Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Quick Post


Just a quick post, because I am still trying to play "catch up." I just finished this dress for a friend of mine that is expecting a girl. Having all boys I rarely get to sew for girls. This was the first dress I have made. It was fun and I was able to mark off one item on my very long list of things to do. Have a great day!

Monday, March 30, 2009

Thank You

I want to thank everyone that stopped by my blog during the Ultimate Blog Party. I especially want to thank those that left comments and became followers. I love, love, love comments. If there is something that you are interested in, something that you would like to see me blog about, please leave a comment and let me know (did I mention that I love comments?). If it is where I can, I will try to oblige.

I will be working on my very long 'To do list' this week and try to get caught up (the boys have been on spring break for the past 2 weeks so I put a whole lot off). I will be checking my comments, but not sure how much I will post this week (depends on how quickly I can get done with everything). Wish me luck and I hope this is a good week for you. God bless you.

Breakfast Butter Balls Recipe



I was having trouble getting my toddlers to eat breakfast. They didn't like eggs, cereal got old and I didn't want them to have sausage all the time (they would eat that every day if I let them). A nurse gave me this recipe for Breakfast Butter Balls. She said it is healthy, but kids think they are eating candy or cookies.

Breakfast Butter Balls

1/2 C peanut butter
1/2 C nonfat dry milk powder
1/4 C honey or corn syrup
1/2 C cereal
1/4 C raisins (if desired)
powdered sugar (optional)

1. In medium sized bowl, mix peanut butter, dry milk powder, and honey until smooth.
2. Crush cereal (rice crispies are my favorite) by placing it in a plastic bag and crushing it with a rolling pin, jar or your hand.
3. Add raisins and crushed cereal to mixture above. Mix thoroughly.
4. With your hands form into balls the size of a nickle.
5. Roll in powdered sugar if desired.
6. Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in freezer for up to 3 months.
7. This recipe makes 30 balls and each ball has 43 calories.

I cheated a little (I put in 1/4 C of mini chocolate chips instead of raisins because I like chocolate with my peanut butter and the kids won't eat raisins in food, just by themselves).

The first batch I didn't roll them in powdered sugar, the second batch I did (the powdered sugar is less messy to eat - I know that doesn't make sense, but that's what I found out). My kids can eat these as fast as I can make them (you see there aren't 30 in the picture). I like to keep them in the fridge for an after school snack also. We took these to our Cub Scout Den meeting one night and they were all gone asking for more (I even made a double batch).

Saturday, March 28, 2009

I am so SUPER excited!!!!!!!!!


I just received a letter in today's mail. They are using one of my recipes in the new upcoming Gooseberry Patch Cookbook, Autumn with Family & Friends.

This will be the second time they are using one of my recipes. I will get a copy of the recipe book in mid-July just before it is released.

I have been a fan of Gooseberry Patch for years and have been collecting their cookbooks for years and now I am actually in a couple. Make sure you pick up a copy this fall when it comes out. You can get it here or I have seen their cookbooks at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store and Restaurant.

I am just giddy!!!!!!

*****UPDATE! 8/11/09 - It's here! Check it out here.

Book Review


I read this book last summer (before I started my blog) and I was thinking about it and wanted to let you guys know what I thought about it.

I feel every parent, grandparent, teacher, and anyone that has anything to do with children should read this book. You can go to Gary Chapman's web site here to see a description about the book.

There are 5 basic love languages...(not in any particular order)
1) Physical Touch
2) Quality Time
3) Words of Affirmation
4) Gifts
5) Acts of Service

He believes that everyone "speaks" all of these languages, but everyone has a primary love language. This is true for children and adults (he has other books on adults, etc.), but he focuses on children in this particular book.

I pegged my older 2 children right away, Champ is a 'physical touch' child and Lee teeters between 'quality time' and 'words of affirmation' (most of the time he is quality time). You should not decide what a child's love language is until he/she is at least 5 years old. It could also change throughout a child's life.

The book helps people in dealing with their children. For example if you are an 'Acts of Service' person you enjoy doing things for other people and enjoy having people do things for you. But if your child is physical touch child, he/she may not understand your love.

You are doing what makes you feel good and loved (baking them cookies, doing their laundry, etc.) and think that you are telling them you love them (because that's what you under stand - 'Acts of Service'). Your child may not feel very loved because he/she is a 'Physical Touch' child and would much prefer hugs and kisses to homemade cookies, etc. It's not that you don't love your child or that they don't love you it's just a break down in communication. (The same goes for husband and wife, but that's another book - check out Gary Chapman's web site for that book and others.)

It was very enlightening to me. It goes more in depth on how to tell what primary love language your child speaks and how to communicate with him/her if you do not speak the same primary love language.

I truely love my children and it would break my heart to think that they may not know I love them because they couldn't understand me.

I have also purchased Chapman's book the 5 Love Languages of Apology (but I haven't read it yet). The 5 Love Languages (primarily for couples) is on my list of books to read this year also.

Have you read any of these books? If so, what did you think about them? Which is your favorite?

~Jena

More Chuck E Cheese pictures

Champ really liked the sketch machine.

We tried to get all 4 of them in the picture, but the screen just wasn't big enough. This time we got Anthony and Champ (Rance's eye).

Anthony and Lee. We tried to get Rance in there again, but he just couldn't be still long enough (I think we got his arm).

Champ and Lee playing with the Chuck E Cheese sketch machine..

Friday, March 27, 2009

Thursday we went to Chuck E Cheese

Anthony - his first trip to Chuck E Cheese

Rance's first trip to Chuck E Cheese


~Jena

My Husband Rocks Fridays


My husband rocks because he is such a great dad and husband. I love to watch him with the kids, he is so great to them and with them. They absolutely adore him (they are all daddy's boys).

~Jena

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

My Husband Rocks

I've just joined My Husband Rocks ~ Fridays. I think it is the neatest thing (especially in a negative world) so I couldn't wait to tell you about it (I'll do a real post on Friday). Check it out on my sidebar.

One reason my husband rocks is that he kisses me first thing in the morning (when I look my worst and he doesn't even act like he noticed).

Why does your husband rock?

~Jena

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

WOW

I am so surprised at all the blogs that are being posted at the Ultimate Blog Party. A special thanks to 5 Minutes for Moms for sponsoring this. Who knew there were so many blogs out there? I am truely amazed. (I think my family is not liking it as well - I am not cleaning house or cooking, I am checking out all the great blogs - it is so addicting.) I don't know if I will ever get through all the blogs or not (they do keep them posted so I have awhile to keep checking them out). Yeah!!!!

~Jena

Monday, March 23, 2009

I got my wish

I was over on LollyChops blog and she had a recipe on a cute recipe card that I could download and print (just like I was talking about yesterday). You can find that cute recipe and card here just scroll down to the bottom of the post. She got the recipe from Just Because I am Me. So a BIG thanks to LollyChops and Just Because I am Me. Thanks ladies. It is really cute and I love chicken salad, but I didn't have a recipe for it (I do now)!!!

I can't wait to try it, it is like the ultimate summer comfort food.

~Jena

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Recipe Cards

Check out marthastewart.com here for clip art of recipe cards (recipe cards you can print out yourself). I love these (I've printed them and they are really cute). I love it when someone gives me a recipe on a cute card (I can collect recipe cards along with recipes). It's also nice to give someone else a recipe on a cute card. I know some of you are into paper crafts and stamping and probably make your own card (I think that would be great, but let's get real here - am I gonna do that - probably not).

Don't forget to google it and you can get more printable recipe cards. Here are just a few of the many...

http://www.freeprintablerecipecards.net/
http://tipnut.com/free-printable-recipe-cards-a-nice-collection/
http://www.countryclipart.com/recipecards.htm
http://www.recipecards.net/

If you know of any more great sites like these, please let me know. There is just nothing like a handwritten recipe - it's so personal. My favorites are my mom's (especially since she has passed away).

So if you have a cute recipe card that you made yourself and a great recipe to go with it feel free to scan it and e-mail it to me (don't forget to put your name on it and where you are from). :o)

~Jena

Saturday, March 21, 2009

What's for Supper?


We had Easy Chicken Casserole (recipe follows), with a side of green beans, a side of carrots with brown sugar, and a side of spinach balls (recipe here).

I got the recipe for the Spinach balls from Amy over at The Motherload. They are supposed to be an appetizer, but I was dying to try them. I thought they would be a great way to get my boys to eat spinach. It didn't work. They had their mind made up before they even tried them, so they 'think' they don't like them. (Poor spinach balls didn't even stand a chance.) Frank doesn't like spinach, but tried them because I asked him to (isn't he a great hubby?) and he likes them. I will be taking them to the next church social.

Recipe for the Easy Chicken Casserole (given to me by a friend GM)
4 - 6 large chicken breasts
1 pkg. chicken flavored stuffing
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 C milk
1 small can water chestnuts, drained
bread crumbs, Ritz crackers or almond slivers

Boil chicken until tender. Let cool and cut or tear meat into bite size pieces. Prepare stuffing mix according to package directions. Mix soups with about 1 cup of milk (more if you want it thinner). Add stuffing and chicken to soup mixture. Pour into casserole dish sprayed with non-stick spray. Top with bread crumbs, crushed Ritz crackers (that's my fave), or almond slivers. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 min. uncovered.

Great New Recipe

Sandra over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom has some of the best recipes. I just tried another one 'Breakfast Potatoes' and it was delicious (you can find the recipe here).

It's called 'Breakfast Potatoes,' but I'm thinking it would be a great side dish at any time (perfect for potluck).

Try it, you'll like it.

~Jena

Friday, March 20, 2009

I'm Going to Party are You?


I am joining my first Blog Party. Come Join me here.

I am the mother of 4 boys. I love to craft, but don't have enough time to do all that I would like to (squeezing it in when I can). Being a SAHM, I have to do things on a budget (even crafting). Trying new recipes is fun (especially when we all enjoy the food after I've slaved over the hot stove). ;o)

I have enjoyed reading blogs for quite some time and thought that I would give it a try. I could talk about just about anything. I have family that doesn't get to see the boys as often as we would all like and this is one way they can see what is going on in our lives. It is also like a journal for me: to keep up with what I'm doing craft wise and what my boys are doing (I think it will be great to look back on).

~Jena

Gone Fishing




I'm not sure where I saw this (I think in the Publix Preschool Publication - but not positive).

My boys went fishing. They had a pond of fish (bowl of goldfish crackers) and a tackle box with bait and fishing poles (plate with peanut butter bait and pretzel stick fishing poles).

The boys would dip the end of their poles into the bait and then put their bait into the pond of fish.

It is fun and a fairly healty snack.

What neat snack idea do you do for your kids?

~Jena

Easter Buckets






I love baskets. As a matter of fact I collect baskets, but finding an Easter basket that doesn't look prissy for boys is a chore I find very difficult. So I came up with Easter buckets.

I went to Lowes and purchased 2 buckets (the larger ones in the pictures) for my 2 boys at the time. Later I had to go back and get 2 more buckets after the next 2 boys came along (they were little so I got smaller buckets - in a couple of years I am sure we will have to get them bigger buckets, but right now the smaller ones are easy enough for them to handle). I am sorry that I don't have step by step photos (I made these a few years ago), but I will tell you what I did.

****Remember...It is better to paint several thin coats than 1 thick coat.

1) Went outside on a beautiful day, turned the buckets upside down and spray painted primer on the buckets. On a sunny day it doesn't take long to dry. Also, if your children are old enough, they can help with this.

2) After the buckets were evenly covered with primer and dried, I covered them with white spray paint. You might could skip this step if you use white primer (I could only find grey primer).

3) While the paint was drying I cut out "egg" shapes from contact paper. I used a size that I thought was a good size for the bucket. (From the pictures you can see I used smaller eggs for the smaller buckets.)

4) After the paint was dry. I placed the "egg" contact paper all around the bottom of the bucket about 1/3 of the way up.

5) I spray painted the bottom 1/3 of the bucket green.

6) After that paint was dry, I spray painted the top 2/3 of the bucket sky blue. The blue should barely overlap the green (you should not see any white).

7) After that paint was dry, I removed the contact paper "eggs" and we had white egg shapes. I then gave my boys (just 2 at the time) paint pens and let them decorate their eggs (you could use sponges or whatever). When I made the 2 buckets for the little boys, I decorated the eggs for them (they weren't old enough). When we re-do their buckets in a couple of years, they will get to decorate their own "eggs."

8) I wrote their name and the year that we decorated them on the bucket. They are now beginning to get beat up, but that's part of the beauty of it. The boys also added their own art work to the bucket. I think Champ put a sun in the sky, we put grass stems next to some of the eggs, etc. You could put clounds in the sky (I would do this when I did the egg shapes with contact paper if you wanted to add clouds). You could paint chicks, bunnies, etc. I am not that artistic.

*On Lee's bucket, I tried something different. I was having a hard time getting the contact paper to stay on (I had to keep pressing it down), so I tried painting his without the contact paper and then drew "egg" shapes on the bucket for him to decorate. I don't like it as well.

Every Easter we get lots of comments on their buckets. I love them because they are more durable than baskets, don't look too "prissy" for boys and the boys are proud that they decorated them themselves.

If you try this, let me know how it turns out. I would love to see pictures.

~Jena

Thursday, March 19, 2009

It's Finished! - finally






I saw the cover of the book Crochet Collection by Leisure Arts and I fell in love with the afghan.

The 4th picture is the afghan draped diagonally across my queen size bed. The 5th picture is the boys lying in the floor next to it (to get an idea about the size of it). It is huge! I didn't expect it to be so big.

I bought the book in 2006, but after I bought the book I was afraid to buy the yarn (I had never done a project as big as an afghan before and didn't want to purchase the yarn and then never start the project). Shortly after I bought the book, Frank's sister said she bought a bunch of yarn and wouldn't be able to use it and wanted to know if I was interested. I said sure (not knowing anything about the yarn - I figured I could find something to do with it). When she brought it to me it was white, burgandy red and navy blue. I knew immediately what I was going to do with it. I only had to buy 1 skein of white (and I had a skein of red and blue left over).

I started the afghan in early 2006 (when the weather got warm I quit working on it). I put it aside for the summer and I forgot that I had it. I found it the other day and now it is finished!!!!!!!!!! It is my first afghan. I am redecorating the basement and I believe that it will go with it perfectly.

What project are you working on?

~Jena

I haven't forgotten

I have had 2 sick boys and I have been at the Dr.'s office 2 days in a row, so I haven't been able to blog. I am also trying to finish up my project that I gave you a 'sneak peak' of several days ago. I will be back very soon.

~Jena

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Do it Yourself Gift Bags



Use a plain gift bag any size (I used a small bag), a plastic soda bottle 16 oz., 20 oz. or 24 oz. that has "bumps" (for lack of a better word) on the bottom of the bottle. Use craft paint (any color) and you will need markers and/or paint pens. Put paint in a styrofoam plate and spread it out in a large circle, then dip the bottom of the soda bottle in the paint and gently press the painted soda bottle to the gift bag and lift straight up. That will become the petals of your flower. (On a large bag you could do several flowers in several colors.) After the paint has dried, you can use your thum or a circular object to make the center of the flower. After all the paint has dried, use permanent markers or paint pens to draw a stem and leaves to your flower (I don't know if mine shows up in the picture or not). Most importantly, have fun and be creative.

~Jena

Free Piano Sheet Music

I love to play the piano (although I haven't been able to in quite a while). I found this great website where you can get free sheet music. Check it out here. It is just a hobby for me (I only play for myself), but it's nice to get new sheet music to work on.

~Jena

13 Things that I am Thankful for that Most People Are Not

1) Laundry (it means that we have plenty to wear).
2) Dishes (it means that we have plenty to eat).
3) Noisy children (it means that they are healthy and active).
4) Very little time for myself (it means that my family and friends want to be with me).
5) Not a lot of money (it makes me appreciate what I do have and that it doesn't come easy).
6) When things go wrong (it reminds me to depend on God more).
7) That I'm not perfect (I'm just human and that's all God expects of me).
8) A messy house (it means we have a place to live and feel comfortable it in).
9) Noisy children (it means that I can hear).
10) When my children make a mess (it means that I am capable of cleaning it up and it is also a learning opportunity for my children, they are just human after all too).
11) When my children come crying to me (it means that they know they can come to me and they want me to comfort them).
12) Pain - physical and emotional (it means I'm alive and I can feel).
13) That Christ suffered and died for me (without it I wouldn't have God's grace and forgiveness).

~Jena

What Do I Do With It?



I wanted to try my hand at the broomstick lace crochet, so I took a small ball of yarn and tried it. It turned out pretty good, but now what do I do with it? It is too small for anything (maybe a short scarf?).

Stitch Diva has a wonderful video teaching how to do the broomstick stitch or broomstick lace here. While you are there look at the jacket she made using the broomstick lace. It is beautiful (it has 2 sleeve lengths). That's one that I would like to make, but I have too many projects on my plate right now as it is. Maybe another time and another day.

~Jena

Crochet A Long


I am going to attempt to participate in this Crochet-A-Long (CAL). Since it is work at your own pace I think that maybe I can do it. With 2 toddlers, I know I will be beind everybody else, but maybe I can get the jacket done by next fall/winter. I just thought it was a cute jacket and I have never done anything like it. I am challenging myself.

If you think you would like to participate too check it out here. But do it soon because the pattern is available for FREE only until March 23. If you are going to participate, leave me a comment and let me know.

Have you ever participated in a CAL or KAL or something similar? How did it go?

~Jena

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

My Favorite Scripture

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Phillipians 4:8

Fourteen years ago, when I first got married, I had terrible nightmares about my husband cheating on me. I had no reason whatsoever to have those dreams. One morning, when I first woke up, I was really mad at my new husband (because my dream seemed so real), then I realized the dream I had was almost exactly what had happed the day before on a Soap Opera. The above scripture kept coming to my mind. So immediately I gave up Soaps (yes, I have not watched them in 14 years) and I quit reading "trashy" romance novels. (There are plenty of them that are not "trashy" that I could read. What I call "trashy" you may not, I am pretty strict.)

I feel so much better. I am able to look at things in a more positive, optimistic way. I do not feel like I have made a sacrifice at all. God is our Heavenly Father (just like we are parents for our children and we want what's best for our children) and he wants what is best for us. We would not give our children bad advise, God would not give us bad advise either.

I am not suggesting that you give up Soap Operas (that was what I wanted to do for myself personally), but I am encouraging you to think on good things. Make the things that you dwell on, spend a lot of time doing, make them true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, and virtuous. Because, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:21.

~Jena

Counting Calories

My Aunt told me about this great website that helps you keep up with your eating and exercise habits. It is called My Calorie Counter. It will count your calories for you, you can keep a daily journal of what you eat and your exercises. It is really neat. Go check it out.

~Jena

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Sneak Peak


Here is a sneak peak at what I am working on right now. I am crocheting my first afghan. I hope I finish it soon (before it warms up) or I won't finish it for awhile. I started it in 2006 (did not work on it at all in 2007 or 2008), found it the other day and thought I would try to finish it.

I am the world's worst at starting projects and getting side tracked and not finishing them. Maybe this year I can do better (finish the projects that I start and maybe even finish a project or two that I started in the past). Wish me luck. I will show the finished project when it is completed. Maybe it won't be too long (it's about 3/4 complete).

~Jena

I want to go to Greece

After watching Mamma Mia and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, I want to go to Greece!!!! It looks beautiful and exotic. It's nice to dream.

~Jena

Crochet a Simple Shrug



I just completed this great little shrug for this spring. It will be great when I need a little something on, but not a lot. I loved the fuzzy yarn (I thought that it would be soft - and it is), but it was very difficult to work with. I do not recommend it for a beginner. It is very forgiving though (it hides mistakes). I got the pattern here from www.lionbrand.com. Lion Brand has lots of free patterns for knitting or crochet. They also have some great "How To" instructions. Check them out if you like this form of needlework.

I love to get my e-mail from Hobby Lobby that gives me a coupon each week. When I get 40% off any 1 regular priced item, I go get some yarn that is normally too expensive for me to purchase (or I feel guilty spending that much on yarn). It's great to get your needles then too.

~Jena

How to Eat Out Cheap in Cookeville, TN

On Tuesday nights, my friend and I go out to eat and then go get groceries. (A great girls night out huh? - grocery shopping!) We do our best to eat inexpensively (because we cut coupons and check out the sales, what good would it do us to go to all that trouble if we blow it on the meal before).

Last Tuesday night we at at Jackson Street Grill. We each had 10 piece hot wings (all drummies) for $3.00 ($.30 each), water to drink and we split an order of onion rings ($1.95 for total order). My bill was about $4.00 (plus tax) and I brought hot wings home for my hubby for lunch the next day (so it served basically 2 meals). This was really good food (it would have cost me that much or more at a fast food place).

A couple of weeks before, we ate at El Tapatio. I got a chicken tostada for $2.50 (you can get cheese, chicken or beef) with water to drink. They serve unlimited chips and salsa. I also have a smart card that gets me 10% off (that usually covers the tax).

Both places are nice, sit down restaurants where you are served. I always leave satisfied or really full, but never hungry. (The above totals do not include tips -which I do leave - even with tips it is not any more expensive than a fast food joint).

Where can you eat out inexpensively?

~Jena
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