tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90313443510788931262024-03-13T07:18:12.515-07:00Life, among other things.Witness My Fitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708969432115194118noreply@blogger.comBlogger489125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031344351078893126.post-60918799158808097912014-05-30T09:01:00.000-07:002014-05-30T09:01:01.379-07:00Mom's Night Out Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was kind of strange to see a movie that was pretty much my life. Before going on a rare date with my hubby to see Mom's Night Out, I called him, panicked. This is how the conversation went:<br />
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ME: The movie starts in 45 minutes! I haven't showered yet! Owen just peed on the floor! Dinner isn't ready! PLEASE tell me your on your way home! <br />
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TROY: No. I'll be leaving here in about 10 minutes. <br />
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ME: (Hitting my forehead on the wall and sighing loudly.) Why do I even try?!? <br />
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TROY: Oh, Love! Don't give up! I'll be there soon! <br />
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So, if you have seen the movie, doesn't that scene sound familiar??? I would never say that I'm "not happy," as it was stated in Mom's Night Out, but stressed would be a common word I use. I love being a mommy, homeschooling, etc. I even enjoy cleaning house and cooking, when I'm not interrupted fifty times before completing a task. It's just hard work. Work that never, ever, has a break. Except when you go out on a date, but it seems like it's so hard to let go of that stress even when trying to leave for that date! <br />
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The movie was a bit more stressful than I would prefer, but seeing it to the end was worth it. After all, I never thought that Trace Adkins could make me cry. (I don't cry much. Ask my husband.) By the end of the movie, I was reminded more than once that what matters is that I am His. And even though they didn't go into this detail in the movie (which is fine...it's okay that the Gospel wasn't thrown at me in a movie made by Christians!), I am covered by Christ's grace. My identity is in Him. He has covered this mess of mine with His beauty. I was reminded to stop beating myself up and comparing myself to this view I have of what I should be. Just do what God created me to do. Be a mom. Not a perfect mom. Just be there. <br />
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If you are a mom and haven't seen this movie, I would recommend it!Witness My Fitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708969432115194118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031344351078893126.post-3902469104135750942013-09-17T21:33:00.001-07:002013-09-17T21:33:21.646-07:00The Quotable Jackson<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OQLHvvM2xRs/UjktCo_ENcI/AAAAAAAAE9w/AZ4-gWXZo3I/s640/blogger-image-610259473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OQLHvvM2xRs/UjktCo_ENcI/AAAAAAAAE9w/AZ4-gWXZo3I/s640/blogger-image-610259473.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I haven't posted one of these in a while! Enjoy! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">Jackson woke up early on the Saturday of his schoolmate's birthday party and said, "I was having too much fun with my dreams and then I realized I have a party to go to!"</div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••</div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">Jackson: I wish we had a cow in the backyard so we could make steak.</div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">-Jackson, age 5 1/2</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Witness My Fitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708969432115194118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031344351078893126.post-88589447633374879872013-05-06T08:01:00.001-07:002013-05-06T08:01:25.605-07:00The Truth About Mother's Day with Kimm CrandallLast week, I sat down with Kimm Crandall, a friend and author of the book Christ in the Chaos, to get down to the sweetest truth about Mother's Day. I'm not talking about all the homemade or Hallmark cards, the pot of flowers, pretty necklace, or the breakfast in bed you may receive as a mother on Mother's Day. I'm talking about the sweetest, best, biggest gift of all. Watch the video to learn more!<br />
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....and if you want to hear more of that sweet truth, please give Haven Today's radio program a listen. Kimm Crandall will be on all week! Today's program is "How the Gospel Changes Mothers." Visit <a href="https://www.haventoday.org/">https://www.haventoday.org</a> to listen.<br />
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As I sit down at my kitchen table with my dirty dishes in view, trying to get my wits about me as a recover from a busy weekend, with a long to-do list bouncing throughout my brain, and a toddler in my lap trying to "help" me write this post, I am reminded of the amazing Gospel truths that I need to hear on a daily basis. It is a constant battle to look to Christ and not my sin. Thanks, Kimm, for the much needed reminder!Witness My Fitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708969432115194118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031344351078893126.post-73336171934695098422013-04-05T13:03:00.000-07:002013-04-05T13:04:56.008-07:00Pinterest Post: Ice Cube Tray Lunch<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jackson, Owen, and Madelyn's lunch trays!</td></tr>
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Inspired by an idea on Pinterest where you put the kid's lunch in plastic Easter eggs, I discovered putting their lunch in ice cube trays. Let me tell you, all my kids (ages 22 months, 3, and 5) loved this! They all sat and ate their lunch without getting up from the table. When we eat outside, there are many distractions that beckon to my kids during meal time. They didn't get up once. This was a very exciting lunch event for them and I owe it all to Pinterest and ice cube trays!<br />
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To make this lunch, I just filled each spot on the tray with a veggie, fruit, nut, cheese, meat, Ezekiel bread, or dip. I customized each try to each child's preference. Jackson doesn't like hotdogs, but Madelyn and Owen do, so they both got organic beef hot dogs in their trays. Jackson LOVES veggies, so his tray consisted mostly of veggies, whereas Madelyn and Owen got more fruit.<br />
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They all requested that I make them an ice cube tray lunch again. And you know what? I will! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They're excited, can't you tell?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All finished! Although, she did give her brother her pistachios and celery. Isn't she kind?</td></tr>
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<br />Witness My Fitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708969432115194118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031344351078893126.post-90422672945600736782013-03-26T16:39:00.000-07:002013-03-26T16:39:55.180-07:00Pinterest-y Easter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I was scurrying through Target with the little bit of energy I had that the flu had not taken from me to gather items worthy of my children's Easter baskets, I contemplated how I wanted to make it a point that Easter wasn't about candy and bunnies and eggs. I have no extra energy for anything extravagant, and I want to be to the point. No fluff. No "Jesus Loves You" Bunnies. Of course, we love giving our kids gifts, which is why we give them an Easter basket, but I want Easter to be a day that focuses on more than just the Easter basket, the big meal, and the egg hunt. <br />
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I searched Pinterest high and low for Christ-centered ideas to celebrate Easter with kids. Most of the ideas that I found, were, well, just cheesy and didn't help explain why we celebrate the fact that Christ is risen. For example, I was not looking for a "No Bunny Loves You Like Jesus!" printable to put in the kids' Easter baskets. I don't want to force Jesus into our Easter baskets. <br />
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So, this afternoon, I found it. I found the Easter-y thing that creatively connects eggs and Christ AND helps explain why we celebrate, "He is Risen!"<br />
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I believe the "proper" name for the thing I found is "Resurrection Eggs." Sofia's Primary Ideas is the blog that best explained each egg for me. <a href="http://sofiasprimaryideas.blogspot.com.br/2011/04/resurrection-eggs.html">(CLICK HERE FOR LINK)</a> All you need is 12 plastic eggs and all the other items you can find around your house and yard. Each egg contains a message, a passage, and an item to describe the events leading up to the Resurrection of Christ. It is sort of like an "Easter Advent." My kids LOVED the advent calendar we did at Christmas time, so I know they will enjoy this. You fill the eggs, label them, and hide them. The kids find them, open them, and you read each message and passage. I'm not sure if we will do this Easter morning or after church, but either way, I've made the eggs (it took me about 30 minutes) and I am excited! <br />
<br />Witness My Fitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708969432115194118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031344351078893126.post-69035807553743639112013-03-16T10:47:00.000-07:002013-03-16T10:52:04.801-07:00Christ in the Chaos: A Review<br />
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<pre style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">I remember growing up, painting or drawing a piece of art would be a common thing for me to do. When I was close to finishing up the piece, I would show my parents the almost-finished product for their opinion. To them, these pieces of art were beautiful. To me, there was always imperfections and room for improvement. I was critical and always very hard on myself as an artist. I remember my mom telling me that "You are your worst critic." Oh how true it is! </pre>
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<pre style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">In reading <u>Christ in the Chaos</u>, I have had the opportunity to examine my heart, especially in regards to the motives of my heart. My motives seem to be driven from high expectations from myself and false (or perhaps nonexistent) expectations from others. I will never meet these expectations. I will always find myself lacking.
No matter how I may see myself lacking---a canvas painted with many imperfections and mistakes---God sees me as a perfect masterpiece because He sees Christ. You see, I can continue to try to improve and cover up my bad brush strokes and blemishes. I will. It's in my nature. I can continue to care about what other people think and seek their approval. That, too, comes very natural. Even as I write this post, my sinful heart seeks your approval and many views from my followers---all 14 of them. But, those things don't matter. All God sees is Christ! Not my imperfect paintings or my blog posts seeking approval! Oh, and for that, I am so very thankful! That drives me to obedience. I pray that The Lord continues to work in my heart and that I would more often look to Christ and not to what others think of me. </pre>
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<pre style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;"> Now, I have a confession to make. <u>Christ in the Chaos</u> is the first book written to women (but not only for women) that I have finished since I became a mother. I started plenty, but I was never motivated to finish them because they showed me my weakness (the weakness I already very well knew of!) and didn't show me Christ. Yes, they showed me passages in Titus or Ephesians or Proverbs which are great reminders of how I am to act as a woman. But I always would become discouraged because I could not live up to those expectations. I always mess up. Always. This was the first book that not only assured me that would happen, but pointed me to Christ in that he has already done all the work for me. Now, I need to clarify that this doesn't make me lazy. Quite the opposite. This amazing outpouring of God's grace drives me to repentance and obedience. In fact, that grace is the same grace that sort of "smacks the sense" into me with I go on a sinful rant when something (or many things) don't go the way I think they should. Kimm points that out several times in this book. And it is true! It's truly extraordinary what God's grace can do!</pre>
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<pre style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">One of my favorite passages from <u>Christ in the Chaos</u> is as follows: </pre>
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<pre style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;"><i>"Mothering has taught me how very weak I really am, and that is a hard, hard truth to accept. But by living in my weakness, I see more and more how powerful God really is. I come to understand that his power is shown to be perfect through my weakness and failures." </i></pre>
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<pre style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">Oh! How I relate to how mothering has truly shown me my extreme frailty as a human being! What comfort to know that especially in our weakness, God is showing His power!</pre>
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<pre style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">Summing up the same chapter, Kimm writes, <i>"Let me encourage you to take off the "strong mother" mask and embrace your weakness. Stop hiding the very inadequacy God wants to use to display the gospel. Believe his grace is sufficient. Allow his power to be made perfect in you and then boast! Boast all the more gladly so the power of Christ may rest upon you. In your weakness, you will be made strong."</i></pre>
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<pre style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">One of the chapters in <u>Christ in the Chaos</u> addresses the "Masks" that we put on in order to "fake it" so that we may get the approval, acceptance, and love of others. I am constantly, in the deepest, darkest center of my soul, comparing myself to everyone around me. Whether it be the mother at church who has more kids than me and somehow seems to be holding it together very well, or the mother who home-schools with several little ones with what looks like ease, or the mother who manages to find time to weight lift and compete and has more muscles than I would ever know what to do with. I am constantly seeking the approval of my own self. My "self" tells me that I need to have the kitchen sparkling everyday, that my kids don't need to watch any TV (Ha!), that I need to workout six days a week, and that I can never show any weakness to my kids, my husband, or my peers. I have to constantly battle this. Kimm shares that she does too. That makes this book different than all the rest that I ~ahem~ started to read. She says that these things will always be a struggle, but to run to Christ---to <u><i>remember</i></u> (Christ's work on the cross and how it relates to YOU daily), to <u><i>repent</i></u> (daily of those sins and desires to do it on your own) and to <u><i>rest</i></u> (in knowing that Christ has FINISHED the work for you. He has paid it all. We owe nothing.) REST! What a truly freeing concept! </pre>
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<pre style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;">Here is where I am going to say that if you have not read this book, READ IT. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christ-Chaos-Gospel-Changes-Motherhood/dp/1936760703">It is only $9.99 in paper form and $5.99 in Kindle form. </a> I knew Kimm before reading this book, but even if I hadn't, I would feel as if she is one of my dear and closest friends after reading this book. She is the first woman who has said to me, "You will fail. And when you do, run to Christ. Rest in Him." I appreciate that honesty so very much. And for that reason, as Anne Shirley (Anne of Green Gables) would put it, I feel as though the author of this book and I are "Kindred Spirits." I know she has gone through (nearly in earthly terms) hell and back as a mother. I know she understands me and my weakness. I know she prayed that it would effect me and everyone else who ate up the words from cover to cover. I am so very thankful that God has used her life ---from the seemingly bottomless pit of despair she was in to the completely freeing Grace of God that she has come to know as a mother--- to speak to women who really, really needed to hear how the Gospel changes motherhood. Thank you, Kimm, for the love, effort, prayer, and hours you poured into this book. </pre>
Witness My Fitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708969432115194118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031344351078893126.post-16366870729869192222013-03-15T14:28:00.000-07:002013-03-15T14:29:49.124-07:00The Quotable Jackson: Emergencies, Lightbulbs and China<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HOvq47oexsA/UUOQdxaiD6I/AAAAAAAAExI/iaZ9NY6WHWg/s1600/DSC02033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HOvq47oexsA/UUOQdxaiD6I/AAAAAAAAExI/iaZ9NY6WHWg/s200/DSC02033.JPG" width="200" /></a>In efforts to explain to Jackson what a real emergency is, because there have been many "false" emergencies lately, I clarified to him a few times what an emergency was (fire, someone hurting or taking you, earthquake, someone else getting hurt or doing something that could hurt them, etc.). When putting him down for a nap or bedtime, I also explained that he wasn't to get out of bed unless it was "an emergency." The other night, after I told him that, he sighed heavily and said, "Well, we just don't get too many of those around here!" I had to agree. <br />
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Troy told me the other day that Jackson informed him that I had replaced the lightbulbs in the bathroom. Jackson said that I "restored the light." Ha! I wonder where he came up with that!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zKwf6ukep5U/UUOQ6Ah5ccI/AAAAAAAAExY/LPdWRZMSpUA/s1600/IMG_0730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zKwf6ukep5U/UUOQ6Ah5ccI/AAAAAAAAExY/LPdWRZMSpUA/s200/IMG_0730.JPG" width="200" /></a>Last night, Jackson's new water bottle broke while Troy was trying to take the lid off. It was said that the cup was made in China. Jackson then looked toward the bathroom where we had several new lightbulbs go out recently. He asked, "Mommy, were those lightbulbs made in China?" I replied, "Probably." He then concluded, "Well, China needs to get some better materials!" Well said, son, well said. <br />
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Jackson, age 5.</div>
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Witness My Fitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708969432115194118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031344351078893126.post-65680665479336182892013-03-11T20:57:00.001-07:002013-03-11T21:31:05.909-07:00Busy Mom's Orange Chicken<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Gh6ODNc08VI/UT6niV7VFeI/AAAAAAAAEww/m6V2QJV-F6A/s640/blogger-image-9775501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Gh6ODNc08VI/UT6niV7VFeI/AAAAAAAAEww/m6V2QJV-F6A/s320/blogger-image-9775501.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The main ingredient of this Orange Chicken is, well, the chicken. I understand that it probably is healthier for me to cut up my own chicken breasts, dip them in eggs and bread them with almond meal or something like that. However, 355 days out of the year, I just don't have time for that. So, the main ingredient for this meal is pictured below. </div>
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<a href="http://www.traderjoes.com/images/fearless-flyer/uploads/article-947/88109-breaded-chicken-tenders.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.traderjoes.com/images/fearless-flyer/uploads/article-947/88109-breaded-chicken-tenders.png" width="315" /></a></div>
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That's right! Trader Joe's saves the day, once again! This tenderloins are actually very tasty and are around $7 a bag. Well worth it to me! By the way---an extra bonus is that these chicken breast are very low in sodium for a frozen item! Although, the chicken is the main ingredient, it is all about the sauce, which is the homemade portion of this recipe, fresh squeezed OJ and all!</div>
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Busy Mom's Orange Chicken</div>
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Prep Time: 10 minutes</div>
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Cook Time: 25 minutes</div>
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Serves 8-10</div>
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Ingredients:</div>
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1 bag of Trader Joe's Breaded Tenderloin Chicken Breasts</div>
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Homemade Orange Chicken Sauce (recipe below)</div>
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Directions:</div>
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1) Heat oven to 400*F.</div>
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2) Spread chicken across a 9 x 13 casserole dish.</div>
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3) Put Chicken in oven for 10 minutes. (While chicken is cooking, prepare sauce!)</div>
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4) Turn chicken over and cook for another 8 minutes. </div>
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5) Pour half of sauce over chicken. Turn chicken over to make sure it is coated in the sauce. </div>
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6) Bake chicken for 7 minutes. Pour most of the remaining sauce over chicken. Garnish with green onions. Enjoy!</div>
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Homemade Orange Chicken Sauce<br />
1 1/2 cups water<br />
2 Tablespoons Orange Juice (fresh squeezed)<br />
1/4 cup lemon juice<br />
1 Tablespoon orange zest (Tip: zest orange before juicing it. A LOT easier!)<br />
1 1/2 Tablespoon soy sauce<br />
1/4 c honey<br />
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic (fresh)<br />
1/4 teaspoon ginger<br />
2 Tablespoon white or rice vinegar<br />
3 Tablespoon cornstarch<br />
1/4 cup water<br />
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1) In a saucepan, combine all ingredients except for the cornstarch and the 1/4 cup water.<br />
2) Turn on heat and bring to a boil.<br />
3) While the sauce in heating up, combine 3 T cornstarch with 1/4 cup water.<br />
4) Slowly mix cornstarch into sauce until it thickens. <br />
5) Pour over Chicken. (Follow instructions above.)<br />
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<a href="http://www.traderjoes.com/images/fearless-flyer/uploads/article-229/oct11-ricemedley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.traderjoes.com/images/fearless-flyer/uploads/article-229/oct11-ricemedley.jpg" /></a></div>
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If you are wondering what we eat this delicious Orange Chicken with, we always pair it with this rice medley from Trader Joe's. It takes 3 minutes in a microwave for steamed rice. Nothing beats that! I make sautéed veggies to have with it most of the time, but tonight, I quartered Brussels Sprouts, put them in a 13 x 9 pan, sprinkled olive oil, sea salt, pepper, and fresh garlic and onions on it and put it in the oven with the chicken. It took about 5 minutes more to bake than the chicken, but WOW! It was worth it! </div>
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If you use the whole bag of chicken, this meal feeds a good amount of people. It tastes great the next day, so leftovers are always nice! My husband is getting it in his lunch tomorrow!</div>
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Witness My Fitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708969432115194118noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031344351078893126.post-35869288413895254962013-03-08T11:19:00.000-08:002013-03-08T14:26:01.049-08:00Christ in the Chaos: What Sweet Truth!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I just received Christ in the Chaos by Kimm Crandall in the mail a few days ago. For two days in a row, I got some much needed (and very rare) quiet time while my two youngest napped. So, I took a break from my chaos---from my kitchen counter stacked with dishes, from my living room with couch pillows strewn about, from the laundry in the washer waiting to be transferred to the dryer before it gets sour, from the already wrinkled clothes needed to be folded in the dryer, and read the first two chapters of this book. As I sat down and started to read the forward by Elyse Fitzpatrick, my two cats got into a fight in the kitchen and the patio umbrella fell down from a gust of wind outside. I silently laughed.<br />
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I had a good idea of what the first chapter would be about. I met Kimm about eight years ago through my husband, who is an old friend of Kimm and her husband, Justin. Several years ago, I remember sitting at Kimm's table and her telling my husband and I that she came to the conclusion that see wasn't a Believer---that she was trying earn her favor with God and that she was working through those things. She believed that she had been saved since then. I saw the changes in her shortly after I became a mother. Instead of conversations on homeschooling or how to make your own sour cream, I started to enjoy long, late-night Gospel-centered conversations with her when her family slept over at our house. I value her candidness and honesty as a fellow mother. I even breathed a big sigh of relief when she told me she used paper plates all the time, just like I did. Her willingness to "rest" in the Christ and the Gospel has been such an blessing and an example to me. I am so thankful that she encouraged me to steer clear of those "dress-wearing, child-bearing, homeschooling, bread-baking, perfect-living" blogs that I naturally had an interest in (not that there is anything wrong with those things themselves, but you know what I mean). With that said, reading chapter one of Christ in the Chaos still brought me to tears. I struggle with focusing on Christ's faithfulness to me. I struggle with beating myself up if I don't get my bed made in the morning, or if Jackson is late for school, or if I drop 3 dollars worth of Greek yogurt on the floor, or forget to buy the butter (all of which happened yesterday). I must admit, those things, at the moment, seem tragic to me. My sinfulness creeps into my heart and mind and the truth I know---that Christ is faithful, even with all my shortcomings, HE IS FAITHFUL---becomes harder to grasp in those moments. It is in hindsight, perhaps moments later, or hours later, that I realize His faithfulness despite my imperfections, and the chaos, once again, becomes strangely dim. <br />
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At the end of each chapter, Kimm has a few questions for the reader entitled "Getting Real." Here are my answers:<br />
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Chapter One<br />
1) <b>A summary of my testimony:</b> I was very young when death and mortality became a reality. I saw a man drop from a heart attack right in front of me. My mom was in and out of the hospital with severe, sometimes deadly illnesses. My friends were murdered at a very, very young age. My dad was diagnosed with Melanoma. Not only that, I saw that I couldn't depend or rely on the material things of this world. [Parent's] Jobs are lost. Houses are lost. This all happened before or around the age of ten. Sometime in the mix of those trials, I was saved. I had said The Prayer at five, but I surely didn't understand the Gospel then. It was when I realized that everything was out of my (and my parents') control, when I realized that the things I relied on the most wouldn't always be there, when certainty became uncertain, that Christ showed me his faithfulness, despite my sinfulness and my undeserving of favor. I, too, like Kimm, rededicated myself many times to God, but I remember realizing that just because I still sinned, didn't mean I was no longer a Christian, or had fallen any farther from God's favor. <br />
2) <b>What do you think makes someone a "Good Christian?" Why? </b>What makes someone a "Good Christian" is absolutely nothing. I can do nothing to become a "good Christian." God does His work in me. He changes my heart. His son, Jesus, covered me and all my impurities so I am spotless and blameless to him. What a sweet relief! I'm not saying that I don't struggle with trying to be good, or patting myself on the back when I do something that would look good to others. It is a struggle to remember these truths in the midst of sin! <br />
3) <b>What do you find yourself putting your faith in today? Does the hope you have in your parenting, marriage, or ministry override your hope in the finished work of Christ? What does it really mean to "rest" in Christ? </b>I find myself putting my faith in myself and my abilities (or lack thereof) to clean house, cook, and take care of my family in a way that pleases others. This is a struggle of mine. Christ always seems to reel me back in to the reality that none of that matters and that I need to "rest" in him. But, sometimes, that may be after my sin has gotten the best of me and I've wallowed in my frustration, anger, or resentment for a few hours. Resting in him to me, looks like this: Instead of running around all day cleaning, cooking, washing, and tirelessly taking care of kids, then, then throughout the day, throwing up prayers to God in tough moments, "Oh! Lord, please help me!", not expecting, or having faith in the how much I complete in a day. Resting in Christ means knowing that it doesn't matter if I get the laundry washed, the dishes loaded, or the kids bathed. Although I will continue to try and do those things in order for my family to function, I have the comfort to know that no matter what shortcomings I have, Christ will always be faithful, and he is my portion. As 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."<br />
4) <b>What assures you of your salvation? Are you afraid that if your commitment to God waivers, then he will drop his commitment to you? What does 2 Tim 2:13 tell us about God's faithfulness? </b> I am so very thankful that my salvation does not depend on anything I can do. It is a gift. I often cling to Ephesians 2:8-9 in regards to salvation. "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." There is nothing I can do to earn my salvation, and there is nothing I can do for it to be taken away. 2 Timothy 2:13 is a wonderful reminder that no matter how much we screw things up or don't accomplish what we think we should have accomplished, no matter what, He is still faithful. What a relief, isn't it?<br />
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I have completed the first two chapters of Christ in the Chaos, and there are so many sweet truths that God is using Kimm to remind me of. I look forward to reading chapter 3 today!<br />
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PS: If you are a mother, I would recommend this book, even though I've only read the first chapters. That is how good they were. So, buy the book here: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Christ+in+the+Chaos">http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Christ+in+the+Chaos</a>Witness My Fitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708969432115194118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031344351078893126.post-37661491167677691122013-03-06T06:58:00.000-08:002013-03-06T06:58:20.575-08:00The Quotable Madelyn: Diamond Ring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday while driving home, my ring was reflecting the sunlight into the van. Madelyn saw it and asked what it was. I told her it was my wedding ring. She then clarified that it was a diamond ring. Then she said very sweetly, "Mommy, I want one of those! I want a diamond ring!" I said, "Well, when you grow up, if a man wants to marry you, he may give you a diamond ring." In a positive, upbeat voice, she exclaimed, "Oh! I'll have to remember that! They're <i>so</i> <i>beautiful</i>!" Uh-oh. Witness My Fitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708969432115194118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031344351078893126.post-27462543612845955912013-03-04T12:19:00.000-08:002013-03-04T20:17:54.800-08:00Pinterest Post: Mom's Surprise Party!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PY7ytXq19qA/UTT4CYTM6QI/AAAAAAAAEuE/tHlf0sLhhX8/s640/blogger-image-1172285619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PY7ytXq19qA/UTT4CYTM6QI/AAAAAAAAEuE/tHlf0sLhhX8/s320/blogger-image-1172285619.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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I've been holding back on my "weekly" Pinterest posts because I was busy planning my Mom's surprise 60th birthday party. I had a nice Springtime luncheon with our family for her. She was very, very surprised! I was so happy to bless her in that way. Pinterest comes in, of course because I used many ideas from Pinterest to make her party extra special, from the menu to some of the decor. Here are some photos of the extra special party!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zaEY2ctXj4w/UTTw5mEAzQI/AAAAAAAAEpw/aOpJKFN-pd4/s1600/IMG_1422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zaEY2ctXj4w/UTTw5mEAzQI/AAAAAAAAEpw/aOpJKFN-pd4/s320/IMG_1422.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I used a lot of vintage table cloths and rose china for the tables. </td></tr>
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The first surprise...</div>
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(Skip to 1:10 for the "Surprise!")</div>
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Sisters!</div>
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The menu was a "laid-back Easter Sunday dinner" from my recipes.com. (<a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/menu/laid-back-easter-sunday-dinner-10000001884306/">LINK HERE</a>) I found this menu on Pinterest. Instead of making the chicken myself, I let Costco make it. I also replaced the pasta bake the menu suggested for Juan Pollo's potato salad (which is delicious!). This way, I was able to focus on the other sides like the roasted asparagus and Brussels sprouts and the spinach-strawberry salad. YUM!<br />
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To include my siblings who live out of state, we set up two laptops and Skyped with them. This was the setup for the second surprise. About seven years ago, the diamond fell out of my mom's ring at church. Despite several church members looking over every square inch of the floor and the pews, the diamond was not found. She hasn't worn her ring since. I had my brother sneak it from her jewelry box and with the help of family, we were able to get the diamond replaced, the ring repaired, and get it all shiny! My mom was soooo surprised! See for yourself...<br />
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I loved her reaction!</div>
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Trying on the ring.<br />
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Perfect!<br />
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The cake was from Alberston's. I usually don't like store bought cake, but I've tried this cake several times in the past and I loved it. I knew my mom would like the light cream, the fresh strawberries, and the light and moist cake. It really is delicious. Well done, Albertson's!<br />
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My mom and I!</div>
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For the bunting, I folded paper doilies over brown string. I then brushed on a little Mod Podge on to secure the middle of the doily. Very easy, but very pretty! (Another Pinterest idea!)<br />
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I love to use chalkboards. This time, I used one for a menu and one for a birthday sign.</div>
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Flowers always look great in pitchers! </div>
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And in Mason jars!</div>
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The butterflies were used at my wedding reception around the cake table. I was glad I could bring them out again! The wooden blocks on the wall spell out "Happy Birthday." The were made a while ago by my father-in-law and they can spell out several different things. Very cool!</div>
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Overall, I really liked how my mom's party decor turned out. Most of all, though, I enjoyed being able to bless her with so many surprises in one day! Thanks to all the family who made that possible!<br />
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Witness My Fitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708969432115194118noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031344351078893126.post-86269135311833797442013-02-26T22:55:00.001-08:002013-02-27T09:29:25.924-08:00My 3 1/2 Year Old<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today Madelyn is three and a half. This evening, Troy asked her if she could bake some cookies for us. She replied sweetly and quietly, "No 'cause I'm just a little girl." Troy then asked her if she was going to bake cookies for us when she was a big girl. I watched her blonde ringlets bounce up and and down and her big blue eyes grow even wider as she exclaimed, "Yes! Mommy I'm going to be a big girl, just like you!" My heart melted, of course! She grows sweeter everyday. Here are a few more things I want to remember about Madelyn, at age 3 1/2...<br />
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~She loves music. She can actually play her "carmonica" pretty well! <br />
~ She sings everyday. Most of the time it is "Joy to the World" that she is singing or humming. What better song, though, to sing of Christ's coming!<br />
~She still carries around her blankie. <br />
~Madelyn loves her brothers so much and has a kind and caring heart towards them most of the time. She is motherly to Owen at times---and not in a bossy way, but in a sweet, nurturing way.<br />
~She loves her cousins and friends and asks to include them in our prayers. <br />
~Madelyn loves to dress herself. She loves to mix and match skirts and leggings. She doesn't like jeans and would wear a dress everyday if she could. She has a spunky sense of style!<br />
~Her favorite colors are pink and purple. No surprise there! <br />
~Her favorite toys are her pink trike and her toy kitchen and food. <br />
~She loves her kitties, animals and any living thing. She shows concern and care for even worms or ants. I found her in the kitchen yesterday giving a stray ant a pep talk about finding his home.<br />
~She is the girliest of girls, from loving painted nails to hair pretties to anything that sparkles, but she is very down to earth and will get dirty if she needs to. She loves helping in the garden. <br />
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Madelyn, at age three and a half is blossoming in all kinds of ways, and I love to watch her grow. I just hope she doesn't become a big girl too fast!<br />
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Witness My Fitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708969432115194118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031344351078893126.post-59770368694332040222013-02-25T09:49:00.002-08:002013-02-25T09:49:34.569-08:00The Quotable Madelyn: Sisters & IkeaI've never done a "Quotable Madelyn" post, but lately, she has been saying some pretty cute stuff. I want to remember those things.<br />
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On the way home the other day, I mentioned to Troy that we needed to stop by Stater Brothers to pick something up. Madelyn, not being familiar with that store, spoke up and asked, "Do they have sisters there too?" It still makes me smile to think of it!<br />
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Yesterday, when I picked Madelyn up from her Sunday School class, her teachers informed me that she learned about Zacchaeus that morning. She then informed me that she learned about "Ikea, the little man." Zacchaeus, Ikea----they sound alike, right? :)<br />
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Oh, and a couple other things I don't want to forget:<br />
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~She calls Sunday School, "Skunday School."<br />
~She pronounces some of her h's as c's. "Cumongous" instead of humongous and "carmonica" instead of harmonica. Witness My Fitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708969432115194118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031344351078893126.post-6744506174328097102013-02-18T21:04:00.001-08:002013-04-08T09:38:05.198-07:0030 Days of Pinterest in Hindsight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I thoroughly enjoyed my doing my 30 Days of Pinterest posts. I feel as if I found my creative side again. Or, my need to be creative on a regular basis, rather. I suppose I thrive on that sort of thing, and in the past 7 or 8 years, I have thrown it on the back burner, only to bring it up in a rush when planning a party or doing a shower for someone else. It was nice just to be creative for me. It was somewhat therapeutic to know that despite the tantrum(s) I endured that day, the dishes that continuously fill up my sink, the laundry that seems to grow out of hampers, or the (daily) vacuuming that one with toddlers and preschoolers must do, I could just sit and do something creative. I could wrap my mind around something different for a change. And the fact that I didn't get everything done all day is okay. I don't need to feel guilty for doing a little project here and there, even though the dishes aren't done.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(I found this print on Pinterst, and the link only had the image, so no photo credit here.)</td></tr>
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I had a few people say in the past month, "How do you do it all?" The answer to that is simply, I don't! I am learning that I not only need to give my kids, husband, and others grace, but myself as well. Giving myself grace is the hardest of all. If the dishes aren't done when Troy gets home from work, or the expectations that I have made for myself haven't been met by that time, it is so easy to beat myself up. This is why I love the verse 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. That God that His grace is all I need! It is sufficient! And, not only that, but His power is made perfect in weakness. How, then, could I beat myself up for not getting the dishes done before dinner???<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit:<a href="http://www.bethanyaleshire.com/2012/03/power-in-weakness_10.html"> http://www.bethanyaleshire.com/2012/03/power-in-weakness_10.html</a></td></tr>
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So, to all who have read my blog over the past month and wondered, "How does she do it all," just remember, I don't. I still struggle with being gracious with myself. I still struggle with the pride that comes crumbling down when other people see my weakness, or see my dirty dishes (gasp!). I have to constantly remind myself that Christ has all that covered. <br />
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With that said, I will be doing a weekly Pinterest post as best I can in order to keep my creative side alive. </div>
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For your convenience, here is a list of links to all the the 30 Days of Pinterest Posts:</div>
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<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/01/day-1-coconut-sugar-scrub.html">Day 1: Coconut Sugar Scrub</a></div>
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<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/01/day-2-family-devotion-basket.html">Day 2: Family Devotion Basket</a></div>
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<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/01/day-3-diy-jewelry-cleaner.html">Day 3: DIY Jewelry Cleaner</a></div>
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<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/01/day-4-lego-soap-dispenser.html">Day 4: Lego Soap Dispenser</a></div>
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<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/01/day-5-dosage-chart-on-child-medication.html">Day 5: Dosage Chart on Child's Medication Bottle</a></div>
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<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/01/day-6-fridge-snack-box.html">Day 6: Fridge Snack Box</a></div>
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<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/01/day-7-vegan-breakfast-cookies.html">Day 7: Vegan Breakfast Cookies</a></div>
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<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/01/day-8-refrigerator-redo.html">Day 8: Refrigerator Redo</a></div>
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<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/01/day-9-at-home-paris-date-night.html">Day 9: At Home Paris Date Night</a></div>
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<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/01/day-10-cookie-dough-bites.html">Day 10: Cookie Dough Bites</a></div>
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<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/01/day-11-green-pina-colada-smoothie.html">Day 11: Green Pina Colada Smoothie</a></div>
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<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/01/day-12-speed-cleaning-101.html">Day 12: Speed Cleaning 101</a></div>
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<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/01/day-13-diy-verse-of-week-chalkboard.html">Day 13: DIY Verse of the Week Chalkboard</a></div>
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<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/01/i-love-organizing.html">Day 14: Command Center Redo</a><br />
<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/02/day-15-tea-coffee-bar.html">Day 15: Tea & Coffee Bar</a><br />
<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/02/day-16-regrowing-food-from-scraps.html">Day 16: Regrowing Food From Scraps</a><br />
<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/02/day-17-balloon-rockets.html">Day 17: Balloon Rockets</a><br />
<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/02/day-18-cleaning-with-lemons.html">Day 18: Cleaning with Lemons</a><br />
<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/02/day-19-diy-chevron-striped-lampshade.html">Day 19: DIY Chevron Striped Lampshade and Lamp Redo</a><br />
<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/02/day-20-mod-podge-letter.html">Day 20: Mod Podge Letter</a><br />
<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/02/day-21-felt-story-board-travel-case.html">Day 21: Felt Story Board Travel Case</a><br />
<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/02/day-22-watercolor-painting-with-kids.html">Day 22: Watercolor Painting with Kids</a><br />
<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/02/day-23-chocolate-chip-peanut-butter.html">Day 23: Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies</a><br />
<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/02/day-24-homemade-microwave-popcorn.html">Day 24: Homemade Microwave Popcorn</a><br />
<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/02/day-25-super-duper-lego-picker-upper.html">Day 25: Super Duper Lego Picker Upper & Lego Storage</a><br />
<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/02/day-26-mod-podge-picture-frame.html">Day 26: Mod Podge Picture Frame</a><br />
<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/02/day-27-diy-hopscotch-garden-path.html">Day 27: DIY Garden Hopscotch Path</a><br />
<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/02/day-28-family-valentines-dinner.html">Day 28: Family Valentine's Dinner</a><br />
<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/02/day-29-grilled-cheese.html">Day 29: Grilled Cheese</a><br />
<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/02/day-30-recycled-garden.html">Day 30: The Recycled Garden</a><br />
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Witness My Fitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708969432115194118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031344351078893126.post-66572741227062175642013-02-16T21:54:00.000-08:002013-02-16T22:09:17.600-08:00Day 30: The Recycled Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u>Using Paper Products for Planting Seeds</u></div>
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It's always fun when you can reuse something in order to make another thing cheaper or more efficient. I saw the idea of using egg cartons and toilet paper rolls to grow seedlings in two different posts. As I stated in earlier posts, my garden was a flop last year. I'm hoping by planting many, many, many seeds inside, I will be avoiding birds and bugs that seemed to have foiled my garden plans last year. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X2P1gr7S9Rk/USBhJCdCALI/AAAAAAAAEjs/q0nHMnPZwKM/s1600/IMG_1271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X2P1gr7S9Rk/USBhJCdCALI/AAAAAAAAEjs/q0nHMnPZwKM/s320/IMG_1271.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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To get started, I just kept an egg carton and several toilet paper rolls. I used baskets that we get our strawberries in to hold the rolls.</div>
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Then I gathered the kids around.</div>
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And gave them a bucket 'o dirt (AKA organic garden soil) and seeds.</div>
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Then I made them smile for the camera...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P9Fpm6hKfWI/USBhN2F_rNI/AAAAAAAAEkA/AOwaHZVYHac/s1600/IMG_1275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P9Fpm6hKfWI/USBhN2F_rNI/AAAAAAAAEkA/AOwaHZVYHac/s320/IMG_1275.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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...and put them to work.</div>
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We planted sugar snap peas in the toilet paper rolls and lettuce in the egg carton.</div>
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<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hvaE2I9ryAs/USBkm2q1h0I/AAAAAAAAElk/dwSOKOVrdkg/s640/blogger-image-684280062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hvaE2I9ryAs/USBkm2q1h0I/AAAAAAAAElk/dwSOKOVrdkg/s400/blogger-image-684280062.jpg" width="299" /></a></div>
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We are now seeing the seedlings and it is so exciting, although I'm seeing that my kids were a little too generous with the amount of seeds they put in each hole. Oh-well!</div>
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We have collected several more toilet paper rolls this week and plan to plant carrots, broccoli, and cucumber. YUM! (By the way, the toilet paper rolls can be planted right into the ground. They will break down.)</div>
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<u>Using Diapers to Keep Potted Plants Moist</u></div>
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<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TIUrT7cw_oM/USBkmKMB_GI/AAAAAAAAElU/8aVyJwW04wk/s640/blogger-image--1371146985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TIUrT7cw_oM/USBkmKMB_GI/AAAAAAAAElU/8aVyJwW04wk/s640/blogger-image--1371146985.jpg" /></a></div>
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To do this, all you need is an unused diaper. I always end up with extra newborn and size 1 diapers from every child because I over estimate or my infant goes through a sudden growth spurt. You simply remove the plastic from the outside of the diaper. All that you should have left is the "paper" part of the diaper.</div>
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TBUeUVvoc9s/USBknwh4n4I/AAAAAAAAElw/-b6vUVv2S0w/s640/blogger-image--525318633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TBUeUVvoc9s/USBknwh4n4I/AAAAAAAAElw/-b6vUVv2S0w/s640/blogger-image--525318633.jpg" /></a></div>
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I used two size 1 diapers to go on the bottom of this medium size pot. After placing them in the bottom of the pot, you fill the pot up with soil and the plant. I have noticed that the plant I used for this experiment does stay moist! And, it holds the soil in the pot. Bonus!</div>
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<u>Using Fallen Leaves as Mulch</u></div>
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Whoever thought of this idea and pinned it: Thank you! We lost our leaves within the last month. It was late this year, but perfect timing. We got much needed rain right after those leaves fell to the ground and I swept them all into the planters around the house. I didn't have enough to cover our slope planters...</div>
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...and you sure can tell a difference! Look at those weeds! There were NO weeds in the planters that are covered with the leaves. This is an amazingly easy and effective way to use your leaves. I didn't have to go through the work of scooping them into the trashcan and they proved themselves worthy of a winter's stay in our yard! (Just a note: does use walnut tree leaves. They omit a chemical that can be harmful to some living things, including other plants and humans.) For more information about repurposing your leaves, visit <a href="http://practical-stewardship.com/2012/11/02/re-purposing-leaves-to-keep-down-those-weeds/">Practical Stewardship</a>. </div>
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Due to lack of time, I couldn't try all the ideas out that I wanted to. I still plan to use many of them, so I'll still share those ideas with you. Here are just a few:</div>
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Using clear plastic containers as mini greenhouses</div>
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<a href="http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo107/whgille/August%202011/Picture120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo107/whgille/August%202011/Picture120.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Using wine bottles to water potted plants (especially while away for a couple days)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c49iKgMkBTM/USBtyO27qOI/AAAAAAAAEm0/6u63bxhcv1k/s1600/5-26-2010-0431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c49iKgMkBTM/USBtyO27qOI/AAAAAAAAEm0/6u63bxhcv1k/s320/5-26-2010-0431.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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(Go to <a href="http://www.lettuceshare.com/2010/05/28/wine-bottle-waterer/">Lettuce Share </a>to get tutorial)</div>
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Using a cinderblock as a planter (I have a few laying around.)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cWHJDAwbYrA/TWTLeuu0-fI/AAAAAAAAENs/9BZcOXa0kqQ/s1600/CIMG3634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cWHJDAwbYrA/TWTLeuu0-fI/AAAAAAAAENs/9BZcOXa0kqQ/s320/CIMG3634.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Photo Source: http://artofgardeningbuffalo.blogspot.com/2011/02/cinder-planters.html</span></div>
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Just to remind you, I already wrote a post on regrowing from food scraps. It works! I am growing several celery plants and a lettuce head right now from scraps. Its incredibly easy and worth the little effort it takes!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tWVetVfkF4E/UQ4NBSzCd_I/AAAAAAAAEJg/f7ZCA_VRf7U/s200/blogger-image-156573336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tWVetVfkF4E/UQ4NBSzCd_I/AAAAAAAAEJg/f7ZCA_VRf7U/s200/blogger-image-156573336.jpg" /></a></div>
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To view the post, please<a href="http://hazeleyessue.blogspot.com/2013/02/day-16-regrowing-food-from-scraps.html"> CLICK HERE</a>.</div>
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And there you have it. I hope this proves to be a useful resource to some of you! Here is to a fruitful year of gardening!</div>
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Witness My Fitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708969432115194118noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031344351078893126.post-37346317592385540432013-02-15T21:37:00.001-08:002013-02-15T21:46:55.080-08:00Day 29: Grilled CheeseI always like to add an untraditional flare to the very traditional grilled cheese sandwich. So, how could I resist trying to make grilled cheese sandwiches in the toaster when I saw it on Pinterest? <br />
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Turned sideways, it looked like the toaster could accommodate a nice open faced grilled cheese. One word: FAIL! Two more words: burnt toast. The weight of the sandwich pressed up against the burners and started to smoke. This perhaps would work in another toaster, but certainly not mine.<br />
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I did, however discover that the waffle iron makes a great grilled cheese sandwich, with the help of Pinterest. It presses it much like a panini and the kids got a kick out of their sandwiches looking like waffles! <br />
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To do this, all you need to do is heat up your waffle iron and put the sandwich (buttered on both sides) into the iron for 3-4 minutes, or until your bread is golden brown. Depending on the side of the waffle iron, you can put in more than one sandwich at a time. This is a fun way to switch up a grilled cheese!</div>
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<br />Witness My Fitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708969432115194118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031344351078893126.post-87024821626808354582013-02-14T23:56:00.000-08:002013-02-15T00:05:27.358-08:00Day 28: Family Valentine's Dinner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FhevUVQA9ek/UR3eULQ-RvI/AAAAAAAAEgM/cln-C-oHVVQ/s640/blogger-image-1702442889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FhevUVQA9ek/UR3eULQ-RvI/AAAAAAAAEgM/cln-C-oHVVQ/s320/blogger-image-1702442889.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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Last year, we started the tradition of having a family Valentine's Day dinner at home with our kids on Valentine's Day. We never enjoyed going out because every place is so crowded and would much rather enjoy a date when everyone and their wife, girlfriend, or grandmother was out. Also, this tradition is so fun! Our kids have a blast and so do we. It is a lot of preparation, but is so much better than going out!</div>
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I applied many pins this year. The nice thing about Pinterest is there are people who pay close attention to detail. Printable, free Valentines are available through Pinterest that can make those special details, like having homemade Valentines with your children's' favorite characters on them, so much easier to find and use! <a href="http://www.everythingetsy.com/2013/01/101-valentines-day-printables-free/">(Click here for a bunch of free Valentine's Day Printables!)</a></div>
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For this card, I found the free chevron stripe printable <a href="http://snackcupsandsmiles.blogspot.com/2013/02/free-valentine-inspired-chevron.html">HERE</a> and the date to date calculator for date <a href="http://www.timeanddate.com/date/duration.html">HERE</a>. The fact that you could have that calculated in seconds is amazing!</div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8JuUyFa4Sz8/UR3e9e3UqsI/AAAAAAAAEhE/DCpIo1xNbXg/s640/blogger-image--930122885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8JuUyFa4Sz8/UR3e9e3UqsI/AAAAAAAAEhE/DCpIo1xNbXg/s640/blogger-image--930122885.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div>
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An idea I came across on Pinterest was to have heart themed pizzas. How fun is that? And how perfect for the kids! I purchase the Bob's Red Mill gluten free pizza crust at Big Lots for a decent price. The bag says to divide the batch into two balls, but I decided them into several balls, just big enough to roll out into a six inch circle so I could use a large cookie cutter to shape the dough. Instead of baking the dough with the toppings on it for 15-18 minutes, as directed on the package, I baked it for 10. The pizzas were smaller, so that was perfect.</div>
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To make the pepperoni (which is nitrate-free from Fresh & Easy) heart-shaped, fold the pepperoni in half, just like you would to make a paper heart, and cut out half of a heart from fold. Unfold and you have a heart and a pepperoni with a heart-shaped hole. Cute, huh?</div>
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Next, to make the salad special, I made the carrots heart shaped. When I saw this on Pinterest, I HAD to do it The hardest part was cutting the slit in the middle of the carrot. After that, I just peeled the carrot to shape it. Overall, it was pretty easy and added such a great detail! Madelyn loved eating the carrot hearts!</div>
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And, of course, we ate by candlelight. :)</div>
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After dinner, we played a few rounds of balloon volleyball, Valentine's Day Edition (the red balloon!). Jackson said he wanted to play this every night. I have to admit, it was so much fun! (Again, this idea was from Pinterest.)</div>
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To set this balloon volleyball up, fold a twin sized sheet in half lengthwise, drape over two chairs so it forms the "net." Then tie the ends of the sheet to the leg of the each chair. Be sure to blow up the balloon to a somewhat small size, so it is less likely to pop.</div>
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After volleyball, we finished the night off with brownies!</div>
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A bonus I didn't expect...my hubby gifted me Elyse Fitzpatrick's new devotion, a much needed and very pretty apron, and Thin Mints. Yea!!! </div>
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Pinterest was a nice addition to our family Valentine's Day tradition. I'm happy I added those little details, and enjoyed the fact that the kids liked them too!</div>
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Witness My Fitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708969432115194118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031344351078893126.post-64946303911817884072013-02-13T15:33:00.000-08:002013-02-13T15:33:20.163-08:00Day 27: DIY Hopscotch Garden Path<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HiWjlrObtME/URwWqJa4D8I/AAAAAAAAEbk/G3DPDYt_SYk/s1600/IMG_1346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HiWjlrObtME/URwWqJa4D8I/AAAAAAAAEbk/G3DPDYt_SYk/s320/IMG_1346.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I spotted this idea on Pinterest a few months ago and pinned it right away because I thought my kids would love it. I could not find a tutorial on how exactly to make your own Hopscotch, but I gave it a go anyways!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UH72zMzB6yA/URwWb7uJmJI/AAAAAAAAEa0/DnY7dJ8hvdU/s1600/IMG_1342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UH72zMzB6yA/URwWb7uJmJI/AAAAAAAAEa0/DnY7dJ8hvdU/s320/IMG_1342.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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Supplies:</div>
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10 Square Pavers (Mine were laying around in my yard.)</div>
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Acrylic Indoor/Outdoor Paint</div>
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1" Paint Brush</div>
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Disposable cup or bowl</div>
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Scrub brush</div>
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Step 1: <strike>Have your kids</strike> Clean the pavers with water and a scrub brush. Let dry.</div>
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Step 2: While pavers are drying, if necessary, clear the area you will be using for hopscotch and make the ground level. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c1cXOCfgevg/URwZQThb6xI/AAAAAAAAEc8/1CVHlEgjphY/s1600/IMG_1332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c1cXOCfgevg/URwZQThb6xI/AAAAAAAAEc8/1CVHlEgjphY/s320/IMG_1332.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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On a side note, earth worms are very valuable to anyone who has a yard or garden, as they make the soil nice and rich. We discovered plenty of them and the kids wanted to be sure we didn't hurt them.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nch1ENpo6XQ/URwZUAw-pUI/AAAAAAAAEdI/Kip_OtJvohk/s1600/IMG_1335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nch1ENpo6XQ/URwZUAw-pUI/AAAAAAAAEdI/Kip_OtJvohk/s320/IMG_1335.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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So we performed Operation Save the Worms and put the worms in buckets of dirt and transplanted them to a nice area in our garden.</div>
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Step 3: Hit the dirt with a flat shovel or stomp on it to make it nice and firm. I just did squat jumps on mine. That did the trick! :)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D0SZ_n9Xu7k/URwWe2oM7gI/AAAAAAAAEa8/7K6HERS3MmI/s1600/IMG_1341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D0SZ_n9Xu7k/URwWe2oM7gI/AAAAAAAAEa8/7K6HERS3MmI/s320/IMG_1341.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Step 4: On dry pavers, paint numbers 1-10 with 1" brush. Let Dry.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KPPYh-M-Vx4/URwWkq0liPI/AAAAAAAAEbM/ZWMRepJf_AI/s1600/IMG_1344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KPPYh-M-Vx4/URwWkq0liPI/AAAAAAAAEbM/ZWMRepJf_AI/s320/IMG_1344.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Step 5: Move pavers to the spot you want them. Make sure they don't move once you put them down (they should be level).</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yt1wgrbRW5o/URwWnNYxOXI/AAAAAAAAEbY/ZnQE0IfUXMA/s1600/IMG_1345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yt1wgrbRW5o/URwWnNYxOXI/AAAAAAAAEbY/ZnQE0IfUXMA/s320/IMG_1345.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Step 6: Shovel dirt back into all the area around and in-between the pavers. Pack this dirt down very, very tight. Keep stomping down the dirt until it is level with the pavers and can't been stomped down any more. Brush of dirt with broom or scrub brush.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HiWjlrObtME/URwWqJa4D8I/AAAAAAAAEbk/G3DPDYt_SYk/s1600/IMG_1346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HiWjlrObtME/URwWqJa4D8I/AAAAAAAAEbk/G3DPDYt_SYk/s320/IMG_1346.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div>
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Step 7: Step back and admire it. Then let your kids enjoy it!</div>
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(Mine did!!!)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CkXYfr3pfWU/URwWqy8AguI/AAAAAAAAEbs/3dPOqxgcY8M/s1600/IMG_1348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CkXYfr3pfWU/URwWqy8AguI/AAAAAAAAEbs/3dPOqxgcY8M/s320/IMG_1348.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T-TPiafJSSo/URwWxIE-KoI/AAAAAAAAEcA/94TafruXGbE/s1600/IMG_1354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T-TPiafJSSo/URwWxIE-KoI/AAAAAAAAEcA/94TafruXGbE/s320/IMG_1354.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jo7gHig0tmk/URwWyA2nwVI/AAAAAAAAEcE/a1oOHhuQS1Q/s1600/IMG_1353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jo7gHig0tmk/URwWyA2nwVI/AAAAAAAAEcE/a1oOHhuQS1Q/s320/IMG_1353.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ijEL2tAYyOQ/URwW0SoLHZI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/jdTym4lCcEI/s1600/IMG_1359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ijEL2tAYyOQ/URwW0SoLHZI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/jdTym4lCcEI/s320/IMG_1359.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iAi7eJVi9sM/URwW4DrfmHI/AAAAAAAAEcY/BQOByDCFD3I/s1600/IMG_1360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iAi7eJVi9sM/URwW4DrfmHI/AAAAAAAAEcY/BQOByDCFD3I/s320/IMG_1360.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w24txsXoGo8/URwW4sZTVrI/AAAAAAAAEcg/e2RcLk2JV8Q/s1600/IMG_1362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w24txsXoGo8/URwW4sZTVrI/AAAAAAAAEcg/e2RcLk2JV8Q/s320/IMG_1362.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I still have quite a bit of dirt in the surrounding area to move and level, but overall, I like how this project turned out. I'd like to plant some nice green ground cover between the pavers. I think this will be a great addition to our backyard!</div>
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In case you were wondering, here is a link to <a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/193113-rules-game-hopscotch/">how to play hopscotch!</a></div>
Witness My Fitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708969432115194118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031344351078893126.post-11109625748606189682013-02-12T14:52:00.000-08:002013-02-12T14:52:04.467-08:00Day 26: Mod Podge Picture FrameI have a lot of photo frames. Sadly, they are all from the era in my life when I was just setting up my first house/apartment and I was afraid of patterns and colors. I am no longer. I decided it was time to add a little pizazz to my frames. I started with a plain, black frame. I followed the Mod Podge frame tutorial over at <a href="http://tidymom.net/2009/mod-podge-frame-tutorial/">TidyMom.net</a>. I did change it up a bit because I didn't have one thing that her tutorial required. Also, she used new frames that she stained herself. I'm saving time and money here. A month of Pinterest could make someone go broke if you don't watch it! My goal was to spend very little money on my projects!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aY8wstxzWjo/URrDyR6QVqI/AAAAAAAAEZE/7yGVvhRTXwE/s1600/IMG_1280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aY8wstxzWjo/URrDyR6QVqI/AAAAAAAAEZE/7yGVvhRTXwE/s320/IMG_1280.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Supplies:</div>
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Mod Podge</div>
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Cute Scrapbook Paper</div>
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Utility knife or exacto knife</div>
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Sponge Brush</div>
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Old frame</div>
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Old Credit Card</div>
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Cutting board</div>
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Sand Paper</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ry_0LOD71SE/URrDz8cSseI/AAAAAAAAEZQ/9YHvLMhhId8/s1600/IMG_1287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ry_0LOD71SE/URrDz8cSseI/AAAAAAAAEZQ/9YHvLMhhId8/s320/IMG_1287.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Step 1: Brush Mod Podge on frame. Let "set" for 30 seconds. Put another layer on. Turn over and put frame onto the back of your scrapbook paper.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CZXKWJ74qEk/URrDzz6V-GI/AAAAAAAAEZM/mcWAcyEHo54/s1600/IMG_1288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CZXKWJ74qEk/URrDzz6V-GI/AAAAAAAAEZM/mcWAcyEHo54/s320/IMG_1288.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Step 2: Rub out all of the "bubbles" and bumps with an old credit card.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JvrKIoVVbU8/URrD1z1RZ3I/AAAAAAAAEZc/Vrggnqh4810/s1600/IMG_1289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JvrKIoVVbU8/URrD1z1RZ3I/AAAAAAAAEZc/Vrggnqh4810/s320/IMG_1289.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Step 3: Cut along the edges of the frame. Three slots for photos was kind of hard to cut around. I don't recommend that.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vNHcQ6RKbBw/URrD3XqtPoI/AAAAAAAAEZk/Y0Qgp4cJFpg/s1600/IMG_1290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vNHcQ6RKbBw/URrD3XqtPoI/AAAAAAAAEZk/Y0Qgp4cJFpg/s320/IMG_1290.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Step 4: See all the rough edges. No need to worry! Smooth out the edges with...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--q_LdAtgoY8/URrD4fsa8_I/AAAAAAAAEZs/0NwMrcQ_bbg/s1600/IMG_1291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--q_LdAtgoY8/URrD4fsa8_I/AAAAAAAAEZs/0NwMrcQ_bbg/s320/IMG_1291.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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...your piece of sandpaper. If you want to, you can scuff up the edges a bit. I did, so the scrapbook paper ended up blending in nicely with the frame.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ItrpSTjDFes/URrD4R08J4I/AAAAAAAAEZw/R2dA9uDV0Ug/s1600/IMG_1293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ItrpSTjDFes/URrD4R08J4I/AAAAAAAAEZw/R2dA9uDV0Ug/s320/IMG_1293.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Step 5: Cover front of frame with one last layer of Mod Podge to seal it.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rwx_QlPUEcc/URrD6rveHYI/AAAAAAAAEZ8/dke4Dh9lg8g/s1600/IMG_1294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rwx_QlPUEcc/URrD6rveHYI/AAAAAAAAEZ8/dke4Dh9lg8g/s320/IMG_1294.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Enjoy! I think I may be doing this to a lot more of my frames! This is much much better than just plain old black!</div>
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<br />Witness My Fitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708969432115194118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031344351078893126.post-65666358653788951652013-02-11T21:34:00.000-08:002013-02-11T22:27:19.357-08:00Day 25: Super Duper Lego Picker Upper & Lego Storage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZMBbW87PMY/URnQKR31jqI/AAAAAAAAEXo/J-jeVgkzjow/s1600/IMG_1300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZMBbW87PMY/URnQKR31jqI/AAAAAAAAEXo/J-jeVgkzjow/s320/IMG_1300.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I love the way my boy builds amazing creations with his Legos. But, I could do without the way our floor looks after such creations are made.</span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IiNI6wyyXZE/URnQMaFAdRI/AAAAAAAAEXw/jBDRGauHA8A/s1600/IMG_1297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IiNI6wyyXZE/URnQMaFAdRI/AAAAAAAAEXw/jBDRGauHA8A/s320/IMG_1297.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does that look familiar? </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the search for a solution, I found a pin concerning this very issue. The pin led me to <a href="http://www.gwens-nest.com/home-and-garden/lego-storage/">Gwen's Nest</a>, where she made a "sheet" for legos to be played with on and to be put away with. She made hers with handles and two different colors, but I'm looking for a quick solution and lack the knowledge of how to use a sewing machine. (I would love to learn to sew...sometime!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k7uVqKzFP-Q/URnQJqJae1I/AAAAAAAAEXg/wkjB0D79RuQ/s1600/IMG_1298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k7uVqKzFP-Q/URnQJqJae1I/AAAAAAAAEXg/wkjB0D79RuQ/s320/IMG_1298.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> So, I made do with an old sheet and a container. That is all I needed. I know it's not pretty, but it sure does the job.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_XBuNlNepOI/URnQM3B9OyI/AAAAAAAAEX0/BXmR4pOQ2CI/s1600/IMG_1308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_XBuNlNepOI/URnQM3B9OyI/AAAAAAAAEX0/BXmR4pOQ2CI/s320/IMG_1308.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here, you see Jackson playing with his Legos at the center of the sheet. He has been told not to remove his Legos from this sheet unless he is building something on the Lego table.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CZ7ZUMnRzfY/URnQPXAQXGI/AAAAAAAAEYA/Bdz1he2CcDM/s1600/IMG_1311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CZ7ZUMnRzfY/URnQPXAQXGI/AAAAAAAAEYA/Bdz1he2CcDM/s320/IMG_1311.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next, I taught him how to bring all the corners and sides together. He simply brings all that together to gather up in Legos in the sheet, then lifts the sheet into the container. Voila! Instant and effective Lego Storage! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CrIR01birvw/URnQPTOIDYI/AAAAAAAAEYE/7GWvEv5u_-Q/s1600/IMG_1312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CrIR01birvw/URnQPTOIDYI/AAAAAAAAEYE/7GWvEv5u_-Q/s320/IMG_1312.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Again, I am aware that this isn't pretty. But, it is functional for a five year old boy who doesn't care about sorting his Legos into different shapes or colors, as some store their Legos. I'm sure that will come when he is old enough. For now, this works.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hm4Ery0pKXE/URnQPrn3uxI/AAAAAAAAEYI/0hcU6OQjllQ/s1600/IMG_1313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hm4Ery0pKXE/URnQPrn3uxI/AAAAAAAAEYI/0hcU6OQjllQ/s320/IMG_1313.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And guess what? I didn't step on any Legos today and Jackson cleaned up his Legos all by himself. That makes this momma smile!Witness My Fitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708969432115194118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031344351078893126.post-67073513729516723842013-02-10T21:35:00.000-08:002013-02-11T08:51:58.496-08:00Day 24: Homemade Microwave Popcorn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GubILrhw49s/URh6uJ7qO-I/AAAAAAAAEWE/WN8WiZKEQVQ/s1600/IMG_1315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GubILrhw49s/URh6uJ7qO-I/AAAAAAAAEWE/WN8WiZKEQVQ/s320/IMG_1315.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Who would have guessed that 1/2 cup popcorn kernels plus a paper bag and a few minutes in the microwave equals a delicious snack? This is so simple! I actually just saw this in a pin a few days ago. I just had to try it!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i8GK4C2ZSdA/URh6uHhRUkI/AAAAAAAAEWI/SOUpSgqXRak/s1600/IMG_1314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i8GK4C2ZSdA/URh6uHhRUkI/AAAAAAAAEWI/SOUpSgqXRak/s320/IMG_1314.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Instructions:</div>
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1) Get a paper lunch bag.</div>
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2) Put in the bag a 1/2 cup of kernels in the bag. I chose these red popcorn kernels. </div>
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3) Fold the bag over twice.</div>
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4) Put it in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until the popping slows to 1-2 pops per second. (My bag took 2 minutes.)</div>
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5) Sprinkle with a little salt and butter (we used Earth Balance Whipped Spread). Shake in bag.</div>
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6) Enjoy!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VK-0LP7GFUw/URh6uMq8OfI/AAAAAAAAEWM/Y1MttletXPU/s1600/IMG_1317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VK-0LP7GFUw/URh6uMq8OfI/AAAAAAAAEWM/Y1MttletXPU/s320/IMG_1317.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NlYuBxpsuEY/URh6ydj-I7I/AAAAAAAAEWk/nFvEmPtwSbE/s1600/IMG_1322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NlYuBxpsuEY/URh6ydj-I7I/AAAAAAAAEWk/nFvEmPtwSbE/s320/IMG_1322.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kfVzJt3FFCs/URh6yqj6gBI/AAAAAAAAEWo/bnIdzXmz6e0/s1600/IMG_1327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kfVzJt3FFCs/URh6yqj6gBI/AAAAAAAAEWo/bnIdzXmz6e0/s320/IMG_1327.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
To view the tutorial I got the instructions from, please go to <a href="http://www.squawkfox.com/2010/07/27/popcorn-recipe-gourmet-popcorn/">this link to Squawkfox.com</a>. There are a few ideas for popcorn toppings as well on the site.Witness My Fitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708969432115194118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031344351078893126.post-14332920920945811302013-02-09T16:53:00.001-08:002013-02-09T17:12:15.367-08:00Day 23: Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qy7Ghkp7WiY/URbvgLGarSI/AAAAAAAAEVM/QbBsm6uAhFY/s640/blogger-image--770522529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qy7Ghkp7WiY/URbvgLGarSI/AAAAAAAAEVM/QbBsm6uAhFY/s400/blogger-image--770522529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have a confession to make. I tricked you. I didn't put "Healthy" in the title just in case it would sway you from reading this post. You see, these cookies are healthy. They are "clean" and they are delicious! If I were giving out awards for chocolate chip cookie recipes, this would win for healthiest, most creative, and perhaps one of the most tasty! <br />
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I first pinned this recipe back when I was a new pinned and though, "Ooohhh...I'm going to make those really soon!" Several months later, I finally got around to it and I'm so glad I did!<br />
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The unique thing about these cookies is the main ingredient. It's not flour. It's not almond meal. It's garbanzo beans. That's right! Chickpeas! Who would have thought!?! <a href="http://www.texanerin.com/2012/04/grain-free-peanut-butter-chocolate-chip.html">The recipe is found at a blog called Texanerin Baking</a>. And, I'm telling you these are delicious! They are best hot out of the oven, or, they can be baked, frozen and heated up in the microwave and are tasty that way. These cookies are packed with protein and only about 80 calories each. Make sure to visit <a href="http://www.texanerin.com/2012/04/grain-free-peanut-butter-chocolate-chip.html">Texanerin Baking</a> to get the recipe! (I'm not posting here because I followed the recipe exactly, so Texanerin Baking gets all the credit!)<br />
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Witness My Fitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708969432115194118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031344351078893126.post-83502722240760773412013-02-08T14:19:00.001-08:002013-02-08T15:09:04.685-08:00Day 22: Watercolor Painting with Kids<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jgVT6mYP9gY/URV529JhaOI/AAAAAAAAETc/gfmUHDGttYI/s640/blogger-image--670137148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jgVT6mYP9gY/URV529JhaOI/AAAAAAAAETc/gfmUHDGttYI/s640/blogger-image--670137148.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After I cleaned the kids' paint up and put them down for a nap,<br />
I painted for the first time in six years. That's right. Six years.<br />
It's not my best work, but I enjoyed it so much!<br />
Why did I go six years without it?!?</td></tr>
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I love to paint. I love to draw. I love creating with my fingertips. <br />
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With that said, I haven't painted a picture since I had children. They, by no means were the reason for that. I just used it as an excuse. In my lack of using my own art skills, I fear I may have not shared the very thing I have loved so dearly since before I can remember: Art.<br />
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Through Pinterest, I discovered a wonderful blog called <a href="http://www.artfulparent.com/watercolor-techniques-ideas-for-kids.html">The Artful Parent</a>. I think I may find that is a great resource for me as I try to rediscover what I love about art and show my kids that they can love art too. Of course, I'm not going to force it on them, but at the ages that they are now, they all love to grab a paintbrush and have at it!<br />
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In the process of painting watercolor painting with all three of my kids, I learned a few things.<br />
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1) DO prepare. DON'T tell your kids what you are preparing for, otherwise, they will "help" with the preparations a little too much.<br />
2) DO have the right supplies. I got out my six-year-old tubes of water color and couldn't open half of them. The other half were dried up. I had to scramble for more paints.<br />
3) DON'T paint with all three of your kids, ages 20 months, 3 years, and 5 years, without taking a chill pill before hand. Prepare your mind for stress. (i.e. spilled water, paint on table, hands, clothes, floor. Kids falling out of chairs trying to reach for paint. Kids crying because the paint won't come off their hands.)<br />
4) DON'T expect to paint with them. I did. How silly of me! I realized how private and relaxing painting is meant to be for me. It doesn't mix with kids. Period.<br />
5) DON'T worry about it if you don't really care to paint or for the Arts. DO have your kids paint anyway. It's good for them to be able to create anything their little minds think up.<br />
6) DO, if you fancy it, paint a picture of your own after you clean up and put your kids down for a nap. You will need it.<br />
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Upon finding The Artful Parent blog, I decided to do one art lesson a week, if possible. Next week we will try watercolor with crayon resist! I'm excited!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LBTeothOiQA/URWFTe3XwbI/AAAAAAAAEUM/DRr6chiQpRA/s640/blogger-image-379521423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LBTeothOiQA/URWFTe3XwbI/AAAAAAAAEUM/DRr6chiQpRA/s640/blogger-image-379521423.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left: Paintings by Jackson. Top Right: Owen's painting. Bottom Right: Madelyn's painting.</td></tr>
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Witness My Fitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708969432115194118noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031344351078893126.post-39205204053758431172013-02-07T13:31:00.001-08:002013-02-07T13:42:32.321-08:00Day 21: Felt Story Board Travel Case<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T4fPeXJ0jYM/URQdJOlK7LI/AAAAAAAAESc/Dht55gaQBpM/s640/blogger-image-416686059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T4fPeXJ0jYM/URQdJOlK7LI/AAAAAAAAESc/Dht55gaQBpM/s400/blogger-image-416686059.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This might just be the neatest thing since sliced bread. I always enjoyed the Bible felt board stories growing up in Sunday School. If you put me in a circle of kids with someone telling a Bible story with the felt board, I still would be enthralled today! There is just something about the way the felt sticks to itself. <br />
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Well, enough about that! Let's get to the project! I found this quite popular pin several months ago. I think this would be the perfect thing for my kids to play with during the sermon on Sundays. The original pin used it for traveling purposes and it was a generic story board with cars and houses and such. Bible stories make it interesting, I hope, for the kids. So, my plan is to make a few more of these, but today, I started with Jonah and the whale. Jackson requested this story. It was easy enough and I really, really, really enjoyed it---all the way down to making Jonah's sideburns! <br />
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Supplies:<br />
Tacky Glue or Sewing/Fabric Glue<br />
Mod Podge or white glue<br />
Sponge Brush<br />
Permanent, extra fine tip marker<br />
Fabric Markers (optional)<br />
Assorted Felt<br />
Googly eyes (optional)<br />
Fabric Scissors<br />
Travel Wipe Case<br />
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Instructions:<br />
1) Trace the bottom of wipe case onto felt for background.<br />
2) Cut out felt background.<br />
3) Brush Mod Podge onto the back of the wipe case and stick on felt background.<br />
4) Draw onto felt the characters and peices you will need to complete your story (pick any story!). <br />
5) Cut the peices out. Any peices needing to be glued can be glued with Tacky Glue or fabric glue.<br />
6) Let all the felt dry.<br />
7) Put all the pieces into case and give to your child or secretly play with it yourself. I did. (I had to make sure Jonah fit into the whale's belly!)<br />
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Witness My Fitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708969432115194118noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9031344351078893126.post-66765985679620480132013-02-06T20:23:00.001-08:002013-02-06T20:38:34.138-08:00Day 20: Mod Podge Letter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today I wanted to do a simple, yet creative craft. A Mod Podge pin came to mind, so I cracked open my first bottle of Mod Podge. Is it true that it's just glue and water? Did I just pay five bucks for that? <br />
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Seeing that he could get into that white sticky stuff, my five year old was eager to help. This craft is very easy---perfect for kids to help out with. They can practically do the whole craft themselves! This is well worth the total of 10 minutes it takes to make!<br />
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NQmobsA-jrs/URMsO0XdhrI/AAAAAAAAERI/bErywqLTPlc/s640/blogger-image--1736292315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NQmobsA-jrs/URMsO0XdhrI/AAAAAAAAERI/bErywqLTPlc/s320/blogger-image--1736292315.jpg" width="320" /></a>Supplies:<br />
12" Paper Letter (I got mine from JoAnn's for $3.99)<br />
12" x 12"scrapbook paper<br />
Matte Mod Podge<br />
Acrylic paint<br />
Sponge brushes<br />
Scissors<br />
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Instructions:<br />
1) Trace letter onto scrapbook paper.<br />
2) Cut letter out.<br />
3) Paint sides of letter. Painting the back is optional. It depends on where and how it will be displayed. Let dry.<br />
4) Apply Mod Podge to letter and put the letter cutout on top. <br />
5) Apply Mod Podge all over top of letter, working out any bubbles from underneath. Mod Podge can be applied over the side of the letter, so everything looks nice and even. <br />
6) Display and enjoy!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jackson was a super-duper Mod Podge applier! Just had to even things out a bit! :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty, isn't it?</td></tr>
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<br />Witness My Fitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16708969432115194118noreply@blogger.com0