Just Do It! (No, Not a Nike Ad)

Just Do It: One of Many Valuable Lessons Learned from Dot

As many of you know, Dot is my Mom. She is absolutely priceless! There are so many attributes, talents, and perspectives that make up me because of my mom's life lessons. And I'm still learning from her! One of those lessons was the "Just Do It" lesson. In a nutshell: you see something that has to be done...just do it. Seems so simple, doesn't it?

But in all actuality, how often do we pass something by simply because we don't feel like doing it or we don't know exactly how to tackle it or we're too busy doing something else and it'll mess up our multi-tasking mentality? I do that all the time! Even if it is just putting away a hairclip that has been on the entryway table for a week. Or maybe the gigantic load of laundry that needs to be folded, but by now it is so wrinkled it really should be put back in the dryer for a bit to get the wrinkles out. Ever do that? I tend to get involved in my projects up to a point and then start another because I'm really excited about it, forget about the first and before you know it, I've got 10 projects that I'm in the middle of finishing!

Dot taught me this: "Well, Kathy, if you see something that needs to be done, just do it, because (and here's the mind-blowing point) then it'll be done!" You'd think that because of it's simplicity, we should all know to do that, but when I put it into practice, wow, what a difference it made. It was more of a change of attitude than anything else.

Suddenly I was grabbing six different items as I left the family room, each belonging to a different room in the house. I just dropped them off and, ta-dah: clean family room. That pile of laundry wasn't so bad when I gave myself a reward of a Hershey's Kiss when it was all done (it's the little things for me!) When I had a big to do list, I did all the quick/easy things first and my list wasn't so overwhelming with just 3 things left to do instead of the 14 I had started with! Oh, and if I had a project I really wanted to work on, I made myself do a chore I didn't want to do first so I could really enjoy what I wanted to do! Plus, a straightened up room equals a bit of sanity for me. If I can just get one of the rooms in my house in order, I feel like I can handle life again. Cleaning up the entire house is sometimes just feels impossible. But one room, I can do that! Can you see the change in attitude for me?

If you truly want to meet someone who can help put your life in a state of sanity, you really should visit the flylady. (www.flylady.net) She was introduced to me by a dear neighbor of mine a long time ago, but it's been a while since I've visited the flylady. Her page might seem full, but if you take some time to look at what she has to offer (for free) you might just discover that what seems impossible can be accomplished. Sometimes it takes baby steps to control the chaos.

Just A Stick Of Butta!

Carla's Almond Roca Recipe

Okay, so maybe it's more than just a stick of butter. The first time my dear

friend, Carla Sauer brought these goodies over as a Christmas treat, I was quite

certain that there was something very addictive in the Almond Roca. I'm

thinking it is the butter - there's two cubes, after all!

Today Jayne and I made Carla's Almond Roca.

It is so simple and SOO yummy,

you won't believe the ingredients. (I will post the full recipe at the bottom,

no need to take notes as you are reading!)

1. Cover a cookie sheet with foil and grease heavily with margarine.

2. Cover with soda crackers, laid side by side, touching.
3. Melt butter, add sugar. 4. Boil for 3 minutes.

5. Pour sugar mixture over crackers and spread.

6. Bake at 375 degrees for 5 minutes.

7. Remove from oven, sprinkle with chocolate chips.

8. Allow to melt, then spread with knife.

9. Sprinkle with nuts.

10. Let cool completely (if you can find room in the fridge!)

11. Break into pieces and ENJOY!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Carla, for sharing your delicious

recipe for me. You are always so generous with your delicious food,

never keeping any of the recipes secret - and I'm pretty sure I've

asked for every recipe that I have ever tasted from your house!

I hope you have the chance to make these - they will be a hit no matter

what time of year you serve them. I especially like them right out of the freezer.

More yummy goodness to come!

Kathy

Carla's Almond Roca Recipe:

1/4 cup margarine

2-3 dozen soda crackers

2 cubes of butter

1 cup of sugar

12 oz. chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped or sliced almonds

Cover cookie sheet with foil. Grease heavily with margarine.

Cover with crackers, laid side by side touching. Melt butter, add sugar.

Boil 3 minutes. Pour over crackers.

Bake at 375 degrees for 5 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle with

chocolate chips. Allow to melt, then spread with knife. Sprinkle with nuts.

Let cool completely. Break into pieces. Enjoy!!

Christmas Traditions

Now that I have my website situation settled, it's time to move on to the Christmas traditions that are sneaking up on me this year. Most of them involve FOOD! This week marks the beginning of the full fledged baking season around this house. My husband will be picking up the essential ingredients tomorrow morning (because he is just the most wonderful husband ever - he does all the grocery shopping!) and the baking can commence!

This year, it will be nice to involve the kids a bit more. We mixed up some sugar cookie dough and both Jayne and Lincoln got to help. We haven't made the cookies yet, but somehow the cookie dough keeps disappearing! We end up making more dishes dirty when they help, but Jayne helps to wash them and someday maybe she'll actually get them clean.

So stay tuned this week. I will be sharing some recipes and pictures of our favorites, if only to make your mouth water... Around Thanksgiving and Christmas, there is never a shortage of fudge and it is always surrounded by various other cookies, candy, and sugar-filled treats. And this week Friday we will be carrying on the tradition of all the girls working with Grandma to create those delicious sugar cookies, cut out in all kinds of shapes and slathered with frosting and all the sprinkles the littlest girls can sneak on there!

If you are still looking for some Christmas gifts for your neices, sisters, moms, aunts, and pretty much all the women in your family, be sure to check out the boutique at its new address: http://www.fhboutique.com/. Although it is in its baby stages, you can find more pictures on our facebook fanpage as well as on flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/fruitfulhandsboutique/.

Looking forward to the food!

Kathy

Website under construction

Hi all!
Just wanted to post a correction: the website www.fruitfulhandsboutique.com is currently in the process of being bought back so it will not take you to OUR current site yet. When it does, I will let you know. For now you can find more on our flickr site as well as on our fan page on facebook.
THANKS!!
Kathy

Christmas Wishes

*Please take note: the website's new address is

www.fhboutique.com

Christmas is upon us and it is time to start wishing!

Below you will find some of my favorites

from the boutique. Although I have many

of these items in my storage closet, I don't always get

to buy the beauties that reside there! So this

year I made a little wishlist of things that I

wish I owned from my very own boutique.

(Is it okay to do that? I think so!) Alice's washcloths - you can never have too many!

Shana's reusable lunch bags - just stick them
in the washing machine when they're dirty!

Shana's custom created felt flower clips.
Even mommies need to feel pretty!

Okay, I don't have a lick of pink in my house, but I
just adore this photo..-

Again, no red in my kitchen, but I LOVE the rooster

and the beautiful flowers that adorn the rest

of the towels!

And this BAG!!! Amanda has fantastic material

selection. I want one of every one!
They are even reversible with pockets!

This tri-strand turquoise bracelet.

I keep trying it on!

Glass bead snowflake ornaments.

This picture absolutely does not do them justice.

They are gorgeous.

Heather's gems. These necklaces sparkle like

nothing else. From every angle, you will catch

a different color shining back at you.

I think I'm in love!

Another of Heather's gems. A 5 karat amethyst.

My birthday's not even in February! I just want it!

So that concludes my list, but if I could start one

for my daughter, it would be even longer!

If you would like to see more, check out the website:

http://www.fhboutique.com/

or our flickr site (still a work in progress):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fruitfulhandsboutique/sets/

or our facebook fanpage (currently the most comprehensive):

simply type in "fruitful hands boutique" and it should take you there.

If you have any questions, requests, thoughts, or positive things to say,

you can always contact me at my email address:

klynncragin@yahoo.com

or my cell/business phone number:

(209) 614-3746

So, what's on your Christmas List?

Happy Shopping!

Kathy

Fallin'

Is it fall already? I thought I'd share some of our favorite fall creations! Next week the blog will be about Thanksgiving and the next week about Christmas! Just kidding (although it does seem to fly by so quickly!)

little girl pretties by Jaime

polka dotty bibs by Jennifer

earrings by Dorene

cosmo bag by Alice

white crackle pendant by Jaime

farmin' flour sack towels by Dot

two-strand beaded necklace, single-strand bracelet

and earrings in charcoal and brown

by Jaime

reversible day bag with pockets by Amanda

pillowcase dresses by Kathy

reusable grocery bags by Amanda

If interested in any of these creations,

please contact me (Kathy) at

(209) 614-3746

or

klynncragin@yahoo.com

Socks and Prayer

(Another great perspective from guestblogger Leanne. It'll change the way you do laundry!)

I recently read in a book something I thought was worth repeating. I found as I read this book, it was all about perspective. How I see my life, the daily chores and situations, is really what can make or break my attitude. Not only can it change my attitude, but it can actually change lives.

What do I mean? Well, it’s about prayer.

As I sit in front of a load of laundry piled high, I manage to breathe a heavy sigh. I grab the first pair of jeans, fold them and plop them on the bed. Usually, I rush to get this desperately boring chore finished so I can move on to something else. Something more fun, like washing dishes. No, not fun, just next on my list.

Today is different. Today I found out that socks and prayer can go hand in hand.
This time as I fold my husband’s socks I lift up a prayer that the Lord would lead him and guide him throughout his day. That He would be His strength and protector. Next I grabbed his jeans and remembered the Lord promised to provide for us and was thankful my husband had a job to go to today. I also smiled as I thanked God for the amazing man that wears those jeans and looks so good in them!

Soon I held in my hands a smaller pair of socks. I knew they belonged to one of my boys because the writing was in green. They all wear different colors so I know whose is whose! I prayed for this little life that will grow to be a strong man someday. I prayed that God would take him places in his walk that only God could dream up.

I prayed for God’s protection over my next child who wears the socks with blue writing. Reminded of how many paths there are to choose from in life, I asked the Lord that His Spirit would lead him only into paths of righteousness and that he would walk with Jesus every day of his life.

Then came the tiny little socks. My little guy: such a sweet and talented boy. I talked to God about what His plans for his life might be. I know he will walk down many roads and will need the Lord to show him where to go next. I prayed for wisdom to raise him and for his feet to take him places where he can show God’s love to the lost, however God chose to do that.

My daughter rarely wears socks, but today I folded a pair that belonged to her. No words explain a mother’s heart towards her daughter. It’s almost a silent prayer that only God can hear and understand. I wipe a tear as I see her future so bright and laid out before her. Her musical talent will take her many places and her sweet spirit will cause her to bless so many. I prayed for God’s continued love and protection and grace on her life. That as she walks through life as a teenager and one day, a woman, she will always find her hope in Christ.

Yes, each little sock and pair of jeans reminded me of the precious lives that make up my family. Now when I fold, I pray. That is how lives are changed when I do laundry.