I Need A Translator.

He was talking...

He was replying.

Sometimes I really wish I knew what they were saying.

Happy Friday

 Aaahhh...it's here. Friday.

I've got my kids packed up for their weekend youth group retreat, I've made even more progress with my mid-winter fling, and now I'm ready for some R&R.
I'm going to have to squeeze all of that relaxation in between a dessert date, my husband's company party and church, but here's hoping!
I wish you a most happy Friday and a blessed weekend yourself!
XX's
~Jen

My Mid-Winter Fling

Okay, you've got me. My "fling" is not quite so juicy as the title would lead you to believe (and that's a good thing! I'm a married woman!) But this fling is MUCH more rewarding :) It's also the reason I've not had as much time to blog. This is only for a season. Let me explain.
About a month ago, Cindy from over on the Farmgirlcyn blog gave me a bag of books and crafty things she no longer needed. When I sifted through it's contents I found a bright pink book with a big kitchen sink on the cover titled...Sink Reflections by Martha Cilley. Hence the big sink. Hmmm....Didn't look like my kind of literature. And what was with the fishing-rod wielding fairy-coach? The FlyLady? No thanks. But then three bold-print questions caught my attention.

1. "OVERWHELMED?" 

2. "DISORGANIZED?"

3. "LIVING IN CHAOS?"

Well, to answer those questions:

1. Please, let's not even go there.

2. Yes and no. Mostly yes.

3. Quite regularly, yes.

People who don't know me as well say this surprises them. Every day I shower, dress and put on makeup even if I'm not leaving the house. My home's main living areas are almost always tidy. I make my bed every day. My vehicle is washed polished and vacuumed weekly. I get the kids to their activities on time for the most part.

But if you look deeper; behind cabinet and closet doors,

at the neatly stacked to-do piles scattered here and there,

(that rarely move to "done" status)

or (enter scary music) the basement...

you'll find it's true. I am overwhelmed, disorganized and living in chaos! 

It should be no surprise, really. I'm an artistic-type collector of vintage junk! I'm always hoping from one project to another, always busy, but never "caught up" with all that needs to be done. Especially now with homeschooling.

So, it ends up I like this book. My kids have given me a lot of grief over the cheesiness of it all, and it is, but it's working. She encourages baby steps to get your home in order without getting overwhelmed. For instance; setting a timer for 15 minutes and tackling a trouble area of your house. It can be overwhelming to look at a big mess, but if you break it down bit by bit it's a lot less daunting and within a few hours or days-whatever works- Voila! You've reclaimed a room.

Okay so where does the "fling" fit in to all of this? Well, my favorite activity in this book also holds the most cheesy activity title. (The kids really rolled their eyes at this one when they sneaked a peak at what I was reading.) It's called...are you ready?....The 27 fling boogie. I don't think I've ever "boogied" but I do set a timer for 15 minutes and toss 27 things or more into a box or basket several times a week to go to charity or the trash. These are things I don't need or that don't really bless my home but make it more of a mess. Simplifying. And it's very freeing to clear up space and see a load go out the door.

Anyway, I've not gone anywhere and will often quietly check your blogs to see what you're up to, but I've limited my time on the computer for a while so I don't get side-tracked. I'll be back to blog at least weekly while I'm de-cluttering. 

XX's! 

~Jen

One Year Fading. Another Awakening.

 Almost a new year...

I actually created and published a completely different post to end this tired year, but it felt so cliché and impersonal so I scrapped it.

 Even though my off-line life is overflowing, sometimes my blog feels empty...or at least shallow. And what's the point of that? Why should I bother to blog if it's mechanical and, for the most part, meaningless? These are just my thoughts lately after reading about so many of my fellow blogger's journeys in the latest Artful Blogging magazine.

There are so many stories of unsure beginnings. Artists, who precariously stepped out into the world of blogging, with intentions of sharing their art, and instead found that sharing their hearts, as well,  opened up an entirely different world of freedom and creativity. How inspiring to read about a journey out of financial ruin or depression or any number of difficulties! In a lot of cases, they grew wings and now they're flying, because of the trial they came out of! How cool is that?! But it meant opening up and becoming vulnerable. Bottom line...just being real.  That's a scary thing.
Life isn't always pretty. It's not always as simple and lovely as the photos on our blogs depict.
And although I certainly don't want my blog to be a drag I think even in the midst of dark days there's opportunity for me to drop the facade (and my pride) and in the process, encourage someone else going through their own trial. If you've read previous posts, you know I've contemplated this before.

Enough contemplating. It's been a tough year and the new year, honestly may not start a lot easier for me, but I'm not without hope, I'm not alone and I'm pushing through. I sense God even stronger in the dark lately than I have on some of my brightest days. He's got my back. He's assured me of that.

So, I'm gonna try this post again.

2010...

It's been a crappy, wonderful year! We've had financial struggles, health struggles, family struggles, changes that have been good, but hard ones to make...And isn't that life? ...all wrapped up with the wonderful stuff? And I know God has good things in store for me in 2011. 

(Jer.29:11 ~For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.)

On that note I'll share words to a song by Sara Groves that pretty much sums it up for me perfectly. I hope  you have a blessed and safe start to the new year! 

As for me~ I'm looking forward to some take-out, maybe a glass of champagne and a quiet evening with the husband. How rare is that?! All three kids have plans with their youth (and college) groups from church. Now that's not a bad start to the new year, is it?

xx's ~Jen

Less Like Scars

It's been a hard year
But I'm climbing out of the rubble
These lessons are hard
Healing changes are subtle
But every day it's

Less like tearing, more like building
Less like captive, more like willing
Less like breakdown, more like surrender
Less like haunting, more like remember

And I feel you here
And you're picking up the pieces
Forever faithful
It seemed out of my hands, a bad situation
But you are able
And in your hands the pain and hurt
Look less like scars and more like
Character

Less like a prison, more like my room
It's less like a casket, more like a womb
Less like dying, more like transcending
Less like fear, less like an ending

And I feel you here
And you're picking up the pieces
Forever faithful
It seemed out of my hands, a bad situation
But you are able
And in your hands the pain and hurt
Look less like scars

Just a little while ago
I couldn't feel the power or the hope
I couldn't cope, I couldn't feel a thing
Just a little while back
I was desperate, broken, laid out, hoping
You would come

And I need you
And I want you here
And I feel you

And I know you're here
And you're picking up the pieces
Forever faithful
It seemed out of my hands, a bad, bad situation
But you are able

And in your hands the pain and hurt
Look less like scars

And more like
Character

Wrapping it up

Well, the gifts have been made (or purchased), exchanged and unwrapped. I've dug out and dusted off my pre-holiday projects (which feels pretty good to get started on again).

 

 The Christmas decor still lingers, but in a week it will be packed snugly away for another year.

 But one thing that is still with me, and I'm afraid might be for months to come...

the food! 

Oh my, did I ever over indulge. 

We had our family Christmas party at my Brother and sister-in-law's new home this year. 

Doesn't her food look like art?!

At home we have an odd-gift-giving tradition with the kids. They make us laugh each year as we hang them on the tree and it's funny to watch others do a double take when they get their first glance at one. Here are a few...

Condensed Tomato Soup Can

Long Legged Moose

Scuba Santa

No so weird, but I love this guy. He was given to us from a newly-found friend, Darcy, and her family.

Clockwise from the top: Teddy in tub, a beaver (?), a toaster and I really don't know about the last one...he looks like a mix between a hamster and a bird.

This little monkey man looks like he's ready for a Christmas party. Check out his blingin' ring.

Fat bird. Little feet.

An armadillo.

And this guy belongs to my sister-in-law, Jill. Isn't he cute in his little hat and scarf? I had to share the story behind his skinny self. Her dad's been dealing with a lot of health issues and has recently had to go in for infusions that can take hours. He keeps his mind and hands busy by building all kinds of things with these little kits, which he then gives to children who are also undergoing treatments. Many times for cancer. What a great idea to get your mind off of your own troubles and put the focus on others.

Well, I'm off to prepare for the next round of holiday festivities (that being New Years , of course). Hope you're having a nice Christmas season with the family and are able to rest a bit now that the shopping part is over. Ahhhh....                                                                                                     XX's ~Jen

Need a simple Christmas hors d'oeuvre recipe?

Well, it's the big day for our family Christmas party! From great-grandma down to our youngest nephew, we'll fill my brother and sister-in-law's house and then fill ourselves with all sorts of yummy hors d'oeuvres. My heart always aches a little for my side of the family, too. with her living in So Cal and my parents in Southern Illinois. But I've grown to love the traditional Christmas Eve shin dig with my husband's family.
One of my family's personal favorite treats for any party, is also one of the most simple treats I've ever made! Works for me. They're called bacon wrapped dates, and they are...well, bacon, wrapped around a pitted date with a toothpick stuck through to hold it together. Yes, it's really that simple. Here's "the recipe":

Bacon Wrapped Dates:

You'll need:

A package of pitted dates
Bacon (preferably nitrate-free)
Toothpicks
Shallow baking dish (deep enough to contain any grease run-off)

You can stuff the pitted dates with cheese or almonds if you'd like, but we like them un-stuffed. Now that you have every thing you need, go ahead and preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
Cut your bacon in thirds (or in half if you'd like more bacon flavor. I usually do half a slice, myself), wrap the bacon around each date with the bacon seam facing down and place in shallow baking dish. Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes or until crispy, turning once. Drain the excess grease on a paper towel and voila! Super simple, huh?

Now they may not be the prettiest hors d'oeuvres at the party, and people may hear "dates" and wronkle their nose at you, but trust me!!! They'll be a total hit! They taste similar to sausage with pancake syrup. Yum!
 Hope you have a wonderful and safe Christmas Eve whatever you may be doing!
God bless you and your families!
~Jen

Googled Christmas Inspiration

Just some winter inspiration I found by doing a bit of googling this morning. Oh, how I love technology at times like this, when I want to travel 'round the world to see how others are decorating their homes and wrapping their gifts for Christmas.

All pictures should link to their original sites. (This is where I'm not always so crazy 'bout technology.) 

Anyway, hope you enjoy and are inspired!

(This makes me want to find new things to wrap!)

 

 

Have a wonderfully blessed day! To my blogging friends over there in Europe- I hope you're safe and warm at home, or at least with family, and that the snowstorms let up a bit so you can venture out safely. You're in my prayers and thoughts! Looks as though it will definitely be a white one for you!

Much love!!! ~Jen