Update on my Sister-in-Law, Nora

I've been meaning to write this update for a few days but, just didn't get it done.  If you would like to read the other posts about Nora, check them out here.  Otherwise, this is the latest from my brother, Jeff

Update: just returned from the Cancer Center. Thank you for your continued prayers. Jan. 18 Nora will be undergoing surgery to have the cancerous tumor and left lung removed. Dr. was optimistic that it is a slow growing cancer, but won't know for sure until he removes it. If so, and they are able to remove it all (he's not sure if he was able to see all of it, what he sees may be just the "tip of the iceberg"), then there is a good chance there will not need to be chemo or radiation. Please continue to pray for this major surgery, that there will not be complications and that it will get all of the cancer

In addition, the one obstacle that needs to be passed is an echocardiogram tomorrow. Dr. thought he heard something and wants to make sure she doesn't have a leaky valve in her heart, which would make things more complicated
(December 29, 2010)

As of today, I have not heard if they have gotten the results of the echocardiogram yet.

So, right now, they are preparing for surgery on January 18th to remove the lung.  Obviously this is major surgery so prayers are appreciated.

My niece, Brittany, wrote an article for a blog about this road they are walking.  Feel free to read it by clicking here

Weekly Song - How Beautiful

I wanted to be able to add this weeks song to my playlist so I went digging :-)  I really like Twila Paris as an artist - she has a voice that you instantly know when you hear it.  One of her songs "How Beautiful" is just that - beautiful.  It is a song that I've sung and we also used it in our wedding.  I hope you enjoy :-)

Encouraging One Another Link Party

One of the Blogs I mention quite frequently is Women Living Well.  This week, Courtney is hosting a Link Party for blog writers to link up with posts that will encourage each other.  I linked up with this post about living a Life on Purpose over the next year. 

So, if you are looking for encouragement today - in many areas - feel free to check out the links and/or link up one of your own!

Getting Organized Challenge

Over at A Bowl Full of Lemons a whole lot of organizing is taking place!  She is hosting a 21 day cleaning challenge and I've decided to participate in it.  The other day I wrote this post and gave two other links to blogs doing organization topics as well which are also great.  This one caught my attention because it is just small little things (so far).   I'm technically a couple of days behind since I just found this challenge yesterday but one thing I've learned from Flylady after years of flying is that "You are not behind - just start where you are at now!" 

So, Day 1 Challenge is to clear out that junk drawer.  I prefer to call it my "Misc" drawer :-)  I did this today and it took me all of about 10 minutes so don't let that drawer scare you :-)

Before



After

I'm going to link up to Day 1 of a Bowl Full of Lemons to show off my success :-)  Feel free to join up too! 

Day 2 Challenge is:  The Computer Desk - I hope to get that one done Wednesday!

Too Cute Not To "Toot"

As the holidays wind down, there are lots of craft ideas popping up all over the place.  So here we go for another round of "Tootin'" those great ideas!

Josh has a growth chart in his room that I picked up before his first birthday but, to be honest, I'm not a huge fan of it (yes, I liked it at the time but just isn't want I want for the next 20 years).  I saw this idea awhile ago and really fell in love with it.  It is going on my husband's - "you must make this today" list for his next project day!

Click here to see the idea at Lemon Tree Creations

With winter upon most of us, this project would be great - making a blanket!  My mom makes FANTASTIC quilts (I need to do a post on the quilts she made us for Christmas!!) but this is the easy version (for someone like me) 
Check out the great tutorial at oopsey-daisy for an Easy Rag Blanket

Craft-O-Maniac is posting a ton of Valentine's Day ideas.  I must admit, I don't really decorate for Valentine's Day but I do have some ideas I'm planning to do this year.  I would like to add a few things to my stash - I think it will be fun while the boys are young to have things out for each holiday. I thought these letters looked really cute and would be easy to make

This time of year, besides Valentine's Day crafts there are other fun ideas too.  This hand sanitizer bottle is a really easy, cute idea from Living Life Crafty.  I think it would be cute in a classroom by the kids sink or a kids bathroom at home

Over at Twelve Gifts to Christmas, she gives a great tutorial on how to make a "Crayon" Box.  It is really cute . She suggests it as a teacher gift but I think it would also make a great crayon holder for older kids (I wouldn't use it for mine yet - they would pull the crayons off the box to use them!).  It would look adorable on a little desk :-)

I these conversation magnets by Crafts by Amanda where really cute.  She made them specifically for Valentine's Day but you could use them to in place of flashcards sometimes for kids that are learning to read.  Plus they could make simple sentences (Make a worksheet with sentences on it - than have your child make the same sentences using the magnets) It is a super easy, fun craft :-)

And the lost idea for today is from TaraDara Made It and is two fold.  First it is an inspiration board tutorial.  I've seen these done on various design shows as well as on the Flylady site for posting your daily routines.  If you have the space - it is an awesome idea.  For the scrapbooking fanatics out there - it would be a great place to put up samples of your favorite pages, paper, sayings, and more.  The other thing I noticed where her homemade tacks.  They also use the clear beads like the Conversation Magnets above.  There isn't a tutorial but it looks like you just modge podge scrapbook paper (or fabric) on the back and than my guess is that you hot glue a flat tack to it.  I'm thinking I need to make some for my bulletin board :-)

So, start getting crafty :-)  I have a few crafts I'm planning on working on this weekend - 4 to be exact - as well as a long list of others.  Looking forward to having some fun :-)

Planning, Planning, Planning

Isn't this the cutest little place?  We have been planning for about a year, to take our vacation this spring, here, at this adorable little place called "Apple Tree Cottage".  Yes.  A year, folks.  See last year, we went looking for cabins and found this one but you had to rent by the week and we were only looking for 2-3 days.  So I book marked it and last week, wrote my e-mail giving the dates and asking to confirm the price.  Because we go in the "off-season" we get a really good rate.  This place is just awesome - it is twice as big as my house, has a loft for the kids to play in and lots of toys (She'll even paint their names on the door before we get there and you can send photos and she'll put them in the frames!!), a wrap around porch, outside kids toys with bikes and wagons.  I mean it has everything.  I was already planning our week.  Than, today, I got an e-mail back.  Guess what?  They aren't taking any rental applications right now because they are in the middle of a remodel.  Seriously?  When I've been planning for a year??? Come on folks!!!  She suggested e-mailing her back around the 1st of May but, I can't really wait that long because other good, well-priced properties will be gone :-(   I'm a little disheartened as I start my search again.  See, last year, I searched for weeks to find the perfect little place we went to in the UP (and in doing so found the above gem).  Now, I'm back at square one and here, I thought I was done!  So, it is a-searching I will go.  I've already sent one e-mail to a place located on Lake Michigan to find out if our "week" falls into their "off-season" rate but I have a feeling the answer will be no!!!!  We really love Lake Michigan and had hoped to be able to spend a week there . .. I may have to search other areas now though . . .crazy, isn't it?

Spinach Salad with Cranberries, Pecans and Blue Cheese

Yes, I've been posting lots of recipes lately but that's because that's what I've been doing - cooking :-)  This week, life gets back into "normal" and I have crafts to make and show off, organizing projects to share, home updates to blog about and more.  I took a break yesterday and didn't post anything but wanted to post this today :-)  Not sure if I'll get the craft started today that I wanted to share so . . ..this is my "craft" :-)  I have also started posting my weekly menu on the right side of the blog - just scroll down.  I'm still working on it but would like to post links to any recipes that appear on the blog.  I do have more to post from the last few weeks too.  If you haven't guessed, I like to cook :-)

I love Blue Cheese.  I made this recently to go with Sunday dinner despite the fact that I knew my husband wouldn't like it.  Why, you might ask?  He doesn't like salad with "stuff" in it :-(  So I made it more for me and it was SOOO good - I think I'll be planning this one for lunch soon.

This recipe comes from Food Network.

This picture doesn't really do it justice - it tastes so much better!

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound hickory smoked bacon slices, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup pecans, toasted and roughly chopped
• 2 (6-ounce) containers baby spinach
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup dried cranberries

Dressing:

• 1/2 cup Danish blue cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• Salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Fry chopped bacon in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until brown and crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel-lined 1/4-sheet tray to drain.
Toast pecans in the oven on a 1/4-sheet tray until lightly golden and fragrant, about 6 minutes.
In a medium bowl mash the blue cheese with a fork. Mix in the buttermilk, sour cream, sugar, salt and pepper, to taste.
Combine baby spinach, red onion, pecans, dried cranberries and bacon in large bowl. Toss with the dressing immediately before serving

Notes:
*I did not put the dressing on the salad at all - that way, what ever was left, I could save (which I did) and eat for lunch the following day (which I did!).