How do I teach them to sew???

Every Christmas, I pull out the Christmas tree ornament that my first grade teacher helped me and 29 other first graders to needlepoint on plastic canvas thirty years ago.  As my girls have grown, I have grown to have more and more respect for that teacher.  How did she do it?  How did she guide and have the patience to guide 30 first graders in such a project?  There were even boys in the class!  I am awestruck when I pick up the little ornament and contemplate its origins.

My girls are now 7 and 5 and I know the time has come this summer to begin introducing them to sewing and other home economics skills.  I have put it off with the thought that they were too young.  But, I'm realizing that now it's time.  And it's also time for them to learn a few other things, too...

Two weeks ago, I made a list of all the skills I want my children to learn when it comes to home economics and life skills.  I divided them up and designated some of them for elementary school, some for middle, and some for high school.  My goal was to find a book for each of the topics that would be a good basic resource that covers that topic well.  I only have so much space on my bookshelf and I wanted to find good books that would be great all-in-one resources.

The first topic I wanted to find a good resource for was sewing.  Although I know how to sew, I am a learned teacher, not a natural teacher.  I need books that will give me good directions that both me and my kids can read.  I need things to be simple.  I don't have a lot of time for prep in my life right now.  I like good, clear, and simple illustrations.

Surprisingly, I found all of those things in one book on sewing titled Sewing School by Amie Plumley and Andria Lisle.  This is a new book that just came out last fall.  It is published by Storey Publishing--which is probably my favorite publishers of good hobby books.

There is an introductory section for parents about how to teach sewing and how to approach the endeavor.  (I was very excited to know there's such thing as a needle threader!)  Then, there are the basics of knots and hand sewing stitches.  The pictures are simple and the directions below the pictures are concise and clear.  From there, the book includes directions on how to make 21 sewing projects.

I wondered what these projects would be like.  I was wonderfully surprised at what I found.  Patterns and stuffing are introduced.  Projects range from simple to more complex.  There is even one for making a skirt using a sewing machine--on the most basic level!  Honestly, that was just what I wanted.  I was looking for a book that primarily focused on hand sewing with a little machine sewing towards the end so that I can introduce the kids to my sewing machine when it's time.  The projects in this book are wonderful ideas for gifts that my girls will be able to make for others come next Christmas.  I think the best age range for this book is 5-12 year olds.  5 years old may be a little young for this book, but if you take it slow, have patience and a needle threader, I think you'll be in good shape.  12 may seem a little old for this book, but if someone was starting off sewing that has never sewn before, I would start them with just these projects.  The directions are clear and simple--and that's helpful no matter how old you are!

The authors obviously know what they're talking about.  They run a summer camp for elementary age children in Tennessee every year to teach them how to sew.  So, these projects have been tested and made over and over.  These authors are writing with experience!  Every so often I find authors who pretend to be people they're not or write about things that they have only a little experience in.  That's not the case with these two!  I am impressed.  This book has made me really look forward to sewing with my girls and now I just can't wait to introduce my girls to sewing!

We just so happened to get them new shoes this weekend and the boxes are just the perfect size to become their new sewing boxes.   So, I'm off to cover them with paper...

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Storey Publishing.

All The Other Important Stuff To Learn...

I am a planner.  Getting my master's degree in education turned me into a planner.  I was taught that you needed to know what your children needed to learn and then make a plan to cover that material.  Most of the time that meant you needed to create your own lessons because you likely wouldn't have books.

When I started homeschooling, I thought I would have more planning time--not less than I did as a classroom teacher.  What I discovered to be reality was actually that I have far less.  In my life with 3 children 2, 5, and 7, I need to be able to pick up and go with a lesson.  Formatting in a book can either make my life easy or very difficult.  I have a plan for their academics and I have been so blessed to watch God direct me to the right curriculums for my kids.  But, recently I came upon the realization that it was time to get on the ball when it came to all the other stuff besides the academics that they need to learn.  My girls are getting older and time has seemed to sneak up on me already.

So, in January, my girls began folding and putting away their clothes regularly.  Autumn took on making their beds and Sami began emptying the trash.  I have been trying to involve them more in the cooking and truly holding them accountable for picking up their toys.  Too often I had fallen into the habit of picking things up for them.  But, I knew I needed to stop--so I've mostly stopped.

Then, two weeks ago, my husband asked me about all the other things that he had hoped they would learn or have the opportunity to do because they are homeschooling.  At the top of the list were cooking and gardening.  I listened and took what he said and mulled it over.  I pulled out a book on my bookshelf called Life Skills for Kids by Christine Field, and do some research on the internet.

I couldn't find an all in one home economics/money management/manners/hobby arts curriculum.  The ones I found had a sharp dichotomy between what girls and boys were taught to do.  My husband and I do want our girls to be able to keep their home, but we don't believe in keeping them home until they marry.  I hope and even expect that my girls will go to college or receive additional education after high school.  I am preparing them to do that.  Not all girls get married and I don't know what the Lord has for them--though I do hope that he has a husband in mind for them and a wife in mind for Eli.  So, I believe I need to prepare them well--to be able to both mow the lawn, paint a room, cook a meal, garden, and manage their own finances well.

The curriculums I found also tended to be far more conservative in their beliefs about men's and women's roles than mine are.  I once was an evangelical feminist--which I am far from now.  But, I am not super conservative about my beliefs about submission either.  Dancing With The One You Love by Cindy Easley was such a blessing to me this year.  It is the first book I have read about submission that I felt is written with grace and the understanding that all marriages are different--while still believing firmly in the submission of a wife to her husband.  Since I didn't find a curriculum that covered everything I was looking for with lessons in it, I found myself in a quandary.  I decided to collect a list of resources and a basic list of the skills I want to teach my children.

So far I have the list and the resources are on their way.  I am going to post reviews of the books as they come and add a new tab to this blog that will keep a running list of the topics, my plan, and the resources.

So, here's my list of topics...
Elementary School
Money Management            Wise Purchases, Grocery Shopping, Saving
Decision Making                  Self Discipline, Wise/Unwise
Space Organization              Own Room, Clothing, Closet
Home Skills                         Gardening, Meal Planning, Cooking, Sewing, Recycling/Reusing
People Skills                        Manners, Making Friends, Phone Etiquette
Healthy Lifestyles                 Eating Right and Making Good Food Choices
Celebration Skills                 Family Traditions, Birthdays, Special Days/Achievements, Holidays,

Middle School
Money Management            Clothes Shopping, Grocery Shopping, Saving/Banking
Decision Making                  Time (Priorities), Self Discipline, Wise/Unwise
Space Organization              Home, Purse/Backpack
Vision                                  Goals/Purpose
Home Skills                         Menu Planning, Cooking, Knitting/Crocheting, Child Care
People Skills                        Email/Letter Etiquette
Healthy Lifestyles                 CPR/First Aid Class
Fine Arts                              Photography, Music Appreciation

High School
Money Management            Open and Use a Bank Account, Budgeting
Life Skills                             Getting a Job, Work Ethic
Home Skills                          House Maintenance, Car Maintenance, Painting, Wood Finishing
Animals                                Volunteer at Humane Society

I trained to teach K-5, taught Middle School, and tutored High School Students and adults.  So, I realize that I naturally keep in mind the end of the race.  I do still try to focus on what's right in front of me, but I have found that I need to know where I'm going.  I am running this race intentionally.  It doesn't confine me and none of what I've written is hard and fast, but it is a starting point.  A place for me and my kids to begin at.

Snow Day Treats

Tonight I made these Crumb Bars...
http://www.greatwolf.com/poconos/explore/dining/recipes?sc=POCOPA.FebeTracksHR

What a great snow day treat they were!  I've had bad luck with 7 layer bars in the past.  But, these worked.  I used chocolate chips instead of chocolate chunks.  Next time, I'm going to split the 3/4 cup chocolate chips in the topping between chocolate and peanut butter chips.  I'm also going to add in a sprinkling of coconut and then I think they'll turn out pretty close.

Grocery Prices

It's one of those interesting things in these times.  On Sunday, the article on the front page of the Baltimore Sun's business section was about the expected inflation estimates for food this year.

My first thought was, "Okay.  Tighten the belt a little more before I have to."

But, what really goes?

When you go to the grocery store, how do you cut?  I learned this strategy from my mom.  It's okay to put something in your cart that you're considering, but before you check out ask yourself if it's a need or a want.  It's okay to hand something to the checker if you decide that you don't want it or can't afford to get it.  Even if something is on sale or on clearance, if it's not in your budget, it's wiser not to get it.  At least that's what I've come to believe.

This week, I reminded myself of this when I was at Kohl's this week.  I bought three sets of sheets for my kids.  Eli really needed two sets.  But, I bought one.  That was what was in the budget.  His birthday is coming up and I can buy a second fun set then as a birthday gift.

The girls got new bunk beds in January that I posted about.  I would love to get them matching comforters, but I haven't.  I've decided to save that idea for their birthdays in the fall.  A few weeks ago, I saw the perfect sheets for them, but they were $25 for one set, which would have been $50 for two sets plus tax.  I told myself not to get them.  They aren't a need.

The reason I bought the sheets at Kohls, because though they technically weren't a need (they each have one set of sheets), I had $30 Kohls cash which almost covered the cost of all three sets.

But, back to groceries...
How can we cut if we need to this year?

This is my plan:
1) I'm going to start a file of especially inexpensive meals.  This week I made minestrone soup and my whole family loved it.  Minestrone is very inexpensive.  Soup and bread--vegetables, protein, and the bread group in  and easy, quick meal.
2) Stick with the milk one meal, water one meal, and juice one meal with the kids.  And water for all three for the adults.
3) Sweets are my weakness.  Make Izzes really a treat.  Sometimes I have them more often.  Keep frozen cookies and treats around instead of buying Ghiradelli as a treat.
4) Use my allowance to buy gum (always using coupons) rather than the grocery budget.  I don't spend much on it, but if I really would like to have it, I should spend my allowance on it.
5) Cut in other places...
If it came down to it, Molly's grooming every three months can go to twice a year or once a year with more frequent brushings.
Get better at cutting my husband's hair.
6) Work on letting less produce go to waste and only buy the produce I really need--even if it means shopping a little more often at first.

Computer Worms

This week I had a scary thing happen to me.  My computer avoided a worm--by the skin of my chinny, chin, chin, so to speak.  I was in my email program when my computer was suddenly taken over by this screen that started listing 5, 6, then 7, then 8+ programs affected by a worm.  Down at the bottom appeared a question from my computer asking me if I wanted to give the program access to my computer and a warning that it could harm my computer.

I paused and my heart was seized with fear.  This all happened in a matter of seconds.

Then I had the thought that I needed to check my virus program.  Just as I began to minimize the screen and go to that icon, my antivirus program showed an icon in the corner that said it had just blocked a worm.  I immediately closed the web browser that had been opened and began a full system scan to get rid of any remains.

The whole scene reminded me of the movie inception.  There's a scene in the movie where Leonardo di Caprio's character explains to the soon to be new dream designer that you can't incorporate real elements because then the dreamer has a greater likelihood of realizing that the dream is a dream and is not reality.  The creator wants the dreamer to believe that the dream is reality!

This worm wanted me to believe that it was in fact protecting me from a worm!

I wanted to share this story in case you ever encounter such a threat on your computer.  Computers simply aren't as safe as we want to believe they are.

Processed Foods

I'm in the process of reading a great book about PMS, yes, PMS.  It has been so encouraging and challenging.  One of the topics of the book is of course what we eat.  One of the superfoods recommended is blueberries.  Just beware of the fake blueberries!

I saw this video on yahoo this morning and it was pretty informative.

Honestly, blueberries aren't one of my favorite foods so I haven't added them a lot to our diets.  But, I do get the frozen blueberries from Aldis to add to our smoothies.  It sounds like that's the best way to go from the looks of this video!

Choosing a New Washing Machine

Two weeks ago, we rearranged our house and bought the girls new bunk beds.  For me, that was a major purchase.  Afterwards, I experienced a week of second guessing myself and wondering if I had chosen the right or wrong ones.  Everyone that has come into my home has commented on how nice they are, though, and how much they reflect my girls' personalities.

Still, there is a part of me that struggles.  Part of that struggle comes from the battle I face when making purchases between getting what I really like and being the most frugal I can be.  Another part of the struggle comes from the advent of the internet and the ability to instantly "shop around for the best deal".  If I don't get the best price, part of me feels like I have wasted what we have or that I haven't made the most of what we have or haven't stretched our finances as far as I can.  No matter what way you express it, I find that it's just a big trap.  And I'd even go so far as it is something that can tempt us to dwell on things and can cause us to make money an idol by giving it too much of our thought time and energy.

Not a week later I found myself faced with a similar purchasing struggle.  On Sunday night, my oldest daughter awoke at 2:30 a.m. after throwing up in her bed.  I got her cleaned up and into the shower.  Then, I stripped her bed and proceeded to take the bedding downstairs to the laundry room.  I opened up the washing machine to find it full of water and wet clothes.  Just before bed, I had started a load of laundry like I often do.  After making sure my daughter was settled, I wrang the clothes out and put them in a bucket.  Then, I emptied the washing machine of its water.

I made my way upstairs and began to research online what kind of washer to get and prices so that I could present my husband with the choice for me to either call someone to come fix our washer or to buy a new one.  What I found online was a mixed bag of information.  It was hard to know what to think!

In the end, when faced with the question first of whether to repair or replace, I concluded that we should replace.  This washing machine had already broken before and it was clearly not new when we had moved into our house five years ago.  The issue with my machine was similar to a friend's last year which took 6 weeks to get fixed.  Going to a laundromat would cost probably $30-$45/week with the number of loads I do.  But, aside from that we don't really have enough clothes to wait a whole week between trips to the laundromat.  So, that was my reasoning.

Now to find a new washing machine...

My options:  1) Traditional top loader with an agitator
               2) HE (High Efficiency) Front loader
               3) HE Top Loader

#2 was out for our home because HE Front Loaders have problems with mold and mildew because of how the water drains out of them.  You have to leave the door open and wipe out the gasket every time.  I would never remember to do that.  But, aside from my memory our house has issues with mold and mildew anyways that I continually have to keep on top of.  So, #2 did not seem like a wise choice.

That left me with deciding between a tradition top loader or an HE top loader.  I read a lot of varied reviews and there seemed no clear choice.  I did find the top rated HE top loader which was priced at $900 and was 5.0 cu. ft.  It was one in the Maytag Bravos line.  When I went to the Home Depot website I found the same washer in 4.7 cu. ft. on sale for $630.  I looked around at other brands (whirlpool, GE, and LG) but felt best about the Maytag Bravos.  Because of a $50 rebate, the washer would cost $570 and be energy smart.  The traditional agitators I saw with the features I needed for our family ran about $450 so it seemed much wiser in the long run to get an HE washer.

One of the biggest complaints I read was how the HE top loaders twist and wrinkle everything.  It really concerned me because I do a lot of delicates in our washer.  What I think is that they are comparing is a HE top loader with a HE front loader.

So, after my gang had woken up Monday morning, we headed over to Home Depot.  I intended to go over to Lowe's afterwards to compare and make the best decision I could.  I had already checked online and knew that Lowe's did not have any sales on washers right now and I compared prices as much as I could online before we went.

At Home Depot, I began looking at the small selection of washers.  I ruled out the front loaders which only left a few GE, whirlpool, Maytag, and one LG washer.  The LG was priced at $900 which seemed far beyond what I wanted to pay.  I went back and forth and finally settled on the Maytag Bravos 4.7 cu. ft. I was pleased that they had the one I was looking for.  It was the smaller version of the top rated one I'd found online.  I looked over at Autumn and she was struggling.  I realized that to shop around at that point and go over to Lowe's was going to be very hard on her.  I knew this was the washer I wanted and going to Lowe's was only going to be to satisfy my desire to feel like I'd gotten a good deal.  I realized I had to let go of that so I did.  I purchased the washer and we made one more stop before heading home.   One of the reasons I had gone to Home Depot was the hope that I could have the washer delivered the next day.  I was very glad when that was the case.  I had read online that sometimes Sears takes several days for delivery and I was concerned about Sami and Eli getting sick the next night and needing to do laundry right away.

So, the next day I prepared my laundry room and waited.  Early in the afternoon my new washer arrive and I quickly put it to use by doing five loads of laundry that first day.  I followed by doing two more the next day.  I have been so pleased with how well my new washer does.  I was most concerned about how it would handle delicates and if I would be able to mix sheets and clothes.  I've done both and have had no problems.  I've even washed stuffed animals and have dried them in the dryer.  Perhaps that's not the wisest thing to do, but when those stuffed animals are beloved and a child gets sick something has to be done!

I did learn one important thing.  I really had been stuffing our old washing machine.  No wonder it broke!  I actually fit less in a load in my new washer than I did in the old because you have to lay the clothes in the washer instead of packing them in.  It makes a huge difference in how much you can put in a load.

One thing I thought was interesting was that the salesperson at Home Depot did say that Maytag is going away from both the traditional top loaders and the front loaders and towards primarily HE top loaders.  I think I can see why.  I am really pleased with my new washer and I'm going to start watching for the matching dryer to go on sale!

More Bunk Bed Notes...

After I posted what I learned about bunk beds, I had a chance to talk with my friend Kim about bunk beds and she had several other interesting observations.

1.  She and her husband chose to get full over full bunk beds because her daughters move a lot in their sleep.  Consider your child's sleep habits when you get a bunk bed.  You may be more comfortable with IKEA's low loft bed (that's low and then put a mattress on the floor for the youngest child).

2.  A sturdy guard rail on top is something you really want.

3.  If you have a textured ceiling, be careful about getting a high bunk bed.  Her daughter sometimes will accidentally swipe her fingers on the ceiling as she's making her bed and it hurts.

4.  The angled ladder is definitely a good thing.

5.  Make sure you check the instruction manual for the bunk beds before you buy thick mattresses.  For my girls beds, the surface of the mattress needs to be at least 5" from the top of the guard rail and the mattress can't be more than 9" thick.

Laurie Berkner Band

One of my kids' favorite music groups over the past few years has been the Laurie Berkner Band.  Through the end of January, Amazon has a selection of MP3 kids albums (and a lot of other albums as well) for $5.  This is one of them:
http://www.amazon.com/Best-Laurie-Berkner-Band/dp/B003SJYGVO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1296146139&sr=1-2

This is the best of and so there's lots of fun songs and it's a great deal for 20 of her songs (which is equivalent to two of her normal length albums).  What I like best about her songs is that both kids and adults enjoy them--they aren't the kind of songs that will grate on your nerves ;)

Bunk Beds

This weekend we got some disheartening news.  We had been hoping to move but a very forthright and honest realtor sat down with us and showed us how much we'd really have to come up with to make up for the short fall in order to sell our house.  Our plan in moving was to have my mom move in with us.  It seemed the wisest plan. But, after consideration, we realized she will be able to buy a small home in our neighborhood when she sells her home this year.  With all this in mind, we realized that we needed to make our home as liveable as possible and do a few things we'd been putting off.  One was to purchase bunk beds for the girls.  In the process of looking for a set of bunk beds, I learned several things along the way.

Bunk Beds
Comparison Shopping

IKEA Wooden Bed

IKEA:  White metal frame $149 includes a mesh net to go under the bed; the natural wooden frame is $159 and includes slats  The white one felt okay, but a straight ladder and if you scratched the metal, the paint would be hard to touch up.  The wooden frame feels very unsteady and I wouldn't recommend it.

Walmart:  Pine basic bed $189  Seemed to be pretty thick, but I didn't see a full size model

BJ's:  darker wood, all wood bunk bed $249 It has two drawers underneath that will roll on hardwood floor.  So, that makes it a good value.  It felt sturdy and simple.  It would be a great choice for boys.

Costco:  White Bayside Brianna Bed $499  Very girly.  It's perfect for my girly girls, but I'd never put boys in it.  It will convert to nice twin beds someday.  It is made of wood so I will be able to touch up the paint.  It also has an angled ladder (which is what my husband wanted) that hooks easily and is easier and safer to climb up, according to my husband.

Room Store: $800 for a natural wood bed with a ladder that is angled, their $399 bed requires you to climb up the side of the bed (no ladder).  No one helped me or even said a word to me when I went in the store, so I really don't know much about the bed except that you also need a bunkie board under your mattress and I'm not sure if slats are extra.

Brass and Oak: Three bunk beds can be ordered for girls.  A very basic one for $349.  Two nicer white ones are available for $649 and $699.  All of these beds need to be ordered so they will take time to come in.  But, they were nice.  The $349 model looked cheap though and not as sturdy.  I don't think I'd recommend it.

Value City Furniture: Basic Arts and Crafts set: $399 plus bunkie boards, plus delivery, etc. It didn't feel that much different to me than the $249 set at Bj's.  It is more finished in its look, though.  Looked and felt very nice.  It has an up and down ladder.

There is also another option at Value City which is the Camp Granada which is $599.  It's very simple and rustic looking though.

I ended up choosing the Bayside Brianna set at Costco for $499.  The slats are included.  Here is a picture of the one we got in my girls room.
The girls honestly are thrilled with it.  You'll notice that it looks pretty tall.  It is!  I had no idea when I bought it and that is my first piece of advice.

Check the height of the bunk bed and go home and try and picture it in the room you're going to put it in.  There are advantages and disadvantages to both short and tall bunkbeds.

Tall (like ours)
Advantages:  I can sit on the bottom bunk and read comfortably to Sami and can give her a big hug.  All the kids and I will be able to sit and read together on the bed without me bumping my head.

Disadvantages:  It is tall so it is harder to read Autumn.  She doesn't mind it all.  I moved a step stool near her bed so I can still reach up and rub her back once in a while the way my mom did once in a while when I had a hard time waking up as a little girl.   If I sit on the top bunk, my head does almost touch the ceiling.  I am 5'5".  But, my daughter is tiny and she won't outgrow it for a long time.

Short (like the wooden one from IKEA that a friend of mine has)
Advantages:  Lots of head room on the top bunk.  Not as high to fall from.

Disadvantages:  Child on the lower bunk might bump their head and you as an adult might as well.  My friend who has the IKEA one can't sit on the bottom bunk.  There also isn't as much storage room under the bed and with a small room, you usually need that.

There are medium in between bunk beds.  If I were giving someone advice on choosing one, I would say
1)  Measure your space
2) Go see and sit on several.  Sit on the bottom bunk and make sure you can sit with your child if that's something you want to be able to do.  Really only one person is allowed on the top bunk at a time anyways, so it only needs to be able to fit your child that will sleep there.
3) Shake them and feel how sturdy they are--consider if you're putting them on carpet or hardwood floors and how that will affect them. (Also consider how boisterous your kids are ;) ).
4) If you have the option of letting your kids have some say, check to make sure they'll like them before you buy them.  Although I regret buying such tall bunk beds, my daughter didn't like any of the others as I went to find the pictures of them to post on this blog.  I'm thankful that she is so happy with her top bunk.

And then there's the Mattress...

That's a whole other matter, really.  I was puzzled about what to do on this one.  I bought Autumn a $90 mattress from Bj's two years ago and have always regretted it.  I thought it was made wrong.  I didn't realize a huge thing that changed about mattresses about 8 or 9 years ago.

Mattresses are no longer 2 sided/flippable!  On the bottom now, is a flat surface.  It's like this on all new mattresses whether expensive or cheap.  When I asked one mattress store if it was because the mattress companies were trying to save money, he just laughed off my comment.  When I shared this observation at a second mattress store, he explained to me that the material on the bottom didn't wear well being on top of the box spring and there were a lot of warranty claims because of it.  So, the practice was changed.  I'm sure they gave another reason at the time, but my observation had some truth in it after all.

Back to the basic mattress and our bunk bed.  I wanted something a little better.  Costco carries a twin mattress for $149 and Bj's is $89.  Basically, they're pretty comparable.  When I went to Mattress Giant, I sat on two  mattresses.  One like what Autumn has had and another just a little nicer--that also cost $144 more than the one she had.

Here's what I really didn't know.  Mattress stores are negotiable.  The way car salesmen used to be--that's how mattress salespeople are.  So, shop around!  Go sit on a few (if you have time) and always remember the prices you've been quoted from one store to another.

The deal I was offered at Mattress Giant on a mattress that was ($360 for a set) $240 for mattress alone.  The salesperson offered 15% more off when I said I was going to buy 2.  I didn't end up buying them because I couldn't find the store that had them in stock.  I ended up at another shop:  Mattress Warehouse.

I bought 2 of these mattresses.  I didn't get as good a deal as I had thought based on the website, but it was the price I was going to pay at the other store.  Actually $10 less on the total after tax.

Here's where the web can be a negative thing.  There's only so much shopping around that's wise.  There will always be a better deal.  Settle on a price in your mind that you're willing to pay and then don't check any more after that.  Otherwise you're going to get discouraged like I just did by looking on their website.  I didn't get ripped off or anything, but I probably could have negotiated a little better price.  But, really, who knows?

I do feel like that was the shop I should have gone to and that God had his hand in it.  I talked to the couple who worked there who had been married for 50 years and the young fellow who's just about to get married.  Me and my big mouth I couldn't keep my mouth shut.  I'm not sure how but we all were talking about marriage and the challenges of it--how it is both the source of struggle and joy.  But, that it is God who holds my marriage together at the end of the day.  I am certain of that.  In any case, as I loaded the mattresses into my van, the young man looked at me and genuinely said to me that he was glad that he ran into me that day.  God had his hand in that, I believe ;)

So, now I have a bunk bed and two mattresses, but there's one thing I forgot to mention.  Before you purchase mattresses, make sure you know how tall the mattresses can be for the bunk beds you have or are planning to purchase.  The ones I bought are just right.  But, if they were any taller, they'd be too tall.  Autumn's new mattress is 9" tall.  Her old one was 7", just to give you an idea.

So, that's about it, I think.  I hope that this post will save you a little shopping and help you figure out what you'd like to get for your kids.

At the end of the day, I do regret spending so much.  I wish I had gone with the Bj's bunk beds for less and only bought one more mattress.  But, then I'd probably be regretting things in the opposite direction ;)  I tried to go for a middle of the road bunk bed and mattress.  Not too cheap and not too pricey--both for the bunk bed and mattress.

I did forget to mention one last and very important thing--Bed Bugs!  One friend mentioned an ad from Big Lots to me with a plush twin for $159.  I mentioned to her that I was concerned about bed bugs and not sure what to think about Big Lots because I didn't know where their mattresses came from.

When I was at Mattress Warehouse, the salesman did tell me that a fellow came in who had bought a mattress that was sealed in plastic (as all are), took it home, opened it up, and found bed bugs in it.  Eww!!!  Yuck!!!  He explained to me that though warehouses won't accept returns on mattresses, sometimes stores will and then they resell them as comfort models.  I would also be careful about where you go to try out mattresses for the same reason.  I just wanted to pass that last bit of information along, as yucky as it is.

PC Care Scam

Beware!  My mom called me yesterday afternoon to ask me what she should do about a phone call she had just received.  I'm so thankful she called me!

A lady from a company called PC Care called and told her computer was in trouble.  She needed her to get on her computer and follow her directions so they could help her fix it.  The lady even gave a name, Tracy Brown.
My mom said she wasn't able to do that so she would need to take down her name and number and call her back later.  Then she called me.

I looked it up on the internet.  There is a PC Care program out there, but there are also multiple reports of scam phone calls in which a caller asks the person on the other line to get on their computer and give them access to it to help them "fix" it.  Hmmm...  I also came across several reports that lawsuits have been filed against companies and people involved in such scams.  

I just wanted to share this story so you can let you parents know if they are computer users to beware!

Motivation to Exercise

I am sadly not one of those people that loves to exercise.  I wish I was!  I admire people that have an innate enjoyment of exercise.  I exercise mostly because I want to take care of my body and I love to eat.  I know it's important to have a healthy view of food and exercise.  


My husband returned from a couple months away last April and I haven't really worked out since.  Life has gotten away from me.  But, I know it's time.  My kids are doing more work for me--thanks to their new chores and me holding them accountable.  That means less exercise for me.  A good friend had warned me that I should beware of this and not let the weight creep up on me.  Actually, she didn't warn me.  She shared her experience with me and I took note!  I logged it in my brain.


So, the trick for me is finding motivation.  I do about 5-7 loads of laundry a week for the 5 people in our house. My plan is to fold one load while I start my Walk Away the Pounds video.  By the time, I'm done with a load I'm 10 minutes into it (all the warm up time that doesn't require my arms, only my legs and walking/kicks).  So, it feels like I'm not wasting my time and I've already made it a significant way through the 30 minutes I need to do.


So, far I'm 2 days, 2 loads, and 2 workouts into it ;)

Sloppy Joes

I looked on the internet to find a copy of the sloppy joe recipe I used last night and couldn't find an exact one, so here's what I did.


Sloppy Joes
1/2 onion, minced
1 Tbsp canola oil
1 lb. ground beef
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp. chili powder
1- 8 oz. can tomato sauce (a small can)
1/4 cup ketchup
4 tsp. worcestsire sauce
1 tsp. brown sugar (I made it a heaping tsp.)
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
Salt and Pepper to taste


Saute onion in canola oil for 5 min.  Add ground beef and garlic and saute until browned.  When cooked through, put a paper towel in the pan and push around with spatula to soak up grease.  You can do this as many times as you'd like to decrease the fat in the dish.  It's one of my tricks to cook healthier food for my family.  Add tomato sauce, ketchup and other ingredients.


Serve on English muffins with cheese or on hamburger buns.  Sadly, we didn't have any buns last night, but the English muffins toasted worked just fine.  


This is the first Sloppy Joe I've ever fixed for my husband that he will eat!  

Banana Crunch Cake

This morning I found myself stuck with 5 very overripe bananas and I knew my family did not want any more banana muffins or banana bread.  So, I started looking for a coffee cake recipe.  I found this one in my King Arthur Whole Grain Baking Book that my sister in law gave me last year (Thank you! =) ).


Banana Crunch Cake
http://dontforgettlc.blogspot.com/2010/09/banana-crunch-cake.html


Now, of course I alter every recipe I make ;)  So, here are my alterations:  
1.  I completely omitted the nuts.  My family doesn't like them.  
2.  I used nonfat plain yogurt.  
3.  I used the 1 cup of chocolate chips that the recipe calls for.
4.  I wanted to cut down the fat. So, I went to the Food Substitution Bible (cool book) and looked for the better for you substitution.  I decided to substitute 1/4 cup butter and 1/4 cup apple butter for the 1/2 cup butter.
5.  I also happen to use fresh ground wheat flour, so I have to add 2 extra Tbsp. per cup in recipes, so in this recipe I put in 1 + 1/8 cup fresh milled wheat flour.


For a coffee cake, this recipe is very low in fat.  Normally coffee cakes are loaded with butter or oil.  I dropped a piece off at my neighbor's house and she only took one bite before setting it down--thinking it was horrible for her because it tasted so good.  Not so!  It is pretty good for you, tastes very rich, and is decidedly yummy!  So, if you're looking for a way to use your bananas, this would be a good fit!

Training Up My Children... And Myself

I have realized that I am often just getting through the days and working as hard as I can for as long as I can and then I shut down for a few hours in the afternoon.  But, this isn't the best way for me or our family.

Some time this summer, I picked up a book for a quarter called Confessions of a Happily Organized Family by Deniece Schofield.  It was published over 25 years ago--in 1984.  But, the first chapter still rings true.  Here are a few quotes from pg. 8 "Organization, and even cleanliness, is a means to an end.  In and of itself, it's worthless.  The object of efficient home management is to do the right job right...moderation is the key to successful home management...Pay attention to the messages that you're sending to your family.  don't ever give them the impression that the house is more important than they are."  Later, she talks about goal setting.  It is our goals that set our priorities and what we choose to do with our time.  When we procrastinate our time is still getting spent, but that time is getting stolen from something else.

These thoughts gave me pause--particularly a story who got hit by a car and was concerned that her mom would be upset because her clothes were torn.  There are times when I get upset by little things and I don't want my kids to remember me that way.  What goals are guiding my decisions when I overreact?  What am I considering to be the most important things in those moments?

As a Christian, I have always just accepted the goal of glorifying God as the assumed goal.  But, I don't think I've articulated that in practical terms for what I want for my children.  This is my working list that I'm beginning right now:

1)  I hope my children will grow up knowing and loving the Lord.
2)  I want my children to feel unconditionally loved--as much as I am imperfectly able to do that.
3)  I want my children to feel safe and comfortable in our home.
4)  I want my children to feel a sense of order and discipline about their lives--that they might glorify God by taking care of their bodies, hearts, and minds.  That they might not be entrapped by the struggles of selfishness and laziness.  As the quote above says--I desire this in moderation, not in a legalistic way.
5)  I want my children to feel grateful  for what they have and not to feel entitled to life being easy or to have everything they want when they want it.

There are a few things that I see in our culture that grieve me.  One thing that many friends of mine are struggling with is the entitlement mentality that has stolen into our children's minds and hearts.  Many books have been written about how to cultivate a hearts of gratefulness in our children.  Earlier this year, I read a book titled Growing Grateful Kids by Susie Larson.  I enjoyed the book and it was challenging to me.  The author repeatedly said that we cannot give our children something that we ourselves do not have.  For each of the five goals above, I cannot give these things to my children if I do not have or am not seeking them myself.

Another thought that has been nagging at me is that my children are at an age where they need to start doing more.  I commented to my pastor's wife, Jenny, last Sunday that I admire how her boys all have jobs to do when they arrive at church Sunday morning.  I want my girls and my little boy to learn how to see what needs to be done and then to go do it.  Starting this Sunday, I'm going to teach them how to set up our little church nursery.  I think they can do it.  But, talking to her made me realize that I need my kids to learn how to do more all around.  I carry in all the groceries, do all the laundry, take care of all the cooking, cleaning, etc.  There have been many reasons over the past few years why I've done everything, but the biggest of reasons is that my girls are little.  Autumn is a head shorter than girls her age and Sami's 2 inches shorter than her.  But, they're bigger now and more coordinated and I realize that it's time.  It's time for them to help more and it's time for me to start letting them!

In Confessions of a Happily Organized Family, Ms. Schofield identifies six reasons why we don't delegate to our families.  from pg. 91...
"1.  It's easier to do it myself.
2.  I get the job done the way I want it done, if I do it myself.
3.  I don't have time to work at the kids' speed.
4.  I don't have time to train the help.
5.  Actually, I don't mind the housework.
6.  I hate to nag."

It's number 6 that is the trap for me.  Someone told me in her book about the lies women believe, Nancy Leigh DeMoss writes about how we tell ourselves that we can do everything--and even that we must do everything!  This is the trap I fall into.  It kind of lumps 1-6 in all together.  I also won't tell my children or my husband (who I ask, not tell) to do something more than once before I just go do it.

But, I'm doing such a disservice to both my husband and children by doing this.  I'm even doing a disservice to myself.  It's not best for anyone!  So, my new resolve, along with updating my Mom's Home Journal which I started earlier this year (and I'll write about next post) is to take the time to remind my children and teach them.  So far, I have to be honest, I am finding I have less time.  It takes more time to remind them, but I am trying to keep my goals in mind--my long term goals and not just my short term ones like getting dinner on the table.  I know those short term ones are important too, but I need to balance them and make good choices with the little time I have.

Food Substitutions

During my senior year in college, I was the weekend cook at my sorority.  It was a great little job and I remember one of my friends teasing me pretty badly when I had actually made the corn bread according to the recipe.  She knew that I had a penchant for changing any recipe I started with.  Fortunately, the food I cooked always tended to turn out pretty good.  I never heard any complaints from the gals I cooked for.  At the time, the internet was just in its baby stages of development, so there wasn't any way I could have searched for food substitutions when I needed them.  I just used my own experiences cooking as my base for ideas.

When I was just out of college, I found a little food substitution book, Substituting Ingredients, in an out of the way used book store in rural Colorado.  I was so thrilled!  I'd found a book to go to when I found myself in a jam missing a spice, tomato paste, or an egg.   That was thirteen years ago and I've used that book for all this time.  This year I discovered that an updated edition had been published.  A few months back, I posted a review for this book.  http://makingthingsstretch.blogspot.com/2010/08/books-that-save-us-money.html

Although it was a big improvement over the older edition I had, I realized that there were so many things that were still missing!  There were so many substitutions that I went looking for regularly and still couldn't find in the book.  One of the prominent ones was for wine.  So, I began a search for another cookbook of this type that would be more helpful in all the cooking I do.

In my search, I came across two books that I reviewed recently: How to Break an Egg and How to Squeeze a Lemon, both published by Taunton Press.  These books were more tip oriented.  The substitution sections at the end of the books were tiny and only as helpful as the chart that's on the inside cover of many basic cookbooks on my shelf.  The tips were fun to read, but I realized my search needed to go on.  Please forgive the song allusion, but I still hadn't found what I was looking for.

What I wanted was a thorough substitution book that covered both the basics and the out of the way, unusual ingredients.  But, I also wanted it to be formatted well.  Formatting, I've discovered, makes a huge difference when you're pressed for time and trying to find an emergency substitution.  Your fingers have to be able to flip through the book and your eyes have to find the page you're looking for in a few seconds.  Formatting truly makes all the difference in the world when it comes to this kind of cookbook.

It was the formatting that I felt needed improvement in the two books of cooking tips which I reviewed.  Substituting Ingredients solution to the formatting was to make a small book with small type, less words, and more spacing.  For people who only do basic cooking, that cookbook is probably the way to go.

But, for those of us who love to cook or just simply cook a lot, I finally found a book that I think hits the mark!  It's the second edition of

The Food Substitutions Bible 

by David Joiachim  

The title was actually a bit off-putting to me because the Holy Bible is very important to me and I've noticed a trend to use the word "Bible" in the title of various books over the past few years.  You can laugh at me because it was actually the title that caused me to overlook this book many times over the past few years as I was searching for a better food substitution cookbook.  Now I wish I hadn't waited so long to pick up this book!

The first time I opened up this book it was hard to put down.  I expected to find a very dry, boring book of substitutions.  Please don't get me wrong.  I was just expecting information that was only useful, not information that was engaging and interesting as well.  This book drew me and my husband in with its funny stories and interesting tidbits of information.  For example, I had no idea that "Saanen, a Swiss cheese of amazing longevity, sometimes edible for 200 years.  Traditionally, a child's birth is commemorated with an individual saanen cheese.  Tiny pieces are consumed on special occasions during the person's lifetime.  In some cases, the cheese outlives the person." p. 481  Other notes are helpful to explain things I've always wondered about.  Savory is a spice I've come across over the years in various recipes and have puzzled about.  It is "known in parts of Europe as the bean herb because its pleasant spicy nature benefits beans, peas, and lentils.  Summer savory is milder and the spiky leaves are more tender than those of winter savory." p. 496  Under the substitution section for savory, several good alternatives that are on my shelf were listed--thyme, rosemary, and safe.

This book is hefty at 696 pages.  But, the heft is worth it.  This book doesn't sacrifice meat for size the way Substituting Ingredients and other books I've seen recently do.  The type is very readable.  The formatting is excellent--all of my complaints I've had with other cookbooks this year about formatting are null and void when it comes to this book.  The book is arranged in alphabetical order with several helpful ingredient and measurement guides at the end.  I would suggest using some tabs to mark the guide pages at the end that you tend to use a lot, then you will be able to flip to them quickly.

The ingredients in this book range from things you use every day to that strange spice you once saw in a Middle Eastern cookbook named Za'tar.  Even "egg scissors" are explained.  The irony was that we just had soft boiled eggs last week--it would have been helpful to know about egg scissors then! I was particularly curious about this book after I read a negative review of it that complained of its listing of ingredients you'll never use.  Now, although you might never use many of these ingredients, you never know.  I wish I had known the substitution for Golden Syrup a few months ago when I bought a bottle of it for a specific recipe.  I had no idea that the substitution of light corn syrup or maple syrup (both of which were in my cupboard) would have been quite easy.

But, the true test of a substitution cookbook is whether they will work.  I looked up many substitutions I've been using faithfully in my cooking over the years and they are in there.  The ratios of things I use are also there.  The charts of similar ingredients like flours, apples, and chiles also agree with all that I've read and discovered cooking over the years.

There is only one thing missing that I've discovered so far--which I didn't expect to find.  The author assumes that people only use store bought whole wheat flour.  I know I'm one of those unusual people that grinds their own grain at home.  The substitution I've discovered is 1 1/8- 1 1/4 cup fresh ground whole wheat flour to 1 cup of store bought whole wheat flour.

If there are substitutions you use regulary, make yourself a cheat sheet or use sticky notes to tab the pages you turn to a lot.  There is a lot of information in this book and it will take up a bit of space on your shelf, but my feeling is--it's worth it!  If you happened to get a little money as a Christmas gift and you're trying to figure out what to get, this book would be a keeper.  It's going to have a permanent place on my shelf for many years.

My compliments to the chef--this is a great cookbook!

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from The Lisa Ekus Group.

Kitchen Gadgets and Appliances

Kitchen appliances are funny things.  For many of us, we have the same ones that our parents had when we were kids.  For me, it was my Kitchenaid that I saved up for when I was 20 because I couldn't imagine making cookies without it.  I was living on next to nothing, but the kitchenaid was worth saving for!  We also add a few along the way, like our grain mill and coffee grinder.  Sometimes the appliances we get end up on our counters and sometimes they end up in the garage.  I remember one gal who had a quesadilla maker and I always wondered where she found room to store it.  She probably wondered the same thing about my rice cooker!

On my counters are quite a lot of appliances, considering the small space we have.  Our Bunn coffee maker (which I love!) sits on one small section, a large knife block on another section and in the largest section is a round container with utensils, my Vitamix, the grain mill, and the coffee grinder.  Our miniature microwave is on a kitchen cart around the corner from the coffee maker.  The 2 slice toaster is in the cupboard, but it comes out easily enough as does my rice cooker.  Our kitchenaid mixer sits on our kitchen island.  I used to have 2 crockpots, one large and one small.  The small one's knob got broken by my youngest son over a year ago, so I finally got rid of it a month ago and am now down to just the large one.  My zojirushi bread machine actually sits on a shelf on my book shelf in the space between the living room and dining room.  I suppose that sounds like a lot of appliances, but I use them all! 

I have tried to simplify over the years.  My vitamix replaced my food processor and my blender.  I also thought about getting a grind and brew, but if one part of it breaks, the whole machine is done for.  Our coffee maker died two years ago, but our grinder has been going strong for four or five years now.  Kitchenaids aren't really made to handle wheat dough, so I can't get around having a bread machine either.  No simplifying  possible there.

I bought two gadgets in the spring that I really thought I wanted and sadly, I've used one of them once and the other not at all.  I am so surprised by this, so I wanted to share about them.  They are a deep fryer and a Cuisinart ice cream machine.

The deep fryer has not been used.  At all.  What happened was that this summer I learned how to be a better fry cook with my cast iron pan with deep sides.  It's less to store and less to clean.  The other day we pulled the fryer out with the intention of using for the first time when we realized that deep fryers are really made for refrying precooked items!  If you use raw potatoes for french fries you have to double fry them for quite along and it is not a simple process, either.  It involves soaking the potatoes in water for a time, frying them, letting them sit for a period of time, and then frying them again.  Wow!  But, frozen french fries are only fried for a few minutes and then will be done.  The realization of this was quite discouraging to me.  I had purchased it with the intention of being healthier by choosing to fry foods at home when the craving hits instead of eating them out.  I will still do that, but likely in my cast iron pan.  So, if you're local to me (you know who you are) and would like a new deep fryer, please just let me know.  It's truly brand new and has never been used.

The second appliance I still have hope for.  It's the Cuisinart ice cream maker.  I made it once and the kids loved it, but I have to have the right ingredients on hand and be able to get everything out.  The cylinder also has to have been frozen, which means a lot of space in my freezer is needed.  For a few months, it just felt like one more thing.  As much as I love to cook, by the end of the day, I'm whooped!  I don't want to do any more cooking and that's the time that would be most appropriate for making ice cream during the summer.  I do still have hope that maybe next summer will get into a routine and start making it regularly, but we'll see.

Pancake Molds

If you're ever tempted to buy those appealing looking pancake shape molds, don't.  I'd recommend spending the money on some good cookie cutters instead.

I have several of these from one of my sweet aunts.  I've sprayed them with cooking spray and put them with my cast iron pan with pancake batter poured into them several times.  No luck.  What I've discovered though, which appeases my children, is using those same forms as "pancake" cutters once the round pancakes are cooked.  The kids still get a duck, bunny, snowman, or Santa and they're pleased.  


But, if you don't have such molds, don't buy them.  Just use the cookie cutters you already have at home for making sugar cookies or gingerbread cookies.  Save the pancakes you cut the shapes out of.  I cut them off to the side and then distribute them among their plates.


I think this is one of those make lemonade out of lemons kind of things!  I think the saying goes, "When life gives you lemons, make some lemonade!"  That's how I feel about many things.  If it doesn't quite work, then figure out something else to do with it or another way to make it work.  Pancake molds are just one of those things!

The Best Fried Chicken

Back in June I posted a recipe for Fish and Chips aka Fried Chicken in our house.  I also mentioned at the time that you can use the same recipe for chicken.


Over the past few months, I've made that recipe several times alternately for Fish, serving it with Tartar Sauce, and Chicken, serving it with BBQ sauce.  When I make the recipe using fish, I typically use Tilapia or an inexpensive thin white fish.  I do cut the fillets to the size of fish sticks/strips that I want.  With the flour coating, it is better to cut the fillets.  It makes a better serving size for children and adults.


When I use the recipe for Chicken, I use chicken breasts and slice it into strips, again whatever size my family prefers.  I would recommend adding seasoning to the flour.  I love the Montreal Chicken seasoning, so I add a good sprinkling of that to the flour before I begin the coating process.  But, add whatever spices you like and add them to taste.  One last trick that I've found over time is that I use a slotted spoon to flip the pieces over in the frying process--not tongs.  I've tried tongs and then tend to tear the coating off.  If I use a spoon instead, I'm able to gently flip them over.  


So, here's a revised copy of the recipe I posted back in June...


Fill your pan with about 3/4-1" canola oil and heat over med high heat until you can sprinkle a little water on it and it pops.  You don't want your oil to be too hot because the coating can cook too quickly and not cook the chicken or fish inside.  But, if it's not hot enough, the oil will simply soak into the fish or chicken.  That's the best way I can think of to describe it.  Once the oil has gotten hot enough, you can turn it down a little to keep it at a good steady heat.


Dip the strips of white fish or chicken in 3/4 c. buttermilk (regular milk also works just fine) and 1 egg mixture, then dip in flour (w/whatever seasoning you want or just salt and pepper).  Then REPEAT!  Egg once more and flour again.  Heat oil in deep skillet and fry.  The coating sticks =)  Yahoo!  And it's awesome.   Cook 3-5 minutes on a side.  The order is what is key.  Because you end with the flour, it keeps from sticking to the bottom if there's enough oil in the pan.  (But do keep an eye on it when you first put it in so that the pieces aren't on top of each other and they have space--not a ton, but enough so that they aren't touching and that you can turn them over)

Sometimes I fry it in a cast iron chicken fryer pan that I bought at a garage sale last week and it works great.  The sides are about 4 inches.  Otherwise I use my deep dish cast iron skillet, whose sides are about 2" tall.   It was like a deep dish skillet.  


Serve fish with lemon wedges and tartar sauce (mayonaise, pickle relish, and lemon juice all mixed to taste) and chicken with BBQ sauce, ketchup, or whatever sauce your family loves!

I was quite skeptical of how well it would fry before I did it, but the flour on the outside keeps it from sticking to the skillet or the other pieces.  It was amazing!  I've fried a lot of things over the past 10 years and I've had a horrible time with sticking.  I do suspect the nonstick cast iron pans help too =)

Paring Knives

Kuhn Rikon Knife Set

My paring knives were dying so I finally threw them several of them away.  All I had left were 2 Kuhn Rikon knives with the sleeves that I bought 2 or 3 months ago at BJs for $10.  One is serrated and the other is a regular blade.  With this recent purge of my knives, I knew I needed to replace them.  I lean on my paring knives for most things.  I can throw them in the dishwasher, which I can't do with my nice set of knives.  They are decent at cutting.  They aren't as good as a $30 Henkel, but definitely as good as the inexpensive Forschner or Henkel paring knife set that Target carries (which has several impractical knives)  I've had them for a few months now and they're just as sharp as they started out.

So, here's the comparison shopping for them:
Amazon $8.96 per paring knife, $12 for the serrated one, or $24.36 for the set of 2 that I bought at BJ's
Kitchen and Co., a local store: $15 for the set
BJ's:  Still $10 for the pair.  The current set is pink and purple though instead of the former yellow and green set that I bought.  My girls were thrilled with the colors!

I bought a set at Kitchen and Co. and was thankful the price was less than on Amazon.  And today I bought another set at BJ's.  Sometimes I really go through knives--especially if my husband is cooking with me.

What I actually like most about these knives is that they come with a handy sleeve to go over the blade.  A few months ago, my youngest started opening up the knife drawer!  EEK!  I was scared, so I moved the knives to a basket on a shelf.  The new problem?  Me reaching into the basket with open blades!  So, knives with covers has been a great solution to saving my fingers.