I don't know about any of y'all, but I have been online WAY too much lately.  I feel like my brain is getting mushy.  Can anyone relate?  Between using the internet for homeschool, finding Trim Healthy Mama recipes, and just plain old web surfing, I've been online a lot.  So I've decided to start scheduling online time to limit myself and actually, hold on for this one, READING a REAL BOOK instead. 

Shocker, right?

I soooo love to read!!  But I've gotten out of the habit in the past few months.  I do read to my girls for homeschool.  We read a LOT out loud, but no "mommy books", ya know what I mean? So, starting today, I am going to read ONE book a month.  I realize many of y'all are laughing at ONE book a month, but I need to set a very small goal for myself.  And since I'm blogging about it, it definitely holds me accountable.

As of today, I am starting with Desperate, Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe by Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson. 

OOh.  Just realized this is the end of the month.  Hmm.  So I will have this done by the end of October.  Baby steps, y'all, baby steps. 

Anyone else have monthly reading goals?  Anyone else NEED to read real books instead of just reading online????  Let me know and let's encourage one another!!!

I just read this over at Country Living.  Hmmm I think I need to work on #2 and #3.  What about you??



 

9 Habits of People Who Never Have to Clean Their Homes

1. They put away their clothes every night.
When you're changing into your pajamas, it might be tempting to just toss your clothes on a chair or even on the floor, but don't fall prey to that lazy trap. It takes a couple of seconds to put them in your laundry hamper or return them to your closet. You'll be thankful that you won't have to spend extra time rounding up stray socks all over your room when it's laundry day. Same could be said when you're trying on an outfit or when you've just finished doing your laundry.

2. They don't own extras.
What are you going to do with a dozen sets of sheets or five cheese graters? If you don't need it: Edit, edit, edit. You'll be saving much more space.

3. They keep a paper trail to a minimum.
It's easy to leave stacks of junk mail, delivery menus, and old newspapers on every surface of your house. Create a good filing system to save the important documents and toss the rest.

4. They wipe down every surface after use.
Let's be real, the less grime build-up, the easier it is to clean. Mildew, grease, and food stains are not a good look for your house.

5. They don't have beds piled up with too much stuff.
Sure, it's nice to have some decorative pillows and throw blankets to maintain a perfectly styled bed, but let's keep it to a minimum. The fewer steps it takes to make your bed every morning, the more likely you'll actually do it.

6. They put their shoes and coats away.
It's common for an entryway to have a shoe pile-up or for coats to be haphazardly placed on the entry bench, but it sure doesn't look tidy. Put your shoes in your closet or place a shoe rack near the door. Make sure to hang your coat as soon as you take it off.

7. They never let dishes pile up.
This one's pretty much a no-brainer, but taking a few minutes to do three or five dishes is way better than doing 15 at the end of the week.

8. They put things back where they came from.
If you do this, you won't have a precarious stack of DVDs, magazines, books, and toys on your coffee table. This habit makes the panic-filled, 5-minute clean-up before guests arrive a little better.

9. They dust and vacuum on the regular.
A few minutes of dusting or vacuuming at least 2-3 times a week will save you from doing a deep clean on the weekend when you could be relaxing.

So hard to believe my girls are getting so big!!  Elizabeth is in 3rd grade this year and Caroline is in PreK.  And yes, we still homeschool and I still love it!! I am daily thankful that the dreams I dreamed (even as a little girl) of being a wife, mother, AND teacher have all come true. I am so blessed!!

We found out about a month ago that Mr. U has type 2 diabetes.  Not really a shock since his mother and his grandfather have both dealt with it.  Still, however, the "it will never happen to me" syndrome did come into play a bit.  :)

So armed with that news, we have set out to do research on the best way for our family to eat.  We have decided that we need to cut out as many "bad" carbs as possible in hopes of bringing his blood glucose numbers down (and especially the A1C for those of y'all that know what I'm talking about).  So far, so good!!!  Numbers are coming down!!  We just need to keep up the good work!!!

With this will come lots of new recipes to try, I am sure.  I made one tonight that the girls and I LOOOOVED!  Mr. U, who abhors cauliflower, said, "Well, if I HAVE to eat cauliflower, this is probably the best way".  Not a glowing testimony, I know, but coming from him about cauliflower, this is HUGE!!!! 

George Stella's "Mac" and Cheese

• Kosher salt, as needed, plus 1/2 teaspoon
• Vegetable oil spray
• 1 large head cauliflower, cut into small florets
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 ounces cream cheese, cut into small pieces
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, plus 1/2 cup for topping the casserole
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese*
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder**

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, seasoning the water with salt. Spray an 8×8 baking dish with vegetable oil spray.
2. Cook the cut cauliflower in the boiling water until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.
3. Drain well and pat between several layers of paper towels to dry. Transfer the cauliflower to the baking dish and set aside.
4. Bring the cream to a simmer in a small saucepan and then whisk in the cream cheese and mustard, continuously whisking until smooth.
5. Stir in the 1 1/2 cups of cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and whisk just until the cheese melts, about 2 minutes. Remove the sauce from the heat, pour over the cauliflower, and stir all to combine.
6. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup cheese and bake until browned and bubbly hot, about 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.

Let me say, our girls are not cutting out as many carbs as we are.  They ARE eating less of the"bad" carbs, however, and more of the good!!!!

 Any of y'all living with diabetes in your home?  If so, PLEASE share recipes!!!



 *My addition.  Not in original recipe.
** I doubled the garlic powder. Original recipe calls for only 1/8 tsp.

Dear fellow keeper of the home,


How many days a week are you gone from home? Where do you go?

Can you stay home 5 days a week (assuming you are at church one day and running errands and getting groceries a second day) or does it drive you crazy? Do you feel like you have to go somewhere and just get out??

I am saddened these days by so many stay at home wives/mothers that say how they hate to be at home and say they get bored. (Bored? Who has TIME to be bored????) I enjoy being here in our home taking care of my family. This is exactly what I've dreamed of doing my entire life.  Surely I'm not alone in this. :)

His,
Mrs. U

A Home Song

I read within a poet's book
A word that starred the page:
"Stone walls do not a prison make,
Nor iron bars a cage!"

Yes, that is true; and something more
You'll find, where'er you roam,
That marble floors and gilded walls
Can never make a home.

But every house where Love abides,
And Friendship is a guest,
Is surely home, and home-sweet-home:
For there the heart can rest.

Henry Van Dyke

I really enjoy reading blogs.  My favorites have always been about home keeping. 

When I first discovered blogs in 2006, I found many kindred spirits who loved to share their tips on making a house a home.  The blogs (and therefore, the bloggers themselves) felt quaint and familiar and I found myself wishing I could meet them, knowing we'd hit it off immediately.  These days, however, so many of my original favorites are gone.  I suppose I shouldn't complain, I mean, where is my blog?  Dead?  Not quite.  It's just been on pause. 

So many blogs now are BEAUTIFUL and show Pinterest perfect homes and so many "how to's".  I'm not like that.  While they ARE lovely, they aren't "me".  Does anyone else relate?  I do appreciate the things I've learned from them, but where are the blogs about old fashioned home keeping? If you, dear reader, happen to know of any, please share. 

In this day and age of HGTV and Pinterest, well, I cannot compete.  Any decorations in my home are only there because my sister or sister--in-law or sweet friends were kind enough to give me direction (two wonderful friends even took control of my mantle and decorated it FOR me!!!).  Other than that, I just go for "comfortable" for our style.  :) 

Happy home keeping!

His,
Mrs. U

Hi y'all!!  Long time no blog!!!  :)  I've been busy homeschooling and homekeeping and trying to learn more about essential oils!!!

I'd surely love to hear from anyone who uses essential oils by applying topically or by inhaling them or by capsule or in homemade cleaning products!!  Share tips and please share what particular brand you've found to be the best and WHY.

In January of 2011, I was feeling defeated in my walk with the Lord and just plain old exhausted.  The girls were 4 1/2 and 8 months at the time and I KNEW that what I needed was time in the Word each day to focus on the Lord.

Enter Good Morning Girls.

I learned about Good Morning Girls and immediately signed up to be a leader.  I had a friend in real life that was going to participate and then I had an invitation on my blog for anyone else to join with us.  How exciting it was to get to know each other in our group when a few others wanted to join in!!!

So here it is, January 2014, and GMG is getting ready to start a new session on the 20th!!!!  The theme this time is Intentionally Focused.  I would love to any of y'all to join with me for accountability to get in the Word each day.  If you are thinking about it, go to the GMG blog and read how it works.  If you are still interested, email me at theups1 at gmail dot com and I will get with you!!!

I sooo look forward to this next study and focusing on the Lord and His Word!!!!  Maybe you'll join me!!???