Monthly Archives: November 2014

What I’m Into, November in Review

30 Sunday Nov 2014

Posted by in Gratitude, Uncategorized

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What I’m InTo November 2014 Edition

 

What I'm ReadingRead and Reading:

The 13th Gift by Joanne Huist Smith, The 20th Christmas (seems I took an early Christmas detour in my reading at the beginning of November!), The Christmas Jar (a request from my youngest daughter)

Currently reading:

Families Where Grace is in Place, and Misplacing God (and finding Him again), War of Words

(I completed _3_ books this month)

TV: Rewatching Dr Who episodes and have started Sherlock with my kids.  I started out really not liking Sherlock.  But I’ve been drawn in, just like with the doctor.

What I'm Into

dream realized

Music: Enjoying the music of James Galway, and seeing the music further inspire my young flutist.

Christmas music in small, worshipful doses.  Yes.  Especially liking the new music by Shaun Groves, and for the “young nana” a bit of 1 Girl Nation Christmas cheer.  But he commercialism Christmas music is completely gagging me right now.  The sound of a trumpet singing through the house, yes.  The lilt of a flute floating on the air.  The depth and range of a growing pianist brings me to song.  Music is my love language.

And I am back to listening to Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah.  Love is not a victory march.

 

band concerts

band concerts

Things I Loved in November: Quiet rhythm, warm house on cold nights, lavender scented rice cuddlers, a house full on Thanksgiving.  Gift card holders out of Altoids tins.  Pumpkin pie. and Cuties.  YES. Laughter of teens ringing loud and pure.

Thanksgiving tradition

pumpkin pie & cuties breakfast. Thanksgiving tradition

lavendar rice cuddlers

Gift Card Holder

Altoids Tin Gift Card Holders

Gift Card Holder

In the Blogosphere:

A Screwtape Letter

10 Commandments of Marriage

On The Blog:

Advent Resources

So all this and more, What I’m Into, November 2014

This Moment, All In

30 Sunday Nov 2014

Posted by in Gratitude, Uncategorized, {This Moment}

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{this moment} ~ A Friday ritual. A single photo – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

all in

This photo was taken the morning after our Thanksgiving celebration after I looked through the window and SAW.

The day before, chairs had been evenly set around each table.  A little while into the afternoon I did hear the laughter and I did see the big group of cousins gathered around.  But it wasn’t until the next morning that it was clear.  They were all in.

 

linking with Soulemama.

This Moment ~ Practice Time

21 Friday Nov 2014

Posted by in Gratitude, Life Long Learner, Parenting, teens, Uncategorized, {This Moment}

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{this moment} ~ A weekly stop. A single photo – or two – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment that I have been given. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

practice time

dream realized

Grocery University ~ Graduated!

19 Wednesday Nov 2014

Posted by in Life Long Learner, Menu Planning, Uncategorized

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As usual, I am a little behind the curve, ha!  During our fall break road trip I downloaded and listened to Grocery University by Carrie Isaac.  This audio course has been around for some time and has even been re-released by Money Saving Mom, but as I said, I finally got around to listening this fall.

As a seasoned mom and homemaker, I have practiced many of the things shared in Grocery University .  But I was encouraged and inspired as the miles clicked by and I listened.  It is good to have a refresher from time to time.  And in the past year, as life has gotten a little more complicated, meal planning, coupon clipping and deal shopping has definitely taken a back seat!  I was inspired upon arriving home to pull out the coupon box and step back into more intentional meal planning and coupon shopping.

Another benefit to listening to the audio course during that road trip, my 15 year old sitting next to me listening in.  We had some good discussion about what refreshed me and what she learned.  Seeing as she already is a coupon clipper and uses swagbucks, she was able to make some good connections.  She is well on her way to learning the ins and outs of frugal living and managing her money.

Isaac recently sold the rights to Grocery University to Money Saving Mom.  If you are interested in purchasing Grocery University, you can do so below.

Grocery University

 

 

 

 

 

 

Affiliate links are included in this post.  If you sign up for swagbucks or purchase Grocery University through By Quiet Waters, I receive small compensation or bonus swagbucks.

November Correspondence, Sponsorship Sunday

14 Friday Nov 2014

Posted by in Compassion International, Letter Writing, One Life, Uncategorized

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Tags

Hello,

From time to time you will now see Sponsorship Saturday starting with November Correspondence   I will be sharing ways my family seeks to connect with the children we sponsor through Compassion International.  It is my hope that these posts will encourage you as you correspond with sponsored children or interact with children in your community.  Maybe you will even be encouraged to begin sponsoring a child!

This week I was busy with several projects, one being the November correspondence for our sponsored children.

Sponsorship Saturday

Correspondence Package

While working on the letters about Thanksgiving I also found some lovely things to print for birthdays.  These paper dolls really caught my eye. I was excited to find India Friends clothing to send in the birthday folders for Samatha and Priti at this site.  There are a lot of “friends” available so I think I’ll be able to print the cultural clothing for each of our younger sponsored kids.

birthday folder

After printing the paper dolls I wondered how best to send them.  I was concerned about sending them uncut, not knowing if tools like scissors are readily available to the children.  So I laminated the pages whole (I did trim them to get two pages in one laminating pouch), then cut the pieces out.  I am sending a page of outline outfits for the children to color themselves if they want, and to cut or tear out if they desire.

There are pages of  various coloring pages at this site.  It will be fun to print different ones from time to time to send to the kids.  Another good idea might be to color a page myself and send it.  We’ll see if that happens, it is a good idea, but I’m not sure it is one I will act.

How about you?  What are you sending to your sponsored children?

 

 

Veteran’s Day

11 Tuesday Nov 2014

Posted by in Gratitude, Uncategorized

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This Veteran’s Day I want to repost an entry from 2010.

Veteran's Day, Dad

Dear Dad,

I want to tell you thank you.

All those years you served your country,

I now understand

That you also served your family, past, present and future,

Hoping to preserve the freedom to live…

To live a life free

To pursue life to the fullest.

It cost you greatly,

And us too,

But Dad, today

I simply want to thank you, and the many many others who have served, and serve today to preserve beauty, freedom and life.

My paternal Grandfather, WWII

My paternal Grandfather, WWII

Veteran's Day

Great Grandfather, WW1 Veteran

Veteran's Day

Great Great Grandfather, Civil War Veteran

 

Sparkle Gem Magnets

08 Saturday Nov 2014

Posted by in Craft Projects, Garden and Home, Uncategorized

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Sparkle Gem Magnets are so simple and inexpensive to make.  And I surprised myself how much this older mom/grandmother enjoys sprinkling glitter!  Earlier in October when I visited my dear sister in law,  she had put this craft together for the ladies to do during our busy bag swap.

After returning home I gathered the supplies and set everything out on one counter in our kitchen.  This way, anyone who wants to can pause for a few minutes and make a little sparkle gem to put on the fridge or to give as a small gift.

Here is what you need for this easy peasy quick craft:

 

Gem Magnets

Bag of Gems from the Dollar Tree

Gem Magnets

Glitter set from Dollar Tree

Gem Magnets

Confetti Glitter Set from Michaels (40% off coupon)

Gem Magnets

Clear Nail polish (Dollar Tree)

Gem Magnets

Strong small magnets & super glue (Joanns with 40% coupons!)

Now the super easy, fun instructions:

Sparkle Gem Magnets

On an easy to clean surface (I used paper plates) set out a couple of gems and choose the glitter colors you want to use.  Lay a gem rounded side on the plate and paint the flat side with clear nail polish.

Sparkle Gem Magnets

Clear polish on flat side of gem

Quickly before the polish dries, sprinkle a generous coating of your chosen glitter to cover the gem.

Sparkle Gem Magnets

Glitter!

Sparkle Gem Magnets

Let Dry

Let dry for 10 or so minutes.

Pick up the gem and examine it, turn it over and see how it looks through the rounded side.  If you see clear places, dot the clear polish there and sprinkle with glitter again.  Let it dry again.  Repeat this step if necessary.

Next, cover the glitter with a generous coating of the clear nail polish.  You can brush it on, but I find that the polish brush moves the glitter around quite a bit.

Sparkle Gem MagnetsI carefully pour a little puddle of the clear polish over the glitter and carefully spread it around with the brush.  Let dry 20 or 30 minutes.  You may need to let it dry longer.  Test by lightly testing with your finger for tacky polish.

When your final coat is dry, lay out a round magnet.  Cover one side of the magnet with super glue and stick it to the glittery side of your gem.

Sparkle Gem Magnets

Sparkle Gem Magnets

Tada!  There you have a Sparkle Gem Magnet!

Sparkle Gem Magnets

These pretty little accents will be part of our teacher gifts this holiday season.  What are your ideas for simple fun craft projects this fall?

 

This Moment ~ October’s End

07 Friday Nov 2014

Posted by in Celebrations, teens, Uncategorized, {This Moment}

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{this moment} ~ A Friday ritual. Photos capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Dr. Who

Companions

Trick or Treat

Fancy Bird

 

linking with Amanda