Holiday Bliss 2010: Day 10 ~Cinnamon Ornaments

eHow to make them~simple!

I like to paint them with puff paints using an outline around the edge abt 1/4 inch...with white...looks like gingerbread!

These smell nice and hold up a good while! Enjoy!

Don't forget the DVD contest HERE ENDS TONIGHT!

READ MO HERE!

Fit Mommy Friday: WK 7: On Target~

I'm in week 9 of leaving sugar and white flour alone TOTALLY...I am way more active...now, I've injured my wrist,  but still plugging along!  Food is good and clean! Drinking water mostly~

I am researching Glycemic Index verses carbohydrates for solid totals on my food plan.  Due to my disease, I may need to make some modifications.  Exercise continues to be ADLs and shopping~woot! Who doesn't enjoy shopping?

Read mo HERE!

Don't forget the DVD contestThe Narnia Code ENDS TONIGHT!

Holiday Bliss 2010: Day 9 ~ Maxine

Merry Christmas To All My Friends

If I were ol' Santa, you know what I'd do
I'd dump silly gifts that are given to you
And deliver some things just inside your front door
Things you have lost, but treasured before.

I'd give you back all your maidenly vigor,
And to go along with it, a neat tiny figure.
Then restore the old color that once graced your hair
Before rinses and bleaches took residence there.

I'd bring back the shape with which you were gifted
So things now suspended need not be uplifted.
I'd draw in your tummy and smooth down your back
Till you'd be a dream in those tight fitting slacks.

I'd remove all your wrinkles and leave only one chin
So you wouldn't spend hours rubbing grease on your skin
You'd never have flashes or queer dizzy spells
And you wouldn't hear noises like ringing of bells.

No sore aching feet and no corns on your toes
No searching for spectacles when they're right on your nose.
Not a shot would you take in your arm, hip or fanny
From a doctor who thinks you're a nervous old granny.

You'd never have a headache, so no pills would you take.
And no heating pad needed since your muscles won't ache.
Yes, if I were Santa, you'd never look stupid
You'd be a cute little chick with the romance of a cupid.

I'd give a lift to your heart when those wolves start to whistle
And the joys of your heart would be light as a thistle.
But alas! I'm not Santa. I'm simply just me
The matronest of matrons you ever did see.

I wish I could tell you all the symptoms I've got
But I'm due at my doctor's for an estrogen shot.
Even though we've grown older this wish is sincere
Merry Christmas to you and a Happy New Year. 

Friends are the marshmallows in the hot chocolate of life.(sugar free of course!!!!!)
More HERE!

FREE: Links to ALL KINDS of Christmas Crafts/Coloring Pages

Debbie's Digest
Thanks, Debbie! ;-))

REAL HELP~With Everything!

Struggling?
Give it ALL to Jesus~
Only God sized problems can be fixed by GOD!

I HAVE NO Problems~Be Prepared to Cry...For JOY!

If I thought I had problems...If you think you do too~

I have NO problems, and neither do you...in God~amen. 
All things are possible to them that believe!

Holiday Bliss 2010: Day 8 ~ Family Stress

The holidays are supposed to be picture perfect~gorgeous decor, sweet and savory smells, cheer from everyone all through any gathering, and loads of EVERYTHING our little hearts desire~NOT...reality hits: Mama has to get Daddy to check all the bulbs in the string of Christmas lights b/c they're not working and it's necessary to hunt down the offending bulb!  The tree sits crooked b/c when the kids decorated it they failed to properly balance the ornaments~oh, and the ornaments are facing backwards, much less a little heavily concentrated in areas all clumped together...the house needs dejunking and decluttering! All those gifts and gift wrap are causing extra mess much less the fallout from all the crafting junk everywhere as gifts are finished up...the cat box reeks, the oven smokes and smells bad, well, the house just plain needs cleaning!  Laundry piles up as extra commitments take us away from our duties...and then, Great Auntie shows up to the holiday party with her exhusband who is a thief...yeah, and the family is a little put out with Auntie for bringing the sap along!  The baby cries extra and our tree is a little bare...no fancy schmancy gifts for ME under that tree~boohoo!

The word, "supposed" is the key here~It equals our expectations! BTW~SisterT might have some dire situations, but she didn't not air her dirty laundry just now~the above is ALL made up (thank the Lord! LOL)  But our expectations can put us in a pretty sour mood if we're not careful.  We can actually fail to see what blessings we have and enjoy all that is around us! Laying aside holiday expectations can go a long way in keeping our minds and hearts focused on the real meaning of the season, the Lord, Jesus Christ.  Looking up is the best vision ever!

Sooo are you suffering from EXPECTITIS this holiday season? Send the Great Physician a knee mail and hand it all over to Him for His great work.  He has a great payment play and the benefits are outta this world!

To read more holiday bliss HERE!

Don't forget The Narnia Code DVD ends 12/12~let others know HERE!

Holiday Bliss 2010: Day 7~Busy ness~

It's either good or bad, but busy ness is rampant this time of year. Everything from shopping to event attending~there's something to be done or needs doing.  Whew~Sister is ready for a break, already, and it's only the 7th! LOL...Seriously, we are pretty busy during the holidays~church activities and family. We have no extended family living near, but sometimes travel and then folks visiting us here...we like to entertain too.  Oh, wait.  I gotta clean for that...NIX entertaining...LOL...

What keeps you busy this time of year?

I'm crafting and cleaning and schooling and churching, and and and and and...

READ MO               !

Don't forget my giveAway for that film: The Naria Code HERE ENDS 12/12!!

Review/GiveAway: Family Film: The Narnia Code~HEADS UP~Narnia FANS!

The Narnia Code  

Discover the Mysteries Behind the Beloved C.S. Lewis Series

Price:  $13.49  
Amazon

Ages:12-adult

Website: 

HERE

My Take: Awesome!

I was given The Narnia Code as part of the Propeller Marketing Blogger Program for review and giveaway purposes.  My opinions are my own, and I've received no monetary compensation.

Ever wonder what made CS Lewis tick?  For most of us, the pleasure of reading his beloved classic children's stories has been enough, but for those who want to know MORE~to understand what he was thinking and what purposes he had in mind, you can't miss The Narnia Code.

I am a lover of biographies and documentary film. I love these more than fantasy.  It's something about understanding the human condition that intrigues me, and for a man, like CS Lewis to have contrived The Chronicles of Narnia there had to be something pretty unique going on within~and for decades scholars have studied these works as well as children and adults alike have loved them...

I am NOT going to spoil this film for you~aha! You thought Sister T might, eh?? But, No! You need to see this one yourself.  Your children upper elementary and older~especially middle to high school children could benefit from this film as well as adult thinkers.  I never knew....really, I didn't.  I am so intrigued now that I want to begin hunting down his other books~his more scholarly stuff! You will find information that can link your medieval history studies to Mr. Lewis..curious yet?

You know that the newest CS Lewis, Chronicles of Narnia film is out~add The Narnia Code in to bring the fiction to real life...and add Mr.s Lewis' faith building tales to your family~you will love it!

I have an additional copy to share with a fortunate reader~whoohoo!

To enter:

1.  One entry: Which of the Chronicles of Narnia tales is YOUR fave?

2.  One entry:  Tell me what character in the series is a type of Christ? Do you know?

3.  One entry: Tweet on Twitter!

4.  One entry: Facebook share~

5.  One entry: LIKE The Narnia Code on Facebook!

6.  5 entries~GRAB my button and give me the link ;-))

7.  5 entries~blog this giveAway!

Thanks so much~We'll wrap this up on 12/12 @11:59PM EST.  Be sure I can contact you :-))

Holiday Bliss 2010: Day 6~Crafting Gifts

CAN you PLEEEZE talk to Santa for me? I NEED/WANT a good camera! I am sooo lost without one LOL! Okay, not really! But it'd be so nice to be able to SHARE with you what I am doing...I am a crafter...another hat among my many~and I am making some of my gifts this year!

Here's the list...and hopefully SOON it Santa comes through..LOL..Maybe I can talk a kiddo into using their equipment for some pics~ya think?? I'll post them up when I can and let ya know~HOPEFULLY before I have to wrap and send!LOL!!

1. Crochet kitchen sets: dish towel with matching pot holders (cloth is purchased b/c some of my recipients dislike thick cloths.)  100% cotton yarn makes it very nice and better for this purpose.  Besides, I hate acrylic yarn for the most part!!

2. Floral arrangement with candle. This is a re-purpose of a gift I'd gotten that I found broken evidently broken during storage. It's a milk glass bowl for my friend with a chip (chip was present..and not there when purchased) inside the dish, making it unusable for food. I discussed with my friend~TALK about spoiling a surprise! AND then she wanted the bowl...loves it~sooo making an everyday floral centerpiece.  Candle is cinnamon and a dark pumpkin color. Using silk ivy of differing hues of green...should  be pretty!

3.  Quilted pot holders for those who like pretty over sturdy.  I am applying fabrics on quilted tops and quilting the whole potholder.  Looks pretty cool!

4.  Finished up a fleece throw in primary red for my daughter.  Her room colors are black, grey/cream and primary red.

5.  Finished up a crochet blanket for my son in baby blue/chocolate brown and cream 100% cotton yarn.  I hate acrylic! So all my projects are cotton.

I don't make all my gifts, but I do like to craft.  I bead, crochet, quilt, sew, food preserve, write, paint, draw, refinish furniture~restoration...I dunno...if I wanna do it~often I try...

I'd love to learn how to do stained glass art and make glass beads...oh I forgot~I do ceramics too! LOL

Christmas is a special time of year where we just get to have so many warm and inviting things in our lives~remembering the REASON for the Season!  It's a favorite time for our family! Last night we were blessed to a Christmas concert with a musical group and area talent.  What a fun time!

Head HERE to read more Holiday Bliss!

GiveAway:  Family film: The Narnia Code  HERE!  Ends 12/12  11:59 EST.

Holiday Bliss 2010: Day 5~Friends

Today was very cool. We had a family over with their kids who are friends with our kids for dinner...and games after! It was so fun! THIS is the first time we've entertained since moving here~and how neat! I think we all had a good time! HOPE we can do it again soon!  The holidays makes sharing our home with friends a warm and cozy place to gather...

MO Holiday Bliss                !

Fit Mommy Friday: WK 6: Victory! God is Good!

Honestly, I never thought in my life to give over to God what I am eating and how I am treating my body.  I've been a Christian for many many years, but somehow I thought that my body was something I had to manage alone and my failures were uniquely mine.  I never ever gave it a thought that I had the ability to offer my life, my physical body up to God for His will and direction on how I take care of me.  Since about April, all this changed.  God made it clear that I needed to address my eating problems and my overall physical condition.  As an obese female, life had gotten hard, but He let me know that through His strength and power recovery and healing is possible...I am so grateful for this journey.

About 6 weeks ago, Chai Mommy offered up a 10 week fitness challenge for us to take on making needed changes in our lives~a Fitness/health initiative of sorts. I joined in order to work on my life.

Last week was my weigh in~I don't weigh except when I have doctor appointments.  I was down 18lbs! I can honestly praise God for this~I am also down three pants sizes!! whoot!  This is amazing to me.

I committed last week to walk our dog each day, of which I did not.  I don't think I am quite ready to hit the icy sidewalks yet, but I did get out several days this week shopping with loads more walking than I had been capable of in the recent past.  My progress may seem slow, but it's steady.  I am enjoying going into stores again.  Not that long ago it was a painful chore.

I've continued to drink water and today also makes 8 weeks TOTALLY without white sugar and flour.  I have discovered all kinds of delicious food that are either sugar free or are whole wheat in this process~this is amazing! I even am enjoying new vitality and feeling GREAT~

Since April, my total wt loss is 32lbs, but just for the record, I have so far to go that this is less than a drop in that proverbial bucket...however, I am grateful for this amount of physical healing.  I know God is helping me.  I have battled some health issues too~but God is also in control of this in my life as well~I am fully trusting Him~to guide me over what to eat~when to eat and even HOW to eat.

Here's to another week~Just a few more to gooooooooo...woot!

The Fit Mommys are working hard~Read about them HERE!

Holiday Bliss 2010: Day4~A Special Birthday

Amazing song! Amazing vocals!
Amazing Reason~Happy Birthday Jesus!

Head over             to read more from the others~You can join up too!

Merry Christmas!

NEW CONTEST COMING SOON~

Winner WINNER chicken-dinner!! Whoohoo~HOOT! Carmex Moisture Tint

Kristi WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay!!! Congrats!!!
NEW CONTEST Coming SOON~whoohoo!!

FREE: Family Radio~Christmas Holiday Story: The Cinnamon Bear

You won't want to miss an episode of old time radio's cute tale: 
From Homeschool Freebie of the Day & thanks to Brenda of Garden of Learning!
Whoohoo!

Merry Christmas!

Family Movie Night~TONIGHT~ 8PM/7 Central NBC: A Walk in MY Shoes

Don't forget about

A Walk in My Shoes...

All family friendly film~tonight!

For more info HERE  and HERE!             

Merry Christmas~Where's the Line to See Jesus?

Holiday Bliss 2010: Day 3~Let It Snow!

I don't think it has snowed three times in my WHOLE life prior to our moving just seven years ago~but we sure get our fair share here in the midwest.  I LOVE it!  Snow has a pretty glow and simple quality.  I've always thought it was very pretty~just never had to live in it much at all~although it did snow really heavy 21 years ago where I am from, and Christmas was on Sunday that year.  We had a candle light service with classical acoustic guitar playing Silent Night. It's probably my fave Christmas hymn. It was soo very serene and beautiful.


Last night we got our very first snow of the season, and today it has melted almost completely off.  But coming down last night, it was absolutely gorgeous!  The Christmas lights glistened in the frosty snow~soo pretty!!

I wish I had a pic...but no...I'm still HOPING that SANTA (wink) can SEEEEEE just how gooooooood SisterT has been..and bless her with a cool camera...LOL...LOL...

Hey, did you know that today IS the very last day of the CARMEX Moisture Tint GiveAway HERE?   Check out the other Christmas Bliss  HERE!

Holiday Bliss 2010: Day 2~Music

I love Christmas music. It's one of those genres that I can really get into this time of year~Some of my favorites:

• White Christmas by Bing Crosby
•  Christmas Song by Johnny Mathis
• Little Drummer Boy
• Frosty the Snowman 
• Silent Night
• Away in a Manger
• Deck the Halls
• Jesu Joy of Man's Desire
• Silver Bells
• Jingle Bells
• Rudolf the Rednosed Raindeer by Gene Autry
• O Christmas Tree
• The First Noel
• We Three Kings
• Deck the Halls
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas
• Messiah
• Carol Sing
• Joy to the World
• Go Tell It on the Mountain
• Santa Claus is Coming to Town
• Good King Win... (dunno how to spell it)
• Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
• Blue Christmas
• Good Christian Men Rejoice!
• I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
• Sleigh Bells
• Anything from HOW The Grinch Stole Christmas

What's your fave?  Merry Christmas to you and your family~Join us over at Garden of Learning for Holiday Bliss 2010~woot!
Don't forget my contest to win two~one peach and one pink Carmex Moisture Tints HERE!

Holiday Bliss~DAY 1: ON the First Day of Christmas...

My tree is up~house is decorated and WAS clean (never stays clean long...LOL) and soooo here's the pics...Nothing fancy..just HOME.

(Not the beat the band wagon further~this house has come so far.  When we bought it two years ago ceilings were down in the kitchen and living room.  Wood work chewed/scratched...Dogs had been left in for several weeks unattended with food and water~ewww...so we still have no flooring as hub tore out and hauled the old soiled flooring/carpet away sanding and painting this under layment...ONE day...LOL...but the transformation is coming along...New light fixtures were put up last week...the dining room set up~den space (no pic yet) created and more formal living room created.  Whew~ONE day it will end...) Here's pics of where we were before...just a few weeks ago...

Brenda over at Garden of Learning is hosting this cool meme~ She says,
"to participate in this blog meme, you can share favorite holiday recipes, crafts, traditions, things you do during the month, thoughts on Christmas or Hanukkah, pictures of your family during December, or just anything that has something to do with this blessed holiday season. Since we are going through the entire month of December, the meme should lead us right up to the new year. So don’t forget to include those holiday plans as well".

Mama made this Nativity in the 70s.

Country kitchen...

We've come so far...

Dining room...

Living room...

Gift from friends...

My childhood Nativity~

Head on over to ck out the other cool ideas  HERE!