tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79658838373421393522024-02-22T11:53:02.367-05:00Burlap to PearlsI want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy
~Nichole Nordeman~Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08112025191024605363noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965883837342139352.post-4211736649729778332013-04-11T16:23:00.000-04:002013-04-11T16:23:26.819-04:00 A Guest Post: Beautiful Beans by Sue Bracy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-y44mw2Mhgo4iz9-z0yRkzko3F2RP6GiXAGjxHcl_6jTkv9cCDGLcIgvzo-NAjmSiN2j_XNXDHSW1dzI524rFi_woZt5S3PmUomb2pDxnZLZ58x8XHYGGLhuJSxei20QVVxsIm3uL2JuA/s1600/edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-y44mw2Mhgo4iz9-z0yRkzko3F2RP6GiXAGjxHcl_6jTkv9cCDGLcIgvzo-NAjmSiN2j_XNXDHSW1dzI524rFi_woZt5S3PmUomb2pDxnZLZ58x8XHYGGLhuJSxei20QVVxsIm3uL2JuA/s400/edit.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
I am very excited to introduce my newest guest, my friend, Sue Bracy. I asked Sue to come up with something to share for the blog. I left the topic up to her, because she is a women of many trades. Sue is the type of person that makes you think, is there anything she can't do? Let me give you some ideas of what I am talking about. She volunteers for habitat for humanity working with construction. She has her own set of power tools which she uses very comfortably. I have had the privilege of working on some projects with her. She enjoys making her own lotions, balms, and soaps. She is an awesome cook and conscious about eating healthy, beneficial food. Her house is surrounded by beautiful flowers that she has planted. In fact, my house is surrounded by beautiful flowers that she has planted! She enjoys the outdoors and going on long walks or hikes when ever the weather allows, often pointing out the different types of wild flowers and berries that she sees. If she doesn't recognize one, you know she will look it up as soon as she gets home. Sue is a thinker. She can speak with intelligence on many different topics, making her joy to talk with. She enjoys music, reading, and relaxing. She loves life and lives it to its fullest. She has a great sense of humor, loves to laugh, and is just fun to be with. You can't be around her long before you hear about her beautiful family and how much she loves them. She gives her all to the people she cares about and expects nothing in return. You can truly see her love for Christ abounding in her. She is a treasure and I am so thankful I can call her my friend. I was very excited when I received the post she is sharing, because again it is filled with awesome and useful information. Thank you Sue!!<br />
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<br />
Beautiful Beans!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
OK – I have an admission to make…..I’m a bit of a bean
freak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love beans of any color, shape,
or size.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since Kelli asked if I would be
willing to do a guest blog for her, I had been mulling a few things over that I
might write about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then it hit me as
I was putting some dried black beans in my crock pot before I left for church –
I could write about beans!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do eat meat, but I enjoy making lots of meatless meals
during the week, and beans are such an easy way to add protein, fiber, color,
and texture to a variety of dishes, and they are great on their own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As an added bonus, when you use dried beans,
you can save a good deal of money, as well as keep anything you might not want
out of your beans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t always love
them so – as I kid I think I only liked baked beans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But luckily as I’ve gotten older, I’ve tried
all different kinds and have come to realize how economical, versatile, easy,
and tasty they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I’m in the
aisle picking up bags of dried beans, I have to bite my tongue to keep from assailing
the passing shoppers – “Do you know what you can do with these?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are so easy to prepare!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you realize how many you get from a $2.00
bag?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you know how good these really
are?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Throughout history, beans were traded and planted as
explorers and nomads wandered the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because of their great storage ability, beans were a primary food for
sailors (where the Navy bean got its name).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>During the Depression, beans were known as “poor man’s meat” because of
their protein power at pennies per pound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Besides beans supplying nearly all the amino acids, they are a source of
Niacin, Thiamin, Riboflavin, B6, and many other nutrients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A cup of cooked beans contains more potassium
than a banana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, beans have more
calcium and iron per cup than three ounces of cooked meat but contain no
cholesterol and with less calories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
are the best source of folate, and their high fiber content and cancer-fighting
characteristics have been specifically linked to lowering the risk of colon cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are eight flavenoids in the outer bean
layer, six of which are strong antioxidants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And they just taste good!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beans
can be eaten raw, sprouted or cooked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They can even be ground into flour for those who need to eat gluten
free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beans can be juiced into milk,
curdled into tofu, fermented into soy sauce, or even made into noodles
(vermicelli).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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How to prepare dried beans:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Sort</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Put beans in a colander and rinse well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check for foreign objects, such as small
stones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Soaking</u></b>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This step isn’t always necessary, but there
are advantages, the biggest being a shorter cooking time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You should add about four times as much water
as dried beans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soaking also leaches
some of the gas producing properties out of the beans, but you need to discard
the soaking water and replenish it with fresh water before cooking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find the easiest method is to just soak the
beans overnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A quick method is to
add water to beans, boil for 2-5 minutes, then cover and let rest for 1 hour
before continuing to cook.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Cooking</u>:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rinse the beans, add fresh water to cover by
a couple of inches, heat them to boiling, then simmer gently (to prevent
splitting) until desired softness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the bean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You should check them for softness every 30
minutes (adding more water if necessary) and remove from heat when they reach
desired consistency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My favorite way to
cook beans is to put them in the crock pot, add water to cover by at least a
couple of inches and cook on high for a few hours (3-4), or on low (6-8
hours).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes I put them on low
overnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If doing overnight, add
plenty of water, so they don’t boil dry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(If in doubt, add more water.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
cook large quantities of dried beans and then freeze in portions to use in
recipes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This morning I put two pounds
of black beans in my crock pot before church, and when I got home divided them
into six portions (each one approximately the size of one can) and put them in
my freezer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t add any seasoning
when freezing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not add salt until
beans are at least 80% cooked, otherwise they may be tough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With black beans, I will often take out some
portions to freeze, and leave a few cups worth in my crock pot, add onions,
garlic, and brown rice (add more liquid if dry) and let cook until rice is done,
seasoning with salt, pepper, and cumin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>NOTE</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>The more often you eat beans, the more
your system will become used to them and avoid the problem of gas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may skip the soaking portion if you’re
not bothered by gas, but NOTE - Kidney beans are an exception to the normal
rules, and must be cooked thoroughly before being used in a recipe using a slow
cooker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Uncooked kidney beans contain a
high concentration of phytohaemagglutin, also known as kidney bean lectin,
which is toxic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To avoid any problems,
soak kidney beans for several hours, then rinse, add fresh water, and cook
thoroughly (for at least two hours) before using in any recipe.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>U<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ses</b></u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I actually like garbanzo beans, pinto and
kidney beans as snacks all by themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I especially like garbanzo beans in salads, hummus, and Middle Eastern
recipes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find black beans extremely
versatile – I use them in salads, soups, casseroles, and one of my new favorites
is an easy crock pot meal when you have not planned ahead – Place frozen
chicken parts, frozen corn, frozen (or thawed) black beans, onions and garlic
in the crock pot, and add a jar of your favorite salsa or canned tomatoes (no
mixing or water needed).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can add
whatever spices you prefer, and make it as mild or spicy as you like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I often put this together on a Sunday morning
before leaving for church, and cook on high for around five hours or low for
around eight hours (crock pots are sooooo forgiving).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there is lots of liquid, I throw in brown
rice a couple of hours before I want to eat, and then all you need is a salad
for a scrumptious meal!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Note:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>if you cook chicken that long, it will be
fall-apart tender, so watch out for the bones.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Except during the hottest months, I like to
make a big pot of soup each week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
sauté onions, garlic, carrots and celery, then add some type of broth, a can of
tomatoes, any type of bean, and barley or lentils or brown rice, and let simmer
for an hour or so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes I add
cabbage, potatoes, parsnips or rutabagas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At the end I toss in any odds and ends of leftover cooked veggies I may
have lurking in the fridge, and some type of green (spinach, swiss chard, or
kale).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can be so varied with
different broths, beans, veggies, grains and seasonings, that it seldom tastes
the same twice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My neighborhood grocery only carries the more common
varieties of dried beans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if you are
fortunate enough to live near larger stores, you will be amazed at all the different
types.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also in the health food aisle you
can often find a few of the more exotic varieties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are cooking for kids, there are some
great beans out there with catchy names like Adzuke, Anasazi (cool looking red
& white beans), and Black Turtle beans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Involve your kids with the choosing, sorting, soaking and cooking, and
they just might be more inclined to try these tasty, nutritious treats!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may even be raising some future bean
freaks!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08112025191024605363noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965883837342139352.post-74390452984455747572013-04-04T13:52:00.003-04:002013-04-04T14:12:22.979-04:00The Five Minute French Manicure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtxhPf8hAQ5AbImleYA0C-z7SMDxI_eRvM0ZEth8DsC6jflOthmcnlwnmPGDw8DUR2nrJeGQRv7hgvGAuMhA3GnWxkA1kRiLB_dMPdhqZSudAQ4QLsVj8kdddEkN-U764J_guqcteQMq0/s1600/edit2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtxhPf8hAQ5AbImleYA0C-z7SMDxI_eRvM0ZEth8DsC6jflOthmcnlwnmPGDw8DUR2nrJeGQRv7hgvGAuMhA3GnWxkA1kRiLB_dMPdhqZSudAQ4QLsVj8kdddEkN-U764J_guqcteQMq0/s320/edit2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
I have always loved having my nails done. It makes me some how feel put together, even if I am in sweats with undone hair and no make up. When I was younger, long before any children came along, it was a priority for me. With each child it became considerably harder due to lack of time and money. I gave up on the idea of having my nails look nice. After all how important was it really in the scheme of things? I was surprised at how important it was for me. It wasn't the act of having my nails done, but how having cleaning tidy nails made me feel about myself. For me if my nails are not done neatly, then I begin to pick, peal, and even bite them. Then, not only are they not done, but also look horrible which make me feel grubby. I began to try to find time and ways to do my own nails at home. This proved difficult for me, because of my perfectionist ways. I would spend up to an hour sometimes trying to make perfects lines. Even on the rare occasion that I was able to get just the look I wanted, I would no doubt smear or smudge them for lack of drying time. Well these frustrating days are over for me. I came across my new technique by chance one day. I was digging through the junk drawer in my kitchen and came across one of my handy dandy paint pens. I thought hmmm....doesn't hurt to try. It was the perfect thickness and I was able to easily draw a line across the tip of my nail. What?! It was crazy, in less then a minute I had clean white nail tips. I was so excited, but it began to wear off after only a few hours as worked around the house. I needed a good top coat, and after a few different tries, I found the perfect one. I had to play with it a couple times to get the right "smile" line for my liking, but once I had it down it was a breeze. Now just like any french manicure it will wear off after a couple days. The beauty of doing it in your own home, you can touch it up every day if you want and always have the look of a fresh clean manicure.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0czwLfdbKSsepjGfXA1_cf4YkGORK-I-hMd9nOn6bTJOJRTATVZXslDXvVBzYFh-ARyVV0aHuk_puSCjwp0uCavO0_HBBnJ18dEnNh4yIRDnNX9X3TKhBqvkB1wNzIOQ7o7OgMbCC1jgE/s1600/edit3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0czwLfdbKSsepjGfXA1_cf4YkGORK-I-hMd9nOn6bTJOJRTATVZXslDXvVBzYFh-ARyVV0aHuk_puSCjwp0uCavO0_HBBnJ18dEnNh4yIRDnNX9X3TKhBqvkB1wNzIOQ7o7OgMbCC1jgE/s400/edit3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoX1qs87cydlh6nvDxHCY7l-TLZs_mG0bTxAQ78gVRDWsblektDNq8fgKl5EPJKU6eeChqqLWxh6wDUB1It6vR37khCphQK_E28HcuTF02tLhIrhg0Mraj177U9VIlfn6gBgUVGIkkPTt/s1600/edit4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoX1qs87cydlh6nvDxHCY7l-TLZs_mG0bTxAQ78gVRDWsblektDNq8fgKl5EPJKU6eeChqqLWxh6wDUB1It6vR37khCphQK_E28HcuTF02tLhIrhg0Mraj177U9VIlfn6gBgUVGIkkPTt/s400/edit4.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirphinpWkgaxa0RFUSqOUYvIx_UEKAvjqEtTW5Oj2waMi2myvKYyu6q0WdNfDaL8r_lS9yE25gnVdPO6-GVizq_AK_8r4V63kObchxTAkrzOrIWy-A3VYrd3mGx4LHKAnfYVI1UXPhROeq/s1600/edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirphinpWkgaxa0RFUSqOUYvIx_UEKAvjqEtTW5Oj2waMi2myvKYyu6q0WdNfDaL8r_lS9yE25gnVdPO6-GVizq_AK_8r4V63kObchxTAkrzOrIWy-A3VYrd3mGx4LHKAnfYVI1UXPhROeq/s400/edit.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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Warning this is not toxic or chemical free, but if you get<br />
your nails done or use any kind of regular nail polish it really is no different.<br />
<br />
You will need the following:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Body-Toolz-BT494-Cuticle-Pusher/dp/B001B7PVRS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362947979&sr=8-1&keywords=metal+cuticle+pusher">Cuticle nail tool</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sharpie-Poster-Paint-Markers-fine-white/dp/B0026HJHFE/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1362948121&sr=1-1&keywords=white+sharpie+paint+pen+fine">Sharpie white paint pen (fine tip)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Essie-473-sugar-daddy/dp/B000COTP7I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362948232&sr=8-1&keywords=essie+sugar+daddy">A pale pink polish like Essie Sugar Daddy</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sally-Hansen-Nails-Wraps-Harderner-Tint-0-40/dp/B001T8UE3K/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_1?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1362948364&sr=1-1-fkmr2&keywords=sally+hansen+hard+as+wraps+acrylic+gel+pink">Sally Hansen Hard as Wraps Acrylic Gel top coat with pink tint</a></li>
</ul>
Begin with clean dry hands. Use the rounded end of cuticle tool to push back and form a nice wide cuticle bed. Then use the paint pen and in one direction draw a line starting from the outer side of the nail to the inner side. This part you need to play with a little to get it right. Once you have it down you will not need to work at it. I mostly follow my natural "smile" line. Once I have my start line, I fill in the rest to the tip. DO NOT worry if it gets on your fingers. Do not try to remove it right away, this is something that can be easily done later. Once you have the "smile" line done then let dry for a minute. Follow with one coat of your pink polish. Let dry one minute. Finish with the top coat. This top coat drys to a durable shine in just a few minutes. Once your nails are completely dry then you can use soap and water to remove any extra paint that may have gotten on your fingers. I have literally put my kids in the car, did this manicure in less than five minutes in my car, and they were perfectly dry by the time I arrived at my destination. Remember the first couple times it may take a little longer to get it just the way you like it, but once you get it down you can have beautiful nails literally every day. <br />
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Too touch up, just lightly sand the chipped area and go over the nails with the same process.<br />
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I just wanted to share one of the little things in my life that has made a difference for me. If it helps great! If you think I am crazy, I'm ok with that too. BUT, I am crazy with nice nails!! <br />
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Have a great day! <br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kelli </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08112025191024605363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965883837342139352.post-44926819400772627942013-03-28T22:31:00.000-04:002013-03-29T06:48:51.640-04:00LOOKING AT CALVARY THROUGH THE EYES OF A PARENT<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->I am so excited to welcome my first guest of hopefully many, on the blog today. I don't know where to begin. My heart swells at just the mention of this person. I wanted so badly to be able to describe how amazing she is and how much she means to me, but no simple words seem to suffice. She is my mentor, confidant, spiritual encourager, my Godmother, and most especially my Grandmother! She is the most amazing women I know. I look up to her and admire her more than I can explain. She has been gifted with a great love and marriage of over 60 years, children, grandchildren, friends, compassion, gentleness, kindness, wisdom, and so much more. If you have ever been blessed to be in her presence you would immediately feel the same way. So it is my pleasure to introduce my grandmother, Mrs. Janet Jacobson. She wrote this message many years ago about 9 years after the death of her son John Jacobson (Johnny), for which my Jonny was named after. At the time Janet was a secretary for a church that she served many years at until retirement. She prepared and gave this message for a Good Friday service. It was also handed out countless times by the pastors of the church, to other parents dealing with the loss of a child. Janet was able to use her grief and loss in a positive way to help others dealing with the same loss. Here is her beautiful thoughts on looking at Calvary through the eyes of a parent.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBDpMNMqdI1Mknj6pfDi20icldI_Ln3-OQbHz8YycgZ7uH-BZ5LlG9m8ecmKGJQXi2UmHM41nxudprY_95BQIMt2y3NUwUIGV7hsYyorbzLc-ZbNo0D3F21oYckobyn_FCBD0M3hT3b10/s1600/gram+and+I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBDpMNMqdI1Mknj6pfDi20icldI_Ln3-OQbHz8YycgZ7uH-BZ5LlG9m8ecmKGJQXi2UmHM41nxudprY_95BQIMt2y3NUwUIGV7hsYyorbzLc-ZbNo0D3F21oYckobyn_FCBD0M3hT3b10/s400/gram+and+I.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;">
LOOKING AT CALVARY
THROUGH THE EYES OF A PARENT</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
JOHN 19:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>25-27<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But standing by the cross of Jesus were his
mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary
Magdalene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Jesus saw his mother,
and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman,
behold, your son”! Then he said to the disciple, “Behold your mother”!</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
Good Friday…. I am sure that to those who do not believe,
it doesn’t make sense – we speak of Jesus and the crucifixion on this day, and
we call it GOOD Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Black Friday I
suppose would make more sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For we
are looking at the death of </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Jesus…and when we think of death,
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in;">
What color comes to our
minds?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in;">
Yes, black.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It
is interesting that a definition of black is ‘absence of light.’ And when I
think of absence of light – I also think of it as mostly black, but as having </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">No life,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">…. No color, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">…. No hope.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I
am sure we have all experienced times in our lives when there seemed to be no
hope, and it was black.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me share
with you a black day in my life…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It happened many years ago, June 25,
1975.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time is strange. In many ways it
was only yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a beautiful
day in June – a GOOD day- a perfect day, the kind poets write about – and yet
an ordinary day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had the day off from
work and had planned a family cookout for supper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our oldest son John, then 16, had taken his
bicycle, and was on his way to driver’s ED, his last scheduled session.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My husband came home from work and we were
relaxing with a cup of coffee when the telephone rang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There had been a street accident and would we
come to St. Vincent’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though they
hadn’t told us, we knew, our son was dead…. And the bottom fell out of our
world…death had hit us…the life, color, and hope went out of our world and it
was black.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">For
Mary, the day of the crucifixion had to be a very black day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As I tell her story – the way it MAY
have happened – you will recognize the many varied faces of grief – For in
Mary’s story I will also be sharing some of the mixed feelings I experienced, such
as shock, denial, anger, guilt, hopelessness, helplessness. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And finally - - acceptance and peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no right order for stages of
grief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They may all happen in a few
moments, or days, or months, and then over and over again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We aren’t told much about Mary, but we know she was
human.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have seen her question and
wonder as the angel Gabriel announced she was to have a son.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We have seen her faith and obedience as she accepted
the Word of the Lord.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We have seen her joyful as she shares with Elizabeth
the Son of Praise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have seen her
concerned for others when she tells Jesus about the wine problem at the
wedding.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Yes she was human, and had feelings, and was
vulnerable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the years many things
had happened involving Jesus, and we are told she pondered over them, she
meditated, examined, sought enlightenment, but just as we seek answers and do
not understand the why of many things, so Mary too, found much of it was beyond
her understanding.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 9.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 9.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent">
AND when the news came that Jesus had been arrested,
all of these thoughts surfaced, and they filled her with anxiety and fear, and
the words of Simeon especially, haunted her:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“And a sword shall pierce thin own soul also.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 9.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 9.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The rumors kept coming and
each seemed worse, her fears increased and then….. The terrible news
---crucifixion.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 9.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 9.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It couldn’t be.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 9.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It was the most horrible of
deaths – the most cruel and terrifying…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 9.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A death for only the lowest
and worst of people…criminals and slaves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>NOT for her son – her good son Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had never done anything wrong, ..</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 9.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He was good,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 9.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Kind,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 9.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>Gentle,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 9.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He had studied the words of
the Lord, and obeyed and loved God.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 9.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">There were so many criminals about, and evil people,
why couldn’t it be one of them?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She
had to go to be with him, in spite of her friends warning her of the danger she
would be in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she had to go…maybe she
could do something.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">As
she hurried along, her thoughts went back to the baptism of Jesus…how God had
called him his beloved Son,…. and he was pleased with Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely he wouldn’t let anything bad happen to
him. He wouldn’t permit this terrible thing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Maybe
a miracle would occur…God had performed miracles before…he had saved them from
wicked King Herod….or –Jesus, he had performed miracles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, he could perform one now and save
himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her hopes and fears
intermingled.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She
pleaded with God – maybe she could barter with him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just let Jesus be spared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let it be she instead of this beloved son –
after all she had lived out her life – and he was only 33.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">But…as
she drew near, she heard the angry crowd…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">and she knew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She knew it was Jesus whom they were taunting and torturing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Then she saw him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She couldn’t bear it – didn’t want it to be happening,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But
it was.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
anger welled up in her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>How
could God let this happen?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Where
was he?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Why
doesn’t he do something?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>How
could he just be silent?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Why
didn’t somebody do something?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She
was helpless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She couldn’t do anything,
but stay near him. He must know how much she loved him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And
then guilt crept in.. maybe…if she had been more persistent in her warnings to
him to stay away at this time..maybe if she had been with him more…insisted he
keep quiet about his teachings… </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Maybe….but it was useless.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He really was going to die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn’t want to believe it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was real, yet she hoped it was a
nightmare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it wasn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her hopes were gone – there was no miracle –
she was losing her son.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The light had gone out of her world
and it was dark.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She didn’t notice that it actually WAS getting
darker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She only knew her son was dying
and the deep tearing agonizing pain she felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes in a haze she felt as though it was her own flesh being torn
apart…the words of Simeon come true.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And then…she became conscious of a voice…someone was
speaking… it was Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She strained to
hear every word from this beloved son. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was speaking to her</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>“Woman behold your son,”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">and
then he was speaking to John:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 9.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>“Behold
your mother”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He wanted her to be a mother to John, and John to be
a son to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was to have someone to
care for her, and she to care for someone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was telling her in this way that he loved her and was concerned for
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was telling her to go on living.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Something strange began stirring within her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was feeling a peace which she didn’t
understand…. a comfort in the midst of this dark black world.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">She had no hope and yet now she felt hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The agony and pain were still there...she was
still in darkness, but now it seemed she could bear it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had been given life and hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She could see the light again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">For you see… a miracle had been wrought in
Mary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her son had become her
Savior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he too is our Savior…He
takes us out of the black and darkness, and gives us </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Light,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hope,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>And
Life.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It truly is GOOD FRIDAY.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">~Janet Jacobson </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> I am so thankful for her faith and willingness to share her heart. I hope you have been blessed by her words as much as I have. Janet has agreed to share some more of her life and experiences in the future. I am so looking forward to hearing more from her. Thank you Grandma, with all my love!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08112025191024605363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965883837342139352.post-64790297509244649902013-03-27T07:19:00.000-04:002013-03-27T07:19:50.837-04:00Easter Egg Decorating Tips and IdeasEaster is only a few days away and we have not dyed our eggs yet. Also, I do an Easter egg hunt for my kids in the yard and I have not even begun to shop, let alone, fill eggs. Well at least I have Easter outfits done! I am trying to decide what type of egg decorating to do this year. The dying can be so messy and doesn't always turn out great. The kids sometimes get bored with it after the first couple, so I wanted to explore different options. People tell me all the time that I am so creative. Well I tell them the truth is that I am not really creative, I am good at coping. I can look at something and figure it out, or sometimes it's as easy as following directions. There is so much information out there, if you have the time to find it. Well life is busy and time is precious, so I tried to find some helpful tips and ideas to share with you. If you have found some also, please share. You can post a link or share an idea in the comment section below. <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Hard-Boil-an-Egg">How To Boil An Egg </a><br />
Just in case....<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.craftionary.net/2013/03/make-handmade-easter-eggs-crafts.html">Decorating Ideas </a> <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.joyeverafter.com/blog/2013/3/15/farm-fresh-easter-eggs.html">Simple Decorating</a><br />
This one is my favorite, simple and easy!<br />
<a href="http://www.momtastic.com/diy/175671-20-fresh-ways-to-decorate-easter-eggs"><br /></a>
<a href="http://www.momtastic.com/diy/175671-20-fresh-ways-to-decorate-easter-eggs">One For The Kids</a><br />
My kids would love this.<br />
<a href="http://sweettidings.blogspot.com/2012/03/coloring-and-decorating-easter-eggs.html"><br /></a>
<a href="http://sweettidings.blogspot.com/2012/03/coloring-and-decorating-easter-eggs.html">Beautiful</a><br />
I won't be doing this, but if you have the time they look beautiful.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://m.wikihow.com/Peel-an-Egg">Peeling An Egg The Easy Way </a><br />
It is so frustrating when you tear the egg apart trying to get the shell off. This link tells you how to have the shell slide right off.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08112025191024605363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965883837342139352.post-76471958668917367152013-03-25T09:03:00.001-04:002013-03-25T13:08:54.430-04:00Family: A Childhood Easter<br />
<br />
As a child, Easter was one of my favorite holidays. It was a time of year that the snow begins to melt and you can hear the birds singing again. Everywhere you went you were surrounded by fuzzy little chickies and soft furry bunnies. Bright pink, purple, blue, green, and yellow overcame the dark and dreariness of winter. It was a sign that spring was in the air. The time of new birth and new beginnings. For me it was especially exciting, because it was one of the only times that I got to get a brand new dress. Mom would take us all to the store and we would pick something special. One year in particular stands out to me, because I got a matching hat as well. I felt so beautiful. Far from my ordinary mismatched handy downs. Looking back I realize the importance. We were dressing up for a most honored occasion. The celebration of our Saviors return to the throne! <br />
<br />
<br />
My parents always made it a big deal. We would boil and dye eggs. Even though it could be messy at times, we were each able to do our own. We would wake Easter morning to baskets filled with goodies. One year we even found a half eaten carrot and bunny tracks. It was simple, childish, and delightful. We would then dress up in our new Easter outfits and head to church. After weeks of dim mournful services, the church would be a live with praise. The organ sounded and the words filled my spirit and we would rejoice together in unison for Our Savior, was no longer dead, but RISEN, and is alive! It was an amazing experience. The praising didn't end at church we would sing all the way home to our favorite hymns" Christ IS Risen Alleluia, CHRIST IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD" or "Christ the Lord is Risen today, Alleluia".<br />
<br />
Dad would be waiting at home for us, cooking some delicious meal that we would share together. It was these special moments that I cherished, making me feel complete. Even if most of the year we were not the traditional family, holidays were always special.<br />
<br />
Now that I am a mom, I want to give these kinds of memories to my children. I want to fill their hearts with wonder and joy. I want them to have fun and be excited, but most of all I want them to understand the truth of it. I have been thinking all month about a fun project to do with them the week of Easter. So when I saw this project come across my face book feed, I knew it was perfect. Hands on, beautiful, and with great purpose. A friend of mine, led me to a blog with directions, so I am sharing it below. Even if you don't have children, it would make a beautiful centerpiece and a reminder, that the tomb is empty and our Savior Lives!<br />
<br />
Just click on the link and it will take you to the blog with the directions. <br />
<a href="http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/2013/03/mini-resurrection-garden-easter-craft.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Mini-Resurrection Garden</span></a><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><img alt="IMG_8947web" border="0" height="267" src="http://cdn2.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_8947web_thumb.jpg" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8947web" width="400" /></div>
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<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08112025191024605363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965883837342139352.post-52853179112943249212013-03-22T16:48:00.001-04:002013-04-08T18:34:07.426-04:00Quinoa RisottoI made this the other night and all of us wanted more so I thought it was a good one to share. It was really delicious. I served it with steamed chicken and sweet carrots but it could go with a variety of meals. It was very easy to make. Now once again this is my creation of risotto. There would be some that would turn their noses at me for even calling it risotto, but it is my quick, easy, and healthy spin on it! I don't really care what it is called, it was good, and the kids ate it!!<br />
<br />
2 C Cooked Organic Brown Rice<br />
1 C Water <br />
1/2 C Organic Quinoa ( I use TJ organic tricolor)<br />
2 t Each Onion Powder, Garlic Powder<br />
1 C Organic Chicken Broth<br />
1/2 C Organic Sharp Cheddar Cheese Shredded (optional)*<br />
2 T EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) I use cold-pressed<br />
1 t Sea Salt<br />
<br />
*traditionally Parmesan Cheese is used, but I like the taste the cheddar gives. Feel free to make it your own!<br />
<br />
Cook up your brown rice and put to the side ( you can do this at the same time you begin the quinoa to save time). In a pot begin to boil 1 C of water. Add quinoa and spices. Once it begins to boil, cover and turn heat down to low. Let simmer until quinoa has absorbed all the water, stirring a few times. Make sure to keep covered. This takes about 8-10 minutes. Heat skillet on low-med and add oil. Add quinoa to skillet. Begin to alternate 1/3 of rice and then 1/3 chicken broth and mix. Continue this step 3 times until all of the rice and chicken broth are completely mixed into the quinoa. At this point it will be complete and delicious for those of you that do not or can not do dairy. For others add the cheddar cheese for extra texture and flavor.<br />
<br />
You can also add very tiny diced veggies, chopped greens, or peas.<br />
<br />
Sorry for the lack of pictures. When I create a meal for the first time I am not sure how it will taste. It isn't until after we eat it that I decide if it is good enough to make again or share. By then it is too late because we've already eaten it and there is nothing left to take pictures of. Maybe I should start taking pictures of empty plates to show that we liked it!<br />
<br />
If anyone has a tasty, healthy meal that they would like to share, please email me. I would be happy to share your recipe on the blog. Thanks!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08112025191024605363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965883837342139352.post-11926769826043689462013-03-21T17:30:00.000-04:002013-03-21T17:30:15.980-04:00Hunting For The Right One<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TR2G9k1Y9_Pn0mWL0vLtFUkpwXIqlNv7lJ72xTD4UHil6jgeGKdvbrjetiXKeMN7VR0eKOSSzm76yWnN6pT4Aa2itxXGdQhN-exYGTVg4X8qEmRS3LzU5OAezagu7ERLXKEZ3yHHgf3a/s1600/table+reveal.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TR2G9k1Y9_Pn0mWL0vLtFUkpwXIqlNv7lJ72xTD4UHil6jgeGKdvbrjetiXKeMN7VR0eKOSSzm76yWnN6pT4Aa2itxXGdQhN-exYGTVg4X8qEmRS3LzU5OAezagu7ERLXKEZ3yHHgf3a/s400/table+reveal.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
Don't give up on finding a special piece for your home at a good price. If you can hold out until you find the right one, it is really worth it. Keep checking craigslist, thrift stores, garage sales, and your local consignment shops. Sometimes they don't need any work at all. You can always have fun painting it and making it your own. The good thing about buying second hand furniture is that you can almost always sell it for the price you paid for it and sometimes more if you have fixed it up a bit. Another nice thing is that you don't feel bad painting it or making a mistake.<br />
<br />
I had been looking for a particular table for my living room for several years. I knew exactly what I wanted but try as I might I could not find it. Finally one day while searching the basement of one of my favorite consignment stores I found it. There is was, all dirty and worn, buried under another forgotten table, stuffed behind a chair for what looked like ages. It had a 70s style finish to it that was barely noticed under all the dust. I had to study it for quite a while before I was sure, but I could not deny it, it was the one! I could see all the beauty of it hidden under all the dust and dark stain. I took it home and got to work.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtQokXfd_y2myw6gW4nVH-U8JsHiK5l3wCoapZCAN8wBI9cn87kzimGHH4WIbMH6viHqma_tvMvgjvuzdQT6Nqle_Sz7TVu-iOHVOaY9WEOSmFssu0vLfIU11s-1kCkYSgyl38QrhfyEy/s1600/table+refinish.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtQokXfd_y2myw6gW4nVH-U8JsHiK5l3wCoapZCAN8wBI9cn87kzimGHH4WIbMH6viHqma_tvMvgjvuzdQT6Nqle_Sz7TVu-iOHVOaY9WEOSmFssu0vLfIU11s-1kCkYSgyl38QrhfyEy/s320/table+refinish.jpg" width="320" /></a>I needed to sand the top all the way down to the natural wood, and I wasn't sure what I would find. It had a thick acrylic like finish to the top and part of me feared that it might not be a pretty wood underneath. I took it down layer by layer stripping the old a way. I used 3 different grits of sandpaper. I started with a course <a href="http://www.amazon.com/3M-SandBlaster-Stripping-Sandpaper-60-Grit/dp/B000BQT7ES/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1363900183&sr=1-1&keywords=60+grit+sandpaper">60 grit</a>. Once I had the majority of the thick top layer off I then moved up to a softer <a href="http://www.amazon.com/3M-Pro-Pak-Sanding-150A-Grit-11-Inch/dp/B000COYN16/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1363900269&sr=1-1&keywords=150+grit+sandpaper">150 grit.</a> I ended with a gentle <a href="http://www.amazon.com/3M-SandBlaster-Between-Sandpaper-220-Grit/dp/B000BQRFDS/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1363900324&sr=1-2&keywords=220+grit+sandpaper">220 grit</a> for a nice smooth finish. I was so excited when I saw the raw beauty of the wood underneath. It had been there the whole time. This gorgeous solid wood top with amazing grain to it. I couldn't believe anyone would cover this up. Once I got the top sanded and smoothed to my liking, I began to stain it with a dark walnut stain (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-260363-Ultimate-Stain-Walnut/dp/B00714KDV4/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1363898794&sr=8-9&keywords=rustoleum+dark+walnut+stain">Rust-Oleum Dark Walnut</a>) that really brought out the beauty. I sealed the top with a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fiddes-Supreme-Polish--500ml-Rugger/dp/B00AY5ZYDE/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1363900916&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=fiddes+and+sons+dark+wax">dark wax</a> coat. I loved it. Now I will have you know that the correct way to do this is to use a special goo that would strip the top coats and then you scrap it all off. I don't like to do that. I will eventually try it and then I will let you know my experience. For now, I like to stick to my handy dandy palm sander, which by the way a cheap <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-QS900-Filtered-Collection/dp/B001K31KOQ/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1363899809&sr=8-4&keywords=black+and+decker+palm+sander">Black and Decker</a> that we bought 9 years ago. It works great and has been through A LOT of projects!<br />
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The body of the piece I decided to paint in white for a couple reasons. One was it has such amazing character with its curved legs and metal grate I thought the white would bring out these features. The other is that I loved the top so much I really wanted it to stick out. By painting the body white it really emphasized the beauty of the top. I painted a fresh coat of ASCP (Annie Sloan Chalk Paint) in Old White. The paint made a huge difference by bringing out the details that I could not have appreciated under all that dark stain. I absolutely love the way it all turned out. I am so thankful that I waited for this and did not settle. Did I mention it only cost about $40!! <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08112025191024605363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965883837342139352.post-29709782304002349912013-03-19T16:27:00.000-04:002013-03-19T16:27:24.322-04:00Three Pepper PastaMy son Jonathan was diagnosed with a disease in his esophagus called <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/eosinophilic_esophagitis/article.htm#what_is_eosinophilic_esophagitis"></a><a href="http://e.e/">E.E</a>. It causes inflammation that damages the esophagus. In an attempt to find a remedy for this disease in Jonathan, we have been advised to remove dairy for a period of time. It has helped in many other cases of <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/eosinophilic_esophagitis/article.htm#what_is_eosinophilic_esophagitis">E.E</a>. So with that said, macaroni and cheese is no longer the go to in fast meals for our house. I have had to come up with some replacements. I thought I would share one that we have been having lately. This is quick, easy, and I almost always have the ingredients on hand if I have to make a last minute decision on dinner. It also provides much better nutritional value then macaroni and cheese. Of course I do not put the cheese on Jonathan's portion. <br />
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2 C Mix of Organic Red, Green, and Yellow Bell Peppers sliced (fresh or frozen)<br />
1/2 C Mushrooms (Optional)<br />
1/2 C Water <br />
1 14 oz can/jar or 2 cups Organic Diced Tomatoes <br />
2 T OVOO<br />
1/2 C of Marinara Sauce*, Tomato Sauce, or Crushed Tomatoes (save the rest for another meal) <br />
1/2 lb Organic Brown Rice Pasta*<br />
1t each garlic powder, onion powder, basil, and oregano*<br />
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In saute pan fill with 1/2 C water, then add veggies, OVOO, and spices and steam on low until peppers are soft. Boil pasta and strain. Add to pan with veggies. Fold in marinara sauce. <br />
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Add diced chicken or sausage for extra protein<br />
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Top with fresh graded Parmesan and serve with a crisp salad. This is perfect for a quick dinner or large group.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyCT3eTfn3OTPA9WqveoDw0F6WgGrqcwCFTf4YtpqK8w5AkN9j24GOce12ojQ3WfWZC7slVwT6ls6J0NgSfFtt9dggZ1Ijt5JXjRrB7Kx_Ufa47qsQBUKGITEgHFgpBImnt6vijLsKNDN5/s1600/IMG_0632.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyCT3eTfn3OTPA9WqveoDw0F6WgGrqcwCFTf4YtpqK8w5AkN9j24GOce12ojQ3WfWZC7slVwT6ls6J0NgSfFtt9dggZ1Ijt5JXjRrB7Kx_Ufa47qsQBUKGITEgHFgpBImnt6vijLsKNDN5/s320/IMG_0632.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
*Marina Sauce and Brown Rice Pasta from Trader Joe:s<br />
*I use Simply Organic seasoningsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08112025191024605363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965883837342139352.post-44897032637290542382013-03-15T10:22:00.001-04:002013-03-15T20:49:43.018-04:00A Love Intended<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLw2J6d0ohc">I love The Way You Love Me</a> by John Michael Montgomery, one of our first songs and the song we danced to on our wedding day.</div>
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Cinderella and Prince Charming, Ariel and Eric, Beauty and Beast these were my favorites. This was the kind of love that I wanted. And they lived happily ever after. I couldn't wait for that. That perfect someone to come swooping in and wisp me away to a magical kingdom where we would dance, laugh, and play all day long. There would be no tears, no fighting, no heartache. Only smiles of happiness. And everyday would be better than the day before. Is this the kind of love you wanted? Is this what you found? The truth is that you can have something so much more. In fact you were intended to!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhytvkDKKjlY4n1PdE4Bn9sFZuejPGgWIbJXjjQSRwOqx_mSO3zVhlrT2z9sal5uEbLBlchJ9qv4Pp1Cv7e8nVHTgI54woUENtztvZHFmv9S6Jhe0I8434IwmLfaaTsXMakfAJBquVpM-/s1600/Wedding+Day+205.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhytvkDKKjlY4n1PdE4Bn9sFZuejPGgWIbJXjjQSRwOqx_mSO3zVhlrT2z9sal5uEbLBlchJ9qv4Pp1Cv7e8nVHTgI54woUENtztvZHFmv9S6Jhe0I8434IwmLfaaTsXMakfAJBquVpM-/s320/Wedding+Day+205.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
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I can say with certainty that I am not married to royalty nor do I live in a magical kingdom far far away, but I still believe in happily ever after. I am married to a man that puts me first in his life, at least most of the time. And in those moments, maybe I am not first, but that is when I am putting him first. I recently came across a letter that my husband wrote to me when we were still dating about 15 years ago. One line stood out to me so much it nearly took my breath away. He said," It's like we are always thinking about each other, it's never about us. That's why we make it work so perfect." He wrote this when he was only 19 years old. So wise. So true. It is still true today. I don't look for him to come and sweep me off my feet, but I recognize and appreciate things he does. The way he shows his love. Like when he goes out in the snow and cold to bring wood in to make me a warm fire, even after a long day at work. I see his love when he sets my hot coffee next to my bed in the morning, turns on a dim light, and gently shakes me awake. He takes care of our home and our family, he makes me laugh and I adore him. He is my prince charming, the only one that could ever be for me. I love him for who he is and all that he does for his family. I love him like this because I know him. I know his heart, his thoughts. I put the time in knowing him. I return this love with acknowledgment and praise. I give thanks daily for him. I tell him how much I love him and appreciate all that he does. I try also to do the things that makes him happy. I have found that when I do these things out of pure love that it also brings a sense of accomplishment and joy to my heart. I know and feel that I am doing the right thing by my husband and children. As this joy grows in me I want to do more and give more. In return he is thankful for me and blesses me with appreciation, tenderness, and thankfulness. We know that even in our busy lives and crazy schedules, when time for ourselves is almost non-existing; we put each other before ourselves. This is an example of the greatest kind of love. Sacrificial love. This kind of love is strong, deep, and binding. You know that when someone will give completely of themselves for you, for your sake, for your joy, that you have a love true and complete. It is a reciprocal relationship. The more you give to the other the more you want to give. Imagine what that would feel like. You may be giving your all but you are also receiving their all. It is amazing!! This is the kind of love we have, but it doesn't come with out work or without instruction.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MOn14aXPY9ltW-AZldGHNPhXsvWvpVUBY0sydK_PTw62T1tXeWGbq8cO5M-rOe1-IY71I3RDGG83l-oJZxHUkOgMs228g3-a0EC2eF4PO0rCk5xeX0_GxcebJQdqgdmZxrZ0kUkbW4ZV/s1600/Wedding+Day+207.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MOn14aXPY9ltW-AZldGHNPhXsvWvpVUBY0sydK_PTw62T1tXeWGbq8cO5M-rOe1-IY71I3RDGG83l-oJZxHUkOgMs228g3-a0EC2eF4PO0rCk5xeX0_GxcebJQdqgdmZxrZ0kUkbW4ZV/s320/Wedding+Day+207.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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There is fighting, there are tears, and heartache too. There are going to be battles and trials to overcome. And some days are worse than others. This comes with life, with giving, with honesty, and caring. I can tell you though that after 16 years together it is still fun, exciting, and even new at times. It is more than just we have been together so long that we're not going anywhere kind of thing. It is a dancing in the kitchen, cuddling by candlelight, talking into the night, sharing a bowl of ice cream with one spoon kind of thing. Don't think for one minute that this is because someone how our life is easy. We are just one of the lucky ones or that we never knew struggles. That couldn't be further from the truth. In fact we have faced some challenges that I am certain would have torn some families apart. It made us stronger. Why? How? We talk, we listen, we care, we share, we learn, we grow, and we trust. These sounds so simple when there said, but you have to put in real effort. It is not natural to do this and feel this after a night of being woken up to take this one potty, and this one needs water, and this one is scared. You are tired, worn, cranky and you don't feel like being nice. You HAVE to do it anyway. You are RIGHT and he is WRONG! He is rude and mean and unwilling!! You HAVE to do it anyways! I don't say these things as any kind of expert, but only as someone who has been there, who has struggled. All I can do is share what has helped me. It is very hard at times especially when you feel that it is one sided. You are not alone in this, but you can be blessed anyways. Listen to what my favorite author wrote about this.<br />
<ul>
<li> "Servants be submissive (voluntarily humbling yourself by cooperating with someone for the sake of God) to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also the those who are <b>UNREASONABLE. </b>For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows ( I read this as suck it up, LOL) when suffering <b>UNJUSTLY</b>. 1 Peter 2: 18-20</li>
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You see how He understands that their will be times that we are treated unreasonable and unjustly, but He wants you to DO IT ANYWAY. And He will bless you and find favor in it. I want to find favor with Him do you? This passage was talking about submitting to authority, but it applies to marriages and relationships in general. It goes on to say that we are called to suffer, just as Christ did for us. He is our example. I love that it continues in to chapter 3....<br />
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<ul>
<li>"<u>In the same wa</u>y, you wives be submissive to your own husband so that even if any of them are <b>DISOBEDIENT</b> (not doing their part) to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior." 1Peter 2: 1-2</li>
</ul>
Note that it say "in the same way" as in do it just like this. Don't worry in case you are feeling like you always have to be the one giving, God does not leave out the husband.<br />
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<ul>
<li>You husbands<u> in the same way</u>, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a women; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. 1 Peter3:7</li>
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The reference to weaker here is not an undermining statement. For the most part we are physically weaker, a man unruly could cause physical harm to a women. The more important thing to grasp here is that it says "to show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life" This is a very big deal, to show honor to a fellow heir or equal was significant in the days in which this was written. It means to show respect. I also don't want to leave out the part about "live with your wife in an understanding way". This makes me smile inside, because I love how He always knows our heart. Isn't that just what we want. For our husbands to understand us! I just love how real and applicable the word is. It doesn't stop there. It continues...<br />
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<li>"To SUM up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning EVIL for EVIL or INSULT for INSULT, but GIVING a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing." 1 Peter 3:8-9</li>
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So he continues our instructions. And it is so vital that we take this to heart. This is it, the key to it all! He calls you to BE A BLESSING! You are to be a blessing to your husband. You are to GIVE to him by being harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble inspirit; EVEN when he is not! You HAVE to do it anyway. This is a perfect example of grace. A gift given that is NOT deserved! Give grace. Be a blessing. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQ8dWOLW6r_KqjsACSRV7kJPMGPwB09bLybnpwjVBYQC3b_6R73sgX1JLSf79rsYVioiAZ881zd725DS_L75wCfOPTFFMgQbaALux2QAWSj72MbjzkD4dKioKwnKvDzOLM950NhokKidW/s1600/Wedding+Day+159.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQ8dWOLW6r_KqjsACSRV7kJPMGPwB09bLybnpwjVBYQC3b_6R73sgX1JLSf79rsYVioiAZ881zd725DS_L75wCfOPTFFMgQbaALux2QAWSj72MbjzkD4dKioKwnKvDzOLM950NhokKidW/s320/Wedding+Day+159.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
The message is not over there. I think most of us, me included, until I studied the book again as a whole, feel that the marriage application ends in 1 Peter 3. I think there is more to it. This is when I get excited! Remember in 1 Peter 3:8 above when it lists all the ways to treat each other? Well one of those may easily get lost if you do not take it and apply it with the next chapter. Stay with me on this! The Word tells us to be brotherly, to our spouse. Do you see it? Well chapter 4 of 1 Peter just happens to be on brotherly love. Coincidence? I think not! Listen to what chapter 4 says that we should treat each other. I think it is so important to remember that our husbands are also included when the bible talks about how to treat each other. <br />
<ul>
<li>"Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another WITHOUT complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good STEWARDS of the manifold grace of God." 1 Peter 4:8-10</li>
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Are we doing this truly? Examine your heart and your behavior. Are we fervent in our love? Do we make it a priority? Do you speak to your husband with love or sarcasm? With understanding or annoyance? Are we taking God's word to heart? When we work on our hearts and growth are we also working in this area? Have we become so complacent that for some reason we look right past our closest most cherished relationship when examining if we are right with God? These are the questions that I have answered in the past. I didn't like what my answers were. So I worked and changed and so did our relationship. If you are fervent in love, it truly does cover a multitude of sins. It gives you the compassion to see their weakness, the strength to lift them up with grace. It helps you to understand to hate the sin and not the sinner. To know that we all fall short of glory and to be there to help each other back up. Tears begin to stream my face as I am writing this. I am recalling something my husband said to me once that I will never forget. There was a time that I laid crumpled in his arms, with a pain inside of me so wretched that I could literally feel the death of sin that had taken me over and consumed me for so many years. He had every right to be angry to yell to show disappointment. He did not. As I revealed the depth of my soul, the darkness unknown to anyone, the kind of stuff you don't want anyone to know about you, he just listened and gently stroked my hair. He held me all day, continually letting me know that he was with me. Always. And the next Sunday when we stood holding hands in church and singing praises to our great Father in heaven, the great restorer, he leaned over and whispered in my ear "Welcome Home". For he knew that I had peace like non that I had ever felt before. My chains were gone and I had been set free. That moment when I looked up at my husbands loving face, I saw so clearly the love of God. His grace. His Mercy. I never felt so loved in all my life. Love Covers a Multitude of Sins!<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFas-cB9LG8">Something That We Do</a> by Clint Black</div>
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The one and only reason he was able to respond in this way was because long ago we made a decision to truly live our lives, our marriage by God's instruction, no matter how hard it may be. <br />
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I love how the bible breaks it down so clearly for us:<br />
<ol>
<li>It says submit EVEN when someone is being unreasonable</li>
<li>You are called to suffer in this way because it is the same way Christ submitted to death on the cross for you</li>
<li>"In the same way" wives do this to your husbands. </li>
<li>"In the same way" husbands....</li>
<li>Give the blessing of grace by be loving and kind EVEN when they are not to you</li>
<li> Love one another with out complaint. Serve one another with your gift!</li>
</ol>
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If you find that you are in a marriage where you feel it is hopeless. Know that the God that created you loves you and knows your heartache. And He gives you a promise<br />
<ul>
<li>"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all you anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But RESIST him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you." 1 Peter 5:6-10</li>
</ul>
Don't give up. Have Patience. Endure. Have hope. <br />
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<b> </b>Talk and then talk some more. Share your feelings. Be open and willing to put your heart on the line. Listen and try to see their point of view. Care about what they care about. Share in things together. Be friends, real friends, that talk nice to each other, share stories, thoughts and ideas. This is how you grow together and grow more in love everyday. This is how a foundation is formed. Then when trials come you can lean on each other in your darkest hours because you know each other deeply and trust each other, you can come out of a fire refined and closer than ever. On the other hand if you have to walk through a fire and you are not close and you do not really trust, your relationship will scorch and burn. Do not wait until it is too late, work on it now, even if it is good. Strive to make everyday better than the one before. Be willing to change. Be humble. Be willing to put the other first. Put yourself out their and give it your all. Be blessed and live a full life in the kind of marriage that God intended for you.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQFsP-z4jQ4McDaOxMjA5FphwU7Ea1Cy56DYUsyOaL_RoFU9QFc3T5kFOAkSwUr9cDgyD3n26nwhXm5LuecPherX3L_sWPHplMnxG0vyNoJoJMrQos0Y2QB1LTayEiVJCZsMphYWDEIok/s1600/Wedding+Day+124.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQFsP-z4jQ4McDaOxMjA5FphwU7Ea1Cy56DYUsyOaL_RoFU9QFc3T5kFOAkSwUr9cDgyD3n26nwhXm5LuecPherX3L_sWPHplMnxG0vyNoJoJMrQos0Y2QB1LTayEiVJCZsMphYWDEIok/s320/Wedding+Day+124.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoZC0Lkji2A"> When I Said I Do</a> by Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black</div>
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My prayer would be that my true spirit be seen as I write this with a humble heart. My hope is that by sharing some of what I have learned and endured, I could reach and maybe help even one in need. And that ultimately it would bring glory to God, who has loved me, saved me, redeemed me, and blessed me beyond measure.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08112025191024605363noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965883837342139352.post-5055601988228415152013-03-12T12:23:00.000-04:002013-03-14T22:00:36.246-04:00My Legacy Revealed My Heart ExposedYou may have noticed in my blog header the lyrics to one of my favorite songs, "Legacy" by Nichole Nordeman. I fell in love with this song many years ago when I first heard her sing it live at the Women of Faith Conference. It was just her and her piano on the large stage. There I sat in the huge arena with 15,000 other women. The lights were dim, all was quiet, and as she played the keys, the music filled my ears. Her beautiful voice captured me as the words she sang penetrated my heart. It was in that moment when I knew I wanted that kind of life. The words spoke right to me. So there among all those strangers, I had a life changing experience. Did this song affect them the way it did me? Are they hearing the same words I am, or is it passing right through them as just some quick entertainment between speakers? Maybe this moment was just for me. Could this be? It seems impossible and yet I have experienced it before and in times since. The way God can mold an entire situation just for that one in need. The way He goes after the one lost sheep. It is the way He loves us, and it is beautiful. I was already a Christian, had been my whole life. I was already studying God's word and trying to live my life in accordance to His word. This moment just put it all into prospective for me. Again the words came to me that I had heard so many times before, but this time it was different. We can not take anything with us when we leave this earth. This part I knew, but what I realized there in that moment, was that the most important things we do in our life is not what we can obtain, but the things we can leave behind that can neither wither nor die. <br />
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Over the passing years since the concert my life changed drastically. We started a family, and as I matured as a mom and wife, this song became a sounding board to me. I continued in my study of the bible. I grew deeper in love with my Savior, and my desire became to please him above all. I would listen to this song and use it to compare the decisions I was making in my life. The questions always forming in my head. Was this bigger than just me? Can I leave it behind? Who does it help? Who does it honor? Is this how I want to be known? Though my heart was in the right place, my actions did not always follow. I had many struggles along the way. They held me back and made me feel unworthy and useless as a wife, a mother, and a child of God. I knew that if I was truly one of his beloved, then He had so much more planned for my life then the pit of filth I found myself in. It was definitely not what I wanted to be known for, what I wanted to leave behind. It was not even my true heart or desires, it was simply sin that was standing between me and God's glory. <br />
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As I persevered through these times, I desired even greater that I would make a life that could be a legacy. A legacy to my children and grandchildren, to those who knew me, even to the world. One that shows of God's love, goodness, grace, and mercy. I have seen God's grace. I have experienced His mercy. I have felt His love. I have been forgiven, redeemed, and made whole again. I now know that my greatest legacy will be found in my children. How I raise and nurture them. Who I am and what I do will directly affect who they become. Will they love God? Will they raise a family who lifts their arms in praise to the Creator and Maker. Will they also want to leave a legacy of His love. What will they do for His kingdom? I want to show them how to love and be loved. How to be a friend. How to care for those in need. How to help others and put them first. To know what it takes to be a Godly husband and loving daddy. A devoted and loving wife and nurturing mommy. I want them to see how important family is and know how to make them a priority. To know a marriage that reflects God's love for us. One that stands the test of time. That "I do" means something more than just two words spoken in a moment. That it means sacrifice, commitment, selflessness, service, friendship, and romance too. I want them to see two people that love and fully give to each other. Who run their house with Him at the center. Who raise their children to love and respect each other. I want them to understand that love is not simply something you say but something you do. I desire for them to understand that they can fail and yet thrive. That sorrow and joy can coexist. That where there is forgiveness and love, there are second chances. I want them to see the beauty of the world that God created. It is more than the hard, sad, bitter world around them. They can have a life that is deep and meaningful; filled with joy, hope, love, blessings, and most of all thankfulness. This is what I want to leave behind. This is my mission field. My Legacy.<br />
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So why blog? I want to leave a record of my life. I want to share my experiences and knowledge to those around me. I want to give back for all of the things I am given. To share my blessings, my gifts. If I can offer any kind of help to someone searching then I want to do that. I have joy. I live a life of thankfulness. I am blessed. These blessings come in all different ways. Some are through designing, creating, and making my house a home. These things I want to share. Some are from making healthy tasty meals for my family that are quick and easy. Some are even the knowledge of how to care for my body, both physically and spiritually. Some of the blessings come from finding the right trick or tip to make daily life a little less stressful. Everyone can use some encouraging and positive thoughts and if I have something to give, then I want to give it. I have a passion for life and for people. For loving families and strong marriages. I want everyone to be as happy as I am. If by sharing my life, I can give a someone else some of these blessings, some of my joy, then this is what I want to do.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
So please click the link below, listen, and reflect. What will your legacy be? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3GxmLaaAwg">Legacy by Nichole Nordeman</a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08112025191024605363noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965883837342139352.post-29674307470972419292013-03-10T08:34:00.000-04:002013-03-15T21:08:57.855-04:00Faux Antique Tin Tile Backsplash Tutorial and Some History<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We purchased our house 9 years ago and it needed a lot of work. The first thing we did was rip out the entire kitchen. When I say the entire kitchen, I mean down to the sub floor, which we also replaced. To be clear when I say "we" I literally mean Bobby and I! We installed new walls, floors, ceiling, electric, plumbing, and windows, THE WORKS! We even took down a wall. This was extreme but a must. It really helped to open up the kitchen. There was a closet that was in the dining room, but the back of it was sticking out into the kitchen, making for very awkward space in the kitchen. I dreamed of having people over and I knew I would be in the kitchen a lot and with only a 24" door from the kitchen to dining room, I would never see anyone. Bobby wasn't at all excited about this. It was a load baring wall and you must know he was not skilled in any of these areas. He is a software engineer that has been self taught, and been helped and taught by reliable friends. We were in a little over our heads. In the end I was able to make him see it my way..ha! Best decision ever!!! Made the biggest difference and we are both so thankful today for that choice. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHuag8lRNZMB-8Uei5LdOXbyZ_wn4Pus3avA38m71VujToqq9nQt3oeb2rXVV9c9_juEjW9D2MBkXhuDqr1xi3cFyyBoKGoKy5i_B6bUI1lha33cnVeendpcLvky3fLhr1e-zGxF_zQbu/s1600/window,+framing,+boston+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHuag8lRNZMB-8Uei5LdOXbyZ_wn4Pus3avA38m71VujToqq9nQt3oeb2rXVV9c9_juEjW9D2MBkXhuDqr1xi3cFyyBoKGoKy5i_B6bUI1lha33cnVeendpcLvky3fLhr1e-zGxF_zQbu/s320/window,+framing,+boston+010.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking down the wall and closet between the dining room and kitchen</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKkW4XefBcvngdBP4008u9SP3566B1RmaaV_DnyV751DCOjWXjzLs9_2_jktu6wcoD5GTWn1nsWbIhh1D8FmajlyPB2WBo_dMCB4BWH94R6CoIE8w_I-4TyA1lhIuibmAzslaqxns-nuL/s1600/window,+framing,+boston+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKkW4XefBcvngdBP4008u9SP3566B1RmaaV_DnyV751DCOjWXjzLs9_2_jktu6wcoD5GTWn1nsWbIhh1D8FmajlyPB2WBo_dMCB4BWH94R6CoIE8w_I-4TyA1lhIuibmAzslaqxns-nuL/s320/window,+framing,+boston+016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ueats9mtmigiwNJFboaJgqgDEJ-NedsOrUyHf04dL-JWVw_-yUzq9rHW__PvTCSTuGn8PKXQIkERiM_xDsukzGjI0GVXWGmTFYobXWKI8DLgsK4u2jCWBUZ0RxBlfeKtrVopM0m9GlFL/s1600/window,+framing,+boston+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ueats9mtmigiwNJFboaJgqgDEJ-NedsOrUyHf04dL-JWVw_-yUzq9rHW__PvTCSTuGn8PKXQIkERiM_xDsukzGjI0GVXWGmTFYobXWKI8DLgsK4u2jCWBUZ0RxBlfeKtrVopM0m9GlFL/s320/window,+framing,+boston+018.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There goes the ceiling!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzY9GVuA8OpwH6Ns0hFpCeNiEom_NPwqPuVUCg3jR4fJI7aCbUStPf1cll_aGTvb9hcrcLTsOKdCfLmRAdTPVa9UN-RCTcYlJDVUaAVDiEBOPxyigVNUq_mPI6lSmtyhIYmgb4nihh7Cnl/s1600/kitchen,+upstairs+041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzY9GVuA8OpwH6Ns0hFpCeNiEom_NPwqPuVUCg3jR4fJI7aCbUStPf1cll_aGTvb9hcrcLTsOKdCfLmRAdTPVa9UN-RCTcYlJDVUaAVDiEBOPxyigVNUq_mPI6lSmtyhIYmgb4nihh7Cnl/s320/kitchen,+upstairs+041.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from kitchen into the dining room</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbBeZktxPjTFzTZuFVqEG4lAm4wA1YKEbcPmie-PoUyCAwn5S69UE2CgdxuknVX1w5kigb5g3HlxLcvi9g_sxP-erB7ZiLv_xhSthBNwTTgbLS-LWl1JU5Ww-OAzRsBUSiOKCNp2mBpwo/s1600/window,+framing,+boston+067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbBeZktxPjTFzTZuFVqEG4lAm4wA1YKEbcPmie-PoUyCAwn5S69UE2CgdxuknVX1w5kigb5g3HlxLcvi9g_sxP-erB7ZiLv_xhSthBNwTTgbLS-LWl1JU5Ww-OAzRsBUSiOKCNp2mBpwo/s320/window,+framing,+boston+067.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhccChEF0EWVpEz6IFRBrg77L66vMU-ieNfTe7VuKxrAg6eVoFsXmRjE5gUSWbHpzMUzTbD2WKr_Ctc0_uQXEvNV2QTxcdK25YZk0I4IsQMq7R62vVG7vLkONrGIsQXz7FcI43SlzRvMTOD/s1600/window,+framing,+boston+068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhccChEF0EWVpEz6IFRBrg77L66vMU-ieNfTe7VuKxrAg6eVoFsXmRjE5gUSWbHpzMUzTbD2WKr_Ctc0_uQXEvNV2QTxcdK25YZk0I4IsQMq7R62vVG7vLkONrGIsQXz7FcI43SlzRvMTOD/s320/window,+framing,+boston+068.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We were
both working full time and working full time on the house after work and
into the wee hours of the morning. It took us a full year to finish
the kitchen. Having been married only a year and just buying our first
home, we had limited funds. This ment we did all the work ourselves. I
designed and Bobby implemented. We were a great team. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We Still Are!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwR3zXiZ5qKfhSGPDN6eHZ4eETWRWyavJvJ7qTOGSvkvh2FegA6EPKnzdDzSlYEfktaoW8hUifOQldU7iCf401YeE4MBI6HZkDqsu7dQNB9KUzauhaOeN_gBMRFp6Dpw3gH9zbUimpU_V/s1600/karie's+wedding+090.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwR3zXiZ5qKfhSGPDN6eHZ4eETWRWyavJvJ7qTOGSvkvh2FegA6EPKnzdDzSlYEfktaoW8hUifOQldU7iCf401YeE4MBI6HZkDqsu7dQNB9KUzauhaOeN_gBMRFp6Dpw3gH9zbUimpU_V/s320/karie's+wedding+090.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice there is no glass in the cabinets. We did not have the glass cut for almost 3 years. When we finally did, it only cost $50.00 for all of them. It is so funny the amount of times we say, "Why didn't we do that sooner?"</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyybaacfI8HuhJx7JrvkIwqug5-KVdRhA9Jkg-j5ht-65ABt4M4tOA71l7ab9aVhB6JW9bPaiZ4D5DqsMrYwiZ_jSVR1XJTHNyrnHQSCOrzJsYfapVkDVZd_orq4vezxNo9590UMzGzTj8/s1600/House+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyybaacfI8HuhJx7JrvkIwqug5-KVdRhA9Jkg-j5ht-65ABt4M4tOA71l7ab9aVhB6JW9bPaiZ4D5DqsMrYwiZ_jSVR1XJTHNyrnHQSCOrzJsYfapVkDVZd_orq4vezxNo9590UMzGzTj8/s320/House+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfmq5lzOAUo_DtCOvlTO3z8UhwTKwNX6HJ3091-lAYrmrdakEXJqBcwxhv7gL2NBQwU9upsuKUjUDg4gLL3zNkqK4ASEoXfJreJvA9bjunwQaNSFXOZuvnxph0tm4CEGjO4Zh6sykOHIQ/s1600/House+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfmq5lzOAUo_DtCOvlTO3z8UhwTKwNX6HJ3091-lAYrmrdakEXJqBcwxhv7gL2NBQwU9upsuKUjUDg4gLL3zNkqK4ASEoXfJreJvA9bjunwQaNSFXOZuvnxph0tm4CEGjO4Zh6sykOHIQ/s320/House+005.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As you can see our first counter tops were not granite. Bobby actually made then with linoleum. He did a great job. If you look at the picture below, you can see how he trimmed it out.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_zJHBeCc6leKOrntOF-WWhyphenhyphenFS6qe4EVTGsVjE28CMwaMh7sFN6uBPw4VV2k5QgoT-6atV8Rn-g16u_2Pr9oE5mX3S8CbYgwP2YsET02K6udwrsElwxwn-OWwvWJjkJqXmFpNoDXNS-b3/s1600/House+078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_zJHBeCc6leKOrntOF-WWhyphenhyphenFS6qe4EVTGsVjE28CMwaMh7sFN6uBPw4VV2k5QgoT-6atV8Rn-g16u_2Pr9oE5mX3S8CbYgwP2YsET02K6udwrsElwxwn-OWwvWJjkJqXmFpNoDXNS-b3/s320/House+078.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosNPP8w4EB_e0pY4ItZZPvFxtLpGikKj2k_d6gQLKo0kQNKo0_LHXFUEW-OjZptb5sZBYadOPBOI3QEXkqyg1Fiwu9u9aE3XJUB1EigsHClk36X9QcgOusLisF3uz0Kedn2V46Ilwrl13/s1600/House+079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosNPP8w4EB_e0pY4ItZZPvFxtLpGikKj2k_d6gQLKo0kQNKo0_LHXFUEW-OjZptb5sZBYadOPBOI3QEXkqyg1Fiwu9u9aE3XJUB1EigsHClk36X9QcgOusLisF3uz0Kedn2V46Ilwrl13/s320/House+079.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQSKIBZKb-qxQWPCKT0JFg7Cd12oOO6H72242A6VK6GvELGAQveh9c4GUdKQgt-uquTzzP9heVsKP2P0nvCISPt1Adz7eePNNHOMre0q3lhueHYL94HJvCB_DXOQZhWfTJm6tc2Qg5eUj/s1600/House+080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQSKIBZKb-qxQWPCKT0JFg7Cd12oOO6H72242A6VK6GvELGAQveh9c4GUdKQgt-uquTzzP9heVsKP2P0nvCISPt1Adz7eePNNHOMre0q3lhueHYL94HJvCB_DXOQZhWfTJm6tc2Qg5eUj/s320/House+080.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I loved these counters. They looked really custom. If we did not get a steal on our granite counters, I would not have changed them.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwR3zXiZ5qKfhSGPDN6eHZ4eETWRWyavJvJ7qTOGSvkvh2FegA6EPKnzdDzSlYEfktaoW8hUifOQldU7iCf401YeE4MBI6HZkDqsu7dQNB9KUzauhaOeN_gBMRFp6Dpw3gH9zbUimpU_V/s1600/karie's+wedding+090.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We lived
in only 2 bedrooms upstairs for 2 years while we gutted and refinished
the main rooms downstairs. The additional rooms we left for later. Now
that you know the history I can begin with the back splash. We
invested all of our funds in buying beautiful quality cabinets. I
decision that I would not have changed. This left slim funds for all
the rest (sink, lights, counters, back splash..). I have always loved
french country decor and had already picked out my dinning room color.
With the help of my aunt and interior decorator <a href="http://interiorsbytracylee.com/home.html">Tracy Froment</a>, I decided on <a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_88936-12013-SF084920_0__?zipCode=02886&masthead=true&firstReferURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lowes.com%2Fpd_88936-12013-SF084920_0__%3FproductId%3D1106495%26Ntt%3Dpaintable%2Bwallpaper%26pl%3D1%26currentURL%3D%253FNtt%253Dpaintable%252Bwallpaper%26facetInfo%3D&catalogId=10051&catalogId=10051&productId=1106495&pl=1&findStoreErrorURL=StoreLocatorDisplayView&selectedLocalStoreBeanArray=%5Bcom.lowes.commerce.storelocator.beans.LocatorStoreBean%4076fa76fa%2C+com.lowes.commerce.storelocator.beans.LocatorStoreBean%40799c799c%2C+com.lowes.commerce.storelocator.beans.LocatorStoreBean%407c3e7c3e%2C+com.lowes.commerce.storelocator.beans.LocatorStoreBean%407ee07ee0%2C+com.lowes.commerce.storelocator.beans.LocatorStoreBean%401820182%5D&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dpaintable%2Bwallpaper&Ntt=paintable+wallpaper&langId=-1&langId=-1&URL=TopCategoriesDisplayView&mastheadURL=TopCategoriesDisplayView&storeId=10151&storeId=10151">this</a> paintable wallpaper. I then painted it the same cranberry color that I had picked out for the dinning room.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwR3zXiZ5qKfhSGPDN6eHZ4eETWRWyavJvJ7qTOGSvkvh2FegA6EPKnzdDzSlYEfktaoW8hUifOQldU7iCf401YeE4MBI6HZkDqsu7dQNB9KUzauhaOeN_gBMRFp6Dpw3gH9zbUimpU_V/s1600/karie's+wedding+090.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> I kept it this way for many years. I didn't love it, but it worked and I wasn't sure what I wanted. Also, there were other more important things to work on like finishing the dining room and living room, so that we could use our downstairs. And a bathroom and bathtub to bath 2 year old son. It has been quite a journey. Basically we have let the house guide us. Whatever the most important need was at the time, was what we worked on next. We have finally reached a point that we can now pick and choose what we want to work on or update.</div>
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30_e1928-OzWrDvE314D6i66AoHIipwoj7_x_57_KlQdR3wQUhGzYDm8y65F8q-H2k4JXZx0_SxwEAZADLgrAWXXTrXVrVV8LDvkq1NzOepw1Tml1zxccGiGJjJ0lmbEeWVgJfXE2fFwA/s320/IMG_8511.JPG" width="320" /> </div>
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Two years ago I took both the boys to FL for a week and Bobby stayed home. While we were gone he refinished the dining room. This was its second make over. I loved the blues and reds that I had in the house, but it felt too much for me to live with daily. I have been slowly going more neutral through the house. When it was time for the dining room I said good bye to cranberry walls and went neutral. Little by little all but little accents of red in the house had disappeared, really making the back splash stand out like a sore thumb. It was time for a change. I had wanted to do this for a while but with two little boys, a newborn, and school it was going to have to wait. Finally this past fall I had a chance to implement. So here we go!!</div>
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If you notice the paintable wallpaper that I had chose 9 years ago resembles tin tiles. I love antique tin tiles. I did not have the money or the desire to install actual antique tiles. This was a project that Bobby wasn't interested in helping with at the time. So I needed to do something easy. Well how easy is paint?! Over the past 9 years I have developed a decent ability for painting and refinishing things. This includes faux finishes. I must admit still I was a little intimidated. I didn't read a blog or follow a book, I just went with what I know and had on hand.</div>
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So again, I started with<a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_88936-12013-SF084920_0__?zipCode=02886&masthead=true&firstReferURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lowes.com%2Fpd_88936-12013-SF084920_0__%3FproductId%3D1106495%26Ntt%3Dpaintable%2Bwallpaper%26pl%3D1%26currentURL%3D%253FNtt%253Dpaintable%252Bwallpaper%26facetInfo%3D&catalogId=10051&catalogId=10051&productId=1106495&pl=1&findStoreErrorURL=StoreLocatorDisplayView&selectedLocalStoreBeanArray=%5Bcom.lowes.commerce.storelocator.beans.LocatorStoreBean%4076fa76fa%2C+com.lowes.commerce.storelocator.beans.LocatorStoreBean%40799c799c%2C+com.lowes.commerce.storelocator.beans.LocatorStoreBean%407c3e7c3e%2C+com.lowes.commerce.storelocator.beans.LocatorStoreBean%407ee07ee0%2C+com.lowes.commerce.storelocator.beans.LocatorStoreBean%401820182%5D&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dpaintable%2Bwallpaper&Ntt=paintable+wallpaper&langId=-1&langId=-1&URL=TopCategoriesDisplayView&mastheadURL=TopCategoriesDisplayView&storeId=10151&storeId=10151"> this</a> wall paper already on the wall. It is a paintable wallpaper that looks like antique tin tiles. It is nice because it is slightly raised. I recommend starting with a primer, however, for this project I did not prime. I didn't have much time and needed to get the job done. It took me about 2 hours on 2 different days. First I taped off the edge of the counters and cabinets. This was the only way Bobby would agree to let me do it. I can get a bit messy. Then I rolled on 2 coats of <a href="http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=434">RustOleum Silver Metallic paint</a> in a can. I only used the really small size for my whole back splash. It looked like stainless steal. I left it like that for a day to let it dry through. Bobby does not like a modern look and was so scared when he saw it like this. I promised him it would not look like this when I was finished. I had hoped not, I was a little scared too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89yHpl_rG__tB-ep7X1GVdjrQLjpMYb7LD6EtHwAHk4bVf5GQO0SX1hTm0TMlqIfLLBmoN2zmxQlHSC9INbDt-X2RiWaynRULDrUXRgx0KP8rinOlmagn4kiU9h0Geim-BMY4EQAJULhg/s1600/edit+1st.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89yHpl_rG__tB-ep7X1GVdjrQLjpMYb7LD6EtHwAHk4bVf5GQO0SX1hTm0TMlqIfLLBmoN2zmxQlHSC9INbDt-X2RiWaynRULDrUXRgx0KP8rinOlmagn4kiU9h0Geim-BMY4EQAJULhg/s320/edit+1st.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The next day I got back to work. I created a glaze with regular black acrylic paint and painters glaze from Benjamin Moore. I am not even too sure on the amount I mixed but it was something like a 1/2 cup of glaze to 1-2 T of paint. You can play with it. After I mixed it I just started to work in small areas at a time. I worked left to right. First I applied the glaze with foam brush. I made sure to really get it into the cracks and let it sit for a couple minutes. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjicitrOFm9mMNImRVrVmybp0M8hmdUfbEdaciQ0t7gqmWKLGfEyDJJvewRANpYpXhuLwfVfEkdAPkqT6Se7DxH1hCnFuwB68w_b7w1EJtPQNiDS_hIJ0vb90GGhYJpDGI__vsOeaMQ8Zdr/s1600/editglazebs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjicitrOFm9mMNImRVrVmybp0M8hmdUfbEdaciQ0t7gqmWKLGfEyDJJvewRANpYpXhuLwfVfEkdAPkqT6Se7DxH1hCnFuwB68w_b7w1EJtPQNiDS_hIJ0vb90GGhYJpDGI__vsOeaMQ8Zdr/s320/editglazebs.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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I then began to wipe if off in gently circular motions with a lint free rag. This is where it began to get a little tricky. If you press to hard you will wipe too much off. I actually did two rounds of this. To get the look I wanted. It is really up to you to decide how much or little you want the aging to look. I really wanted to be able to see it so I went a little heavier with it. Can you see how I wiped more off the top and left more in the background. I think it gives it a more authentic look.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQeoa-61YYuIKVIr-UeaYyJdmRo8F7oOm63IZXbf9OpuKt5vZQngB3R7z95HuuCZdzeMC9N-IKVWiFp0_AoZTCLQrWnC7XuZ7LfYYGoMOB-SxFbm3nC744zdOloMmC77zwZ7Sq0g1R45M/s1600/editfinshedbs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQeoa-61YYuIKVIr-UeaYyJdmRo8F7oOm63IZXbf9OpuKt5vZQngB3R7z95HuuCZdzeMC9N-IKVWiFp0_AoZTCLQrWnC7XuZ7LfYYGoMOB-SxFbm3nC744zdOloMmC77zwZ7Sq0g1R45M/s320/editfinshedbs2.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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After it dried I went over some areas that I thought were lacking. I really loved how it turned out. So did Bobby, which is a success in my book!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yGEVi9qblJuXs3HLINBC_6sdwZDZACfvdBHiQNtOPeggJodYm_W6O9x8XXjLaY4h8JvBgG7tZYRTB-tpsfEYiNla0Agkzb4iOfzuP4jRaTOURZ8FATJPFj_-9pjp8rg2eZ6TXS9T1SlB/s1600/editfinishedbs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yGEVi9qblJuXs3HLINBC_6sdwZDZACfvdBHiQNtOPeggJodYm_W6O9x8XXjLaY4h8JvBgG7tZYRTB-tpsfEYiNla0Agkzb4iOfzuP4jRaTOURZ8FATJPFj_-9pjp8rg2eZ6TXS9T1SlB/s320/editfinishedbs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOukU383kQSVudgV4c77dZ0gqa2DR-E-mSnIZCEwOey9_qM8XtkhSyhCWoLkz3uOlplitUUClnFwAl0P2u2PpZ1J1kBptRewCVSA3EEkbqPH7_5oJYGOn8geXKzd-_h8DH462fGY1xT22/s1600/editblackspladh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOukU383kQSVudgV4c77dZ0gqa2DR-E-mSnIZCEwOey9_qM8XtkhSyhCWoLkz3uOlplitUUClnFwAl0P2u2PpZ1J1kBptRewCVSA3EEkbqPH7_5oJYGOn8geXKzd-_h8DH462fGY1xT22/s320/editblackspladh.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Over the next 6 months we plan on making some some improvements to the kitchen. One of the options was to finally put in a real back splash, whatever, I wanted. I decided that for now I love the back splash just the way it is!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI15WiDZ4giXPKKzOSU5xTmqSM0VErr62eGBl1vIeXZyhwvWNgY4deBRwleso8NgI_xeBE_hXXMv3H5Mjk_lK1pAt85R9kZsUVvGKHW2E5tS9Snp4wtEJJgFliTd0SE3UaDhy9DrdS8DV-/s1600/editblackspladh3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI15WiDZ4giXPKKzOSU5xTmqSM0VErr62eGBl1vIeXZyhwvWNgY4deBRwleso8NgI_xeBE_hXXMv3H5Mjk_lK1pAt85R9kZsUVvGKHW2E5tS9Snp4wtEJJgFliTd0SE3UaDhy9DrdS8DV-/s320/editblackspladh3.jpg" width="304" /></a></div>
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If you are wondering where we ate when were living in only 2 rooms upstairs, we had set up a little kitchen in the living room and literally used a work bench for a table!!</div>
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What you can do when you're young!</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08112025191024605363noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965883837342139352.post-83787776838845319162013-03-08T16:13:00.000-05:002013-03-11T16:30:20.938-04:00My Favorite SmoothiesWho Doesn't love a Good Smoothie? I used to enjoy a healthy smoothie often for my breakfast or lunch, I really loved it! It would fill me and give me energy and was yummy too! I find that eating healthy is a habit. When you do it all the time it becomes easy and routine. When you get out of the habit, it is very hard to get going again. I seem to always get out of the habit with each of my pregnancies ( the reason I gain 40-50lbs with each one..HA!). Emmalyn is now 18 months and I am ready to started again. So my smoothies are back and I am so glad! I do not use a recipe so this may need to be tweaked to your liking. Use more milk or add ice for a thinner smoothie and add more yogurt, keifer, or bannana for a thicker smoothie. <br />
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I often use the <a href="https://www.babybullet.com/index.php?r=store/orderindex&gclid=CMqM6omA7rUCFYk7MgodX3IAmg">Baby Bullet</a> for single serving,s but I have the<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Breville-BBL550XL-610-Watt-Stainless-Steel-Blender/dp/B000MDHH10/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362775841&sr=8-1&keywords=Breville+BBL550XL+Blender%2C+Ikon+Stainless+Steel"> Breville blender</a> that works very well. It even has has a smoothie setting. These just happen to be what I use, but any blender would work fine.<br />
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<u>Berry Banana </u><br />
1/4 C Strawberry Keifer* (I get mine at Trader Joe's)<br />
1/2 C Organic Rice Milk or Almond Milk<br />
1 C Frozen Kale or Spinach* (or a mix of both)<br />
1/2 C Frozen Strawberries*<br />
1/2 C Frozen Blueberries*<br />
1 banana* (frozen or not, your choice) <br />
1 T Goatein Powder (I use <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Garden-Life-Goats-Protein-Goatein/dp/B000GWG7YA/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1362776012&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=gotein+powder">Garden of Life</a>)<br />
1 T Wheat Germ<br />
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Add all ingredients to blender and mix until smooth. Pour into glass and top with wheat germ. Enjoy! <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><u> Going Green</u></span><br />
1/2 C Organic Rice Milk or Almond Milk <br />
1/4 C Organic Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice<br />
1/4 Organic Plain Yogurt*<br />
1 Med Apple* (peeled, cored, and diced)<br />
1 C Frozen Kale*<br />
1 C Frozen Spinach*<br />
1 Banana*<br />
1 T Goatein Powder (I use <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Garden-Life-Goats-Protein-Goatein/dp/B000GWG7YA/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1362776012&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=gotein+powder">Garden of Life</a>) <br />
1 Lemon Juiced*<br />
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Add all ingredients to blender and mix until smooth. Enjoy!<br />
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*Extra Tips<br />
All ingredients that I use are organic. Any flavored keifer or yogurt would work. I suggest an organic greek style or <a href="http://www.foodservicedirect.com/product.cfm/p/210550/Stonyfield-Farm-Organic-Low-Fat-Plain-Yogurt-32-Ounce.htm?gclid=CMnw1IiC7rUCFSmoPAodCXkAbg">Stoneyfield Farm Organic Yogurt.</a> Please do not use any with artificial sweetners in it. I buy bags of fresh kale and freeze so that I always have it available. You can also purchase bananas in bulk to freeze. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08112025191024605363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965883837342139352.post-14377730734715164522012-10-30T20:38:00.003-04:002012-10-30T20:45:39.781-04:00The Shelves I Love and They Were Free...Almost.What is up with the HUGE header on my blog you may be asking or not? Well it is no secret that I am still very new to the blog world, so please excuse me as I try to put what is in my mind on to my blog. It may take a while.<br />
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Now that, that is all cleared up I will move onto my SHELVES! Can you hear the excitement? You may have gotten the idea that I LOVE old wood. If not, now you know. I LOVE old wood. I mean really old, the kind with nail holes or even better with the old nails still in them. The kind that most people tear out of old homes and throw out. Oh if I could find those dumpsters. Well fortunately I have people in the world that love me enough to bring me old smelly and sometimes molded wood. I get so giddy, my head spins and I can't stop thinking of what amazing creations I will make with it. Well this is one of those times. Remember the old mill wood that my brother had found for me that I made the coat rack for the playroom out of? Well I had more of it! Yay! <br />
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I have been really wanting some nice shelving in my living room to display more of my special sentimental things, or what my husband lovingly refers to as (my junk), potato patoto, either way I wanted shelves. I looked at Ballard designs, Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, Home Goods. I also searched Craiglist, Etsy, and Ebay. I found many beautiful shelves that would work but of course the ones I want were $150 or more PER SHELF! Yikes! Suddenly I became brilliant and really loved myself for my grand idea. I may have even patted my own back, but I would never admit to it. I would make shelves out of the wood from my brother. I am genius right? Duh! What took so long for me to figure it out.<br />
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So I didn't waste anymore time. My dad came to visit last month and I put him to work. He ripped the board down the middle (I love that term...means to cut it) and cut the end off slightly so they would be even. I wanted two shelves that would fit my wall in length but would not stick out too far. It was PERFECT. All I did was very lightly sand them with a sanding block and coat them with a dark wax. Done! I found simple black metal brackets at Lowes and presto. Perfection. I even hung them myself...well sort of. I had hung the first shelf using Bobby's drill and level. I was so proud because unlike I normally do, I actually measured and made sure it was even, instead of just eyeing it. Well it became more difficult to hang the second shelf, because I was standing on my desk and trying to drill in one end of the shelf to the wall while still holding the other end up....hmmm. This is when long arms would come in handy. Bobby came home while I was trying to figure out what I could boost under the shelf to hold it up. I was kind of annoyed and relieved at the same time. Some how I wanted to prove that I could do it all myself and yet I knew that I needed help....can you say prideful. So I humbly admitted my failure and asked for help. In the end I didn't care because my shelves were up and I loved them. I spend the rest of the afternoon filling them with my special stuff. Surprisingly I have not changed them up since I did it. This only happens when I am completely satisfied with it. And I am...for now!<br />
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So what do you think? Is it just me or do you love them too? On another note if you look in the background of the second picture you can see my little Jonny cutie at the table playing with his legos. I posted that one just because he is so cute!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08112025191024605363noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965883837342139352.post-65636666011119978542012-10-22T19:50:00.000-04:002012-10-22T20:53:07.701-04:00New Dinning Room Bench Makeover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have been wanting a bench for my dinning room for a few years now. I had used the grain sack styled one that I had done back in May for a little while. I loved the look of the bench but size didn't quite fit the table. After searching the web and finding that the look I wanted I soon realized that it was going to cost much more than I could afford anytime soon, so....I decided to make my own. I had a wood bench downstairs in my craft room and it almost was a perfect fit. <br />
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It was the right length but it seemed a little to narrow to sit comfortably on. I made a trip to Lowes and had them cut me a 14 inch x 4 foot board. I glued it on and put screws in it to secure it. Now it was the right shape and size, it just needed to be covered. I had some chair cushion foam on hand so I used them. I would eventually like to redo it with a 4 inch foam, but this works for now. I had upholstered my dinning room chairs a couple years ago in a washed canvas drop cloth and I still love the way they looked, so I used the same fabric to cover the bench. I was first going to make a slipcover for it, but it was going to be used a lot by children getting on and off. I didn't want the slipcover to shift and move all the time so I decided to upholster it instead. I first put the foam down and then covered it and secured with staples. I measured for the skirt, hemmed just the side that would touch the floor. I then began to gather and staple around the top edge of the bench. I finished it with white trim. It isn't perfect, but I am happy with it. I love the look it gives my dinning room. The boys love it too, they now sit at the dinning room table all the time. It is funny how a simple project can take a room from being used only at sit down dinners and make it a cozy part of the house.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08112025191024605363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965883837342139352.post-79647248853071043222012-10-16T15:09:00.006-04:002012-10-16T15:32:36.202-04:00Army PartyI AM BACK! I have a lot to share, but I am going to take it slow and steady. First a few updates. I am still located at the Stillwater Antique Center in Greenville, RI. I will be switching booths from 107 in the front to the furthest aisle, corner booth in the back left corner. I did not need as much space and really couldn't keep up with it. I am going to try to step back a little and refocus. I hope to make a lot of changes and get more organized over the next 6 months. I have been dwelling on the idea that I feel stuck between who I am and who I want to be. I have a goal to combine these two realities and become a whole person! Is it possible? We shall see. I can be so organized in some areas and so scattered in others. I go 100 miles an hour every day and I have had enough and so has my family. So I have put on the brakes. I am getting my priorities in line and I will see where it leads me.<br />
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I do have a Farmer's Day planned for this Sat 10-4 at Primrose Valley Gardens. I would love to see some of you there. I will be giving 20% off your entire purchase including custom orders if you mention that you read it here. This is the link to Primrose Valley Gardens facebook page to give you more info. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/105353619620150/"> https://www.facebook.com/events/105353619620150/</a><br />
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Ok, moving on, so as far as where I have been and what I have been doing, well that will take a while. We had a very busy summer and fall. Over the next month or so I hope to update you on all the trips, parties, and projects that have been happening around here. I am really excited to share some of the projects because they are ones that have been on my "to do" list for a long time. It feels so good to get them done. And I love how they came out. YAY!<br />
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For now I would like to share the pictures from Joey's army party. This was from last January and I never got around to posting them. Joey turned 6 and was really getting into army stuff. He decided he would like an army party. So I went to work researching ideas for a party and this is what we came up with. We rented the hall at our church.<br />
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So when the troops first arrived they had to be "processed". This is where they received their flag sticker, dog tags with their name on it, face painting, and picture. I printed the flag out onto large mailing labels and cut them into individual stickers. We placed them on their arm sleeve. <br />
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They then found which "squad" they were in. The troops were broken into two squads for the games to come. They sat and colored pictures of tanks and fighter jets while they waited for all the troops to be processed. <br />
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Emma was a great soldier! She held down the fort!<br />
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I am very upset that I did not get pictures of the MRE that I made. You can see the labels that I made. I printed them on to mailing labels and then cut them out. I put the food listed on the label in brown paper bags, folded them over and attached the label. They were the cutest little brown packages!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNh5XJKxbx7HS9fJfp41Py84glsDSZsnFQms-JVwF4BmTjdagkJyWlRLmGHFNq-gUmWFKbFf9VeJPkkucicXmRQaTPrDwi0oSaAkPXzxe-UagHTF0xyq8eVSZUwGxmXlsSg9-I5bnqqOPl/s1600/IMG_9290edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNh5XJKxbx7HS9fJfp41Py84glsDSZsnFQms-JVwF4BmTjdagkJyWlRLmGHFNq-gUmWFKbFf9VeJPkkucicXmRQaTPrDwi0oSaAkPXzxe-UagHTF0xyq8eVSZUwGxmXlsSg9-I5bnqqOPl/s320/IMG_9290edit.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Boot camp was fun. Sgt. Bobby had the troops solute and did role call where each soldier had to answer "SIR, YES SIR". <br />
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Next was the games. They did a relay race and obstacle course. They also had stand on a chair and drop a paratrooper and see who got the closes to the landing spot. There were prizes for the winners. <br />
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The final activity was a rescue mission in which each child had to go with bandages (toliet paper) on to the battle field and collect wounded soliders. NO MAN LEFT BEHIND. They each had 8 little soldiers to wrap and bring back to camp. They each were given a purple heart sticker and and certificate. Again I just printed and cut the sticker. The certificate I made my own and printed it on camo paper. I have attached a picture of one similar below. I can not find the one I made. <br />
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I had planned to make my own cake but did not end up with enough time. SHOCKER! I called the local grocery store and begged to get an army cake fast. They did not make an army cake....hmmm...ok, can you make dirt?? Yes, GREAT! I just added a toy tank, perfect!<br />
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Upon completing their mission they received their own box army play
box. I got containers from the dollar store, made a mission complete
sticker and stuck it on top. We have many little rocks in our yard so I
filled the boxes up and put in army men, tanks, and jets. They all had a great time!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08112025191024605363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965883837342139352.post-65395504351991770732012-07-26T10:33:00.001-04:002012-07-26T10:39:30.041-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well it has been a while since my last post. We are enjoying our summer
and have been very busy having some fun. I will have a few posts on
all of our summer activities when I have a chance, but for now I thought
I would give you a glimpse of my house. We bought our 1932 cape 9 years ago and as with most older homes it needed quite a bit of work. One day I will show before pictures. </div>
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Very slowly we have gutted each room and remodeled. We are on our second and third round in some cases, but feel that we have finally created rooms that we love. My husband and I have done all the work ourselves. We hired out only 2 jobs. One was the plaster in the kitchen and the other was replacing and converting our old furnace. In time I will go over each room in detail and explain exactly what we have done and hopefully pair it with before pictures. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3GhaRBbNy5ZSWC0Kj6yPq9GgHAV68r-Ztqsi8NhBsknohOXYr-pnvMWQR3R8Wgc8sE-iBRHohFp9FlbLi6V5SYnL3EPebQXe9PaSUCGNPONnDbiKChlNbv89q-w6a7LEgnvflikFNaUD/s1600/IMG_8487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3GhaRBbNy5ZSWC0Kj6yPq9GgHAV68r-Ztqsi8NhBsknohOXYr-pnvMWQR3R8Wgc8sE-iBRHohFp9FlbLi6V5SYnL3EPebQXe9PaSUCGNPONnDbiKChlNbv89q-w6a7LEgnvflikFNaUD/s320/IMG_8487.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antique stool that I painted on. The kids use it to reach baskets on the upper shelves.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This again is the playroom but I added some pictures to see the overall look. It is still not complete. I have more details to add, such as, a rug and lighting. I also have a few projects that I would like to do. All in good time!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1T93lDqFgzubUdPh5YzEeRX9wGEd4M361oqqWMn2DaE31cqpU3EQCCMS51fIKV9DjHCNKj1IQzsNLLzIi_1jfeubwZP9m7Os0brhLh-HudHeB1jTgkc0DTCtiwC95HSuami5Dw_P3ONwk/s1600/IMG_8477.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1T93lDqFgzubUdPh5YzEeRX9wGEd4M361oqqWMn2DaE31cqpU3EQCCMS51fIKV9DjHCNKj1IQzsNLLzIi_1jfeubwZP9m7Os0brhLh-HudHeB1jTgkc0DTCtiwC95HSuami5Dw_P3ONwk/s320/IMG_8477.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View From Kitchen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCSbeldviJ3zJg7_w9jbkPH7pRvP9hjtforTdspUOkSPi4Y3hMsMvwUNrBJqCUhqWIzJ_yHpVbVBONQ6CL65NyKlDL5lLt5mb64dVKGiHQ7SdAUwQa0TidaFIgK4flUdcUjfMsJJ3Cij7/s1600/IMG_8475.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCSbeldviJ3zJg7_w9jbkPH7pRvP9hjtforTdspUOkSPi4Y3hMsMvwUNrBJqCUhqWIzJ_yHpVbVBONQ6CL65NyKlDL5lLt5mb64dVKGiHQ7SdAUwQa0TidaFIgK4flUdcUjfMsJJ3Cij7/s320/IMG_8475.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View From Livingroom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZz7i-NlvjuBvh19Rk2G1BLuH1pgh760WWg7gV9JnfdNJlJrLjKX1ElnhoYsBp0vmjCYQusWK7hJHdBdn1H7U0CORsIDknXZLe2aHRLtgO-7bDWXzsGHrXH3nGpyqrRZE8hEtWADXgdzz/s1600/IMG_8470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZz7i-NlvjuBvh19Rk2G1BLuH1pgh760WWg7gV9JnfdNJlJrLjKX1ElnhoYsBp0vmjCYQusWK7hJHdBdn1H7U0CORsIDknXZLe2aHRLtgO-7bDWXzsGHrXH3nGpyqrRZE8hEtWADXgdzz/s320/IMG_8470.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Rug</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9caqjAkQWAtRnKh5_VyssYrAzxggPGNlFKb56sOVJpWdjJ7Hnem29gvrHh29vMtkO0mDQPXX7TcbLD4bFd1uClJQKqWqZBUEKkMLcfwe34FAQ0gblXhXXO674pc-VodzQIvXwcq6cI0H/s320/IMG_8469.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging herbs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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If you haven't guessed already, this is my dinning room. I will give more details about paint color, projects, and where I purchased items in a later post.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTkWskK9DuVRkM43jcfHbmMxwZxZu2qr9W6l8Yf-ChmJAuiOQ5uJZijQe1G1rJQvWDBVCryjodZ4wGJVdFSAKLwyFzvTHZG7sm_X3tL1bJI52f3VWCe7jmsj1WG4e5GVDf0SadrBqn-5v/s1600/IMG_8496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTkWskK9DuVRkM43jcfHbmMxwZxZu2qr9W6l8Yf-ChmJAuiOQ5uJZijQe1G1rJQvWDBVCryjodZ4wGJVdFSAKLwyFzvTHZG7sm_X3tL1bJI52f3VWCe7jmsj1WG4e5GVDf0SadrBqn-5v/s320/IMG_8496.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are pictures of my three loves in the tub all at the age of 9 months</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
This is our downstairs bath. The clawfoot tub is an antique and did not come with the house. That is usually one of the first questions I am asked.</div>
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Kitchen and hallway. This was the very first thing we did when we purchased the house. I still love the layout, cabinets and counter. We do need to update with some fresh paint. I would also like to add some other details that will really make a difference. We plan to start work in here in the spring. I will be blogging more about this as the project grows closer. Stay tuned!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08112025191024605363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965883837342139352.post-33365153753506185912012-06-11T08:32:00.001-04:002012-06-11T13:16:51.156-04:00I can not believe it has been a week since my last post. I had such a busy week that it fees like just a couple days have past. Let's see...Tuesday my dad and Sue left to go back home to WI. I spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning the house and working in the yard. Wednesday after I took the boys to school I went to the orthopedic to get the splint off my finger. For those of you that don't know, I dropped a dresser on my finger back in March and ruptured my tendon that is right at the knuckle. Do not do that, it really hurts! So it is stiff and I am doing exercises. I am suppose to have complete movement back in 2 weeks. I am not feeling it, but we'll see. As I had mentioned earlier, I helped to plan a very big end of school field day event for the boys' school. I had many things to prepare for that. I got it all done and it was an amazing day. I have a whole post to share on that another day. Thursday night I was up late cooking corn, making a salad, stuffing gift bags and painting a sign. Friday we did not get home until after 8 pm from our big day that ended with Joey graduation from kindergarten and Jonny from preschool. It was such a sweet day. This weekend we got a lot of small projects done and spent time together as a family. After church we spent the day in the yard. The boys played in the sandbox with the hose to make trenches. Then they bounced in the bounce house. Bobby took them each separately for a bike ride. Jonny is learning to ride his with training wheels, and Joey is learning to ride with out training wheels. Big steps for them both. We had dinner from the grill and topped the evening with an ice cream cone. It has been a great weekend. I love summer time!<br />
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I am very excited to show some glimpses of the playroom. I am still working on a couple projects and have some other details still left to do, so I am not ready to show the whole room. It may take a while to put the finishing touches on, so I wanted to share some of what we have done. I love the way it is coming together. I admit that I am NO photographer and do not have much patients for editing, so the pictures are not the best, but you can get the idea. The color on the wall is Benjamin Moore's Revere Pewter. The trim is BM's White Dove. I made the curtains and bean bag pillows. The playroom rules sign is painted in BM's Deertrail, which is the same color as my dining room. I love how all the colors work so nice together. This sign was my most challenging yet. I have seen a couple of these on etsy, but they were smaller than what I wanted and didn't have the exact words that I wanted, so I created my own. This sign took me a while to do but it was worth it. It turned out beautifully and adds personality to the room.<br />
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The coat rack I made out of a piece of wood from an old mill that my brother got for me. I love the history and character that is in this wood. I cleaned it, sanded it, and waxed it. I loved the deep aged color and all the nail holes. I ordered hooks online. I wanted this room to feel rustic and sophisticated but also keep it fun and young. I went with ABC and 123 for the hooks hoping it would keep the feel I was going for. I was so excited when it was finished and looked even better than I hoped. This project was one of my favorite, because not only does it add warmth to the playroom, but it also gets the coats out of my kitchen hallway where they previously were. When I started to design for this room I knew I wanted certain elements. I wanted a place that they could sit and write, read, color, paint, be creative. So for Christmas, Bobby's parents got the kids a table and chair set. I found an old wooden tool caddy and painted it grey to keep on the table for all there art needs. It is exactly what I was hoping for. They are already enjoying being artful! I love it. Another idea I really wanted was to have an area to display artwork. I thought the use of a clothes line was the best way to display many pieces while taking up the least amount of space. It works great, looks adorable, and they boys light up when they see their art displayed.<br />
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Well that is all I have to share for now. Let me know what you think!! You can leave a comment after this post. Have a great Monday!!<br />
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Kelli<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08112025191024605363noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965883837342139352.post-39889121205166157352012-06-04T21:41:00.000-04:002012-06-04T21:41:28.985-04:00And The Winner's Are.....Thank you everyone that came to my booth opening weekend. It was so encouraging to me to hear your feedback and see your messages in my book. It truly means a lot to me. The Stillwater Antique Center is opened daily 10-5 so if you did not have a chance this past weekend come and visit anytime. I am located in the first row on the right in booth 107. I would love to hear from you so if you go be sure to sign my guest book. <br />
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I have another busy week, but I think things will slowly get back to normal for me by next week. We have made HUGE progress in the playroom and I am almost ready to share some pictures, maybe tomorrow! I have finished a few projects and I am still working on a couple more. I love the way it is all coming together. <br />
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This week is the last week of school for my kids and then the summer begins, YAY! I am helping to plan a huge field day for them on Friday. It will be filled with crafts, games, food, and gifts. When I have a little more time to write and post pictures I will share it all with you. <br />
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Now for the moment you have been waiting for........<br />
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Chosen randomly by random.org are the winners!<br />
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The winner of the first giveaway for 2 french lavender sachets goes to Emily L. Congratulations!!! <br />
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The winner of the second giveaway for the 10 X 13 burlap print is Roubina Congratulations!!!<br />
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I have to say I was very surprised at the results because both winners REALLY wanted to win the giveaway that they won. That never happens for me! You each were entered 3 times for the second drawing and I really appreciate your efforts. Again a big thanks to all of you that stopped by and I hope you come again!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08112025191024605363noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965883837342139352.post-82826492199989106832012-05-31T21:50:00.001-04:002012-06-01T07:11:07.792-04:00Custom Burlap Print Giveaway!!Today was another busy day. I left this morning with all three kids in tow to go to school. I teach at their school on Thurs. mornings. We had a great day. The kindergarteners were testing so I had the my class (preschoolers) out on the deck. We talked about spring time and growing gardens. We also talked about bees and garden bugs. We sang the Itsy Bitsy Spider as we made pictures of a friendly spiderweb using yarn and glue. Then we painted with watercolors. I had them each plant their own green bean plant. I can't wait to see a little sprout come up. They are such good kids and I love being able to work with them. I finished up with them just before lunch. I left my 3 to have lunch and headed over to my booth to drop off some more items, then picked them back up and headed home. I still had grocery shopping to do, cleaning, laundry, and cooking to get done. I was going to make a few pillows and more sachets but I am wiped. I am actually not feeling good, so I am just going to rest. I have to stop in at the booth first thing tomorrow and leave a notebook, but other than that what is done, is it for now! If you do not have plans this weekend stop in at Stillwater Antique Center in Greenville, RI. My booth is #107 right in the front row on the right. I will have a guest book to sign so let me know what you think!<br />
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On to the next giveaway. This is a BIG one, I may never do this one again. I am going to giveaway one of my custom burlap framed prints in a 10 X 13 size (the size above is a 16 X 20). If you are not married or do not want a family name or est date, I can put Bienvenu (welcome in French) or Welcome (in English) with the fleur de lis instead. What you need to do is go to my booth this Friday, Saturday, or Sunday and sign my book. For a second chance to win come back to my blog and leave a comment with your favorite item in my booth. For a third chance to win put on your facebook status that you are going to the opening of Burlap to Pearls at Stillwater Antique Center in Greenville, RI. Then comment on this page and let me know you did it. If you do not live around here or do not win the giveaway and would like to purchase one of these prints they are available in my<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BurlaptoPearls"> Etsy</a> shop. You still have a chance to enter the giveaway for 2 of my lavender sachets. you can find out how on my post from yesterday. I will announce the winners of both giveaways on Monday! <br />
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I would love some feedback so leave me a comment and let me know what you think or even just say hi!<br />
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KelliAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08112025191024605363noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965883837342139352.post-6268278156978473952012-05-30T21:20:00.001-04:002012-05-30T21:21:14.994-04:00Giveaway and Sneak Peak!!Over the weekend I did not balance my work and family as much as I had hoped but I did put family first
and it was well worth it. So Tuesday I had to hit it hard and I certainly
did. I am not sure if I mentioned but my Dad and his friend Sue are
here visiting with us. Well Tuesday Sue and I worked all day and got so
much accomplished. We finished both benches, the tea cart, and some
signs. We also go the dresser started. Then we enjoyed a nice evening
out at India in Providence. The food was amazing. It was another warm night and we were able to sit in outside on their newly opened back patio. It was so nice to relax after such a busy day. ended the night with my favorite Red Bush tea.<br />
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Today we worked again all day. I dropped the boys off in the morning and worked all day and well into the evening. I got to large loads dropped at the store and set up. It took most the morning to put hangers on the signs and tag all the items. I am really pleased with the way it looks. I have a few more things to drop off and then I should be set.<br />
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It is now time for the Giveaway!! I will have two this week. One today thru Friday and another Friday thru Monday. I will announce winners of both on Monday. The first give a way is for two of my handmade lavender sachets. They are made with organic lavender that was imported from France. It smells amazing. They are so nice to keep in a basket in the bathroom, in a drawer, under your pillow, or even used in the dryer to give a fresh smell to your laundry. These sachets will also be available at my booth and in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BurlaptoPearls">Etsy</a> shop. You will have to stay tuned for the next giveaway, it is a big one!! So in order to enter you need to share my blog link with 3 people that do not know about me. You can share on your blog or facebook page. Then come back and comment who or where you linked and you are entered to win. You can do this everyday thru Friday at midnight for more chances to win.<br />
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I am very excited to share these pictures. Please do not be shy, let me know what you think!! I will start with a couple before and after and then a sneak peak!<br />
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Thanks for looking! Don't forget to come visit this opening weekend starting Friday June 1 at Stillwater Antique Center in Greenville, RI.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08112025191024605363noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965883837342139352.post-63610470554147742702012-05-30T03:56:00.002-04:002012-05-30T03:58:39.156-04:00Weekend Recap<br />
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This weekend was great. As I mentioned in my last post, I had a
birthday party to go to on Saturday morning. I made these cute little
shirts and a matching hair bow for the birthday girl. <br />
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Later that afternoon we went to Bobby parent's for a cookout for his Dad's birthday. It was a beautiful evening. We had great food and went on our usual after dinner walk. Bobby's parents neighborhood have this tree with a tire swing on it that we walk the kids to, and they have so much fun swinging from it.<br />
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By the time we got home it was bedtime for the kids. After we got them in bed I worked on a bunch of lavender satchels. I was really pleased with the way they turned out. My whole craft room is filled with the fragrance of lavender.<br />
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Sunday we went to church and then I worked most of the day on painting furniture and signs. I got a lot accomplished. We then enjoyed a nice evening outside on our patio under our beech tree. It was complete with burgers and hot dogs, corn on the cob, and watermelon. <br />
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Monday was perfect. The weather was gorgeous. Bobby took the boys to a nice park near us for a long hike. Emma napped and I cleaned. Once Little Miss woke up we packed up and met the boys at the park for lunch. We had crackers and cheese, watermelon, sliced oranges, and bananas. A beautiful tree sat on top of a hill next to a big rock and we placed our blanket almost under it so we had part sun and part shade. The sun and hike wore the boys out, so when we got home they rested inside for a little while. Soon they regained there energy and were back outside running through the sprinkler and playing in the sandbox. That evening we had BBQ chicken tenderloins and baked sweet potatoes on the grill followed by ice cream cones. Perfect! <br />
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Check back later for the sneak peaks and <b>Giveaway</b> I promised. I will be posting it later today. I wanted to do it with this post but did not have all the pictures I wanted. <br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08112025191024605363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965883837342139352.post-24472828267756610752012-05-25T19:47:00.000-04:002012-05-25T19:49:06.648-04:00Happy Friday and A Giveaway<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Friday everyone! I have been very busy getting ready for opening day (June 1). I have taken some pictures of some of the items I have finished, but have not had a chance to upload them yet. I will try to give a sneak peak over the weekend. I am planning on doing a lot of work and also spending some time with my family. I have a first birthday party to go to for a very special little girl tomorrow morning and then a family dinner tomorrow night. I hope to get some work done in between. I still have two benches, a dresser, a tea cart, and a side table to finish. Along with them I have more signs, pillows, and other linens to finish. I also have to make tags and tag all items. I need to balance this work with time with my family. Can it be done? I will let you know next week. What are you doing this weekend? </div>
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Head over to my friend Ashley's blog at <a href="http://aandlcompany.blogspot.com/">A&L Co.</a> She has some amazing organic scrubs and moisturizer. Today she is doing a giveaway. Go to her blog to enter to win. I did!</div>
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Happy Friday!!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08112025191024605363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965883837342139352.post-62567657747507114612012-05-24T17:55:00.000-04:002012-05-24T17:56:47.466-04:00A Quick MealI love to cook and come up with new quick recipes. My newest favorite was inspired by my friend Tara's blog over at the <a href="http://thetinyhummingbird.blogspot.com/">The Tiny Hummingbird</a>. Her recipe was for quinoa and black bean burgers. They were delicious. I just loved the combination. I have recently been playing around with different quesadilla recipes, when it came to me. A quinoa and black bean quesadilla! I made it the other night and it was amazing. My husband thought I was a genius and my 3 and 6 year old had second and thirds. That is what I call success. The best part about it was that it was super quick and I had everything that I needed already on hand. You can find the recipe below. What is your favorite quesadilla recipe? I would love to know if you try this one and how you liked it. Let me know by leaving a comment in the section below this post. <br />
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Package of flour tortillas ( I use whole wheat)<br />
1 can black beans<br />
1 cup quinoa (I like the tricolored from Trader Joes) cook according to directions, usually 2:1<br />
2 cups Shredded cheddar cheese<br />
2-4 t of your favorite Mexican seasoning<br />
1 T of EVOO<br />
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Toppings: salsa, sour cream, shredded lettuce (whatever else you enjoy)<br />
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Combine the cooked quinoa and the can of drained black beans to a saute pan. Heat on low until heated evenly. You may add a little water if it gets too dry. Fold in the Mexican seasoning. Heat a separate pan on low and coat lightly with EVOO. When pan is hot lay your flour tortilla in and fill on side with quinoa/bean mixure. Top with cheese and fold the top of the tortilla over to form your quesadilla. Flip after about 1-2 minutes. This may depend on how much heat your stove gives off. It should be lightly browned on both sides. Serve with your favorite choice of toppings. Enjoy.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08112025191024605363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965883837342139352.post-55596722390834570822012-05-23T22:07:00.001-04:002012-05-23T22:34:42.207-04:00How I Make the Most of My TimeI have often been asked, "How do I have the time to do all the things I do?" Well I think the easy answer is that I just keep moving. Tonight was a perfect example. While I wrote this blog post, I was making dinner while checking my date book to mentally prepare for tomorrow. I finished emptying out my son's lunch bag and looked through all of his school work. I already had on my work clothes on so that I can get a few projects done after the kids go to bed. I had Emma in her seat and prepared her food all the while keeping an eye on dinner to keep it from burning. I was stirring rice while fielding questions from my boys and Bobby. I just move! From one task to another without stopping. I must say that I am high energy and love to get things
done. The down side is that I sometimes over extend myself which then
overwhelms me, but I recover quickly. I am a multi-tasker. I developed this trait while working for 8 years at a very busy mortgage company. I try my best to take advantage of the time that I do have. I would have never thought that the skills I was learning then would be just what I needed as a busy mommy of three.<br />
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Even if you are not high energy or do not enjoy being busy, there are some things you can do to gain more time. One of the biggest thing that I gave up that freed up so much time for me was TV. We still own one, but we do not have cable or DVR. We have Netflix which has some cute shows for the kids. It has been a year now, and I do not miss it at all. Many nights after putting the kids to bed and doing our own separate projects, Bobby and I will wind down with 30 minutes of a show before bed. This allows me a couple hours after the kids go to bed and before I do to get some things done. If I have a task already planned then I can usually get it started and finished before the end of the night. <br />
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Another thing that really helps me is the idea of baby steps. If you have a lot to get done and you think of all of it at once it feels like too much to handle and we tend to give up before we even get started. Getting something done, even if it is a small task is better then not doing anything. If you get a few things done everyday then by the end of the week you have accomplished a lot. Try to break it up into baby steps. Pick a few task to get done for the day. Make sure you get those things done and do not worry about everything else! That way when you go to bed you feel like you have reached your goal. That gives you motivation to do more the next day. It also helps, if you are a list maker like me, to write down a list of what you did accomplish during the day, which is encouraging instead of a list of what you did not do, which is discouraging. <br />
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Finally the most important change I made when trying to make more time for myself was creating routines. Bobby and I have an amazing morning routine. We work together like a well oiled machine. We set out each with our own tasks to get us all ready in the morning, fed and properly prepared for the day. I am amazed at how much I get done before 8 am. Routines are hard in the beginning so start slow. Once you are doing it for a couple months it feels natural. Then you can add to it. Be reasonable and only set out to do what is necessary and what you are capable of. Do not try to be superwomen. You will set yourself up to fail. Remember baby steps! I laugh, because every time I "say" that I think of "What About Bob". Anyone else?<br />
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I hope that some of these ideas can help some of you. They help me daily. If anyone else has some good ones to share please do.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08112025191024605363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7965883837342139352.post-27778326085542964432012-05-20T22:03:00.001-04:002012-05-21T07:22:43.072-04:00It's Official!!!You may remember a couple weeks ago I had mentioned that I had exciting news that I could not share yet. I was not able to share because I was not sure if it was going to work out. As you know I have a shop on Etsy and love to create and decorate. It has been suggested to me by a few people that I bring my stuff to a shop to sell. That idea never seemed to work out for many different reasons. I needed something that would allow me to sell my own things first hand, but without having my own store. Impossible right? Well a few weeks backs it came to me that I should check out some of the local anique/vintage shops to see if any of them could be a place for me. After talking to my brother I felt drawn to the Stillwater Antique Mall in Greenville. I pass by it every day taking the boys to school so it would be easy for me to stop in and add items or straighten up a bit. I also liked that I pay rent and can price my items myself. It seemed to be a perfect fit. I stopped in early last week to inquire and it was exactly what I was hoping for. It fit everything I was looking for and they had a great booth available. I was too excited for words, but the biggest stumbling block was yet to come. I had to talk to Bobby and get his take on it. Really, I needed to know if I could do it. I am very logical in my thinking and do very well in all my classes, yet my emotions and ideas can take over and my logic can go out the window. I am a dreamer. Bobby is my constant sounding board. He grounds me. I thought for sure he would say I was crazy. That is was a pipe dream and to not even give it a second thought. To my surprise he said to go for it. Everything was working out. I still had to go back to the shop and clerify a few things with the owner. I explained that I would not only be selling antiques or vintage items, but hand made new items as well. Also, the vintage and/or antiques that I would be selling, for the most part, will be re purposed or refinished in a shabby chic, rustic, or Parisian style. I was very honest that my booth would not be what is typical at an antique mall, however, because it fits the feel, we both agreed it was worth a try. I signed the paper work! It is official as of June 1, 2012 Burlap and Pearls will have a retail booth open to the public at the Stillwater Antique Mall in Greenville. Stay tuned for my information, some sneak peeks, and a give away!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08112025191024605363noreply@blogger.com2