Hello, my name is Ana I'm a wife and mother. I'm always looking for ways to better myself and my family. I love crafts especially Dollhouse Miniatures in 1:12 scale, fashion (Plus size), cooking, reading, jewelry making, and boating. You can easily find me on the hunt for treasures at thrift stores and deals at the Dollar Tree. We are a 1 income home our budget is tight.
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Are you a Smart Prepper
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Life: this ain't no dress rehearsal live it fully beautifully
Thursday, May 24, 2018
As a homemaker I feel I am being pulled in a hundred different ways. Look at the photo above this homemaker has a table of food she loving prepared and set out for her family. Note: their is a table cloth,drinks, condiments, desert platter, and a non-stop movement of life. She has a dog on her lap while sitting she is feeding a horse through a open door. Her mother/in-law is sitting partaking. The husband just getting home and putting up his things. I can only imagine what the rest of her evening will look like after the meal is over with 3 children. I admire her tenacity to the fact she has plants on her sill that are beautiful. I don't have a green thumb to save my life,lol. Another thing to work on (smiles).
This is not the scene of the average family. Most families eat in the kitchen while standing looking at their cell phones, bedroom, or in front of the TV. Disconnected from one another. We had made it a point to have our meals together as a family. But as my husband hours grow longer and longer into the evenings it simply isn't happening. My energy level has diminished as well as my interest in the kitchen. I'm taking active steps to change this.
We all know the importance of the kitchen a place of gathering, sharing, and family. A kitchen nourishes the family and is also your pharmacy when one is sick. Learning the uses of herbs and spice's to help cure a family member. I bought a book of herbs that would help me create tinctures and I haven't followed through. Only to my determent. Since I have been ill this may have helped me.
Prepping:
I have also stepped back from my prepping efforts for my pantry/home. My husband tapped me on the shoulder and said "Hey, whats going on with the prepping". My answer.... not much..I need to kick it back into gear. So, I am stepping up my efforts to have a pantry for my family to care for them in case of an emergency, sickness, accident,job loss or death. As a single income family my preps will determine if my family of 6 will be feed and cared for with less stress on the budget. My prepping also includes medicine, clothing, emergency kits, water etc... Every family is different and has different needs. I want to learn to can food and learn other practical things to help my family.
These are but a few things I am trying to conquer. What are you trying to conquer/change in your home I would love to know.
Friday, April 6, 2018
Flowers
Sunday, March 11, 2018
Friday, February 23, 2018
for Children
I will admit I haven't made any busy bags or activity folders in a long time. However, having 4 year old twins that can get pretty much into everything through out the day means they need to be kept busy. Its that time where I need to focus on learning activities like busy bags and making folder activities once again.
Remember themed Holiday bags and folders activities are different and fun for the kiddos. So, lets be pro-active and kick it into high gear with learning fun!
Sunday, February 18, 2018
Remember God is there for you.......
Good morning my friends. This morning I sat quietly in my chair and spoke to God. It was 4:30 am the home was still although both my twins where partially awake in my bed. I needed this time to talk to God about my burdens, concerns, and unknowns. I had not done this for a few days. I often allow the outside world and its events to over take me lately. Big mistake. Like this light house God is a Beacon of love, hope, and forgiveness. Sometimes we weather storms and forget to look to God for his guidance and comfort. This is a gently reminder that your not alone. I wish you all a Blessed week and ask God to rain Blessing's on you and your loved ones.
Saturday, February 10, 2018
Augason Farm extended shelf life Foods
As a beginner prepper and homemaker. I see alot of disturbing events taking place in America. I've seen the catastrophic fires in California, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Earth Quakes, and civil unrest. Currently our stock market has been down by numbers never seen before since 2008. Markets in other countries dropping low as well. Families still struggling making ends meet when the gas prices are creeping higher each week. Currently in our area $2.60 a gallon or more. Food prices that swelled in previous years because of events that effected the delivery or changes at ports that simply never came back down. Food packaging deceiving customers with larger boxes, bags, and only a quarter of product inside. Recipes changing for companies to save money and our old time favorites no longer taste the same. New and higher taxes for imports from other countries which in turn we pay for at the check out. Many countries pulling away from the U.S. Dollar and creating their own gold backed currency. This is not good for America. So many things happening that affect the average consumer. These times in our lives as a family of 6 at home I worry and fret. So, I have taken action to make sure that we will be freed from uncertainty. I am assuring that my family will have water, food, clothing, and medicine. As I have previously mentioned we are renters and at the mercy of homeowners/investor's. I hope that one day we will have our own home to cultivate new memories, grow our own food, and leave a legacy for our children. I honestly feel we are in time of judgement. It is important to live righteously, honestly, and simply. When a weather event, illness, job loss, or loss of life occurs your foresight in prepping will be a blessing. Your investment in your family will free you and allow your money to last a bit longer because of your foresight. Many countries with collapsed economies, rough winter seasons, and certain religious groups are preppers. I urge you all to take the simple steps to buy a few more cans of food, water, and medicines when your able to. Also be diligent use coupons, ibotta, and other apps, coupons printables to save money whenever possible. I personally buy name brand medicines from the Dollar Tree when I find them. I buy much of our clothing in the thrift stores. I get hand me downs for my boys from my sister. In turn I donate to keep the wheels turning. I think of simple ways to make things better now. I am reading more on certain subjects to prepare myself spiritually and effective alternatives for life's unpredictability. So, as you can see I could go on forever on this subject. I feel you get the point. So, I will end it here my friends with (gentle smiles). I pray this message reaches your heart and small changes begin.
Friday, January 26, 2018
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
This is a small peak into my working pantry where I store canned goods, sauces, spices, etc.
This particular shelf stands in my kitchen open space. I shared just a few shelves to give you an idea of items I buy for my family of 6. These foods are used and replenished of course. Every family will be different with their needs, wants, and likes. I have additional shelves to share and pantry closet. These I will share bit by bit. My personal goal is to have a few months worth of provisions for my family. Its a slow but steady process. I also am going to try my hand in canning. As a one income family my fears of job injury, health, job loss, and or death seem to loom over me. Im not even touching upon our fiat currency the U.S. is running off on and/or civil strife/war or other political issues that could cripple the U.S. markets, foods, and goods. I feel more confident in knowing I will be able to provide nourishment to my family if such an ill fate arrives. I hope you enjoy my share and inspire you to work on your pantry.
Thursday, January 11, 2018
Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Wednesday, January 3, 2018
Finding Treasure for my Home
Friday, December 29, 2017
This woman could easily be me or you. Surrounded by her children playing, talking, and being inquisitive. As you try to complete your daily task's and projects. Constant interruptions and noise through out your home of voices, toys, running feet, and laughter. Of course in between a tug of war for a toy or an argument of what is theirs. You may not even feel well but continue to on to your daily chores. You may even have a child with special needs that takes up the majority of your day. However, everyday day as a homemaker we have opportunities to be happy, gentle, loving, or frustrated, upset, and angry. These are real everyday choices for us as women to make. When frustration sets in I know that God is in the room with me watching. Each word every action we will have to defend. Was there wisdom, kindness, gentleness, patience, and love?
Proverbs 31:26She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue
I am no Martha Stewart or Pioneer Woman. Although, I long to achieve some of their skills. I am human. I have my moments when I lose my temper just as anyone else and say things I ought not. We often forget to take that moment to breath and think before reacting to our children, family, and friends. Choose patience and gentleness. It's such a simple way to live. A fruitful and delightful way to feel. Building those up around us instead of tearing them down. Knowing that God is pleased with us and our choices. We as woman leave an impression for a lifetime on our children of what is right and wrong. What is acceptable and what is not. We cast long shadow's in their lives after we are gone. I hope you enjoyed my fruit for thought.Wednesday, December 27, 2017
The year is coming to a close soon. Its a special time for reflection and growth. The month of January will consist of many personal changes for myself. As a wife, mother, and homemaker. The way I run my home and how I care for it will be will be in the fore front. I will changing a few things and making my home less cluttered. I will be doing more with learning with my younger children. I will also be tending to my spiritual growth and placing much needed Bible study in my every day. Creating more home cooked meals with scents that will welcome my husband home after a long day at work. Learning to be gentle even when in strife and thinking before I speak. Recognize and be thankful for all my blessings everyday. Lastly remembering to acknowledging one's unique ways and embracing them. That is what makes one special.
Friday, December 1, 2017
December is here and a crafty share
To welcome in December 2017 I decided to have a craft challenge for myself. I want to share a crafty project once a week.
This week I want to use what I have. I chose a ring from Shopmiss.com that I purchased about a year ago. The owl ring is large and beautiful in details. Unfortunately, the stretch part was to tight. I simply cut off the stretch portion. Next, I used my Baiyon alcohol ink markers the colors I chose are black and brown. For the background I used Tim Holtz wood pieces I picked up from Joann's online a few years back. I tacky glued 2 wood pieces together for the base/frame. I colored the ring and hot glued the owl ring to the wood. I set it aside to rest and adhere. I then tacky glued the open space on the bottom wood frame and gently poured Recollections gold micro beads. Lastly, I used black marker on the raw edge of the wood to finish the look. I hope this inspired you to use some untraditional items for crafty goodness. Enjoy my friends
Sunday, October 29, 2017
Dollhouse Miniature Christmas Scene
Saturday, October 28, 2017
Thursday, October 19, 2017
Crafting
I am blessed to share some of the wonderful work's of my friends here on youtube that joined my Crafty challenge. Enjoy the video!
It often amaze's me how one's imagination can translate to a piece of art. Just as the thought of someone sending a gift give's a smile. The time, effort, and travel to a Post Office. As if completing a journey of sorts. The art of writing a letter that has lessened with each generation. The expectations of a loved one or friend's writing sharing their life, moments, articles, and recipes. It's such a precious offering of memories. One can sit on a chair with coffee or hot chocolate wrapped up in a warm blanket. A light nearby shedding a soft glow while a gentle smiles comes with the reading of cards, letters, articles, ephemera (photo's), and recipes. We often can tell who the writer is by the handwriting. Little nuance's of time's gone by... I remember as a child my father sending Birthday and Holiday cards to me. I knew just by the handwriting it was from him I was 5. As the years passed my cards and letters became a bit less when he was sick. My father is no longer with us. But I still have memories in my heart and hands that I can read over and over again. Let's take a step back into time and begin writing our family members, friends, and others. Plant the seed of writing in a child's path and watch it bloom. The art of writing needs to be embraced once again.
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
I woke up at 5:00 am it's 38 degree's outside in Maryland. As I bundled with my house shoes and ruana wrap I trek downstairs quietly. The house is at brisk 65 degree's we still have not turned on the heat. It's not bad. Times are a bit tight for us right now. So saving a little here and there adds up quickly. I started a load of dish's. Turned on 2 Salted Caramel Dollar Tree candles. Filled up the coffee pot with the last bit of Walmart brand Creme Brulee coffee the kitchen is smelling divine. It's nice to come down early and start my day without the hustle and bustle of children.I feel it's important to have some quite time. As I sit here and write I'm thinking of my day. I have a long list in my head of what I would like to accomplish. Although, it will be only a quarter that will be done,lol. There is nothing wrong with gentle day. I pushed rather hard yesterday and I'm a bit tired.
I should have brought down my Bible and journal. No matter I will go online and do some study. I just noticed I have a My Daily Bread Book here on the table will read that and think on my day. Please know God has gifts and blessings for us every day and we must have our hearts, thoughts, and arms open to receive them. I hope you all have a Blessed day and remember to do a little something for yourselves. It's time for coffee now. I will talk to you later.
Saturday, October 14, 2017
Freebies
I enjoy Freebies and there are alot of great places to find them. Here are 2 sites that I visit. I will share more in the coming day's. Enjoy my friends!!
McGruff the crime dog has a free child safety kit. The kit includes the following items: Fun, family-friendly quizzes and games, Tear-out fingerprint card with child-safe fingerprint ink, McGruff the Crime Dog tear-out emergency numbers card and more. Those interested can order this kit right on their site. You can expect this sample to arrive within 4-8 weeks, if not longer. The sample will last as long as the supplies do.
http://www.mcgruffsafekit.com/mcgruff-kit-
Here are great site's to visit for Freebies!
http://getfreesampleswithoutsurveys.com/
http://www.freebieshark.com/