Christmas skirts

Making this cute Christmas skirt for my littles & friends :)

Candy Corn Dress

Cute pillowcase dress with candy corn applique & initial

Livesay [Haiti] Weblog: 36 Hours to Love ....

Livesay [Haiti] Weblog: 36 Hours to Love ....

Groceries

I made my grocery list today and thought I’d share my general plan for upcoming days w/you- I don’t do “menu planning” per se, I buy deals & cook from what I have on hand- but of course menu planning is done in my head, just the same :)

I use http://www.southernsavers.com/ for grocery deals- there are a million sites like this, but I just like her format. She has weekly grocery ads by store w/ coupon matchups. I just click on the items I want and print out the list when I’m done. If I see a printable coupon I can use, the link is there and again I just click it.

Most of my shopping is done at Publix. When I started couponing I was surprised to find they are cheapest! I rely heavily on their B1G1 deals. I try not to buy out of need, but instead buy when an item is B1G1 and get enough to last me 4 – 6 weeks. It’ll surely go on sale again by the time I’m out. The big exception to this is meat. Publix meat is pricey. I find the best deals on meat at Food Lion and sometimes WinnDixie (WD is dicey, they jack up prices for sales!).

I’ll link my shopping lists for the week. Looks like we’ll be eating some spaghetti, hamburgers, taco salad (our Sunday nite staple), a boston butt or country pork ribs, and grilled chicken. I cook boston butt in crock pot, shred it & add BBQ sauce for pulled pork. The country ribs can be cooked like pork chops- great grilled!

For sides we’ll have red potatoes (potato salad, mashed potatoes & dill buttered boiled); cabbage; broccoli (steamed & salad). The kids will have fruit when we eat the cabbage!

Lunches will be tuna; lunch meat; hot dogs; and chicken fajitas (from the boneless chicken breasts-kids will have the chicken strips & fruit w/o the fajita stuff). Snacks- cheese; oatmeal cookies; peanut butter & graham crackers; fruit.

Possible menus-

Spaghetti, salad, fruit, bread

Pulled pork, potato salad, baked beans

Grilled pork ribs, mashed potatoes, steamed cabbage, strawberry congealed salad

Grilled chicken, steamed broccoli, dilled potatoes,

I probably would have rice at least once each week. We’ll have an “irish” St Patty’s day meal- but I don’t really like corned beef- so I’ll sub something else- hubby luvs reubens, so that’s probable. Kids like it when we color stuff green- maybe mashed potatoes?!

Late edit: Tonight for dinner we had- Roast pork;green bean casserole(sarah); sweet potato fries(shane); sliced tomatoes;pound cake w/fresh strawberries...yum, yum :)

Links to grocery lists-

Publix http://www.southernsavers.com/shoppinglist/

FL & WD link didn’t work for some reason- so copied here

Food Lion Weekly Ad 3/9-3/15

Printed at SouthernSavers.com

Meat

Boston Butt Pork Roast, $1.87 lb

Country Style Pork Ribs, Value pk, $1.97 lb

Gwaltney Meat Franks, 12 oz, 79¢

Winn Dixie Weekly Ad 3/9-3/15



Buy One Get One Deals

Split Chicken Breasts, 2 lb, at $2.99 ($1.49)

Merita or Wonder Hamburger or Hot Dog Buns, 12 oz, at $2.64 ($1.32)

Kool-Aid or Country Time On the Go Singles or 8-12 qt Crystal Light, Kool Aid or Country Time, at $3.99 ($1.99)


-$1/2 Crystal Light canisters or on the go, Kraft insert 2/16 (EXP 03/13)


-$1/2 Crystal Light On-the-Go product, 12 qt PRINTABLE

Bumble Bee Chunk Light Tuna, 4 pk, at $3.59 ($1.79)



Meat

Skinless Split Chicken Breasts, $1.99 lb

Blessed Assurance

The last couple of days I found myself questioning my schooling methods (do I really have a method?) and even my parenting skills. Doesn’t one need to have achieved some level of expertise or at least adeptness before the label “skilled” can be applied?

Our homeschool co-op is undergoing some changes to focus more on the Charlotte Mason method it is styled after. I love our group and enjoy it more than any other homeschool group I’ve been a part of. But change is always difficult at first, and the schedule, Shakespeare, and Latin just do not scream fun to me, nor do they seem a good fit for my family. Am I missing something here? Shortchanging my children?

I also dealt with a discipline issue which was just a routine thing that all parents deal with, but coupled with my stomach flu and these other issues, suddenly seemed big and seemed to expose my parenting skills as lacking. I pondered these things for a bit, then prayed over them and found sleep, waiting to deal with them more fully until morning.

This morning Sarah got herself up & dressed, took her sister to work (her car is on the fritz) and then went on to work herself. Yes, even work can seem like an escape when compared to staying home with a mom on the warpath!

I fixed Landon breakfast and instructed him to stay indoors while I showered, but to come get me if he needed anything. He soon came and announced he had to poop! I told him to go ahead and I hurried to dry off & dress and ran to assess the situation. I found him not in the bathroom, but sitting at the playroom table playing his new game. I asked him if he went to the potty and he said, ”No, I was waiting on you to get out so you could wipe my booty.”

WOW!! I do believe that is a pretty high level thinking skill for a 4 year old! Ok, so maybe some parenting & schooling are getting through- even though our method may be unlabeled.

Then we went outside to feed some stale chips to the fish. The geese, who have been very busy lately with mating and nesting season in full swing, stopped long enough to come say hello and try out our chips. We were able to get a fairly close look at the white goose who has suddenly joined our flock of Canada geese. Then to our surprise we made a new friend! A sea gull swooped down to claim the chips for himself! We talked and wondered why although we always see gulls at the beach, they almost never visit our pond here on the Westside. Our visit with our sea gull friend was shortlived, as a hawk started circling overhead and swooped down to let Mr. seagull know that he was not welcome here. While watching the hawk and discussing how much he looked like an eagle except for his checkerboard coloring, a mockingbird perched on a nearby branch to observe us. Now our conversation drifted to the mockingbird and I explained to Landon that he was our state bird- the bird for Florida.

It was about that time I realized several things.

1. That we were very involved in learning this morning with no planned lesson yet taking place.

2. Maybe my parenting/teaching skills weren’t so far off the mark. We are learning through our surroundings (atmosphere) through rules and correction (discipline) and through thoughts and ideas (life). Even though we haven’t read Shakespeare together or been introduced to Latin, this is surely the heart of CM philosophy- it just looks a bit different in our family than in yours!

3. That my sweet and loving Lord had noticed my confusion and visited me with sweet reassurance this morning. I needed some Blessed Assurance and He met me in His beautiful and quiet way.

Perfect submission, all is at rest;

I in my Savior am happy and blest,

watching and waiting, looking above,

filled with his goodness, lost in his love.

This is my story, this is my song,

praising my Savior all the day long;

this is my story, this is my song,

praising my Savior all the day long.

Valentine Cards

I {heart} these cards!

Steffanie taught our "Sew Smart" homeschool class how to make these adorable cards.

I love the fabric flower barrette she added to the lovebird card.

She's crafty-smart like that :)

Check out her blog for these and other super-cute ideas at sewgrown!

She has tutorials & lots of fun things for boys, too!

Lovely Thoughts

Sarah's lovely photos promote lovely thoughts!

A couple of weeks ago, while listening to the radio, something was said that gave me pause to think.

The speaker challenged listeners to go on a fast of negative speech. To prayerfully attempt to keep any negative thoughts to yourself... and then work on the thoughts!

I had already been thinking about negative speech, but to phrase it so deliberately to call it a fast intrigued me.

"best friend cousins" Reilly & Landon

What triggered this line of thinking for me, was some conversation I had with someone elderly.

Every phrase had the themes "woe is me" and "the world is going to hell in a handbasket"!

Now I am sure they have seen plenty in their lifetime and probably have a lot of pain

(both physically & emotionally),

but it really struck me that I don't want to be a grumpy old lady :)

Sarah & Gracie

I want my words to bring blessing & kindness.

I want Jesus' love to flow through me.

But how can I be sure I'll do that- be that- as the fogginess of age clouds my thinking?

Maybe, if I practice it enough, it will become such a habit that my heart will be so filled with grace that it will flow from my mouth-

even without thought.

⁴⁵ A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. ~Luke 6:45

~another of Sarah's lovely photos

To actually fast from negativity-

that seems to be taking it a step further.

A real commitment!

I told my family my plan.

One response was a sarcastic "When are you gonna start?"

Ouch!

I wondered if that sarcasm was learned from me.

More to fuel my determination.

Sarah & Maggie

I can't say I've had amazing success with this challenge- unfortunately.

However, the Lord is surely using it to point out where the problem areas are

and continues to encourage me through His Word.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ~Philipians 4:8

Gracie

Under the Weather :(

When the tickly, hacking cough turned into chills, fever & bodyaches, I tried everything- I think I even ate 2 bags of oranges all by myself!

But after a few days, even though the fever was down, the cough was worse...so I gave in and went to the Dr.

Now, after 4 days on a Z-pack, neb treatments, inhalers & more- the bodyaches are gone but the cough is still hanging on. I haven't been out of the house in over a week!!

Kelley has sent food over for us several times this week (thanks, sweetie!), but I did finally cook a decent meal tonight. We had roast beef with potatoes and carrots and butter beans :) What did you cook on a cold rainy night?

I also started working on a dress for Sarah this afternoon. Trying to get it done before Sunday- just plugging away in spurts between cough attacks. I may get it finished since I cheated and picked up one I cut out ages ago, but never started sewing together for one reason or another ;)

It seems nearly impossible to find cute, appropriate dresses- or anything else for that matter- for an older teen. The other roadblock is that she usually dislikes (translate- wouldn't be found dead in) anything that I buy, make, or even look at ;)

She's so stinking cute, I'm determined her clothes are gonna be cute, too (anyway I'm gonna try!)

Tote Tute

This is the Tote Bag we are beginning this Thursday in Sew Smart. I made this one 13" x 15", but I think I'll have the girls make theirs 12" x 13". It's supposed to be a Bible Bag - and this one is just a tad roomy ;)

** note: I am making this tutorial very detailed & simplistic for those just beginning to sew, and also for my Haiti girls to follow along.

OK, Let's begin.

Bible Tote

Materials: 1/2 yd each of 2 different fabrics- 1 for outside of bag & 1 for lining

co-ordinating thread

basic sewing supplies

Cutting the fabric:

Cut 2 rectangles 13" x 15" (or whatever size you prefer) from bag fabric and 2 from lining fabric.

Cut 1 strip 4" x 44"or 45" (I just used the width of fabric) for straps.

**Optional- pockets- I cut 1 rectangle 6" x 7" and 1 rectangle 9" x 7". Pockets can be as small or large as you want!

Making the pockets (or not- depending on your mood ;) :

1. Fold under 1/4" from the top of pocket and press.

2. Stitch folded part down.

(sorry, photo coming for steps 3-5 - camera malfunction!)

3. Fold under 1" more on top of pocket and press.

This will become your hemmed top edge.

4. Stitch 1/2" away from pocket edges on remaining 3 sides.

Trim corners diagonally.

5. Turn top hemmed edge to outside, poking corners to make them pointy :)

On remaining 3 sides, turn under along stitching and press.

Your pocket is now formed and ready to attach to your bag lining!

6. Place pocket(s) on 1 piece of bag lining and pin in place (about 3-4" up from bottom of lining). Stitch in place.

(I made an additional line of stitching an inch or so from 1 edge to make a little pencil pocket)

TaDa!! Pocket is complete!!

Making the straps:

1. Fold strap fabric in half lengthwise, right side facing out and iron.

2. Open back up and using fold line as a guide, fold each edge in to the middle (fold line). Press.

It will look like this ^

3. Fold in half again and press.

4. Cut fabric strip in half to make to straps for your bag.

5. Stitch close to edge on folded edge of strap. Repeat stitching on opposite side.

Making the bag:

1. Place bag front & back right sides together, matching raw edges, & pin.

Repeat for bag lining.

2. Stitch on 3 sides leaving one short side open for top of bag.

Repeat for lining.

3. Flatten out bottom of bag and push the side of bag in, until the bottom seam touches the side seam (like the bottom of a paper grocery sack). This will make a pointy corner on each end of the bag.

4. Measure 1 1/2" from corner and mark with a pin.

5. Draw a line across the corner as marked. Pin bottom and side together so fabric doesn't shift while stitching. Stitch along marking.

Repeat procedure for making a flat bottom for the lining.

Turn lining right side out.

6. Measure about 2" from one side of lining front & pin strap in place, matching raw edges & taking care not to catch lining back when pinning. Measure 2" from other side of lining and pin other edge of strap in place. Be careful not to twist strap. Repeat for other strap on the lining back.

7. Stitch across each strap close to edge, using a zig-zag stitch for extra strength.

8. Place lining inside bag so that right sides are together. Match edges and seams and pin together. (Use caution that straps are smoothed flat and down in between the layers.)

Stitch bag & lining together using a 1/2" seam, leaving a 4" opening for turning on one side.

9. Pull bag through opening. Push lining down inside bag. Iron around top of bag, pressing lining to inside.

10. Topstitch around top of bag 1/4" from top edge of bag.

Voila~

un pouche pour Bibla- fini !!

(one Bible bag- finished!!)

(and Charlene & Nadege- I know I mixed my French & Kreyol- you may correct my grammar ;)

Couponing :)

I love couponing!

I hold my breath as I watch my total - which is always scary high- go down, down, down as my stash of coupons is scanned in the register.

I am giddy when my percentages top that of the week before.

And I drive my family CRAZY with excited chatter reporting all the great deals I found.

Yesterday, I had several random errands to run which took me to several stores in different directions. (bank, car wash, b-day gift for 91 y.o. FIL, staple groceries & detergent, etc)

I grabbed my coupons and headed out the door.

It soon became clear that I could do the most damage if I went to my least favorite store on the planet- and one in which I have never been brave enough to use coupons.

Right! the dreaded Wally World ...

on Saturday :O

I survived !!

And I did fairly well, too.

Here's the rundown...

$ 113.27 Total

-23.52 (6) tank tops

89.75 groceries

-40.81 coupons

48.94 oop grocery total!!

... and for that amount I was able to purchase-

OJ; milk; 2 wisk; 2 oatmeal;2 soy sauce; 2 brown mustard; 4 mccormick spices; taco seas; nutty bars; noodles; celery; bananas; 2 cheese; 4 bread; 4 toothbrush; 4 toothpaste; soap; sponges; haircolor; gas-x; motrin; 12 dble roll TP

Yaaaay me :D

Charlene

Received this note from Charlene today:

hey mom how are i'm sorry also because i didin't write you.How's everything going? today i got my report card i did the best i'm the number one in the class i praise God for that.i can't wait to see you. Nadege didin't got her passport yet but we still praying on that.Did you still on contact with miss Bonnie? i love you so much the school is doing good pray for me i love you forever

I am so proud of her. Praying that the Lord will show us how He would have us bring her home. It was really difficult to see the calendar roll over to a new year and still be so far away from my children and not know when that will change. I love the Lord. And I'm not questioning His ways. Really, I'm not. I just want to hold my child. and I want my heart to stop hurting so much.

Wow! A week has gone by...

Hello again :)

I can't believe it's been a whole week since I posted! Here's why... sort of ;)

In an effort to recover from the yucky cold/flu/cough thingee that's been hanging on, we took off for a couple of days!

Yep, this is a photo from the inside of our camper.... and no, I have no intention of taking up photography. Hahaha!

We went to Skidaway Island State Park at Savannah and enjoyed an internet-free couple of days there. Lots of reading, sleeping & eating was accomplished.

We also went for a stroll on River Street- too cold to spend too much time there.

... and I got to eat at The Lady & Sons Restaurant!!! I couldn't go to Savannah and not visit Paula D. :) We had the Sunday Buffet & it was mighty good. Nothing fancy. Just really good down-home Southern cookin'. YUM.

We never made it to Tybee Island. We had waaay too much relaxing to get done- freezing cold & rain might have contributed a teeny bit;)

And now I have a good excuse to go back!

This is a much better photo of us exploring in the campground!

Sew Smart

I'm co-teaching a sewing class at our homeschool co-op... and having a blast!

The 1st week we learned how to sew a straight line on our machines and the girls finished some adorable hair bands and wrist bracelets that I got started for them.

This week we moved on to pillows!!

Some of the girls are also getting creative with appliques on their pillow tops.

This is my version of a Pottery Barn Owl Pillow-

a bit busy, but still cute- if I do say so myself :)

The girls are making owl or penguin appliques similar to these.

Laney made the penguin pillow all by herself-

(well, maybe Nanny helped a little ;)

She's trying to choose a name for her.

She loves her pillow,

and Nanny is sooo proud of her :)

Southern Snow Day!

Meet:

Spike, the snowman

Landon & I had a snow day today... Southern style :)

(southern style = mashed potato flake snowman!)

We also made a snowman book, snowman pin punch, word whammer, puzzles & patterns :)

Nanny school with Landon is fun, fun, fun :)

A Blog to Journal Scattered Thoughts

I've decided to start a blog and journal a bit about my days. Just scattered thoughts & events.
There certainly is enough that goes on daily in this crazy family to write volumes!
And I could write volumes about how the Lord blesses me. Every day.
But I wanted to write down just a few of these things.
For me.

You are welcome to peek in anytime :)