Pillows!!

I may have posted that we got some new furniture earlier in the month.  New sofas in the front living room, and also in the family room.  The ones in the living room came with throw pillows that I liked, and really went with our decor.  However, the ones in the family room came with pillows that looked like they fell from spaceships.  UGLY.  So, I wanted to cover them, and all my other throw pillows for that room, but I don't have a sewing machine.

My friend, Shawna told me that her mom had made throw pillows for her patio furniture out of cloth napkins.  This is brilliant, you see, because two cloth napkins cover the standard throw pillow PERFECTLY and require NO cutting or sewing as they already have nice, neat hems!  Love it!!

Hence, I went to Target and picked up a couple different set of napkins.  They don't exactly match one another but I was going for more of an eclectic vibe anyway.  They also did not have a huge selection so I will probably go out again this weekend to see if I can find any others I like more.  However, it was SUCH an easy process that I will probably just make extras so I can switch them up at random.  It is the perfect way to change up your decor in a very economical way.

Process:

• Find some cloth napkins you like
• Purchase some fabric glue (make sure it is machine washable)
• Purchase some straight pins
• Run a ribbon of glue down one inside edge of one napkin
• Place another napkin inside down on top of that napkin and carefully press the seams together.
• Go around two more sides of the napkins this same way.
• Leave the 4th end open so you can slide an old throw pillow or pillow form inside
• I used velcro for the 4th side so I can easily change these out as necessary.
• Pin around the glued edges to hold in place while it dries
• Once dry, put your pillow or pillow form in, remove the pins, and enjoy!!

Here are some pics of the finished products:

Resolutions?

I really don't like the word resolutions.  They always seem to just fade into the background.  However, since it IS a new year, I am definitely setting some goals. 

1.) Get more creative in the kitchen.   I am AWESOME at following a recipe, but I think I have more in me than that.  I made up a recipe last night and it was fabulous.  Want to be able to toss aside cook books and let my own brain do the creating.  I realize that sometimes this will yield a collosal failure, but at least I am reaching out!! 

2.) Expand my commuity service.  I LOVE the volunteer work that I do.  It is the most fullfilling work I have ever done in my life.  I just want to expand on that.  Join committees, be part of the planning, perhaps get more directly involved with additional non-profits.  There is so much NEED out there.  It's time to do as much as we can for others.

3.) Read more and write more.  My brain loves to be used.  Must make sure to challenge it as much as possible.

:)

Happy New Year!

Seems like a year since I have blogged anything.  I know it is very OLD fashioned, but I have actually been journaling----ON PAPER.  Yes, I said it.  Pen, paper, cute little notebook=Journal.  It feels good to WRITE your thoughts.  Technology makes everything colder.  Cold plastic keys, bright screen, perfectly formed letters.  That isn't really a journal in my eyes.  I love the warmth of paper, and the hap hazard penmanship that speeds up as my thoughts do.  It's really soothing.

However, life has been buzzing right along.  The Holidays were just wonderful.  The kids are so engrossed in the magic of it all.  I loved watching Lily put so much thought into what Santa should be eating or drinking " this isn't very healthy for him." she said.  Made me proud!! 

There is so much that has been happening, so here is the picture version:

Made snowman pops for the kids' Christmas festivities at school.  These were a tremendous hit!!  I was very proud:

The kids really, really had a special Christmas:

I made Christmas breakfast, as I always do--however, I made enough for 10 people, and it was just the 4 of us!!  Fun though.  Lily and Jason are toasting the day!

Jason and I got a couple awesome gifts this year.  For starters, we got new furniture!!  This excited me deep in mysoul.  We are grownups!  Merry Christmas to US!! No more hand me down furniture covered by slipcovers.  It's almost like getting a new house!  So fun!

We also got to go to the Packer game on New Years Day.  WOW.  Seriously the best game we have ever been to.  SO. MUCH. FUN.  Amazing.  Lambeau is the best.

Gosh, I so love this man.  My cup runneth over....and over. 

:) 

HOME

I love my home.  In fact, I haven't left my home today. Not once.  Stayed in, re-organized, re-arranged.  Re-laxed. 

I believe your home should always give you a peaceful feeling.  No matter if it is a tiny apartment or a huge mansion. Your home should be warm, comforting, and inviting whenever you step inside it. 

Let's be honest, sometimes the outside world can be a tad bit harsh.  Your home must be a soft place to fall.

Today, I re-arranged the living room so there is both more seating and more light coming in.  I also got rid of clutter, like books I have already read.  Makes me happy.

Take a peek:

Fall is fun......

Since I have been slacking, here are some recent pictures!  Mostly just from enjoying the beauty of fall.

Oh Dear

I am absolutely the worst blogger ever these days.  So much is going on all the time, running here and there, not time to actually sit and reflect. 

Life has been very rich of late.  Rich in lessons, rich in friendship, rich in blessings.  I sometimes feel overwhelmed by all that I "feel".  That probably sounds a bit kooky, but I am just one of those people who literally FEELS everything.  I can feel some one's hostility from across the room, when I am standing next to a horse his gentle spirit and kind eyes literally warm my skin, I cry from pride, joy, and happiness, and I physically ache from seeing people I love in pain.  I have always been grateful for this gift of experiencing things so deeply, even though sometimes it makes it hard to contain my emotions. 

I think that is the Aquarius in me.  I know, astrology is a "bogus" science, or so everyone says.  Recently though, Jason and I have been reading more into our zodiacs and much of it is REALLY applicable to our personalities and traits.  For instance, Aquarians are determined to make the world a better place, they value humanitarian efforts and love to bring positive energy to others.  Basically, we can't help it that we give a damn.  We give our whole heart, we are overpowered by the desire to give and emote and bring positivity to the world.  This might not fully explain who I am, but it does fully explain my innate desire to GIVE my time and to do things that matter.  I must do things that make the world better.  Even if they are very small things that effect only a very small number of people.  That IS my purpose.  I am currently doing as much as I can to fulfill that purpose each day.  I love growing in this role and seeing it evolve. 

:)

What's been going on??

Well, it turns out this whole "stay at home mom" deal actually means I have been busier than ever.  Two days a week volunteering at smiles, workouts at the Y, karate and dance, oh, and then next week I start working in the kids' class rooms, two days a week for Aidan and THREE for Lily.  My plate is FULL.  I LOVE IT.

The SMILES experience has been SO powerful.  The other day I worked with a young girl named Katie.  She couldn't talk, could walk but not well, she had tiny little hands, cute little glasses.  She was a doll.  When she was put on the horse she seemed so relaxed and happy.  She would reach for us but when we redirected her hand to the handles of the saddle, she complied.  We do various tasks on the horses.  For instance, the students might have to get something out of a mailbox and then place it in a bucket, or match colors, letters, etc.  Every time Katie completed a task and we told her how great she did, she smiled.  Sometimes she would raise her hands high in the air.  Katie couldn't verbalize her happiness, but you could still see it.   She really touched my heart.  After class was over and I watcher her laboriously trying to walk off of the ramp I found myself tearing up.  This sweet girl made a huge impression on my heart.  She made my pool of gratitude even deeper.  I was overwhelmed.  Had to sit in my car a little while to soak it in.  I love being there, I love the horses so much, and the students are such an inspiration.  This experience is an amazing gift.

....That's all for now.  :)