Wreath: God’s love never ending

/2 Comments/in /by

I love wreaths–any kind–I pin a lot of them here.

Family Fun magazine had this idea for a thanksgiving wreath–I thought the idea was cute so I skipped Thanksgiving and went to Christmas–it just so happens that when I worked in the basement–I found some yarn!

I happened to be at Target (like almost everyday–it is the only game in town here) and I found these smallish wreaths–I paid a $1 a piece (some friends went yesterday and bought them 1/2 off).

Ribbon, twine, yarn (oh, do I have yarn) or anything you want to hang the wreath when its done.

Stapler–this is a no sew–non heirloom project.

I love the blue birds in this Christmas fabric

supplies

staple and start wrapping–this fabric is from a Christmas quilt idea–a rail fence pattern with alternating dark and light . . . so much fabric, so little time

adding the second fabric strip

the twine is so simple compared to the red bow . . .

If you do not want to buy a wreath, you can use a pool noodle–I cut mine in 1/2 so it lays flat on the wall.

I know I have purple fabric so I think I’m going to make a Advent wreath with the leftover wreath that I have or maybe use some purple yarn . . .

Be Blessed as you discover God’s gifts of creativity (that we all have!).

A merry meaningful Christmas, all things Christmas

Frugal Friday: Free Apps!

/2 Comments/in /by

I get great deals on Starbucks coffee–about once every 3 months I get $1 or $1.50 off coupons for Starbucks coffee–then I wait for the sale–for $6 a bag.  Then if you save the bag you can “cash” that in for a free cup of coffee–a value of $1.50.

I boil water in my tea pot, then use a pour over method–the best coffee ever!

I found that I was pouring too much coffee down the drain, then I went through a phase of not drinking coffee, now I’m back to have a cup in the morning . . .

A few months ago I noticed that Starbucks has free apps.  At first I ignored them until I saw and app that my nephew had . . . I had seen the kids play it and free is free!

Some of the free apps from Starbucks

Do I use all these apps?  No–I do pick them up and give them to kids that I think might like them–it is fun, free, and a great excuse to go into Starbucks (which is not very difficult because the grocery store and Target both have them)!

Be blessed as you find fun ways to save money.

today I am linking up with Frugal Fridays

 

 

 

I lost 218 lbs. + 4

/2 Comments/in /by

My weight update:

I lost 218 lbs of stuff to go to good will.

I actually have 2 bags of clothes from the closet project . . . but I didn’t weigh those.  I didn’t include the bags of trash . . .

I let go of a bunch of physical stuff I didn’t need.

When I let go of the physical “treasures” I felt better physically–I have less visual clutter, I can breathe deeper, my mind isn’t thinking about the projects I will never complete.  I feel lighter.

In the midst of all this I lost 4 lbs.  I didn’t count calories, I went walking twice and I became still in my thoughts as I wrote my entries and thought deep thoughts.

As I worked through some things and identified other challenges that I have (and plan to write about), as I tried had to live in the moment–every moment, I realized that life is so incredibly full.

I began a practice of sitting silently during the day–I put it on the schedule to sit–not sit and fold laundry, school the kids or knit (and being in the car did not count)–but to sit and just be.  Sort of like Yoga Sitting–I think about my breathing, my purpose, my kids come in and out giving me hugs . . . I pray for friends, family and souls I will never meet on this earth.

Peace comes from within.  

I knew that–I wrote about it here.   My first ever post on 12/9/2010.  A two year journey.  And now, just now, the concept has moved from my head, to my heart and now lives deep in my soul.

It was always there–I just couldn’t find it–I was so focused on keeping up with the pace of the life I created–because if I’m really busy then I can’t just sit and think and be intentional.  I couldn’t find peace in all of the boxes of my different collections, I couldn’t find peace in a closet full of clothes that took me to the past each day, I couldn’t find it among books I’ll never get to read or magazines filled with recipes, knitting patterns and sewing tutorials that I will never make or use.

I smile a lot more.  I laugh louder–totally embarrassing my kids!  I feel joy.

Maybe in November I’ll be able to exercise more and maybe count a few calories–lose more weight.  My goal is to gain in joy what I lose in pounds!

Be blessed.