Give Way to 2009

Photo credit Adrian Van Leen

Last year was really hard. My husband's dad died of Lung cancer in March and this really rocked our world. You just don't think things like this will actually touch your life and then when it does it changes everything. Nothing feels safe anymore. Bad stuff can happen to good undeserving people.

Photo Credit Michael Jastremski

As I look forward into 2009 my prayer is that my life would be purposeful. I know that it's fleeting and fragile and I want to make a difference. I'm not sure how yet, but God knows His plans for me. I just want to be open to the possibilities that I am part of a bigger picture than myself and my small circle. Oh yeah and I want to lose those last 10 pounds too!

Floorcloth Rugs

A few years ago my mom sent me a magazine featuring an artist that painted floorcloths. This was news to me. I had never seen anything like this before. So in my excitement I eagerly gathered my supplies and embarked on this new exciting adventure. The one pictured above is the first one that I did. This one is under our kitchen table. I saw this design in a magazine somewhere. The rugs are made from canvas material that are cut to size and hemmed with double sided tape. They are primed 2-3 times and then the latex base coat is applied. I use acrylic paints for the design and seal the top coat with 2-3 coats of polyeurethane. Last but not least I buff with bowling alley wax. This helps seal and protect the rug from wear and the elements.

Tornado Dreams

[photo by Don Farrall/Getty images]

For some reason I have recurring tornado dreams. I had one last night and they really freak me out. I am always at my parents house in the country and we usually gather in the basement before it hits. The house shakes, it sounds like a train and the sky is red. So weird! My mom has studied dream interpretation before and said the tornado represents a struggle, trial or test...great just what I need. I have never been injured in my dreams, so I guess that's a good sign. Am I alone? Do any of you have recurring or tornado dreams?

My dream vanity

I have always wanted a vanity ever since I was a little girl. I used to spend the night at my Grandma June's and she had one in the spare bedroom. Anyway my close friend Marylynn had one and gave it to me!! She brought it up this summer and I completely refinished it.

I have to admit it turned out beautiful. I based the whole redo on some Anthropology knobs I purchased. Let me know what you think.

Marley & Me

Yesterday afternoon my family went to see one of the best movies ever...Marley & Me. I read the book by John Grogan and was really excited about the film. It didn't disappoint, there was laughter and tears, but most of all they nailed the human life experience. It was as if they had candidly recorded our lives, the ups and downs, the job changes, the stress of being married with kids, and of course the pain of losing a beloved pet. The picture above was our final farewell to our Sidney...our first baby.

My dear friend Marylynn just lost her precious Maggie and my heart pours out to her. Unless you've experienced that unique bond between canine and master it's really hard to understand. If you are looking for a great movie to see with your family consider Marley. But make sure to bring some tissue.

Christmas Morning

For unto us a child is born!! What good news. This year before we opened gifts we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus. It's my hope that my girls will know the real significance of Christmas. It's so easy to just get caught up in all of the hoopla, but what a blessing to GET that Jesus is our gift. The only one that we need. Merry Christmas to all of you.

Fergie's booties

Did I mention it's cold here? After a long hard battle with our furry creature, Fergie has won out. I made the trek to Petsmart yesterday for a pair of booties. I searched high and low for the last pair of booties, only to discover that they were $45 (ouch)! She bucked like a bronco when we put them on her. It was seriously the funniest thing I have ever seen. I should have taped it. After all that she still had an accident in the house today. Oh how I miss the good old days with our walks around the block:-)

Grandma June's cookies

My parents shipped us a Christmas package a few days ago. OH my gosh, they put my Grandma June's Sour Cream cookies in there and her famous peanut brittle. Got to say this is a huge weak spot for me. I just sprained my ankle at the gym and now I have these cookies to work off. I had 6 yesterday and they are huge! What's a girl to do?? Anyway thought you might like the recipe.

Sour Cream cookies:

• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 eggs
• 4 cups flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp baking powder
• vanilla (a smidge)
• Mix up and chill in the refrigerator overnight. Roll out and place on floured cookie sheet. Sprinkle with sugar and place 3 or 4 red hot candies in the center. Press down with measuring cup and then bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.

Winter Haze

Okay here goes, my first post!! Winter is a hard time for me. I really get sad. I can tell when it starts, my sadness, I have this overwhelming urge to be someplace else. Because I live in Minnesota this can go on for about 6 months...ugh. Last winter I spent many hours on Realtor.com looking up properties in Scottsdale, AZ. My goal for this magical winter season is to get a grip. I want to live in the moment, to embrace the winter white around me and make the most of this 6 month stretch of my life. Wish me luck:-)