Back to School

What a wonderful and refreshing break this past week has been!  I am so thankful for the time I was able to relax, rest and work on things around the house.  I accomplished most of my "Spring Break Pipe Dreams" to do list, and it feels great!

I head back to school remembering this verse:  "The Lord is my strength and my shield.  My heart trusts in Him and he helps me."  Psalm 28:7

ALOHA

Spring Break, part 3 (Adventures in Cleaning & Organizing)

So in this post, I'd like to discuss my last few days and what I've accomplished on my "pipe dreams" to do list.  On Monday, I was able to grade my projects and clean the windows.  That was probably my most productive day.  I still have 40 essays to grade, but I know they'll get done... eventually.

Projects graded:  check.

Very dirty windows.  This has literally been on my "to do list" since
we bought the house last May.  Yikes, that's almost a year.  

Another dirty shot.

Room with the windows out.

I cleaned them in the driveway.

And here they are... nice and clean!

My last little touches came with some help from my friendly neighborhood ROSS store.  I was perusing the isles on Tuesday night and came across some pantry storage bins that I loved.  A few weeks ago I was actually looking for some, but eventually gave up.  Tuesday, I just happened to stumble upon these.  I used all of my March budget money to buy storage bins and two candles for the (very LARGE) candle holders my friend gave to me.  Now, I think the living room is complete!

Ahhhhh... an organized pantry.

A blanket basket.  Thank you ROSS!

And finally, candles for the holders.  

Spring Break, part 2 (Adventures in Sewing)

Spring Break is progressing nicely.  I have enjoyed my time to far and feel very accomplished!  I have several updates, but this post will only address one.

Since Mike was busy working on the living room trim, I started a project of my own.  My friend, Esther, let me borrow her sewing machine on Sunday!  She brought it over and we got to chat and catch up with each other.  It was a nice visit.  She showed me how to make quick and easy pillow covers (which I've been wanting to do for a while now).  It turned into a whole week process rather than a one day thing.  I started the first two on Sunday night and finished up this morning (Thursday).  It's been very easy, enjoyable, and rewarding. 

The fabric wasn't cheap.  Walmart let me down on that end, but I figure since I can take them off and on to wash them, then it should be worth the money.  I used a nice paisley(ish) design that matches the living room curtains for the front, and khaki looking muslin for the backing.  $7.94 a yard for the design pattern, and $4.88 for the khaki. 

I had a total of eight pillows to cover--three small and five larger ones.  Here's how it went down:

First, I needed a sewing machine... thanks Esther!

Next, I cut the back fabric just a little bigger than the pillow itself.
I folded the side that I'd stitch, then...

I ironed it.

Then I sewed a simple stitch on the ironed portion.

Next, I laid out the fabric I planned to use for the front.  Good side facing up.

I made sure that it was about the size of the
existing pillow, so it'd fit nice and snug.

Next, I laid the half sheet of backing (good side facing down)
on top with the stitch toward the middle section.

Then I did the same thing with the other half piece and pinned it.

Here's the fun part once it's all pinned... sew all the way around the square!
I just used one simple stitch about a quarter inch from the edge of the fabric.
The good news is that it doesn't have to be exact since it gets turned inside out anyway :)

Now flip it!

Voila!

And there you have a simple (and removable) pillow cover!

Here's the pillow stuffed inside.

And the back, for easy removal.

I did the same thing for some small pillows I had as well.   This is all of them together.

I'm loving blues and tans for some reason!

My final picture.  I just love the way these look and match my living room!

  

Spring Break, part 1 (Adventures in Door Trim)

This is my favorite time of the break [the very beginning].  It's all laid out before me, and I have so much I want to accomplish!  It's a great feeling...

I'm just blessed that I have a break at all.  My poor husband has been working seven twelves since the Super Bowl, and he's had such a good attitude about it.  The hardest thing for him has been not having energy when he gets off work to do the stuff he enjoys.  After working 5:00am to 5:00pm on Saturday, he was able to hop in the ocean for a bit and catch a wave or two, but he said it was too windy.  Well, he got off a little early yesterday (Sunday) and came home around 1pm, surprise!  He was able to use our friends' saws and start the downstairs trim in the hallway.  It looks great!  Of course it still needs to be caulked and painted, but it makes a huge difference already!  I just had to show off his handiwork :)

BEFORE:  without trim

AFTER:  with trim

I can't wait until he does the window above the kitchen sink, the living room window and the two sliding doors!  It's gonna look SOOOO good :)

On another note, Sunday School went well yesterday.  I've been teaching it by myself these last few weeks since Mike has been working.  We've been going through the life of David and talking about how God was with him throughout his whole life.  Last class, we discussed David in Saul's service and using our talents and abilities to glorify God.

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."  1 Corinthians 10:31

This week we read all of 1 Samuel 17--the full story of David and Goliath.  I think they knew the story, but it seemed like many of them had never read it straight from the Bible.  Like me at their age, they had probably seen the videos or heard the abridged version.

Our scripture then took on a whole new meaning:  "The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusts in him and he helps me.."  Psalm 28:7a

Lastly, I wanted to share some pictures from our girls' day.  Typically, we have about 6 girls and 6 boys in Sunday School, but only three of the girls made it when we had a get together a few weeks ago.  We had fun though!

Fondue!

Cookie time

Mess

Baking

Colors

Creations

And more...