Closer to 50

Last week was my "half birthday".  You know, 6 months between one birthday and the next.  (Apparently, for some people that 's a thing.)  Even though I don't normally observe half birthdays - this seems like a good time to give an update on how I'm doing on my "Before 50"  list! 

 

1.  Finally lose that extra weight that I have been carrying

2.  Visit at least 1 new destination.

3.  Read at least 5 books I've never read before from this list
So far I have read:

•   Anna Karenina
•   Fahrenheit 451

  
4.  Be vegetarian for a month
We did this for two weeks, rather than a month.  I think the Man of the House and I could have gone the full month, and may still give that a go later this year.  But after going along for two weeks, the Male Offspring was ready for some meat-based protein.  

  
5.  Take one of the specialty tours at Biltmore

  
6.  Join a crochet/knitting group

 7.  Learn to meditate
I used "The Basics" on Headspace to help me get started. After that I switched to an app called Insight Timer for another series on meditation basics and now use it as a timer for most of my meditation sessions. I like that the timer includes options for nice ambient sounds and bells. Occasionally, I use a Christian meditation app, Reflect, for some Scripture focused meditation.   I practice meditating several days a week and I am really enjoying the quiet time to give my mind and spirit a chance to clear out and refresh.  

  
8.  See a play (or two. I adore live theatre and don't know why I don't go more often)

  
9.  Get my office organized once and for all

10.  Take a yoga class

11.  Get a really good haircut by a curly hair specialist

12.  Go to a movie by myself

13.  Go to bed super early and get up super early for one week.  Or a  month.
I tried to do this last week, but life got in the way and I never seemed to make it into bed until 10pm every night.  So, now this week is the week!

14.  Send postcards whenever I go out of town or visit somewhere new

15.  Overcome my fear of heights

Enjoy a Cuppa

After a week of roller coaster weather here in western North Carolina (70 degrees one day, 39 the next), winter has again taken control.  It's cold, with an expected wintry mix of rain, ice and snow.  The perfect day to stay inside and sip a lovely cup of hot tea.  

The timing couldn't be better, since today is National Hot Tea Day!

Legend has it that Shennong, an ancient Chinese leader, was drinking a bowl of boiled water when a few leaves blew into his bowl.  This colored the water and gave it a flavor he greatly enjoyed.  Another legend is that while testing various herbs on himself for medicinal properties, he discovered that tea worked as an antidote when he consumed a poisonous plant.   

There is written evidence that emperor's of the Han Dynasty were drinking tea as early as 59 B.C.  At the time, tea was considered a luxury beverage - today it is the 2nd most consumed beverage in the world, second only to water. 

Whether you prefer black, green, white or oolong tea (all which come from the same plant  Camellia Sinensis), there are many benefits to drinking tea:

• Tea is high in antioxidants
• It's an all natural, calorie free, sugar free drink (until you start adding embellishments to it)
• Research shows it may reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases
• It may aid in digestion and assist with weight loss 
• A cup of black tea each day may reduce your risk of cavities and gum disease
• Green tea may help increase bone density
  

Heart coasters available at Queen B's Busy Work

Just over a year ago, I had the pleasure of visiting the only working tea plantation in North America - the Charleston Tea Plantation on Wadmalaw Island a few miles south of Charleston, South Carolina. I found the tour entertaining and educational.  Even the Man of the House enjoyed it!  If you are ever in the area - I encourage you to visit.

Until then, brew yourself a cup - or an entire pot - to enjoy today.  

Sunday Inspiration: Better Things Ahead

A Spirit of Gratitude: December 27

I Am Thankful For:

Last minute orders
Sugar cookies with frosting
A fat little squirrel outside my window
Christmas shopping done
Doing crafts with the grand kid
The last Christmas order completed
Watching Christmas specials
Watching the cat play with his tail
The Male Offspring's new car
The beginning of Christmas break
Ordering new living room furniture
Afternoon naps
The Man of the House wrapping presents
Family Christmas celebration
Yummy Christmas treats
"A Christmas Story"
Lazy Christmas day

Merry Christmas

Wishing you and yours the love, peace and joy of Christmas

Sunday Inspiration: Perhaps

A Spirit of Gratitude: December 20

I Am Thankful For:
Just a little more snow
An extended weekend thanks to the weather
Saving a sparrow
Taco Tuesday
The neighbor's snowman
Listing to melting snow drip off the roof
The cat's extra enthusiastic purring when he gets brushed
Getting out for the first time after the storm
Ordering a medium coffee and they give you a large
Foggy days
Finding an awesome deal
Christmas shopping with the Man of the House
The Male Offspring made dinner
An exciting conclusion to the football game
Watching the Sound of Music

What About Love? (One Word in Review)

As some of you may remember, my One Word for 2018 has been LOVE.  And what a year it has been!!

I feel as if I have learned so much about love this year... and that I still have so very much more to learn.

I've learned that the greatest commandment is to Love.  Jesus said it Himself:

I believe that every little thing in the Gospels comes down to this - God loves us.  So much more than we can ever even begin to fully understand.  As a response to that kind of Love,  we should love Him.  And as a result we should also love others.  

I've learned that it's not about who loves you, but who (whom?) you love.  We are supposed to love everyone.  Not just the people that love us.  Not just the people who look like us.  Or think like us.  Or live where we live.  Or vote the way we vote.  Or dress the way we think they should dress. Or act the way we think they are supposed to act.   Or look the way we think they should look.

EVERYONE.  Period.

We are told to love others as we want to be treated.  Not as we are treated.  Not as we think they deserve to be treated.

We are even told to love our enemies.  The people who are mean to us.  Who are hateful. Who hurt us and/or others.  (Admittedly, that's a hard pill to swallow.  I'm still working on that one and I confess that I have a very very long way to go.)

I've learned that we can't really love others until we love ourselves.  And we can't really love ourselves until we love God, and realize how much He loves us.  It's only through seeing ourselves as He sees us that we can really love who we are.  Then, as we learn that He loves everyone this way and to see others as He sees them - we can learn to love them as he does.

I've come to believe that love really is the answer.  If everyone truly loved others.  If we were all kind to everyone else.  If we took care of others from a place of love.  If we were generous and thoughtful and loving...  then everyone would feel worthwhile.  No one would feel lonely.  Or meaningless.  Or angry.

I could go on and on.  I believe I could spend year after year in this word alone and never learn everything there is to learn about God's Love for us and how He wants us to love others.  However, I already feel as if I am being pointed to a new word for 2019.  And we'll discuss that one soon.

Until then... Love one another.

Sunday Inspiration: Christmas Gifts

A Spirit of Gratitude: December 13

I Am Thankful For:
Orders - new and shipped
Tea and cookies
Making the Man of the House laugh
Good books
Donuts and coffee
Snow flurries
Getting to drive the Man of the House to the dentist
A wedding date has been set
A good cry
Getting out of the house for a while before the storm
Watching snow fall
Staying up way past my bedtime
The power didn't go out
Light-hearted football trash talk
Hot cocoa with lots of marshmallows

Trapped!!

I saved a bird yesterday.

Granted, it was only in the predicament it was in because of me.  But still... I saved it.

As I was sitting at the table, writing in journal during my morning quiet time and drinking coffee - I heard an odd noise.  At first, I thought it was some snow or ice sliding off the roof or the gutters.  But when the noise would pause for a moment or two and then start back up - I got curious.

I peeked out the sliding door and, to my horror, I realized that a sparrow was caught inside my mason jar bird feeder!

My best guess is that because the feeder was just about empty, he must have been reaching for some remaining seed and was just small enough to slip inside one of the portals for feeding. Once inside, he couldn't figure how to maneuver himself (herself? I've just been assuming it's a male) back out. 

I quickly took down the feeder and opened it to release my poor feathered friend back into the wild.

I'm just so grateful I was here and close enough to hear it before he hurt himself.  Or worse.

Note to Self:  Keep feeder filled, or bring inside, from now on!

The "Shop Small" Christmas Gift Guide

The Christmas gift-giving season is in full swing.  Maybe you're one of those people who has all their shopping done before Black Friday even arrives.  But if you're like me and still have lots and lots of shopping left to be done - I'm here to help!

Sure, you could go to one of the big box stores, or order online from that mega website with the smile on their boxes.  Or... you could think outside the big box.  Shop small this year.  

Have you seen the meme that say "Every time you shop from a small business, an actual person does a little happy dance"?  Well, as a small business owner I can tell you - it's TRUE!  Not only that, but when you shop from a handmade business, you're giving a gift that was made with lots of love. 

Which is exactly why I have created the "Shop Small" Gift Guide for 2018:

Gifts for the Disney Enthusiast:

Coconut Cuties Tie Dye has a wide selection of amazing tie dye clothing for everyone in the family.  But, my favorite has to be her Mouse Head shirts.  They're perfect for anyone you know who loves the Magic Kingdom.  (or as a fun item to take on your own Disney vacation)

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CoconutCutiesTieDye?section_id=19266834

Gifts for the Bibliophile:

Yes, you could always give this person another book.  Or a gift certificate to their favorite book store.  But you could be a little more creative this year and give them a tshirt or tote bag based on their favorite classic from Literary Book Gifts! Any avid reader would love to find one (or more) of these unique designs under their tree this year.  

You can use code ReallyReallyRealHousewives20 for 20% off anything in the store  - no minimum purchase required, and the code does not expire.

https://literarybookgifts.com/

Gifts for Mom and Dad:

From sculptures, to sun catchers, to jewelry - The Twisted Tree of Life, creates some of the most beautiful tree of life items you'll find anywhere! Dawn creates each item by hand, so you know you are giving something just as unique as the recipient. 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheTwistedTreeOfLife

Gifts for the Fandom:

Whether it's Sci-Fi or comic books - the Tat2dquilter has handcrafted monkeys they are sure to love!  Aquaman? Check.  Star Fleet?  Yep!  Even a Weeping Angel from Dr Who.  (which I can't decide is adorable or if it scares the bejeebers out of me! I just know I don't want to blink whenever I see it.)  

If the fandom monkeys aren't your thing - there are also some really cool bears make out of recycled t-shirts!

https://www.tat2dquilter.com/

Gifts for the Hostess with the Most-est:

Know someone who loves hosting parties, dinners, pot lucks and get togethers?  Don't show up empty handed!  Bring him or her one of these wonderful holiday kitchen towels crafted by Stitched by Jill!

Use code SBJ10 for 10% off your order!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/stitchedbyjill

Gifts for the Crocheter:

The yarn fanatic is going to be thrilled to receive one of these beautiful ergonomic crochet hooks by Pink Plumeria Maui ! The handles are handcrafted with polymer clay and glazed for shine & durability.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/PinkPlumeriaMaui/

Gifts for the Water Baby:

Give your bath loving friend something wonderful – and skip the mall! Laughing Mermaid Soap has a wide variety of handcrafted soaps, body products, and unique gift items. Whether it's a beautiful bar of soap, a set of bath bombs, or some hemp lip balm – you'll find something to please your favorite water-logged friend.

https://thelaughingmermaid.com/

Gifts for the Fixer Upper:

If she's not watching HGTV, she's on Pinterest searching for her next DIY project. She says things like “Joanna Gaines is my spirit animal”. And tanyas_cricut_boutique has the perfect gift for her! Check out the adorable selection of t-shirts for your fixer upper friend.

Use code GRANDOPENING for 10% off your first order!

They also have some fun holiday shirts, inspirational quotes, and baby/todder apparel.

https://tanyas-cricut-boutique.myshopify.com/

Gifts for the Color Obsessed:

ColorCuriosity is just starting out on Etsy and is the very definition of “small” (for now!) But they have beautiful marbled ornaments for your colorful friend. 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/ColorCuriosity

Through December 20th - use code REALITYBLOG20 and receive 20% off your order.  (Excludes custom orders)

I hope this has helped you find some gift ideas for the people on your list!  Who are your favorite makers and/or small businesses for holiday shopping?  Share them in the comments!