Here a little, There a Little—Getting Projects Done

Many of us have all of those projects lying around the house and tucked away in boxes. These are projects we would love to get to “if”… “if” I had this or that, “if” I knew this or that…or “if” I just had the time. How many times have we said that? The reality is that we already do have the time; we just have to know how to use it rightly to finish our projects.

Having many projects on the to-do list or half-started, it is easy to get overwhelmed or even give up. I used to think of all my many projects that needed to be finished. I ended up spending way too much time trying to plan how to get them all done, instead of working through each one. Each item on the list was also too vague, not accounting for some key parts involved in getting each task done. We need to get more specific, only choosing a few projects to work on at one time. It is also necessary to order the tasks on our list so that working on them becomes practical, like the top, bottom, and quilting steps to making a quilt. If we spend all our time on the whole picture we’ll get overwhelmed. Being more specific about the order of each step will help us to begin to work towards completion on our projects.

The search for the elusive time. So, we have our smaller, more specific projects in mind that we want to finish, but cannot find “The Time” for it. That always seems to be a problem, doesn’t it? I search for this time everywhere and can’t find it: those glorious huge chunks of time that we long for to finish this or that, but the “if only”s do not get us any closer to that pile of fabric in the corner. The first step that GOD has been teaching me is to not wait for those few continuous hours to appear, but to schedule an hour a day (or a few times a week) as a time specifically set aside for crafts.

A review of your daily routine may reveal that there is something that is already taking up too much time. These may be areas of your day that you probably want to cut down anyways, like computer or TV time. Replace some of that time with the crafts that you want to do. Instead of simply trying to cut down on unconstructive activities, focus on spending that time doing something else that is more constructive. It is good to have a scheduled time in your routine, instead of waiting for that miracle craft moment to appear.

It is best to take advantage of what time you do have.

To use the time that you are given for the day, especially in regards to squeezing in craft time, requires a change in perspective. The majority of people think that no significant progress can be achieved in a short amount of time. We tend to assume that, in order to get anything done, we need at least an hour or so of uninterrupted time. However, even the smallest increments add up over time. Anyone who has ever accidentally left the bathtub plugged with a slowly leaking faucet has seen first hand what amazing results can come from slow, consistent action.

It is impressive how fast those single drops fill up the bathtub. It is the same when we devote small increments of time to a given task. Scripturally this point of view is described in Zechariah 4.9-10: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that YHVH of hosts hath sent me unto you. For who hath despised the day of small things? For they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven…”

Now that we have covered our project focus, schedule, and perspective; let us discuss how to recognize time and use it. This is another step that GOD has been teaching me. There are many instances during our day where we end up waiting around for ten minutes or so. What are we currently doing during that time? Usually nothing. Think of the times when your hands are idle, and brainstorm how you can keep your hands busy with your craft projects.

Consider what the virtuous woman does with her hands (Proverbs 31): they are occupied in her work, in helping the poor and needy, and in producing good fruit. Keeping my hands busy with good things also helps me to think things over and pray, even for ten minutes, if that’s all I have. For example, I take my crochet work with me when I need to take the bus. I also take something portable with me to work on while I’m stuck in the laundry room for an hour. Since I have to stay in the laundry room anyway, it is like an extra hour for craft time. Recognizing small increments of time as opportunities for working rather than a waste of effort will help us to find all the available time which can be used for completing our projects.

The last thing involved in clearing out our projects corners is being consistent. Stick to your shorter, detailed project list in your small opportunities of time. Working on a few projects at a time will help you keep focused, and as you see your progress you will be encouraged and motivated to get it done.

Be consistent with your routine craft time, as well as taking advantage of small increments of idle time that come up. Be sure to change up your projects when you are ready to move on to the next few—that way you won’t get tired of doing the same thing over and over again. Lastly, reward yourself! Do a quicker, fun project when the “big bad forever project” gets done. A single drop, small beginnings, and short increments of time turn into a full bathtub, a finished Temple, and a finished project with GOD’s wisdom.

To rightly use our time to finish our projects, we need to look at our schedule. Then, using scheduled and unexpected small pieces of time consistently, with a change in perspective, will help turn our small beginnings into a finished masterpiece. “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.” Isaiah 28.10.

Rainy Day Fun

This year, it seems as if there has been more rain than ever. Some of you have seen a lot of snow and have been snowed in your homes with the kiddos. If you’ve been snowed in or just stuck inside on a rainy day, here are a couple of fun and edible ways to brighten up your day!

First, on our agenda is a recipe for Play Dough Cookies. I have tried this recipe, and had a ton of fun making them! A friend and I decided to make them during Christmas, although neither of us have children. My nephew thought the cookies “looked cool”, like a large lollipop. I’m sure that children of any age would enjoy this! They are fun, bright and very delicious! We found this recipe on The Secret is in the Sauce blog.

Play Dough Cookies

3/4 cup butter
3 ounces cream cheese
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 and 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
assorted food coloring (gel or paste works best)
*We used gel food coloring, and it was an absolute success!*

1. In a bowl cream butter, cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla. Beat until smooth.

2. In a bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture. Stir until soft dough forms. Divide dough into Fourths. Tint each with a different food coloring.

Wrap in plastic and chill for two hours. (I stuck it in the freezer for 15 minutes because I hate to wait!)

3. Preheat oven to 350. Shape colors into 3/4 inch balls.

For each cookie place one pink, one orange, one green, and one blue ball together and roll to make one giant ball. Roll into a 12 inch long snake, and then starting at one end coil roll to make a cookie.Place cookies 2 to 3 inches apart on greased cookie sheet to allow for spreading.

4. Bake for 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool and store in an airtight container. Enjoy!

We found that by placing the rolled balls back in the freezer for about 15 to 20 minutes, they were easier to roll out into snakes for some adorable cookies! Here, they are – the finished product!

Next, we are going to make homemade Play-Doh! Since it is homemade, it is also edible. I know that, as a child, my brother and I often considered eating the store bought kind. So mothers, never fear! Your child is safe to eat your “Play Dough”.

Play Dough for Kids

Ingredients:

1 cup flour
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tbsp. oil
1/2 cup salt
1 cup water
Food coloring/flavoring (optional)

Directions:

Mix all ingredients. Cook over medium heat for 1 minute or until mixture begins to get thick. Pour onto wax paper and knead. Put into a zipper bag to keep fresh and soft.

To color:

Put amount of dough you wish to color in a zipper bag. Drop food coloring into bag with dough and knead while in bag.

I hope you have a fantastic time making the “Play Dough” and Play Dough cookies! The cookies are absolutely delicious, and definitely picture worthy! I have had a great time making each of these recipes. It might be said that I, too am just a big kid.

So, if you ever find yourself (and your children) stuck inside on a cold, nasty day grab up these recipes and prepare to brighten your day!

Creating and Preserving Thanksgiving Memories

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday. Families around the country gather to spend the day together, eat a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, and yet each famiily has its own traditions and its own unique ways of interacting with one another.

If you are like me, you enjoy setting a pretty table, creating delectable foods to enjoy, and making the day a real treat for your loved ones.

Why not take the time to take good photos of the table, or the food, and of the family gathered together around the table, in the kitchen, or piled on the couch around the football game? Once the photos are developed you can have lots of fun and create a memory book or layout of your Thanksgiving Day.

1. Recipe Memories. Does your grandma always bring the stuffing? Or maybe Aunt Martha has a legendary Chess Pie. Maybe a new recipe you tried has now become a hands down favorite. Make a Thanksgiving Recipes Scrapbook. Take a picture of the dish. Ask your Grandma to handwrite her recipe for the stuffing on a pretty Autumn recipe card. You will forever cherish her handwriting and the recipe can be passed down from generation to generation! You can print free recipe cards from www.alenkasprintables.com.

2. The Thanksgiving Table. After you have set the table ever so carefully, added your final touches, snap a photo at a couple of different angles. You might even want to focus on certain details like place cards or your Thanksgiving salt and pepper shakers. When doing your layout, add a list of your menu, a sample place card, and any other special mementos.

3. My Favorite Things. Create a list of all your favorite things about Thanksgiving. My Favorite Pie, My Favorite Smell, My Favorite Sound, My Favorite Activity, etc. You might even ask your husband and children to add their own lists.

4. I am Thankful For… You can create a layout of different  photos, i.e. photo of the family together, one of the table, one of the food, etc., and make a bullet style list of your blessings.

5. Scarp an Activity. Why no preserve the fun of the Thanksgiving football game, or maybe your family likes to play a particular game after the meal every year. Those are memories that will mean the most long after everyone has forgotten that the green bean casserole burned, or that the pumpkin pie was out of this world yummy.

6. Record the Past. Sometimes we don’t have photos of memorable family gatherings. But you don’t need a photo to create a great scrapbook page! Record a favorite story or stories of your Favorite Thanksgiving or Dad’s Thanksgiving Football Fumble. Whatever it is, you should record the memory for your children and future generations. People don’t tell stories the way they did years ago. Children learn a lot about where they come from when they hear stories of family members that perhaps are no longer around or won’t be when they are old enough to remember.

7. Mama, the Cook. Ask your husband to take candid photos of you whgile you prepare the Thanksgiving meal. Or sneak around the kitchen while your own mother/ family member cooks! Take lots of photos to ensure that you have plenty of usuable ones. Record the memories of your apron and about the bowl you always use to make cornbread stuffing and about where you got the recipes you use today. Photos of you covered in flour may not be your idea of a flattering shot, but just make sure that you dress neatly, do your hair and makeup and smile a lot! Your children will love photos of you in the kitchen the way they remember you.

8. The Day After. Why not scrapbook about the day after? Lots of families go on their mego shopping sprees each year on the day after Thanksgiving. Why not make it even more memorable by taking photos of the vent. You could even plan a party for the evening with Thanksgiving leftovers and some additional easy snack recipes.

9. Thanksgiving Titles and Quotes.

- Give Thanks

- Turkey Day

- Tom Turkey

- Pumpkin Pie and Me

- Count Your Blessings

- Thanksgiving Memories

- Thanksgiving and Football … Oh My!

- American Pie

- Gobble, Gobble

- Little Turkey’s

- My Favorite Thanksgiving

- From My Table

- Let’s Get Stuffed!

- Pass the Pie

- Thanksgiving Traditions

- Happy Harvest

10. Scrapbooking Freebies. You can visit the following sites for more ideas, printables, and freebies:

Creating Keepsakes

Alenkas Printables

Shabby Princess

Fingerpaint Recipes

Jell-O Fingerpaint

Ingredients:
Flavored Jell-o or other brand of gelatin
Boiling Water

Instructions:
With an adult’s help, empty packet of gelatin into a small bowl. Add just enough water to make gelatin the consistency of fingerpaint. Tastes good too!

Kool-Aide Finger Paint

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
2 packs of unsweetened Kool-Aid
1/2 cup salt
3 cups boiling water
3 tablespoons oil

Instructions:
With and adult’s help, mix all ingredients together.

Sidewalk Paint

Ingredients:
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup water
6 – 8 drops food coloring (or to desired shade)

Instructions:
Mix ingredients together. Repeat to make different colors. Washes off easily.

Apron Memories

When EllyneAnne asked me to review her newest book, The Apron Book, I could hardly wait to receive it in the mail. My love affair with aprons, began about two years ago. Since then I have acquired a fair number of vintage aprons and have sewn up a few as well.The day I received the package from Andrews McMeel Publishing, I was even more delighted than I had expected! The book was adorably packaged and so sweet. The book itself includes:

• - An exploration of the history, evolution, and heyday of aprons, including 95 full color photos of vintage and new aprons
• - Adorable apron patters
• - Tips on collecting and preserving these textile artifacts
• - Recipes
• - Household tips or “apronisms”
• - Stories and images of apron livers past and present.

My favorite part of the book, though, is the patterns. There are all types and styles and so many creative ideas, you could stay sewing for weeks making new aprons! There is also a full size pattern in a pocket in the back of the book. The pattern is simple enough for a beginner, so you’ll have no excuse for not making one for yourself…. and someone you love, too!

The stories – Apron Memories – make me wonder what my own children will remember about me and my aprons…

Homemakers everywhere should purchase a copy of this beautiful book! You will most assuredly enjoy each and every page!

On November 22 of this year, we are going to be celebrating Tie One On Day. Created by EllyneAnne Geisel, author of Apron Memories and The Apron Book, to recognize and celebrate the humble apron and the spirit of women of earlier generations who have worn it. On the eve of Thanksgiving, EllyneAnne encourages us to wrap a loaf of bread in an apron and tuck a prayer or note of encouragement in the pocket before delivering the bread to someone in need of spiritual or physical sustenance.

Send your apron memories to A Virtuous Woman using the form below. The winner will receive a copy of the book, The Apron Book: Making, Wearing, and Sharing a Bit of Cloth and Comfort as well as a vintage apron. Deadline is on November 15. Winners will be announced on November 22.

The Apron Book:

Written by EllynAnne Geisel
Published by Andrews McMeel Publishing