In my kitchen - January 11

I am starting a new series (I think that is what it is called) that I may or may not do regularly. I cook and bake a lot, and I am always inspired by reading about what other bloggers are making, so I thought I would return the favor and post about what I am cooking right now. I don't have any pictures to go along with this post because I know myself, and if I have to post pictures, it will never get done. Maybe someday when I get a full night's sleep and the boy's nap times align I will put up a picture or two. But until then, you will just have to imagine what the deliciousness looks like (or make it yourself ; )

In my kitchen today I am:

- Cooking black beans - I don't use a recipe, I just soak some beans overnight, drain off the soaking water, cover with fresh water, bring to a boil, and cook on medium for 1-2 hours until the beans are tender. Then I add salt until they taste delicious : ) I will use these beans in our dinner tonight, and the leftovers will either go in the freezer or be part of lunches this coming week.

- Making olive oil granola - This is the best granola ever! (In my opinion : ) It has a lot of flavor, and seems like it is probably pretty healthy too. I didn't have dried apricots or pistachios, so I left them out. And I added some ground flax seed and substituted dried coconut for the coconut chips.  Otherwise, I pretty much followed the recipe. It smells awesome, and I hope it tastes great too!

Having an eternal perspective

I have been thinking about the title of my blog, which comes from my favorite verse, Ecclesiastes 3:11,

"He has made everything beautiful in his time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet none can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."

That is the reason I am a Christian, because God has set eternity in my heart. I know that this life is not all there is, that I have desires and longings that can't be satisfied by any things or relationships here on earth. My husband and I have a great relationship that is a source of encouragement and joy to me, but it isn't perfect. Sometimes we have problems with miscommunication or selfishness or unmet expectations, because our relationship is just a representation of our relationship with God.

"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known." - 1 Cor. 13:12.

This morning, in my Bible study, I read a verse that really inspired me to have an eternal perspective on life, and a desire for heavenly things. The verse is in Hebrews 11, which talks about men and women who had faith in God's promises, even though they didn't always see the fulfillment of them.

"But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city." - Hebrews 11:16

"God is not ashamed to be called their God" - what powerful words! God wants us to desire heaven, and to desire HIS presence. Looking at things in view of eternity brings a new perspective to the rest of life. Sometimes being the parent of a toddler and an infant is tiring and discouraging, but being a mom means more than just trying to keep my kids from destroying the house and driving me crazy. God's word tells me that I am raising my sons to be servants of the most high God! They have eternal souls, that were made to praise and glorify God. Remembering that encourages me to diligently correct and discipline them. It is not for my glory, it is for the glory of God!

Menu Plan Monday - November 5

Here is what our family is eating this week:

Monday - Sausage, potatoes, and carrots

Tuesday - Chili and cornbread

Wednesday - Bourbon Chicken, brown rice, and green beans

Thursday - Hunter's Delight and peas

Friday - Tortellini

Menu Plan Monday - October 15

Here is what we are eating this week:

Monday - Lawnmower tacos, guacamole and chips

Tuesday - Out to dinner

Wednesday - Meatloaf, roasted potatoes, and glazed carrots

Thursday - Baked Mahi-Mahi, quinoa, and green beans

Friday - Pizza bagels

Saturday - Harvest festival at church

Sunday - Chicken rice soup and honey-wheat rolls

Cuties!

Caleb was relaxing in the beanbag, and Titus decided to join him : )

Menu Plan Monday - October 8

It is finally starting to feel like fall here in PA! The days are crisp and cool, which always makes me want to bake and drink hot tea : )  So I'll probably be making some bread, muffins, cookies, etc., in addition to the meals I have planned for this week ; )

Here is the plan for the week:

Monday - Mongolian Beef, brown rice, and green beans

Tuesday - Chicken quesadillas and corn

Wednesday - Pork fried rice

Thursday - Shrimp Fettucine (with penne instead of fettucine) and peas

Friday - Leftovers/on your own

Toddler Slipper Tutorial

I've finally perfected my toddler slipper pattern (based on my favorite baby slipper pattern). And I am so excited about it that I want to share it with everyone! They are super easy to make and are customizable to any size feet. I am going to give instructions on how to draft your own pattern and sew up these slippers for the little person in your life : )

Here are the things you will need:

- Polar Fleece (about 1/4 yd should be enough)
- 1 foot of 1/8" wide elastic
- Grippy fabric ( I found mine in the utility fabrics section at Joann Fabrics)
- Sewing machine
- Coordinating thread
- Scissors
- Pins
- Lightweight cardboard (a cereal box is good for this)

Creating a slipper pattern:

Have your intended slipper recipient stand on a piece of cardboard, and trace around his or her foot. You can make right and left slippers if you want to, but for simplicity's sake, I rounded out the top of the slipper and straightened out the inside curve, so the right and left slipper would be identical and could be used interchangeably. Add 1/2" around the shape you traced, on all sides, and cut out the new, slightly larger foot shape. This piece will be the sole of your slipper.

 Then make a semi-circle shaped piece that is half as tall as the sole (my sole was 7" long so this piece was 3.5" tall), and it should be the width of the sole piece plus about 2" at the widest part (my sole was 3" wide, so this piece was 5" wide). I'll call this piece the toe of the slipper.

Then, place the toe piece on top of the sole piece, lining up the top edges, and measure the circumference of the part of the sole that sticks out, as seen below. (I got 9" when I measured this part).

 Take that measurement and add 1". This will be the length of the heel piece, and the width should be about 3". (So my heel piece was 10" X 3"). Cut out a rectangle of these dimensions to use as a pattern for the heel.

 




Making the slippers:

Trace around the pattern pieces you made. To make a pair of slippers you'll need:

- 4 fleece toe pieces
- 2 fleece heel pieces
- 2 fleece sole pieces
- 2 grippy fabric sole pieces

Using a zig-zag stitch around the edge, sew the fleece sole piece to the grippy fabric sole piece, this is the sole of your slipper

 Fold the long edge of the heel piece over 3/4" and sew close to the edge of the folded over fabric to make a casing for the elastic

 Use a small safety pin to thread the elastic through the casing, and sew to secure the elastic in each end of the casing

 It should look like this when you are finished

 Pin the heel piece on top of one of the toe pieces, as shown in the picture below

 And pin the other toe piece on top of the heel piece, sandwiching the heel piece between the toe pieces

 Sew along the edge of the toe-heel sandwich, 1/4" from the edge

Then bring the 2 toe pieces together so the seam is hidden inside of them. It should look like this.

 Sew the toe pieces together, 1/8" from the edge. The top of the slipper is now finished.

 Pin the sole piece onto the top piece, right sides together. VERY IMPORTANT: the grippy fabric should be facing the INSIDE of the slipper right now, so it will be on the outside after the slipper is turned right side out. Don't be like me and sew the pieces together the wrong way twice! Picking out those seams was a major pain. If you have pinned it correctly, your slipper should look like this on the bottom:

 And like this on the top:

 Sew a seam all the way around the slipper, 1/4" from the edge. Note that the grippy fabric is inside the slipper, because it is still inside out.
 

 Turn your slipper right side out. All the raw edges should be on the inside, and the grippy fabric should be on the bottom of the slipper, to prevent slipping : )

Now repeat all the steps for the other slipper and you will have a cute and comfy pair of custom-made toddler slippers!

This post is linked to: Sew Cute Tuesday and Making the World Cuter Monday