Move

The prospect of a big move. The things that cross your mind get jumbled into stress. Boxes, cost of living, the dog, language barrier? This is such a happy event to think about. I am actually super excited to just purge a lot of things out of my house. I purged a lot moving locally, but internationally? I can justify throwing out more and more things. I feel like a grandma ready to start giving things away before she kicks the bucket! I know, I am coming back, and coming back to the same house. But it doesn't make it any easier, or harder for that matter.

Chai

I found a great looking recipe here at Back to her Roots. I have been enjoying more and more tea lately, but I haven't been able to give up the richness, and fullness that the coffee gives to me. This recipe looks promising to me in that richness regard. I can't wait to make this for my good friends and my loving husband.

2 c. water

1 black tea bags
1 cinnamon stick
2 whole cloves
1/4 tsp ground ginger
6 cardamom seeds, crushed
2 c. milk
1/4 c. sugar
Cinnamon for garnish

Bring first six ingredients in a medium sauce pan to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Add in milk and sugar, bring back to a boil and remove from heat. Strain into mugs, sprinkle with cinnamon and serve.

Makes 2 large mugs or 4 small.

Click over to here to see a more detailed approach. Plus wonderful pictures, that I am very jealous of, but none the less, its her recipe and not mine. Enjoy

Black

In the past I have made fun of people who wear black nail polish. But now, lo and behold it is shamelessly on my fingers. Though in a more subtle, and fun way. OPI has a "Katy Perry" Collection and it has what is called "Black Shatter." Let me just say how stinkin AWESOME it is. I patiently await the first layer of polish to dry, then slowly apply the shatter coating and watch each individual nail as the coolness just appears! I love it. Crazy how one little subtle change can make me so excited.

Moldable

Recipe for homemade Play-dough

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
  

Directions:

Mix flour, salt, cream of tartar, and oil, and slowly add the water. Cook over medium heat, stirring until dough becomes stiff. Plop on the counter and let cool. Knead the dough with your hands until a pliable

This is the recipe I used to make our first attempt at the moldable fun that kids love. I enjoy making my kids something to learn from. I would like to think I can teach my children life lessons as well as math and science. I just hope and Pray daily that I can be an example of God's everlasting, unconditional Love and Forgiveness.

Older

I have friends who are older than me and who are just now starting their families. I feel old. I also have friends who are younger than me that have children who are older than mine. So do they feel old? Or since they are young it doesn't phase them? Either way, I am starting into the season of life I am excited about. I have been wanting to be 30 for about 2 years now. I still have a few more years to go until that actually happens, but maybe its gonna feel like it earlier. I desire to have my children to be children and not babies/toddlers. Have a strengthened marriage that is so tightly woven that you don't know where each of us begins and the other ends! Yeah those are my desires. I feel like I have been under the wings of others all my life, that I would like to have a chance to fly with them and not under or over. I have needed to be refined by God's fire of grace to grow to this point in my life. I have not been grateful for this refining thus far, but I am getting there. I love my kids, and my husband. I am hoping to learn to love more, and to share my knowledge with others.

Projects

Yes a New Year is encroaching and usually at this time one makes a "resolution." Well, my resolution I guess started when I started this blog. And lo and behold after a few weeks and/or months I have failed at my resolution. Although I never wrote down any goals for myself. Maybe that was my problem, they were all in my head? Well there are many things in my head, and maybe they got misfiled. So I am not one to indulge in the commercialization of "New Year's Resolutions", but maybe a small goal. One that makes time for just me and gives just me some satisfaction, as well as someone else a home made item to enjoy. My husband of whom I just adore, surprised me with a sewing machine for Christmas. Nothing too fancy. But it is just perfect.

Since we have a daughter, now I can overwhelm her with goodies from my creative hand. First thing? A Pillowcase Dress and fabric shoes to match. Yes. Super adorable. She isn't walking yet, so I am still able to get away with plain fabric for her shoes. Soon though I might have to get the nobly stuff for the soles. You know the kind that is on the kids footed pajamas. I got the free patterns from a website you can find here. Really great photos and great patterns and templates. I still consider myself a beginner, even though I have made my children each a quilt, some fleece blankets and a pioneer costume for my son (12months old). Just yesterday I did my first buttonhole! I have been using a sewing machine since early elementary, and I had never made a buttonhole. Seriously. It was so much easier than I imagined. I think it was my machine though. It has a foot, and easy to follow directions. "One step" is what the sales guy told my husband. Now if only I could find more free time to indulge in my mounds of scrap fabric.

Christmas Time

Christmas is so much more of a lovely time with just our nuclear family. We can sit and sip some bubbly while opening silly gifts. Okay, so some of them are not so silly. I got to see great faces on my kids, and my husband. Isn't that what it's all about? Yes.