Digital December Daily | Foundation Pages

So looking forward to this project.  Last year I made..
some pages, only about half way before I let the December 'craziness' get to me.  Not this year.  I am committed to checking December Daily 2011 of my to do list!  The preview shows all my foundation pages.  I created the templates and word art.  Leaving 'white-space' for some extra journaling.  I have some of our favorite activities, songs, poems and scriptures that will be added throughout as they relate to the day.

This is a 100% digital project.  However, I will be scanning items as needed.
The two - page spread includes a 6x12 and a 12x12.


Love all the goodness this project captures.  If you are participating in December Daily, leave me a comment and link to your blog post.....I would love to see your pages.

A Season to be Thankful | November 24

Happy Thanksgiving!


Homemade pumpkin pie.. O my GOOD ness! After a late ..night last night getting all the prep ready for a very early morning start to preparing all the fix ins... We were able to eat during the second half of the Lions / Packers game.  It is now a quarter till 9... I am braving the black Friday -midnight- madness!  Yes I am. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. If you are joining in the black Friday madness - keep safe!  My two older boys are going with me this year ... I'm so blessed to have two bodyguards. 

A Season to be Thankful | November 22 and 23


Happy Thanksgiving Eve!



Today I spent our morning finishing up our final Thanksgiving feast list.  Raeleen and I successfully went to the market before the mad rush.  Manage to get everything on our list as well.  How is that even possible?  This has never happened before, usually we end up at 2 or 3 markets before we find that certain item. OK, the clock just changed to 10:45 pm. Thanksgiving dinner prep all put away,
kitchen all clean and now we are on the couch in our pj's reading. 

Tonight we prepared:
Cornbread Dressing - Mama's Recipe
Bread Stuffing - Grandma's Recipe
Orange Salad - Grandma's Recipe

Morning duty includes:
21 lb. Turkey in Roaster at approx. 5 am
*Make a quick run to the gas station to get Thanksgiving paper* important note: this is after I put on the Turkey
Dressings in the oven
Baked Beans
Corn on Cob
Mashed Red Taters
Gravy lots....of Gravy

Desserts to make:
Pumpkin Pie
Apple Pie
Chocolate Pie

Well Good Night Ya'll.





A Season to be Thankful | November 21



Today I'm gonna post about Lexus ... He's doing well.  So much better than I had anticipated.  It has been a long weekend, a weekend full of worry and routine. Well, I do believe the routine setting part has worked out for the good.  Lexus has made his pathway... sometimes I worry when he wanders around in the yard to far from the house during the day.  He answers my whistle and follows my call.  Tonight I picked up this fluffy pet bed, while I was a the market, Thanksgiving dinner shopping.  He looks rather content don't you think?  Thank you Lord for answering prayers regarding -even- our family pets. :)

Today I'm thankful for Routine.

A Season to be Thankful | November 20




What is most fun about making a homemade pie?  Crustos!  My Mom used to let me make these with the left over crust dough, cut into strips then cover with sugar and cinnamon.  Yum!

Today I'm thankful for Family Traditions.



A Season to be Thankful | November 19



Awe... I do love me a peaceful Saturday... I'll do about anything to stop... a Saturday from being filled to the extreme.  I love to fill Saturday with family focus time. All about our week time.  Getting things done together time.  And probably even playing a game or two together.  Ruger's newest game "Lego Battleship"....
Today I'm thankful for Peaceful Saturdays.


A Season to be Thankful | November 18



Friday afternoon, I always plan on a field trip of some sort.  A sight seeing adventure, a park or sometimes the river walk or the zoo. Today we made a slight schedule change during our day. 
Today we...





(Raeleen and I} were able to sneak away after lunch out to get a quick haircut!  How fun!
Today I'm thankful for The Small Details that Means So Much!

A Season to be Thankful | November 17



 November 6th .. I wrote about being thankful for pets, the dog Princess Goldie and my cat Moon.
Hey, I have a special cat .. Lexus!
Lexus has been around ever since I have really lived on my own... he was my buddy.  16 years with Lexus, he has ... been an indoor cat. been an outdoor cat, after our first baby. really soon after we had our first baby along came baby number two. stayed an outdoor cat until after our third baby. returned back to being an indoor cat and my buddy once again. returned back to being an outdoor cat for our fourth baby. About two years ago Lexus returned back indoors. Last year he made the big move from WA to OK with us. He has discovered grasshoppers and flying bugs. He has spent all summer enjoying the summer heat. Well, maybe not enjoying. Tonight I write with a heavy heart,  the last couple of weeks we have been watching him as if he has been losing his eyesight.  Last night he scared me so bad,  our other cat Moon was scratching on the back door, when I opened it I seen Lexus looking as if he couldn't move.  I got Jeff, he scooped him up and brought him inside, after warming him up he is moving around fine, eating and sleeping. We think his arthritis was acting up since the weather has turned cold. Also, he is partially blind and can't see really any at night,  so he gets lost if he gets off the deck at night.  Today, after some consistent coaxing, he has found a pathway to his food, his bed, the door and a little spot in the yard. I took these photos of him today, doesn't he still look purrfect?
Last night I was up most of the night staring at him like I did when my first baby was laying next to me in his cradle.  I am so happy to say, Lexus is still with us and tonight..and prayerfully he'll hang in there a few more years.  This cat has been loved and has lived a full life.  He has been my steady rock for many years. So here's to Lexus.  Tonight...We don't know how many purrs he has left but RIGHT NOW..... I am thankful to hear him p-u-r-r loudly!

A Season to be Thankful | November 16



"A cheerful heart is good medicine,  but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength." Proverbs 17:22 NLT
It is both a bible truth and a fact of life .. a positive, cheerful disposition has a positive impact on our health! Tomorrow my Aunt Becky - a five year cancer survivor - will start... chemo again in the morning.  She has been such an amazing inspiration to so many while on her journey. She was given two months .. {2} months to live five years ago .. {5} years ago .. and has been fighting this thing ever since.  By the grace of God .. and the power of prayer she continues to beat it.  We never welcome sickness, pain or weakness.  But are thankful for the fruit that often comes from these things .. patience, reliance on God's strength, and gratitude to God for what we do have. Any prayers and good juju you care to pass her way would be appreciated.  Today I am thankful for: answered prayers.  I'm truly blessed to say, I get to spend another day with my Aunt Becky.

A Season to be Thankful | November 15



Stamps...today I'm thankful for stamps!  I have gone 100% digital and love the change from dirty, messy, clutter, and chaos to clean neat organized chaos computer files! *wink*  However, regardless of the fact that I gave all of my supplies,  including all my stamps and mounds of paper to a dear, sweet friend, I managed.... to save a box of stamps and ink pads.  Raeleen and I still get our 'stamp' on!  This year we have been maintaining an art journal.  I gave you all a tease in an earlier post, so you can just let this be your second tease for what we are putting together for 2012.


Yes, I gave up the dirty, messy, clutter and chaos but don't mind it a bit if my sweet Raeleen is having a blast getting her 'stamp' on.  Nothing wrong with a little creativity chaos!

A Season to be Thankful | November 14



Writing in the Sand... one of my most favorite things! I didn't get my word LOVE perfect, but still the snapshot turned out okay. There is a little story I like to tell...  I haven't a clue when or where I came across it, but it spoke volumes to me...  A story tells that two friends were walking through the
desert. 
 During some point of the journey,  they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face.  The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, he wrote in the sand: Today my best friend slapped me in the face.  They kept on walking, until they found an oasis, where they decided to cool off.  The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and
started drowning, but his friend saved him.  After he recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a
stone: Today my best friend saved my life. The friend, who had slapped and saved his best friend,
asked him, "After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand, and now, you write on a stone, why?"  The other friend replied: "When someone hurts us, we should write it down in sand, where the winds of forgiveness can erase it away, but when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it.  Learn to write your hurts in the sand and to carve your
blessings in stone.
Author Unknown

A Season to be Thankful | November 13


"Fall" is not the end of the gardening year; it is.. the start of next year's growing season. A search for purpose and peace in life, through the inner beauty of God's nature. Today I'm thankful for each season life brings.

A Season to be Thankful | November 12



1st game: 11:30 about 30 minutes away
2nd game: 1:30 about 45 minutes away
3rd game: 5:30 about 1 hr and 20 minutes away
Carry out picked up at 8:30
Home by 9:00
What a day full of.. highs and lows, noise and quiet too.
Yes- indeed we enjoyed every kick of the ball, every scream from the stands, every atta boy given, every intense moment the entire day... ALL worth it! Moments to remember again and again.
{Atta Boy Ruger! We are all proud of you!} Mom and Dad

Today I'm thankful for Opportunities!

A Season to be Thankful | November 11



Happy eleven - eleven - eleven!!  Soul Surfer Blu-Ray + Popcorn and Peanuts = Family Movie Night
If you haven't seen Soul Surfer yet.. O My GOODness!!! Every Friday when we stay in for Family night.  We watch a movie and.... have the perfect combo (popcorn and peanuts)  the kids say (peacorn and popnuts) as a way to make fun of me for accidentally say that one night.
Have a happy Friday Night...Oh wait, tonight is a special night!!  It's ....eleven - eleven - eleven....How cool is that?

A Season to be Thankful | November 10


So in love with story time...  dressing up is all the rage! Funny hats are our FAV! Even a Tutu on the head will do! As long as....the funny looking one can READ!
The reader may even recieve a flower on the cheek as a reward! 

Today, I am thankful we make READING FUN!!

A Season to be Thankful | November 9




Look into my eyes:  What do you SEE?  When I SEE this: I SEE...a Contagious SMILE... an Innocent EYE....a Happy SOUL....an Overwhelming JOY....Busting my Soul wide open!!  That's what I see..and what I call HOME. 

Today I am thankful for the laughter that fills my HOME.

A Season to be Thankful | November 8



Have you gave into Pinterest?  Love the ideas, Love the pins, Love the possiblities, Love the inspiration!  I can go on and on, but what I appreciate the most about Pinterest is....  the word inspiration!  O my goodness....  Plenty of positive, uplifting, inspiring, restoring, replenishing, reviving... WORDS at your Pinterest fingertips!  O how they affect a soul.  O how they build or destroy.  I strive to use my words as a way to build up others! 

{Yes, Today I am thankful for WORDS!}

A Season to be Thankful | November 7

 

Welcome to our book addiction!  We have discovered that being........ Can Read With My Eyes Shut!  by Dr. Seuss  I can read in red. I can read in blue. I can read in pickle color too. I can read in bed, and in purple. and in brown.  I can read in a circle and upside down!  I can read with my left eye. I can read with my right.  I can read Mississippi with my... eyes shut tight! There are so many things you can learn about. But…you'll miss the best things....If you keep your eyes shut.  The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.
 If you read with your eyes shut you're likely to find. That the place where you're going is far, far behind.  SO…that's why I tell you to keep your eyes wide. Keep them wide open…at least on one side.
About the photo:
We have discovered that being 'thrifty' for books are the way to go. (I keep a book list for each kid in my purse notebook) This photo is a typical day 'thrifting" to satisfy our addiction. Here's a few places to look for 'thrifty' deals:
  1. consignment shops (usually more expensive) but worth a go if in need of a hard to find book.
  2. thrift stores (make sure to watch for ripped pages and covers)
  3. goodwill - most stores get overstock books from department stores (brand new) look for the store in your city with the best book selection, that will be the one where the overstock goes.
  4. libraries (most have shelves upon entry full of used books and magazines for sale.... garage sale prices)
  5. Barnes and Noble has clearance items at a reasonable price.  Also they have a great kid program worth looking into.  Check it out.  I love, love my nook color for the read-to-me option.  Most books are only .99!  Can't beat that.
  6. dollar stores- love the dollar tree when it comes to a good kid read and occasionally an adult read.  keep in mind when they sell out they are out.
  7. amazon- nuff said.  they are awesome.
Today and everyday:  I am thankful for books. Follow us on good reads to find out what's on our bookshelf.  What are you thankful for today? 

A Season to be Thankful | November 6




introducing our dog Princess Goldie.....
A [FAITH]FUL DOG A [FAITH]ful Dog Will Play With You And Laugh With You -Or Cry- She'll Gladly Stay With You -Nor Ever Reason Why, and... When You're Feeling Out Of Sorts. Somehow she'll Understand. She'll Watch You With Her Shining Eyes. And Try To Lick Your Hand. Her [FAITH] In You. Is Matched By Her Great Love. The Kind That All Of Us Should Have.  In The Master, Up Above. When Everything Is Said And Done. I Guess This Isn't Odd. For When You Spell "Dog" Backwards. You Get The Name Of [GOD]. -Author Unknown



introducing our cat Moon....
God Created Cats When God created cats, He had no recipe; He knew He wanted something sweet, As sweet as sweet could be. He started out with sugar, Adding just a trace of spice; Then stirred in drops of morning dew,
To keep them fresh and nice.
He thought cats should be soft to pet,Thus He gave them coats of fur; So they could show they were content, He taught them how to purr. He made for them long tails to wave, While strutting down the walk; Then trained them in meowology, So they could do cat-talk. He made them into acrobats,And gave them grace and poise; Their wide-eyed curiosity, He took from little boys. He put whiskers on their faces, Gave them tiny ears for caps; Then shaped their little bodies, To snugly fit on laps.He gave them eyes as big as saucers, To look into man's soul; Then set a tolerance for mankind, As their purpose and their goal. Benevolent ... and ... generous, He made so many of them; Then charged,  with Fatherly Concern, The human race to love them. When one jumped up upon His lap, God gently stroked its head; The cat gave Him a kitty kiss, "What wondrous love," God said. God smiled at His accomplishment, So pleased with His creation;
And said, with pride, as He sat back, "At last. . .I've reached purr-fection!"
Author Unknown



Tonight, this Sunday evening.  I am thankful for [Rest] but most of all; Today I am thankful for our [Faith]ful pets!

A Season to be Thankful | November 5


Raeleen and I are nearing the end of our 2011 {ART} Journals. Yesterday we were in deep thought regarding our 2012 journals: We made a list paint, markers, stencils, mists, ect. Made a run to Hobby Lobby and ......  I hope this poem will speak volumes to your creative soul as it has mine..
My {ART} is no {ART} Without my mind's simplicity. My {ART}.....
does not want to subscribe to the view that unhappiness commands the world.
When I paint or draw, I keep my mind's thought-gardencCompletely free of self-doubt-weeds.
My {ART} is the hide-and-seek between my soul's illumining smiles and my heart's streaming tears.
The {ART}ist in me has three faithful, sleepless and self-giving friends: a newness-eye, an oneness-heart and a fullness-life. The heart of my {ART}  and the heart of a child are extremely fond of each other.  They love each other deeply; They need each other constantly; They are interdependent, sleeplessly. My mind says that anything I do...Is too insignificant. Because I am wanting. In qualification. Needless to say, This includes my {ART}work. My heart says that anything I do is too significant.  Because the God-Touch .... Is always there.  Needless to say, This includes my {ART}work.  The moment I start painting,  I clearly see my soul-meditation is blessingfully clasping. My heart-aspiration-flames. First things first: The {ART}ist in me,  Before embarking on his {ART}work, Invariably catches His heart's aspiration-express. True, in my {ART} I want to see The face of earth's beauty. But I want to see The heart of Heaven's Divinity More, infinitely more. - Sri Chinmoy

Oh, P.S. Our hobby lobby trip will have to wait for another post. Not sure when I can share....so....
Hang tight we are up to something fun!  *tease*
Today I am thankful for {ART}....

A Season to be Thankful | November 4


When is it life becomes dull and unsatisfactory?  Often it's when ... we're not living out our full potential - when we're not doing our best! Giving life everything we have without thinking of potential results is the most satisfying thing.  The same goes in sports: When we really give it all we have, that is when we really feel we live life to the fullest.

You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take. Wayne Gretzky

Show me a man who never failed and I'll show you a man who never tried anything hard enough. Allen Waimsley

Show me a guy who's afraid to look bad, and I'll show you a guy you can beat every time.  Lou Brock

Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible.

Today, I am thankful for i-n-s-p-i-r-a-t-i-o-n!

A Season to be Thankful | November 3


A Time for Everything
For everything there is a season,  A time for every activity under heaven.  A time to be born and a time to die.  A time to plant and a time to harvest.  A time to kill and a time to heal.  A time to tear down and a time to build up.  A time to cry and a time to .. laugh.  A time to grieve and a time to dance.  A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.  A time to embrace and a time to turn away.  A time to search and a time to quit searching.  A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend.  A time to be quiet and a time to speak.  A time to love and a time to hate.  A time for war and a time for peace.  God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. -Ecclesiastes 3 NLT

Today I'm thankful for: {A+bsolute Perfect Timing!}

A Season to be Thankful | November 2

awe moments .. remember the color .. stamping it on my memory.  art journal love .. fall .. perfect for brisk walks.  soul restoring .. mind clearing .. devotion calling .. one {1} word to describe these moments ..  today ..  Simply .. Awe!
Today I'm thankful for: Fresh air to breathe life into my Soul.

A Season to be Thankful | November 1


Today is a start of a new month.  One of my favorite times of the year.  Yes, Christmas is around the bend and I do love me some good Christmas tunes.  But, for the month of November I enjoy shifting my thoughts on .. being Thankful!! "Today, November 1, 2011, I am thankful that I am able to homeschool my children." Power thought..... "Focus on what matters most!"  The children are creating their very own "A Season to be Thankful" journal...I hope to share sneaks of it throughout.
Happy November
"When the trees their summer splendor change to raiment red and gold,
When the summer moon turns mellow, and the nights are getting  cold;
When the squirrels hide their acorns, and the woodchucks disappear;
Then we know that it is autumn, loveliest season of the year."
- Carol L. Riser, Autumn

I can hardly believe Halloween is over.  But yes officially it's all over, the chaos of costumes, candy, noise makers and just plain fun.  All decor is tucked away till next year.  Moving on quickly into Thanksgiving Season, a time of thankful moments.  A time to reflect on what is real... what matters most and what a true treasure really is.  Over the next 24 days - leading up to Thanksgiving - I will be sharing a photo a day, some Thanksgiving related, some just a story from everyday life.  
{A thankful heart, perfect for the time of season, and always.}

Halloween 2011

 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! ~Melanie

Halloween 2011 | Good Night

So seriously, I'm so sleepy, I'm "giddy".  We have had a night full of fun, candy, laughs, crazy costumes, a cookie cake, more candy and loads of more fun.
I have many photos to sort out, the good, the bad, the ugly, the blurry and the must delete, you'll have to allow me a little shut eye before the unleashing of all the excitement in photos.

Really, I tried so hard to have all things around here picked up and get my post up before midnight.  To no avail..... any-who:  I did manage to create this adorable skull - swirl duo.
Well, here's to a fantastic Halloween..... Good Night!