Breathing a Sigh of Relief

James and I got to have our much awaited first meeting with L on Saturday. To be honest, it was awkward. Sadly, the judge didn't want him to know our reason for meeting him, so we were very limited in what we could say. We really just wanted to say "Hi, L. We want to adopt you, let's get to know each other".

What we didn't know is that his foster family, who has been doing a great job preparing him for adoption, already told him there was a couple who didn't have children who wanted to adopt him. He didn't know that the people meeting him Saturday were the same people he was told about. He didn't feel like getting to know us, because he knew there was another family who wanted to adopt him. Ug!

In spite of all of this, we did get to meet him, to hear his passion for baseball, and gain a better understanding of the love he still has for his sister. I can't wait to see more of his personality.

After our meeting, his case worker talked to him and asked him what he thought of us. It was at this time that she realized his reason for being so reserved, and explained to him what was really going on. He asked for our phone number. Well, I don't suppose he got up the nerve to call, but it was sweet that he asked.

Now that things are all out in the open, and we know he wants to meet us again, the fun really begins. James and I are going to set up as many visitations as possible, so that he can be really comfortable when the time comes for him to move in with us, likely right before Christmas. He can come visit for an over night stay, and we can spend the weekends with him. Even more exciting is that we get to spend Thanksgiving together, which means he will be part of our Christmas decorating.

I couldn't ask for a better Christmas gift.

How to Make Bread Crumbs

Bread crumbs are a staple in many kitchens. While the cost for a bag of bread crumbs is pretty insignificant, making your own will save you money by not purchasing prepackaged crumbs AND making the most of what you already have. Any stale or excess bread can be used. For this example, I used leftover hamburger buns.

I laid my bread out on a cookie sheet, and placed it in a warm oven, about 300, for about 10 minutes until the bread was dry. After it cooled, I just ran my pieces through the food processor, and spooned it into freezer bags. I keep my crumbs in the freezer, until time to use. If you prefer seasoned bread crumbs, just add your desired seasoning before freezing.

Bread crumbs are great for casserole toppings, breading chicken or fish, and filler for quiches, making them a useful to have around during the holidays.

What are you doing now to save money on your holiday meals?

Coming soon on Songbirdtiff...Turning painter's drop cloth canvas into a curtain.

I know you guys are waiting to hear about our meeting this weekend, I'm waiting to get some information before sharing, but I'll give you the full story soon! :)

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Thrift Stores and the Mexican Bakery

Now that I'm working from home, it's not quite as easy for me to go thrifting. I used to just stop by the store on my way home from work, but since work IS home, I have to make it a point to get out and shop. This is good for the budget, but I miss my bargains.

Last week, I actually got out for a few hours and shopped around. I didn't find much, but I did find these wonderful Pfaltzgraff corn plates, in their original box, for just $3.

While we were out, we decided to celebrate the fact we get to meet L soon, by stopping for pastries at a new Mexican bakery in our town. Oh.My.Gosh. The pastries are stunning!

They had .75 tacos!

This makes for a happy hubby. :)

Tomorrow we are going to an event put on my the Northwest Arkansas Heart gallery to celebrate the former foster kids in our area who have found their forever homes. It only seems appropriate that we get to meet L during National Adoption Month. We can't wait!

I hope you all have a beautiful weekend, and I'll be checking back soon with details of our first visit.

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Adoption News!

(for privacy reasons, we will be calling little one "L" for right now)

We have been waiting (not so patiently) all week to find out when we can meet L. I finally talked to his case worker today, and found out that we get to meet him on Saturday! A local group is putting together a celebration for National Adoption Month, and is inviting all children who have been adopted through foster care to join them. Even though L hasn't been adopted yet, they thought this would be a good opportunity for us to meet him in a fun atmosphere.

Through our conversation, I found out that we only have to have two meetings with him before he can be placed with us. This is, apparently, their idea of a slow transition. I also learned that, if everything works out, he can be with us for Thanksgiving!!! It may be only an extended visitation, because the case worker says she thinks that we have to wait until end of semester to officially move him. The only purpose for this was that the judge didn't want him moved from his school before the end of the semester. There has been a lot of confusion about this issue. We were told that he had to remain at his school until the end of the school year, now we are finding that may not be the case. There are definite pros and cons about moving him, but one deciding factor may be the fact that we have only one car. James and I will have to sit down and decide what we are going to do. Clearly, we want to do what is best for L, while working within our means.

Here is what we know: L should be with us before Christmas. Good news!

Goodness, I feel like I have a lot to do. Please say a prayer that James and I will have clear heads when making these tough decisions (like about school) and that the Lord will open the doors we need to go through. Also, please pray for L as he's going through some major changes! Finally, please say a prayer for his foster dad, who really loves L.

Adding Texture with Burlap

When I took off my spring/summer slipcovers and added my fall/winter covers, I felt the room was missing something...

Texture.

With almost no budget, I had to find a super cheap way to add texture. At around $3 a yard, burlap is economical and full of texture. First, I tackled my lampshades by covering them. I particularly like that the light filters through the nubby texture when the light is on.

I used satin ribbon on he inside edges, to create a finished look, losing count of the number of times I burned my fingers during this project.

I also decided to make a bit of wall art with my burlap with this old framed print.

The print was removed and replaced with a layer of burlap. The frame, which was spray painted long ago, was I roughed it up a bit with sandpaper, and black shoe polish was rubbed on to give it a nice finish.

Then, using plain acrylic paint, I painted our monogram, "S". I used several layers of regular acrylic paint so that I can change it when I want.

To make it a little quirky, I hung it on an angle.

Not too bad for 3 bucks.

What changes are you making in your home for the winter season?

This post linked at The Shabby Chic Cottage and Met Monday




Coming soon on Songbirdtiff... Using canvas drop cloth to replace those awful vertical blinds!

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Ranch Seasoning Mix Recipe

With the holidays right around the corner, we can all use some simple ways to save money on our grocery bill. For the next couple weeks, I'm going to focus on recipes that are holiday related and/or money saving.

Today's recipe is for the ranch lovers. I have seen firsthand how much ranch dressing a child (and some adults) can go through. At $2+ a bottle, it can be quite an expense. And, have you ever bought ranch seasoning packets? Pricey. Instead of buying those little packets, keep a container of this seasoning mix in your cupboard for all your ranch seasoning cravings. Perhaps thing thing I like best about this mix is the lack of preservatives. I know exactly what is going into my dressing.

Ranch Seasoning Mix

2 tsp salt
2 tsp dried minced garlic
8 tsp dried minced onion
2 tsp ground pepper
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp paprika
2 tsp parsley flakes

Combine all ingredients and store in a sealed container.

For dressing, combine 1 tbsp mix, 1 cup mayonnaise, and 1 cup buttermilk.

This post linked at ... Blessed with Grace and Balancing Beauty and Bedlam




Coming soon on Songbirdtiff... Adding texture with burlap and another adoption update!

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Saving Money on Your Thanksgiving Meal

Thanksgiving Day provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and spend time with loved ones. While Thanksgiving can be a time of great celebration, it can also be a time of great stress. When the family budget is stretched and Christmas looms on the horizon, it can seem like a daunting task to make Thanksgiving both special and frugal.... (read the rest at Arvestblog.com)

New Color...(no furniture involved, this time)

With the cooler temperatures coming along, it seemed time to change my hair color.

I'm thinking the very un-sunned color of my skin has me well prepared for
the opening of New Moon this month.

Sometimes a girl just needs an exciting update!

Have a wonderful weekend, peeps.

Coming soon on Songbirdtiff... Adding texture with Burlap

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Trash to Treasure- Armoire

Several months ago, I pulled this extremely heavy, and rather shabby piece of furniture off the side of the road.

I was so committed to making it into something fabulous, that I made my husband move it from our old house to the new one. There it sat, in the garage, being very un-fabulous.

I managed to drag it to the bedroom and sat my TV in it to see if it fit in the space. It was perfect!

Well, not perfect, but it had potential.

Using my free glidden paint from a recent promotion, I painted the piece chocolate brown. Now it's smooth, clean, and a bit reminiscent of chocolate bar.

The lower shelves are perfect for storing bedroom linens (and the occasional cat that likes to hide).

The rest of the room is still a work in progress, but here's a peek...

I'm working on a serene spa-like feel for the
master bedroom, because I want to have my very own
getaway space in my house.

Everyone needs one of those, right?

This post linked at The Shabby Chic Cottage , Met Monday, Works for me Wednesday ,The Inspired Room, and Reinvented.




Coming soon on Songbirdtiff... Adding texture with burlap.

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