31 Days of Homemaking - Days 17-21 - Life

For the last 5 days, life has been a whirlwind.  My twin sister had her 1st baby, sweet Jozie Mae.  She's the spitting image of her daddy, Chris.  I got to be there for most of the birth experience and it's just a precious miracle!  I'm so proud of Amanda.  She's already such a good momma.

Unfortunately, her husband's father passed away this week.  Luckily, Jozie Mae got to meet her grandpa before he passed on.  My goal the last 5 days has been to be there for my sister whenever I can without neglecting my own little family so her husband can focus on being there for his family.  Jeremiah has been super helpful, taking care of Emery.  And crazy enough, Emery has been weaning herself (so bittersweet for me).  She's basically down to 2 or 3 nursing sessions a day....it's so weird from going from every 4 hours to this.  I feel like I'm getting my body back for myself, but my sweet baby isn't a baby anymore.  This is so blatant since Jozie came along.

I'm learning this week that homemaking does not stop at your own home.  It should continue wherever it is needed...Making people feel at home wherever you are.  What's more comforting than that?  My mom is the queen of homemaking, and I know Amanda is so appreciative of what she's doing for her.

Seeing the miracle of life and the passing of life all within 1 week really makes you appreciate the moments you get with your loved ones.  I'm thankful for God's evident grace and love on my sister and her husband.

31 Days of Homemaking - Day 16 - Yummy Fall Goodness

We had our Hope Group tonight (small group meeting for church).  We really have such a good time!  Our leaders really know how to make everyone feel at home.  And, we take turns bringing snacks for everyone.  This week my friend, Heather, brought the yummiest fruit dip.  She found it on Pinterest (of course).  I'm definitely gonna have to try this!  It's such a yummy fall recipe, but could really go for any time of year.

Half-bakedbaker.blogspot.com

What are your favorite recipes for hosting? 

31 Days of Homemaking - Day 15 - Welcome Fall

I know it's been fall for a little while now, but I'm just now getting to decorate my front porch.  I love all things fall!  I decided to go with some mums and pumpkins.

I had a nice little brunch today and wanted to welcome my guests with fall...

Next year I hope to try a different look.  It's always fun to change things up.  

31 Days of Homemaking - Day 14 - Chocolate Chip Cookies

One of my goals in life is to find the best chocolate chip cookie recipe ever!  I've been working on it.  I love baking cookies...there's just something about doing it that makes me feel at home.  So far I have 2 recipes that are in the lead, but since this is basically a life-long mission, I'm sure things will change.

One of my favorites was shared with me by a friend who found it on the little red house blog.

the little red house: chocolate chip coconut cookies

I LOVE THEM!  I do omit the coconut so it's just a regular chocolate chip cookie.  But this turns out chewy with a little crispy on the outside.  Perfect. 

My second favorite was found via Pinterest from Sunday Baker. This recipe includes a couple of packs of instant vanilla pudding.  It really keeps the cookies chewy and moist. 

SundayBaker.net - Snack That'll Last You All Week - Pudding Cookies

 Do you have a favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe you want to share?

31 Days of Homemaking - Day 13 - Puttering

Never in my life have I heard the term puttering.  But, crazy enough, I do it all the time.  As I've been researching homemaking, I've learned that puttering is to occupy oneself in a desultory but pleasant manner, doing a number of small tasks.  In relation to homemaking, it's really the act of making your house a home.  Doing things like putting out candles and pictures, rearranging furniture, tablescaping, light gardening, and decorating in a non-pressure way.  Puttering is not to be confused with piddling (ha!) :)  Puttering really has a purpose.

If planning 'puttering' projects is allowed these are some I'd like to attempt:

Arranging candles in glass jars with coffee beans (or something similar):

via Pinterest vis HGTV

Arranging mums and pumpkins on the front porch for a nice fall welcome:

via Pinterest via scissorsandspatulas.com

I'd love to hang plates in my entry way like this...

via Pinterest via mmmcrafts.blogspot.com

What's your favorite puttering activity?

31 Days of Homemaking - Day 12 - Children

Psalm 127:3 tells us that children are a gift from the Lord.

I believe it!  I love my sweet Emery Rose.  Since she's been born, my homemaking has changed drastically.  Now I have to think about laundry, food, baths, sleep, etc. for another person.  It can get overwhelming, but I've found a couple of tips that have helped so much.

1.  Have a routine!  Emery (and most children) work best on a schedule.  She wakes up right around the same time everyday which starts with a clean diaper, lots of love, a nursing session, and Mickey Mouse Club House (while I take a shower).  She always eats breakfast, lunch, and dinner right around the same time.  And she usually naps around the same time.  We also have a bedtime routine.  This makes life so much easier.  Unless we have a church activity, Emery is in bed between 6:30-7:30.  She thrives on structure.  That gives me 3-5 hours to myself or with Jeremiah before we go to bed.

2.  Get everything ready the night before.  Pick out your outfit, get homework finished, pack your lunch, pack the diaper bag, etc. the night before.  Then you don't have to scramble in the morning trying to get everything put together.

These are just 2 basic steps that have made all the difference for me.  In our home, we all know what's coming next (well, most of the time) :).  We have crazy busy schedules, so every little bit of organization helps!

31 Days of Homemaking - Day 11 - A Good Husband

Today is my 3rd anniversary!  So, I have to write a tribute to the best husband in the world!  Nothing makes homemaking more worth it than knowing my husband appreciates what I do for/at our home.  When I'm lacking motivation, I think of him.  I know he values the work I put into cleaning, cooking, and taking care of our daughter and home.  He's such a good husband!  One of the things that makes him so awesome is that he doesn't expect me to bare the 'burden' of homemaking alone.  He helps with cooking dinner, doing laundry, taking care of Emery.  He does the yard work and little fix-it jobs in our home.  PLUS, he's a full time graduate student and works full time as a financial planner.  And in the in-between time, he helps me with ministry and really carries a burden for our church members...wanting to see them living happy, loving, fruitful, grace-filled lives.  He's a good man and even better husband.