Study Time

Since moving into this house I have had some fun ideas that I have been just waiting to put into place in the basement. I actually had a friend come over, who by the way is a great decorator, to help with what to do with the basement. And just when we thought we might get things started, we got water....   Well now that things have all dried up, it only took 3 years! We have done the work, with that I needed to have an area to put the computer, and even a work area for the kids to draw, color, or even do homework.   With the suggestion of using a door, I knew it would be perfect! Here's how I did it:

1. To start I went to the local Habitat for Humanity Restore and purchased a door. I chose a smooth interior door, that measured 24" across. I wanted it to be wide enough for work room and for the computer.
    
2. Next, I took was sanding it, I wanted to make sure the surface wasn't too smooth so the paint wouldn't adhere.
3. Then, I painted it black. I only painted what I was using for the top, one long edge, and one short edge (only the ones that would be showing) I ended up doing 2 coats to make sure I had a nice even coat of paint. *what you need to paint will depend on what all you need to paint
4. Once it dried my husband and I attached the table legs that I purchased at Lowes. I painted those black as well. I put both legs on one end, and am using my file cabinet on the other end for the legs.
 

Here is what the final project looks like:  

{Please excuse all the cords...the hubby is working on that!!}   It has truly been perfect!! We have a nice desk to work at as well as keep our items filed and in a proper place. I LOVE how it is working out and will soon be adding a cork/magnet board above it as well.

Challenges

I know its been awhile...and I have as of late been using this blog to do more crafts and recipes rather then sharing how our family is dealing with the everyday of a child who is unique in her own way.   Some days...things are great! She is happy, cheerful, helpful and hasn't a care in the world. Then there are the days when things are not so cheerful, there is crying, screaming, and sometimes things get physical.   Now while most days are good ones, we seem to hit a bunch in a row that are not so good. One thing we have learned in all this is that timing is everything...if we keep the meds right on track then we are usually okay (not always). Another thing we have learned is once she has gone down the path of no control...there is no heading back, you have to wait out the storm. Sometimes its short...sometimes its long. Most the time its frustrating.   I love her unconditionally and wouldn't trade her in for the world. I just sometimes wish I could make it all stop, that my mom was here just as a sounding board, and that I could do more for Em. I know we are doing the best we can and have made some HUGE changes for the good, with doctors and meds. But she will always be on this journey and as a mom and a fixer...I just want to take that away.     Another school year is approaching and I know we are going to have a great year, it may have its challenges, but its going to be great!  

Sweet!!

I am always on the lookout for fun new desserts I can bring to different outings. A few weeks ago we had a family reunion and I needed to bring a dessert...so I went to find some inspiration on Pinterest!   I came across a recipe for cinnamon pita chips...mmmm they sounded delish and what better to put with them then a tasty fruit salsa!!

 

Cinnamon Pita Chips

 

10 flour tortillas (8 inches)

1/4 cup butter, melted

1/3 cup sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. Brush tortillas with butter; cut each into eight wedges.
2. Combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over tortillas.
3. Place on ungreased baking sheets.
4. Bake at 350° for 5-10 minutes or just until crisp

Now as for the fruit salsa....I followed a Pinterest recipe, but between my husband and I, and even some other family members we decided it was just missing something and didn't quite work. I don't know what it was for sure. I am now determined to find one that I do like or even make a apple topping for the next batch of cinnamon pita chips!!

 

(My kids thought they were great so they will be made soon and they also found an idea for pita chip nachos...guess what we are trying this week??)

 

Ruffles

I LOVE that my daughter has finally taken some interest in her girly side!! It has seemed to grow in the last couple years too!!! (Best part is she is a HUGE sports fan too, so she is a perfect mix!!)

I absolutely LOVE ruffles....on pants, shirts, dresses, skirts, home decor, you name it I think you can put ruffles on it! So of course when I saw this ruffle skirt I just knew I had to give it a try!! Even better that it is made with t-shirt scraps so it is low budget!

Ruffle Mania Skirt

Supplies:

• tshirts ( I worked with 4 adult and 2 smaller kids sized)
• thread
• scissors
• elastic

1. To begin you will need to make a base for your skirt. I used a sz medium adult tshirt and cut off the arms and sewed the openings closed. Depending on the length you like you may be able to skip that step.

2. Your next step will be to cut strips out of the tshirts. I cut mine about 2" in width, but depending on how wide you want your ruffles you can cut them wider or thinner.

{Here is my collection of tshirts, I mixed colors and patterns}

3. Next you will need to ruffle your tshirt strips. (Here is a link to a tutorial if you are unfamiliar with ruffling, see kate sew)

4.The next step for me was to layout my ruffles...mixing the solid with the print. I also at this point drew lines on my skirt so that my ruffles would be lined and would be evenly spaced and straight on the skirt.

5. I now began sewing my ruffles on one at a time. This took some time and be sure to make them go all the way around the skirt, varying where the each begins that gives you the mixed up look. You can also make your ruffles longer so they go all the way around without mixing on each layer. Be sure to leave about 2-3" to make the waist band.

6. To do my top waist band...I sorta imporvised by cutting a strip to cover the top of my base skirt. I did this since my base shirt actually had a design on it, but if yours is plain you won't need to do this. For the waist band, fold over the top of the of the base skirt and sew, leaving a 2" opening to put in the elastic. I cut the elastic between 2-3" smaller then the waist measurement that way its comfortable.

7. To add the elastic, sew in one spot along the waistband. I chose what would be the side. Next, put a safety pin at the other end of the elastic and move it through the waistband. Once you have it all the way around sew the end to the other end.

8. Wear and enjoy! Here is my final project! I just LOVE how it turned out and so does my daughter, now it's time to make one for me!!

{Please excuse the strings....I forgot to go back and take another pic!!}

Old School Turned New School

My kids are kinda obsessed with having things in cupcake/muffin shape and when I can make it happen its twice as nice!! So when looking for a weight watcher friendly recipe the other night I came across these Cheesy Pot Pie Muffins...mmmm!!
I made sure I had all the ingredients, and then got to work. I will say this, they are super easy, and pretty quick too!! Don't reheat perfectly, but are still delicious on day 2!

Ingredients:
- 1 can of reduced fat biscuits (10 count)

- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, diced
- 1 (10 1/2 ounce) can reduced-fat cream of chicken soup
- 2/3 cup shredded low-fat cheddar cheese
- 1 cup of frozen mixed veggies
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

  

  Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Separate biscuits and place each biscuit in a cup of a lightly greased 12-hole muffin pan, pressing dough up sides to edge of cup.

3. In a medium bowl, combine chicken, chicken soup, veggies, cheddar cheese, onion powder, parsley flakes, and black pepper. Mix well to combine.
4. Evenly spoon chicken mixture into prepared biscuit cups.
5. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

6. Remove from oven. Place muffin pan on a wire rack and let set for 2-3 minutes. Serve at once.

These are perfect quick summer meal or for those cold winter nights. My hubby gave them 2 thumbs up as did my kids! YEAH!! Score for another WW fun meal!!

Next up...tacos or lasagna cups....

Back in the Saddle Again!

My entire life has been a weight roller coaster...mostly up, but there have been a few downs. I've tried every diet imaginable and told myself I was going to do....I've even posted here saying I was going to do it.
Well today as I was hunting through Pinterest briefly (yeah right!!) I found this incredibly inspiring blog post http://abyerly.blogspot.com/2012/03/weight-loss.html it really put things in perspective and brought a tear to my eye...Her ideas while not incredibly unique are what just might be what I need.
I don't want to be the mom who won't play with her kids...or fears going in public because of how she looks, or wonders what her kids think of her weight, or worries that her husband will find her a little less disireable.

I want to be confident, enjoy shopping for myself, FEEL good, and as cheesy as it might be get a bathing suit on clearance cause they have my size and its under $20! (For those of you less knowledgable about plus-size, bathing suits even on clearance are $50 or more!)

Here are some of her ideas that I put to work:

• Goal Chart-I started with 1lb less than I am now...and counted down to my goal weight. Every lb I lose..I get to cross it off! I plan to keep it posted in the bathroom. And yes others may see it, but that is okay...I'm working on it!

• Reward Chart-This is one thing she really has right! For every certain number of lbs I lose I will be rewarded! The more I lose...the BIGGER the reward! I really need to keep myself focused. This will be posted on the fridge, that way when I go for a snack...I can see it!

I am working to put together my reward chart. I'll post pictures soon!

BTW...down 3lbs!!!!