Week 47 & 48

                I'm trying to get the last little bit of Christmas shopping done. I HATE shopping after thanksgiving. I go into a panic if I still have gifts to purchase. 24 days until Christmas! It's so exciting I'm totally feeling the spirit this year! 

The Girls decided they wanted a small tree in their room this year!!! 


Adyson is purple.                                                     Brittanys is Blue & Silver! 

             

I must admit I'm very proud of my self and all the goals I have accomplished this year! I had 13 of them. I have accomplished I think 10!  Which is more then I thought I would get done honestly, but when you write down everything you do and share it with the world it gives you that extra push you need! 

The family has been a little scattered this last week. We are helping Aunt  Nancy pack for her trips over the holidays!  Aunt Nancy had a few appointments to get through, Kids with dentist appointments, grocery shopping, etc! Hopefully now that Thanksgiving is over it will calm down. 

I know its still a few weeks off but has anyone started working on their 2014 goals? I have a few that might surprise you for next year! I'm getting excited for it! Gives me something to look forward to! 




FARM HAPPENINGS-  Very sad on the farm Tuesday morning. I went out to make sure everyone was OK because it was so cold Monday night. I found that my pigs had gone out in the middle of the field and made themselves a hay pile instead of going in their stall to stay warm. Many of you remember these cute little guys when we brought them over here in June. So Rest in Peace Hammy and Bacon. 

 HOMEMADE-   Well I have come to the conclusion after MANY DAYS of research and blog searches that my water is VERY HARD.  After a few weeks of using homemade dishwasher powder my dishes had a film that would not come off. I used vinegar as my rinse aid. I also can not make a dish soap for washing dishes in the sink that is tough enough because of my hard water. So I have gone back and researched some more natural dish soaps/detergents and found Ecos at SAMS Club  and this is my new dish soap, for a really good price! I bought some generic tabs to try until I find some natural/better ones. 




READING-   I know I promised to have Angels & Demons read but I'm about 40 pages in, and just can't stay interested. Sorry guys! Makes me mad that its looking like I won't make my goal of a book a week!! But I found a wonderful E-book box set titled Six Times a Charm and from the set I'm reading Haunted on Bourbon Street by Deanna Chase from Barnes and Noble. I have busted out my my long lost friend Nook Simple Touch from www.bn.com. My wonderful husband bought this for me while we were on vacation over the summer so I could read on the beach! I love this better than anything else. I can read in direct light/sunlight with no problems. Best of all Adyson doesn't want to play with it because its black and white. So its all MINE!!! 


EATING HEALTHY-  Well all the Halloween candy is just about gone.  I have been using my little crockpot (1.5 qt) like crazy for breakfast lately. Its just so nice to wake up and your house smells wonderful from breakfast that is already cooked! I am loving my Breakfast board on Pinterest. I have made a few different oatmeals and breakfast casseroles. They were all great!!!  I'm going to post more meals as I make them! 

I think I told you guys about Chickens in the Road she has a fabulous website about the "noodles and sauce" pouches you buy & how to turn them into homemade. So far everyone I have tried has been great! She gives me lots of inspiration! Thank you very much Suzanne! 

 FAMILY TIME-  It was great this passed week with Thanksgiving and going to the in-laws and spending time with extended family! We all had a great a time! Then Daddy and Adyson decided to play TMNT. Daddy was a Foot Soldier, Adyson was Donnatello

Can't wait to post pictures of the house decorated on my next post! Until next week see ya later!!! 

Week 45 & 46 Winter Prep!

                  Its been a slow 2 weeks. I have not done anything really exciting. I am preparing for the winter months. I know Tennessee doesn't have "rough" winters but it never hurts to be prepared.  What have you been doing the last 2 weeks? I know I have been slacking! I am sorry! 

I'm sitting here watching The Brady Bunch the  T.V. show as I am writing the blog today. I am remembering a simpler time. No computers, internet. People took pride in their families, jobs, in themselves. Crime wasn't as bad or crazy. Everyone appreciated what they had. I think I will make a goal about this for 2014. 



Prepare for Winter- I guess you can say I have been playing squirrel. Going around and making sure everything is secure for winter. I have been making sure I have plenty of canned veggies/fruit in case we need them. Making sure there is propane in the tanks of the grill/BBQ. I put 5 jugs of water in the garage for the toilets in case we lose water. Some people say I am paranoid. All I can say is at least I'm prepared! I also try very hard to keep my pantry really stocked over the winter so I am not the one running out at the sound of the word "storm" or "blizzard". 

I make lots of meals in the crockpot over the winter. I always have left overs that get put in the freezer.

I also have all my animals to think about. So I make sure to keep extra feed bags in the garage just in case. 

So I have been making sure the kids are up to date on doctor appointments. I have been reading up healthier foods to eat in the winter that gives us the booster for our immune systems. 



Reading-  I have not been reading the last couple weeks. I am still working on Angels & Demons by Dan Brown. 

Updated Reading List

I promise by next blog post I will have read the book and hopefully watched the movie! 



Family Time & Crafts - With a teenager in the house its hard to get family time. So me and the hubby puts some rules in place for our teenager. My favorite is the Sunday rule, so everyone is home on Sundays to spend time and recoup together. No one is allowed to come over, no one goes anywhere. Its great!  We did crafts last week. They turned out great! I can not wait to decorate the Christmas tree Thanksgiving weekend!!! 

We did the snowflakes and snowman ornaments and glitter ornaments

REVIEW TIME-  So I am still LOVING my Shark Rotator Lift-Away Vacuum. Its works great! Its sucks everything up! 

Dishwasher soap- So I have given this a try for a few weeks and I am not quite happy with this. Its starting to leave a residue on the dishes. I guess it needs to be stronger.  It does NOT get the greasy stuff off at all. Here's the recipe that I started with. I'm going to do more research and tweak it a bit! I'll let you know in a couple weeks. 

So PhotoStream is still not working quite right. I have been on the phone over 5 hours in the last month with Apple. My issue in October and September still has not been fixed. This is why this blog post and others in the past don't have as many pictures! 



GOALS-  I have been looking over the goals I set in week 1. I am very proud that most of them have been accomplished. Especially my number 1 goal, quitting smoking!!!!  There is only 1 that has been put to the side. Which I am not going beat myself up over it, but it will be in the top 5 goals for 2014. MUSIC... I keep forgetting to make time. 



PROUD MOMMA MOMENT-  Brittany is getting 2A's and 2B's in school!!!! So proud of her! 

Adyson used her ALLOWANCE, (yes my 4 year old gets an allowance, she EARNS every penny) to buy herself something. TMNT pillow! 

Until next week!!! Have a great weekend! 

Week 42 & 43

The past 2 weeks have gone by so fast! Sorry about not posting last week, but I didn't have internet! The cable modem finally died. We had to go 5 DAYS without internet!!  Can you imagine? Oh it was horrid. :) 

Then Adyson and I had the crud for a few days. Let germ season begin! I have added an extra vitamin C  & D tablet to my diet along with  B complex.  I have been watching a lot of Dr. Oz lately I love his shows. I like the new up to date medical information he gives. So I am going to try his immune system booster. 

Doctor Oz

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/easy-fixes-boost-your-immunity-pt-1

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/easy-fixes-boost-your-immunity-pt-2

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/easy-fixes-boost-your-immunity-pt-3

( I AM NOT A DOCTOR, I AM NOT ENDORSING ANY PRODUCT. This is simply the diary of my life that I am sharing with you, and where I got my information. Please do your own research!)

REVIEW TIME-

I have to tell you we bought a new Linksys wireless router a few weeks ago. I really like it so far.  It can handle 7+ devices at a time and comes with  the option of a Guest Network with its own password!   Also has PARENTAL CONTROLS!!! Seems to be working great for us! 

I also LOVE the body scrub I found on Pinterest a few months back. I thought I had put it into a post earlier but can't seem to find it. I have been using this scrub since spring/summer started.  I love it and have since started using it all over my body every couple days and so far this fall/winter season I have not had to use lotion! Just remember this is an oil based scrub so your shower/tub will be EXTREMELY slippery when you rinse. 

I also LOVE the facial toner I made during week-20-21-22. So I haven't bought facial toner since! I love the smell and the way it feels! I'm 1 step closer to a chemical free life! 

IOS7- still not working correctly. As you remember from Septembers Blog I was having issues with Photo Stream. I have uninstalled everything, reinstalled everything, signed in and out of everything. Turned permissions on and off. I am getting very frustrated with everything. Still no luck! Anyone else having issues with Photo Stream? OH and the newest update 7.0.3 still didn't fix the issue!!!! 

Movie reviews- I didn't rent any movies last week because I caught the crud last week. It's that time of the year to start taking your vitamins and drinking your orange juice! Oh it was horrible last week sinus infections kick my butt! The  it turns into the chest congestion from the nasal drainage, yuck! So I used the entire stock pile of tissues, that's right all 10 boxes! My poor nose was redder then Rudolph. 

FARM HAPPENINGS- there was a death on the farm last week. Adysons chicken went to heaven. She broke her leg. Adyson took the news better then I thought. It went something like this-

Me-  Mommy has some bad news to tell you. Chicken Girl went to heaven last night. Since she is in heaven now she is not in pain anymore.

Adyson- OOOOOHHHHHH NNNNNOOOOO! Mommy I didn't say goodbye to Chicken Girl. (she has a sad, pouty face. She thinks this over for a few minutes) so mommy when are we getting  new chickens?

ME- well I'm glad you want more chickens but we have to wait until after Christmas and then your birthday before we get more chickens.

Adyson- I get to pick them out right? And I want to paint the chicken coop with rainbows. 

Me- sure honey what ever you want. (Thinking to myself, I'm glad my kids are resilient) :)

REST IN PEACE CHICKEN GIRL

READING - I'm still working on Angels & Demons. Since I wasn't up to snuff last week all I did was relax so I'm behind, I know! What are you reading?

Find me on Goodreads.com

HOMEMADE-  Since being sick last week. I am  stepping up the whole foods/healthy foods in our house! As most of you know I do not buy "boxed" dinners. I am working on getting the rest of the processed foods out of my house. 

 So I am excited to announce that I have FINALLY used up all my couponing, stockpiled dishwasher tabs!!!  I found a recipe on Pinterest about making your own dishwasher soap. It uses simple stuff from around the house (well their around my house) So hopefully you can make some too! If you have made homemade laundry soap you should have most of the stuff on hand.

DISHWASHER SOAP-

3 cups Borax

3 cups washing soda

1 cup Epson salt ( I got a big 10 lb bag at Sams Club for around $8)
1/2 cup citric acid. (don't freak out, I found it in the canning isle of the grocery store. I used this in place of the "lemonade packets" or Lemi-Shine rinse aid called for in most recipes) around $3-$4. 

Mix all ingredients together. Use 1-1.5tbs per load! PLEASE BE AWARE IT MAY HARDEN IF NOT STIRRED EVERYDAY. You can break it up and still use it. Or you can get little ice cube trays and pour powder into trays & let sit out for 2-3 days to harden. Just remember to buy to use trays that have small enough cubes so they fit properly in your dishwasher & a container big enough to handle all the tablets! 

So far I like it! I've only used it a few times so it's going to be reviewed again in a few weeks once I give it a good & dirty test!

CRAFTS- With Christmas coming I have lots of crafts planned for Adyson to do! Thanks to Pinterest I would love to do Adyson's hand in the clay and bake it. I also love the idea of the Snowman Orniments. There is so many. But I REFUSE to push the holidays. So we wont be starting any Christmas crafts until after Halloween. I just can't wait. 




Hope everyone has a great week! See you next time! 

Week 40 & 41 Already?!

               My SEAHAWKS are doing wonderful so far this season. Yes they lost a game last week BUT they are still doing good!! (Sorry to anyone who has a losing team). I can't wait for tomorrows game, SEAHAWKS vs the TITANS! This will be a divided house for sure!

I'm going on day 3 of a nasty sinus infection, today it feels like there is an elephant sitting on my chest. I'm rotating vitamins and meds. Drinking soup, yes I said drinking soup!!! Of course I get sick while my husband is home. But I guess that is a blessing because he is doing a WONDERFUL job handling the kids while I relax in the bed to get as much rest as possible. Oh did I mention that I have gone through 3 BOXES of tissue? There goes my stockpile for the cold/flu season, UGHHH!!! I am enjoying the cold/flu tea that I found on Pinterest. Go check it out! 

Christmas is 74days away!!!! 

FAMILY TIME- We have found a new love this week. Our Wii. Did a family bowling tournament on the Wii, and had a blast! Made some nacho cheese dip along with popcorn! 

Can't wait until next time! We even had a visitor, my hubby's cousin along with his daughter! 

Brittany & Jackie 

Cousin Chris

Special Announcement!!!! -

I would love to give my blessings to my husbands uncle Larry &  wife Becky on their wedding/marriage. May your life forever be filled with many blessings. Love to you both and enjoy your trip to Hawaii!! 

MOVIES- 

EPIC- was a great kids movies. Loved it! About good & evil in the forest. Father & daughter who need to reunite. Will probably be buying it. AWESOME! 

The Croods- another father & daughter who work through differences. About being brave! 

World War Z- so it's a movie about zombies, starring Brad Pitt. Wasn't bad. But I'm not a zombie person. 

Iron Man 3- it's ok. I'm not an action girl. (& I didn't see the first 2)

One for the Money- was great! Funny movie & book! Loved every minute! 

Sunday's at Tiffany's- James Pattersons book turned into a movie. COMPLETELY different from the book, more funny parts then the book. I would watch it again! It was cute! 

 HOMEMADE-  so I made a tasty breakfast the other morning. You know fall is here and my favorite flavor is FINALLY in season, PUMKIN SPICE!!! So I decided to make pumpkin spice French toast! I've got the recipe pinned to my Pinterest breakfast board. 

Pumpkin spice French toast

(This recipe covers about 8-9 slices of bread, so I always double the recipe & freeze leftovers in quart freezer bags for those rush days ;)

Find it on my Pinterest board.

1. 3 tbsp pumpkin puree
2. 2 eggs
3. 1/2 cup milk
4. 1/4 tsp cinnamon
5. 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
6. 3 tbsp butter
7. Maple Syrup
8. Half of a french bread loaf

1. In a shallow dish whisk pumpkin puree, eggs, milk, cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice together.
2. Melt butter in a skillet or frying pan over medium high heat. Dredge french bread strips into egg mixture, allowing bread to soak up some of the mixture. Place into the pan or skillet and cook until sides are golden brown (or darker if you like). Cook on all four sides.

This Lady has a bunch of great recipes on her website go check her out! 

READING- I told you guys that I wanted to start reading books turned into movies. So I have started that goal!

Breakfast at Tiffany's by James Patterson.  This is not your typical James Patterson book. This is a book about an imaginary friend and how they become real. It was a slow but enjoyable book. 

One For The Money by Janet Evanovich- was hilarious! Loved it!!! 

Angels & Demons By Dan Brown- I just started reading and so far I like it! Hopefully Next week I will have it finished.

Well its time for me to get back to resting. Wish everyone a great week! What are you reading? What movies are you renting? 

Week 36 Can't wait for Fall!

                    It has been an interesting week for sure. Brittany had an off week for football and trying to get back on a regular schedule was almost impossible. I LOVE long weekends but the short "work" week messes me up, big time. I can not wait for the weather to start changing. I can't wait to use my crockpot more. I need to get in a better habit of using my crockpot. I did get an AWESOME craft project done this week. That was my biggest accomplishment this week. 

Oh by the way guess what guys? There are only 108 days until Christmas!!! Can you believe it? Santa is doing it LAST MINUTE THIS YEAR! 


 NO CHEMICALS-  I still have 2 bottles of Lysol bathroom cleaner left then I will be making my own. I can't wait. I have found a wonderful book I shared with you earlier this year Pinterest. I love this book. I can't wait to start trying some recipes. 

HEALTHY EATING-  Brittany is doing great with cooking dinner 2 times a week. I think she is actually starting to enjoy it. Although on Friday we forgot to pull anything out of the freezer for dinner so she cooked Tuna Helper. Not the healthiest but she did good following the directions. 
I think this year I am going to make homemade cocoa for the kids instead of buying that junk stuff from a box. I have been looking for some good homemade recipes, if anyone has any let me know! I have a drinks board on Pinterest

I'm still trying to find some more smoothie recipes, you can see mine on Pinterest

READING-  I still haven't a read book. I'm falling behind. Since They haven FINALLY decided to turn 50 Shade of Grey into a movie and have chosen the cast maybe I will read that. 

My Exercising- I did get up and exercise two times this week, even though it was a short week. The other days I was up and at it in the cow stalls, mucking.... Well someone has to do it. I fell off the ab work out too. So starting Monday I will start back on day 12 of my ab workout. 

 FARMING-  I was comparing pictures of the Girls (Hamburgerella & Steaktesssa) from when we got them in January until now and how much they have grown. The girls can't be more different, its funny. Rella LOVES bananas peelings and all, but Tessa will only eat the banana. The girls wouldn't leave me alone when I went out to muck stalls. I had to block the way of the stall with the muck cart.

Hamburgerella back in January.

Steaktessa & Hamburgerella in January

Hamburgerella in July... She has gotten so big.

CRAFTING-  So you guys have heard me mention the birthday present that I wanted to make for my grandmother. Well over the last week I completed a Halloween Village for Grandma! I am so proud of it. I had so much fun doing this. It was much easier then I ever thought it would be. I bought Christmas houses last year on sale (after Christmas) I spray painted all the people and houses black. Used a touch of chrome spray paint on the tops of the houses to give it a mystical feel. NO ONE BETTER TELL MY GRANDMOTHER!!! I'm mailing it this coming week, so she has plenty of time to get it set up and plenty of time to have it displayed!

My kitchen table for the last week covered in crafting things.

 

The start of  the cemetery & headless horse man!

The town sign, it says "Happy Halloween"

 

 

The village completed. 

Well until next week, enjoy your time with your loved ones. Time goes by so quickly and you forget what is really important in life. We come and go so quickly no one gets to know anyone anymore. Stop and smell the roses. Don't let life pass you by. 

REST IN PEACE KATHERINE APPLEBY

Books I have Read in 2013- update week 45/46

These are the books I have read so far this year. As the year progresses there will be several different types of books. I will label out in categories as the list gets longer. I will update the list throughout the year!

So far I'm up to 27 books I'm a little behind but I have the confidence that I will make by goal for the year! 

You can look at my 2013 goals on my first week's Blog. 26 educational, 26 pleasure books. 

I've got 17 educational/informational book done! 

I've got 10 pleasure books done! 


In September....

27- One for the Money by Janet Evanovich. This was fabulous!!! Loved the book and movie!! 

24,25,26-  I've read the Fifty Shades of Grey series- I LOVED IT! (Besides the obvious sexual content which is not a big deal to me) I loved how the story had a real purpose. 2 people who have issues and learn to work through them. I just had to see what all the hype was about. I really liked the actual story throughout the series! Which leads me to my next question of HOW are they going to turn this into a movie? Cause 75% of the first book Fifty Shades of Grey is sexual content. So it will be interesting. Oh & after reading the books I can NOT picture the cast they have hired for the roles in the movie.


23-Breakfast at Tiffany's by James Patterson.  This is not your typical James Patterson book. This is a book about an imaginary friend and how they become real. It was a slow but enjoyable book. 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
ROMANCE- 

22- "Perfect Fling" by Carly Phillips - It was funny & romantic(a few exotic parts), I loved it!!! Great plot, and characters were life like! Ups and downs great book & would read it again!



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MURDER/MYSTERY-

21- Malice by Lisa Jackson, AWESOME

20-Suspicions by Christine Kersey- this was OK, written for ALL reading levels (in my opinion) little too simple for me.

19-Swim by Jennifer Weiner VERY SHORT e-book, not worth the time, only 40 pages

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SOAPMAKING-

18-Soapmaking for the first time by Linda Ortin- This is a simple starter book for those looking to make your own soap. Its for "first time" soap makers and a great book! Its on my "buy list" but I can't find it anywhere.

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FOOD-

17-The best of Top Secrets Recipes by Todd Wilbur- Who doesn't like to make their own McDonalds Big Mac, Taco Bell Nachos, KFC Fried Chicken, at least this way you KNOW whats in your food! Love this book and BOUGHT IT!




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OILS-

16-Aromatherapy Massage by Clare Maxwell Hudson- This is a wonderful book for your basic oils and massage techniques. 

15-Aromatherapy Handbook by Erich Keller -This book is a little older (1990's) gave some great  recipes for homemade beauty products. 

14-The Complete book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood- BOUGHT THIS BOOK! This is a "natural" book of 600 + "recipes" for most health issues, common cold, upset stomach etc.

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MISC-

13-Best of Instructables vol 1


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GARDENING-

12-Tips for Container Gardening from Fine Gardening- This was great for flowers, not too much info about vegetables

11-The New Self Sufficient Gardener by John Seymore- This book was GREAT! Great tips!

10-The Weekend Homesteader by Anna Hess- This gives you  month by month steps on how to prep everything. It was OK. A few tips and some good kid activities.

9-The Vegetable Gardener's Container Bible by Edward C Smith- AWESOME book, I bought it! Explains in detail the soil types for your veggies, depth of pots, what plants you can grow together  and the plants you should keep separate!

8-Container Gardening by P. Allen Smith 

7-Gardening with out a Garden by Gay Search

6-Container Gardener Rupert Golby

5-Homemade by Ken Braren

4-The No Garden Gardener Jane courtier

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLEANING-

3-Cleaning by Real Simple & Kathleen Squires - this didn't give me the information I was looking for. I thought this book would give me homemade cleaning solutions to the commercial brands. All this book gave me was a "schedule" (daily, weekly, monthly, annually) of what to clean in my house. 

2-Homemade by Readers Digest- GREAT & BOUGHT IT- lots of "homemade solutions" for your everyday life. 

1-The Naturally Clean Home by Karyn Siegal-Maier This is an awesome book, I went out and BOUGHT it! Lots of homemade "recipes" for all the cleaning supplies needed to clean your home.