Anthropologie "knock offs" & Chair Skirts

Fun Finds

Decorating for Spring

 

Thrift Store Finds~decorating ideas~ and a great Recipe

Fabulous Finds

Decorating with vintage linens~

What's for dinner?

Updated kitchen cabinet display~

Hello Everyone!  Did you have a nice Easter?  We went to two different sessions of church.  One was on Saturday night, and the other was Sunday morning.  At the Saturday evening session, my seventeen year old son spoke on love and service, and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.  He did such a wonderful job, and the other speakers and music were so uplifting as well.

The Easter Bunny came on Saturday morning and dropped off  a few treats, instead of Sunday.  We started this tradition when the kids were little so that we can truly focus on Jesus Christ on the Sabbath. Unfortunately, we don't live near our extended families, so it was just our little family for Easter.  My kids have been so tired of ham since Christmas, so I tried to break out of tradition by trying out a pinterest recipe for crock pot orange chicken instead.  Well, It failed!  We came home to burnt chicken.  Oh well, it was still a beautiful day, full of sunshine.

And, Grace enjoyed reading one of my favorite books as I practiced my photography...

Vintage birds nest S & P shakers

Ruffles & Blue~ Fun Finds!

Antique store treasures

spray paint magic

I had to tap dance for the goose and the goslings

Good morning!  I am back home from a much needed getaway.  My husband had a business trip in Southwest Florida last week, and I joined him there for a few days.  While it was a lot of work making sure the kids were situated before we left, the time spent relaxing in the sun was well worth it.  We stayed at a resort in Bonita Springs (on the gulf side), but enjoyed trips to Ft. Meyers, and Naples.  The sunsets were gorgeous, the weather was perfect, and the beaches were amazing.  I had never seen so many shells in my life!

a book and a blindfold

Grace and I have recently discovered something that we enjoy doing together...reading The Story of Helen Keller.  (see thrift store finds from this post).   My husband and I used to read to the kids all the time when they were little.  Sadly, we rarely, if ever, read to them anymore... except from the scriptures.  I once taught a class

Black Friday $6 Thrift Store Finds

The chalkboard’s new home... and my special rock

My “New” Wellies & Healthy Weight Loss Plan

How was your Father’s Day?  Ours was nice.   I hope my husband and father enjoyed their special day.  We went to church and the speakers spoke so beautifully about their fathers, fathers in general, and the Father of us all.  It was simply beautiful.  I wish you could have been there!  I love going to church each Sunday.  I learn so much, and feel my spirit nourished greatly. 

Which is good, because I made my husband's favorite dessert...Carmelitas.  It was his mother's "secret recipe".  They are chocolate, oatmeal, caramel bars made with lots of butter and sweetened condensed milk.    I'm sure that you have had some version of them.  I was so proud of myself.  I only ate a little, and I had no desire for more.

I had been feeling like I wasn't in control of my eating habits.  A handful of chocolate chips here, a half a bag of tortilla chips there.  The calories were catching up with me, and I  noticed my clothes were a bit snug.  I was exercising, but not really consistently, and not enough to keep up with my mouthfuls of naughty foods.  So, I decided to delve into my scarsdale diet plan.  I have been successful on it in the past, but about a week into the two week program, this time I felt starved and discouraged.  I wanted to eat what I wanted to eat.

Then my friend reminded me that she had modified the scarsdale diet to be more in line with the Word of Wisdom.  A plan that our church teaches so that we can reach optimum health.  It was revelation from the Lord.  And guess what?  It works!  Of course the Lord knows what He is talking about.  I switched to whole wheat bread ( a good kind fresh from the bakery), and I have been eating unlimited fruits and veggies, and watching portion sizes of lean meats and cheese.  I still run (sometimes half run, half walk!) 2 miles a day.  I have been feeling the pounds slipping away~my clothes are not nearly as tight.  Honestly I was a bit bloated and uncomfortable as I switched over to eating more high fiber foods (probably didn't do it as gradually as I should have)  But, now I am reaping the rewards.  I don't crave the sugars and fats.  I hope I can keep this lifestyle up.  I also don't deprive myself (see carmelita note above) , but I am in control.

What else helped?  I prayed for help.  God wants us to be healthy and feel good about ourselves.  It works. I will share the plan with you in my next post.

So, aren't my wellies cute?  Such a funny name, that I love to say.  I have been striking out at the thrift store~which is okay because I don't really need much.  But, I did find these wellies for $9.99!  My other ones were falling apart because I wear them so much around the yard and garden.

Hope you are enjoying your summer!

Shabby Chic is still in...and Look what I scored!

Good bye pink.  Hello purple.   It has only been one year since we painted my daughter's room pink.

image source

Save money~recycled sun dress tutorial

~thrift store canister makeover~