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January 20, 2010 Filed in awesome bloggers,me me me

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i love ohdeedoh. 

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DreamGirlLisa - That was so cool! I was excited you said you are working on a tent like the one from “The Holiday”, that is one of my favorite parts of the movie, when they show them lying in it. Sooo cute, can’t wait to see yours!

Sarah @ Clover Lane - I just adore your house. I can’t look at enough photos of it.

Tasha roe - Very cool!! I love apartment therapy!! I saw you bathroom in there and still so thankful I didn’t paint mine peacok blue after reading your review!! It’s the little things! :).

Karina - I love just saying “ohdeedoh.”
Congratulations on being featured, you have my absolute favourite house and blog.

Melanie - Great job! Congrats!

adrienne - wonderful! great parenting tip 🙂

amy jupin - i saw that yesterday afternoon!
what a pleasant surprise!
and of course the etsy shop…and africa too??!! how have you kept that one quiet?
i’m freaking out excited for you!!!! 🙂

princess lasertron - I love that article!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Oh that’s great Meg. You definitely deserve all these accolades. Your home is beautiful and I think I’m your biggest blog stalker. No one has to sell me. Congratulations girl:)

Kimberlee J. - Sweet.

Julie - I’m excited to hear more about your mission and can’t wait to see what you’ll sell in your Etsy shop!

Kristine - woohoo sister! you rock, meg!
i will totally support your mission trip! how exciting! let me know when the fund-raising begins! is that what your books are for? how is the reading coming along?

pambuller - ah Meg. I am so glad the blog world is founding out how awesome you are! That is a cool interview!

Kate - Great article! I love it! Congratulations again!!

kelli - you are a supa star megan! …and that is some great advice that i will tuck close to my heart.

Flower Patch Farmgirl - How did I miss this Sierra Leone thing? My sister was/is a missionary in Sierra Leone, Zambia and Malawi! That is awesome!! OK..back to reading your interview…

julia - You’re a Super Star!

se7en - Oh that is just totally stunning!!! Our couch was on Apartment Therapy today – how weird and wonderful is that!!!
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/outdoor/se7ens-survival-of-the-season-spot-reader-inspiration-106420

candace - Sierra Leone?!?!?! I am SO excited for you and this opportunity! Are you going to help build wells?
If it is anything like Ghana, it will be amazing!

Christy - Lovely article! That last little bit made we weepy.

Jess - yay! i love your style!!!

Debra - Great interview! Congrats!

No.17CherryTreeLane - you are a VIP!!!

Lori - Can’t wait to see pictures from West Africa! Great interview. Your playroom always draws me right in. It’s so colorful and cheerful!

Jill - Great interview! Still think you are awesome!

Angela - That’s a fabulous article! I love you entire house! It’s so original!

Cori - You walk the walk!!

Ruth - Sierra Leone! That’s awesome. West Africa is beyond beautiful… prepare to fall in love! 🙂

Julie Wriston - That’s great Meg! Nice interview!!

Deanna from dedeetsyshop - So cool! Love the house!

Krista - Awesome! What a great article!

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lasagna

January 20, 2010 Filed in recipes

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i decided to post this because…i have heard more than one woman say “i have never made lasagna.”

WHY??

they said it’s “too hard”….or “you can buy it frozen”
too much work?
it’s really not…you can make it in 20 minutes…probably.

and this is nothing gourmet by any means but you don’t look to me for that anyway do you? 

to make it my way (probably the same as the box says) you will need these ingredients.
 
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as you can see i have no problem using generic brand foods.

boil a big pot of water for your noodles.
begin browning the ground beef.
i add salt and pepper and minced onion to the ground beef.

and while those two are going…combine your cheeses and egg in a mixing bowl.
sometimes i throw in some minced garlic too.
you could add parsley to the cheese mixture but my kids would pick at it and say “eeeewwww” so i don’t.

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cook the noodles according to the box.
and drain them in a collendar when they are tender.
i run them under cold water because they are so hot to work with if i don’t.

add your sauce to your browned ground beef. (after you’ve drained the grease out of your pan)

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in a 9×13 pan put a spoonful of sauce on the bottom of the pan to keep anything from sticking.
then begin layering…first 4 noodles.

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then a layer of sauce….and then a layer of cheese mixture.

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and repeat those layers again.
then cover the whole dish with shredded cheese.
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and bake it at 350 for 30 – 40 minutes.

yum yum yum.
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everyone loves this at our house!

i almost always make two when i make this.
one for the freezer and one for that night.

and this is a great dish to bring to new mom or friends that need a night off from cooking dinner.

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Jennifer - My family love this recipe and we make it on a regular basis!

Kirsten - Love Julie and Julia!!!! What a fabulous idea!

melissa mae - nothing like homemade lasagna! I’m making my moms recipe on Sunday. YUM! As for sugar…oh my, you and I are in the same boat. Oh, how I love sugar. I am also on a “no sugar” kick and I lost 5 pounds. Totally worth it.

Tasha roe - Looks delish! Have you ever put it jn the crockpot? No need to cook noodles or check on it

Meg - I have never heard of making lasagna with Cottage Cheese. Around these parts we make it with Ricotta Cheese. I’ll have to try it with the Cottage Cheese.

Heather K. - Julie & Julia is awesome!

Nikki - This looks yummy. And to offer you some encouragement, I gave up all refined sugar several months ago. I lost 45 pounds and feel better than I ever have. Eventually my taste buds did adjust and sugar really doesn’t taste that good any more (and I LOVED sugar!) and other flavors suddenly taste amazing. Keep at it!

tara pollard pakosta - there is a way easier way to make it right on the stove top too! I can’t remember , but I think it was a Kraft recipe YUMMY! your pix are GREAT! tara

Ashley Crenshaw - I made your lasagna last night and my husband LOVED it! Finally, I can get him off of the frozen kind. (Blah at frozen lasagna.) Thanks Meg!

Melanie - Meg, I have made the french toast many times. My family loves it. I even blogged about it and I told everyone that I got it from you. It is delish.

wakana - i’ve never tried cottage cheese so i will try yours next time i make “ba-zanya” (my little daughter calls that way!)

the wild raspberry - loved julie and julia….
i make lasagne without cooking the noodles….just cover with foil while baking….then you don’t have to wrestle sticky noodles.

Traci - looks yummy. i just made my first homemade lasagna last year. found a recipe to make the day before and you don’t even have to cook the noodles. it is so good and my family asks for it all the time now. what took me so long?

princess lasertron - I *just* watched julie and julia YESTERDAY and I don’t know if I’m just hormonal or WHAT but I cried through the whole thing. I am so moved by two women paving their own paths and living their best lives.

Janine - Easy sugar free recipe…
My grandmother used to make these and I will admit they do satisfy a sweet tooth. Core & peel a whole apple and put it in a deep baking pan. Pour diet black cherry soda (random generic is fine.)on the apple and inside the core to coat them. Let the apple sit in about an inch or so of the soda and bake till the apple is soft and the soda syrupy. It’s sweet and the only sugar in it is the natural sugar from the apple.
I have also made pumpkin pie using splenda and it came out great. (used the recipe off of the Libby can and followed the splenda subtituting rules)
Splenda brown sugar does have some sugar in it but it does make a great low sugar apple crisp.
Don’t forget about sugar free jello.
I need to give up sugar too. It’s so hard. Good luck.

Amanda Mc - Yummy, too bad I live in a place that doesn’t eat beef (India), but I could substitute, just wouldn’t taste nearly as good! Your daughter Lauren would do fine here though 😀

Christina - Don’t boil the noodles, and that’s one less pot to clean! 🙂 I add a little extra sauce and 15-20 minutes to the cooking time, and it’s so good.

linda lou - i got two julie & julia’s for christmas took one back and got 4 other movies in place of one since it was so expensive, and have watched it several times now. meg you can make the lasagna for me and i’ll pay YOU!!
blessings,
lindalou (amy d mom)

Beth - Ummm, I can’t see my first comment, which I really left. Anyway, my second comment, minus my first comment, sounds a bit schizophrenic. My first comment (which I can’t find) said you should watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpunQZ4cUyI on youtube. I might have posted it in your comments section before, but I do think you’ll love it (it’s about ART, not sugar).

Beth - Oh, well, ok, you didn’t say “sugar, sugar I love you” but what you did say made me think of that song/video anyway 🙂 That’s just the way my mind works I guess. I still think you’ll love it.

DreamGirlLisa - Love you Megan, but not sure about the jarred sauce and cottage cheese(I love it, but not in lasagna, I use ricotta). I do love to cook though, so making the sauce from scratch is all part of it for me, but also why I don’t make lasagna too often. I loved Julie & Julia too, definitely one of my new favorites too.

Jenni - Yummy!!! Yes, that movie is a must see. FYI, I have your plates! 🙂

courtney - can not wait for lasagne…I am nine months pregnant and the idea of that much acid in my tummy makes me green, but oh my once my little is here; bring it on! Your blog is awesome! Congrats on the HOMIE too!

Lori - I have never attempted Lasagna but I’ll definitely put it on my list of things to do. And, yes, I did see Julie and Julia-loved it!

christi - you are always SO practical. so practical. and i watched the movie twice last weekend … LOVE IT!!!

Jessica Defibaugh - Great Job! I did see the movie and yes one of my all time favorites!

feather - i am such a lover of lasagne. however, my kids don’t eat mixed foot. mixed food…you know, chili, soups, casseroles, lasagne. i will never understand them.

Tonya - Thanks for the inspiration! I haven’t made a lasagna in years but we’re having it tonight!!! I made mine with whole wheat pasta and added wheat germ & pureed carrots to my sauce. Gotta do whatever I can to sneak healthy stuff into my guys!

Janine - ok, so I have to admit I am a little grossed out by the cottage cheese thing. I have never heard of using cottage cheese, and I never liked it. I always use Ricotta cheese and I spice the cheese up with herbs. I guess all that matters is that your family loves it. And you can easily make a small tray (use a mini loaf pan) for Lauren without meat.

janet - Thanks for the quick yummy recipe! Found you via Seleta’s site. If it makes you feel any better, or gives you some hope, I was a true sugar addict. Seriously, seriously addicted. I gave it up last January 1st. I honestly thought I was going to die from with drawals. It got better each week.I did still eat fruit etc. ( no pineapple). I lost 40 pounds, and have never felt better! 🙂 I can honestly say, I don’t even miss the sugar! Giving up sugar was the absolute BEST thing I ever did! I don’t even like the taste of it anymore~Good luck Meg!

megan - hilarious my easy lasagna recipe is almost identical! i always use cottage cheese in place of ricotta and i always use prego sauce with mine too. i usually double and freeze one.

Collette - Agreed that lasagna is so easy to make that I usually make 2 at a time (one for now and one to freeze). I prefer veggie lasagna (mmm, spinach) to meat, but both are good. And I stopped cooking my noddles first and most of the time they are just find. Maybe just a tad not soft enough, but it saves time. Nothing wrong with generic, it’s all pretty much the same in the end – just less pretty packaging.

Renee - Are you trying to make me fat, Meg? Cause all of your recipes make me eat like I haven’t had a meal in a week! This from the woman who has given up sugar! LOL For me, lasagna will always be one of those meals that tastes better when somebody else makes it, know what I mean? But I’m still going to try your recipe (cause I always do). xoxoxoxo

Angela Neil - Looks delicious! And easy to make too!

Dianne Avery - Tell Lauren to make a separate batch with Morningstar Crumbles. I’m a lifelong veggie and I love the stuff. I’ve made lasagna with it for friends and they didn’t even realize that they weren’t eating meat. It works great for Tacos too.

Carisa - We love it too! I never cook my noodles and i don’t even purchase the “no-boil” kind. Just layer them in there. My cheesy layer is cream cheese and sour cream too…light of course! 🙂

carissa... brown eyed fox - i’ll take it… a bite… BIG one… that is! 🙂
yum!
and i love how salad just melds right in as the perfect side… with ranch of course! 🙂
now if i could just try making it! 🙂

Danielle @ Transforming Home - Alright. You convinced me. No more frozen. I will make it from scratch next time.
Danielle

Shelly Reil - Please, PLEase, PLEASE!!! Don’t even boil the noodles!! Layer everything with noodles uncooked, Bake at 350 covered with foil for 30 minutes, and uncover and bake another 15 – 25 minutes. That simple!! Don’t need special pasta either, it all works! Saved you some water, and the hassle of ripping and tearing the cooked noodles

Diane Rathbun - Lasagne is wonderful, I agree. I almost always use the oven ready noodles which is nice and my own spaghetti sauce. Whenever we have spaghetti I always make a huge pot of sauce and throw the leftovers in the freezer, that way we have another round of spaghetti or sauce for lasagne ready for a quick meal!

Courtney Walsh - I actually make lasagna as one of my “easy” dinners. Sometimes I prepare it ahead in the morning and then bake it closer to dinner time. I use ricotta instead of cottage cheese too and LOTS of garlic (in my beef too!! yum) and we all absolutely love it!
Oh, I have to tell you I’ve more or less given up sugar too and I feel your pain. It’s really, really hard!!

Jess - I also never attempted lasagna because I thought it was hard to make. Yours looks simple and yummy!

amanda - I’ve gotten quite a response asking me about my crock pot lasagna, so here’s the recipe!
Ingredients:
1lb ground beef
1 box lasagna noodles
2 jars spaghetti sauce
1 large tub ricotta cheese
1 large bag mozzarella or italian blend shredded cheese
Parmesan cheese
Whatever spices your heart desires
1. Season, cook, and drain ground beef
2. Add sauce to beef
3. Mix parmesan cheese and salt and pepper into ricotta cheese
Layer into the crock pot however you want. I do it like this:
Noodles, ricotta, sauce, grated cheese, repeat until full.
It’s so quick and easy and you don’t have to cook the noodles! Also, sometimes I skip the beef and just use the sauce and cheese and it’s still super yummy and even quicker!

Anna - And for those chaotic nights when you only have a short time to get food to the table before your 2.5 year old has her “I’m hungry now” fit… there is Skillet “La-bong-ya” as my little one calls it. This is my weeknight lasagna.
Cook Ground Beef, Add Spaghetti Sauce, Salt, Pepper, and Minced Onion, 1.5 cups of water, then break the Oven Ready Lasagna Noodles into pieces and add to mix, let boil 15-20 mins until noodles are tender (I’m sure there is a fancy name for that), As it cools add the cheese on top. Hubby says it taste just like the other, but he’d rather the traditional layered type.

Val - When my son was little he pronounced it “jon-g”.
And I use the no-boil, ready to use lasagna noodles… you can’t tell the difference!

Mindi - Looks yummy! My best friend, who is admittedly not a chef, makes her own version of lasagna called “la-la-la-lori!”

Janet Biernacki - It is a great movie..I’ve seen it twice.
I’m a big fan of Prego as well…plus no boil noodles. And..I use ground turkey sometimes. Or when I want to make my hubby swoon will use ground turkey, plus ground beef , plus sausage.
Kudos to u and the no sugar! You can do it.

4JJM - Lasagna is so easy, I agree – and I don’t even cook the noodles first – just use the hard noodles in the recipe and they come out perfect every time!

Kim - Thanks for posting! I’m even making lasagna without cooking the noodles first! It is so nice to get rid of one step in the process!

A pocket full of posies... - YUMMM!!! and LOVED “Julie & Julia”!!! one of my new forever favorites too!
sorry on the “sugar thing”!- I’ll keep praying!
Blessings!
Jill

Immyyas - I’ve never made lasagna before either. My sisters always tell me how easy & quick it is but never have said “Hey, here is the recipe give it a try!” I enjoy cooking & make tons of things way more complicated than this… I do believe I will have to give this a try. Looks Yummy!!!

Heather - I just watched Julie and Julia for the second time last night. I adore it! It makes me want to wear pearls and buy butter.

Amy - My kids love Lasagna! I have to laugh at your prep pictures. My girls got in this huge discussion how annoying it is that there parents only buy the white stuff (Great Value)So when they get home I will show them this picture.
We decided to a cook book in a year but NOT Julia Childs I am not sure butter for every meal is such a great idea.

Courtney - I saw Julie & Julia last week… so good! Are you a Glee fan? Did you notice Sue? Just wondering, I love Glee 🙂

Janelle - I love making a lasagna – mainly because my husband is under the impression that it is super hard to make and I must be a goddess for knowing how to do it. So stop going around telling everyone it is easy!!!

Laura Phelps - I loved Julie & Julia more than I love lasagna
and I buy the NO BOIL noodles…makes it that much easier
you can also add cooked spinach, feta cheese, sliced fresh tomato on top…
ya know, to make sure your kids don’t eat it…

Rachel / cREaTe - LOVE lasagna … it IS easy & yet looks fancy. 🙂 my recipe has you lay thin tomato slices across the very top, sprinkled with some parmesan … nice fresh touch. another little tip my recipe came with: alternate your layers of the lasagna noodles to go lengthwise on one layer, then lay across the width [or on a diagonal] on the next layer & keep alternating to make it easier to cut & hold its shape instead of all sliding out. a little cutting is involved on the width layer… but i think it does help.
might have to make ma-zan-ya mañana! 🙂 ha ha [that’s what you should call it when you make it the night before … the mañana mazanya.]

mikki roo - I know so many people who say they don’t make lasagna too! I have no idea why because it’s my stand-by when I can’t think of anything else to make. It’s easy, filling & everyone loves it! Like some others said, I use the no-cook noodles but I do soak them a few minutes in hot water (just in a 9×13 pan) so they have a head start. So much simpler!

Tracy - mmmmm! My mouth is watering – what a perfectly easy and great short cut recipe!
I think i need breakfast now….mmmmm!
xoxo

Lisa - Looks delicious!
I’m thinking of switching blog domains to typepad. Do you pay a monthly fee to allow you complete design control? If so any pointers would be greatly appreciated.
Take Care,
Lisa

Christy - Yum! I am the designated lasagna maker in my family (took the title from my sister). I use ricotta cheese & Barilla (plus one can tomato sauce & one can diced tomatoes for my marinara). I also like to add some shredded zuchini to get some veggies in & no one is the wiser. 🙂
There is also a great recipe for skillet lasagna from Country Home or Country Living mag a few years ago. It’s a great week night dinner as it only takes 10 minutes to cook!

angela - Have you ever tried NOT boiling your noodles? Works great and it saves you a step! Love your Annie!

Hattie - I make my lasagna the exact same way! I’ve been bugging my hubby to order Julie & Julia from netflix for me, I can’t wait to watch it.

Flower Patch Farmgirl - Prego Tomato Basil Garlic is my FAVE! I also use a lot of generic food…but some things, like salsa and spaghetti sauce, are too important. 🙂
Julie and Julia – We loved it! Stanley Smoochie. 🙂

The Lady of the House - Man! I love your Annie – she’s a doll! What she calls lasagna is hilarious! Looks really good and thanks for sharing your way of doing it! Always fun to see how other people do things… Julie & Julia was totally marvelous!

jen - Why the cottage cheese and not ricotta? I’ve never heard of using cottage.

Beth - This made me laugh out loud! I just made out my menu for the week and I’m making your crescent chicken, baked french toast (for breakfast for dinner), my own ‘no boil noodles’ lasagna, AND cream puff dessert. Ahhhhhh, do you hate me? I will take extra bites for you, my dear. 😉

Trasie Bressler - Hey! Did you know they are doing Pickalicious at the crown up town starting in Feb.?
Just thought I would pass that info along since one of your girls loves that book.

Trasie Bressler - Ok so that looks too good to eat. Love that stuff but I use the no cook noodles because I can never get the one that you have to cook right.
I want to know what the side of your 9 x 13 pan says……LOL!!!

Deanna from dedeetsyshop - I am making lasagna tonight too! It is one of our favorite dinners! I actually make it pretty much the EXACT same way you do, only I don’t even mix the meat and sauce. The meat just gets layered on the sauce! Yummy!
I LOVE your blog by the way! 🙂

linda@LimeintheCoconut - I make it all the time…but still even LOVE seeing it be made! Yum! Now I wanna make it for dinner!

Tara @ the cinnamon post - Julie & Julia is a sweet movie…I just wish Julie in real life was more like the character in the movie. I watched it with my daughter Charlotte who thought Julie’s meltdowns were much like mine. Lovely.
~Tara

Cori - I think i’ll pick up some stuff to make lasagna today. This week is a quiet week kid activity wise but next week looks a bit crazy on the old calender. Wouldn’t it be great to pop this into the oven one night. You are an inspiration to me Meg with your Sugar thing. I need to kick my habit and soon!

Donna - Ummm. I love lasagna. When I was growing up my grandma’s would make it all the time for me. My mom said it was “too much work”. So naturally, I was intimidated by it. Then one day I psyched myself up for “all the work” and made me some lasagna. Ha! Too much work? I actually found it to be one of the easiest, quickest and most delicious meals to prepare. Unfortunately, there are a few cheese haters in my family who won’t eat it, but there are a few more of us who just love it and I make it often. I boil up some penne noodles and throw some sauce on top for the cheese haters on lasagna night. Tonight I am making my families favorite meal – Calzones – now that is a bit of work. I will post it on my blog later tonight.

Ivy Bettinger Smith - Sometimes I use spiral noodles if I dont have any lasagna noodles. Also I like to add in cream cheese and sour cream in between my layers. I just get a spoonful and use my finger to kinda plop in down in between the layers…yum!

julie y. - meg…lasagna really is so easy, thanks for reminding us bloggers. and the no-boil noodles are just as yummy and make it even easier. btw…your post will be up tomorrow. i started to “designer spotlight” today, and have lots of creative ppl. thanks again for sharing with me! blessings!!
xoxo julie!!

Karen Gerstenberger - Yes, I just saw it 2x last weekend: once with friends at a Julie & Julia party at my house (it’s on my blog, but beware – there was sugar & chocolate involved), and once with my husband, because the friends were chatting through the movie. It’s a great one. If you haven’t read Julia Child’s book, “My Life in France,” it’s wonderful, too.
We love homemade lasagne, and one interesting difference in ours is that I use the pasta sheets that my fabulous grocery store makes fresh, & then freezes. They don’t require pre-cooking; you can just lay a full sheet in the pan, and then add your other ingredients, lay another sheet down, etc., and bake.
I love your blog!

Angela - I’ve been a full time, stay at home mom of 3 boys, 18, 14, and 7 for the last 15 yrs and pasta is a huge staple in our house, mostly because it’s so filling. My recipe is the same as yours, except for the onion, my husband and boys won’t eat it, so I add onion powder. We watched Julie and Julia a couple of weeks ago and loved it but I don’t aspire to cook such grand things. lol

Staci - YUMM-MEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!! I agree, it really isn’t that terribly hard to make 🙂 Your’s looks super yummy! (I will have to say…I’m with Lauren, I don’t LOVE beef so much…but I will eat it in ma-zan-ya!) Oh Annie…how I love ya 🙂

Daniela - Hi, I always read your blog, it’s wonderful.
I am Italian, I live near Bologna, in Emilia, the region where Lasagne are born.
The ground beef is ok, sausages are ok too, but not the cheese sauce: the real thing is Besciamella, that is, Béchamel sauce, which is really very easy to do, you only have to combine flour, butter and milk.
For a medium pan, half liter of milk, 50 g of flour and 50 g of butter; melt the butter, add the flour, toast for 2 minutes, add the milk, stir and cook for some minutes; the more you cook it, the firmer it becomes. Add some REAL parmesan to the Béchamel sauce and a BIG quantity on the last layer of béchamel.
Enjoy !!!
Daniela

Diane - I love lasagne. It’s not hard to make but I do make a huge mess in the kitchen when I make it. The great thing about it is that you can make it and freeze it for another day. I can make one pan for my carnivores and one for the veggievores.

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - One of my favorites. Yummy!!!
Eat fruit with plain yogurt or a protein bar…something as a substitute. Keep your goals close to your heart, so you don’t waver. You can do it MEG. The new improved body and emotions are worth it:)

Amy - Mmmm. That looks delicious!!

Dina - Have you ever used the noodles that you don’t have to cook? They’re amazing! Makes it even easier:-)
I’ve been wanting to see J & J. Good to know it won’t disappoint:-)

Holly - Oh Yum! I am so making that this weekend!

Lauren - Julie & Julia is definitely on the top of my favorites list! LOVED it!
And I can’t wait to make your lasagna!
Thank you so much for blogging! It always makes my day!

amanda - I make lasagna in the crock pot. SO easy and the house smells like heaven all day!

BriBedell - I have never had ground beef in lasagna. I use Italian sausage. Also just the bag Italian cheese, no cottage cheese but it does look very good with the cheese mixture! Oh and mushrooms too..yum..lol I love all of your recipes they are so easy 🙂

Nancy - Ok. I’ll add the lasagne to my list. I won’t tell you what i have made… but I always love it and it is multicolored and has a few layers.

kat - I received Julie and Julia in my stocking at Christmas and I LOVE that movie. It is so cute, and a much have for anyone who loves to cook! 🙂

kat - We love lasagna at our house too! Homemade is way better than frozen any day!!! My daughters call it “De-san-ya” which makes me laugh and think of designer lasagna.

rebecca - I did see Julie and Julia and now I am reading the book…I think this may be a rare instance when the movie is better than the book!

Christy - sounds easy., I have been contemplating about trying Pioneer Womans Recipe. Thanks!!

Debra - Looks yummy. I’m joining you on the sugar thing. (sigh)

Dana Banana - That is my exact recipe for lasagna! Way too easy, don’t know why people think it is so hard to make. I am doing without most sugar here, so I feel your pain. Jonathan watched Julie and Julia with me the other day, even he liked it. Take care!

Stephanie - Aaaah…just saw Julie & Julia last night! I LOVED IT!! I wrote a post this morning about how I hate to cook. I envy you, I wish I found cooking simple or fun. Your lasagna looks yummy.

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new do

January 18, 2010 Filed in WAFFLE the wonder dog

10:00 AM monday january 18.

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2:00 PM monday january 18

IMG_1480what a handsome boy.

and we get a break from the ridiculous amounts of dog hair all over everything.
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he has a special blankie.
and he has chewed it full of holes.
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if anyone touches it he goes crazy…a nice kind of crazy.  
he gets so excited to play.
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the santa hat re-appeared so lauren put it on waffle.
pretty cute.       

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i am sure he smiles…he looks so happy all the time.   


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 thanks for helping me feel not so weird about my insecurity.  
 i had a talk with craig and had some breakthroughs of why i feel that way.
 but all of your sweet words helped me feel much better.

add a comment

Christine Ishmael - My girls and I scrolled through the pictures of Waffle and we all started laughing at Waffle in the santa hat…! We started with little giggles and ended up with belly laughs…the girls call him “Waffle Claus”! Thanks for sharing!

Sarah E. - My husband and I got a kick out of this post. We have a dog almost exactly like this. We’ll he has a few more spots than yours. His name is Gus, he’s 9 1/2 years old. We get him shaved in the summer (he’s an outside dog) and it’s the exact same look.
Not the best photos of him but you can see him here
http://sarahellsworth.blogspot.com/2009/10/moving.html
http://sarahellsworth.blogspot.com/2009/05/dogs-summer-cut.html

Miss Em - Waffle is adorable! He looks like a completely different dog (and it’s nice to know I’m not the only one who does at home haircuts for my dog!)
-Emily

Karrie - Oh wow, I thought the before was the after! My dog (which is part goldendoodle) needs a haircut but her afters always look like your befores. ha! And she smiles all the time, too~they are such happy dogs!

Joy Cronauer - I love this dog! Too cute…I want one! Does he bark at strangers?

tara pollard pakosta - I love him with his hair longer!!
just like when my cockapoo gets shaved,
they look soooo different!
not as teddy bear looking!!!
but he’s still CUTE!
I can’t believe he sheds, my cockapoo NEVER sheds ever! it’s awesome! no hair anywhere! but he does need to get shaved every so often or his hair is too long and gets in the way so he can’t see!!!
waffle is soooooooooooooo CUTE!
tara

meleea - your dog waffle is EXACTLY like my goldendoodle tucker!! we have chewed up pieces of blanket all over our house and our dogs look sooo very much alike! we LOVE LOVE our dog!

clare - I always thought the “doodles” didn’t shed…apparently they do huh?

Sarah - Looks like a different doggie. What a cutie…

Tracy - Wow Waffle looks like a totally and completely different baby with his hair cut like that! He’s so beautiful and I think you’re right – he looks happy all of the time, so he must be smiling! :o) His blanket looks like what my dogs used to do to their blankets when we had dogs too. HA! Thanks for sharing and the lasagna recipe looks delicious! I will have to try it – I’m one of those who’ve never made it either as I thought it was too hard and too time consuming – thanks for showing me otherwise! :o)

carissa... brown eyed fox - his BLANKIE……… i love that!
and it seems like he loves his new do… look at his face!
big ‘ol smile! i am convinced dogs smile.
they do right?
i think so!

Rachel Ridd - adorable! he looks so happy 🙂 I have a golden and their joyful facial expressions are priceless.

deb meyers - my son looks like Waffle when it’s time for his cut…he acts like waffle, too : )

Susie - What a handsome guy! I have a Golden, so I def see the traits in Waffle (when his hair is cut)!

Heather - Wow. Thanks for sharing that you feel insecure. I have been following you for a couple of years now and have told you how much I’d love to have a friend like you living near me. I think you are just awesome. Beautiful. Talented. Kind. Sweet. Vibrant.
To hear that YOU have insecurities gives me hope. 😉

Tiffany Morris - Love the “new do” for Waffle! He’s so handsome!

mel - Waffle looks adorable!!! I love his haircut! He looks so much like a lab after those pictures!

katy - That guy {waffle} is so cool!

Amanda - He is such a cute dog! I love his name and all the pictures you post of him. Your blog always puts a smile on my face. Thank you 🙂

Talia - Wow, it’s crazy how different he looks!

Angela - How cute! My daughter is trying to convince my husband that we need a “Waffle”.

Kirsten - Bah! so funny….my neighbor has a labra-doodle and when Cody gets a haircut she says he gets very self-concious 🙂 – and I treat him differently, I think. Our other neighbor has a little Yorkie…and when Ellie gets a trim I like her more…why is that??!?!?!

the inadvertent farmer - Short of Shaggy there is just something about a dog! Kim

kasey - Alright md….
is it ok that i call you md?
I think your dog will be the insecure one now;-)
xo

Mrs. Jones - Now I thought my dogs OWNED cute, but Waffle is some tough competition. Even his name is cute!!
~Heather

Mrs. Jones - Now I thought my dogs OWNED cute, but Waffles is some pretty tough competition. Even his name is cute!!
~Heather

Stacy - I know this is on the wrong post but I just wanted to do what I can to help. I’ve been kind of feeling insecure/anxiety etc. too, and I was asking a health professional what I could be eating that would help and she said protein. Make sure you get enough protein in your diet and it will definetely help. I hope it helps you! And I hope you start to feel better. Your dog looks way cute too!

Courtney - I love Waffle! What a cute/great doggie. I like him better fluffier – but I totally relate to the huge fluff balls of fur flying around the house!

Nina Diane - I love his new haircut!

Christa P. - What a beautiful dog!
Love the new do!

Elyse - What a sweet baby.

elisa - I love that dog. LOVE. And I hope you are feeling better. I too have had a bad week or so. Funk. Time for Spring.

Jen - What a great dog! He looks like a sweetie. Makes me miss my pups. Maybe we’ll get another one some day.

Toni :O) - Of course he’s smiling….he lives in your wonderful house with your beautiful family…I’d be smiling and happy too! God bless you cause I love seeing Waffle…he makes me smile. We can’t wait to give a dog a forever home sometime this Spring.

Debbie S. - Waffle is amazing…hair or no hair..and very photogenic (and tolerant). However, your husbands calf muscles were the star of the picture 😉

Amanda - I have always been a “small dog person”, but I must say that Waffle has me changing my opinion. He is just TOO CUTE!

Christy - Oh my he looks like a totally different doggie!!
Love the picture with the Santa Hat

Cate O'Malley - Amazing what a difference a haircut makes, though I love the old version too. Love the Santa hat pic – too cute!

Traci - i love waffle photos. he is so darn cute both furry and clipped.

the wild raspberry - i have been catching up on old posts….good luck with your resolutions~they are good ones.
and i did listen to rachel…it hit very close to home for me….my sister has cancer…it’s so hard to remember the bigger picture of life.
that’s a hard hitting resolution~
~remember the bigger picture~
have a wonderful god-filled…exercising kind of day~
chasity

the wild raspberry - i figured most people already told you that your doggie is cute so i’ll mention the ripped calves of your hubbie….
very nice….does he cycle or run?
chasity

Deb. - HI-I’m new to your blog, but L-O-V-E, love it!About the insecurity thing…you are normal, after all, aren’t we only human? Seems as if school is always where I have felt that way also. If we are strong in our faith, and rely on our GOD…what do we have to be insecure about? BLESSINGS!

Cara - Hi, my name is Cara. I’ve been reading your block for the last year and just love it – can’t wait in the morning to see if there is something new!! I live in South Africa in a small “village” called Kommetjie (at the sea) close to Cape Town. It’s always amazing for me to think how far we are apart but can still see what’s going on different peoples lives! It’s so interesting to see how different our school terms, way of living etc is but there is also so many things that is similar! Cara xxx

Helen Wall - Waffle looks like quite the character! What a personality.
Aren’t our husbands great for sorting through our emotions and getting to the meat of the issue. I know I wouldn’t be near as sane if I didn’t have him to help ground me!

Laura Phelps - 2 questions….
Do you think Waffle feels insecure now that you cut all of his hair off???
And
when can Craig come over and talk with ME???

Connie - What an awesome before and after! I can’t imagine how much more comfortable he is. =)

Sophie - Wow, its like a completely different dog! Looks gorgeous!!

Rach - We over here in Cali LOVE the short do. So sleek!!

Kim - Waffle is adorable…and your husband has very nice legs. I’m just sayin 😉

candace - Waffle, you are too cute! And you have the best new year’s slim down plan I’ve seen. 🙂

Darlene - If I didn’t know better, it would seem like you had 2 dogs. One shaggy one and one clean-cut one. We have 3 dogs and our puppy is a shih-poo. She’s is need of her first hair cut but I don’t have the guts to do it. Truth be told….I like the shaggy/matted look. Dread-locks, if you will.
Love the post – because I L-O-V-E dogs!

Heather Giustino - What a cutie!! He looks like such a happy guy!!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - That dog is just adorable…with fur or not. He does look like he’s smiling. My sweet Fergie always looks like she’s scowling. Poor thing:)

A pocket full of posies... - Laughing SO hard- I’m crying!!!!- not at your insecurity- at “WAFFLE the wonder-dog!” goodness he’s too cool!
Blessings!
Jill
p.s. love what you shared on your last post…

Kristine - i love waffle!
**glad you’re feeling better!**

Bernice - He looks like a completely different dog!

Melanie - That last picture of Waffle in the Christmas hat is so cute.
Do you shave him yourself? I have a maltipoo and he needs grooming right now. Go read my blog post about the crazy nut job of a dog he is. He needs meds or I am going to be on meds!

julia - I love waffle’s new do. Is he all like “Hey, look at my new look” or is he more like “dude, what happened to the built-in insulation”?

Staci Danford - That is so funny.. We have a dog who shreds his cover too.. BUT maybe not in a nice crazy way. haha That was a wonderful Monday laugh..
Staci

Holly - how could anyone not love waffle?!

Courtney Walsh - he makes me want a dog. Seriously. He’s so cute!! Both ways. 🙂 I am far too horrible a domestic engineer to handle cleaning up dog hair, but if I ever get brave, I want a Waffle of my own. lol

Rach - Oh my, lol. He’s a totally different dog! Cute too!

Becca Parker - What a sweet baby!

immyyas - What a happy cute pooch!!! When I had my lab I would shave him just like that… I LOVED the few weeks of less shedding. Plus they look so put together & “derssed up”.

Kat - He looks so cute after his haircut! And I love the pic with the santa hat.

Jen - We have a golden doodle that we used to dogsit for. He looked JUST like Waffle and we LOVED him. His name was Webster. Now we have our own sweet miniature poodle that we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. They are the best.
Two questions:
1. Why does he shed so much? Webster never shed at all. That’s why his owners got him. Must be waffle got more of the “golden” than the “oodle”, maybe?!?
2. I would LOVE to know how you picked Waffle?!? You know–in all your free time! 🙂
Love your blog! Many blessings on your sweet family!

Whitney H - Love that he is wrapped in his blankie! Also makes me smile to see photos of Waffle!

Melissa Morrill - It’s like a totally different dog!! I just wanna cuddle with Mr. Waffle!
p.s. Tried Pineapple Vodka….YUUUUUM.

Rachel / cREaTe - i can’t look at any picture of waffle without getting the giggles. but that 2nd one down of his new ‘do takes the cake. and his holy blankie???? PRESH!

ashley - I told my little man about Waffle when he walked up and asked, “Who dat doggie, Mama?” He said, “I have doggie name Waffle, Mama. Jus’ like my waffle beh-kfas.” hahaha. That is one cute dog! Nice hair-do choice! 🙂
Glad you could talk it out with your hubby. It always helps to talk to someone. 🙂
Have a beautiful day!

merlin - He’s sure not insecure!
Lessons from Waffle…..

Brooke - he’s sooo cute 🙂

Xina - Still love your blog, love the pics of Waffle (LURVE that name!)…I live voraciously thru you….I can’t handle BIG dogs, but want one. Got 2 little ones. Waffle looks COOL!

Amber - Oh my gosh, so cute!! I love him all clean shaven. You can see his cute little face better.
I that last one with the santa hat!! So precious!

Suzanne - I heart waffle.

Jaclyn - I love the picture of him wearing the santa hat! He DOES look like a very happy and well loved doggie!

Nicole Q. - I had to laugh because when i saw the title “new do” i was expecting you . . . wondered what you did, and then Waffle flashed up on the screen, i laughed!

Debra - He looks like a totally different dog! That must be the happiest looking dog I’ve ever seen!

Diana - I can just hear Waffle… “I can see! I can see!” ROTFL!!! Oh, geesh, I love your doggie. {I miss both of ours sooooooo much.} Our Chip had shagginess like Waffle and was always so happy to be able to see things again after his haircuts, LOL! LOVE the Santa hat on him… and of course he’s smiling! {Our doggies smiled all the time for us!}
Waffle is truly a handsome buddy!
You GO, Waffle! { ♥ { doggie hugz } ♥ }
Okay, I’ve had my Waffle-doggie fix. THANK YOU!

Foy (Garden Cook Write Repeat) - He looks years yonger with out all that hair! What a nice looking dog!

Cathy - Awww! Isn’t it funny how when they get their hair cut they look like puppies again?

Jess - Waffle! Love ’em.

tami reed - Even though Im not an animal lover that dog is too cute lol

Renee - I bet Waffle is so happy with his new found handsomeness. Great pictures! xoxo

Keri R. - This post reminds me that I need to make an appointment for our goldendoodle to get shaved! My husband tried to do it himself… 🙂 Now her hair is totally patchy

Kimberly - I agree with Staci, nice legs, Craig!!!
Love Waffle’s haircut too 🙂

Nancy - What a fine pooch… I would love to imagine what his voice would be like if he could actually talk in human voice. My dog would sound like Will Ferrel in Old School. Frank the Tank. I wonder what Waffle would be like??? By the way, I made my daughter a rainbow cake for her bday. She loved it and the party guests “oohed and aahhed” when the cake was cut. Thanks for giving my party that wow factor! 🙂

jenjen - So cute! My sister has the same dog and they keep her shaved. They live in Idaho and her dog is always getting muddy out in the fields. It probably feels so good!
XOXO
Jen

AshleyR - I love waffle!! He just looks so hugable. I drool over your house every time I see pictures. It reminds me of everything I love… family, fun, laughter, old, new, comfy, and cozy all wrapped up in one!

BriBedell - It’s like you get two dogs for the price of one 🙂 He is super cute!

Tonya - He looks so good! Looks like 2 different dogs…what a cute boy!!

Hillary @ The Other Mama - So cute! I wish I looked that good after a haircut!!

Georgia - Hehe – he looks like a sheep which has been sheared! lol
Very handsome boy! 🙂

Staci - Man oh man is he a cutie 🙂 ALMOST makes me wish I had one….minus the hair 🙂 (We had a yellow lab for 12 years…I STILL find “Baxter hair” occasionally 🙂 And this might be inappropriate to say…but I have to… your Craig has some seriously great calves on him 🙂 hee hee

Londen - You have the cutest dog! He looks so friendly too.

Beth - Wow. Really the same dog! So cute! He’s a good model! My dog would have been eating my camera during some of those!

thea - I soooo love the “do” and his name is wonderfully…delicious!! LOL! Glad you talked with Craig. 🙂

Sandy - I’m with Jeanne, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Waffle’s long hair too. Of course, we don’t have to clean it up every day. 🙂 Thanks for sharing the pictures. I’m seeing Waffle’s santa hat picture in a sort of collage for next year’s Christmas card.

Tracy - way too cute! I can’t wait to do that to our golden – he’s LONG overdue!
Such a sweet face on your boy….so happy!
Happy Monday ~

Lisa - OOO Waffle i am in love with you!

DreamGirlLisa - Aww, waffle looks like a completely different pooch. Still adorable though!

Lisa - Cute! And I just noticed the globes above your cabinets. Love that!

Trish - talk about insecuritys around parents at school! My daughter goes to a private school and we live out of district so I have to bus her. she has CP so she uses a walker… so already I know we are “different” I am nervous, about ready to puke and I pull into the parking lot on the first day of school and I back right into another mini van… oh yeah. Thankfully I held it together and didn’t burst into tears the second I looked this woman in the face. But I definitely wanted to crawl into my shell and never return again!

jeanne - Are you SERIOUS that is the same dog???? Crazy cuteness!!!! I actually LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the long hair:-)

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hey guess what!

January 17, 2010 Filed in me me me

i feel insecure.
 
IMG_9389

craig says it's so silly but it is what it is.

i get uneasy when i have to walk into a room of people 
or a gym packed with people
or even a restaurant with brighter lighting.

i feel like everyone is looking at me.
and if i really think about it…they aren't.  
why would they?
 
when i feel the most insecure is around other parents at school or sporting events.
i am not sure why…
but that's when it hits the worst.

so there you have it.  

i have insecurity issues.
but i am pretty sure i am not alone in that.

add a comment

melanie-pearl - “40/60/80:
’till 40 i worried what people thought of me
at 60 i didn’t care what they thought of me
at 80 i realized no one was thinking of me”
someone shared that “rule” with me last week, and i adamantly refuted it. most people ARE thinking about us…and sadly they are not just thinking, they are judging.
i’m finding that as i make peace with myself (by being who God made me to be), therby making peace with others (it’s hard to think contrary of a person who is so totally who they are supposed to be), i am freed from the worry about what others are thinking of me.
the world and its minions still nag from time to time, but i “recover” by immersing myself with the company of others who are likeminded about their own peace.

Houston - I just read this post and smiled. I feel the same way around the other Moms at school. Today I felt completely justified in that when one of them told me that I am snotty about food. I thought to myself ‘um, you enjoy what I make for appetizers at our pool in the summer… I know because I saw you snarf it down.’ It’s no wonder I feel that way. The truth is they are just as insecure and that’s why they behave the way they do, aloof and sort of arrogant… at least that’s what I’ve decided to believe.

erin - Oh my gosh I am the same way! I have to be super social and outgoing in my career but once I get around other moms from school or sports or whatever I totally freeze up. How do we break this??? I guess just get over ourselves and say hello? Maybe we should try it. I am going to make your lasagna by the way. Yum!

janet - Me too! Hate that. Glad to see I am not alone.Thanks for sharing!

mel - Wow, I would have never ever guessed you were insecure! Thank you for sharing your heart with us & I will be lifting you up in prayer. Love you!
p.s. there is no reason you should be insecure….i want to be you when I grow up! 🙂

Lin - Posting a little late, but thought I’d share anyway. I am always insecure around other parents. I am terrible at small talk, uneasy in social situations. I never feel as accomplished as the other parents. I completely relate. I’m just surprised someone as talented as you would feel that way too.

Melissa - everyone has insecurites and men don’t worry about anything.

Julie James - definetly not alone

Heidi Jo the Artist - I think EVERYONE has insecurities. I’m sure some people wouldn’t admit to being insecure, but we are all humans and imperfect. What doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger though! 🙂
Cheers to you Meg, may God bless YOU on your journey to become a more confident woman.

Julie Wriston - No, not alone, but having read your blog for some time now I’m not sure why you would ever be insecure. You’re so talented. I can’t imagine anyone like you being insecure. Ever. 🙂

Cary - I tend to avoid most situations (like parties and such) because I am so uncomfortable “mingling”. I never feel like I fit in or blend in, but instead I feel like I stand out. I know how you feel. Keep your head up and remember-you can do all things through Christ- he will give you the strength to face uncomfortable situations. Be yourself, because who you are is a lovely, talented, wonderful woman and mother! xoxo

Megan - Boy, I just love your honesty. Why do we women do that? Men don’t usually…and think we are crazy when we do because we waste so much of our life. We need to realize that when we walk into say a school event and we see those moms that look like they have their shit together, they so don’t. They have insecurities just like the rest of us.
I guess it just comes down to the fact that we are all women who just want to be liked. And maybe if we all came to that conclusion we would all be nicer. Just a thought!

Kristine - i just finished everyone’s comments and i have a couple more things to say 🙂
piggybacking what a commenter said above:
PRETEND TO BE BRAVE, EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT, NO ONE WILL KNOW
and
with everyone saying how we all feel the same, this year on the first day of school i felt like such a loser b/c i wasn’t ready with all the school supplies. but when i got there my circle of mom friends were saying how one of them bought their markers from the dollar store and they were all dried out and didn’t work. another mom wasn’t even in her family picture b/c she’s always behind the camera (sound familiar?!) so we were all laughing saying how we’re all the same and we’re all not perfect and we’re SO GLAD to know we’re not alone. and that’s why we’re all friends!
p.s. can you imagine how insecure celebrities feel? but we think they’re so confident… they’re just pretending… it’s survival! 🙂

Nocona - What a great blog. Phil 4:8 is one of my life verses. This is a link to where I blogged about it. http://thoughtsfromthetreadmill.blogspot.com/2009/12/thankful-thursday.html
I am glad to find you blog.

karol - good gravy, you are talking about me!!! i so feel for you. I especially have issues about walking into the school for an event. knowing others feel the same way is definitely a comfort.

Wendy - I struggle too, Meg! Going into church every week is even hard. I’m really overweight, so I think people are staring at me in horror. 🙁 Chin up, girl! xox

julia - It’s so funny that you would say you feel insecure…from reading about you I think “that girl really has her act together. I want to be like her when I grow up (even though I’m older than you!)”

Suzanne - don’t let the devil torment you Meg.
you are a child of God and definitely not alone!

Jessica Crowe - I’m new to your blog, but I’ve been reading in your archives and I just want to say that I love your blog! I love your house, your pictures, your crafts, everything! You’ve really been inspiring me. I just wanted to encourage you. Oh, and my good friend told me about your blog and she loves you too. She adores the way your house is decorated (me too).

Diana - I’ve dealt with social anxiety all my life. {Go figure, considering some of the jobs and positions I’ve held in the past!} Someone close to me has it so bad they must take medication to get through each day. Doctors will tell you everyone has it to some degree. You are not alone, sweetie. And remember that God is always right there with you! {hugz}

tami reed - I feel like that sometimes too especially if I am really dressed up going to an event. I always feel like everyone is starring at me.

Amy - Oh my gosh! You sound exactly like me!! I have to do jury duty this week. I’m terrified!! I DO NOT like to step out of my comfort zone. I pray that God will help me with my insecurity issues. I will say some for you too. 🙂
Amy in KS

Jamie - My mom always told me, “you wouldn’t worry so much about what other people thought of if you realized how little they actually did.” It’s true, of course, but that doesn’t really help when you’re caught up in the throes of insecurity. Just remember that it’s serving a purpose in your life. Teaching you compassion for others and helping you to be a better mom. It’s just a part of the journey, something we all share!

Lisa K in FL - Megan, I love, love, love you and your family, your house, your style – you seem so comfy in your own skin and free to do what you love and surround yourself with what you love to see, touch, and feel.
On another note, I grew up in an environment with critical people and I learned to be critical. Even when it wasn’t verbalized, I was constantly criticizing and critiquing in my head – everyone and everything. It caused me to believe that everyone was that same way and that I was being critiqued by everyone who saw me. It took a long time to re-program my thoughts, but I eventually began to look for the beauty in everything and everyone (although it is still a struggle sometimes) and I am still a work in progress in this area, but once I became less rigid about what was beautiful, I realized no one was holding me to that impossible high standard either. Nice run-on sentence 🙂 Did that make any sense at all? haha. I have really grabbed hold of The Nester’s mantra, “It doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful”. And I remind myself this a lot – I don’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.
Anyway, sorry for the long comment. You don’t strike me as someone who is overly critical and I would assume you are good at seeing the beauty in everything because you are so gifted at capturing it through your lens. Maybe there would still be some nugget of insight here. You are so loved. In a non-stalker kind of way, of course 😉 xo

Laura Phelps - I dream of the day I actually get to LOOK AT YOU and not just read about you
And I will look and look and look and look…
if it helps, I feel fat.
all of the time.
and ugly.
and poor.
and like a big loser.
hmmm…
am I insecure too??????

Laura - This has nothing to do with insecurity. But, I would really love it if you would do a post about how things are going without sugar. Do you feel better? Is it still a real struggle? I really need to make some changes. I would love to know that it gets easier and that you feel better. But, I want the truth! : )

Paige - Came over from aefilkins blog! Love it. I am now following you and can’t wait to come back and read more. Blessings!

katy - This is funny that you say this b/c I’m having a horrible insecurity issue right NOW!!!!!!!! Ugh, I don’t like feeling this way AT ALL! I just TRY to pretend that I’m not and that helps sometimes. Off to Bunco tonight, where I’ll feel insecure even more so……..GOSH, why oh why do we put this on ourselves. and yes, it is what it is.
Unfortunately, when I feel insecure…I get mean. How sad.

alyssa - why do we feel this way? especially when we read things like this and realize that there are SO many others that do the same. but we still do it. heart races. face gets red. want to crawl under a table. I’m with ya.

Jeannine - Definitely not alone.
I have issues with my insecurities all. the. time.
Thank you for keeping it real and sharing.
And for the record – you ROCK.
I hope I can be like you someday when I’m a mom =)

Alison Mendralski - I have this feeling all the time. Maybe we should start to think about all of the others that are probably feeling the same way as we do when we are in that situation. When are you the most confident though? I am a teacher and I always feel confident infront of my students because I know I am the expert at what I am trying to teach them in the room. I think that our society today makes us feel insecure, due to the competition factor that is hovering over us everyday, Everyone always wants to be better than everyone else.

laura - it looks like you have lots of these already, but here’s another book suggestion: “When people are big and God is small” by Ed Welch. So, so good.

tara pollard pakosta - not alone at all!
I feel the same way!
hang in there and know you
are wonderful the way you are!
tara

Brooke - meg i am looking at you…but only because i am looking up to you…i had a miserable summer being someone i am not and never wanted to be…but coming back to your blog and it honestly helped me to refocus on what is important in life and for that i say thank you lady!

Tina - You are certainly not alone. I have a hard time understanding why we feel uncomfortable around other parents who are supposed to be our “friends”, we are all in the same boat here. . .but it is normally those people who make us the most insecure. Go figure. . . .

Courtney Walsh - Um, yeah, you are surely not alone. 🙂

Staci - HEY….Guess what????? People ARE looking at you when you walk into a room….only because you are a ROCKSTAR BLOGGER!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously, they are just jealous 🙂 You just hold that pretty head high girl!!! (I can say this bc I am THE LEAST CONFIDENT PERSON EVER!!!! hee heee) I really do think you are a ROCKSTAR!!!!!!!

Stephanie - Girl! Beth Moore’s new book comes out Feb. 2 called So Long Insecurity! Get your copy; I know God will do great things with that book for BOTH of us

sarah w - definitely not alone….

H-Mama - not alone at all. love this picture!

Emily - You’re right, you obviously aren’t alone! I’m the same way and I wish I wasn’t. My oldest just started kindergarten this year and so we’ve been newly exposed to a lot of new situations like what you spoke of. I always slightly dread them. I know personally that I have to somehow get over it though otherwise it’s going to be a long 12 years! 🙂

Katie - Have you ever read Beautiful Girlhood? I think you would love the book. It was written around the turn of the century, and has been reprinted. There is a chapter in it on being self-conscious, and not only does it totally describe how I was feeling, it brought me out of myself and helped me realize I’m not as important as I think I am! Highly recommended, and know, you are not alone.

Rebekah - Nope. Not alone.

Kelly O. - no…you’re not alone 🙂

Christy - I have the exact same issues. And to look at you,I would never have thought you had these issues too.

Karina - I am loving the comments this has generated! You certainly are not alone. I like many of the tips readers have passed along. Mine is something along the lines of Seinfeld’s, “Serenity now” (although hopefully with better results than George’s dad had, LOL!). But yeah, it is pretty intense around other school parents, I wonder why that is? After all, we are all in the same boat. It sure helps to remember they are all feeling the same way too. And I agree with Mary Beth: give a little smile to someone, it alleviates those feelings enormously.

Meaghan - That’s not a fun feeling. I’m the same way, plus sometimes I get really sweaty hands and pits! That doesn’t help – on top of feeling insecure, I look it too. Haha! While it’s hard, I’ve been learning to think “oh, well” because I know the people who really count like and love me anyway. 🙂

Mary Beth - I am so amazed to read how so many of us have these same feelings of angst! I am an old woman with a big family of wonderful children and grandgirls, a wonderful husband and a full life. But I confess to you that even I still struggle with these same crippling feelings!
As I’ve been sitting here reading all the comments and thinking about my own journey down this road, I’ve remembered that the Lord has showed me many times how to deal with this. Whenever I feel swamped by my own uncute nose, or my uncool outfit, or my akwardness, or lack of worldly savvy, I am to stop and remember that every person out there is hurting, sad, sick, lonely and my job is to try and be a blessing. Just ask Him how He wants you to be a blessing today…even if it’s just a smile for a stranger. Thinking about how to bless others is a good way to get us out of ourselves . I think the enemy wants us to flounder around in our little fog of concerns and it keeps us from being effective in the world. Everyone has a smile, a hug, a laugh, a listening ear, to share and bless others with. When we spend ourselves that way we dont have time to worry about those niggling worries any more! Just a thought!

Andrea - cool!! i do too! especially at school events..ugh. =)

elma - Oh I have that to:) Allways have had it. Never felt good about myself. I thought once I got older it would go away but it hasn’t. Seven of my eight kids don’t have it but I see it in my seven year old.

Audrey Dudte - You’re definitely not alone! …but maybe the people who you feel are looking at you are actually people who read your blog. I ran into you and in Walmart by the soap a couple of weeks ago and almost started talking to you…until I thought – “SHE DOESN’T KNOW ME!” You probably wondered why that crazy woman kept looking at you! Actually – I was looking at you daughter’s outfit…my 6 year old would have loved it! I love your blog!

Dawn - Definitely not alone! I feel like insecure is my middle name so much of the time.

Meredith - Been there. However, a very wise and kind, older woman said to me a few years ago “You’d best get past that quick smart. You’ve got children now and you’re sure to pass it on to them. I’ve seen it time after time.” Great, I thought, now I have guilt AND insecurity.
She’s right though. Then she pointed me towards 2 Timothy 1:7 (I think?) “For God did not give us a spirit of fear; but of power, love and of a sound mind.” Of course you’re insecure…you’re human and you possess a humble spirit. Just don’t let it stop you from doing things you love and being everything God created you to be. Meredy xo.

pinkmilkisyummy - Me too. I have had two pieces of advice which helped. First was when I was a teenager, and someone said to me “everyone feels the same way, so how can anyone be looking at you when they’re so busy worrying that everyone is looking at them?” And the other was to “fake confidence” which works for me. If I pretend to be confident, people respond as if I am, which in turn fuels my confidence.
And I LOVE your photo!

Annette - I hear you and totally relate.

jenjen - I feel just the same! I have terrible issues… Glad to hear other people feel that way too 🙂
XOOX
Jen

Andrea - You are so not alone. I have spent much of my life trying to blend in with the wallpaper. And then? My feelings get hurt if I don’t get noticed or I get forgotten…both of which happen frequently. How messed up is that?

Lynsey - I have been reading your blog for a while now and have finally decided to come clean dadgummit!
I think you are as cute as all get out! Truly!
Sadly, I think most women struggle with insecurities. I know I sure do.
Blessings to you and your beautiful family!
Lynsey
(Texas)

kristin - Hey Meg!
I have never commented on your blog but love to read your posts!
I just wanted you to know that insecurity is the “curse” of us girls! I wish we could all just sprinkle a little “sparkling security dust” all over our insecure selves and then never have issues again!
xxxooo
Kristin

Nicole Q. - I just told a friend the other day that “confident” people still can be in a room FULL of people and feel LONELY!!! When the twins were little I really started to feel insecure when we’d go to basketball games or other big events. I HATED walking in!! Beth Moore is coming out with a book on insecurity real soon! I’m sure we’ll all be challenged by it.

linda lou - we all feel insecure at different times i still think my daughter thinks her mom is a dork!!(and she is 35yrs old.) and tomorrow is my birthday and i’ll be 62 so i don’t think it ever ends on our insecure feelings. but let the Lord guide you and you will be secure in yourself no matter what others think. blessing.
linda lou

andrea - no dear you are not…however i was delivered of this, by the Lord….pray for him to take it away from you, and he will

CherryTreeLane - You are not alone at all….

Sandra - What a blessing that it is finding your blog today. This is the first time I have had the pleasure to share with you and I feel touched. I am outwardly confidant and even come across as overly so. but underneath, I am the the 15 year old girl who ate lunch alone for two years. I don’t know if I will ever completely get past it…. I just pray, over and over and over again that I instill more SELF in my daughter.
Thanks for letting me share.

Heather - I love you even more now than I did before! I felt like I was reading my own words. I have been like that my entire life and I hate it. I even try and avoid social situations for this very reason. I have never been “cool” enough, pretty enough, rich enough, or have the right clothes, etc etc etc. (In my mind) I still wonder sometimes why my husband picked me!? He thinks I’m crazy. It’s horrible and I really wish I could change. I try and teach my kids confidence and they seem to have it! I, unfortunately, do not. In fact, I have to take my daughter to a salon tomorrow for her first haircut….it’s a trendy salon (you know- where “beautiful people” go) where a friend of ours works, and my stomach is in knots already. I dread even walking in the doors. Oh I’m already starting to sweat. 🙁
Blessings,
Heather:)

Dianne Avery - I feel the same way too!! I’m insecure even in front of life long friends. I had to make a toast in front of people that I knew my whole life and was a wreck. How crazy is that????

Jane - Funny you should post this. My friends daughter just turned 13 and naturally, she is embarrassed to be seen with her mom because she is “dorky.” Now, her mom is a totally rocker chick. Unbelievably cool. But, every woman can probably remember how paralyzing self conscious it is to be 13. While I have grown so much more confident since 13, there is still a little bit of that 13 year old in me. The first 5 minutes of a party for example. The day of/after a new haircut. If we all have an “inner child,” I think I also have an “inner teenager.”

Rachel / cREaTe - i agree with whoever it was that said it’s probably more social anxiety than insecurities. and that is totally me. i don’t like crowds, big public events & chaos. and i know this sounds weird, but especially if i can’t picture the event in my mind [if it’s all new] i have a hard time wanting to go. or i just don’t. my husband, however, is mr.personality&popularity. so as long as i’m right there as his arm candy [ha! that’s a joke] i’m good. 🙂 but he definitely thinks i’m ‘silly’ just like craig.
and about the other parents? being a navy wife for 7 years, we moved around a few times. i had to meet new people/parents all the time. it’s sooo HARD when you think everyone else already has their group. i just was always under that assumption which made me seem [& act] standoffish. well… towards the end of our navy life i realized friendly people always have room for more friends. but you have to show that you are welcome to the idea of a friendship!!!!!!!!! 🙂
anyway, as you said … it is what it is. 🙂 ha! it takes all sorts of fruit to make up a fruit salad! some days we’re the starfruit & some days we’re … the boring apple slice. 🙂 it’s all good.

Shannon - I feel the same way a lot of times in fact the worst thing in the world for me would have to be public speaking!

Jaimie - definitely not alone. we all wonder what others are thinking.

Meghan - I am so glad to see other feel the same way I do !! Thanks for sharing 🙂

Christina - Each person has something…I think we can take comfort for sure in knowing the love of the Lord and our families, and then in knowing that we are all a lot more like one another than we probably think.

Jackie - No, you are not alone. I will be attending a Beth Moore Conference in Woodstock GA in April on this very subject. I am looking forward to learning much. Jackie

melissa@afamiliarpath - how can everyone be looking at you when they’re staring at my big nose?

Amy at The Red Chair Blog - You are not alone. Have you ever read the book “The Highly Sensitive Person”? A good read.

Kristy Ledford - This post makes me love you even more Meg! I often feel the same way and it drives me crazy. I’m almost 40 and I don’t want to feel this way! When my daughter asks for my opinion on something, I often say, “what do you think? what you think is important!”. I want her to be confident and self-assured. People who seem to really embrace that “I don’t care what others think” attitude inspire me. But so do women who are honest, real, talented, role-model mothers who are willing to share their silly little voices! YOU ROCK!

Jenn N - Nope, not alone.

Chiot's Run - Perhaps not necessarily insecurity but you might be a bit of an introvert. Read the book “The Introvert Advantage” even you end up not being an introvert it will really help understand anyone in your life that is. If you are you’ll be incredible liberated realizing it and not feel guilty for not being as outgoing, engaging, talkative, comfortable in social situation as you feel like you should be.

Cori - I feel the same way so many times! I was going to say it helps to remember we’re all in this together but I realized I would be quoting High School Musical and that’s just crazy!( It may mean I need to get my anxious self out more!)

Heather - I struggle with this constantly. You are so NOT alone and it is a terrible feeling.

Nina - I think all of us at times feels that way. You really have no reason…you’re beautiful, you’re a great mom, and I think you’re probably lots of fun.

Jill - Nope, you’re not alone. We’re probably all just busy thinking about ourselves and our own failures; thinking that everyone else has it all together. For what it’s worth – I don’t have it all together! 🙂

Christin - Your not alone in that at all. Thank you for sharing, because I tend to think I’m all alone in being insecure, too.

Jess - WOW! Who knew there were SO many of us???
And the thing is, for me, it goes back as far as I can possibly remember.

Suzanne - ditto! I think it’s interesting that most of us feel this way, so when we’re in a room full of other people (women) they are probably thinking the same thing!
I’m trying to not worry and dwell on what I THINK others are thinking of me… truth is, I probably can’t change it! If I try to do my best and be my best daily… that’s really all I can control!
Thank you for your honest post!

Rachel - You too, eh? I think I warped my poor daughter because I could never make good friends with the other moms at elementary school. Hey, I had a full-time job; I didn’t have the luxury of coffee mornings and play dates so I was always the outsider.
I’m a teacher – I have no insecurities around my high school students, but put me in a room with other adults and I head for the nearest wall.
Thanks for sharing this. In some small way, you’ve made me (and obviously many others) feel ‘normal’.

Kim Mike - You are just Darling and no need to feel insecure.Hold your head high and just be you.It’s a Good thing.Be Happy!

ashley - You are so not alone. We all have those issues to some extent or another.

Andrea @ Big Creek Cottage - Meg, no you are not alone. I think that is why I enjoy visiting your blog….you are so open and giving and I know I am not alone…..plus…I love your dog. He makes me smile.

elizabeth - Me, too. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I’m not still in eighth grade with rose-tinted glasses, braces and curling iron wings in my hair. I have to remember that I’m forty-six, have given birth to three children and am raising those three children, one of whom has a severe disability. I mean, really — what does it take to not feel insecure?

Tracy - Add me to that growing list as well – I hate to walk into a crowded room and feel as if people are staring at me – even though I know they’re not – LOL Tell Craig you are NOT alone in that category – must be a woman think! HA!

Beth - You are totally not alone, I get social anxiety in a lot of instances… it’s no fun at all! p.s. your pictures are A-mazing!

Keri ~ ForeverFoldingLaundry - Um…no. You’re not alone at all in those feelings.
And don’t worry. They’re not looking at you. Unless they’re admiring your cute haircut. 🙂
You’re great. The end.

Shannon - You are not alone. Granted, I have never met you in person, but if who you are in person is who you are in your blog (and I think you are…) you are a beautifully and wonderfully made child of God who brings joy and happiness to others. I look forward to reading your posts because you are so real. Thank you for being a happy spot in MY life!

Jackie - Not alone at all!!!It’s funny, though, I am very insecure and always look at all the women around me and think I’m the only one feeling that way…and that’s not true at all – I think we all feel that way (at least at one time or other).

Andrea from Orlando - Join the club girl!

candace - me too, and it is getting worse the older I get! i told my husband several weeks ago that I wasn’t going to comment in Bible class any more because the feelings were so overwhelming. and I LOVE our Bible class! i just can’t help it. my heart starts racing, i get hot flashes, and my head starts hurting. sounds silly when i write it here, but it is the truth!
cute picture to go with this post!

Amber - You are SOO not alone! I feel insecure a lot too. Sometimes I can mask it with fake self confidence. Sometimes I actually do feel confident. But I think everyone has those moments.
Definitely good to know that I’m not alone!
And PLEASE don’t take this the wrong way, but it’s comforting to know that even wonderful, amazing women like you struggle too.

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - I feel that way too sometimes. It used to be worse when I was younger, but I really don’t like being in front of people. I feel like they are all looking at me, and of course they’re not. It’s just hard to act normal, I get very self conscious and don’t know what to do with my hands or where to look. Good thing I’m not famous. I don’t know how they deal with that aspect of it!!

Brianna - Story of my life.
I know that feeling of insecurity, it’s a wretched place to live in. But, I have to agree with your husband. I think you’re great!

Brianna - I know you feel insecure and it’s a wretched place to be, but I agree with your husband. I think you’re so great!

Freckled Hen - It’s a nice thing to hear from you as I am an insecure mother of five, too.

Jen - oh me too. attention and compliments make me even more anxious! silly right? I think there are a lot of women who feel this way!

Brianna - Story of my life.

Yolanda - OMG! You just described me!

jeana - nope you’re not alone. not at all.

Sarah @ Dream In Domestic - I am the same exact way. I am twenty years old, but I don’t see myself growing out of it for a long time. It’s so annoying because I know it’s not rational but it’s hard not to. If you find a way to get over it, please share, because I’m sure many woman are suffering from it.

Nichole - You’ve got to be kidding!!! Whenever you snap pics of yourself and post them I always think how beautiful you are… I’d LOVE to have a big smile like yours!!! ( I have a teeny mouth :/ )
It stinks you feel that way right now. I think we all do at some point… or at several points, but little do we know, there’s always someone else looking at us (often our darling hubbies) who think how “just right” we are. We should start believing them!!! 🙂
Now, shake it off and go enjoy your 5 beautiful kiddos… they are half of you… and they are BEAUTIFUL!

Casey - Just know that you are not alone.

BriBedell - I can’t say that I have any problems with other people in social settings. I am a very outgoing, out spoken, person. I always like meeting new people. I am such a people watcher though..so I am probably making other people self-conscious!

Whitney - No you are definately not alone but with the Grace of God- you never will be!
Blessings to you,
Whitney

Wren - me too, me too. It’s so bad that if I’m in a store I’ll run to the section with mirrors or look at myself in the glass of the freezer section cause I just know people are staring cause I have something on my face or my hair is sticking straight up… sigh

N. - Maybe it’s less insecurity and more social anxiety. 😀

DreamGirlLisa - I totally get that, feel like that too. I wonder what it feels like to NOT feel that way???

Ruth - i am so self-conscious that project 365 is turning into a real test for me. even though my camera is really small, being the dork taking pictures when everyone else is just going about their business… well, i feel pretty silly. i have taken a fair amount of photos of random crap in the house as a result. i’m trying!!

Debra - Definitely not alone in that! I wonder, does it ever go away?

the inadvertent farmer - When I was younger that was certainly the case…but midway through my 40’s I have seem to ‘outgrown’ it. Or just don’t care anymore what people think…either way I am glad.
Thanks for sharing, Kim

Casey - Nope, definitely not alone in that. I feel that way every single day. It makes it very hard to go out often

Barbie - You are so not alone in that! It consumes me at times. I think I have inproved ‘a little bit’ but have so far to go. Thanks for your honesty.

Lori - Looks like you and I aren’t alone. I feel the same way. The worst is when I have to say something, and it never sounds as good once I say it, as it does in my head! Thanks for your honesty.

angela - Oh my, you are singing my song!

aubrey - Ooh, me too. I’m just like you in that department. It’s why I’m obsessed with making my hair (of all things) look good. My husband calls it vanity. Whatever. I’m really shy too–doesn’t help at all.
Ha–if I saw you, I would stare, working up the nerve to come be a dork and tell you how much I love reading your blog. 😉

Sara @ It's Good to be Queen - echoing the others, you are so not alone.
i do not like attention being drawn to myself at all. a few sundays ago at church i was walking across the back of the church…at that exact moment the pastor said, “Okay everyone turn your attention to the back where there is a table set up with such and such.” I swear every eye in the whole church was on me clip clopping in my heals across the back. I nearly died. i made eye contact with my friend and i could see she knew i was dying!! ugh! so all that to say, i hear you!

Holly - I think alot of us do! I am really a shy person but I try to hide it. Most people who do know me would not describe me as shy but I am what I am! It is worse around other parents.
Love your honesty Meg!

merlin - I have the opposite problem, I believe that no one sees me, that I am invisible. Equally not true, but a huge struggle for me to remember that people do in fact see me. And, sadly my belief reflects as rudeness, when the truth is that my heart is so sad thinking I can’t be seen.

Joyce - Completely with you there Megan,
I have leant over the years to just fake it…..at least it makes things look easier on the surface

mandy - i’m always inspired by your honesty! i think everyone is insecure… my insecurities make me feel trapped so often… i am in the process of writing a book about finding my identity b/c i believe that is why i and many others suffer from insecurity… we don’t know (or maybe it is that we don’t like) who God created us to be. anyhow… i’m on the journey to break free from my insecurities!

Becca Parker - Me too, there’s that niggling little voice that says you’re not good enough. Stupid little voice!

Misty Perryman - My husband feels just like this….I am still in the process of understanding. I have never commented but I think you are fabulous!
Misty

Helen Wall - Oh yes, I feel insecure. The worst is if I have to be in front of church when there are men present. Shudder!

Emily@remodelingthislife - You are so NOT alone. I am the same way but then I remember that saying “you wouldn’t care so much what others think of you unless you realized how little they do”, or something like that. But still, it’s there.

Wendi - Same here, all my life. I’ve learned what helps me is to learn more about how God sees me and focus on that. You are beautiful, fun, and great at what you do but what really matters is between you and God.

Aimee - Me too! I feel the exact same way in all the same situations.

Melanie - You are NOT alone. We all have something that we are insecure about.

Heather Giustino - SO not alone in that. I feel insecure all the time. Especially meeting new people. When I was in Southern California for our Project 320 weekend I felt totally insecure. I feel like I can be fun and “talk big” over the internet, but real life is a different story!

Lisa - I feel insecure at school things too…I always feel like all the other parents know each other and we are the outsiders. Even though it’s not true!

Lee Ann - Oh no! You are NOT alone!
I don’t care if people are looking at me, so much as I KNOW something stupid is going to come out of my mouth!

Jennifer - You’re not alone of course….but you are beautiful, talented and a wonderful mother.

Julie - you’re not alone at all…crowds make me nervous…
thanks for sharing…you are awesome.

Georgia - Me too. I always get paranoid people are looking at me…
(as if i would be that interesting! lol)

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friday

January 15, 2010 Filed in faith,photography,pretty

i have nothing to say today.

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***bird painting made by the fabulous jeanne oliver at "a bushel and a peck" ********
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ok…i do have one thing to say.
i read this this morning in my book Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow.

"God does not demand that you and i have blind faith, 
but abandoned faith, a faith that trusts Him fully.
Through His Word, God willingly reveals much about who He is, what His plans are,
and what He requires of us.  
As we come to see Him and know Him he urges, "Trust Me."  
Hundreds of times in the Bible God implores us to trust Him. 
We tend to make trust a gray area, but with God the issue is black and white. 
We either trust HIm or we don't.  
We're for Him or we're against Him.
We're in the game or we're on the sidelines. 
As i think about true faith, heartfelt throw-yourself-in-with-complete-abandon faith,
two things come to mind:
 *faith is rooted in God's character.
 *faith is based on God's Word, not on our feelings."

that spoke out to me this morning.

this book is REALLY good…even though i don't like the title or the cheesy painting on the cover.
i am not an anxious person but i love this book.
i do not like my books to look like feminine product ads on the cover but this does.
still a great book.  
i think you should order it.  :)

**************and i am really wishing i could eat a cupcake right. this. minute.**************************

add a comment

eryn - ps, I’ve been doing no sugar for two weeks. Other than the comfort of eating a big fat cookie or cupcake…i find my cravings are seriously dwindling.
And…4 lb. down!

eryn - I also want a cupcake right now…but I’m choosing “eye cupcakes” on your blog. It’s eye candy to me!
LOVED the quote today. So fitting for where we’re at in our adoption stuff.
How do you get your pics side by side like that?I’m guessing it’s photoshop or somethign…is it an action? LOVE it.

traci - your pictures speak when words don’t! love them.

michelle - you are awesome meg! i’ve been traveling and am just now catching up on your blog and all you’ve been up to! congrats on the “homies” win thing, love, LOVE your kitchen remodel, no sugar!!! ugh. i too am an addict :(. you never cease to inspire me.

lissa - that is soooo good. I’m going to print it and put it in my journal. Thank you!

Shannon - I also love that book. I have two copies so that I can lend it out to friends when they need it.
I cried when I read ‘the prayer’. Do you know what I mean? the one by Betty Scott Stam (is that the right name?). It took me a long time to be able to pray it myself. So glad you like it as well.
Awesome pictures, as always. I covet your ability & your camera and have been trying to save up for my own for a couple years…. someday.
🙂
~Shannon

Jessica - So glad you shared that part from the book today! It was EXACTLY what I needed to hear from the Lord! Again, thanks for sharing!

Rachelkidd - Did you know yesterday was delurker day?!
http://lastyearsgirl.pixlet.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/delurker.jpg
Meg, I read your blog nearly every day and love it, it’s so colourful and fun and your kids are gorgeous.
I’ve written before but come on all you other lurkers, say hi to Meg!
Rachel xx
(Glasgow, Scotland)
P.S. Ordered that book you were talking about – A Long Way Home – off Amazon and it just arrived this morning, yay!

deb meyers - Love that study, too, and with you on the cover.
You’ll like this: http://stuffchristianslike.net/2008/01/4-books-with-people-on-the-cover
of course I left my thoughts in the comment section there, too : )

jeanne - The book sounds amazing..bad cover and all:-) It has been a tough week around here. My friend and neighbor tried for three years to get pregnant. The babies (yes twins) were making her so sick that they had to be taken at 28 weeks so she would live. She almost died three times after their birth. The girls had been fragile but stable. The littlest (2pounds) died on Wednesday. She was three weeks old and I have had such a hard time because of their sadness and I was so sure…so sure that she would live. It is hard to trust that God does all for our good sometimes. Sorry for the book..I really needed this today.

Tiffany - Just recently found your blog and am loving it – you inspire me to see and use more COLOR in my life. Thanks for sharing that snippet from the book you are reading. For me, living in the gray is an unstable and unfulfilling place to be. God wants more for us – the abundant life. Thx for the reminder 🙂

Trena McNulty - great book…lent mine to my SIL…need to get it back..or order a new one…fav quote…later on in the book…”faithfully following the Shepherd…on step at a time?” And a prayer for every day…”if my Children sin against you Lord…may they get caught!”

Stephanie - And pictures say 1,000 words….so you technically said 14,000 words based on how many photos you posted today.

karen - mmmmmmm..froot loops!

Tracy - I love the pictures and I too have cut out the sugar in my diet as well. I know it is so hard to do but I know it will be so worth it. Thanks for the passage – it was so nice to read! Have a great weekend! Big hugs! xoxoxo

Jess - I am always inspired by your great, colorful photos. Today you have inspired me on a different level. Thanks for sharing.

gina - This post was timely for me to read, I posted today about my ongoing effort to calm my anxious heart. and mind. and the pictures made me smile. as usual. 🙂 which is why i have a post publishing on Sunday about you. thank you.

shelly - Thank you! I really needed to hear that today! I’m not anxious…just the whole reckless abandon really struck my heart!
Doing the no sugar too. Last night, while the boys were being little barbarians, I REALLY wanted an ice cream bar, but I held out and everyone lived to see another day 😉

Julie - are any of these photos a part of your etsy updates? i’m looking forward to seeing what you’ll add to it!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - We are on day 6 of the “eat clean” diet. Every meal consists of either egg whites, oatmeal, chicken, ground turkey, brown rice, sweet potato, zone bar or some other veggie or berry. It’s been very challenging. I love bread sooo much and anything sweet. But in this short amount of time I’ve already lost 3 pounds. Just push past the cravings…eat a little fruit. I find that helps me immensely.
Thanks for the encouragement about trust and faith, and the black and white of it. I’ve been living in grey a bit lately and I know that’s not pleasing to the Lord.
Have a great weekend Meg. Beautiful pics as always. Did Jeanne make you that bird collage? Looks just like her:)

Leslie - Thank you for posting this! You have no idea how we needed to read those words today!

Jackie - I think you say a lot with your pictures!! I do love the quote you gave and will have to check out that book (though now I’m scared about the cover).

Kristin - There is nothing I love more than a jar of Crayola markers.

LISA CURRIE-GURNEY - MEG, I’M GOING TO GET THAT BOOK NOW, BUT NEVER WOULD HAVE FOR ALL THE REASONS YOU STATED. GLAD YOU SHARED. NOW, COULD YOU PLEASE SHARE THE “HOW” TO PUTTING PICTURES ON YOUR BLOG IN THE WAY YOU DID. I AM SO SLOW ABOUT STUFF LIKE THAT, AND WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR STEP BY STEP INFO. YOUR ROCK MEG. THANKS. GO NO SUGAR !!!
HUGS FROM MAINE

susie whyte - did you get the bird canvas from bushel and a peck? looks like her stuff. 🙂 love the photos and i will have to add the book to the list!

Susan - I am a faithful follower of your blog….you don’t know me and you will probably never know me….but I just had to comment today. Today has been a life changing day in my life as I found out today we will be having our 6th child in 7 years. I am so excited and SHOCKED at the same time and I have to TRUST that God KNOWS what He is doing in my family and our lives. I think I am going to have to get this book! With a husband that is in the middle of loosing his job right now and not getting a regular paycheck, I am a bit anxious in ALL aspects of my life. I can now only trust that God has a plan for us much bigger and better than what I can imagine! Thanks for your wise words and always making me smile. You are an inspiration and I wish I were just bit more like you! You just seem to have it all together! Me…Not so much:)

Nicole M - Thank you for that. My husband and I have no other choice but to trust the Lord right now. I am pregnant with our first, and the doctors saw cysts in her brain. THey could be nothing, which all signs are pointing to that, or they could be fatal. All i can allow myself to dwell on right now, is that I trust the Lord and i have faith in His purposes. Thank you for that little piece from the book. I have read it over and over and will continue to do so. Blessings!

natalie - hi!
ive read your blog for awhile and even posted about your blog once {http://theroefam.blogspot.com/2009/07/daily-dose.html} but i dont remember if ive ever commented?
anyway we read that book last year in our bible study and so many parts of it did speak to me. {minus the cheese :)}
enjoy it!
and wow i love your photography – so inspiring to this novice

Kate - Meg, That message is wonderful! Thank you for sharing it!

julia - How do Fruit Loops manage to stay in your house???? Those would be gone in a SECOND around here.

Meredith - You crack me up. The cover of that book does look like a feminine product ad now that you mention it. One of my favourite reads, even though I wouldn’t call myself anxious either. Coincidentally, we’re doing the no-sugar thing also. My daughter’s on a special diet for her epilepsy, so we’re doing it as a family. Oh my giddy aunt. It’s tough going, but I’m assured that after two weeks, the cravings will subside. Protein shakes with frozen berries are our saving grace. Hope you have a great weekend. Meredith xo.

Anita - When you have nothing to say, your pictures are awesome. I am a color lover and the white blanket of snow here currently is just making those colors pop right out. Maybe I’ll get out my BIG box of crayons 🙂

amy - funny…about the title and the feminine product ad cover.=) what a great read, though! and is that beautiful bird plaque made by jeanne oliver?=) thanks for sharing!

Casey - Love your thoughts on the cover of the book. You keep me laughing, Meg!

Kelly - That is a great book! Thank you for sharing that today! Happy weekend!

Tracy - hang in there!! No sugar – the rewards will be so good!!
LOVE those happy-colorful pictures…they warmed my heart on this gray-day.
AND – that snippet from that fabulous book. That completely touched my heart. Thank you for that this Friday!
TGIF ~

Diana - Meg…. I buy the individual fruit cups, applesauce, those kinds of things for us. And blocks of cheese. And apples. Oranges. Good food like that. When you get a craving, cut a chunk of cheese. Grab an applesauce snack pack. A couple or so carrots from a bag of those little “baby” carrots. Or one of those “cutie” oranges in your jar up there. Those things are small and will curb your craving, get you by until it passes. And won’t hurt your appetite for mealtime later. And are GOOD for your body! All those things are inexpensive — especially compared to the sugar goodies! If you don’t like applesauce, look at those shelves and see what’s there you like. YOU CAN DO IT, MEG!!
I like those red and white stockings!! Very cool! 😀

paige - sounds like a wonderful book
i struggle with fear issues ….maybe i should go buy it now!
love all those cute as heck photos meg
xo

Hattie - Wow I might have to get that book. Loving the socks, supper cute!

Ivy Bettinger Smith - We read this book in my bible study last session…it was life changing for me! I LOVED it. I WAS an anxious person but now I trust that He will always take care of me and I dont need to be anxious or worry. God doesn’t like it when we worry b/c he feels like we aren’t trusting him!!

Rachel - That sounds like a very good book!
You might try a detox. It is supposed to “reset” your cravings.

Courtney Walsh - That is good stuff. I struggle with the trust issue in all aspects of my life…especially the little things, oddly. Why is that? I can hand over bigger things easier but the small things I assume God doesn’t care about those as much.
And I think it’s the little things that matter the most.

Holly - I fought the urge to have a diet coke at lunch today and I am so glad I did now. I really dont know if I could fight off a cupcake! Hope you have a good weekend Meg!

Flower Patch Farmgirl - I think Rachel really helped define trust and faith for me…I don’t think I’ll ever view it the same way again. I hope not.
And Oh…I’m the worst at judging a book by its cover. Literally. I can see a shady looking character on the street and see all kinds of intrigue and fun and warmth behind the “unique” facade, but if I see a bad cover on an actual book? Nope.

Lisa - That’s a great book! I have recommended it to so many friends. I think I need to read it again…

alyssa - I hear ya. You helped inspire me to go the no-sugar route. I hate it, but I’ve been meaning to do it for some time now. There is never a good time. So, yesterday, I made myself do it. Literally NO sugar. NO bread. Basically nothing that tastes good. It sucks. How about you? Are you eating NO sugar, or just the obvious stuff. Good luck. You can do it!

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if you give up sugar….

January 13, 2010 Filed in family fun,my goofball kids

then saying yes to making a cake isn't the best idea.
but there was nothing else to do…so i said yes.  (with rachel's voice in my head…selfishness megan)
 
IMG_1073
she did all the pouring and mixing.
i put it in the pans…and took them out of the pan.
i made the frosting but she put it on.

i licked my finger once.
then i gasped.
(it was like charolette in the shower in mexico with the water….spit it out. spit it out. spit it out.)
i'm serious about this sugar thing.

while it cooked she got out all the things she wanted to put on the cake.
sprinkles, candy canes, marshmallows.
she kept calling it a christmas cake.
i asked her "why is it a christmas cake?"
then she said "it's a cake for jesus!"
 
IMG_1079
i said "it is?  will he like it?"
she answered "OH YES!!! but he can't eat any…only we can"

then she sang "happy birthday to jesus."

i think they must have done it at sunday school or preschool…because we haven't ever done that.
IMG_1087
i didn't touch this cake.
she did it all.
i loved watching her create with food.
i told her "i think you will be a baker when you grow up"
"No mom. a chef. not a baker.  and i will be a mom and you will be a grandma"

ok…i'm good with that.

IMG_1090
 
one for the cake…
IMG_1092  IMG_1093 

and one for annie.

IMG_1109
nice job annie.
jesus would love it.       

add a comment

Foy (Garden Cook Write Repeat) - That’s so cute and she did a really good job!
Way to let your kid learn from experience!

tami reed - I love her cake, great job!

Bethany - WOW that is such a sugary cake– hehe! It does look yummy though- Annie did a great job 🙂

Kristine - it’s like a gingerbread house…on a cake! so cute! great job for saying YES! AND for resisting the sugar. you are doing better than me!

Suzanne - Jesus certainly would love it…and Annie is so very adorable!

Kelly - Yea for Annie! Great job! Kelly

linda lou - annie did such a wonderful job on decorating the cake who knowns she just might be a cake decorator when she growns up!! blessings.
linda (amy’s d mom)

dori - I don’t have kids of my own, but you’ve inspiring me to let my students be creative with more than just paper, scissors, and glue.

Lisa K in FL - Oh my gosh – Annie is so totally adorable and you are the very best mommy ever! I wish was I was more willing to allow my kiddos to be free to create. I’m going to get with God on that one.

Heidi Jo the Artist - This is so awesome! We love singing happy birthday to Jesus too!

Trina - Great post! That is awesome. So wonderful that you caught it all on camera!

Amy - What a sweet day. Thanks for sharing. Still giggling about the Charlotte comment. 🙂

Routhie - You need a like button for things like this. Super cool of you and her!

Melanie - She is so cute and you are a great mom. Very good for you about the sugar!

rhondagill@comcast.net - That last photo is perfection. What a beautiful blessing God has given you.

Staci Danford - What a darling cake.. You are just an angel to sit through that and not eat the whole thing.. Loved the sweet smiles on her face.. That was a load of sugar in its self.
Staci

Diana - Whewwwwwww, I can FEEL that sugar all the way across town! LOL! We don’t do a lot of sugar ourselves… but we let the grandkids do that when they are here. I’ve never been one to take much to sugary things, and amazingly, my own boys didn’t want lots of candy or stuff like that when they were growing up.
Why am I stunned that so many said they haven’t let their kids do things like this??? I’m thinking that you posting this is going to start a whole new craze with parents and kids in the kitchen! I’ve always done things like this with my kids and now my grandkids. It’s such fun to watch them create all by themselves! I would not trade those moments for anything!
LOVE that AWESOME cake, Annie! Christmas cake for Jesus is good ANY time of the year!
♥

Jerilyn - i absolutely love your blog, so i nominated it for an award (over on my blog)

Stina - I’ll bet someone has already said this (sorry, didn’t have time to check), but I know of a few people who make birthday cakes for Jesus on Christmas Eve or Day. They use white cake and white frosting (purity)…but the same idea your daughter had. Sing ‘Happy Birthday’, read the story of His birth, remember why we celebrate Christmas.
And that Annie of yours is pure gold! She is such a sweetheart.

Christina - I’m actually crying. How precious is that face?! And what a cake! She didn’t hold anything back, did she? 🙂

Vera - LOVE!! That girl ROCKS! Plus, it looks like she’s helping you out by getting all the sugar out of the house!

Tiffany Morris - LOVE this!

janie - This post cracks me up because I did that one year ago, and only made it until my daughters birthday. I baked her a wicked delicious birthday cake and as she stared at me with adorable 3 year old eyes saying “Mommy want some cake?” I caved, hard. But the exercise in self control really did make a difference to the cravings, both physically and mentally.
I found your blog through the homies, before you won, but put my vote in for you the moment I saw your blog. I’ve continued to enjoy!
Best of luck with your resolutions!

the inadvertent farmer - I understand the whole sugar thing…but for me I’ve gone vegan and must leave the room when the cheese is out! Yes, happy birthday Jesus, He would love it…sugar and all! Kim

linda@LimeintheCoconut - oh. my. Goodness.
I could eat that little girl up with a spoon she is so adorable.
The cake…I’ll save for jesus…and annie.
Beautiful post!

Angela - Love, love. love it. This year we started our own tradition and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and ate cake for breakfast before we read some children’s books about the true meaning of Christmas and then we enjoyed our stockings and presents. Our eight month old simply played along, but our three year old truly enjoyed celebrating Jesus’ birthday…who can say no to blowing out candles and eating cake when you’re three. I also wanted to thank you for your link to Rachel’s beautiful speech. I immediately linked my friends and family to her speech via our family blog and have scheduled it for viewing at our women’s bible study this week. I am so excited to watch it for the second time and absorb everything she has to share all over again. I like you have her voice in my mind and keep saying “I am here to serve with joy” over and over again. God bless you Meg.

karen - We are on a sugar holiday of sorts at our house too and it is BRUTAL! I wanted to share a little something I found that helps take the edge off. (I even sound like an addict. And don’t get me started on caffeine.) Have you tried “organic Raw Blue Agave”? It is low glyvemic and won’t spike your blood sugar like the good ol’ white stuff. Perfect in things that you need a little sweet…oatmeal, grape-nuts,tea, etc. My kids even eat it on pancakes. (My mom gave it to them and they didn’t know the difference.)
Good luck…I’m cheering you on! 😉

robyn - fantastic. beautiful.
and you can tell her that he “can” eat it- eating fish was how he proved he was human and not a ghost post-ressurrection. she can quiz her friends at preschool as to what jesus ate to prove he wasn’t a ghost, then trick them by the cake lead-in =)
nice cake.
and man alive, i guess this year you’ll have to carve out time for comment-reading alone?! 😉

JerriR - Annie is so cute…cake was lovely…and I wish I had your will power…cutting back on all things bad for me…slowly but surely! Good Luck!

Heather Giustino - What a sweet girl!! Love her fun cake, and singing to Jesus!

Jennifer Dawn - That is truly the cutest thing ever!

Donna - Annie is just about the cutest girl I have ever seen! And what a wonderfully creative cake…..I love it. We love to make cakes at our house, too. I need to learn to be a bit more hands-off, and I think I can do it after reading your post. I just can’t stand the sound of sprinkles crunching under my feet for the rest of the day 🙂 I love your blog!!!

Gina - We sing happy birthday to Jesus every Christmas morning at breakfast. This year we sang 4 times in a row. It’s fun! I love Annie’s cake, and Jesus would love it too! :o)

Lisa Liddell - My girlies made a jesus cake for christmas, it is so much fun. I am amazed that you have all the lovely candy goodness in your cupboards, uneaten and waiting to be used on cakes. It would be gobbled up in my house. I have to do special runs to the supermarket when decorating calls.
BTW I watched rachels story last week, oh my it changed me! I need to write the four truths down. Know God, Know yourself, know the gospel, know your purpose. ALL GOD CENTERED! What a challenge.

Jessie - Loved the Rachel link. There should have been a kleenex alert before viewing. Great message.

Ali Richardson - Great job staying away from the cake (& one finger lick is NOT a big deal)! I am new to commenting but definitely not new to reading. My sister in law is the one that made that cool scrapbook paper wall that you featured on your sidebar. Anyway, LOVE your blog! Oh yeah, and I made your crescent chicken yesterday and it turned out GREAT (and you’re right….no leftovers). I am a “mac n cheese” out of the box kind of gal so it was nice to find something so tasty that was super easy to make. Keep doin’ what you’re doin’!

Kara - Laura’s comment is funny…”Jesus gave up sugar too”! Did she eat this cake after she made it? It looks way too sweet to actually eat!

Jacci - “But there was nothing else to do”????
What does that mean? As in – there was nothing you could do to avoid giving in to her sweet smile or do you mean that you had nothing else to do that morning besides let her bake a cake?
Just wondering.
~Jacci in Ohio

Christy - She is just the cutest thing ever! Love the cake! A friend of mine did a “cake for Jesus” with her kids when they were little, so sweet.
Congrats on the sugar kick! Mine is Dr. Pepper, so far over a week into it & I am doing pretty good.

immyyas - Love this post! She is an absolute doll. Seeing kids be imaginative & creative is the best! Good for you on the only licking your finger once… impressive!!!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - WOW!! She did an amazing job. I love your reference to that Sex in the City scene, so funny!!! I feel ya. I’m doing a no sugar thing too. I would have done the same thing. You are one strong chick to even stand that close to the cake, just the smell would do me in:)

Brooke - i absolutely love this…what an awesome memory for her…

Flower Patch Farmgirl - It’s perfect. 🙂
Also, I just listed to Rachel. THANK you for telling us about that. How could it not change us?

christi - hi meg! quick and silly question for you. i think it was on your blog {in the sidebar} that you linked to this colorful canvas someone did that listed out their family goals. i can’t find that link in my bookmarks. do you know what i am talking about and if so, could you pass along the link to me again? thanks SO much!!

Tegan and Tage - Too sweet. 🙂 There is nothing like the precious heart of a child. Thank you for sharing!

Staci - HOW AWESOME IS ANNIE!!!???? Well, we allll know that answer 🙂 Sweet Sweet Annie!!! I’m serious, I’ve said it before….my littlest guy will turn 5 in March….please let Annie marry him!!!! And then, I, too can have a Happy Birthday Jesus Cake made by Annie 🙂 (But we would make her go to OU football games!!! 😮

Ashley - How cute! The way you are with your kids is so inspiring to new momma’s like me!

Val Russell - The Charolette scene (and what followed) was great!! And the cake looks yummy!

Summer - So sweet! You’ve inspired me to go on a sugar detox….I was getting so out of control. I haven’t had any in four days. Really, I can’t believe how much better I already feel. I do have to say, that is some real self control on your part!

Jill - So sweet!

Melissa - That is the most darling cake I’ve ever seen. And your reference to Charlotte in the shower just made me laugh so hard I snorted.
In my family we have a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas Eve. We light the candles, sing, the whole she-bang, and the kiddos get to blow out the candles when we’re done. 🙂

Jessica - I showed this photo to my 4.5 year old. She said she wants to be Annie’s friend so she can make cakes with her.

christi - seriously? she is such a cute girl!

feather - that is one precious little girl. and one awesome mama. i love that you let her do it all. how special for her. and rewarding. and you didn’t go back for a second lick? impressive

sheila payne - I don’t know hat was more beautiful her or the cake… Yes Jesus would love it it is fit for a KING! Happy Wednesday to you and yours.
Sheila

Rosemarie - Beautiful! And the Charlotte comment had me cracking up – I’m pregnant and did that with raw cookie dough the other day – and I thought about the SAME exact thing!

Laura Phelps - I hear that Jesus is off of sugar too
looks like Annie gets the whole cake!

elizabeth - Her bangs/haircut just kills me. She’s so freaking cute. And your sugar boycott is inspirational, although right now, I’m cutting sugar vicariously…

Courtney Walsh - I feel ya on the sugar thing. Attempting to cut back my ridiculous coffee consumption right now. It’s making me cranky with a capital CRANK!
Love Annie’s cake. 🙂 She’s is quite the little CHEF!!

Sara - That is darling! So cute! I would eat it up though, good self control!

shelly - Oh my goodness!!! You are the front runner for mom of the year! Not only did you agree to bake a cake while doing no sugar, but you let her frost and decorate it too!!! I really need to loosen up and just let the kids create! Love how loaded the cake was! Reminds me of our Christmas cookies with and inch of frosting and twice as high in sprinkles! (Serious kudos for only taking a lick…I thought letting the kids get schwan’s ice cream cones was hard!)

Shirley Wood - I never had the nerve to let my children do something like that in the kitchen. You are such a great mom to do that. Sorry I missed out on such things.

Jen Hinton - OMG…way too yummy!!!
FYI-I’m highlighting your blog on my show today 12pm EST! http://bit.ly/7BxxHw

Rachel - How cute! Better than I could do!!

Ruth H. - Very cute! Reminds me of yesterday…minus the cake. My six year old asked me during lunch if I knew how to find “the place for poor people to live.” I replied that I could find out, why did she need to know? She explained that she was hoping we could spend the afternoon shopping for clothes and shoes and toys….all for the poor people, then we could take them there. I agreed that it was a very thoughtful idea, but wondered what made her think of that. Her reply: “Because Christmas isn’t about getting gifts, it is about giving them. It is about love. It is about what Jesus would do.”
Apparently, it is still Christmas. As it should be!

Renee - Great post, Meg. I love to see Annie in all her glory. I thought of you yesterday while we made sugar cookies and let the kids go to town with cutters and sprinkles. Steve and I were both silently cursing the dough that wouldn’t cooperate. I said, “We’re making happy memories for them, remember?” He just laughed at me. It was good. It was a “Meg moment.” Cheers! xoxo

Tracy - this is the cutest thing I’ve seen and heard all day! So precious.
LOVE how serious you are about kicking the sugar – GREAT job resisting…that cake *does look delish!
Happy Wednesday~

emily - such a beautiful cake!!
i’m so going to let my girls make a cake on their own like that!!! it would make their whole year!!

Kacey - That is the sweetest thing! And wow, is she creative! What a perfect kid cake.

julie - absolutely precious! well done annie!

gina - Gorgeous cake! Of course, once she added all that candy, I wouldn’t have been able to eat it. Well, okay, but just the bottom two layers. 😉

Kate - Annie – the cake is beautiful! Great job!!!

Tracy - HOW PRECIOUS and SO SWEET! She is such a cutie pie! P.S. I, too, am trying to give up the sugar habit – it is like crack to me! HA! Good luck and keep up the good work – you can do it my friend! Big hugs! :o)

sandy toe - Every time I look at your pictures…I think I wish I had the “gusto” to be so patience…not concerned about the “mess” etc….your kids seem to be “kids”….
sandy toe

Kathy - Gorgeous cake Annie! I could never give up sugar I’m just too weak!

Amy - She’s precious! I love how kids come up with this stuff all on their own without any prompting from us. That’s awesome and it did make Jesus happy 🙂

Niki - Don’t you know that, that cake made her Father smile!!!!! How precious she is to you and Him! Thanks for sharing!

No.17CherryTreeLane - these pictures are ridiculously cute. i need to squeeze that kid.

Jenni - I’ve done the “spit out” thing when I’ve been on sugar fasts in the past, too. It’s rather comical! Loved the photos, and the commentary. So sweet.

Tara @ the cinnamon post - I just love this post. Well done Meg with the sugar. You are to be commended! As for me I ate one and one-half cinnamon buns yesterday…before bed…it would have been two whole ones but someone caught me. It was a weak moment for me. Annie is so cute. Love the bangs.
~Tara

Holly - It is a beautiful cake! As for the sugar thing I am the same way with caffiene right now. Funny thing is that I have given up a lot of sugar by giving up the caffiene. I am starting to think I may survive it also,lol!

carissa... brown eyed fox - oh He does!
and HOW you resisted? you need to do a REALLY big “whoooop”… that is awesome!
that is hard!!!

Krista - Go Annie! Good for you, I don’t think I would have been so strong to avoid sugar this long! You are inspiring 🙂

Cori - Jesus would love the cake!

becca - That is so sweet!

Jo - OH MAN! That’s unreal. I really really love it. 🙂 She did such a great job just like her momma would do. Both are so creative!

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answers

January 12, 2010 Filed in home decorating,q&a,WAFFLE the wonder dog

it was so nice to hear that you all agreed the afters were better than the befores
of our kitchen remodel.
ha ha ha.

you had lots of questions and i have lots of answers.

how long did the remodel take?  

3 months…november – january.

how did you survive?  

we moved the refrigerator into the living room…set up a folding table also with throw away utensils
and the microwave…and that was what we used.  
it was kind of crazy but so much changed in the new kitchen everyday that it was exciting.

how did you decide what you wanted? 

we remodeled our kitchen LAST in our home in illinois and then we moved.
all that work and money and we didn't even get to enjoy it.  so when we bought this house we decided
we would do the kitchen FIRST because it is the most important room to us.
i knew i wanted the exact same cabinets i had in my IL. kitchen.
i had a baby at home so i spent hours and hours sitting and dreaming up what to do.
and i had years of magazines pictures in a file that i used to put it together.

did you design it?

yes.  i designed it all.  i like to draw so i gave my detailed drawings to the cabinet guy brad and our contractor bernie and said " do it like this".  
i wonder where those are now???

can we move in?
 
that depends…are you good at laundry?  cooking? cleaning?  i may consider it if you are….

is that a real chalkboard or just chalkboard paint?

it is an old school chalkboard…running the other way…from a garage sale.
(sarah has the paint on the wall and it looks great too…so if you can't find a huge chalkboard at a  
garage sale…do what she did!)
the kids' dinnertime chores are written way at the top.

what kind of dog is that?

waffle is a golden doodle…half poodle/half golden retreiver.  and he needs a haircut.
they do shed and i don't know if they are hypoallergenic.
but if his hair is short…there is practically no shedding at all.
our friends had one liter of these in 2008.
6a00d8341c469c53ef010536dd420f970bthis entire liter of puppies is the happiest bunch of dogs i have ever seen!
but they aren't having anymore puppies unfortunately…and i don't know anyone else to find one for you.
check your classifieds or google golden doodles in your area.
(those are the most frequent questions i am asked about waffler)
 
how did you have the patience for a kitchen remodel?

craig and i are a good team.  
he likes my designs (at least he says he does)…he is very flexible and encouraging with my vision/ideas.
i really like how hard of a worker he is.
we both like to get good deals.
and we take our time figuring out what we want.
and he is such a good painter!  he is so detailed.
so much so that he's asked me to stop painting a few times…because i was so messy he wanted me to go.
 
working with all men (contractors, electricians, plumbers, carpenters) can be a challenge because i don't like confrontation and i really don't like being treated like a dumb girl.
and that happens every once in awhile…but not too much.
i know what i want when it comes to my home down to the last detail.
so that caused some tension for me sometimes…and of course…tears because i am a girl.
but other than that…it doesn't take too much patience when you are so excited.
bernie, our contractor, showed up EVERYDAY and worked all day till the job was finished.
he rocks.
he never made me cry.  :)

and i have a few kids around here to distract me…helping with the patience. 

what made you decide to put in the wall of windows?

that side of the room was previously a porch.
in the 70's or 80's the homeowners enclosed it with 12 skinny tall windows and a door.
none of them worked anymore.  
we decided to use 6 big windows and closing up the space where the door had been…
gaining 3 more feet of counter space in the process.

K16
the wall with wood slats is gone and a steel support beam is in it's place.
the door on the left is now a wall (with the red EAT letters)
the floor was cement on this half and slanted because it was a porch.
it had to be leveled and then the wood floor laid down across both rooms. 

IMG_1068
stop looking at my dirty dishes!  
&
#0160;  
do your wood floors stand up well to high traffic?

yes.
i am in love with wood floors.
we have no carpet i our entire house…and only 2 rugs.  one of them came with the house!
they are scratched in a few places but i don't mind.  
and i HATE to vaccuum.

how should i paint my cabinets?

these are all new cabinets painted by the cabinet makers….so i can't help you with that.

where did you get your slipcoverd sofas?

the white ones are from world market.  the blue is an old couch from our IL. days…

what color is the paint on your walls?

you know…in the mess of the remodel we threw out the can.
after we'd used literally every single drop and we don't know what color it is!  
that is BAD.      
it is a creamy off white…just different enough from the bright white cabinets to show a difference.
it's not yellow.

where did you get your chandeliers?

chicago jenny gave me one for our IL kitchen.
she had taken it out of her house and it was sitting in her garage!!
she walked into our new kitchen and started laughing and called her husband in to show him
my new light i had bought at the flea market.  identical to hers…that she was getting rid of.
so when we moved to kansas she gave it to me as a going away gift. 🙂

best gift ever.
so i had two chandeliers that were nearly the same.  
yes…i took my light from my IL. house.  we put in a different one though…
IMG_1051
some of my friends were here yesterday baking for their friends fundraiser…it was a blast.
but you can see the chandelier.
(and i need some more globes…any one have one they don't want anymore   :) 

i find chandeliers at antique stores and flea markets.  
my friend diana gave me one from her dining room and it's in my bathroom.
they were all brass and i spray paint them white.
  
should i take my cherry cabinets out and put in white?

that quesiton is too big for me.
it's a personal preference.  you want to be happy in your home…so you have to decide that for you.
i like cherry too…they are pretty. 

where did you get your roman shades?

a little place called the home depot. 

how do you keep the white cabinets so clean?

ha ha ha.
now that is just funny.
right now i can see spaghetti sauce…footprints…hot cocoa splatters…all kinds of gunk on them.
you just have to wipe them off like everything else.
but you can use clorox clean up at least.  
and annie loves to use cleaning wipes…often the cabinet cleaning job goes to her on saturday mornings.

what kind of appliances do you have?

the dishwasher is a kitchenaid from best buy.  it's great!  it get used every single day 365 days a year.
(except i guess you aren't supposed to put pieces of broken glass or bobby pins in them…who knew?)
the cooktop and double oven are Jenn-Air and we bought them off ebay.
one was a floor model with a scratch and one was an older model…but still looked great to us.
the refridgertor is GE and we got it at sears.
the microwave is GE from home depot.

do you help people with decorating dilemmas?

no one has ever done what i suggest.
ever.
so i will say no.  

can we see the rest of your house?

no..it's too messy.
just kidding.  there is a photo album in the left sidebar…if you haven't seen that.
but i do have a few more before and afters to show sometime. 
but the afters are too messy to show you today.     

so that is that.
any other questions? 

add a comment

Bethany - Great re-do!
Are the floors oak?
Are they engineered or solid wood installed, sanded and finished onsite?

Liz - Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. And even better, it is fun and happy and REAL. I love it.
You’ve answered most of my questions already but I have one more… where is that fun red striped bowl from?

lindsey - love it! thanks so much for all the info. hope you don’t mind, but i’m going to have to steal an idea form you: the globes! my husband and i were looking at the pics of your house and he mentioned how similar our kitchens were (very!). but i have the big space above the cabinets that i never know what to do with. you solved my dilemma! now i’m off to find a bunch of large globes…

cynthia - it’s all so lovely….and with a good dose of humor too. you rock!

Meaghan - I love what you’ve done to your home. I like flipping through your photos for ideas. I have a question if you’re still answering them… How involved was painting the wood trim you redid? Did you have to sand it all down first?
We have dark oak moulding throughout our old house, and I would love to brighten some of it up, but it seems like a HUGE job, esp having our little ones around. Thanks!

Diana - I have a globe that you plug in and can turn on it’s little switch so it lights up… a soft light. It’s pretty old… about 25-30 years. I forgot that I have it. Was rearranging some things in a closet and found it a few weeks ago. If I decide at some point that I don’t want it anymore, you’ll be the first to know. It would match yours. 🙂
LOVE that soft blue sofa. Looks like it would be a nice nap place… zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Michelle Whitlow - LOVED seeing all the pics!! One question ~ no kitchen table?? I’m assuming you always eat at the island and opted for no table so you had more room??

Janelle - I want to see bathroom addition pics!

Kirsten - Meg – I love that kitchen! We remodeled our kitchen in our old house, and did the same thing – sold it just a few months later. Dang, she got a nice custom kitchen. But it was too small, and the remodel went South in a bad way and took 8 months. Seriously. Just about drove me insane. That’s when I started my blog.
Question: where are your counter stools from? It seems like all I can find are $29 Target stools, which my husband says are too cheap…and $299 Ballard Designs stools, which I cannot justify 🙁

Amber - Meg…I love how your home has such an eclectic feel (i hope that’s a word you would use to describe it)! It is so homey and lived in…very practical and inviting! Your “style” is very inspiring to me!!
Thanks for the post!
Amber

carissa... brown eyed fox - my dream!
to buy a house… and make it our home.
we have had years of living in homes that do not reflect us.
from the floors… to the doors… and all in between… not us.
i look forward to one day having a home… where the home (the bones of it) reflect us!
aweeeee… i pray one day!
and meg… i am gonna try my darndest to channel your creativity & ingenuity!
what a beautiful design! such a pretty home! every detail… DREAMY!
i really liked seeing the kiddos in the pics… so fun… how they’ve grown!

Shairee bass - What did you color on your pictures with on your bathroom Under the stairs to get the colors so bright?? Thanks.

Anita - Thank you for the honest answer about the white cabinets. I painted mine white in this old house renovation I am in and I am, wonderingif I was CRAZY. I had RED cabinets in my lat house…chocolate smears see to constantly need wiping. Am I the only family member who sees this? I LOVE the kitchen. I had no budget for new cabinets- so I painted them. I am having a giveaway so come visit!

Sophie - Sigh…. I love your new kitchen/lounge. I want to move in.

traci in virginia - Yes, a couple more questions! I love your kitchen and how it is so open, airy, happy and friendly. I have white cabinets and am planning to get wood floors this year and new countertops. What color is your floor stain for your hardwoods and what color granite did you choose? I am going to do the floors first and have a terrible time making decisions. I thought I would do my homework!
Thanks for sharing your before and after….it looks great!

DreamGirlLisa - oops, one more thing I forgot, I LOVE to cook, when can I move in? ha ha 🙂

DreamGirlLisa - Love that you answered all those questions! But, I’m still trying to wrap my head around the notion of a poodle and a golden retriever ( may fav kind of dog) mating!!!!!! lol!

Vera - FYI I decided to cover my pantry door with chalkboard paint after seeing pictures of your kitchen last year… but like all of my projects, it was a whim decision with no real planning, made a Hobby Lobby one afternoon, so instead of going out and buying REAL chalkboard paint, I bought the spray paint kind at Hobby Lobby. Then, because I’m just not very smart, I just taped off the edges of the pantry door, laid down some tarp, and sprayed away. Apparently you’re not supposed to do that inside, and I almost died. I also coated our entire kitchen in a fine layer of chalkboard paint. And the soles of my feet were black for days. It all turned out fine in the end, it looks good and I survived, but if anyone else wants to do this – take the door off the hinges and take the door OUTSIDE.

Deputy's Wife - Thanks for sharing your photos of your kitchen remodel! We start ours Monday. I can’t believe I am actually saying that!!! Wahoo!!! I am so nervous and excited!!!

Loverstylist.blogspot.com - i just stumbled on your blog and love it! amazing! your kitchen is amazing!
-Becky

donna - I have commented a lot to you…..but I must tell you ONCE AGAIN how much I love your blog. I click on it everytime I get on the computer to see if you updated……I can’t stand waiting for your next post. Every hour wouldn’t be often enough for me! Anyhow – have you ever considered writing a book? Just about life with lots of pictures…that would be great.

Jessica - My husband says he wants your dog…but I’ll take the kitchen 😉
Beautiful!!!

Holly - Well your house looks great! I have had so much fun with ours…well I guess I continue to have fun with it as it wont be done for a while. I love your use of color through out your house! Very lovely! I do love a good rug though,lol

Penny - I have a litter of Goldendoodles due on Feb 4th. They will be ready for homes by Easter. Check out our web-site! http://www.adamscreekgoldendoodles.com

tasha roe - where did you live in IL?

Lisa Currie-Gurney - WOW, MEG. I NEVER COULD HAVE SEEN WHAT YOU ENDED UP WITH… YOU DID A FABULOUS JOB. IT LOOKS AS THOUGH IT WAS ALWAYS THERE. YOURS HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY VERY, VERY FAVORITE KITCHEN.
NO KIDDING !
HUGS FROM MAINE

Morgan - I am watching HGTV “Most bang for your buck” and they are doing great rooms (kitchens with living area). Your area kicks the other threes butt 🙂 you could’ve won hands down- 🙂 Thanks for sharing your photos

s.t. - Love, love, just LLLLOVE your home photos!…esp. your Waffle-super darling! My 4 yr. old would love to have one. But for now, all I could handle is a betta…she named her “Daisy”.

Niki - Meg, I loved this post and your last! Your kitchen is SO bright and cheery! I saw this blog and it made me think of you with its bright and cheery colors and photos! You’ll have to check it out if you haven’t already!
http://happylovesrosie.blogspot.com/

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - I love it all! I’m having my honey check it out…for future reference:)

jeana - I could’ve said what Karina said. We’re still in the process of finding just the right home for us, (a lot based on your home) but loving the one we’re in for now. My hubby said we can go ahead and start on the kitchen in Feb! Your house is amazing and I love love love your blog!

Jennifer Marmen - meg-I love your blog! Your photography is amazing and inspiring! I told my girls today that we need to use our cameras more. I have all these empty frames from Ikea sitting around that I need pictures for. One of my goals this year is to start putting pictures up our stairway wall. I love your bathroom remodel….can you tell me the paint color you used in the master bath…..Thanks

Jill - Thank you for sharing about your kitchen. I am a little bit in love with it. 🙂

Ali - I can’t wait to see what you do with the attic!

jodi ruhl - meg-
how big is the combined spaces (kitchen/sitting area)?
that “before” kitchen looks so small, but the “after” looks so big!
jr

Rachel / cREaTe - toooooooooo funny. love all the questions you got & all the answers you gave. seriously, you are the best kitchen designer around. i’m so impressed with your decisions, reasoning & patience. and the results are out of this world.
oh & i totally have knocked off your jars of treats look. i did that last weekend … after realizing that i never used the jars for the flour, sugar, etc [i just keep getting it from the bag]. so, put me down for decorating client #1. i totally took that idea … how much do i owe you? 🙂

Jacci - Looks great 🙂 And thank for the extra info. We dove right into our kitchen right after moving in, too, for the same reasons you gave. We’re in the kitchen probably a good 50% of our waking hours. It was *very* important to me that it be light, bright, cheerful, and efficient. We’re no where near done (we’re working in stages), but the cabinets are **white** now and that’s more than half the battle for our space. A wall of windows would be perfect, but I’ll have to settle for one big one (within the year).
It’s crazy to live in a space while you’re working on it, but you’re right, all the progress is SO encouraging! 🙂
~Jacci in Ohio

Brittney - wow I just looked through all the photos of your gorgeous home, and I have to say in all the blogs and magazines I peruse, never have I found anything that is so my style – rustic, bright, happy, vintage, strategically cluttered. I think your guest room is my favorite. And I’m with you on the rugs! Everyone is always asking me why I have so few, and I just say “because I don’t want to cover up my gorgeous floors!” Anyway I’m hooked on your site girl, and that remodel…you must have the patience of a saint. One question for you: what did you use for your under-the cabinet lighting? I would love to have some. Thanks!

Kimberlee J. - Loved this post. I always love the ones with all the questions. 🙂
Where did you get your bar stools? I’m going to be in need of some about that height soon, I hope.

denise spillman - I love your blog!!! It is awesome that you took the time to answer all those questions!! When I am having a bad day I can always look forward to you putting a smile on my face! Thank you

Megan - Love it. All of it.
Even the dirty dishes… which I didn’t even “see”…. 🙂

Mother Runner - nice legs.

misty - i love this- I just redid my cabinets- i wanted the antique white cabinets for our kitchen but that was out of the budget to replace them- so i went to home depot and asked if I could refinish my current ones to look like those & he said yes!! so here’s what I did-
1st primer- then I picked the paint color with the help from the home depot employee- after it dried I applies minwax gel stain to the grooves and wiped it off until it looked just how I wanted it to- then there is a glaze Home Depot sells that you put over the top of the cabinet- we also added crown molding to the top of the cabinets & I LOVE IT- it was very time consuming and I practiced on the BACK of one of the cabinet doors 1st, but in the end it saved us about $8,000.
I LOVE your kitchen and would LOVE to have the space you have!! It’s fabulous! I also LOVE LOVE the window you have- I am hoping my husband agrees to cut a hole in a wall and let me put in a pretty window!

Jess - Thanks for all the answers. You answered ones I was afraid to ask. I am currently working on getting my kitchen to be more “me”. The statement “you want to be happy in your home…” is what I am trying to figure out right now. I’ve spent waaaaay too much time worrying about what other people would like. I’ll be hitting up the thrift stores this weekend!

amy d - ok, i must object to your decorating advice answer…if it weren’t for you i would of never, ever had the ummm…GUTS to paint our woodwork white in the bedroom, nor would my craig had ever gone for it unless he had seen first hand how much brighter it could make a room. to be honest neighbor i thought you were CRAZY for painting over all that beautiful woodwork in your house, but i get it now…when i look at magazines i am always drawn to the rooms with white trim, so much brighter…so i guess what i am trying to say is… I TOOK YOUR ADVICE!!! :)lol!

Jessi - First of all, I love your before & afters, especially the afters 🙂
Second, I just wanted to tell you that I get so excited to see when you have a new post up. Your blog, your posts, just everything about you and your family and your life puts me in such a great mood.

Foy (Garden Cook Write Repeat) - ha! excellent answers.
I’ve always thought “I’ll do my ktichen remodel before I move into my house.” This assumes both that I will buy a house and beable to afford an apartment for the three months the remodel takes. Bloody unlikely. I will probably rent an RV and travel while someone else masterfully remodels my kitchen… ah pipe dreams.

Karina - Laura Phelps beat me to it – I was going to say I actually enjoy doing laundry and I’d be there tomorrow if it weren’t for my husband and three children who might object. Unless I can bring them with me…?
I have been scouring our real estate listings ever since I first stumbled across your blog (almost a year ago now), looking for just the right mansion for us to move in and renovate. So far nothing under a million (with renos), which, last time I looked, wasn’t sitting in our bank account. Bummer.
So all in all, I must continue to live vicariously through you. Please post all the before and afters you can think of – no detail would be too insignificant for me. I absolutely love your style and looking at gorgeous home decor, especially older character houses, but anything will do (I love inspiration for decoration dot com, I’m sure you’ve been there).

Michelle - I would give you globes if I had any 🙂 . . .was at Legacy Antiques in Wichita yesterday though and several booths had some. . . not bad prices either!

Cassie - why do i feel like i missed out on a fun party yesterday?!? 🙂 i guess i was baking away, too…just in a much uglier kitchen!

Dana Banana - questions, comments, ideas……gossip?
Oh yeah, we aren’t in high school anymore.

Laura Phelps - Well, alright then, I can move in by Saturday, because I not only clean, cook and do laundry, but I am a great baker, birthday party thrower,babysitter, and just fun to have around for comic relief.
I have so obviously won.
See ya on Saturday.

Dianne Avery - Thanks for taking the time to answer questions!! I’m in the process of moving now and will likely do a kitchen remodel in our next house. Now I know who to ask if I need help. 🙂

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