February 2012
Amazing Grace: My Story {Part 1}
The story I am about to share with you does not come without a lot of thought and prayer. For quite some time I have felt God pressing on my heart to share my story. I have, for the most part, resisted. Oh I’ve shared a snippet here and there, but never really just laid it all out on the table. To be honest, making myself that vulnerable has been far too scary. This past weekend at Blissdom one of the challenges was to write not just what I think my readers want to hear, but the things I have been too afraid to write. It frankly scares me to death ... read more
Dahlia Sugar Cookies {Tutorial}
Oh what a difference a year can make. Last year was my first Blissdom, and to be quite honest, I was terrified. I am not a natural extrovert so walking into a conference full of 700 women I didn’t know was about as appealing as pouring lemon juice into a paper cut. In the past 12 months, I have learned a lot about putting myself out there, and while it still doesn’t come naturally, I have found it is not quite so hard for me anymore. Of course it also helped that I was getting to see lots of people I already knew. It also helped that this year I ... read more
homemade zucchini bread {stockpile meals}
I am in Nashville this weekend having SO much fun meeting lots of fabulous bloggers at Blissdom, but I wanted to share this recipe that I made last week. I was so excited when I opened my Worden Farm Box last week and discovered 4 delicious looking zucchini way down at the bottom of the box. It was the perfect excuse to make a big batch of homemade zucchini bread, something I’ve wanting to do for months! Homemade Zucchini Bread 4 medium zucchini 4 cups all-purpose flour 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour 1 tablespoon baking soda 1 tablespoon baking powder 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon 8 eggs 1 1/2 cups ... read more
Let’s Not Be Mean Girls {How Not to Be a Bully}
This past weekend my daughters were playing with a few of their friends. All seemed fine until out of the blue, right in front of me, Princess and another girl banded together against a younger girl and sassily told her she acts like a baby and they weren’t going to be friends with her anymore. The younger girl, predictably, burst into tears and ran sobbing to her mom, while the 2 older girls and I had a serious talk about how we treat our friends and what it means to be a bully. But I was shaken. My daughter, a bully? Are the days of innocence over already? This ... read more
10 fun & easy activities to do with kids {& kid activity link-up}
Happy Presidents Day! I’ve got both girls home for the 5th day in a row and I realized this morning that if I didn’t come up a plan fast it was going to be a very rough day. So I poked around on Pinterest as well as some of my favorite blogs and even on some of my own past posts and came up with 10 great ideas for fun and easy activities. I’m sure we won’t get to most of them today, but I can’t WAIT to try them! 1. Painted Alphabet Rocks from Mama Tita 2. Everything Cookies from Living Well Spending Less 3. Kids Questionnaire from Daffodil ... read more
Easy Vegetarian Goulash {Recipe}
My wonderful sister gets all the credit for this major family-pleaser! She has been making a meaty version of this recipe for years–it is her family’s absolute favorite meal–and I finally got her to share it with me! My whole family went crazy for it too, so of I’m doing the only logical thing and sharing this vegetarian version with all of you. Thanks Beth! This is one of those go-to recipes that is pretty much impossible to screw up, and you can modify it to fit whatever you happen to have on hand. I happened to have a lot of absolutely gorgeous fresh tomatoes on hand from our Worden ... read more
Why I Make My Bed {10 Reasons I Keep My House Clean}
A couple of months ago, when I launched ProjectSimplify365.com, I posted a list of “simple rules” that I wanted my family to live by. Funnily enough, the one thing people commented on more than any other was a line I honestly hadn’t thought twice about including: Make your bed every day. (Get the free download here) Is this a novel concept? I am slightly obsessive about making our bed each morning. I also try (though some days are more successful than others) to spend an hour “Speed Cleaning” the rest of my house. Until I posted the above list, it never even occurred to me that it might be considered odd. ... read more
Valentine’s Day Cake Pops {DiY}
For the past few years I’ve made sugar cookies for Valentine’s Day and this year I really wanted to do something new. Then I stumbled across Bakerella’s Cake Pop Book and discovered a whole new obsession. I think if I could do nothing but make cake pops for the rest of my life, I would be a happy, happy girl. They are SO fun to make! The are pretty easy too, so if you are still looking for a fun treat to make with your kids for Valentine’s Day tomorrow, hurry on over to Jo-Anns or Michaels for some candy coating and lollipop sticks & get busy. Supplies Needed: 1 ... read more
Cheesy Cream of Broccoli Soup {Recipe}
First of all, I just have to say a huge thank you to all of you for being so incredibly sweet and encouraging and well, just plain wonderful in response to Wedneday’s post. I was overwhelmed and deeply touched by all your kind comments. You guys are the best and after a few days of wallowing, I am feeling much better. So mwah! But now, on to happier things (like soup!) There is nothing better than a big bowl of homemade soup, especially one full of good wholesome ingredients like fresh locally grown organic broccoli from Worden Farm, butter and heavy cream and cheese and….did I mention butter? Lots of ... read more
Everyone Gets the Same 24 Hours
I’ve been feeling a little down on myself lately. I’d like to think I’m a pretty positive person in general, but every once in a while I will be overcome by feelings of inadequacy. I start comparing myself to others and nitpicking all of my own flaws and suddenly the list of all the things I should be doing but am not seems insurmountable, and all I really want to do is abandon my responsibilities, crawl into bed, pull the covers over my head, and have a good long cry. All by myself. I love writing this blog but at times like this I have a hard time coming ... read more
paper cone wreath {valentine’s day DiY}
I stumbled across this gorgeous paper cone wreath a few months ago and have been wanting to make one of my own ever since. Then, last month, when I was cleaning out my craft closet, I discovered several sheets of dual sided Valentine’s Day scrapbook paper (from last year’s projects), as well as a 12″ foam wreath form, and I figured the craft gods were sending me a message: Valentine’s Day Paper Cone Wreath! With no instructions to follow, I just made it up as I went along. It wasn’t at all difficult but I’m not going to lie: it was very time-consuming! I probably spent at least 8-10 hours, ... read more
Roasted Eggplant & Chickpea Dip {Recipe}
I love all things Mediterranean, especially hummus, but I have always been slightly nervous to make my own. A few of my friends assured me that it was super easy but for some reason it always just seemed so complicated. Well, now that I have made it I can honestly tell you that it is NOT complicated at all. It is so easy. So cheap. So yummy! All you really need to make hummus is a can of chickpeas, some garlic, salt, & some olive oil–the rest of the ingredients are completely optional. I personally think adding the roasted eggplant adds a great texture and depth of flavor, but you ... read more
Be My {frugal} Valentine: 15 Perfect Valentine’s Day Gifts Under $15 {2012}
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, which means it is time for the Annual LWSL Valentine’s Day Gift List! I have found some awesome goodies for you this year–it is amazing what you can find for under $15 when you really start to look. As with all gifts, of course, it is the thought that counts, and I think all of the gifts on this list will show your special someones you were thinking of them! Gifts for Him: 1. Braided Leather Bracelet-This beautiful, er, I mean handsome braided leather and stainless-steel bracelet not only has awesome reviews, it is on sale for 71% off the list price of $49.95. ... read more
