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!!