Camera Strap Tutorial-

Happy New Year's Day! I spent several hours updating my camera strap covers today. Wish me luck I have never taught anyone how to do anything.
Step one
Cut material- 27 inches long but 5.5 inches wide or if you want the back to be different from the front then use two pieces 2.75 inches wide.

Step 2- This is not a must but I add a piece of fusible webbing for added cushion

Step 3 Fold each end down half a inch and hem, repeat again
Sorry I forgot the picture
Step 4- fold the fabric in half length wise and sew up the unopened side. Make sure you have the fabric turned inside out
Step 5- turn the fabric inside out, it is like unrolling a sock. I have heard using a wooden spoon stuck down the middle will help push it through. I just pull the fabric slowly. Pamela

Fill in the blank Friday

1. New Year's is (awesome/lame/other) kind of lame, I mean come on it is not honoring anyone. How about we honor someone like me and then it would be party worthy. Okay, pity party over. I think my goal is to make it amazing.

2. Last New Year's Eve I went to bed early. I have this nasty habit of doing that and it drives my hero batty.

3. My New Year's resolution is to be a better mom, be more organized with my life. Too get my kids more involved in the world and to be a better wife. Oh and to cook more and learn more sewing skills.


4. The best way to spend New Year's Eve is snuggled up with my hero who still to this day rocks my world, did I just say that. Seriously how many years have we either been separated by the Army or have I gone to bed over some silly disagreement. This year that will not happen.

5. My prediction for an up-and-coming trend in 2011 is everyone will want to read my blog, I will become more dedicated to my blog readers. If you have suggestions on how I can make that happen please let me know.

6. This New Year's Eve I will hopefully be staying awake. I have a habit of falling asleep. My husband has even told the kids they get to stay up late this year. We are going to make yummy treats and homemade pizza and relax in the thought that we are together because that is not always the case.

7. A fresh start is one of my favorite things about being in the military and moving around.

5 Question Friday

1. How long does your Christmas tree stay up?
Normally not this long. It is always a argument. I want it down Christmas day, my husband wants it up until Easter. Honestly we normally take it down some time between Christmas and New Years. I have been sick this week so it is still up.

2. Do you have plans for New Year's Eve? It sounds silly but my goal is to stay awake. I normally do not unless we have people over. We have decided to stay home this year and not invite anyone over. I am sad and happy about that all at the same time.


3. Do you have any New Year's resolutions? No, goals to get things more organized in my life but not resolutions. I would like some things to happen like loosing weight and getting out of debt and be a better wife but I am not making resolutions because I do not want to set myself up for failure.


4. How did you spend New Year's Eve when you were younger?
I do not remember, so probably nothing.

5. What was the best way you've ever spent New Year's Eve? I love when we have friends over.


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How do you entertain guest?

We put them to work. Michael's friend came over last week. They had a great time until the boys dad let my hero borrow a wood splitter and then it was time to work. The boys honestly enjoyed chopping the wood but I could not be out there. Watching them swing a ax was too scary for me. I am grateful for all the wood to keep our house warm.So this week I am grateful for friends and thankful for young men who are willing to help and be paid with nothing more than pizza. I am also very thankful for my wonderful warm home.

hot/cold packs

A wonderful friend gave us a bag of feed corn. I could not wait to use it. I have wanted to make rice bags for a long time but honestly rice is not super cheap. I want to explain how to make these but have never done a tutorial before.
The first one I did I used a old hand towel and it worked great. Then I decided to use material I already had. Basicly you fold the towel in half length wise (with the pretty side on the inside). Stitch up the bottom and side. I did this twice because I knew it was going to be holding some weight. Then turn it inside out (so the pretty side is now showing). Fill with feed corn and stitch the top shut. We like to put ours in the microwave for about 2.5 minutes. I am amazed at how long they stay warm. My son actually had a friend over who had helped my husband chop wood twice so I made one for him and his little sister. I do believe this is going to be my Christmas gift for next year.

http://trooppetrie.blogspot.com/2010/12/hotcold-packs.html

Wordless Wednesday-what did your kids get for Christmas

Next year I need to remember to buy gift boxes ahead of time.

Gratitude Tuesday

This week I have so much to be grateful for. For one my husband is home. That thrills me not because it is Christmas but because I have been sick the last couple of days and he has been here to take over.
I am grateful that we have snow because we never have snow and my family loves snow. Although the first day it was too wet to make snowmen and yesterday my husband said it was frozen and could not be played with. I am grateful for the snow because it means church was cancelled on Sunday. I would normally not like that but I am not feeling well and it was my turn to cook.
What are you grateful for. I know my list is kind of lame but I do not feel well this week.
Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

pizza casserole

I may have showed you this recipe before but it is worth repeating.
1 bag egg noodles cooked and drained
1 pound sausage-cooked and drained
pepporoni and any other pizza topping you like
1 can pizza or spaghetti sauce
Combine in 9*13 pan, cover with your favorite cheeses and heat in oven for 10 minutes. The kids love it and it is super simple.

Journey to Bethlehem

Puppets

We took the kids to see "Journey to Bethlehem". You have to wait for over a hour for your tour to start so they have puppets for the kids. It was amazing. These were the coolest puppets ever. The kids danced and sang along. I think we ended up waiting about 90 minutes but it in no way seemed like that long.

Hot chocolate

On a cold day like today who does not want yummy hot chocolate.

hot cocoa
4 cups dry powdered milk (wow this stuff is more expensive than I realized)
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup hershey cocoa
pinch of salt
put all ingredients in blender (food processor for me) to make it more of a powder.
To drink:
add 1/3c cocoa "MIX" to 1 cup water WOW it is so good
I make up a double batch and keep in the cabinet ready for when we need it. Or at least I try to. This morning when we woke up to freezing weather and snow guess who did not have hot chocolate made. Luckily I had everything I needed and could make it. I think we may try to make snow cream later. I tried to put this silly dog out this morning to go potty and he wanted nothing to do with it. But as soon as the kids went out he would not leave them. I made him come in because he was shivering but as soon as I took the leash off he ran back out. Silly dog, at least he protects my babies

Merry CHRISTmas

So today is Christmas, what does that mean to you? Presents and family and maybe a moment to remember why we have it. Today I hope you take a moment to think through how Jesus was sent for us. How he was born for the purpose of dying on a cross for our sins. I encourage you to listen to the words of the songs, not just the songs. I know sometimes I get so wrapped up in the singing that I forget to think about what I am singing about.

Isaiah 9:2-7
2 The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.
5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.


Luke 1:26-38
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.


Luke 2:1-6
1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

Luke 2:8-14
8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:15-18
15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

For the Joy of it

If you are potty training this is the song for you. I wish we would have learned it 13 years ago.

Thankful Thursday

I am always thankful. Tonight I am thankful for a program called Hero's for Home sponsored by Sears. I love how they help military at Christmas time. Please take a moment to check it out and leave a word of encouragement on the site. I can tell you that if you donate to them or just leave a message for a soldier it will make your days and there's.

Works for me Wednesday

I know these pictures are not great but they make me want to cry. Do you see the man in gray standing in front of my her. That man is my baby boy who is now taller than his daddy. It breaks my heart that my 14 year old (just turned 14) is taller than his daddy and once was small like his baby sister who is standing next to her daddy.