Mom Monday- Sage Advice

Find your spa day when you can and according to your budget. 

PS- I promise we went inside after this and they didn't play in feet water, ha ha.

Prayers Requested

I have a friend from college that is going through the worst thing I can imagine.

She was pregnant with twins after trying for quite awhile, and just this week went into labor early.  She has since lost one of her girls and the other is in critical care...only 1 lb.

She was suppose to deliver in July.

My heart weeps for her and last night after finding out, I held my two girls tight.  I felt guilty to be so blessed...

So please, please pray for her this week.  I can't imagine the nightmare she is living right now...

Prayers are especially requested tomorrow, as they are having a small funeral for her lost little one this Saturday. 

I don't want to share her name, for privacy reasons, but God knows her name when you pray for her (K.H.), and please do pray...and hold your loved ones tight.  Everyday we have with them is a blessing.

Worthwhile Wednesday- Peanut Butter Oatmeal

Ok, I had planned to post this yesterday, but then my computer had "issues". Today, NEW COMPUTER!!

Now back to the post, only now it's worthwhile Thursday. Ha, ha.

We needed an easy, but tasty breakfast one morning. But I was out of granola and didn't feel like making biscuits.

Enter oatmeal.

We buy steel cut oatmeal in bulk from our local Amish store. Steel cut oats have more nutrition since they are less processed. They can take a bit longer to cook, but it's worth it!!

With the girls running around I was able to throw together this yummy oatmeal recipe including making enough to reheat the next day.

All you need is a few basic ingredients.

Peanut butter
Vanilla
Sugar (I use Sucranat- an unprocessed sugar)
Oatmeal
Water
Spices (I like pumpkin spice)
Milk

Put 1 part oatmeal to 3 parts water in your pot. Bring to a boil, lower your heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir every few minutes, in between those minutes chase your kids. ;)

Once your oatmeal is done either add to the pot or mix in individual bowls your desired ingredients.

I do ours individually, since Evie cannot have peanut butter yet.

In one bowl, I added: peanut butter, Sucranat, vanilla, oatmeal, and milk all to taste. Mix and serve.

In the other bowl: pumpkin spice, vanilla, Sucranat, vanilla, oatmeal, and milk to taste. Mix and serve.

The girls LOVE IT. It's easy and simple without measuring, which is just what this sleepy mommy needs in the morning.

Other ideas- cranberries, apples, and cinnamon...or whatever you like! That's the beauty of oatmeal.

Conversations with my three year old

I missed posting Monday. So I'm breaking my rule and posting twice today. First I wanted to share a glimpse into our lives and the conversations I regularly have with my three year old. It's can be interesting and a bit frustrating...

"Hello, Mommy. I need to ask you a question."

"Ok."

"There's a big monster in my town."

"And your question is?"

"Mmmmoooommmyyy, I said there's a big monster."

"I'm still waiting for the question."

"...." (blank stare)

"Maybe you want to know what to do about the monster?"

"YES." (hands on hips)

"Go hide."

She runs to hide. Evie and I enjoy a few bites of food...ah, silence.

Call me tricky, but Evie and l loved it.

Worthwhile Wednesday- Looking to the future

So I've been gone for three weeks, because of the sheer craziness of life.  But I'm sure I don't have to explain that to anyone. Therefore, rather than posting about a new technique or recipe, I thought it might be nice to make a little list.

Side note- I'm a list maker.  The feeling of crossing off something from your to do list....is wonderful.

This will be a list of what we've changed in our life so far and what we are planning to change in the future. A let's see where we are in the world list. Here goes:

1. Bake our own bread- preferably sourdough.
2. Make our own laundry soap
3. Conserve water-
       a) using a rain barrel
       b) using grey water as much as we can
4. Use more whole foods- Butter, whole milk, farm fresh eggs
5. Conserve energy
       a) turn off what we don't use- this includes the air conditioner!
       b) switch to better electrical products
       c) line dry our clothes
6. Raise our own chicken for eggs
7. Grow most of our food this spring and summer
8. Clean out the extra stuff in our lives
      a) This is going to be one crazy yard sale- we've got a lot of stuff
9. Preserve most of our winter food this summer
10. Switch to all natural cleaners
11. Switch to all natural soaps
      a) Shampoo bars
      b) Dish soap
      c) Hand soap- this weekend!!
12. Make our own soups, broth, and other meal starters (we actually do this some, just not consistently)
13. Make less trash
      a) move to cloth napkins
      b) move to hankies
      c) use reusable bags
14. Put all our extra money towards any debt we may have- (aka the mortgage) 
15. Buy in bulk for extra savings

So some good progress, but definitely more to go.  I'm definitely proud of the progress we've made, especially because a lot of weeks it's not always easy with our crazy schedule.

More importantly the best parts about making all these changes- A healthier family and huge savings!


Part of Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways #23.

One busy mommy...

That's an oxymoron isn't it? What mommy isn't busy?!? Ha, ha.

But no, we're busier than usual here, however, even though it is stressful we're happy.

Easter and the hope that Jesus' resurrection brings me has really helped this mommy stay calmer than usual. Granted I've got room for improvement...but it seems better.

Anyway, I'm trying to keep up with my two jobs, etsy store, house stuff, church, kindermusik, bible study, and the girls like usual. But add to that our six new baby chicks and our blooming garden...and I'm beat at the end of the day.

And yet how fun it is! Just remind me of that when I collapse at night. ;)