Wow Wow Wubzy

Ever watch with amazement at the joy and wonderment of a toddler? We are at that awesome stage where she thinks that everything is so cool! It's a good reminder to cherish every moment. They are fleeting. Enjoy my amazing little miss!

Sewing fun

I've been spending a lot of time on pinterest. I find so much inspiration there. I've also been clocking my points over at dailyfeats.com , which you should so head over and do if you are not already. I recently earned a $10 Starbucks gift card. I'm halfway to another gift card and I'm going to make it Staples so that I don't have to pay for new inserts for my planner. Anyhow, today I want to share my awesome coin purse that I made last night.

It was lots of fun and a little trying at times. The red line is my bakcstitching. I'm still learning to sew and my hand sewing is very atrocious but I figure I will only get better with practice. You should run over and check out this amazing tute! Talk about step by step instructions to help you create a unique and cute little goodie for you or someone who is special to you. All of my younger littles have requested one, which I knew would happen and planned accordingly. I'm also thinking that I could whip out a few for Christmas.

Maybe I'll do a little step-by-step with the next one I make. You know, so those of us with a LOT less sewing skills than the goddess who originally made this might have a more fighting shot.

Organizing My Coupons

Well, it's been more than a few days, but life is what it is. So, I promised a post on my couponing obsession. I should state that I used to coupon with great regularity but got out of it due to location and all that. (read also:laziness) Anyhow, so in a way I'm a little new to the idea. Plus when I used to coupon I did it on a small scale. It's important to know the coupon policies of all the stores where you plan to use your coupons. For instance, Walmart will only let you use forty without manager permission and I have a store near me (Woods) that will not take internet coupons. This is important to know when you are on a mission and have a handful of coupons and a long list. Better to know before you get in line with a full cart.

I start by buying between four and ten papers a Sunday. I get a preview of the inserts in my email box so I usually know how many I'm going to want. It also depends on how many they have at the store and if I remembered to pick up quarters. Meh. I put like insert pages together and cut them all at once, usually. If I buy a bunch, this doesn't work as well because the pages get wonky during cutting and you can cut off the bar codes. Ask me how I know. Anyhow, it doesn't take that much more time to break them up and do three or four pages at a time.

I spend a lot of time over at MoneySavingMom (and you can follow her on Facebook. Very useful) and looked through all of her coupony goodness. She uses the coupon box. It's cheaper and only costs five dollars to start, so that's where I started. The coupons are kept in alphabetical envelopes with an index cart to state the category. This is fine, but a bit of a pain if you are in the store and you see an unplanned deal and you think you have that coupon, but have to look. Now, do it with a toddler, a five year old and whatever else kid (or husband) that you had to lug out with you. No fun and easy to make a mess. I used this method for about a month. Last week, I changed it.

So now I'm doing the ever popular binder method. I use a zippy trapper-keeper-thingy (although they aren't called that anymore and if you say it within ear distance of anyone in public they look at you like you have eight heads) and those sheets that kids use when collecting baseball cards. Sometimes I have to skim down the sides of my coupons to get them to fit, but it works. Just yesterday I had the perfect chance to use my binder to its full capacity. I was in the store and had to thumb through it, easy peasy. I think I'm in love!

I also bought those stick on label tabs. I love, love, love those deals. Post It is amazing. lol This also feeds my Queen of the Organized side. I'm not a hundred percent done putting my binder together, but here you can see my tabs. The yellow tabs are non-food items, in alphabetical order. Food will be blue and red, although I haven't exactly decided if it will be mix and match or a method to the madness. It's easy to thumb through, easy to carry and very easy to use. I was also using dry erase markers to write the expiration date on the front of the pocket for that coupon, but I'm not a hundred percent on that either.

Well, this is what I have, for now. Later we can talk about using the coupons and other such goodness. For today, there is lots to do here at home so I must go.

Do you......Pin?

Pinterest. Isn't it everyone's new addiction? It is for me. I could spend(waste) hours rummaging through boards. It's great. Full of the most wonderful ideas. I like to think of myself as the creative type, but honestly, I could not have dreamed up half of the wonderfulness I have found on this site. I recommend everyone get an account right.a.way. If you need an invite, let me know.

I found these gems on there. Monkey pizza bread. Oh the yum! Just press pepperoni and a cube of mozzarella into pizza dough ball, close and bake the bunch. Oh.My.Gosh! Wonderful and filling. I didn't have the pizza dough laying around so I had to whip some up, but they were fast and yummy. Try them, today!! lol

I wasn't able to get a pic fresh out of the oven, mostly because they were awesome and everyone dug and and also because I forgot. That is my life. lol

Pinterest has also helped me find my knitting mojo again. Well, that and we are FINALLY having fall weather. It's all yucky and rainy today and I feel like doing a happy dance for it. Bring on the cold!! And the yummy, fibery goodness that is bound to come with it. I have been making cowls for the littles. One for Jay (not pictured, but red) and one for Miss M. She won't wear it, but wouldn't leave Jay's alone. Kids!! I'm working on a hat for Log right now and then on to the Monsteen.

We've moved. Again. It's totally a live altering move. I've had big plans and they have been....rearranged. I'm still me, though, so a lot of it will stay the same with a different location. You should keep your eyes open for what will be happening. So very much going on!

Have you seen that TLC show Extreme Couponing? Well, it has brought back a part of my life that I used to do many years ago. Couponing when you live in the middle of nowhere and you have exactly two stores to choose from and neither one are "down the street" makes it tiring and ridiculous. And not very productive. However, living here we have seven stores to choose from. Seven. This is really helping me to get hubby on board. I'm also learning how to do it right. Lots of work involved. It is important that I mention that how they do it on the show is not impossible, but really, really hard. And rare. And a lot of what happens there is regional based and done for the cameras. Anyone wanting to do this should keep realistic standards which is to save as much as possible and get as much for your money as you can. Don't cry or feel a failure if you don't get your whole cart for free. Here I go: ranting on when I had planned to just mention it. Well, that's enough for today. Within the next day or two I will post more on my methods and where I get my info. Stay tuned because that post will be PACKED with all sorts of goodness. Until then......

New Breakfast Ideas

Well, not my idea, but a Pinterest enabled idea. lol From Health-Bent, I did this wonderful bacon and eggs in the oven deal. In the oven?!? Yes, in the oven. I didn't have Canadian bacon, which is what was called for, but I did have regular bacon. First, I lined my muffin tins with aluminum foil. This was less for mess control and more for the yuck that is my very old muffin tin.

Although, this would be great for easy clean up; maybe even using those tin muffin cups would be good. Next, I cut the bacon slices in half because there

was just TOO much bacon in each with a full slice. Too much? That's right I said it, but don't tell hubby. : ) Now, since in the original recipe she used Canadian bacon, which is fully cooked, I had to add my own bit at this point. I cooked the bacon for about ten minutes first. Then I added the eggs and put it back in for another 8 to 10 minutes.

*What I Learned: Bacon is not round. Duh , right? Next time I'm going to cut the strips into fourths or even thirds. Then layer them in a pattern that makes a little cup. Cook for perhaps fifteen minutes (due to thickness of the bottom) then continue as before. Oh and I did add another five minutes, which made the egg yolks soft but not runny. I wanted them runny, but I get a little wigged out over runny whites so I cooked it longer.

Oh and sorry about the pics. They were so GOOD that no one let me (also read as I forgot to) take a picture before they were gobbled up. Maybe next time.

How did I forget this?!?

Somehow, in all the crazy, I missed put up one of the squares. I just needed to share this gem. It's so lovely. The deep red is really impressive. Enjoy!

And the first one is DONE!

I finally got the first blanket done for our Ravelmama who is having baby #2 on Thursday. I wish I wasn't cutting things so close, but such is life. This one is a 9 square blanket and I think it's lovely. The perfect crib size blanket and sooooooo soft. Miss Miranda has been carrying on about trying to get me to give it to her. I think I might need to make one for her.

Here's another one. I'm hoping that later I can get someone to hold it up for a pic for me. You really MUST see all of the beauty in this blanket. So much love from so many talented hands went into this special blanket. I am so proud to be a part of such a wonderful group of gals.

Here's another pic of one of the squares I received earlier. I just couldn't get a good pic of the beautiful red color of the yarn. It turns out I just needed some good light.
Here's a pic of a square I just received this week. Such a wonderful camel color. I joined the squares with a single crochet. It makes the front of the blanket have a raised edge around each square. It adds a bit of contrast and some nice texture. I finished it with a scalloped edge. I think it looks nice.

We have a lot going on around here and some days I feel like I'm just barely keeping up. This blanket really was such a joy to put together. I felt so honored that these women were sending me these beautiful squares. It was such a joy to open each and every one. I have one more blanket left to make and six squares to do it with. I may receive more. I may make more. We'll see what happens. I'll definitely be posting the finished project and sharing all the love and beauty that comes from being part of such an amazing group of ladies.

Trying to get back to it.......

...and sharing more squares......

..........and trying learn more! I have a very ambitious personality, but very little time to follow through with most of it. lol I'm working on it. I have wanted to learn to sew clothes for YEARS now. I mean that. Why? Well, because. I get a lot of, "it's cheaper to buy" and all the other jazz that other well-meaners have to say to me. However, have you seen what the big box stores (and some little box stores) want us to dress our young daughters in?!? I have and I not only disagree but I strongly disapprove. I have two daughters. Not to mention that they do not make clothes for moms. Have you noticed this? You either have to be itty bitty or a bigger gal. I fall somewhere in the middle, right now, and cannot find a thing that fits me. It makes me want to cry. Also the lack of maternity (which I no longer need, lol) and nursing (which I DO still need) at a reasonable price makes me want to scream. I am NOT paying fifty bucks for something just because it's easy to nurse in AND is cute. I'll just make it myself. So, without further ado, here are the girls' matching skirts.

I know, the house is a mess. And the white stuff is soap. She's an odd one, lol. This skirt is just SO cute on her. It goes below her knees....SHOCK!! Huh? lol

This one is a little fuzzy, but I really wanted to show the length.

And here is Miss A's. I know, her swimsuit is yucky. It needs to be scrubbed. She seems to think it is everyday, all day attire right now, ugh.

So there we have it. They were easy and turned out too cute. They have given me a little more confidence and a lot more motivation! I'm going to get this down. I mean it. ; )

Baby Squares

Well, me and the gals from one of my Ravelry groups are getting together to make a baby present for one of the other gals who is having her second baby in August. We decided on 12 inch squares. When all is said and done, I am thinking that we will have made enough squares for two baby blankets! See, knitters/crocheters are amazing and giving people!!










I'll post more as they come. And of course the finished product! It's so nice to be able to do things like this for people who are important to you, with people who are important to you.

the swing of things?

Is there really such a thing? Maybe. I seem to be a bit wishy washy (which is what I accuse hubby of, ahem). I pick things up and just as I get good at them and really happy, I just stop. Really? Why? Who knows. Well, I've done it with our budget and my grocery shopping and my house and and and and...... Well, we'll start with the budget and my grocery shopping. I'm using The Budget Kit because it has lots of great "forms" and lists and all that jazz.

I've also started a price book. I've meant to do this for years, but am just now getting to it. So I'm keeping track of the prices of things we normally buy at the stores we normally shop at. This way I know where the best prices are. I'm also tracking our spending on absolutely everything. Now, I know that there are lots of websites or software programs that do all this for you. Just enter and go. However, I like the old fashioned way of writing it all down. Plus it's all right there at arm's reach and easy for us all to understand. Wish me luck! lol

I've got more planted. I've got more started. I've just got more. lol And more to come in a couple of days.

Around the farm

Joining in again with Sara over at Farmama for a trip around our little farm to see what's going on.

The transplants are finally done. I'm not sure how many will make it, but they are in the ground. I really just need to do as I go instead of taking an all-or-nothing approach to this thing.

Perfect example is my cucumbers. They were doing GREAT, but since I was waiting until all the beds were ready (which may be never) they got all wilty and sad. Now they may die, ugh.

The sweet corn is going like a champ!! Some of the stalks got broken in our most recent storm, but for the most part it's going good. I managed to plant a few more seeds today and while I still have time, I may plant a few more.

We've also been doing some swimming lately (isn't she cute in her new bathing suit?). We've been indulging a bit too. And we are happy about it.

Around the farm

Joining in with Farmama for a trip around our little farm.....

Today on the farm, we had a birthday! My sweet little girl is eight years old today. Her birth and the preceding pregnancy were very scary and every day I am grateful that she is as happy and healthy as she is. (sorry about the lighting)

Flowers are blooming like crazy. I love to look around and see all of the color we have popping up around here.

My strawberry plants have their first runners!! I was a little worried after babyzilla stomped on them while I was weeding. It seems, however, that all is well.

The babies are finding their legs and their place in our little homestead.

The popcorn has come up! I am super excited about this. I can't wait to be snuggled up this winter, popping our own popcorn to munch on.

Well, that's about it. Nothing too exciting to report. I'm hoping that next week will bring something more. The heat is supposed to be letting up a little and that should help. Hope you all had a great week!

Thursday: Around the "Farm"

I'm joining in with Sarah at Farmama and sharing photos of our goings on around our little farm. So, here you have it.

Today was a serious day....

Kids were kids and did the things that kids do on beautiful, sunny and warm days.

The potatoes are going good and strong, if only I could keep the cats and kids out of them.

The corn is growing good, although it's in desperate need of some weeding. Any volunteers?

This is supposed to be a really big garden spot. It's still in the works, unfortunately. We plan to get it completely tilled and planted tomorrow. I hope....

Today, men folk were men folk and talked of manly things......ok and Miranda listened.

Mom, that's me, sat and weeded the strawberry patch, that was also in desperate need. Do you see what happens when it rains and is really sunny and really warm for two weeks straight? Oh well.

The chickens ran like their lives depended on it. It didn't, but they sure did do a convincing job of making us think so. (see? I got lots of weeding done.)

We also put our teen chickens in with our big girl chickens tonight. I'm a little nervous, but hubby says they will be just fine. Tomorrow morning, the babies go out to the now empty coop. Every thing's moving forward.

sewing kids clothes, day 1

I know I should have started yesterday, but I was just so darned busy. Oh well, I made up yesterday's hour today. I put in at least two hours today on one diaper. I'm sure they will go faster now that I know how to do them. Thank goodness for tutorials and the wonderful women who make them!! So, she was wiggly, but here it is.

Don't mind the mess. That's what happens when mom sits and does ANYTHING for more than five minutes. lol In other news, we have corn! We also have popcorn starts. I am so excited. Now the weather needs to cool just a bit so I can get out there and do some planting. This 90+ degree weather is wreaking havoc on my system. Ok, I'm off to start another one! Yay!!

playing with yarn and sticks

I have been really humming right along with all of my fiber related projects. Really, I have. I think I went through a spurt, just after Christmas, of not really wanting to do any of it. I was pretty burnt out. I have my mojo back and I'm super happy about it!!

I'm testing the most awesome soaker/longie pattern right now. I LOVE it so far! It's truly ingenious. The designer made an excel workbook with formulas so the pattern is written just for YOU and YOUR baby. I just so love it. I'd say that I'm about halfway done with the body.

We walked around the property today to marvel at our work. We have potatoes coming up! The gladiolas are about six inches long already! The strawberry plants look sad, but I'm holding out hope and we are hoping that the corn makes an appearance soon. It's good that we are getting rain, but bad that we are getting SO much rain. I worry that things are not going to take out there. Oh, I'll just keep praying and waiting. The rain is also making it hard to get more planted. I do, however, have LOTS of starts on my kitchen counter. I'm getting ready to transplant a few of them. I'll have to post pics of those soon. I still feel behind and some days I feel like we are falling more behind by the minute. I guess this year is our learning curve. I hope.