July 2011~After 7 Years...

After living in this home that we bought 7 years ago, I am finally getting my kitchen remodeled.
I use the word "remodeled" loosley. What we are doing is repairing the ceiling and foundation in the kitchen. When we were shown the house in February of 04', the roof/ceiling had a big hole. There were stalactites of ice hanging from the ceiling! Most of the ceiling tiles were on the floor. Huge mess. I wish I had before pictures, sadly I don't. We lived with a blue tarp stapled to the ceiling for all these years. I couldn't wait to pull it down.....

Our first sheet of drywall is up....

Done with the drywall...I'm thinking of putting beadboard up next...The room now feels so much brighter, cleaner, and new.


Our foundation was repaired last week. We learned that it had dropped 2 inches on the west side. Just walking in the kitchen now, the floor feels so much stronger.

Next project: taking out the stove, cabinets and possibly sink to put down linoleum.


Happy 3rd anniversary little blog.

Dayspring Product Review~4/12/11

Around the end of January, I signed up to do a review of a Dayspring product.

A few days ago, I opened the front door to get the mail and discovered a big brown box. I was so excited to see that it was from Dayspring. It took me a few minutes to remove the packing material...they took great care in making sure that the product would arrive all in one piece.

I will say that at first I was a little bit disappointed that I didn't receive my first choice. My disappointment was very short lived. I received my second choice and I LOVE it!

Behold..... the Grace Tray!
The wording on the tray is:Wonderful Grace~Simple Joy~Unending Hope~Authentic Peace~Unfathomable Love...

The detail on this tray is really beautiful. The floral pattern is hand carved. Made of wood, it looks like it would be heavy....but it is very lightweight.



It is being offered, for the month of April, for half-off. Check it out! http://store.dayspring.com/sigrwotr.html



Disclaimer: Dayspring through (in)courage provided me with this product for free, in exchange for this review!

Thank you Dayspring for giving me the opportunity to review one of your amazing products!

An Apple Recipe Snicker Delight~10-15-10

This is my all time favorite apple based treat. It is super simple to make and delicious.
Enjoy!

I am linking up to Kelsey's sweet blog http://simplyapplesnspice.blogspot.com/2010/10/weekly-menu-october-11-17.html She has 260lbs of apples in her pantry to be used up. So here is one recipe to use up 3 of your apples, Kelsey. LOL!


Apple Snicker Delight

4 Snickers candy bars (frozen, then crushed) I unwrap them and put them in a plastic bag, wrap in a towel and pulverize with a hammer. Great therapy:)
3 Apples, Chopped
8oz. tub of Cool Whip
1 Small box of instant vanilla pudding
1 cup of milk

Freeze candy bars. Smash candy bars. Chop apples. In a large bowl mix box of vanilla pudding and milk. Mix together Cool Whip, pudding mixture, apples and candy bars.

Put a huge serving into your favorite bowl and enjoy!

Let me know how you like it! or not! LOL

Blessings,
Clorissa

Home a Haven:Day 5~10-8-10

Today was a struggle.
I spent time with Him.
I managed to get several things crossed off of my to-do list.
I spent some time outside with the girls. Beautiful day.
Even though I had several things planned to do today, I just couldn't move to do them.



I heard a song today that immediately summoned the tears. My girls were so sweet. Trying to soothe me. But, the tears still fell.
I excused myself and stepped outside. I walked over to the tree that we planted in April, in memory of our baby lost.
Then I felt him. My sweet husband, wrapped his strong arms around me and just held me. He is my haven. My comfort. My strength. Thank you Lord, for allowing me to share this life with such an amazing man. It was a loss for him too.
I should be 8 months pregnant.

Not exactly the post I had planned for today.

Thank you Monica, for hosting Make Your Home A Haven week. I have enjoyed "meeting" new friends. I feel refreshed, renewed and confident that I am doing the best I can to make my home a haven for my husband and children.

Good Night!


Blessings, Clorissa

Home a Haven:Day 4~10-7-10

Thursday October 7th

Refresh Your Spirit. I am still reading Psalm 107. Spending time with Him first thing in the morning.

Morning Routine. Same as yesterday.

I took a few minutes before I started school and read a few pages of my Book Club book. Along with some hot chocolate....
I usually only read after I am in bed!

School...In science we learned about our fingerprints. Made little fingerprint people!


In Language Arts, our book for the week is Goodnight Gorilla. Such a sweet story. My favorite part is the little mouse dragging a banana by a string throughout the story. I found this site by the author of the book and we decided to make the "Ants on a Banana-Bus". Soooo cute! The girls loved it. Squeals of delight filled our tiny kitchen. Here is the site in case anyone wants to make them with your kiddos. The illustrations are so sweet. http://www.hamstertours.com/snacks.html

See the little mouse?

Anyone have one of these? This is Daisy. She is around a year old. I found her last year rolling around in the street. (I thought she had been hit.) Nope. The people who she belonged to just didn't care about her. They gave her to me without even thinking about it. ANYWAY, whenever I am prepping for a meal, this is where she is, always. She just stands there watching me, looking all sweet. Spoiled I tell you!

She was watching me prepare these:
Monica posted this recipe on her sweet blog. Visit her here http://thehomespunheart.blogspot.com/2010/10/haven-day-two.html
My plan for tomorrow is the same it has been all week. Time with Him. Make a to-do list. Really connect with my girls. Do something special for myself. Be in the moment.

My home is a haven.

Home a Haven:Day 3~10-5-10

Day 3

Monday and Tuesday were a success in terms of making our home a haven. I finished 90% of my to-do list both days.I was even able to go to Book Club on Tuesday night! I have missed so many Book Clubs lately because I have felt exhausted and overwhelmed by 7:00pm! It was so nice to reconnect with friends and get a new book to read.
I really took the time to listen to my girls. Took time for myself. But MOST important of all, I put my Father first! That in and of itself made all the difference in my days! Amen.
***************************************************************************************
Wednesday October 5th

Refreshing my spirit. Before my feet hit the floor, I reach for my Bible and read my devotion for the day. I re-read Psalm 107. My favorite verse is:

29:He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.
30:They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.

I read our family devotion to the girls and said our prayers for the day.
Yep, feeling refreshed!

Fed the girls breakfast. I always sit at the table and eat breakfast with them. Usually, our conversation centers around the dreams they had the night before! I send them off to their room to play and I begin my morning routine.

My Morning Routine.
*Clean bathroom.
*Feed cats.
*Wash breakfast dishes.
*Start a load of laundry.
*Set up for school.
*Check e-mail.
*Homeschool starts at 9:30am.

Lunch is served around 12:30. It was such a pretty day, I decided to put a little table out on the porch and serve them lunch outside. Nothing fancy:Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches, Peaches, and a little treat of Mini Lemon cupcakes and Candy Corn mixed with Peanuts. They were so excited to eat outside. It makes my heart soar to see them so excited about something that I consider so simple.

For Dinner we had:
*Chicken Noodles
*Mashed Potatoes
*Sweet Corn
*Cheddar Biscuits
My husband LOVES this meal. And I LOVE making it for him. :)

I am really enjoying visiting everyone's blogs. Thanks for sharing.

Home A Haven:Day 1~10-4-10

Monday October 4th

I feel a bit behind since I didn't get this post up on Monday evening. But I have a good reason, I made myself go to bed at a decent hour as apposed to say 3:00am or so. :)

I began the day by spending time with Him. I read Psalm 107, my devotion and said prayers. Had devotion time with the girls. Then we, along with my sweet husband, set out on our nature walk. It was beautiful and sunny, although a bit chilly. About an hour later we arrived home cold and hungry. Made Cinnamon Rolls and Hot Chocolate. Yum!

The rest of the day went great. I really tried to be in the moment. I really listened to the girls. You know, look them in the eye and truly listen to what they were saying instead of only half listening and saying "uh-huh".( I do this way too often with them.) I think because I really paid attention it made a difference in the amount of times that I had to raise my voice to them....I didn't have to do it once today. :)

We went to the library.


We were on our way home, when my oldest says, "Mommy, today was a great day!" How awesome is that?

Supper...Ranch Chicken Wraps, Sweet Corn and Apples and Dip.

Prayers first...



















I have always been a list maker, but it seems that here lately I have not been doing it. But, making my list Sunday evening, I felt a sense of control for the day ahead.
And NO doubt, putting God first makes a huge difference in my attitude for the day!!!