The Challenge - Guest Post by Shanda Neighbors

Yesterday I did NOT want to go to church, which is precisely why I went. I've found that on the days I don't feel like going, it does me the most good to go. I was not wrong. The message was interesting. I haven't been able to get it out of my head. It was about the power of complaining. We were challenged to go one month-no complaints! I have to admit my first thought was, "this is no challenge for me." I tend to be more internal with my junk, so the whining/complaining thing didn't phase me, well not until later. I got to thinking more about it and realized, I'm more of a baby than I acknowledge. Maybe I don't whine, but I do critique, correct and....ahem...nag. Apparently my family knows it well. Too well. The hubby and kiddo were smiling, giggling and throwing knowing glances my way. After NOT much thought, I concluded that they were absolutely right. 

I'm going to do this. Challenge on! In the month when we celebrate being grateful, this seems a fitting undertaking. The preacher's point: "it's hard be thankful one day of the year, when you spend the whole year complaining." He wasn't talking solely about imposing self control on the tongue. He was encouraging a change of focus. It was a call to turn from self, and all the ways I'm offended (not getting my way) to the only one great enough to put me in my place, God. Yesterday I barely made it out of church before I noticed that I was doing it again, complaining.  Hmmm... one month huh? This is gonna be a long, rough one.

Its A Wrap!

Every woman has a go-to hair style that she turns to in a crunch.  Some of us have a couple.  Well, I personally love a wrap when my hair won't cooperate with me, or when I run out of time to fix it.  Heck, truth is, I just love this look bad hair day or not.  It is all kinds of fierce!

 Now, I realize this may not be for everyone, but there are so many variations and creative ways to style a head wrap that there is something for everyone.  Don't believe me?  Well, here are as as my Jamaican friend would call it  "a trailer load" of wrap styles to inspire you.  And me. 

 So Let's do this!

See what I mean?  You know you can rock one of these.  Just grab a scarf from your closet and work it!

Cherio!

Bathroom Makeover Inspiration

  Hola peeps!  Wow, can you believe it?...... 2013 and we are still here.  Oopsie, I guess the Mayans got the dates mixed up.  Oh well.

Ha ha, seeing that I will be here after all, I decided to spruce up my bathroom a bit. As always I started with a little research.  Here is some of the gorgeous inspiration I found.  I am so excited!

Black and white photos are always a good idea.  So chic.

I really love this bathroom curtain and the rug. And check out the decorative mirror above the tub.  

The natural touches here and there are so relaxing, makes me think of the spa.  

This gorgeous basket and all of the products below are from pottery barn and the prices are not bad either.

The print on this towel is too fabulous for words. No need for a crystal ball, I see these in my immediate future.

Luv, luv.

Organic rugs, such a neat idea and beautiful too!

I adore a good terry robe so I am having a major crush on these.  It is the perfect thing for some "me time".  And we ladies can always use some of that.

Cherio!

Sorry Seems To Be The hardest Word

I don't know if it has anything to do with age but as I get older, my patience is starting to really dwindle...like wayyyyyyyyy down.  I used to be a really patient person and I still am but only to a point.  Lately I have been really struggling with people who knowingly wrong another but keep it movin and still expect the relationship to remain the same.  Are you kidding?  

Years ago I would have made it my mission to make peace and smooth things over.  I did that even to my own detriment many times.  Not any more though.  You see, I realize that to condone these actions are just teaching the offender that they can get away with this.  Again. And again.  And hey, after a while this gets real old. 

Recently I had an experience in my life that made me think about the value of self respect and knowing when to walk away from a relationship.  Let's just say it was pretty enlightening.  I learned that while self restraint/control is one of the greatest assets one can have, the ability to admit one's wrong and apologise really heals a multitude of sins.  It does.  Unfortunately it does not work if only one person does all the apologizing.  It takes two to tango. Sorry may be the hardest word, but it is worth it's weight in gold in a relationship.  Just sayin.

Cherio!

In The Arms Of The Angel

Today with a broken heart and tearful eyes I saw the horror that unfolded in Connecticut on the news. Twenty beautiful little angels were taken from us at the hands of a mad man. As a mom, I cannot even begin to describe the pain of something like this, there are no words.  I am praying for all of the parents and people of Newtown Connecticut.  May God bless and keep you, and may he bring you much needed comfort.

Easy Peasy DIY Christmas Ornaments!

Hi lovelies, the spirit of Christmas has me in a bear hug and wont let me go.  Hey, am not complaining though,  I love Christmas!  I found these cute bird ornaments on delphinepress and I am so excited to make them.  Don't ask me why but I am fixed on a bird theme for my Christmas tree this season. These ornaments are so darn cute!  I just love the mix of colors and how easy they are to do.  I found a bird template below that really made cutting these out a snap.  The template is a little different from the examples here since they have wings but the overall feel is the same.

Hopefully my tree will look a little like this....What do you think?

Cherio!

Christmas Tree Inspiration

If there is one season that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, that would be Christmas time.  Every year during the yule tide season, I become a kid again.  I love the food, the fragrant smell of pine everywhere, the Christmas carols...well most of them, and the way everyone seems to be in a better mood.  I especially love the many different ways people decorate their Christmas trees.

 Every year the trees seem to be more creative and even more fabulous than before.  Check out these trees from trendytree and I dare you to not be inspired!

Cherio!

Pie - A Little Slice Of Heaven

I found this pie recipe a little while ago on asgoodasgluten and I just had to share!  Just looking at this makes me sooooooooo happy....this is definitely my Thanks Giving desert.  Yum!

Apple Pumpkin Salted Caramel Pie
Ingredients: 
·1 GF Super Easy Pie Crust Recipe (I use a homemade blend of gluten free flours or Bob's Gluten Free All Purpose Blend)
Apple Layer:
·2 medium Honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
·¼ cup sugar
·1 TBS GF flour mix
·½ tsp cinnamon 
Pumpkin Layer:
·1 cup canned pure pumpkin
·¼ cup sugar
·1 egg, slightly beaten
·½ tsp cinnamon
·1/8 tsp allspice
·1/8 tsp ginger
·1/8 tsp cloves
·1/8 tsp nutmeg
·Dash of sea salt
Streusel:
·¼ cup packed brown sugar
·2 TBS GF flour
·2 TBS butter, softened
·½ cup pecans, chopped
Salted Caramel Sauce:
·12 individually wrapped caramels
·¾ TBS skim milk
·Dash of sea salt

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400˚. Prepare pie crust according to recipe. 

In a large bowl, combine all apple layer ingredients. Spoon mixture into prepared pie crust.

In the same bowl, mix pumpkin layer ingredients until well blended. Pour over apple mixture. Bake for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl mix streusel ingredients with a pastry cutter until mixture resembles course crumbs. 

Sprinkle streusel over baked pie, and then return to the oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes longer, or until a knife inserted into pumpkin layer comes out clean. 

Over a double boiler, combine caramels and milk. Stir frequently and heat over medium-low heat until mixture becomes a sauce. Stir in a dash of sea salt and drizzle over the pie. Let pie cool completely before topping with caramel and serving.

And there you have it, an amazing mouth watering desert.  I have a feeling that once I make this, it will be a happy happy Thanks Giving.

Cherio!