S.O.S {I Need YOUR help}

I would love and SO appreciate your help!
I'm sending out an extra urgent plea
to all you lovies out there!
I have a chance to win a $100 Antropologie gift card.

... so...YES...naturally,

I'm literally ON MY KNEES asking for your help. *wink*

I have been selected as 1 of 6 finalists for The Imperfect Party Challenge. The party that receives the most comments ON THE CITY CRADLE WEBSITE (not my blog) will be the WINNER. Seriously, I'm skipping inside over this chance for a little Anthropologie love!

Here's How YOU can Help:

Simply leave a comment after the post written about my party HERE or HERE or even HERE to vote for me.

Thank you Muchly! I SO appreciate this...more than you know!

This post is linked to: Whatever Goes Wednesday, Works for Me Wednesday

The Homemaker who isn't HOME

How to be a homemaker
when you're not home:

It's not about whether you stay home
or whether you work,
it's about having a HEART to nurture your loved ones
in a home sweet home.

(This image used from Etsy)

This is for the wives, moms, and all the sweet girls! Snuggle up with a fluffy pillow for a few because I want to share a bit of my heart and some tips too!

Are you a home-MAKER?
A homemaker is someone who makes a house a home
with beauty in the details and peace in the heart,
it's that simple.

I want to focus on the working girls today, providing some tips to make it easier to create a home when you work! I am a wife and mom who works as a home school teacher at home. However, in the recent past I was a girl who worked outside the home. I managed a little health club in our town working long {lots of extra!!} hours! I can relate to the insanity of honestly having zero time to even think about the silly details of life like "what colors coordinated best with the table setting I was preparing for guests...who cares!...just set the table."
Yes, I GET it.

Women wear lots of hats...

(Image used from Google)

Whether you're a Mom, or a Wife, or simply a Sweet Girl, women undoubtedly carry a strong influence over the tone of the household. We should guard this fact with respect, never abusing it or neglecting it. Take it as a treasure in our hands and find ways to utilize the opportunity to create beauty and peace within our homes.

Beauty is in the DETAILS (part 1)

and peace is in the HEART (part 2)

PART ONE: Beauty is in the Details

~ Right before your shower or your bedtime routine do a quick house sparkle. You just need 10 minutes. Run through the house with a pretty woven basket and put all loose clutter in the basket. Keep a big duster in the basket and as you're moving along quickly dust the highly visible tops of furniture. Take a mini vacuum and vacuum the entry quickly. Scrub your kitchen sink and polish it with a dishcloth.

~ When you come home from work don't set all your stuff in the doorway. Delegate a special spot in the house for your purse/briefcase, coat, keys, etc and PUT THEM away OUT OF SIGHT as soon as you get home! This mentally prepares you for HOME and you don't have reminders of work staring at you.

~ Light a mildly scented candle in the winter or spray some Febreze freshener in the Summer. Don't use the candles in warmer months. It makes the air feel too heavy.

~ Only start a 2nd load of laundry if your 1st load is completely finished and put away. (I'm talking to ME here!)

~If you are desperately short on time on a consistent basis you should buy small rectangle laundry baskets. When you fold your laundry sort the newly folded clothes in different baskets. Then set the baskets in your closets and use clothes right out of the basket. This saves a super busy girl the extra step of putting everything away!

~ So you work 100 hours a week and home decorating is something you only see in magazines. That's okay. Buy some cut flowers at the grocery store and set them center of your table.
And actually, in a busy household LESS IS MORE with home decor. Don't over do the accessories. It is just more stuff to clean. Find a cozy lamp and a stack of pretty books and maybe add a favorite thing or two to your rooms.

~Clean is the best decor for a beautiful home! If you can't keep what you have clean, please don't buy more.

Obviously, this list is just a start to creating beauty in your home sweet home.

Next up...

Part Two: Peace is in the heart

~ If you're stressed or frazzled seriously lock yourself in the bathroom for 60 seconds and take 10 deep breaths s.l.o.w.l.y. Really. This helps. Don't flight around the house sharing your agony with the household.

~ Absolutely cook in bulk! This is a huge time saver that will calm your spirit. Make your meals on the weekend. Make a stack of sandwiches and cut up veggies. Seal it all in Tupperware and have them ready in the fridge! If you don't like to cook, use a Meal Prep kitchen near you. (I will be doing a post on this in the near future!)

~ Use a planner and take an hour each Sunday (or your day off) to think ahead through the week.

~ Books. Yes. Even if you're not reading them you should put an exciting Summer novel on the nightstand or stand a worn classic proudly by the fireplace. It will bring peace. Books just do that. Think library.

~ Calm your anxious heart. Take a few minutes a day to pray or dig into the Word. Bible verses are soothing and comforting for all hearts.

~ Refuse negative thoughts. A depressed and down spirit smothers the entire household with a heaviness that is difficult to lift. Think of your thankful list to help fight off negativity.

~ Create a quiet place. I would even say no to soft music. You are out in the clamor of the world all day. Quiet your home sweet home. Save the music for the weekend. Turn all loud distractions off when the family is home together at night. Allow your mind to rest. Quiet peace is good...just a reminder to our generation. ;)

A place of beauty and peace

(Image from country living)

Remember, you have the power to create
a haven,
or a hell,
or just a half-hearted home.

What have you chosen?

As women, we have the responsibility to build a retreat within our walls for each member who abides there. Please don't take that duty lightly. Our children will have forever memories of the house we made for them. Our husbands value a truly feminine woman who will create beauty with her hands and spread peace with her heart, making a home sweet home.

SO. Go tomorrow,
leave for work to use your sharp intellect in the world making a difference!
BUT. return tomorrow
and finish your work in the hearts of those who love you and trust you to make a house of beauty as a
home-MAKER.

This post is linked to The Inspired Room, Works for me Wednesday

Drop it Like it's Hot

By the way, I believe Coke wins...

...I really need to drop my sugary union with Coke. It's a terrible and bad habit,
yes I know this.

It also doesn't help with weight issues as I talked about HERE. I have a terrible battle with weight. However, sometimes I don't "battle" it, I do foolish things like drink soda pop instead of fighting the numbers on the scale. Why do we do these things?

I've dropped coke 2 other times:
-back when I was mountain bike racing I never drank any soda pop (not one sip).

-after I had Titus I made a choice to not drink soda pop for a year. I did it, not even one sip...then 2 days after 365 days had passed, I bought a coke (that wasn't smart obviously).


3rd times a charm??

Any motivation you can send my way?
Why do you think that it is so difficult to get rid of bad habits when you know they're harmful? I am very open to all advice and tips, thank you!

Just help this desperate girl get healthy and pretty!

I want to be all about the H2O. Tell me your favorite bottled water. Why?









This post is linked to: Works for Me Wednesday

The Winter Waltz is {almost} Over

If life is a dance then winter is the waltz. Everything about winter is s l o w . The snow falls at a unassuming and mellow pace, the days are long and still, and all seems quieter than the loud boldness of the opposite season, summer.

Although we grow weary of the muted sunshine and the long, dark nights, I count this season a quiet gift. It's not often with our hurried modern lifestyle that we are forced to slow down and be quiet. God has given us all a perfect balance with the seasons! Each season has bundles of blessings for us to enjoy! I hope the slow stillness of this winter has allowed you the time to quietly reflect and savor the moments of the ONE life you get to embrace here on earth.

My wall art reads

"In Quietness and Trust is your Strength."
-Isaiah 20:15

With spring and summer dancing ahead, all of our spirits will be ready to scream on the top of our lungs while surrounded with friends, to laugh and run in the water, and to remember to take things lightly and with a carefree heart too!

One last bowl of warm White Chicken Chili...
with sour cream and fresh guacamole.

And a coffee table book The Blessing of Little Boys
with the gorgeous painting by Jim Daly.

Hot Chocolate Bar and Sledding

A pink and brown hot chocolate bar
in the entryway waiting for
the freezing cold cheeks of little snow players.

The idea of doing a Hot Chocolate Bar was triggered
when I got these adorably petite MICRO marshmallows!
I knew they couldn't stay tucked away behind pantry doors!

And my GIANT-sized hot cocoa mugs
that take two hands to hold were a fun addition.

This jar holds homemade cinnamon hot chocolate...

Of course we had to have traditional Swiss Miss packs available too...

Spoons and flavor accents, hot cocoa's perfect accessories.

Soft Chocolate Cherry Kiss cookies are the ideal February treat
for the month of hearts.

The Hot Chocolate Bar waits for the door to open
to the hum of happy voices and cold shivers
as they line up for their warm treats.

Little FYI:
This bar took literally 5 minutes to put together
so it's easy peasy as my youngest would say.



And a day of snow games
is the best wintertime treat!

Skyler catches some major air!

Cameron Skyler

Kotah landing after a big drop...

Even my Grandma, who is 75, got in on the ride.

Layers of snow gear and big boots make it hard to move!

Little Titus

Sweet Kotah

Eskimo kisses to end the day...

...oh, and the hot chocolate too!

This post is linked to: The Inspired Room, Works for Me Wednesday, DIY Day

to Lightly Love

Happy Valentine's Day

Crocheted heart by my Mom

love, love, love, love, love, love, love

It's always said that the word "love" is over-used, worn out, and even misused. I'm guilty. I'm the one that says I "love" my burrito and also say I "love" my kids.

Hanging white hearts for the season

I understand that perspective, truly I do. However, I still love everything that I claim to love. I say it all the time and I'm certain I will be using my fair share of the word for the rest of my life! Because when I say "love" it evokes the same excitement each time, with different levels of passion. The energetic feeling within my heart when I claim to love is the feeling of being alive, happy, excited, energized, youthful, motivated, and on fire. When I love something I am happy, smiling, and ready for the very next moment in life!

Holiday Inspiration with pink and purple

Some things I deeply love with intense depth are my husband, kids, family, and Jesus.

Some things I lightly love with energizing life are the rain, the smell of fresh laundry, and the taste of a hot sandwich. The level of passion changes but the feeling of being alive is constant.

Some more lightly loves...
the sunshine on my toes as they snuggle in the sand,
the sound and smell of rain,
pretty desserts,
cozy textures,
a baby's soft skin,
the sound of a newborn baby's cry,
little toddler fingers wrapped around mine,
genuine smiles,
clean clothes and the fresh smell of clean laundry,
name-brand material masterpieces,
splashes of bold color,
a newly made bed with the covers pulled back,
piles of soft pillows,
strong arms to hold me,
deep, secure words to calm me,
the laughter of kids playing lost in their own world,
the sound of little kids walking in footed pajamas,
beautiful people,
makeovers,
new hair styles,
a trip to the salon,
window shopping,
dreaming and making goals,
learning something new,
opening the stiff pages of a brand new book,
giving a heartfelt gift to someone special,
money and the opportunities it brings,
looking at houses,
eating a good meal at a new restaurant,
decorating for an event,
making every detail in life beautiful,
walking in the forest over pine needles,
exercising so hard that I feel invincible,
accomplishing something that felt impossible,
checking thing off my to-do list,
the chance to start over,
intense pleasure,
being strengthened through trials,
the magic of holidays,
finding good deals,
writing on a blank sheet of paper,
making lists,
organizing personal space,
fresh flowers,
Europe,
cheese,
fancy destinations,
exquisite hotels,
charming towns,
scalloped edges,
ruffles,
pink diamonds and black pearls,
kisses from my kids,
someone winking at me,
love letters,
big brown packages on the front door step
....and the list goes on.

Given to me by a best friend in high school

I know I speak of FEELINGS and the happiness that loving something brings. BUT as we know, love is a choice too. We all know that we must make choices to love when it's hard. But we must also make the choice to love the details in life, to be alive, to remain positive, and not to take a single thing for granted! How many little amazing details have you brushed over in your life lately? How would your life change if you embraced every incredible little thing that delighted your heart?

Reminder in chalk of family love

Antiqued Vintage Charm with some Romance
on our kitchen table for Valentine's Day

Loving the details in life is always a choice we make.
Every day.
Take it all in deeply.
It's worth the ride.

Lavender heart wreaths
for a sweet welcome on the door

We also have a WINNER for the Tunkables Giveaway! A big thank you to EACH of you for participating. I truly wish you could all win.

This post is linked to: DIY Day

Love Lessons and a Lunch of Hearts

Heart-Day lunch for the little ones...

Holidays are celebrations of life, little walks off the beaten trail of everyday living...a chance to just be and enjoy what's around us. Valentine's Day is super cute for the little ones. It's about the greatest thing that makes our world tick: l.o.v.e. ...It's about hearts and everything sweet and wholesome in between.

I like to take opportunities when they present themselves to cuddle up with my boys and softly tell them lessons of life. And Valentine's Day is one of those opportunities.

So as we cuddle close on the couch and I have all wide eyes and listening ears I share some love secrets to their willing hearts AFTER I read them some fun Valentine stories....

This is what I whispered...

"My sweet boys...when Momma and Daddy say we love you that means that YOU are made exactly how we want you and you don't need to change a thing!"

It means that we value everything that is packed into your little bodies.

It means that we want to see you shine inside and out.

It means we want to celebrate every bit of happiness you can tuck into your pocket.

It means that you delight our hearts and we simply cannot get enough of you.

So, boys...as you grow each day and relate to friends and family, love them with a wholesome heart. Because love is everything that is good. It will make your heart shine and your face happy. Love because it is so much better than being a bully! Strong men are made of steel and velvet. (I stole the steel and velvet phrase from a book title years ago and it stuck with me!).

You boys see and feel how Momma and Daddy love you and we hope you can love that way too because it is a great joy! And even if you try your best, just as Momma and Daddy do, sometimes you may not love completely and it may hurt someone. Momma and Daddy don't always love you the right way but we try...and you know what? If people know that you try your best, then that is simply good enough."

And of course after I tell them all of that, they will be fidgeting and restless little boys, ready for something more exciting...

Heart Season Lunch!

Dakotah, one of my hearthrobs,
helped me prepare this fun Valentine meal.
We made PB & J using STRAWBERRY jam to have RED for V Day!
Then we took cookie cutters to cut them into festive shapes.

The best part for the kids was NO CRUST!
And the best part for me was Dixie paper plates!

For drinks, I froze Cranberry Juice in heart-shaped trays.
I poured 7-up into glasses and used the Cranberry Juice ice cubes.
Then I dropped a bit of cherry juice into each glass.

I had some extra hearts that stood alone
for a frozen slush treat!

And here's a little Seasonal tip for the Moms after we're done taking care of our crazy little kids all day:

Buy those trial size scented lotions for holiday use. Bath and Body Works sells all sorts of scents that are seasonal. This one is called "PS I LOVE YOU" and is perfect for V Day.



Of course you can keep full size of your favorite lotions but these little seasonal ones are fun to change it up. Each season put a different one out. I LOVE the coconut scent for summertime...etc, etc.


This post is linked to: DIY Day, Works for Me Wednesday, Show and Tell, DIY Showoff, Inspired Room, Foodie Friday