Happy 4th of July from My Slice of Heaven!

*Brooklyn

Lunch with My Heart in the Middle

This lunch was inspired by Quincy Coleman's song 'Baby Don't You Cry' because it is extremely special to me and my boys! I had it stuck in my head this morning while I was fixing their lunch. So what did I do? Grab my new heart cookie cutter and make a ham sandwhich with my heart in the middle. Simple but sweet, there was no problems getting the boys to eat!

I know they don't look too happy about their surprise in this picture, but they were! Nothings too much trouble for my guys.

The New 'To Do'

I could write it down on a piece of paper, but it will just get lost or thrown away, so here goes my 2010 to do list:

1.) As George Bernard Shaw said, "Life is not about finding yourself, it is about creating yourself." Some would not go along with this. In fact, I am not sure I am totally on board either depending on how you read it. Nonetheless, there is one way in which it applies to me. This last year, God used this quote to deepen his desire in me to be an artist, to explore what He has put in me to create, and to continue to take in and enjoy His beauty in things. In the coming year, I desire to take that to the next level - whatever that means.

2.) A lesson I intend to learn (because I have to teach it to my boys) is to be a team! Somewhere deep inside I think the premis is there. I know what it is to feel like 'I can talk about my mama, but you can't talk about my mama,' and all that really means is My People are just that. Mine. And they come first to me. With individuality such a strong pull, I do want them to know that, no matter what, have each other's back. Family comes first. Bros before, well, other people. :)

Those are the two main themes I am going with for now. :) Now on to things of a more practical nature...

'To Do':

1.) Make speghetti every week. It's the only dinner I make that the boys actually get excited about. I know, says a lot about my cooking, right? And, although I am not too particularly fond of the dish, maybe if I vow to make it every week, they will start to get tired of it.

2.) Eat more eggs for breakfast, more salads for dinner. I started this in November, along with drinking an ocean load of water, and I have felt great. It's the first Christmas where I think I actually lost weight instead of gaining it.

3.) Paint the dining room table. You can't beat $50 at a yard sale for a pine farmhouse table that seats 8, but the raw pine is really taking away from the Swedish farmhouse look I am going for, so it needs a paint job and some gorilla glue. Also, the bench and sidebar in there will require a coat or two to match.

4.) Do something with the trampoline. My boys have demolished the net, and now it is nothing more than a hazard and an intense eyesore. And since I have a wedding reception here in a few months, I really want to make the yard look, well, a little less trashy. So, what to do with it? That, my friend, is a very good question. Let me get back to you on that. I am definately open to any creative suggestions.

5.) I will float around with my head in the clouds all day long if I let myself, but I really do better with a steady routine. So here's mine during the week:

That's all I have so far. There's really a lot on the calendar to do this year as always, and I just know it is going to be so wonderful!! Here's a little preview of whats to come:

1.)A possible ski trip on the calendar (Blake has been begging for 10 years, so its finally time just to do what it takes to make it happen.)

2.)A 10 year anniversary.

3.) Sshhh...somebody is turning 30.

One wee story...

BuyNothingChristmas

1. A hand made recipe book would be a good idea. A compilation of old family recipes from your family, and your friends' families. Start collecting them in the summer and take your time and edit and make them real nice and sturdy (to withstand the heavy use!) - Brittany
   
   
2. Books on tape - this is great if you have two or three people on your list that will enjoy the same book, it only costs time! A compilation CD of the choir my husband and I sing in. Make a puppet theater - paint a white sheet, cut a hole out for the stage, and hang in hall/door with a tension rod). If I get ambitious, I'm thinking of producing a videofor distant family members of our kids' exploits in the past year. My husband is a composer, and he is planning to compose theme songs for some of our family members. - Noelle
   
   
3. Adopting a polar bear, snow leopard or giant panda in the name of all my friends and family members from World Wildlife Fund. - Matt
   
   
4. One year I made mini loaves of quick bread. I think it was pumpkin bread. One could make cranberry or whatever you like. I wrapped the loaves and placed them in small baskets that I picked up at yard sales over the summer months. I added packets of instant spiced cider, cocoa, or tea, and festive napkins. I then tied it up with a raffia bow along with a recipe card for the bread. Another year I made key chains out of beads that matched the color of each persons car. - Lisa Wilson
   
   
5. Well, our buy-nothing circle spread just a little wider this Christmas, and I'd like to share a few highlights. They include some "transition" gift ideas too, for those who can't handle BNC just yet:
   - One friend saved us a lot of money by simply handing us some RAM for our PC. He knew we needed it and he had extra. It was great!
   - Two family members got creative and made by hand an "action figure" of my husband and a marionette of me! Of course, this wouldn't work if the individuals didn't happen to be so artistically talented, but what unique and personal gifts!
   - Another friend who makes pottery simply gave us a lovely bowl more special than anything we could have bought.
   - Parents bought us necessities that we would have had to buy anyway.
   - We made writing paper with hand-drawn silly little doodles and hand-folded envelopes for some friends.
   - For most of those who weren't ready to move to a buy-nothing Christmas, we bought organic herbal teas and fair-trade coffees... they don't add to the clutter because they're enjoyed and gone, and they support sustainable businesses!
   Small steps ... but in the right direction. - Sara Parks Ricker
   
   
6. Brilliant website and ideas. You get my full support. As an another idea, try http://www.oxfamunwrapped.com/. It allows you to send a gift to the 3rd World and depending on your budget you can buy chickens, blankets, radios, right up to a travelling theatre! Our 10 year old son has 'traded in' some store gift vouchers to buy a goat. We have sent friends and families christmas 'gifts'from this site. Best wishes - Chris, Nottingham, UK
   
   
7. At our house, we try to make all Christmas gifts. That means that December is a flurry of activity as our children make salt dough ornamments and then paint them to give to teachers and other adult friends. Last year, one boy made playdough, and one made a crayon ball to give to the other. For our friends, we've painted white candles with Christian symbols; these have become tradition. For our extended families, we made books with old pictures and memories. Our children especially love hand-made gifts; in this age where everything is plastic, they relish the idea of love in a sweater. - Molly
   
   
8. I have been going down to my local recycling centre to see what's on offer. To my surprise, I found 10 glass coffee containers. Which are now glassed painted and filled with goodies for kids. - Sophia
   
   
9. A couple of years ago I did a calendar for the family with everyone's photos and birthdays. That was a big hit.- Karin
   
   
10. Last year we had a cookie exchange instead of a big party for work. Everyone brought cookies or treats - whatever their specialty was (one person made tree ornaments instead). We RSVP'd so we knew how many cookies to make, one for each person because we had so many people. We all went home with piles of cookies and treats. It was great, and so much fun. - Annika Sangster
    
    
11. What about bumper stickers? I'd love to puchase some of these posters in bumper sticker format. Available? - schrills
    Editors response:Hmm... I'm already feeling like we have too much stuff on our website. Would we sell the bumper stickers on the Buy Nothing Christmas website? Maybe start off with a colour printout of your favourite poster, laminate it and then glue it on your bumper. I know, sounds dumb, and like a lot of work. But the more time you spend creating your own world, your own messages, the more alive you become. I can help with re-formatting graphics or text for printouts. Let me know how it goes. If you have some success with bumper stickers, let me know and I'll try to spread the word. Best, Aiden.
    
    
12. I'm going to give my art this Christmas. It gave me the motivation to finish the production of a demo CD. The first copies will go to my family and friends. —Gabriel
    
    
13. Give Linux for Christmas! It's free and it works like a charm! These days, distributions include not only the operation system that runs your computer, but applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, picture and sound editing, etc. And give a hand installing it. It's not that it's too difficult, but some people's tech-savvyness is rather limited. —Gilles Pelletier
    
    
14. We have just launched a new scheme in the UK called Wedding List Giving Ltd. It allows the prospective bride and groom to choose a charity and ask guests to donate towards the "gifts of their choice." Hannah Crouch [Editor's note: the site includes charities like the Alzheimers Society, Amnesty International, Cancer Research UK, Children's Express, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, Oxfam, Tearfund and others.]
    
    
15. Just try make a spiritual gift, not material, not an object. I prefer doing something - singing a song, writing a poem - for a person. Plus a little beatiful card, because most people want to "have something in the hands," it's just a habit. —Matania, Russia
    
    
16. Great site, lovely idea. Some friends of mine have a jumble exchange; it works like this. Everyone brings clothes, books, ornaments or toys that they don't really use any more. It all gets laid out on tables or a tarpaulin in the garden (or in the house if you have room). Everyone picks out what they want (no money changes hands). At the end there's a "grand holding up" where everyone is shown what is left. If no-one wants it, it goes to a charity shop (thrift store). Usually there are three or four big bags left over to go to the charity shop. Another idea is to write out some nice poetry in calligraphy style and frame it. To avoid buying the frame, you could make it out of driftwood or broken china mosaic, or pebbles. —Yvonne Aburrow
    
    
17. We bought wax and made homemade candles. My husband carved stamps, we made our own paper and made greeting cards on recycled paper. Most of all, we vow to get the Christmas spending craziness under control and pay attention to our families and each other instead of the mall! If you still want to give a gift, there are so many more worthy causes than supporting the manufacture of plastic toys. I work for a nonprofit organization that supports grassroots groups working to live sustainably, preserve biodiversity, and gain a voice in their future. See http://www.greengrants.org/. Other groups doing similar work include http://www.globalfundforwomen.org/,http://www.globalfundforchildren.org/. For more information on global giving in general, see http://www.gwob.org/ —Erika Carlson
    
    
18. For your husband: Go to your favourite market or second hand shop and get a nice frame. With your most creative writing, write your wedding vows. — Maud Ray
    
    
19. I usually make fudge (it helps to find a really good recipe) and put it in tins. I also buy old frames for cards, etc., I think the person would enjoy. I don't buy for anyone that is not either my child or parents/inlaws. And other than for the kids, I refuse to pay a lot. The cheaper it is the more personal it is sometimes.— Shelley, Prince Edward Island, Canada
    
    
20. For me, environment and peace issues are interrelated, inseparable even. Some gift purchases help the environment and peace: Give people CFL bulbs to save energy. Give Fair Trade coffee, tea and chocolate made in people-friendly and earth-friendly ways. Buy recycled paper for people. If possible pay someone to buy clean electricity which is still more expensive than dirty electricity. And one of our special concerns: Purchase a Peace Bond from the Nonviolent Peaceforce which even now has peace teams in Sri Lanka. "Upon Maturity the Bearer will See a Large International Team Trained for Nonviolent Conflict Intervention Around the World". Go to NonviolentPeaceforce.org to learn more. Keep up the good work. — A. Palmer, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
    
    
21. Perhaps an alternative to department stores is Ten Thousand Villages which provides vital, fair income to Third World artisans by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. This alternative emphasizes the fair distribution of wealth while still in a consumerism context. — Shalom, Carl
    
    
22. Make a sweater from yarn found at goodwill/used clothing store.— Kristina Giggz
    
    
23. Look through your (and your kids') old clothes, cut out squares of fabrics they will remember, and make a little wall hanging or pillow or stuffed toy or whatever. Pick a nice quote or scripture verse and write it up in calligraphy or a nice handwriting. — Gwenyth
    
    
24. When i was little my parents always recorded a tape of me singing christmas caroles and/or reading stories for my grandparents and other family that lived far away. When i got older i started to make little comics for my friends, that were about us and things we had done. always with an added twist and some inside humour. This is totally fun to do- even if you're drawings are crappy. i think that this year i will write stories for my friends and family telling them why i love them! — T.B.
    
    
25. Make pillows or stuffed animals. Cut out soft pieces of felt and hot glue them on to the pillow to personalize them with messages or make cute faces. — Kaitlin
    
    
26. Give something you don't use any more. A sweater that you only wore once; a set of drinking glasses you forgot you owned. Clean them up and give them as gifts. I have found all sorts of things in my apartment that I have no need for, but know someone who would appreciate and enjoy it! — Jessica
    
    
27. When someone asks what I want for Christmas I tell them, "Peace on Earth. Goodwill for all". If they explore the idea further (usually with, "No, really. What do you want?") I tell them to pick a charity and give to them whatever they would have spent on me. It makes me feel good that someone who really needs it is getting something. And ... It always fits! — Bill Budenholzer
    
    
28. Babysitting coupons for the new parents. Grow your own veggies, can or freeze them and give them away at Christmas/Solstice. Spend more time with your family and friends...when you're dead you won't be able to. Decide as a family to work less hours, spend less and have more time together. Shovel the sidewalk for your neighbour. Plant trees. — Lee
    
    
29. Make a small drawing of your select person's living room or other room in their house and give it to them.
    — Julian van Mossel-Forrester
    
    
30. I have been giving more gifts that consist of certificates of gift from the Heifer Project. This year the only exception is my 9 year old granddaughter. — Paul Shankland
    
    
31. I am making several batches of biscuits ("cookies" your side of the pond!) and boxes from some lovely dark red recycled card. — Alice Crawford
    
    
32. Plant plants, now, to give for Christmas. Herbs, in particular. This is one way to always be present in your loved one's days for a while to come. — jeela
    
    
33. Buy a used book and in the inside cover explain why you chose the book for that person.
34. Make tree ornaments out of old CDs.
35. Purchase gifts at a fair-trade shop, garage sale or thrift shop.
36. Make hand-made soap or candles.
37. If you are skilled in a particular area, offer a lesson or class.
38. Make a birdseed ball.
39. Make a soothing, herb pillow filled with lavender, rose, etc.
40. Collect quotes that make you think of someone.
41. Stamp and address postcards for family members.
42. For the elderly people in your life, research newspaper and magazine articles from their youth and present in a creative fashion.
43. Make a calendar with pictures of family members and/or scenery.
44. Wrap gifts in newspaper, maps, scarves or interesting clothing.
45. Fill an old trunk or suitcase with fun clothing, hats and gaudy jewelry for your children to play dress-up.
46. Make a puppet from a sock.
47. Give away a valued possession.
48. Frame a piece of your artwork.
49. Fill a basket with home-made goodies.
50. Bake your favourite holiday treat and pack in a recycled tin.
51. Paint an empty wine bottle with non-toxic paint and fill with olive oil. Top with an oil pour spout that can be found at a gourmet cooking shop.
52. Videotape and interview your elderly parents about childhood memories, how they met, etc., and give to siblings or children.
53. Compile a list of memories and arrange them in a creative fashion.
54. Do something exciting and challenging together (e.g., long walk, bike ride, hike, art course).
55. Knit a stocking, hat, socks, etc.
56. Write and illustrate a book for the young people in your life.
57. Collect meaningful photos for the gift recipient, make colour photocopies and create a collage.
58. Create a menu of various culinary delights (e.g., Tantalizing Thai, Mexican Fiesta, etc.) and have the gift recipient choose one of the options.
59. Create coupons for a massage, spring cleaning, child-minding, manicure, etc.

From a recent news story: Giving More by Giving Less It takes only a bit of creative thinking to come up with alternatives to excessive consumerism. Some ideas: * Students at Trinity Western University [Langley, BC, Canada] set up a free store, bringing things they didn't need and trading with each other. * One family does a "make or bake" among siblings, exchanging names and producing one homemade gift each. * Some families now include sponsoring a child overseas or providing a goat or chickens for a micro-enterprise as a means of teaching their children to reach out to others. Or they help out at a soup kitchen or deliver Christmas hampers together. * Time is often a bigger gift than money. Creating coupons that offer free babysitting or housecleaning, a neck massage or a special treat can mean more than a stocking stuffer. * Offer to teach someone a skill you have. * Write a poem, tell a story, draw a picture or take a photograph and present it in a creative way. * Give fairly traded coffee, tea or chocolate, get beautiful items at garage sales or buy gifts from shops that support artisans in poorer countries. * Make your own cards from recycled paper. * Avoid commercial wrapping paper, ribbons, bows and tape, which are not recyclable, and opt for gift bags, tea towels or nice boxes, which are eco-friendly. From an article by Debra Fieguth in Faith Today, Nov/Dec 2004.

I love giving handmade gifts for Christmas, and as it turns out, I am not alone. Check out the site I found with a ton of great ideas for alternatives to breaking the bank this Christmas.

-brooklyn

My Messy House Monday

I was thinking about it the other night and looking around the house, and I realized...I only take pictures around here when things are all straight and tidy. But, I am a girl about authenticity, so here's the real deal... I have 3 boys, a very untidy hubby, and I myself just get tired of putting everything away all the time, so you can imagine how things get. I have some photos of my house au natural prepared for 'My Messy House Monday' to demonstrate that sometimes it's the little imperfections that make a house a real home.

Picture 1: This is my back sunroom door. It's been raining so much lately, that my outdoor cushions just right there along with my dirty flip flops. That chewed place is thanks to my beastly yorkie dog, Solly. It's been, I don't know, like 2 years, and I still haven't sanded and painted. And then if you look close enough, you can see the little fingerprints and child marks constantly smudged on the glass. See. It's the little memories left all around.

For Elijah

All of these great photos are from a sweet blog I found called Don't Forget to Fly. These, today, are dedicated to my biggest boy as he starts his first day of school. I love you, Elijah, and I will be praying for you all morning.

Promises Promises

It's so strange. Lately, there have been a number of deaths. And plenty of rainbows. I'm not surprised. God is so cool like that. He is very near. This one, my hubby took the other day. Saturday, after hosting the yard sale for my brother, we all went to my mother's for a sort of going away/send off party. We ate food from Superior Grill and gathered in a circle to pray blessings for Matthew's long trip. My Nana and Papa even came out to for it and got to see the new puppies. Unfortunately, Mother was having a rough go of it. Not only was she about to say a long goodbye to her youngest, sending him off into situations that will definitely be dangerous, rough, unpredictable, compromising, etc., she had just gotten a call from the vet that her precious pup of 11 years, Tristan, had just passed away after fighting a horrible liver cancer. This rainbow was definitely for her. As 4 generations (my Nana, Mother, me, and Elijah) gathered in a cramped water room and cried, Blake brought us this picture on my camera. Thanks, Blake, and most of all, thanks God!

Mother's rainbow

Nana and Papa

Mother and the boys

Elijah, Daddy and Paula say goodbye to Matt

Tristans last playdate. Have fun playing at the raidbow bridge.

Prayer for Matt.

My house Monday...Show me your Drawers!

Welcome to my very special 'My House Monday' where I am bearing all!! Allow me to show you whats behind my refridge doors and in my pantry, and if you are brave, show me yours...

I have kids, so my snack cabinet is second to none! I am a big fan of Costco, Publix, and anything that saves me from cooking. I'm just a regular mom, right?

My House Monday

I wanted to pay homage to my scrapbook display today for 2 reason. 1...Because I haven't scrapbooked in forever. I now blog. So, in a way, I feel a tad bit sad about that. And 2...Because this display no longer exists. It has been taken down and replaced by a great family photo in an excellent tin frame.

By the way, about out weekend checklist...I must say I was a LOT optomistic. I was able to check off #1 and #2. Blake checked off #1 and #11. Oh well. Theres always next weekend (or atleast thats what we keep on saying. :)

Weekend check list...

The boys are visiting with Pops this weekend in Huntsville, which means that we have an exhuberant amount of things to check off our to-do list. Here it is:
1. (Blake) Build wall and replace water-damaged wood in the garage...
2. (Brook) Paint dresser...
3. (Blake) Finish Elijah's window seat...
4. (Brook) Paint trim in sunroom and dining room...
5. (Blake) Patch ceiling from light instalation...
6. (Brook) Sew flag banner from quilt scraps...
7. (Blake) Clean out and organize garage...
8. (Brook) Take pictures for portfolio...
9. (Blake) Pressure wash the driveway...
10. (Brook) Help Mother get ready for yard sale...
11. (Blake) Mow...
12. (Brook) Laundry...

Wish us luck! Have a good weekend...

Wordless Wednesday

Flashback Photo Friday

Since we were on the subject of Cullman. My flahback today comes from my own varsity blues. See if you can spot me...
Back in Black 1998.

Flashback Photo Friday

This flashback photo is of my little brother, Matt, and myself. It is dedicated to my wonderful friend and neighbor, Steph, who will be having her twins this morning. We were not twins (God knew I was far too independant for that), but I am so excited to meet the new Mallory girls and introduce them into our big family of Alabama small-towners. They are gonna be so cute and so loved, and I know Brett and Stephanie will never do that spike hair thing like my mom did to me in this pic.

Reagan "Big Dog" Thompson April 18, 2001 - July 13, 2009

Reagan "Big Dog" Thompson, the former 200 pound Old English Mastiff, died Monday morning, July 13, 2009 in his yard in Birmingham, AL. He had experienced an unknown cancer, which combined with the heat of the Alabama summer, and his old age, took his life. It is difficult to know for sure, but his family believes the cancer was not a painful type, and that he did not suffer. He laid down peacefully by the back fence and went to sleep.

Reagie was very loved and appreciated. To some, his size made him an intimidating guard dog, but Reagan was an extraordinarily gentle friend who protected his mother when she was pregnant by simply standing long ways between she and other people, and protected his baby masters after they arrived claiming them as his own. He was the dearest friend to his master, Blake Thompson. He enjoyed playing with large balls, playing fetch with firewood, sit, down, roll over, and belly rubs, walking down to scare the neighbors on occasion, and eating left-overs and dog food, pretty much anything but asparagus and corn on the cob (which he would swallow whole).

Reagan was laid to rest beneath the trees of his outlying property Monday night and a service of prayers and memories commenced led by his master, Blake Thompson. Following, the family decorated the grave with flowers, a stone made by Mom, and Reagan's favorite ball.
"Big Dog" is survived by his humans Blake, Brook, Elijah, Judah, and Zion, and his sisters Meredith and Fontana.

Reagan "Big Dog" Thompson's life was not filled with much adventure. Although he was able to live in 3 homes and go to the veteranarian occasionally when he was younger (the vet usually came to him due to his size), his life was definately filled with what matters...drool, stool, leftovers, and love. He will be missed.

Two young boys walked into a pharmacy one day, picked out a box of tampons and proceeded to the checkout counter.The man at the counter asked the older boy, "Son, how old are you?""Eight," the boy replied.The man continued, "do you know what these are used for?"The boy replied, "not exactly, but they aren't for me. They're for him. He's my brother. He's four. We saw on TV that if you use these you would be able to swim and ride a bike. Right now, he can't do either."

Flashback Photo Friday

Me and Papa
1982

The T-Farm Landed the Reception

Well, my sister wants to hold her wedding reception at our humble T-Farm (the Thompson farmhouse where we raise book clubs, basil, and boys...and now hold wedding receptions). I know myself well enough to know that the thrill I feel now from planning, dreaming, researching, and preparing will turn into panic sometime in April 2010 when my perfectionistic tendencies come face to face with reality and the un-perfect-ness there in. But, for now, I'm just thrilled and curious. I'm making bets with myself about how many fights my sister and I will get into, and how many blue hydrangeas I can dry. How many flea markets I can hit up and just exactly how I will fit every guest comfortably. Oh so much fun to be had! Do you ever wish you could just plan big events without the stress of having to follow through with them? :)

A Night Time Photo Shoot...justforfun

Painting Angels