Clothing Project: The Final Saga

Last week I was given 10 pair of super fun and cute pants/capris for the Summertime! A couple of tops were in the pile too, they are all brands that I would never fork out the money to purchase myself. What an amazing circle this has come around to!
I cannot wait for Spring and Summer!!!

Okay, Confession Time

I have switched out a few shirts for the Summertime.
I also bought a dress the day before yesterday! Whoa, that was a great feeling! I still don't have the nerve to wear the dress but I'm planning to!
I have made a few exceptions to the rules and pulled a top or two from my closet now and then. Maybe 5 times.There are four months left though and I have to say it's been a good experience. I am sure I've saved a load of money by not buying things I think I need. I've been making do with the pants that I have on hand and have switched out 2 pair for Summer shorts, which I'll switch back in the Fall. I fell like that's cheating but it is my rule and I am the only one doing this.
Overall, I am happy with the way this has gone. I do feel like I could have been doing a little better job on it. I'll stick with it until Thanksgiving though and not beat myself up for my failures though. I like to take it easy on myself. :)

I had S'mores last weekend. Captain America put peanut butter on our graham crackers before we added the chocolate and marshmallow. Talk about delicious!
Speaking of Captain America, have you noticed he has a movie coming out?? Yep, that's my man!

Granola

I made granola today and I documented the whole process for you! By the time you finish reading this you'll realize how easy it is and you'll be inspired to make your own!
In a sauce pan on low heat combine brown sugar, honey, peanut butter, vanilla, and coconut oil. Melt it together and remove from heat.

Next I measured out the dry ingredients: I used a 9 grain oat type blend, slivered almonds, dark chocolate chips, cinnamon, and salt. Though I am positive the salt could have been tossed out.

I always think the salt is unnecessary.


Mix it all up - except the chocolate chips.

Now pour the sugary mixture over the dry mix and stir it up.

Here I am just-a-stirrin'. I wanted you to get a chance to see my new hair! Maybe I'll give you a step-by-step post on that too! Anyway, onto the chocolate. (PS, that's blouse #2!)

After you stir it you can add the chocolate chips. I waited to add them because I didn't want the warm stuff to melt them all away. Mine melted anyway.


Maybe you can't see it here but there were some obvious chocolate streaks on my bowl when I poured it all into the lined 9 x 13 dish. I would recommend a cookie sheet instead of the dish and skip the lining if you're oiling your pan, which I suggest that you do.

Spread it all out and stick it right in to your pre-heated oven. Give it about 15 to 25 minutes depending on how deep your pile of crunch is and pop it out. It wont be crunchy just yet though, that will come after it cools. It will still be delicious! Go ahead and taste it!


This isn't burnt, do you notice there are no chocolate chips? I stirred them all in. I had to, I'm a compulsive stir-er. Anyway, I really liked the affect it had on the granola, or is it effect? That gets me every time. The melted chocolate made for bigger chunks and a chocolate-all-over kind of flavor. Which I liked.


I made a second batch without the chocolate chips, and added some coconut flakes. It turned out great, but not as chunky. I really loved the flavor so the missing chunks weren't a deal breaker. I'll be making this again. Either way, or both ways!

Would you like the recipe?

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 c peanut butter

3 T virgin coconut oil*

2 T honey

1 T vanilla

2 c oats

1/2 c slivered almonds

1 t cinnamon

1/4 t salt (or not)

3/4 c chocolate chips

Combine the wet ingredients in a med sauce pan and stir over low heat just until melted. Remove from heat and let cool.

In a med bowl combine the dry ingredients. Include the chocolate chips if you don't mind them melted or exclude them if you'd like to have whole chocolate chunks in your cereal.

Once the dry ingredients are combined then add the wet and stir it all in.

Pour mixture onto a greased baking sheet and bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. As the granola cools it will also become crunchy, so don't over cook it just because it's soft. If you'd like to keep your chocolate in the chip form, then don't stir the granola until it has cooled completely.

I found that the only ingredients I didn't have on hand were the oats and the almonds. I almost always have oatmeal but we use it up quickly. Nuts don't stand a chance in this house so I wasn't surprised that I needed those. Since this was so easy to make and calls for such common ingredients I was happy to make a double batch. I'm happy that I did!

Enjoy!

*If you need information about the benefits of coconut oil and where to find it, leave a comment below with your e-mail address and I'll send it to you.

Winter Weather!

I think we're about to get slammed by some snow! If you have a hole, you'd better snuggle in with a thick book and a hot cup of coffee! As for me, I don't have any thick book to read, I read it last night. I do have plenty of coffee and a couple of new magazines I might dig into. I'm hoping to talk someone into a fierce game of Battleship or Uno... Any takers?
On different note, I finally took pictures of my blouses! Well, 4 of the 5 anyway. I didn't take a picture of my britches since they're rather basic. Jeans or black slacks. I'll be posting those as soon as I get back to my desktop.
Stay warm and keep a candle handy!

My Hair

Most of the time I do my hair like this:



It's just SO easy!




Every now and then I do my hair like this.

Sometimes I let it down like this.

I'm in the black jacket.

Now... I do my hair like this!!!

Ta da! YES! It's really me! :)

PS, that's blouse #1

Snow Boots

I have over estimated the worth of black ballet flats in more than an inch of snow... Even my tennis shoes got soaked, and I was just on the sidewalk. So a couple of nights ago I bought my first pair of snow boots, ever. Well, since I was a pre-teen anyway. They're black, with a smidge of fluff around the top, not the trendy kind really, just a cute pair, something more my style (which is rather un-trendy). I love them. I do!

Unicorns i love them
Unicorns i love them
Uni uni unicorns i loove them

Have you seen Despicable Me? Ya gotta, just for the (fluffy!) unicorn obsessed tot. It's how I feel about my snow boots.

So, I'd really like to say I didn't want to buy a pair of snow boots, but I've wanted one for years and so I have to admit, I'm really excited about them!

Update on Wardrobe Project

I donated 2 huge bags of clothes, currents from the closet, and it still feels crowded. I have "cheated"(?)twice by wearing something not on the list of previously chosen items. I have also added a few scarves to my wardrobe, and I feel no remorse. I wore my pearls for Christmas and a few days thereafter since they were traveling with me. I am considering (did I already say this?) adding earrings a once or twice a week, and have worn them a couple of times in the past few weeks. I have my camera and it's in working order (miraculously!) so I will begin the photo sessions this week, probably before I clean out the garage.

I'm off to count my gray hairs.

Missing Camera

I've had all my clothes chosen for the last couple of weeks, some of them I hadn't worn for the first little while because I was unsure if they would work with the outside temperature, and if I needed to exchange an item I didn't want to have already worn it. As it is, I have 3 dressy blouses, 1 long sleeved top, a turtleneck, a blazer, and a hoodie. I've set aside two pair of jeans and a pair of black dress slacks. I've been sticking to one pair of black shoes (the ballet flats) and I've worn my tennis shoes once. Yesterday I was required to wear all black or black and white so I had to wear a shirt that wasn't on my list of approved items, but it wasn't my pleasure, I did wear my pearls though, and that was my pleasure.
I have lost my camera... since Thanksgiving I guess. It's been about that long that I've been looking for it and I used it to take pics and videos on Thanksgiving. I have been hoping to take some pictures of the outfits that I will be wearing in the coming months but until I find my camera...
I worked my last day at the chocolate store yesterday, it was fun but I'm glad to have my time to myself again. Just in time to celebrate Christmas at a leisurely pace.
Monday night I finished up my gift wrapping and was thinking about how in just a few days my step-son will be opening these gifts! It was that moment that I really felt the Christmas spirit! I love to gift shop and have a wonderful time doing that but this year I didn't have that warm and rosy glow that Christmas usually sparks. I've got it now. I think it's the gift wrapping, I just love to do that.

Photos are coming, I promise!

I've been down with a wicked (inner) ear infection for the last 3 days and was close to chopping it off! I took loads of Echinacia & Goldenseal though (and still am) and that has made a big difference in my life! I have been able to go to work each day, after long nights of thinking I'll never get out of bed again! Today was the 3rd, and best, day so far. I took off my bed sheets and threw them in the washer right before this happened and I haven't yet put the fresh set on! I've been sleeping in a quilt and now that will have to be washed too. I was so out of energy that when I thought of making my bed, I just crawled into my quilt instead. Lazy bones.
So, when I finally make my bed, I'll also take some pictures of my clothing.

It's a Work in Progress

So, I guess things don't just happen over night then? I was really hoping to slash through my closet and dump a bunch of junk. I found out that I am much more attached to a lot of my clothes than I realized... so I've made one pass and I took out about 35 items (of my own thank you). I'll make another pass in a week or so and see what shakes down. In the mean time I am evaluating another option. The option of putting all this extra in a tote for the next year, surely by then my current pieces will be thread bare. So I'll go shopping in my own closet for a few more items to replace my Raggedy-Ann blouses. The idea here is that it's rather dumb to ditch your clothes and then have to buy 3 or even 5 more shirts in a year. Does it sound like I'm making excuses? It feels like it sounds like I am.

Cap chose about 35 of his own shirts and pants (mostly shirts) to send off too. We have two huge shopping bags full of clothes. Our closet looks a little better. Only a little.

As for my wardrobe, I have only settled on 3 tops. I can't decide what the fourth should be and if I should have at least 2 long-sleeved or sweater type shirts. Ya know, cause we're heading into winter here and looking at degrees below zero at some points. Might get chilly under my coat right? Help me! Shoes too, I have no idea what to do about them. I've been wearing out a pair of "ballet" flats for the fall but I don't think they'll do for winter. So what will. I have a couple pair of boots but they have heels and I don't think they'd be great either. So, 1 sneakers, 1 church shoes, and what about the everyday stuff? Keep the ballet flats? Use my old worn out Mary-Jane's? I can't think of another option.

As soon as I settle on the other two shirts I'll post some pictures of my choices.

A Day of Thanksgiving

Tonight I'm preparing some Thanksgiving food in advance. I have plenty of time to be ready, I just want to see how it does in the freezer for a day or so. Cap and I have decided to buy a deep freezer for our Christmas gift and one thing I'd like to do with it is start making up some meals that can be frozen and then popped into the oven. That's what really got me to thinking about making my Thanksgiving dishes a little early.
I'm making sweet potatoes,

and cranberry sauce, I'll probably make some cranberry muffins too, but I want to use the left over cranberry sauce for that. I did last year and they turned out delicious, we'll see if I have the same luck this year, huh?



This is my mom's famous chocolate chip, peanut butter, oatmeal cookies recipe but I dipped them in chocolate. Here they are, All ready to go!



I have so much to be thankful for, not just this Thanksgiving but everyday. I'd like to tell you a little bit about that.
The first thing I am so grateful for is God. Always, always, God. I'm thankful for what He is, for what He does, for the wonderful blessings that He pours out on each of us and our families. I give my thanks and gratitude from the very bottom of my heart. God has kept us supplied with wonderful Christian friends, a great church with a fantastic pastor, bibles that teach us how to love one another, and by that a marriage that I am honored to be half of.
Second on my list is, my family. From my husband & step-son to my mom, and right down to each and every little niece and nephew! I am so glad to be a part of my family and my husband's family. I believe there is something to be treasured inside each person and it usually isn't hard to figure out what that special thing is! I love you, my family. I am also thankful for all the new babies born into our family this year. A combined total of 9 new babies in 2010 for my side and my captain's side! Perfect and precious. I could even list all of their names with out having to think about it!
The next category that I am giving thanks for is our home. Our nice warm beds, the running water, and a good roof over our heads. God has blessed us with a beautiful home that we are so honored to live in. Every day I look around and am so grateful for each little nook and cranny, not to mention all the extras. We are so thankful for this home and for the neighbor God has blessed us with who knows how to keep our cars in running condition!
Last and not least is our country, our freedom, our safety, and our bounty. Thank you God for this sweet land of liberty.

There are many other people and things that we are blessed to have in our lives. I hesitate to continue my list because I'm starting to feel braggadocios! I'm so honored to have been given so much in life and I thank God for all of it. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Please comment and tell me what you're thankful for this year.

PS Check back to find out more about my clothing project - for lack of something better to call it!

My Sacrifice?

Is it really much of a sacrifice though? We'll have to see.

The night of the women's rally at church, that I blogged about here, I had a thought. I thought about all the clothes hanging in my closet that I never wear, I thought about all the clothes that I do wear, and about the clothes that so many don't have.

Our nation is one of great affluence and excess, we all know. The problem is that we do nothing about our indulgence, even when we hear or read of the poverty that many nations face. So I decided to make a change in my life, To challenge myself for 1 year. I will chose a few items of clothing (the exact number hasn't yet been settled upon) and wear only those clothes for the next year.
I think I will start with 5 tops, 3 pants, 1 skirt, 1 dress shoe, one tennis shoe, 1 seasonal for daily wear, 7 undies, 1 pj set, 1 hoodie, 1 winter coat, 1 scarf, 1 set of gloves, my wedding ring, and no other jewelry. This still is so much more than minimum. I will keep 5 (or 10?) other tops that I already own and donate the rest of my clothing to Project Rescue or some other local organization. Things will come up I am sure, that will require some thought and decision. I am sure there will be Christmas gifts or birthday gifts that will be clothing. I will have to give some thought to what to do about that, before it happens. I want this to be a sacrifice, I want to feel it. After 6 months I may re-evaluate and give up more items (go down to 3 shirts from 5 or something). We'll wait and see. For the season change I might exchange one pair of jeans for a pair of shorts, I can't decide if that should be allowed or not.
It's time to start picking my clothes and bagging up the rest.
I want to start this Thanksgiving Day, it seems appropriate. The captain has said he'd like to do it with me. Obviously uniforms for work have to be excluded, I don't wear one but my Captain America does. I'll post pics of the items I decide to wear for the next 12 months, just for the fun of it.

No Time To Kill/Project Rescue

First of all, I haven't had any extra time at all! I spent yesterday (Tuesday) taking my mom to the airport in Kansas City, then I spent the night with Captain America... but not at his barracks. No.
I got home this morning in time to take a quick shower, throw on my pretty granny dress, Skype with my momma who landed safely in Europe (but never called to say so), and head out to the mall. I sampled peanut brittle there today. See's Candy has the best peanut brittle. That isn't all I sampled though... I also had a Bordeaux, sugar free dark chocolate almond clusters, a regular almond cluster, and a couple of other things that I just can't put my finger on. It's my job, I have to know what I'm selling here people, okay?

Now, the real reason I'm still up is so that I can tell you about a fashion show and clothing re-sale shop that was held at my church James River Assembly of God in Ozark, MO. The women of the church were asked to donate their new or gently used clothing for an indoor sale that would happen the night of our women's rally. The proceeds of the sale, and any clothing that wasn't purchased, would then be donated to an organization called Project Rescue. The mission is to rescue women and children who have been sold into sexual slavery in India and Nepal. Project Rescue provides medical care and safe houses to rescued victims as well as a safe place for the children of sex workers during their mother's working hours, which keeps the children out of brothels. I have barely scratched the surface here but I hope to learn more about their mission and figure out how I can help raise awareness. Please visit their website and if you feel compelled to help. One of the greatest ways to do so is to send a donation. Start with a $20 and see if you even miss it. Go out to dinner once less this month, it'll be so worth it. Read the touching story of how it all began. Most of all, pray for these women and children as well as the people who are helping them. There are many resources on the Project Rescue website, I encourage you to look over them and find out how you can raise awareness in your own family, church, school, workplace, and community.