.June is almost here! Time to change my computer wallpaper again. I LOVE the free wallpaper that Crosscards provides each month. Just go to http://www.crosscards.com/ and click on the wallpaper tab. There are some lovely choices this month. Hmmm should I go with the daisy? I like the verse with that one...but then again the picture with the pillars and wisteria and quotation about fathers is lovely too. Or maybe that charming country church picture. Maybe I could just update weekly and enjoy them all!
If you're here for the life:beautiful contest please see the post below. It seems that their site is down today. I'm thinking they may be loading the summer issue material - it was showing their spring cover yesterday.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Life Beautiful Magazine - a contest! WINNERS!
Today I received two copies of the Summer issue of life:beautiful magazine. Each issue just gets more lovely!
As much as I love this magazine, I can really only read one copy...so I'm going to give my extra away.
The magazine is of the highest quality, over 100 pages, with stunningly beautiful photos throughout, and lots of scripture verse overlays. You will recognize most of the columnists - well known writers in the Christian community. Recipes, crafts, decorating ideas - they're all here - and they're all GORGEOUS!
Do take time to visit the website, read about this Christian publication, and enjoy all the beautiful photos...then do consider supporting their vision by becoming a subscriber.
Just leave a comment below in order to enter my drawing. Double your chances of winning by mentioning this contest on your own blog, and leaving a link for me to check it out.
I'll pick a random winner on Friday, June 6.
Updated June 6:
Many thanks to all who entered the contest. I truly wish I could send a magazine to each and every one. Please look for life:beautiful when you are out shopping. Walmart, Kmart, Target and many other stores will be carrying the Summer issue. (Fellow dwellers of "The 'burgh", yinz can find a copy at Giant Eagle soon.)
Special thanks to Christian Women Online for posting the contest, and to those of you who also helped spread the word on your blogs.
And, please consider subscribing. In the magazine world a strong subscriber base is necessary for survival for many reasons.
Since so many of you responded I bought another issue at Kmart to increase your chances of winning - so there are 2 winners instead of 1. They are:
Christina at faith, hope, and love
April at Salt for the Spirit.
I've left a comment on your blogs, ladies. Congratulations!
As much as I love this magazine, I can really only read one copy...so I'm going to give my extra away.
The magazine is of the highest quality, over 100 pages, with stunningly beautiful photos throughout, and lots of scripture verse overlays. You will recognize most of the columnists - well known writers in the Christian community. Recipes, crafts, decorating ideas - they're all here - and they're all GORGEOUS!
Do take time to visit the website, read about this Christian publication, and enjoy all the beautiful photos...then do consider supporting their vision by becoming a subscriber.
Just leave a comment below in order to enter my drawing. Double your chances of winning by mentioning this contest on your own blog, and leaving a link for me to check it out.
I'll pick a random winner on Friday, June 6.
Updated June 6:
Many thanks to all who entered the contest. I truly wish I could send a magazine to each and every one. Please look for life:beautiful when you are out shopping. Walmart, Kmart, Target and many other stores will be carrying the Summer issue. (Fellow dwellers of "The 'burgh", yinz can find a copy at Giant Eagle soon.)
Special thanks to Christian Women Online for posting the contest, and to those of you who also helped spread the word on your blogs.
And, please consider subscribing. In the magazine world a strong subscriber base is necessary for survival for many reasons.
Since so many of you responded I bought another issue at Kmart to increase your chances of winning - so there are 2 winners instead of 1. They are:
Christina at faith, hope, and love
April at Salt for the Spirit.
I've left a comment on your blogs, ladies. Congratulations!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Well you know I love IKEA...
But I REALLY love Craigslist. I needed a spot to work, where I could find my files, leave my laptop, and stash my stuff. My husband suggested this from IKEA. At $89.99 it seemed like an affordable solution. We have a huge IKEA about an hour from us.
A few days later I found THIS on Craigslist:
It was in perfect shape, 10 minutes from home, AND the lovely young couple threw in the wooden chair to go with the identical IKEA desk. Total price? $20.00. Gotta love it! Not too long ago I got a great bookcase from Craigslist. My sister in law was doing Pottery Barn look bedroom for her son, and bought metal lockers from Craigslist for a tiny fraction of the Pottery Barn cost.
I also found the sweetest vintage camper, a '68 Scotty Highlander - turquoise and white, with an awning and all, it could be adorable...but it's not on the budget just yet. But I'll know where to look when I'm ready to buy!
A few days later I found THIS on Craigslist:
It was in perfect shape, 10 minutes from home, AND the lovely young couple threw in the wooden chair to go with the identical IKEA desk. Total price? $20.00. Gotta love it! Not too long ago I got a great bookcase from Craigslist. My sister in law was doing Pottery Barn look bedroom for her son, and bought metal lockers from Craigslist for a tiny fraction of the Pottery Barn cost.
I also found the sweetest vintage camper, a '68 Scotty Highlander - turquoise and white, with an awning and all, it could be adorable...but it's not on the budget just yet. But I'll know where to look when I'm ready to buy!
When I don't feel like working...
I blog. How about that...twice in one day. Here are the Memorial Day cupcakes with the (shhh) store bought frosting. I also made a dozen gluten free cupcakes. The idea was that these lonely 2 went to the party (one for my daughter and one for me). The rest went into the freezer. Today we found out that it's way too easy to pull a cupcake from the freezer and spread it with (shhh) store bought frosting.
Just LOOK at all these cute campers...!
I followed a lead from A Cottage Industry (link in my sidebar) to this beautiful blog: Pink Icing on the Cake. Just look at all the cute cute campers down the right hand side. I want one of those!
Speaking of icing, I know that every reader here is much too healthy and/or frugal and/or accomplished to use tubs of purchased frosting - especially store brand ones priced at 99 cents. But you know, sometimes a gal has to do what a gal has to do...like yesterday when I made cupcakes for a Memorial Day picnic. Anyway...recently I read this tip somewhere (can't remember where) and it really works. So, just in case you ever find yourself in the unenviable position of using "boughten frosting" , dump the contents into your mixer, and whip it for a minute or so. It will get all light and fluffy and spread so much easier, and go so much further.
Happy icing on the cake!
Speaking of icing, I know that every reader here is much too healthy and/or frugal and/or accomplished to use tubs of purchased frosting - especially store brand ones priced at 99 cents. But you know, sometimes a gal has to do what a gal has to do...like yesterday when I made cupcakes for a Memorial Day picnic. Anyway...recently I read this tip somewhere (can't remember where) and it really works. So, just in case you ever find yourself in the unenviable position of using "boughten frosting" , dump the contents into your mixer, and whip it for a minute or so. It will get all light and fluffy and spread so much easier, and go so much further.
Happy icing on the cake!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
For Memorial Day
John 14:9
...because I live, ye shall live also...
1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Gluten Free Link
I just discovered the gluten free girl blog. It's beautiful, fun and lively, with lots of recipes for delicious sounding food - all gluten free! You'll love the photos.
I've been gluten free for almost 16 years, and have managed just fine. Now that the kids are a bit older I have more time to putz in the kitchen and experiment with different recipes. As celiac disease becomes more widely diagnosed there is emerging a whole new generation of products, and more importantly, talented, determined and FUN people who are sharing what they're learning about gluten free cooking and baking.
Just last week I bought this book at Borders. One look at the gluten free Boston Cream Pie photo on the cover and it was all over! The author is a chef and cooking teacher, and the photos are guaranteed to make any celiac or gluten intolerant person drool. Slurp slurp. I haven't actually BAKED anything from the book yet. Hopefully I'll move past the reading and drooling stage this week and actually try making some of this stuff.
My 15 year old daughter, also celiac, made some really wonderful gluten free fudgy chocolate muffins on Thursday. Between the two of us we went through the dozen in two days! Tomorrow I will go swimsuit shopping and then vow to eat nothing but fruit and vegetables until we go on vacation in five weeks. Maybe I'll just invest in a large terry cloth mu-mu instead.
I've been gluten free for almost 16 years, and have managed just fine. Now that the kids are a bit older I have more time to putz in the kitchen and experiment with different recipes. As celiac disease becomes more widely diagnosed there is emerging a whole new generation of products, and more importantly, talented, determined and FUN people who are sharing what they're learning about gluten free cooking and baking.
Just last week I bought this book at Borders. One look at the gluten free Boston Cream Pie photo on the cover and it was all over! The author is a chef and cooking teacher, and the photos are guaranteed to make any celiac or gluten intolerant person drool. Slurp slurp. I haven't actually BAKED anything from the book yet. Hopefully I'll move past the reading and drooling stage this week and actually try making some of this stuff.
My 15 year old daughter, also celiac, made some really wonderful gluten free fudgy chocolate muffins on Thursday. Between the two of us we went through the dozen in two days! Tomorrow I will go swimsuit shopping and then vow to eat nothing but fruit and vegetables until we go on vacation in five weeks. Maybe I'll just invest in a large terry cloth mu-mu instead.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Lilac Love
My lilacs are on their way out for another year. Sniff. I do wish they bloomed all summer. I absolutely love lilacs - and a couple of lilac bushes were the very first things I planted on this bald, bare subdivision lot. They are growing nicely.
Lilacs hold a lot of memories for me. I recall my first summer living in North America. This huge, beautiful lilac bush bloomed right beside the back door of my aunt and uncle's house. I'd never seen or smelled anything like it. It was love and first sight - and a lasting love!
Our little farm in Wisconsin had three enormous lilac bushes - each a different variety. I used to cut armloads of blooms from them.
My bushes now are babies, but still beautiful. I'm glad I remembered to take a photo before the blooms are totally gone for the year.
In other news, I'm hearing the Hallelujah Chorus in the background. Tonight is the last class of the film course our oldest daughter took this semester - a grande finale, if you will...a showing of all the film projects, followed by a trip to Dairy Queen. It's been a great class, and she has learned a lot. But it has involved oh so much time, and energy and chaos and frustration and driving about with gas at $3.85 per gallon. (Seriously, that is what the price was this morning.). I am so ready for the class to be over! Hallelujah. Amen. So let it be. Done.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Win win win some very cool prizes
Just follow this link:
http://www.hipmamasplace.com/2008/05/mothers-day-giveaway-event.html
But get busy, the contest ends tomorrow! There's a bunch of prizes to choose from. I picked the apron first (it's just so cute!) and the purse second (gotta love purses with pizazz). Good luck to you.
Should I, or shouldn't I...hmm. I really SHOULD, but I hate to share the link for this prize...because I really want to win it myself! Oh, alright then. Follow this link:
http://jeannewinters.blogspot.com/2008/04/win-book-contest-giveaway.html for a chance to win a beautiful book. I'm not wishing you good luck this time, because I want to win it! This contest ends on May 10th.
http://www.hipmamasplace.com/2008/05/mothers-day-giveaway-event.html
But get busy, the contest ends tomorrow! There's a bunch of prizes to choose from. I picked the apron first (it's just so cute!) and the purse second (gotta love purses with pizazz). Good luck to you.
Should I, or shouldn't I...hmm. I really SHOULD, but I hate to share the link for this prize...because I really want to win it myself! Oh, alright then. Follow this link:
http://jeannewinters.blogspot.com/2008/04/win-book-contest-giveaway.html for a chance to win a beautiful book. I'm not wishing you good luck this time, because I want to win it! This contest ends on May 10th.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
I have a dream...
yup, me and Martin...only mine is not nearly so grand in scope or eloquence. I seriously would like to find an old travel trailer and re-hab it. It has to be old enough so that it can be considered vintage as opposed to just plain tacky. It's important that the friends and relatives and neighbors think it's whimsical or quaint, not just redneck you see. Really. The best would be an old airstream...but I'd settle for a different kind if it had "the look" I'm after.
Anyway, tonight I had an epiphany. At least I think that's what it's called. I was sitting here trying to concentrate on a project amid the hub-bub that is part and parcel of life when one is blessed to share one's home with a husband, four offspring and two dogs. As I've been working more on freelance projects, I've been wondering where in this house I could carve out a tiny, quiet space for an office. Enter my dream. I can see it already...my restored trailer parked out back...cute little vintage curtains and all...a kettle of course, and hi speed internet...THAT would be my ultimate office. You know, I think I might be on to something here!
Anyway, tonight I had an epiphany. At least I think that's what it's called. I was sitting here trying to concentrate on a project amid the hub-bub that is part and parcel of life when one is blessed to share one's home with a husband, four offspring and two dogs. As I've been working more on freelance projects, I've been wondering where in this house I could carve out a tiny, quiet space for an office. Enter my dream. I can see it already...my restored trailer parked out back...cute little vintage curtains and all...a kettle of course, and hi speed internet...THAT would be my ultimate office. You know, I think I might be on to something here!
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Horton Hears a Happy Birthday
...a bit late, but our youngest finally got her birthday party. She came up with the theme herself...found the Horton pictures online, printed them out, taped them to toothpicks, designed and decorated the cake herself. It's all very Seuss-ish. She's the baby, and I'm so glad she still enjoys stuff like Seuss.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Cooking Plan B
So we fell off the weekly menu bandwagon yesterday. It happens! I left early in the morning for some nasty invasive icky medical tests. When I got home, a tribe of teenagers were traipsing in and out of the house (my husband was home!). Our oldest daughter is taking a film class and a lot of the footage is being shot in the woods behind our home.
When I finally thought of pulling the chicken out of the fridge (where I'd put it to thaw the day before) it was still rock hard. So we went to plan B. Using chunks of frozen cooked chicken (leftover from a couple of weeks ago), some frozen corn, shredded cheese and a tall stack of corn tortillas, my husband made a huge batch of quesadillas, and served them up with sour cream and salsa. Isn't he a keeper!? I put together a fruit platter, and that was dinner! Roast chicken is back on the menu tonight.
Today this stay-at-home mom is staying at home. We need the catch-up, quiet down, get refocused time...even if it is the monthly homeschool rollerblading day. Honestly I chuckle to myself when people raise the "Big S" question about homeschooled kids - What about socialization? Honestly, for every single activity that we do participate in, there are probably twenty that we turn down. Not a word of exaggeration!
Now I need to stop procrastinating and do some editing.
When I finally thought of pulling the chicken out of the fridge (where I'd put it to thaw the day before) it was still rock hard. So we went to plan B. Using chunks of frozen cooked chicken (leftover from a couple of weeks ago), some frozen corn, shredded cheese and a tall stack of corn tortillas, my husband made a huge batch of quesadillas, and served them up with sour cream and salsa. Isn't he a keeper!? I put together a fruit platter, and that was dinner! Roast chicken is back on the menu tonight.
Today this stay-at-home mom is staying at home. We need the catch-up, quiet down, get refocused time...even if it is the monthly homeschool rollerblading day. Honestly I chuckle to myself when people raise the "Big S" question about homeschooled kids - What about socialization? Honestly, for every single activity that we do participate in, there are probably twenty that we turn down. Not a word of exaggeration!
Now I need to stop procrastinating and do some editing.
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