Question Monday...or Life Happens

How do you keep your daily routine organized and running smoothly? Is it like a well oiled machine or is it, like me at times, squeaky with a few cogs loose? 

 Believe it or not, we are allowed those kind of days. Days where the dishes are still in the sink at dinner time or the laundry sits on the couch while you play on your social media site. Life happens! 

For those who are BO (born organized), those kind of days may be faced with anxiousness, but we have to allow ourselves the luxury of just being lazy for an hour or watching a movie with the family  instead of washing the after dinner dishes. 

What does this have to do with keeping our routines running smoothly? Everything. If we do not allow ourselves to be that person hiding under our bed, refusing to come out until the house cleans itself we will be in a constant phase of overwhelmed-itis and burn out till nothing ever gets done. 

This is how I keep things going smoothly. I have my short list for the morning. It is my MR, or morning routine made popular by the Flylady on flylady.net. I will go into that one later in the week but for now, lets just say, there are times that this is all I do all day. Oh, there is always paperwork to do so I feel I am accomplishing something. The thing is, I am doing something so I don’t feel badly about it. 

Sound counter-productive? Perhaps, but our bodies need that papering. Maybe just once a day, put a chunk of time aside for giving yourself a spa time. Kick off your shoes, throw on your bathrobe, grab a book and a cup of tea or coffee, turn on the radio...and just be you.

How do you make your routines go smoothly? I would love to know. Share some ideas with the rest of us so we can pamper ourselves with something new. It will refresh us so we c
an do the things we need to to make our lives more organized and fluid. 

Have a great and blessed day.

http://www.anemonelost.com/post/144109016571/when-you-have-so-much-to-do-that-you-just-give

Flylady.net

Biting the Bullet With Bullet Journaling

Hi. I am Lottie and I am a bullet journal junkie. The audience responds with knowing nods and a "Hi, Lottie" in unison. OK, maybe I exaggerate, but it has to be close to having an addiction. I used to look in random stores and search the web for anything and everything on planners. I would never let a planner reach its end before burning out on the layout or complaining that it just wasn't what I needed. I would end up buying a new planner every couple of months or printing out individual planner sheets that I thought would fill the gaps (BTW, ink is as expensive as buying the planners). Problem was that I would either run out of ink before pay day or not using half of the bought-planner because I didn't need parts of it. I was just lost and still unorganized with my time.What I needed was order, not the perfect planner. I needed a way to change the layout on a whim as I needed.I just didn't know how.
Then I saw it. On Slack-chat for a Flylady group, a friend mentioned her bullet journal. I asked what it was and she sent me a link. It was love at first sight! The simplicity of it all was incredible. Then I made it even crazier by Googling it. There are so many links! I watched videos and read how-to's that would enhance the journal to your personality. I saw that some people were doodling and drawing in their's and I admit I panicked. There was no way I was going to be able to do like they did. The thing was I had to try. I learned how to draw banners and things that were crazy simple.
Sounds like too much work? Nope. I use it as a way to relax. We deserve a break and this provides me with one. I do the basic bullet on Saturday or Sunday, then when I get a moment to myself, I decorate it. May I say again, I am in love with this system.
Many just stick with the basic system, which I must admit I recommend before jumping full force on any decor. This is a great way to get things in order fast. It is a system of short lists that are bulleted. If you don't get it all done, no problem. Just look at what you have accomplished and you will be amazed.
Check out the links below. Tiny Ray of Sunshine and Bohoberry are my favorites, but Google the heck out of it. Watch the YouTube videos on it.  Find your bits and pieces that will make your journal you. Like using stickers? Beautiful! Washy tape? Creative! Plain and simple for a solid day? Inspiring!
Enjoy yourself. Don't stress over your planner anymore.
God bless. :)



http://bulletjournal.com

http://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/blog/how-to-bullet-journal

http://www.tinyrayofsunshine.com/blog/bullet-journal-guide

http://www.bohoberry.com

Up the Interstate

Welcome to Summer! The weather is hotter and so are the beach combers. It is vacation time for many of us and the world is our oyster, so to speak. I usually take my family vacation in July when the family reunion happens in Michigan. It is really beautiful up there. We stay at a wonderful place called Wood and Waters Camp Ground near Newaygo. If you are ever up in that area, it is an incredible place to simply relax. We stayed in a room (they have six of them, I believe) and an amazing campground that stretches for acres. they welcome RV's, as well. Inside the main building is a store, ice cream parlor and eatery along with a swimming pool and hot tub that any of the campers are free to use. Man, I miss that hot tub. :)

Our view at Wood and Waters

Another place I enjoyed going to was Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. We stayed at the Shamrock and toured the town. It was simple and unbelievably friendly. Yes, I went hunting for diamonds in the field that they kept plowed to keep the hunting fresh. You could buy tools for the dig there in the tool shop or bring your own. We found quite a bit of raw cat's eye. I had never seen any as large as these were! I still haven't gone through all of the rocks and sand I dug up but the adventure was good enough for me. I loved it!

Of course, I cannot forget our time in Branson, Missouri. We were trying to pinch pennies ('cause I'm super-mom, you know) so I got us into a lower priced hotel, which at the time was the Greenbriar, and decided to take our chances. We were shocked at the awesome room we got! The service there was terrific and the people were so nice. The price fooled us, I must admit. These places were just gracious. Turned out to be right on the Strip. To one side of us was a water park and across the street was a go-cart ramp that looked more like a roller coaster. I could see zip-lines behind us and there were so many attractions up and down the street (Strip) that we had a time trying to see them all. I would advice you to make sure to see the singing group, Pierce Arrow. They put on such a show! There was comedy, beautiful harmony and one of the singers, and owner of the club, that holds the world record for the deepest voice. It didn't hurt that these guys were super hot, too. ;)

I am planning on a trip up the east coast soon. I want to visit the battle fields and see re-enactments of the Civil War battles. I also want to visit the different docks that my ancestors landed on. I think it will give me a better connection to them. I have been working on my family tree and learning more about my roots. I believe that this trip will teach me more than a few tid-bits that I wouldn't find online.

Wherever you decide to go this summer, if anywhere, enjoy your family. Our days on Earth are few in comparison to how many we need to show our love to one another. I would love to hear about your vacation memories. Sharing them, as I just did, helps to bring us back to those amazing times. Perhaps the baby took her first steps in the hotel, or hubby littered the floor and bed with rose pedals. Did you spend your vacation at home, tanning in the back yard while the b-b-q pit served up steaks and shish-kabobs? Treasure these memories! Share with us in the comments below. Include pictures if you can.

Have a great Summer and hug your family. Hugs are awesome. :D

My Dad's ~ Happy Father's Day to All!

My late husband, David Hancock, with our daughter, Bonnie

Dad's can create awesome memories for us. As a kid, they are there to teach us, discipline us and love us unconditionally. He is the first man us girls ever loved and the first one the boys ever trusted. So, of course, memories of Dad get branded into our brains and personalities.

I felt that I was lucky. I have two dads. One helped me come into this world and the other raised me into the woman I am. I still have them both. Of course, I am still fussy and back-talk. Although, I tell myself that the way I do it now is for their own good. If I see them not taking care of themselves or fishing isn't the biggest responsibility they put on themselves, yea, I turn into the boss and they turn into the pouter that does his own thing anyway.
Growing up was always interesting with them around. My father was in the Army so we got moved around quite a bit. At one point, he got stationed in Alaska. My mom, brother and I varied between driving from post to post or flying, but for Alaska we took the Alaskan cruise. It took longer but you don't get whales escorting a 747. Alaska was incredible and one of my favorite places to live. He never failed to come in to check on us after he would get in late and never dwelt too much on the fact that we all had to leave friends behind. Even after he got out of the military, he continued to move around a lot but kept being drawn back to the Central Texas area that we call home.
That is something special about dads. In the beginning, finding his family a home, sustenance and safety were the duties of a father. Something like that is bred into us, although
now-a-days either or both of the parents get that responsibility.
When my mom remarried, it was into an entirely different world than we were used to. My step-dad, son of a farmer, was a carpenter at the time. He had a steady job that he had been with since he was out of high school. He taught me what a good work ethic was, but also that all work and no play made Lottie a grumpy chicken. He worked hard all week and when Friday came around, we piled into the car to visit family. Saturday and Sunday were for escaping to the lake or a Brazos River picnic. He and his dad and brothers taught me how to speak Czech which was their native language. Did I mention that we lived in a Czech community established in the mid-1800's by Czechoslovakian immigrants? It was like living in two worlds!
Our fathers touch our lives in so many ways. I married a good man, David. He was an incredible father that gave our children a magical upbringing. After he retired, he devoted all of his time to his babies and showed them daily that they were loved. He taught them everything from cooking to fishing to science. He was crazy with his humor and the kids still tell his jokes and pull his pranks. You would think that I would see them coming by now. I see him when I look at our son. I can't help but wonder what kind of dad he will be with such a long line of great dad's to guide him along.
I am now engaged to a good man who has two sons from a previous marriage. My kids look up to him and follow his lead on things. My kids are grown but he accepts them as his own as I accept his. We have a motley crew but led by a new captain. He respects David's influences on the home so it is a shared Dad thing, I suppose. Nice arrangement if you ask me.
I hope and pray that you appreciate the gift that you were given by that simple man called Dad. Hug him, call him, or, if need be, visit his resting place today. He might not be raising you any longer but his love for you still thrives and will throughout eternity.
Happy Father's Day to you all and God bless you.

Dad's Gift of Gab

With Father's Day coming up tomorrow, I thought I would give my praises to my own fathers along with all of the billions of dads around the world with my collection of prized Daddy quotes. Have a great day and hug a dad. God bless. :)

1. Listen to your mother.
2. Say what you mean, mean what you say, and be mean enough to say it.
3. Do as I say, not as I do.
4. Don't start a habit you can't afford
5. Your word is your bond.
6. Try it. It will put hair on your chest.
7. Don't tell your mother.
8. If your friends jumped off a bridge, would you?
9. Measure twice, cut once.
10. This is going to hurt me more than it will hurt you.
11. Because I said so.
12. Go ask your mother.
13. Don't make me stop this car!
14. Can't died in the poor house.
15. It's not worth doing unless your going to do it right.
16. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
17. I can turn this car around RIGHT NOW!
18. You can't have a champagne budget with a beer income.
19. Money doesn't grow on trees.

And the most important advice any dad can give to his son or daughter, other than listen to the Word of God is:

*****drum roll please*****

20. A man isn't a man if he has to hit a woman.

https://www.facebook.com/santrabelle

Oh, BTW! What kind of things did your dad, or a dad you know, say that sticks in your mind? I want this list to grow forever! I will re-post this list along with the new and improved list that YOU put together here in the comments below. 

Look for me!

Look for my Father's Day tribute June 18-19! I am looking forward to the changes coming and I hope everyone has a great weekend!

https://www.facebook.com/santrabelle

My Premix Go-to's

Hello everyone! I hope your day is going as smoothly as mine is (so far). It is cool outside so I am thinking of putting a stew in the slow pot for tonight, and might make some cornbread in my cast iron skillet to top it off. It feels like the weather for it.

Many of you have been asking for me to share my premix recipes with you all and I am very excited to do so. Here are a few of my favorite stand-by's that are a must for the kitchen. If you can think of others that I might can find for you, just let me know in the comments below or drop me an email. What are your favorite recipes that you would like to share? Make sure to snap a picture and I will post it for us all to enjoy!

 

Real Italian Seasoning

Ingredients

2 tablespoons dried basil

2 tablespoons dried oregano

2 tablespoons dried thyme

2 tablespoons dried marjoram

1 tablespoon dried rosemary

1 tablespoon dried sage

Directions

Blend it all in a bowl or baggie for 1 minute, or until desired consistency is achieved. :)

Clucky Poultry Seasoning

Ingredients

2 teaspoons ground dried sage

1 1/2 teaspoons ground dried thyme

1 teaspoon ground dried marjoram

3/4 teaspoon ground dried rosemary

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon finely ground black pepper

Directions

Combine in sealable container. Store with your other spices until needed. :)

I store mine in empty seasoning jars, keeping the original labels, but when that's not possible, I simply use small zipper style sandwich bags. :)

I love homemade cornbread. Don't you? It seems to go with everything. It is always handy to have packets of cornbread mix of one kind or another for when you get that yen for that buttery goodness. :)

Handy Dandy Corn Bread Mix

2/3 cup all purpose flour

½ cup yellow corn meal

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 egg

1/3 cup milk

Combine the flour, corn meal, sugar, baking powder and salt in bowl, mixing well. Add the Vegetable oil, continue mixing well until the oil is fully incorporated and all lumps are gone. There's your mix. I store mine up to six months in the pantry in quart sized canning jars but any air-tight container would do.

To make your muffins: Preheat the oven to 400F

In a small bowl combine 1 mix recipe, 1 egg, and 1/3 c. milk, mixing lightly, just until all ingredients are blended. Do not overmix as this will make your muffins tough. Set the batter aside and let it rest 15 minutes or so. Lightly butter a muffin tin (or line with muffin tin papers). I prefer butter as it imparts a nice golden brown and tastes great! Bake at 400F for about 15 minutes. ­  :)

We are always busy, busy, busy, but we love that fresh baked convenience that those pricey yet handy baking mixes give us. They are super simple to make and only take a couple of ingredients, so why not just do it yourself?

Super Jiffy Baking Mix

16 c all-purpose flour

8 Tbs. baking powder

2 Tbs salt

4 cup shortening

Blend all ingredients well. Use as you would regular bisquick. Store up to six months.

Recipe may be halved.

Watch for more recipes as I am always in the kitchen!

Can't wait to meet you! Drop me a comment and remember to leave your email. I might be throwing some awesome recipes and homemaking tips your way soon!