Crunchy Peas

cleaning house

If you are like me, right about now you are tearing down the decorations and scrubbing everything.  I always get that spring cleaning itch right after Christmas. I scrapped my tree yesterday.  A nice clean slate! Clean countertops and clutter free rooms- bliss.

This year, as gifts for my friends, I went a little crunchy. I put together little cleaning kits for my friends.

 

The Dollar Tree was so helpful.  I found the empty spray bottles, scrub brushes, microfiber sponges and cute green baskets there.  I also tucked in an organic cotton dish towel.  The cleaners I made for them: All-Purpose Cleaner, Window Cleaner, and Lavender Scouring Scrub. 

 

Here's how I made them.

All Purpose Cleaner:

In an large glass measuring cup I mixed together 1 tsp Baking Soda, 2 tsp Borax, a few drops of Lliquid Dish Soap. (I used this because it was dye and fragrance free), and 2 cups of very Hot Water.  Stir, stir, stir.  Then I added a splash of Lemon Juice and several drops of Lemon Essential Oil.  Then, use a funnel to pour cleaner into an empty spray bottle. 

Window Cleaner:

Again, in a large glass measuring cup mix together 2 Tbl Vinegar, a few drops of Liquid Dish Soap, and 2 cups Hot Water.  Using a funnel, pour into empty squirt bottle.  This one is so easy! If you are just staring to use natural glass cleaner you may find this to be somewhat smeary as it cleans off all the residue of commercial cleaners.

Lavender Scouring Scrub:

In a large bowl measure 2 cups of Baking Soda.  Add 10-15 drops of Lavender Essential oil into the bowl along with the baking soda.  Then, pour this mixture into a sifter and work all the little clumps out.  I put finished mixture into a wide mouth pint jar.  This smells so good and can also be used in the laundry along with to your soap.

Easy huh?  Happy Scrubbing.

**With all the tidying up around here, I haven't neglected myself. There's been some "cleaning house" going on inside of me too.  I've been doing this program for sometime now and am beginning to see real and lasting changes in my heart and in my weight too.  Just thought I would throw that out there as many of you may be contemplating your New Year's Resolutions.

Hannah's head

 

I always knew it would be her.  I've suspected that one day she would be the child who would need emergency medical attention.  Last night she did a somersault off of her sister's bed (on purpose) and conked her head on the sideboard. 

 

A bit of blood, lots of tears, and two staples later...she is all fixed up. 

Thank goodness for husbands who brave freezing rain and snow at 10pm to make unfortunate trips to the hospital. (it took us a while to decide if we should take her in and who would be the one to go).  I'm totally down with a little blood and being hands on with the process of birth. I've even been front and center assisting with postpartum suturing...but I COULD NOT watch them put staples in my baby's head.  Uh-uh.  Even that photo- gives me the willies!

the day after

Don't you just love The Day After Christmas?  Lounging in your jammies until noon, kids happily playing with their new toys, movie watching, left-over pie/cheesecake (or both!), and more lounging.

 

Don't get me wrong, we had a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day-  lots of lovely family and food, and smiles and hugs...but busy.  I always find myself scrambling at the last minute (no matter how well prepared I thought I was) and by the time Christmas Day is over, I am ready for a nice long sit down.

After a very relaxed morning, we decided to brave the cold and get outside for a bit.  Our friends invited us to their orchard for some sledding.

 

Sledding may be an inaccurate term. It was a bit more like plowing.  The snow was so deep and fluffy that each run provided us with a chilly face freeze.

 

The track was rough at first, but after a few runs it was pretty sweet.  To keep warm, my friend's husband built us a nice warm fire.

 

It was 9 degrees outside so I found as many excuses as I could to stand nearby.

 

Carl too. 

We have big plans for our secluded little sledding hill.  There was talk of tailgates, hot cocoa stations, marshmallow roasting, lawn chairs, and "non-caloric silicon based kitchen lubricant".  Good times, good times.

Let the relaxing continue! 

Make Believe

What I'm wearing to the fabulous New Year's Eve party I've been invited to:

new year's eve by crunchypeas

By the way, did I mention that Clive Owen has asked me to be his date?  Yep.  Totally.

 

He even has a matcing tie.  You know it.

Happy at Home

 

It has been snowing. Tons. I hate driving in it (an understatement), and we've had no place to be.  So, we've been at home. 

   

Happy at home, wearing our cozy new jammies sent to us in the mail by Grandma.

 

We've been reading (our current favorites),

 

Baking,

   

 

Frosting,

 

Spelling,

 

And yes, having the usual brief moments of insanity.

I am really so thankful to be homeschooling.  It is such a great feeling to wake up in the morning and know that we are in complete control of our schedule.  This Christmas season has been the least stressful in a long time. It is really quite peaceful.  We are just enjoying the beauty out of doors, and honestly enjoying each other's company indoors. 

The one thing that has been lacking...crafting in general.  Schoolwork does take up the better part of our day.  Once we are finished, we are outside to play or off to our separate corners of the house for some free time alone.  Nobody has really requested extra " crafty projects".  So, I am content to just be.  Okay, well I do have a couple of little ideas floating around in my head.  I'm not pressuring myself into anything-- but there just might be some sewing happening soon! 

Note to self:

 

These are for giving away...as tasty little gifts...for other people...and not for eating... by the handful... by you- self.

Thank you so much Husband for bringing them home. (You can get your own at Costco.) UGGGHH.  Guess I'm off to do more shoveling, or some other activity that can burn at least 3,000 calories- or 20 grams of fat.

Baby its cold outside

 

I know this sounds weird...but I really enjoy manual labor.  Isn't it great to get out there and really work?  I'm always up for a little outside work as long as it is not mowing the lawn (I learned how this summer) in 90+degree temperatures, or weeding the dusty garden in gale force winds, or anything else that causes me to break much of a sweat or swear.  Okay, so maybe I don't really love manual labor.  But I do love the satisfaction that comes when you stand back and see what you have accomplished.  A job well done. Invigorating.  My husband does not share the same opinion.  He opted to watch football this morning while I shoveled.    No matter, it is I who reaped the cardiovascular benefits.

 

Between all that piling up of snow, I snuck in some smooches too.  The kids didn't last long.  It really was freezing cold out this morning.  About 10 degrees with some blowing and drifting snow.  I kept thinking about how fluffy and wonderful the snow was.  Perfect for skiing.  It won't be long now.

 

I'll admit that there was plenty of lounging around this weekend as well.  Watched this and this.  Both pretty good. 

 

Oh yes, a bit of organizing and making as well.  Trying to keep up with my mitten advent calender that I started last year. I am ready to be done with it.  I think that I lost my enthusiasm for it on mitten #4.  

   

But alas, I am only on #14. 

We are headed over to our friend's house for a bar-b-que.  Yep, that's right-- with potato salad and all.  We decided on a throw back to summer.  Hope you are warm wherever you are!!

**For anyone intersted, the pattern I used for the crochet mittens can be found here.

First

 

Finally!  It arrived.

 

We just new it would come.

     

All afternoon it fell...it was beautiful.

 

Snow.  Welcome back!  We've missed you.

Traditions

Our little shopping weekend in Spokane has come to mean several things to me.

1.  Beautiful, beautiful, lovely things to look at (including handbags at Nordstrom which I didn't photograph because, well you know- its Nordstrom).  I loved this black and white tree.

 

2. A "blue mirror" picture.

 

3.  At least one self-taken group shot (missing my Aunt). We were going to get our picture taken with Santa, but then the thought of sitting on the lap of some creepy, unknown costumed man, as a full-grown adult woman made us opt for this frame instead.  Much wiser indeed.

 

4. Yummy, yummy food at Clinkerdager's. A seafood kebab on top of garlic mashed potatoes.  Some bread with artichoke/crab dip, their famous pea salad and Riesling were also consumed in mass quantities.

 

4. (cont.) Creme Brule- 'nuff said.

 

5.  Something silly and fun.  As in: shots of Jagermeister in the hotel room.  If you know me, you would know that shots of anything make me nervous.  I still get that "we're gonna get in trouble for this" kind of feeling in my stomach.  My Aunt assured me that Jager is medicinal and will never give you a hangover or make you sick.  I told myself to believe her.  Never underestimate the power of a wee bit of  alcohol to alleviate the stress of holiday crowds.  Emphasis on the wee bit.

 

6.  Good times.  Because my Mom died over 15 years ago now...I don't get to do this kind of thing very often.  Boy, do I look forward to it. The whole female bonding thing is really vital to me.  A wide range of topics were covered in conversation: fake breasts, Alaskan Men (inside joke), sugar addictions, love languages, child rearing, memory loss, childbirth, hairdos, God's love, and many other equally stimulating thoughts and ideas.   

 

Not only did I come home totally refreshed (if that can be possible after spending gobs of money and walking miles and miles up and down the mall), but also my shopping is nearly done!  So now, let the wrapping begin.

Thanks to my Tante, Jenny, Lisa and my Husband (who successfully navigated a weekend with empty cupboards, birthday parties, and three emotional daughters) for making this weekend filled with more memorable traditions.

I'm Feelin' Merry

Why?  You ask. 

Well, because my tree is looking better...

 

and, because I am off tomorrow (just like last year) to find some gifts to put under it.

 

These little green baubles were an early treat for me :)

Decorating

It is starting to look a bit more festive around here.  I am not one of those "decorate the day after Thanksgiving (or before)" kind of people.  I know this sounds Scroogie but I have a really low level of tolerance for clutter.  Usually by December 26th, I am ready to sweep every decoration off of every surface and cram them back into their boxes. If I wait until mid-December I can really enjoy it without getting overstimulated.

So, the girls and I have been doing festive little projects here and there (between exhilarating games of Bananagrams and hallway bowling).

 

This year, I am feeling a little "Old World/Homespun/Tartan plaid" when it comes to decorating.  Last year we did the bright and crazy pink tinsel stuff.  Every year is different.  I love changing it up.

 

This little stringing party lasted a couple of hours yesterday. I consider it a success despite the squirts of cranberry juice on clothing, and frequent consumption of the crafty medium (aka. Cheerios).

The girls really wanted to decorate the tree.  I let them.  You should see it.  Too painful to photograph.  There are no decorations on the top 1/3 of the tree, and the remaining ornaments are clumped together in akward groups down below.  It was just killing me to leave it as it was.  I struck a deal with them, however. Let me decorate the tree, and I'll clean your room for you and string some lights up above your bed. 

Sold.

 

 

 

Bedtime was a bit more magical tonight.  Here's to re-decorating the tree while they are sleeping soundly!

Weekend Wrap-UP

 

Thanksgiving was very enjoyable.  Even with "camo man" carving the turkey...it all turned out wonderful.  My Dad has another nickname:"Foreman Jim".  My brother gave it to him because he has a tendency to be, well, a bit bossy.   It is not a bad trait...just executive-ish.  My dad says that it takes one to know one.  In that case, there were too many foremen/forewomen in the kitchen this weekend :)  But many hands make light work.  More time for me to sip wine and stir the beans.

     

Once again, Everyday Food  was at my right hand.  I had a clipboard, time schedule, and a whole lotta lists.  It paid off.  I felt very organized.

 

The highlight of my weekend actually came the day after Thanksgiving.  My friends from high school had lunch together.  It was so exciting to see these girls!  Some of them I hadn't seen since graduation.  It was a tad surreal sitting there with them all grown up- talking babies and husbands and homes.  After lunch we hit up some of the downtown shopping.  Laughing, lots of chattering, and the spending of money ensued.  Good times.  We promised to make it an annual event.  For those of you who couldn't make it...we really, really missed you!  If you see your foxy face in this picture, leave me a comment and I'll send you the picture file.