Showing posts with label Just for Fun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Just for Fun. Show all posts

Sunday, January 25, 2015

My Two Cents

 
Well it finally snowed here!!  Every time we have a snow storm I am blown away by how beautiful everything is when it stops snowing.  The frosted trees, the sparkly winter wonderland created by that brilliant sunshine that usually follows a snowstorm; that snap in the air that you breathe; that grateful feeling that wells up inside of you as you take a first glimpse out the window of God's breathtaking handiwork....  Those things are all wrapped up inside my brain right now as I sit in our loft working on….

January's "My Two Cents."




Watch

I’m in the mood for inspiring, heart-warming, self-sacrificing movies, so let’s see what is on the shelf…. 

I love studying military history, so when I came across this movie last year I was really excited!  It can be hard to find movies based on stories from that era, that aren’t filled with bad language or unnecessary scenes, but this one was clean and very well done!

Hidden in Silence


“Przemysl, Poland, WW11.  Germany emerges victorious over the Russians, and the city comes under Nazi control.  The Jewish are sent to the ghettos.  While some stand silent, Catholic teenager Stefania Podgorska chooses the role of a savior and sneaks 13 Jews into her attic.”

While most stories of this kind can be very graphic, I felt that they did a good job of portraying what happened and yet still keeping it a family film.  I have family members that can read about graphic things, but if they actually see it in person they are just overwhelmed…. They did not feel that way with this film, and yet it still adequately told the truth of what was happening during that time period.   I would highly recommend this!  Very well done…plus, anything with Kellie Martin is good J

 

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

My Two Cents

Wow, the month of November has flown by!  I can't believe Thanksgiving will be here in just a couple days and Christmas just a few weeks later!!  2014 has been a huge growing year...I know we tend to say that about a lot of years in our life, but you know how certain ones are REALLY growing years and others are still growing years, but maybe not quite as life impacting??

I think the biggest thing that God has been showing me this year is to find my validation in Him alone.  To meet His expectations alone.  To live for His smile alone.  I will never be able to do what every one thinks I should be able to do or live in such a way that meets the expectations of everyone and that is ok...   I am here to live the life God wants me to live - no matter how countercultural it is :)

Ok, so onto the monthly "My Two Cents"...

Watch
 
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=011211&event=ESRCN



I'm just going to come right out and admit that I have been addicted to the "When Calls the Heart" series that came out last spring on the Hallmark Channel...  I know, I know but sometimes I can become a hopeless romantic.  I have those moments of wanting to curl up on the couch and watch a movie that has nothing wrong with it, still has a good story line and has decent actors.  The series is not based off of Janette Oke's books (When Comes the Heart series) like the "Love Comes Softly" series was (which is probably why I can watch it without any pre-judgments).  I have to admit that I am not a big fan of the Love Comes Softly series past the first and second movie... I just loved the books too much and didn't really enjoy the actors and story lines... So I admit to being a bit apprehensive when "When Calls the Heart" came out, however I was captivated by the pilot and have been impatiently waiting for all the episodes to come out on DVD for the past few months!  Definitely check it out!

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Fresh Modesty

Can I just say...If you haven't checked out the website "Fresh Modesty", then you are really missing out!

Olivia Howard is a lovely young lady, who started up a fashion blog for Christian young ladies who want to glorify the Lord with beautiful wardrobes.  She is honest about her life and the challenges she faces, but tries to daily glorify the Lord in all that she does.

She has been such an encouragement to me over the past couple years.  It can be really hard in this culture to dress modestly and still be feminine.  It can be hard in that, it's difficult to find clothing that's modest and fits each of our individual styles, but it can also be hard because it is not what our culture expects.  However, Olivia knows that God has given her a higher calling.  To dress modestly and live a life that reflects her Lord and Savior - no matter what the culture expects or how challenging it can be to find clothing!  She truly wants to encourage her sister's in Christ and has been such a blessing!  Please, go check out her blog...I think you will love it! :)


http://freshmodesty.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

My Two Cents

For this month's "My Two Cents", I'm thinking of going with a fall theme...so let's see how it goes!

What do you think of when you think fall??

Hoodies, Pumpkins, Apple Picking, Hiking, Bonfires,
 Hay Rides, Kayaking, Hot Chocolate, Sweaters,
Hot Tea, Fall Foliage, County Fairs, Blue Skies, Apple Crisps

Thursday, September 11, 2014

My Two Cent's


 
Hello Friends,


I was blog hopping the other day and came across a post that inspired some post topics in my head! (love it when that happens).  The young woman gave a list of her "favorites".  Different things that she really liked, that she wanted to share with her following.  I love seeing what other young Christian ladies are reading, watching, listening to etc. and I thought you might too! So I thought it would be fun to do a monthly post of giving "My Two Cent's" on things that I think some of you out there might enjoy! 

I would love to have some interaction on here with these posts!  Let me know if you have read, seen, heard of, or just enjoyed any of the things that are mentioned :)


Watch:
Come What May
I absolutely love this movie!!  It is clean, has a fantastic message and some great acting!
 

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Where to start...

First of all I'm sorry there has been a pause in the writing of the blog this summer...It always amazes me how time flies when you're having fun! :)  It has certainly been busy in my life...as summer usually is...but isn't that a good thing - being busy?  Yes, sometimes we all need life to slow down, to have a moment to reflect and sometimes even refocus on the priorities in life.  However, right now in this chapter of my life, I like to stay busy. It makes me feel alive, be optimistic about life and it helps me keep a positive outlook!   When I'm busy I tend to see God's hand at work more often.  I tend to see the blessings He gives me on a more regular basis...or even just notice the "small ones" that I so often overlook. 

Looking up at the Custom Tower on the
first night!

God has provided in so many ways this summer!!  One of the blessings that I would like to specifically mention is His gift of going to Boston a few weeks ago..

I LOVE to travel!!  I especially enjoy traveling to cities that are close to water :)  Think Boston falls in this category?  I also really enjoy planning trips, figuring out the cost of everything, working out the budget for the trip, figuring out the where, when's and how's of the trip, yep I love the details.  However, going to Boston on a mini vacation, in a NICE hotel right next to the water, was something that was on the bucket list to do when I have the money to pay for a vacation like that...like maybe once I hit retirement age :)

Monday, November 12, 2012

~ Of Waltzing and Marriage ~

I just read a post over at "Your Sacred Calling" and thought I would let you all know about it :]  It is just a short post titled "The Dance of Marriage."  It likens waltzing to marriage and I thought it was a great parallel to use. 

Love this waltzing picture from "The Young Victoria"
and thought it was appropriate for the post :]

Here is an excerpt:

"Just as an elegant waltz requires someone to skillfully lead the steps, so does the well-choreographed dance of marriage require a husband to lovingly lead his wife. He doesn’t stomp on her toes; instead, with strength and purpose, and an ear for the great Musician, he leads the dance."

Go check it out!  It will only take you a few moments as it is a really short post and I think you will like it :]

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Yodeling Video =)

I saw this posted on Google Groups today and have played it several times :]  I'm not even familiar with the language, but I love listening to them sing and the girl yodels beautifully!  :o)

I know this is so random, but I thought it would be fun to share and I hope all of you enjoy it too! =P


P.S. I know the words and music are out of sync with the video, but it really didn't matter to me as I just enjoyed listening!



 

Saturday, June 9, 2012

A Sweet Wrap!


I recently posted this recipe on Altogether Seperate the blog I'm co-author on, and I thought it would be fun to post it here as well.  This is my first recipe post on this blog, but it's one of my  favorite recipes so I had to share it with all of you :]



"As soon as the topic was decided on I knew exactly what I wanted to share....however, why is it, that sometimes the best recipes are the ones that you've experimented with and you don't have exact measurements????  Guess what?  That's mine...  So you'll have to bear with me as the measurements will not be exact, but if you play with it and tweek it so you like it, you'll want to have it every week!

So....what is the recipe???  Sweet Potato Wraps (No I couldn't think of a more exciting name =])

I first had a sweet potato wrap at our local Co-op and the first bite I had made me thank God for another one of His vitamin rich, healthy vegetables!

As soon as we finished the wrap we new we would have to experiement and see if we could make something similar.  So, the next chance we had we ran to the Grocery store and picked up a bag of sweet potatoes.





What You Will Need:

2lb.  Sweet Potatoes
8oz.  Red Kidney Beans
1-2 tsp. Cumin
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/4 - 3/4 cup Veganaise - This is the vegan version of Mayonnaise.  I haven't tried it with mayo, but I'm sure it would be fine to use, however, the veganaise is fantastic with this.


Any type of wrap you want - Our family loves the spelt or spinach wraps!
Vegetables you would want in your wrap:  lettuce, spinach, salad mixture, shredded carrot,
celery, tomato, mushrooms, scallions, peppers, olives or whatever else you feel like :]

Optional: 
The Co-op used Vegan bacon bits that gave it some more added flavor.  We have yet to get some of that, but if you want you could add that as well!


1. We always put our vegetables in the sink filled with water and some hydrogen peroxide to clean them from any chemicals that have been sprayed on them, germs that have touched them or anything else that we would really rather not put into our body :] So the first thing I did was wash them and while they were soaking I turned the oven on.

2. We have a propane oven so the tempatures and time will vary as to how hot the oven should be and how long the sweet potatoes should be in there.  I set the oven at 400 degrees and cook them for an hour and they are usually perfect. (Keep checking them until they are done as 400 degrees for an hour may be too long for your oven) ~ For those of you who have never cooked sweet potato, we take a fork and poke holes in them just like regular potatoes so that they don't burst and then we place them in our bread pans.  We put them in the bread pans because they will leek out juices and make a mess in the stove otherwise. ~

You'll know they are done when you can sink a fork into it with no trouble at all. 

3. When they are done take them out and let them cool to room tempature. Once cool, I peel the skins off and break them up and put them in the cuisinart.(or whatever you want to use to puree it, you could even mash them with a fork if you wanted to.  However, you are trying to get almost a hummus consistency, so get it as smooth as possible.)

4.  As you blend the sweet potatoes, start adding the veganaise, cumin, salt and pepper.  When you start to add the veganaise or mayonnaise add it slowly.  Taste to see how much you want.  This helps make the mixture smoother and gives you some added taste, but you DON'T want to over do it. Tasting it as you go along will help :]  Same goes for the cumin and whatever other spice you may want to add =]

5. The very last ingredient to add to the mixture are the beans.  Drain the can and then add the beans.  You don't want to pulverize the beans and make them smooth like the rest of the mixture.  Just mashed slightly or cut in half.  You still want to know that they are beans and when you are eating the wrap it will give you another consistency. (If using bacon bits, this is when you would add them)

6.  And now you're ready to make your wrap.  Just spread the sweet potato mixture over your wrap as thick as you want and add the veggies! 

I know there were a lot of directions, but this recipe is really very simple once you know how to make it.
If you bake the potatoes the day before, it shouldn't take you long to whip this up for lunch and bring for that picnic lunch you've been planning for this spring season!  It's really healthy and makes you feel good about eating it :]

Enjoy!"


Tuesday, May 15, 2012

randomness on rainy days


it's raining....

it's been raining for the past few weeks...

i feel like New England is taking on some of the characteristics of a closely named Country that receives an exhorbitant amount of rain...

don't get me wrong, i love the rain for several reasons....

1. the splash that each raindrop makes when it hits a deck, roof, puddle, umbrella, etc.



2. the chance to wear puddle boots!!


3. a time to use that favorite umbrella




4. and then of course the reminder of special memories....what comes to mind when you
see or hear someone say "raindrops on roses..."????


maybe this...?
 
this is what always comes to my
mind first :}


however, rain has its downfalls as well.  one of them being, that you're kept inside for longer then you would prefer. 

when this happens, randoms posts appear and like today, even random sections in the post :)

todays post was going to be about a recipe that I found on Pinterest (a place where you spend time when it is raining out ;]

due to the dreary weather outside the window, my thoughts were otherwise enaged with images of summer sunlight streaming through trees, picnics at parks and the new recipe I found.


Watermelon Frosty
serves 2

2 1/4 cups frozen watermelon cubes
1/2+ cup water
2 Tbsp maple syrup
1 large lemon, squeezed (lime juice also works very well! use 2 limes)
1 fresh banana

 optional: a few dashes of cayenne powder in the blender or over top when you serve!

Garnish: a few slices of watermelon - with rind on - frozen.

Blend Pour. Garnish with frozen watermelon/rind slices. Serve! Enjoy.

Blending Tip! The best way to blend up this frosty is in a Vitamix - it really frosts up that thick frozen watermelon!


this looks SOO good!  i can't wait to try it this summer when the watermelons are in season!

the recipe came from here where you can view some tantalizing pictures that will have your mouth watering in seconds!
watermelon...the summer picnic fruit


All pictures were found on Pinterest

Monday, May 14, 2012

Five Books Every Christian Should Have On Their Bookshelf

In the school years of 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 I took classes through Apologia AcademyThey were some of the best classes I ever took!  Apologia Academy offers classes in Science, Bible, Worldview & Apologetics.  The classes I took were 1. Apologetics Introduction, 2. Advanced Apologetics, 3. Introduction to Worldviews, 4. Advanced Worldviews and 5. The Life of Christ.  They were amazing classes and I learned so much.  My teacher, Mr. Larry Blythe, was phenominal and his love for Christ and teaching came across into the class every time.

This video, is Mr. Blythe's opinion of what he thinks are "The Five Books Every Christian and Homeschool Family Should Own."  I've only read the first book he mentions, "I Don't Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist" and learned SO much from that book.  Mr. Blythe had us read at least three books each semester for the classes we were taking and there wasn't one that I didn't enjoy. All of them were by credible authors and were very well written for teenagers and adults.  If Mr. Blythe recommends it, his word is good enough for me. All of the books he talks about in the video look really good.

If there was one thing that I walked away with from the classes that I took, it was that God commands us in 1 Peter 3:15 to "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear."  God wants us to prepare ourselves and He has given us some fantastic resources.  There are some pros and cons to living in this century, but the amount of information that we have and the ability we have to search out truth is amazing and definitely one of the pros!

When I saw this video, I thought it would be a great one to share with all of you, so I hope you all enjoy it!

Monday, April 30, 2012

April. 29. 2012....Happy Anniversary Will and Kate!

All right, I admit I am a "Britophile."  What is that? Well click here and find out. 

With that nickname comes the admission that I am a Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Will and Kate) fan.
As today is their 1st year anniversary, I couldn't resist wishing them the best!  In honor of their anniversary I'm going to give you a "Year In Pictures" post to remember a story that reminded us of those fairy tales we grew up reading as little girls :)

1. Prince William and Catherine Middleton Engagement Picture


2. Prince William and Catherine Middleton's first official live press release



3. Her beautiful engagement ring. (For those of you who don't know, her ring has added special meaning as it was the same ring given to William's mother, Princess Diana, for her engagement.



4. April 29. 2011 marked the special day for William and Kate!  Here she is arriving at Wesminster Abbey.



5. Prince William arriving at Westminster Abbey with his brother Prince Harry



6. Standing at the altar saying their vows to each other and exchanging their rings



7. The married couple leaving Westminster Abbey



8. On there way to Buckingham Palace leaving Westminster Abbey



9. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge



10. The traditional "Balcony Kiss"



11. Their Legendary Second "Balcony Kiss"



12. One of their family wedding photos



13. Royal couple with flower girls and page boys




14. The Newlyweds drive out in their Aston Martin


15. Miscellaneous pictures of the couple since they got married!


 
 


































Happy Anniversary!

 I pray that God leads both of them to a saving knowledge of who He is and what He has done for them. 
Imagine what an impact they would have on the world if they came to know the Lord as their personal Savior!




Saturday, February 18, 2012

A Unique Clothing Challenge!

“The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It's the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows & the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years.”
Audrey Hepburn
 
How true... God wants our hearts to be a reflection of Him and He wants people to be able to see Him in our eyes, actions, words, hobbies, etcetera.  However, although I agree with Audrey that "The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears" I do believe that what we wear reflects our inner heart and if we are to be a reflection of Christ then our clothes are to reflect him as well.
 
So...... I just found out about a "Clothing Challenge" that will be starting tomorrow and ending next Saturday.
 
I've seen several different clothing challenges and each one has a God honoring vision, but I've never felt led to enter any of them.  This one however, I feel is different from the others.
 
* First of all, it is for girls and  guys! 
* It's focus is on the hearts of the wearer
* It is a week "to put a little thought into what message your clothes say for you."
 
The focus of this challenge is as follows:
 
"Not attracting abundant attention to yourself, avoiding over thinking your outfits (and people’s responses to the outfits), and self control (avoiding gaudiness)."
 
The challenge's focus is to wear clothing that is carefully chosen to send a message that honors God, without spending an absorbitent amount of time choosing the outfit.  Our appearance is a reflection of what is in our hearts and our hearts as Christians are to reflect Christ. 
 
I think this will be a lot of fun and would love for more people to get involved!  If you are interested, please go and check out the challenge, sign up and then let others know!  Have fun!