With Love...

I thought I would share some of the things I have made lately with love (which seems appropriate with the just passing Valentine's holiday, right?)...

Making rolls for supper...

Tried a new recipe: *Taco Bake*...it seemed to be a hit with everyone (I didn't try it)...

I crocheted this ear warmer. It was a simple pattern...

Although we are homeschoolers, my children do participate in a co-op that is like a school day twice a month. :) They enjoy learning other things in the classes as well as seeing friends (our group consists of about 50 Christian homeschooling families). They had a Valentine's exchange today so here are the things we made up for the boys (Madelyn made cookies at Ma's house):

I found these cute star wars printables ("ewok my world"....SO cute!) and printed them onto sticker paper and cut them out. We made bookmarks out of them and added a small piece of candy with it. Jaxson then signed his name at the bottom. Technically, these stickers were to go onto tic-tac boxes but with 12 people in his class and each thing of tic-tacs costing $1, that would be an awfully expensive set of valentines! So, we decided bookmarks were cute and much more economical...

For Xavier, I found (on Pinterest) these minecraft printables. I print them all out on sticker paper and then put them onto card stock (pink for girls, blue for boys) and then the green minecraft guy/thing (I have *no* idea what they are actually called) got placed around a small candy bar! I think they turned out really cute...

For the kindergarten class I help with I made these (another pinterest find)...

And finally, just because it makes me smile, here is Stella, relaxing (as that seems to be what cats do best!)...

We didn't do anything *special* for Valentine's Day...we had church and just relaxed for the day (I enjoyed a nap, of course!) although in the evening, the children and I worked on purging/organizing a room upstairs (I love to get things tidy!). We didn't spend extra money on purchasing anything for one another since our money is focused on finishing the addition to our house (which is coming along nicely!).

We are expecting a bit of a winter storm in our area tonight and tomorrow. I am okay with being snowed-in (especially since I know spring isn't far away). We will work on schooling and housework (with more emphasis on organizing/purging un-needed items etc.) tomorrow. The children have their instrument lessons in the afternoon but I am not sure if they will be canceled or not due to the weather. :)

And, before I go...I want to excitedly share that since the beginning of January I have now lost 12 pounds! :) The weight loss competition I am in will end at the end of this month! It would be *so* much fun to win...but I have *no* idea how other competitors are faring at the moment. :)

If you are getting snow and ice like we are, stay warm and safe! For those of you enjoying sunshine and warmer temps, enjoy some for me! :) The guys are working on sanding the mud in the addition right now...I will soon get their dinner started (I have homemade burger buns made up and plan on making homemade sloppy joes for them). I need to work in my Bullet Journal and Planner as well. I hope you enjoy your night and week ahead! Thanks for stopping!

Warmly,
Katy :)

Frog Fun ~ A Recent Finish

Although I am more of a knitter...it's fun to crochet things too. Things whip up a lot quicker when you crochet them rather than knit! I made this hat for our friends' newest arrival. I am hoping it will fit the little guy this winter. The pattern said 3-6 months...but it seems a bit big...so we'll see. The pattern was just for the green hat and eyes. I made up the nostrils, smile and tongue on my own.

I am working on crocheting a mouse hat now. I may put it in my shop at some point...or gift it to someone. We'll see! :) I always have intentions of selling items I make...and then usually end up deciding to gift it instead!

What have projects have you been working on lately? I am linking up with Keep Calm Craft On from Frontier Dreams! :) Have a great Tuesday friends!

Kindly,
Katy

The Great Yarn Purge & WIPs

The time had come...

I had *way* too much yarn (I have a habit of accumulating and then hoarding yarn. I think it's a sickness). Some of which I really didn't think I would find use for (although I'm sure once I donate it, I will find a need for some of the stuff I gave away...isn't that always what happens? *smile*). After going through baskets and bags I am keeping only the yarn in this tote...

These *spilling over* bags are full of yarn I am donating....

Random needles I found while going through yarn baskets (crazy how they accumulate places)...

Here they are...tucked neatly into my needle holder (*sigh*...having everything in it's place just makes me happy)...

Crochet hooks are all put into their case (and the extra hooks into a holder in the next photo down)...

Bamboo knitting needles....I like how they *look* but not so much their quality. I have had some break on me...

Just a *few* of my WIPs (works in progress)...

This is all my cotton yarn that I kept (in addition to the yarn in the tote). It's all ready to be used to make dish cloths and other fun projects...

This was my first bib that I knit but I am not happy with how the top finished up. I still need to make i-cord ties for the sides. Because I was unhappy with the top (the pattern was a bit unclear) I kind of tucked this aside because I was disappointed in how it turned out...

Although not pictured, I am also working on knitting a Yoda hat for Jaxson. I'll be sure to share it when it is finished! :) Remember, if you are interested ~ take a look at my etsy shop (there is a link in my right sidebar)! It's such a blessing to create things to help earn a little extra money for my family!

It's been a long day (last day of our homeschool co-op for this school year...it was a wonderful time with a program and picnic with tons of fellowship and fun, but oh how exhausted I am ~ especially since I have been up since 4:45am!). I am off to relax a bit and spend some time knitting on Jax's hat before I head to bed.

Thanks for stopping by!
Warmly,
Katy

Linked up to: Keep Calm, Craft On

*Spring Things*

The grass is now green and the flowers are (slowly but surely) growing! Trees are budding and the temperatures are getting warmer! It's absolutely lovely that spring is here! Here are a few of the *spring things* we have been up to...

Chris has been carving me spoons to use in the kitchen! Aren't they amazing!? He may make some to sell in my etsy shop as well! :)

He made a beeswax/mineral oil concoction that he will use to cover the wooden spoons. He also tried his hand at making a couple beeswax candles!

You know how *spring* weather can be....one day: sun, the next: snow (thankfully, it melted!)...

We're finishing up our homeschool year! Only a few *official* days to go! Although, learning is something that happens daily with children. :)

I am attempting my first-ever crocheted afghan. I love knitting (and the "look" of knitted items)...but knitting an afghan would take a super long time. I like being able to try out different crochet patterns and I thought this ripple blanket would be a good project for me...

Saturday, we got some much-needed things done around the house. We planted some seeds to transfer to the raised garden beds later this spring...

We have broccoli, peppers, red and white onions and celery started...

We started lettuce seeds too!

Cash loves being out and about with us...

A man and his dog...

Pearl helped X clear out the raised beds...

As I had posted previously, our dryer died (after 15 years of use). We have a new one coming later this week. Until then, I am thankful for sunny days when I can get clothes out on the line! We had a few very cold, wet days and it forced us to take a couple loads of wash to the laundromat to dry. I am so thankful that the dryer gave out now rather than in the winter. I prefer to hang clothes out to drying them in the dryer anyway! :)

Cashers...

My hosta is starting to shoot up....as well as my day lilies, daffodils, and other pretty things around the house. I had to transplant some of the day lily plants as they were spreading too thick in an area and needed moved. :) I will be sure to share photos as soon as all these lovely things are in full bloom. My cherry tree (that we planted last year) is budding! I cannot wait for it to continue to grow and bloom! I think it will be so beautiful!

Much has been on my heart lately...with personal things, the persecution of Christians around the world, sickness of loved ones, and a desire for unbelievers to come to a true knowledge and love of Jesus Christ. Prayer, prayer, and more prayer is needed at this time (and all times, really).

I have bread rising for tomorrow morning and eggs cooling after being hard-steamed (I steam my fresh eggs to "hard boil" them rather than actually boiling them...it makes it easier to remove the shells). I am going to tidy up the kitchen and then head to bed. Tomorrow will be a full, busy day. Schooling, housework, exercise, and more! :) Hope your week is enjoyable!

Warmly,
Katy

Linked up to:

Raising Homemakers
A Wise Woman Builds Her Home

Staying at Home is *not* Boring

Staying at home as a homeschooling mother and wife does not seem like a "glamorous" life to most...and I think I would agree. Glamorous isn't the word for it. It is a life of selflessness, giving, being a blessing (and being blessed), hard work, joy, disappointments, failures, and rewards. It is what God intended for married women. 

Some believe staying at home to be boring...and I can assure you that it doesn't have to be. It all depends on how you use your time. There is schooling of littles (if you have young ones), spending time *with* your children, homekeeping chores, crafting (knitting, crocheting, sewing or another productive art), cooking, visiting those who need you, writing and sending notes of encouragement, time spent in the Word and other edifying books and prayer...and if your children are a bit older, there is even, at times, time for a nap in the middle of the day (why, oh why, didn't I treasure naps as a child? They are a glorious thing!). 

I am so, so thankful my husband believes the Bible when it says that women are to be keepers at home...loving their husbands and children (Titus 2:3-5). All I ever wanted to do in life was be a wife and mother. I am far (so very far) from perfect and have had many moments of struggling, selfish discontentment, depression and anxiety. But the Lord continually reminds me that I *am* right where He wants me....doing just what He created me to do. :) 

Below are a few crochet finishes (that I will hopefully be adding to my etsy shop soon)...

 Preemie Hat

 Dish Cloth

 Set of Dish Cloths

 0-3 month Sun Hat

And here is a knitting work-in-progress...

Madelyn and Jaxson playing chess...

Being a homemaker has allowed me the opportunity to travel to my sister's home when needed (Jax and I drove there yesterday to help her with the girls as she is battling a horrible cold)...

We took the girls outside to play as it was absolutely gorgeous outside!

They had a lot of fun drawing with chalk on the sidewalk and driveway...

These girls....love, love, love them!

Jaxson, who loves all things Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Hobbit (sci/fi junkie that he is), drew a large Darth Vader mask on the driveway. The girls loved it as they are Star Wars fans too (they haven't seen the movies...but they love it because Jaxson loves it!)

Audra was there too...sweet smiles and all...

Finished!

 At naptime, when things were quieted down and relaxed at my sister's house, Jaxson and I headed home (in the meantime Madelyn was helping Grammie at her office and Xavier was helping Pa at the Meat Market). I came home to get my cleaning done at home (I had hung two loads of clothes out on the lines before I had left that morning) and to start supper...

Eggs from our chickens, sausage from the Meat Market, and fried potatoes...the house smelled wonderful!

And after a good meal, it's always best to get the kitchen cleaned up before bed. Waking to a clean kitchen just starts the day off right! :)

It is truly a *gift* to be a homemaker. If you haven't yet, I would love if you would read my post HERE on it! May you find encouragement there! :)

And quickly, before I go...I just wanted to share with you this lovely beauty my husband carved for me. He is looking up how to coat it properly for usage. My guy...such a catch he is. I am blessed to call him mine!

I hope you will stop again soon. If you are new here...please check out different posts on my sidebar that you may enjoy!

Warmly,
Katy

     

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