Reclaiming The Home

A new home.

I told you in the last post that there would be some changes ahead and there are!  We're moving!  No, not me, Kev & the girls... the RTH blog is moving!  We are at a new URL, so please update your bookmarks and join us over there.

(CLICK HERE TO GET TO THE BLOG!)

There will be lots of new changes happening, the first of which is design.  The site is being completely reconfigured at the moment with even more changes ahead as I continue to configure the sidebars.

On that note, if you would like me to include your blog in my blogroll, please comment over at the new blog, and I'll add you in!  I love to read the blogs of those of you who come to visit.  Its so nice to get to know each of you!

You will also have a chance to get to know me a little better as well, since I will be starting a podcast for Reclaiming The Home!  This is a very exciting change, and one that I have been looking forward to for a very long time.  We have some exciting topics to discuss so be sure to come over and listen in.  The first podcast will be up soon!

To celebrate this change, I will also be having a giveaway.  It will be announced tomorrow, Jan 8, so don't forget to check the blog and sign up.  There will be some pretty sweet prizes!

Thank you all so much for being such loyal friends here at this blog.  We're moving forward in so many exciting ways.  There are already a few new posts over on the new blog, and of course the big welcome giveaway will be posted very soon, so please come join me - its going to be better than ever! 

(((HUGS)))!

~ Kristin

I'm back!

I have been having some sign in problems with Typepad but they worked with me every step of the way to get it fixed, so I'm back finally!  whew!

There are some big changes coming up here soon, so keep your eyes peeled for what's next! :)

(and just because its been forever - here's a peek at something I made recently!)

TWILIGHT SWAP!!!! *squeeeee*! (part 2)

Now that I showed you what I sent, its time to show you what I received!!  I am going to preface this by saying that I really really needed this amazing pick-me-up and Rachel knew exactly how to spoil me.  I feel pampered beyond belief. :)  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU Rachel!

Here is the package with everything wrapped up.  She took SUCH careful time to wrap everything so beautifully, and had notes and tags for each item on every package!!!  She put a LOT of thought and time into this swap, no doubt about that!!

Jessica sent along a little something for me as well!!  There is a Team Jacob pin (SO awesome!) and an Edward keychain (he will be with me always!!), and Bella's Lullaby on CD!!!  She totally surprised me.  Such a sweetheart to send me a few gifts along in this package!  THANK YOU JESSICA!!!!!! :-*  I LOVE IT ALL!

Inside of a home-sewn felt pouch (that will be reused often to hold photos when I go to crops), Rachel gave me some AMAZING Jacob bath goodies that smell like "Woods and Earth" (actually it smells a bit like HEAVEN - YUMMMMM).  These are from Essence of Twilight.  If you're interested in getting some for yourself, you can find them at www.essenceoftwilight.com This scent is "Jacob".  Nom-nom-nom. :)

She sent me an AWESOME homemade bookmark that I will be using when I re-read the series again VERY soon.  I'm not sure how much reading I'll get done staring at that handsome face! (also my favorite quote from Twilight!)

Ah the music.  NOT ONLY did she send me the Twilight CD (*squeeeeeeeeeeeee!*)......

But she ALSO sent me the ENTIRE collection of Twilight Playlists from Stephenie Mayer's website that she has coordinated with the books!!!  I am listening to it right NOW, and can't get enough!!!  This will be in my CD player for a LONG time!  Check out this awesome custom case as well!!

I was seriously like:

(^^ Actual picture of me on the phone opening presents from Rachel!!)

She found the PRETTIEST apple to include with the package... SO very Twilight!! It's sitting on my desk right now and will find a very special place with my Twilight Collectables that I want to display!

She also found a Cullen Crest pin for me!!  I am so in LOVE with it!  Its subtle, but anyone who is a fan will know just what it is.  Fangirls unite!

This next item I couldn't even get a good picture of because I was so excited I wasn't taking the time to focus the camera right.  My bad!!! 

She made me a woolen felt pouch embroidered with the phrase "greetings from LA PUSH", bound with twine and a tag that says, "Wish you were here!  Love, Jacob". 

On the inside.... SHELLS from La Push beach!!

And as if that wasn't enough, I got my VERY OWN JACOB!

She didn't stop there.... ooooooooooh no!  Rachel went ALL out for this amazing swap!  She made me the COOLEST Twilight jewelry... just a few "Rachel Originals" :)

This one is on my neck right now!

She made these two necklaces out of dominos that she altered.  They look SO professional.  I am just in AWE of what she's done!!!  I can't wait to wear them out and show off a bit!

Amazing. :)

She sent along a few more (okay 18) little baubles!  She made all of this awesome flare just for me!  There are even a few in there with pictures of me & rachel!!  I can't wait to decorate my bulletin board with them!

She knows me so well. :)  She decided to pamper my home-making side a bit too and made me an apron as well!  (I'm sorry for the bad picture of this, but I took all my pictures as I opened everything in the car LOL!!)  I am SO going to be wearing this while I'm cooking Christmas dinner.  Hubby has said that he will oblige the "nibbling." ;)

And... so I don't have to choose EITHER Edward or Jacob.... I get to have them both!

To make sure to keep all of my dates with all of the vampires and werewolves I know, she made me this INCREDIBLE planner! (Can we say "WOW"?)

As if that weren't enough, she sent along a journal for me to write all of my thoughts in (and dreams about Jacob... er Edward... er.. Kevin... someone)

Here's a framed picture of our "fish faces" all Vamped out and in an AWESOME frame. :)  That's sitting right next to my apple on the desk right now!

She made me a REALLY cool tee shirt that says "DAZZLED" (which I will be wearing tomorrow while we're out shopping!)

And custom painted a tote bag with Edward and Bella!!  I took this out today in lieu of my purse, and LOVED every minute of it.  This is my favorite bag, EVER.

Last, but DEFINITELY not least, she sent me an AMAZING scrapbook.  I mean WOW.  I get to keep all of my Twilight memorabilia (photos from the book release, movie ticket stubs, etc) in there... I will have to do a separate post to showcase the whole thing because it is BREATHTAKING.

When all was said and done you couldn't see the floor of my van....

But I was happier than I've been in a LONG time. :)  Thank you for absolutely making my day... week... Christmas, Rachel!!!! :) 

*SWOOOOOOOOOOON* :)

~Kristin :)

TWILIGHT SWAP!!!! *squeeeee*! (part 1)

Okay so for the past month Rachel and I have been doing a Twilight swap for one another.  It was a personal swap between just the two of us, with the goal being that we just spoil each other as much as we possibly can with Twilighty-goodness.  Of course a good portion of that was customized and made especially for the other.

My package for Rachel:

I got her a copy of Wuthering Heights (a book that Bella reads throughout Twilight), a black planner & a black journal (that she can alter if she wants - i was going to paint the book covers on them but ran out of time), and a silver ring with two garnets & two hearts representing Bella & Edward's love (though Rachel swears its representing HER and Edward, hehe!). 

I made her a scrap-basket out of a gorgeous embroidered black fabric in twilighty colors (the style of the bag is like this - its for scraps of paper and such while she's scrapbooking at a crop).

I bound a book of Twilight Cliffs Notes with a custom-designed cover.  I got the "Cliffs Notes" from here (written by Cleolinda Jones). - *WARNING* do not read the cliffs notes if you have not read all 4 books.  There are a couple spoilers.  If you haven't read the books, but want to read this, then you have a great additional motivator to read the books. ;)  I also included a couple of cute Twilight Cartoons I found in the bound version.  You can see them here and here.

I made her a customized mug with a picture of the rainforests in Forks that says "its too green" (homage to Bella's opinion of Forks when she arrives, and to Rachel's LOVE of all things coffee). 

I "vamped" a picture of Rachel and me from when she came to visit this last spring and made a card for her.  The card fit perfectly into a frame that I also included. 

I made a bottle of "spark'es" out of a bottle of glitter - and the label says "real men sparkle" with a picture of edward. :)  

I also crocheted a mug cozy with handspun red wool, and sewed an image of an apple (as all fangirls know, its Twilight icon for the "forbidden fruit"), that matched a crocheted apple I made for her out of the same fiber. :)

I also crocheted a set of fingerless mits in black wool with red laces from the same wool yarn as above. :)

I also crocheted a hat that looks similar to the one that Bella wore when she was talking to Jacob at La Push in the movie.  I used this pattern (Durango) and shortened the bottom to two rows of back post sc.

The last few things were mostly photoshop junkie goodies.  I made her some bookmarks & mini posters. :)

 

 

 

Part two (the receipt of awesomeness) is to come SOON!

Due Date

I apologize for being so absent lately.  Its been a difficult start to the holiday season this year.  Today would have been my due date if I had not miscarried our baby in June.  Forgive me for not being more talkative but for the moment I'm just trying to focus on remembering the life that we lost, and treasuring my family as much as I can.  I'll be back soon... Thanks for understanding and sticking with me.  ~ Kristin

Winter Activities

The weather is getting cooler and for us that means fewer water activities - a staple favorite for the kids.  At the beginning of summer I had posted a list of activities that we would be trying out and having fun with.  Having that list helped so much with keeping me sane and the kids stimulated & entertained.  It helped us to make some of our most favorite memories of the year. 

I thought it was about time to make a list of winter activities as well.  If you have any ideas to share leave a comment and I'll add them in and credit you. :)

1. Build tents out of old quilts and play underneath with flashlights and dollies.
2. Gather leaves, pinecones, and other outdoor goodies and make a mobile to hang in the playroom.  Make the mobile base out of sticks and yarn scraps.
3. Create and play our own musical instruments
4. Make bracelets out of paper & stickers & color them.
5. Bake together (we do this often and it is one of our favorite activities!  The kids love pouring & stirring)
6. On mild days, draw with chalk on the concrete
7. String wooden beads and make our own  jewelry
8. Play house
9. Build a pretend washer and dryer out of cardboard boxes and pretend to wash & hang clothes while mommy washes too.
10. Go on a walk on a mild day
11. Paint pictures with shaving cream on the table
12. Color
13. Read about Dora and the Snow Princess. Cut snowflakes and hang them along the top of the windows
14. Go to the library and read books
15. Read The Rainbow Fish and make shiny fishes by gluing bits of foil & paper on fish shapes.
16. Read The Giving Tree.  Talk about what gifts we can give of ourselves.  Make paper trees by gluing leaves on a tree base
17. Do some potato/fruit/veggie stamping
18. Make Cinnamon Spice Ornaments
19. Do some lacing cards
20. Scrapbook together
21. Make a doll house out of a cardboard box for the playroom
22. Make furnishings together for the doll house
23. Play dollies a lot.
24. Paint our toe nails the same color
25. Color on canvas with markers and make drawn creatures into stuffed animals to hug.
26. Make a handprint mural on a big piece of canvas to hang in the play room (outline hands with crayon on the canvas for wax-resist painting and let the kids go to town)
27. Make our own bubble solution (1 gallon water, 2/3 cup dishwashing soap, 2-3 Tbs. Glycerin) and blow bubbles with home-made bubble wands
28. Put an open weave fabric on a large embroidery hoop and let Anna embroider on it with a plastic needle
29. Have a tea-party-on-the-quilt with all the resident teddy bears.  Dress up.
30. Fill a bucket with warm water and put it over a couple of towels.  Provide water-safe toys and let the fun begin.
31. Make Rice Crispy Treats
32. Make Popcorn Balls
33. Put together a nature table with some cute knitted gnomes
34. Do puzzles together
35. make macaroni and cereal art
36. Make a gingerbread (or graham cracker) village
37. Make paper mache' balloon lanterns - hang them in the playroom and in the kids' rooms
38. Make yarn pom pom ornaments together and hang them on the tree, or give some out to friends, family and teachers.
39. Make snow globes out of old baby food jars (of which i have a bajillion for some reason)
40. Tie Dye a pair of socks for each girl and as gifts from them this holiday season

Coffee House Treats

A few weeks ago I shared this delicious dish with my mother on a late night trip to the hotel cafe (which served Starbucks) when we were in Houston for the educational convention.  Isn't that tart just incredibly beautiful?  Paired with a double vanilla latte, I'm not sure there is anything tastier in this world.

I've been wanting to make them ever since.  I stocked up on Yogurt to take care of the filling, but have been trying to figure out how they did the tart part for a while.  You see, its not just a crisp tart shell.  On the inside of the tart there is a short layer of what appeared to be cake!  It really added to the texture of the whole thing, though it really surprised me at the time.

For the purpose of eating healthier, I may forego the cake layer, though I still find myself incredibly curious about how that was done.  if you have any ideas, I'd love to hear them!

What is your favorite coffeehouse treat?

Playing Catch-Up

Life has been crazy around these parts, but we've been enjoying ourselves this past weekend and I finally feel like I have a little room to breathe.

First off, I want to wish a very, very happy birthday to my beautiful Anna Banana who is now officially 3.  She's at a wonderful age just now, filled with wonder, and messiness, and creativity.  She has personality growing out of her ears and teaches us something new every single day.  I have to say that as I sit and think, I am realizing even more how each day is a gift with her.  I know I am so blessed to have her, and Abbi in my life.  So many don't get that chance.  We're really celebrating our family, and how Anna's life and her spark light us all up so much, on the anniversary of her birth this year... she is such an amazing person, and a truly beautiful addition to our family in so many ways.

We've been busy aside from birthdays as well, not only celebrating Thanksgiving this last week, and decorating for Christmas, but also just going back and forth to doctor and therapy appointments nearly every day (sometimes more than once a day) for Miss Abbi.  She has really had a go of it the past few weeks.  Amazingly, she keeps on smiling.  I'm so thankful for her resilient spirit.  She amazes me.

bad blogger.

Okay so I stink.

I know its been like almost 2 weeks since my last blog post. 

The truth is that life is catching up with me and I just haven't had the time to post much lately with all of the doctor appointments and such for Abbi.  I'll do a quick photo update and offer a promise to be better in the future. :)

There has been no time for window washing because any free time we have has been spent playing and smooching through the dirty sliding glass doors.

No time for sweeping because we're so busy drawing hop-scotch grids and pink jello people on the concrete with chalk that perfectly matches our shoes.

No time to chat just now... there are too many hugs to give and wiggly toes to tickle...

Back soon. :)

Mini-Burgers To Go!

One of my favorite things to cook for my hubby is a giant batch of mini hamburgers.  I usually use rolls from the day-old bread rack at the grocery store.  These I got in 2 packages of 15 for $1.50 (so 10-cents a roll).  Then I get lean hamburger in a 3lb package (about $5), and make about 30 mini burgers (total cost = 27-cents per burger!!)

To make them, you start with 1 lb of hamburger meat and you squish it into a baking pan.  The best way to do this is to use a small, flat-sided glass (or mini rolling pin) and roll it out in the pan so that its flat, and solidly one piece.  You don't want it more than 1/2" thick.  Thinner is okay as it will shrink and get thicker.  Sprinkle with onion powder and a little bit of pepper (this is a VERY important step!)

Bake them in a preheated 350* oven for about 15-minutes or until the meat is cooked through.  When you take it out, it may have separated some, but that's okay - you can work around it. 

Chop the burger into squares that will fit on your rolls (should get about 10).  Cut your rolls in half and place burger on roll.  Stick in a baggie (or wrap in foil) and freeze individually.

Repeat this process 3x and you have a hamburger for every day of the month.  Perfect, cheap, lunch.

For sack lunches, snag one and you have a DELICIOUS main course that will thaw and be ready for microwaving/eating by lunch time!  (Hubby just sticks his in the dash to cook in the sun, but I do not know the food safety of this, so I would recommend reheating a more traditional way, lol.  Also be sure to pack with an ice pack.)  You can of course add toppings like you would on any hamburger.  My favorite is lettuce, a bit of onion, a slice of fresh tomato, some mozarella (melted on the hot patty), and crisp pickles.  YUM! 

My kids love them too!