A Spirit of Gratitude: February 27

This Week I Am Thankful For:

Sleepy little boys

Chores completed

Trying new recipes

The grand baby snuggled up next to me watching Daniel Tiger

The offspring laughing together until they are out of breath

The Man of the House saying "I love you"

Waking up the the sound of rain falling outside

The cat "barking" at me

Homemade calzones

The male offspring showing concern and planning for his future

Cute, fast crochet projects

The Man of the House getting the smoker grill he wanted

My shadow beside me on the path as I walk

Crazy blue sky

Sun through the trees

The song of what seems like a million frogs

Using my walk as an opportunity to praise and worship the Lord

Talks with the female offspring

Falling apart, crumbly - but delicious - cake

New Etsy photos (and listings)

New To-Do Lists

The right song on the radio at just the right moment

The unexpected afternoon nap

Everyone home a little earlier than usual

Early morning workout (even though I didn't feel like doing it)

Seeing tenderness from the male offspring

Quick progress on projects

Bringing home pizza after guitar lesson

Sudden music as wind makes the wind chimes dance

Sun breaking through clouds

Linking up HERE

The Full Life

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." ~ John 10:10

Everyday, we have a choice to make:

* Will we let the enemy steal our joy and destroy our happiness?

*Or will we enjoy life to the full?

I want the full life promised by Jesus!

I want to laugh more, love more, risk more.

I don't want to look back in regret.  I want to only glance forward occassionally in anticipation.

And focus on the right now with joyfulness, getting full to the point of overflowing.

Linking Up HERE

This Is What Happens When...

... the grand baby gets a hold of the camera...

There were about 40 more of these gems on my memory card.  Some too dark to see anything, most all blurry, most containing a finger or two in the shot.  These are just the ones I chose to share with you.


And THIS is what happens when you take the camera away:

A Date A Month

This year for Valentine's Day I created a year of dates for the Man of the House. One date per month for the next 12 months.

I've been seeing ideas like this all over Pinterest and the bloggy world for a while and thought this would be this perfect gift for him.  (and really for both of us)

Added bonus: it accomplished Day 14 of The 14 Day Marriage Challenge!

Each month has a theme, such as: Hometown Tourists, Shakespeare in the Park, The Road Less Taken, Dinner and a Movie, etc. But what will the date involve?  He has to wait until that month to find out the details!  Some are things we enjoy doing together, or have been saying we want to do together.  Others are stay at home dates giving us a chance to relax and unwind.  All are inexpensive (or free!).

On individual note cards, I wrote out the plan for each date and then placed them in envelopes with the month written on them. He gets to open the envelope on the first of that month and pick the date he wants us to have our date night.

As the next 12 months come and go (probably far quicker than I would like to see them go), I hope to post a little about each month's theme and how the date worked out.

Did you create anything to give your significant other this year?  Tell us about it!

Linking Up HERE

The Mystery of the Yoga Pants

I like to think that on those rare occasions I wear my workout pants in public, it just gives me an air of mystery.  Making people wonder...

You know, in that "Is she really on her way to/from the gym, or was she just too lazy to put on real clothes today?" sort of way.

I'll be honest with you.  The answer is probably the second guess.  But I am going to make every effort to put out a vibe that it's actually the first.  Especially if you see me at the grocery store or Target. (And if I haven't seen you in a while - that is going to be the day we run into each other: my "I'm in my yoga pants with minimal makeup on at Target" day. It's just a sure thing) And I hope you'll make every effort to pretend you actually believe I must be on my way to or from working out and just had to pop into the store to pick up some urgently needed item.

But whatever you do, please don't ask me about it.  (Oh, are you on your way to the gym?) Because that is going to force me to either
A) lie straight to your face
      -or-
B) confess my lackadaisical approach to dressing that day.  Out loud.  In public.

Either way - it's just not cool.  Just. Not. Cool. So don't ask.

I prefer to keep an air of mystery about the whole thing.  Super healthy, multitasker? Or comfortable in my laziness? Only me and my workout pants know for sure.

Coming Soon: Character Cozies

Coming soon to Queen B's Busy Work: 

Mug cozies inspired by popular characters!

Available now through custom order request.

 

 Cozies will sell for $9.95 each, plus $3.00 shipping & handling.  Free shipping with additional items.

Well, Hello there Kitty!

Adventure Time - Jake

Minecraft Creeper

Dr Who - Tardis Inspired Cozy

You Are A Temple

No one builds a temple only to fill it with junk and leaving it neglected - lacking maintenance and upkeep.

They fill it with beautiful, carefully chosen pieces.  Things which will enhance it and add value to it. They keep the inside and outside clean, maintained and looking beautiful.

 A healthy body. Well nourished.  Lean. Well taken care of.  That is a temple fit for the Holy Spirit of God.

A Little Lace & Ribbon

I have had this little short sleeved cardigan which I picked up at the "Tar-jay" a couple of years ago.

It's loose and comfy.  But lately I've been feeling like it was a little 'meh' and hadn't been wearing it. I was on the very brink of getting rid of it forever.  When inspiration struck!

I hand sewed on some pretty lace just above the natural waistline.  Sewing along the edges to leave the middle open, I created a casing to run some ribbon through.

sorry these pics are terrible.  Wish you could see more detail on this!

A little lace, a little ribbon.  And a 'meh' sweater gets a nice new feminine touch. Just what it needed to encourage me to keep it around and get some more wear out of it!

Center of the Storm

Facing the storm,

I feel You beside me

Supporting me

Giving me strength.

I release my fears to You

And step forward 

Knowing even as You are with me now,
You can calm the storm.
You are in the center of it all.

photo credit: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=44439

Ready For Spring Flowers

My poor little toes have been begging for a fresh polish look for ... well, longer than I care to admit! My daughter created this cute bee design and painted it on my toe nails!

Now.. it just needs to warm up enough for this Queen B to wear some flip flops and show these off!

The 14 Day Marriage Challenge: Day Fourteen

Welcome to Day 14 of the 14 Day Marriage Challenge!

Congratulations! You have made it through the entire 14 day challenge!

The final challenge is: Date Night!

That's right - schedule a date night with your husband.  Just the two of you!  Since today is Valentine's Day, maybe you already have something special planned for this weekend. (yes, that counts!) If not, schedule some time for just the two of you in the next week or two.  Put it on the calendar and keep it!!

I know with kids and budget constraints, a night out on the town might not be possible.  But don't worry - there are tons of things you can do together at home, or for cheap (even free). There are tons and tons of ideas on the internet.  Here are a few links I have on my Pinterest board that might help you:

50 Things to do Together (other than watch a movie) http://whatyoumakeitblog.blogspot.ca/2013/08/50-things-to-do-other-than-movies.html?m=1

70 Date Night Ideas http://tynicaelyse.blogspot.fr/2013/08/70-date-ideas.html?m=1

100 Ways to Date Your Spouse http://www.mamaslikeme.com/2013/02/100-ways-to-date-your-spouse.html

Top 20 Stay at Home Date Night Ideas http://www.happywivesclub.com/top-20-stay-at-home-date-night-ideas/

I hope you'll take time to leave a comment and tell us what you're doing for date night!  Also, please let me know what you thought of the challenge and how it worked for you and your marriage. 

A Spirit of Gratitude: February 13

This Week I Am Thankful For:

A haircut for the male offspring

Welcome home kisses

Sun breaking through the clouds

A text from my sister making me laugh

A boost in Etsy views

The grand baby singing the Jake & the Neverland Pirates song

Recipes for no yeast pizza crust in a pinch

The female offspring making dinner

The grandbaby shadowing his "Pa-pa" all morning

Red velvet cookies

A Walk in the snow

Making the first footprints in a fresh snow

Snowflakes big and heavy they sound like rain falling

Snowflakes making ripples on the surface of the creek

Birds singing their snow song from the bushes

Grandbaby drinking milk from the cereal bowl - "just like uncle"

Crochet projects moving along

Watching old Disney movies with the grandbaby

Snowy days inside

Fresh baked bread

Homemade soup

The 14 Day Marriage Challenge: Day Thirteen

Welcome to Day 13 of the 14 Day Marriage Challenge!

Today's challenge is to Do Lunch!

Make your husband a lunch the night before or in the morning for him to take to work.  Or bring lunch to him. 

If he's home today, have a picnic.  Even if the weather is bad you can spread out a blanket and picnic indoors!