Happy New Year!

I hope everyone has a Wonderful start to 2014!

I do not have any New Years Resolutions this year. I can never keep any of them for the whole year anyways.

I Hope to be more Organized this year, I need to work every day on being Organized.

That is all I'm hoping to keep up with for the whole year!

How about you?

Barnes and Nobles Haul

We went to Barnes and Nobles last night to let the kids pick up one book each. I of course,had to pick up a few books for myself. 

It was nice to see everyone's eyes light up with their choice of books. We have Reading time right before lights out for about an hour and for that hour last night everyone got lost in another land or another time/state and then this morning they shared what they had read so far. 

I can't wait to start reading the ZOO by James Patterson!

What are you reading for the month of Jan.? Do you have any reading goals for 2014?

Cooking Friday- Turkey Soup

We have so much leftover Turkey today and the kids were getting tired of leftovers so I found this very easy Recipe online. 

It has turned out so Yummy and we have plenty of leftovers for dinner tomorrow. The kids have voted this in as a Keeper!

Everything that I used is in my Youtube video and I simmered everything together for about an hour, We believe that it will taste better tomorrow as the flavors meld together in the fridge.

Hope your Friday is as Relaxing as ours tonight!

Merry Christmas 2013

Merry Christmas from our Family to Yours! The presents have all been opened and we are waiting to eat Dinner. 

Christmas Dinner at the Table 2013

Simple Farmhouse Christmas table

My flash popped on but it's so Pretty at night!

Another angle shot with small tree on our Sideboard

This Christmas 2013 I'm decorating in a simple Country Farmhouse style. I am loving using Reds, Greens and Mustard colors mixed with Berries and Pinecones.  I'm adding some soft lighted candles where I am able too and this tabletop Lantern was a gift from my MIL, I added a battery operated large candle inside. My dishes are a gift from my Husband , the Mikasa French Countryside. Wine glasses were bought from Goodwill in the original box, sadly we broke one, the stems are so dainty. Our Silverware is a mix of peices that were given to us or we have bought over the years, someday soon I hope to have the Mikasa Silverware that matches my Dishes. I am on the lookout for 6 cloth napkins but so far haven't found any that are not too expensive. I will be adding more tomorrow while kids are in school, come back for an added post!

Christmas 2013 is almost upon us and our kids are really getting excited plus this week is the last week of school before Christmas vacation. 

Are you almost ready? Let me know if your table is set yet!

Joining these parties this Link~
Between Naps on the Porch
A Stroll Thru Life
Savvy Southern Style

Kitchen Organization- Under the Kitchen Sink

Today I'm finishing off my kitchen organization series with my small storage under my kitchen sink. In this rental we have a Reverse Osmosis Water System which really filters everything out of our drinking water and is very nice. 

 

While it is very nice and I love a tall glass of cold fresh water, it has not left us with a lot of storage space under here

I found this round bucket at my local Wal-Mart for around $16.00. It holds all of our dish washing tabs and extra sponges/ect. 

So today is the start of our Holiday decorating. We are trimming the tree and I'm filling out Christmas cards to Family. We are having a baking frenzy on Sat. And the kids are excited for Chocolate chip cookies!

Kitchen Organization- The Junk Drawer

Every since we moved in to this Rental, this drawer has been a slight pain. We had pencils and pens for homework right beside ziplock bags. Space is limited so I have to do the best I can with what is available and I'm making do until we can move.

It took just about an hour in the afternoon before the kids came home to empty, wash and sort through the items that were stuffed in here. I have purged many items and re-arranged this drawer space.

Here is a short vlog on the before and after, enjoy it if you have time..I love making these vlogs and am wondering how many of you watch?

I'm decorating the house for a Christmas tour but find that I'm just not feeling crafty since it's still hot here and we miss Snow. I'm sure our tree will be Beautiful though!

Joining these fun Ladies~
No Minimalist Here
Savvy Southern Style

Kitchen Organization-The Silverware Drawer

We all have that one huge drawer that Silverware and utinsils get lost in , I sure do. Before Christmas comes around I want to get my Kitchen cabinets organized and as neat as can be so we can find everything that we need to cook and bake Yummies with. 

I'm not an Organized person by nature so I have to work at it. I recently bent my Husbands arm enough that he took me to a Container Store which is an hour from us. 

After, Everything has a Place

I bought 3 of the Mix&Match clear dividers and look how lovely it is now. I can breath again, everything has a home with room to grow. 

Ugly Before, Silverware in Dishwasher getting freshened up

Here is a clip of what I bought and how I organized everything, Enjoy when you have time!

Linking with these Wonderful Blogs~
Between Naps on the Porch
Savvy Southern Style

November-Month in Review

Thanksgiving has come and gone, It was a nice day with Family and good Food! 

We watched a few movies and relaxed. The kids spent a lot of time at the Barn riding. 

So now it's December and we have lots to look forward to. What special  activities are you looking forward too?

This is our table with the hand-made name place holders that Tank proudly made. I did get a few pics of our Turkey and those are on my facebook page. 

As I think on it, this month flew by with kids in school and just regular random day-to-day stuff. I have to say I'm glad because I have a feeling December will not be so slow!

Weekend Recap

Best deal from Papa Johns Pizza ever! 3 large pizzas plus 16 piece wings for $30.00, 2 large pizzas FREE with coupon codes!!

We ate Dinner on Sat. and then Sunday we had Lunch.

 Friday Richard came home from work with a Cold. We believe he got the cold on the plane while traveling for work. He has alot of traveling coming up for work after Thanksgiving so I'm hoping he remembers to take his vitamins now. Friday night we snuggled in and watched "Turbo", it was a very cute kids movie!

Saturday I took Abigail and Tank to Saddle Club, Crystal stayed home with Richard. She didn't have any Birthday parties to help out with. The 2 youngest are learning so much at Saddle Club! The we ordered Pizza and Abigail spent the night with her friend across the street so while Tank played "Mine Craft", the 3 of us watched "FootLoose" and some other really stupid movie.

Here we are Sunday, We haven't done a thing today other than run out for a paper so I can fill up my Coupon binder. Now it's  night and we are heading to bed early, Crystal is now feeling down and Abby is saying she's cold so I believe we have caught Richard's cold..We shall see what tomorrow brings. 

I'm off to sip some hot tea and relax!

Forever Friday~ A Book Review

Every Friday, a postcard.
Every Friday, a love poem.
Every Friday for sixty years. 
Adam Colby is just doing his job, sorting through the unsold Alexander belongings after the estate sale. He is unprepared for what he finds in an old photo album, overlooked by the bargain hounds and treasure hunters—six decades of postcards and poems from Gabe Alexander to his wife, Pearl. The mystery of the Alexanders’ love entices Adam, a man unhinged by divorce and puzzled by the depth of commitment that he finds in the unabashedly romantic cards.
 
Forever Friday invites you to travel back in time to the early twentieth century Texas Coastal Bend where a young couple—Gabe and Pearl Alexander—are swept up in a miraculous love. As the heartwarming, pulse-quickening story of their relationship develops through Gabe’s poems, the Alexanders reveal a new way to consider what it means to be truly devoted to each other. Could the secrets of their love affair, laid to rest twenty years ago, hold the key to one man’s future?

I haven't done a Book review in some time, I'm not sure why as I Love to read a chapter or a few at night. I really liked this book. The Romance between Gabe and Pearl was so Sweet and reminded me of " The Notebook" which is probably why I just loved this book. It flipp- flopped between Gabe/Pearl's years in the past and then into Gabe's present. The story line was not hard to follow and I really enjoyed the ending with Gabe's choices.

This book was sent to me for Review.

Kitchen Organization-The Blank Wall

I was saving this space for a Hutch but after some months of it being bare ( and looking drab in my YouTube videos) on a whim one afternoon I decided to fill this space with a Beloved table made by my Dad. This table has been moved across states and in different parts of this house.

I would like to find a cheap rug to keep under the dog's bowls, yes they have to stay there. I'm not very fond of the dark wood plant stand next to the lighter wood but it will do until I find a replacement. 

Here is a short video of where I bought most everything and how long it took for my transformation

I'm so happy with the transformation!

I'm joining in on these wonderful Parties~

Between Naps on the Porch

Savvy Southern Style

No Minimalist Here

I'm Loving COACH!

My old COACH purse

I had the Molly Legacy coach purse for about a year and I really did like it it but after less than a year my purse started to show heavy wear on the bottom corners of the purse, there were no feet on the bottom to give it structure so it slouched. Another problem was the COACH emblem on the front was starting to peel off which I was told was why we don't see this anymore on purses. The handles started to show great signs of wear also. I used the heck out of my purse but even after almost a year it shouldn't have started to show so poorly. I started to save up to replace my purse with another one and knew it would be quite awhile before I could replace with a new one.

Today while walking by the COACH store at The Millenia Mall, simply on a whim Richard and I went inside to see if there was something they could do about my purse, maybe a leather lotion to bring it back to life. Surprise, Surprise..being the semi-hoarder that I am I had my receipt in my purse from about a year ago and because of their policy of Returns within the year of purchase (which I was unaware of) I was able to trade my old purse in and just pay the remaining balance on a new purse. I wanted something with a better structure base and keeping within the Red family inorder to still match my COACH wallet. Here she is, my new Purse!! I LOVE the rose gold accents and so far am Pleased with my Surprise for the day! I did purchase the Leather Lotion to keep this one in better shape.

No, this is not a Sponsored post, I'm just really Happy with their Customer Service tonight!

Searching for the Right Horse takes Time

We have decided that this year is a good time to add to our Family. We are searching for the perfect horse for us. He/She is out there but we are taking our sweet time about it. 

This past Sunday we looked at my Sister's horse named Farrah. She is a sweet horse. Great height for Crystal and Farrah is at a great age to join our Family.

Crystal and Farrah

Sweet Picture

All 3 kids with Farrah

Here is a short video of Crystal's Trainer riding Farrah

So there are some things that we need to discuss about Farrah, She is a fast horse and getting her to Stop is something that Crystal will need to work on. We are thinking of Leasing Farrah with the option to buy later. We would board her at the the Stables where the kids take riding lessons so every day we would be out there. I love the smell of being in a barn and miss it!

Decisions, Decisions

Fall Fun Days

Today at the stables was FALL FUN DAYS were there were hayrides, pony rides, pumpkin patch and yummy treats. Crystal was asked to help out all day with the Pony rides which she loves doing and has fun doing it! Abigail and Tank had Saddle Club for about an hour and are going to be able to earn badges after they pass tests and follow thru on activities. They both are learning alot about the different body parts of the Horse and how to act around Horses, ect. 6 weeks of learning the basics and then they will move on to Riding. Here are some pics of our long, fun filled day..I'm still learning my camera and enjoying it!

So many Stalls to be filled

Crystal waiting for another little rider

Fun water game

Learning at Saddle Club

FL Grass Maze

Ribbons earned and a Lunch break

Here is a video of our day if you would like to see more of the Horses.

I Hope your Saturday was just as Much Fun as Ours!!

Lake Lizzie Nature Preserve Date

Today Richard had the day off from work and we took this time to go for a Date Hike...all 3 kids were in school. We did take his Ham radio with the plan to hook it up and see who was able to chat.

Many, Many moths ago I was given a new camera, the Canon EOS Rebel XS. It did not come with the instructions so to be honest, it scares me..I know next to nothing about this camera but today I took it out of it's bag and with a full battery, took it on the hike with us. I'll learn as I go and play around with the features but I WILL learn how to use this camera!! 

You may click on the pic. to enlarge them for detail viewing

Tiny Woodpecker of some sort

Shrub/marsh looking out to Lake

Random Wildflowers swaying in breeze

Loved this Path, this pic doesn't do it Justice

Huge Banana Spider between 2 trees

Just a fun shot

Huge drainage pipe as we were exiting Lake Lizzie

After hiking around Lake Lizzie only to find out there are no tables to set up Richard's Ham radio, We drove over to another park that we have been to before and set up his radio there. We didn't get to actually talk to anyone this trip due to a silly little Sun Flare and an annoying call from the Elementary School. 

That was our Friday Date and we are ending it with Cookies and Milk.

Relaxing Sunday!

Sons Lego Minecraft Dude. He built it today. 

Did you Relax today? I did nothing important, fast trip to Wal-Mart with the Hubby/kids then home for a nice nap and now finishing up some laundry to get Hubby out the door tomorrow. The kids have Monday off for a Teacher Duty Work Day. 

I Love Free Magazines

See this pile? These all came at once on Tuesday..lol..Good thing I have a big mailbox!

I went thru all my magazines and wrote down the Expiration dates so I can decide if I would like to renew or let a few go, Some are my favs and will def. renew but a few I think I'll let run out as they aren't really to my taste.

What are your Fav. magazines? Have you discovered any new ones? I have seen a few new ones but I haven't picked up or browsed thru them yet, It takes me a few days to read all that I have. I follow Hip2save.com and Coupon saving sites which alert you to free offers.

In this short video I explain more....

Have a Great Day!!!

Family Rules

Working on this corner of our kitchen today. We found this pic at Wal-Mart on Clearance, I have wanted one like this for some time now. The Bonsai tree I have had for about 2 years so far and I haven't killed her yet. Are Bonsai trees a he or a she? I'm not sure which mine is but it Loves this corner so I'm not about to move her... Guess its a Her!!

I'm joining in on these Parties~

No Minimalist Here

New Coupon Binder Set Up and Review W/ Video

After about 8 years I was in need of another Coupon Binder, mine was literally falling apart. I dragged Crystal along with me to Staples since I had a Staples coupon and was able to pick this one up. 

Look, it even matches my Day-Planner!

There is a spot to add a Label in the spine and on the top here. I'm not sure how I'll decorate the top yet since I just got it home and organized my coupons inside.

I have put together a more in-depth look inside my Binder here:

Do any of you Coupon or do you just clip one or two here and there?

I'm joining in on these Parties~
No Minimalist here

I AM BETTER THAN THIS..

Wow. So I belong to this Prim group called "Country Pumpkin". Long story short, due to my families health reasons last month I was unable to get to post office to mail out a Swap. I emailed my swap partner to fill her in on our health situation only to get many PMs calling my very Nasty names and threatening to come to my house and take stuff back. I emailed the guy in charge of this Prim group who was no help. Last night I went public with what was going on, I did not name any names as I'm better than that but this morning by Many of the Ladies over there I'm now being called such things as a Drama Queen and Paranoid. I have reported this lady to FB showing all nasty PMs sent to me but Really How am I the bad guy in this????? I Apologized on the FB page that I was in the wrong, in the wrong for not making time to send this box out. No one really knows how mine or anyones life's really run other than what we choose to show on FB or our Blogs. There are days I show our Good moments and there are days I choose not to share.  This morning my Blog was used against me because I chose to share only the good moments here and not the bad. I could go on and on about what happened but I choose not too.

I have sent back the Lady's Swap Box, here is a picture of the box and a picture of the receipt/tracking number. 

I have learned alot this Morning..The only thing I'm Sorry for here this morning is my poor time management skills.

I AM BETTER THAN THIS!! 

Sunday Daydreams 2

Today finds us just laying around the house, Richard is sick and I'm coming down with it..fever,chills,cough and a sore throat, so far I just have a sore throat. While he takes a nap I'm folding laundry and sitting here watching Youtube while Crystal is off at the Stables helping with a big Birthday Party and the other 2 are playing games on their computer and watching silly shows on Disney. 

I'm going to try to join in on the Youtube "Vlogtober" where we film some sort of video every day in the month of October. Today is my 2nd day of filming and the vlog will be up later this evening. Here is our first one

You might need to go to my channel to view it, link is top right.

Today I'm Daydreaming about re-decorating our whole house. I'm just not getting very excited when I see pics of Country/Prim anymore. I find my eye really lights up when I see Cottage pics. I don't want a whole house full of Pottery Barn but this quilt is a Dream..

I just love this and it's top of my list and just keeps on growing! 

Do you have anything on your lists that your saving for? 

Crafty Organizational Tools

This is our mudroom hallway that we use more than our front door. This large picture was given to me by my Sister acouple of Christmas's ago and we love the saying but in my search to be more organized and needing more space to hang notes from Teachers ect. other than our fridge, We needed something more. We where at Staples buying my Day-Timer Planner and I saw some lovely cork boards but many were out of our price range. So the search went on...

While on facebook one night searching the sales page for my town I found Rough Lemon..Oh My, She paints such Lovely pieces of Furniture. This was in our Budget and fits our decor perfectly right now. So now when the 3 kids get home from School if there is a important teachers note or an activity that we do not want to miss we can use the clips and we will be reminded every morning as we walk by..nothing will ever be missed again (Here's Hoping)..

See that Horse picture, Crystal our oldest drew that free hand just by looking at a picture in a book..she has some talent!

It's raining here today and I have a sick girlie at home so we are watching random T.V. shows and taking it easy. 

Hope your day is Relaxing!

Joining the Blog Party~
Our Home Away From Home
Between Naps on the Porch
Savvy Southern Style

OH, To Be Organized....

This School year I really would like to be more Organized and have our weeks planned out so we don't miss a single thing and we all know what's happening every day. We are getting closer to the Holidays and with that comes Band concerts and School Plays. 

I went to Staples and found this pretty light blue Day-Timer Planner along with a few Martha Stewart hanging pockets ( I hung mine on our fridge), I also printed out someWeekly Menu Planners. I like how I'm setting up my Planner so far, every Sunday I sit down and fill it up for the upcoming week with our School/work activities. I do wish there was more space on the Weekly pages, with 3 kids each day gets filled up very fast.

 How Organized are you this School year, I would love to have some feedback and extra ideas that could help me. I'm not a very Organized person by nature and I find myself having to work very hard at it and with a family of 5, that's a Feat!

I'm joining in on these Blog Parties:
A Stroll Thru Life

Welcome Fall

Even though here in FL we do not see much of this Season, I do remember the leaves changing in OH and crisper temps.

I am on my way to buy some Apple Cider (from Wal-Mart here sadly not from a fruit stand like back up north) to celebrate Fall!

I hope your Sunday is as nice as ours is today, calm and relaxing but still hot.

Back in the Saddle

After being in a sling for 6 weeks this Summer due to breaking her Collar bone in 2 places Crystal went for her first "Back in the Saddle" ride today with her Instructor Teresa. Crystal is riding "Captain", isn't he a beauty! She did really well but we did cut it short due to her starting to feel tired, it will be some time before she regains full strength in her collarbone/arm again.

              We are on the lookout for a nice horse to lease, Abigail has shown interest in learning more about horses and riding so we enrolled her in a Saddle Club. Every Sat. in the afternoon is booked up with us being at the stable..I'm looking forward to it!

Autumn Flowers

My Husband gave me the most beautiful bunch of Autumn flowers! Let the Fall decorating begin this week!