With Grit and Grace: February Goals

This link up is just what I need! I was inspired by Christina's post and realized how helpful it would be to make simple monthly goals in addition to the usual things that need done. I'm definitely a list person, and goal setting can either inspire me or intimidate me. I think the important thing with goals is to make them realistic and not overwhelming, and to include things that are creative and get you out of your usual routine. My sister and I often lament that by the time we meal plan or prep, clean, work, etc. we don't have the time or energy for other projects or hobbies. But with goal setting, it will help me prioritize these things-- even if it means the dishes sit a little longer in the dishwasher that day!

Here are my goals for February! 

-Spend time with Jesus one hour a week at our Adoration Chapel (this is my Lenten goal as well)

-Make a German chocolate cake from scratch for my birthday

-Organize our pantry

-Make a few Valentines for friends 

-Host a couple for dinner or coffee (this is a monthly goal for my husband and I)

-Create a prayer space in our office
-Trim the Little Dog's nails

-Make nontoxic household cleaners

-Begin organizing our basement

What are your goals for the month? Give me some comment love! :)

A Christmas Tour: Welcome to my home!

I've had some heavier-topic, reflective Advent posts lately so I decided it was time for a fun picture post! Ready to check out how I've decked my halls? Here we go...

A little reminder in the morning and night...O Come Let us Adore Him in the picture frame

Hot cocoa, anyone? I found a recipe for salted caramel hot chocolate as well as
dark chocolate with cinnamon...getting all sophisticated this year. ;)

My Advent wreath, created with the help of my mom :) I love real greenery!!!

Mmm...one of my favorite places to sip, pray, read...

This was to be one of my projects but alas...I couldn't find a shadow frame in my price range.
I want to trim the picture to 11x11 and then put a little straw in the bottom of a shadow frame for some added texture.
Next year. :)

My favorite spot this year.

Hand-me-down red bulbs from my mom added a new look this year.
I love the elegance of the red with the gold. And the little package underneath matches!
It's a decorative package that says "Joy." Love it.

Would you guess this picture is from an old Christmas card?? :)

A rustic touch to this end table. The snowman lantern fits a tea light inside, so adorable.

Going to try displaying Christmas cards this way...although I received a few more this week
so I'm afraid we're on to plan B!

I love decorating this chalkboard for each season!

Many of my decorations, including this one, are Pinterest inspired!
You can find the link to follow me to the right below my blog picture. :)

Nothing like nostalgia at Christmastime. It distracts me from pulling out goodies from the freezer,
which s a good thing. ;)

This garage-sale find always find its way into my kitchen each year!

A P. Graham Dunn print on my refrigerator. One of my favorite artists.

We can't forget the festive bathroom! It's pink and black decor
so I kept with that for Christmas. Pink lights and a black O Holy Night print.

Pinterest printable :)

I hope you enjoyed your virtual tour! Enjoy this last week of Advent!
The Word Made Flesh dwells among us.

Blessing Bags [A Project]

I grew up a country girl and now I'm just a small town girl (let me re-phrase...a country girl living in a small town!) but every once in awhile I make the drive to the city for some shopping. There's a particular shopping spot I love and almost every time on the corner of the stoplight entrance stands a man or woman holding a cardboard sign.

You've seen them. The poor. The homeless. And perhaps, according to some people, the good actors.

But every time it tugs at my heart. The thought of standing there for hours on end with a small sign that tells the world you need help. And to have so many cars just pass on by as they spend countless amounts of money in the stores.

"And the king will say to them in reply...For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome." (Matthew 25:42-43)

I've bought sandwiches and come back to deliver them. I've given money. I've said a silent prayer. And I've passed by doing nothing.

We don't know their stories. We don't know if they'll use money to buy alcohol. But we do know there's an opportunity in front of us to be Jesus to someone...to see Jesus in someone.

So when I saw this project on Pinterest, I thought it was a fabulous idea! I still want to challenge myself to give when it hurts and to make the personal connection with people in need, but these practical little Blessing Bags are so neat. I made three to keep in my car and would like to add a Subway gift card to each one.

Check them out and let me know what you think:

Giveaway Winner!

The winner has been drawn for the crocheted washcloth and soap scrubby! Are you ready? Congratulations to:

Sue (an email entry)

Yay for you, Sue!! Thanks for entering and writing! I love to meet the people who read this blog. I just sent you an email with further giveaway details. Enjoy your gift!

It's Giveaway Time!

I've been crocheting random little projects to use up my yarn leftovers. And you, my friend, just might benefit from my crochet craze. Now it's not much, but I'm giving away a homemade washcloth (for kitchen or bathroom) and a matching little-soap-bar-holder-scrubby-thing (can you tell I made that pattern up?!) for the shower.

The rules? You can either leave a comment on this post or email me. Since I'm a cardiology nurse and this is heart-health month, in your comment/email please share something you do to keep your heart healthy. This can be physical or spiritual. :) Make sure there's a way I can contact you if you win (email, blog profile, etc.).

The deadline to sign up is February 12th.

Wintertime Crafting

Homemade sugar scrub-- healthy and natural with only three ingredients-- and ones that you can actually pronounce! (coffee grounds, orange peel, and honey)

This made a lovely gift for my Starbucks-loving roomie!

Oh yes, I've joined the 'going green' movement with my homemade napkins. Inexpensive cotton fabric and a few minutes with the sewing machine-- the greater challenge will be actually using them as napkins; they're just too cute!