New Year's Resolutions

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

The year is almost over, I hope everyone enjoyed themselves!! 2006 is around the corner and we get to start down a whole new road with our families.

I've never been good at the whole resolution thing. I don't think having to remember to write a different year on my checks will make that much of a difference in the rest of my life. I just don't think we should limit ourselves to making changes only once a year.

Change is important, as we grow and mature it's just natural. Although I have seen friends change trying to be trendy and popular-yes, I'm talking about grown ups. I've often wondered what makes a 40 year old woman start dressing like Britney Spears. I don't know the answer to that one, but I do think we should carefully examine why we are about to make a change in our lives and how it will affect the people around us.

If I had to make a list of resolutions, what would it be?

1. Be more frugal with money- save, save,save.
2. Be more organized- money, bill paying & placement of my car keys.
3. Lighten up- get in there with the kids and get in the dirt and act silly more often.
4. Send more correspondence- email is convenient, but receiving a letter in the mail is such a pick me up.
5. Stick to my homeschool schedule- I wrote everything down for a reason.

That's all I can think of.

The Secret Life of our Little People

With all of our day to day responsibilities, we can over look the secret world our childeren have created to live and play in. I remember playing in the country with my cousin, we made up the silliest games and rules. Silly they may have been, but they were so important to us.

What made me think of this was something my 3 year old said to my 1 year old. She says "Connor, come here. I have something important to tell you." and he had a look of urgency on his face as he went to the room! I thought what could a 3 year old have to tell a 1 year old that is "important".

I'm happy that my children have a little peice of the world that is just for them. I'm so happy that my children play together peacefully (most of the time!) and enjoy being together. It bothers me today to see so many siblings fighting and spending no time together. It almost seems cool these days to be mean to siblings and put them down. Many parents say it's just nature but I disagree. Some bickering is natural, but it's our job to help them find a more productive way to resoulve there problems.

Bickering is a habit I'm working on with my 5 and 3 year old. Karen Andreola's "A Charlotte Mason Companion" has a great chapter about bickering. Although it's written about using Charlotte Masons ideas in homeschooling, I think it would be a great book for any mom to read.

I need a snack, how about you!

I have been trying to avoid late night snacking. So when I go shopping I try not to add stuff I like to snack on.

This is the deal I made with myself "After 9 p.m. I can have all the popcorn and beverages that I can stand. Any other treats must be homemade from scratch and not store bought" This deal is legally binding in the land of rainbows and unicorns. Most people who know me say that's where I live!!!

I must admit I've never had the urge to whip up a apple pie and 10:30 at night!!! There is always a loop hole and I will post the recipe below. It is a very simple cake to make, it's from my Better Homes & Garden Cookbook.

Busy Day Cake with Broiled Coconut Topping

1 1/3 cup flour
2/3 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
2/3 cup milk
1/4 cup margarine or butter, softened
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla

Combine flour, sugar, and baking powder. Add milk, margarine or butter, egg, and vanilla. Mix. Pour batter into a greased and floured 8 inch round baking pan. You must use a metal pan if you are going to add the topping because it has to be broil for a few minutes.
* Sometimes I like to add nutmeg or cinnamon, nuts, or raisins to the batter.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Frost with Broiled Coconut Topping.

Broiled Coconut Topping

1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tbs margarine or butter, softened
1 tbs milk
1/2 cup flaked coconut
1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)

In a bowl beat sugar and margarine till combined. Stir in milk. Stir in coconut and nuts. Spread over warm cake in pan. Broil for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown.

Small Meadow Press

I have found a wonderful shop online, Small Meadow Press. Her products look as though they were found in your grandmothers old trunk.....timeless.


My first order was for a garland. It says 'God Bless Us Everyone' and it looks quite lovely on the fireplace.

My next order was for her 'Pigeon Holes' notebook. I will be using it for my household notebook.

It has pocket folders and beautiful labels to help you stay organized. There are two sizes to choose from and four different covers. You can also request an image from one of her other lovely papers.


Next on my wish list is 'A Calendar of Ones Own'. Each month is beautifully decorated and there are also blank journal pages. I plan to use mine to record traditions that our family will celebrate year after year. Birthdays, anniversaries, religious holidays and traditions, other holidays and good old-fashioned family get-togethers.


She also has an online magazine called 'The Bower'. It has been a nice little treat to read through the past issues.

Stop by and see for yourself!!

The Christmas Spirit

With the passing of Thanksgiving, the Chrismas season is upon us. What should be one of the happiest times of the year can be quite the opposite for some.

I have been feeling a little bit of the Christmas blues. Decorating, baking, gifts and planning dinners has overshadowed the purpose for Christmas. It's quite easy to get off track and not realize it until you crash.

My husband and I have discussed this very topic. We decided to take a deep breath and calm down!! For presents for the children quality should come before quanity. We are giving 'Family Gifts' to the children. We hope this will stop the "That's mine, you can't have it.". Each of the children will receive one or two personal gifts as well.

Another thing that has helped lift my spirits is thinking about all of the things to be grateful for. Praying for other people helps me to remember that my home is not the center of the universe. Don't get me wrong, my home is my heart. But, I also need to remember that not being able to get the piano up the stairs in not the end of the world. There are good people with a lot more serious struggles to overcome.

What am I grateful for?

1. Having the love of Jesus in my life.
2. A kind hearted husband who loves me.
3. Three healthy children. There cute too!!!
4. Having a safe home.
5. The ability to cook and sew for my family.
6. A husband who supports my staying home and homeschooling.

I want my children's Christmas memories to be that of love and peace, not who had more presents. To do this... I need to keep myself inline as well!!! Since my husband and I are the ones buying these presents it is our responsibility not to over indulge the children. This is not the time to make up for what I didn't have or worry about how many gifts others are buying for their children.

The Wooden Bowl by Unknown Author

The Wooden Bowl

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law,and four-year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table.

But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. "We must do something about father," said the son. "I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor."

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.There,Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl!

When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometime he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.!

A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words