Settling in to 2013

Posted on February 1, 2013 by Samantha

I don’t really believe in New Year’s Resolutions. I find that the things that most people aspire to change in their lives require a redirection of heart rather than the turning of a calendar page. But as we say good-bye to the first month of the new year I’ve been thinking of my goals for this year. Thus far it’s been one of my best years ever. Nothing like starting out on the right foot and 13 is my lucky number anyway.

Business is picking up and the goals for my shop seem well within reach. My dad is coming out this weekend and will be around to help with the administrative stuff and is willing to be put to work. I think having an extra set of hands will make a huge difference in production and organization. I have a whole list of ideas and things I’d like to get off of paper and into the homes of our customers. It’s been exciting to see all the little ways I’ve been blessed in my work and I look forward to seeing where this year takes us.

This year has also found me making a commitment to our homeschooling journey. It’s something I’ve been tiptoeing around for a while, but seeing the progress Turkey makes when I set aside a block in our day to work with him has been the encouragement I needed to get serious about it. I’ve been able to take the time to choose a curriculum and give him what he needs, but I know he won’t find in public school. It’s empowering to be able to make the choices for your kids and do so based on their individual needs and abilities. Using the unschooling model I get to take a step away from my cookie cutter views on education and learn about the world right along side him. The older boys continue to thrive in their classes and enjoy the supplementation at home.

Being healthy is an everyday part of our life and we are always looking for ways to be more self sustaining and reduce the amount of empty foods we consume. I was a little lazy over the holidays, but have been getting back into my routine and hope to run my first marathon this year. It’s always been a dream of mine and I want to finally check it off my bucket list. It’s so important to not only be healthy for our kids, but to show them how to live an active lifestyle.

Another bucket list items has been to write a book or dozen. Man I married used to want to be a part of sharing our story with the world to help others going through what we did and it’s still important to me that we do some advocacy work. I’m hoping to finally get all my notes and drafts into one cohesive story that I can send to a friend in publishing. It’s a little scary to put yourself out there in that way, but there are few things I feel more passionately about than raising awareness of the toll we’re asking our troops to pay and that the invisible wounds often hurt the most. I guess I feel like I owe it to his memory to follow through.

This year will also find our family getting involved in charitable activities. I think it’s important that the boys learn that serving others is the path to true joy. It’s more than just throwing money at a problem, but getting involved and investing your time. I’ve scouted some causes that I think are worthwhile and that the kids will enjoy. I think we’re all looking forward to the afternoon at the animal shelter and putting together toys for the children’s hospital. I have been blessed in an incredible number of ways and it’s so heartwarming to share those blessings with others.

I hope that more than superficial resolutions that tend to get forgotten within the early weeks of the year that we all find something to aspire to that will brighten the world around us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Save Up-cycling

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Samantha

It has come to my attention in the Etsy-verse that shops who enjoy up-cycling and reusing are being targeted and bullied. We live in a wasteful world and being able to take an existing item and turn it into something new and usable is a great way to reduce the trash building up. While home crafters everywhere have been following in the footsteps of the resourceful women that have gone before us a single person spent the time and money to patent a simple idea. You may see the patent here.

Now the thing about patents is that they are VERY specific and in this case lengthy. The patent in question has some loose verbiage trying to encompass all “methods” that resemble the one laid out therein. The reality is that in order to commit patent infringement one must follow the patent to the letter. Any deviation as small as seam allowance, stitch length etc mean it is an original idea and not infringement. Just think of all the different blankets with sleeves on the market. sure there are different names for it, but they’re all essentially the same, but “different” enough for government work.

I can see you are wondering what this has to do with me? The person that holds said patent is scouring Etsy and have all the listings of up-cyled children’s clothes removed. Per Etsy’s TOU intellectual property infringement must be reported by the holder and then the burden of proof falls on the seller who has had their listing removed. Run a quick search on “upcycled men’s shirt dress” in the children’s category on Etsy. A whole category on Etsy has been single handedly decimated by someone claiming their patent has the power of God when the reality is it more closely resembles pulling a rabbit out of a hat.

As individuals we can all report back to Etsy and prove our process is our own and maybe if we get a person on the Market Place Integrity Team who knows anything about patent law we will get our listings reinstated. The big problem is that we aren’t fixing the main issue, which is that someone is misusing the system and the only way to really protect ourselves and our fellow sellers is to eliminate the problem at the source. It’s tempting to pick up our pitch forks and head into the woods, but it’s my understanding that the process to having a patent overturned is fairly simple and involves little lawyer involvement. The Patent Office even outlines it on it’s website. So I’m asking my fellow crafters to join me. We are stronger united. Take pictures of your process, find old patterns, show pictures of your items and band together to show that taking a men’s shirt and utilizing the seams and buttons to create children’s clothing items is not new. The patent was applied for in December of 2007, but I know this process has been around for decades. This patent should never have been approved. Up-cycling belongs to all of us and it’s our responsibility to our Earth to do so. It is against the spirit of up-cycling to patent a common idea and then bully others so that they can’t do it.

Feel free to message me, leave comments etc, share with other bloggers, etc. My goal is to put it all together and submit it for review by the USPO. The more hard proof we collect the easier it will be to nip this in the bud and then we can all return to our regularly scheduled crafting.

turkandbean@gmail.com

Edited 1-21-2013

I’ve come back to add that we have created a Facebook group as a place to discuss the events as they unfold and build our case together. You can find the group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/277682995690557/#!/groups/277682995690557/

Thank you all for your support! We’re in this together!

 

 

 

 

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A Dragon is Hatched

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Samantha

With all the Christmas orders on their way to their new homes I’ve been able to turn my attention to some of my own projects. I’m still sewing for Christmas, but these presents will be staying here bringing joy to my own sweet kids.

I’ve been dying to sew up the NimblePhish Baby Dragon pattern. I scoured up some materials. I had already decided I wanted to use some of the left over Charcoal cotton velour from a recent custom blanket.

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It was so squishy and soft I knew it would be perfect for the Bean’s new friend. I also decided we needed some cute accent print and I had some Grumpus Nimbus fabric on hand. fabric

Gonna be cute, right? You can see all the pieces traced out on fusible fleece. There’s also pieces for the Turkey’s pony (Rainbow Dash). Lots of sewing little pieces this week.

SAMSUNGI apologize for the crummy cell phone pictures. I was mostly sharing the process with friends and this blog post was an after the fact idea. So we get things sewn up combining our carefully chosen fabrics with our traced pieces and start to end up with cute little things like baby dragon feet.SAMSUNG

At this point I’m already making that fan girly squee noise. How can you not think these are the cutest little feet ever? No? Well how ’bout here:SAMSUNG

Obviously the feet are my favorite part. Still not cute enough for you? Have you no heart?! How ’bout my little helper stopping by to say hi?

SAMSUNG

They say you shouldn’t let your kids see the process while you make dolls and animals. I’d never get anything done that way and really the kids have a lot of fun guessing what the end results will be. In this case the end result is this:

jarethsgrumpus

I’m loving these little dragons so much that they are going to be a new addition to the shop in the new year. Still working out some details, but I hope to have a couple slots ready for the stocking at Pins & Needles on the 2nd. The Bean is going to love his little dragon and I know as we start to send some sweet hatch lings to new homes they will bring lots of love with them. jarethsgrumpus2

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Of Children and Snowmen

Posted on December 16, 2012 by Samantha

100_70742Our nation still feels the wounds of the events in Colorado several months ago and Friday we found our hearts shattered once again. I have fund myself desolving into tears dozens of times throughout the day. Every piece of news that crosses my homepage, tribute that updates my facebook feed, every story being released over the events of that day. There were heros, there was loss, and out of sheer emotional distress everyone tries to chose an answer to the problem. Gun control, mentall illness care, religion, and the list goes on; people seeking to control a situation out of fear and instead enter into political debates. We should all be mourning and yet we fight because we find our own feelings over whelming and confusing.

I know when I got my children home that afternoon I hugged them all a little tighter, made sure to tell them I loved them a few extra times and I set aside a lot of my work to just be close to them. I heard from my parents and I have friends who said the same. Whether you’re 4 or 40 you’re still someone’s child and that parental need to protect to love to ensure your children are safe and certain of your care is instinctual. Everyone who loves their kids reached out to them on Friday and it became an undeclared national hug your children day in respect for the parents who wouldn’t get the chance to hug their babies again.

We kept our weekend low key, mostly staying home save for church and dinner with family. It snowed today and we spent the afternoon making these fun little snowmen:

It was nice to just be together making memories and basking in the warmth that comes with family.

I loved that it was a project that needed little adult micromanaging. I could help them without having to basically do it all myself.

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We melted almond bark using the double boiler method and dipped the Nutter Butters in and turned them with a fork to coat both sides. I found if I sort of hit them against the side of the pan it would smooth out the top coating, which the boys would put their fingers in anyway while decorating. I was happy to find one 20 oz. package of almond bark was the perfect amount for dipping a whole pack of Nutter Butters. Couldn’t have planned it better if I tried.

We chose not to let them cool before putting the noses and buttons on. This let’s the almond bark double as your adhesive icing. Two birds one stone! 100_70722

Once they had set a bit we used the gel icing to make the faces, but in hindsight we should’ve waited a little longer, but this is a kid project and we aren’t seeking perfection.

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It only took about a half hour for them to set while sitting on the counter and we were able to keep the littles from getting into them during that time. We had set out to just have fun spending time together and our mission was accomplished in sugary cuteness. 100_70762

 

 

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Walking in Truth….

Posted on December 12, 2012 by Samantha

I had intended to do a post showing off the new cowl and scarf I made, but here I sit with a pile of projects and the ship in time for Christmas date for my orders looming over me. I discovered something this morning that gave me pause and added to my frustration. I find that when I start to make headway working on my shop and doing my own thing I get pulled back into the crap. I’m not out seeking trouble, but it seems those with more time on their hands are. I vent a bit and then I turn to prayers and God’s word. I’m always amazed that my daily meditation with Christ has gone from being something I do on my own in the morning and in the evening with the boys to something I do dozens of times throughout the day. It’s calming to be able to pray and find answers for something as simple as “help me accomplish my work today and may it be pleasing to you” or just “let my baby nap”. But being so engulfed in my walk of faith I have never been more sure of the truths in my life.

I’ve been in court hearings and witnessed people boldly lying to attain their way and heard someone swear to a falsity when they and I were the only people in the situation and they were not speaking the truth. I used to get angry when people would lie to and about me and there are days when I still struggle with that, but I’ve some to hear my Father’s words over those who would blaspheme against my character. I used to try to get people to see the truth. But I’ve come to realize that those people are not capable of seeing the truth and we must learn to give up on trying to make them understand and instead pray that their hearts might be changed.

“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. if you do they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.” Matt 7:6 NIV

“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful” Prov 12:22 NIV

“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”  Exodus 20:16 NET (this is a commandment)

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” Matt 5:11 NIV

This last is my favorite for a multitude of reasons, but when I am the most discouraged in front of God; He speaks to me and these are the words he whispers to my heart when He says “Samantha, my child, I know the truth do not let them shake you. The wicked taketh the truth to be hard. ” I know that my beliefs aren’t always popular and, personally, honoring God’s will is hardly in suit with what I want for my life some days. However, I find that as long as I walk the narrow path he has set before me then the blessings abound. It’s a humbling feeling to know that when you ask with pure intentions in your heart he answers tenfold. He provides for our needs on a daily basis and I am never surprised.

One of those blessings has been finding a home church that speaks to my heart and fills my children with His spirit. Our pastor is amazing and unlike other big churches it isn’t full of hypocrites and the true message hasn’t been lost for money and worldly pursuits. The past couple months they’ve been doing the sermon on the mount. I think this has become some of my favorite verses because it’s Jesus’ words for us. It’s not just a block of stone with orders from above, but our Father’s true desire for the way we live our lives. He covers adultery, divorce, parenting, handling your money, etc. everything you need to make the right choices. It has been such a gift to be spoken to and to see how these verses are applicable to my life. And it all ends asking us to make a choice.

A Tree and Its Fruit
15“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.16“You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?17“So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.18“A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.19“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.20“So then, you will know them by their fruits.
21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.22“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’23“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’
The Two Foundations
24“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.25“And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.26“Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.27“The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”

Matt 7:13-27

I am so grateful that God pushes us to the crossroads in our lives. He asks us to make the choice to follow His desire for our lives or to seek our own. He gives us the free will to pick the path we will trod, but He hopes we will choose the right path and turn our backs to the falsities and sins of the world. It’s not an easy path, but the rewards are overwhelming.

“We must understand that our feelings are not authoritative. Just because we feel something doesn’t make it true. Our feelings are either ruled by truth or ruled by sin. Therefore, we need to discover what is ruling our feelings to determine if they are accurate or inaccurate–righteous or sinful.

Ladies – DON’T follow your hearts! Follow God!”  -from “Feminine Appeal” by Carolyn Mahaney

With that refocusing of my heart it’s back to work for me.

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Who is Super Mom?

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Samantha

I saw this post in my facebook feed today and it was exactly what I needed to hear. I suffer from perfectmomitis. It’s a pretty epidemic infection if ever I saw one. Sure I have the same pressures as most moms fueled by pinterest and blogs and streams of photos on facebook making me feel as if I’m some how failing. Sure I aspire to be the flax baring woman written of in Proverbs 31, but smedays I feel like that’s unattainable. That woman sowing and reaping she gets to climb into bed at night and know her helpmeet has done his share and is there for her too.

The only thing mor tiring than trying to be super mom is also trying to be super dad. In my day it feels as if it’s not enough to manage the chore list and prep the meals, check homework and cart kids to appointments. Sure my kids are happy, healthy, clothed and fed, but that’s just the mommy part of it. Then I have to show them how to change the oil and check their tires, how to shoot a gun, and catch a pop fly. As my oldest enters his teens I wonder about shaving and other manly things. All of this while working 10 plus hours a day to provide for their basic needs and without much affirmation or appreciation. My boys are polite they always say thank you for things “thanks for dinner”, “help me tie my shoe…thanks mom”, in moments of ludidity man I married will sometimes comment on how much I do, but it’s not as if he thinks I have any redeeming qualities. He’s so blinded by hatred I could be sainted and he’d still think I was pure evil.

Then I’m left battling the tides of perceived failure. Yes, I know that I was a pretty great wife and I was getting better as I continued my walk of faith. I know that if it weren’t for injuries we’d still have our cozy little life, but it doesn’t stop the “crazy” from sinking in sometimes. The thoughts of if I were skinnier, if I made the bed everyday, if I had dinner waiting instead of holding out so I could cook with him, if I had quit my job when he asked, if I hadn’t been so hormonal and kept it together better when he said he was leaving, if, if… But we can if ourselves to death and it’s far better for our sanity to seek the truth.

I sometimes feel as though my kids suffer because others think they were born to the wrong mom and a very dear friend told me this week “they don’t have the wrong mom they have the wrong dad”. It sometimes feels that way too. I believe they have the right dad who keeps making the wrong choices and unfortunately no one in his life is willing to say “hey dude what is wrong with you. So what if you think Sam is a witch, maybe she is, but all the more reason you need to do your part to smash through every road block and prove to your boys you love them and they’re a priority.” So in some ways the boys suffer because of that hatred that can’t be squelched.

I scrambled this morning; boys to school and then runnig through the house to tackle anything on my to do list before taking Turkey to speech therapy. I was frustrated that I let my son go to youth group last night and then he failed to finish his dishes chore; adding breakfast dishes to the sinkful. I sighed as Bean tried to eat crumbs from the pile as I swept. I looked at the pile of orders needing to be to their homes before Christmas and wondered if I’d be able to finish the gifts for my own children. I find myself on my knees asking for the ability to do it all and I’m answered with ”

 

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Elf on a Shelf 2012

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Samantha

The holidays are still hard for all of us. By nature they are full of tradition and tradition is something you share that form bonds that root themselves into your very heart. Being both our favorite holiday meant it was a big deal. Despite deployments and trainings man I married was always home for Christmas. I remember the first one when we kept it a secret he was coming home and woke the boys with him there. Seeing my son cry and hold the man he knew as dad is a memory I’ll never shake. We used to all get matching PJs or have me make them since it’s hard to outfit a whole family on a budget. We’d all hike out together and cut down a tree then make hot cocoa and decorate. He and I would stay up late together on Christmas Eve and wrap all the presents and then realize we both went overboard and there was a look of “we always do this” shared across paper and tape. Like so many conversations we had without ever saying a word. Kissing under the mistletoe dozens of times a day and then leaving it up for months after just because. Decorating the house to rival the Griswolds, you could see it from several streets over. Our older boys will believe in Santa forever because they’ve seen him (daddy in a suit I got him) in the middle of the night sneaking into their room and leaving their yearly animal. In their mostly asleep awareness they caught a glimpse of the jolly ole fellow. He ended up with the costume and I wish I could make that memory for my younger boys too.

It’s hard to get back into the spirit, to go through the motions without being weighted down by the past. So this year I’ve decided to make some new traditions things that aren’t tainted, things that aren’t shared, things that canb’t be taken, things that are all our own and there’s no room for anyone else. One of those things is “Elf on a Shelf”. I love the idea of the little elf come to visit and keep an eye on little boys to report back to Santa. However, I thought the real “Elf on a Shelf” was a bit creepy and then I found Christopher Pop-in-kins. He’s so much cuter!

We read his story on Nov. 30 and then the boys found him on Dec, 1. The turkey loves him. He calls him Popinkins, midkid calls him Oliver, but it’s only been a few days and I just love it; watching as the boys find him in the morning, and thinking up ideas for him are part of the joy. I used this stationary from Santa to type up a letter to the boys and it just gives them a sense of magic, refilling places in their hearts that have been a little empty.

I’ll be editing this blog over the month to share the fun we’ve been having with our guest elf this year.

Day 1: He arrives and during dinner the turkey decides he needs rice.

 

Day 2: He is a little vandal. Turkey says “Popinkins ruined my pictures he’s naughty.”

Day 3: Snow angels in rice.

Day 4: Making like Tarzan on the Advent rings, with a little imp who likes to have his picture taken.

Day 5: He got caught in the blinds. Not sure if he was trying to escape or if he’s reminding me it’s time to dust.

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Golden Graham Treats

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Samantha

It’s important to me that we live a healthy lifestyle. I’m lucky that I don’t have to work too hard to be skinny, but I choose to teach the boys the importance of physical activity and eating well. We eat lots of fresh and natural produce, we garden all summer and store for the winter and when I shop I limit the amount of processed and artificial foods we bring  home. I use our diet to control a lot of the turkey’s issues rather than looking to medicate him. My boys don’t have Kool-aid or boxed mac ‘n cheese. However, there are moments when a little treat is nice. I call them things that taste better than skinny feels.

We rarely buy cereal; it’s usually homemade granola and oatmeal. This week I had the hugest craving for Golden Graham cereal, so we picked up a box. Then I decided we needed to turn them into treats instead of just eating the box in the traditional manner. Cereal in a bowl is boring and doesn’t win as many fun mommy points.

Prepare your 9×13″ pan with oil or butter

We melt 3 TBS of coconut oil in a pan. I love coconut oil. It’s a magic little jar that cures all ills. Aside from being great to cook with it does awesome things for your hair and skin, and it’s even good for the things that only husband’s and wives should do. It’s healthier than most other oils you cook with and adds a nice flavor (in meals not that other thing). So we used it instead of butter. Don’t get me wrong I like butter too; as long as it’s real butter and not chemically enhanced butter substitute. We’re like to be as real as possible.

Once our oil is melted we add marshmallows, I happened to have a batch of homemade marshmallows on hand, but you could use a bag of the minis and be happy. This is a treat after all.

Mix and stir, mix and stir, mix and stir, until nice and melty, add a tsp of vanilla, then add the whole box of Golden Grahams. Mix some more and then dump into your prepared pan. Oil your hands and press it all down evenly.

Sprinkle with chocolate chips.

We end up with a s’morey treat. Then we all pile into mommy’s bed and watch a movie. Life is blissfully simple and happy.

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Change

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Samantha

Photo

…and pray, but I realize that most people in this world don’t really want resolutions. It’s far easier to sit in self-centered sin bubbles than to seek change. With the holidays upon us and New Year’s resolutions  begging to be penned I hope I can continue to work for the good in spite of the challenges always being thrown underfoot and pray that hearts are softened in time. I know that God has great plans for us if we choose to live in His will rather than believing that our desires are His plan. He never asks us to sin, but he does ask us to love, forgive, and be salt and light on the earth. But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord…

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Tim McGraw

Posted on November 25, 2012 by Samantha

There are always things in your life that evoke certain memories no matter how much time has passed or the paths your life has taken. It can be a song, a smell, the sound of breath, something simple that reminds you of something that touched your life. For me that’s Time McGraw, the songs of my youth, we saw him in concert once, and years later when his songs play a part of me wanders back. My oldest is an orphan of sorts his biological dad is dead. People our age shouldn’t be buried and yet he is. It’s the anniversary of his passing and I still remember the exact moment I found out. I remember having to tell my son. I sometimes wonder if he still understands what that means. He’ll never have the chance to hear his laugh, he’ll never look him in the face and see he has his nose. He’ll never get to decide for himself whether to love and forgive him or to be angry. In death he has given him more than he gave him in life and for that he can be grateful.

Some would say I have a thing for guys who need fixing, the ones with troubled homes and weak egos. Ones who have lots of potential, but can’t see it in themselves. Long after we had both found different paths. I found God and he found alcohol he would sometimes resurface. I would ask why it’d been so long and he would give a lame excuse. “I know you take good care of him you don’t need me screwing it up”. Never once did he doubt that I would do good/be good.  Looking back I think he knew deep down he was really doing us a favor, better to not be there than to drag us down. I sometimes let him pass out on my couch when he had no where else to go and he’d be gone before sunrise. I think sometimes that’s why I always left my house number the same for year. Just in case he needed someone to talk to in a rough patch. God has always given me a soft heart.

The phone rang late one night. I was tired from the stress of running a home a lone. My husband was on the other side of the world and who would be calling the house phone? Some months later I realized it was him, his mom had passed and for the first time I didn’t answer his call. I would never hear his voice again, but when Tim McGraw plays it’s a voice I can’t forget then I feel guilty. It’s a heavy burden to carry; the what ifs. I pulled his football jersey out for D once; it sits in the bottom of his drawer now. I sometimes wonder which of his dads he mourns more, the only he barely met or the one he wishes he could forget. I’m sometimes grateful  he didn’t have to watch his dad deteriorate the way he did with man I married. D has a half brother and he’s the one who found his dad’s body. I can be glad my son was spared that horror, only he stumbled into another heartbreak that I can’t ease. The son who lost two fathers, he’s my baby. I’ll never give anyone the chance to abandon him again. It was selfish of me to bring one into his life to begin with, but I add that to the load a mother bares and then I work all the harder to mold him into the man God plans for him to be.

Sometimes he catches me when Tim McGraw plays I get a tear in my eye and then I smile it away. He is my blessing and my joy and like all my kids, will always be enough to make me happy.

 

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