Like I've said before.........

Like I've said before, my life is busy. Look at the date for the last post.  Seriously sad... Oh well no crying over spilled milk, eh? I am currently working on a fun project I will be posting about in the up coming days. Keep your eyes open, and blessings in your day!

busy.

Busy.
Such a rude word, sometimes... like when a friend asks "what have you been up to?"  You don't want to respond, busy. Ugh. So pretentious. However lots of us are. If we were to list all the  things we have been doing, I think we would be shocked. Seriously. I have been trying to tweak my life to fit in as as much of what's important, and cut out the crap. Yes I said crap. (My definition of crap: verb/noun, something,  someone or activity that isn't important  and is taking up precious time.) See where I'm coming from? Anyhow, that has happened. Again. However I have done quite a bit around here which I will gladly show you. In the next post. Stay tuned and find time for your quiet.......

Lovely Ladies.........

                                                Ahhh, Chickens...... I LOVE Chickens.
 They are beautiful, chatty, outgoing, and love to cluck with their girlfriends. How bad can that be? I have 3 darling ladies, and they produce some mighty fine eggs. {if I do say so myself...} I have blogged in the past about how this city mouse would love to be a country mouse, and having chickens is getting somewhat close. You would think that living in the city would pose issues with having them. However, they are easy to raise. The city limits how many you can have, but if you have a little bit of yard that you wouldn't mind sharing with 3 ladies, you can see how for very little effort, they are worth while. Fresh eggs everyday, chickens clucking to each other, kitchen scraps taken care of, and after a bit of aging, fertilizer. Again, how bad can that be? Have you every even had a fresh egg?? I mean fresh, from the nest box, and then into an omelet? Nothing better. Seriously folks, I kid you not.
There is a HUGE difference in store bought eggs, and fresh. The yolks are more golden yellow, they stand higher than the store bought ones, and they have the richest flavor. Amazing. The farmers market sells them, they are a pretty penny, but if your thinking about getting Chickens, I would say try them and see for yourself. You will taste the difference. Plus, you know what they ate. You fed them. Again, how bad can that be?
Thanks for reading and try your hand at some fresh eggs, you will be glad you did!
xoxo

A New Year........

                                                 {photo: Barn House @ Camas Antiques}


A New Year is almost here, and what are you planning for yourself?? As for me, this year has been a very trying year. The ups and downs have left me breathless like riding a rollercoaster ride. It has been an exciting year don't get me wrong, but whew I need a break..... I knew what I signed up for, but this was the year it all hit me like a ton of bricks. I chaired an auction, ran a bookfair, moved to a new house {to do a complete renovation} my oldest started high school {without knowing a soul}and quit a job. For those who know me, know I believe in community. It makes us who we are. So I donate my time generously. However I ran into something I thought I never would. Resentment. That is a harsh word. But never the less, I did. My family has always been first. Period. Besides God, there is no other. However this year, even he felt like he took a back seat, which is bad. My kids and my husband had finally had it. I have heard it all before, and thought they are just so used to having me around, that they just don't know what to do without me. So when my youngest, didn't want to go to school, and my oldest quit talking to me, it finally sank in. They were done. {and truth be told so was I} I promised each of them no more. We will make family the only priority. So this year it is back to basics. God, family, and then everything will fall into place. {that is my prayer everyday anyhow...} So what is yours?
Thanks for reading.......
xoxo

After the Holiday.......

              So after the holiday is over, what do you do? Do you take down your Christmas tree right away, or do  you leave it up until after New Years?  Our holiday tradition is to get the Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving and then take it down the day after Christmas. {the tree is usually pretty crispy about that time!} This is when we time to take stock of our ornament's, and trimmings to see if  have to replace any. Right now is the best time to buy for next years holiday.
             Getting organized right now is the best time rather than shoving everything away. We check our lights, and pack away our extension cords with the lights so we have them ready for next year. My hubbie thinks that the weekend we take our house lights down is the best time to clean the gutters too. {good tip... the ladder is already out so you might as well check them..}  We also,{who am I foolin?? you know its only me cleaning around here...} re-arrange the house, and deep clean everything. Hopefully some of these tips you found useful. And as always thanks for stopping by!
xoxo

 

Well we have a new house that we have been rehabbing for sometime, {since July} and we moved into this lovely house in August.....But as you all know, that my houses are never done.....We tweak, change furniture placement, and paint colors often. Until I feel its right....Here is a taste of what the Christmas tree looks like this year, and a little bit of the dining room........Enjoy!
xoxoxoxo

                                                                                                 {*our Christmas tree last year}
                                                                                                                 

Christmastime ......

Well tis the season, for stress, rushing, fighting crowds, money woes and the like...... Sound familiar?? Well, I have been there and done that. Seriously. A few years ago my husband and I would battle what the kids want for Christmas, and the list would always start with technology or a large ticket item. Now I am a fan of technology, however my wallet, not so much. With 4 kids in Catholic school, the budget isn't very forgiving. So we learned how to get creative and think outside the box! We adopted a new list style a couple of years ago that seems to have made the holiday less stressful. Here are just a few of our ideas:

1. gift of time, you and your kiddo at his/her favorite hang out spot.
2. gift of a treat: something they don't get very often {ie: ice cream treat, Starbucks etc...}
3. e-scrip cards to the movies {most schools offer these to regal cinemas, and other local movie houses}
5. boxed food fun: {this one goes over well in our house..} boxed cereal you wouldn't normally buy, fruit roll ups etc.

So there are 5 to give you an idea. Think outside the box, and you may be surprised how well these go over!

xoxoxoxox,
Em