Thanksgiving Thursday 116-127

116. Trouble shooting the Kuerig and getting it to work just fine again. (momma needs some Dark Magic in the morning) lol
117. Finally having a working vehicle for the kids and me to use during the day.
118. Getting that call, I'm interviewing for a teaching position.
119. Finding pretty pyrex on the shelves of GW.

120. Supporting GREAT local restaurants.
121. Unexpected gift card for my hubby...so we could buy him some new work clothes.
122. Folded laundry.
123. Allergy medicine so I could sleep.
124. Fun drawing games from Chik Fil A
125. Hand me down clothes for my daughter from dear friends.
126. Realizing it's almost Iced Coffee season again! :)
127. Finding yummy recipes to try on pinterest. Like this one:

Source: gracelaced.com via toastycrow on Pinterest

This post is part of a THANKFUL linkup via A PUNK, A PUMPKIN, and a PEANUT

Latest Pyrex Finds

Mom and Dad went "pickin'" on Friday and found this for me for $2

Also from the same estate sale $2

and one last one they "picked" for me for $1

These were too pretty to cross process, I just found them today at Goodwill, the red one was marked $1.99 and the golden was marked $2.99. I asked her if she would just charge me $1.99 each and she DID!!

Now this I need some help with. My parents got this for me at the estate sale, and we couldn't figure out which casserole it goes to...or if it is even Pyrex?? It is BIG. Maybe like a divided casserole holder?

Lastly, I am trying to become a part of the PyrexCollective blog...Does anyone know if it takes a long time to get invited after emailing?

Thanks!!

My Pinspiration: Ombre Hair

I did something fun with my hair on Sunday...It's long. Super duper long...and I've been needing some excitement and change in my life. *Ding* lightbulb. My sister in law trained at an Aveda beauty school...so why not ask her to help me do something like: 

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Only with my favorite color...AQUA

So Here' the end result: What do you think?

Would you be brave enough to do it??

Grace: His Eye is on the Sparrow

Photosource: Here

I think it's really cool when you can reflect back on something negative and see God's guiding hand throughout the whole situation. If he really cares so much about those abundant little brown birds...why do I worry about how things will turn out in my own situations?? A good reminder to just trust Him through all circumstances.


Problem: Nov 2011, Car completely shuts off on husband's way to work.
God: It was less than a mile from our house and I was able to tow him home with our truck.

Problem: Nov '11, Fuel pump needs to be replaced, and now truck needs an overhaul...leaking coolant. Also, a trip is planned for us to drive our truck to around 800miles round trip for Thanksgiving. Purchased parts from the internet for the truck, and autozone for the car. Spent a lot of money, but much less had we taken them to a mechanic. Our mechanic slipped in the shower and broke his hip. Trip is in 3 days.
God: A friend at church is a city mechanic (he works on all the city's vehicles from tractors to govt cars) He can help us get our truck road trip ready. We returned the fuel pump and got some $$ back. He told us we didn't need any of the parts we ordered online, so we could return all of them. He said we did need a gasket from the dealership to seal the coolant tank from leaking.

Problem: The gasket was nearly $200 and it was the day before Thanksgiving. The day we were supposed to be leaving on our trip.
God: Husband arrived at dealership, and asked about the part. The dealer told my husband the price. My husband said,
"ahhh man, my family's going on a trip today, can you do a little better on the price?"
The dealer said,
"no."
A quiet older gentleman was observing from the side...he spoke up...and said,
"Get me your manager."
The manager enters, and the older man says,
"C'mon, you guys need to give this young man a break. He's got a little family, and they are heading out of town today. I know you can do better than that price. You KNOW who I am right?!"
The price was knocked down to $30. Yes, $30!!
(husband asks older gentleman WHO he is, and finds out he had just bought 2 cars in full with cash the day before...so the dealers wanted to treat him right.) And God used him as our angel that day.
Part was replaced and we were on our way to Denver to celebrate Thanksgiving with our best friends.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Needless to say, we didn't get our car fixed right away. Our truck has been a lifesaver for my husband. He's used it everyday and it's been working great. For me, it's been a long long long four months with only one vehicle, but this weekend changed everything.

March 2012 Our car is finally running. Our awesome friend rebuilt a wiring system that was fried. It would have cost us soooo much money to replace. We bought our fuel pump... again. and everything is right and ready to go. Now, we are just airing out the car, because it smells like gasoline. (another blessing, the fuel pump is located under the back seat, so the only thing needed to get to it was to remove the seat.)

God has had His hand on the entire situation. Because He loves us. He cares about us.

Matthew 6:25-34

New International Version (NIV)

   ²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^[a]?

   ²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

copied from source: Biblegateway.com

This post is part of a world wide link up with Gracelaced Mondays. Click on the box below and find more inspiring stories of Grace laced in the everyday.

Thanksgiving 105-115

105. new beds for the kidlets

(we finally did the final stages of their cribs and converted the toddler beds to full sized beds)

106. new pattern ideas

pattern found (here)

107. fellowship with believers
108. a friend's good news
109. finding fun hairstyles on pinterest that WORK!
110. finding motivation
111. a husband who's patient with the chilluns and tells silly stories
112. discovering my daughter has a really lovely singing voice
113. trying new recipes and finding them delish
114. parents who hunt for pyrex for me when they go "sailing" ie garage and estate sale-ing
115. weekends with no real plans and lots of sunshine

Linking up with a punk, a pumpkin and a peanut for Thankful Thursdays

Spring Flowers Cuff

I bought some gorgeous hand blown glass beads from a local artist this past December. They make beautiful lampwork beads and amazing glass masterpieces. (see store here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/NomadCraftsEtc ) I hadn't found a use for them yet, so I decided to try something new. Here's what I came up with. Hope you enjoy and make some too. :)

(printer friendly)

Spring Flowers Cuff

   COPYRIGHT Jennifer Kaye 2012

Materials Needed: G hook Worsted Cotton Yarn button for closure large bead(s) (optional) tapestry needle Abbreviations: Ch-Chain Sc-Single Crochet Dc-Double Crochet Ss-Slip Stitch sk- skip Instructions: Loosely chain 32. (check to see if it goes around your wrist...if too small, add 6 more chains and check.  If too large, subtract 6 chs and check) Row 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, *sk next 2 ch, (dc, ch1, dc, ch1, dc) in next ch, sk next 2 ch, sc in next ch;  repeat from * across, turn. NOTE: If you are adding a single bead, you do so on your 3rd sc on this row.  If you are adding more beads, do so on every sc this row.  Row 2  Ch4 (counts as dc, ch1), dc in first sc, sk next dc, sc in next dc,  *(dc, ch1, dc, ch1, dc) in next sc, sk next dc, sc in next dc;  repeat from * across, ending with a (dc, ch1, dc) in last sc, turn   Row 3 Ch1, sc in first dc, *(dc, ch1, dc, ch1, dc) in next sc, sk next dc, sc in next dc;  repeat from * across, ending with a sc in 3rd ch of turning ch.  Do not turn. SS down same side until you reach the center of cuff, (I think I only ss like 2-3 times) then,depending on the size of your button,  ch 3-5, then slip stitch across the rest of the width of your cuff (2-3 more sl st)  Finish off and weave in ends. On the opposite side as the ch loop, sew on closure button of your choice, finish off. Enjoy. You have my permission to make and sell items from this pattern. A link back would be appreciated.  Under no circumstances are you allowed to sell this pattern as your own.  Please don't copy and distribute, but link back to this site.

Pinned it, made it.

Source: health-bent.com via toastycrow on Pinterest

This looked awfully good the other day when I pinned it...and pretty darn easy. Sooooo. I gathered the ingredients and put it to the test. Boy. It really is good! I don't have ramekins, so I used a 2qt vintage Pyrex casserole to bake it in. Unfortunately, I remembered that you probably shouldn't broil over pyrex, so I was scared to keep it in the broiler too long...to get it as brown and amazing as this. The other mistake I made was that I let the onions soften, but not brown up like she did. They were mildly brown, not coffee colored brown. However, taste wise, this is right on. My VERY picky 5 yr old told me that he would let me make this a lot because he really liked it. I hope you try it too. I believe all you have to do is click on it's picture, it will take you to the pin, then click on that again and it will take you to Health-bent.com to see the recipe.

Here's my pic:

Grace in sickness and in health

It was a gorgeous week last week

Spring

Blue, cloudless skies

and even though i was weak with sickness almost everyday

there were still those precious and few moments

where i could

step outside and enjoy it

2Cor 12:9

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. NIV 

this post is part of a linkup with Gracelaced. You should click the box and check out other glimpses of Grace across the world.

Thanksgiving Thursday 91-104

There's a lot to be thankful for this week...even though it was one of those weeks where I was sick.

91. Little lady's lovely birthday
92. Snow. on her birthday, just like her brother had snow on his.
93. unseasonably warm weather...for treks to the park

94. Freebies in the mail (this week it was pure minerals foundation samples and Zevia)

95. InLaws who came over to take care of the kids while I rested after being sick through the night.

96. Exciting news from a friend.

97. Being one step closer to both our vehicles working again. :)

98. Silly silly kids.

99. planning a visit from best friends sometime this summer

100. a hubby who takes care of me when sick.

101. a corner store we can walk to to pick up a few things later today.

102. new motivation for old resolutions

103. exciting ideas to make our backyard lovely

104. new mercies

I'm linking up again with  a punk, a pumpkin, and a peanut for thankful thursdays. :)

Happy Birthday, Grace

My fiesty

silly

demanding

strong

intelligent

dramatic

tender

imaginative

creative

artsy

foodie

FOUR year old!!

I thought you'd be a boy. U/S proved otherwise. God gave me you, Grace.

I thought you'd gaze at me with eyes wide, soaking in the bright lights, but eyes were closed tight and lungs were loud with the sound of life, Grace.

I didn't think you and I would ever bond, your witching hour coming on, everyday the same time. But like a sudden breeze, your nightly crying would soon cease, and we could really get to know you, Grace.

I don't know how to be a mom to a girl, but you sit beside me and demand your nails be painted, and you're so still, not to ruin the lovely shades of pink and orange and blue and purple...my pretty, Grace.

You surprised me and delighted me with your singing, now we sing duets nightly and enjoy sweet hymns, my Amazing Grace.

Happy Birthday my sweet girl with the middle name so appropriate...Grace.

I'm linking, as usual, this Monday with lots of other ladies across the country to Gracelaced Mondays.

Birthday Pyrex Love

We had a party this afternoon...I used some of my yellow daisy cinderella bowls, and my constellation promotional piece for serving, along with a few other pieces....just not pictured. I LOVE using the divided casseroles for serving two different items in one dish.

Thanksgiving Thursday 73-90

73. pyrex arriving parcel post without even a scratch
74. finishing a huge slipper order part 2
75. little lady's super awesome playdate evaluation for preK
76. little man's amazing interview for K

This is what he did in the interview when she said, "Show me the number 6 with your fingers" expecting him to show her 6 fingers!

77. unexpected etsy sales
78. people who are willing to help me get to the post office
79. birthday party plans
80. no more tangles sprays and shampoos
81. sunshine
82. washi tape so pretty
83. catching up on fun shows when children are resting
84. resting children
85. ability to create and give a gift to one in need
86. silly pictures from years ago that still make me smile
87. silly jokes with my best friend
88. mustache humor...."I mustache you a question.."
89. hope
90. great crochet patterns to follow (mostly by http://www.etsy.com/shop/mamachee )


Today I am linking up with  A PUNK, A PUMPKIN, And A PEANUT  for Thankful Thursdays .(Since I've been doing it for a while anyway!! :) 

I'm Not Just A Pinner Pinterest Challenge #1

Today I am linking up to "I'm On My Way's" Pinterest Challenge.

The project I chose were these cookie bars:

Source: everythingtoentertain.com via Brie on Pinterest

But I had to put my own twist on them.
My adaptation:
I used 2 cups almond meal and 3 cups flour
I used 1 cup of stevia in the raw and 1 cup sugar
I used 1 tsp of baking soda
I used 1/2 tsp salt
I added about 1/4 cup applesauce to the butter/sugar/stevia/egg mixture because I was afraid the stevia would dry it out.


I also have no cream cheese, so I had to go with a basic butter cream icing recipe.

The finished product was more crumbly than a typical sugar cookie, and I think the stevia should have been cut to just 1/2 cup. Otherwise, not a bad pinterest do it yourself project. :)

How to Make Your Own Etsy Banner from Picnik

Okay, so Picnik is closing in April, but I *think* will be available through Google+. I'm just not super hip with G+ yet, so I haven't signed on.  I am making all my banners now, and saving them in a file. You may want to do the same.

Here' my template, you can use if you like, basically you need a 760pxX100px


(printable instructions click here)




First go to www.picnik.com
Click get started now
Click Upload Photo
Upload the banner template (760px X100px)
You are in the EDIT Folder. Look at the toolbar and choose EFFECTS
Scroll Down the Left effects until you see TINT
Choose the desired color
You can continue to scroll down to TEXTURE to add a layer of texture on the template
Next look on the tool bar and choose TEXT
On the top left, type in what you want your shop to be
Then click ADD
The text will appear on the image sometimes way huge, and white.
You can change the font color and size...and then scroll down the left bar clicking on different   
     fonts until you find the one you like.
Repeat with any taglines you may wish to use.
Now, if you want to add even more texture, click STICKERS
If you right click stickers, you can do things like send it to the back even behind the texture if you
      prefer.
When you are finished, click SAVE AND SHARE folder
Save to your computer into your prefered file.

Now you are ready to upload your shop banner.
Once you sign in, hover over “Your Shop”
Choose Info and Appearance
Next to Shop Banner Image,  Click Choose File
Find your new banner in the folder you saved it in and upload.
Save changes.
Admire your handiwork.






Here are a couple I made myself.

Foodie Friday-Mudslide Fudge Cookies Pinterest Recipe Review

Source: foodrenegade.com via toastycrow on Pinterest

Looks nommy? Well, I made them today, and they are quite tasty!  Mine however, weren't as flat, (perhaps too much cocoa powder to egg white ratio? I measured, but did use two different brands for measuring cups.

The flavor really is dependent upon the quality of the items you use. I used TJ's cocoa powder, and for the chocolate chips, I used mini nestle chips because that's what I had on hand.

Extremely rich, not bitter, not overly sweet either. These will be a good go to when I am having a horrid craving for something carbarific, but don't want to walk that road.

Here's a pic of mine:

Momma, Watch Me

Boy I love this little "princess ballerina." She came downstairs dressed in her dress up clothes and did the craziest little dance for me. :)