Sunday, January 31, 2010

Busy Weekend...& An Award

Wow....I'm tired!  I told you all I was going to be gone over the weekend to a Christian women's event.  It was awesome!!!  Peggy Roloff is amazing...her husband Ron is amazing...but most of all, isn't GOD just amazing beyond measure?  I have a few pics I want to share and I also want to share some of the things I learned this weekend, but that will be in another post.  I have just gotten home from church where I had nursery duty and I need a nap!  Thank you to all of you who were praying for my journey and those that left lovely comments...I love ya all! 

I've won my first blog award!



Cynde Jo from hip chic designs recently awarded me with this Happy Blog award.  I'm so honored!  In order to accept this award, I have to tell you 10 things that make me happy and I'm passing it on to 10 more blogs.  These blogs make me happy!  Go check out Cynde Jo's blog and these other happy blogs!

10 things that make me happy:

  1. My grand baby, Natalia (aka TallyBean)
  2. My wonderful husband
  3. Reading the Scriptures
  4. Walks on the beach
  5. Sheets dried on the clothes line
  6. Finding a bra that fits
  7. Tommy Hilfiger flip flops
  8. Time spent with family and friends
  9. The smell of fresh cut grass
  10. Perfectly sweetened sun tea
Now...the 10 blogs I send this award to:
  1. ReFashioned Threads
  2. I've Got POOP In My Pocket
  3. Save That Pickle Jar!
  4. Cotton Pickin Cute
  5. Craftaholics Anonymous
  6. A Hen's Nest
  7. Hissy Fits & Halos
  8. The Adventures of Miss V
  9. Shh! Momma's Writing!
  10. The Queen of Re
xxoo

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Girls' Weekend

I won't be around much this weekend.  I will be traveling a couple hours south with Starla, Sandy, Melodee, and Michelle for a women's Christian conference.  I'm so excited to be getting to spend some quality time with fellow sisters in Christ.   I'm really looking forward to getting to hear the speaker, Peggy Roloff.  We will laugh, and cry, I'm sure and have a great time overall.  Keep us in your prayers and I'll let you know all about it when I get home on Saturday night.

I hope this picture reminds you of the important things.

Please pray for little Josie Duggar.


Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Just Have to Show You....

Some pictures I took of my little Tally Bean when she was here this weekend. 






As you can see, she doesn't think her Opa is funny at all.




I'm sure she is thinking..."Does he realize how ridiculous he looks?"



But when you get smiles like this....



It's definitely worth it!


Now that I have your attention.... the gals over at Mamma Tortilla are hosting the cutest giveaway ever.



This handcrafted little cutie is made by Abbie from Bunny Lane Designs.  You only have until February 3rd to enter Mamma Tortilla's giveaway....so hurry on over.  But I'm gonna win.

Bells and Whistles, Tassels and Fringe

I finally got 50+ comments on my Bra Bag (hereafter called a Brag).  So here is my version of the
Rand-O-Matic...otherwise known as BunBun.

All the names were written on slips and placed in this very expensive, top of the line, exclusively sold bowl.



Then I instructed BunBun to remove one slip from the bowl without looking.  Not too difficult a task since there were men cutting down trees with chainsaws on the tv at the time.



And the winner is.........



That's right...Hurricane Rojo, of I've Got POOP on My Pocket, is the lucky winner of the Aqua/Pink Brag, made by moi!  Congrats Rojo...you scalliwag!  Let me know your address so I can get this out to you ASAP. 

Thank you all so much for your kind words of support and encouragement throughout this giveaway.  You all are the bestest!!!

xxoo

 

Nostalgia

n.
A bittersweet longing for things, persons, or situations of the past.
The condition of being homesick; homesickness.


I got to get outside today and take a walk.  It's the second day in a row that we have NOT had rain.  (Cue the Hallelujah Choir).  I brought along my camera and captured some things around town.

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When family friends owned this business, this sign was freshly painted and on a marquee in front of the store.


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Ah...the smell of freshly mowed grass.

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The church I went to as a little girl.


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The church I've gone to since I was 14.


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One of the pews that used to be inside the church.

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The house I lived in from when I was 13 until I moved out at 18. My parents just moved out of it 5 years ago.


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Some things in this town never change.


Tuesday, January 26, 2010

About the Giveaway....and Kim's Giveaway

I was feeling a little sorry for myself earlier....but the pity party is over!!!  So I didn't reach 50 comments....I have lots of new followers(Thanks and Welcome new friends), I have friends and family that think I'm kinda cool, and I have the most wonerfullest, loving, sexy (if I do say so myself) husband in the world.  So...do I give it away or not?!?  Well.....I don't want to back down from the 50 comment thing, so...If you really wanna win it...go leave me ANOTHER comment there if you already left one...and if you still haven't entered, here is your chance.  As soon as I notice there are 50 comments, I'll choose a winner from the
random-o-matic.


Go visit my dear sweet friend Kim, from Save That Pickle Jar!  She is giving away an adorable, gotta-have-it, Valentine's Day bunting mae from Moda fabric.  Too stinkin' cute!

Love ya all!

The Sanctity of Human Life

Warning:This post discusses the topic of human life and abortion. 

sanctity
• noun (pl. sanctities) 1 holiness; saintliness. 2 ultimate importance and inviolability: the sanctity of human life.
— ORIGIN Old French sainctite, from Latin sanctus ‘holy’.

On this past Sunday, January 24, 2010, my church observed Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. The main scripture my pastor used is Psalm 139.  I would like to share the Amplified translation with you.


1O LORD, you have searched me [thoroughly] and have known me.



2You know my downsitting and my uprising; You understand my thought afar off.(A)


3You sift and search out my path and my lying down, and You are acquainted with all my ways.

4For there is not a word in my tongue [still unuttered], but, behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.(B)

5You have beset me and shut me in--behind and before, and You have laid Your hand upon me.


6Your [infinite] knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high above me, I cannot reach it.

7Where could I go from Your Spirit? Or where could I flee from Your presence?

8If I ascend up into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol (the place of the dead), behold, You are there.(C)

9If I take the wings of the morning or dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

10Even there shall Your hand lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.

11If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me and the night shall be [the only] light about me,

12Even the darkness hides nothing from You, but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You.(D)

13For You did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in my mother's womb.

14I will confess and praise You for You are fearful and wonderful and for the awful wonder of my birth! Wonderful are Your works, and that my inner self knows right well.

15My frame was not hidden from You when I was being formed in secret [and] intricately and curiously wrought [as if embroidered with various colors] in the depths of the earth [a region of darkness and mystery].

16Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them.

17How precious and weighty also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!(E)

18If I could count them, they would be more in number than the sand. When I awoke, [could I count to the end] I would still be with You.

19If You would [only] slay the wicked, O God, and the men of blood depart from me--(F)

20Who speak against You wickedly, Your enemies who take Your name in vain!(G)


21Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You? And am I not grieved and do I not loathe those who rise up against You?

22I hate them with perfect hatred; they have become my enemies.


23Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!


24And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

The pastor made the following points:

1.  Conception is an act of God.
(Psalm 127:3, Gen 20:18, Gen 17:16)

2. We are valuable because God knows us.
(Psalm 139:1)

3. We are valuable because God never leaves us.
(Psalm 139:7, Prov. 18:24, Psalm 127:3)

4. We are valuable even before we are born.
(Psalm 139:13, Jer. 1:5, Eph. 2:10)

5. To God we are priceless because Jesus died to save us."
(1 Peter 2:24, Acts 4:19, ! Peter 1:18-19)

Here are some disturbing facts....
*Since Roe v. Wade was heard before the United States Supreme Court and abortion was made legal (1973) nearly 40 million babies have been aborted in America.
*When the terrorist-controlled planes flew into the Twin Towers nearly 3000 valuable human lives were lost.  America aborts approximately the same number of babies every day.
*You may believe abortion is justified in some cases...maybe one of these. 
   ~ A 13 year old African American girl living in Chester, PA is raped in 1895.  Her family lives in poverty, violence, and general despair.  Should she do "something" to rid herself of this baby?  If she had "taken care of the problem," one of the greatest jazz, big-band, and spiritual singers would have never been born.  That baby grew up to be Ethel Waters. She is best known for her recording of the spiritual, His Eye is on The Sparrow.
   ~A French-Canadian couple discovers they are pregnant with their 14th child.  They are devout Roman Catholics but...another baby?  How will they feed one more mouth.  It is hard to find work and difficult to make ends meet.  The doctor advises the mother to abort.  Really, she has 13 other children...everyone will understand.  But the parents fall back on their faith and know that God is the only one who can decide life and death.  Thank goodness they made that decision or the world would have been deprived of the talented Celine Dion.
   ~A syphilitic father and a tubercular mother are pregnant for the 5th time.  Two of their children have been born blind. One has had tuberculosis. 2 are stillborn.  Surely abortion is justified.  The child will most likely die anyway.  And if the child survives...what kind of life can it possibly have?  This child was born into the world in December 1770.  He went on to compose some of the most well-known and loved classical music.  His name was Ludwig van Beethoven.

If you don't believe life begins at conception...

Dr. Jerome Lejeune of Paris, France, was a physician and Doctor of Science and Professor of Genetics for 25 years. Dr. Lejeune discovered the genetic cause for Down’s Syndrome. He received awards such as the Kennedy Prize and the Memorial Allen Award Medal; he was a member of The American Academy of Arts and Science, the Royal Society of Medicine of London, and the Royal Society of Science in Stockholm. Dr. Lejeune died April 3, 1994.

Dr. Lejeune noted that the very first cell, the fertilized egg cell or zygote, is "the most specialized cell under the sun".

In the words of Dr. Lejeune: "Each of us has a very precise starting moment which is the time at which the whole necessary and sufficient genetic information is gathered inside one cell, the fertilized egg, and this is the moment of fertilization. There is not the slightest doubt about that and we know that this information is written on a kind of ribbon which we call the DNA…Nature has used the smallest possible language to carry the information from father to children, from mother to children, from generation to generation…At no time is the human being a blob of protoplasm. As far as your nature is concerned, I see no difference between the early person that you were at conception and the late person which you are now. You were and are a human being."

When Dr. Lejeune testified in the Louisiana legislature he stated, "Recent discoveries by Dr. Alec Jeffreys of England demonstrate that the information (on the DNA molecule) is stored by a system of bar codes not unlike those found on products at the supermarkets…it’s not any longer a theory that each of us is unique."

In 1989, during testimony on The Seven Human Embryos in Tennessee, Dr. Lejeune made the following observation:

"...as soon as he has been conceived, a man is a man."

If you have suffered the pain of abortion, whether personally or someone you love, please remember that there is forgiveness in Christ Jesus.  He died for everyone and for every one of their sins.

John 3:16 (New International Version)

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life"

If you would like to talk to someone about issues of abortion, here are some organizations that can help.
Pregnancy Care Center of the Northcoast (you can find these centers throughout the U.S.)
Hope After Abortion
ChristiaNet.com





Monday, January 25, 2010

13 to Go

Well...it's 7:37 pm and 23 minutes until I'm supposed to choose a winner for the giveaway.  But I only have 37 comments.  I said I wasn't going to choose a winner unless I got 50 comments.  Looks like all your lovely comments were for naught.  Maybe I need to rethink the giveaway aspect of my blog.  Not sure...



Saturday, January 23, 2010

More About Johnny....

BunBun just informed me that Public Enemies is on Pay-Per-View tonight....
then he informed me we couldn't order it because we need to pay the cable bill. 
I asked him to try anyway...
I have a wonderful husband.  He told me he already tried to. 
Then I realized...why did he tell me if he knew we couldn't watch it?
Cruel.... cruel.... cruel.....

This is BunBun

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This is Johnny





Just in case you couldn't tell.


Friday, January 22, 2010

All Kinds of Fun

I have many things to talk about today....in no particular order.  None of them really warrant their own post, (ok, who am I kidding?  I could write a whole post on one of these people/issues but...never mind) and so I thought I would just sort of lump them together.

~~I'd like you to meet Mabel.  She has recently started an online shop with her very dear friend Millie.  Their little shop is called Millie and Mabel's Fantastic Finds.  They specialize in vintage items and one-of-a-kind creations made from repurposed materials.  If you happen to stop by their little shop on the corner, please let them know I sent you.



~~Johnny Depp has just signed on to make a Pirates 4 movie...alas, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightly feel it is beneath them to appear in another Pirate movie.  Oh well, more of Capt. Jack Sparrow on the screen I say.  Johnny also recently announced he will appear in a Lone Ranger movie as Tonto.  Up next though is Alice in Wonderland in which Johnny portrays the Mad Hatter.  It opens March 5....yippppeeeee!  What is your favorite Johnny Depp role?  I can't really say I have a fave...although I can tell you, Willy Wonka is my least fave.  It does grow on me the more I watch it, but I think Gene Wilder will always be my favorite Willy Wonka. For a slide show of Johnny (swoon) you can go here.


Beyond cool.

~~For a great run down of all the ways to eat hot dogs, head over to Starla's and read Hot Diggity.  I promise you will laugh.

~~And if you haven't yet entered my giveaway for an adorable, on-of-a-kind, out of this world, bra purse...Whatcha' waitin' for?



Thursday, January 21, 2010

I Just Finished Reading...

 
I received this book free of charge from Tyndale Publishers as part of the Tyndale Blog Network.  Unless otherwise stated, the opinions given here are 100% mine.

This book is written by a husband and wife, Hayley and Michael DiMarco, that have written dozens of books on love and relationships. They started the company Hungry Planet, an organization that strives to reach the world with books and other media that is truthful.

According to the DiMarco's the definition of "cupidity" is "where love and stupid meet." The book covers many aspects of love, from meeting to marrying and long after the honeymoon. Things men and women say and do in the name of love is often pure cupidity.

At the beginning of the book there is a Cupidity Quiz to help you determine where you fall on the stupidity in love scale. I didn't do too bad. I have some areas that I need to think about and work on, but overall, I'm not doing too bad. (Thank goodness! It's nice to know I've learned something in my 42 years.) The book is then divided up into 5 sections: Emotional Acts of Cupidity, Mental Acts of Cupidity, Physical Acts of Cupidity, Social Acts of Cupidity, and Spiritual Acts of Cupidity.

While I definitely enjoyed the fact that the authors are Christians and used scriptures throughout to help make their points, at times I felt like I was reading a book written by teenagers. The text was often cutesy and shallow. I did enjoy some of the little side notes such as the ways a man feels loved and the way a woman feels loved, or the five signs you've gotten too comfortable in your relationship.

I would probably purchase this book for young adults, single and married, as the book addresses both of those issues. I think it is written for a younger reader than a 42 year old mom of 6. I would consider it a light read and worthy of taking a few notes, especially if you want to improve your romantic life.


And don't forget...ONLY 4 MORE DAYS TO ENTER MY GIVEAWAY!



Wednesday, January 20, 2010

My Blog Spark - Genral Mills Cereal

I recently joined MyBlogSpark and the first items I received were four General Mills cereal coupons.   Each coupon was worth $6.00 and was good for one box of cereal.  We chose to buy Cheerios, Wheat Chex, Rice Chex, and Corn Chex; all of our favorites. 

I grew up eating these cereals for breakfast and after school snacks.  At the time, I didn't care about the health benefits of eating these kinds of cereals.  Now as an adult however, it's important to me to watch what types of food I put into my body. 

Here are some interesting facts I found at General Mills.
*People who eat breakfast tend to consume less fat and cholesterol and more fiber throughout the day.
*In general, people who eat cereal have healthier body weights.
*Cheerios has 1g of sugar per serving and Rice Chex has 2g of sugar per serving.
*More than 20 General Mills cereals contain at least 16g of whole grain fiber.
*Children who eat breakfast score higher on tests.

Want to try some General Mills cereal for yourself?
Print a $1.00 off coupon here!

All the opinions expressed in this post are 100% mine.  The facts stated were taken from generalmills.com.  The only compensation I received were (4) $6 coupons from MyBlogSpark.com

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a one-of-a-kind vanity bag.  Only 5 days left to enter!

Monday, January 18, 2010

A Giveaway... Finally

I am finally hosting a giveaway....I have wanted to do one for a while.  Either the timing wasn't right or what I wanted to give away didn't work out....anyway, it's finally here. Here is the item followed by the rules of this giveaway.








This is a one-of -a-kind vanity bag made by me.  Yes, it is made from a bra.  The colors are true; its aqua accented with hot pink.  There is a rhinestone button that attaches the handle to each side and a pink bow that accents the top of the handle.  This is just the right size for your cell phone, keys, and lipstick.  Now for the rules.

*If you leave a comment below, you are entered to win...it's that easy.
*There is a catch...I'm taking a clue from Lavender and Limes and putting a condition on this giveaway.  I realize that I don't have nearly as wonderful a prize as Christine did...but like she said, "It's my blog, so I guess I'm allowed to do this.
*Here is the catch:  In order for someone to win, I must have 50 comments.  Let me explain. I want to boost my readership.  I want to get more people reading what I write and supporting what I'm trying to accomplish with recycling/repurposing/reusing.
*Each person can enter up to 3 times.  Here is how...(1)leave a comment (2)subscribe to this blog in a reader and leave me a comment telling me (3) tweet it, face book it, blog it and leave me the link.
*I really appreciate all my readers and I know you are out there.  Now is the time for your voice to be heard and for you to spread the word.
*Will I give this away if I get 49 comments? Nope...so you know what to do.
*A winner will be chosen by random.org on Monday, January 25, @ 8 PM (PST) when there are at least 50 comments.
XXOO,



MckLinky Blog Hop
Click here to see the entire Blog Hop List....

Fleece Heart Wreath How-to

Valentine's Day will soon be here.  We will celebrate this day with a Valentine's Day Banquet at our church.  The decorations will be done by the women and the food will be prepared by the men.  We are looking forward to it since we didn't get to attend last year.  In preparation for decorating the fellowship hall, I created a heart wreath.  Not sure if it will be used in the "official" decorations or not, but I absolutely love how it turned out.  If you want to try one of your own, here are the simple steps I took.

Supplies:
* small amount of pink fleece, cut in strips.  My strips were 1 inch by 4 inches.  Make sure you make the 1-inch cuts on the width of the fabric.



* wire coat hanger
* wire-edged gold ribbon.  Mine is 1/4 inch wide ribbon from the dollar store.

**Bend the hanger into a basic heart shape with the hook at the top.  It's not as difficult as it sounds.
**Start tying the strips around the hanger.  You don't need to knot it.



*Continue tying your way around the hanger until you are back at the hook.  Leave some room to maneuver the gold ribbon around the hook.




*Once the hook is completely wrapped (I used about 1 yard of ribbon), you can either hot glue it in place or just start tying fleece pieces over the ends.  I skipped the hot glue gun this round.

*Fluff up your fleece and hang it on the wall!  I decided to make 3 "curls" of ribbon to hang down into the center, but that is totally up to you.







What do you think?  Let me see if you try it yourself.

Beyond The Picket Fence




 Also, today is the day our country observes Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.  Please remind those around you that are younger what an important man Dr. King was to the civil rights movement of our country.  Two movies that I always watched with my children at this time of year were,  Selma, Lord, Selma and Ruby BridgesBoth are well-done films that tell the story from a child's perspective. Have a God-blessed day.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Up & Coming Trends: Mushrooms



Is this incredible or what?...seriously, I didn't know mushrooms like this really existed.  But I found it here, and it certainly looks real.  I know I titled this post "Up & Coming Trends" and while I don't claim to be a trend setter or even a trend finder, I really think mushrooms are on their way to being hot.  Don't believe me?  Check out what I recently found on artfire and other fun places.

Artfire:  I found a whimsical and fun little accessory at Puppycatmeow.  It is a mushroom hat!...just like the  one in the picture.  You really have to check it out!  It is so truly adorable.  This Missouri-based artisan is a mom to two little ones and makes all sorts of fun hair accessories/hats.  Go check her out and let her know I sent ya!

Also over at Artfire is PetitPoulailler, a studio based in New Jersey.  If you like collecting vintage prints, then get over to this studio right away.  I'm totally crushing on lots of things I saw, but the mushroom prints are amazing!  I really like the 1943 Beefsteak and Orange Cap Mushroom lithograph and the 1884 Antique Mushroom -Green Brittlegill- Botanical Engraving.  Absolutely gorgeous and perfect for the budding botanist or mycologist in your life.

I'm not into amigurumi or anything of the sort.  But when I found Knot Sew Cute I kind of changed my mind.  I want to point out that technically this isn't amigurumi and this little mushroom is truly functional.  Tara from British Columbia, the artisan, calls this a catch all and she has designed this PDF pattern and lots more.  I *heart* felted objects and this one is no exception.  This artisan has patters for toys and hats and slippers...all felted.  Go look and see if you don't fall in love with something at Knot Sew Cute.

Who couldn't love fabric with little mushrooms on it?  I don't know who...cuz I'm totally crushing on these pieces from bytinster! This one is my absolute favorite with its mushrooms of greens, blues, and oranges. This artisan from Taiwan has so many adorable pieces of fabric, I'm not sure how any one could ever choose.  If you need or just want some cutey patootie fabric, you must look at bytinster first.

My last little stop at artfire brings me to the studio of TishaTooDesigns.  This artisan from Colorado may only have a few things at the moment...but Oh My Doodness!  Go and see if you don't fall in love with this baby toadstool hat.  I can just picture The Bean wearing it.  Can we all say Stinkin' Cute? 

The Long Thread is a blog I follow regularly and Ellen never disappoints me.  I have learned how to try many different crafts by reading her posts. She has a great tutorial for making mushrooms using paper mache'. What a great rainy day project for kids!

And what would a post about mushrooms be without mentioning a recipe for stuffed mushrooms? When we hosted the appetizer portion of our church's progressive dinner, Mike and Sandy brought some delicious stuffed mushrooms.  Why is it I only eat these on New Year's Eve?  So I decided to check out Rachael Ray...and what do ya know?  She has a recipe for Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms!  I haven't tried it yet, but I certainly plan on it.  I mean, they've got to be good if Rachael wrote the recipe...right?

So look at the recipe, whip some up, and then sit down and look at all the stinkin' cute mushroom "stuff" out there.  You won't be sorry... promise.

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