Easter

The kids on Easter Sunday. I finished Nora's dress with much stress. I had to combine 3 patterns and put my own twist on it, because the original pattern did not work out at all.

Day 27 - My Worst Habit

After much deliberation, I have decided that my worst habit is putting my clothes in a pile on the floor. I am a fairly tidy person, however, I don't ever get my clothes to the laundry basket...they are in a pile beside my dresser until they are washed.

Day 26 - My Week in Detail

I've been putting this post off, because I do not much like to go into great detail about things that noone really cares about. So, I'll keep it short.

Work, eat, sleep, play, craft and other stuff. That's all I've got to say about that.

Day 25 - My Day - In Great Detail

Woke up, ate breakfast and got ready. Got kids ready for school. Went to work. Came home from work. Did my workout. Showered. Made supper (Lemon Pepper grilled chicken, steamed carrots and broccoli and brown wild rice). Bathed kids. Read Bible with kids and sang songs. Tucked kids into bed. Now I am on the computer, and then I plan to watch a bit of tv, and call my parents and then go to bed.

Day 24 - Where I Live

I live in Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada. Our house is right across the street from Nora's Elementary School, which is wonderful! I really like our city, because it has a small town feeling. Steinbach was founded on Mennonite heritage, so there is a strong moral attitude here. There are many businesses, the stores are not open on Sundays, and Winnipeg is only 1/2 hour away for whatever we can't get here.

Day 23 - A You Tube Video

This looks like a lot of fun!! Cool idea!

Day 22 - A Website

I don't use the computer a whole lot, but the websites I frequent the most are steinbachonline.com and Facebook.

Day 21 - A Recipe

This recipe is adapted from the from the Company's Coming Millennium Edition cookbook, and it is one of our favorites. The original recipe includes walnuts, however we like to include chocolate chips. Nora and Levi love these muffins!

Banana Graham Chocolate Chip Muffins
The ultimate tender muffin. Excellent.

All-purpose flour 3/4 cup
Graham cracker crumbs 1 cup
Brown sugar, packed 1/2 cup
Baking powder 1 tsp.
Baking soda 1 tsp.
Salt 1/4 tsp.

Large egg, fork-beaten 1
Cooking oil 1/4 tsp.
Mashed banana 1 cup
Chocolate chips 2/3 cup

Measure first 6 ingredients into large bowl. Stir together. Make a well in center.

Combine egg, cooking oil and banana in medium bowl. Beat to mix well. Turn into well of dry ingredients. Stir just to moisten. Stir in chocolate chips. Fill greased muffin cups almost full. Bake in 400 degree oven for about 15 minutes until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand for 5 minutes before removing to rack to cool. Makes 12 muffins.

Day 20 - A Hobby of Mine

I love crafts, and my latest hobby is creating hairclips. My goal is to be booked in at craft sales during every weekend in the fall. I will be selling hairclips, freestanding and wall hairclip holder boards, "I Spy Bags", dressy coats and dresses for girls, and children's full length sleeve art smocks.

Day 19 - A Talent of Mine

I love to sew! These are just a few of my favorites of the things I've sewn in the past few years. I'm currently working on a spring dressy coat for Nora and more dresses. I have sewn a few things for Levi, but it's so much more fun to make girly stuff!

Day 18 - My "Dream" Wedding

Since my wedding was almost 12 years ago, of course there are a few things I would do differently now. I would have a more relaxed atmosphere where I could actually have time to visit with all of my family and friends who took the time to come. And I would have LOTS of flowers everywhere!

But I would keep the Groom the same! :)

Day 17 - A Work of Art

Lois Olson painted this work of art as a wedding gift for Curtis and I. As most of you will recognise, it is a picture of Lewvan...including the house I grew up in. This is one of my most treasured material possessions.

Day 16- A Song That Makes Me Cry

Curtis played this song for me when Nora was a baby. It touched my heart then and it still touches me. I couldn't get it to embed in this post, so just click on the link to hear it.

"In My Daughter's Eyes" by Martina McBride

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2y6S8CwPJA

Day 15 - My Dream House

Well, we just bought our first house almost 2 years ago...and there are so many things about this house that I love.

But my "Dream House" would be updated...but not a modern or contemporary look. I like more classic character and special details. My dream house be a Victorian style with a wrap-around porch, a large and nicely landscaped yard with a gazebo, and a double car garage. It would have a large kitchen with an island, all the rooms would be a good size, but not over-sized, and would have a completely finished basement that doesn't feel like a basement, and has a large rec room. It would have a guest room, computer room and the largest room would be my craft room and have amazing storage and lighting. The master bedroom would have a large walk-in closet and an ensuite with a jacuzzi tub. And it would need to have nice windows in the living room...like a picture window or bay window. I love the sunshine coming in! It would have a completely fenced in yard, and a perfect location in town.

Here's a link to a site I found with a similar version of my dream house.
http://www.homeplans.com/plan-detail/HOMEPW02304/victorian-with-wrap-around-porch

Day 14 - A Non-Fictional Book

I have the first, second and third volumes of this book series, and I have enjoyed them all. It is a compilation of lists that are useful in so many areas of life. I was going to include an excerpt from the book in this post, but I seem to have loaned these books out.

Day 13- A Fictional Book

Most of the reading I do these days is to my children...so for this post, I will choose one of my favorite children's books.

"Fox in Socks' has always been one of my favorite books, and now it is one of Nora's favorite books as well. She LOVES Dr. Suess books!

It's just fun and silly. I remember, as a child, listening to the reading of this book on a record.

Day 12 - Something I am OCD About

I am most OCD about correct spelling. Especially with simple words that people always seem to mix up, such as your, you're, their, there, they're, to and too. If I get a flyer or advertisement in the mail that has spelling errors, it goes in the garbage without a second thought. It is not professional to print an ad with mistakes. There is a right way to spell and a wrong way to spell...and it's really not that difficult.

Day 11 - A Recent Picture of Me

This picture was taken in December, just before Nora and I went to the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra that was performing in Steinbach. We went last year as well, and we both really enjoyed it! I would like for this to become an annual tradition for our "Girl's Night".

Day 10 - A Picture form 10 Years ago (or more)

This picture was taken 11 and a 1/2 years ago.

Day 9 - A Photo I Took

This is one of my favorite pictures I've taken. I only got this picture because of the delay that is on my camera. I was taking pictures of Dad and Levi looking at each other...and this is the picture that was captured!

Day 8 - A Picture that Makes Me Sad

This is the house I grew up in. It sure looks a lot different now. Lewvan is now a "ghost town" of run down houses and empty lots. It took me a little while to even recognize our house when Charlotte showed me pictures from when she, Dad, Stacy and Grant went to Lewvan last year.

It's sad to see the condition the house is now in...completely unlivable. It's also sad to see that the town I called my hometown is now just a bunch of empty spaces and ugly buildings.

This little house was my home until I moved out on my own. I have so many happy memories of times spent with my family in this house and of living in Lewvan.

Day 7-A Picture that Makes Me Happy

There is something very special about watching my kids play with my parents. It is so heart-warming to see the smiles and hear the laughter. It is so amazing to be experiencing these times as a daughter and as a mother...with the parents who have raised me, and with the children whom I am raising. I'm so blessed to have such wonderful parents and also to be blessed with a daughter and a son.

Day 6 - 20 Favorite Things

Rainbows
Flowers
Chocolate
Thunderstorms
Sunshine
Big, fluffy snowflakes falling gently to the ground
My serger/sewing machine
Ribbon
Coconut Lime Verbena lotion from Bath and Body Works
Barq's Root Beer
Cozy blankets
My reclining chair
Warm pajamas that have just come out of the dryer
Hoar frost on trees
Fabric/Craft stores
Hymns
Board/Card games
Kittens
Hot chocolate
Bargains/sales

Day 5- Favorite Quote

"The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark." - Michelangelo

Day 4 - Favorite Book

Karen Kingsbury has become my favorite author, and this is the first book I ever read of hers. Oceans Apart was one of those "can't put it down" books. I've also really enjoyed her Baxter Family series and the 9/11 series.

Day 3 - Favorite TV Show

It has been a family tradition to watch Jeopardy, and it has become my favorite TV show. I don't watch much TV, but every evening I watch Jeopardy. It's always fun to see what I know...and to also learn new things. I decided to share the "Think Music" because it is a family challenge to see who gets Final Jeopardy.

Day 2- Favorite Movie

I would have to say "The Sound of Music" is my favourite movie. The songs are great and fun to sing along with! My kids even watched it with me the other night and they both loved it and want to watch it again! This video is of my favourite scene from the movie. Enjoy!

Day One - Favorite Song

Okay, so I haven't kept up with blogging very well...and both of my sisters started this 30 Blogging thing, so I'm going to do it as well. Please note that all of these posts will be from my (Selena's) point of view. I have no doubt that Curtis picks would be quite different! LOL!

So, today is Day 1...Favorite Song. It is sooooo hard to pick just one...I love music and singing and I have so many favorites, but if I had to choose just one it would be my favorite toe-tapping, fun, "Footloose" song that I just have to turn up the volume loud every time it comes on. Ha, ha, just ask my mom...she was in the car once with me when it came on!! Nora and Levi call it the "Sunday Shoes" song. LOL. It doesn't have any deep, meaningful message...but I like it because sometimes we all just need to have some fun, laugh, smile and not take ourselves too seriously!! So, have a listen...turn it up loud and enjoy!!