Weekend links

This weekend I am all excited. I have a good friend's birthday party, and hopefully will get to have lunch with a couple of friends the hubby and I love. I can certainly count on lots of laughter scheduled for Saturday! Do you have any fun plans? Here is what I intend to finish by Sunday:

Here are some links I find worth it during your down time this weekend. Enjoy!

Everything Etsy had these great ideas and pictures of crafting and scrap booking inspiration. Made me want to stay home and make something pretty!

The Cottage Market shared 25 meat-free dog treats from around the web. I MUST make my babies some of these! Anything to avoid giving them bleached leather munchies from the pet store!

Simple Homeschool shared a post about how kids don't need worksheets and fancy posters to learn. Although I don't agree 100% on what was said about letting kids run around and quote: "And, somehow, after a couple of years, he’ll just know all of the letters, numbers, shapes and colors", I did find the realistic approach interesting, from a teacher's point of view.

Lastly, Socialmouths posted on finding your sweet spot in blogging. Can I get an Amen?

Five Minute Friday: Dance

Today we are joining The Gypsy Mama for her Five Minute Friday. Here is what she has to say about it:

Around here we write for five minutes flat on Fridays.

We write because we love words and the relief it is to just write them without worrying if they’re just right or not. So we take five minutes on Friday and write like we used to run when we were kids.

On Fridays we write with gusto, unselfconscious and flat out.

Rules:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here ( and @ Gypsy Mama) and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.

OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes on: DANCE

In our household, there is no need for formal music. A soap opera opening song is enough for us to break into dance. The idea of making the dogs mad is enough to make us break into dance. The feeling of coming home after a long day is enough to make us break into dance. It's one of the little quirks about us that I love. It's one of the things that makes my heart ache for missing you when we are both at work. It's one of the small joys of this world, which shows me that no matter what, we are going to be alright, as long as we are together.

Lots of couples have 'their song'. We have several. All equally important, all equally representative of places, dates and feelings. And when I am huffing and puffing and ranting about something, there is nothing better than your hand grabbing my wrist for a music-less spin acccross the kitchen floor. As Sting would say, When we dance angels run and hide their wings.

Happy weekend everyone!

Grateful Thursday: Week 2

It's that time of the week. What are YOU grateful for?

♥ Last week of term with kids (always special!) ♥ A clean home ♥ Plans for the weekend ♥ TWO YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY  ♥  tons of Pinterest inspiration ♥ Lysa TerKeurst's Made to Crave book ♥ Curves gym and working out buddies ♥ A conversation with a street walker and lots of love for his ten year old doggie ♥

Happy Anniversary!

Today my husband and I celebrate our two year anniversary! Yay!

We studied in the same elementary school, so I have actually known him for about twenty-five years. We have been together for nearly six, and living together for four. And yet, we still hate being apart for one night. I hope that never changes.

It's a fact. I don't thank my husband enough for the amazing person that he is, and all he does for me. I don't do it privately, and I certainly don't do it publicly. So today, this post is simply to thank him for everything, everyday. My life would be much less fun without him.

If you don't have anyone who's ever swepped you off your feet, I honestly pray you will. My husband far surpasses all my dreams of what a man could be, in and out of a relationship. And if you ever believed those fairy tale stories about unconditional love and had people tell you it's baloney, trust me, it's not. They just say that because they haven't found it yet. Keep looking.


Happy anniversary gorgeous! I love you!


~Your little gosh

On Your Screen

I love finding new blogs, and checking out all sorts of link up parties they offer. I usually don't commit to them because I'll end up with a blog that is solely done for linking parties every day of the week, and that is not the point here.

So every once in a while I like to randomly link up to some goodness. Today, we are linking up to Only Impossible  Until Done (don't you just love that name?) for their On Your Screen post.

I can't even begin to try to make a top five all time favorite films list. So these are my top five romantic picks, to celebrate that tomorrow is my two year wedding anniversary! So without further ado, in no specific order:

Only You. Girl gets a phone call from a guy whose name a fortune teller told her was the man of her life days before her wedding. So she decides to go to Italy after him!



Moulin Rouge. I am NOT a musical lover. But this one was definetely worth it. First, because the music is plain awesome. Second, because the story is just beautiful. Third, because its a visually amazing movie.

Notting Hill. "After all, I am just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her". Need I say more???

You've got mail. An oldie but goodie that proves why we all love Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, especially when they are together. Plus, she owns a bookstore. What's not to love about that?

The Lake House. The premisse of this movie is the weirdest thing in the world, and it has everything to be a flop. If I were Sandra Bullock I would have said NO to making this movie in a heart beat, afraid it would ruin my career. But why is it that every time I watch it I end up in tears?
What about you? Do you have any favorite romantic movies to share?

Meat Free Monday: Pinterest Inspiration

I am in no way a goddess in the kitchen, so I often turn to inspiration everywhere when it comes to cooking. Today, instead of a single recipe, I would like to share some of the pins I have on my 'Veggie Love' board on Pinterest. To follow me on Pinterest, click here.

Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread from Betty Crocker

Oven baked zucchini sticks from Fun and Food Cafe

Lentil Rice from Como Come Cami

Blackberries, fennel and goat cheese pizza from Scaling Back

And for the animal lovers out there, Peanut Butter Dog treats from Pink Pistachio

Weekend links

Here are some things I enjoyed reading during the week:


Angie Smith's emotional encounter with a street beggar. I was crying in front of anyone who walked by my office after hours, reading this and thinking how many times didn't I also ignore street beggars before?

A guest blogger taught us how to make a beautiful flower head band over at Flats to Flip Flops. I am not so good on the DYI side of things usually, but this sounds so easy, I must try it!

Kelly, over from Eat Yourself Skinny shared the recipe for Strawberries, Peach and Basil with Orange Vinaigrette. Looks so delicious!
Holley Gerth talked about what kinds of signs do we leave hanging on our hearts. Ouch, that one was for me and my-sometimes-too-selfish-self.

Have a great weekend everyone! Hope you all get to spend it with such cool people and doggies as I do!

Five Minute Friday: Risk

Today we are joining The Gypsy Mama for her Five Minute Friday. Here is what she has to say about it:

Around here we write for five minutes flat on Fridays.

We write because we love words and the relief it is to just write them without worrying if they’re just right or not. So we take five minutes on Friday and write like we used to run when we were kids.

On Fridays we write with gusto, unselfconscious and flat out.

Rules:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here ( and @ Gypsy Mama) and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.

OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes on: Risk

I play by the rules. I follow procedures. I respect authority. I have always been a do-gooder and have always been quite amazed at people who seemingly throw it all to chance. Don't they realize that houses don't clean themselves, so they should probably get on that vaccumming instead of going out for a drink? Don't they see that debt is the most horrible thing and they should pay it off instead of charging it up? Can't they understand that what we invest in our own education is what builds us, so they should go to class and not skip school to tan at the beach?

In March my husband and I made a decision that was hard for us. It wasn't life threatening or urgent. We needed to decide whether we would spend our New Year's in Disney World. Simple, right? Well, living in Brazil, the cost of plane tickets alone is absurd. Plus hotels, meals, shopping, parks....you get the picture. And we aren't exactly the proud owners of a chubby savings account.

In the end, against all rational we booked the ticket. We decided memories are made of moments, not of how many times we avoided credit cards (and we are very careful with them). We decided we deserved it. We realised that we work hard and don't often play hard.

It didn't come lightly, but it was the best decision we ever made. Each day, God has been comforting me and showing me how to depend on Him  and not worry. I am sure He will provide enough for us to do it with no debt. Because risks taken with HIM are no risks at all.

 

Grateful Thursday Week 1

Last week I introduced Grateful Thursdays. Today is the first day to stop and think about what you are thankful for.

♥ The freedom and love only Jesus can give me ♥ lunches with mum ♥ A dog in need of a home ♥ The best husband in the world ♥ My willpower to take care of myself, eating properly and getting some exercise ♥ A wonderful nephew ♥ The clean consiousness of being a vegetarian ♥

And you, what are you grateful for today?

New shoes (kinda)

About six months ago I bought myself an extremely comfy pair of shoes for about $10. They are gorgeous, minus the hiddeous bow they had on, which I promptly yanked out.

The thing is, I was left with shoes with tiny holes on them and no idea of what to do. After a couple of months at the back of my closet, I remembered I have a box filled with all sorts of fancy tapes, which I keep from gifts I get (frugal much?).

My favorite were actually the red and white with snow flakes, but I would definetely look as Santa's little helper, so I only have the guts to break them out around Thanksgiving. In the mean time, I found these very girly pink ones, which I have been wearing proudly every where I go.

The bows aren't the nicest, and I must say, I never imagined it would be sooo hard to get them to not be lopsided (obviously I failed some kind of shoe lacing test back in Middle School).

Any hints on how I can transform shoes? I loved the concept of making something prettier and more like me!

Meet Indy

This is Indy (as in Indiana Jones). He has actually been Bartholo and Marley within the last month. I won't blame him if he starts having an identity crisis soon.

This little one and a half year old was found by the NGO my husband and I help. He was named Bartholo by the director, taken to an adoption fair and promptly adopted by a sweet lady, who began calling him Marley.

The problem is, she has had another dog for nine years, and Marley wasn't exactly welcomed home. Even though the owners kept trying, things got worst and the other dog started getting sick and refusing to eat. So finally, she decided to return the dog.

I must be honest, I judged her. I thought who in the world returns an adopted dog? I was thinking all sorts of mean things about how selfish she could be, until I saw her on Sunday. Her anguish was splattered over her face, running amidst the salty tears. This was pure pain for her. And the fact that Marley was so oblivious about what was happening seem to sting even more.

We promised we would get him and keep him, until he could be placed in adoption. That lasted a whole half an hour. After coming home with us, he smelled everything, showed a pure joy about a sunny backyard and got his belly rubbed a lot.

And then, he began to cry. He was desperately seeking his owner, crying. Looking at me, crying. Smelling his bed, crying. It was the worst thing I have ever seen. The feeling that a creature could feel so abandoned, so unloved.

We live in a small house, and three dogs seems like two dogs too many in there. But that moment I knew we could't keep him, let him become attached to us, only to let him go. So we do what feels right in our hearts regardless of what other people think. And we name him Indy, for good.

Meat Free Monday: Sushi

In Brazil, all-you-can-eat upscale sushi places are very common, and people often love them. Which makes it a bit hard if you are avoiding fish. For a long time I used to only order Mushroom Teppan, but nowadays several sushi places offer a vegetarian sushi platter.

Source

Vegetarian sushi contains japanese rice and seaweed, which is all types of good for you. Instead of the usual fish, the vegetarian version offers chopped and sliced vegetables and fruit. It's great for vegetarians and people who eat meat, but don't do fish.

My favorite one is a toss between the pineapple and the kiwi ones. Delicious!

Weekend links

I see so many blogs that post weekend links, and I usually find them awesome. Except for the fact that I have no internet connection at home due to living in the middle of nowhere, and my internet connection is on other people's houses only (aka my brothers'). The problem is my bloglovin' account is usually filled with unread blog posts until I get aggravated and just press 'delete all'.

So needless to say, I am a bit hesitant in suggesting other links. I know how tempting it is to want to click and read through it all and feel like the world can wait until your eyes are crossing over from staring at the computer screen for so long.

However, this week I read some really good posts and would like to share with y'all.

Lysa TerKeust instituted a National Kick Yourself in the Pants and Get Started day. Ok, so she actually posted this on June 6, but like I said, I am behind on my blog-reading.

Kira from Her New Leaf had a set of twelve blog categories on her last Freebie Friday. Obviously I love this woman's design since I used her connect buttons, and I intend on using these babies as soon as I have the time to place it into my design.

Angie from Sundaybelle made some awesome looking Tequila and White Chocolate Buttercream Cupcakes. She makes them sound ridiculously easy and they look outrageously delicious!

And last, but not least, Mindi over at Miss Darlingheart made an awesome looking Toy Dinosaur Photo Holder. I seriously want to have a baby boy in my future just so I can justify having some of these around the house!

How about you, do you have any good reads to share?

Happy weekend everyone!

Grateful Thursdays

It has been a while since I last wrote about books around here, and it doesn’t mean I have not been reading. On the contrary, it means the last couple of books I read were so dense and made such a huge impact on me that I needed time to digest them.

One of these was Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You are.

I have no idea of how I found Ann’s blog, but I came to enjoy her writing through it. The woman is clearly a Holy Spirit filled writer! I particularly loved her post on An Easter Garden.

I recognized the cover of her book on her blog home page from Amazon’s suggestions to me based on my previous purchase, so I figured I should go ahead and read it. And I did. And it changed my life.

The premise of the book is quite simple: she begins making a list of one thousand things she can thank God for. But the list becomes something so much more, it changes her views and it makes her a better Christian. Reading along, we get to have the same a-ha moments she does, and come along for the journey.

Obviously, I started my own list. It is ridiculous how long it takes for us to get into the habit of filling it out, how foreign being continuously thankful seems.  I started the list on May 1^st, the same day I finished the book. Over a month later, I am still on item 273. Can I really only find 273 things to be thankful in the span of a whole month? Sad, I know.

So to help me practice thankfulness more often, I decided to dedicate one day a week in this blog to talk about it: Grateful Thursdays.

What about you? Do you have things you are grateful for?

Hobbies

After finishing school I have had plenty of free time in my hands. I love it because I get to catch up with everything I need to do at home, work AND have some time left over for a hobby.

My choice lately has been cross-stitching. I am in LOVE with all things stitching, sewing and fibers-related, but am severely handicapped when it comes to actually producing something. Case in point, my biggest achievement so far:

It's not that bad. But you don't want to see the back of it! And it's pretty much all I can do. I am hoping I will outgrow this when I get pregnant and start making pretty things for a baby.

Here is my biggest inspiration for cross-stitching, my sewing box. Isn't it lovely?

How about you, do you have any fun hobbies?

Tickle Me Tuesdays: Romatic picks

It's Ticke Me Tuesday day here at Little Gosh! 
Here are Sarah's rules:

1. Write a short post with anywhere from one to five items that have been tickling your fancy recently. Please include pictures and links :)

2. Make sure to link back to the party in your blog post (you can grab the button or include a text link)

3. Go back to Yes Teacher Crafts and come back here and link up your blog post!

4. Visit some other links and HAVE FUN!

This week's items are romantic picks! Today is the equivalent to Valentine's Day in Brazil. We actually call it girlfriend/boyfriend day because it trully only applies to couples, which is not so fun for single ladies.

Valentine's day garland by bhg.com . How romantic!

 

Heart-shaped cookies from Moms who think. Looks yummy!

 

And this was uploaded by a friend of mine onto Pinterest, without any credit. It's just precious!

Meat Free Mondays: Broccoli, Tahine and Soy Sauce Pasta

After making a Barley Casserole with Tahine I fell in love with the mixture of tahine and dark green veggies on a dish. Thinking of that, I made up this Broccoli, Tahine and Soy Sauce Pasta, and it turned out to be delicious!

The tons of parmesan cheese on top prove I am not a vegan yet, but any non-dairy eating folks can just sip that part!

Julie's Broccoli, Tahine and Soy Sauce Pasta

Ingredients:

-cooked pasta ( I prefer whole weat)

-tahine dressing

-soy sauce

-garlic

-chopped broccoli (the more, the better!)

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta normaly, and drain. Set aside.

2. On a large skillet or wok, add some garlic and broccoli.

3. When broccoli is soft, add some tahine (go easy on it if you never had it, it has quite a strong taste!)

4. Add the pasta and some soy sauce. Be careful not to over do it, or the tahine+ soy sauce will became a quite salty duo.

That's it! I was so proud of myself for making up a dish!

How about you, do you have any made up recipes?

New look and Ad Swap Opportunity

I love the idea of blogging. I love the idea of working from home when I become a full time mom in a couple of years much more. So, when I started blogging, I began in Portuguese, so that I could network around Brazil.

Casa, Comida e Alma Lavada (which is a play on words for the house-food-laundry set that most people want) actually soared more than I could have expected. Although I kept investing in Oh My Gosh!, it seem the fruits I was reaping were in the Brazilian blog.

The thing is, I was starting to have a translated blog. It wasn't authentic, and it meant nothing to the Brazilian peeps. I'd post on Tickle Me Tuesdays, Five Minute Mondays, and review a bunch of ebooks that have not yet been released in Portuguese. In short, I was not giving it all I could.
So from now on the two blogs will no longer merge. That one will remain focused on all house-wifey things, while this one will continue with much of the freedom it has had in the past. It seemed appropriate to change the look and name at this point, which I had been meaning to do anyway. Both the new look and name are based on some feedback I got over at the Better Blogger Network. I love it how it can 'breathe' much better. Simple is always good for me.

Last, but not leat, I'd like to offer the readers of Little Gosh the option of Ad Swaps. I am utterly against pop-up ads 'lose belly fat first' ads and refuse to visually pollute something so dear to me. When I get to be a blogging queen I might be able to charge, but right now, ads will go on free of charge, first come first serve (meaning higher up on the blog as well). 150x150 size only please. Holler if you are interested!

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Things I love

I noticed a couple of blogs that post a weekly ‘things I love Thursdays’ and thought it would be a nice inspiration  for this week, especially because today is a holiday in Brazil, so I am outside with the 3-dimensional people.

Something I love to do

Some super church fun at Free Chapel circa 2006.

Go to church. Honestly. I know it’s not usually a top ten thing for people, even some that choose to go, but I just love it. I (almost) always come out feeling renewed and grounded.

Something I love to eat

Cheese. Along with bread, cheese is one of my pitfalls. I don’t even care what kind of cheese it is, I’ll have it.

Somewhere I love to be

Disney world. Yes, I am as mature as a five-year-old on this one. I’d take an annual Disney World trip over a year long trip around the world anyday.

Something I love to read

Tough one, since I love books in general. One of my all-time favorites is Nicholas Sparks. Yes, I am a girl, I cried through half of Dear John and wanted to hit Savannah on the back of her head for threatening to leave the obvious love of her life.

Something I love to watch

I love series, but I hate the waiting in between weeks and (God forbid) between seasons. So give me the complete season box set of anything, any time. My current obsession is House MD.  

Updated date book

A while ago, the only way people had of making notes on special dates was using a day planner. I remember how fond I was of getting a new day planner and patiently sitting down to transfer all birthdays, special occasions and contact information with my best handwriting.

Diary by Abbi Meadows, from Z as in Zebra

Thanks to technology, nowadays things are much easier. You may use your computer’s Outlook to mark all this info, or even free online based programs, such as Google Calendar. What I love most about it is that we can choose to set it as a one-time event, weekly, monthly or annually, which means no more having to write your bdays somewhere every year.  

Here are some ideas to add to your calendar that go beyond birthdays, and can help you around the house:

-Doctor’s appointments, and when you have to return.

-Vet’s appointments and other pet info, such as when flea medication needs to be administered again.

-seasonal information about your house, such as mattress turning, toothbrush expiration dates and information about when you last did something specific, such as when you last cleaned your gutter.

-other seasonal information, such as deadlines for car insurance, school registration and traveling schedules.

Do you have any hints about keeping a calendar on track, or are you often remembering expired items?

Tickle Me Tuesdays: Hair clips

It's Ticke Me Tuesdays day here at Oh My Gosh!
Here are Sarah's rules:

1. Write a short post with anywhere from one to five items that have been tickling your fancy recently. Please include pictures and links :)

2. Make sure to link back to the party in your blog post (you can grab the button or include a text link)

3. Go back to Yes Teacher Crafts and come back here and link up your blog post!

4. Visit some other links and HAVE FUN!

This week's items are hair clips. I loooove them, and often don't use them- go figure. So maybe this will inspire me to make my hair prettier....

Anthropologie- Is there anything they make that I don't just love?

From Target, which means cute and cheap!

Silk Satin flower clip from Lovely Hair Candy's Etsy shop

How about you? Any hair cuteness to share?



Meat Free Mondays: Heart of Palms Stroganoff

Beef Stroganoff is a Russian dish that has become a staple in Brazilian homes. I grew up eating the beef and chicken versions, but after becoming a vegetarian found out there is a heart of palms version as well. I first had this during a dinner when the main course was beef stroganoff, but the host was extremely gracious and prepared me the veggie version. Here is my husband's version, my favorite!

Andre's Heart of Palm Stroganoff

Ingredients

-onions

-garlic

-heart of palms

-black and green olives

-mozzarella cheese

-cheese sauce

-tomato sauce (2 tablespoons per jar of cheese sauce)

Directions



1- Put the onion, garlic, heart of palms and olives on a large skillet. Let it get soft.

2- Add two tablespoons of tomato sauce and the chesse sauce. Its colour should be similar to Thousand Island dressings, so adapt accordingly.

3- Add mozzarella in slices and let it melt into the skillet.

That is it! I suggest serving it on some rice and adding some chips of thin potato wedges.

Better Blogger Network

I have a new-found love: Better Blogger Network.

I actually haven't had that much time to spend on it because I just finished school (besides working full time), but I can't wait for the weekend to be here so I can sink my teeth into it. It seems to be an amazing network, where people post ad swaps, latest posts, blog ideas, helpful hints, and so much more.

They even have a book club! We will be reading Divergent in June, and I can't wait. I've always wanted to be in a book club, but never had the opportunity.

I'll definetely post more info about what I think about it as I go, but I can already say people are sooo nice and soo helpful. In the near future we will experience some radical changes in this little blog, and some of the girls in BBN are responsible for the most encouraging and helpful feedback to make that happen.

I suggest you check it out! Have a great weekend everyone!