Renaissance Momma

A New Look for Nap Time

2012-02-16T14:22:00.000-05:00

First night in new beds

Their eyes dance when they walk in the room, unsure what to study first. Small one stands on tiptoes trying to kiss the owls. Big one jumps and squeals: G-een bed! Pointed to the footboard: Ooh, my letter! She owns all "G's." They sit sideways, toes together, hands held, bouncing with excitement.

This might be our best project yet. We've made more complicated things, but never have we constructed more harmoniously. Plenty of artsy, painting work for me; plenty of power tool, woodwork for him. We finished just under $50 with furniture we really need. That's right, two beds for $30!!

The headboard and footboard are scrapped doors, abandoned to the overwhelming church set construction pile. Old doors are furniture genius. For $20 or less at a salvage yard or Habitat Restore, you can pick up solid, reclaimed wood. These had the bonus of really neat hardware, seen better here.

The door-turned-bed idea is not original to us. You can find it here. This was DH's plan from the start. He didn't want small one sleeping Japanese-style, mattress flat on the floor. He found the plans, found the doors. We both found ways to complicate an otherwise simple project. Tim beefed up the construction such that our grandchildren can inherit these beds. He even made the molding for the end caps from plain pine strips. He's a handy guy to have around.

At this point, the owls are a theme. Gwennan's "big girl quilt" (my first) has owls. On Afton's bed, you can see Hootie tucked in the mix. Now they roost on headboards too. And why not - they're sleepy birds.

That's it. No great spiritual lesson that I can manipulate to show how Christ is like a toddler bed. Just creative fun for the whole Ellis family. If you come over, I'm sure the girls will be happy to show your their owls. Have a great day!

Growing Together

2012-02-14T15:23:00.002-05:00

The giggling started before daylight this morning. The soft squeal of a baby fully awake and ready to explore the quiet house. I illuminate my phone, 5:30. Around the screen glow, I see small one peeking around the corner of the bed, blanket pressed to cheek, smiling around her finger.

She giggles again and throws arms wide, run walking to arms she knows are waiting. I scoop her up, pressing foreheads close.

Not yet, Sissy Bug. Back to bed. Oh, I don't want to. Let's sneak downstairs while Daddy and big one sleep on. Cuddle under a lofty blanket. Pretend she's staying newborn and snuggly and I'm her favorite forever.

Tough parenting is putting your grinning toddler back in bed and shutting the door. She's still comprehending this rail-less bed, freedom and responsibility. Must stay the course.

Small one doesn't want that designation any more. She wants to be big one with her sister. She cries because I forgot to ask her opinion. Not expression. Just respect. Just consultation. Even if she blinks uncomprehending, just to be asked.

They fight more. Unintelligible battles over seemingly minor grievances. I listen as small one screams a list of wrongs committed. Big one walks through her. Eight pounds decides every fight between toddlers. Big one is oblivious to the bruised heart in her wake. Sometimes, I am too.

Little sisterhood is hard. As the big sister, I recognize the first-born challenges: setting the example, living in a fish bowl, always taking more responsibility. But being left behind, always having the lower hand in the fight, someone else calling the shots. Just as hard. I pray protection for their tender hearts, kindness and love for each other.

This morning's troubles aside, they're still best friends. Plead to dress alike, to nap in the same bed. I need my Sissy, Mommy.

My job on the tough mornings, remind. You always have your sister. Treat her well. Love her carefully and deeply. God gave you to each other. Enjoy this good gift! With God's grace, they will.

Breaking Bread

2012-02-13T22:17:00.003-05:00

Monday is bread baking day. Weekends always see the loaf nibbled to the heel. Monday morning, no leftovers because I don't cook Sunday. DH takes peanut butter and jelly, nostalgic lunch deserving a paper bag. By Monday afternoon, we always need bread.

Humanity is built on bread. Hand-ground pea flour "horse bread" to Sister Shubert's yeast rolls. Baked carbs are for the top of the food chain.

A gluten free diet merely means different expectations for bread. I make dense loaves that only need one slice per sandwich and stick to ribs. No crumbly rice bread for us.

My recipe journal - allows recipes to evolve

Two bags of flour replaced by a dozen containers and a grain mill

The communion tray passes me by now. I want to lean over to the usher, it's an allergy thing, like he cares, like anyone cares. My head plays tricks on me, emphasizing my separation.

It's silly. The bread is a side issue. Jesus probably laughs at our centimeter square crackers and teeny juice shots. I think he was referring to regular bread, staple of the meal. Disciples, get together, have a meal, and when you share bread, remember my work that unites you. From what I read, the Corinthian church just brought their dinner to Bible study. I Corinthians 11:21-22 The heart of communion is remembering and expressing gratitude. Gratitude that I can practice as I pass the tray along and as I slice homemade bread. Remembering as I bow to pray before meals - a family eucharist three times a day.

Some time in college, I grew tired of praying for meals that I knew would continue to be prepared by sweaty, hair-netted cooks in the cafeteria. This was no God dropped manna. It was gluey pasta and fried chicken. Why did I bow my head, thank the Lord for what I was about to eat, and bless only the hands that prepared it? Would I really choke and die? Did pre-meal breadsticks and side salads count?

I didn't get it.

So I stopped. My perfunctory prayers were insincere. I opted not to insult God with ungrateful thanks.

I still didn't get it.

But I get it a little more now. God's gift of gratitude. Using meals and broken bread and daily events to trigger celebration. Seeing the cross throughout the day and practicing thank you to the God who gave all. Daily communion. I don't need a cracker in a silver tray. I need a heart of praise.

Gluten-Free Bread

Ingredients:
12 oz. (3 c) high protein, gluten free flour
4 oz. (1c) starch (or combo of starches): tapioca, potato starch, rice, corn, etc...
8 oz. (2 c) combination of whole grains: millet, sorghum, oat, almond, quinoa, amaranth, bean, split pea, buckwheat, flax seed meal, etc... (more whole grains - more spongey)
1 1/2 t baking powder
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
2 t Xanthan gum
1 T yeast (for flavor more than leavening)
+/- 1/4 c lecithin granules
Whisk dry ingredients together in separate bowl.

2 eggs, well beaten
3/4 c Kefir or buttermilk (could use 1 c yogurt or 1/2 milk instead)
1/4 c olive oil (can eliminate if you use 3/4 c flax seed meal)
1/4 c honey

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease 1 loaf pan (9x4).
Mix wet ingredients together in stand mixer. Add dry ingredients in 3 parts, mixing thoroughly. The mixture will more closely resemble thick muffin batter than bread dough. Once all ingredients are incorporated, pour into loaf pan and place in center of oven. Bake for 45-50 minutes, rotating half-way through. Remove immediately from loaf pan and allow to cool on rack for at least an hour before slicing.

Un-posted Projects

2012-02-12T17:05:00.000-05:00

The MacBook, trusty grad school purchase, came to a grinding halt this week. I watched it lag, ignored its complaints Your startup disc is full. PLEASE, for the love of Steve, delete some files! and like the overworked Sewell horse, it finally dropped to its knees, unable even to run applications thanks to the burden of my photo library.

The beauty in my computer's darkest hour: I couldn't blog during the craftiest week of my entire life. I appliqued a tragically librarian sweater, made a hooded hippo towel, and built, painted and created decals for two toddler beds. All those bragging rights and no computer.

Painting a reclaimed door turned head board and dreaming up the amazing post I would write if I could, a verse from the sermon on the mount floated between brush strokes:

Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the Earth. Matthew 3:5

The January blog revival wasn't on impulse. I prayed and labored under the idea of once again tackling a project that had turned on me twice. Blogging feeds my salivating pride.

Head bowed, I asked the Lord to block my posts if I could not write encouragement based from a humble heart. Meekness. Grace. Work done in the light that others might give glory to God. Not my brain. Not my sense of humor. Not my crafting or cooking or cute kids or any other lesser thing.

God blocked solid, obvious, complete, saving me from myself. Thank You! You search my heart and know my profound weakness. In omniscient wisdom, You establish my footsteps.

The weight of conviction spread. The project I was relishing soured. An unworthy distraction from higher things. You shouldn't enjoy this because you feel proud of it.

Whoa! Step back. Something sounds profoundly wrong.

God, the infinitely creative, made me in his image, provided thought, talent, woodworking hubby and two unwanted antique doors. It's his gift to be pleased with my work and enjoy the process.

And I have. This week has been so much fun. My sewing machine sped along without its unpredictable diabolic tension issues. Hubby's reclaimed doors and Pinterest provided abounding inspiration. I actually took time on details, usually not my strong suit. Creativity sprouting new project ideas, hands kept from idle business for weeks.

As you might guess, I found life support for the Mac in an external hard drive. I have a newly cleaned 50G to fill with new pics. Safari runs at speeds I forgot existed. Gratefully, I return to the blog with the promise of the Spirit's guard.

P.S. ~ I must tell a story or two on myself from the bed project.

First: Using the orbital sander, I pressed into musty smelling, potentially lead paint for 30 minutes, thinking how does anyone make money refinishing furniture? My arms are jelly while this paint looks buffed, at best. Noticing my poor result, DH asked if I needed a new pad. Flipped over the sander to discover there was no pad. It was flung from the sander on my first pass. I "sanded" the entire door with the formerly velcro-covered rubber base. So, I am also grateful this weekend for power tool part replacement via the internet.

Second: I ruined my best jeans Friday. Look for a restyle post for primer splattered jeans. I carefully pulled out my "painting jeans," laid them out on the bed with my horrible "painting fleece," then without the slightest thought, pulled on my "make my booty look 18 jeans" I was too lazy to put away the previous evening. I used those jeans as a paint rag all day before I discovered my mistake. But my story isn't over: Next day, I carefully put on my "painting jeans." Not one drop! Completely unblemished after two days of painting. Somewhere, Alanis Morissette feels vindicated.

Practicing Hard Joy

2012-02-08T15:48:00.000-05:00

This week is hard joy. Truth tested. I won't recite my tale of woe. It's much like any other series of simultaneous frustrations that culminate in a tired family finding grace a hard practice.

Joy must be tested. Hope must be unseen. Otherwise, how do I know where joy and hope come from? Do I have joy in the Lord or in His easy gifts? Is my hope in God's goodness or in my comfort?

In small group, we tossed around the tired, yet always appropriate question: Why do bad things happen to good people (to my cynical brain: why do good things happen to bad people)? That's an entire blog in itself. Not for today. What was said that stuck: God gives hard to chip away the sinful, self-loving parts so Christ shines through.

That's my week. God showered me with truth in January, opened up His word and poured blessings. February He asks: Did it stick? Was sin removed that Christ might reign?

Heavenly seeds fell, but on what soil?

Rocky soil? One joyous week of God's word, happy sprouts quickly shriveled and gone. A lesson that should have blessed my whole life withering from lack of care.

Weedy ground? Cares of life, overspent, over tired, crying baby, illness. God's true and beautiful word choked out by everything else screaming for my attention.

Rich soil? Accept truth and encourage growth through meditation. Recite memory verses through the migraine. Practice grace at end of failed nap time. Force roots deep and grounded.

Where does my joy come from?

Gwennan's Potty Chart - Stickers mark accidents verse successes. A chart for my parental goals. If I fail, does my joy fail? Am I worshipping Jesus or "successful Christian parenting"?

Everest of laundry - Does joy flag as work overwhelms?

These pages reminds me of true joy. College Bible notes scribbled on small margins. Words that changed the course of my life, that comforted me in a hospital room and a graveside. Truth sewn so deep that it can't be uprooted.

This post has been days in the making. Its quality should tell you the frequency of interruptions. A busy season where quiet time is cast off. Memory becomes that much more imperative when I can't find time to sit with an open Bible and journal.

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured into our hearts. Romans 5:3-5

In the midst of small, everyday suffering, God is teaching real hope, real joy that finds its source in real Love.

On a slow Saturday morning

2012-02-04T11:35:00.001-05:00

Big one has jet fuel in her veins this morning.

We count eggs in pancakes: one, two. Spoonfuls of baking powder and sugar: one, two. She folds in raspberries, lifting the fork up and over, mommy's hand directing hers. I cooking!

For all her energy, I woke up in the dense fog of sinus pressure. Thank goodness for blue skies and warm weather. Put on a polka dot hoodie and flowered rain boots, grab some chalk and step over the threshold.

I wrote earlier in the week about my availability to my girls. This morning challenged. Auto-pilot isn't even serving well on a recipe I've made every week for years. "This Old House" wasn't holding babies' attention like it was Daddy's. Lots of little help for an already distracted presence.

Through Him, we also have obtained access... Romans 5:2

Thank you, Lord for a torn veil, availability, the Holy Spirit in me who hears my every rushed prayer. Thank you for Holy Spirit intercession when my prayers are more vague inclinations than actual thoughts; even more so when they are clearly stated and off target; more than that when they are nonexistent in my quest for self-sufficiency. Hear my heart's cry today for your strength to speak clearly Love over my family.

Because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:5

God love to overflow from the abundance poured into my heart.

Love Month

2012-02-02T15:43:00.000-05:00

Babies went down early. Hubby and I pulled out paper and scissors - a morning surprise for our sweet girls. White snowflakes and red hearts, symbols of winter and love.

We woke before the sun, wandered downstairs, bellies growling for eggs. Tim and I smiled our secret to each other. Wait to see who notices first.

Standing in the kitchen, peeling a pomelo, feel the tiny one brush my leg as she races past to see what joy is taped to the window. She squeals a cry to her sister to enjoy what she's found. Big sis runs in. She's long past walking toward something exciting. Ooo, Pretty!

What is it? I ask as they stare.

She points to the big red heart. It's Daddy. That's how little girl daddies should be known.

Whoops. Little fingers don't understand frail paper. First snowflake rips. We reach for tape. They might not last the afternoon.

They might also be the only snowflakes we see this unusually tepid winter. The 65 degree January weather brought smug nods from climate change worriers. We're a quarter of an inch above sea level (give or take). If they're right, they should move inland. I digress.

I am a staunch un-observer of Valentine's Day. No special dates or flowers; no anti-parties either. It's just February 14th, two days before my dad's birthday, the day my grandfather died years before I was born. Every year, it sneaks up on me, then slips past without another thought. So why now?

While we were still weak, at just the right time Christ died for the ungodly... but God shows his love for us in that while we still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

I once heard this verse described thus: Christ suffered the cross while we were still shooting God the bird.

The Lord has blessed me with His word of grace. I need a spoon. Is there such a thing, a Bible spoon, scripture ladle? I'm using shelved grad school skills to hold fast to truth: index cards, memory cues, practice aloud. Must no lose these lessons to the dust of untouched journal entries.

Romans 5 was simply in my reading plan today. Without knowing me, Ann Voskamp blogged love yesterday. My February BSF parenting prayer: Love for my spouse modeled for my children. God is laying hints so loudly even this half-deaf woman cannot ignore.

So hearts go up to remind me to pray for love, practice love, praise God for his love. Redeem a Hallmark holiday to be a lesson in the "greatest of these" gift.

This love month, to memorize and meditate on the "never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever love" of God:

If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? Who is to condemn? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? No, in all these thing we are more than conquerors through him who loves us. For I am sure the neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:31-39

As I learn to love my neighbor, my family and friends:

Let love be genuine. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:9-10

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments are summed up in this word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:8-11

Paper hearts, illuminated by the southerly sun, point me to the God who did not spare his only son in his love for us.

The Value of My Life

2012-02-01T13:54:00.001-05:00

The me not tempered by hard taught self-control is angry and selfish. I serve with expectation; I give to receive. Why is no one else working? Why do I always get left with this mess?

But I account my life as of no value nor as precious to myself, if only I might finish the course and the ministry that I received from our Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24

Facing imprisonment and death and leaving friends, those Paul poured his very life into for years. My life means nothing; only God, only grace.

I repeat this verse as I scrub plates, late night grocery shopping, hardened dinner mess. My anger over the mess: me valuing my life, my time worth more than "their" dishes. The Spirit whispers, Let go the perceived value of your time. Honor me in this task. Seek me here.

My bitter heart melts. Mind stops counting the hours of work done without a thank you. I recall Gwennan in the car: Jesus come back in sky. Jesus come back any time. I want Jesus! and my soul sings.

Tim walked in last night, tired from a long meeting. The girls ran to him. I hesitated. He left clothes and gear and wood shavings scattered. More work for me. My precious time. I'm sad that I care more about my time than my time with him.

He stops weeding to scoop up a baby who has found the world's most interesting pinecone, again. His beard tickles, and she giggles. He's all about the relationship, I think. Everything else can wait. He snoozes on the floor with babies crawling on his chest. Anything to be available.

We are only moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. Psalm 39:6

My February prayer: consider my schedule as of no value nor as precious to myself, if only I might finish the course and the ministry given to me by Jesus - to speak the grace of God over my family every day, to build up my house in the Word of the Lord, to love without expectation. Amen.

In Tim's absence

2012-01-31T13:10:00.000-05:00

DH's traveling. Just us girls - Princess Night!

Daddy is the "fun one." So Momma has to step up her game on single parent nights. Long walks, trips to the playground.

Tonight, enjoy being girly! Twirly fairy skirts, silly paper crowns, necklaces and a princess movie. Snuggle together to watch the prince and princess survive and fall in love.

Family of girls, but I never liked organized girl nights - nail polish and gossip and sappy movies where the bad boy is transformed by the pretty girl nobody noticed before tonight. Not my thing. Football and camping and back aching farm work. That was me. Still is, somewhere. Always thought I'd be a boys-only kind of mom, muddy boot prints and wrestling and frogs.

But God gave me girls, beautiful girls. One with a thing for shoes; the other for "feet pants" (tights) and purses. She generally carries three. The only color big one recognized for months, pink. Little girls lost in their innocence and dress up clothes. I enjoy now. Listen to Gwennan sing: I so pretty. I so pretty. Come middle school, I'll be longing to hear her sing those words.

One skirt and pair of pink striped tights just isn't enough

My baby girls dance to the princess's song. We celebrate girlhood. The pink will balance out eventually, but hopefully their sweet hearts and love of beautiful, the passion for friends and desire to serve continue.

Hemming Rectangles

2012-01-30T10:52:00.001-05:00

Rental houses are a beautiful thing. My previous experience with renting, a dorm room, came with a delightful lady Martha. She cleaned my bathroom every week. I miss her.

As a couple, we're buyers, project hunters. Our first condo had no toilet; our first house seeped cat pee. Trend? But here we are, Mellon St., renting. Hot water heater blows? Call the landlord (true story). Our real lesson in this house: live with it. We don't live with anything. We pull up every scrap of vinyl flooring, yank out every dated light fixture, paint every. single! wall. Now in a rental, I'm learning to work around the existing. For instance, our kitchen floor is red and white checkerboard. Bold statement. The walls are light blue, and I'm forbidden paint. Fine IKEA-esque pallet, but not one I would pick. I've largely ignored it, but we've been here a year with no plans to leave. Time to integrate.

Exhibit A: red checked floor

I don't finish rooms well. We've never lived anywhere longer than a year or two, so I tend to decorate military style: paint the walls and arrange the furniture. Live in it just long enough to feel comfortable but avoid repainting. Recently I've set a goal to finish rooms. Produce our style art/decor or find antiques at flea markets and create a "look".

This week I approached a small project toward accepting the kitchen floor: Tea towels. They're whimsical, color-embracing. The birds remind me of Eric Carle. A little "Very Hungry Caterpillar" hanging from the oven.

The towels for our kitchen were practice for a wedding gift set: tea towels and quilted pot holders. All the straight line sewing left my mind wandering, thinking of times when all wedding gifts were handmade. You weren't just giving the happy couple stuff to fill a new house. You were supplying time. The bride would have to make the necessities if you didn't. Wedding gifts allowed a honeymoon phase. I suppose giving "time saving" kitchen gadgets serves the same purpose, but in a less romantic way.

Kitchen set for the happy couple - she doesn't read the blog:)

Quilted petals

Asymmetrical diagonal quilting - I was really pleased with this one

That concludes my stitch work from the weekend. Hemming rectangles and applying bias tape. It's almost a shame to condemn them to a life of wiping spills.

Local Ministry

2012-01-29T12:30:00.000-05:00

I don't know how to introduce this thought. Every intro is followed by the delete key. So I'll just say that I was tremendously encouraged by what I read in 1 Thessalonians. Paul laid out his ministry step by step, a checklist for parents with a toddling mission field. I found myself praying through this passage and wanted to share it with you.

From I Thessalonians 2:1-16

Confident in God's purpose - Our coming to you was not in vain - Considering Paul was only in Thessalonica for three weeks before he was chased out of town, see Acts 16 it would be tempting to view the visit as a failure. Paul didn't get to see much, if any, fruit. I am quickly discouraged when I don't see fruit. Not a helpful trait in a mother of babies. Will I be satisfied with the work God has given me to do, especially when I must trust Him and not my eyes for the results?
Present the gospel boldly - We had boldness in our God to declare the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. Paul thought only of God and His good news. How am I daily presenting the gospel? Am I putting words to God's truth every day? Am I bold and true to the Word when we're in public? I don't just mean the grocery store with strangers. I mean friends' houses where our discipline and word choice might meet judgement.
Give of myself - So being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves. I love the phrase "affectionately desirous." That's exactly how I feel when I can't keep from pressing lips onto tiny foreheads. That affection necessarily translates into laundry and dishes and potty training. Loving my family through service. Then I see heart change in myself.
Be the example - How holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you. As I become my mother more and more, I recognize the influence I have over the girls. My life, like my mom's, should be one they are blessed to follow.
Exhort and encourage - Like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encourage you and charge you to walk in a manner worthy of God. So much of my day is spent encouraging fruit, exhorting wise decisions, and charging toward righteousness. Not just the girls, but Tim and myself. This is real parent work. Anyone can wash dishes, teach manners, chauffeur. When I'm sick or tired, these conversations are the first to go. Why do I neglect the important jobs for putting toys away? I fall victim to what my eyes can see. Eternal visions blurs. I need the Spirit's true perspective once again.
Expect God's word to work - accepted it [the Gospel] not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. Or stated another way, The word of God does not return void Isaiah 55:11. I find this especially encouraging with teeny hearts like Afton. She understands so few words that sometimes it feels foolish to read the Bible to her every night or admonish her in the Word when she sins. But I trust the power in God's word. No matter how unlikely, His word accomplishes His good work.
Prepare for suffering - For you suffered the same things. We would not be kind to our girls if we did not condition them to face hardship. It's coming. Every adult knows that life hurts. I don't mean to scare; I mean to prepare. Strengthen their faith ahead of time. Give them resolve to trust God's goodness before it is challenged.
Finally, work in light of Christ's return - For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? I already wrote of my hope in Christ's return. Now I work toward that end. Faithful disciples, Godly fruit, prayers offered in worship. All looking toward a day when I will be rewarded by the presence of my savior.

Increasingly, I value prayer lists for myself as a parent. I easily find verses to pray over the girls and often neglect prayer for me and Tim. Here's a list I can access several days in a row without moving a bookmark. I hope it encourages you this week as you present the good news to your families.

Chai Tea

2012-01-24T13:46:00.003-05:00

I feel defeated. Baby girl climbs my leg like a cat on tree. So much strength in her 18 pounds. A long weekend leaves a cranky baby with high demands. Big one has forgotten her training. More accidents than successes this week. Potty is for playing. Pants for pooing. I want to reach for diapers. Am I really that tired? Just a pre-lunch slump. Lunch at two because I haven't been able to stop sooner.

Cold morning. Room temperature doesn't feel as warm when the sun is obscured by clouds. I pull a hot cup of tea close, feeling steam on my face. Sun pokes out, illuminating jet streams from 1 o'clock F-22's. My fingers regain their flex. An afternoon pick me up to send me peaceful into arsenic hour. A quick prayer, word of thanks, and reminder of this morning's verse, "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." I need rest if only for a moment.

Does tea really fix all evils? According to my crazy tea store lady, yes. The warm cup gives me time, quiet. I sit before the Lord, lay my burdens at his feet and breathe deep. Tea demands sipping, a rest stop from my motherly duties. A brewed sabbath.

Chai Tea
Original recipe from my MIL with some adjustments on my end

Ingredients:
2 c milk
2 c water
2 "family size" tea bags
1/4 c turbinado or raw sugar (can use honey or agave nectar)
1 t vanilla
3 cinnamon sticks (2 t ground cinnamon)
6 cardamom pods (2 t ground cardamom)
6 cloves (1/2 t ground cloves)
4 peppercorns (1/4 t ground pepper)
2 pieces crystalized ginger (1 t ground ginger)
1/4 t salt

Directions:
Bring water and milk to a near boil. (If liquid boils, allow to cool slightly before adding tea). With string from tea bag, tie spices in a double piece of cheesecloth or a coffee filter. Add tea, sugar and spices to water and milk and simmer to desired strength, 15-20 minutes.

Chocolate Macaroons

2012-01-23T10:36:00.002-05:00

Baked Meringues - Chocolate and vanilla

I've noticed something about special dietary concerns and potlucks. Your special dietary need becomes your special dish. Before the gf diet, I was always asked to bring veggies. Theoretically, a mostly vegetarian should make awesome veggies, right? Now I'm always asked to bring a gf dessert. Its easy to substitute corn pasta or bake chicken instead of frying it, but once you venture into gf flour, people become uneasy. Dessert becomes the celiacs unofficial dish forever.

No complaints here. Dessert can be made ahead. Dessert is easy to transfer. Dessert leftovers never stir up complaints in my house. So I'll be the gf dessert queen.

GF baked goods tend to center around fruit or meringue. The easiest recipes to adjust are the ones that don't call for any flour. Makes sense, right?

After 8 batches of ice cream as Christmas gifts and multiple requests for "forgotten cookies" (peppermint meringues with chocolate chips), egg whites and I have formed a beautiful friendship. Their fussy stereotype is mostly undeserved. What I observe:

Egg whites like a clean dry bowl and whisk. Really, who doesn't? Just wipe it out before you begin.
Egg whites separate from their yolks better if they know they're in good hands. Literally, I use my fingers to separate the yolk. Crack the egg with your right hand into your left and let the whites slip through your fingers. I've separated 50+ eggs this way over the last month and haven't broken one yolk. I know it sounds messy, but good baking is messy.
Room temp. Egg whites whip better at room temperature. Also, your hands don't get as cold when you separate them.
Egg whites have separation anxiety. Don't just turn the mixer to high and walk away. Gradually work up to high, letting the egg whites settled for 20-30 seconds at each speed. Then remain in the kitchen where you can check on them while they whisk. Over beaten egg whites will fall.
Add sugar at the end and slowly. Tap into your inner OCD for this. Whip the eggs until shiny and stiff, then add the sugar a tablespoon at a time, allowing the sugar to mix completely before adding the next tablespoon. Like I said, "be obsessive, be, be obsessive." This works every time, no matter the humidity. You don't even need cream of tarter if you add sugar slowly.
Line your cookie sheet. Parchment paper is God's gift to bakers (second only to the air bake cookie sheet - All good gifts come from the father of lights). A greased cookie sheet will ruin egg whites. An ungreased, unlined cookie sheet will produce beautiful stalagmites of meringue that will never let go. Use parchment paper.
Store in an air-tight tupperware. If exposed to humidity, meringues will lose their awesome crunch.

I think that's all you need to know for beautiful meringues every time. Let's move on to today's recipe:

Chocolate Macaroons

These follow the French idea of a macaroon more than the grocery store. They are lighter and less cake-like thanks to the egg whites. The chocolate and coconut stand out supported by egg whites. Really nice.

Ingredients:

4 egg whites

1/4 t salt

1/3 c sugar

1 t vanilla

8 oz. (1 c) sweetened shredded coconut

4 oz. (1/2 c) almond meal (not a time to substitute AP flour. You can find almond meal at most grocery stores)

2 oz. (1/4 c) baking cocoa

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whip egg whites and salt until shiny and stiff. Mean while, spread coconut out on a cookie sheet and toast in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes, checking on it at 3 minutes. Add sugar gradually until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in vanilla, coconut, almond meal and cocoa with a spatula. Scoop teaspoonfuls of meringue onto lined cookie sheet. Form into peaks with fingers (optional). Bake for 20 minutes. Outside of cookie should crunch while the inside remains soft.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

I brought these to a party this weekend, and they were demolished. Sunday morning people were still talking about them. They produce a much more impressive dessert than effort deserves. Hope you enjoy!

The Art of Deflection

2012-01-19T08:10:00.000-05:00

I love 2, the age that is. Every stage is funnier than the one before. Gwenny’s language is taking off. Full sentences and more complex thoughts. Learning to use speech for more than demanding food and resisting naps.

This week’s lesson is deflection. For example:

Me: Did you have an accident?

G: Yes. (short pause) Sissy pooped in her panties.

Me: I’m sure she did. What about you?

G: Sissy pee-pee’d in her panties.

Why do we think that what we have done wrong magically will no longer be wrong if we can find someone else who did worse? Deflection and comparison. I’m never as bad as Hitler.

Which begs the question: Who is the standard? Is Hitler really the standard? Just be better than an egomaniac dictator who slaughtered millions? To be honest, that sounds ridiculous.

If not Hitler, than who? My neighbor? My sister? Another SAHM with long-standing church attendance? Let’s shoot for the stars: Mother Teresa and Elisabeth Eliot?

I don’t think the answer is human at all. I think it lies in the God-man himself. After all Jesus says, “Be perfect therefore as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). Perfect! Not even Earthly, attainable, Grand Canyon “perfect.” Godly, righteous, never failing, absolute perfection. Simply put, that is impossible.

A perfect standard leaves me in one place: on my face before a gracious God who loves me and gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:20).

When I consider the standard set before me and my offensive shortcomings, I neglect deflection and comparison. I don’t need to compare myself to Hitler or judge my neighbor. We all need Jesus, no matter how much worse someone else looks.

We Win!

2012-01-17T10:34:00.000-05:00

My feet cannot stay still; my eyes snatch glances skyward; my heart leaps. I am Narnia seeing a crocus poke through snow. He's coming... The King is coming... Not as a helpless baby this time. No. As the One to whom every knee will bow. He already won. Can you feel it?

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

Nothing gives me more hope than the thought of Jesus seated at the right hand of God. The ultimate good, Christ's exaltation, came from the ultimate bad, his crucifixion. I find no words. How beautiful is the will of the Lord.

Encourage one another with these words. Encourage one another and build one another up." 1 Thessalonians 4:18, 5:11

Those of you who are with Christ: We know the end! We know the King! That is our hope, hope that levels our journey and elevates our path. Anymore, my greatest trials come not from money or stress or physical pain, but from my own sin. The greatest battle I face is walking consistently with the Lord, to keep the cross always before me. The greatest discouragement is in my failure to live righteously. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. Romans 7:18

When I face my sinful self, recognize how many godless hours I spend pursuing useless stuff, I want to tear the Sermon on the Mount from my Bible. It will never happen.

Not true! Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24. Sanctify, make holy or righteous. My holiness is God's will. The King of all creation is on my team against sin and death's sting. My great daily hope is in His faithfulness to complete His purpose in me.

All love, faith and hope to the Most High God who has overcome! The cross delivered me. It is finished. I look to the sky for my source of hope, the King who reigns in power. Lord, haste the day.

In the lyrics of David Crowder, "We've already won, and you (sin) don't stand a chance."

Couple's Candle Making

2012-01-16T09:42:00.000-05:00

Paired tapers hanging by a shared wick slowly rising from a vat of colored wax - one of the most beautiful things I saw at Williamsburg as a child. I envisioned Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin writing by the yellow light of those candles, wax melting onto a metal stand. It might be an overly romantic notion, but in that moment history was displayed through those candles.

This weekend, T and I tried our hand at candle dipping. We inherited 30 pounds of wax with all the equipment from my sis-in-law. Judging by the bulk of wicks and wax, she was anticipating a side business. She left us lots of options.

This project was all Tim. Like SIL, I would have let the wax sit in our attic with occasional good intentions but no real action. Too many other projects with deadlines and greater need. Candles would just be trumped over and over, until I too passed on the supplies to a new eager beaver.

But Tim really wanted to tackle this as a couple's project, an at-home-date while the girls napped. We have a Ron and Hermione relationship with projects like this. Between every step, especially if something doesn't look right, my nose is right back in the instructions. Tim trusts his gut and improvises. In the end, it works. If men like Tim didn't experiment, book readers like me would have no reference.

Since this was our first attempt, I won't presume to explain the process. If you're really interested, Country Wisdom and Know How acted as our project guide. Here's a peek at the afternoon's events:

How not to melt wax - we missed the instructions on shaving down the blocks. It took 90 minutes to melt. Oops.

A little forrest of tea light wicks

The first dip

Tapers burning in the darkness

It occurs to me that these candles are life. Tim and I working with our differences to spread light in the darkness. A picture of Christian marriage stripped of its complexities. One simple, focused, beautiful purpose. I pray that our marriage is a city on a hill*, sharing Christ in a dark world.

*Matthew 5:14-16

Stuffed Animal Storage

2012-01-14T14:12:00.000-05:00

Little girls and their stuffed animal, it's a beautiful relationship. Just this morning, all of Gwenny's animals had "sick bellies," and she had to feed them apples and put them to bed. Her room looked like a stuffed animal refugee camp with bears and monkeys and a zebra lying face down covered by play silks.

I love watching my girls practice their nurturing skills on "Monkey" and "ZeeBee" and "G-aff" (notice a theme in these names). Storing all these precious friends is a challenge. They were sitting on top of a bookshelf until I came upstairs to find Gwennan climbing unsteady shelves to reach her bear. That could not continue.

Looking at storage options proved disappointing. We don't have the space for a bean bag or a gigantic stuffed animal cage. Then I remembered the picture of the hanging laundry bag from One Yard Wonders (a great gift for your favorite seamstress). Exactly what we needed to hang on the attic access door and keep animals off the floor and dust free.

Technically, this project was a breeze. But mentally, well, I pulled the fabric out of my stash last week, and it sat next to the machine nagging me until yesterday. It took a week to find time and courage to begin the bag. My greatest sewing challenge is always starting. Sewing projects overwhelm me until I'm actually pushing fabric through the machine. Instant gratification starts to kick in, and I enjoy my work. Until then, I'm an unsure mess.

The finished bag holding "Monkey" and "Bear" and about 10 other animals.

But I did start it, and the result was better than I hoped. I used an upholstery weight fabric from Joann that I picked up for Gwennan's original nursery. All the seams are overcast. The girls could use it as a hammock - it's that strong.

My mental hurdle for this bag (besides cleaning off the kitchen table) was making the bias tape. Prudent Baby's brilliant tutorials gave me the confidence to start. I'm really pleased with the results, plus I better understand the uses of bias tape. Yay! After making several yards, I determined how to spend my Christmas gift card: a bias tape maker. I did all the folding by hand for this. Not at all efficient.

My favorite part of this project: I was able to solve our problems with material we already had rather than a trip to Ikea.com. Not that there is anything wrong with Ikea or organizers. I simply feel more satisfied for having fixed it myself.

Trail Mix Cookies

2012-01-12T11:39:00.000-05:00

My little galley kitchen transformed into a Christmas treat factory this year. Specialty ice creams, meringues, toffee. So much sugary goodness.

Now that all the Christmas goodies are gone, I find myself still scurrying through cabinets for something sweet. Bad habits dying hard, I suppose.

Rather than the traditional January crash diet, I like to move myself slowly back to healthy bathing suit season food. Swap the rich, sugary fluff for a hearty oatmeal cookie instead. I'm on an apricot and cranberry kick right now, providing direction for Trail Mix Cookies. Hearty, protein-packed cookies shoved full of spices, fruit and nuts. Granola wishes it had grown up to be this cookie. I can hear its muffled regret from inside the cereal box. These are seriously delicious.

A few notes about the recipe:

Having been diagnosed with Celiac's Disease, all of my recipes are gluten free now. For you non-gf folk, just use the same amount of all purpose flour.
On the subject of gf flour: Cookies don't bake long enough to burn off the taste of legume flours. The batter for your cookies should be delicious because it's not going to change that much. I usually use sorghum flour as my whole grain in cookies. This time I used sweet potato because it fit so well. (Thanks Sis for the Christmas gift).
The stir-ins: Except for the oats, the amounts are estimates. I usually measure in fistfuls. Really like an ingredient? Add more of it. If you want to simplify this recipe to just chocolate chips or just raisins, take out the orange zest and add 1/2 c of oats. But seriously, try it this way first. These are top shelf.
To toast almonds: preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread almonds out on a stout cookie sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, shuffling the almonds every 5 minutes. If you're like me, my oven always preheats before my cookies are done. With some multi-tasking, you can toast the almonds while you prepare the dough. Don't skip this. The smoky almonds are amazing.

Trail Mix Cookies

Adapted from the Joy of Cooking. Spices, additions, gluten free substitutions, bake temp and time are my own. Yields about 60 cookies.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Whisk together dry ingredients:

1 c sweet potato or sorghum flour

3/4 c tapioca starch

3/4 t baking soda

3/4 t baking powder

1/4 t salt

1 t cinnamon

1/2 t ginger

1/4 t nutmeg

In stand mixer on medium speed, cream:

1 c softened butter

1/4 c sugar

1 1/2 c packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 T vanilla

1 t orange zest

+/- 1 T milk

When wet ingredients are well blended, add dry ingredients in three parts. Turn down mixer speed and stir in:

3 c oats

1 c white chocolate chips

1/2 c toasted almonds

1/2 c toasted chestnuts - these grab your attention mid-chew. On sale at Costco right now for $4.

1/2 c craisins

1/2 c dried cherries

1/2 c chopped dried apricots - unsulfured is best

Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto lined cookie sheet spaced about 2 inches apart. Flatten the dough slightly to make rounds. Bake one cookie sheet at a time in the center of the oven for 12 minutes. Let cool 2-3 minutes on cookie sheet before moving to cooling rack.

I hope you enjoy!

January Melon

2012-01-11T16:29:00.000-05:00

Winter cannot make up its mind. Yesterday's warm sunshine is replaced by dark chilly drizzle (July in Seattle). The kind of weather that demands... watermelon.

Ok. Watermelon wasn't the first fruit on my list, but DH took the only banana and the kiwis aren't ripe. Opened the freezer and hiding innocently under the edamame sat a quart of watermelon, cubed and frozen the day before we left for summer vacation. With fruit prices on the rise I couldn't bear to see it go to waste. Thanks to Putting Food By, it's been waiting for us until today, when I defrosted August rays in the middle of January gray.

"More!!" Cups banging on highchair trays. "More wah-ter-meh-yon!" Afterthought: "Peeze!" She is a polite despot. Everyone's happy, even after nap when I found two very wet sets of bedding. Oops. I forgot what watermelon does to urinary output.

I heard somewhere (a ziploc commercial) that Americans throw out $500 of food annually. Generally I'm skeptical of statistics used for pushing a product, but personal experience tells me that's probably spot on. At this point, I could rant against American consumerism and waste and feeding starving kids - all worthy stuff.

But I don't feel like it. I just want to say thank you Lord for freezers and watermelon and happy babies with juice dripping from dimpled chins on a day that promised wet pant cuffs and no outside playtime. A sweet reminder of summer and hot walks up to Dean and Don's.

Encouragement to Proceed

2012-01-10T10:15:00.000-05:00

I love my hubby.

That's not a new revelation (although I don't say it publicly enough). I mention it because: DH wants me to blog. He likes Renaissance Momma enough to miss my presence on the internet. Such an encouraging, if undeserved presence in my life.

So here I type. I toyed with starting over, adjusting my focus, streamlining my purpose in a new blog. A fresh start. Again, DH steered me back, pointing out the recipes and craft projects and growing pains already documented on these virtual pages. I don't have to redefine myself to grow.

Reinvention - one of my great vices. I'm quickly overwhelmed with flaws and feel like I need to throw everything out and start over. Example - Afton's birthday cake. I tossed about 3 pounds of cake after tasting the chocolate cornmeal sponge and drippy ganache (really gross - I'll get to why I used cornmeal later). T was so disappointed with the trashed cake that I had to bake cookies as consolation.

My point - I can't just dump whatever doesn't come out perfectly the first time. Especially people. My tendency to reject the whole over my frustration with part will lead to a family who feels they can't succeed. Instead I must learn to accept shortcomings as places where God's work is most abundant and obvious.

This summer, I read One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp (check out her blog). She encourages us to express gratitude for God's gifts and look for His Good in everything. Her cheerful thanks to the Almighty was a difficult encouragement to someone who doesn't naturally hunt for beautiful. Again, a place for God to perform His perfect reconstruction.

So, here's the blog restarted. I can't really reinvent Renaissance Momma because I'm still the same blogger with my ADD crafting, untested parenting skills, and newly gluten-free, often vegetarian cooking. Here's hoping that God's continued work in me will encourage you, the seriously loyal readers who have not stopped following this sporadic blog.

I didn't throw out the cake before letting Baby A enjoy her first piece of chocolate cake.

The Beginning of the End for New Year Resolutions

2012-01-09T13:00:00.000-05:00

Monday morning, third cup of coffee, laundry swirling in suds, fish tank gurgling for a water change. My spiritual muscles groan as I settle into my BSF lesson. Acts of the Apostles. Not quite the pearl in every shell that I enjoyed while reading Proverbs over the break. This is real work. Heavy lifting of spiritual concepts to reveal real life application.

I would love to regale you with the events of the past weekend. Bike rides, the museum, the playground, art projects (yes, more than one), bowl games, etc... We had a wonderful family-filled weekend. Seriously good. I’m not sure how helpful recounting it would be. Sitting in a desk chair facing another work week after a long Christmas break, don’t we all want verbal caffeine, a reason to press into this week?

Statistically, we’re about to give up on all our New Year resolutions. This week is the end. I can feel it coming. My energy is waning for pulling myself up by my bootstraps and persevering in my goal to simplify and focus. What now? Does it even matter if 2012’s resolutions fall short? After all, I loved God when my life was complicated, right?

This weekend suggests otherwise. We had a great time, completed lots of checklists, forged our family memories. But where was God? We sent silent “thank you’s” to Him for a fun day and sweet babies, but is that worship? Did we keep the cross before us? Did we go to war with sin?

In short, we hit our goal and missed the mark, all at the same time. We had a family-oriented, low cost, low fuel consumption weekend exactly like we planned. But our simplification did not lead us where we hoped. All our good intentions are for naught unless directed back to Jesus. I am humbled this morning by my constant need for the Holy Spirit’s power to turn my good plans into God’s Good Work.

Proverbs 16:9 “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

The Beattitude of Surrender

2011-05-21T10:32:00.000-04:00

This is so good that I'm pausing in the middle of my quiet time to share...

Matthew 11:2-6 (ESV)
"Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" And Jesus answered them,"Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me."

First of all, my heart goes out to John. He's spent his entire, albeit brief, life preaching the coming Messiah. He baptizes Jesus and announces Him to the crown. "This is your Messiah. Stop looking and follow Him." I think that's probably the pinnacle of any life.

On that high, he has the guts to tell the king that he can't steal his brother's wife, and he's put in jail for it. Still, his hope rests on Jesus, the Messiah, the one who will free Israel and be the ruling king! Except Jesus is spending all of his time with nobodies: lepers, the poor, children, Samaritans, cripples. You don't get crowned king hanging out with people who have no voice.

So John sends his friends to ask, "Did I waste my life? I'm going to die in a prison cell or at the sword of Herod. Is it all for nothing? Was my message wrong the whole time? Are you really the Messiah?"

Jesus is so gentle with this broken prophet. He starts with encouragement, not that the cause is moving forward, gaining popularity and soon will be on the ballot. But that real life changing ministry is occurring for real people, people with big problems. Jesus is on the move toward redeeming not just Israel but all of mankind.

He finishes his message to John with a quiet rebuke disguised as one of Jesus' clever beattitudes. "Blessed is the one who is not offended by me." I've missed this verse in the past, skimmed over it as a head scratcher, just one more example of Jesus speak. This morning it made sense.

Jesus' methods were not what John expected. And let's be honest, when our expectations are not met, we don't react well. I really don't. I think that's what Jesus is talking about: becoming discouraged, angry, offended when God acts in His own way to His own purposes rather than meeting our expectations.

I'm very slow to come around to God's plan when it doesn't make sense to me. In Jesus' words, I'm easily offended by God's methods, and once offended, I don't quickly get over it. Not only does this show a deep distrust in the Author of history, but it means I miss out on God's work. That's sad.

So this is my beattitude for the week:

"Blessed is the one who is not offended by me."

Beautiful Collision

2011-05-01T13:14:00.000-04:00

I just came home from church where DH (a youth pastor) tied a 50 pound weight and a cantaloupe to the ceiling and smashed them together. The middle schoolers were delighted by the flying fruit bits as the melon splintered.

It might sound like Tim just wanted to destroy produce creatively (maybe he did), but he applied it really well... When fruit collides with a weight, the fruit changes. When we collide with the unchanging almighty God, we change too.

If I'm honest, I haven't been allowing myself to collide with God recently. I've done everything possible to avoid it, actually. TV, yard work, facebook stalking, laundry, on and on. In the process, my heart's becoming hard, hard toward God and toward my family. Rather than find some Freudian/hormonal excuses for my actions, let me just publicly admit and repent of my sin. I need to be on a crash course with God!

A house, maybe, possibly, I like it, could work... Ugh.

2011-04-29T09:50:00.000-04:00

DH took Gwennan on a shopping trip for an upcoming camping trip (he's leaving in about 2 hours). With a quiet morning, I felt the need to blog.

I'm realizing the problem with sporadic blogging. It's hard to find anything to say unless you provide big news or you are in the habit of talking about the details of your life everyday. Reading my Bible isn't that different. If I'm doing it everyday, a slow day in Leviticus is no big deal. If I'm sporadic, it's very hard to read.

Anyway, my head is swamped with images of houses, where we would place furniture, what color I'd paint the walls, how I would work in the kitchen, blind guesses at the atmosphere in the neighborhood. I'm allowing myself to become exhausted with analysis. I wish I had a spread sheet where I just plugged in numbers and magically came up with the correct house at the end.

Honestly, I think we found the right house; I'm just being a wimp about it. Owning a house is such a big responsibility, and I'm nervous to take it on again. But this house has everything: well designed kitchen, small office space for my sewing machine, sunroom, 3 bedrooms, hardwood floors, fireplace, HUGE workshop for Tim (He would finally be out of the guest room!), quiet neighborhood two streets from the bay, fenced in yard, extra parking, laundry room. Even as I write this, I'm thinking, "Come on, fool. Make an offer!"

In years past, I've prided myself on being decisive. However, a couple of my decisions, big decisions, have haunted me. For instance, the dog I brought home 2 summers ago who never bonded with us, insisted on pooping only on carpet and chewed on our furniture if we didn't give her our undivided attention. We found a new home for her, but I still get calls that she's escaped and can I come pick her up (microchips are only helpful if you update the info!). Basically, I question my own judgement.

Please pray for us as we make a decision, maybe even this week about housing. In the meantime, we're constructing a new patio at our current house and landscaping parts of the backyard. My postpartum brain is so overrun with decisions right now that I can hardly grocery shop. Thanks for your prayers!

Monday morning... Collecting my thoughts

2011-04-18T09:26:00.000-04:00

I should have just given up blogging for lent.

In case you're wondering, I didn't. Maybe I should have. Then I would have spent my extra time meditating on Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection instead of whatever I've been doing (most of which I don't remember).

Still house hunting. And bad news for the avid "Momma" reader, the house at the top of the list is a major fixer upper. That means lots of manual labor for me (hopefully accompanied by lots of weight loss) but not much time for writing. But I'm really excited (like wake me up at night excited) about the chance to make a house totally ours, I mean, top to bottom, in and out, ours.

One of my favorite parts about this house is that none of the appliances/HVAC work, so we can replace them with greener models. It's hard to justify replacing a working furnace, but a rusty dinosaur that sounds like a jet engine... I can apply a smug, "look at me, aren't I green" smirk on my face as I watch it drive off. I like that (which is why God hasn't given me a Prius; I would have a permasmirk).

To add to my creative excitement, this month's issues of Real Simple and Ready Made arrived this week. I've been slowly pouring over the pages, dog earring projects I want to tackle. When do I have time for this?!! I don't know. A girl can dream, right.

I'm making a mental "at our next house" list. At the top of my list right now, no gravel! That sounds nitpicking, but I can't count the number of times I've embedded a rock in my foot that has been carefully placed in the middle of the kitchen floor by my daughter. Each rock is different, and she is determined to show me every single one. It used to be pine needles. They were much softer. I actually miss finding handfuls of pine needles in the living room.

This has been a silly, rambling post, but it's a pretty accurate picture of my mental state. Please pray for us as we continue in the house hunting process.

Sarah's Senior Thesis

2011-04-12T10:45:00.000-04:00

Whew - I came home just in time. Gwenny woke up with a low grade fever and a bloody nose?? Random combination.

Afton and I spent the weekend in Knoxville visiting my sister for her final art exhibit. In three weeks, she's officially a professional ceramist, no longer a student. My parents are almost done with us. Almost.

I couldn't mention my trip before because we were trying to surprise Sarah. Granted she only reads the blog about twice a year, but Murphey's Law dictates that she would read the blog as soon as I hinted the trip. None of that even matters because the surprise didn't work. She just assumed I'd come. She told everyone at the craft center I was coming even though all evidence pointed to the contrary. She knew I couldn't skip her big day.

The show was fantastic! Want to see?

Covered Bakers with Lionfish Detail

"Xray Plates" - Each animal has a raised section showing an Xray image.
My fav - The chicken has an egg.

Every piece of fabric in this quilt was hand dyed. Super cool.

The softer side of Sarah - her linens, again all hand dyed

Bug Mugs - each mug has a different bug inlayed on the porcelain.
I brought one home for Tim.

Set of measuring cups - 1 cup, 1/2 cup and 1/4 cup. This would induce anyone to bake.

Finally, my apron. I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. Afterall, I looked at that pattern for months in microscopic anatomy. It's skin, microscopic skin. I love it. It satisfies my nerdy science side and my crafty side at one time. Also, I've wanted a Sarah apron for about 4 years now. She made one for my other sister, and I've been waiting around for mine to appear. It's finally here.

Visiting the craft center wasn't the inspirational moment you might expect. I mostly felt defeated, at least I did while wandering around the gallery. Now that I'm home and more removed from the unattainable artistry, I'm feeling somewhat more inspired. Hopefully, some interesting posts will come out of the beautiful work I saw this weekend.

What we're up to...

2011-04-06T11:39:00.000-04:00

Wow. Why did I think I'd have time to blog this year? I was telling my mom the other day that I get good time with the girls every day, but I don't remember it. Life is a bit of a blur right now. In order to craft, I give up blogging. Sorry.

Today isn't even a crafty post. By request, I'm offering an update.

Afton

At her last check up, she weighed 11 lbs. 10 oz. (10th percentile) and measured 24.5" (50th percentile). She's right on track with Gwenny's growth curve. Also, she has periodic reflux issues which have contributed to some late nights and lots of cuddling on bad days. Part of my shortage of posts.

Milestones: Afton now giggles at Gwenny, babbles to us, plays with her feet all the time, rolls over from front to back and can sit up in the boppy for short periods. So far, no interest in table food, so we haven't bothered yet. She's still a delightful, low maintenance girl with a brilliant smile and very kissable cheeks.

Gwennan

I'm not sure how tall she is, but she's up to 23 lbs. of bulldozer-like muscle. Six teeth have popped through with 2 molars threatening.

Milestones: She literally runs laps around our house. Her vocabulary is growing steadily at this point. You can tell her favorite subjects by the words she learns. So far, her focus is on: sister!, food, animals and gardening. We dance everyday to Silly Songs with Larry and spend at least 45 minutes watching the "fishies" and birds. Oh yeah, and Gwenny lavishes "sissy" with hugs and kisses and most recently pulls Afton into her lap for cuddles. They are adorable together.

Tim and I

We're looking for a house of our own! We love the house we're in now, and our landlords are fantastic. But we also need a permanent place on the peninsula. Right now, we still feel itinerant which is not a good quality in ministry.

House hunting is time consuming, especially when you're budget is limited. That's really the excuse for my lack of posting. Every spare afternoon is spend house hunting, as is my computer time. So far, we've seen lots of "no ways" and a couple "hmm... this has potential." When we find a place, I'll post pics.

Also, last week Tim's brother visited. We had a wonderful time with Uncle Will, fishing, visiting Bluebird Gap Farm, touring Langley AFB and building countless block towers for Gwennan to destroy. The week went by so fast which is always a good sign when family comes to town.

That's what we're up to. How about you?

ReUse It - Cardboard Canisters

2011-03-29T14:02:00.000-04:00

Another "green" reusing moment here at Renaissance Momma. This time the cardboard canisters that coffee, tea, oatmeal, etc... come in.

Again, you can just throw them in the recycling, but I think there are more interesting ways to use them before they meet their end.

1. Cover in heavy duty wrapping paper and use in place of cookie tins around the holidays. I'm suggesting this now, so you can start a stock pile for Christmas. Biscotti would fit beautifully inside a canister like this. BTW~ A friend promised to teach me how to make biscotti. When I learn, you will, too.

2. Reuse as a canister. I know that sounds obvious, but canisters are much more convenient in your pantry than bags. Just place a nice big label on the front so you don't get confused.

3. Pencil Cup for your desk. With a couple coats of acrylic paint and some stamps, you can create pretty junk holders for your desk.

4. For you nature enthusiasts, I have a slightly more ambitious project... Birdhouses. You will need:
4 empty canisters
water based polyurethane
drill and screws
Liquid Nails (hot glue would work too)
plywood - 2 pieces - 24"x6" and 6" x 10"

Paint the outside of the canisters with polyurethane (you can paint a color first if you want). Allow to dry for 1-2 days.
Short ends together, screw the plywood at right angle so you create and upside down "L". If you want to retain the color, paint with polyurethane. Otherwise, just let it age naturally.
Glue the bottom of the canisters to the long upright piece. When you're finished, four inviting tubes should be facing you.
Hang in a quiet spot in your yard. Make sure it's secured well. I suggest screwing it to a tall fence or the side of a shed. You can encourage nesting by leaving some coconut mat nearby. Come spring, enjoy the chirping of new hatchlings.

5. I would be remiss if I didn't mention G's treasure tin. Gwennan is still running around with her canister of Christmas bows.

Anyone else have suggestions for ReUsing cardboard canisters?

Sew Tutorial - Toddler Pants

2011-03-24T13:23:00.000-04:00

Looking back through the last few week's worth of posts, I realized I've neglected the crafty side of my blog. Poor A Grey is having some acid reflux problems which are impeding my creative process. But today, I found the pictures for this tutorial, so I thought I'd share.

In preparation for potty training boot camp, I sewed pants for Gwenny out of an abandoned wool shirt of Tim's. If you can find an 100% wool shirt at a thrift store (especially if it's Smartwool), by all means, use that to make wonderful moisture wicking pants that can be used to contain accidents during potty training (retail between $40 and $70). By washing the wool sweater in hot water and machine drying, it will felt - perfect for overnight protection.

If wool shirts are scarce, this also works with jersey/interlock/abandoned t-shirts. I realize that little girl pants only cost about $4 on sale at Target, but they cost about $0.10 to make out of an old t-shirt or $1 out of a cute patterned interlock. Having control over the fit is especially helpful for me as Gwenny has the Ellis "big booty with short legs" build which is only compounded by the cloth diaper.

So, here it goes... Toddler Pants Tutorial

You will need:

1 old wool sweater or 1 t shirt (can get two pairs out of a large) or a 1/3 yard of stretch fabric (jersey, interlock)

18" of 1/4" baby elastic

Coordinating thread

Sewing machine with zig zag stitch

The easiest way to start is to take a pair of pants that already fits and use it to create your pattern. However, you can look at the picture below for the basic shape if you're brave.

Stretchy pants are made out of 4 pieces of fabric: left front, right front (mirror images) and left rear, right rear (mirror images). The only difference between the front and rear pieces is the measurement from the inseam (crotch) to the waist band along the center seam. The rear pieces are taller to accommodate booty and diaper.

Here is the basic shape, shown on top of the pants, so you can see how it lays:

After you have traced the general shape front and back (don't worry about left and right - we'll take care of that in the next step), you will need to add in your seam allowances. On the side- and in-seams, a 1/2" will do (none of these materials fray, so you will not need to use french seams but you could serge). For the cuff, add 1". At the waist, add 1 1/2" to accommodate the elastic band. Also, if you want to size up, add a 1/2" to all edges per size increase. This is also the time to adjust to your child's build (i.e. I made the center seam in the back a little longer and left the legs a little shorter for G; exact opposite for long and lean Baby A).

Fold the fabric in half (a t-shirt/sweater is already folded). Lay out the pieces as shown.

You will cut through both layers of fabric, creating 2 sets of mirror images (left and right) for a total of 4 pieces.

Here comes the sewing (about 30 minutes worth):

Pin and sew the front pieces together along the center seam, wrong side (WS) to WS. This will create one piece of fabric for the front of the pants.

Do the same with the rear pieces.

Iron the seams flat.

Pin and sew the two inseams together WS to WS taking care that the center seams of both pieces are lined up.

Pin and sew the outside seams together on both leg pieces. Your pants should be taking shape now.

Hem the legs by rolling the cuffs 1/2" then ironing. Repeat the 1/2" roll. Iron again and sew around the cuff.

For the waist band, roll waist band 1/2". Iron and sew with a zig zag stitch. Fold again 1". Iron and sew using a zig zag stitch. Leave a 1/2" gap to insert your elastic band.

Insert elastic into waistband (if you've never done this, attach a safety pin at one end of the elastic, push it through the fabric channel and inch it along until you've pushed it all the way through). Adjust the length to cinch the waist slightly (you're just removing any gaps, not holding up the pants). Tack down the elastic with a close zig zag stitch on both ends. Then finish the waist band by sewing the 1/2" opening closed.

Turn right side out and iron. They're ready for a crawl around the nursery floor.

Playing outside in her pink pants

P.S. You can use the same technique to create yoga pants for Mommy too. Check out this tutorial to see how.

ReUse the Toilet Paper Tube

2011-03-22T15:14:00.000-04:00

This spring, I want to focus the blog on sustainability. Few things strengthen creativity like finding a new purpose for an old item, especially one ordinarily thrown away.

Today's item... Toilet Paper Rolls

With Spring comes plans for vegetable gardens. This year, instead of buying a plastic tray to house seeds, try starting them in a toilet paper rolls. Simply cut the rolls in half, making two short cylinders. Place the cylinders upright in a cardboard box or old baking tray and fill with potting soil. Plant the seeds according to directions. When the seedling is ready to transplant to the garden, you can bury it in the toilet paper tube which will compost. Personally, I've been saving rolls for weeks in preparation.

Another, more artistic option comes from Child Made:

This wall art Oak Tree is made from toilet paper tubes and paper bags. It would be a very cute addition to a nursery as a family tree.

Finally, you can always tape two together to make binoculars for little folk :)

Anybody else have some ideas?

Family "Hike"

2011-03-18T20:50:00.000-04:00

Gorgeous, gorgeous day! It felt like spring, late spring even. We spent every possible minute outside, even moved the highchairs out for dinner. So nice.

I felt like I missed spring and summer last year. I was sick all spring with 1st trimester nastiness then my thermostat cranked up during the hottest summer of my life (3 weeks at triple digit temps) - awful. I didn't go outside unless I was walking straight into the pool.

This year, I'm making up for it. We're hanging out in our awesome backyard, taking walks, hanging out at the playground, swimming at the beach (eventually). Even the bunny and bird get to kick around outside for a bit (in their cages, that is).

So to take advantage of the weather, we decided to go on a family hike in North Caroline in a Cyprus Swamp - neat, right? Well, we got distracted and by the time the girls woke up from naps, and we ate and felt like leaving, we didn't have time for NC, so we thought we'd try out one of the many state parks on the Peninsula. Sandy Bottoms Nature Preserve was new to us, so that's where we headed.

Great visitor's center - live reptiles, big fish tank, turtles, clean bathrooms

Cool wildlife rehab center

Nice big pond... with turtles

But the trail. How do I say this? Well, let me just show you.

Here's Tim "hiking"

Here's I-64

I stood in the exact same spot to take these two pictures, merely turned my head 90 degrees. Not exactly a Walt Whitman inspired walk in the woods.

Here's Tim looking rather deflated about the whole highway 10 feet away thing.

I'm not saying I'll never go back. But it's the kind of place I'll take the girls during the week, when I need a convenient walking trail and a little entertainment for them.

In a giant leap for me (not much of a step for mankind), the trail had signs about every 1/4 mile talking about the endangered rattlesnake that lives there. I read the sign calmly and walked along without my toes curled and butt clenched suspect of every rustle. That might sound extreme, but I'm not exaggerating in the least. I have a thing about snakes (that I'm working to get over - not something I want to pass on to the girls).

But the saddest thing we saw - another family out "hiking." I know that should be nice, but it wasn't. Each of them had earbuds listening to individual iPods, parents included. So much for family time. I don't want to step onto this soap box, so I'll just say that's what's wrong with us!!! For so many reasons, that's what's wrong with American families. Please, for the love of your family, leave the iPod in the car during family time. You won't miss it. I promise. Even if the interstate is only 10 feet away...

Stuff I'm excited about...

2011-03-15T21:43:00.000-04:00

I'm excited today.

I'm excited about the dessert that's under the broiler right now - pear halves with goat cheese, sprinkled with butter, cinnamon and sugar. Oh my!

I'm excited about my new glasses. I've never had glasses before so I just experienced the "oh my gosh, I can see" feeling that comes with trying on glasses for the first time. I'm headache free today for the first time in two weeks. Yea for curved glass.

I'm excited about playing at my sister's wedding. While "Clair De Lune" is no joke and I have a lot of practice ahead of me, it makes me happy that Sarah wants to hear it on the big day.

I'm excited after having a productive day. Between potty training and headaches, I forgot how much work I can get done in a day. With spring upon us and the landlords coming for dinner this week, I'm on a cleaning streak. So nice to feel like I'm getting the house under control again.

Most of all (saved the best for last), I'm excited about God. I'm not always most excited about God, unfortunately, but today, I'm really excited. So what has me so excited? God uses really screwed up people to do really awesome kingdom work. Consider the cast of characters:

Moses - murderer and fugitive with a speech impediment who led the Israelites for 40 years

Gideon - the cowardly farmer who took 300 men into battle against 10,000... and won!

David - the baby of the family, the shepherd and artist who became the greatest king Israel ever had

Daniel - the slave boy in a foreign country who became chief advisor to the most powerful man in the world

Paul - He hunted and killed Christians before becoming the greatest Christian missionary of all time

As for the girls,

Esther - also a captive in a strange land who became queen of a huge empire and saved the Jews from extinction by serving three dinners

Elizabeth - the old, barren woman who gave birth to the greatest profit of all time, John the Baptist - who had a beard bigger than DH's, ate bugs, lived in the desert and was called the greatest man in history by Jesus Christ

How can we not love the Bible with characters like this in stories so huge?! How can we not be encouraged by the mighty way God uses not just ordinary but unlikely people to accomplish huge feats?

That's why I'm excited!

Pray for Japan

2011-03-14T09:54:00.000-04:00

[image source]

I don't usually comment on politics or world events, but this is too big to ignore. Hopefully, you've all heard about the crisis in Japan - the devastating earthquake and tsunami that have killed thousands. My heart breaks for the families who have lost loved ones and even more so for the families waiting for news. My family has experienced that dreadful wait, and it is agonizing.

The pictures and videos coming from the affected areas are overwhelming. I can't help tearing up when I see the families affected. Now that I'm a mom, the heartbreak of losing a child is so real.

Having said that, I take hope in knowing that God works for good what men see as evil. The most horrible thing to happen in human history - the unjust murder of Christ - was simultaneously the most amazing, most life-giving event in all of history. No one standing on that hill watching Him die could have predicted what God's true plan was.

I won't pretend to know what God is doing through this disaster. But I trust indefinitely that God is good and that He is bigger than the largest earthquake or the biggest wall of water.

Please join me in praying for Japan, especially that the Lord would use the devastation to further His kingdom; that this would not be one more seemingly senseless tragedy, but it's real magnitude would be of stunning eternal significance. Through prayer, we can be of service to Japan even as we go about our relatively unaffected lives. And by praying with our children, we teach them to be aware of needs around the world (that might seem premature with my babies, but we're setting a precedent).

One more thing, rescue teams are tragically short on supplies for such widespread disaster. They need water and blankets. While I want to whip up a bunch of blankets and mail them over, that's probably not the most practical course of action. Here are two relief organizations that are already in place to provide care:

World Vision

Red Cross

Please consider what you can do to help the people of Japan. Thanks!

Meet O'Leary

2011-03-11T17:12:00.000-05:00

Last week, I wrote about my not so successful venture shopping for a bird.

This week... success! Meet O'Leary, our parakeet.

I think that's what comes from shopping with Tim. We've always done better as a team, especially when it comes to adding pets to our family. Hence why we got married.

We've debated about buying a bird for months. They're so cheerful and entertaining and able to take care of themselves when you go away for the weekend. Have I mentioned no housebreaking? Yes, a bird is the exact kind of pet we have time for.

So, we welcome O'Leary into the family. Now he can by my muse for crafting bird toys and sewing a cage cover.

Anybody else have a bird or a good bird story?

Leg Warmers and Headband Gift Set

2011-03-09T13:13:00.000-05:00

Any time I don't feel well, I end up knitting. It's quiet, and I can work in the near dark. This has been a bad week for headaches therefore a great week for knitting.

Last night, I got the urge to make leg warmers for Gwenny. Did I mention I'm also an emotional knitter, making whatever I "feel" like knitting? G looks so cute in her skirts and jumpers, but her little legs get really cold. Leg warmers seemed like an obvious solution. I dug through my yarn bin for scraps and whipped up these.

Then... if you make leg warmers for Gwenny, you're going to have to make a headband for Afton. Still recovering from last week's children's book bonanza. After they were finished, I realized that the set made a great last minute baby shower gift/diaper cake topper.

Legwarmers

Construction-wise, these are the definition of versatility. Dig through your yarn bin for any leftover yarn in pretty much any color, thickness or material. Just adjust your stitch count to your gauge.

I suggest wool, but acrylic works too. Cotton doesn't have enough stretch for this pattern, but I'll post another soon using cotton.

You can use one color or more. You can make the stripes any thickness you want. I made thick stripes by changing the color every 6 rows, but they would be super cute with thin strips, changing every row or ever other row, or even a pin strip effect, using one color for 4 rows and a coordinating color for 1. Also, a variegated yarn would look great. Go crazy. They're leg warmers. They don't have to make sense.

You will need:

Size 4 for infant or size 7 for toddler dpn

Worsted weight yarn (I used less than 100 yards for the entire set)

Tapestry needle

Tape measure

Scissors

Gauge: 4 st to an inch, 6 rows to an inch

abbreviations

dpn double pointed needles

k knit

p purl

st stitches

sl slip

ssk slip, slip knit

k2tog knit 2 together

m1 make one

If you're new to increasing/decreasing, read this.

Instructions

Cast on 24 st using a knitted cast on

Evenly distribute st along 3 dpn for circular knitting (if you've never knitted in the round, watch this video)

Cuff:

Row 1: k2 p2* repeat until end

Row 2-6: repeat row 1

Body:

Row 7: if changing colors, do so here k to end of row

Continue stockinette stitch until leg warmer is 6" long (or 1" short of desired length). If changing color for cuff, k one round in new color before beginning ribbing again. Otherwise the color change will look awkward.

Repeat cuff instructions and finish using sewn bind off. Make sure you use this bind off method, otherwise you will create a really cute tourniquet.

Headband

Using worsted yarn and size 7 dpn, cast on 4 (6 for toddler) stitches - using a provisional cast on looks better when you graft the ends together, but it's not necessary.

Row 1: sl first st, k3(5)

Repeat row 1 until headband measures 11" for infant, 16" for toddler

Join ends using kitchener's stitch (instructions for joining garter stitch are at the bottom of the page)

Bow

Cast on 5 st to size 7 dpn

row 1-8: sl first st, k4

row 9: k1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1 (3 st)

row 10-26: sl first st, k2

row 27: k1, m1, k1, m1, k1 (5 st)

row 28-36: sl first st, k 4

Use a regular bind off on row 36.

Tie the bow in a half hitch and sew to headband using leftover yarn and tapestry needle.

These instructions might sound daunting, but I made the whole set in about 3 hours under the influence of migraine meds. You can do it!

ReStyle It - Children's Table

2011-03-08T11:52:00.000-05:00

This week's ReStyle - a tea table for the girls.

We were given a plastic table with two chairs from SIL's now-defunked photography studio. She'd draped the chairs with fabric and used them as props.

I refer to these sets as bachelor smoker's tables. That's where I always see them - a $20 table and chair set on a college student's balcony with an overfull ash tray as decoration.

While I appreciated that it was free, it wasn't exactly the whimsical fashion statement I was trying to make in the girls' room. So it become the next recipient of my repurposing craze. However, I loved the miniature size - perfect for their room and tea set.

Best part of this table - the top is covered in chalkboard paint. It provides an easily cleaned surface for the girls to practice coloring. When we don't have the chalk out, it's covered with a table cloth suited for tea parties. This table has become one of Gwenny's favorite items in the room.

You will need:

A clean plastic table and chairs (readily available at most garage sales and church rummage sales)

1 can plastic primer (in spray paint aisle)

2 cans spray paint in color of your choosing

Plastic gloves if you don't want to cover your hands in spray paint

Chalkboard paint

Sponge brush

1/2 yard or more of fabric (optional)

Step 1

Baby G playing between coats of paint -
It took a while to finish this project

Spray the entire surface of the table and chairs with plastic primer according to the manufacturer's instructions. Don't skip this step. You'll end up with flaky, peeling chairs - never cute.

Step 2

Spray entire surface of chairs with spray paint until color is even. It will probably take more than one pass to get in all the nooks and crannies.

Step 3

Place table on its top and spray paint everything but the top. With the table on its top, I didn't need to tape off anything and could still use two different paints.

Step 4

After spray paint has dried completely, flip table to upright position and paint the top with chalkboard paint using a sponge brush. Keep a wet rag handy in case of drips. One regret - I bought the paint for this several months ago before I heard of tintable chalkboard paint. Urgh... this would have made the project much prettier.

Step 5

Soften the look with fabric. I didn't like the contrast of the black chalkboard paint with the avocado green, so I wanted to cover it when we weren't actually drawing on it. A table cloth that matched the curtain was an easy fix. My other thought was to upscale the look with cushions. Either is pretty simple:

Table cloth: Lay fabric centered on table. Determine how much drape you want on all sides, then cut the fabric giving a 1" seam allowance. Fold over 1/2" strip on all four sides and iron; then fold another 1/2" and iron. Use a straight stitch along the fold. Ta da - table cloth.

Cushions: The highly talented women at Sew, Mama Sew have a much better tutorial than I could pull together here. Just adjust the cushion size to fit the chair.

Step 6

Set up a tea party and spend an afternoon playing pretend. I have so much fun watching Gwenny learn to play. She loves to "cook" for me and watch me enjoy what she's prepared. So cute.

I'm really proud of this project, not because it was any great crafty feat but because my raw materials were so bad to start with. Instead of dumping more plastic in a landfill, a little spray paint went a long way to create a fun piece of furniture the girls can enjoy for many years.

Pretty Bird

2011-03-07T12:50:00.000-05:00

Monday afternoon... Afton's asleep; Gwenny is finishing lunch. Time for me to start writing, brainstorming for the week ahead.

Thing is I ~~read~~ recited children's board books to Gwenny for 6 or so hours a day all of last week. I just hope I didn't permanently damage my ability to think of words with more than one syllable.

So, my silly wasted weekend. I meant to clean out and tune up the Brother then sew a cover for it. Inconsiderate of all its hard work, I do not have a cover for my sewing machine. Bad seamstress, bad!

Instead, I let my mind wander at the pet store. Hmm... It might be fun to own a bird. The girls love watching the fish. I bet they would like watching a bird, too. I think I've mentioned before that I have a problem with amassing animals.

Tim gave me the go ahead to look for a bird. So that's just what I did... all day, toting the girls from one pet store to the next, watching finches, budgies, cockatiels and lovebirds. I priced cages, supplies and birds in 6 pet shops. What did I come home with?

A bird feeder

Not really. I came home with nothing. I just filled up the existing bird feeders.

My conclusion - I'd love to have a pair of budgies or lovebirds if someone wants to give us a large, round cage. Otherwise, I'd rather spend that money on rosewood knitting needles and fabric.

How did we even end up at the pet store? That's a fair question. This all started when a friend offered Tim their leopard gecko. Ironically, the gecko died the morning of moving day. So no gecko. However, Tim worked so hard to convince me to own a reptile (I think he was excited about feeding worms to something) that he wanted to replace the gecko we didn't own yet. That's how we went from no new pets Thursday to shopping for a gecko and 2 birds Saturday.

The gecko has yet to be replaced, so no new pets, just thoughts. I'm sure if we end up with something new, I'll post pictures. Good thing no one offered us a chicken. We could have ended up shopping for a farm.

We're washing our hands... for now

2011-03-04T19:51:00.000-05:00

7:30 on a Friday night. I'm in my pajamas, eating a thrown together salad, planning a sewing project and blogging. Yikes. I hope no one is reading this. I mean, I know you're all waiting for a potty training update, but I'd prefer if you were on dates, especially you married ladies.

Good news - the diaper rash is history. So is the potty chair.

She was doing well, surprisingly well. I'm talking hours at a time with no accidents, reaching for rewards when she used the potty. She didn't understand the whole concept top to bottom, but she did surprisingly well for 16 months. Still, something was not right. We caved to the "she's just not ready yet" excuse.

I learned a few things this week:

1) Gwenny needs alone time. Having Mommy and Daddy hovering constantly really started to wear on her. She loves us, just not all the time.

2) Even little kids need to get out of the house. We took her to the pet store to reward her hard work this week. She was ecstatic. I don't think she liked sitting in the bathroom all week any better than I did.

3) It's not worth stressing your children for your schedule. Don't get me wrong, she wasn't curled in the corner eating her hair or anything. She was just stressed, more stressed than a 16 month old needs to be over peeing. I can swallow my pride and admit that I tried too soon.

So we put the diaper back on. I've never been so excited over using a diaper. After 5 days of watching constantly for accidents, I could relax and let the diaper cover do its job. Amazing.

15 Minute Peanut Butter Cookies

2011-03-03T11:32:00.000-05:00

image source

Here it is - a 15-minute cookie recipe, as in 15 minutes from the time you feel the urge for cookies until they're on the oven rack cooling. How? I don't know, but it works. Just what Tim and I needed the other night after a long day.

Ingredients

1 c peanut butter (crunchy is fine, natural is fine)

1 c sugar

1 t vanilla

1 egg

Directions

Mix all ingredients together. Bake at 350 for 6-8 minutes. Voila! Instant gratification

Mine came out a little soft. In my exhausted daze, I think I put them in before the oven preheated.

Homemade Cleaner

2011-03-01T12:09:00.000-05:00

This is a pretty awesome potty chair.
Ours is just the standard plastic variety.

In honor of Potty Training Tuesday, I thought I'd share my homemade all-purpose cleaner recipe. As you can imagine, we've gone through quite a bit of this stuff so far. I love that it cleans everywhere, especially carpet. That means I only have to chase Gwenny around with one spray bottle instead of one for each surface type she walks over. (Oh yeah, it streaks glass, so I use vinegar on a coffee filter for that). It's especially brilliant at removing coffee stains from our bright white counter tops (yikes).

Really I love this cleaner because it's effective and safe for the girls. They can lick the still wet floor, and it won't hurt them. In fact, the ingredients won't even hurt them. I came in the laundry room the other day to find G finger painting in the Borax. I wasn't happy about it, but it didn't hurt her either.

Ingredients

2 cups warm water

1 cup white vinegar

2 T Borax (if you don't have any, you can use baking soda. Just add the vinegar slowly to avoid Mount Vesuvius)

1 T Castille's Soap

1/2 t essential oil - use eucalyptus, citrus, tea tree, peppermint or lavender for best antibacterial action (unnecessary if you buy castille's soap with essential oil)

Spray bottle

Directions

Dissolve Borax in warm water. Combine all ingredients in spray bottle and shake to mix. Freely spray all over the house and wipe away with rag or paper towel. Then stand back and inhale - no strange cleaning fumes. Ahhhh....

Black Eyed Pea Chili

2011-02-28T19:28:00.000-05:00

image source

If Tim is ever offered a final meal, this is it. Black Eyed Pea Chili. The recipe yields 6-8 servings, and it usually takes Tim two days to devour the leftovers. Best part of this hubby pleasing soup, it's so easy. I made it last night for our middle school volunteers and had several requests for the recipe, so I thought I'd just share it with all my readers.

Note - This recipe was passed down to me from my wonderful momma. I want to make sure she gets due credit.

Ingredients

1 lb. sausage, browned and drained (I use italian turkey sausage, but I grew up with regular pork sausage)

3 14 oz. cans of unseasoned black eyed peas, drained

1 28 oz. can of diced tomatoes

1 onion, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

1 clove garlic, chopped

2 t oregano

1 t rosemary

Salt to taste

Crushed red pepper to taste

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a large soup pot with lid and simmer until flavors meld - about 30 minutes. Or place in crock pot and heat on low for 2-3 hours (high for 1 hour).

Top with your favorite chili accoutrements: shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, etc...

Anyone know a good potty dance???

2011-02-27T13:40:00.000-05:00

Potty training starts this week - Ugh. I feel somewhat defeated before we even start, which is very unfair to Gwennan. She picks up on things very quickly, and I'm sure potty training will be no exception.

In case you're trying to count back to October and figure out how old Baby G is, she's 16 months tomorrow. Go ahead, call me crazy for attempting to potty train a 16 month old. I've now been called crazy for a year over our parenting decisions (that's what happens when you have babies a year apart).

My motivation - diaper rash. I think I've whined about Gwenny's diaper rash before. You'd think the diaper fairy would bless us for my effort with cloth diapers, but no. Her teeny bum has been dotted with bleeding sores since Christmas. Even the pediatrician can't get rid of her rash. At this point, the only way to clear it up - get rid of the diaper! Bring on the potty chair.

All that to say, I feel the need to warn you - please, don't expect great things from me this week, maybe this whole month. With a timer alerting me every 20 minutes to take another trip to the bathroom, I just don't see myself getting a ton of work done. Heck, I'm not sure I even see myself cooking a real dinner this week. Our family appreciates your patience and your prayers.

On a somewhat related note, Gwenny discovered her pint size rocking chair. She cracks us up climbing into it, so I thought I'd share. Check out that right leg - she is one flexible kid.

A final note - Thank you Michelle for the encouragement! You're my inspiration.

Hair Icon

2011-02-24T13:00:00.000-05:00

Whenever I'm asked the question, "Who would you meet if you could meet anyone in the world," I always come up with some super sweet or spiritual answer like "my grandfather who died before I was born" or "the Apostle Paul." But my honest answer, at least this week...

Katie Holmes' Stylist

Katie Holmes is such a cute momma! She actually looks like a mom, not like so many Hollywood stars who look like women who had a baby at some point then never saw them again. I picture her wiping drool off her shirt on her way to the park.

I always want to use Katie Holmes as my doppelganger, but that would probably cause a "ha - wishful thinking" reaction. Besides the haircut, we look nothing alike. In fact, outside of the first name, baby girls with unusual names and super hot husbands, we really have nothing in common (and I totally beat her with the husband thing, as my hot hubby is not CRAZY).

If I can't actually look like her, I can at least borrow her stylist, right?

This pixie cut is to die for. What mom doesn't want to look this cute with no styling?!

Sorry for the celebrity drivel. I just cut my hair, and I like it, but it would be really nice to have someone professionally style it for once. Thus, I'm a little pouty.

Minky Baby Hat

2011-02-23T11:58:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was cold, really cold and windy - yuck. Gross weather for a walk, but we walked nonetheless. Our outing pressed the need for a new hat for Baby A. She's outgrown the many mini hats I knitted before she was born, leaving us with two light cotton options. Not good choices for freezing temperatures. So I endeavored to make a quick, warm hat out of super soft minky.

This pattern creates a double thick hat so that the soft right side of the fabric is against baby's head. Even taking pictures for the tutorial, I only spent an hour on this project - perfect for last minute baby shower gifts or a quick evening sewing fix. This hat will fit an average 3 month old. If you want to adjust it for an infant, only change the width. You can always roll the brim more. For an older child, increase the width and length.

You will need:
At least 1/4 yard of minky or some other stretchy fabric - fleece, jersey, interlock, etc... Don't forget to iron first!
Coordinating thread
Sewing machine with zig zag stitch capabalities
Basic sewing supplies - scissors, iron, pins
Baby hat for use as pattern. I explain how to make a pattern if you don't have a baby hat.

Start by folding your fabric in half length wise. Then situate the baby hat on the fabric 3" from the fold. I didn't want the top knot, so I rounded off the top when I traced the hat.

Trace the hat extending the line from the side down to the edge of the fold. Cut out your fabric with 1/2" seam allowance. Repeat, creating two long oval pieces once unfolded. You can use your first cut piece as a pattern for the second as seen here:

If you don't have a baby hat, don't despair. The basic shape can be created by drawing two parallel lines, 5" long and 9" apart, starting at the fold of the fabric. Connect the two lines with a half circle. The half circle can be drawn freehand or with a compass set at a radius of 4.5". Cut along the line; these measurements includes your seam allowance.

Next, lay the pieces flat and pin right sides together.

Minky is reputed as a difficult fabric to work with because it's slippery, stretchy and dense. In my experience, it needs two things: a sharp needle and lots of pins. Pin the fool out of this fabric. I practically basted mine with pins. If the fabric is pulling or snagging, you probably need a new needle. I don't suggest a ball point needle as this fabric is somewhat difficult to puncture.

Using your 1/2" seam allowance, sew the two pieces together, leaving a 1" opening.

Remove the pins and turn the fabric right side out, pulling it through the opening. Close up the opening then iron flat.

Not seeing a hat yet? Watch this. Use your hand to tuck the "prettier" curved end into the other (one of my curved pieces held the flat seam from the opening).

Iron flat. Pin the two rounded edges together then stitch around the top edge, picking up both layers of the hat. By doing so, you hold the two layers of the hat together.

Using a zigzag stitch, sew a flat seam around the bottom edge of your hat. The zigzag is important so the hat can stretch around baby's head.

Turn the hat right side out, roll the brim, and Ta Da! your hat is finished.

If you want to embellish it, remember a few things. The brim is turned, so you need to add the embellishment to the inside bottom edge. It will show when you roll the brim. Also, if you use a static feature like ribbon, only add it to the front. Otherwise, your hat won't stretch around baby's head.

Baby A was pleased to model for us.

Pineapple Blueberry Muffin

2011-02-22T11:57:00.000-05:00

Gwenny is at an awkward food phase. She wants to feed herself, and she doesn't have molars. Veggies are a real problem. Breakfast and lunch are pretty manageable, but we have problems around dinner, especially when we go out. I need something I can just grab and go as a back up if we can't find suitable food. My solution: frozen muffins.

Not just any muffins. I want whole grains, protein and veggies involved. So I created these today. I used oat flour for the additional iron and protein. Also, molasses instead of refined sugar gives these muffins extra calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium. I included carrots to sneak in a veggie and nuts for more protein.

It's a lot of ingredients, but these are meals in a muffin! Seriously, they leave nothing out.

Ingredients
1 c oat flour (make from whole rolled oats and a food processor or coffee grinder)
1 1/4 c whole wheat flour
3/4 c flax seed meal
2 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
2 medium carrots, grated (or finely chopped, if you already have the food processor out from the oats)
1 20 oz. can crushed pineapple with juice
2 eggs, beaten
3/4 c milk
1/2-3/4 c molasses (you could use same amount of honey or 1/2 c brown sugar)
1 t vanilla
1 t grated orange zest (delicious, but unnecessary)
2 c fresh or frozen blueberries
1 c chopped nuts (I use pecans because I'm allergic to walnuts)

Directions
Preheat oven to 375.
Combine dry ingredients and whisk together. Then mix in carrots and pineapple.
Beat wet ingredients in a large bowl, then mix in dry ingredients. Lastly, stir in blueberries and nuts. Mix as little as possible for fluffy muffins.
Grease muffin tin and fill cups with 1/4 c of batter.
Bake for 25-30 minutes.

The most difficult part - putting them in the freezer to eat another day. Gwenny and I could easily eat six of them right now. :)

ReStyle It - TV Amour

2011-02-21T09:28:00.000-05:00

Finally, a new post.

Sorry for the neglect. We had a weird weekend, one of those weekends that starts on Wednesday (migraine followed by furniture restoration). This was our backyard this weekend:

This mess took three days to clean up. :/ Hence, the blog's neglect. But... the television is no longer the focus of our living room. Yay!

Tim's oversize, always-in-disarray amour was no longer needed thanks to the 1850's primitive dresser he found, so I claimed it for the living room. Our TV used to balance on an awkwardly small stand that barely held the DVD player and Xbox. Now it's hidden behind doors along with all the overly complicated electronics.

We bought this bedroom suite five years ago when we got married. It was literally the only set we could afford (a.k.a. cheapest we could find). The description was "country cottage." Our house doesn't really have the country cottage feel, so I decided to ReStyle the cabinet to fit the living room.

I used a shabby chic technic to create a distressed look to this cabinet. I started by painting several colors along the edges of the cabinet (it looked slightly camouflaged at this stage). Then, I covered it in a flat black that matches our other furniture. Finally, I sanded the edges so the other colors show through. Now the cabinet looks intentionally used rather than freshly painted.

A piece of advice that I learned the hard way: cover your work in clear polyurethane. Nothing is more frustrating than chipping your freshly painted furniture as you carry it into the house. Our dining room set needs a repaint because I didn't do this.

I'm really excited by how much cleaner our living room looks now that we can cover up the TV. And the old tv stand... we put it by the curb, and someone picked it up the same evening. We have some serious junkers who stalk our neighborhood. They'll grab anything we put on the curb. It's nice to know the piece didn't go straight to the landfill.

If you're wondering where the girls were, they enjoyed the gorgeous weather with us.

Baby A slept in the sun

While Baby G started the morning in tears...

Our sweet bunny cheered her up and...

All smiles

Hope you enjoyed your weekend, too!

Crib Skirts

2011-02-15T13:02:00.000-05:00

Our girls are officially roomies now. We found a crib for Afton and moved her in last week. For some reason, the move triggered a mini nesting streak in me. I wanted crib skirts. Not sure why I had to have them now. Gwenny has gone a year without one. Now that we have two cribs, their naked undercarriages just would not do.

So, I pulled out the Brother, dug through my fabric stash and came up with all the needed materials for this crib skirt (why reinvent the tutorial when Star wrote such a lovely one already). I spent all Friday and Saturday evenings hunched over the sewing machine (hence the burning along my shoulder blades today), but the skirts were so worth it.

Side by side cribs - I love having Irish twins.

Seeing them sleeping next to each other makes my whole body smile. I know their concept of "sister" is pretty immature now, but this is just the beginning of great things to come!

A close up of the new crib skirts
The peek-through effect is so nice on this pattern.

I chose this fabric to tone down the "babyish" feel of a nursery. It doesn't have to be all pastels.

For the rest of the room:

Tim found this amazing antique dresser when he found our new desk. All it needed was a little wood conditioner.

The tea party table - more to come on this ReStyle It project

Found this at World Market. They are so cute and match the room perfectly. Gwenny loves to ring the bells at the end.

In the same World Market line - an elephant fan pull. We're constantly lifting G up to play with the hanging pachyderms.

I heard somewhere that any project boils down to three aspects: time, scope and money. You can only be deficient in one area. When it comes to our house, my decorating schemes encompass a lot of scope but we have a small budget. That necessitates that I take my time, collect pieces slowly, make items when I can, etc... until I meet my vision. The girls' room took a step forward this week. I'm itching to continue improving our home, making life more comfortable and hospitality easier.

Our "new" desk

2011-02-14T13:05:00.000-05:00

The closest we get to celebrating V Day -

leftover cookies from small group

Happy Valentine's Day!

This is one of the best V days I've had in a long time. I'm drinking ice coffee with the windows open in February!! Brilliant. Sorry for doubting you, Puxatawny Phil.

In honor of Valentine's Day, I'd like to brag on my hubby, the bearded wonder. When he's not working or playing with our girls (before we had babies, I didn't recognize the art of play), DH loves to work with wood. He's had a workshop for years and has built all sorts of stuff, like our composter. Recently, thanks to Mike and Frank on American Pickers, he started "mantiquing." This week, he dug this 1940's beauty out of a shop's back room for $12.

We forgot to take a "before" shot. Sorry. You'll have to take my word that it was in really rough shape when DH brought it home. The finish on the top was ruined, it was filthy and the left side was falling off. Tim worked diligently this weekend sanding, cleaning, sealing and polishing. I did nothing but match the polyurethane.

The details of our new workspace:

Gorgeous original pulls

Our awesome M&M speakers by TerraCycle
They don't fit the "antique" category, but we're not going for a museum showcase

I was able to upcycle wax coated containers into pencil holders that match our decor.

My favorite accessory, orchids

Thank you Sweetie for doing such a wonderful job rescuing and restoring this forgotten treasure. You take such good care of me. I love you dearly and feel so blessed to be raising our sweet babies with you. Happy Valentine's Day!!!

An apology

2011-02-12T12:12:00.000-05:00

Mom,

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry for bleeding, peeing, urping or otherwise soiling your clothes on your way to church.

I'm sorry for scraping my arm along craft store displays, scattering buttons across the floor.

I'm sorry for going limp when you were carrying me, Emily, your purse and two bags of groceries.

I'm sorry for screaming so loudly when you put on my shoes that you feared someone would call DCS.

Love, your-oldest-daughter-whose-now-a-mom-and-feels-really-bad-about-what-I-did-to-you.

We've had one of those days, the kind when I feel the need to apologize to my mom for being a child.

Even more so, I feel the need to apologize to God. The other day Gwennan pitched a full-on, out-of-her-mind fit when I took a muffin out of her hand so I could put on her jacket. At first her total distrust of me hurt my feelings. I've done nothing to deserve such scrutiny. A few minutes later, it occurred to me that Baby G is just doing what comes naturally. I do the same thing but to God, which is so much worse. I yell at Him for the way He's taking care of me when He is doing so perfectly. Parenting is so humbling.

What I'm Reading

2011-02-10T11:07:00.000-05:00

Baby, it snowed outside. The girls and I are stuck inside again.

If I had nothing else to do, I would make a huge pot of tea and read, curled up in our big blue papasan chair. But really, who can afford such self-indulgence?

It got me thinking about the books I love right now, and I thought I'd share.

For G:

The Jesus Storybook Bible - amazing. No, AMAZING!! Tim and I enjoy this one as much as Gwennan. In fact, the other day, I closed it after reading the 10 plagues and said, "This is the best book. Wait, this really IS the best book."
Is Your Mama a Llama - I love the rhymes in this one. It's so sing songy that G bobs when we read it,
The Belly Button Book - "beebo." Who wouldn't love a story about hippos and their belly b's?

For Me:

Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass - We watched Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland" the other day, so I wanted to read Lewis Carroll. Not sure where Tim Burton came up with the plot of his movie, but I rather liked it. Alice in Wonderland was a reread from my college children's lit class, and I enjoyed it, again. This was my first time with Through the Looking Glass, and well, it was odd.
A Study in Scarlet - The first adventure of Sherlock Holmes. I just started this one, and I love Doyle's writing style as well as his cooky characters. In case you think my taste random, it is a little bit. I'm on a classics streak right now because they are free to download to my phone (love public domain!!), and my phone is the most portable, easiest to use while nursing reading device I have.
Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe - I've been working on this one for a while because it's just too meaty to read in one sitting. Fantastic book that covers the foundations of Christian belief.

That's my reading list during this cold month. What are you reading???

ReStyle It - Castro Cap

2011-02-09T11:58:00.000-05:00

With my recent ADD approach to the blog's design, you might have missed this button:

Please, check out the project. It's a great idea - turning stuff you don't use into stuff you want. I became interested in restyling after reading Michael Sleeth's Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action (great book - I highly recommend for anyone interested in greening up their act). I'm challenging myself to repurpose items I no longer use or enjoy. My plan: make ReStyle It posts a weekly feature.

My first "official" ReStyle is this castro cap from Camelbak:

The hat's style is good, and it was a cute fix for crazy short hair days. But I like to leave skulls to pirates, poison and bikers. Time for something more feminine.

I found this Andy Warhol inspired print (in the remnant bin!) - not something I'd make a shirt out of but a terrific accent fabric.

The bright colors reminded me of flowers without being overtly floral. This is how I made fabric flowers:

1. Heat up iron.

2. Cut fabric into a long strip at least 1.5" wide and 8" long. The longer and thinner the strip, the flatter the flower will lay. For a more cup like flower, cut a wider, shorter strip (what I did).

3. Fold in half length-wise and iron flat.

If you are planning on attaching this to a garment that will be washed, use fray check or bind the cut edges before moving on to the next step.

4. With a coordinating thread, hand sew a running stitch along the cut edge. Don't be put off by the phrase "hand sew." I'm learning to love hand sewing because it is quiet and portable. I'm not signing up for a hand pieced quilt any time soon, but I'll eagerly tackle a small project or tailoring job.

5. Pull the running stitch tight so that the fabric bunches then sew the edges together, creating a circle.

Time to attach:

If your flower is supposed to lay flat, iron first.

6. Attach the flower by sewing just around the gathered stitch. Use a running stitch, making sure you include all fabric layers.

I added an additional, smaller flower in the center for more texture and covered the center stitching with a bead.

The finished product:

I was so excited the next day when I woke up with crazy hair and had an excuse to wear my "new" hat.

Whether or not you agree that I improved the hat, I hope you will at least take the inspiration to alter something in a ReStyle It project of your own.

Infestation

2011-02-08T14:58:00.000-05:00

My sister specializes in bugs on her pottery.

I need a huge venus fly trap. Not so large it will take on the neighbor's dog (although I wouldn't complain if a plant ate our neighbor's Camaro). Just large enough to handle a big gnat problem. Admittedly, I'm not the most fastidious house cleaner, but my pride is hurt when guests swat in the air at gnats threatening their noses.

They came in with the house plants. You think you're doing a good thing by increasing the oxygen in your home, adding a bit of green to the house, only to be repaid with fungus gnats. At least, I think they're fungus gnats. They're not fruit flies. I'm well acquainted with them. In high school, someone broke a jar from the fruit fly experiment. They swarmed the hallways for years.

The internet says I have fungus gnats that live in the fungus laden soil from Lowe's. They're described as "harmless." Really? Then why did God include them in the 10 plagues? I don't mean to questions God's judgement, but I think mosquitoes would have been more effective than gnats.

Whatever they are, I'm done with them. This is war! (For effect, please hum "War Pigs" as you finish this post). I've looked up a few home remedies, and most of them sound quacky. Rub lemon juice around your pots?? Leave vinegar in a jar with holes in the lid. The fruit flies will crawl in and get stuck. Why can't they find their way out if they found their way in??

Forget it. I'm going to Lowe's for plant fungicide and gnat spray. Because let's be honest - I'm only organic until it gets really annoying.

I was going to write about my crafty ReStyle project today but iPhoto and Safari aren't talking, so my pictures are stuck in limbo. Tomorrow. I promise a better post tomorrow.

Sticky Business

2011-02-07T10:17:00.000-05:00

I have to take a minute to laugh at myself. Everyone tells you to just let the housework go after you have a baby. I realized this weekend that if you have the energy to make the mess I made, you need to find the energy to mop!

This weekend's project was a bit of a debacle... Marmalade.

At Christmas, I received all the works for canning from my totally awesome MIL (I'm not kissing up - she's awesome! She lived with us for 2 weeks after my C-section). Don't know what got into me, but I decided I needed to make marmalade out of all the delicious citrus available.

Off to the Ball Blue Book (which I always want to call the "blue ball" book, giggle).

The canning went beautifully. It was simple and easy and clean. The jelly making, however, was a disaster thanks to my over-ambitious dive into canning.

What I learned:

1.) If you're going to can for the first time, try something easy like applesauce or cold-packed peaches in fruit juice, not marmalade! Canning is pleasant, but there is some learning curve.

2.) Pectin is really hard to find, at least in February. DH finally found some in Richmond. Then he could only find the powdered variety. Which leads to my next lesson...

3.) Powdered and liquid pectin take vastly different quantities. Oops. I literally have to carve my first batch because I added too much pectin. It's about as spreadable as a Jello Jiggler.

For the second batch, I chose a recipe that didn't require pectin. I learned my fourth and most important lesson.

4.) Boiling sugar water to the "gelling point" is a lot like the Iraq War. First, I naively thought it would be quick. As it dragged on and on, I kept telling myself that I was making progress, and it would be finished any minute now. When I felt like I'd spent too much time on the endeavor, I gave up and removed it from the heat. The result: you'd better hold the bread exactly level otherwise the marmalade rolls right off. Don't know what that says about Iraq...

Holding a roll perfectly level :)

Baked Pita Chips

2011-02-06T11:01:00.000-05:00

In honor of Super Bowl Sunday, a snack for the big game...

A few years ago, I haphazardly threw a bag of Stacy's Pita Chips in our cart at Sam's. Little did I know it would change the way DH eats hummus forever.

My hummus recipe (to come) was passed down by my grandmother and regularly appears in our fridge. We used to shovel it up on pita triangles or veggies or spread it on sandwiches. But since that fateful purchase of pita chips, DH leaves hummus in the fridge to mold unless we have pita chips.

Thus, the homemade baked pita chip. This was a great way to use some pita that was a little past its prime as it's going to be toasted anyway. It doesn't matter if it's a little stiff. I used 2 pieces per recipe (that would be 4 pockets per recipe if yours is pre-halved), but you can adjust this recipe easily for whatever pita you have left over.

Sea Salt Pita Chips - perfect for dipping

Ingredients

2 rounds of pita bread

3 T Olive Oil

Sea Salt to taste

Directions

Cut pita into wedges or squares. A pizza cutter or ulu knife work best.

Arrange pieces on baking sheet. Generously apply olive oil. Sprinkle with sea salt

I'm using an acrylic brush because in a moment of muddled thought, I purchased this. Not a good buy :(

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes. They are finished when crispy.

With an easy adaptation, you can turn pita into a delicious sweet snack. Simply substitute melted butter instead of olive oil and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Be extra generous with the cinnamon :)

This brought me back to creating cinnamon toast when I was a child. The cinnamon/sugar mix weighed more than the piece of bread when I was finished.

Incidentally, you can make croutons the same way. Just cut up leftover sandwich bread (pumpernickel is the best!). When you get to the sea salt step, sprinkle with salt, paprika, garlic powder and parsley, plus or minus grated parmesan. I love homemade croutons because it's one less thing to keep stocked, and I can make huge, fresh croutons. Yum!

Good Night

2011-02-05T23:53:00.000-05:00

I'm up late, way too late for a momma with a little one. The best part, it's 11:40. A few years ago, I considered this prime workout time. I got off work as an R.A. at 11, walked the halls to finish the night, then headed to the gym. Ah, to be young again. No, not really. It wasn't my best phase, just my most energetic.

For anyone else, who's up late, I thought I'd pass along late night home remedy I received during pregnancy:

Honey and warm milk

Not only does it bring on sleep, but it helps soothe heartburn. Amazing stuff when you've consumed a pound of Tums in a day - thank you Baby A.

The heartburn subsided when the baby arrived, but I still like this combo for making me sleepy. Tonight, however, I'm pulling out the big guns. Nyquil, get ready.

Good night moon. Good night chair. Good night crafters everywhere.

Good night bunny. Good night mouse. Good night messes in my house.

Good night cup. Good night spoon. Good night blog. See you soon.

Roasted Winter Veggies

2011-02-03T10:16:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I forget that February has seasonal produce. I tend to think of late winter and early spring as the land of frozen veggies. This dish smacks my stereotype around, featuring the jewels of the winter produce section: the long keepers.

Some veggies are hardy, even after picking. They were very popular before refrigerators but not as much any more (probably because they were cooked into mush so often). Time for a revival.

Options abound:
All of the potatoes including my favorite, the sweet potato (a veggie, not a starch - Yay!)
Winter squashes: acorn, butternut, pumpkin, just to name a few
Roots: carrots, turnips, rutabaga, parsnips, beets

For this recipe, I included several varieties of veggies and kept the spices simple to enjoy the different vegetables. The lentils add protein to the one-dish vegetarian meal.

Ingredients
1 c lentils
1 small onion, chopped
Medley of winter veggies, such as:
  1 large sweet potato
  3 red potatoes
  1 rutabaga
  3 carrots
  2 parsnips
3 T olive oil
1 T dried parsley
1 t salt

Directions
Cook lentils in 4-6 c of water for 20 minutes. While the lentils cook, peel and cube the veggies in bite size pieces. Combine all ingredients together in a roasting pan and bake at 425 degrees for 35-40 minutes. It's that simple.

Two of my newest favorite recipes that capitalize on another staple of winter veggies: brassicas.
Brussel Sprouts and Bacon by Alton Brown
Broccoli Rabe and Sausage by Cake Boss

130 by 5/30

2011-02-02T09:31:00.000-05:00

Darn you, Chickfila Waffle Fry! Thanks to your salty goodness, I must take drastic measures to control myself while driving around town.

Calming down...

Here's the deal. I want to see one hundred and thirty pounds pop up when I step on the scale. It's been a couple years, thanks to babies, and I miss my closet of pre-pregnancy pants. 18 lbs to go. (It's awkward to post your weight and weight loss goals. I'm embarrassed to tell anyone who weighs more or less. I need to get over it. It's just a number.)

My plan: 1/2 a plate fruits or veggies, 1/4 plate lean protein, 1/4 plate whole grains, 1 dessert a day. Yoga/walking my rear (and thighs) into the desired shape.

Oh yeah, and no more waffle fries. That I even need to include this step is weird. I never liked fries or potato chips even as a kid. Waffle fries are a leftover prego craving made into a bad habit. Must get back to being disgusted by fast food.

I want the weight gone by 5/30. Six months postpartum. I think that's reasonable. I've already reached one modest, post pregnancy goal: I wanted the big weight on the doctor's scale to stay at "100," not "150." Yippee!

To stay on track, and away from drive-thru cravings, I'm installing a logo on the fridge and in both cars:

My reward for losing weight: a pocket dress. When the scale reads 130, I'm leaving the girls home with Tim, going to the fabric store, taking over the table and making a pocket dress. I'm pretty excited about the whole venture. Let's lose some weight!

P.S. When I mentioned this to DH, he decided to join me and lose 20 lbs as well. So much easier to exercise self-control with a partner. Thanks Sweetie!

Hootie the Hottie

2011-02-01T11:19:00.000-05:00

As promised...

Afton's Owl Heater - "Hootie"

I realize that description wants an explanation. Hootie is actually a pouch that holds a rice bag as seen below:

Hootie next to his contoured rice pack insert

A little history... Sarah (my super talented youngest sister, not to be confused with my super talented middle sister) made rice-filled heat packs for her friends this year, including me. Within days of receiving mine, Afton claimed it as her own. If her feet are anything less than toasty warm, Baby A screams as though frost bite were imminent. When we were staying at my parents over Christmas, the only way she slept was cuddled next to my Christmas present hot rice pack.

All that to say, I wanted my rice pack back. Sarah made it for me for a reason. My back is killing me from hauling babies around all day. So, I proposed a trade to Afton. A custom-made, super cute rice pack for her if she'd relinquish mine.

Afton's pack had a few challenges:

Velcro at the base holds the rice pack in place
and provides easy access for heating

1. She urps on everything. I need to be able to wash it. Rice doesn't hold up well in the washer, so her pack needed a cover.

2. Fabric takes up the smells in the microwave. If the rice pack is removable, the fabric next to Afton might not pick up the smell of reheated leftovers. At least, that's the idea.

3. This would probably become her "must-have" to sleep with. In the future, it would be nice if it were cute. When she no longer needs the rice, I'll stuff it and close up the bottom.

Why the owl? I'm on an owl kick. I don't know. That's probably why I can't come up with a cuter name than "Hootie." He really doesn't mesh with the rice pack/heater theme. Oh well.

The next step: mass production because I know you all want one for the cold-natured babies in your life. :)

Baby A snuggling with Hootie, grateful for the warm toes

Fung-tastic Pasta Bake

2011-01-29T07:28:00.000-05:00

I realize it's been a few days since I posted. Rather than post my list of excuses, let me just say that I promise to make it up to you. I have several really neat projects in the works. Stay tuned this week. I can't wait to show them to you.

In the meantime, I have a recipe. This is a Rachel Ray style, chopping-is-the-most-complicated-step, one-dish dinner. I was craving pizza this week but didn't have the energy for homemade dough, so I improvised with an easy layer lasagna feel. This turned out to be a tasty, easy dinner. It took 15 minutes from start to oven and could easily feed six.

The key to this dish is the mushrooms. Not just delicious, they are a good source of fiber and protein, also providing B and C vitamins. In a vegetarian dish, mushrooms add heartiness. The carnivore in your family won't miss the meat. I kept the spices simple to emphasize the mushroom's flavor. Hope this helps during a busy week.

Ingredients
Sauce: (You can substitute a jar of tomato basil pasta sauce. I just didn't have any on hand.)
3-16 oz cans of diced tomatoes
1 T Basil
2 t salt
2 t sugar

Box of whole wheat rotini

6-8 c water

Filling:
2 packages of mushrooms, 1 cremini or portabella and 1 white
1/2 medium onion
1 c ricotta cheese
1 lb grated mozzarella
Grated parmesan, optional

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine all ingredients for sauce in a medium sauce pan and simmer while preparing the rest of the dish. Combine rotini with water and boil until al dente. If available, use an oven safe pot with a lid so dish can be transferred without dirtying a second piece. While pasta and sauce cook, slice your mushrooms and onion.
When pasta is cooked, drain and return to oven safe pot (if you don't have a safe pot, use a large baking dish and cover with aluminum foil). Cover the pasta with half the sauce. Spread ricotta cheese and half the mozzarella. Next cover with mushrooms and onion. Spread the rest of the sauce over the mushrooms. Top with remaining mozzarella and a little grated parmesan.
Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove cover and broil for 5 - 10 minutes to brown cheese.

G's Treasure Tin

2011-01-25T15:14:00.000-05:00

Baby G caught me in the act today. I was throwing out a treasure, an empty oatmeal canister. I certainly don't know what I was thinking to miss its hidden potential as G's new box for collectibles. It came complete with a lid. Fortunately, she rescued it immediately and loved it as her own.

After she carried it around all morning, I thought I'd make it pretty. We rummaged through the big craft closet finding fun, glittery paper and Mod Podge.

The only tricky part was keeping the card stock conformed to the round container. Thank goodness for rubber bands.

The finished project.

If you're thinking that my one year old really doesn't care if it says "G" or "100% Whole Grain Oats," you are correct. Sometimes a project is worth doing just because it's easy, or because you really like the smell of Mod Podge. At any rate, G now has a pretty treasure canister that she can call her own.

It always helps when your treasure chest is full of play silks!

Organizing our Stuff

2011-01-24T14:09:00.000-05:00

This morning:

Baby A slept;

Baby G played by herself (YAY!)

The Result:

Yarn/craft on one side...

Gear on the other!

I really love having the house stream-lined, organized, simple. Generally, our house looks this way one day a month (usually when Real Simple arrives - all those beautiful, sparse rooms). Why? Two project lovers married. A recipe for huge messes, messes with prolonged conclusions. Who wants to put the project away in the middle of it just because you aren't going to have time to work on it for 4 days? But today, I'm one step closer to that beautiful, sleek house.

Not so fussy fish

2011-01-23T20:03:00.000-05:00

My sister and her college roommate are on the paleo diet. It's based on the understanding that since our ancestors were hunter/gatherers, our digestive systems evolved to match the diet they ate - lots of meat, fruits, veggies; no legumes, tubers or grains.

The girls came home from classes at the end of last semester, bone weary, only to be further deflated when they opened the fridge. They had no "easy" food. No sandwiches, no cereal, no mac n' cheese. Everything had to be cooked. The roommate lamented that all their food was "fussy." What a cute, appropriate phrase.

I feel for them. Our house is similar. We keep healthy food on hand so we won't be tempted with junk, and everything is scratch ingredients. Want a cookie? We have the ingredients to make 100 types of cookies, but we have to mix, chill and bake them.

So what about Sunday nights? Sunday nights are the night I most want Chickfila (specifically because they're closed, so I'm jonesing for waffle fries). Actually, Sundays are just hard. I identify with single moms on Sundays. We wake up early to get pastor husband out the door with breakfast and coffee in hand, then I feed and dress the girls by myself, pack two diaper bags for separate nurseries, then navigate church with a 15 month old and an infant. Blurgh.

This morning was especially rough. G talked through her early nap, A decided eating was overrated, then as we're walking out the door, G trips and busts her lip, dripping blood down her shirt and skirt. *sigh.

This evening, DH is back at work. I got the girls through arsenic hour, a 45-minute dinner (the joys of self feeding) and a bath. The last thing I want to do is make another mess preparing a fussy dinner.

Enter my new favorite no fuss health food... the sardine.

What??? you say. The sardine? Really? I love them. Tiny packets of protein, vitamins B12 and D, omega-3's and calcium. They are amazing on a sandwich or salad with spinach, chopped onion, olives and hardboiled egg. And, they're precooked. If you don't like them, you don't like them. But if you're even neutral, pick up a can.

That's my tip of the day. Try sardines. They might surprise you.

Baby Update

2011-01-22T11:12:00.000-05:00

I left you hanging in my 2nd trimester - all that whining and then no baby pics. Sorry. At least I didn't post the last month of whining. It was bad - partial bed rest for 3 weeks, lots of tylenol. On the bright side, I knitted... alot.

The highlights:
August - September - blah. You didn't miss much - lots of monitoring Baby A for possible complications that never materialized (Hallelujah!).

The three of us in the hospital parking lot - thought this might be our last 3 member family photo, but A fooled us

October - We moved! And our house in Knoxville sold! We've had a very eventful Fall. In regards to our new house, let me quote P.D. Eastman:

"I love my house.

I love my nest.

In all the world, my nest is best!"

I sobbed with relief when I found out we were finally going to be settled in Virginia with our own furniture in a long term rental. To top it off, this house is perfect for us. Because we moved shortly before A was born, I unpacked the necessities and threw the rest in storage without any organization at all. This week, I started digging through boxes, throwing out more stuff thanks to a kick in the pants from Real Simple.

October 31st - G celebrated her 1st birthday with her adopted gp's, a big piece of chocolate cake and a line of trick or treaters singing "Happy Birthday" (her name was butchered all night long).

November 25th - awesome Thanksgiving. We watched the Macy's Parade and the Dog Show with G, my family drove all morning to have dinner with us, and we spent the evening with our best friends. I loved it! Did I mention no cooking or cleaning?!

November 26th - Tim navigated Black Friday traffic on our way to the hospital at 7. Afton Grey Ellis was born at 9:26 am, weighing 7 lbs. 10 oz and stretching 19 1/2". I liked this birth - so much calmer. Baby did great; I felt good; we went home a day early. The experience fits Afton. She's a relaxed baby. Gwennan didn't fuss much, but she was intense from the start, just ask anyone she's stared down in the grocery store.

The following 5 weeks, various parts of our families stayed with us to care for G while I recovered from surgery (A big shout out to Mom and Mom - you were life savers!).

We spent 6 days as a 4 member family, then a trip to K'town for a belated Christmas.

Nieces with their Aunties!!

Now, we're back to normal, well "new normal." Everyone warned me that two babies was going to be more than twice as much work, and it is. But I don't feel particularly hectic or worn out. In other words, God is being incredibly gracious to us, and I'm enjoying our Irish twins. Just don't call during arsenic hour.

Playing in the backyard with Sissy.

I remember visiting a friend with four little ones whose house felt remarkably peaceful. Her kids had an established routine, and she was quiet, even when they were not. I pray that our house feels like that.

About a blog

2011-01-20T19:50:00.000-05:00

I'm eating a sectioned grapefruit right now.

I like grapefruit; it's good for me.

Mostly I'm eating it because the process conjures a scene from "Little Women" where Jo March is writing her novel while eating an orange. Somehow I hope to channel my favorite fictional character through citrus.

This blog causes great turmoil for me. The very act of blogging assumes that someone on the internet is going to find my writing compelling enough to devote time reading it. Not just one thought, either, but every time I take up the notion to post.

By creating a blog, I'm claiming digital importance - Read me! I'm interesting.

Please understand - the problem IS that I believe I'm inherently entertaining.

And my dilemma... I want to appear humble as well.

That's right, appear. As a Christian, I know I'm called to humility; therefore, I want to appear humble. Actual humility would mean changing my prideful way of thinking and accepting my actual place in human history.

Even now, I want to turn this post in a poignant direction that appears to honor Christ but actually just makes me look like I'm a really humble person claiming not to be humble because that's what humble people actually do. Good grief - I'm sick!

Subconsciously I started this blog to self aggrandize. Ironically, I was deflated by the lack of interest people showed - few hits, even fewer comments. To my frustration, the sea of people online weren't interested in my meager "crafty" resume'.

I'm sorry for my approach to this blog. I'm sorry for my online bragging. Thank you to whomever read it. I hope to be more honest in any future posts. Stick with me; I'm growing. Thanks.

Stuffed Peppers

2011-01-19T14:28:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I miss the blog, like today after I made a delicious meal and want to share it. Problem is I'm really busy with the two girls and forget things like taking pictures of said meal. But for those of you who don't mind a recipe without a picture, here goes:

Stuffing:
1 c wild rice or brown rice
3 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
1/2 t of salt
1 c ricotta cheese (could substitute cottage cheese)
1/2 c spanish olives, chopped
1/2 c mozzarella cheese
1/2 t paprika
1/4 t cayenne pepper

3 bell peppers

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Cook rice with carrots and salt in water according to directions. While rice mixture cooks, chop olives and mix with spices, ricotta and mozzarella cheeses (hold out a little mozzarella to sprinkle on top of peppers). Cut peppers in half length wise, removing seeds but leaving the stems to retain the shape of the pepper.

When rice is cooked, combine with cheese and olives then fill peppers, covering with remaining mozzarella.

Place peppers in a baking dish with 1/4" of water and cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and broil for additional 5 minutes until cheese browns.

Enjoy this easy all-in-one meal.

Where have you been?

2010-07-29T19:42:00.000-04:00

The honest truth - I've been hiding from the blog recently.

Whenever Tim leaves town, several things happen - I exercise every day, usually paint a room, eat like a vegetarian and listen to a lot of sermons. Hearing the Word of God preached offers stimulation for adult thought and flings the door wide open for the Holy Spirit to work. I listen to sermons a lot anyway, but when Tim's away, the house is much quieter, so I can ruminate longer.

All that to say, I listened to a sermon by Mark Driscoll in which he discussed producing fruit. He talked about the difference between being busy and producing fruit. I was really convicted his message which led me to evaluate how I spend my time.

A few things caught my attention - how I was "serving" at church, how I spent my time during G's naps and the blog. I spend hours every week on this blog, writing, researching, etc... Not to mention all the times that I put off completing other important tasks in order to complete a project to blog about. So far, Renaissance Momma is keeping me very scattered, rather behind in regular life stuff and encouraging my love of hearing myself type.

I'm not announcing the immediate closure of the blog, just a change in direction for me. I don't know exactly what that will look like online, but I can't keep abandoning more Godly pursuits for the sake of blogging. So, please pray for me as I decide what to do and how best to serve my family. Thanks.

Back to needles

2010-07-20T09:46:00.000-04:00

I'm knitting again. Swollen fingers and pregnancy carpal tunnel have made knitting an undesirable hobby for the last couple months, plus I have a hard time knitting stuff for cold weather during hot sticky summer days. However, I've recently hit a knitting streak.

By knitting, I mean yarn craft in general. I crochet as much as I knit. But "knitting" is a much less cumbersome word than "crocheting" (which is even a trick to type).

Anyway, it started one evening when we took Baby G to a restaurant where she sat directly under an AC vent and was turning blue by the time dinner was over. I decided that she needed a short sleeve jacket of sorts to wear on summer and fall evenings when the AC is on high or the weather drops a few degrees. That sent me digging through my yarn stash (a super size ziploc storage bag that is so full, I can't shut it anymore) where I found some very soft Caron Eco yarn. My mom is shuttering even as she reads this because she doesn't believe in any yarn that isn't at least 123% natural fiber and hand painted, but I don't have her yarn budget.

Her little sweater was a crocheting delight - almost instant gratification. I remembered how nice a quiet craft is. While I love the even more instant gratification of sewing, I don't love the sewing machine waking G from her nap or working in the sweat shop I refer to as my sewing room. Knitting, on the other hand, can be done in any convenient location in silence except for the soothing background noise of a movie.

I'm looking forward to knitting a few items for our new baby as well as for my friends who have recently become mommas. Happy needles, yet again.

P.S. The basic pattern came from ravelry although I modified it some to fit my needs.

Rolling Stone

2010-07-19T18:54:00.000-04:00

My veterinary training did not serve me well tonight. Usually it's helpful as babies aren't all that different from dogs - they can't tell you what hurts or that they don't feel good; they put everything in sight in their mouths; occasionally, they pee on your carpet. Usually, I can watch for similar symptoms in Baby G that I would expect in a dog and know whether to worry or not. Tonight, however, I had horrifying visions of exploratory surgery after G popped a cherry pit in her mouth and gulped it down.

She knew what she was doing. I told her not to touch the cherry stones. However, when I looked down to retrieve a piece of cherry she dropped, her grubby little mitt stretched out quick as a flash for the pile of forbidden pits. Then with alarming coordination for 8 1/2 months, she shoved it in her mouth and swallowed just as my finger was reaching for her lips. Down it went and up went my blood pressure as I saw the look of triumph on her face. And really, what could I do? It was gone.

Instead of assuming I would find it later in her diaper, I began visualizing the slide show from vet school where our professor showed all the things stupid labrador puppies had eaten over the years - tennis balls, silverware, an 8" long rubber crow like the ones from Dumbo, and more. Pyloric obstruction, esophageal hemorrhage - this line of thought was not helpful.

Fortunately, I have a friend with 5 kids 5 years old and younger (don't gloss over that - contemplate what 2 preschoolers, 2 toddlers and a newborn actually look like!). She's seen just about everything, and it's still fresh on her mind since one of her children probably did it again yesterday. I'm sure later tonight she'll chuckle with her husband about the overly confident highschooler she knew who has become the insecure mom with the protective, stupid questions.

As you might imagine, G is fine. She took a bottle and crashed for the night. I'm sure I haven't seen the last of the cherry pit - a humbling reminder that I, too, worry when I shouldn't about my girl.

7/7

2010-07-16T11:10:00.000-04:00

Every year in July, I thank the Lord that I'm still alive. That might sound cliche, but it's very poignant for me and my family. Five years ago on July 7, my sister and I were sitting on a train in London, drinking lattes on our way to see Big Ben, when a Muslim extremist ignited a suicide bomb ten feet away.

When the initial shock of the blast subsided, my sister and I sat up to take inventory and check on each other. As we huddled together in the mass of rubble that used to be a train car, we both praised the Lord that we were alive. Our nearest neighbors were not so fortunate.

While waiting for the paramedics, we drew strength from the felt presence of Christ, each other and the amazing citizens who jumped aboard our train in the face of a collapse or possible explosion to give us aid.

Scared and barely conscious, the medics carried us to the hospital where we were separated for surgery. Once in the recovery room, my sister and I told everyone within ear shot to locate our sister and call our family. It took several hours, but we were reunited in the middle of the night when we moved to a less crowded hospital.

Our family heard about the bombing almost as soon as they woke up, but there was no news from us. Mom, Dad and little Sis waited by the phone for a reassuring phone call only to hear a British doctor inform them that my sister was badly injured and I was not in the system yet. Friends mobilized, calling politicians, to update passports and book flights. Within 24 hours, my mom was on the ground in London, her best friend flying in later that day on a providentially timed missions trip.

We underwent another surgery to stabilize us for a flight to the U.S. Workers at Duke Hospital pulled 24-hour shifts to arrange transport. After 4 days in London's hospitals and a long uncomfortable flight, we touched down in Raleigh-Durham to be greeted by Dad, little sister and DH (dear boyfriend at the time).

Once in the United States, we began to realize that this event touched many more people than our little family. The national news media was lining up to interview and photograph us as we made our recovery. Apparently, we were the only two Americans seriously injured, and the story of two sisters surviving the blast together was front page news. Our rooms were filled with bribes from new stations - flowers, gift baskets, the first available copies of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

On the big screen in Times Square during the Today Show Interview

Soon after we began to receive other gifts and cards as well, but this time from well wishers all around the country, people we had never met sending their thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery. We were overwhelmed by the support and encouragement we received from hundreds of individuals concerned for our family.

As we regained strength, we found our voice in the media. God worked mightily in our hearts. A spirit of peace and forgiveness came over us almost immediately. When the interviews began, we were ready to tell the world that God forgave us and gave us the grace to forgive our attackers. Some people hated our message and others embraced it. We were determined to use this national platform to turn what man meant for evil into God's glory.

After nearly two weeks in the hospital and six surgeries a piece, we flew home. A crowd of our friends greeted us at the airport, including 1 month old Cindy Kate. The celebration was awesome, although draining. Did I mention it included another news interview? It was months (including a trip to New York for the Today Show) before the media attention died down.

A decade after the blast and its far-reaching consequences, I still field questions about the sizable scars on my ankle and arm. When I explain where they came from, people frequently apologize to me for dredging up the memory and that it happened at all. But I don't feel the need for the apology. My life rolled along very smoothly until that point - no major bumps. God prepared me perfectly as only He can for that moment. I knew who He was, that His character is true, that He is not caught by surprise and that He plans good for His children. The bombing only strengthened my understanding. As I hit the gauntlet of life's bumps following that summer, the bombing served as a reference for me, reminding me that God is good and at work even in horrible circumstances.

So, if you notice a huge scar on my arm, or I "ignore"you on my now deaf right side, you know the background. A horrible, amazing tragedy occurred that God twisted and molded and turned into His glory. All praise be to our God and Father who sits upon the throne in Heaven!!

Peach Frozen Yogurt

2010-07-15T11:00:00.000-04:00

For the Menchi's and Berry Body fans in the audience.. Peach Frozen Yogurt. Absolutely delicious, I decided to try my hand at frozen yogurt after G polished off half of mine this weekend. To cope with the simmering summer weather, we're enjoying plenty of homemade ice cream maker treats.

Peach Frozen Yogurt
3/4 c milk (whatever percent you want to use)
1/3 c sugar
Mix these two together until sugar dissolves

3 c yogurt (again, whatever fat content you prefer)
1 t vanilla
1/4 t nutmeg
1 c chopped peaches
Combine last four ingredients with the milk/sugar mixture.

Follow ice cream maker instructions to freeze. You could also try placing it in the freezer in a tupperware and stirring frequently.

If you don't eat the entire batch in one sitting, make sure you store it in a microwave safe container. Otherwise, you will need to defrost it slightly before subsequent servings by placing in the refrigerator several hours ahead.

Enjoy!

Sisters!!!

2010-07-14T15:44:00.000-04:00

Verdict is in... We're having a girl! YAY!! Let the dress making and nursery decorating begin.

I so badly wanted this baby to be a girl. You might think me selfish, but I was really considering G. My sisters are delights in my life. I have two - both younger, and life would not be complete without them. We grew up giggling late at night playing mancala, riding double on our shared pony, stealing each other's clothes, and overwhelming anyone who dared hang out with all three of us at the same time. I want that experience for G and now for new baby, too.

My sisters and I in New York

Five years ago, my sister and I were in a bombing halfway across the world. I don't know how either of us would have survived if not for each other's support. We were in a hospital in a foreign country an ocean away from the rest of our family, but we had each other. That's what siblings are for. They're your whole life support - the only people around for your entire existence.

I'm so grateful for my sisters, and now, my girls will have each other.

White Bean Chili

2010-07-13T10:05:00.000-04:00

I am clearing out my pantry. Hence the winterish dish in the middle of July. Although, I think a white bean chili is less seasonal than a traditional style.

This recipe is very easy and provides excellent nutrition, qualifying for Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet (the most restrictive phase) while filling up the whole family. Even Baby G enjoyed some of the beans for dinner last night. She ranked it "one big toothless grin."

3 chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces
2 cans white beans
1 can green chili
1/2 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
2 t cumin
1 t chili powder
1/2 t red pepper
1 t salt
Cilantro - add 2 T fresh cilantro at the end or 1 t dried cilantro at beginning

Best directions ever: Throw all ingredients into your crock pot and cook on low for at least 6 hours or high for at least 3 hours. No need to cook the chicken ahead of time. The crock pot will take care of that for you, and the cooking chicken will provide the needed juice for you chili. Top with shredded cheese and sour cream. Serves 4.

A fabulous no-fuss meal for tired, busy moms!

Picture Day

2010-07-12T15:45:00.000-04:00

Somedays I realize halfway through the morning as I rant about what I'm going to post that I just need to post cute baby pictures and leave things be. Today is one of those days. I was determined to vacuum the house which requires holding a terrified G on my hip as she claws her way up my shoulder away from the terrify noise maker. I'm pretty exhausted from the whole ordeal.

So, I give you my goofy girl, hamming it up for the camera this afternoon while we crawled around on the freshly vacuumed carpet.

She started eating goldfish crackers recently. I love to feed them to her because she looks so confused about the whole process. Why is the goldfish in my lap not my mouth? What am I supposed to do with this thing now that I've put it in my mouth? Are all fish this delicious? (The answer, of course, is only the fresh ones!)

We're borrowing an excersaucer. She's currently trying to crawl out of it toward the obscenely large box of Goldfish, hoping I pick up on her not-so-subtle hint. Time for more baked cheddar goodness.

What do you do all day?!

2010-07-10T10:39:00.000-04:00

A friend sent this article to me. It spoke to my life, so I thought I'd share.

Like most SAHM, I am asked more often than I like how I fill my time. After all, other moms are able to work and raise their families. I mean no disrespect to working moms. I frequently ask myself, how would I ever get all of this done and work 40 hours a week. At the same time, this question is kind of insulting, as if I am being accused of watching soaps and reading romance novels while my child entertains herself.

What do I do? I don't know why I feel the need to justify my use of time, but I just want to say this. Why is running a day care or nannying considered a full time job, but staying home with your kids is not?! No one would be happy with a day care that consisted of individual pens in which children were dropped and expected to fend for themselves all day while the workers watched TV. Similarly, SAHM's can't put their children in a pack n' play or swing and skip about their business. Just like children at a day care (where the facility is built just for them I might add) need constant supervision and direction and engagement, so do children at home. They're demanding, wonderful little buggers who take up your whole day. I get all of my work done in the 3 1/2 hours a day while Baby G sleeps. Otherwise, I'm on baby duty.

It might not sound exciting to everyone, but child care is a full time responsibility that you never really get away from. The minutia of my day is just that, minutia. But the overwhelming portion of my day is taken up by the nurturing of my darling girl, a job I wouldn't trade for anything.

My Gift to the Youth Group

2010-07-09T09:16:00.000-04:00

DH leaves in a week or so for his summer missions trip. Baby G is not exactly ready to help roof a house, so she and I are remaining at home. This will be the first missions trip I've missed, and to be honest, I'm feeling overprotective and controlling about the whole thing, but mainly the food.

For four years of trips (happy anniversary, honey), I've been chief cook and bottle washer as well as the unofficial nurse (have to put that medical training to use somehow). Now, I'm coaching from the sidelines, developing menus and shopping lists, trying to decide what I can prepare ahead of time and send with.

As usual, I will be sending an obscene number of rice krispie treats. They're a signature dish for me. Not that I can't make something more complicated, but in the quantity I'm making them, I prefer simple.

My secret to a not very secret dessert: Rice Krispie Treats

Ingredients:
Basics:
6 c rice krispies cereal
5 c of miniature marshmallows

3 T of butter
1-2 t vanilla
Non-stick baking spray with flour
Extras:
1 c crystal sprinkles - I used these at Christmas for the best rice krispies I'd ever made. Just sprinkle over the top. They will fall through the hot cereal and melt along the bottom.
1 - 2 c chocolate chips - cover the bottom of the pan with chocolate chips, then lay the hot cereal mix over the top for a chocolate base

Directions:
Using a large saucepan, melt the butter and marshmallows together over medium heat, stirring constantly (the microwave affects the consistency and flavor). Add vanilla and stir.
Remove from heat, add cereal and mix thoroughly.
Place in well greased brownie pan and allow to cool.

When I make these for the youth group, I usually make 6 lasagna trays worth. As you can imagine, I use a lot of marshmallows! However, there was a high demand for them with our first youth group. They've been known to disappear within 24 hours - yes, all six trays. Hopefully, it will be a good nostalgic item for DH while he's away from home.

Home again, Home again

2010-07-08T09:53:00.000-04:00

Whew! It's hard to return to regular life after so much time away. As I mentioned, we made an unplanned family visit to K'town. No airport stories this time, just a sweet funeral for a wonderful grandfather.

Today is a busy, lazy day. Does that make sense? Lots of nap time for Baby G - in fact, she's only been awake for an hour so far today. Lots of catching up for me - bags to unpack, groceries to buy, laundry to wash and since we left in the middle of everything, a fridge to clean out and a kitchen to reclaim after painting only half of it.

On a more fun note, my sister finally reclaimed her etsy page. It might be a shameless plug, but I think my sister is a beautiful artist, so please check out her work! Right now, she only has her textiles up, but I took pictures of her pottery, so I know that's coming soon.

We have a busy weekend in the making, but I will try to make up for my miserable presence the last week. Again, thank you for your patience as I focused on my family during our loss.

Update

2010-07-02T16:32:00.000-04:00

DH's wonderful GF died this week, so we are with family. Thank you guys for your patience with the blog.

GF played the harmonica in a bluegrass band. Some of my favorite memories with him involve late night bluegrass sessions at hole in the wall gigs.

Silk Placemats

2010-06-28T09:58:00.000-04:00

Good morning! I have a totally quiet house right now. DH is off at camp. Baby G stayed up way late with the babysitter last night and is down for the count now. Perfect time to plan out my week and post my newest sewing tutorial. Yay!

I've been stitching like a mad women recently, but no projects that would post well. For instance, do you want to read about the 15 cloth diapers I've sewn?! Probably not. This weekend was different.

If you got married, say last night, then skip this post until you've opened your gifts. Otherwise... I needed a wedding gift for a neat couple who've traveled, particularly in southeast Asia. I wanted to make something Asian inspired but not shamelessly copied. I settled on silk placemats.

The placemats were fun from beginning to end. I got to buy bright colored fabric; I didn't have to use any funky stitching; as an added bonus, my sewing machine tension behaved itself. And the result was a gift I could be proud to put our name on.

How to Sew a Placemat:

Note - This tutorial is specific to working with a light weight fabric such as silk. If you want to use a heavier fabric, like broadcloth, I would follow this tutorial at SewMamaSew.

1. Start with a trip to the fabric store (yay!). To make 4 placemats at 14"x17", I bought 3/4 yard of backing and single-sided fusible webbing and 1/4 yard of each of the front panel fabrics (3 total fabrics for 3/4 yard total). Also, you will need double fold bias tape and corresponding thread.

2. Cut the pieces for your front panel. Before you cut, decide how big you want the placemat. As I said, these were 14"x17" which will comfortably house a large dinner plate. The front panel can be as complicated or simple as you like. Regardless, consider your seam allowance when you calculate the front pieces. In this case, I had two seams at 1/2" per piece of fabric for a total of 2" seam allowance. The center strip was 7"x17", the thin strip was 3.5"x17", and the wider top strip was 5.5"x17".

3. Piece and sew your front panel. You can skip this step if you chose a solid piece for the front. To piece, simply pin the fabric right side to right side and sew a straight seam along the pinned edge at your designated seam allowance.

4. Iron the pieced seams. The seams must lay flat, otherwise you will have odd ridges in your placemat.

5. Cut and iron fusible webbing. The webbing gives the placemats structure without adding a lot of bulk. The webbing should wrinkle slightly when it's warm enough to bond. If the webbing isn't sticking, turn up the heat on the iron.

6. Trim the placemat. With the webbing in place, straight cuts become much easier. This is the time to square things up and ensure that all of your front pieces reach the edge of the placemat.

7. Attach backing and and bias. Pin the backing on first. At this point, you can trim the backing to ensure a good fit with the front of the placemat. Then pin the double fold bias tap around the outside edge, making sure to fold and pin the corners as you go. When sewing, use a straight stitch positioned as close to the inside edge of the bias tape as possible. This will ensure that you get a big bite of all three layers of fabric and that your bias tape doesn't fold up or roll later.

Ta Da. You're done.

I really enjoyed making these. Throughout the process, I kept thinking about what I wanted to do when I made some for us. I think I have a pretty cute idea coming up. Can't wait to show you. In the mean time, try sewing some silk placemats. They can really spruce up your table setting or make an excellent shower/wedding present.

Pancakes

2010-06-25T12:16:00.000-04:00

My mom started a tradition (many moons ago) making pancakes for breakfast every Saturday. It stuck, although each daughter has adjusted it slightly. Emily's a waffle woman, Sarah is a biscuit maker, and I make on Friday, the start of the weekend if you're a pastor's family.

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, and pancakes are one of my specialities. This morning, we had buttermilk buckwheat pancakes with blueberries. They were fabulous. As you might imagine, I make them from scratch. I'm not opposed to Bisquick; I just prefer the flexibility of flour, sugar and baking soda.

The Recipe:

4 T butter, melted
1 1/2 c milk
2 eggs
Beat together.

2 1/4 c all-purpose flour
2 T sugar
2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
Mix together with a fork, beating as little as possible. Cook on a greased skillet over medium heat, turning once. Keep warm and serve hot.

In general, people make two common mistakes with pancakes. 1. They over mix the batter and try to remove all the lumps. This makes the pancakes tough/rubbery. Even pressing pancakes with a spatula increases toughness. 2. They set the stove too high, overcooking the outside and leaving the inside runny. You wouldn't crank the oven up to 425 to bake bread faster. The pancakes are baking just like any other quick bread, and they deserve the correct temperature.

Like most doughs/batters, once you've made this recipe a few times, you should get a feel for the consistency and how to adjust or add to it. My favorite adjustments:

Whole wheat and/or buckwheat flour instead of all-purpose - requires an extra 1/4 - 1/2 c milk. This makes very filling pancakes.
1 t vanilla
1-2 c fruit - bananas, shredded apples, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, etc...
1/2-1 t cinnamon - I really like cinnamon, so I use a lot
1 c chocolate chips or chopped nuts
1/4 c wheat bran or 1/4 c rolled oats - again, you must increase the liquid
Buttermilk instead of milk - this makes your pancakes fluffier. You can make buttermilk by adding 1 T of lemon juice per 1 c of milk.
1 c mashed sweet potatoes - remove 1 c of flour, add cinnamon and nutmeg. These are delicious!

Feel free to be creative. I'm considering adding cheese and layering them for a dinner dish, in the spirit of crepes. I made crepes a little while back from The Art of French Cooking. Tim was nuts about them, but they were a little intense to make. Adding extra liquid to pancake batter would achieve roughly the same thing. Hmm...

Bon Appétit!

Recovering from my laundry Faux Pas

2010-06-24T09:18:00.000-04:00

I was going to report on this yesterday as a follow up to my laundry gripe, but my dress was just too exciting, so I postponed.

We really piled on the stressors in our life this year: baby, move, new job, new church, selling a house. Usually I can shove my problems to a dark recess of my mind and focus on daily life stuff. Nevertheless, they creep forward at times, reminding me that our house still hasn't sold, isn't even showing in fact, that we're still living in a borrowed house that really needs to be sold. Ugh! That's why I try to bury these nagging thoughts under piles of baby giggles and craft ideas.

Whenever I start stewing over the glacial housing market, I try to distract myself. First, I sat down and read the Bible. However, I'm in a section right now that's mostly genealogies. All of those weird interesting names pass in front of me, and my worrying shifts from the house to the baby. This baby had better be a girl if it wants a name. I am totally uninspired by boys' names this go around.

I needed to find something else to distract me, so I pulled out the stained tees and the Rit. One pot led to 3 with 1 burp cloth, 2 tees and 4 onesies - cobalt blue, tangerine orange and grass green. Rit offers formulas for creating different shades. The website is useful, if you have all of the base colors you need.

Speaking of what colors you "need," the Color Kittens are deceiving! You cannot make any color of paint/dye out of a combination of red, yellow and blue. On the color wheel, it works, but in practice, it's a mess. You need brown and black to fine tune colors (For instance, gold = yellow and brown, burgundy = red and black, maroon = red and brown). If you are going to buy a set of basic primary colors and hope to mix the shades you want, make sure you buy a brown and a black also. I forgot this rule when I bought my dye, so picking exact colors was difficult.

All the same, I really enjoyed seeing Baby G in a bright hugh. Her wardrobe is drowning in pink and brown with flowers. Time for a change.

After dress sewing yesterday, I'm not up for a huge project today. Still, I think I could find some cute shapes (not flowers or ducks) to add to these onesies. I now have three green ones so it might be time for a fruit/veggie theme. And the orange one is begging for a tree. Hmm... looks like I found today's project.

New Dress

2010-06-23T19:27:00.000-04:00

This weekend, I'm attending a wedding. It's the kind of wedding I really look forward to: family I love, sweet bride, I'm not part of the bridal party/family. Best of all, they're a Godly couple, so the imagery of Christ and the church really stands out.

While I'm excited to go, I had one major hiccup. It's been over a year since any of my formal clothes fit. I have one "maternity" dress, and it looks like a sack, an awkward mauve tent. Not exactly the statement I want to make at this beautiful evening wedding.

After a vision of sixteen outfit changes only to give up and where jeans, I started looking for something new. I found this dress. It's beautiful, sexy, slimming - everything a maternity dress should be. Did you check the price? Yeah, a hundred dollars. I think Tim could take me to small claims court if I spent that on a dress right now. After all, we have a new baby to pay for.

So, I did what any crafty momma does when she can't buy the dress she wants. I headed to the store for fabric to make my version of the dress. To hide pregnant awkwardness and cope with summer heat, I picked a rayon/lycra blend. Unable to find a pattern, I drew out a ridiculous sketch, scrutinized a couple dresses in my closet and started cutting.

To be honest, I surprised myself. The dress is a faux wrap (I don't need G untying my dress) accented with cap sleeves and a ruffled neck line. The belt actually ties at the side. The hanger is lame, I know. I promise to take a picture when I wear it Saturday. Also, I will try to make a digital pattern available.

Trying this dress on, I felt prettier than I have in months. Now, I really can't wait for this wedding.

Wanted: One Laundry Fairy

2010-06-22T10:09:00.000-04:00

A laundry fairy lives in our house. Sporadically, she sweeps up all the dirty laundry, sniffs the armpits of all the shirts left on the floor in the "unsure" pile, washes, folds and carefully places them in the right drawer or shelf. At least, that is how G and DH see things.

In reality, laundry falls under my job description. I'm not going to argue that I shouldn't do family laundry, but that doesn't mean I'm fond of it either. Today was a really annoying laundry day. A play silk found its way into G's laundry hamper. I know, I know. I could have avoided the whole mess by sorting her clothes by color. Be reasonable. They're all the same color - little girl pink. Except for the bright blue play silk.

As I was hanging the laundry, I began to notice the odd blue splotches on her white undershirts. My mind started tracking through the last two weeks, thinking did I buy her something? In blue?!

Then I spotted the culprit, tangled in a sheet looking confused, bleeding on everything it touched. Shoot! I have borrowed baby clothes in here. Please Lord, no blue splotches on Beth's clothes. Please! You haven't sold our house. You owe me this one.

God doesn't really owe me one, but He was gracious enough to protect the borrowed clothes. Beth breathes a sigh of relief.

To add insult to injury, the holly tree has grown again. It repeatedly stabbed me in the back while I was hanging my stained baby shirts. I don't know which came first: the holly tree or the clothes line. But they are planted within two feet of each other. As you can see, the holly branches grow around the clothes line, making laundry a more painful process than it needs to be.

Does anyone have suggestions for removing food coloring from a sheet??? At this point, I think I will just dye the t-shirts another color and cover the blue. Any better ideas???

Everyone's Growing!

2010-06-21T10:01:00.000-04:00

Time for another self-indulgent post where I tell you how cute my daughter is and how much she's grown.

Last night, G fell asleep before she could finish her last bottle, so I enjoyed the now rare pleasure of creeping in her room at 10 o'clock to let her finish. (Funny how excited I was to cut out this feeding a few months ago)

Our girl is not a cuddler - she might be pint size, but she acts like a 1 year old, pushing away from you, sitting up on your lap but never leaning against you. The only time we get to snuggle with her is when she's asleep.

That's why last night was so special. She slept through the feeding and nestled into my chest when the bottle was empty. Hmmm... So nice.

She's grown recently. Like every baby, she grows wide then tall, gains a little pooch then lengthens out. Between needing extra naps, acting extra grumpy and eating like a horse, I thought she might be adding the inches again. Turns out, she's a little over 26 inches long - a full inch from her 6 month check up (contrary to the picture - I didn't measure to her toes). I think we might be back on the growth chart! You might remember that at her last check up, G had all but shrunk.

Gwennan's not the only one who's growing. This baby is making his/her presence known to the world much faster than G did! People aren't asking when I'm due yet, but that could be because I have a 7 month old on my hip, and they're thinking, "She'd be crazy to have babies that close together." Yep, I'm crazy, not plump.

Being pregnant this time is a very different experience. Feeling like crap is the same, but my attitude is different. With G, nothing could move fast enough. If you asked me how far along I was, I could tell you to the day while tapping my foot that I wasn't farther along. This go around, my iPod is keeping track because I can't keep up. This morning, my mom asked, so the number is fresh: 16 weeks and 3 days (I'm tempted to double check that).

Last year, I remember thinking I would never find out if she was a boy or girl. We tried stupid home tests, like adding drano crystals to your pee (turns out no one interprets the results the same way), suspending a needle above your arm to see how it swings, the baby's heart rate, how I was carrying, all of it. We saw "boy" in everything (except the heart rate, but I just ignored that). This time, I'm not even tempted. My ultrasound is in three weeks. That's no time at all, at least this pregnancy.

Come November, you guys can remind me of this post and how "fast" things are moving. I'll be having dreams in which I'm pregnant forever and whining that the baby will never come. Feel free to point out that the second pregnancy goes by so much faster, and it's swelling with a purpose. On the other hand, maybe you should just send some ice cream and pray for Tim and G.