Do You Have One Of "Those" Rooms In Your House?

I do.

It is affectionately called THE MAN CAVE.

It has not been painted in years.

It has not been deep cleaned in almost the same amount of time.

It has a couch.

It has a TV.

It has a small cabinet filled with photos.

It has a closet.

That's it.

Oh, did I forget to mention the clutter? Silly me!

Yes, it is cluttered. Leftovers from wrapping Christmas Presents.

Sigh.

I did do a "photo shoot" with my husbands guitars (he has many) and framed the photos to give him as part of his Christmas gift. He loved it! The room is becoming his...kind of.

I am going to make this room my BIG project this spring.

I will pull things out of there, shampoo the carpet

and paint the walls & trim.

I am thinking of a pale, yet manly grey for the walls.

What else shall I do? Hmmmmmm....

Organization Hint

This is by Martha Stewart,

and I am including the link.

I just happen to think that this a most

ingenious idea!

A super way to keep all those wires

hidden under your desk...

makes cleaning so much easier,

and looks SO much better!

http://www.marthastewart.com/274366/desk-organizing-ideas/@center/276989/organizing#/213500?xsc=eml_org_2012_01_31&om_rid=DlB4ow&om_mid=_BPJ$grB8d-r2cV

Ugh...

I am working on my blog. Re-working it I should say.

Striving to make it better.

Wanting it to be a bit more friendly for you.

It is on my "to do" list, and I will triumph.

I will post again tomorrow, but for today,

I must press on toward the goal of

all that I have to do.

Have an amazing Monday Night!

SimpleJoys

Today is Saturday, but you already knew that.

After the past couple of weeks, I am even more in love with staying home, doing my own thing and getting back in touch with myself and my sweet husband on the only down day that I have.

Today, my husband (have I told you how great he is? OK, I guess I have) headed to my Mother's house and hung her Christmas present that we gave her. She is loving it! (It looks alot like this!)

Today, I baked all morning...no exaggeration...for hubby's Sunday School Class tomorrow.

I made individual Italian Fritatas, Apple Cinnamon Muffins (whole grain and sugar free) and as a treat, Chocolate, nut & chocolate chip mini muffins (sugar free) for the class to eat in the morning.

I love to spoil my husband...it is a true joy for me. He is type 2 diabetic (hereditary from his Mother's side) and so it has become an even bigger challenge over the years to "treat" him and "spoil him" but I am nothing, if not competitive, even if it is a competition against my old ways vs. my new ways to bake and cook.

I am spoiled... it is one of my simple joys. To have the opportunity to sit in front of a warm fire, with a full tummy, talking to all of you, knowing I have a very content husband...what an amazing life!

I work alot, clean alot, teach alot, love alot, get tired ALOT, feel blessed by God ALOT, sigh alot, and find myself coming and going alot. But on most Saturdays.....I find a few moments to reflect...and realize, that my life, filled by my Savior, is in itself, is....a simple joy.

Valentines Day Is Coming SOON!!

And I am sharing a link with you that includes FREE Printables to make lots of the sweetest things for your loved one. All very resonably priced and one that is of no cost.

http://mommybydaycrafterbynight.blogspot.com/2012/01/14-days-of-valentines-free-printables.html

Have fun!!!

And Thank You to Ashley of "Mommy by day, Crafter by night" blog!

This And That

I am at home tonight....YES!!!
I love being at home, sitting in front of a fire, blogging, thinking, searching, reading, learning.

I am sure you guessed, my husband is out for a bit, playing music with friends, getting ready for a weekend of church concerts, I sing, and find that to be an amazing accomplishment, and am privileged to sing this weekend with my youngest child and a friend of ours. My husband, on the other hand, sings, plays guitar, bass, banjo, you name it, he has the talent. I am humbled.

But, when he is gone, I take advantage of those moments to do things that I find relaxing. Like blogging.

I have worked today, done laundry, swept and mopped floors, got groceries, made a healthy dinner and STILL have so much catching up to do, but that is to be expected after being gone for a week.

I am getting my creative juices flowing again, and have a couple of things up my sleeves....here is the before of one that I will be working on....

What do you think I will do with this?

It is a square, wood and excites me greatly!!

Granola Time!!

I make my own granola.

My husband has a special diet as he is type 2 diabetic.

I personally have not had sugar in 6 years.

I do however eat natural sugars like stevia, agave, true maple syrup, etc.

I do try to do things as organically as possible if the cost is doable.

Soooooooooooo, here is the way that I make granola.

(You can use normal supermarket ingredients to keep the cost super low if you are not concerned about organics)

2 cups oats - not instant oats, whole oats are the best.

1 cup nuts & seeds - I use 3/4 cup almonds & 1/4 cup flax seed

(I grind it slightly)

1/2 cup - your choice - chocolate, raisins, dried fruit,

or skip these all together.

1/4 tsp. sea salt (fine grind)

1 tsp ground cinnamon (organic is really the best here, as you will get a stronger, fresher flavor)

1 1/2 tsp real vanilla extract

1/4 tsp TRUE stevia (not the bulk supermarket kind)

1/4 cup agave nectar

And for the binder - if you are not a sugar free person, skip the agave and use 1/4 cup brown sugar (you can get organic)

OR 1 egg white beaten till frothy.

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Pour the frothed egg white over and mix well.

Bake at 350* on a lined bake sheet (parchment is best) for 20 - 25 minutes.

Allow to cool and put in air tight container.

This is such a great snack or cereal in the morning. Put on yogurt or over ice cream!

If you would like to make granola bars, up the egg whites to 2 and pack into the bake sheet, increase time to 25 - 30 minutes, cut while hot and then allow to cool. These will not be the strongest bars, but they will stay together!

Enjoy!!

I Am Home

And it was an eventful time.

My sweet Sister In Law's Mother passed from this earth this week.

I drove my Mother and Myself 5 hours south of here to the funeral.

While there, a major Ice Storm set in, and everything was covered

with 1/4 to 1/2 inch of solid ice.

Life, at best, is un-predictable.

Death, at best is an eternity with Jesus.

But life here on earth is then left lonely and sad, if even for a few days or weeks.

My Sweet Sister In Law, and her Father and Brother are left lonely or sad or both.

Her Mother, on the other hand, is loving life eternally with our Lord and Savior.

I am, really, happy for Miss Dotty, living eternity where we all want to be.

I am sorrow filled for my Sister In Law and her family, for their life on this earth is forever changed even tho those around her and them have not had change at all.

I spent a few days with family that I do not normally get the opportunity to set and just have conversation with, un-interrupted, without pretense and with laughter and thought fullness.

I also had the great pleasure of spending time with my Mother. Alone. Talking. Laughing. Sleeping (sort of) and just being Mom and Me.

Life is at best, unpredictable. Life at best is loving those whom you don't always have the opportunity to love on. Life at best, is coming home to an amazing husband, understanding and full of hugs that I long for, soak up and treasure.

Life. Ahhhhhhhhh.

Valentines Arrows

I will be on the road in a few short moments,

but wanted to share this with you!

From The Sweetest Occasion....

for your love on Valentines.

Sooooooooooooo sweet!!!

http://www.thesweetestoccasion.com/2011/02/diy-valentines-day-cupcake-toppers/

Thank You Jenny from Sweetest Occasions / Harry & Hank

Help For Your Kitchen

Since I am once again leaving for a few days, I am going to give you today, a helpful tool from The Kitchn

HOW TO GET YOUR KITCHEN CLEAN (AND KEEP IT CLEAN) IN 20 MINUTES A DAY FOR 30 DAYS

Day 1. Wipe down the fronts of appliances, large and small.

Day 2. Clean the inside and outside of your trash can.

Day 3. Tidy cookbooks, aprons and towel and linen drawers.

Day 4. Wipe down baking containers (flour, sugar, cornstarch).

Day 5. Clean out your refrigerator. Wipe down shelves and tidy freezer.

Day 6. Wipe down cabinet fronts (dust and polish) and range hood.

Day 7. Mop the floor.

Day 8. Wipe down the fronts of appliances, large and small.

Day 9. Clean the inside of your utensil holders and top of refrigerator.

Day 10. Clean under your refrigerator and stove.

Day 11. Clean the seal on your dishwasher and garbage disposal.

Day 12. Clean windows and sills (if you have them).

Day 13. Wipe down decorative accessories and pictures.

Day 14. Mop the floor.

Day 15. Wipe down the fronts of appliances, large and small.

Day 16. Tidy pantry, canned goods, boxes and bags.

Day 17. Clean cleaning items (clean the sponge, wash towels, etc.).

Day 18. Wipe down interior cabinet shelves.

Day 19. Wipe down walls.

Day 20. Wipe down cabinets (dust and polish) and range hood.

Day 21. Mop the floor.

Day 22 Wipe down the fronts of appliances, large and small.

Day 23. Organize pots, pans or other frequently used under cabinet drawer.

Day 24. Scrub out sink and wipe down faucet.

Day 25. Clean out your refrigerator, wipe down shelves and tidy freezer.

Day 26. Clean the inside of your microwave and set your oven to clean.

Day 27. Wipe down baseboards.

Day 28. Mop the floor.

Day 29. Wipe down the fronts of appliances, large and small.

Day 30. Dust light fixtures, clean switch plates, vent covers

Thank You Faith from The Kitchn....a great plan!

And this is my life....

I just got back from Greenbay WI. Last night at 8:30pm.

I went to work this morning, got off work, and ran LOTS of errands.

Came home, made an organic, good for you dinner for my sweet and loving husband.

Tomorrow I go to work, get groceries and do laundry.

Go to Awana, help, teach, and encourage.

Thursday, I go to work, leave for southern IL for a funeral.

Friday, funeral.

Saturday, visit with family, drive the 5 hours home to my wonderful and patient husband.

Sunday, co-teach Sunday School and worship at church.

And then a new week begins.

My life is crazy.

My life is full.

My life is to be honoring to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

And this is my life.

Random Thoughts

I forgot my computer glasses today, which is a bummer as I sit at a computer all day for my job.

I just got back from the frozen north last night, had an amazing time with my daughters, shopped ALOT and am really delighted with all I got.

I was sooooo happy to be back home, able to hug my sweet husband, sleep in my own bed and have my own PILLOW!! I did not take it with me, and the hotel pillow did very bad things to my neck, ouchie!

Tomorrow is my son's birthday! He is such a wonderful young man, serving the Lord, playing and singing music in his church worship band, I am proud of him and could cry while typing these words, so I will change the random thoughts now.

It is snowing here today, it is so lovely, and I am not frustrated or upset at all that the cold fluffy white flakes are falling.

Finally, I received a call at 8 pm last night while traveling home, my Sister- In- Law's Mother passed away. My heart aches for her. I will be taking my Mother south in a day or two for the funeral and am not looking forward to more time traveling. Sigh. If you think about it, please pray for my dear Tammy (sister in law) and my Brother, as the next few days will be less than fun, and life will be sorely changed for Tammy.

Dessert On A Stick!

I am leaving for the weekend to spend our annual Mother / Daughter weekend in Greenbay WI with two amazing daughters...I am very excited about it and cannot wait to laugh till it hurts and talk till we fall asleep!

So, since I am busy with all that leads up to this event, I am posting a FUN sweet treat that I found on Sweet Tooth Desserts blog. Thank you Shaunna for this fun dessert idea!!
http://shaunayounge.blogspot.com/2012/01/sweet-idea-pie-on-stick.html

3 Indredient Ice Cream - HEALTHY!

Sending you over to "The Kitchn", Sara Kate has the recipe and information you need to make this healthy treat for you and your family!

Enjoy!

http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-3-ingred-164323

Thanks to the kitchn for this article!

*Photo from the kitchn

Simple Joy

Look at the joy on this child's face. This is our #6, TermiNater.

Not actually on a ride, just finding Joy with his Pappa.

How often in life do we find complete joy simply setting still?

My Lord and Savior tells me that I should be still and know that He is God. Be STILL.

That is my Simple Joy for today, being still.

Not Sure Why

I am not sure why my header picture is so blurry, I am working on it!

My Take On An Industrial Cage Light!

Remember This??? The planter that I go at a local antique store for a grand total of $15? Well...... I wanted to do something special with it, and this is what I came up with!!

This picture was my insperation. The cluster of lights sells for $499. A single pendant sells for $149. I am sure they are very worth the cost, it is simply that I do not have the funds to spend on a pendant for our guest room at this point, sooooooooo, creativity had to kick in!First, you need a hanging lamp kit. I purchased mine at Ikea for $3.99 and have used it with a standard shade for about a year now. Next, after you have removed the "clamp ring" (my name, as I am not sure of the official name) and place it on the top center of the cage (which is really the bottom of the planter, and they convienently had a perfect circle there just for me!!!)

Then, with a dremel tool and the proper bit, cut the cage where needed to enable it except the light kit. I simply inserted the kit into the upside down cage, and inserted the most amazing bulb...it is called an Edison Bulb, very antique / industrial looking and I think "makes" th look of the light complete! Here she is, in all her glory! I believe this is what we call Light Love! And this is what it looks like in the guest room....amazing!

Insperation Lights can be found here: http://www.shadesoflight.com/ at Shades Of Light.

By Far The Sweetest Birthday Party Ideas EVER!!

This is from a site I frequent....The Sweetest Occasion...and I am in love with this Birthday Party inspiration! Go and peek, you will be in Birthday Love too!!!!http://www.thesweetestoccasion.com/

Picture courtesy of The Sweetest Occasion.

A Normal Saturday At My House.

Life on a Saturday around here today consists of my sweet Hubby heading south (2 1/2 hours) to help a friend with a church in the area. They are replacing a main entry door, enlarging it, so that a cancer patient can have his funeral in the church that he loves. I know that this sound very sad, but what a loving thing for my husband and his friend to do.
I on the other hand, am home, doing all the things that need to be done since we completed our new floor. Man! I thought that once the floor was in, that it was done! But Noooooooo, who knew that there were mop boards to be put in (done by my hubby) and nail holes to be filled, painting to be done, caulking to be done...and it seems to go on and on! Well, I am happy to say, that I have filled 3/4 of the holes, painted said mop boards and re-arranged the living room furniture (I mean why pull the furniture away from the walls and NOT re-arrange???? Beyond me!). I also did two loads of laundry and swept the new hardwoods at least 12 times!
As I am now, there is a lovely fire in the fireplace, football is on TV and my tummy if full.
Life is good, I am tired, and I feel a great sense of accomplishment! Ahhhhhh.
Have an amazing weekend all!!!!

Simple Joys

Simple Joy
I have decided to take a moment now and again to share something that simply brings me joy. I am not sure how often it will be, whether weekly, every so often, or when I am just feeling the need to slow down and realize that simple joys are a very important part of our lives.
By simple Joy, I mean, that thing that will bring a smile to your face when you simply walk by it, glance at it or purposely gaze at it to feel the joy necessary in a tough day.
We all have simple joys, none are exactly the same, some things that I find as a simple joy may seem, ummmmmmmmm, odd to you (surely not) but that is the cool thing about them, they are meant just for you!
I am starting this by showing you a picture of a VERY special little lady in my life “O”. She is the most beautiful 4 yr old in the world, and I have this picture on my living room wall. I had taken a trip this past September and had the great pleasure of taking her to dance class. In this photo, she did not know that I was behind a camera lens. In fact, I do not believe that she was aware of anyone around her….you see, she was having a simple joy in her life….twirling!

I am quite sure that we are all in need of a bit of twirling in our lives, but we grow up, and believe that if we were to ‘twirl’ out in public (gasp!) someone would surely hall us away to the loony bin!
So, this is my simple joy that I am sharing with you today….this picture, that brings me such joy, lightens my heart and can even make my cry with emotion. What is one of your simple pleasures today?
Share with us!

And What

Will she do with this????

Any guesses??

It is a hanging planter! You know, the ones that are lined with moss, filled with soil and planted with beautiful flowers...hmmmmmm what can my crazy mind find to do with this treasure? Is very old, weathered and kind of rusty.....I know!!!!

Stop back by, the finished product will be posted soon!!!

I am posting this recipe from "Apartment Therapy"
I love using natural cleaners in my home, as I have asthma, and do not want to exacerbate my issues with chemicals floating in the air!
I do have this to add, before you use this recipe....Hydrogen Peroxide does loose it's power after a few days. It will begin to become less effective over time, so you may want to use a small spray bottle, and even consider cutting this recipe in half. If you are concerned about buying a lemon and using only a small portion of it for a batch of cleaner, just juice the entire lemon, measure out the juice in 1 tble portions and freeze those that you do not use that day! Then you will have fresh lemon juice at the ready for what ever need you have!


You can make your own all-purpose cleaner using three basic, inexpensive, non-toxic ingredients. They are: water, hydrogen peroxide, and lemon juice. You can use this cleaner for everything from streak-free mirrors to wiping out the cat litter box.

The recipe:
1 cups Water
1/2 cup Hydrogen Peroxide
2 Tbl Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
Mix and adjust to suit your needs.
Hydrogen peroxide is the key to this cleaner. It’s inexpensive, non-toxic, and readily available. It's a nearly odorless liquid that is commonly used on open wounds and therefore safe to use around pets and children. Hydrogen peroxide has stronger cleaning capabilities than vinegar and works much like bleach, just without any harmful health or environmental effects. You can also add about half a cup of this mix into laundry water to whiten clothes. The acidic lemon juice helps break down grime and add a fresh citrus scent. Water helps dilute the mixture. I keep it pre-mixed in a reused windex spray bottle for easy access.

New Years Hopes...

Not resolutions, but hopes. Hopes to be better, hoping to do what I need to do to accomplish all that needs to be done, hopes for a life filled with laughter, love and joy.
I am not a resolution maker. Can you tell? Yes, I know, that is not what is SUPPOSED to be this time of year. I mean, isn't everyone supposed to make resolutions to get fit, loose weight, do some amazing fete, or what ever there is? Well, this year I am HOPING that I will fulfill what I have promised myself....to do all things with more effort.
I want to not make myself feel guilty for "failing" or set myself up for failure by resolving that I WILL do this or that and find myself in a situation that will cause failure which leads to having to explain why I did not do what I said I would....ugh, that does not sound like fun to me!
So instead, I hope. I hope to do all that I do with more effort. And if I do succeed in this, then the pattern will be set for doing things Greatly and not just good or well or adequately.
Now, that may very well mean that I will have to "weed" things out of my life. You know, purge the closet, donate things from the basement, NOT take on further commitments, etc.
You know, if you do many things, chances are you are doing them well, but if you do fewer things, you can do them with greatness!
Example? Sure! I would be happy to oblige!
If I have too much furniture in my house, then cleaning is more time consuming and there for done well, but not REALLY well, for lack of time! So, if I donate the furniture that I do not need, the rest will be easier to keep clean!
If I have an over abundance of clothes, then there is too much laundry to do, by donating the extra clothes I do not wear or need, I cut back on laundry, and yes, this is true. I know we all still need to do the laundry, but having excess clothing, DOES lead to larger laundry loads.
If I am teaching/taking 3 different classes, I am probably doing a good job at all 3, but if I listen closely to the Lord, and cut back to one class, I can do that with Greatness!
You see! Getting rid of the clutter in my life (through the careful listening to the Holy Spirit and not randomly choosing on my own) I can do things with greater effort affording me a great outcome.
Have an amazing Tuesday!!!