tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28099628074517931212024-03-12T20:50:13.151-07:00{gala6ten}Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2809962807451793121.post-81636581056583197892015-01-14T20:07:00.003-08:002015-01-14T20:07:58.045-08:00Wisdom Wednesday: According To Who<span style="font-size: x-large;">A</span>ccording to His Grace<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">A</span>s I collapsed in bed after a long day of <strike><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>three kids, cleaning, managing bills, errands, etc etc etc </strike><strike style="font-size: x-small;"> </strike> LIFE! I was drained physically but I couldn't stop myself from reviewing my day and realized I had not been the best Mommy nor did I even draw on the Lord for my daily strength. I felt that I utterly failed to really focus on the big picture and ended up making my "To Do" list the reason for working hard for the day. The funny thing is after completing my 'To Do" list I didn't have that satisfaction as I thought I would. That is where my personal dialog of negative inside chatter began.<br />
<br />
"Will I ever get this right"<br />
<br />
"It has been years and I still struggle with..."<br />
<br />
"I am a horrible Christian"<br />
<br />
"God, why can't I just do..."<br />
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"I can't stand my selfishness..."<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />T</span>he dialog went on and on until I had literally beat myself up! I couldn't be satisfied with just being physically exhausted I had to drain myself mentally and emotionally to justify my own failures. It was as if I needed to punish myself for my failures and shortfalls. That I was not only setting my standard for the whole day with a check list to complete but then I sat myself down after the day and reviewed my failures to somehow make myself feel better.WHAT IN THE WORLD! Then the sweet words from the book of Ephesians chapter one came to my heart. This is not my story but <u>HIS</u> story...that I had done enough self loathing and condemnation over my day and had forgotten it was really His day. That I had literally been so absorbed in my day, my children, my household management, my definition of an effective day that I forgot that the Lord himself had given me this day!<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: orange;">"In Him <b>we have redemption through <i>His</i> blood</b>, the forgiveness of our trespasses, <u>according to</u> the riches of <u><b><i>His</i></b> grace which <b><i>He</i></b> lavished on us</u>. <i>In all wisdom and insight </i>He made known to us the mystery of His will, <u>according to <b><i>His </i></b>kind intention</u> which He purposed in Him…" Ephesians 1:7-9</span></blockquote>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--E_Z49efK-0/VJTxRehGx9I/AAAAAAAAJAw/8QIPhrxdSe4/s1600/dec14%2B-%2B14" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--E_Z49efK-0/VJTxRehGx9I/AAAAAAAAJAw/8QIPhrxdSe4/s1600/dec14%2B-%2B14" height="112" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;">S</span>o I lay my head down tonight and remember according to HIS grace which HE lavished on me! Praise the Lord for His grace and mercy that He so generously lavishes on me during the times when I need it most but am too busy or prideful to notice. Therefore, I go to rest my mind and body knowing that His mercy is new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23) and I shall arise refreshed and renewed remembering that my day is not for me but it's for Him. I choose to rejoice with the Psalmist when he says: "This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24)<br />
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Blessings & Good Night,<br />
<br />
KtMaude<br />
<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2809962807451793121.post-42518189696798939782014-12-17T11:53:00.003-08:002014-12-17T11:53:28.989-08:00Driving Out Our Fear<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">6</span>:24 am is when I was awakened from my sleep due to a bad dream. It was a "Mommy" dream that painted all the horrible things that could happen to my children, marriage, and future. It was a dream that was driven by fear and sadness. I rolled over immediately and asked my husband to pray for all of these things that happened in the dream and he listened closely to every word that I said. Thankfully, he prayed as I had requested and after closing the prayer he gently began speaking these words of scripture to me.<br />
<br />
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"6<i> <u><b>But godliness with contentment is great gain.</b></u> </i>7<span style="font-size: x-small;"> For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.</span>11 <b><i><u>But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.</u></i></b>" 1 Timothy 6:6-11 (NIV)</blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span> was comforted by his words and thankful for him to speak over me the Word of God. There was one thing that was said that really resounded within my heart as a mother and wife. Thankfulness is the force which drives out fear. It is my contentment in our good God that will sustain me through all my deepest fears and failures.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">H</span>ow will you walk in thankfulness today? I will remind myself that in 2 Timothy 1:7 the Amplified Bible "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control." In this truth I will remind myself to walk in His strength and not my own.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">B</span>lessings,<br />
<br />
KtMaude<br />
<br /><br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2809962807451793121.post-32906499146577011142014-12-08T06:55:00.002-08:002014-12-08T06:56:22.061-08:00I Rejoice!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
"I rejoice in the hope of that glory to be revealed, </div>
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for it is no uncertain glory that we look for. </div>
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Our hope is not hung upon such an untwisted thread as, "I imagine so," or "It is likely," </div>
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but the cable, the strong tow of our fastened anchor, is the oath and promise of Him who is eternal verity. Our salvation is fastened with God's own hand, and with Christ's own strength, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to the strong stake of God's unchangeable nature." </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Samuel Rutherford</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2809962807451793121.post-57586559192741834432014-09-30T06:20:00.001-07:002014-09-30T06:20:38.043-07:00Truthful Tuesday<span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span>oday is a beautiful day to draw closer to Jesus and to reflect on who He truly is. The true nature of Christ and God have been told to us in the way they want us to know them through His Word. He speaks by His Word, the Bible, and He wants you to draw nearer to Him and see him for who He is and not who we want Him to be. He is not a form of truth but the absolute truth. We have learned that Jesus himself,our Savior,is the fulfillment of all old testament law and that he fulfilled all roles of Prophet, Priest, and King. It is through Him alone that our world has hope from our fractured lives. Praise Jesus!!! <br /><br /><br />Please take time today to do your part to draw near to Him by a small devotion, quiet prayer, or your choice to "staying the course". As I walk through the study of Hebrews I am encouraged that I serve a God who has left nothing out of His control...I hope this is an encouragement to you as well.<br /><br /><br /><h3>
Hebrews 2</h3>
<h4>
<br /></h4>
<h4>
Warning Against Neglecting Salvation</h4>
Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.<br /><h4>
<br /></h4>
<h4>
The Founder of Salvation</h4>
5 For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6 It has been testified somewhere,<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
“What is man, that you are mindful of him,<br />or the son of man, that you care for him?<br />7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels;<br />you have crowned him with glory and honor,<br />8 putting everything in subjection under his feet.”</blockquote>
<br />Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.<br /><br />10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers,12 saying,<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
“I will tell of your name to my brothers;</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”</blockquote>
<br />13 And again,<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
“I will put my trust in him.”</blockquote>
<br />And again,<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
“Behold, I and the children God has given me.”</blockquote>
<br />14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span>ake this day as a day to draw nearer to Our Savior and give Him the glory and praise that is due Him. For He has left NOTHING outside of His control.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2809962807451793121.post-18750345460916296212014-08-10T21:29:00.001-07:002014-09-30T06:32:00.173-07:00<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Psalm 90</span></h2>
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<br />
A prayer of Moses the man of God.<br />
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1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place<br />
throughout all generations.<br />
2 Before the mountains were born<br />
or you brought forth the whole world,<br />
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.<br />
<br />
<br />
3 You turn people back to dust,<br />
saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”<br />
4 A thousand years in your sight<br />
are like a day that has just gone by,<br />
or like a watch in the night.<br />
5 Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death—<br />
they are like the new grass of the morning:<br />
6 In the morning it springs up new,<br />
but by evening it is dry and withered.<br />
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<br />
7 We are consumed by your anger<br />
and terrified by your indignation.<br />
8 You have set our iniquities before you,<br />
our secret sins in the light of your presence.<br />
9 All our days pass away under your wrath;<br />
we finish our years with a moan.<br />
10 Our days may come to seventy years,<br />
or eighty, if our strength endures;<br />
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,<br />
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.<br />
11 If only we knew the power of your anger!<br />
Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.<br />
12 Teach us to number our days,<br />
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.<br />
<br />
<br />
13 Relent, Lord! How long will it be?<br />
Have compassion on your servants.<br />
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,<br />
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.<br />
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,<br />
for as many years as we have seen trouble.<br />
16 May your deeds be shown to your servants,<br />
your splendor to their children.<br />
<br />
<br />
17 May the favor[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms+90&version=NIV#fen-NIV-15396a">a</a>] of the Lord our God rest on us;<br />
establish the work of our hands for us—<br />
yes, establish the work of our hands.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2809962807451793121.post-60009099933100559842014-05-07T18:00:00.002-07:002014-05-07T18:05:28.534-07:00Wisdom Wednesday: Beyond the small perimeter of me<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K7wVIhJtZn4/U2pLO-Z0uyI/AAAAAAAAEZQ/hRXQtNDWkLI/s1600/IMAG0457-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K7wVIhJtZn4/U2pLO-Z0uyI/AAAAAAAAEZQ/hRXQtNDWkLI/s1600/IMAG0457-1.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My bread box is my daily reminder</td></tr>
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<br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">Those Little Eyes</span></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
By Richard Netherland Cook</div>
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Little eyes are watching you </div>
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Each and every day, </div>
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And little ears are listening too </div>
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Every word you say. </div>
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Little hands are fast at work </div>
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Doing what you do, </div>
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And a little mind is dreaming </div>
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To grow up just like you. </div>
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To him you are the wisest </div>
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He leans on your every word </div>
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He believes in you with all his heart, </div>
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And all from you he's heard. </div>
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When he grows up he wants to be </div>
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A man who's just like you </div>
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So watch the all of what you say, </div>
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And all the things you do.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>A</b></span> humbling thought that our lives have the power to impact so many people. I encourage you to never forget that everyday is an opportunity to use your life, gifts, talents and failures to better the life of someone else. This poem has been my daily reminder of how I must choose to live my life before my children. I have to make a choice everyday to live a honest and simple life that is for the betterment of others and for the glory of God. Our family has been serving in ministry for seven years and with this privilege comes great joy, challenges, and at times pain. The great joy of ministry has always outweighed the painful moments and by God's grace our family has endured. Many of our hardest seasons as a family has been when ministry has demanded more than our family could give but with the help of wonderful mentors and prayer warriors for friends we have always ...<span style="font-size: xx-small;">but not easily.</span>.. made the choice to keep our small family the main priority. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span>n what way do you remind yourself to live a life beyond the small perimeter of "me"? During the hard times I must run to the Word of God and hide His Word in my heart...one my favorite hidden treasures is: "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." In other words, everyday of my life, I must choose to live beyond myself- to use my daily opportunities to live as a good example before my little children. This life we live will not be perfect but our imperfect lives are God's masterpiece and that is what brings beauty to our current moment.<br />
<br />
Seize the moment to live and love well today</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
KtMaude</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2809962807451793121.post-43786999074393193962014-05-06T05:09:00.000-07:002014-05-06T05:09:39.317-07:00A Beautiful Teacher<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christine Anne</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>M</b></span></span><span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">y beautiful sister is a treasure beyond this world. This woman is a wife, mother, sister, friend, daughter, and teacher. Since she was a little girl she always dreamed of becoming a teacher and through her hard work and sheer determination she is one of the best educators I know. As a child I still remember her loving and educational (</span><span style="text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">bossy)</span></span><span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"> ways which I believe were a foreshadow of her greatness in the classroom. As a sister and oldest of four, she has had a tremendous influence within my life and I can only imagine the lasting impact she has had on her students and community. As an educator, Christine Anne has always found unique ways to grow and nurture her own gifts so that she may better educate and inspire her pupils. </span></span><br />
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The Amazing Christine Anne<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>B.S. in Elementary Education</li>
<ul>
<li>Major Science with a Minor in Language Arts and Middle Level Education</li>
<li>Certified to teach 5th - 9th Science and Language Arts</li>
<li>Certified to teach K-8th grade all subjects self contained settings</li>
</ul>
<li>M.S. in Special Education - Learning Disabilities</li>
<li>Special Education Teacher Consultant</li>
<li>Master of giving and loving with her whole heart</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/S3pF8e4Y6W5v85AiL9_OKysKwjG2Y8DplPkh3gEoUqyiFaFuSrrXEwWEyj5gcQI7neoSH3kYb8cfOAkHae9bWZ4Xkf0Twc2_Dm_GduLD_Xr2a7pbcCdqpg6cKrRxhWcHtA" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/S3pF8e4Y6W5v85AiL9_OKysKwjG2Y8DplPkh3gEoUqyiFaFuSrrXEwWEyj5gcQI7neoSH3kYb8cfOAkHae9bWZ4Xkf0Twc2_Dm_GduLD_Xr2a7pbcCdqpg6cKrRxhWcHtA" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none;" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>T</b></span></span><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">ake time today to love and encourage a teacher that has impacted your life or the life of a loved one. This is a perfect opportunity to do good for those who give and sacrifice so much for our children's education. Taking advantage of an opportunity to do good is just as simple as communicating your affections the moment you think of them. This can be done by a simple card, Facebook message, text message or a phone call...<i>never</i> underestimate the power of a kind "Thank You". </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: orange;"><b> </b></span></span><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: orange;"><b>"One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child" Carl Jung </b> </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Happy Teacher Appreciation Week</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">KtMaude</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-8c6646c2-cdc9-996f-5f0d-d5648cb164de"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2809962807451793121.post-6140930817678156072014-05-05T08:43:00.000-07:002014-05-05T08:43:01.003-07:00Cobwebs, Giggles, and Shadowlight Theater<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A</span>n<span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span>afternoon of reading with my daughter is </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">the highlight of my day. It's a special time for us to snuggle, unwind and travel to new towns or far off lands. We love to meet new friends and I enjoy introducing her to some of my old, favorite ones all within the pages of a book. My Omi and I finished E.B. White's Charlotte's Web (again) and it was so much fun to read together now that she is old enough to engage with the story. We did not want the adventure to end! As a parent, I want to encourage her excitement for reading….so I felt compelled to create something educational for her while keeping it eco-friendly and crafty. What could we do? I immediately thought of our family trip to Colonial Williamsburg, located in Virginia, and how much she loved watching the Victorian Shadowlight Theatre performance. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Perfect! We could continue our adventure with Charlotte and Wilbur by learning more about the history of Shadowlight Theatre and creating our very own shadowlight show about Charlotte’s Web!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">S</span>hadowlight Theater DIY: Before you get started make sure you have the following supplies.</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">pencils</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Old cereal boxes cut apart and flattened</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Scissors </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">X-Acto knife </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Tape and glue</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Bag of lollipop sticks</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Stencils or pictures of animals</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Clip lamp for light source</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">White sheet </span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tips on how to decide the characters to make: Try to focus on a few of the characters/ animals that make your children/audience laugh or the ones that invoke the most questions. If this is a project for home and not storytelling then let your child(ren) choose how the characters should stand or what expressions they should have. Once you have your characters decided then practice sketching out the animals freehand or using stencils. If you are not gifted in drawing you can trace a picture or use a stencil to get the perfect puppet.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Then if the child is old enough to use scissors begin to cut out the puppet character being mindful that you need nice clean edges for a good shadow. Below I given you a glimpse at our own puppets that we created. </span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-32vRUKz8QJc/U176JIwPqeI/AAAAAAAAEYs/ar6oftzzgps/s1600/IMAG0444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-32vRUKz8QJc/U176JIwPqeI/AAAAAAAAEYs/ar6oftzzgps/s1600/IMAG0444.jpg" height="133" title="Mr. Zuckerman's Barn" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Zuckerman's Barn & Charlotte's Web</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PGAE8DYLYxc/U176JPPaaJI/AAAAAAAAEYs/9pP8_9wiCyw/s1600/IMAG0442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PGAE8DYLYxc/U176JPPaaJI/AAAAAAAAEYs/9pP8_9wiCyw/s1600/IMAG0442.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Gander</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qSaPgmDfTWM/U176JP5Cg9I/AAAAAAAAEYs/6ZELtKjGvWs/s1600/IMAG0435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qSaPgmDfTWM/U176JP5Cg9I/AAAAAAAAEYs/6ZELtKjGvWs/s1600/IMAG0435.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Goose</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6oWWy1ePYbU/U176JITilFI/AAAAAAAAEYs/XcvSfI7kXr8/s1600/IMAG0433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6oWWy1ePYbU/U176JITilFI/AAAAAAAAEYs/XcvSfI7kXr8/s1600/IMAG0433.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wilbur</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ev2fObc3ZEg/U176JDKjZzI/AAAAAAAAEYs/ansTBumX-TM/s1600/IMAG0437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ev2fObc3ZEg/U176JDKjZzI/AAAAAAAAEYs/ansTBumX-TM/s1600/IMAG0437.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wilbur with a sad/scared expression</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ePfuv-b2JpI/U176JEVaHhI/AAAAAAAAEYs/57jaeN2-6_o/s1600/IMAG0438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ePfuv-b2JpI/U176JEVaHhI/AAAAAAAAEYs/57jaeN2-6_o/s1600/IMAG0438.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlotte</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ez0GeVoTxv0/U176JK6KCjI/AAAAAAAAEYs/RCbIqvuO1F8/s1600/IMAG0440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ez0GeVoTxv0/U176JK6KCjI/AAAAAAAAEYs/RCbIqvuO1F8/s1600/IMAG0440.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Templeton</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-um0BlueCIeQ/U176JLwomQI/AAAAAAAAEYs/_y5hzXIMWpM/s1600/IMAG0439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-um0BlueCIeQ/U176JLwomQI/AAAAAAAAEYs/_y5hzXIMWpM/s1600/IMAG0439.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fern Arable</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>O</b></span>nce you have all the puppets designed and cut to your liking have the children set up the "stage" using chairs or anything sturdy to hang the white sheet. Then place the clip lamp/light source behind the white sheet so that it can create the shadows needed for the Shadowlight Theatre. The children will be excited and after some practice they will be ready to perform their first interpretation of the book for family and friends. Remember to let the children have this opportunity for fun, imaginative play as well as learning how to retell a story that they learned. Giving this gift of imaginative play as well as a chance to practice reading comprehension is a beautiful gift that will spark a greater love for learning.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>D</b></span>on't forget to bring out the camera and document this fun adventure!<br />
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KtMaude</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2809962807451793121.post-13211952125347825332014-04-29T07:00:00.000-07:002014-05-01T20:59:37.889-07:00The Perspective of Gratitude<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>I</b></span>t was 7:47 am and I was holding my hands under the water at the kitchen sink and quickly turned to run my damp hands through my daughters curls. Rushing...look at the clock...fix a curl...grab backpack...snack... and all of the sudden my husband's voice says with a smile "Mothers and daughters." I stopped suddenly looked at my daughters big brown eyes, rustled her curls and smiled. "I love you and I would do this everyday for the rest of my life if I could." I was so grateful for that moment and the wise short words of my husband that truly gave me perspective for the day. It was for that moment that I didn't dwell on my downfalls of not being a early riser or not being able to pack Naomi's lunch the night before type of Mommy. Instead, I was able to enjoy the moment and find perspective for my day.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>T</b></span>he perspective of gratitude...so simple but yet so difficult to keep in the flow of life. I am so thankful for my husband who is my daily reminder that I need to come to a position of gratitude daily or my heart's posture will surely stink of entitlement, ungratefulness, and selfishness. When I mentor younger women here on Princeton's campus or encourage friends I find it easy to see the things to be grateful for. Yet, in my alone time when my children have said "Mommy" a zillion times and my dishes are piled high with expected guests in an hour...I tend to lose perspective. Therefore to help keep perspective (with a nudge from my handsome husband) I started a gratitude journal at the beginning of this year. It has been such a blessing as well as a reality check for me to have documented moments in time for which I can return to and remember how good I really do have it. This sweet journal, <a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/titles/gratitude.html" target="_blank">my Gratitude Journal</a> has been such a blessing for me that I wanted to share it with you.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." -Marcel Proust (1871-1922)</span></h4>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"In this world of sin and sorrow there is <i>always</i> something to be thankful for." Henry Lewis Mencken (1880-1956)</span></h4>
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May you enter today with gratitude and joy!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2809962807451793121.post-2822529839860356722013-04-06T20:07:00.001-07:002013-04-06T20:11:17.861-07:00Tending to my Heart's Garden<span style="font-size: large;">A</span> new year...a new town...a new baby...a new beginning<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I</span> have sat down many of times over the past year to blog about my crafting, adventures, and my day dreams. Each and every time I became distracted or just couldn't find the words. I have often come back to read some of my old posts but I end up kicking myself for not blogging faithfully. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TdW3bic0iH8/UWDg_T4xRfI/AAAAAAAAAb0/0YuUWQ5AXuU/s1600/PrincetonUniversityJolineHallInSpring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TdW3bic0iH8/UWDg_T4xRfI/AAAAAAAAAb0/0YuUWQ5AXuU/s320/PrincetonUniversityJolineHallInSpring.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="hP" id=":1lq" tabindex="-1">Photo By Ron Saari <a href="http://www.ronsaari.com/">http://www.ronsaari.com/</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">T</span>hen I realized...its okay that I don't share my every thought and creative idea... as long as I am pouring into my family and teaching my sweet children the beauty of art, creativity and love. This is what is important...that I daily love my husband and express my appreciation towards him in as many ways as possible. What's most important? That I hug my children and take time for myself and the things that I love, which is the hardest thing for most young mothers, like myself. I'm challenged to look back and grab on to the things that grow my soul and my joy; namely, the things that make me...me.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">T</span>he spring season is awakening the sleeping buds that are ready to bloom. As I have this creative stir growing within my heart, I ask myself what is it that I need to do in order to get started again? What must I do to tend to this fragile garden that is in need of such care? What must I do to allow these buds to grow and flowers to bloom in my life? Not just for my sake and sanity but for my family. This garden inside my heart must grow and bloom so I may be a better mother, wife, sister, mentor and believer. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I</span>deas... I look to God's magnificent creation and I see what the plants need... sunshine...water...fresh air. So, this is where I begin...fresh air. To take a walk everyday and think of the beauty surrounding me and allow it to fan my creative desires and blow away my failures. I am learning that as a mother and a wife there is always things that can be done better, words to regret and dirt to be swept. Yet in still, God extends His grace so that I may bask in the beauty of his gifts and all that He has given me. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">S</span>ince moving to this historic town, Princeton, New Jersey, where some of the greatest young minds in the world are taught and shaped at Princeton University...I pray that I have the boldness to be shaped and taught...that I may learn who I am in the midst of this busy season of life. For spring is the busiest season of all...new life and growth...yet despite it's business, it does not cease from faithfully producing the breathtaking masterpieces that we all enjoy- year after year and season after season. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">M</span>ay this spring be the beginning of our masterpiece...so put down the broom...take a break from the computer...do the laundry another time... go for a walk and get some fresh air.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Princeton, NJ, USA40.3572976 -74.667222640.2604861 -74.8285841 40.454109100000004 -74.5058611tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2809962807451793121.post-3852428565615281422011-01-17T09:04:00.000-08:002011-01-17T11:43:25.115-08:00In love, on a budget, and ready to design!<span style="font-size:180%;">D</span>o you remember when you were a newly wed, "crazy in love", and on a "crazy tight" budget? As a young, ambitious, and often times, overly eager wife of almost five years, I love to host, decorate, and cook. Yet, we have relocated several times within those five years, and because of our frequent moves, we have had our fair shair of rentals. Young, newly married, and renters; it's no wonder why- we we're on a very strict budget! This situation looks to pose three hurdles for a beautiful home: First of all, being young and eager is an unbalanced mixture that has a strong potential for style disaster, especially if both parties have strong opinions and tastes; secondly, a majority of young married couples have a common challenge that some call...."living on a dime"....also known as, financial hardships; lastly, when you have yet to plant roots in a home, you usually live in a space that is either not your own (rental) or if you are a home owner, you are learning as a couple, how to turn your house into a home.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">H</span>ow do you over come these three obstacles? The first step is to pick a style that best describes you and your spouse. Just simply pick up a magazine and window shop. Write down the following: what emotions they exude, the colors that are used, and what it is that you like about it.Then identify and accessorize the pieces that you already own & absolutely love. This will be a great way to work on "communication" and day dream together!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">A</span>s newly weds, I encourage you to go ahead and give it a try...even if you're not ready to buy! Communication is key- knowing what you both like and don't like is half the battle. Here's an example of how we begun to accessorize our Master Bedroom. We have picked one item that we already own, my King Louis Chair, and we want to accessorize it with a picture of the Pale-green bedroom (below): <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hamptons</span> home by Jeffrey <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bilhuber</span>, from Elle Decor: 'Hancock Green' by Benjamin Moore.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center">I am in love with this design & look forward to adding my own twist to it!<br /><br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563219379239146306" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_auxYMprUNGs/TTSGjNseU0I/AAAAAAAAAGw/A6d7F63nDk8/s200/Pale%2Bgreen%2Bbedroom.jpg" /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_auxYMprUNGs/TTSFx4Pdr3I/AAAAAAAAAGg/Pqqp8AKfehg/s1600/DSC02760.JPG"></a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563218943503848722" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_auxYMprUNGs/TTSGJ2dFVRI/AAAAAAAAAGo/fETle_49qP0/s200/DSC02758.JPG" /> <p></p><p>Remember: financial hardships and budgeting difficulties should not stop you from planning your dream home; communication is the key! Learn to appreciate one another's style, so that your house can be redeemed into a beautiful home. Enjoy day dreaming together!</p><p></p><p><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">KtMaude</span></p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2809962807451793121.post-89997722263048142822010-12-30T19:34:00.000-08:002010-12-30T19:46:35.643-08:00HomeGoods StyleScope - I'm an Elegant Classic<span style="font-size:180%;">A</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">fter</span> a <span style="font-style: italic;">very</span> long holiday week of cooking, coughing and caring for my sick family... I had the cleaning itch! I bounced from one room of my house to the other trying to organize and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">declutter</span>. Much to my dismay I accomplished very little... but what I did accomplish was this fantastic quiz at one of my favorite home decorating stores... Home Goods! Thanks to the creator Deborah <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Needleman</span>...she completely got me!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.homegoods.com/stylescope"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">HomeGoods</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">StyleScope</span> - I'm an Elegant Classic</a><br /><br />Ciao,<br /><br />KtMaudeUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2809962807451793121.post-9864953848730121142010-12-23T11:19:00.000-08:002010-12-23T12:01:27.407-08:00I'm dreaming of a White Christmas...<span style="font-size:180%;">T</span><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">oday</span> as the sun is shining in my bedroom window... I can hear the radio playing one of my favorite Christmas songs... "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...just like the ones I used to know..." I love the long smooth voice of Bing Crosby... it makes me miss my childhood winters in Michigan. Growing up my mother had such an amazing ability to transform my childhood home into a Christmas fairyland. Another fellow blogger, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rebecca</span> at <a href="http://theardentsparrow.blogspot.com/2010/12/white-christmas.html?spref=bl">{The Ardent Sparrow}: A {White} Christmas...</a>, has a taste for beautiful things much like my mother. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rebecca</span> has been posting the most beautiful collection of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Christmas</span> decor. She has such a great eye for color that it provokes such warm emotion as well as conveying a new look with good ole' vintage feel. Enjoy...<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">A</span>s for me... my little family and I will be spending another Christmas with just the three of us. My daughter <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Omi</span> is praying the sun doesn't melt the remaining snow and my husband hopes that Miami will beat the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lakers</span>. I am just grateful for time to slow down and enjoy each others company.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">M</span>erry Christmas<br /><br />KtMaudeUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2809962807451793121.post-35384968509582906922010-11-21T18:28:00.000-08:002010-11-21T20:01:01.917-08:00I'm back....<span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><div><span style="color:#c0c0c0;"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;">O</span>ctober was a <strong>long</strong> month for my family. We have been looking forward to November and fixing our thoughts upon the amazing blessings that the Lord has seen fit to give us. Through all of the ups and downs that October brought… I am even more impressed and grateful for God’s faithfulness and His unchanging ways. The theme that is evident to me in this season of life can be found in the words of David from Psalm 92:1-4...</span></div><div><span style="color:#c0c0c0;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#c0c0c0;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#c0c0c0;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#c0c0c0;">"It is good to give thanks to the Lord,<br />to sing praises to your name, O Most High;<br />to declare your steadfast love in the morning,<br />and your faithfulness by night,<br />to the music of the lute and the harp,<br />to the melody of the lyre.<br />For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work;<br />at the works of your hands I sing for joy."<br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#c0c0c0;"><span style="font-size:180%;">I</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span>have so much to be thankful for and David helped to remind me that I need to be more thankful for my Lord and Savior, husband, sisters, friends and daughter. So this Thanksgiving I plan to give my time, attention, and love to others...and stop thinking so much of myself.</span></div><div><span style="color:#c0c0c0;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">This </span>thanksgiving my fun project will be helping a dear friend redeem her guest bathroom. I have been playing with different colors and textures that she is interested in and finally came to this result. I will be giving her bathroom a beautiful cool gray that will be complimented by this artistic shower curtain. All of her hardware will be switched to a brushed stainless steel. To compliment the cool gray, I will add a beautiful natural pallet of greens, browns and grays to give it a modern finish with a rustic feel. </span></div><div><span style="color:#c0c0c0;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#c0c0c0;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 365px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542195710914993794" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_auxYMprUNGs/TOnVoqDIHoI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/aHCw2_pgSZU/s400/Fentress%2BBathroom.jpg" /></span></div><br /><p><span style="color:#c0c0c0;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#c0c0c0;"><span style="font-size:180%;">T</span>omorrow we will be treasure hunting at some of the local architectural salvage storage spaces as well as consignment shops. I pray we can find some of the beautiful drawers and art to fill her space. As I have stated before in my previous posts... I love my treasure hunting! I tend to catch myself smiling and daydreaming of what fun things I am going to discover <span style="font-size:85%;">(I feel like Christopher Columbus)</span>! A thrilling hunt for something discarded...broken...somewhat ugly and adding "pazazz" to it...the best part of it all is spending time with such an amazing friend. </span></p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2809962807451793121.post-139940783166713162010-10-05T05:00:00.000-07:002010-10-05T14:25:55.194-07:00gala6ten: the what...<span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;">G</span>ala6ten offers modish home decor for cost effective living by repurposing and upcycling every day things. Recycling old items into art for the home allows a space to be redeemed with the purpose of turning your house into a <em>chic</em> home.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_auxYMprUNGs/TKuWt5ORD8I/AAAAAAAAAGA/XdsbHpTnfFw/s1600/recycle3.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 326px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 137px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524675083098984386" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_auxYMprUNGs/TKuWt5ORD8I/AAAAAAAAAGA/XdsbHpTnfFw/s400/recycle3.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">F</span>or many, beautifying the spaces in the home can be a frustrating and a wearisome task... let alone finding the perfect bits and pieces to reflect who you are without compromising your budget. I am able to provide a refined style filled with eclectic and innovative designs that are skillfully paired together.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">A</span>ll of my designs are created from recycled, homemade or second hand pieces to give a home an instant facelift. So whether you are in need of a bathroom refashion without breaking the bank or decorating a nursery for an expected baby, Gala6ten has the perfect <span style="color:#ffffff;">eco-friendly</span> designs in the making for you.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2809962807451793121.post-6306593436932618662010-09-21T07:41:00.000-07:002010-10-08T11:57:09.937-07:00Come into my Garden, Maud (Alfred Tennyson)<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_auxYMprUNGs/TJjDGwfQIFI/AAAAAAAAAF4/UDDDRdexBAY/s1600/DSC02765.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 321px; float: left; height: 213px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519375864205156434" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_auxYMprUNGs/TJjDGwfQIFI/AAAAAAAAAF4/UDDDRdexBAY/s400/DSC02765.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:180%;">I</span>t is a beautiful fall day here in Maryland and the colors inspire me to my deepest core. The vibrant reds of the maples and the deep greens of the pines are breath taking. Even my shamrock loves this time of year! Fall colors always rouse my creative side. I tend to day dream of the summers past and the winter's crisp air to come. What to do with this beautiful week.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">T</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">oday</span> I am dreaming of the next project that will consume my time... will it be a painting, a creative baby design or perhaps a new recipe for my family to enjoy? I think I am leaning toward the baby design since a new neighbor is expecting! I even picked up some fun treasures from a thrift store perfect for a nursery. Oh, how exciting pregnancy is: to have a small almost secret life within your own. The gift of life is truly that, a gift. Life and Alfred Tennyson's poem is my inspiration today.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">U</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ntil</span> next time, I will be day dreaming…<br /><br /><br />Gala6ten-<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">KtMaude</span> </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2809962807451793121.post-78492094983463218402010-09-12T14:15:00.000-07:002010-09-12T14:43:55.921-07:00"Re-purposing" is that a word? I like it....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_auxYMprUNGs/TI1IEgi1QjI/AAAAAAAAAFo/kJKgb-ZoKos/s1600/DSC02771.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_auxYMprUNGs/TI1IEgi1QjI/AAAAAAAAAFo/kJKgb-ZoKos/s320/DSC02771.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516144360891433522" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" >M</span><span style="font-family:georgia;">y dear Aunt gave me this word and I love it! </span>"Re-purposing"... to give something a new purpose, a new direction... in so many ways it has been myself who has been "re-purposed" moving in a new direction...<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">T</span>he only thought worth writing on this cloudy Sunday... oh how I have been "re-purposed" thanks to my God! What a great day to reflect on my life and where it was leading and now my new adventure.<br /><br />Re purposing....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_auxYMprUNGs/TI1HyI5f30I/AAAAAAAAAFg/J6sdw1I6bl8/s1600/DSC02758.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_auxYMprUNGs/TI1HyI5f30I/AAAAAAAAAFg/J6sdw1I6bl8/s320/DSC02758.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516144045306404674" border="0" /></a><br />The smallest things inspire me...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2809962807451793121.post-45258270951529661202010-09-10T13:00:00.000-07:002010-10-18T13:25:38.863-07:00from house 2 home<span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;">I</span> believe that you don't have to spend money to make a house a home... here is a little bit of what I have been doing to make my new house a home for my family.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 296px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 203px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515378630965922194" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_auxYMprUNGs/TIqPpKSBCZI/AAAAAAAAAEw/p3OfRw22RME/s320/DSC02738.JPG" /><br /><br />All items were materials that I had already owned and the boards I bought at a thrift store. They had dents and scratches which naturally made me love them more....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 301px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 203px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515380720363563794" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_auxYMprUNGs/TIqRix5O6xI/AAAAAAAAAFI/J5EjUaSeLtI/s320/DSC02749.JPG" /><br /><br /><br />I enjoy taking everyday pieces and using them in different ways... this is a material I have had since college that has been used as a table cloth, curtain and now a piece has been cut off and braided to hang my beautiful frame.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515382329923857618" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_auxYMprUNGs/TIqTAd-T7NI/AAAAAAAAAFY/h5P4ddNx0Nk/s320/DSC02752.JPG" /><br />By every space that is redeemed in this place slowly transforms into my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">family's</span> safe haven... a place of rest.... a place to live. Enjoy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2809962807451793121.post-34238670105570268232010-09-09T20:01:00.000-07:002010-09-09T20:52:40.241-07:00Omi & Maude's grand adventure<div><span style="font-size:180%;">T</span>oday I feel fresh and over<span style="font-size:130%;">joy</span>ed with this new life ahead of me. I love the inspiration of fall and all that it entails. The pure fact that it symbolizes <em>change</em>... (<span style="font-size:78%;">something that I <em>love</em> more than anything </span><span style="font-size:100%;">) changes in the air, football, fall fashion, garage sales (<span style="font-size:78%;">or as I say earth friendly treasure hunting</span>), funky yard decor and leaves... awe change how I love thee. </span></div><br /><div><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">A</span>s fall marks a season of change in nature it also marks a significant change in my life. My small family and I recently relocated to a new city with amazing history as well as an array of diverse people groups and cultures (<span style="font-size:78%;">another thing that I <em>love</em></span>). Most importantly I get to be home with one of my <span style="font-size:130%;">favorite</span> people, my two year old daughter Omi. Every day is an adventure with the two of us... Omi & Maude's grand adventures! Today on our grand adventure we walked through our new neighborhood gazing at the rows of town homes, each with its own charm and fun personality. I became inspired by the different textures used; the brick, slate and the amazing <span style="color:#00cccc;"><strong>color</strong></span> choices for doors! Like I said, charm and fun personality! <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_auxYMprUNGs/TImquzJdR2I/AAAAAAAAAEk/PAkPepgio20/s1600/picnic.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 295px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 253px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515126939672463202" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_auxYMprUNGs/TImquzJdR2I/AAAAAAAAAEk/PAkPepgio20/s320/picnic.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">O</span>mi is my little scientist who loves to collect stones and leaves among other things on our daily walks. She is also a great partner at thrift/consignment stores and searching out what others say is old and redeeming it to beauty and art. Today due to the beautiful weather, my daughters new pet rocks and the inspiring town homes I think my next project will be designing a picnic set for my(<span style="font-size:78%;"> recent steal from a earth friendly treasure hunt</span>) wicker basket...oh joy... lunch under the fall sun with my Omi.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0