Friend Makin' Monday - What Makes You Happy?

Amber is tapping into her happy this week (she could use some happy right now). She wants to know:

What makes us happy? This is pretty easy!

** My walk with Christ and being in God's Word.

** My Family!

** My Friends!

** Blue skies and Sunshine!

** Being crafty, organizing, stamping, scrapbooking...**Edited to add that this is not my room. I LOVE this room and would LOVE to have one like it. Sometimes just looking at the picture makes me happy!

** Sunflowers!

** Yes, Coca Cola makes me happy.

** The color Yellow...it's such a happy color!

So, I wanna know what makes you crack a smile. Share with us!

Thanking God on Friday - Daniel

Well, Daniel is done and I sure had fun (this goes along with a rhyming activity that Beth had us do, that REALLY helps to remember what each chapter is about). I have truly loved this study and got a great deal out of it. A main point throughout the study was to learn, and man did I learn. There isn't enough room in this post to address each lesson (so, I challenge you to participate in the study), but I will go over a few points that stuck out to me (in no particular order):

• Being humble. There is an entire chapter on how God humbles us (chapter 4). I learned that it goes beyond just teaching us a lesson, but the He also builds us up from that so that we can bear fruit. Beth says that "God is not trying to destroy us. He's trying to keep us from destroying ourselves."
  
• Another big lesson was the fact that we are holy (2 Timothy 2:20-21). We are separated from ordinary and are each given a special significance or purpose, one that we need to use. This entire section (chapter 5) spoke to me and made me realize that I am valuable to God.
  
• Lastly, I learned about being deliberate. Deliberate in my walk with God, deliberate in treating others as Christ would treat them, deliberate with my prayers... Daniel was deliberate in his relationship with God and that made the connection stronger. He was deliberate in his prayers to God about his dreams and his concerns. I need to be more deliberate.

As I flip through my study guide I see so many principles, verses, history lessons, and commentary and I wish that I could share it all. There is so much history in this book and God really used Beth Moore to put it all together in an understandable, visual (I'm very visual) and great way.

I definitely learned something!

You're the Best...No, You're the Best

Ave gave me this oh-so flattering award. When I saw it I just couldn't believe that someone would think this about my blog. Ave blogs all the way from Spain and her blog is full of beautiful pictures, recipes and she's also participating in the 101 in 1001 challenge. You should stop by and check her out!

I'm giving this award to: Angie (I have gotten some amazing recipes from her and she's super nice), JennyKate (need to know ANYTHING Twilight...here's your girl), Kelli W. (she is a crafty mother of 3 boys), Jolanthe (the stories she tells about her kiddies are just priceless), Joanna (she's making great meals, baking up cookies and is now having an ornament swap), Bobbi (this is one creative lady. She does some amazing crafts with her kids), and Cheryl (she's just plain cool...you'll see why).

Wordless Wednesday - Ghosts of Halloween's Past

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2006

2007

2008

The Simple Woman's Daybook - October 12, 2009

For today...

Outside my window...cloudy and cold. I was hoping Caleb and I could get out and play this morning but I think we'll have to wait for the afternoon.

I am thinking...about how much I would love to stay home all the time. I have had so much fun talking to Caleb and seeing him in action.

I am thankful...to be home to day.

I am praying...for contentment.

From the kitchen...tonight we are having pulled pork. The rest of the week will be filled with chili, enchilada bake and steak/mac and cheese.

I am reading...Chapter 2 of the book of John and finishing the last chapters of Daniel. I'm telling you Daniel is amazing...I have learned so much.

I am creating...I must start the Halloween costumes. I didn't get around to it last week. I also didn't do the goody bags. Slacker! I will work on those this week. I can't believe that it is the middle of October already.

Around the house...the kitchen is clean and I've gone through the papers that have been sitting on the table. Tonight I'll bring up the Halloween decorations.

One of my favorite things...talking to Caleb.

A few plans for the rest of the week...tonight I have BSF, Thursday Ron and I have Crown, Saturday morning we're going to the pumpkin patch with our Small Group and that afternoon I'm having my first private stamp camp!

What's in your book...tell us here!

A Girl After Her Own Style

This morning I was doing Jamison's hair. I decided to put it in one ponytail and let the ends loose so it would be like a puff...like this:

Then Jamison went into the bathroom to get her toothbrush and she came back with the saddest face. I asked her what was wrong and she said "my hair is too big!"

I guess she knows what she likes...or in this case what she doesn't like. I ended up braiding the ponytail. Sweet girl!

Gotta Share the Love

I have to share with you that my friend Joanna is having a great giveaway (check it out here). I would LOVE one of these pendants, wouldn't you? Like this one:

Thanking God on Friday

** I am thankful for a new and fresh week. God has given me a new state of mind and has really worked within me. I have been trying to be much more deliberate and purposeful in my time with Him and I can see the joy that comes from that time.

** I am thankful to no longer have to take unpaid hours. It was nice having a normal paycheck.

** I am thankful for my mother-in-law who takes the kids when they want to come over. She loves spending time with them and they love being there (I'm sure the junk food doesn't hurt).

** I am thankful for the dedication and obedience to go walking twice this week with my mom. I hope to keep it up.

I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up!

Do you remember those commercials? I used to laugh at them...I know bad.

So, last week was a crappy week and I had fallen into a little bit of a slump. I didn't do anything crafty, I didn't organize, no deep cleaning (yes, these are all things that make me happy). But now I think I'm back in action:

1. I made and mailed my first Stampin Up! card all by myself. Do you think I have a picture of it...no, because I was so excited I hurried and put it in the envelope. Sorry. But then it came back to me...why, you ask, because it is a square card and apparently you need extra postage. Not all post offices are strict about this, apparently my post office is.

2. My mom and I worked in the yard on Sunday pulling up weeds and my summer flowers. It looks so fresh now, even without the flowers. I was so sore the next day!

3. I made another apple crisp, I couldn't resist. I had some for breakfast yesterday...I couldn't resist.

4. I have quite a few things on my To Do list...insert the cover for my Craft Idea binder (I'll show photos soon), clean Jamison's closet shelf, put the sunflower picture that my lovely friend Lyndsey took in a frame and put it in my bathroom, play around with my stamps and come up with an idea for a cute baby shower card....

Look out, I'm Back!

Tune In

Tomorrow Stephanie Nielson (Nie Nie) is going to be on Oprah to talk about her amazing recovery from the plane crash she and her husband were involved in last year. You can see the link to her blog on my sidebar or click here. Her story is amazing.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - October 5, 2009

For today...

Outside my window...sunny and cool. It is supposed to be a very Fall-like week.

I am thinking...about being off on Wednesday. It is supposed to be a nice day so I'm trying to think of something fun for Caleb and I to do together.

I am thankful...for good music. I realized on Saturday night how much I love music and how much it really motivates me.

I am praying...for a good and fruitful fellowship with my friend Tonya this evening.

From the kitchen...apple crisp (see the recipe here)

I am reading...the book of John, the last chapters of Daniel and continuing with Charlotte's Web. When I'm done with Daniel I want to read The Case for Christ.

I am creating...I am going to start this week on Jamison and Caleb's Halloween costumes and some Halloween treat bags. Jamison wants to be a super hero and Caleb will be her side kick.

Around the house...I have few things to do on my To Do list, like pull out all clothes for donation, reorganize my towels in the linen closet, and straighten the games in Jamison's closet.

One of my favorite things...hanging out outside with the kids. I love to watch them ride their bikes and yesterday Jamison was pulling Caleb in the wagon. He loved it!

A few plans for the rest of the week...hanging out with my friend Tonya this evening, tackling my To Do list and there's a PTA meeting on Thursday. Pretty low key...I can tell it's Fall.

Go here to record your daybook.

Friend Makin' Monday

I love the topic for today's FMM! We are supposed to answer these questions:

What are your hobbies? What do you wish that you knew how to do?

1. Here are my hobbies...crafting, card making, stamping, blogging, and reading. There is nothing more relaxing and fun for me than to be creating something or reading a good book. I could spend hours doing any of the above.

2. I wish I knew how to sew. I'm thinking of taking a class in the Spring to learn how to sew. There are some really cool things can be done with a sewing machine.

Head on over to Amber's and let us know what your hobbies are.

This Screams Fall

Apple Crisp

Now I, in no way shape or form, take credit for this recipe. It is from my friend Jodie. She made it for our Small Group the other weekend and then when she dropped her daughter off for Jamison's party she brought one just for us with the recipe. A girl after my own heart.

8 cups of sliced and peeled tart apples (about 8 medium)

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp salt

Topping:

1/2 cup quick cooking oats

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/8 tsp baking soda

3 tbs cold butter

In a large bowl, toss the first 4 ingredients. Pour into a grease 8-in square baking dish. In another bowl, combine the topping ingredients (minus the butter). Cut in butter until mixture resembles course crumbs. Sprinkle over apple mixture.

Bake at 350 for 55-60 minutes or until apples are tender and topping is golden. Enjoy (with or without ice cream)!

We used the apples that we picked a few weeks ago. We picked Jonathon and Cortland and since they are pretty similar I'm not sure which ones I used, probably a combination of both. I thinly sliced each apple.

Ready for the topping...

Topping ready to go.

Finished product. Man was it good.

Thanking God on Friday

** I am thankful that Jamison's party went well. She was so happy the entire time. One evening while I was making some things for her party she told me that I was the best party planner ever. That was all I needed to hear.

** Lastly, I am thankful for God. I have had a rough and grumpy week for some reason. I have snapped at people, been really annoyed with people and just have had an overall grumpy attitude. I can't pinpoint a specific thing, I think it is just a combination of a lot of little things...people who are dear to my heart are struggling with temptation and doubt, friendships are disconnected, I feel like I'm at a loss of how to help Jamison with her emotional roller coaster (she is VERY emotional and it is hard to help her control those emotions), etc. BUT through all of this I know that God is bigger than all of those things and can conquer them. He is merciful, unconditional, loving, all-knowing. And while it may not feel like it right now, He's carrying me (and others) through. I am thankful for God!

Monthly Craft Challenge - Fall

I am finally participating in one of Heidi's Craft Challenges. This month's theme is Fall crafting. I was excited to create something to add to my Fall decorations. I got my idea from Katie (here) who got it from here. I didn't do exactly what they did but I used the basic principle.

I bought this...what I thought was chip board and it was kind of like chip board but with a more rubbery texture, not as stiff as chip board. Hard to explain. It served its purpose.

Then I took some coordinating paper and cut out pieces to fit the "chip board."

I used Mod Podge (man, this stuff is great) and glued the paper to the "chip board."

I cut out letter to spell FALL using my Cricut and glued them on top of the paper. Then I sealed it with more Mod Podge. The hardest thing about using Mod Podge is waiting for it to dry.

I added some embellishments and then tied the pieces together with ribbon.

I tied ribbon on the top and hung it on my mantel. Our mantel is made of wood so I just used tacks to hang it. (please excuse the glare)

So, there you have it...my first craft challenge product. To see more go to Heidi's blog.