my blessed life

I have this thing about Adirondack chairs. I think it goes back to my long-time love affair with Victoria magazine. There always seem to be beautiful photos involving Adirondack chairs in that magazine! And quite a few years ago (probably well over 10) I finally got a pair for a steal at Tuesday Morning (another fave *bargain* store!) . They were beautifully stained and oh-so-nice and I loved them. Then they began to weather and for a while that was okay. But then they really got weathered and faded~which is not-so-okay. We thought about painting them, but we only got as far as priming one of them with white while the other one sat looking sad. See how sad: On our every move, Vince was always asking me nicely if I was ready to let those chairs go. Poor guy was sick of hauling them around, I'm sure:) But I just couldn't let them go. This year I was determined that they should have color! I thought a pretty green would be just lovely. And my sweet hubby went and...

Is it just me, or do you also sometimes feel whiny, like everything happens to you and everyone else has perfect lives? I've sort of been feeling like that lately, at least off and on. It's pathetic, I know. I have a wonderful life, filled with so many blessings! I've let all sorts of *stuff* lately prevent me from taking the time to count my many blessings. Today I've determined not to do that. 0391. soft Spring breezes coming in the window 0392. a chorus of frogs in the backyard 0393. kiddos playing contentedly together 0394. digging in the dirt, planting my seedings 0395. sweet handmade surprises on Mothers Day 0396. *high art* watercolor paintings by my kiddos to hang on the wall 0397. sunshine after what-feels-like-a-month-of-rain 0398. the first just-grilled-on-the-patio burger of the year 0399. having my whole family over for lunch 0400. receiving windows of opportunity from God 0401. the chance to teach my children at home, even when it's bee...

Last week was the most successful week of following my menu plan that we've had in a while. It felt good to be organized again! Hopefully I can pull it off again this week:) Having a menu plan in place for those t-ball nights has been a lifesaver, too. Over the weekend I went to a used curriculum sale and while there I picked up this cookbook. I've been looking at it since it came out, but couldn't decide if I wanted to buy it. It was too cheap to pass up this time though. I'd love to know if any of you have used it and what your fave recipes from it are~leave me a comment and tell me please! Now let's see what's cookin' this week: Monday: Poppy seed chicken with veggies Tuesday: {game night} grilled hot dogs with chips Wednesday: {going to Zaxby's where kiddos eat *free* on Wednesday evenings and I get to use my Mothers Day coupons!} Thursday: Tilapia, twice-baked potatoes and a veggie Friday: Pizza-and-a-movie-night Saturday: {lefto...

cards, both handmade and store-bought a new Scentsy burner and scents ~ mmmm Remember this little painting I did at the art museum? Well, I asked to have it framed and they surprised me with it today! I love it! Leaving for church Delicious lunch: Korean grilled chicken , sesame almond salad , roasted potatoes , roasted carrots, steamed broccoli, rolls, sweet tea and strawberry shortcake ! *slipper* cookies made by my kiddos:) me, my mom, my sister Mr. B and The Princess catching bull frogs in the backyard "But too many women don't see motherhood as a vocation. The word "vocation" comes from the Latin word for voice. It means a call. I do believe with all my heart that there is no higher and no holier calling than motherhood." Elisabeth Elliot

And what a month it has been! I think we are all finally starting to experience some level of routine and normalcy here at our house~thank goodness! Looking back, this month feels more like 3 months, but we're on the other side of it now. It has been a challenge to get the kiddos back into their schedule after being out of it for so long. I've certainly heard all of the usual murmuring and complaining, but we have persevered~and we've made progress. Here is just a recap of somethings we've been up to this past month: At home we have been working in our usual subjects: grammar, reading, math, history, science and handwriting. We haven't spent much focus in any electives, instead catching up in our core subjects. I've incorporated a couple of crafts here and there and that's always fun. I'm so glad my kids love to make things! We keep lots of craft stuff around the house and family members have even caught on so that they give craft kits often for spe...

We recently saw this canvas at Target and The Princess just loved it and thought it would look great in her new room! Turns out it does! Only we didn't buy the Target canvas. After giving it a good look I decided that we could easily create our own~for a third of the cost! I LOVE it! First we picked up a blank white canvas at Hobby Lobby (40% off coupon!). Then we hit the scrapbook aisle for the papers we wanted to create our picture with~lucky for us all the scrapbook papers were on sale for 50% off! Then Vince got busy (while I was getting us ready to move:). First he painted the background ~using paints we already had with foam brushes we already had. Then he began cutting out the shapes from the papers to create the owl picture, gluing them on with Mod Podge as he went along. Finally it was completed! Aren't those the cutest little owl faces you've ever seen?! We all really love the way it turned out~I'm ready to make another one! Working with pretty ...

Last week was a successful get-back-into-the-menu-planning-groove week! We did make an adjustment here and there, but it felt good to have my plan hanging on the fridge to consult~the days just go smoother, don't they? I have to confess that we have eaten out way too much during this month of moving and getting unpacked. I feel so bad about it, but what's eaten is eaten, right? So this week we are renewing our commitment to cooking and eating at home. This week kicks off Mr. B's first full week of his t-ball season, so I am now planning around games. This is a first for us. I'll let you know how I like it in about 21 more games:) I'm planning to put my slow cooker and the grill to use especially on game nights in order to have easy preparation. Monday: Chicken Crepes with Roasted Asparagus Tuesday: {game night} 16 Bean Soup with Cornbread Wednesday: Cheese Enchilada Casserole Thursday: {game night} Korean Grilled Chicken , Steamed Broccoli and ...