Creativity Flowing!

What a whirlwind February has been! I was just updating my journal app that I use to keep up with everything so it's there when I go back to scrap and there has been a lot happen! It is a tough call as to what has been my favorite in Feb, but I definitely have a soft spot for scrap retreat that happened earlier this month.

It has been many many moons since my creativity flowed as it did in those 48 hours and the days since. I feel so connected to my art and the people in my life who continue to inspire me and grow me creatively (DeeDee and all my Crafty Scrapper girls). I have so many project ideas that I have had to start writing them down. And I was honored when one of my co-workers brought me engagement pictures to make a mini album with. :)

As an added treasure, I get to share this hobby with my two girls. Amy and I have been scrapping for a long time, and now Em has been bitten by the scrapping' bug. It's fun to watch them grow and see how they express themselves.

Thanks for listening, just needed to share.

Fredericksburg, TX

I have had the most enjoyable relaxing day today! We decided last minute last night that we were going to go to Fredericksburg for the weekend. We wound up finding the most charming cabin to stay in, I'll post pics later when I get home to my PC.

It was about 3 am when we got here last night (ugh). We had breakfast at an old German bakery. I had a spinach egg and cheese breakfast quesadilla that was AMAZING! (Day 12 y'all!!) We poked around the shops on Main Street, Joy had a ball shopping and having everyone make a fuss over her. Imagine a sweet tempered Chihuhua in a purple tutu dress. :) We made a quick run out to Lukenbach, TX - that was COOL!

Perhaps the highlight of the day was the Chocolat shop - no that's not a misspelling that is the name of the shop. It was my favorite kind of shop - everything in dark chocolate and all the eclectic mish mash of fancy chocolates that I can only get seasonally elsewhere. I went a smidge overboard but will enjoy it for quite some time.

We also had the opportunity to celebrate the life of Fred's aunt Sherra. Today was her memorial service here in Fredericksburg. She was a great lady and I wish I had spent more time with her when she was alive. She would have been pleased, we had a party not a memorial.

We rounded out the day after dinner at a local winery. I don't usually find wine that I like, I like my wine fruity without a bite. But the offerings of The Fredericksburg Winery were so delightful I left with six (!) bottles. :) Halfway through one now, bet I sleep like a baby.

Tomorrow we are going out to see the wildflower farm and do a little more exploring before we head home. We like this place so much we FINALLY decided on a destination for our anniversary trip in February. We booked our charming cabin here for the weekend. :)

Night y'all - love and hugs.

Amy

Day 8 - Still Feeling Good!

So today was back to work day. As I shared my vegetarian choice with my co-workers my office roomie wagered I would give it up after 23 days. Not for the reason that she didn't think I could stick with it, more from the reasoning that meat tastes good and I will "miss" it. I posted on Facebook the question of whom else might think this is a whim. I received a variety of responses, each making me smile more than the next. I am not arrogant enough to state there is no way I will go back, but I believe very strongly in myself and my reasons for the decision to comfortably say - wait and see. :)

Today I tried juicing watermelon with a little strawberry. The watermelon was almost overripe so the end result was drinkable but not nearly as good as the cherry, grape, strawberry juice I made this weekend. I tried again tonight with kiwi, apple, oranges, and raspberries. Much much better! Oh and tonight I tried Boca black bean burgers! My oh my that was GREAT! I am so excited by the foods I have tried in these first 8 days. It is hard to describe how pure foods taste to me these days. I am enjoying veggies and fruits like I never have before.

I hope to work in a few walks this week too, it is important to me to exemplify to my family this change and what it should mean for all our waistlines. The kids are still not excited about the whole thing but my awesome husband is very supportive and has commented he is beginning to feel better too.

I'll keep ya posted on how I'm doing. I don't know that I'll have the time (or patience) to log everyday but I want to share if y'all don't mind listening. :)

Hugs y'all!

Amy

Meatless?

Hi y'all! Those who know me well know that I have a love hate relationship with meat in my diet that stems back to bad childhood memories. It has been weighing heavily on my heart for quite some time that maybe it was time to give it up completely and become a vegetarian. Like most of my somewhat radical ideas I put it on the back burner and tried to forget about it. But the idea just wouldn't leave me alone! I prayed about it and then I did what I always do...I got online and to the bookstore and researched it! The advantages, the disadvantages - man was I floored by what I found out. For me, after my research, the reasons I have decided to become a vegetarian are twofold. One is the animal cruelty factor. I had no idea what animals go through to produce what we eat. There is a video at www.meat.org that was eyeopening to say the least. The health benefits are amazing too. I come from a long line of heart disease and various other ailments - some of which can be prevented when you choose a different way to eat.

Anyway, I am not here to preach, just to share what I have chosen. I am very excited about it and I am floored at the difference already in how I feel. I made some veggie fajitas tonight that were amazing. :)

For those of you who have already chosen this walk in life I would love receipe ideas! For those who think I have lost my mind, feel free to message me and I'll explain further. Each day in our lives is the adventure we make it...

Hugs y'all! Amy

Christmas Break

The kids finished up at school today and for the first time ever my break is going to be an almost exact match to theirs. Unfortunately our first day of break tomorrow starts with a trip to the dentist and my 10 year old (!) has her first cavity. Good thing the dentist is my sis in law. :)

A beloved friend will make her way North from Houston tomorrow for an early Christmas before she heads on to her families' house. After we finish with the unpleasant dentist business we are going to Holiday in the Park for the first time ever...which will be a ball! Friday will be our lazy day (hopefully!) before final Christmas rush. The hubster leaves for hunting Christmas night and then I can get down to the business of relaxing.

This has been an odd Christmas season for me. No lights hung outside, no ornaments on the tree. It seems par for the course after the odd year we have had but still seems strange. Don't get me wrong all the required things have been done - presents purchased and wrapped, holiday parties attended - but without the usual enthusiam that I normally have. Kids are excited though, and it will be a good Christmas for them.

That's all for now, take care. Have a Merry Christmas!

Joy

My husband gave me Joy for Christmas... joy in the form of a six pound furry friend who follows me like a shadow and literally dances when I walk in the door from being gone. We adopted Joy last Saturday at PetsMart at a HART adoption event. Joy is a chihuahua mix and she is about ten months old. All I have to do is look at her and I smile. She isn't a mad barker like a lot of small dogs, but she will bark if someone gets near me that she doesn't know. She sleeps curled up in the crook of my arm and loves to go anywhere I go. I have always been a cat person, but this little girl has totally captured my heart. Dogs are so obvious about their love and adoration, wouldn't it be nice if people were that easy to read?

As Christmas draws closer I am excited about getting some time off from work. I only have to work one day out of ten from 12/22 to 1/2. Our new company is instituting a flex week between Christmas and New Year's. I am looking forward to getting a few things done around the house, some time with friends and family, and hopefully some scrapping. Maybe a class at The Crafty Scrapper.

Good night friends, keep Joy in your heart always. :)