Sunday, December 29, 2013

Gratitude Sunday

         Today I'm joining Taryn over at Wooly Moss Roots for Gratitude*Sunday


In Taryn's words: :
G r a t i t u d e * S u n d a y
"{Sunday's heartfelt tradition. A time to slow down, to reflect, to be grateful. A list of gratitudes.}"
 (above is a photograph of my father(left) and me(right) - He was about 15 years old and I was only about 3 years old, 
I'm amazed at how much we really do look alike!)

This week, I'm grateful for...

* A wonderful Christmas with my family. Hectic, but still wonderful
* Family coming to visit! It's always a good time. 
* Music! 
* Cuddles with my children.
* Nights spent watching good movies! 
* Delicious home brewed beer! 
* Fun times playing our favorite game, Acey-Deucey!
* Seeing sunshine & rain. 
* And as always, God! 

Wishing everyone a happy week and New Year!!!!

Friday, December 27, 2013

This Moment

*This Moment* Inspired by Amanda Blake Soule


























A scary moment to remember.

Outside.











Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Life Lately...

The Birthday Boy
 Advent: Week 3
 Just what I want to see in the morning.
 A typical scene
 Homemade chocolate-peppermint popcorn
A new wreath! Made of grapevines. (The Mr. is such a crafty guy)

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Happenings.

My littlest child has a birthday coming up. His first. I decided to make my very first birthday crown for his special day. I am really pleased with how it came out. I found lots of inspiration on Pinterest and from there came up with my own pattern. It came out so well in fact that I think they might be making an appearance in the shop soon! 






















-I've also started to learn to knit! I am very excited about this. It has proven to be a little challenging for me, but I'm keeping at it. My skills do not go beyond a scarf, but that's okay. 

-Yesterday I made the best coffee cake ever! It was so moist and sweet! Just perfect. 

-With the little one's being sick lately, It's time to make up a batch of Elderberry Syrup

Until next time, 
Kellie


Sunday, December 8, 2013

Gratitude Sunday (2nd week of Advent)

           Today I'm joining Taryn over at Wooly Moss Roots for Gratitude*Sunday



In Taryn's words: :
G r a t i t u d e * S u n d a y
"{Sunday's heartfelt tradition. A time to slow down, to reflect, to be grateful. A list of gratitudes.}"
This week, I'm thankful for...
  • Being alive! 
  • Using my talents to help bring joy to people's lives
  • Extra time to sleep
  • Getting a little Nativity scene for our season/nature table
  • My camera (even though I wish I had a much better one, I am so glad I at least have the one
    I have!)
  • My husband. He's my rock.
  • My cooking abilities. It comes in handy when there is "no food" in the house and I have to get creative!
  • Christmas decorations! 
  • Clean laundry
  • Sweet cuddles from my little ones. 
  • Finding my winter shoes that were packed away and thought to most definitely be lost.
  • Reading books to my children. (even if I don't always have their attention)
  • Having frozen homemade cookie dough on hand when the kids are wanting something sweet and I don't have the time (or energy) to cook.
  • Most importantly, God! (Happy 2nd week of Advent!)
~Kellie

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Gratitude Sunday (Happy First Week Of Advent!)

                      Today I'm joining Taryn over at Wooly Moss Roots for Gratitude*Sunday


In Taryn's words: :
G r a t i t u d e * S u n d a y
"{Sunday's heartfelt tradition. A time to slow down, to reflect, to be grateful. A list of gratitudes.}"
Lately I've been thankful for...

  • Christmas music! I'm one of those "Get the Christmas music playing before it's even Thanksgiving" type of people. 
  • Finding time to create a few things for my shop.
  • Watching my littlest grow and learn new things everyday.
  • Being able to talk about the things that weigh heavy on my mind to certain people without feeling judgement.
  • Support from my family in so many ways.
  • The start of the Advent season!
  • Memories. Sweet memories.
  • My Children, they drive me crazy, but I still love em'. 
  • My husband, for putting up with my crazy. 
  • Food. Specifically a simple pot of beans and cornbread. Is there anything that is so simple and tasty? I didn't think so.
  • Above all, I am thankful for God. Not sure if I know where I would be without him. 

Friday, November 29, 2013

The Indigo Forest Is Having A Sale!

As anyone who reads this blog should know, I am the owner of the Etsy store The Indigo Forest. It means so much to my family and me, all of the love I get for my little shop - purchasing from me really helps to support my family and is very much appreciated this Christmas season. I work really hard to create things that I hope lots of people can enjoy (especially children) and knowing that my creations are making people happy is what really keeps me going. Thank you to anyone who has or will be supporting my small business and family!  
As a thank you (and because of Black Friday-Small Business Saturday-Cyber Monday)
I would like to offer the following to all of you! 
I hope to all of those that celebrated Thanksgiving had a lovely day. 
Until next time...
Kellie

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Gratitute Sunday

Today for the first time I'm joining Taryn over at Wooly Moss Roots for Gratitude*Sunday

In Taryn's words: :
G r a t i t u d e * S u n d a y
"{Sunday's heartfelt tradition. A time to slow down, to reflect, to be grateful. A list of gratitudes.}"




* Wonderful family and friends. I couldn't get by without them.

* Recent sales in my shop. I want people to know that when they choose to purchase my creations, they are really helping me to support my family. Thank you! 

* My husband! He's the most amazing man. He's truly my other half, my missing puzzle piece, my soul mate. He's my rock and without him I'd be lost. 

* Extra sleep! 

* Finding more time to create. 

* Cooking delicious meals. Yay! for comfort food!
* Netflix. Seriously, what would I do without Netfix! (probably more constructive things, but oh well. hehe.)
* Cold weather. It may seem silly, but I absolutely love bundling up and getting cozy!
* My children. Each are very unique and I love that they are mine! They make me laugh everyday.

*  Beer! Okay....making beer! It's so much fun and our bottles should be ready to open and try on the 15th!

* A clean house! It seems that it is a rarity, but when it happens I'm very grateful. 

* Above all else of course, there is God. Without whom I'd literately be nothing. 
~Kellie


Friday, November 8, 2013

This Moment

(This Moment) Is a Friday ritual inspired by SouleMama. A single image capturing a special moment from the week. A moment I want to pause, savor & remember


Sunday, November 3, 2013

Feeling It.


I'm feeling it lately. The changing season. The air. It's all different, yet so familiar. I've been so unmotivated these last few months, but something has changed recently. I've had the itch to create once again. My shop has been pretty dead lately and I want that to change! I have so many ideas and have been inspired by so many beautiful things lately that I just have to create!  Having three boys makes having extra time hard to find.
My most recent project is this sweet little sock monkey (shown above). My boys have sweetly named him Mr. Monkey and he was made with lots of love ( & some mistakes too.) 
I plan to add some to my shop once I get the stitching down just right. 
 *
Other projects are well underway as well! My husband has taken the hobby of home brewing. He has been writing about his beer making journey on his own blog Bear Foot Brewer. He's pretty new to the blogging world, so please stop on by and show him some love! 
We are about halfway done with the fermentation process and will bottle in a week or so. I can't wait to taste the finished product! 

Wishing everyone the loveliest of days! 

Kellie

Friday, November 1, 2013

This Moment

(This Moment) Is a Friday ritual inspired by SouleMama. A single image capturing a special moment from the week. A moment I want to pause, savor & remember


Saturday, October 26, 2013

Recipe: : Mama's Refried Bean Soup



This recipe is very near and dear to my heart. It is a soup I've been eating since I was just a girl and every time I eat it, I think of home. The soup I'm talking about is Refried Bean Soup and it is a most delicious soup indeed. 
My mother found the recipe on the back of a can of refried beans and decided to try it. Of course, she tweaked it a bit to fit her own tastes (she decided to use ground beef instead of steak pieces).
I do hope you will give this soup a chance. You will not be disappointed!

(Recipe after Pictures)


































Refried Bean Soup

For the meat
* 1lb. lean hamburger
* 2 tbs. chili powder
* 1 tsp. garlic powder
* 1 tsp. cumin
* 1 medium onion (any kind you like) diced
* salt and pepper to taste

-Part One-
In a large soup pot, add your hamburger, diced onion and all of the spices. 
Cook the hamburger on medium heat and until it is cooked thoroughly and the onions are soft. 
Turn the heat off and start on Part Two

For the soup
* Three 16 oz. cans of  refried beans (any kind) 
* 3 cups of beef broth
* 1 small can of diced green chiles
* One 6 oz. can of black olives, sliced
* 1 large green bell pepper, diced
* 1 cup of frozen corn
* 1 tsp. garlic powder
* 1 tsp. cumin
* Just a dash of cayenne powder
* salt and pepper to taste

-Part Two
Turn your soup pot back on (with the hamburger/onion mixture) medium-high heat.
Add in your can of green chiles, sliced olives, diced bell pepper, corn and spices, stir to combine.
Now add your cans of refried beans. Again, stir to combine.
Once everything is good and mixed, add in your beef broth. 
Continue to cook soup on low-medium heat or until as hot as you would like it to be. 

Serve this soup with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream or our favorite - Some crumbled queso fresco and tortilla chips!

Enjoy! 

~Kellie

Wednesday, October 23, 2013