My scrumptious blog is all about the random, flighty thoughts that wiz through my head during the day. Excuse the randomness of it all. I was a homeschool Mama for years, and then they decided to go...and now my Poppets are back! I'm a way Hippie, Granola, Pagan LDS Mama, Learning all about walking the walk, Shaklee business, yoga & activism who loves, loves her Beloved of 21 years and enjoys a variety of life! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sagemanor/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:12:00 -0500 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:12:00 -0500 I have decided to take a "Blog Break".  Funny.  Half the time I do forget that I have this silly vehicle to record my doings and sayings throughout the day.  Yet, It adds a great deal of stress to me.  I simply, at this time, would rather be in the dirt!!  So Sisters: Have a scrumptious month or two.......keep well, do good, and adore your families! Check in later! Warmly, Kelly http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sagemanor/508044/ Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:12:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sagemanor/508044/ Here are some super late pictures of our green fest on St. Patty's Day.........and my first bloom on the Hibiscus tree since Autumn.  Please Spring, please........come soon!! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sagemanor/505076/ Wed, 26 Mar 2008 09:21:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sagemanor/505076/ As stay at home Mamas, it seems that we are consently thinking of ways to improve our cash flow in the home without adding more burden to our husbands.  There are so many ways, so many things we can sell, distrubute, and encourage our friends to check out.  For me it is an honest way to eliminate the extra hours that my Beloved has to put in.  I think about the gas and the food, and the most especially the time that he is away from me and our children.  I LOVE weekends!!  I for one tend to fall into "traps".  Traps that tell me, along with personal testimonies, that I can do it!  I too, can be a millionaire from selling (fill in the blank).  And oh!  how I push in and try my hardest.  I know I'm not the only Mama out there that has bought into a "justification" of purchasing a package deal that we need to push upon our friends and family.  And you know what, maybe (I know) that it does work for some Mamas.  So please don't take this wrong, or as a slap on the wrist for spending your (MY) time, energy, and my Beloved's hard earned money.....it's just a "looking for ways" post. Last weekend our Bishopric once again encouraged us to have no consumer debt and to be very careful and prudent with our money.  We are encouraged to have NO consumer debt (besides our mortgage and educational loans), to have a food storgae (oh! I am soooo thankful: because I had to use it last August!!), and to be prepared for natural disasters.  I am so thankful that our Church teachs us this wisdom and encourages us to follow through.  It isn't a gimmick or a quick fix for bad budgeting.  It's truth.  From one sister to another: be careful.  I am getting more and more used to blogging and have throughly checked out the "Pay Per Blog" at my sidebar.  I feel comfortable with that, because there is no money outlay for me.  So that's good.  With today's prices for milk and gasoline..........ug!!  We must be wise!!  Be careful, thoughtful, and especially prayerful in all that you do.  I am fortunate to be a Stay at home Mama, I love it, and I know that it blesses my family.  But it is up to me to go to my Father in Heaven daily in order to run this household smoothly!! What have you done to improve your household income?? Warm Blessings!! Kelly http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sagemanor/504051/ Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:20:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sagemanor/504051/ So Spring just might be here.  It's warming up to the point where my toes won't cramp if I take my socks off!  Our roof is being re-roofed (Thank you Allstate!) and the noise is fun.  The Poppets are covered in MUD on a daily basis, my washer is being used constantly.  They have discovered if they say, "But it's a Nature Walk, Mom!" that I let them out in it!!  **Of course they must do a bit of journal work afterwards!...I'm not that daft!* Here is a recommended book I received that is scrumptious...with patterns included!!   I bought some yummy orange fabric for this project!! Oh, and can you see these in a yummy Indian print ?........these are next after the apron!  And I am going to go to a proper fabric shop.  There is only so much that a rural Walmarts can offer.  ( I do hate that store.)  Amy Butler's book is for beginner seamstress' like myself.  So if you can buzz up the above in  your sleep, don't bother.....your way above my expertise!  I do admire homemade items.  It's feels right.  And my Poppet adores her sleep pants that she made with her sewing machine that she received on Yule last year.  She bought fabric for another pair! Tomorrow will be some pictures of a string / glue / Easter project that the Poppets and I are doing.  Can you believe that tomorrow is St. Patty's day, and then Sunday is Easter?? Are the calendars off or something??  It just feels wrong..........sigh.  But the birds are singing, and lady bugs are sneaking in, that's a good sign!! Eat Peeps! Kelly   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sagemanor/499312/ Sun, 16 Mar 2008 13:22:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sagemanor/499312/ Just a quick bit of photos....and please forgive me...our camera is on the list to be replaced.  It made it through the Jamaican sand, 2 moves, 3 poppets, and numerous animals; and it is slowly dying.  So, one day, you will see marvelous photos from Sage Manor.  Until that time, I am afraid you will have to suffer with me!! Laura from Little Orange Kitchen sent me this scrumptious "Pay It Forward" gift........OMG!!  She is fabulous, and blessed me big time!!  The poppets gathered as I unwrapped, because even the wrapping paper was yummy!!  Visit her, buy things that don't require a vehicle and poison gas to get there!!  Shop @ Little Orange Kitchen!!   Tank was "Tutored" Wednesday.  We don't say the "N" word (neutered!) around here!!  He's doing fine, poor thing doesn't know what hit him!!  Love this pooch!!  Putting a wicked puzzle together for 30 minutes counts as "school" here at Sage Manor!!  Whinning & screaming the whole way!!  But, it came together.........finally.  Back in the box, in the closet, and if I don't watch it: she will sneak it into the Goodwill bag!!  Well I have hair dye in my hair!!  LOL.........I have 8 minutes to go!!  I'm multi-tasking!  Poppet and I are off to a Young Woman's Meeting this afternoon, looking forward to that time.  Daddy bird has the boy poppet and a friend of his, so he is in charge of hamburger making tonight and any home projects that can be done!! (oh please, oh please!!) Have a scrumptious weekend.......may it be warm & full of prosperity & joy & spontanious giggles!! Kelly **If you haven't visited MY "Pay it Forward" section please do...I need a few more visitors so I can send yummy gifts!! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sagemanor/494851/ Sat, 8 Mar 2008 09:58:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sagemanor/494851/ Unschooling is such a misnomer for me.  It's an ongoing definition.  It's a way of life that I read about, other families, trying....living & achieving.  And I think about how we are.  How we learn.  And then this horrible thing happens, as Mama's (read: me), we question ourselves.  I wonder if 2 hours of guitar playing "counts".  If learning the fine art of cutting cabbage & slightly cooking it "counts".  Identifying the weeds that are stuck to our dog's collar, if it "counts".  So many things in my own mind "count".  And I'm glad they do.  Unschooling for us is this continual identification of what we are interested in at the moment.  It changes daily, sometimes hourly.  Hours of PBS specials on the "Frontier House" provided digging through History books, maps, updating our 72-hour emergency kits, and a candlelit dinner. Life is an adventure.  It's joyous, pillow fights included.  And then it's sad, with a dear Sister of our ward dying in a local hospital.  I cry out, and wonder if it matters.  And then..........I'm still and hear the sweet voice of my Savior, saying, "Yes, it matters."  And as I dig out the paint and look for paper that isn't already stained, I give thanks. Be Blessed & give yourself permission to let experiences "count"!! Kelly http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sagemanor/491865/ Mon, 3 Mar 2008 19:39:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sagemanor/491865/ Hello friends!!  I've discovered Laura's site at www.orgjunkie.org  (Menu Plan Monday) and it is a fabulous way to get motivated.  I've talked my Beloved into some serious food changes around here and he's getting vegetarian all week, except 2 nights.  The kids and I have ate vegetarian for months, and really don't have any problems transitioning.  The problem I find with being a vegetarian is the temptation of eating fast food "junk": cookies, power bars, pre-packaged "stuff" that fills us up.  THAT has to stop.  So here is a glimpse of our eating this week!  Be organized: I think it's a virtue! *smile*   Monday:  Macaroni & "cheese", Lg. chef salad (meat in husbands), apples & peanut butter. Tuesday:  Sheppard's Pie (vegetarian), salad & homemade french bread Wednesday: Beans & Rice, fruit Thursday: Baked Potatoe bar , chopped raw veggies, fruit (sour cream, butter, cheeses, & meat for husband) Friday:  Spring rolls & dipping sauce, nuts, fruit w/ chocolate fondue Saturday:  Hamburgers for the guys (Poppet & I are out to a Young Womens day), healthy chips Sunday:  Tomatoe cucumber basil salad, Alfredo style Fettuccine, homemade french bread w/garlic oil & spices. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sagemanor/490745/ Sat, 1 Mar 2008 13:46:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sagemanor/490745/ So today has been good!  Other than the 5 Chocolate chip cookies that somehow made it in my mouth without my knowledge........*smile*  I did do well though.  And the trick is..............I THOUGHT.  I thought about what I was feeling, what I was putting in my mouth (other than those wicked, wicked cookies!!), and the amount. And then I read my scriptures, and visited with other Mama's and my Visiting teacher today......and prayed, and bought grapes & banannas, and read a yummy cookbook.  Life is good!!  Isn't it all about thinking ??  Purposely thinking!! Be Blessed.....and know that you are a Daughter of the King!! Kelly http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sagemanor/490361/ Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:01:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sagemanor/490361/ Emotional Eating. Winter Eating. Boredom Eating. It has all hit my waist line with a vengance this winter.  And tomorrow....in the morning....I am going to do something different.  I'm not going to rush right to the counter and gobble up something because I "feel" like I'm hungry.  You see, I'm a chicken.  I don't want to feel hunger.  I don't want to hear my belly growl deep inside me.  And tomorrow I am going to fight that urge to "fill up" automatically without a bleeming thought to it.  Sinful it is.  I tell you.  This is what this Mama plans on doing (and of course I will report my sad situation later to you all.): Prayer, Scripture study, cleaning Sage Manor, studing with the children (German), walking the pup, folding the laundry, preparing a quiet place for my Beloved when he gets home (he has an important tele call), making a list of scrumptious food that is alive and good for us (greens & fruit!).  There is much to do......and I must realign my focus.  I have a temple to take care of, and it's about time I start to it. I've been reading a bit about this, and I know that it is a stopper for me in a sense.  Don't know how to explain it other than what this good man of our Church said:  "The power to change is very real, and it is a great spiritual gift from God." President James E. Faust (1920-2007). So Be Blessed! Have Scrumptious Joy within your walls, feel what you need to walk through, know you are not alone.....and Sing.  Silly!! Kelly http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sagemanor/489794/ Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:20:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sagemanor/489794/ Greetings fellow Sisters!! Most of you already know how much I adore Laura's site: she is fabulously talented.  I'm in a constant state of green when I glance at all of you talented Mama's out there that make scrumptious items to tantilate me with!!  Isn't it lovely when you recieve mail??  Snail mail?  In the box, wrapped with only your mail on it??  Well, my third lovey that "posts" will get a package for little ole me!  We are "Paying It Forward" girls!  Time to get some mail!  I will be mailing on March 1st.......and please think about doing this on your blog.  It's down right groovy when you get a little box with your name on it.  I won't promise that you will need what I send you, but somewhere, someone down the line of fabulous, powerful women will get something that she really, truly needed that day.  I believe!! Be Blessed..................Kelly http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sagemanor/485899/ Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:06:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sagemanor/485899/