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Magical Holiday Blog Hop + Etsy Artist Features

Hello wonderful people! I’ve been away for far too long – immersing myself in other creative endeavors, and getting too wrapped up in the maintenance of life. It’s always been a struggle (the necessary requirements of getting along in life, like making food, cleaning up, doing laundry, etc.)… like a thorn in my side that I can’t seem to get rid of now matter how hard I wish it away or try to accept it. It’s probably a good thing I have not had any kids – I’m sure I’d be a horribly unfit mother.

Life is a lot more hectic than I’d like it to be during this time of year. When I only wish I could take a couple of hours and snuggle with a warm blanket on the couch to read, or make all kinds of Christmas gifts for loved ones – I feel like I’m just drowning in work and things I’d rather not be doing.

So I thought I’d sneak in a little Holiday fun and participate in a blog hop!

I want to feature the next artist in our Hop – her name is Sharon, from Alice’s Secret Door. She has the cutest little owl pendant that she made. Her jewelry is lovely – take a minute to check it out.

Here is an Etsy Treasury of all the artists who participated (sorry the formatting is all messed up – I tried!):

‘Magical Holiday Blog Hop’ by AngelaDiGiovanni

Featured Artist Participants

il 170x135.222240471 Magical Holiday Blog Hop + Etsy Artist Features

Dandelions 11 x 14 Original …

sunblewis

$65.00

Folk Art Whimsical Print Hou…

MyArtistWithin

$12.00

Amelia, the protective dream…

InnerWorlds

$16.00

OOAK Russian Papier Mache Te…

nancyperennec

$565.00

anais nin, one of a kind ori…

digit13

$85.00

vibrant print of original pa…

CasaCantamar

$19.00

SALE Floral Dreams Art Print…

artlovejoy

$12.75

Walk Like An Egyptian

BKDesignStudio

$12.95

I’m Going to Shine

RubyShea

$30.00

Skull Cameo

KatieCahill

$19.99

Raven clock bottle cap golde…

AlicesSecretDo…

$22.00

Perfect Days- mixed media ar…

eltsamp

$17.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

I hope you are able to squeeze in some time to enjoy this beautiful time of year.

Author name:: angela
Publish date:: December 5th, 2011
Discussion:: 3 Comments

Here, Kitty Kitty

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It started with the hidden mewing when my stepson (Brett) and I got home from church and walked up to the front door. We both looked at each other curiously, and then instinctively walked across the grass to the window well of the basement. We looked down – and there she was. Helpless. Mewing.

Brett jumped down the well, scooped her up and handed her to me. We brought her inside to feed her – so little and frail she was.

And then Kitty moseyed around and made her way to the couch, where she jumped up and snuggled herself to sleep. I think this is where I fell in love.

Then the storm came.

It was time to take Brett to work. We couldn’t put Kitty Kitty out in the storm. But we couldn’t leave her in the house. How would she and Woofie get along? Who knows where she would go potty?

So we brought her with us, naturally.

And she curiously hopped around the car.

And became part of our little family.

Woofie has been so good to her… giving her her space and letting Kitty get used to her without being intimidating. The first 36 hours Kitty hissed every time they would get close. We taught Woofie to keep her distance. Now, whenever the Kitty comes near Woofie out of curiosity, Woofie turns her face away from her, so as not to intimidate her. I am praying they will be friends in time.

The sweetest dog ever, affectionately watching from the ground while I hold and pet Kitty on the couch.

I am taking name suggestions…

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Author name:: angela
Publish date:: September 13th, 2011
Discussion:: 7 Comments

You Were Loved – Wynonna Judd | Finding Self Worth

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The very first time I heard this song was eight years ago, in 2003. I was in a ‘life boot camp’ of sorts where I was given the opportunity to see how I showed up in life, and how others honestly perceived me. It was a pivotal time in my life where I was desperate for some help to make some major life changes, and I wasn’t afraid of honest feedback (which was not always pretty). I regard this time in my life with much gratitude, as it was a springboard to a better way to live.

I went from a chronic victim (self-imposed), blaming everything ‘bad’ that ever happened to me in my life for my problems, to taking responsibility for my life and being accountable for my choices. I crossed over from an unforgiving soul who held on to grudges so deep, to a forgiving soul who realizes that everyone is on their own path, trying their best (or not), and realizing that I could choose whether or not to let others actions affect me and the way I chose to live and respond to life. I learned to go with the promptings in my soul, no matter the judgment I would receive from others – something I was deathly afraid of and debilitated by.

This song always takes me back to that place and reminds me of my worth that I discovered I had. In the end, we all want to give the love we have, and be loved and ‘seen’ by others.

We all want to make our place in this world
We all want our voices to be heard
Everyone wants a chance to be someone
We all have dreams we need to dream
But sweeter than any star you can reach
Is when you reach and find you’ve found someone
You’ll hold this world’s most priceless thing
The greatest gift this life can bring
If you can look back and know
You were loved.
CHORUS:You were loved by someone
Touched by someone
Held by someone
Meant something to someone
Loved somebody
Touched somebody’s heart along the way
You can look back and say
You were loved.
You can have diamonds in your hand.
Have all the riches in the land
Without love do you really have a thing
When someone cares that you’re alive
When someone finds their world in your eyes
Then you’ll know you’ve find all you need
You’ll hold this world’s most priceless prize
The sweetest treasure in this world
If you can look back and say
You were loved
CHORUS
So many roads that you can take
Whatever way you go
Don’t take that road alone
Better you should know…
You were loved by someone
Touched by someone
Held by someone
Meant something to someone
Loved somebody
Touched somebody’s heart along the way
You can look back and say
You did OK
You were loved.
So remember to tell that one
You are loved.

Validation | Bound to Make You Smile

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Life Reflected in Art

Author name:: angela
Publish date:: August 28th, 2011
Discussion:: No Comments

Francesca Battistelli | Beautiful, Beautiful

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Francesca Battistelli | Beautiful, BeautifulBeautiful, Beautiful by Francesca Battistelli is a new find for me. I love her raw, passionate, deep voice in this track, not to mention the lovely message. If you are looking for some inspiration today, you are in for a treat with this video and these lyrics :-)

(Unfortunately, you’ll have to follow the link and watch on YouTube, no embedding allowed for this video. TIP: Right click and open in a new window so you can still follow along with the lyrics.)

***

Don’t know how it is You looked at me
And saw the person that I could be
Awakening my heart
Breaking through the dark
Suddenly Your grace

(Chorus)
Like sunlight burning at midnight
Making my life something so
Beautiful, beautiful
Mercy reaching to save me
All that I need
You are so
Beautiful, beautiful

Now there’s a joy inside I can’t contain
But even perfect days can end in rain
And though it’s pouring down
I see You through the clouds
Shining on my face

(Chorus)

I have come undone
But I have just begun
Changing by Your grace

***

Just a little inspiration for Sunday.

I’m exploring more from this artist… Have you heard of Francesca Battistelli before? What is your favorite track of hers?

You Were Loved - Wynonna Judd | Finding Self Worth

Author name:: angela
Publish date:: August 14th, 2011
Discussion:: 2 Comments

Limeade Drink Recipe To Die For

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I’ve never been a huge Limeade fan… until now. Several weeks ago I figured out the recipe for the best Limeade Drink ever after the hubs and I went to a farmer’s market and watched them make it. We only got one to share because they were $4 each! We thought it was a super lame ripoff, but we it was really hot out, and we were really thirsty so we bought one anyways.

To make a long story short, we were snatching that sucker from each other until every last drop fell onto our insatiable tongues. Since then, we’ve been making this drink at home several times per week.

Here’s the recipe…

In a mason jar, add the following:

1/4 Cup of freshly squeezed lime juice (ends up being 1.5 to 2 limes)
1/4 Cup of Organic Cane Sugar (yeah, it’s a lot… but trust me, if you are going to indulge, this is the place to do it!)
3 Mint Leaves (do NOT leave this out – they make it SO good!)
1 Cup of Cold Water
4 Ice Cubes

Put the lid on the mason jar and shake, shake, shake that bad boy – you want to make sure the sugar gets mostly dissolved.

Pour the blend of magic into a 12 or 16 ounce glass. If you have a bigger glass (16 ounce), you can add in a few of the squeezed lime wedges for fun – but not having them doesn’t seem to make a taste difference.

Add a straw.

Slurp up the yummy goodness like there’s no tomorrow.

The great thing about the straw is that some of the sugar granules fall to the bottom of the cup, and with the straw you end up sipping them back up through getting yummy granules of pure delight.

In this drink, we’ve tried regular store bought bleached granular sugar, natural Rapadura (sp?) sugar (nast in this drink), and Organic Cane Sugar from Costco. By far, the Organic Cane Sugar from Costco was the bomb dot com. And, it’s a great value for as much as you get. And, it’s better for you than the bleached stuff you buy at the store, cuz it’s natural, fair trade, and Kosher. Just go get it.

Here’s a picture so you know what to look for:

Enjoy, and you can come back and thank me later after you’ve made one :-)

Bye Conditioner... Hello Apple Cider Vinegar!

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Ancient Chinese Healing Traditions

Author name:: angela
Publish date:: August 6th, 2011
Discussion:: No Comments

Uncategorized

Magical Holiday Blog Hop + Etsy Artist Features

‘Magical Holiday Blog Hop’ by AngelaDiGiovanni

Featured Artist Participants

Here, Kitty Kitty

Related posts:

You Were Loved – Wynonna Judd | Finding Self Worth

Related posts:

Francesca Battistelli | Beautiful, Beautiful

Related posts:

Limeade Drink Recipe To Die For

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