Wanna Try That Wednesday!

Image credit:Little Birdie Secrets

-- Jasmine loves dresses and with summer just around the corner, I think some of these vintage pillowcase dresses are just perfect for her.

Image credit: Life on hackberry road

-- My kid love pepperoni, I mean they pretty much inhale the stuff, so when I saw this recipe for making your own pepperoni on Life on Hackberry Road, I just knew I had to give it a try....can't wait.

Image credit: Wise Bread

-- I love canning jars, I usually have a ton just hanging out in one of the kitchen cabinets and I use them for all sorts of things, but I didn't realize there were so many more great uses, so thank you Wise Bread for such a great post Sanity Saving Ideas for Canning Jars.

Image credit: The Crepes of Wrath

-- Orange Cream Cupcakes....going on my list to make next week.




-- I love reading and especially late at night, in bed. I think these Bedside Pockets are just what I need, can't wait to make some.

Image credit: CraftyPod

-- My kids would love me forever if I made them one of these Super Hero books....how neat is that?

Image credit: Marie Cooks Britain

-- Marie's Scones....Oh yes...even though I'm the only one that likes scones in my household, but that don't matter, I'm making these really soon.

Hodgepodge Post!

For lack of a better title.

I'm sure you're all wondering what happened at the school. I took the kids in today and then stopped and talked to Jasmine's teacher, I asked her to get the girl who was being the bully and the two of us, plus the girl and Jasmine stood outside the classroom talking.

The girl started by denying doing anything but quickly changed her tune when the teacher told her that I was not going to stand for bullying and I had enough. She did admit to doing and saying some things and was warned to stop it immediately. By the end she was in tears but I think she got the message that what she is doing is wrong and not acceptable. I left feeling a LOT better, I'm not going to completely forget about it, I'll definitely be on my toes and ready to step in again should things resume or escalate.

Thank you all for the wonderful comments and words of encouragement, and for the prayers, those were definitely answered.

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I'm so sore right now....I just moved to Level 2 of the 30 Day Shred and oh my word....OUCH! For the first time in my life I actually felt sick to my stomach and had to stop, but you know what? I'm seeing the changes, my body is getting really firm and tight and my clothes are starting to become baggy.

Some of you were wondering what exercise I was talking about. It's the 30 Day Shred by Jillian Michaels from Biggest Loser. She is TOUGH people, really tough but it works.

So if you're looking for a good workout that actually shows results....go for it, but come back and let me know ok?

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Now let me show you something that.....well.....honestly I don't even know what to say LOL

Ok so it's bedtime and I go and tuck Jasmine into bed, as I head to close her closet, I feel something rub up against my leg and I quickly pull back, I look down and see what I thought was wire. My first thought was "why is there a piece of wire sticking out from behind the dollhouse?"

I turn the light on and what I saw was this:

What do you think? It's like the light playing tricks on your eyes isn't it?

I mean, I NEVER in my life have seen something like this LOL We have grass growing through the walls people.....grass, or weeds, or whatever the heck it is, it just doesn't belong there.

I am calling Housing Maintenance tomorrow morning and having them come out and fix it. How ever they are going to do it, I am not sure LOL

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This past weekend, while daddy played with the kids, I was able to take all the laundry into my bedroom, throw it all on the bed and while I folded and separated it, I popped in a couple of movies.

My wonderful family allowed me to spend hours, which honestly, I didn't even realize until I came out at 5pm to start dinner.

But let me tell you about the movies, oh the movies....you all know how much I love the 1800's and the Victorian and Edwardian Eras.

The first movie I watched was The Duchess. It was based on a true story about the Duchess of Devonshire, which to me makes it even more enjoyable, there's something great about a movie that is not only well acted but historically informative.

Then I popped in Atonement...little did I know that Keira Knightley would be the main actress in this movie too. I'm a little split on this one, it was a good movie but some of the things going on really irritated me, and since I don't want to ruin it for those that haven't watched it, that's all I'll say.

Next came Dresden which I had received from Netflix. Oh my goodness, I LOVED this one. Again another wonderful movie based on the bombings of Dresden in 1945 and the love between a German girl and a British Fighter Pilot.

And last but not least....Australia. Another really good movie and again based on history. Of course Hugh Jackman as the lead man makes the movie very interesting indeed LOL Loved it.

So there you have it, just some great movies that you may all enjoy.

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Now I'm off to finish my grocery list for tomorrow and post the Menu plan on my food blog.

It's getting to that time of the day, washing dinner dishes, rounding up homework, picking up around the house, baths and book reading and all that fun stuff before getting into our warm beds and getting some much needed sleep.

Have a blessed night everyone!

I am SO upset right now!

I literally could feel myself wanting to spit nails.

I'm about to rant and rave and I thought about not doing it here, but this is my blog and I'm entitled to say what I feel.

I'm usually a calm person and it takes a lot, and I mean A LOT to get me going, but if there's one thing that is off limits with me, is my children.

Let me start by saying that I've talked about the kid's school before and I've talked about how I don't want to be "that" mother. You know, the one that is constantly bugging the teachers, or the one that complains every time another child looks at one of my kids sideways.

But there comes a time when you need to say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH and you need to take action.

I've always taught my children to be respectful, to stand up for themselves and to mind their manners. I know that school is tough, we've all been through it and we know that there is bullying and injustices done daily, but when I start feeling that the teachers are not doing their job in protecting my children, then the mother bear comes out, claws drawn and ready for a fight.

Last week I told you all about the girl in Jasmine's class and the problem we had with her. Well since that same week, one of the sisters of another girl in Jasmine's class, has been bullying and picking on my daughter and her friend.

This girl is in fifth grade and comes around with her friends at recess, yells at them, picks on them, tells them the spot their sitting in is their spot. She went as far as throwing grass in Jasmine's friends hair and physically pushing Jasmine. After speaking to my daughter she said that they had brought it up to their teacher and she had informed them that she would be talking to the other girl's teacher....I chose not to get involved, but I warned her that if this continued, I would step in.

Needless to say, she came home from school upset because the girl was bullying them again, throwing half eaten celery at them and in their faces.

Now I ask you, when is enough is enough for you? Would you let it go or would you put your foot down and say "that's it".

Because that is what I did. Unfortunately the duty teachers who are supposed to be out there during recess are choosing to stay in ONE area and not going around checking on everyone. Ridiculous!

I've already emailed the teacher and told her that I'm putting a stop to this today. She will either take care of it tomorrow or I will take it straight to the principal and the authorities. I'm at the point where I am sick and tired of seeing my daughter and her friend coming home upset and broken down.

I trust the school to take care of my children, I send them off EVERY morning with the confidence that while I'm not there, someone else is looking out for them, but it's sad when you hear about how much bullying goes unnoticed in schools and how much is being let go because the child is "having some issues" or "going through some changes".

We all go through changes and we all have issues, very serious issues in our lives, is it ok for us to start going around bullying our neighbors and members of the community? Should I just start walking around chewing on celery and throwing it at people that walk by because I'M HAVING A BAD DAY?

NO, it's not alright and it's not ok and I for one am determined to do my best to stop some of these injustices, it may just start with my daughter and her friend, but I think that in the long run, I may just be protecting another innocent girl or boy from being bullied by this same group of girls who seem to think that they're entitled to this behavior.

Do I blame the parents? I don't know them, I don't know what they do at home or what kind of life they have. DoI think they need to be made aware of what is going on? Absolutely!
If my daughter was doing this at school, even with all the lessons I am teaching her at home, I would want to know, I would actually "expect" the school to contact me.

I'm just tired, sick and tired of this. It frustrates me to no end when I hear statements such as "No Tolerance" when all I'm seeing is otherwise. It's pushing me to seriously consider home schooling, but then on the other hand, I don't want the bullies to win, it's scary the way that public schools have become and I think as parents we need to be completely involved and aware of what is going on.

I ask you this? Have you talked to your children lately? Have you asked them, really asked them, what is going on at school?

I'm done venting and ranting, but I leave you with one question and please feel free to be honest. Am I overreacting or do any of you out there feel exactly the same way that I do?

Let's talk, let's let it all out, I would love to hear from other parents who are dealing with bullying against their children.

Spring Giveaway Winner!

Thank you to all who entered the giveaway, if I had known that the crochet goodies would be so popular, I would have given more away a LONG time ago. :)

Unfortunately there can only be one winner.

I had Jasmine help pick a winner, we wrote all the names down on paper and put them into a box, she then drew a winner and that person is:


Crystal at Be The Change You Want To See

Happy Homemaker Monday

On my bedside table:
Crochet wash cloth that I'm making,
A love Woven True - Great book


On my TV:
Appaloosa
Paranormal State


On the menu for tonight:
Ham and Potato Casserole


On my To Do List:
Change kids bed linens
Put laundry away
Dust
Wash all the windows in the house


New Recipe I tried last week:
Crockpot Salsa Chicken - SO good, I'm glad I tried it.


In the craft basket:
Crochet Dish and Wash cloths
More crochet eggs and donuts, cupcakes etc


Looking forward to:
Finishing my 10 days of Level 1 of the 30 Day Shred. It's hard but I've kept to it and I'm noticing a huge change in my body...love it.


Homemaking Tip for this week:
If you want a great online calendar that incorporates chores as well, check out Cozi. It's a great site.


Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
I didn't get much blog reading done last week, so I'll leave this one empty today.


Favorite photo from last week:

Lesson learned the past few days:
Enjoy every single second you have with your children, they grow too fast, you're not going to get a second chance to do it over, so make every minute count.
With Nicholas turning 6 years old this last Saturday and Jasmine about to turn 10 years old, I'm reminded of how quickly time flies and how much I want to cherish every moment.


On my Prayer List:
My family
My husband and children



Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:

So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy), but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2: 5

Happy Easter!

Matthew 28:1-10

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."


I still can't read that verse without tears forming in my eyes, it is truly powerful isn't it?

It's Easter morning, the egg hunt has been completed, though it was inside this year because of the rain and the wet grass out back.

I have a beautiful spiral ham cooking away in the slow cooker, I also have a cheesy potato casserole in the other slow cooker, the scents in the house are drool worthy right now.

Here in a few minutes we'll start decorating Easter Eggs and while the kids do that, I'll be making deviled eggs out of the other half a dozen.

I have to say, I love Easter, I love the quietness of the day and the feelings and emotions it evokes in me, the way my mind is constantly reminded of the Lord's Resurrection and what it signifies for us.

So my dear friends, I am going to go and enjoy this day, I hope you're all having a blessed time with your families.

Happy Easter!

Happy Birthday Nicholas!

Six years ago, this precious bundle came into the world....little did we know the amount of joy and fun he would bring into our daily lives.

We are so extremely blessed to have him and I thank the Lord everyday.

Being your parents has been one of the greatest gifts in our life. We love the way you smile, the way you laugh at yourself, the way you persevere through any obstacles thrown your way and the way you show us everyday just how intelligent you are.

We love playing games with you and reading books, seeing the world through your eyes which turns even the darkest and saddest moment into one of the happiest. Your ability to indirectly show us just how precious life is.



We hope you continue to grow into the amazing young man you are becoming.

Happy Birthday sweet boy.....or should I say Little Man! Where has the time gone, I feel like just yesterday I was rocking him to sleep and now, here we are, about to finish Kindergarten and start First Grade in a few months.


All I know is that I will do everything in my power to cherish every single second I have with my handsome son.

Watching the Storms roll in...

I love thunderstorms, I love the clouds dark and gray and the scent of the rain before it starts pitter pattering down.


We have storms on the way, the wind is howling outside, the clouds are rolling in and I'm eagerly anticipating the rhythmic sound of the drops on my roof.


I'm off to cuddle in bed with a good book and crocheted afghan. What are YOU doing tonight?

I'm glad it's friday!

Not much has been going on here, other than the fact that I woke up yesterday morning feeling so sick, stomach cramps and nauseated etc. Thankfully the stomach thing seems to have gone but I still feel like I have to throw up all the time. Hopefully it goes away soon.

Even though I felt awful today, I spent the afternoon in the kitchen, baking. 48 cupcakes!


It's our little man's birthday tomorrow, I can't believe he's turning 6 years old, where did my little baby go? So, I made 24 cupcakes for him to take to school this morning and then another 24 for us at home, it's only fair right?

The kids got to decorate them which was a huge help for me. Tomorrow will be a full day of celebration, it will start with a special breakfast of Pumpkin Pancakes which Nicholas loves, opening presents and then we'll be doing whatever the little man wants to.

We have this tradition on birthdays, the kids get to pick whatever they want to do, within the realm of possibility of course, they pick what they want to eat for dinner, what kind of cake mommy bakes (I've ALWAYS baked their cakes, since their first birthday) and whatever activities we do.

So this is what he wants:

• Pizza from Pizza Hut
• Play Rock Band with the family
• Play Super Mario Party 8 with the family
• Play GI Joe's with daddy and sister
• Go to the park

No birthday party, no big hoopla. Just a day of fun "6 year old" style. It makes me smile because it's so simple but yet it's the things that he loves and make him happy, and that's what we want.

I snapped some pics of the kids yesterday, they were wearing their new t-shirts from the Kruger National Park, and they wanted to show Tita. Excuse me while I switch to Portuguese for a second LOL

Nela, aqui estao os miudos com as t-shirts que envias-te. Adoraram e vestiram logo no mesmo dia para a escola. Beijocas!




We're gearing up for Easter on Sunday, I'm going to do a little Egg Hunt here at home as it seems we'll be getting rain this weekend. We'll also decorate eggs and enjoy a delicious Mustard Glazed Ham and a lot more yummy goodness.

But for me, the best part is watching Jesus of Nazareth. I watch it every single year and it never gets old, it always warms my heart and it always brings tears to my eyes. It also makes me think of home and my childhood, that's how long I've been enjoying this amazing movie.

You can catch it on Sunday the 12th at 7:00 pm on the TBN channel.

Oh and before I forget, here is a cute link to share with your kids. From Precious Moments, The Resurrection Story told by Katie Bennet. It's so sweet :)



I'm off, I am still not 100% and sitting here on the computer is starting to give me a headache. I'll leave you with a link to last night's dinner which unfortunately I was unable to enjoy....but the kids and Curt loved it. Crockpot Salsa Chicken....YUM!

Slow Cooking Thursday

I apologize for posting this so late, I have some sort of stomach bug going on and was not well at all this morning....I'm finally able to get up and around. Hope you understand :)

EDIT: I'm so sorry, I left out the name of the recipe....I'm adding it now!


Don't forget to add your name to Mr Linky and a link back to your SCT post so others can come by and see your recipe too.

As always, share your slow cooking recipes but if you REALLY REALLY don't have one and still want to participate, then you can share any kind of recipe.

Credit: Simplemom.net

Crockpot Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup oil
3 cups water
12 ounces cooked sausage links, sliced
1/2 cups diced cooked chicken (from my weekly roast chicken)
2 cups sliced okra or 10-ounce package frozen okra
1 cup onion, diced (about 1 large)
1/2 cup green pepper, diced
1/2 cup celery, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. ground red pepper
3 cups hot cooked rice

To make the roux, stir together oil and flour in a medium saucepan until smooth. Cook over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium; cook and stir constantly about 15 minutes more until it’s a dark, reddish-brown color. Cool.

Place water in a Crock Pot and add roux; stir. Add sausage, chicken, okra, onion, pepper, celery, garlic, salt, black pepper, and red pepper. Cover and cook on low heat for 6-7 hours, or on high heat for 3 hours. Skim off the fat, and serve over rice.