Twelve Weeks of Christmas: Ribbon Necklace Set

This project is so simple; you'll be amazed.  I saw this on another site, but unfortunately I can't find the bookmark so I'm going to do my best to explain it to you here.

You'll need:
Grosgrain ribbon
Needle and thread
Approx 30 Pearls

Measure a piece of ribbon to approx 42 inches long.  From one end, measure 16 inches and tie a knot.  Thread your needle and fasten on the ribbon near the knot.  Fold the ribbon in two and sew the first pearl to the necklace.  Keeping the ribbon doubled, sew through to the other side and add a second pearl.  Continue adding pearls from one side of the ribbon to the other.

I had varying sizes of pearls and I didn't like the way they looked next to each other.  So I tied a knot between each size.  I had three sizes so my pattern was 5 small, knot, 5 medium, knot, 10 large, knot, 5 medium, knot, 5 small, with knots on both ends.

The bracelet is the same with a smaller length of ribbon.  I avoided the larger pearls on the bracelet as they were too bulky for my wrist.

Simply tie around you neck and enjoy!

How is your Christmas crafting coming?

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Could this be you?

November's Cheapest Fruits and Veggies

Wow.  Well I was really quite sad when the fall hit and we weren't going to be getting that wonderful summer produce anymore.  But if there's one thing that this experiment has taught me, there's always new ways to use what we have available to us.  I've been pleasantly surprised by what I can come up with if I only put my mind to being creative.  This fall produce has turned out to be wonderful as well.

Here are November's Cheapest Fruits and Veggies:
Cranberries
Oranges
Tangerines
Pears
Pomegranates
Persimmons
Pumpkins
Winter Squash
Sweet Potatoes
Broccoli
Mushrooms
Spinach

Pumpkin continues to be a hit around here in baking: muffins, bread, cookies, lattes, etc.

I'm also excited to try this Raspberry and Orange Spinach Salad @ Frugal Granola.  What a great way to combine fruits and veggies and capitalize on what's in season.

A few weeks ago, we baked sweet potatoes for dinner.  I mashed them with butter and slivered almonds, and served them with a green salad.  The kids loved the sweet flavor and it was a healthy variation of baked potatoes for dinner.

We've also taken an acorn squash, stuffed it with a savory mix of tomatoes, hamburger and spices, and baked it as a main dish.  It just has to be seasoned well or the sweetness will dominate.  But for the price that they're at right now, it's well worth experimenting with.

Broccoli continues to be a favorite around here.  We've been steaming and dressing ours with basil and Parmesan cheese.  Often times we'll serve it along side fish for a light healthy dinner.

I'd love to poach some pears and serve with a raspberry sauce.  Topped with some toasted almonds... perfect for desert.

Also we're coming into cranberry season.  These little berries are packed with nutrients and so yummy.  But beware.  They're only available this time of year.  If you like them year round, now's the time to pick them up.  They freeze well and are perfect for apple season, like this Cranberry Applesauce.

How are you using seasonal fruits and veggies in your home?

52 First Dates: Week Twenty-One

So how is your dating life?  Do you have any fun Halloween memories to share with us?

I have to confess.  I was really excited about doing this one... until it actually came to following through.  I didn't put everything together till the last minute so my costume idea bombed.  It just wasn't going to work. We still had fun taking the kids to the Halloween Carnival, but I really wish I would have been able to dress up and be goofy with my hubby.  We snuck in some laughs just the same.  Bingo, hula hoops, basketball shoots, etc... We had a fun time.  I love acting like a kid, with my kids.

Your challenge this week (should you choose to accept it):

Share a meal with a mentoring couple.  Find a couple that exemplifies a healthy marriage.  Look for a couple that you would like to emulate, a couple that has truly gone the distance.  It's also important to find a couple that has gone through different stages of life.  Spend some time building a relationship with them.  Ask the hard questions.  Find out what has helped them make it through the rough patches.  Let this time open the doors for future conversations.  Ideally this could open it up to a continuing supportive, mentoring relationship.

Are you up for the challenge?

*Don't forget to check out this week's Made by Me Monday

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Bonding with Baby in Pregnancy

Being pregnant was a strange sensation for me, both the first and second times.  I remember the back pain and the nausea.  Physically it was rough.  Physically I didn't enjoy it.

But there's something special about having a life grow inside you.  I can remember the first time my husband felt Noah kicking inside my tummy.  We were at a show and the drums started and the music started.  The whole place was shaking with the rhythm and he suddenly burst into dance.  My husband and I were delighted at this little insight into his personality.  A lively dancing little boy.

Babies start bonding with their mommies from the moment of conception.  They hear our voices.  They sense our moods.  We eat together, travel together, sleep together.  But sometimes, especially in difficult pregnancies, it can be hard for us Mommies to feel that bonding from our end.

Taking a moment to savor this time is so essential.  Some of the best bonding moments for us were laying in bed at night, taking a few minutes to be still and just absorb the reality of it all.  I would speak words of affirmation, pray over my babies, or just rejoice with them that they would be in my arms soon.  This was especially important in my second pregnancy as I was chasing a 2 year old all day and couldn't take the time to be as attentive.

But then when they lay that baby in your arms, there's a moment of recognition that will sweep over you.  So this is the little one that you've been having conversations with this whole time.  This baby may look exactly as you had imagined or may look like their own branch of the family tree.  And even though it will still take to get to know each other better, there will be a connection there.  You'll marvel at how this baby turns toward your voice or becomes alert at a siblings laughter.  And within moments, you'll forget what it was like before this child was ever a part of your life.