Save Handmade

Click on the bear to read about the future of handmade children's items in the U.S.

Maybe not...

For some reason, the thought of sleeping in this morning crossed my mind...right. Gone are the days of sleeping until noon on a day off! I guess I need to start going to be earlier if I want to catch some extra shut eye. So instead, we spent the morning cutting up a cardboard box for the dog to have a "cave" to sleep in...good luck with that one kids.

Does it really have to be winter?

I've finally gotten past fall and have forced myself to admit that it's finally winter...UGH! I've lived in Indiana for 16 years and still have the desert rat in me. There's nothing better than 60 degree weather in Phoenix for Christmas! Gotta love those desert holidays! I remember our last Christmas in Phoenix was cold (may 50 degrees) and our first Christmas in Evansville was colder than a well diggers bu$$ (as my dad would say). "It rarely snows in Evansville," he said. Yeah right...we missed almost a week of school and I learned how to sled by the river without getting hit by cars or arrested...

Today was my first day off for Christmas Break (I can call it that since I teach at a Christian school). We spent part of the day playing with friends and then came home to a clean house for naps/quiet time and then playing in the warm basement. Tonight I had a chance to update my personal and A. Ashley Designs blogs and my Etsy shop.

Tomorrow will be a relaxing day of play, laundry and coffee!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We have much to be thankful for this year! Paul's mom came to visit and we celebrated Thanksgiving at our house with all of our favorites: turkey, Williamsburg sweet potatoes, Aunt Wilda's rolls, mom's Mexican cornbread crack mix, cranberry apple pie and dairy free pumpkin pie (tastes the same as regular!).



For as quickly as we devoured our dinner, it sure took a long time to clean up!




As I reflect upon 2008, I have a lot to be thankful for and realize how lucky we are and how we are continually blessed by friends and family. Where I fall short is figuring out how to teach my children (specifically Maddie) how to be thankful...any ideas?

Paul and I celebrated the 9th anniversary of our first date on Black Friday by our traditional visit to the Children's Museum...with children. Finn was the brave one willing to have his picture taken with Santa...

tagged

tv shows i love to watch:
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. Brothers and Sisters
3. House
4. The Office

4 of my favorite restaurants:
1. Mama Corolla's
2. Cafe Patachou
3.Bazbeaux's
4. The New Orlean's House (no longer established)

4 things that happened today:
1. Broke my favorite Pampered Chef stone
2. Finally put some laundry away
3. ditched all of the old food growing in the refrigerator
4. Spent $12 at CVS and got $92 in product and $17 in ECB's to spend next time

4 things i'm looking forward to:
1. going to Fogo with Doug and Carol
2. Holiday Craft show season to be over
3. Sawyer finishing up her potty training
4. SUMMER!


4 things on my "wish"/hope list:
1. that Maddie's attitude issues are related to food
2. that my kids will know and love Jesus and want to share that love with others
3. that i could get on the ball when it comes to keeping my house organized and clean 4. that God will continue to provide what we need exactly when we need it.

4 people i'm tagging: 1. emily 2. abbey 3. jodie 4. misty

I Scream, You Scream, Hooray for Dairy Free Ice Cream...and it tastes good!

We have finally found a decent ice cream for Finn and Maddie that is dairy free AND tastes good! It's made by Turtle Mountain using coconut milk as a dairy substitute...YUM! Finn even went so far as being willing to share...

It's About Time!

Sad news that it's been months since I last posted! Things have been so busy with school starting and the debut of A. Ashley Designs. I've been trying to balance work, laundry (not so well), house keeping and sewing and knitting like crazy! Things have died down a bit and I have my first craft show under my belt.

Since my last post Maddie started kindergarten, turned 5, Sawyer turned 2 and I started my new job...oh, and mom sold her house and moved across the highway from us. For some reason, life can never be slow with us!



Happy 5th Birthday Maddie!



Sawyer chilling at her friend's birthday party.


Little Man loves to sleep!