Family Blessing Tree

I'm so excited about my latest project ~ even if it purposely won't be completed for many months.  It's our "Family Blessing Tree" and it serves 3 purposes....
1:  To remind our family of how God is always faithful ~ we know we have been called to adopt, even though it's been a sometimes overwhelming process of "how are we going to afford this?", we know God will provide.
2:  Someday when our boys are home and old enough to understand, they can look at this and know how loved and wanted they were by so many people.....even before they knew them.
3:  To have a fun new piece of artwork in my house :)

How does it work?  Basically, when someone helps out towards our adoption, they get a "leaf" with their name on it for our tree.  Of course, this doesn't include only financial donations, but also donations of time (babysitting our kids while we go get fingerprints) and services (like our friend who notarized stacks of papers for free!)

Here's what I'm envisioning our tree will look like someday...

How does it get to that point?  First I gathered all my supplies...a canvas, some scrapbooking papers, a circle punch, Krylon spraypaint (pebble), ModPodge (not pictured) and some Americana paints by DecoArt ~ Burnt Orange and Dark Chocolate.

First I spraypainted my canvas.  Then I realized it was the exact same color as our living room walls.  So I re-spraypainted it an off-white creamy color. 
The next step was to draw an outline of a tree (my husband actually did this for me) and paint it.  I also stenciled the word "blessed" and painted that in as well.

The canvas was looking a little blah, so I added a stripe around the edge for a more "finished" look.

Now comes the fun part!  Each time someone donates something - their time, finances, etc. towards our adoption, I get to punch out a circle, write their name on it (or they can write a message), and modpodge it right on!  An instant way to remember the generosity of our friends and family!

Here's what our Blessing Tree is looking like currently...

And again, what it may look like someday...

You could take this basic idea and change it to suit your needs ~ it could be an actual family tree, or what about a Thankfulness Tree to work on for Thanksgiving this year?

Want to see your name in the lights.....er, on a leaf?  You can check out Our Adoption Journey for a list of our current fundraisers!

Linking this up to a few of my favorites ~ check them out!!

I'm also entering this project in "Crafting With The Stars" ~ hope over and visit me there, because who knows, the number times my project is viewed might help me in the competition!

10 Years Ago

Today I'm remembering the thousands of innocent people who lost their lives ten years ago and praying for the ones they left behind.

We will never forget.

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Here in South Central PA, we've had quite the weather pattern lately....an earthquake, a hurricane, and now some major flooding.  It's estimated that we had 10-15 inches of rain yesterday....with another 1-3 supposed to come today.....our already saturated ground can't handle all this rain, so it's been pretty crazy around here.  Yesterday, Jackson's school closed early and by that time, many of the roads in our town were already flooded and closed.  So many of our friends and family have flooded basements and lots of property damage.  We had a little water in our basement and needed to move some things around and stack things up, but no flooding.  We currently can't use our water because our well is overwhelmed and sediment is mixing in.  It's pretty gross to turn on the bathtub faucet and have dirt come out.  That being said, I am so thankful things aren't worse and I'm praying for all of my dear friends and family who are having a rough time of it....and for those living close to the river who have barely begun their adventure. 

Here's a few pictures from around our town, all taken by Epic Photography's Facebook page.  If you get a chance, go check out Epic Photography....they do some amazing work!  In the meantime, please pray for South Central PA and all other areas affected by this flooding.

Crock Pot Cooking

Crock pots (I believe slow cooker would be the correct term, since Crock Pot is a brand name?) have to be one of my favorite inventions ever.  Right after indoor plumbing and internet (thanks again for that one, Al Gore!).

Crock Pots have evolved over the years, from the basic on/off model to the programmable version, to a slow cooker trio, to the small little dipper (perfect for warm dips like queso!)  I personally have the one pictured above - nothing fancy, but it serves it's purpose.


New to cooking with your crock pot?  Here's a few hints....
1)  Find a good cookbook.  I use the Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook - it has over 700 recipes!  Of course there are plenty of good recipes available by searching online too.
2)  Can't spend time in the morning getting everything ready to go in the slow cooker?  This may seem like a really simple idea, but get everything ready the night before and keep it in the refrigerator.  That way all you need to do in the morning is push a few buttons.
3)  Sometimes the worst part about slow cooker cooking is the clean-up.  There are liners available that work really well, but if you don't want to spend the money, spray the inside of your crock pot with cooking spray!


Want to know my latest favorite crock pot recipe?  BBQ Pork Sandwiches!  Besides being super easy, it's also really frugal, and also counts as a freezer meal, which I love.  I wait until pork loin goes on sale for around $1.69/lb.  Where I shop, this sale is typically good for only the big cuts of meat - around 10 or so pounds, but the butcher will cut it at no charge!  So here's what I do...buy about 10 pounds and have the butcher cut it in thirds.  I then take it home and put each third in a freezer bag and put them in the freezer.  To make the BBQ Pork, first thaw the pork loin.  Put it in the crock pot and pour a can of root beer over it.  Cook on low for 5 - 5 1/2 hours.  Shred with forks, scooping off any fat.  Mix with your favorite BBQ sauce and cook for another half hour.  Serve on rolls.  That's it!  It feeds a crowd, so if I'm making it for just my family, I can freeze the leftovers for another meal.

Do you love your crock pot too?  What is your favorite slow cooker recipe?

Linking to a few of my favorites ~ check them out!

So FUN to be featured ~ THANKS!

Thirty-One Gifts Fundraiser!

Have you heard of Thirty-One Gifts?  It's an amazing home business opportunity ~ similar to a Pampered Chef or Tupperware type business ~ but they sell the cutest totes, purses, wallets, etc....anything you need or could possibly think of to help keep you organized!  I would personally like to have one of each of their products....although even then I would still have a hard time narrowing down the patterns I would choose!  And you can even get most of the products monogrammed!

Why am I mentioning all this?  Enter Jenn ~ we went to Bible College together many moons ago....actually one of the first memories I have with her is the time I was laughing so hard I spit soda all over her floor.  :)  (Maybe I shouldn't be reminding her!)  She is a consultant for this great company, and has volunteered to help me have a Thirty-One party, with all proceeds going towards our adoption fund!  Yep, she is donating her profit to help us bring our boy(s) home!  Amazing, right?!  Thank you, Jenn!!!!

Demi Purse, Organizing Utility Bag, and Mini Zipper Pouch in Onyx Medallion

So I'm inviting you....check out the catalog, wipe the drool off your chin, and maybe even place an order!  There's even a great special going on right now:  For every $31 you spend, you get 50% off a celebrate card set, zipper pouch, or select wallets.  (In case you were wondering, this deal makes the zipper pouch only $6!)

Wow!  Lots of different products shown in Painted Floral, Painted Floral Plaid, Brown Parisian Pop, Sandy Swirl, Brown Quilted Poppy and Dark Denim.

Christmas is right around the corner....you could find something for everyone on your list.....or maybe you should make a list of things you want and leave it out where your hubby can't miss it :)

Large Utility Tote in Pink Circle Spirals; Market Thermal, Organizing Utility Tote, and Flat Iron Case shown in Circle Spirals.

Locals who order....I would be happy to deliver your items to you!  Out-of-towners, there will be a box you can check to have the items delivered directly to your door - it will be an additional $4 shipping.

Thermal Tote, Picnic Thermal, and All-in-One Organizer (Shown in Windsor Argyle & Windsor Bouquet)

And of course I want to mention....if you are interested in finding out more about becoming a consultant for this faith-based company (the name is taken from the Proverbs 31 woman), would like to host an online or catalog party, or live in the Sarasota, Florida area and would like to host an in-person home party.....please contact Jenn directly through her website!

Skirt purse - you pick black or brown, and can change the look by using a different "skirt!" (Shown in Black Parisian Pop)

Again, if you'd like to place an order...you can click this link (now expired), which will take you directly to our fundraising site.  Thanks for checking out our fundraiser and considering helping our family in this way ~ please feel free to pass on this information to anyone who may be interested!!  This party will be open until September 16!  (Do you have a favorite 31 product?  Let me know....I'm still narrowing my choices down!)

***UPDATE:  OUR FUNDRAISER RAISED $363.25.....WOW!  I HAD SO MUCH FUN I DECIDED TO BECOME A CONSULTANT MYSELF!  YOU CAN VISIT MY THIRTY-ONE GIFTS WEBSITE HERE OR CONTACT ME FOR MORE INFO!!!***

Christmas is Coming (and a Winner!)

Did you know Christmas is less than 4 months away?  Okay, still seems like awhile, but I am all about preparing early for this holiday, especially this year because with added adoption expenses that will be due around the same time, I just can't be spending a lot of money all at once in December.  I have literally had some presents ready to give since Target's toy clearance in January ~ it pays to plan ahead!
Maybe you aren't a planner and you need some help.....well, I have some great sites for you to check out!  Beginning tomorrow and lasting for the entire month of September, there will be a "holiday trifecta" devoted to preparing you for the upcoming holidays.  Bake, Craft, and Sew along with the ladies at A Southern Fairytale, Skip to My Lou, and According to Kelly....and plan ahead this year.

You'll especially want to check out According to Kelly on September 25 when I'll be showing up and sharing some of my favorite Christmas crafts and decorating ideas!  I'm super excited to be in the company of some of my favorite bloggers and can't wait to be inspired by all the great ideas!

In other news, the winner of the Uprinting.com giveaway is #2 ~ The Activity Mom!  I'll be getting in touch with you!!  Thanks to all who entered!

Have a great day!

The Cellar Door Stories Meets Facebook

Just a quick note to say The Cellar Door Stories now has it's own Facebook page!  I was procrastinating with this for quite some time, but I've had a few requests recently so today I decided to take the plunge.  I'm still trying to figure everything out, but feel free to connect with me on Facebook!  (You can click on this link or the one on my sidebar, or just do a search on Facebook!)

See you there!