The Secret Lives of Bees

I have just finished The Secret Lives of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. It was a pretty fast read and I enjoyed reading it. I loved being in the time period when my own mother was a little girl and some of the passages gave me pictures of how her life might have been. And although I would recommend this book to anyone, I have to attach to it a disclaimer. There were some religious ideas that conflicted with my beliefs in this book. In a particularly touching moment, an older woman touches the heart of the little girl and tells her that everything she needs in life she will find within herself. Well, if that's true, than I am disabled, dysfunctional and pretty much defunct because left all alone I am nothing and have nothing. The only way I can reach in myself and pull out any power is because Jesus lives in me and he told me that if I "remain [in Him, he] will remain [in me.]" (John 15:4)
Even if I didn't know enough to desire Him to live in me to be my source for everything, I would still need others (and do, because God uses them for His purposes in my life) in order to survive. No wonder there are so many people dealing with the bane of "addiction to co-dependence;" for we have been hard wired to need something or someone other than ourselves, otherwise our search for truth or God wouldn't be needed. He has made us needy so that we will search for Him and He will be found by us.
So anyway, that's what I thought.
I also did a collage based on the book. I know, I'm such a dork. I did it when I was bored.

Old pics

Here are some cute back-photos of Seth and the baby. I love going through old pictures and finding ones that I missed. Happy weekend everyone!

One more thing...

Eeee-gads! I almost forgot one of the most important parts of my kitchen idea! I really want to incorporate some clear glass tiles - perhaps for a back splash. I love the recycled glass look of these "cloud nine" colored ones.


P.S. Can you tell by the many posts today that I am procrastinating doing things that need to get done around the house?

Camera's last shot

I'm still going through old photos since I can't take any new ones at this moment. This shot is of one of my favoritest friends, who is going to be so mad at me for posting a picture of her beautiful self, but I don't care because she's gorgeous and this is one of the very last pictures my poor broken camera took. Gotta memorialize....

Pen pals are fun

I was going through old pictures looking for something to post when I ran across this photo of a package that my kids got in the mail from a pen pal (someone we hooked up with via the blogging world.) I fully meant to post about it when they were doing it, but it got lost in the mix.
Anyway, they were so excited to get a letter from a boy around their age with a little package of stuff from where he lives (salt water taffy, sea salt, Utah brochures - oh, and I can't forget the ever special Pokemon cards.) It also gave my kids good practice to write a letter telling about themselves to someone else (although our package paled in comparison to this one.) Yay for pen pals!

Kitchen Inspiration

Our kitchen is one of the rooms in my house that I sit and daydream about re-doing. It is going to have to be one of those projects that get done little by little, but I have been collecting ideas so that I don't forget what I want to do. That is why I came up with this inspiration board. Next time we get a little bit of money to put into the kitchen, I'll have my ideas at the ready. It might not be as far away as I think!

Vote on tips for a more organized life

Self magazine is giving away a gift certificate to the Container Store. All you have to do is enter a tip that you use to better your life and let others vote on it! I entered one about keeping the car tidy. If you like it, vote "great tip" for me. Let me know if you enter a tip, too - I'd love to hear about your answers for a more organized life!

A lovely room

Since I can't take pictures of any new jewelry right now I have turned my attention to projects that might be awaiting me on the home front. I was inspired by Domino's top ten decorators in this month's issue. (Click on the link to see the other designer's rooms.)
I especially love these tall white curtains with the neutral walls. I've already done some crisp white panels, but I'm thinking of carrying that idea throughout the house.

My camera is broken!

I don't know what to do. The lens won't retract and it's making a funny noise. It won't take pictures either. I'm so sad I could cry.

Computer Art

I used some of Seth's sketches (and some other stuff) to create this collage on Polyvore. Man, that site is addictive.

Jeremiah Goodman

I've always been fascinated with interiors, and that's why the master interior illustrator Jeremiah Goodman is so interesting to me. I decided to get this book, Jeremiah: A Romantic Vision, after reading an article about him in Veranda magazine.

Happy Easter!

He is risen!

(image from flickr)

Resurrection Cookies

I've been wanting to make these cookies with the kids for a couple of years now, but something always happens on the day before Easter and I never get around to doing it. This year is no different because Emet is throwing up, so I sent the big boys to their grandparent's to keep them from getting it. Here's the recipe if you wanna try it:
Ingredients
1 cup whole pecans
3 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vinegar
1 pinch salt
Directions
1. Read the whole recipe before beginning, try to do together Saturday night before Easter Sunday.
2. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
3. You need: Mixing bowl, Wooden spoon, Bible, Zipper baggie, Waxed paper, Cookie sheet, Tape.
4. Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.
5. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
6. Read John 19:1-3.
7. Let child smell the vinegar.
8. Put 1 tsp into mixing bowl.
9. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink.
10. Read John 19:28-30.
11. Add egg whites to the vinegar.
12. Eggs represent life.
13. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
14. Read John 10:10-11.
15. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand.
16. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.
17. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
18. Read Luke 23:27.
19. So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing.
20. Add 1 cup sugar.
21. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us.
22. He wants us to know and belong to Him.
23. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.
24. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 11-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.
25. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
26. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
27. Fold in broken nuts.
28. Drop by tsp onto waxed paper-covered cookie sheet.
29. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.
30. Read Matt.27:57-61.
31. Put cookie sheet in the oven.
32. Close the door and turn the oven OFF.
33. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.
34. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.
35. Read Matt. 27:65-66.
36. Go to Bed!
37. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight.
38. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
39. Read John 16:20 and 22.
40. On Resurrection Morning open the oven and give everyone a cookie!
41. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite.
42. The cookies are hollow!
43. On the first Resurrection Day, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
44. Read Matt. 28:1-9.
HE HAS RISEN! HALLELUJAH!
recipe by Dianac.

Toys, toys

I've been trying to take pictures of toys laying around because if I find a nice photo it makes me feel less out of control about the total chaos that I am always battling around here. Mess can look nice too...right? That's what I've been trying to convince my clean and neat self so that we can live compatibly in the same body. Because clean and neat will never occur in this house for more than five minutes...and that's o.k.

I always like jewelry with words...

These personalized skinny stacking cuffs are really cool, from Aquabeet. Visit her etsy shop here. Thanks for the introduction Coleen!

I finished it.

What can I say? I'm glad I read it. It was hard to read (think Bowling for Columbine,) but the way Picoult dissects the tragedy from all sides makes the horror of it all somehow seem less mysterious, therefore less scary. It definitely made me think about how my actions affect others and how my parenting affects children besides my own. And there is an interesting twist at the end...

Since I feel like doing nothing but sitting...

I played around on Polyvore, which is a site I heard about several weeks ago but was just reminded of via Design Mom. What I really want to put together is an inspiration board for my new kitchen ideas, but I'll have to re-upload the pictures I'd been collecting because my folder got lost...or worse, erased. So here is what I put together from what they had. It's really fun. Kinda like playing with paper dolls...

Cruddy

I've had the stomach flu, so bear with me while I sort out things in my soupy head in order to find something to post...

Chimchar

Did I tell you that Elijah LOVES Pokemon? Well, his birthday was full of pokemon; games, cards, books...and cakes. This is supposed to be Chimchar, Elijah's favorite.

Happy Birthday!

Today my sweet Elijah turns 7 years old! I can't believe it has been that long since I had that adorable - and huge - 10lb baby. He almost killed me getting here, but he has been the most precious thing ever since. I love you, Lijah!

Bathing Suits Please

I'm always a fan of DKNY and I'm in love with these one pieces.


I guess I'm subconsciously wishing for swimming weather...

New Work

New necklaces in the shop.

How'd you get that shine?

I had the feeling that I needed to do something about my dull, product built up hair and scalp, so in lieu of purchasing a clarifying shampoo, I did some research and found out that apple cider vinegar and aloe can be a "cure" for hair with buildup. I tried it by massaging all of my hair and scalp with the vinegar and then after rinsing I applied aloe vera to my scalp and then worked it throughout my hair (the aloe is supposed to restore your natural PH balance.) After rinsing that, I conditioned as usual. I have to say that I think it worked! My hair definitely looks shinier and I feel good because I did it naturally. Just don't use the vinegar any more than once every two weeks. I use vinegar everyday in my jewelry making and I know that it can strip things a lot stronger than hair if you use it too often!

A Treasured Treasury

I got to make a treasury page on Etsy! I'm so excited because it's my third try to get one and my first success. Click here to see it.

A Dinner Side or a Snack

You've got to try this. I needed to use up that random can of kidney beans in my cupboard, but I'll bet it would be even better (although mine turned out sooo yummy and fabulous) if you followed the directions and used fresh beans.

Red Bean Dip

8 ounces dried kidney beans (scant 1 1/2 cups)
2 1/2 cups homemade or low-sodium store-bought chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 bay leaf
1 whole cinnamon stick
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, halved and very thinly sliced
1/3 cup plain nonfat yogurt, preferably Greek-style
4 cups baked blue corn chips (10 ounces)
Directions
Cover beans with at least 2 inches of water in a large bowl. Cover loosely, and let soak overnight at room temperature.
Drain beans; transfer to a medium saucepan. Add stock, herbs, spices, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer beans until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain beans; reserve cooking liquid. Discard bay leaf and cinnamon stick. Let liquid cool completely.
Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion; reduce heat to medium. Cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, about 25 minutes.
Pulse beans and 1/2 cup cooking liquid in a food processor until smooth. Add more cooking liquid if needed to reach desired consistency. Transfer to a serving bowl. Top with yogurt, then onions. Serve with chips. Dip can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 3 days.
(from Everyday Food)

My New Favorite Necklace

It's in the shop.

Just the Black Notes

Watch this. It's amazing...



And it makes me want to see Amazing Grace the movie.

Spring again...

I took these juxtaposing pictures today. Neighbor Julia's (top) and neighbor Chris's (bottom) snowmen, and in our yard: spring irises and lilac buds.

For the Readers...

I was tricked into joining one of those clubs where they offer you a whole bunch of books for only $.01 and then you have to buy four more books at regular price over the next two years.
O.K., I say tricked, but really, I knew what I was getting into because in high school I did the CD version and proceeded to go into major debt with my parents because of all the music that was sent to me that I didn't have the heart to send back. That's how they get you. I should have learned, but I fooled myself into thinking that I was mature enough to handle it this time, and instead of them using me...it would be I who used them to get some free books.

Well, the time has come to buy those four books or else they're gonna bill me an insane amount because my two year membership status is coming to a close. The reason I never bought any books after those free ones is because they really don't have very many good books other than the free ones that I already got! I've ordered two (shown in the photos.) And I'm hoping that someone will be able to tell me a good book or a good author that I might not have thought of. So, help a girl out... good books anyone?

...and then snow again.

For those of you who live in Nashville: Can you believe the amount of snow we got last night? What did I tell you? It's snow then spring then snow then spring then snow again! It looks like Styrofoam!

Seth and I enjoyed the evening by inviting some friends for appetizers and wine. After they left, we stood by the windows, mesmerized...

A Thought Changed

I have always wanted to have a baby girl but lately I have been thinking that even if I were to have another baby I might not really want it to be a girl. Maybe in part because I've heard that girls are harder, I already know what to do with boys and maybe there is another part where I'm subconsciously protecting myself just in case we decide to have another and the fourth...is a boy. So I decided that I do not want a girl..until I opened up this month's Cookie magazine and there was this ad for Guess Kids:

Oh my goodness, she is beautiful. The desire for a daughter is back...

Into the Wild

Have you seen it? I loved it. A much better movie than No Country for Old Men. I think I missed something with that one (which I also saw this week.) I just don't get how it won best picture. But Into the Wild? It could have won...if only it had been nominated!

And the winner is...(warning, spoilers ahead)

Christian Siriano on Project Runway Season 4! I thought that all three of the finalists had a really good chance of winning and I loved all of their collections. This has been my favorite season so far. I love the peeks of red that Jillian put into the lining of this jacket.

And I loved the antique lace dress that Rami put together. I think I could get married in that dress (I know, I'm already married, but you get the point.)

But overall, I'm secretly glad that Christian won. I predicted it from the start. His clothing is art. And this dress was a show-stopper. Fierce!

What were your favorite outfits?

The Garden Swap

I participated in Nicole's Garden Swap. It was so much fun to receive something random in the mail! Jana from Lola Again sent me this gorgeous patchwork tote. It will be perfect to take shopping along with my new flip and tumble bag that I won from Rachel. She also sent along a cute little card and some great coasters. Very Martha-y. Thank you Jana! I love it!

I sent my package of seeds, garden inspired beads and charms, vegetable soaps and little books to Amy of The Life and Times of Monkey and Scooby. I hope she likes it! I like doing swaps. I'll definitely do it again.

It's snowing...no, it's spring...no,snowing...no,spring..

It's raining now, but over the weekend it was glorious! It is strange that we had a snow day just last week, but true to the pattern of Tennessee winters lately, spring poked it's head in early...and randomly! Here are some photos from our tree climbing outdoor play at Mimi's house.