Kitchen Inspiration

Well, I wasted the morning on Pinterest, but I’m glad that I did.  I am starting to get excited for my kitchen remodel that should be happening this spring.  So I typed “kitchen” into the search box on Pinterest and these are some of my favorites among the MANY pins that came up.

 

Source: brabournefarm.blogspot.com via Joanna on Pinterest

I love the rustic look, but I am leery about how easy this would be to clean.  My kids are little and the unfinished wood would collect crumbs and stickiness.

 

 

Source: mybluecanoe.tumblr.com via Nicky on Pinterest

What I love about this one is the very basic cupboard, the ease of use – everything is in an arms reach, the open shelving.

 

 

Source: google.com via Cody on Pinterest

Our whole home is very eclectic.  Nothing really matches.  I love how this kitchen is put together with handmade pieces that all serve a purpose.  And again, the open shelving.

 

 

Source: Uploaded by user via Nicole on Pinterest

This one is very open and bright.  Everything matches which would take time for me to do.  I think this kitchen would be very easy to clean.  And I like the drawers on the bottom.  I won’t have room for an island, I don’t think but I am hoping a peninsula.  The shelving by the chairs, will be perfect for each child to have a cubby, a place to put their stuff that gets scattered around the house.

 

Source: free-home-decorating-ideas.com via Ashley on Pinterest

I love the wood counter!  I think DH has a concrete counter in mind, and I’m okay with that too.  I love the colors, but have always wanted a yellow kitchen.  I know we plan to use tongue and groove type of wood for the cupboards, but I’m not sure if we plan to pain them, or to paint the walls.  I love the idea of having the mugs hanging.  This kitchen has too much stuff on the counter for my taste.  I prefer to have everything in a home and to have my counter space available as work space.

 

 

Source: designsponge.com via Rosie on Pinterest

I love the white and the under the stairs!  So very simple.  I don’t know what the rest of the kitchen looks like and I know this wouldn’t work in my house, but when we retire, I would love to have just the very very very basics…

 

Source: desiretoinspire.net via Joanna on Pinterest

http://www.redbrickbarn.com.au/ – more pictures here!

My kitchen sink is going to be under a window.  I love that!  I love the way the plates are stored, so close to the sink, for ease of putting away after washing.  I’m not thrilled with this sink though.  And the little shelf  under the winter is awesome!  I’m trying to decide if I want a concrete backsplash and counter, or just one or the other.

 

Source: re-nest.com via Brandon on Pinterest

Again – the open shelving.  So easy to put stuff away, and to grab it when needed.  No doors to clean!  And incentive to keep the clutter at bay!

 

 

Source: homemadeinheaven.blogspot.com via Sarah O on Pinterest

Simple.  White.  Drawers. Shelving. Large pantry (appears to be anyway).  Seats for kids near by.  I even like the steel blue coloring.

 

Source: funkybeardecor.com via Leslie on Pinterest

Again, with the rustic wood and concrete counter!  I love this combination.  The open shelving and the stacks of bowls.  I don’t like the pallet on the wall though.

 

Source: rosesandrustblogger.blogspot.com via Lynn on Pinterest

I love this sink! And the drying rack.  I think my dishes would just live there.  I love the concrete, too.  And what a great use of the wall space at the end of the sink and counter.  Normally that space is wasted.  I love it!  I already have my sink chosen, though I think I’ll be repainting it.  It’s currently pink.

 

Source: catchingfireflies.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

And I love this artwork.  I’m thinking of something a little more subway art.

 

In talking with my DH a couple of things I haven’t taken into account is the fact that I have 2 fridges.  But I am thinking I don’t want them BOTH in the kitchen.  And the amount of upper shelving I want may not be enough.

 

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

I miss it

I have not been blogging and I miss it so much!  So briefly here’s what’s been going on around here.

 

One day I looked after a little boy, same age as Matty.  They played the piano together; it was so cute!

 

Matty learned to climb the stairs!  He’s fast!

 

I created a new 3 day/week homeschool schedule.  I’m kinda excited about it.  We will start on Monday.  I’ll try to write more about it soon.

		ACSI Math Gr. 2	Building A Life Gr. 3	Human Body Gr. 2-3	God’s Wonderful Works Gr. 2	Books Read
Week 1		Do 6 pages.	Do 4 pages.		Do 4 pages.
Week 2		Do 6 pages.	Do 4 pages.	Do 4 pages.
Week 3		Do 6 pages.		Do 4 pages.	Do 4 pages.
Week 4		Do 6 pages.	Do 4 pages		Do 4 pages.
Week 5		Do 6 pages.	Do 4 pages.	Do 4 pages.
Week 6		Do 6 pages.		Do 4 pages.	Do 4 pages.

 

I have talked in the past about purchasing and teaching through the Tapestry of Grace program of study.  I have decided that it is not a fit for us.  Too involved.  So instead what I am doing is taking their book lists as a jumping off point.  I order as many of the books from the library from the list as I can find.  I’ll order 10 or 20 at a time.  As they come in we spend some time looking at them together at the table.  I even ordered from the lists for the high school students.  Right now we are reading about ancient Egypt.  The kids are having fun with the information!

 

Jason got a raise!  I’m so proud of him for working so hard and sticking with this company, even when things were really tough this winter.  The guys (and gals) that he works with are decent people and they get along pretty good.  He likes the work.  He’s working in the shop at the oil field safety company that he was doing fire watch for the last year and a half. 

 

Oh and because of the raise, we’ve also decided to keep the bus!  I didn’t realize how attached I was to my bus until we re-discussed the sale.  I love my bus!  It is perfect for what I want and need.

 

The garden is mostly in.  Just onions and cucumbers left to put in the dirt.  We were planting bean plants (Jason started them in the house.) the other day.  We had to hurry at the end because a storm was blowing in fast!  We were cleaning up the trays and pots just as it started coming down hard.  I can’t wait to see what this year’s garden produces!!

 

I took this picture of my favorite beverage:

 

Just a couple other quick things:

• the 2 big girls went to the store by themselves!  They did so great!
• shingles are on sale this week and pay day is this week!!!!

 

 

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Best Homeschool Tool I Ever Bought

 Spent a part of my Mother's Day coloring with my kids; pencil crayons needed lots of sharpening.  Also learned that some pencil crayons are not nearly as good as others.  Choose your brand wisely.  Note: do not choose ENCORE brand. :)

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Two Things

 

I am one cranky momma today!  I have no idea why.  Just plan miserable.  I’ll shake it, eventually.

I really want a pair of these shoes.  I am excited that my hubby asked me if I wanted a pair and so thankful that HE remembered I wanted them.

 

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Day Twenty-Five

 

The baby loves wrappers – chip bags, chocolate bar wrappers.  They keep him busy for hours at a time.  Other than that – books, cords, puppy dog tails – these are the things that will get him creeping along the floor. He’s not very good at it yet, but he’s getting better every single day.

 

 

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Day Nineteen

 

One of my favorite things: Gold Canyon Orchid Vanilla candles.  They smell heavenly! Might have to purchase some more!

 

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

New Dishwasher!

Okay, I have hated my dishwasher since we moved into this house.  It was well (probably over) used when we got it.  And with a family as large as ours we go through a lot of dishes.  But I plowed through and used it intermittently.  It would clean well for a few loads.  Then it would quit washing the dishes and they would often come out dirtier than when the went in.  SO SO SO FRUSTRATING!  I almost got rid of it so many times, but I can’t carry it!  (It’s a portable.)

 

Well, on Sunday we mistakenly thought that it had FINALLY completely quit working.  Three of us tried to get it to work, checking everything from water being turned on, is it plugged in, maybe the last person got the wrong setting.  And so on.  Well, just before we went to bed, Kristyn tried one more time.  She double checked that it was plugged in ALL THE WAY.  The rest of us had simply looked at the plug and it looked plugged in.  She picked it up and pushed it in.  Anyway, it started running again and I was SOOOO disappointed.

 

Thankfully, I have a husband that spoils me and tries to make life easier for me.  He bought this:

 

 

It’s so cute and works so good and looks so nice.  I know it doesn’t hold all of our dishes for a meal, but it will get a good chunk of them.  Kristyn loves it and the dishes have become her job.  That’s important too.  Using tools you love.

 

My old one is one step closer to the back door!!!

 

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

We’re Just Different. It’s Okay. Number 2.

We drive a school bus; this is our personal vehicle, our main mode of transportation.  It’s a short bus, with a wheelchair lift in it.  It has bus seats and seat belts.  It has a bench / shelf that we use for storage, for changing diapers, for a table for schoolwork.  I love my bus. 

The motor needs some work and it can’t go very fast, but I love my bus.  I have 6 infant / child car seats in the front two bench seats.  It is a little crowded and kind of a pain in the butt, but we are safe.  I’d love to install a third bench seat but for now the back bus seat is enough to carry extra people with us. 

Our bus is such a blessing.  It is ours; the loan is paid in full.  We can use this bus to transport larger numbers of people in relative comfort.  The tall can move around with ease and have many places to put long legs.  I can purchase a months worth of groceries and fit them all in my vehicle.  And let me tell you that feeding our crew requires a lot of groceries in a month.

I love my bus and do not want to give it up.  My husband has asked me a number of times if I’d like him to find us something else that would be easier to park, better on fuel, less bulky, more “mainstream”.  And I always tell him, no thanks.  He’s welcome to do / have work done on the motor (even change the motor to a better one); he’s welcome to paint it and do the body work needed (some rust).

The other day a lady told me that she hit my bus while she was backing up in our yard.  I just shrugged it off after making sure she was not hurt and that her vehicle was unmarred.  She really couldn’t hurt my bus.  It’s big and strong.  I hit a cement barricade one day when I was backing out of a parking spot.  There was no mark on my bumper.  My bus can take the incidental abuse that happens from day to day and is no worse for wear.

I love my bus.

 

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

The Piano

I used to fall asleep to my mom playing hymns and choruses on our piano that sat in our living room.  It always amazed me as a teen how the house calmed the longer she played.  She would often practice at bedtime; this is one of my fondest memories.

I could sit and listen to the piano endlessly.  I have this one Christmas CD that I play over and over again simply because it is the piano.  This week in making our home a haven we have been challenged to play peaceful music in our homes.  Women Living Well suggested a couple of pianists so I went looking for those specific individuals on YouTube.  I know have two wonderful playlists that I am greatly enjoying!

 

Still diggin',

Vancouver Cafe serves more than just coffee.

Anyone that knows me (IRL or online) knows how much I love my coffee.  My husband and I are not extremely picky about our beans but we prefer whole bean over already ground.  We grind it ourselves.  We drink coffee in restaurants but much prefer to brew it ourselves.  There are not a lot of great coffee shops in our immediate area.  Even the closest Tim Hortons is  30 minutes away.  However, if we lived in the Vancouver area there is this place called Take 5 Cafe.  They have breakfast, lunch and after hours options.  If we lived closer, I can see my hubby and I meeting for a coffee in the late afternoon or later in the evening. 

 

Here are some great meal suggestions:

For breakfast meetings: freshly baked croissants, muffins and scones with fresh fruit with their 100% Arabica coffee.

Lunch selections: Italian panini, wraps, salads and pastas. Pair with organic fruit juices or tea service and choose from a selection of dessert options.

For after-hours: hors d’oeuvres and canapés, including tomato & bocconcini crostini, veal parmesan meatballs and mini marinated chicken skewers and a big mug of warm coffee.

All food is made from locally sourced ingredients with no added preservatives.

 

Hmmm, I wonder if they deliver to Alberta???

 

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

A stack of paper, and a new box of crayons

So my dear readers, when you are tired, sore, great big and pregnant, what do you do to occupy your other children???  I was tired of using the TV; they were tired of the TV!  (I seriously limit the programming!)  They didn’t want to play outside (or couldn’t because it was raining or too hot).  They were just bored and I didn’t have the energy to plan another activity!

I had run (read waddled from the bus to the store) to the store for milk and diapers and then saw the school supplies being placed on the shelf!  So I picked up some colored pencils and Crayola crayons.  On my parents’ last visit, they brought a HUGE box of scrap paper.

And then I played it up.  You don’t ever do that, do you?  I let them see what I’d bought, pretending I didn’t want them to know what was in the bag.  And then made sure they knew that the pencils and crayons were mine.  They would need to be very careful with them, IF I even let them use them.  The writing utensils stayed on my desk for at least a day.  And then finally, I set the five of them up at the table with a stack of paper and the new boxes of colors!

Now, I have to figure out what to do with all the precious pictures I’ve been given.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

20 Things a Day Declutter Challenge

On July 16th, my friend Christi and I decided that we were going to get rid of a minimum of 20 things each day from our homes.  By the fourth day, I had to start looking a lot harder to find 20 items.  In the basement, there was lots, but I wanted to focus on the main floor for at least a week.

 

At the end of the first week, I moved to the basement.  On the first day in the basement, I removed 208 items from my home.  I started in my storage area with a few questions in mind:

• Do I love it? If not, it’s probably on it’s way out the door.
• Would I move it across the country?  If not, it’s probably on it’s way out the door.
• Would I purchase it second hand?  If not, it’s probably on it’s way out the door.
• Do I really need it right now?  In the next year?  If not, it’s probably on it’s way out the door.
• Will this item be easy to find in the future? If not, it’s probably STAYING here.

I continued with this line of questioning and thinking as my work in the basement progressed.

Other things I have counted in my declutter challenge is simply trash that goes un-noticed until you really look.  As FlyLady would say, look with the eyes of a realtor or a stranger.  What do they see?  In this house, they see a lot of trash and clutter!  This problem is slowly getting resolved.

I don’t always get 20 things every day anymore, but my mind is refocused to not accepting just anything.  I now have a specific list of things we need or want to make life here a little easier.  If something comes that is not on that list, it’s not an automatic “in” anymore.  I think about it now.  This is an important step in the fight against clutter.  At least it is for me.  I know others who have this trait (is it a trait?) naturally.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

30 Days of Recipes - My Favorite Sandwich

When I need a pick-me-up or "comfort food" or "just because," I make this easy sandwich:

a hamburger bun, toasted (sometimes)
butter (sometimes)
a fried egg
grated / sliced cheese

I put the hot egg on the grated cheese so it melts altogether. I can take these with me in the truck if we are in a hurry but make sure to cook the egg well or it will drip all over!

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Homeschool Plans For This Year

Ok, I've been bombarded with questions like: What are you teaching this year? When are you starting? What extras are you planning on using? Are you doing anything different this year? When are you starting? My homeschool groups are talking about planning and curriculum. And it's not like I don't have any plan, I just don't have a set plan. It is still summer. I don't really want to sit down and think about it yet.

So, here's what I've got so far: (subject to change at whim - mine or theirs)

• ACSI MATH grade 1 and grade 2. We hope to be done grade one math by Christmas and start grade two in January. Currently we are working at a level of 2 pages per day, five days a week.
• Letter of the Week. However, we always take longer than a week on each letter. When we stopped in the spring, the girls really missed it; we are picking up at the letter Gg. I've got the pages printed; we are waiting for a rainy day, or a day we have to be inside. This letter of the week is directed at age three, but we stretch it for the older ones; I like to use Enchanted Learning.
  
• Beestar.org. While doing a search for What Your Second Grader Needs To Know, I read in a couple of reviews the recommendation of using this site for math help. So, the two girls are signed up there and the fall semester starts on the 16th.
• BOB Books as well as other level appropriate books (from the library) for reading. CJ is reading so well. K seems to be struggling, but it could be that she's just not ready yet to share what she knows. It might be a lack of confidence.
• board games and puzzles. We had started a Family Game Night on Monday nights. We'll have to continue that again when summer settles into fall.
• Rosette Stone Spanish. I bought this program last fall to use up my homeschool funding. Yes, I had almost 700 dollars left at the end of last year.
• Dance. This will just be a short 2 week thing in August. I guess if they really really take a liking to it, we may continue it through the year, but I'm not ready for that.
• Piano. I'm teaching and learning at the same time. Even J wants to learn. I still need to buy the books. I'm leaning toward these ones here or these ones. I just have to get to a store to buy them.
• Baking and cooking. The girls have asked to learn to do this more; I'm not complaining.
• Various arts and crafts.
• Various copywork and notebooking and lapbooks.
• Canada, My Country. I had planned for this last year and we didn't even look at it.
• How To Teach Science, the Periodic Table. Again, I'd planned for this in the past, but there was just no interest.
• Draw, Write, Now. K loves these and often pulls them out just for fun.
• The Human Body. I need to look at this book more as it does seem to be an interest that the kids have.
• Last year we started the year with an All About Me lapbook. I think I'm going to start with that again this year. (I was going to link to the pictures of the last one we did, but I couldn't find it.) I am getting the the lapbook from Live & Learn Press. I think instead of a lapbook, we'll put it into a duotang or a small binder with sheet protectors so that we can add to it as we go through the year. I'll share links as I find ones I love.
• When I went looking for the ACSI Math books, I saw that ACSI has a character studies course available too. I wish I could have a hands-on copy to look at. However, I went on the word of my best friend with the math, and we are loving it. I just don't know whether to get the teachers' book or not. I guess I could order the student book and if I just can't do it without the teachers' manual I could get it at a later date. (Just thinking out loud here.)
  

I think that about covers it. Of course, one thing will lead to another and we will cover all sorts of topics and learning. And some of this may never come to be. I will be trying to report what we are doing in our homeschooling either Friday or Saturday each week.


Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Don't forget to check out the great giveaways at Simply Sensational Divas Review.

Feeling Better By Doing Some Simple Things

Being a stay at home mom, I find it easy to get into a rut and the rut seems that much deeper when DH is home all the time too! And as you know, if you read here regularly, I've been down and we've been having some intense conversations (dh and I). Well, the conversation - the open communication - is getting us somewhere. We are working out the issues and it is so exciting. That's not such a simple thing; communication can be hard.

The simple things I'm talking about that have got me feeling more chipper this morning, dispite having a summer cold, are:

new haircut - this was part of my issue, but I'm working with it after checking out this post.
hair done, with "mud" and the whole bit
makeup - more than just mascara
jewelry - the necklace I'm wearing (a gift from Christy, from SmartMom) I haven't really ever wore because it always seemed the wrong length if I used the clasp. So I tied a knot in it and it works!!!! (Think outside the box)
nice sandals - I love my Earth Spirit Shoes from Wal-Mart! Cheap and comfy!

Two other fine ladies joined me on this "mission" today. Check out Stephanie and Christi too (links coming soon)! Well, don't check them out (unless you are their significant other, but I don't think their significant others read my blog)! But check out the girls' blog posts.

Try it. Get dressed up, just because! I did!


Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Pre-Paid On-Time Delivery Guaranteed

Sigh.

A parcel sent on the 21st of April (prepaid on-time NEXT DAY delivery guaranteed) did not arrive until TODAY. Today is the 27th of April!!!!! Now, I know the package says 1-3 days. And I imagine that means 1 to 3 business days. So, even giving them the 3 business days, the package still should have been here on FRIDAY! Granted, we are in a "remote location" but we're not that remote!

(Note: I went and read at the website (under Xpresspost, linked below) and WOW they've created a huge loop-hole for themselves.)

Let's just say that sending a cheque via Canada Post "snail mail", even through their Xpresspost system, is not the best way to send money. But there is a method that is better and much more efficient.

It's called a Money Gram. Because our bank holds out-of-province / out-of-country cheques for 20 days, sending us a cheque won't be of immediate help. (Not that I'm asking for help, I'm just saying, that it wouldn't be of immediate help to a friend or family member of yours, if they were in a similar situation. If you get what I'm saying.) And I've had a couple of friends (whom I've never met) who so graciously blessed my family with some funds using this Money Gram service.

What my dear friends did was went to their local Wal-Mart (a Money Gram "agent", if you will), filled out a short form including sender and receiver information. They instant messaged me the reference number. I then went into my Canada Post "venue" and gave them the number and my id. I left the post office with either a cheque or cash (if their cash drawer has enough to get them through the day). Now the cheque could cause some individuals some problems at the banks, but it depends on the bank and branch would be my guess.

While I was picking up the last Money Gram I received, the lady at the post office said that she had a man come in with a Canadian money order that the bank would not cash for him. She said that his bank told him that they would hold the amount for a week. So he brought the money order to the post office to have them cash it for him. When I went to my bank to cash my Money Gram cheque I was kind of expecting some trouble getting the cash. When the cashier very willingly handed me the money I asked her about this other "story" that I'd been told. She explained to me that when a bank cashs a cheque or a money order, that action is based on what is in the client's account. That way if the cheque bounces, the bank can just get their money back by debting your account.

Sending money from a Wal-Mart or other physical location is not the only option either. If you visit the money gram website, you will see that you can send money safely online with your credit card as well. In addition, you can pay bills and transfer money between accounts. I encourage you to check it out!

Learning to live my life with purpose,

A couple of new favorite things

Sleep Well Body Wash
Lavender Whipped Lotion

The Healing Garden products (available at our local Rexall) have been a wonderful addition to my cosmetic / skin care routine. The lavender lotion helped with my headaches while I was pregnant with Baby R. I love the relaxing scent. And the body wash was part of a birthday gift I received from a pair of sisters that babysit for us quite often. I'm enjoying the rich and soothing scent.

A Gift, Just Because

Kyber Outerwear

Handmade in small villages at the heart of the Himalayas.

Quality and style without parallel.

New Favorite Yogurt

DH and I have been drinking these great yogurts by Astro.
They are a probiotic drinkable yogurt. Very very tasty.
We get the vanilla one usually.