double take

I went to get a prescription last night for my Cameron, he has strep. YUCK! He is on the mend this morning but none the less I kept him home with me today. He wasn’t to happy since he will miss “Trunk or Treat” tonight at school. Mama to the rescue! We are going to have our own Halloween Palooza here. We will carve our pumpkins, watch the “Great Pumpkin” (a must see), have popcorn and the boys and I will make cookies this afternoon. Not bad planning for 6:30 am with a crying boy.

Back to the purpose of today’s post, I received this text while I was out:

I always thought he looked like Pops, but wow there are definite Mr. Miller genes in there too. Especially when wearing Daddy's glasses.

But when you put the 3 together, hmmm. Genetics are amazing.

Cameron was 2 in this picture, 3 generations strong. I think he will continue to grow into a pretty great guy in looks, generosity, faith and life, just look at his Pops and Mr. Miller.

balancing act

I am working on my circus routine, you know the balancing act that we all do when we have a lot going on.  Trust me I am not complaining, I am merely getting my balancing act back.

This last week was my first one where I worked 3 days out of the home at Happybottomus, shhh I am loving the retail gig again.  I never, I mean NEVER thought those words would come out of my mouth again.

Green Acres Closet is doing better than expected.  I am having sales in the Etsy Store and I have 2 retailers working out the fine details of carrying my line.  The Lord has blessed us greatly these days.  I am so thankful.  It really proved to me that if you relax, pray and turn it over HE will help you.

So this is where the balancing act comes in.  I am sewing a lot lately, trying to clean and organize, plus be mom and wife and lastly come up with fun marketing ideas for Brookie at the store.

Here is a look at what I am working on in my workshop.

I would love to chat more but Mama has to get moving today.  Laundry, shipping sold items, sewing and cleaning Junior Mints room are a few items begging for my attention today not to mention 3 special Miller Men in my life.  Hope all is well with you and enjoy this day!

:: this moment ::

~ a brief moment from out life that warms my heart…

inspired by Amanda Blake Soule

{Junior Mint and Pops playing on Cameron’s playground before the STM Chiefs football game.}

:: 8 ::

 

Cameron turned 8 yesterday, 8! How can that be?  It just seems like yesterday that I was holding this precious gift from God.

Now we are 8 and such a big boy.

 

We had a Lego/Star Wars party on Sunday with friends.  A very low key last night with Mama, Daddy and Henry.

Cameron loved his Lego’s from Henry.  I will cherish the love right now, I know it won’t last forever.

Mama and Daddy got him his Clone Trooper Helmet.

Needless to say he loved it. 

I am still not sure who enjoyed it more.

Happy day!  No matter how old you get Cameron you are always my sweet boy!

::this moment::

~ a brief moment from our lives that warms my heart…

inspired by: Amanda Blake Soule

leaf cleanup 101

On Friday I had a garage sale. It was a lovely Fall day and a great way to spend it outside.  Purge a little and get some jingle for the pocket book.

Cameron decided to show Livi and Henry how leaf cleanup is properly done.  Personally I am so glad he loves this task, Mr. Miller spent many a year as a landscaper and lets just say leaf cleanup with him is no picnic.  {Sorry honey}

First you need a foreman, Henry volunteered right away.

Second you need the designer so Livi was on that task. Nor only is she my fashion Diva but she is great at giving landscape advice.

You always have to have the crew.  Cameron not wanting to relinquish the rake spoke up for that part.  Plus I think he liked the control bit.  I don’t know where he gets that from. :)

Last you sometimes just have to sit back, relax and enjoy a job well done.

  

I hope you are all enjoying your Fall.  I know we are.  The beauty and splendor of God’s work never gets tiring.

it just keeps giving

Henry and I went into the garden yesterday to start our clean up for the winter season.  Just when you think your harvest is done…

Look what we found.

It was a lovely surprise.  Henry was eating the tomatoes almost as fast as we could pick them.  We found the renegade onions in the beetle ravaged brussel sprouts.  The peppers were not so much a surprise as all the green beans we found.  I cooked them with one of the onions and some bacon last night.  They went perfect with the meatloaf and mashed potatoes. 

I think today I will clear out the green tomatoes and make relish with them.

an even dozen

 

12 years ago today in a little Episcopal Cathedral in Topeka,  Mr. Miller made me his Mrs. Miller.

I love you and I am looking forward to the next 12.

making use of what you have

In these economic times we have to make choices.  This we all know to be true.  I have wanted to update Mr. Millers and my space for some time now. 

It had all the basic necessities plus the added junk in the corner, on the dresser, etc, etc, etc… Last week during nap time I went to work.  Here is the break down of what I did on a budget of $0.

1. Moved furniture.  Easy to do and plus you can do a good sweeping and dusting.  Trust me I love my hardwoods but they breed furry creatures.

2. Brought Mr. Millers chair in from the living room to give us a cozy little nook to read.  Hung artwork that needed to be moved.

3.  We have wanted new curtains for sometime.  I had long white panels that had been given to us by Dad and Linda years ago.  Nice curtains, just finally out of date.  You know they still had the tab ties at the top.  Simple I took them down and gave them a good washing, cut the tabs off and made a new pocket for the rod. 

4.  The window on my side needed updating too.  Same curtains but this time not only did I cut the tabs off and put new pockets, but I cut them in half to get a fuller look.  Also so they were not hanging to the floor and collecting dust.

(excuse the dimness of this pic my camera flash was not cooperating)

Yes now I know I  really need to paint and wouldn’t you know we have a gallon of paint just waiting to be used.  A beautiful shade of blue.  It will go so nice with the quilts and dark color of our menagerie of  wood furniture in the room.  By the way we bought this paint 3 years ago when we moved in and it just never made it onto the walls.  At the time I could blame it on being 10 weeks pregnant.  I can’t use that excuse anymore.

Don’t be afraid to look around your home and see what small changes you can make for no money.  You might be surprised.  Look at magazines and design web sites there are lots of ideas out there.

opening soon…

 

Yep that is my favorite billboard for my etsy store front.  I know he is almost out of fluff *sigh*, but I remind myself it will be about 2-3 less loads of laundry per week. 

My hope is that I can have the shop open again by this evening.  Cross your fingers.  I added a link to the side over here –>.

Here is some of what I will be listing at this point. 

Upcycled Wool Soakers.  $20

I am using both Wool Sweater and Merino Wool Interlock for the waistbands.  They all have the extra wet zone protection sewn in on the soakers. 

The Shorties - $21 and Longies - $22 will be made in various weights of wool for use all year long.

  I am using only 100% wool sweaters that I find on my Urban Treasure Hunts.  I love re purposing materials to keep our carbon footprint down.

I have been able to sew 3-4 per day at this point during nap.  On a side note:

My world is changing in so many directions.  Starting tomorrow I am going back to work, very part time.  I have some friends who own a natural parenting store here in Kansas City, Happybottomus, for you locals it is by the Whole Foods at 91st and Metcalf.  I am going to be helping them on Thursday evenings, Fridays and Saturdays.  It is going to be a change but I am welcoming it.  My sippy cup gang is becoming very part time and I, like many others, need to bring in some other resources for the family.  God answered our prayers for the right fit.  Mimi has graciously offered to come in from Topeka weekly to care for the boys on Fridays so they can keep their rhythm.  My friend Melissa, she is a saint, has offered to help with Junior Mint on Fridays if there is bad weather.  Several Mama’s at STM have offered help with Cameron after school in that situation.  It does take a village.  I am grateful, honored and feel at peace with this adventure.

harvest pork tenderloin

Last week I planned on making a pork tenderloin. {Insert moment of honesty here} I have never made pork tenderloin. Mr. Miller comes from a pork loving family and I didn't grow up eating that many pork products other than bacon and the occasional bit of sausage.

OK so back to the tenderloin, I was digging around in the fridge, pantry and spice cupboard to figure out how to address this little piggy and this is what I came up with.

harvest pork tenderloin

2 - 3 lb pork tenderloin

1/2 cup apple juice

1 bag of baby carrots

1 small apple, sliced

2 cloves garlic

1 tbsp soy sauce

2 tbsp brown sugar

1. Rinse your pork and set aside.

2. Get your faithful crock pot out and spray with Pam.

3. Mix in crock your apple juice, garlic, soy sauce and brown sugar

4. Lay piggy on top.

5. Put carrots around and lay the apple on top.

6. Cover and cook on low for 6 - 8 hours.

7. Serve with Rice, Risotto or whatever you want!

We had ours with a garlic risotto, let’s just say the junior members in the family loved the pork but hated the risotto.  We also shared one of our last harvest of these.

This tenderloin was so moist.  I ended up just shredding it and it was a hit!  Enjoy.

urban treasure hunting ~ 2

Back in August of 2009 I shared with you about my obsession with Urban Treasure Hunting.  Let’s just say it hasn’t changed.  I still love to go on the hunt.

Here are some pretties that I have found and that the Deacon has found for me at Auctions in Valdosta.  Jars are not just for canning they make great containers in your pantry for dry goods.

My other quest every week is for wool sweaters for these.

How cute is he?  I know I am partial but he makes my heart happy.  Henry loves his woollies and green so when I found this sweater Mama had to make him a new pair.

When I am on the hunt I like to go to the Red Racks Thrift store because it is quarter day.  Certain tags are .25 each and others are 25% off.  I find a lot of my wool that way.  Even if I pay their full price for some it balances out.  Go on the hunt you never know what you might find.