That’s when luck threw me a bone…or rather a milk crate. I was over my grandmother’s house when I saw this old soda crate in the trash pile. She was happy enough to let me have it seeing as it was headed for the dump truck anyway.

I gleefully ran home and got to work. Needless to say I was very pleased with the result and so where my herbs.

I know a few of you were asking about the recipe for the almond recipe. You can find the recipe on My Baking Addiction Blog. Weren’t they yummy? I will warn you that on your baking sheets use parchment paper like it says in the recipe. Don’t be like me and think that because you have non-stick pans you can snub parchment paper. The first batch were an epic fail because they stuck to the pan and it was a mess. My advice follow the recipe.

Love!

Have you ever prayed for something and received back a “no” as an answer ?

Did it seem like the end of your world?

Did it feel like God was cold and far away and unloving?

I’ve been there.

Heck, I am there.

What I once thought was an issue with God turning a deaf ear has now turned into an understanding that he is closest in those moments. “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”- Proverbs 34:18. I have to admit that it doesn’t really feel that way. Rather it feels quite the opposite. Maybe that is because I wasn’t really looking to God for help. I was looking to everything else (friends, internet, books) but God….oops. You see, I am the master of distraction. I can find a way to distract myself with a twig and a leaf; if I really put my mind to it (make side note: craft with twig and leaf).

My problem is I think just because I pray for something I should get it. Kinda like little kids think of Santa. I reasoned that because God loved me he must want to give me “good” things. Interestingly enough, I found that sometimes mine and God’s definition of “good” don’t match.{Insert: shocked face here}

Funny how that works.

My defintion of “good” is what would be awesome for me at this very moment. While God who can see much further past this present moment (“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9) understands that my defintion of “good” may not be in my best interest. Friends, God is all about finishing the good work that he started long ago (Philippians 1:6).

I am assuming that the “good work” means he is working on my heart (aka character, integrity, all the hard stuff).

I like to think of myself through God view, as a work of art. I know that when I am working on art I typically do better when I am by myself. It’s just me and that piece of fabric. I begin cutting, sewing and stitching all over the fabric. If one where to come upon me in the midst of creating, one may comment on what a mess I am making. One may suggest I cut off a corner, or paint that swatch pink or a varied of other suggestions.

The problem with coming in at the middle of the project is that only the artist knows what the final product should look like.

Only the artist is knowledgeable to know what things should be added to the piece of art and which things are better left alone. When I put things into that perspective it helps me to better understand that prayers aren’t a wish list to God but something else.

My prayers are morphing into thankfulness to a God who supplies me with a fresh supply of mercy every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). My prayers are peppered with requests that God give me a better understanding of his love (Ephesians 3:17-19).

See friends, the more I started really reading the Bible the more I began to understand that my prayers aren’t wish lists but rather a conversation with God.

A conversation filled with thankfulness (not in the manipulating way of I am thankful for this now give me what I want) but thankfulness from a heart overflowing with it so to not speak of it is impossible.

A conversation where I ask for things with lasting results like wisdom rather than a good spot at the parking lot (yes, I prayed for that once…silly).

A conversation which acknowledges God as the driver in this car rather than the back seat driver (this is the hardest part of my prayers for me.)

Finally, the conversation ends with a plea for the strength and endurance to be all that God wants me to be (this is where I wipe the sweat off my brow).

Oh I get it! Conversation not wish list. Still more to be learned on the matter but that’s where I am at currently.

I just wanted to give you a glimpse into my life. A small crack in the shades to take a peak at an unfinished piece of art that God is in the middle or to be frank maybe at the beginning of putting together. Who knows really…I am just the bit of scrap material that God thinks is valuable. Sure, glad he does too! Just think of all the things one can do with scrap material (mental note: scrap fabric).

Thanks for allowing me to share my heart with you.

2 Thessalonians 3:5: May the Lord bring you into an ever deeper understanding of the love of God and the endurance that comes from Christ.

As I was going about my day I thought it would be interesting to keep a journal and write down everything that made me feel inspired and how it inspired me. I didn’t think I would stick with it very long but to my surprise I did. What I learned from this little experiment was priceless. I thought I would share my “inspirations” with you.

Defined by: Google.com

in·spi·ra·tion/ˌinspəˈrāSHən/

Inspired by..

*The stray dog without a home. Inspired me to think about how to show love to the least of these (people and animals) 

*The clerk at the store who always asks how I am doing and waits to hear my response. Inspired me to take time to listen to others even if I am in a rush. 

*The driver next to me with the smokin’ car. Inspires me to wash my car. 

*My Garden. Inspires me to not be afraid to put down roots and grow.

* The artists in my life. Inspire me to dream big and never loose hope 

*Super smart people. Inspire me that learning is a free gift all you need is motivation and determination. 

*Old cars. Inspire me because with a little love and attention anything can be beautiful. 

*My camera inspires me because a new perspective can change the entire composition of a situation. 

* Erasers. Inspire me because a new start is never too far away. 

*Weeds. Inspires me that with perseverance can go a long way (like all over my lawn!)

What inspires you? Have you ever tried to write down everything that inspires you through out the day? I am still amazed at the ordinary. 

2. Host a Potluck

3. 5 New Photography techniques

4.Flower arranging….learn how

5. Make homemade valentines day cards

6. Make my own jewelry

7. Decorate kitchen

8. Take a photography class online

9. Pasta shapes

10. Drying Pasta

11. Make Gelato

12. Learn about food and music pairing

13. Do another victory garden

14. Bike ride to a new city

15. Walk in the grass barefoot after it rains

16. Do Kitchen Boot camp

17. Finish baking boot camp

18. Read 5 books that are classics or award books

19. Make something with constellations on it

20. Host a photo shoot

21. Restore two pieces of furniture

22. Make a pot holder

23. Learn to do fancy things with nail polish on my nails

24. Learn to do cute hair styles

25. Take Mr. Snail somewhere awesome but keep it a secret

26. Take a Piyo class

27. Make my own tea towels

28.  Make my own table cloth

I made a list last year of things I would like to get done before my birthday the following year. I orgianlly got this idea from Elsie over at A Beautiful Mess. If you have never done this I would highly suggest it. The list was well though out and I found myself trying very hard each month to check a few things off the list. Honestly, it was like a little piece of birthday every month. I wrote my list on a piece of white card stock and laminated it. It hung in my craft room for the entire year. People who came over to craft often commented it and believe it or not it became a conversation piece in my craft room. I think I will start keeping these sheets of paper and putting them in a binder so that next year I can look back on it and have some found memories of it. Hmmm…that gets me thinking actually. More on that later though.

First things first. Someone start a drum roll please.

For the record I did read 100 books this year not 50. Someone (who shall remain nameless..me *cough) half way through the year thought I wasn’t going to meet my goal and so that imposter in a moment of weakness scratched out 100 and put 50. Shame!

Things I didn’t complete :

Learn Spanish- This really was a wishful thinking goal. For some reason I always start out strong and then it fizzles. Drat.

Read Martha Stewart Cooking at Home - I enjoy a good Martha read every once in a while but this year…I just wasn’t feeling it. 

Calligraphy- This was actually the first goal I tried to cross off. Once I started learning this I kinda got bored with it. 

15 new stitches-I think I learned one new stitch but I found I like the back stitch a whole lot this year. 

2 new states- Just didn’t happen. It’s all good. I spent most of my time travelin’ around Cali. I mean this state is big enough. 

Sew an apron-After my granny gave me several vintage aprons, I figured I could spend my energy elsewhere. 

Finish Decorate house- I didn’t finish decorating my house. Although, I did start and it looked really cool though out the year. I changed every few months. 

Make a photography light box-I have mixed feelings about this one. I really wanted a light box in the beginning but the more I learn about myself as a photographer I am more of an on the go candid moment gal. 

Start a compost pile- I did some research into this and was totally intimated by the smell and the insects that like compost piles. I am kinda still freaking out about the horn worm from last summer. Yuck. 

I really enjoyed challenging myself to try new things. It was a challenge and to be honest the things that I didn’t complete weren’t really top priority for me. I started to realize that as I grew up somethings that meant a lot to me in the beginning of the year didn’t mean as much to me as the year went by. 

I will be posting my new list next week. Have a great weekend friends.

I am off to eat cake!

Tomorrow I will give you an update on my 27 Before 28 List because tomorrow is my official birthday. I thought it would be fun to share with you a few things that I have learned in this past year. It took me a year to learn this stuff so after about 3 minutes you will be just as smart as me (and it didn’t take you a year); your welcome.

27 Things I learned this year

1. Get dressed with no where to go.

2. Eat off of fine china. 

3. Laugh. Laugh with friends. Laugh alone.

4. Carry a book with you at all times you never know when an opportunity will present itself

5. Be thankful

6. Send letters to people. It makes them happy 

7. Keep a handy dandy notebook with you

8. Wake up early one day a week to see the sunrise

9. Your voice sounds best in the shower so rock out! 

10. You only live once 

11. Value your friends

12. Your family may be quirky but you might be quirky too. Remember you are related. 

13. Spending time with God is worth every minute

14. Be nice to people

15. Smiles are contagious

16. Start at the clearance aisle then move toward the front 

17. At the grocery store stick to your list

18. The crockpot is your BFF 

19. Essential oils are truly essential 

20. Grace is the twin sister of love 

21. Be amazed

22. Growing your own food is the best

23. Support local farmers. It’s fun to have friends at different farms.

24. Take the detour and get lost. You never know what you may find 

25. Always leave 10 minutes early

26. Homemade food > Take out food 

27.  Be humble. Say your sorry. In the end it isn’t worth holding your ground. 

Filed under: 27 before 28, Adventures ]]> http://asnailslife.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/27-things-i-learned-this-year/feed/ 3 asnailslife Laguna 253 Laguna 284 http://asnailslife.wordpress.com/2012/01/17/book-clutch/ http://asnailslife.wordpress.com/2012/01/17/book-clutch/#comments Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:27:09 +0000 asnailslife http://asnailslife.wordpress.com/?p=2332 ]]>
Ever since I saw this tutorial for a book clutch on See Kate Sew I have been searching thrift stores and yard sales for the perfect book. Last week I was out thrifting and I came across this very plain clutch. I will admit at first I passed it by without a second thought but upon second glance I noticed its true potential.

I dashed home with the illlusion that I had already purchased the perfect book to make this clutch. Disheartened, I put the plain black clutch into my craft room closet till I could find its book soul mate. (Insert tear)

About a month after this sad disillusionment I recieved a flyer from our local library that they were hosting a HUGE book sale. I was down there faster than you could say “Hey! Don’t forget the ice cream.”  That is where I found this gem.

It was like at first sight.

I ripped out the center of the book. Which was one of the hardest things I had to do that hour. In my defense I did use the pages for envelopes. Then I just pasted the clutch inside. Tada…craft in minutes.

That is until this weekend.

I had this book on my to-read list but was so bombarded with cookbook and children’s literature that it was on the farthest back burner. My sister being an avid reader asked me if I had an recommendations. I mentioned that the Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder might be worth her time. I was expecting her next question: “have you read it?”. I mentioned that while I had not read it I did read the summary and it looked intriguing.

This weekend was one of those couch potato weekends. My sister asked me to read to her so we spend the next few hours engrossed in this book. Wow! Wow! Wow! Not only is there danger, excitement and mystery but it is centered around food. Hate to burst your bubble but the food is poisoned but that didn’t dismay us. We are about half way through the book but so far so good.

I would be bold enough to say that if you enjoyed The Hunger Games that you may find this book worth your time. 

Something about the new year always makes me want to change things up. Maybe it is the tremendous burst of people at the gym or maybe it is just the fact that I get to purchase a new calendar. Who knows? January 1 comes and  I want to cut my hair. In years past, that is exactly what I do. Three hours later…I end up regretting it and blaming the hair dresser. It’s pathetic, to be frank.

This post on a Beautiful Mess may have saved me from another terrible hair experince. Katie demonstrates step by step how to turn your long hairstyle into a cute little bob without cutting it. After one burn to the hand and a few broken bobby pins, here’s the finished product.

The bob was cute. I truly loved it while it lasted. Then again it remained cut for about 1 hour (if that) I am way too active to keep my hair nice and orderly.