Handy Men

girls with lots of ideas + boys with endless energy = successfully completed home decorating projects.

In 2009, over winter break, our son made shelves for either side of the fireplace in our kitchen eating area.  He was looking for something to do and I was dreaming of accessorizing.  

I barely finished my question, "Would you be interested in building some shelves?", and we were drawing designs and heading out for lumber. 

He immediately got to work cutting, measuring, and checking with me to make sure these shelves were being made to specification.  And they were.  Perfectly.

College resumed, time passed, and I dragged my feet on the finishing touches.  A few coats of paint and some special knobs were all that was standing in the way of completion. 

I've since painted the shelves and found some pretty little knobs. They're hung now, thanks to my two handy men, and I've been having fun accessorizing.  Nothing was purchased new for the accessorizing part of this project :: just a little re-staging of some well-loved things that were hanging around the house.  

one girl's idea + the work of two very energetic boys = a finished product that this girl dearly loves.  

Slow Motion Quilting

If you're a quilter you know about the temptation to start a new project before the current one ones are finished.  I'd like you to meet my newest project.

It's a log cabin of sorts :: a little different than any log cabins I've ever done.  I'm using a variety of Liberty of London prints and some Kona cotton in a crisp shade of white.

I've come to realize that, for me, quilting is much more about the process than the end result.  It's a luxury (think glass of wine and bubble bath), that I look forward to indulging in.  Quilting feeds my soul.

My quilts don't come together very quickly.  In fact, I'm completely amazed and somewhat secretly envious of those who can start and finish a work of art in less than one week's time (visit this gorgeous blog and you'll see what I mean).  

I have one speed only when it comes to making quilts.  Slow. Really slow.  It's confusing at times when I sew with friends.  At the end of the day they're leaps and bounds ahead of me. That's what happened with this quilt.  The workshop was last November.

Most of the girls left that day with a completely finished quilt top. I'm still working on mine.  Today I have eighteen blocks completed.  

I can't really explain my sluggish quilting pace.  I think I just like to savor every second and protect this luxury time from the treadmill of everyday life.  No rushing and no stress.  


I'll be sure to share the finished quilt with you.  Just don't hold your breath....it might be a very long while.

Twenty-Four Hour Reprieve

Feeling refreshed and ever so happy after a twenty-four-hour reprieve.  Hubby and I packed our bag and spent Saturday night away from home, celebrating yet another wedding anniversary.

A reprieve :: so nice.  No responsibilities and no dietary restrictions.  Just quality time together.  Twenty-two years and counting.

The Snack Jar

Our family's in transition and our kitchen is confused. Some of us are taking our already-pretty-healthy diet to a whole new level.  Others are just beginning to become interested in changing some not-so-healthy habits (I'm over-the-moon excited about this :: it's a big deal).

We keep a glass snack jar filled with granola for times when the munchies strike.  It sits on the counter so there's always a nutritious choice in sight.

I'm testing a new recipe today, to add to our snack jar repertoire.  The base is made with oats, banana, coconut and almond flour.  Chocolate chips are sprinkled in for sweetness and because we're making them at home, we can choose to use the highest quality possible.  

I'm giving hubby the final vote as to whether or not these cookies are snack jar worthy.  I'll keep you posted.......

Dish Washing

I've been spending a lot of time thinking about dish drying methods.  Drying rack or no drying rack?  Bamboo or stainless steel? Utensil holder or not?  Should it be collapsible, and if so, where would I store it when not in use?   I'm not sure it's normal to give so much thought to a topic such as this.

Right now we dry our hand-washed dishes on a microfiber towel by the kitchen sink and I've been feeling uninspired.  I believe in surrounding oneself with beauty whenever possible.  It makes the everyday a little more special.

I made myself a dish mat this weekend out of fabric that makes me smile.  I mean, really, every time I look at it I feel happy.

The size is sixteen inches by twenty-four inches :: just right for the space, and plenty big for my needs.  I didn't use a pattern, but decided how much focus fabric I wanted and then added a smaller piece of linen to either side.  The backing is cut from a bath towel, one that I found at a local outlet store.  There's enough left over to make two more.

This morning I stumbled across this tutorial for making perfect corners.  It's a brilliant idea to add stability and keep things nice and square.  A day late and a dollar short, but I'm looking forward to trying it soon.

The jury's still out on the perfect dish-drying solution for our home.  I'm leaning toward a collapsible unit that would sit upon my brand new mat.  Perhaps something like this, or a similar style made of wood.  I need a little more time to think about it.

Choices

Dare I say I've kicked the coffee habit?  I've been down this road a handful of times before.  Coffee doesn't serve me well.  It's been a couple of months since my last cup.  I don't miss it, until I smell a freshly brewed cup.  I like to take one slow, deep breath to enjoy the aroma.  That's enough, and then I move on.

I was minding my own business this morning, sipping on a cup of Pau d'Arco and listening to Dr. Neil Barnard share his beliefs about the benefits of a vegan diet.  And then I noticed this message:

Funny how six little words can stop you in your tracks.  "Your choices will change the world".  I've never been an activist, or even a leader.  I'm just one person trying to quietly live a good and healthy life.  I do have passions.  And I love to share.  I've been known to encourage friends and family to join me on this journey to nourish our bodies with real food.  But certainly, my choices aren't powerful enough to change the world.  Or are they?  Here's an excerpt from my 25-year-old son's Facebook page:

"Just made my first green smoothie and it actually wasn't that bad.  Maybe my mom is on to something........"

Ah....so that's how it works.  Yes.  We have the ability, with the choices we make and the examples we set, to inspire one another and ultimately change the world.  A mother's work is never done.  :)

Living In Snippets

In the knitting basket is baby alpaca.  I do believe this is my favorite yarn in the world. It's light as a feather, incredibly soft, and toasty warm on the lap.

I'm living in snippets right now, fitting it all in while still finding time for the things that make me smile (see above reference to baby alpaca).  

Throw in a load of laundry, study for thirty minutes, iron two articles of clothing, study for thirty minutes, run the vacuum, knit a couple of rows, study for thirty minutes, browse Pintrest (must set limits here), make something healthy in the kitchen, knit a few rows, study for thirty minutes.  You get the idea.  I'm grateful for snippets of time.

Soup, Soup and More Soup

This soup is a conglomeration of ingredients we had in the kitchen yesterday.  I'm going to call it Colorful Coconut Curry Stoup.  Rachel Ray uses the term stoup and it's fitting here.  It's thicker than soup and chock full of beautiful veggies.  It was dinner last night, lunch today, and I'll happily eat it tomorrow too.  

It's a little damp outside and I can't seem to keep warm.  I was never a soup girl before, but this year a warm bowlful is the first thing that comes to mind.  The second thing coming to my mind today is baked apples.  This recipe sounds delicious :: organic vanilla will make it special, I think.  I'll omit the sugar since there's no room for it in my diet these days.  No gluten either.  Or dairy.  It's been surprisingly manageable....as long as we prepare our food at home.

Reorganizing :: It Feels Good

It seemed like a good day to reorganize.  So that's what I did.  

This is our medicine cabinet.  It has a full length mirror on the outside and lots of glass shelves on the inside.  Since we have pedestal sinks, all of our daily necessities call this medicine cabinet home.

Things had gotten a little out of control in here.  A growing number of products we weren't I wasn't using anymore were taking up space, and it just felt unpleasant.  I weeded out, and then gathered up an assortment of pretty thrifted trays and dishes.  

Hubby has two shelves and I have...more than two.  We don't agree on toothpaste (tea tree oil's not his thing) so he got his own dental hygiene tray.  The big plastic bottle of mouthwash wasn't doing it for me, so into the mason jar it went.  I'm not sure he'll like this arrangement.  Do you think he'll forgive me when he sees the lipstick love note?

Reorganizing :: It sure feels good.

Study Break

The halfway point has come and gone and today I'm studying for exam number two. I'm learning how to listen to my body instead of feeling stuck in the confusion of nutrition information that surrounds us.  Our bodies know :: we just need to be present and listen.

At times, I feel like a kid in a candy shop.  I want to take it all in and then share the goodness with others.  It's like buying penny candy.  You don't have to commit to one school of thought, you can take a little bit of each and create your own assortment :: one that's specifically designed for you.

It's essential, for me, to work in a soothing environment.  A lighted candle is one of my staples.  There's always a lighted candle when it's time to study.

I'm slightly mismatched today.  Fuzzy socks, pajama pants, a sweatshirt, and my three-dollar thrifted coat-length sweater.  Warm and comfortable is the goal and nothing else matters.  

Mason jars are my beverage glass of choice when studying.  Add a pretty china plate and a fun glass straw and I'm ready for whatever comes my way.  

I'm wondering, are you struggling with health and lifestyle goals or do you feel as though you're in a place of balance?  I'd love it if you'd take a moment to share.