2011 recap

 

I know it's a little late into the New Year. I had to decided to do this, and then I had to get a little help from a friend to remember how to do this. But here are some high points from 2011. I had a hard time picking just these 36 pictures. There were many many more that I wanted to include, but the mosiac maker would only allow 36 tiles. Enjoy, I know I did, looking back through images from the past year. 1. Side view, 2. DSC09149, 3. DSC09178, 4. DSC09181, 5. DSC09276, 6. DSC09295, 7. DSC09315, 8. DSC09342, 9. My little Princess, 10. DSC09378, 11. closed with swifts, 12. DSC09505, 13. Navajo ply on Vespera, 14. Avion mine, 15. We need kickstands, 16. Untitled, 17. Visit to Tom Bihn, 18. My sweet precious nephew, 19. DSC09813, 20. Apple chips, yum!, 21. Untitled, 22. Ham the rescue dog, 23. Camper and mini camper, 24. No more spider man, 25. The rough section, 26. Studio and School preview, 27. Untitled, 28. Beach ride, 29. Untitled, 30. Untitled, 31. Untitled, 32. Lunabudknit art batt spun wild, 33. Untitled, 34. New favorite spinning basket!, 35. Untitled, 36. First ride

The decluttering continues

Cleaned and reorganized pantry, a photo by mom2rays on Flickr.

I've had some issues with my kitchen since I moved in. I don't know what the designer was thinking when he or she planned my kitchen but it wasn't designed for real people who actually cook. I am still thankful for my kitchen, I have experienced some more poorly designed than mine, but it has some areas that are lacking. For one, most of the cabinets are not large enough to house pots and pans or any counter top appliances. Smaller things like plates, cups, cookbooks, etc. fit just fine, but anything on the largish side is impossible to get in or out without major twisting and shouting.

Thankfully I have a decent sized pantry, which up until today I had poorly arranged and under maximized.

A friend, Katy, mentioned a blog on organization that I checked out: www.iheartorganizing.blogspot.com and I have spent some time going though her posts. I admire her decorating sense (though I don't have a speck of it in me) and her creativity (I would like to grow in this department). She also has 3 children and a modest home.

I gleaned some ideas and concepts from many of her "redo" posts.
1. Empty space to analyze it.
2. Sort what was pulled from space into keep and pitch piles.
3. Decide how to use the space the best for your needs, even if it means something unconventional or different from what you were originally thinking. Keep an open mind.
4. Shop your home for containers and methods to better organize the space
5. Put together the new space.
6. Bask in the joy of your accomplishment.

Well earlier this week I did this in my kitchen cabinets and ended up with a huge bag to donate, some things not worth donating that needed to be thrown away, and an appliance garage!!! I also was able to group like things together more than before so the flow and ease of use is improved in the entire kitchen.

So now my counter tops have just the toaster as far as appliances are concerned. I will be taking an updated picture of the kitchen showing the counters soon, but not today :)

These changes got me thinking of how I could maximize some other spaces. I have two pantries in my kitchen, the food pantry and another one that holds all kinds of things from vacuums to trash bags. It started out as a closet under the stairs and has the hot water heater in it. A few years ago Rocky put some shelving in there and now I can put in many more things.

When I tackled the food pantry today my goal was to be able to get my stainless pots and pans into it so that I could eliminate the over the sink potrack that I thought I needed but HATED!

Lookie!

I did it! (and for those who don't believe me check this out!)

Not only did I do it, but I love how the pantry is now organized. It looks clean, things are easy to find and get to and there is plenty of room for grocery day!

One of the tips that I found on Jen's site that I tried was removing things from their packaging and putting them into baskets or Tupperware. It did end up giving me more room. It makes my pantry feel cleaner and more unified as well to have like containers.

And all of this was what I already had on hand! ♥♥♥

I will be doing some other projects around my home, finding areas that I have neglected and tackling them to make them work better for our family, stay tuned!

Getting out the clutter and not letting it come back

So as Christmas time has rolled around again I see the typical commercialism and it's always off putting to me, but this year especially so. It bothers me that so many disposable items are marketed as must haves, and like lemmings, the masses fall right in and consume them. It makes me feel bad too that I am tempted by some of it. It's even more devastating to see that my kids are immersed in it and the gimmes have started. In an attempt to regain control of my housekeeping I have been systematically going from room to room, area to area and decluttering. There are only a few pockets of the house that remain. Ive tried to evaluate whether or not we use, or will use the item, do we need it? Does it fit our lifestyle and goals? I've established homes for things and if there is no home for it in my home, it doesn't belong here. This is all good. It feels so relieving to not have piles of stuff around me. It feels good to know that the things that I have eliminated have been given to others to help them in their need. It feels good to be able to see surfaces clean, and free of dust and excess. So those areas are done. Now I see other parts of my life, parts where I have a home for things, but the there still exists areas of excess. I'm questioning do I need them, even if I have somewhere to store it. So where do I go from here? I want a balance. I dont think having things is wrong if I can afford the time, money, space and stress of owning them. Possessions should not create problems of any kind. How do I continue to get the clutter out once I've gotten through the first cull? It gets harder to decide at this point what should go. Its easier to justify keeping things now, especially since they do have a home. How do I figure out what is OK to actually bring into the house once I have started this process? Unfortunately the things i have eventyally break, wear, get used up or we outgrow them. When it is time to consider replacing them, how do I decide if I even need to or not? These are some of the questions I am working through figuring out. Now if I could just unclutter my mind.

32BHDS

32BHDS, a photo by mom2rays on Flickr.

After having owned this Travel Trailer for more than a year and having used it more than the other RVs combined, I can say without a doubt, I'm glad we decided last year to go ahead and buy it. The size works well for our family allowing us to feel cozy together, but to have our own spaces when needed. And all of the areas feel just as comfortable as another.
My favorite features are still the bunkhouse and the bathroom exterior entrance. But as we have used it, we have found some areas that we have chosen to upgrade and change.
We've made most of the modifications to the bunkhouse to maximize storage, usability and safety. The changes have been simple, rail here,hook there, shelves, etc. It really has made a difference in how the kids can use the space, it's more tailored for them.
We have also made changes in other areas, the bedding in the MBR from memory foam mattress topper to hand stitched mid century quilt. And in the main living area we upgraded the microwave.
As time progresses we will continue to change things to allow this to become more and more our home away from home. I've come to realize that this is a process and we will find our way as we have more time to use the TT and see how it feels when we are in it.
We feel very thankful, after having found this floor plan we thought that it was not within our range of affordability, but then Rocky happened to find this one on Craigslist. The owner wanting to make a break from RVing. The timing couldn't have been more perfect.
I hope to be able to blog of our adventures in the future, here, or on our RVing blog.

Finally spinning again!

, a photo by mom2rays on Flickr.

I picked up spinning yarn in 2008 after my sister introduced me to the concept via a spindle. Thankfully heavenly Handspinning made affordable spinning wheels or I wouldn't have picked up the hobby very well. I didn't get spindle spinning until about 6 months ago! I started with their single treadle wheel, the Fidelis. Some months later I had the pleasure and joy of going to meet Jan of Heavenly Handpinning in person. When I did she and her husband upgraded my Fidelis for their double treadle wheel the Bellus. I spun many lovely yards of yarn on Bellaranea (beautiful spinner). Now I have a Vespera, their espinner and a Spinolution Bee named Melina (Honey, because she spins so smooth). I haven't named or finished my Vespera yet, I got her inFebruary and honestly my life has been in such a whirlwind through getting her until now that I really haven't gotten much time with her,
She's FAST! Not that I spin super fast, but when I spin on her, she's going so fast! Her bobbins are also huge, that bobbin in my hand has 4 oz of fiber on it and it's not even close to being 1/2 full. This is only the 2nd yarn I've made on her. 33wpi for my singles. It's Polwarth from Urban Gypz that I purchased at Stitches South 2011.
Currently I'm spinning some Gale's Art Blue Face Swirl into similar singles so that I can ply them together. I had almost forgotten how much I love to spin!
Sometimes it's hard to be multi craftual because it's hard to decide which craft gets time and attention.

SAFF 2011 haul

SAFF 2011 haul, a photo by mom2rays on Flickr.

The Southern Animal Fiber Festival in Henderson, NC is a fun annual event the third weekend in October that I like to attend. I went both for pleasure, and to help a friend with her 10 week old while she taught some classes. Little Josh was an angel, and I got my shop awn ;-}
I love the creativity, handmadeness, and experience of SAFF. It's hard to explain, so I will just say, if you get a chance, just go! I ran into some of my favorite indie dyers, but didn't really buy much in the usual vein of fiber and yarn from them. This was a first, but I'm OK with it. I have been blessed with much yarn and fiber so no need to add to the stash at this time.
I got some things I have been wanting though:
A tumbler from Plays In Mud Studio. I love the mug I bought from her my first SAFF and decided if she was there that I must get a tumbler as well.
A handmade brass shawl pin that is low profile. Sometimes I want something small for smaller shawlettes and scarves. This one is perfect!
Shampoo and conditioner bars
and some commercially made items that I love.
Oh and not pictured, but in my flickr stream are some hand stamped ceramic buttons that have the most unusual finish.
I'm hoping next year my entire family will make the trip to SAFF and we can turn it into a camping weekend. Oh and I forgot the art batt from lunabudknits, on the bobbin above, on my wheel here as I finished spinning it up thick and thin. . .

Camping at the Beach

Beach ride, a photo by mom2rays on Flickr.

Last week we went to Myrtle Beach for a little camping, the GCI Gathering in the Harvest fall conference, and to run the Children's ministry program there. We stayed at Lakewood campground for the 2nd time in as many years.

Our conference responsibilities were a lot of work as Rocky and I haven't done this before under these circumstances but it was also a lot of fun.

We tried to squeeze in fun with the kids. The first day we road our bikes on the beach down to the pier. The boys decided to actually ride in the ocean. It was all fun and games for them even up to their chest height until the wind started to blow and they realized they were freezing cold.

This trip was full of experiences and learning lessons for us. l learned to try to relax and go with the flow. Rocky and I learned to try to plan ahead better. Charmie learned that God can still use him, even when he makes mistakes. The boys learning to anticipate consequences of their choices.

We even reconnected with a family we met last year at the campground and really enjoyed their company. We didn't have the opportunity to exchange information when we parted last time so it was sad to think we wouldn't see each other again. Meeting up was a blessing for our families.

Each time we go camping, we want to go more and stay for longer. Too bad we couldn't stay for a few more days. . .

Hard at work

Hard at work, a photo by mom2rays on Flickr.

Studio and School preview

Studio and School preview, a photo by mom2rays on Flickr.

Rocky and I decided we needed to change some things around drastically in our home. Some of that meant spaces we had used needed to go away, some of it meant other spaces had room to grow!
We decided that using the bonus room for 3 purposes was too crowded and that we could enjoy TV/video games could happen just as well in our great room as it could up here, the difference being that we could all be a part of it.
We also decided that since we were homeschooling, a dedicated space would work the best for us all.
Finally, unlike the TV, I have no other place to put my sewing area, so that could stay, but the area is spread out more than it was before.
The result, a "real" classroom has blossomed out of the space. It has come together with items that we already had elsewhere for the most part. Few were purchased new, many items were thrifted and purchased 2nd hand some time before.
We finally have room to both work individually and together. The student desks from my previous post are finished being painted, but the tops await final routing and a clear coat to make them more durable.
My Levenger desk is the wooden one in the foreground, facing the window.  It was a garage sale steal a few years ago and I have a matching credenza that I use currently to hold my coverhem and embroidery machines and various fiber art items . My anti-gravity and Rocky's massage chairs (black) were purchased shortly after we were married, admittedly, 10+ years of use, especially with the kids have taken their toll, but they are still the most comfortable seats in our home. Continuing from my desk on the left side, Z's desk will be closest to mine, between the bookcases and my chair. These bookcases are actually strong but light weight, unfinished, wooden collapsible display shelves I got for $25 each when my local yarn shop closed a few years ago. They house almost all of my teaching materials, resource books, some manipulatives and displays.
The back wall under the window has plastic drawers with more manipulatives and craft supplies.
The central table is "just right" for all of us to comfortably sit and work together. The height is not so much that it dwarfs the kids, yet I can easily sit at it and my knees fit underneath. We had a full sized dining table in this room originally for the school and it was WAY too oversized, both in height and in girth for the space. This table is sturdy, with solid oak legs and skirting and a formica top, it's 30"x60" size is perfect. I was ecstatic to find it at a Habitat re-store for donated from somebody else's classroom for $10.
Continuing around the room C's desk will sit in the far corner to the left of the workboxes. M's desk will be to the right with Rocky's chair and my cutting table finishing out the space.
We can all be in here at once with separate areas to work and "be". Rocky can use this room for sermon preparation and church business since it will be relatively quiet when we aren't schooling.
This room has had so many "roles" since we moved into this house almost 7 years ago. I am glad we have transitioned to it being used to further our family growth and development!
Look what our new creative space has already yielded! Z decided to write her name and draw a picture of me! This is our 2nd week of school! I'm loving it!

Walking back to the rig

Walking back to the rig
Originally uploaded by mom2rays
The campus is big and Zuri has a hard time walking all over it, with us camping down below the lower field we were one of the furthest away from all of the activities so she rode a lot in her little red wagon.

camp at camp 2011

camp at camp 2011
Originally uploaded by mom2rays
Well here, goes. Yesterday we returned from 9 nights of camping at the Swananoa 4h camp with our summer camp program, Higher Ground (www.carolinacamp.com). It was an exciting year with several firsts.
Charmie was a camper for the first time. We used our Jayco at Higher Ground for the first time. My first time with just Mardie and Zuri as my responsibility during camp. My first time in a drama set to music. Our first time as dorm parents to our own child's dorm.
Camping in our Travel Trailer was very enjoyable from the added room, to the kids having their own space and toys available, to our own bed complete with memory foam mattress, ahhhh, to having our own refrigerator for snacks and beverages. Since we had along our latest family additions, our guinea pigs Buddy and Red and our puppy Princess the TT was especially helpful. Rocky and I realized after this trip, we're finally "camper people".