“A bend in the road is NOT the end of the road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . UNLESS YOU FAIL TO MAKE THE TURN!”
(Pinterest)
Dec27
Author Archives: countrygirlbling
Dec21
Christmas & the New Year
Christmas is upon us so that means a New Year is just around the corner. It’s that time of year when we take time to appreciate those around us, family and friends. I can’t help but think about the families this year who have lost loved ones, especially those in Connecticut. This Christmas is going to be unbelievably hard for them and I just can’t even imagine how hard.
As this year ends and a new one begins there is a sense of hope in me. I am a Christian and I don’t know how people deal with what life can throw at us without knowing Jesus. When I put my life in His hands 18 years ago He transformed me, one day at a time. I am a better person, not a perfect person, just a better person. I’m still a work in progress. Having Jesus in my life has given me a hope I’ve not known before. I always use to be a “but what if” person . . . now I’m a “whatever” person because no matter what happens I don’t walk this path alone.
Jesus says, “I will never leave you or forsake you” and I believe it. He has shown me in all of my circumstances especially the tougher times that He is there for me. As we celebrate Christmas and the New Year, my hope would be that if you don’t know Jesus that you would get to know Him. Life can be hard sometimes but you don’t have to walk it alone. Thank you all for following my blog this past year and for your fun & encouraging comments! I pray that this season brings you peace and joy.
Merry Christmas & a Very Happy New Year!
Dec20
The Grinch Smiles
So one of my good friends here at work is a Grinch at Christmas time. His name is Chip so we call him Chippy and he is fondly considered “one of the girls”. He says he gets grumpy at Christmas time and gets annoyed when all us girls are playing our “Rod Stewart” Christmas CD. We just laugh at him. Well Maurene came up with the great idea of decorating his office while he was at one of our other campuses on Monday. This is Chippy as he walked into his office while he was on his phone . . . . SURPRISE!
Dec19
Quote for the Day!
“YOU ARE SOMEBODY’S REASON TO SMILE”
Dec17
Girls Night & Great Recipes
Had the girls over Friday for “Girl’s Night” at my house. Everyone brought something to share and it’s always a great time to try out new recipes. I made the cupcakes: regular white cake box – I like to add almond extract but I was out soooo I added some Amaretto. For the frosting I used cream cheese/marshmallow creme & vanilla – here is the link: http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/desserts/marshmallow-cream-cheese-frosting/. Pat brought the pinwheels made with Spinach Tortillas & Cran-raisins – yum, here’s that link: http://www.food.com/recipe/simple-delicious-cranberry-cream-cheese-pinwheels-273515 . . . and Mia brought the wayyyy yummy Spicy Cranberry Dip w/Cream Cheese (kinda thinkin’ cream cheese was the theme here – LOL) and here is the link for that one: http://mysisterskitchen2009.blogspot.com/2012/01/spicy-cranberry-cream-cheese-dip.html. We found all the recipes on Pinterest.
I’d recommend any of these recipes, there were all very good. It’s always fun to make time for your friends . . . a good time was had by all! Thanks Mia, Donna, Maurene, Pat & Sharon!
Dec14
White Chocolate Clusters
I found this recipe on Pinterest. The “Girls” are coming over tonight for a little Christmas Get-Together so I made them the other night. Delicious & very rich – I would totally cut this recipe in half next time but here ya’ go:
2 cups Rice Krispies cereal
2 cups dry roasted peanuts
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 cup peanut butter
2 packages white chocolate chips (12oz. packages)
In large bowl, combine cereal, peanuts & marshmallows. I use a glass bowl over a pot of boiling water to melt the chocolate chips & peanut butter (she uses the microwave). Once melted, add to cereal mixture and drop by tablespoon onto waxed paper. Let set until firm, about 2 hours. Store in airtight container. Makes 64 clusters.
Next time I would “half” this whole recipe and instead of 1/2 cup peanut butter I will try 1/4 cup peanut butter. I found the original recipe on: plainchicken.blogspot.com
Enjoy!!!!!
Dec13
Christmas Ideas . . . . 6
Everyday jars on the left . . . at Christmas time I bring out my old white ones and put red ribbons on them. I bought the red platter at Home Goods a few years ago and who doesn’t need another nutcracker . . . I kind of have a small collection of nutcrackers, I just love them.
Dec11
Quote for the Day!
Your journey has molded you for greater good and it was exactly what it needed to be. Don’t think that you’ve lost time. It took each and every situation you’ve encountered to bring you to the now. And NOW is right on time!
Dec10
Canvas Tutorial
-
- Step 1
-
- Step 2
-
- Step 3
-
- Step 4 – Voila!
Step 1: You need an 8×10 “wrap around” canvas (Hobby Lobby or Michaels). An 81/2 x 11 paper photo (printed on regular paper/regular printer & printed to the edges), a sponge brush, Modge Podge & black matte acrylic paint. Cut your paper photo to fit the top of your canvas.
Step 2: Sponge brush your black paint around the edges of the canvas and bring it up on the top a bit. You’ll probably need two coats of the black. Once it’s dry – coat the back of your paper photo with the Modge Podge, be sure to coat the edges. Place it on top of your canvas and smooth it out with your fingers being careful not to push too hard, pay attention to the edges. Sometimes the photo will have small air pockets, smooth out the best you can but don’t sweat it, they tend to smooth themselves out, if not I figure it just adds to the character of the canvas – LOL.
Step 3: Once the photo is smoothed out, let it set about 10 minutes then coat the entire top of the canvas with Modge Podge, be sure to cover the edges. Let that sit about an hour or so then put a 2nd coat on it and cover the entire canvas this time, black edges included.
Step 4: Voilaaaaaa! You’ll be shocked at how good it looks – great Christmas gifts! I stapled red burlap trim to the backs of the horse and barn pics (previous post) and hung them on 3m hooks. Such an easy, easy project with great results. Have fun!!
Dec7
Christmas Ideas . . . . #5
-
- Brown, Silver & Burlap
-
- Love Lanterns
-
- Modge Podge Pics on Canvas
Occasionally I like to change up the color theme on my tree. This year I decided to try brown & silver. I really love the brown, it’s a bit more earthy but adding the brown glitter ornaments feeds my “bling” addiction (ornaments 1/2 off at Hobby Lobby) . Love my bling . . . I also love lanterns. I found this lantern at Hobby Lobby and got the idea about making those canvas pics from Pinterest . . . alsooooo love Pinterest. Canvas tutorial coming . . . I have a few cattle pics I took earlier this year and want to put them on canvas. I’m thinking about redoing my bedroom in “Country Chic” . . . we’ll see how that works out, LOL.
Country Girl 