Martha's colors

We all know Martha Stewart knows a tad bit about home decor. And although she may have an army of minions and probably gets little done herself, she certainly has good taste.

Because of that, I was very inspired by this pin I found from Martha's site.

According to Martha, these are colors that:

1- Are neutral enough to be used with any other accent colors.
2- Great colors for people who are afraid of colors, as they are a first step out of the white and beige world.

I can visualize my living room with #4, a #9 kitchen, a lovely master bedroom with #5, and #12 is just so lovable I don't even know which room I'd pick to paint. Oh, and let's not forget #1, which I can see as a nursery for a boy or a girl, with the right accent colors!

I thought you all would like this decor hint. Specially my husband-hint hint! If you liked them, hop onto Martha's site for the details on each one.

Meat Free Monday: Navratan Korma

This past week was my mum's birthday, and to celebrate we went to a fancy Indian restaurant, so my mum could introduce her ten-month old grandson to Nan bread. Plus, I think she was just excited in having her kids partake on Indian customs, since she is all about India, as she has been going there every year for the past six years.

Mum, in a trip to India

I was all excited because I love curry and I know a lot of Indians are vegetarians, which means I'd get my pick at something decent to eat. I automatically chose the vegetarian curry, but my mum talked me into ordering a Navratan Korma. Say what?

Navratan Korma (source)

First of all, let me say there is obviously a reason mothers know best. This dish was one of THE.MOST.DELICIOUS.THINGS.I.HAVE.EVER.EATEN. Hands down. 'Navratan' means nine, so there are nine main ingredients, including paneer cheese, which is kind of tofu-like. The sauce was creamy and not spicy at all, and just plain delicious!


Next time you go to an Indian place, I urge you to step outside the curry-box and order you some of this!

Weekend links (kinda)

For the second week in a row, I don't have weekend links for y'all. I've been attending a week-long training with some awesome Canadian educators (did I tell you how I love my job?) and I honestly haven't had time to check the blog world. Technically, I have, but in the husband versus internet debate, my bloglovin' gets no attention.

However, since I am an over-achiever and trapped onto my self-made maniac rules (such as my 'Saturdays are Weekend Link days' rule, which no one cares if I keep but me), I figured I could share some blogs that I love. No matter what these have posted, they are always a good read for me. So drumroll please....

Moonbeamwishes - Ms. Megan seems like such a sweet lady, she loves tea and pretty pictures. She also is all about Dr. Who, but I must be honest, I know nothing about the show. Her Pinterest pins are also always lovely, which makes me feel she is a far away friend. I like her so much, she is one of my few ad buttons.

Lysa TerKeurst - First, I found her blog. That's when I fell in love with her messages. Then I read Made to Crave and fell in love with her writing and her humour. I am currently reading Capture His Heart, and can tell my marriage thanks this woman for being such an instrument of God!

Sew many ways - Lately I've been all about sewing. Well, sort of, because I don't even have a sewing machine. But I am craving all things fabric and crafty! So I love checking out Karen's blog. The blog itself is not the most modern and updated design, but the content is always really good! 

Have a blessed weekend everyone!

Christmas in July- Part two!

Christmas in July was on the 25th, and unfortunately I did not have a present then. But the wait was definetely worth it, because yesterday I came home to a gorgeous box! I was Oh!So excited!

I know I don't look that excited in this pic. But I was, and I did get more and more excited as I went through it! First of all, there was this awesome box. I love boxes. I have no idea of what I'll use this one for, but it's all cute and girly and fits quite a lot of stuff.

I would have been a happy camper if the box had been empty. Seriously. But oh, no, Kim went the extra mile here...the box was packed!

There was an owl bookmarker. I cannot begin to tell you how exciting that was. I love books, and therefore bookmarkers. And lately I've been having an owl thing. I am becoming obsessed with them, and  there is a story to explain.

A while back I saw an owl theme party on the web and totally freaked out. You see, in Portuguese (the language we speak in Brazil, yo) a devoted mother is not a mamma bear. She's a mamma owl (daddies, grandmas, ants and all the rest can be owls as well). Owls must make good mothers. Either that, or it's because of the lack of sleep they get at nightime. Anyway, I decided when I do get pregnant, I'll have an owl themed baby shower. (Note to friends, steal my idea and I will be forced to kill you). Since then, I've taken owls and God-sent signs to get busy and get pregnant.

 

Back to the box. This is a recycled note pad. As in made with recycled moose poop note pad. It also has pine needles and non-tree waste fibers such as hay, all those hippie friendly things that I dig. Of course it doesn't actually smell, I was being silly. I think it's an awesome idea, and totally the kind of thing I would expect to find at a tourist shop in Canada. Gotta love me some stereotypes.

A pen and another cute notepad (this one is lined, and apparently not made out of poop). I just want to take a minute to thank my husband for not giving me a head up about what my hair looked like when I walked in the door. He claims since I was making silly faces, that went with the look. Geez.

 

The pièce de resistance? Another freakin' owl! And seriously, the most gorgeous porcelain owl ever. She is named Princess Georgia, because she comes from Prince George in British Columbia. I'm sure you will see her around when I post pictures of my nursery, because it's design will revolve around her. LOVED her. And took it as a double-sign that I need to make me some babies.

Thank you so much to Kim for being so sweet. Our future babies will be Helena or Arthur, but I guess if we have twin girls, I'll have to convince my hubby to name the second girl Kim! I mentioned her blog on Wednesday, and if you didn't have the chance of check it out, do so now! You know you want to know more about such a cool and generous lady!

Grateful Thursday: Week 6

Better late than never, here is today's Thankful moment. The highlight of my week was definetely my birthday dinner, and the biggest star was my gorgeous nephew!

♥ family  ♥ friends ♥   babies ♥  laughter ♥ birthday presents ♥  small talk ♥ seeing people you don't get to meet up often  ♥ feeling spoiled ♥

Christmas in July

I saw some blog posts talking about present swaps and totally felt like the left out kid. I wanted in this magical blogging world in which people are friends and pair up to promote each other's blogs, have ad swaps, and apparently now, exchange presents.

So when I caught sight of the Christmas in July present swap in Every Day is a New Adventure, I barely waited for any sense, I just jumped at the sign up form. It said I would be paired up with someone by June 27th, and have to mail them something from 10 to 20 bucks by July 13th. Sounded good.

I actually only got an email on July 1st, so for a while I thought I was automatically out  (serves me right, being from Brazil and all). Because they couldn't find someone within my continent as promised, I was paired up with someone in CANADA. I was a bit upset, because when I went to the Post Office to check out how much shipping was going to set me back, I found out that the least a package to Canada would cost would be 22 dollars in shipping alone! And to be honest, I can't really throw around that kind of money right now, so if I were given a choice, I'd probably opt out. I just feel really bad for Kim, for being paired up with me!

Anyway, a promise is a promise, and I knew the honorable thing to do would be to work on my package right away. As Kim loves foxes, my husband gave me the brilliant idea of giving her a Cruzeiro fox, the mascot of a football team. Isn't he cute?

It turns out the mascot alone was the set price for the exchange. But that would be so boring! So I went around my house looking for things this lady might also like. Call me cheapo. I call myself frugal. It's fashionable these days. Ha!

I knew I had to add a book, because I think books make the best presents. Ever. So I looked through my pile of books which I have been meaning to donate, and picked a gem: Shanghai Sisters by Lisa See.

This book is so touching! It's about two sisters who go from being models in Shanghai to having to run away to America with barely anything to their names. I hope she likes novels.

I also wanted to add something for a good cause, so I send her a newspaper flower I once bought at an NGO event. It's not this one, but it kind of gives you an idea:

Actually, it looks nothing like this. Now she is just going to think I am a liar, and want this pretty one. But remember Kim, it was for a good cause!

And lastly, I decided to be funny. I added a tiny Christmas box, because you know, it's Christmas in July!

 I did enjoy getting the box ready, and am looking forward for my box. I also hope you'll hop onto Kim's blog Fox You (Very Much), to check it out!



Holiday recap

I'm still in holiday mode with the blog. I went from being offline to now being in a week long training with the Canadian trainers that often come to pass on Curriculum info, which means I have to wake up extra early to commute into the city, which gives me little time for blogging. Therefore today I just want to do a simple post with my holiday recap.

My week off included lots of reading, cross stitching and quiet. My hubby actually surprised me by taking two days off work so I'd have him around for my bday (isn't him the sweetest?). I also had my mom around, which is always a plus. And although my nephew started off being really sick, thank God he got really better. But the real highlight of my week was Saturday, when I got pampered with a manny (such a simple, delightful way to please a girl!) and had a dinner at a veggie whole-wheat pizza place (sounds gross, but it's actually delicious!) with some of my closest friends for my birthday!

I felt like such a lucky girl!

Meat Free Mondays: Oatmeal

I have a long history of love over breakfast foods. If my nutricionist allowed me, I could live on breakfast foods alone. My love is so deep, that I had a brunch at my wedding, and it was delicious! None of that 'brides don't eat during their own wedding' nonsense!

Lately I've been trying to be really good about what I eat. I have no choice. So, for breakfast, I've been crushing on this lovely option a couple of times a week:


Superb, isn't it? And the best part is that if you change your fruits, you get an (almost) whole new dish! Plus, it's easy-peasy to make, which is ideal for my just-out-of-bed-self.

Julie's Oatmeal

Ingredients:

-oats

-cinnamon

-raisins

-any sort of chopped fruit you have available

-water

Directions:

1. Put a little bit of water on a skillet (just enough to coat it)

2. Bring water to boil.

3. Add a mix of oats, cinnamon and raisins- you choose the ratio.

4. Mix well. When it's nearly done, add in some chopped fruit (the picture features chopped bananas and guava, yum!)

I promise it is as yummy and healthy as it looks. And if you *must*, add some brown sugar on it, but I suggest you slowly add less and less until you need none!

No weekend links

As I mentioned I'd be offline this week, there are no weekend links today, only pretty pictures and memories of lovely places. Enjoy.

Eating that frog

"Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day" ~ Mark Twain

There is no doubt of what my 'frog' would be. Exercise. If I would be able to do that, I know nothing worse could happen to me for the rest of the day. I know that nothing else could make me huff and puff as those gym apparels. And yet, I know I have to exercise. No questions.

Every time I joined a gym I got excited about the promises of fast weight-loss, muscle-gain, and that I would love it in a month's time, since the brain gets all these fun-loving chemicals that leave you addicted to working out. Obviously, God skipped those in my brain, because no matter what I did, exercise has always been pure torture. As in the 'makes me want to cry' type.

This is my idea of a perfect day. No exercise needed.

So the other day I walked into Curves. I figured, 30 minutes, three-times a week, going around a little circuit with some sixty-year olds? That's what I need. No girls in size 2 working out by my side (while I kept thinking 'why do they workout so much? I'd be on the couch if I had that waist!'). No iron-man with scary bulging muscles waiting to use the biceps thingy, while I smile and push through the two lightest weights there are.

I bought into the program, did my first experimental class with the instructor and left the gym smiling. Half the time you are on the equipment (which is actually harder than it looks). And half the time you are on a platform, moving from side to side, thanking God you can take it easy for 30 seconds. It was perfect.

Day 2 was a bit different. A different instructor came in and got rid of the platforms. 'Today we are not working out our tongues' she said. And proceeded to give us specific exercises in between the machines.

At first, I thought it was cool. Shaking things up once in a while is important. But then, Saturday came and I was sore. No, I mean it, as in can't walk up the stairs sore. I decided I would go back on Monday and ask for a schedule of these 'special days' so I could skip, because I was a beginner, and I hadn't signed up for that.

It took me a whole 2 seconds to get into the gym and realize that the 'special days' of working out were now every day. The program changed, and now each day focuses on something different. There are Shiban lessons, Combat lessons, days we work out with a ball or focus on dancing. It's actually quite awesome. And much more fun than skipping on a platform.

I wasn't expecting to enjoy Curves as I am. I actually do wake up excited to work out, and that NEVER happened to me before. And I learned my lesson: we tend to build expectations of what things are like before we check them out. And it often turns out that we were wrong.

How about you, do you have a fun exercise?

***NOTE: This post was in no way sponsored by Curves***

Grateful Thursday: Week 5

It's that time of the week to say thanks for all we have. And as people say that pictures are worth a thousand words, I leave you with a thesis. Here is a collage 31 years+ in the making, as thanks for my life and one more birthday.

♥  ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Book review: Made to Crave

I recently read Made to Crave, by Lysa TerKeurst not once, but twice. I'd love to tell you it's because I am so in-sync with her writing, that it felt natural to go once more. It's actually because this was such a struggle for me, that I read most of it during my lunch hour, with a bowl of pasta in front of me. Oh, the shame.

Anyway, around tackling 70% of the book the first time around I realized that it wasn't going to help me. Not that the lady doesn't try. But I had to help me. And I had to ask God to help me. And the more I read it, the more Lysa helped me help myself. You know what I mean?

First of all, let me say I don't think this is a book for people who want to lose weight. It is a book for everyone who eats all sorts of junk food, knows its bad for them, and wishes they could do something about. But it is so. freakin'. hard.

Lysa does not teach us a magical diet which makes you eat healthy foods for the rest of your life. She doesn't sell pills that make your taste buds get all mixed up and crave broccoli instead of chocolate. She doesn't have a fail proof exercise plan.

She does, however, have something very powerful. She has scripture. She has insights. And she brings something new to the table, literally. In a nutshell, I'd say her book holds three truths:

1- Finding comfort in food rather than in God makes food your idol. And that is bad.

2- Eating properly and exercising regularly are parts of a purposed life. Not doing them is plain rebellion. And that is bad.

3- We need God's strenght to win this cycle. And that is good.

Of course she doesn't put it like that. The woman obviously knows how to write things to make them sound funny and nice, and I am just a meanie. And these three bullet points don't mean I have saved you from spending the price of the book. No, ma'am. The book has so much more. It doesn't matter if you are a size zero or a size sixteen, like myself (for now). If you ever felt guilt about your food choices, chances are you could use reading this book once. Or twice. 

Thirty-one! Oh my!

Today is my birthday. YAY!

I have no words to begin to tell you all what an incredibly blessed person I am. Seriously. I get to be married to the most amazing man I know. I have the sweetest mom. I have the most inspiring dad. I have the most awesome brother and such a godly sister-in-law. I have the cutest nephew. My family is lovely and my friends are fantastic. I have a rocking job and get to live in a beautiful house. I come home to three loyal doggies every day. I have no health problems, and have the grace of Jesus Christ. What more can a girl want?

I leave you with one of my all-time favorite songs, that talks about how I choose to live my life every day: I give you my heart, by Hillsong Church.

This is my desire to honor You
Lord with all my heart
I worship You

  All I have within me
I give You praise
All that I adore is in You

Lord I give You my heart
I give You my soul
I live for You alone

  Every breath that I take
Every moment I'm awake
Lord have Your way in me

And I will live
And I will live for You

Guest post for a lovely mamma

Today there is no Meat Free Monday, for a very special reason! My writing today is featured on Yes Teacher Crafts!

Sarah is a really sweet lady (from what I can tell through her blog, I've never really met her!) and she just had her first baby boy, William. Because she is busy with all things baby-related, she asked her readers to help her out with some guest posts, and I jumped at the opportunity. Hop on over to Yes Teacher Crafts to check out how Sarah is a wish-granter! I am so happy to check that out of my 12 things in 2012 list!

Happy Monday everyone. Have a blessed week!

Weekend links

Oh, we have a fun weekend ahead of us! First, we have a three year old birthday party, and let me tell you, my husband and I LOVE kid parties. I think he loves them for all the junk food and sweets. Sigh. Me? I like the sillyness. Case in point:

Double sigh. And I am sure my sista-friend will kill me for exposing our sillyness on the world wide web. My excuse is that this picture is seven years old and in the words of Pinterest:

So there. Anyway, after the party where my hubby will be stuffing his face and I will probably make a fool of myself, we have a dinner at church, which I am all sorts of excited about. We've been attending this church for a couple of months now, and have been getting involved. But the prospect of an actual dinner, where you get to sit and chat sounds great to meet more people! And on Sunday I'll have the joy of going to bed whenever I want because I'll be off work next week. Which I am excited about mainly because I can watch the Braves beat the Mets and the Giants. Can I get a huge wohooo?

What are your plans for the weekend? How about some light reading in the blogsphere? Here is what I suggest this week:

Katrin from Land of Candy Canes just cracks me up. Whenever I feel a bit bored I hop on to her blog to read them most random things ever. Like this post on 80s cartoons and her running around her backyard naked rescuing a spider. Bless her heart.

For all the animal lovers out there, here is a post to make your eyes tear up. I've fallen in love with Daisy ever since I found this little blog, and although I knew this post was coming, I wasn't quite ready for it.

I love Natalia from Uncommonplace. She loves God, Disney and weddings. Sounds like a long lost sister to me! Check out her post on ways to make life more beautiful. Inspiring!

Your homebased mom shared a recipe for a Caramelized Walnut and Gorgonzola Salad. I saw it just before leaving work for lunch and was craving it for the rest of the day!

And according to Purposefairy, there are fifteen things we should all give up to be happy. Boy, do I need to work on all 15 of these! Easier said than done...

Have a blessed weekend everyone!

Dream Vacation destinations

I don't know how I am managing to focus at work knowing I will have some time off really soon. However, since the blogsphere is unlike the real world, obviously I am in vay-cay mode already over here!

I've shared with you what I plan on watching and reading next week. Now let's think big and dream on. As in the 'You win the lottery and can go anywhere in the world' dream.

My top five dream vacation destinations

1. Walt Disney World Resort, Florida.

The Ohana Character Breakfast at Disney's Polinesean Resort

It is our (my husband and I's) most-favorist place on the world. Ok, I know that wasn't proper English, but that is how much we love Disney World. We love the familiar rides and parks, the story behind the magic, the fantastic customer service, and the new stuff we always find out. I think I could sell Mickey Mouse ice-creams by the Jungle Cruise all day and be perfectly happy. If I could throw some money at it, I'd go ahead and book the Disney Cruise as well!

2.  Portugal + United Kingdom + Italy

Algarve beaches in Portugal, Me in Windsor Castle in England and my baby at the Epcot Center Italy Pavillion.

I am all about family, and these three countries sum up my heritage and my husband's (on his dad's side). I'd love to go with Andre and walk through towns of our forefathers, get to taste a bit of our culture and share what we know with one another. I think trips like this should be mandatory to every couple!

3. Savannah, Georgia

The gorgeous marshes that I used to drive by daily.

Recognise it from the Little Gosh button?

Tears come to my eyes when I think of Savannah. I lived there for six years and still find it one of the prettiest places in the world. Yeah, it smells. Yeah, there are sketchy people and sketchy streets. Yeah, there is the humidity. But I just feel that I left a piece of my heart there, and all sorts of emotions come back up when we visit.

4. Egypt + Turkey +  Syria + Jordan + Israel

Ok, I know there are five countries in this one, but I have always been fascinated with the idea of visiting exotic places, and if I ever do go, I am making the most of it. Egypt is probably a place that everyone wants to go, even if it is just because of the pyramids. I'd love to see Hagia Sophia in Istambul, and it helps that I have a sweet friend who lives there and I'd love to visit. My mother-in-law's family comes from Syria and I'd love to get to see it. When I read Queen Noor's autobiography, I decided I should one day visit Jordan because her descriptions of Aqaba make it sound amazing, and there is the added bonus of Petra. And Israel is a place I'd probably see through blurry eyes from so much emotion of walking the Bible.

5. Canada

 I lived in the States for eight years and never thought about going up to Canada. All I knew about it was that there are lots of moose, beaver, there is Celine Dion, and people speak French and say lots of Eh. Sad, I know. My love for it started in our Honeymoon, when we went to the Oh Canada! show in Epcot Center and I cried at how beautiful the images were. Then I began working at a Canadian School and got to know a bit more of the culture. Now I got paired up with a Canadian blogger for a gift-exchange. It's all just so synchronicity.

What about you, if you could go anywhere, where would you choose?

Grateful Thursday: Week 4

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

♥ A three day weekend ♥ Watching brand new movies with the hubby  ♥ warm blankets on cold, cold nights ♥  yummy soups ♥ having an Ipod filled of worship songs ♥ every minute of every day I didn't have ear aches (because when you do, you realize how blessed you are!) ♥ quiet mornings ♥ my hubby's team winning the Brazilian Cup (he is sooo happy about it!) ♥

Vay-cay books!

I mentioned I am taking one whole week off work next week, which I am very excited about!

To help me unwind and relax, I have programed all posts for the next week, and will be unplugged until Monday the 23rd. I find that crucial to make the most of my days off, and cruising through facebook and the blogging world will only make me glued to the computer. If I start with some withdrawl symptoms, I'll have to check my bloglovin' roll, but I am hopeful about making it an internet-free week!

Yesterday I shared the DVDs and TV I plan on watching, so today I'd like to share with you the books I plan on reading next week:

1. The Bible. I am currently reading 2 Samuel, and I really want to focus on getting the most of what I can. Because a lot of the Old Testament is history based, I tend to forget a lot of stuff! And although I've read the Bible a couple of times, I think I tend to rush through it, so I am making an extra effort to take my time on each paragraph, to make the most of it.

2. The Best of Me, by Nicholas Sparks. I am a sucker for Nicholas Sparks ever since I read The Notebook and Dear John. I'll make sure I have a box of kleenex by me!

3. Capture His Heart: Becoming the Godly Wife your Husband Desires, by Lysa TerKeurst. Lately I've noticed just how much pressure I put on my husband, and just how much nagging I tend to do. Time to fix that! 

4. Grace for the Good Girl, by Emily Freeman. Too many times I try to do too much because I can't possibly not measure up to people's expectations of me. This book should help me deal with that, so I can stop trying to please everyone all the time, which is plain exhausting!

5. The Help, by Kathryn Stockett. I think this book needs no introduction. I've actually not yet seen the movie as well, but I take books over movies any time.

6. Empty Promises, by Pete Wilson. I watched an interview with him and I felt I had to read what he had to say. This book is about the things in life we tend to want, and I have a big problem wanting them!

Do you have any book suggestions for me?

On your screen: vacation picks

Next week I will be taking the week off and I hope to spend loads of time locked at home getting some projects done, doing a lot of reading and catch-up on some DVDs I have laying around. Today I am joining Only Impossible Until Done for their On Your Screen link party once again.

Stuff I plan on watching while on vacation:

Star Wars. I don't even know how many movies there are in this saga (six? nine??). My husband got what seems to be the complete set and we never got around to watching it. Turns out he is not interested in them, but I am! Asides from the mainstream cultural references, and remembering snit-bits of the story from when I was a kid, I really have a very vague idea of what they are about. I know Darth Vader is Luke's father, the princess is eye-candy in a bikini and that Yoda talks funny. That's about it.

Monster House. I bought this DVD used, for $1. I actually have no interest in watching it, but if I am bored and can't find any other viable option, I'll go for it.

Reruns. Lots of Reruns. There is just something sooo comfortable about turning the TV on and finding an old episode. Whether it is Full House, FRIENDS, Grey's Anatomy, 24 or any other of my favorites, I'll be happy to cuddle on the sofa in front of it, even if it involves some Kardashian-action.

Meat Free Mondays: Homemade Larabars

I live in Brazil, and I had never heard of Larabars. All of a sudden, it seems they are everywhere: on Pinterest, featured on blogs and on cooking websites. I am not one to join the bandwagon just because, but I figured I should try it just to check if it really is as good, cheap and easy as I keep reading.

Homemade Larabars as seen on 100 days of real food

Ingredients:

1 cup of chopped raw cashews

1 cup pitted dates

1/4 cup peanut butter

1 tablespoon of water

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor.

2. Squash them together and then flatten them out on a cookie sheet.

3. Cut into individual pieces and keep them in the fridge or at room temperature.

My verdict? The are cheap, easy to make (although you get PB all over your hands!) and quite yummy for a nut fan such as myself. I am just not convinced they are all that healthy!

Weekend links

This weekend I get a whole morning and most of the afternoon with the doggies sans the hubby. Although I will miss him, it has been a long time since I had some alone time, and am looking forward to a very quiet morning, when I'll do lots of reading, tea drinking and dog petting, and there will be no TV, need for formal lunch or changing out of my pjs.

My plans for the weekend. Oh, I know

you are jealous of the excitement in my life!

Here are this week's links I loved:

Lidsay Tweedle talked about the ten books that shaped her faith. I am always on the look-out for some solid good Christian literature, so I really enjoyed her reviews. Plus, I got to find Sarah Bessey's blog, and loved it!

Knock off Decor must be one of my favorite sites right now. I am all DIY-inspired, and need as many resources as I can find to shape the willingness into actual projects. They all look so pretty and I just wish I had the time to sit at home and DIY. I particularly loved this Union Jack dresser. Yes, please!

Simple Mom featured a post on Simple (?) marriage advice. Having been married for two years, I consider myself a honeymooner and newly-wed still, and I thought these were awesome!

I came accross a Pin about a blog called Pintester. It looked so ridiculous and hilarious, I knew I had to go check it out. The lady is funny and makes me feel less like a failure for not being a Martha Stewart, Paula Dean and Candice Olsen all wrapped into one. Check out her take on a Sinful Banana Pie and you'll feel better about any recipe you screwed up in the past.

And although it's not a blog, I couldn't help but share 21 pictures that will restore your faith in humanity. We just need to do our share!

100!

I can barely believe it, this is post number 100!

Ce-le-bra-te good times, come on!

I don't usually talk much about the reasons behind I blog, so it feels appropriate to share a bit more today. There are TONS of reasons!

The awesome blogs I read. Who would have thought? Reading through blogs has become one of my favorite things to do. So much, that I have to keep it in check to make sure I am not spending my evenings and weekends on the internet instead of enjoying my hubby and dogs.

The awesome people you 'meet'. When I first started reading blogs, I thought people who wrote comments as if they knew the authors were just weird. I felt partly like a stalker reading about people's kids or looking through people's laundry rooms. I've gotten over it.

The awesome free therapy you get out of it. Seriously. There is something so good about getting things off your chest. And the fact that I try to add some DYI stuff here actually encourages me to get more projects around the house done. It's a win-win situation.

The awesome miracle of html. I always considered myself a technologically challenged gal. When I began blogging, I became more interested in finding out about changing fonts, adding buttons and linking up. I still have a long way to go, but I love that I have learned so much so far!

The awesome idea of working from home. I make zero dollars with my blogs, and I can't see realistically how any money would come in any time soon. That is not the point. But I love the idea of working from home, and I think blogging is one of the options you have for that. Hopefully I will someday be able to do so, and will be able to join work+ being a stay at home mum. In the mean time, blogging is for after hours only.

What about you, why do you blog?

Grateful Thursday: Week 3

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

♥ My husband, who always makes me feel so special ♥ Dinners with daddy ♥ organized shoes (seriously!) ♥  My job, which I love ♥ Sunny winter days ♥ The fact that I've never gone without what I need ♥  Writing for this blog ♥ Pretty colours ♥

Doggie adaptation

Last week I introduced Indy. He is a sweetheart, but definetely a loud dog. He barks, he seems to bump into almost everything in his path, his tail is often brushing over everything we have on our shelves and he sees no problem in jumping over the other dogs to get to us. Bless his heart.

Our morning and afternoon walks have been an adaptation as well. Indy can't quite figure out which way he turns, so he just goes as he pleases. Jack needs to be in front of the entire group. And Delta is just trying to get as far away from both of them as she can. I don't blame her.

Cesar Milan would cringe at the sight. I am just so thankful that we have yet to run into another dog or a cat on our path. I can just see the Tazmanian Devil-like tornado we'll end up in!

12 things in 2012 review

Can you believe it? Half of the year is GONE. Seriously, gone. Sometimes I feel we all live in a Click-like movie, watching it all run by too fast. Soon I will turn 31, my nephew will be one, and at the end of the year it's Disney time! (Ok, for that alone I would be ok with my year whizzing by).

One thing I was never good at was keeping tab on my New Year's resolutions and self-made promises. Come April I was sure to drop it. Not this year, no sir! That's why my 12 things in 2012 was left up as a page and every so often I like to look through it. I am actually quite excited about it!

1-Deepen my relationship with Christ- YES! Although this is one of those 'never will be checked out of my list thing', I can honestly say I have been working hard, and HE has been working hard on me. We found a Godly church, have gotten involved, and I've learning to pass on love instead of judgment (which is HUGE for me!).

2-Lose weight- When I wrote these 12 things for the first time I was nearly ten pounds heavier. I still have a loong way to go, but I am taking baby steps to change my relationship with food.

3-Paint and do some at least five DYI projects around my house- Let's see, I made a knob hook project, a mural, some new shoes, my wall of inspiration, and have gone back to cross-stitching. If I learned my numbers right, that is five right there. Of course, I came up with an obvious low number in order to achieve it and feel good about myself. But now I can focus on working on five MORE!

4-Improve my cooking- Have been definitely slacking on this one. Yes, I've made a Summer Succotash, a Country Salad a Pumpkin and Bean Soup, soup, Tahine Brocoli and Soy Sauce Pasta and Barley Casserole. I’ve also learned to make pancakes, although they are easy peasy. Overall, this is still an area I lack, but I am trying to do it joyfully, which means going slowly.

5-Learn to sew- Not yet. I would love to get a sewing machine for my birthday, and I dream of patchwork and crochet goodness, but I am still on my cross-stitching 101. Someday….

6-Get my Education specialist degree (almost there!)- DONE! I turned my internship paperwork, now I just have to wait on my diploma. I heard it takes a couple of months to push the paperwork through, but I am officially no longer a student!

7-Submit my writing for a blog as a guest blogger- I certainly did. I wrote to (In)Courage once, which was never published, and that is ok. I also wrote a guest post for Yes Teacher Crafts which will be published this summer- I’ll let you know when! AND, I wrote a post for a Brazilian wine blog talking about veggie options in restaurants, which can be found here for all you Portuguese-speaking folks. Yay!

8-Cut off animal products- Hum…I still love me some ice-cream, eat eggs on almost a daily basis and can’t live without butter or cheese. I have, however, extended my veggie way of life onto purchases, avoiding leather and suede, and supporting green brands. Does that count?

9-Set a workout routine- and stick to it!- This one I was afraid of. I wrote it down because I knew I had to get it done, but I had no desire to tackle it. Until I went into a Curves gym one day and fell in love with the premise. It’s simple. It’s fast. It’s a bunch of women gossiping for 30 minutes while moving around. And although it’s not the best exercise to become a size 2, it’s a good start for me.

10-Take more pictures (of pretty much everything)- I still procrastinate on this one. My camera is not the best, and I tend to forget it in my drawer. Maybe when I take a week of work I’ll permanently strap it to my wrist to make up for the six months I didn’t focus on this.

11-Volunteer somewhere- Not only did I volunteer at a doggie rescue NGO, I took a doggie home! Next step is to get involved in church with the kids ministry, so I’ll be bringing this up with my pastor soon!

12-Learn to manage save money- My husband and I are definitely getting better at this. More importantly, we are learning to trust God in providing for us!

Seven out of ten, not bad at all!

I also pledged for Earth Day to buy more local produce. Yeah, totally forgot about this, as my South African fruit punch can attest (oops!). I promise to keep it in mind when shopping for fruits and vegetables next week! Baby steps!

How about you? Where are you in your 2012 resolutions?