February Woman of Hope

I am so pleased to share with you February's Woman of Hope.  I consider Natalie to be a dear friend of mine even though we have yet to meet face to face.  (Natalie lives in Australia and I live in the United States.)  She radiates such a warmth through her emails.  I met Natalie through DIY Websites about threeish (is that a word?) years ago when I was looking for graphics for my website.  I loved her creations and she was so easy and wonderful to work with.  The rest, as they say, is history.  Please enjoy a look inside the life of this month's Woman of Hope.  Why you're at it, make sure that you stop by to say hello to Beverly, our Pink Saturday hostess, who makes all this possible.

February’s Woman of Hope

Natalie Ferguson

What gives you the most hope?

My family and the support and love they have given me throughout the years.

 Tell us about yourself.

I am a full-time Mum of 3 young adults (Nandie, Lewis and Emma), in a long term relationship with Pete (soon to be married in June of this year, yay) I work full-time, and I am a part-time Web Designer and owner of Fergygrrl Designs & Reborn Websets.

I have enjoyed many of your creative gifts. What is your favorite way to be creative?

I would have to say creating my graphics – I love it, it’s not only a hobby but a passion.

This is where it all happens... 

Bella the Cat

 

In November 2010 I was diagnosed gluton and lactose intolerant and have spent the last couple of months adjusting to my ‘new’ life. It certainly has been an eye opener and have had lot’s of ups and downs but believe that this has been the best thing to have happened to me, I have never felt better!

I also love reading; Diana Gabaldon is my favourite author along with Stephen King, Bryce Courtenay andWilbur Smith.

What do you consider your gifts?

My ability to empathise and listen to people.

What do you do to relax?

Spending quality time with my little family, creating graphics, reading, watching DVD’s or cooking shows on tv and writing to my penpals.

What is your favorite saying or verse?

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;

They just make the most of everything they have.

What color is hope for you?

Green

What is hope to you?

To see a better future, a better life ahead…to know that the hard times are just stepping stones…and to remember “God doesn’t give us more than we can handle” and as humans we are very strong and resilient.

Anything else you would like to add?

I would just like to thank you Holly for allowing me to be this months Woman of Hope. You are a very kind and special person and I am glad that I have met you!

Inchies and Paper Dolls

I just love swaps - you get to make things and trade them with other people who made things.  If you've never been in a swap before, I would encourage you to do it.  The creativity that flows through others and right out their fingertips is amazing.  What's even better is, you're the one who gets it!
This past year I joined two swaps at Roses on My Table.  Zinnia is the owner of this great place and has so many creative ideas. Then she finds wonderful moderators of each of these swaps to organize everyone and come up with ideas.  It is such fun!  The best thing (for me) is the deadlines because that is what I need to keep me on track.  Anyhow, take a look at my newest inchies and my first attempt at paper dolls.

Footprints on our Hearts

Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same....
Don't you just love that verse?  I do.  I have been blessed to have many people come into my life and leave their footprints on my heart.

Coming soon will be a post about our February Woman of Hope.  I consider it such a joy and a privilege to share the lives of women that I meet.  Each one has taught me so much and enriched my lives.  They make me want to be a better person and they encourage me along on my journey.  

Happy Pink Saturday

Happy Pink Saturday and Happy Almost Valentine’s Day! I put together my own box of valentine candy – eye candy. I love pink and all shades thereof and sparkly things. Here is to all the wonderful Pink Saturday ladies. May your day be blessed and full of pink, chocolate, sparkly things and LOTS of love!

Thank you, Beverly, for hostessing our wonderful Pink Saturday gathering! Please stop by and say hello to Beverly!

Internet withdrawal

I’ve been computer deprived all week because my computer has been in the shop.  It seems that it got attacked with viruses and like us, it needed to get better.  My daughter asked me how I was going to survive.  I told her I wasn’t sure.  But, alas, when presented with a challenge, we seek to overcome.  I am using “other sources” to get this post to you today.  I love so much putting a post up because of all of the wonderful women who stop by and have good things to share. (That would be you).  So, what did I do this week without the internet?  Hmmm….lets see….I probably cleaned a few more dishes, I visited longer with others, I did not play solitaire while I waited for my heat bag to get warmed in the microwave, I read, and the last thing I did was make a time line of the last 20 years.  I have to admit, I was not having a very good day yesterday and I thought that I would draw it out.  I had also been reading about drawing our prayers to God and since I enjoy being creative, I decided to try that. (That will probably be another post).   I have to tell you that most of the time I go with the flow and I can see the good things that God is doing.  Then there are those moments that I get down and discouraged and have to process through it.  Last night was one of those nights….So, I did a time line of sorts to see where we had been.  I was feeling sorry for myself (I admit that), but then I saw something that helped me to feel better.  I also did a timeline of Joseph in the Bible…his life was not so easy and I did not realize how many years he went through difficult times before he saw how all of it was meant for good.  I continue to wait…

Happy Pink Saturday

Happy Pink Saturday all of you Pink Lovely Ladies!!  I hope this weekend finds you well and warm!  Our temperature has been in the negatives this week - they say that is the first time in 10 years.  Baby, it's cold outside!!

Anyhoo...I wanted to show you a doll that I have listed on eBay this week.  I think that I am just a wannabee doll maker.  I love, love, love making dolls - I love the process and seeing who it is that will appear.  This doll is the Queen of Hearts but I have to say she doesn't have the Queen of Heart attitude goin' on.  She has a sweet face and a Marie Antoinette "do".  She wears an Edwardian style dress in black, pink, and metallic gold and her fingers are bendable.  Her stand is black and white to match her stockings.

I would love your feedback....please let me know what you think and any advice would be pinkly appreciated!

Have a wonderfully warm pink day and remember to stop by and say "hello" to our lovely PINK hostess Beverly!  She's awesome!

nothing spectacular

What do leopard print flannel pants, black thermal shirt, red, blue, green plaid flannel shirt and faux pink UGG boots have in common?  My wardrobe yesterday!  I have to admit that seeing me in this getup was a little scary.  Yesterday was a snow day.  School was cancelled because it was in the negatives - wise decision.  The day before we had 65 students gone which is about one grade level for us, so it only made sense to cancel.  Today it was supposed to get up to 32 degrees but I'm thinking that it didn't make it. I read some of the posts on fb and saw the pictures of spring gardens and I couldn't believe it. We have about 2 days of spring and they come somewhere in April or May - depending on the weather.
Oh well, enough rambling.  I thought I would share with you a good soup recipe for the winter...
Hamburger Soup
1 medium chopped onion
1.5 lb ground beef
1 large can tomatoes (sliced or whole)
3 cans beef broth or 5.5 cups water and 2 Tbsp beef bouillon
4 carrots chopped
1 bay leaf
4 celery tops (I add the whole stalk)
6 sprigs of parsley (I add 1/8 cupish of dried)
1/2 tsp thyme (if you have it)
10 peppercorns (I hope you like pepper or biting into one of those will give you a zinger that you weren't expecting, but it's tasty)...kind of gives you a spring in your step
1 Tbsp salt
Brown onion and beef and drain.  Add the rest of the ingredients, cover and bring to a boil and then simmer over low heat for 45 minutes.  Serves 6-8.
I serve my soup with saltines and a slice of cheddar cheese....the cheese melts on top of the soup and it is quite tasty!

Wasn't that special?

You know you're getting old when...
Should I share it?  Should I not?  It gives away my age....oh, go on and share it....We're all doing it - getting old that is.
Okay, here is the scenario...I'm standing at the door of the school letting the children in as they get off the bus.  It is -10 outside.  A student grabs my arm and shakes it saying that she is cold and then she says....drum roll please....."When I shake your arm, I can see your neck jiggle."  Wasn't that special? 
What can I say?   I mean really...  So, I just thanked her.  Heavy sigh...
So.....how was your day?