chalkboard fun!

I posted last week that a friend and I threw a shower for my lifetime friend as she prepares to welcome Miss Serenity! As part of the decorations and as a gift I wanted to make a personalized chalkboard with little Miss's name! 

I was looking for a frame to paint myself but when I found this on the clearance rack at Christmas tree shoppe, I just couldn't resist! $6, yeah baby!! The edges are JUST the look I was going for.

 I took the glass out and sprayed it with chalkboard paint. BEST. INVENTION. EVER! Everyone should have a can, or 5! I put a good 3 coats on with a decent drying time in between, 20-30 minutes.

 After packing it all back in the frame and making it nice and tight, I decided to add some more fun! Rosettes are TOO easy to make! Check out these tutorials!
Cherry Street Cottage - fabric flower tutorial
Maize Hutton - frayed flower tutorial

I added some buttons and arranged the flowers like I wanted! 
 I just love the finished result!!! Cute, Cute!

feeling fantastic

Monday I got to play personal assistant for my uncle! He was away on a trip and had some deadlines he needed help meeting. I have to admit it was a lot of fun! 

Because I am not working right now it was fun to have a "job" to do. When I was finished with all the projects he had me do I decided to drop in to one of my favorite stores, Goodwill. I am not ashamed of it at all! I just love good deals and not spending much money! 

I snagged these fun things for a total of $13! Score! 

 BRAND new with tags cropped orange/red pants! Originally from Target for $29, I got them for $5!

 Old Navy seersucker grey and white pants! love, love, love! $5

Old Navy grey fitted v-neck tee. $3

I just love good deals!

2 years

Given the events of the last few weeks I was so thankful to upload the pictures from my camera and find such fun and sweet memories sprinkled in the recent days as well. Great is Your faithfulness, oh God my Father!! 

This last weekend was the middle man's second birthday! I remember the day this child was born but not for very happy reasons. I was stuck 600 miles away while my parents and sister loved on him and his big brother, mommy, and daddy. For 15 miserable days I was separated from them and meeting the newest addition. Thankfully it didn't last too long and I was able to hold him at long last!

The theme was construction and my sister set me loose on the decorations. This is my favorite part of parties and so I went a little crazy! 

Just to warm everyone...don't buy emergency/construction grade/marking spray paint. It DOES NOT STICK TO CARDBOARD!!! Do you see all those orange signs? Look pretty good, yes? From afar they are great. But for heaven's sake, do not touch them. You will look like you stuck your hand in a Doritos bag! UGH! 

For the "road work ahead" sign I ended up scraping the paint on the sides to be able to paint the black around the edge. I had to use E6000 to paste the letters on. Good grief!

Other than the dreaded orange paint, I simply LOVE how things turned out! We included J's special oggie (stuffed dog) in the fun! Along with some of Papa's things from his years of work in this field and some supplies from his shop we made an awesome 2 year old construction party!

One of J's most favorite things is Yo HO (Jake and the Neverland Pirates). When Grandma and Grandpa landed this awesome gift he didn't take it off the remaining of the party! Notice him using his sword to open the packages! hah!

He also LOVED the weed whacker!

Sneaking oreos!

Blowing out the candles!

Tackle time with Aunt Madalee!

After the party I stayed with my sister and her family for a week. We spent the days playing all over NOVA and even spent a day in DC! We had a blast and I loved a time away getting refreshed!

I just love this view!

One looking...

...and the other...

Now them both!!! Gosh, I love these boys!

National conservatory!

I just love sunflowers!

Celebrate Serenity

 Caution! Old picture alert! circa:2006

This girl and I have been friends for as long as I can remember. When my family moved and started attending our church the two of us became fast friends. Everything from sleepovers to playing on the same soccer team. Time and interests have taken us in different directions since graduating 5 years ago. Although our paths have crisscrossed so many times and never stayed in one place for very long we have managed to stay in touch. 

In the recent months God has supplied multiple interactions. One of them was to celebrate the soon arrival of her little Serenity!

 Little girl stuff is so much fun! We had a blast with the fun pink and frills! We had the guests write messages on diapers for encouraging tidbits during those late night changes. We also had a mirror for them to sign with glass markers! We pray those little messages will be an encouragement to her as she grows!

 We had a potluck dinner and cupcakes! It was fun to fellowship and love the mommy-to-be!

 You are loved already Miss Serenity! Can't wait to meet you!

Me and the mommy-to-be!

smiling

Recently I have been meeting with someone to discuss my past, perfectionism, the fight to succeed, and why all of those things fit together. I don't like modern terminology and phrases, fact of the matter is, I am gleaning wisdom of the aged woman like Paul exhorts in Titus.

Why, do you ask, is this relevant to anything I am about to say? Allow me to direct you to that little word in the list above. Perfectionism. I struggle with a terrible case of it. There, I said it. I am not perfect even though every fiber of my being feels like it has to be. I have a hard time letting go and going with the flow. Every defect no matter how small wears on my nerves.

You don't know how big this is, so bear with me. Here is the kicker to all this. Perfectionism is a sin. It is not a godly characteristic and in many cases (mine not excluded) it can become a god. Suddenly the need and the drive to be and do everything right is number 1. As we find in Matthew 5, it is to be a striving and a goal. Never a god. However, it so easily consumes our being.

Still not seeing the relevance? That's ok. Hang on.

Recently, The Master of the story, The Great Physician and Author, The Beginning and the End lead me through a part of His magnificent story that hurt a little. Through my perfectionist eyes I saw failure. Through His eyes, He saw my hurt and gently directed me to what was His best for me. I didn't fail. I obeyed. I can say with confidence that I went through every step and came out the other side with no regrets. I held to my standards, convictions, and beliefs. I didn't give in, give up, or give over.

So as to avoid the elephant no longer, guy and girl are no longer. When I introduced you all to our story I had no intentions of ending things so soon. When we started I had every reason to think we were doing the right thing. He had prayed. I had prayed. He talked to my dad. He pursued me and we went where we felt lead, together, with so many cheering us on.

In the recent weeks my heart started feeling tugged in a different direction. I wanted it to go away. I didn't want it to beat me. I couldn't see how this was striving to be perfect as He is perfect. As He lead, I began to wonder if I had heard correctly. Confirmation upon confirmation later, our best isn't together.

Guy is not a bad guy. I still hope he achieves his goals and dreams. It just won't be with me in his cheering section.

This week has felt like an uphill climb. I have been trying hard to remain joyful. I am thankful for this. I am not sad or regretful. This verse has encouraged my heart in the present days. I am donning myself in strength and dignity and I am smiling at the days ahead. My Father has my heart and is holding it tenderly. He is leading and I don't doubt the last few months were in His plan. He works everything together for good for those that love Him.

I covet your prayers.

Patient in trials, expectant in hope, joyful in the wait.

The great quinoa quest

I have recently formed a fascination with quinoa. It happens to be loaded with protein and fiber (both fantastic for me!) and it is one grain my stomach will handle. Although it is technically a seed, it cooks and acts like a grain. Plus (and this is a HUGE plus for me) it is a mild flavor so adding all kinds of flavor to it is REALLY easy! 

Here are some I've come up with so far! I use the 1/2 cup of quinoa to 1 cup of water. It makes enough for 2 or leftovers for the next day! Score! 

For both of the recipes I used the directions on the back of the package to cook the quinoa.

At the time the quinoa was just about done I threw in some frozen broccoli florets. You could use fresh but be sure to add them sooner or steam them first.  I covered the pot with a lid and let that sit until all the quinoa absorbed the water and the broccoli was tender. 

I used this recipe as a base for the sauce. SUPER easy and SUPER tasty! I altered it this way.

1 clove of garlic
2 tablespoon of olive oil
1 cup cauliflower steamed
milk (I used lactose free 2% because that's what works best for me)
parmesan cheese
olive oil
Italian seasoning
salt and pepper to taste

cook garlic in oil. throw cauliflower and cooked garlic with the oil from the pan in the food processor. Blend a little until mixed a little and chopped up. Add milk and oil until sauce consistency. Add salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to taste. I also blended in some Parmesan cheese for flavor! YUM!

Pour sauce over quinoa and broccoli. Mix together and top with some extra Parmesan cheese! Enjoy!

Super easy and tasty!

1 roma tomatoe
salt and pepper to taste
Italian seasoning

Again, when the quinoa is just about done, throw in the some Italian seasoning and chopped tomato. Let that heat up. Season with salt and pepper, top with Parmesan cheese, and Enjoy!