Perceptions

It's amazing how perceptions change. This year has been filled with learning experiences, hard truths, soul searching, praying, and questioning if perceptions are as they seem. All year long I have asked myself, "Is this really how things are or is my perception skewed?" After awhile I realized that when the way you see the world hasn't changed, it isn't your perception. It is what it is.
A year ago, we were frantically packing and so very excited to start a new life in a new place. We were leaving everything that was familiar and normal and beginning a new adventure. We were tired of seeing the same things all the time, at least that was our perception.
Once we got here, the excitement continued for us for a little while, but reality set in. Our perception changed. The job was not as we hoped. Teaching was out of reach. Church was nonexistent. The constant was great times visiting and being with family. That has never changed.
When we got married, we dreamed of moving somewhere out of state just to see what it was like, and to be on our own. To get out. To do something new. All of our friends from college had moved on, and we felt a little left behind. We were bound by responsibility. This went on until we finally moved. We got out.
Now we want back in. Our perception has changed once again. We realized that being in the place that you know first--home--is where we want to be. Where we need to be. There is nothing wrong with staying close to home. We missed the responsibilities we had and we want them back. But more importantly, we want our girls to grow up where we did--a place with big skies and a wind that takes your breath away. It's funny how perception changes.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Fabric pine cones

Many years ago, I received an ornament from a family that I taught three of their children. To this day it is my favorite ornament that I've been given.  It was home made and looked difficult to do.  This past Christmas I wanted to make gifts for our family instead of purchasing them, since I was on a budget but had a surplus of time.  I remembered my ornament and found how to make them online.  I absolutely loved how they turned out, and how easy it was to make them.  Now I'm obsessed!  I found a pretty iron bowl at Hobby Lobby and knew that it was just what I needed--to put pine cones in all year round.  Now each month I am making three seasonal ones to put on my coffee table.  Here's how to make them:

Supplies

1/4 to 1/2 yard of fabric (I found small prints work better than big ones)

Straight pins with the flat head

Styrofoam ball (I like the 3 inch size)

Scissors or rotary cutter and mat

Ruler

First, you need to cut your fabric into 2 inch squares.  I used a rotary cutter and self-healing mat, which makes it crazy fast and easy.  I cut four layers of fabric at once.

 

 Once you have the squares cut, you are ready to put it together.  First, take one square of fabric and pin it flat to the ball.  This will be your starting point. Then, take a square and fold it in half then in half again.  When you attach it to the ball, make sure the folded ends are facing upward with the double-folded side on the left, like this.

Attach the square to the ball on the left corner (right where my thumb is), overlapping a corner of the flat square you've already attached.  Fold another square and overlap it's left corner with the right corner of the already pinned square, securing the first square down on both ends.  Do this all the way around until you meet back up with your first square.  You will pin both corners of the square when you finish each row.

When beginning a new row, stagger your square so it covers up the pin you just put in.  The trick is to keep all the pins covered so you don't see them.  Sometimes that is really hard to do.  Keep pinning and adding rows until you get to the top and you can't put any more on.  Finish the top with one final folded square.  I like to take that last one and fold all four unfinished edges inward and pin it so there are no fray-able edges showing.  Then, if you want, you can add a ribbon to make it an ornament.  For Christmas I did, but for the seasonal ones I didn't.  This one is my favorite.  I think we will use it like mistletoe. I just love how they turn out!

And here is my February bowl:

All Hail Princess Penny on Her Throne

Crockpot Lasagna

I am always trying to find recipes for the crockpot that my whole family will like, which is difficult with a picky eater. I found one yesterday! I wanted to try something that wasn't in the soup variety, so I thought I'd try lasagna. I found this recipe, or more like the directions (I knew what went in it) on Stephanie O'Dea's website

1 pound ground beef
1 jar spaghetti sauce
Lasagna noodles (doesn't matter if they are oven ready or not)
1 large container cottage cheese
2 cup bag shredded cheese (I used the Italian blend)
1/4-1/2 cup water

I used my 6-quart crockpot. Brown the beef on the stove. Once it is browned, dump the entire jar of sauce in the pan to simmer for a couple of minutes. Keep the sauce container and put the water in it for later-don't let all the extra sauce goodness go to waste!

After that is done, spoon a layer of the sauce mixture, then a layer of noodles (you'll have to break them to fit), cottage cheese, and a handful of shredded cheese. Repeat until you either run out or you get it as high as you want. Make sure you end with shredded cheese on the top. Then take your sauce container with the water, swirl it around to pick up the extra sauce, and pour it on top of your lasagna.

Set it on low for about 8 hours, on high for four. If the noodles peek out, try and keep them inside the mixture so they don't get rubbery or crunchy (unless you like that sort of thing). This is how it turned out--

 YUM!!

Cuteness by the light of the Christmas tree

- Posted using BlogPress from Shellie's iPad