Oven Keeps the House Warm

So, in my family's new little home- the heaters are something we don't want to start running until we absolutely have to. To keep warm- I bake! I've been making more oven baked pasta dinners, been baking cookies, muffins, cakes, etc for snacks for the kids, and of course baking those weekend pizzas. I can't believe how much it warms the house up and KEEPS it warm when only on for 40 minutes or so!

Anyway- I just listed a couple of things on my etsy shop that will promote having the oven on this cold holiday season!

A Happy Thanksgiving Wood Tray to hold those yummy pumpkin pie desserts!

A Christmas cookie jar to hold all those decorated cookies!

A recipe book of cookies to fill that cookie jar!

Saturday's Serious Note- Biblical Motivation to Recycle

I am setting a challenge for everyone to recycle at least 3 items this week- in any way you can. I'm sure a lot of us do a lot more than that- but with this week I want you to think about your faith as well (for those that believe in the Bible).

I want you to think about how recycling isn't just a responsiblity to take care of the Earth so we can all live better- I want you to think about it in a way that you understand it is your RESPONSIBILITY given by GOD to be a steward of the Earth- because it is a GIFT from HIM.

Take a few moments to study these verses with me- and tell me if you agree that they are in relation to the Lord giving us the Earth to use it for our benefit and to take care of it as a gift from our loving Father.

Genesis 1:25-30 and after fall of man Genesis 9:1-3.

Can you show me any other verses from the Bible you think might support taking care of the Earth and those of other kinds that live on this planet? I'd like to do more reading on it as well- and use it as my motivation and faith conviction for taking care of where I live and sharing the Earth with the animals as well and taking care of it for them.

Halloween Harvest Memories- Having them and Making them

Every season is one to be enjoyed with family memories- whether you're sharing the ones you've had before or making new ones. These October weekends have been wonderful. Now that both my children are in school they and I appreciate the weekends together so much more- and we've had so much fun with the fall season activities just being together.

I've been sharing stories with my kids about how I used to spend my halloweens before my family stopped celebrating holidays. I told them about how I used to dress up for school, how we'd go trick or treating late at night, how we loved to watch scary movies, and how there was always that one house that was really scary but always had the sweetest old lady with the best treats.

And, over the years I've worked those same traditions into halloween with my children. The past years have been of course dressing up and trick or treating, carving pumpkins and roasting seeds, and reading simple board book halloween stories. This year is so much better though. My family moved into our first house after being in an apartment for so many years and the experience is amazing- and it's a plus that the children are older and can understand and do more things independently as well.

So, I'm making more memories with my children that instill what I used to do, and new ones that I never got to do. For example- the second week of october we colored halloween pictures that I printed offline and fall pictures while we watched Mickey Mouse's House of Villians and hung them up everywhere in the house. The third week (last weekend) we decorated the outside of the house with witches, spider webs, skulls, my pumpkin boxes, etc. It was so adorable! And this weekend we'll carve pumpkins, drink apple cider, make and eat candy apples, and watch halloween movies. Of course next weekend is Halloween (I'm so glad it's on a Saturday this year). We'll dress up as a bunny (me), transformer (my son), and a ladybug (my daughter), I'll make pumpkin bread for the first time for breakfast, we'll play games, watch movies, read halloween stories, and TRICK OR TREAT with me right by their side (no candy for me of course)!

So- Have a safe and fun halloween! Share some memories you're making or that you've had... I'd love to hear them as well as get new ideas for future years!

PS: Take a look at my etsy shop because all of my halloween items are on clearance now!

http://delightfulperception.etsy.com/

Saturday's Serious Note- Missing Children

My husband and I watch "Nancy Grace" a lot, and the stories and cases of missing children always break my heart- especially when parents or those who are close to the children are involved. I just have no fathom of understanding how or why ANYONE would hurt, endanger, or do anything to a child- especially their own. My babies are the most important thing in my life- along with my husband- and I can't imagine anything happening to them. I would like to believe it is every mother's nightmare to have anything happen to her children- but through some personal experience with a couple people I've met and watching these horrible stories unfold I know that isn't always the case.

I would just like everyone who reads this to take a moment for the parents who care so much about their children and take every precautionary measure to take care of them- to help their children stay safe and always feel loved. To take a moment for the parents who are without their children today and that they'll be reunited soon, or have some closure and healing. And to take a moment for all those children who are without their mommies and daddies and wish they could be, or those that need to be found and placed in the hands of new loving mommies and daddies.

I can't write anymore. I am starting to cry. Please- if you're a believer- let that moment you take involve some prayers. Thank you.

Boggle Blogging

So Everyone- Let's Play a Blogger style Boggle! Please be honest with yourself and with other posters when timing yourself in finding words...

Here's how to play:

Using the image above of a Boggle cube time yourself for 3 minutes and find as many 3 letter or more words as possible. "Letters must join in the propper sequence to spell a word. They may join horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, to the left, right, or up-and-down. No letter, cube, however, may be used mroe than once within a single word."

"Any word (noun, adjective, adverb, etc. ) is acceptable as long as it can be found in a standard English dictionary. Plural nouns are allowed, as are all verb tenses. Words within words are also permissible; e.g.,spare: spa, par, are, spar, pare."

Comment on this post with your list of words. Again BE HONEST! and Time Yourself! First write your words down using the image- and timing yourself. Then post what you've written down. Please do not look at other posts until you are finished as we don't want anyone cheating and finding words within someone else's words...

Have Fun! I'll post the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners (if I get that many people to post) one month from now- On November 12th!

Quoted Rules from http://www.centralconnector.com/GAMES/boggle.html

So Many Ideas, So Little Time

Wow- the ideas keep flowing. Anyone else an insomniac when it comes to creativity?

Some nights if I get an idea on something I'd like to make for someone or for my gift shop- I can't sleep unless I write it down. And while I am waiting to write it down, more ideas stem off of that one. AGH! Sometimes they won't stop coming!

I have to organize a timeline for when I want to complete certain projects and tell myself that I can't add any more to certain dates. It's kind of like a scheduler now when I'm trying to come up with ideas to make things.

When my mind is coming up with an idea... it's like saying to it: Hmmm... OKay- let me look at my schedule and see when I can fit you in... :)

I guess I just have to learn to write something down when I get the idea, but if there's no time to do it- it's okay to just say no... :)

I've started to keep an "Idea Journal" for things I'd like to make someday when I have more time... since my little date book is full now. for the rest of the year and starting into next year.

Any other advice? Any common stories?

Family Creativity

Does creativity run in genes?

I have never been sure on this one... Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Or perhaps just the element of being inspirable is what runs in the genes...

I have a grandfather who used to do extensive beadwork and make dream catchers. Seeing his work amazed me- that so much time and effort could really make something so beautiful.

I used to watch my mother also branch out on her ideas as a teacher with creativity in her lesson plans. She also used her hands so well in gardening, painting decoration for our home, pottery, stained glass, sewing, etc.

My sister went off to college and became a graphics design artist- but she also does so much with other media (painting, drawing, beadwork).

I love homemaking craft- cooking, gardening, decoration- but I also enjoy being creative with various media to create gifts...

Hmmm... Gene's or not- I'm glad to know that I have been blessed with people around me who enjoy the creative elements of life and that I have the time and space to enjoy my own ideas as well...
:)

Conviction and Testimony

I wanted to write a quick note about a very important part of me. I am a believer in Christ. I believe that He died for me to save me from my sins so that I may join Him in Heaven with God our Father. I believe that prayers are very powerful, and that faith is the reason I am alive today. I live for Him primarily, and I live to take care of the gifts He has given me (my husband, my children, my life, and my family).

There have been rough times- but He's always stuck through it with me- even if I've strayed. He has always provided- and I beleive that He has given me the ability to think and do for myself. When I do the work and ask Him to help me then my life is abundent with what is needed- and sometimes even a little more to just enjoy.

Any prayer requests? Please comment and I'll be happy to send one up for you.

Myself, my husband, and my children could also use some prayers for our health, faith, financial, and academic well being. Thank you!