* Every day is a new adventure *: 01/11

1/31/11

Memoir Monday - No Training Wheels!

I'm so excited.

My baby boy, well he's really 8, learned how to ride his bike!

All in 1 day!!

I can't believe it.

It's a rite of passage. A childhood milestone.

We're so proud of you Jeremy!! Go Superstar!!

1/30/11

Sweet Sunday - Forgiveness

Today it rained.
Always a glorious thing to me, but even more so because the sun came out afterward and sparkled on all the droplets and made rainbows for everyone to enjoy. In Noah's time, the Lord sent the rain to cleanse the earth, to give it a fresh start. The rainbow came with a promise from the Lord that the earth would not be flooded again. But I think that means more than not sending too much rain to drown everything on the earth. I think it has a spiritual meaning as well. I think the Lord is promising us that he will not let us be overcome with sin; that he provides a way for us to be cleansed and forgiven without perishing.

In Matthew, we read of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.
Full of wisdom and love, and brimming over with practical advice for our everyday life, this little tidbit stuck out to me today.

Matthew 5:45
For He maketh the sun to shine on the evil and the good.

And I thought to myself, "Who says I'm not the evil one?"
I'd always thought when the scriptures referred to the evil people of the world, that it was talking about the really severe cases, murderers and such. But what about me? What about the evil little things I do? Raising my voice at my innocent child. Talking ill of my neighbor who left dog poop on the grass to be stepped in. Neglecting to visit those in need because I'm being lazy. I am so glad that the Lord sees fit to bless all of us, including me, even when we don't deserve it. I'm thankful for the rain and sunshine that He sends on my life. I'm thankful that He forgives me over and over again, and continues to help me even though I'm not perfectly good. How much better do I need to be at loving those children of our Father in Heaven who are imperfect like me, whether it be my child who is learning and trying his best, my neighbor who missed picking up one pile of poop, or other people struggling, needing my help rather than my judgement.

May we all learn to love and forgive as our Father in Heaven and make our light and blessings shine to bless the lives of everyone we meet. Love you lots!! Have a great week!!

1/29/11

Saturday Sew-Along

I'm working on a really cute project right now for the ladies night group I belong to, but I want it to be a surprise, so I'm going to feature some other crafty sewers on here today.

Jenn over at A Jennuine Life created this ADORABLE ruffled dress for her daughter. Her tutorial is fantastic!

Pocket Full of Posies is one of my new favorite Etsy shops. I adore everything, but am currently in love with this little number for Valentine's Day!!

I'm always on the lookout for a great apron, cute, but full. Half-aprons are adorable but useless for me! Sew 4 Home has created the perfect one!! It has everything I'm in love with, ruffles, ric rac, and a big, big bow! Now I just have to make it out of polka-dotted fabric and it will be perfection!!

And last but not least, check out this Jedi Quiet Book!!

Julie Bell, you are one cool chick.

I hope I've inspired you to dust off your sewing machine, or your credit card, hee hee, and have some fun!!

1/28/11

Foodie Friday - Baking Bread

When I start feeling lean in the wallet, I make bread! When I was growing up, my mom made all of our bread. One of my favorite times was bread-baking day. We weren't allowed snacks between meals, except on that day. We could eat the bread hot out of the oven with butter melting into the cracks and crevices. Oh it was good. I was lucky enough to be gifted with a Bosch machine by my sister for a wedding gift. It is very valuable to me. I use this recipe that I found on Allrecipes.com, my favorite go-to recipe site.

Fabulous Homemade Bread

In the mixing bowl of an electric mixer, stir together 1/2 cup warm water, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1/4 cup bread flour, and yeast. Let grow for about 5 minutes. It will bubble almost immediately.

Measure the rest of the ingredients in, except for the flour. When it is mixed, then add the flour by the cupful until the dough pulls away from the edges, but is still sticky.

*It will take different amounts of flour depending on the humidity level that day.

Put the dough into a greased bowl, and turn it over to coat it.
I used two bowls because I don't have a big enough bowl!

Cover with a damp cloth and let it rise.

And voila, POOF!!

I like to make cinnamon bread, so I mix together cinnamon-sugar.

To make it even more full of cinnamony goodness, sprinkle cinnamon sugar on the counter and then roll out the dough.

I baste the dough with butter.

And then generously sprinkle more cinnamon-sugar on top.

Cut your dough into as many pieces as loaf pans you will be using.

Roll them up tight and fit into your greased loaf pans.

My sister Cherish, bread-baker extraordinaire, taught me this trick to tell when the bread is done.
Use your meat thermometer and stick it in the bread.
It should register between 190 and 200 when it's done.

And there you go! Don't be afraid!

If it was hard, I wouldn't be doing it. Enjoy!!

1/27/11

Thrifty Thursday - Homemade Laundry Detergent

Many many many months ago, I bought the ingredients to make my own laundry detergent. I never got around to making it, but now that we're in our new house and on a tighter budget, I decided now was the time! So last night I got out the ingredients and went to work!

Recipe: 1 cup soap shavings, 1/2 cup borax, 1/2 cup washing soda.

My hubby offered to shave the soap. I got Fels Naptha, which is supposed to work the best, but plain Ivory will work as well.
Just don't use anything with dye in it, as it will stain buttons.

I added the borax and washing soda to the soap shavings.
I wanted to make the powdered detergent since it takes up less storage space, but I read too late that I should have left my soap out to dry if I wanted it to shave into powder instead of bits.
Oh well, next time!

In order to dissolve the soap bits into powder so they'll mix with the other ingredients, I had to add hot water and make it into the liquid laundry detergent. It turned into an orange glop just like I'd read about! Next time I want to try adding some essential oils for a customized scent!

My clothes came out clean and fresh, and I'm excited to save money! It was so easy!!

1/26/11

Wacky Website Wednesday

Awkward Family Photos is a classic, always a good laugh.

But have you seen their sister site Awkward Family Pet Photos?

Here are a few of my favorites.

2 dogs and a...hog? Not really sure.

Tennis skirts all around!!

Don't tell that girl in front, but all that plaid has mysteriously turned her cat into a plant.

Oh why didn't I have cows in my wedding pictures? Priceless.

Only the little boy seems to understand that something is terribly, terribly wrong.

I see a lot of her father in that small hairy head.

The baby was nestled all snug in his bed...
While visions of prancing dogs danced in his head...

Good eye support is essential!

They're livin' the dream!

1/25/11

Tuesday Temptations

So many fun things to buy and so little money to buy them!

Here are the things tempting me this week.

I saw a girl with this bag at church, and I loved it!!! The rosette is HUGE when you see it in person, and so, so adorable.
You can find it at Deseret Book.

These earrings from Parisienne Girl are such a pretty hue of pink, and I love the way the light reflects different colors in them.

The pumpkin pie ice cream shake at Jack in the Box is seriously DELISH and seriously addictive.

Wee Whimsy Couture has the sweetest things!
I think Kelsey needs this little dress for Valentine's.

Jeremy would totally flip for these dinosaurs. He's totally obsessed and might not ever sleep again, staying up rearranging them over and over. You can find them at lovemaestore.

What's tempting you today?

1/24/11

Snow Fun Memory Monday

On our last 3-day weekend, we went to visit my Aunt Virginia and cousin Cheryl. We packed up our snow gear and some taco soup to share for lunch and headed for the snow!

My aunt lives in the mountain town of Idyllwild.
It's beautiful there.

I have so many fond memories of visiting my aunt at her cabin when I was little. We would feed peanuts to the squirrels and play in the stream by her house, which was always very cold!
I was excited to take my family there.