Creative

Afghan square pattern:

I found an afghan I liked but I didn't want to buy the pattern so I made my own that looks similar enough. Out of respect I will not show their pattern, just mine. :-)

Size I hook
Caron Simply Soft Yarn (Light Country Peach, Pistachio, Off White, Grey Heather)
I cannot tell you how much of each because it will be different with which size afghan, (lap, crib, twin, double, queen or king) you choose to make. I will give the square's measurement and how many you will need to each size at the end.
ch=chain
sc=single crochet
dc=double crochet
tr=triple crochet
sl st=slip stitch


Flower:
Round 1: Chain 8, connect to make a loop. Chain 3 (counts as first dc) 31 dc in loop= 32 dc, connect. Chain 6, skip 3 spaces, sc next stitch, all the way around=8 loops.
Chain 1, (sc, dc, tr, dc, sc) into each loop, sc, repeat ( ) =8 pedals. Connect at beginning loop.
Round 2: chain 5, slip stitch between previous pedals all the way around. (Make these loops go behind the pedals). (sc, 2dc, 2tr, 2 dc, sc) go directly to next pedal with (sc, 2dc, 2tr, 2dc, sc) all the way around and finish off.

Leaves:
Start in rear pedal, to the right between a tr and dc with a sl st of green. sc 12, sl st between tr and tr, sc 12 sl st in between dc and tr to left of pedal, fasten off.
Skip one pedal and repeat in next pedal. Repeat 4 sets of 3 leaves.

Cream:

Round 1: sl st in center leaf. Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in same leaf, ch 3, 2 dc in same leaf. Chain 4, dc, ch 1, dc in outside leaf. Ch 10, dc ch 1 dc in next right leaf. Ch 4, 2 dc, ch 3 2 dc, chain 4. Repeat until complete around. Sl st to connect at 1st dc. Finish off.

Cream:

Round 2: Sl st between dc, ch, dc of right leaf. Ch 3, 2 dc (=3dc), ch 3, 3 dc, ch 3, 3dc in center leaf cream corner, chain 3 3dc in left leaf. Ch 8, 3dc in next right leaf. Repeat to first ch3, finish off.

Cream:

Round 3: Sl st in chain 3 between both 2dc of right leaf (on chain 3 of previous round). Ch 3 (1st dc) 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc. Ch 2, 3 dc in corner. Chain 3, 3 dc in same corner. Ch 2, 3dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 2. 3dc, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc (onto chain 8 of previous round). Ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc (between leaves), repeat. fasten with sl st. Finish off.  

Grey:

Round 1: Sl st between sets of 3dc, ch1, dc. Chain 2, sc in between spaces with ch1, 2 sc in between ch 2 spaces. Corners get 4 sc.

Grey:

Round 2: Sl st on to any ch 2 section. Ch3 (first dc) 2 dc, (3dc), ch 1 between sets of 3 dc with a sc of grey round 1, ch 2 between sets of 2 sc of grey round 2. Corners-ch, dc, ch, dc, ch, dc, ch, dc, ch=4 dc with ch1 in between each dc. Go all the way around. Sl st together, finish off.

Grey:

Round 3: Sl st in first space of corner (there should be 5). Ch 3 (first dc) 2 dc = 3dc. ch 1. 3 dc in second space of corner. ch 4. Skip next space of corner, 3 dc into next space of corner, ch 1 3 dc into final space of corner, ch 1, 3dc into each space after, doing corners the same all the way around. Connect with sl st, finish off.

IF ANYTHING SEEMS UNCLEAR, AND YOU CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT BY LOOKING AT THE PICTURE, PLEASE EMAIL ME. THIS IS MY FIRST ATTEMPT WITH WRITING INSTRUCTIONS FOR A CROCHET PATTERN

Single square = 11 x 11 inches.

Slip stitch right sides facing together.

Panel of 4 squares, measuring 22 inches x 22 inches.

Lap:  3 squares x 3 squares

Crib: 3 squares x 5 squares

Twin:4 squares x 7 squares

Double: 5 squares x 7 squares

Queen: 6 squares x 7 squares

King: 7 squares x 7 squares

These colors were chosen by my future niece, and because of certain situations (procrastination vein g #1) I will be doing this 4 panel and a variation around it to make the finished product for a wedding gift. I have 1 month to get it done, and it took me a week and a half at work to get this far. When I am finished, I will publish that pic and instructions.

Beautiful

A thing of beauty is a joy forever: it's loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness. -John Keats

As the spring is moving into summer, it's time to put the warm cloths away. Here are a couple of sights that might be helpful where modest cloths are hard to find.

beautifullymodest.com a great sight for weddings, bridesmaids, prom and swimwear.
simply-modest.com modest swimwear, fabric patterns, and notions.
themodbod.com items to help make those immodest cloths modest.

I was taught very well my mother to dress modestly. We lived in Phoenix Arizona while I was in a lot of my elementary days. It wasn't easy with girls around me wearing short-shorts (during the 70's). I am so grateful for her teaching me that great lesson.

Repost Joyous

I am sorry I don't know what happened to the picture of the cookbook. It was there when I previewed before publishing.

Let's try it again.

Garden/Family Home Evening


The prophet said to plant a garden so that's what we'll do...
We were finally able to get out garden ready. Thanks to my dad's tiller (small but mighty).

Then men took turns tilling and raking. Charly didn't want to help at first, she wanted to play with friends, but by the time we were done she seemed grateful.

Charly help take found snails to the street to face their doom (in case you were unaware, never smash them in your yard, they multiply), empty week buckets and even rake a little too.

I worked on cleaning lumber pieces from garden area (removing snails) and putting wood behind the dog run, where they belong. I also weeded between the bricks and the edges where the tiller couldn't get to.

We enjoyed Pumpkin Chocolate Chips Cookies for our FHE treat. We discussed our need to obey our leaders as even our stake president encouraged us to plant gardens.

This year we are growing broccoli, carrots, summer squash, peas, cucumbers, radishes, melons, peppers (sweet), lettuce, chard, spinach, bush beans, zucchini, tomatoes, pumpkins and gourds.

Charly asked if she could have a small part to call Charly's Farm. Absolutely don't want to burst her balloon. YES YOU CAN!

I was also able to plant some raspberries starts my mom got from my late Grandma Bennett's home when we were there for the funeral. My grandma was known for her garden.

Here's the recipe for you to try. Let me know how you like them.

Pumpkin Cookies:

1 1/4 cups flour (i used wheat)
2 t. baking powder
1/4 c. oil
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
1/2 c. canned pumpkin
1/2 t. vanilla
1/2 c. chopped nuts (optional)
1/2 t. lemon extract
1/2 c. mini chocolate chips

Sift dry ingredients together and set aside. Cream oil and sugar until well blended: stir in flour mixture until moistened. Stir in egg, pumpkin, vanilla, nuts, lemon extract and choc. chips; drop by teaspoons or scoops* onto cookies sheet covered with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.


The recipe comes from this fabulous book that I got when I left home.

page 194. I used oil instead of shortening, and chocolate chips instead of raisins.

* I used a scoop I got through:

If you don't have someone to order from I have friends who do. Send me an email.

  

Joyous

Home


A CLEAN HOME IS A HAPPY HOME
This is an area I struggle with in my home--cleanliness and organization. It's not disgusting, but it is definitely an area that needs improvement. I have learned some things I will share at later times in this blog and I am looking for ideas.

However, here is something that might help you not only save money, but safe for children to use as well.

Sanitizing Wipes (*1)

YOU WILL NEED

other half of premium paper towels (see post on homemade baby wipes-earlier today under Beautiful)
2 cups warm water
An air-tight storage container (also see post on baby wipes)
3 drops doTerra's On Guard (*2 & 4)
3 drops lemon essential oil (*2 & 5)
1-2 tablespoons On Guard Foaming Hand Wash (*2 & 3)

Follow directions in post on homemade baby wipes with the exception of not using fractionated coconut oil, lavender oil, or melaleuca oil.

*1 taken from doTerra Living Magazine Spring 2012 page 21
*2 doTerra On Guard, On Guard Foaming Hand Wash, Lemon essential oil. For more information you can email me.
*3, 4 &5  On Guard Foaming Hand Wash, On Guard essential oil blend, Lemon essential oil www.everythingessential.me 

Beautiful

Yes I am speaking of both external and internal beauty. Not in a superficial, distorted or worldly way though.

We need to care for our appearance but in a balanced way that is for us, not someone else. Not ever for our spouse or significant other. When we are happy with our beauty, it will have a ripple affect not others, so it will in turn be for our spouse or significant other, but we need to take care of ourselves first, in order to care for others.

Look at yourself in the mirror, everyday, and tell yourself 'you are beautiful.' Do it more than once a day too.

Face/make-up
Care for you skin, clean it, moisturize it, protect it. Learn to make it up to bring out features, or cover others.

Make up it a personal choice. You don't need to look like a beauty queen when doing yard work.

I know i don't wear make-up every day and for me that's okay. You decide what you want and do a good job with it.

If you don't know how, there are those out there who can help you. Consultants for cosmetics (I won't name them in fear of leaving someone out, plus I'm not paid to advertise for them), beauticians, Youtube video instructions, or even a trusted friend.

Here is something that I like to do.

Homemade Baby Wipes (*1)

YOU WILL NEED:
1 roll of premium paper towels
2 cups warm water
2 tablespoons fractionated coconut oil (*2)
An airtight storage container. Use an empty baby wipe container for greater ease of use. (*3)
3 drops lavender (*2 & 4)
3 drops melaleuca (*2 & 5)

INSTRUCTIONS

Cut paper towels in half widthwise with a serrated or electric knife. (I prefer and very sharp butcher knife, as serrated can make a mess.) Use half the roll now, and half later.

Pour the mixture over the paper towels and then cover with the airtight lid letting the mixture absorb for 10 minutes. Turn the container over and let sit for another 10 minutes. Remove and discard the cardboard middle, and then when ready to use pull wipes from the center.

( I have been using homemade baby wipes since my boys were little, but I like these better, since the oils have therapeutic properties. See footnotes)


*1 Article found in doTerra Living Magazine Spring 2012, page 21 Submitted by Heather Gunnerson, Independent Product Consultant
*2 doTerra Fractionated coconut oil, Lavender essential oil and Melaleuca essential oil. For more information you can email me
*3 Mainstays Food Storage Container Set Two 16-cup capacity containers. #078652323051 found at Walmart for $2.48. I got one for baby wipes and one for cleaning wipes (I will be posting the cleaning wipes later today) 
*4 Lavender Essential Oil: www.everythingessential.me
*5 Melaleuca Essential Oil (Tea Tree) www.everthingessential.me

Joyous

This is going to be my BIGGEST section. There are so many things that bring me Joy. Family, religion and testimony, and my home.

I have lots of ideas and information that I will share from family photos and activities to home decor and improvement. Products I use and love to ways to save money managing our home. Food storage and preparedness to self-reliance.

First may I share my testimony: I am a Latter-day Saint. I was born with the church in our home. I have a testimony that God lives and loves us and he is our Heavenly Father. That Jesus is our older brother, who came to earth as a baby, grew and lived to show us how to be like him. I know he suffered for each of our sins, hurts and temptations and that he and Heavenly Father over us.


I know Joseph Smith restored the gospel of Jesus Christ in these Latter-days and that we have a prophet, called of God, to speak to us for God today. Currently that is Thomas S. Monson.


I know I am a daughter of God and have been entrusted with his spirits to raise as my children. I know that families CAN be together forever, through the sealing power of the priesthood in the temple, and that families are ordained of God.

Compassionate

I think all of us women have this trait. Some more than others.
I don't know very many people who could look at a hurt child and not feel for them.
We come access people we know who lost someone, who is ill, who lost a job, who has medical or emotional issues. We have those who hurt us, shy away or seem to do things they don't/or do realize effect us in a negative way.
I will share thoughts, stories and inspiration that will either tug at your heart strings or help you through your own troubles.
I will post signs and art, printables, gifts, and card ideas to help you help someone else.
Send me your ideas too.

If you have a husband like mine, he's a good guy who is sometimes clueless and messes up.

Keep some Mr. Goodbars on hand (either mini's or full size, king size too). When he messes up, give him one with a love note and give some suggestions of what he could have done differently and let him know he's still your man.

Maybe use some nurturing marriage, communication, or other needed topic, quotes from lds.org

Creative

This page is an example of my creativity. The thought came to me to put this blog together when I was going through a struggle of losing a job I loved a great deal. The job helped me learn some things about myself, I needed, and when I lost it, because I messed up and was told I could NOT go back, depression set in and I wondered who I was. Then I was reminded of who I am. Maybe someday, I can be an instrument of change, and go back, but for now, Here I Am.