Happy Valentine's Day, Sweetie...

They didn't have you where I come from
Never knew the best was yet to come
Life began when I saw your face
And I hear your laugh like a serenade

How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up

I slip in bed when you're asleep
To hold you close and feel your breath on me
Tomorrow there'll be so much to do
So tonight I'll drift in a dream with you

How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up

As you wander through this troubled world
In search of all things beautiful
You can close your eyes when you're miles away
And hear my voice like a serenade

How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up

How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up

Lullaby by The Dixie Chicks

Survival School Part I

Andy officially started his two-year diesel mechanic program today. I officially started Survival School training. I will have all three boys (ages: 3, almost 2, and five months) by myself for four (possibly five) days a week...from dawn til dusk....every week....until summer.

My survival school training will consist of providing three nutritious meals a day (Andy usually took care of two of those...gotta love swing shift); doing a little blogging; keeping up on the housework (goodbye hulu!); fitting in some gym time; finishing the bathroom remodel; and trying to figure out how to live a great life as a part-time single parent.

Today is good so far. Everyone is clothed (having on underwear and diapers counts as clothes, right?), fed, and even did chores this morning. And its only nine o'clock. Oh boy!

A key part of my survival training is providing nutritious meals. The last thing I want to do upon waking is do any sort of cooking and we usually don't have cereal so I had to find an alternative that was at least a little healthier than Burger King. Woman's Day magazine to the rescue (I know, I can't believe I said that either)! I found a great little recipe for instant oatmeal. Andy and I made a huge batch and everyone in the house is addicted.

Make at Home Instant Oatmeal

Ingredients:
18 ounces quick-cooking oats (I used Bob's Red Mill...I got a great price at Cash & Carry)
3 1/4 ounces nonfat dry milk powder
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup raisins

Directions:
1. In a large bowl combine oats, milk powder, brown sugar and raisins.
2. Transfer to a large airtight container
3. For breakfast: scoop 1/2 cup of oatmeal mix into a bowl, add 1/2 cup of water, and microwave on high for 1 minute. Enjoy!

We made individual servings for Andy to take to school by putting a 1/2 cup of oatmeal in a pint canning jar. When Andy gets to school, he just adds hot water or adds cool water and puts it in the microwave. So easy! I keep a gallon ziploc bag with oatmeal mix in the house for the boys' breakfast.

You could substitute other dried fruit for the raisins like apples, craisins, misc berries, or even a spice mix. Let me know what you've tried.

To Scream or not to Scream...

I want my kids to know how much they are valued and one of the ways I show them how they're valued is to know what is important to them. I know Isaiah likes his pb&j with jelly only served open face. I know Liam has a hard time after nap and likes to be cuddled for awhile. I know Owen looks forward to Mommy time after his brothers are in bed. I know many of my childrens' preferences and demonstrate my grasp of that information on a daily basis. So why do they always act like I have no idea who they are!?

We all know that screaming is a part of being two (and apparently three as well) but it seems impossible to not take it personally. There are times when my kids scream and it is very easy for me to see it for what it is: a tantrum, power struggle, lack of sleep, hunger pangs, etc. But there are other times when their screaming goes straight to my soul.

Sometimes when they scream I hear it as: "you don't know what I like" or "you never remember my favorite things" or "you don't pay attention". I know that they're little. I know that they are not saying those things. I know that I'm an awesome mom ninety percent of the time. So why do I hear hurtful statements sometimes when they scream?

I'm not sure I know the full answer to that question but I think it provides me with a way to spot check myself. When I feel like my kids are telling me I'm a horrible mom, I have to take a moment, look at the situation and figure out if I am being a horrible mom. Sometimes I have to readjust my attitude because I am not modeling appropriate behavior and sometimes my kids are just being kids.

Homemade Shipping Envelopes

The holidays are upon us. Relational gifts are waiting to be sent but it seems strange to put such a thoughtful gift in an ugly commercial mailer. This tutorial will show you how to make your own shipping envelope from a paper grocery bag. You could then decorate it with markers, stamp images, modge podge, stickers or even let your kids have a go at it. For sewers, or people with large fabric stashes, it seems like you could do the same thing with scrap fabric. Let me know if you try it and how it turned out.

Fabric Covered Buttons

Have you ever thought of making your own fabric covered buttons? It never crossed my mind but now I am intrigued. This tutorial shows how to make buttons (duh!), hair clips, rings, and earrings. I'm saving up my allowance to buy some button blanks but first I have to find store that sells them. Have you seen any? Do you know of a good craft/sewing store to try?

Food Gifts for the Holidays

I've always wanted to give food gifts during the holidays but the jars never seemed pretty enough to hand out regardless of the tastiness inside. I stumbled across a canning label template that has finally changed my mind. Merriment Design tells you everything you need and walks you the process step by step.

Why stop with food goods? Glam up your craft closet with decoratively labeled jars, spice up homemade bath salts, tuck in knit goods like gloves and a lacy scarf. There are so many things that can creatively be given inside a glass jar (they come in many different shapes, sizes, and styles) and the labels give it such a personalized touch.

Allen Wrench on Aisle 23

To Whom it may Concern,

First and foremost, let me say, I love IKEA furniture! About 70% of the furniture in my house is IKEA furniture and I plan to buy more in the future.

I know that IKEA wants to take responsibility for the environment and is taking many positive steps in that direction with flat boxes, using waste products, and reducing resources used in production of your goods.

There is one area where your company could improve. With almost every piece of IKEA furniture I've purchased, I have received an allen wrench. I now have dozens of them around my house and in my toolbox. I would love for your store to provide a way to recycle allen wrenches at your store and, ideally, for your store to find a way to reuse them.

I have talked to many other individuals who frequently shop at your store and many of them have shared similar concerns. Almost all of your packing materials are recyclable except for the wrench that comes with many of your products. I would greatly appreciate your business devising a way to make the allen wrench yet another area in which sustainability and concern for resources is a high priority.

Thank you,
Laura M.

PS: For any of you reading this letter on my blog, I would encourage you to send a similar letter to IKEA

A Flashback I didn't see Coming...

Does anyone remember Bravestarr??? Andy and I were reminiscing about cartoons of our youth when Andy pulled Bravestarr out of the blue. I had never heard of this cartoon! Andy claimed to even have a toy horse from the series. Thanks to the wonders of the internet, we were able to find it on Hulu. Why not watch a couple of episodes, right?

Holy Crap! That is one wacko cartoon! Just watch the intro and you'll see what I mean! According to IMDB, the show debued in 1987. It is about an American cowboy who has to protect New Texas from renigade robots. It is so strange to watch! I can't believe my husband, who was only allowed to watch Nova, was allowed to watch it!

How to Make your own Hand Sanitizer

I stumbled across this awesome recipe for natural hand sanitizer. I have yet to try it since it is a little heavy on the natural oils and my budget seems spoken for until March! My husband prefers to use hand sanitizer throughout the day instead of trying to squeeze in true hand washing while helping chase our three boys. I never realized making my own sanitizer was even an option!

The recipe looks very simple and straightforward. I will be trying it probably in the spring. If you decide to try it before then, please let me know how it works!

Send Postcards for Free!

There are three things I enjoy: getting something in the mail, anything free, something to do during naptime. Hippopost to the rescue! Their website allows you to pick a picture (upload one of your own or choose one of theirs), type out a message (up to 14 lines) and send it to anyone you want. They print and send it out. The catch? You choose an advertiser (they usually have one or two choices) that puts a little blurb at the bottom of your postcard.

We've used Hippopost to send out thank you cards, keep in touch with extended family members, and send birthday wishes from the kids' favorite toys. There are so many possibilities. We're even considering using the website to send out Christmas post cards this year. You can send up to ten postcards a day.

Extra Produce, Anyone?

Have you ever hear of Veggie Trader? It is billed as the "craigslist for veggies and fruit". You sign up (its free!) and then post what you have and what you want in return. It is fairly new so there aren't too many people in my zip code posting yet but that's why I want all of you to sign up. Just think of all the fun veggie and fruit trading that could happen next summer if we spread the word. Do a blog post, send some emails or even put it on facebook: Veggie Trader is a great idea!

Hmm....

The best comic ever…rewritten if modern child psychologists got a hold of Calvin.

Mint Tin Candle

A mint tin candle is the perfect way to re-purpose an old mint tin. I could see these being a part of a homemade spa gift basket or a housewarming gift. Anyone feel like getting crafty???

Watercolor Stencil Portrait Gift Idea

I know there are some of you out there who love to paint. I found this unique idea for a Watercolor Stencil Portrait and thought how great it would be to have some done of the boys. Check out the link and let me know if its something you're interested in...looks fabulous to me!

Pop Tab Gift Can Tutorial

I love using these pop tab gift cans to "wrap" children's gifts, jewlery, bath salts, baby onsies/booties, candy snacks or anything else that fits inside. I will now attempt my first tutorial...enjoy!

1. Any size pop tab can will do (I just happened to have a bunch of smaller fruit ones). Flip the can upside down and using a safety can-opener (it leaves a little bit of a dull lip which is how you will seal the can towards the end), take off the bottom of the can.


2. I found it helpful to do this step in small batches...guess what my kids had for snack that day!


3. After removing the bottom of the can, carefully peel off the label and set it off to one side.



4. Rinse and dry the can. You want it absolutely clean. You could even run it through the dishwasher.



5. While the can is drying, take the label and trace it on the back of whatever you are using for your new custom label (scrapbook paper, fabric, graphic print, etc). Cut your strip of paper.



6. Using stick/craft glue, attach your new custom label to the dry pop tab can.



7. Put your gift item inside the can. I prefer to wrap my gifts in tissue paper or fabric just to insure it doesn't get any goop on it during the last step. Using a hot glue gun, attach the bottom of the can back on and let dry.

Voila! Your pop tab gift can is complete!!! You can dress it up even more with ribbon tied to the pop tab itself or leave it plain.

Felt Strawberries

I know there are several of you out there who love felt and all things using felt. I am not one of those people but I found a tutorial for felt strawberries and thought they would make great gifts for some of my nieces and nephews. I would love to trade with you if you wanted to make some strawberries and/or other assorted felt food items. They would definitely add to rainy day play.

Seed Stitch Dishcloth

I make these in sets of two using organic cotton or linen. They are great for everything from wiping down counters to using for baths.

Two-tie Sling

I love this idea!!! Its basically two ties, sewn together to make a water bottle or camera sling. I get the ties at thrift stores and dry clean them at home (no one wants gross ties). The purple one is up for grabs if anyone wants to trade for it. The length is adjustable, you just tie the skinny parts of the tie together to make the bag hang the desired length.

Garter Stitch Kids Scarf

This is a great gift idea for siblings or couples if done in matching or complimentary yarns. I love the look of variegated yarns in the simple garter stitch. This pattern works well for kids because there is no right or wrong side to the scarf. Relatively quick to knit.

Washer Ribbon Necklace Gift Idea

A necklace made out of washers and grosgrain ribbon...who would have thought! I stumbled upon this unique gift/craft idea while staying up much too late one night. This would be a great gift idea for that spunky person who is impossible to shop for or someone who really enjoys being an original. I have yet to try this myself so drop me a line if you decide to give it a whirl.