Creative Counterpart

Last week, I decided to start using the Weight Watchers point system to lose weight and keep track of what I am eating. I’m excited to say that so far it has been fairly easy for me to follow and I am looking forward to making this a new lifestyle.  I am able to eat the foods that I love in moderation, and I’ve been adding healthier options to my diet to keep within my points range. I have learned so much about what I had been eating in one week, and how easy it is to change that. I do not feel deprived in the least, and can even still enjoy ice cream! Here is  sample of what I ate today:

Dijon tuna salad 2
2 slices bread 2
carrots 0
1 cup pretzels 2

(6)

south beach living bar 2
2 curves bars 2
1 cup grapes 1
4 fig bars 4

(9)

1 square lasagna 9
1 garlic toast 4
salad w/ salad spritzers & 1 tbsp crunchy toppings 0

(13)

I am allowed 41 points a day because I am nursing; And believe me, you need those extra points when you are nursing because it makes you HUNGRY. The points system has helped me to think about every single bite I take, and whether I really need it or not (and whether I can afford to eat it that day).  And, I would have to say that using the points system does not have to be expensive. Yes, I have spent a little extra money to buy some things such as curves bars and wish bone salad spritzers. But, all in all, it’s just about looking for the healthier options. I find that I am eating less of the junk food that we spend money on each trip to the grocery store. A bag of salad, some grapes, and some carrots cost nearly the same as a bag of chips, pretzels, or a package of cookies.

If you visit me, I would like to hear about your journey to staying healthy and fit. Has anything worked well for you? Please share it with me. If you use the weight watchers point system, what low point foods do you enjoy most?

I am delighted. A friend of mine @ But First, We Have Coffee , has nominated me for one of her ‘Sweetest Friend Awards’ . The award originated with Evening Shade Morning Latte.

The award is as follows: “These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find & be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated.”

The rules of the award are as follows: Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to 8 bloggers that then need to choose 8 bloggers of their own to pass the award to. Include the following text depicting the award…“Each of the following ladies, I simply love. They each have faced their own challenges in their lives & the way they encapsulate their expierences endears them greatly to my heart.”

So, I am handing out my 8 awards to the following…

• Aadel , my sister, @ “Hi, I’m (insert name here)”
• Jules @ Everyday Mommy or SolaMom
• Kristine @ Mama Archer
• Amy @ Raising Arrows
• Amy @ Blessed Motherhood
• Kim @ Life in a Shoe
• Star @ Joyful Junction
• Shelly @ Shelly’s Scroll

Congrats Ladies! And have fun picking out those blogging ladies that have been an influence in your life.

I’ve learned a bit about myself approaching home ownership. I’ve also learned a bit about my husband in the process. Firstly, that we both may have the favorite color of blue, but certainly not the same hue. My husband seems to also be partial to neutrals, and I would like to play around with color. There must be some compromise.

Even before we had the liberty of painting our walls, I knew a bit about my decor style.  One thing is for sure, although I do like SOME modern peices, my style is clearly ‘country’. I also enjoy cottage styles. All in all, I”m drawn to antique peices, patterned country fabrics, linens, and soft, natural light.

Slowly, each space in our new home is taking on a picture in my mind of home. Allow me to share my vision for our ‘Front Room’.

This is a picture of our front room before we moved in. Let me tell you, it looks just about the same now, with the exception of some extra STUFF lying around and an antique style chair I bought at goodwill. Now imagine with me…

White linen curtains. The walls are ‘Grand Stand Tan’ . There is a storage bench.. and linens and pillows accompany each seat. The accent colors are interchangeable with the neutral wall color… changing by season or mood. Books are stacked within reach. It is the perfect place to invite guests in to chat, have tea with friends, or sit quietly to read a book.

Perhaps I will come back and add to this post later. It is past my bedtime. Please do feel free to add to my inspiration for this space.

Matthew 21:1-17

¹As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, ²saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. ³If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

⁴This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
⁵“Say to the Daughter of Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ “^[a]

⁶The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. ⁷They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. ⁸A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. ⁹The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna^[b] to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”^[c]
“Hosanna^[d] in the highest!”

¹⁰When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

¹¹The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Every once in awhile, I’ll be by myself, doing housework, or rocking a baby to sleep and a song will come to me. A song that I have never heard before. Sometimes the words do not flow perfectly, but somehow there is a new tune inside that I have just got to get out. The difficult thing for me is, that by the time I reach a pad and pen, I can’t seem to remember what the words to my melody had been.

Last night, as I just so happened to be rocking a baby to sleep, swaying back and forth in our bedroom; The sun was just setting and I can remember the dim light that filled the room as I hushed a heavy, sweet smelling bundle in my arms. I began to sing out a praise to the Lord. This time, some of the words stuck very vividly in my mind as well as the tune. I closed my eyes and let the words flow as I sang my little one to sleep last night. I rocked him even after he had fallen asleep, finishing ‘my’ hymn and praising the Lord for his glorious grace and the gifts that he had given me, especially the blessing in my arms.

Something has urged me to write down what I remember and record the tune so that I can recall it. I couldn’t help but wonder today what It would be like to have my personal praise sung by a congregation of believers. I wondered for a second if God would give me the words to a glorious hymn that truly honored him, was scriptural, and truly gave praise to God. It’s possible. All I know is that lately I have just had the words to sing a few beautiful tunes, at least in my eyes. And it’s much more satisfying than empty meaning. The words really mean something to me and to my relationship with God.

I hope you find YOUR time with God today. Praise him, in whatever way.

(Ephesians 5:18-20) 18 …, but keep getting filled with spirit, 19 speaking to yourselves with psalms and praises to God and spiritual songs, singing and accompanying yourselves with music in YOUR hearts to Jehovah, 20 in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ giving thanks . . .

I’ve been thinking blue lately… and stumbling upon a poetry prompt this evening sparked this poem:

Blue in the morning & Blue at night,

fresh blue dewdrops in the bright morning light.

Archway of golden covers the land,

Blue into white on the glistening sand.

Yellow through treetops lightens the way,

Orange beating down in the heat of the day.

Peaches and Corals, evening  to night,

Give way to blue as sun slips out of sight.

- Vanessa Pruitt

It may sound strange, but living in a hotel for a short while can make one appreciate the simplicity.  I became hooked on this little towel holder, and knew I wanted one just like it for our “new” home. It would look great with the blue and white theme we have chosen for our upstairs bath. I will add that I am also hooked on white hotel towels. They are so verstile and “fresh”.

And now for some Blue & White Inspiration…

Since I first heard that the Duggars had come out with a new book, I had determined that I would really like to get a copy and read it. Within a couple of weeks, I had heard excellent reviews on the book, and was becoming even more eager to buy it. Last week I finally picked up a copy at the book store. Less than a week later I had devoured it, thoroughly enjoying it, and coming away from the book with a deeper respect for the values, character, and general love for our Lord that this family has.

Filled with examples of God’s provision and faithfulness, Jim Bob and Michelle recount the events of their lives from childhood, to marriage, to the present. They take you step by step through each phase of their story: Salvation, Business, Children, Struggles. This book is a testimony to God’s work in their lives.

On top of a wonderful emphasis on God and his plan for them, Jim Bob and Michelle also share some practical tips they have learned along the way.

Jim Bob tells of the important lessons he has learned on his business journey, placing emphasis on biblical ethics and scriptural character qualities that truly count. He also shares with us his struggles in fatherhood, and the versus and lessons that have helped him overcome them.

Michelle also offers some tips and tricks that she has learned as the mother of 18 children. She discusses discipline, potty training, and lots of information about home schooling.

I feel as if I have just spent a day in the Duggars livingroom listening to memories being shared. I can honestly walk away from this book saying that it offers up something valuable to almost any reader, regardless of age, status, or gender. I want to thank the Duggars for their heartfelt “story” and insight, and may God continue to guide and direct your (and your children’s) paths.

You know those days. We all have them. You struggle to get phonics done. You struggle through math. You’re moving about the speed of a slug stuck on something sticky, and the kids aren’t moving at all. They keep falling out of their chairs. They keep whining.

And at some point, you decide to chuck it. This just isn’t working for you today.

. . .Field trips are great, but sometimes you need somewhere to disappear to, if only for an hour. So what do you do when everyone is stir crazy? Where do you go? Tell us in this meme!

With an active 2 1/2 year old and lots of cool and frosty days, you can imagine that we get stir crazy ALOT around here. But, mom has a few tricks up her sleeve when this house is not big enough for the ball of energy that is within it.

One of our favorite places to go is the local Children’s museum. It’s small enough for me to sit in a spot with the baby and watch my son play and have fun without worrying. He especially likes to play in the kid sized grocery store, pizza shop, and fire station. He also loves to play with the trains at the train table.

Secondly, we like to visit the YMCA and climb on the “adventure challenge”. This is where we go when it’s cold outside and we really need a playground to burn off that steam!

Other places that we love to visit are the park and the library. When summer finally comes, we’ll have loads to do outside in our new yard.

Check out where other homeschoolers go to “unwind”!