Staying Busy.

Today is my last day of peace and quiet for a few months.

It's the last day of school for my kiddos. It's time for the summer festivities.

We have lots of plans for swimming, bowling, zoo, water parks; we have lots of plans!

I can't wait to see how the summer turns out.

Lately, things have calmed down considerably here but I am still busy.

I still go to church every Sunday and to my Women's Bible Study on Wednesday.

I volunteer in Kids church so I get to prepare a lesson and some fun activities through that.

I have also been helping people. Yesterday I helped an elderly church member and my mentor.

She is unable to do climbing and lifting so I helped her complete her spring cleaning.

I can honestly say I am loving and enjoying my life again.

I have also been doing a bit of crocheting here and there.

I have been making these granny squares out of Caron Simply Soft. I will finish out the burgundy and then I can piece together this blanket. I will be stitching it together and creating a border in white. This blanket will be given to the above mentioned mentor. I also plan on making blankets for the rest of my Bible study group.

I've been steadily working on the color block blanket I am making with my 10 colors of stylecraft. It is supposed to represent a sunset over the ocean...We will see how it turns out.

The non-busy parts of my days are spent here. My mom got her a new swing so her old Amish made wooden swing now hangs on my front porch. I spend most of my evenings on this swing watching the goings on in the neighborhood. It is also a great place to crochet. All seems right with the world when I am swinging.

My garden has been keeping me busy.  

Here is garden bed #1. I have tomatoes(several types), watermelon, snow peas, cantaloupe, broccoli, eggplant, bush beans, fennel, iceberg lettuce, and chives growing.

Bed #2 has Kentucky wonder beans, cucumber, serrano chilis, onions, Tequila sunrise hot peppers, squash, sweet peppers, and carrots and a volunteer tomato plant.

I have 3 containers with strawberry plants.

Bed #3 Has more tomatoes, sweet peas, okra, bell peppers, jalapenos, Kale, sweet peppers, cabbage and zucchini.

I can't wait to be able to redo my garden beds. Fresh block, fresh soil, fresh starts.

My container garden on my back deck is flourishing. 

These pots have herbs.

Basil, rosemary, parsley, oregano, chives, thyme, cilantro.

I have spinach, leaf lettuce, kale, green onion, walla walla onion, iceberg lettuce, peppermint, orange mint, and chocolate mint.

I have Neon Lights Swiss Chard growing here in my red containers.

And I have Cherry tomatoes growing in my Lowes buckets.

My back deck garden is pretty much a salad/juicing garden.

My house chores have also kept me pretty busy.

I have 4 kids, 2 dogs, 4 cats, and 2 kittens at this moment so my house can get dirty quick.

It takes a lot to keep up with the house chores! Here is my kitchen.

(what you cant see is the dirty bowls and cups in the sink)

My dining room seems to be a collect all room. 

However, I am doing well keeping it tidy.

I have a great update on my hormonal situation.

It seems that eating properly, staying active, and taking the vitamins nightly have been helping.

I have had a lot more energy, my symptoms have lessened! I did have a couple tired days but other than that I am feeling more and more like myself again! Praise God.

I also want to take a moment to ask you all to pray for those communities in Oklahoma.

I have been watching the coverage of it and the scenes are just horrific.

That is all for today. I need to take a shower. I'm all dirty from digging in the garden.

Be Blessed,

Erin

Almost Summer an Update

Can you believe it is almost summer again?

I can't.

My children have six days until they are out of school.

I cannot wait! I am looking forward to lazy days and no schedules.

My kids are really excited too.

The end of the school year means prom season. 

And the beautiful and colorful dresses.

It also means sunny days and out door play.

Here we are knocking the seeds out of our Maple Tree.

Here are a few of the pics we took on Mother's Day.

This staged pic is supposed to look like Eddie is using his Jedi powers to lift hope.

I think he succeeded.

They wanted to get a pic of them all jumping.

Here they were throwing the maple seeds (helicopters) in the air.

I love how they twirl around as they come down.

We had glorious weather on Mother's Day.

Finally, Here is a pic of some of my strawberries...I can't wait until they turn red!

Sorry if this post seems a little spacey.

I have a terrible summer cold.

Complete with Fever, stuffy head, stuffy nose, runny nose, cough.

I can't concentrate too long.

Well that will be all for today.

I hope to get back to blogging regularly once I get well and things seem to calm down.

We will be having special visitors this weekend.

Can't say anything else as it is a surprise.

Until next time,

Be Blessed.

Springing Around

Hello again my friends. I know it has been nearly a month since I have wrote last. I have no excuse really.

I just haven't been taking pictures and I haven't really felt like blogging.

I haven't really been doing anything except working in my yard, going to church, and doing things I have to do. I have kind of lost my mojo for everything again.

However, I have found out the reasons why I have felt so off lately. The reason can cause my blahs, the anxiety, feeling so worn out and tired. It really explains it all.

I am only 33 years old and I am in perimenopause. 

I have moderate symptoms and we are trying a holistic approach to help with these symptoms.

I know that 33 seems pretty young but my grandmother started in her mid thirties and my mom started in her late thirties. I guess since I delivered 4 kids and had the cancer, my body has decided to start ending certain aspects of my life.

So for the past week I have been taking better care of myself.

First, I had to begin taking vitamins and supplements. I am taking a daily multivitamin with minerals, a Vitamin B complex, a calcium/magnesium with zinc supplement, and a fish oil. Next week I will incorporate a vitamin c supplement.These supplements are supposed to help with the regulations of my crazy hormones.

I also have to eat a lot better. I'm supposed to have plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats with every meal. This is probably the hardest part of the whole thing. We have limited funds for groceries so buying will be a challenge. However, my garden will make this really easy this summer.

I also have to make sure to get daily exercise. I will admit that I am pretty lazy. I love to just watch movies relaxing on the couch all day. But now I make sure to walk the dogs plenty during the day. I also have yoga and zumba dvds that I can incorporate. I have a friend who wants me to walk with her and we have talked about playing some volleyball as soon as we can work around her schedule. So I have that covered.

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I have managed to take some pictures for you.

This gorgeous cloudy sky was on my way to my mom's house to pick up a surprise.

(I will reveal with a pic later)

Here we have a pic of Hope blowing a dandelion.

(I love this pic)

This pic is of Eddie and his dad's hand as we were waiting for Faith's band concert to start.

Faith is seen here with the pink shoes on. She is sitting beside the girl with the bluish/purplish dress on.

The entire 6th grade band did such a wonderful job.

Here is the surprise we picked up from my mom's. She decided to buy her a new swing and she gave us her old Amish made wooden one. It is only a couple years old. It is now my favorite spot on my front porch.

I have been doing a lot of work in my yard. Here are my front flower beds.

I decided to use black mulch this year instead of red.

I added some mystery lilies beside my house and I added some tulips around my shepherd's hook.

I also put some strawberry plants in my hanging basket. They were being choked out by a rambling rose and honey suckle vines.

These are the only things that haven't been planted in my garden.

The cups are my tomato plants and the cells are my pepper plants.

They aren't very big because I was late starting them.

My garden beds are all planted with everything except for my tomatoes and peppers.

I didn't get a chance to redo them due to unforseen money issues.

My greenhouse has turned into a garden shed.

My hubby used recycled wood and made me a compost bin. I don't have much in it now but I will have it full of nutritious stuff to make some awesome compost for my garden very soon.

My back deck garden has been planted. This year it is mostly stuff for a salad.

We have kale, spinach, lettuce, swiss chard, green onions, regular onions, and soon we'll have 

cherry tomatoes.

Our beloved Smokey returned home!

Come to find out he was in our neighbor's garage.

The following pics are just some photos I took while walking my dogs.

I really want some creeping phlox. It is so pretty.

Well that is all for today. I will do an update on my garden and my hormonal situation.

I'm hoping to get back to blogging and crocheting.

Until next time,

Be Blessed.

Still Around?

Hello everyone. 

I just wanted to drop in and let you know I am still around.

Things have been a little crazy lately.

We had a couple of illnesses come through the house.

One a cold one a tummy thing.

We also had people here for nearly 3 weeks winterizing our house. 

They thought it would take only one week but our old house just needed more TLC.

One of the weeks they were here two of us were sick.

It wasn't fun staying out of bed for them.

The weather is finally looking good here.

We have had some warm weather since Sunday.

Yesterday it got to 83.

Tomorrow it is supposed to rain and drop back to the 50s.

Then a couple days later it will be in the 70s again.

With the warm weather, I am getting out there and trying to get my garden beds situated.

We will be tearing them all up in a couple weeks.

The wood around them just won't hold for another year so we are gonna do concrete block.

Then I think I will let the kids paint the outside of the blocks.

Then I can get my cool weather plants going.

Peas, broccoli, kale, lettuce...

They are all sitting on their shelves in my dining room window patiently waiting to be put in the ground.

The anxiety is getting better now that warmer weather is here.

I still have moments but I think I am finally coping with everything.

I have went shopping a couple times.

Yesterday the hubby and I went on a date.

We grabbed us a bite to eat and went to Paint Creek lake to eat it.

We then decided to walk the trails. 

Sadly, I always seem to forget the camera I bought to keep with me! 

I did get a cell phone pic of a goose.

We saw some turtles, frogs, woodpeckers, whitetailed dear.

The hike was awesome.

On a more troubling note, our beloved kitty Smokey is missing.

He is our all gray kitty. He was born here and he loved us so much.

He went outside the night before last. 

We saw him a little later on the porch and he wouldnt come in.

We haven't seen him since. 

He usually runs in in the morning to eat.

Unfortunately, the poor guy had a cold.

His eyes were all gunky.

He has meds we have to give him but he ran away.

Maybe that's why.

I keep praying he comes back soon.

We miss him terribly.

Well, I have to stop with this "quick" update.

I have to get showered and dressed to go to my Bible Study group.

I think I will walk today.

It is beautiful out there.

I will get my camera in my little clutch I have been carrying around so I can get some pics for you all.

I haven't forgotten you!

I love you all.

Erin.

Bunny Butt Cake

Hi everyone. Guess what I am doing right at this moment (besides blogging)!

It's not too exciting but I am sitting in my bed listening to the local radio station that plays family friendly songs from the 60s-now. I can hear my hubby and boys playing the Playstation 3 in the living room.

Everything is as it should be!

I wanted to share with you something I did earlier this month.

I am mighty proud of it.

You see, every year I get Betty Crockers calendar for my kitchen and nearly ever year there is some sort of cake for the month of March.

Every year, daughter number 2, Faith, wants me to make that cake from the calendar for her birthday.

This year was Bunny Butt Cake.

So looking at the cake on the calendar, I was a little intimidated.

Then looking at the recipe, I realized I didn't have all the equipment I needed.

You have to make the bunny body in an oven safe bowl BUT I just used 2 9-inch round cake pans.

Here is how it turned out!

 It kind of looks like bunny is digging a hole!

Here is a view from the front and top of the bunny.

This picture shows the fruit roll up and sour candy carrots. I know they are odd colors but I grow odd colored carrots in my garden so the kids thought they were completely normal.

Here is a view from the side of the bunny.

 The icing in the background is not for this cake but for the cupcakes I had to make.

Here are the cupcakes. My oldest son, Eddie, is allergic to coconut so he had to munch on these instead.

So what do you all think?

These cupcakes were the first time since high school some 16-17 years ago I have piped icing.

I bought a starter kit and was thinking of purchasing a master icing tip set and perhaps starting a cake making business out of my home. 

I mean I love to bake and I am usually baking something anyway..maybe I can get paid for it?!?

Who knows?

Anywho, tonight was special as well. The local middle school had a St. Patty's day dance and my girls went.

It was Faith's first dance!!!!!

They are growing up way too fast for me!

Anyone know how to stop time?

Well It is late here and I am one sleepy momma.

There are more goodies to come.

Until next time

Be Blessed

Erin

Floundering

It has been a week maybe two since my last post.

It has been a couple weeks since the big anxiety attack in Tennessee.

I am floundering.

I am doing really good about not reliving it over and over and over and over....

I have adopted a mantra..

"You can't do anything about the past because it is done and cannot be changed.

You shouldn't worry too much about the future because it can always change.

You should worry about and live in the RIGHT NOW. "

However, I am still struggling. I still have a low-level of anxiety that I didn't have before.

I went with my wonderful hubby to another town to on Monday.

I was anxious and panicky. I did control it to an extent. But eventually I had to tell him I needed to just go home.

I honestly am avoiding going places because I am just too tired to fight the anxiety.

I really haven't felt right or maybe like myself since that trip. 

I feel like a completely different person.

I have a greater love for my hubby and children for sticking by me.

I am more loving toward them.

However, I feel like I don't know myself anymore.

Oh I wish I could explain it better.

I do know I feel emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausted.

The constant low level anxiety wears me down.

It also affects my digestive system. I've always had IBS and I have been in a constant state of digestive uproar. 

My friends, I am coping as best I can with this and will keep you updated.

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On an upside, my hubby and I have decided to make some nice and healthy life changes. First we are cleaning up our eating. Now this isn't really gonna be too much of a change for us because I always do the brown rice and whole wheat pasta. I will be using whole grain bread. We already do lower fat versions of some food. We eat a lot of lean meats and when we do have hamburger I drain and rinse all the fat off.

The biggest change will be cutting out white sugar and white flour. I will be buying whole wheat flour and honey for my bread making. I will be using whole grain pastry flour as well. We will be using raw sugars, agave, and honey for most of our sweetening needs. And last but not least I will be shopping weekly for our food so I can get a lot of fresh, organic, in season, produce. (at least until my garden produces)

I will also still be using coupons. I will pick up some of the not as healthy stuff too. I am being realistic about this change. I think I will stick to the 80/20 method. Eat clean 80 percent and not so clean 20%.

I also plan on canning a lot of my own sauces and toppings (without sugar and salt) this growing season. I more than likely will be buying dried beans and lentils in bulk and canning those types of things as well.

I believe diet is #1 in a healthy lifestyle. #2 is activity level. I have came up with a plan for myself for working out on top of the normal household and dog walking activities. 

Sunday: Weights

Monday: Yoga

Tuesday: Zumba

Wednesday: Yoga

Thursday: Weights

Friday: Yoga

Saturday: Zumba with kids

I can vary each of these workouts so I won't be doing the same thing every  time.

I have already started my plan and I have lost 4 pounds.

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I also have some crafty ideas bouncing around in my head.

I want to make a lap blanket for each of the women in my Women's Bible Study Group.

These women (all quite older than me) have taken me under their wings and are helping me through this life.

I love each one of them.

There are 8 of them. I will probably make at least 10 blankets just in case.

AND I have been working on one already and am about 60% finished with it.

I hope to have them all finished by the middle/end of summer sometime.

Oh and I will be making an extra blanket for my friend Rhonda. She is the same who lost her husband and high school sweetheart unexpectedly around Halloween.

Ahem I may even make one for our pastor's wife who is battling lung cancer.

She has already beaten colon cancer.

On top of all this, I have tried to start a cross stitch BUT I am not too good at it. I will have to make a trip to my mom's to see if she can straighten me out. She is really great at cross stitching.

Well, that is all for me today. I will try to keep you all informed. I think I may start treating this blog as a journal with the hope that I can help someone out there somehow.

Until next time

Be Blessed

Erin