Remembering Jan Berenstain

As a child, The Berenstain Bears were a constant staple in my reading selections. I always loved the simplicity of Bear Country and the family dynamic of Mama, Papa, Brother, and Sister. Their simple day-to-day lifestyle dotted with lessons learned made them interesting yet educational as well.

One of my favorite selections, The Berenstain Bears Blaze a Trail made me want to follow Papa through the swamp and Rocky Gorge. I wanted Leader Jane to hand me a Merit Badge for going right along with the Bear Scouts on Papa's escapade. Although, I might not have tried the Bird's Nest Stew!

And so, it is with great fondness and the love of these books that I remember a wonderful and creative lady. Thank you Jan Berenstain for your tireless ambition and artistic intellect which helped bring The Berenstain Bears to life.

Here is a wonderful piece on Jan from the Zondervan Blog.

Weekly Goals

Last week I posted a few of my weekly goals. I've crossed out and added to the goal list. Did you get your goals accomplished? Did you set new ones?

Goals for 2/20-2/26
Home
1. Outdoor chores on the nicest day possible! (gutters, flower beds, etc.)
2. Tackle the garage
3. Gather up items for the church garage sale

Kids
1. Finish Henry V reading and movie with eldest
2. Begin children's cooking project with my youngest
3. Work on Dad's birthday gift surprise : )

Volunteering
1. Fundraiser night for LongviewWOW
2. Help with Wednesday night church classes
3. Continue fundraising efforts

Personal
1. Continue reading Extremely Loud and Incredibly Up Close ( amazing so
    far!)
2. Continue running and start new exercise routine
3. DIY project from Pinterest
4. Complete March calendar
5. Blog articles!!!

Goals for 2/27-3/4

Home
1. Tackle the garage (It proved to be a little larger than expected last week!)
2. Make a master Spring Cleaning plan
3. Finish "puppy-proofing" the living area and kitchen

Kids
1. Sit down and discuss chores and responsibilities
2. Create a menu for the next two weeks
3. Go see a movie : )
4. Help with memory verse ~ Proverbs 19:21

Volunteering
1. Board meeting
2. Help with Wednesday Night church classes/Potluck
3. Begin planning for a wedding shower with friends
4. Continue fundraising efforts
5. Help with World of Wind & Air program

Personal
1. Begin Pilates class
2. Finish my new DIY Pinterest Production
3. Begin reading first 3 chapters of The Only Grant Writing Book You'll Ever 
    Need 
4. Get a haircut!
5. Book puppy training classes at PetsMart or Petco

My Gardening Cabinet

We've had this wardrobe since before my eldest son was born; his grandfather purchased it for him. He used it until his clothes got to big to hang properly and then it passed down to my youngest. When he outgrew it, it became a school closet, for all of our books and supplies. Now that we have moved back to Texas, it sits on our patio in an outdoor toy storage/catch everything around capacity. At least it did, until today.

I haven't seen my project on Pinterest or in Martha Stewart Living, but I imagine, it has more than likely been inspired from either place.

First, I removed the hardware; which proved difficult considering this was an antique piece. Then I sanded the entire outter surfaces with 120 grit sand paper, using a combination of my husband's electrical sander and hand sanding. This didn't take as long as I expected.

A few months ago, I signed up for an offer from Glidden paint. They sent me a free can of paint specified to my color choice: True Torquoise (GLB07). I made sure to apply two coats of paint for even distribution. I used the brush method, but I would recommend using a rollor. I just didn't want to make one more trip to the hardware store!

I also made sure to repair the extra screw hole from the original hardware. It was hard to find hardware the same specifications as an antique piece, so I went with a single knob on each door. I used Elmer's Wood Filler. I hardly used an inch's worth, but I bet I can find uses for it in the future.

Before I rehung the doors, I sanded and then painted the right door with Valspar's Chalkboard paint. Two coats was plenty. If you would like to read a great tutorial on how to make your own chalkboard using a similar method, check out Nik's Nak and read all about it.

I also added a magnetic strip along the edge of the chalk board for small items, like floral wire. I hung a french-style bulletin board on the other door to hold my notes and contact cards. I added my Farmer's Almanac calendar, as well as the rest of my gardening goodies. I would like to add my gardening books, but with this being outdoors I'm afraid the humidity would utterly ruin them.

And Ta-da!

I would usually have the tourquise garden organizer wrapped around a 5 gallon bucket, but my handsome husband borrowed it when he drained his radiator. I will get it back someday! You can buy these types of garden organizers at Target, but I've also made one from Martha Stewart Living. I did, however, get this one on sale for 90% off after the season was over.

I also keep my bird seed as well as my hummingbird feeder and filler in my gardening cabinet. This way, when I notice an empty feeder, I don't have to go all the way to the garage.

The Farmer's Almanac calendar is very useful when planting. It lists the potential weather for your area, the best time to plant seeds as well as harvest, and the moon phases.

I love the different colors of chalk - purple for Junior Master Gardeners, Orange for To-do immediately, and Green for plants (you may use any color, I just have a thing for color-coding).

I would have an empty funnel hung with a twine skein inside as a twine dispenser, but it appears to have gone missing; wondering if it is with the 5 gallon bucket!



Book Review: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

With this novel, I'm not sure how to begin. As cliche as it is to say, it was extremely loud and incredibly close.

You cannot read this story without remembering - where you were, who you were with, the weather, the sounds, the thoughts racing through your mind, the panic, the saddness, and the loss of a presumed safety.

"But I knew the truth, and that's why I was so sad. Every moment before this one depends on this one. Everything in the history of the world can be proven wrong in one moment." 

I kept hoping, wishing, the ending I knew would not be the ending to this book. And yet, though the story's ending was about a boy and his family, the ending was still the same - heartache, saddness, healing, and hope.

As I read, I knew that if I were to look through the list of names from that day, I would find Safran Foer's Thomas Schell. I just knew it. His story would be there; father to Oskar; jeweler; husband; son. However, he is merely a character, yet he represents what so many lost.

"He told me he was on the street, that he'd gotten out of the building. He said he was walking home."
"But he wasn't."
"No."
"He made it up so you wouldn't worry."
"That's right."
"But he knew you knew."
"He did."

For me, this terrible day changed my world view. The idea of presumed safety my generation held since the Berlin Wall fell in '89 was gone. The sense of peace we had always shared had been shattered. Sure, there were conflicts in the Middle East, Somalia, and Bosnia, but that kind of thing couldn't happen here. It just couldn't. And yet, it did.

It is nice to be reminded, even through fiction.

Goal Setting

I have my daily list, my weekly list, my monthly list, and my yearly list. I know, it is a lot of lists; and they had better be organized!

I like to start out by definitely planning goals for the month in advance. There are certain things which have to get accomplished each month. Some are organizational meetings, household upkeep, lawn & garden maintenance, hobbies, and even homeschool related; others may be birthdays, dinners with friends, and play dates. However you look at it, all these things are your monthly goals, even the very simple or mundane.

To get started, print out a monthly calendar. Think about all the goals you want to accomplish (volunteer, plant bulbs, read a book, paint, crochet a new scarf). Make sure to write them down on the back of your calendar. All of them! Then, think about all the items you have to get done (meetings, work, maintainence, and chores). Write these down as a second list.

Now let's be realistic. You will more than likely NOT get all of these completed in the course of a month. Don't fret, there is always the next month! What you can do though, is go through you Have-To List and put those items on your calendar. Then, pick one item from your Want-To List for each week of the month and add those to your calendar.

I bet it is looking full! And if its not, and you're daring, add one or two more from the Want-To List. After you get the hang of goal setting, you can up the ante with your goals if you are comfortable.

We all have things that must be done yearly as well. Make sure you complete a yearly list - taxes, pest control, car maintenence, etc. and add each of these items to your monthly calendars as well. Sometimes, it is best to print out your entire year in advance. Put each month's calendar in a sheet protector and keep them safe in a 3-ring binder (This can also be the start of your homemaking notebook).

I hope this finds you well on your way to setting easy, but attainable goals. If you have any suggestions, please share!

The Joy Dare

Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience has shared a delightful experience everyone should venture out on a limb and try. Find 3 things a day you are thankful for. Just 3 things, that's all. Take a photo of them to create a collage, blog about them, or journal them down. In one year, you will have been thankful for over 1,000 things.

To give you help, Ann offers a special list to be thankful for each month. This month's list includes: 3 gifts red, 3 gifts woven, 3 that were Plan B's...there's one for each day of the month. She even offers several free items to help in your own path of thankfulness ( a calendar, an app, a weekly log).

I'll start tomorrow, but I'm very thankful for today - the time I have here to enjoy, my husband who works so very hard and loves me more than anyone, and for my two special boys.

The Joy Dare

Cleaning 101 - Tip #2

It seems everyone can always use a little help with inexpensive cleaning ideas to keep our homes beautiful and refreshing. Martha Stewart's Homecleaning Solutions: Bathroom Cleaning Tips are useful and practical. The site offers recipes to make your own cleaning products for certain jobs, informs you how to wash your shower linens, and clean bathroom toys. There is also an advertisment spot for Martha's cleaning products. I've never used them, so I can't say how well they work, but I do know her time-tested, homemade recipes do.

Cleaning Tip #2 "Clean bacteria and mildew from bath toys by giving them a vinegar-water bath. Fill a bucket or large bowl with warm water, adding 1/2 cup white vinegar per gallon of water. Soak toys for 10 minutes, then rub gently with a sponge and allow to dry. The acetic acid in vinegar cuts through dirt buildup and works as a natural disinfectant."

Weekly Goals

Last week I posted a few of my weekly goals. I've crossed out and added to the goal list. Did you get your goals accomplished? Did you set new ones?

Home
1. 6 month annual granite re-seal
2. finish weeding and prepping flower beds - again, it always seems the weather doesn't cooperate on the day I plan to do things outdoors!
3. organize filing cabinet
4. update homemaking notebook

Kids
1. teach my youngest to sew for a 4H project
2. work through Henry the V with my eldest - we are still working!

Volunteering
1. Prep 1st Junior Master Gardener Lesson
2. Make 5 more fundraising contacts
3. Finish 2 grants - 1 completed

Personal
1. Finish reading The Money Saving Mom Budget by Crystal Paine and
    review
2. Begin reading Extremely Loud and Incredibly Up Close
3. Run 5 miles
4. Begin a DIY project from Pinterest

Goals for 2/20 - 2/26

Home
1. Outdoor chores on the nicest day possible! (gutters, flower beds, etc.)
2. Tackle the garage
3. Gather up items for the church garage sale

Kids
1. Finish Henry V reading and movie with eldest
2. Begin children's cooking project with my youngest
3. Work on Dad's birthday gift surprise : )

Volunteering
1. Fundraiser night for LongviewWOW
2. Help with Wednesday night church classes
3. Continue fundraising efforts

Personal
1. Continue reading Extremely Loud and Incredibly Up Close ( amazing so
    far!)
2. Continue running and start new exercise routine
3. DIY project from Pinterest
4. Complete March calendar
5. Blog articles!!!

A Pinterest Production -DIY Dry Erase Board

Ok, Pinterest, I'll admit it - I'm hooked! If you know what the terms pins and boards mean, and have a list of categories, you are more than likely hooked too. And for those very rare few whom have not heard of Pinterest, you really should check it out!

Like many muses before, Pinterest sparks my creativity. It pushes it into overdrive and screams, "You really can do this!" It makes me think of how I can create decorations, enticing recipes, and beauty within my life and my home.

My boards are now overflowing with pins, and its definitely time to put them to use. Each week or two, I'm going to offer up A Pinterest Production in hopes to deliver a quality creation. I'll share the original Pinterest link and then show you my own finished product. Feel free to follow in the creativity and share your own finished piece!

This week's Production: DIY Dry Erase Board

This pin comes from Makes and Takes. It was initially created for use as a weekly menu planner. I believe it was quite a bit smaller than my finished product. Makes and Takes offers a great tutorial.

About my production:

I recycled an old silver 3'x2' frame I purchased for previous artwork. I then took a bronze glaze (leftover from the cabinets) to add a vintage appearance. I used 6 large pieces of scrapbook paper which suited my decor and attached it to the glass via double sided tape. Viola, production finished! All that is left is the hanging, and I will leave that up to my handsome husband.

Total production price: $4.28 (If you factor in the original purchase price of the frame on-sale, than $24.28)

I love this production because it is easily adaptable to any decor and any space. 

Texas Spring Festivals :: 2012

Texans sure know how to celebrate Spring! I've shared some of my favorite  festivals throughout the state. We will be attending a few of these this year and I hope your family enjoys them as much as we do!

If you go, take pictures and share them with me! I'd love to see what you thought made a festival unique or special.

March 23 - April 8, 2012 Tyler Azalea Trail 

Tyler, Texas

• The trail invites visitors to view over 8 miles of beautiful azaleas, dogwoods, wisteria, and tulips. With a full schedule of events to participate in including a historical home tour, arts and craft show, blues festival, and much more. Estimated attendees - 25,000

March 24 - April 8, 2012 Dogwood Trails Festival 

Palestine, Texas

• Arts & Crafts, Kids Zone, Live Entertainment, parade 10am theme: Peace, Love & Dogwoods. Gate charge $1, kids 12 & under free. Estimated attendees - 15,000   

April 7 - April 21, 2012 WildflowerCelebration 

Fredericksburg, Texas

• The 12th annual celebrations will be held at Wildseed Farms where visitors can frolic in the Meadows or experience the butterfly gardens. Adults can enjoy the Biergarten. Estimated attendees - 15,000

April 19 - April 29, 2012 Fiesta San Antonio 

San Antonio, Texas

• 100 events, 11 days, 1 Fiesta! Incredible to much to list! Estimated attendees - over 3 Million (you definitely want to have plans before going!)

April 20 - April 22, 2012 Texas SandFest 

Port Aransas, Texas

• It has become the largest Master Sand Sculpting Competition in the US!!!! SandFest is spread over three days, with a solo and a duo master's contest and one day with over 200 amateur sculptors. Estimated attendees - 100,000 Free to Public.

April 27 -April 28, 2012 General Sam Houston Folk Festival 

Huntsville, Texas

• 25th annual life-skill demonstrations, authentic 19th-century dress, continuous entertainment, hands-on children’s activities. Estimated attendees - 10,000  

Pin It

The $10 Challenge

Back in January, I read a post on another blog, Biblical Homemaking, by Mandy Ballard. I follow Mandy's blog because she offers fantastic fashion ideas coupled with thriftiness, among other things. In this particular post, she challenged herself to start a business venture with only $10 she recieved in the mail. She's done pretty good so far!

After reading her post, I kept thinking how could I incorporate something like this into my life? It turns out, I couldn't use it for me, but I could for my eldest son.

He decided he was going to cash-in his coins from his Piggy Bank and buy LEGOs. To his dismay, he couldn't quite buy much with just $10.

Then, it hit me. Let's make this a life-skills, learning moment. I offered him the $10 Challenge. "Mom, what's that?" he asked.

Simple. You may use your $10 in one of two ways. You can use it to make money for yourself, or make money to help someone or some organization, or you may do both. If, after one year, you have lost your initial $10 investment, I will reimburse you. (With children, I believe there sometimes has to be a little more incentive, it is not often he has $10, and those coins took a long time to save.)

His reply: "Well, that's a win-win situation. I'll take it!"

Or so he thought. It is really hard to find ways to make money as a child with only $10. He spent quite a time coming up with ideas until he decided to invest in a product and resale it for a profit.

I believe he made two really good purchases. I love the 120 picture hand-crafted, wooden photo album by AI Paper Design. It has a lovely quote from Abraham Lincoln, "Its not the years in your life that count, it is the life in your years." I was shocked he found a never-been-opened The Dangerous Book for Boys Game and wanted to sell it instead of play it. My budding entrepreneur!

If you're interested in any of these, let me know. I know a guy who knows a guy!

If you decide to take the $10 challenge for yourself or implement it for your children - I'd love to hear about it! Would you make different rules or limitations? Up the start-up value?

One Kings Lane

I absolutely love this new product site! One King Lane's mantra of Live. Love. Home. is exactly what this blog represents. They even offer an occasional pin board on Pinterest.

One Kings Lane is not only a sales website, but also a great resource for decorating and entertaining ideas. One of my favorite things about One Kings Lane is their Floral Arrangement of the Month. They even include the names and photos of flora used in each arrangement. So, when you are at Fresh by Brookshire's stop by and see Shellie Jacob in the floral department. She can point you in the right direction to create your own arrangement of the month.  

I think you'll love One Kings Lane, as well. The invitational link below will allow you to receive a $15 credit at One Kings Lane.

https://www.onekingslane.com/invite/michellenorris9

Quoteables

My Weekly Goals

Last week I posted a few of my weekly goals. I've crossed out and added to the goal list. Did you get your goals accomplished? Did you set new ones?

Home
1. complete daily chores
2. clean out the gutters - The weather has been against me, I may save this one until spring cleaning!
3. touch up paint

Finances
1. break down cost to pay off student loan
2. switch to an all cash system, as seen on http://www.moneysavingmom.com/

Kids
1. finish building rock wall for boys
2. school for the week

Volunteering
1. email field trip reminders to homeschoolers
2. continue fundraising for LongviewWOW - This is a continual goal...expect to see it every week!
3. read through the first chapter regarding Junior Master Gardener

Personal
1. reading list
2. run 5 miles

Goals for 2/13/2012 to 2/20/2012

Home
1. 6 month annual granite re-seal
2. finish weeding and prepping flower beds
3. organize filing cabinet
4. update homemaking notebook

Kids
1. teach my youngest to sew for a 4H project
2. work through Henry the V with my eldest

Volunteering
1. Prep 1st Junior Master Gardener Lesson
2. Make 5 more fundraising contacts
3. Finish 2 grants

Personal
1. Finish reading The Money Saving Mom Budget by Crystal Paine and
    review
2. Begin reading Extremely Loud and Incredibly Up Close
3. Run 5 miles
4. Begin a DIY project from Pinterest

The Reading List

I'm an avid reader. I believe you can learn just about everything you need to know from a book - and then apply that knowledge to real, everyday life. With my life being as full as it is, I am amazed at how I find the time to read - but with any other passion, if it's what you love to do, the time will be there.

The Reading List

1. The Money Saving Mom's Budget by Crystal Paine

2. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Up Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

3. The only Grant-Writing Book You'll Ever Need by Ellen Karsh and Arlen 

    Sue Fox

4.Texas Organic Vegetable Gardening by J. Howard Garrett

5. Soft Target by Stephen Hunter

6. The 10 Second Rule by Clare DeGraff

7. The Lady in Gold by Anne Marie O'Connor

8. Fall of Giants by Ken Follett

9. Raising a Sensory Smart Child by Lindsey Biel

10.Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

11. A Place at the Table by Chris Seay

Do you have any good reads you would love to share?

How we Built a Rock Wall for under $100

Last August, my youngest son began gymnastics lessons .He enjoyed walking on the balance beam, learning basic rolls, cart wheels and hand stands. However, last month he realized he was still the only “big kid” left in his class now filled with 4 and 5 year olds. He’s seven by the way.

We enrolled him to help improve his balance and coordination. Gymnastics really helped him grow in these areas. Yet, to him, he was not improving at anything and not advancing with his age appropriate friends. The last day he attended class, he walked off the mat sullen.

So how could we turn that frown upside down? Simple! We built a rock wall from the money we were going to spend on another month’s gymnastics class. 

My husband drew out designs, made a shopping list, and went to town. $72.15 later, he had all the lumber and materials he needed. We got to work! His design included an overhang and incorporated the rock grips we had purchased on sale at R.E.I. for $15. His friend, an avid rock climber, helped to layout the route and ran the trial tests before the boys were allowed to climb.

After about 6 hours of work, split between 2 days, the amazing wall was completed for only $87.15! This price also includes the lumber to build the balance beam, which will be finished at a later date.

(For safety reasons, I ordered a Mad Rock portable Mad Mat from Amazon.)

Cleaning 101

During Park Day yesterday, a fellow Mom asked our little group a question regarding removal of black streaks from her dishware. One Mom mentioned Bar Keepers Friend as a great source of cleaning, and I seconded the thought.

It's great to offer advice on how to clean something, but what about the cause?
Black streaks on dishware are usually the result of inexpensive cutlery in the dishwasher. Simply stated - the metals from the cutlery will rub off onto the plates causing the marks, which are more like scuffs on a floor, than actual scratches.

Another thing to consider is to purchase matte finish silverware, as it will not scuff dishware quite as much as the more metallic finishes.

Cleaning Tip #1 - When you notice black or grey scuff marks on your dishware, take a dampened soft sponge or rag and apply a dab of Bar Keepers Friend, known as the Can Do Cleanser, to the dishware. Gently rub in a circular motion until the scuff mark is removed; then rinse and dry.  

Officially on Facebook

I'm pleased to announce, that Texas Homemaking is officially on Facebook! Please "like" the page to receive updates via the Facebook newsfeed.

Mom Life Bootcamp

 

Join me at Pinecove Christian Camp March 23-25th for Mom Life Bootcamp!

Sorry guys, this is just for the ladies! Well, Moms, to be precise. This weekend event will be filled with encouragement, fellowship, Momlife strengthening, as well as pure fun!

Some of my favorite "famous" Moms will be present and include: Crystal Paine and Tracey Eyster. Check out the schedule of events , and register early!

FamilyLife and MomLife are committed to making this weekend as affordable as possible. The entire weekend will cost only $120 and will include all meals, break-out sessions, on-site activities, as well as lodging. I did notice a nominal fee for crafts, if you choose to participate in these activities. To ensure your spot, please register by calling 877-4PINECOVE.

This promises to be a wonderful event for the East Texas Region and I hope to see you there!

Goal Setting

Goals are important. They help to guide us on a daily, weekly, and even monthly basis. If you make a Things to Do list, you are setting goals. They may not be shiny and sequined goals, but they are still goals.

Homemakers set goals all the time. They can be short-range or long-range; they can be for the home, finances, kids, personal, or anything else; they can even be titled your Bucket List.

Where would we be without goals? Well, I for one, would be utterly lost! Here's a list of this week's goals. Go ahead, make your's, you know you want too!

Home
1. complete daily chores
2. clean out the gutters
3. touch up paint

Finances
1. break down cost to pay off student loan
2. switch to an all cash system, as seen on http://www.moneysavingmom.com/

Kids
1. finish building rock wall for boys
2. school for the week

Volunteering
1. email field trip reminders to homeschoolers
2. continue fundraising for LongviewWOW
3. read through the first chapter regarding Junior Master Gardener

Personal
1. reading list
2. run 5 miles

Bloom Where You're Planted

 

It seems to be a simple phrase, but it has become my mantra as my family and I have traversed the country from coast to coast. I've always been a Texas girl, but after graduating college, my husband joined the Navy and off we went!

I tried to settle into our new lifestyle while we lived in San Diego and I found it difficult. That's when this little proverb changed my life.

In Virginia Beach, I was able to volunteer with the Marine Mammal Rescue Team saving dolphins, seals, and even turtles. I fulfilled one of my life-long dreams. I also spent the coldest part of the year volunteering for the Special Olympics annual Polar Plunge into the Chesapeake Bay.

With my husband often out to sea, I began homeschooling our children and traveling throughout Virginia for hands-on history lessons. I took Wilton cake decorating classes and surprised myself at what I could create. I was a Texas wildflower blooming in beach sand.

We moved back to Texas last year when my husband took a civilian job. I've already submersed myself into our new town through volunteering, church, 4H, and more. We still enjoy homeschooling and belong to a great social group of adults and children.

I definitely stay busy, and I'm not saying having a full calendar equates to "blooming" but it is how I bloom. When I'm meeting my personal goals - weekly, monthly, annually - as well as fulfilling my homemaking duties and educational lessons for the boys, I bloom to my fullest. For others, it may be traveling to new places, volunteering full time if your children have all grown, or finishing your newest crochet project. No matter your location, there are always reasons to grow, so bloom where you're planted!