The Cottage Around the Corner

Flowers...

2011-03-12T09:51:00.001-06:00

I got a lovely bouquet of flowers the other day and it was time for me to cut them down. Once I did, they didn't fit into the vase the way they should, so I looked around for a different vase. Then Ziva told me, "mom, use a jelly jar. Geez, sometimes you are so unimaginative...!!!"

So I can't take credit for this idea. Now you know that Ziva is the brains of the operation around here...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

China hutch redo

2011-03-07T11:28:00.000-06:00

I have been looking at beautiful china hutches in blogland lately...and it made me realize that mine wasn't done to it's full potential. I love my Hinayana Hugh I found on craigslist...but it never looked right to me. So I went wearying for inspiration...and I found it. Now, here is the new and improved...btw...her name is Betty...

Still not where I want it, but better nonetheless. Soon it will be painted...red more than likely. Or turquoise...or antique white...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

China Hutch Tablescape

2011-03-07T07:00:00.000-06:00

It seems strange to call the top of a china cabinet a tablescape, but I am willing to go with that. I wanted to change a lot out to spring, but felt I needed to leave a spot for my rooster...my favorite rooster...of course her name is Betty. I name everything Betty...

Nit the best picture, but I have a feeling that my photos are about to get a lot better...a benefit of being married to a professional photographer... ;)

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More yummy breakfasts...

2011-03-06T17:20:00.001-06:00

I love scrambled eggs, but after a while it can get boring. So I decided to liven it up a bit this morning. I cooked the eggs with garlic, onion and cumin. I added fresh tomatoes and topped it off with some delicious sour cream. It was definitely a good start to a great day...

Hope your day was a good one!!! ;)

Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

My new kitchen wall decor

2011-03-03T10:34:00.001-06:00

I had these beautiful paintings in my kitchen. In fact, I moved them there last week. It just seemed too heavy to me...so I hit blogland looking for inspiration...and I found it.
Have you ever been to cherry hill cottage? It is one of my favorite blogs. Her kitchen is just perfect...and between her kitchen and her sister kathy's kitchen, you are sure to be inspired. I was looking at kathy's cottage kitchen and it hit me. I have some of the same things hanging around my house. Maybe I should move it into the kitchen...duh! I wanted a lighter look in the kitchen and a more sophisticated look in my bedroom...why not switch them around??? So, I did. Isn't it funny how the obvious solution always seems to evade you...at least me at least. So here is what I did. I still need to paint, but now I know the direction I am going...

Now I think that is a good start. Now i am a lot more motivated to finish her up. Btw- I named my kitchen Betty...is that weird????

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Spring is coming!!!

2011-02-27T13:59:00.001-06:00

Our trees are beginning to leaf out. My coreopsis is starting to grow and I couldn't be more happy! I hope you are having a beautiful day and starting to see signs of green...

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Would you like to have breakfast?

2011-02-26T08:42:00.001-06:00

I made breakfast for us today. Do you like milk in your coffee? I do! I made us some coffee cake served on some lovely vintage napkins and place mats. I just love the color! They are so happy looking!!!

The sun is shining this morning and it makes me think of you. Is it sunny where you are? If not, I will be happy to share some of my sunshine with you. And if it is dark and bleak where you are, colorful napkins always brighten my day...!!! ;)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

My desk area

2011-02-25T14:19:00.001-06:00

I finally have my own place in our house. This is difficult in that we have 7 people living in about 1100 square feet of house. I am not complaining though. The only thing I would change is the bedroom sizes. Everything else works for us. So now I have a designated space just for me. I am sure the kids will use it for homework as well...but I have laid claim to my own space none the less...cherries always mark my territory...

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My desk

2011-02-24T16:14:00.003-06:00

Everywhere I read lately has been about how people have their own private creative space. I felt really jealous. Then I read about how you should look at your house with different eyes to carve out a space. In a house with 7 people, that is no small feat, but I think I found a spot.
I recently bought a desk on craigslist. Already black, so I didnt have to paint...it was the color that I wanted anyway. Then I hit the thrift stores for decorative accessories. I think I made it cute...!!! I am happy with the results and I will post pictures tomorrow.
I am writing this blog on my new iPad...and it is very strange to say the least. So if I have bad grammar, please forgive me...

No Water...

2011-01-04T10:09:00.001-06:00

Decatur City has been out of water since yesterday. I can't tell you how important water is...unable to clean dishes, flush toilets...even get a drink. Needless to say, my house is a wreck. There are tons of piles up dishes and no way to clean them. The city decided not to warn anybody, so by the time we found out we would be without water for 24 hours, all the water in the stores was sold out.

I will have so much clean up to do when this is all over. It might be a nice cleaning break, but when you can't flush a toilet and people still have to go to the bathroom... then the scented candles don't really help.

It should be back on by 1700 tonight. Oh yeah. I am very disappointed how this has been handled. We live in an 1100 sq ft house with 7 people. I can't tell you how much of an inconvenience this is. One thing I have learned from all of this is that indoor plumbing isn't that great without water. I would do anything for an out house right now...

Happy New Year!!!!

2010-12-31T09:09:00.001-06:00

From me to you....have a wonderful new year!!!

Where Have I Been???

2010-12-29T19:47:00.001-06:00

Battling depression...losing some and winning some. It has been really hard to get motivated to do anything. I felt as though all the sunlight had been sucked out of my life. All the air felt stale...nothing fresh or alive seemed to exist. I felt like a foreigner in the world...like I did not belong.

Then one day, I remembered how I used to read blogs. There are some blogs that are like sunlight in themselves. The ones that always impart a sense of beauty to simple, every day tasks and objects. Blogs like www.deardaisycottage.typepad.com where Kim has the gift of making everything seem more beautiful. Even laundry at her house sounds enjoyable. A simple cup of coffee more delicious in a lovely, bright colored coffee cup.

And if you are looking for delicious food, look no further than www.bunnysovencom.blogspot.com as she has the most wonderful recipes. They will make you feel warm and safe. They nurture you in the way food is meant to nurture you.

Another blog filled with beauty and color would be www.cherryhillcottage.typepad.com, a place of cottage joy. A place of innocence and simplicity. Color is not used sparingly here and I believe that between this blog and Kim's Daisy Cottage, there is no way you can leave without at least cracking a smile.

If you are looking for romantic beauty then you will most certainly enjoy www.bunnyrosecottage.blogspot.com. Amy has a passion for bunnies and anything shabby chic. She recently bought a new home with her love and they are restoring and decorating it. As gifted as she is, I look forward to seeing how it all turns out. Although, I will admit to being jealous.... but then you will be too when you see her sitting room. Did I mention she has ANOTHER sitting room, too? See? I told you that you would be jealous.

There are quite a few other blogs out there that aided me in the time where I felt I was so lost, and I will share them with you every friday. It amazes me how people can find such beauty in what some would call a mundane task. Manuella at www.thepleasuresofhomemaking.blogspot.com always has the most creative and beautiful ways of turning something from an ugly duckling to something that looks like a heirloom treasure. Even cleaning to her becomes beautiful.

So now you know where I have been, what I have been dealing with. You also now know some of the blogs that helped me remember the sunlight and the fresh air breeze, the scent of life. I hope you will also enjoy these as much as I have and will find, or begin to find, the joys in simplicity. May you enjoy the fresh scent of snow, the soft glow of candlelight and the warmth of family and friends. Remember that although you may not find your blog to be deep and meaningful, there are others that will find solace and warmth in the simple lines that you express. Nothing is lost that cannot be found. Nothing is spoken that someone does not hear. The most important thing to remember is that no one is alone.

Frogs!!! Frogs!!!!! I Looooove Frogs!!

2010-07-13T12:40:00.001-05:00

Why do I love frogs!! Because they eat BUGS!! I strongly dislike bugs. I am arachnophobic, maybe even bugaphobic. I once had my neighbor from across the street come over to my house to kill a flying bug in my house. It was really ugly. And it freaked me out. Sadly, my 8 year old kills bugs for me.

Back to what I was saying... I love frogs. We have TONS of frogs in our yard. And I am looooving them!! I am not having the crazy bug problems I was having last year. In the hot, humid south, there are way too many bugs!! Some of them are pretty (from a distance and under glass stuck with pins to a display), and some are just the ugliest things you have ever seen. Too many sting and too many bite. We are really enjoying the frog invasion this year. They aren't getting in the way or making a mess, we are just enjoying their bug eating proficiencies. They are growing well, and I am just happy as a lark about them. The kids are enjoying catching them and I now have several requests to get little frog statues for the front and backyard. I must admit, I don't think they would have to twist my arm to convince me of that idea!!

So, I am going to watch the frogs in my yard and maybe even take a coupla pictures. I hope you are having a wondiferous week!! Have a very hoppy tuesday!!!!

Upcoming Projects...

2010-06-28T13:07:00.001-05:00

This week, I have a lot to do. Alas, I have a fever and I am sick. Will that stop me? Oh no!!

In fact, this morning I "colorfied" my guest bathroom. It was very pale and pastel, which is pretty, but with two boys that are always covered in dirt... it wasn't very user friendly. So I added splashes of red! Red is my favorite color, so that is no surprise. As soon as I can charge my camera, I will post pictures. I also plan on buying some red and white gingham ruffles (if I can find it) and embellishing my towels with it. I am not a good sewer, so I will use fabric glue. I am sure I will have to make more anyway, as my kids have a way of "discoloring" towels.

I am working on my front porch, but that might take a week or two. That is a couple of painting projects. I have to fix a wicker chair (it decided to unravel) and then paint it, the bookshelf and a table I plan on putting out there. I still need hanging plants, but I can't say I have felt motivated to go to the store since I got sick. That reminds me... I still need garbage bags. Oh, well. We have WalMart bags. And 5 healthy kids that can take it out often.

I also weeded one of my beds. That was an ordeal. Of course, it was a heat index of 100 degrees when I did it and I couldn't possible stop. I had to get it done. Just blame it on my OCD. I still have another long one to do. It is amazing how quickly weeds grow. Why can't my plants grow like that?!?

My daughters made me a beautiful flower arrangement for the table. I tried to put it there, with a lovely tablecloth, but my 21 month old kept trying to knock it all down. No tablescapes for me, unless it's nap time. Oh well. He is cuter than any china! ;0)

I hope that you are having a productive week. Take it easy and stay out of the heat. I will post a pic of the arrangement my daughters made me a little later. See ya!!

Window Treatments

2010-06-24T12:00:00.004-05:00

I have been trying to figure out how to do the window treatments in my rooms. For 5 years. Seriously. I am indecisive. I get an idea, can't find the stuff and then get stumped. Get another idea, can't find the stuff and get stumped again. I go back and forth. I think I want it one way, then I see another idea from somewhere else. What is a girl to do? So, I have decided to go the
neutral route. Quite unlike me, but I figure when I find the perfect curtains the shades will match. Here are two ideas I found on this site: http://www.greatinteriordesign.com/tag/cottage-window-design/

I think I am leaning a bit more to the bamboo or matchstick blinds. I love the texture and it might save my house from looking like a McDonald's play area. What can I say? I love color. I want my house to be colorful and happy looking for my kids. Actually, if I could convince Kim over at http://www.deardaisycottage.typepad.com/ to trade houses with me, I wouldn't have to worry about it. Hers is perfect, but I lack the ability to look at things objectively and to know when to stop. I guess that is what makes my home mine. It may not be the best dressed, but I love it anyway. Kim recently made a post about not following "rules" of decorating, and I really took it to heart. If I want fake plants (my kids eat the real ones) then I can. I can paint anything any color I want. It's just paint. So, I will take her advice with my window treatments. I will pick which ever ones appeals most to me, "in style" or not. After all, if we don't call the shots in our own house, what's the point??

Crazy (but not lazy!!) days of summer

2010-06-23T22:08:00.006-05:00

We have had so much going on lately. My sister in law recently passed away. She was only 33. It has been so hard to think about decorating a house or finding yard sale jewels. So, I went off the grid. I even deleted my blog. Thank goodness for the undelete button.
I have been suffering from major depressive disorder for some time (years...) and have finally found a medication that appears to be helping. It took a week in the hospital but we did it. I was too depressed to start taking it at home since they can apparently affect you to where you can commit suicide if it isn't the right one. Lucky for me, it was. But I still had to spend a week in the hospital.
So, as you can see.... we have had a crazy amount of stuff going on over at the Cottage Around the Corner. Now that I am feeling better, my yard is a disaster!! And the heat index has been over 100 degrees. And I get sun poisoning. Before, this would have left me feeling overwhelmed as to how to complete this task. Now, I feel better equipped to handle it. Yeah, me!! It may take a while, but I keep seeing these beautiful porches and gardens and yards on blogs. Now that I am feeling better, it makes me feel inspired. Come on, you know how it can get. If you have a not so green thumb and you are reading the blog of a master gardener... you can feel a little overwhelmed. Green with envy even. But I won't do it this time. I will let it inspire me to make my yard, porch and gardens the way I want to. During my depression, I forgot what it is like to truly take pride in your home. The chores are less chores and more of an expression of love to your family. A joy to be a caretaker to the home that your family resides in. I lost all of that. But I got it back!! And I am excited!
I may not post all the time, but I do plan on making the posts more meaningful. At least to me. Hey, it is my blog!! ;0) I also plan on starting to point out the blogs that are inspiring me to do something to my home and for my family. And I plan on removing the followers bar. If no one ever reads this blog, I am ok with that. I will enjoy the bliss of ignorance. I don't want to compete with the big designers blogs. I just want to be me.
So, if you actually read all of this, feel free to drop me a line and let me know what you would be most interested in hearing about. You just might be my inspiration!!

The photo from the top is not my porch, although I wish it was. I found it on landscapeliving.com. If it happens to be your porch, please let me know. I would love to give you credit!!!

Happy Mother's Day!!

2010-05-09T19:31:00.001-05:00

Happy Mother's Day! I always look forward to Mother's Day. The kids always make the sweetest cards and, of course, the handprints that I get. Those are so precious.
These beautiful yellow roses are blooming so sweetly in my front yard now... well, they were. When my daughters saw how lovely they were, they made a mysterious disappearance. Thankfully there are quite a few more buds... ;0)
I just wanted to make a moment to tell you that I hope you have a lovely mother's day, even if it is a little late in the day. We have been very busy around here, and I have enjoyed soaking up all the extra loves I get on this very special day. I hope yours was as wonderful, if not better, than mine!! There is no more important job in the world that we can do other than to mould these special people we have been given to teach and, of course, love. Days like today make it even more special... especially when they insist on doing special things for me!!
Happy Mother's Day!!

Thrify Finds....

2010-04-28T10:26:00.005-05:00

Check these out! I am so excited! I can display pie without feeling the need to eat it!! Yeah!! I found a cherry pie (complete with a recipe in the bottom part) and a blueberry pie. I love having these. They make an adorable display, and if I am burning a pie scented candle, it makes it seem even more real. ;0)
I like to display them, so I put them in a triple plate holder (is that what it's called?). I just need to find an apple pie one now.
I also found the blue and white table cloth. I think it will look beautiful on a picnic table this year. Yes, I know my kids will make a mess of it, but it does wash and I paid less for it than a lot of the disposables or the ones that are easy to wipe off. You know, the vinyl ones. I haven't had much luck finding any polka dot vinyls, so if you happen to see some, please do share!!
I was thinking about painting today, but my right hip is hurting today. Yuck! It happens sometimes. I broke it when I was 4 and it hurts from time to time. Sadly, I can still sit and weed, so I guess I am doing that again today. I have some ideas up my sleeve to help with the whole weeding thing and I plan on sharing them soon. Hopefully this weekend. I just need to go get more dirt, compost and mulch. It involves either wet cardboard boxes or several layers of wet newspaper. Piqued your interest yet? I should be able to avoid weeding most of the year next year with this idea... so stay tuned!! I would much rather enjoy the flowers than weed, and I am sure you would, too!!
Have a great day!! I should be posting again real soon!!

Another CraigsList Find...

2010-04-27T10:03:00.006-05:00

I have had a lot of fun on CraigsList recently. Not near as much as I would like, as people are really overpricing their items, but I have found some great deals. Like this china cabinet:

I have always wanted a china cabinet, but they were either too expensive, or too large for the space. I found this one for $100. Yeah me!! I love the style. I need to replace the glass shelves since the glass is old and brittle, but that won't cost very much. I plan on painting it as well, I am just not sure what color. I love the idea of a cherry red china cabinet, but if I painted it black, I could put red and white polka dot paper in the back. I have such a thing for polka dots!! I could even switch it out with toile, which I would do for the winter holidays. Polka dots just seem to jump put at me in the spring and summer. There is another shot below.
I have several sets of china (5 to be exact)... 2 belong to my daughters. I received one from my MIL, and I think it is soooo pretty. It is a bamboo pattern. My boys love that one since it is less feminine than all the pink rose ones that my daughter have. I will have to post those another day as I have them packed away in the garage. I ran out of cabinet space in my kitchen and I didn't have the china cabinet yet. I loooove china. I even bought a pre-chipped set for the girls and I to use outside for tea. That way I would be broken hearted when one breaks. I found that set at a thrift store. The girls were thrilled, because they know there is no way Mommy would take out an intact set of china. Really... how fun would tea be if Mommy broke out in tears every time someone inevitably chip the really nice china? I prefer to not have that come out in the therapy office when they are older. You know, fear of china. Call it china-phobia, stemming from an unnatural fear of china due to the crazy behavior of a mother. That doesn't sound that fun to me. Of course, since I got the china cabinet, the kids are planning out who gets it when I die. I must admit, that makes me a wee bit nervous.... ;0). I think they all realize how special it is to me, even though I haven't been able to paint it or accessorize it like I plan. How fun would it really be if everything was done all at once? I think that makes it look too contrived. I want it to look like I have been working on it for years. I think that makes it much more lovely. Do you have a china cabinet and how did you treat yours? You know, with paint and accessories? I hope to get to the painting in the next few weeks, but I am having trouble on the color. What do you think? Black, antique white, cherry red or turquoise? Now remember that I am counting on you here. ;0) I am at a most indecisive stage. So, tell me what you think and I will let you know what I finally decide!! Thanks for stopping by and I promise to post more frequently.

While I pondered, cold and dreary....

2010-03-31T10:50:00.005-05:00

Things have been crazy around here. I haven't posted since February. I know. Bad, bad blogger!! I promise to self flagellate later. You see, the longer I stayed away... the more I thought that the next project had to be big. The longer, the bigger. You understand. So, there was a lot of self imposed pressure I was placing on myself, and with 5 kids.... big projects are kinda hard to get done. They tend to be long term ongoing projects. So, I didn't post. Then there was the guilt. You know, for not posting. Yes, I know. You are right. I am kinda psycho.
To top all of this craziness off, I have been battling major depressive disorder. It is kinda funny when you think about it. I have been too depressed to do anything and then I was filled with guilt for not doing anything. Thankfully, I am feeling better for the time being and I admit that that is absolutely crazy funny. Hey, if you can't laugh at yourself when you've lost it.... what is the point???
So, I promise that I will behave myself better. No more feeling sorry for myself. The worst thing I could do is sit on my butt and do nothing. Yes, I have the gift of guilt trips. And I am especially good at doing them to myself. I always say, "If you can't afford a real trip, then take a guilt trip!". Ha.
Try not to think of me as too pathetic, if you do that is OK. I have gone through this long enough to not care what other people think. If I did that, well, I think I would always be depressed.
Ok. Enough of that. On to something interesting. The month of April should be a good month around here. We are planning several painting projects. Namely, the shed out back. We need to replace siding on one side, but after that it is all paint. And plants. Did I mention that it is currently my homage to weeds? I could say it is currently a science experiment to determine the types of weeds prevalent in our area. We are also currently conducting science experiments in the fridge... which reminds me that the fridge is on my list for today. Oh, dang. And the bathrooms. Why did you have to remind me?
Well, I now have a ton of stuff to get done. And I hope you guys are still around. I plan on getting quite a few things done here soon. And no procrastinating this time!! I promise!!

Make-up Organizer

2010-02-06T15:14:00.001-06:00

I know I said I would post this on the 26th of January, but we have AGAIN been dealing with sickness. Aurrgh! I am soooo ready for spring!!
I haven't had a lot of time to do a ton of stuff... yet. That is all coming.... soon!! I promise!! For right now, I am just uber happy to get this up here!! Quick! Before the kids see I am on the computer...!!!

Make-up organizers can be pricey. Too pricey if you ask me. Maybe I am just too cheap, maybe frugal is a better description.
Here is what I did:

I went out to WalMart and bought a $10 fishing tackle box. I also went over to the craft section and got some bead organizers for my earrings. It is a beautiful thing when you can actually find your accessories!! ;0)

The earrings fit nicely in the bottom drawer, along with some of the larger eye shadow compacts that I have. The rest I just divided up and...voila!! I can actually find stuff!! Yippee!! Here she is... by the way I named her Martha...:

I don't have a ton of make-up right now. At least not as much as some other people I know. One girl I know has one of those huge Craftsman tool boxes and it is totally filled. Of course, she is a make-up artist... but I still drool thinking about it. I had better watch out... Betty, my new computer, doesn't appreciate my drooling on her. I had better go before the kids realize that Mommy is distracted and I find my new china hutch (new to me off of CraigsList) "tampered" with... while no one was around it. I tell you... we definitely have a ghost around here!! Have a great weekend and I promise not to be such a huge flake this week!!

My Girls

2010-02-03T10:58:00.001-06:00

Here's a quick pic my awesome husband took on my old camera this morning!

OK OK, this is really Kelly's husband. As part of setting up Kelly's new MacBook Pro, I'm setting her up with a much easier blogging workflow and this post is simply a test of that new workflow. I couldn't help but throw in that shameless plug...

Bzzz Agent

2010-01-25T14:48:00.002-06:00

I am a Bzzz Agent. If you aren't you are really missing out. I get to try out new products and rate them. I have even gotten to try out different medications, like allergy meds, that worked great. And it didn't cost me a dime. I didn't even have to pay for shipping.

The latest thing I have gotten to try is the 24 hour lash boosting power serum. The first time I told my husband, he said, "I didn't know you had eyelashes!". So, I guess it is really great I got to try this out.

I have issues with eyelash fall out and they are really blond at the end, so they are hard to see. This stuff is a miracle! I loooove it! My lashes are so much healthier, longer and there is so much less eyelash fall out! Yeah my lashes! What can I say? It doesn't take much to make me happy. ;0)

So, you really have to get this stuff!! If you have eyelash "issues" like me, this stuff is miraculous. It costs about $21 but my lashes have never looked so good! My kids actually notice that I have them now. That has got to mean something....

I will be posting some organizational tips tomorrow. I haven't gotten a lot done in my house, but I organized my earring, bracelets and makeup! Yeah! Now I can actually find things!! I feel like a whole new woman!! See you tomorrow!!

Strep again!!!!

2010-01-08T10:12:00.003-06:00

I just got rid of this stuff about 2 months ago. Gee, I haven't even had it since I was a kid.... but I keep getting it now. Yuck!! I have an appointment soon and, if I am lucky, I can just get the shot in the bottom instead of taking the medicine. Swallowing is not currently my forte. I should be back in a couple of days, but right now I think I need to sleeeeeep. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz........ oh! Sorry! I will keep up with your guys' blogs, but might not update mine for a coupla days. Hopefully I can get through this without infecting all the kids. Oh, dear!!

Angel Biscuits made by my Angel...

2010-01-05T15:22:00.003-06:00

This is such a delicious recipe for biscuits. If you prefer biscuits without sugar, you can just omit that. We found that these are good with anything... especially jelly (the kids' favorite!!). Faith made this batch and I think she did a great job!! This is a recipe I got from our pastors wife when I was a teenager. There is nothing quite as homey smelling as fresh baked biscuits and homemade bread. Enjoy!!

Angel Biscuits

1 pkg active-dry yeast

2 T lukewarm water (very warm for dry yeast)

5 C. all purpose flour

1 t baking soda

3 t baking powder

2 T sugar

1.5 t salt

1 C vegetable shortening

2 C buttermilk - works with regular milk as well. Just add 1 t to every C of milk to make buttermilk substitute

Dissolve yeast into warm water. Sift dry ingredients into large bowl (or fluff with a fork if you want to cheat!!). Cut in shortening with pastry blender. Add buttermilk, then yeast mixture. Stir until thoroughly moistened Turn onto floured board and knead for 1-2 minutes. (No rising). Roll out to desired thickness (1/2 inch is best) and cut into rounds. Brush with melted butter and bake on an ungreased pan at 400ºF for 15 minutes or until lightly browned. These bakes biscuits freeze beautifully.

Note: After mixing, dough may be refrigerated in a plastic bag or in a covered bowl until ready to use. (Keeps well for 2-3 days). If using plastic bag, leave some room for expansion. These may be readied for baking the day before and kept refrigerated until 1 hour before baking, allowing time to attain room temperature.

Happy New Year's!!

2009-12-31T10:49:00.003-06:00

This year has brought about a lot of change for me and our family. The economy has been awful and we have been affected by it in a negative way.... which just stinks!! So, it is with great hope I look forward to this next year.

My main goal will be to try to keep my house a little neater, a little prettier and spend more time with my family. Sure, I would love to lose 20 pounds... or 30... ok!! I get it!! I could stand to lose more... but darn it if I don't like to cook and I tend to do that well. Maybe I should make my new years resolution to burn more food so I eat less. Hmmmm... interesting. Science experiments.... although I think I have enough of those in my fridge right now. Oooooohhhh!!! Another new years resolution!!! I must stop my ongoing study of various molds and how they grow on food. Hmm. That is just gross. TMI, I know. ;0)

Overall, my goal will be to make my home a more joyous place. More comforting. A safe place. Lately it seems to have been a busy place... and I don't dig on that too much. I want to be a more gentle person, but being of Irish decent... that becomes a war with my genetic makeup. LOL! I always loved Miss Melanie from "Gone with the Wind". The character I most admire and the one I am least like. I am soooo a Scarlett.

Anyway, I am rambling on and saying absolutely nothing. Earnest Hemmingway would look with disgust on my writing. Haha!! I can't help it if I am more like Victor Hugo!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year and that you don't drink too much. Seriously, a hangover is not a good way to start the new year. I think it will be Martinelli's for me this year.

Sooooo...... HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!!!

Merry Christmas!!

2009-12-25T13:36:00.004-06:00

I haven't posted since October 12th. There have been some very crazy things going on around here, but they should be ironed out pretty soon.

I hope that everyone is having a great Christmas!! I know my kids are!! They got a Wii this year and I am not sure they will be sleeping for the next week...!!!

I promise to start posting again, but have a whole lot of food to finish up here. I can give you all the run down in a few more days...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! from our family to yours!! ;0)

And life goes on...

2009-10-12T13:26:00.006-05:00

I have been gone for waaaay too long. But... to be fair... everyone got sick. And then they got sick again. Then something else came through. This past Friday, my daughter Faith had a tonsillectomy and an adenoidectomy. She has had a real hard go of it, but she can breathe again. The Dr. said that her tonsils were the size of golf balls and they were also infected, so I know she will be feeling much better. These next 2 weeks might be a little difficult for her though.

One thing I got done while I was sick, and before my husband got sick, was to re-stage the mantel. I have always had a very hard time making my mantel look nice. I am very good at grabbing a bunch of stuff and throwing it up there and pretending it looks good. Well, it usually doesn't. But I think it looks much better now. Please give me your honest opinions... because I know I can always use ideas and guidance. I seem to have a mental block when it comes to the mantel. I am also having issues with the mantel as far as pictures go. It absorbs all the light when I try to photograph it and looks so dark. It really isn't that dark, but the rocks!! It's the rocks!! Augh!! That is ok, because I love the rocks. Really, they are why we bought this house. We bought it for the stone fireplace. And I am so excited that it is almost cold enough to light a fire. I might even fudge on that a little bit. I am really dreaming of hot chocolate and a roaring fire.

The weather today would work really well with my fireplace dreams. It is cold and rainy. Before Christmas, we are going to add some trim and moulding to make it look nicer. Oh my!! I have my 5 year old and my 3 year old bring in a whole bunch of clothes down the hall. Apparently they are packing to go to Pearl Harbor. Methinks we have watched too many WW2 movies lately... let me know what you think... and show me your beautiful mantels!! Sharing ideas is one of the best parts of blogging!! And I will go figure out how to take pictures of my fireplace without it looking like a dungeon.....

I Will Survive....

2009-09-27T13:45:00.003-05:00

Every time I say that, I feel like playing disco music. And maybe dancing like John Travolta. I don't think it's that weird.... do you???

We are all still alive. Mr. Hunny and I got it the worst, and for that I am glad. We can suck it up a lot better than the kids can. I still have an intense cough and sore throat, but I finally got some energy back. You know how it is. You are scared to use the bathroom because every one has been so sick, including you, and you just don't have the energy to clean it. I finally got both bathrooms and the kitchen scrubbed and sanitized yesterday. I am not sure I would have been able to had I not had some good dance music to listen on my iPOD. Turn it up and pretty soon I am the only one here. I am sure my kids all think I am crazy singing Lady Gaga as loud as I was, but they won't complain. I made a real dinner and you are no longer scared to sit in the bathroom. All good things.

Monday Faith goes on her very first field trip. Gabe goes on Tuesday (not his first). Jacob will get to go in October. I can't even begin to describe the excitement for that boy. A bus ride to a pumpkin patch. Surely he must be going to heaven. ;0)

I actually managed moving some furniture around while I was sick. Actually, I managed and my husband moved it. Don't worry, he wasn't sick yet. But he was the next day, so it all worked out. I even managed to take pictures. I have planned for 4 days to post it, but have been trying to get things cleaned up. Kind of a priority when we had... dare I say it.... the SWINE FLU!! Aaaahhhh!!! But, we all lived and now there is one less ailment to worry about. Yeah. With 5 kids, a single cold can last months. Seriously. We haven't been to church in about 2 or 2.5 months. Boy do I miss it. So do the kids, but I can't take them when they are sick just because I want to go. Really. I wanted to, but couldn't be that thoughtless to everyone else there. Plus, they know where we live. Not such a good thing... ;)

So, hopefully I will get the post tomorrow. Although the next 2 weeks we have about 13 appointments. The first time I have needed an organizer. Fun stuff. I don't like being busy. Not like that anyway.

I hope everyone had a great weekend and I hope you can avoid the swine flu. Very much so not fun. Can't say it enough...

What do you get when....

2009-09-15T10:33:00.005-05:00

you mix 5 sick kids and 1 sick Mommy? NO FUN!! I now have 4 out of my 5 kids on antibiotics. I am sure the 5th one will be on them soon, too. I just haven't taken her yet. (Sometimes I think our pediatrician would make a ton of money if we were his only clients.) So, needless to say... I am now sick AND frustrated. Frustrated because I am not a good sick person. Also because I have projects that I want to complete. Did I mention I am not a good sick person?

Two finally got to go back to school today, but only because they are on antibiotics. The baby has the croup for the 10th time in his first year. His birthday is tomorrow... poor guy. ;( Three are home with me. One that went to school today will have to have her tonsils removed October 9th. The nurse said she will probably stay in bed for a week sleeping because of the pain meds and the Phinergin(sp?) she will be on. So now I want to make her bed super pretty and very cozy. I won't have time to get the room painted, but her bed should get extra pillows and lots of pretty things to look at. I think she will also need a steady supply of fresh flowers. thank heavens Aldi's has bouquets of flowers for $3.99. And they are beautiful and last quite a while!! (Hint hint, Mr. Hunny!!)

So now I just need to put my big girl panties on and fix up her room. Thank goodness we live less than a mile from a JCPenney outlet. I should be able to get her a pretty quilt or comforter complete with pillows for less than $50. We will also be making sign for the front room requiring the admission price of 1 milkshake before they are allowed to pass to visit the patient. She LOVES that part!! Of course, we will have backups on hand for people just in case they forget!! So just in case I am not here for the next few days, you know where I am. I hope to be back really soon. There is always so much inspiration to be had visiting all of these wonderful blogs!! Two children requesting I feed them now. Gosh they can be so demanding!! ;0) Now if I could just stop sneezing...!!!

Trying to Organize for fall...

2009-09-13T09:20:00.002-05:00

Looking at the beautiful organized houses on here have got me thinking. If they can have a neat looking house... then I can,too!! Mine isn't really awful or anything, but there is room for some definite improvement. Before I had kids, EVERYTHING was organized. Something happens when you pop out 5 kids... but that is not an excuse. And I don't plan on using it for an excuse either. I talked it over with my husband. Our kitchen will be fully organized and painted before thanksgiving. Period. I will not rest until it is done. It is so easy to push everything off, but I spend so much time in there, it can get depressing to try to cook in there.

We started off by organizing the pantry and the cabinets. Can you believe I had to pack up four sets of china? I just LOOOOVE dishes. I need to find a china cabinet, cheap. I can't pay a lot of money for something and then paint it. It makes my tummy hurt to think about it. Seriously. So, I have to find a decent one that I can paint and do lots of stuff to. Then I won't feel bad if I mess it up. It will more than likely go in our front room. My kitchen is really tiny, so it can be very difficult to decorate. The table is actually a little too small for us, but I haven't found what I want yet. I want a harvest table, or something similar. And definitely benches for the kids. We can smoosh them all together if we have company. Hehe. Again, it must be cheap. Antiqued or "pre-chipped" is preferable. That way I can't get upset if my kids mess it up.... which is going to happen. I just want a sturdy table. Nothing formal. I want mis-matchy chairs. You know, kinda cottage-eclectic. That way, if a chair gets broken... which it will... my hair will not end up getting ripped out. Now you know why I have short hair...haha!! ;0)

So, I am feeling pretty good right now. I know what I want to do to my kitchen and I have organized the cabinets and pantry. Now I need to clean off the counters and still somehow make it look welcoming, somewhat decorated, but not in the way of my cooking. Or baking. I am thinking I might be begging for ideas in the future, but that will be in another month or so. Now if I could just decide what color to paint my cabinets. I wonder if schizophrenia runs in my family.....

A Cloche Party!!!!

2009-09-11T08:48:00.006-05:00

It's a cloche party over at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/ !! And who wouldn't want to go?!? Cloche is such a fun word, I just couldn't stay away. I don't have a lot of them, but it is more of how you use them than it is how many you have. So, in that spirit I am qualified. My pictures are a little bit blurry. My camera was throwing a fit this morning. I can handle that better than when my kids do it, so I am ok with that!! ;0)

This first one is just a simple cloche over a pretty plate with a pumpkin on leaves. I tied a raffia bow around it and that is good for me. The second one is a wire cloche that I won in a contest from Bunny's Bungalow. I tell you, this is just the best little thing!! I use it in everything. It is just the most perfect cloche I could ever ask for!!

So, this is all I have. But there are so may other gorgeous displays out there!! Check out http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/. There are so many other ideas out there that I myself would never be able to come up with!! Really!! What are you still doing here?!? Go get inspired!!

A Red Chalkboard... FINALLY!!!

2009-09-10T10:27:00.005-05:00

Wow!! I actually did it!! Actually, I did it about a week ago and haven't had any time to post, but I am finally getting it posted. Yes, I know this is a very simple thing. But it sure makes me happy!! ;0) After painting this red, my 3 year old went up to my husband and informed him that he needs to paint our coffee table red. And soon because,"I don't think it looks pretty right now!!". LOL! A girl after my own heart. Maybe she will get him motivated to do it. I just thought it was precious. Then she started telling us we need to paint everything red, "Cause I really like that color so we should paint everything red!!". I can't really disagree with her since I looove red, too!! We will see. So, I can actually accomplish things I set out to do, they just sometimes take waaaay longer than they should. That's ok. I now have a motivational speaker living with me!! ;0)

Crafty Kelly???? Must be a typo....

2009-08-31T08:00:00.006-05:00

I got these maple branches from Pier 1 this past spring. Normally, they are $5 each but I bought them on clearance for $0.49. I put 6 branches together and made this lovely foliage display. Well, almost. I tied twine at the top and bottom to keep it together, then spun the twine all the way down from the top and then back up. Such talent... yes I know. Who knew?!? When I was finished with that, I tied it off (the twine) and then tied a raffia bow on top. Pretty simple, huh? Well, I think it looks great. I still have to make my second one later today, but I really like how it turned out. Considering it would have cost $60 at full price and I, frugal Mama that I am, did it for $6. Yippee!! Plus, I can't stand waiting for fall anymore. I am sure you are right. I need counseling, for sure. But sometimes it is fun to be a little crazy!! ;0) What sort of projects are you planning for your fall decor this year?

Is it Fall Yet...????!?!?!?!?!?

2009-08-30T12:53:00.010-05:00

Finally!! Blogger hates me!! There is no other explanation. It won't let me move my photos and likes to spontaneously delete them on me. Aurgh!! Anyways....

Ok!! I can't take it anymore!! I know it isn't fall yet.... but they have Halloween decorations at the Dollar Tree already (Christmas, too) and I couldn't pass them up. We were in heaven... everything $1 or less. Here (somewhere on this page wherever Blogger put them) are a few lovelies we picked up: scarecrow wreath (13"), the little skulls swag and my favorite... the Insane Asylum sign. It sure can feel like that around here, but I wouldn't change it for anything!! :) They also had some really cute tinsel spiders, but they don't photograph really well. I admit, it was a little fun chasing the kids around the house with them!! :) Yes, that was terrible of me... but a Mom's gotta do what a Mom's gotta do. Besides, I owed them one (actually a lot more than that!!). I would try to move this, but I have a strange feeling that my post would either be deleted or more pictures would go missing. Hmmm... methinks I may find someone other than blogger soon if this doesn't work out!! :) I love my photos!!

I have been away from blogging for about a week, but I managed to take a lot of pictures and then promptly forget that I took them, so I will be able to post more of those later this week. I hope to see lots of Halloween and Harvest decor soon. I know there are some very talented and creative ladies on here. I must admit to being a bit giddy about it!! ;0)

ps- Blogger just deleted my skull swag pic. Ahhhh!!!!

Taylor, Bean and Whitaker and a painted chalkboard

2009-08-20T11:04:00.004-05:00

Ok, I am too confused. I can't make my mortgage payment because the Feds closed down Taylor Bean. I also can't get any info because the lines set up to answer questions has nobody answering them. Where is the news media? It seems to me they would be rather helpful in helping customers with this. And where has all of our bailout money for the banks gone? Yes, I know. They say there will be no late charge. But, don't they always say that? I am so frustrated, I can't get a hold of anyone. My BIL is in the mortgage industry and he has been able to answer some questions but, by and large, no one knows what is going on. Aurgh!!

Anyway... back to something more interesting. Today my 3 year old will be painting the chalkboard. She has determined that I may have the honored position of assisting her. If I play my cards right, I may even be able to make her meals today... but only if I am well behaved!! BTW- she insisted on my using this picture. ;0)

Wishing for Fall.....

2009-08-14T12:43:00.010-05:00

Fall is my favorite time of year! I am so excited about being able to decorate soon. I only wish it was sooner. I am ready for fall now. The kids are riding the big, yellow bus to school. I remember when I was little, it was starting to get chilly and we would wear sweaters and sweatshirts. Here in the south, it is still in the low to mid 90's. What I would give to be able to start up the fireplace right now!! Which reminds me.... I need to make my order of wood. Seeing a neatly stacked woodpile just makes me so very happy. This will be the first year I plan on having a woodpile. Last year we just bought it as we needed it... which cost more than it should have. I am not too sure on how to do it or what is truly required (there are lots of things that would be nice but are not really necessary...). If anyone out there has any great info on that, I would be ever so grateful. I know I haven't been around much lately, but that is mostly because I have 5 kids, went to California for a week and had three to get ready for school (started this past Monday.). With only two at home now, it should be a little easier. Of course, the two remaining are three and 11 months, so maybe I am just wishfully thinking... but it has been more relaxed and quiet so I think it should be just fine. Are any of you out there excited about the coming fall season? Is anyone else as nutty as me for beginning the plans for all the plantings and indoor/outdoor decor for the season? I can't wait!! Oh for a chilly night where I could make hot chocolate and sit in front of the fire. Soon... I can't wait!! :)

Mikey and Mommy go to California...

2009-07-31T08:08:00.005-05:00

We had the most fun trip to California. We surprised my father in law and showed up for his 75th birthday. He and Mom have not had very good health lately, so we wanted to make sure they got to see Mikey, the only grandchild they had not yet seen. Boy did we have fun. Everyone there kept apologizing for the "heatwave". Haha!! 105* there is like nothing!! Dry heat is not a big deal. I could have gone without air conditioning...!! When you are used to the humidity of the south, California's dry heat is pretty easy to take.

We had so very much fun!! We stayed with my sister in

law and her family. She has 3 kids and a very funny husband. Spending a week with them was one of the most fun things I think I have done. Her husband can crack you up without trying... her kids are so sweet and totally adorable... and Jenn and I are so similar that we laugh over almost everything. Needless to say, I had a blast... ate some very yummy food... played with some wonderful kids (that I already miss terribly) and am already starting to plan a trip there for all 7 of us after school ends next year. Here are a few pictures I took. I will have to post my fil and mil later. ;0)

I wish I could enjoy eating this much....!!!

2009-07-08T10:18:00.007-05:00

I can cook really well. And I certainly enjoy eating the fruits of my labor. So much that I might be on a diet pretty soon... after I am done nursing Mr. Chunk. Yet, this little guy has something pretty big over me... the chubbier he gets, the cuter he is. The chubbier I get... well... not so cute. Why is it that he can look so cute with chocolate all over his face and everyone gags when I do it? I don't know.... so I will just enjoy watching him in all of my green glory. Besides, these pictures will come in REALLY handy when he starts to date!! ;0)

Happy Fourth of July!!!

2009-07-03T14:35:00.004-05:00

I will never forget what our forefather's fought, bled and died for. I will never forget what our soldiers are doing right now. I will never forget September 11th. Yet, our government is forgetting. We need to remind them. We need to remember that freedom is never free, apathy breeds stupidity and if "a man hasn't discovered something he will die for, he isn't fit to live."

Happy Fourth of July!!!!

I am not too into politics, but....

2009-07-01T10:05:00.005-05:00

I am now!! Seriously!! How out of touch can these people be?!? They want to double our power bills. How many elderly people will freeze to death, die of heat stroke, or starve with the passage of the cap and tax? How about people on one income? Could they have picked a better time to pass this? No. Why? If this passes, then we will NEED the government just to survive. Who could afford food, electricity and medical bills? Not me and my husband with our 5 kids. How is this not an attack on middle income, single parent, lower income, fixed income or large families? Maybe if we were all "environmentally responsible", we would have known that we should get abortions after our first child... or we couldn't afford it. Can you see a limit on children coming? If they even try that, I would be more than happy to die for my beliefs. How is our government not becoming more like China.... you know... the ones that "own", I mean let us borrow money. Our government is getting so into our business, I don't see much hope for our country. Seriously, it will either come down to the death of our country or a revolution. Why doesn't anyone else seem to care? Why are we so transfixed with the death of a pop start and not interested in what will happen to our children's futures? Who could begin to afford all of these taxes? Oh wait!! Members of congress could. They make insane amount of money off of our backs already.... and can't pass a state budget. When was the last time you went out and spent $50,000 more than you had and then demanded that other people pay for your idiocy? That being said, why should Alabama pay for the dippity-doo-dahs in California that didn't notice that they are spending $25 billion over what they have. WHAT? Aren't they a state that legalized medical marijuana? Ok. Now I get it. They are all high. That is the only conclusion I could come to. Can you come up with a better one?

And why, if California is such an incompetent state, would we take all their laws for housing (you know, the ones they can't afford) and impose them on people that don't make near as much money? Do you trust our government to run our medical, housing, etc.... and has anyone noticed how buddy-buddy Obama is with Hugo Chavez? Our President friends with a socialist.... coincidence of freudian slip? You decide.

Anyway, I am fed up with the Fed. They are messing everything up, Obama has proved to me a major idiot and no one else is acting like they have a lick of sense. If they want the UN to run our country... let me just ay it would be OVER MY DEAD BODY!!

OK. Now I will go breathe into a bag and use relaxation breathing techniques. Maybe a bubble bath...

BTW... here is a great site to get a better hold in the cap and tax:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1134522/how-will-cap-and-trade-effect-your-real-estate-business-

Outdoor Wednesday!!!

2009-06-24T07:06:00.008-05:00

I never remember to do these, but I must really be on the ball today!! Thank you "A Southern Daydreamer"!! If you have no discovered Susan's incredibly inspiring blog, do yourself a favor and check it out!!

Here is my favorite crape myrtle. Well, really, they are all my favorite!! This one is right by my back patio. We planted this one for shade and I think that by next year it will be very hard at work. It is almost big enough now. I reminds me of fireworks. It seems to be exploding. I LOVE this tree!!!

Here are some roses, a spirea and a weigela. I can't wait until they grow in. This fall, this bed will be expanded. I plan on making this bed pretty big. The more I can plant in the front lawn, the less I have to mow. I really don't like much grass in the front yard. I like it in the back, where we play. I would prefer a cottage garden in the front.

This willow tree is one of the kids' favorites. I plan on planting one in the back. They have made it into a fort. I remember doing that when I was little. Willows have always been my favorite tree. Everyone always warns how messy they can be, but I think their beauty is worth it. Watching my children enjoy this tree, I know I made the right choice!! Thanks for stopping by!! I hope you enjoyed yourself as much as I enjoyed your visit!! Next time I will make sure I set out some lemonade and some of the missile popsicles. Always yummy!!

Miss Kelly! Miss Kelly!! How does your garden grow???

2009-06-23T11:16:00.005-05:00

Quite well, thank you!! It has grown quite a lot!! I must say that I am really excited. Both my husband and I both thought that it would look nice for a while, but that the veggies wouldn't actually grow. I figured it was worth a try anyway. Well guess what?!?!?!? That's right!! Everything is growing!!! Yeah me!! Admittedly, I wasn't sure how it would go so I planted a bunch of herbs, flowers, squash and tomatoes. I think I might be eating my very own organic tomato sandwiches soon. I only have a little bit of weeding to do. Had I done the mulch like I was supposed to, I wouldn't even have to do that. I think I will write "An Ode to Mulch" later today. How are all of your gardens doing? What have you found to be really helpful in your gardening? I hope that next year I will be able to plant even more!! Have a wonderful third day of summer!!! :)

Jon and Kate Plus 8 and Batman??

2009-06-22T20:52:00.004-05:00

OK. I admit it. I watch Jon and Kate plus 8 every week. Even though she comes across as a huge egomaniac, I doubt I would look much better. You end up looking however they cut the tape. It isn't all reality. I won't go into who is wrong... I don't know them. I am just feeling so very bad for the kids right now. Regardless of how amiable they are (or say they will be), they can't get along for an hour. They admit that. I doubt that will get better. If she is anything like me, I would spend the time apart coming up with great zingers. Funny thing about that is that I can ever think of them when I am in the situation. Kinda like Meg Ryan's character in "You've Got Mail".

Anyway, I know it is probably terrible I watch the show anyway... but I have always loved to watch the kids. I loved how they felt, as a couple and a family,that this was their ministry. Now I am just deeply sad that they ever said that. I am sad another large family has gone down the tubes. This is just going to be another jab to contend with when people find out I have 5 kids. I can deal. So can my kids. I just feel so very sad for those Gosselin kids.

They filed for divorce today. Our 12th wedding anniversary was yesterday. Maybe that is another reason it bothers me so much.

Off the soap box now. I should have something much less serious and pretty tomorrow!! :)

I hope that everyone has had a wonderful second day of summer. I am off to watch "The Dark Knight"... again...!! :0)

Happy CraigsList find!!!

2009-06-20T15:24:00.004-05:00

We are having a ginormous garage sale next weekend. In fact, three streets around us are getting in on it. This will be heaven next week!! In preparation, I found this picnic table on CraigsList for $45... and it came with an umbrella. It doesn't have a base, but that is no big deal. I take mine down whenever it gets windy and at night anyway. It works perfect!! The umbrella gives awesome coverage. I think we will keep it in the front yard. The kids love sitting at it for their lunch or ice cream. We also have a wooden one in the back yard, but it doesn't have an umbrella. So now we are ready for next weekend. My kids know that if I find anything on the floor this week that isn't supposed to be there, I will toss it in the garage sale box. Lucky for me, they are keeping most of their toys put away!! :)

I should be back Monday with some pictures of my garden. Yeah me!! They are all growing!! :)

Have a wonderful weekend and a Happy Father's Day!!!

Music playing in my head

2009-06-13T21:33:00.004-05:00

I have had such a huge thing for Coldplay lately. As I was cutting down a tree today, this one came on my iPOD. Now it won't go away and I am glad about that. Everyone is asleep right now and I know I should be in bed, but sometimes it is nice to listen to music loudly and surf the net. Gee, I don't think I have done this in years. Dear me. I may be too giddy to sleep tonight!! :) Anyway, you may think me nuts (I would agree with you), but I wanted to make sure everyone has heard this less often played Coldplay song. It makes me smile. What else can I ask a song to do??

"Swallowed In The Sea"

You cut me down a tree
And brought it back to me
And that's what made me see
Where I was going wrong
You put me on a shelf
And kept me for yourself
I can only blame myself
You can only blame me

And I could write a song
A hundred miles long
Well, that's where I belong
And you belong with me

And I could write it down
Or spread it all around
Get lost and then get found
Or swallowed in the sea

You put me on a line
And hung me out to dry
And darling that's when I
Decided to go to see you

You cut me down to size
And opened up my eyes
Made me realize
What I could not see

And I could write a book
The one they'll say that shook
The world, and then it took
It took it back from me

And I could write it down
Or spread it all around
Get lost and then get found
And you'll come back to me
Not swallowed in the sea

Ooh...

And I could write a song
A hundred miles long
Well, that's where I belong
And you belong with me

The streets you're walking on
A thousand houses long
Well, that's where I belong
And you belong with me

Oh what good is it to live
With nothing left to give
Forget but not forgive
Not loving all you see

Oh the streets you're walking on
A thousand houses long
Well that's where I belong
And you belong with me
Not swallowed in the sea

You belong with me
Not swallowed in the sea
Yeah, you belong with me
Not swallowed in the sea

FINALLY!! Pictures of the bath!!

2009-06-13T11:17:00.004-05:00

It seems like it took forever!! The pictures' color is off. I can't seem to figure out why, but after having a behemoth amount of "issues" with my camera.... I will take what I can get. There are still things I want to do in there... like the floor and change out the vanity top, but I am not in any major hurry for that. I would much prefer to work on our bedroom and, of course, the kitchen. Here are some of the pictures we took. It is a miniscule bathroom, so the pictures were a little hard to take, but here they are!! Now if only I could get the almost youngest boy to stop "missing" the toilet.....

I found ideas in almost every blog I read. Rhoda's gave me the idea of hanging something above the shower. Obvious? Yes. However, sometimes the most obvious thing are the ones that I miss.... I know these are almost sad compared to some of the others I have found on here. However, I would just like to point out that... this is my house! As much as I would love to have some of the houses others live in, I am happy with my tiny little house and enjoy making it look far better than when we moved here. Seriously, when we first moved here, the carpet was black and had some sort of goo that would make your shoes stick. Ewww. So, anytime I get something else done, I am completely exhilarated. Especially when you consider that I have 5 kids, I am amazed that I get anything done... EVER!! Yeah for me!! So remember, even if what you are working on isn't totally fancy or expensive or even totally creative or original, if it makes you happy... that is what matters!! Someday I may be as good as some of these women... maybe not. But I know I will always love my house, because it is our home. No matter what, my kids will look back on our house and remember how much time I spent trying to make it more colorful and pretty for them. They may even ask me for advice on decorating some day... hahaha!!! :)

Where Have I Been???

2009-06-09T06:30:00.003-05:00

It seems like forever since I posted. I think it has been a month. Wow!! What has kept me so busy? Let's see...

It is the end of the school year. There was all that paperwork!! Family issues... my SIL visited for about a week a couple weeks ago. That was so much fun I am going to to return the favor in July!! Of my 5 children, 4 have been sick. When Michael, the baby, got sick.... he was pretty much attached to me. I couldn't put him down or he would cry. He got that nasty cough going around... then his turned into croup. The fourth croup incident since his birth (he is 8 months old) that really concerned the doctors. Too much drama for this Mama!! However, I am pleased to report that I am caught up on all of my laundry. I admit.... I am thinking small. But after the month that I have had, I am totally ok with that.

I haven't gotten to snoop blogs nearly as much as I would like. In fact, I hadn't slept a whole night in 2 weeks. Finally, last night I did!! Oh heaven!! I now feel like doing a project. I will start small and get gutsier. I think I will paint a chalkboard today. Red!! Oooh fun!! And the kids can help, too!!

The camera hasn't been working for me lately, but I am trying to figure out what it's attitude issues are. Then I can photograph the bathroom. There are still a couple small things to do that I haven't gotten to with all the sickness, but I will take what I can get!!

I told my oldest to go take a shower the other night and use the master bath. He walked in there, turned around and said," This one isn't pretty like the other one. I don't want to shower in here!!". A boy after my own heart!!! That was just too funny!! He waited until the other bathroom was open just so he could shower in the decorated one. Anyone who says design doesn't matter, well, I think my son would disagree!! :) Now the pressure is on for my husband to paint the other one. ;)

I hope that everyone has had a less exciting time lately than I have. If not, I can totally understand. Sometimes life is a little too exciting. I guess that also serves a purpose. Without chaos, we would not appreciate the mellow things in life. And I am really searching out the mellow things now. After a whole nights sleep (the first in 2 weeks), I think I might even be able to take a little chaos!!! Or, maybe not....

A Sneak Peek...

2009-05-12T14:54:00.006-05:00

This picture here is a little hint of what the bathroom will look like. I know, I know. This is supposed to be a masculine boys bathroom.... oops!! My oldest son actually liked the idea of birds since we enjoy watching them, so I am not being overly evil.... muahahahahahaha!!! We painted the walls a periwinkle color and the wainscoting is an antique white. Most of the accessories are spray painted in an antique white. We found the towel racks at Hobby Lobby for 50% off in black wrought iron, and since they are beautiful... we bought them and spray painted them. I will still need to get the towels and we need to second coat a couple spots and finish the vanity, but I can't get that done until this Saturday. 7 people (with only one diapered!!) and one bathroom is not a pretty sight. I need a few days of two bathrooms before I take one away again. I think this Saturday I will paint it after the kids go to bed. There really isn't a whole lot left, so I don't think it would take too long. Yes, I know... famous last words. It is hard to get a good picture in this bathroom as there is no natural light. Still, I think it looks pretty good. I am surprised the boys are so excited about the color. I thought they would think it was too girly, but they like it.

It is amazing how a decent paint job can make a bathroom look so much cleaner.

Mr. Hunny is taking pictures of the kids and I keep hearing things like, "Mickey, don't chew a hole through the sofa!!", so I had better get to it. I have lost enough seating areas to small, teething children and they are getting to be quite expensive. :0)

Have a super spiffy day!!!

Weekend Work...

2009-05-11T10:53:00.004-05:00

Boy was this weekend tiring!! Even little Michael got all tuckered out. Just before he collapsed from exhaustion (it is so tiring being adorable and good natured all the time...) he was eating. Yep, he was eating and bouncing happily in his exersaucer and singing away. Then he rubbed his eye for a brief moment, and down he went. Right next to his favorite toy. He loves to chew on that cow!! :) Right before he fell asleep, he was telling me how much he is liking the new color scheme in the bathroom. He was happy that the walls, wainscoting, doors and part of the cabinet got painted. Some area still need another coat, but boy does he like how it looks. He suggests yellow for an accent color. He said a nice sunny yellow towel would make him smile whenever he goes in there. In fact, he started demanding that his baths be taken in that bathroom instead of the other one... it is too ugly to be acceptable to him any longer. I can't disagree with him. The painting in the guest bath makes it look so much better that the master bath is just depressing now. That is OK, though. We will be working on that one in the next month or so. After our visitor has left.

Before I sign off, I wanted to let you see how truly offensive our guest bath was, and then later I will post the after (at least most of it). We still have stuff to hang up an I haven't found those sunny yellow towels that Michael has demanded, but I will soon. Definitely this week. Try not to be to shocked, and I am sorry if it causes you to cry. I labeled it as offensive as it can cause nausea... you have been warned....

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T07:43:00.004-05:00

Happy Mother's Day!! I am hoping to have a wonderful and warm Mother's Day with my kids.... but I will just be happy to make it through. :) It is still raining and will be raining even more today. Let's just say that there is A LOT of energy that is being expelled in less than constructive ways. Whew!! I can just pretend that it is opposite day, then when they roll around on the floor punching each other, they are really expressing their love for each other. I think that will be the secret to a good day today. ;)

We have ben working on the bathroom. Yesterday the top part got painted. I still need to paint the wainscoting and the vanity, but it is looking a lot nicer. Mr. Hunny got the lighting changed out and we replaced the outlet covers. It looks so much better. And cleaner. When the paint is all messed up, it just makes the bathroom look dirty. I want to redo the flooring too, probably with those sticky tiles, but can't decide which pattern. Maybe y'all can help me decide when it is all done. It is a very small room, so either way it won't cost much.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Mother's Day!! And remember.... if they are acting up, you can just pretend it is opposite day. That's what I will be doing!! ;)

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!!!!

So much rain....

2009-05-07T06:53:00.005-05:00

Oh my!! My lawn is a mess!! But it really isn't my fault!! Really!! No, I am not making excuses. It really isn't!! You can't mow the lawn right now because it has rained SO MUCH lately that the mower would sink into the mud. Aurgh!! It isn't supposed to rain this morning, so I am hoping it dries out a little bit so it can be mowed either this afternoon or tomorrow morning. I am not positive how much rain we have gotten lately, but I know it is over 6 inches, probably 7. That is not for the month, that is for the last few days. Truly God has a sense of humor. Last year we were in a drought and this year we need to buy a boat to get anywhere.

I have been trying to plant my beans for the last week and it won't stop raining. I hope it is not too late. Anyone know about that? At least the squash and tomatoes and herbs are in.

Anyone have any ideas for amusing 5 energetic children on a rainy week? I am out of stuff to do with them and I think when I go to the hairdresser this weekend she will wonder where all my hair has gone. She will already be amused that I tried to dye my hair blonde for my three year old and, well, it isn't blonde. It is a coppery color. Not bad and thankfully it is an even color. Still...

We had a tornado roll through not far from here yesterday. The weather has been so yucky lately. I love the thunder and the lightning, but wish we could get a few days break so the kids could burn off energy outside.... and boy do they have a lot to burn off....

We plan on painting the guest bath this Saturday, so I should be posting pictures this weekend. I am really excited. Both our bathrooms have looked like war zones since we moved into this house. Finally one will be lookin' better. It is supposed to be the "boys' bathroom", but I plan on painting it periwinkle. Hey!! Periwinkle is a shade of blue, right? I love the oops paint at Lowe's. Why pay $30 when you can pay $5???

I hope that everyone is having a great week!! At least less eventful than mine so far....!!! :)

Sprinkler fun!!

2009-05-02T07:55:00.003-05:00

One of my favorite things to do when I was a child was to run through the sprinkler. I thought it was more fun than swimming in a pool. Here in the south, when I was little, we would go down to the nearest lake and go swimming. You know, the local swimming hole. I never really got into that. I was always afraid fish would nibble on my toes. Yes, it is a strange fear to have, but it is one of my many quirks. I still don't like swimming in lakes or swimming holes around here. When you add in the water moccasins, I won't get off the shore or out of the boat. Yep, I am a scaredy pants. Just think about it, if there weren't so many people like me, there would be no therapists. Just doing what I can to keep another section of our economy going. ;)

This was last week. It has mostly rained here this week. Imagine 5 kids stuck in the house for days on end... yep you can see how my week has been. I am now officially praying for the sun to come out. The kids had a blast. It also reminded me it is time to buy the girls' swimsuits. And we need more towels. And few more fun styled sprinklers. And a slip n slide. No pools, though. My kids like to dunk each other and if I didn't drain it every time it was used, I might be down a few kids. So, I am officially the mean mom that say no to a pool... at least until the kids are older. When the kids tell me I am horribly mean, I tell them, "Thanks!! Now I know I am doing my job!!". I try really hard not to follow it with the cackle of the Wicked Witch of the West, but sometimes it just slips out. :)

I hope everyone has been having a great week!! I am looking forward to some good weather. I have some painting to do to our shed before our surprise visitor comes on the 19th.

My mostly planted garden...

2009-04-28T09:56:00.005-05:00

Here are some pictures of my new garden. I have flowers, herbs and veggies. We planted 6 tomato plants, crookneck squash, rosemary, parsley, lavander, dianthus, and a few others. I still want to plant sage, cucumbers, and beans. Oh! And I think some basil. It should be really good. I still need to mulch, but that is all that I have left. I will do a little of that today, but I am still trying to stay out of the sun so it won't be until this evening. I will let you know how it turns out. I hope it works really good, but we shall see. Have a great Tuesday!!

My clothesline is finally set up!!!

2009-04-26T12:34:00.004-05:00

Yeah!! It only took... FOREVER!!!! I have been wanting to use this for quite a while. After a frantic search for the missing laundry rope, and my triumphant discovery, our first load is up. Yes, you have my permission to think me a strange cookie, but if we all tasted the same... where would the variety be? I want to plant something near the laundry line and against the house, but have no idea what. I have thought of lavender, but wonder about the bees. Anyone have any ideas??

I am just glad that is one more thing I can cross off my list!! :) Now I only have 3 or 4 more loads to do..... and that is just for today....

Just need to do more plantin'!

2009-04-26T06:42:00.006-05:00

I finally got everything in the garden, now I just need to figure out what all I want in there. I know I want climbers that can climb on the chain link fence and I want it to be organic, so I will be researching companion planting a lot this week. I put in 3 marigolds already, and I know I want tomatoes, pole beans, bush beans, nasturtium, cabbage, lettuce, chives, basil, squash and egg plant (if I can manage them) but I make no absolute promises. I just know this will be a lot of fun. Really it depends on what started plants I can find around here. I waited too long to start a lot of it from seed. Next year it should all be from seed. Anyway, here is how it look planted with only 3 marigolds. Next weekend it should be fully planted. Now if I could just stop getting sunburns on top of my sunburns.... ;)

I get to string the clothesline today. I am really excited about this. Very Betty Homemaker of me, I know. That's ok cause I am a Betty Homemaker.... except I am a Kelly Homemaker. Why is it always a put down to refer to someone as a homemaker? Aren't our fondest memories frequently of someone who made a lovely home? Anyway.... lots of stuff to get done today. All this gardening and you now have to wade through my house. Oh well.... ;) Have a great weekend!!!

Our lasagna garden

2009-04-24T07:39:00.004-05:00

It was supposed to be so easy. And it is, really. The hardest part was digging in the wood border. Unfortunately, I thought I had enough dirt and compost. Haha!! Not quite. So today I have to go and get about another 12 bags of top soil and 6 bags of compost. At least I have enough peat moss. :) Here she lies so far. She is 18x6. Much bigger than in my mind. I am really bad about size. Still, it should be a lot of fun. I had better be going. I hafta get to Lowe's to buy more dirt and poop (my kids think that is crazy!!). Have a great day!! :)

A Week of Many Firsts

2009-04-23T07:41:00.003-05:00

This week has been crazy busy. I have not officially gotten over my first sunburn, but added to it yesterday by working on a lasagna garden. Yup, you guessed it. I was peeling last night. I have to chase my kids away from my neck... they won't leave me alone!! :) A lasagna garden is where you don't have to dig out the turf or rototill, you layer on right over the grass... newspaper, top soil, compost, sphagnum moss, other soil amendments. I haven't built a bed around here is a while because the old way is just too laborious for me. I can't throw my back out, I have the kids to take care of. I have heard nothing but good things about lasagna gardening, so we are setting one up for our vegetable garden. I will wait to plant until next weekend, or next week depending on rain. Frankly, I am tired and burnt. But we got the poles for the clothesline installed and most of the garden done. I only have about 12 more bags of top soil and 9 bags of compost to add. Plus the moss. Not bad though. It should go pretty fast. Certainly faster than the old school method. If this works, I will be doing beds all around my house this fall. So exciting....

Big news!! Michael sat in the wooden high chair for the first time this week!! Part of me is very sad and the other is very proud. He is the happiest baby ever. He smiles like the sun unless he is sick. Chloe is potty training. It started out REALLY rocky, but she has been in only panties the last two days with no accidents. She has only worn diapers at night and this morning she woke up dry, removed her diaper, put on her panties and went to the bathroom and went potty. I am one super proud Momma today. :) She sweetly requested a surprise for all her hard work. In a hushed whisper, she informed me she would like to be surprised with Burger KIng for lunch. It is the first time she has specified what she wants for her surprise. Kinda funny, me thinks!! :0 )

So, I will post pictures later today or tomorrow morning with the finished bed. Some pretty good Earth Day projects I think. I hope everyone is doing really well and had a wonderful last week!! I will try not to be gone so long this week....

One bed down!!!!

2009-04-17T16:05:00.007-05:00

I finally got to one of the beds!! I didn't dig it up like I originally planned. I don't think it really needed it. I removed the gardenias. They never really bloomed. I would only get maybe 5 or 6 blooms. This spring they turned brown and yellow. I gave up. It was a beast to pull the out of the ground. For dead plants, they sure had a great root system. I was, however, the triumphant party.The boxwood by the japanese maple will be trimmed down into a small ball. I put a bird bath where one of the gardenias was and the other gardenia was replaced with a plant of unknown origin. Actually, I had the plant tag, but it has mysteriously disappeared and nobody knows anything about it. It is a form of ligustrum (maybe I spelled it right...) that should grow 7 feet tall and 4 feet wide. I also planted a little princess spirea (spiraea japonica 'Little Princess') and a variegated weigela (weigela florida 'variegata'). I will have to post pictures for those later.

I had several helpers. Faith and Gabe have decided they want an allowance, so I told them we would pay them for doing things that are helpful to other people. I won't pay them to keep their rooms clean, they are required to do that. They are really excited and are very motivated and helpful kids right now. Of course, I keep hearing the question "How much do I get for that?". They definitely earned their money today. I am very sunburnt right now, and my neck is very hot. It is a good thing I am used to sunburns or this would be pretty awful.

Anyway, I hope that everyone is having a great Friday and have a wonderful weekend!! I will post more garden pictures tomorrow. We have a bbq to do now!! :)

Kitchen Cabinet Ponderings....

2009-04-14T14:39:00.003-05:00

Have you ever felt like this? i am feeling so very restless today. If I had a bucket of paint today, I would feel so much better. Alas, it is not to be. I have the paint, but it is too humid to paint. With 5 kids, you have to really watch the humidity. If it takes too long to dry, well... you pretty much just set yourself up. My kids love to help decorate the cabinets. Crayons, markers, pens.... nothing is too creative for them. In the next coupla weeks we will be painting the cabinets. The only problem is we plan on moving in the next year or two. Should I go for the red anyway? It might hurt resale. I love the idea of black, but it might make the kitchen too dark. I just need to remember that it is only paint. If I need to repaint it before the selling of the house, then I do. No biggie there.It would probably be better to do it white for resale anyway. White, for me, is not really a color choice. At least not for now. Not with them as artistically inclined as they are. Maybe I should give in and paint them with chalkboard paint. Haha!! Boy would that be a great selling point!! :) We have lots of plans for this weekend, so I will be posting a lot more this weekend. Until then, my dears....;)

Happy Resurrection Day!!

2009-04-11T21:58:00.003-05:00

I love Easter. It is such a relaxed holiday, with some of the deepest meaning. Without it, there would be no point to living at all. In fact, when you think about it.... Easter in every way means life. Without the death of Jesus, there would be no life. Yet, we would have no life had he not come back again. Not a snowballs chance in, well... you know. I know in this country, we tend to casually refer to the crucifixion, death and burial. When you stop to concentrate on what he truly must have felt, it becomes consumingly overwhelming. The first time I had even an inkling of the suffering of Christ was when I watched the movie, "The Passion of the Christ". I had never really thought about all the pain Jesus must have felt those last days of his life. Going through all the torture and then hearing one of his own disciples disown Him must have been so devastatingly painful. I have heard it said that when you are emotionally upset, it magnifies the pain. The intense emotional pain He was suffering would have been far more than I know I could ever bear. I thank Him every day for doing that for me. I know had it been left to me, well... we would all be up a creek of... you know... without a paddle. Thank you God for being perfect!! And thank you for loving me and accepting me even though I am so imperfect and worthless. Your worth gives me mine.

HAPPY EASTER!!!!!!

Thank You to the Bunny's Bungalow!!

2009-04-10T18:04:00.006-05:00

I won this the other day from Debra at the Bunny's Bungalow!! It is stunningly adorable!! I would never have come up with this idea in a million years.... and it is wonderful!! We decided it would be fun to put over one of the bunnies, and then my three year old pretended he was in jail for being a bad bunny. Too funny!

Thank you so much, Debra!! This is such a neat treasure!

There has been a lot of severe

weather in the area today. A lot of tornadoes and some serious lightning. We even got some baseball sized hail. Luckily it didn't break any windows or damage the cars. It sure did make a lo

t of noise!! The neighbors must have thought I was crazy running out there trying to get some of t

he hail for the kids to see. After a while,

other parents went out to scoop some

up for their kids, too. Yeah! I am not the neighborhood idiot!! :)

I hope that everyone has a safe and blessed Easter! And go to the Bunny's Bungalow and check out all the great ideas that Debra comes up with. She is a very creative and talented lady!!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-07T21:48:00.010-05:00

Thank you Dixie for hosting wordless wednesday!! Check out http://frenchlique.blogspot.com/ to join in or to see other photos!! :)

Polka dots

2009-04-07T07:34:00.006-05:00

I wasn't sure what to title today's post. So I asked my daughter, Chloe, what to call it. She said:"polka dots". So I went with it.

I love polka dots. It may make me seem like I am 12 forever, and I am totally ok with that. I promise not to be an old woman trying to wear a mini-skirt... but I will be that old woman wearing polka dots. They just make me smile. :)

Our footstool was originally pink. I have no problem with pink, but it was old and dirty. No matter how much I cleaned it, it wouldn't perk up. So we covered it. The cheap, easy way. With a yard of discount fabric and staples. You can get really nice fabric in the discount bin, especially when you don't need much. I only needed a yard, so everything was good.

We have had it covered with the stars and stripes for the 4th, red and green plaid for Christmas... brown pattered for Thanksgiving... fall leaves.... you name it! Well, I finally gave in to my polka dot fever. I asked my Hunny to recover the footstool in red and white polka dots and he did!! He is so much better at stuff like that than I am!! I think it looks so fun now. I am just not sure what color to paint the legs now.... note the large and lovely display of discarded shoes. I have a rather lovely collection of them. They just seem to pop up everywhere!! I think they add that little extra oomph to the picture... don't you think??

So, what color should I paint the legs? I was thinking white, but am afraid it might be too summery. Black is another option... but then so is red. I am so schizophrenic when it comes to paint. I am still trying to paint my kitchen cabinets. Layla from the Lettered Cottage has black cabinets which I just love. Kim at One Woman's Cottage Life has beautiful red cabinets. I want them both, darn it!! Maybe I will post a picture of my awful looking kitchen and everyone can help me decide. My kitchen has a great layout, but it is ugly right now. Once I paint it will be so much better. I tried to use a tropical foliage green, but it didn't work like I had in my head. Thankfully it was only paint. :) Now I just am totally immobilized with indecision! Aurgh!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday!!

TTFN!!

Grill recipes

2009-04-04T07:31:00.002-05:00

I am joining a grill party over at Poofing the Pillows. I love to grill. I think anything can be grilled. Even pizza. One of the ideas I really want to start making more of is grilled dessert. I found this recipe a while ago and plan on trying it out on Sunday. I try to make Sundays relaxed, so if I could manage to cook everything outdoors... well... that's a good thing.

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup dark rum
4 fresh pears, cored and quartered
Powdered sugar
4 slices pound cake, cut 2 inches thick
Whipped cream (optional)
Fresh mint (optional)

Place the sugar in a non-reactive pan and caramelise over medium heat. When it liquefies and is dark brown in colour, add the cream and reduce heat. Add the butter and rum. Stir until butter is melted; set mixture aside.

Dust pears with powdered sugar and place in centre of cooking grate. Grill pears 10 to 15 minutes, until tender, turning once halfway through grilling time.

Sprinkle each slice of pound cake with powdered sugar; tap off any excess. Place cake slices in centre of cooking grate. Grill 2 minutes, turning once halfway through grilling time. Transfer to warming rack and continue grilling for about 2 minutes to warm through.

Cut cake slices in half on an angle. To serve, cross each half piece with the other half on a serving plate. Arrange pears around cake and drizzle with caramel sauce. Garnish with whipped cream and mint, if desired.

Makes 4 servings.

Thanks to www.weber.com

Camping also gave me several ideas for grilling or cooking over an open fire. I really enjoy the flavor of vegetables, any, wrapped in foil and slow cooked over the fire. Add a little butter and it is delicious. There is just such a nice, smoky flavor with dishes cooked over the fire.

I am really looking forward to reading everyone else's recipes. Grilling season is a comin'!! Yippee!! :)

Outdoor Friday

2009-04-03T07:06:00.012-05:00

I admit. I took pictures outside yesterday for today since the weather was so awful yesterday. When I saw awful, I mean HORRIBLE. I had to take Gabe to the allergist, one of our friends is an ENT, and it was already lightly raining when we left. Yet, my cell phone was set at emergency calls only. So strange. OK, well we have to go pick up pizza on the way home so we went to do that. Little did I know that the cell issue was a foreshadowing of what was to come. It was only lightly raining when I went inside, so I told Gabe to stay in the van and I would be right back out. I was inside for about 5 minutes. When I opened the door, the wind was so strong it slammed the door back on me. I had to fight it to keep it open so I could go out with the pizzas, while holding the pizza as tight as I could so they wouldn't blow away. I was parked right in front of the store, yet I was completely drenched by the time I got in the van. On the way home, I was worried the wind would blow the van over on it's side. It got so heavy that you couldn't see in front of you. It was way worse than the tulle fog in California's central valley. On a good note, I don't have to water my plants!! :) Oh, lightning also struck somewhere around our house. The streets totally flooded and we almost didn't make it home. Still, I don't have to water my plants. And when I finally get to weed, it should be easy. I think they said we were getting about an inch of rain every 10 minutes. Oh, how fun it was. My weeping willow tree is loving all this rain, though. :) I took a few pictures of some of our plants (most need to be moved or replaced... I am just having trouble getting motivated...:) that I thought were looking nice. My rosemary is doing so well. I haven't done much for her, but she loves where I put her I guess. She is perfect all year long and has lovely blue flowers right now. She is also very useful for the kitchen. I have lots of visitors requesting some of her for their cooking in the fall. Next to her is an azalea with lovely pink flowers. I think I will need to transplant her. I want her to be bigger so I may plant her in a berm... burm... whatever. The kids helped me with a planter. It is small right now but it should be really nice in a month or so. They were so proud so I placed it by the front door so everyone would see it. This other one is of a japanese maple that I think I will have to transplant. He is growing much bigger than they said. Such a beautiful tree... This won't let me move my pictures or anything!! Oh frustration!!

Thrifty Thursday

2009-04-02T12:36:00.005-05:00

I had to go to the grocery store yesterday. I was so not motivated to go. So, I decided to go to Aldi's. I am always motivated to go there. Why? Because the downtown rescue mission is right across the street. It used to be, and sometimes still is, my favorite thrift store. I would say used to be because their prices have gone up so much. Seriously, I shouldn't be able to go to WalMart or Target and spend the same amount of money or less. I can still get better deals at garage sales and estate sales so I will make sure I save time every Saturday morning. As a SAH mom who homeschools, I think I should be given a few hours every Saturday morning. I love the terra cotta bunnies. And I am not positive what the "red thing" is, but I plan on hanging tea cups off it. We also found an old blue apron that my 3 year old went crazy for. She has to wear it a lot right now. She was not pleased that I washed it before letting her play with it. That's ok. Her attention span is pretty short. :) I hope everyone is having a wonderful Thursday. We are supposed to have more bad weather today, so I hope everyone stays safe. If it isn't tornados then it is snow. I love spring, but the confusing weather is a bit... well... confusing!! :) TTFN!!

Bunny on a Stick!!- thanks Grits n Glamour!!

2009-04-01T07:49:00.005-05:00

I just love Bunny on a stick!! My son Gabe went with me to Pier 1 and we just thought they were the cutest thing. And soft. So, of course, I had to put them where they can't rub them all the time...

I put these on the table.... but where I can watch them. We like the way it looks like the bunnies are chasing each other!! :) The other one is guarding a plant.... let's see if I can get this to post where it is supposed to... nope!! It won't do it. Oh well!! We love our bunnies!! And I don't have to clean up after them... or feed them... just enjoy them. It makes it more fun for the kids, too! The love animals being around the house. I think we will need to get some frogs soon. Maybe one of those piggies that I see in lots of kitchens. I know my kids would love that!! :) Check out more on Grits n Glamour!! There are some very creative people out there!! And... who doesn't want to see more BUNNIES!!!???

Most delicious recipes and a fabulous food blog

2009-03-30T15:04:00.003-05:00

My children are so very happy that I stumbled upon a new blog. It is called http://wwwbunnysovencom.blogspot.com/ . Bunny's warm oven. Oh my!! She has some of the tastiest recipes EVER!! This morning I made my kids her donut muffins. A picture of their supreme yumminess is to the left, above or wherever it ended up posting.... . I even managed to save one for my husband. His eyes got all wide. Yup, he liked 'em. If you search for muffins on her site, you can find the recipe. I am not sure how to link. I was trying, but it seems to evade me right now.

We didn't get the chalkboard painted yesterday. I tried so hard. I taped it off, got out the paint and went to go get the paint brush. The paint brush is officially missing. At least I discovered that yesterday before our paint-fest begins. In April we will be painting the kitchen cabinets, trim and walls. We will also be painting the guest bathroom. While Mr. Hunny is doing that, I plan on (at least trying) to paint the shed. My plans are to paint it red, white and blue. They we will string wire across the side and plant climbers. I think it will make our backyard look so very much better. I need to improve it as much as I can. We do plan on moving, but I also want something pretty to look at when I look out the window. I will have to think about that for a bit. Beans would be nice but I am not sure what to plant next to them. Something that would look nice in the winter. Beans, squash and other veggies would be nice. Maybe mint in a planter, too. Whatever... it will be pretty. As God is my witness.... my backyard will never be ugly again!!!! :)

Anyway, I have run on, rambled and now have a crying baby. Off must I go (I love Yoda..). Have a beautiful Monday!! :)

Sicky Sunday

2009-03-29T12:26:00.007-05:00

I have a sore throat. My glands are swollen and my nose is plugged up. The bad part is that I can't take any medicine for it since I am nursing. Boy is he lucky I am so in love with him.... I know he has a pink cup. They only come in twos and one is always a boys color and a girls color. He doesn't need more than two, so when he does require more, I will get him some.

Later today we are planning on painting a small chalkboard. It is so plain and it drives me nuts as boring as it is. We will do red today and then maybe add white for a checkerboard pattern.

Since we are not feeling so well right now, we decided to make some super chocolatey chocolate Ghiradelli brownies. I can't bake bread on cold wet days, so brownies will do. Here is a picture of my main helper...

He couldn't wait to lick the bowl. Then his little brother came over and started begging for some. Then they were both battling over who got the last of the brownie batter. It was really cute.

This is just the batter, but it sure does look good. The chocolate chips are flatter so they melt better. I am sure the kids will enjoy these later. Maybe with some vanilla ice cream over them while they are still warm...

I hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday!! We should be doing at least the first half of the chalkboard makeover. I think we will also recover the footstool today. It is a plaid right now, but will soon be red with white polka dots. I have such a thing for polka dots....

TTFN

Tornado Watch

2009-03-28T17:16:00.004-05:00

We are under a tornado watch until tonight at 2100 hours. There has been nothing but regular rain so far... and a little wind. That's about it. It has gotten really dark for a bit, but then the sun would burst through the clouds and it would be sunny again. This is some seriously crazy weather.

My garden is loving it, though. I am just hoping that it doesn't get cold again. At least not to freezing. I keep wanting to plant tomatoes but I am afraid the weather would turn on me and kill them. Aurgh. Soon, it will be so hot that I will be begging God for fall. Dreaming of fireplaces and wool blankets, pumpkins and leaves. I figure I have a few months before I feel that way, though.... ;)

Severe Weather

2009-03-27T21:31:00.004-05:00

Well, we are supposed to have some terrible weather tonight. I had to go over all the "what if's" for the kids. I hate doing that. It generally just scares them. One night here, it got so bad I had to wake all of them up and hide in our little bathroom. I think #4 was still small then, so I grabbed her out of her crib and we all huddled in the bathroom. It sounded like the roof was going to collapse.
I think wind damage will be our worst enemy tonight. Just when I was getting going on my front porch. Mr. Hunny had to pull down all our hanging plants and anything else that might break a window. Luckily, I hadn't pulled a lot out yet. We were supposed to paint tomorrow. At least one bathroom and I was hoping to get some gardening in. I guess God decided we needed to practice MORE patience. Aurgh!!
I am all "patienced" out. I mean, really. It takes forever to get a project planned out. With 5 kids, there is always the possibility of illness or some other random event that can occur at any moment. We are finally cleared of illness. Then Gabe got his bad allergies. We got that under control. Than Mr. Babyface decided to pop a few teeth through. Poor guy.
It really must hurt. The first night, I only slept 30 minutes. We got better after that, but he hasn't taken any naps lately. It is just terrible how I have to snuzzle so much with him now....;).
I am just going to make sure I spend time in prayer tonight for all the families that will be dealing with this "weather event". I know my kids are scared of thunder (musta got that from their Dad...) and if it gets real loud our bed will get mighty crowded. Then there are the people in North Dakota. That is even scarier. Knowing all your possessions are about to be under water. And a horrible blizzard predicted on top of that! Wow! There is some crazy weather in the U.S. now. I know spring is always a wee bit confused, but it seems moreso this year.
I am sure we will all be fine and if there is any damage in the area I will post it tomorrow. Somedays, I think I should have been a tornado chaser. Bad weather used to be so cool. It doesn't scare me at all, for the most part. The scary part for me is that I have 5 kids to keep safe and only 2 hands. There is a great comfort in knowing that God will be with us regardless of the weather and will keep His hand of protection on us. There is such peace in knowing that... :)

CraigsList

2009-03-26T14:35:00.003-05:00

CraigsList has got to be one of the best resources... EVER!! I love it!! I have been trying to organize our garage a little bit. However, with 5 kids, there is no way I would attempt a yard sale. So I have been CraigsListing items. I already sold an old lawnmower that was too comfortable in my shed. Now we are going for pots and pans, a wine rack and other odds and ends I can't fit into my kitchen.
Honestly, if I had a place to put them I probably would have kept them. But that wouldn't be very cottage minded on me, would it? Isn't the mantra: keep nothing that you do not know to be beautiful and useful. I try to go by that, but then I think..."Maybe it will work in my next house".
Yes, I am bad. But I am trying to be a reformed pack rat. I am fighting the battle with clutter and will eventually win. Making money off these items is also a bit more of a motivator than just donating them. So when I find that next item I just can't live without, I know I have to sell something (or donate) first. Although I think I need to get rid of a whole bunch before I add to it... but I really do need those dishes from Big Lots.... like my 6 or 7 sets isn't enough already. I actually bought a chipped china set for when we go outside... that way if they break I won't get upset.
Seriously though, I think I need counseling. And a bigger house. With a butler's pantry. And an enormous amounts of cabinets. And....

Easter Tree- thanks to Cathy of Cobblestone Farms

2009-03-24T06:58:00.009-05:00

We finally got our Easter tree up, and thanks to Cathy at Cobblestone Farms it looks great!! The kids were so excited about all the handmade ornaments. My oldest daughter Faith was right there with me telling me where to hang the ornaments. She is really great at those sorts of things... :)
We are really enjoying this tree this year. We have never done an Easter tree this year, and I think my husband thought I was a looney toons to want to put one up. I had heard of them before, but knew I would want something other than plastic eggs hanging off the branches. When I found Cathy's site that day, I had plans to make some with the kids myself. Thankfully I won the contest because there is no way mine would have looked anywhere near as beautiful as Cathy's do. And my children would have been very honest about how bad mine would have looked....
We have also had a lot of issues with allergies this week. Something is in the air and it is really torturing my oldest son, Gabriel. Poor guy. His eyes start to swell shut and they water uncontrollably. We are going to have to go to an allergist, this week hopefully. Look how sad this little guy looks:

I feel so bad for my guy this time of year. It seems to be getting worse so I think there might be allergy shots in the future. :( I am sure I will have to bribe him with untold amounts of ice cream to encourage him to let them do a blood draw. He is my first child and he is so wonderfully thoughtful and sweet. He is the most concerned of the other's welfare. I think what they say about birth order is true. He loves it when I tell him that he was his daddy's and my first love. So, I think I will need to sign off and go cuddle with this handsome boy. Maybe I will make some of Kim's at Daisy Cottage delicious blonde brownie recipe. I think my little guy will like that.... :)

Baby's first biter biscuit...

2009-03-23T14:39:00.006-05:00

I just love watching a baby or child experience something for the first time. This one was a little messy... which makes it more fun to watch. Here is my youngest, Mikey our 6 month old, eating his very first biter biscuit... I think he likes it!! Of course, he kept dropping it... then he would look at me and wait for me to put it back in his mouth. I had to keep taking his little chubby hand and wrap it around the cookie. I think he was a bit offended initially, but then realized he could get it faster if he did it himself.

Here is where he was unappreciative of my unwillingness to sit there and hold the cookie in his mouth. I think this is one of the cutest expressions I have caught of him. After making him cranky, he let me know how he really feels here:

Oh the terror!! The way his Mommy just sat there and took pictures instead of holding his cookie for him!! The audacity of the woman!! He is planning on contacting his Gramma later today and let her know that the service provided here is substandard to a level he has never before witnessed. Gramma would sit here and joyfully hunch over holding my cookie. I think he would have fired me there if he could have.... :) He is napping now so once again all is good in the world. I am sure he will be filing a report with the Department of Baby Affairs. If this happens again, his Mommy could face dire consequences....

I love Junk Shops!!!

2009-03-22T15:45:00.010-05:00

We went to visit my parents in Russellville yesterday. One of my secret joys of visiting them is going to the junk shop on Alabama 20. Oh how my heart leaps at the thought of going there!! It is very rare for me to not find something, and since it is a junk shop it is always very inexpensive. Here is my best find from yesterday:

I can't believe I found this! And I managed to talk the guy down to $10!!! There are no dents or scratches. I need to polish it, but other than that it is perfect condition. I was so excited!! I could not believe how heavy this is either. The tray has little feet as well... too cute!! My oldest daughter was so happy we found it. She has been wanting one and I couldn't find one at a reasonable price. Well, I finally found one!! Here's another find:

Here is Faith looking so very proud!! Mommy's little helper and thrifter in training!! :) Faith loved this and reminded me that we needed a larger one for when we make biscuits and gravy. She is a thrifter after my own heart.... :)

We were also able to find a little white pitcher and a little bunny. A little cleaning and they are in a new loving home. :) I love to collect pitchers. They are so useful and can serve so many purposes while looking beautiful. What more can a girl ask for? Have you found any special treasures while thrifting lately?

Spring is HERE!!!

2009-03-20T07:13:00.008-05:00

It is officially the first day of spring. I am so excited!! I am tired of the cold. I am going to enjoy spring as much as I can, for here in Alabama it gets REALLY hot and humid during the summer. Then I will be praying for the coolness of fall....
So many gardening projects. When we bought our house, the only landscape there was were weeds. Lots and lots of weeds. Mostly weeds for grass (which when cut looks pretty good...). We recently cut down the last tree in the front yard. It was leaning towards our house and it was one of those nasty, messy sugar gum trees. When my Grandmother tripped and fell on one of the little fruit balls they drop, I knew it had to be done. I hate cutting trees down, but I do have a whole lot of almost free mulch for the yard now.
There is so much to do for the front of our house. When we replaced the windows, they pulled some of the red paint off the shutters. That needs to be touched up. And look at all the weeds (my current mulch). They will all be pulled and replaced with mulch from the giant pile of mulch in the front yard. And I get to do it all by myself!! Yeah me!! :) Lookee here:
You can see the peeled paint on the shutters. There is some green in the bed, but not near enough. I want to add blackeyed susans and purple coneflower. I have 2 roses over there. One is a red climbing rose. I have to add a trellis for it to climb. I want that to be something we all make. Trellises are way too expensive. I just don't see where they are worth it. Maybe after we move to our forever house... but this one is not it. I surely need boxwood and maybe azaleas. I just need color. I want it to look overflowing. I love to garden... but I am not too experienced at it yet. And I am a bit lazy. Not really lazy, but pressed for time.
See how sad my front porch is? It makes me sad. I want it colorful and happy. I want it to make people smile as they drive by or come for a visit. I am trying to use found objects and either cast-offs or garage sale items. The odds are it will get damaged since the overhang is so small. So, I really don't want to put a lot of money into it. It has potential.... it has potential.... if I keep telling myself that then it will be true. I love the power of positive thinking!! Now I have to start telling myself what a fabulous gardener I am!! :)
I planted a lot of those plants a couple years ago. They still aren't doing a whole lot. So what is a girl to do? Well, I am going to have to pull all of them out, add compost and soil to bring up the bed and then replant. My back aches just thinking about it. Happy thought: I don't have to buy mulch. There must always be a silver lining. Plus, I have 5 kids. The oldest 4 WILL HELP. With a big fat smile on their face. Hahahaha!! My Mama always said if you are gonna dream, dream big!! :)
I am getting tired just thinking about it. Well, I am a wee bit tired anyway. See, the baby loves me so very much, he wanted to smile at me in my arms all night. It was sweet... for the first three hours... I think he didn't feel good because he got some shots yesterday. Poor guy. Lucky me got him to bed at 0515 this morning. My girls woke me up at 0545. That is OK. The promise of going to TARGET and getting those birdie salt and pepper shakers is keeping me going. I can't promise what will happen after I pick them up though.... ;)
Have a fantabulous first day of spring!!!

The Child Most Like Me

2009-03-19T07:52:00.004-05:00

My mother liked to offer me THE CURSE. You know... the one where they wish you as a child on yourself. Well, this is my fourth child. She is JUST LIKE ME. Oh my!!
As a small child in preschool, I actually led a revolt and convinced all the kids we should climb the fence and run away. And we did. Luckily they caught up with all of us, but I marked my mother right then. She was the woman with the child everyone wanted to kick out of school. Ha!
It was a preschool at the college my Mom was attending. She had to go through several meeting with the school board to get them to let me stay. My poor Mother. Well, she got her wish.
This is Chloe. We got new carpet installed last year. I was so very happy. So excited. Always making sure it stayed clean and vacuumed. You can see where I am going, can't you??? Yep. Red lipstick in two rooms. Big spots. Mind you, we are planning on selling in the next year or two. I have to now figure out how to get red lipstick out of beige carpet. Oh joy.
We have had to install locks on any and all doors. Even in the bathrooms for the linen closet. She has discovered that you can paint on the walls with toothpaste. Yesterday, she used my toothbrush to clean the toilet. Thankfully I realized it before I used it. She can damage more stuff than any other child I have ever encountered. She has the worst temper.... but in all of this, she reminds me of me. It is not that she is totally destructive (remember that, Mommy...) it is just that she is so curious. She wants to see what would happen. And her temper comes from her passion for life. As horrible as she can be sometimes, she can be so angelic and loving at others. I think she just gets so overwhelmed with her feelings. I am the same way.
I remember when I was little, my Mom would always want it quiet because she couldn't think. I thought that she must be very old. Now, I prefer the quiet. Outdoor time is the best. Before, I would have a walkman attached to my head at all times, but now I find myself wanting to listen to nature CD's or nothing at all. You know, the ones with the sounds of the Loons. Yes, I am only 33. But I am already VERY OLD to my kids. They asked me if I had a pet dinosaur when I was little. Oh my.
That's ok. I don't mind. I remember when I though that you died when you hit 40 and 30 was middle aged. Suddenly my 82 year old Grandma is sounding young. ;)
Somedays I feel like I could lose my mind. Sometimes Mommy needs a time out. But I wouldn't give it up for anything. For as frustrating as kids can be, they are a life given to us by God. We are to mold them into creatures for Him. What a huge responsibility. Kinda scary. Yet, it is also awesome to know that God has entrusted me with 5 beautiful souls. Sometimes I think He has more faith in me than I do. When I think about it, that motivates me to be a better Mother than I could be otherwise. I thank God daily for making me a mother. Even though what I do has very little value to our society, I wouldn't give it up for anything. :)

Happy Fluff Day!!!

2009-03-18T11:05:00.009-05:00

Rhoda over at Southern Hospitality is having a spring fluff day. I thought it might be a great learning experience to at least try.... thank you Rhoda!!

I think I am a wee bit late in joining, but I thought I would give it a try anyway. This is my first try. so please be kind... Since I have 5 kids (and one, who shall remain nameless that occasionally eats flower petals), I chose some floral napkins to act as a flower arrangement.

Here are a few bunnies that we have pulled out to remind us that Easter is on it's way!! Even though we don't do "the Bunny thing" we still love to collect them...

We did a bit of bunny love on top pf the TV armoire. It is always easier to decorate where the kids can't reach... or at least haven't figured out how to get to it yet.

I haven't found the perfect faux cake yet (the best since I can't gain weight from them...) and I wouldn't have to worry about the kids sneaking some... so I put some faux fruit in a bowl underneath. So far my 3 year old hasn't tried to eat them.... but there are still more hours in the day.. :)

That is about all we have gotten to do so far. Of course, I will post a picture of our Easter tree as soon as those beautiful handmade ornaments I won from Cathy arrive!! I am still a bit giddy over those... :)

I have enjoyed others posts today immensely and have found great inspiration!! Happy Fluff Day!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

2009-03-17T07:57:00.006-05:00

I love this holiday!! No required gifts to exchange... nothing you have to specifically do. Just have fun!! And maybe drink a little green beer. The only goal I have today... have some delicious Irish food, have a little Irish beer and maybe watch "The Quiet Man". Yep. Sounds like a perfect day. Now if only I could get the kids to go along with me....

Thrifty Find of the Month!!!

2009-03-16T18:38:00.007-05:00

I could not believe my luck when I went into one of our thrift stores last month. It was half price day and I went over to where they keep all the dishes and bowls and kitchen goods (my favorite spot!!). I could not believe my eyes when I saw this:

Mary Engelbreit plates!! 7 dinner plates, saucers, 5 coffee cups, 7 bowls, 1 large serving platter and 1 large serving bowl. I may never score that well again!! None of them have any cracks or chips. There is normal wear from use and that is it!! And I got it for..... $12!! Oh my!! I am in love!! They are such a fun and colorful pattern: Afternoon Tea.
Now I just have to find the perfect tablecloth. I can't decide what color. I think black with white polka dots would be so fun... maybe red... what do you think??

I won!! I won!!!

2009-03-16T10:09:00.004-05:00

Wow!! I am so excited!! I won a giveaway from Cobblestone Farms!! Cathy is one of the most creative people!! Absolutely beautiful stuff!! And her ornaments are like a work of art!! Take a peek over at http://cobblestonefarms.blogspot.com/ . You won't be disappointed!! And yes, I think I fixed the e-mail issue. And the posting a comment issue. So many issues for a new blogger.... but we are planning on taking some pictures of some thrifted treasures we recently acquired. Including some Mary Engelbreit tableware we got on half priced day!! Talk about luck!! It must be the Irish in me coming out!! I must be off for now. It is a bit of a task to type while holding a drooling 6 month old..!!
TTFN!! :)

Intro to randomness and goals..

2009-03-14T07:09:00.001-05:00

I am still trying to figure out how to make a lovely blog, so this may just be sad.... but I am determined to at least try.
Right now my house is a mess. Inside and out. We bought this house and knew it would be a lot of work. I don't mind work. In fact, I enjoy it. It makes me feel productive. I especially enjoy outdoor work. You see, when I make the interior look really nice, it is a rather fleeting feeling of joy. I do, after all, have 5 kids. Sometimes I think they walk behind me and undo anything that I can manage to get done. Still, I think I can recruit them to help me with this. My 7 year old loves to take pictures and my husband is a professional photographer. My 9 year old son likes to help set up shots, so this could end up being a great family project. I think the 3 year old will be the most difficult, but if we do an Elmo picture from time to time, or at least one of her, she should be OK with it. :)
So, on I will go. I will work on taking pictures of my kitchen. I am rather schizophrenic about that room. I really want it to look happy. I may be begging for input as for kitchen cabinet colors and such. But that will be for another day. Hopefully I can get some more pictures up a bit later. :)

So very new

2009-03-13T16:01:00.001-05:00

I am totally new at this. Actually, I try to avoid computer stuff at all costs. That is normally what my husband does, but since I am following so many blogs... I figure I should just give in and join. Please forgive my slowness initially. I have 5 kids, 9 down to 6 months, so time is at a premium. Did I mention I also homeschool? So, I will keep this one short, since I have so many things to learn. I am hoping to spend time on topics such as decorating, thrifty living, homeschooling and gardening. Please don't think I am an expert. One of my favorite quotes is about how you learn nothing from succeding, it in only in failure that we truly learn. Yes, it is rom a Disney movie. I did mention I have 5 kids, right? I have successfully come up with a life plan based on Mary Poppins, Sleeping Beauty and Meet the Robinson's. And you thought you were bad....???? Hahahahaha!!! ;)