Giveaway Time- Pendant-Pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness

I know it's been awhile since I gave away something. So I have been busy making more jewelry and thought why not give away one of my pieces. So that is what I am doing. This is what I will be giving away.

It is 2 inches in length made with pink wood beads, pink plastic beads and gold spacers all on silver wire. Remember you are getting the pendant only - NO chain, sorry.

                             It is super simple to enter the giveaway-- 

1st. Enter telling me you are a follower of my blog. You must be a follower to enter.

2nd. Blog about this and link back so I can see it on your blog. That will give you 2 entries.

3rd. If you have a twitter acct. tweet about it and link the tweet back so I can see it. That will give you 3 entries.
4th. And surely not least, go to christinas-creations and tell me what you like there. That will give you 4 entries. So you will have 4 chances to win this pendant.

The giveaway will end October 28th at midnight.
Good luck. Now get to entering....
****Make sure I can find your email address at your blog or simply put it in your comment. I will need a way to get a hold of you if you win. I will email you and you will have 3 days to get back to me with your address. If you don't then a new winner will be picked.
Have fun and good luck.

Christina

Ebays #1 competition- Webstore

How cool it that - another auction place. But this one doesn't charge you to sell or to buy. Is that great or what! Let's get the word out and give it a look. I for one just got done spending over an hour checking it out. I like the way it looks. The name is Webstore. They have tons of things for sale. Make sure and take your time to look around. Scroll down and on the left is the list of the things they have for sale. You won't be sorry when you look around. What will you lose but some time. At least do it and you might find something you like. Heck pass the sight onto someone else is you like.
I have bought lots of my beads for my jewelry making from ebay but I will be buying them from here from now on.

Flu time

It's that time of year again. Time for all of us to be thinking about the dreaded FLU shot. Some will say *NO* I don't get it when others will say *YES* I wouldn't let this time of year go by without me getting it.
Well it doesn't matter if you do or don't get the shot it's all up to you. They even are giving it to the younger ones now. I mean really younger ones-- like 5-6 year olds now. So think about this. Are your kids prone to getting sick this time of year? Are their immune systems weakened. Talk it over with your Dr. to see what they suggest.
But don't forget about you. You might be getting older and as we get older our systems change and we might not be as healthy as we were just a year ago. Our own immune system might not be as strong as it once was.
Well I have something to help you out if you can't go to the Dr. to get the shot to pay the price for it there. I have a list of places at CVS stores and Health Centers across the states that offer the vouchers for the shots to those without health care to pay for the shots.
Please take the time to look at this list and if you can't use it PLEASE pass it on to someone who can use it.

Have you started your Christmas list yet?

Well if you haven't, then I have things to help you out. I have listed things on my ecrater site that will help you get started. Things like kitchen helpers, facial scrubbers, jewelry even Mr. & Mrs. Claus look a likes.

These are just a few of the things that are available to start your Christmas list with. Most of all of the things I have listed are free shipping. I go through Paypal. I also put a confirmation # on your package so you know when to expect your package. I will ship your order out within 2 days of ordering. Usually the next day unless it is on a weekend. I will email you with the confirmation # as soon as I have sent the package out.

At this time I am only sending to the US and Canada area's.

44 cent Forever Stamp

USPS New 44-Cent Stamp Celebrates a Muslim holiday!
If there is only ONE thing you forward today... let it be this!
President Obama has directed the United States Postal Service, to REMEMBER and HONOR the EID MUSLIM holiday season with a new commemorative 44-Cent First Class Holiday Postage Stamp.
REMEMBER to adamantly & vocally BOYCOTT this stamp when you are purchasing your stamps at the post office.
 Apparently they think that putting "hearts" and "butterflies" on the new stamp will make 
most people NOT realize that the rest is Arabic, and not something we Americans should support !  
President Obama feels we have forgotten they have targeted us not only on 9/11 but many times since. 
I wonder if his heart is really American. Maybe that is why he won't hold his hand over his heart when the Pledge of Allegiance is said?

All you have to say is "No thank you, I do not want that Muslim Stamp on my letters!"
Pass this along to every Patriotic American that you know !

Honor the United States of America !

"In God we trust"

 

I try my best to keep this blog a Christian blog. But I have to stand my ground when I feel strong on certain things. I try not to put down others belief's. But when they are targeting us for no reason that makes it hard. I have done nothing to these people but loved them. I never tried to force my belief on them. But the LORD himself did not stand for wickedness. There are many times that I wished we lived in the LORD'S time. When there was wickedness they did away with it and it made the LORD happy. It rid the world of the terrible things. We have so much in our world today. I often wonder what the LORD thinks when he looks down here. It has to be sad to look down here and see the way your children are treating others today. 

Keeping the poor, poor. When if you were like that you have forgotten it and never looked back. Flaunting your wealth and getting a person to do your bidding for you and paying them squat. 

The bullying that goes on today is outrageous. When the only way to get away from it is to take your own life. How tragic is that?

Family members molesting the younger ones. Then them not being able to tell anyone because of fear of not being believed. 

Our world is in terrible shape. 

I for one can not wait for it all to be over. Because I know I am going home to a better place.  

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Second time this week. Mr. L. loves my homemade chicken noodle soup. So thought I would make him up another batch today.
Only this time I thought I would share it with you. As the other batch got eaten up so fast I didn't get a chance to take a picture of it.

I have to leave out one special ingredient when making this as Mr. L. doesn't like onions, so I use radishes instead. It still  puts the color in and adds a different taste to the dish.
I make this all in one pot. It is a 2 quart pot.
I start with just plain ole water, then add 3 cubes of chicken broth. Add any seasonings you may want at this time.
I can get a 12.5 oz. can of chunk chicken at my Adli's store. I put the whole thing in the water, juice and all. Letting this cook on high while I am cutting the ingredients to go in the pot.
Then I add a hand full of diced small carrots.
Along with 3 stalks of diced celery.
I added 5-6 radishes diced up to the pot.
Let this continue to cook on high while you add a half bag of noodles. It will come to a rolling boil again. Stir often. Let this cook for about 7 minutes. Then turn off the heat and set aside. It should be ready to eat.
Enjoy.

That is how I make my Chicken Noodle Soup.

Bad Breath??

To check if you have bad breath do this---

 No don't get scared like Homer--

 Just do this simple trick

 Lick the back of your hand and then SMELL your hand. If it smells you know you have bad breath. Now of course don't do this right after you have brushed your teeth or used mouthwash. That doesn't count. Do it later in the day.

Using breath fresheners won't work to take care of it - go to your dentist and see what the root of the cause is. It can be anything from the foods you eat to rotten teeth.

Billy Blanks Exercises

5-Minute Chocolate Cake Recipe in a cup

I know I've been gone for a bit. I had my cousin's wedding I went to in Ohio, then when I came back home I was busy posting my items I've made that I have for sale onto Etsy and Style.ly.  Plus they are still listed here where ALL of them are still at.
Boy does that take up some time.
But I have a super easy, uber yummie recipe for you to make up for me being gone.

*Homemaking on the Homestead blog* is having a giveaway

So head on over there to get in on this fabulous giveaway.
You get 
1. 16oz bottle of Basic H2 Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate
2. 3 spray bottles to mix up cleaning solutions (and they are marked for you too.. “window cleaner”, “all purpose cleaner”, and “degreaser” and instructions to make the cleaners)
3. A super nice cloth shopping bag
4. A microfiber window cleaning cloth (personally, I love this cloth! :)
5. And.. a catalog of Shaklee products

How kewl is that? 

If you want to see the products you'll have to go here to see them. Plus go there to enter. So get to getting already. Why ya still reading?

Another visitor today

This one is called an Argiope. Technically, this is an Argiope aurantia, otherwise known as a black and yellow garden spider, or a "writing" spider, because he weaves a line of white X's down the center of his web. Actually the big ones are the females and the smaller/wimpy ones are the males. So I am guessing this one is the female.

The Lord sure has been providing us with some sights the last few days. Big ones at that.

South African Cardio Workout Video - Bokwa Fitness

Look what visited us

Mr. L. was mowing the lawn and we believe he disturbed this big guy from where he might have been in my flowers. I spotted him crawling up the porch so I just had to take some pictures of him. As you can see I took a few of him. Man was he a big guy. I'd say about 6 inches at least. Was fun to watch him. If you notice in one of the pictures he has his front leg twisted up and in his mouth. That one is really a neat picture. He seem to have no problem with me following him around and taking his picture at all. He even looks right at me in a couple of the shots. (as if to say-- make sure and get my good side--)

Thailand Adventure with the Noah boat

I was visiting another friends blog when I came across this one and just had to share it. It is a book actually, published by Duane Klepel, that has been put into electronic form so we can read it. I have started to read it and it has kept me busy for over an hour now. SO thought it was more than worth posting. For those of you who are Christians you will find this very interesting reading. Even those of you who aren't it is still worth the read.   

Do you want to talk??

An atheist was seated next to a little girl on an airplane and he turned to her and said, "Do you want to talk? Flights go quicker if you strike up a conversation with your fellow passenger."

The little girl, who had just started to read her book, replied to the total stranger, "What would you want to talk about?"

"Oh, I don't know," said the atheist. "How about why there is no God, or no Heaven or Hell, or no life after death?" as he smiled smugly.

"OK," she said. "Those could be interesting topics but let me ask you a question first. A horse, a cow, and a deer all eat the same stuff - grass. Yet a deer excretes little pellets, while a cow turns out a flat patty, but a horse produces clumps. Why do you suppose that is?"
The atheist, visibly surprised by the little girl's intelligence, thinks about it and says, "Hmmm, I have no idea."

To which the little girl replies, "Do you really feel qualified to discuss why there is no God, or no Heaven or Hell, or no life after death, when you don't know crap?"

And then she went back to reading her book.

Never thought I would have to do it...

But I found myself out there doing it.... I had to kill my tomato plant tonight. Yes, you heard me right. It is suppose to get down to 31 tonight so I went out to get the rest of what was on there.

Why is it when it is the end of the season it is when my plants are doing their best? This plant had so many new buds on it I just wanted to cry. It was such a shame to kill it. But I know it wouldn't have been any good by morning. Now all I can do is wait and savior the last of these. I only planted one plant this year and it did great. Bushed out so big.
Well so long tomato plant. I will miss you.

Thought you could use a laugh

As I faced my Maker

 As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life. But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in everyday life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

 I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air. Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me and nodded for me to rise.

 My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me. And now, I had to face the truth.. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.

 I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.' May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through! God determines who walks into your life...it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay and who you refuse to let go.'

**WHAT YOU DO WITH THIS IS UP TO YOU. BUT I WOULDN'T MIND IF YOU PASSED THIS ON. 

Cooking Measurement Equivalents

I had someone ask me what the equivalents were for my Gatorade recipe, since I make my own. Mr. L. takes 1/2 gal. to work everyday. If I were to buy those 2 bottles that  that makes it would cost me $2 a day. So it is much cheaper to make my own. Plus he says it tastes much better. So thought I would post some cooking measurement equivalents here for you.

Cooking Measurement Equivalents

1 tablespoon (tbsp) =     3 teaspoons (tsp)
1/16 cup =    1 tablespoon
1/8 cup =    2 tablespoons
1/6 cup =    2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons
1/4 cup =    4 tablespoons
1/3 cup =    5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon
3/8 cup =    6 tablespoons
1/2 cup =    8 tablespoons
2/3 cup =    10 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons
3/4 cup =    12 tablespoons
     
1 cup =     48 teaspoons
1 cup =     16 tablespoons
8 fluid ounces (fl oz) =     1 cup
1 pint (pt) =    2 cups
1 quart (qt) =    2 pints
4 cups =    1 quart
1 gallon (gal) =    4 quarts
16 ounces (oz) =     1 pound (lb)
1 milliliter (ml) =    1 cubic centimeter (cc)
1 inch (in) =    2.54 centimeters (cm)

This should help you out and be handy to keep on hand for any future uses.
I usually don't measure things, I just dump them in but with this it has to be as near as possible or to much salt and YUCK. So I go by the recipe every time.

It's been a bit since I've posted any exercises

I don't know about you, but I could use a little help in this area. Especially with the summer months going to be coming to an end soon. I will be stuck inside. I hate the snow and I hate going out in it. So I try to find exercises I can do in the house. I have added Iodine to my meds. and will be going to my Dr. next week so she can do blood work to see if we can adjust my thyroid meds. I have just been putting weight on and can't seen to take it off, no matter what I do.  More water, less coffee, no salt, no starches, count calories, I've been doing it all. Even trying the eating 6 small meals a day. I won't give up but boy am I tired. I just think my thyroid has something to do with it and my Dr. won't listen to me about it. She has had me on the same dose for 20yrs. She keeps saying my blood works comes back fine and no need to change anything. Sure you get the kick back from the drug companies, so why not give me more drugs to take....