Deliberate + 3 + Daily = Balance

There are three things I do every day which I have found add a little balance to my life. They are deliberate. They take effort. But they are simple. I bet you do them too...

1. Every day, I make my bed.
Yup, as simple as it sounds, it makes a huge difference! Having my most personal space be in its best condition gives me a sense of control in a house which often resembles more chaos than order. It can be a refuge when I need to escape for a few minutes. And don't forget, a bed that is made is much more inviting to jumping-feet and pillow fights too, which adds some much needed laughter during the day.

2. Every day, I brush my teeth.
Too obvious? Maybe. But while there are lots of ways I try to take care of my body each day, brushing my teeth is the one thing I do EVERY day. I can't always make time for exercising. And I will admit, showering is not even always a daily occurrence for me--I am sure there are a few mommies out there who can relate. :) But I have a very hard time doing much of anything when my teeth feel scummy. Yet when they're clean, I feel like I can conquer the world!

3. Every day, I pray.
Taking time to recognize something bigger than myself and my own little world gives me a clearer perspective. I am not only more able to face daily challenges, but also more able to appreciate the blessings and experience the joys of everyday living.

I think the balance in these three simple practices lies in the connection between body and spirit. There is no denying the strength you find when you are both physically and spiritually cared for. When your surroundings encourage positive feelings then it is easier to find clarity and motivation. Balance comes one deliberate act at a time. These are just three of mine. They aren't difficult, just deliberate.

Tri-Color Cupcakes

Okay, to start this post, I have to inform you that my hubby, daughter, and son all share the same birthday. No, it was not planned. She was early, he was late. It works out fine now since my children are 3 and 1, and my husband loves not having the spotlight, but it will be interesting as the kids get older.

So anyways, last year for their birthdays I made Tri-Color Cupcakes. It was really easy, and a hit for the kids. So here it is for you. A quick easy and great looking cupcake.

Supplies:
1 box of white cake mix. (Mix according to the package.)
3 colors of food coloring (I used red, blue, and yellow)
3 Ziploc bags
Cupcake liners

1. Line a cupcake tin with cupcake liners.
2. Mix cake mix according to the package.
3. Separate cake batter into three Ziploc bags.
4. In each bag add the food coloring and mix (zip bag and squish together) till the desired color comes out. You can also use the food coloring gel found in the decorating section at Walmart for a bolder color.
5. cut a small-ish hole in the corner of the Ziploc bag and place one layer into you cupcake paper. Layer the other two colors in.
6. Bake as directed.
7. Frost with your favorite frosting.

Enjoy!

Three Sisters

Time for a special, overdue tribute to these lovely girls - my sisters. This is the best photo I have of the three of us a couple of years ago at my mom's quilt retreat. I can think of no luckier girl than me to have them for my best friends, cheerleaders, and psychiatrists. They're nine years older than me, so growing up, we didn't have much in common. Guaranteed that a 17-year-old and an 8-year-old doing something together for fun is rare, and in the event it does happen, it's usually an activity more geared to one or the other but not both.

In high school, the teacher would call role at the beginning of the year, see my last name and say "Are the twins your sisters?" They had paved the road ahead of me, and it was tough when I was trying to decide how to be me because there were expectations already in place. I don't know which is more difficult - repairing the reputation of your name (which I didn't have to do) or living up to it. I don't fault them for the challenge because it made me want to do better and be better. Now, as adults, the miles between us have expanded but the years between us seem to have narrowed. We can share meaningful, common experiences, and anyone who has a sister knows there's no match for this relationship.

Monument Valley, Utah is the location of a peculiar and distinct rock formation called "Three Sisters." This is how I picture us three girls. I always saw the one in the middle as me, the little sister, protected and watched over by my big sisters. Now I realize that perhaps we take turns being the little one in the middle, at times when one of us feels a little more vulnerable and in need of shelter and protection. No matter who's in the middle, there are always two others to stand tall on either side.

Thanks for everything, my sweet sisties!! I love you so much!

Three For Feburary Reading

So it's the middle of February. It seems like I so often forget what month it is until I'm in the middle of it. Not that I forgot that it was February; but I did forget that it's Black History Month. And while my ancestry is Euro-American through and through, I have this thing about other peoples' cultures - that is, I love them. I love trying to see the world through someone else's eyes, and I've found the most fun way to do that is to celebrate with them. From the Lunar New Year to Los Dias de los Muertos to Rosh Hashanah, I love love LOVE the reasons that people celebrate.

So. Black History Month. Is February. And so, in celebration, I offer recommendation of these three books I have read and loved.

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. I know, everyone's probably read this one. But it was probably required reading for some high school or college class, and has probably been long forgotten. Read it again! This time just because you want to. There is so much experience in this book that is so different from mine, I find something new to learn every time I read it.

Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller. A memoir of the author's childhood in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). While I drank up every page of this book, I have to say right out, I hesitate to recommend it to people in general. It's unsentimental and unapologetic, often even raw, and there is most certainly some, um ... "colorful" language. If you are a reader who gets distracted by such details, this is probably not the book for you. I loved the honest, often funny, sometimes poignant remembrance of a time and a place that is forever lost to me, but never ever to the people who lived in it.

Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton. This one's about South Africa, a place I feel like I have had a little piece of in my heart ever since my brother served as a missionary there in the mid-1980's. And it's about apartheid. And it's about a man and his son. And it's about hope. And courage. And love. Just thinking about this book makes me want to pick it up and read it again and again.

My brother said of his two years in South Africa, that Africa is a place that never leaves you, it gets under your skin and just stays there, and there is always an itch to go back. These books, in their way, are a little like that.

3 Sweet Memories

Valentine's Day has always been special to me.  Not because I look forward to getting flowers or because I'm excited to see what special cards come in the mail.  I'm not a very romantic thinking girl or one who shows my affection in public so when I have the excuse to let it all out I do and I try to make it worth it. 

I find it thrilling to decorate a table extra pretty for that special morning with treasures on it for the people I love.  I love hiding tiny surprises around the house so that that day seems extra exciting.  I like to dress in pink and now I like to dress my little girl up in pink to commemorate the blushing that takes place on this day.  I try to create these lasting memories because when my mom did the same for me I felt like she loved me more then anything else.  I want to be a mom who makes extra efforts for her family...just so they know for sure how much I really do adore them.

For three years now my little Payton and his sweet Sophie have been special friends.  They have always gravitated towards each other, they seem to almost always get along and we, the parents, have only encouraged it.  They hold hands, they dance (which to Sophie is getting married), they play house and to them, right now, they will always be together. So, on Valentine's Day we make a plan, they go on a date and we sit and watch and soak it all in.  There is always a valentine exchange and a kiss or two.  They love it.  We love it. 

Here is a tiny glimpse, thanks to Cortney's talented husband Jason, of the last 3 years for these two.

2010

 A candle lit dinner for two: heart shaped grilled cheese sandwithes, grapes, chocolate covered strawberries, sparkling apple cider and special personalized heart cupcakes made with loads of love by Sophie and her mom Cortney (who also writes for this blog).

2009

 A picnic lunch on Alki Beach: transportation - a wagon pulled by daddy and a fun stop at the ice cream parlor where cones and kisses across the table were shared.

2008

 A First Date:  He picked her up with gifts for his favorite in hand (lollipop bouquet, a puppy with a heart in its mouth, and handmade valentine and a box of chocolates) and whisked her away to their favorite spot: McDonalds.  They each had a happy meal and were dressed up so fancy.  After their romantic meal and a quick change into play clothes: a night out at the family fun center.  Oh...they were so little.

Some ask us when we'll stop...I can't seem to have an answer.  I guess as long as they are small and happy...which will always be the case (wink, wink).

Just Getting Warmed Up

 

Today marks twenty six years of life for me. Hooray for Birthdays!

Having my birthday so close to the beginning of the year, when all of us seem to do a little reflecting and reminiscing, I feel like I have spent an unusual amount of time reviewing my own life lately, especially the events and lessons of this past year. I've thought about the emotions I have experienced, the mistakes I have made, the successes I've had; and it feels good to say that this year has been the best yet. 

 

But I am just getting warmed up--twenty six years is only the beginning! Like in any good exercise routine, I've stretched, got my heart rate up, and now it's time to really sweat and build some muscle! I don't know exactly what is in my future, but I do know that if the past is any kind of foreshadow for what is to come, I am excited. I'm ready for another twenty six years and a whole lot more! I love this life I am living and I love the incredible sense of success I feel when I learn something new, overcome trials, and stretch myself to reach new goals. For all that has brought me to this point, I am grateful.

This is a good time to be alive.

Happy Birthday to Our Cute Cortney

Cold Feet

Yup, I have them, cold feet. No not the flighty, nervous type. Literally, I just cold feet. I have always loved being in the cold. I grew up with snow in Colorado. I just got used to it. I wore lots of socks, especially to bed. So on this Valentines Day week, I send an ode to my Hubby. Thanks for having warm feet. I know when I get into bed each night, they will warm my toes up. For the last 5.5 years I have not had to worry about having cold feet or wearing socks to bed. I have had my phases where the socks had to stay on, but your feet were always there for an extra burst of warmness. So yes blog readers, you may think I am odd, but don't you hate having cold feet?

Oh, I also have cold hands too, so the come on always could have worked for me.

"Are your hands cold? I can warm them up for you."

Although most the time, my pockets came in quite handy. That, or the fact that my long sleeve shirts had a hole for my thumb in the ribbing. That was before they made them into the shirts like they do now. Best style idea as of lately. But hey, like they say "Cold hands, Warm Heart," Or Cold feet, Warm..." Oh, you finish it.

Rise to the Occasion

I have always loved to bake - cookies, cakes, pies, quick breads, muffins - you name it. But until about 10 years ago, if I ever saw a recipe that called for yeast, I avoided it. If you haven't worked much, or at all, with yeast, it can be intimidating...all the kneading, rising, punching, waiting. But, these days I have a healthy collection of recipes with yeast. Since I got my super duper wheat grinder a couple of years ago, I'm making a dent in our wheat food storage, and I make two loaves of bread about every other week.

The key with working with yeast is temperature and the ratio of yeast, flour and liquid. Here are some tips to consider:

1. If a recipe calls for an actual measurement of yeast but you only have packets, one packet is equal to a scant tablespoon.
2. "Proof" your yeast. Combine yeast and water in a ratio of 1 tablespoon yeast to 1/2 cup of warm water. "Warm" is relative, so it should be around 110 to 120 degrees. If you don't have a thermometer, it's similar to the temperature you'd make a baby bottle. Any warmer than 140 degrees and you risk "killing" the yeast and it won't rise. You can add 1/2 teaspoon of sugar to the yeast and water to help speed up the bubbling action. You might think it makes sense to add the salt now too. Yeast doesn't like salt and will be happier if you add it after you stir in the first cup of flour. Also, if you mix the yeast, water and salt as directed and nothing happens, you probably have old yeast and will need to get some new and start again.
3. Whether you're making a stiffer dough for bread or a softer dough for pizza dough or rolls, it should always be kneaded until it's smooth, elastic-like, and free of lumps. Of course, this is easy to do with a mixer fitted with a dough hook, but think of those awesome arms you'll get doing it by hand!
4. Let it rise. There are usually two stages of rising. The first is after the dough is kneaded. Put it in an oiled bowl (I just use the same bowl I mixed it in) and put it in a warm place. There's that word "warm" again. What does that mean? Basically anywhere away from cool drafts. I put my bowl in a sink of hot water and cover the top loosely with a kitchen towel. The warmth accelerates the release of carbon dioxide and causes the dough to grow, usually until it's double in size. The second rising is after you've shaped it into bread, rolls, etc. and it's usually a shorter time, just before you put it in the oven to bake.
5. You’ll find that on rainy or stormy days (great days for baking anyway), when the barometric pressure is low, your dough will rise more quickly than it does ordinarily. This is because it doesn’t have as much air to “push” against. The air is not as dense or heavy as it is on clear days. This is the same reason you don’t need as much yeast or baking powder at high altitudes where the air is thinner and lighter.

So there you have it. A few tips on baking with yeast. Rather than post my bread recipe, I'll leave you with this one, which I made for dinner last night. If you've never made your own pizza dough, do it! Sure it takes a little longer, but with a little bit of advanced planning, you'll be rewarded with the most deliciously light and puffy pillow to sink your teeth into - something you don't find in the grocery store's frozen section or the neighborhood take-out joint. Enjoy!

Chicken Pesto Pizza

Dough:
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
2 3/4 cups bread flour
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in water. Beat in the flour, oil and salt. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in bowl coated with a little oil, turning once to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

Topping:
1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 small onion, halved and thinly sliced
1/2 each small green, sweet red and yellow peppers, julienned
1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
3 tablespoons prepared pesto
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chicken, onion, peppers and mushrooms in a little olive oil until chicken is no longer pink and vegetables are tender. Remove from heat; set aside. Punch dough down; roll into a 15-inch circle. Transfer to a pizza pan and build edges up slightly. Prick all over with a fork to avoid bubbles during baking. Spread with pesto. Top with cheese and chicken mixture. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake at 400 degrees for 18-20 minutes or until crust and cheese are lightly browned.

Some Like It Hot

Ever since sometime in college, I have hung an empty picture frame somewhere in my house. Usually, as now, it's in the dining room. How it started is a long story, but I'm not entirely sure why I keep doing it. The original empty frame is long gone, and I haven't yet found one as fabulous. Still, I like to think of it metaphorically. It reminds me of possibility. We can put anything we want to in it ... and we often do. At Christmas it's our advent calendar, on birthdays it's a paper birthday cake with the appropriate number of candles, and this week it's this:



Remember those paper hearts hung all over the kids' wreaths? I had extra. We also did this with their friends' names for valentines. It was a nice family project, and it was educational, too: we incorporated letter recognition, spelling, and math (how many letters are in so-and-so's name?).

By the way, are you cold? I am. I've been cold for the last few months. Don't get me wrong, I love the cold. I love it because there are so many glorious ways to get warm again when one is cold. Here's one of my favorites:


Black Bean Soup

1 can chopped tomatoes (or 1 lb. chopped plum tomatoes)
2 1/4 cups (or 2 cans) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14 1/2 oz) vegetable broth (or 2 cups if you make your own)
1/2 cup cilantro
3 Tbsp lime juice
1 canned chipotle chile
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 cup corn (fresh or frozen)
1/4 cup diced red onion
diced avocado
sour cream

In blender, puree tomatoes, half the beans, broth, cilantro, lime juice, chipotle, and cumin. Transfer to a cooking pot and add the rest of the beans, corn, and onion. Heat through. Serve with avocado and sour cream for garnish.

This recipe originally came to me as a cold soup, which you can totally do. Just make sure the corn is either fresh or thawed, and don't do the heating part. I've never done it that way, though, because some, as they say, like it hot!



Which brings me to my recommendation for a great Valentine's Day movie for people - like us - who like to stay in. Two musicians in an all-girl band (so they have to dress in drag, because they're Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon) witness the 1929 St. Valentine's Day Massacre and try to skip town before the Mob catches up with them. And because they're Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, hilarity ensues. Oh yeah, and Marilyn Monroe is in it, too. There's history! Romance! Comedy! Adventure! Grab this movie, your sweetie, a big cozy quilt, a big bowl of popcorn (which is just for me, because *he* doesn't like popcorn! :) and you've got yourself one hot date!

How to Make Your Home Feel Warm and Cozy Without Cranking Up that Darn Thermostat

Anybody out there have an energy efficient husband who likes to keep things brisky just to save a buck?  Well I do and I am learning to love him for it.  Our house is set to be no warmer then 65 chilly degrees.  I know that's not awful and I should be happy to have a home that keeps me out of the rain and out of the wind but when mommy's little toes are cold then mommy doesn't want to anything but sit on the couch, light a fire and eat popcorn.  My first instinct was to crank up the heat but when I did I found myself getting sweaty and yucky feeling just from scrubbing the floors or running up and down the stairs to get things for my Sadie.  I had to think of some other ways to make my home seem warmer so that I could function the way I was designed to function.  After trying out a few of my methods I came to see that not only had I created the illusion of warm, cozy and inviting home but the thermostat was registering a higher degree of yummy warmness without having the heat kick on at all.  So we are going to use every sense we have to create our perfect winter refuge.  No more trips to the mall just to get out of the cold house or excuses to be lazy.  It can be done just by living well...

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Sound:  Crank up the tunes!  Having music on makes me dance, helps me enjoy my work and creates a more inviting enviroment.  When I dance and sing and act silly my kids want me to hold them and go crazy and they are always warm.  Essentially you are raising your body temperature just by having fun.  Turn it on first thing in the morning and watch what happens.  Life becomes snappy and silly and kid like.  If you need to relax and are not into the dancing then put on some awsome classical stuff or some smooth jazz (jk about the jazz...unless, of course, that's your thing!)  Bonus:  you'll also burn some extra calories.  Music just makes everything more fun...even cold yucky toilets seem less daunting when there's music echoing in the bathroom.

My favorite muffin recipe

Smell:  Bake something first thing in the morning.  If you have bread to make that day then do it right away.  Make some of your families favorite muffins even on a Thursday and then freeze the leftovers for another morning.  Make something yummy for dinner or, heaven forbid, dessert for later. The smell will be warm.  Your tummy will be warm and yup...your hot oven will cozy up your rooms.  You will want people to come over and be there just to smell what you are smelling.  Cooking is one of my favorite easy ways to warm things up. 

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Sight: This one is easy!  Vacume your carpet and turn on a few lamps or light some candles.  The lines that the vacume makes in your carpet will make you feel warm I promise.  Plus doing a dance with your vacume will get you up and moving, will make you happy to see a clean floor and the vacume produces heat.  Also turning on a few lamps creates a warm type of light.  Open up your blinds, even if it's gray out there and think about how much cozier your house is then that dark wet sidewalk.  You could also always paint your walls a yummy warm color but for now I am sticking with the easy solutions.

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Taste:  Eat or drink something warm!  It could be as labor intensive as homemade soup or pasta or it could be a simple piece of toast or warm popcorn with some hot chocolate.  Just standing by the oven or stove and warming your hands can make a huge difference too.  I sometimes even drink herbal tea.  This one's my favorite.  It's calming and well...warmer then water or milk.  A comfy tummy is a happy tummy.

 

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Touch:  This one is my very favorite!  Slippers with furry centers, baby cheeks and hands right after they wake up, layers and layers of homemade quilts, fireplace heat, a husbands hand, cozy socks, cuddling with your 4 year old in the morning while you watch cartoons and oh how I wish I had flannel sheets right now. 

So you see...easy solutions and they are all really pretty fun.  The key is to do it before you find yourself trapped in your bed wishing you didn't have any resposibilities or any place to go and still shivering because all you can think about is how cold it will be to pull off the covers.  Start the day out right and you'll be amazed at how much living can go on in a home that's full of warm comforts.   

5 Fun Love Day Ideas

Last week I had these plans for posting about this upcoming Valentine's Day and after some preparation and thought I went to take a few pictures for the post and NO BATTERY JUICE was left.  I went to grab the charger and it was MISSING!  It took me an entire week of cleaning and searching to find the silly thing and you wanna know where I found it...after a very sincere prayer of course...in the first place I looked an entire week ago.  I think Heavenly Father might have been hinting to me that my home wasn't quite a home of order yet.  Needless to say I was an extremely happy bug when I realised that today I would get to finally post and maybe help you with your dreaded V-day gift idea needs.  So here is what I have done in the past and what I have planned for this year. 

1* If you are a scrapper or a lover of journals or you just need to get your story down for your future family then this one is for you.  Make your cute hubby his own "Love Story" with you as the star of course.

Go find those old pictures or journal entries. Use little love notes you have saved or cards you gave each other back then.   Have fun telling it the way you remember it or how somebody looking on might have remembered it.  You can be silly or gushy or romantic...whatever fits you best.  Talk about your first dates, the first time you held hands or kissed.    I started our book from the day we met until the day we got engaged but I hope to expand this...I still need to finish it all the way.  Mark loved it and your most special friend will too I'm sure!

Remember the mistletoe story of mine?  This is it and that is the actual mistletoe we kissed under 7 years ago. 

This book is now one of my favorite treasures, even though I made it for my Mark it feels like it's mine.

 2* When Payton was a baby, he's my 4 year old now, I dressed him up all cute and I did a little photoshot with him and took 3 seperate pictures of him holding 3 large paper hearts that read "I" "LOVE" "YOU." We framed it and gave it to him for his desk at work. It was pretty cute.

3* Last year I gave Mark a book; two books actually.  One was a neat little children's story called "The Gift of Nothing" by Patrick McDonnell (which you should all read) and a red journal with a small heart embossed on it.  Basically this journal became a place for me to write down things I loved about him or events that made me love him even more.  I have done this throughout the year and this heart day it'll be fun to pull it out when we are out to dinner or sitting together alone on the couch and read about the things that make me blush or the reasons I want to make his life easier.  Hopefully this will be something I keep up and will be a fun tradition for the two of us each year.

 This year I jumped onto the idea wagon early and I'm really excited about the results.

4*On the first Day of February the kids and I spent the day making a kabillion sugar cookies for daddy.  We made a huge delicious mess and even got into a few good flour and water fights in the process.  We cut out paper hearts and we wrote little notes on them and the plan began to evolve.  I had enough there for him to have two or three cookies a day for the next 14 days plus enough to make us a fun FHE treat for that night. 

(I just made these into sugar cookie icecream sandwitches and rolled the edges in sprinkles.  Really easy and super yummy!)

 I took a chance after decorating them and froze the cuties hoping theye would still taste good for two weeks.  Each day now we bag a few of them, attach a note with a pretty ribbon and we hide it somewhere Daddy will find it during the day.  I think he's caught on by now that it'll happen every day so the surprise is now in the note.  I love seeing him feel loved.  That's what this season is all about!  Sorry...I'm getting totally cheesy now!

5* One more thing...a quilt for each of my kids made out of their old baby clothes.

I have wanted to do this for a while now and I am only done with the top for Sadie's but I am so excited about this.  The entire process has been really neat and has only made me love her more.  I took each of her things (the one's that were stained or worn) and I cut them into squares being sure to save as much as possible, especially the little ruffles or the pretty trims.  I smelled every one of them and remembered back to when she had worn each one.

I then began to piece some of them together to create unique fun frilly blocks.  This was the best part. I wish I had had enough to do this for the entire quilt but maybe having only a handful is what makes these ones special.

 This is my very favorite square. The ruffle came from her 1st birthday outfit and the other was a favorite shirt of hers. I love the colors and the memories it stirs.  Makes me think of the word watermellon and how much she loves that stuff!

 I also used a pocket and some buttons. 

I hope she loves this one day and takes it with her to college.  If not then I know it has also become another favorite treasure of mine. Maybe by the end of the week I'll have the finished product to show you.  Maybe even one for Payton...but I doubt it.  That would be crazy!

Anyway...I hope this helps you think of ways you can show love this year.  It doesn't have to be much and it doesn't have to be fancy.  Sometimes simple things are the most beautiful.  What are some of the fun things you have done in the past?  What are you hoping to do this year?

Home Is Where You Hang Your Heart(s)

I have a Christmas tradition, like many of you I'm sure, of giving each of my children a special ornament every year - either hand-picked or handmade by mama. This year, we started hanging their ornaments on their own special wreaths in their bedroom windows. They loved having their own little bit of Christmas right there in their rooms.

After Christmas, though, I forgot to take their wreaths down until after I'd had everything else all packed away. So I figured: this is the northwest, evergreen branches are a year-round thing here! And I left them there. And then I realized they're a perfect way to add some holiday cheer to the kids' rooms no matter what holiday it is! These particular hearts are cutouts from magazine pages with big spots of pink or red or purple, hole-punched at the top and hung with bits of string and ribbon - super easy! (We also hung the kids' paper snowflakes in the center, since we don't appear to be getting any other snow this winter.)

Also, do you notice the tiny hand-print smudge in the lower left-hand part of the window there? I didn't until I was about to upload. And I must say, it makes me love this photo all the more.