Monday, December 30, 2013

Top Posts of 2013

     Before we rush into the new year, I thought it might be nice to take a look back at some of the posts from 2013. 
Most viewed posts of 2013:

1) DIY Chair Cushion



      I love the way that a meal shared with friends or family can linger as conversations continue well after the food is finished. My tush, on the contrary, is less than pleased with the extended time on hard chairs. Maybe it's the design of our chairs? Either way, today's post is all about adding function within the dining room with the creation of some DIY chair cushions. 
     Once again, I'm turning to one of my favorite resources for providing a large amount of material in a very cost effective manner- the $5 twin sheet. As much as I enjoy creative projects, I also enjoy saving money where I can. The pieces of foam ranged from $5.99-6.99 each depending on the craft store. I highly recommend collecting store coupons to purchase the foam pieces even if that means making multiple trips to the store (if you're already out and about in town, of course). I calculated the cost to be around $19.39 (if you get each foam piece with a coupon or on sale), which is about $4.85 per chair cushion for my set of four chairs. I fairly certain even the cheapest options in the stores are higher. Plus, since I'm using the same sheet I made the tablecloth with, I know that the two pieces will match. 

2) How to Make a Tablecloth from a Sheet


     When we moved into our current home, I decided to change my color scheme up a bit.  I had previously done bold primary colors and now desired some cooler tones. The new color scheme also allows me to incorporate my favorite color- gray! My current room project is our dining room. I wanted to replace (or at least have a second) the red tablecloth with a gray one. I soon discovered that gray is not a very popular color for a tablecloth, or, at least, not as popular within my desired price range. I then discovered the local discount store was having a white sale. I found a king size set of sheets for $20 and instantly envisioned the set being transformed into a tablecloth and seat cushions. The pillowcases will be used to make pillowcase dresses to send to organizations like Dress A Girl Around the World. That's a lot of material and potential for the typical price of a single store-bought tablecloth. 
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3) Cleaning Routine

    
     At one time, my husband and I both worked outside the home. We had an agreement that if we were both to be responsible for bringing in an income, then we would both be responsible for also keeping up with the housework. The understanding was for each of us to be capable and responsible of taking care of any household task. In order to make this work, we had to discuss our expectations. One of the causes for frustrations when it comes to all persons contributing to the management of the home is that each person will have a different perspective and expectation. Therefore, it becomes necessary to discuss the various standards and even make a list or timetable. A useful way to display the tasks/routine is to slip the list/routine into a frame and then use a dry erase marker to assign or mark off tasks. This way complete or incomplete tasks can be communicated with everyone else in the home. It also would keep each person accountable for pulling his/her share within the home. Expressing expectations for everyone keeps frustrations low and progress high.
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Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Pregnancy Update: 30 Weeks



This baby deep inside of me, ever so small, is a child of God. A child that God gave to me to take care of whether for a day or for years. That care began at conception. Whether he or she lives or dies each day I am with him or her is a gift and has a purpose with eternal consequences. My baby is now a part of my life, my testimony. -Brenda Rodgers, "New Rules for Announcing a Pregnancy"

 How far along: 30 weeks! 

"growing daily is his brain, which is actually starting to look like the real thing with those characteristic grooves and wrinkles. And now that your little genius can regulate his own body temperature and turn up the heat, he'll start shedding lanugo, the downy body hair that's been keeping him warm up until now." -What to Expect When You're Expecting, 4th Edition

Baby size:  "... weighing in at over three pounds now (he’ll be packing on the weight at a rate of half a pound per week for the next seven weeks). ." -What to Expect When You're Expecting, 4th Edition 

Gender: We'll find out when he/she arrives in March!

As I was walking into a building one day, a random lady stopped me to chat about the baby. She insisted it is a boy. It was kind of an odd but funny moment. So far, zero predictions for the baby being a girl. Haha. 

Belly: I love this little big baby belly!  It and the baby are rapidly growing! It still cracks me up to look down to see the interesting formations my belly takes as he/she moves. He/she usually likes to stick to one side which gives the belly a rather wop-sided appearance. On occasion, he/she will lay perfectly sideways and my belly looks just like I swallowed a dumb-bell! haha!
 
Sleep: Sleep is ... well, it is what it is. I'm so thankful for the ability to rest or nap during the day! Even with a nap I still crash at only 7 pm! Haha 

Clothes: This baby and belly are growing fast! Maternity clothes are a necessity. I actually braved the holiday shopping madness to pick up a few new pieces. I had an offer for a $50 restaurant card with any purchase from a maternity store, and so I decided that was worth browsing the sale rack. It was well worth the holiday traffic adventure! I have a few new cute pieces and we have $50 to eat out on while traveling soon. 

Movement: I've been doing so much better at incorporating the Bradley Method exercises and walking into my days. There is still plenty more room for greater discipline, but I am making progress! I know how valuable the benefits are now and will be later for the baby and I. Now that delivery is getting closer quicker, practicing healthy habits like exercising has become even more important to me. I'm rather proud of myself! It also helps that hubby has been able to rejoin me in the effort now that the busiest time at his job is over. He's even braved the freezing cold to join me on brief walks each day. Going for walks when the "feels like" temperature is in the single digits is the mark of an awesome husband and Pop-to-be!

Baby Movement- It amazes me how much this baby moves! He/she is quite an active one! He/she wiggles and kicks constantly. It's also amazing how such a little being can kick so hard sometimes! I rather wonder what he/she is doing in there! It's still incredible to feel. It's also incredible to watch! It's rather entertaining to just watch him/her moving and kicking all around my belly. Our midwife even commented on how active the baby was at our last appointment!

Food aversions: I don't think there are any anymore. Anything and everything sounds and tastes fantastic. 

Food cravings: Anything! Haha, appetite has definitely kicked up recently! I'm pretty much enjoying anything and everything nowadays. My Bradley Method nutrition log is stunning some days! haha! I still have a immense love for citrus. A day without a grapefruit or something just wouldn't be complete. We checked out at the grocery on one occasion and noticed I had an entire bag of just pineapple, oranges, and grapefruit. The pineapple didn't even last more than two days! Haha! I suppose there are worse things to "crave" during pregnancy! At least citrus is a good source of vitamin C for the winter time!

What I'm excited about: I love looking down this growing baby belly and feeling him/her there! It still astonishes me that we will have a little child in only a few months. I am still just so excited to watch him/her grow and discover the person he/she will be. The weeks are going by so fast!

Midwife appointments are being scheduled at only two weeks apart now! I've continued to be impressed with the midwife team and hospital we've chosen. I'm so very grateful for a team and facility that is so supportive and respectful of our wishes! They really have been amazing thus far. 

Now that we're getting much closer to the due date, I'm really feeling some urgency for getting things in order. There are a handful of sewing projects that remain (Boppy cover, changing pad, diaper bag etc). I also need to start getting together items needed for delivery or postpartum care. And, of course, we will need to make a final (well, and also first) shopping trip to get items the baby will need. Lots to do yet, but very exciting!

We're planning a trip to spend time with our extended family and friends soon, which is always a joy. I'm excited to get to be with everyone and celebrate the upcoming arrival of this little baby soon!
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Merry Christmas 2013


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Monday, December 23, 2013

Menu Plan: Winter (Dec. 15-21)


      I forgot to post last week's menu plan. The week flew by before I realized that I had neglected to post a menu plan. Since this week is rather atypical with it being Christmas week I thought I might jump back by posting last week's plan. 

      There is now a photo album on the RH Facebook page just for food photos. If you like to see a photo of a dish to judge whether you want to try it or not, then follow the link to view the album. (I tend to like recipes & cookbooks that include lots of photos). Let's be honest, some dishes are just too pretty to not take a picture! ;) 

      I've also started pinning lots of recipes we use onto a "Food" Pinterest board. Many of the recipes listed below can be found there as well. 

Strategies

  • We began by reviewing several of our previous fall menu plans for ideas. I like to keep my menu plans because they provide a great resource for meal ideas that are seasonal and cost-effective. In the front section of my recipe notebook, I have a section labeled "planning" and this is where all my previous menu plans are stored. Keep it simple! 
  • Even though we plan a meal for each day, we don't always stick to the plan. Hence, several of the meals listed this week were also listed last week. The main idea of menu planning is to have an idea and ingredients on hand for when you may need them. If we don't get to one of the planned meals, we simply roll it to the next week. When we shop for that next week we have a few less items to purchase, so it works out pretty well. 
  • I love soups during the chilly months of the year! (We'll do big salads instead during the warmer months). Soups are wonderful in that they are usually pretty cost effective, fast, and provide plenty of opportunities for leftovers or freezer meals. They are also great for being able to toss anything else desired into the pot. I rather like to chop up some leafy greens to throw into a soup to give an extra nutritional boost. I may also toss in some extra beans. Pretty much anything goes! :)


OUR MENU PLAN FOR THIS WEEK

*Note: I include links to the recipes if they are available online. Some recipes are from cookbooks we have at home, and while I can't share the recipe I can direct you to the source. Other dishes or meals are created by myself or my husband, and we can do our best to explain how to recreate it. If you'd like additional information on any of the meals or our menu planning, then please feel free to contact me. :) 

Breakfasts
- Blueberry Cornmeal pancakes, fresh squeezed orange juice
- Granola cereal with milk, grapefruit
- Cottage cheese parfait (cottage cheese, mixed berries, granola)
- Apple-cinnamon oatmeal (oatmeal cooked with diced apples, topped with cinnamon and toasted chopped walnuts)
- Granola cereal, yogurt with bananas and blueberries
- Eggs, bacon, biscuit/toast

Lunches
- Tomato & olive pizza (leftovers from last week) 
- Pot roast & veggies (cabbage, potato, onion, carrots)
- Salmon cakes, roasted asparagus
- Minestrone soup (First, I love Ellie Krieger recipes! They are so nutritious! I will probably do some substituting though. I'll probably use a bag of frozen mixed veggies and add chickpeas just because I have these on hand and..why not. haha). 
- repeat soup
- Sweet & sour pour, brown rice (from recipe book listed above)
- repeat lasagna & side salad 

Dinners
- Chicken stew with turnips, mushrooms and greens (leftovers from last week). 
-Eat out while finishing Christmas shopping
- {Small group gathering} We are hosting the Christmas party and so will have easy appetizer foods. We will provide trays with crackers, cheese slices, summer sausage, baby carrots, celery sticks, broccoli florets and hummus and honey mustard dips. Everyone is to also bring an appetizer or holiday dessert. Should be yummy!
- Pot roast & vegetables turnovers (recipe/instructions to be posted on the blog soon) 
- Lasagna & side salad (lasagna recipe to be posted on the blog soon)
- repeat salmon meal
- repeat pork meal

Snacks
- apple & peanut butter
- cheese slices & whole wheat crackers
- carrot & celery sticks with hummus
- hummus and ww crackers
- hardboiled egg & pickle (my weirdo pregnancy snack)
- cheese slices and pretzels
- banana & peanut butter
- oranges and/or grapefruit
- almonds
- popcorn
etc. 


*Note: Reviving Homemaking is not affiliated with any of the sites or companies included in the links, and was not asked to include or recommend them or their recipes in this post. (I simply like what they have to offer!)

What's on your family's menu plan this week?

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Saturday, December 14, 2013

Celebrating Christmas


     Each year we celebrate Christmas as just our little family of two (though soon to be three). While we do miss spending time with family, it has provided an opportunity for us to determine our vision and desires for our own family Christmas celebration.     

     Thanksgiving through Christmas is the busiest and most stressful time for my husband's job. The last thing I need to do is to heap more expectations and demands upon him. My desire is to support him the best I can as well as create an enjoyable Christmas for us. I therefore created a set of holiday cards that would ensure we continued to celebrate the season but without adding too much fuss. 
    
      Each card has a little Christmas sticker on the outside and on the inside is a message and goofy drawing. At the beginning of the month, I'll sit down with our calendar and decide which day would be best for each card. There are about 15 activity cards and 10 compliment/encouraging words cards (I believe it's so important to have the complimentary/encouraging aspect incorporated into the celebration!). On busy days or weeks, I'll include more compliment/encouraging words cards. When time allows, I'll include more activity cards. If we don't get to a card one day, then we'll simply skip it and move on to the next one the next day. Some activities are holiday classics like driving around town to look at lights. Several are just silly and serve to just loosen up and laugh together. Others are intended to simply do something simple like a surprise lunch date at a local restaurant that might break the dull of repetitiveness. Also, there are a few cards that focused on giving. 
      
Our activities focus on three areas:
Complimentary/Encouraging Words
Festive Holiday Activity
Giving

 1. "Pick your favorite game & Christmas movie"

 2. "There's a need on an Angel Tree/Santa for Seniors Tree. Let's go grab a name and go shopping for him/her"

 3. "Bundle up because we're off to look at pretty Christmas lights tonight! I'll pack some hot cocoa and you bring your car-ride caroling voice! ;) " (*We don't actually sing. I just like to tease him about singing because he refuses to sing outside of church even though he has a wonderful voice)

 4. "Tag! You're it! You do so much for me and so today is just for you. Please go, do, or buy anything you'd like for yourself. Enjoy!"

 5. "Surprise! We're going out for lunch today"

 6. "Snowball Fight! Here's your bag of "snowballs." I've got mine. Ready? 3.. 2.. 1 !" ("Snowballs are mini marshmallows. I tie the bag to the entry door and then hide for my attack! It makes a mess, but it's lots of fun!"

 7. "Fun or fancy? After work, use this cash to add elements to our dinner table or clothing that will create a fun Christmas meal or one that is a little fancy. Will we choose the same theme?" (I included $10 in the card)

 8. "Did Frosty really melt or was he ... eaten?! Enjoy our snowman breakfast!" (Powdered donuts included with breakfast)

 9. "Tea time? Let's go to the tea shop for some afternoon tea" (You could also do coffee instead)

 10. "Can you smell that? Hey! It wasn't me! I'm talking about a yummy treat baking in the oven. Hint: It's your favorite!"

 11. "One of my earliest & favorite memories of you involves us serving food at the rescue mission. We're not exactly serving prepared food this year, but we can still give & satisfy someone's hunger. Let's head to the grocery with the sole intent of donating the basket"

 12. "It's been a long day, so this evening is devoted to you and some relaxation. Enjoy a nice back massage by me"

 13. "Did you know: The inclusion of alcohol in traditional eggnog recipes may have been a means of preservation before there was refrigeration? What?! You didn't know that? Well, grab some eggs and get crackin'! We've got some hands-on research to do (except we'll use the refrigerator instead of alcohol. haha)."

 14. "Do you think a crepe is better sweet or savory? Let's find out! Join me at Crepes and Creamery!"

 15. (Christmas Day card) "Merry Christmas! My dream Christmas is this- you and I together. My favorite moments have been simply building memories with you- my husband and my family. We're not done building yet though! Grab some candy because we have a gingerbread house to make!" 

 16-25. Compliment/ encouraging words cards. 

          On Christmas Eve, the busy work schedule finally ends. He has the next day off work, and we try to make sure it is a day of rest but also celebration. We decided early in our relationship (as in when we were just dating) that we would skip exchanging gifts between ourselves. While we are grateful for the gifts we receive from others, gifts just aren't the most meaningful aspect of Christmas to either of us and so we decided to just leave it out of our home/family celebration. Instead, we focus on simply spending time together. We'll prepare a big breakfast that morning. In the afternoon we may make a Christmas cookie or other treat. We'll also make a gingerbread house completely from scratch (minus the candy decorations). Creating the patterns, baking the dough and then assembling the house is quite the process, and we laugh every step of the way! It's perhaps one of my favorite aspects of our Christmas Day celebration. That evening we'll prepare another feast for our Christmas dinner. 

      Some years we've done many activities and a majority of the cards, and thoroughly enjoyed them. Other years (like this year) have been too stressful and exhausting for even the simple card activities. In times like these, we'll opt for renting a Christmas movie each weekend to watch together. Even if we don't get to do much to celebrate the season, the greater insult would be to have a poor attitude. I believe it is far better to lay aside notions of a "good Christmas" based on activities or whatever else and, instead, support and encourage my husband when he needs it most. A good attitude will make a "good Christmas!"

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Friday, December 13, 2013

Pregnancy Update: 28 Weeks

This baby deep inside of me, ever so small, is a child of God. A child that God gave to me to take care of whether for a day or for years. That care began at conception. Whether he or she lives or dies each day I am with him or her is a gift and has a purpose with eternal consequences. My baby is now a part of my life, my testimony. -Brenda Rodgers, "New Rules for Announcing a Pregnancy"
How far along: 28 weeks! Hello, third trimester!
Only 12 more weeks to go and they're going fast!

"Your baby is settling into the proper position for birth, with his head facing downward ... He's busy adding new skills such as blinking to an already impressive repertoire of tricks like coughing, sucking, hiccuping, and taking practice breaths. Your baby's sleep now includes the REM (rapid eye movement) phase — and that means he could be dreaming already" -What to Expect When You're Expecting, 4th Edition

Baby size:  "Your little work in progress is now about 2.5 pounds and almost 16 inches long." -What to Expect When You're Expecting, 4th Edition 

Gender: We'll find out when he/she arrives in March!

Belly: I love this little big baby belly! Some days I get up in the mornings to what appears to be a belly that has grown overnight! It's amazing. It still cracks me up to look down to see the interesting formations my belly takes as he/she moves. He/she usually likes to stick to one side which gives the belly a rather wop-sided appearance. On occasion, he/she will lay perfectly sideways and my belly looks just like I swallowed a dumb-bell! haha!
 
Sleep: Sleep is ... well, it is what it is. I'm so thankful for the ability to rest or nap during the day when needed! 

Clothes: This baby and belly are growing fast! Maternity clothes are a necessity, but have still been pretty low on my priority list. I did pick up a new chambray style shirt recently, and have been rather enjoying it. I now have a week's worth of pieces! haha. Excuse the repetitiveness of my attire. I do wash everything! haha! 

Movement: I'm still trying to incorporate the Bradley Method exercises or walking at the gym into my daily routine. I've got a lot more improvement to do in the discipline area of exercise, but little by little it's going to happen. I know how valuable the benefits are now and will be later for the baby and I.  

Baby Movement- This baby is quite an active one! He/she wiggles and kicks constantly. It's amazing how such a little being can kick so hard sometimes! I rather wonder what he/she is doing in there! It's still incredible to feel. It's also incredible to watch! It's rather entertaining to just watch him/her moving and kicking all around my belly. Haha. 

Food aversions: I don't think there are any anymore. Anything and everything sounds and tastes fantastic. 

Food cravings: Anything! Haha, appetite has definitely kicked up recently! I still have a immense love for citrus. A day without a grapefruit or something just wouldn't be complete. Haha. Fortunately, it's a good source of vitamin C for the winter time! 

 I'm pretty much enjoying anything and everything nowadays. I've continued to try to concentrate on nutritious options. Although, there have been momentary lapses in which hunger overrides that preference. For instance, despite having eaten dinner directly before leaving for our last Bradley class I had to stop by fast food on our way home just a few hours later. Fast food, much less a cheeseburger and milkshake, at 10pm is definitely something I would have never even considered previously. Oh, when hunger strikes. Haha. 
  
Yesterday for lunch I requested hubby pick up a lemon-lime soda so that I could batter and fry the fish for our fish tacos instead of my usual grilled style. We joked about how that is definitely more characteristic of him than me, and therefore this baby is going to be a little David. Hahaha!

Interestingly, I haven't desired to indulge in a lot of sweets. I enjoy sweets, but I really like salty and meaty foods. Again, the baby's going the be a little David! hahah!


What I'm excited about: I love looking down this growing baby belly and feeling him/her there! It still astonishes me that we will have a little child in only a few months. I am still just so excited to watch him/her grow and discover the person he/she will be. The weeks are going by so fast!

 We've receive a couple of gifts for the baby from a family member and sweet friend. Our cloth diaper collection has begun! Now to just figure out and practice how they all adjust and go on! haha!

Next week will be our last Bradley class. It's bitter sweet. While we'll be glad to not have to make the weekly drive, but I'm a little saddened to no longer have this source of encouragement and education. We've learned so much over the last twelve weeks! It's also been wonderful to have this resource/individuals with such a strong and steady can-do spirit! I'm sure we'll continue to review the material, practice the principals, and stay connected with everyone in the remaining couple of months.

 Midwife appointments are being scheduled closer together! We're beginning to have labor and delivery discussions as part of each visit. Whoa! I've continued to be impressed with the midwife team and hospital we've chosen. I'm so very grateful for a team and facility that is so supportive and respectful of our wishes! 

Of course, Christmas time is here! We typically spend Christmas as just our family, and then visit with extended family later. I really enjoy our little family Christmas celebrations each year. I'm also thrilled as always to get to visit with everyone afterwards  :)

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