February 26, 2014

Delicious Towels and Slow Pillars // Game Night





Daniel, our current judge, got tired of waiting for everyone (there were 17 of us playing) to turn in their cards, so he took a nap. *grin*


What?  A card that makes sense? We can't have that.


Convenient card storage.



Decisions, decisions...


Why do cards like "beards" and "beans" win so often in Apple to Apples?  Why are they so funny?


Besides Apples to Apples, we also played Pictionary and Mafia.   Seems like we play the same games every time, but I guess they are our favorites.


Someday, I'm going to take our Bible version of Apples to Apples and combine it with the original version. It will be the most epic version ever!!  I'll let you know how that goes. *smile*

Do you ever have game nights with your friends or family?
What are some of your favorite group games to play?
I want to know!

p.s.
We all missed you and your coconut popcorn so much, Laura!

February 24, 2014

Sunday Style // Sheepies & Plaid





o u t f i t
sheep pin // gifted
plaid scarf // made by me
aquamarine blue sweater // Chadwicks
brown corduroy skirt // Christopher & Banks
brown flats // thrifted

It snowed all day yesterday, and I was so thankful for my cozy sweater and corduroy skirt!  And especially my flannel slip and leggings underneath. *grin*  I wish I had a nice pair of boots (besides my cowgirl boots) to wear to church, because I certainly would have used them!  But since I don't, I wear my snow boots until we get to church then change to my flats.  It works.  And I love my sheep pin!  Isn't it cute?

I'm linking up to...
Perspective} WIW to church



I was able to focus on the sermon in church yesterday, which was great because it was a really good one!  We continued in the book of John, this time focusing on how John the Baptist pointed the way to Christ.  Pastor encouraged us to pray for opportunities to point the way to Christ this week, by our words and lives.  To be bold witnesses for Him, and not to be held back by the fear of being rejected.  It's not us they're rejecting, it's Christ.  I've always had a hard time talking to people (especially strangers) about my faith because I'm a shy person.  But I pray that the Lord would give me boldness this week, His boldness!

After church I talked for a long time with some friends about sheep and farming.  If you know me in real life, then you know how excited I get when talking about anything to do with raising sheep and farming.  There was a lot of hand waving going on while we talked, mostly from me. *grin*  I ended up being late for choir practice because I was so interested in our conversation.  Totally worth it!

: :

This week, I've got jury duty to look forward to.  Yay!!  Or not.  It's exciting to take part in my country's legal system and know that I'm helping to further truth and make a difference.  But...I wish there was a way I could do that without having to actually leave my house.  Haha, am I lazy or what??  The first time I was called up for jury duty, I was chosen to serve on the jury.  It was actually a really neat experience, and I enjoyed it very much!   We'll see how it works out this time.

Have a wonderful week, everyone!

What was your sermon about?
If you're old enough, have you ever been on an actual jury?
I want to know!

February 22, 2014

Photo a Day // February // Week Three

O N E | Mom and I are watching through Road to Avonlea for the third time now, and we've decided that as soon as she's completely healed from Lyme disease, we're going on a trip to Prince Edward Island.  We couldn't remember exactly where it was in Canada, so we looked it up on the atlas that we've had since I was a little kid.  Not ashamed to say that I still love all of the little drawings and bright colors. *smile*

T W O | Really enjoying the tea that came in this month's Birchbox!

T H R E E | Homemade blueberry muffins, fresh from the oven.

F O U R | Bunny, my friend's corgi.  I love dogs a lot already, but this one has a special place in my heart.

F I V E  | Minions!  I made minion cupcakes for my bro's surprise party/game night.  Aren't they adorable?!

S I X | Alex and the Bonnie dog at game night.  Whenever we're in a circle on the floor with the game in the middle, she thinks she should be in the middle of it. ;)  Love that dog so much.  And game night was wonderful.  It deserves it's own post.

How was your week?
Did you do anything exciting?  
What has the Lord been showing you through His Word?
I want to know!


February 20, 2014

Scrabble





Just a quiet, snowy afternoon playing Scrabble with my mom and Glenda.  I usually hate this game, probably because they won't me use my own made-up words.  "Penkle" is totally a word!  It's that prickling feeling you get when you know they're not going to let you use it as a word.  But I enjoyed it this time.  I actually won!  Which was weird.  Glenda's dog, Greta, absolutely adores my mom!  It's so cute, watching her.  I love quiet, snowy afternoons spent with excellent company.  *smile*


What's one game that you absolutely hate playing?
How do you spend a quiet afternoon at home?
I want to know!

February 19, 2014

Inspired | New in the Shop

Sometimes, I find myself in a creative slump.  New laptop sleeves and iPad cozies to make, but lacking the inspiration to get the job done.  It's like writer's block for craft-y people.   Unfortunately, you can't force creativity.

Sometimes, I just need some COLOR!! 


That's when I get on my Pinterest and browse through my shop's inspiration board.  You wouldn't believe the difference it makes, just seeing all those different colors together, whether they be in nature, fashion, or the creative work of someone else.  This is a perfect example... 


That rich red coupled with the sparkling aqua blue in those three pictures inspired this laptop sleeve.
Is it creepy that I've been sitting here for several minutes, paused in my typing, just admiring those gorgeous colors?  I'm kind of loving this color combo, and especially the aqua blue, right now.

What inspires your creativity?  I want to know!

February 17, 2014

Sunday Style // Mint Chip





Muffin wanted some lovin'. :)


o u t f i t
polka dot blouse // made by me
brown cardigan // St. John's Bay
denim skirt // Chadwick's
brown flats // thrifted {Goodwill}

I've been trying to get pictures of this outfit for a long time but every time I wore it, it just didn't happen.  Finally, I get to share one of my favorite outfits!  Just looking at the delicious mint green with brown polka dots makes me want to eat mint chip ice cream.  I used my cameo pin to dress the outfit up a bit. 

Linking up to...
Perspective} WIW to church



: :

This entire weekend was really hard for me emotionally (Valentine's Day can be horribly cruel for single young ladies.), and on top of that I have a sniffle which is making me feel icky all over.  That never helps your outlook on life!  I honestly don't remember anything about yesterday's sermon.  I'm sure it was wonderful, but I gave up on concentrating and did some soul searching instead.  Sometimes, it's not just the only thing you can do, but the only thing you should do.

I leafed through Psalms, and stopped at Psalm 71.  Several verses in particular leaped off the page at me, and I wanted to share them with you.  Here's the whole chapter, but I've put those verses in bold.

In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.
Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.
Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.
Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth.
By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee.
I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.
Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.
Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.
For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,
Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.
O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.
Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.
But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.
My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.
I will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.
O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.
Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.
Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!
Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.
I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.
My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.
My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.
Psalm 71

My Father's unfailing love for me never ceases to astonish me, and His Word never ceases to bring me strength and comfort when I am at my lowest.  He truly is everything I need in this life and beyond.  While I may want some things so much it makes my heart hurt, the only thing I truly need is Jesus Christ.  He is everything.  I praise Him for His love and salvation, and for my dear sister in Christ who gives me big hugs, verses of encouragement, listens to me, and prays with me over the phone.  Thank you so much, Sarah.  You mean so much to me, girl.

The sun is always shining above the clouds, and, in addition to Sarah, my sunshine came in the form of an afternoon spent with my dearest Kellie and her sisters on her birthday.  Happy Birthday, dear!!  We ate chocolate, laughed, watched video clips from the last swing dance and also some Wives and Daughters, and may or may not have discussed at length how frustrating men can be.  It was just what I needed. *grin*

How about you?  Do you have a hard time during Valentine's Day, or is it one of your favorite holidays?
I want to know!

February 15, 2014

Photo a Day // February // Week Two

o n e | Breakfast.


t w o | It was snowing so heavily, I could hardly see the trees!

t h r e e | My awesome friend Laura made this for me.  Psych fans, be jealous! ;)

f o u r | My little brother turned 22 this week!  There aren't 22 candles on the cake 'cause I ran out. ;)

f i v e | The theme at this year's Valentines Banquet at our church was Cowboy.  My bro and I set up the photo-booth area with props like boots, hats, scarves, and some really neat guns.

s i x | Hank, Chris, and Matthew (with Bridger supervising) cutting up ice cream for the Valentines Banquet.

: :

And that was pretty much my week.  It snowed a lot at the beginning, and then it went above freezing so everything started to melt during the day and freeze at night so there's ice everywhere.  The roads are good, but the path down to the sheep pen is something else!

The single young men and women in the church decorated, cooked, and served the married and engaged couples at our church's Valentines Banquet.  I helped the decorating crew, and then helped with the serving.  I had so much fun waiting on tables, filling water glasses, talking with everyone.  And I just realized that I since I got there at 11:00 am to help decorate and left a little before 11:00 pm after helping to clean up, that I was there for almost 12 hours.  No wonder I felt like a zombie!  And the girls who did the cooking were there much earlier than I was...I hope they slept in this morning. *smile*

What have you been doing this week? I want to know!

February 11, 2014

Photo a Day // February // Week One


O N E | Florida Orange Juice!  We don't buy juice of any kind very often, so it's a treat when we do.


T W O | Mochi ice cream from Trader Joe's.  A belated Christmas present from my friend Alyssa.  Quite possibly both the most delicious and weirdest thing I've ever eaten.  Thanks, Alyssa!


T H R E E | The only way to thaw out your frozen toes after doing barn chores in below zero temperatures.  Also, this time of year, flannel pajama pants are my best friends. :)


F O U R | My mom.


F I V E | The swing dance last Saturday.  Soooo much fun!!

I hope you're all having a lovely Tuesday!  
Have you been working on any projects lately?  
I want to know!