My Savings Site

For those of you who know me only as an amateur sewing/crafty person, I thought I'd let you in on a whole other side to me! You'd be amazed at just how many sides I have... even my poor husband has a hard time keeping up.

I have a frugal side to me. And even started a blog back in 2008 to showcase this side of me and to help others save like I do. Although I don't keep up on the blogging side of it as much anymore, I decided to go ahead and put a link on this site in case you're interested in learning more about saving. You'll find this link on the menu bar and I'll try to update you as I post savings.

Here's a direct link to my savings site: http://thecoupongame.blogspot.com

My Realities of Homeschooling

So, since this is my blog about life, sewing, and everything I enjoy in this world, I thought I'd do a little post on my thoughts as a homeschooling mom. 'k?

When I first started homeschooling, I felt as though it was thrust upon me. My oldest daughter was an eager learner and told me one day, "Mommy, I want to read." That was it. Well, actually, I hesitated and said, "Not yet." After all, she was only three years old at the time. I was not ready for the challenge of teaching my child how to read at such a young age. After her continued asking and begging to learn how to read (Did I mention she is an E.A.G.E.R. learner?), I caved and said, "Okay." She was almost four at that time. I picked up the Kindergarten Hooked On Phonics box I found on sale at my Big Lots store and I started teaching my Sophie how to read. It was a breeze! (Once again, please remember that she is an E.A.G.E.R. learner - I cannot stress that enough.)

And thus started my world of homeschooling. Sophie got to be of school age and I found she was too smart (Can I say that about my own daughter?!) to enter Kindergarten when I thought she was ready for 1st grade. No school would allow her to move up, so we decided to continue on with our homeschooling venture. Most days, she would wake up asking me, "When do we do school?" and I would drag out the books and begin teaching. I dreaded it. And looking back, I wonder why?! She was, quite possibly, the easiest child on the planet to teach. And I know this because I have two other children who are more normal learners.

After 5 years of teaching two of our children at home and our third now entering Kindergarten, I told my husband I needed a break from homeschooling. He agreed and we prayed about what school to send them to. God provided the funds for a wonderful Christian school and we went full force in that direction. The kids thrived in the school, and after some initial hesitation, they even loved it! Of course, I missed my kids, but I knew they needed this year to learn and grow in more ways than one.

And now we come to present day. We were excited to continue on with this wonderful school, until one day, very recently, God placed it on my heart that I was to homeschool again. To say that I was devastated is an understatement. (Just being honest here!) I know my inconsistencies as a home teacher... I know my mood swings and how I struggle to keep my mentality calm and collected when my kids are driving me nuts. I know how I lose my cool when my kids don't get the concepts that I'm trying my very hardest to teach them. I know that my house will be a place of many little messes, including books everywhere, crayons on my floor, dishes not done, dinner not planned, and those little pieces of paper that the kids just had to cut up to make a special card for someone.

And yet, the Lord stills my heart. And I find a desire and even longing to homeschool my children again... to raise them up as only He desires me to. I know that I will need time in His Word daily to make it through those rough days that will most likely be more than not. Note: I will need to earnestly seek out that time. However, I eagerly anticipate what God has planned for all three of my children and for me.

My heart... I asked God for each one of my children, and He chose to bless us with each one. I can say without hesitation that I not only love my kids, I really like them! They are, by far, the coolest people I know. I pray for a renewed joy in my heart to teach them at home and to enjoy each moment with them.

Simply Crepes

We love these crepes! They don't last long in our house... I actually made 10 of them, and this was all that was left for me to take the picture! That says somethin' right there. I love them with some warm Nutella spread inside before rolling. YUM!

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour, level scoop

2/3 cup cold milk

2/3 cup cold water

3 large eggs

1/4 tsp salt

3 Tbs melted butter, plus more for brushing on pan

Instructions:

Mix all the ingredients smoothly in a blender or food processor, or with a whisk. Refrigerate 30 minutes or more. A rest allows the flour particles to absorb the liquid, making for a tender crepe. Heat a nonstick frying pan (I used an 8″ stainless steel and it worked great.) with bottom diameter 5 to 8 inches until drops of water dance on it; brush lightly with melted butter. Pour in 2 to 3 tablespoons of batter (a small ladle is handy here) and tilt pan in all directions to cover bottom evenly. Cook about 1 minute, or until browned on the bottom; turn and cook briefly on the other side. Cool on a wire rack as you continue with the rest. When thoroughly cool, stack and refrigerate for 2 days, or freeze for several weeks.

*Crepes are an inexpensive way to jazz up a simple dish.

Serve for breakfast with softened cream cheese spread and fresh preserves. Roll up as pictured or fold into fourths and serve with a sprinkling of powdered sugar.

This recipe courtesy of Julia’s Kitchen Wisdom by Julia Child.

Mini Chocolate Ice Cream Cookies

These are a favorite summer treat in our house. I love the simplicity of them, and they even have some health value to them... note, I said "some." Made with natural ingredients, their a great go-to treat to make ahead and have on-hand.

Ingredients:
1 box Back to Nature Oatmeal Cookies
1 1/2 c Breyers 1/2 the fat All Natural Vanilla Ice Cream
1.5 oz Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate, chopped finely

Instructions:
Remove ice cream from freezer and let stand at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften. In the meantime, chop chocolate finely. Line a freezer-proof container with wax paper. Place 1 cookie face-down and scoop approximately 2 tablespoons ice cream onto cookie and top with another cookie, pressing slightly to flatten. Roll the edges of your cookie sandwich in chocolate to cover sides. Place in container and put in freezer to allow to firm-up.

*Yields 10 cookie sandwiches.

Family Wall Decor

Our family has lived in the same house for almost 7 years... And in those seven years, I have not figured out quite what my style of home decor to be. We've done some remodeling, mostly in warm earth tones with tile, paint, and furniture. But, I've always had this one wall that I couldn't figure out what to do with. It was blank for a while, then I changed the furniture around and hung some pictures, then I didn't like that, so I changed it back to blank, and so on.

Well, I'm thrilled to say I finally got some inspiration and did something about that wall. Within a few days and a lot of deal-searching, I ended up with this!

I wanted a wall to put personal pictures of our family on, along with our kid's favorite art projects, and attempt to blend-in the television. So, here's how it came about: I mounted our TV, found the ottoman/bench at Target, and went on a hunt for discount frames and wall art. I found most of the frames at TJ Maxx and got the metal wall art at Hobby Lobby during their 50% off sale. Overall, this cost around $250 and is a warm and welcoming focal point in our house.

My husband loves it, which is a blessing to me to see a good reaction from him. On that note, I've recently been updating and organizing/cleaning-out rooms in our house. I've been inspired by Sarah Mae (a blog I've been reading for several years) to make my home a blessing to those who enter it - including my own family. This gives me even more reason - and really a more fun reason - to keep it clean and looking nice (note: not perfect).

Summer Fun in "Hot"lanta

It's summer and the heat is on! So, what better way to celebrate the heat, but head to "Hot"lanta?! And that's just what we did.

(Our family at Zoo Atlanta. - I love the giraffes in the background.)

We got home from a fabulous week-long family vacation, spending most of our time in downtown Atlanta. It was a trip to take in the sites. We found a great deal at CityPass.com and were able to see five of the main attractions Atlanta has to offer. From the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, CNN Headquarters, Fernbank Museum, and Zoo Atlanta, we definitely got our money's worth.

You can't see it, but our hotel was situated right between the two taller buildings on the right of this photo. We were in the center of it all, walked everywhere, and it was great!

The only downside to starting out your summer with a vacation is that you may think it all goes downhill from there. Not with us. We got home yesterday and already we had a fun day at our local pool playground celebrating the end of the school year with all of our church friends. The summer is already feeling busy, and though I do plan some lulls, we have a summer worth of fun - complete with swimming lessons, VBS, free summer movies at the theatre, and trips to the beach.

Since my kids have been in school this past year (and no longer homeschooled), I've missed having them around. I'm hoping to reconnect with them, have some fun, and continue teaching them about the Lord and walking with Him.

Hopefully, I'll fit some sewing into the summer. Right now, the project is to go through every room, organize, and clean. I've started with my bathroom and now I feel like I have a mini-spa feel every morning I wake up. It's wonderful! Oh, to have this feeling throughout my house...

NEW Burpies & Paci-Clips!

I am excited to begin my Etsy shop more full-time. I've added a couple of listings today (shown below) and will be adding many more options throughout the week. I'm in love with the fun designer baby items and have begun to make some really cute items for babies. I hope you like them too!

Here are two colorful burpies made with designer fabric over soft minky dot fabric. I LOVE them!

And of course, a matching paci-clip made with coordinating designer fabric and fits all pacifier styles.

If you are looking for some adorable burp cloths or pacifier clips, be sure to stop by my store at www.etsy.com/shop/SewWhatSteph. I can make these to make your baby decor style as well.

I hope you'll check it out and let me know what you think!