My Daily Round

Christmas Stockings

noreply@blogger.com (Barb) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:33:00 +0000

I don't know why but, I have stocking angst. I have an image in my mind and every year, I never bring it to fruition. Now that we have seven in our family, I'd like our stockings to be homey, yet fun, and definitely not run of the mill. Maybe a little flashy. I've contemplated knitting the stockings; I've contemplated making them out of wool felt. I just couldn't get myself started.

This year, I thought about ordering them from The Pottery Barn. I love the graphic images on their stockings, but not spending $20 times seven...$140, not including shipping. Or personalization. That's another $5 per stocking, I think. Yes, I know that we'll use the stockings for a long time, but I couldn't stomach spending almost $200 at once on stockings.

A few weeks ago, I was in Kohl's looking for new sneakers for myself when I walked by their Christmas display. Long story short, I need another baby ornament, and I'm looking for a particular one that I haven't been able to find for the past few years. Then I saw the red velvet stockings marked down to $7.49. I'm not a big fan of red, but this red was more in keeping with the eye popping ribbon I like to use at Christmas. I bought seven; $55 is a much better amount than $175.

Today I started embellishing one of the stockings based on an idea I saw in the Pier One flyer that came out recently. Of course, when the little ones saw the sparkles, they kept asking for more.

I'm going to embellish in stages since I have seven stockings to do. It took about 15 minutes to do the one pictured above. Once I'm done the sparkles, I think I'll add on some rick rack which I already have. I'd like to personalize the stockings, but that will depend on how much room I have left at the end.

Goodwill Find: Brown Glass Candlesticks

noreply@blogger.com (Barb) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:56:00 +0000

Pillar holders seem to be the rage this fall. Check these out from Pier One or The Nester's post on candles and candlesticks.

I love the ideas, but I can't afford the Pier One prices. Then I found my hurricane vase for $5.

And on Saturday, I found a pair of brown glass pillar holders, 70's vintage?, for $3 each at Goodwill.

I was up at the front of the store ready to pay for my one item when I decided to look again at these pillar holder. Which I had already looked at twice. Mixed in with other stuff, they seemed so dated, and the shape unappealing. Then I went back, grabbed them, paid for them, and brought them home.

After cleaning up the two pillar holders, and putting in pillar candles that I had picked up at Ikea last year, I placed them on my fireplace and was so happy I bought them. These pillar holders need staging for full appreciation of their bubbly curves!

noreply@blogger.com (Barb) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:28:00 +0000

Yesterday was a light photo day since I had to take my oldest, along with the little ones at home, to the pediatrician. I suspected that he had strep, but fortunately he had neither strep nor mono, just bronchitis. He gets to spend another day at home today recuperating before I send him back out tomorrow. The little ones at home have his illness, but not as bad. However, there's lots of tiredness and grumpiness. Hopefully, today's rainy day will give us time to rest.

Note the penguins tucked in with her.

We're in a book making frenzy!

"Christmas Making and Baking"

noreply@blogger.com (Barb) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:09:00 +0000

I was about to post about the King Arthur flour sale at my local Genuardi's when I saw Elizabeth Foss's post at Real Learning that collects all her Advent and Christmas links. What a wonderful thing for her to do! If you feel like tackling the O Antiphon House, I highly recommend it. It does take some time, but the end result is quite wonderful. We've had ours for about three years now. I found my house at Michael's, along with the rest of the supplies.

About the King Arthur flour - I'm a huge fan, but it's not always in our budget. Our local Genuardi's on Baltimore Pike, and maybe other Safeway stores, is offering whole wheat, white whole wheat, all purpose and bread flour for $3.29 with the loyalty card. That works out to $.65/lb. Normally the 5 lb. bags run about $4.50 per bag or $.90/lb. The sale goes until December 29, plenty of time to stock up for holiday baking and beyond.

Another Before and After Project

noreply@blogger.com (Barb) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0000

I found this candlestick at The Church of the Redeemer Thrift Shop for $3. It had a few tea lights in it when I found it. I didn't have anything specific in mind when I bought the candlestick, but for $3, it seemed the right price for spray painting and putting away for another day which I did. I don't have any candles, except tea lights, that will work with this candlestick. My other thought was to put small balls like ornaments in each holder.

The Bench - Part Two

noreply@blogger.com (Barb) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:46:00 +0000

I finished my $20 bench yesterday and brought it inside. In all the spray painting needed almost 2 cans of paint - $6.88 total.

I put it in our living room in place of a small bookcase which I moved to a different corner of the living room. Given that I have an eighteen month old who gets into everything, I'm going to use the shelf on the bench for small baskets of toys. Later on, I can keep magazines or other items there in the baskets.

I picked up the foam from Joann Fabrics yesterday which was on sale for half price. I went with the 2 inch thick foam to create a firm cushion. I ended up buying more than I needed, but I'm sure I can use the remainder of the foam elsewhere. This will be my first project where I need to focus on construction, i.e. making separate panels for the sides of the cushion.

November Photo Project: November 9, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Barb) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:12:00 +0000

The kids took advantage of the warmer temperatures to spend some time outside yesterday. They also decided to make treasure boxes from our very small shoe box collection. Looks like I'll have to ask my mom for some more shoe boxes!

Lizzie was very excited about her hat and insisted on wearing it even though I hadn't finished the pompom. Now the pompom has disappeared and so I'll make a new one.

Local Folks: The Bench

noreply@blogger.com (Barb) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:21:00 +0000

Here's my $20 bench from The Barn, an auction house and thrift store located at 440 Chester Pike in Crumlynne, PA.

It's a kelly green, not bad, but the paint is peeling at the bottom of the legs. The top is a bit rough for sitting on. It's also dirty, but not too bad. I wasn't keen though on the green paint coming off on the rag while I wiped the bench down.

I used a belt sander and smoothed down the rough spots plus knocked off the loose bits of paint. Then I hosed the bench down and decided to scrub it with soapy water and brush. I have no idea what I'm doing, but it sounded okay when I explained the plan to my husband.

After waiting for the wood to dry in the sun, I sprayed two coats of satin finish Espresso on the outside. Today I'm working on the underside and inner sections and then I'll do the outside again, just to be sure. I think the whole project will used about 1 1/2 cans of spray paint.

I have to say I really like the satin finish. It's not as glossy as the black gloss that I used on my lamp, but still feels smooth.

I'll have today's work posted tomorrow.

Gratitude and Helping Others

noreply@blogger.com (Barb) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:16:00 +0000

Closeup of China Cabinet in Dining Room

I mentioned in my Daybook post that we started our gratitude "tree" last week based on a semi-regular habit of sharing our highs and lows for the day at dinnertime. It's a wonderful habit and can create some fun memories for a family. My oldest son, Matt, doesn't always like to participate, but he's getting used to doing so. For awhile, my two year old daughter, Lizzie, would tell us every.single.time that her high for the day was playing in the basement, even if she didn't. And, John the four year old would stretch the whole thing out into his high, his low, his favorite, his least favorite. We learned not to start with him...

How the leaves look.

The kids are loving this activity, especially since they see the leaves every day. The leaves in the middle glass section are our highs and the ones on the left are ways that we've helped others during the day.

The leaf shapes came from Enchanted Learning. I sat one afternoon with my four year old cutting them out while he sorted them by shape and color.

There's lots of wonderful ways of creating a gratitude craft on the Internet, but I'm finding that the simplest is the best for us in this season. I would have loved a tree to put the leaves on, but that involved finding an empty space on the wall on the first floor - too many decisions! One thing I would like to do is to paste the leaves into a blank journal and keep an annual journal that we look at during the Thanksgiving holiday. I'll keep it simple by purchasing a fake leather journal at Borders Bookstore, my favorite place for journals.

Local Folks: Church of the Redeemer Thrift Shop

noreply@blogger.com (Barb) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0000

I visited a number of thrift shops on Saturday, including two new ones.

This hurricane vase on the left came from The Church of the Redeemer Thrift Shop, located at 145 W. Springfield Road in Springfield. It's only open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

I picked this vase up at the last minute as I was waiting with two of my children to pay for our candlestick which I'll share in another post when it's ready.

I paid $5 for the vase, but it looks like Pier One is offering a similar vase for $20 or so. The sparkly bits in the bottom are two garlands that I picked up from Michael's.

The Church of the Redeemer Thrift Shop is a small thrift shop offering adult and children's clothing, toys, knick knacks, cookware and china.

By the way, if anyone has suggestions on keeping a candle upright in one of these vases, I'd love to hear it!

Menu Plan Monday: Week of November 9th

noreply@blogger.com (Barb) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:32:00 +0000

We're still in the playoffs for football this week along with auditions for a CYO play, making dinnertime very busy.

I have several children dealing with a cold so I expect to have quite a few leftovers by the time Thursday arrives.

Sunday -Made by My Husband - Beef roast, orzo with bacon, and sauteed green beans

Monday -Chicken Tenders, Sweet Potatoes, sauteed Carrots, Snap Peas, and Red Peppers

Tuesday -Raviolis with Red Sauce, Sauteed Green Beans

Wednesday -Roast Chicken, Rice Pilaf

Thursday -Leftovers

Friday -Chicken Stew and Biscuits

Saturday - Made by My Husband

Daybook for Sunday, November 8th...

noreply@blogger.com (Barb) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:52:00 +0000

Outside my window...

The sky is oh so blue with no clouds in sight. It's still early enough that there are shadows across our yard.

I am thinking...

About a somewhat busy week ahead, Advent and Christmas, Thanksgiving, decorating, knitting, cooking. And writing.

I am thankful for...

an end to the stomach bug that may have been the swine flu, the community we're building around us, my photographic and crafting gifts.

I am pondering...

ways to serve others. We started our gratitude tree last week, a natural extension of our semi-regular habit of sharing our highs and lows at dinnertime (thank you Aunt Lindy!). This week, we'll start sharing how we served/helped someone else.

From the kitchen...

an intention of creating a 3-week menu plan, plans to try a few new dishes with everyone feeling better, plans to harvest from the garden and to share the bounty before the frost hits it.

I am wearing...

A plum-colored button-down shirt, thrifted!, a black knit skirt from Hanna Andersson (one of my best buys), black tights, jewelry, black boots (another great buy from HA).

I am creating...

a list of decorating projects to keep me on track, likewise a craft project list, plus our Advent and Christmas plans.

Living the Liturgy...

I need to review the liturgical plans for this week. Because of illness we didn't do as much as I would have liked last week, but we did take some baby steps. As I mentioned above, we'll be starting our Giving Tree this week to place a great emphasis on serving others and come to better understand Jesus' Servant Leadership.

I am going...

to Mass and then spend the day at home puttering around with the kids.

I am reading...

The Year and Our Children and Raising Good Catholic Children by Mary Reed Newland. It's taking awhile as I keep falling asleep at night or spend time knitting my daughter's hat and some acorns.

Living A Healthy Lifestyle...

The best laid plans of mice and men...If it weren't for my Monday, Wednesay, Friday walks with my neighbor, I wouldn't make time for exercise as I deal with the children's illnesses. I still haven't asked my husband to help me move the treadmill, but I'll do it today. The cooking end is going well as we try new recipes like Butternut Squash Fries (yum!) and Spaghetti Squash with Tomato Sauce (mixed reviews).

I am hoping...

to have a week without illness, even a minor one, to enjoy the sunshine, and to get my camera out more often to document our life.

I am hearing...

my six year old humming in the dining room while the four year old coughs and both play with Legos. My daughter is in the basement with "her friend," sweet baby James and she is singing, too.

Around the house...

I'm working on small decorating projects with my thrifted items and current very, very small supply of stuff. As much as I'd like to shop the house, I simply don't have a lot of stuff. Though I'd rather be picky.

I'm also thinking about how to decorate the boys' bedrooms. My oldest has a bunch of posters he wants to put on the walls. I don't want to use thumb tacks and the putty from Staples doesn't work. I want to hang a bulletin board in the middle boys' room with pictures of their relatives and I'd like to set up a small altar in each bedroom. I need to pick one place to start.

Around the yard...

I think I've given up on the fall cleanup. My attention seems to be elsewhere so I'll just make sure that items get put away, including the rest of the Halloween lights. I'm thinking about setting up the Christmas lights while it's still nice enough to work outside.

One of my favorite things...

vegetables, again. I ate some Halloween candy last night and couldn't stand the taste. My tastebuds are craving clean, fresh flavors.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

MOPs, Football?, Play Auditions, Home and School Meeting, a possible trip to Ikea, a possible trip to the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

My six year old decided to make a card for his CCD teacher telling her what a wonderful job she is doing. He covered the card in his trademark hearts. So sweet!

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

November Photo Project: November 7, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Barb) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Frugally Greening My Home

noreply@blogger.com (Barb) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:46:00 +0000

Yesterday I finally got around to potting up some plants that I've been rooting in water for many, many months. With the baby 18 months old, I feel like I have some time in my week to take care of plants. Not that they need much care, but having house plants seemed like a luxury for awhile.

After planting four pots, I decided to start some new plants. The rosemary on the right came from a plant out in the garden. The begonia on the left came from the plant on my desk, a bit precious because I haven't been able to find another begonia yet.

Back in the Knitting Mode

noreply@blogger.com (Barb) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0000

A few weeks ago, my Blue Bell sister-in-law shared a link from Homespun Living of this wonderful knitted acorn. I finally got around to attempting the project this week. Such an easy, simple project! The hardest part is the top of the acorn where the decreases occur. I also did my first I-cord which wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.

I started a hat for my soon-to-be three year old girl. She keeps asking if I'm finished HER hat yet. If I can find a pattern, I'm hoping to make some knitted flowers to attach to the hat, or I can try embroidering some simple flowers. The hat pattern is from The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns; I increased the ribbing to 2 inches.

November Photo Project: November 4, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Barb) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:18:00 +0000

We spent yesterday morning running errands. I hated taking my still-sick four year old out to the store, but we needed cat food and some other items. I think when families are dealing with sickness, the best help we can offer is to run errands.

I did remember to get my camera out in the afternoon to document a brief moment that is sure to become part of family history. - the day John was bit by a praying mantis.

As you can see, that was the poor creature's last bite. My thirteen year old's comment was: "John, the craziest things happen to you!"

This is the area of the yard we are working on; I'm converting it to more vegetable beds.

And here is the bitee. The same one who told us yesterday that the trees are becoming naked just like our naked baby James. Interesting juxtaposition of images.

Laundry Savings You Might Not Thought Of

noreply@blogger.com (Barb) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0000

We all know that hanging laundry on clotheslines or drying racks can save money because we aren't running a dryer.

However, thanks to The Frugal Girl, I was reminded once again that there are savings in how we use our washing machines, too.

If you read this page about washing machines from Michael Bluejay's site, you'll find that using cold/cold or warm/cold to wash your clothes can create savings over a year's time. Of course, if you're like me, and doing laundry for a family of seven that includes four children six and under who constantly get food, etc. on their clothes, the savings can be even greater.

I still plan on using Hot/Cold to wash my diapers with a Cold pre-rinse, but I'll experiment with doing only Cold loads this month and see how it affects my next gas bill (our hot water heater is gas.)

November Photo Project: November 3, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Barb) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:19:00 +0000

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

-Matthew 6:21

You say potato, I say potahto...

noreply@blogger.com (Barb) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0000

After that comedic interlude, last week, I had a craving for Potato and Leek soup. It's so easy to make! I took my cues from a recipe in Martha Stewart's Entertaining, but Alton Brown's recipe on the Food Network is similar.

I did make one change - I sauteed garlic with the leeks. I'm particularly fond of garlic and like to throw it in whenever I can.

I also used up a bunch of inch-size potatoes from our garden, along with canned chicken stock from last year.

I froze the soup without the cream; I'll add it after defrosting and reheating.

November Photo Project: November 2, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Barb) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:39:00 +0000

I forgot to grab my camera initially and then I found myself struggling to take shots. I think the best way to look for moments, if you have a digital camera, is to overshoot and discard later. Especially with children. So often people settle for half-good pictures because they stop shooting, when they could have better and even great pictures just by pressing the button continually and discarding afterwards.

As we deal with a stomach bug and another upper respiratory infection, all the children were home yesterday. I spent a lot of time washing diapers, grateful that I had a washing machine and a clothesline outside.

November Photo Project: November 1, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Barb) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0000

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

-Matthew 6:21

All Saints Day

noreply@blogger.com (Barb) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Yesterday was All Saints Day and taking a cue from Florence Berger's Cooking for Christ, I decided to surprise the children with donuts for breakfast. Donuts with their perfect circle can be seen as representing eternity and the hole in the middle filled only by God.

However, our quest for donuts, given a lack of time to make our own, appeared to be unfulfilled by human means when we set out at 6:05 yesterday morning. Our local bakery which was supposed to be open at 6 a.m. was dark. The next bakery we tried was also dark. Then when we came back to the first bakery on our way home, the lights were on. A dozen donuts were placed in a box, paid for, and we were on our way home.

Later in the day, I displayed some photos of some of the deceased members of both our families in the dining room in recognition of All Souls and the Souls in Purgatory. This generated some discussion among our children which I'll continue to encourage during November.

Starting today, we'll be reciting the De Profundis at dinnertime until November 8th.

After a visit to a small local cemetery in the morning, I hope to have time to make Soul Cakes with my four year old during naptime today.

Menu Plan Monday: Week of November 2nd

noreply@blogger.com (Barb) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0000

With football playoffs happening this week and next, my menu may be subject to change. However, we have two relatively quiet weeks which I'll use for cooking dinner during the day, making snacks, and preserving produce from the garden.

I'm repeating a lot of meals from the previous two weeks simply because it's easy, the kids like them, and I'm not sure how the football playoffs are going to impact our dinnertime.

Sunday - Flapjacks

Monday - Spaghetti and Meatballs, Sauteed Kale

Tuesday - Mac and Cheese, Sweet Potatoes, green beans

Wednesday - Chicken stew and biscuits

Thursday - Leftovers and Butternut Squash Fries

Friday - Pizza, Mixed veggies

Saturday - Made by My Husband

The morning after...

noreply@blogger.com (Barb) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:57:00 +0000

It's hard to believe that this picture was taken before we went trick or treating. John, in the middle, threw up twice after we visited the first house so I whisked him back across the street to stay with his Dad. He spent the evening on the sofa watching PBS Sprout. He's much better this morning.

Ted was beyond himself with excitement, and then calmed down and then called it a day. Lizzie was a trooper from the get go, though she wasn't too sure about the scary masks she saw.

I'm not sure if it was the economy or the rain last night, but there were fewer children out than last year and fewer homes were offering treats. It was nice to see healthier treats being offered at a few homes, like pretzels and water bottles. One home offered glow in the dark rings to put around the children's necks.

All in all it was nice to have the festivities spread over two days with a parade and party at school on Friday and trick or treating Saturday night.

Daybook for Sunday, November 1st

noreply@blogger.com (Barb) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:51:00 +0000

Outside my window...

The sky is gray and rain is predicted, again, for today. The beauty lies in the splashes of color from the leaves against the sculptural forms of the trees.

I am thinking...

About a quieter week, a week without a stomach bug, and family and friends.

I am thankful for...

so many things, especially a roof over our heads, being together, fed, clothed and nourished by each other's love and limitations.

I am pondering...

my November liturgical plans. It's the month of the Souls in Purgatory, an opportunity for catechesis. I'm also thinking about ways to get back into a weekly hospitality ministry using November and December as our jumpstart.

From the kitchen...

Baked white pumpkins cooling in the oven. Donuts from the bakery to celebrate All Saints Day. Decisions to be made about dinner since my husband and my oldest son will be at a football game all afternoon. Plans to freeze veggies from the garden this week, along with doing stuff with apples and pumpkins. Holiday food preparation being contemplated and planned for.

I am wearing...

A long-sleeved dusty pumpkin-colored shirt, jeans, rings, and white socks.

I am creating...

plans for the holidays. I was so excited when I found out that the Catholic Philopatrian Literary Institute is hosting a visit from St. Nicholas in December.

Living the Liturgy...

I have a few small craft projects to go with service projects planned for November. We'll also be using De Profundis as our mealtime prayer this week. It will feel awkward at first learning to weave more mindfulness of God into our daily activities.

I am going...

to the Book Warehouse and Gamestop today as part of my ~~bribe~~ plan to get rid of the Halloween candy. My husband is taking some into work, and I put away the m'n'm's for cookies.

I am reading...

The Year and Our Children and Raising Good Catholic Children by Mary Reed Newland

Living A Healthy Lifestyle...

The rain interfered with my walking plans and I still haven't been able to move the treadmill back to its spot in the basement. However, hope springs eternal and the forecast is promising for this week. My goal is to walk every morning, inside or outside, and make sure that we all stick to healthy food choices for building our immune systems.

I am hoping...

I am hearing...

the sound of children digging in the Lego box in the dining room and the baby playing with stuff in the cabinets in the kitchen

Around the house...

I am taking down the Halloween decorations inside the house first, and then tomorrow I'll work on the outside. Then I'll add in more fall decorations along with some Thanksgiving ones

Around the yard...

lots of fall clean up waiting to be done thanks to the copious amounts of rain. Perhaps I can get an hour or so done this week.

One of my favorite things...

vegetables, again. I ate some Halloween candy last night and couldn't stand the taste. My tastebuds are craving clean, fresh flavors.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Bible Study, my Mom's birthday, and 1st Friday Mass at school

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/