Family art project 2013

So, I had this unfinished painting on our wall (where it was supposed to go) that I had lost the inspiration I'd needed to complete it. I recently purchased a cool geometric, earth toned, faux painting thingy for the canvas but it fit so well with our colors that I decided to put it on a wall in the dining room (not the same wall as my unfinished painting). 

Then, recently, I was struck by the idea of making squares/blocks of crazy paint and furthermore inspired by another artist who uses choppy, gradients of color with a lot of texture (her name escapes me but man did her paintings go for a pretty $)! I decided I should just use my pre-existing 36" X 36" canvas and paint over the inspirationless paint.  Well, I couldn't seem to find the time lately between my previously hectic workout schedule and almost two months of building a website, with a "boss" who changes his mind on how he wants it. :)

Enter my kids! Ah hah! This will solve a time-dilemma! I would give them some squares, tell them what colors to use and how to paint them and thus finally accomplish a painting! Woohoo! Well, as it turns out, they didn't completely comply with my earth tones or trying to blend colors, or any other rules I announced before the five of us (my husband and 3 kids: 12, 10, and 4) except staying (mostly) in their squares. Needless to say, the painting turned out pretty darn fabulouso! All the colors match great with the red and green tones in our dining room and also the colorful fiestaware (in the right of the dining room pic, on the shelf)! I completed only 3 squares as I supervised and then put my youngest to bed the other evening whilst the rest went crazy without me! 

By the way, the paint is really textured...it's a shame you can't really see that in the picture!  

If you care to make one of these bad boys for yourself, here's a list of what you'll need:

-36" X 36" canvas (I used a 40-50% off coupon at Michaels and got a cheaper one)

-acrylic paint set (I used a 50% off coupon at Hobby Lobby for a set of basic colors)

-old paint brushes (specifically of you have kids as I do) and/or foam brushes

-matte texture compound (in a tube, again, another Hobby Lobby coupon from another visit)

-plastic pallets (they are super cheap at Hobby Lobby, and reusable!)

So, no water needed! You blend the texturizing compound to the paint on the pallets and as you mix, you can just go from one color to the next...make a mess, it is quite fun!! We did this out on our driveway, by the way! ND (my husband), didn't want the kids accidentally getting paint in the house anywhere (from experience with our 4 year old). Set your own parameters, give them some ideas, and if all else fails, try to help a little. Haha! In the end, just have fun and go with it! My 12 year old literally ended up taking white and yellow paint tubes and blobbing/splattering paint onto one of the squares (top left). The texture after it dried is actually super cool. He also added a banana (I was a little worried) to another square. One of my rules was no canvas was allowed to show thru (white), and I "fixed" a few spots where ND didn't follow this rule, unbeknownst to him, hehe. (They're somewhat light so he couldn't tell.) 

Enjoy your family masterpieces and don't forget to put the date on the back and have each one sign it! 

Different views

So, about two weeks ago I found out my sister in law and brother and their family has decided to go vegan. I watched the "Forks Over Knives" documentary that they did and talked it over with my husband. He wasn't convinced, specifically for our lifestyle of rock climbing which requires substantial muscle growth, mainly which comes from animal proteins. I already have cut out most dairy due to finding out about casein and my sensitivity to it. I tend to cook all whole foods anyway. At the same time all of this came up, I was encouraged to try this trainer's classes at our local World Gym (Percy "No Mercy" Thomas) by two of my new friends in this area. "Well, I thought to myself, if they can do this class then surely it will be easy for me...after all, I do rock climb." Hehe! Not so, my friends! His first class (a "fat burner" class) kicked my butt! I took two more of his classes, feeling sorer than I've ever felt in my life after a workout, but in a good way, and realized I need to make changes and commit to his classes. And meanwhile, amidst slight arguments/discussions with Nelson (my dh) about my eating and lack of weight loss, it was suggested that I should ask Percy for his advice or help. And thus, last week, I met with Percy as my personal trainer for the first time.  The plan is to continue month by month until I meet my goals...then we'll go from there. Percy's goal for me is to get me down to 18% body fat...whew...by eating 5+ meals a day!! :D Really? Sweet! Well, actually, they are smaller meals and have high protein and low carbs especially as the day wears on. I started yesterday and have gotten all the supplements and groceries on the list...he gave me an explicit menu and excercise plan to follow. So...obviously, becoming vegan is out of the question. I will, however, continue my whole foods and Percy so awesomely included our favorite foods (quinoa being one of them) into the plan. Sadly, he said for cravings I can have blackberries, not chocolate...sooo...bye bye chocolate. Anyone need some chocolate?
So...now, I get to come up with fun ways to change up my meals. Stay tuned...more to come on my meals.
PS. If you're curious to see my meal plan, let me know.... It wouldn't necessarily work for you as he has catered it for my lifestyle, including "climbing days" menu! :D

And if you are curious about my instructor and his credentials, here's his World Gym info:
http://worldgymhd.com/coach-instructor/percy/

The proof to me was seeing how awesomely in shape his whole family is.... His wife is in all of his classes that he teaches...it's great! Anyway, All of this to say that even though our views on what we should eat and how it changes our health are different, we can all still choose to agree on what we think is best for us and our families. Hey, I've never had a personal trainer and never thought I needed or wanted one and so far this is great! Views change! :)

Trinity's cinnamon raisin bread pb&j with banana sandwich

Yep! That's a mouthful! 

It's what Trinity chose to make for her lunch today...often she will help me but today I helped her (all I did was cut it in half and cut the bananas). My mouth is watering as I watch this sandwich and wait for my sweetie to come home for lunch.... I wonder if this is a healthy sandwich? I mean, the bread is fresh, homemade, (from the farmer's market we went to yesterday) and it does have a half a banana in it! Seriously! Mmm... This may be on the menu when Trinity and I open up a shop someday, haha! (Wink, wink)

Ham & Cucumber "Sushi" rollups

These are the perfect little lunch for my sweet birdie! She is such a snacker like me, and not only does she get bored of the same old lunches (pb&js and whatnot), she can't eat a heavy or large meal!

The method:

Lay out flat cut ham from my local grocer's deli, spread softened cream cheese over entire slice, roll up a cucumber spear (I added 2 spinach leaves to one while rolling), starting at one end, and then slice. If you don't roll it tight, it's harder to cut. You can use other deli meats and veggies as well, but my daughter loves...LOVES cucumbers (and ham).

Even my husband commented on how cute and tasty they were when he came home for lunch. I served a little bowl of natural applesauce with a sprinkle of cinnamon on it. And she chose chocolate milk (I go easy on sugars so barely any chocolate in coconut milk)! YUMM!

My desk...my inspiration...

It all started with this desire to make the office a little nicer; more inviting. I found a cheap and simple black desk (Craigslist) and then donned it with a few accessories to help hide my desk necessities (which Trinity regularity runs off with). I must add, this desk is also so my daughter, Trinity (aka "Trin"), can color, make cards, etc, while I'm at the main desk or on the computer, or sitting in the new little chair (next to the desk) filing! I go for function and design here! 

My little bit of "me" space is where I can work on small craft projects and read along with my special coffee (I make many Starbuck-wannabe drinks that are low-cal)! Oh, and did I mention my Smash Pad? If you don't have one, and you have projects to do or ideas you don't want to forget, you can put them down...not Pin them to Pinterest! I do pin many ideas to Pinterest but stuff I'm actually working on (ie: room makeovers) go into this! Not trying to advertise for Target here, but if you want one, I got mine at Target on sale for $9.99! It's basically a scrapbook for your ideas...yeah, cuz I need something to use up more of my time! Hah! ;)

Peanut Butter & Yogurt Fruit Dip

This is sooo yummy, you may just end up eating it by the spoonful! It reminds me of peanut butter cookie dough! Ü

YUMMMMY!!!!!

-1 cup of vanilla flavored Greek Yogurt (I use Dannon Oikos 0% fat)

-2 Tbsp Creamy Peanut Butter (My family loves JIF...I compromise and get the reduced sodium version, creamy of course)

-Sprinkle of cinnamon

-Drizzle of Carmel or honey (because I think it tastes even more like cookie dough this way)

Mix all of those in a sealable container and seriously, you won't believe how yummy it is! Ü

Beginnings

After months of ideas and brainstorming in my own home and thinking, "I should post this for others to see!", I finally decided to go ahead and create this blog! Lots of home ideas, crafts and recipes and just stuff I might like to share on my journey to re-learning a world as a homemaker! My mom has always told me I was blessed with being creative and what's the point of being creative if I can't share it with anyone? Credit goes to my husband, Nelson, as he has given me the gift of getting to be home with our daughter, and live this dream again. Am I ever bored? No way! Not with Pinterest loading my brain with ideas about home and garden and activities! My head might explode! Ü
I hope I can give you some tidbits of fun and useful information and maybe just a tad bit of inspiration too! Enjoy and can't wait to hear from you!