~Sew Along for Japan~

This sounds like a fun project!

Hop on over to Living with Punks to join in her Sew Along! She is heading up a tutorial to make these cute t-shirts. We ship them to CA and they get shipped to Japan from there! She is hoping to receive 500 shirts!

This will be a great Saturday afternoon project for me! I am going to make a few for Japan and one for Kiersten. That way, every time she wears the shirt we can pray for the people that received our shirts!

Anyone else joining in!??!?!

~Well Said~

I am a Little House fan... I love to have children play with real things not just plastic beeping toys... I want work to be seen as enjoyable...

I read a post today that was really cool! I hadn't ever thought of letting my kids cut out cookies instead of play dough...duh! I can either clean up colored goop from everywhere and wonder how I am going to get the baking done... or I can enlist my eager little helpers and teach them there is joy in work...

You have to stop over HERE and read this blog post!

~I Won??? ... I WON!!!!~

Now, I can never say "I never win anything"... can you believe I won!??!?!

Monica over at the Homespun Heart was having a giveaway for this book. I have seen previews of projects from this book, but haven't seen it in person until now!
This book is beautiful and well done! I finally had a chance to look at it last night when all the young people were tucked away:-) I found the book very inspiring and I can't wait to carve out some free time! More than inspiring though, I found it very sobering. I don't see real poverty and need in my little corner of the world. I about cried every time I read about an organization that wanted donations. The hardest one was the people living in the dump. How horrible!

I guess I should say that along with each craft the publisher has listed several organizations that need that particular item and there is often a little tidbit about them and who they serve.

I can't wait to box up some homemade treasures and send them off. Wouldn't it be a fun way to teach children to give and to work with their hands!??!?!

~Blogversary Giveaway Surprise Package~

Jenny has received her surprise package so I get to share what I sent!!!!

I have this thing about making stuff... so I hid away in my craft room and made her an apron. I prefer my ties long so they go around and tie in the front. No one would be a model for me (hehe) So I tried it on the tree:0) I loved the fabric with the kids playing and since Jenny loves kids I thought she'd like it too! I picked this cute polka dot to make it a little more modern.
I also have a thing about making a matching necklace?!?!?! I don't know why but I seem to do it that way! So, here is the necklace with earrings. I sent along a copy of this handy reference chart that I highly recommend! I also think everybody needs some extra chap stick!
I raided my bathroom for some extra fun girly stuff! This stuff was all bought with coupons for occasions like this:0)
The last place I raided was my kitchen. Jenny loves tea so I sent along some loose leaf tea for her to try! I wasn't sure if she had loose leaf tea before so I included some instructions and a little tea pot infuser. Isn't it just the cutest!?!?!?
Oh, that was so much fun! I'll have to do that again next year:-)

~Sisters' Shoebox Swap~

Carrie and Monica hosted another Sisters' Shoebox Swap! I missed the last few with being pregnant and having a baby so I was excited to join in this time around!

I was paired with Crystal!

I enjoyed getting to know Crystal through her blog. I really liked reading about her family and peeking into her life these last few weeks! She seems like such a sweet mom and loving wife.
I thought Crystal needed an apron :0) I have gotten so used to wearing one that I think everyone would love one! I love being able to wipe my hands off without looking all over the kitchen for a towel! I sent along a matching necklace... so Crystal can look gorgeous while cooking! It is hard to see but it's in the picture.
Here is everything all wrapped up with bows on ready to stuff in to the box!

I found some new towels that I thought would look nice in her kitchen. I made a dishcloth and sent along a crochet scrubber too! I had some sample coffee packs that I wrapped up and some chap stick from my stash. No box would be complete without chocolate so I wrapped up some Wilber Buds (way, way better than Hershey Kisses) and chocolate covered coffee beans. I found a hanging candle at the thrift store that I thought would match her other rod iron decorations! The last thing I included was some cotton yarn, a crochet hook, and directions for my favorite dishcloth. Crystal wants to learn to crochet/knit so I thought I'd encourage her a little:0)

This is what Crystal sent me!
She colored these glass jars! I love how the light hits them in the window sill. The best part is I saw them online and thought I'd like some...hehe! Now I don't have to make them:-) I probably would have never gotten to it!
She also sent a pretty picture frame with verses on it, trail mix, tea, coasters (that she also made!), and a yummy smelling candle!

Thanks so much Crystal for swapping such fun packages! Thanks also to Monica and Carrie for hosting:-)

~Blogversary and Giveaway Winner~

Whoooohooooo!
My real life friend Jenny S. is the winner. Jenny and I went to middle school together. She lives in New York with her high school sweetheart husband (who is in seminary) and their three children.

I hope the surprise package is an encouragement to you Jenny!!!

Thanks so much for playing along. I really wish you all could win!!!!

(I'll post a photo of what I sent after she receives it)

~Blogversary GIveaway & Last Question~

Well, there are 32 comments so far. That means if you make all six comments your chance of winning is fairly good!

The last question is about animals... what is your favorite animal...and your least favorite animal? You don't have to have them...you don't even need to have seen one!

My least favorite is very easy! Snakes. Nuf said. I don't even want to talk about them.

My most favorite is very hard. I enjoy animals. They are fascinating to watch at the zoo and much more fun to study with the boys than chemistry:-) From my own experience I know fish are neat, dogs are fun and chickens are curious. We have also had a gerbil, a hamster and cats. I think dolphins and Manatees are amazing, but so are monkeys and bees! See, this is tough! If I really had to choose one... I'd say penguins (monkeys are a close second).

Ok, finish up answering the questions... I'll give you til Monday night. I'll draw a name on Tuesday!

~Blogversary & Giveaway Question 5~

I'm so glad you are all playing along ;-) I think it is rather interesting that no one mentioned anything about the giveaway being a surprise (I am working on it!) you are all game for anything! BTW, I am really enjoying your answers!!!

Speaking of surprises... that will be my next question! Do you love them or hate them!?!?!? And what was a very memorable surprise you did or had done to you?!?!?!

I must say that I LOVE surprises! The problem is that I am really nosy... well, curious may be a better word. I often ruin surprises because I tend to ask a lot of questions:-) My poor husband has tried many times to surprise me... and I always trip over some clues. Sigh...

I think one of the best surprises done to me was by my maid of honor...my bridal shower was a complete surprise! I couldn't figure out what was going on! I was so busy planning the wedding and her bridal shower that I didn't have a clue!

I was able to really surprise Gregg once too. I got a sizable bonus one year (when I was working before kids!) and bought him a day at the race track...some type of racing school. He was really surprised!

And because I don't like to post without a photo... the coolest surprise EVER was giving birth to a baby girl! LOL! You know I had to throw that in here:-)

I'm looking forward to your answers!!!

~Blogversary & Giveaway Question 4~

There is a new blog in town! Raising Homemakers just launched today and already has a big following! I am really excited for this one! I like the crafty blogs and I like the meet me and my family blogs, I like the lets save money blogs and I especially like the let me encourage you blogs:-) There are several writers for this blog and I think it's gonna be good.

`

Here is your question... what one or two blogs is your favorite and why!?!??!

`

I follow many (too many:0) blogs on google reader. Sometimes I have to skim a lot of them. The craft blogs and food blogs are almost always skimmed. I rarely skim my bloggy friends, 'cause hey, they are friends:0) I often catch up on my reading when I'm nursing Kiersten! I hate unsubscribing to a blog because I feel bad... but I really have to weigh how much time it takes to read and how much I get out of it. One of my favorite encouraging blogs is Generation Cedar. Some of my previous favorites aren't so favorite anymore. I change, they change. But this one has been challenging and encouraging to me this last year. I have forwarded many of the posts to my husband and some to friends as well.

~Blogversary Giveaway Question 3~

I just started a new crochet project. It is a basket weave blanket. It is an easy pattern to follow and it is going to be so nice and thick! This blanket sure does use a lot of yarn! I think I will be making a second one over the winter because this one is a gift;-)

Question 3... You must choose fabric or yarn or neither. If you choose fabric tell me what colors you normally buy and what you like to make. If you choose yarn tell me what type of yarn, type of hook (plastic or metal) and what you make with it. If you choose neither, I want to know if you prefer to buy store bought or homemade. OK!?!??!?!

I like fabric in off tones (not brights or pastels)... quilts, baby girl
dresses :-), pj pants for me and my boys, skirts, table runners

I like to crochet... I only like cotton yarn, I haven't found a difference between metal and plastic hooks, I have made several dishcloths and blankets... I haven't tried anything with shape yet.

I love all things homemade!

Have a great Memorial Weekend!

~Blogversary Giveaway Question 2~

We have been having summer weather here! I enjoy sitting (yes sitting!) out back in the shade watching the boys play while I crochet. Eric and Nathan have spent some time blowing bubbles. They all love riding different trikes and bikes. I have spent some time in the garden too!

While I enjoy being home, I am certainly anxious to travel... someday:-) The place I most want to visit is Turkey. The boys and I studied Turkey last year in school and I was just amazed at the country. Wonderful history is there...many traditions are still done today... unique nature... many places are still in there "ancient" form... and they can grow wonderful food along the water. Some people still live in dirt houses but they also have cable TV! I could go on and on about Turkey:-)

I'd also like to see China (mostly because Gregg is there so often), Egypt or Mexico, a safari, a tropical rain forest, and Greece. I'd love to go just about anywhere! Landscape, animals, and all the nature stuff fascinate me!

So, here is question 2... Where would you love to travel????

~Blogversary & a Giveaway~

May 2010 is my 2 year Blogversary :-) I've really been trying to get something together, but we are in the home stretch of school and I feel a bit of rush, rush, rush happening. I see the end is near... but wanted to get something started. So, we are going to do things different than last year!

I am going to ask a question three days this week and three days next week. If you answer the question it in the comments, you will automatically be entered in the giveaway. So, the more questions you answer, the better your chance to win! Got it!?!?!?

Your prize is a surprise... to you and me! Haha! I'm sure I'll come up with something in the next two weeks! I promise!

Ok, so here is the first question.

Do you prefer coffee or tea... and do you prefer it hot or cold?

My answer is... I prefer iced coffee. I do like all four variations (depending on the weather of course!). If I am cold I'd go for hot decaf coffee with lots of cream and sugar as a treat but I try to stick with hot herbal tea because it is much better for me.

Your turn!

~Free ebook~

I just had to stop in and let you all know about this. I downloaded it this morning and can't stop reading....

Follow the link here!

~The Most Amazing Quilt Give-away~

I don't know how I found this give-away... and I don't know how long it is running... but I just had to share it with you all! I am not normally a bright color person... but I LOVE this quilt! I really like the pattern and the fabrics. She is not done sewing it together but is giving this away! Did I mention I really, really like it!!!??! Because I never win anything... I am hoping to duplicate this somehow. Haha! Easier said than done I know:-)

Here is the link so you can enter the give-away!
Banaghaisge: Blogaversary Give-away

~Anybody Interested~

I've been hearing a lot about swagbucks lately. Any one a user? Any tips or tricks to share with me? If you are not already signed up... you can click on my side bar and sign up for free:-) You earn points just by searching the internet. You trade those points in for gift cards (like from Amazon). How cool is that!

~Blog Party at Penny Raines~

Hope on over here to see Penny! She is having a blog party all week with some great giveaways!

Today she is offering a free ebook about making popcorn and the giveaway is her whole set of e books! The three that I have are great!

~Tea Time~

Emily started her Thursday Tea Time again! I love looking at everyones photos and yummy treats! I also love sitting down with a yummy afternoon snack...what a great excuse! Today I had a nice afternoon nap...and then a cup of Hot Cocoa! The weather here is certainly fall like! No treats for me today...we are having an early supper.

This mug was given to me in a gift basket when I had Kiersten! Isn't it so pretty! I was also given snack type food (which I've already eaten!) and some tea...I haven't tried them yet. What a nice gift!

~Commercial~

I thought take a moment to quickly share a link with you...

Homeschool Freebie of the Day

They send out an email every Monday with the info on a free resource each day for you to download. This week seems exceptionally good...sewing, coloring (creation science), laundry soap...go on over and check it out!

~Some Links for You~

Today was one of those days...like...I didn't want to move. I only accomplished two loads of laundry, three meals, and two naps:-) Oh yeah, I played legos with Nathan.

I thought I'd share a few links with you today since nothing else was going on around here!

Here is a link for Heart-to-Heart with Diane. She told us how to look for a good deal on toilet paper! I never really know what a good price is...double rolls, triple rolls, thin and thick...yikes! It is really easy...go check it out!

Here is a link for Canon Paper Crafts. They have a good assortment of printables. Many are more difficult (Jordan will have some trouble) few are easy. But I think we will print some out to do as a family. Egyptian pyramid, structure of the sun, maybe some vehicals, and I'd like to try out some toys for the little two guys. They recommend using photo paper...but you can use cardstock...you just won't have as clear of a photo.

Here is what the boys were working on...

Here is a link for a unit study on The Book of Virtues. I am new to this blog but from what I can tell, she is a homeschool mom of four and decided to bless the homeschool community with this huge study...992 pages worth! I looked through it last night and I think we will be going through this in 2010-2011. (Our 2009-2010 is already full). Just scroll down the right hand side and look for Book of Virtues. Even if you are not ready for this, I'd download it now and save it to a disk...you'll probably want it later and it will be either hard to find...or costly!

One more...Here is a link for a printable pattern for an apron through Susan Branch. I made this one the other week. I like how it looks but am not used to a full apron...I have only worn half aprons. It will give you a lot of practice with bias tape! I used ribbon instead of the ties.

Enjoy!

~Giveaway Day~

You all have such wonderful plans! I took some notes on your devotional material...thanks for the tips:-)

Jean asked what I was doing...um...well, the boys are I are going through the minor prophets in the morning...the family is going through Jesus miracles at night...and I am trying to continue in my Quieting a Noisey Soul study. My pregnant brain has been very taxed by the book I'm reading "A Layman Looks at the Love of God" but I am slowly starting to understand it and be challanged by it!

I had a few goals for this year... simplify (I've cleaned out a lot~have a lot to go, but am content)... make some healthier eating choices (homemade granola, yogurt, fresh ground bread)... knit/crochet (dishcloths)... make soap. All I have left is making soap!!! Once baby arrives, it will be a good six months before I get my feet back in to new stuff!

Anyway, this is what you really want to know...

Amanda from my blessed calling is the winner!!! Amanda has three little sweeties and is expecting another blessing in October. It was through Amanda, I found my yummy granola recipie...thanks Amanda! I just had some this morning with Tanya's yogurt...thanks Tanya, it worked!

So Amanda, please leave a comment on this post to let me know which gift set you would like and I also need your address...I promise I won't post it:-)

I'm off to the lab to get my diabetes test...yuck!