Peel hard-boiled eggs easy-peasy

Okay, okay…that sounded a little hokey, but check this out…

I am thinking ahead to Easter and making deviled eggs. We eat organic, cage-free eggs (cause they taste the best), but once boiled they can be hard to peel. Well, I came across this genius tip for brain-damage-free peeling…seriously, it will change your life! I had to try it out just to be sure it would work as well as she claimed.

Easy Peel Hard-Boiled Eggs from The Cozy Old Farmhouse

Parker was being awfully quiet…too quiet. I found her in the tub with pillows, blankets, stuffed animals and her Kindle. She said she needed “some alone time”.

“Alone Time”

Um, I hope the tub was clean…

It’s called Plum Crazy Purple

Here it is…the 1972 Dodge Charger back from restoration! Warning to all the car purest: it was not restored to original factory specs. This is our little “fun” car.

****BEFORE****

Glenn bought his ’72 Charger in the fall of 2006 from a dealer on Ebay. The dealer was located in South Carolina, so we had to arrange for the car to be delivered via trailer. He got the Charger for $6,800 plus $800 for shipping. A real bargain! The car needed a lot of work though. It had rust, the interior needed to be redone, and the passenger side door was crush from where a deer hit it. Glenn waited 3 long weeks for the delivery and walked 2 miles to meet the driver at a local mall to drive his “new” car home.

****AFTER****

Although when we purchased the car it was painted Plum Crazy Purple, we discovered that was not the original color. It was Banana Boat Yellow. We decided to keep it Purple.

Car Guy Details: 383 motor, 9.25 inch police interceptor rear end with sway bar, air shocks, custom 6-way electric seats including a fully redone interior, custom rear wing, custom billboard graphics, & pistol grip shifter.

Custom 383 billboards in satin black paint.

Custom Dodge Scat Pack decal on hood.

When hubby bought these seats, they were white. Jack (a.k.a. resoration guru) used a fabric paint to change the color to black. He painted the metal Charger emblem red and mounted one in each seat to carry the red throughout the car.

Custom wing. Don’t hate us for it…

There is probably a lot of details I am leaving out…but that is it in a nutshell. And hubby has a punch list of things he still wants to complete or add to the car. Good thing we built a garage for the Charger sleep!

Give Thanks Project

Every year we create a project to “give thanks” in November. Not that we aren’t thankful all year long. But, November is a good time to reflect and be mindful of what we have before the “I wants” of the holiday season begin.

Using small gifts bags, decorate with stickers, bling and ribbon. (“Be Thankful” stickers and coordinating “Give Thanks” banner from Michael’s.)

Hang in a prominent area of your home. If I had a fireplace these would be hung on the hearth. Instead, we hung this in the dining room where the kids usually hang their artwork from school.

Cut leaf shapes from cardstock in autumn colors. Every day in the month of November write something you are thankful for. The autumn moon, the warm weather, Grandma coming to visit…there is so much to be thankful for.

Shhhh, don’t tell anyone what you wrote. Then, put the “thankful leaves” in your bag. On Thanksgiving open your bag and read out loud all that you were thankful for this month.

**********

It’s never too late to join in the “November Joy Dare”.

Sunsets and frozen yogurt.

So, I haven’t used my camera in a while. Just not in the mood I guess. On Thursday it was usually warm here in Denver. 70 degrees warm. I took my camera and the girls to the park just before sunset. Gorgeous!

I love living in Colorado.

I slept for 12 hours this weekend. Don’t judge. Obviously I needed the sleep.

One happy 5-year-old!

I treated the girls to Smart Cow Yogurt Bar today. They have been craving Smart Cow all winter. If you haven’t the pleasure of having one in your town, let me explain. It’s not the old frozen yogurt shop of the 80s… It’s a frozen yogurt bar gone cool. When you enter the door, you grab a cup and fill it with any flavor of frozen yogurt that your taste buds desire. Go simple and classic with Tahitian Vanilla and Dark Chocolate or go crazy with flavors like Pomegranate, Thin Mint Chocolate, Birthday Cake, or Red Velvet Cupcake.  The price is based upon how much the cup weighs; and they give back a portion of sales to local schools (so cool!). Parker loves Watermelon with gummy bears.

Sitting on the modern sofas watching the Disney Channel (ugh!). A little NatGeo wouldn't kill ya, Smart Cow.

They offer any topping you could ever want including fresh fruit. Alex’s favorite is cookies and cream. But today, they were out, so she went with Tahitian vanilla with cookies on top…and gummy bears. I choose the peppermint, chocolate mint and a little vanilla, and chocolate sprinkles. Yummy!

I want to take one of those little white chairs home with me! (Source: Yelp!)

In the summer months they will open the garage door and we sit at the bar and let the cool breeze blow on us.

Tonight: We’ll be veggin’ on the couch watching Frozen Planet on Discovery Channel.

Dog collar with bling

I got this super cute dog collar in the mail from my step-mom today. She hand sews these glass beads onto the collars. This is the perfect amount of bling for our poodle, Rocco. He looks so fierce, don’t you think. Thanks Kathleen!

Wouldn’t it be fun to live here?

Look What I Made…

Way back last winter, Glenn brought home 4 solid wood doors that a client was throwing out. For free. The thought was that we could replace our ugly hollow wood doors with beautiful solid wood doors. It was a nice thought…not one of the doors would work! {sigh.}

After these doors sat outside over the winter, a light bulb went on (in my head). Why not re-purpose the doors into headboards for the girls’ room?

I will admit that I have brilliant ideas all the time but I don’t have the skills to pull it off. I wish I was handy this way. I wish I could see things for more than what they were originally used for and then turn it into something spectacular. But I can’t.

I love my hand-held drill but this is reserved for minor drilling of holes and inserting of a screw around the house. I hate sanding. I hate prepping wood with primer. I don’t like power tools, mainly table saws…that’s why I married a handy guy.  Needless to say, I procrastination and this weekend project took me 3 months to complete. Yes, 3-whole-months!

Stop laughing.

Alex's headboard

Parker's headboard

I chose to go simple. No molding. Silver spray paint that I had in the garage for the door knob. A little bit of paint on the doors. All pieces where used from the door, including the posts. I measured and Glenn (happily?) cut all the pieces down for me with the table saw. I offered to do it myself, but I think he was afraid I would end up with one less hand!

I got inspiration from here, here and here.

one thousand gifts

Surf around the blog world and it won’t take you long to see that just about everyone is writing about the book “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp. I really want to read this book but, I have 2 books on my nightstand that I am still trying to get through (it’s been a challenge). I feel I need to try to finish those books before reading this one. I hate when I have high hopes of a book and then I get half way through and have no desire to finish it. {sigh} Not to mention I have recommitted myself in to finishing the Bible workbook on Proverbs. There just isn’t enough time in the day for all I want to read!

As if that isn’t enough, I have joined “blog for books” (I will tell you more about that later). Basically, I get free books and all I have to do is write an honest review. I can do that. Besides, who doesn’t like free books? My first book is on its way to me…so first that book, then maybe this book.

Until then, I found a free excerpt download from Scribd. After reading the first chapter I am putting this book at the top of my must read list today! Have you or are you reading the book? What do you think about it?

Just from reading the first chapter I am hooked. The message? Life is a gift from God. Although you may not “see” the gifts, they are there. You may not understand the reasons for events (even tragic events) that happen in your life, they are not for you to understand.

I haven’t been this excited about reading a book in a long time. Can’t wait to delve into it.

forget resolutions…instead focus on ONE LITTLE WORD

I am not a fan of New Year’s resolutions. All too often we make a resolution of kicking our caffeine habit…losing weight…eating less junk food…or whatever. We do alright at first. Maybe even last a few months but by March we fall back into our old habits again. I like the idea instead of picking one little word for the year and allowing that to be my focus.

Resolutions are too vague. I’ve read that one-third of us who make a “resolution” for the new year dump it within 2 weeks and 50% of the rest say “forget about it” within 2 months. Besides, you can start a diet any day of the week, or any time of the year. For 3 years now I have chosen “one word” rather than make a resolution.

The idea behind the one little word concept is to give yourself something to focus on throughout the year…”A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow.”

This concept is totally from Ali Edwards. I have found this works much better for me than resolutions.

In 2009 my one word was “be”, as in “just be in the moment.” I struggled with being in the moment at first. It had to be a conscious decision and I still remind myself of it today. It’s not a trait that comes naturally to me.

In 2010 my one word was “faith”. I think I did pretty well with that this year. I renewed my faith and continued reading the Bible. I still have many more Books to read but “it’s the journey, not the destination” or “it’s a long road, but the reward is great.” However you want to look at it, I will still be working on faith throughout my life.

For 2011 my one word is “nourish”. I originally chose “health” as my one word. I had a bit of a health scare this past month and that word is definitely on my mind right now as I go for more follow-up exams at the doctor office. Low Thyroid and  “Disordered Prolifertive Endometrium” (or I like to say: a dysfunctional uterus). Both are something that must be dealt with but are manageable.

“Health” became too vague of a word. For me, it’s more than that, it’s being more mindful of what we, as a family, are putting into our bodies, minds and souls. Yes, I am dragging my family into this too. Some of them are kicking and screaming. So, I thought a lot about it and came up with “nourish” as my word. It encompasses my whole feeling of what I want this upcoming year to be. For my mind. For my body. For my soul.

I have been reading more about “whole eating” or natural eating. A blog I really like is 100 Days of Real Food. The challenge is to eat only “real” food. No prepackaged meals. No junk food. No soft drinks. No fast food or take out, unless you know what is in it, which let’s be honest…how can you really know? Fast food restaurants bill their food as “healthy” when it has more fat and calories than their cheeseburger meal. Tough. Anyway, I am not interested in being extreme about eating, I just want to be more mindful. I don’t want to be a dictator about food, especially with my girls. I want to make smarter choices for each meal. And I want my children (and hubby) to grow up to be more mindful of food. Eat to live, ya know. Another part of the goal is to start practicing yoga again. It’s good for the body, as well as the mind. And of course, continue to feed our spiritual souls.

So, what’s your “one little word” for 2011? What do you want to accomplish or focus on in the coming year? I challenge you to create something, anything that will help you focus on your word in the coming year. Maybe I should post my word on the fridge…

Flourishes on the above “nourish” sign from http://www.designsbyanita.blogspot.com

live joyfully.

So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun. Ecclesiastes 8:14-16

Thoughts on living joyfully:

• Honor your heart. Honor your mind. Honor your body. Honor your soul.
• Live what you believe and you will never make a wrong decision.
• Love will last forever. Give it freely without fear of being hurt.
• Give. Be generous. Share what you can with others. Help others in need.
• Laugh like you did when you were a kid. Do it often.
• Practice gratitude. Often.
• Humility doesn’t hurt.
• Say “no” to things you really don’t want to do.
• Say “yes” to the things that really matter.
• Unload what you don’t need. Give it away. It will set you free.
• Give yourself a break. Perfection is boring.
• Play. Create. Get messy.
• Clean up the clutter. Lighten your load.
• Celebrate the little things.
• Be kind. Be respectful. Be sympathetic.
• Whatever you do, do it well. No job is too small.
• Make time everyday for the Lord. Talk. Pray. Embrace.
• Let go of the hurt. Let go of the sadness. Let it all go. Give it all to Him.
• Have faith. Everyday.

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December Daily Layouts:

december daily - 25 days of advent - day 23

december daily - 25 days of advent - day 8 and 15

Inside the God Box - Just read it…and have some Kleenex ready!