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The Well-Caffeinated Mom

The Well-Caffeinated Mom

By Wining Wife®

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Author: Ronda Bowen

Ronda Bowen is a writer, editor, and independent scholar. She has a Master of Arts in Philosophy from Northern Illinois University and a B.A. in Philosophy, Pre-Graduate Option, Honors in the Major from California State University, Chico. When she is not working on client projects from her editorial consulting business, she is writing a novel. In her free time, she enjoys gourmet cooking, wine, martinis, copious amounts of coffee, reading, watching movies, sewing, crocheting, crafts, hanging out with her husband, and spending time with their teenage son and infant daughter.

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Hobbies and Crafts

Vogue’s Summer 2015 Releases

by Ronda BowenLeave a Comment on Vogue’s Summer 2015 Releases

I’m a bit behind on commenting on releases from pattern companies, I realize that! I’ll have my commentary on the new releases from the other guys soon! I’m playing catch-up since I was wiped out by a wave of pregnancy fatigue so strong…well, you get the idea. This is the pregnancy of fatigue and ravenous …

Hobbies and Crafts

Sofilantjes’ Brueram Dress

by Ronda BowenLeave a Comment on Sofilantjes’ Brueram Dress

As if my little gal didn’t already have a bunch of dresses (seriously, though, a girl can never have too many dresses, and she loves them!), I made her two more. I was selected to pretest Sofilantjes’ Brueram Dress. This is a cute pattern that comes with top, dress, and maxi options. It was designed …

Hobbies and Crafts

LKC’s Bow Back Beauty Blog Hop Tour and Giveaway

by Ronda Bowen2 Comments on LKC’s Bow Back Beauty Blog Hop Tour and Giveaway

I’m really excited to share a new Bow Back Beauty Dress from Little Kiwi’s Closet I created for Little Miss.  As you remember, I pattern tested for the onesie peplum version of the dress. I created a stripes version and a floral version upcycling from shirts I’d found at the Salvation Army.  I loved this …

Hobbies and Crafts

Something Cool for the Teenager

by Ronda Bowen1 Comment on Something Cool for the Teenager

So around here, I spend a lot of time making things for myself and the toddler. I have a few great men’s patterns to bust out – and I even got some nice fabric to make my husband some shirts. I’ve got a robe “in progress” for the teenager – but I haven’t finished it. …

Hobbies and Crafts

Kelly’s Twirly Skirts from Bella Sunshine Designs (and a Big Announcement)

by Ronda Bowen6 Comments on Kelly’s Twirly Skirts from Bella Sunshine Designs (and a Big Announcement)

So the last post I wrote got a LOT of traffic and attention, and some great comments, and I want to talk about all of that – and I will – in a separate post. Thank you all so much for all of your support and for reading! I feel bad about taking some time …

Hobbies and Crafts, Life

Please, Keep Your Insecurities to Yourself

by Ronda Bowen71 Comments on Please, Keep Your Insecurities to Yourself

Today’s post was going to be titled “Versatile Skirt/Dress Made from Sew Cheeky Fabric’s Retro Doodle knit” or something to that effect.  I sewed up this great dress that can also be worn as a knee-length skirt or midi-length skirt depending on my mood. I did it without using a pattern – go me! And wahoo …

Hobbies and Crafts

Bow Back Beauty by Little Kiwi’s Closet

by Ronda BowenLeave a Comment on Bow Back Beauty by Little Kiwi’s Closet

Recently, I had the opportunity to test out Little Kiwi’s Closet Bow Back Beauty. I was assigned to make 2 bodysuit options in the 6-12 month size. I chose a smaller size, because Little Miss is tiny! She’s such a peanut. I figured, based upon the measurements that it would fit better than the twelve month …

Hobbies and Crafts

Bahama Mama Colorblock Tankini Top & Boyshorts from Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop

by Ronda Bowen2 Comments on Bahama Mama Colorblock Tankini Top & Boyshorts from Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop

Recently, I had the opportunity to test for Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop. I’ve wanted to do a swimsuit for a while, and I have a collection of swim fabrics built up, but I was nervous since swim fabric can be  a challenge. When I was offered the chance to test a swimsuit, I jumped at it. …

Food and Drink

Volcanica Coffee Costa Rica and Amaretto Blends (And Giveaway!)

by Ronda Bowen5 Comments on Volcanica Coffee Costa Rica and Amaretto Blends (And Giveaway!)

Oh boy have I been wanting to share this with you.  I recently was able to taste-test two of Volcanica Coffee’s blends. If you haven’t tried this company, you should. They are quite good. I was provided with a credit toward one pound of coffee and shipping; I decided I would try two of their flavors …

Uncategorized

Wine Notes: 1995 Mavrodaphne

by Ronda BowenLeave a Comment on Wine Notes: 1995 Mavrodaphne

This is one of many tasting notes I’ve been wanting to share with you for a while.  Unfortunately, I put my tasting notes in one of those “safe” places and uh, just located them a couple of days ago. Following teething shenanigans from Baby Girl and a lot of great client work, I’m now able …

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The Well-Caffeinated Mom

wellcaffeinatedmom

Mom of 5, homeschooling family, coffee fanatic, Girl Scouts troop leader, blogger, author, editor
My birthday was not yesterday but the week before. My birthday was not yesterday but the week before. I got to go to lunch with one of my good friends, then my husband and kids took me to @halfpricebooks to pick out books and @loweshomeimprovement to pick out some plants. And then we headed off to dinner. This is one of the things I picked up from the bookstore. It looks pretty cool, lots of concrete actions to take for those who want to change things. Some of them are simple, some of them take more effort. Just thought I'd share.
Saw this super - cute bee on our walkway today, so Saw this super - cute bee on our walkway today, so I had to try out the new phone's Camera Zoom feature. Turned out pretty cool. #samsung24ultra #bee
Today's guest post comes from Joaquin Miranda of B Today's guest post comes from Joaquin Miranda of Build & Renovate. As global awareness of sustainability and carbon footprint grows, it's crucial to build your home's surroundings to be resilient and low on energy consumption. Adopting energy-efficient landscaping practices is one legitimate way to do that. The residential sector accounts for approximately 20% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, mostly from fossil fuels used to heat, cool, and power such built environments. ... https://www.wellcaffeinatedmom.com/2024/07/19/implementing-energy-efficient-landscaping-design-in-2024/
I mentioned in my previous post about starting to I mentioned in my previous post about starting to clean when you're not sure where to begin that making the bed daily is super important to me. I wanted to talk a bit more about how making the bed helps me and why I feel it's an important part of my daily routine. It's a Reminder That There's No "Done" in Cleaning…... https://www.wellcaffeinatedmom.com/2024/07/09/why-i-think-making-the-bed-is-so-important/
Self Help, Spiritual Inspiration Date Published: 0 Self Help, Spiritual Inspiration Date Published: 06-12-2024 Truths beautifully expressed Toby Negus, author and illustrator of The heart knows what the mind cannot see, has created a collection of lyrical inspirational prose messages coupled with colorful and mesmerizing symbolic illustrations that speak to the soul. The author has continued his exploration of the most transformational psychospiritual concepts that lie deeply within all humans, bringing the…... https://www.wellcaffeinatedmom.com/2024/07/08/book-blitz-heart-soul-by-toby-negus/
When you're bored, it's easy to check out. We watc When you're bored, it's easy to check out. We watch movies or listen to podcasts while cleaning. We mindlessly scroll through social media while waiting for more exciting things to happen. But if we're not careful, we can scroll long enough that life starts passing us by. Even worse, we start to become bored with our normal lives and long for the lives we see depicted by those we follow on social media.... https://www.wellcaffeinatedmom.com/2024/07/07/lifes-more-fun-when-youre-fully-present-for-it/
I hate to admit it, but after the events of last y I hate to admit it, but after the events of last year, my home became a bit of a depression nest. We've finally come out of it, but knowing where to start when everything needs to be cleaned can be overwhelming. Here's the trick I used to fool my brain into thinking we were playing a game. Before I get into my trick, I want to share some things that have helped reclaim our house from the clutches of messiness.... https://www.wellcaffeinatedmom.com/2022/01/05/dont-know-how-to-get-started-cleaning-try-this-trick/
At the end of 2021, when I changed the name of thi At the end of 2021, when I changed the name of this blog from Wining Wife® to Well-Caffeinated Mom, I also put some other projects into retirement. I changed the name of this blog to reflect changing priorities (I still enjoy wine and spirits from time to time, but there are other things I want to write about) with the idea that I could swallow the other two blogs into this one.... https://www.wellcaffeinatedmom.com/2024/07/04/bringing-back-two-of-my-blogs-just-a-secular-homeschooler-and-activism-my-way/
I don't know about you, but I've had friends and s I don't know about you, but I've had friends and strangers recently both make comments that have led to me feeling bad at first then getting angry second. When friends and loved ones (let alone strangers) share their big scary hair audacious plans with you, are you someone who cheers them on, or do you start up with all the ways things might go wrong -- or worse tell them outright that it's not possible? Here's a post about why we should keep our fears about what others are doing to ourselves. https://www.wellcaffeinatedmom.com/2024/07/03/stop-asking-people-to-tamp-themselves-down-for-your-comfort/ #supportotherwomen #stoptearingeachotherdown #buildupothers
Laughing is Forever by Jason Stocks – Poetry Am Laughing is Forever by Jason Stocks – Poetry Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VKXdN3 @RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #LaughingisForever #JasonStocks #Poetry Laughing is Forever is my second book. And while it’s gritty, rhythmic, dark and dangerous it’s also fun, quirky, and inquisitive. Topics range from growing up in the Deep South to questioning the mainstream narrative of how it all . . . came to be. I want people who don’t read much and who hate poetry (the largest demographic) to give this collection a chance and fall in love with books by reading something that they can relate to and/or be awed by. Laughing is Forever is a standalone book, a brand-new beast, but follows in the footsteps of Blameforest in the sense that it’s reinventing what poetry can be. And hopefully inspiring folks to take risks with their own work and stand out from the maddening crowd.
Do you like tea? You might want to give the teas f Do you like tea? You might want to give the teas from The Art of Tea @artofteala a try. Today, I will review their products on the blog. #artoftea #teatime #teasforpoetryteatime #poetryteatime
When your partner takes you to a plant nursery to When your partner takes you to a plant nursery to pick a plant out for your 12th anniversary and buys you two because you were having a hard time deciding, they are a keeper for sure. #plantsofinstagram #variegatedplants
That moment when your husband takes you to a green That moment when your husband takes you to a greenhouse for Mother's Day and tells you to pick what you want. #plantsofinstagram #iloveplants #caletheastella #croton #ravenzz
You might be a homeschooling family if hearing an You might be a homeschooling family if hearing an owl hoot leads to disecting owl pellets and a deep dive into owls. #homeschooling #homeschoolscience
Taking it old school #theoregontrail Taking it old school #theoregontrail
It's science kit day! It's science kit day!
Dinner. Dinner.
Haunted Historical Mystery Series, Book 3 Paranorm Haunted Historical Mystery Series, Book 3 Paranormal Thriller Date Published: February 25, 2024 A blizzard rips through the Black Hills of South Dakota, as journalist Rachael embarks on a journey to Hawthorne House, a remote inn located deep in the frigid wilderness. As the storm rages on, Rachael finds herself caught in a gripping tale of mystery and intrigue, unsure of what lies ahead…... https://www.wellcaffeinatedmom.com/2024/04/04/book-blitz-the-caretaker-by-regina-wixon/
The Gnome and the Science Experiment by Marilyn Sl The Gnome and the Science Experiment by Marilyn Slaughter – Children’s Book Amazon: https://amzn.to/3TZM0IU (Amazon associates link - if you click and make a purchase, I will receive a percentage of that sale, at no additional cost to you) @RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #GobtheGnome #MarilynSlaughter #ChildrensBook This short story is about Nathan's adventures during a 5th grade science field trip to the Sunbrook Forest National Park. Nathan is familiar with the park because he and his sister Iris has visited the park before with the encouragement of their mom. Nathan overcomes some anxieties of not liking the subject science, having to buddy with the 5th grade bully, and worrying about other 5th graders, teachers and volunteers might see Gob the gnome and cause problems for Gob and the park. By the end of the science fieldtrip Nathan has built a level of confidence that he could make the best science presentation in his classroom and together with the 5th grade bully develop a monthly 'Clean the Park' project where he and his classmates join to clean up the forest. a mother wanting her children to enjoy the outdoors. Nathan meets an interesting park ranger who later become very instrumental in his interest in science, the environment and his future career plan after high school.
Playing around with my phone's camera. #52frames_m Playing around with my phone's camera. #52frames_minimalism
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