Creating My Cozy Coffee/Tea Area - General

We all do it when we're scrolling and looking at ideas for DYI or how others organize their closets, drawers, pantries and bedrooms etc. It's both admirable and so gratifying to see spaces nicely organized. I personally don't always have the head space for that talent non-stop BUT I do like to strive and make my home both functional and homey; where family and friends and even new guests don't see me house as some pristine palace but neither some down in the dumps and no pride in their home that there's a mess in every direction while having the kids' things scattered everywhere! It's obviously far from perfect but it does the job and it suits us for all events and the use of our home no matter where we call home. I don't currently have a butler's pantry or mini bar, so I created instead this sectioned out space for beverages and specifically hot ones at that.  

Some items I had already for a while now while other I finally acquired, but I felt like things just weren't complete yet or that there was a better way for me to adjust and make it more user friendly so that any family or friends could make their coffee or hot teas as they please. Ok fine as a bonus I wouldn't always have to do it for every person and could be doing something else! Anywho! Everything I've done though I try to have a purpose or the mindset for my daughters to have a sense of input as this is their home and they enjoy their hot teas and drinks themselves, so the picture below is where we started.

From left to right:

• Blue tray - $8 at PopShelf
• Lego flowers that was a gift to my daughter - $0
• The Coffee sign - $8 at Hobby Lobby
• set of (2) wireless 12" tall LED table lamps - $39.99 on Amazon
• 12"x20" absorbant coffee mat - $9.99 on Amazon
• (3) piece ingredient holder and container with spoons - $37.99 on Amazon
• Instant coffee maker
• Premium Jasmine Green Tea loose leaf - $9.99 on Amazon
• infrared water purifier that provide instant hot and room temperature as well as very cold water with the lower water loading - from Lowes purchased back in 2022
• Tea Library holder book - $32.99 at Barnes & Nobles

I don't know why but I wasn't as pleased with the setup, so I wanted something more horizontal space free for let's say when pastries or the birthday cakes of my children are out (like recently) which meant I needed to come up with another way to decorate and design the wall space. So below is what I ultimately came up with. Because I really don't like glares on the TV at any time of the day, I've also rearranged other areas of the house which allowed for the lamps to be a great touch once the sun has gone down and the curtains are drawn. 

Newly acquired items for setup:

• (300) disposable tea bags for loose leaf teas - $8.99 on Amazon
• set of (2) mug holder wall mounted coffee mug rack - $22.99 on Amazon
• (2) Coffee spoon rest with spoons - $9.99 on Amazon

My girls liked the new set up because they like to fix their hot teas or grab their water bottles and also grab their reading bags to head out the door. Like I said to incorporate my kids' lives without having them take over the house like SO many other parents allow but still having them feel like it's their home and that they have a say or vote anyway. What do you think?

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman 

Faith Starts at Home - General/Family Life

I'm not going to lie that I'm going to be hitting on a sensitive or touchy topic because I'm going to be both critical as well as blunt. So, if you're one of those people in today's society where you're about "participation awards" and the removal of dodgeball/duck duck goose along with the whole mantra of no spanking or light smacking and doing timeouts only then yea this post might offend you. Don't say I didn't warn you.  

"I want to tell all the Christian parents that they are the glory of the church. Your witness is sometimes a daily martyrdom. But your mission is great! You bear the hope of the world and of the Church! Stand firm!"

-Cardinal Robert Sarah- 

I'm looking around me and I'm seriously shaking my head at the world that I live in and the society my daughters are going to be growing into. First of all, in case you haven't already noticed (or maybe you just choose not to pay attention to) our world has been heavily attacking the home life and more specifically the faith and control within our homes. What affects your home? School systems, social media's, advertisers and entertainment, friendships, relationships outside the home, work life/corporate America, and especially the medical field. Don't worry in another post I'll break it all down but not today AND the guess what none of those have (well in a generalization anyway) - God truly at the center. 

See if a person has their foundation created with God in mind and incorporated then nothing truly affects the person. Look at it this way, there are specific ingredients that go into the concrete mix and for the different types of applications in which concrete is used. You have the walls, foundation to hold up little to ginormous structures, then the core of building for the elevator shafts and the stair towers, etc. They all have something in common; you're wanting to make sure that concrete doesn't crack, the concrete structures don't shift/move to cause damage to the structure type, and that it lasts for as long as possible. So, a person needs a solid foundation which is the concrete-the ingredients are the persons personality (both encouraged and developed/evolved) and a person's character now the concrete will need reinforcement bars inside - that is your faith/love for God. If you have God as your reinforcement mixed in with the right personality and character - nothing in the world will ever touch you, have control over you, nor corrupt you. 

Some adults and/or parents in general reading this will no doubt start creating excuses I know it! Because it goes against the "norm" or it's not "the norm" or "oh my goodness but then my child will be isolated because of their beliefs" or "that's not how the other kids are" or they don't help their children in picking the right groups and friends to have or they teach their children to quiet the faith voice in order to make friends. You name it the excused can go on for miles and lordy have I heard a lot of them. So, let's rewind from this tangent because the focal point is how to create the solid foundation. 

Yes, parents lead by example, and the children will always look to their parents to mimic the mannerism, practices, and intensity of devotion to a faith life. See the level of the parents' devotion is what creates the tone and intensity of the faith life in our children. If the parents are luke-warm and only EAC Catholics/Christians (meaning Easter and Christmas only) then that's the level of importance the children will put to the faith - minimal to none. We should be cautious as parents to what we say, react, and demonstrate regarding the faith life because we can easily be encouraging our children to a strong faith life or just as easily be leading them astray. So, what type of Catholic/Christian are you?

• Do you only go to Sunday Mass when you feel like it?
• Do you prioritize sports over attendance at Sunday Mass - so if your child/ren have games you don't bother going or do you at least make the effort to go to the Saturday Vigil?
• This one always gets people/parents riled because they like to use the excuse of "well they've committed to the sports program and what would we be teaching our kid/children if we don't reinforce their commitment" and many other similar statements...
• My response is always, "oh so the sports program is saving their soul and will get them into heaven?" or "so you're teaching your child/ren that sports is more important than God and in taking the one hour out of your day to praise and give thanks?" or my other counter of "the sports schedules are scheduled out in advance what did you do in your responsibility as their parent to reinforce their commitment AND ensure that God came first because you could easily find a Mass time earlier or later and the day before. It's not like you just got notified about the game just yesterday..." 
• Do you even participate in the sacrament of Reconciliation with/in front of your child/ren? If not than that makes you a habitual sinner having committed either mortal or venial sins and never going to confession. Even worse you child/ren born into the Catholic/Christian faith won't ever understand the important and shall follow in your footsteps.
• Do you attend Mass outside of the Sunday obligation?
• Do you attend Eucharistic Adoration?
• Do you attend Mass for the Holy Days of Obligation outside of Sunday? 

Parents are using the Church programs as babysitting time frames and though sometimes they can provide a bonus a few free minutes or hours without the children, the faith life begins and ends at home. What we do, how we portray our commitment, and how we participate in the faith life truly impacts more than people realize. Don't stay stagnant parents and don't allow the world to corrupt what's been made good in the eyes of our Lord.

This next part is also going to raise flack because the world/parent's mindset is that babies are these little beings who have no knowledge of anything and that there's no way to teach them anything. This is the lazy white American lifestyle, because all of the heritages outside of the United States sure as hell don't believe nor practice this ideocracy. Yes, you can start training/teaching you child since being in the arms that there is a level of respect and quiet to be had inside the church. My own daughters are living proof as well as my sister (heck so are my grandmother and great great grandmother, etc)  and I that even as babies and toddlers the reverence, respect for authority, and quiet inside church (among other places) can be instilled into the children since the being born. My mother never carried a bag of toys and snacks and the stroller; no, it was always a simple baby bag with enough items to coo the baby. Actually, I feel I'm about to go on a squirrel detour, so I'll digress and focus on today's topic. 

My mother would whisper in our ears and we would hear her pray throughout the day, so my sister and I grew up with hearing this form of quiet from our mother which then carried over when we were in the Masses. We weren't screaming our heads off or making noises because we had already started since a VERY young age to hear the Mass, to hear prayers, to hear groups in praise and worship like at adoration. Most if not all white American families like to give themselves the excuse of the babies don't know any better or know anything and they don't take an initiative to discipline and teach them, therefore they don't take the babies to Mass from the start or they don't take them enough and ensure a continual education piece. I know what worked for me and I would sometimes play the Mass in the background while my daughters were babies and awake, then worship music, chanting music, and I had them with me (or my mom for that matter) in adoration, weekday Masses (not just Sunday Mass) and they would be with me during confession.

Both daughters at difference occasions decided to push their luck once and only once; my oldest during the Sunday Mass and during the homily, where she decided to do a wail out loud and looked me dead in the eye knowing what she did, my expression changed from soft to firm puling her arms into her chest and pulling her body in close to me while I whispered, "no, don't do that" and I felt her little body try to push back to wail again and I made sure that I beat her to it but looking her in the eyes and whispering, "don't do that. Behave we are with God, we play when we leave." Only repeated twice with both daughters and never had them test me again!

They wouldn't know all of the Catholic practices obviously, but it was beautiful to see that they understood early on the significant of the tabernacle as well as the images of Jesus Christ, the Holy Family, and church structures in general. When we would enter the chapel's, they would get as close as they could to the tabernacles or the exposition of the Holy Eucharist. Staring at it with such quiet wonder...then as they began to walk, they would just move close themselves, sometimes without asking and I wouldn't correct it in the church. It's been always the one location they know I see them, and they don't ask me for permission to get closer to our Lord. 

The whole year would have Holy Week and Christmas the peak's in our faith and the girls felt no different. Every Christmas to this day it's still a spellbinding moment to see that my children always want to get as close as they can or be able to hold baby Jesus to warm him and love him and kiss him to sleep. They say their prayers with reverent hands and kiss baby Jesus goodbye "until next time".

Remember that what we do echoes in eternity…so whether you’re a soon to be parent, a new parent, or already a parent (no matter the age of your child/ren) my sincere suggestion to you is to self-reflect and figure out what legacy are you leaving with your children. As a Christian are you truly following the laws of God so that you release into the world a good person that will continue the ministry of God which began with Christ and His disciples? Or are you just a luke-warm Catholic/Christian on your faith journey, where you do the bare minimum in effort and work so that you just “love” your children but don’t discipline them, prepare them for the life ahead even through difficult moments? Or do you concern yourselves more with what the world thinks and your child/ren “fitting in” then them being morally and emotionally mature, where they truly contribute and demonstrate God’s love by their lives so that they can enter into heaven?

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman 

True North A Roadmap for Discernment - Book Review/Recommendation

Ok don't let the whole "LifeTeen" logo deter you from this read because even though it's catered more for the teenage group/youth group level the way the world is turning out, I feel like this is even something adults now a days should read! As a parent this is going to be on my bookshelf as a read for my kids once they're of age (even if they aren't "lost" cause they sure aren't right now even in their faith life convictions). 

The way it's written I feel like there could be a correlation to the adults who didn't or haven't healed in some upbringing circumstances but the examples and manner in which things are explained, the author did really well!

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman

Holy Moments - Book Review/Recommendation

Holy Moments by Matthew Kelly was a great find and a great quick read. If you're not really a reader or perhaps an avid reader this is one for you. It's to the point and a solid read. 

I was intrigued by what the potential results could be for the reader, and it allows one to reflect on their own contributions to the world from the home to community then on a global capacity. Changing the world with a simple belief or rule of life. It really was well written for the manner in which explanations or examples are articulated. 

When you finish the read, you realize it's a good read for any journey in life. The smallest of efforts and its massive domino effect in the world brings you to valuing the simple daily moments of both grace and divine interaction. 

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman 

Children's Understanding of Space & Organization - General/Family Life

This post isn't a knock at the school districts nor an attack at school systems in general, it is a direct appointed opinion based off of witnessing other parents/parenting styles at play in society. This post is my take on the fact that I believe the success rate of the academic life of a child depends on how the upbringing of that child is/was. If you're asking, "what do you mean?" Then here we go!

I started noticing with a more critical eye how other parents and specifically mothers were, since my children were born. It was a re-evaluation and recalibrating of thought process and systems I was going to put into action, but the core belief and the core foundation of what leads my parenting style is both biblical as well as evolving the past parenting styles. It's kind of sad really, because we literally cannot raise our kids the way our parents raised us unless you started since pregnancy! One of the main contributors as to why we can't raise our kids the way we grew up is that the world we grew up in no longer exists.

I never understood the completely disarrayed houses of family's whether they had one child or ten! My mother and her mother and the mothers before those, all instilled the rule of "you play with one toy at a time, and you pick up what you aren't playing with." Granted I won't lie its harder and harder to remind for some reason as children get older, but I don't care if I'm a damned tape recorder as long as it stays in their little heads! Also as a rational OCD working professional who likes documentation and logs or a data entry logging archive, I decided very quickly how I wanted to reinforce certain things, so hence all the organization and different home pictures I've taken of the years.

The method to my madness is to be able to reinforce visually that they can't refute or deny because they lived it and I raised them in it, so it's not just a story or she said baseline of correction and discipline. They can actually see what I'm discussing or arguing or disciplining them about firsthand because they weren't slobs before and I never raised them that way. Some of you "free spirit" parents will most likely read this and think "but their just kids" - yea and then when they're slobs or can't take care of themselves make sure you have that mirror nearby to look at yourself...

Now I do fully understand that not all families are blessed with big spaces or separate rooms and so forth, which is why the size of your home has to come into play in how you organize things for your children and your parenting style...I always had and will always have my daughters sharing a bedroom until the appropriate time, same with their toys room or area of play-but what they will never have is that the family room or where family members stay to visit be basically another toys room for all their toys and books and items thrown everywhere! Heck no! So shared spaces and environments was a first in my book and striving for a visually vast space was always my goal so that they felt it big enough to play separately and be able to see all that they had to play with. 

My second goal was to always provide them their own space to call their own with the responsibility that came with that space. Mommy would help and they understood it, but it was always up to them, and it was their first chore always. My mother was a huge help to reinforce that home rule while they were growing up, and she was helping me while I worked outside the home. Kids flourish when they are given a responsibility and do it well; shoot even when they don't do it well it provides them the ability to cope with their own sense of failure but that they can try again later and do it better once more.

A different home with a more confined space but that's alright considering how they were trying to place focused attention on tasks AND were specifically playing with very little categories of toys. This toys room and the daily life was definitely more outdoors and in the family room for their growth in this home, I remember vividly...

What we always end up doing is after a move, everything is placed in their designated rooms and storage areas but then soon thereafter once the entire house is situated in the daily functions and all boxes have been unpacked! 

I start to look into organizing/reorganizing or perhaps just trying to find a better flow for the children to continue to progress in their little lives. So, I've always placed close attention to what they play with and what they don't so as to find the right bins, storage containers, give away/donate, or just repurpose on a shelf somewhere else. It may start a certain way but then the end result is more functional and cleaner for them.

Now we're coming into the actual toys room. This was always one of the best lit rooms of the entire house, not just saying that either. I was determined to ensure that the lights were in the right locations for their photometrics of the light rays for both reading and play!

Below is when we cleaned out and cleared out material, items, and toys that were just not used any longer and could be donated. A little more uniformity and balancing out of how much "ownership" from each sister had in the room. 

What our children start doing since birth become the habits (whether good or bad) that as a parent we discern if its right or wrong to prepare them and guide them, because if they grow up unprepared (organized, clean, tidy, etc) it's no one's fault but your own... 

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman 

Front Door Mosquito Sliding Net - Amazon Product Review

Retractable Screen Door

Growing up I remember so vividly the well-designed front door that allowed for basically three types of doors in one. There was the retractable mesh door part that was to the very exterior face of the door, then there was a glass door that locked where you could easily see inside the house as well as anyone inside could see outside; of course with the last layer of the door being the solid wood framed door that had a beautiful design but no true windows or visible access to the outside looking inside the house. 

Why am I mentioning that you might be asking yourself. Well, for starters I have yet to purchase my own home and with that being said I have been a renter for a while now. Sadly, the rental properties are either super cheap and without any true furnishings to the home design being either an apartment, condo, or even townhome/duplex or stand-alone house. Then there's the opposite side of the spectrum which is super expensive with great features and quality appliances as well as square footage and the quality of materials used throughout, just immaculate BUT it's an arm and a leg to move in or the monthly rent is more than what a mortgage would be! So, since there is typically no true medium on the rental spectrum compromising is a must to be able to find your happy place or better yet a place that you call home. So, with all that having been said now I come in with the point of today's post!

Screen doors or mesh doors for when there's beautiful weather outside, but you want to keep the bugs and pesky flying bugs away and at bay! Mesh doors have always worked wonderfully again the flies and mosquitos infesting into your home SO after some extensive looking and research! I found the one I really liked and look forward to continuing using!

If you're looking at something that's easy to install and can be a one-person project, work effectively and looks great! This is the product for your bug relief! 

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman 

Utah Adventures Pt 1 - General/Family/Recommendations

Obviously when someone says mountains or wanting a trip into the mountains, they think perhaps Washington state or more so Colorado for its Rocky Mountains region, maybe some Montana or Wyoming. Though many may feel that those are better options especially because of the climates overall, but there are some nice hidden gems within the state of Utah, more specifically around the Salt Lake City area. I know Utah, red rocks and heat and hiking, however that's not really what I think makes the state and more so the city vast in the options it gives you when you're taking a quick getaway, vacationing for a while or perhaps even living there for a timeframe. 

Why do I personally say that? Well not only because of my adventures through there which I'll get to, but because of the work opportunity that allowed my family and I some ample time there. Located in a good chunk of the state are the Wasatch Mountains which is a subrange of the Rocky Mountains. Of course, Colorado is known for its locations/cities and traveling fun, but don't you worry because Utah isn't too far behind especially when you want to pinch some funds and explore/enjoy more...just saying. Don't get me wrong some areas in Utah are just as expensive as areas in Colorado, but whether for a couple vacationing or a family, you can plan a more fulfilled trip to Utah without losing an arm and a leg and still splurge some, compared to that of the cities in Colorado which are more known FOR their mountain ventures and snowy seasons; let's face it, even during their off seasons in Colorado they are pretty high in costs! Compared to that of Utah, it's a year-round ability to travel as well as vacation on your dime. Something feasible, realistic, enjoyable, satisfying, spell binding in its own ways, and still plenty to explore and submerge the pallet as well!

To begin our Utah adventures, we will start with one of our all-time favorites at a location and place that we frequented with a high quantity! Whether it was just us three musketeers or also including my uncle, my parents, and my sister. It wasn't just one gorgeous drive through the mountain landscape, but the highway was impressively well maintained in any weather (slick rain or ice and during the winter snowy season). The Stein Eriksen Lodge in Park City. There are two routes to the destination, and both provide ample mountain views, overlooks, and a memorable experience while driving. The route I mentioned above is the easiest and shorter of routes because it takes you through main large highways constantly supervised and accessed by all travelers. The second route is more for the locals, scenic and long rides, or where you just want to take a longer route, then be my guest. So the main and fastest route takes you into and then to the outskirts of Salt Lake City, where you depart SLC city limits into the mountain canvas with high and low turns and one heck of an adrenaline and fun strip of driving. As you get closer to Park City, you can see the practice grounds for the skiing and bobsled practice area for the Winter Olympics along with all the shops for both the natives, locals, as well as the visitors. You pass quaint little areas and then your route takes you into the heart of Park City to see some beautiful housing and condos and ski resorts/spots. To get the sites entrance you drive through Park City to the "back" of the city, more towards the mountains and take a road that winds you up one of the mountain ridge lines where other homes, condos, and living rentals are; leading to the main entrance for checking in to the Lodge Resort or to valet for the experience of dining. 

Whether it's Sunday Brunch or dinner time the restaurant truly NEVER disappoints and even as the weather gets cold or the nights are a little cool in temperatures the seating outside to be still be served a full meal is one of the most luxurious feelings in the mountains, I've experienced in forever or more like for the first time but it soon becomes the first time every time! They keep fresh clean and warm blankets on hand for their evening dining on the fire pit tables. Depending on the time you go it's definitely an experience you have to have!

We sadly (although not really because it was awesome, we're just blessed for the continued opportunities) were there so many times that the Valet's always knew it was us with our vehicles whether it was my vehicle or that of my folks. They actually knew my daughters by name and always made sure to open both of their doors for exiting the vehicle. I'll admit it felt pretty damn good to be "known" from entry to table and exit but that was built over time obviously, however they detail that they entire staff went into catering to us or providing us an awesome experience every time (whether it was because of sincerity of their job) paid off because we sure kept coming back!

Oddly enough this was one of the few places that my mom even enjoyed sitting outside to eat! The weather like I mentioned allowed for it but it's the smell of nature and how well they treated the area that allowed for rodent and insect free enjoyment; more than likely why my mother never minded it. On rainy days we would obviously eat in their main dining area more but more often than nought, we almost always ate outside. They have pit tables for all sizes of parties and whether it was the warm season or not because of the mountains, you were guaranteed a cool night air to always warrant the firepit warmth.

Now their menu! Sunday Brunch was always worth it and oh so delicious from their various stations that ranged from all categories of food. It was a little hefty but so worth it and everyone ate well for the day (basically are one meal unless we went walking/biking later). As their website says, "traditional breakfast items along with a carving station, several hot entrées, a variety of salads and starches, shrimp, sushi, crab claws, salmon, fresh fruit, fresh crêpes station, omelet station, and house-made pastries (menu items are subject to change based on availability and seasonality)." Let me tell you there is PLENTY for their availability even seasonally. 

For their daily experience of delicious food for all courses and variable pricing but the best experience each and every time! It was Troll Hallen dining for us so that we could sit at the firepit tables. the entire dining experience is so tranquil and cozy as well as accommodatingly quick whether for a romantic setting, nostalgia, or a family night out. We would bring our north face fleece jackets or the thin north face wind breakers since we knew that the restaurant would provide us with freshly clean and warm blankets to cover us up with. I'll admit that the chairs weren't luxuriously cushioned and comfortable and yet they were comfortable to sit for our almost two-to-three-hour dining experience. Oh, we would always go through the entire menu from first course to last (meaning the dessert) and even the alcoholic beverages were - lordy I'm making my mouth water and the thought of it all while I type this and remember. 

My kiddos always had their dessert cup or bowl (again seasonal or special menu items) with their water and a cup of hot chocolate. It was truly a memorable experience whether it's your first or your one hundredth visit. 

So, make the time, plan a trip, and make memories on beautiful hikes as well as scenery. It won't disappoint. Come back for part two at another Utah location!

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman