~Still Keeping Busy~

Ok, so here is what I've been doing...while waiting!

I finished sewing the blocks for my quilt. I am going to pack it up for now. I'm thinking about how I want to embelish it before I sew it all together!

I've been crocheting the Crazy Stitch (I think that is what is it called). I need to get 100% cotton in another color...but this is what I have so far...

Today, I learned how to make a granny square! It is fun going around and around!

Other things I've been doing...

~We tried our homemade pickles...everyone agrees...YUM! A must for next year!

~Keeping up with real life stuff...haircuts, bills, laundry etc.

If this baby doesn't come tonight...I think I am going to try to make French Bread tomorrow.

I will TRY to be patient until Thursday...If the baby doesn't come by then, I have to go back to the doctor for an exam, ultrasound, and non stress test early Friday. I hate to have to go through that, so bring on the baby!

~Rainy Day Play~

We have had a very wet summer, but not a real nice rainy day...until today. I decided to change around our schedule to suit the mood of the day. Here is what we did...

Ate breakfast, completed chores, played matchbox cars (with the windows open and the sound of the rain in the background!)

Made a black bottom banana cream pie for tonight and banana bread for breakfast on Sunday.

Played puppets...

Made collages...

Got dressed (yes, at 11:30 am!) and headed out for some last minute weekend groceries...

Ate lunch, the boys made funny faces on the magazines we didn't use earlier in the day while I made yogurt...

Watched a movie...

While packaging my tissue gifts...

Took a nap:-)

Woke up feeling like another nap...but ate a peach instead...

Checked on my blog friends and started supper. We will be heading out for special services at our church tonight. I'll drink another mug of honey and lemon and hopefully, get to bed at a good time.

Sometimes, rainy days are wonderful!

Happy Weekend!

~Keeping Busy~

I'm feeling much better!

I gave the boys a day off of school yesterday! I had another doctor appointment and didn't feel like trying to fit everything in. I had some fun projects I wanted to get to as well!

So, here is how I kept busy yesterday...

I am planning on giving these tissue holders to the wonderful nurses that take care of me! Oh, and don't forget those that deliver those yummy meals! Monica did this when she had her little boy and I thought it was such a great idea!

I'm hoping to buy some tissues today and stuff them, tie them with a tract and put them all in a pretty basket. I wasn't sure how many to make, so I just kept at it! I think 21 should do:-)

~Chai Tea~

I am sipping some of this right now...



It seems I have caught a whopper of a summer cold. I woke up Tuesday with a sore throat and Wednesday brought the runny nose and coughing (coughing at 9 months is not pleasant). I have been drinking hot tea and lemon and honey...trying to get some extra rest as well. Can't imagine going into labor feeling like this.


Anyway, I've heard so much about Chai Tea on the net that I had to try it. I do like spiced tea. My favorite hot tea is still Chamomile but this is good.


So, my idea of Chai tea was so/so...until I took a detour through the grocery store the other week I found this...

O MY IS THIS SO YUMMY!

It is a little pricey to purchase more often than once in a long while, but WOW, YUM! I have three packs stashed away for "special occasions"!

Anyone have a favorite brand of Chai I should try?!?!?

My boys are taking good care of me...keeping quiet and offering to help...making this mom smile, even when I feel bad.

It is now Thursday and I feel much bettter...still sound sick, but feel better:-)

~Fast Food~

I have been using one of these...

I am totally new to pressure cooking so this is yet another learning curve for me this year! Not only do they cook healthy food fast...you save on electric and your kitchen doesn't heat up!

Last night we had Beef BBQ...in one hour! The beef was even a little frozen still. You start cooking on high...until the pressure rises. Then you turn it down to medium heat and keep turning it down. The last half hour my stovetop was only on the 2nd heat setting!

I've cooked soup, chili, mashed potatoes, beans (you don't even need to soak overnight!), and chicken. Everything cooks fast and doesn't dry out because all the liquid is sealed into the pot. I still have a lot to learn as I transfer some crockpot and oven recipes over to the pressure cooker, but I have been so pleased!

~Soap 'n Stuff~

I almost forgot to tell you...

I did fit my soapmaking in on August 1st! It was easier than I thought and it has been curring in my room for the past number of weeks. After this Saturday, I can give it a try!!!

These "drying racks" were made a number of years ago...we went to a beach that was known for fossilized shark teeth and we used these as screens! Totally off topic...but we found lots of teeth. Can't wait to try it again with the boys being older! Anway, they work great for the soap!

I've also been using a shampoo bar instead of regular shampoo/conditioner. I was a little intimidated by going "poo free" and thought this a good alternative. So far (3 weeks into it) I really like it. Way easy, no conditioner...and no knots! I have my eyes set on this website and their shampoo bars. I should try just using baking soda...maybe I'll make my own...I found a recipe on line. I have used a vinegar rinse once a week...contrary to what is said, I can smell it even after my hair dries if I don't do a rinse.

`

Lastly, I've been using my own laundry detergent for several months. I have tried both powder and liquid. Again, there are many, many online recipes to try. It doesn't take long to make a batch, and it last for awhile...even with my laundry pile! I have had to rewash a few things (boys play clothes can be a challenge!) but everything else has been clean and fresh smelling.

`

Chemical free? Not yet, but making great strides!

~Happy 11th Birthday~

It is hard to believe my oldest boy is now 11!!!! My, how time flies! We celebrated his birthday on Saturday...they love for dad to be home:-) Jordan requested big, juicy hamburgers, potato salad and chocolate cake with peanut butter icing. He enjoyed a lot of time racing too.

It was fun watching his younger brothers make him gifts this past week. Everything was their idea...I never mentioned a thing! I didn't even help them! Jared helped Nathan make this "pig":-) He also got other treasures from his other brothers...all homemade. And, thankfully, he appreciated everyones efforts.

Jordan is now 5'1"! (we measure them on their birthdays)...he grew three inches this year...a normal pace for him.

Our prayer is that he will continue to grow...in wisdom, in stature, in favor with God, and in favor with man. We don't have too many more years to shape our arrow before sending him out...but lets not talk about that yet!