Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

Stopping in to wish all of my American friends a very blessed Thanksgiving holiday!   Hug tight your family and friends and enjoy each other's company....

There's so much to be thankful for and many take for granted things like having a healthy family that loves them, a running vehicle, a job, a warm home to come home to, and food in their bellies

Tonight my friend and I were making homemade biscuits to add to a dinner that will be delivered to a church family in need tomorrow.  I recently learned about The Martha Project through a local church I was visiting and the speaker was sharing her testimony of being a foster parent and how others can get involved to provide respite, prayer, meals, mentoring, etc.

My friend knows this speaker on a personal level and was quick to jump in and get involved in helping with a meal - it's all about reaching out and helping others.   I hope they like these buttery biscuits we dropped off this evening.  It seems so small but I'm praying that it'll fill their hearts with love and their bellies with delicousness :)

I am having a growth spurt in my life right now and although it's painful and tough at times I know I'll be stronger and healthier.  Sometimes you have to "go there" and allow God to lovingly guide you.  I never want to stay stagnate in my life and it's important me to progress.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  Romans 12:2 NIV

Very recently we lost our wonderful pet yellow lab and it's taken awhile to get used to the absence of her presence in our home.   I will have a little test run in puppy sitting for my parents soon - it'll be a few weeks so I'll have some time to see if I could really handle having a new pup in my life.   For me, I think it'll be really worth it and I keep perusing the postings on a rescue site and find my self saying "awwww" aloud quite often!  

My parents pup is already a year old! Time is flying by as usual! Well it's time to prepare the green bean casserole soon and make myself presentable.

Have a wonderful holiday and I'll be back soon.  God bless!

Long Time No Blog

I know shocker, right?   Thought I'd come back and give it a go again and see if anyone is still checking on me here!  Especially at the prompting of my biggest blog fan -my aunt!  

What have I been up to all summer?   Seems like I've been nonstop going but I'm sure that's not really the case but sometimes it feels like it, ya know?

I've been doing more crafting and stamping lately and fell in love with the Prima art doll stamps that have been out for awhile.   I've never seen them in our local stores so I had to order them online.  I have three and definitely want to buy more now that some new ones have been released recently.

This first one was for my good friend from church, Joanne.  Very girly and sweet, like her!  She loves dresses and has cute short hair too.   Her nickname is Chappy :)

Not the best pics in this post - I've been BAD about pulling out my nice camera and using my i phone.   I have become one of "those" people and hope I haven't become an annoyance to others! LOL!  

It's just so fun to use and convenient! 

                                                            all photos by Angela 

I also have been spending a lot of time with friends and establishing new friendships as well.   I've eaten some fabulous food as I am blessed to now know two chefs.   The Culinary Caverns events have come to an end and my new chef friend has Foodie Fridays in which I've been to two now.    Last time was so fun because she had us bring ingredients and she was to make something with what we brought.  
I never thought a pizza made with naan bread, olive oil, tomatoes, bacon, etc - could be so scrumptious.  She even jazzed us Dollar Store gnocchi!  That's talent!

Recently, a friend was a counselor for a foster youth camp for girls and she was in charge of crafting what she lovingly calls "God boxes" - I think a few posts back I shared hers.   We gathered up all kinds of papers, embellishments, glue, glitters and such ...  then she found a great hand-made rose tutorial on You Tube.   We were cutting up swirly papers and making these by hand - loved this one I did with Tim Holtz papers and deckle scissors.
The boxes are quite the hit and hopefully all of the girls enjoyed making them.

Here's another doll tag I made for my former pastor's wife. This one has more sass and high fashion to it - she loves animal prints and sparkle.   It was such a blessing to hear she loved it and brought a smile to her face.  I love doing things like this.   

I need to do more because it's more a blessing to give than it is to receive, right?    

It really helped to get rid of cable and just spend time doing other things.  Summer is busy and there's so much more to do.  Being in the cold basement on a hot summer day was perfect!   There's more to come before the new season comes upon us.   I love fall - I can't wait!

Have a wonderful day!  

God Bless the USA

Wishing everyone a wonderfully blessed and safe Independence Day! God bless America!

Shelving Inspiration

Where oh where have I been?  Sorry I've been away for a whole month!  I just haven't had the desire to blog in awhile and now that we've had some warmer days I'm taking full advantage of them while I can!

I've been doing a bit of volunteering, crafting, hanging with friends (personal shopping galore) and just enjoying being out there and living.   I also haven't been bringing my camera along and totally stuck in the iPhone craze of taking pics and Instagramming them.   It's been fun ... but I HAVE missed you, too!

Hopefully, I'll have a reason to drag my Canon back out and take some fun pics of nature blooming all around me.  Soon I'll be going to our local botanical gardens with my gal pals - we call ourselves The Pink Diamonds.  It's just four of us and we thought it would be fun to give us a name.
I've always loved The Pink Ladies from "Grease"!!  Silky jackets and all.   Stockard Channing was the best!

I digress...  One of the Pink Diamonds, Carol, has a totally skillful hubby that can do carpentry.  He was a local high school teacher and has his own workshop in his home.   When I was recently looking at Pinterest for inspiration in decor I was really digging the open shelving look in kitchens.   I'm very slow to some new trends and I wouldn't totally make my entire kitchen open shelving but I so love the European cottage kitchens and actually some of the modern kitchens have them, too.

Here's a bit of what I'm talking about

                                                        via Better Homes & Gardens 

                                                               Via June Taylor tumblr via Pinterest

                                                             Via Birch & Birch via Pinterest 


So I asked him to come up with something similar and something that was wide and heavy-duty enough to put dishes on and handle it.

                                                                 i phone photo by Angela 

I really like them but my roomie (brother) thinks they are too big and worried about conking his head on them or falling down, etc.   I told him I like them and they aren't going anywhere as they are huge anchors in huge holes in the wall.   I did try putting my current Pottery Barn plates on them but it's a lot of white and they are kind of big.  I'm still playing.  I also may put a little antique brown stain in the grooves of the shelves to go with the rest of the browns in the kitchen.

The outlet isn't really pretty but I'm working with a very small space.  It just needed something in there to warm it up as well as make it useful.

I'm sure I'll be perusing Home Goods and other places to find just the right things to put on the top one.

Have a great week!  - Angela

Easter Swap Goodies 2013

Hello - I'm playing catch up and finally getting to posting my Easter swap goodies from Jen whose blog is called Dogma.
She spoiled me good and I don't even have pics of everything she gave me!  I have already munched on the yummy jellybeans.  It was nice to meet her and I thought her spoolie was unique and pretty!  We both have never altered spoolies before and it has been fun seeing what everyone came up with.   Funny how many of us used nests and I think even another person used a tin like me!

All photos by Angela 

I really liked all the pretty laces and trims she included.  I have been craving a bit of shabby chic in my crafts lately.  There's a lot of inspiring ideas out there - especially loving the Prima doll art stamp that is currently unavailable!  I have it on my radar and hope to snag at least one when it's back in circulation this month.  

See all the little buttons, pink trees and ephemera?  We both have a love of bunnies.  Cute stuff!

I have never heard of Smencils and boy do they smell wonderful!  Lemon is a fave scent - it's nice and refreshing.  Hmmm maybe I should bring it to work and have a little aromatherapy?  I can see it now -me at my desk with my eyes closed and inhaling a pencil ... and my coworkers looking at me like I'm crazy!  Hey - no calories, right?

This German egg is so adorable.  I also like chickies and lambs.  I have been waiting for spring for sooo long!  It snowed last night but thankfully it melted by the time I left work today.  Jen thank you for being so generous and a wonderful swap partner you are truly talented!  It was great meeting you and it would be great to see you and your sweet sis Meri in AZ sometime soon.   Sandy thanks again for hosting another fantastic swap!  I'm blessed to meet so many great "Jen's" thorough you. 

Here's the spoolie I made Jen ...

I had a wonderful Resurrection Sunday  with my family.  After a delicious dinner with the family we settled in and watched The Bible on The History Channel.  It was truly riveting and I was bawling.   Now I want to see the other episodes.   Here's a link to the recap for those that may not have cable like me.  I heard it's already on DVD and available to buy.    

I'm thankful for the Lord and what he did on Calvary!  Have a blessed day! - Angela 

Love of a Pup

This is my parent's new puppy - isn't she so cute?  She's a Yorktese which I have always called these Morkies...  which are a mix (designer dog if you will) of a Yorkie Terrier and a Maltese.  She is FULL of energy and fun.  She is keeping my parents on their toes all the while biting and licking them as she goes.  I really super duper wanted one of her litter mates but I didn't think it would be the best time to introduce a new pup in my life.

After all, I'm busy co-caring for my brother's dog while I'm living in the same home...

She has been a faithful and loving friend.  She follows me everywhere and tries to nudge her nose into my bedroom door often.  I am covered in hair all of the time!  I wear a lot of black and it looks like I'm rocking the angora look this winter!  

Both dogs are having a blast in the freshly fallen snow.  We were expecting quite a few inches and had everyone on high alert for being snowed in.   I think we reached 8" but it felt like 12" when I was shoveling it today.  More is coming on Monday.   That ground hog should be fired!  I was all ready for spring!  

Have a great weekend! 

Easter Swap

I just signed up!  I am excited to meet a new friend (or be matched with a former swap friend, too) in this Easter swap.   Easter is quite early this year, too.  March 31st.
Thankfully, I already had some old spools from an antique market that I picked up.  I also have some old tins.  Time to spark up some creativity and make something pretty!

If you are interested check it out here at 521 Lake Street.  Deadline is February 18th.

One Little Word for 2013

Hello and happy new year!   Sorry I have been away for so long.  Has anyone out there missed me?
Sometimes I wonder if I still have anyone checking on me here.  Give me a shout out if you're out there!

I have been incredibly busy and feeling like I'm struggling to catch up after the holidays.  As much as I love a fresh and brand new year - there are a lot of things to do straight out of the gate.   For me it's holiday clean up, pictures, taxes, car plates, doctor appointments, etc.
February I hope to get a breather!

I have chosen my word for 2013... BELIEVE

                                                               Photo & Art by O. Heiser 

I have not joined in the project for "One Little Word" but I enjoy the concept of choosing a word to focus on for the year.   My word for 2012 was courage.

The word "believe" kept popping up for both me and a friend of mine and we both really thought it rang true in our lives at this moment and time.   She gave me permission to share her beautiful box that she made with several words that had meaning to her.

My church is also using this word for the year and I'm excited to hear and learn from some of the sermons.

"Everything is possible for him who believes"  Mark 9:23 NIV