Getting To Know The Blogger.

Many years ago in this little space of mine, I shared what I had then described as "interesting facts" about myself. Looking back, I'm not sure how interesting I was, just barely into my 20's with one child. Okay, I wasn't all that boring, but I admit, it was a little embarrasing to look back on. I figured it was time for an update of sorts. So if you're new to this blog and you have no clue who I am, perhaps this little list will help you get to know me better.

- I'll start with my name. Hello! I'm Kellie!

- I am the mama to 3 boys

- I am a Roman Catholic

- I have been writing on this little blog of mine since 2009

I am an amature photographer

- I am the owner of an Etsy shop (since 2010)

- I have suffered from severe rosacea since I was 18

 -I am a user of essential oils (this is my favorite company)

- I am a Whovian

- I prefer cloudy days over sunny days

- Next year, I will have been with my husband for half of my life! (feeling old people!)

- I looooove coffee

- I suffer from OCD

- I've struggled with my weight most of my adult life and I'm finding new inspiration for excepting myself the way I am

- On that note, I love to cook. (I think that's where my real problem lies....darn me and my magnificent kitchen abilities. lol)

- I was a vegetarian for 3 years

- Autumn is my favorite season

- I live in central North Carolina

- The mountains are my favorite place to be

- I could eat pizza everday

- Christmas and Halloween are my favorite holidays

- I love DIY projects

Okay, that is seriously all I could come up with for now. LAME.

If you feel so inclined to join me in a "Getting to know the blogger" post, please feel free to do so and then comment here and let me know you did! I would love to get to know some of you all as well.  

Have a great weekend everyone!

Back Up & Running.

S.S.P post (aka. shameless self promotion)

It's been quite a long time since I've had my shop in good running order and I'm happy to say that I'm back! Not gonna lie, it feels good. 

I have a lot of "oldies, but goodies" in the shop, but I am slowly adding a few new items, mostly Autumn related. So keep an eye out! 

So, thank you to anyone who takes time out of their day to come view my little Etsy shop. It really means a lot to me! 

-Kellie

Recipe: : Homemade Kettle Corn

I recently had the pleasure of trying out some yummy flavored organic coconut oil. I didn't even know such a thing existed before a couple of weeks ago. One of the flavors I had on hand was lemon-ginger. I wanted to do something unique with it. I decided upon kettle corn! I've made kettle corn in the past, but had forgotten where my recipe went and had to do a little Pinterest hunting before I found just the right one. Of course, I tweaked it a little. The results were amazing! 

Homemade Kettle Corn

 (note -  I made this recipe in a hand cranked popcorn maker)

* 1/4 cup oil (I used lemon-ginger flavored coconut oil)

* 1/4 cup sugar (I used Zulka brand)

* 1/2 cup popcorn kernals

* 1 tsp. real butter

* 1 tps. real vanilla extract

* salt to taste

1. First place your popcorn maker on medium heat.

2. Add your coconut oil, butter, sugar, & vanilla extract. (let it all come together for a few seconds.)

3. Add your popcorn kernals

4.  Turn the heat up just a little bit. (medium/high-ish, to really get the kernals popping, but not to burn the sugar.)

4. Turn the handle every few seconds until you really start to hear the kernals popping, then you will want to turn the handle constantly.

5. Once the kernals start really popping, turn the heat back down to medium.

6. Crank until you don't hear anymore kernals popping., then transfer to a large bowl. 

7. Once in the bowl, add salt to taste. Since the popcorn is a little sticky at first, you might want to use a spoon to help break up the popcorn as you add your salt. 

8. That's it! Now it's time to enjoy! 

(I did some brand dropping in this post, but I assure, I am not getting paid for it. These are brands that I use and trust and I'm simply passing along their awesomeness.)

 

Maybe I'm back?

I'm testing the waters of the blog world once again. I'm pretty sure no one is reading, but maybe that will change.
Life has been crazy for me lately. Big changes have occured. I'm dealing the best way I can and praying a lot, but it's been stressful.  Lately I've been rediscovering the joys of my Catholic faith. I've been inspired by many awesome woman lately, mostly due to this. (seriously, check it out). I have so many stay at home mom dreams that I want to accomplish. (you know, the ones...having a successful crafty business which I have, but has been put on the back burner, learning how to take fantastic photos, getting my house completely organized (haha), and like I mentioned above, writing content on this little blog that people will want to read.

(I'll be honest. I took a short break from writing the above and thought about deleting it all. Ha.)

So what's been going on in the life of Kellie? Well...

 (disclaimer - all photos for this post were taken with my crappy phone camera)
Where should I start. Big things. My middlest child will be entering kindergarten this year and let's just say, this mama isn't so sure she's ready to see him off. He's my strong willed child and it's been hard to picture him in such a structured space. I keep getting reassured that he will be just fine, but you know...mama worried. What will I be doing with my days with only one at home?  (getting that little business going again perhaps?)

Perhaps this should have been first on the list to mention. Another BIG thing that happened was my husband was in a serious car accident last month. It's truly a wonder (and obvious miracle) that he is still alive. Not only that, but with a few cuts a bruises. As you can imagine, this is one of the more stressful things that are going on in our lives at the moment.

Onto a happier subject. My husband makes beer. Enough said? As parents of 3 young boys, this can be a very good skill to have. Seriously, the days can be long people and there's nothing quite like a good pint of homebrew.

What am I watching/reading these days? I'm glad you asked. The hubby and I just finished all of the Outlander episodes, which we absolutley LOVED. (It is quite graphic, but the story is amazing.) I'm currently trying to read the first book as well. Yes, I'm one of those people who usually watches the movie first THEN reads the book. I'm the worst. Here's to hoping I can make it through a few more books before they show a new season. I have until sometime next year, which makes me happy and want to cry all at the same time.

Let's make the rest of this update quick as I have about a million tons of laundry to get to (and a poopy diaper that needs changing)...

- I posted awhile back on The Indigo Forest's FB page that I'm coming back and I'll have new stuff soon...yeah, that didn't happen. (okay, well I might have some new lovely lavender beeswax polish made, but no labels yet. (Did I mention I have 3 boys??)

- If any of you have seen my instragram account lately, you might have noticed that it's mostly been posts of the free samples I've been getting. Seriously, it's crazy. I get asked all the time how I do it. As if I have some magical powers and I'm somehow able to get people to give me loads of free stuff. Nope, I just simply ask. Seriously, it's that easy. Be polite, honest and most of the time, someone is willing to let you try their stuff. I've been able to try out so many fantastic products by simply asking! (and for a mostly broke mama, it's awesome.)


Okay, so I thought I'd have more to say to wrap this up, but I was wrong.

If you'd like to keep in touch:
Facebook
Instagram
Etsy

Thank you to anyone who endured this less than stellar blog post. Seriously.

Boys

The Week Thus Far In Pictures. (mostly)

It was R's birthday and naturally he wanted to go as The Doctor. (a combination of the 10th and 11th Doctors.)

 We had the lovely pleasure of trying authentic Jelly Babies!

 

We also enjoyed some time outdoors. Something we hardly seem to do these days, so it was nice.

(above, my littlest smiling his absolute hardest! What a stinker face!)

 Here's R on his actual birthday. He sure is looking more and more grown up these days.

Adventures in Homebrewing

This past weekend my husband was at it again, brewing beer with fellow homebrew enthusiasts at our local homebrew meet up. This meet up took place at Draft Line Brewing. The newest local brewery here in our little town.

It's so interesting to watch the whole brewing process. A lot more goes into making a good beer than most people think. Josh is a pretty darn good homebrewer if you ask me. (he even tied for 3rd place in a local beer compition!)

Here are a few shots from the day. 

Gratitude Sunday (on Monday)

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.}"

(photo of my husband doing what he loves! Brewing beer at the local homebrew meet-up!)

Lately I've been thankful for: :

* A warm and cosy home in this frigid weather we've been having lately

* Easy to prepare meals while feeling under the weather

* Yummy local (hard) cider! 

* My husband's many talents including making our own homebrew!

* watching my children use their imaginations

* Night's spent watching Doctor Who (any other Whovians out there?)

* Having a little more energy to devote to my shop

* A beautiful new journal that my lovely husband gave to me for Christmas, now to just find the time to write in it!

* Above all God who keeps giving me the courage to face each day, even when I'm having a hard time presssing forward.

A Walk Outside