New Year in our home is off to a pretty healthy start, we are focusing on the value of real and joy . Today I am sharing the PERK project and also my focus word for 2018 (joy) as well as some of my thoughts with you on coping and life. I am not an expert in these theories, I just know what works for us most of the time. We are a real family with real life struggles searching for acceptance, love, kindness and happiness just like everyone else. So, my sincere hope is that I can pass on a little love and goodness to you! After all, we are in this real life together. When one is a youngster real is home, Mom, Dad, friends... When one is a youngster joy is derived from toys, playing, dessert... REAL JOY As an adult we begin to discover that real and joy are a bit more complicated and that learning to discover ways to hold onto both can be a bit more challenging than when we were a youngster. In fact being genuine and joyful in our daily lives requires an intentional mindset.

Welcome to January friends! Winter is the perfect time of the year to use our imaginations, hearts, hands and dreams to create beautiful projects for our homes and for gift giving too. As I sit here inside our cozy home my mind is racing on all the Winter crafting projects I want to get to. Just like my Mama did, I am going to Craft my way through the Winter months and I am inviting you to join me! Winter is such a perfect time of the year to explore new crafting methods, and sharpen some rusty skills. These chilly months are also the optimum time to try out a new tool, learn a new stitch, or purchase a new machine to assist you in your crafting journey. Speaking of machines, I am about to try out my new Sizzix Die Cut Machine. No matter how sharp I keep my scissors, I still don't have the crisp edges on my projects that I really need. I just ordered these Sizzix Thinlits Dies . Source for Illustration is Block Party Prints! Crafting has always been a stap

As my husband and I visited over coffee this Wintery Texas morning on this past year and how 2017 seemed to us, we both concluded that it has been a rewarding year of spiritual, mental and emotional growth. Just like everyone else we have had our share of ups and downs. However all in all we both agreed that our dear Lord has blessed us with good health, love and joy. Now on New Year's Eve we have reached the final chapter of 2017 and it seems to me it is worthwhile to reflect. There are some things in our lives which we would like to change. We are both longing for more active outdoor adventures, and a continued migration to natural settings. These reflections of 2017 also took me to my blog where I took a look at the best posts of this year, so here they are. Thank you for reading my blog and joining me in this beautiful journey of life! January 2017 began with a sweet little giveaway and a fun Valentine Table setting . February of 2017 brought mild temperatures a

Good Morning Friends, just a quick little pop in to your homes to wish you a very Merry Christmas and share a positively wonderful, easy recipe for Homemade Peanut Clusters. This is another one of those no fail recipes that I just love to share with you! Finding yourself short on time and need a quick hostess gift, a present for a neighbor or just to share with family and friends this recipe is for you! My Instagram friend Elf Mom kindly shared this crockpot candy recipe with me and now I am passing it on to you! Yay! Peanut Clusters The ingredients are all found in the baking section of your grocery and the prep time is minimal. So grab your large crockpot and let's get to business making candy! CROCKPOT CANDY INGREDIENTS 1 16 ounce jar salted peanuts 1 16 ounce jar unsalted peanuts 1 12 ounce bag milk chocolate chips 1 12 ounce bag semi-sweet chocolate chips 2 12 ounce bags peanut butter chips 2 lbs almond bark ( I used chocolate flavored)

Who should we thank for French Croissants? Why Marie Antoinette of course and my daughter! Merci to both of these lovely Ladies! Marie Antoinette brought her croissant recipe with her from Austria, but any Frenchman will tell you that it was the French who perfected the recipe. Today I am sharing a few links to some of my favorite and fabulous food blogs plus some tips on how to make buttery Croissants. BUTTERY CROISSANTS TIPS FROM AMANDA Making croissants is not for the faint of heart, or the lackadaisical. In fact it is a full commitment, beginning the night before baking! It was our daughter that committed to this culinary task and also discovered this excellent croissant recipe from Jo Cooks-Homemade Croissants. Don't be shy and use a ruler to get the precise width and length of the dough. Reuse plastic wrap and use unsalted butter. Parchment paper and Bread flour are a must. You must fold the butter into the dough and chill. You cannot rush the pro

Hi and welcome to a little DIY Christmas Tree craft and vignette! Let's gather around our craft tables and make these super cute and easy Scrapbook paper Christmas Trees! This DIY Christmas Tree craft leans towards " old school, " as well as simple and fast! These Christmas Trees are not perfect because this craft involves tracing and cutting, so grab some scissors, a pen and let's get going! I am pretty certain this craft project could be done more precisely with a Sizzix Die Cut Machine . Which by the way I have asked for as a Christmas gift...hint to Hubby. SUPPLIES FOR DIY SCRAPBOOK PAPER CHRISTMAS TREES Supplies For DIY Christmas Trees Vintage style and sheet music print scrapbook paper. Pre-cut balsa wood Christmas Trees. Birch wood rounds. Scissors. Modge Podge. Epoxy or Hot glue gun and glue sticks. Glitter. Paint Brushes. Paper Plates. Pen or Pencil. Paper Towels. Embellishments (optional). TUTORIAL FOR DIY SCRAPBO