Share Your Cup - This Week

I was out for a meeting this morning so I took advantage of being outdoors to take a few photos.  There is a particular area that I go by often and have wanted to stop.  Today I stopped.  It was very cold on the fingers so I had to keep my gloves on.  I love the shiny look of the white bark on this tree.  It glowed from the little bit of sun shining.  I'm sorry I missed the top of the tree.

I love this Tupperware bowl to the point that I have 2 of them.  I love the color, the size and the quality.  As you can see in the small photo I melted the edge somewhere along the line. It no longer created a watertight seal so I was limited how I could use the bowl.  Since I wrecked the bowl I could not have it replaced on warranty.  And buying a new one would mean it would not be yellow. This week, I found a replacement for this Tupperware mixing bowl.  It did not have a seal so the price was good but I have one so I am good to go!

I read this book recently for the third time.  I think I should read it once a year.  It would help me to develop my attitude of gratitude. Ann Voskamp wrote the book after being challenged by a friend to write down 1000 gifts.  It changed her view of her life when she actively starting looking in her life for gifts from God.   The study guides arrived last week and I have started the bible study.

I bought this wooden cutting board last week.  I am quite sure that it is bamboo.  I have been wanting one for photography and this one fits the bill to a tee!   It has great surface texture from a lot of great use. I ran it through a good cleaning process.  I wonder if I should be oiling this?

I found this cobalt blue bottle at the thrift store for a great price.  It's sides are very uneven and there are bubbles in the glass.  There are wonderful crackles in the glass.  I'm going to use it as a vase in my photography.   It's going to go well with the few other pieces I have in my collection which I shared here earlier.

Sharing with Jann at Daily Cup with Mrs. Olson on the linky party Share Your Cup #237.

One Thousdand Gifts - Session 1 - Attitude of Gratitude

I started leading this bible study today - One Thousand Gifts - A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp.  I have seven ladies registered and I look forward to a time of slowing down, being intentional, checking my attitude and increasing my gratefulness. The video is very well done with wonderful images.

Session 1 - Attitude of Gratitude
The book was the result of a challenge to Ann from a friend to write down 1000 gifts.  Joy came in the writing down - in the naming the invisible became visible. 

One of the images from the video that resonated with me was the act of making bread. In this session Ann is making bread.  I really enjoyed that imagery as my mother makes bread every week so it is a comforting reminder of love for me.

We are encouraged to live with our hands wide open and not close fisted.

Gifts in my life:

1. Family
2. Friends, Fellowship
3. Time
4. Health
5. A desire to be useful

Check out this 100 day calendar where you can start writing your your blessings.  Take the dare.  Start today!

Share Your Cup - This Week

I was on the sewing machine again this week.

I made this tea cup coaster from fabric, fiberfill, and lace.  I have been thinking of an event I will be part of in May.  My idea is making these as favors for this event.  I'm hoping to connect with the quilting group in hopes of spreading the work if the concept is accepted.  I would like to pair that with ladies bringing in tea pots which we would use as center pieces at the tables.  This would provide an opportunity for those at the table to learn about the teapot, the lady that brought it and those around the table.  I used the template from Stephanie's blog Enchanting Rose. UPDATE: You can find the pattern here. 

I'm reading this book, One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.  Ann was looking to change her life to be happier when she was challenged by a friend to write down One Thousand gifts in her life. It changed her life and made her happier.  I would highly recommend it.

I will be teaching this bible study in February.



We had our fellowship group meeting today. 

We had this wonderful dish which was described as a mix between cinnamon buns and french toast. The maple syrup was there for the main dish.
It was very good!!

Fruit is always welcome.  Several books were exchanged which made everybody happy.

It was library week.   I did finish this book within the deadline.  This was a good book with stories about several people who came to a grand house in Ireland which opened as a bed and breakfast.  Some of the stories were intertwined an others were totally individual.  One of them was a woman who had taught at a school for many years.  She was given this trip as her retirement gift.   She was used to controlling all things and could not embrace the experience.  She left early and did not enjoy the experience at all.

The hostess of the bed and breakfast was living her dream after spending many years in a boarding house in New York City.  An experience which stood her in good stead in this new venture.

I would recommend this book.

I found this chair at the thrift store a while back.  It needs to glued and re nailed to be less wobbly.  It  needs a good cleaning but I am not going to change the finish at all.  Of course the fact that it was yellow was appealing and the price was great as well.

I have several goals for photography this year and I plan on using this chair as a prop in my photography.  It could be for a teddy bear, a tea party or who knows what else. It will appear later in the year here on my blog.

Sharing with Jann at Daily Cup with Mrs Olson - Sharing Your Cup #232.

Share Your Cup #220

I was prepping breakfast this morning and as I put the bran muffins and banana on my plate I saw a snowman.  I quickly checked for a carrot nose and his face appeared.  I just had to take it's picture.

It put a smile on your face I hope it does the same for you!

I used to have a really practical Tupperware dispenser for my hair gel.  It was translucent so I could see how much I had left, it had a white pump lid which meant easy to get a dollop of gel.  The lid split and my gel started thickening up in the container which made it harder to get it through the pump.  What to do?  I check with a rep who informed me that piece was not longer available and all I could get was a credit but that was not going to solve my problem. I purchased this pearl shell pump a while back.  It fit into the bathroom decor well enough.  But now the gel is thickening again.  I expect the seal on the lid is just not tight enough and now where near as air tight as the Tupperware one was.  On the hunt again for a dispenser.  This clear flat bottom bottle used to hold some sort of body care product.  I removed its labels, cleaned up the glue with Goo Gone and I will give this one a run for a while.  I like the ability to see what I have left which the clam pump did not give me.

I picked up this book after ordering it two weeks ago. I'm using it for the Be Present for Christmas class I am teaching.  I have borrowed a copy from the library but now I have my very own.  This book was written with a focus on families during the Advent season.

We had a great time at Welcome to my Kitchen this week.  Our host provided a wonderful apple mango crisp, some yogurt, fresh fruit, a bit of cheese and crackers.  Tea and coffee were in good supply.

We had good fellowship.






Sharing with Jann at Daily Cup with Mrs. Olson and Sharing Your Cup.