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Saturday, May 25, 2013

I Have Found The Most Beautiful & Unique Flower. Can You Guess What It's Name Is?

I am sure when you look at the leaves on this flower it will be a hint of what type of flower it is. The leaves on this flower are unique to this type of flower. The shiny, green leaves tend to be connected with the gardenia. I was in search of a gardenia because I love the fragrance that flows forth from this flower. It is such a delicate flower when you pick it to use as an arrangement. My suggestion is to cut off a few blooms and then float them in a beautiful open wide type of glass like a martini type of glass just float them in water or even in a piece of crystal you may have. Fill it with water and float them and it is beautiful. The fragrance is so beautiful it is worth the cutting of the blossom to be able to enjoy this fragrance in your home. It is just as appealing if you are sitting outside in proximity to this plant, it is most enjoyable. I guess you can tell I am a big fan of gardenia's.
I recently learned that there are a variety of gardenia's out there. Did you know that too? There is an August gardenia, I inquired of that just by the title and asked if it only bloomed in August. The answer was no it blooms like other gardenia's it is the largest bloom though. Then there is another smaller traditional looking gardenia also. The one I chose was the Gardenia Daisy. You get the great fragrance of the gardenia but the added touch of the beauty of a non-typical gardenia bloom. I planted mine in a container and will plant it in the ground in the future. This one is actually a shrub type of plant it will grow 4-6 feet in height and 3-5 feet in width. It likes part sun and it blooms Spring-Fall. The tag that came with the plant states it is deer resistant. It was suggested to hand prune it while it remains in a container so it will not grow out of control until I am ready to plant it in the ground.
Go to garden centers, garden nurseries and even the big box home improvement type of stores and discover what is out there in the world of gardening. Gardening brings such contentment to my soul. When I can "create" I am most content. Yes, I like making cards, baking cheesecakes, etc. and that is an outlet for me to create but there is just something wonderful about creating from something that grows. I also purchased on Endless Summer hydrangea and placed that in a container too. I will be all set when I find the right place to plant my mini garden. Hey, you have to start somewhere right.Do not be afraid to mix your container creations too. I placed a coral toned color carnation plant with lavender and it brings in two different scents when you cut either one's blossoms and bring them in the house. I have even been known to cut off a sprig of lavender or even a carnation bloom and take it with me in the car. Just to be able to reach and pick it up to smell the wonderful fragrance while driving. God created such beautiful and fragrant items from the garden for us to enjoy. Did you or will you take the time to stop and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Try it. Go get a simple plant or vegetable plant and plant it and watch it grow and then enjoy the fruit of your labor.
Gardening just releases creativity in me and that is why I so love to get my hands in the dirt (with gardening gloves on that is) and plant and create in a different avenue. To see plants that strike your attention and then to plan what will go in the arrangement or container you selected, that is creativity. Guess what? There is no wrong way to create too. What I may like may be so different from what you tend to like but no one can tell you that what you composed in your garden is wrong because it is right in your eyes. Just try it. Go select a flower or two and plant them and then don't forget to cut off some of the fresh blossoms and bring them into your home and make a beautiful arrangement for you to enjoy, or cut off a few blossoms and take them with you in the car on your journey. I think you will be glad that you did.

Friday, May 24, 2013

What Advice Do You Give To Someone That Has Been Hurt By Words/Actions of Another ? This Is The Advice I Gave...

What do you do when you listen to someone pour their heart out to you and you cannot reach over and give them a hug? You can only listen to them through the phone even though you wished you were there in person to comfort them. This happened recently to me. In the course of the conversation I was able to feel hurt in their voice, when they hurt you naturally hurt for them. I listened to the story and I sensed that this frustration needed to be dealt with. Not with harsh or angry words or actions but with Godly advice to release the hurt and not give satan the opportunity to come and create havoc in their life all because they allowed a door to be open for him to enter. Be advised that things such as anger, resentment, hurt, strife etc. can all be the very tools satan uses to open the door into your life. Why would you allow that?
This comes into play when you choose to not forgive and let go of the feelings you may have. The feelings you express are real and I am not asking you to act as though they do not exist. They are real and someone out their probably acted in a manner that brought hurt to you. I can share this with you because through out the years things similar to this have happened in my life and it was through learning that I can practice the advice I gave to them myself when needed. Actually, as I gave out the advice I even mentioned that I had to also do that myself and then I did follow through.
This is what you do... when these sort of things occur I want you to visualize a silver platter and you are holding this platter in your hands. On this platter place all of these feelings of anger, hurt, resentment, etc. on this platter and then lift your hands upward and ask Jesus to take them from you. Sometimes the hurt goes very deep and it is too much for you to bear. At times you may just not even feel like forgiving someone but trust me in this, forgive even if you have to ask Jesus in your own words that you just do not have it in you to forgive them but that you choose and will to forgive on that very day to give it to Him and ask Him to help you have the will to forgive. Ask Jesus to take what is on the platter from you and He will. Do not be surprised when you do this and you feel a release of that burden.
Once this is done then you have to close the open door you allotted to the enemy and remind him he has to now leave and will not create havoc in your life anymore. Remind him that the doors have been shut and what tried to enter into your life when the door was opened now has to leave. Remind him that those very things you gave to Jesus and asked Him to cover them with the blood He shed for you when he died at Calvary now covers them. In the eyes of the enemy that really frustrates him because he knows he cannot cross the bloodline of Jesus. Do not be a whimp take authority that has been given to you through Jesus, that is, if you are one of His children and you gave your heart to Him. You acknowledge that He came to earth, died on the cross and rose from the dead three days later and the way you will be in heaven is not through any works that you may have done but it is all because of the work Jesus did for you. Salvation is a gift freely given to you and it is not of works of man so man cannot boast of it. Freely given to you. Did you hear that?
If you have never met Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior let me extend an invitation to you. Acknowledge that you are a sinner, go ahead it is not hard to do. Every person that invited Jesus into their heart did the very same thing. Tell Him you are a sinner and ask Him to forgive your sins. Let Him know that you believe that He came from heaven to enter the earth as a baby that grew up, peformed miracles, and then died on the cross. He shed His blood so you would be able to be with Him in heaven for all eternity and escape the pain, suffering and burning fire of hell forever. Now, invite Him into your heart. Ask Him to come and be the Lord of your life. He will and not only will He do that He will fill your heart with the love He has just for you. Doesn't that amaze you? He died so you could live with Him for all eternity. That is LOVE.
Once you pray that prayer one big suggestion I would have for you is what was suggested to me. Get a New King James Version of the bible and start with the New Testament in the book of Matthew and read one chapter a day all the way through the New Testament. You will get to know Jesus by this simple act of faith. I even found a New King James Version of just the New Testament at a Christian book store which makes it even more targeted for this exercise. I trust that after saying this prayer you feel a burden lifted from your heart. That is the working of Holy Spirit moving in your life. God truly is good all the time and I can truly say that all the time God is good. Congratulations on this great adventure to the good doors that have been opened up in your life and the ugly doors have now been shut. In the name of Jesus I speak peace flood your heart and home this very day/night. Know Jesus loves you and the very moment you prayed that prayer your name was recorded in The Lamb's Book of Life. That is important for when you life is over here on earth and the book is opened up in heaven you will go and stay in heaven if your name is found to be in that book. Can you see why it is referred to as a book of life? Eternal life is the life that matters when you take your last breath here on earth for the next breath will either be in heaven or hell.

Eileen Fisher: I'm Closing Single Doors, But I'm Going To Open Double Doors

Eileen Fisher: I'm Closing Single Doors, But I'm Going To Open Double Doors

Thursday, May 16, 2013

The Best Suggestion For A Gift. Always Perfect & You Can Even Give It To Yourself.

When was the last time you took the Spiritual Gifts Analysis Test? Have you ever taken it or maybe you have never even heard about this test. Years ago, I took the test for the first time while attending a church. You do have gifts inside of you given to you by Holy Spirit. You are probably even aware of them and you are probably already acting in some of them too. I was so glad to take the test and then the church sent off your response aswers to the questions asked and had them graded so to speak. The results came back and then they were shared with you. I believe churches use this test to allow their members to see and learn about the gifts inside of them so as to better place them for ministry or even volunteer work within the church.
I have found that when taking the test do not sit and think too hard on the questions. Just read the question and answer in a natural way. Do not try to analyze the questions just let your natural insitincts kick in while responding to the questions. You know sometimes we can over think things and then the true answer that was already your natural instinct to respond seems to get lost in the thinking process. Pray to Holy Spirit before you take the test and then take the test. It is really good to know what gifts have been given to you, that are created inside of you and are there so you can possibly learn more about that gifting and then operate more in it. What good is a gift if it just sits there and never gets used?
It was several years later after I took the initial test that I asked if I could take it again. You see, sometimes with what the Lord is doing in your life a gift that was more pronounced a few years ago may be not so pronounced now and another one comes to the forefront. You do not lose the other gifts it is just the season you may be in that another gift becomes more pronounced for the call and work of your life at that time. Does that make sense to you?
Recently, I began wondering if it was time to take the test again, It has been many years since the last time I took the test. I mentioned this to a friend of mine and they told me you can still take the test and to look it up online. Wow, what an improvement over the years. What you had to take in the confines of the local church building you can now take this test online at your own convenience and in the privacy of your own home too. I searched and then found a great website that not only allows you to take the test. It grades it right then and there and then you click another link to be able to review and get an explanation for the gifts you have. Now, this is a great example of modern technology. What a time saving this is.
Set aside anywhere from 20 to 40 some minutes to take the test and then allow more time to review the gifts too. There are 125 questions and then you respond from either a 0 to 4 on the scale. I think 0 represents that you never operate in the question asked or that is just not you at all, 4 being a degree that you strongly do agree with the statement. Here is an example, it is actually the first statement of the 125 listed "I am successful at getting a group to do its work joyfully." You would then respond on how much that statement is accurate in regard to your life. I still have my results from years ago and the gift explanation sheet given to me. I believe this is the same organization that the test was administered to me then they only thing different that I can see is they use the word "ekballism" in place of the gift of "deliverance." I have no idea why they would change that. Did you know that many times in the bible that Jesus not only delivered someone but then He healed them also. For some reason healing and deliverance go hand in hand. When you operate in this you will not be surprised to see that discerning of spirits also fits in there too along with the gift of faith. It is so amazing how God created us that the gifts placed inside of you, how He creates you with just the right combination to allow you to walk and flow in what He created you to do. It is your responsibility to then study and learn about the gifts so you can then operate in them. Does that make sense? What good is just the knowing of the gifts and then not using the gifts. You will be held accountable one day when asked, "Why did you not operate in the gifts given to you?" A good answer would not be, I did not know enough about them to use them. That is the not responsible response. Learn about the gifts inside of you and then start using them. You will bring such glory to God when you do.
He created you and gave you those gifts so now explore what they are and begin to operate and use them. When you do this you will find how much more fulfilling your life will become to you. I am sure you have a few spare moments in your day to take this test, your life will be so much more richer after you do. Remember, do not over think a  statement go with your natural gut instinct with your  response and have fun taking this test. It is like the anticipation of a celebration that is coming up in your life, most celebrations deal with gifts of some sort right? Then take the test and discover the gifts. The best part of all, these gifts are not gifts given to you by someone who really does not know you and they will be a gift that goes in  the closet because you will probably never use it. These gifts are given to you by the one who created you and trust me you will want to use these gifts. How do I know this? Simple, God created you with these gifts and He placed the desire and natural talent already inside of you to use these very gifts.
When I went in search of this test online I put in "online spiritual gifts analysis." Other things came up in the search and then I came upon this website and hopefully it will be a blessing to you also. Wagner Houts is the name of the organization of the test.
Go to buildingchurch.net, click on spiritual gifts inventory, take the test. At the bottom of the last question on the test you will see your gifts calculated. See which top three or four or even more are most pronounced by the calculations and then click on "read more about your spiritual gifts." Enjoy and maybe this is just the thing you need to do today to make your day more complete. Trust me, you will not be surprised with the results for you are probably already operating in some capacity in these gifts already. A gift is only valuable to you if you actually use it and not hide it in a closet somewhere and never use it. The gift is there so let it shine forth to bring glory to God in your very life.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Guess What I Have Been Busy Making? If You Guessed Cards You Are Right.

I have been creating/making cards the last few days. I will share the pictures of them with you. I even created a few with inside sentiments to them. I made one for someone getting married to give as a card with a gift I have for them. Another, for a baby shower. Of course, what holiday is right around the corner? Mother's Day, so I created a few cards for family.




Mother's Day card.


Wedding,  Mother's Day & Baby Shower cards.


Mother's Day cards.


This is the inside of the Coke can opener card.


Friday, May 3, 2013

Caution, Not Everyone That Writes About A Product, Service, Etc. Is Freely Writing About It. Did You Know People Get Compensated To Do That?

I was listening to a talk show yesterday on the radio and I discovered this fact. They talked about how there are bloggers out there that are basically a low cost advertisement for products. What do I mean by that...they receive some sort of compensation to advertise via their blog writing and either receive money or free products for them to write about. I receive no compensation for my reviews of products I share with you. I truly do enjoy informing you of something that I have found works.
By the way, Lexus, I liked the sharp looking blue car better than the white car you have on a current billboard sign in regard to some advertisement about mileage. That was a very nice looking shade of blue for a car. I always thought that blue was a calming color. There is something about that color that reminds me of  a peaceful type of day. Sort of looking into a pretty blue sky with the sun out. I guess that is redundant huh blue sky and sun together? Of course the chances are that the sun would be out and shining if there was a blue sky involved right. More so than if it was a cloudy day and you could not see the blue sky behind the clouds. I once had a room painted in soft shades of blue and it was always nice sitting in that room. I had a softer shade of blue on the walls and then a complimentary shade of blue that was used to paint trim and the fireplace too. I believe blue is a soothing color. There are so may black cars and white cars out on the road that I now notice a certain shade of color when a little Fiat car drives by. It is the nicest shade of almost like a pearlized/bronze shade of brown. It is a sharp looking color. I would have to say that what I do like is when Lexus makes that pearlized shade of white though. I like when I see a car like that because it is as if it just glistens when you pass it by or they pass you by on the highway.
It brought a smile to my face the other day when I saw a Coke sign again mentioning happiness. I am deciding if I will keep a product I am still in the "testing it" stage I have 30 days to return it. The product is by Wolfgang Puck and it is a panini maker. I keep making items on it to try and prove it wrong but each time I make something on it I find it to turn out OK. It is a grill also not just a panini maker. If you ever get a chance to purchase bacon from Cracker Barrel Old Country Store I suggest making the investment. It is great smoked bacon and it is thick cut so when you make it it does not shrivel up to some skimpy piece of bacon. I tested it out on the new panini maker and it made excellent bacon. This is what I do when I purchase bacon. Don't you hate when you open a package of bacon and in a few days it gets discolored? When I open a package I get a cookie sheet/tray out and a roll of plastic wrap I place a layer on the bottom of the cookie sheet and I then cut the package of bacon right down the center so each single piece of bacon becomes two pieces. I then take each individual piece and lay them on the tray. When one layer is done I take the plastic wrap and place between the layers and when the last layer is on the tray I cover it with the plastic wrap and place the tray in the freezer until they freeze. Then  I get a quart size baggie type of storage bag ( I do like the ones with the zipper opening I find they are easier to maneuver when going to take out bacon from the freezer a piece or two at a time.) Once the bacon is frozen then it is easy to peel off of the plastic wrap and you then take the pieces and place them in a storage bag and put it in the freezer. The great thing about this, no discolored bacon and the smaller sizes are just the right portion if you want bacon. In reality you can make two pieces like this and you are only eating one original size piece of bacon. Try the Cracker Barrel bacon it is worth the investment, you will pay a bit more for bacon but sometimes it is OK to do that since you are getting a 2 pound package and it will last longer if you store it this way. One more note don't you just hate having to deal with peeling off a piece of bacon when it is in the package they seem to stick together. When you do this method of freezing the bacon you never have to deal with that (unless you do not freeze it long enough) because the pieces are individually frozen and they then go into the storage bag. That way you no longer have to deal with peeling off pieces of bacon in a package and it always has that nice color that bacon has and it does not get that putrid looking color once the bacon package has been opened for a few days.
I received a wonderful cookbook and it is in the book carousel above my blog. I would invest in that also. You can purchase it on the web at Amazon and other book sites too like Barnes & Noble and Books A Million. From what I understand each chef was interviewed and not every chef that was interviewed was invited to be a part of this cookbook. Sometimes it is nice to get a bit of a bio on a chef to know a bit about them behind the scenes so to speak. It brings a personal touch to the person that is sharing their recipes with you. Happy cooking when you do get the cookbook. In The Kitchens With Cleveland's Favorite Chefs 35 Fabulous Meals In About An Hour by Maria Isabella
I did get a tablet the other day and I returned it the next day. It was an android jelly bean something or the other. I knew that what it was, was a good thing. I purchased it because it had a front facing camera for taking pictures but when I charged it and tested the camera it was a poor quality, grainy type of picture capability so back it went to the store.
I have been very busy lately, I made/created 10 greeting cards within two days. A friend of mine says I should sell them, that I have a talent or a gift for making them. Why do I struggle with that concept? I feel that if God gives me this talent then shouldn't I just give them away and bless people? How can you put a price tag on something that is fun to do? I guess I need the right person to come along and encourage me or give me a suggestion of what price point and how to sell them. In my mind I think it would be no more fun if you had to mass produce a creative concept, would it take the fun and creativity out of the project? Right now I see it as a creative release for me and when I create that is fulfillment for it allows me to get the creative process flowing in my life. There is a sense of accomplishment when you begin with a concept and as it progresses you may change the original concept and then sit back in wonder at how creative it turned out in the end. If you know me at all you would find that I already blessed someone with two cards today.
First Communion

First Communion




I created some cards with a blank inside so one can write a personal message to the person they are sending the card to.
You know how this happens for me? I let Holy Spirit guide me in the creating process. Something such as a scrap piece of material that someone might throw away I will find a way to use it as an accent piece on a card. It does not take me a minute or two but much longer with each card creation. I think, cut out shapes and then I visualize or place on the card before I glue the items down. Even if I already glued something in place and when I look at it and it does not look like it is in the proper placement I will peel it off until I get it right.
That is how I create. If one is going to create and take the time and effort to do so it should be done right. What do you think about that? I also thank Holy Spirit for flowing through me with the creation.
Another project I worked on. I have always seen the ads for Topsy Turvy for growing tomato plants and Big Lots had them for $1.50 so this was the year I decided to try it out. I planted in mine a sweet 100 cherry tomato and Roma tomato plants, so far so good. I think it is a great concept. If I see something that is innovative and it is not complicated to use I will give it a try ( it must also be at a great price point too), I really will. If it works great and if it does not work then I at least know I had the experience of trying it out. You see, when they first came out they intrigued me but I did not want to pay the asking price for one then, I was patient enough to wait a few years when I was able to purchase it for $1.50 patience is a virtue you did know that right?
Another thought, do you remember the Atomic Fireball jawbreaker piece of candy, you may have had them as a child? They really had a strong taste of cinnamon and when you thought it was just too hot to keep in your mouth you would want to bite into it but couldn't because it was a jawbreaker? I learned something the other day about what you can do to solve that problem. Someone shared with me that before you open up the package of the individual piece of candy to take a hammer and break the pieces up so when you open up the package you will have small pieces instead of one gigantic piece. I like to learn new things and I think that makes great sense. Why did I never think of that when I was a child. Did you? You probably did and I commend you for that, great thinking at a young age. I also learned this from someone that is younger than I am. You know our younger generation does have great ideas too, not all the good ideas come from the older generation. On the other hand it is wise for the younger generation to take advice from those that went before them and share with them things that are tried and true too.
Another great suggestion, a gift that I received from one of my children. I always made belgian waffles until I was blessed with a gift of a circus animal waffle maker from one of my children. I just love making the waffles in this. Yes, they do look like circus animals but they are not as thick or as big as the belgian waffles. What I do now is make them and then freeze them and then heat them in a toaster when I want one for breakfast. I like to add either orange flavoring oil to the batter or sometimes I will flavor it with maple flavoring. You know what is yummy on a warm waffle? Spread some natural peanut butter and let it melt and then top with a bit of apricot preserves. A great cup of coffee goes good with it too or even a cup of tea whatever you prefer. Have you tried the new coffee creamer that is called Natural Bliss? It is very good and the latest flavor to come out is Chocolate (they have very limited flavors now.) Let me also suggest a great flavor of coffee too, Banana Nut Almond by Michael's Gourmet Coffee.