Amazing Art!

The Get Dressed Challenge Days 4, 5, 6

I really appreciated this video. ( found over at Like A Warm Cup of Coffee) I am going through a period that I have not felt very good at how I let my body go. But in the last year as I have cried out to the Lord at different times and He has been healing my body and has pointed me in the right direction. He has also been showing me ways to get it where I need it to be, will be sharing more in the near future.

(Can’t see the video? Click here.)

Day 4 – Can We All Just Take a Moment of Silence for Showers?( click on the title to read Sarah Mae's original post)

I have for years been good at getting dressed as soon as I get up because of the inspiration of flylady.net. But... I was very convicted on this one and I am going to be scheduling my showers better. ((blush)) My slack started with trying not to wash my hair too much and strip it of it's oils but then it grew into laziness. As I said I feel convicted and will be making some changes.

Day 5 – An Eager Mindset

This was another one that I felt a "ouch" of conviction on. I felt convicted on needing to be more purpose minded in my homeschooling.

This quote from Sarah Mae got me between the eyes.

"I have to prepare my mind the night before for battle the next day. And friends, it is a battle. It’s a battle to get up, to get dressed, and to push down my selfish self into Christ so that I can offer my family (and myself) a peaceful, compassionate, humble, loving spirit…not to mention all the physical tasks that must be done to keep my domain from imploding. As a homeschooling mama, I have an extra duty to prepare my brain and “gird my loins” so that I can feed my children’s brains and hearts with good and true knowledge. I also want to teach them to be self-disciplined.

“She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong.” Proverbs 31:17"

She has such a good list of how to prepare to have the right mindset in the post... A Eager Mindset.

“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:14

I really pray starting Monday , well actually Sunday night, that I can sit down and prepare ahead for my coming day and have a eager mindset for God's glory.

Day 6 – When Body is Weary

There is such a fine balance of taking care of ourselves for our family, the Lord, for ourselves. And then at the same time rest in that we are beautiful and know who we are because of Jesus, and walk in that freedom.

I really like when Sarah Mae said...

"Not because the shoes or the make-up or the pretty clothes make you beautiful, but because you enjoy them! I want to feel beautiful as a woman, and I like enjoying an adornment or two, but my identity is locked in Christ, and if I should lose all my outside “beauty” that’s okay, because I can never lose my beautiful, redeemed soul. And if you know Him, your soul is beautiful and redeemed as well, and it’s sealed for Him for eternity."

So much to take in, digest, and think about.

The Get Dressed Challenge Days 1,2, 3

Frumps to pumps ( my sweet Mary Jane's)

My Mary Jane's are my favorite shoes right now. They are a way to have cute shoes but at the same time nice comfort. I have a wider foot and I can't seem to wear the cute pumps that some can. These Mary Jane's are wonderful too because they have support and give. The best of both worlds I think. [o=

I am suppose to first share the "why" I am joining in on this challenge. I have, as you know, been working on my Journey to Better Health for over a year now. As a result I am looking at who I am outside and inside. Now that I am getting older I have noticed I had gotten slack in too many ways. I am hoping to be spiffing up my appearance on the outside but also the Lord is showing me I need to spiff up what is on inside. I am being led to grow closer to Him and not to be slack in this department either. I am trying to keep my Bible open each day and read when ever I have a moment, pray continuously through out the day, and I am trying to block out time to write in a prayer journal. I am really looking forward to the Lord growing me in all these ways.

Day 3's post really struck me strongly. I have always been enamored that the eyes are a window to the soul. If you take a minute and really picture this, it is quite profound. It shows that it is a in to our soul and it shows you how vulnerable it really makes our soul. That means we have to be very protective of what can come in via our window. Let us be so very careful to what comes into this window for example...our books, music, anything visual, acutally any kind of media, our environment, and our close friends and relationships.

Day 1 – Dressing in Freedom

Day 2 – Prophesying Hope

Day 3 – What Are Your Eyes Focused On?

Here is a fun way to put a bit of sparkle in your appearance that doesn't take a lot of time. This looks like something I can do! And I hope to try it today.

Eye Shadow 101 – How to Apply a Perfect Eye Shadow Look (featuring Sarah Mae and her fabulous sister (and soon to be blogger), Keitha Marie):

I will continue days 4-6 tomorrow. Till then....

I am going to join in on "Get Dressed Challenge"

Watch the video for more information on the "Get Dressed!" challenge:
I will be doing the first challenge later today. Also had a neat tutorial on Styling Thin Hair just below this post. [o= But because I am starting late I will have to do some double time to catch up!

Hair Tutorial for Thin, Fine Hair

I didn't get to taking some pictures yet for my upcoming post but I found this and thought I would share. I am looking for ways to make my thin hair look not so thin. I found these neat videos and I thought that just maybe someone else would like to see these. So, till I get my act together ... I hope you enjoy this tutorial.

First Snow Today!

I had to pop in and say today was the First snow of the year ! I hope to be posting a update on my goings on tomorrow. I just needed a blog break for a bit, it also had to do with business and some had to do with some melancholy moods. Doing better today. So what is interesting in your life today? [o=

I am still here.... just busy

I have been busy still with family, harvest and such. Also, today is my 2ds 17th birthday. I will be baking up a chocolate cake and apple crisp and we have the whole gang coming, meaning family, coming for desert.

On a side jaunt, if you want to see a bit more about me you can see my likes and interests on Pinterest by going HERE.

::right now::

thankful...my oldest son Philip and Essie( his bride) got to come visit and celebrate their 19th and 20th birthday's with us on Tuesday.

it was ...a very short but really good visit.

that is ...why I was away.

planning and re-planning.... what needs to get done with the harvest , lessons ( for our little homeschool) and what needs to get done for the craft fair in November.

trying...to remember to breathe.

taking...one day at a time and trying savor it and not wish it away.

honestly... I am feeling a bit over whelmed.

feeling... the need to make sure I have my quiet times with the Lord and get regrounded.

reminded...by a good friend keep the Bible open and read here and there when ever I can.

mediating... on the Lord's holiness and goodness.

thankful... for all the blessings from Him.

wondering... where the rechargeable batteries are so I can post pictures of our plum preserving.

hoping ...to be able to get around blogshere a bit better soon.

Sneaking In A Stitch Here And There

With cool weather, sipping warm Earl Grey green tea, feeling cozy in my sweaters and long denim skirt. I am slowly plugging away at my Sock Yarn Slouch Hat. I never knew how long it would take to do 50 rows round and round and that didn't even include the ribbing, lol. Actually I did. I knew that this would slow me down and I wouldn't need as many projects by knitting in such a fine yarn. I am getting very excited I am only about 6 rows away to starting the decreases and soon I will be able to wear it. ((happy dance)) Yes, I will model it once its done. Till then I will keep sneaking in knitting time in between meals, slicing apples and lessons with the boys.

Happy Friday to y'all!

Pumpkin Goodness

My all time favorite squash is pumpkin...to grow or to make into something good to eat. Just recently I found two VERY good recipes I have to draw your attention too. They are Simple Pumpkin Muffins at Lisa's and Pumpkin Scones over at Debbie's. Now you would think the day after I hosted Thanksgiving dinner that the only thing I would have done is found a comfy chair and did nothing but knit all day. But...I didn't. I had some left over pumpkin puree and I knew what I wanted to make. I have been drooling over these recipes and had to make them. They both were huge hits in my home! Today I still have a bit more puree so I will be making more of these goodies and freezing them for another day.

Belated... Measuring Monday

With all the festivities of the Canadian Thanksgiving my measuring day went to the wayside. But last night being nervous I still went ahead and had hubby help me measure myself. I thought that my clothes were fitting looser and I knew I saw a difference in my shape. But with all that I still wasn't sure what those measurement would be. And...I was very pleasantly surprised.

I lost...

• 1 inch in my ribs
• 2 inches in my waist ( I about cried when I saw this measurement)
• 1.25 inches in my abs
• 2 inches on my right and 2.25 on my left lower thigh
• .25 inches in my calves

Which gives me a total of 8.75 inches lost last week. I am now officially a size 12 !!! (((HAPPY DANCE))) I tried on a old skirt ( one of the few that I kept) and it fit. I was in shock. My youngest asked me when was the last time I wore it. I honestly don't remember. It has been a few years. My goal is now to loose two more sizes and I will be very happy. I am now done with Boot Camp and I have started doing the Basic Workout Plus ( with Hoedowns) every other day for 6-8 weeks

The reason that I am going ahead and sharing all this info meaning my measurements , which I topically would stay quiet on, is because I want to share that if "I" can do this so can you. This program is very attainable. Can you imagine getting your workout done in 15 minuets?!? With this program you can.

I have done many exercise programs and know all the typical does and don'ts because of my Fitness Specialist Training but nothing was working on loosing my weight. I suffered a great amount of stress over 7 years ago and my body shut down and wouldn't let go of the belly fat or any fat as a matter of fact. The belly fat is the scary one. I have a ways to go still but now I have hope that it will happen. My goal is to loose possibly up to 8-10 more inches on my stomach. Once again I am sharing this to say to anyone You Can Do It... as Teresa Tapp would say.

A friend asked me what Boot Camp was. In this program there is the first week doing the workout tutorial everyday and you of learn the Basic Workout. Then after the recommended 7 days of learning the routine you go into Boot Camp. Which is a period of time where you do the basic workout every day for a period of time ( depending on what your goals are) and then every other day till you reach your goal then 2-3x/wk to maintain.

To tighten and tone up...boot camp, doing the Basic Workout everyday, for 7 days. Then the workout every other day for 3-4 wks. Once you have reached your goal then to maintain is do the workout 2x/wk.

To Loose Two Clothing Sizes ... Boot Camp (Basic Workout every day) is 10 days long and till goals are achieved do the basic workout every other day . ( typically 4-6 wks) After goals are attained then you are to maintain by doing the workout 2x/wk.

To Loose Three Clothing Sizes ...Boot Camp (Basic Workout every day) is 14 days and then every other day (typically 6-8 wks) till goals are achieved. Then maintain with 2 workouts/ wk.

I hope that helps.

Thanksgiving Dinner 2011

Twenty-one attended and we had a wonderful time. Grandma, Grandpa, grandsons, granddaughters, Great Uncles and Great Aunts, Aunts, Uncles, brothers, sisters, brother in laws, sister in laws, nephews, nieces, sons, daughters, cousins, and good family friends all came and celebrated The Order of Good Cheer. Lots of good food, conversations, music, laughter, playing, and pumpkin pie to boot. Thank you Lord, for this years bounty that you have blessed us with.

Crayola Doesn't Make A Colour For Your Eyes

I saw this and it made me feel like a kid again. Hope you enjoy it too. What colour are your eyes? Mine? .... Hazel. [o=

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

History and Origin of Canadian Thanksgiving

( this article is found here)

In Canada Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October. Unlike the American tradition of remembering Pilgrims and settling in the New World, Canadians give thanks for a successful harvest. The harvest season falls earlier in Canada compared to the United States due to the simple fact that Canada is further north.

The history of Thanksgiving in Canada goes back to an English explorer , Martin Frobisher, who had been trying to find a northern passage to the Orient. He did not succeed but he did establish a settlement in Northern America. In the year 1578, he held a formal ceremony, in what is now called Newfoundland, to give thanks for surviving the long journey. This is considered the first Canadian Thanksgiving. Other settlers arrived and continued these ceremonies. He was later knighted and had an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean in northern Canada named after him - Frobisher Bay.

At the same time, French settlers, having crossed the ocean and arrived in Canada with explorer Samuel de Champlain, also held huge feasts of thanks. They even formed 'The Order of Good Cheer' and gladly shared their food with their Indian neighbours.

After the Seven Year's War ended in 1763, the citizens of Halifax held a special day of Thanksgiving.

During the American Revolution, Americans who remained loyal to England moved to Canada where they brought the customs and practices of the American Thanksgiving to Canada. There are many similarities between the two Thanksgivings such as the cornucopia and the pumpkin pie.

Eventually in 1879, Parliament declared November 6th a day of Thanksgiving and a national holiday. Over the years many dates were used for Thanksgiving, the most popular was the 3rd Monday in October. After World War I, both Armistice Day and Thanksgiving were celebrated on the Monday of the week in which November 11th occurred. Ten years later, in 1931, the two days became separate holidays and Armistice Day was renamed Remembrance Day.

Finally, on January 31st, 1957, Parliament proclaimed...

"A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed ... to be observed on the 2nd Monday in October.

::right now::

Happy... that hubby picked up chickens and they are all snug in the freezer.

Waiting... for the beef and turkeys to come next.

Ordered... onions and will picking them up soon.

Amazed... at how many green peppers we harvested. Now we are eating fresh and chopping and freezing for the winter.

Got... a phone call that on this coming Monday we can pick some crab apples at a friends house.

So that means... more jelly making.

Starting... to bring in the other apples and preserving them. Thinking apple pie filling, more apple sauce, apple butter, dried apples.

Finally shredded... up zucchinis and have enough for 22 dozen for this zucchini muffin recipe. (more might be coming, hopefully)

Need to... freeze the basil harvest.

Dreaming... of making pumpkin butter, pies, and pumpkin scones. ( yes, I said pumpkin scones! )

Thinking... of lighting our first fire in the wood stove this year.

Admiring Hubby's work... he cleaned up the raspberry patch for me. [o= And he has been is cleaning up raised beds in the garden. He is such a sweet hardworking man.

Watching and waiting... for the Italian Plums and certain apple trees to be ready to pick.

Thankful... for a hubby who steps in and helps when I feel overwhelmed with preserving.

Remembering... the year we had a bumper crop of apples and had to pick apples for 7 hours in the first snow of the year on Thanksgiving week end.

Thinking... of all the things I need to do before the Canadian Thanksgiving dinner celebration THIS week end. We host the extended family dinner and 20 are expected.

Who Are You Story Character in "The Fiddler On The Roof" ?

I am Golda!



Take the Fiddler on the Roof quiz at ChaiSpace.com

I guess you can tell when I am in over my head in jobs to do on the homestead. I tend to find and look for things that will make me laugh and make life lighter and easier. Ohhh btw Golda is the Wife in the story " Fiddler On The Roof" .This made me ROFL I have to say. Hee he who are you ? And let me know. [o=


Update:
Okay I took it again because I don't have anything better to do. [o; This time I came out Chava. That is who I thought I would be but I can see a bit of Golda in me too. [o=

I am Chava!



Take the Fiddler on the Roof quiz at ChaiSpace.com

Week II of Boot Camp

This is a picture from the top of the water line.

I can see why Teresa Tapp calls it boot camp. Now, don't get me wrong it isn't horrible it is just pushing me. Not every story has the same results and not everyone looses inches in the first week. For I am one of them but I have noticed some really neat changes this last week. I am noticing my stomach ( which is my main trouble spot) is changing shape and I am toning up and getting stronger all over. On Sunday my sweetie and I went for a hike up the waterline. I wasn't really looking forward at first because there is one really steep area that REALLY challenges me. But being a good wife I went without grumbling. I was sooooo surprised when I was walking up that steep section that I wasn't huffing and puffing like I tend to do. Yes, I could feel my muscles working but I didn't even stop once for a break to catch my breath! I am hoping to start seeing some inches fall off soon but I am seeing a difference and I like it. Now, just as a comparison I have to say that I have done months actually a couple years of different workouts and my body hasn't had any major changes. But I have been doing t-tapp for about two weeks and I see changes! So, I have to say that I am becoming a happy camper in this boot camp. [o= I will keep you posted on Mondays (or Tuesdays depending) .

For Fun

Sometimes I just need to be silly and lighten the mood. Hope you enjoy. [o=