A cute clip tutorial...

I'm trying to accomplish making headbands for these 4 girls. I still have the actual headband part to make.

But, I did make these really cute sunflower clips to go on the headbands.

Here's how (just a warning, these pictures aren't great...I took them while sitting on my living room floor last night...):

1. Gather your supplies. You will need silk flowers, a hot glue gun and sticks, alligator clips, ribbon, and felt.
2. Deconstruct your flowers and leaves by pulling them off the stems and pulling the plastic pieces that hold them together apart. I used 3 sunflowers to make one clip. Each flower had 2 "flowers" (layers, really) so it, to my clips have 6 layers.
3. Cut a piece of ribbon long enough to wrap entirely around the clip and hot glue it on.
4. Put a ring of hot glue around the first layer and place the second on top. Continue until all layers are glued together.
5. Cut the stem of the center off and hot glue it on. Here's the before and after. If this happens, just glue the pieces back together.
6. Glue the leaves onto the bottom so you can see them poking out.
7. Cut a piece of felt to fit onto your clip and glue it on.
8. Now, glue the entire flower onto your felt piece.
9. Attach to your hair (this is a picture of it in my hair, even though it's for Norah's headband) or a headband or whatever!

Never-ending Lateness

MHR is a whole week late...and on time for this week.

Last week for MHR, Mike and I went to his little brother's football game. We had a great time. He rocks because he makes it always fun to be together.

And for this week, Mike rocks because he understands how to tolerate my creativeness. He said to me the other day about how the house becomes such a mess. It's because I start 5 different projects at once and don't finish any of them before I start the next. For example, I started writing Christmas cards, finishing a dresser, and making headbands for 4 cute girls all while baking. He knows that's just how it is and lets it go to a certain point. Then, when I'm done, he knows he'll get his house back together.

Frugal Finds: Goodwill

Today's trip to the local Goodwill was wonderful. For once, I finally found nice things at reasonable prices.

I usually go by myself (with N) or with my sister-in-law and niece. Today I got to go with my mom and aunt.

So, here's what I found...

2 novels by Emily Giffin. (I have them both and bought them for my mom. They were $0.97 each and were 50% off!)
A colors book for N. (It was $0.47 and was 50% off!)
2 glass globes for decorating. I think I may want to put bases on them but I'm not sure yet. (They were $0.97 each.)
3 hardwood boards that looked like they were mattes from pictures. I'm not sure what I'm gonna do with them yet. I know I want to make some sort of wall art. If you have any suggestions, let me know in a comment below. (They were $0.47)
A dress for N to wear visiting Santa. (It was my most expensive purchase at Goodwill today. It was $3.50.)
A stack of vellum for scrapbooking. There were probably 20 sheets there. (They were $0.97 for the stack.)

Total: $9 and change including sales tax. Not too bad...

How Lily Relates To Me And My God

Last week, my Lily was lost for about 7 hours.

She got out in the rain. Poor girl.

But, when she was returned home to us, the joy in my heart reminded me of the Bible story of the prodigal son found in Luke 15.

You see, this son wanted his inheritance. He didn't care that his father was still alive and well. He wanted his money in order to live the fast life and enjoy the spoils of the world.

His brother, meanwhile, stayed at home with the father and helped cultivate the land.

It ended up that the son that took his money blew it all. He had to live and eat with the pigs.

He decided to go home because he knew his father hired servants and fed them well. He thought that just maybe, even after the way he treated his father, he could become a hired servant in his family's home.

When he was on the way home, his father saw him and took compassion on him. When the son apologized and asked to be made a servant, his father was even more filled with compassion and put him in his best robes. He made him his son again.

Now, if you know the story, you know that the other son was angered by this...but that's not where I'm going with this story.

Where I'm going with this is that I was happy when Lily came home. When she was found. I didn't care what happened, I only cared that she was home.

Then I realized, that's how my God is. He doesn't care what I've done or where I've been. He only cares that I've come to my senses, asked His forgiveness, and come home. He's gonna take care of me, even when I blow Him off.

I'm in complete awe that God would do that for me. Of what consequence am I that He would even think about taking me back when He could spend His time on better things? Thankfully, I've got a compassionate God to take care of me!

Photo Giveaway Winner

Beth won the photo shoot giveaway.

I just thought I'd share some pictures of her and her family.

On Time! Wah-hoo!

This week was my birthday week. And, I love birthdays! I love celebrating and gift-giving. To me, birthdays are a BIG deal.

Mike is great! He made dinner 4 nights in a row! And, for my birthday, he made breakfast, lunch and dinner!

And again...

I get so tired of these MHR post titles. I can only name them so many different ways before I go bonkers.

Anyway... My hunny bunny is wonderful. I love him so much. Mike has a hard time making up his mind about anything. Anything from "What would you like for dinner?" to "What is the one place you want to visit before you die?" is up for debate and his famous "I don't care."

This past week, he decided to put all of his birthday money towards the new XBox 360 Kinect. And he loves it (and I love it!) He got it because he liked the idea of the technology and that I might be more willing to play it with him. He's awesome!

Frugal Finds: Dollar Tree Decor

I've seen this craft all over blogland, so it's about time I gave it a try. Actually, I did it a few days ago, and only just now got around to posting about it.

So, here goes!

I stopped by the Dollar Tree and bought 4 glass hurricanes. 2 were small and 2 were big. I also bought 4 glass candle sticks. 2 were small and came in a pack of 2 and 2 were big.So, my total was $7 plus tax.

4 hurricanes.....$4
4 candlesticks...$3
----------------------
total..................$7

Next, when I went to Walmart, I bought a tube of Gorilla Glue (use the instructions below for the small tube that dries in 2 times faster and dries white...or else follow instructions for a different type of glue).
Now, for the tutorial...

• Wipe the bottom of the hurricanes clean after removing the stickers. I used Goo Gone.
• Find the center of the hurricanes and the candle sticks, make sure they sit squarely together before gluing.
• Next, slightly dampen the bottom of the hurricane.
• Make a very thin layer of Gorilla Glue along the ridge of the candle stick that will sit against the hurricane.
• Set a heavy book on top of your new decor piece and allow to dry overnight.
• When the piece is dry, scrape away with a knife all of the excess glue that came out, since the glue expands. (Didn't that come out dutchy!)
• Fill with decorations and place in it's new home!

That's it! Super easy and beautiful!

And CHEAP!

Being the wife God has created me to be...

WARNING: This is a bit of a long post. I apologize. But, please read you...you'll find yourself blessed by these words if you listen to them in your heart of hearts.

I am on a journey to achieve at goal.

My goal is to be more like the Proverbs 31 woman. A virtuous woman who cares for her family. After all, my life verse is Proverbs 31:29. In the King James, it says,
"Many daughters have done virtuously,
but thou excellest them all."

If you've never met this woman, here she is. Straight from Proverbs 31 (NIV).

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

¹⁰ ^b]">[b]A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
¹³ She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Let me just highlight a few points about her; things that I admire.

1. Her husband has full confidence in her. This means he trusts her judgment and the way she does things around her home and her skills in raising a family.
2. She works with eager hands. She's not afraid to go to work providing for her family. She does what needs to be done and doesn't begrudge doing it.
3. She sets about her work vigorously. This verse also says that her arms are strong for her jobs. She does what is dependent upon her to do and she is strong, healthy and energetic for it. She goes into her work with 100%
4. She opens her arms to the poor. This woman helps those around her in need. She is willing to give of herself to people less fortunate.
   
5. Her husband is respected at the city gate. He is looked up to. He knows his success is because of how well taken care of he is by his wife.
6. She speaks with wisdom. She is seasoned by her life and takes the time to consider what she is going to say before she says it. She doesn't just blurt out the first thing to cross her mind but considers the consequences of her words and the effect it will have on the situation and on others.
7. She watches over the affairs of her household. This verse also says that she doesn't eat the bread of idleness. She is not lazy and doesn't loaf around all day. She wakes up with a task and quickly sets about doing it. She manages her family and all the things they need to accomplish too.
   
8. Her children arise and call her blessed. So does her husband. They know that the woman they have is one to be honored for her works and her compassion. They feel that she is above all other women. She is praised by them for her works.

I want to be this woman. I want all of these things for my family. The importance of a strong female presence in the house is vital for my family. I am responsible to clothe my family; to prepare a table for them; to uplift my husband with honor and compassion; to teach my children giving and compassion for others; to be wise in my choices about everything since I am making them for my family and not just myself; to be eager in accomplishing my tasks at home and at work; to be strong for the tasks laid ahead of me; to be supportive of my husband so he can receive praise from his peers for his accomplishments. I've started on this journey by learning to prepare menus for the week ahead; making sure I start dinner so we eat at a reasonable time (and get meat out of the freezer ahead of time); learning to sew and bake; preparing things that my husband enjoys; accomplishing household tasks like laundry, cleaning, dishes, mopping, etc.; decorating my house and keeping it clean so it is pleasing to they eyes; going to my day job with a happy heart; making time for one-on-one time with my husband.

This passage doesn't deceive me for a moment, however, that this woman isn't doing all of this first and foremost for her husband. She is putting him and his needs ahead of her own. While she cares for her children and raises them with faithful instruction, she puts her husband first. She also knows that by raising her family in this manor, it will ultimately reflect positively on her husband, while teaching her sons to find wives that will build them up and her daughters to build their husbands up. Please don't get me wrong, I love my daughter with my entire heart. I just love my husband more. Wives cannot be afraid to love their spouses more than their children. After all, wives are called to put their husbands first. Please also don't think that this means that wives should not protect their children (even in a situation where they may need protection from the husband). It's a fine line to a woman's heart.

I want to encourage you to find out the kind of woman God is calling you to be (if you don't already know) and to seek to make yourself into this woman.

Dear God, Please bless the woman reading this. I may not know her name, I may have met her a hundred times. I don't know. But, I do know that you have a plan for her life and for her as a wife. Please build her up in that role and let her know that she is bringing honor to her husband and herself. Please also bless the man reading this. I may not know him, either. But, help him to find a wife who is being or learning to be who you have called her to be, or help him build up his wife so she can support him. You are awesome and can do all things. I know that this is no difficult task for you. In your wonderful name I pray, Amen.

Send up a prayer for the others reading this post, please. And post a comment on how you build up your spouse or a prayer for others.

Frugal Finds: Meat

Despite my pledge to buy only meat from the local farmers' market open on only Fridays, I went to the freezer to find out we were out of venison (the preferred meat in this household). I hadn't realized that we were out because my wonderful hubby usually runs to the big freezer in the basement for me. Ground venison (really, any venison) is lean and cooks well, without leaving too much of a wild game taste. So, off I went to my local Weis Markets. And this is what I found!

When I do buy burger, I buy extra lean, especially since we are so used to venison. I would have to say that this past year, about 50% of our ground meat consumption was deer meat (venison). Too much fat makes us both feel sick.

I could have kicked myself now for not buying more than 3 lbs. That will only last us 2 weeks.

But, if you're in the Ephrata area and are in need of some extra lean ground beef, hit up Weis Markets. Be sure to bring your club card.

I'll be using it tonight to make Paula Deen's Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf. YUM!