by Kimberly | Sep 28, 2015 | Uncategorized
Every time I see the number 24, I think of the TV hit show. And I never even watched it. But, funny thing what advertising does to your brain!
My days start early (around 6). Most days I go to my nearby McDonald’s for unsweet tea and time with Jesus. I’m so thankful my husband gets to sleep in, then he gets the boys up and dressed and then plays with them.
830 we do breakfast altogether. We may not always eat the same thing – but we do try to eat together.
915 – most days he leaves for work and we are off to do errands or play dates or travel fun. Mondays are donut day, trader joes, and the mcd’s play place if everyone has had an obedient morning.
The above will slightly change next week – as life is always changing – our older son starts preschool for 3yo at a great local elementary school He has to be there by 750 – he’s not even up most mornings by 750. Then he’ll get done at noon. So, I think we are going to switch donut day to Saturdays and go to Trader Joes after he gets out of school on Mondays to see our favorite TJ people.
Then we eat lunch and both boys (right now at least) are down for 2-3 hours for an afternoon nap.
Then we usually watch Dinosaurs or Bob the Builder and head to the gym about 4. Sometimes we drive around and look at the school buses, bulldozers, planes, and trains. Maybe even stop in and get a free jr frosty.
We get done with the gym usually by 630 and eat dinner, then read and wash up and change diapers to go to bed. I love reading with my boys. I read with each one of them seperately. Tonight it was the Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton for the little one and Apples Up On Top for the older
Then some days my mister is already home and we eat dinner, watch a favorite show, a documentary, or just crash. Somedays, like tonight, he doesn’t get home until 830 so I clean or blog or watch one of my shows.
During their nap time is when I blog, cook, clean, fold clothes, be creative, email, write book reviews, read, etc. I love that time and don’t know what I’ll do when they stop taking their naps. And I love my early morning time.
Usually we go to bed anywhere between 10-12, but lately its been 9 because the days have been long.
by Kimberly | Sep 28, 2015 | The Charming South Kitchen
Its the end of the month, but I’ve actually stayed on food budget this month so I’m very excited! This week is going to be some whole foods for me – and some fun stuff for the boys and my mister.
How do you incorporate healthy foods into your menu each week? What about your kids lunches?
These muffins that I made over the weekend.
This cinnamon swirl challah bread
This deconstructed falafel salad
These twice baked potatoes
This list is short – may make some random stuff but keeping it pretty simple this week.
by Kimberly | Sep 27, 2015 | Sundays in the South
Today is a little different in our home as far as Sundays go. We usually go to church. Not this week. One of sons has pink eye and a yucky cough and lots of snot – so we chose not to inflict any of those on other kids. So, we are home today. This morning we ate muffins, watched Daniel Tiger, read out of our Read and Share Bible, and drove around town getting Krispy Kreme, watching trains, looking at planes and bulldozers, and ate lunch at Zaxbys. What does your normal Sunday look like?
Here are some links you can be loving this week:
A muffin recipe of mine featuring some yummy pumpkin granola over at Her View From Home
There’s a lot more to creating a recipe than you think.
This is getting made so soon – oh, me and sausage…its quite the affair!
This is going on the menu for this week! Oh, I love falafel and I miss my sandwiches in Louisville.
Simple and cheap comfort food – right up our alley
Great post on ordering your life for any woman
by Kimberly | Sep 27, 2015 | Bible, Books, illustrated faith, Kids r Readers 2, parenting, Shepherding Children
Illustrated Faith 1-2-3
When our children are small, we teach them many important things to do: tie their shoes, brush their teeth, look both ways before crossing the street. We teach them how to go to the potty, drink from a cup, and use a fork. We teach them how to do so many things that are crucial for life.
Sometimes we forget to teach them important spiritual disciplines to help them get to know the God who created them. The most important one we can teach them by both example and instruction is reading the Bible. And what a better way to teach them how to read – then to read the Bible.
Why do we need to teach our children to read the Bible?
- The Bible is God’s voice to us today. He breathed the Bible into life. He used common sinners to record what the Spirit breathed. This was written down and kept for us for all of forever. This is by far the main way he chooses to communicate with his children today. It is how they will know what is right and wrong. It is how they will know what God is like. Psalm 119 tells us so much about the importance of knowing the Word of God.
- The Bible tells them how they were created. Even from a young age, our children will be bombarded with many deceptions about who they are. God created them in His Image and it is crucial they understand that. They were created beautifully and wonderfully: no matter the skin color or chromosome count, or their family status. Psalm 139 and Genesis 1 tells us that.
- The Bible tells them why they were created. All of creation exists for one reason: to bring glory to God. God created human beings in his image so we could reflect the grand glory of God to the world. Isaiah 43 clearly illustrates that truth.
- The Bible helps us get to know God. There is no person we need to know better than God. And we can know God by reading His Word. We can know his actions, his character, and his truth. We can know His plan for salvation. Psalm 19 and the Gospels illustrate this.
These are just the simple basics of why we need to teach children the Word of God. We need a book on teaching Spiritual Disciplines to our children – anyone know of one. I guess I could write it if someone is willing to publish it. Any takers?
Tommy Nelson just released a 365 Read Me a Bible Story for young school age children and gave me a copy to giveaway. What a great way to get them in the habit of reading the Bible and learning God’s truth. It has fun pictures, a Bible passage for each day of the year, and a short recap of that story. What I would like to see is some follow-up questions that will help parents engage with their children during family discipleship time.
The most important thing to remember is that children are going to learn by your example. If they see you reading your Bible, living it out, memorizing it, quoting it, then they will hopefully desire to know the Word as well. We can pray that God would give them a heart like his – that desires to know God intimately through his Word.
If you would like to win a copy of this Bible story book from Tommy Nelson – tell me which of the 4 reasons listed above is the most important to you – and why and maybe how you are teaching your children that.
by Kimberly | Sep 27, 2015 | Uncategorized
Today’s blogtember challenge is all about what is on our wishlist. Goodness…my mister knows that I always have a running list of things that I want, but that aren’t in the budget. So, that makes it perfect for him or anyone else just to surprise me with a gift anytime!
So, I’ve separated them into categories:
Creative:
This clear umbrella for photo shoots.
Any beautiful creations from this NC studio for food photography.
Wooden utensils from this craftsman.
Since these are my favorite, I think I need them in every color.
Books:
This journaling Bible.
The new book by Sally Lloyd Jones.
To learn more about food photography – this helpful read.
Gift Cards from the following: Target, Ann Taylor, JCrew, or Fransesca’s
From the online world – anything from the following: Kristin Schmucker, Rifle Paper Co, or 9th Letter Press (you gotta love those Winter Park gals)
Traveling and Conferences:
TGCW registration and travel and babysitters
This food photography workshop in the BVI in January
This creative and business workshop either in Annapolis or Denver
A second honeymoon anywhere with my mister for a week or two.
by Kimberly | Sep 26, 2015 | Books
I am always reading. And I thought yesterday – that reading is probably one of the best way to educate yourself or better yourself on a budget. Traveling I think is the best way to educate yourself – but our budget doesn’t allow for that right now.
So, I read. And I don’t read as much as I would like. Well, I guess I do read every day – but it is the 5 Minute Read and Share Bible, or Goodnight Moon, or The Going to Bed Book, or other kids books that I’m reviewing for different sites.
What I’m reading right now for my prayer life is the Mark of a Man for praying for my husband. It is an older book by Elisabeth Elliot. Short chapters that I can then journal through for him.
For me, I’m reading French Women Don’t Get Fat – a look at how to enjoy food for pleasure – but not to excess.
And for a book review for a theological journal – 7 Women – which is going to be great!
What are you reading – and what should I be reading?
by Kimberly | Sep 25, 2015 | Coffee with..., creatives
Here we are again with a sweet friend that is a true creative. When I first met Sarah back when she was in high school, I knew she was a creative. It is in every fiber of her being. She has a new venture and I thought I would introduce you to her. You will fall in love with her just like I love her!
If we were sitting down at your favorite coffee shop enjoying your favorite drink…where would we be and what would you be having?
My favorite place to sit and chat over some coffee is absolutely the Hyppo Cafe in St. Augustine. My parents think its weird that I will go out of my way to go there when I go up to visit, but its adorable, calming and I love their wooden tables and chairs. As for a drink, I think I have the soul of an 1900 victorian lady. I prefer an earl grey tea with a tad bit of milk and sugar, especially on a chilly day while wearing a sweater.
This is an exciting time in your life! Can you share what’s going in your world?
I don’t know how I got into this whirlwind of time. A couple years ago, I turned 22, and when my sister was my age, she had graduated college with a nursing degree, gotten married and then pregnant. I laughed thinking I wouldn’t have anywhere near that many accomplishments. Here I am however, at 25, graduated with a degree in stage management, engaged to an amazing follower of christ and working full time in a job I love. What happened to the child three years ago compared to the adult I feel like now?
Why DIY? What got you started and what fuels your passion?
I work with my hands and build stages and work with special effects at my job. I get to see so many props and scenery which added to my inspiration to start a DIY blog. When I was younger, my dad taught me how to use some power tools, and then let me put together furniture from Ikea. Meanwhile my mom taught me how to sew and use a sewing machine, and my sister taught me scrapbooking. Between my three influences, I must have been groomed to be a crafter. I took the inspiration with me to college and began in theatre classes. I learned how to design and draft out my own ideas, sew more difficult things and find new ways to create props. Do it yourself (DIY) projects always appealed to me because that is exactly what I had to do in school. If a show needed a coat hanger but it had to look like the 1800’s, then I had to figure out a cheap way to buy or build it. Now that I have done multiple building and creating projects, I know the cost of items, and I see that sometimes it is easier to buy things. When you create something however, there is this feeling inside you of accomplishment, of knowing you had your hands on every aspect of that item, that it turned out beautiful and you made it so. I have so many friends who love what i do but feel like they are not creative at all, or can’t afford to create these super fancy things.
I created my blog www.abeautifulbuild.wordpress.com as a blog for creative and non creatives alike, to give projects that anyone can do without costing a fortune. I want to give people a realistic idea of what a project costs before they go into it themselves. There are so many time I encountered a pause in a project because I had to make a run to home depot for 1 item and then I go back 2 more times that day.
One of the blogs I like to look at is www.jeffbranch.wordpress.com
I not only love the bookshelves and benches, but the beautiful fluidity of the cut pieces themselves. I want to create a blog that inspires people to push their creative limits.
Katie Shelton is a writer for the blog http://www.abeautifulmess.com
and her hair tutorials, sewing projects and home decor ideas are so lovely and adorable. I want people to feel that way when they see something they can create from my blog.What are some goals you have for 2016 w your blog and creative side? My goal for this next year is to have a new project at least once a month, if not more. I already have a giant project in mind that might take some time.
Who is your favorite Disney character?
As for my Favorite disney character, I am incredibly obsessed with frozen, however, I still think my favorite character is Merida, the princess from brave. She is stubborn but fearless, knows how to make her own way and has awesome red curly hair that makes me think of my best friend. Also I think Scotland is beautiful.
What part, if any, does your belief in God play in your role as a creative?
My biggest inspiration of them all however is in fact Proverbs 31. I had always heard of “A Wife of Noble Character” But had never really looked at it. Int he past couple months, i have been studying this chapter much more closely. This chapter encourages me daily to do what God gave me gifts for. I do not want to eat the bread of idleness, but I want to set about my work vigorously and have my arms strong for the task. I read each verse and apply it to each day. In my description of my blog, the last sentence says this:
“So get ready to work with eager hands, grasp the spindle and pray you are ready to make A Beautiful Build.”
Prov 31:13 “She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands”
Prov 31: 19 “In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers”
That is the woman I want to be, the woman who works with eager hands and grasps the spindle ready to work.
And just because I can, I’m throwing in an old school photo from my first trip with Sarah.
Thanks for joining me Sarah!
by Kimberly | Sep 25, 2015 | Uncategorized
I love music. I always have. I recall hearing a tape growing up. It was a home-recording of my brother singing I Am a Promise in practice for his kindergarten graduation. I was in the background hiccuping. Yup. My vocal debut. Then I started singing for our small church in elementary school, playing the piano in middle school, sang on touring ensembles in high school, got to share in leading on praise teams in college and seminary, and sang in an awesome choir in Durham. Music, from country (classic is best) to Brooklyn Tab to Hillsong United to The Cathedrals to everything in between – including jazz and Harry Connick, JR – has a place in my heart. I married a musician. Go buy his cd – if you like Fernando Ortega or Chris Rice – you will love it. And it will encourage you.
Three songs that are encouraging me lately:
Dear Refuge of my Weary Soul – this song has been on constant repeat during our marriage. Our marriage has been wonderful but so many changes in such a short time has had me clinging to this song. I love Sandra singing it too.
For All the Saints: we sing this in church and I love the music for it – and the words are encouraging to persevere in whatever trial (sort of a spin on Hebrews 11)
This is Amazing Grace: recently I got to sing this with about 2000 women and just rock it out, sing it to the top of our lungs, the glorious truth of the Gospel. What could be better?
by Kimberly | Sep 24, 2015 | Books, creatives
If you haven’t been in a Michaels are read blogs you may not know this – but coloring books are back. No, not for kids – but for adults. Mostly women who want to have a creative outlet. Coloring books are definitely a new thing in the adult coloring world – and may be here for at least a little bit – and one of the fads I love.
My friend Karisse is doing them and I love hers because they are simple and based on Scripture for the most part of really cool quotes that she likes.
Blogging For Books had one I chose by Daria Song. I really loved the prettiness of the book, but for me it was a little too detailed. I like to color to relax and just think and do nothing. When I have to be that detailed in my coloring (I like coloring inside the lines) then it isn’t as relaxing for me.
I can’t wait to do some more though and keep the coloring trend alive!
by Kimberly | Sep 24, 2015 | Uncategorized
Wow – there is no way I can pick just 5. I’ve been in blog world now for about 10 years and I’ve read different ones over the years.
My fave one who no longer blogs is Jenna from eatliverun. I’ve been reading here since about 2008 and was sad when she gave up blogging, but love following her healthy mom living on Instagram.
Some of my favorite food ones are Dine and Dish, Blogging Over Thyme, and How Sweet Eats. All of these offer me new ideas, photography how-tos, and humor!
Some of my favorite Christian ones are: SheWorships, Her.menuetics, and CBMW.
Some of my favorites for business, lettering or photography is: Elle & Co, Jenna Diprima, and
You can follow along with me over at Bloglovin.
Above photo taken by Celina Desantis Photography
