texaus momma!

There's a first for everything....

2011-06-07T13:12:00.000-07:00

...and today I dyed some clothes! I've never tried it before, but had a denim skirt that was too faded and an white kid's t-shirt that was stained a little. So, I went to Hobby Lobby and bought some RIT dye (I know there are much better out there, but it was readily available!), and did it in the washing machine! Scary I know...it' looks like they have turned out great though, and before I bleach the washing machine, I'm going to throw in some bamboo diapers and dye them purple!

To clean the machine, I'm going to run a load of white towels and bleach through...if they come out white, we should be safe! (Just to make sure, I'll likely run dark loads through first after the whites)

I did cheat a little...it said to dissolve the dye in 2 cups of water first, then add...I just filled 2 inches of hot water in the machine then stirred in the dye, wet the shirt under the hot water filling the machine, and let it go. I did wet the skirt in the sink as the washing machine quit filling before I was ready ;). I also was supposed to let it agitate for 30 mins, but my sweet daughter turned off my timer for me, and I forgot to reset the machine before it drained and rinsed...OOPS! My fault. But I had dumped in the whole package of dye so I think it still worked!

Fun experiment, hope the diapers are just as fun!

G'day!

2011-06-06T09:02:00.000-07:00

Well, today I feel like, well...JUNK! Combine the last two nights of getting about 4 or 5 hrs. of sleep, with 3 or 4 out of my 5 kiddos paying me visits throughout the night, and throw in a head cold...let's just say I don't have much to give today. Which means??? You pull out the big guns and offer to pay your kids to clean the house, and wash the dirty clothes, and mop the floors and well, just do EVERYTHING!!!! It helps that they are all madly saving for Ipods ;)....so they can earn, and I can rest...sort of...in theory anyway...

Funnily enough, it makes me want to be creative...which makes me want to organise my sewing corner... I would love to totally redo it one day. Right now, it is just a corner in my bedroom.... I'd love to do a giant armoir look along one wall of my room where I can hide it away when it's a mess, but go crazy when creativity strikes :)...right now it's just a mess LOL Maybe I'll post pics when I start organising?

I have been somewhat creative lately, I bought a pattern for Ellie, to make her some dresses...speaking of her, she needs a diaper change...anyone want to earn 25 cents???? rofl...

Wow, so long...

2011-03-04T14:39:00.000-08:00

...since I have posted! I had no idea it had been so long! I guess that's what happens when life is busy! We had a sickly winter with literally 2 - 3 days between illnesses...so thankful that we've now had a couple of healthy weeks...it has been great!

The weather here has been absolutely beautiful lately, so we have made sure to get outside often...trying to kill of some germs and strengthen little bodies! The peach trees are budding, as are the cherry bushes! Can't wait to have homegrown fruit again...sooooo much better than what you can buy in a store. I think everyone should plant fruit trees...little work, but huge benefits! My hyacinths are also blooming...they are such a gorgeous flower, although the youngest DD likes to pick off each little flower :)

I have been sewing, although not near as much as I would have liked! Here's a dress/hat that I made yesterday

I had purchased the fabric through a coop, it is designed by one of the mommas, and when I went to the Goodwill thrift store, they had someone donate a bunch of NEW baby t-shirts and were selling them for .49 cents each...ummm I grabbed about a dozen LOL So, I used top half of one of them for the bodice of this dress, and the bottom half of the t-shirt I refashioned into a newsboy-style hat! I still need to tweak the hat a little for a better fit, and add a little embellishment to the bodice, but am happy with it!

I also made a few Newborn cloth diapers for my sweet sister in Australia who is expecting her first baby!!!! Was so much fun to make...almost hard to mail them off! Here they are...

And I know there is more, but can't think what off the top of my head!

Anyway, that's enough for now, hope to be back soon!

Proof...

2010-10-20T11:02:00.000-07:00

That I have actually been sewing...just not blogging...oops! I am part of a Facebook group that is attempting to sew 1 hr. a day/7 hrs. a week for our kids...I don't always meet the goal, but it's helping me stay on track. :) Here's what I've been up to...well, I'll have to link to the FB pictures as Blogger is messed up right now!

Here, here, here, and here, oh, and here :) And I would upload a picture of THE shoe, but Blogger is mean!

Sewing challenge...

2010-09-08T05:53:00.000-07:00

...just to let you know I have made one itty-bitty shoe :), although not quite managing the "one a week" yet! I am hoping I'll have a chance this weekend to cut out several projects so that they are ready whenever I get a minute to sew!

Home again :)

2010-08-31T12:20:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday we headed out for a last camping trip before we started school for the year...it was great! It was also nice because we went the week after the public schools started back, so we had the cream of the crop to choose from for camp sites. :) One of the benefits of home-schooling... We had the river just down some steps with a great spot for the kids to fish and swim. We had Grandma along with the cousins and Aunt Dandi, we had a blast! I think that one of the best family activities you can do is to go camping! You work together setting up camp, then you play together enjoying the outdoors, cook together, sing together, and eat together! Your husband gets up during the night to take the kids to the bathroom, sees skunks around the campsite, so you decide that you are NOT going to the bathroom during the night, no matter what! ;) That would be one way to ruin a camping trip... You get to see deer, pet deer, black squirrels, brown squirrels, skunks, armadillos, frogs, what fun! You get to ride bikes, climb mountains (big hills in my opinion lol), swim the river, tube the river, swing off rope swings....lots to do together, we love it! I don't get outside much at home, so camping for me is wonderful! I miss being able to walk around the neighbourhood at night (due to lots of dogs on the loose) like we do a lot in Australia, also riding bikes is hard due to the same reason! Although we have now invested in bottle clips for our bikes, and have started carrying wasp/hornet spray! Not only does it kill wasps (which we found out the hard way that our son is allergic to...) it can also blind dogs or attackers from 20 feet away apparently, so maybe we can get out and about more now.

More mail!

2010-08-24T07:15:00.000-07:00

Lookee!!! See what I got? Ain't it purty? Here's some diaper fabric (PUL)...

And some oh-so-cute flannel/flannelette material!!! I purchased it from Stephanie at IttybittyFabric on etsy. I absolutely L-O-V-E-D it when I saw it! :) Not sure what I'll make from it, but am leaning towards maybe a little nightie/pj pant set for Ellie maybe? Any ideas? It is just sooooo stinkin' cute!

I absolutely loved doing business with Stephanie, she was so sweet and a lot of fun. AND she's a mom to 9 kids! So check her fabric store out, and while you're at it she also sells cloth diapers here, and here which is actually how I "found" her. :) Her diapers are so cute, and her prices are awesome. So if you need any cloth diapers, and don't want to sew your own, send her your business....she's great to work with :) If you go to her Facebook page, you can check out her fabrics. I never liked minky till I saw hers...LOL...one day....

Back to School Soon!

2010-08-23T20:19:00.000-07:00

Although all the public schools started back today, ours is scheduled to start back next Monday...I am looking forward to it. Last year was hard....REALLY hard. I changed curriculum with one daughter, and hated it. Had issues with children that kept recurring, and having to be dealt with. Was pregnant with baby #5... But if I am totally honest...I was sloppy, very sloppy. I didn't keep a close tab like I should have, and we all paid for it, with much frustration, and many problems. So this year, the goal is to knuckle down and make it an awesome year! Please remind me of this daily...LOL ;)

I have changed my daughter's curriculum BACK to where we were, and where I should have stayed, and not strayed from...ACE school of tomorrow. I will be homeschooling FOUR children this year. Pray for me... "Squirt" who just turned 4 is going to be doing Preschool, Jekkie (7) will be in first grade, Jorge (8) will be be in 4th, and Iddy (10) will be in 5th. Crazy, huh? I am going to be using Horizons Preschool with Squirt. We have never used it before, but don't like ACE's preschool, as it is just WAY too much colouring. My kids like to colour...but.... :) I like what I see so far, and if needs be we can just do a light day with him. I think though that it will be easier to have him occupied and learning, than pulling out toys all over the place, and creating yet MORE housework! ...like I already don't have enough of that!

Ellie will be working on her colours, shapes, and learning the alphabet. JUST KIDDING!!!! I think I'll wait till she's 7 months old, at least. Besides, don't they have to be potty-trained to go to preschool? But hey, with cloth diapers, she have that down by 10 months right? ;)

And last but not least, my dear, darling, awesome husband has finally, FINALLY agreed to let us have his office for a schoolroom! Can I please have a round of applause for him? YAY!!!! In return, he gets the china cabinet/bookshelf for all his stuff. (and a few reserved spots in the office are still his) I am really hoping to try and cut down on the mess/housework, by having it contained in a room out of the way. We always ended up in the living/lounge room, as I'm a wimp, and like a comfy seat which is not provided at the table...so school stuff would end up from one end of the house to the other.

Also...must try to STOP MULTI-TASKING!!!! Although moms are famous for it, I am starting to feel that I multitask so much, yet nothing is really done WELL. I want to try to focus on SCHOOL, when the kids are schooling, HOUSEWORK before and after school...and try to do ONE thing well, at a time. If it doesn't work, we'll just revert back. :)

How about y'all?

A fitted diaper...

2010-08-19T13:36:00.000-07:00

...is one that doesn't have the water-proof layer, and has to be used with a PUL cover. I wanted to just make a quickie to practice making them. This one is serged/overlocked instead of turning/topstitching. It was easy enough. I just used a navy t-shirt, and an old t-dress of Jek's for the outside, and a washcloth/flannel for the soaker pad inside. It's not the cutest ;), but it is very trim. It would be a NB/SM size.

And I figured out she can also wear it inside out...LOL

New Goal...

2010-08-19T13:11:00.000-07:00

I have decided that I would like to try and see if I can start and complete a new creative project every week...Want to join in? It doesn't matter if it's sewing, art, cross-stitch, embroidery, or whatever...I just find that if I don't "just do it", I never "find" the time. I'd like to try for around an hour a day. It just feels good to create/sew/make something. :) Speaking of, I've already made 2 diapers this week...so I'm in the clear! I've also cut out the fabric for a pair of soft shoes for Elli! They are just out of scrap fabric, just a trial run to see if they fit and if I like the pattern, before I use good stuff. I also want to start teaching the girls embroidery stitches. What project do you want to make?

And yet another...

2010-08-17T13:46:00.000-07:00

Just finished this afternoon :)

She'll be on all fours soon :)

2010-08-17T08:24:00.000-07:00

See what I got in the mail?

2010-08-17T07:16:00.000-07:00

Lots of FOE!!! I LOVE all the colours :) So much fun to get packages in the mail! FOE starts out flat, like the monkey one, but you have to wash/dry it before you use it as it will shrink. Some of these doubled over when washed, but they are all 1 inch wide. Some I will use on diapers, but I also will use it for clothing...like around the edge of hoodies, sleeves, baby necklines etc.

Oh, and here's the other diaper cover I made...only I made the mistake of washing it with some pre-folds which made the FOE get fuzzy. The foe seems to have faded in the last wash too...hope my new stuff holds it's colours...they are so bright and cheerful! This cover looks sooooo cute on Elli...my favourite out of the two.

Diaper covers/wraps

2010-08-16T20:32:00.000-07:00

Sorry it's been so long here's a quick peek at a couple of waterproof covers I made...these you just pop an insert in...you don't have to use a full-blown diaper...good for the diaper bag as you can re-use the cover if it didn't get "dirty". Sorry, only have pictures of one, I'll have to post the rest after I take some :) this is a Small, and Elli is now growing out of it already! Not going to last her much longer :) This one has FOE around the legs. (fold over elastic = FOE)

Diaper Sewing Recommended Video Links!

2010-05-27T08:18:00.000-07:00

I found these videos HIGHLY HELPFUL with sewing my diapers!

First watch this one....

And then this one...

Very well done!

Cloth Diaper #1

2010-05-14T06:33:00.000-07:00

Finally, I am getting around to blogging! I actually finished this diaper just a couple of days after my last post. :) First I cut out the fabric, then applied a strip of Ooga Booga Poly Knit for cuteness ;) The Violet Fabric is PUL which is waterproof. I used polyester thread, seeing as they say cotton will cause wicking/leaking, I decided to take "their" word for it...!

Then I applied my snaps, without thinking, even into the seam allowance...*sigh*...had to remove the one on the left. first mistake.... ;)Then I applied the elastic using the method you can see below, only stitching the ends, which apparently gives it longer life...you can also see that I reinforced the snaps with scrap PUL
Same for the waist, only I used two pieces here so I could have a pocket opening here, as I don't like welt pocket openings...(BG diapers have welts...too fiddly to keep them closed, and insert off baby's skin)Here it is finished...you can how you switch from a narrow topstitch to wide around the elastic creating a casing.On da baby...compared to a Bumgenius all-in-one XS diaperand here it is with it unsnapped to grow a size...
And here, to compare...BG XS, mine (sm setting), and a BG one size pocket diaper (sm setting)Now, I don't recommend using Poly knits for cutifying your diapers...lesson learned...they snag terribly!! and get runs in them...stick with cotton knits...besides cottons are so much nicer anyway ;0 And really, I think I like Plain ol' colours better, anyway...try matching cute little Ooga Booga print with all your little girlie dresses...LOL talk about clashing!

I have also made 2 diaper covers, similar to the FLIP system...more on those in another post!

Sewing Cloth Diapers...

2010-04-21T14:40:00.000-07:00

...when you have 5 kids is a little slow...Day #1...Cut out Pattern...Day #2 Decide on different Pattern...print pattern, cut it out, make adjustments while mentally hoping that the adjustments will work....cut out fabric...pull out hair...quickly put everything away while you remember that Prayer meeting is at YOUR house tonight...must do housework, and whip everything back into place...realise the days of sitting down and concentrating on a project are long gone, and that you're not going to get anywhere fast!

P.S. Will try to post pics here and there...but not today! The above housework is still screaming my name....

Cloth Diapering...

2010-04-14T14:07:00.000-07:00

Although I am mom to 5 kids, I must confess....I had never, NEVER, used a cloth diaper before on any of my kids before this baby...and really didn't think I would like it. Well, I decided this time around, I was going to try it...as I was feeling just a teeny-weeny bit guilty about chucking all those diapers in the trash...if it really does take 500 years to decompose, or whatever it is "they" say. Now for anyone reading this...I AM NOT A GREENIE! and I do not care if you use disposables, and I too will still use them on occasion, like tomorrow, seeing as my washing machine just died! I used disposables the first month or so...just saying! Anyway, I LOVE IT! It is too fun...(remind me of this when I get to the whole "bigger baby" issues!) I bought "modern" cloth diapers, namely BumGenius 3.0's from DiaperDaisy who btw had great customer service, and I highly recommend! I got them on a rare sale... I also purchased a FLIP hybrid diaper, which has since become my favourite. No STUFFING! Just pop an insert in the cover, snap it on the baby and go! However, it has given me an itch to make my own...soooooo stay tuned for my adventure of sewing cloth diapers. Number one priority...THEY MUST BE CUTE, oh, and not leak, they must fit, etc...and all that boring stuff.

I'm Back!

2010-04-14T13:55:00.000-07:00

You all thought I had fallen off the face of the earth didn't you? ;) Well, I decided that I should probably jump back on, and update y'all a little! For those who may not know, although I don't know who wouldn't...we had a baby girl!!!! Woohoo! She is sooooo sweet and we are all enjoying her immensely! She was born on February the 20th, and is growing like crazy! The kids think she is the best... Honestly, the best gift you can give your kids, is another kid! LOL And the more you have, the easier it gets...OK, except for going places without your husband! That, I must admit, is a little more time consuming! Oh, and shopping with a newborn who "feeds on demand" can make shopping in the local craft store a little bit interesting....think...feed baby while trying to look like you are doing nothing as you casually flip through the pattern catalog books...or try multi-tasking aka. hold and feed baby while pushing stroller, while browsing, while trying to look innocent...rofl I love being a mom though...they are so much fun! (course, we have our, ahem, "moments" just like everyone else where I am periodically bald...)

Gingerbread recipe!

2009-12-22T08:47:00.000-08:00

Here's the recipe for those who requested it for the Gingerbread we made yesterday. It caught my eye because it called for a decent amount of spices and lots of molasses, compared to many I've seen. I like a "stout" gingerbread that has lots of flavour....;)

GINGERBREAD COOKIES

3 cups all-purpose (plain) flour (I used whole wheat/wholemeal)
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda (Bicarb soda)
1/2 tspn of salt (also known as salt in Australia LOL)
1 tspn of ground ginger
1 tspn of ground cinnamon
1/2 tspn of ground nutmeg
1/2 tspn of ground cloves
1 stick of butter (1/2 cup for the Aussies)
1/2 cup sugar (I used Raw Sugar, or as they say over here, "sugar in the raw" ????)
3/4 cup molasses
1 egg beaten ( recommend a chicken egg, emu would be too large)
````````````````````````````````````````````
Preheat your oven to 375*F/190*C
In large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, and spices. In separate bowl, melt butter, cool slightly. Stir in sugar, molasses and egg: mix well. Add 2 cups of flour mix....(I say dump it all in): mix well. (they say to "turn it out onto a floured surface, knead in remaining flour mixture by hand - whatever) Add additional flour if necessary, to make firm dough. Roll out on a lightly floured surface, 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. (I definitely recommend 1/4") Cut out cookies with cookie cutters in a variety of shapes. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet (tray - LOL) (and I greased mine, so there!) about 10 - 15 mins for large cookies (so they say, I say check after 7 -8 mins. if you like them soft like I do!), and 6 - 10 mins for small to medium size.

Cool and then decorate!

For the icing I just dumped powdered/icing sugar in a bowl and added just enough milk to make a stiff icing, then piped it on some and then got lazy and smeared it on the rest...tastes the same, and if you immediately dip in sprinkles...they still look cute too ;)

Long time no post....

2009-12-22T08:36:00.000-08:00

As you can see it's been around 6 months since I last blogged....and I can't say that I've missed it....BUT I should probably do a little here and there for the family and friends that live on the other side of the world...can't y'all just move over here????? ;)

Anyway, this year has been busy, crazy, and busy. We found out that we are expecting Baby #5 in February, had my sister come over from Australia to visit, took our family to Australia to visit my family, my sister came back with us to stay for a while, we've had people over to stay with us on weekends, been to conferences, visited U.S. family....you name it. :) I am glad to say that it's slowed down a little at present though, and I have been enjoying a little more regular schedule which is helpful with 4 kids underfoot.

Looking forward to enjoying some time with the kids this week while they are off school! Not that we will likely get up to a whole lot. Yesterday was a movie day and we made a batch of gingerbread cookies that turned out great! Today may just be a trip to the park while we have some decent weather...

Life...

2009-05-17T14:34:00.000-07:00

Has been crazy, but good lately. We have been so busy with baseball for Jordan, church fellowship, kids, friends, etc. Have love the baseball season, but will also appreciate time for other things. It is time to go and visit grandparents, great-grandparents, to go camping, swimming, and lots of family stuff. Then my sister comes down in July, then in September we get to go to Australia and visit the family, then my sister comes back with us again. Busy, busy year! We have a wedding to attend next weekend, and baseball playoffs. The weather is warming up....I am so ready for the summer break! Had a busy week with friends and new friends stopping by...lots of fun, but enjoying a few seconds of quiet too! I am still a loner in many ways....but compatible I guess. ;) I love to fellowship with others and yet love the quiet, and peace too. I think once baseball settles down that traveling is going to pick up big time... I am ready for the outdoors....love summer and spring!

2009-04-03T06:38:00.000-07:00

Life has been very busy lately! Heath has been soo much busier with work, much of it out of town. When he doesn't get in until later, somehow life goes crazy. My housework has been choking me too! But I will do better! My goal is to get rid of stuff and simplify...we just have way to much junk to organise. I've done my son's room, and will post on that later, if I get the time LOL. Here's a couple of other things we've been up to!

My daughter decided that she wanted a horse comforter for her birthday....seeing as she shares a room I would've needed two which would've cost me way too much. So I ended up making some covers for her existing comforter/quilt. I made one in time for her birthday...the other is still pending LOL. Here's the fabric we used...
#1 group is for the front & #2 is for the backs (in case they get sick of horses!)
Top 2 are for younger daughter, bottom 2 for birthday girl!

I'll try to post a picture of the finished product later when I dig up my camera!

We've also had baseball practice 3 - 4 times a week, with Jorge's first game being tomorrow. I really enjoy having him in baseball. I love being outdoors enjoying the sunshine and fresh air, and getting to see him having fun.

It is my sister-in-law's birthday on Sunday, so I also have some sewing to do for that! We'll see, maybe I'll get some time once the kids are in bed tonight LOL.

Still Here...

2009-03-19T07:53:00.001-07:00

Will post soon! Have a few blog posts to do...but, right now I have a headache. ;( See you soon!

Giveaway from Owlhaven....

2009-03-06T06:38:00.000-08:00

Mary over at Owlhaven is having a giveaway of her new book...to enter you have to post about it on your blog then comment on hers. I am entering because I have always enjoyed her blog. She has 10 kids....many they have adopted...which I love :) She also blogs about gardening, canning, kids...all are things I enjoy learning about! International bloggers can enter too! So head on over and enter too....

Check this out!

2009-02-26T10:09:00.000-08:00

Over at "Life in a Shoe" they have a coupon for a free download from Behemoth.com! The download is some of the Jonathan Park series. They also are having a $50 giveaway to Behemoth as well! Go check it out to get the coupon code, and to enter their giveaway.

Sorry to say this, but this is only for people living in the USA :(

The Bed....

2009-02-24T06:57:00.001-08:00

This is for my sister Kristy...I was telling her about my 'new' bed on Facebook...some friends were sick of their bedroom furniture, decided to buy new for Christmas....on the spur of the moment I asked what they were doing with their old bed (I vaguely remembered that it was wood and King size), and they said that I could have it!!!! It was sooo much nicer than I remembered, and I 'love' it! Here 'tis.....

Online Specs....

2009-02-23T17:34:00.000-08:00

Well, I finally got in my new glasses that I had ordered online!!!! I ordered two pairs, one with prescription sunglass lenses and one regular prescription. Actually, they really didn't take very long, they said two weeks and it was exactly two weeks today. So.....do ya like 'em???Seeing as I wasn't able to try them on before I bought them, I was a little nervous how they would look...LOL But I really like them! (I think they'll have to grow on Heath a couple more days LOL, even though he helped me to pick them - the black ones.)

Wanna guess $$$$????

Spanish!

2009-02-21T19:11:00.000-08:00

I told the kids that we were going to try and learn to speak Spanish, and had been keeping an eye out for some good curriculum/books. I plan on trying the Library before I buy a whole lot, as I'd like it to be as cheap as possible! I got a lot of helpful suggestions here....she has been a great help to me in many areas! Thank you Ki mberly! (she answered a question for me on this subject back in January) Well, yesterday as I was at my favourite store Ross finishing up some shopping for a birthday party, my eye caught sight of this.
The only bummer is that the reader books are actually not the animal ones shown, but are on the wild weather, destruction earth, and space mysteries. Still cool subjects though! I think I might go back as they had two of these, and see if the other one has the animal ones. It only cost me $9.99 and has three beginning readers with 3 matching audio CDs and a story book with a CD as well, 2 sets of flash cards (beginning words and numbers) a workbook, and reward stickers. I so hope they still have the other set LOL! If only I had looked inside...but still a great buy for $10! So now we can start learning Spanish! This is soooooo "us". Most of the books we buy are educationally fun, and the kids love animals, and creepy crawlies, and also scary weather ;).

Our day....

2009-02-21T18:38:00.000-08:00

Today we went to watch a friend play baseball, and who should we run into but the young guy who we watched play as a kid. He is all grown up and a teenager now! It was so nice to see him and his mom again. We used to live on opposite corners, and he loved our 'little' kids. He was also a real monkey, (but the sweetest kid ever) and him and his mates would play in our front yard. He was Jorge's inspiration that started him wanting to play baseball like Wiwey (Riley). So now we have two teenage guys to go and watch, although they are on competing teams. ;) And soon we get to watch Jorge too.... It was freezing though...everyone was there wrapped up in blankets, LOL. We watched a couple of innings then headed off to do some errands. This afternoon we headed out to the State Park where Heath and Jorge practiced some baseball, (then they chased an armadillo, that Heath managed to "catch" in his baseball glove, mometarily....rotfl)' then the kids rode their bikes. Then Daddy let the kids drive around the 'wagon wheel'....it was such a hoot! When it got to Jazz's turn Heath would let him steer wherever....then slam on the brakes when we were about to hit the tree, fence, or whatever. It was sooooo funny. Jazz loved it. Then a deer stepped out, so we stopped and watched her for a while, and then headed back home, for a quick clean up and supper. And now the kids are in bed, and it is starting to quieten down. I still hear the boys chatting/playing softly, but peaceful nonetheless.

We are growing....

2009-02-21T18:21:00.000-08:00

A Little Linky Love!

2009-02-18T07:33:00.000-08:00

Go pay this girl a visit...I enjoyed this post, and this one this morning!

Don't You Just Love it???!!!!

2009-02-16T20:18:00.001-08:00

OK, this is the first blog design that I have really got excited about! Finally have found one that says "ME"!!!!! (at least for now!) ;)

We're Sprouting!

2009-02-16T19:24:00.000-08:00

Some of the seeds we planted have already sprouted! In only three days...what fun! (We planted them on Friday)

It's that time again....

2009-02-16T18:39:00.000-08:00

to start gardening! I had almost decided not to have a garden this year as last year was a horrible flop....but I talked myself into it! ;) This year I decided to try starting seed indoors...hopefully I'm not too late already! First I bought these little guys.....

They are compressed peat, and when you add water, they change into this! Ready for planting seeds....

Another option is to fill foam cups with potting soil, and cover with baggies/rubber bands to create a little hot house.... And these, (tulips and hyacinths) got planted out the front along with pastel gladiolas! I want to have lots of cut flowers this year to brighten the home with, along with all the roses.
I also bought 4 blueberry plants, and my dear darling husband planted two more peach trees for me! Our first one has done amazing, and has some of the best fruit ever. We chose two different varieties so that we can have an extended harvest. We have really bad dirt out the front, so we'll have to see how that one will make it! The seeds we planted indoors were Jalapeno peppers, tomatoes (2 kinds), marigolds (to help repel bugs in the garden), zinnias (bright bold flowers to attract bees), brussel sprouts, broccoli, zucchini, yellow squash, butternut, and I don't remember anymore! Then today, I got outside, and with Jorge helping we planted 3 packets of peas, tied up all the blackberry brambles (I hope we get some fruit off them this year?), and watered our cherry bushes (also hoping for a first crop this year...I got one baby cherry last year...LOL) I have also pruned our big peach tree and our pear tree....for the first time....scary stuff that pruning....but it had to be done!

I also need to contact Gurneys and see about getting some replacement plants. They have a lifetime guarantee on their plants, and I bought raspberries, but they all died. I also have a tree, a Lil' Big Sundance, and all of it died but the bottome 6 inches, which finally sent off shoots, and then because it was still so little, the dog attacked it! I have pruned it back and will wait and see what happens, but I'll let them know the story, and see what they say. They may not replace it seeing as the dog dealt the final blow, but it can't hurt to see, I guess.

I'd love to hear if anyone else is gardening too!

My Knight....

2009-02-16T18:11:00.000-08:00

In Shining Underwear....
Charging to the battle!

Busy Life!

2009-02-16T17:47:00.000-08:00

On Monday we went and signed up Jorge to play Pee Wee baseball!!!! (or as he used to say..."I want to play pooeee baseball...LOL) I am excited! I love to watch little kids play. We used to go watch a neighbourhood kid play...it was great fun. But we'll have to basically kiss about 12 weekends goodbye, or maybe more. He doesn't start till April though, so we have a little bit of life till then. We had to take him two days later to buy his cleats, as he just couldn't wait! ;) I think it will be good for him in other ways too. Teamwork, learning to take orders from other adults, and finding out that their are other kids that just might be better than him, and being friends to those who aren't very cool too. We've already had a lesson in that...LOL I think it will be a great family time.

Thanks girls....and Thank you Lord!

2009-01-18T19:31:00.000-08:00

We spent the day at the church building today, tracing stencils, and painting letters, getting a big sign ready to put out the front soon. It was a lot of fun....

When I got up and ready for the church meeting this morning, and looked around and saw the mess the house was in....I was soooo dreading the fact that I would have to come home later, and clean....instead I walked in to a lovely, tidy house with floors mopped....it was so nice!!!!

There are days where I look around, and just say "Lord I need some help, this just ain't working!!! I can't keep it clean, and I'm doing a lousy job of training my kids to be tidy too....HELP!" And He sent me help....in the form of three, actually four (including Jekkie!) girls who chose to surprise me while I was busy doing other stuff. It was really such a blessing! I had a slight clue as when I went to check on something, Iddy Biddy wouldn't let me in the door....and I wisely decided not to interrupt ;)

So thank you girls! And Thank you Lord for hearing my plea for help! And please help me to grow a 'tidy' gene so that I can keep it this way.... :)

The Best Place to Shop Online....

2009-01-17T07:31:00.001-08:00

I have been greatly blessed through a website for a while now, and have decided that I need to give them the publicity that they deserve. This is the absolute best place to shop for educational supplies and Christian Books etc. Especially if you like a bargain! You do have to have fit into certain categories, BUT they include homeschoolers and pastors, churches, resellers etc.

The only catch is that you really need to live in the States, as you need to pay with a check/cheque....(can be done online, though)

so here they are...

LIBRARY AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

You simply go and set up an account, selecting your wholesale category, and start shopping!

I would very highly recommend the Focus on the Family Radio Theater CD's. They are awesome. We have The Hiding Place, The Cost of Freedom (Dietrich Bonhoeffer), Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, Ben Hur, The Secret Garden....and they have many more. They are very well done, and keep all ages listening.

They have an awesome selection of educational books, and DVDs (ie: Moody Science, History Channel etc.)

And the best part is the prices...they have regular email newsletter sales (make sure you sign up for it!) that have great deals.

Anyway, for all of you folks who can use them....Please do! They are a clean and wholesome place, and promote Christian values.

Oh, and they also have very reasonable shipping rates!

So head over and take a look!

LIBRARY AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

One more thing....

2008-12-30T07:22:00.001-08:00

I am now on facebook! I recommend you do too....(Mum, Mel...) I am putting more pictures up there because I can make it to where only my 'friends' can see them. I like being able to do that...and it's also much easier to say "hi" on.

Oh, and the ads are nowhere near as bad as Myspace....but don't fall for any of their 'free-trial' ads...they are scams! (ie...by starting the free trial, you are agreeing to buy the product once a month etc. etc. etc....fine print..........and they are very hard to cancel....don't ask me how I know!)

So, sign up and be my 'friend' LOL

New background....

2008-12-29T18:01:00.000-08:00

How do you like it...it's called "Spurs n' Spit"....LOL How western can you get.... ;)

Oh, and if anyone is looking for a facelift....I get mine (and they are super easy) from here. Just click on "backgrounds" on the left, check them all out and follow their directions!

I told you they were cuter in Texas....!

2008-12-29T17:18:00.000-08:00

Especially for my sister Kristy...

I told you they were cuter in Texas!!!!

We've got John Deere....(for the tough little monkeys)
We've got pink camo....(for the girly girls...)
We've got blue/brown (for those who are NOT girly girls....the very thought!)
We've got regular cowboy boots for the young men...Oh.....and we've got snake boots for those who like to hunt!

Sorry so long!

2008-12-10T13:59:00.000-08:00

Hello! Sorry for the great silence here! We have been crazy busy, and when I haven't been crazy busy, I guess I've enjoyed the lazy moments. :) Tim has gone home and I'll try to get some pictures up soon! Kids have been sick, one at a time, although at this very moment they are all OK! Hope they stay healthy for a while. You may notice my new profile picture....yes I got a spiral perm, and yes she took a lot off! LOL It's the shortest I've had in a long time. It wasn't supposed to be that short, but when I realised how much she was taking off....there wasn't much point in saying anything!

Thanks...

2008-11-06T07:57:00.000-08:00

For all the gifts you sent....the kids have had a blast...don't have pics of all of them yet, but here's one.

Unca Tim....

2008-11-06T07:36:00.000-08:00

The kids are lovin' him. They've painted him....They've given him the "chicken pox"They've pulverised him...Oh, and they've played baseball....but that was kinda boring....(Just kiddin'...)

Safe and Sound....

2008-11-03T06:53:00.000-08:00

Well, he made it....my little brother is here from Australia! We picked him up from the airport yesterday, although we were a little late so was he.....thankfully! He was supposed to arrive at 3:25 and we got there about 3:40 and ran as fast as we could (read...me in high heels...lol) to his gate. We had got up real early and spent time with the church in Ft. Worth, and then ate with some friends. The men were talking then got burning some mp3 cds, and so although we weren't far from the airport....ahhhh we cut it a little too close. But we made it there before he did, so all was good. We threw him in the car and headed home....got home just as our local church was finishing up their meeting, and headed over there, to introduce Tim, and eat a meal together.

It has been told to me that a certain person stuck their head in the door and said "he has a really cool accent, you should come and listen to it" (or something to that effect), then stuck their head back in and said "it's even better than Crocodile Dundee!" LOL I have been a great dissappointment to all with my lack of an Aussie accent....but somehow I think that Tim will make up for a lot of that. I also think they will probably find that I have a shocking mongrel accent while he's here....a TEXAUS accent...*grin*

Today I think we'll take it easy...right now he's still hibernating....it's after 9, but I'm guessing he'll be out soon. Lee's at work, but maybe if he gets enough done today, he'll have some time off tomorrow.

Well, guess I should go and make some bread for lunch! Then I have about 60 apples to peel so that I can make apple pie filling for the freezer. I might make some candy/toffee apples with the kids. Yes, they were on sale. Yes, I am following in my mother's footsteps with bargain hunting....LOL They were on sale 10/$1 for the small ones....I got 29 (that was all they had at the second store I tried) Then knowing that my SIL was near another store, so I asked her to get me another 30, they were out of the little one's but the manager said she could have the big ones at the same price.....Yessss! ;) Then I have a huge pumpkin to cook/mash for the freezer, but I'm gonna make Tim cut that up.... See? I'm also making use of the extra help....and if he's bored, I can find something for him to do....I'm learning Mum, I really am! It's funny how much you understand your Mum once you become one yourself...LOL

Anyway, must go!

Pant, Pant, huff, huff!

2008-10-20T10:56:00.000-07:00

Okay, now just in case you are all wondering where in the world I have been....let me give you just a little glimpse of my recent life....

Last couple of weeks....get ready for a huge garage sale that I am having with my sister in law....in other words...go through the entire house looking for stuff to get rid of....go through kids toy boxes and steal, I mean take, their toys and put them in a black plastic trash bag while they are not looking....then go through their clothes and weed out what they don't need....find out that your five-year-old has over 15 skirts!!!!!! (why is it then, that I can never find just one, just one, for her to wear????? Oh, I forgot, they are buried in the pile of clean laundry that is piled on the guest bed....note to self....fold the laundry....) Then come to the realisation that, now I have to price all of this junk....sigh....get it all priced...then realise now I have to get it all to her house....sigh... Then find out that she actually expects me there around 6am to pull it all out of the garage....aaaauuuugggghhh! Never! Never! Never!!!! (never say Never!) She sweetly suggests that the kids sleep over so that I don't have to get them all up the next morning..... Take Jazz home, get up at 5:15 am (thanks Jazz, who needs an alarm clock???) Fix coffee...drink coffee....pry eyelids open with toothpicks (ok, not really on that part), realise that husband actually can sleep in seeing as he finished a job early, start tip-toeing, take three times as long to get ready....head out the door, remembering to put the twin stroller in the car, that you just pulled apart and washed last night. Get to S-I-L's house, drink more of that coffee, and start pulling stuff out....turn around to see your first customers showing up (some with flashlights/torches) at 6:30am, obviously they didn't know how to read seeing as the ad clearly said that it started at 7:30am, still not sure how they managed to figure out we were having one!! SIL tells me that the kids won't need to sleep over tonight as they were all up at the crack of dawn anyway....*snort* Oh, and if anyone needs a garage sale hint....here tis....put a set of bunk beds out the front, borrow them if you must, they will attract customers all day....*grin* SIL was selling some and although she sold them before we even started, everybody would stop and ask about them..... Oh, and have a friend who works in the veggie section, bring you cases of caramel apples to sell....Yuuummmm! Uh, only I don't think I was supposed to eat them all....ooops! Spend the whole day there.....go home and get up at the crack of dawn and repeat....

Sunday....garage sale is over, church fellowshipping, eating, and back to church.....Monday.....hurry and wash laundry and attempt to straighten house, because Lee's employer is sending him to town an hour and a half away, and putting him up in a hotel, and we can go too! Quickly pack, forget about the house, run out the door, meet him for supper at Burger King/Hungry Jack's (for you Aussie's), and then dash off to go visit some friends who live there....find that the highway is closed off, follow detours, miss one of them and find yourself lost in the boonies....call friend put the husbands on, get directions to follow the fence posts according to their colour, and other landmarks....finally get to friends house...late... Have fun, go to the hotel and crash. Get up, read the Bible, let the kids watch something as decent as possible on the TV, decide to be sweet and offer to pick up Lee some lunch and after much trial and error, and an hour later, have that done. Follow the detours, and don't miss one this time, make it there just fine....spend the afternoon/evening with them, head back to the hotel, crash, get up, pack, and head home. OK, this is now Wednesday, Jorge's 7th b-day (and Steve's), and we are going camping tomorrow (Thursday), I still have to do laundry, pack, shop for food/supplies etc. Do some laundry, Pack, shop, throw hands up in the air as to the condition of the house. (that I had finally just got into shape befor the garage sale fiasco) And quickly throw a b-day cake in the over for Jorge to have after Bible Study....seeing as I ran out of time to make the cheesecake he had requested! Got up Thursday, finished whatever packing didn't get done last night, and managed to leave around 9:30am or so! Phew! Had a lovely time (more on that soon) Pack back up, and came back on Saturday evening, after visitin with some friends in a small town on the way home. Skipped unpacking the car, went to bed, got up late (9am), got self and children ready for church, was extremely thankful for SIL doing my share of cooking (the church eats together every Sunday - pot luck style). After our time with our church family, went home and attacked the house with a vengeance! Several hours later.....much improved, but still working on it today....more laundry to do..... Thankfully neice is coming over to school Jekkie, and the others are working at their own pace. Rescued Jazz from leaning over the top of our 6' fence to look at the dogs (pit bulls) next door. Wiped up potty training puddle....and started blogging...

So, if you were wondering why I haven't blogged??? I'm sorry....been busy...kinda

Speaking of Rats...

2008-10-08T07:23:00.000-07:00

We were, were we not?... We do have a problem with those, and thankfully...other than yesterday, it is an outdoor problem. Last winter they decided that our grill/bbq was the best place for a nest....yes, you read right...our grill. You know the thing that you cook your burgers on....nice juicy steaks....yeah. Wanna come over and 'cook out'? I wasn't very happy sharing my cooking surface with a family so Lee (OK, that's my husbands webname now, for all you commenters) came up with a way to down the population....All you rat lovers may now leave. He would sneak out there ever so quietly....and turn the gas on, wait a few minutes....and throw in a match! BOOM! Worked great..... Now, this doesn't necessarily kill them but it does flush them out...stunned, dizzy and blinded....and often with a new fur-style too. Then you finish them off with a sturdy piece of wood....and if you miss a few....repeat the process the next night.

And that is our rat elimination process....and that works for me....as we have kids, I don't want poison in the back yard if I can help it! Now for any of you rat lovers, (I feel sorry for you...), but uh, germ ridden rats must be 'taken care of' and whether you shoot, smash, burn, or poison 'em they, er, end up, um....dead. And if you wish to come and hold a burial service....most of them should be in the vacant block near our house.....respectfully tossed of course.

My Adorable Kids......

2008-10-08T06:46:00.000-07:00

I have four of those kids that are perfectly adorable.....you know the kind....don't get dirty, are always sweet, never fuss or fight.....yeah right.... ;) Well, they are great....at least two of them still are, anyway. The other two? Well, here's a little story for you, just to help you understand....

I had exchanged my Son #1 for my Niece for the day....she's great with the kids...after a while she commented that two little people sure were quiet...and headed off to find them. Realizing she was right; I too headed after her, only to meet her coming out of the guest bedroom, where all the girls had slept the night before....with this weird look on her face. "You don't wanna go in there...." she said. "They've got your eggs out the fridge and are cracking them on Jekkie's "pallet"/bed-on-floor..." Sure enough, I went in there to find two of my dear, sweet, adorable kids sitting on the "pallet" amidst yolks and slime, and more eggs....Aren't they sweet? Want some? Kids I mean, not eggs, I need those....

Then take this morning for instance....first I hear Jorge yelling his head off at his little brother to " Put that down!!! PUT THAT DOWN! PUT THAT DOWN!!!!! Then I hear Iddy start screaming....."Jazz, put that down!!!!, Put that down right now! PUT THAT DOWN!!!! aAAAAAHHHHH!" (you get the picture, right?) So I figure that he's really up to something this time, and quickly head that direction hollerin' "What in the world does he even have??????" The reply comes quickly back...."A RAT!!!! Jazz has a rat, and he's bringing it inside!!!!" Do what???? Sure enough, my son, my dear darling son has brought a large, dead, eyes bulging RAT....into my house, and at the command of his terrified siblings, drops.it.on.the.floor. Yep! Want him? (you can have the rat too....got plenty of those)

Thus is the life at my house....and really....I love it.... And no you can't have my kids....they're adorable, as if I'd give them away!!!! But you can have the rats.

No internet....

2008-09-25T18:48:00.000-07:00

We went out of town over the weekend for a family dove hunt....and when we got back I found that our broadband modem had totally quit! So, I've had no internet till last night when I finally got the replacement in the mail! No email, nothing! My Google reader had close to 200 posts when I went to check them today! Wow... I'll try to post for real soon, as I am looking forward to showing you what I made for our trip this weekend....they turned out sooooo cute!

I did it....

2008-09-19T13:03:00.000-07:00

....all by myself! Look at the bottom of my page....I put a site meter on here! All by myself! My sister will be so proud of me! LOL (and I even changed the style....woohoo!)

Recipe Swap #2!

2008-09-19T08:52:00.000-07:00

Updated!!! I added the flour and the correct amount of milk....OOPS!

Just for fun...here's another recipe for the GCC Recipe Swap....

Karen's Quiche

3 eggs
3/4 cups plain/all-purpose Flour
1 1/2 cups Milk
chopped bacon/ham (to taste...1/2 cup?)
corn (1/2 can?)
1 cup grated cheese
....................................................
Mix together eggs, milk, and flour. Throw in bacon, corn, and cheese, and mix all together. Pour into a greased dish and bake in a 180*C/375*F oven for 30 - 40 mins.

You can also switch the bacon and corn for spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, or whatever your little heart desires! I think I am going to go and make this for lunch....all this talk of food has made me hungry. Enjoy!

Recipe Swap!

2008-09-19T07:28:00.000-07:00

Hello! This is the second time that I have participated in Gayle's Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap....you can get the last recipe here. This one is a vegetable side dish, that I originally got from the book Fit For Life... Welcome to my new blog!

Sweet Basil Carrots
12 medium carrots
3 Tbspns sweet butter (I use regular salted butter!)
2Tbspn pure maple syrup
1-2 tsp fresh basil (I use dried...start with one tsp)
1/4 tsp sea salt
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Slice carrots into rounds about 1/8" thick, and cook for about 10 minutes (steam or microwave), melt remaining ingredients together, and pour over drained carrots, stirring to coat well. Serves 4-6

The original recipe directions were more complex, but this way is so much easier! LOL Hope you enjoy it! Make sure you leave a recipe over at Gayle's too....that way I can try yours!

Welcome to the New Blog!

2008-09-18T06:18:00.000-07:00

I decided to start a new blog, and eventually plan on making my old one private for family/friend use so that I can post more pictures without it making me nervous as to who is visiting! For now though it is still public here. I also plan on updating this one's design, once I can figure it all out...or my sister gets her land line or internet and can help me out! ;)

For anyone new who may stop by, Welcome! Here's a quick introduction....I am a mum/mom of four children 8 and under. I live in Texas but was born and raised in Australia....hence the name of this blog TexAus momma! My name is Narelle. On this blog I will be using nicknames for my kids, and ask that friends use these when commenting please. My oldest daughter is Iddybiddy (8), then I have a son, Jorge(6), another daughter Jekkie (5), and another son Jazz (2). My husband, (don't have a nickname for him yet....lol) is a wonderful, godly, supportive man whom I love deeply. We met in Australia, married in Australia, and then moved to Texas (where he is from), and have lived here for about 7 years, and 2 years in Australia's capital, Canberra. (NOT SYDNEY....lol) I'm sure that I will share more as I blog, but for now, I am sick of talking about myself! Feel free to ask questions.