Resolutions of 2011!

Happy New Years!!
A lot of people don't like New Year's resolutions but I do.  These are mine for 2011...
1.  Run 1000 Miles
2.  Read 12 Books
3.  Write a bucket list
4.  Only eat 2 sweets a week
5.  Go on at least 9 weekend/day trips
6.  Only watch 4 hours of TV/shows a week
7.  Improve rock climbing skills

DIY Christmas Gift 13

Make your own picture frames!  The ideas are endless...

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,
   an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
   and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
   and the mountains quake with their surging.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
   the holy place where the Most High dwells. 
God is within her, she will not fall;
   God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
   he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The LORD Almighty is with us;
   the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come and see what the LORD has done,
   the desolations he has brought on the earth. 
He makes wars cease
   to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
   he burns the shields with fire.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
   I will be exalted among the nations,
   I will be exalted in the earth.”
The LORD Almighty is with us; 
   the God of Jacob is our fortress.

DIY Christmas Gift 12

This is a fun gift for kids and thought I would post it.  
HAT AND MITTENS!
It wouldn't be spin to describe this craft as ridiculously easy. Although in some ways that's exactly what you do with a Knitwit: spin (well, wrap) thread around a circular or square-shaped tool to create loopy rosettes. Rendered with luxurious yarns such as mohair, these florets look decidedly modern. 
To determine how much yarn you'll need per rosette, follow this rule of thumb: Winding once around the tool requires two yards, winding twice requires three yards, and so on. The Knitwit kit ($20, knitwit.com) comes with instructions, so we've limited the how-tos to our modifications.The basic technique involves wrapping the yarn and then twisting the tool's stem to release the floret with a satisfying pop. 
Hat and Mittens How-ToMake your little one's winter wear even cozier with rosettes. These call for angora, wrapped three times each. To attach them as earflaps, first put on the hat (high on the head). Hold the rosettes to cover the ears, and mark the position. Use the same yarn and a needle to stitch the earflaps to the hat. To embellish the mittens, affix florets at their centers and at each knot (you'll know where they are from the Knitwit instructions) around the perimeter.
Editor's Tip Creating these blossomlike designs calls for a different kind of holiday wrapping. Wind thread around a Knitwit, knotting at each loop with a needle. For thicker yarn, use a tapestry needle; for thinner, a sewing one. To alter the "pattern," play with thread type and the number of times it's wound around the tool.

DIY Christmas Gift 11

Polka-Dot Pillows      Trace a glass, compact disc, or quarter or silver dollar; or use your computer to make paper patterns for circles of different sizes. Cut out patterns, pin to the fabric, and every polka dot will be perfect.

Use a whipstitch around the edge of fabric that won't unravel, such as the wool felt dots seen here.

5K Training

I thought i'd post the 5K running schedule that I am going to begin on sunday.  You should try it with me if running is something you are interested in and just don't know where to start!

DIY Christmas Gift 10

I am sorry this is a bit late but I hope you still enjoy :)
Striped Soaps How-To
1. Melt the glycerin according to the package instructions, using 1/4 cup at a time.
2. Stir in a drop of peppermint oil (available at most health-food stores) with a plastic spoon; for the clear glycerin, add drops of red food coloring, stirring until you get the desired hue.
3. Pour the 1/4 cup of melted soap into the loaf pan. Let cool for 20 minutes.
4. Score the top with a fork. Repeat, alternating colors, until the pan is full.
5. Let set for 4 hours. Pop soap out of pan, and slice into bars.

6. Wrap each bar in cellophane; tape it shut, and tie with bakery string.
7. Cut holly-leaf tags out of green construction paper.

Breakfast Nooks

Breakfast Nook Decor Ideas:

DIY Christmas Gift 9

Clutch
Tools and Materials

• Decorative fabric for outside of clutch
• Fabric for lining
• Heavyweight fusible stabilizer
• Fusible fleece
• Rotary cutter
• Grid ruler
• Iron
• Sewing machine
• Coordinating machine-sewing thread

• Transparent tape
• Bond 527 Multi-Purpose Cement
• Metal clutch frame hardware

Clutch How-To1. Cut 13-by-13 1/2-inch pieces from outer fabric, lining fabric, and heavyweight fusible stabilizer. Cut a 10 1/2-by-13-inch piece of fusible fleece. With an iron, fuse heavyweight stabilizer to wrong side of outer fabric, then fuse fleece to center of stabilized side of fabric.
2. With right sides of outer and lining fabrics together, sew 1/2-inch seams along both longer 13 1/2-inch edges.
3. Turn sewn pieces so right sides are facing out, and press seams flat.
4. Fold in half, matching seams at top, with lining on inside. Sew a 1/4-inch seam on outside raw edges, then trim seam allowances to 1/8 inch and snip in at the corners. Turn again, so outside fabric is on the inside. Sew 1/4-inch seam along edges, creating a finished French seam, then turn right side out.
5. Fold corners down; mark and sew a 2-inch gusset on each. Trim corner to 1/8 inch. Turn again so lining faces out; sew a 1/4-inch seam along gussets to finish seams. Turn right side out one last time.
6. Apply a bead of fabric glue to metal frame. Center over top seam, carefully insert fabric in metal frame, and secure in place with tape. Allow glue to set for several hours.
7. Remove tape, tuck outside corners behind frame, and snap closed.

Home Sweet Home for Christmas Break

I am officially home for winter break.  I am so excited to be able to have a chill break full of reading, warmth, friends, God, and family!  I am currently sitting by the fire with hot apple cider(from Trader Joe's and it is a must try).  My house has become a place where I visit and Seattle has become my home.  I like that and it is a lot better for me and my growth.  My family seems much happier even with the few hours I have spent with them tonight.  They have turned my sister's old room into a guest room and the bathroom is redone.  It looks great!  I enjoy being here and know I am always welcome back to visit.  For the first few days of break I decided I am going to detox from people.  Living with 45 girls is amazing and I wouldn't want it any other way.  But, with that said, you really need breaks from people.  It is great having the time at home to do just that.  I am really looking forward to spending time by myself and with God.  It is lovely to see the way my relationship with my parents has changed to where we are all more adult about everything.  They are not treating me like a child and I am not rude and a smarty pants to them.  I am also really looking forward to other parts of this break such as spending time with old friends, and christmas parties with family!  I plan to do a lot of self reflection on my relationship with God and where I need to change to better that relationship.  Another goal I am have will begin this break is to become a runner.  I plan on beginning with a 5k training plan and move up from there.  My lovely mother is a runner and has been an amazing example to my family on what a healthy lifestyle looks like and why it is important.  It has always been something that I strive for but tend to quit after a few weeks of it.  I never gave that aspect of my life to God.  I was always focusing on how much weight I wanted to loose and would shoot for that.  Right now, I know I need to lose weight but I also know and need to constantly remind myself that God will take care of that, I just need to do the work and keep Him my focus.  I really enjoy running and living healthy.  I think everyone does and would if they tried it.  It makes you feel so good not to mention that you are honor and worshipping God with just the way you are taking care of His creation.  I plan to begin running and training on Sunday.  I will blog about that for  accountability and support.  I plan to do a few races in Seattle which will also help keep me motivated.  I really need to focus on being self disciplined and keep on schedule.  
I am excited and I know God has big plans for me this break!!!
I am so happy to be here with my family!

Goals over break:
1.  Read 5 books
2.  Begin running

DIY Christmas Gift 8

Bath Fizzies 
Tools and Materials
1/2 cup citric acid
1 cup baking soda
3/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup organic cane sugar
About 6 drops food coloring
10 to 15 drops essential oil(s)
Special equipment: 2-ounce travel-size spray bottle, plastic pipette, silicone ice-cube tray, storage jars
Directions
1. Stir together citric acid, baking soda, and cornstarch in a glass measuring cup.
2. Pass mixture through a fine sieve or a flour sifter into a mixing bowl. Stir in sugar.
3. Fill spray bottle with water, and add food coloring. Spritz mixture lightly (it should become damp but not fizzy) until you can pack mixture with your hands.
4. Using pipette, add oil, 1 drop at a time, until strength of scent is to your liking. Using a metal spoon or your hands, mix ingredients until color is even throughout (mixture will begin to dry out; when this happens, spritz until packable again).
5. Spoon into ice-cube tray, pressing firmly. Let dry at room temperature overnight. Pop out of tray gently. Transfer to jars.

DIY Christmas Gift 7

Button Jewelry
Like a charm bracelet — only much less expected — this button-trimmed beauty is blessedly easy to make. Amy Barickman'sButton Ware (Indygo Junction) spells it all out: Start with a link bracelet (a nickel-plated version with a toggle clasp costs $1.19 at crystalcorners.com), 40 to 60 buttons with shanks (those small loops protruding from the backs), an equal quantity of jump rings,and a pair of needle-nose pliers. For each side of each link on the bracelet: Pry one jump ring open with the pliers, then thread the ring through both the button's shank and the link itself, and use the pliers to pinch it closed again. Repeat until the chain's transformed and ready to wear.

DIY Christmas Gift 6

Jewelry  Magnets 
Instead of letting vintage brooches gather dust in your jewelry box, turn them into refrigerator magnets: Use a pair of needle-nose pliers to remove the pin hardware from the back of each brooch (most fittings will come off easily); then affix a superstrong magnet with a small bead of glue — we used Gorilla Super Glue. Let dry overnight. Your grocery list has never looked more glam!

DIY Christmas Gift 5

Fabric Covered Boxes

INSTRUCTIONS: 
1. Lay your box on the fabric to determine how much you need (allow 1/2 inch of overlap all around). Cut two pieces of fabric -- one to cover the outside of the box (including lid) and one to cover the inside. 
2. Fold the 1/2-inch hems over and press to crease; unfold. 
3. Fold fabric into corners again to determine fit; trim if necessary. 
4. Fold the corners over at 45 degrees and press; unfold. 
5. Cut the corner diagonally along the crease. 
6. Lightly apply glue to the inside of the box. Press the fabric on firmly, smoothing out any wrinkles. Let dry and repeat for the outside of the box.

DIY Christmas Gift 4

I thought these homemade wallets were really cute and wanted to share!

Printable directions HERE!!!

DIY Christmas Gift 3

Make your own Candles!


Things you need:

• 1 lb Soy Wax
• 1/3 ib beeswax
• Chosen crayons for coloring or candle dyes
• Candle moulds(old tea cups, etc.) or dixie cups(for non container candles)
• Pure fragrant essential oil
• Pencil or a stick

(With the above ingredients about four to five Dixie cups sized candles can be made)


Method:

• Thread a piece of wick at the bottom of the mould, Dixie cup or the container that you are using as the mould and wind the excess thread to the pencil
• Rest the pencil horizontally across the mould
• Melt soy wax and beeswax in a double boiler.  Boil it up to only 180 degrees and not more
• Once the wax is melted, add shavings of beeswax crayons or candle dye into the wax.  More crayons added will produce the smell of crayon when the candle is made
• Add the fragrant oil into the wax and blend
• After blending, pour the wax into the mould an allow it to set for 24 hours for best results
• Peel the mould off when the candle is ready.

(If you do not have a double boiler, use a pan with water and insert a clean can in the middle)

DIY Christmas Gift 2

HOT COCOA MIX IN A JAR!
Ingredients:
1.  6 cups instant nonfat dry milk
2.  1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3.  1 cup and 2 tablespoons Nestle toll house baking cocoa
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
Directions:
Combine ingredients into 2-quart jar or tall container.  Seal with lid and decorate with fabric and ribbon.  Attach recipe to the jar.... Measure 1/2 cup cocoa mix into mug.  Stir in 1 cup hot water or milk.  Makes 12 servings.

DIY Christmas Gift 1

I thought it would be fun to post a DIY Christmas gifts for every day before christmas.  I am a broke college student(and also just really enjoy crafty things) so I love things like is!  Here is the first  :)

Braided Dupioni Silk Necklace

Dupioni silk in sherbet shades has a lovely luster. When you tear the fabric into strips, it frays, giving this braided necklace a soft, fringed look.

TOOLS:

Dupioni silk, New York Elegant Fabrics, 212-302-4984.

WHAT TO DO:

Rip dupioni silk into 1-inch-wide strips; 1/2 yard makes 3 necklaces. Knot ends of 3 strips, and braid. When you get to the end, hand-stitch additional fabric strips onto the first 3 (stagger the new additions if possible to disguise the seams). Continue braiding to the desired length (our necklaces are as long as 60 inches), and knot. Knot ends together to make a loop.

Positive Body Image

I struggle with thinking positive about myself.  I often compare myself to other people.  Many girls and women struggle with this and thought I would post this info which has helped remind me to stay positive!  This is an article from the national eating disorder association on positive self image!  I hope it helps and I hope you Enjoy!

10 Steps to Positive Body Image

One list cannot automatically tell you how to turn negative body thoughts into positive 

body image, but it can help you think about new ways of looking more healthfully and 

happily at yourself and your body.  The more you do that, the more likely you are to 

feel good about who you are and the body you naturally have. 

1.  Appreciate all that your body can do.  Every day your body carries you closer to your 

dreams.  Celebrate all of the amazing things your body does for you --running, dancing, 

breathing, laughing, dreaming, etc. 

2.  Keep a top-10 list of things you like about yourself -- things that aren’t related to how 

much you weigh or what you look like.  Read your list often.  Add to it as you become 

aware of more things to like about you. 

3.  Remind yourself that “true beauty” is not simply skin-deep.  When you feel good about 

yourself and who you are, you carry yourself with a sense of confidence, self-acceptance, 

and openness that makes you beautiful regardless of whether you physically look like a 

supermodel.  Beauty is a state of mind, not a state of your body. 

4.  Look at yourself as a whole person.  When you see yourself in a mirror or in your mind, 

choose not to focus on specific body parts.  See yourself as you want others to see you -- as 

a whole person. 

5.  Surround yourself with positive people.  It is easier to feel good about yourself and your 

body when you are around others who are supportive and who recognize the importance 

of liking yourself just as you naturally are. 

6.  Shut down those voices in your head that tell you your body is not “right” or that you are a “bad” person.  You can overpower those negative thoughts with positive ones.  The next 

time you start to tear yourself down, build yourself back up with a few quick affirmations 

that work for you.   

7.  Wear clothes that are comfortable and that make you feel good about your body.  Work 

with your body, not against it. 

8.  Become a critical viewer of social and media messages.  Pay attention to images, slogans, or attitudes that make you feel bad about yourself or your body.  Protest these messages:  

write a letter to the advertiser or talk back to the image or message. 

9.  Do something nice for yourself -- something that lets your body know you appreciate it.  

Take a bubble bath, make time for a nap, find a peaceful place outside to relax. 

10.  Use the time and energy that you might have spent worrying about food, calories, and your 

weight to do something to help others.  Sometimes reaching out to other people can help 

you feel better about yourself and can make a positive change in our world. 

Start the Morning Out Right!

Read it.  In the morning is nice because then you can reflect on it throughout your day.
Acts 1-7
And don't be afraid to add this to your morning as well!

Peppermint Hot Cocoa

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 quart milk
1/2 semisweet chocolate chips
7 peppermint sticks; 3 crushes and 4 left whole
pinch of salt


Place cocoa in a medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in milk until cocoa has dissolved. Add chocolate chips and crushed peppermint; simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until chocolate and peppermint have melted, 8 to 10 minutes.
Bring to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Add salt. Ladle into mugs; serve each with a peppermint stick.  Serves 4

Power Within Me

I have been spending some time tonight just meditating on the power God has distilled inside of me.  I was reading in Acts 3 and knowing that I am a human just as Peter was a human.  Peter had the power of the Holy Spirit in him and healed a crippled man.  We have that same power inside of us!  Philippians 4:13 tells us that we can do anything because of the power which is in us.  To really believe that verse; that we can do ANYTHING because of the power which is in us.  I am not walking around with nearly the boldness God desires me to have.  I am walking around as a beat up girl who is trying to make it through the next day without giving into the temptation of gluttony.  How pathetic is that?  I have the strength and the power inside of me to be victorious over all of the temptation which comes into my life. How can I fear anything but God?  God tells me that I will not be faced with a temptation that I can not overcome.  He will ALWAYS provide a way out for me to where I do not sin.  When I sin, that is because I am choosing to sin.  I am choosing to not be victorious over my sin.  I am a strong and victorious person(only by the grace of God) who has the power of God inside of me to do anything and I can win every time!  I don't have to be afraid of anything except for God.  Reading Acts 3 and understanding that the power which is in Peter is in me!  The Power which was in Jesus is in me!  How great is our God that he has given me this power.  I pray that God will change me and that I may walk with the confidence of His power that He desires me to walk with.  I pray that others will see this power and only be able to view it as God's.  This power can ONLY come from God and there is nothing that I can do to get it but rather God's grace upon me to give it to me.  I am praying for you and me to receive this power from God and that it will be for His glory that we have confidence that we are victorious because He was victorious.

He was victorious and now we, too, are victorious!

My First Thanksgiving as the Cook

Today was a great day filled with fun and food with my friends.  I live in Seattle now and I can not go home for Thanksgiving because it is too far for too short of time.  Last year I went home with my roommate which was fun but this year I decided I wanted to stay at school.  The dorms remain open but the dinning does not.  So...  my friends(Evie, Chelsea, Ali, and Hannah) and I made a thanksgiving meal at school.  We made all of it.  We began cooking at 2 o'clock and we ate at 5!  Three hours for a whole meal is a lot less time then I expected.  We began by cooking the sweet potatoes which we peeled, chopped, cooked and baked.  I had sweet potatoes for the first time less then a week ago and thought they were a must have at out dinner.  We also made mashed potatoes, stuffing, turkey, salad, rolls and gravy.  It was a lot of fun and being in the dorms is the second place I would want to be on this holiday, first being at home.  After dinner we watched The Santa Clause to kick off the Christmas season while eating pumpkin pie and peanut butter pie along with apple spiced cider.  After the movie I read from Blue Like Jazz to my friends as we all laid there still stuffed and then played Banana Grams.  I am still really full and it is 12 midnight.  Oh Thanksgiving how wonderful you are.  I pray that I will learn to be thankful every day rather then just one day a year.  
The rest of this weekend I am planning to finish all of my assignments for the rest of the quarter so for the next week(starting monday), all I have to do is study for finals!  There is only a total of four of us on our floor so it should be a productive day.  I want to go for a walk tomorrow out in the snow.  
Now for my rant which is mostly directed at me, even though I do not go shopping on black friday, this can represent any day of the year...
Today is the day when everyone reflects on the things they are thankful for.  Why is it only this one day?  How come we spend this whole day being thankful and then the next day, rush out and spend hours and hours of their time buying things that they don't need.  How come that thankfulness that we just claimed to have felt the day before all leaves us to the point where we are rude to the other shoppers who get in our way or take the last of what we wanted.  Lets remember our thankfulness this year, not just on november 25 but on every day we are alive!  

Turkey Day Treat

Here is a fun treat to bring to Thanksgiving desert table this year!

Autumn Leaves Treat

It would be good to keep the pumpkin tradition by filling them with pumpkin pie filling.

Via Please...

Due to the snow, classes have been cancelled which is giving us a week off for thanksgiving.  Today was a very good day of just relaxing and sipping coffee.  My coffee choice has been Starbucks Via.  My favorite is caramel but they also sell vanilla, mocha and cinnamon.  These are very convenient because they are instant.  You can just had 8 oz of boiling water and it is good to drink.  Try some when you are pressed for time or just needing a little flavor!

6 Inches

6 Inches of snow today!  

Classes cancelled tomorrow  :)

God's beautiful creation literally falling on us!  How Fun  :D

A White and Flakey Morning

I woke up this morning with only 5 hours of sleep and had no motivation to continue sleeping.  It was snowing!!  I sat  at my desk, read my Bible, drank apple cider and enjoyed a beautiful morning with snow out my window  :)

Acts 2:14-41

Psalm 67

May God be gracious to us and bless us
   and make his face shine on us-
so that your ways may be known on earth,
   your salvation among all nations.
May the peoples praise you, God;
   may all the peoples praise you.
May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
   for you rule the peoples with equity
   and guide the nations of the earth.
May the peoples praise you, God;
   may all the peoples praise you.
The land yields its harvest;
   God, our God, blesses us. 
May God bless us still,
   so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.

Same Kind of Different as Me

Read it!
I read this book this past summer and it is amazing.  It gives you a great perspective of people who love and follow Jesus.  It is about a man and his wife who serve at a homeless shelter every week.  Debbie, the wife, loves people so much and God works through her so much.  It is hard to tell about it without giving too much away but it is worth the time to read it.  The chapters are really short too so it is easy to read it in small 10 minute time slots throughout your day.

"The truth about it is, whether we are rich or poor or something in between, this earth is no final resting place. So in a way, we are all homeless-just working our way toward."
- Denver Moore; Same Kind of Different as Me

Queen Anne, Seattle, WA

Something I really enjoy doing is looking at houses.  This morning I had to take a friend somewhere and after I dropped her off I went up to Queen Anne and got some coffee.  Upper Queen Anne is a smallish little community with lots of neighborhoods with amazing houses.  There are also coffee shops and grocery stores and other small businesses that you can spend hours walking around just to look around.  Another nice thing about Queen Anne is the atmosphere and the ability to walk around.  I grew up in a suburb of Sacramento called Fair Oaks.  To walk somewhere, we would have to walk down a really busy street which was not designed for walks.  There is no sidewalk or anything so it is quit dangerous.  Queen Anne has large sidewalks which are perfect to walk down.  It is almost silly to drive if you want to hang out there.  I was able to look at some of the houses in Queen anne today which I love.  It de-stresses me to imagine living in one of them yourself, hoping one day, it will not just be your imagination.  I really enjoy looking at floor plans and home designs and decor.  This morning was definitely a de-stress morning with the brisk air, hot coffee, beautiful colored trees and the pleasant atmosphere of Queen Anne.

Psalm 27

The LORD is my light and my salvation—

   whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life—

of whom shall I be afraid?

When the wicked advance against me

   to devour me,

it is my enemies and my foes

who will stumble and fall. 

Though an army besiege me,

   my heart will not fear;

though war break out against me,

even then I will be confident.

One thing I ask from the LORD,

   this only do I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD

all the days of my life,

to gaze on the beauty of the LORD

   and to seek him in his temple. 

For in the day of trouble

   he will keep me safe in his dwelling;

he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent

and set me high upon a rock.

Then my head will be exalted

   above the enemies who surround me;

at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;

I will sing and make music to the LORD.

Hear my voice when I call, LORD;

   be merciful to me and answer me.

My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”

Your face, LORD, I will seek.

Do not hide your face from me,

   do not turn your servant away in anger;

   you have been my helper.

Do not reject me or forsake me,

   God my Savior.

Though my father and mother forsake me,

   the LORD will receive me.

Teach me your way, LORD;

   lead me in a straight path

   because of my oppressors. 

Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,

   for false witnesses rise up against me,

   spouting malicious accusations.

I remain confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the LORD

   in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD;

   be strong and take heart

   and wait for the LORD.