10 Things to Remember About This Week

Middle child Spencer got the first pin at the first wrestling meet in his school's history. He was super excited.

In just 10 days my little Sophia's managed to pick up strep AND the stomach flu!

I "speed socialized" (youth activity) for the first time last night, and it was awesome. I learned 99.9% of teenage boys' favorite color is blue (imagine that) but I'm the only person, when stuck on a deserted island, who would choose chap stick as their must have item.... the others would all bring a boat.

We did not hand out Halloween candy on Sunday, and heard a disappointed kid scream "Spencer!!!" when he read the note on our door. I guess he thought we were big time party poopers. It was funny.

I've been given the opportunity to FINALLY pull out my embroidery machine to help a friend. I love this friend. She's one of the very best.

I had car troubles for the first time in a lot of years, and am so grateful for that.... the trouble free years, not the repairs. We have an old van that smells like, well, old van/football gear/feet and occasionally rotten banana peel or apple core that gets "lost" under a seat, etc. but is completely paid off. This is such a blessing and I was reminded of that when I didn't have the old thing around for two days.

Elections, tea party, national debt, economy etc.

We've had the best weather of the year this week and it makes me so happy. I'm a little obsessed with weather, but now that we have an irrigation system, maybe I can focus on something a little less geriatric.

I ordered some winter boots a few days ago. I've had the same big black rubber boots, that I love btw, for about 6 or 7 years. They're awesome but a little hard to walk in because they weigh something like 30 lbs. So these new ones are my favorite early birthday present... so far. Optimism.

I showed up at a birthday party 24 hours late and it WASN'T the most embarrassing thing I did that day.

It's NOT Just Me

I'm somewhat notorious for being a curmudgeon when it comes time for school fundraisers. I'm not the most eloquent either, so when people inevitably ask me why I'm not a school fundraiser team player, my explanation usually sounds something like this, "Because they're a big fat waste of time and I hate them." BAM. I've had PTO members actually turn their backs on me during meetings because I didn't think hiring a DJ at a 5th grade graduation was worth peddling horrendously overpriced wrapping paper to my elderly neighbors and friends, who typically, are trying to sell me the same junk for their kid's school/sport of choice. There's got to be a better way!!!

So when I read this article written by Sarah Lorge Butler for CBS MoneyWatch.com, I thought EUREKA, a kindred spirit!

"Last week I unzipped my daughter’s backpack and found a catalog for Yankee Candle. That same night I heard from a friend in Seattle, seeking guidance on pricing items she was required to donate to a silent auction for her daughter’s school. The next day, a friend in Connecticut e-mailed, selling chocolate bars for her child’s preschool.
It’s a fact of life, I’m learning quickly, that schools have to fundraise. Early and often. Public school, private school - it doesn’t matter. Budgets are tight. Families of preschoolers are not exempt.

But it’s time for parents and principals to wise up. Because there are effective fundraisers, which benefit schools and raise a lot of money with little work. And there are terrible sales schemes, which raise some money for schools, but do more to pad the bottom line of the companies marketing cheap goods. Katherine Wertheim, CFRE, a professional fundraiser in Ventura, California, spelled it out for me here.

Buyer Beware:

Restaurant fundraisers: Eat at this Friendly’s or that California Pizza Kitchen between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., and your school will earn 15% of sales! “That means that for the school to earn one dollar, you have to spend roughly seven,” Wertheim points out. “People should sit down and do the math.” On a $35 bill, the school earns $5.25. The only time it makes sense is if you were going to eat out anyway.

Product sales: Popcorn, wrapping paper, cookie dough, pasta or candles. The school might get half of the sales. So a parent has to spend $23 for a Yankee Candle for the school to receive $11.50. Why not just write a check for $23 to the school?
What’s worse, many of these companies visit the school and pull the kids out of class for a “presentation” detailing the prizes kids can win if they’re top sellers. Wertheim once bought $42 worth of gift wrap from a boy raising money for a school trip. “I asked him what he needed it for, and he couldn’t articulate why they were going on the trip and what it cost,” she remembers. “But he could beautifully articulate how much wrapping paper he needed to sell to get special bonuses from the company. I’d rather write a $25 check straight to the school.”

Silent auctions: Take care if you’re buying items to donate to the auction, because the average item gathers two-thirds of its retail value. If you spend $120 on wine for an auction, as Wertheim once did, and the highest bidder pays $80, you’d be better off donating $80 straight to the school.

Fundraisers Worth Trying:

Walkathons: At least the kids are getting some exercise. And 100% of the pledges they collect go to the schools.
Scrip: If you’re going to be buying groceries or gas anyway, might as well have a small percentage of that purchase benefit the school. Programs vary, the easiest ones allow you to register your credit cards and loyalty cards to track your purchases.
Just Ask: Businesses might be interested in paying to hang a sign on the baseball field fence; they’ll consider it an advertising expense. Approach local service clubs with a well-reasoned pitch for why the school needs money. You might be surprised how easily you get a $500 or $1,000 donation for the school. While you’re asking, teach kids how to make the fundraising case too, and have them write thank you notes.

Bottom Line...
Parents unite! Here’s Wertheim’s take: “I think the parents need to go to principals and say, ‘There will be no more product sales to our children, and no more catalogs. Tell us what you need and make the case why you need it. We will make the case to other people why we need it. We don’t mind walkathons, but you are not going to have our students taken out of class to view a presentation by a corporation that is going to make at least 50% on the dollar from kids selling their schlocky products.’”

So I'm not saying schools shouldn't raise money period, but there are smarter, more efficient ways of doing it. I also completely disagree with the reward assemblies idea and excluding children who don't sell from parties and other activities, but that's a whole other blog post.

Have I successfully alienated all of my friends? Maybe?

Yes or No?

I've been wanting to stencil a cool pattern on an accent wall in my dining room, but I can't decide what to do. My pretty friend Sarah M. gave me some plastic sheets months ago to cut out a pattern on, so I'm ready to do this thing!.... I think.

What do you think about a modern geometric pattern like this zigzag? I really like it, but I don't know.

I could also do a floral or damask pattern. Damask was my original choice, but I'm afraid it'll look too stuffy.

So, yes or no to stenciling, or a particular pattern... what do you think?

Maybe I should go super Martha and do a faux bois pattern? That wouldn't be a stencil project though, and I really don't want to buy anymore craft supplies.

More Family Tree Fun

I'm scrambling to find a legitimate Personal Progress project. As previously mentioned, I am not so great at doing any kind of genealogy work... so, it seems right, and quite possibly a sign from above that I keep spotting all of these new and fun ideas for family trees. Of course in order to make one of these bad boys I would have to do actual research and figure out all of the who's and whens and all of that. That's the most important part I guess.

I really like this one.

Talking Heads - "Once In A Lifetime"

Who (over 30) doesn't feel like this sometimes? It's just one of those mornings.... rainy days and Mondays.

Ooooh, Aaaah, Ohhhhh

I'm just about ready to start decorating a couple of bedrooms and have been, as always, looking for some inspiration! I got a giant dose earlier today when blog surfing on Design Sponge. My favorite is this bottom room with the trellis wallpaper and black and white curtains. This is exactly the color palette I've been looking for, for my girls' room. Love it! Not too babyish, but still bright and cheery.

Canadian Thanksgiving

I forgot all about Canadian Thanksgiving until the other day, and just now, when I read Andrew Richie's blog (aka. Canada's #1 Martha fan). I've always liked Canadians, with their accents and Quebec City (on my list of must go and see)... plus, all of my Canadian friends have been really cool as well. So, I did a little research to learn a little more about the how's and why's and what's of Canadian Thanksgiving. Here's what I found on Wikepedia:





Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day (Canadian French: Jour de l'Action de grâce), occurring on the second Monday in October (since 1959), is an annual Canadian holiday to give thanks at the close of the harvest season. Although the original act of Parliament references God and the holiday is celebrated in churches, the holiday is also celebrated in a secular manner.
On January 31, 1957, the Canadian Parliament proclaimed:


“A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed … to be observed on the 2nd Monday in October.”


Canadian Thanksgiving coincides with Columbus Day in the United States and the Dia de la Raza in most of Latin America. As a liturgical festival, Thanksgiving corresponds to the English and continental-European Harvest festival, with churches decorated with cornucopias, pumpkins, corn, wheat sheaves, and other harvest bounty, English and European harvest hymns sung on the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend, and scriptural selections drawn from biblical stories relating to the Jewish harvest festival of Sukkot.[citation needed]


While the actual Thanksgiving holiday is on a Monday, Canadians might eat their Thanksgiving meal on any day of the three-day weekend, though Sunday and Monday are the most common. While Thanksgiving is usually celebrated with a large family meal, it is also often a time for weekend getaways. The Thanksgiving weekend, given that it invariably falls at the very end of the summer, is traditionally a perfect time to put away the patio furniture, close the cottage and pull the boat up, thus getting ready for the long cold winter.

It's a lot like American Thanksgiving, only in October. I think it's kind of better because they get can get their Christmas decorations up lickety split after Halloween, and leave them up for a long time too!

So the next time you're talking to our "brothers from Canadian mothers" on the second Monday of October, you can confidently wish them a Happy Thanksgiving, or "Heureux d'action de grâces" and maybe even answer a little trivia. Fancy! I would just say Happy Thanksgiving though because whenever I try to speak a foreign language to a person from whatever foreign country, they 1. act like I'm hurting their ears and 2. get all uppity and condescending about it. Even my Korean language Rosetta Stone program! "SANDOOWICHEE", OK?????!!!

Falltastic Giveaway

Go to:

http://fromanigloo.blogspot.com/2010/10/bright-street-giveaway.html

for an awesome giveaway! Bright Street Design is giving away a beautifully repurposed/ redesigned piece. This dark blue sweater is my favorite! I really hope I win, but you should still enter if you want to I guess.

Really Tasty Biscotti and Hot Cocoa for Dipping

I've been experimenting with different biscotti recipes lately (I don't know why) and have found the most delicious combination of crispy, sweet, nutty and rich. It's pretty easy, but be warned, it makes a TON! Here's the recipe...

Biscotti:

12 ounces butter (4 sticks)
1 3/4 cups white sugar
6 eggs
2 teaspoon anise extract
1 teaspoons vanilla extract
6 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 C sliced almonds (I'm going to try pistachios next time)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F ( 165 degrees C ).
In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together. Add eggs one at a time; beat until fluffy. Stir in the anise and vanilla extracts. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt; Add them to the egg mixture along with the chopped almonds. Beat on medium speed for a few minutes, scraping the bowl.
Divide the dough into 4 parts. Roll each piece into a log about 15 inches long. Place logs onto cookie sheets, 2 to a sheet, the long way. Flatten the logs out until they are about 3 inches wide with a slight hump going down the middle. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, loaves should be firm. Let cool for a few minutes. Cut the loaves into diagonal slices 1/2 inch wide, place the slices onto the cookie sheets and return to the oven. Toast on one side, then turn them over to do the other side. This will take about 7 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.

AND, if you need a tasty cocoa recipe for the fall and winter, this one is fool proof!!!

Hot Cocoa:

1 (14 ounce) can EAGLE BRAND® Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt

3 cups whole milk
3 cups boiling hot water

Directions:
In large saucepan over medium heat, combine sweetened condensed milk, cocoa, vanilla and salt; mix well. Slowly stir in water (mix well) and then milk. Heat through, stirring occasionally. Do not boil. Store covered in refrigerator.

Biscotti can be made with other things too, like craisins or added cocoa for chocolate biscotti. One of my favorites is biscotti dipped in or topped with melted chocolate. White chocolate macadamia would be delicious!!!

Mod Nursery

Jenny at http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2010/09/tobys-nursery-part-1.html has posted part 1 of a client's nursery redo. I love everything from the sailboat mobile to the hand painted pull down shade (she painted it herself, btw). I also love the long, flowy curtains and the little picture gallery above the crib.

She'll have part 2 posted soon, but for step by step instructions of what you see now, check out her blog at the link above. She's an awesome decorator!

Under Pressure

This is a great song to wake up to.

Free Template and a GREAT Idea

This is another great little project from Lori's "Be Different Act Normal" craft blog. It's two different treat baskets made out of patterned card stock. This is perfect for Visiting Teaching and so easy. You can change the card stock to coordinate with different seasons/holidays and other than the teeniest bit of ribbon, that's all you need!

Ooooh, you can also make a matching card and envelope!

Here's the link... http://thenshemade.blogspot.com/2010/09/tiskit-tasket-little-green-paper-basket.html

... party favors filled with candy as well? The possibilities!

What Do You Do?

What do you do when you're so angry you feel like your head might explode? Count to 10?????,.... walk away..... run for 5 minutes.... sing a hymn.... punch someone in the face...... seriously, WHAT DO YOU DO?!

Cool Quilts

I'm trying to decide on a quilt pattern for my girls' beds. I made yellow duvet covers for them the other day and am now looking for "non-matching" bedding at Grace's request. She's a double digit and does NOT want to have the same pattern or fabric as her little sister and I don't blame her.

So I've been searching for some modern quilt patterns and have found quite a few really pretty ones. The problem is, I don't have a lot of time, so cutting out tiny little individual squares or strips or whatever just doesn't appeal to me. It's definitely not my season for that!

Here are a few less time consuming patterns I've found recently...

Sarah Richardson's quilts are very charming, but not too country. I love how graphic and colorful they are. Happy colors too!

This zig zag pattern is from mmmcraft blog and is actually a duvet she's making for her daughter. This is a great way of using extra fabric or fat quarters. It's beautiful!!!

The bookshelf quilt is so cool isn't it?! Stacey H. sent me a link to Urban Patchwork a while back and I checked out her blog. All of her quilts are amazing! I don't think this would be hard to recreate or even applique bookends or pictures on the shelves. Such a great pattern!

This pattern looks neither simple nor quick, but it's lovely isn't it?!

Maybe for a pillow or doily? Ugh, maybe not... still too ambitious.

Quick and Easy Solutions

There are few things that give me more pleasure than finding a solution to a problem that will take less than 5 minutes and almost no effort!

Rather than make a bed skirt, why not put a fitted sheet on your box spring and call it a day? I always use white sheets.

Who doesn't have mismatched towels? Try attaching coordinating ribbon that will magically transform this hodgepodge into an eclectic, "I did it on purpose" set.

This is by far my favorite quick and easy (and cheap) decorating solution. I made a giant message board for my hall and can display cards, pictures and whatever, rotating it all easily throughout the year. Here are Martha's directions...

Pretty and practical, our ribbon board has been keeping work spaces clean since it was introduced -- and keeping party invitations, postcards, and photographs organized and easy to spot. The board can be made from Homosote fiberboard, available at lumber yards. Have it cut to size. Pull linen taut around front and sides of board, and staple it to back, securing two opposite sides first, then the other two. Be creative in arranging ribbons in a pattern on the surface. (The pattern at left is modeled after a garden trellis.) Use upholstery tacks to secure ribbons. Tuck your cards behind the ribbon; you'll need few, if any pushpins. Screw a picture hanger to the back, and hang the board on the wall.
From Martha Stewart Living, January 2001

Happy Fall Y'all

"Autumn is almost here, the first day of fall 2010 is officially weeks away; and depending on where you live in the U.S. and Canada it can feel like an autumn breeze is blowing (Vancouver) or like the high heat of summer like is for people in New York City. Officially, summer does not end until September 22 which marks the first day of fall 2010 at 11:09 EST. The September equinox is also known as the Autumnal Equinox. 'The sun crosses the celestial equator and moves southward in the northern hemisphere during the September equinox. The location on the earth where the sun is directly overhead at solar noon is known as the subsolar point. The subsolar point occurs on the equator during the September equinox and March equinox.'
Source: timeanddate.com"

So right, it's not fall yet, but I'm ready now.

Fall is such a lovely time of year in Tennessee and for the first time in months I'm excited about cooking again. Even with air conditioning you feel gross when it's 102 degrees outside and completly unmotivated to turn on anything that would make the air hotter or more humid! I especially love fall recipes, like breads, soups and PIES and was aghast the other day when half my YW didn't know what a chess pie was. WHAT!!!! How can you live in Tennessee and not eat chess pie? Well, this needs to be and will be addressed and I'm just the Amerikorean to do it. I make the best chess pie this side of the DMZ.

Here's a yummy recipe for you all to try if you'd like.

CHESS PIE from allrecipes.com

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
2 cups white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 eggs
1 tablespoon cornmeal
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
1 (9 inch) unbaked pie shell

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
In a large bowl, mix the butter, sugar and vanilla together. Mix in the eggs, then stir in the cornmeal, evaporated milk and vinegar until smooth.
Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven, then reduce heat to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) for 40 minutes. Let cool. Cut and top servings with whipped cream. You will think you have died and gone to heaven.

There are many different variations so I didn't post my own recipe which is for a buttermilk chess pie. I wanted to go for something more traditional. You can also make a lemon chess or chocolate chess pie. Those are both delicious as well!

Depeche Mode - Somebody

I was in a music rut yesterday and wanted to find something I hadn't listened to in a long time. I found an old Depeche Mode cd and thought, why not? The kids, however, were horrified by the synth, and said it sounded like something from a Japanamation movie. They're probably right. BUT, WHEN THIS SONG CAME ON, it was like the weird feeling slapped me across the face and left me speechless. Aaaaah, Depeche Mode.... holy cow. I told the kids to shut it while memories of my teenage years in Germany came rushing back. Going to the lake wearing our mood lip balm and Burger King chicken nuggets we paid for with money we bummed off the commissary baggers and walking around downtown Frankfurt and eating Japanese noodles and Hanau High School and sucking at soccer, and tucking our shirts into our jeans pockets, and talking about our intense crushes and crying over heartbreaks etc... I miss my old friends and you know what, I miss being a carefree teenager sometimes. It didn't seem carefree at the time though. Funny.

Things I Learned Last Week

Grilled London broil, yes grilled, is MUCH better with caprese salad than canned corn.

Life is better when it's cooler outside.

If you're chopping jalapenos, wash your hands before rubbing your eye. (thanks dad)

Like morning sickness, PMS can strike at any time.

Cotton shrinks, so that grey and black tshirt isn't flattering anymore.

Some teenagers are clueless, CLUELESS... and no, I'm not talking about my own or any of my youth.

Morning prayer and scripture study are key to managing my anxiety.

Talking and chopping don't mix well.

My posture is terrible. I've actually known that for a long time, but now I'm starting to feel it.

Tegan and Sara

Scott and I took Oliver and a friend to a concert a couple of weeks ago. One of the opening bands was a young group called Tegan and Sara from Montreal, Canada. Loved them! The were way better than the other bands including the headliner, plus they're identical twins which makes them all the more lovable.

http://teganandsara.com/

Flea Market Fever

I've got the fever and I've had it bad for a long time. I know it's weird, but I can't help it. When I find something that Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware recreates, sitting in a tag sale for a quarter of the price or less, my hands get sweaty and my head gets light. It's magic.

Over the years, I've found some real treasures! Here are a few of my favorite things...

This 1942 lithograph I found framed and matted for 19.99 at Goodwill. I love Goodwill, don't you?



These cute little 1950's era roosters are so cute. I couldn't resist them at 7 dollars for the pair!

I also found the French armoire at a flea market in Tongren, Belgium years ago. It's cool because it folds down flat like a puzzle. The two prints were also flea market finds, matted and framed, 18 buckaroonies!

I keep my quilting fabric in this hutch from the "Peddler's Mall" in Kentucky. It was so cheap and crusty, I didn't feel badly about putting nails in the sides and hanging my quilting rulers where I could get to them easily. Another reason I love second hand... you don't feel anxious about doing whatever you want to make it your own. The inside holds a ton of fabric. My dad thinks it's ugly, but who cares what he thinks.

Occasionally my husband gets into it, like when he found this lovely antique recliner at a junk store for 50 bucks! It's got a brass rod in the back that moves up and down to adjust the position.

Grace's dresser is falling apart, so I've been on the lookout for a replacement. I found this Edwardian "gentleman's butler" a couple of weeks ago. It still has the original labels on the shelves for very British things like, "pyjamas" and "sundries". It smells like moth balls still, so I haven't actually put her clothes in it. All part of the game!

A cheapo bookshelf from a thrift store has been most useful upstairs for keeping bedtime books organized and handy. I did have to paint this one because it had stains all over it.

This rolling desk was just too cute to pass by. The only thing I had to do was repair the leg. I've used it as a desk, a small kitchen island, and now an entry way table. The print above it was bought in Kahl, Germany for 15 Deutsch marks = about 8 dollars at the time. It was my very first flea market find!

And if I had to choose one more of my favorites, it would be this little table. Nothing special really, it just fit perfectly in that spot and cost next to nothing. It also came with that finish.

I'm not posting this to brag about my fabulous finds, but to help anyone looking for inspiration on a budget. Keep in mind it takes a lot of looking to find one treasure, but it's worth it. I have so many fun memories when I look at these things too like, hauling around babies in front packs and strollers at 6 in the morning with other Army wives.... dragging our stuff behind us, exhausted and exhilarated! Bartering when I didn't have the money to actually purchase with cash! Walking my kids at various indoor flea markets when it was raining because I couldn't stand having them in the house for ONE MORE MINUTE. Using vinegar and baking soda to get the "old people/house" smell out of furniture. Fun stuff like that. It's a challenge to decorate a house, especially when money is tight but it makes it fun when it turns into sport!

If any of you like junk shopping as well, call me. I'm so there.

PS. I also love IKEA, can you tell?