Inspiration & A Few Pick-Me-Ups

If you've read my last two blog posts, you know they're not the usual craft or cooking project.  It's just not that kind of week for me.  I've been trying to just spend time with Colin and take a break from this crazy world.  There are a few things that have helped me get through this past week and a half, and I'd like to share them with you in case you're in need of the same.

Just today on kind over matter I saw some beautiful mixed media prints from Lisa Ferrante's etsy shop.  The prints made me cry.  They're so beautiful and inspiring and exactly what I needed to see this morning.  As you can tell, I mostly favored the girls that have my same hair color!

Another gift was Spin magazine streaming Eisley's new album AND offering two of the songs as free downloads!  I've loved this band since their first CD.  Their music always makes me feel a little better.

One last thing that's calmed my nerves and set things in perspective is this song.  Colin and I will be singing it at church Sunday (he's even playing the guitar).  A month or so ago when I picked this song, I thought, "How can I sing this when I'm not going through a hard time in my life; will it seem genuine?"  Well, God knew when I picked this song what he would have planned for this week in my life.  I guess now I can say that for sure it will be coming from a genuine, knowing place.  Funny how He works, huh? :)

Nip It, Nip It In the Bud

One of my dad's favorite sayings for as long as I can remember is "nip it in the bud."  He would say it if he was telling me to put an end to a certain bad behavior or if there was a situation that didn't need to go on any longer.  I'm not sure if this is strictly a southern saying, but it was his way of saying something needed to stop.

Today I'm going to work to nip negativity in the bud.  For the most part, I'm a pretty positive person, but negative people can really get me down.  Being around negativity is poisoning and draining.  One negative word can breed an attitude of negativity and spread like wildfire.  If you work with or live with a negative person, it can take its toll.  It's been a struggle with me the past few weeks to know how to deal with these people.  I've tried killing them with kindness and that only seems to irritate them more!  I got up this morning and decided I'm not going to welcome that energy into my life.  I thanked God for everything He's given me and told Him that He doesn't deserve a negative spirit from me.  I'm not talking about living in a bubble and pretending everything is rosy.  I'm talking about not bringing others down and being appreciative for life.

My decision to deal with negativity is in one of two ways: 1) physically remove myself from the negativity-- get up and leave the area or 2) if I cannot physically remove myself, I'm going to breed positivity-- point out what the person has to be positive for and mention how loving God is.

God deserves my best work and my best attitude.  I will not let another person's attitude determine my attitude.  Life is too short to live in a negative space, and it's the opposite of glorifying my Savior.

So will you join me?  Will you step up the plate, be positive, and nip negativity in the bud?

My positive gift to you: a picture I took in Armenia looking into Turkey at Mount Ararat, as in the Mount Ararat where Noah's ark landed!  Click to enlarge and then right click to save.

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Spilled Milk

I've always hated when someone has said, "There's no using in crying over spilled milk."  You know what, sometimes there is!  Sometimes it helps get you to a place of healing and even laughter.  I've always felt better after a good cry.  It's helped me release anger, disappointment, fear, and so many other frustrations of life.  This past week has been one of those times that so often I've wanted to go to my room, shut the door, and cry.  But right now my body is telling me it's not time for that yet.  I've got to hold on and keep going one more day and soon my cry day will come.  If I could be totally open without consequences, I would tell you of the things happening in my life right now, but I'm not given that right at this point.  You wouldn't believe some of the things I'd tell you anyway.  First Colin had something happen at work that could have come out of a movie.  Then later in the week we found a strange man snooping around our yard.  Then another "this cannot be happening!" happened.  And then Monday I received unexpected news.  Each time, a few tears fell, but never a full release of emotions.  Throughout this all, Colin and I have been holding on and supporting each other.  I thank God every single day for this person he brought into my life.  We've been married a little over a year and a half, and I can't imagine not having each other through these times.  More so, I am so incredibly blessed to have a Savior that daily provides strength, comfort, and peace.


I'm not saying these things to you to receive pity.  I'm saying them so you know that you are not alone in life's struggles.  The difficulties you face day in and day out are being faced by others like you.  I just pray that I can offer some encouragement and hope.  It can be so hard to be transparent and open in a world full of judgement and hate.  Being vulnerable is definitely a hard thing for me.  While I can't go into details about a few of these things because they involve the privacy of others, I want you to know that I too have to sail through life's storms, and I'm here to sail with you.  And when it's time, we'll cry together.

God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."  So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?"  -Hebrews 13:5-6

This photo is my gift to you as a reminder of hope.  Click photo to enlarge & right click to save

Tomato Soup from a Tomato Hater

I do not like tomato soup.  I couldn't even eat a tomato until about a year ago.  I don't like pizza sauce or spaghetti sauce, and I can only eat ketchup in small amounts.  But I made a tomato soup that was absolutely delish!  My changing taste buds (that happens, right?! :)) are slowly accepting tomatoes, and this soup was a compromise of flavors.  It was definitely a solid tomato soup, but it had enough creaminess to reel me in and keep me.

• Here's how I made it:
• *2 tomatoes - diced, steamed, and put in the food processor
• and
• *1 can of Campbell's tomato soup
• and
• *Good helping of dried basil (or fresh basil)
• and
• *1 cup heavy whipping cream
• and
• *1/2 cup margarine
• and
• *salt and pepper to taste
• all mixed together and brought to a boil
• *cheese and sour cream toppings

If you like tomato soup, like my husband, then you'll like this soup.  If you hate tomato soup, like me, then there's a good chance you'll like this soup too!

Tutorial: Yarn Wreath

I've seen a few yarn wreaths online, and each is a little different.  Here's how I made mine!

Materials:

*wreath foam (I got mine on the clearance aisle at Hobby Lobby)

*yarn (I had this in my yarn bag, but you could pick this up for a couple dollars)

*2 pins (or glue)

I took the end of the yarn and pinned it to the back of the wreath foam. You could use glue, but I didn't want to wait for it to dry.

I simply starting wrapping the yarn around the foam.

This took FORRRREVVVVERRR because I wrapped each piece exactly next to each other and made sure there were no gaps.  An easier way would be to wrap one layer quickly then wrap a second layer on top of that, but that would give you a slightly different look.  I did this while watching tv at night, so I was easily distracted :)

Not pictured (because I got too excited at finishing and forgot): When I was back to my starting point, I pinned the end of the yarn to meet up with the first pin. Again, you could use glue instead.  I also cut a few strands of yarn and tied them into a bow.

I think it's quite charming!

(The picture in the background is a birthday present I bought myself last July.  It's still waiting to be hung up...whoops!)

Snow Day(s)

Here are a few pics from the three snow days we had last week.  Such fun!  Have a great day, and don't forget to go enter the mittens giveaway!

biscuits with veggie sausage and homemade gravy

my car couldn't brave the snow!

my boo all bundled up

we got about an inch more after this initial measurement

i love snow! (no makeup...i apologize!)

snow cream! (sugar not pictured)

the backyard

EDIT: i forgot to include ruby in the snow!

she loves it!

Giveaway and Tutorial: Rosette Mittens

I'm doing a guest post over at Pamplemousse 1983.  It's a tutorial to make your own rosette mittens.  Best part: you could win the pair I made!

Head on over to Pamplemousse 1983 to check it out and enter the giveaway.

Vinegar Valentines

I picked up the Arkansas Antiques paper (which lists antique stores from around the state), and found an interesting article about Vinegar Valentines.

I had no idea what a Vinegar Valentine was.  Do you know what they are?

Apparently there were Valentines that you could give to someone to tell them how you really feel.  Not in a mushy way, but in a "I'm not very fond of you" way.  Crazy, huh?!

Here a few of the ones that were featured.  Some made me laugh!

Although I could come up a few people who are worthy of a Vinegar Valentine, I can't actually imagine giving one to anybody!  Think you could?

Have a great Valentine's Day, and I hope you get some sweet Valentines!

GIVEAWAY!

Today I'm hosting a giveaway over at Night Owl Crafting.  Click here to enter the giveaway.  You can enter through February 13, and the winner will be announced February 14-- just in time for Valentine's Day!  She's having a ton of giveaways, so check them all out!

Here's what you can win from me:

The pin is reminiscent of a private school badge.  The black netting adds a bit of sass.  I was a public school gal, so this pin makes me feel a little elite :).  Go enter to win it!

If you don't win, I have a couple more available in my etsy shop.

Here's the one I made for myself:

I'm channeling my inner Gossip Girl mean girl.

Good luck on the giveaway!

V-Day Decor (continued)

It's a SNOW DAY here!  We woke up to a snow dusting with the snow coming down like crazy.  So now the most important decision of the day is-- do I make pancakes or biscuits and sausage gravy for breakfast?  While I battle deciding, check out the rest of my Valentine decorations, and have a great day!

Tablecloth: Target (Christmas clearance)

Heart wreath (on plate stand): Target (dollar bin)

Basket with heart liner: Target (dollar bin)

Red bead strand: Target (Christmas clearance)

LOVE blocks: Target (dollar bin)

Tulip vase: It had real tulips in it from Colin's last V-Day

Freames with magnets: had for awhile

XOXO candles: had for awhile

V-Day stamp: Target (dollar bin)

The LOVE blocks turn into other words like KISS!

On my buffet I have candlesticks from our wedding, other decor that I keep out year round that's red, and a heart plate (from Target dollar bin) on a plate stand.  Ignore the candy canes!  

Use what you have that's red and group it together or make a few purchases that are affordable.  I love the dollar bins at Target (as you can tell!), because for just a couple bucks you have holiday decorations.  Why spend a lot of money on something that will only be out a few weeks?

I wanna see how you decorated!  Link to your blog if you have pictures of what you've done!

For now I'm off to cook breakfast (still deciding!)...

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