Thoughts from the Hill

A Quick Update

2009-10-29T22:10:00.002-04:00

Here is a very quick update on what's been going on here in my neck of the world.

July
* DS turned 11 years old. I don't know how that happened because it just seems like we brought him home from the hospital.
* DS went to Junior camp for the first time. I also stayed at the camp because it is in a whole other province and it was his first time being away for that long. I think it helped him to know I was on the grounds if he needed me.
* DS & I went to campmeeting. We ended up coming home a few days early because my father-in-law, who was already in the hospital, got word that he would need to have his leg amputated. DS & I came home to be here with my husband and in-laws.

August
* My father-in-law had his leg amputated due to complications from diabetes.
* My husbands aunts came home for a visit to see my father-in-law. They took us (14 in total...would have been 15 if my father-in-law could've come too) out for supper and surprised my husband with a birthday celebration at the end. He was very surprised. :o)
* My father-in-law passed away 3 weeks after his surgery and 6 weeks after going into the hospital. Even though we knew he was struggling to get better it was still a shock to get the word that he passed away. We know this is not the end. We will see him again at the resurrection.
* My nephew got married. We are just 7 years apart in age and I practically grew up at their house. I was touched when he asked me to say grace at his wedding reception.

September
* Back into the swing of things with homeschooling. Still trying to juggle homeschooling, work and house keeping. I appreciate any prayers.
* Went to Prince Edward Island with DS, my husband, my mom & my mother-in-law. We just went for a few days but we had a great time. We had fun mini golfing, go cart racing, bumper cars and of course dressing up as Anne of Green Gables.
* We had a mother bear & her 4 cubs hanging around our fields...Yes! 4 cubs!! Haven't seen them lately though. We'll see who shows up in the spring.

So that is just a bit of what has been happening here. Still working on organizing that scrapbooking area. That is such a huge job that I am done before I even start. ;o)

Spring Cleaning

2009-05-05T23:08:00.003-04:00

Blogging isn't the only thing I have been falling behind in. I can't even remember the last time I scrapbooked anything. I am hoping to get everything pulled out of my scrapbooking area in the loft, organize it somehow (and still be easy to get to) and get rid (or sell) the desk. I want to make myself a little, peaceful reading nook. I think it will be the perfect spot.

Somehow, posting this here will, maybe, make me more likely to actually follow through with it. lol :o)

Today, the 3 of us managed to get the van cleaned out, vaccumed and dusted. It looks so much better!!

May is Lupus Awareness Month

2009-05-05T09:50:00.003-04:00

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and tissue damage to virtually any organ system in the body. Symptoms of lupus may include joint pain and swelling, fever, debilitating fatigue, skin rash, kidney problems, anemia, chest pains, strokes, seizures and sun sensitivity.

Join the global effort to:

• Educate physicians, patients and the public about lupus

• Increase funding for lupus research

• Establish lupus as a significant public health issue worldwide

Can you name the organ systems in your body??

Take this quiz.http://www.lupus.org/newsite/pages/lupus-awareness-month-2009.html

Where to Start??

2009-05-02T19:09:00.002-04:00

Wow!! It has been a loooong time since I last posted anything!

I'm too tired and worn out to write up a long post, but I'll give you the Reader's Digest condensed version of my life lately.

Started a new part-time job last June(o8)...not because I wanted to, but because I had to. Hubby is in the wood industry and it has not been a kind one to be in lately.

Thought I was getting arthritis this last fall which was discouraging enough, but then it turned out to be more that that. I was diagnosed with Lupus in February of this year.

Now, I have low blood pressure (what's that all about??). The doctor thought it might be my Lupus medication but I've been off of that for a week now and it is still low. 100/68.

We are still homeschooling. Still love being a full time mom! :o) Wishing I didn't have to be away so much though. Thankfully they are accommodating. They understand that I homeschool and that I need Fridays and Saturdays off. Plus, it is just a 10 minute drive from home. (In all things give thanks!)

Oh and we are also the new and proud owners of a cat. Never thought I was a cat person til this little tiny fur ball was abandoned at my in-laws last Thanksgiving. She was so tiny she would fit in my hand. She is a cutie for sure!. :o)

I love being home

2007-01-10T13:50:00.000-04:00

Here are a few pictures I took in early December. We had some freezing rain, and although it was messy, it was beautiful too.

This is a picture of our front field......

This is a picture of our side field. In the right middle you can see just the top of dh's sugar shack. It's his spring hobby. :)

The above photo was taken form our front door. You can see the lake in the distance and ice on the house and tree.

We have snow !!

2007-01-16T12:10:00.000-04:00

It started snowing late yesterday afternoon and stopped just before lunch time today. These are a few pictures I took today.

My little snow man. :o)

Works For Me Wednesday

2007-01-17T13:51:00.000-04:00

This is my first WFMW post. :o)

Wondering what I could post about, I thought of 'March Break'. In March we'll take a week off from homeschooling. Sometimes we just hang out at home or get together with friends. This can sometimes this can mean extra $$.

So, this year I am encouraging our son to think ahead and save his money. I will gently remind him that he may want to do some fun things that week and he will need the money to do it. Also, to be sure that I am saving for it too I will give him some of my spare change to add to the piggy bank. Since I'm giving it to him to 'save', I won't spend it in the meantime. ;o)

By planning ahead now, we will 'have some funds to have some fun' when March gets here and, I won't have to worry about him missing out.

Scrapbooking swap items

2007-01-23T19:06:00.000-04:00

Here are some things I made for a scrapbooking swap that I am in. It is a 2-4-2 swap so I make 2 mini kits and send one to 2 different people and I will recieve 1 mini kit from 2 different people. Sorry I don't have a scanner so I had to take a picture.

The kit includes half a sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 pattern paper, a tag, journal box, 2 little paper squares and ribbon. I also included a metal frame and 2 burgundy buttons that match the thread I used on the tag.

The picture didn't turn out so great, but this is the journal box I made. I started with a rectangle shaped piece of beige cardstock. I rounded the two bottom corners. At the top I used my filmstrip punch to make holes and then I broke the holes to give the appearance of a used sheet of note paper. I added lines with a brown pen, a peice of coordinating green paper in the corner and made some snowflakes using stamps and green ink. Lastly I chalked the edges with brown chalk.

This is the tag. I cut 2 tag shapes from green paper. I paper tore 1 of the tag shapes and then chalked both of the shapes with brown chalk. I added a little coordinating pattern paper to the bottom of the tag. I used 2 stands of burgundy embroidery floss to stitch together and create a little pocket tag. I added some green snowflakes to the tag as well. A burgundy accent to the top and burgundy yarn. The squares are made of a 2" green square and 1.5" pattern square with an eyelet through the center.

~~~This is a tag set from a Valentine swap I did a few years ago.~~~

For this I used 2 tag shapes cut from beige cardstock. I paper tore one shape diagonally and then chalked both with brown chalk. I stitched them together with 2 strands of beige embroidery floss, added 2 little crumpled rectangles and a small button to the front. The little tag beside it has x's and o's stamped with brown ink and chalked around the edges.

The heart is also a tag. I cut a folk heart shape and then put it through my paper crimper, added an eyelet and some yarn and embroidery floss.

Works For Me Wednesday

2007-01-24T10:26:00.000-04:00

Here is my WFMW tip for today. I enjoy baking biscuits, but I do not enjoy rolling or cutting them out. There is something about rolling things out that will send me running and screaming from a recipe. Okay it's not that bad. ;o) I do roll out some things like pie crust, dough for cinnamon rolls and pizza dough, but I think that's about it. Anyway, back to my tip for today......for biscuits I just drop them from a spoon. They bake up the same way (just bumpier) and taste just as great, but without the messy clean up. That's what Works For Me. :o)

Read more great Works for Me Wednesday blog posts here.....
http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/worksforme_wednesday/index.html

Wordless Wednesday

2007-01-24T11:01:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

2007-02-07T09:04:00.000-04:00

For more Wordless Wednesday posts visit http://www.5minutesformom.com/

Scrapbooking fun

2007-02-22T15:00:00.000-04:00

These are 2 mini scrapbooking kits I made for a swap that I in in my scrapbooking group.

Each kit includes 9 - 3.5" x 3.5" squares of pattern and plain paper, a tag, and journal box. There are brads and eyelets too, but I didn't include them in the pictures.

For this one, I used browns with a hint of turquoise. The journal box is on confetti cream cardstock. I traced an index card divider and added lines. Then I stamped it with circles using brown and turquoise ink. The tag is done similarly and I stapled the ribbon to the top of the tag.

This set is pretty much the same just using greens and reds instead. There are lines on the index card journal box, but they aren't really showing up in the pictures. The red ribbon is stapled to the tag.

I made doubles of these, so I could have a set of each to work with. I think this is how I will use them in my Little Sweetie's album.

The large pieces of cardstock (red/beige)in the middle of the layouts is for matting the picture.

Wordless Wednesday

2007-02-28T16:32:00.000-04:00

For more Wordless Wednesday posts click here

Sew Fun Fridays

2007-03-03T20:36:00.000-04:00

Shereen is hosting 'Sew Fun Fridays' for sewing projects, and lucky for me, also other craft projects. I 'sew' wish I could sew. :o) But I seem to be better with tape, so I thought I would share the pages I am working on for my mom's birthday. The pages are pretty much finished. All I have to add is journaling and maybe a few more embellishments. Then I'll make more pages for her to add to her album.

Sorry, for the collage type photo, but I wanted to try to include all the pages I have for her album.

If you are working on a craft project, stop by Shereen's blog and add your link.

Look What I found....

2007-03-06T17:55:00.000-04:00

Here are a couple of things I found while I was cleaning my scrapbooking area for Tackle it Tuesday.

This is one of the cards I made for Christmas 2003.

The inside of the card....

And I also found this quote........
"Success in life is finding the Will of God and doing it."
- Hudson Taylor

Tackle It Tuesday

2007-03-06T18:11:00.000-04:00

This is my first 'Tackle It Tuesday' post. I decided to tackle my scrapbooking area because it really really needed it!! Since I've been working on a scrapbook album for my mom and also putting mini kits together for swaps, it didn't take long to get cluttered. I'm almost embarrassed to share. ;o)

I did find a couple of interesting things though.

Here are a few before pictures......

Wow! A very messy desk !!

A 3-drawer cart that is pretty much empty

Clutter!!!!

So, I went to work. I cleaned out the cardboard boxes that had my stamps & ink pads. I organized those things into the 3-drawer cart. I thought I would put some scrapbooking things in there too but, the stamps filled all 3 drawers. (Note to self : Don't buy anymore stamps!)

I cleaned all the bits of cardstock and put them in a folder so I can use those when I need just a little bit of paper. I put all of my cardstock and patterned paper away from the top of my desk. Paper is my weakness. I love all the new patterned papers. (Note to self: Don't buy anymore paper!)

I also gathered up my embellishments (brads, eyelets, stickers, rub-ons, etc) and organized those into containers and an accordion folder. With all of the stuff I found I shouldn't need to buy anything for a long while. I need to use it all up before I buy anything more. (Note to self: Don't buy anything else until you've used up what you have!)

Sooooooo after more than an hour at it and some garbage....

Here are the final results.....

I should be able to be more creative now with a clean desk. How long will it stay this way????

Ahhh. It looks so much better!

For more 'Tackle It Tuesdays' posts click here.

Marriage Blessing

2007-03-06T23:37:00.000-04:00

An elderly friend gave me this framed poem yesterday. I love it !

Here is what it says..........

We thank You, O God,
for the love You have implanted
in our hearts.
May it always inspire us
to be kind in our words,
considerate of feelings,
and concerned
for each other's needs and wishes.
Help us to be understanding
and forgiving of human weaknesses
and failings.
Increase our faith and trust in You
and may Your prudence
guide our life and love.
Bless our marriage, O God,
with peace and happiness,
For Your glory and our joy
both here and in eternity. Amen

Wordless Wednesday

2007-03-06T23:49:00.000-04:00

Click here to see more Wordless Wednesday posts.

Works For Me Wednesday

2007-03-06T23:59:00.000-04:00

Here's what works for me.

I have so many recipes that I like to use, but they are all scattered throughout many different cookbooks. So, to be sure that I never lose the recipe by forgetting which book it is in, I have coil bound note book that I write my favorites in. This way I know exactly where to look. And if a recipe makes its way into the notebook, then it is a keeper for sure.

Okay, so that wasn't rocket science but, it Works For Me ! :o)

For more Works For Me Wednesday posts click here.

Sew Crafty Friday

2007-03-09T13:33:00.000-04:00

Shereen is hosting 'Sew Crafty Fridays'. So, if you are sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, knitting, or crochetting, stop by her blog and add crafty post to the Mr.Linky she has posted on her blog.

This week, I was going to to scrapbook more pages for my mom's album, but I felt more in the mood for making some cards. :o)

I usually make 6 of the same card at a time. That's what I did this morning. I'll make several more sets throughout the year. Then I will divide them up to make packs of cards for Christmas gifts. I'll include 'thinking of you, birthday, get well, thank you & sympathy.'

Here are the ones I made today.......

Bookmark Craft

2007-03-10T20:50:00.000-04:00

I teach my son's Sabbath school class. One of the activities each week is to make something to share with friends & tell them about the lesson. For today's activity it suggested tying a knot in a piece of rope to remind us what Jesus has done for each one of us.

I didn't have any rope, but I did find a great idea on a blog. I've looked everywhere for that blog so I could link to it but, do you think I can find it now?? When I do......and I will !! :o) I will link to it.

The idea I got from the blog was to make bookmarks using ribbon and beads. I didn't have beads so we used buttons instead. First we threaded the ribbon through the button, making sure the button was in the middle. Then we tied a knot near the button and also at each end.

We attend a very small church, so we were able to share a bookmark with the other members too.

Here are what they look like finished............

This is the one my son chose to use in his Bible. You can kind of see the button at the top and the ribbon at the bottom.

Garbonzo Tomato Salad

2007-03-13T18:02:00.000-04:00

I made this for my Big Sweetie today and thought I would share the recipe.

1 cup cooked garbanzo beans (Chik peas - I use canned)
3/4 cup chopped green pepper
3/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup parsley (I don't add this)
3 tomatoes chopped
8 olives sliced
1 cup cooked kidney beans (I use canned)
2 Tbsp olive oil
3 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp salt
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp sweet basil
1/8 tsp garlic

Mix all together and let stand refrigerated for 3 hours.

Slow Cooking

2007-03-14T00:26:00.000-04:00

This is a recipe I usually make in the oven but, since my oven is temporarily down, I will be using my slowcooker a bit more. :o)

I put diced onions, cubed potatoes & sliced carrots into the slow cooker. You can also use turnips, parsnips or any root vegetable. Make any combination. Enough that would fill a 9"x 13" casserole dish. Put this into the slow cooker.

In a small bowl combine 2 Tbsp of vegetable oil, 2 tsps of seasoning (Mrs Dash or something similar) and a 1/2 tsp of salt (more or less if you like). Pour this mixture over the vegetables and mix well.

Cook on Low for 6 hours or on High for 3 hours.

It turned out quite well. When I make it in the oven, it is a bit crispy. Not too crispy, but crispier than in the slow cooker. In the slow cooker it is more tender. I like both ways of cooking it.

Wordless Wednesday

2007-03-14T00:27:00.000-04:00

Works For Me Wednesday

2007-03-14T22:22:00.000-04:00

I had intended this post to be my Tackle It Tuesday post. Blogger had other plans. :o)

I spent yesterday afternoon catching up on my homeschool marking and record keeping. And so I typed up my post complete with the Tacklet It Tuesday logo and the link I wanted to share. I hit 'Publish' and poof my post got swallowed up by something. It was nowhere to be found. :o) I didn't bother retyping it and, figured I could use it for my Works For Me Wednesday post. ;o)

So what works for me??

Homeschool Tracker. It is free software that allows you to keep track of subjects, marks, field trips etc. It also allows you to print out report cards & other reports that would be perfect to include in a portfolio. I downloaded the basic version for free. It has everything that I need.

If you are looking for more ideas about what works for others, visit Rocks In My Dryer.