Getting Organized and DIY Decorating in 2013

 

Last year, I had a great plan to organize my house. It didn't happen. Well, not exactly.

 I DID organize my homeschool room and I did do a shared bedroom makeover for my two older daughters. So that is something.

             Pin boards serves double duty as headboards

in my daughters'  shared bedroom...

Labels make finding books on a bookshelf

 in the Brighton Park homeschool room a breeze...

But two rooms does not a whole house make...

It is happening in 2013.

Definitely happening. So, alot of my reasons for wanting to organize have remained the same as last year when I decided "this is the year". (Alas, 2012 was not the year. But I have a good feeling about 2013.)

Especially since I have decided I am not just organizing this year...

I am redecorating. And I am excited about this because...

I am not just redecorating, I am DIY redecorating. I am dusting off my tools, seeking inspiration and looking forward to letting go of anything that does not bring me inspiration, does not have function, or that which does not serve me.

Minimalism and Redecorating in one. Now we're talking...

Let's revisit...

As I have written before, I like to consider myself an organized person. At heart, I  know I am an organized person (My closet IS organized by sleeve length and color, from dark to light), and I LOVE it when everything is in its place and clutter free. However, my house is currently not organized, (not even in the same vicinity as "organized") and I can attribute this to the following factors:

• when we moved into this house, I never got to organize initially the way I wanted, because baby Brooke was born a mere 2 weeks after we moved in. 
• I went back to Graduate School (currently in my 3rd semester of getting a new Master's in History) and
• Right now, I'm also in class about 40 hours a month getting my yoga teacher training certification
• I am hopelessly outnumbered by children, who seem to not share my love of minimalism...
• There are only so many hours in a day and what "gives" on a day where there is not enough time is usually the house.  

So, this is my year to get organized. There are alot of reasons to get organized. These are mine (yours may be different):

• I am a minimalist at heart, so clutter free spaces and clear counter tops for me are a necessity to my mental well being.
• I want to set the example to the kids of a home that is well taken care of (not chaotic), which is particularly important since their home doubles as their school.
• Less time looking for things and no money spent on buying duplicates of items we already have.
• Weekly maintenance/cleaning takes less time when there is no clutter.

These are MY challenges to staying organized. (Yours may be different):

• homeschool books, supplies and projects
• My husband (while I am a minimalist, he is a "keeper"...wants to keep everything and his "system" of keeping everything is "piles").
• lack of time; between homeschool, graduate school and kids' activities, almost every hour of every day is taken by an activity that is a bigger priority than cleaning closets or drawers.
• my constantly growing book collection; apparently, I am hoarding cookbooks for the zombie apocalypse...
• craft books, supplies and projects

So, I am making 2013--for real this year--the year I get my house really organized--for keeps. To apply minimalism and organization to each room down to the closet and drawers, so that I wake up each day in a clean and clutter free environment (read: not lose my sanity half way through a semester or a tax season or a homeschool lesson). And to rethink, and refresh the decor and aesthetic of my home to turn each room into an inspired space.

An inspired space. (The very thought of this makes my heart smile).

So here is my challenge to you: If you have been saying "I need to organize my homeschool" or "I really need to organize the _____ room" (or the whole house), or if any of these sound like resolutions for 2012 you plan to make, then join me! If you are wanting to simplify, then may I suggest the following amazing blogs to get you started:

Be more with Less
The Joy of Less
Zen Habits

So, my challenge to you. Ask yourself:

• am I organized? is my home?
• If yes (I am so jealous), if not, make your own list of what you think is keeping you from being organized
• make a list of positive reasons/benefits of having an organized space.
• make a list of the areas you want to revamp. My list is small~~ "whole house". What's yours?

I have already started organizing...turning this clutter collecting corner of our kitchen counter this week from this...

to this...

As I work on organizing other areas, and as I delve into some DIY decorating,  I will share before and after pictures. As far as our redecorating, Mr. Darcy and I have decided our biggest project is going to be converting our not often used formal dining room into a music room (That is going to be awesome). We are also giving two of our bathrooms an "update" and I am excited to try my hand at some DIY tasks I have never tried before.  (You will also notice a few changes to the blog in the upcoming weeks as I also organize here a bit too!)

I hope you will join me!

So, do you have a goal to organize or DIY this coming year? Leave a comment and share your plans!

This post is linked up to these lovely parties...

Blessings,

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Did you Know?...January Special Days

I am going to share with you today one of my favorite homeschool resources.
Celebrations! by Marjorie Frank.  Why? Because it is full of some educational stuff that happens to be fun (or fun stuff that happens to be educational) depending on if you are glass is half full or half empty kind of person :-) and I will disclose...I paid for my own copy (bought it at the beginning of the school year last year) nor was I asked to review this book...I just really, really love it and find it to be such a wonderful resource and wanted to share it with you!

But first...Did you know that the word January comes from Janus~~The Roman god of doorways and Beginnings?

And so, one new beginning we will be doing here at Brighton Park is a special "Days" post for each month. This is not an all encompassing list; there are many more that what I have listed here, really this is just the tip of the iceberg, but these are great to use to initiate a homeschool lesson or a project of your own interest! All of these came from the Celebrations! book. (And in the book, every single day is covered with over half the days having wonderful lesson plan activities and craft ideas (galore!) and also community projects to enrich their learning. It is a wonderful mash of literature, science, history and anthropology all in one.

It's a new year and by March, you will feel you got your money's worth. My kids and I love looking up each day during our morning circle time and finding out what that day is special for. (We also use a daily Saints book during this time also, but that is a post for another time...)

Here is a SMALL taste of what it covers, those I have listed with an (*) are those that the book also includes either lesson plan ideas or craft ideas for...

January is:

International Creativity Month
National Hobby Month*
National Soup Month*
National Book Month*
National Thank You Month*
Hot Tea Month* (my favorite!)
Celebrate the Past Month*
Volunteer Blood Donor Month*
It's OK to be Different Month *
Love Yourself Month*
and
National Poverty in America Awareness Month*
and many more...

January also contains:

First Week: Braille Literacy Week*
Second Week: National Bowling Week*
Third Week: National Creative Frugality Week*
Fourth Week: Mozart week*
and there are many more special weeks in January...

January includes these special days:

1st~New Years Day*
3rd~ Hobbit Day
4th~ National Spaghetti Day
6th~ Three Kings Day (Mexico)
10th~ Volunteer Fireman's Day
11th~ International Thank you Day
12th~National Clean off your Desk Day (I may need two days for that one...)
14th~ National Dress up your Pet Day (really?)
15th~ National Humanitarian Day*
16th~National Religious Freedom Day
18th~ Pooh Day (as in Winnie the Pooh)
19th~ Archery Day*
21st~National Hugging Day
22nd~Celebration of Life Day
23rd~National Handwriting Day*
25th~Opposite Day*
28th~Christa McAuliffe Day
29th~National Puzzle Day*
30th~ National Croissant Day*
31st~National Backwards Day
and many more...

Famous January Birthdays include:

1st: Paul Revere* and Betsy Ross*
3rd: J.R.R. Tolkien
6th: Joan of Arc
12th: Jack London
15th: Dr. Martin Luther King
17th: Ben Franklin*
18th: A.A. Milne
19th: Edgar Allan Poe*
27th: Wolfgang Mozart and Lewis Carroll
30th: Franklin Delano Roosevelt
and many more...

So, hopefully this gave you a few ideas for January. If you want ideas for each day, and activities and lessons plan ideas to go with them, then grab a copy of Celebrations!

You will be glad you did.

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A Merry Christmas Card

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The HIP (Holiday Ideas Party) Link Up Party!

I apologize I didn't get this posted on Friday; the Christmas season gets so busy...especially when you have five little ones! I have been love, love, loving your holiday and Christmas themed posts. Thank you for sharing them with me.  We've been linking up our  best, favorite Christmas themed posts, all season long. There is one week left to come link up, as this Holiday Link up party will close on Friday the 30th.

REMEMBER, the entries are set to be in random order, so each week it will look different and different posts will have an even chance to be at the top of each linky category~~ even if you link up late, you might still be first! So add a favorite from last year to get us started and then come back this Friday (which is the last week) and add your new ones as you post them to your blog. Your post must be appropriate for Christmas festivities and come from a family friendly blog. You do not have to link back to Brighton Park, but if you wanted to link back or add the HIP button to your sidebar from now till Christmas that would be lovely! So lets get started...there are three linkies below...one for recipes, one for crafts and one for "other". Check back each Friday, add more, and see if you have been featured!~~Katie

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The most viewed posts this past week were this great Winter votives  submitted by Farmhouse 38! 

 photo: Farmhouse 38
and the Christmas Quilt submitted by Homepiecing!

photo: homepiecing

Next week, we will feature two posts linked up so be sure to check back; it could be you! If you were featured, be sure and grab the I was Featured button above for your sidebar...Remember this coming week is the last week the linky will be open. You are welcome to link up old as well as new posts!




HIP HOLIDAY PARTY RECIPES


HIP HOLIDAY PARTY CRAFTS/DECORATING


HIP HOLIDAY PARTY OTHER (inspiration, family memories, gift ideas, you name it..it goes here)


Thanks to one of our holiday sponsors... The Dorothy Jane Etsy Shop! I love this shop that features all things romantic vintage papergoods (tags, homemade books, journals, bookmarks and more)  in themes like Paris, Vintage Christmas, Shakespeare, JANE AUSTEN, Ballet and more... With price points starting at under $5, it is a great shop for those little gifts you need all year long!

    This holiday season and beyond, please think handmade family owned businesses! Shopping Etsy  supports families directly, not corporations!

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5 Tips to easier Gingerbread Houses with Little Children

 

 

We make gingerbread houses every year. I decorate one and all the older kids all get to decorate their own. Don't be turned off from doing this activity because you think you aren't crafty or you are afraid it will be too messy or too much work. Here is a few pointers to make it easier for Mama and more enjoyable for everyone involved!

 

 

My gingerbread house from last year...Two Gumdrops stuck together, then placed in a row,  make great toadstools... while a snail is easily made by sticking a gumdrop to a peppermint; pretzel pieces make little snail antlers...

 

5 TIPS to easier gingerbread houses with little children:

 

1. Save yourself HOURS and purchase the houses PRE-ASSEMBLED. Our Walmart had these preassembled houses for $9 and that included icing and some candies to decorate. I have an amazing friend who makes her own homemade gingerbread, cuts the pieces out, etc. I do not have that time (or talent) so I buy preassembled.

2. Another option is make a mini village of houses using graham crackers. There are some great examples of how cute these can be at www.marthastewart.com

3. The following make great decorations: gumdrops, smarties, gum (for sidewalks) chocolate rocks (for sidewalks) peppermints, premade cake/cupcake candy decorations, skittles, red hots, marshmallows, pretzels (great for windows and shingles), shredded wheat (great for shingles and or faux hay bales), raisins, coconut (fake snow)....offer these to your kids in a muffin tin. Less mess and they see all the great decor available and I love their faces when i give them "their tin" filled with all the different candies...and giving everyone their own ration of candy in their own muffin tin means no bickering. Peace on Earth!

4. icing in containers with the interchangeable tips, especially white, are great for decorating and most children can do these with little assistance. Or, you apply the "power" and let your child "steer" the design...my boys have fine motor issues, so I "power" and they "steer" the design.

5. We put ours on a platter or cake board before starting...making it easy to turn to decorate all 4 sides and easy to move as needed.

**When decorating houses or hosting a gingerbread decorating party, consider serving SAVORY eats to balance out all the sugar. For a great post on a savory food bar and gingerbread party check out THIS AMAZING POST from my friend Nikki, of Tikkido!

Last year, we held our first Gingerbread House decorating party and invited 6 families, 24 people, to come decorate with us. Each family got their own table, house and muffin tin. When they were finished, we took family pictures of each family standing in front or our Christmas tree. Here's a few pictures...

                                Set up and waiting for guests.. We had two other rooms set up with
                                                         tables awaiting happy families...

Here is a look at our "savory bar" we set up! (Yes, those are chickens painted on my canisters!) Our savory bar included meats, cheeses, veggies, chips, rolls, a hot dip, and fruit).

If you've never hosted a gingerbread decorating party they are fun and easy to throw. You can cut costs by asking each family to bring $15 to cover thier portion of house and candy, or just ask each family to bring 2 bags of candy and assign a candy to them (that's what we did). Families loved doing this activity with their kids and appreciated the photos we shared with them. A good time was had by all!

Even if you don't want to throw a party, do give decorating a house with your kids a go! What a wonderful memory and these tips above mean less mess for you!  If you have never made gingerbread houses with your kids, you should give it a try! They will not remember how the house turns out per say, but they will remember doing that activity with you forever.

The memory is in the DOING.

Merry Christmas.~~Katie
 

Homeschool Mother's Journal: Thankful for so much today

My life this week…This was not a good week for me to be sick, but I was. Thankful to be feeling a little better now. Mr. Darcy is incapable of doing laundry. One more sick day and we would have all been naked. LOL. Just kidding. Sort of... And, It is Nutcracker Performance weekend for my two dancing daughters, so that has kept up busy this week with rehearsals each evening, the dress rehearsal tonight and tomorrow...the performance!

In our homeschool this week…Our twins with special needs were evaluated for new augmentative communication (speech) devices. So excited that they will be getting new Ipads with speech/language apps. Last Christmas, my son Timothy, finally found some words. This year, he is getting a voice. What a blessing. As a speech language pathologist I am impressed with the technology now available to those who cannot communicate verbally. As a mother, I am just so grateful for it. We are so thankful

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…Keep Jesus in the season. For every event/story/craft that is Santa/secular centered, read or do one craft that is Jesus/Nativity based. How you portray holidays to them as children greatly effects how your children will celebrate these holidays with their own children years from now. You aren't doing activities, you are making memories. You are instilling traditions; make them count.

I am inspired by… a peaceful environment. Clear counters, lit candles, soft music...turns a busy kitchen into a blissful one.

My favorite thing this week was… A movie I watched recently. It affected me greatly as a speech therapist and as a special needs parent. Look for me to share what it was and how it is inspiring me in a soon to be written blog post!  

What’s working/not working for us… We decided to try "homeschool lite" for the month of December; between holidays and dance rehearsal schedule, and church activities.  We are still doing all required subjects but shortening our "school" day so we have more time for holiday events and craft projects. There seems to be more joy in the season this year. I am glad we did this this month. It is working out well. I am thankful to be a homeschooler.

Questions/thoughts I have… I have really been examining my online time, my personal projects, and making sure that neither are taking too much time from my family, children and homeschool. So I am planning to cut a few things out of my personal schedule for spring semester so I have time to do what I feel I am being called to do. Like...

Things I’m working on… I am getting closer to completing my 200 hr yoga teacher training. My end goal is to teach Christian yoga and be a place where people can come and I can share with them in a different venue that Jesus loves them. I have started a new writing project that I hope will reach its completion in 2013. I feel I am being guided by wonderful, knowledgeable people and I am excited by what this coming new year will bring.

I’m reading… Inspired You: Letting God Breathe New Life Into Your Heart and Home I am loving this book. It is perfect for anyone wanting to truly infuse their living space with their faith and at the same time turn their home/homeschool into an INSPIRED space!

I’m cooking… we've been baking alot of Christmas cookies the past few weeks!

I’m praying for… The families in Newtown, CT who have been affected by the shooting tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. 

I’m grateful for…the ability and freedom to homeschool my children; especially in the wake of today's events. I'm so thankful.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…If you have written any recipe or craft or Christmas/holiday related posts, please come link them up at the Brighton Park HIP (Holiday Ideas Party) Link Up. You can link up your awesome posts here.

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Watch for some exciting new changes coming to Brighton Park in January 2013!

Christmas Shopping Guide: Etsy Love

When you shop Etsy or family owned businesses this Christmas season (and after the holidays) you are:

~Supporting families, not corporations
~Supporting Artisans,  Entrepreneurs, Mothers, Fathers, Husbands, Wives
~Helping a family pay for anything from groceries to music lessons
~Encouraging creativity
~Supporting family owned small business
~Making a REAL difference in the lives of REAL families

These are some of the Etsy shops and small business websites that I love. love. love. Some are sponsors of Brighton Park, some are not, but all I support because of their creativity, quality of product, and business practice. I hope you will visit them for some last minute shopping and into the New Year!  (and if you do, tell them Brighton Park sent you!)~~Katie

Green Planet Parties: If you are eco-conscious then you must check out this great shop. Don't let their name fool you; they are more than just party supplies. Handmade and eco friendly gifts, stocking stuffers, decorations, eco-friendly giftwrap, tableware, even organic candy! My favorite this holiday season is the homemade Christmas crackers! Crackers are an English tradition. Mr. Darcy loves these! http://www.greenplanetparties.com/

                                    Photo Courtesy Green Planet Parties/felt Christmas Crackers

Cuffs and Ruffles Etsy Shop:  Diane's shop is so dear to my heart. When I was a little girl, my Mother, whom I did not live with, made me many of my dresses. When I wore them, they made me happy and made me think of her even though we did not often get to be together, and the beautiful dresses in the Cuffs and Ruffles shop remind me of those my mother made. She is not taking any more special order until the new year, but check out her current inventory of gorgeous handmade frocks and dresses and she even has adorable doll dresses available as well! Check out the aprons (matching) for Moms, daughters and dollies! http://www.emke.etsy.com/
**Brighton Park Readers, take 15% off your order with promotion code: BRIGHTON

                                                         Photo courtesy of Cuffs and ruffles
                                                 Aprons with flounce for dolls, girls and Moms

Think Pink Bowtique: I became acquainted with this great shop a few months ago. I was overwhelmed with the quality of the item I received. Gorgeous. Girly. and it made my 2 yr old a compliment magnet!   If you have a daughter or granddaughter and love all things shabby chic, then check out their rompers, hats, dresses, legwarmers, and matching headbands! I will be back to this bowtique very soon for an outfit for spring pictures! I mean, with outfits like this, and most items in the $10-$20 range, I double dog dare you to not fall in love with their site! http://www.thinkpinkbows.com/

                                                   Photo courtesy of Think Pink Bowtique
                                                             Mauve Lace romper, $14.95

Dorothy Jane Etsy Shop There is something about paper crafts done well: journals, handmade books, tags...and when their themes are some of my favorite things like Jane Austen, Paris, Victorian, Shakespeare, Christmas, Ballet, Nature...Be still my heart! And with a price point starting at $4.00, who can resist? Be sure and mark this shop as a favorite; you will want to return again and again.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/lacegrl130

                                        Jane Austen Journal; Photo courtesy of Dorothy Jane

Mille Lacs Impressions A custom printing shop that offers a wide variety of items at prices to fit everyone's budget. My favorite is the moon pendant necklace; a perfect stocking stuffer for under $10. You can check out her amazing wares at http://www.louisescountrycloset.com/brands/Mille-Lacs-Impressions.html?page=2&sort=featured

                                           Photo courtesy of MLI/Moon Pendant Necklace

Fresh Eggs Daily Etsy Shop: Lisa of Fresh Eggs Daily has some great items for everyone on your list. Vintage magazines, handmade aprons and ornaments, linen bread bags, handmade upcycled feed sack totes (a favorite of mine) and wine sweater socks are sure to please everyone on your list. I love these handmade country items. Her shop also carries chicken coop plans, hand blown eggs, handpainted signs and more! Visit the Fresh Eggs Daily Blog (click here) Etsy Shop page to grab a discount code for your Etsy shop purchase!

                                                     Photo courtesy Fresh Eggs Daily
                                          Perfect hostess gift, Nordic thank you wine cozy

And lastly...

Catherine Cole Studio Etsy Shop: Seriously, if I were to be buying something for myself this year, and after finding this shop I just may have to, I am in love. love. love. with the legwarmers and socks they have there! The hardest part will be picking just one. http://www.etsy.com/shop/CatherineColeStudio

                                                   Photo courtesy of Catherine Cole Studio

Thank you for helping me support families by supporting family businesses this holiday season!

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Music Mondays: 4 ways to Make your own Jingle Bells

Music Mondays is an (almost) weekly series here at Brighton Park where we share great ways to add music to your home and homeschool. Today's Music Monday Series post is written by Award-winning children’s performer, DARIA. Daria Marmaluk-Hajioanno has seven cd’s that have won national honors. She has the most awesome job of traveling the world to sing for kids and peace. Her website; located at dariamusic.com, was given a 2009 Parents Choice Award for its rich variety of music and cultural content.

How to Make your Own Jingle Bells!

Who doesn’t love the gentle sound of jingle bells? Originally, the song Jingle Bells talks about how merry it was to hear sleigh bells as people took an exciting horse-drawn ride through the snow. Now jingle bells are heard with many holiday songs and making your own version is a great way to share music at this special time of year. Here are three easy projects that can make your winter days more merry and bright!

 

Make a Jingle Stick To make a simple jingle stick, start with an unsharpened pencil. Thread one jingle bell midway onto a pipecleaner and bend it over the top of the pencil. Begin wrapping the pencil with additional pipecleaners, adding more jingles wherever you feel they are needed. As you wrap the pipecleaners, wind the ends under the next one so they stay secure in place.

Make A Jingle Bracelet Find some colorful yarn and either finger-weave or braid a bracelet or anklet. Stop every so often and add a jingle of your favorite color. When you finish, tie it into place or attach jewelry clasps so you can take it on and off as you like.

Make A Jingle Tube From Recycled Containers This is a fun way to reuse an oatmeal container or a cardboard paper towel roll. For this project, pick your container and lay it out on some felt. Cut the felt to cover the shape entirely. Then mark places where you would like to see the jingles. Using safety pins, attach the jingles into place and then wrap the fabric (pin side in, jingle side out) around your container. With the paper towel tube, you can staple the felt into place. With the oatmeal container, seal the fabric into place with glue and secure the edges with packing tape or electrical tape. These larger jingle tubes really sound good and are fun for holding while caroling or as part of special Christmas presentations.

The Song – Jingle Bells! Did you know that the song, Jingle Bells, was actually written for Thanksgiving? If you listen to the lyrics carefully, there are no references to Christmas. If you’d like to read the story behind the song or hear versions in Russian, Japanese and Serbian, you can check out the post below. And, how do you wish someone a merry Christmas or a happy holiday around the globe? In this new jingle Bells video you can see 18 different ways to spread holiday cheer. Here’s wishing you a very merry, musical Christmas!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC7aUOKBfUM&list=UUImOHUJ3bk2yKXh4iaieKVQ&feature=plcp

DARIA’s Musical Craft Page http://www.dariamusic.com/crafts.php

Jingle Bells, A Song Heard Around The World http://makingmulticulturalmusic.wordpress.com/2012/11/28/jingle-bells-a-song-heard-around-the-world//>

Read other Music Mondays Posts here

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