Tasty Tuesday

This past Thursday, I posted my small successes and was asked to share my granola bar recipe on Tasty Tuesday. I had never heard of Tasty Tuesday and followed the link this morning to find out that it is brand new. I love trying new recipes, but don't always get around to sharing them. Usually, I don't even get a picture of them before they are devoured. Nonetheless, I will share my gluten free (or not) recipe of Granola Bars as I make them. They are chewy like a nutri-grain bar and not dry. I have adapted a glutenous recipe to be gluten free and I believe mostly fat free.

Gluten Free Granola Bars

Ingredients

1 egg
1/4 c. cane sugar
1/4 c. brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 c. flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp GF baking powder
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/3 c. applesauce
1 c. GF regular oats (not rolled)
1/4 c. nuts or dried fruit

Combine egg, sugars and applesauce. Add sifted dry ingredients and nuts or fruits. Spread into a lightly greased 8x8 or 9x9. Bake at 350F for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool and cut into bars or squares. Freezes well.

* I use ONLY OATS which are certified gluten free. Oats are normally considered to contain gluten as a result of cross contamination. My son and I, who are celiac, haven't had any issues with these particular oats. If you do not need to follow a gluten free diet, feel free to use regular oats and all-purpose flour instead of GF oats and flour.

Hearts For Home ♥ ♥ 9th February

"In today’s busy and aggressive society mothers at home are not given much encouragement to be committed to their role in being home.

In my weekly 'Hearts for Home' post I am encouraging myself and others to commit to thinking about what 4-6 things we can do each week to bring our thoughts, prayers and actions to keeping our 'Hearts for Home'.

I am praying that a spirit of gentleness, generosity in thoughts and time along with loveliness and grace would lead us to be all that God wants us to be.

So each week list 4-6 things you will commit to that will keep your "Hearts for Home". Gae from Cherished Hearts at Home

My list for the February 9th is ♥ ♥

♥ Spend a lot of time curling up and reading with the kids. I haven't spent a lot of time doing this in the past and want to make it more of a habit.

♥ Keep my house tidy and beautiful. Declutter the kitchen counter and keep up with the laundry.

♥ Get the last few things ready for baby. I need to do a load of wool things and to lanolize the wool soakers I made.

♥ Spend my evenings enjoying time with my husband. Listening to him and cherishing the last weeks and days of quietness.

♥ Make a list of people we want to send birth announcements to. I am contemplating making my own little cards and addressing them. If not, try to find some cute ones and address them and put postage stamps on them.

♥ Start looking into plans for the season of Lent. Remind myself to try to keep it simple and do-able at the same time.

For more "Hearts for Home" ♥ ♥ lists, visit Gae's blog

The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

On February 11th, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Our Lady of Lourdes is a very special day for our family. We all love the story of St. Bernadette and Our Lady. My daughter and my godmother's name is Bernadette and my daughter is named after Mary and has Bernadette in her name (Maria Christina Bernadette).

February 11th also happens to be the World Day of the Sick (proclaimed by Pope John Paul II.) Although a little off-topic, I find it relavent to mention that we attended Mass last February 11th and I was annointed. Although, I was not gravely ill or elderly, we had not been able to conceive for over three years. Our dreams of having a large family seemed impossible, but nothing was impossible with God. I had recently found out that I had a gluten intolerance, which can cause infertility. I took a leap of faith and chose to be annointed and asked for healing so that we may conceive more children. On Holy Thursday of 2009, we found out that I was with child and that the baby's due date was to be December 12th, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. On Divine Mercy Sunday, I miscarried and was devastated. I had prayed one Rosary after another that day and begged God's mercy. About six weeks later, we found out that I had conceived again. Our baby is due in a few weeks, but I am hoping and praying that our baby will be born on Our Lady's Feast this Thursday or on the Feast of St. Bernadette. I may never go on a pilgrimage for financial reasons, but I believe in Our Lady's powerful intercession and am so glad that I was annointed on last February 11th.

I have spent the morning looking for activities to do to celebrate Our Lady's Feast. Colouring is always high on our priority list. Our favourite Marian colouring books are: Our Lady of Lourdes and Our Blessed Mother Coloring Book. For a free colouring page, go to Charlotte's Blog Waltzing Matilda and click on the sidebar picture of Immaculate Conception.

I plan on making the grotto featured on Catholic Cuisine, but using GF No Name brand Rice Crisps instead of the pebbles. We will also do one of the following two crafts: The Grotto at Lourdes from Art 1 for Young Catholics or Jamie's Grotto Craft on her blog, Lord, Make Me a Saint.

Some other ideas I came across are giving your child a parental blessing with Holy Water from Lourdes and activities shared on the 4RealForum here or here. I have also read about having a completly white meal or baking blueberry muffins and drinking blueberry smoothies. I will have to see where my energy level is at and see what I can do. Have a blessed Feast Day in Our Lady's honour.

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ February 8, 2010.

Outside My Window: It looks like Narnia in the "Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe". Breathtakingly cold and beautiful at the same time.

I am Listening to: L'Angelus Sacred Hymn Collections which just arrived with the mail today. I have waited so long for this CD and it was more than worth the wait.

I am wearing: A rust coloured dress over black tights, legwarmers and hubby's socks (since mine leave deep marks in my fat edema plagued feet.

I am Thankful For: My slowcooker. I have been using it almost everyday and it is wonderful not worrying about cooking when I am exhausted in the late afternoon. The meals cook themselves and are so warm and delicious.

I am Pondering: What life will be like with another baby? I can hardly wait, but am totally scared at the same time. I never homeschooled with the last baby, they were all so little. I wasn't celiac either. This time we have no family living nearby. Will I bounce back quickly and be able to cope with all of life's challenges?

I am Reading: The Chronicles of Narnia with Noah. We own one book and he borrowed another from the church library. It is so exciting to read with him.

From the Kitchen: Hmmmm. Slow cooker meals.... lots of them. Soups and stews mostly. Hopefully more homemade flatbread.

I am Thinking: That I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband and children who are very helpful, especially in the kitchen and around the house. How could I have been so blessed?

I am Creating: A First Communion Dress for my daughter. It is still early, but April will come very fast with a little one in the house.

Towards a Real Education: Home-economics. That is what I have been calling all of the baking and cooking and organizing help from the kids. Kids are so capable of cooking and baking. I am glad that they love peeling, chopping, cooking, baking and taste-testing.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty: Keeping toys off of the floor is a priority right now. I can't tell you how many things get broke when a pregnant mommy accidentally steps on them.

To Live the Liturgy: Looking ahead into activities for the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and upcoming Lent.

I am Hoping and Praying: For a home-birth, sooner than later. I can pray for that can't I? I feel selfish wanting this so badly. I really want this birth to be a family affair in a house surrounded by things that remind me of Our Lord as opposed to a sterile environment.

In the Garden: Frost and more frost. I love the look of frozen branches. It is magical.

Around the House: Lots of hints that a baby is about to make an appearance.

On Keeping Home: Keeping everything tidy and keeping up with the laundry and clean bathrooms. These things always seem to be a priority before the arrival of one of my babies. Who knows when or how these things will get done once the baby arrives. I will enjoy a relatively clean household for now.

One of My Favorite Things: Cuddling under a blanket and reading to my kids. My four year old loves when we do this with Beatrix Potter books and so do I.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week: Rest, rest, rest and more rest.

A Picture Thought I'm sharing: Baby and I at 37 weeks.

For the Baby...

In my last post, I mentioned that I had been very busy making things for the baby. I have been wanting to post on Amy Caroline's blog: Knit Together for Craft Basket Wednesday, but always seem so busy on Wednesdays. Now it is Friday Saturday and I have a little time on my hands and thought I would share some of my creations.

Aviatrix Baby Hat from Ravelry.com


Baby Legwarmies


More Baby Hats (patterns from old German knitting magazines)


Wool Diaper Soakers from Ravelry.com

NB cloth diapers from Wee Weka Pocket NB Pattern


Burping Cloths (using this template with this assembly)



Baby Quilt


Mama Pads using this pattern (I made many more, but just posted the ones already snapped)


Baby Booties and slippers


A Play Blanket in production. The top is decorated by the kids. The idea for this one comes from Amanda Blake's Homemade Home.

Small Successes ~ February 4

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that.

To participate, just write up a list of 3 of your recent Small Successes and post it on your blog along with the Small Successes button (go here to get the code). You are not required to use the button, but please do link back to the main post here. Then you can add your blog here using the Mr. Linky form (please link to the individual blog post, not the home page of your blog).

If you don’t have a blog, you can share your Small Successes in the comments. Faith & Family Live

Here are my small successes for the week:

1. I managed to get caught up with the laundry and stay caught up. I even washed all of the cloth diapers from storage and placed them neatly on the change table. I usually leave the laundry to fold for later, but I folded and put everything away right away! Yeah me!

2. I found a new gluten free blog and have started to collect recipes and write a shopping list. I am vowing to cook better for the family. I wonder how this will work out once our baby arrives? Isn't it the thought that counts.

3. I finished making newborn diapers, baby legwarmers, a cute hat, homemade wipe solution, mama pads, granola bars and endless other things in preparation for the birth of our fourth baby. Nesting is in full gear. I think it now time to put my feet up and rest more.

Now it’s your turn! What are your small successes? Read more small successes on the Faith & Family Live website.

An Arrow Bag For My Little Archer

My little archer is so happy. I finally finished his arrow bag. I probably should have looked at examples on the net before whipping this one up. It isn't very authentic, but it is practical. Daddy bought him a bow and arrow from the dollar store and let me tell you, arrows have been flying everywhere. It is so cute to watch 4 year olds dress up and be little heros. He is protecting the queen (his big sister) as I write here. He was just so cute, I couldn't resist.

Hearts For Home ♥ ♥ 19th January

"In today’s busy and aggressive society mothers at home are not given much encouragement to be committed to their role in being home.

In my weekly 'Hearts for Home' post I am encouraging myself and others to commit to thinking about what 4-6 things we can do each week to bring our thoughts, prayers and actions to keeping our 'Hearts for Home'.

I am praying that a spirit of gentleness, generosity in thoughts and time along with loveliness and grace would lead us to be all that God wants us to be.

So each week list 4-6 things you will commit to that will keep your "Hearts for Home". Gae from Cherished Hearts at Home

My list for the January 19th is ♥ ♥

♥ Keep sewing for baby. I am in the midst of making more diapers, homemade wipes, and various other little projects. Pictures are sure to follow.

♥ Make a family blanket for the baby and post some pictures of the finished project. I have everything ready to go. I still have to do this. It was on my last list. I really hope to get to it this week.

♥ Make a few soups for after the baby is born. They freeze well and don't take up space. I only have a fridge-top freezer.

♥ Declutter closets!!! This has been on previous lists, but we did some painting on the weekend and this was not a priority.

♥ To make taking rests a priority. Snuggling up with the kids and maybe watch a movie or too should help.

♥ Buy enough gluten free flours to make ahead some baking mixes for after baby. Have I mentioned that gluten free baked goods only taste good fresh? Now that hubby is eating gluten free at work, there are plenty of muffins, scones and fresh bread to be baked.

For more "Hearts for Home" ♥ ♥ lists, visit Gae's blog at

I thought I should post a picture of our newly painted bathroom. Yes, it is tiny, but it is cozy and comfortable enough to take long baths in. Thank you dearest, for all of your hard work.

Gifts for Baby Brother

We are getting ready for baby in every way possible. This morning, before school I began cutting squares so that the kids could make gifts for their baby brother. These are special handmade baby blocks with a personal touch. I got the pattern here. I have tons of scraps, that all seem to be green. On two sides, the kids were able to personalize the baby blocks with fabric markers. Their little baby brother is going to have so much fun. They make great balls (which they are tossing around at the moment). Here are some pictures of the process....




and the finished products...

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ January 18

FOR TODAY...

Outside My Window: It is dark and about -6C. Not too cold. I hope it warms up nicely and is sunny.

I am Listening to: Owen looking at a great preschool resource book that I picked up at the library on Saturday.

I am wearing: Pj's. I think that is what I am wearing everytime I post is this category.

I am Thankful For: My bed. After two nights of sleeping on the pullout sofa while the bedroom was receiving a new coat of paint, I was so glad to sleep in my comfy bed last night.

I am Pondering: How much longer will I be pregnant. I have so much nesting left to do, but am finding it more and more difficult to finish all of these "to do" lists.

I am Reading: A few different books. Trying to find time to read without falling asleep is becoming more and more difficult.

From the Kitchen: Leftover chili today. I will wing the rest of meals the rest of the week, like I usually do. Gluten free foods taste better fresh, especially baked goods.

I am Thinking: about the movie I watched last night. Mother Theresa starring Olivia Hussey. Blessed Mother Theresa was an amazing woman. Why can't I be more like her?

I am Creating: Too many things! I still have lots of diapers to sew, a family blanket for the baby, cloth wipes, mama pads, and eventually a skirt for my post-partum days, a Christening outfit and a First Communion dress.

Towards a Real Education: Week 21 of Seton Home Study. Woot!!!! I can't believe we have made it this far. Also, we are getting everything ready for the new arrival, plus going to art class and piano lessons.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty: We have a wonderful rhythm established for school and chores, I just have to work in the beauty a bit.

To Live the Liturgy: Pray more and make it to adoration. I really need to make more of an effort.

I am Hoping and Praying: For a safe and healthy home-birth. I keep offering up everything for this one particular thing. We have never had a home birth and the children really want to be present to welcome their little brother into the world.

In the Garden: ugh. It is so gross. The dirty snow has melted and froze so many times. It looks ugly and untidy. I wish the rest of the ice and snow would melt.

Around the House: A freshly painted bedroom, a freshly painted bathroom and lots of decluttering happened the last few days. I have a few more hot spots to declutter and need to find room for baby stuff.

On Keeping Home: CLR is a great invention. My bathroom sparkles. We have really hard water and CLR worked its magic in my bathroom. I want everything in my house to shine like those tub and tiles.

One of My Favorite Things: sleep. I really love a good night's sleep and can't remember the last time I was blessed with one.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week: Nesting, sewing, cleaning and trying to stay awake while doing the above mentioned tasks.

A Picture Thought I'm Sharing
Owen working on making a Frosty for letter "F" Along the Alphabet Path

A Few More Diapers for the Stash

I must admit, that my diaper sewing is not going all too well. I have six weeks until my due date, but feel the pressure to get everything done. I am such a procrastinator and very indecisive. I finally figured out which patterns I wanted to use and what materials I could afford. It is really hard to make decisions when you are strapped for cash. I want to make good quality diapers for little cash. There are many opinions on the perfect pattern, best materials, whether hook and loop tape or snaps, diaper pins or snappies are best. All-in-ones, pockets, fitted, prefold, flats, wool soakers, pul wraps and many more diaper lingo to learn. Not to mention the acronymns TT, CD, AIO, AI2 etc. I am just beginning to recover from the mass confusion in my head. After deliberation with my CD (clother-diaper) experienced husband we decided to make:

Shar's Newborn Umbilical Scoop Pocket Nappies
Wee Weka Fitted/Pockets S-M-L

Here are a few of the NB (newborn) diapers that I have sewn thus far. I have a few more than on the picture, but you get the idea. The diaper on the left will get snaps, but is pinned shut for the photo.



The left diaper is made of an old flannel duvet cover and there is a soaker make of 6 layers of flannel. The diaper on the right is made of diaper flannel which I got on sale for $2/meter just after Christmas. These are not sewn like in the pattern, they are fitted and not pocket diapers with a sewn in soaker. I hope they fit for a few weeks at least.

On the bright side, I have 20 diapers cut for the S-M-L sized diaper out of diaper flannel and flannel pieces that I bought for next to nothing. The local fabric store has a "end-of-roll / scrap" bin that is priced to sell: buy one, get two free. I need to sew another 13 soakers which consist of two layers of terry (old towels) and two layers of flannel. These will be sewn as fitted diapers as well. I intend on buying some microfibre towels and sewing them in thirds inside flannel to make doublers for those diapers, but it will take me a while before I get to that. I will post pictures as I progress.

Thank You Oma!!!

Something exciting just happened. A truck like this...



just pulled up in front of our house and brought us a parcel from amazon.de. Inside were five wonderful books. Oma lets us order from amazon.de for Christmas and birthdays and this was the kids' Christmas gift. I am so excited to read stories about holy people and events in German. I don't want them to forget their German heritage. Afterall, they were all born in Germany. I plan on expanding our German Catholic book collection. If you have any suggestions, let me know.

Hearts for Home ♥ ♥ January 5

"In today’s busy and aggressive society mothers at home are not given much encouragement to be committed to their role in being home.

In my weekly 'Hearts for Home' post I am encouraging myself and others to commit to thinking about what 4-6 things we can do each week to bring our thoughts, prayers and actions to keeping our 'Hearts for Home'.

I am praying that a spirit of gentleness, generosity in thoughts and time along with loveliness and grace would lead us to be all that God wants us to be.

So each week list 4-6 things you will commit to that will keep your "Hearts for Home". Gae from Cherished Hearts at Home

My list for the January 5th is ♥ ♥

♥ Finish up last weeks lists. I really enjoyed taking it easy over Christmas and New Years, but I have to get my act together and get these lists finished.

♥ Keep working on my cloth diaper stash. I am really going to try to cloth diaper until potty-training this time.

♥ Start making our birth plan. I am having a hard time with this one. The midwives would like to have one, otherwise I would just let things happen.

♥ Keep on nesting. Maybe tackle those most dreaded closets in the childrens' rooms.

♥ Spend lots of time with the kids reading, and relaxing.

♥ Make a family blanket for the baby and post some pictures of the finished project. I have everything ready to go.

For more "Hearts for Home" ♥ ♥ lists, visit Gae's blog at Cherished Hearts at Home

Do You Have Your Heavenly Helper for 2010

New Years is a time of making resolutions. I find it hard to make resolutions because I tend to live from day to day and don't believe in making goals that I can never keep. I am not saying that I don't plan or make goals, but I don't save them just for New Years. I try to stay realistic and be the best version of myself, no matter what.

On New Years however, our family has Patron Saints chosen for us. We have been doing this for three years now. We have had some very well-known saints be our guides as well as those who are not known by many. It is so much fun getting to know our Patron Saints. This year our Patron Saints are as follows:

Mom was chosen by St. Boniface, feast day on 06/05,
Dad was chosen by St. Peter Claver, 09/09,
Noah - St. Stephen I, Pope, 08/02,
Maria - St. Dymphna, 05/15
Owen - St. Cletus, 04/26 and
Our Baby - St. Andrew Avellino, 11/10!

You can have a heavenly helper for 2010, too! Follow one of the following links to have your Patron Saint of 2010 chosen for you.

The 2010 Patron Saint of the Year Ministry
Totus Tuus Family and Catholic Homeschool Blog

Hearts for Home ♥ ♥ December 29

"In today’s busy and aggressive society mothers at home are not given much encouragement to be committed to their role in being home.

In my weekly 'Hearts for Home' post I am encouraging myself and others to commit to thinking about what 4-6 things we can do each week to bring our thoughts, prayers and actions to keeping our 'Hearts for Home'.

I am praying that a spirit of gentleness, generosity in thoughts and time along with loveliness and grace would lead us to be all that God wants us to be.

So each week list 4-6 things you will commit to that will keep your "Hearts for Home". Gae from Cherished Hearts at Home

My list for the 29th December is ♥ ♥

♥ Make a list of family goals for 2010. We started this last year and we accomplished most of our goals. Home improvement, family outings and general goals make it on this list with approximate costs and times of suggested completion.

♥ Make a to do list of all of the things that I want to accomplish before our baby's arrival.

♥ Put books on hold from the library for the month of January. Refer to the Catholic Mosaic book list as a guide.

♥ Enjoy daddy being home early everyday this week and enjoy another long weekend with daddy at home.

♥ Make a new menu for the next two weeks and plan the grocery lists accordingly.

♥ Start looking for a babysitter for the home birth and begin preparing our birth plan.

For more "Hearts for Home" ♥ ♥ lists, visit Gae's blog at Cherished Hearts at Home