Been so long...

It has been so long since I have posted, I have been very busy redoing our house..painting, decorating, more painting, gardening and now we are starting a Growth Group in our church.  This is all so exciting, I too have another blog that I have been spending time on.  It is a combination of art, home and inspiration.  I thought I would have the two blogs but after much thought I have decided to just have one blog at this time. I would love for you to following me on my other blog and the journey it has brought me too. Thank you for all your support on my journey with "Fun in The Small Things"..it has been so much fun and I have met some amazing woman along the way...but I would love for you to come join me at Splendiferous Girls Club....Please come on over and follow me here.

It's a Green kind of DaY!!!

I have been off here for awhile...been working on my new blog and some new art..and once I get into that I can't see to get away from it..., but I wanted to wish everyone a Happy St Patrick's Day...hope everyone has a great one...

 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday..In the Pink!!

All things Pink!!

Have a great Wednesday!!

More Sleep!!!

I haven't had decent sleep in weeks. I've been sleepwalking through my days and, as a result, took an unexpected three-day reprieve from my blog. I tried posting yesterday, but experienced massive brain farts. Words that floated up to the surface of my consciousness stubbornly refused to merge together in order to form complete thoughts, leaving me stranded in a sea of nothingness. Thursday, when I got home, I set out with earnest determination to write another post... only to just take a minute to lay on my bed but fell asleep for a bit..then having to jump up and cook, bake for a get together we were going to. So, here I am, behind on my blogging and emailing.  I'm also behind on some art I am doing for an art class I am taking and a bible study I am doing....Honestly, my brain has been so fried lately that I couldn't even do that.

So today we are going to get out of the house hit the museum and I will catch up on art later...if I can pull my brain and thoughts together to create something good..

Monday Question..

Question of the Week 

***

Are you going to plant a garden this year? If so, what will you be planting, and when will you start?

 

We started digging this weekend.. these pictures show the start.

Before the hubster started rototilling.

The first indent of a garden.

After...now we have to get some top soil.  Let the planting begin.

 

I will be planting.

 

Carrots,

Squash

Tomatoes

Potatoes

All kinds of Peppers

Lettuce mixes

Radishes

Cucumbers

Herbs

Flowers

and whatever jumps out at me..I am truly excited haven't done anything this big ever.

What are you growing this year??

Five Question Friday..

 

 

1. Can you drive a stick shift?

Yes, plus I ride my own Harley (which you are constantly shifting when in town)

2. What are two foods you just can't eat?

Octopus..when I was little my mom and dad would go to this Japanese place and forever my dad would try to get me to try it...I tried it once and could not figure out why you would want to chew on something that tasted like silly putty...(yes I did try silly putty before) so I guess that would be something else I wouldn't eat..lol 

3. Do you buy Girl Scout Cookies? What is your favorite kind?

Oh yes... Thin Mints baby!!


4. How do you pamper yourself?

I love pedicures and getting my nails done, which both I haven't done in a long time!


5. What is your nickname and how did you get it?

I have many...

Sher Bear.....I got this from my best friend Rhonda and my Father-In-Law...love hearing it...I also had Punky forever until my ex husband and I divorced....I loved that one it just was very endearing to me...but none really now...I miss having a nick name on a everyday basis..

Hope you all have a great weekend!!!

Wordless Wednesday..

I'm sharing a poem with you today for Word Filled Wednesday. It's called "My Name is Pride," by Beth Moore. It is to the point, I love it because it kicks pride in the butt ...

My name is Pride. 

I am a cheater.

I cheat you of your God-given destiny…

because you demand your own way.

I cheat you of contentment…

because you “deserve better than this.”

I cheat you of knowledge…

because you already know it all.

I cheat you of healing…

because you are too full of you to forgive.

I cheat you of holiness…

because you refuse to admit when you are wrong.

I cheat you of vision…

because you’d rather look in the mirror than out a window.

I cheat you of genuine friendship…

because nobody’s going to know the real you.

I cheat you of love…

because real romance demands sacrifice.

I cheat you of greatness in heaven…

because you refuse to wash another’s feet on earth.

I cheat you of God’s glory…

because I convinced you to seek your own.

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.

You like me because you think I’m always looking out for you.

Untrue.

I’m looking to make a fool of you.

God has so much for you, I admit, but don’t worry…

If you stick with me you’ll never know.

--Beth Moore

Many blessings Wednesday My Sweets!

A Brown Thumb Plants a Garden.

I am so excited to try my hand at a garden.  I have had really small ones before, but this one is going to be about 15x20 that is big for me.  I am intimidated about the process but so excited to feed my family something we have grown from our own land.  I too dream of living on a farm, maybe this will be the closest I ever come to it.

I really like these raised beds..But I think I am going to go straight from the ground..

 

 

This is more what it will look like..or this

SO today I will be heading out to an local nursery ask alot of questions, see how much soil will cost to deliver etc.  So stay posted, this will be a fun ride..

New Adventure in Art!!!

                                

I am very excited I am starting a new online course Called "The She Art Workshop" with Christy Tomlinson. 

 

 

       

I am finishing up a course I took with the Brave Girls Club called Soul Restoration, I loved every minute of it, but felt like I needed to continue with my inspiration, hence the reason for my continuation of classes..very excited about it...I will post my journey on here when it starts..which is on the 28th..

 

 

 

 

I recommend these on-line classes at Brave Girls Club...they will change everything you feel about yourself...it is an amazing 6wk journey...YOU WILL LOVE IT...go out and see for yourself..you won't regret it promise..

 

 

 

I heart You!!!!

First and Foremost I want to thank all my followers I HEART YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for all your wonderful comments, I truly look forward to them each day.

 

I love Valentines Day...it is a day for me to really bring out the red and pink..This Valentines Day we are staying in for dinner..I am going to make a yummy Asian Inspired Dinner then dessert will be a Fondue Chocolate concoction. I am so grateful to be married to such an amazing man, I truly have been blessed.  I can't wait for him to try my new recipes and spend time with him..

What are you doing for Valentines Day??

Have a wonderful Day no matter what it is your doing..The sun is out it is a great day..

Back in the groove!!

We made it home from our vacation...oh what fun we had.  But it is good to be back on blogger world..I have been working on some new fun jewelry ideas.  I will post those when I get some pictures loaded..but today I decided to write..

Be Free and Breathe Deeply!!

Sometimes we just need to stop what we are doing and do something else, something fun or adventurous! Why do we forget this? Why do we forget that play and fun are as important as working and breathing? Why do we fell guilty sometimes when we take time out to do something for ourselves? WHY???
STOP!!!
Let yourself go a little bit this week/weekend coming up. Let yourself have some fun -- take a break and enjoy life for a little while. Let go of stress - of work - of worries. Just have fun and Breathe Deeply.

Remember how it feels to laugh, to play and to make fun memories.

You are so worth all of this...enjoy, breathe deeply, BE FREE!!!

Vacation Bound....

We are heading out to Cancun today for a week..I am so excited, it has been so cold here seeing the sun will make me so happy.  So needless to day I will be out for a week...But will be back soon, I am working on somethings to share so stay tuned...Have a great week..;-)

Love of Felt..

Have you ever been blog hopping for a couple of hours and you see something you really like and now you can't find it????  UUGGHH!!! I found this great tutorial to make these little felt rosettes and now I can't remember which blog it is.  So if this looks familular or you know of someone that makes something like this..I would love you forever if you could send it to me..I wanted to give this person credit for showing me how to make these..

They are so easy and fun to make and I would post link, Oh yeah. that's right I CAN'T remember where I saw it..

Lovely Rosettes..

 

I have been seeing these pretty little Rosettes all over the stores and on blogs...I love them.  I wanted to make some myself but didn't really know where to go.  A fellow blogger referred me to this tutorial by Mandipidy.

It is a great tutorial very easy and straight forward.  SO..I decided to give it a try and this is what I came up with..I made two necklaces..it was so much fun..the possibilities are endless.

Then I took cut the bottom part of my daughters long sleeve t-shirt that didn't fit her anymore and added some little rosettes to it and came up with this...she loved it..

Go out and try it..you can add them to t-shirts, head bands, lampshades ( I saw this somewhere it was really cute).  Have fun be creative..

National Popcorn Day!!

Did you know that it is National Popcorn day??  I didn't either until yesterday, is in honor of the All American snack, I thought I would post a couple of recipes..Enjoy.

I have great memories of making popcorn balls with my grandma when I was little, so in honor of my grandma here is a popcorn ball recipe.

Ingredients!

2 cups Sweet and Salty Glazed and Roasted Almond Pieces
2 cup sugar
1 1/3 cup water
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
18 cup popped corn, lightly salted
4 tablespoons butter for hands
plastic wrap and ribbon

Directions

In an extra large mixing bowl, toss together nuts and popcorn.  Set aside.
In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring sugar, water, syrup, vinegar and salt to 260 degrees F (hard-ball stage) on a candy thermometer.  Stir in vanilla.  Pour hot mixture over popcorn and nuts, tossing gently to coat.  When mixture is cool enough to handle, rub hands with room temperature butter and form popcorn into 4 inch balls. Place on waxed paper until cool.  Wrap in clear plastic wrap and tie with a decorative ribbon.
Note:  Use caution when handling hot syrup.  Syrup stays especially hot on nuts.

I also LOVE Caramel Corn, this has become a family favorite..

 

Yumskie Caramel Corn..

   When my girls were little we made it all the time.  I have a couple of different recipes but really like this one.  I got it off All Recipes

 

1 C sugar
1 C dark brown sugar (packed)
1 C butter
1 C light corn syrup
1 can sweetened condensed milk
3 - 4 bags buttered, salted microwave popcorn (we use 3 bags because we like to go a little light on the popcorn and heavy on the caramel)

Put some sheets of foil on your counter to cover a space about about 2.5ft x 2.5 ft Spray the foil with cooking spray.

Pop the popcorn and place in a very large bowl. Transfer by handfuls to ANOTHER very large bowl, letting the popcorn nubs drop to the bottom. (This step is critical - you don't want any nubs in your caramel corn!)

Now place the other ingredients in a large, heavy pan with high sides. Cook over med - med high heat, stirring occasionally, until the caramel almost reaches the Firm Ball stage (about 240-245 degrees on a candy thermometer). Pour over the popcorn and combine with a LONG wooden spoon so you don't burn your hands.

Pour the caramel yummy goodness out onto the foil, and let it cool as long as you can stand it. Then share it with someone you love or keep it to yourself..;-)!

All things of Beauty..

 This is a re-post...I miss the beach and would love to be there today

I love the beach, it's a place for restoration of body and mind.  I tend to loose myself from everyday thoughts for a few days.  I am always looking at things to bring into my created items. In my collecting of shells and sea glass, I started to think of each item.  Where did it first come from, did it come from the other side of the world  first; did it travel with the storm all this way to come to this beach so that I could find it and use it in my new necklace.  God is that good in my life, he presents things in ways we might not of thought of before.  One thing that came to my mind is that these shells, starfish and even sea glass all started out whole.  They all had beauty of their own, but are now on this beach at my feet, some broken some whole.  But in all of their brokenness there is some beauty left to them. A beauty that will be different from one person to another..as one person walks over this broken shell another persons bends down and pick up. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder ;-)

My husband loves to take pictures, below are a few he took..from his point of view.  Enjoy!

Crafty time..

I  starting the Soul Restoration journey today.

WOW!  I have already started to cry through this process...it is about delving deep into your soul but using art to heal and create. It is amazing!  I started getting my things together in my little blue room/craft room.  Here are a few messy pictures...Please don't judge by the mess...;-)

Have to have your cup of tea and water ready...

These are some of the items we got in our kits.

A view from behind my desk...yep it's a mess, you should of seen me today trying to get my paints out and paint the front of that black journal there on the desk, it's a tight space...I will put pics of that up later.

Another view, from the side of my desk..there is paint, stamps, paper, and different adhesives in the bins.

This is just a couple boxes of paper I have collected, I also have a few older wallpaper books.  They are perfect for using in your altered journals for different textures etc..Love these, so many opportunities.

I made this necklace while I was waiting for my journal to dry, I have seen so many of them on other blogs and love their little personality, I thought I would give it a try, and here you go, this is what I came up with.

It's funky and fun....my favorite..

Thank you for letting me share my space, now time to get back to my little black journal that is now yellow and turquoise...with some other little embellishments...more on that later.

Book Writing Help!!

I can't believe I am putting this into motion. It was laid on my heart about two yrs ago. I remember the day so specifically, I was walking down our hallway and all of a sudden I had this laid on my heart to write a children's picture book. REALLY! ME, why me, I don't know how to write, never written anything exciting in my life...
Lord ,why would you want me to do this???????? Ok, yes I am questioning God, not right I know, but sure don't understand this one...

I have NO idea where to begin, I need YOUR help...Has anyone written a children's book (targeted to 3-8yr olds)?  If you have, where do I start, where do you find an illustrator that will match with what you have in your head?  Who will publish...Oh man so many questions HELP!!!. 

I already have the character he is a Boxer Dog named Bud a  day in his life..

If you have any suggestions please let me know. I surely would appreciate it..

Thank you so much,

Sherry

Stylish Blogger Award!!!!

I am so excited!!!!!!!I was given a Stylish Blogger Award by the wonderful Anne from My Giant Strawberry and Laura from I'm Not a Trophy Wife.  I've been following their blogs for awhile now and I just love the creative art and writing of both...please go out and visit their blogs.  I was so surprised and excited to receive the award.  Thanks so much Anne and Laura!


One responsibility as a Stylish Blogger is to "pay it forward" and give awards to 15 recently discovered stylish blogs.  They're all full of plenty of inspiration, I know you will love them too!

Artsyville

Thrify Decor Chick

The Vintage Housewife

The Farm Chicks

Gracefully Vintage

French Poppy

Daisy Pink Cupcake

Daisy Cottage

Amy's Vintage Cottage

A Whole Lotta Love

A Cottage Industry

The Adventures of Elizabeth

Melissa Liban Illustrations

Bless my Nest

The Type of Housewife

Another part of my award is to tell you 7 things about myself.  utoh!!:

1. I am a Grandma (I know I am still shocked)..

I am a mother of 3 beautiful daughters ages 26, 25 and 23.  I have 3 grandbabies, 2 girls ages 6yrs and 1yr.  I have to step children 9yrs and 7yrs....yes I started all over again..(what was I thinking)..heehee

2. I love adventure..

Love mountain biking (competed a couple of times), love indoor rock climbing.  Ran a marathon and half marathon...you might be saying that is a big risk..(kinda is if your not sure you will be alive when your done).

I want to skydive that is on my bucket list.

3.I have my own Harley

My husband and I bought Harley's this past year and LOVE it.. there is nothing like being on the back country roads with the wind in your face and the smell of fresh cut lawn.

4. Crazy Collecting..

I love magazines on decorating, crafting, cook books, lotions, journals. pretty paper and old jewelry.  I love taking the old jewelry and upcycling it into something new.

5. Biggest Dream

Is to own a little farm with my husband...to have animals (specifically horses and sheep)..this has been a dream all my life..since I was a little girl..you can read more about this farm here.

6.I love thrift shopping..

I love to go to thrift shops and by something and turning it into something new or different and reusing it in my decorating..I am doing that right now in my kitchen..There are so many wonderful things out there that I have found...it is all about the hunt..it's is a good way to spend a day..It is one of my addictions (well not that I have many....well I guess I did confess that with #4).

7. And the last but not least..

I truly love blogging.. I really do.....I love to write about my little life here in Raleigh, NC..I love to get up early when no one else is up to work on it..I love reading about other peoples lives, tips and tricks the way they save everyday..how they deal with hurt.  What makes them laugh or cry.  I LOVE it all...and I am so thankful for people like you reading this..I thank you!!.

So there you have it...that was fun..

Have a blessed Sunday

Go out and let your light shine!!

 I have heard this at least 2 times this week and I never get tired of hearing it..enjoy!!

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are we not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone.
And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fears, our presence automatically liberates others.

Source: A Return to Love, by Marianne Williamson, as quoted by Nelson Mandela in his inaugural speech, 1994

Your Enough!

 

 

DO you ever feel that what you give to others still isn't nearly
enough....that there is NEVER enough time in the day...I feel like that so often that I have to
Stop and breathe.

  We have to look....really really look at what we are expecting of ourselves.....

We have to remember we are incredible...we are amazing and strong and brilliant.........but,
friend...we are also a human . We have to realize we can not do it all....we can not always hold
everything together perfectly and we can't be perfectly composed every single day and it's
ok to have "off" days...it's ok to feel weak...and overwhelmed and have meltdowns once
in a while.( oh I had a HUGE one friday).... It's ok. WE are ok. Everything is going to be ok....It really is ok. .

Let yourself BE.

Bad days will pass, and overwhelm will dissolve and the sun will come up again in the
morning....just like it does every day. God gives us Grace every single morning. There will be a brand new sparking day waiting
for you tomorrow....waiting for you to hold hands with all of the joy that it is offering.

Take this time and do something for you...if it's a cup of coffee or a new nail polish..just a little something to remember that YOU matter..and you deserve it..

 

 

Beautiful!

 

I have a project that we have been working on for awhile and I need your help in this.  I am asking people all me what does the word BEAUTIFUL mean to YOU?  Everyone has a their own meaning of the word Beautiful each all wonderful and unique, what is yours?  Is it your cup of coffee in the morning, your family, your dog, a quote whatever it is we want to hear about it..  Please leave a post of what it means to you, it can be short or long..My goal is to get a 100 reply's (please tell your friends).  

I will then be using your meanings and making a video that will be posted here and some other blogs as well.  We have been working on this for about a month now.  I am so excited to see the end results.  I would love more then anything to have you all part of this little project.....This is my first time doing something like this, so bare with me....but I am sure it is going to be great! 

I am hoping to have this posted and ready by either Friday or Monday...I have to give myself a deadline.

P.S I am hoping to send this in to the local news for their feel good story coverage that they have weekly.

Thank you my sweet friends for all your support...I am so excited to see what you have to say