getting my {craft} on

I'm supposed to be working on this. 

Instead, I'm working on this.

My craft room. 

And hopefully my man will forgive me.  Yes, I need to work on a home management notebook of sorts, but what creative person wants to do that?  So what if I can't find my utility bill statements, or my tax documents, or my mortgage statement....  Ok, maybe tonight I'll work on it.

I have several framed &canvas pieces of artwork the kids have done just waiting to be hung above this table.  In the meantime, it was all stacked up on the table and nothing could be seen, deciphered, or discovered.  Wish I were thinking more clearly on this dreary Monday and I'd probably come up with a d-word for 'seen' to help with the alliteration of that last sentence.

This room was originally the boys' room.  Hence the green walls.  Then we moved them to the front of the house and gave them red walls for their patriotic room.  Therefore, in this play/craft room I'm stuck with green.  I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to lighten up the color in here.  But considering we just painted every room (including this one) when we moved in, I ain't a-gonna push it.

So now, even though I'm blogging from my former dining room table desk, I've moved everything onto the floor, or tool table, or stool that I bought at an antique store but still haven't even attempted painting.  All with the understanding that tonight we hang pictures.  And then our (read: my) craft room is basically finished.

I've struggled with a concept for this room.  And basically b/c I think I'm hung up on the dark wall color.  But quite honestly, for now I can't even wrap my mind around trying to paint this room.  Ok, that's a total lie.  Yes, I can.  But I ain't a-gonna push it!!!

So for now I'll dream of this

and specifically this

Although, to be quite honest, all that white gets on my nerves.  But it's still purty.

And hopefully now that my sewing machine has been uncovered, maybe I'll finally sew those burp cloths I promised a girl 6 months ago.  I hope she isn't holding her breath.

Hopefully later this week I can show pictures of the finished room!!  Well, the "finished-for-now" room.

By the by, I'm contemplating building a greenhouse.  Anyone ever done it?  Any success?  Any tips?  If it weren't so stinkin' cold outside I would be putzing about in my garden this very minute instead of cooped up in here.  But tomorrow should be warm.  So tomorrow, we garden!!

this 'n that....with a rattle-a-tat

Little bits of lately.  Hodpodge of lately.

* First and foremost, my sweet friend Sandi recently found out she has RA, (rheumatoid arthritis).  I missed her yesterday at church for our monthly FYI.  I was concerned.  And with good reason.  On Wednesday she got a grim prognosis.  Please pray.  She is theprecious mother of 9.  Her faith amazes me....refreshes me....gives me hope....nourishes me.  I'm asking, like I hope my friends would ask if I were in this situation, that you lift her up, her family up, her health up to the Lord.  When we unite in prayer amazing things happen.  Our God is good.  We live in a fallen world, but HE still reigns supreme.

* I'm blogging while looking at this sweet boy....

....who wears his jammies inside out

...and used to look this this.

{sigh}

* Twice -- in less than a week -- two different people, in two different circles of friends, stared at me in shock when I confessed one of my very bizarre fears.  Clowns and puppets, especially in a church setting.  DO NOT LAUGH.  While staring at me, mouth agape, they both uttered these words:  I THOUGHT YOU WERE FEARLESS.  Seriously?  ME?  Perhaps I should blog on my fears.  Although, a year-long blogging topic doesn't thrill me either.

* In this house, we love Lincoln logs, Legos, blocks (oh, how we love our blocks!!), cars, and trains.  Basically, all things boy.  Although we're not so into Star Wars.  But anyway..... 

Even Doh Doh hearts these things. 

Although she usually plays the role of Destroyer.  Or, as we like to call her, Queen Kong.

And occasionally, I have no idea who but someone.....

....likes to put Lincoln logs -- and various other toys -- in the fridge.  Ahem.

But again, I have no real idea who that could possibly be.

* Currently, while blogging, you can find on my floor 3 slices of bread and 1/2 bag of Goldfish.  See above pictures for the who of this crime as well.  (And no, until I finish blogging I have no intentions of cleaning it up.)

* This evening I am getting date-out-of-town-with-my-man-numero-dos.  Last week we went to Tulsa for the day.  Which reminds me....seems like I have a post scheduled today on that topic...hmmmm.  Anyway, this evening we're driving to Fayetteville for a quick furniture look...and DINNER.  Alone.  ALONE.  Sans le petite enfants.  C'est magnifique!!!  (Wow.  Three languages.  One bullet point.  Yikes.)

* Doh Doh got in trouble moments ago.  She ran to Bruiser for comfort.  Hi-larious.  I got "the look" from him.  Or rather, "the grin."  Ya know, the "my sister just ran to me -- quite obviously her hero -- to help her out and I loved every minute of it" grin.

* Several times in less than a week I've once again been the victim of stares and giggles...over my food of choice.  Twice in one week we've done salads at church for women's events.  For my toppings I brought feta cheese, red onions and....wait for it.....balsamic vinegar.  Not vinaigrette.  Just vinegar.  I love to top my salads with that.  I GOT STARES.  Oh well, who cares.  I followed my meal with hot water with lemon.  More stares.  Apparently not many people drink hot water.  With or without lemon.

I did not realize this was odd.  Of course, it hasn't changed my drinking habits.  One sweet friend even said, "Oh, you're so cute!"  (You're cute too, Sandi.  ;)  By sheer conicidence, a day after the first incident (rhyming not intended), I was listening to the Martha Stewart Show.  (Moms will get that one.  Listen to TV?  Perhaps.  Watch TV?  Rarely.)  Guess what Martha drinks every morning?  Hot water w/ lemon.  I.  Kid.  You.  Not.  Hmm....just realized I'm comparing myself to Martha.  Not necessarily a good thing.  (Oh, mercy that's funny!!  I need a drummer following me around to add "duh-duh-duh-ch! after every joke I make.  That would be one very busy drummer.  ha.)

* There are days -- ok, many days -- I wish we homeschooled.  And waking this precious thing to pick up her brothers is the main reason.

That's some seriously good sleeping.

* Planning a craft night at my house soon.  Pretty excited about this.  Several at church mentioned the desire to get together to TALK without spelling any words, without being interrupted 12 times in one sentence, without wiping a rear end or nose or pudgy cheek or whatever, without talking over the sound of Angry Birds on the iphone......  Oh, and to craft.  Yeah, craft.  To work on those projects we never get to work on.  Gotta pick a date and figure it all out.  I'm excited.

* Ok, friends.  I'm off to make lunch for one seriously cute little train track builder. change out loads of laundry, put down one very fussy/very cute little pudgy girl for a nap, get out of my jammies, even do my hair/makeup.  Oh, and clean up the bread and goldfish messes.  I prob'ly oughtta try to clean house a little.  After all, I'm throwing a b-day party for my Dad tomorrow night.  But then, it's my Dad.  And my family.  They'll overlook a dirty house.  Right?  Right?!?!?!

* Just a peek at what I'm making tomorrow night for our little soiree.  Enjoy!

my {oh so} special day

fridays are becoming special again.

last friday my mister and i went out to dinner for a belated anniversary celebration.

besides that, go ahead and ask me if i can recall the last time we had done anything like that.  go ahead and ask.  it's ok.

oh, thanks for asking.  well, let's see....the last time my mister and i went out to dinner together or had coffee together or did anything ALONE together was......

hmm...

{insert crickets chirping}

yeah, i have no idea.

i'm not complaining.  honestly.  y'all know me.  i'm a homebody who loves her babies.   thank God i married the perfect man.

but this past friday...oh, this past friday....was a glorious day for my mister and me.

i have no pictures.  sorry.  but we went to tulsa.  for the entire day.  (yes, you read correctly) and furniture shopped.  it was dark when we got home.  the moon was even out, people.  it was hours past the kiddos' bedtime.  amazing.

been in this house for 5 months.  this was our second time furniture shopping. first time sans le petite enfants.  Mait oui!

we drove.  we talked.  we listened to grown up music.  we furniture shopped.  we spoke in grown up-ese.  we conversed with other adults without threatening to take a child to the car.

and get this.....we went to dinner with friends.

and get this again......we went for coffee after dinner.

i know, right?

it was just what i needed.  but more than that, i feel so much closer to my mister.  we didn't argue.  we worked so well together -- and unless you too are married to your polar opposite that may make no sense to you...but it's true nonetheless.

it.  was.  awesome.

and i just felt the need to share.

we're already planning our next escape date.

chalkboard door

I love the chalkboard door in my kitchen.  Love it.  Love it.  Love, love, love it.  But it needs a new coat of paint.  And for some reason, I just haven't done it yet. 

I used to dream about having a chalkboard door and all that I'd do to it.  But so far I haven't been as good about changing it up as I should be.  I go back and forth. 

One day we use it to hang our ever-growing collection of artwork. 

The next day I have a favorite Scripture ready for memorization.  And so very often you can find cute little drawings or messages left for Momma. 

This happens to be my personal favorite.

The other day I was reading a blog and she had this Scripture posted.  It's one of my all-time favorites.  And even though it's an entire door-length, I knew it had to go on the door. 

Deuteronomy 11:18-19

"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds, tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Teach them to you children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

Happy Tuesday everybody! 

And now, since I've messed with blogger and worked on this post through an entire naptime, it's time to wake up my girl and go pick up Bruiser and then Bubba.  What?!?!  Already?!?!!!

a kinda sorta tutorial

It is no secret that I am a crafter.  In the seconds upon seconds of free time I have, I usually like to drink hot tea with lemon and watch Golden Girls craft. 

Quite honestly, can you really call yourself a crafter when you rarely do it?  Well, in this house I have a craft room.  So hopefully that makes me sound more like a real true-blue crafter.  le sigh.

A few have asked, so here goes.  This is the wreath I made for my front door.

I'm slightly obsessed with addicted to yarn wreaths.  And they are super simple to make.  Take a $2.99 straw wreath from Hobby Lobby.  Do NOT remove the plastic wrap around it.  This keeps the wreath together AND makes the yarn easier to wrap.  I repeat:  DO NOT remove it!  You will want to.  Self-control.  Self-control.

Pick a yarn color.  Start wrapping.  Hot glue one end or tie a knot to get it to stay in place when you first begin.  Wrap all the way around.  This is probably when you can catch up on all those shows you've got DVRd but never have time to watch.  Or maybe you can watch an entire season of Gilmore Girls.  Or Golden Girls.  Whatever your pleasure.  (What is it with me and double G shows???  And shows with the word "girls" in the title?!  I need professional help.)

After wrapping, just decorate it.  Come on and get crafty.  I went fairly simplistic.  (I was just as shocked as you.)  I used heart cookie cutters (I always use my plethora of cookie cutters as templates) and cut out the shapes on felt and fleece.  Different colors.  Whatever your fancy.

I made a yarn pom pom (another obsession addiction) in one fabulous aqua color.  I then hot glued everything on.  The red beads wrapped around the wreath was a leftover strand from a project for Doh Doh's room that never came to fruition.

I just happened to have some wide red/white polka dot ribbon that someone who knows yet another of my addictions for all things red and white and polka dotty had used as a bow on a present for me.  Bless her heart.  I took said fabu-loh-so ribbon and wrapped it around the wreath.

And voila!  A cute little Valentine wreath.

And just wait until you see the ones I have for Fall.  Ooh-la-la..............

But Spring is in the air.  So coming soon, a Spring wreath.  I warn you:  yarn will probably be involved.

happy saturday

Hope you are enjoying Saturday as much as we are!!

HappY weeKend, everybody!

{a wish for no pants}

Tuesday night at dinner Bubba said to me, "Momma, you know what I wish?  I wish we didn't have to wear pants to school."

I.  Cracked.  Up.  I mean laughing HARD.  He was shocked, b/c of course he was completely serious.  But then he realized the hilarity of it all.

I'd be lying if I said this was the first time he'd ever said that.

That story is somewhat important for the rest of this post.  Pants-less pictures are involved.  You have been warned.  This is how our family rolls.  Ok, wait.....I should probably re-phrase that.  That's how my kids roll.  I wear pants. 

Most of the time.

During the snow, after the clothing layers and the frigid temps tired little bodies, we got out our tried-and-true toys:  Blocks.  And Cars cars.

Momma busted out the blue painters tape.  And masked off roadways through the almost-furniture-less living room. 

My kids are going to hate it when we actually move the couch back in here.

And tables.

Colored blocks + 2 sets of Jenga blocks + countless Cars cars = one heck of a good time

Notice the wardrobe of both boys.  I never even noticed until after I started taking pictures.  And saw all the visible crotches.

I don't know why, but I adore taking pictures of their creations.  And they LOVE it.  I get a kick out of getting on the floor and seeing their creativity in action.  And capturing it on film.

Wow.  I just showed my age there, huh?  I mean, who uses film anymore?

The tape in the living room has been pulled up.  It had help from a little 21-month old who was more like Queen Kong towering over the structures.  The tape on the hardwood floors is still there.  Bubba refuses to allow me to rip it up.  It is his domain. 

And yes, it's been over a week now.  And everyday they play with these same toys.  In the same place.  And everyday the structures look different.  Things are added.  Things are taken away.

I.  Love.  Life. 

I love seeing this creativity brought about by blocks, Legos, cars.  I love hearing their explanations of what they've made.  I love listening to their make believe play, their interactions with each other, and their constant whispering to themselves totally lost in thought.

Notice I didn't mention their fighting.  Sigh.

****Please remember we're still moving in.  Don't judge the room decor.  Pictures were taken before the dining room was cleaned out and somewhat decorated.  Hence the reason the pictures are taken from angles to avoid that room.  Some of you keep asking for house pictures.  Sorry.  Don't judge.  Wink.  Wink.****

it's time

It's time for Spring.

Yep.  Definitely time.

Time to put on my overalls from back in the grunge days, throw on some old clogs, and dig my fingers deep into the earth.  Time to start mapping out my garden at my new house.  Time to start dropping subtle hints to my dad what I'd like him to grow in his gi-normous garden.

Time.

The warmer weather is not my only clue that Spring is tantalizing us.  My desire to be outside from sun up to sun down is not my only inkling.  My winter-induced depression that seems to be wilting is not my only proof.  My incessant desire to make pico de gallo everyday is not my only telltale sign.

But first I have to back up a bit.  On the menu for dinner tonight was supposed to be vegetable stir fry.  Around 4 this afternoon, while sitting at the barbershop feeding M&Ms to a fussy little girl and desperately ready to see one set of blue eyes and one set of brown out from underneath overgrown hair, I got a text from my man.  Still full from lunch.  No big shocker there.  Stir fry was crossed off the list.

Which meant we got to have what I like to call Pick Your Poison, or PYP.  (Which of course always makes me belt out Michael Jackson's PYT, Pretty Young Thing.  Oh come on.  You know you were thinking it, too.  No?  Bet you are now.....)

My kids love Pick Your Poison night.  Tonight 2 chose quesadillas (can you really call it choosing at 21 months and you shake your head yes at everything???) and 1 chose nachos (with jalapenos....how many 6 y/o like jalapenos?).  This meal, of course, required chips and salsa.

And then it hit me.

This is all that remains of Nana & Grandad's homemade salsa.

I begged, pleaded.  Wouldn't you rather have Pace Picante Sauce?  I mean, surely I have a jar of that somewhere in the pantry.  "No! No! No!" they cried.  Well, what about taco sauce?  You can dip chips in taco sauce.  "No!  No!  No!" they cheered.  "There's only one salsa for us!"  (Ok, I'm totally taking artistic license with this scene here....but I'm not too far off, waxing poetically or not.)

The beloved salsa they were served.  What you see above is what remains.  And that has to get us through until our gardens are overflowing; my skin is brown again....well, browner than usual; my face is make-up free and loving it; and I am smiling 24/7 again.

That jar above is how I know.  It's definitely time for Spring.

dark chocolate {& h2o}

My man knows his woman.  For V-Day he surprised me with my favorite candy bar:  Lindt dark chocolate with orange.  Delicious.  Decadent.  Divine.  I'm partaking of it now.  With all 3 kiddos asleep.  And my ever-present water bottle is being guzzled. 

I'm watching What Not To Wear, waiting for an overnight guest to appear, and enjoying the stillness, the calm.

Life is good.

And b/c I know you are dying to see pictures of my kids this post (b/c seriously, who isn't?) I will happily acquiesce. 

Snow days.  Good times.

The proper attire is extremely important.

We basically had the entire neighborhood and lots of family members in our yard.  My parents had 3 Chinese students for a week.  They had a BLAST with my kids and playing in the snow.  To humor them a bit, both of my parents wore Russian fur hats.  My kids loved it.  Again, proper attire is a MUST.

Even for our snowman.  Wow.  Quite obviously I should've been out helping with this one.  Two different balls for eyes?  Come on.

A good time was had by all.

And seriously, my friend texted me asking how many people my yard would hold.  I'm not sure.  But I have a feeling this summer we'll find out.

And now I'm off to shower.  I'm even planning on shaving my legs.