Fall Is In The Air!

Tags

Decorating, Fall Decor, Happy Autumn

Fall is here! I’m loving the crisp air, and yet still warm sunshine, which calls for cozy sweaters and blazers. Something about this season just really makes me feel invigorated. 🙂 I’m really anticipating the changing leaves, that are particularly vibrant in New England. Nothing like the bright, yellows, reds, and orange colors of autumn foliage.  I don’t go crazy when it comes to fall decorating, but a few touches around the house really get me in the mood for the season.

Here are a few snapshots of my fall décor.

I’m in love with the hydrangea my mom cut me from her garden. I’m hoping they will dry like that.

Happy Fall everyone! Soon its time for apple picking and pumpkin Pie! 🙂

I’ll leave you with a picture of my munchkin enjoying the last days of summer.

-Elza-

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Natural Dishwasher Detergent

Tags

Baking Soda, Dawn, dishwasher detergent, dishwasher soap, Health, Natural Dishwasher Soap, natural solutions, Vinegar

So I ran out of dishwasher soap two weeks ago, and decided to experiment.  I have never been happy with the store-bought detergent, because it smells so strong, and who knows what is in it.  (Did you know that cancer patients are often advised not to use dishwasher detergent, because of all the harmful chemicals it contains.  Makes you think doesn’t it..)  Since we have an older model dishwasher, it doesn’t seem to get as hot as the newer ones do, so I would always find soap residue on my dishes.  This obviously doesn’t sit well with me. Also, when my dishwasher is on, and the steam comes through the vents, the smell of the soap is so strong that I can’t even stand near it.  So I did a little googling to see if I could find and make a home-made natural solution.  A came across the idea of using baking soda, and decided to give it a try.  So I filled the soap slot with baking soda and put on a load of dishes.  It worked pretty decent, however, I did find some baking soda residue, and water spots. After a bit more research I decided to try adding about a dime size amount of liquid Dawn dish soap to the baking soda, and added vinegar to the rinse cycle.  It worked like a charm!  The baking soda provides grit to clean the dishes, the Dawn some bubble action, and the vinegar helps eliminate those water spots.  I have been using this method for about 2 weeks now and my dishes and dishwasher have never been this clean before.  (Once i put in a little too much baking soda I think, and I did find residue on top of the cups… However I don’t feel so bad about it, because as least I know what it is, and that it is safe.)

So I’m really loving this method…  however I do wonder if its good for the dishwasher and pipes long-term…  So I don’t know if I’ll never have to buy the nasty chemical stuff again… but for now, so-far-so-good.  I’ll keep you posted.

P.S You can buy natural dishwasher detergent online… however this can get pricey. Also there is a dishwasher detergent recipe floating online that uses Borax.. but I’m not a huge fan of it because Borax can be harmful too.

Elza

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Snow Day

Tags

Childhood, Memories, playing, sledding, snow, Snow day

We got several inches of snow last night. The little one and I went out to explore. However we didn’t last long. It was way too cold out there and windy! His cheeks were as red as apples by the time we came back in.  Some warm milk and a snack helped us defrost. For lunch some warm chicken soup that I made yesterday will be perfect.

Remember being a kid and playing outside in the snow until your mittens were soggy, and you couldn’t feel your toes? Those are some of my best memories as a kid. Do you remember the wonder of waking up to a world transformed over night into a winter wonderland? Then playing in the snow, sledding, making snow angels, building forts, and the never-ending neighborhood snow ball fights. Finally we would come inside with bright red cheeks, wet and exhausted. Our mom would always have something warm for us to eat.

Today, I don’t see as many kids playing outside.. Maybe its just our neighborhood.. I just hope my kids will be able to experience the wonder and delight of a snowy day. Then come home so I could feed them something warm and comforting, while they tell me about their adventures… I feel like it’s a necessary part of childhood.  ..or am I just sentimental?

-Elza-

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Entering a New Year

Tags

2014, Best wishes, Happy New Year, Reflections, Serving Spirit

A new year has come, and I find myself wondering what it will bring.  Though all it really represents is another day on the calendar, I see it as a chance for a fresh start. It gives me incentive to change some things in my life, and embrace other things.

I’m in the mood for purging…  This year I really want to look at my priorities, and find a way to focus my time on what really matters to me.  Modern life stretches our attention in all sorts of directions, yet I want to find a way to put my energy towards the most important, particularly my family and my faith.

Lately I have been thinking a lot about what is means to have a serving spirit. What does it mean to serve my husband and my family? Am I taking this role begrudgingly? I have also been considering the ways I may have touched other people, when we crossed paths in this fast-paced world.  Have I left an imprint on anyone’s soul? …or do I simply ignore the human connection, selfishly focused on only my path and problems.

I guess if I was to have one wish for 2014, it would be to learn to serve others humbly and joyfully.  ..to truly see the people around me, and hopefully have something to offer them.

Happy New Year everyone.  May it be filled with lots of love and joy. May we find a way to serve each other, beyond what is merely expected in today’s age.

-Elza-

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Happy New Year!

Tags

2014, Christmas, New Year

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Shh.. its nap time

Tags

Baby, Infant, Nap TIme, Sleep, Time Management, Working time

Anyone who has a small child knows how important nap time is. I’m not talking about how it magically eliminates crankiness in my kid, or any other health benefit here. I’m talking about the benefit for my sanity.  Thankfully my little darling loves his nap time, and I’ve still managed to hold on to two per day.

In the beginning it was “nap when baby naps.” However, it did not take me long to figure out the difference in productivity levels when baby sleeps versus when he is awake.  During these 2-3 hours of my babies rejuvenation, I’m trying to cram in anything and everything that needs to be done around the house.  I literally plan my day around these precious nap times.  However here is the kicker…  I have to be extremely quiet when doing these things, or I risk losing this time of precious productivity.  So often I find myself debating… do I vacuum, ..go into his room to put away laundry, or keep walking up the darn creaky steps that never fail to wake him up, and lose these precious moments of peace?  (I’ve even contemplated whether I should flush the toilet and risk waking him.)  Then there is the cat, who always seems to pick nap time as his time to howl his disillusionment with his nine lives. (.. no matter how much I shush him, or give him the evil eye.)  Then there is the neighbor who always seems to start up his ridiculously loud lawn mower…  or my favorite… the phone ringing… I can not tell you how many times I have frantically searched for my phone on my hands in knees, ready to fling it out the window. (…and people always wonder why I never pick up.. its because I’ve learned to keep it on silent!!)

Did I just hear a cry? Darn it.. my keyboard clanking must be too loud… or was it the cat???

Until next time,

Elza

 

A New Approach

Tags

Blogging, Journal, Online Writing, Writing

I have decided to try a new approach to this blog.  I have not really had the time or the inspiration to post lately. The more I think about it, the more I realize that I’ve been trying too hard to be “pretty.” …and I find that I don’t always feel “pretty”… or “inspiring”..for a lack of a better word.  Writing has always been an outlet for me. I have stacks of journals at home from about the age of 8 as a testament to this. However, somehow this blog has become a bit of a burden, and I think it is because I am trying too hard to present  something that is complete, edited, and beautiful.  Yet in all honesty I don’t always feel complete or beautiful, and I particularly don’t always want to feel edited.  I guess I want the freedom to ramble, rant, and rave.. and not feel the need to add a pretty photograph.    So I have decided to try a more journal style for a month or two and see how I feel about it.

Don’t get me wrong I will still try to post the usual “pretty” and “inspiring”  things.. (I have a few projects I have been meaning to show you.) But, I will also give myself the freedom to simply be honest, and down-right gritty if I feel like it.  I’m hoping this will ignite my spark for blogging once again, and who knows, maybe I’ll hate it, feel too exposed, and go back to being “pretty.”  Yet for now, those of you who still may read this little blog, please humor me, or feel free to skip the “not-so-pretty.”

Affectionately Yours,

Elza

Note –> After this post, I kept singing “I Feel Pretty, Oh so Pretty, and Witty and Bright…” in my head for like 2 hours…   Guess where that’s from??  At first I wanted to blame Mary Poppins, but apparently that song is from West Side Story. Huh!? Who knew??  

First Birthday Party!!

Tags

Birthday Party, Cake, Celebration, Cotton candy, Cupcakes, Decorations, First Birthday, Noah's Ark Party, Party hat, Whipped Cream

It was my sweet baby boys first Birthday last week, and we had a big party to celebrate the momentous occasion. It was a Noah’s Ark themed party…

I tried to keep it child-like and whimsical…

I kept my color palette light; focusing on light blues, aqua and white.

… I made an animal banner….

…and his very own special party hat!

Dessert Table..Yummy cupcakes!

Chocolate strawberry whipped cream cake!

Decoy Cupcake 😉

Noah’s Ark filled with lots of animals, a gift that arrived early from Grandma and Grandpa.

Some cotton candy Rain Clouds…
…and Marshmallow Rainbows.

A new ride!
Time for cake.

Surprise! Your own personal sized Noah’s Ark Cake!

Time to blow out the candle!

What should I wish for mommy??

Mmm this is good cake…

…really good cake!

This is awesome stuff Mommy! Why didn’t you give me this before??Quick! Give me my party hat!

Is it on??

More cake!

Daddy, where’s my milk??Oh Why did I eat so much cake??

Mommy, I think I’m done now…

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Well, I hope you all had fun seeing  a bit of our special day. It was a blessed day, with good food, family, friends, lots of presents and well wishes.  William loved every minute of it, and after washing all the icing off of him, he went to bed almost instantly, tired out by all the excitement. Thank you to everyone that came, and a special thanks to Tanya, my sister-in-law for taking all the pictures! They are priceless!

Until next time,

-Elza

How to Decorate Easter Eggs

Tags

Christianity, Decoupage, Easter, Easter egg, Egg decorating, holiday, Traditions

So I wanted to do a little holiday inspired post.  Easter is around the corner, and I thought I would post a little tutorial on decorating Easter eggs.Usually we use candle wax to write or draw on the eggs and then dip them in dye. However I wanted to try something different. I came across this decoupage-style method, and I love how they came out, so I thought I would share.

To get started you need:

• – eggs, hard-boiled (however many you want to decorate)
• – 1 slightly whisked egg white
• – a small brush 
  
• – some pretty 3-ply napkins or pretty tissue paper

Separate the napkins so that you have only the top printed ply of the napkin. The thinner the napkin the better.I found that tissue paper worked well too, if you can find a pretty print that you like. Also, prints surrounded by white work best, because they blend better with the egg. Solid full-colored prints show creases more.

Cut out whatever piece of the print you want on your egg. Then hold the napkin against the egg and use the egg whites as you would Modge Podge to decoupage the napkin onto the egg.

Smooth out any wrinkles, and then place them on a plate in the frig. to dry over night.  The next day rub a little oil over them to make them nice and shiny, and voila, you got some fancy looking Easter eggs you could use as decorations or serve.Technically you could eat these. Just peel the shell and there is a perfectly good egg inside. However I prefer them for decorative purpose. I made a little moss nest inside a bowl and will use them as part of an Easter table centerpiece. I like these because they remind me of Fabergé eggs, made popular by Russian Czars.

Did you know that the tradition of decorating eggs can be traced all the way back to the early Christians of Mesopotamia, who stained eggs red in memory of the blood of Christ, shed at his crucifixion.   In Christianity, they also symbolize the empty tomb of Jesus. Though an egg appears to be like the stone of a tomb, a bird hatches from it with life; similarly, the Easter egg, for Christians, is a reminder that Jesus rose from the grave, and that those who believe will also experience eternal life.  (Source: Wiki.)

Hope you have a blessed day,

-Elza-

For the Love of Cookbooks

Tags

Agriculture, Coffee Table Book, Cookbooks, Cuisine, Culture, Food and Drink, German Food, History, Photography, Recipe Collections, Russian food

So I have this little obsession with cookbooks. I’ve managed to acquire a bit of a collection during the few years I’ve been married, and yesterday I ordered another one. (sheepish look)  I don’t know what it is, but I love reading cookbooks, particularly ones with good photography.  I find them inspiring, and I love making new dishes!  I do have a few favorite cookbooks that I always seem to turn to. One of these is The Food & Cooking of Russia by Elena Makhonko.

 This cookbook is great. It has beautiful photography, and a good collection of recipes.  I find the recipes to be authentic. There are quite a few Russian classics in here and some new ones I’ve never tasted before.

It even has a bit of history on Russian cuisine, agriculture, and culture.  Just enough to make this book interesting even for those who don’t cook. (It would work well as a coffee table book.)

I have The Food and Cooking of Germany also, which is just as good, and I’ve ordered myself The Food and Cooking of Belgium, which I’m sure will not disappoint.

Is anyone else in love with cook books like I am? Are there any favorites I should know about? 🙂

-Elza-