Hats off to you!

 

The Children's Corner

As you can see, it took a bit of cleaning up! 

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio

We just finished watching a fabulous movie called The Prize Winner of Defiance, OHIO

It is based on a TRUE story about Evelyn Ryan; a wife, homemaker and mother of ten children, who basically supported her family inside the home by winning contests for advertising jingles. This, despite an alchoholic husband. I appreciated that they portrayed the family as close-knit and the children as obedient. (The most recent movies about large families with children have been portrayed with BRATS as kids and "siblings" as parents...) Perhaps it reflects a GOOD family because the movie is based on the memoir, written by Evelyn's daughter.

It was truly fantastic. Not 'fantastic' in the way that you laugh every few minutes and leave feeling chipper and flighty. In fact, for most of the movie, Matt and I sported looks of disbelief and disdain at the antics of her husband. Fantastic, in the feeling of awe of how great this woman was... How wise. How kind. How patient. How caring. How forgiving. How hopeful. How COMMITTED this woman was!!! Yes. She was a great woman, Evelyn.

I think every married person should watch this film-for two reasons. 1) Because it will show you how GOOD you have it. 2) Because life is not ALWAYS peaches and cream. There are struggles in marriage, some VERY difficult ones and yet it is possible to stay together. It is a CHOICE. You can be discontent with your life or you can embrace the moments with thankfulness and happiness.

I have such a happy and blessed marriage and because of this, I can't imagine anything else. It is EASY to find joy in a life that I have. But what if I had a loser for a husband? What if my husband was practically schizophrenic-the man who loves and the man who drinks? Would I STILL find joy? Would I still reflect hope?

I am not a strong woman. I am sure that I would have broken if I were Evelyn. I never would have made it. I would have moped about, feeling bitterness and resentment. In all truth, I do that for simple things...

It is not a new movie, it was made in 2005 (but hey, we haven't gone to the theatre since before Corynn was born!) but if I ever find it for sale, I am going to buy because I WANT this movie in my "library". Even just as something to aspire to. You should see it.

And if you hate it...leave a comment and let the world know. But, I know you will love it.

Hot Chicken Salad

I have decided to *try* and post a recipe on here each week. Perhaps it will motivate me to try new things and they are always fun to share! SOOOO~ Here is another winning casserole-type dish recipe. I have been trying to convince my meat and potatoes husband that there is GOOD in casseroles. They are easy on the budget-AND they make up fast, since I usually use leftover meats that had been frozen.

This recipe fills an 8x8 pan, but can be doubled easily.

2-3 c. cooked chicken, diced or shredded
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 T. chopped onion (can use fresh or dried)
1/2 c. white sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 can mushroom stems and pieces, or use fresh
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup mayonaise
12 butter flavored crackers, crushed
salt and pepper to taste (as you can see, we are a fan of cracked peppercorns. You can use white pepper to make it look pretty though.)

chips, (or crackers) crushed (I used a handful or two of BBQ chips since Linda just gave us some)

Add all ingredients to bowl (except chip crumbs) and mix. Add to a 1 1/2 qt. baking dish (or 8x8 pan) Bake for 15-20 minutes in a 375 oven until bubbly on edges. Add crushed chips around edges and bake for another 5-10 minutes until golden. Garnish with celery head, if desired. 

Two no point shots, just cuz

Gotta love these carts. Andrew is big enough to ride in the CAR now, freeing the front seat up for coupons and such! Today we head to town to get all the goods for the Valentine party. Fun fun fun!

*cool*

 

Valentines

What a busy week is in store for me this week! Nearly every day there is something going on!

Today we are having company.
Tomorrow is (hopefully) crochet night.
Thursday is a Valentine Making Party for some ladies from church.

Since I am the one with the *brilliant* idea, it is I that is heading this shin-dig up. Therefore, the Valentine Making Party is constantly on my thoughts as I try to plan and prepare food, decorations, card ideas, activities, etc. It is only that I want it to be a fabulous party that I grumble so. What can I do to make it exceptional? How can I encourage the non-crafty to leave, happy with their work? How can I make the home (not my own) festive and the atmosphere friendly?

I really do LOVE to plan parties. I am in my element, so don't believe my grumbles. Truly. I will be encouraging the ladies present to make several cards, setting one aside especially to send to the older people from the church Home or for missionaries abroad. If anyone has any suggestions...please feel free to post them here. I would love to read them. I LOVE to wade through party details...and now I could USE them for this party.

I do plan to make several 'sample' cards to show some 'inspiration' to those who need it, which means I need to get scrapping!

I don't have much time this morning to type all that I would like (lucky for you!),. I have MUCH to do before company arrives this morning. (Remember, we left the house in disarray to escape the gnawwing of the little beastie. Which, by the way, escaped...) Perhaps I will be able to post more of my adventures tomorrow.

Have a pleasant day!

Tasks to the Wind

See those woodchips on the bottom of that door? We have a a creature-prisoner in our midst.

Last night, as I was getting ready for bed, I heard something in the kitchen closet. What was I THINKING when I opened the door? I KNEW something would be in there. I KNEW it would freak me out. I guess I thought it would be a mouse, though. Instead, it was a brown creature three TIMES the size of a mouse with huge black beady eyes. And it is fast.

The people who rented this house before us now live across the street from us, and one night this summer as we visited on the patio, they asked if we had seen any little visitors go bump in the night. They warned us that flying squirrels were holed up in the roof and came down from time to time.

Funny thing it is-If we stumbled on the little guy OUTSIDE, Corynn and I would try to lure him to us with bread to get a closer view to the ‘cutie’. INSIDE our home, though, it is a little beastie who gives me a BAD case of the heebie jeebies.

I ran to wake Matt up and he tried to catch the yucky little thing but to no avail so he slammed the door shut again and told me that he would get it tomorrow when he gets home. Now Monday’s are Matt’s LONG day and he probably won’t show up until around 6:00 tonight! WHAT am I going to do all day, sharing my home with a little beastie!?!?!

I could unpack from the week-end, I could clean up this mess of a house, do laundry, any number of things. I think I will go shopping. When there is no REASON to go shopping, I don’t-but today I think there is a GOOD reason.

I will be out of here when the little beastie escapes through a beastie-made hole in the door.

UGH!

Our weekend was as I thought it might be. Besides a few hours of tractor-play on Saturday morning, the rest of the weekend had Matt in the bed, sick as a dog. The kids played with the grandparents and I crocheted. But no visiting any of my family due to bad roads. And no going to church due to Matt’s sickyness. I drove home while the whole car slept.

There were two major highlights to our weekend. The first being-a visit from a very generous aunt. She works as an advertising gal for a bunch of craft magazines and always has about 9 different craft magazines to share with me. The joy (my joy, that is) of her job, is she gets free samples of EVERYTHING so that she can decide if the product is ‘quality’ enough for her magazines to advertise it. LONG story short-she brought over a bag FULL of scrapbooking stuff for me that she got for FREE and graciously shared it with me. In the bag was a heat gun, papers and stickers out the wazoo, shimmery envelopes, an ink pad, beads…well over $50.00 worth of items. She said she had thrown other stuff away because she didn’t know what to do with it all. I begged her never to do that again...pleaded.

The other highlight was a visit to a local Mennonite Market, in which I stocked up on some goodies and spices. There was a hitching post in use by a horse and buggy…unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get a photo. Argh. I hate moments like that….when I see an opportunity pass my by. I chatted with the owners, who then told me that they had started the bulk food store out my way-they knew exactly where I lived! It is a small world-and it is exciting that there is a bulk store near me!

Surprise, Surprise!

I am on ONE MORE TIME today... Lookie what I received in the mail today? My sister sent me a care package out of the blue and what a surprise it was! My most favorite is the bottle of spiedie marinade. I love PA, really I do, but these PA people don't know what they are missing out on when they don't know about NY chicken spiedies!

Since this is naptime at your house Elizabeth, it is a safer bet to write this hear versus calling. Thank you SO much for the letter and treats! It really DID make my day. REALLY. Thank you! 

TGIF

I used the last of my leftover Thanksgiving turkey up yesterday, concocting this delicious turkey and brown rice soup to warm up Matt's infirmed insides. He came home from work 'early' yesterday, after having worked 8 hours instead of his usual 10. Despite his throbbing head, sore throat, and stiff joints, he wants to travel to NY this weekend! Silly, devoted man. Matt's condition, along with Andrew's sickyness...I would prefer to stay home, but...why would THAT make sense? ;-)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yesterday, after putting Andrew to sleep and preparing Corynn for sleep after a few much needed moments of Papa time, I hit the road. Destination:My dear friend Nancy's house. (Of course, being the devoted and selfless wife that I am, I did make an OJ and Sprite run...HA!) Nancy and I figured it had been since NOVEMBER that we had last crocheted together. Such a pity, too! I just love getting together with her. I got two more squares started well and I learned how to make rounds. I also discovered why the poncho I have been working on hasn't been WORKING. I got the wrong weight of yarn so it is BACK to the store for a different yarn before I can get that poncho STARTED, let alone finished.

I left her house after midnight (Thankfully, she is only 10 minutes away!) very well refreshed. I have needed that, what with the sickness that has been going around here, the stresses of our non-progress in the moving department, and the weight I have had on my heart for some of my loved ones. Ah-friendship. It does my heart good.

Of course, staying out so late allowed me to sleep in...until 7:18 when Corynn came in and said, "Mama! There is someone at the door!" What?!?!? Are you kidding, Corynn? Is there a REAL person at the door?

Sure enough. I threw on some clothes-not having time to brush my teeth OR my hair or putting my CONTACTS IN (thankfully, looking in the mirror at my first chance revealed a not-too-disheveled girl) and greeted the two heater guys. For those of you who don't know, I am BLIND AS A BAT without my contacts so it was a miracle I even made it to the door! So that was fun.

BUT. Now the childrens' room has HEAT. Finally. I keep struggling to be soley grateful that the heat is WORKING now and we had a mild winter. I have to be honest, though, I have to FIGHT to push down the thoughts about us having this problem since NOVEMBER and it only being fixed NOW and then remembering the many nights when I laid the children to bed with four layers of clothes on them.

I am grateful though, VERY grateful.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am off of the computer now to work out, shower, laundry, pack and then CROCHET before we head out. I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend! 

Corynn, desperate for warmth in her frigid bedroom, seeks out every stuffed animal she can find to bury herself in while the insufferable heat grates stay frozen. 

Promises fulfilled.

Bathtime is always a fun activity at our house and the time spent in the tub is pierced with squeals of delight and giggles. As the bath is completed and the time to get out has come, however, those selfsame squeals turn into shrieks and yelps as the frigid air hits their wet little bodies full force.

It is because of those said ear-popping shrieks, that I avoid the childrens' bathtime like the plaque. Perhaps that is why they enjoy it so much in the moment-because they never get the priviledge! :-)

To make up for my selfish ways, I promised Corynn that the NEXT time she takes a bath (this morning by the way) it would be an EXTRA SPECIAL bathtime with bubbles and green goo potions and swimming finger friends. And it was. 

What are you DOING to me?!?!

I drew the water while I fetched the children and in that short time, it reached perilous heights. Don't worry, our drain-even with it closed and a washcloth shoved in the hole, STILL doesn't hold water so it wasn't too long before the water reached safer levels. 

Bubble Tye-Dye

 

February 1st

Happy February, all!

Oh, February 1st is one of my favorite days. Why? Because it marks the start of my Valentine's Day excitement! Of course, Matt's birthday is the day BEFORE Valentine's Day so he gets the better end of the deal...but hey, I do so love getting him gifts!

This year, he turns the B.I.G 3-0. Old man. :-) (He sure did rob the cradle with me!) So far, he is handling it all very well. Of course, he has always been the one who has wanted to skip the younger adult years and head straight to the gray hair part...that way he would be respected and distinguished. I don't foresee his 'transition' to be anything but grateful for another year. But-one never knows the surprises of the future...he could have a pre-mid-life-crisis right on the heels of his 'anniversary.'
Someone once said, "Only the first is a birthday, all the rest are anniversaries." Don't remember who, but whoever it was...was a smart cookie.

Yesterday I did a bit to spruce up our home to get into the Valentine spirit. I posted some pictures below. AND I finished Corynn's valentine surprise-with pictures below. OF COURSE.

I told Matt last night that all I want for Valentine's Day is for him to write me a poem. He is a lovely poet but it has been a LOOOONNNGGGG time since I was awarded one. Of course, He has been sick for the last few days and was practically comatose when I was talking to him.

I also told him about my most romantic (and desired) wish. I think my most romantic and wonderful surprise would be for Matt to take a photo of my bridal bouquet back to the florist who made it and have them make me an exact replica for me to enjoy. Of course, it would be even more wonderful if it was preserved in silicone or something so I could see it EVERY day. Not holding my breath on that one, either. :-)

What is the most romantic thing that YOUR husband's could do for you? Not just for Valentine's day, but WHENEVER??? 

Corynn's Valentine Surprise

I have been working on a Valentine's Surprise for Corynn in the very sporatic spare minutes I have when she is not around. I put the finishing touches on it this morning. I just know that she will enjoy it-it will be a great 'take along' thing for trips, and the best part? It was FREE!



I printed off some FREE paper dolls from this website which has a HUGE selection of dolls and other free activities. I chose the Polly Pratt's Valentine doll with her friends and baby brother. They have the most darling little outfits!!! I cut around each one and reinforced the children by gluing them on a thick cardstock.


Then I took a folder and glued felt pieced on each side for a (VERY simple) background.

I added pieces of felt on the backs of the children and the furniture so that they would stick to the backgrounds. (I didn't do this for the clothing as that was unnecessary.)

Then I stitched a few squares of flannel to a piece of white felt to make beds (and storage pouches) for the children. I also made a little armoire that opens up.


On the back I added an envelope for clothing and accessories storage. A super simple gift, and SUPER cheap (since I used only things I had or got off the internet). I am thankful that my children are young enough to appreciate the FREE suprises too.

I don't have anything planned for the Panda, except for lots of hugs and kisses. If I come up with something, though, I will let you know!

The Table dressed for the occasion

 

Corynn did some 'Decorating' too.

She took bright red sparkly placemats from her doll cradle (she used them as blankets) because she thought they would look lovely on the table too. 

Entryway Banister

Some Heather, a crocheted heart doily, our wedding doves, and a handpainted candle. Notice the heart wreath on the mirror? 

Heather

 

This was our wedding topper. I never did like those (what I deemed) chintzey toppers. When I saw these beautiful doves, I knew that they HAD to top our cake. And now, nearly five years later, they have graced our home with their lovely presence each and every day. Usually, they live upon the tippytop of the Dining Room curio but they are brought low and lovelyfor a special focus near Valentine's Day...and then again for our anniversary. 

Kitchen Desk

 

Valentine Tackboard

I got this tackboard after Valentine's Day a few years back for $1.50 at JoAnn Fabrics. Not many people realize they have seasonal household stuff along with the fabric and crafts...and they are very liberal with their sales pricing. Here is a close up so that you can read the words....