Scheduled

Hi. My name is Kristen. And I am a homeschool mom.

  

This past year we introduced Rhi to the joy of learning with a very relaxed Pre-PreSchool. This upcoming year? Well it's the real deal. She will be in full blown homeschool/preschool. Earlier in the week I put together our homeschool calendar. THE hardest part of homeschooling so far. I kid, well a little. It was tough. Deciding what weeks should be spent in school and out of school proved to be quite the challenge. Luckily, if it's not working, I can change it. Yay for homeschooling flexibility!

So we now have a calendar that works for us...I think. This is what our school year will look like:

In School- August 27-October 5 (6 weeks on)
Vacation- October 8- October 19 (2 weeks off)

In School- October 22-November 16 (6 weeks on)
Vacation- November 19- November 23 (1 week off)

In School- November 26- December 21 (4 weeks on)
Vacation- December 24- January 4 (2 weeks off)

In School- January 7- February 8 (5 weeks on)
Vacation- February 11-February 22 (2 weeks off)

 In School- February 25- March 22 (4 weeks on)
Vacation- March 25-April 5 (2 weeks off)

In School- April 8-May3 (4 weeks on)
Vacation- May6- May 17 (2 weeks off)

In School- May 20-June 21 (5 weeks on)
Vacation- June 24-July 5 (2 weeks off)

 In School- July 8-August 2 (4 weeks on)
Vacation- August 5- August 23 (3 weeks off) 

Putting together our own calendar gave me the freedom to have a school year structure that works best for our family. There are lots of perks for us.
Shorter Vacation times, meaning less time for Rhiannon to forget what she has been learning all year. Vacation days planned around our family vacation times.
Vacation time surrounding both kids birthdays (a perk I threw in there for them).
 And those are just a few.

I didn't add any government holidays to the calendar. We will deal with those on a month to month basis and make up the off time with weekend field trips and such.

Have I mentioned how much I love the flexibility? Everything is made for us. To fit us. And if it's not working I can change it.

Now that our calendar is setup, our curriculum is here and we are scheduled for CHEA next month, I feel so much more equipped and ready.

So 2012-2013 school year, Bring it! But not too hard, I'm still scared of you.

Sun-Dried Tomato and Feta Burger

Grilling season is here! Can I just start by telling you that we love when summer comes around. It means the beach, swimming at our pool and eating outside. What more could one ask for?

With lots of BBQs approaching, we have been playing around with burgers at my place. This weekend I tried something completely different. I usually try to make the men happy with things like Bacon Jalapeno Sliders but the this time I thought we would do something the girls would put together.

Sun-Dried Tomato and Feta Burgers
 

 

Ingredients:
1 lb Ground Beef
1/8 cup Italian Bread Crumbs
1 egg
2 Tbsp. Basil
1/2 cup Feta Cheese Crumbles
3/4 cup Sun dried tomatoes
1/4 cup yellow onion, diced

First things first. You are going to want to dice up your onion and sun dried tomatoes. Make sure you chop small enough pieces so they are evenly distributed in the burger.

 

Combine all ingredients in a medium sized bowl. Mix it up real good. Spoons are for wimps, get in there with your hands.

 

Form your patties and throw them on the grill. I cheated. I often cheat. If you have 2 toddlers running wild, I give you permission to follow my bad example, defeat the purpose of grilling and throw those bad boys on a grill pan.

You are going to grill for 3-7 min on each side, depending on the size of your burgers and how you like them cooked.

While your burgers are a-grillin' pop the buns in the toaster...or straight on your grill if you are being legit and actually BBQing the burgers.

Add a little more feta on top of the burger.

 

And Enjoy. We added a tiny bit of basil and mayo mixture on the bun. Such a yummy burger!

A Father's Day Surprise

Here on the blog, I talk a whole lot about my kids but you don't hear much about my husband. I should fix that.

Steven is an amazing man of God, a loving husband and a phenomenal father. Never have I met a man who comes so close to meeting the mark. No one is perfect but most days I am left wondering where he could possibly improve. Do they really come any better than this? Doubtful.

This man is such an amazing example of our Heavenly Father, not only to our children but to me as well. The love of God shines through him. So, this father's day, I want to make sure he knows just how amazing he is. To see himself and his role, the way we do.

 I saw this post on 30 Day Handmade and loved the idea of giving a gift every hour. So I borrowed that idea and paired it up with an idea I had of a gift to represent things about Steven.

With the help of some mommy friends, I came up with a list of words that described a Godly man, I chose ones that could describe my hubby.

Found scripture to back up each word. And purchased gifts for each word. Some gifts simple, like a payday bar for our provider. And some larger, like a new study bible for the spiritual head of our home.

  

I wrapped them up. Added a tag with the hour to open and the scripture. I left off the word to describe him because I want him to be a little confused with the randomness.

At the end of the day, with his last gift, Steven will get a card that lists the word that went with each hour/gift. And of course a thank you note for not only all he does for us but for who is.

What are you giving your husband or dad this year? Have any fun ideas up your sleeves?

Crafty Wreath

My studio is really just a glorified craft room. And my craft room is really my laundry room. There I said it. I'm a fraud.

With the truth out, I can now tell you that I am trying really hard to make it an inspiring space that smells as little like bleach as possible. That is the real reason I work with leather. The scent is much more pleasant.

The most recent project for the space was a fun wreath. I wanted something that invited me into the room instead of yelling "run for the hills or you may be devoured by fabric". Hanging this baby on the door definitely did the trick.

Want one of your own? It's simple. The goal was to do a full tutorial but I made it while I was at Fairly Fab Craft Slumber Party and with all the chatting that was going on, I was lucky to get the pictures I did.

Materials Needed:
Wreath Form
Yarn
Scrap Fabric
Ribbon
Measuring Tape

How to:

Start off by wrapping your wreath form in yarn. This is simple but tedious. You will survive. Promise.

Next, pull out your handy dandy measuring tape. Measure the diameter. Give enough extra to wrap around to the back. Cut the measuring tape.

Cute a few triangles. I didn't measure and cut mine perfectly. I like the wonky bunting look. The amount of triangles really just depends on the size of your wreath.

Glue your triangles onto the back of the measuring tape and then glue the measuring tape around your wreath.

Last step. Grab your ribbon. Bring ends together, making a loop of the other side. Pull the open ends through the loop. Tie a bow and hang it up.

All it needs is some wooden spools at the bottom of one side. If you find any on the cheap, send 'em my way. No far you having a completed wreath before me ;)

Hello Vessel!

Hi! I am Kristen from Vessel Handmade.

Wow! It sounds so weird saying that. For the past few years, I have been Kristen from Rock-A-Bow or to many people in the blogging and handmade world, simply Rock-A-Bow. Our blog and shop names so often become a big part of our identity. So this change is huge.

But I am so excited to introduce you all to the new name. The new look. The new me!

Vessel Handmade, although something completely new will still reflect pretty much the same things. You will still find a lot of the same products. I will still post mostly about my family and my faith. The core of who I am is still the same.

What is changing? In addition to the new look, there will be a lot of new products. Lots of styles of leather clutches. And later this year, an expansion in the whole leather product department. There will be a ton of new art accessories. Some cute little girl merchandise. Just fun stuff.

You will see some changes on the blog too. More shop updates, more tutorials and more recipes. Good stuff people!

So what do you all think of the new look? The new name? Are you as in love as I am?

If you are, hop on over to the new fan page and like us! There will be more posts happening over there. Maybe even some occasional games where you can win Vessel product.

If you aren't already a follower here on the blog, I hope you will consider becoming one. There will be so much happening here, I would hate for you to miss it!

Goodbye Rock-A-Bow

Since my daughter, now 3 and a half, was just a few months old, I have had this little business. In that time so much has changed. The product line has improved, morphed and grown. What started as a little home business making nothing but ribbon hair bows has turned into so much more. I taught myself to sew and changed direction so much from the early months. I began a blog where I have shared so much with you all. Through the blog and other social media, I have made so many friends. Some of the closest friends I have now came from right here.

All of this being said, Rock-A-Bow has become an identity in so many ways. I cannot count how many times I have introduced myself to hear words like "oh ya, you are Rock-A-Bow, right?" or " I know you, you're Rock-A-Bow". Numerous times, when life has got hectic, I have considered what things would be like if I stopped running this business. When it has come down to it, that identity has been too important to me. Not the identity itself but what has come with it. The friendships, the true connections.

And here I am. About to give up that identity. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little scared. I would be lying if I said I wasn't afraid I may lose something. But I would also be lying if I said I wasn't crazy excited about this new chapter.

This month, my identity will change just a little bit. I will still be Rhiannon and Talon's mommy. I will still be Steven's wife. I will still be a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. However, Rock-A-Bow will be no more.

But...... I would like to reintroduce myself to you all.




Hi, I am Kristen, the designer and creator behind Vessel Handmade!

I cannot wait for you to see the changes we are making over here! For now, here is a sneak peek of what is to come.

Did y'all think I was gonna leave you? If I tricked you or you are excited to see all that is coming, do me a favor and spread the news about Vessel Handmade!

Update Central

Wow, it's been a while since I've come to chat with you all. Usually I realize when I have been lagging on the blog posts. I have reached a point in so many areas of my life that busy seems to be the only way to describe each arena. Good busy though. Not the chaos that we seem to get wrapped up in so often. Just full lives. Lives full of happiness and things to do.

I have lots of posts I want to write but thought I would just check in and share where we are right not. In general, it's just a joyous place. We are surrounded by God's blessings. But to break it down for you a little more...

• Rhiannon and I just got back from an amazing girls weekend where our relationship was nurtured and built up in a way I didn't realize we needed. I can honestly say that my 3 year old is my best girl friend. There is no one I would have rather shared a girls weekend with and I can't wait to share all about it soon. 
• Rock-A-Bow has been super busy. I am prepping for two upcoming shows, a MOPs boutique this weekend and Queen Bee in June. I am having a hard time prepping because You, my customers, are keeping me busy busy busy. I am so beyond blessed by all of you.
• While we are talking about Rock-A-Bow, have you heard? This summer I will be releasing a few new products to the shop. Including the messenger bags, girls handbags and new art accessories! Annnndddd we are changing our name and branding. Lots of fun stuff is in the works over here in my little studio.
• Our end goals of foster care are slowly approaching.  We are currently in the waiting stages. We have completed all of the steps to prepare. Now our paperwork is in the hands of our agency and we are waiting for a call from our adoption worker to schedule a home study. That is the LAST step before certification.

So that is what is happening here. What have you all been up to?