Staying Creative..

Twenty-Nine Ways to Stay Creative. I found this on another photographer's blog. I find it quite inspiring, and thought some of you might as well. In fact, I set it as my desktop background.

I am a creative person. It took me way too many years to figure this out. In fact, now I even sort of refer to myself as an artist. Kind of cheesy, I know. But I feel that I finally can put use to the creative brain that God has given me. It's actually kind of changed my life! I never classified myself with "artsy people." I valued ambition more than creativity. Now that's changed. I not only allow myself to value creativity, but I find myself attracted to other people that are creative as well.

Did that even make sense?

A few weeks ago, I was feeling burnt out. I was working too much, too long, was way too busy, and feeling uninspired. One Sunday afternoon, I allowed myself an hour at the computer just to browse. I rarely do this anymore - most of my time at the computer is when I am working (emails/Facebook or editing).

I spent some time on Pinterest. And I found so many great, creative ideas that I just felt refreshed! {I think we should change it to 30 ideas to stay creative and add Pinterest.} ;) Sounds funny but it's true! Some great photography inspiration, crafty ideas to do with the kids, things to cook, and some cool interior design ideas. In fact, I am currently in the process of (trying to) making our guest room look like this:

Source: google.com via Nealy on Pinterest

My current project is to make these headboards. I'm almost done- just adding the nailhead trim, which is not easy with two monkeys hovering around me. :) I'll show you pictures when I'm done. I'm not too sure about the mooseheads, however. :)

What about you? What inspires you to stay creative? Do you value that in yourself?

A Child is Born {not ours but a much more important one...}!

"For to us a child is born,
   to us a son is given,
   and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
   there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
   and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
   with justice and righteousness
   from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
   will accomplish this."


Isaiah 9:6-7
Written way before Jesus' birth :)

Christmas

We hope you have a wonderful Christmas...

...celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, who came into the world to save us all.

Merry Christmas!

A New Look...

If you're looking for consistency, you've come to the wrong place.  :)

Yes, I'm the girl that rearranged her room when about once a month when I was little.  I love change... and I've finally gotten around to doing a little blog redesign {I'm sure it won't be the same for long}.  Here's what it looks like for those of you on Google Reader...

Be back soon with Callie's first sledding pictures!

Family

Now that it's "Christmas season," it feels like Thanksgiving was ages ago!  It's great to have a holiday where you can just relax, hang out with family, eat lots of good food, and reflect on what you're thankful for.  :)   We did lots of the first three and a little of the last.  

One thing we realized we are both very thankful for is that we have not just one, but two great families.  We don't dread going to see our family around the holidays, but we really look forward to it. 

We're also thankful that Callie has two sets of wonderful grandparents.  She just loves her grandmas (and grandpas). It was great for her to be able to spend some time with them (and for me to be able to get a little extra sleep...thank you grandmas for getting up so early!).  We're thankful that we have such great influences for our kids in all of the grandparents, aunts, and uncles involved.  And we know that Callie is truly loved by so many people.  We are very thankful for that.  

My mother-in-law is so great at putting together beautiful tablescapes for classic family dinners (pictured above).  And I love how she plans mini history lessons so we can learn more about what we're celebrating.  It's such a great family for our children to be a part of; we can sit around the table and talk for hours.  

And I love their tradition of fondue!  Usually this is a Christmas Eve tradition, but this year we did some chocolate fondue for our turkey-day dessert...so fun!

We had a great time with my side of the family too after Thanksgiving.  It's always a crowd, which is crazy and fun at the same time.  This year we decided to do a big Czech dinner (our heritage), so we made some crazy dishes like stuffed cabbage rolls, meat and dumplings, sour kraut, and kolache for dessert. 

And we played a great game of family bingo...complete with prizes.  I realized there is absolutely no strategy involved in the game of bingo.  :)  But it is a great game for a big group!

So yes, this Thanksgiving had lots of food and family, just as we hope the next ones will be too.  :)

Just in case...

Just in case you are wondering what we did this weekend, you may want to check my sister's blog!  Her post includes, but is not limited to...

• A shopping trip- trying out our new double stroller with the cousins...{thank you Grandma and Grandpa L!!!!!!!}...

• A surprise baby shower {finally a belly shot!}...

• and lots of this {needs an explanation???}...

Thoughts

Pumpkin recipe coming soon!  In the mean time, I here's a few random things I've been thinking about.

• Baby Names.  We're still working on this.  We may be coming a little close to choosing a name, but we still haven't decided for sure.  However, I recently discovered a great baby name website called Baby Name Wizard.  There's a name trend graph that's fun to see how popular different names have been over time.  My favorite names are the classical ones that were popular a century ago and are starting to make a comeback. For instance, the name Callie (our first daughter's name) was most popular in the 1880's, and has gained more popularity more recently.  We love that we're related to another Callie with our same last name that lives in Sweden, too.  This is a fun website - check it out if you're in the market for baby names, or if you're curious about the popularity of your kids' names.

• We heard a great sermon on Sunday that I was really challenged by (our current series our church is going through is called One Month To Live).  Don't you love it when a sermon or book comes just at the right time, when it's something you've already been thinking about?  Lately we've been so busy and I'm feeling like I'm just hardly keeping my head above water.  I've been reflecting on where I'm choosing to spend my time, how and where I can be most effective, while trying not miss the important things in life when I am busy doing all the other things.  I easily tend to focus my time on what's "urgent rather than what's important."  Our friend Ben (aka Savannah's dad) is a very gifted and talented preacher, and this Sunday shared some of these thoughts {click here to hear his talk}.  He asked the question are you busy doing the right things?  And reminded us of the verse in 2 Corinthians "so we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."  I am challenged to do better at focusing on the eternal things.  Like quality time with my family, time praying and journaling, reaching out to neighbors, reading my Bible.  And teaching Callie to do the same.

• Have you seen the movie Eat Pray Love?  You've probably been under a rock if you haven't!  I love Julia Roberts and just about every movie she's been in has been good, which in itself makes me want to see it.  However, this popular book-turned-movie (thanks to Oprah) seems to send a somewhat dangerous message.  A message that what makes you happy is what life's all about, and living selfishly {displayed by leaving an unhappy marriage} are the answers to life's problems. This is just something to be aware of if you see the movie...I'm not saying you shouldn't, but just giving you something to think about if you do.  There is an interesting article about theology and Eat Pray Love here.  {I'm not of the opinion that we should not see movies if they don't coincide with our beliefs, because rarely do Hollywood movies ever do that, but that we can use those exact movies to make us think about and strengthen our beliefs}.  What are your thoughts on this?  

Pumpkins Galore

We're alive and fall has been keeping us on our toes!  We've been enjoying this gorgeous fall weather while it lasts.  I think living in this part of the country makes you extra thankful for a beautiful fall day, because we know snow could be right around the corner.

We've been drawing lots and lots of pumpkins, talking about pumpkins, and eating pumpkin too (recipe follows).  We even got a pumpkin delivered to our house from grandma and grandpa!  :)

We also visited some chickens at the farm.

I could hardly tear her off the swing (her new favorite place) to go see the chickens, but when I finally convinced her, she loved the chickens!

{Did I mention Callie got a new pair of Nike's, and they are her FAVORITE pair of shoes; she never wants to take them off and wants to wear them around the house!  Must be a little more comfortable than her fancy ones.}

We fed the chickens some grass, and they also eat corn cobs and, you guess it, pumpkins!

 Yes, we've been eating our fair share of pumpkins too. Like pumpkin muffins.

Callie's such a big mess help in the kitchen, it's fun to teach her how to "cook."  I think a toddler's apron should be officially added to her Christmas list.  :)  Anyone know where to find cute ones?

We made some pumpkin-carrot-bran muffins, including blended-up carrots.

Recipe taken from my mom's famous cookbook.  The recipe is called "big batch," and let's just say that was no understatement.  We will be eating these for a long time...and we may even be bringing you some too.  :)

 

 Big Batch Pumpkin Carrot Bran Muffins

1 large carrot, shredded

1 16-oz can pumpkin

2 c milk

1 1/2 c oil

3 eggs

4 c flour

2 1/4 c oat bran (I use oats)

1 1/4 c sugar

3/4 c unprocessed wheat bran

3 T baking soda

1 1/2 t salt

Combine first 5 ingredients and stir.  Add remaining ingredients and stir utnil just blended.  Bake at 375 for 20 minutes or until done.  Cool on wire rack.  Makes about 3 dozen muffins.  

I like to add flax seeds and some cinnamon.  

* * *

Coming soon?  The yummiest pumpkin recipe EVER.  It's definitely a keeper so make sure to check back again soon!

Dear Carolyn~

A friend recently brought this article to my attention (thanks Misty!).  Somehow it hit home...and somehow made me feel better about the lack of things I get done in a day yet how much stress I can feel while getting so little done!  ;)

Having been a friend without kids to people with kids, I can kind of relate to "Tacoma."  It's hard to understand just how demanding being a mother (or parent) is unless you've been there yourself.  And it's easy to get your feelings hurt when a friend stops calling or puts you on the back burner (as I think happened to this reader).

However, after being a mom you realize just how many things you are responsible for.  Trivial things, like putting away your toys when you're done with them, making sure little teeth are brushed, and that at least some fresh fruits and vegetables are eaten throughout the day.  As well as the important things like teaching manners, about God, and holding hands before crossing the street.  And I love how she mentions not pulling all the books off the shelf...I can sure relate to that!  But to us parents who are currently in "kid-land," it's a good reminder to make time for the other people in our life as well.  

Signs of Fall

There are lots of signs of fall around our house lately!  I don't know if it's memories of the first few weeks of school, football games, or camping trips, but just the feeling of fall makes me happy.  We made a big pot of chili this weekend and cornbread muffins.

I think chili is one of those foods that is probably a little different everywhere you get it.  In fact, rarely does my chili turn out the same twice!  This time I really liked the recipe, so I'm going to write it at the bottom of this post exactly what I did -- mostly for my memory so I can make it again, but if you're up for trying out a new chili recipe you might like it too!  Callie liked it...

Can you believe it's already mid-September?  Time is just flying be, we must be having fun (or are super busy and have been working hard)!  This weekend we've also been remodeling/renovating/updating our master bathroom.  Good-bye, taupe sponge-painting...it's about time we got rid of you!  ;)  I had such a hard time deciding on paint color, that's probably the reason we are just getting around to painting it now.  I went with this color by Martha Stewart.  I also got these oval-tilt mirrors with glass shelves to go under each one.  Hopefully it will all go together!

Here's my chili recipe - let me know what you think if you make it!

Nealy's Fall Chili

3 lbs ground beef (I used 93% lean)
3/4 yellow onion, finely chopped
3/4 green pepper, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 lg can whole tomatoes
1 lg can diced tomatoes
2 cans Hunt's tomato sauce
1 can dark red kidney beans
2 lag cans Bush's medium chili beans
1 T cumin
4 T chili powder
2 T sugar
salt and pepper

Cook onion and pepper until soft; add garlic and beef, and cook until done.  Drain beef then add remaining ingredients and simmer 30 minutes.  Enjoy!!!

First Day of School

Callie had her first day of  "school" this week!  By school, I mean her first day of her Mother's Day Out program. We packed up her backpack (from here) with lots of fun things like a sack lunch, sippy cup, blankee and paci.  

She did great!   She didn't cry and jumped right in and started playing with the kids when we got there.  It's a great Christian-based program, and the teachers are wonderful too.  Callie even has a friend, Turner, who is in her class.  When I picked her up, the teachers said they were impressed by her talking and signing (I'm sure this was for "more" Apple Jacks since we don't have those at home!) and how much she loves to sing, dance, and do actions to the songs.  Overall, it was a successful day and I think she had a lot of fun!

The best part was, I cleaned my whole house, including finally putting the sheets on the guest beds (that had been sitting on the floor for a week).  I was amazed at what I can get done when I don't have a little munchkin following me around messing everything up!  ;)  It was great to have a few hours off, and I will definitely be looking forward to next week!

P.S. No Callie didn't take the bus.  It just happened to be in the background at the perfect time.  ;)

A Few Sizes Too Small

I'll take one of each in my size too, please.

Callie got a little new fall wardrobe today.  How cute is this stuff?  I think I would wear all of it.  Too bad it's all just a few sizes too small.  ;)  

We found it all here.

Hello World!

Not sure exactly where we've been, but it's been good.  And busy.  We've been cooking, eating, sleeping, playing, and taking goofy pictures with messy faces. 

Callie had a little trip to Grandma Camp last week for 4.5 days.  It was a long and short week both at the same time.  The house was quiet and we missed her so much.  But we also got so much done and stayed out late most nights, went out to eat, and did things that we "used to do." We also tiled our own backsplash.  I know you're all just dying to see how my kitchen looks this week, but it's currently too messy for pictures.  :)

What happens at grandma's stays at grandma's.  Ha, ha, let's hope that's not really true.  :)  Or maybe hope that it is true???  Grandma had a slide and Callie loved it.  Supposedly she wouldn't share it with anyone, either.  Watch out, baby #2!

Callie also learned another new word (or fifty).  "Owie." She likes to point out her owies and "bug bites."   Here she is, demonstrating her self-inflicted "owie" {which is really a hickey...read here for more info about that}. 

One thing that did not stay and grandma's is the pacifier.  Although she hasn't used a pacifier in over a year, grandma tried it again to help her little arm heal up.  It's working. 

We've been doing a little cooking here and there.  Her first "onion" tears. 

One of my new favorite breakfast foods to make is a breakfast pizza.  It's just your favorite pizza dough topped with sausage gravy, scrambled eggs, cheese, and your choice of meats or vegetables.  It's definitely a "man's" breakfast.  Make this for your husband and he will be a happy man.  :)

Is anyone else totally ready for fall? 

 It's by far my favorite season and I decided to kick-off the beginning with a new candle today from Target {yes, that's our new backsplash and counters - white subway tile and Carrara marble, my dream kitchen is slowly coming together...more on that coming soon}.

Have a good weekend!  It's almost Friday!

A Night At The Fair

We had a great time at the state fair this year with Baby Avery, Uncle Matt, and Aunt Kiley.  We packed up the strollers and diaper bags and were off!  I felt like a super prepared "mom" as I packed up the sunscreen, sippy cups, diapers and hand sanitizer.  We were prepared for a fun night out with Callie's favorite cousin!

Baby Avery ("baby-aby" as Callie would say) did great too!  She spent most of the time in her stroller and a little bit of time in the Baby Bjorn. Isn't she a cutie?  Callie still loves to give her lots and lots of kisses.  And she likes to point out where her eyes and nose are.  He mom isn't too fond of Callie always "pointing at" {touching} Avery's eyes.  ;)

We ate LOTS of fried food and anything you could find on a stick.  We loved the Australian potatoes drenched with ranch and cheese sauce.  This was a new item for us this year.

We saw lots of animals: we pet the bunnies {they were giant!}, saw sheep and goats and cows.  Oh, and big John Deere tractors.  Grandpa L, we took this picture especially for you!

We tried some pork chops on a stick...it was practically a health food at the fair. 

And mini donuts, my favorite.  :)  Not so much a health food, but I had to have them.

The adventure of the night was when Kyle took Callie down the giant slide. He had been dreaming about this moment for weeks.

Hopefully she won't have nightmares about it for weeks to come.  ;)  No, she didn't seem to mind it too much.  However, it was approaching bedtime so that could have something to do with it.  Actually, her favorite part was climbing up the hundreds of stairs!

Good thing her super strong daddy was there to protect her.  :)  I just love her face in this picture.

When she got down, she wanted "mama."  This is her new favorite word and cries for "mama" a few times each day.  This must be a stage she is going through.  It's pretty cute sometimes, especially considering the fact that she only recent started saying "mama" but has said "dada" practically since she was born.  :) I think daddy feels a little left out in this stage.  :)

Overall, it was a great night at the fair.

It was definitely worth staying up two hours past bedtime and digesting lots of junk food.  :) Until next year!