Handicraft Serenity
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Twentieth Anniversary Trip : Day 1-2
Eric and I were married almost 20 years ago while I was home on leave from a deployment in Iraq. Needless to say, we didn’t get to have a honeymoon. Between dealing with PTSD, followed by kids, and all that comes with those, we just never seemed to find the right time. We decided a couple years ago that we wanted to finally have our honeymoon to celebrate our twentieth anniversary, and the time finally came this year.
We scheduled a trip to spend 4 days at Disney World and 2 days at Universal Studios. To make things a little easier on us, we divided the travel into 2 days. The drive was surprisingly pleasant, given it was 14 hours without any stops. It was our first time traveling without kids in as long as we could remember. While we weren’t specifically following our usual dietary restrictions, we wanted to come up with snack and beverage options that wouldn’t have a bunch of sugar and empty carbs. We focused mostly on nuts, beef jerky, and protein snacks.
Snacks
We both wanted mixed nuts for when we wanted a snack on the drive, but didn’t want a mix that was all peanuts and cashews. So I ordered the nuts we wanted and mixed them into a container for the trip. They were so good! We used a mix of pecans, macadamia nuts, almonds, shelled sunflower seeds, and a little bit of cashews. We mixed them all in a storage container and used that to refill an old mixed nuts can that fit in the cupholder of the car.
Along with the mixed nuts, we also has a small collection of protein snacks that included protein bars, protein cookies, and beef jerky. I personally prefer mostly Quest protein bars and snacks. They have a good protein/carb/fat ratio as well as not having any of the ingredients I am allergic to. The best part about these protein bars is they don’t melt in the car. They do soften a little and can change shape, but they maintain the same consistency and texture. They also don’t have that typical protein bar texture to begin with, it is more like a chewy candy bar.
While I am typically not drawn to sweets, I do occasionally like some sweets. I especially like the Quest protein cookies. My biggest craving is actually chips, which has been helped by Quest protein chips as well. They were great for the drive too since I would feel full and the chip cravings would be gone. The frosted cookies have several flavors, but the chocolate are my favorite. The larger protein cookies have even more flavors. Some are dryer than others, but I haven’t had a bad one yet. The protein chips are a different story. The texture is a little different to tortilla chips, so don’t expect them to be like Doritos. I tried several flavors, and did not like the ranch or nacho cheese flavors at all. I liked the fiesta lime flavor, but it was way too hot for me. The loaded taco flavor seems to be perfect. It actually does remind me of Doritos, and the flavor balances out the odd texture well. They completely satisfy the chip cravings for me, which is a huge help.
Whatever snacks you like, Quest has a ton of low carb, high protein options. They even have muffins and potato chips now. I can’t wait to try those out and let you know how they are.
Drinks
The biggest hurdle was finding drinks that had enough caffeine to keep us awake and focused, while also not containing added sugars, aspartame, or acesulfame potassium. Unfortunately being allergic to acesulfame potassium extremely limits sugar free option. We experimented with a few different brands and flavors from grocery stores and gas stations. Eric had a few more options available to him since he only has to avoid the added sugars, but I only found one brand that avoided all three. For me the best choice was Celsius which, luckily, has a ton of flavors to choose from. Some are carbonated and some are not. Below are my three favorite flavors after trying nearly every flavor available in my area. At grocery stores they are over $2.00 each, and at gas stations they are usually even more.
Once I narrowed down brands and flavors, I discovered I could save money by ordering online. I found that buying it by the case on amazon is much cheaper than in the stores, even more so if you utilize subscribe & save.
Eric is not a big fan of the celsius, and he went through a lot of different options before deciding on a few favorites. He has the flavors below on subscribe & save now. The Monster Peachy Keen and Ghost Tropical Mango are his top favorites.
Comfort
When I was about to have my fifth child, I fell and broke my coccyx. Then, lucky me, I delivered her 2 weeks later, with said broken coccyx. As a result of this I have difficulty sitting for long periods of time without pain. Eric ordered cushions for the car to help alleviate the pressure that would cause this pain. It was an adjustment, but I was able to drive to Florida and back with no pain whatsoever. It also works wonders on the desk chairs when spending hours at the computer or working on craft projects.
All in all we had a pleasant drive that actually passed faster than expected. With the kids in the car I am way more stressed and crave junk food, but with just the two of us it was actually quite peaceful. We didn’t have to stop nearly as often, and when we did we took walks around the rest areas to stretch our legs. We even made the trip in record time with just the two of us. We also learned a lot to use for our family trip coming up in December.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Protein Lunch Box
I enjoy bento box lunches and they are usually a good way to eat a high protein lunch on the go, while eating foods you love.
Versatility
The best thing about them is their versatility. You can do any mix whatever you want. You can adapt them to whatever diet you are on or whatever macros you are following. I focus mainly on high protein, complex carbs, and limiting added sugars.
Containers
A good divided container is important. You don’t want your dry foods getting soggy and, let’s be honest, some foods just don’t taste right mixed together. I use a couple of different containers for me depending on if it is a meal box, or just portioned snacks for the day.
The 5 compartment boxes are great for lunches. The one larger compartment is great for a small quinoa salad or cottage cheese. The only limit is your imagination. The 4 compartment boxes are great for portioning out snacks for the day. I often use them to put hummus, veggies, nuts, and some fruit together. It is easier to stick to healthier snacks when they are readily available and convenient.
These containers worked great for my husband and I either at home or taking them to work. Unfortunately they did not hold up to my kids taking them to school. We needed a much stronger seal to withstand that abuse. For them I found these bento boxes that not only have a nice strong seal, they come with utensils and a dip/dressing container too. Another bonus is that it comes in 6 different colors. With 5 kids it is so much easier to tell their stuff apart if they have a different color for each of them. The best part is that all 3 of these types of bento boxes are completely dishwasher safe.
Protein
Now to the point of a protein box which is, of course, protein. Not all proteins are made equal, and I try to focus on lean proteins. The one thing I compromise on is salami. I love salami and can’t give it up, so I balance it out. Instead of just putting that In, I put a small amount in along with another meat. Other great protein sources could include:
- Boiled Egg
- Grilled or Rotisserie Chicken
- Smoked Turkey
- Low Fat Cottage Cheese
- Greek Yogurt
- Shrimp
- Albacore Tuna
- Peanut or Almond Butter
- Cheese:
- Laughing Cow
- Babybel
- Pepperjack
- Mozerella
- Cheddar
- Hummus
- Chickpeas
- Black beans
Not all proteins are equal so the important thing is to pick proteins that you both enjoy and align with your goals. I am going to show a sample box that I made recently. While it is not a low calorie food, it was high in protein, and didn’t have any added sugar or simple carbs. It contains low fat cottage cheese with no sugar added diced peaches, laughing cow cheese with whole grain flatbread crackers, Babybel monterey jack wheels, mesquite smoked turkey, italian dry salami, and a few garlic stuffed green olives. It was both satisfying and delicious, and I wasn’t hungry again until dinner.
I often like to put a boiled egg in place of the olives, but that day I was craving something salty. I like to make 2-3 boxes at a time so I always have a lunch ready to go when I need it. I usually use half as much salami as is shown in this image, but ran out of turkey. (Apparently my kids like that turkey too.) The box as shown has 683 calories, 37.9g fat, 35.3g carbs, 46.6g protein. This is probably my highest calorie box, and is reserved for my high calorie days. Lunch also tends to be my biggest meal of the day, so it works for me. I will update soon with a few of my other boxes that are a little lower calorie and show how flexible bento box lunches can be. Until then, try some different options using the foods you like most.
A New Twist on Classic Fairytales
One of my favorite authors is Melanie Cellier. She has written several series so far, all of which I have loved, and is still adding more stories to them. I will share about them all eventually, but wanted to start at the beginning with The Four Kingdoms.
The Four Kingdoms series is made up of five novels and three companion novellas. Melanie Cellier takes classic fairy tales, we have all grown up with, and creates a fantastical world of magic and godmothers. She takes all of these individual stories and ties them and their characters together into an intricate web. While she expertly intertwines all of the characters’ stories, each book could possibly be read on its own. She has also mastered the art of clean romance. There is no question of the emotions and drama she is able to convey, all without the graphic and unnecessary details. I personally prefer to go in reading order, and not necessarily release order. I am going to do a quick blurb about each book, in the order I read them.
The Princess Companion: A Retelling of The Princess and the Pea
In this first book you get an introduction to the four kingdoms set in the kingdom of Arcadia. A woodcutter’s daughter is caught in a storm and winds up at the castle by accident. As a result she finds her self with a new job and in a new world. After trials, danger, and a godmother’s intervention, her life will never be the same again.
The Princess Fugitive: A Reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood
Princess Ava, and her bodyguard Hans, are forced to flee for their lives. To save her kingdom Rangmere, as well as her life, she must ally herself with her enemies. She faces many trials and her faith is put to the test. Can she do what it takes to protect her people?
The Coronation Ball: A Four Kingdoms Cinderella Novelette
Follow Hans’ sister Hanna after she has been forced to leave Rangmere and start over. She has worked so hard to become a pastry chef. She is so close to completing her apprenticeship, and will do whatever she has to to do it. When everything goes wrong she will have to decide what is most important. Will she fight for her dream as a pastry chef in the Northhelm palace kitchens? Will she fight for the only man she has ever loved?
Happily Ever Afters: A Reimagining of Snow White and Rose Red
Sarah and Evelyn helped Ava to win her throne and save Rangmere, but not everyone is happy about their new queen. Follow them as they fight not only for their new kingdom, but their own places in the new court.
The Princess Pact: A Twist on Rumpelstiltskin
Princess Marie of Northhelm must set off on a quest with the charming Rafe to save her kingdom from the coming darkness. Will she be able to find the secrets of her identity and find a way out of the bargains that have been made?
A Midwinter’s Wedding: A Retelling of The Frog Prince
Princess Cordelia travels to Northhelm to attend her brother’s wedding. She has high hopes for this visit, but things do not go according to plan. Nothing is as it seems, and only the ugliest man in court will even listen to her. Can she overcome the obstacles ahead to save the four kingdoms, and maybe find romance as well?
The Princess Game: A Reimagining of Sleeping Beauty
Princess Celeste has been cursed with incomparable beauty and foolishness, or so it seems. Little does anyone know, she has a sharp mind and keen intellect. Working from the shadows, she is able to protect her kingdom and those she loves. When a threat comes that she can’t stop on her own, she has to rely on a handsome and charming prince to help her save them all.
The Princess Search: A Retelling of The Ugly Duckling
Evie has always felt rejected. She has trouble trusting the crown prince even though he has shown her nothing but friendship. After finding herself on a tour of the kingdom of Lanover and unknown dangers, her inability to trust could lead them to doom. Can she overcome it in time?
I hope you enjoy this series as much as I have. Keep your eye out for my next post about the next of her series Return to the Four Kingdoms for more classic fairytales retold!
Amazing Series
Something you should all know about me is I am an avid reader. I love books; especially sci-fi, fantasy, and fairy tale stories. I read to relax, to escape, to control anxiety, and sometimes I just lose myself in it.
I recently finished a series I have been reading for several months and was bummed to see it end. It was off to amazon to find my next read, and I was not disappointed at all. The Gilded City series starting with House of Ash and Shadow by Leia Stone is amazing.
I have read more books in the past few years alone than I can count, but I have never been sucked into one like this. Her characters hook you within the first few pages and you can’t put it down. Fallon, the main character, immediately becomes so real to you and you become invested in how things are going to turn out. Before I knew it I had read all 304 pages, and had started on the second book, all in one day. It follows Fallon as she discovers that she has magic and moves to the Gilded City and is drawn into a very different world. She doesn’t know who she can trust, who wants her dead, and who just wants her gone. The more she learns about her birth mother the more confused she gets. And who couldn’t empathize with someone who can’t be touched by anyone at all, not even her own father?
The second book was every bit as good. I love that in House Of War and Bone she continues the story almost seamlessly, without a ton of back story connecting it to book one. Book two is currently only available on Kindle, but comes out on paperback in April. In this book you learn more about Fallon’s past and get to dive deeper into not only what her powers can do, but Ariyon’s as well. You get to know more about the royal family and their pasts as well as being able to better understand their motives and relationships.
The only disappointment I had in this series was when I finished book two and discovered I would have to wait two more weeks before the next book will be released on Kindle. House of Light and Ether will be release on Kindle on February 28th and Paperback on June 4th.
I can’t wait to see if Ariyon is able to reach Fallon and what will happen in the coming war. I enjoyed this series so much, I couldn’t help but share it with you. I tried my best to be spoiler free, but apologize if I failed. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Who needs McDonald’s?
One of my biggest weaknesses is McDonald’s breakfast. I especially love the Sausage McMuffin with egg. My biggest problem with them is the empty carbs and the fact that I am hungry again about an hour later. I did a little experimenting over the last couple weeks to find a lower carb, satisfying, and filling alternative.
Bread
The biggest change I made was the bread. English muffins and biscuits are high in simple carbs, which causes your blood sugar to go up and makes it so you don’t stay feeling full. I tried whole wheat english muffins and they just don’t taste right and were really heavy. The best thing I have found is Dave’s Killer Bread. My mom has been trying to get me to try this for years, and I finally did. There are several options, but my favorite is the thin sliced good seed bread.
This bread tastes great, especially toasted, it is filling, the perfect size for the breakfast sandwich, adds both protein and fiber, and is full of whole grains and seeds that leave you feeling fuller longer. I also tried Keto Bread, since it only has 2 net carbs and no sugar, but it tasted sour and, to me, did not go well with the sandwich at all. Since I am focusing not only on reducing carbs, but replacing simple carbs with complex ones, the Dave’s Killer Bread still works well for my goals, while also being the best tasting choice. Let’s face it, if it doesn’t taste good you won’t continue to use it.
Eggs
I love a good fried egg but, while you can improve that by frying it in extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil, It is still a buch of calories and extra fats. An alternative option that lets you keep your protein, while keeping your calories down, is baking the eggs with an egg substitute in the oven. I don’t do well with dairy, but haven’t really experimented with milk alternatives in my eggs yet. I have worked out a recipe that makes 6 servings of scrambled eggs per batch in the oven with no milk. If you substitute an egg substitute for half of the eggs you would reduce your calories by about 47 calories, per egg substituted, while still getting 5g of protein per egg replaced. It’s a win win.
Sausage
When it comes to sausage there are so many options available, like turkey, chicken, and pork. I have tried several brands of turkey sausage and have never liked any of them; I just can’t get over the texture. Chicken breakfast sausage is the closest I have found to pork sausage, unfortunately I have only found it in links which can be a little more difficult when making sandwiches. Good old pork sausage is still my favorite, and still a healthier choice than bacon. The frozen pork sausage patties at Aldi are by far my favorite as well as the best priced option. They taste just like McDonald’s and are super convenient since you can cook them individually in the microwave while the bread toasts.
Cheese
While most breakfast sandwiches use simple american cheese, I wanted an option that is lower in carbs and higher in protein. My family’s favorite cheese is colby jack due to its light and mild flavor. Colby jack is not only higher in protein and lower in carbs, but it also has less sodium, more calcium, and provides other vitamins not found in american cheese. A Glass and a Half Full Productions did a great side-by-side comparison of these two cheese options. When placing the cheese on the sandwich, place it in between the hot egg and sausage to help it melt/soften.
All put together a sausage, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich on Dave’s killer Bread can be a great start to your day. It has plenty of protein, fiber, and complex carbs to keep you feeling full longer, and only takes a few minutes to make. On the days I eat this for breakfast I am not tempted to even have a snack before lunch. Sometimes I even eat lunch late because I am just not hungry. It is a delicious and satisfying breakfast that only takes about 5 minutes to prepare, which makes it great for busy mornings like ours. When compared with a McDonald’s Sausage Mcmuffin with Egg, this comes in with lower calories, about equal on fat, and higher protein and fiber to slow glucose absorption.
Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Breakfast Sandwich
⏱ Prep Time: 2 mins ⌛️ Cook Time: 2 mins
🍴Servings: 1
🍽 Meal: Breakfast
Ingredients
- 2 Slices Dave’s Killer Good Seed Bread
- 1 frozen sausage patty
- 1 slice colby jack cheese
- 1 slice scrambled egg (or substitute a fried egg)
Directions
- Toast both slices of bread
- Reheat scrambled egg in microwave for 15 seconds on each side, then 5 second increments if needed to get to desired temperature.
- Heat sausage patty according to package instructions.
- Put sandwich together with cheese in between egg and sausage.
- Enjoy!
Reining in the Chaos
With five kids running around, there is always chaos and clutter. We have decided this year that we are going to take back control of our home. Since there are only so many hours in a day, I will have to make changes a little at a time. I decided to tackle a space we use every single day first. Our drink station and drink storage cupboard.
Before
This counter usually ends up with whatever the kids didn’t feel like putting away piled on it. It is a pain to make any hot cocoa, coffee, or tea when you have to dig it out first. I wanted to find a way to organize everything in a way that it can be easily used. I’ve seen all these cute ways to display these types of things in a much more functional way. I found this cute tray to organize my frequently used teas, stevia, and diffuser packets, although I got it in white. Left and right are how I arranged it in my kitchen.
For the coffee and cocoa I needed to find containers with a smaller footprint than the big cans. I also wanted something with a good seal to keep them fresh while also being easy and convenient to use. I searched through a ton of canisters and jars and finally decided the tall storage jars below would be perfect. They make good use of the vertical space and take up very little counter space.
Finally, I moved the toaster to another counter to make this counter much more functional and less cluttered for making drinks.
I also got a smaller version of these same jars to organize teas into that didn’t have individually wrapped bags. I could never find anything I was looking for in the cupboard without everything falling down on me. It made me just give up on even drinking tea for a long time. Not only were there a bunch of different types of tea, there were multiple boxes of most. With these cute spice jars below I was able to combine boxes and take up a lot less space in the same cupboard. I even had extra labels to use to label the tall jars I got for the countertop! I was also able to use an extra on to put my stevia in for making tea.
One last thing was needed to make the drink storage cupboard easier to find things in. I have used these expandable wire shelves in several cupboards in my kitchen and they help use more of the vertical space there too. Most cupboard shelves have a lot more vertical space than is actually used. With these you add a shelf and make use of all that dead space.
And with all that space saved in the cupboard, I was able to put our protein powders up there using these storage containers. Now I no longer have the large protein containers taking up space on top of the refrigerator. It’s a win win.
So far I am very happy with how everything turned out. I can actually find my tea when I want to. Perfect timing for my next task. Giving Up Soda…
After
Easy Eggs for Breakfast Sandwiches
My favorite breakfast is a sausage, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich. Unfortunately, with my current goals, they don’t have enough protein to balance out the calories and the carbs. I had read about making scrambled eggs in the oven with a mix of eggs and egg substitute to keep the protein content while reducing the calories. The problem I ran into was that I couldn’t find a single recipe that didn’t add milk and, while I can tolerate milk in small amounts, this isn’t where I want to consume it. So I went to the kitchen and did some experimenting of my own, and came up with a recipe with only 5 simple ingredients.
First gather 4 eggs, your chosen egg substitute, salt, pepper, chives, an 8×8 baking dish, and cooking spray.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray baking dish with cooking spray.
Combine 4 eggs and the equivalent of 4 more eggs using substitute. 1 egg has 72 calories and 6.3g of protein while the equivalent of one egg from the substitute is only 25 calories for 5g of protein. By substituting 4 eggs you are still getting 20g of protein, but decreased calories from 288 to 100 for a pan total of 388 divided into 6 65 calories each and 7.5g of protein each.
Whisk eggs together, then mix in 1/2 teaspoon each of salt, pepper, and chives and pour into baking dish.
Bake in oven for 15 mins, then 3 minute increments until set. Slice into 6 equal pieces.
The individual slices are the perfect size for a breakfast sandwich. The extra slices can be stored in the refrigerator for use within 2-3 days. I like to put wax paper between the layers to keep them from sticking to each other.
To reheat, just microwave 15 seconds on each side, then 5 second increments if needed to get to desired temperature.
Oven Baked Scrambled Egg Slices
⏱ Prep Time: 5 mins ⌛️ Cook Time: 15-25 mins
🍴Servings: 6
🍽 Meal: Breakfast
Ingredients
- 4 Eggs
- 12 Tablespoons (or 4 egg equivalent) Egg Substitute
- 1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Chives
- Cooking Spray
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray baking dish with cooking spray.
- Whisk together 4 eggs and the equivalent of 4 more eggs using substitute.
- Add in sea salt, pepper, and chives and whisk.
- Pour into prepared pan.
- Bake in oven for 15 mins, then 3 minute increments until set.
- Slice into 6 equal pieces.
Notes
The individual slices are the perfect size for a breakfast sandwich. The extra slices can be stored in the refrigerator for use within 2-3 days. I like to put wax paper between the layers to keep them from sticking to each other. To reheat, just microwave 15 seconds on each side, then 5 second increments if needed to get to desired temperature.
Making Healthier Choices
Rather than following some fad diet that I will never be able to stick to, I have decided to make small changes, a little at a time, that are sustainable while still enjoyable. I don’t know about you, but my biggest temptation is salty snacks, especially chips. If I want to lose weight, and keep my blood sugar controlled, I need adjust my carbohydrates. Not only do I need to eat less carbs, but i need to choose carbs that are complex and slow burning. On top of that I need to increase protein and fiber in my diet to help with lean muscle to burn fat, and to help slow the digestion of those carbs.
Since I know I will not be able to give up chips forever, I decided to find a healthier substitute that tastes great and satisfies the cravings. I believe by using a substitute I will be more likely to stick with it. My favorite find so far are the protein chips by Quest. The texture is a little different from Doritos, but they taste great. My favorite is the Loaded Taco (shown below). The Chili Lime ones tasted great too, but they were a little too spicy for my sensitive tongue. I recommend trying a few flavors to see what you like best. I tried a combo pack like the one at the link below to see what worked best for me.
Quest Protein Chips Variety Pack
One of my other favorite snacks is Cheez Its and Slim Jims eaten together. My husband thinks this is completely gross, but I am addicted. Cheez Its are out because of carbs, and Slim Jims are out due to my doctor’s recommendation to reduce beef. Not to mention all the extra crap they pack into those things. This week I discovered I could still enjoy my favorite snack, with a couple little substitutions. Quest makes cheese crackers as well! They taste great and the texture is only a little different. The flavor reminds me a little of thr flavor basted Goldfish,
I had already been researching Slim Jim alternatives made with turkey, but most still had all the extra stuff mixed in. I finally found turkey snack sticks that not only have a bunch of protein and no added sugars, but I can actually pronounce and understand every ingredient on the list. Instead of a bunch of chemicals and preservatives, they have natural ingredients. Best yet, I love cilantro lime everything! Check out the label for yourself.
The New Primal Cilantro Lime Turkey Snack Sticks
I love eating these together. I just take a small bite of the turkey snack stick, then add a cheese cracker or two, and eat them together. Sounds weird, but it’s the best.
The biggest barrier in trying these substitutions before now was the price. Unfortunately, these days, anything even remotely healthy is more expensive than the less healthy alternatives. So far I have seen that using these as substitutions not only satisfies the cravings, I have them less often. A 12 pack of chips, 12 pack of cheese crackers, and 20 pack of turkey sticks lasts me at least a month. I really only eat one or the other in a day, and don’t have them every day. When I do have them, I am full and satisfied for a couple hours. I used to snack all day, now I can have one snack between lunch and dinner and I am good to go.
I encourage you to try these or other substitutions in the areas that will help you most. I would love to read your feedback on if you have tried these. Did you like them? What else has worked well for you?
New Year’s Resolutions
I know we all joke about making and breaking new year’s resolutions but, with this new year and all the changes in our lives, I have been thinking a lot about the changes I would like to make. My husband and I have already been working on changes to our relationship, and I feel closer to him than ever. Our youngest is now in school, and while I have a lot to get done around the house, I also have a lot more free time than I used to have. I have decided to share some of these changes with you and share the processes and ups and downs.
Health and Fitness
Unfortunately I was recently told I was becoming pre-diabetic. I have been unhappy with my weight for some time, and have been wanting to get back to the gym now that my ankle is fully recovered. We have made many changes in our diet already, and are starting to see progress. We are continuing to make lifestyle changes that we hope can be sustained long term to improve our health. I will share what is working, what is not sustainable, and products and supplements that we try and how they work for us.
Home Improvement
With our kids, and our house, getting older there is no shortage of projects around the house. It is more cost effective to do the work ourselves. Whether it is home decor, wall or plumbing repairs, painting, or bathroom upgrades, the work never ends. Right now we are working on getting the playroom set up, but it will require a lot of work and a lot of purging.
Crafting
There are always crafting projects as well. We try to do a couple craft fairs each year and that requires us to prepare stock throughout the year. Coming soon, we will offer some of these items for sale on this site. Our projects include resin, crochet items, gnomes, wall hangings, jewelry, and more. There is always some trial and error in creating pieces that we enjoy making and are good quality to sell at the craft fairs.
These are just a few of the areas I’ll be sharing over the course of the year. Hopefully it will help me to stay focused and make the changes I need to make. Maybe I’ll be able to reach others and help them make similar changes and learn from my wins and losses.
Back in Action
It was wonderful being back at the Berne Union Craft Fair this past weekend. Thank you to everyone who came out to see us, and all the other venders. We are so happy to get to be out there and sharing our creations with you all again.
Handicraft Serenity 