My Home is on a DIET

Dear Friends,

We all try to eat healthy in my home and I do my very best to cook nutritious meals. I'm so grateful that we've raised our children up NOT to be picky eaters. Mike and I try hard to watch our weight as it will easily increase, but this is not the type of diet I'm referring to.

My house has a waistline that is increasing. I feel in some ways we are bursting. My pantry and freezer are full. Our closets are full. Our garage and backyard storage shed is full. My craft area is really bulging. I know that this is a blessing so please don't think I'm not grateful for having plenty of food to eat and a variety of clothes to wear. (I'm a very frugal thrift store and garage sale shopper and it is hard for me to pass up some great deals).

It is also very hard for me to get rid of things. I was always raised to be frugal and to save for a rainy day. Yes I do clean and declutter, but not enough. I really need to say "goodbye" to some of what we have.

My first plan of action is to 'live on what we already have'. I'm not saying I won't buy anything, because there are things we need to live on. We need fresh milk, fruits, vegetables and bread. We have a few upcoming projects that we will need things for. That is fine. What I'm saying is that we will shop from home first. I'm notorious for buying surplus when it is on sale and sticking it away. Then when it comes time that we need some of the surplus, sometimes I forget that I have it and buy more! Argh!

My second plan of action is to 'reuse and recycle what we already have'. If I need something, how can I make it with what I have on hand. I have things stuck in closets that could be repurposed into something else if needed because they are just sitting in the closet not being used at all. Yet, I don't want to get rid of those items because they are in perfectly good condition and I might need them 'someday'.

My third plan of action is to be more ruthless with my decluttering. It is truly time to say goodbye to some things. I hope that over the course of a year our home waistline will whittle in size.

Have a beautiful day.

Nancy

The Bible in Five Words

Good morning Friends,
I've had a phrase floating around in my head for the last few days that summarizes the Bible in just 5 words. We Are Called To Love.
Just think about it. We are asked to love the Lord our God and to love one another. Love is one of our keys to the kingdom of God.

Of course I know we need other things. We need faith and we need to invite Christ into our hearts as our Lord and Savior. We need to forgive. We need to repent. With Christ in our hearts, we are called to Love....always. The Bible speaks a lot about love and the power of love.

4 Love is patient and is kind; love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not
proud, 5 doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not
provoked, takes no account of evil; 6 doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness, but
rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all
things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. (1Corinthians 13:4-8)

What a wonderful world this would be if we all believed that our calling was to love one another.
The one thing I do know is that sometimes loving others is not easy yet it is something we must do. It's a door opening key. Not only is it a key into heaven, but it is a key that will open many doors for us here on earth. Think about it.

With this in mind, you have to read this lovely post HERE about simple ways you can show love and random acts of kindness. I wish I could be like this fellow blogger.

I hope all of you have a wonderful day and know that I love you.
Blessings,
Nancy

Primo Blog Award!

Thank you Karin from Mini Ramblings and Musings for this lovely award!

It didn't come with rules (completely ok by me) so I'm just going to pass it on to 5 blogs that I enjoy. I hope you will take a moment to check them out. These are blogs that I find informational, motivational and just fun-ational (ok, I made that word up). I bet you will find these blogs as enjoyable as I do.

Becky at Clean Mama - This is a recent blog that I have found. Clean Mama has some great organizational printables and fun ideas. (I think Clean Mama and I must be kindred spirits)

Becca at Nap Time Journal - Love the craft ideas here!! I put some of her craft ideas on my to-do list they are THAT good.

Lynn at Queen of the Castle Recipes - Lynn finds some truly delicious recipes around the web that she shares with her readers. Thanks Lynn for the yummy food you've helped me get on the table!

Passport to Savings and Food - Here is a great blog to get some menu planning inspiration.

Rachel at Frugal and Simple Living - Rachel is full of ideas and tips for just like her blog says, frugal and simple living. Most importantly, she has been a real inspiration in me starting my Making Our Home a Haven Podcast.

Thanks again Karin for the great award,
Blessings,
Nancy

2010 Ultimate Blog Party

Dear Friends,

I just wanted to let you know about the Ultimate Blog Party going on over at 5 Minutes For Mom. It's running now through April 16th. I always think it is nice to find like minded women and great ideas.

5 Minutes for Mom is an interesting place to visit. When you visit their home page you will find links to things such as 5 Minutes for Parenting, 5 Minutes for Faith, and so much more.

Come join the fun. You might win some cool prizes, but more importantly you might meet a great friend on a new blog.

Blessings,

Nancy

Beautiful and Busy Springtime

Dear Friends,
Spring is my favorite season. It could stay spring year round as far as I'm concerned. Here are a few pics from my backyard.

The high school play has been in full production with Seussical the Musical which is a compilation of Dr. Seuss books. Ok, I'm going to gush here, but this has been the best high school musical I've ever seen. The vocals and choreography were amazing. Mike and I were smiling the entire performance. Perhaps we're just proud parents. Here is Katie as one of the Whos from Whoville. Her picture was on the front page of the paper today. (I bought 2 copies)

I have made this bunny cake every year since the kiddos were babies. It is a tradition to have this with our Easter meal.

Below are some pictures taken on Easter Sunday.

Top left: Katie is alter serving at a special outdoor mass.

Top right: Getting ready for the egg hunt. (Katie, Laura, Tim and Emily) Laura has been our German foreign exchange student from near Frankfurt. The group of exchange students were here only 2 weeks. I took Laura to the airport this morning. It was a sad farewell as she was such as sweet girl and fit in perfectly with our family. We will miss you Laura. You will ALWAYS be in our thoughts and prayers.

Bottom left: I thought this was such a sweet picture of Emily as she is hunting for eggs. (As for Emily's fibromyalgia, we're trying a new medication. She has good days and bad. I think the best thing for her is to keep her mind off of it)

Bottom right: Tim found a grand prize hiding in the grill!

I hope each of you are enjoying the warmer weather.

Love and blessings to you all,

Nancy

Feature a Friend Friday - Bety from Deep End of the Loom and Think Pink

Dear Friends,
Today I would like to introduce you to Bety from Deep End of the Loom.

Bety has donated this luscious scarf for our "Think Pink" raffle to be held this October. Money raised will go to the Susan G. Komen fund towards the cure for breast cancer.

The pictures are pretty but let me tell you the scarf when seen in person takes your breath away. It is gorgeous!!!! Not only is it pretty, it is soooo soft. I am simply in awe at it.

Betty states:

I'm a wife, mom and child of Christ living in South Florida. I enjoy
weaving, knitting, some crochet and really love to help others learn a fiber
hobby. I've been a weaver for 3 years and am still learning and growing. My
newest adventure and challenge for this year is spinning yarn and I'm having fun
with my disastrous results.

Well Bety, I must say, I don't consider your results disastrous at all. I asked Bety how long it took her to weave this scarf. She said it was about 6 hours in total from wrapping the loom to twist fringing the ends.

Below are some other photos of Bety's work.

Please be sure to stop by Deep End of the Loom and say "hello". Bety really has some pretty photography of her work on her blog.

As a reminder, all information about "Think Pink" can be found HERE. I am encouraging all of my readers and fellow basket weavers, crafters, and scrapbookers to donate an item to my “Think Pink” efforts. Whatever you can offer would be much appreciated! It does not have to be handmade. It can be any item that promotes “Think Pink” for breast cancer awareness. if you have a prize you would like to donate, please e-mail me at basketmaster_nancy@yahoo.com .

Remember, more prizes will mean more money for the foundation. I'm so thrilled as thus far we have my Pink Pot of Hope basket, beautiful and fun Stampin' Up supplies from CJ , a Sentsy candle warmer and fragrance set from Naomi, and now this beautiful pink scarf from Bety.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you ladies!!!! Your contributions are deeply appreciated.

Blessings,

Nancy

Easter Blessings

He didn't have to do it, but I'm so thankful that He did.
He did it for me and He did it for each and everyone of you. He loves you... always.

May you all have a very blessed day today.
Love,
Nancy

Finding the Time to Cook

Hi Friends,
Today is a very busy day so just a short note here. I wanted to let you know that I have a new Making Our Home a Haven podcast ready to listen to. You can click on the play button over on the left sidebar and it will play the most recent episode or there is a pull down menu to listen to past episodes. You can also download it through iTunes by searching Making Our Home a Haven.
I hope this podcast gives you some ideas you may not have thought of regarding finding the time to cook and have meals on the table.
I'm sure everyone is getting ready for Easter just as I am.
Blessings
Nancy

This post links to:
Mom's The Word

Feature a Friend Friday - Alexey from the Ukraine

Good Morning Friends,

I'd like to introduce you to Alexey who is basket weaving in the Ukraine.

Alexey and I have been corresponding about weaving. I want to say right off the bat, Alexey's English is pretty good, but there are a few words that occasionally do not translate well so I am writing this with the hopes that I have no factual errors.

He weaves with a material which he calls packaging flax which I believe to be a packing tape and he uses a linen cording for the twining. Alexey has been invited to be on television in his country as they are interested in his weaving!

His current project is a very large laundry basket woven on a wooden frame for stability.

Alexey says he doesn't have a website or a blog. (I think Alexey, with you becoming a TV star you will need to consider a blog!) The other thing Alexey mentions is that his wife does get tired of the debris created by weaving. I think we can all relate to that.

Thank you so much Alexey for letting me share your photos and for letting us know a little about you. We all wish you much success with your weaving. Perhaps if your TV segment becomes available on YouTube we can all see your show.

Blessings Everyone,

Nancy

Free Basket Weaving Pattern

Hi Friends,
Here is a quick reminder for a free pattern from Baskets of Joy.  This sweet basket is called a Tulip May Basket.  It has a square base and goes to a round top.  If you need some of the materials, they have kits available for $20.  Be sure to print off your pattern soon!
Enjoy and Happy Weaving,
Nancy