500 WOMEN

I'm signed up for Kat's @ inspiredtoaction.com (Maximize your Morning's challenge!) I"ve been really wanted to try something like this for some time now but just couldn't get motivated and really needed someone to hold me accountable. Stumbling across her blog a few months back has been such a huge encouragement. Looking forward to MAY 15th.

Today her post was as follows -

500 women signing a petition can’t get a law passed.

500 women buying a book can’t make it a best seller.

500 women watching a movie can’t make it a hit.

500 women alone can’t make a big impact.

::

500 women waking up early to fall on their knees in prayer for their family.

500 women finding hope and security in Christ’s love for them.

500 women hearing and and responding to their Heavenly Father everyday.

500 women overflowing with the love, grace, courage and hope of God…

Unstoppable.

AMEN ! So ready for this !

Simple Living

I'm all for simple living, everything about it really.

Yet I can't seem to get with the program and SIMPLIFY.

I think I have the hardest time because their are so many parts of my life I want to simplify that I shave a bit off of here a bit off of there and in the end, really nothing has been simplified.

I want to simplify my belongings. (Clothes, furniture, food, toys "Amalie's and my own.")

I want to simplify my monthly budget, and my activities.

The stress I have on a daily basis comes from a few things:

A messy room

A messy childs room

A messy toy room

I really want to get rid of half of the "stuff" in each space to create an openness that makes you feel relaxed. Which none of these rooms feel very welcoming now.

I started to write down all the things I wanted to do to make this happen, and again OVERLOAD. And nothing gets done, because I start thinking about another area of life that needs revising and a to do list/action plan.

So alas I'm content with baby steps. Even though my first step is a baby step it feels huge !

Our storage unit is getting a facelift.

My motto:

If I haven't thought about it in 6 months.....

It's outta here !!!

Thankfully my neighborhood is hosting a missive 75+ house garage sale soon and I get the opportunity to sell all my stuff (fingers crossed) and take the first step towards simplicity.

Also hoping I make enough to tack a bit of cash onto our emergency fund. (Thanks Dave Ramsey, ha !)

(This Moment)

The Homemade Everything Life !

thehomemadeeverythinglife.blogspot.com

I made this blog awhile back... okay so maybe last summer.

Now we are approaching the best time of the year:

C A N N I N G T I M E

I thought it would be only appropriate to start journaling on what I"ve been lusting over in all my books from the library/late night Amazon (one click) purchases.

Feel free to post resources you've found that support a homemade life.

Cheesemaking

Keeping Chickens

Sewing

Canning

Bread Baking

Homemade house cleaners

ect !

Also if you are interested in getting together for canning/baking/sewing parties. Let me know and we can kick something off.

Living in community and sharing resources is always better than doing it all on our own right

( This Moment )

{this moment}

A Monday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

MAMA made : Reversible A-Line ruffle dress

A-Line Ruffle Dress + Matching diaper cover

Fabric: Top Amy Butler

Bottom and Bias: Anna Marie Horner

"Choosing handmade is choosing a slower way of life, one rooted in tradition and creative expression."

- Cathy McMurray /PDX

Once Amalie goes to sleep The "Crafting Hour" begins in my house. I have more ideas floating around in my head all day than I know what to do with. I've been writing them all down and trying to just get to one project a week so I can both feel like I'm accomplishing something and not getting too overwhelmed by starting 5 projects and leaving the majority of them unfinished and in the "Will get to eventually" pile.

I got a great pattern off of etsy from one of my favorite stores : Heidi and Finn

Her tutorial are so easy to follow and the clothes always turn out wonderful.

I modified her ruffled tank-top pattern, turned it into a dress and made a diaper cover to pair with it.

I lusted over a bias tape maker for sometime and for Christmas my mother-in-law got one for me. Yippee ! So EVERYTHING i've been making of course needs adorable matching bias tape !

Needless to say my child is going to one hip chick this Spring/Summer

Also...

This outfit cost less than 5.00 to make.

Dusting off the cobwebs of the blog

Spring is right around the corner and for that I am so thankful !

This winter has been hard on me.

Cabin Fever..... BAD

Lack of Motivation..... even worse

Health.... ha when was the last time we were all healthy? Christmas maybe?

Today the sun warmed me up on my way into work, I couldn't help but smile the whole way in.

Thank you sun, thank you pink buds on the trees, thank you to everything around me that is reminding me that the end is in sight.

Where we can run and play outside, where the days come with hours of sunshine and praying for a renewed spirit to be the creative, joyful, the continued heart to serve others in my community.

Sun.This is to you.Keep shining !