The Urban Cottage

So I'm pretty excited about a new friend I have.  Her name is Shellie and not only is she also adopting two kids from the Congo, she is also super crafty.  She's opening a shop in Palmer Lake/Monument where she is selling furniture and other upscale household items.  She has graciously allowed me to sell some of my crafts at her shop which is opening in the next week. All of the proceeds from my sales are going to support our adoption and her shop has the same purpose.  


Seriously, you need to check this place out! I went down there today and it is going to be adorable! She's having a friends and family open house on Wednesday, February 3 from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM and then officially opening in the next week.  


The Urban Cottage
755 Highway 105, Suite H
Palmer Lake, CO 80133
(719) 447-7090



Her regular business hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.

I made this: Reusable Cleaning Wipes

I've wanted to tackle this project for a while now, but had to wait until I used the last of my Lysol cleaning wipes so I could have an empty container. I really always hated the idea of buying disposable wipes (wasting the environment, who knows what chemicals are in them) but they are so handy for quick clean up.

I started doing a little research and quickly discovered that I could make my own for super cheap. I used Homemade Ginger's recipe and just modified it a little based on the cleaning product I had on hand.  I do want to buy Dr. Bronner's soap, because it seems to be a be all end all soap product, but for now we have lots of stuff on hand so when it starts to run out, that will be what I buy.  For this project (if you can call it that) I used Mrs. Meyers Clean Day, which I LOVE.  Her products are pretty earth friendly and smell amazing.

There isn't much else to tell you except I love the smell, ease and environmental [non] impact that these new wipes have.

Cut up some old tee shirts

Mix some Mrs. Meyers with some water and put it all in your old Lysol container

For extra credit make a label

It's so easy and you will feel so domestic and accomplished for doing it.

I made this! Ruffle Pillow

Just wanted to share this cute sewing project I just completed.  I so love sewing these days! 

It's imperfect just like everything else I sew do, but it looks so fun on the bed so who really cares?

Did you check out my etsy shop yet?? The whole shop is one big adoption fundraiser!  It's a mix of stuff I've made and vintage finds.  I had my first sale last week which caused me to JUMP out of bed when I saw the email on my phone. 

Book 41-43: The Hunger Games Series

You were probably wondering how I finished off the reading year...just to ease your mind, while I did not make it to 50 books --> I did make it to 43. Sort of...I finished the 3rd book this week, so I kind of only read 42, but since it was the third in the series and since I did start it before the end of the year, we are going to make it nice and clean and count it in with 2011's books.

The Hunger Games, Catching Fire & Mockingjay
by Suzanne Collins

I was a little skeptical of the Hunger Games, but for no reason other than that everyone was reading them. I quickly discovered that the reason everyone is reading them is that they are good.  The first one is the best and the last two keep you reading on the impetus of the first. So if you are looking for a good story and a couple of quick reads, then read away.

For next year, I won't be doing any book reports, but I will be keeping a list of my reading.  You can see it up in the top right side panel--> It's appropriately titled, "2012 Booklist".  I'll just rate the books so if you have loved the book reports, you can still see if I loved or hated something and again; I'll aim for 50 books in 2012, but I'll be happy to beat 43.

Our bedroom

It seems like with just the few extra days off, we were able to get so much done!
We worked on our bedroom back in October when my parents were here, but finally got around to finishing up a few things. There's always something more to do, but for now, I'm excited at what we have accomplished.

Before:

1950's curtains

Plain white walls

Awful wood closet doors; these are in every room

Boring

We didn't change this, but someday it will be replaced with a ceiling fan- for now, I actually like this light

These were hanging above our bed, but when we painted the walls, they no longer matched.
Wait until you see how I repurposed them!

After:

Makes me happy!

I took those four bamboo Walmart art pieces and covered them in fabric that my mom got me for Christmas. The finished product is so awesome, sometimes I walk in there just to look again!

I really don't know if those fabric flags are out of style; I suppose they are by now, but I think it looks adorable and ties the room together

Curtains and rods from Ikea. The curtains we found in the bargain area for $10 each!

 My sister in law gave me this for Christmas which totally coordinates with the fabric my mom got me- how cool is that! Their gifts inspired the finishing of this room!

Another little crafty project: we had this not exciting silver lamp with an even less exciting shade so I spray painted the lamp white and modge-podged strips of browm paper to the shade- when the light is on it looks so neat!

Revamping things makes me so happy! 

We painted the closet doors a shade darker then the room and they look amazing! At first I was scared and thought we'd made a huge mistake, but seriously, it looks so good I think I will do it in every room!

The walls are a kind of gray blue, but more blue then they look here.

It is so fun to see this house come together.  Andy and I are loving working on projects but not being in a rush to get anything done. Love making this place 'home'!

How's the adoption going? (also known as "any news on the adoption?")

If I had $100 for every time someone asked me that, we could adopt 6 kids. :) Maybe that should be my next fundraiser.....

Anyway, obviously nothing has happened or else I would have posted something here and called you all screaming with joy.  We're not upset that nothing has happened, but the waiting is very, very hard.  I think it is even harder that people [who have not adopted] do not understand. (In the same way you cannot understand anything that you have not experienced for yourself. This is not unique, this is life- in order to really understand what something is like, you have to experience that something for yourself.) I'm not mad at anyone who hasn't adopted and I'm not mad at anyone for asking how it's going. It's just a lonely place to be. To know you have a family and a couple of babies out there and to have nothing new to say on the matter. I can't show you photos of my little 5 year old ballerina or my baby who just learned to walk. My belly doesn't show the months I've waited to hold my little one (well it shows something, but not a baby!), our house isn't a mess because of a couple of toddlers running around and I have all the time in the world to update this blog with nothing to say.  It's sad. But truly, we are not always sad. Most days we forget about it.  And most days, we remember the truth, we know the time is coming and we know the wait will be worth it. I just kind of wish people would stop inquiring. I PROMISE I will tell you. You will know by the joy on my face that we have news. If you have not asked lately, "how's the adoption going?" THANK YOU. What a relief that I did not have to say, "Still just waiting..." with a semi-smile and a shoulder shrug as I attempt to fill the empty space with some explanation, some timeline for you and me to grab onto. If you have asked -please- (seriously, honestly) don't feel bad; I know your heart is not evil or out to get me it's just the millionth time someone has asked and I have had nothing to say. And honestly, you don't have to stop asking- but maybe next time you could just ask "how's your heart in the waiting?" and be prepared that you might need to grab me a tissue.

Bathroom Update!

We took some time off over Christmas and decided to have our own little stay-cation- Baldwin style. [Meaning, we worked on house projects and loved it!]

Two days before Christmas our bathroom looked like this and we had company coming the next day:

For one of the first times in our marriage [in a situation like this-not ever in our marriage], I honestly wasn't worried, stressed or concerned.  I knew it would get done because- well, I am married to Andy Baldwin.  Of course it will get done.  I'm sorry it took me five years to realize this, but better late than never.

Anyway, here is that old fashioned bathroom before we updated it.

Two things to note: pink walls and a faux wood toilet seat 

I HATED the glass doors on the shower. Hated them!
I couldn't bathe the dog or clean the shower without injuring myself on the doors. 

Ugly. 

My question to you is: would you rather have a faux wood toilet seat or pink walls in your bathroom the rest of your life. You chose. 

Gold door handle which is still on the list of things to change up along with a backsplash and finishing touches of something to hang on the wall

Now here is the bathroom AFTER (almost everything came from Ikea and we did the whole project for less than $500.

In all my painting days, I have never painted a room white. Until last week. I probably won't do it again, but it is pretty appropriate in this bathroom.  

You know I love baskets, right? 

The drawers on this vanity are great! They have the feature where the drawers finish closing themselves- I'm sure that has a name... 

We'll put a cool backsplash between the sink and the mirror.

Don't you love that zit mirror? $4.99 at Ikea.

I bought this shower curtain at a little boutique in Rochester and I have never regretted it.  I built the whole bathroom around this shower curtain!

What do you think? Do you love it as much as I do? Time will tell how the Ikea stuff holds up and if it starts to look cheap or doesn't maintain well, we won't buy big pieces from there again.  In the meantime- woohoo!

Book 40: The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby

by F. Scott-Fitzgerald

I seriously love re-reading the classics and the Great Gatsby was no exception. I'm sure I was forced to read this at some point when I didn't really care about reading, or Gatsby or anything else, but what I wouldn't give to talk to that poor English teacher now and ask her about this book. Rewrite the essay. Participate in the discussion. Whatever was required. Reading is such a gift and I am so glad I have been able to intentionally pursue it this year.  I'll continue to read and I may even continue to post my reviews. I'm not yet done this year, so don't give up on me; I may get to 43!

Book 39: Heart of the Matter

Heart of the Matter

by Emily Griffin

This is one of those "candy" books that although it is almost 400 pages, I read it in two days.  That being said, I really did enjoy this book. Any book--even if it is candy-- that makes me think is a good book. 

Heart of the Matter is about two mothers whose lives come together through a tragic accident.  The first person voice in the story, Tess, has a few close friends who she shares her life with.  But they vary in degrees of friendship.  Which is true for me too, I have close friends, very close friends, surface friends, and friends I wouldn't dare reveal anything personal to (are those actually friends...?) anyway, here is my favorite passage about one of her friends: "Cate reaches out and squeezes my hand, as I realize that I never resent her sympathy, and that I always candidly confess any vulnerability, shortcoming, or fear without ever wishing that I could take it back or revise my story later. As such, my self-image squares neatly with her image of me, no disparity between the two-which makes being in her company sheer comfort and luxury, especially when things are falling apart."

This book- and this passage in particular- made me examine my friendships and ask myself who is my "Cate"? It also reminded me of the value of good friends, forgiveness and walking in truth with people.  Thank you Lord!

  

I made this! Homemade Vanilla Extract

I don't want to give away any secrets, (like what your Christmas present might be) but a few months ago Andy and I decided that we were going to make our own vanilla extract.  I read on the recipe we used that the vanilla you buy in the store has corn syrup in it and that unless it says, "NO CORN SYRUP" it probably has it.  I used this recipe. It probably cost a little more than $100 to make, but we ended up with 14 bottles. I think I could do it cheaper next time- but in reality it still cost a little less than if you buy it by the bottle in the store. After you make it, you have to let the vanilla sit in your pantry for at least one month- six is preferred.  Each week you are supposed to give the bottles a little shake, so a common question in our house since September has been, "Did you shake the vanilla this week?" and if someone hadn't then someone else did :)

When we were ready to gift I made a different, but similar label for each bottle after they were done resting.  To try and recoup some of the cost, I put a "return bottle for refund" label on each one- we'll see what happens :).

The supplies we needed were:
Vodka (organic) ($25 per bottle)
Vanilla beans (4-5 per 4 oz of alcohol) ($20 for all the vanilla beans we needed)
Dark brown bottles ($35 for 24)
Labels (hand made with supplies on hand)

We bought everything on Amazon except the vodka.

Bottles

Vodka is expensive! I probably would try to get a good vodka a little cheaper next time

Vanilla in process....

It kind of destroyed our cutting board, but we probably need a new one of those anyway

Finished product- super cute, but terrible iPhone photo

Two final things:
1. This vanilla is amazing!  Seriously, so delicious and apparently as it continues to rest it just gets better and better - or - stronger and stronger.
2. I decided that I am going to make another batch for the craft fair at Compassion and use the money towards our adoption.  If you would like to purchase a bottle, let me know!

Book 38: The Cross and the Switchblade

The Cross and the Switchblade

by David Wilkerson

Did you know that when I do my book reports I always scan google images until I find the image of the book that shows the same cover as the book I have just read?  I do.  This is an OLD copy and yet it looks like it is the 24th printing in 1977.  This book was first published in 1962 and yet it is still a relevant read.  As you probably know, David Wilkerson passed away this year after a long and fruitful life for the Kingdom.  His is the kind of life I want to live- changing lives with the true power of the Holy Spirit, not mans power. 

If you don't know the story, David Wilkerson was a third generation pastor*, who lived in Podunk, Pennsylvania.  David decides one night to sell his television if the fleece he places before the Lord happens.  It does and he sells his TV for $25.  He tells the Lord he will use his tv time for prayer and one night in prayer he sees Time magazines portrayal of some young boys gang murder trial.  The Lord tells him he needs to minister to the boys (who he sees are just lost, sad boys) and he heads to NY on the word of the Lord.  This begins his ministry to the gangs of NY. This book is the story of the beginnings of Teen Challenge. A great story of faith and the favor that God gives when we follow Him.     

*[Side note: his son, Gary Wilkerson actually pastors (fourth generation-if you are counting) the church we attended in Colorado Springs before we moved here to Castle Rock.]

Book 37: The Horse and His Boy

The Horse and His Boy

C.S. Lewis

I loved this book more than any of the other Chronicles of Narnia so far.  The lion's appearances are so wonderful! My favorite line is when Shasta asks the lion who has appeared beside him on a long journey "who are you?" and the response is, "'Myself', said the voice very deep and low so that the earth shook and again: 'Myself', loud and clear and gay: and then a third time, 'Myself', whispered so softly you could hardly hear it and yet it seemed to come from all around you as if the leaves rustled with it." I love that!  It seems just like something that God would say!

I'm hoping to finish the rest of the series by the end of the year--> getting me closer to my goal, but it isn't looking good for 50 books.  I'm truly OK with it, because I have in many ways accomplished my goal.  I have read proactively and with purpose and that is what learners do!

Book 36: Same Kind of Different As Me

Same Kind of Different as Me

Ron Hall & Denver Moore

This is another great non-fiction book.  Another suggestion from a friend- which it seems all of my great books this year have been.

Ron Hall is an extremely wealthy art dealer in Texas.  Denver Moore was raised in modern day slavery on a plantation in the south and he hops a train to Texas where he lives, homeless, on the streets of Fort Worth.  This book is the true story of their relationship.

It could seem like this book might be cheesy.  It's not.  It's incredible. A beautiful story of how the wealthy imagine they will impact the poor and how the poor end up impacting the wealthy a million times more than what they could imagine.

For sure I would suggest you read this book.  However, I will provide the disclosure that I did NOT get when this book was suggested- you may end up weeping through 5-8 chapters.  I wish I had been forewarned, nonetheless, I sat on a plane crying my eyes out with no tissue in sight and the seatbelt sign illuminated so I could not get up to get one!

P.S. It's not looking good for getting to my goal of 50, but I will keep trying and I will do this again next year!

Book 35: Praying for Strangers

Praying for Strangers

River Jordan

I almost did not post a book report on this book because I may have just ordered 5 copies which I will be giving to some of you who may be on my Christmas list.  But nonetheless, some of you are NOT on my list (sorry!) and you need to know about this book.

Honestly, I have not been this impacted by a book in a long time.  My favorite reader suggested it and I read it in two days.  I love Kristin for so many reasons.  She reads way faster than I do and so she is always one step ahead with a great book suggestion.  I digress.

This book is amazing.  Wonderful. Maybe the best book I have read all year.

In summary, River Jordan sends off two sons to war at the end of 2008.  Consumed with her own concerns, a word drops into her spirit as a new years resolution, "Pray for a complete stranger everyday this year." This book is the story of her incredible journey in doing just that.  I cannot tell you how many times I have stopped since I read this book and saw a stranger in a new light.  How many times I have realized since I read this book that the people I pass by everyday have their own stories and in this life everyone you pass needs a kind word, a prayer from a stranger . This book is a true game-changer for me.  I loved it. Loved. It. 

If you think maybe one of the 5 copies I bought is for you, please don't rush out and buy this.  But if you are pretty sure one of the 5 copies I bought is NOT for you, please DO rush out and buy this.  IF, on the other hand, you are not sure if one of the 5 copies I bought is for you- wait until after Christmas and if you don't get a copy, rush out and buy one.

Adoption fundraising update

I thought it would be good to share where we are in our fundraising efforts regarding our adoption.

Hand in Hand Matching Grant:  Sadly we will not be able to get the Hand in Hand matching grant.  Colorado law states that the Home Study cannot be released to any agency other than a government agency and Hand in Hand does not qualify.  While the law has good intentions, in this case its a bummer for us.  Honestly, I feel OK about it.  I know there are families needier than us and I trust that the grant will go to someone who could not adopt without the assistance.

Funds we currently have:  I remember in August when we were about to submit our dossier to One World Adoption we told our case worker, "when we get a referral, we probably won't have the $13,000 needed to accept it; will we be able to make any kind of payments?"  Of course she said yes, but that is not the point. Check out this screen shot of the balance in our "Adoption Checking Account"  

Yup. We're at almost $12,000, which means next month (based on what we save each month towards our adoption) we would be able to accept a referral.  Wow! Talk about something to be grateful for! The other day in the car, Andy and I just marveled at this.  It's incredible and now we are more ready than ever to get our match!

Funds we still need:  I don't honestly know how long this process will take.  It's looking more and more like it will be a few months before we get a match, which means we have a few months to save.  Which is great, but also, not great in terms of our wait to bring our babies home.

According to One World and Angel Dance, here are the upcoming fees (after the referral fee of $13,000 which we will have next month)

• Orphan Care- $400 per month (this will be due from the time we accept a referral until the time we bring our kids home.  We expect this to be 9-12 months so $3600-4800 total)
• Document Translation- $300
• US documents-$830
• Travel- $4000-$6000
• Post Placement Adoption (from Angel Dance) $950
• Readoption fee-$400
• Miscellaneous- $1000

Total--> between $11,110- $14,280 still needed.  

Like I said, I don't know our timeframes here, so I don't know the exact dates we will need these amounts by.

We're still offering our services  if you need photography and handyman help- please let us know!  

In the meantime, praise the Lord for how much we have received from our generous friends and family and how much we have been able to save. We absolutely know the rest will come in exactly when it needs to! Please keep praying for us and with us.  

P.S. I'll post an actual adoption update soon- but there isn't much to update you on.  Maybe soon....