A Fun Project: 2x4 Garden bench

Not long ago I went exploring in the barn and discovered a pile of 2x4 boards.  I had been thinking about buying a park bench to put in the yard, instead here was an opportunity to try to make one out of the boards.  I looked up a few ideas, but being in a particularly frugal mood at the time I decided not to spend money on plans. :b After all, I didn’t have the proper saws to cut angles anyway, I had a handsaw, tape measure and a borrowed drill and impact driver, I was set to give it a try. :) 

Online, I found a bench I thought looked nice to use as an idea. For most of the measurements I checked our porch swing to see how high to make the seat, armrests etc..

Trying to figure out a plan of action! I wanted a reclined backrest to make it more comfortable to sit on.  It did require several angled cuts, and a couple rounded cuts for the armrests, though not perfect, I managed with the handsaw. :) 

Pile of potential :)

Still trying to figure it out at this point. 

The sides were mostly done here and I was trying to decide out how long it should be. 

After I had all the boards cut and partly assembled, it was time to apply wood stain. Many thanks to my Mother-in-law for picking up the stain and brushes for me at the store! 

This was the slightly apprehensive stage, seeing if it was actually going to work. 

Ta da! :D in the end all the pieces fit together pretty good and it turned out mostly to my satisfaction. :)

I moved it over by the raised gardens and flower bed where there was a good spot for it.  The children and I have already used it quite a bit.  It was a fun project to make! :)

Flowers of Spring

Besides dandelions, these are the first flowers I’ve seen blooming in the wild this spring. So beautiful! It was fun watching the butterflies and bees that were visiting the blossoms. :) 

“O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.”

 -Psalm 34:3

For Moms: A Friendly Reminder :D

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine...”-Proverbs 17:22

🌿 Raised Garden Beds!! 🌿

Growing up, my family always used to have a garden. One summer we planted 80 tomato plants, I remember picking tomatoes and hauling them to the kitchen in a wheelbarrow where they were processed and canned.  We had strawberries, raspberries, apple trees, and asparagus, among other vegetables and fruits growing in the yard.   After a move to Florida, my Dad planted lemon, orange and grapefruit trees in our yard.   

When I married, I thought I’d continue to grow things. I love being outdoors! Camping, hiking, a walk in the woods, gardening, keeping backyard chickens, all my kinds of things. :) But, after our children came along, I was unable to keep gardening high enough on my priority list, and inevitably, my garden plot it would end up as one giant weed patch. :/     With small children, babies, and a husband who worked extremely long hours, it wasn’t the right season of life for gardening.  I gave up the idea for several years. 

Then, the winter of 2016-2017 I thought that in the spring I could try making small raised garden beds. That way I could weed easily and even with littles it would be manageable and easy to maintain.  

I was excited! Seed catalogs arrived in the mail, and I spent many a happy moment poring over them.  I’d planned to buy apple and cherry trees, as well as vegetable seeds. In the spring of 2017 a few various unforeseen, things came up, and in the end, my dream of having a garden once again was put on hold. I was disappointed, all winter I’d hoped. It may seem silly, but to me it was important. :)

This spring I once again was thinking perhaps I could garden.  I mentioned it to my husband Graham.  A few weeks back, I looked out the window and there in the grass was a pile of lumber! The next thing I knew, Graham came in with two tool bags.  He then proceeded to  build me two perfect 4x8 (exactly the small size I wanted!) raised garden beds!!! It’s safe to say I was extremely excited! :) 

Even though Graham was busy, and has a lot going on (seeding time here on our farm) He stopped to make the garden beds for me. So thankful for a husband who cares for me like he does! He’s the best, I am a blessed lady!

Can’t wait to plant some seeds and plants soon!! :) 

“Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalm 37:4

Little bit of Happiness #2 Tea cups, and coffee

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Sometimes it’s the little things that can bring joy and remind me to be thankful. Today for me it was sipping coffee out of my favourite Pioneer Woman mug. I love the colours on the cup! Someday, I may look into getting the matching teapot. :) I’m thankful for good coffee and pretty mugs to drink it out of! 

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” -Psalm 68:19

Windy Spring Day: Bag Ballon Kites

Today is warm, sunny and breezy. The children asked me to make large garbage bag balloon kites. They don’t fly very good, but everyone was having a blast running around with them tied to a yarn string. :) 

Simple outdoor spring fun!!

A Few Meals, Trim Healthy Mama Style!

I thought it might be fun to share a few of the THM meals I’ve been eating lately. :) I usually snap a quick photo right before eating so the pictures are not fancy.  These are dishes that I enjoyed a lot, and either have made multiple times, or will make again. 

This was my S supper tonight.  I bought the THM Troodle vegetable Slicer, and this was my first time to use it.  After cutting the zucchini, I tossed it with salt, onion powder, garlic powder and basil.  I then fried it olive oil for five minutes. At the end, I added in Parmesan cheese and a half a cup of diced canned tomatoes.  It was delicious! My husband does not care for zucchini at all. I didn’t tell him what I’d made, but asked him to try a bite. He thought it was good and asked “What is it?”  I had to tell him it was zucchini! Cooked this way it still has a slight bite and isn’t mushy at all. I will be making this again for sure! :)  I got my idea for this dish Here. 

My S lunch today. Avocado, easy over eggs, and steak. I sprinkled nutritional yeast over the egg and avocado. Yum!

S lunch last week, made from a mix of cubed cheese, spices, spinach, chicken and bacon. I put everything between two small low carb tortillas and fried it up until it was hot. So good dipped in sour cream! This was an S. 

Banana Bread! This is a E meal. I figured out the carbs, and saw I could double the recipe and still be fine. We didn’t have oat flour so I made my own. I have made it twice now and really enjoy it!  Click Here for the recipe.  I also didn’t have Greek yogurt, I substituted water in its place. 

Burritos! Super simple delicious S meal. Served on low carb tortillas. 

Low carb pancake, coffee with cream.  This was a mix I bought online, it was pricey, but both my husband and I agreed it was the best low carb pancakes we’ve ever had. 

So there you have it,  just a few meals I’ve had lately, the weight is dropping and we are eating like kings! :)  THM is great!