They Know Me Well

 

I think I am the easiest person in the world to buy gifts for, because I have a wide range of interests. Simple things like a pretty candle, a scarf or a book on my wish list, all make me happy. I also have a love for handmade items and enjoy receiving a one of a kind piece from an art and craft fair. My daughters were so thoughtful this Christmas and showed me that they know me well. Their gifts to me were special and unique - both pieces of art, I will treasure for years to come.

Megan's gift to me was this handmade metal snowflake from an artisan co-op store. It has a little bit of sparkle and I added some pretty white ribbon and twine, so I could hang it on the sliding door in my kitchen. This is something I will enjoy every winter as it sparkles in the sunshine and reflects the snow outside.

Melissa's gift to me was this hand painted sign, from an Etsy shop. This song lyric is from the musical, Guys and Dolls, and has special meaning for us. When my girls were little, this is the song I would sing to them, at night, before they went to sleep. It is hanging in in my laundry room and it makes me smile every day.

The best gifts are not the ones that cost the most, but the ones that show that the giver thought about you and what makes you happy.

Have a great weekend!

 

Posted with Blogsy

Thoughts for Thursday...new year's goals, diabetes, etc.

 

• The new year makes me introspective about my life and while I never do resolutions, I think it is helpful to focus on a few goals that help me continue to simplify and focus on what is important. I have made a lot of changes in the past couple of years, since my Diabetes diagnosis, that help reduce my stress and improve my health. These goals reinforce my path to a healthy and calm life. 1. Continue to walk every day - even when the weather is bad. It is so good for my mental health and reduces stress. 2. Take a knitting class and re-learn how to knit - another great stress reducer. 3. Be in the moment with my daughters and just listen when they come to me - listen and then let it go. 4. Continue to eat healthy and low carb.

• Speaking of Diabetes, the holidays were not my friend. There were a few too many cookies, martinis and assorted carb filled meals in the month of December. It is time to get back on track. I will not feel guilty, because overall I did great and did not gain any weight. I just feel better when I eat better :-)

• Last night, my daughters and I continued the holiday fun. We were given a gift certificate for Painting with a Twist and decided to go while both girls were still home this week. We had a lot of fun and each painted the picture of a wine glass and bottle, you see in the photo. I am not an artist at all, but the instruction is simple and all three turned out great. It was a fun mother, daughter outing.

Happy Thursday!

 

Posted with Blogsy

Let It Snow - Glass Block Light

 

Today is the day to put away the Christmas decorations and return my house to the everyday. However, it seems too drastic to take away all the decorations at once, so I love to leave some winter themed items here and there. One of my favorite new projects I made before the holidays, with the intent to use it throughout the winter months, is this "Let It Snow" glass block light.

It brightens up the desk in my kitchen, when lit, and I plug it in almost every morning, especially when it is a cold and grey day. Such a pretty glow, when I am drinking my morning coffee.

I made this with a glass block, a strand of white lights and some three dimensional and sparkly stickers. The final touch, was polka dot ribbon, tied around the glass block in a pretty bow. To see my "Autumn" glass block light tutorial, look at this blog post here.

Looking forward to a productive day today, as life returns to normal after the holidays. Happy Wednesday!

 

{Linking with these friends}

Stonegable

Savvy Southern Style

Handy Man Crafty Woman

The DIY Dreamer

The Charm of Home

Simple Home Life

Have A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

Serenity Now

Funky Junk Interiors

I Heart Naptime

Sunny Simple Life

Between Naps on the Porch

Alderberry Hill

Salt Tree

The Dedicated House

Cozy Little House

a bowl full of lemons

Love and Laundry

Kathe with an E

Life on Lakeshore Drive

Katherine's Corner

My Repurposed Life

Craftberry Bush

Live Laugh Rowe

A Delightsome Life

Cedar Hill Ranch

Skip To My Lou

The Shabby Creek Cottage

Rooted in Thyme

The Girl Creative

At The Picket Fence

Debbiedoo's

The Thrifty Groove

The Tablescaper

Jennifer Rizzo

DIY by Design

Full Circle Creations

Coastal Charm

 

Posted with Blogsy