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Saturday, February 22, 2014

Signed Wedding Quilt



On February 8th of this year, I finally finished our #wedding #quilt!  It has been two years!





Our anniversary was February 12th!  


Instead of a guest book, my husband and I decided we would love every one of our guest, friends and family, to sign a square of fabric!  Well, we couldn't be  happier to keep them all near to our hearts. This quilt represents all the love we felt on that day!!!  My husband and I would like to thank all our guest for being a part of our day!





My girlfriend, Ursula, prepared the fabric by first pre washing it.  Next, she pressed the fabric and pressed a light fabric stabilizer to the wrong side of the fabric. 

This makes it easy to write on.  I purchased fabric markers in different colors.  Each guest wrote on a square.  Later, I pressed each signed block, just to lock in the ink.

#Happy Anniversary to my husband and I!

I welcome your comments and any questions you may have!



Monday, February 17, 2014

Distraction-Christian Blogger Challenge




Distractions come in all shapes and sizes, but one size fits all! No matter what the distraction, it removes our focus from that which we need to concentrate on!

We have them everyday, from the moment we wake up until we actually fall asleep!  So, what's the deal DISTRACTION!  Why, are you still there in my head, in my everyday life, in the people I know and love? You're not invited, distraction, go away!! I wish it were that easy to un-invite those unexpected distractions form our lives.  Most distractions we have, can be avoided and others we just have no control over.




Soooooooo, how do we handle  these distractions?  

I believe it is best answered in Luke 10:38-42.   Now as they were traveling along, He entered a certain village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.  And she had a sister called Mary, who moreover was listening to the Lord's word, seated at His feet.  But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him, and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone?  Then tell her to help me."  But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha," Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."


Inviting Jesus into the home of our heart is our first step to avoid the wrong kind of distractions!  Second, we need to sit at His feet and listen to our Heavenly Father.  Martha was way to busy to hear what Jesus was saying, Her thoughts and worries were taken over by all the things she thought she had to do.  How many times do we fret about the cares of this world?  

I tend to be more of a Martha then Mary and because of that, I don't always hear from God, until I stop and take a moment to visit my Heavenly Father.   Praying and spending time with God, allows us to lay our burdens down at His feet.  To stop and regroup our thoughts and our motives of why we do what we do.   

Wasn't Jesus telling Martha to slow down?  Come spend time with Me, just like Mary was?  Martha had to many distractions going on.
She was getting all uptight at her sister, Mary. Mary was focused on Jesus.  Sitting at His feet and listening to His word, is what God desires us to do.  Focus on his word to receive direction, guidance and avoid  all the craziness we entertain. 

Well, I don't know what distracts you, but whatever it is, let's focus on Jesus in the morning, in the evening and in between!  Let us take some time, a moment to pray, to sit at the feet of Jesus and not worry about what's not getting done!

I appreciate any feed back!  Thank you and God Bless!

#feb2014challengedistraction



  

Friday, February 14, 2014

Loved From Above



Jesus loves us!  The verse above says it all.! Our biggest Valentine, our hero, and our everything!

I pray this day will not be a sad day for some, but a reminder to embrace what was done for us.
We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19  Regardless of our lack of love from others, or even
broken expectations from the ones closest to us, we can express the love of Christ that pours over from our hearts to those that cross our path whether they desire it or not.  But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

We are to love as Christ as loved.  A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35   Bless others with your love!!

Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.  Revelation 3:20  Jesus loves you!!

I pray you all have a blessed day.  Remember you are loved from above!!!


Thursday, February 13, 2014

American Girl Place Store

My husband and  I took a trip to Los Angeles to enjoy the day together!  We stopped at The Grove to shop, mainly browse and enjoy some of the shops and food they have next door at the Farmers Market in town.

To my surprise I came across The American Girl Store.  I wondered why I never noticed it before.  I mean I've been at the Grove before.  I guess its because I have two boys, and I must have not been wearing my glasses, lol!

So many of you own one and have posted some really cute outfits, you've sewn.  In fact, I entered to win one!  I just had to share, it was exciting to walk into an American Girl Place Store!!



I had to go in and take a look at all these amazing dolls!  




I sure most of you know, but for you that don't, you pick your doll and you chose the color hair you want.  The style of hair, long, short, with or without curls etc.


Well, I was like a little girl, excited and sad I couldn't afford to buy one.  But, it's on my list!!! I wish I could have taken more pictures, but my camera died! 



 He has made everything beautiful in its time 
Ecclesiastes 3:11





Sunday, February 9, 2014

14 Days of Pampering For Valentine's Day Part 3







The Finals Days of Pampering: Days 9-14 Part 3






I really hope many of you have been taking care of you and have begun the process of  learning to pamper yourselves!


                               

Let's wrap this series up!
   


Day  9     Today we get to apply some goop onto our face and
                take care of those dark circles, puffy tired eyes!
                Remember what you wrote on your pad of paper.
                Is your face, dry, oily or do you have combination
                skin? Before you start, remember to pull your hair
                back and remove all your makeup with your favorite
                cleanser! Choose from the recipes according to your
                needs: (all face mask recipes are from Homemade Facial Masks 
                        Recipes / All Recipes Index )

Oily Skin:                     

Grapefruit Face Mask

Prep time to make facial: 
Cook time for facial: 
Total time for facial: 
homemade face mask


Ingredients:







  • 1 teaspoon grapefruit juice
  • 1 teaspoon sour cream
  • 1 egg white 

    Instructions:

    This is for an oily to normal skin type. Beat egg white until it is fluffy, add sour cream and grapfruit juice and blend well. Apply to face for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water. 


  • Dry Skin:

    Avocado and Olive Oil Face Mask

    Prep time to make facial: 
    Cook time for facial: 
    Total time for facial: 
    The nourishing attribuites to this facial mask cannot be measured if you have dry skin. You'll love how your face feels when you are done.

    Ingredients:







  • 1/2 avocado
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil 

    Instructions:

    Mash the avocado and the olive oil together in a bowl. Apply to your face and wait for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water. 


    Combination Skin:

    Banana Avacado Face Mask

    Prep time to make facial: 
    Cook time for facial: 
    Total time for facial: 
    This mixture with exfoliate and nourish your skin at the same time. Great for combination skin.

    Ingredients:
  • 1/2 banana
  • 1/2 avocado
  • 2 Tbsp full-fat yogurt
  • 1 tsp olive oil 

    Instructions:

    Puree all ingredients in a blender. Apply to freshly clean face and leave on for 15 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry. 

    For the Eyes:  Treat with sliced cucumber, sliced potato, or tea bags.  Try not to rub your eyes, instead pat them every so gently and get plenty of rest, until the 13th day. (Everyday) for the rest of your life would be great, but that isn't gonna happen!)  Drink water and 
    apply lotion to your body!!

                         
  •           
    Day 10      Make your special one a Valentine's gift and card. I'm
                      making cookies for my hubby and family. (Recipe
                      posted by tbspSusan)   
                      http://www.tablespoon.com/recipes/pink-chocolate-
                      chip-cookies/1f63354a-49e8-4686-808c-8785883ffc89
                               I'll be putting these cookies in a tin with a bow!

                                                 
                      
    Day 11      Throw a towel in the dryer for about 10 minutes to warm
                      it up while you deep condition your hair.  Apply heated
                      coconut oil, olive oil, or canola oil, on your hair. Coat
                      entire hair with your choice of oil and wrap your hair
                      around your head and cover with a plastic bag.  Take
                      that towel out of the dryer and wrap it around your head.
                      The warmth helps condition the hair. Leave on for 20-30
                      minutes.  If you have oily hair, only condition the ends
                      of your hair!

                      Lay down and apply cucumber slices, potato slices or
                      tea bags on your eyes. Set your timer and relax!
                      After 20-30 minutes,  remove eye treatment and
                      shampoo hair.  Your hair will be silky soft!       

    Day 12      Today get a good nights rest! Eight hours if you can!!!
                     Also, make sure you have your gift and card ready. 
                     Check on the babysitter, do your last minute grocery
                     shopping, rent those movies for movie night, or get that
                     wine you'll need.  

    Day 13      Exfoliate the skin!  You will need 1/4-1/2 cup of white
                      sugar and your favorite body wash (place the sugar in 
                      your shower where it won't get wet while showering).
                     
                      Sprinkle some sugar on to your hand and start to 
                      scrub your elbows, knees, legs, arms, shoulders, neck
                      and face, while in the shower.   Apply more sugar as
                      needed.  You can apply some body wash on to your
                      hands with the sugar.   Rinse off!  I don't like using
                      the body wash on my face, just sugar and water.  Your
                      skin will feel smooth and soft!!!  Lotion up!

                     Remember to drink your water, and get a good nights
                     rest!!



    Day 14      Its time to shine and show off your beauty! Have fun!
                      I would love to hear back from you, so please share!!


    This series is just a touch of what pampering is about!  I know all of us want that outer beauty, but that outer beauty starts with your inner beauty!  All of you are beautiful and it's important to believe that.  I know my Maker, Creator of heaven and earth, has created you and me, to be beautiful!




    Tuesday, February 4, 2014

    14 Days of Pampering For Valentine's Day-Part 2

    Follow my blog with Bloglovin Part 2









    I hope you all have begun to pamper yourselves to a more beautiful you. I know Days 1-4 may not seem like pampering, but it really is. Just adding a few more glasses of water to your day helps your skin hydrate, glow, and can slow down your skin from wrinkling! I alway picture the desert, that dry cracking surface. That's our skin without water! Yeck! Water also helps us from getting tried, helps with our digestion and helps our body to get rid of toxins much easier. It's not to late to start!!! When you step out of the shower or tub, lotion up! This helps lock in the moisture.  Moisturizing will also give you glowing skin, prolonging those wrinkles!! 

    Ready for days 5-14! 

    Some of your days will be different, but you can swap it with another day!!! 

    Day   5      It's color your hair day!!! Some of you will get your hair
                      colored and cut on the same day.  I need two days.   
                      Follow the instructions on the box.   Here's a really great 
                      YouTube link I came across while searching for 
                      examples. I know some of you haven't colored your hair
                      before but this video How to Color (dye) Your Hair like 
                      in a Salon, at Home!  makes it easy. It can get a little
                      messy.  So I flip my bathroom rug over, wrong side up.
                      Use one small towel for clean up,  another
                      regular sized towel for when you rinse your hair out.
                      Use old towels.   While waiting for your hair to set,
                      make yourself some herbal tea and relax!   

    Day  6       It's cut your hair day! If you already had your hair cut
                     you can play with your hair and try out different hair
                     styles! I always find it great to cut your hair at least a
                     week before a special occasion! I've had my bangs cut a
                     little to short and if any oops happen, it gives you time to
                     adjust and figure out how you will style your hair.
                     Continue drinking extra water and moisturize your skin
                     at least twice or more a day! 

     Day  7     Figure out your plans for Valentine's Day! Will it be
                    causal or dressy? Will you be cooking or buying? If 
                    you're doing the asking, its time to ask that special
                    Valentine! You married girls, why not do the asking!
                    My husband loves it when I ask him out on a date and 
                    do the planning! If it's going to be you and the kids, ask
                    them to be your Valentine! 

                    Now that you've figured out what you will be doing on
                    Valentine's, plan out your outfits for the big day! Lay 
                    your clothes out on the bed, shoes too! Try them on,
                    make sure everything fits. Pull out a casual look and a
                    dressy look, if you're not sure! Do the same for your
                    children. Planning early will allow time to shop for
                    something new. It gives you time to sew something
                    new, like a new scraf to jazz up that outfit. 

    Part of pampering yourself is to be less stressed. Being kind to yourself and getting organized helps the day go smooth. Most of us live busy lives.  When we're nice to ourselves, it reflects on our attitude.  Remember you're beautiful and be kind to yourself.  Let your little girls join in!

    Day  8    Get your nails done!  Always start
                   with your feet! Soak
                   your feet in the tub or in a
                   basin,  large enough to fit both
                   feet. You can use special
                   soaking soap.  I like using
                   bubble bath or body wash gel
                   soap.  Just squeeze a little into
                   warm water and soak your
                   feet for 10-15 minutes. 
                   Here's a tutorial on how to 
                   Pedicure:  How to Give 
                   Yourself a pedicure
    http://beauty.about.com/od/perfectnails/ss/pedicure101.htm








    Here's a great video on how to give yourself a manicure
                  (http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-do-a-salon-perfect-
                   manicure-at-home

    if you don't know how!  Check it out!



    Please leave me a comment and if you have any questions, please fill free to ask!!!  Thank you!  Tune in for Day 9-14!!  

    If you missed Days 1-4: 
    14 Days of Pampering for Valentine's Day and Great Ideas- Part 1








    *Photos are from Pinterest!  Tutorials are not my own! I do not know these people but found them informational for this blog!


                  









    14 Days of Pampering for Valentine's Day and Great Ideas- Part 1