Good morning! It has been quite an eventful week at our house, and uneventful at the same time. We did a lot of nothing, just recovering from the wicked stomach bug that attack not only our family, but all the day care families as well. Boy, I hate the stomach bug!
The weekend was spent sterilizing every surface of my home! My main thought was "I should have purchased stock in the bleach company!"
I did manage to get a few others things done, as well! I cut out 5 aprons, and managed to get 3 sewn! I have been sewing alot lately, as I find it quite relaxing. (I hate cutting, though!) As I sat there listening to the clicka-clicka-clicka-clicka of my machine, memories suddenly flooded over me. I sat down to begin sewing, and realized "crap, I left the pin magnet on the ironing board. So, I had to get right back up. A picture flashed through my mind of how many times I saw my mom do the same exact thing! I remember how she so often started doing alot of sewing about this time of year, and when she did, we were not allowed to see what she was making. We always got something handmade from mom. My favorite was when she made me a bed cover, pillowcase and pillow for my bedroom. I actually still have that!
Sunday was an early morning for us. Those of us with children do not get an extra hour of sleep. Bright and early my son was up at 6:00...oy! But I did have a nice L-O-N-G Sunday to accomplish alot! I sat down with my daughter and showed her how to sew. I don't think she cared for it much. The idea of sewing fascinated her, but actually doing it really discouraged her. Maybe she just needs to be a little older. She did sew a couple hems on her apron, but I finished it up. To hear her tell the story, though, she sewed it all by herself!!!!!
Yes, it was a wonderful, lazy day spent with my family. I love days like those. Today, it is back to the grind....
On Wednesday, I have a great business to tell you all about, called Sporkful Designs. I can't wait to tell you all about it!
I do have a question for you today, though, and would love as many opinions as possibly! My Granny recently gave me an Amish cookbook, with the most delectably delightful homemade bread recipe in it. How many of you make your own bread? Would you buy frozen loaves of bread from someone for the holidays, if all you had to do was let it rise and bake? A family member has considered doing this in her hometown, and I thought it was a great idea. What are your opinions of this?
I hope you all have a blessed week!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Running to the Store on Thrifty Thursday
The stomach bug has hit my family, and in turn, all my daycare kids, with a vengeance this week. If there is a blessing in that, it is that ite waited to hit me until I was able to nurse my kids and husband back to health! I am hoping I get this completely written and posted today!
It did, however, remind me of a great way to loose track of how easy it is to spend way to much at the grocery store.
It hit my daughter, so, I ran to the store to pick up crackers and Gatorade. I left with more than that. Then, I had to run back to the store a few hours later for a can of soup. The next day, I had to run to the store for a thermometer (My girl dropped ours and it broke!), thermometer covers, anti-nausea medicine, more Gatorade, more soup and more crackers.
See a pattern here!?
Making multiple trips to the grocery store for a few things here and there is a great way to blow your grocery budget without even realizing it! Its easy to go for a few things, and leave with a few things more than you intended.
I am no where near as good as the pro's, who can go to the grocery store loaded with coupons and come out with $200 worth of groceries having only paid a few bucks. But, I can buy two weeks worth of groceries for my family of 4 for about $180. And we don't eat lightly....I have been known to make a 9x13 pan full of casserole, give my kids and I one helping, and watch my husband eat every bit that is left!
There are two simple things I do every time I go to the store. I make a menu, and a list, and I stick to it religiously.
On Fridays, I get out my spiral notebook in which I keep all my menus and lists. I list out Sunday - Saturday two times, then write out the meals beside them. I go through each meal and write down everything I need to make them. Suppose the menu takes flour, and I already have flour. I write it down anyway. I may not need flour now, but I might later!
What I like about this approach is that it reminds me of leftovers I might otherwise forget. Roast on Sunday? Great! On Monday, I will not have to buy anything for our meal, because I will use all the leftovers and turn them into Shepherd's Pie. (I have to re-create leftovers because Barb Wire man refuses to eat them. He just doesn't know he is eating them!)
I do cut coupons, and rarely buy name-brand anything. There are something things that are better as name brand, but for the most part, they are all the same!
I am hoping to one day have 52 weeks worth of menus and shopping lists compiled. Then, I can just grabbed lists, rather than having to sit down each time! That will be a time saver! Hmmm, maybe I should turn it into a book!?
I hope all this makes sense, as I am simply not feeling well today. How do you save money at the store? What is your approach to grocery shopping?
It did, however, remind me of a great way to loose track of how easy it is to spend way to much at the grocery store.
It hit my daughter, so, I ran to the store to pick up crackers and Gatorade. I left with more than that. Then, I had to run back to the store a few hours later for a can of soup. The next day, I had to run to the store for a thermometer (My girl dropped ours and it broke!), thermometer covers, anti-nausea medicine, more Gatorade, more soup and more crackers.
See a pattern here!?
Making multiple trips to the grocery store for a few things here and there is a great way to blow your grocery budget without even realizing it! Its easy to go for a few things, and leave with a few things more than you intended.
I am no where near as good as the pro's, who can go to the grocery store loaded with coupons and come out with $200 worth of groceries having only paid a few bucks. But, I can buy two weeks worth of groceries for my family of 4 for about $180. And we don't eat lightly....I have been known to make a 9x13 pan full of casserole, give my kids and I one helping, and watch my husband eat every bit that is left!
There are two simple things I do every time I go to the store. I make a menu, and a list, and I stick to it religiously.
On Fridays, I get out my spiral notebook in which I keep all my menus and lists. I list out Sunday - Saturday two times, then write out the meals beside them. I go through each meal and write down everything I need to make them. Suppose the menu takes flour, and I already have flour. I write it down anyway. I may not need flour now, but I might later!
What I like about this approach is that it reminds me of leftovers I might otherwise forget. Roast on Sunday? Great! On Monday, I will not have to buy anything for our meal, because I will use all the leftovers and turn them into Shepherd's Pie. (I have to re-create leftovers because Barb Wire man refuses to eat them. He just doesn't know he is eating them!)
I do cut coupons, and rarely buy name-brand anything. There are something things that are better as name brand, but for the most part, they are all the same!
I am hoping to one day have 52 weeks worth of menus and shopping lists compiled. Then, I can just grabbed lists, rather than having to sit down each time! That will be a time saver! Hmmm, maybe I should turn it into a book!?
I hope all this makes sense, as I am simply not feeling well today. How do you save money at the store? What is your approach to grocery shopping?
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Winning Wednesdays
Today I am changing things up a little! On Wednesdays, I will be doing reviews, and/or giveaways. Not always will there be giveaways, so you will just have to tune in to find out!!
Today I want to tell you about a brand new Etsy shop!!! Please join me in welcoming:
LavinasRoom opened on November 1st of this year. It is a collective shop staffed by Victoria, and her daughter, Georgina. LaviniasRoom was named after Victoria's grandmother, who was an unbelievably talented woman. She sewed clothing without patterns, and was a champion crocheter! (Everyone knows that will immediately put a soft spot in my heart for them!)
Victoria has been creating, painting and up-cycling for many years. As she says, "Being surrounded by so much brick-a-brack and odds and ends, it seemed natural to create to sell....and this is just the beginning!" Victoria's daughter, Georgina, is also talented.
Currently, LavinasRoom is open only online, but they are based out of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. (How nice is must be to enjoy beautiful weather year round!) There will be art work by both ladies included in this shop!
Take a look at a few things they already have to offer!
I want to encourage each of you to stop by and look at the beautiful things LaviniasRoom has to offer! Leave them a note! Shop! Enjoy!!!
Today I want to tell you about a brand new Etsy shop!!! Please join me in welcoming:
LavinasRoom opened on November 1st of this year. It is a collective shop staffed by Victoria, and her daughter, Georgina. LaviniasRoom was named after Victoria's grandmother, who was an unbelievably talented woman. She sewed clothing without patterns, and was a champion crocheter! (Everyone knows that will immediately put a soft spot in my heart for them!)
Victoria has been creating, painting and up-cycling for many years. As she says, "Being surrounded by so much brick-a-brack and odds and ends, it seemed natural to create to sell....and this is just the beginning!" Victoria's daughter, Georgina, is also talented.
Currently, LavinasRoom is open only online, but they are based out of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. (How nice is must be to enjoy beautiful weather year round!) There will be art work by both ladies included in this shop!
Take a look at a few things they already have to offer!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Tea Time Tuesday
Good morning! Last night was a long one here at my house. It is just 3 minutes until 9AM, and let me tell you, I am ready for a nap! The dry air here is wreaking havoc with everyone in my family, especially with my little man and me. Just about the time I got my coughing under control last night, his started acting up. He could barely catch his breath. At 12:30 I ended up having to change his jammies and sheets. Then mine hit again! Finally, at about 2:30 this morning I went to sleep on the couch so I didn't keep my poor hubby awake all night long. Even still, I am reminded that today is a blessing! I certainly don't deserve to even have this day, so I will make the most of it I can!
COMING SOON TO A BLOG NEAR YOU......
I am so excited to tell you all that I have some awesome giveaways coming up, as well as some information on some really neat Etsy businesses!
Many of you know I cannot stand having to go to places likeWalmart Target Big Huge We Have It All to shop. If it were up to me, everything I buy would be hand- and home-made. I try to support home-owned, mom and pop shops and much as possible. I take pride in the fact that instead of funding some huge corporation by buying chemically diapers, my son wears cloth diapers made by a lady who stays at home with her children. I am the mom who creates things with her hands and sells them, to make a few extra bucks for my family. My husband is a semi-truck driver, who works long hours to support our family, so I do whatever I can to help him. Folks, there are so many other families like mine out there, and I want to do as much as I can to help them out, just as they help me out. Sometimes it is more expensive, but not always. But for me, paying a little bit more to know that a mom is helping support her family is WORTH it to me.
There is a huge movement leaning towards buying all natural, hand-made, locally grown, etc., and I think it is just wonderful. I hope that you will enjoy reading about these Etsy and Hyena Cart shops I will be reviewing in the near future. With Christmas coming up soon, I hope you, too, will consider shopping on sites like http://www.etsy.com/, and http://www.hyenacart.com/. There is a huge world out there away from Walmart, Target, and such! Expand your horizons!
And now, I must go. I myself have some Christmas orders to fill for some customers! My fingers will be busily knitting for the next few weeks making shawls, blankets, and even a few scarves. I do have quite a lot up on my website, so won't you start your shopping now?! Take a visit, and let me know what you think!
http://hyenacart.com/13plumknittedcreations
I hope you all have a blessed day! Remember....this IS the day that the Lord has Made....REJOICE and be glad in it!
COMING SOON TO A BLOG NEAR YOU......
I am so excited to tell you all that I have some awesome giveaways coming up, as well as some information on some really neat Etsy businesses!
Many of you know I cannot stand having to go to places like
There is a huge movement leaning towards buying all natural, hand-made, locally grown, etc., and I think it is just wonderful. I hope that you will enjoy reading about these Etsy and Hyena Cart shops I will be reviewing in the near future. With Christmas coming up soon, I hope you, too, will consider shopping on sites like http://www.etsy.com/, and http://www.hyenacart.com/. There is a huge world out there away from Walmart, Target, and such! Expand your horizons!
And now, I must go. I myself have some Christmas orders to fill for some customers! My fingers will be busily knitting for the next few weeks making shawls, blankets, and even a few scarves. I do have quite a lot up on my website, so won't you start your shopping now?! Take a visit, and let me know what you think!
http://hyenacart.com/13plumknittedcreations
I hope you all have a blessed day! Remember....this IS the day that the Lord has Made....REJOICE and be glad in it!
Want Me To Write a Review for YOU!? What you need to know!
I love anything that is handmade, home made, made by work at home moms (WAHM), and the unconventional. Really, I just love being able to purchase something that was lovingly made by someone, rather than in a factory in Lord knows where.
At the risk of sounding a little Johnny Cash-ish, I'm for the little man!
Having said that, can I help YOU spread the word about your business? It really is STUPENDOUSLY easy.
1.) Let me write a review about you and your business! I don't want to only promote you. I want people to get a feel for why you make what you make. Your inspiration. Your goals. And, of course, I WILL promote you as well!
2.) Feel free to send a giveaway for my readers. I don't not expect you to, but if you want to, it will certainly help get traffic to your site. In return, I will give you ONE FREE MONTH of advertisement! Your picture, which will be placed on the right-hand side of my blog, will take readers directly to your Etsy shop when clicked.
3.) Want two free months of advertising? That is just as easy. Send something to give away to my readers, and one for me!
4.) If you want to give something away, please keep it between $10-$15. I don't want you to go broke doing giveaways, and it needs to be valued about the same as what I charge to advertise.
5.) Tell all your friends about the review! I will do the same! I talk about my blog extensively on Etsy, Hyena Cart, my personal and business Facebook pages, and on Twitter. It will be well publicized!
Unless it is a special giveaway, the rules will almost always be the same. Each of the following is worth ONE entry:
If you need more information, please contact me at:
13plumknittedcreations@gmail.com
At the risk of sounding a little Johnny Cash-ish, I'm for the little man!
Having said that, can I help YOU spread the word about your business? It really is STUPENDOUSLY easy.
1.) Let me write a review about you and your business! I don't want to only promote you. I want people to get a feel for why you make what you make. Your inspiration. Your goals. And, of course, I WILL promote you as well!
2.) Feel free to send a giveaway for my readers. I don't not expect you to, but if you want to, it will certainly help get traffic to your site. In return, I will give you ONE FREE MONTH of advertisement! Your picture, which will be placed on the right-hand side of my blog, will take readers directly to your Etsy shop when clicked.
3.) Want two free months of advertising? That is just as easy. Send something to give away to my readers, and one for me!
4.) If you want to give something away, please keep it between $10-$15. I don't want you to go broke doing giveaways, and it needs to be valued about the same as what I charge to advertise.
5.) Tell all your friends about the review! I will do the same! I talk about my blog extensively on Etsy, Hyena Cart, my personal and business Facebook pages, and on Twitter. It will be well publicized!
Unless it is a special giveaway, the rules will almost always be the same. Each of the following is worth ONE entry:
- Follow my Blog
- Visit your site, then come back and comment telling me what their favorite item was
- Follow me on Twitter
If you need more information, please contact me at:
13plumknittedcreations@gmail.com
So You Want To Be A Sponsor.....
Sponsorship are $10 per month, or $15 for two. My blog, as of this moment, gets about 300 views per month, and is growing rapidly.
I accept PayPal only - please contact me for email address.
I will need a picture emailed to me, then will take care of the rest! Please contact me if you are interested!
13plumknittedcreations@gmail.com
I accept PayPal only - please contact me for email address.
I will need a picture emailed to me, then will take care of the rest! Please contact me if you are interested!
13plumknittedcreations@gmail.com
Monday, November 1, 2010
Halloween Memory Monday
I hope you all had a fun Halloween! From the time I was about 7 on, my family did not celebrate Halloween. Instead, we would attend Fall Festivals at church! They were always so much fun!
But, I remember when we did go trick or treating. I remember our street being packed with kids running around like crazy. There were more people than you could count, and no moms went with us, either! As long as we were home by the time we were told.
Having a crafty seamstress mom and grandma, we always had some rockin' Halloween costumes. I was Raggedy Ann one year and looked just like her! But my favorite costume of all times was one not many people could figure out. When I was 14 or so I dressed up as Martin Luther, complete with the bald spot and 95 Thesis. No one put it together that Halloween is also Reformation Day, but I sure thought it was creative!
I don't usually let my little ones go trick or treating, either, unless it is to our friends' houses. This year, I decided that I was going to let them, because the weather was just beautiful. Little Man was going as "The Highway Man". I sewed yellow stripes to his black sweatsuit, then hot glued some toy cars to it! He hated it. You see, my son loves toy cars and trucks so much that he would choose them over food. So he walked around all night crying for his "tuck" and trying to rip it off. My little Flower was to go as a tornado. We sewed individual strips of yarn to her gray sweatshirt and tied toys horses, barbies, cars, trees and house to the ends of some. Then, when she spun around she looked like a tornado. I stayed up LATE finishing her costume, because as you can imagine, sewing individual pieces of yarn is time consuming.
Well, I was just about to go to bed when I heard a faint "MOMMY!" coming out of her room. Well, hello stomach bug, goodbye Halloween. My poor girl was up all night throwing up; consequently I was up all night. Mattie was devastated. The one time mommy was going to take them begging for candy and she got sick! So, I put on my best old lady costume and walked around the house like that all day to try to cheer her up.
We did open the door for a few trick or treaters, but it ended up making me frustrated. Hardly any actually said "trick or treat", they just stuck their buckets out at me. Even fewer said "thank you", which made me want to reach in and take the candy back. I am also certain that there were lots of moms who, rather than getting their kids costumes, threw a few mis-matched pieces of clothing on them and pretended.
But the kicker was my last trick or treaters of the night. Two girls and a young man....had to be at least 15. all three had IPods in their hands, ear buds in their ears. Without so much as looking at me, the boy handed me his bucket. That was it. So, I gave the three of them 1 piece of candy and about 10 business cards.
I turned the light out after that, because I was just mad. Parents.....really? Is this what you taught them to do!?
Last year I had a "last straw" episode too. It was when a 13 year old came up to the door in a princess costume to trick or treat....and she was pregnant. Oy.
But, as the Barb Wire Man reminded me, there is a plus side to all this. We still have lots of candy left, and it just happens to be our favorite!
But, I remember when we did go trick or treating. I remember our street being packed with kids running around like crazy. There were more people than you could count, and no moms went with us, either! As long as we were home by the time we were told.
Having a crafty seamstress mom and grandma, we always had some rockin' Halloween costumes. I was Raggedy Ann one year and looked just like her! But my favorite costume of all times was one not many people could figure out. When I was 14 or so I dressed up as Martin Luther, complete with the bald spot and 95 Thesis. No one put it together that Halloween is also Reformation Day, but I sure thought it was creative!
I don't usually let my little ones go trick or treating, either, unless it is to our friends' houses. This year, I decided that I was going to let them, because the weather was just beautiful. Little Man was going as "The Highway Man". I sewed yellow stripes to his black sweatsuit, then hot glued some toy cars to it! He hated it. You see, my son loves toy cars and trucks so much that he would choose them over food. So he walked around all night crying for his "tuck" and trying to rip it off. My little Flower was to go as a tornado. We sewed individual strips of yarn to her gray sweatshirt and tied toys horses, barbies, cars, trees and house to the ends of some. Then, when she spun around she looked like a tornado. I stayed up LATE finishing her costume, because as you can imagine, sewing individual pieces of yarn is time consuming.
Well, I was just about to go to bed when I heard a faint "MOMMY!" coming out of her room. Well, hello stomach bug, goodbye Halloween. My poor girl was up all night throwing up; consequently I was up all night. Mattie was devastated. The one time mommy was going to take them begging for candy and she got sick! So, I put on my best old lady costume and walked around the house like that all day to try to cheer her up.
We did open the door for a few trick or treaters, but it ended up making me frustrated. Hardly any actually said "trick or treat", they just stuck their buckets out at me. Even fewer said "thank you", which made me want to reach in and take the candy back. I am also certain that there were lots of moms who, rather than getting their kids costumes, threw a few mis-matched pieces of clothing on them and pretended.
But the kicker was my last trick or treaters of the night. Two girls and a young man....had to be at least 15. all three had IPods in their hands, ear buds in their ears. Without so much as looking at me, the boy handed me his bucket. That was it. So, I gave the three of them 1 piece of candy and about 10 business cards.
I turned the light out after that, because I was just mad. Parents.....really? Is this what you taught them to do!?
Last year I had a "last straw" episode too. It was when a 13 year old came up to the door in a princess costume to trick or treat....and she was pregnant. Oy.
But, as the Barb Wire Man reminded me, there is a plus side to all this. We still have lots of candy left, and it just happens to be our favorite!
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