Fave Foto Friday Week #3

Welcome to Week 3 of Fave Foto Friday!

Yesterday I spent most of the day dealing with a clogged toilet. It was so bad the snake didn't work the night before. Then somehow after the water drained out slowly, it decided to overflow all over the bathroom floor, so gross. But luckily after our landlord came over with a longer snake he was able to get it unclogged. He said something came up that looked like a bar of soap. I have a feeling it's been in there since before we moved in. The people that lived here before have 3 young children and Hannah never goes anywhere near the toilet and we keep the lid closed anyways. So after dealing with that and scrubbing the bathroom down with bleach from top to bottom I didn't have anytime to work on the project I was planning on.

So with that said, this week's subject matter is ridiculously easy things I can do. I don't know about you but I like it when things are easy and quick. I do occasionally appreciate a challenge but for the most part I will do something a little quicker if the project is easy. There is no excuse not to do these things except maybe $$ to buy the supplies. But I had to share these creative ideas with you.

The first is a ceiling medallion wreath from Better Homes & Gardens. I'm mean spray paint and hang with coordinating ribbon, how much easier can it get?

Source: bystephanielynn.com via Heather on Pinterest

Cereal boxes covered with fabric to create picture mats from Delightful Distractions. Could also do this with scrap paper, can make plain mats or colors like pictured. How clever, simple and cheap!!

Source: amyjdelightful.blogspot.com via Heather on Pinterest

Two ingredients for Pumpkin Cupcakes from Sweet Verbena. Just add cream cheese frosting. Can't wait to try these.

Source: sweet-verbena.blogspot.com via Heather on Pinterest

No quite easy, but possible, I'll take that.

Source: diosmudanzas.tumblr.com via Heather on Pinterest

These painted pine cones from Disney Family Fun are supposed to be a craft for kids, so to me that means it's easy. I love the look of this. Something kind of rustic but still colorful.

Source: myblessedlife.net via Abby on Pinterest

Hope these have inspired you to go out and get some quick and easy crafts done. Hopefully I can actually get something accomplished.

Have a blessed weekend!

 

 

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Encouraging Word Wednesday Week #3

First off this week I have a little note to share: Encouraging Word Wednesday is not intended to sound preachy, I'm not a theologist, just a follower of Christ looking for a place to share what I'm learning as I go through life's journey and while I learn of Christ's love for me. I figured my blog was the perfect place to do this. I love hearing and reading encouraging words throughout the day, so I wanted to share what I learn.


For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery- but I am talking about Christ and the church.

Ephesians 5:31-32

Right now  in church we are participating in a program from Family Life called the Art of Family Series. There are 6 parts; God's heart for Marriage 1&2, God's heart for Men, God's heart for Women, God's heart for children and God's heart for singles.

This has been a very profound learning experience for my family. In this world today our marriages are under attack by many influences. We constantly hear of unfaithful spouses, divorces, abandonment, the list goes on and on, sadly. But in this series we are learning that our marriage is to be a mirror image of our relationship with God. In essence we are married to God. When we take our vows we're actually vowing to God. Our marriage is to be treated as a covenant not a contract. You don't make contracts with God. People break contracts all the time these days as they do marriages, but a covenant is not to be broken.

Divorce has been made so easy these days, that when times get tough people just call it quits. It's hard not to think it's okay when someone like Pat Robertson of The 700 Club tells a man it's ok to get a divorce when his wife has Alzheimer's. That couldn't be anymore against the basic vow of "in sickness and in health".

Life isn't supposed to be easy, we don't know what the future holds for our health. But abandoning your spouse when they get an incurable disease and when they need you most, that's a slap in their face and in God's. So now you don't get what you want, you think your spouse wants to live like that? This is the best time to turn to God,  no it's not easy, but you made a vow to your partner and to God. God will not turn you away, He will get you through.

No I haven't personally gone through this myself. And I know it's a horrible disease that makes taking care of your spouse extremely difficult, but even if I needed outside help, like a nurse or a home, I wouldn't dare turn my back on my husband that has loved and cared for me for so many years and I won't dare turn my back on my vow to God.

He reached down from on high and took hold of me, He drew me out of deep waters.

2 Samuel 22:17

You are my lamp, O Lord, the Lord turns my darkness into light.

2 Samuel 22:29

Have a great day!

 

 

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Fave Foto Friday Week #2

Welcome to week 2 of Fave Foto Friday!

Fall Edition

I don't know about you but I feel fall in the air. Well at least last weekend I did. It was rainy and cool (typical NW fall) and I was loving it, then this week it's been sunny and hot. With school in session, all the fall shows on TV and October right around the corner, I'm just ready for the fall season to start. Pumpkin spice lattes, sweaters, boots and yummy food.

If you can't tell already this week is everything fall related. I don't know if I've ever been so happy to see rainy cooler weather. I guess after 12 years of living in the NW it's finally rubbed off.


I would love to have this table cloth for the Thanksgiving table.

Source: etsy.com via Heather on Pinterest

I just have to make a fall wreath, I mean I have too, my summery wreath just is not going to cut it. It won't match any of our Halloween decorations at all. This wreath from Home Stories A 2 Z is similar to my other wreath but with yarn. Love the warm & cozy look.

Source: homestoriesatoz.com via Heather on Pinterest

Perfect really, just enough spook.

Source: midwestliving.com via Heather on Pinterest

Does it get any more fall? This Carmel Apple Spice from A Law Student's Journey is Brenden's favorite Starbucks drink, I have to try this.

Source: threeyearsofdeath.blogspot.com via Heather on Pinterest

We drink alot of coffee during this time of year.

Source: etsy.com via Heather on Pinterest

Have a great Friday!!

 

 

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Anniversary Card

Hope every ones day is going well. Mine has been slow, in fact this whole week has been slow, I haven't really accomplished much in the craft world, but the house is clean, so hey I deserve some credit for that.

Below is the card I made for our anniversary. I wanted something romantic looking. I think it's quite lovely with lots of layers.

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Encouraging Word Wednesday

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:10-14

Well I was only going to talk about Colossians 1:10 but then after reading through 14, I wanted to include it all. To me this verse pretty much sums it all up.

The first part of this kind of ties into last weeks verse to me. By this I mean, in everything you do, do with delight and to please the Lord.

 The rest of this verse means to me that God has given us everything, if we choose to accept it and live to please the Him. He has laid everything out for us, giving us a place for eternal life with Him and forgiving us of our constant sin. Though I try my best to live a Christian life, it's not always the easiest thing to do in this horribly dark world, none of us are perfect, I screw up all the time, in fact yesterday I took the Lord's name in vain twice, once when Hannah got ahold of a sharp knife (now I know she can reach up on the counter), that's only one of the sins I commit throughout the day. But as I'm going about my day and catch myself I ask for forgiveness and try to do better and guess what; I'm forgiven. I'm not saying go through each day doing whatever you want and at the end of the day go down your list asking for forgiveness. But it's nice to know that even when you screw up, even if it's sometimes intentional you will be forgiven. But always, always, try to do better in the future. God knows your heart and intentions.

Everything good is right there waiting for you, all you have to do is reach out, grab it and serve to the best of your ability.

After I wrote this draft yesterday, I heard a song that emplifies the last part of this verse more to me. Very powerful.

Sidewalk Prophets - You love me anyway

Hope you have a great day!

 

 

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Fave Foto Friday Week #1

Welcome to Fave Foto Friday Week #1

I'm starting a new Friday post series, Fave Foto Friday. I'm slacking more than I would like in the crafting world, there's just never enough time with a 16 month old running around. So I wanted to start a post of something that I do spend time doing while I'm unable to get up to the computer or actually do a craft. That is surfing the internet, whether it's on pinterest, stumble upon or looking through my long list of blogs that I follow. I usually do this while on the couch hanging with the family. Joe's usually doing something or another, Brenden's usually playing on one of his handhelds, Hannah's running around and I'm on a phone surfing around. Don't worry this isn't our actual family time, it's just what we do after dinner where we already talked about each other's day, then need a break from each other, just kidding.

Hopefully you enjoy these as much as I did and hopefully they inspire you too.

This calendar from The Creative Crate is part of my big project that I'm working on right now, a Mom Command Center. I saw this calendar and just had to make one. I'm currently waiting on the vinyl pinstripe tape to be delivered. Once it does I will start my project.

Source: daisydotdesign.blogspot.com via Heather on Pinterest

I thought this foam wreath idea from The Penny Parlor was so clever. I mean talk about saving money! I love the end result.

Source: thepennyparlor.com via Heather on Pinterest

These jute wrapped foam pumpkins from That's My Letter are one of my absolute favorite ideas for fall decor. I'm going to be on the hunt for some foam pumpkins.

Source: thatsmyletter.blogspot.com via Heather on Pinterest

These Blackberry Pie bars from Pink Parsley are next on my list for the frozen blackberries in the freezer. Yum!

Source: pink-parsley.com via Heather on Pinterest

And last but not least, when I saw this verse and the way it was drawn I just fell in love. Not sure where it's from (besides pinterest) but I just love it.

Source: None via Heather on Pinterest

Hope everybody has a great weekend and enjoys the cooler weather. It's our 6 year wedding anniversary tomorrow and we're going to celebrate it by going to a baby resale consignment event JBF to stock on Hannah's fall/winter wardrobe and other fun finds, then we'll be going to dinner.

 

Zucchini Houdini

That's what I was last night, a Zucchini Houdini. I only made two of the four zucchini disappear but I made some magic in the process. These dishes are so delicious and easy they are must for that extra garden zucchini you've been staring at on your counter for a couple of days now dreading another meal with the basic recipe you use it in. These two are sure to be crowd pleasers and are great for the cooler nights we've been having.

Zucchini Beef Pasta Bake

This makes a ton, so unless you have a large family you will have lots of left overs.

1 lb ground beef

1 lb cooked pasta of your choice, I used penne

cooking spray

2 tbsp olive oil

1/2 onion chopped

1 tsp minced garlic

2 small zucchini, finely sliced into rounds (or one large finely sliced and sliced into rounds then halfed again)

1/4 c parsley

1/4 c butter

3 tbsp flour

4 cups milk

1/2 c parmesan

2 cups mozzarella cheese (or cheddar in my case)

Preheat over to 350 degrees

Spray large and I mean large lasagna dish (14x10 or larger), set aside.

In a large frying pan, saute onions and garlic in olive oil, add beef and brown. Add salt and pepper to taste.

While your browning the beef (and cooking the pasta as in my case), heat another medium pot on medium heat, melt the 1/4 c butter. Once melted, add flour to the pan and stir to make a paste.

Gradually whisk milk in adding salt and pepper to taste. Keep whisking until it begins to bubble and thicken up, then remove from heat. (over years of experience making a rue I find it easiest to add about 1/2c to 3/4 c milk at a time, allow to simmer and it will start to thicken up, once it starts thickening up add more milk and wait to thicken again, keep doing this until you've added all the milk.) Once removed from heat, stir in parmesan.

 Once beef is browned stir parsley, cooked pasta and raw zucchini through and pour into lasagna dish.

Pour white sauce evenly over pasta mixture, sprinkly with cheese. Bake 20-30 minutes or until golden and bubbling.

This next dessert reminds me of the Little Debbie spice cakes, I cannot seem to find any in the Northwest, but they sure are good. As soon as I tasted the batter, I was sooooo excited! Unfortunately this doesn't make as much as the pasta dish. So if you are making both for a big crowd, I would double this recipe.

Zucchini Spice Cake

2/3 c packed brown sugar

1/4 c butter, softened

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 egg

1 c all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground cloves

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 small zucchini shredded and drained

1/2 c chopped nuts ( I used walnuts)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 8x8 pan.

Mix brown sugar, butter, vanilla and egg in large bowl. Stir in flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Stir in zucchini and nuts.

Spread batter in pan. Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool completely. Frost with Spice Frosting.

Spice Frosting

3/4 c powdered sugar

1 tbsp softened butter

1/8 tsp ground cloves

3 tsp milk

Mix all ingredients until smooth and spreadable.

Hope you all enjoy these recipes as much as my family did.


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Encouraging Word Wednesday

"Holiness does not consist in doing extraordinary things. It consists in accepting, with a smile, what Jesus sends us. It consists in accepting and following the will of God."

Mother Teresa

I read this today in my devotional and started really thinking about it and how it can tie to my life.

We're not all meant to be Mother Teresas. Most of us will sail through life never accomplishing huge feats like she did. But even in our everyday life the tasks that don't seem like much are big. As mothers God has given us a huge job, we are to raise our children in hopes that they become upstanding citizens, followers of Christ, caring people, that might one day accomplish huge things. This then got me thinking about a song I've been hearing alot lately.

After hearing Steven Curtis Chapman's new single "Do everything"

 I started thinking alot about what I do around the house and with the kids. I thought though they might seem small now they are tasks that will help shape my families future. Some days when you've picked up the same toys 3 or 4 times (only because you keep tripping on them), had no time to take a shower, had no time to blog or craft, or dealt with a sick baby that didn't let you put her down all day, you are exhuasted and might seem defeated. Trust though that every little thing you do is important and part of God's will for your life. Delight in the fact that He has chosen you to multiply and care for His flock. Though the daily tasks you do might seem tedious they are part of caring for your husband, children and home. The gift and job God has chosen for your life. Do these things with a smile on your face, as long as you are following God's will to the best of your ability you will be blessed.

To hear about Steven's thoughts behind his song click here:

Steven Curtis Chapman talks about his new song "Do Everything"

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

 

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Nut Cookies

Sometimes all it takes is a little time. After a couple of days of looking at my vinyl wall decor my husband said he liked it. After he mentioned that he didn't really like it, I didn't say a word about it. Then out of no where he said oh by the way I do actually like that after looking at it. So that was nice.

Friday I baked up some yummy goodness. We have a lot of zucchini from the garden that needs to be used so I've been looking for clever ways to use it. I've already baked a chocolate zucchini cake, but it turned out kind of funky because they said to put orange and cinnamon in it so I don't want to share the recipe, even though Brenden liked it. After I adjust it, then I'll share. I've also grated 4 cups worth and put in the freezer for later this winter. These tasty little morsels are already all gone.

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Nut Cookies

or Choczucchinut Cookies for short

1/2 cup butter

3/4 cup white sugar

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups grated zucchini

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup quick cooking oats

1 cup chopped pecans

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a medium bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Stir in the egg and vanilla, mix well, then stir in the shredded zucchini. Sift together the flour, baking soda and cinnamon, stir into the zucchini mixture. Finally, stir in the oats, pecans and chocolate chips.

Drop dough from a teaspoon onto an unprepared cookie sheet. Leave at least 2 inches between cookies. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. The cookies will stay soft and moist because of the zucchini. These are super good right out of the oven, with milk of course.

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