New Nostalgia

A Super Simple Yet Special Birthday

2012-02-02T11:57:00.000-06:00

That sweet little face is my middle girl back when she was 9. Last week she turned 11! Where or where has the time gone?

We usually budget in birthday parties for our 3 girls. I love a good party and an excuse to have one. We usually do not buy our kids birthday gifts, as grandparents are amazingly generous so our kids get plenty of gifts, and we consider a birthday party their gift. This year, my little 11-year-old-to-be asked "Mom, if I save my money for a new Kindle Fire will you pay for half of it?" I told her that we would, but we would have to use the money we usually set aside for a party. She like this idea, she thought it was totally worth it. She saved her money, and is LOVING her new Kindle Fire,

Her birthday was last week, and I wanted to do something to make her feel special on her day, despite not having a big birthday party. At the end of the day, she said "Mom, this was one of the best birthdays ever." Success!

Here is what her day entailed:

She woke up to a sea of pink balloons on her floor. I was sneaky the night before and when I peaked in her room in the morning, she was laying in bed, hitting one pink balloon in the air with the biggest, best birthday girl smile on her face. She loved it and just giggled at me. That was so worth the 2.00 dollars I spent on balloons and the fact that I almost passed out blowing them up! I got this great idea from my Pinterest Parties Board.

{source: Parents.com}

Once my birthday girl was up, she was greeted by her favorite breakfast. We call it "Toad In A Hole"--so appetizing, huh? It really is good. I wanted to make it extra special so I made it pretty with a flower cookie cutter and sliced fruit.

{our usual "toad in a hole"}

{flower cookie cutter}

{special birthday breakkie!}

She loved her special breakfast. She also loved that I had to pick her up early for school to take her to a quick doctor checkup for a knee injury that is now healed. He gave her a GREAT birthday gift, telling her she could participate in P.E. After sitting out since October, this was awesome news.

I had some returns to make at the mall, so she came with, and as we walked by the soft pretzel stand at the mall we both took a whiff and of course had to get one! Getting out of school early and a couple buck pretzel made her feel very special.

In the meantime, little sister got home from school and I left her instructions to frost some cupcakes that I had baked earlier. I used the same mix cake mix and frosting mix that I use in my Gooey Caramel Chocolate Cupcakes. I knew little sister would LOVE getting to help, and I also knew I would come home to cupcakes that would be drenched in decorating sugar. I was right!

Little sister also took time to make super cute and creative homemade party hats. Loved!

{my youngest, laughing at me wearing her hat creation while doing a birthday jig}

I sent a quick text to the neighbor girls mom, and she agreed to let her 2 girls come over for some birthday cupcakes and...

{source}

..a hot chocolate bar! Another idea from Pinterest, but we kept ours very simple. The girls had caramel candy sticks to stir their hot chocolate. They melted quickly into the hot chocolate and gave it a caramel-ly flavor. Fun!

{my oldest, enjoying her caramel stick}

I took a few balloons from the sea of pink in her bedroom and taped them on the wall. I wanted to copy the below idea also found on Pinterest, but kept it simple instead.

{great idea from Martha Stewart. Could put a dollar bill in each balloon!}

{my oldest, enjoying her cupcake}

It was great fun, and actually felt like a party even though it really was not, (not like our usual birthday parties) and my sweet girl felt very loved on her birthday. It goes to show that simple, cheap touches are enough!

Black Bean, Corn, Avocado & Hominy Salad

2012-01-31T22:00:00.002-06:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Avocados from Mexico for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I LOVE avocados! I seriously do! I have been buying at least 2 each week, but lately I have found myself grabbing a bag of them because I have found so many great uses for them. I use them to create a super creamy and healthy smoothie, and I also love to use them simply sliced on toast, then topped with sliced tomatoes and a couple leaves of basil.
At our most recent family get-together, my sister-in-law brought a great recipe of Black Beans, Hominy, & Corn. I loved it so much and could have stood there and eaten the whole bowl. I thought about the recipe and the only way it could possibly be made better was to add some avocado to it. That is what I did, and it turned out SO GOOD.

Black Bean, Corn, Avocado & Hominy Salad
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cans corn, drained and rinsed
1 can hominy, drained and rinsed
1 avocado, chopped
1/4 cup chopped cilantro (or to taste)
1 red pepper, chopped
1/4 of a large red onion, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons cumin
1/4-1/2 cup red wine vinegar, to taste
Juice of 1 lime
salt and pepper, to taste
Mix all together. Tastes best if you let the flavors mingle in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. Serve as a salad or with tortilla chips.

Avocados from Mexico

I recently added a recipe to the "Guac-Off" Contest that is happening at the "I love avocados on Facebook" page. I am waiting to hear the results, but I sure wish I had the above recipe at the time of the contest. I think it just might have won it. Yes, it is THAT good.

I have had fun exploring the Avocados From Mexico facebook page, it has free avocado screensavers, wallpaper, virtual gifts for friends and even ringtones. I downloaded the instrumental ringtone and my girls think is is so funny to see me break out in my Mexican Avocado dance when it goes off!

You can connect with Avocados from Mexico on Twitter, at Twitter@guacgrl. Avocado lovers are using the hashtag #iloveavocados, and you can too, if you decide to tweet your love of avocados!

What is your favorite way to use an avocado?

Anti-Procrastination Tuesday #84, A Giveaway, & Sponsors!

2012-01-30T21:15:00.001-06:00

Here are my goals this week:

Zone:

Pinterest!!

Goals:

Complete at least 3 pins, share on blog

Time:

15 minutes a day or

1 hour & 15 minutes in one day or

35 minutes twice in the week

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I'm so excited to be hosting a giveaway for Kashoan at KraftyKash. She makes BEAUTIFUL vintage dictionary, atlas and Bible pendants. In honor of upcoming Valentines Day, KraftyKash is offering one of three beautiful love-themed pendents.

Love Sheet Music Pendent Necklace

Love Bracelet Pendent

John 3:16 Necklace Pendent

To Enter Giveaway:

~Visit KraftyKash Shop & browse a bit

~"Like" KraftyKash On Facebook

~come back here and tell me in the comments that you did, and your choice of the three if you win.

I will choose a winner and announce their names at next week's Anti-Procrastination Tuesday Link Party, February 7th. Also, anyone who places an order during the giveaway and mentions New Nostalgia, will get a FREE pair of earrings, a $10.00 value, with any purchase! How cool is that?

Good Luck!!

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Did you hear that New Nostalgia is now accepting sponsors?

I am so grateful for the support you all give and your choice to read my words here at New Nostalgia. I have thought long about having sponsors and really feel like it is the best decision for this blog and for our family. Adding sponsors will enable me to pay someone to do much of the adminstrative type work a growing blog demands, and will free me up to do what I love, which is share life with all of you through my writing. It is an amazing way to help support our little family, and I THANK YOU all, for without you visiting and reading, that would not be possible!

February is kick off month, and it is not too late to get in! To kick off sponsorship, I am offering the price of $50.00 for a 250x125 ad. I hear this is quite the deal due to my current statistics:

Current Statistics (as of January 2012):
600,000 pageviews per month
3,287 subscribers via RSS, Google Feed Reader, and Bloglovin’
1436 followers via Google Friend Connect
1197 Facebook Friends
5404 followers on Pinterest

I would love to have you tucked into my sidebar, so if you are interested in sponsoring New Nostalgia, e-mail Robyn at sponsornewnostalgia{at}gmail{dot}com.

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Be Inspired, Be Encouraged, and Get Something Done!

Not As I Pictured

2012-01-30T16:43:00.004-06:00

"Not As I Pictured" trailer from Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar on Vimeo.

NATIONWIDE MONDAY NIGHT January 30: The award winning documentary "Not As I Pictured" on PBS WORLD stations will be reaching 50% of the nation’s television markets Monday in prime time. Check listings for your town here

Not as I Pictured is a 54 minute documentary film. It allows us to go on a cancer journey along with Pulitzer-Prize winner John Kaplan. He fights lymphoma with an amazing attitude, all the while being so very real. I have the privilege of knowing the editor and assistant director, Jordan Pool, who did an awesome job.

Last spring, I was able to see this film as they gave away over 10,000 copies to cancer patients. I fit the bill.

I was glued to the T.V. as I watched. I could not believe how familiar it all was. Right when it ended, I grabbed my journal and had to write, for I felt the moments and needed to express some of them. I thought it was fitting to share with you all how it made me feel, on this night when his documentary is being shown nationwide.

Not As I Pictured

His camera captured cancer,
and all that it entails.

His lens bring to life, a year and 1/2 of mine.

Our stories different,
yet same.

I marvel at his captured tidbits of my familiar.
So much familiar.

~the sound of the machine as it slowly drips poison that heals.

~he stands in front of mirror & holds his hair back to picture what bald will look like. I, too, did this.

~his hands & pillow covered with hair. I know. Mine, too. His expressed disbelief. I feel his words. I know.

~he is getting labs done, & strains his neck to the opposite side of where he will be poked. We get labs done once a week, you would think we would get used to the sting. We don't.

~he used a tissue to open doors in public, due to a compromised immune system. I did this, too.

~he puts numbing cream on his port, the same exact tube I used. He speaks about how he does not care for touching the port area, for it gives him the "ebbee jeebies" I understand. Me, too.

~he talks about how he must deal with the idea of recurrence. It is a reality one has to come to grips with. Yes.

~he talks about his port area, how it hurt like heck at first, and made it hard to lift his children. Yes. I know.

~his face winces in pain as they hook him up to a still healing port. I remember, mine was still raw and oozing at my first chemo treatment.

~his children draw pictures of him bald. So did mine.

His life is not as he pictured, and neither is mine, yet, through his pictures I find life, hope, and I'm less alone. Thank you, John Kaplan.

One Thousand Gifts #37

2012-01-30T09:33:00.000-06:00

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

{source}

#806-#815

~ moments of Romans 12:15 with a friend "Mourn with those who mourn."

~an inmate whose family I love, his love and waves through a barbed wire fence. Moments that make a heart feel broken. Again, an opportunity to mourn with those who mourn.

~texts from my mother-in-law. Perfect words. Perfect timing.

~my middle child, home from her "Birthday Sleepover" with in- laws. Her cup of love filled and overflowing.

~birds chirping. The promise of spring.

~a lunch with other bloggers/writers. So much fun!

~a daughter who sends kind words through facebook.

~"Words with Friends" & the exercise it gives my "chemo brain"

~frozen blueberries thawed "just enough" for breakfast along with my oats

~Robyn. Her help dropped in my lap. How rare it is to find a heart so big. What a gift!

Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix & Taco Pizza

2012-01-29T11:31:00.003-06:00

You will never have to buy over-priced, way-too-much-salt, sometimes 'msg added' taco seasoning packets again! This taco seasoning mix is so easy to make and tastes really great! I feel it gives a much richer, "homemade" flavor to every recipe I use it in. I have used to season ground beef for tacos, nachos, & taco pizza. I have used it to season refried beans, and to season lentils for vegetarian tacos. You can even use it to season chicken.

Taco Seasoning Mix

Recipe source-Allrecipes.com

Ingredients

1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

In a small bowl, mix together chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. Store in an airtight container.

_________________________________

Here is the recipe quadrupled, to make a large batch. Store in a mason jar. :)

1/4 cup chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons paprika
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon black pepper

____________________________

Hints:

~Use 3 tablespoons per pound of meat. Add 2/3 cup water and simmer down until water is absorbed.

~If you prefer, you could sprinkle 1/2 tablespoon of flour to help thicken sauce. I find this is not necessary.

~Adjust salt and red pepper flakes to your taste. I usually use a bit less of both.

~You could make a large batch and give away in small mason jars as a thoughtful gift.

~Buying seasonings in bulk is the way to go! Amazon has some great deals, like McCormick Gourmet Collection Chili Powder.

Use the above link and I will receive a small percentage of what you spend. Thanks!!

Taco Pizza No Recipe, Recipe

Premade pizza crust (we use premade dough from Trader Joes)
Pizza Sauce (we also get from Trader Joes)
Cheese
Ground Beef Seasoned with Taco Seasoning Mix (or beans or lentils)
Lettuce (we use spinach)
Tomato
Corn
Taco Sauce or Salsa
Corn Chips, crumbled

Top pizza crust with sauce, add cheese and meat (or beans). Bake according to pizza crust directions. Cool slightly. Add toppings you prefer and serve with taco sauce or salsa!

Beat The Winter Chill With Simple Knits!

2012-01-28T08:00:00.001-06:00

Today Robyn is here sharing some recent knitting pattern finds. Many of these can be worked up by even the newest of knitters!

While I love almost everything winter - the snow, the fires in the fireplace, hot chocolate, and Christmas - I’m not a fan of feeling cold. I layer up all winter long, and love to throw at least three hand knits on at any given moment. Thankfully I’m a knitter, so these hand knits tend to be made by me!

Simple knits can make the difference between feeling the winter chill down to your bones and feeling toasty and comfy despite the whipping winds and snowy streets. And best of all you don’t need to know more than the most basic of stitches to keep yourself warm!

Here are some of my recent favorites, found via Pinterest!

Source: ravelry.com via robyn on Pinterest

Perfect for keeping your ears warm while still maintaining your hairstyle!

Source: ravelry.com via robyn on Pinterest

Gorgeous mitts keep your arms and hands warm!

Source: ravelry.com via robyn on Pinterest

I love wrapping a cowl like this around my neck!

Source: yarnharlot.ca via robyn on Pinterest

Simple socks almost anyone can knit!

Source: purlbee.com via robyn on Pinterest

Even babes can be kept warm fast with this chunky blanket!

Source: ravelry.com via robyn on Pinterest

Lounging around the house never looked so good!

Source: rewindknits.wordpress.com via robyn on Pinterest

Perfect for ponytail days!

Source: ravelry.com via robyn on Pinterest

Bright colors will add a bit of warmth to grey days!

Source: shibuiknits.com via robyn on Pinterest

This gorgeous cowl comes complete with a free (and easy!) pattern!

Source: michelleums.tumblr.com via robyn on Pinterest

A simple 2x2 ribbed hat makes any moment infinitely cuter!

Source: ravelry.com via robyn on Pinterest

A pop of color takes a simple garter stitch scarf to the next level!

Source: homespunliving.blogspot.com via robyn on Pinterest

Figerless mitts knit flat!

You can find more knitted goodness like this over on Pinterest on my Yarn Love board!

Do you have a Pinterest account? If so, I'd love to know.
To follow Robyn at Pinterest and see more of her pins, click here.
To follow Amy at Pinterest and see more of her pins, click here.

Health & Heart Update

2012-01-26T12:27:00.001-06:00

I've been wanting to update you all on my health for awhile now, but have had a hard time coming up with the words to express
JUST HOW VERY THANKFUL I AM.

How do I communicate such joy and gratefulness?

My most recent blood tests show perfect hormone levels. Perfect iron levels. Perfect calcium levels. A vitamin D level to brag about (I have been working on getting this up, SO important for cancer, and immunity in general). My liver and kidneys are working as they should. My blood cell counts are all great. My digestive system is amazing. My energy level is great. No naps needed. I only have 2 prescriptions that I take, which is a MAJOR change from the last year.

Who am I that You are mindful of me? Psalm 8:4

Perfect hormone levels are a HUGE gift. A few months ago my estrogen was so high we were trying to decide whether to take out my ovaries or use drugs to shut them down. Either option would bring on instant menopause. I got a glimpse of what this feels like when I was adjusting to the drug, Tamoxifen, that I will take for 5 years. Not fun. I honestly think it has been many years since my hormones were where they should be. I think this contributed to getting cancer. I have begged God at times to straighten me out. It has been its own battle, and I can't believe I sit here stable, with no emotional highs and lows.
God has answered a prayer that I have put before him since 2001, and He did it through cancer. Without cancer, I would not have changed my eating habits to a plant based diet. Without cancer I would not have had to switch from one anti-anxiety medication to another, since the first was not compatible with my cancer meds. I dreaded the switch, it turned out to be exactly what my body needed.

His ways are mysterious. Isaiah 45:15

Am I thankful for cancer? No.

Am I thankful for what God has done in my life through cancer? Yes. A million times, Yes.

There are many things I have to thank Him for, but the one that makes my heart feel so full, is the perspective of eternity that it brings. I see life in light of eternity now. I tangibly get how this life is temporary. I have felt glimpses of my body shutting down, the first week of my last chemo treatment was a scary feeling, to feel my body being overwhelmed, weaker than prior treatments and staying weak longer. It scared me. I was so grateful it was the last treatment.

This perspective is one that I rebelled against at first. I HATED that I had to come to grips with my mortality and live with the statistics that I do.

I had to learn how to come to grips with 50/50.

My Stage 3, 6 centimeter, lymph node involvement, 1ml. away from chest wall margin cancer gives me a 50/50 chance of being alive in 10 years. Many survivors don't like to know their statistics. I had to know, so I could learn to live with them.

For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, to be content. Philippians 4:12

Easy to say that verse when I am in remission, have my energy, and things are looking good. But I can honestly say that in the midst of battle, this verse became very real to me and I definitely came a long way in my lessons in contentment. I believe the key to contentment is thankfulness. I may only have 10 years, but I know some that only have 10 months, so I give thanks even for scary statistics. Perspective. As I practice thankfulness, counting the many gifts, I literally feel like my heart will burst with thankfulness.

This in itself is a gift, recognizing that EACH DAY is a gift.

I have learned this by watching those I love, die. Cancer has brought the sick into my life. Each one of them are a precious gift. I will not allow their deaths to bring fear, they would not want that. I will learn from their courage. I especially learned from my L girls words on her deathbed, "I am just so thankful for this day."

I am learning from her words. I am learning to look at the future and laugh, despite having a future that is unknown.

"She is clothed with strength and dignity. She can laugh at the days to come." Proverbs 31:25

Don't get me wrong, I want to grow old, I long to know my grandchildren, and see my children age. I beg God for this, yet I am learning to say,

"Not my will, but Yours be done." Luke 22:42

I am learning how to say this because I have learned who He is. He is trustworthy no matter what the future.

He holds the future in His hands.

Because of this, I lean into Him and rest, even in a future that could bring pain, loss, and death.

Many of you know that I read the book, "Jesus Calling"almost everyday. It brings such truth to my mind, and I depended on it when I was sick. There were very few days where I didn't read it before lifting my head from my pillow, just so I could face the fears and struggles of the day that cancer brings. Today's entry was awesome.

I must share:

Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence

January 26, p. 63

(this book writes from the perspective of Jesus talking to us)

Give up the illusion that you deserve a problem-free life. Part of you is still hungering for the resolution of all difficulties. This is a false hope!
As I told My disciples, in the world you will have trouble. Link your hope not to problem solving in this life but to the promise of an eternity of problem-free life in heaven. Instead of seeking perfection in this fallen world, pour your energy into seeking Me: the Perfect One.

It is possible to enjoy Me and glorify Me in the midst of adverse circumstances. In fact, My Light shines most brightly through believers who trust Me in the dark. That kind of trust is supernatural: a production of My indwelling Spirit. When things seem all wrong, trust Me anyway. I am much less interested in right circumstances than in right responses to whatever comes your way.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

"Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man...
He will have no fear of bad news;
his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. Psalm 112:4,7

Sponsor New Nostalgia In February!

2012-01-25T14:00:00.003-06:00

Hooray, Hooray! Amy has decided that starting February 1 she will be offering folks the chance to sponsor New Nostalgia!

Amy began New Nostalgia in the fall of 2009 as a way to keep track of all those little things she loves. From Mason Jars to simple recipes, Amy shows up almost every day to share the little bits of life that bring her joy, to get real about her journey with cancer, and to help everyone who stops by bring a bit more beauty, simplicity and love to their lives.

This month New Nostalgia has already received almost 600,000 pageviews, making it one of the top lifestyle blogs on the internet - hooray!

To kick off sponsorship, Amy is offering the super affordable price of just $50 per month for a 250x125 ad - I promise you won’t get a deal like that on a blog this big anywhere else!

Current Statistics (as of January 2012):
600,000 pageviews per month
3,287 subscribers via RSS, Google Feed Reader, and Bloglovin’
1389 followers via Google Friend Connect
1124 Facebook Friends
4902 followers on Pinterest

To sponsor New Nostalgia, e-mail Robyn at sponsornewnostalgia{at}gmail{dot}com

SuperBowl Recipes & Ideas At Pinterest

2012-01-24T15:35:00.000-06:00

Warning! These are not your typical New Nostalgia recipes. These are full of grease, cheese, salt, meat and all kinds of artificialness, but that is how its is gonna be here at our house come SuperBowl Sunday!

My husband mentors a bunch of teen boys, and they are all coming here to watch the game, which means I get to make a bunch of food for them to munch on. Even though I know I could find great healthy recipes that they would love (they DEVOUR my Kale Chips) healthy and organic can get pricey when having to feed a crowd. So junk food it is, at least for them. My stomach can't handle much junk anymore, my kids say it is because it is too used to "grass food."

I consulted Pinterest, pinned a few things they might like, and thought I would share it with you!

To follow me at Pinterest and see more of my pins, click here.

Source: blogchef.net via Amy on Pinterest

Baked Hot Dogs--perfect Superbowl Fare.

Source: passion-for-parties.com via Amy on Pinterest

Love the green table cloth and festive plates. Look! Veggies!!

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Amy on Pinterest

Fritoes, chili & cheese. No Dishes To Clean...this is tempting.

Source: tulsadetails.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

My daughter saw this and is BEGGING me to make it. Super cool. Worth the work?

Source: bettycrocker.com via Amy on Pinterest

Gotta have chocolate! Brownies cut into football shapes. Easy!

Source: twopeasandtheirpod.com via Amy on Pinterest

Soft Pretzel Bites. Yes, please.

Source: myrecipes.com via Amy on Pinterest

Football Deviled Eggs. Cute!

Source: tastykitchen.com via Amy on Pinterest

Crockpot Queso.

Source: Uploaded by user via Amy on Pinterest

Another food stadium. This looks easier!

Source: mybakingaddiction.com via Amy on Pinterest

Superbowl BBQ Beef

Source: thekitchn.com via Amy on Pinterest

Superbowl Chili

Source: bigflavors.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

Superbowl Party Puppy Chow

Source: plainchicken.com via Amy on Pinterest

Hmm..not sure what that even is. Bread, cheese and bacon. I think the guys would go for this.

Source: thebestpartydecorideas.onsugar.com via Amy on Pinterest

Superbowl No Bake Cookies

Source: 20goingon80.com via Amy on Pinterest

Here's a whole buncha ideas! Look at #10! Mason jars..so cute!
___________________________

What are your plans for Superbowl Sunday? Do you have a special recipe you are making?

___________________________
Do you have a Pinterest account? If so, I'd love to know.
To follow me at Pinterest and see more of my pins, click here.

Anti-Procrastination Tuesday #83

2012-01-23T19:24:00.000-06:00

Here are my goals this week:

Zone:

Still Paperwork/Office work

Goals:

Continue organizing gmail

File cabinet

Work on my Priorities list

Time:

15 minutes a day or

1 hour & 15 minutes in one day or

35 minutes twice in the week

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Kid Tips From An ER Nurse @ Shorties Funny Farm

Blueberry Swirls @ Adventures and Asides

Cleaning Up Your Email and Desktop @ AskAnna

Be Inspired, Be Encouraged, and Get Something Done!

One Thousand Gifts #36

2012-01-23T09:42:00.000-06:00

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

Sometimes things just drop in my lap, beautiful things, and I have no choice but to share them.

As I woke up today pondering that it is Monday, which means for me here at New Nostalgia, it is the day to list the gifts, there was a feeling of heaviness in my heart. In my personal life, right now there are so many gifts that I feel like my heart could burst. It is a wonderful thing not taken for granted. Pain in my own life is minimal right now, but in those surrounding me, those whom I love and even those whom I am just barely know, I see pain. I hear need.

I tell my story, and it seems to free those up around me to tell theirs. This is one of the best gifts given to me, that one would share deep. I treasure these gifts.

~A lady at church, with fear and tears in her eyes, tells me of scans, tests and the hell of waiting for test result.

~A story of a baby lost, the pain it wreaks in a heart and a marriage.

~Another story, one of depression, a dark hole that sucks the life out of a being and leaves those around feeling helpless.

~A beautiful friend, whose beauty can cause me to stumble, cannot see it.

~A mother, whose given love and her life to two precious foster girls, fears the very real idea of losing them. Court dates are coming, she asks for prayer.

I sit before my computer, feeling heavy. I ask God for clarity as to what to write. I start up my Spotify account, and before me is a recommended CD called "All Sons And Daughters." The album design and song title catch my eye. I click on it. It is exactly what I needed to hear today, what I must share.

The above video is the story of the song. I love how he says, "life is not always bubblegum." So true. I love what she says at the end, the realness.

This above video is the song in full, with lyrics below.

If you have Spotify, click this All Sons & Daughters – Reason To Sing to listen to song. The sound is a bit better than the above video.

A link to their website to know more about them.

Reason To Sing

All Sons & Daughters

When the pieces seem to shatter

To gather off the floor
And all that seems to matter
Is that I don’t feel you anymore
No I don’t feel you anymore

I need a reason to sing
I need a reason to sing
I need to know that You’re still holding
The whole world in Your hands
I need a reason to sing

When I’m overcome by fear
And I hate everything I know
If this waiting lasts forever
I’m afraid I might let go
I’m afraid I might let go
Oh Oh Oh

I need a reason to sing
I need a reason to sing
I need to know that You’re still holding
The whole world in Your hands
I need a reason to sing

Yeah

Will there be a victory
Will You sing it over me now
Oh
Your peace is the melody
You sing it over me now
Oh Lord
Will there be a victory
Will You sing it over me now
Oh Lord
Your peace is the melody
You sing it over me now

I need a reason to sing
I need a reason to sing
I need to know that You’re still holding
The whole world in Your hands
That is a reason to sing

#800-#804

~my home decorated. Home decor given to me from a dear friend. Old to her, new to me.

~late night vulnerable chats with a friend

~music. A reason to sing.

~community. Relationships. Hearts shared. Pain shared.

~great blood test results. A healthy body.

~a full silverware drawer. My dad who reads this post, chuckles to himself, then surprises me with a trip to the store to choose a new set. I smile every time I open my drawer. My girl exclaims "what are we gonna do with all of those forks, spoons and knives?!"

9 Reasons To Juice Your Greens

2012-01-20T10:33:00.000-06:00

When I was diagnosed with cancer, one of the first things I did was order a juicer. It was the best 99 dollars I have spent in a long time! I had read Kris Karr's "Crazy, Sexy Cancer Life" and knew she was keeping her tumors "quiet" for over 7 years using only nutritional methods. The main practice that she swears by for her continued health is juicing her greens. Juicing is also the main practice of the Gerson Therapy for cancer, and there are several blogs out there that I love that tell of survivors experience with this.

I drank green, beet and carrot juices all though my treatment and after when healing from surgeries. I stayed healthy throughout my entire treatment (except for a weird ear infection from a small cut when chemo had my cell count low) and honestly felt like my immune system was stronger than ever during treatment. The only time I felt sick and weak was the first week of all 4 cycles of chemo, and that was to be expected. My doctors commented on how quickly my incisions healed, and I think what I put into my body nutritionally had a lot to do with it!

The last 3 months I have not been as regular with juicing, and I miss it. It is an amazing way to start the day, and I definitely notice a difference in my energy level and my complexion/skin. When I juiced regularly, I had a healthy glow about me. People commented on it all the time. I have been pretty regular with my green smoothies, but alternating them with fresh veggie juice is definitely the way to go.

Why Juice?

1. By removing the fiber through the process of squeezing the pulp, we instantly lighten the load on our digestion. Nutrients pass directly into the bloodstream, and within minutes our bodies receive optimum fuel to feed our cells and help restore our immune systems. --Kris Carr

2. Fresh juice provides vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, proteins, phytonutrients, antioxidants and so much more!

3. You will have increased energy. This is one of the main motivations. I love how energized I feel when I juice!

4. Much of the goodness of fruit is locked in the fiber which is expelled from the body. When we juice the fruits and vegetables, their goodness is released from the fiber and we are able to drink their highly concentrated nutrients which are then able to enter our bloodstream very quickly. --Living and Raw Foods

5. The large amounts of concentrated nutrients one receives from juicing could never be eaten in one sitting. Imagine trying to make a smoothie out of the same amount of veggies used to make 16 oz of juice. You could never drink that much.

6. Drinking fresh juice guarantees you are receiving many of the nutrients you need. Bottled juices on the market have lost most of their nutritional value. Make sure you drink your freshly pressed juice right away, as nutrient loss happens fairly quickly.

7. It is a great way to use up fruits and vegetables that would otherwise go to waste. I have felt so much better about my lack of food waste now that I have a juicer. Fruits and veggies that are almost past their prime are perfect for juicing.

8. No matter how we try, man cannot replicate the amazing goodness that is in food that God through nature has provided for us. A supplement is necessary at times, but nothing can compare or compete with what nature can give through real food.

9. It increases alkalinity. It is said that diseases cannot thrive in an alkaline state. Fresh green juice is detoxifying and contains loads of chlorophyll. "Chlorophyll contains a powerful blood builder that’s said to increase red blood cells, improve circulation, ease inflammation, oxygenate the body, and counteract harmful free radicals. By eating (and drinking) a diet high in chlorophyll (raw fruits and veggies, especially leafy greens), we dine on liquid oxygen, the very substance we need to stay alive and thrive. --Kris Karr "Crazy Sexy Cancer Life"

My Go-To Green Juice

~big bunch of kale

~2 celery stalks

~1 regualr cucmber or 1/2 of a large

~1 green apple

~1/2 lemon

1 inch chunk of ginger (chunk in pic is too big, it is about 2 inches)

~~~

1 scoop vanilla plant fusion pea protein powder (optional)

Ice (optional)

I use organic produce as much as possible. Peel your cucumber if not organic. The peel of lemons, ginger and apple core is just fine in the juicer. I have recently read that apple seeds contain a toxin, so removing those would be preferred.

After the veggies are washed, the process takes just a minute.

It really is easy, the hardest part being the clean up, which really is not that big of a deal.

Adding produce to the juicer

Liquid gold in my opinion!!

Left over pulp can be used in soups or to make homemade pulp crackers. Or compost.

I add a scoop of vegan protein powder. It has the sweet herb, stevia in it, which I think makes the flavor of my juice so much better. If you like a tart juice, you can eliminate this step. I put the juice in a mason jar, add protein powder, add ice, put the lid on and shake! Add a straw and enjoy!!

I use the

Breville BJE200XL 700-Watt Compact Juice Fountain

I love it! It is compact compared to most juicers, a great price, and easy to clean!

Really, clean up is easy with this machine. The most work is that mesh basket, but it comes with its own brush and takes seconds. The rest is just rinse and dry.

Have you ever juiced? Do you have a juicer that you love? Does this interest or intrigue you?
Did you know there are a bazillion juice recipes out there? One of my fav--2 apples and 2 handfuls of fresh cranberries. Homemade Cran-Apple juice is AMAZING!

Have A Friend Over For A Simple Breakfast

2012-01-19T14:56:00.000-06:00

One of my favorite things to do recently is have a friend over for breakfast. Why? Well, I love to be home, especially on these cold winter days, and I love spending time with my dear friends, just one on one. My kids are all out of the house for school by 9, so that is the perfect time to have someone over, and it also leaves time in the day for writing, housework and exercise.

I have long given up the idea that everything has to be perfect when I entertain. I am all about simple. I find that breakfast is a great way to keep things simple.

Here are a few things I do to keep it simple, but still special:

{that is not a Christmas tree. I call it my "winter tree" with white lights. I was not ready to give up the twinkle of white lights, so it stays out until winter is over!}

1. Serve what I would normally eat for breakfast.

I eat oatmeal, toast and fruit almost every morning for breakfast, so that is what my friends get, too. I always make sure to ask if they like oatmeal, and I have found that they are appreciative of a hearty and healthy breakfast. I usually make my Cinnamon Apple Cranberry Oatmeal.

{Click to read "5 Reasons To drink Lemon Water In The Morning"}

{Turmeric Chai Tea}

2. Keep the beverages simple but fun.

I always serve my lemon water in mason jars, of course. I also always serve coffee, unless they prefer hot tea or hot chocolate. For my more adventuresome friend, I will serve Turmeric Chai Tea, a Green Smoothie. I even have been known to stick a few apples and a couple handfuls of fresh cranberries in the juicer for freshly juiced Cran-Apple refresher. Delish!

3. Realize you don't need fancy dishes.

The black coffee cups? I only have 2. I liked them, but could not afford a whole set. They are the mugs I use when I have just one friend over. Same with the square, colored plates. I only have 2 of them. Most of my serving dishes are white, so they go with just about anything. I use mason jars as serving dishes and drinking glasses. Don't stress if what you have does not match perfectly..I didn't like that my napkins clashed a bit with everything else, but it is what I had and in the end look just fine.

4. Light candles
Candles are just a little extra touch that add atmosphere and scent. Coffee is another way to add a great scent to your home. One friend came into my home and said, "MMMmm..it smells like a coffee shop in here!" It was my butterscotch candle mixed with the aroma of coffee.

5. Fake clean
Make sure the area you will be spending the most time in is picked up, then just shut the doors of the rooms that are not up to par. Put all dirty dishes into one sink if you don't have time to wash them. It looks so much better than strewn all over the counter top. Spot clean the kitchen floor if you don't have time to mop--I did that this morning. Give the bathroom a quick spray and wipe, making sure there are no globs of toothpaste to greet your friend in the sink. Light a candle in there, too. See that brown rug? I did the ultimate fake clean seconds before my friend rang the doorbell today. I gave it a quick shake right there onto the floor, then covered the mess up with the rug itself. Oh yes I did!! Thursdays are "wash floors" days for me, so I knew I would get to it later. Fake cleaning rocks!

6. Get things ready ahead of time.

I ~~always~~ almost always prepare so that the only thing I have to do is pop the toast down and add oatmeal to the boiling water. In less than 5 minutes, we have breakfast! I make sure coffee is made, table is set, beverages ready, fruit prepared and house in order before my guest arrives. Honestly, it all really only takes minutes!

7. Music
I always have some type of music playing when we have company. It adds great atmosphere. I choose the music based on whomever is coming over and their tastes. Today I played Whisperings: The Best of David Nevue piano music, so chill and lovely. Another time I played Some Kind Of Trouble by James Blunt. Sometimes Viva la Vida by Coldplay. Whatever your heart desires.

8. Feed their souls.
Depending on the personality of your guest, this may or may not be a good idea. I love to pray for our food before we eat, and it is a great opportunity to pray for my friend who is there visiting, thanking the Lord for their friendship and being. I also like to grab one of my favorite devotionals Jesus Calling or the Bible and read a little encouraging blurb out of one of those. It seems to always bless not just my visitor, but me, too!

9. Be yourself.
In the past I would get so into the details of entertaining and making sure that everything was perfect, that I felt like I would miss really being present with my peeps! Not anymore. My year with cancer taught me just how dear and precious moments with those I love are. I am striving to be present in them, no matter what. A fun example of this is I was running late one morning, and I knew my friend would be here any minute. I was still in my pajama pants. I made the best of it. I texted her to warn her of my wardrobe, and we laughed about it when she got here. I DID get my teeth brushed and deodorant on, I'm sure she appreciated that. It seemed to set a fun, casual mood as we ended up on my couch, each lounging with a warm blanket and having great "girl talk." Love making memories like that!

What are ways you simplify entertaining?

Simple Workout Inspirations

2012-01-18T13:58:00.000-06:00

I was blessed in a HUGE way when I was sick, with the gift of a year-long gym membership. It has been so awesome, and when someone else is paying for your monthly gym fee, well...talk about motivation! I HAVE to get my bum to the gym.

I recognize not everyone is able to do this, so I wanted to share some things I do around here on days I am not able to make it to the gym, hoping it may bring inspiration to anyone who needs it.

1. An area to work out in that works for you. I found that my cold basement, even though it has a large tv & carpet, was not the place I wanted to be. I wanted a bit more 'zen' feeling for yoga, and my bedroom has worked much better for me. I keep my mat, a set of 5 lb dumbbells, and workout DVD's in my room. You can't see it in the pics, but I have a TV/DVD player in our room. Works for me!

{that brown mat is a yoga mat, I just roll it up when finished and lean it in the corner of my room. The DVD is Jillian Micheals}

2. Jillian Micheals 30 Day Shred--I kept seeing this DVD talked about all over the web, so when a few of my real life friends recommended it, I had to check it out. This DVD is GREAT! Jillian gets it done and works you hard, using simple, sometimes old-school (jumping jacks) but effective technique.

Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred

3. Good music always inspires. Find what you love. Here is a link to Fitness Magazines Best Workout Playlists. They give you lists of music depending what type of workout you are doing.

4. Keep it simple. Do what you can. Something is better than nothing. Starting on one body part may inspire you to continue on to the rest!

This leg workout would take minutes a day. How about some calf raises while doing the dishes, or while in the shower!

{found on Pinterest, can't find original source}

Here is a quick workout that would work the entire body. My sister in law told me that she will just randomly break out in jumping jacks while in the kitchen, waiting for water to boil, etc. She said her family thinks she is a bit nuts, but IT WORKS FOR HER. This confession made me smile and inspired me to just move!

5. Is the treadmill your thing? Mix it up with these awesome treadmill workouts from FitSugar.com.

Source: fitsugar.com via Amy on Pinterest

6. Need to target a certain area but not sure where to start? This website is an exercise finder. Click on the area of the body you want to tone and it gives you a list of exercises. Found at Divine.ca.com.

Source: divine.ca via Amy on Pinterest

7. Got a "pouch?" 3 sets of these held as long as you can, works the lower abdominal.

Source: fitnessmagazine.com via Amy on Pinterest

8. Nature, the most inspiring. A simple walk outdoors, while paying attention to the sights and sounds that nature brings, inspires me in more ways than I can count!

Source: portlandhikers.org via Mallory on Pinterest

________

I hope these help inspire you. They did me! Is exercise something you have been able to conquer in your life? With my health history, it must be a priority to me, which is a bit scary because it is something I have struggled to do on a regular basis my whole life! I am not yet at the place where it is just naturally a part of my everyday life, but I am getting close!

Tell me what is working for you? Did any of the above tips inspire you?
___________________

Do you have a Pinterest account? If so, I'd love to know. To follow me at Pinterest and see more of my pins, click here.

Build Your To Do List Around Correct Priorities-Todd Talk #1

2012-01-17T16:45:00.002-06:00

I am so happy to introduce you to the love of my life, my husband, Todd.  He has agreed to share with us how he is able to consistently center his life around correct priorities.  This is something I have admired in him since the day I met him.  He knows what is important to him, and he shows it by the decisions he makes with his time and actions.  I am so very blessed to learn from him daily and to call him mine, and I'm so very eager for you all to "meet" him! 

The following post gets right into his thoughts on priorities.  It is a lot of great information.  Stay tuned for follow up posts that break it all down even further, that tell of his own personal experiences and how he lives it out, and some fun posts that will enable you to know him more.  Without further ado:

A guest post by my hubs, Todd Bowman

Build Your To-Do List Around Correct Priorities

The Problem With To-Do Lists

Do The Laundry

Return Emails

Make School Lunches

Purchase Christmas Gifts

Get Car In To Shop

Grocery Shopping

A to-do list can be a fantastic personal management tool, but for many of us a to-do list is a destructive device serving only to separate us from what is most important.

Most to-do lists are defined by urgency. Unfortunately, little good comes from urgency.

Ongoing urgent and important activity (crises, pressing problems, deadlines) leads to stress, burnout, and continuously putting out fires.

Ongoing urgent, but not important activity (needy children, phone calls, meetings, email) leads to feeling out of control of life, feeling like a victim, and shallow or broken relationships.

And no, the answer is not as simple as throwing away our to-do list. A life filled with random activity that that is neither urgent nor important (busy work, time wasters, pleasant activities) leads to some of the worst outcomes of all – irresponsibility and dependency on others for our basic needs.

An Alternative

I received life changing advice from my Youth Pastor when I was a junior in high school. He gave a message on the importance of ordering our lives around Biblical priorities instead of the priorities of the world. Now I recognize, not everyone who reads this blog will agree that the Bible is what they should choose to center their lives around. That is ok. I encourage you to continue reading, as I believe even so, you can find ways to help prioritize what IS important to you.

One example he shared was how many adults find their identity in and build their lives around their work. Many men (and women) will sacrifice relationship with their spouse and children in order to invest themselves in their job. He talked about how this was not Biblical and how for most adults work should rank no higher than fourth or fifth on our list of priorities.

Even more surprising was his example that activity in the church should not necessarily be high on a Biblical priority list either. God is not honored if we are active in the church choir, the prayer team, or the missions committee if we are neglecting our relationships with our family or friends.

I heeded his advice and for the past twenty-five years I have made an honest attempt to live my life according Biblical priorities.

These priorities have developed and changed over time. They changed dramatically when I got married. They changed dramatically again when we had children.

It’s not a perfect list. I’m sure many will quibble with what priorities are listed and where they are ranked below. But this list is my best attempt to identify and order what is most important as communicated in God’s Word.

The examples listed under each priority are meant to provide additional clarity on the meaning of a priority, but they are not a complete list of how I apply these priorities in my own life.

Biblical Priorities

1. Spiritual Health

Personal Relationship With God

Prayer

Reading God’s Word

Submissive Spirit

2. Emotional Health

Identity In Christ

Handling Interpersonal Conflict

Integrity / Character

Keeping Your Word

Stewardship – Money & Finances / Personal Possessions / Home

Personal Responsibility

Seek First To Understand, Then To Be Understood

3. Social Health – Friends–Having A Mentor

4. Social Health – Immediate Family–Spouse

Date Night

5. Social Health – Immediate Family–Children

Family Night

6. Work

7. Mental Health – Scholarship

School

Reading

Writing

Learning

Organizing

Planning

Goal-Setting

8. Physical Health

Healthy Eating

Exercise – Aerobic Training

Exercise – Strength Training

Sleep

9. Emotional Health – Balanced Entertainment / Hobbies

10. Social Health – Extended Family–Siblings / Parents / Grandparents

11. Social Health – Friends–Close Friends

12. Social Health – Friends–Being A Mentor

13. Social Health – Friends–Neighbors

14. Spiritual Health – Religious Activity

Bible Study

Prayer Group

Missions Committee

Worship Team

Service Activities

Para Church Involvement

Missions Trip

15. Social Health – Extended Family–Cousins / Etc.

16. Community Engagement / Public Service

Elementary / Middle / High School Involvement

Neighborhood Groups

Community Groups – PTA / Homeowner’s Association / Etc.

Volunteering

17. Miscellaneous

Building Your Own Priorities & To-Do List

Choose A Format
In 1992 I ordered a Franklin Covey planner after reading the book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Twenty years later I am still using a paper and pencil Covey planner to keep my priorities, my time, and my life organized. While I am old school in my methodology you can use whatever format (computer, smart phone, etc.) works best for you.

Franklin Covey Looseleaf Zippered Organizer, Sierra, 7 Rings, 5-1/2 X 8-1/2, Black (FDP18688)

Create A List For Each Priority

You will want to create a complete list for each of the categories listed above. For example, I have a list dedicated to priority #4 which is my relationship with my wife Amy. This list is dedicated to setting goals and identifying activities to both deepen my relationship with her and encourage her growth as a person. I use a pencil to write my goals on lined pages which I keep organized behind a tab in my Covey binder labeled Priorities.

Franklin Covey Original Dated Daily Planner Refill 5-1/2 by 8-1/2 January-December 2012 (3541912)

Priorities #4-My Beloved Wife, Amy

Amy

Make Plans For Important Events

Birthday – November 27
Mother’s Day – May
Anniversary – July
Valentine’s Day – February

Schedule & Plan Twice Monthly Date Nights

Create A List For Sub-Priorities As Needed
You may want to create a complete new list for important sub-categories as well. For example, under the broad category of Social Health – Immediate Family-Children I created additional lists to keep Amy and myself mindful of the broad responsibilities we share in raising our children.

Children – Spiritual Health

Find A Teen Bible For My Oldest Daughter

Find A Family Devotional Book To Read During Dinner

Children – Emotional Health

Talk With Girls Before Bed About How They Are Doing

Encourage Positive Friendships

{with my girls in 2005}

Meaningful Goal Setting
Set thoughtful and meaningful goals for each priority. It is necessary to carve out time on a regular basis to reflect on your priorities and consider whether goals and activities should be added to each priority list. It is also necessary to remove or revise goals as needed. It is not enough to set an initial set of goals around a priority and then stop. Our private and social lives are always changing and our goals should reflect this change.

Review Weekly
Create space at least once a week to review your priorities and goals and set your to-do list. Most weeks I do this on Sunday night after the kids are in bed. I find this to be a great way to begin my work week. You can also review your goals and set your to-do list daily if you have the time. It is preferable to review your goals as often as possible with once a week being the minimum and daily being the ideal.

Separate Work From Everything Else
I actually have two Covey planners. The first Covey planner is used exclusively for work. On a daily basis I review work related priorities, set goals, review a calendar of scheduled activities, and create a to-do list. The second Covey planner is used exclusively for my personal life away from work. On a weekly basis I review personal priorities, set goals, review a calendar of scheduled activities, and create a to-do list.

Additional Thoughts

Start Small
Developing goals for all of the priorities listed above can be a daunting task. Start small by spending a few minutes to begin the process of identifying and ranking your own priorities. Or choose just one priority you consider important and begin setting a few goals in this area. Getting started is far more important than waiting until you have time to complete the entire project perfectly. Over time your priorities will develop and your goals will become clear.

Don’t Define Priorities In Terms Of Time
My relationship with my wife is more important than my work, but it doesn’t mean I will spend more time with her than I will at work. There will be periods in everyone’s life when our work, our children, our family, or our friends will demand exceptional amounts of our time. The purpose of focused priorities is to keep us grounded during these times. For example, my commitment to Amy will ensure I create slivers of time to connect with her during an eighty hour work week. This commitment will also ensure I don’t become unnecessarily consumed with work over a long period of time at the expense of her and our girls.

An Activity May Fall In Multiple Categories
Being involved in a small group Bible study is an activity that may fall under several priorities including spiritual health, emotional health, mental health, your spouse, having a mentor, being a mentor, close friends, religious activity, etc.

Some Items May Stay On A Priority List
Friday is Family Night at our house and has been for years. I grab fast food and some snacks for the family and we sit around the television and watch our favorite shows while we eat. During the summer we rent movies. Scheduling a weekly Family Night is a permanent fixture on my Social Health-Children priority list and is listed nearly every single week on the to-do list I create on Sunday night for the upcoming week.

Priorities May Change
As mentioned earlier in this post, correct priorities for someone who is single are different than for someone who chooses to get married and/or have children. Choosing to get married means your life is no longer your own. You become responsible for another person’s spiritual, emotional, mental, physical, and social well-being. The same responsibilities are multiplied with each child we choose to bring into this world.

Benefits

The primary benefit of living life around correct priorities is a life filled with purpose.

My life may not be as fun as the lives of others. But my life is rich, and full, and meaningful. It is a life filled with peace even in the midst of tragedy and pain. It is a balanced life filled with caring relationships. It is a disciplined life filled with meaning. It is a life of stability and able to manage crisis without creating crisis unnecessarily.

I’m far from perfect. I daily make mistakes and often stray from the life God would desire me to live. And I experience the negative consequences of selfish actions and decisions. But to the degree I pursue God’s will for my life instead of my own I also experience His blessing.

Anti-Procrastination Tuesday #81

2012-01-16T18:17:00.001-06:00

Here are my goals this week:

Zone:

Paperwork

Goals:

Sort Paperwork

Buy Files

Find Labeler! :)

Desk Drawers Organized

Time:

15 minutes a day or

1 hour & 15 minutes in one day or

35 minutes twice in the week

_____

{my hubs, Todd}

I have a super big announcement to make! See that handsome man in the pic above? That man is mine :), and has agreed to start contributing here at New Nostalgia on a regular basis. I think you are going to fall as hard for him as I did. (ok, maybe not THAT hard.) He is a man full of wisdom whom I get the priviledge of learning from on a daily basis. He will be posting here monthly on the topic of "Building Your To Do List Around Correct Priorities." He has always, ALWAYS, since I have known him, centered his life around his priorities. I am a lucky lady being married to someone who knows who he is, what his priorities are, and how to keep them. His first post he has labored on over a year, and will be up live on the blog TOMORROW, so make sure you stop back, see what he has to say, and give him a warm New Nostalgia welcome!

_____

Last Weeks Most Clicked On Posts:

Well Loved Husbands @ Always Learning

Let's Organize Week 1 @ Thrift Me

Brownie Peanut Butter Cups @ Raising Oranges

4 Easy Steps To Fake Clean A Bathroom @ Ask Anna

My Favs From Last Week:

Tortilla & Greens, Perfect Afternoon Snack @Meremade

Magazine Beads @ Red Ted Art

Home Goals 2012 @Ask Anna

Painted Stripes @ Dream Home DIY

One Thousand Gifts #35

2012-01-16T12:05:00.000-06:00

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

I was not going to list the gifts today. I just was not feeling it. I felt it would have been forced after a morning of feeling anxious about the smallest things, and impatient with my girls who are all home from school today --this sentence was paused to work through yet another little girls squabbling drama--sigh. Things feel off kilter here in our home this morning, and my response is not one of patience.

I was scrolling through facebook and came upon Ann Voskamps post, titled "What's The Answer To Anxiety?" I smiled before I even read it, knowing it would be just what I needed to find my thanks and joy today. It was.

Here is my practicing of thanks, despite emotions that take time to catch up with what I know to be true.

I have so much to be thankful for.

I feel the knot in my stomach already starting to unravel. I feel my head slowly lift. I am grateful.

#789- #800

~the fact that our thanks is accepted by God despite feet dragging

~my home. It's "up keep" triggered some of my anxiety today. I'm starting to see how silly that is.

~my precious girls. The privilege of being their mom and teacher.

~coffee and oatmeal with dried cranberries

~a friends determination to keep making great choices. The inspiration that brings to me.

~energy and health.

~my husband. His ability to prioritize. His decision long ago to put God and family first.

~meeting writers that live in my own city through facebook! A lunch date set with 6 of them. Can't wait!

~music. How it calms. How it makes me move. How it causes me to look up.

~NO DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS in the month of January. First time I can say that since diagnosis. Oh--other than a dentist appointment. My dentist is my bro-in-law, and he rocks so that doesn't count.

~realizing that I do not think of death or cancer on a daily basis anymore. Healing that time brings.

~a growing community of readers on Facebook. The ease of communication with precious people who support my words. Seeing their faces in their profile pics. I LOVE it! Come join us?

White Chocolate Raspberry Valentine Breakfast Bites

2012-01-15T18:30:00.000-06:00

I think the raspberry is pretty much perfection, just how it is.

But when I saw this idea on Sasha Libby via Pinterest, I knew my girls would have a blast stuffing raspberries with white chocolate chips and popping them in their mouths. They did..:)

Cute, huh?

These would be great at a Valentines Day brunch or a fun 4th of July snack.

My girls called them candy.

That made me happy.

Facebook + New Nostalgia = Fun!!

2012-01-13T14:51:00.000-06:00

Did you know New Nostalgia has a Facebook page?

I love sharing things that come my way, and Facebook is a great way to do that. Another wonderful perk is that there is quite the community starting to build there. I love visiting with you all everyday and seeing your faces as I comment back, so I cordially invite you to come "Like" me on Facebook so I can see yours, too! So fun!!

Easy Crockpot Applesauce

2012-01-13T13:07:00.000-06:00

Next time you are at the grocery store, grab an extra bag of apples and make Applesauce in the crockpot. You will not regret it. Not only will your home smell apple-cinnamony amazing, but you won't ever want to go back to jarred applesauce again!

When I was sick and meals were being brought, one that dish that really stood out to me was simple, homemade applesauce. It just tasted so REAL and good. It made the best dessert, sweet but not overly sweet.

Despite having my energy back, I continue to find ways to make things simple around here. That is why I love this recipe. It is simple, smells great, involves fruit, and is a great after school snack or dessert around here, which is why I don't really mind the added sugar. Also, to keep it REALLY simple, I usually don't slice my apples as thin as the pic below. I borrowed a friends apple "peeler, slicer, corer" for that. Now I just cut my apples up in chunks. They take longer to cook, but I use a hand blender to chop it up into a chunky applesauce, and it ends up perfect.

Try it, you will love it!

Easy, Crockpot Applesauce

{recipe from Katy @ The Cutting Back Kitchen}

Ingredients

3 pound bag of apples (peeled, cored, and sliced)(or in chunks, see above)

2-3 tablespoons brown sugar (or other sweetener)

½ teaspoon cinnamon

½ cup water

Instructions

Place your apple slices in the bottom of a Crockpot. (If you don’t have a Crockpot, you can make it on the stove.) Top with brown sugar and cinnamon. Add the water. (I always just make sure to add enough water to cover the bottom of the Crockpot.) Cook the applesauce on low for 4-6 hours or until apples are tender. Once the apples are tender, mash them with a potato masher for a chunkier consistency. For a smoother consistency, mix in blender.

This is more an idea, than an exact recipe you need to stick to. I try to keep mine pretty low in sugar, but if you like yours sweeter add some more. Sometimes I add a handful of frozen berries to add some color and lend a slightly different flavor. Get creative!

Freezing Instructions

I just package mine in quart sized freezer bags. Thaw and enjoy!

Katy at the Cutting Kitchen is a great blog to go explore. Her tagline is "Big Flavors On A Bland Budget." Love that!

Why I Hate Religion But Love Jesus

2012-01-12T08:58:00.000-06:00

This video was uploaded to Youtube on January 10th and already has over 800,000 hits. I really loved it, and agree with all that he has to say. I had to share.

Things I Think You Should Know About Me

2012-01-11T17:06:00.002-06:00

I recently had a reader email me to say that she loves reading the blog, but at times I am intimidating because it seems like I have it all together. That made me sad to think I may be giving off the vibe of everything is perfect around here--it so IS NOT. Just remember, certain pics,

like this one of my Easy Salted Caramel Chocolate Cupcakes, don't show the sink right next to it that is full of dirty dishes. Also remember that inspiration posts I share, like this one on Organization, or this one, on New Year's Eve, are inspiring ME too. Just because I share inspirational pictures on my blog does not mean I am doing it all myself.

Oh my dear readers, I'm just an everyday Plain Jane (actually Amy Sue) from the Midwest trying to make the best with what life brings my way. To drive this point home, I thought I would have a little fun letting you know a few things about me.

_______________________________

~we only have 3 forks in the entire house right now. Yep, 3. For a family of 5. That is a problem. I ate pasta last night with a spoon. Where are our forks? I don't know. I have a feeling little ones may have thrown them away along with their paper plates...which brings me to the next tidbit...

~ ...we use paper plates sometimes because I just get so sick of doing the dishes. So not very green, but I justify it by being green in other ways.

~I really, really like fuzzy socks. In bright colors. With patterns. My husband does not, but he puts up with it.

~I REALLY like wearing fuzzy socks with my super soft and fluffy white bath robe. To top the sexy look off, when I am cold, I put the hood up and look like a boxer dressed in white, with rainbows and polka dots on my fuzzy feet. Yeah, hot.

~Said robe and socks = what I usually am wearing while blogging if I happen to write a post before 10 am, which is often. So, if you ever feel intimidated by what you read, just picture that. Problem solved.

~I use Photobooth on our Mac to check out the back of my hair before going out. If someone comes in while I am doing this, I feel like a dweeb...like... I am checking myself out or really in love with myself or overly concerned with how I look. I'm not.

~I love to polish my nails, but walk around with chipped nail polish 90% of the time. Oh, and my nails are usually stained with hair color because I am a hairstylist for those of you who don't know. Ugh. I feel it advertises to all that I so don't have it together, and lately I feel completely at peace with that. Cheers to chipped polish!!

~I always, ALWAYS have at least 4 loads of dirty laundry haunting me.

~I don't make my own soap, like in this post. Not anymore. After my diagnosis, I bought soap and decided I really like buying my soap. I may delete that post altogether.

~I have a touch of OCD. The pillows on my couch need to be straight. Chairs at the table pushed in and straight. Cupboards need to be closed--nothing worse than walking into the kitchen with cupboards hanging open! Shower curtain, closed! Oh, and the toilet seat. Must. Be. Down. This is not a good thing. I get a little nuts about it, and my friends make fun of me and mess my pillows up on purpose, just to see me go straighten them.

~Sometimes I make coffee (really good, expensive organic coffee) and forget to drink it. I think down deep I use it as one would a glade plug-in, just to get a whiff when I walk in the room. That is expensive aromatherapy. I need to rethink this one.

~I have 1,349 emails in my inbox. Yeah.

~I have perfectly good pj pants of my own, but still prefer to steal husbands and walk around with the waist rolled up. His just feel right.

{my beautiful momma with me while in the hospital, Dec. 2010}

~I wear hats almost as often as I did while sporting a chemo bald head, but now the reason is laziness. Love my new hair, just don't love doing it everyday.

~If I am pms-ing, watch out world. I get snippy and a bit gripe-y. I used to be a yeller, not anymore. God in His mercy helped me overcome that, but I do realize that quiet, snarky words can be just as harmful. {sigh}

~Yes, we eat very healthy around here. But, even in that, I give myself an out. Instead of calling myself "Vegan" (which I am 90% of the time) I say I am a "plant-based, whole foods eater, sometimes cheater." Ain't that a fun title. I wear it proudly.

____________________________

So you see, I do not have it all together. This is just a tidbit of my quirks and imperfections. There are so many more. It is great to be at a point in my life where I am getting over trying to be perfect, but instead, seeing myself how God sees me. I strive to make Him smile, and I know the way to do this is to lean into Him and rest in who He has made me, and is yet making me. I've got my eye on the prize, I am moving forward in this life race. It is such a beautiful one!

Philippians 12:12-14 Message version, says it perfectly, spoken by the Apostle Paul:

^12-14I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.

Anti-Procrastination Tuesday #80

2012-01-09T21:51:00.000-06:00

It is starting to look much better around here! Slowly but surely I am getting things organized and clean. I tackled my home office and it is SO NICE to have things where they should be. I also made myself a Donation Station like this one:

Source: theredchairblog.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

I can't believe what a difference this has made already! I didn't realize how much items like these clutter up the house!

Here are my goals this week:

Zone:

Laundry

Goals:

Get laundry caught up

Put away laundry

Organize bins of clothes

Time:

15 minutes a day

1 hour & 15 minutes in one day

35 minutes twice in the week

I have also been following "Clean & Organized 2012" @ Clean Mama.

The free printable she provides has been used like CRAZY by ME! I am loving her system and it is actually working for me. Click here for more information and the free printable.

Last Week's Most Clicked On Links:

10 Ways To Repurpose Old T-Shirts @ Frugally Sustainable

Complete In Him @ Always Learning

Entry Before and After @ It All Started With Paint

DIY Dishwasher Soap Packets @ Lady With The Red Rocker

Be Inspired, Be Encouraged & Get Something Done!

5 Minute Lemon Basil Guacamole Dip

2012-01-09T17:00:00.001-06:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Avocados from Mexico for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

This recipe was originally used as vegetarian creamy pasta sauce, but my favorite way to use it is as a light and creamy Lemon Basil Guacamole Dip! It is so yummy, with a hint of lemon and garlic. I am a guacamole lover, but sometimes I want to change it up from what most people come to expect from guacamole. This recipe does just that. The basil gives it a super fresh taste, and it whips up so creamy you would think it is full of dairy, but it is not! I loved it with crackers or you can use it as a vegetable dip or stick with tortilla chips. It is the perfect party food!

This recipe takes minutes to throw together. It uses just 5 ingredients + S & P. All you have to do is dump avocado, lemon juice, garlic and basil into the food processor, and let it do all the work for you. Drizzle in the EVOO. (exact measurements below)

5 Minute Lemon Basil Guacamole Dip

1 medium sized, ripe avocado

1/2 lemon juiced + zest for garnish

1 clove garlic

1/2 tsp salt, or to taste

1/4 cup fresh basil

2 Tbls extra virgin olive oil

pepper, to taste

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Place avocado, lemon juice, garlic clove and salt in a food processor. Process, then drizzle in the olive oil. Process until creamy. Add pepper to taste. Keep in refrigerator until ready to serve. Can use as a dip, or toss with pasta.

Isn't it the best color? So fresh and pretty!

I submitted this recipe to the Avocados from Mexico on Facebook They are having a Avocados from Mexico Guac Off Recipe Contest from January 2- January 20, and YOU can get in on the game. The prizes are awesome. Three winners will receive and iPad 2 and autographed cookbook by Celebrity Chef Roberto Santibanez and 7 runners-up will receive a $200.00 grocery gift card and autographed cookbook by Celebrity Chef Roberto Santibanez. 10 separate winners just for entering will receive a $100.00 gift card.

Check out the Playbook:

First Down: Submit your best guacamole recipe using your most valuable player-Avocados from Mexico. Include a photo of your recipe.

Second Down: Avocados from Mexico will select 10 top qualified players to be posted on the "Avocados from Mexico" facebook page

Third Down: There will be a grand prize winner in the following 3 categories: Most Popular, Best Recipe and Most Creative. Chef Roberto Santibanez will choose the Best Recipe, Avocados from Mexico will choose the Most Creative, and readers of the facebook page will pick the most popular. Touch Down!

Readers should huddle all their teammates-their families, friends, and co-workers- to vote for their recipe and win the contest!

For inspiration, visit the Avocados from Mexico recipes page.