It's been a minute... a post from Jocelyn

It's been a minute, huh?

And by 'a minute' I mean 2 years. It's been 2 years, y'all.

So, what's happened in the last two years?
Well, I had kid #4 in 2015, so she's grown a little (lot), and I resigned from my position as a classroom teacher and I'm now working at my kids' daycare as a lead teacher in the toddler room. (BTW- I LOVE it!!)

I'm dealing with less stress, getting to love on littles every day, and I have more time to be me.
With that in mind, I've really gotten back into sewing.

When I was still in the classroom, I started sewing as an anxiety release, and it worked wonders. I'd come home, grab some fabric (usually a jelly roll, or yardage I'd cut into 2.5" strips) and do some mindless sewing to release some tension. There's just something so rewarding about sewing with no real intention, but having a bright, colorful end product; like a quilt for example.

In the beginning I told my hubby it'd only be a hobby, and to not worry because, "It's cheaper than therapy." 😂 Little did I know...

Now my sewing is a passion; still in the 'hobby' stage, but I'm hoping to expand. I've started at Etsy site (Delk Designs by Jocelyn) where you can find items I've made for purchase; mostly totes and baby items.
I also have a Facebook site where you'll find pictures of custom orders I've made and sold, along with pictures of fabrics I have available for custom orders. (Delk Designs by Jocelyn on Facebook)

It's true what they say- every time you order something from a small business, the owner does a happy dance. I've been blessed with 'happy dances' since opening my shop.
However, I still get anxious when someone buys something and I ship the item off.
What if they don't like it?
What if they don't think it was worth the price?
What if...
What if...
What if...

I've seen, though, that my anxiety is completely unfounded. And, if anything, my anxiety has made me be more aware of my work and encouraged me to really take my time.
My customers have been happy with their purchases. I've had repeat customers. I'm happy with the World.

Along with my sewing, I hope to also get back into the swing of blogging. I've missed it! I'm hoping to share some sewing tutorials (quick and easy projects cause ain't nobody got time for crazy in-depth stuff) and just share the shenanigans that happen as part of daily life.

I also plan on getting Melissa back into the swing of it too... (insert evil laughter here) 😏

SO, here's to sewing, and blogging, and mommying, and teaching, and being as awesome as our little minions will allow. We got this, y'all. You'll be hearing from us again soon! (Sooner than 2 more years) 😉

Summer Check List for Kids

Hello, all! Jocelyn here!

You all know that Melissa and I are both teacher moms. Well, my kids are all school-aged and this summer I refuse to let them lose their reading and math skills to mind-numbing electronics.

My sister sent me a pic that she found online of a list of things a mom has her kids to before they are allowed to play their iPads or watch tv.

I thought it was BRILLIANT! I tweaked it a bit to suit my needs.

If you'd like a copy, you can download the PDF HERE.  I plan on printing one for each child and putting them on the fridge. A little friendly competition won't hurt anyone. :)

If you're looking for more summer ideas, try Pinterest! I typed in 'summer checklists for kids' and came up with a ton of results!
Here are just a few:

• Work at Home Mom's Summer Activities for Kids
• Nature Scavenger Hunt for Kids
• Gazillion Summer activities
• Printable Summer Checklists
• Free Printable Summer Bucket List
• Mom I'm Bored printable
• Printable Summer Binder

Happy summer, everyone! 

Song in My Soul: It is Well...

This has always been one of my favorite church songs. I remember going to a "Gospel Meeting" when I was younger (maybe 10?) and hearing a sermon based solely on this song. The speaker went line by line talking about the implications, the promises, and the hope that we have in Jesus, all based on this song.
Even as a green-to-the-world 10 year old, I knew that what he was saying was meaningful.

Here's my favorite line (emphasis mine):

My sin-

oh the bliss of this glorious thought-

My sin, NOT in part, but the WHOLE-

is NAILED to the cross and I bear it no more!

Praise the Lord! 

Praise the Lord, oh my soul!

The PDF is of the first verse. Download it HERE!

Enjoy! 

 

Scripture Pictures: Luke 6:45

Luke 6:45 (NKJV)

⁴⁵ A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

I was fortunate enough to attend a Ladies Retreat a month ago and got to hear Kayci Ross speak. She was funny, entertaining, and extremely thought provoking. If you'd like an overview, I tweeted at the event. Check out #EBLR2016.

The theme was 'Words', and the key verse was Luke 6:45. I'm not sure which version Kayci used, but the verse has stayed in my mind. I created 2 versions, and the PDF is available for download under the pictures. 

Download the PDF HERE 

Monthly Reflections Printables

Because reflection is good for the soul, I made some monthly reflections sheets that match my monthly outlines.
My goal is to use these at the end of each month to really make myself see how much I've grown. God does amazing things for His children, but I know I sometimes get too caught up in life to see them. Hopefully these will help.

I have color versions and black and white available for download. Enjoy!

Monthly Reflections

color version

Monthly Reflections

black and white version

Scripture Pictures: John 11:25

John 11:25 NLT

²⁵ Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.

I couldn't decide on the background, so I made 3 different ones. The downloadable file has all 3 included. Enjoy!

  Download PDF HERE

Scripture Picture: Psalm 73:26

Psalm 73:26 CEV
3 font versions included in the download!

26 My body and mind may fail,
    but you are my strength
    and my choice forever.

Download PDF HERE

Scripture Picture: Proverbs 4:23

Proverbs 4:23 CEV
Three font versions included in the download!

23 Carefully guard your thoughts
    because they are the source
    of true life.

Download PDF HERE

Scripture Picture: James 3:18

I started creating scripture pictures because it helps me focus on God's Word just a little bit more. Here's what I created for James 3:18 NLT

¹⁸ And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

I used 3 font styles- mostly because I can never tell what looks good. The PDF to download contains all 3 versions.

Download HERE!

Scripture Writing Challenge 2016

This year, I was challenged by my good friend Abby to dig deeper into God's Word.
The previous year, Abby found the blog Sweet Blessings, where the author (Shannon) mapped out different scriptures that would take about 5-10 minutes to write. I figured I spend so much time doing other things, that might or might not be considered a "waste" of time, that I need to purposefully take time for God. Besides, it's only 10 minutes, what could it hurt?

Here's an example of April's Challenge.

Isn't it gorgeous? And Shannon made lists in Spanish, short lists (My Girl Twin likes the short list cause she wanted to do the challenge too, but found the long version daunting.), and a "manly" list without all the frills.

After pinning everything I could find from Sweet Blessings, Pinterest anticipated my needs and showed me Rachel Wojo, who has everything on Bible Journaling.
(That's a thing now. Did you know that? I feel so out of the loop!)

Rachel's site offers monthly plans as well, but they are topic based. (I pinned all of them for later use.)
Here's the Reading Challenge for April from her site. I know it's a reading challenge, but I know I absorb more when I write.

His Mercy is New is another site that offers Reading/ Writing outlines. Candace is the author of the blog, and she offers topical/ Bible book outlines that encourage readers to Write the Word & Pray the Word.

Heidi St. John also offers Scripture Writing outlines on her site. Hers also seem to be topical.

So why am I telling you about all these ladies and their plans? Because I needed them, and I'm guessing you might as well.

I'm a mom of 4 (yes, I had a baby since the last time I blogged), and an elementary school teacher. I also have a hubby who likes talking to me when we find the time. :)

I was busy. I AM busy. I was also drowning in anxiety.
Have you seen the news lately? Do you see what's happening all over the world? Doesn't it frighten you just a bit? Please tell me it's not just me.
I needed something to calm me.
Now you can tell me to look to God, and I do, but I need something that's routine and organized. I can't just open God's Word on a whim and see what happens.

That's why I love these monthly outlines. I look forward to getting my 5-10 minutes uninterrupted God time. It's not a lot, but it's helped me so much.
I'm calmer. I'm not having mini-panic attacks. I can face the world, my kids, my students, and my hubby without having a million things in the back of my mind whispering how things can go wrong.

5-10 minutes with God has help set me free from anxiety. In fact, sometimes I'll write more. I'll write extra; especially on those days that were more trying than others. 

So, feel free to join me in the Scripture Writing Challenge! It helped me to get a new journal (it gave me something to look forward to) and I got myself a new Bible. I'm using the Inspire Bible (NLT).  
It's so pretty. *she said dreamily*

I can't draw or doodle to save my life, so I like that this Bible does it for me. It's for creative journaling (it's a thing!) and it has lots of pictures just waiting to be colored and journaling lines waiting to be filled.

If you are wanting to map your months out on your own, or you want something to use as a check off sheet, I made a little something you can use! I'm just putting the pic for April on here, but I promise there's a whole year's worth in the download!

Year Outline Color

Year Outline BW

I hope you'll join me! It's never too late to start!
I'll also be sharing scripture pictures from this journey. I find it calming to create, and I like pretty things. :)
Check under the label Scripture Pictures for download links!

Creamy Chicken Taco Soup: Crockpot

I'm sure there are plenty of recipes for this soup, maybe even better ones, but I am proud to say that I made this one up on my own! Yea, creativity!

Ingredients: 

1 can black beans

1 can kidney beans

1 can white northern beans

1 can whole kernel corn

(first 4 ingredients- all drained)

1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies

1 can low sodium chicken broth

1 can low fat/ sodium cream of chicken soup

1 block of cream cheese (the REAL thing, or it won't melt properly)

1 packet taco seasoning

4 large, frozen chicken breasts

*crockpot liner (optional- but helpful!)

* Pam cooking spray (optional)

**********************************************************

Directions: Basically, it's a dump-and-go recipe

1. Place crockpot liner in crockpot and spray with Pam

2. Place frozen chicken on the bottom of the crockpot

3. Pour beans, tomatoes, and corn on top of chicken

4. Pour in chicken broth and cream of chicken soup- stir a little

5. Cut up cream cheese into smaller blocks and place around the top

6. Shake taco seasoning on top and give everything another stir

7. Cover and cook! I sat mine for 6 hours, but the timing is up to you.

8. An hour before serving, take out the chicken breasts, shred them, and put them back into the crockpot to keep cooking.  

************************************************************

I served the soup over Frito chips with shredded cheese on top. 

4/5 people in my house loved it! The only hold-out was my 8 year old who is convinced that, if it's not chicken nuggets or pizza, it must be poison.

I didn't take a fancy picture while it was cooking, or when I served it, but here it is when I went to store it for dinner tomorrow. This recipe made enough to feed my family 2 nights.

Crock pot Apple Cobbler Cake

I found a recipe for a 3 ingredient Apple Dump Cake, and decided to tweak the recipe a little.

1 box yellow cake mix

2 cans apple pie filling 

(or fruit filling of your choice)

1 Cup quick oats

Brown sugar 

(I didn't measure it out. Just a few crumbles)

1 stick of butter *not pictured*

*crock pot liner

*cooking spray

***********************************************************************

1. Crock pot liner- spray it down!

2. Empty 1 can of apple filling and spread on the bottom

3. Spread the box of cake mix over the pie filling

4. Empty the second can of apple pie filling- spread

5. Spread 1 cup of quick pats

6. Few sprinkles of brown sugar

7. Place 1 stick of butter on top of it all

8. Cook for 4 hours

No, it's not the prettiest, but it tastes like Heaven! Unfortunately, I didn't have regular vanilla ice cream, but everything tastes good with chocolate marble!

Since it has fruit and oats, I'm planning on passing this off as my breakfast tomorrow. It's legit, right?

Through the Motions

Laura Smith is a writing & linguistics major at Georgia Southern University. She is also my former nanny, the daughter of one of my co-workers, an award winning equestrian, writing tutor, and world traveler (summer program in Madrid). I am proud to say that she can now add "published writer" to her long list of accomplishments! I've read her stories before and they are all gripping, heartwarming, and heartbreaking tales. I am constantly impressed at the worlds Laura creates. 

Her short story can be found in the Bangalore Review, June edition. You can follow the link {HERE}.
p.s. Have tissues ready!

Laura plans on continuing her education to earn a MFA in creative writing. You go, girl!

Blueberry Cobbler

Because we Phat Girls love our fans so much, we want you to have cobbler options! Melissa and I are givers that way. :)
Earlier this week, I posted Cherry Cobbler. It was delish. I enjoyed it immensely.

I decided to tweak the recipe, yet again, just for kicks and grins. I wanted to see if I could make it a little less jiggly. Same basic ingredients, different measurements.

2 cans pie filling (whatever you prefer)

1 cup oats (split into 1/2 cups)

2 cups Bisquick

1/2 cup brown sugar (plus one small handful)

1 stick butter- melted

bunt pan

cooking spray

*******************************************************

I'm basically constructing it like a cobbler lasagna. :)

1. Preheat oven to 375

2. Mix the pie fillings and the 2 cups of Bisquick lightly, just enough to make everything moist

3. Spray the bunt pan liberally with cooking spray.

4. Pour in half of the cobbler mixture into the bunt pan

5. Pour 1/2 cup of oats over the mixture in the pan, sprinkle a small handful of brown sugar on top

6. Pour the rest of the mixture into the  bunt pan

7. Pour the other 1/2 cup of oats on top

8. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of brown sugar on top of it all

9. Pour the stick of melted butter on top.

10. Bake at 375 for around 30 min.

Ooooooohhhh.... pretty. 

Don't forget to add some dairy to make it healthier! I prefer my dairy to be the creamy, frozen variety.