Ingenius!

I have really been struggling with the shoe issue in this house. Every time we would get ready to go I would say, "Corynn...get your shoes on!" And without fail I would hear in just a moment, "I can't find the OTHER one!" Well-did you check by the door? The closet? Under your bed?

THIS is ridiculus! So. I found a basket lying about that fits PERFECTLY under her bed. (I very much dislike the cluttered look of shoes haphazardly thrown under the bed. We now have a new protocol. Shoes go IN the basket when you take them off. Only shoes that are MUDDY, WET, or SNOWY stay by the door.

Ta DA! Works like a charm and looks just as lovely!

The "GIRL" side of the room

The 'BOY' side of the room

Children sharing a room can create a difficult palette for decorating. After all, a three year old girl is ALL pink (or at least mine) and a boy just NATURALLY should be BLUE right?

To try and remedy this, I hung a quilt by each of their beds. The colors convey gender but the uniformity of the quilts brings the room together. Somewhat creating their own space in ONE space.

The curtains are teddybears (a boy and a girl) that I wove periwinkle ribbon through and tied bows at either end.

The closet

This is the open closet-THANKFULLY out of view from the door. Here is the lowdown on it though. (Yes-it IS organized despite its appearance!) Nearly everything in this closet is for NEXT year.

The shelf above from left to right: boxes of winter shoes stacked and ready for next year. Small basket is Andrews socks and ties large basket is Andrew's shoes (those of course are for this year...). Box is storage.

The clothing hung is all things I bought for $2-4.00 on sale for next year. (Notice all the red tags?!?) I supplement with yard sales and thrift stores, but I do like to have a few special things NEW- when priced right, that is. As you can see, I have a winter coat for Corynn and a snow suit for Andrew, among other things!

The bottom bins are next years winter clothes. The bin on the left is Andrew's the bin on the right is Corynns. The bin above Corynn's winter clothing bin is a bin for clothes that the children grow out of.

The blue laundry basket is filled with things to be sold at a yard sale. It is BRIMMING as I am on a mission to purge ourselves of STUFF!

Inside 'MY' armoire

Matt bought this armoire for me when we were first married and I used it faithfully for years. It seems only fitting now, since Corynn's pint sized clothing fits inside much better than mine, that she take over the use of it for the time being. It perfectly houses all of her clothes.

This if for Kelli, fellow faery lover...

When the winds of March are wakening the crocuses and crickets,
Did you ever find a faery near some budding little thickets?
And when she sees you creeping up to get a closer peek,
she tumbles through the daffodils, playing hide and seek.
~Marjorie Barrows

Two Masters? Two controversies.

Yesterday was the most beautiful day of the season, reaching a whopping 78 degrees of pure golden sunshine and bright blue skies! The children and I enjoyed it as we flew from one place to another, running necessary errands and some unnecessary ones. One of which was to get our taxes done.

Because Matt was working, I had to do it ALL ALONE for the first time ever-which was a bit scary. Thankfully, I had religiously tucked all documents that looked even remotely important in a special 'TAX FOLDER' starting the beginning of the year. We waited to the very last minute to ensure Matt and I could do it together-only for our plans to be foiled again! ;-)

I actually LIKE tax time though, because we always seem to get money BACK and never have to owe anything. Of course, much of that has to do with the fact that we don't OWN a home-but hey. You get what you get. Having another dependent always helps too! ;-) I came up with a doozey of a comment for all those insensitive people out there who have everything to say about YOUR fertility for those of you (who, like me) breed like rabbits. Just say, "Ahh-we were getting a bit short on cash flow so we needed another dependent to claim!" Wa Ha HA HAHA! (begin evil cackle!)

On a more serious note on the same topic: Recently our Pastor gave a VERY good sermon relating to taxes and why we as Christians SHOULD/MUST pay taxes (and do so happily) even when it is a temptation to use the governments flaws to override our responsibilities to it. If anyone is interested in this topic or is sitting atop the fencepost on this one, let me know and I will be happy to mail you a copy of the tape. It's a good listen, for sure! Additionally-I found an article that seems to be quite similar. I wonder why? It is God's WORD! :-)

With yesterday being as gorgeous as it was, it is hard to fathom the weather as I peer out the window this afternoon. I find myself glancing toward the window every few minutes-wondering if the gray fog and dreariness have passed yet. Would you believe the weatherman predicts SNOWFALL by tonight and into tomorrow? SNOW-after nearly 80 degress?!?!? With 'Mother Nature' flippantly changing her mind about the temperature, I won't be surprised if cold season returns for all. Easter is coming...so we are about due. (It seems every time a holiday or trip rolls around, the children are sick...)

Speaking of Easter:

What are your plans? Are you an Easter basket, gifts, and egg hunts kind of celebrator or do you tend to shy away from those things? Do you hide real eggs or the plastic ones? Do you visit with extended families or stay with the immediate? Do you typically have Ham or Lamb dinner?

We are definately an egg-dying, candy-eating, rabbit-loving Christian family. Christ's resurrection from the dead is reason to CELEBRATE!!! Just as we make and PROUDLY don our Gnomekin duncecaps to ring in birthday celebrations, we can giggle and laugh over dying and hiding eggs to rejoice in the joy of our salvation! (I like this SHORT and SWEET article about celebrating Holy Days. Though this article is specifically about Christmas, it can pertain to all holidays...read it!)

Our family is heading back to our extended families homes and squeezing in visits with both. It should be fun. It will be the first weekend Matt has had off of work in a month! Since we will be gone for Easter, I think perhaps we will be dying eggs tomorrow and hiding them inside (no-I refuse to hunt in the snow...). The deal is, for every egg found, Corynn can have an M&M. Maybe even Andrew will find a few! I am crossing my fingers that Matt keeps up his premarital agreement: every Easter I get a bulb plant of some kind-or a hydrangea. I think it has happened twice in the almost five years of wedded bliss. The odds are against me...I know. :-)

I must get off this computer but before I do-I have to tell you about the project that I have been working (tirelessly, mind you) on. It is a job so horribly awful and with a change SO drastic that before and after pictures WILL follow. But-since I don't want to give you all NIGHTMARES, I will wait to post the before pictures until the AFTER pictures can leave you with a good impression. The tackle? The kids' room. Oh-it was SO bad I was fearing Andrew might get lost and never get out! I am nearly done, just need to vacuum and I will take an 'after' picture.

Of course, Corynn is having QUIET time in there now-so things might look ENTIRELY different than how I left them after rest time! We shall see...

Birthday Bash

All in all, the Panda had a good day yesterday. Considering he had no clue WHY he was getting to eat yummy treats and open presents. He is just a roll with the punches kind of guy...and he did it with gusto! I tried to think of things that went along with Andrew's nickname...which became a theme. The party was just the four of us-and it was very nice.

For Appetizers we have...


Gummy bears, "Bamboo" crackers, and creatures of the forest-BUGS. These bug graham crackers are the CUTEST thing. Seriously! So perfect for summer!

We usually have a BIRTHDAY REQUEST dinner but since Andrew is too young (and shoves his face with ANY food!) I made...



Thai Stir Fry with bean sprouts and white rice. Kindof goes along the Panda theme if you think about where they live.

And for Dessert-you know it, A PANDA CAKE!

Check out the Fruit Roll Up 'Bamboo'

The Customary Cake Shoving

Matt HATES this part...but you know-it just HAS to be done!

Mental note: Black icing is probably not a good idea...EVER.

And then, the customary hose down

Me and my guy

My littlest guy, that is...

Corynn spent the morning making party hats and decorating blank newsprint for wrapping paper. All of the presents she wrapped herself!

Stretchy Snake

Maybe it is a small gift. Maybe a silly one. But I had to get him this rubber snake for his birthday this year. We have a few stretchy salamanders that he just adores. He loves to stretch them with his finger, feet, his mouth and any combination therein. Sure enough, the snake was a winner. He has a funny look on his face because he just got tickled by the forked tongue.

Little Gnomekin

This is the Day that the Lord has made...

(Here is our Andrew just a week old...)

Let us REJOICE and be GLAD in it!


And we Newmans are doing a grand job of it today.

One year ago today the Lord gave to us a child. A boy child. Head full of black, as soft as the thread that floats the seeds of milkweed heavenward. (Now that I recall-there was a bit of black EVERYwhere on you-the back of your ears, your arms, your back...you were covered in little black fuzz!) Eyes, dark as night-though you wouldn't have known it, for it was far too comfortable to keep them closed. Skin as soft and wrinkly as that of a newborn kitten with voice sounding much the same.

You were called Peanut for 9 months before we met you, and while you were far from it when you were born (nearly 9 pounds!), the nickname lingered on until a more suitable one was found. Andrew Leigh: A strong name. A name with heritage. My Panda: a name of adoration and love.

Now-you are a year old and 364 times more loved than the day you were born, with that many more reasons to love you too. You are a bundle of sweetness...with a toothy grin that brightens my entire day, with babbles that have a much deeper meaning to me than any words ever could, and with a temper and stubbornness that can be most challenging at times. Good and bad, I love every little piece of you.

You show me you love me by crawling to me at lightening speed and, without slowing down, plowing into me and keeping your head laid upon my legs for an entire minute before lifting up your head with a big grin. You will never realize how special that is to me. When you are all grown, even then, will I remember those 'kamikazi crawls' (as I call them).

I can't vaccuum with you in the same room because you will crawl to it-and corner me. TIME after TIME after TIME. No matter which way I turn-you are faster and you are ALWAYS there.

You challenge me unapologetically, with your insistence and temper. Whether it is that you don't want to sit still...or more often the case you want food and NOW...your wails can be most infuriating.

With only one year under your belt, I have already offered up many a prayer for patience and endurance, wisdom and fortitude. I wonder how many prayers will be offered up in your lifetime?!?

I pray that your Father and I will be given grace sufficient enough to train you to be an obedient and respectful boy that will one day become a good steward of God our Father, a wise man, a hard worker, a devoted husband, a loving father and teacher, and a good example.

It is an adventure everyday with you-and it will be an adventure to see all the wonderful things the Lord has in store for your life. I do so love adventures!

Happy Birthday, my dear childling. My sweet Panda.



(and here he is today...on his first birthday!)


(I had to include this picture for you, Nanny and Poppy! Thank's so much for his birthday outfit! It suits him, wouldn't you say?!?!)

One year ago today...

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

I was searching for a particular photo in the Panda vault, when I discovered a video that Matt had taken (without my knowledge) right after Andrew was born. It nearly made me cry to hear the little squeaks of bygone days! I am really happy that I have REALTIME memories of my little Panda-straight from my belly to my arms. I thought today would be a perfect day to remember that moment with all of you...the nurses had placed Andrew in my arms and had yet to 'wash him up'.

I just didn't want to let go of him for ANY reason. I remember feeling like, though he was right on my chest, that he was SO far away from me...too far. He would never be as close to me as he was when he was within. As I watched the video-I thought about those women who are brave enough to have a child (that they will not raise) instead of aborting their babies...and how terribly DIFFICULT it must be to let their babes go. I mean, I didn't want to let my Panda go just to get washed UP-let alone to disappear from my life forever.

A case of the sillies

Last night we had a bit of a pedicure night. Or at least, we made our feet 'prettier'. Corynn had a BLAST making drawings on our feet. Besides the occasional face on a toe-we have always tried to discourage markers on skin. Now that Corynn is OLDER though, she can understand that markers on skin is fun OCCASIONALLY and strategically located (feet hide LOTS!!!) and can be done ONLY with permission. So. We had a feet beautifying party. Of course...she did it for the grown up feet but it was far too late and bedtime came. She went to bed with the promise that her feet would be drawn on tomorrow.

Can you guess which feet are mine and which are Matt's.

Yes-one foot is freakishly LARGE compared to all the others. That is because it was closer to the camera. It isn't that way in real life. I don't think. ;-)

The bottoms of my feet were so darn ticklish I could stop howling with laughter. So Matt decided to do the TOPS of my feet. He drew me an anklet after I commented about a mehndi anklet. When I showered this morning, I took care to keep my anklet...

Corynn's Turn

The first thing she did when she woke up this morning was RUN downstairs and grab the markers so that she could have HER feet done. While I was talking on the phone (to you Elizabeth! hehehe-you NEVER know what the people on the phone are doing!) I made HER foot art. And then-of course, she needed an anklet like me!

Faux Anklets

OKay. Markers are neat...but they just don't cut it. This summer, I am going to do Mhendi around my ankles. And maybe Corynn's. I am writing this here so I WILL do it. That would just be so fun! Hold me to it, would ya??

Now that I am looking-we have matching shoes too! hehehe

Samuel grin

This is for you, Elizabeth. You know how I can't stop laughing about Samuel's toothy grin and how cute it is? Well...Andrew has adopted the very same one!!!...and it is killing me over here. Fuzzy picture or not, I just had to show you!

Matching Girls

Corynn asked me to take a picture of her and "Laura"-her most precious childling. Yes. She totes her littlest Miss everywhere and has become her fast friend. Even more special now, because they can MATCH...with matching dresses! (T.J.Maxx had the real girl/doll girl sets on sale for $11.00!) And they are CHARMING dresses with vintage-looking fabric-and an extra underlayer lined with gingham. GORGEOUS! If you have one of these stores around and have an extra $11.00 or so...check it out! Wa-hoo! The more people who buy them...the more often they will provide these NICE dresses and less of the "I-want-my-3 yr. old-to-look-like-a-trashy-teenager" type dresses. So GO-buy one. Or two!

Announcing....

Before I announce the winner of my contest, I just have to say...YOU ARE A BUNCH OF STINKPOTS! ;-) After two years of blogging, I thought I had about a dozen friends and family who check my blog occasionally. You certainly had ME fooled! When I saw the comments rise above 20...I was shocked. When it went past 40, I nearly swallowed my tongue. No-I am NOT kidding.

It was very fun to see where people were from and meet new people (THANK YOU for making yourselves known!) I learned some new things, discovered some great blog, even socked some of your names away for future babies, if ever they come! There are some real beauties out there!

I finished the breadcloth just in time for a photo shoot. As you can see, I appliqued a butterfly to the corner and added rickrack to the edges. Perfect for spring, I'd say. Now...WHO is this butterfly flying to?...?....?....?...?



The winner is...Ellie from Ontario Canada! Ellie, congratulations! Please email your address at sgrbear724(at)yahoo(dot)com and I will mail these goodies out to you A.S.A.P-seems to me spring needs to get to Canada pretty quick.

Thank you to all who participated in this contest and for all of you who visit Renaissance from time to time! I wish I had prizes for all of you. Maybe another day...

Tropical Banana Loaf

Since I am already on, I might as well post the recipe for the bread I baked and brought to church fellowship meal today.

Bananas and pineapples make a delicious combination in this tasty bread! It is a GREAT change of pace from traditional banana bread. YUM! I imagine I will be making several more batches-since I see quite a few more bags of ripe bananas in my freezer! ;-)

3 c. all purpose flour
2 c. sugar
1 t. salt
1 t. baking soda
1 t. cinnamon
3 eggs
1 1/4 c. veg. oil
2 t. vanilla extract
1 can (8 oz.) crushed pineapple, drained
2 cups mashed, ripe bananas (4-5 medium)

In a large bowl, combine first five ingredients. In another bowl, beat eggs, oil and vanilla. Add fruits. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Pour into two greased bread loaf pans. Bake at 350 for 60-65 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

For icing:

I wanted to create an orange flavored frosting-but didn't have any OJ. Instead I used Lemon juice. Very good. If you want to try the frosting flavored orange-just subsititute OJ for the lemon juice.

4 oz. cream cheese
1/2-3/4 c. confectioners sugar
1 T. lemon juice (or orange juice)
2 T. milk

(These ingredients can be played with. If you like more flavoring-add more juice a teaspoon at a time. Add more milk 1 teaspoon at a time to get a good consistency for drizzling... and if by mistake you added too MUCH liquid-just add more sugar!)

When bread has cooled, drizzle icing over top.

Wanna win a prize? It's.....

CONTEST TIME!

Ahhhhh...spring! Put's me in a happy mood...and gets me ready to give a little bit of sunshine out too. I offer to you, my esteemed few readers, a chance to win a bit o' sunshine. It's easy to do, too! The last time I offered a contest you had to tediously write out a WHOLE summer recipe. Not this time. This time you must only post a comment saying where you are from. Now-who can't do THAT?

You see... I despise those little tickers that tell you how many people have stopped by (for my own blog, that is). I see that as only one more thing to become fixated on. I don't want the pressure on me. I don't want a 'GET MORE READERS' complex. Gotta keep it REAL, you know?

BUT.

I would very much like to know where my blog friends are from...especially if there are any international pals floating about. I know my friends the Drifthout's, from England, stop by from time to time, a few Canadians drop by to visit and I even recall a certain Australian appearance. So-where ARE you from? You needn't put a city, if that causes a worryline on your brow. Only the state or country. And it is that simple. I very much look forward to all this! Wa HOO!

"Now", you say, "let's get to the good stuff. What's in it for me?"

Ah yes. Well, the prize is an all expense paid visit to Happy Valley for a visit.

Just kidding.

No, up for grabs is a goody basket (yes, that means more than ONE thing!!!) that will include...a wonderully scented candle, a jar of blueberry jam with coordinating spreader, a delicious box of my favorite tea (can you guess which one it is?) and finally and handmade (by me) breadcloth for wrapping up your freshly baked breads and rolls (or any bread you might have on hand.) Of course, that has yet to be made...so there is no picture. But I can tell you it will be made out of a lovely spring-ish paisley print...and with lots of love.

So there you have it! I will start working on it as soon as I finish this post. In the next day or two, I will post a picture to hopefully, sweeten the pot. Here are the rules.

You must comment on this post BY noon on April 1st to be included in the drawing. Oh-and one more thing. All my friends and family that I already KNOW where you live...if you want to be included in the drawing, you must comment as well. You are not getting out of it THAT easy! The name will be drawn at random and the winner announced by evening on April Fools Day.

No foolin, no lyin!

(PS. This post is 'stuck' to the top of the blog...scroll down to see most recent posts...)