Crafty Girls

Hello, all!  I have some things to share, so let's get started.

1. We moved Curlyjo back into the same bedroom as Tiny Love in order to make room in our tiny house for a "craft room."  This room will eliminate the need for cleaning up the sewing project at the end of every craft session, as our home is just too cramped for leaving the machine and everything out.  Now we have a solution!  Thanks for the idea Flip Floppin' Mamma!

The sewing table.

Couponing/blogging table.

Craft table for little hands.

There is also another table for cutting out patterns, scrapbooking, etc.

Thank you to the Husband, also, for giving us this wonderful early Christmas gift!

Tiny Love's side of the room.  She claims that she now sleeps better because she is by the wall. 

Interesting.

Curlyjo's side of the room.  She claims she sleeps better because she is not alone. 

So sweet!

2.  Daisy Dog is adjusting to life without Chins Monroe, who has succumbed to his cancer and is at peace now.  We miss him terribly. 



Poor Daisy...she just doesn't understand.

3.  I have been cooking lots of yummy stuff.  Case in point:

So yummy!  Thanks for the idea, Country Simplicity!

4.  My house is getting cleaned on a much better schedule, thanks to an awesome little website. 

Great post, Time-Warp Wife!

5.  Homeschooling is also going really well lately.  I am growing more disciplined with our routine, and feel very encouraged by the products and ideas at the Vision Forum. 

6.  I could not express how much I am being blessed by studying the Bible every Tuesday afternoon with a sweet, wise, and godly woman. 

Thanks, friends at Living Door!

Make sure you check out the links above.  They will introduce you to people who have enriched my life with their creativity, friendship, encouragement, and provision.

Have a great day!

Menu Plan Monday

For more menu ideas, visit orgjunkie.com

Moving is (mostly) behind us now, and we are so happy to be in our home again! 

Today is our first day of school here at the Campbell Homeschool.  I will post "First Day of School" photos tomorrow. 

Here is what our menu looks like for the week.  Brother, you may want to review this and see what nights you will be joining us for dinner...my guess is the nights that include beef.

Monday:  Beef Stew, Whole Wheat Beer Bread (see you later, Brother)

Tuesday:  Italian Chicken Sandwiches, Fresh veggies with Ranch

Wednesday:  Potato and Ham Rosti, Salad, Multigrain bread

Thursday:  Pasta with bacon and peas, salad

Friday:  Homemade Pizza, veggies

Saturday:  Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Tomato soup

Sunday:  Leftovers

Now, a little peek inside my cozy castle:

I don't know what the deal is with the weird lighting in this photo, but you get the idea.  Just picture it without the jaundiced look.  See that lump on the ottoman?

Kitty Friend would have just been livid. 

My kitchen:

Cheerful, no?

I even commemorated the move by buying myself some flowers.  Because, why not? 

Men, you should check out Aldi for all your flower needs.  Cheap and so cute.

Have a great day!

Cookies So Good, Your Teeth Fall Out

I baked cookies on Saturday, and the recipe made the most delicious Chocolate Chip Cookies EVER. 

I sent some over to each of my sisters' houses to welcome them home from their mission trip to El Salvador. 

And to keep myself from eating the whole batch by myself. 

Sharing is good for everyone.

Smitten Kitchen's recipe!  Go here to get it.

Now, don't eat too many, or your teeth might fall out. 

Take it from someone who has endured a sugar-induced tooth loss:

Someone who doesn't consume sugar like the favored form of addictive stimulants, and she still lost a tooth last week (ah, rites of passage, how I love you for letting me think Curlyjo is still just a little girl):

Here, Curlyjo, I will let you have the last cookie.

Too slow, girl. 

Maybe next time.

Menu Plan Monday...and a Request

When I do a menu plan, I almost always end up improvising at some point in the week.  Things just never go quite as planned!  So, I have decided to tweak the way that I menu plan a little.  I made a list of five meals (leaving one night for leftovers and one for simple food), and I grocery shopped accordingly.  Now I have a list of meals that I can make with what I have on hand this week. 

Dinners:
1.  Hamburgers/veggie burgers on whole wheat buns, oven fries, zucchini
2.  Quiche, bread, and fruit
3.  Chicken wreath and salad
4.  Crock pot BBQ chicken, macaroni and cheese, frozen or fresh veggie
5.  Garden Minestrone and Whole Wheat Beer Bread

Other things to make this week (for breakfast/lunch/snacks):
1.  High Protein Whole Wheat Bread (also from the More with Less cookbook--it is amazing!)
2.  Granola Bars
3.  Tuna salad

If you don't have a copy of the More with Less cookbook, I highly recommend it and its philosophy on cooking and eating.

And now, on a more somber note, I have a request.  I don't know what the rules are about praying for pets, but if you could keep my Kitty Friend in your thoughts, I would appreciate it greatly. 

She is very ill, on IV fluids, waiting to gather enough strength for surgery.  They think she may have a tumor in her abdomen, and she has lost thirty percent of her body weight in just two weeks.  She is weak, and I am not sure she will do well in surgery, or that they will be able to do anything for her.  She has been my friend for thirteen years, and my heart is just breaking that it may be time to let her go.  Remember us today.  I am aware that she is an animal, not a person, but I think God cares about ALL of my tears, and there have been many today from my beloved Kitty Friend.  If nothing else, I pray He will comfort me...and her.

Couponing Link

Coupon users are making the news!  This news link has great information, and proves that couponing is all the rage! 

photo source

Tina's Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

Those yummy cookies in the picture?  Those are the creation of a genius:  Tina @ Carrots & Cake.  I have made them many times, and they are as delicious as they look!  Even non-vegans and healthy-food-haters think they are wonderful! 
Give them a try.  And check out Tina's blog for more great recipes.
Thanks, Tina!

Recipe: here.

Scripture Memorization Tip!

Part of our home schooling curriculum is to memorize scripture.  I found an excellent tip for making it and easy, quick part of our day that really works!  Click the link below to start doing this today, whether you home school or not!

Simply Charlotte Mason:  Scripture Memory Box

John Piper: Make War

I am a huge fan of John Piper.  This is a short, powerful sermon that is just amazing.

Take some time to look at it...then go make war on your "stuff."

Click here.