Totally inspired

So I was a little freaked out about Ali Edwards already having a post up about the December Daily last week.  I was like, "Dang Ali, it's only the end of October.  Just what are you thinking Woman!" 

Next day, a Christmas commercial on TV.

The weekend Wal-Mart trip:  Christmas stuff is out.

So Ali, I owe you an apology for second guessing your timing.  I should know that Ali would know when to begin this awesome project.  I mean she's done it for three years. 

Then this week, she posted (over two different days) the foundation pages for her daily book and can I just say "WOW!?"  (Why yes, yes I can say "WOW!")

Her philosophy is to get the book done prior to December so you can focus on the holiday and simply print out a photo and enter your journaling or memory for each day.   Kind of takes the stress out.  

If looking through the pages doesn't totally inspire you to want to do this project, well, nothing will!

So I am posting the links to shoot you over to Ali's blog so you can glare at the inspiration too.

Days 1-12 and cover

Days 13-25

I truly think I am going to get started on my own book so I don't fret so much over it when it's time. 

Wanna join me?

Fall Prompting - FOOD

Such a good one in my opinion!

I love everything food related, so I think this is a fabulous photo prompt for Fall.

What food do you think of with fall?

Take a shot and add it to the Fall Prompting Flickr Group.

This is one of my favorites at any time of the year, but they are pretty elusive except for right now.  I

present the infamous Honeycrisp:

and a little hayride - fall party food. Note the peanuts & candy corn which should be its own food group I think - and the ever delicious puppy chow!

 

This is a really easy prompt so get off your can and grab that camera!

Clever Tutorial

I don't know why I'm so fascinated by this bow tutorial!

The weird thing about it is that I don't even like this style of bows - you know the ones you buy in a big plastic bag and end up all smashed up.

I guess I just think it's cool that this is a total recycle project and something you can put together in a crunch if you find yourself with a naked gift!  (I hate to have naked gifts laying around - they have no modesty) 

I digress, sorry.

(source: How About Orange)

Those that know me know that I save the most random things....those who don't know me but also scrapbook or do other paper crafts can probably relate to my obsession with saving stuff.  I mean you should overlook my ever growing stash of security envelopes for goodness sake.

I like the inside design.

I am a junk mail connessieur of sorts!

Anyway, I shared this link on twitter/facebook, but I thought it worth posting on the old blog as well!

BTW,  I found this via my Scrapscene email today. Well worth signing up for if you are a scrapper/paper crafter.

Daily Blessings

So I missed a couple of weeks on my daily blessings, but I'm not going to sweat it!

I was so surprised and happy to receive a sweet card from my friend Mandie.

It was definitely a blessing and I had to document it - I used the envelope for this one:

Who doesn't love an envelope with a cute inside liner? :)

BTW, I linked up her blog, you must check out her husband Gabe's Halloween costume - the boy went all out! Even shaved his head to get into character.

This entire weekend has been so pretty! I'd say we deserve it after all the cruddy weather and rain we've had.

This ATC was made with some Crazy Daisy Kit Co. from November.

Life may not always be perfect, but I challenge you to find the blessings in every day this week!

November Sneak Peek

Just wanted to post a couple of sneaks from some layouts I completed this weekend with my November Crazy Daisy Kit Co. kit.

I love all the orange, gray and blue that is in this one!

Get in on this one, it is lovely!

Crazy Daisy Kit Co.

Operation Christmas Child

Our church has participated in a great mission that has really grown worldwide over the past few years. Basically, you take a shoebox and fill it up with some goodies and gifts that will be sealed up and shipped to children in countries all over the world.

This mission is part of Samaritan's Purse, an evangelistic organization founded by Billy Graham's son, Franklin Graham.

This is my first time to participate in this and I'm telling you it felt good to pack that little box and imagine and pray for the young lady who will receive it! I mean, I spent 20 bucks on the stuff to fill the box...20 bucks that I would probably have blown on this and that throughout the week.

If you decide to participate in something worthwhile this Christmas, you might consider this. The big collection week for boxes is coming up: November 16-23, and there are drop off locations everywhere. Check out the website for more information. Operation Christmas Child

You do have to include $7 shipping charge, but I found out you can pay that through their site and get a tracking number that will keep you informed via email of your package's progress and final destination, which I thought was pretty cool. You can also choose whether your box goes to a girl or boy and the age group of the child.

I chose a girl, aged 10-14 by the way, as you will notice from all the pink and bright colors that I added to my shoebox!

One key to this mission working is to pray for the child that gets your box.

Whether it's this or another mission - do something for someone else - it really doesn't have to be Christmas either you know!

My friend Diana has the right idea...regardless of her financial situation, she finds ways to pay it forward or brighten someone's day.  Check out her blogpost for some great ideas: Blessed in Texas.

Have a great weekend! :)

After the rain

Amazing amounts of rain the past few days...weeks...actually months!
But the past couple of days was ridiculous.
Lot's of flooding around here.
This evening though, this filled the sky as the sun was setting:





Note the huge pond in our driveway!
Sure makes a nice reflection though.



God always figures out a way to send something beautiful even in times of turbulence.

Blessings to all for a safe & fun weekend - Halloween? yes, there is controversy surrounding it...celebrate or not, those kiddos sure do enjoy dressing up and eating lots of sugar!
I say you can celebrate any holiday in a pagan or Christian way, so don't miss out on an opportunity to have some good, clean fun!
and eat candy!

(but that's just me)

:)

Wheeeeee! December Daily time.

Ali Edwards has already started posting about the December Daily 2009!
I'm so excited to do this project again!

I hope you will join me.
Here is her post to help get you started:
Ali: December Daily

Need more inspiration?

credits here:

1. december eight, 2. Day3 copy, 3. December Daily {25 inside}, 4. December Daily - Day 3 - Page 2, 5. December Daily {3}, 6. xmas diary, 7. December Daily – Finished!, 8. December daily, cover, 9. christmas diary1, 10. December Daily - door decor, 11. day 29 back, 12. December Daily Album: Day 24, 13. December Daily Album: Day 24, 14. Christmas tree, 15. dec-20, 16. 11, 17. December Daily - Day 20 - Page 2, 18. Day 9 Page 1, 19. December Daily Album: Day 21, 20. December Daily Album: Day 18, 21. album , 22. my book, so far..., 23. December 10, 24. Day 15, 25. Day 10 - page 1

Here is mine from last year: Dec Daily 2008

Merry Christmas!!!! (don't be a hater....the stores are already putting the stuff out ya know!)

Fall Prompting

Again, excuse my tardiness in posting the prompt this week!

This week's prompt is CRISP. A little tougher than the first two I'd say, but I love me a challenge! :) Here is my interpretation:

This was on an early "crisp" morning on my way to work. Caught Murphys' longhorns standing in that golden pasture against the early morning sky and had to stop the car! I think he enjoyed the paparazzi!

Post your "CRISP" photos over at Flickr in the the Fall Prompting Group. Need help doing that? Don't hesitate to ask! OR - link up your photos here.

Some Fallness going on around these parts

So I've said before that Fall is not my most favorite season.
Yes, the colors are great.
Yes, it's crisp and cool.
Blah, Blah, Blah.

Just don't like what comes after...
GRAY
COLD
WINTER!
UGH.

But, I do embrace the short timeframe of beauty that is autumn and this weekend was no exception.
Heck, I even used my groovy little remote to take a picture of myself in the fall element!

Had the annual hayride and bonfire at Nancy's, complete with cute kids in costumes, games, and food!




















Looking forward to getting my Crazy Daisy Kit Co. kit for November.
Check out the sneaky peek!
November
While you are checking out the new kit, check out the fun new grab bags and add on kits!