Kristine

I'm Kristine and my life right now is staying at home with my kiddos-- a 3-year-old boy and 3-month-old girl. They keep me busy but happy!
I love being part of Apron Girls. I learn so much from everyone here!


What are some of the hard things that you face every day? 
Balancing everything.  Trying to be patient. Feeling helpless when people that I love are dealing with hard things. Facing me- I tend to be hard on myself!

What is the homemaking task you wish you never ever had to do ever ever again?
Cleaning bathrooms. It always stays on my to do list longer than any other chore!

What is something that your very best friend would say about you?
I love music, I tend to stress too much, I eat lots, I like to see other people happy.

Quote or personal motto or mantra that keeps you going...  

When your heart is filled with gratitude, there is no room for unhappiness. 

What's the greatest lesson you've learned in the past year?  
When I bottle all my emotions up they eventually escape in ways that I might not like. So I can allow myself to experience emotions that come from dealing with life and not be embarrassed about it! 

Favorite TV show...

We haven't had tv for 2 years, but I used to watch What Not to Wear every week. 

Do you have a job? What do you do?
I am a mom and it is great! I also teach piano. Well not right now but I will again when the school year starts.

Tell me someone who has changed your life.

My husband! He teaches me so much about what really matters in life.

What song represent YOU?

I really can't think of one the represents me, but I really love "At the Beginning" from the movie Anastasia.

Favorite Book?
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten boom, pretty much anything by Jane Austen, David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

Guilty Pleasure?
Eating junk food, reading other people's blogs, and reading.

Given one WHOLE day to yourself, what do you do?
Read. Garden. Catch up in my journal, blogging, pictures, etc. Play the piano and violin a lot. Watch the sun set. Go on a hike or maybe a really long bike ride. Eat good food. ("I'd rather have good food than bad food any old day of the week." Can anyone name that movie? I will be really impressed if you can!) Listen to country music in my car with the volume turned way up! Watch Anne of Green Gables and Pride and Prejudice. Make something really cute for my house. How many hours do I get? :)

What is something you are passionate about?
My family.

Some days I feel so overwhelmed (kids, house, discipline, cleaning, etc....) I feel like its so hard to keep "all of the balls juggling in the air." If you have ever felt like this, what are your suggestions?
 I've felt this way many times because I tend to over-schedule myself!! So advice to myself- learn to say no! Decide what is most important to accomplish today and then don't spend time feeling guilty about what doesn't get done. And pray!

I would love to hear a favorite recipe--preferably a nice summertime one with limited oven usage! :)

This is my favorite salad in the whole world!!! 

Strawberry Apple Salad
lettuce
thinly sliced apples
strawberries, cut up
sugar coated slivered almonds
Brianna's Poppyseed Dressing (I buy mine at Winco)
Roast almonds with some brown sugar and a little water in a skillet on medium heat until sugar melts and coats the almonds. Combine lettuce, apples, strawberries and almonds. Pour dressing over salad and mix it all together right before serving.


What is your favorite thing to eat? I couldn't decide between the two, so: Fresh fruit and funfetti cake with rainbow chip frosting


What is something you've done (or that you do) that you're most proud of? I relearned the violin this past year and played Beethoven's Fifth in the symphony with Annalee. She is a great teacher!!

What are your weaknesses?
Not making the most of my time, being too critical of myself, and I'll admit it, sometimes I can be a nag. Sorry husby!

If you could have a chef or a maid which would you choose and why? 
A maid! I love love to cook, I don't even mind doing the dishes after. But I really have to make myself clean.