A Child's Thanksgiving Prayer and A DIY Pinecone Wreath

Image from hopeinrhodes.blogspot.com
White pinecone wreath from Pinterest.

I found this poem last week and I have been translating it to Spanish with my elementary students.

I wanted to share it with you because it is simple yet speaks volumes of the true meaning of Thanksgiving!

Thank you God for all that grows,
Thank you for the sky's rainbows,
Thank you for the stars that shine,
Thank you for these friends of mine,
Thank you for the sun and moon,
Thank you God for all you've done!

Did anyone get the Better Homes and Garden Christmas Idea Magazine? I bought it over the weekend and on the cover was a white pinecone wreath. I could not find an image of the one from the cover, by I found a similar one on Pinterest to show you.

Sunday was beautiful here so I took the girls out hunting for pinecones and I have been busy painting pinecones every night.

Over the summer I found a twig wreath someone was throwing out so I took it knowing I would put it to good use. I already pulled the fake flowers out of it and I am going to hot glue my pinecones onto it.

I will hopefully have it done soon to show you!

Gratitiude and Attitude

I have been trying to find strength in the Lord as my family and I are finding ourselves one of the MANY who are feeling the affects of this economy.

I will be the first to admit, I need an ATTITUDE change. But when it is happening, you think you are alone and there is not another person who is facing the same challenges.

Until YESTERDAY when I was reading one of the blogs I read regularly

Ann Voskamp's A HOLY EXPERIENCE

Ann tells the story of Lidia and her mother Blanca, a single mother of four children who works six days a week to support her children in Ecuador. Blanca is compleley devoted to God and finds her strenght in HIM.

While my own fears are real, reading the story of Lidia and her mom is a message from God that HE alone can help us through when times are tough.

"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

I also would like to express my GRATITUDE those men and women who serve and who have served our country for each of us.

Thrift Store Find and An Amazing Giveaway

I was able to find a little time yesterday to go thrifting, which is certainly a stress reliever for me after a long day of teaching. I happened to go to a store that I have not been to in quite some time.

I usually have one or two items in mind while I am shopping. I was hoping to find some vintage bottle brush Christmas trees. While I did not find any, I did find these amazing ornaments. They are a set of 6 vintage ornaments that I believe someone had painted with Biblical names and verses. And the box of six ornaments cost only a dollar.

I apologize for the lighting, but I took the photos in the evening.

I often mention how I am always in awe of so many ladies who blog. Each one seems to have a special talent whether it be photography, painting, or decorating. And all have blessed hearts. I have something to learn from each one of them.

And I am THANKFUL for each of you! I truly am.

This week Paige from Simple Thoughts is hosting an amazing giveaway to win one of THREE spots in Jeanne Oliver's e-course Creatively Made. I am heading over there now to enter for a chance to win.

My Birthday and a Giveaway at Hometown Girl

Photos courtesy of Hometown Girl

I am not sure why, but for the first time in my life I am feeling a little upset that tomorrow is my birthday. Perhaps it is because this is the last year I can say that I am thirty something. Or because there is so much I still would like to achieve. Aside from God blessing me with my two beautiful girls, there is still alot on my TO DO list!

I am so grateful for Blogging allowing me to be inspired spiritually and in so many other ways. I want to share with you Susan from http://hometowngirl.typepad.com. She is one of the MOST generous and talented ladies in blogland and she was one of the first I met.

I love her amazing photos and beauiful handmade items in her Etsy shop and this week she is giving away two of her vintage pretties! I absolutely love the vintage cuff!

Have a blessed Monday!

A Bumblebee,A Butterfly and A Budding Artist

My two year old loves to do whatever her four year old sister does. Half of the time. The other half of the time, they are complete opposites and totally independent.

As an only child, I have my work cut out for me!

This year my Big Sis was supposed to be a cowgirl for Halloween. And lil sis was supposed to be a ladybug (big sissy's costume from last year.)

Like any typical female, my Big Sis decided ONE week before Halloween that she wanted to be a Princess. They were both princesses the year my youngest was born.

Being FRUGAL, I went to my local children's consignment shop to see what I could find. I found a purple dress with wings. Purple just happens to be her favorite color. Of course, lil sis is not going to be happy unless she gets one too. So I continued searching and found a bumblebee with wings! I got both costumes for $14!

Big Sis started preschool this year and coincidentally happens to be a budding artist. She wanted a pottery wheel for her birthday last week. Since the one at the local toy store was $89, she did not get it. I told her we could ask Santa to buy her one.

Last weekend while out thrifting with my mom and the girls we found one for $2 and it works! So we have been with holiday crafts and making pottery!

BOO!!!

I was BOO'd at school! And fortunately my fellow teacher was not scaring or insulting me! She (even though it is a secret we have an all female faculty so it is safe to assume it is a she)left a wonderful Halloween bag filled with lots of treats for my students and my own little girls!

Have you heard of this tradition? I had never heard of this until my parents moved into their Retirement Community four years ago.

It is Secret Santa but for Halloween. You BOO someone in secret, leaving them a bag of treats. Once you have been BOO'd, you hang a BOO sign on your door and BOO someone else!

Morrocccan Inspiration

Ok, I am not ashamed to admit it. I am an HGTV junkie. It is the ONLY station I watch. And my favorite show is House Hunters. I have even convinced myself that it is educational. Aside from gathering great creative ideas and inspiration, I have learned so much about other cultures when House Hunters goes International.

One episode in particular features Maryam Montague, a human rights advocate who moved her family from the United States to Marrakech, Morroco. She and her husband have built a gorgeous guest retreat, Peacock Pavilions and developed an online shopping store, Red Thread Souk filled with beautiful Morroccan items for the home.

I hope everyone had a wonderful long weekend!