tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32760595101363454372024-03-14T01:02:50.976-04:00Domestic Adventures of Miss Annecreativoicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15746483326943038856noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276059510136345437.post-61702375052508901242011-09-17T20:00:00.001-04:002011-09-17T20:00:00.948-04:00One step at a time...<div><div>Making changes is hard, but oh so worth it. Earlier bedtimes, more regular mealtimes, learning to <a href="http://www.flylady.net/">de-clutter</a>....<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>::exhale::</i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Which eventually means more time for stuff lik<span id="goog_1558044972"></span><span id="goog_1558044973"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a>e this...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZPbBg1E4krk/TnI5GB6MVLI/AAAAAAAAAW8/yCLJ0Vlu9rU/IMAG1193.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZPbBg1E4krk/TnI5GB6MVLI/AAAAAAAAAW8/yCLJ0Vlu9rU/IMAG1193.png" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Anticipating when it will look like <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennyallaway/4866058064">this</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
....off to that earlier bedtime.<br />
<br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-teMXjOXJEQ4/TnI5FDeCl7I/AAAAAAAAAW4/g-z7acT5D9c/shot_1294844916255.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-teMXjOXJEQ4/TnI5FDeCl7I/AAAAAAAAAW4/g-z7acT5D9c/shot_1294844916255.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>a <a href="http://www.npr.org/2011/04/12/135347393/yuna-a-flawless-voice-from-malaysia">voice</a> that might help me get to sleep...</i></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">"...to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." ~ Isaiah 61:3</div>creativoicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15746483326943038856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276059510136345437.post-19825074343611422972011-09-15T13:37:00.000-04:002011-09-15T13:37:55.388-04:00what I'm loving...<div><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gLmM9ORKFTQ/TnFgCCTyaEI/AAAAAAAAAWs/XoL-RPdn3GA/IMAG1205.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gLmM9ORKFTQ/TnFgCCTyaEI/AAAAAAAAAWs/XoL-RPdn3GA/IMAG1205.png" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Feet</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-E4qyduTbxzw/TnFhLyia2NI/AAAAAAAAAW0/iKJhxhe-aeg/IMAG1206.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-E4qyduTbxzw/TnFhLyia2NI/AAAAAAAAAW0/iKJhxhe-aeg/IMAG1206.png" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">Watching my girl learn alongside her parents..</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6W_4iSQpStQ/TnFgFmEDn5I/AAAAAAAAAWw/-Avrr7fMcMQ/IMAG1203.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6W_4iSQpStQ/TnFgFmEDn5I/AAAAAAAAAWw/-Avrr7fMcMQ/IMAG1203.png" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.greenteaandhoneyradio.com/">These</a> podcasts.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/PastPerfectPatterns">This store</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/themudplace">this store</a>, and this <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/81542744/natural-hair-shirt-happy-to-be-nappy">shirt</a>.<br />
<br />
This <a href="http://www.katemcdonald.wordpress.com/2010/04/16">blog</a>...<i>(blows me away everytime)</i><br />
<div><i><br />
</i></div><div>Well, I'm off..</div><div><br />
</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">"...to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." ~ Isaiah 61:3</div>creativoicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15746483326943038856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276059510136345437.post-60221198710379308962011-09-12T15:34:00.001-04:002011-09-12T15:47:20.118-04:00Smelling the CrispnessI had so many blog posts planned for the summer...gardening, crafting, cooking, traveling. But alas, I was too busy doing them, to chronicle them. I found this unfinished post in my drafts....<br />
<i></i><br />
<blockquote><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-915K9tAT_1g/Tm5eduRevPI/AAAAAAAAAWc/5waX1x_weCU/IMAG1124.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-915K9tAT_1g/Tm5eduRevPI/AAAAAAAAAWc/5waX1x_weCU/IMAG1124.png" /></a><i></i></blockquote><br />
<blockquote><i>I miss the hospital. The last several weeks have gone by in a blur...lots of laundry, late nights, early mornings and more laundry. Combined with few showers, even less sleep and a cold or two, I have come to realize that I miss the hospital. </i></blockquote><div><br />
</div>..... And just like that, the summer is nearly gone. I still find myself missing the solitude of the hospital. The daffodils came and went, and I'm looking forward to holidays, and fall projects of the needle and hook variety. The rains have started. The leaves will turn soon, and though today was sunny and warm, that unmistakable autumn scent was in the air this morning.<br />
<br />
Come sweet fall...we await your beauty.<div class="blogger-post-footer">"...to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." ~ Isaiah 61:3</div>creativoicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15746483326943038856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276059510136345437.post-9487001781213938902011-02-12T22:19:00.000-05:002011-02-12T22:19:43.488-05:00Waiting for the Daffodils<div style="width: 348px;">There is nothing more exhausting than sitting and waiting. Waiting for spring, the smell of fresh moist dirt, warm rain, finally being able to leave the windows open and fill the house with the fresh, invigorating smell of a new season. Waiting for change...new possibilities, new experiences, new routines. Waiting for new life.....for meaningful contractions, for watery rupture....for the birth of my son. Only ten days left till I am officially due, and yet I am on pins and needles, sick, sick, sick of winter, and due to achy hips and shoulders, unable to sleep and dream about spring.....oh the drudgery. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pRkV8rDNnlY/TVdNiuo9dtI/AAAAAAAAAWM/yFfyiZa3FsQ/s1600/100_2786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pRkV8rDNnlY/TVdNiuo9dtI/AAAAAAAAAWM/yFfyiZa3FsQ/s320/100_2786.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Time to take a walk...</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">"...to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." ~ Isaiah 61:3</div>creativoicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15746483326943038856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276059510136345437.post-49523437942002097662010-04-21T23:33:00.000-04:002010-04-21T23:33:14.488-04:00First ever!!<div style="text-align: center;">Aunt Val planted the seed. She was my babysitter when I was small, and she introduced me to so many of the things that I love today. <a href="http://wkar.org/">Classical music</a> played on her radio nonstop, she frequently took me thrifting or antiquing, and every once in a while I would see her knitting. She didn't teach me how, but my interest in knitting started there. I also remember loving sweaters and scarves <i>(whether I got this from Aunt Val, I don't know)</i>. This drove my mother crazy since I often pulled old, moth eaten sweaters from the very back of closets, and anywhere else not usually frequented. Any pile of old or boxed up clothes was like a treasure chest to me, and to find something knitted was to strike gold. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In college, my affinity for knitted things, led me to purchase multiple skeins of yarn, random needles, and a book on teaching yourself to knit. Never mind the fact that the needles and yarn were not what the patterns called for. I knit a small swatch of practice knits and purls and put my knitting down for a year or so. Then during my student teaching, I spotted one of my 6th graders crocheting a scarf for her friend. I went and bought two hooks and started randomly knitting a baby blanket for my soon-to-be-born godson. I do mean randomly, because I had no idea what I was doing. Other than reading about how to start a foundation chain, I had no pattern to follow, and just assumed that if I made a big enough rectangle, it could pass for a blanket. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes. I am aware that it sounds a bit naive. Ok, it was lazy. Needless to say, I never finished the blanket. The poor lopsided, uneven thing is waiting (rather anxiously I'm sure) to be unraveled, and actually put to good use. And there is actually a rather good chance of that happening, since I actually know a double crochet from a treble :) and seed stitch from garter stitch. In fact, this extremely long, tedious, and possibly boring historical chapter was written so that I could tell you....I have finally finished a project.!!! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FyRVy8y5l3A/S8_CNfae8mI/AAAAAAAAAEY/5L9AXYrTZko/s1600/100_3213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FyRVy8y5l3A/S8_CNfae8mI/AAAAAAAAAEY/5L9AXYrTZko/s320/100_3213.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Z's first wool <a href="http://www.tinybirdsorganics.com/soakers/pattern/index.html">soaker</a>!!! It looks a little snug, because I just pulled it on over her BG 3.0 for the picture.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FyRVy8y5l3A/S8_CGGQ290I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/3qAVrjglbxE/s1600/100_3208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FyRVy8y5l3A/S8_CGGQ290I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/3qAVrjglbxE/s320/100_3208.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Don't worry, she won't pull her belly button out.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">"...to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." ~ Isaiah 61:3</div>creativoicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15746483326943038856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276059510136345437.post-39296688408836029832010-04-21T22:55:00.003-04:002010-04-22T13:56:41.140-04:00Spring Giveaways!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">This is going to seem like a spam blog. Yep. There are like fifty-two bazillion giveaways this month - and I'm</div><div style="text-align: center;"> entering them all!! Well, probably not "all"...you know...the ones I don't know about. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, the law of </div><div style="text-align: center;"> probability says the fewer entries, the more likely one is to win. Right? So why am I telling you? Apparently, one can increase their own chances by blogging...go figure that. Increase your chances by possibly increasing the number of entries...sure, I'm game. <strike>So do me a favor and don't enter them okay?</strike></div><div style="text-align: center;">Too much work for what is probably a very low chance that I will win?? Maybe so...but then again...I did just win <a href="http://www.theclothdiaperwhisperer.com/2010/04/fluff-friday-72-winner.html">The Cloth Diaper Whisperer</a> Twitter giveaway.</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FyRVy8y5l3A/S8-C9dnhSSI/AAAAAAAAAEI/S2g11f3gWsA/s1600/100_3220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FyRVy8y5l3A/S8-C9dnhSSI/AAAAAAAAAEI/S2g11f3gWsA/s320/100_3220.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> So now I'm hooked on giveaways for a while.</div><br />
SO.....<br />
<br />
Here are several giveaways that you should check out...<br />
<br />
<ol><li><a href="http://petitepurls.com/blog/?p=167&cpage=8#comment-1066">Petite Purls </a>has two giveaways: Copies of both of <a href="http://www.soulemama.com/">Amanda Soule's</a> books, and some <a href="http://blueskyalpacas.com/yarn_detail.php?yarns_ID=19">great yarn</a>. I have followed Amanda's blog for the past year or so and never not been amazed, inspired, motivated (and a wee bit jealous). Immediately upon entering any book store, I find myself flipping through these books, hoping for just a glimmer of reinspiration <i>(is that a word?)</i>. My book junkie habits, however, have resulted in home decor that slightly resembles a small county library. So I have determined to buy no more books until a majority of the ones we own have been read <i>(I haven't decided if former owners count)</i>. I have no such restriction with yarn however...yet. Still, I would love to win either of these.</li>
<li><a href="http://changediapers.blogspot.com/2010/04/spotgirl-cloth-napkins-review-giveaway.html?showComment=1271889019438_AIe9_BH4pnLoh-9eY6FqZBC8n9OmAFJbG4V7ZxjO__DEQcwKkQs_JgRvFaVOUgEJmwxNE-nfPufxJUTJsX4o_eTFdEGkMxM5GopC9BEpSInbpgNzyJB_KfzF9GR8Rmm4z51KUv-yoBCRAeos9fPim1ls6PHU0y_M0kPo5zBkkXm9Y0vJt9atcXb-56byuiCx__nCAgAyb8X5lR-Mhwd6f1h78Kc5K2tRNRaYcicdjzMiZ2ZHMsGmZcAFBTjgFA_27fELNDQYYDQs#c1016494521752647599">Fitteds and pockets and snappis oh my!</a>: Some of <a href="http://www.spotgirl.net/">spotgirl's</a> lovely table napkins. Initially cloth diapering was an economical decision, but after realizing the drastic difference between the amount of garbage we put out each week once we stopped using disposables; continuing to lessen our use of disposable products is where our family is headed. With a 1, 6, and 8 yr old, mess is just inevitable, and paper towels, paper napkins, toilet paper, etc., is in use almost constantly all day. Hopefully I will win a set of napkins, but either way, <a href="http://chezbeeperbebe.blogspot.com/2009/09/tutorial-and-pattern-cloth-napkins-5.html">cloth napkins</a> will be making their way to our table in the near future. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.theclothdiaperwhisperer.com/2010/04/fluff-friday-75.html">The Cloth Diaper Whisperer</a>: Fluff Friday 75 - 2 Smartipants CD's. Always looking to increase our stash.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.ecocheapmom.com/2010/03/fluff-bum-cloth-diaper-event-schedule.html">Eco-Cheap Mom</a>: cloth diapers, wipes, and accessories throughout the month of April. SO..these are the ones currently eligible for entry. <a href="http://www.ecocheapmom.com/2010/04/fuzzibunz-perfect-size-pocket-diaper.html">FuzziBunz Perfect size Pocket</a> ends 4/22, <a href="http://www.ecocheapmom.com/2010/04/nifty-nappy-peachykeen-one-size-pocket.html">Nifty Nappy PeachyKeen</a> One Size Pocket ends 4/23, <a href="http://www.ecocheapmom.com/2010/04/flip-one-size-diaper-system-review-and.html">Flip One-Size Diaper</a> system ends 4/26, <a href="http://www.ecocheapmom.com/2010/04/rumparooz-g2-one-size-pocket-diaper.html">Rumparooz G2 One Size Pocket Diaper</a> ends 4/28, <a href="http://www.ecocheapmom.com/2010/04/fuzzibunz-one-size-pocket-diaper-review.html">FuzziBunz One Size Pocket Diaper</a> ends 4/30, <a href="http://www.ecocheapmom.com/2010/04/swimmis-swim-diaper-by-bummis-review.html">Swimmis Swim Diaper by Bummis</a> ends 4/30, <a href="http://www.ecocheapmom.com/2010/04/bum-essentials-diaper-and-wet-bag.html">Bum Essentials Diaper and Wet Bag</a> ends 5/3, <a href="http://www.ecocheapmom.com/2010/04/earth-mama-angel-baby-bottom-balm.html">Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm</a> ends 5/5, <a href="http://www.ecocheapmom.com/2010/04/pat-cake-baby-wet-bag-review-and.html">Pat-a-Cake Baby</a> wet bag ends 4/24, <a href="http://www.ecocheapmom.com/2010/04/bummas-cloth-wipes-review-and-giveaway.html">Bummas Cloth Wipes</a> (which I really want!!!) ends 4/27, <a href="http://www.ecocheapmom.com/2010/04/krazy8cats-wool-dryer-balls-review-and.html">Krazy8Cat's Wool Dryer Balls </a>ends 4/29, <a href="http://www.ecocheapmom.com/2010/04/loveys-tushi-wash-review-and-giveaway.html">Lovey's Tushi Wash</a> ends 5/4 <b>I told you there were a bazillion.</b></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ericalea.com/2010/04/16/a-giveaway/">Simple Days:</a> 2 hand-knitted washcloths. </li>
</ol><br />
I want it all!! Don't you?!?<div class="blogger-post-footer">"...to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." ~ Isaiah 61:3</div>creativoicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15746483326943038856noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276059510136345437.post-74063235357919053962010-04-19T12:06:00.006-04:002010-04-19T13:04:13.966-04:00What I've been up to..I have been very busy in blogland lately. <span style="font-style: italic;">What? Oh..right..</span> Well, not actually busy blogging, but blog surfing, or blog stalking..depends on how you look at it. There are so many talented, inspiring people out there! Beyond that, they actually let you learn, absorb, breathe in just a little bit of that talent. My list of projects, (desktop folder rather) has gone from 10 to about 95 projects "to-do".<br /><br />SO......<br /><br />It's not that I haven't had anything to write about. Far from it. I actually have so much to write about, I'm going to write it in pictures.<br /><br />Here's what I've been up to.<br /><br />1. Trying to figure out <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/just-a-touch-of-old-toddlers-sweater">this</a> pattern...and failing miserably. I did find out later, that the pattern was incorrect...so....now I am working on the new one.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FyRVy8y5l3A/S8yC1OUSn_I/AAAAAAAAADM/7tcSOkf2iZs/s1600/100_2997.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FyRVy8y5l3A/S8yC1OUSn_I/AAAAAAAAADM/7tcSOkf2iZs/s320/100_2997.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461884298981449714" border="0" /></a><br />2. Baking chocolate chip cookies. I am using the word chip rather loosely here, since I didn't have actual chips, so I used Williams-Sonoma hot chocolate "luscious bittersweet chocolate shavings". Ha.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FyRVy8y5l3A/S8yC0mekpYI/AAAAAAAAADE/NXhNlXwYnfg/s1600/100_2958.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FyRVy8y5l3A/S8yC0mekpYI/AAAAAAAAADE/NXhNlXwYnfg/s320/100_2958.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461884288287155586" border="0" /></a><br />3. Baking bread - Potato buttermilk rolls to be exact....again I am using the word buttermilk rather loosely also, since we are mainly vegan. I substituted lemon juice and soy milk instead. And WOW! were they good! <span style="font-style: italic;">(even if I did use leftover mashed potatoes to make them)</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FyRVy8y5l3A/S8yC0YhQ03I/AAAAAAAAAC8/fEZlXjLjZw8/s1600/100_2894.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FyRVy8y5l3A/S8yC0YhQ03I/AAAAAAAAAC8/fEZlXjLjZw8/s320/100_2894.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461884284540343154" border="0" /></a>4. And more bread.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FyRVy8y5l3A/S8yCz32Tr9I/AAAAAAAAAC0/s4p9La1K1uI/s1600/100_2879.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FyRVy8y5l3A/S8yCz32Tr9I/AAAAAAAAAC0/s4p9La1K1uI/s320/100_2879.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461884275770240978" border="0" /></a>5. Trying new recipes. I had a fridge full of tomatoes, and I needed to do something with them; other than throw them all out after they sat there for another month. So I went to 101 cookbooks <span style="font-style: italic;">(my favorite recipe site)</span>, and decided to make <a href="http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/roasted-tomato-soup-recipe.html">Soup</a>. Loads of fun...super easy...and I didn't like it. So I added Morning Star Farms Italian Sausage, some Ragu, and some more spices..... TA DA! and turned it into spaghetti sauce...which I love.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FyRVy8y5l3A/S8yCzaZvD7I/AAAAAAAAACs/0NqTB_8I19Y/s1600/100_2871.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FyRVy8y5l3A/S8yCzaZvD7I/AAAAAAAAACs/0NqTB_8I19Y/s320/100_2871.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461884267865771954" border="0" /></a>6. Baking more of these. More wheat flour this time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FyRVy8y5l3A/S8yLGTplO5I/AAAAAAAAADc/2zfIpjAu_Qo/s1600/100_3060.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FyRVy8y5l3A/S8yLGTplO5I/AAAAAAAAADc/2zfIpjAu_Qo/s320/100_3060.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461893388563725202" border="0" /></a><br />7. Knitting a <a href="http://www.tinybirdsorganics.com/soakers/pattern/">soaker</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FyRVy8y5l3A/S8yLGAcMaqI/AAAAAAAAADU/psZDb8l61ug/s1600/100_2991.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FyRVy8y5l3A/S8yLGAcMaqI/AAAAAAAAADU/psZDb8l61ug/s320/100_2991.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461893383407299234" border="0" /></a><br />Since I heard <a href="http://www.truthcode.com/">somewhere</a> that seven is a good number, I'll stop there.<br /><br />I do have other projects in progress, but you can see those in the sidebar.<div class="blogger-post-footer">"...to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." ~ Isaiah 61:3</div>creativoicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15746483326943038856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276059510136345437.post-80798986815079796372010-03-23T16:01:00.002-04:002010-03-23T16:24:13.170-04:00New Beginnings<div style="text-align: left;">I was never able to keep a diary. Of the 15+ journals I own, not one has been consistently updated with the details of day to day life. There's a large black linen one, a brown suede one, a brown striped one, some with pictures, others with inspiring sayings; each perfect for chronicling the big events, the heartaches, the minutia, and yet none of them have more than 20 pages of writing. There's even a small pink one with teddy bears, complete with a padlock slot, featuring a few pages of childish writing. <span style="font-style: italic;">"Dear Diary, My mom is going to have a baby. The End."</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span></span><br />My favorite journal is a faded blue. Its cover is warped and worn; the pages inside, yellowed with age, are covered with the elegant script of my grandmother. Using prose, poetry, and funny quotes, she talks about college, family, and dreams. Reading her poems, I hear a familiar voice, detect a soothing, recognizable rhythm...it is my own poetry, echoing from the stack of unused, uncompleted journals. Mine also tell of college, of love, and dreams. The melody is different, but the rhythm is the same. This is why I love to write...its in my blood.<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">"...to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." ~ Isaiah 61:3</div>creativoicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15746483326943038856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276059510136345437.post-49554681156122307602009-06-30T02:13:00.005-04:002009-06-30T23:40:12.436-04:00Giveaways Galore<span style="font-size:100%;">Mom Central as always has some fab giveaways.<br />#1 - an <a href="http://www.isabellaoliver.com/maternity-clothes/">Isabella Oliver Maternity</a> <a href="http://http://baby.momcentral.com/2009/06/review-and-giveaway-isabella-oliver-maternity-top.html">top</a><img src="file:///C:/Users/Akeyma/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-3.jpg" alt="" /><br />#2 - a <a href="http://www.timiandleslie.com/">Timi & Leslie</a> convertible diaper <a href="http://http://baby.momcentral.com/2009/06/review-and-giveaway-timi-leslie-convertible-diaper-bag.html">bag</a><br />Just click on the link to participate.<br /><br />Also...over at <a href="http://www.theclothdiaperwhisperer.com">The Cloth Diaper Whisperer</a>, they are as always...giving away cool <a href="http://www.diapershops.com">cloth diaper</a> solutions in their weekly <a href="http://www.theclothdiaperwhisperer.com/2009/06/fluff-friday-35.html">Fluff Friday</a> giveaway. Check it out, whether you're a cloth diapering newbie, veteran, or connoisseur. It's sure to interest either way.<br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">"...to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." ~ Isaiah 61:3</div>creativoicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15746483326943038856noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276059510136345437.post-49608899746491360702009-06-30T01:57:00.006-04:002009-06-30T23:30:56.795-04:00long time...<span style="font-size:100%;">It has been forever since I posted on here, but I've resolved to be better. Since then I've started cloth diapering.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FyRVy8y5l3A/Skmq4mmDNuI/AAAAAAAAABg/qi9Dsxo3VEk/s1600-h/100_1474.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FyRVy8y5l3A/Skmq4mmDNuI/AAAAAAAAABg/qi9Dsxo3VEk/s320/100_1474.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352997521516082914" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;">....babywearing (with the wonderful Moby Wrap - will post on that later)...</span><span style="font-size:100%;">and continued cosleeping. I must say, I can't remember when I've had as much fun.<br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">"...to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." ~ Isaiah 61:3</div>creativoicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15746483326943038856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276059510136345437.post-3336086964569637112009-04-15T12:21:00.000-04:002009-04-15T14:54:49.925-04:00Fluff Fridays - Week 24Guess what??<br />Over at <span style="font-style: italic;">The Cloth Diaper Whisperer </span>they have great eco-friendly, ultra modern baby giveaways.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://theclothdiaperwhisperer.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="The Cloth Diaper Whisperer" src="http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/rr78/clothdiaperwhisperer/fluff.gif" /></a><br /></div><br />This week's giveaway is a <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Moby Wrap and a Gro Baby One Size Diaper System</span>. Head over to their site to participate.<div class="blogger-post-footer">"...to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." ~ Isaiah 61:3</div>creativoicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15746483326943038856noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276059510136345437.post-61340581336426310002009-04-14T15:21:00.000-04:002009-04-14T18:38:50.260-04:00WAHM?? WTH?? Why not lol....<span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FyRVy8y5l3A/SeUOKAuaexI/AAAAAAAAAAw/wlxZFhnlNno/s1600-h/Kourtney%27s+Camera+011.JPG"></a>I always figured I'd grow up, get a job, get married, have children, keep working......but it didn't exactly work out that way. I grew up, got a job, got married, had my daughter, and stopped working. <br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FyRVy8y5l3A/SeUOKAuaexI/AAAAAAAAAAw/wlxZFhnlNno/s1600-h/Kourtney%27s+Camera+011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FyRVy8y5l3A/SeUOKAuaexI/AAAAAAAAAAw/wlxZFhnlNno/s320/Kourtney%27s+Camera+011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324677699591633682" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Upon the realization that I (gasp) actually want to be a stay at home mom, I figured that there had to be more than actually staying home and keeping house. So, I got online and "googled it". And, lo and behold, there are tons of other stay/work-at-home moms that have come to the same conclusion. I've had many ill-fated attempts at blogging, but I've told myself that this won't be one of them. Now I must close this post because Zee is pulling at the laptop and chewing on my arm....lunch break!</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">"...to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." ~ Isaiah 61:3</div>creativoicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15746483326943038856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276059510136345437.post-25079468708995848292009-04-10T02:42:00.000-04:002009-04-14T18:37:34.090-04:00Soup - not just for the soul<span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >So I've discovered soup. Not your ordinary alphabet variety either. I have stepped into a world of crushed lentils, split peas, and savory celery goodness. As the mother of a high maintenance six-month-old, I prefer meal preparation to be just the opposite...low maintenance.</span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> </span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >Not wanting to sacrifice good nutrition for functionality, I went on a search for something quick and nutritious. After searching page upon page of internet recipes....I discovered it - soups. Simple to make, yet highly complex in taste and varied in possibilities</span><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">. </span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >Here's a good one.... See for yourself...<br /><br />http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/chunky-celery-soup-recipe.html</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">"...to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." ~ Isaiah 61:3</div>creativoicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15746483326943038856noreply@blogger.com1