard. G likes rough housing but sometimes N takes it too far. She still isn't all that big. she wears a 2T and a 3T but really fits the 2T better. She is just a small kid. She eats well and her favorite food seems to be Ramen soup.
Daddy and I are going through the house. The goodwills down here won't take children's clothing anymore (Actually they will take it, but they throw it out! Stupid CPSIA law!) so I am freecycling a lot of junk. It is hard to believe that we only have a month and a half left here.
Tuesday, February 17
Feeling down
We are poor. And when I mean poor I mean we can get food stamps and Medicaid, Poor. We don't get either because I am just that cool and know how to live on the cutting edge of frugality, but we could.
Most the time I feel like I am winning because I can spend 10 dollars at the grocery store and walk out of the store with 2 or 3 full paper bags of food (usually saving is about 40 to 45% but that is including milk which we drink 3.5 gallons a week take out milk and well it goes up into the 60's somewhere) but lately I have been seeing others doing things and thinking/wishing I could do that too.
Example: The parks here are pay to park and so is the beach. We budget our food/entertainment together and we kinda expect that I will be handed a miracle in being able to feed us every week (which I don't thank God often enough for.. So thanks again God.) and the dollar and hour to go to the park is just not in the budget.
And that isn't the only thing here that is problematic. I can find nothing that is free for kids here in Fort Myers, FL. And it does need to be free, cheap to me means 10 cents or less and 5 bucks is just out of the price range. It seems all the fun stuff costs money.
I know, I am whining and No I don't need nor want your charity (Ok, I do WANT it... but I am not taking it) . In 2 more months we will not be in Fort Myers anymore and we be on our way to Hawaii. We will not be poor either, we will be making 3 times what we are making now (even though it is 2 times more expensive to live in HI). It just is so close to ending and I feel like I can taste it.
It is like making brownies... you can small them long before they are ready to eat, and you want them... you want them now. You know you have to wait but that doesn't stop the desire for them.
Most the time I feel like I am winning because I can spend 10 dollars at the grocery store and walk out of the store with 2 or 3 full paper bags of food (usually saving is about 40 to 45% but that is including milk which we drink 3.5 gallons a week take out milk and well it goes up into the 60's somewhere) but lately I have been seeing others doing things and thinking/wishing I could do that too.
Example: The parks here are pay to park and so is the beach. We budget our food/entertainment together and we kinda expect that I will be handed a miracle in being able to feed us every week (which I don't thank God often enough for.. So thanks again God.) and the dollar and hour to go to the park is just not in the budget.
And that isn't the only thing here that is problematic. I can find nothing that is free for kids here in Fort Myers, FL. And it does need to be free, cheap to me means 10 cents or less and 5 bucks is just out of the price range. It seems all the fun stuff costs money.
I know, I am whining and No I don't need nor want your charity (Ok, I do WANT it... but I am not taking it) . In 2 more months we will not be in Fort Myers anymore and we be on our way to Hawaii. We will not be poor either, we will be making 3 times what we are making now (even though it is 2 times more expensive to live in HI). It just is so close to ending and I feel like I can taste it.
It is like making brownies... you can small them long before they are ready to eat, and you want them... you want them now. You know you have to wait but that doesn't stop the desire for them.
How Dry Erase Markers ROCK!
I use dry erase markers for almost EVERYTHING. I use it for writing on the tops of leftovers so I use them up in a timely basis (or know what that green fuzzy thing was...), I write things to remember (or love notes to the hubby) on mirrors or other glass objects, I put paper (like recipe cards, shopping lists, packing lists, or other "to do " lists) into page protectors and cross things off when I am done with them. The best thing about Dry erase markers is that they... ERASE! In some cases (like if you leave something up for several months) you will need to write over it with another marker but it will go away. I love this. It makes things much easier...
Anyway check out Works For Me Wednesday for other fun and helpful tips and tricks!
Anyway check out Works For Me Wednesday for other fun and helpful tips and tricks!
Saturday, February 14
Someone cool blogged about me...
And I thought I would be nice and blog about them back. Anne has some really lovely pics. Go check her out!
(In other news I need to make a blog list again... later.)
(In other news I need to make a blog list again... later.)
Friday, February 13
DIY microwave popcorn!
I like popcorn but, it is so expensive and it has all this fake butter on it which I hate. So I found a better solution (and cheaper too), normal loose popcorn and a paper bag (fold over the opening) in the microwave for 1 minute. So much cheaper and better for you. Still want butter? add it before popping and all is good.
For other recipes please check out the Grocery cart challenge!
For other recipes please check out the Grocery cart challenge!
Thursday, February 12
FO FRIDAY!
Yea! I have a meme! Rules are here, so please read before adding.
My FO fro FO Friday are these lovely set of longies! Ok, so they have been finished for a while so maybe it is a cheat but they are am FO I haven't posted before and the one I intended to post had 3 more rows left! Oh well, next week's FO Friday will be showing those off.
Mr. Linky will be back next week!
My FO fro FO Friday are these lovely set of longies! Ok, so they have been finished for a while so maybe it is a cheat but they are am FO I haven't posted before and the one I intended to post had 3 more rows left! Oh well, next week's FO Friday will be showing those off.
Mr. Linky will be back next week!
Wednesday, February 11
Sore arms and a rant!
My arms are killing me. I have crocheted 21 rows in 6 hours of my hubbies afghan and hate the thing right now. It is really quite lovely but still, I am just sick of it. It is the afghan that never ends! I had originally intended this as a wedding gift... that was 4.5+ years ago... then I was going to have it finished before I had my first child... who is now 3... then before the second child... who is now 9 months... so many broken promises in that thing. The good thing is that I every time I promise to finish it I do get a bunch done but then set it aside. This time I want it done before I move HI which I thinks means I will move to HI and remember it around X-mas... we will see.
From here on I am only going to make afghans that are pieced together. I can take them with me easier and they fit in purses and diaper bags better. I just hate being stuck at home when making something like that. That is the reason I keep making soakers/shorties/longies.
In other news I have silk ribbon yarn I want to dye but don't know what color! HELP! I'll take suggestions! No promises though ion me following those suggestions. The pattern it is intended for is All about Eve. Just help!
From here on I am only going to make afghans that are pieced together. I can take them with me easier and they fit in purses and diaper bags better. I just hate being stuck at home when making something like that. That is the reason I keep making soakers/shorties/longies.
In other news I have silk ribbon yarn I want to dye but don't know what color! HELP! I'll take suggestions! No promises though ion me following those suggestions. The pattern it is intended for is All about Eve. Just help!
Tuesday, February 10
FO Fridays
I have been thinking about trying to do a meme every week for some time, in fact I have had it named and with rules for a while. I just didn't know HOW to do it. Well I took the last 2 days to figure out how mr. linky works and now I am ready to start one! I am naming it FO Fridays. So starting next Friday we will be showing off those FOs!
What is a FO?
FO stands for "Finished Object".
Who can participate?
Any person that has a craft that has been blogged about in the last week (with a finished object photo!). This craft can be knit, crochet, sewn, woven, an newly dyed yarn (yarn pron... *drool*)... you get the idea. If you are participating with a Work In Progress please put WIP somewhere in the title of the link (EX: MamaMay (WIP sweater)). I do have the ability to delete things and I might have the power to edit things too... hasn't come up yet...
What are the rules?
1. You have to link to post not the blog. Ex: http://your blog name here.com is wrong. http://you blog name here.com/blog post name is right. The fastest way to get the post url is to actually click the title of your post.
2. Yes you do need to have a blog. No Ravelry links, no Flickr links, no Forums, no Etsy shops... just blog links. (Though the FO can be for sale... just not LINKED to the sale page directly)
3. You MUST link back to me on the post or on the blog. I will be checking and I will delete those that do not.
4. I am sure there will be more as things come up. Check back.
What is a FO?
FO stands for "Finished Object".
Who can participate?
Any person that has a craft that has been blogged about in the last week (with a finished object photo!). This craft can be knit, crochet, sewn, woven, an newly dyed yarn (yarn pron... *drool*)... you get the idea. If you are participating with a Work In Progress please put WIP somewhere in the title of the link (EX: MamaMay (WIP sweater)). I do have the ability to delete things and I might have the power to edit things too... hasn't come up yet...
What are the rules?
1. You have to link to post not the blog. Ex: http://your blog name here.com is wrong. http://you blog name here.com/blog post name is right. The fastest way to get the post url is to actually click the title of your post.
2. Yes you do need to have a blog. No Ravelry links, no Flickr links, no Forums, no Etsy shops... just blog links. (Though the FO can be for sale... just not LINKED to the sale page directly)
3. You MUST link back to me on the post or on the blog. I will be checking and I will delete those that do not.
4. I am sure there will be more as things come up. Check back.
Sunday, February 8
Wiltons dye tutorial
Ok, first off going to say that this dye method is referred to as crock pot, dyeing or immersion dyeing, I am doing this low water.
The original yarn color. Yes it is a really pretty and rather dark, bright blue teal (actual name is Too Teal) like color. I just have a strong dislike for evenly dyed yarns...
Now most tutorials will tell you that you need to let the yarn presoak, and this is true if you a more even color. Since I am specifically going for UNeven, I am skipping this step and the dye will be the first water to hit this yarn! Though I am adding 1/4 a cup of vinegar at this point.
This is wilton's royal blue. Now I used to have issues mixing the colors in the water without getting little blobs colorant in the bottom. The way I fixed this is by actually spreading the gel on the side of the glass as thin as possible then pouring boiling water into the glass. If you can get it really thin, you don't even need to stir the water.
As you can see the water level doesn't even cover the yarn. This allows for very uneven colors. After this I turned on the heat to low and left it until the dye exhausted (the water was clear). I then picked up the yarn by one of the skein ties and rearranged it and repeated with black.
End result:
For more tutorials please click the little button that says "Patterns and Tutorials" at the top left of this page as not all my tutorials are on this site.
The original yarn color. Yes it is a really pretty and rather dark, bright blue teal (actual name is Too Teal) like color. I just have a strong dislike for evenly dyed yarns...
Now most tutorials will tell you that you need to let the yarn presoak, and this is true if you a more even color. Since I am specifically going for UNeven, I am skipping this step and the dye will be the first water to hit this yarn! Though I am adding 1/4 a cup of vinegar at this point.
This is wilton's royal blue. Now I used to have issues mixing the colors in the water without getting little blobs colorant in the bottom. The way I fixed this is by actually spreading the gel on the side of the glass as thin as possible then pouring boiling water into the glass. If you can get it really thin, you don't even need to stir the water.
As you can see the water level doesn't even cover the yarn. This allows for very uneven colors. After this I turned on the heat to low and left it until the dye exhausted (the water was clear). I then picked up the yarn by one of the skein ties and rearranged it and repeated with black.
End result:
For more tutorials please click the little button that says "Patterns and Tutorials" at the top left of this page as not all my tutorials are on this site.
Saturday, February 7
I'm in the top 100!?!
Ok, I knew I got a lot of traffic esp for this blog only being less than 100 posts and not even 6 months old but I didn't realize that I was in the top 100 knitting blogs! I am actually number 38 in the list. This esp. weird to me because I post a lot about my kids too so I kinda wondered if this even counted as a knitting blog. Guess I have my answer.
Friday, February 6
9 months...
That is right, G is 9 months old. I am astounded at the differences in N and G. N is such a different child than G. At 9 months She was sharing food with mommy. Meaning that she would feed me, With G, I get no such thing. That is his food and if I even try to eat one of his cheerios... well all I am going to get a shrill scream out of him. I just think it is funny.
I already know we are going to have another child. No I am not pregnant but I am starting to go crazy for another baby. I can stave off the craze for a bit longer (say 6 more months) but after that I know I will be going baby crazy again.
I already know we are going to have another child. No I am not pregnant but I am starting to go crazy for another baby. I can stave off the craze for a bit longer (say 6 more months) but after that I know I will be going baby crazy again.
Wednesday, February 4
25 things
Well I was tagged on facebook so I thought I would post it here and link to it!
Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 5 people (or more) to be tagged (It was 25 but that is just crazy!). You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.
1. It is a possible goal to own a farm someday or a restaurant.
2. yes it will have sheep/alpaca on it... and maybe a rabbit or 2.
3. I will be naming one of those rabbits Bun bun (Sluggy Freelance).
4. I can knit or crochet in the dark and not make any mistakes...
5. I used to knit and crochet in class and when I did I got better grades...
6. I am moving to Hawaii and we will be there at least 3 years.
7. We are working on getting a 5 bedroom (one main bedroom, 2 for the kids, one office for hubby (I am NOT dealing with his 100 plus medical school books all over the house anymore.) and one craft/guest bedroom) house so that we can have friends/family for an extended stay...
8. I really love being a mother. Even when it is exasperating, it is a dream come true.
9. I haven't gone to a movie in a theater in 3 years
10. I still am very "Natural" and seem to be leaning more that way. (Meaning I prefer natural fibers, don't wear makeup, perfume, shampoo, conditioner or deodorant.. though I do use the crystal... and seem to be doing a lot of green things like cloth diapering.)
11. I am very happy that Hubby is going into Family Med. This means that he will have more time at home and be able to actually see his kids as they grow up. (though I suspect I would have been happy with whatever he decided to go into.)
12. I REALLY miss my spinning wheel.
13. We will be "homeless" for 2 months while moving.
14. I really miss having cats, or just one cat. Hubby wants a dog though.
15. I am not a Democrat.
16. I am not a Republican.
17. I have not knit something for myself in full year... though I have made 12 + knitted objects...
18. I have a flickr account... I only use it for knitting/crochet and craft stuff...
19. I really love sock yarn... but don't like knitting socks... (so why did I make sock blockers?)
20. the title of my blog comes from the 3 things that keep me sane when EVERYTHING in my life seems h3ll bent on making me insane...
21. We have only one car right now...
22. Nap time is my favorite time of the day.
23. I am hoping to get a knitting pattern published in Knitty this summer.
24. I am not all that worried about the economy. Mostly because God is in control.
25. Unlike most people I derive pleasure from not spending money and saving it instead of getting something for it.
Tag:
Aunt Kathy
ElleCupcake
Tissuepaper
Little Red
Joana
Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 5 people (or more) to be tagged (It was 25 but that is just crazy!). You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.
1. It is a possible goal to own a farm someday or a restaurant.
2. yes it will have sheep/alpaca on it... and maybe a rabbit or 2.
3. I will be naming one of those rabbits Bun bun (Sluggy Freelance).
4. I can knit or crochet in the dark and not make any mistakes...
5. I used to knit and crochet in class and when I did I got better grades...
6. I am moving to Hawaii and we will be there at least 3 years.
7. We are working on getting a 5 bedroom (one main bedroom, 2 for the kids, one office for hubby (I am NOT dealing with his 100 plus medical school books all over the house anymore.) and one craft/guest bedroom) house so that we can have friends/family for an extended stay...
8. I really love being a mother. Even when it is exasperating, it is a dream come true.
9. I haven't gone to a movie in a theater in 3 years
10. I still am very "Natural" and seem to be leaning more that way. (Meaning I prefer natural fibers, don't wear makeup, perfume, shampoo, conditioner or deodorant.. though I do use the crystal... and seem to be doing a lot of green things like cloth diapering.)
11. I am very happy that Hubby is going into Family Med. This means that he will have more time at home and be able to actually see his kids as they grow up. (though I suspect I would have been happy with whatever he decided to go into.)
12. I REALLY miss my spinning wheel.
13. We will be "homeless" for 2 months while moving.
14. I really miss having cats, or just one cat. Hubby wants a dog though.
15. I am not a Democrat.
16. I am not a Republican.
17. I have not knit something for myself in full year... though I have made 12 + knitted objects...
18. I have a flickr account... I only use it for knitting/crochet and craft stuff...
19. I really love sock yarn... but don't like knitting socks... (so why did I make sock blockers?)
20. the title of my blog comes from the 3 things that keep me sane when EVERYTHING in my life seems h3ll bent on making me insane...
21. We have only one car right now...
22. Nap time is my favorite time of the day.
23. I am hoping to get a knitting pattern published in Knitty this summer.
24. I am not all that worried about the economy. Mostly because God is in control.
25. Unlike most people I derive pleasure from not spending money and saving it instead of getting something for it.
Tag:
Aunt Kathy
ElleCupcake
Tissuepaper
Little Red
Joana
Monday, February 2
Random update
Well things have been super busy here. And I have to update what has been going on.
The kids are sick. N and G both have sinus issues. G is throwing up every so often but not all the time. He is also sleeping all the time!
Hubbies car is down. The clutch was going out so he decided last month to fix it... well the car is not together yet. Since he only has weekend s to work on the car.. well that means another week without going out...
I won a roving contest. Very nice!
I am also doing something on Swap bot. There is a gain exposure for your blog swap.
The kids are sick. N and G both have sinus issues. G is throwing up every so often but not all the time. He is also sleeping all the time!
Hubbies car is down. The clutch was going out so he decided last month to fix it... well the car is not together yet. Since he only has weekend s to work on the car.. well that means another week without going out...
I won a roving contest. Very nice!
I am also doing something on Swap bot. There is a gain exposure for your blog swap.
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