Returning to health in 2013. That is the plan.
Which means more whole foods, and less processed foods.  Here is a recipe for a quick lunch, that hits the spot.  It is full of nutrients and hunger reducing protien.  I love putting good food in to my body, and seeing the results of energy and vitality!
                                                 


Yummy European Style Bean Wrap
Gluten free, Vegan 
1 can of kidney beans-drained
1 can of black beans drained
 1 can of drained olives
 a clove garlic
 a stalk of parsley
 and a teaspoon of salt
 Blend into a nice thick bean dip consistency.
Take about 1/4 c of it, and slather it on a nice big tortilla shell and add about two cups of spring mix salad.  I actually made two of them.    I use the left over spread as a dip for celery and carrot sticks as an afternoon snack.
                                             


   






Al and Scary are on a health kick as well, check out their Resolve to Sweat.

This week besides PR&P, we will be focusing on 4 useful things you can make with one crib.

A little while back Scary decided to get rid of her crib because it was falling apart. She told me she would either take it to the dump or I could use it for some projects. I took the helpless, orphaned crib and gave it a new beginning. There was practically a zero waste on all of these projects put together.

Twin Size Headboard

The first project we did was to take one of the sides of the crib and cut it down a little on each end (because the top and bottom bar that extended on each side made it too long). It really just depends on how big your bed frame is; measure from the outside edge of one side to the outside edge of the other side. Pre-drill where your headboard bolts into your frame. Sand any rough edges.

The original crib was a dark brown, so I used it as a base coat. Then I took a royal blue craft paint and painted over the brown. At that point all you could see was blue. I pulled out a piece of sandpaper and sanded away to give a distressed look. I was really glad to use craft paint because I had it on hand. Also it's not a super high quality paint so it distressed easily.


 Ty loves it and it saves the pillows from falling onto the floor heater.
 

 The total project took about 2 hrs. And only required some cutting, drilling, craft paint, sand paper, bolts, and nuts.

Photo Clip Board

Can I just say I loved this project!? It took a total of 10 minutes to prep and hang.

This was made from the spring board of the crib. All we had to do was drill out the rivets that attached the spring board to the crib. In order to do this you will need a drill and a drill bit the right size.


Then I got some miniature clothes pins and hung up different pictures I had lying around.



Anyone have other ideas you could do with with the side and spring board of a crib? Check back with us Thursday and Saturday to see what we did with the rest of the crib.

This is the second time I have written this because the first time blogger deleted my blog post, but I decided that this message is so important to somebody out there (I know your there somewhere) that I have to do it again, so forgive me if it is a little less polished and well written. 
 
I have wanted to share my experience with panic disorder and marriage for some time but every time I begin to write I am hit with serious writers block. I have felt our story could  be a message of hope to a couple going through a similar experience. Every time I put my mind to writing about panic disorder and marriage my emotion just stops me cold and I can't bring myself to continue writing or even publish what I have written down, but today I have finally found the words.

Al was asked during church today to read the following story

My wife, Harriet, and I love riding our bicycles. It is wonderful to get out and enjoy the beauties of nature. We have certain routes we like to bike, but we don’t pay too much attention to how far we go or how fast we travel in comparison with other riders.

However, occasionally I think we should be a bit more competitive. I even think we could get a better time or ride at a higher speed if only we pushed ourselves a little more. And then sometimes I even make the big mistake of mentioning this idea to my wonderful wife.

Her typical reaction to my suggestions of this nature is always very kind, very clear, and very direct. She smiles and says, “Dieter, it’s not a race; it’s a journey. Enjoy the moment.”
Of Regrets and Resolutions by Dieter F. Uchtdorf

As the final words of this story were read I was reminded of when panic and fear had immobilized Slim Jim to such an extent that he was unable to leave our home under any circumstances (work, grocery shopping, visiting family, etc.) I felt so alone and so helpless. I had so much concern that our lives were forever fixed to those circumstances. I was so turned inward on that mammoth trial that I felt no joy.
We had a hard time feeling joy for our friends as they moved on to the next stepping stone, we felt jealousy as we had concerns that we were being left behind.
As I was under this rock of depression I talked to my friend, Chey, and she offered condolences, understanding and hope. She reminded me (in a gentle and kind way) how loving and kind Slim Jim was and how blessed we were to have each other. From that point on my viewpoint shifted, I realized that my blessing was that I was getting to experience this really tough thing with Slim Jim, that I loved so much. And our love for each other was our tool through this lifetime trial.
From that point on (mind you there were some natural man moments among the great ones) I tried to keep my eye towards our love and remember that it is our journey and that life is not a race. Many people asked me how I could stay so strong and have patience in our struggles, I told them that I loved Slim Jim and if I remembered that what else really mattered.
As Slim Jim has been able to take elements of his life back from panic and fear we have had great joy in the smallest things. Like when I cried all the way through Toy Story 3 because I was so happy that Slim Jim was finally able to travel out of town and sit with me in a movie. Or the much larger events like when he was able to make it to the hospital to be with me when Ryder was born.
Among the real heart breaking moments since the panic attacks we have had joy. I am so grateful for this journey and how it has really helped us realize how every little piece of a "normal life" is a blessing. For every moment of pain we have had thousands more moments of joy.

Free Printable

I don't know what kind of challenges you, our readers might be dealing with but I thought this gentle reminder might be powerful for you as well. A symbol of where you have been and that tomorrow you will have the opportunity to have many more moments of joy. 

Dear Friends,
    It has been awhile since my last post but I think I might be getting the hang of this!  :)  We hope right!! This last month has been crazy busy with all the different thing going on from traveling, to being Santa's little helpers, and making presents.  What great fun we have had!!!  Now the tree has been taken down presents been put away and a new year has begun!!  I wish I could say I have gotten off to a good start on my new years resolutions but to be honest I haven't been. I will start and do better now!! :)
The new year started off busy like always. Bubba is getting ready for school to start again which means work, buying book, and starting homework, Ralph is back in school and had a great week back so far!!!  And I have started my substitute teaching job as well as working with Ralphs after school program!! It was so much fun!! 
 Speaking of new years resolutions I have a few, such as,
                               -keep on top of our budget
                               -losing weight! (which is always a new years resolution)
                              - getting my apartment set up and organized!! I have said that since I got married and with two boys, myself and a dog well lets just say the process has been slow!! 
                              - finish the projects I have started such as:
                                     - a Job chart
                                     - baby blankets
                                     - a nursing blanket
                                     - pajama pants
                                     - clothes I started to make for myself
 Overwhelmed yet? I am!! Goodness!! No worries they all won't be accomplished in the first month of the year!! I have started a few and am almost done! I will post some pictures. Can't wait for the next blog post, to show how we are doing!!! For now TaTa!!!

Exciting things are happening here in Jo's home.  I don't have much time to write as you can see from the Photos.



We have 7 little people running around-I brought a couple extra home from the holidays with me!

We are putting away Christmas presents and luggage, doing laundry,  nurturing little sickies, kissing owies, homeschooling, feeding, cleaning, and PLAYING, lots and lots of PLAYING.
I will see you next week, when it is just little quieter around here.  

Scary and I started out with our resolution to lose the pooch or doughnut around our mid section. Part of this goal is that maybe we won't get any inquiries about when our due date is for our next child whenever we go out in public (How do you tell someone that that baby isn't due for at least 3 more years? Or Scary's reply that it was born 5 months ago).


Jo took the toddlers yesterday and we had plenty of quiet time to actually get a lot done. I cleaned my room and reorganized my linen closet. We stopped by the craft store (we couldn't pass this up with our extra little hands missing). It's amazing how much more enjoyable it is to go into Porters without a toddler to chase. Then we picked up dinner, dinned, and sent our husbands to the store to have quality man time (Why do we have to nag so much to make it happen?).

And since we missed our regular cardio of chasing the toddlers around the store we decided dust off our weights and Jillian Michael's 30 Minute Shread. We made it all the way through 2/3 of the workout. It's not complete, but it's a great place to start. This is pretty great considering the VERY first time we ever did it we made it about 5 minutes and spent the other 25 minutes getting exhausted watching them workout (it's not that we don't know how to workout, we just always had sports conditioning which is considerably different than aerobics videos).

Obviously this isn't the first time we've resolved to do this, but we are TOTALLY committed and we are holding each other accountable. Do you want to join us?


Thank you Jo for helping us get back on awesome track (Hehehe. We have been on lame track, I am ready to be on awesome track. Scary thinks that I'm a total dork for saying that and that it makes no sense, but it does to me and that's all that matters). Obviously, I'm writing this late at night and getting winky. Love you lots. Bye.

Part of looking forward to 2013 is remembering that I am a representative of Shaffer Sisters. Awhile back I admitted in "The things I am afraid to tell you" post that:
"I think getting ready for the day (anything more than showering, brushing hair and teeth, and putting on a fresh t-shirt and workout shorts) is frustrating/silly as a mom. I know I can clean up okay, but most days about the only time I am in front of a mirror is to help Ryder wash his hands after going to the bathroom. I hate when I get dressed up (nice clothes) for the day and then I get spit-up/peed/pooped/spilled on."

This is what I look like on an average day. Hair pulled up and don't you love the big bump out of  the top of my head. I didn't realize how hard taking a picture in the mirror is. I couldn't figure out what to do with my other arm and I felt like I should have it up to balance things.

I have been thinking about this lately and I realized this is probably not a major personality flaw, but one that if I don't change is sure to embarrass my kids in the future. I think I am a decent looking girl with pretty good skin but it would probably be nice for Slim Jim and once my kids get a little older for me not to run around in old basketball shirts and hand-me-down yoga and gauchos (Inner struggle: BUT they are so comfortable!). 
Today, I took a big step I bought my first pair of non-maternity jeans in 4+ years. Before this all of my jeans were leftovers from Jo and Momma Shaffer. It was intimidating and kind of overwhelming for me to pick something out. I am grateful that Al was there to encourage me and remind me that I was a woman and it was okay if the jeans showed that I had a shape (Back story: Last week she told me that we really needed to make/get me a new pair of jeans because my cast of jeans just weren't doing it).
Now to continue on my journey I will round out the day by sorting my wardrobe into outfits and cast off the leftovers.
My journey in beauty has not just began and will not end with the start or close of 2013. I am grateful for the eternity of the beginnings to try once again to improve on this and so many other things in my life.
Happy New Year, and best wishes on your journey to improvement.

November of last year we started this blog after a suggestion from a friend of Al's and mine and a phone call sister's counsel. At the time when we started this blog I was in my last trimester of pregnancy and trying to potty train a toddler. Al was student teaching, had a 1 1/2 year old, and in her second trimester of pregnancy. Jo had a 5 month old baby girl plus her four other boys. It potentially was the worse timing ever for us to start a blog but somehow we survived the beginnings of getting a blog going.
I felt like though we posted in those first few months I wasn't really sure that it would work until Valentine's Day when we decided to make 3 outfits in 1 day, do a photo shoot and then blog about it. The funny thing about that is the outfit that we first started that post was Boston's which because the satin was cheap didn't wash well and I ended up throwing it away. I had a few scraps from Boston's dress and other projects and realized that we could make a 3-Tiered Skirt for Ty. After whipping that up we decided that we could just make Ryder's tie shirt since we had a small amount of super wide bright pink satin ribbon. Ryder's tie shirt was a big hit with him and when he would wear it we would get tons of compliments, which made me realize sometimes you will be surprised by which project is your favorite.
I love how the photo shoot turned out. It was fun to have the kids be natural and just snap pictures of them with their sweet personalities. After that Al and I were addicted. In relation to this blog I think we will always think of V-Day as our real beginning.

We were so pleased with the V-Day Outfits that we decided to make rainbow pillowcase dresses for the girls and a little leprechaun outfit for Ryder. It was so fun going to Walmart and picking out several different fabrics and trying to put them together for a cohesive rainbow. Out of that project the rainbow dresses were my favorite and Boston was able to wear it for a long time first as a dress and then as a top. Though we haven't done it yet it would be one that I would like to replicate it, with new fabric or maybe same though different occasion.

Even after this we weren't the best about posting but we tried our best. Jo was busy with homeschooling with a toddler and baby, made clothes for all of her kids for their Hawaii trip and some practical pillowcases, all the while being the encouraging big sister (Mary or Martha, Even Hermits Outgrow their Shells). Al had a baby (Birth Story Part I, Part II), played with the idea of being a Hermit, while trying her best to keep her house organized and laundry done. I survived my first real family vacation to Yellowstone,  me just trying to survive life with two littles (Tips for the Hermit that has to Go, 1/2 a gallon of Oil and a Greasy Baby, Try Again Mom, The New Mommy Project, When you say something stupid). We got to welcome our new sister Nae to the blog. She was busy with work, downsizing our brother from 2 storage sheds to 1, and taking care of 2 former bachelors. There was a lot to juggle and we were grateful to get a preview of the humor in her life. We look forward to seeing more of her next year.
One of my favorite/most used project for the year was Boston's Minkee Crib Sheet. It has been something we have both loved, I have loved how well it has washed (better than any other crib mattress I have owned). Boston's favorite project was her Minkee blanket, it is her favorite blanket and goes down so easily as long as she has a corner of her favorite blanket. Ryder's favorite project was his tie shirt and then the leaf monster suit.
This Fall we received our first feature on a Link up party for our Sweatshirt Refashion

This is the most socially responsible craft that has linked up to date. Some sweatshirts should not be worn by adults. Check your closet. If you have a sweatshirt with horse heads or roses, please, help yourself by doing this craft. Your man and your kid will thank you. ~ So I Married a Craft Blogger

I loved participating in Project Run & Play Sew Along Challenge and that really pushed me to design and sew quicker than I ever had before. I met some really awesome women.

It has been fun having Jo closer since she moved from MN to MT to be able to see her more often. It was a treat to be able to sew a pillowcase dress for her little girl and take pictures of her family while Al and I were visiting for a few days.
Jo is such a shining example of what a modern pioneering woman is (maintaining a garbage disposal, easy peanut butter balls, remodeling her house).
Al has been a great support to me as I bounced ideas off of her and has played as an awesome sous seamstress to many of my projects (like helping me cut out tons of little leaves or even letting her son model a dress so I could submit it to PR&P since Boston was under the weather). Al has made some really amazing stuff in the last year but has been holding out a little so hopefully we can get her to display it here so it can be inspiration for you.
By the way did you see the amazing nativity she made? The truth is she actually made 3 sets of blocks and she was amazing at weeding.

Our goal for this blog for the upcoming year is to get more readers and to provide information for our readers that useful and inspiring to you, with the addition of Link-In party going every week as well. Soon we will be offering our projects, artwork and crafts on Etsy.

Is there something as our reader that you would like to see in 2013?
Silhouette projects? Quilting projects? Articles about Marriage? Recipes? Or something else. Help us out!

Is anyone else sewing along with PR&P (Project Run & Play)?
My enjoyment of PR&P has worn off to my dear sisters and it seems as though they will be joining me in some of the weeks. I am really excited about this because we all have different styles/design/sewing strengths. I think you will get to know us a lot better through these challenges. Here are the different weeks and deadlines:
When preparing for this season I have really put my pinterest account to work. We have created a secret inspiration board with nearly 450 pins I feel like we will have a good starting as far as colors and designs that we like and would like to make into our own.
My idea for the first week is something along these lines.