A Few Things I'm Thankful For

Inglehoffer Sweet Hot Mustard.  This stuff is what great lunches are made of.  I LOVE IT.  I like to have turkey sandwiches smothered in it, I even like to dip steak in it.  They sell it at Wal-Mart and I buy it two at a time.  It's cheap, it's delicious and I don't mind eating healthy when this is my condiment.  It's the bomb diggity.

I have always been a fan of Pike's Place from  Starbucks.  I went in to get my bag o' beans and the clerk demanded suggested that I try the Thanksgiving blend.  I am sold!  It's delicious.  I love coffee and I am typically a one maybe two cup a day person.  I could drink this stuff all day.  It beckons me.

Land O Lakes fat free half and half.  I made the mistake of getting regular half and half and using it in my coffee.  Never again will skim milk be enough for these taste buds.  So what's a girl who wants to fit into her clothes to do?  I thought I'd give it a try and I'm smitten.  It's really yummy and creamy.  Only 20 calories per serving, no fat, and still tastes better that skim milk.  In fact I could drink it.  It's num num num.

This glorious image is that of my pantry.  You read that right.  That is a pantry in my house.  Why did the single woman who built this home decide that a 8x13 foot pantry was a necessity?  The only reason I can come up with is God knew in just a couple years our family would be moving in and this would be amazing for a family with 5 kids (4 boys!).  Our kitchen is on the smallish side.  We were in such a hurry to find a house when I first walked in I thought the kitchen would be a deal breaker.  It's beautiful, it's just not what I pictured for a family of 7.  Then I wandered back into this and with my mouth agape said, "Uh, Jared!  You have to see this!"  We feel so incredibly blessed.

 

Jared and I have had our bed for 7 years now.  We have both been struggling with back and neck issues.  I struggled with the idea of replacing our mattresses.  It's just so stinking expensive.  After some research I decided to give one of these a try.  I found a family on Craigslist that purchased one and ended up buying a new mattress instead so I got this new for $60!  It's lovely.  I haven't woken up with a sore back since we got it.  It feels like my bed is hugging me.  The kids all have found the "smooshy" bed and are begging for one of their own.  I highly highly recommend.  This particular one is sold at Sams.

Trying To Blog! I Think I Can I Think I Can...

-While hanging out in Charming Charlies today I dumped half a Scooters coffee in my large leather Coach bag (said bag was purchased at an antique mall for $15).  All of my belongings were swimming in a vat of Caramelicious.  Soo, I did what every sane person would do.  I threw my leather bag in the wash.  Good news!  It looks like new and it didn't ruin it. 

-I need ideas for over the couch!  I have two huge walls that are bare.  I can't figure out what to put there.  I have a mirror in the entry way (a partially shared wall to the left of the couch) so a large mirror is too much mirror.  Any ideas?  I thought about having the kids do some abstract "art" in black and white on canvas from Hobby Lobby.  Ideas welcome!

-I baked my first large wedding cake this last week.  It was 4 tiers and had two large sheet cakes that had to weigh 10 lbs each, not kidding. 

 Plus a Rock Chalk Jayhawk groom's cake.  This one was my fav!   Milk chocolate cake with cream cheese icing.  YUMBA!

I'm not in love with my pics of the main cake since I took them with my camera phone and the lighting was awful...but I'll let you see it anyway :)

We are still plugging away at making 112th St home.  I am super eager to put up Christmas decorations.  We feel ridiculously blessed.  We absolutely love where God has planted us. 

We are so thankful to our church family.  It is not lost on us that everything we have comes from your generosity.  Sunday we were surprised by a gift and brunch for Pastor's appreciation.  Cindy and I both received beautiful bouquets and we were so blessed by your love and appreciation for us all. 

Thank You!  You are loved!!

-The Altics

Bonus Room

When we first looked through this house we were thrilled with just about every aspect.  There's so much more space and the layout is awesome for a large family like ours.  So much storage!

Downstairs there is a room with outside access.  It has a concrete floor but sheet rocked walls and is vented for heat and ac.  We just called it the bonus room and really had no idea what to do with it.

It was clear the previous owner kept her dogs in there and maybe used it as a planting room.   I've heard she loved to garden.  I was at a loss and it just held excess boxes until a couple days ago.

A few of my stylist friends said they would make it into a small salon.  Since I'm not a licensed hair dresser that doesn't really make sense for me.  So what do I do with this space?  We talked about moving our laundry room down there, but we have a nice space upstairs.  The best part about having the laundry upstairs is that I've kept up on it better than I ever have.  It's convenient and right in my face.  Kind of hard to ignore it and let it pile up. 

We have too many people to just not use a room in our house.  So I measured it to get a better idea of what could fit.  It's 9x10 feet.  Then it hit me!! 

What does a licensed personal trainer need?  A fitness room!  Since it has access outside as well as inside I could easily train a client in there and they wouldn't even have to come through the house.  I consulted with Ebony (my trainer friend from the Y) to get a list of must haves for a small workout room.  Come to find out 9x10 feet is big enough to fit all the necessities. 


I've been checking things out on Craigslist so I could find everything at a great price.  The transformation has begun.  I'll be in business soon and looking for clients!  What an awesome way to bring in a little income and never have to leave the house.

I am sooo excited!

This Made Me Giggle!

As The Holidays Approach at Break Neck Speeds

Are you feeling it yet?

All of you fellow Not Naturally Narrow friends out there, are you feeling the pressure of the holiday binge?

I am!  Due to the most stressful summer of my life, I have put on some poundage.  I am currently 10-15lbs over my goal.  That's nothing too major compared to my once 263lb self, but it's a slippery slope.

Typically over the winter months I carry a little extra weight anyway and I'm having some anxiety starting out above what I'm comfortable with.

I am going to start blogging some helpful recipes.  For those of you who have been around a while they will seem familiar.  Today I'm posting the 5 can bean soup (with a side of beano).  This is a winter favorite of mine and it's super filling and healthy. 

My goal is to lose my 10lbs before the holidays smack me in the face with pumpkin pie. 

Ingredients:
1 packet of taco seasoning
1 packet of ranch dressing mix
1 can rotel
1 can pinto beans
1 can red beans
1 can great white northern beans
1 can kidney beans
2 chicken breasts (optional)

Put all ingredients (dump entire can juice and all) in a small crockpot on low for 6/8 hours or high for 3/4 hours.  Once the chicken is tender shred it up.  You can trade out any bean you like.  I often put a can of black beans rinsed and drained vs the pinto beans. 

I love to eat this with low fat shredded cheese, fat free sour cream and salsa on top.  YUMM!!!

Feeling The Love

It's amazing how easy it is to get out of the habit of blogging!

We have a new plan for our homeschool.  Due to having baby after baby I have always schooled in the afternoon vs first thing since the babies are napping.  I found it easier to give the kids my attention if I wasn't preoccupied with a nursing infant or two year old.

Now that the tides are changing in our growing family, it's time to make a shift in our schooling as well.  The last couple days the boys pulled their school work and started it as soon as they got up.  Having school done and out of the way by noon is AMAZING!!  We have the whole day to do everything or nothing!  No stress to hurry back in time to put in a full day of school.  Love this!

Yesterday I found a tiny silver can in my basement.  It looks small and inconspicuous, but I was thrilled when I opened it.  It's the wall color!  YAY!  This means I can touch up all the spots and postpone all the painting I thought had to be done asap.  This brings my OCD side some peace.  I already went all over the house painting here and there.  Ahhh love this!

We have a master suite.  Some of you may be thinking, so do we, and...  Well let me tell you!  We haven't had one and now that we do I'm not sure how we survived without it.  I am able to shut my bedroom door, go into my bathroom, shower and dress without ever leaving the privacy of my room.  No fingers under the door asking me if I'm done yet.  Well, at least with my bedroom door shut I can't hear it from the bathroom.  I actually get to be alone for whole 20 minutes.  Looooove this!

My middle boys asked me for a Jayhawk room.  I found some paint that resembled the beak and feet of a Jayhawk.  It's school bus yellow when you cover an entire room.  They may need sunglasses to sleep at night but Eli and Graham absolutely love it.  It's bright and collegiate. Rock Love Chalk this Jayhawk KU.

Tonight is Wednesday night family night.  I am making spaghetti and meatballs and grilled chicken Alfredo with toasted garlic bread.  Brennan has been asking me to cook for weeks and now that we are getting settled, it's time.  We have an amazing church family that we cherish.  I can't wait to spend the evening with all of you.  We loooove WCCC!

Getting Back to Normal

-Thank you for all your encouragement.  I'm getting into a new groove now that we aren't living out of boxes anymore and it's helping. 

-We are starting a paint-a-thon.  I'm about finished with my bedroom/bathroom.  I have plans to pick up more paint today for the boys rooms (thanks to Anneliese for writing all over the walls making Graham and Eli's room top priority).  If you're bored or just love to paint let me know.  I would greatly appreciate company/help!

-I bought some organic half and half so the kids could make ice cream in our ice cream ball.  I don't have any salt right now so I thought I'd dip into it for my morning coffee.  French press + half and half= best coffee ever.  Let's just say my skim milk and Splenda don't hold a candle!

-Our neighborhood, Whispering Ridge, is having their annual garage sales this weekend.  Let me know if you need directions.  It's 4 different areas that make up one big subdivision.  Should be amazing! 

-The boys have a new bestie.  His name is Nolan and he's a great kid!  My boys work hard to make sure their school work is complete so as soon as they hear that bus they start watching out the window for Nolan to make his way home.  He won my heart when I heard him tell Eli, "Be nice to Graham, he's just a little guy."

-I'm eager to feel settled here and wander outside of my little snow globe and meet our new community.  I've been so focused on everything and anything I haven't really talked with anyone.  I really don't want to start off by encouraging the stereo type of homeschoolers being isolating and anti-social. 

-Sweet Sheldon (my new nickname for him, I'm sure he doesn't mind) came over and wired my oven for me.  He had to run 220 from the breaker box all the way to the other side of the house.  He was here all day with sweat dripping off his nose.  In the process he had to cut 6 holes in my wall/ceilings.  Last night at church Graham stomped up to him and said,"Hey you, why did you cut holes in my house?  You better never do it again!"  Sheldon smiled and said, "Your mom told me to!"  Graham, with all seriousness said, "Well, she's a bad influence."  Instead of defending me Sheldon replied, "I've always thought that."

-October is Pastor Appreciation month.  I would just like to say that this pastor's family feels loved, appreciated, and spoiled.  Thank you for letting us serve in this wonderful family.  You are all extremely loved.