Got Juice?

Well, I do!  Today is the first day of my “juice cleanse” or “detox” and I am excited to start this journey.  What, pray tell, prompted me to jump on the juice bandwagon.  I could say it was because I love juice, veggies, salads and smoothies.  Which is true.  But not the real reason. 
I want and need to get healthy and stay healthy.  I want to chase after my little granddaughter- Sweet Isabella.  I want to climb to the top of a lighthouse easier than I did last month in Maine.  I want to be here for my family for many more years.  And, in order to make those things happen, I must change my eating habits, lose weight and get movin’.
I am going to share my 6 day detox with you, mainly as a record for me and because I think I will be more accountable if know I am going to blog about it.
My juice is provided by Tiffany Finney, creator of Pour Me Some Juice.  Tiffany has degrees, certifications and mucho training in nutrition and fitness.  She is a raw food counselor and master juicer.  She gets up at 4 AM to make our juice and have it ready by 8 AM.   I actually started eating healthier a couple of weeks ago and had 10 oz. of her wonderful juice 6 out of 7 days.  Folks, I tell you, it is yummy!  The juice for the 6 day detox is a little different. 

Each day’s “menu” is the same.  I start with 8 oz. of warm lemon water, then 8 oz. of juice for breakfast.  For lunch I can have a big ole salad with lots of colorful veggies mixed with oil and vinegar dressing.  Mid-afternoon is another 8 oz. of juice, then at dinner I will have another big ole salad.  Warm lemon water for a nightcap and I’m done for the day.  Oh, she also gave me some yummy smoothie recipes that can substitute for a meal.
Tiffany warned that Day 1 juice was not very tasty, but I had no problem drinking it.   It consisted of:

Kale, Apple, Collard Greens and Lemon

It just sounds green doesn’t it?  Well, it is. You can see it on the far right in the picture.  I forgot to get a photo until after I drank the first half for breakfast.  Day 2 and 3 are in the picture, along with a jar of her very tasty homemade Almond Milk for my smoothies. 

Here’s a little “juice” card I made for Tiffany when we started our journey together.  I used the terrific new Perfectly Preserved Stamp Set, the Cannery Framelit Dies and our new fall Designer Series Paper, Orchard Harvest. 
Thanks for going on this journey with me.  I will update each day of the detox and then as I move forward, I want to keep you up to date with my overall progress.
Now…I gotta get movin’!
‘Till next time….
Blessings,
Diane

Bella in China!

Our Princess has been a China doll for almost a month and we sure miss her! She went with her parents to Shanghai to visit the other grandparents and has been amazed at this new adventure.

It would have been awful without Facetime. We got to see her several times a week and that made it a little easier. Gotta love all this new technology.

She was very good and easy on the long flight - 15 hours - and is loving her grandmother's cooking! She has also met some new friends and made her first trip to McDonalds!

We will be heading to the airport in a few days to meet their flight. I sure hope she hasn't forgotten Mimi and Poppy!

A Glorious Baby Shower Brunch for Sweet Jill

Last Saturday I hosted, with a lot of help from my sisters and mother and, of course marvelous hubby Bob, a baby shower brunch for my niece Jill.  She and Jamie are expecting their first – a little boy due May 19th.  We are so happy for them.  They will be wonderful, loving parents to this precious child.

So, I wanted her day to be special and one to remember and how do you make a celebration special?  With Stampin’ Up! products and projects!!!  So, without further adieu, here’s a snapshot (or rather several snapshots) or our glorious day.

 

Jill and Jamie Arrive VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

I really liked how the invitations turned out. They were made with all Stampin’ Up! product.  Jill’s nursery has a bird theme so I tried to incorporate that in all the decorations. I also was pleased with the photo banner. It was on two sides of the foyer and a big hit with the guests.

Delightful Decorations VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

I had a ball making the decorations.  Banners, birds, diaper cakes – even little mini diaper cakes for the table decorations.  The banner on the mirror reads “Baby Parchman” and the spring colored M and M’s are in a baby food jar.  I loved making the tissue paper pom poms.  I remember making these when I was a young girl.  What sweet memories.

		Yummy Food VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

The food was delish! My sister Charlotte and mother brought lots of goodies. Mother made a marvelous sausage and egg breakfast casserole. I tried a Cinnamon Roll casserole that turned out yummy. The flavored water was a hit! I used lemons, limes, cucumbers and strawberries. I discovered the secret is to wait until about 30 minutes before you serve to put it together. Use cold water, add ice and do not squeeze the fruits. A nice fresh taste. This will be a staple at my events from now on.  I made a little banner with the baby’s name on it for the diaper cake.  What a cute way to welcome the little one.  The diaper cakes are now in their new home in Drake’s nursery.  The birds flying above the table were made with Stampin’ Up!’s brand new Elegant Bird Die.  Leaving those up all summer!

		Gifts! VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

And, of course, opening the gifts was so much fun. I think Jamie was a little overwhelmed among all the gals, but he was a good sport and enjoyed all the hoop-la. This was their first shower and was a great success.

We are all looking forward to the arrival of Drake Christian in May.  Jill is a sweetheart and it is hard to believe she will be a mom soon.  She was a precious little girl, a cracker-jack softball player and now a Registered Nurse.  I am so proud of her and can’t wait to be Aunt Di to another precious little boy.  I hope I will earn the honor of being a “great” aunt.

Blessings,

Diane

Beautiful Banner

I am sure you have noticed that banners, in all shapes and forms, are uber-trendy in papercrafting right now and I am in LOVE with them.  I made banners for Isabella’s first birthday, Christmas, Valentine’s Day…and many for absolutely no occasion.  Shelli Gardner, co-founder of Stampin’ Up! loves them too and so much so that banners are her Creative Challenge for this month.  So….I really wanted to join in.  An excuse to make one more.  Don’t need excuse really, but did enjoy making something for me after all the decorations I just finished for my niece Jill’s baby shower.  Check out the next post for lots of pictures of our fun time.

Until then, enjoy my heart banner.  All supplies by Stampin’ Up! and you can purchase them in my store 24/7…

I {Heart} Banners VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

I have this on the big mirror over the fireplace in the den so I had to take it down and put it on a contrasting color for the photo.  And, I still haven’t finished my new picture-taking place, so the photos are not the best.  But, I am sure you get the drift.

I can’t sign off without sharing a memory from yesterday of sweet Bella and her Poppy checking out the Camellia she plucked from the bush in our backyard.  My loves. 

And, I wouldn’t be offended if you left a comment on her cuteness!

My Favorite Book of All Time

I kind of love this stamp club project from a couple of months ago. It is a bookmark for my favorite book. The Bible I use most of the time is fairly new. I think I got it around 1985.


The translation is the New International Version and I remember having a hard time moving from the King James. I felt like I was betraying someone or something. I also have reference Bibles, Bible commentaries, Bible dictionairies - not to mention notes from a bunch of Bible Studies throughout the years. I'll bet I am not the only person with bookshelves filled with resources to facilitate Christian growth.


And even though I learned the books of The Bible during "Sword Drills" at the little Baptist Church I grew up in, I get a little rattled when I need to turn to Lamentations or some other little known Old Testament book....thus the Bible bookmark.

So the bookmark will be added to Post-It Notes, little torn pieces of paper to hold my place, and other bookmarks in my sword. Here's a chapter in Ephesians that shows my notes, dates of sermons, highlighted passages, etc.





It's my favorite book. It's the ultimate history book. It's His story.

Blessings,

Diane


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A New Header and Too Many Things to Talk About

 

Can you believe how long it has been since I last posted?  I really don't have a good reason other than.....I've been soooooo busy.  Now I know we are all busy with home, work, kids, church, stamping, scrapping and all that stuff...it's just that I don't seem to be able to get it all done so something suffers.  Unfortunately one of those things is my blog.  I sure hope I can do better.
So much has been going on and I want to share it all with you.  So, in no particular order, I will be sharing what is and has been going on in Isabella's grandmother's life these past few months.
Today I am on the fourth day of a very bad head cold.  I feel lousy.  We were looking forward to going to Franklin to see the little Princess Friday, but alas, could not risk exposing her to this crud.  Here's a couple of recent photos of the little darlin' in case you have been missing her sweet face.

 

 

I don't really feel like stamping, so I must feel bad.  I really want to sleep all day, but can't breathe when I lay down, so I thought....Hey, girl, why don't you make a new blog header?  So, I did!  The entire header was designed in My Digital Studio using exclusive Stampin' Up! images.  And it was so easy.  I love the new Subway art trend and found some awesome words to use.  You can take a 30 day look at MDS....just to my Stampin' Up! site and download the Express version for free.  It's not just for scrapbooking anymore!
Here's a card I made a couple of months ago for a dear friend's son and his new bride.  I loved how it turned out.  Lots of silver paper, embossing and glitter paper.  Plus the terrific Flower Fest stamp set.  I don't know why I don't use it every day!  So sorry my photos are so crummy.  I am working on making a photo box and getting the proper lighting.  Hopefully soon.

So many exciting things happening at Stampin' Up!  I will be back tomorrow with all the deets.
'Til next time...

Happy 40th to Scott!!!

First of all, it is impossible that I have a son who just turned 40 years old!  Not to mention that I also have a son who will turn 43 this April.  Of course, I was VERY young when they were born…lol.  Seriously, God has blessed Bob and I with two wonderful children and we had such a great time celebrating at the little birthday celebration we hosted for Scott and his special friends. 

I have included a few photos from the party. And, he always get to chose a favorite dish for me to make during his birthday week.  I have included photos of his choice this year – Broccoli and Cheese casserole…..or, as he called it when he was little – the one with the little trees.   We haven’t enjoyed this in a few years and wow! it was good.

But first,  here is the birthday card I labored over a whole day to make it special for this special man. 

He absolutely LOVED it.  Click on it to make it larger so you can read the sentiment…..guys get it, don’t they?  All images are from the terrific stamp plate from Artistic Outpost.  They have the most interesting sets….and I love them all.

And here are the photos from the celebration.  We had just picked up Isabella for the weekend and she was entertained by all the festivities and food.  A marvelous weekend for Mimi and Poppy.

		Scott’s 40th Birthday VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

I pray that this new year is off to a grand start for you and your family.  As always, I am honored that you dropped by and would love for you to leave a comment.

Blessings always,

Diane

Born to Not Shop–Absolutely

 

Have I mentioned how much I hate to shop? If I already have, please bear with me.  I hate it.  I mean really, really hate it.  Except when I am shopping for sweet Isabella- but that really doesn't count.  Or when I am on vacation shopping at cute boutiques and overpriced souvenir shops. That doesn't count either.

I mean when you have to get food to eat, or Christmas lights the day before the big party you are hosting. Or something cute to wear to the big Christmas party you are hosting. Or gifts. I am a cheerful giver. Love to give the gifts. Hate to shop for the gifts.

There are few absolutes in this world. It will rain right after you wash the car or dog. And you will forget your umbrella. And it is dress up night at the symphony. Not talking about those absolutes. I am talking about shopping absolutes.

I absolutely will not find a close parking place. The cart return will be miles away.

It absolutely will be raining when I get there, or when I leave the store headed for my car parked in another city.  I absolutely will leave my umbrella in the car.  Or at the last store.

Whatever I am shopping for will absolutely not be at the first store I go to.

When I do find it, it will absolutely be the wrong size and/or color.  And color is very important.  Only one shade of blue, that you almost never can find, looks half-decent on me.  No other color. None. Nada. That is why I almost always wear black. Doesn't look good on me, but is safe.

I absolutely will look ridiculous in any of the trendy styles. Even safe ones, like those cute long, skinny scarves of a couple of years ago.  Made me look 18 inches tall. Like a little pygmy.

I absolutely will lose my list about half-way through the Christmas shopping trip.  So, I will absolutely buy the same gift twice.  It will go into the return pile.  I absolutely will miss the return date.  And it will be re-gifted.  Hopefully not to the person I gave it to originally…blah, blah, blah.  Never done that before.  Well, I think I have, but the recipient was much to nice to mention it.  I have a kind and thoughtful family – most of the time!  The good news is that if I get this re-gifted gift back this year my memory is so bad I will not remember giving it last year.  So there.  Problem is not a problem anymore.

Guess I had better get off this computer.  The Christmas party has not changed dates, it is still tomorrow night and I have much yet to do.  Including taking back the cute little Christmas trees I bought at Wal-Mart last night to go on either side of our front door.  Lighted and everything.  Even in their own cute pots.  And, I got the last ones available- the ones on display, so I knew the lights worked.  Remember when I said cute “little” Christmas trees?  Well, they look TINY on my front porch.  Pitiful.  And, do you know how much traffic there will be at Wal-Mart today?  Humm, maybe they would look nice in the back yard….

Until next time…enjoy a first birthday photo of the Princess taken by W. June Photography.  Real cuteness, right?

 

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I'm Back with a New Direction!

I don't know how many readers I have out there, if any, but if you are one of them, then you know that I haven't posted in a long time.  I consolidated this blog and my Stampin' Up! blog this summer because it was a little too much keeping them both active.

Well, I have now decided to reactivate this blog and go in a totally new direction.  I may post a card or two when there is a special occasion attached to it, but this blog will now be for my thoughts about my life, my family, and a place to chronicle my walk with Christ.  I may be the only one to read it....and that's OK.

Our pastor recently challenged us to Become More.  To "stretch' ourselves and grow our lives as Christ's disciples here on earth.  What a daunting challenge!  I am still trying to figure how to move on the task....but realize that I am not the initiator here.  I will move as the Holy Spirit leads me- through scripture and prayer.  I will keep you posted on this journey.

Until next time, I hope you have a wonderful weekend.  I am going to my 45th high school class reunion this afternoon.  I am looking forward to seeing many old friends.  I am sure our stories of joy and sorrow are similar - even though miles apart from many, we have managed to grow closer together.  I find that very comforting.


Blessings,
Diane 

Bella Bunny and Uncle Scott

I am so behind in my posting. I used to think I have to write something profound, but have decided that something often is much better than waiting for the perfect words and perfect picture. This one was too cute to pass up. I will have more Easter stuff later this week, but here is the cutest picture of Bella Bunny and Uncle Scott taken Easter weekend. It is not the best quality...but still precious.  We had a marvelous Easter weekend and sweet Bella spent a few days with us the following week.  It was a wild week with the tornadoes and all- but that is stuff for another post...and exciting entries in her baby book!

More later, take care and have a great week!


Blessings,
Diane (Mimi)