Monday, January 10, 2011

Yay for snow days!

It may be after Christmas but "Let it snow. Let it snow. Let it snow!"
We woke to a beautfiul "Winter Wonderland" as my four year old called it. I thought they would never leave the window.



I didn't plan on having a "snow day" today. I had hoped to keep plans as usual and do "school" with Joy. However, they were in such a good mood and were playing together so well, an unexpected phone call and it was all out the window! And not much later and we were out the door to play. But I was able to start the day with focusing my thoughts with the help of a great new devotional from Love Worth Finding that I've subscribed to and suggest to all of you!
One thing I did plan on was a pot of hot soup. I just made the soup for me...the rest of my family are not fans of soup. So I made a nice spicy tortilla soup!

I just throw in some:
raw chicken (about a pound)
some favorite veggies
corn
celery
carrots
onions
Southwest blend of
onions
green bell peppers
red bell peppers
and
some black beans.

I give it a good amount of
cumin
chili powder
fresh cilantro (I could live on it)
lots of salt
a little
pepper
cayenne
thyme

It was delicious. I think next time I will thicken it slightly. Maybe with a can of condensed tomato soup or a small rue (butter and flour done right :)
I garnished with sour cream, cheese and and a bit of tomato sauce or paste and of course at least a sprig more of cilantro.


After nap time we headed out for some snow fun.




We then warmed up with some hot chocolate (I don't know which was more anticipated). I had a "grown up" hot chocolate and made it with coffee, hot chocolate mix and a candy cane for a poor mans peppermint mocha.




Happy winter fun to all of you! What activities do you most enjoy?

Saturday, January 8, 2011

satisfied with saturday



all the promises and hopes that await on a saturday morning. errands and shopping done now my home is ready for some attention. I'm always excited with the thought of sewing and reading the day away on a Saturday afternoon. Most of the time life overtakes and I get minimal amounts done but the hope and excitement is still there every weekend.





So, this morning, I have my americano brewed and ready(in my great new cup I got from a friend for my birthday!), my material washed and waiting to be pressed. all that stands in my way is a house to be cleaned and a few remaining Christmas decorations that have escaped under radar...however I'm not
giving up my snowmen yet!



if all that is accomplished then I have my reading set out for me!


my most anticipated read:



Friday night is late night around here for the kids. now little Isaac doesn't get to stay up too late but he does enjoy the popcorn and pillow mountain. last night I got to use my new stove top popper I got for my birthday. I usually use a heavy bottom stainless steal pot (the read popper I had did do the job) and I have to be careful and "lift" and shake because I have a glass top stove. But now I just turn the handle :)



After last night's festivities my night began. I got out loads of material to get my brain going...all for one important baby gift. Just a simple gift and idea but to me its the proof and fruits of lessons learned. I new the material I chose was hard to work with and I would have to baste. basting is a little time consuming sometimes but it is absolutely necessary. just a simple hand stitch around the blanket kept everything where it should be and kept it nice neat. the other thing that I learned lately and got to apply to the blanket (no pun intended- this time:) is how great iron-on facing is. using iron on facing allows me to make my own appliques or design cutouts with so much ease. So while many of you will look at this and wonder why on earth I would put this out for all to see I am still happy with it. signs of improvement and growth!


repurposed (my favorite thing to do) appliques from Joy's shirts:


As long as she likes it right?


I leave you with a verse that has meant a lot to me lately.

Philipians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.


God has laid it all out for us. There's little room for anger, bitterness, depression, selfishness, hate, fear, anxiety, worry...when we are always dwelling on Him and His goodness!

what are your favorite hobbies to indulge in on the weekends?