One Thousand Gifts and the Joy Dare

Gratitude is something my mother ingrained in me at an early age.  Even when things are bad, I try my best to remember that for the most part, my glass is not just half full, but overflowing.

I read about a book by Ann Voskamp titled One Thousand Gifts.  Described as a celebration of grace and a recognition of the power of gratitude.  I can't wait to read it (you can read about it along with the first chapter here on her site). 

Ann is also asking her readers to take the Joy Dare.  A joy dare to give God all the glory for his graciousness.  Each day list three things that you are grateful for or bring you joy.  You can journal it, jot on a special note sheet she supplies to print, tweet it, or download the app for your smart phone!!!  It's all on the One Thousand Gifts website and A Holy Experience blog.  I'm a few days late in beginning, but look forward to doing this.  Check it out!!   

This might be the year for something like this.  With everything we face right now with our servicemen deployed, job losses, a horrible economy, and so much more; finding daily joy, "living fully right where we are", as Ann describes her book.

Other things have pointed me in that direction.  I have a friend who began a blog he entitled The Gratitude Project (yes, a man is doing this).  A craft blog I read encouraged people to create a large (almost poster size) manifesto for 2012 and print it to keep it in view as a reminder.  I am normally an overachiever, but this time I went for the 81/2 x 11 printed manifesto.  Listing things like Pray More, Rest More, Worry Less, Walk in Faith, and just the words ~ Integrity, Gratitude and Humility!

So let's a find some joy in the journey as we press on to the goal!  

BIG Vintage Pearl Giveaway!

I love, love, love The Vintage Pearl.  They are giving away 5 $100 gift certificates today for last minute Christmas fun!  I even sell as an independent contractor for Initial Outfitters, but still purchase from TVP.  Check it out here!  Hope you and I both win one!!!!!

GREAT Giveway!

There are blogs I read on a daily basis and one of my favorite is Centsational Girl.  She is a creative DIY'er and beautiful decorator.  Also been featured in Better Homes and Gardens Christmas Idea magazine this year, and more.  

She's got a great giveaway going on at her site from The Vintage Pearl ~ another one of my favorites!

Go HERE and enter to win!  If you win, you have to share.

HA HA 

Earthquake!

We had a 2.7 magnitude earthquake today and it was FrEaKy.  I work at a college and the epicenter was about 1 mile from us.  There was a very loud boom and then a shake.  Very short, but shook all of us up!  We all thought a car ran into our building.   Thankfully there was no damage and no one hurt, just woke us all up. Fun times! 

I immediately began singing the old Carole King song. . .
I feel the earth move under my feet
I feel the sky tumbling down
I feel my heart start to trembling . . .

One of the websites that reports and records earthquakes is actually quite intersting.  http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/dyfi/
I've always been told there is constant seismic activity, but this site shows how often and where.  Check it out! 

Pinterest Challenge Post #2

This Pinterest challenge has been SO MUCH FUN!  I've found things to do later, did some today, and bookmarked all kinds of things.  Also been blog-stalking!  Needless to say, my house is still a mess, but I am a more creative creature for it!!!!

The sharing/copying is the best part.  Found this post's inspiration from Corrie at http://housemadeblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/diy-typography-art.html.  Here are links to my versions of some of the things!

ABC art!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1M0WGFbKUFy4tOq2s31E-UW1GqDt0hqp4p3oMFX957x0/edit

Last name fun!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xCW5OUndpDgFUHL9d8cwPMIQrwLPR-gYFpHLWj6ryCA/edit

The party is on at Young House Love,  Bower Power, Ana White and House of Earnest. 

Pinterest Challenge!!

I always love a challenge and don't know that I will get all of this correct, but here goes ~ 

There's a party going on, hosted by Young House Love,  Bower Power, Ana White and House of Earnest.  Challenging us to actually complete something we've fallen for on Pnterest.  I found a WONDERFUL tulle wreath on My 3 Monsters blog that she found on Something to Do.   I absolutely LOVE the SHARING!

So I decided to do my own version and here it is!  Mine is for Halloween, but it has such possibilites.  Red and White for Christmas, School colors.  I can also picture a sweet light pink or blue with baby items for a nursery.

I used a roll of black tulle and a wire wreath form.  Cut my 6 inch wide tulle into approximately 6 to 8 inch lengths and started tying!

   

View from the back, I tyed tulle on the first two wires, then the second and third, then the third and fourth.  Repeating that pattern all the way around. 

You can make it as tight as you want.  The solid black is hard to see in a picture.  I did try mixing some silver tulle in, but it looked too white.

Add a ribbon, flower, picture, be creative and have fun! 

Sorry the pictures aren't better, but maybe you can get the idea!



IAMS donating 100 Meals!!!

When You Show Your Support by Joining the Iams Blogging 4 Bowls Blog Hop Iams will Donate 100 Meals!

I am supporting IAMS Dog Food efforts to provide 100 bowls of food for every blog post!! Just wish I'd seen it earlier to share a little longer!!






Here's all you need to do to show your support for the Iams Home 4 the Holidays Blogging for Bowls Blog Hop:

•Link up your blog name and URL using the Linky Tool ~ and since I don't know how to link the Linky Tool here ~ click HERE and add yourself to Mimi's Linky!!!!

Additional ways to show your support of the Iams Home 4 the Holidays kickoff:

•Grab the code and write a post on your blog to show your added support for the Blogging for Bowls Blog Hop.

•Stop by the blog hop co-hosts,The Tiniest Tiger, Fidose of Reality, Pets News and Views, Pets Weekly, Dogtipper, and Preston Speaks , to say hello.

•Visit other blogs that are supporting the Blogging 4 Bowls Blog Hop. Make new friends and/or reconnect with old friends.