BIRDS OF A FEATHER

POST FIFTY TWO - 52 THINGS...

2011-04-15T06:57:00.000-07:00

well, this is my slightly silly, numerically appropriate, last official post. i've completed my "challenge" of 52 posts (taking a bit over a year to do so, but better late than never right?) i may be back with more posts in the future, i'm not really sure. i've had a fun time doing this- mostly just sharing things i've enjoyed and which i hope you've enjoyed too. thanks to those of you who have been reading and thanks for your comments too, i've really appreciated the feedback! i hope you all have a wonderful spring, and you may find me back here again...

so, for the post... if by chance you are looking for some ideas of things to do/try you may want to check out the 52 Series. they are decks of 52 cards with topics ranging from 52 things to try once in your life, to 52 adventures in san francisco. i've both received and given these cards as gifts and they are pretty fun. i haven't read or tried all the suggestions, but i've liked the ones that i have used, and i definitely appreciate the inspiration & creative ideas since i'm not super at coming up with them on my own. so if you're looking for a little something new, check them out!

POST FIFTY ONE - COMMON PRAYER

2011-04-12T09:49:00.000-07:00

to be honest, this post is more about a book, and a practice that we would like to be reading & having as a family, than one that we currently are. that said, you gotta start somewhere right?

a while back some friends (thanks josh & shanna) let us know about the release of a new book entitled Common Prayer~A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals -of which shane claiborne is one of the authors. so, we went to a "book release party" a cool story for another time... and purchased a copy (which you could do here or here).

though we as a family have not used this book all that much, i really would like to be incorporating it into our daily lives on a more regular basis. there are morning, midday, evening and occasional prayers listed which include scripture, responsive readings, songs, remembrance of saints, and quotations. this approach to scripture, worship & prayer is not one i grew up with, but one that i'm coming to really appreciate, even through things like responsive readings at church. it's been neat for me to see the way that God can use different approaches to worship in my life to challenge me and make me think. so, i'd encourage you to check this book out too...

POST FIFTY - BREAD MAKING

2011-04-11T10:57:00.000-07:00

i am really excited! i recently received the copy i had ordered of artisan bread in five minutes a day in the mail, and today i made my first loaf of bread... and it really tastes good!!!

i had seen the book mentioned several times with good reviews, and found their website here while looking for an english muffin recipe (which i have yet to try). i've been wanting to make homemade bread more, and i think this book will be a great resource in that endeavor.

the book is very user friendly. it discusses basic ingredients, tools that are helpful in breadmaking (few of which i have, but the bread still came out tasting good) troubleshooting, and has all kinds of recipes that look great! i started with "the master recipe: boule" and i'm looking forward to lots more breadmaking! so, if you are anything like me, and a bit intimidated by the idea of making bread you may want to check this book out- i really like what i've tasted so far!!

POST FORTY NINE - ED EMBERLEY

2011-04-04T14:47:00.000-07:00

i think it's really cool to be able to introduce my kids to some of the same activities i enjoyed when i was little. i would not describe myself as an "artist" at least not in the drawing/painting sense of the word, but when i was little i remember really liking to draw using

ed emberly's books, so i was really excited to find one for sadie. these books are fun and easy to use. the one i got sadie actually uses finger prints as the base for the pictures and goes step by step adding lines to create all kinds of different pictures. the books i used were just drawing based-with the same idea of following a step by step process resulting in a picture at the end.

sadie does lots of drawing on her own with all kinds of awesome creations, and i definitely encourage her in her creativity, but i think this is another fun way to draw and create.

i found the ed emberly website here. the site seems to be under construction of some sort, but you can at least get an idea of what his stuff is like. you can also find a bunch of his books here on amazon. happy drawing!

POST FORTY EIGHT - SARA GROVES

2011-04-02T09:27:00.000-07:00

i'm sure many of you are familiar with Sara Groves, but i figured i'd do a post on her for those of you who might not be. i've been listening to Sara Groves for quite a few years now and have consistently appreciated her music and her message. seeing her perform a few times confirmed her honest and genuine nature, which comes across in her albums. she sings about her faith, her family, the world and the struggles therein in a very open, yet hope-filled way. this is her official website, and if you haven't listened to her before, you can check out her music here. i also came across her blog which you can find here. i would really encourage you to take a listen to her music if you haven't done so already. i'm quite sure you will be blessed!

POST FORTY SEVEN - A GOOD BURGER

2011-04-01T04:42:00.001-07:00

i should start out by saying this post is not about moose burgers. i took this picture out our window earlier this week- not a great shot, but it was pretty cool seeing a moose walking down our driveway!
i really like it when everyone in our family enjoys, and finishes eating a meal that i make. this turkey burger recipe which i found in everyday food is one of those recipes. i've been making it for a long time, and after eating one last night i thought i'd pass the recipe your way. i make them on the stove top (though i'm sure they are great on the grill) and i usually use cheddar instead of gruyere cheese. if you like turkey burgers, you should give these a try! these are great with sweet potato fries.

POST FORTY SIX - ABOUT EATING

2011-03-28T06:16:00.000-07:00

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver, is a book i have been working my way through over the past few months. i'm nearly finished and i've really been enjoying it. i'd read some of Barbara Kingsolver's fictional works in the past, and was definitely interested when i heard about this book/adventure. in reading it, i find myself inspired to make different food choices- not that i can take on the same project Kingsolver and her family did of living off local, in season food for a year, but there are some things i can do. buying local eggs, seeking out other local sources of produce at the CSA or farmer's market, having our own little garden, just being more aware of where our food is coming from, and trying to make informed choices in that regard. growing up, we at times had a large garden, chickens, cows, goats, and turkeys. i remember really enjoying certain aspects of it as a kid and i'm excited for our kids to be able to have some of those same experiences. in reading this book i've found it to be both informative and entertaining. i've been encouraged to make some changes in our eating habits, but not in a guilt-provoking or overwhelming way, which i appreciate.

if you are interested in learning more, you can find info about the book including recipes here and you can order it here at amazon or here at better world books (thanks shanna)

POST FORTY FIVE - FOR HEARTS

2011-03-19T06:42:00.001-07:00

some days you really see & hear yourself, and some days what you find just isn't that pretty. today is one of those days for me. i found encouragement here when i read this the first time, and i found myself back reading it again today. letting my tears fall like the snow outside, and letting my heart be reminded again of the truth of God's grace and of the impact that my words can have on my children. if you are struggling, especially as a mom today i pray that you will find hope as i have in these truths...

POST FORTY FOUR - AN EASY WAY TO SAVE

2011-03-16T18:11:00.001-07:00

so, this may be my shortest post yet. this is a very easy, very basic way to save on both a little money and a little waste. this is nothing original, something i know some of you already do, but i thought i'd put it out there anyway. cloth napkins. there you have it. they are super easy to make, (or you can buy them if you are not inclined towards the sewing machine) they save you a little money, (especially if you use fabric scraps you already have) they save a little bit of trash from being produced, and they are a great way to use fabrics you like and want to see on a regular basis. i hope you've been inspired.

POST FORTY THREE - FOR VISITING

2011-03-14T16:25:00.000-07:00

before the birth of each of our kids doug & i have made it a priority to take an overnite trip. nothing real fancy or far away. just a little time somewhere different to relax, a change from the usual routine. this past weekend we went to portland, maine so i thought it would be fun to do a post about some of the places we visited. so, here it goes...

we stayed at a great b&b called the pomegranate inn it's a really fun, artsy place, with funky decorations, a yummy breakfast, a relaxed ambiance, and friendly helpful staff.

for shops we visited knit wit and z fabric which i would definitely recommend for those of you interested in yarn and fabrics! they are both very cute shops, with dangerously fun products (as far as the risk for buying lots of yarn & fabric goes) and again, friendly helpful staff. i also got to check out the portland flower show which happened to be going on this past weekend. there were lots of cool vendors, some beautiful flowers- both cut & potted, and some amazing landscape displays!

while i was looking at flowers, doug had a really good time checking out enterprise records apparently the place to go for record collectors,and yes books (for which i could not find a website) a used book store which i think he could have spent hours in.

along with a bit of fun shopping, we ate some really yummy food at some cool restaraunts all of which are definitely worth checking out if you are in the neighborhood... coffee by design has awesome coffee! otto pizza has some really unique and tasty pizza topping combinations, silly's restaurant is a fun spot which we visited several years back, and stopped at again this visit- they have an original menu, a fun atmosphere, and some great food!

so, those are a few highlites from our trip. if you're ever in portland, maine you should check them out!

ps. thanks for the comments on the simply in season post ladies. i'm glad you are also enjoying the recipes (or soon will be)

POST FORTY TWO - RECIPES

2011-03-11T04:52:00.000-08:00

i received this cookbook as a gift (thanks mess) and i'm really enjoying it! Simply in Season is a great resource to help you cook with ingredients that are local & in season. now, to be honest most of the ingredients i've used in the recipes i've tried have not been either (with the exception of some of last years frozen produce from our garden or the CSA) but the recipes have been really good! the book is broken up into recipes by season and in addition has an "all seasons" section with breads/soups/main dishes/desserts/extras. the book is extremely user friendly, and i'm looking forward to using it in the seasons to come! if you are interested you can find it here

http://www.amazon.com/Simply-Season-Expanded-Community-Cookbook/dp/0836194942/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299849548&sr=8-1

ps. the picture is in anticipation of green and warmth!

POST FORTY ONE - FOR SNACKING

2011-03-09T04:44:00.000-08:00

i've been thinking about making granola bars for some time now, but just haven't gotten around to actually doing it. then a few nights ago i came across this recipe http://kitchensimplicity.com/no-bake-granola-bars/ and decided i'd give it a try. they came out really really yummy!! everybody here- kids & grown ups alike are enjoying them. there is no baking involved- though there is a little bit of stove top use. the recipe is pretty straightforward and they taste great with the ingredients as they are. so, if you are looking for a good snack recipe you should definitely give this one a try!

POST FORTY - SNAPFISH

2011-03-07T06:36:00.001-08:00

here is a link for a good deal for you (courtesy of money saving mom). http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/03/snapfish-100-photo-prints-for-5-shipped-2.html

this one is for 100 photo prints for $5 (including shipping) from snapfish when you use the coupon code STPATPRNT. i've used snapfish several times, and i've been pleased with their pictures. if you aren't familiar with them you can check them out here http://www.snapfish.com/snapfish/welcome. you can also get 20 free prints when you sign up with them (though i'm not sure if you can combine that with this deal) enjoy!

POST THIRTY NINE - FOR BABIES

2011-03-04T11:38:00.001-08:00

so, i am definately in a sewing mode here. and i am loving finding quick, simple, practical projects! here is another one i came across. being pregnant, and having several friends who either have new babies or are expecting as well, i figured burp cloths would be a good project to try. i found this pattern http://www.prudentbaby.com/2009/12/diy-burp-cloth-how-to.html and made several for myself and others. (this looks like another site that has lots of cute tutorials, though i haven't tried any other projects yet) i bought terry cloth fabric instead of using towels, and used a flannel fabric for the other side, and i really like them! they are a fun change from the burp cloths i've used in the past. not that the appearance of the cloth you are cleaning spit up with really matters, but i thoroughly enjoy finding ways to use fabrics i like- even for burp cloths:)

POST THIRTY EIGHT - KIWI MAGAZINE AGAIN

2011-02-28T05:41:00.000-08:00

alright, so i probably shouldn't be counting this as a post, but i am. money saving mom had a link up today for kiwi magazine which you can get for $6 for a 1-year subscription. i put a post up a little while back (post 30) about this magazine as well, and thought i'd just put it out there again for anybody who may have missed it the last time. it looks like the offer is valid today through march 5th. here's the link for you... http://deals.mamapedia.com/deals/kiwi-magazine-1-year-feb?ref_id=32497

POST THIRTY SEVEN - FOR BREAD...

2011-02-21T06:38:00.001-08:00

here is another really simple sewing project for you. i've been wanting to try to make my own bread, and i found this tutorial (i believe by way of link from money saving mom) for cloth bread bags. i didn't have any dish towels (which is what the instructions suggest) that i wanted to use to make the bags, so instead i made use of some fun fabrics i had. these are really cute, easy to make, and i think they would work great for things other than bread storage too - gift bags etc...
here is the link for you http://www.saltwater-kids.com/2010/04/5-minute-bread-bag-tutorial_9456.html
this blog has lots of other fun tutorials which i'm hoping to check out too...

POST THIRTY SIX - FOR JOY

2011-02-12T14:07:00.000-08:00

i know i've mentioned ann voskamp several times here, and today i'm doing it again. i'm about a third of the way through her new book One Thousand Gifts a dare to live fully right where you are, and it is really really good! as the title suggests, the book is about living where you are- in the moment, not in the past or the future, in thankfulness for all of Gods gifts surrounding you, and in living this way, finding true joy. that's a very brief synopsis, which doesn't really do the book justice, so here are a few quotes to give you a better idea...

"... In the original language, "he gave thanks" reads "eucharisteo."
I underline it on the page. Can it lay a sure foundation under a life? Offer the fullest life?
The root word of eucharisteo is charis, meaning "grace." Jesus took the bread and saw it as
grace and gave thanks. He took the bread and knew it to be gift and gave thanks.
But there is more, and I read it. Eucharisteo, thanksgiving, envelopes the Greek word for grace,
charis. But it also holds its derivative, the Greek word chara, meaning "joy." Joy. Ah... yes.
I might be needing me some of that. That might be what the quest for more is all about- that
which Augustine claimed, "Without exception... all try their hardest to reach the same goal, that
is, joy." 2 .... (page 32)

...is the height of my chara joy dependent on the depths of my eucharisteo thanks?
So than as long as thanks is possible... I think this through. As long as thanks is possible, then
joy is always possible. Joy is always possible. Whenever, meaning- now; wherever, meaning-
here. The holy grail of joy is not in some exotic location or some emotional mountain peak
experience. The joy wonder could be here! Here, in the messy, peircing ache of now, joy might
be- unbelievably- possible! The only place we need see before we die is this place of seeing God,
here and now... (page 33)

...There is a way to live the big of giving thanks in all things. It is this: to give thanks in this one
small thing. The moments will add up... ....life-changing gratitude does not fasten to a life
unless nailed through with one very specific nail at a time. (page 57)

.. life change comes when we receive life with thanks and ask for nothing to change. (page 61)

... -"Wherever you are, be all there." 3 I have lived the runner, panting ahead in worry
pounding back in regrets, terrified to live in the present, because here-time asks me to do the
hardest of all: just open wide and receive. (page 69)

...I redeem time from neglect and apathy and inattentiveness when i swell with thanks
and weigh the moment down and it's giving thanks to God for this moment that multiplies
the moments, time made enough. (page 72)"

like i said, these are a few quotes for you, i could have written a lot more! but these give you at least a bit of an idea about this book. which i really hope you will read! you can check it out here...
http://www.amazon.com/One-Thousand-Gifts-Fully-Right/dp/0310321913/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1297546998&sr=8-1

POST THIRTY FIVE - FOR WEARING

2011-02-05T16:45:00.000-08:00

shortly before Christmas i was on the hunt for a cute, simple little girls skirt pattern. i found several that i thought would work, but then i found this one- it's perfect & incredibly easy!

i found it here http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2008/08/lazy-days-skirt-free-pattern.html

by way of link from this SouleMama post http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2010/12/girl-cousins.html

for my 4.5 year old little lady half a yard was just the right amount of fabric to make a longer skirt, and instead of using ribbon for the trim on the bottom i used extra wide double fold bias tape which worked great. i've made another one since then which i really like too. so if you're looking for a fun easy project give this one a try!

POST THIRTY FOUR - YET AGAIN...

2011-01-31T16:33:00.000-08:00

do you tire of fighting the same battles again and again, especially when you find you are fighting yourself? i do. struggling against my selfishness, my pride, my desire for my time, my space, my rights, clearly you can see the pattern of me here. not Christ, not others, but me.

in this struggling and learning how to think & live based on truth, i have found so much help and hope in the teaching we receive at the church we attend. Christ Redeemer Church (CRC) of which Don Willeman is pastor, has been such a source of encouragement, challenging the way i've come to think about things, consistently presenting me with the truth of Christ, and the gospel. it doesn't come easily, and i'm reminded that ease and comfort is not what i am to expect in following Christ.

i don't know where you might find yourself in relation to matters of faith, maybe i've completely turned you off, or maybe you're wondering... either way i think you should give a listen.

you can find CRC here http://www.christredeemerchurch.org/ on the bottom left of the page you will find an icon for listening to sermons. may you find hope in the truth of the gospel of Christ.

POST THIRTY THREE - FOR LISTENING

2011-01-30T15:42:00.001-08:00

i really like music. there is generally some variety of music playing in our home most of our waking hours. a band that i have really come to enjoy is called the innocence mission i believe doug introduced me to them, and we went to see them together at a little show not too long after we started dating. they have a really mellow sound, and a faith component to their music which i thoroughly enjoy. we have several of their albums, including my room in the trees which i received for Christmas. you can check them out here http://www.theinnocencemission.com/ at their home page, and here at amazon, where you can preview all the songs on the album. http://www.amazon.com/My-Room-Trees-Innocence-Mission/dp/B003O7I72O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1296438665&sr=8-1

if you haven't listened to them before i would definitely recommend them, hope you enjoy!

POST THIRTY TWO - A RECIPE

2011-01-19T18:06:00.001-08:00

this is a really easy, yummy recipe you should try. "healthy homemade poptarts" which everyone in my family enjoyed! i found the recipe here at http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/homemade-healthy-poptarts by way of link from http://moneysavingmom.com/ the recipe only requires 5 ingredients, it doesn't take long to make them, & they freeze well. my only adjustments would be to add a little extra jam and dust with a little sugar- just to satisfy my sweet tooth.

POST THIRTY ONE - A CAUSE...

2011-01-15T19:19:00.000-08:00

i was checking out sorta crunchy this evening, http://sortacrunchy.typepad.com/sortacrunchy/ and knew i wanted to share this post with you. i've mentioned megan at sorta crunchy before, and if you haven't checked out her site, you really should. i wanted to point you to her january 14th post entitled "Announcing the Give: LOVE Project!" the focus of the post is an organization called Love146 whose mission is to "end child sex slavery and exploitation" http://love146.org/ this is an awesome cause, which deals with a horrifying reality. their site will likely bring you tears and motivate you to want to do something...

so, here is something you can do! as megan's post explains, in early february on sorta crunchy

there will be valentine's day cards available that you can download and print for free (for kids class parties etc...) which will include a small message about Love146. the request is that you would donate whatever you would usually spend on those valentine's to Love146. i love this idea, and think its a really creative way to make people aware of Love146 & their mission.

POST THIRTY - KIWI MAGAZINE

2011-01-13T13:38:00.000-08:00

here is a link you may want to check out (courtesy of money saving mom) that connects you to a site called Mampedia, through which you can apparently get Kiwi Magazine for just $2 for a year! i do get this magazine and i like it- it focuses on natural/organic living for families. i didn't actually try to sign up using the coupon codes since i already get the magazine, but i thought it was worth putting out there for any of you who might be interested. worst case it looks like the magazine would be $6 for a year without the coupon code:) so if you're interested check out http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/01/kiwi-magazine-for-only-2-per-year.html

and here is the website for the magazine itself if you wanted to check that out http://www.kiwimagonline.com/

POST TWENTY NINE - !!CRESCERE!!

2011-01-05T15:41:00.000-08:00

todays post is a quick one to tell you about a music/art/poetry blog called

!!crescere!! that i think you should check out. now, i will say up front that doug (my husband) regularly posts on the blog, so i may be slightly biased.

there are several different contributors who are all very talented artists. you can check them out here http://crescerians.blogspot.com/. i hope you enjoy!

POST TWENTY EIGHT - AN UPDATE

2011-01-03T16:29:00.000-08:00

so, in case there is anyone out there, and in case they happen to remember the original plan for this blog, i thought i'd put a little update out there. initially the plan was for me to be putting up a post a week which started last year in early january. clearly i'm a little ways off from reaching the 52 post mark, so i've come up with a slightly altered plan for myself. my new hope is to reach 52 posts by early april (when we are expecting -Lord willing- the arrival of the newest little cooper) i really want to complete this project, and i'm hoping this goal is a workable one. so, there you have it- my new plan.

POST TWENTY SEVEN - AN EXPERIMENT

2010-12-15T19:30:00.001-08:00

so, this is off the topic of holidays, (and these pictures have nothing to do with this post), but for the past several months i have been conducting a bit of an experiment. well, really just trying something new. i found a recipe for homemade deodorant a while back and decided to give it a try, especially since i had all the ingredients.

coconut oil, baking soda & cornstarch

you can find the "recipe" here http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/03/update-homemade-deoderant.html. there are also a bunch of comments- people who have had good/bad experiences with homemade deodorant, and people who have adjusted the recipe listed. i personally really like this deodorant. it did take a little getting used to going from an antiperspirant, but i really haven't noticed any odor while using it (and no one around me has commented on any odor). i love the smell of the coconut oil, it goes on pretty easy- the coconut oil is a solid at room temperature but softens quickly when being applied. if you are looking for a natural deodorant you can make yourself, i would definitely recommend it!

POST TWENTY SIX - FOR ADVENT

2010-12-02T15:47:00.000-08:00

so this is a couple days late, but i wanted to let you know about a really neat Advent reading/activity from Ann Voskamp at http://www.aholyexperience.com/ (see post 22) it's called the Jesse Tree. i don't think i'd heard of it before this year, but i've read about it in several different places this Christmas season, and was very excited to see this, http://www.aholyexperience.com/2010/11/update-free-jesse-tree-advent-devotional/

on a holy experience. all you need to do in order to print out your own copy is to add your name to the email list. we've been doing the readings the past several nights, and it's been really neat to start seeing Christmas and Jesus birth, not just as a one time event, but instead, to start "in the beginning..." and see the love of God and his plan even then. i would definitely recommend checking it out! hope you are enjoying this holiday season!

POST TWENTY FIVE - LINKS

2010-11-15T17:16:00.000-08:00

i've found a few sites lately that are pretty cool and thought i'd pass them on for anyone else who might find them of interest... (i found the first two links through http://moneysavingmom.com/ and http://www.soulemama.com/)

for online kids books check out http://www.kiddierecords.com/ i just looked at this one today, and its really cool! there are a ton of stories on record that you can listen to (4 years worth with a new record posted for each week) the kids listened to peter pan and robin hood and really enjoyed it.

for fabric online and free shipping! check out http://banberryplace.com/ i haven't ordered anything yet, but i've been checking the fabrics out and they have a pretty big selection.

and lastly since i'm definately getting excited about Christmas, http://simplekids.net/advent-activities/#more-7748 i was especially excited about the advent activities/experiences she lists.

hope you enjoy...

POST TWENTY FOUR - CSA SUMMARY

2010-11-05T07:51:00.000-07:00

so here it is, the summary of our 2010 CSA season. as you can see we got quite a variety of both fruits and vegetables. the total cost was $320 with us going and working two 2hr sessions (mostly picking beans:) it was definately worth it for us- all the produce, knowing where it was coming from, supporting a local farm, and the overall experience! you can check out the CSA we joined here http://www.stoneridgeorganics.com/index.htm and to find a CSA near you check out http://www.localharvest.org/

CSA 2010

June 5th- 3 quarts of strawberries
June 12th- 2 quarts of strawberries
June 19th - 1 bunch of garlic scapes, maple syrup(750ml)
June 26th- 1 bunch of garlic scapes, head of red leaf lettuce, bag of snap peas, head of bokchoy.
July 3rd- 1 pint of raspberries, head of green lettuce, 2 bags of snap peas, 3 heads of bokchoy
July 10th- 1 pint of raspberries, 1 pint of blueberries, 1 bag of snap peas, kohlrabi, head of green lettuce, 2 cucumbers, swiss chard
July 17th- 1 pint of raspberries, 1 pint of blueberries, 2 kohlrabi, swiss chard, kale, zucchini
July 24th- 1 quart of new potatoes, 1 bunch of arugala, bunch of swiss chard, summer squash, cucumber, kohlrabi, bunch of radishes, flowers- zinnia & sunflowers
July 31st- 1 quart of new potatoes, 1 bunch of arugala, 2 summer squash, 2 zucchini, 1 slicing cucumber, 4 pickling cucumbers, bunch of radishes, 5 ears of corn, 2 quarts of peaches
August 7th- 1 pint of potatoes, 3 slicing cucumbers, 6 pickling cucumbers, 10 ears of corn, 3 green peppers, bag of green beans, head of broccoli, 2 quarts of peaches
August 14th- 12 ears of corn, bag of arugala, bag of green beans, pint of grape tomatoes, pint of potatoes, 2 quarts of peaches, 8 pickling cucumbers
August 20th- 12 ears of corn, 3 turnips, bag of yellow beans, pint of grape tomatoes,
quart of apples, 2 golden tomatoes, 6 roma tomatoes, cantaloupe, bunch of wine grapes, eggplant, 5 peaches, 11 pickling cucumbers
August 28th- 12 ears of corn, 1 turnip, 1 pickling cucumber, pint of grape tomatoes, quart of potatoes, yellow beans, 4 apples, bag of mesculun, basil, zinnias
September 4th- quart of potatoes, quart of sweet potatoes, 3 tomatoes, head of lettuce, beets, zucchini, bunch of basil, bunch of zinnias
September 10th- quart of potatoes, quart of sweet potatoes, 3 red tomatoes, 2 yellow tomatoes, head of lettuce, quart of apples, bunch of basil, bunch of zinnias, green beans
September 18th- quart of potatoes, quart of sweet potatoes, 3 vine tomatoes, quart of roma tomatoes, bunch of basil, bunch of beets, bag of apples, corn stalks
September 25th- quart of potatoes, quart of sweek potatoes, bunch of basil, bunch of beets, bunch of turnips, bag of apples, bunch of mixed flowers, maple syrup (375ml), quart of fresh pressed apple cider
~since this was the last day of the season, they had cider pressing, and a little end of season get together. the fields were open for us to pick anything- we got a bunch more flowers and some snap peas.

POST TWENTY THREE - THE PROJECT PART 2

2010-10-16T10:17:00.000-07:00

here is a quick little post for you. this is a sequel to "the project" (the folklore bag from one yard wonders see posts 10 & 12) i really like the bag that i made for myself and decided to make one for my mom and my sister for their birthdays, which were this month. it was a whole lot quicker making these bags than when i made mine, probably because i was familiar with the pattern, and because i cut out the step of using the interfacing (it didnt seem completely necessary)

if anyone is looking for a good pattern for a fun bag, you should check it out. i haven't tried any other projects from the book yet, but i am planning to start on the child's messenger bag soon as a Christmas present for elias. i'll be back soon (relatively speaking) with a couple new posts...

POST TWENTY TWO - FAITH...

2010-09-20T06:57:00.000-07:00

some people are truly gifted at articulating their thoughts and beliefs. Ann Voskamp is one of those people. and its not just her ability to articulate, its the content of what she shares, how you can feel her heart & her faith coming through, how genuine she is in her writing. i've been checking out her site holy experience at http://www.aholyexperience.com/ for quite a while now, and have been encouraged and challenged each time i have read her posts, usually to the point of tears. Ann was recently part of a Compassion trip to Guatemala, which she shares about in her posts, along with some really neat photography. She also has a book entitled one thousand gifts
a dare to live fully right where you are which is soon to be released, and which i'm looking forward to reading. i know i often find myself overwhelmed in all that i am not doing in my walk of faith in this life, and i have really appreciated the way that Ann speaks honestly about her faith and her life, continually pointing to Christ. i hope you are encouraged as well!

POST TWENTY ONE - FREE ADMISSION...

2010-09-10T08:36:00.000-07:00

hello there,

here is a quick little post to let you know that (as i found on

http://moneysavingmom.com/)

september 25th is national museum day

and you can get free admission (for 2) to many museums! here is the link for you

http://microsite.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/admission.html?2010

i haven't printed my ticket yet, but i did look at the NH listing of museums and there are a few that i'm interested in. you can search by state to see which museums in your area are participating. i hope you are able to visit one!

POST TWENTY - A SUPER EASY PROJECT

2010-08-16T12:22:00.000-07:00

so, this truly is a super easy project. i've been wanting to make some snack bags, but have been hesitating because i wasn't sure exactly how i wanted to make them- if i should be lining them with something, or using velcro as a closure... i really just wanted to make some very simple baggies. then i found this.

http://angrychicken.typepad.com/angry_chicken/2010/07/snack-bags-a-sewing-tutorial.html the pattern is very basic, cute, easy to use and the video made me laugh.

as i checked out the site i found that its creator, amy karol has several sewing books out (which i recognized, but haven't checked out before) and there are also a few other video tutorials posted. you can find links to her various sites, and her ebay shop here http://www.amykarol.com/

so, i've made several of these little baggies, and they are just what i was wanting- sometimes the simple things really are the best!!

POST NINETEEN - LEARNING...

2010-08-03T18:55:00.000-07:00

our daughter just turned 4, and i'd been recognizing that she was definitely

ready for some level of "structured learning." i was a bit at a loss as far as what direction to go in. an all out preschool curriculum? some basic workbooks? i'm not a trained educator, and limited in my familiarity with early childhood educational resources. so, i talked to my sister who is a teacher, and friends who are teaching their young children, and checked out some mom blogs. and i found what i think is the perfect fit for both sadie & i. it's called FIVE IN A ROW (FIAR) by Jane Claire Lambert, and you can check it out here http://www.fiarhq.com/index.html

we have only been using it for a little while, (and since its summertime we haven't established a real routine for it yet) but we have both been enjoying it. the concept is pretty basic. you read a specified book for 5 days in a row (hence the title) and after each reading there is a lesson for you to do. the topics for the lessons are social studies, literature, art, math, and science, with multiple lessons for many of these topics to choose from. it's pretty cool- you can choose which science or art or literature etc... lesson you would like- whichever would suit you and your child best.

i really appreciate the various options, and the ideas for discussion/learning topics. it's been neat to see how much we can both learn just from one book, and the lessons can really be as simple or involved as we want them to be. another thing i like is that this is pretty inexpensive. i found a used copy of volume one on ebay for under $20 and we just go to the library to find the books we need! if you are looking for something simple, but fun and educational definitely check it out!

POST EIGHTEEN - A FEW THINGS...

2010-07-24T11:33:00.000-07:00

well, this post is a random assortment of things i've come across online lately. i thought some of you might appreciate one or more of them...

~just in case you, or someone you know is looking for a fun little paper city, fully equipped with people, vehicles and a helicopter, check out http://madebyjoel.blogspot.com/2010/04/paper-city.html ... its really cute- you should check the site out!

~this site is really cool. it has all kinds of fun stuff including tons of tutorials for making all kinds of different things! i've been wanting to make an advent calendar and saw one listed under the "top 100 tutorials of 2009" tab- i'm really excited! you really should look at http://thelongthread.com/

~http://www.etsy.com/shop/fabricworm is a shop that has lots of really fun fabrics. i know its pretty dorky, but i love checking to see what new fabrics they have. i have yet to purchase anything from fabricworm, but they have great feedback ratings.

~along the lines of canning (post 17) http://www.foodinjars.com/ seems like a really cool site! and if any of you happen to live in the philly area (megan & vicky:) and are interested in going to a canning class they offer them! i didn't check out all the details-it does look like most of the summer classes are done, but there are still a couple coming up.

so, those are a couple fun things i've found online lately- hope you find them of interest too!

POST SEVENTEEN - CANNING...

2010-07-07T18:26:00.001-07:00

i am a canning novice for sure, and i am here to encourage anyone who has not given it a try to do so! i made some blueberry jam last year during a little canning adventure with a friend (cara:) and have been looking forward to doing more canning this year. so, after we went strawberry picking a little bit ago i was ready to make jam!

i have been a bit intimidated about canning (afraid someone might end up with food poisoning from something i canned improperly) but, it really isn't so hard! that said, there are different ways to can, and all i have done is a water bath. the supplies are pretty basic and you can actually make do without some of them, but others are pretty handy- (like a funnel and jar lifter) when i started researching this whole canning thing last year i came across this website http://www.pickyourown.org/index.htm which has a TON of information on it.

you can find listings of farms near you to "pick your own" produce, information on types of canning supplies and equipment and where to get them, and recipes and detailed instructions on how to can, pickle, dry, freeze, etc...

when it came time to actually make the strawberry jam and can it, i really just followed the pretty basic instructions on the pectin box. one note- definitely check out the low sugar or no sugar added pectin this is the kind i used http://www.amazon.com/Sure-Jell-Premium-Fruit-Pectin-1-75-Ounce/dp/B001E50XBQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=grocery&qid=1279043852&sr=8-1

you use significantly less sugar with this kind than the usual pectin, and it tastes great!

even with a couple minor deviations (not fully intentional) from the recipe the jam turned out good with everyone in our house willingly eating it. so, if you have any interest you should give it a try!

now i know some of you have lots of canning experience, so if you have any wisdom or resources to share please do! happy canning!!

ps. http://www.simplebites.net/ is doing a series on canning right now that looks pretty cool...

POST SIXTEEN - FROM THE MOUTHS OF BABES...

2010-06-23T20:58:00.000-07:00

i always thought that when i got "older" i would feel secure in myself- who i am. but, somehow the same issues of worrying about how i am being perceived, or comparing myself to others and seeing how i "measure up" seem to follow me.

so, i found it rather refreshing and a bit challenging to see my 3.5 year old be who she really is. no holding back, just being real. we were at the CSA (see post 14) picking up our share for the week. the kids were really excited- sadie especially. the owner was chatting with her, and asked "what is your favorite thing to do?" without hesitation, sadie replied "eat candy and watch movies" with a big smile on her face. apparently she did not realize that we were here to pick up fresh organic produce, and the "correct" answer would have been something along the lines of "eat carrot sticks and go for hikes." i had to laugh.

its a simple example that actually happened a week ago, but it came to my mind again tonite

and for some reason i felt compelled to share it. in one way or another the struggle to be truly genuine is common to us all-whether we are holding back or putting on a front-

so, today be inspired by a preschooler, and just be you!

POST FIFTEEN - DIAPERS...

2010-06-18T13:07:00.001-07:00

using cloth diapers has been an on and off thing in our home. we used them some with our daughter, and have been more committed to using them with our son. a friend actually passed some our way for us to try out a few years back, and i really liked them (thank you shanna).

it was nice to not be throwing so many diapers in the trash, to save some money, and our daughter did pretty well with them.

since, as of late, we have been trying to use them more exclusively with our son i have been having some "diaper issues" and have been doing a bit more research as to cloth diapering and cloth diaper care.

in addition to the advice of veteran cloth diapering moms, i have found

http://allaboutclothdiapers.com/ to be a great resource! i have searched all kinds of questions and found some really helpful answers. the site is run by a stay at home mom autumn who is committed to cloth diapering, and helping other moms do the same.

so, if you have any questions about cloth diapering, check it out!

POST FOURTEEN - CSA

2010-06-06T11:17:00.000-07:00

joining a CSA (community supported agriculture) is something we have been wanting to do for a while, and this year we decided to make it happen. i'm sure most if not all of you are familiar with CSAs, but just in case you aren't here is the basic idea. a CSA farm has a certain number of shares available to be purchased each season. the shares usually include a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables (varying depending on what is in season) and sometimes additional items- flowers etc... which you pick up on a weekly basis during the farming season.

these strawberries are the first produce we have gotten from Stoneridge Farm http://www.stoneridgeorganics.com/ which is the CSA that we joined, and they are amazing!! it's really cool to know that the fruits and vegetables will be coming from just down the road (litteraly, at least in nh terms) and that we are supporting a local farm. we will be receiving produce from mid june to october and i'm looking forward to trying some vegetables i probably wouldn't try otherwise. another cool thing is that we were able to lower the cost by signing up for a working share - (working a bit on the farm) which will be neat for us and the kids. i'm not sure exactly how the cost will compare to the amount i usually spend on produce, but for the reasons listed above we felt it was worth it!

if you are interested in finding a CSA near you, check out http://www.localharvest.org/

POST THIRTEEN - TAKING TIME...

2010-06-05T12:25:00.000-07:00

hello all, thank you so much for the kind comments about the folklore bag!! i hope those of you who are checking out the book one-yard wonders really enjoy it!!

so, todays post isn't really anything new or original. its just a friendly reminder...

i was prompted to write this post in part by things i have read and observed lately, and in part by a woman i saw at the grocery store yesterday. she was reminding me that time really does go by so fast. i know we've all heard that lots of times, but for some reason i heard it yesterday and it made me think about how i am choosing to spend the time i have.

so, today along the lines of creating, i wanted to encourage you to take time for the hobbies/activities/passions in your life. i've been recognizing lately how therapeutic it really is for me to spend even a little time sewing, or learning to knit, planting flowers, or pulling weeds etc... a lot of times i don't see that there is any time to spare for it, but when i make the time, i see how good it is for me (and in turn those who are around me). i can see how God uses that time to help me become a bit more quiet and slowed down and to refocus me a little. i know it looks different for everyone, but we each have something, (often something really simple) that we truly enjoy, and that often gets neglected in the crazy bussiness of life.

now, i realize that its not realistic to say that we can be spending hours a day on these things, but i think we can spend at least a few minutes here and there, and can definately benefit from those few moments!

so, i want to encourage you to try to take some time...

POST TWELVE - THE PROJECT

2010-05-24T11:50:00.000-07:00

so, here it is. my completed project from One-Yard Wonders (see post ten).
it is the folklore bag, and i am really liking it!

it's a bit bigger than my previous bag,

but not huge. it has a perfect size pocket inside and magnetic closure which i really like.

if you are interested in making a new bag for yourself (or someone else) i would definately suggest it!

i am still debating which One-Yard Wonders project to try next...

POST ELEVEN - GOOD RECIPES

2010-05-22T07:58:00.000-07:00

i have to admit, i love checking out recipes. there is just something fun about trying new recipes, especially when it goes well! if you have done much looking, you know that there are a gazillion sources for recipes. i'm sure you are familiar with at least some of these, but i thought i would just share a couple websites that i really like. here are a few sites i have used and like...

http://allrecipes.com/
http://www.marthastewart.com/everyday-food
http://www.melskitchencafe.com/

here are a few sites i have checked out, but havent tried any recipes from yet...

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/
http://www.fixmeasnack.com/
http://kitchensimplicity.com/

i would love to hear about any sites you really like for recipes!

POST TEN - FOR SEWING...

2010-05-06T17:38:00.000-07:00

well, i realize we have been absent for a while (a month to be precise) so hello to anyone who may still be out there! i have been doing a bit of crafting in my time away and i have to say that i am really enjoying sewing, who knew?! to be honest, i think a lot of it has to do with the very user friendly sewing machine we have.

so, i have been inspired as of late to try more sewing projects. i picked up a book called One-Yard Wonders. i will say that i have completed one project (which i will show you in an upcoming post) and that overall the book is pretty easy to use. the patterns are included and the book has a glossary and a "sewing fundamentals" section which i found helpful. there are some fun ideas for projects, and i'm excited to start on my next one!

one tip would be to check out this website http://www.storey.com/book_detail.php?isbn=9781603424493&cat=Crafts&p=0 it is the publishers site, and on the right hand side of the main page there is heading titled "corrections". i found this very helpful especially as i discovered a change that needed to be made in the pattern (thankfully) prior to completing my project.

i don't know how much appeal this book would have for the experienced sewer, but as a beginner i found it very helpful, and with a little research was able to follow the instructions pretty easily.

if you are interested you can check it out on amazon here...

http://www.amazon.com/One-Yard-Wonders-Sewing-Fabric-Projects/dp/1603424490/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273193313&sr=8-1

happy sewing!

FINE FOLKS - POST "E"

2010-04-06T06:15:00.000-07:00

GREETINGS FINE FOLKS. DOUG HERE. WELL, THE WORD FOR TODAY IS THAT WE HAVE A WINNER! MARVEL OF MARVELS, I KNOW. WE'VE ACTUALLY HAD A WINNER FOR SOMETIME NOW, I'VE JUST BEEN HANGING BACK TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE WANTED TO GIVE IT A STAB - THAT & I'VE BEEN BUSY SOMETHING AWFUL. SEEMS TO BE THE WAY OF LIFE THESE DAYS - MAKES ME WANT TO MOVE TO SOME SOUTH AMERICAN COUNTRY WHERE TAKING NAPS IS A CULTURAL STAPLE.

THE WINNER? I REALIZE THAT THIS IS GONNA SOUND SHIFTY (HI JULIA ;-}). MY SISTER-IN-LAW MEGHAN WHITE HAS WON THE CONTEST (NOT MEG WHITE OF WHITE STRIPES FAME). SHE REALLY DID. IT WAS NOT AN INSIDE JOB, I PROMISE. OUR FAMILY IS JUST SUPERIOR TO MOST PEOPLE, MOST OF TIME - GENETICS I GUESS. I AM WORKING ON THE MIX MEGHAN, FORGIVE THE DELAY. IT'LL BE WORTH THE WAIT. SO...BELOW ARE SEVERAL VIDEOS OF SOME OF THE FINE FOLKS WHO WERE A PART OF THIS CONTEST. HOPE YOU ENJOY THEM. HOPE EVERYONE IS HAVING A GOOD DAY. I'LL HAVE MORE FOR YOU SOON. DOUG

P.S. - THE ABOVE PHOTO IS OF SIBYLLE BAIER AND HER SON ROBBY WHO WENT ON TO REISSUE HER MUSIC 40 PLUS YEARS AFTER SHE HAD RECORDED IT. PRETTY COOL.

KAREN DALTON - IT HURTS ME TOO

SIBYLLE BAIER - I LOST SOMETHING IN THE HILLS

VASHTI BUNYAN - TRAIN SONG

LINDA PERHACS - DOCUMENTARY TRAILER

POST NINE - BEING MOM

2010-03-27T08:26:00.000-07:00

i want to encourage you moms. i know for me there are plenty of ups and downs. days i feel like i'm at least taking steps towards being the mom i want to be, and other days i am ashamed of the mom i am being. thankfully God is gracious to us!

as i have mentioned in previous posts i am attempting to make some changes in the way our family lives life. one has been trying to establish some routines, with the goal of being more intentional - especially with the ways in which we interact with our kids.

a book i have been reading is called steady days by jamie c. martin. you can find her blog at http://www.steadymom.com/ i came across the book on a few blogs and decided to check it out. shortly after i started reading it, simple living media expanded to include simple homeschool http://simplehomeschool.net/ , of which jamie c. martin is the editor- cool huh?!

now, i haven't finished the book but i have found some practical advice, and encouragement to think about the way i am choosing to parent. here are a couple quotes for you....

...if we don't love what we do as mothers, our children notice quickly. our attitudes, positive or negative, influence them in a matter of minutes. how can we convey our love for them? by choosing to enjoy the daily tasks we perform, embracing the moments that will never be back again...

...this is a daily process and a daily choice...

i really appreciate the honesty with which jamie writes, and the heart she has for helping moms.

another mom i have been encouraged by is megan at http://sortacrunchy.typepad.com/sortacrunchy/ . (megan was previously the editor of simple kids- it was through her site that i ended up finding simple living media.) one post in particular i appreciated was this http://sortacrunchy.typepad.com/sortacrunchy/2010/03/when-the-fruits-of-parenting-begin-to-ripen-.html i find myself surprised sometimes at how strong my emotions can be, so this post made me think.

i don't know where each of you finds yourself today, but i hope that you may find something here to be of help~

POST EIGHT - SHOPPING TIP

2010-03-22T13:43:00.000-07:00

so, this post is kind of an update on a previous post. i know some of you have

checked out money saving mom at http://moneysavingmom.com/. for those of you who haven't, she has a bunch of deals, freebies, coupons and general money saving tips, which i have definatly benefited from. recently she added on a "store deals" section which lists multiple stores and the deals you can find at them each week. it's pretty handy and i was really excited to see market basket on the list! it doesn't list everything you would find in the store flier, but some of the best deals.

hope you find it helpful!

- thanks for your comments with additional online freebies on my last post ladies!

CLUES OF DESPERATION - POST "D"

2010-03-11T08:32:00.000-08:00

O.K. GANG (RYAN?). SO... THERE COULD BE ANY NUMBER OF REASONS AS TO WHY I HAVE ONLY RECEIVED ONE RESPONSE TO MY CHALLENGE. YOU KNOW, THE ONE WHERE I GIVE THE WINNER A FREE HAND-CRAFTED MUSIC MIX OF FIRST-RATE FOLK MUSIC (IF THIS IS NOT RINGING A BELL, PLEASE REFER TO POST "C"). ONE REASON MIGHT BE THAT IT IS IN FACT A VERY DIFFICULT CHALLENGE. I WILL ADMIT THIS. PEOPLE TRYING THEIR HAND AT IT HAVE PROBABLY BECOME SO FRUSTRATED THAT THEY HAVE RESISTED THE TEMPTATION TO SEND ME ANGRY E-MAILS ME OR EVEN A FLUSTERED COMMENT OR TWO JUST OUT OF RAW BITTERNESS. IF I'M TALKING TO YOU RIGHT NOW, PLEASE KNOW THAT I'M SORRY AND INTENDED YOU NO HURT. ANOTHER REASON COULD BE THAT DUE TO SUCH SEVERE WINTER WEATHER THAT WE'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS WINTER, YOU MAY HAVE LOST POWER AND ARE STILL WAITING TO GET IT BACK. IF THAT'S THE CASE, THEN YOU'RE REALLY AT A DISADVANTAGE. BUT WHENEVER YOU DO RETURN, WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A HEARTY "WELCOME BACK!". ANOTHER REASON COULD BE THAT YOU HATE FOLK MUSIC. IF THAT'S THE CASE, THEN YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT YOUR KIND ISN'T WELCOME AROUND THESE PARTS (AKA - BEAT FEET MUCHACHOS).

O.K., SO MAYBE I'M THE ONE BEING BITTER HERE. I'M OPEN TO THAT POSSIBILITY. THROWIN' A LITTLE BLOG TANTRUM CAUSE NOBODYS PAYIN' ATTENTION TO DOUG - I COULD SEE THAT. PERHAPS IT'S TIME FOR SOME SELF REFLECTION. BUT LET'S BE HONEST FOR A MINUTE, AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHO'S REALLY LOSING OUT HERE. NOT DOUG. PERHAPS HE'S DOWN AND OUT, CRYIN' INTO HIS OWN SLEEVE, BUT HE'S GOT SOME GOOD FOLK MUSIC TO CONSOLE HIM. WHAT ABOUT YOU FRIEND? YEAH, I DIDN'T THINK SO. HOWEVER... IT'S NOT TOO LATE! OUT OF DESPERATION, I HAVE DEVELOPED SOME VERY HELPFUL CLUES. HERE GOES:

> THIS ONE GOES WELL WITH MY MOANING AND GROANING. THIS IS A LINE FROM ONE OF MISS S.B.'s SONGS, "...HE LISTENED TO MY DREARS 'TIL DAWN...". SHE ALSO APPEARED IN THE FILM "ALICE IN THE CITIES" AND IS FROM GERMANY.

> MISS L.P. IS PRESENTLY A DENTIST AND ONE OF THE SONG TITLES FROM HER DEBUT ALBUM IS "CHIMACUM RAIN".

> MISS V.B. WAS THE DAUGHTER OF A MAN NAMED JOHN BUNYAN, BUT NOT THE ONE WHO WROTE PILGRIMS PROGRESS - HE DIED IN 1688.

> MISS K.D. WAS OF CHEROKEE DESCENT AND WAS SAID TO SOUND LIKE BILLIE HOLIDAY. SHE HAD PERFORMED WITH BOB DYLAN AND FRED NEIL IN THE DAYS OF THE GREENWICH VILLAGE FOLK SCENE.

IF YOU FISH SOMETHING UP, E-MAIL ME WITH ANSWERS AT COMMONWINGS@GMAIL.COM. THANKS GUYS, I HOPE MY HUMOR HASN'T OFFENDED. PEACE.

POST SEVEN- BOOKS TO LISTEN TO

2010-03-10T17:41:00.000-08:00

so, for post seven (a bit overdue) i would encourage you to check out https://christianaudio.com/ each month the site has a free audio book available for download. i did it, and it really is free.

just click on the free downloads spot on the top right of the main page, a coupon code is listed, you enter it during checkout and then you can download the book! there are actually 2 this month. the cost of discipleship, by dietrich bonhoeffer and 50 reasons why Jesus came to die, by john piper. since i don't usually find a whole ton of time to sit and read i really like the idea of being able to listen while i am washing dishes, folding laundry, chasing kids etc... so, if you get a chance, check it out.

by the way- i know the picture is a little silly, and has nothing to do with audio books, but i kinda like it.

THE BIRD ENSEMBLE - POST "C"

2010-02-23T08:31:00.000-08:00

DOUG HERE. YEAH I KNOW - I'M HAVING AN ALPHABETIC MALFUNCTION HERE. BAD BIRD. NOTTY BIRD. I'LL SAVE YOU MY AUTHENTIC & OVERWHELMINGLY CONVINCING EXCUSES. ALL THE SAME, DON'T GO GETTIN' YOUR FEATHERS IN A RUFFLE DEAR FRIENDS, CAUSE I'M GONNA MAKE IT UP TO YA. NOT ONLY AM I HERE TO DELIVER A POST OF EXCELLENCE, BUT I HAVE A CHALLENGE AS WELL. BUT FIRST THE POST...

AROUND THESE PARTS WE LISTEN TO A LOT OF MUSIC. A LOT. LEAH AND I LOVE IT. OUR CHILDREN LOVE IT. OUR DOGS LOVE IT. NO REALLY, THE KIDS CLEARLY ENJOY MUSIC A GREAT DEAL. THEY LOVE TO DANCE TO IT, TO CREATE IT WITH THEIR MANY INSTRUMENTS & AND TO SING SONGS THEY ARE LEARNING HERE OR THERE. TO A GREATER EXTENT, THIS APPLIES TO MY THREE AND A HALF YEAR OLD DAUGHTER SADIE. SHE REALLY RECOGNIZES MUSIC THAT SHE HAS HEARD BEFORE AND LIKES. QUITE A WAYS BACK, TO MY SURPRISE, THERE WAS ONE PARTICULAR SET OF SONGS THAT SHE WAS TOTALLY ENAMOURED WITH - A FREE SESSION RELEASED BY A BAND THAT GOES BY THE NAME THE BIRD ENSEMBLE (MORE ON THEM LATER). SHE ENDLESSLY REQUESTED THAT WE PLAY THEM MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY. SHE WOULD CLOSE HER EYES AND START DOIN' HER LITTLE BIRD ENSEMBLE GROOVE THING. IT WAS INTERESTING TO ME BECAUSE I WOULDN'T HAVE EXPECTED IT. FOR ONE THING, THE MUSIC IS TOTALLY INSTRUMENTAL, WHICH IS NOT UNCOMMON AROUND HERE, BUT WORDS SEEM TO BE IMPORTANT TO HER. THE OTHER THING IS THAT THE MUSIC IS NOT WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER TO BE HAPPY, CLAPPY MUSIC - THE KIND THAT KIDS NATURALLY WANT TO JUMP AROUND TO. SO...WHAT'S THE ATTRACTION?

I PUZZLED OVER THIS. BUT I FINALLY CONCLUDED THAT THEY LIKE IT FOR THE SAME REASONS THAT I LIKE IT. ON THE FIRST LISTEN YOU'LL AT THE VERY LEAST CONNECT WITH THE BUILDING GROOVES THAT ARE PRESENT THROUGHOUT ALL OF THE SONGS, BUT THE THING THAT GOT ME THE MORE THAT I LISTENED TO IT WAS THIS UNDERLYING SENSE OF HOPE THAT THE MUSIC SEEMED TO PRODUCE IN ME. THERE IS A LOT OF MUSIC OUT THERE OF THE SAME STRIPE THAT STARTS OFF SLOW AND MYSTERIOUS AND BUILDS AND BUILDS TO THIS MOMENT OF REALIZATION AND THEN FIZZLES OUT, BUT THESE GUYS DO IT IN A MEANINGFUL AND ENGAGING WAY. THEY CONSISTENTLY TAKE ME DOWN A ROAD THAT LEADS ME TO A GOOD PLACE. THE MUSIC HAS IT'S MOMENTS OF DARK CONTEMPLATION AND RESTLESS QUESTIONS, BUT IT ALWAYS DELIVERS A WARM ANSWER. THE DRUMS ARE OFTEN SLOW, JAZZY AND PLODDING, TRANSITIONING INTO A GROWING, POST-ROCK MARCH OF EXALTATION. THE GUITAR IS ONLY EFFECTED ENOUGH TO GIVE IT A DREAMY, LIQUIDY QUALITY TO COINCIDE WITH THE WARMTH OF THE FAITHFUL RHODES. WITHOUT THE RHODES I SERIOUSLY DOUBT THIS MUSIC WOULD STAND UP SO WELL - IT'S PERFECT. AGAIN, THE MUSIC IS FREE RIGHT FROM THE BAND'S SITE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE DOWNLOADING IT AND I'LL SEE IF I CAN HELP. AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK AS WELL - I WANT TO KNOW. http://www.thelastsongbook.com/essay.html.

NOW FOR THE CHALLENGE. THE WINNER OF THIS CHALLENGE WILL HAVE A HIGH CALIBER MUSIC MIX WITH HOMEMADE PACKAGING SPECIALLY DELIVERED FREE OF CHARGE TO YOUR FRONT DOORSTEP (OR BACKSTEP/CURBSIDE/POST OFFICE BOX/ETCETRA, DEPENDING ON WHERE YOUR MAILHUMAN LEAVES YOUR MAIL). I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE THINKIN' - WOW, HOW GENEROUS OF YOU DOUG. NOT REALLY. I HAVE ULTERIOR MOTIVES. I'M HOPING TO GET A SENSE OF HOW MANY OF YOU FINE FOLKS ARE ACTUALLY ON BOARD THE BIRD BLOG TRAIN. SO IF YOU LIKE SOME GOOD FOLK MUSIC AND SUB-GENRES THAT BRANCH AWAY FROM THERE, THEN WARM YOUR FINGER TIPS AND PREPARE TO GET YOUR GOOGLE GROOVE ON. HERE GOES:

IN CASE YOU DON'T KNOW, THERE IS RESURGENCE IN FOLK MUSIC HAPPENING THAT IS A SOMEWHAT UNDERGROUND PHENOMENON. IT'S BEEN REFERRED TO AS THE NEW FOLK MOVEMENT, THE NEW WEIRD AMERICA, THE FREAK-FOLK MOVEMENT, AND A FEW OTHERS. THERE'S A LOT THAT COULD BE SAID ABOUT THIS, BUT FOR TODAY'S PURPOSES, I'LL JUST SAY THAT IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, WIN THE CONTEST, CAUSE LOTS OF THIS GOOD MUSIC WILL BE ON THE MIX. ANYHOW, MANY OF THESE MUSICIANS HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR UNEARTHING OLD RECORDINGS OF SOME FANTASTIC FOLK MUSICIANS FROM THE SIXTIES AND SEVENTIES. THESE ARE OBSCURE ARTISTS WHOSE MUSIC NEVER GAINED COMMERCIAL SUCCESS IN IT'S TIME. MUCH OF IT IS BEING REISSUED AND DOCUMENTED NOW AND FOLKS LIKE MYSELF ARE REALLY ENJOYING IT. YOUR CHALLENGE IS TO NAME ONE OF THESE MUSICIANS (SORRY JOSH, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT IT WOULD BE FAIR FOR YOU TO PARTICIPATE, AND NO HELPING SHANNA EITHER). HERE ARE TWO HINTS: 1.) THE FOLLOWING ARE THE INITIALS OF A FEW OF THE MUSICIANS THAT I HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO: S.B. - V.B. - K.D - L.P. 2.) ALL OF THE INITIALS THAT I JUST GAVE YOU ARE OF FEMALE MUSICIANS. WHEN YOU HAVE AN ANSWER, SEND IT TO commonwings@gmail.com. ENJOY.

POST SIX - FOR THE BABIES

2010-02-22T16:55:00.000-08:00

this is a short and sweet little post- a few links for anyone interested in making your own baby food. we are not currently in the world of baby food making, but when we were, i did some research and found some neat resources which i found to be really helpful! recently i found a website dedicated to homemade baby food and thought i would put the info out there for anyone who might find it useful. i know it sounds a little dorky, but i honestly thought it was pretty fun making baby food. its really simple, and i liked knowing exactly what i was giving the kids. it was so convenient to make a batch of food and freeze it in the ice cube tray (perfect serving size) and then store it to have on hand whenever i needed it. nothing extravagant or crazy- so, http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/ is the website i used in making foods, and http://www.nurturebaby.com/

is the one i came across recently. hope you find the sites helpful!

POST FIVE - SIMPLE...

2010-02-16T18:42:00.000-08:00

i don't know if anyone can relate, but i have really felt compelled (especially lately) to find ways to simplify my life. to get rid of the clutter - both figuratively and literally- and to come up with a better plan in approaching my day to day life. i have come across a couple resources lately which have encouraged me in this endeavor.

simple living media describes their mission in the following quote...

" In all our endeavors, we want to encourage people to live simpler lives. We want to provide words of inspiration, practical tips, and a sense of community for people who don’t buy that “having it all” equals happiness"

you can find simple living media at http://www.simplelivingmedia.com/

the site includes 5 different blogs...

simple kids- http://simplekids.net/

simple mom- http://simplemom.net/

simple organic- http://simpleorganic.net/

simple bites- http://www.simplebites.net/

simple homeschool- http://simplehomeschool.net/

i have enjoyed what i've read so far on these sites, and look forward to following them. the advice seems pretty practical and i appreciate the topics of the different blogs. so, if you get a chance check out simple living media.

POST FOUR - THE TORTILLA

2010-02-06T11:10:00.000-08:00

so, for this week i am posting 4 yummy recipes that are easy to make using tortillas. (actually i have only tried 3 of them, but the 4th looks really good) thank you for the idea ang!

the first one is:
chicken-fajita tostada and you can get the recipe here http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/chicken-fajita-tostadas
this one is really good and very easy!

the second one is:
a two cheese tortilla pizza (i don't have a link, but this one is from everyday food magazine)

ingredients
-4 whole wheat tortillas (8inch)
-3 tsp olive oil
-2 cans (14.5ozs each) diced tomatoes, drained
-3/4 cup grated mozzarella
-1oz pecorino romano shaved with a vegetable peeler
-1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives halved
-1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
-1/2 cup fresh basil roughly torn

to make
-preheat oven to 450 with racks in upper & lower thirds. place tortillas on 2 rimmed baking sheets brush with 1 tsp oil. top with tomatoes, cheeses, olives and red pepper flakes. bake until crust is crisp and browned, 13 to 15 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. top pizzas with basil.
now, i dont follow the recipe fully- i skip the romano, use dried basil, add seasoning, add pepperoni... you can use whatever, its a quick yummy little pizza to make.

the third one is:
a grilled tortilla with cheese and pear. just heat some olive oil in a skillet put a whole wheat tortilla in. lay some cheese (cheddar is good) and some thinly sliced pear on top. now, you can either put another tortilla on top or fold this one over and cook flipping until each side is slightly browned and the cheese is melted. it may sound a little funny, but its good.

the fourth one is:
a fruity pizza (recipe from kiwi magazine) which i haven't tried yet, but looks good.

ingredients
-6 10-inch regular or whole wheat tortillas
-1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
-4 tsp turbinado sugar (regular sugar will be fine but the turbinado offers a yummy crunch)
-1tsp powdered cinnamon
-1/2cup seedless raspberry jam, room temperature
-2ozs white chocolate grated
-12 fresh strawberries, washed and sliced

to make
1. preheat oven to 350
2. use a large heart-shaped cookie cutter to make 12 hearts out of the 6 tortillas. (this is from the february issue:) place them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
3. with a pastry brush spread a thin layer of melted butter evenly on all tortillas. sprinkle the sugar on all the hearts, about 1/3 tsp each, then dust with the powdered cinnamon.
4. bake for 3 minutes until light golden brown. remove from oven.
5. spread the raspberry jam on the tortillas, about 1/2 tsp to 3/4 tsp each, then sprinkle grated while chocolate on top.
6. bake again for 2 minutes. remove from the oven and add sliced strawberries. serve warm or cold.

so, i hope you give one of these a try and enjoy it as much as i do!

POST THREE - FREECYCLE

2010-01-30T12:05:00.000-08:00

so, its week 3. this week i wanted to encourage you to check out freecycle! i know that many of you are familiar with freecycle, but for those of you who may not be, it is described on the website as " a grassroots movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns." you can find the site at http://www.freecycle.org/ now, to be honest, this is a resource that i have not used nearly as much as i know i could- especially not recently- when i first learned about freecycle i used it quite a bit- and really enjoyed being able to give things away, and receive things i was looking for... all for free!! i joined groups in our area and receive email updates which include offer posts- people giving, and wanted posts- people looking for an item. items posted vary- some recent posts include... crockpot and senseo coffee maker, bubble wrap and packing peanuts, remote control color tv, adult knee pads, plug in night light... and there is a new list pretty much every day. membership is free and a local volunteer moderator runs each local group. so, if you haven't already, check freecycle out!

now, to follow up on post one- i have completed a project from amanda blake soules book, handmade home. i made... "millie's hot pad" !! (pictured above) actually i completed one and have another one almost done. its basically a little pot holder, made using fabric scraps and some old quilted material. i also used bias tape for the edge (a new experience for me- pretty cool stuff) the instructions were easy to follow- very user friendly- which i appreciated as i am not much of a seamstress, and generally have issues following patterns in the craft/art realm. so, if anyone is in need of a new pot holder, let me know...

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE LETTER "B"

2010-01-23T18:44:00.000-08:00

HOWDY. DOUG HERE. THIS WOULD BE MAN POST NUMBER 2, BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE LETTER B.

QUESTION #1: DO YOU LIKE BOOKS?

QUESTION #2: DO YOU LIKE STRANGE MIXTURES OF STRANGE COLORS & ODDLY DOODLESOME ART WORK?

QUESTION#3: DO YOU REMEMBER THE WAY YOU FELT AS A KID WHEN YOU WATCHED SESAME STREET (WE'RE TALKIN' OLD-SCHOOL PSYCHEDELIC SESAME STREET HERE). I'M THINKING THAT THE ELECTRIC COMPANY, SCHOOL HOUSE ROCKS, THE BANANA SPLITS AND EVEN GUMBY COULD WORK FOR THIS ILLUSTRATION (AM I AGING MYSELF HERE)? IF YOU DID VIEW ANY OF THESE PROGRAMS AND HAD AN ACCOMPANYING FEELING, WAS IT A PLEASANT FEELING (THAT WOULD BE QUESTION #4)?

IF YOU ANSWERED YES TO EVEN ONE OF THESE QUESTIONS THEN YOU REALLY SHOULD SCOPE OUT BOOK BY IT'S COVER. THIS IS A BLOG RUN BY JULIA ROTHMAN, AN ILLUSTRATOR & PATTERN DESIGNER FROM BROOKLYN, NY. JULIA IS CLEARLY GIFTED AT FINDING BOOKS THAT ARE OBSCURE, PECULIAR & VISUALLY STRIKING. SHE REVIEWS THESE BOOKS IN DETAIL WITH NUMEROUS IMAGES TO BOOT FOR EACH ONE. I BELIEVE I CAME ACROSS HER WHILE SEARCHING OUT A BOOK FOR MY DAUGHTER SADIE THAT LIKEWISE FELL INTO THE PLEASANTLY WEIRD CATEGORY. FOR INSTANCE, I WAS JUST CHECKING OUT A BOOK SHE REVIEWED A WHILE BACK CALLED VISUAL AID. IT'S A COLLECTION OF DIAGRAMS, CHARTS & VISUAL REPRESENTATIONS OF ALL KINDS OF STRANGE AND INTERESTING FACTOIDS THAT EXIST IN THE UNIVERSE. EACH IS DONE UP WITH SOME VERY COOL RETRO IMAGES AND TEXT. INCLUDED ARE CHARTS OF INDIGENOUS DWELLINGS, A DIAGRAM OF A TONGUE AND IT'S AREAS OF TASTE - YOU NAME IT. VERY FUN LEARNING. SHE REVIEWS NEW BOOKS AND OLD FINDS, AS WELL AS BOOKS IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES. IN ADDITION SHE FEATURES MAGAZINES, SKETCH BOOKS, COMICS, HANDMADE ITEMS & VARIOUS OTHER THINGS. WITH TITLES LIKE ORANGE DAY HARMONY, THE LATKE WHO COULDN'T STOP SCREAMING (WHICH BY THE WAY IS A CHRISTMAS STORY), & BALLOON FOR A BLUNDERBUS, HOW COULD YOU GO WRONG. I MEAN REALLY.

APART FROM BEING VERY HIP, THIS WOULD FALL INTO THE UNDER THE RADAR CATEGORY IN TERMS OF MY RATIONAL FOR POSTING IT. THEREFORE, THESE ITEMS MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE CHEAP. IN MOST CASES THEY PROBABLY AREN'T. HOWEVER, YOU MAY FIND SOMETHING HERE WORTH ROLLING YOUR PENNIES FOR. A SIDE NOTE: I HAVEN'T SIFTED THRU THE ENTIRE SITE, SO BE AWARE THAT THERE MAY BE IMAGES THAT YOU DON'T WANT THE SMALL PEOPLE SEEING. WITH SKETCH BOOKS, IT'S POSSIBLE. I HAVEN'T COME ACROSS ANY YET, BUT I FIGURED I OUGHTA (WHY I OUGHTA!) THROW THAT OUT THERE. IF YOU COME ACROSS ANYTHING ON THE SITE THAT YOU REALLY LIKE, LET ME KNOW. THANKS FOR READING. SEE YOU IN TWO WEEKS. LOOK FOR THE LINK BELOW. DOUG http://www.book-by-its-cover.com/

POST TWO - A MOM WHO SAVES

2010-01-23T08:35:00.001-08:00

so, i am slightly over the one week mark (a bit late as usual:) thank you so much to everyone who is checking this out and for your very kind words!

for this week i wanted to pass on the link to a site i have really benefited from. it is called money saving mom and you can find it at
http://www.moneysavingmom.com/

this is one of the moms i had in mind when i wrote last week and said i am

not super mom who only spends $3.47 a week on groceries. i am continually amazed at how little money she is able to spend especially on groceries.

i have found lots of printable coupons, links to free samples, and money saving ideas in general on this site. like... $2 off deodorant so i paid less than 50 cents for it, johnson & johnson coupons that i have used to get free buddies soaps- which the kids think are really cool... return address labels for super cheap, and Christmas cards for less than$7 (yes the ones in the snowbank which by the way our landlord found yesterday:) ...
i check the site regularly especially as it is updated all the time with new links. the mom who runs the site seems to really be committed to being wise with what she has, and letting others know about what she has learned and resources she has found. she often links to other neat blogs which is cool. i have been encouraged to try to make changes in the ways our family uses what God has given us, and i hope you find this site helpful too!

since there was no real picture to post for this site, i decided to feature " mr carrot" our now deceased snowman.

oh, and just in case you were wondering no, i have not yet started on my "handmade home" project. i'm still debating what to try, and am hopeful to have it done by next week...

POST ONE - HOMEMADE HOME

2010-01-14T09:30:00.000-08:00

so here we are. my first post. to be honest i am pretty excited about this, and a bit intimidated. i have been checking out blogs on money saving, thriftiness, simple living, etc for a while now and have found myself both encouraged and overwhelmed. lately i have been learning to remind myself that its okay that i am me and not super mom who has amazing artistic abilities a perfectly clean house awesome dinners every nite and only spends $3.47 a week on groceries. so i hope in these posts to pass on some of the ideas i find about creative ways to save money, handmade projects, ways to simplify life, encouragement in faith, and other things i come across along the way.a recent inspiration i have found in this realm has been a book i received for Christmas (thanks mess) called "handmade home" by amanda blake soule. i think its definately worth checking out. the focus of the book is on creating new things from old items. anything from mouse pads to beach blankets- there are some really neat projects in the book! you can also check amanda blake soule out online at http://www.soulemama.com/i really like the "elf hat" she has pictured in her jan 12th post. so, my thought is to pick one of the projects from the book, with a goal of completing it in 2 weeks (i am trying to be realistic here). i will let you know how things go, and post some pictures for you of the final product.please feel free to comment with any thoughts via the comment link at the bottom of each post.well i think thats it for my first post. thanks for reading, there will be more coming your way soon...

POST A - WELCOME TO THE WELCOME WAGON!

2010-01-13T06:27:00.001-08:00

GREETINGS ONE & ALL (OR NONE @ ALL), THIS IS DOUG COOPER, THE MALE HALF OF "BIRDS OF A FEATHER." THIS IS MY FIRST POST FOR THE PUBLIC @ LARGE. MY INTENTION IS TO POINT FOLKS IN A GOOD DIRECTION FROM TIME TO TIME (EVERY TWO WEEKS OR SO). MORE SPECIFICALLY, I HOPE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO GOOD ART - MUSIC, FILM, LITERATURE, IMAGE & THINGS OF THE LIKE. NARROWING IT DOWN MORESO, I'LL BE FOCUSING ON MEDIA THAT IS EITHER LEGALLY FREE, UNDER THE RADAR, OR CHANGING LIVES FOR THE GOOD (THESE QUALITIES MAY OVERLAP @ TIMES). FOR THOSE WHO WILL NOT SHARE MY TASTE I APOLOGIZE (KINDA), IT CAN BE A BIT ECENTRIC/ECLECTIC. HOWEVER, IT WILL BE QUITE TAME FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS BLOG. BOTH LEAH & I INTEND TO CHOOSE OUR TOPICS CAREFULLY WITH THE HOPES THAT IN MOST CASES THEY WILL LEND THEMSELVES TO PEOPLE BOTH BIG & SMALL, MALE & FEMALE (I AM RESISTING THE TEMPTATION TO GO ON WITH THIS LIST OF OPPOSITES ON INTO ABSURDITY), ETC... PLEASE OFFER ANY THOUGHTS, QUESTIONS, SUGGESTIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS, ETC... I LOVE THAT STUFF.

FOR MY FIRST POST I'D LIKE TO WELCOME YOU TO THE WELCOME WAGON, A.K.A. VITO & MONIQUE AIUTO, A HUSBAND & WIFE FOLK DUO OF SORTS (FOLK/POP/GOSPEL/ETC). THEY WRITE MUSIC THAT IS VERY MUCH ROOTED IN THEIR FAITH AS CHRISTIANS. IN FACT, VITO AND MONIQUE FOUNDED A PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN BROOKLYN, NY, OF WHICH VITO IS THE REVEREND. HOWEVER, DON'T LET THIS LEAD YOU TO ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THEIR SOUND. THIS IS NOT BILL & GLORIA GAITHER THAT WERE TALKIN' ABOUT HERE (PLEASE TAKE NO OFFENSE). THEIR MUSIC IS BOTH INVENTIVE & ORIGINAL, MAINLY TO THEIR OWN CREDIT. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THOUGH, THAT THEIR SOUND IS SHAPED IN NO SMALL PART BY THEIR COLLABORATION WITH SUFJAN STEVENS WHO ALSO RECORDED & PRODUCED THEIR DEBUT ALBUM. SUFJAN IS ANOTHER FAVORITE AROUND OUR HOUSE - HE'S A STAPLE ON THE INDIE MUSIC SCENE & AN OLD TIME CHUM OF VITOS. IF YOU HAVEN'T CHECKED SUFJAN OUT BEFORE NOW, PLEASE DO SO, HE IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. IN FACT THE WELCOME WAGON IS SIGNED TO SUFJAN'S RECORD LABEL --> http://asthmatickitty.com/.

JUST RECENTLY, THE WELCOME WAGON RELEASED AN EP OF OUTTAKES AND DEMOS ENTITLED, PURITY OF HEART IS TO WILL ONE THING. ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE ALBUM GO TO AN ORGANIZATION CALLED FREESET (http://freesetglobal.com/who-we-are.html). HERE'S A QUOTE FROM ASTHMATICKITTY, "Freeset is a fair-trade business in India that helps to liberate and empower women escaping the sex trade in the largest red-light district in Kolkata (Calcutta), India." SO CLEARLY THIS WOULD BE MONEY WELL SPENT - $3.96 EQUALS GOOD MUSIC (FOUR TUNES WORTH) & ONE STEP TOWARD THE LIBERATION OF ENSLAVED WOMEN. HERE IS A LINK TO THE MUSIC --> http://asthmatickitty.com/purity-of-heart. ALSO, HERE'S A VIDEO TO GET YOU MORE ACQUAINTED WITH WHO THESE FOLKS ARE AND WHAT THEY SOUND LIKE:

A SIDE NOTE: I DO REALIZE THAT SOME FOLKS READING THIS BLOG MAY NOT NECESSARILY JIBE WITH THINGS RELATING TO MATTERS OF FAITH. IF THAT'S THE CASE, THEN THIS RECOMMENDATION MAY NOT BE YOUR CUP OF TEA. ALL THE SAME, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO CHECK THESE GUYS OUT, BECAUSE THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, THE WELCOME WAGON IS AN ENJOYABLE RIDE, IRRESPECTIVE OF ANYTHING. AND I THINK THIS MAY BE SAID OF FUTURE POSTS AS WELL. LEAH & I WILL INEVITABLY RECOMMEND & REFERENCE THINGS THAT PERTAIN TO OUR OWN FAITH, BUT JUST ABOUT ANYTHING WE'LL BE PUTTING UP HERE SHOULD BE FAIRLY ACCESSIBLE TO FOLKS OF ALL FABRICS. FEEL FREE TO SHARE YOUR OWN THOUGHTS ON THE MATTER. PEACE & BACON GREASE - DOUG

POST ZERO - HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

2010-01-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

happy 5th anniversary babe!! surprise! - a small token of my love for you. this is both a gift & a challenge.

the gift: a thrifty blog! that's my best general way of describing it. it's a creative outlet of sorts - a way for you to continue your pursuit of thriftiness, simplicity & good stewardship as a way of life for our family. beyond this, it's an opportunity for you to share with our friends & family all of the totally rad ideas, deals, & other such bits of free & discounted goodness you've been tracking down so that they too can partake. i call it a thrifty blog (as opposed to a "mommy blog", etc...) because i hope it will be a good resource to not only moms or families or even women, but anybody who is trying to be smarter about the way that they use their money, time, stuff, world, etc... this is probably starting to sound intimidating & i haven't even laid out the challenge yet.

the challenge: in the spirit of julie & julia, (which is in part responsible for inspiring both this blog and the challenge that follows) i hereby challenge you to maintain this blog for one calendar year with the goal of making 52 entries (one for each week of the year). what you choose to do with these entries is completely up to you. are you alone in this endeavor? not quite. being the brave knight that i am, i would not have you to go it alone. i too will contribute!!

posts: this particular post has been labeled "post zero" with a little phrase tagged on to let folks know what the post is about. you will start with "post one" along with the corresponding tag thingy and will continue in this way, week by week, until you finish off the last week of december 2010 with "post fifty-two." with this in mind, you should put out your first two posts prior to january 15th in order to set a good pace ;-) as for me? i will be posting thru the alphabet: a thru z (26 posts in all). that's one every two weeks. my posts will focus on the arts: music, art, film, etc... (surprise, surprise) i'll be focusing on media that is free, off the radar, or that promotes important change.

from here on out i will post in all caps (the way that i write by hand), and you will post in all lower case (the way that you write by hand). so...here we go! together. love you. (i almost wrote "i love you my dove" to go along with the bird theme, but didn't in order to save you from being embarrassed in front of all of our reading pals).