7/31/09

Earth Fare Tomato Contest

If you've been watching my blog, you would have seen the post about the Earth Fare Tomato Contest. I decided to enter and here is what I came up with. Hope you like them! My Grandaughter Kiele helped me with them too. Thanks Kie! If I win I'll take you shopping with me!

Luna Moth

Imagine my surprise this morning while watering my plants to look up and find this in my face!

7/30/09

SMILE FOR THE DAY!

I saw this and just had to share. Hope it makes you smile!

Natural Mosquito Repellant

Stop the bites!

* Rub a lavender flower, or lavender oil, behind your ears, wrists and neck.
* Not only will you smell great but mosquitoes will leave you alone.

7/29/09

7/28/09

LETTING THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG!

You know...I've found that it's really hard to clean when the trash bag keeps falling over and seems to be full all the time. Wonder why that happens?????
Maybe because of this:
AUGGGGG! Get out of that bag!

7/24/09

7/23/09

Don't Send a Left Brain to the Store!

Rekindle your inner light...

"Sometimes our light goes out but is blown again into flame by an encounter with another human being. Each of us owes the deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this inner light."

Albert Schweitzer said these words and how very true they are. We've all had times in our life when we desperately needed a "shot of inspiration" to move forward. Kate Nowak, has written a beautiful book that truly brings this idea to life. May You Be Blessed is not about religious beliefs...it's about joy, appreciation, kindness and love. It is filled with inspiring stories, beautiful photographs and life-changing insights. I loved it and think you will too.

Today, I'd like to share Kate's introduction, which tells the story behind...May You Be Blessed. Enjoy!

Introduction
Excerpt from May You Be Blessed
by Kate Nowak

It happened a few days after my father's death, in that mind-numbing period of adjustment after someone we love leaves us. Having gone shopping for necessities for my trip back to my own home, I was standing in an otherwise empty aisle of a large chain store when suddenly I sneezed, the last vestiges of an allergy attack I'd fought earlier in the week.

Almost instantly, from the next aisle over I heard a voice call out, "Bless you," and then another, and another, and yet another. All in all, in the span of only a few seconds, I counted eleven different voices coming from every possible direction in the store, some saying "God bless you," others using the word "gezundheit," but all blessing me, all calling good down upon me.

At first I thought little of it. After all the idea of blessing someone when they sneeze is rooted in superstition, an archaic belief that in the act of sneezing the soul is thrown from the body, and a blessing is needed for spiritual protection.

Today, it is usually offered as no more than a courtesy, a polite response that has come to be socially accepted and expected. But on that particular day, in the first few moments following all those blessings being called out to me, I began to notice a difference in myself: A slight shift in perception that left me feeling more connected and empowered than I had in days. It also left me, for the first time since my father's passing, more confident that everything would be all right.

Driving back to my father's house that day, I continued periodic "feelings" checks, marveling at how much stronger I felt. Later, sitting in my parent's kitchen for what would be one of the last times, I recounted the story to my stepmother. "Do you think any of them realized what they were saying?" she asked. "Or was it just out of habit?"

"Just habit," I answered with a shrug, thinking about what a shame it was that people could give such a needed gift as a blessing and not even be aware of what they had done. "It should be a habit, this business of blessing others," I said a moment later. "But it would be nice if people actually knew they could and were making a difference."

A seed was planted that day and two years later it sprouted, awakening me one morning to a gentle soul-whisper that poured forth as the words of a special blessing. Feeling compelled to take pen and paper from my nightstand, I prodded myself into full wakefulness and then sat on the edge of the bed, like a secretary poised for dictation, pen ready to capture each syllable as the inspired words flowed into my awareness.

Because of the power of the internet, those words have since been sent across the planet and read by millions, and as a result, I have received thousands of letters from people telling me how May You Be Blessed has impacted their lives. And in each and every instance I have found myself blessed in return.

I have often wondered since if my newfound work as a dispatcher of blessings is the result of a serendipitous accident that placed me in a crowded store on a day when I was both prone to sneeze, and to listen to subtle nudges from the heart. Or was it, perhaps, that my father's gentle spirit was present that day, inspiring others to offer blessings so that I might be lifted up?

Of course, it is a question I cannot answer, but I do know that since that time my life has changed remarkably. Each day is now entirely centered on the act of blessing and I have come to recognize it not only as one of the most powerful and practical ways we have for reconnecting with each other, our world and Life itself, but also the most phenomenal way possible to lead us to happiness and success. It is a discovery I now endeavor daily to share with all.

A blessing, I have come to realize, is a sweet release from pain; a sacred reminder that we are made of love and light and goodness and, as such, part of a greater and most wondrous whole. It is an ancient key to a successful and fulfilling life.

Today, whenever I share with others this phenomenal key, explaining how, as we each develop the habit of blessing others we are blessing our own lives, as well, I feel as if I have been given a wonderful gift. I realize once again how truly blessed I am. It is my hope that as you read this book and allow the words of this blessing to enter your heart, you will be blessed in return. I could not ask for anything sweeter to my soul than that.

To watch the movie, or for more information just, Click here.

As seen on Simple Truths.

7/22/09

Remembering Mother

Today would have been my mothers 79th birthday. The Lord took her home in 1977, much too soon for me, but I know that she is watching and waiting. I still miss her very much! It's funny...some years this day rolls around and I smile and say "Happy Birthday Mom" and then there are those years that fell like it's 1977 all over again. But my trust and faith is in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and by his power I will survive and be with her again one day!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM. I LOVE YOU!


WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

7/21/09

I AM A BAD BLOG-PERSON!!! A few weeks ago I received awards from Shydub of A Simple Happy Life. I was in the middle of doing something at the time and I saved all the info so I could post it as soon as I was done with what I was doing...DUH! I completely forgot! That's what happens when you get older...LOL. So here we go...........................

Thank you Shydub for the special awards you tagged me with. I was awarded the Spread the Love, Elite Blog Artist, Uplifting Blogger, and the Adorable Blog awards. I had already been given the Uplifting Blogger and the Adorable Blog awards from another bloggy friend but am still very grateful that Shydub felt that I deserved it too.

There were no particular rules for these awards but I was also tagged. Now according to the tag rules, I was to go into a folder and find the 10th picture in this folder...so here we go....This is my 10th picture and I hope you enjoy. Now you get to do it!

AND THEN...

I received the Kreativ Blogger Award from Maggie at A Taste of Both Worlds. (That's what jogged my memory about the awards from Shydub) Thank you Maggie for this special award. It was a wonderful surprise.

Now the rules for the Kreative Blogger award are as follows:

To accept this award do the following:

1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.
5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.
6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated.

7 Things That You May Find Interesting About Me:

1. I live in North Carolina.
2. I have 3 grandchildren
3. I am an animal lover (1 Corgi and 4 cats)
4. I am a Christian Clown
5. I've been married to the same man for 38 years (whew!)
6. I am looking for a job (was laid-off in Oct)
7. I love to crochet and make jewelry.

OK...here are my 7 bloggy friends that I am Nominating for these awards and tag:

Kids...me & Raw III
Super Mommy to the Rescue
Life's Imagination
Dream of Jade
The Divine Miss Mommy
Go Graham Go
Look What Mom Found...and Dad Too

WOW...that's a lot of awards!!! I hope everybody enjoys them because you all deserve them.

7/16/09

MAY YOU BE BLESSED!

A few years ago Kate Nowak awoke one morning and felt compelled to write the words of a special blessing that she wanted to share with others. The rest, as they say, is history! It is about joy, gratitude, kindness and love. And it has inspired millions of people around the world. CLICK HERE and may you be blessed!

7/14/09

Fast French-Fried Onion Rings


Fast French-Fried Onion Rings
After you've cut onions into rings, dip them into a batter from prepared pancake mix and then deep fry. It will save lots of preparation time

Bride's bouquet brings down plane

OK! I know we all look for new and romantic ways to dress up our weddings but...for all you brides-to-be...DON'T DO THIS!!!!!

Bride's bouquet brings down plane!

Headaches/Migraine Treatment


Do you suffer with migraines??? I do and it's awful!!! Read the information on treating headaches and migraines.

7/13/09

MAKE SOMETHING MONDAY



Crocheted necklace.  Small stud earrings and working on larger hanging earrings.  See more "Make Something Monday" @ Go Graham Go!

7/8/09

Refreshingly simple salads for quick and cool summer meals.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

New Awards

I received three new awards from Czaroma at A Woman Remembers. The awards are the: Adorable Blog, th Uplifting Blogger and the Friendly Blogger award. Thank you Czaroma, I am extremely honored!
There are no rules for the Uplifting Blogger and Friendly Blogger awards. Here are the rules for the Adorable Blog Award:

1. Include the award logo in your blog or post.
2. Nominate as many blogs as you like.
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

Here are the wonderful bloggers I am passing these awards to:

Look What Mom found...and Dad too!
Kids...Me & RAW III
A Frog In My Soup
Life's Imagination
Karen & Gerard Zemek

7/7/09

CELEBRATE

DID YOU KNOW!!!

Today (7/7) is Chocolate Day...Let's hear it for chocolate!!!!!!!

LAST WEEK WAS:
National Unassisted Homebirth Week: 1-7
Freedom Week: 4-10

THIS WEEK IS:
Be Nice To New Jersey Week: 5-11
Sports Cliche Week: 5-1
Nude Recreation Weekend: 6-12
International Chicken Wing Week: 10-12

So much to celebrate, so little time!!! ROFL

7/6/09

EARTH FARE PHOTO CONTEST!

Take our Tomato.
on the town!


"You say tomato, I say tahmato." But, whatever way you say it, Earth Fare wants you to take it - take the Earth Fare tomato that is - on the town with you this summer. It's portable and fits inside most jacket pockets.

We dare you to take the most outrageous, beautiful, or hilarious pictures with an Earth Fare tomato. BE CREATIVE. Dress up the tomato, make-up the tomato, you can even smash the tomato - because anything goes!

Can't decide which picture to send? Submit them all!
There's no limit on submissions. So how creative are you?

The Prize?

-First place: $250 gift card to Earth Fare
-Second place: $150 gift card to Earth Fare
-Third place: $100 gift card to Earth Fare
-Fourth place: $50.00 gift card to Earth Fare
-Fifth place: $25.00 gift card to Earth Fare

Contest Details:

-Email your submissions, name and address as a Jpeg attachment to information@earthfare.com
-Upload your submissions to your own blog or Flickr account and email us a link (information@earthfare.com) - be sure to tag the image as Earth Fare Tomato Contest
- Enter submissions from July 15, 2009 through August 7, 2009
- Winners will be notified on or before August 19, 2009

DISCLAIMER: No purchase necessary to enter Earth Fare's Take our Tomato Contest. Contest candidate must be over the age of 18. In submitting a picture and/or acceptance of prize constitutes permission to use winner's name and/or likeness and picture submitted for purposes of advertising and trade, worldwide in perpetuity, without future compensation. Prize winners will be required to verify address prior to awarding the prize. There will only be one winner for first place. Contest winners will be selected at the sole discretion of Earth Fare's staff.

Make Something Monday

Crocheted Hat with buttons

7/1/09

POND IN A POT - UPDATE

I posted a blog about the "Pond in a Pot" I had created for my front deck a couple of months ago. I decided that I would give you an update so you could see how it's doing.

BEFORE


AFTER

Even the rocks grew!!!!!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 
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