Born in a Barn

No, honestly I wasn't.  

This post is in honor of my sweet friend's delivery of her 3rd baby, first boy born just last night which took only 1 hour of labor and 2 pushes... if we lived near a barn, he might have been born there because he came so fast!!  

I was so blessed to find this amazing collage of barn doors that I have just FALLEN in LOVE with and wanted to share with you all (isn't that nice?!)

Rustic Barn Doors are a secret (not so much) love of mine and I wish I had more space to decorate with them.  Maybe one day....  For now, you and I can dream together.

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Get Your Groove On

Today's musical inspiration:  Lady Antebellum's album Own The Night
Click Play and listen to all 12 tracks... sounds so good.

Tracks:

1. We Owned The Night
2. Just A Kiss
3. Dancin’ Away With My Heart
4. Friday Night
5. When You Were Mine
6. Cold As Stone
7. Singing Me Home
8. Wanted You More
9. As You Turn Away
10. Love I've Found In You
11. Somewhere Love Remains
12. Heart Of The World

Less is WAY More

I may have struck gold.... 

I've known for at least six months or so that my view in life has been shifting- thank the Heavens-who wants to stagnate?!  I just wasn't sure what it was about me specifically that was changing.  Today, I read a blog by Lorilee Lippincott of LovingSimpleLiving.  First off, I have to say how wonderfully welcoming her blog is!  From the START HERE page to the clear definitions and structure within.  As far as blogs go, her "minimalism" is abounding.

The post that I am identifying with, or rather that may have identified me is here for your enjoyment as well!
I am excited to embrace this minimalism... to my very own extent.  To enjoy the things in life that really matter and those things are certainly not things.... it is the people and the relationships and the view of this beautiful world.  Each day I move to a more streamlined version of my former self (and BONUS- that much further from being a hoarder!)  Thanks Lorilee!!

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What is Minimalism?
Last year at this time I was clearing out stuff in a big way.  End of March 2011 was our huge garage sale where we sold most of what we couldn’t donate.  The house was more and more empty and we were signing contracts with a sweet couple who were planning on renting it beginning of May.

It wasn’t until much later that I even heard the term minimalism and was able to find like minded (similarly crazy) people on line.  Back then all I knew was that I wanted less space, less stuff, and more living for my family.  Now that I have read a bunch more on the topic and have been living the lifestyle for a while I wanted to do up a list of what I define a minimalist as.

A Minimalist is:

1. An intentional person.  They see where they are going in life as something they can plan or affect.  They do not just accept what life throws at them as their fate. Sure, they don’t have control over the world, but they choose how they will respond to what is out of their control and steer their life in a direction they have decided on.
2. A driven and focused person.  Similar to #1 they are making things happen.  They can still be laid back fun people to be around, but typically a minimalist isn’t just sitting back and watching the world.  They are actively taking part in life and the world around them.
3. Un-Attached materially. Probably the most visible is the understanding that a minimalist has less stuff.  They are intentional about what they own and have only the things they want.  This can range from 50 or less things (the crazy, hard-core) to much more.  Many minimalists don’t count things but the number is often countable (vs the typical person or family in a first world country).   The idea is to not be limited or distracted by material possessions.
4. Quality loving.  Goes with having less stuff.  The stuff minimalists do have is higher quality.  Less stuff means more money for the few things that are needed.  Also, the things a minimalist owns are often used much more often and need to be able to handle it.
5. Priority Centered.  Minimalists know or are trying to find out what is most important to them and live their life based on that information.
6. Society Questioning.  Just the idea of having less stuff is a little crazy when society as a whole is always looking for more, bigger, and fancier.  A minimalist has questioned this and disagreed with it and will often question other parts of society as well.

Being a minimalist isn’t a ticket into an elite group or defined by a number of possessions.  Being a minimalist is something that starts in the mind and is driven by intangibles (#1).  The visible and tangible is only a byproduct of intentional living decisions.

Anything I missed?  How else would you define minimalist?

Awake

Sleeping is not something I do well.

I toss.

I turn.

I stick one leg out.

I pull it back in.

I fluff the pillows.

{Humpffff}

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Still awake.

After reading last night, I switched the light off, rolled over and closed my eyes, and with a deep breath waited for sleep to find me.  

It must have at some point because all I remember this morning is tossing and turning and dreaming for what felt like hours.  

That sort of sleeping just leaves me more exhausted than if I had stayed up all night.

What do you do to get to sleep?  

Stay asleep?  

Wake up rested?

As Tall As the Redwoods

I gave birth to a tiny little bundle of love.

He was so round and chunky after a while.

Creases on his wrists, and knees and thighs,

and a happy laugh always in his eyes.

Now he reaches up to touch my shoulders so easily.

Runs with long lanky legs and knobby knees.

At times, I miss my little baby boy

and wonder where he might have gone,

Then he turns and smiles with his eyes and tells me 

I love you, Mom.

And I know with a surety

He's still here, just growing like a weed.

Every day I pray for his safety and health,

but more than anything I pray he can stand strong

Through all life pushes him through and he can 

overcome

and know from where he comes.

Ben-Sequoia Park 03/25/2012
Bike Ride with Mom

Daily Inspiration

Blowing Kisses

Sweet Ema waits for her Bubby to come home from school.  

When she sees the bright yellow school bus she gets all wiggly and happy.

We're all so lucky to have this girl's love and attention!

Get Glad

No, this is not about trash can liners...

Is laughter really the best medicine?

What makes you laugh?

Here is one of the funniest things I've come across:

Kristen Bell's Birthday Surprise

I'm a Cowgirl, Just Like You!

Ema likes to be like her big cousin, Kelsey, and ride horses.

She's pretty darn happy.

One Step at a Time

Ema @ Library Playground

Have you ever looked at what's coming next and shutter at the thought of getting to where you need to be?

It is much simpler to take a look at where you are and the next step to get you to your goal.  Mapping out a plan can be much like this ladder; you focus on just the next step and you will continue on the right path so as long as you keep moving forward, you will get to where you want to be.

It's nice to have a way to cut out the distractions.

Nurture & Build

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Unearthing a Draft

Today, my personal challenge is to publish a post that I've been keeping in "drafts".  Hoarding my writings does not make me a better writer.  Comments and thoughts from others does.  To ensure this post becomes public-whether I like it or not- I am scheduling a publish time.  You'll see all my thoughts by the end of the day, in whatever state they may be.  


This time, it's personal.  I keep sitting on it because I don't want to be judged...who does?!  This is a vulnerable point for me and some people may not agree or like some of the things I say, and I am learning to be okay with that. 


So, here goes...


What do you do when you've been "un-friended"?
Many times, especially with the digital age of today, we may not even know someone has stopped "following" us or reading our blogs or stopped "subscribing" to our updates.  Those people may or may not be friends that you know in your "real world".  Some of them are.  So, there's the digital "un-friend".  Now, there is also the "real world" application...when someone just stops being your friend.


I've been on both sides of this fence.  I have walked away from friendships for one reason or another.  Others have also chosen that it might be in their best interest to no longer be friends with me.  


I will tell you however, I don't necessarily take it personally when someone no longer wants to see my Facebook status.  

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I get it.  The world throws up enough junk on us that to know "I had a fly in my soup" or "the sky looks amazingly majestic outside my window" doesn't really shift anyone's world, and I have begun limiting my status updates on FB for that very reason.... it's not really important.  


On the other hand,when a friend 

• doesn't pick up the phone when you call
• doesn't call you back after you've left a message
• doesn't return texts, or emails (I swear I'm not a stalker)
• doesn't accept invitations to get together.... 

I think you can safely assume you've been UN-FRIENDED-for real.  It is this un-friending I would like to address.  

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The digital un-friending can preclude the real world one; though, to my knowledge, there are no notifications sent when someone has digitally un-friended you. (I'm kinda glad for that!)  You stop seeing updates about a person's activities on your home screen, and you go to check out what's new in their life lately and low and behold..... you are no longer friends.  Check out Random Cathy's Explaination of how and why this happens.


The first thing I think is- REALLY?!  Like it was some accident on my part or something, but then, no...I know I haven't been un-friending people lately (I do go through spurts when I purge people on my list).  This must be a choice.  Why???  Did I do something??  Did I fail to do something?  I have no idea.


So, I text.  No return text.
I wait a day and call.... straight to voice mail.  I hang up.
And now, I'm swallowing that big ugly pill of reality that you don't want to be my friend....not digitally, and not even in the real world.

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So, remember that anxiety about saying good-bye that I posted?  The reasons I have this trepidation is because of repeated cases of someone-told-me-one-thing-and-gave-me-a-whole-other-experience.  


I am not surprised any more.  Though, I continue to be hurt that people keep proving that I cannot trust them.  Does no one want to see things through?


Strengthening Friendships
Through all this heartache, I still yearn to be and do better.  How do you strengthen the friendships that you have?  Friendships are tested over and over.  When someone lives near or far.  The distance can make it more difficult to get over what came between you.  How do you bridge the distance when someone moves?


With all of these obstacles, what can someone do to build a trusting friendship?  How can we learn to let go and give trust in return?


Elder Jeffrey R. Holland speaks to Real Friendship  in the New Era and says this about The Best of Friends: "There are many ... examples of true friendship in the scriptures.... A common thread runs through them all—namely, that living the gospel and being true to gospel principles is the key to true, lasting, triumphant friendship. Weak bonds and less spiritual relationships will not hold up when confronted by a wicked person such as David and Jonathan faced, or an unbelieving background such as Ruth had known, or the youthful transgressions of the younger Alma and the sons of Mosiah. In each case it was gospel principles, commitments, associations, and covenants that led to the strong ties and triumphant friendship we celebrate in these examples.

So, too, in our relationship with our own friends and in our relationship with the Savior. As he concluded his mortal ministry, he said to his disciples, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” (John 15:14–15).

Real friends share the gospel—the living of it and the loving of it. No stronger bond nor higher compliment can be given from one friend to another."



It all comes down to love....


I plan to continue to work on my weaknesses, my vulnerabilities and I will continue to trust that I will form bonds that will go beyond today or tomorrow or next month or 5 years from now.  I know along this path, even as determined as I am, I will still be disappointed.  I also know that because of my faith to improve and build relationships that are founded in the gospel and in wholesome things that my friends will be everlasting.


So, friend, or un-friend...  I'll get through it.  I only wonder who will be with me there when I do.

Walking in a Fog

I have a sore throat today, so I'm sipping tea and trying to get work done with this foggy head of mine.... Just want to cuddle Ema on the couch. Her smiles make me feel better every time.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Courtesy of Ben (7 years old): Do boogers have DNA?

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I was gathering a sample of DNA (hair clipping) for Ema's Child ID that we keep on file in case the unthinkable happens and he thought maybe we could "bag" one of his boogers for his DNA.... we decided to go with fingernail clippings (also pretty gross) instead.

Apparently he isn't the only person to have wondered that!  I googled the question and found all these RESULTS!!  The answer (I know you're all dying to know) is ......................

Yes!  

haha.  Nasal secretions, aka boogers, can be used, though there are some special circumstances around these results being obtained.

Wonderful question, Bub. 

What sort of things do you wonder about?

'Ello

Hi!
Just me.... Ema and I had fun today shopping--- nothing real exciting... we got dog food and baby wipes and YEAST (for all that bread I keep making).

Then we played around and had lunch then it was nap time.
She really does such a good job at laying down.... and when she wakes up.... she loves to JUMP ON THE BED.  Totally funny.... I try not to laugh when I pick her up though because I do not want to encourage it, but it's just so STINKIN' CUUUTE!

I love being a mom.

Ema's taking some notes.

She's pretty proud of herself.

Ha~Ha... adorable.

We'll do more tomorrow.
There's always something... which doesn't ever amount to a whole lot, but TIME TOGETHER.... and that's what's most important.
We love.  We learn.  We grow

Help... I can't stop making bread!

It amazes me at how quickly these disappear!

3 little rounds

a big round

This recipe is so easy.... try it out!

5 Minute Artisan Bread Recipe 

5 Minute Artisan Bread

By Chef UK on September 18, 2008

Ingredients

1. 3 cups lukewarm water
2. 1 ½ tablespoons granulated yeast ( 2 packets)
3. 1 ½ tablespoons kosher salt or 1 ½ tablespoons other coarse salt
4. 6 ½ cups flour, unsifted, unbleached, all-purpose ( not strong)
   
5. Directions
6. Preparing Dough for Storage:.

1. Warm the water slightly. It should feel just a little warmer than body temperature. Warm water will rise the dough to the right point for storage in about 2 hours. With cold water it will need 3-4 hours.

1. Add the yeast to the water in a 5 quart bowl or, preferably, in a resealable, lidded (not airtight) plastic food container or food-grade bucket. Don't worry about getting it all to dissolve.
2. Mix in the flour and salt - kneading is unnecessary. Add all of the flour at once, measuring it in with dry-ingredient measuring cups, by gently scooping up the flour, then sweeping the top level with a knife or spatula. Don't press down into the flour as you scoop or you'll throw off the measurement. Mix with a wooden spoon, a high-capacity food processor (14 cups or larger) fitted with the dough attachment, or a heavy duty stand mixer fitted with the dough hook until the mixture is uniform. If you're hand mixing and it becomes too difficult to incorporate all the flour with the spoon, you can reach into your mixing vessel with very wet hands and press the mixture together. Don't knead, it isn't necessary. You're finished when everything is uniformly moist, without dry patches. It takes a few minutes, and will yield a dough that is wet and loose enough to conform to the shape of its container.
3. 1. Allow to rise. Cover with lid (not airtight or it could explode the lid off). Allow the mixture to rise at room temperature until it begins to collapse (or at least flattens on the top), approx 2 hours, depending on room temperature, and initial water temperature Longer rising times, up to 5 hours, won't harm the result.
   2. You can use a portion of the dough any time after this period. Fully refrigerated dough is less sticky and easier to work with than dough at room temperature.
   3. On Baking Day:
   4. Prepare your loaf tin, tray, or whatever you're baking it in/on. Sprinkle the surface of your refrigerated dough with four. Pull up and cut of a grapefruit-size piece of dough (c 1 lb), using a serrated knife.
   5. Hold the mass of dough in your hands and add a little more flour as needed so it won't stick to your hands. Gently stretch the surface of the dough around to the bottom on all 4 sides, rotating the ball a quarter-turn as you go. Most of the dusting flour will fall off - that's fine, it isn't meant to be incorporated. The bottom of the loaf may appear to be a collection of bunched ends, but it will sort itself out during resting and baking.
   6. The correctly shaped final product will be smooth and cohesive. The entire process should take no more than 30 - 60 seconds.
   7. Rest the loaf and let it rise in the form, on the tray/pizza peel, for about 40 minutes Depending on the age of the dough, you may not see much rise during this period. That's fine, more rising will occur during baking.
   8. Twenty minutes before baking, preheat the oven to 450°F Place an empty broiler tray for holding water on any other shelf that won't interfere with the rising bread.
   9. Dust and Slash. Dust the top of the loaf liberally with flour, which will allow the slashing knife to pass without sticking. Slash a quarter inch deep cross, diagonal lines, or tic-tac-toe pattern on top using a serrated knife.
   10. After a 20 min preheat you're ready to bake, even though the oven thermometer won't be at full temperature yet. Put your loaf in the oven. Pour about 1 cup of hot water (from the tap) into the broiler tray and close the oven to trap the steam.
   11. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the crust is nicely browned and firm to the touch.
   12. Store the rest of the dough in the fridge in your lidded (not airtight) container and use it over the next 14 days. The flavour and texture improves, becoming like sourdough. Even 24 hours of storage improves the flavour.
   13. This is the standard bread. There are loads of variations - both savory and sweet - in the book.
   14. HAPPY BAKING!!

Basketball Cupcakes

Tonight's adventure- Basketball Jones style...

A sweet little boy I know is turning five and is a huge fan of basketball.  He attends camps throughout the year and is an amazing athlete even at such a young age.  I can't wait to see all the things he does as he grows up.  Here are the cupcakes for his party...

I like to offer a chocolate cupcake and a non-chocolate option.  Here, I chose a yellow mix (both Duncan Hines).  Mostly, I use a mix for cupcakes and cakes unless it is my husbands favorite cake (his grandmother and mother always used to make) Sherry-Wine Cake.

Frosting: We call it FLUFF:  1-jar marshmallow cream, 1-8 oz. package of cream cheese

Pipe it in a continuous circle until just before the edge of the cupcake.  I like to see a bit of the cake and not cover it completely to the wrapper.

Find tips on Frosting a Cupcake at TheFrostedCupcakes.Blogspot.com

Basketball itself is made from an "Orange Slice" found in the candy section just about anywhere, cut it in half and face the straight sides together, sugar side up.

Black colored food gel is piped in the shape of a basket ball.

These are next!!

Hush Little Baby

Let Sleeping Babies Lie-Chilly Temps Build Tough Nordic Tots 

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I remember reading this article at some point before, and today I have all the windows open in the house (supposed to freshen everything up) and have both children (7 and 2) napping... which made me ponder- 

"Do children sleep better in the cool air?"

and reminded me of this article. What do you think??

I know I have always had the most restful sleep when camping (as long as there wasn't a rock under my back, or someone's 5th wheel heater waking me up).

Why is that?  

What about the cool fresh air invigorates and soothes us at the same time?

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

It's So Hard To Say Goodbye...

Life is filled with goodbyes.

And here comes another one.

Bye.

See you.

I'll call. And write.

And you can visit.  Oh, yes, please do!

And though all these kind words are said with sincerity, life has taught me that none of these things happen.

And if they do, it won't last.

So, why go through all that?  The niceties.  Why kid each other?  Let's just be real about it.

Say what you really want to say.

It was nice knowing you! And I hope your life gets back to normal sometime.  Of course normal will be different because the things we used to do together won't happen any more, but you'll get over it.

You will stop missing me and I won't remember much about you either.

Yeah, there's the cynic in me...  And I had you all fooled into thinking I am an optimist.  HA!  Gotcha!

Yes, there is more to this rant (that is what it is...) than my cynicism.  I am finally facing it.  The cold hard truth.

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

I am hoping to be made free in seeking to understand the reasons I handle goodbye and change so poorly.  I know it won't only benefit me.  

Why goodbyes are important: Life is filled with leave-takings that come in many forms. Some are temporary, such as leaving mother or father to go to school or ending a visit with grandmother.  Others are more permanent, such as losing a treasured toy or the death of a pet or loved one.

Goodbyes bring up feelings that vary, depending on the meaning of the particular loss to each person.  Many are not just sad.  Sometimes they are also angry or anxious-- all natural reactions to having to say goodbye.  Because life is filled with goodbyes, we must develop mental muscles to cope with them in an emotionally healthy manner.

I've watched my son break down after having played at a friends house and being told it it time to go home.  I've known that I react the same on a larger scale, and I've thought I am helping him to cope.  Now, I've realized however that I haven't been taught how to cope with goodbye.

As a child, I went to a different school every year until high school.  I moved more times than that.  I've had to say a lot of goodbyes.  Or have I?  I was young.  Young enough that my parents took care of the goodbyes and I lived mostly oblivious to the changes that were going to happen until one day, they did.  Or I took for granted that just because I was moving that was the only thing that would change.  Or it could be that I didn't give a thought to how my whole world changing over and over and over again would affect me.

I am dreading how self-centered this post is reading right now...but it is important to get this all out... I hope this helps someone else too!!

As an adult, I've had more say-so about who comes into my life, and who leaves (well, sorta).  And with modern day technology (thank you EMAIL, Facebook, telephones, fax machines, fed ex, letters, skype and airplanes) we can certainly keep in touch easier than ever before.

Goodbye is a loss to me... and I withdraw from it when I see it approaching.  I curl up, in an emotional fetal position.  or with the ostrich syndrome=if i don't look at it, it doesn't exist.

Looking at my life, I've pushed so many people away because I continue to not face my fear/ dislike of saying goodbye.  I am now facing it, head on... I hope to be able to get through a goodbye knowing it doesn't mean the end.

Yum-O Cookie Craving

I couldn't help it...  after a lazy morning, I had a sudden urge to bake.

Why fight something that every one in the house ends up enjoying?

So, it began.

First there was the initial thought of the good ol' standby-chocolate chip, then 

my favorite Better Homes and Gardens cookbook

opened my eyes...and I began to salivate.

Dark Chocolate and Milk Chocolate Chip and Butterscotch Cookies

First, a version of my original inspiration.  This recipe was born from a tried-and-true-never-fails-me recipe mixed with a little of what I love... butterscotch!  It's an old fashioned flavor that warms your palette and heart.  I added 1 cup of milk chocolate chips, 1/2 a cup of dark chocolate chips- the bite these bring is divine!  Then pile on 1/2 a cup of scotchies and mix.  Bake as directed... they go so fast!

Oatmeal Shortbread

What an easy recipe shortbread is!  This lightly sweet, flaky, crunchy cookie/bread is reminiscent of visits with my husbands italian grandmother on a crisp spring morning.  

Many enjoy it with a cup of milk, tea, or coffee.  It is also quite lovely paired with a scoop of any favorite flavor ice cream.

Sugar Cookie Cutouts

I love a sugar cookie.  The tradition of it and the versatility--oooh, it gets me giddy!  I found a variety pack of Valentine's themed cookie cutters at the Dollar Store-- for $1!  And you can make your own cookie cutters with directions from here.

drizzled with dark chocolate

Yes, again with the dark chocolate!  I love the richness and the zing it gives treats.  A little goes a long way!  I started by painting half of each heart and realized that was probably over board, so came up with this drizzled effect that, I think, looks pretty fancy.

lots of different designs of "scribbles" on the cookies

see the testers in the left corner???

Emaleigh would like some cookies-- signing "please"

I seem to like this CHALKBOARD setting on my phone.... let me know what you think.  It reminds me of sketches.  And since I have very little drawing capabilities, it makes me feel a little artistic.

I love these plates (found here) and they look so pretty on their own, but really show off whatever food they have on them too.

And for cookie batch #4--- 

Peanut Butter Cookies

Ben worked his magic and added fork marks.

Just a Spoonful of Sugar makes it tasty.  Okay, don't go overboard with the sugar...  literally a light sprinkling will do just fine.

And in the end...
Delicious cookies to display and share.  Though, as previously mentioned, they don't last long, so be prepared to  wash up and repeat, or as I did, stagger the baking of the batches to make your baked goods last several days.

There was a lot to clean up--the flour on the floor, the front of my shirt, every counter top, and of course, the dishes.  What a mess we made-oh the fun!  Two sinks in the kitchen makes it go a little quicker I think.

and then...my sink shined.  Fly Lady would be so proud!!  I sure am. There is not quite anything like a shiny sink to help you feel you've accomplished so much!  And with several plates full of cookies, I was please and well on my way to "fat and happy".