Live Life to the Full

Taste Test Thursday - Protein Waffles

2011-04-14T08:36:00.000-07:00

I asked for this recipe from my friend, Julie 2 years ago, and finally made them for the first time yesterday! They are a healthy and good waffle! Here is my breakfast - which was yummy and filling - I topped it with 1/2 cup of cottage cheese and 1/2 cup of blueberries...And here is the easy peasy recipe!

Protein Waffles

1/3 cup oats (I used Quick Oats)
1/3 cup cottage cheese dry curds (shown)
1/3 cup egg whites (I did 1 cup measurements for all of the above; 1 cup of egg whites was 7 large eggs)
1 tsp. Vanilla
Sweetner to taste - I used 2T. of the following Z Sweet Sweetner - not something I keep on hand always, but our favourite Discount Store had bags of this at 2 for $1, so we bought about 10 - should have bought more!

Add everything to your blender and blend well. Let stand for a few minutes until thick - while you warm your waffle iron up. Store in the fridge or freeze a large batch.

I made this recipe using 1 cup of each of the 3 main ingredients, 2T 'sugar', and 1T vanilla - which made about 3 waffles (4 squares each).

Enjoy and if you have a recipe to share today - link up to Encouragement for Today!

Muffin Tin Monday ~ New Years

2009-12-28T12:30:00.000-08:00

Our muffin "tin" was to celebrate the New Year!
We sang to the tune of Happy Birthday - "Happy New Year to you, Happy New Year to you, Happy New Year Two Thousand and Ten, Happy New Year to you!"
I just mixed up a small batch of rice krispie treats and used the sparklers I specifically bought last week for this... oh and sprayed a bit of Silly String on the table to set the mood and laughter!Happy New Year!
Can't wait for the new things Michelle talks about presenting in 2010!
For more fun muffin Tins around the Country visit:

Muffin Tin Monday ~ Holidays

2009-12-22T08:04:00.000-08:00

it's been awhile since I participated in MTM - about time, I'd say! With my Son home from school for 2 weeks, I thought it would be a perfect time to have a MTM Meal - plus I have to use my two fun muffin tins I got from Target!
We put some Christmas Rice Krispies in the tree muffin tin -and in this one I made a Gingerbread Warm Milk and we ate leftover Cheese Ball from our Family Gathering on Sunday, some cheese cut in the shapes of a Santa Boot (or stocking as my Middle Son says) and a Candy Cane shape. They thoroughly enjoyed this lunch!For more great ideas, visit Her Cup Overfloweth
Merry Christmas!

Word Filled Wednesday

2009-11-04T08:27:00.001-08:00

Jude 1:1 "...To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ."Be filled with the Word today by visiting Penny Raine here!...

Fingerprint Friday

2009-10-15T18:29:00.000-07:00

Word Fill Wedneday ~ gladness

2009-10-14T09:43:00.000-07:00

The hope of the righteous shall be gladness. Proverbs 12:28

Happy Fall and Word Filled Wednesday! Please visit this week's hostess at All You Have to Give.

Muffin Tin Monday

2009-10-12T11:16:00.000-07:00

Today's theme is Kebabs, so this is what we did for a quick snack... apples with caramels cut in half, I saw this (toothpick idea) in a magazine last month and knew I wanted to do it with the kids at some point...and for all you Canadians out there - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Works For Me ~ Book Orders

2009-09-30T16:23:00.000-07:00

Every few weeks my Son gets Scholastic Orders sent home with him from school. This starts in preschool and continues for years and years! I love Scholastic and I love ordering books from time to time.

In my City we have a Library that is part of a Regional Grouping of Libraries that share a data base and books/DVDs/CDs...etc. I can sit in the comfort of my own home on this handy dandy computer and request items that I'd like my Family to have - this great system then gets these items delivered to my local library and sets them aside for me to pick up! How awesome is that?!

Well, last week I sat with all 5 of the different Scholastic Papers that came bundled together for my First Grader and opened up my Library's Browser and started to request books I thought would be a good read this month! Ha! What a great concept!!
These are some of the books (listed in these flyers) I requested late last week and picked up already today!To save a buck this month and next, see if your library has some of the books of interest!
Works for me!

I participated in the Works For Me Wednesdays hosted by We are That Family ... click on this button to go and visit more posts with frugal ideas!

Decluttering ~ The Living Room

2009-09-29T09:15:00.000-07:00

This week the Fly lady schedules the Living Room as our room to work on.

I must say this is alot harder than i thought it would be... 15 minutes a day - really how hard can that be? Well being in the midst of renos and trying to keep a house with 7 people clean, and still get everyone to all their activities makes it a bit harder to find those 15 minutes.

I am happy to say 2 bathrooms are done. I did spend a bit of time on the master bedroom last week. I rearranged everything and in the process got rid of a bit, though NOT as much as I'd like.

So now we move on to the living room. This is probably one of the worst rooms in my house as it includes the computer area. That is my most dreaded place to clean.

I challenge you to find a tiny bit of time this week so get rid of at least 30 minutes worth of decluttering. I have a group coming tomorrow that will take away used items. Hopefully I can get another bag ready for them.

Word Filled Wednesday ~ joy, peace and hope

2009-09-23T19:33:00.000-07:00

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13My Dad called yesterday to simply read this verse to me over the phone -

he had heard a speaker on Sunday that suggested the congregation affirm this

verse this week with their Family and Friends.

Blessings,Please visit Forever His who is hosting this weeks WFW.

Works for Me!

2009-09-23T12:27:00.000-07:00

I participated in the Works For Me Wednesdays hosted by We are That Family ... click on this button to go and visit more posts with frugal ideas!
So by nature, I'm not an overly tidy person but since marrying my husband 11 years ago - his natures have rubbed off on me to a certain extent (he might not agree!). He's very organized, very "everything has a place and it's in it's place"...etc. Which is (can be) great!
My Husband is always the one to wash our vehicles and vaccum them out... but I thought I'd do it last week - which brought me to this WFMW post. I'd like to share some of his ideas with you!

Our van's mats stay nice and clean looking, see:BECAUSE of these custom cut (by my hubby) carmats that we lay overtop of the ones above! Isn't he so smart?! He used a cheap industrial carpet that you can buy from Walmart for under $10... and cut it up into shapes that fit!these are particularly nice when the weather changes and in/out of my van go 5-7children everyday!

I want to share with you what types of things we have in our van for "just in case" situations:

Soccer Ball; juice boxes & bottled water for the time I forget to grab our water bottles from the house (or if we run out of water); blanket for picnicing; and hand broom for getting sand from the beach off of toes before entering the van...One bag hangs on the back of our headrest for a spare change of clothes for my youngest children; and the other bag holds 'environmentally friendly' bags for grocery shopping
Some extra snacks in the glove compartment (and a pack of vinegar for the time we are in the USA McDonald's - since they don't have vinegar packets for their fries!)...and in the door pockets we have: a wide-mouth empty water bottle for my 2 boys to pee in when a bathroom isn't convenient (we use is LOTS), extra diaper(s), Wipes (I will buy these long after I need them for diapering purposes!) and some hard {organic} candy and Lollipops for "emergencies":
Do you have any great ideas regarding what you keep in your vehicle??? Please do share!
This works for me!

Decluttering Week 2 ~ the Master bedroom

2009-09-21T19:52:00.000-07:00

So would you believe I actually got something accomplished last week. It was supposed to be the bathroom AND one other room, but I never did make it to "one other room" unless the fridge counts.

I am pleased to say I did get the bathroom closet cleaned and the shelves under the sink. This didn't get accomplished until Saturday, but it DID get done. I still have 2 drawers to clean, and one more bathroom. So 1 1/2 down, 1 1/2 to go. I think by next month I can cross the bathrooms off my decluttering list. Which encourages me as this is not a one shot deal. ☺

This week we move on to the Master bedroom. Again I am somewhat encouraged as I cleaned the closet and the dresser drawers this summer. I got rid of a ton of clothes, and after winter when I pull out my summer stuff again the same thing will probably happen. So that leaves me with one book case, and two bedside tables (YIKES!).

So here's to another week of decluttering! Hope you are enjoying it and feel as freed as I am feeling. Big Brothers some by tomorrow to take 3 boxes and a bag of mine, and 2 more of my mother in law's junk!

Word Filled Wednesday

2009-09-16T01:52:00.000-07:00

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8For more WFW, please visit Critty Joy!

Challenge Number 2

2009-09-15T06:25:00.000-07:00

Jen and I started this blog back in April in the hopes that we could encourage each other and our friends 'far away' to pray DAILY for our own children. And each others children if we wanted to or there was a need for prayer in a specific area.

Over the next few weeks we would like to encourage you to pray about joining us on this journey to cover our children in prayer.

This has really hit home with me this past week as I have heard of two adults (whom I know personally) who are the children of close friends of my extended family that are in great need of prayer.

No matter what age our children are it is important to lift them daily to God in Prayer.

Muffin Tin Monday

2009-09-14T12:14:00.000-07:00

It's about time I got another MTM meal for my children - my oldest has just begun Grade One and he was/is very enthusiastic about this special meal but my youngest two enjoyed it thoroughly today too! Today's theme was APPLES! I just love this time of year!

I've got an apple tree in my backyard that is beckoning me to come and pick its fruit!

I went into my file of different themes I have from my ECE days and came up with a little "circle" time with these felt board variations:
"Four Red Apples"

"10 Red Apples" fingerplayand "Apple Trouble" by Ragnhild Scamell which we have on CD (love books on CD!)

And here's our muffin tin:apple slices with a caramel to dip in (last week I made a caramel sauce but didn't have time for that today); apple-shaped toast which my children sprinkled on cinnamon/sugar mixture; applesauce with cinnamon sprinkled on top; apple-shaped cheese and farmyard crackers - the apple cookie cutter can easily be used for pumpkin shapes too!

My Daughter is using her "picture" (play camera) to take a picture of the meal like I did!Sprinkling on the cinnamon and sugar - tasty!dipping into the Dulce de lecheDelicious!

For more creative MTM's you have to take a moment to visit Her Cup Overfloweth for other participants!

Have a blessed week!

Day One of Decluttering ~ the Bathroom

2009-09-14T04:17:00.000-07:00

I hope you are all ready to embark on a journey with me to Declutter your home and KEEP it clean!!

On my list for today is: wash the kitchen sink, start to declutter the bathroom, wash all 3 bathrooms and get my curtains 'sown' and rehung.

If you don't know How to declutter ~ and I thought I did, but this gives a few extra hints to make it go smoother read this: How to Declutter

Before You start on your bathroom I suggest you read this: Flying Lessons You don't need to read all the links, the one I liked best was 'Shine Your Kitchen Sink'

Now if you are anything like me ~ I am a HUGE procrastinator and get distracted VERY easily. I suggest you read this: Tips for Not Getting Sidetracked This one can wait until the decluttering has been started.

Now are you ready to have some FUN!!

I challenge you to join me!

2009-09-11T13:38:00.000-07:00

So my middle one is at his first music class of the year and the toddler is sleeping and that means I have some wonderful quiet time!!

There is a mountain of sewing to be done, projects for fun and repairs too.
There's the never ending laundry and dishes

But for now I will ignore the phone (which just rang) and enjoy the quiet tapping of the keys

I have a few challenges for you my friends and anyone else reading this.

CHALLENGE NUMBER ONE ~ This month (or as long as it takes) I am challenging myself and the rest of you to get my AND your house CLEAN and DECLUTTERED.

I was inspired by Sarah Mae with her 31 Days to Clean. But I think I want to take it a step further so I am starting off with the Fly Lady's Plan to Declutter.

I plan to start off next week. September the 14th. It's zone 3 next week which is the bathroom and one extra room. It looks like it will take a few months to be at the point where I will be maintaining a clean house. It also looks like every month you rotate through the Zones.

Here's a little blurb from the Fly Lady site :

Once you have decluttered the zone (this may take a few months to actually complete - there is no rush here!), then you are ready for FlyLady's detailed cleaning list. You will be amazed at how easy it is to do detailed cleaning when the clutter is gone! What is more amazing is how easy it is to keep it clean when your routines are in place! FlyLady says, "The house practically cleans itself!"

Here's the link to a printable Detailed Cleaning List but be warned and read this first:

Do not try to do this until you have decluttered your "Zone". Spend 15 minutes a day decluttering and then you can start doing some of your detailed cleaning. Do not worry about this. You have not done it in years and one more month isn't going to hurt anything. Toss out the clutter first. It will be easier to clean. - FlyLady

So here's my challenge to you:

I'm inviting you to join me in DECLUTTERING your home! But in the meantime don't forget to maintain a somewhat clean house for the sanity of everyone living with you.

Jen made up this cleaning schedule for herself and has shared it with us.

**** It was mentioned that laundry is not on the list. I know some people like to do laundry once a week and others more often, so feel free to add it to your weekly list on the day(s) that suits you most!!****

Daily

dishes/dishwasher
Change dish cloth and hand towels
Make beds

Weekly

Monday – baking, bathrooms, kitchen sink (clean it like you would your toilet!) garbage, microwave

Tuesday – floors (whatever that means to each of us… vacuum, swiffer, mop) and water plants

Wednesday – dusting, mirrors/glass that need to be attended to (kids fingerprints) like on a TV stand or china cabinet, glass sliding doors…

Thursday – bathrooms

Friday – floors, water plants

Monthly

Week One

wash bedding
Wipe down, vacuum out (whatever you need to do) yourCoat/shoe area (mud room/entrance/closet
Organize/sort/rotate toys

Week Two

wash fridge in, out and tidy/wipe on top
Dishwasher
Stove
Tidy up laundry room/area
Wash (soak) toothbrushes

Week Three

Wash bedding
Wipe down, vacuum out your coat/shoe area
Organize kitchen cupboards (like plastics cupboard)
Wipe out cutlery drawer

Week Four

Wipe down table/chairs
Make a meal schedule or list of ideas for the next month
Take inventory from your freezer & cupboards to
make a list of groceries needed to replenish & menu ingredients needed
Look at calendar for next month’s birthdays / Anniversaries… add to shopping list if there is a gift that needs to be purchased, get a card (make one) and get it ready to be mailed

Addendum ~ Now that we are back to routine, I have created a chore chart for the kids. We did it a little different this year as the oldest wanted each child to have their own. So I will change the magnets every night so the kids can look in the morning for their chores that day. I found these great magents at Michaels last summer. I adapted them slightly as they aren't quite old enough to mow the lawn LOL

Muffin Tin Monday - dips and sauces

2009-07-20T11:51:00.000-07:00

So finally we were able to participate again - this has been a busy July so far! Glad to do it for the kiddos today again!
Last night, a new Sunday dinner tradition I hope/think - we had homemade waffles topped with homemade custard, fresh berries and/or homemade raspberry topping and whip cream - yum! So with our leftover waffles and toppings we filled our muffin tin!
The yellow/white is custard -- recipe can be found HERE on a most wonderful blog called "Mennonite Girls Can Cook"... the brown is syrup, and there was a little of the raspberry topping left as shown...I then filled another muffin tin with veggies and a dill dip - mainly for myselfHave a great Monday!

word filled wednesday ~ Oregon Coast

2009-06-30T21:17:00.000-07:00

We are on the Oregon Coast this week - here's a taste of this gorgeous part of God's great creation..."Praise Him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for He commanded and they were created." Psalm 148:4,5

For more Word Filled Wednesday posts, please visit Extravagant Grace!

Word Filled Wednesday ~ dragon fly

2009-06-24T13:02:00.000-07:00

The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. Proverbs 4:18

Muffin Tin Monday ~ Copy Cat

2009-06-22T13:23:00.000-07:00

For more participants in this fun carnival, visit Her Cup Overfloweth.Today's theme is Copy Cat - which means you are to copy another MTM you've seen and give them credit for it!
I liked an idea I read about on My Family My Forever when it was the theme of Numbers. So I copied her today! Thanks for this great idea!

I filled 6 muffin cups with things that we could use as a "trail mix"... so
#1 = dried cranberries
#2 = marshmallows
#3 = goldfish
#4 = cheerios
#5 = butterscotch chips
#6 = Kix (which my kids don't like really, won't get any more when we cross into the USA for groceries!)

I gave them each a baggie and then they first rolled the green dice which would equal which food they got. Then the big white dice determined how many of each they got to add to their trail mix.
Fun Fun! Have a great week!

Fingerprint Friday

2009-06-18T22:35:00.000-07:00

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:
I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them?
I see them in my Son - who is being creative here by dressing himself up from a table full of heaping cloth for this purpose - he got right into it - I love it!

For more Fingerprint Friday entries, visit Fingerprint Friday at PamperingBeki - The Blog

Word Filled Wednesday ~ wind

2009-06-16T22:57:00.000-07:00

"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8

I remember talking to a co-worker at one point about believing in God - someone we cannot see - and so I compared it to wind in that we believe there is wind because we can feel it, we can see the effects of it yet we can't physically see wind either! There is a passage about it found in John 3:1-10... and for further reference (though I didn't 100% check out the doctrine to make sure it's Evangelical) is found here.

For more Word Filled Wednesday posts, visit Extravagant Grace.

Mystery Card

2009-06-16T22:04:00.000-07:00

For a fun idea for Father's Day, try this mystery card as described in this video by Heavenly Homemaker ... pretty fun!

Thanks for this tutorial!!

WFMW - Disposable Cameras

2009-06-16T09:36:00.000-07:00

Lately I have found so many disposable camera lying around the house. Don't know where they all came from, but what a great idea for the kids.

If you are going on a trip. Get them a little disposable camera (though if you are comfortable with them using your digital, that works too) to document the trip kind of like a scavenger hunt. There are 24 pictures and you could make a list of 24 different things you know you will see, like a cool building or an out of state/province/country licence plate. Kinda like THIS photo hunt I'm doing but on a much lower level. Then you can put them all in an album and have their perspective of the trip... like this:
Keeping the kids busy on road trips Works For Me!!

I participated in the Works For Me Wednesdays hosted by We are That Family ... click on this button to go and visit more posts with frugal ideas!

Muffin Tin Monday - no theme

2009-06-15T13:34:00.001-07:00

There was no theme for today's Muffin Tin Monday - and since we were out this morning strawberry picking and grocery shopping, we got home in time to eat lunch but not enough time to come up with a lunch-muffin tin... so today it was a snack! Yum! I made some icing and added fruit, pretzels and sprinkles for dipping.
Again, my kids just love Muffin Tin Monday! I love it too!For more Muffin Tin Monday partipants, visit Her Cup Overfloweth!

Muffin Tin Monday ~ Numbers

2009-06-08T13:10:00.001-07:00

My Kindergarten Son remembered that today should be "muffin tin Monday" - I had wished I had thought more about what we could do to make it fun but having had sick children in this house for the past 10 days, I didn't give it as much creativity as I would have hoped. My oldest son (kindergartener) pulled out a child-size table from my daughters room with chairs and declares it's a restaurant... a "Muffin Tin Restaurant". So again, this was very fun!

Here's what we did though:
12 - dried cranberries
11 - crackers
10 - crackers with cream cheese
9 - pieces of cheese
8 - slices of apple
7 - apples with peanut butter
6 - pretzels
5 - mini marshmallows
4 - blueberries
3 - cookies
2 - yogurts (one for his sister and one for him)
1 - glass of chocolate milk
*this food was shared a bit amongst my 3 children and myself.
Have a great week! And for more MTM ideas, visit Her Cup Overfloweth!

Duckling Rescue

2009-06-05T06:17:00.000-07:00

Fingerprint Friday

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:

I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them?

12 little ducklings and their mommy

The pictures are mine, but here's an abbrieviated exerpt from our local paper:

"Twenty excited kids, wielding large sheets of construction paper, lined up with military precision to form a safety corridor.

Operation objective: Herd a mother duck and her 12 babies out of the Elementary’s enclosed courtyard, through the classroom, down the school halls, across a busy road, and into [the] Lake....

It’s not the first rescue operation undertaken at [the] Elementary. In 1995 the school successfully managed the same situation with a mother duck and her nine babies....

The mother and her downy babies waddled speedily through the classroom and down the halls. They navigated the human corridor across the parking lot.

Police Const. and his patrol car, lights flashing, held back traffic as the procession crossed [the] Road.

It was literally all downhill from the moment they hit [the] Park. Mama blazed a trail down the paths and through the high grass, babies stumbling and tumbling behind her...."

For more Fingerprint Friday entries, visit Fingerprint Friday at PamperingBeki - The Blog

Muffin Tin Monday ~ ABC's

2009-06-01T12:51:00.001-07:00

Last week I somehow came across this meme, Muffin Tin Monday, and I thought it was such a great idea! It spurs on Moms to interact with their children, to create excitement and a learning experience into meal time (IMO)... my kids (ages 5, 3 and 2) were just buzzing when they saw me trying to think up some ABC's for their muffin-tin lunch! They already know that next week is a Numbers theme and so we've conversed about what it could look like!

Thanks Michelle for this idea... please visit her at "Her Cup Overfloweth" here:Here is what we came up with on a wim...
A is for apples and alphabet pasta
B is for banana
C is for cranberries (dried) and carrots
That was fun! I'm already thinking it would be great to continue this for as many Mondays as possible and even into September for my Son who will be in grade 1 and eating lunch at school every Monday! How fun would that be?!

Have a great day!

Wooden Shoe Like to Win?’ Sisterchicks® Contest

2009-05-29T11:57:00.000-07:00

Robin Jones Gunn is one of my favourite authors - I'm not a big reader, but as a child I faithfully read all the Babysitter Club Books by Ann M. Martin; then as a Teen I faithfully read all of the Christy Miller Series by Robin Jones Gunn!

Alexa and I met Robin at a Women of Faith Conference we attended in Portland, Oregon in the summer of 2005. Here we are:It was such a blessing to just speak to Robin (I couldn't actually speak to her because I was overwhelmed with emotions, LOL)! (And I can't believe I don't have a picture of her with us?)

As an adult I read her Glenbrooke Series and some of her Sisterchick Series... I ought to catch up and get myself reading a bit more!
Robin has a new book out this month called "Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes"... here is a summary of it:
"Summer and Noelle, two pen pals since 4th grade, meet for the first time in the land of tulips and windmills. An abnormal mammogram sends Summer on a quest to fulfill her lifelong wish before she begins the same struggle her mother fought against breast cancer. The story of these two Sisterchicks is brimming with hope and cheer and will bring encouragement forSisterchicks in Wooden Shoes by Robin Jones Gunn any woman who has faced a fearful future."

You can win a signed copy of this book if you either Twitter, Facebook or blog about it and link back to Robin... click here for the details of the contest.

Thanks Robin! You are such an inspiration and a Woman of God that is so encouraging to all you meet and all who read your work!

Fingerprint Friday

2009-05-29T08:59:00.000-07:00

Word Filled Wednesday - Delight

2009-05-27T21:30:00.000-07:00

I was reminded of this verse (which is a favorite of mine) again this week by a friend. God will delight in us, just as we delight in our children, and here little Boo is delighting in her new found ability to make music.

For more participants in the meme "Word Filled Wednesday" for today, visit The 160 Acre Woods.

Works For Me Wednesday ~ toilets & toothbrushes

2009-05-26T18:37:00.000-07:00

Do you clean your family's toothbrushes? If so, how? How often?
I received the following book from a good, life-long friend Jamie from Encouragment for Today blog... she sent this book to me for a birthday of mine nearly a decade ago. I read this book and wanted to share one of the many great practical tips in this book that I've implemented into my life...
First of all, here is the book:
and the tip I want to share from it is this... cleaning your toothbrushes weekly by throwing them in the dishwasher or by soaking them in hydrogen peroxide - I've chosen to do the dishwasher method but I did not remember that it should be a weekly thing, which now I will try to do!
(yes, I'd think you throw them in the dishwasher with the detergent... just add them to your utensil holder with a full load of dishes and voila, clean brushes!)Here is her blurb on it from the book:

Which now brings me to another part of the bathroom - the toilet! My Husband read one time that a flushing toilet "spills/sprays" it's contents a certain radius (that I can't remember) in the bathroom; hence onto your toothbrushes, handtowel...etc. I can't find the article and haven't found key words to search on google in order to get me to this information for you... but trust me and if you think about it, you'll quickly see it's true.
So our solution (my husband must've read this in the same article) was to keep the lid closed all the time and especially before flushing the toilet! You might like to implement this in your home too!Works for me! (continue below for more info)

Added in after publishing: A friend of mine, Korinne, let me know that a toilet's radius of "spray" is 10 feet! YUCK!
And I thought I would add in a Homemade Dishwashing Soap in which I learnt about on a WFMW post from last week on Abigail's Mommy blog...

Mix equal parts Borax and Baking Soda, and add 2 Tablespoons per load. Increase proportion of soda for hard water. Use vinegar in the rinse cycle or free rinse aid.

Borax .32 a cup
Baking soda .01 a cup

.33 a cup or .04 a load

I mixed up a cup of each and stored them in a container with a tablespoon under the sink.

I participated in the Works For Me Wednesdays hosted by We are That Family ... click on this button to go and visit more posts with frugal ideas!

hug your little ones tighter

2009-05-22T08:22:00.001-07:00

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:
I can see the fingerprints of god
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of god
And I know its true
Youre a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of god

So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them?

"The Eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayers." 1 Peter 3:12a

Oh Lord, may the words that come off my tongue be prayers for many but first and foremost for my sphere of influence, my children, my legacy. (Beki talks about legacy in her Fingerprint Friday post today!)
I was reading MaryBeth Chapman's blog today and came to a post in which she left her readers "hug your little ones tighter"

For more Fingerprint Friday entries, visit Fingerprint Friday at PamperingBeki - The Blog

Fingerprint Friday - Praise You in this Storm

2009-05-15T06:46:00.000-07:00

Fingerprint Friday

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:

I can see the fingerprints of God

When I look at you

I can see the fingerprints of God

And I know its true

You're a masterpiece

That all creation quietly applauds

And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them?

We had the most amazing storm complete with Thunder and Lightening on Monday night. Dad and kids were out and they came home pants soaked to the knees. There was really no way of getting home dry. Here's the sky as the storm started. If you click on it to enlarge it, you can see the rain falling.

This was our street as the family was leaving the swimming pool and "running" to the car to come home.

And as the storm cleared the clouds lightened and we were blessed with an amazing sunset (sorry no picture ~ it was ugly above the roof).

Watching the storm and explaining to the toddler the the thunder was coming from God reminded me of this Casting Crowns song:

Casting Crowns ~ Praise You In This Storm
I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

Chorus:
I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The maker of heaven and earth
© 2005 Reunion

For more Fingerprint Friday entries, visit Fingerprint Friday at PamperingBeki - The Blog

Word Filled Wednesday ~ creation

2009-05-12T22:26:00.000-07:00

We serve such a Creative Father! It's such a gift to see His handywork in everything around us!
If you have a moment listen or sing along to a Worship Song by Brian Doerksen, a favourite Worship Leader of mine.

For more participants in the meme "Word Filled Wednesday" for today, visit The 160 Acre Woods:

Have a blessed Wednesday!
~ Jen

Works for Me Wednesday - Craft Closet

2009-05-12T22:11:00.001-07:00

Here's my (alexa's) first attempt at a WFMW. I don't think I can compare to Jen because she is the most frugal person I know. She could do a post a week for that category! But lucky for me, this week is just what Works for Me!

We LOVE crafts in this house. And I don't like to have to supervise them.... I have what's called the "craft closet". I think it used to be a broom closet, but from the day we moved in, I filled it with wire shelves and crafts supplies.

This past week I felt the need to reorganize - a need I feel often in certain rooms (the craft closet, the store room and the playroom). We now have the bottom shelf with the supplies that I don't mind them getting into, the crayons, pencils etc. The shelf above has the paper supply and a few used coloring books. Above that, we have magazines for cutting out and the beading...

And higher up where they can't reach so easily, I have the supervision (to get started) only boxes. I bought these photo boxes at Michael's when they were on for a dollar. I filled them, opened the lid and snapped a picture, so the kids (and I) don't have to look far to find what we want.

The kids also have these photo boxes on book shelves in their closets packed with toys and labelled with photos.

Organizing (and reorganizing) Works For Me!

Works For Me Wednesdays hosted by We are That Family click on this button to go and visit more ideas!

Fingerprint Friday

2009-05-08T08:33:00.001-07:00

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:
I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them?
Mama Goose and her Goslings... Happy Mother's Day!

(I tried to upload a video of my son singing a Mother's Day tribute but it was taking forever so I cancelled it. I can see God's Fingerprints on these Geese though - isn't Spring time such a time of celebrating creation?!)

For more Fingerprint Friday entries, visit Fingerprint Friday at PamperingBeki - The Blog

Word Filled Wednesday

2009-05-06T00:08:00.000-07:00

I had the privelege of teaching "my" 3 year-old class sunday school this past weekend. The theme this month is "Jesus wants us to believe in Him". One of the suggestions for an activity was to make the above poster. It was great beacuse we needed some new "art" on our wall.

We were talking about when Jesus appeared to His disciples, but Thomas wasn't there, and he wouldn't believe until he saw Jesus for himself. And as the verse says... "see My hands..."

My helper pointed out that as the kids were making their hand prints on the poster, there was paint "missing" in the middle of their hands. Almost every print had a hole in the center. We were amazed at this discovery and were very excited to teach the children about the hole left in Jesus hand and how when he appeared to Thomas, he showed him His hands.

What an awesome reminder it was of the sacrifice Jesus made for us!

Head on over to 160 Acre Woods to see more Word Filled Wednesday Posts.

Works For Me Wednesday ~ Goody Bags

2009-05-05T19:25:00.001-07:00

I participated in the Works For Me Wednesdays hosted by We are That Family - this week was a theme of "Frugal"... click on this button to go and visit more posts with frugal ideas!

I am one that shops all year long - I grab bargains and fill up 3+ Rubbermaid totes with gifts for all occasions including fillers of goody (loot) bags for parties! Just like We Are THAT Family posted for her WFMW here: Gift Stockpiling.

I was talking with some friends a few weeks ago about this and I told them that my goody bags are not all the same most of the time - and that's okay because I give out the goody bags as children are on their way out our door, therefore no comparing can be done! So if you have 10 children but only 8 of something, don't worry and use it! You can find 2 other things for the 2 bags missing that one item.

I like goody bags to have a bit more of a substantial fill to them, rather than just a bunch of candy and toys that break before the child gets home!
Since I like goody bags to be more substantial, I could never fit the goody bag contents into the loot bags you buy from a Dollar Store... I use paper lunch bags (probably cheaper anyhow than even the pack of $1 bags) and then incorporate our theme somehow onto the front with the name... like this:Under the child's name I like to include a 'Thank You For Coming' note too and get that all taken care of right off the bat.

I do start to think of a theme for my children's birthdays far in advance (with my Child's input too) which helps! Or actually what can create a theme some of the time is finding something to work with first (a deal)... for example: I decided my son would have a Shrek Birthday Party in February (his birthday is in October) when I found packs of these (below) Shrek figurines marked down for $1.25 at Target - I bought all 4 or 5 packs that were left... some figurines were used for decorating part of the cake, and the rest were divided into the goody bags - each child got 3 different characters.In that goody bag was also a ziploc bag of slime (cornstarch and water), Prince Charming's truffles (which I had got a box of make-your-own-truffles mix from a Liquidator that was there after Christmas), a Shrek pencil (that came in a box of Shrek Valentines cards that I bought for 99c) and some candy.
As part of the Children's goody bag too, was to bring home the Gingerbread Man Cookie (Gingy) that they decorated at the party (another item, gingerbread cookie dough mix at the liquidator for less than $1)...

Another idea I have done in previous years is making several batches of playdough, putting it in ziplocs and having them as part of the goody bags. It's always been a hit!

Be Creative, Plan Ahead and keep your eyes peeled for RED TAGS, CLEARANCE SECTIONS, DISCOUNT BINS, and LIQUIDATION STORES! (no wonder every shop I do even at our regular grocer takes me one hour - I scour the places for deals!!!)

Last week at Michael's I found (by "accident") their Easter stuff that was still left (2 weeks later), now marked down to 90% off. I bought at lot of what was there including:
Playing cards that were 15cents a pack! These will be great for girl goody bags as well as for the shoeboxes I pack at Christmas Time for Operation Christmas Child. I bought a dozen packs I'm sure!
And carrot-shaped bubble pendants and bubble solution-rings... very fun things for extremely cheap!

I picked up these (below) once the "Back to School" stuff was on clearance... they are supposed to be lunch boxes and pencil cases - but to me they are great birthday gifts! This can be the wrapping paper... or it can be wrapped as the gift... perfect! I bought a few of each design.
This coming weekend the Princess one will wrap up a Webkinz for a birthday party my son will attend - the gift will have cost me $10 (Webkinz bought on "Webkinz Day" last week... buy one get one for $1. Sweet deal.) with the value of $25!

Do you have a cheap, creative idea for goody bags?
Who's birthday is next in your Family? Maybe your next dinner-conversation will be "what kind of birthday party would you like, son?"

Thanks for visiting! :)

Not Me! Monday

2009-05-04T13:50:00.000-07:00

Here's my first attempt at Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

As for me here's what I did NOT do this week:

I did not empty my whole craft closet and cupboard in an attempt to reorganize it into one closet. And I certainly did not let my 20 month old run around taking what she wanted from the supplies all over the floor. I did not let her run around with window felts only to discover that her body was more fun to color than the window. And I would never let her have a coloring book and felt to color all over on the couch. Not Me!

I did not let my children stay up until almost 9 for the last 3 nights. And this morning I definitely did not go into my daughter's room every 5 minutes for over 30 minutes in an attempt to get her out of bed. And i certainly didn't take away the privilege of playing with her best friend today and going out with another friend tomorrow.

And who gave our kids KD for lunch AGAIN... Not Me!

I don't STILL have laundry sitting on the couch while I spend yet another afternoon on the computer. And I defintely do not have dirty bathrooms, while all the supplies to clean them are still sitting on the counter.

I certainly did not snore all night long saturday night Not Me! cause I do NOT snore. I did not get kicked out of my bed to spend the rest of the night on the couch and in bed with little boo.

Not Me Monday

2009-05-03T12:51:00.000-07:00

MckMama's Not me! Monday will be back tomorrow. Click on the button below tomorrow to read her post.

Word Filled Wednesday

2009-04-29T08:24:00.001-07:00

Last week we were on the Sunshine Coast for the purpose of celebrating the life of my Grandfather ~ he lived a long life of nearly 94 years ~ what a celebration! We spent our last day on the Coast at the Beach - right across (literally) from the home in which my Dad, my Uncles and Grandparents first lived when they lived on the Coast. This stream (or rather a river) caught my attention as it was feeding into the large Pacific Ocean. This is the passage of scripture that came to mind.

For more Word - Filled - Wednesday posts please click here and be encouraged!

Easter Story Cookies

2009-04-14T14:58:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately I found this post ~ WFMW - Easter Story Cookies a few days too late. But I hope to remember it and try it next year.

Here's the recipe:

Easter Story Cookies

To be made the evening before Easter (right before bed)

1cup whole pecans
1tsp vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible
Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important, don't wait till you're half done with the recipe!)

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was Beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1tsp vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9

For other great WFMW posts visit We Are That Family.

Not my Will, but Thine be done

2009-04-11T15:46:00.000-07:00

We just finished up our care group study on prayer. I am also reading "Fresh Brewed Life" by Nicole Johnson. I picked it up at the Women of Faith Conference the girls and I went to in 2005.

This quote really struck me:

... God wastes nothing. Not our joys, not our sorrows - nothing. ... He knows the fragrance that comes from surrender.

I think we only get this kind of surrender through prayer. Just as Jesus did. We bring our lives to Him and wrestle them to the ground and let them go. Notice I didn't write. "bring your problems to Him and get over them." this is hard stuff. Don't be afraid to wrestle with God. It makes the surrender more real and honest. Sometimes I pray with people who are afraid to be real. They are questioning God, or even angry, but their prayers sound very sweet: "God, I just know that You know what's best for me, so I just thank You for all that You've given me, and I just praise You for who You are." It's not my place to judge anyone's prayers, but I think God would be honoured with a bit more honesty. He made our hearts, and He knows what's in them.

Bold and italicized - my own.

That was the part that really caught my attention. We have been talking alot about God knowing our hearts anyway, so why lie to him.

Friends

2006-11-23T14:15:00.000-08:00

Patsy Clairmont ~ i grew up little

I realize that, here on earth, not everyone was meant to stay in our lives for extended lengths of time...
Some folks just breeze through; others settle in for a season and then move on; a few hunker down for the long haul.
Those who settle in for a lifetime do so not necessarily because they are braver, more loving, or even more loyal, but because they were meant to....
It was part of the plan.