What We've Been Up To This Weekend

Every once in a while our family has a weekend when we REALLY get things done. Like twice a year, maybe. I have to say that my sweet husband did the majority of the projects today and yesterday; it seemed like I was the one changing diapers, running to pick up supplies, feeding the kids, and so on. But together we managed to paint from the bottom of our staircase up and throughout the hallway of the upstairs, paint the pantry and laundry room, and build shelves/organize the school lockers! (And go to church today.)

Ethan really is much more organized than me. I probably could have lived with our pantry being somewhat disorganized, but I SO appreciate that he put everything back neatly (and even made labels for the shelves!)

And yes, the lockers are still maroon. Blah. I must say I am SO very excited to teach the kids this week and know exactly where everything is though!

Gift Idea #1

I wanted to share handmade gift ideas on here but I can't very well post what I'm doing this year, in case family reads it. :) So I've decided to show some gifts I've made in the past. This purse was a fairly easy gift to make with little knitting experience. It's knitted on round needles and lined with fabric on the inside.

More ideas to follow!

Somewhat Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Dip

Thanks to all you ladies who shared ideas on decorating. I will be sure to post pictures when we get around to that room!

Now, a little something for you . . . the kids and I have been enjoying this dip a lot lately. It tastes heavenly on apple slices. This is from the book "Deceptively Delicious".

1/2 cup natural peanut butter

1/2 cup fat free cream cheese

6 tablespoons chocolate syrup

1/4 cup carrot puree

1/2 teaspoon salt

Stir together until smooth!

Decorating Opinions Needed!

I love luxury bedding. We've never had any, but I still love it. I looked online and found this gorgeous set by Calvin Klein . . .




. . . priced at $415.00! So Ethan suggested I sew one for us. Have any of you ever made your own duvet cover? Seems like it would be easy (until I try it, that is!)

Also, when we do eventually get to our bedroom, I'd love to paint the walls a pale gray. What color/colors would look good with gray?

'Tis the Season

If you make any of your Christmas gifts from scratch, then it's definitely time to get crackin'! My attempt this year is to make all of our gifts for family, friends and neighbors. Yes, I'm probably over-compensating for last year, but being stuck in the hospital for so long made me miss decorating, caroling, Christmas parties, Christmas programs, holiday foods, opening presents with the family, and more. So don't be surprised if I get a little nutty.

Our first project this year is one that the kids do. We did it a few years ago and it was so easy and fun. We simply buy a roll of craft paper, make stamps from potatoes, and go at it. My parents used to used comics to wrap presents in, but I enjoy doing this. And isn't it so much more fun to unwrap the gift, rather than simply pull it out of a bag?

For fun I decided to do an internet search for homemade wrapping paper ideas. And I just have to share . . . when I typed in "homemade," the first suggestion the search engine popped up with was . . . (Are you ready for this?) homemade toilet bowl. Bizarre, eh? So, if that sounds like what you need for that "special" someone on your list, I'll hook you up with the link! :)

Simple and Free Fall Decor

I am the one who is always dreaming of a gorgeous table centerpiece (but doesn't like to shop). I had a vision in my head of a long tray holding all kinds of goodies, but remembered I had these three cute plates in my Christmas decor. So I pulled them out, pulled some jars out of the cupboard, and took the kids for a walk. All those fun leaves were just waiting for us to gather up and take home.

Ta-da! Centerpiece done. :)

Blessings

Last Saturday we attended church and braced ourselves for a difficult time with Ryan. He has been going through a phase where he screams bloody murder in his preschool and we get paged out of church. So this time we decided to take him into "big church," which worked for a bit. When he started getting too antsy I walked him over to the preschool class, thinking that maybe I could stay in with him and get him laughing. That ultimately didn't work, but we did have a silver lining in the cloud that night.

We walked into the classroom filled with three and four-year-olds playing with all types of toys. Ryan immediately started slapping himself in the face, screaming and crying. All the kids stopped playing and stared at him like he had an infectious disease. Then from across the room I heard a sweet little voice calling "Ryan! Ryan!" It was the precious little daughter of a friend of mine. She ran over to him and started saying, "Ryan, did you get an owie on your nose? Are you okay? Do you want to play?" I seriously felt tears come to my eyes at her kindness. She didn't see some weird kid with problems; she just saw her buddy.

I am SO thankful for this little angel and her compassion!