Living So Abundantly

Weight Riddance -- Week 4 -- Food Fight

2012-01-29T17:30:00.000-05:00

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. ~I Cor. 10:31

□ Find a breakfast that you love--healthy, of course! Oatmeal is just okay for me, but when I put peanut butter in it--wow!    I actually look forward to breakfast. It fills me up and gives me energy.

□ Keep looking for snack alternatives to foods you overindulge in. For example, I LOVE chocolate, but I can't eat a lot of
   dark chocolate at time one--too rich for me. So, I buy high quality chocolate, 85% cocoa, and I only eat 1-2 squares.
     I feel like I'm indulging since I'm eating chocolate, but I'm actually eating something that's healthy(oh, yes it is!) and
     the amount is perfect.

□ Portion Control is not something I like to hear.   I eat fast, and I'm trying to slow down. I say that to say this.
     Sometimes when you eat quickly, you "feel" like you are still hungry. Your brain is trying to catch up to your
     stomach. The following helped me out.

     On your plate for a meal: meat the size of a deck of cards, carbs. the size of an egg, vegetables the size of a softball
     If you're going to have "junk" food or a sweet treat, it's better to have it at the end of a meal than in between meals.
     Your body metabolizes the sugar better that way.

Missed the first three weeks? Find them here. Here is a summary below:

Week 1-- Introduction
□ Accountability Partner Selected
□ Weigh-in Day Chosen
□ Choose a new snack as a substitute for one of your fat-filled favs.

Week 2-- Motivation and Exercise
□ Read Made to Crave at the library for free if you haven't yet.(Check out the first chapter on-line for free)
□ Choose an exercise plan that will work for you(consult your doctor first).
□ Decide how many days each week you will exercise and for how long.
□ Keep track of how much you exercise this week.

Week 3-- Health Check
□ Get into a habit of taking your vitamins.
□ Find another healthy snack to enjoy.
□ Drink water

Weight Riddance --Week 3-- Health Check

2012-01-22T17:00:00.000-05:00

Here are the challenges from Weeks 1 & 2:

Week 1-- Introduction
□ Accountability Partner Selected
□ Weigh-in Day Chosen
□ Choose a new snack as a substitute for one of your fat-filled favs.

Week 2-- Motivation and Exercise
□ Read Made to Crave at the library for free if you haven't yet.(Check out the first chapter on-line for free)
□ Choose an exercise plan that will work for you(consult your doctor first).
□ Decide how many days each week you will exercise and for how long.
□ Keep track of how much you exercise this week.

Welcome to Week 3! Here are the challenges this week:

Week 3 -- Health Check

□ Get into a habit of taking your vitamins. I promise; your doctor did not hijack your computer, e-mail
   me, and request that I post this for you. I have felt a world of difference when I'm taking my vitamins
   daily. When I have energy, I don't feel the need to grab for foods to make me feel better.
   Dr. Oz has influenced me a lot in the vitamin department. Check out his supplement site here.

□ Find another healthy snack to enjoy.
   Check out the recipe for Energy Bites by clicking on the image below.

□ Drink water
   Remember, I'm not an expert. However, this works for me. Drinking water fills you up and helps with
   your energy. Sometimes I just want flavor, though. Period. Tea is water with flavor. Yes! Vitamin
   Water Zero Lemonade tastes amazing. Adding slices of lemons or limes can give regular water some
   zing. You may be thinking that none of that appeals to you. Find something that does. Ask people,
   search on-line. Do what works for you!


What has been working for me? I don't just "give" things up. I replace things that aren't working with things that do work for my health and wellness. With almost anything that you're trying to do in life, the replacement principle will work.   Throughout different seasons of your life, you will find that you have to change things up.

I will admit to taking down two 2 liters in the last week. There, I said it. I am struggling. So, since I know that I'm struggling with that, I am not buying it to bring home. I will allow myself to have that if we eat out and at get-togethers. Other than that, I don't need to buy it.

Know your temptations, and stand up to them with God's strength. We can't do it on our own.

Encouragement for this week:
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. ~John 10:10

Puzzling

2012-01-15T22:21:00.001-05:00

As part of my 101 goals, I wanted to complete two jigsaw puzzles. I always enjoyed doing them as a child, and I still enjoy them as an adult. It was a nice, relaxing thing to do with my hubby on a Sunday afternoon.

Continuing to count my blessings:
#121-- Working a jigsaw puzzle with my husband
#122-- Hot showers, so relaxing!
#123-- A lady at church hanging out and chatting
#124-- A jacket to keep me warm
#125-- Smell-good lotions
#126-- Rice pack for my neck(a sweet student gave that to me as a Christmas gift)
#127-- Sticking to our budget, discipline is being strengthened
#128-- Laughing so hard...burns calories, too!
#129-- A cozy bed to rest my head
#130-- Curtains in our kitchen

Weight Riddance -- Week 2 -- Motivation and Exercise

2012-01-15T19:33:00.001-05:00

Motivational Thought: You don't drown by falling in the water; you drown by staying there.
~Edwin Louis Cole

Let's see how you did from last week's challenges:
Week 1-- Introduction
□ Accountability Partner Selected
□ Weigh-in Day Chosen
□ Choose a new snack as a substitute for one of your fat-filled favs.

Here goes Week 2's challenges:

Week 2--Motivation and Exercise
□ Read Made to Crave at the library for free if you haven't yet.(Check out the first chapter on-line for free)
□ Choose an exercise plan that will work for you(consult your doctor first).
□ Decide how many days each week you will exercise and for how long.
□ Keep track of how much you exercise this week.

This is the teacher in me coming out, here. Everyone is wired differently. I respect that. So, here are a few ideas of how you could keep track of your exercises for the week.

□ Make a checklist and cross it off. Another form of accountability! There is something exciting about
     being able to put a check in a box. Yes, I am one of "those" people. ;)
□ Put a number(if you choose to exercise 3 times a week, put a "3") on your bathroom mirror. Erase the
     number after you exercise and watch the countdown begin.
□ Blog about it
□ Join Dr. Oz's Transformation Nation You and track it on-line

Choose music that motivates you to work out. I love praise and worship music. LOVE it. However, I have a harder time working out hard to How Great is our God. It's one of my favorite songs, but it doesn't move me uphill when I'm walking. Whoopsie Daisy, by tobymac, makes me move like I'm on a mission.

This last week, I had planned to walk three times. That would have been great if it didn't rain almost every day. What was a girl to do? I participated in Wii sports with my man. To many, they might sigh and say it's not real exercise. Let me just say: It's more than sitting in my chair while on-line or watching t.v. Take a step and get going. ;)

What is your favorite way to work out?

Linked to Homestead Barn Hop, Women Living Well, Works for me Wednesday

Keeping the Count

2012-01-14T22:42:00.000-05:00

Blessings...continually...counting...

#101--Playing wii tennis with my hubby
#101--Laughing throughout the day, good medicine!
#102--Finishing report cards
#103--Meal made ahead for Sunday linner(Chicken Paprika, Rice, and Butternut Squash)
#104--A clean shower
#105--Preparing lessons on Africa, moved by the needs
#106--Hubby fixing vacuum(can you tell I was cleaning--much needed!)
#107--Beautiful houseplants, thanks to my dad ;)
#108--Pumpkin muffins, hit the spot
#109--Tea time all the time
#110--Sweet notes from students from another class
#111--My best friend's sweet post on my wall
#112--Reading the right verse at the right time
#113--Toes on the carpet
#114--Markers that color so bright
#115--Ring tones...love them!
#116--Sharp scissors that cut
#117--Post-it! tabs to organize school pages
#118--Mailbox Magazine ideas and helps
#119--The smell of coffee
#120--Doggies sleeping safe and sound

Share your blessings in the comments! I really enjoy reading them. ;)

Tenderizing Chicken

2012-01-10T05:00:00.000-05:00

Before

What has been the easiest, less-mess way to tenderize chicken? For me, it's simple. Get one resealable plastic bag(Ziploc or whatever brand works for you!). Place your chicken breast in the bag. Seal, so you don't have raw chicken flying all over your kitchen. Depending on the size of the bag, you may be able to place more than one breast in there. Using the flat side of the tenderizer, pound away. Of course, make sure that it's on a surface capable of such a beating. You can use the same bag to pound out the chicken breasts.

After

After you have beaten the chicken breast out to the desired consistency, you are ready to dress your chicken up for the desired recipe.

A meat tenderizer is not that expensive, but it really does make your chicken tender without a lot of fuss. I normally just season mine with salt, pepper, and Tony Chachere's, and I'm ready to go!

How do you tenderize your meat?

Weight Riddance-- Week 1 Challenge

2012-01-08T14:00:00.000-05:00

For those of you who are in the weight loss battle, you are not alone. At all. Excess weight gain has been a struggle for most of my life--really!

I have felt for a while that I needed to share this. I have been waiting for the right time. I believe it is here. I love food, and it has owned me.

In college, I put on the freshman 15--twice. Yeah. So when I wanted to lose weight for my wedding, I had some work cut out for me. I worked hard, lost the weight and some. Success! Or so I thought.

Wedding bells rang. Foodnetwork became my channel. Cooking and baking became my passion. While my new-found foodnetwork star friends only took a bite out of what they had just made, I ate enough to taste-test for a whole crowd. Then, I'd eat a meal-sized portion with my husband. I baked. All. The. Time. My husband lovingly pointed out that I didn't have to taste-test a cookie from each batch. In my defense, I would say things like, "Well, you just don't know. Sometimes they may need to cook a little longer or...." I pretty much just wanted a cookie from every batch. Period.

When the scale started showing numbers that clearly could not reflect my weight, I assumed it was broken. Or, quite honestly, I didn't care. I wanted those brownies. The cakes. The cookies. Did I mention the brownies? I mean, it's been said that when you're happy, you eat. Happy me, then!

While visiting the doctor's for my yearly physical, the doctor would mention my weight gain and ideas for weight loss. I tried to convince the doctor that I must have a medical problem to be gaining so much weight. It must be my thyroid or some other problem. Really! After blood tests from more than one doctor, the results came back. The same. Every time. My thyroid was fine.

Then why in the world was I gaining weight? I even convinced myself that poor me could hardly eat, because I just gained weight too easily. It's just not fair. So, I'd eat another cookie. Brownie. Whatever. I deserved to reward myself for gaining weight too easily. I am being very transparent, here.

Again, I'd go to the doctor's, ten pounds heavier.

I mean, just because I had ten cookies last night, ate four slices of pizza, and perhaps had a bowl of ice cream with some of those cookies, doesn't mean the scale should read that number. Come on! Really?!? How could I be gaining so much weight?

Food has been a constant in my life. A comfort. Stress-reliever. Boredom buster. You name it, food has fulfilled those things.

Then, I read Made to Crave. I realized that instead of finding comfort, relief, and fellowship with God, I'd been finding it with food. Of course I tried to convince myself that everyone does that, so it's "okay." I mean, even churches base their fellowship around food, right?

However, the "okay" in my life had gotten me extremely overweight, unhealthy, and exhausted. As a teacher, I was completely wiped out at the end of the day. Not the normal wiped-out. The my body has been carrying around a whole lot of extra kind of wiped out.

When my muffin top grew to new widths, and I could hardly get into my pants, I tried to justify in my mind that my dryer was working over-time. Yes, I did! I couldn't quite explain why my shirts were hugging me so tightly, revealing that my muffin top was rising even more.

Then, denial could no longer be my ally. My brother and his family came down for a visit. We had our picture taken. My sister-in-law was pregnant and had the perfect basketball tummy--beautiful! I was not pregnant and put my big purse in front of me to hide my ever-growing muffin top. When I saw the picture below, it took my breath away. Oh. My. Word. Maybe that was just a bad angle. Wait, everyone else looks...right. Pictures don't lie. I wanted to cry.

At my biggest, I had gained 50 pounds after getting married. In sticks of butter, that's 200 sticks. That's right. That would be like adding 200 sticks of butter to my body. Reality set in.

I tried to keep accountable with a friend by e-mailing what I ate daily. That helped me lose 10 pounds. Then, the e-mailing stopped. I was content with staying at that weight.

Until my next physical. My blood pressure was high. No, that couldn't be right. I had never had a high blood pressure reading at my yearly physical. Ever. It could not possibly be my weight. But, I'm 30. How in the world could my blood pressure have a high reading at my age?

I asked what I could do to make sure my blood pressure had a normal reading like it always had. When it was suggested to change my diet and start to exercise regularly, for the first time in my life I took it seriously. It wasn't just about pouring out of my clothes anymore. It was about my health.

It has not been easy. I have adult temper tantrums about this whole situation. However, with hard work and the grace of God, I have lost 31 pounds from my highest weigh-in. I am not saying this to boast. I still have a ways to go. However, I have shared this with you to ask you a question. Will you join me on this weight riddance journey?

Every week, I am aiming to post about my weight riddance and health. Each week I want to share something specific to work on that is helping me, to help anyone out there who would like to walk with me on this journey.

The first thing that really started to accelerate my weight riddance was getting connected with a friend who was on the same page as I was. We were both about the heaviest we'd been in our lives. We both wanted that to change. So, we started to weigh-in with each other weekly.

We text each other on Friday mornings to tell each other our "official" weigh-in. It's really not official in an official sort of way. We simply weigh-in at our own home on our own scale. Did I mention that she lives about 700 miles away? It still works. She is so encouraging, and we have been there for each other through it all.

My challenge for you this week: Find an accountability partner that you trust to weigh-in with each week. Find someone who is encouraging and supportive. Someone you feel safe with. Set up a day to text/e-mail/call them to update them with your weight. Choose a day that does not follow heavy eating days. For example, most people eat out on the weekends, naturally consuming more calories than other days. You'll only get discouraged. If you find that the day you originally pick does not work, don't be afraid to change it. This is about what works for YOU. ;)

I still have excess weight. I am hoping to get rid of one pound per week. That's where you come in. I want to know how much you get rid of. Don't lose it. When you lose something, you normally find it again. That was my problem last time. I lost the weight, and then I definitely found it--and more! Let's get rid of it and keep it off.

Below is a current picture. I am hoping to shed my double chin, but most importantly, I want to be healthy. Will you join me?

I will be posting my Weight Riddance challenges each Monday. Please leave comments and share your successes!

Health Challenge-- Find a healthy snack that you actually look forward to eating that you could switch out for an unhealthy snack you binge on.

Ideas--
Cookie Cutter Fruit Salad(sometimes if it looks fun, it tastes better)
Energy Bites
Frozen Fruit--my favorites have been grapes and peaches
Fruit
Homemade Lara Bars
Hummus
Nuts
Seeds
Vegetable Sticks

What ideas do you have for healthy snacks? I'd love to hear them and try some. :)

Thank you, friends, for listening. Thank you for caring. Keep me updated on how you're doing! If you have already achieved weight riddance and want to share, I'd love to hear about your success and what worked for you.

Linked to Homestead Barn Hop, Women Living Well, Works for me Wednesday

Lining up with God's Plans

2012-01-06T05:00:00.000-05:00

Organized. Planner. Type-A. Yeah, those three words describe me. I like to be in control of my life and know that everything is lined up. Like an easy shot in the game of pool. It drives me crazy when I don't know what the next day will bring forth. But do any of us know? Nope. Anything could happen. We all like to think that our lives are secure, planned out. By us. God's ways are not our own, though.

A few months ago I had posted about goal setting. Inside the Shrink left a comment that really challenged me and caused me to take a step back. Click here and scroll down to see her comment.

When I read her words, I felt conviction. I set goals all the time--for me. I get inpatient and frustrated when something gets in the way of me completing a goal. Interruptions. I'm not a big fan of them. However, when I read her comment, she helped me to see that while setting goals is great, I need to make sure their His goals for my life.

What a relief!

Thank you, Inside the Shrink, for your comment. It has forever changed my perspective.

New Goal: Plan with flexibility, realizing that interruptions or changes of plans are part of His plans. Adjust my attitude accordingly.

For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
      Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. ~Isaiah 55:8

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
      And lean not on your own understanding;
        In all your ways acknowledge Him,
          And He shall direct your paths. ~Proverbs 3:5-6

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.
      Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. ~Matthew 6:34

Linked to Spiritual Sundays

Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Please!

2012-01-03T05:00:00.000-05:00

Unpeeled & Peeled

TIP: Cut sweet potato into disks to allow for quick, even cooking. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until tender.

Drain

TIP: Put the drained potato disks back into the pan over head to remove excess water, allowing for fluffier potatoes

After mashing with honey, butter, cinnamon and salt, you have the perfect mashed sweet potatoes.

TIP: Click here for recipe. I use the amount of honey, butter, cinnamon, and salt for 1/2 of the amount of potatoes. ;) We like ours sweet, I guess!

Continuing to Count

2012-01-02T19:42:00.003-05:00

Tessie--our dogter

Continuing to count blessings...

#81 An incredible place for our doggies to stay while we were away
#82 A walk in the park, off-trail--so neat!
#83 Listening to music while taking a walk today
#84 A cool breeze, refreshing
#85 Staying under budget with groceries--yay!
#86 Reading a good book, curled up with a blanket
#87 Doggy heads staring at me(wide-eyed!) when I pop up in bed
#88 Pot roast melting in my mouth
#89 Laundry done for the day
#90 An encouraging e-mail from a friend
#91 Peppermint candle smell spreading through the house
#92 Clean sheets...there's just something about it!
#93 Sweet comments from you readers!
#94 New pajamas for Christmas, so comfy
#95 New chocolate chip cookie recipe--not bad!
#96 Tessie giving kisses
#97 Fenway waiting at the gate until I came back from my walk--precious!
#98 Finishing school work before heading back
#99 A new year to start fresh
#100 Green beans, yes, please!

What have you been blessed with?

Save Ribbon from Packaging for Future Use

2012-01-02T05:00:00.000-05:00

The above pictured ribbon is from a pajama set that I got for Christmas from my hubby. One of our Christmas traditions is to get each other a new pair of pajamas and wear them Christmas Eve. I will be looking for a way to use that ribbon, for sure!

You could get a small simple gift, but if it's wrapped nicely, it makes it seem higher-quality. Homemade gifts wrapped nicely are like icing on a cake.

For the Question Jar(pictured below), I used black ribbon that had wrapped beautiful embroidered wash cloths that I had received as a gift. Instead of throwing away the ribbon, I saved it to use for something like that.

What are some things you've used packaging ribbon for?

Linked to Homestead Barn Hop

First Day Hike at the State Park

2012-01-01T20:03:00.000-05:00

I hope your New Year started out well. =D Church and First Day Hike for us! A park ranger took us and a group(we had to make reservations--free, though!) into parts of the park that are off-trail and most don't adventure to. How fun!

He did an excellent job explaining what we were exploring, and I learned some neat facts about nature.

What did you do on New Year's?

Linked to Blue Monday

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

May 2012 be full of blessings for you and your loved ones! Life may not always be a cup of tea, but God allows joys, hurts, excitement, and pain to mold us to be who He wants us to be.

Last year on K-love, the radio announcers encouraged others to think of a word for 2011. A word that would encourage them to grow spiritually. A word that would challenge and help.

I didn't do it last year. This year, though, the word I am choosing is "rely." I need to rely on God's timing, plans, and abilities--not my own.

What is your word for 2012?

Notebook Calendar Journal

2011-12-30T16:23:00.000-05:00

So many times I see amazing ideas on blogs, but it just doesn't quite work for me. Instead of getting discouraged, I would talk with others about these ideas I found and see if they had any way of tweaking it.

I had seen an idea on moneysavingmom about an Index Card Calendar Journal. The only problem is that I am clumsy. I could see all my cards falling out, and well, I never enjoyed 52 card pick-up, let alone 365 pick-up! My friend, Tonya, listened as I told her about the Index Card Calendar Journal. She suggested getting a notebook, dividing each page into 2 dates, and using a whole notebook for ease.

That's exactly what I did.

Here's an example of how it'll be set up after ten years:

1st Page:
(Top Half)
January 1
2011   A short note of the day...not necessarily in sentence form
2012   As you go through the book each year to write, you'll be able to see what you did the year before.
2013   Quite honestly, there have been days I have forgotten. *gasp*
2014   If you're like me and sometimes forget, you could fill in the blank with inspiring quotes or verses.
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021

(Bottom Half)
January 2

2011   This would also make a great gift idea for busy people who don't have time for a "real" journal.
2012   I am one of those busy people. ;)
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021

Linked to Frugal Friday, Mady by you Monday, Homestead Barn Hop, Works for me Wednesday, Living Well Wednesdays

Recap of 2011 -- In True Blog Fashion

2011-12-30T05:00:00.000-05:00

Here is a recap of favorite posts from the year. Click on the picture to travel to the post.

January -- Orange Peels

February -- Birthday Tag Reminders

March -- Travel Bear

April -- Verses on Wisdom

May -- Perfect Hard-boiled eggs

June -- Best Homemade Playdough, Really!

July -- Free Wrapping Paper(Grocery Paper Bag)

August -- Cleaning Makeup Brushes

September -- Storing Tablespoons of Butter

October -- Paper Towel Roll as Silicone Baking Mat Storage

November -- Labeling Spices

December -- See above!

Tracks in the Snow

2011-12-29T20:49:00.001-05:00

I hope that your Christmas was amazing. Mine was! It was so refreshing to visit back home. Family, food, and fun. What more could a girl ask for?

My family spoiled us in many ways, and that will lead off my continual counting of blessings:

#71 Celebrating Jesus' birth
#72 Daddy's home cooking
#73 Grandma's fruitcake(it's incredible, unlike the rumors of other fruitcakes)
#74 Thoughtful gifts from many
#75 Spending quality time with family
#76 Finding new tennis shoes for $6.99 at Old Navy(thanks, Dad!)
#77 Road trippin' with my man
#78 Safe travels to and from family
#79 A dusting of snow before Christmas
#80 Hugs from nieces and nephews

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T20:00:00.000-05:00

^{Luke 2:1-21}

¹ And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. ² This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. ³ So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
⁴ Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵ to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife,^[a] who was with child. ⁶ So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. ⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

⁸ Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. ¹⁰ Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
       ¹⁴ “ Glory to God in the highest,
      And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
¹⁵ So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. ¹⁷ Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. ¹⁸ And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. ¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
²¹ And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

God's gift for us--His Son! :)

What are you giving Jesus this year for His birthday celebration? I am giving Him my time--again. This coming year, I want to be flexible with my day(every day) so that I don't miss what He has for me each day.   So, let's hope I really do give Him the gift I intend.

Question Jar

2011-12-19T05:00:00.000-05:00

When I had read the post on moneysavingmom about a reader making a question jar as a gift, I held onto that idea for future use.

I hopped over to keepinglifecreative to see just how she did it. She has the printable version of questions for you to use.

Here is a quick summary of what I did:
Cut the sentence strips with a paper cutter
Curled the strips with scissors
Tied a ribbon around the top
Attached a circular-cut card with a poinsettia on top of the lid

I explained what the gift was, and my friend opened it up and started asking questions. Fun!

Linked to Homestead Barn Hop, Made by You Mondays, Women Living Well, Works for me Wednesday

Reader Survey

2011-12-18T17:28:00.001-05:00

This blog is an eclectic representation of me, of course. However, I care about you--readers! As I have a new blog layout, I want to make sure that it's working for you. Please let me know if you like it or not(I appreciate honest feedback). If not, I will switch back to the old format.

Thank you!
Living So Abundantly

Christmas Cactus

2011-12-18T16:01:00.001-05:00

My dad had given me a Christmas cactus in April when I visited back home. He told me that it would bloom around Christmas--hence the name, Christmas cactus!

When it first started to bud, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. How exciting! The blooms are beautiful, and it's a most delightful plant.

As I continue to count blessings:

#61 Christmas cactus blooming--what a gift!
#62 Chocolate from a friend--so good!
#63 A new scarf and gloves(thanks to one of my students), perfect for this colder weather!
#64 Homemade chicken noodle soup and grilled cheese
#65 Smelling a clean room
#66 Scents of new lotion drifting
#67 Finding coupons for good deals
#68 Pizza crust in garlic butter
#69 Christmas cards in our mailbox--fun!
#70 Hubby putting his arm around me in church

Linked to Today's Flowers

One Thousand Gifts

2011-12-17T14:05:00.000-05:00

This book has definitely changed my outlook on circumstances. In Philippians 4:11, Paul said, "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:" Ann shares that being content and having real joy comes from a heart of gratitude--thanksgiving.

Ann shares the hard times she's gone through, but more importantly she shares how she has gotten through them--counting gifts from God. Whether it's a bird chirping cheerfully or an answer to prayer, God loads us with gifts each day.

Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah ~Psalm 68:19

I will continue to count blessings:

#53 Singing Happy Birthday to Jesus with the kiddos at school
#54 Watching the kiddos decorate their own cupcakes
#55 Hearing a child pray-- so sincerely
#56 Seeing the expressions on the faces of my students as they opened their gifts
#57 Playing Clue with my man(he won both times...still a gift!)
#58 Sleeping in...no alarm and no Beagle babies crying early!
#59 Preparing a gift for a friend(excited to see her reaction!)
#60 Ginger cookies with hot tea

Turkey Tetrazzini

2011-12-12T05:00:00.000-05:00

This is a little late from Thanksgiving; better late than never, right? If you have turkey at Christmas, you could definitely make this with leftovers. It could also be easily substituted with chicken.

I got the basics of this recipe from allrecipes.com. However, I must say that it was a little bland. Creamy, but bland.

Next time I would add Emeril's Essence(recipe found at the bottom of the page when clicking here). Other than that, it was fantastic.

Click here for the basic recipe.
Click here for Emeril's Essence recipe.
Note: I added shredded Italian 6 blend cheese on top. We love our cheese when we do splurge on calories. ;)

Bundle of Joy

2011-12-11T14:50:00.001-05:00

I am almost finished with One Thousand Gifts. Some books you breeze through. Others you soak in. This is a soak-it-all-in kind of book for me.

Last night, while hanging out in our den, I tucked my little "guy" in. He absolutely loves to get lost in the blanket. Lately he completely covers himself. Apparently last night, he wanted some air. ;) He reminds me of the Big Bad Wolf in this photo...hehee.

More blessings to share:

#41 Listening to Charlie Brown's Christmas c.d. while cooking in the kitchen
#42 Hearing my student laugh with joy over seeing two planes in the sky
#43 Jumping over puddles
#44 Mad Libs with my students--laughing all the way through
#45 Floss to get the gunk out(I know, TMI!)
#46 Free sub at Subway--yum!
#47 Pot roast in oven with amazing smells permeating through our home
#48 Deals at stores that make me silently squeal
#49 Comfortable shoes
#50 Sweaters--oh how I love fall!
#51 Beagle babies cuddling in their blankets and resting their chins on my lap. Sometimes their entire body is on my lap...haha.
#52 Sweet people at church calling us their pew buddies(glad I knew what they meant--no deodorant check necessary..haha)

Please share some of your blessings! I have loved hearing from you. =D

Mustard Seed and Blessings

2011-12-07T21:05:00.001-05:00

Blessings continue! :) You may be in a dark time in your life. Be encouraged! God is allowing this for your protection.

So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.” ~Exodus 33:22-23

God promises that He will give you daily blessings:
Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah ~Psalm 68:19

As I continue to count the gifts God has given me, inspired by Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts, I really have been experiencing truer, deeper joy.

#31 Talking to my daddy tonight--love that!
#32 Reading a book that inspires me and stretches me
#33 Hot chocolate to meet my cravings
#34 Worship music on K-love
#35 My car's ability to heat up quickly--so appreciated!
#36 A warm shower to relax me for a good night's sleep
#37 Hair ties. Yes, hair ties!
#38 Soft pajamas to sleep in
#39 Bible verses feeding my soul
#40 An orange from a friend at lunch--perfect ending!

I would love to hear about your blessings!

Linked to Spiritual Sundays

Write on Mirrors with Dry Erase Markers

2011-12-06T20:51:00.001-05:00

When I first heard about this idea from a friend, I was a little skeptical. Really, write on my mirror with a dry erase marker?

Another friend shared that she was going to start a prayer mirror by attaching index cards with requests to pray over while getting ready for the morning and for retiring at night. Genius!

I took the two ideas and made it work for me. I write prayer requests on my bathroom mirror. No worries, the requests don't run. ;) The best part is that it erases easily. When they're answered, of course!

You could also write these on your mirror:
Goals
Memory Verses
Notes to your sweetheart
Reminders

What would you write on your mirror?

Linked to Tip Junkie, Women Living Well, Works for me Wednesday, Frugal Friday