April 8, 2010

Leftover Ham Idea by Amanda

My cousin, Mandy (Amanda), posted this clever idea to use up your leftover ham by making pot pies! I loved the idea and copied her but made mine in a pie plate because I don't have that awesome mini loaf pan (though, now I want it!) and made a simple gravy out of beef stock and flour instead of using a cream soup (since I didn't have any). It's cooking now, smells awesome and took me about 5 minutes to chop all the veggies and ham and throw it in the oven.

I've got two large bundles of ham in the freezer still so I'll be making this one again I'm sure!


And while you're over there, go enter her giveaway for the book This Little Prayer of Mine!

Make each day count!

March 29, 2010

Taking It All In

My boy is one of those who just gets into everything. I basically have to be on my guard during his every waking moment. Naptime and bedtime can be quite blissful for me because I get to unwind a little bit and not be constantly worrying or wondering about what he's getting into when he's out of my sight.

Our pantry gets emptied throughout the day, paper bits get torn and scattered all over the floor, baking pans find their way across the kitchen linoleum, the second the bathroom door opens he makes his way in there and if someone forgets to close the door on their way out he will, inevitably, be found splashing in the toilet. He falls off the table, off the chairs, off the school desks, off the bed, and down the stairs. The TV, computer, and video game systems are his favorite toys and he takes every opportunity that we might forget to put things out of his reach to grab and destroy. He pulls chairs into the kitchen and has been found, on many occasion, wielding a butcher knife and chopping away at the counter.

This evening he pulled his little rocking chair into the kitchen without me noticing until I heard the sound of liquid spilling onto the floor. I turned toward the kitchen to see him splashing in the tea from my teacup which he had dumped out onto the counter. Arrrgggghhhh! So frustrating! Instead of my usual anger I responded with a bit of laughter and grabbed my camera. Really, how could I not?





Sometimes he really exhausts me. I think he demands a lot more of my attention than the girls did at this age. He's a pretty happy and content little boy, but he is just always busy and very curious. I am so blessed... so very, very blessed to have him in my life. I say a prayer of gratitude to God every night before I lay him in bed. This family I have, it's really pretty special and amazing.

Make each day count!

March 28, 2010

Springtime for Hitler and Germany



Oh, Spring has sprung and I couldn't be happier! The kids can finally play outside without taking 30 minutes to get ready and even though I have to deal with muddy clothes and lots of baths, I'm okay with that. Another thing I'm loving this spring more than previous years is that I am more in shape than I have been in previous spring seasons and that means I feel more up to going out and playing with my kids.

I'm starting up running again, though I do need to get new shoes, and while I can't run for 30 minutes straight like I could in August, I am still going to start up the Couch to 5K program again. I'm excited to be starting in March rather than May like I did last year. It should mean that I'll be ready to run some 5K fun runs this summer! Marah and I even ran to the park today while I pushed Alex in the stroller and I was still able to run and play on the field while we were there. Maybe that seems like a small thing to some but, at 200 lbs. (and working on it), it's a big deal for me!

So this spring has started out with lots of this-


and this-

and this-


Marah got hit in the face with a soccer ball

reminds me so much of my cousin, Scott

the faces this kid makes... cracks me up!

Jenna has a new friend from the apartments behind our house.


I think I'm out of my funk... and I'm loving it. :)

Make each day count!

March 23, 2010

Quick Snapshot

I have been keeping busy trying to get my home in order and get out of my funk so I just wanted to pop in and update with a few little snapshots of what's been going on around here the last week.


It was Girl Scout birthday week and Jenna's troop had a party for which we were responsible for bringing the cake or cupcakes. They all loved what we did with the cupcakes and Jenna's troop leader told me that she knew I'd do something creative! That made me feel like a good mommy :)


Eric surprised us with this little note the other day to which I replied "awww..." and to which Jenna replied with the bottom sentiment, including the beating heart with veins. heh....

As you can see, our yard is quite a lovely sight at this time of year! Doesn't stop Marah from playing out there or Alex from watching intently from the living room window.


The girls do adore the little guy. When he's not sneaking into their room for a good ransacking, that is.

Alex found a bag of buns and sneaked a few. I found him sitting contentedly in this chair with his snack and Spongebob.


Eric is busy with school and work and when he's home he plays Xbox or PS3 or snuggles on the couch with us to watch TV or movies. Jenna keeps busy with Girl Scouts and Awana and speech therapy and drawing and video games. Marah is always talking, loving Awana, learning so much and surprising me with what she knows every day. Alex cracks me up all day long! He makes life so much fun. He is all boy but still loves a good snuggle and giving kisses is one of his favorite things to do. Gotta love that.

As for me, I'm in spring cleaning mode! The sun has been coming out to play more and more often and the anticipation of God's green magnificence has begun to fill me up. I've been working on spending less time in front of the computer and more time with my family. I've also been reading a lot more often. I'm thinking of trying to start running again but I don't know if my feet will be up for it.

Oh anyway, I really should get going. The day awaits! Make it count :)

March 18, 2010

What's With All This Funk?


I don't know what is going on lately but I seem to just be in a bit of a funk. Last week I was feeling pretty good and managed to get a lot accomplished. This week I don't want to do much of anything. I'm wondering if the changing weather has anything to do with it. It's such a tease, I tell you! The air is getting warmer, snow is melting, I should be able to go out and enjoy it, right? However, I can't! I can't get excited about muddy ground, dirty snow, huge puddles on the sidewalk, brown grass, bare trees. I just can't! Everything just feels dirty and depressing right now. Sometimes I do wonder how I am able to stand living here. I just have to keep the faith that here is where God wants me... but hopefully just for now. I sure would be happy to move. I suppose every location comes with it's own set of pros and cons though.

I've been itching to get my sewing corner set up again. I have so many things I need to work on. Where will I find the time? I would love to be able to make things to sell but I just can't settle on what I should make. I really enjoy crafting of all kinds but I want to have a particular focus so people don't get overwhelmed by what I offer!

Oh anyway, I really don't have much to say today. I'm just tired, have a headache, and feeling like a lump. Now, aren't you glad you stopped by to check up on me? :)

I need to follow my own advice and...
Make each day count!

March 17, 2010

Rockin' Green Winners!

Here are the winners of the Rockin' Green samples chosen by an online random number generator.

40- earthlymama
20- Misfit Momma aka Missy
3- Jessica

Congratulations winners! Please email me at ashtinafayelou at gmail dot com to claim your prize.

Thanks to all who entered! I hope you might be inclined to give Rockin' Green a try. Look for more giveaways in the near future.

March 15, 2010

Giveaway: Rockin' Green Samples

About a week ago I wrote a little blog about things I'm loving lately. If you read that you should recall that I raved about a detergent called Rockin' Green. I cannot tell you how much I love this detergent! Not only is it environmentally friendly, but it smells awesome, is made by a mom in her own kitchen, and makes my diapers smell lovely and fresh with no build up and soap residue! This stuff rinses so clean and gets so much of the dirty grimy stuff out of your laundry! I can't believe the nasty state of my laundry water after I let it soak. I do use this stuff on my towels too because I figured if it was getting my diapers so clean then it should be great on my towels too! Of course, I was right. I have come to expect nothing less from this detergent!

Well, I recently had a little shipping issue with my order of Rockin' Green and some of my detergent was leaking from it's packaging. I decided to contact Kim, the awesome creator of Rockin' Green, so that she would be aware of the problem. My intention was to bring it to her attention so that she would be able to work out a new packaging solution and I thought maybe I would be able to get a small amount of detergent to replace what was lost during shipping. Kim promptly replied and let me know that she would mail me a new bag right away! I let her know that a full bag was not necessary and that 1/4 bag would be more than enough. So imagine my delighted surprise when I opened my mailbox and found a glorious full bag!

Since Kim was so generous to me I want to give a little something to others. So here is what I'm giving away- 3 samples of Rockin' Green Classic Rock detergent in Grape Soda scent. Please be aware that I am only giving samples from my own supply and that is why I can only offer the Grape Soda scent. I cannot send Soft Rock (unscented) or any other scent. If you are interested in checking out all the yummy scents that Rockin' Green has to offer, please check out the website and order some samples! They are reasonably priced and smell awesome! The samples that I send will be enough for two full loads of wash.

Here is how to enter:

CLOSED

Make each day count!

March 10, 2010

Wordless Wednesday

I think I'm going to like Wordless Wednesday. Takes the pressure off :)





Make each day count!