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 38 & 39

                  I'm sorry its been 2 weeks! You know how life can get away from you. The seasons are changing. Its finally getting a little cooler here. Does everyone realize that there are only 88 days left until CHRISTMAS?!?!?!?! I have already started looking into what the kids want.

Just a moment... I need to say Happy Anniversary to my Husband. 5 years ago this week we married. I have been blessed ever since. I never thought I would find a man a good as my husband. I'm glad I snatched him up. He is my everything. He doesn't have a clue the effect he has on me. The smile on his face lights up the room. I just can't picture my life without him. Happy Anniversary!!!

I must admit  I have been in a BLAH mood for a few weeks. I have not wanted to work out. Anyone else feeling the same way? Is it the seasons change? But I am going to say I have not been sleeping well at night either. I have got to get back on the wagon. So of course what better day to start then a Monday!

UPDATE- My husbands grandmother Mimi Sam has FINALLY come home!!!! She's been home about a week now! She is doing great and glad to be home. Thank you for all your prayers! Love you Mimi!!

Adyson enjoying her Mimi's back scratcher! 

IOS7 Update- Anyone else having problems with Photo stream not loading to your computer? I'm trying to write this blog and figure out what is going with my phone. I had to sign out of iCloud on the computer and on the phone, and sign back in!Ok never mind that didn't work either!
If anyone has a anything to suggest PLEASE DO!!! Very upset that my photos are no longer saving to my computer!!! 

HOMEMADE- So yesterday I was CRAVING brownies. so I dug through Pinterest where I found a perfect recipe for brownies. They came out gooey, and thick and fudge like. Oh I had 2 when they came out of the oven. The best part is I know everything thats in them!!!! Best part is you can make up the dry stuff ahead of time and put in a ziplock bag and add wet stuff when you are ready to bake.

My dessert board on Pinterest. Keep in mind this is homemade. So the batter is much thicker then store bought.

My Version of Homemade Brownies-

2/3 cup cocoa
2 cup sugar
1 & 1/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
1 stick melted butter + enough vegtable oil to make 1 cup
1/4 water
1/4 vegetable oil (yes 2 different amount of oil)

Mix together. Grease 9x13 pan. bake 360 for 22-27 min depending on how gooey you want them.

Oh did I mention they were AWESOME!!!

So Adyson has been into Cat in the Hat lately. She read Green Eggs and Ham SEVERAL times over the last 2 weeks. So she decided she wanted to try to eat green eggs and ham. So I made some for her.

                             

So because my eggs and ham didn't look EXACTLY like the book she wouldn't eat them. But at least I tried. 



READING- 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.

Next on my reading list is Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson. The movie came on last weekend so I DVR'd it. So I think from now til the end of the year I'm going to read books turned movies. I'll read the books & watch the movies. I've always wanted to do this! Please post in the comments below for suggestions!

You can look me up on Goodreads
You can also be a Nook friend, trying to figure out how to throw a link out there but can't find one.

Anyone have any suggestions?

MOVIES- 

Life of Pi- I've tried to watch it 2 times & fall asleep within 15 minutes. I just don't understand what all the hype is about with this movie. 

Sorry this post is so short. I really need to keep better track of things and use the app on my phone. I know I have more to say, but nothing comes to my mind. Well until next time!!!! 

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HALF WAY THROUGH THE YEAR!

Sorry I'm a few weeks behind, I'm traveling again! Weeks 26-29 have gone by too fast. 
Does anyone realize we are half way through this year already? Or in shopping terms 159 days til Christmas ?!?! I'm just as shocked as you are, where does the time go? I'm going to review my goals that I posted back in January. Make it Count is where my goals are listed. It's been the biggest challenge just keeping up with day to day life, but worth every moment.

QUIT SMOKING- was my most important goal to accomplish this year. It took me a few tries and attempts. This last time I really had to put my mind to it. I did buy the BLU e-cig to help me. No smell, no smoke, tastes OK. So I'm proud to say I have been cigarette free for almost a WEEK! I'm also proud to say my husband has quit smoking too (he quit first)!

FAMILY TIME-Over the last 6 months we have enjoyed more family time.We don't have to  "concentrate" Wow 6 months, time flies when you are having fun! We did our annual party for 4th of July. Hope everyone had a great 4th of July. I made my famous Cajun Chicken Lasagna and my husband lights the fireworks. We had about 40 people come and enjoy the show. 

GETTING ORGANIZED- I'm proud to say every room has been organized. I started with the Kitchen in January. In March/April I did my daughter's room. The living room and dining room, well there's nothing to organize. I'm thankful I had the time to do all the little projects this year. 

EAT HEALTHY- Meal planning hasn't worked yet (especially) through the summer. I am finding TONS of healthier choices about food. I love the one with Greek yogurt. instead of buying sour cream, I have been substituting Greek yogurt for everything. Let me tell you the Greek in the BIG containers, is not as thick as the Greek in the small/individual fruit containers. 
I still haven't replaced my breadmaker. Oh how I miss my breadmaker. But since the end of the breadmaker era, we have turned to wraps! and those sandwich thins. YUMMY!!!
I have discovered smoothies! I have made all types in the last month!
Need to work on meal planning!!! 

GET IN SHAPE- I have exercised around the farm, shoveling, raking, gardening, but no actual workouts. Going to Florida in June and July and swimming, playing in the ocean, walking everywhere helps. I'm reading my fitness magazines that I subscribe to, SHAPE, Women's Health, Fitness.  I bought a spiral notebook for the workouts I find in the magazines. I cut out the ones I like and glue them into the notebook! So I don't have to keep all the magazines. 

READ MORE- According to my count I have read 22 books this year. And since I have been piling my magazines up in the floor for 4 months, if I counted 3 mags per month x 4 months = 12 mags I have read in the last week. But I have discovered iTunes U, and Podcasts on my iPhone. I have been reading about nutrition and exercise while on the go!

So I'm a little behind but still better then I thought I would be! I'm reading a new book by Carly Phillips "Perfect Fling" its funny, romantic and I love it! 

BRAIN GAMES- I fell off this wagon. I play these at least once a week (the goal was 10 minutes per day). The "good" brain game apps require a monthly/annual subscription. 

THINK, BE, ACT POSITIVE- I want to create a more positive life. Start thinking, being, acting more positive. This has worked great, trying to see the good in ALL situations. Sometimes its very tough to stay calm and positive. I think I have managed pretty well this year.

CRAFTS- We have found a few things off Pinterest, especially when it comes to the organizing projects. We have made soaps, arts and crafts and when we come back from vacation we will be working on our Halloween decorations and costumes!

MUSIC- I have practiced a little but not nearly enough. I LOVE my keyboard, I just need to plan better, or schedule time for me to play.

NO CHEMICALS- I have been doing a GREAT job of tackling this goal. I am slowly working our way to a chemical free house. We have made our own soap, laundry soap, kitchen cleaner, fabric softener, baby wipes, face wipes, facial toner. We are using up the last of the "store bought" cleaners, hopefully by the end of the year the cleaners will be gone.

GARDENING- I did have my own garden this year! I learned a lot from this. In my garden the "sister" gardening (planting corn, squash and pole beans together) did NOT work.  The idea is the beans grow up the corn stalks, (so you don't have to put up poles) and the squash plant grows at the base to keep out the rabbits and critters. Well the beans took over the corn, and bent the stalks, so we have corn stalks but no corn! My tomato & pepper plants took FOREVER to take off (remember I started them inside, and transplanted them week 2) once they were outside. My toms were about 6 inches tall when I planted them in May, they are just now producing some green toms!!!!

I have learned that creating a blog for all to see has made a huge impact in my life. Going through these goals with you guys makes the challenge all the greater. Being honest about what goals I have accomplished and failed makes me realize what I need to work on. I'm going strong, I am going to finish the year strong!

How are you doing with your goals? Have a great weekend!

Adyson Brittany and Jackie, painting Chicken's coop light purple.

Week 5

This week was pretty busy. The husband was home plus home a few extra days. It always throws me off when he is home extra days! I LOVE him being home, but all I want to do is spend time with him and the family so my stuff doesn't get done. So when he does go, I spend the next couple days playing catch up. 

Last Friday we lost the freezer. So I was busy emptying the big freezer and organizing the kitchen freezer. I am proud to say I only lost 2 loaves of bread and 3 bags of carrots and 4 boxes of waffles. I was able to save ALL the meat from the big freezer. So because I was busy last week I feel I didn't give you guys a very good weekly blog. So I am going to rewind to last Monday.

Monday (Jan 21st) we went out to the pasture to feed animals and found 2 new additions. Mama goat had kids! I got 1 nanny(black & white head) & 1 billy (solid white).  So since we were under a winter weather advisory I had to get my butt in gear & go get pine chips, extra feed and a heat lamp. I set them up in Luke's dog house with Mama so they could have some peace and be warm in the cold weather.  You can click on the links below to watch some FUNNY videos of the farm!




Kids playing in yard

Kids in the yard

Luke and the goats

Adyson catching goats

Luke LOVES watching the kids play in HIS house. It actually funny to watch the "big bad" Doberman looking so sad into his house knowing that the kids have taken over! haha


So all last week was dealing with the new babies and playing with them. Adyson tries so hard to catch the kids, but they are too fast for her.

Then the freezer went on Thursday night/Friday morning. So busy, busy, busy here on the Appleby Farm.

On to this week... Sunday  we got 2 calves. Can't wait until they get older. We are trying to be self sufficient/sustaining. So we are raising these girls for slaughter/milk. So I would like you to meet Hamburgerella & Steaktessa. They are about 4 months old.

Quitting smoking- still going strong! I love not being tied down my anything. Don't have to worry about stopping to get smokes for the night/weekend, etc. 

Family Time- it didn't work out this week like I thought it would. Everyone seemed a little selfish this week. I have been watching Super Nanny on TV, and I am noticing , I think that my family is addicted to technology, we all have a cellphone, laptop and 2 out of 4 of us have NOOKs. Going to brainstorm on some ideas.

Organizing- Adyson's room will hopefully be this month. Still looking up ideas. Loving the ideas & colors in these pictures. So hopefully I will be able to pull it off. Adyson has so many cars and little toys and books I need lots of shelves for bins and books.

Eating Healthy- I had a few slips this week. One night we ate hotdogs and mac & cheese. But I dont have too many more boxes left so gotta eat whats here! I have been making my own bread & rolls (with the help of my breadmaker!) Loving have FRESH bread, my house smells great, I know whats in my bread!

Exercise- Been getting plenty of that! HAHA moving hay, pine chips, cedar chips, water buckets, etc haven't done anything extra, very disappointed in myself. 

Reading- I have been reading LOTS of gardening, homesteading, self sufficiency books. Right now I am reading THE WEEKEND HOMESTEADER. So far this has been helpful little tips, tricks to working your own land. Teaches how every animal has a job on the farm if you let that animal do it. 

Brain games-I'm addicted to Logic Games, it's a free app in the App Store. It's kind of like Sudoku.Can't forget my favorite app Sudoku!! Oh did I mention my 4 yr old is addicted to Flow Free. It's helping her match colors and use her brain to figure out the path, without crossing over another path! 

STILL BLOGGING :)

Positive thinking- its a challenge EVERYDAY to stay positive. I have learned NOTHING good comes from negative thinking. No matter how bad the issue, there is always a positive in there somewhere. 

Craft- I feel terrible about not doing a craft this month, means I am 1 down. For February we are going to be making Valentine cards and sending them out! 

Music- hasnt worked out this week either, with the new additions to the farm, BUT I am going to schedule in some music time for later today.

NO CHEMICALS- so far I haven't purchased any chemicals. I have 1 bottle of laundry soap left and then I will be making my own! I can't wait. Making my own bread & rolls along with coffee creamer! 

Gardening- My African Violets seem to be doing well. No sign yet whether they will sprout or not yet. It takes 4-6 weeks, but I am hopeful.  The little green house I started has got nice strong plants. I transplanted all of them to bigger pots last Saturday. So they should be good until its time to plant them in the ground in April!

Adyson at story time


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Week 1

      So far it has been a wonderful 1st week of 2012. On Jan 1, I posted my 13 goals for this year. I must say most of them have been started! Throughout the week I have felt like I can't set enough done. I am trying to take everything 1 step at a time to avoid "burn out" but I am so excited at the same time that I want it all done already, HAHA...

1. Quit smoking- This is going great. I'm down to about 5 cigarettes per day. I can't believe what I can accomplish with the "extra time" from cutting out all the cigarettes.

2. Family time- This hasn't been started yet. Poor Brittany hasn't felt good this week, and I have been BUSY with goal 3.

3. Get organized- This month I am concentrating on the kitchen. I have ordered all my needed containers from Walmart and they should be here next week. So during the week I have been going through EACH cupboard & shelf and wiping it down and stacking. I even put Post-It notes on the outside of every cupboard telling me what containers are needed and what shelf it goes on. So right now the outside of my cupboards are "decorated" with bright orange Post-Its! I have also been going through my stack of handwritten recipes. Throwing away ones that I will NEVER cook, & creating my own cookbook (using spiral notebooks & labeling the front, "Dinner", "Soups", etc). I have been cutting, & writing recipes for 2 days! I didn't realize how many recipes I had laying around, but I am almost done.

4. Eat Healthy- So far I have not bought any "junk food". There is still some left in the house, leftover Christmas candy, etc.

5. Get In Shape- So far this is working. While watching TV at night, I get out my Yoga ball & weights and do about 30 minutes! Can't wait til it gets warmer so I can go walking!

6. Read- This has not been started. I've been too focused on getting the kitchen done. Going to find a book today!

7. Brain games- Haven't started this either. But I must say my brain is in over drive over the excitement of organizing. I lay awake at night thinking how everything will look!

8. Blog- I have started this one or you wouldn't be reading it!

9. Positive- Been looking at things in a more positive light all week! Doing good!

10. Crafts- Haven't even thought about this yet. But I have a craft tub set up with lots of stuff in it.

11. Music- Haven't started this yet. But working in sometime over the weekend!

12. No Chemicals- I have made 2 HOMEMADE solutions! I did make my own Fabric Softener & Febreeze! It was very simple.

FABRIC SOFTENER                                              FEBREEZE
1 cup conditioner (cheap stuff)                          1/4 cup Fabric Softener
1 cup vinegar                                                    2 T  Baking Soda
2 cups water                                                      HOT water to fill 27oz spray bottle
Mix well & use                                                 Mix well & shake before use
1/4 cup to start & adjust as needed                   may separate a little.


13. Gardening. I have been saving my egg cartons to plant seeds next month. I have all the bulbs I need to start my flower garden and researched what I need for trees in the back yard!

So I guess I am going great. 7 out of 13 goals already started, within the first 4 days of the New Year New You!!!!


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