Let it go . . .

 

Finding my Joy in this new year is not as easy as it sounds and is exactly why I am making it my New Year 'resolution' per say.  For the past 8 years or so I have been working on obedience with very limited results.   I have to say that the one thing I learned was that I am not very obedient.  Not necessarily a good thing : (

But I have now reached an age where my children are older and I have to realize it is o.k. to focus on me some times, and NOT feel guilty about it!

So with that said, here is some joy I found the first week of January:

Thur. Jan. 1st. ~ First day of a new year and hubby was home to enjoy it with me!  My husband is such a blessing!

Fri. Jan. 2nd. ~ Grocery getting day and I had enough leftover in the budget for a yarnbox!
  Being able to buy food for the family is such a blessing!

Sat. Jan. 3rd. ~ Took down all the holiday glitter with the helping hands of my family.  Having children at home is such a blessing!

Sun. Jan. 4th. ~ Last day of my Christmas 'break' before back to the homeschool grind and I had time to organize my craft room (much easier with no Christmas tree) and do some administrative duties for my ETSY shop and prepare for my next vendor event in two weeks.  Having a craft room is such a blessing!

There are sooooo many other things to add to the list, like helping my middle daughter plan her wedding, or having friends to plan a bible study with or even just enjoying another great cup of my favorite expensive coffee I received as a gift this year.  So glad this year is off to a great start and looking forward to next week-end and defending my trivia champ crown with some fun friends and hubby!  Just hope to be able to keep the momentum going, seeing as how I just found out my local fresh egg source dried up : (

Blessings in the new year, Beth

Welcome 2015!!!

Happy New Year one and all!

 

 

Thought about making this some profound post on life changing experiences and all that jazz.

 

 

Or maybe even some new years resolutions.  Naw.

 

 

Instead I am just going to share with you the gift I am looking forward to most, and keeps giving.  Yes, Yarnbox!  LOL  Those closest to me have heard me wax on poetically about this  phenomenon with great anticipation.  Every month a box of yarn comes to my mailbox!  How much better can life get?

 

 

 

Today also saw the start of a year long project that I had purchased last March but waited to start on Jan. 1st with baited breath - The Sky Skarf.  Everyday I look at the sky and then knit two rows of the corresponding colors.  By the end of the year I will have a 5ft. long, high quality scarf knitted in the hues of my year.  I feel in love with this idea so hard that I bought a kit not only for myself, but my knitting daughter and her BFF  I also taught to knit.  So looking forward to this.  It could most likely be the last project that daughter and I work on together before she gets married. Sigh.

 

So for today I will concentrate on sharing my joy and work on finding it every day, and save the trips down memory lane for another day as I work on reorganizing my life around my ever maturing children.

 

Blessings, Beth Ann

Colossians 2:1-3

I'm a block head

It's getting to be that time again, end of the year.  Where did it go?  I can remember last Christmas like yesterday, but on the other hand this past 4th of July seems like ages ago.  I fear I am starting to suffer from old timers disease.  That much dreaded condition that was scoffed at when we were in our teens and twenty's.  Then it became a distinct possibility in our thirty's, and fearfully loomed on the horizon as we entered our forties!  All this just to say that as the year ends we have many things to ponder and paperwork to take care of - LOL

 

 

I don't mention my direct sales business on here much but I do love my Mary & Martha, and all their lovely high quality products.  I am still fairly new and have only been with the company since August of this year.  Hallmark is our parent company and have brought their standards and products to a new line of shopping.  They truly are trying to bring encouragement to our homes and us busy moms.  One of my favorite products is the Rustic Block set.  A bit like a Chines puzzle and a great conversation starter.  I not only display them at vendor events, but keep them on display in my own home.  The children really enjoy seeing how creative they can be and it spurs some amazing conversations with them about faith and family life.

Here is my current block saying 

One before that : )

 

My first on I made on opening the box!
 

Here is one of the original Jpg pic's from the current broacher/catalog.

 

 

 

Sadly all good things must come to an end, and that includes the fall merchandise from M & M.  The rustic blocks are being discontinued.  I know, right!   They are so popular I couldn't believe it.  There are whole FB pages devoted to sayings to make with the blocks.  It has become a badge of sisterhood with other M & M consultants to share your new clever saying as soon as you make it.

 

 

On the bright side, new items will arrive in the spring catalog for us to share and grow fond of , and I can't wait to have a spring fling to show off all the goodies!  However, many consultants sell their old pieces to make room for the new.  Not this girl, these blocks will be around my home for many years to come.

 

If you are interested in getting your own while they are still available, please visit my page at: www.mymaryandmartha.com/ BADANIELSEN

 

 

Thanks so much for keeping me company while I waited on my dinner (chicken corn chowder) to simmer.

 

Blessings, Beth

Monday Madness: baking, cooking and more ~ oh my!

Been a wild week with holidays now behind us, and looming largely ahead of us.  I did not participate in the Black Friday madness.  Although it looked like the bulk of the sales took place on turkey day.  At my house we were bunked down chowing on far too much food and counting our blessings.  I had been in a bit of a funk due to lack of children making it home.  But after some wonderful long distance calls from army son, sweet big sis and Grandpa Dave; I was feeling less heavy hearted and more willing to face the upcoming weeks of craziness (although army soon is not sure about Christmas). 

 

Black Friday did see me and the twins grocery shopping like normal.  No problem, buy 8 a.m. there  were not many folks about and I found some great deals!  LOL

 

 

 

I found more ground beef, 20/80,  for under $3 a pound.  I try to grab a few when ever I find them, they won't go to waste. 

Most meat counters were full of reduced items on Black Friday, due to over stock for the holiday.

After the first of the year as I continue to eat cleaner, I am hoping to reduce my meat consumption, I want to switch over to grass feed meat.  I spent the past week reading this new purchase I requested from the library.  I highly recommend it, it is full of lots of great information, tips and recipes.

 

I have followed the same named blog for a few years and was thrilled to see a book released with all the info in one place.

 

 

I grabbed a few of these handy chopped salads from the produce section.  So yummy and fresh when used right away. 

 

Many folks forget that all perishables get reduced, not just meat.


 

I know this is not healthy, but I need to bring this to book club tonight.  It is a running joke with me, I will not drink powdered creamer my coffee.  Life is to shore, I could go any minute.  I will not die with powdered coffee creamer as my last meal!  Last month I forgot to bring my own creamer and so had no coffee.  I was informed that I NEEDED that coffee.  They were right, sigh.  So, as this is our Christmas party and our last meeting before we take a 3 month hiatus, I decided to bring something festive we all could enjoy.

 

I have never tried this flavor, but kudos to the new holiday flavors!

 

Speaking of the adult book club Christmas party, I am cooking/baking up a storm this a.m. in preparation of a jolly time.  I used my Mary & Martha bake and take ware, and love it!  It is so easy, festive and no clean up!  LOL

 

Visit my page for more info at: www.mymaryandmartha.com/DANIELSEN














Now, on to channeling my inner Griswold and keeping the Bumpass's dogs out of the kitchen!  LOL please tell me you know these Christmas movie references and that I am not the lone geek. LOL

Blessings, Beth

On the stix's Saturday

This was the first Saturday in a while that I have had some free time in the afternoon.  I decided to use it to the best advantage by working on UFO's (Un-Finished prOjects) .  After all, just booked my first event in Jan. 2015. 

 

 

Dug out these twisted slouch socks to finish, I seem to suffer from second sock syndrome (lack of interest after finishing the first one).

 

Love the metallic yarn and leftover yarn will make a great I corn necklace.


 

 

 

On the crochet hook is a team color neck cowl. 

 

Made second one in home town team colors, as well.

I also have another one of these Poke'mon hats on the circular needles.  This will be for second son, oldest already claimed the first.  I have two more request for these.  Who would think they were so popular?

Those are just a sample, I also am working on seed stitch cup cozies and have a queen size crochet afghan in progress.  Oh and I almost forgot, been practicing rolling fabric into balls and crocheting them into bowls.  And those are just the ones I can think of.  So many projects calling to me in my craft room.  I think I might have an addiction.  Not a bad thing is it?

Blessings, Beth An

Favorite Finds Friday

Another shopping day is done and I had good success with sticking to my budget and my clean eating menu.  Funny how empty the cart looks without bags of chips sticking out, but yet the total is the same if not lower when buying mostly meats and veggies.

 

First item I want to share wasn't found at a local store.  It is from the Mary & Martha co. I am a consultant with. The parent company is Hallmark and the item quality is very high.  I am still new consulting direct sales with them and building my inventory.  This Celebrate card/photo holder came up on a flash sale this week, savings of $15 off reg. price.  I was planning on buying this soon, so treated myself.  Many direct sales companies are having fabulous sales this time of year and make amazing gifts.  Visit my page for more info:  www.mymaryandmartha.com/BADANIELSEN

 

 

This will look great with upcoming Christmas cards and family photos

 

Next, clean eating and Christmas stockings?  I don't mind buying some candy for the children, but not so much for me and hubby.  I have been pondering this and decided I buy a couple 'treats' but a better for me than chocolate Santa treat.   I decided on to-go packs of nuts,  jerky, and probably fiber one bars.    Look what I found at the store today - fate?

 

Not sure I want to share these.  Might need another box.

 

I am sad and mad to report that the organic butter I bought last Friday has gone up $1.  Yes, $1!  That is insane!  That said, it now makes the better quality Kerrygold a better deal.  Although they are not labeled organic, it is made from grass feed cows - not GMO corn feed cows.  You can taste the difference.

 

There is 8oz. / 2 sticks in each pk.  Salted is in a gold package.


 

Due to my sever dietary issues I have given up soda/carbonation, but sometimes on special occasions I want a treat.  To indulge if you will.  But I still don't want to put yucky stuff in me.  There is a nice assortment of 'healthy' oriented soda at Kroger, and three that I have heard/read good things about.  This is the one with the best value.  It is sweetened with stevia. No, it will not taste like Coke or Pepsi, sorry.  You get used to it and if your using it for mixers anyway . . .

 

comes in 6 different flavors



With that said, coming in under budget felt wonderful although it was due in a large part to the extra ground beef I bought two weeks ago, reduced at the $GM.  Still fighting the blahs about army son not making it home for Thanksgiving, but I am definitely thankful for my Lord and savior for taking such good care of us!

Blessings, Beth Ann

 

Thankful Thursday ~ weeds. trash, and sharks - oh my!

Another busy week, they all are this time of year.  We have had some bad weather to boot.  Nothing like up north though.  So with some major apologies I submit my first photo in the thankfulness category:

 

Found this little dandelion on the front lawn this morning.

 1) I am thankful I can still see my front lawn!

 

 

To be fair, I also found this Sasquatch wrapper on my lawn as well - thank you garbage men.
 

2) Thankful for hardworking city workers who take away the spoils of my blessed lifestyle.

 

 

All this thankfulness (and a FB post from a friend) prompted me to ask around the family what type of Thanksgiving traditions we have and if they could be improved.  Surprisingly enough (NOT) most were food centered.  I personally couldn't think of any and am having a hard time with no army son to look forward to this year.  I was kind of feeling like a Thanksgiving failure when a couple family members pointed out we always have friends/neighbors over for dinner every year.  Folks who probably wouldn't celebrate or have a meal if not for us.  This picked me up some, at least on a spiritual level.  Working daughter however did go off on a tangent (there is some of me in her!) about our lack of cable and viewing the Macy's Parade.   Wow.  I feel the same, but not worth the cable price (financially or spiritually).  Reminded her that last year we just watched YouTube videos of the parade on our living room t.v.  Moot point anyhow with her, she is working this year!

 

A new tradition we started last year, the soul purpose of irritating a  young adult at our house, is to watch the classic B-film, SHARKNADO! (yes I know, please pray for us)  If you have not yet seen this and enjoy campy films, or just making fun of a bad movie, this film is for you!  It is currently streaming on Netflix.

 

Nothing screams Thanksgiving like sharks falling out of the sky.

 

 3) Thankful for family with the same weird sense of humor as me.

4) And sometimes I just like to give practical advice - I am thankful for a good cup of coffee!

 

 

And friends, family and you!

 

Blessings, Beth Ann