50 by Fifty: No Sweat

This week was a blur as we have been working pretty much non-stop to downsize our space at the shop. (by the way, our new space is looking  pretty darn cute - I can't wait to take photos to share!) It was, however, still a pretty good week for weight loss - I lost another 1.1 pounds for a total of 7.6! The key for this week has definitely been journaling my meals - when I have a crazy schedule like I have this week and we are eating out a lot, it is even more imperative that I make the time to accurately record the points...

I dropped the ball on exercising this week though...even though I did a fair amount of moving with all the downsizing, that's not quite the same as concerted strength and flexibility work that I wanted to do. But, I will simply move forward and get the exercise in next week. One of the biggest lessons I am trying to learn through this challenge is to not sweat the small stuff. If I mess up, simply dust off, try again, and learn from my mistakes. This can sometimes be as hard a lesson for me as learning to eat right - I have a tendency to beat myself after a mistake or shortcoming, which is just not productive. So, once again, I need to turn to the Lord to help me to learn and grow, through both success and failure...

Thanks as always for stopping by - I work at the shop tomorrow, then it's two whole weeks before I have to work there again (one of the nicest benefits of downsizing). In those upcoming weeks I am really looking forward to getting back to doing some illustration work as well as more crafting time in the studio... I'll be taking photos of the new space tomorrow and will do my best to post them on Sunday...

Hope you have a wonderful weekend - and remember...don't sweat the small stuff...

"Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?"

Matthew 6:27

Now THIS is Gonna Be Fun!

Now this is one party you don't want to miss!! I hope you'll join me and a host of other creative bloggers at Karen's (My Desert Cottage) second annual "Where Bloggers Create" blog party!! It is sure to be a feast of creativity as bloggers all around the world share their creative spaces!

My studio was just being started when Karen had her party last year, so I didn't participate, but I'm very excited to be a part of the action this year!! You can read more about all the festivities and giveaways here...they are awesome!! Whether you have a creative space to share or you just want to bask in all that inspiration, join us on June 19th, 2010 for one of the greatest blog parties of the year!!

Should be a LOT of fun!!

How joyful are those who fear the Lord - all who follow his ways!

You will enjoy the fruit of your labor.

How joyful and prosperous you will be!

Psalm 128:1-2

50 by Fifty: Balance

Welcome to the fourth week (third weigh in) of my challenge to lose 50 pounds by my 50th birthday! Well, it was a great weight loss week - I lost 3.3 pounds!! That makes a total of 6.5 pounds lost overall. Thank You Lord! I simply must give Him all the glory...He has made this so very do-able for me! He has given me dear friends who are praying and cheering me on and journeying alongside me, He is adjusting my appetites, and He is giving me heaping helpings of hope...

I think balance is really a key factor in this lifestyle change (I'm trying not to call it a "diet" because it will be a permanent change in the way I eat). I was looking back at some of my older illustrations this week and I found this one that I did for Illustration Friday back in 2007 - the prompt that week was "Extremes" and I did a piece that was focused on balance as an alternative to the extremes of over-indulgence and starvation dieting...

It's the over-indulgent eating lifestyle that got me to this place to begin with, and although I'm sure a starvation/radical diet would provide a pretty quick weight loss, it would not help me change to a healthy, realistic, sustainable way of eating in the long run. I need balance - life is real; full of pitfalls, crazy days, and good intentions gone bad, and I must have flexibility, based on a solid foundation, to deal with it all successfully. Food is neither my friend, nor my foe...it is simply my fuel....

So, I'm embracing the concept of balance for this journey. Mexican food and chocolate cake (yes I had both this week and still lost) balanced with smaller portions, more fruits and veggies, and much less sugar overall...you get the idea. By the way, please don't be offended if you are doing something different/more restricted as part of your own weight loss journey...I'm just sharing what is working for me and trying to apply the concepts generally... Everyone must ultimately walk this journey themselves with God's personalized plan for what is best for them.

Next week, I will be introducing exercise back into my weekly regiment...I'm looking forward to sharing more details and updating you on what/how I did next Friday...

Thank y'all again for your prayers and support! I appreciate it so very much!!

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"I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."

Philippians 4:11-13 (NLT)

Fun with Junk, and more...

Edited:  I thought it would be fun to re-post this project with the wonderful Kim at Get Your Craft On Tuesday (Today's Creative Blog). Click the link or the image above to visit all the other fun, creative projects!!

(click any image to enlarge)

So, what's a girl to do with a funky 70's-era plastic coffee pot wall plaque? I've had a vision for this thing for a long time (since I bought it at a garage sale in '08!) and I finally made time in the studio to have a little fun with it...

I tried in vain to find my before picture of this routed wooden sign, but trust me when I tell you it was not pretty. I painted the coffee pot and sign with good old heirloom white spray paint and then I was ready to paint and embellish...

Here's the finished wall art! I painted a pink trim around the routed edge then painted a pink "table top" along the bottom. Next I antiqued the coffee pot and the sign with brown acrylic paint mixed with gloss medium. After everything was dry I glued down a piece of pretty crocheted lace over the pink, a half tea cup that I got from a garage sale (more on that some other time), the coffee pot, curled wire for the "coffee", ecru trim, and three vintage porcelain knobs. After the glue was set I painted the verse and roses to finish it off...

It was so good to finally get a piece done that I had planned for ages (and it was way fun to be crafting in the studio again). It may not have turned out exactly like I wanted it in every way, but it is sweet and I think it will look nice in the shop (and hopefully sell of course).

Speaking of the shop, I have some news to share. We will be taking a different smaller space in the shop beginning May 1st. We are downsizing/moving for several reasons. Although sales have been OK, they have not been as steady and consistent as we had hoped these last couple of months. Plus, we have paid a premium for being in the front room of the shop, right by the check out counter and front door, but I'm not sure it is paying off as we had hoped. I have observed each time I've worked at the shop that although people do stop and look in our space, they do not tend to linger there like they do in other sections of the shop...they move quickly to get out of the way of the front door, thus often missing the items we have featured right there, plus, because there are always one or two vendors working at the check out, the shoppers don't have a lot of privacy for looking. I know that may sound strange, but I know when I shop, I like to be able to take my time, dig around, talk freely with my shopping companion if I have one (you know, say things like "I wonder if they'll take less for this" or whatever), and I just don't see people doing that at all. Plus, having a double space in the front takes a LOT of time to keep up. In addition to the 6 work days per month, I am there probably half again that much or more staging the space, bringing in new pieces, pricing, etc.

So, when a cute sunny space with lots of wall area that was half the money and only 3 work days came available, we took it. I will share photos of the new space and what we do with it after the first of May when we get all moved in. Meanwhile, one of the big furniture pieces that I've had forever in the shop sold this week which is great news - not only will it be nice to have the sale, we really didn't have room for it in the new space. Even though our new space is smaller, most all of the things that we have left now will fit, except for our big china cabinet which we put on sale in hopes of selling it in the next week or so...

And though we are downsizing, do you think for a second that we stopped junkin' for a while...? Nope!!  :o) This is high garage sale season in Texas, before it gets really hot, and there are countless sales each weekend that are awesome, so we're still hitting the ones we can. As promised, here is some of the stuff we bought at a great estate sale this past weekend...

I really like these trays from England - they were $3, but going for half price, so just $1.50 each...

I'm loving silver, and was blessed to get all these silver plated pieces for half price too...the covered cake plate was half price as well... I'll be painting the funky green resin wastebasket, you can be sure...

I love these sweet tiny birdie plates, and the bird needlework piece is a project just waiting to happen...

I am actually really excited about the upcoming changes in the shop! I am looking forward to fewer shop work days/prep days so that I can have more time in the studio, like I had yesterday, to make more junk art pieces, painted signs, fabric collages, and SO much more that I have ideas for! Plus, my illustration work is starting to really click...my royalties this quarter went up 5 times what they were last quarter! (Yay God!!) I need to be spending more time finding new licensees and creating new art for future projects like a new calendar for 2011 and more digital clip art collections, etc. I'm happy with how things are working out, and though it may seem like a set back with the shop changes, I really see it as a plus in so many ways. It will be very interesting to see how our sales are in the new space and to see if my theory about being in the front space is true. I'll definitely keep you posted...

Meanwhile, I hope the rest of your week is wonderful, fun, productive, safe, and joyous! Thank you as always for stopping by and saying hi - I appreciate it more than you'll ever know! Oh yeah, stay tuned about a soon coming giveaway collaboration I'm having with another blogger...that's all I can say for now, but it will be a lot of fun! Hugs all around - see you soon!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Getting Dressed

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."  Colossians 3:12-14

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What a wonderful reminder this morning for us to be intentional about "getting dressed" with compassion, kindness, humility and all the rest - and putting on love over everything else to "color coordinate" the entire ensemble! Let's not get "dressed in the dark" spiritually this morning!  :o)

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Thanks to Joyce Meyer for sharing this scripture as I watched her TV show this morning...it definitely resonated with me... 

I'm heading to work at the shop today, as I do most Mondays. I have some shop news to share and photos from our haul from a FUN estate sale on Saturday - I hope to share those with you tomorrow morning! Until then, have a gloriously, "well-dressed" day in the Lord today!!!

50 by Fifty Friday

Steady progress; that's the best way to describe this week of weight loss. I lost .8 pounds and I am at 3.2 pounds lost in 3 weeks. SO, I'm right on track at this point with my goal of one pound per week for a year! I have to say that writing down/tracking everything I eat has been very important to my progress. I'm very encouraged that it has been relatively easy to keep up with recording my meals. It actually gives me a certain level of comfort knowing right where I stand on points in a given day...even on the days when I have slipped up and over done it. At least I know where I stand and can more easily make corrections than if I was just guessing my status.

My food tip for this week involves the necessary evil of eating out, particularly at fast food restaurants. I don't know about you, but a certain amount of eating out each week is pretty much unavoidable for us. Therefore, I have to have a strategy going in, or I'll be sunk. I have a Weight Watchers Dining Out guide which lists points values for common foods from numerous popular restaurants...everything from Applebees to Whataburger...so I try to review the selections and their point values BEFORE I go. That helps me to stay on track and not be swayed by higher point food selections.

Our favorite fast food restaurant these days is Chick-fil-A - yummy chicken sandwiches and salads with a number of lower point options. We are especially loving the "Chick-n-Strips Salad" which is just 8 points, plus one more point for a packet of non-fat honey mustard dressing. It makes a very substantial meal and is very filling and satisfying. They have a number of other moderate point chicken salads that are equally appealing that I haven't tried yet...looking forward to sampling those soon. Even the classic Chick-fil-A sandwich is just 6 points...a great alternative to a burger. Eating fast food doesn't have to be a disaster - it just takes a little planning and research.

If you would like to see the points value (as well as the calorie, fat gram, and carb counts) for LOTS of restaurants all across the country, check out Dotti's Weight Loss Zone, Restaurant List - Dotti has been accumulating restaurant data for years and has entries for most every restaurant I've ever heard of, including smaller regional chains...

With God's help, I am feeling more and more confident each day that I will stick to this and not bail out like I have so many times in the past. It will take some vigilance on my part (and trusting God when I am feeling anything but vigilant), but the rewards are so worth it! If you are on a similar journey, I pray that the Lord will exchange our weakness for His strength!

Thanks for checking in! I will do my utmost to post during the week about more things than just 50 by Fifty - thanks as always for your patience!

"Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me."

2 Corinthians 12:9

Sometimes...

...I just have to post random images...

...because I don't want to look at my almost 1 week old post for one more second...

...and I don't really have anything to report or say at the moment...

...so I'll just let the images say a few things...

...about what makes me smile...

...and what gives me hope...

...and who I love...

...and why I'm here...

 

Thanks for stopping by for a little pictoral inventory of my thoughts at the moment...I appreciate each and every one of you! I hope you'll check in tomorrow to check out this week's progress on the 50 by Fifty Challenge! (It's shaping up to be another good week I think!)

50 by Fifty Friday (um, Saturday)

A little late with my update, but after finishing our taxes yesterday (yay!), sweet hubby and I, Maddie our dog, and my Mom and Dad took a little road trip to Brenham, TX. Goodness gracious, the weather was GORGEOUS! And there were LOTS of bluebonnets and other wildflowers blooming all along the way. If you've never seen bluebonnets covering a Texas hillside, you've really missed a sight!

We also did a bit of junkin', which is always a fun thing! (sorry no pics right now). It was a REALLY wonderful afternoon!!

Anyway, back to 50 by Fifty - I am happy to report that I lost 1.4 pounds this week for a 2 week total of 2.4 pounds! It was a good week - no big challenges or hurdles (I didn't have to deal with the Easter potluck after all, so that helped). I did want to share a food find that is now a staple in our household - bread/sandwich rounds. You may have seen these at your local grocery store...if you've wondered if they are any good, I can say without hesitation, YES, they are great!

At only 100 calories per round, whole grain, and 5 grams of fiber each (1 point in Weight Watchers), they are a versatile and low-point alternative to regular sandwich bread or buns. I use them for toast most mornings with my yogurt or for sandwich making at lunch. I even use them if I want a bit of bread with soup or a salad. Yummy stuff! For a bread lover like me, it's important that I have a good alternative to all the high point bread options out there...this one is a keeper!

That's it for this week's 50 by Fifty - thanks for checking back in to see my progress! We're heading out to go see a local car show and check out a sale at a nearby storage unit complex. Our kind of Saturday! I hope YOU have YOUR kind of Saturday today!

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "

Matthew 4:4

Death by Taxes

(totally unrelated photo)

Anybody else hating doing their taxes right about now...?

I work at the shop today, then back to taxes tomorrow...trying to wrap them up by Friday. Ugh...

Hubby was sick on Sunday so we had to miss the Schultea Family Easter Picnic  :o(   He's doing better now though.  :o)  Maybe it was all that dump cake we ended up having to eat...all by ourselves. (actually hubby took most of it to work on Monday and the guys there enjoyed it thoroughly...) I really did pretty well and didn't eat too much of it at all...

Things don't always work out as you plan...but that's OK...God is still in control!

Have a great Wednesday friends!

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."

Proverbs 16:9

He's Alive!!

One of my all time favorite songs - "He's Alive" by Don Francisco. Let it bless you...

He is alive indeed! Blessings to all of you dear friends and family as you worship and celebrate on this glorious Resurrection Sunday!

"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said."

Matthew 28:1-6

Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake!

As promised, here are the step-by-step instructions for the world's easiest, crowd-pleasing dessert:  Dump Cake! (thanks to my old friend Melody who taught me about adding pineapple and nuts) I know it's probably old hat to most of you, but just in case you've never tried it, it really is super easy and delicious and it feeds a lot of folks too. Here are the 5 ingredients:

1 box yellow cake mix

1 can cherry pie filling

1 can crushed pineapple in natural juice

1 cup butter (2 sticks)

1 1/4 cup chopped pecans

Mix the cherry pie filling and crushed pineapple in a glass baking pan...

Pour box of dry cake mix over the cherry-pineapple mixture...

...spread cake mix evenly over mixture and break up any large clumps of cake mix

...measure nuts and spread evenly over cake mix...

...melt 1 cup butter in microwave and drizzle evenly over nuts and cake mix...

...bake at 375 for approximately 35-40 minutes until golden brown and bubbly (oven temps may vary so watch the baking time)

...and don't, whatever you do, overcook it like I did... (it's not bad really, just a few nuts got a little dark)

This dessert is best served warm in my opinion (w/vanilla ice cream if you're feeling really decadent), but whatever you do, don't try to eat it right after it comes out of the over...it's molten hot! It's good room temperature and even cold too...

I'll be sharing this at our annual Schultea Family Picnic tomorrow. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone this year....we were rained out last year and it's been quite a while since I've seen everyone all in one spot. Hubby's extended family is HUGE...there'll likely be over 100 people there if we have a typical turnout! I'll have the camera going full time and will share pix of all the festivities early next week...

I hope your Easter celebrations at church and with family and friends are wonderful! I'll have my official Easter greeting up for you in the morning! Thanks so much for stopping by!!

"And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God."

Ecclesiastes 3:13