Outside of Doors :: April 19

Today the sky was simply lovely--very blue with light white clouds.  It was very deceiving, though. The wind made it rather chilly.  Despite it all, we spent about 5 hours outside!  We started by meeting cousins at a park to play, made a pit-stop to visit Daddy turning lunchtime and then spent the rest of the afternoon with friends running.  Take a look....

Here are other families who are participating:
lisa, sanders, angelina, phyllis, sarah, christie, jennifer, debbie, dong dong, denise,luisa, joy, stephanie, cori, alex, dawn, kristen, catherine, tricia,becky, christy, ruth, kari, courtney,branflakes,jessica, renee, haiku,brynn, amy, clemencia, sherry, leslie, lise, renee, anet, jenn, marina, amy, ella, marcia, karen, beth,julie,kyndale,kelly,lizzie, eileen,ag, mari-ann, cindy, robin, nicole, debbie, julia, renee, anita,lisa, jenn, montessori, marita,jeannie, hallie, mandy, kangaroo, andrea, joey, carmen, teena, stephinie, gidget, elizabeth, emma, rosina, saminda, melissa, katie, becca, atouria, barbara, ariella,missy, elizabeth, sarah, eileen, lisa, stacy, jennifer, tulsileaf, lisa C, morticia, angela, rana,jamie,lisa c, luz, charley, heather, valerie, kirsten, rachel, annie, kendra, beth s, lindsey, michelle, megan, jen, jenni, gabby, renee,korina, linda, adventurekerrs, laura, melissa, eva, jenny, amber, deb, wendy, courtney, shanti, msrev, kellyi, tammy, julia  , maureen,indigomum, andrea, mindy, becky, dawn, sarah,michelle, shelley, amber, nicole, cara, ginny, kris, tawnie, nancy, alex, kathi, ana, sarah m, stephanie, jen, dena, sharon, courtney, colleen, jillian, jennifer, amanda, desiree, vanchy,

Monday Mumbles

I'm again participating...here are only 10 of the many random things I'm thinking about this morning....

1. I had such a great weekend. The highlight was some 'me' time.  I did some browsing and stumbled into some great finds! First--I found a yarn store very unexpectedly.  The owner is a great lady who was so very helpful and took the time to show my around her store.  It's very cozy, not too much yarn, but great atmosphere.  While there I found some local homemade lotion (which I've been meaning to make myself) and snatched up a couple bottles! YUMMY!!  I treated myself to a new yarn and she throw another one in so I could complete the project (which she helped me find).  Did I mention she was so very helpful?  This alone made my time away refreshing!!

2. I've been on a sewing kick.  If you're a regular here, you've probably seen my previous posts.  I've also updated my creative space--Knot Sew Much--if you're interested in seeing more.  Although it's been a bit hectic trying to sew with three children underfoot (or climbing into your lap or wanting your undivided attention) but somehow I've managed to get through a few projects.  There are a couple more that I want to do while I'm in this groove. I may take another week before packing this stuff up until the next time. :D

3. The boy cried for like an hour last evening.  I knew he was tired.  But really?  SMH  It was enough to spill out all the filling up I did for my spirit.  As soon as I got him somewhat settled, Sweetie pie started up.  I was like 'WHOA!'  She is very emotionally intense.  While getting them both ready for bed and reading to them (which calmed them down almost immediately), Pretty Girl decided she needed to continue the drama.  Enough already!!!  And as soon as I got them all into bed, the hubs came home from work.  His timing is perfect, huh?  LOL!  To his credit, he did listen to me and even offered to rub my feet (which he RARELY does).  :D

4. I found a treasure about a month ago now while one my break.  I went to a thrift shop with my brother and found a working bread machine, with a manual for only $5.50.  When I got home and tried it, I was thrilled to find out that it, in fact, worked!!  Having the smell of fresh baked bread in the house has been wonderful.  I've so enjoyed not only being able to make bread but keep up with the demands of how much bread we eat!  (We enjoy bread!)  Well, sadly it has stopped working.  I am disappointed.  But, I did get more than my $5.50 investment back.  I will definitely keep my eyes open.  Perhaps I'll find another.

5.  I decided that we're getting rid of our microwave.  This morning I sprang the idea on my husband.  I was expecting him to have something to say against it.  I'm not sure why, but I was expecting opposition.  He said, "I'm open to it!  I've love to get away from using it."  He then went outside.  By the time he came back in I'd not only taken it off the counter but totally out of the kitchen.  He said, "Oh, you're serious!"  I was like, "yeah!"  I'd been thinking about it for sometime and remembering all the things I've read and heard about it.  Decided that this was the best time--during this purging time.  The only thing that we were using it for (besides the convenience of heating up individual plates of food) was popcorn.  So I found us a popcorn maker.  Problem solved.  I will pick up a few smaller over dishes to heat up smaller portions of food.  I think we'll be ok without it! :D

6. Been thinking about what we'll do for Earth Day.  I looked at the calendar again this morning and see that 'Take Your Daughter/Son to Work Day' falls on Earth Day this year.  My kids have been dying to go to work with their Daddy.  I'm thinking I'll talk him into it.  He teaches English at a high school in the area.  I think I'll ask him to allow all the kids to either sit in on one class OR drop one off at a time--which may actually be more manageable.  Then we'll go and do something to celebrate Earth Day.  I don't know.  We'll see.  I'll probably read through some of your blogs and get some more ideas! :D

7. Why is it that my children have to be morning people???!! I'm such a night owl.  I'm really trying to do better about getting in the bed earlier--but there is just so much I can get done when they're not awake!!  SMH  I'm burning my candle at both ends.  Many mornings The Boy has been up for an hour and a half to two hours before I get up.  Now, he normally wakes me up and asks for help getting dressed.  He then will go back to his room, put on a CD (yep, taught him early) and play until one or both of his sisters wake up and join him.  There are days, like today, that I just can't get out of the bed.  I'm not sure if it's guilt or obligation that finally pries me out from under my covers.  Regardless, I sure do wish it wasn't so hard getting up in the morning (for me, that is!).

8. I am tickled by all the recent traffic I've seen on my blog--in the way of comments!! I'm loving that!  Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving me a note that you were here.  I'll be making my rounds to check our your pages as well.

9. So, I think I'm getting back to meal planning.  Another thing I was able to think about while driving alone.  I already have a pizza night, burrito night, and a left over night. :D  I want to add two nights of new recipes so we can broaden our palettes a bit more.  I made some vegetarian sweet & sour meatballs last night.  They were delicious!!  I'm going to take some time to look through my cookbook and identify some other recipes to make--and then make them!  I like variety.

10.  Wow, I'm already at ten.  I'm really seeing some pay off in my practice of Mindfulness.  I've been reading a book, Momfulness: Mothering with Mindfulness, Compassion and Grace by Denise Roy.  I blog about this regularly at Discovering the Details.  (If you're interested in reading more, please click here.)  Each week I focus on another practice suggested in the book.  I'm finding that I'm much more present and I'm learning to be less judgmental about my thoughts and reactions.  I'm definitely learning to be more flexible and go with the flow instead of always trying to orchastrate things.  I'm finding that these practices also help my other relationships in general. 

Well, there you have it.  I can't say that these are the top ten things on my mind--but they are towards to the top! :D  Now, let me get my kids some breakfast so they'll stop asking me for it.  I hope that each of you have a Marvelous Monday!!

If you'd like to play along in Monday Mumbles, leave a comment at Circling the Square Table.

Book Sharing Monday

Today book is by Laura Numeroff.  We've read several of her books and my children love the predictability of these stories (well, after they've read them).  They're really good for teaching/showing cause and effect relationships.

It's entitled: If You Take A Mouse to School.

We love this little series.  I see that there is one we haven't yet read, so that will be next on our list!

Want to play along?  Let Alex know at Serendipity Home School.  Everyone's welcome--join in anytime!  You can also find a list of others who regularly participate to see what books they're sharing.

Happy Reading!!

Last Two....

...for tonight!  Just [almost] finished two seersucker sun dresses.  Since the girls have been asleep for awhile now, I'll fit them in the morning and do the hem (and add the hook & eyes).  I'm tired.  But feeling good about completing another set!  :D

I'll have to have them model them.  This is obviously one of my favorite patterns.  Mainly because it's so simple.  This is the last set of these I'm going to make.  I got some new patterns I'm going to try.  This material was so fun and I already had the buttons which matched perfectly!! YAY!

Ok...off to bed now! Nite, nite!

On a Roll...

Yesterday I made a trip to my local fabric store to take part in their wonderful SALE!  Actually, I needed a couple buttons to complete Pretty girl's dress and waited until the fabric and pattern sale started so I could browse.  I felt like a child in a candy shop or perhaps a bull in a china shop?? lol

Well, after running some errands this morning and taking our time outside (and doing several loads of laundry and meal planning for the weekend and next week), I took myself to my creative space and spent the past 2 1/2 hours whipping out this adorable sun dresses for the girls.  They were simple for the most part and I think they're soo cute.  What do you think?

Happy to be making time to create.  Although I'm definitely feeling at my wits end with the children at this moment (it's that time of day) I'm filling very accomplished and am enjoying looking at the work I've done.

Will definitely be taking some time for ME this weekend....to stroll through a bookstore or yarn shop or something!

I hope each of you have a great one as well!!

Outside of Doors :: April 16

We've been bird watching.  They kids are really good at spotting birds, as I'm driving, so I can't always take a look.  Today, as we were coming out of the library (Pretty-girl was questioning why she couldn't run through the lush, green grass surrounding the building.  Yeah, it was hard to explain that some people don't want you walking in their grass. SMH!) besides noticing the blooming trees, several dandelions and a yellow butterfly we spotted a condor sitting atop the library.  There were actually three of them--one resting and two in the air.  Here's what I was able to snap before they got out of range.

I only wish I had carried my other lens.  These birds are huge.  It was great to see them.

Check out the other families who are participating: 
lisa, sanders, angelina, phyllis, sarah, christie, jennifer, debbie, dong dong, denise,luisa, joy, stephanie, cori, alex, dawn, kristen, catherine, tricia,becky, christy, ruth, kari, courtney,branflakes,jessica, renee, haiku,brynn, amy, clemencia, sherry, leslie, lise, renee, anet, jenn, marina, amy, ella, marcia, karen, beth,julie,kyndale,kelly,lizzie, eileen,ag, mari-ann, cindy, robin, nicole, debbie, julia, renee, anita,lisa, jenn, montessori, marita,jeannie, hallie, mandy, kangaroo, andrea, joey, carmen, teena, stephinie, gidget, elizabeth, emma, rosina, saminda, melissa, katie, becca, atouria, barbara, ariella,missy, elizabeth, sarah, eileen, lisa, stacy, jennifer, tulsileaf, lisa C, morticia, angela, rana,jamie,lisa c, luz, charley, heather, valerie, kirsten, rachel, annie, kendra, beth s, lindsey, michelle, megan, jen, jenni, gabby, renee,korina, linda, adventurekerrs, laura, melissa, eva, jenny, amber, deb, wendy, courtney, shanti, msrev, kellyi, tammy, julia  , maureen,indigomum, andrea, mindy, becky, dawn, sarah,michelle, shelley, amber, nicole, cara, ginny, kris, tawnie, nancy, alex, kathi, ana, sarah m, stephanie

Outside of Doors :: April 15

Today Daddy took the kids out for their outdoor time while I went to the dentist.  I forgot to leave the camera with him but was able to catch then end of things.  The children told me how they did a lot of running and playing.  It was wonderful to have them all tuckered out when I came for them! :D

Sweetie-pie quite annoyed that play time is over!

Pretty girl running with her butterfly net.

The Boy carrying his bag of tricks! :D

I'm looking forward to what tomorrow brings!

If you've been reading these and think your family would like to participate--DO!  New families are joining the list over at 5 Orange Potatoes.  Here's a list of those who have joined up so far:

lisa, sanders, angelina, phyllis, sarah, christie, jennifer, debbie, dong dong, denise,luisa, joy, stephanie, cori, alex, dawn, kristen, catherine, tricia,becky, christy, ruth, kari, courtney,branflakes,jessica, renee, haiku,brynn, amy, clemencia, sherry, leslie, lise, renee, anet, jenn, marina, amy, ella, marcia, karen, beth,julie,kyndale,kelly,lizzie, eileen,ag, mari-ann, cindy, robin, nicole, debbie, julia, renee, anita,lisa, jenn, montessori, marita,jeannie, hallie, mandy, kangaroo, andrea, joey, carmen, teena, stephinie, gidget, elizabeth, emma, rosina, saminda, melissa, katie, becca, atouria, barbara, ariella,missy, elizabeth, sarah, eileen, lisa, stacy, jennifer, tulsileaf, lisa C, morticia, angela, rana,jamie,lisa c, luz, charley, heather, valerie, kirsten, rachel, annie, kendra, beth s, lindsey, michelle, megan, jen, jenni, gabby, renee,korina, linda, adventurekerrs, laura, melissa, eva, jenny, amber, deb, wendy, courtney, shanti, msrev, kellyi, tammy, julia  , maureen,indigomum, andrea, mindy, becky, dawn, sarah,michelle, shelley, amber, nicole, cara, ginny, kris, tawnie

Outside of Doors :: April 14

There is still time to join in!  Here are other families who are participating:
lisa, sanders, angelina, phyllis, sarah, christie, jennifer, debbie, dong dong, denise,luisa, joy, stephanie, cori, alex, dawn, kristen, catherine, tricia,becky, christy, ruth, kari, courtney,branflakes,jessica, renee, haiku,brynn, amy, clemencia, sherry, leslie, lise, renee, anet, jenn, marina, amy, ella, marcia, karen, beth,julie,kyndale,kelly,lizzie, eileen,ag, mari-ann, cindy, robin, nicole, debbie, julia, renee, anita,lisa, jenn, montessori, marita,jeannie, hallie, mandy, kangaroo, andrea, joey, carmen, teena, stephinie, gidget, elizabeth, emma, rosina, saminda, melissa, katie, becca, atouria, barbara, ariella,missy, elizabeth, sarah, eileen, lisa, stacy, jennifer, tulsileaf, lisa C, morticia, angela, rana,jamie,lisa c, luz, charley, heather, valerie, kirsten, rachel, annie, kendra, beth s, lindsey, michelle, megan, jen, jenni, gabby, renee,korina, linda, adventurekerrs, laura, melissa, eva, jenny, amber, deb, wendy, courtney, shanti, msrev, kellyi, tammy, julia  , maureen,indigomum, andrea, mindy, becky, dawn, sarah,michelle, shelley, amber, nicole, cara, ginny

Outside of Doors :: April 12 & 13

For the past two days my camera's battery has been charging during our outside time.  Monday was chilly so we stay close to the house.  We cleaned up the front yard (if I can call it that...it's about a foot by four feet of grass surrounded by sidewalk) and filled the bird feeders.  We did some bird watching from the front window once the birds saw it was 'safe' to return. :D

Today was cold and rainy. Right before dinner we stood out on the porch to watch the rain and listen to the birds (and the neighbors yelling).  I'm hoping to have my camera fully charged for whatever we do tomorrow!

Here are others who are participating.  (More families are joining every day!)
lisa, sanders, angelina, phyllis, sarah, christie, jennifer, debbie, dong dong, denise,luisa, joy, stephanie, cori, alex, dawn, kristen, catherine, tricia,becky, christy, ruth, kari, courtney,branflakes,jessica, renee, haiku,brynn, amy, clemencia, sherry, leslie, lise, renee, anet, jenn, marina, amy, ella, marcia, karen, beth,julie,kyndale,kelly,lizzie, eileen,ag, mari-ann, cindy, robin, nicole, debbie, julia, renee, anita,lisa, jenn, montessori, marita,jeannie, hallie, mandy, kangaroo, andrea, joey, carmen, teena, stephinie, gidget, elizabeth, emma, rosina, saminda, melissa, katie, becca, atouria, barbara, ariella,missy, elizabeth, sarah, eileen, lisa, stacy, jennifer, tulsileaf, lisa C, morticia, angela, rana,jamie,lisa c, luz, charley, heather, valerie, kirsten, rachel, annie, kendra, beth s, lindsey, michelle, megan, jen, jenni, gabby, renee,korina, linda, adventurekerrs, laura, melissa, eva, jenny, amber, deb, wendy, courtney, shanti, msrev, kellyi, tammy, julia  , maureen,indigomum, andrea, mindy, becky, dawn, sarah,michelle

Check out the Family Nature Club on Ordinary Life Magic (Too).  There are lots of great ideas for getting out in nature!

Until tomorrow...have a great evening!

Ironing & Sewing

I woke up today and wanted to make something--sew something specifically.  I looked through my stash of fabric and then through my drawer of patterns and picked out a simple and easy one.  A sun dress for my pretty girl (Kanga).

We started with an ironing lesson.  The fabric has been folded up for such a long time and the girls wanted to help! :D

Then I moved on to the laying out the pattern pieces (which made me realize just what I usually sew with my mother--this is the part of sewing I don't enjoy.  She's so good at it!!)

So between cooking and encouraging the children to tidy up their rooms.  Between answering a lot of questions and asking little hands not to touch Mommy's machine, I completed the first dress.

The finished product.

Modeled by my pretty girl! :D  We'll see what tomorrow brings!