Dedicated to Disciplines

I have violated Blogger Rule #1.  You know, the one about blogging often and on a regular schedule... Yeah...that one.  I think I just might get kicked out of the "blogger club".  

In my defense, life has been crazy in the past two weeks. I started to list reasons why it is so crazy, but I started to sound whiney and deleted it.   Let's just say that our family has a busier that normal schedule to begin with. Add to that crafting for a coming conference, my husband in school, my son getting ready to graduate from high school, helping good friends move closer, church responsibilities, etc, etc. The list could go on and on.

I've actually hesitated and couldn't decide what to write about.  I'm sure that hearing about my kids taking the CAHSEE is not exciting.  Nor is my opinion on whether children should have to take standardized tests.  I have had some food blogs ready, but no time to type the recipes.

So for now I guess I am just letting you know that we have NOT fallen off the edge of the earth.  We are happy, reasonably healthy, and this week we are just plodding along with a smile.  Being dedicated to the discipline that brings success.  Getting up everyday....working our little fingers off.... spending time as a family... spending time in prayer... and going to bed with a clear conscience.  And that's not bad.

                                  This is us and yes, we really need new family pictures.

My Latest Obsession.... a sneak peek

A few days ago, I was helping my daughter research a project for school when I stumbled upon a site about recycling old clothing.  They had several great projects including making a duffle bag out of an old army coat.  Something about it sparked my creativity and I thought about making purses with some of the clothing in my closet packed in boxes just waiting to be upcycled.  And the digging commenced....

Among the many shirts, skirts and sweaters, I found 5 jean skirts that I had meant to embellish and sell.  To be honest, I've had them for quite a while, but the good intentions just never kicked into action.  Destinee and I sorted through our fabric, ribbons and scraps and began sewing.  We found a great vintage silk tie to use as the purse strap for the first one. 

 It went so well that we ended up sewing all night!   We did the final touches the next afternoon (after a much needed nap) and then started on another one.  We opted for a crocheted strap on this one...

 I think they have turned out so very cute!!  They are fully lined with lots of pockets inside and out...cute and practical!!  =)

Destinee modeled the purses for me and I have added these bags to my etsy shop.  Now I just need to decide what color to use on the next one.   What color would you like to see??

Buy Homemade

I saw this posted by Amy at evystree.com and had to repost!

For those of you who don't know, my husband went back to school to get his AA in Paralegal Studies.  When he is finished (one more year... yay!) He will be attending Lincoln Law to get his Juris Doctorate degree.  Since he has been a full time student, our family has depended on our little craft business to provide much needed funds.   

I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who has supported Fuss & Feathers. Buying our items, giving an encouraging word, or praying for our family.  You have been our LIFELINE.  

Thank you, thank you.  We appreciate it so much!!

We are not the only family who depends upon their home business.  Buying homemade/handmade items whenever possible provides many families with the funds they need to SURVIVE.  Please look for these small businesses and buy from them whenever possible.  You can find them on Etsy (www.etsy.com) and many other sites online. Google handmade _____(whatever you are looking for).  

From our family and many others like us....Thank you!! 

A Warm Healthy Breakfast

It's cold and gloomy here in Cali today.  I wanted to make something yummy for breakfast to keep everyone warm and happy.  Since we are trying to eat healthier, I decided to make oatmeal.  Problem is: my wonderful kiddos have eaten sooo much oatmeal that they are just plain tired of it.  They are good natured and would eat it, but I wanted them to enjoy their breakfast today. 


We have a couple different ways that we make oatmeal with add ins like raisins, apples, etc., but I wanted something different. So... I did a quick internet search for variations of oatmeal and found Kath's Tribute to Oatmeal over at katheats.com 


They definitely take oatmeal seriously! If you check out her tribute you will know what I mean. =)  Several of her recipes looked and sounded yummy to me, however I didn't have most of the natural foods she uses (nuts, seeds, etc).  I ended up using part of her Whipped Banana Oatmeal recipe and some of her "stir in" ideas.  


I made Old Fashioned oats according to the directions, but added thinly sliced bananas with the oats.  I followed Kath's directions to stir in the banana to "whip" it into the oatmeal as it cooked.  When the oatmeal was done, I added a little vanilla.  I have to say the oatmeal tasted very good at this point, slightly sweet with a touch of vanilla and very creamy. Yum!


The kids bowls were topped off with crunchy peanut butter and raspberry jam. It was a hit!

Personally, I opted for blueberries on mine.  Delish.  The only way it could have been better was if I had some granola to sprinkle on top.  I will definitely try more of Kath's recipes. 
                                                            Yummy and Healthy!

Now everyone is warmer and moved on to conquer the day.... Schoolwork, chores, crafting, whatever this day brings.  Martha I am not, but my children are warm, happy and will have fond memories of breakfast with Mom.

Burlap "Santa" Bag Redo for Valentine's

We finally did it. We took down our outside lights and Christmas decorations.  If it was up to me (and the kiddos) they would still be up.  My husband however, was ready for them to come down by New Years Day.   We held on as long as we could, but had to succumb to the Higher Court  lol.

I did not take a picture of the outside bag before we dismantled it.  This picture is of the one inside on our living room wall (yes everything BUT the tree is still up inside!!) 

Our outside bag was similar (no toys) and nailed to the wall by our front door.  When we were taking it down the kiddos asked to leave the bag up, so I had to quickly come up with an idea to utilize the bag and still fit with the new decor we are putting up.  We decided to make a Valentine Cupid Bag. This is the sad looking bag after being "stripped" of it's Christmas finery.

I looked through my fabric stash and found a red fabric with small white hearts and flowers and some denim in pink and brown stripes.  I cut two large hearts and decided to slip stitch them onto the bag with embroidery floss.

I used chunky slightly uneven stitches for the look I wanted.  I also reversed the colors - I used red floss on the pink fabric and pink floss on the red fabric.

Our finished product....

I think it turned out pretty cute.  The kiddos are going to make some Valentine envelopes and we will have them "spilling" out of the top of the bag.   Not bad for a last minute use whatever you have laying around project.  =)
Next on our list: Front Door Wreath

A Commitment to My Children

*Disclaimer* This post is nostalgic and sappy.  Possibly because Christmas is coming and yesterday was my birthday. Have tissue or another absorbent device handy.  You may also not want to read this in a public place like the library (which is where I was when I wrote it *embarrassing*)

Two of my nieces got married this past summer. One in May, the other in August.  They've found wonderful guys to spend their lives with and I am incredibly proud of the young ladies they have become.    The weddings were absolutely beautiful. Totally unique, and each as different as the girls are themselves.   Their mother is a genius with decor / hospitality planning and I had so much fun helping her.

The point of my rambling is this... time has flown.  They are no longer the sweet little girls that I used to babysit and take to the park.  They have grown into sweet, young married WOMEN  *sigh* Which in turn means that I am no longer a youngster myself.  You would think this is obvious, but somewhere in my brain the time machine is switched off.  I am still a young married lady myself and my children are still...well, children.  Sadly, this is not the case.  Somewhere in the past 18 years I have become middle aged - old.  again I say *sigh*.  My children are teenagers and will soon be looking for Mr and Mrs Right for themselves.

What?? eeeekkkk!! Are my children really old enough to be thinking of and planning weddings??  and then moving off on their own??  Actually, yes.  If my eldest daughter, Destinee marries at the same age I did, that is 4 years away. For my son, Thaniel only 2 years.

Where did all those child rearing years go? They have flown by.  Have I taught them everything I should have? Everything I wanted to? Will they be able to make the right decisions? Are they dedicated? disciplined? diligent? honest? giving? compassionate?   Have I given them the tools they need to be resourceful?  creative? generous?

Have we spent enough time together reading? baking cookies? playing board games? exploring? just being silly? Will they have fond memories to carry with them into their adult lives?  Have I taught my daughters what they need to know to be good wives / mothers? Have my boys learned to be strong but kind?

These thoughts have been swimming around in my brain for the past six months or so.  I could sit and worry (which honestly is my tendency) or I can be proactive.  I choose to be proactive and not be the woman who sits and says "if only..."  So, we WILL be baking, reading, playing, talking - listening, crafting, singing, etc....  I am determined to make the "learning years" that I have left with my children PRODUCTIVE and FUN.  Hopefully we will all learn something TOGETHER.

Which really is the point, right?

New Blog and Giveaway

The ladies over at just2moms are having a giveaway this week.  Super cute hair clips from Natalia Designs on Etsy.  You can find the giveaway blog  here  and Natalia's Etsy shop here 

Hope you enjoy them both! =)