Christmas is coming and a free Printable

Merry Christmas Everyone!

It feels weird to say that last March and April we longed for Christmas in hopes that this Covid craziness to end and here we are and it hasn't.  In fact, I'm pretty sure that it is worse than it was in March.  This Christmas season has been so hard and in many ways, it has been a fight to keep our joy in the midst of some heartache and sadness.  But, even in the midst of all the feelings that are floating about, we have been able to continue with a few of our traditions and well. . . it does the heart good! 

One tradition that is a big favorite is our annual Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt Adventure.  We started this last night on a slightly failed attempt to look at Christmas Lights, but will hopefully finish tomorrow night in our own neighborhood.  I blogged about it several years ago here  and even have a free printable.  Believe it or not that post is 7 years old and that list has needed to be updated, so this year, I finally made a new one with various lights we've seen around our neighborhood and town.   

I've always had dreams of doing this with my kids and their friends and splitting up into teams and making it a fun gathering.  Unfortunately, this year it just isn't safe to hang out with friends and so we're sticking with a friendly competition with the 4 of us.  It's still way fun!  

You can print the new updated version of the scavenger hunt here. 

 

There are a few other things on the blog if you need something:  

:: You can elf your neighbors. . . there's still 3 days left until Christmas and maybe your neighbors need a little cheer. 

:: You can spoil your delivery drivers. . . even through the new year. . . They need a lot of love right now! 

:: Run out of tags or forget to buy some?  Never fear. . . I made some quick printable ones right here. 

:: Need a quick Christmas cookie?  These are my favorite!  The cranberry bar recipe tastes like the Starbucks cranberry bliss bar!

:: This recipe is a favorite for Christmas morning! It looks gorgeous, too! 

:: And some encouraging words about Advent from 2015 me. 

This is my last post for 2020 and I just want to say thanks for taking the time to read my words.  I know this year has been hard.  Each of us have been rowing along in our own boats and navigating difficult waters.  I have no idea what life looks like in your boat and maybe my ramblings or home improvement projects were weird during such a difficult year, but thanks for sticking with me as we navigate through this time of uncharted uncertainty.  I do know that in the midst of all this, I am so thankful for my relationship with God.  He has comforted me and calmed my anxious heart so.many.times!  He hasn't listened to my frustrations and to be honest, my complaints, yet He still loves me and cares for me.  He cares for you, too! And despite so many hard things happening this year, I am so thankful for the rest and time with my kids and husband.  We have taken so many walks over the past 9 months and I am treasuring those conversations, giggles, and miles deep in my heart.  It has been weird with the absence of sports and church activities, but with that has come a season of much needed rest and for that I am thankful.  

I'm taking the next couple of weeks off to hang with my family and celebrate Christmas.  You can still find me on Facebook and Instagram.  I hope you will join me in 2021 as we continue for find creativity in the midst of motherhood. . . or life. . . or whatever season you are in.  Come join me! 

Have a wonderful Christmas!  And a Merry New Year! 

Christmas Cheer & Free Printable

I'm going to be honest with you.  I am trying so hard to get into the Christmas spirit.  This season is really hard after 9 months of Covid and some other stuff that's going on.  We're tired.  We've grieved our losses.  We've pivoted (just like the couch in Friends).  We've rested.  We've stretched ourselves.  We've grown.  Our state is basically shut down again due to an incredible rise in cases here and I know that we aren't the only ones.  Christmas will be very quiet around here and I am curious to what that will look like.  

I needed some joy this week.  My kids needed some joy, too.  We also needed to look outward and see how we could spread some around to our neighborhood.  We've always been fans of boo-ing people in October, but we've never joined in the Elf club.  This year, we thought it was necessary.  The kids and I found ourselves wandering Target looking for goodies to share with our friends (an excuse to go to Target. . . yes, please!).  The kids put together the bags, I designed some tags and made some bread and we headed out into the neighborhood.  I think we were caught my almost everyone, but it is so much fun!  We laugh.  I think Weston hid behind some trashcans and a tree. . . but still got caught.  It's so much fun!

I think that when things are so hard, it is so easy to focus on ourselves (self care is beautiful, don't get me wrong) when sometimes the answer is to do something for someone else.  One friend posted her kids reactions to being elfed and it made there day. . . one of them may or may not have been wishing for a candy cane just moments before!  Friends, it brought joy to our hearts!!!  This definitely helped our attitudes!

Some items we found to fill our treat bags were some hot cocoa, pencils and erasers, candy canes, festive chocolate.  We found all of those things at Target, but I wanted to find a few other fun things.  Hobby Lobby was the best!  Plus all their Christmas stuff was half off like normal, so I grabbed rubix cubes, stampers, and maze ball things for super cheap.  We made 12 treat bags and then the boys got to decide who in our neighborhood they wanted to deliver to.

I also baked my favorite bread for this time of year.  THIS recipe is the best!  It's super easy and makes 6 little mini breads that can all be baked at the same time.  This year, because of COVID, we put who it was from because getting baked goods right now from random people might be a bit questionable.  I bought some cardboard loaf pans so there's no touching the actual bread and then I wrapped it in larger clear treat bags. 

The door knob holder was super easy.  I just punched holes at the top and tied string through it making  a loop. 

The kids and I really want to challenge you to spread some cheer around your neighborhood.  Take some time and brainstorm how you could make someone in your neighborhood's day.  Remember to be safe, where a mask when necessary. Spreading cheer in a world where people are socially distancing and lonely might just might just be the thing that fills someone else up with joy. I promise you, it will fill your hearts with so much joy!  

Here's the link to the free printable.  Please remember that these are for personal use only.  I'd also love to see how you use them. . . don't forget to tag me or use #outoftherightbrainblog

CLICK HERE TO GET FREE PRINTABLE

 

Amazing Dairy Free Pumpkin Pie

I am currently enjoying every ounce of my days watching Hallmark movies, wearing comfy clothes, and working on Christmas stuff.  My computer and a stack of Christmas cards are calling my name. (So is the book I just started. . . but that will have to wait for a few minutes) Oh, and maybe a cup of hot chocolate. I am so thankful for these quiet days to just chill and check some things off my list. I'll be honest, there are so many things that make me want just crawl under the covers and hide from so.many.things.  There have been some pretty amazing things that have come out of this wild, crazy, and completely weird year, but there have also been some hard things. Today, we officially have stay at home orders and I am just so sad.  So, I am going to dream about this pumpkin pie. . . pitiful looking crust and all!

Speaking of crust, I am just going to confess something to you. . . and maybe offer a little bit of encouragement.  I CANNOT MAKE A PRETTY CRUST FOR THE LIFE OF ME.  There I said it.  It's true.  My crusts are never beautiful or magazine worthy.  But, I still make pie.  Because regardless of how funny the crust looks, the pie still tastes delicious (or so people say).  So, please, pretty please, ignore my ugly crust and trust me.

This year, we gathered with just a smaller family group and while we missed the extended family it was really a sweet time of conversation, memories, and a fun game stolen from a Christmas movie.  I made the most delicious chocolate bourbon pecan pie (click here for the recipe), but promised the boys I would add a pumpkin pie to my Costco order for after Thanksgiving.  It is always Jon's favorite, but it soooo big.  Well, I placed my instacart order and completely forgot to add the pie.  OOPS! The boys were just so sad that I had to get to baking.  Thankfully, pumpkin pies are pretty easy and I always have pumpkin on hand (the Trader Joe's canned pumpkin is truly my favorite and I used it in this particular recipe).  While I was looking for a recipe, I noticed a lot of chatter about Libby's changing their recipe this year and when I checked it, it was completely different.  Since, I just happened to have the non dairy version of the ingredients, I thought I would give it a try and hope for the best.  

How do the two pies compare you might ask?  Libby's Famous Pumpkin Pie (the go-to original recipe) is just eggs, spices, evaporated milk, and sugar.  The new pie, called Libby's New Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie replaces the sugar with sweetened condensed milk making it super rich.

 My concerns for making this pie non dairy were:

::  Will the pie set up the correct way?

:: Will it taste coconut overpower the pumpkin? 

I think the new recipe is incredible and perfect and it might just be my new go-to recipe for homemade pumpkin pie.  I used the Nature's Charm Sweetened Condensed coconut milk and evaporated milk that I have found at Sprouts.  

Here's the recipe:

Amazing Dairy Free Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients: 

• 1 deep dish pie crust*
  
• 1 15 oz can of pumpkin
• 2 large eggs
  
• 1 cup of dairy free evaporated milk
• 1 can of dairy free sweetened condensed milk 
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp. cinnamon 
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  
• In a bowl, whisk together all your ingredients until creamy and beautiful. Pour into your prepared, uncooked crust.  Bake for 15 minutes. 
• Then turn oven down to 350 degrees and continue baking for another hour, or until set.  I found that it took about 5 extra minutes so definitely keep an eye on it. 
• Allow Pumpkin pie to cool.  Once it cools, stick in refrigerator to finish setting.  It will be a little runny, if you don't give it some time in the fridge.  Also, don't stick in the fridge while it is still hot because it will develop some condensation spot on top of the pie.  We don't want water-y pie.
  

*pre-bought pie crust is most often not dairy free.  I used a Trader Joes pie crust, but because it is baked the butter doesn't bother us (the high heat changes the chemistry of the milk protein and sugars)

I recommend making a pie crust using a dairy free butter, like Miykos.  

You can also make this paleo by finding a paleo pie crust or even switching your flour with some paleo baking flour.

** recipe adapted from Libby's.

And one final reminder: I am really bad at making pie crusts look pretty, but it does not stop me from making pies.  Don't let your imperfections stop you from baking or creating!

  LINKS:

Original recipe that we grew up with

Connection Time {Nov 2020}

Happy Fall!  

I know that it's been fall since September and here we are in November, but it's finally starting to feel like Fall and I am here for it!  I've even had to put on socks to keep my feet warm (I don't wear socks normally. . . is that weird?).  The colors are slowly making their quite transformation from green and lively to a painted masterpiece of red, brown, and yellow.  I find myself slowing down and soaking in the few weeks of painted leaves before they all fall to the ground.  It is definitely my favorite part of the year.  

We've been taking advantage of the cooler temps that have suddenly made an appearance.  We've been making sure we fill our time with adventure and for me, projects. . . because in this season, they are giving me a lot of purpose.  I'll be honest with you, last spring was incredibly hard.  Looking back to those first few months of the pandemic, I see so many great things, yet at the time, I was left feeling trapped and discouraged.  If you are familiar with the enneagram. . . I am a 7 and that's pretty much how most 7's probably felt.  This summer, we made a hopeful plan to do something adventurous at least once a month.  We've been pretty good about it and it has helped my type 7 heart immensly.

I have continued sneaking away for a few minutes to grab some coffee at my favorite coffee shop each week and have several projects in the works.    I will confess that I keep forgetting that my birthday is coming up.  I am not sure if it has anything to do with the pandemic or not, but this year, I really am not feeling it.  All my normal ways of celebrating are not going to happen and the kids will be busy doing school work, so if you have any ideas. . . send them my way.  I am in need of some inspiration.   

Things look so different this year and it is so easy to get discouraged.  Let's take advantage of this time to slow down from business  (I'm sure that I'm not the only one who struggles with this!) and count our gifts daily.  Let's use this time to finish something we've started or even try something new, go on a new adventure or embrace rest as we finish out this weird year.  

Now it's time for the part of my connection time post that we all just all join in and share a bit.  Go grab a cup of coffee or a hot cocoa and join in on the fun.  I am a huge fan of sitting down and connecting with friends over a cup of coffee. . . it is by far one of my favorite things to do!  

First, I'll take a second and fill in the prompts and then your turn.  Feel free to pick on or two or all of them and add yours the comments below or over on instagram or on the Out of the Right Brain Facebook page.  Whatever you feel comfortable with.  I love to hear from you and I love celebrating your comments.  

Here it goes . . . Let's start chatting! 

Outside my window. . . it's dark.  The only think I dislike about this time of the year are the shorter days.  I do however look forward to enjoying the Christmas lights and evening movies with hot cocoa! (A little secret: we enjoyed a movie and hot cocoa tonight!)
 

I am thinking that I should get the kids headed to take showers soon.  The time has come that they need to get ready for bed.  Then, I can start watching my show. . . I am working my way through the John Adams mini series. 

 
From the kitchen my new KitchenAid mixer came today!  Mine was wearing down and well. . . when I made bread the bowl didn't stay in and that almost ended in disaster a few times.  I hope to get to try it out tomorrow. . . I really have a hankering for some chocolate chip cookies. . . and maybe next week some sourdough bread! 

I am wearing yoga pants and a zip up sweatshirt.  I tend to be most productive when I am comfortable.  I am on the hunt for some joggers though. . . I think I need to expand my cozy wardrobe! 

I am creating lots!  I have raided Hobby Lobby a few times in the last week and am ready to start working on some Christmas projects.  I am also in the process of quilting a baby blanket, and finishing up a quilt top I started several years ago.  

I am going nowhere right now.  But, we are definitly enjoying our little adventures here and there.  Everyone had Wednesday off so we grabbed our bikes and road to our favorite coffee shop.  Round trip it was a little over 10 miles, but it was so much fun!  I really love having older kids right now.  

I am reading so many things right now.  A few weeks ago, I read Jenna Bush's recent memoir (I'll link it at the bottom) and it was soo good! I read it over one weekend.  I laughed.  I cried.  It was just wonderful1  I am also working on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and finishing up some other books I have started.  

I am hoping to do some baking and sewing this weekend.  There isn't a lot happening and I am excited!  

I am hearing my kids talk about minecraft things and watching a movie while I type away.  I love the friendship that is blossoming between these two brothers!  

Around the House there are unfinished projects, empty boxes, scattered pillows, and books set down from reading.  he other day I changed around the front room and I realized how much the kids love the coziness of this set up!  In a few weeks the Christmas Tree and twinkle lights will be added and I think there will be a lot of book reading in this space! Our back room project is wrapping up and it's time for me to start styling the shelves.  I am currently shopping my house and doing a little actual shopping.  When it's done, I will reveal, but make sure to check instagram for updates!

One of my favorite things is being able to grocery shop and have them delivered to my door stop.  It is definitly one of my new favorite things that has come from this Covid situation.  It is also one that I don't think will stop.  I didn't realized how much time I was wasting going from store to store!

A few plans for the weekend: go to the movies, play outside, read a book, and work on some sewing.  It's going to be wonderful! Last weekend we went to visit one of the prettiest beaches. . . Capitola!  It was so much fun, but I think I am looking forward to a quiet weekend.

What I am listening to is if the kids have their way, we'd listen to Hamilton 24-7, but I've been enjoying the new Leslie Odin Jr. Christmas album and the She Reads Truth podcast. 

Now, it's your turn!  Grab your coffee and let's connect! You don't have to do them all! I can't wait to hear from you! You can even private message me if you don't want to make it public.  

Outside my window
I am thinking
From the kitchen
I am wearing
I am creating
I am going
I am reading
I am hoping
I am hearing
Around the House
One of my favorite things
A few plans for the week
What I am listening to 

I can't wait to hear from you! 

 

Hall Closet Door Make Over

I think sometime last Spring I snapped just a little bit.  I hadn't left the house for several weeks (even for a target visit!). I had lost the desire to even get up in the mornings.  I am pretty sure there was slight cloud of depression starting to hover over my heart and I needed something to get me up and give me a sense of purpose, so I sent my husband a text asking him if I could paint our inside doors.  This was not a project on our house goals for the year,  but it was something we had thought about at least once.  Surprisingly, he said yes.  

Are you familiar with the book, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, by Laura Numeroff?  Basically this story reads just like that.  If you give a gal permission to paint she will buy the most expensive paint with all of the coupons and a new paint brush.  Then she will ask her strong husband to take down the doors and help.  After most of the doors are finished, she will look at the remaining hall closet doors and decide she wants to do a statement door on the hall closet/pantry.  She will propose several ideas to her wonderful husband who will help her devise a plan that will work.  Some time will pass and they will cram large pieces of wood in the back of their car and enlist some really good friends help cutting the wood into strips. At this point, the gal just sort of watches as her husband cuts woods and glues offering help whenever its needed.  Then she paints the door and falls in love with her plan and is thankful her husband saw her vision and said yes.  

 

That's basically how it all went down in a nutshell.  We have one main hallway in our house that makes an L shape.  We painted all the doors with Sherwin Williams Iron Ore using their Snap Dry paint.  I am obsessed!  This paint applies so smooth and dries so quick that it doesn't take long to do a project.  Another plus, is that this paint is made specifically for doors and trim because it dries hard and doesn't leave a softer, rubber-like feel that latex paint often leaves.  Because of this, doors don't get stuck in the shut position!  They also look like we went out and bought black doors! That's a huge win!  

We painted them using a roller brush and then a Purdy brush for touch ups.  (I love me a good Purdy brush!).  The paint we bought directly from the Sherwin Williams store and were able to get it on sale and use a coupon . . . which is great because it's kind of pricey (but worth it!)  I don't think this particular paint is sold at Lowes, but really. . . Sherwin Williams has great sales and curbside pick up!  I love me some curbside pick up!!! Iron Ore is the perfect color of a dark gray/black although it had me wondering if it was too grey when I was painting it.  Once it dried and we moved it inside, it was so much darker.  A lot of paints are like that. . . misleading at first. 

For our closet/pantry doors, we decided to give it a little love.  They are overlapping sliding doors, which it's really hard to do stuff with.  We decided to go with a herringbone design with a modern knob to help making opening and closing easier.  We used some think particle board because it was inexpensive and thin.  We found some at Lowes.  Our friends have this really cool tool to help cut long, straight lines with a circular saw (this one here).  It was a lifesaver. . . so was their help!  From there, Jon was able to cut using his miter saw the specific angles and lengths. 

Before we painted the outside door, we measured the middle and drew a line down the middle for our guide.  Then we placed the wood pieces at the angle we wanted and started cutting and placing the wood where we wanted it.  We did all the pieces before we started gluing. 

 

We used Liquid Nails in a culking gun to glue the pieced down.  Then we laid all the heavy things we could find on top so they could dry and nothing would move.  Liquid Nails is really thick, so there isn't a ton of sliding and it's so strong.

 

This is what it looked like after the glue dried.  I love it!  Now, it was time to paint.  We used the same roller and paint as everything else, but we had to use the brush to do the grooves.  

 Once it dried, we hung it up and admired it.  Our hallway is narrow, so it's hard to get a good picture of just how cool it looks.  Now we just need to add a handle.

I bought an 8 inch metal rod handle at Lowes.  The only thing we did was buy some washers and longer screws to be able to go through the wood from the herringbone and the door itself.  It was pretty easy to do and made such a big impact.  I love the simplicity and how easy it is to open the sliding door with the handle.   

I am so glad we did this project.  Not only does it make me smile each time I gaze down our hallway, but it gave me something to focus on and get me through the slump of shelter in place.  It's amazing what just an opportunity to be creative can do for the soul.  I know that I've mentioned it before, but I firmly believe that God created us to be creative. . . and in times like this, it definitely was one of the best things that I could have done to get out of the funk I was in. 

 

 

 

 

A season of Pivoting and Porching.

The air is starting to feel more like Fall and less like summer.  If I squint my eyes together, I can sometimes see the start of leaves changing and the mornings have a sort of coolness that almost makes you reach for your sweatshirt. . . almost.  We've been inundated with a lot of smoke due to California's incredibly bad fire season this year, so I'm just pretending the grey, smoke-filled sky is overcast.  Last night was the second week of the Bible Study I host and the first time we met in person.  The air cleared up just enough that it was safe for us to meet outside on my imaginary front porch (Insert all the praise hands here!). 

I love perusing my insta feed at all beautiful pictures of front porches, where it seems like people really love to gather in the front of their house (throw in one of those bed swings and I might just swoon!). There is something captivating at front porch life.  Maybe this obsession is because we don't have front porches in my neighborhood.  We have stucco houses built in the 60's where people pull into their garages and walk into their house shutting the door on the outside world.  It's really quite sad when you think about it.  This summer, when we headed back to Wyoming to see my grandma and my parents, we spent a lot of time just chilling on the front porch.  It was where we drank coffee, maybe read a book, or just sat around swinging in the porch swing catching up on life.  It was lovely.  We found ourselves lingering there quite often.    

We came home to our hot summer weather where its too hot do anything outside but swim. However, something about that porch got me thinking.  There was a draw about the front porch that got me thinking about how I could make a porch-like situation in the front yard of my mid-century home.  We had this cement slab that sort had no purpose and wondered if there was a way to make this space inviting, especially since in order to keep Bible Studies going in the fall we were going to have to be incredibly creative on how we approached meeting together.  This resulted in finding an inexpensive way to create a comfortable and inviting space. 

This was before a couple of the ladies got here. . . but you get the idea

 

(I'll share the sources and details at the bottom of the post) 

We are working really hard to avoid large, crowded areas yet, try to find small pieces of "normalcy" while using wise decision making.  Our pastor has even used the word, pivot.  I'll be honest with you, all I think of when I hear this word is the Friend's cast trying to get a couch up a narrow staircase (tell me I am not alone!).  So instead of gathering in large groups in a big room, we are transitioning to smaller Bible Study groups, either outdoors or via digitally through zoom or google meet.  I love it!  I have always loved gathering with small groups around the table drinking coffee or eating food rather than groups of 10 crammed around multiple tables in a large group setting

. . . it's just so much more personal. 

Here's the thing. . . change is hard.  Change is uncomfortable. Throw in a pandemic and people get angry.  If we let the uncomfortable, angry feelings and our stubborn hearts overwhelm us rather than cause us to be flexible and understanding then we miss out on watching God work in some pretty amazing ways.  I really believe that God is changing the church through this pandemic and quarantine and I can't wait to see us come out of it stronger and better because of it. 

I am two weeks into a new study and here's some observations:

:: People miss each other. 

:: Not everyone is ready to sit outside and social distance if it means being around other humans (and that is okay!)

:: technology is our friend.  

:: You can still connect sitting across a chair from someone. . . even with a face mask.  

:: Small groups make more room for people to be included in the discussion.  

When we chose to pivot, we are flexing those faith muscles and trusting God to work in the middle of the hard, uncomfortable mess that we call this Pandemic.  For me it meant creating a space that was inviting in a safe way.  It may mean something entirely different for you, but I challenge you to let go of any stubbornness that is holding you back and choose to pivot to what God has planned.

Also, who wants a front porch now?

 

Sources:

Wood Adirondack chairs  -  We bought them at Home Depot, unfinished.  They are not available anymore. We painted them with spray chalk paint and spray wax, We used this one.

"Stay Awhile" sign

 Wreath

 

Notes: I encouraged everyone to stop and grab their favorite coffee shop on the way, but provided water with straws and lids if needed.  I also encouraged people to bring their own chairs.  

 

 

there's a day for that {Simple Card Tutorial}

 There is a day for everything.  Today alone had a good 7 different things to celebrate including Yom Kippur (A REAL holiday, folks!), National Strawberry Cream Pie Day (Yum!), and National Be a Good Neighbor Day (shouldn't we be doing this every day?). There were others, but you can google them yourself.  Sometimes it's just fun and games and honestly right now we may just need an excuse to celebrate because when you look at social media for too long it gets depressing.  This week, there is actually one made-up holiday that I thought we could all celebrate together.  Saturday, Oct. 3rd is National Make a Card week, so I thought it would be fun to make a card together.  This card is super easy, perfect to give a friend a small dose of fall.  Plus, it doesn't take much time or materials. 

I wanted to make this a simple card that you didn't have to go out and spend a bunch of money on supplies.  I wanted to give you options and inspire you to create something . . . even if it takes under 5 minutes.  But most of all, I just want you to be able to send a card to someone needing a snail mail surprise. . . I am sure someone in your life just needs a little note telling them they were thought about today.  

So, let's get our craft on . . . 

First step:  Gather up your materials.  This craft only needs cardstock or blank note cards.  I always buy a pack of blank cards from the dollar spot at Target when they appear. . . cheap and easy!   If you are cutting up card stock, check to see what size envelope you will send it in and cut your card to fit into that envelope.  

You will also need orange buttons, glue gun and glue gun glue, green and brown thin point markers (go snag some crayola markers from your kids if you need to).JoAnns has small packs of buttons for super cheap. . . and even cheaper if you check their app for a 40 percent off coupon.  Make sure to read to the bottom for non-button alternatives.

Step 2: glue the buttons on to the center of your paper.  Seriously easy peasy!

Step 3: Draw stem stumps and some curly vines and call it a day.

Step 4: Write a quick note, stick it in the envelope, address and stick a stamp on that baby. 

See, super easy!  If you don't have buttons and you're just not feeling a trip to the local craft store (I completely understand!), you can do fingerprints in paint or ink, cut out orange paper pieces, or anything else you can think of to make an orange circle.  

 Also, this is a great way to get your kids crafting, too!  Maybe their grandparents or some of their friends need some snail mail.  

 I hope that this quick card project gets your creative wheels spinning as well as gives you an opportunity to send a note (or two) to someone to say hi! 

 

Have a great week! 

 

 

Book Review: Proverbs 31 in 5 Minutes a day

 

 I fell in love with the words of Proverbs 31 in college.  At the time, I was living in a dorm with no prospect of a husband in site.  I was not a wife, nor a mom and the only thing I had in common with her was I am a woman of God. I spent my time studying, hanging out with friends, and staying out way too late (ahh. . . sometimes I long for the ability to pull all nighters once again!) Yet, something intrigued me at this woman that a random king wrote about long ago.  In so many ways, the bar seems  overwhelmingly high and at the same time so desirable.  Who doesn't want to be more precious than rubies, wise, generous, trusted, and fearless as she runs her household, provides income (a.k.a. she worked. . . hard!), and spent money wisely?

So often, she gets tossed aside as a mythical woman who does it all.  We give into current stereotypes of the "perfect" mom or even the appearance of a June Cleaver wannabe.  We go to war with words trying to justify our decisions of choosing the stay at home mom life or the working mom life (note: there is no wrong answer!).  We long for someone to tell us our way is the right way, when in reality, we are just looking for someone to tell us that we are doing okay.  And truth be told, we want someone to see us and offer us some praise like they do the Proverbs 31 woman.  

Let's be honest, we are all tired and worn out and now throw in all the stress this COVID life has bought us and we feel like we are running around like a chicken with her head cut off.  We probably are trying to get as far as we can away from the words of Proverbs 31 because we are seeing them as a set of standards rather than words of encouragement for our tired hearts.  I honestly was thrilled when my sweet internet friend, Mari, announced she had written a book about this passage.  Her book came out this week and it was perfect timing.  I am exhausted and sometimes overwhelmed and the words in her new book were so encouraging!

She wrote this beautiful book, called Proverbs 31 is 5 minutes a Day, for women like me (and most likely you!), who are struggling to find time to check off all their goals for the day and having a hard time finding time to read God's Word.  When she says 5 minutes a day, she means it!  Her words are beautiful, not long winded and so encouraging to my heart.  If we weren't currently doing distance learning, this would be the perfect thing to read while waiting for traffic at school drop off to die down or even in the pick up line.  There are even spots to journal and really challenge yourself as you really dig into what the words of Proverbs 31 mean. 

Mari does a great job breaking down the words of Proverbs 31 into an approachable and not scary way to dive into God's Word.  

This book takes you through each verse over the course of 7 weeks all while combining stories from other parts of the Bible.  This book is great for individual study or even gathering with some ladies for a weekly discussion of this beautiful & encouraging passage.  This a fantastic book and I hope you love it just as much as I did!  

You can buy this book over here.  

Happy Reading! 

Friday Favorites: Things that are bringing me joy

 Happy Friday everyone! I don't know about you all, but I am so glad for the weekend!  We are four weeks into distance learning and while there have been some frustrating moments, they have been minimal and the days are mostly smooth (I never thought we'd be buying internet range extenders but it's 2020 so I have stopped questioning things).  But, as with any week, the weekend comes bringing reprieve and rest. . . and I am ready (even though it was a short week).  

Any many ways, this week has been filled with both hard and good things.  I am still trying to find my groove in this new routine (working moms. . . I can't imagine the stress you are bearing right now, but I'm praying for you!).  There have been other things and well we're going to pile them into a category that is labeled 2020.  I heard someone say that home improvement projects were there way of grasping something they have control of and all I could respond with was a simple "Amen." I thought that because there are just so many depressing things out there, I would make a list of a few things that are bringing me joy right now.  Making lists of things that bring me joy definitely shifts my attitude!  So here's my list of joyful things.  I'd also love to hear what is bringing you joy these days, so feel free to post in the comments!  Also. . . no one is paying me anything to share these things. . .I really like them!

 My new sewing machine.

I finally got a new sewing machine and it has been a total game changer!  It sews so smooth and quiet that I just can't wait to sew again!  I am currently sewing whenever I get a chance.  I plan on doing a review on the sewing machine so I won't go into too many details.  But, just note that I really like it compared to my cheaper singer that I had from when I first started getting into sewing. In case you don't want to wait for the review, it's the Eversewn Celine. . . and she's a cutie!

New hair elastics!

I have been using the same elastics for my hair for years and I thought I really liked them. . . except they never lasted very long and they always pulled out my hair.  I started hearing all these instagramers talking about these and I won't lie, I was intrigued.  Plus, they were available on amazon which makes it a win-win since we aren't doing much venturing out these days.  I went with the thicker ones and might by the thinner ones later, but I love them!  My pony tails are so perky and they don't fall out or loosen when I am working out.  They are definite keepers.  I want to try the thinner ones in the more neutral colors next!  They work great for top knots and cute, perky pony tails.  They are perfect for day of adventure or working out and they are machine washable! Here's a link.

Flobody

I have to admit that one of the hardest things about 2020 is that I haven't been able to go to they gym (ours are all closed!), so I needed to figure some things out because I was not enjoying they way my body was feeling.  I am not usually one for clicking internet ads, but its 2020 and it happened and in this case, I am so glad I did!  I have had the best, most consistent workouts over the last month that even my best friend got herself one.  It is a yoga mat with a yoga bar zipped on that allows for resistance bands to go though and attach to weights or straps.  It mimics machines at the gym, allows for pilates/reformer-like exercises, and they have a ton of workout videos that leave me very sweaty!  The kids don't have school until 9 each morning, so it has given me plenty of time to get a quick workout in before they start. I am actually considering quitting the gym completely after all this because it is seriously the best thing ever!  Here's the website, but yesterday they posted they are almost out of stock until the holidays. 

Nail Polish

I broke down and ordered myself an Olive and June nail polish kit and well. . . it was not disappointing!  I bought the fall box with some of the most gorgeous colors!  I used the light pink one (HGC) and I love it!  I love neutral colors on my fingers so I think it is going to get lots of use!  In all honesty, I love them all!  The olive green one (WKF) is the one I was probably most excited for. . . is it too early to do fall toes?  Probably not, since we're all secretly drinking pumpkin spice lattes and dreaming of leaves changing.  Also, their finger nail polish remover is amazing and so is that poppy thing (I am no good at painting my nails and it helped tremendously!).  One thing that I love about Olive and June is that they are a 7-free nail polish. . . which means they don't have as much yucky stuff in them. (I still love my Ella and Mia and Essie. . . but this was just too much fun!).  

Creating and Reading

I am really trying so hard to have the best attitude about life right now.  There's a lot of hard stuff going on (one of them being our state is pretty much on fire, one being in an area we are not far from) and it's so easy to make a list and wonder where the heck is God.  I've been doing a She Reads Truth Study on God's Presence and it has been so encouraging.  I know that God never leaves me and that he gives rest and comfort.  He is here amidst the chaos and destruction.  That alone brings me joy.  There are many things that I could be complaining about, but each morning I have to make a choice to choose my attitude about things.  I can't dwell on all the bad things because too much dwelling in the negative allows the fear, anxiety, and anger to creep in and engulf my heart and mind.  Instead, I am praying (a lot) and focusing on what I can do in this moment (or just this year in general).  God is literally giving me rest because we aren't rushing around getting everybody to everything.  We are, in many ways, getting to enjoy entire church services instead of just partial ones because we are serving.  I am also getting time to read and create. . . things that often got overlooked because of the busy.  Right now I am working on a quilt top for Jon and soon a surprise for someone expecting and trying to catch up with Weston on Harry Potter books (he has somehow made it to year 6 over the summer!).  

 

I hope you have a great Friday and even better weekend!  If you are having a difficult time finding joy. . . it's okay.  Sometimes, it's really hard and digging deep for those joyful moments that bring life is crazy.  I am praying for you! 

Cultivating spaces that feed the soul

 

"...Friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things that are true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious -- the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not to curse." Philippians 4:8, msg

 I remember the day I read this passage.  Not just glanced at it, but really read it.  I was in college, living away from home for the first time with a roommate who spent the nights in her boyfriend's dorm.  I was lonely and so I read a lot.  I dug into scripture more than I had ever done in the past and I read all sorts of books.  I was reading through Loving God with All your Mind, by Elizabeth George (if you haven't read it. . . it's pretty on point!) and her thoughts on this verse really helped me truly understand what Paul was writing to the church at Philippi and how guilty I was of doing just the opposite.  This verse changed me.

Each day our minds are bombarded with so much information and "stuff." A few months ago, when summer was just approaching, Annie Downs had Carlos Wittaker on her podcast, That Sounds Fun.  He mentioned that when our parents and grandparents were growing up the amount of info they soaked in was about a a tenth of how much is filling our minds every day.  (let me be honest, I totally butchered that statistic and have no source, but I will link the podcast at the bottom).  Basically, the gist of it is that because of how accessible technology is today, we are constantly being bombarded with information.  Every day our brains are filled to overflowing and it mentally and physically drains us.  We are tired and running ragged. I think that the reason why is we were not created for information overload.  

When you think about all the information that you get each day, a lot of it is not true, pure, lovely, authentic, or even gracious.  I know many of you are ready to throw in the towel and turn off social media or even just crawl in a cave and hide for awhile.  It's okay.  I've been there too.  

I like pretty things.  I think I always have, but I think that this verse gave more meaning to the word pretty. . . I like lovely things.  Chasing sunsets along the beach, stopping the car to look at a grove of cypress trees or redwood trees, or even getting my hands on some rifle paper fabric to create something beautiful all bring me joy as I look for things that are lovely and beautiful.  When me moved into our home, I had a hard time looking for the beauty in the drab walls and ugly carpet, but soon found ways to create a space that was lovely . . . a space that brings a quiet peace amidst the daily insanity.  

I think even more than ever we need to be cultivators of beauty and goodness in a world that seems so harsh and ugly.  Taking the time to cultivate spaces that bring you joy will no doubt feed your soul as you find rest and peace in your day-to-day.  

But, how do we do this?  It's 2020. . . the year alone just screams ugly and depressing?  Friends, take a moment and just breathe deep breaths.  God is sooo much bigger than all that 2020 will bring us (or has brought us already!) and he never once leaves us alone.  We can get through this and we can find beauty and joy despite of the ugliness.  After all, if God is right here, holding our hand as we journey through the hard moments and He is filled with beauty and grace then we sure can find it we just take a look around.  

Here are my tips for cultivating those spaces in our lives to bring joy and peace.  

1.  Breathe.  Get out of the house and (safely) go on an adventure.  Trek through the trails, walk barefoot along a sandy beach.  Look for beauty in God's creation.  Despite 2020, it's still a beautiful world that God has created.  Even taking a moment to throw on your ear buds and blast some music while you walk around your block offers a chance to just breathe. 

2.  Guard your heart.  Proverbs 4:23 says to "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." We need to guard our hearts from things that are ugly and stir up feeling of disgust. Those things do not align with that verse in Philippians.  Look at your social media account.  I use mine for connecting with this blog and keeping up with my Bible study group, so getting rid of facebook just isn't something I am willing to part with, because it has so much good.  It's a pretty good way to stay connected through social distancing.  But, it doesn't mean you have to look at all the crap (just keeping it real, folks) that invades your facebook feed.  You have control over that.  Feel free to snooze those people who cause you to not think about true, lovely, reputable, and authentic things.  You don't have to unfriend them. . . but you can hide them from your feed for awhile.  You can also hide posts from certain media outlets.  Remember, not all news is actually news and depending on who's writing it the bias can be a little off causing truth to be twisted (this goes for both sides of the spectrum). 

 Just a quick note: I refuse to get political on this blog because there is just so much hateful division that it breaks my heart.  This blog will never be a place that causes division.  I want it to be a place that brings you joy, encouragement and inspiration as you navigate your life. 

3.  Follow people who bring you joy.  My favorite social media outlet is Instagram because I can choose who shows up on my feed.  I pay close attention to check if my feed is bringing me joy and encouragement or even inspiration.  

4.  Read the Bible.  Seriously . . it is filled with so many beautiful truths of God's faithfulness throughout the whole book. Go a step further and memorize a verse or two. It definitely helps me cultivate beauty in the daily.  

5.  Think about things that are true.  This one was a real eye opener because so many times I hear the voice in my head telling me things like, "you're not good enough" and "why even blog. . . no one's going to read it" or even "that idea isn't good" and friends, those are all lies that the devil send you to stop you in your tracks and prevent God from doing His work in and through you.  I know that not everyone will read this post, but maybe one person will and be encouraged and if that's true, then I know I was obedient to God's calling to write this post.  Fill your thoughts with scripture to combat those lies that fly your way.  

6.  Create something.  Look around.  What can you do to make something lovely?  Sometimes, just painting the walls or hanging up some pictures and putting a throw blanket down takes a space from drab to lovely in an instant.  Is there a new hobby you want to try?  Or are there some projects that you need to finish up that will result in lovely things when you finish?  

7.  Make a list.  I am a fan of a list.  But, why not this month keep a list of all the things that you find each daily that are true, lovely, good, noble, authentic and see what it does to your mindset. . . to your heart. 

 Let's fill our hearts and minds with the things with the things that Paul listed out in Philippians 4:8.  Let us embark on a journey to create spaces within our daily routine that feed our hearts and souls in a way that springs forth life.  Let us live abundantly!

Links:

Loving God with all your mind, by Elizabeth George

Annie Downs podcast with Carlos Wittaker 

my pinterest boards with all kinds of potential beauty 

my blog post on adventuring safely during COVID 

Also, I recommend reading this book

 

A different kind of back to school post

School starts next week for our family.  The upcoming year looks very different than what we're used to since all schools in our area are doing distance learning.  I must confess, I find myself both incredibly excited. . . almost giddy about the upcoming school year and at the same time incredibly sad.  While we are obviously saying no to a lot of things and letting go of a lot of dreams and ambitions, my kids have some great teachers and they're going to do great with distance learning.  I've got one kid wrapping up his final year of elementary school and one kid moving into the realm of upper elementary, and for some reason this makes me incredibly sad (my babies are growing up!).  There are so many feels this week.

I feel like I should probably preface this post a little. I am a stay at home mom and former teacher.  I one hundred percent get it that most people do not have this option, so the thought of the kids staying home messes everything up and is causing a lot of stress.  I get it.  I hear you.  I am praying for you.  This is not going to be easy. I also am going to say we were gung-ho send the kids back to school like normal in June, but when we came home from a quick trip to Wyoming, our local numbers started getting incredibly high, we sat down with our kids, discussed what the school year was going to be like and talked about sacrificing our time at school for those kids who needed to be at school.  That way social distancing could happen.  There were tears from our oldest but both boys agreed it was the best decision.  So, when the call was made to go district wide distance learning, my oldest was so excited to be able to still see his friends and his teachers (online, of course!).  We are very blessed that our school community is pretty amazing.  The teachers and admin love on our kids like they were their own. We are very glad we are still connected (it would have been weird if the kids had random teachers).

I guess what I am trying to say is we all have different stories, different jobs, different stresses, but please, let's remember to be kind.  

 As we approach this

school year let's just recognize two things:

1.  This year is going to be different and that's going to make us uncomfortable. 

2.  We are used to school being one way and change is hard.  Nobody really likes change.  Also, change is really, really scary.  

We are all feeling so many things with these changes to the school year.  There are A LOT of concerns out there and many of them are legit.  However, if we let our concerns, fears, and inconvenience of it all steal our joy and excitement from our children's school year that will be the saddest thing that will result from distance learning. Our children are watching us.  They are the cutest sponges soaking in our actions, comments and attitudes about everything.  If they only see us complaining and groaning and talking smack against distance learning, they are going to have the same attitude towards school this year. Students are more likely to learn when they are excited about something. Let's get them excited for this school year. Let's take this year of unknowns and disappointment and turn it into a year of adventure and something to look forward to. 

How can we get them (and you) excited?

Here are some tips on getting them excited for the first day of this very weird school year.  

:: Buy School Supplies. I am a sucker for back to school shopping. . . it's the teacher inside of me.  But, nothing says new school year better than freshly sharpened Ticonderoga pencils and beautifully sharp Crayola crayons.  While we keep our art closet pretty stocked with a lot of this stuff, the kids get so excited to pick out new notebooks, folders, and fresh binders.  Make sure they have scissors and all the supplies needed for successful learning at home.  Our kids will have their textbooks at home, so I bought plastic book boxes for each of the kids and a supply caddy to keep pens, crayons, and markers organized and handy. 

 

 

 

:: Create a space in which your child is excited to learn.  Find a space that is quiet and has few distractions and a chair that they can sit comfortably and still see their computers without causing strain on their neck and back.  At our house, Weston gets the kids desk area and Ethan moves his stuff for the day to our dining room.  Thy can't both do online classes at the same time right next to each other. . . that would be a disaster.  

:: Continue your normal first day of school traditions.  This is important!  Take that first day picture.  Make that special breakfast. Go out for that first day treat.  Do whatever you would normally do (safely, of course).  This year is so different, our kids need some sort of normalcy.  Keeping up your regular traditions will take so much of the uneasiness away from everything that is so different.  

:: Find something for you. Parents of littles, you will probably be supervising a lot of your child's learning, but those with older kids who are more independent might find your presence a little distracting.  I realized last Spring, when we suddenly switched to distance learning, that I distracted my kids.  So, I have switched around my day to when I work on certain things.  I created a space in our office to get my work out in and I have a few creative projects on deck.  I have high ambitions for this fall. No matter whether you are working from home, working from work, or a stay at home mom this is definitely putting a dent in your schedule.  Make sure you take a few minutes for yourself.  Breathe.  Go treat yourself to a coffee. 

:: Encourage your child's teachers.  If you are new here, this is not a new concept.  Your child's teachers have been working so hard to prepare for this new (and hopefully temporary) school year.  In many ways, teaching online is twice as much work as regular teaching.  Your child's teacher is going to need to know you are partnering with them and are fully supporting them.  Send them digital coffee gift cards or an occasional email letting them know they are doing great and thanking them for all their work.  They are going to need these words to keep on going.  (I have some ideas on this post for quarantine teacher treats).  

:: Let go of your worries.  Hand them over to God.  He's got this. We don't need to waste our time worrying about it.  I like to make lists which came in handy the other day as I was thinking about this upcoming school year.  I listed out the the things I was grateful about as I looked forward into the unknown.  Here's a few of them: We are slowing down and that's really good for the heart, my kids are surrounded by amazing teachers at their school, I am getting extra time with my kids that I wouldn't otherwise have if they were in school (and they are growing up so quick), and grocery delivery (because who knows when I'm going to find time for grocery shopping!).  If you let go of your worries, you will feel a little lighter. . . I promise!

So, this post ended up being way longer than I had planned.  Let's be kind. . . let's encourage our friends who are in the same boat and our hard working teachers.  And let's celebrate our kids. . . our kids who are going to come out of this much more resilient and stronger than they were before!   

p.s. please check on your fellow mom friends . . . especially if they are also working their own jobs.  We all are gonna need extra love and coffee during this time!

Summer Art Challenge 2020: Texture

Welcome to the third installment of our Summer Art Challenge.  This week is going to make a mess, but it's going to be a blast. . . no matter how old your kids are! Plus, all the art projects are mom and dad friendly. . . and even babysitter friendly! 

I think I really love these art challenges each week.  It's purposeful time we set aside to do something together and get creative.  Creativity is something that fills my cup. . . I mean, that's pretty much the whole purpose of this little blog (ha ha).  The kids love it. . . even if some days it's hard to pull them away from their books or legos, but we push through and it does all our hearts good.  It's a nice break from our regular routine. 

This week combines a few different projects that explore the world of texture.  Between different types of paper, yarn, random objects, we created some really fun things! 

Texture Castles

We made a mess.  It was Awesome! We used fabric, cardboard, card stock, construction paper, magazine pages, toothpicks, and bubble wrap.  I also pulled out a paper corrugator tool I bought many years ago (Here's one similar).  The kids loved playing with it and adding crimped paper to their art!

We made sand castles and they turned out so cute! 

Laminated Collage

This was such a fun project and anytime I get to pull out our laminator, I am game (I love laminating things. . . it's weird, I know!).  I was inspired by this blog post over at Art Bar.  I didn't have any contact paper on hand and didn't really want to go to the store, so we adapted and went with what he had. . . laminating sheets! It ended up working beautifully! 

I cut out some wrapping paper, grabbed some tissue paper from our wrapping stash, cut some yarn pieces, pulled out a few cupcake liners and brought out the magazines again.  It was so cool to see how my kids did their artwork. 

Ethan did a bridge and Weston did a boat in the water (not shown).  I did the flowers as an example.  Then we did some messy ones. The messy ones ended up stressing my kids a little.  Apparently, my kids struggle with not having order (ha ha).  But, after really pushing them, we came out with some really fun ones!

For this one, we just opened up the laminating sheet and placed our paper scraps where we wanted.  When we were all finished, we carefully closed the sheet and ran it through the laminator.  Easy Peasy!

Mosaic

One of my favorite ways to study texture and collages are mosaics.  This one was really easy because I let them pick out their own design and cut out their own squares.  They even forced their dad to join us for this art project (thankfully, he didn't object and I think he even had fun!).  I love how they all came out! 

These projects were a lot of fun!  There was lots of space for the kids to come up with an idea in their head and make it a reality on paper.  It made a mess. . . but it was an easy clean up! 

Have you been able to carve out space for some art in your home?  I'd love to see!  Post a picture on Instagram or Facebook and tag me in it: #ootrbsummerartchallenge