Date Night In - Guest Post

I am so excited about today's post! As noted below, Christy is on a break from blogging, and I've missed hearing about her projects. I asked her if she'd like to share them over here, and here's the first one. I seriously think Christy has done more things on my crafty to-do list than I have. This project would be perfect for Father's Day, I think - enjoy!
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Hi! I am Christy from the Zimms Zoo. Lenetta has very kindly allowed me to guest post over here once in awhile because I am not currently blogging regularly at mine (life kinda got in the way). I am very excited to do this. Lenetta always has some great info on eating healthy, cleaning naturally and my personal favorite (the reason I stumbled upon her blog) links to fabulous handmade projects.

With Father's Day coming up, I thought that I would share with you a project that I just made for my husband: a date calendar.

A friend of mine said she had seen a calendar that you could buy that had pre-planned dates on it. However after she started looking at them, the dates were very expensive. I don't know about you, but with 6 kids and a great-grandma living with us, I don't have a lot of extra time or resources for those kind of dates. This got the wheels in my head turning. Why couldn't I make something like this, but with cheaper or free dates?

I started searching the internet to see what I could come up with. The first place I landed was Love, Actually. She has fantastic ideas on dates at home and dates out. I browsed the website, but still some of them required a babysitter. This isn't always easy for us. Then my friend suggested Dating Divas. Another wonderful site full of date ideas. Between these 2 I was able to get several good ideas that I could modify to use.

But then I hit the jack-pot with Project 52! Hosted by Simply Modern Mom, it is a commitment to date your husband at least once a week; most of these dates should be at home, and without the kids (meaning after their bedtime for us). I think the angels were singing when I found this one. It was exactly what I was looking for! Cheap or free, could work with our crazy schedule, and lots of inspiration. What was not to like? She even had a weekly linky party with other people's ideas right there for me to see.

That did it! I was going to make this calendar with pre-planned date nights and themes and have it professionally printed (I know I said I was cheap, but I wanted it to look really nice) so that he could hang it in his office and be reminded of when the date nights were coming. Just a little sidenote: Be sure and see how long it takes to get it printed. I used Sam's, which is like Costco for some of you, and I thought it was printed in-house. Wrong! His birthday was yesterday and it won't be arriving for another 2 weeks. Bummer!

I also made a Date Night Idea tin, with simple ideas that we could do if we found some un-expected time. After browsing all those ideas, I started coming up with some on my own. I tried to put at least 12 more in there so we could do at least another one a month. But I know I will be adding to this as the year goes on and things pop into my mind.

Here are some pre-planned date night ideas that I came up with and some that I borrowed (and modified) to get you going:

1. Fondue night- different fondue dips and things to dip in them.
2. Drive-in movie night- taking the laptop outside and setting up our canopy to use as a stall.
3. Light drawing- you need to check out the post to see all the details
4. Bookstore date- does involve leaving the house. Just hanging out at the bookstore, browsing books, and having something from the cafe.

Date Night idea can:
1. Scrabble and strawberries (chocolate-dipped!)
2. Would you rather....- This came from Simply Modern Mom.
3. Who can make the best story or sentence out of magnetic words. Someone gave us a HUGE set of magnetic words for the kids. Give each of us a handful, set the timer, and see who wins.
4. Chopped- This as an idea I saw on Project 52, based on the TV show. Looks like fun!
5. Massages~Need I say more?
6. Photo Booth- Gather a handful of props and snap away! I found this link for mustaches that I thought looked like fun too.

I hope this inspires you to start dating your husband again. Don't let the busy-ness of life crowd in and make you forget why you married him in the first place. Our husbands have a very stressful responsibility of providing for the family and we have the stressful job (which is also a privilege) of raising that family. So take some time and laugh together!
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Christy, thank you SO MUCH for this post and all these ideas! (I haven't seen the show Chopped but after reading that post, I want to!) What a fabulous way to keep some fun in your relationship - I love it!

Anybody else have any good ideas for Father's Day, or seen anything you'd like to do? Between you and me and the fencepost, Hubs already got most of his gift - a chimney starter for the charcoal grill he got for Christmas. I gave it to him early so he could get to using it. I also have a little bug catching kit and butterfly net squirreled away that I bought on clearance last year... it's more for Goose, but since bugs aren't my favorite thing, he'll be the one searching with her, I think.

Thanks again, Christy - can't wait to have you back!

This post will be submitted to Frugal Fridays at Life As Mom, and also to Amy's Finer Things, because really, what is finer than dating the man you love?!?

Stitched with Love

One of my many cousins recently had a baby. I wasn't able to attend the shower for her, so I sent a gift when my parents visited her parents.

Since I quit work to stay home with the Goose, our budget has become much smaller - the same story as many families out there. My mother-in-law bought me a very nice sewing machine and helped me re-learn what my mother taught me so many years ago about sewing.

For my cousin's gift, I selected a pair of hand stitched baby leg warmers that I made, (that link will take you to my post on how to make them, you can see my Etsy shop here and all the styles I have available here) and I made some crinkly taggie squares.

I've linked to crinkly taggie squares before in a "Reading the Whole Internet" post, citing this post from Chasing Cheerios that references this post at Joy's Hope.

Pictured above, one square was camouflage print on one side with black on the other, and the other square was light blue on one side and a farm print on the other. (I have posted before on how I organize my ribbon scraps using wooden clothes pegs, and I have some tips on getting fabric and ribbon on the cheap in my baby burp cloth and taggie blanket post.)

Unfortunately, I'm drafting this post without the benefit of an internet connection, so I'm unable to pull those posts up and tell you exactly what I did differently (since I tend to be a tweaker!). I think I cut my squares about 6.5" square so that they'd be about 6" with seam allowances. Not sure if the posts recommend it or not, but when I sew something and turn it inside out, I trim the corners diagonally (cut off the "peak" - but don't cut too much!) so they lay better once turned inside out.

I also cut the crinkle piece (I used part of a wipes refill bag) a bit smaller and stitched it to the plain side of fabric, making sure that the writing faced whichever piece of fabric that seemed less likely to let it show through. I also topstiched (if that's the right word?) a tic-tac-toe design to help hold the pieces together. You could also do an X, or anything else you wanted.

Something that I am considering with the crinkly squares - I'm not sure how well the bag will hold up to washing and drying and, well, constant crinkling by a little one. I have read of people using items such as washed cereal bag liners (I think it was this post on Frugal Family Fun Blog?) where others weighed in and identified that they may be sprayed with a chemical preservative - not really something you want a little one gumming! I have asked a friend to save me wrappers/liners from organic food items (anybody else want to collect them for me? :>)) and am hoping that will be an appropriate alternative.

The wonderful thing about handmade gifts is that all the while I work on them, I pray for and think about the recipients. They certainly are one-of-a-kind, and since I'm a careful shopper, they permit me to give of my time and love instead of just money. (And that’s definitely a finer thing!

For more frugal ideas, visit Life as Mom and for more finer things, visit Amy!

Sniffing the Mail

OK, I admit it - I sniffed my mail this morning. My dear blog friend Sarah told me a while back that she was going to send me a package . . . and I had a guess as to what it might be, but heck - getting a package is a finer thing no matter what it contains! She's a busy mama what with having baby #2 a while back, and moving after being in limbo for months. So the suspense built! :>)

This morning, there was a card in our mailbox that we had a package and I could hardly stand it when I recognized Sarah's writing. (Even the postmistress commented on how lovely her penmanship is! :>)) I gave the box a sniff right there in our tiny post office and just about did the dance of joy when I recognized the delicious aroma of *sourdough starter*! (I knew I could make my own sourdough starter using Sarah's instructions, but I just hadn't gotten around to it yet.) (Laura also has a sourdough starter tutorial on her site.)

Sarah also included a sweet card, some tea, and most importantly, directions on the care and use of sourdough starter. (Those aren't shown because I was too busy reading them already as I was taking the picture!) I fed the starter right away and am treating it like the newest treasured member of the family that it is. I have to admit that I can't stop sniffing it. :>) [Edit - I realized that this may have something to do with my offer to "adopt" Sarah's sourdough starter when she announced her family was going mostly grain-free. They've kept some grain in their diet, and sourdough is among the best way to go! I'm pretty tickled that she more or less took me up on it though!]

So. I have a few days of feeding before it's ready to put in something, and it'll take me that long to decide what to make! I've been drooling over Sarah's blog for a while . . . anybody want to help me narrow it down?

Apple Cinnamon Sourdough Pancakes
Sourdough Cheese Crackers
Sourdough Boule (am thinking I'll build a bit more confidence - and experience - before jumping into that one!)
Sourdough Focaccia
Sourdough Honey Whole Wheat Bread
Whole Wheat Cranberry Pecan Cinnamon Swirl Bread
Sourdough Pizza
Whole Wheat Sourdough Crackers
Sourdough Potato Bread

(and here are some sourdough recipes from Laura. Oh, and her whole wheat sourdough biscuits.)

Where to start??? I tell you, friends, this is a very good problem to have. For more finer things, go visit Amy, though her Mr. Linky won't be up until Friday. I just couldn't wait to share my excitement!

(PS - anybody want to commiserate on toddlers with colds who prefer open-mouthed, wet kisses for comfort? Now I'm snuffly and sneezy and with a scratchy throat. I'm thinking the tea in that box will get utilized sooner rather than later! I'm also laughing because Goose just woke up as I was finishing this post. I sneezed a minute ago and, over the monitor, heard "bless you, Mama!" Maybe I won't list her on ebay just yet . . .)

A Friend When You Need Her Most

I've been a bit sad the past couple of days. Nothing huge, just a few things that didn't quite go my way. However, I was blessed with a visit from my friend Shaye. We met through our work with the Nebraska Friends of Midwives and since we live just shy of 400 miles apart, we'd not yet met in person.

(I had however read Shaye's birth story of her youngest son. Several times. Makes me cry each time. And laugh when I get to the part about her grabbing her headphones and singing her way through each contraction.)

That all changed today. Shaye's hubs had a conference in the nearby city, and their whole family packed up in the van and road tripped out. They even packed up in the van again this morning and came out to visit me! Her sweeties are 6, 4, and 17 months. (I pirated the picture above from her little one's first birthday. Of course, I didn't pick my camera up a single time they were here!)

Once they got here, we loaded BACK up in their van and went over to the farm to feed cats, pet kittens, chase chickens, and talk to cows. We also took a windshield tour of the area, including the pigs. We then came back home for some lunch, and I think between Shaye and me, we may have put together six complete sentences to each other. But it was wonderfully delightful as it was!

Since my Goose is an only honker and we don't get out much, I always wonder how she'll be with other kids. It started about as expected - "MY slide!" MY bike!" "MY baby Jesus toys!" (Nativity set) But after we came back from the farm, they were all a big jumble playing and having a great time. I think Goose especially took a shine to the 4-year-old . . . I don't know if I'm ready for her to be interested in "older men" yet but if she is, this would be a good one. :>)

So, in the midst of a bit of rain, God sent me a beautiful rainbow in this visit. Come back to the farm soon, Shaye, we miss you already!!

For more Finer Things, go visit another friend Amy - when are you coming back to Nebraska, anyway, Amy? :>)

Treasure Hunting at the Methodist Rummage Sale

There are at least three churches in town that have semi-annual or annual rummage sales as fundraisers. There is a lot of junk, but sometimes I manage to walk away with some cool stuff! (Which is definitely a finer thing! Go see Amy for more finer things.) Here's what I scored this week:

An old flannel blanket for a quarter that was too cute to pass up. The words on it are "me and my shadow" and the little girl is doing various gymnastic moves and tumbles. Also for a quarter each, I got a bag of electrical outlet covers, and after the stomach bug that Goose had, I wanted to get another waterproof mattress pad. This is just a pad that tucks between the sheet and mattress, but it'll do the job plus can be used on a big bed for potty training and the like.

A set of Close-Up USA maps put out by National Geographic. You can read more about them here though I'm not sure which year mine are. They were $1.
A fun box of random old office supplies for $1. Goose will love the labels as stickers, and Mama loves the pile of little memo pads to tuck in the diaper bag (or an activity bag for the car). I'm not sure how Goose will feel about the labels that you have to lick to get them to stick - every time I lick an envelope, I say "bleah" and now when she sees me do it, she says "bleah" too. :>) The little white box holds typewriter correction papers . . . we do have a typewriter that Goose plays with, but I'm not so sure the keys work very well anymore. I bet we'll find something to do with it! My favorite part of this bag are the little yellow birdie notepapers - you write on the inside, then fold up and seal the back, and address and stamp the front. I'm going to have a hard time deciding who to write!
A bag of wooden beads for $1 (or was it 25 cents? I don't remember . . .) - the bad thing is that I don't think the dye is waterproof, so I fear once they get wet, they'll bleed. They might get put away until Goose is a bit older. I also picked up a bag of what turned out to be bias tape (going to have to figure that stuff out!) and other trims. My favorite - the whole reason I bought the bag, in fact - is the embroidered red trim under the beads above. I'm seeing that on a skirt or something in the near future!

Last but not least, an Easy Bake oven and cookware for $2.75. I never had an actual Easy Bake, so I just pretended to bake, but I couldn't pass this up. I'm thinking I'll put it away for an upcoming birthday - I was thinking next year (Goose will be 3) but I think the instructions say 8 and up? Anybody have or know of a little one (or not-so-little) with one of these?

Since I don't really get to town much for garage sales, I guess I make up for it at the rummage sales. :>) Anybody have a favorite find they'd like to share?

Also (get used to this footer for two weeks, regular readers) please visit my give-away post and sign up for a chance to win a pair of baby leg warmers, taggie blanket, bathtub fishing game, fairy wings, vintage craft books, a CUTE set of storage tins - go see!

Ah, Summer

Eating your weight in watermelon. The only thing that could be better would be enough sunshine to eat said watermelon at a lake where you could swim the sticky juice away afterwards. Poor Goose, Hubs and I both enjoy watermelon but not to the point where we've bought it very often. This summer will be different! She's almost single-handedly eaten her way through a 16 pounder.

Visit Amy for more Finer Things!

Air-Popped Popcorn

After visiting my parents several months ago, I snuck out of there with this under my arm:

We were always a popcorn-loving family. As I remember, we used this until we got a Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper and then it got shoved to the back of the cabinet. It would get pulled out once in a while perhaps to pop corn for popcorn balls or some other such where it needed to be made without oil.

Several years ago, I began using a PowerPop Microwave Popper, but it had begun showing signs of aging and I knew it was on its last legs plus I was having trouble finding the cardboard cups it requires.

I figured I didn't have anything to lose - and I was right! I especially appreciate how I can't burn the popcorn since it jumps out into the bowl. Keep your eye out for one at a thrift store or Goodwill if you're interested.

One design flaw of this model is that it also shoots out old maids (unpopped kernels) - not only down the chute into the bowl, but some also come flying out the top. I find them on the counter sometimes, and I've noted a few on the floor after popping some corn. Thankfully they haven't caused a problem with Goose finding them first!

Along those lines, I will caution that you must wait until all the kernels have popped (if they're going to) before removing the top. I thought it was done one day, and took the top off to grab the last few popped kernels that hadn't jumped out. Just as I did, another kernel popped, and it sent a few old maids flying. One landed just under my collar and burned my shoulder! With the next pop, one actually flew down the back of my shirt into my sleeve, burning my arm in a couple of places until I could get it shaken out. Ouch! I think I could have averted this simply by leaving the top on.

For years, I have preferred to eat my popcorn by dipping it in a bit of Parmesan cheese (really!) and now Goose sits next to me with her mouth open just like a baby bird. :>) Michele at Frugal Granola has compiled a list of gourmet popcorn that will take a fun family night up a notch!


Which brings me to the most important part - sharing it with someone you love. That is certainly a finer thing!

Visit Life As Mom for more frugal ideas, and visit Amy at The Finer Things for Finer Things Friday!

Finer Things Friday - Papa's Tractor

Those are two of Goose's favorite words right there - papa and tractor. While I love love love that Hubs is a farmer, his availability varies with the seasons. In the spring with planting, he's crazy busy. In the summer, with irrigating, he's really busy. In the fall, with harvest, he's see-him-for-five-minutes-at-breakfast busy. In the winter, with cattle, he's just plain busy.

Last year, with Goose's nap schedule, there were a lot of days that she wasn't up by the time he left in the morning, and she was down for a nap by the time he came home for lunch, and she was in bed when he came home at night. Being a standard issue daddy's girl, that just wouldn't do! I don't remember when we started riding with Papa in the tractor, but it's a habit we've kept up and will continue. (picture taken one year ago - last May!)

Goose is at the point these days, where, if she sees a tractor or a pick-up, it should have Papa in it and she can't figure out why we aren't stopping to see him! When we do get to go ride with him, she is usually hollering at him before we get out of the car - even if the tractor is a few hundred feet away. She sits on his lap as he steers (or as the GPS steers!) and jabbers away. They sometimes share a snack, she jabbers into the business band radio mic and tries to poke any button she can reach. Sometimes I feel like a third wheel!

About the only way I can get her out of the tractor is a promise to stop at the barn on the way home to feed Socks and the rest of our kitties. She blows Papa more kisses than he can catch, and tells him bye-bye over and over and over as we walk back to the car. He'll beep his horn, she'll holler "beep!" back, waving all the way.

Being a daddy's girl, riding in the tractor, learning about the farm - all these are finer things! For more finer things, visit Amy here.