Newest Gift Ideas

I really need to go through my polymer clay books.  I was going to do a scrapbook of the kids for my mom for Christmas and I still may, but I am thinking that I also want to do a polymer clay transfer project also.  I guess I really just want to do all sorts of projects and the more that I can give away, the better.  I am planning reading some of my project books and trying some projects and figure out what to do with them.

I made a new meal tonight.  It was out of my one of my vegetarian cookbooks.  It was supossed to be a croquette, but I just made it into a regular grain and bean dish.  Basically, it consisted of red lentil, brown rice, red quinoa, sweet potato, celery, and onion, with a little garam masala and curry powder (my 2 favorite spices).  I stupidly didn't plan my time and didn't bring any to work, but I did taste it before I left and I thought it was good.  I plan to eat a bowl once I get home.  My sister, who was babysitting, said that Thomas and Eva Rose ate 2 bowls and Michael wanted nothing to do with it.  We'll see what my husband thinks of it! 

I know I have another blog for my food issues, but very qiuckly, I am having a really hard time fully eating the way I should even though I don't feel good after I eat.  You would think that I wouldn't want to feel sick and that it would be enough to make me want to eat healthy, but it's not.  I just need to be better at doign what I am supossed to be doing.  You can read more details on this at http://trialsandtribulationsofhealthyeating.blogspot.com/.

Amy

Christmas Projects/Food

I am starting to make my Christmas cards tonight.  For a few of them, immediate family, I will be quilling pictures and gluing them to the embellished cards.  For the other cards, I will be just rubber stamping simple designs.  For all the cards, I will be adding the kids' Christmas picture with Santa, once we get it!

I am also going to make some wine sacks/infused oil/vinegar sacks.  I am also going to make a scrapbook of the kids from the pictures from 2010.  I think I may suck it up and purchase the iscrapbook program, so that I can scrapbook a little more easily.  I also want to make a doll for Eva Rose and teddy bears out of my mother in law's old coat.  The teddy bears, most likely won't even be started til after Christmas and I want to give them to my kids and the nieces and nephew and my sister in law.  I want my husband to make the kids co2 cars for Christmas because they seem to love cars and I want us to make them something for Christmas this year, not just buy a bunch of commercial gifts.

I am also attmpting to cook more and to cook more healthy.  I have my own dietary considerations as well as my husband's.  Then there is the need to make things that the kids will eat and that is healthy.  We are trying to eat less meat for both health and eco-friendly reasons.  Eating healthy is always a process in my house!

Amy

Living a Handmade and Natural Life

Am I really following through with how I want to live?  Am I really doing what I said I believe in when I started this blog?  Sometimes, I'm not sure.  I am really trying hard not to eat out.  Partly because it is so expensive and we don't have the money and partly because of health reasons.  I have not bought any new clothes for me or for the kids lately.  I would so love to go shopping, but a) I can't afford it b) I don't need it and c) I really don't want to buy anything until I am at the weight that I want to be at.

Christmas is on it's way.  I am really trying hard to make my gifts for people.  I really want to try to limit the amount of money that I spend at stores making Christmas, at least for me, a lot less commercialized.  I know that I will be buying the kids toys from the stores.  I know that there are going to b  gifts for others that get bought at the stores.  I just hope that I can make sure that the gifts that I give people, including the ones I buy, are meaningful.  I don't just want to give a gift to give a gift.  I want the gift to either say something about the person that I am giving it to or be something meaningful from me, or something that the people really wants.  So, for example, I got my kids a Toy Story Mr Potato Head for each of them.  They love Toy Story 1,2, and 3.  I mean they really love these movies, and I love them too.  Plus, it's a great teaching tool for them.  They use a Mr. Potato Head in Early Intervention and the kids really like it.  I am also planning on making them something just from me.  I want my husband to make them each a CO2 car.  They all love cars and we can decorate them for out daughter and our sons.  I haven't decided what I am going to make them yet.  I have a lot of ideas, but I'm not sure what exactly I will decide on.

I am trying to eat more healthy and sometime I do great, and sometimes, I do horrible.  It's always a work in progress!  I am trying new foods and new recipes.  I have decided that I really like curry spices and garam masala.  I just need to get more comfortable with these spices and enjoy!  I made a chickpea stew the other night and added both of these spices, even though they weren't called for and it totally made the recipe.  I loved every bite I ate.  I just need to continue to make sure that I keep it healthy, fresh, and fun!

Amy

Wishcasting Wednesday

Once again, Jamie Ridler at http://jamieridlerstudios.ca asks

"What do you wish to invite in?"

I wish to invite in peace.  I wish to be at peace with myself for all sorts of things.  Mainly, I wish to be at peace with who I am.  I am a quiet shy person.  I am a busy mom of 3.  I am not a neat freak.  I am someone who loves to somehow, find time to be creative.  I am not a beautiful model with a perfect body.  I have a handsome, fabulous husband and 3 beautiful, wonderful children who I love very much (I am totally at peace with where my life is with regards to my family).  I don't have a ton of friends, but the friends I have are very important to me.  I will probably never be the blogger with the most followers or with the most commenters.  I wish to be at peace with my ability levels.  Instead of always expecting to be the best at everything right away and limiting the things that I try, I want to enjoy the experience no matter what the out come!

I wish to be at peace with who I am!  What do you wish to invite in?

Amy

First Apron Swap

I think I am almost done with everything for my first Flirty Apron Swap.  I should be able to send my package out Monday or Tuesday at the latest, maybe even sooner.  I had so much fun with this swap and loved making my first apron.  I really enjoyed creating the tuck-ins also.  I've already posted my apron, but unfortunately didn't get pictures of the rest of the tuck-ins.  I chose the word angel and my tuck-ins are the following:

A-handmade quilled angel notecards

N-handmade needle case

G-ginger tea in 2 handmade tea bag carriers

E-angel earrings packaged in a hans stamped box

L-lavender,lemon,geranium,rosemary bath salts packaged in a hand stamped box

I hope my partner enjoys everything.  I look forward to getting my package and seeing what everyone else gets!

Amy

More Crafting

I have been working on my tuck ins for my flirty apron swap.  I am absolutely loving sewing.  I always enjoyed it, but am enjoying it so much more now.  I'm not sure why.  I am even using my cheap sewing machine because it is easier to take out and put away and right now I need all the time savings I can get.  So far I've made a tea bag cozy and will be adding ginger tea bags to it (am going to make 1 more to match the apron I made) and  a needlecase that matches the tea bag cozy.  I still need to finish my quilled angel notecards, angel earrings, and my lavender/geranium bathsalts.  I am thinking of adding more in, but I'm not sure what else.  I certainly don't want it to seem cheap.

A- angel notecards
N-needlecase
G-ginger tea with tea bag cozies
E-earrings (angel)
L-lavender/geranium bath salts

I will be making a few wine sacks for Christmas gifts, some play food for the kids, and I'm not sure what else I have planned.  I definitely need to complete a scrapbook for my mom for Christmas.  That will probably be my next project along with a couple of recipe cards for my sisters that have my grandmother's recipes.  Unfortunately, I only have a few since she made most of her recipes by the measurements she had in her mind.  I may do something similar for my husband's family, if I can find the time.  Then after the holidays, I will be making sure that I make at least 1 item a month to donate.  That's my goal at this point anyway.

I'll post pictures of teh things that I have made and the things that I plan to make soon!

Amy

Finished

Yay!!!!!!  I finished my first apron swap project.  Ok, I finished the apron portion, but still have a little more work to do on the tuck-ins.  I am so looking forward to finishing up and sending off the package.  I love making things for others, and then getting a great surprise in return!  I love swaps and really miss participating in them.  I am really looking forward to getting my apron, since I am doing a lot more cooking lately.  And with the holidays around the corner, I will be doing even more.  I want to do a good amount of baking for the neighborhood and get the kids involved.  I still need to complete the tuck-ins which will be
A-angel
N-notecards (angel)
G-ginger tea
E-earrings (angel)
L-lavender/geranium/lemon bath salts

I hope my partner likes her package as much as I enjoyed putting it together.

My first apron folded

A little of the front and most of the back side of the apron

When I was growing up, my grandmother used to always say, wear and apron when you cook or bake.  I can't wait to get my apron and start using it.  I may even have to buy a new book on apron patterns.  I love how my apron came out and I want to make more.  I want to make more that are even a little more challenging.

Lately, I am loving sewing.  I love almost every kind of craft, but lately  sewing seems to be my favorite thing.  I will be working on Christmas cards soon.  We need to get the kids their pictures taken with Santa and then get pictures printed for the cards.  Other than working on Christmas gifts, I plan to do a lot more sewing!

Happy creating!
Amy

Apron Swap

Even though life is crazy busy, I decided to participate in an apron swap.  I had been reading http://flirtyapronswap.blogspot.com/ blog for a while and couldn't wait for the new swap to open so I could join in.  As soon as I got the e-mail, I registered and went through my stash to see what fabric I had, hoping that I didn't need to spend money and hoping that I could decrease my stash somewhat.  I also am trying to make things for my tuck-ins from things I have at home.  I think I will be buying somethings at the store, but I think I have a few things at home that I can make and feel good about giving to someone.  I am really excited about participating in this swap and am looking forward to more swaps.

This swap means a lot to me, especially now that I am cooking more.  My grandmother, my mother's mother, who was a major influence in my life, always used to tell me to wear an apron when I cooked.  I never did.  I almost always got something on my clothes and should have listened.  Now that I have found http://flirtyapronswap.blogswap.com/, I am really excited to start wearing aprons.  Through the FAS blog, I found the blog http://cupcakeprovocateur.blogspot.com/.  There are so many cute aprons on there that have the classic feel, but also have a little flair to them also.  I am hoping to get some inspiration from this website and maybe even get an apron!

Amy

Feeling Like I'm in a Good Place

I wrote on one of my other blogs about how I can't seem to get a good following to any of my blogs.  For what ever reason, people don't seem to enjoy reading or commenting on any of my blogs.  I get a few nice, helpful comments, but not many.  One person commented that she blogs as therapy for her.  I've decided that I don't care if people read my blogs, if people follow me, if people comment, or even if people like what I write.  I started my blogs for me.  A place for me to write about the different adventures in my life, be it crafting, healthy eating, family life, etc.  I am blogging for me and not for others.  yes it would feel good to have hundreds of followers, hundreds of comments,  to know that others are interested in what I have to say, but in reality, I don't care!

This blog was started as a place for me to talk about living the handmade and natural life.  I have somewhat gotten away from that here and there, but overall, it has been about healthy foods, creative expression, and my dreams.  I want to get back to blogging about that.  I want to get back to writing about being creative, about healthy food choices, cooking at home from scratch vs buying more processed foods, eating more whole foods vs processed foods, getting the kids more involved with being healthy.

I think I am at that place where it is going to happen.  I am going to continue to write about my creative endeavors such as my new apron swap at flirtyapronswap.blogspot.com that I joined in with, my holiday projects, my crafting for charity (that will begin in the new year) and others.  I'll post a little about my whole food cooking, but wll most likely post more about that at my blog http://trialsandtribulationsofhealthyeating.blogspot.com/.   I also have http://thecreativelifeproject.blogspot.com/ that I want to start posting to also.  Then there is http://thiscrazylife-amy.blogspot.com/ which is all about family life.

I probably have too many blogs, but I am a little addicted to writing and reading blogs lately.  Maybe one day, I'll combine them a little more, but for now, I am off and running with my four, yes four blogs!  Oh, and I will definitely be writing abou tmy dreams here.  Not my nightly dreams, but my life dreams as well as other health interest other than just food, such as: aromatherapy, herbs, tea and anything else that my little mind can think of!  I guess any and all interest that have to do with living a balanced handmade and natural life!

Amy

Am I Following Through?

Am I following through with who I want to be?  Some times I wonder.  I know my beliefs.  I know how I should be living, but do I follow through.  Have I found my passion yet?  Yes and no!  I think my passion is to live as simply, as healthfully, and as naturally as possible.  Within that, I want to not be as reliant on big chain stores, but unfortunately, it seems that they are the only way to afford things sometimes.  I want to use thrift stores and second hand stores.  I have done well with getting the kids clothes from other moms.  It's more buying things for me that I need to be better at.  Also buying craft supplies is tough, because it is more convenient to go to a big chain store and get eveything you need all at once and it's unfortunately much cheaper.  I have a decent amount of supplies at home, and now I hopefully won't need to spend as much money at the stores, I need to use up what I already have (as I so often say)!

My goal is to make things for people this holiday.  I still have a lot to do, plus I am participating in an apron swap, ao that is one more thing to add to the list, but I am really looking forward to making things for people.  It may be as simple as making a wine bottle sack that the wine goes in, or the envelope that the gift card goes in, but there will be at least something handmade for everyone this Christmas.

I am always working to a healthier me and a healthier family.  I am trying to buy foods that are healthy, cook at home more often, and taking time to stop and think about what I am putting into my and my family's body.  I really need to get myself motivated to get the kids in the stroller and go for a walk.  It's just getting dressed and getting out there and then I'm fine.  I want to buy the "Whole life Nutrtion Cookbook" and follow that style of eating.  I have to continue to eat all the things I am wondering if I am allegic to until I test, then I can make the dietary changes that I want and may need to make.  I have another cookbook that I want to start using.  It's more cooking and eating with the seasons.  I think it will be a healthier way to eat.  i just need to go theough my books and get rid of them if I don't want them.  I will wither free cycle them or donate them.

I am trying to get rid of things that I don't need.  I don't want to be one of these people that has so many belongings, but really has no need or them.  I am close to having way too much stuff, but I am working on using it, getting rid of it and not bringing more into my life that I don't need.

I want to get back on track with only using cleansers that are homemade and naural.  I have stopped using shampoo on my hair so that is one less thing that is unnatural that I need to buy, use on my body, put into the environment.  I have been using a conditioner once a week and sometimes I use a vinegar rinse if I feel like I need it.  My goal is to find a way to make my own conditioner.  I make my own body cream, I am going to learn to make my own soap, and I will use more natural cleansers (think vinegar) vs chemicals!

I will continue to find time to be creative.  It makes me feel so good to make things.  I think it is really important to make time to do the things that we enjoy and I so enjoy creating!

Here's to following through with your passions!

Amy

Giving

So my last post was about crafting for good.  I am making a conscious choice to create projects and donate them to different charities.  I would love to get a group together to craft for charity, but I don't have time and I don't know who would be interested in doing something like this.  I may put it out on facebook and try to make a group thing, but it would be very informal.  Part of me would love to do something at a church or through an already established group or even meeting place.  Again, one of the biggest issues is time.  At least I can start with me and start trying to set up good examples for my children to follow as they get older.  At the age they are now, there is no way they could even begin to understand what I want to do, but if the practice is built into out family, hopefully it will be something that they will start doing as they are old enough to understand.

I will finish my plans for the holiday porjects that I have planned and then I will start planning what projects I am going to start creating with plans to donate.  I still have to decide what I am going to do for holiday gifts, but they will get done.  my goal this year is to give at least part of the gift as handmade, as simple as the package that the gift card comes in for teh teens who would never in a million years want something handmade.

Now to finalize the Christmas gift list!
Amy

Crafting for Good

I was looking at facebook this morning and one of my friends wrote about making prayer shawls.  I have been wanting to make prayer shawls, hats for preemies, and any other craft that I can donate.  I actually have bought books, printed things off the internet, and started projects that I had planned to donate to different causes.  Unfortunately, like most things, I haven't finished things.  I really think that I want to start this again.  Only this time, I want to actually finish projects and donate them.  Maybe, I'll even start a facebook thing about making things to donate.  I don't know that anyone will participate, but it maybe a nice thing to try.

Anyway, that is one of my goals for the new year and sooner if possible,
Amy

Wishcasting Wednesday

It Wednesday again and time for Wishcasting Wednesday.  This week Jamie Ridler asks: "What do you wish to enjoy?"

This is an easy one for me to answer.  It may seem like a simple answer, but I want to enjoy life.  I want to enjoy life even though there may be some limitations.  Right now, I am looking at drastically changing my eating habits.  I have been trying to deal with potential food allergies/intolerances and have so far been unable to do what I need to do.  I have been doing a lot of research, and it seems like even if I don't have food allergies/intolerances, eliminating these foods seem to make people feel better!  I wish to enjoy life even though I can't have these foods that I absolutely love!  I have decided that my food issues may also be food addiction as well as allergies/intolerances.  I don't want food to control my life.  I want to enjoy food, but not if it makes me feel miserable.

There are other things that will help me to enjoy life, but right now, dealing with food issues seems like such a huge thing.  I am just going to look at it in a different light.  Instead of looking at what I can't have, I plan to focus on what I can have and really enjoy that and enjoy how eat right makes me feel.  I have started a new blog to document how changing my eating makes me feel.  It's over at http://trialsandtribulationsof healthyeating.blogspot.com  I hope to be writing some good things about how I'm feeling.  We shall see!

What do you wish to enjoy?

Amy

Keeping It Real With The Things That I Want To Accomplish

I've been writing a lot about all the things that I want to accomplish.  I've gotten a couple of comments about not over entending myself, and I so appreciate the comments.  I do have a lot on my list of things that I want to accomplish and sometimes, one of my huge down falls is that I do over extend myself and take on too much.  I am really trying to have more of a running list of things that I would like to accomplish vs things that I have to accomplish.  There are some things that are definitely more of a priority than others, and I think that I have my priorities straight (at least for now). 

My first priority is to get the house organized and cleaned.  I have certainly slacked off this past week or so trying to get my costumes completed (my own fault for waiting to the last minute) and now that they are completed, it's time to get on to cleaning and organizing so that things go smoother. 

My next priority is to get at least a weekly dinner plan together, maybe even a monthly.  If I can get a monthly schedule together, especially with the holidays fast approaching, maybe I can save my sanity, especially if I can remember to keep things fluid and not rigid.

My next priority goes right along with the one above.  I need to cook more often and cook healthier versions of what we eat.  I know how I need to eat to feel good, I just don't always understand why I don't always eat that way!  I am meeting with an allergist in a couple of weeks to discuss further allergy testing (food).  Again, I think I can say that I have issues with dairy, but I'm not positive and I don't know if there are other issues that I may have along with dairy.  After the meeting with the allergist, I'll know better what the next step is!

The next priority is to keep creating.  I know that this is going to be tough with 3 little ones, working part time, and trying to keep a house intact, but it is so important to my well being that I need to make this be one of my priorities.  I have set aside time every week on a Monday to create with a friend after work.  Again this is something that is somewhat fluid, but I think it is extremely important for me to keep.  Again, this goes right along with priority number 1.  If life is more organized, I will hopefully have more time to create.  The house will be taken care of, the meals will have been planned, the kids will be set (in bed), and my crafting supplies will be organized so that i can get to what I need to without searching high and low for what I want.  I will also plan and finish projects before starting a new one.  I will no longer leave things to the last second (literally it seems).  My past shows that I tend to wait to the last minute to start a porject, then I rush to complete it.  I have gotten better at getting the supplies I need before it's almost too late, but I still tend to start and finally finish at the last second!  Hopefully, that will be a thing of the past.

I have a long list of things that I want to accomplish, but yet I have them prioritized so that they will get done and I will hopefully be at peace knowing what needs to get done is getting done and then I will have time to work on things that will make be happy and keep me sane!

Amy