tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72015962319136666102023-11-16T02:42:59.141-08:00A Day In the Life of MeThis blog is about me and my many attempts to make my chaotic life a little easier and a little more fun! But in the end, I'm just like every other frazzled person out there trying to find the perfect balance between being a mom, wife and lastly....herself.LilOlMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06587189600872846414noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201596231913666610.post-2049636681123032702011-03-21T20:39:00.000-07:002011-03-21T20:53:13.993-07:00Making MondayIt's Monday again and it's time for me to show off what I'm currently working on. Well....it's.........NOTHING! Lol Yep, that's right. I'm not working on anything right now. I'm currently in between projects. I just finished some little headbands made from i-cords, but I'm anxiously awaiting Tuesday to arrive so I can start my next project for my Knit A Long (KAL).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.knitandcrochetnow.com/contentimages/112kslippersocks125px72.jpg">These </a>are what we will be making. They are knit slipper socks. I wouldn't call them socks myself. I think they're more along the lines of muk luks or something of the sort. They have a lined sole on them that is made of suede and lined with acrylic. I purchased <a href="http://yarnia.net/image.php?src=images/IMG_0880.jpg&width=140&height=140">Deborah Norville's Serenity Sock Yarn in Picasso Marble</a> for the slippers. I will probably be double knitting them since the sock yarn is pretty thin and another Ravelry member had suggested doing that. The picture I linked doesn't do the yarn justice though, and I couldn't find a picture that really showed it well. But it is gray, orange, olive green & navy blue.LilOlMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06587189600872846414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201596231913666610.post-22895842635946965912011-03-17T08:30:00.000-07:002011-03-17T09:16:33.856-07:00Meal Plan 3/17-3/31I always try to meal plan as much as possible. I thought it would help me save $$, but it doesn't. I don't think I really do it right though. I guess maybe if I took the time to meal plan around the sale fliers from the grocery stores and based off the coupons I have it would work more in my favor. But I haven't seemed to master that yet. I'm going to try to work on it though. Until then, I'll just stick to my regular meal planning for sanity purposes. I like looking at a list and knowing "This is what I have ingredients for". This meal plan will mostly be vegetarian. I am trying to cut meat out of my diet as much as possible. I have already cut red meat out and had cut out pork for a while but recently seem to be indulging in too much bacon. ::blush::<br /><br /><a href="http://crockpot.betterrecipes.com/crock-pot-macaroni-and-cheese.html">Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese</a><br /><a href="http://vegetarian.about.com/od/vegetariancrockpotrecipe/r/crocklasagna.htm">Vegetarian Lasagna</a><br /><a href="http://busycooks.about.com/od/hotsouprecipes/r/cpraviolistew.htm">Ravioli Stew</a><br /><a href="http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/quick-recipes/dinner/seven-easy-slow-cooker-recipes/?page=3">Eggplant Pasta</a><br /><a href="http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=33341.0">Veggie Pot Pies</a><br /><a href="http://www.bhg.com/recipes/vegetarian/ideas/10-slow-cooker-vegetarian-favorites/">Garlic Artichoke Pasta</a><br /><a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/recipe_slideshows/vegetarian_recipes_you_must_try?slide=2#leaderboardad">Onion & White Bean Flatbread</a><br /><a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/recipe_slideshows/vegetarian_recipes_you_must_try?slide=6#leaderboardad">Moo Shu Veggies</a><br /><a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/recipe_slideshows/vegetarian_recipes_you_must_try?slide=10#leaderboardad">Tofu Parmigiana</a><br /><a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/barley_hoppin_john.html">Barley Hoppin John</a><br />Stuffed Peppers (These I'm going to improvise myself because I couldn't find a recipe I liked. I will use orzo, mushrooms and onions though)<br /><br />And just for fun...<br /><br /><a href="http://renegadehealth.com/blog/2008/11/12/raw-food-recipe-fettuccine-alfredo/">RAW FETTUCCINE ALREDO!</a> I was told to try zucchinni for the *noodles* so that's what I'll be using.LilOlMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06587189600872846414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201596231913666610.post-27851859357938657802011-03-16T16:09:00.000-07:002011-03-16T16:18:45.000-07:00Making Monday on Wednesday!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/198434_1549520709472_1578723292_31071617_6932214_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 533px; height: 597px;" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/198434_1549520709472_1578723292_31071617_6932214_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I missed posting about Making Monday because I was driving from Albuerque, NM back home to Phoenix. But I made this hat and finished it on the road so I'll post that. I found the pattern on Ravelry (of course!). It is called <a href="http://thirdbaseline.blogspot.com/2008/01/back-in-yarn-stash-again.html">Aaron's Hat</a> and it is a waffle stitch beanie. I decided to add a brim to the front though.LilOlMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06587189600872846414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201596231913666610.post-59014229747582621952011-03-07T12:06:00.000-08:002011-03-07T12:11:56.805-08:00Making Monday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdilSrmOyWAua4DAfMx8eRDmscRKB_WAIJGV56ArZRhZ4GozR8chgekmZw0wuVFFECBBhNt57uIWNDyywXg1ZCL5PYBxvjSMs1H1NycX0BuSNpz8w5m6waul-_tL5J0oM6AyojY6b6cax/s1600/DSC00380.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdilSrmOyWAua4DAfMx8eRDmscRKB_WAIJGV56ArZRhZ4GozR8chgekmZw0wuVFFECBBhNt57uIWNDyywXg1ZCL5PYBxvjSMs1H1NycX0BuSNpz8w5m6waul-_tL5J0oM6AyojY6b6cax/s320/DSC00380.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581433185159903154" /></a><br />I came back to post another entry when I realized it was Monday and I always like to post what I'm currently working on. I am part of a knitting swap on Ravelry.com called The Runaways. We're currently doing a favorite color swap and my partner's favorite color is purple. I started a beret for her but messed it up horribly. Not horribly enough for it to never be worn, but horribly enough to not have the courage to send it to another knitter! :-p So I restarted it, put it down to knit some items for a fundraiser, and just recently picked it up again this morning.<br /><br />It is called <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crumpet-beret">Crumpet Beret</a> and I am knitting it in <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/buelow/stash/silk-bamboo">Patons Silk Bamboo Orchid</a>.LilOlMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06587189600872846414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201596231913666610.post-31989259838167982232011-03-07T08:19:00.001-08:002011-03-07T08:41:23.649-08:00I'm back!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwH1RtYaRF58pjL-6JuMhvCweV95JNybqJ7q0L67MPr42lTaBiN9PQCMIocaKhWe3pkhTw1CNhizNOr-qEdFuan3RHkGe_nJz4EVOoFzAaiB8vB120t_HIDnJVTZVsBvabT2l37advagW/s1600/DSC00367.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwH1RtYaRF58pjL-6JuMhvCweV95JNybqJ7q0L67MPr42lTaBiN9PQCMIocaKhWe3pkhTw1CNhizNOr-qEdFuan3RHkGe_nJz4EVOoFzAaiB8vB120t_HIDnJVTZVsBvabT2l37advagW/s200/DSC00367.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581375894512826306" /></a><br />It's been a very long time since I've posted in here. I kept telling myself "Monday, I'll do this." "Next week I'm going to post a new blog" "After the holidays I'll get started again" Of course, all of those came and went and there were no new blog entries. :-/ *Sigh* Well, now here I am sitting by myself in an unusually quiet house and decided that this was the perfect time. I'm sure I will get right into the middle of this only to have my toddler wake up. So off I go to type as quickly as I can!!<br /><br />This weekend I went to our local co-op called Bountiful Baskets (http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/) to pick up my produce basket and 5 loaf pack of sandwich bread. It was really cold and windy (and early!) but I was happy to be getting my stuff since it had been a while. We love the sandwich bread more than the basket itself. The inexpensive produce just seems to be a bonus for us. For those who don't know what BBs (Bountiful Baskets) are, is as produce basket from your local & surrounding states that is in season at a reduced price from the grocery store. The baskets are only $15 and the bread was $10 (for 5 loaves). This is what my basket contained this week...<br /><br />1 bag of small Yukon Gold Potatoes<br />3 Turnips<br />7 Tomatoes<br />3 Yellow Squash<br />2 Acorn Squash<br />1 bunch of Spinach<br />1 bag of Green Beans<br />7 Bananas<br />5 Apples<br />17 Minneolas<br />4 Mangoes<br />1 Pineapple<br /><br />And I say again "All of this for only $15!" I think it's a great deal. Even with price comparing, checking sales, shopping in season and shopping multiple stores, I don't think I could match this. Plus, it's all in one location and I don't have to go to the store and wonder "What do I buy this time?" I love it because it gets me to try new things as well. I don't think I've ever had a turnip in my life, so this will be new to me. If anyone has a great recipe, feel free to share!<br /><br />Upon returning home with my basket I immediately got to work. I washed my apples and put them in the pantry. My toddler loves to steal these when I'm not looking so I like to have them washed ahead of time because I by the time I realize he has one he's usually halfway through it. I split up the minneolas. One half to put in the fridge to snack on and one half I peeled and separated to put in the freezer for smoothies. I snapped the ends off my beans, rinsed them, then blanched them to put in the freezer for later use as well. The potatoes I rinsed, cut in wedges, placed in a bowl with 1 1/2 Tbsp Olive Oil, 1 tsp Parlsey, 4 minced garlic cloves, tossed together and put in a baking pan to bake for about 40 min (until tender & browning) in a 425* oven to freeze for a later dinner as well. I have yet to do anything with the pineapple though. I will be taking that for snacking for our road trip on Wednesday to New Mexico. Or maybe we'll have pineapple smoothies for breakfast on the way?! I need to prep my squash today as well because I don't know if it will hold up until we get back from our trip. I hate to waste!LilOlMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06587189600872846414noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201596231913666610.post-55824701700919165372010-05-25T19:34:00.000-07:002010-05-25T19:45:40.051-07:00Back in the GrooveI've made it through the first two weeks of our deployment! (*Happy Dance around the living room*) It went by surprisingly fast, too. I think that was due to my mom being here, though, and me not truly being on my own. That starts tomorrow. :( She will be flying out and heading back to Montana. I think I'll be okay though. It was nice having her here. She was really helpful and we got a lot of Spring cleaning done. Too bad we weren't motivated enough to do a little bit more though. I do think we wore each other out with all the cleaning, running around and playing with the little one.<br /><br />So.....let me wrap up the last two weeks for everyone. Said goodbye to the DH (Dear Husband), cried a lot, had to take my dog into surgery and had to spend way too much money on it, air conditioning went out on DH's car, babysitter notified me that even though she knows the job is every Friday she will be out of town already so I need to find a replacement for that day, Verizon gives me the run around about suspending DH's cell phone line, landscaper does a terrible job and I get a write up from my HOA, my WIC gets canceled, DH spends $100 even though I said "We're broke!" beforehand, friends try to cheer me up with flower and they arrive smooshed, dead and slimey. Yep, that's a typical first few weeks for a military spouse suffering the curse. I can happily say that I think it's passed for now. Knock on wood.<br /><br />I will say I have been lucky and have been able to talk to my husband on Skype 3 times since he's left. They've been choppy chats, we've been disconnected a lot, and there's not any privacy, but I've heard his voice and seen his face and that's what matters. My son loves talking to him on the computer as well. He thinks his Daddy is so funny! It warms me up just watching them interact with each other and seeing how their eyes light up. My boys are my world.LilOlMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06587189600872846414noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201596231913666610.post-36422020077458455682010-04-06T20:32:00.000-07:002010-12-08T15:50:30.210-08:00Busy Little BeeWow have I been busy. With the husband leaving soon, we have a lot of things to do. The preparation that comes with a deployment is different for everyone. This is our first so I don't really feel like I know what I'm doing. It is becoming stressful as I feel like I have to prepare for the every day regular things and also the "What Ifs" Those darn "What Ifs" are what is making this whole thing........fun. No one wants to think about that stuff and we all want to believe it can't happen to us. But I am a firm believer in hope for the best expect the worst (and plan accordingly).<br /><br />I'm not sure if there's anything that could make this separation we are going to go through easier other than him not going. That's obviously not going to happen though. I keep saying to myself "I wish we were closer to home" I don't know if that would really help me though, as I've never really been one to rely on my family too much. We haven't lived near our family since we were married over 7 years ago. It's always just been us, doing our thing, living our lives, and figuring it out on our own. Why should I think that this time would be any different?! I guess we always have a little hope for things to happen that we know really aren't going to.<br /><br /><br />I will just have to keep looking at the light at the end of the tunnel, our vacation to San Diego. This is our first family vacation. It's definitely something we all need and will all enjoy. I'm really looking forward to this break and this time for us to be just us. No one around that we know, no work, no playgroup, no schedules, nothing. Just us being us and doing our thing.<br /><br />I'm off to dream about it now......LilOlMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06587189600872846414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201596231913666610.post-31065725069999694562010-03-29T12:59:00.000-07:002010-03-29T13:04:16.160-07:00Making MondayI am still knitting away like crazy! I just finished a hat (that I had posted about last week). I need to knit up the flower though and attach it. I am trying to start on my Elmo Peep too but the pattern is confusing so I am calling all knitting forces to help me and am currently waiting on the wisdom of my knitting friends. <br /><br />I have decided to not seek out my knitting business, at least not right now. I thought it would be so fun to knit and make money, but I am still fairly new to it, not very fast, so it's slightly stressful to try and get everything done. Plus I miss knitting what I want to knit when I want to knit it. I really need to focus my motivation and creativity elsewhere too. <br /><br />This doesn't have anything to do with crafts, but I have an online training course that I need to get focused on. Since that will be taking a lot of my attention I want to be able to destress and decompress with something fun, not more work. Also, with my DH (Dear Husband) leaving soon I want to be able to spend time with him, go on some vacations, etc and not have in the back of my mind what I should be working on. I will still do it, and I will still post my projects on here, it's just that now my knitting expenses will be coming out of my own pocket. :-/ Hahahaha Oh well.LilOlMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06587189600872846414noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201596231913666610.post-87183177822770264102010-03-24T20:09:00.000-07:002010-03-24T20:24:19.618-07:00Meal Plan 3/25-4/8It's time for meal planning and grocery shopping again. I still have a few nights of meals left from the last meal plan but I had the motivation to get this done so I figured I better take advantage of it. Just looking at the recipes makes me hungry!<br />Since it's warming up here, we're doing easier meals and some more grilling.<br /><br /><br />Breakfast:<br />Cereal<br />Toast<br />Eggs<br />*All served with fruit*<br /><br />Lunch:<br />Grilled Cheese<br />PB & J<br />Turkey or Ham Sandwich<br />Egg Salad<br />*All served with carrots, celery, apples, bananas, or other easy fruit/veggies on hand*<br /><br />Snacks (Mostly for Will):<br />Graham Crackers & Milk<br />Fig Newtons<br />Yogurt & Granola<br />Cheese & Crackers<br />Bagles w/ Cream Cheese<br />Dried Fruit & Cheerios<br /><br />Dinner:<br />BBQ Chicken Fajitas & Corn<br /><a href="http://www.eatcleandiet.com/food_and_recipes/clean_recipe/crispy_chicken_bites.aspx">Crispy Chicken Bites, Mac & Cheese & Green Beans</a><br /><a href="http://www.eatcleandiet.com/food_and_recipes/clean_recipe/jerk-spiced_tilapia_with_asparagus_and_rice_pilaf.aspx">Jerk-Spiced Tilapia w/ Asparagus</a><br /><a href="http://www.recipezaar.com/barbecue-shrimp-and-sugar-snap-pasta-salad-clean-eating-400638">BBQ Shrimp & Pea Pasta Salad</a><br /><a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/chicken_with_whole_grain_mustard_zucchini_in_packets.html">Mustard Chicken w/ Zucchinni</a><br /><a href="http://www.eatbetteramerica.com/recipes/featured-brands/healthified-chicken-and-black-bean-burritos.aspx">Burritos w/ Spanish Rice</a><br /><a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/inside_out_cheeseburger.html">Inside Out Cheeseburgers & Homemade Fries</a><br /><a href="http://www.delish.com/recipefinder/toasted-quinoa-salad-scallops-snow-peas-recipe-6817">Toasted Quinoa w/ Scallops</a><br /><a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/huevos_rancheros_verdes.html">Huevos Rancheros Verdes</a><br /><a href="http://busycooks.about.com/od/pastaskilletrecipes/r/hamrotini.htm">Garden Sausage & Rotini</a> This is the recipe from the last post, but I decided to use precooked sausage instead of ham.<br /><a href="http://busycooks.about.com/od/pastaskilletrecipes/r/meatballorzo.htm">Meatballs w/ Orzo & Garlic Bread</a><br /><a href="http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1735,145160-247204,00.html">Lasagna</a><br />Pasta Salad w/ Feta & OlivesLilOlMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06587189600872846414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201596231913666610.post-60371454628546546942010-03-23T07:12:00.000-07:002010-03-23T07:24:01.516-07:00Catching UpWow, it has been one busy week! It's Tuesday and I just realized that I was supposed to post a Making Monday yesterday. Hehehheheee I will post it anyways though. I still have the same long list of knitting to get done. Although I did finish the cell phone case and coffee cozy and those have been mailed off & received. Here are the pictures of the finished project<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs451.ash1/24827_1200570065924_1578723292_30422597_3618313_n.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 720px; height: 540px;" src="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs451.ash1/24827_1200570065924_1578723292_30422597_3618313_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />I also sent out these hair accessories to a friend<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs451.ash1/24827_1200570105925_1578723292_30422598_7517001_n.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 720px; height: 540px;" src="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs451.ash1/24827_1200570105925_1578723292_30422598_7517001_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />I am also attempting to make some monogrammed swaddling blankets for friends who are expecting little ones. The monogramming will be similar to this here (w/o the animals on the sides)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_430xN.124139032.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 430px; height: 322px;" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_430xN.124139032.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />The blanket itself is similar to the Aden & Anais swaddling blankets. They will be made from crinkle or bubble gauze and have a ribbon around the edge.<br /><br /><br />Now if only I could figure out how to make time to get all of this done! :-p It's a rainy day today and I really don't feel like cleaning so I am sure I will get some of this done. Hopefully I can at least finish one of the hats and then I can get started on Elmo. Maybe if I'm lucky I can convince DH to make dinner tonight.LilOlMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06587189600872846414noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201596231913666610.post-50522614028514496772010-03-15T20:42:00.001-07:002010-03-15T20:50:58.548-07:00Making MondayThis is a late evening posting, I apologize, but it's been a busy and exhausting day. When isn't it, though?! *Sigh* Well here is what I am working on. I have one order I am currently finishing for a cellphone case and a coffee cozy. Here are picture of the samples. They are both done in a silky green yarn by Caron. It's the country yarn in foliage<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3350/3430154640_76c2341a08.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3350/3430154640_76c2341a08.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />This is the Coffee Cozy<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images4.ravelry.com/uploads/Meshell/21337235/DSC02563_medium.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://images4.ravelry.com/uploads/Meshell/21337235/DSC02563_medium.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Next I have this teddy bear and this baby hat to make in baby pink<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images4.ravelry.com/uploads/Meshell/21337092/DSC02565_medium.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://images4.ravelry.com/uploads/Meshell/21337092/DSC02565_medium.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images4.ravelry.com/uploads/Midgie/192899/classicteddy01_medium.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 384px; height: 500px;" src="http://images4.ravelry.com/uploads/Midgie/192899/classicteddy01_medium.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />And somehow between all of that I am going to attempt to make this Elmo for my son for Easter <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1152/815083829_68c8c00627.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 478px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1152/815083829_68c8c00627.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />And this hat for my son's little playgroup friend<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/228/486025055_6c437b6dee.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 305px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/228/486025055_6c437b6dee.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />All of these patterns can be found on Ravelry.comLilOlMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06587189600872846414noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201596231913666610.post-12042990795027495012010-03-12T12:11:00.000-08:002010-03-12T12:16:55.448-08:00Putting Myself Out ThereI've decided this summer, since it will be way too hot to knit, well......way too hot for anyone to want knit items, I will try to build a stock of items to put in an Etsy shop. I don't know if it's going to work out, but that's my goal. DH will be gone during that time and I am supposed to be working on my billing & coding training, so we will see. I think before I can be successful at it I need to figure out how to fit everything into my days. Between a toddler, knitting, house cleaning, online training, cooking and not ignoring my son I am pretty busy. I am in awe of the women who have more than one child and work and go to school and keep their house livable. I think there is some kind of gene that some people are born with that makes them capable of balancing it all. I don't think I was born with it. I think quite possibly 2/3rds of my family is missing it. Right now I have 2 knitting projects to finish, 3 stacks of laundry on my couch waiting to be put away, a very dirty floor and a tv zombie that would probably love to go on a walk.<br /><br />How do you balance your life? Do you have any little tips that help you accomplish all or most of what you need to get done in a day without losing your mind? Please share with me your wisdom :)LilOlMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06587189600872846414noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201596231913666610.post-11969015548884279702010-03-08T12:35:00.000-08:002010-03-08T12:44:14.561-08:00Making MondayOkay, so this is going to be my first of many Making Mondays. I will be posting what I am currently working on and I hope every one stops by to say what they are working on too. I have been knitting up a frenzy since about December, mostly baby hats. I have a sister set that I am working on right now. Purple hats with ribbon around the bottom and a big white flower clip. I will have to come back tonight, when the little one goes down, to post pictures! :) One of them is completely finished and it's so cute. I really wish I had a little girl. I also need to get started on some monogrammed swaddling blankets. I have all the materials. Now to just find the time and motivation! I thought I would have more projects to write about today, but at my Friday Night Knitting group I ended up frogging (ripping out) a hat I was working on. I need to restart it soon. A friend of another friend's found out that she has cancer and has had to shave her head. The hat is for her. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://knititude.com/images/patterns/maple_seed1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 288px;" src="http://knititude.com/images/patterns/maple_seed1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />(found at knititude)<br /><br />Unfortunately I don't have short enough circular needles and need to find a different project. :( I will make it eventually though! I just need to purchase some new knitting needles first.<br /><br />So, what are you working on?LilOlMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06587189600872846414noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201596231913666610.post-91283126483825357392010-03-02T11:05:00.000-08:002010-03-02T12:33:38.706-08:00Pay day was yesterday, so that means I get the *joys* of paying mortgage, bills and going grocery shopping. Oh how I loathe all of those, but mostly grocery shopping. My goodness, is it ever exhausting! I don't know what it is about it but it seems like it just sucks the life out of me and by the time I get home I am beyond tired. I don't even want to put groceries away or cook dinner. *Sigh*<br /><br />When I do my shopping I plan out all our meals for the next 2 weeks for myself, my husband and my son. I plan our breakfasts, lunch, dinners and snacks for the little one. Here is what we will be eating for the next few weeks with as many recipes I can link to. If there's a recipe you're interested in and it's not available online, let me know and I will do my best to get it to you. Sometimes I just cook without a recipe. :)<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">William</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Breakfast</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br />Pancakes w/ prunes<br />PB Toast & Bananas<br />Eggs & Fruit<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Lunch<span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span></span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br />Ham & Avocado Rollups with carrots<br />PB & Prune Sandwiches with apples<br />White Bean Quesadillas with red pepper strips<br />Mockaroni with Cheese and Peas<br />Spaghettios and Green Beans<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Snacks</span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br />Annie's Cracker Mix<br />Graham Crackers & Banana<br />Cheerios with Dried Berries<br />Fig Newtons<br />Fruit<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Us</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Breakfast</span><span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span><br />Egg & Cheese Muffins<br />Oatmeal with Fruit<br />Yogurt, Fruit & Granola<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Lunch</span><span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span><br />Turkey or Ham Sandwiches with Carrrot Sticks<br />Italian Pasta Salad<br />Dinner Leftovers<br />Veggie Soup<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Dinner</span><span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span><br /><a href="http://my.hearthealthyonline.com/recipe/meat/fajita-ranch-chicken-wraps/">Fajita-Ranch Chicken Wraps</a><br /><a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/inside_out_cheeseburger.html">Inside Out Cheeseburgers</a><br /><a href="http://busycooks.about.com/od/pastaskilletrecipes/r/hamrotini.htm">Ham Rotini with Vegetables</a><br /><a href="http://www.50plusfriends.com/cookbook/crockpot/sgvegsp.html">Italian Sausage & Vegetable Soup</a><br /><a href="http://busycooks.about.com/od/pastaskilletrecipes/r/meatballorzo.htm">Meatballs with Orzo</a><br /><a href="http://busycooks.about.com/od/fullmealrecipes/r/pestochickenpac.htm">Pesto Chicken Packets</a><br /><a href="http://www.okinawahai.com/my_weblog/2008/08/even-taco-rice.html">Taco Rice</a><br /><a href="http://recipes.womenshealthmag.com/Recipe/beef-and-broccoli.aspx">Beef & Broccoli</a><br /><a href="http://busycooks.about.com/od/pastawithsaucerecipes/r/tunacarbonara.htm">Tuna Carbonara</a><br /><a href="http://www.50plusfriends.com/cookbook/crockpot/yankptrst.html">Yankee Pot Roast</a><br /><a href="http://mickmc.tripod.com/yakisoba.html">Yakisoba & Chicken Yakitori</a>LilOlMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06587189600872846414noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201596231913666610.post-25226503903049260302010-03-02T06:48:00.001-08:002010-03-02T06:53:04.852-08:00Getting StartedWelcome to my blog! My name is Meshell and this is my life. I am a military wife, SAHM to a handsome little boy and I'm just taking it one day at a time. Even though my son is now a toddler, I haven't figured out how to balance it all. At least not every day of the week. Ok, who am I kidding? I can't even figure it out every week sometimes. :) <br /><br />I will be posting about pretty much everything that goes on in the life of Me. My frustrations, my joy, my loneliness, my fun and everything in between. I hope you find something useful or at least interesting.LilOlMehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06587189600872846414noreply@blogger.com4