Cute Gift Idea in a Jar.....

Good morning, sweet friends!  Hope you had a fantastic weekend and are ready to get the week off to a great start!!!

Prior to Christmas, I came across the cutest idea on Pinterest......so, I decided to try my hand at some homemade gifts this year.

Now that the holidays are past and these gifts have been "given", I can finally share the idea with you!

With young ladies in mind, I put together this "mani/pedi  in a jar". 

The concept was simple......a quart size canning jar and all the ingredients necessary to work on those fingers and toes.

I had fun putting these together.  Starting with a layer of cotton balls, I added the tools necessary to work on nails - colorful files, clippers, cuticle sticks......

I included travel-size foot scrub/cream, polish remover and those nifty toe separators.......

And the fun part was picking fun glittery polishes with the young ladies in mind. 

To finish it off, I used pinking shears to cut a square large enough to cover the top and screw down with the ring.  Twine was just a little finishing touch for fun. 

I also did some cookie mixes in canning jars this year and they turned out very well.  I experimented with the fabric on top a bit and loved the finished look when I used a saucer to trace and cut the fabric in circles, instead of squares.  Alas, I took not a single photograph of the finished product!!!  Guess I just wasn't in a blogging state of mind.....

With the cost of the canning jars coming in at less than $1 each, I am eager to explore more options repurposing these containers.  Have you found some cute ideas to utilize them?  I would love to hear about it in the comment section below!

Happy Monday!

Finally Friday...and a New Do to Boot!

I'm doing the Happy Friday Dance over here.  How about you?!?!? 

Even though I am going to have to work this weekend, the family has big plans for belated Christmas dinner while my sister and her brood are in town for a couple of days.  And, Eddie Dale is off!  So, I'm thankful it's the weekend!!!

Further lifting my spirits, I was finally able to get in for a haircut this morning.  It's been three months since the last trim, as I was letting some layers grow....and grow....until I just couldn't stand it any more!  I'm FINALLY getting back to the length and style I had when I did the billboard shoot last spring.  I would look at that photo every time I added my signature card to an e-mail at work, every time I handed out a business card, and every time I drove by my billboard....and think to myself, "Geez, my hair looked pretty good that way!  Why the heck did I change it?!?!?" 

I guess that's just the nature of a woman....to never quite be pleased with her appearance! 

Anyhoo, I finally reached the point where I could go in for a cut very similar to what I had before.  And it feels wonderful to "match" my photo again! 

Isn't it amazing how something like a simple change in hairstyle can make you feel so differently? 

So, how about you?  Have any big and exciting plans for the weekend?  Or maybe you're just getting an opportunity to hibernate and enjoy a little down time? 

As for me, I'm about to undertake a quick housecleaning so that I'm not trying to squeeze that in tomorrow.  Oh, and wash some clothes so I don't have to resort to digging in the laundry basket for something to wear.  If I don't resurface in a few hours, send the posse!!!

Happy weekend wishes!

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch.....

What?!?!?  It's already January 8, 2013????  This past week simply flew by and left me swinging in the wind....

I thought I would link up with Patrice, over at Everyday Ruralty, for conversation on the porch.  Of course, it's miserably cold and drizzly here....so, I figure we can sit inside for a bit.  Just brewed a nice pot of Texas Pecan flavored coffee, so grab a cup and sit for a bit.

Here are today's topics.....

What's your favorite thing to have in hot cocoa/hot chocolate?  I love some marshmallows floating in my hot chocolate....yum!  But, I can drink it just straight, too.  Since the holidays, I've been keeping a little hot chocolate "bar" set up on the kitchen table.....and the kettle on the stove for quickly heating water.  Just feels right at this time of year.

Did you have a white Christmas?  Have you had snow since then?  Yes, we did have a nice dusting of snow on Christmas morning.  Not enough to build a snowman or make snow angels, mind you.....but, it made it feel very seasonal and festive to see the tiny snowflakes falling lazily from the sky!  We've had another dusting since, but no real accumulation.... just quick flurries where you might miss it if you blink!

Have you been looking over seed catalogs?  If this doesn't apply, what kind of catalogs do you like to leaf through?  Hmmmmm, no, I don't browse seed catalogs.  In fact, I don't browse any sort of catalogs anymore as I don't receive them in the mail.  Do you think it might be because I never ordered anything?!?!?  Mostly, I get ideas and check out new things via PINTEREST!!!!

Gas stove or electric?   Love, love, love a gas stove!  Seems like food just cooks more evenly and it's easier to control the heat.

What's new or interesting?   Wow!  Well, let's see......

**With the new year, I have renewed energy to keep working and growing my business.  There's always a natural lull in Real Estate right around the holidays.  So, it's been a challenge to come up with fresh ideas and energy to jump start the year.  But, I'm encouraged by little things on a daily basis, so I'm feeling a sense of accomplishment just to be "working it". 

**I went "junkin" with a friend last week and bought some items that I am going to be using in a project here at the house.  I keep trying to get to this project, but......well, you know how that goes.  So, I'm penciling  in some craft work in the planner and then bumping it daily when I don't get to it.  Hopefully, soon! 

**We're doing the happy dance over here at the news that we're going to have a new granddaughter!  Bonnie had another sonogram right before Christmas and it's confirmed.  Can't wait until May when we get to meet the new little princess!!!  And, I know this is not the prettiest photo.....but, it's beautiful to this Mimi!

 Be sure to drop by Patrice's porch and visit with some of the other bloggers!  You never know what to expect.....




Stay warm, my friends!

TRUST for 2013.....

I have really debated whether or not to choose "a word" for 2013.  Last year, I agonized over the selection of my word for the year.....and didn't really follow my heart....or follow up on it throughout the year. 

However, this year a word keeps creeping into my thoughts, unbidden and repeatedly.  Feeling that last year's word was an utter failure, I resisted the gentle urging that kept pushing this word to the forefront of my mind.....

I must need it......

And need to do it more!

So, on this first day of the new year, I yield to that tugging on my heart to make this a word on which I will focus, pray and act.

 Trust - verb - to place confidence in, depend upon; to hope or expect confidently

How can a five-letter word be so daunting?

Simply because it requires acknowledging that I cannot do or control all things....

it requires letting go to depend on Him in all things.

I am linking with Melanie at Only A Breath for the monthly One Word linkup party. 

Sending each of you warm wishes for a wonderful 2013....