Ideas 4 Making Coffee Mug Charms at Aug. 8th Craft Night Plus Camp

 Coffee mug charms? Yep. They are like wine glass charms except for coffee mugs. Isn’t this a cool idea? Sandra came up with it.

Wine glass charms are also called drink ID tags, stemware bracelets and wine glass markers.

Below are some ideas, directions, supply lists and photos. Have fun perusing, pick a project, buy the supplies, and come prepared to join Sandra and maybe even Lynette in making charms for your coffee mugs or stemware.

1. Go here (notmartha.org) for the supply list and directions. These are made on a hoop earring base.
2. Craftbits.com has directions using memory wire or jewelry wire.
3. Save-on-crafts.com has the cutest charms using multiple beads.
4. ChocolateAndZuchinni.com has directions also. Do take a look as these charms have a distinctly different look. This is especially good for those who don’t like the little bead look.
5. BeadWork.About.Com has charms with initials. Cute for a wedding reception, graduation party (hint, hint) or even a posh shower.
6. Black-Purl-Magazine.Com has directions for crocheting wine charms. Who knew you could crochet with wire?
7. These shrinky dinky charms from LjcFyi.com are soooo cute! What about printing actual photos of people on the shrinky dink paper.
8. How about using electronic components? “It’s an easy five-minute project with elegant results,” says EvilMadScientist.Com.
9. Polyclay can be used to make veggie charms (or coffee beans). Go here (hgtv.com) for supplies, directions and photo.
10. ABigSlice.Com suggests using buttons, beads, watch parts, and old costume jewelry.
11. Copper disks can be etched into one of a kind markers. DIY.Com has the scoop on this.
12. MiyCreations.Com uses thick photo paper for a charm that is novel. A slit is cut in the charm so that it can clip around the stem. Obviously this cute charm is not meant to be used multiple times.

Note: Want to buy some? Go here to Heathers-Store.Com to buy these CUTE fimo clay snowmen charms. It’s never too soon for snowmen. Again, Hint! Hint!

Christmas Dam is Broken – It’s OK to Sing Christmas Songs

The Christmas dam has been broken by today’s earlier post. It’s now OK to officially think and TALK about Christmas. It is like it’s the 5 o’clock hour where it’s fine to now have a drink.

My “drink” is Christmas.

Today I’ve been singing to songs on Youtube. Like . . .

1. 1. Feliz Navidad by Jose Feliciano
2. Go Tell It On The Mountain by Crystal Lewis.
3. Grown Up Christmas List by Amy Grant.
4. Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helms.
5. Mary, Did You Know? by Clay Aiken. My favorite song.
6. O Holy Night by NSync (Acapella). My favorite line: “Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth!”
7. Silent Night by Olivia Newton John.
8. Silver Bells by Stevie Wonder and here by Donny & Marie Osmond. This link takes you to a scene from The Lemon Drop Kid where Silver Bells was first heard.
9. The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole.
10. The First Noel-Silent Night by Elvis.
11. Where Are You Christmas? by Faith Hill (accompanied by ASL).
12. White Christmas by Bing Crosby. Of course! This rendition by The Drifters is also great.
13. Winter Wonderland by Andy Williams.

Your Turn . . . What are some of your favorite songs and why?

Christmas in July: 13 Things to Do By Mid October

Yes, the weather outside IS frightful and not from the cold or snow. A heat wave, poor ozone layer, and smokey haze have me bunkered down at home. Some retail stores (like Harrod’s Christmas World) are getting ready to launch their Christmas line.

Go here to view Harrod’s 2007 Christmas Parade. While normally this wouldn’t appeal. Today it does. Doesn’t it just get you ready for Christmas chores?

I ‘ve made a Christmas check off list of things I can do this summer.

1. Start buying stamps. Get out Christmas cards – I bought some last year on clearance. Put stamps on envelopes.
2. Input all my addresses in a label program.
3. 3.  Print address labels & return address labels. Put the labels on the envelopes.
4. 4.  Watch a Christmas movie while putting on labels. Perhaps, White Christmas or The Polar Express.
5. 5.  Start working on handmade Christmas presents. Tangled Thread  has this very same idea about starting Christmas presents in July Challenge.
6. Plan Christmas card for CNC women. Write letter and address envelopes.
7. Pick 3 cookie recipes. Put on calendar when I will make these. Buy ingredients for the recipes. Should I participate in a cookie swap?
8. Plan Christmas Day Meal. Plan what to buy and make ahead. Put on calendar.
9. Make a gift buying list. Start buying the gifts. Wrap pressies as they come into the house.
10. 10. Make Christmas wreath. Contact Geri for help.
11. 11. Advent Preparations – Check with Google to see when the first Sunday of Advent is. Find wreath, candles, and devotional.
12. 12. Prepare Christmas letter. Print. Fold. Stuff in envelopes. Watch another Christmas movie. What  would you suggest?
13. Organize Christmas photo with me, Chip and the kiddos. Print. Put into envelopes.

Just think how much easier Christmas will be, if I actually finish this list before November.

Do you ever do Christmas “chores” in the Summer or Fall?  What Christmas things would you like to accomplish in the next 90 days? By say, October 17, 2008.

Books That Begged Me 2 Read Them

Last month I spent a lot of time in the school library. About every 40 minutes, I get up, walk around, and have a peek at a book on the shelf. The following books are some of the ones I took down and flipped through for more information.

What’s on your Summer reading list?

1. Fabulous After 50: Finding Fulfillment for Tomorrow by Shirley Mitchell with Jane Rubietta. The back cover says “In this age of living longer, many women forget about living BETTER! . . . Welcome 50 and realize that passing through physical, emotional and spiritual change is taking you to powerful places of possibility.” These 11 chapters address relevant topics and each chapter has questions to answer for immediate application. The book also shares some attitudes to cultivate that will help us to age more successfully. #6 is “Investing in relationships for eternity gives our lives depth, breadth, and a reason for living well.” 248.84 mit 16581
2. Simply Fun for Families by Gwen Ellis. The cover says: “Save time & money; Start new traditions; Create memorable vacations . . . and much more.” This book will provide fresh, fun, and (almost) free ways to spend family time together, mostly in your own home or backyard. Chapter Five is titled Treasured Guests . Did you know that entertaining guests is Biblical? That guests have things to teach? Can provide cross-cultural exposure? Can share career ideas with the kiddos? Can teach your kiddos about hospitality? And that guests can be family members and other key people in your child’s life like Scout Leader, Pastor, and Sunday School teacher. P.S. I’d love to be a guest in your home. Just let me know which role you want me to come as. 🙂 649.1 Ell 151.08
3. Addiction & Grace: Love and Spirituality in the Healing of Addictions by Gerald G. May, M.D. Read what this back cover says. “In this inspiring book, Gerald May describes the process of attachment” that leas to addiction and examines the relationship between addiction and spiritual awareness. May details the various addictions from which we suffer-not only to alcohol and drugs, but also to work, sex, performance, responsibility, and intimacy.Drawing on his experience as a psychiatrist working with the chemically dependent, May emphasizes how addiction represents an attempt to assert complete control over our lives. Addiction & Grace is a compassionate and wise treatment of this important topic, offering s critical yet hopeful guide to a place of freedom based on contemplative spirituality.” 616.86 may 15202
4. The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John M. Gottman, Ph.D. Dr. Gottman is called the country’s (USA) foremost relationship expert because of his many year’s of scientific observation of the habits of married couples. This book is the “culmination of his life’s work: the seven principles that guide couples on the path toward a harmonious and long-lasting relationship. [It is] packed with practical questionnaires and exercises.” 306.81 Got 13931
5. The Unquenchable Worshipper: Coming Back to the Heart of Worship by Matt Redman. Sometimes worship lifts me up. Sometimes nothing happens. I want to know how to get back to the basics of adoring God no matter my circumstances. 264 Red 10625
6. 6. Choosing the Amusing: Finding Humor and Joy Beneath the Rubble of Life by Marilyn Meberg. I am typically a serious person. I need help in the humor department. There are 3 good reasons for finding and living in joy and humor: “It lifts the spirit, cheers the heart and clears the mind.” 248.4 Meb 8743
7. When God Weeps: Why Our Sufferings Matter to the Almighty by Joni Eareckson Tada and Stevn Estes. Joni has suffered much as a result of her diving accident. I think reading Joni’s thoughts on this will help me with some of my questions about suffering. 248.86 Tad 8680
8. How to Be a Better-than-Average In-Law by H. Norman Wright. One of these days (more likely years) I will be an in-law. I’d like to learn now what not to do then. This 121 page book with plenty of spaces to answer the questions, will help me “apply the Bible’s practical people principles to”  my relationships with my relatives. Besides with a last name like Wright, how can this advice go wrong? 301 Wri 17424
9.  9. Why the Cross Can Do What Politics Can’t: When They See You, Do They See Jesus? by Erwin W. Lutzer. This former senior pastor of Moody Church answers the question, Can a Christian’s involvement in political and social causes really change the world? I think this 9 chapter book will cause me to think and then look at my life. Both actions could hurt.
10. Surprising Insights from the Unchurched and Proven Ways to Reach Them by Thom S. Rainer. Rainer is the founding Dean of the Billy Graham School of Mission, Evangelism and Church Growth. The book will discuss the following: Why pastors and doctrinal preaching are critical . . . The enormous influence of family and relationships . . . Which things matter more than we’d thought, and which matter less . . . What causes visitors to return . . . and more. 269.2 Rai 13667
11. A Place of Quiet Rest: Finding Intimacy With God Through a Daily Devotional Life by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Lately I’ve talked with some women who feel far from God and who don’t have a continuous devotional life. I tell them there’s a connection. I’ve proved that many times for myself. The back cover states, “The God of this universe created us for fellowship with Himself! . . . Now, author Nancyy Leigh DeMoss demystifies the process of coming to know God intimately. . . She addresses the common frustrations and pitfalls that most of us encounter in our devotional life, and makes practical suggestions for overcoming them.” I think I could learn a few things. And then maybe I can pass that along. 248.843 DeM 16558
12. Beauty Secrets of the Bible: The Ancient Arts of Beauty & Fragrance by Ginger Garrett. Esther possibly used some of these treatments to ready herself for the pageant that declared her the new queen. While I won’t get a year solely devoted to pampering my body and mind, I might find a secret or two that will beautify me now. 646.7/042 Gar 19858
13. Soul Survivor: How My Faith Survived the Church by Philip Yancey. “It is with sadness that I admit that the actions and attitudes of the people of the church (paid and lay) can and DO cause great harm to . . . its own, the unchurhced and God’s reputation.”I recently heard how one mentor led her mentee through a great curriculum but added to it a constant stream of “F” profanities, smoking and drinking ALL while having the study. This caused the mentee much confusion. But because of God’s grace, the mentee is back in a close relationship with God.

I am starting with #5; the book about worship.

Let me know if you want to read a book with me. It would be fun and helpful to chat about the ideas presented.

13 Different Uses For Lemons

Lemons have many uses as food, cleaning agents, crafts, and beauty aids. With the barrage of lemons still coming from friends’ trees, do you need more ideas? Here are some of the ideas I’ve come up with for my lemon stash. Go here to learn 6 Ways to Store Lemons.

1. Age Spots Lightened. Dab lemon juice on the age/liver spots or freckles. After 15 minutes rinse.
2. Clock Powered With A Lemon. Family Fun has the coolest doable projects. Click here for the link to make this clock.
3. Constipation Relief. Put 2-4 tablespoons of lemon juice in 1 cup warm water. Sweeten to taste with honey. Drink this before breakfast.
4. Dog barking training. Train your dog to stop barking by squirting lemon juice in the dog’s mouth every time he barks. Say, “quiet” while squirting the juice.
5. Fingernails whitened and strengthened. Soak those flimsy, yellowed nails in 1 cup warm water with ½ lemon for 10 minutes. Then dip them in a mixture of equal parts vinegar and warm water. Rinse. Repeat as needed.
6. Furniture Polish. Mix together the juice of 1 lemon, 1 teaspoon of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of water. Pour a small amount on the furniture and buff until shiny. To make a bigger batch mix together 1 cup of olive oil with 1/2 cup lemon juice. Pour this into a spray bottle. Use up within the month.
7. Insect Deterrent. Put lemon juice into a spray bottle. Squirt lemon juice on windowsills and into any cracks where the ants are lining up. Place lemon peels outside the doors. Roaches and fleas also hate lemons. Mix together the juice and rinds of 4 lemons with 1/2 gallon warm water. Use this to wash your floors.
8. Invisible ink. Dip a Q-tip into lemon juice and write a short note on a piece of paper. Let it dry. When you are ready to read your secret message, hold the paper near a hot light bulb. The lemon juice message will turn brown.
9. Lemon detox. I did this for a week and found it very helpful. I lost a few pounds. But the main benefits were a clearer mind, less allergy symptoms and more regular elimination. Click here to read one site’s information. I did this while consulting with a doctor.
10. Lip Balm – Lemon Flavored. Gather the following ingredients: 4 oz. extra virgin olive oil, 3 oz. beeswax, ½ vitamin E capsule, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Melt the oil and the beeswax in the microwave or double boiler. Add the ½ vitamin E capsule and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Pour into appropriate containers. Let sit for 48 hours until firm to touch. Go here for precautions and other lip balm recipes.
11. Pomander. This is a fun activity for kids to make. You have to push in a lot of cloves, so I suggest that you take a metal skewer and make little holes for the cloves. This is like pre-drilling holes for a screw. This seems to take a long time, so plan on doing this at several sessions instead of all at one time. Go here for the complete instructions.
12. Simmering Potpourri. In a small pan half-filled with water put in the following: 1 sliced lemon, 1 sliced orange, 1/2 cup cloves, and 3 cinnamon sticks. Bring the water to a boil. Turn the heat down so that the water is barely simmering. Enjoy the smell.
13. Wart Removal. Dab lemon juice directly on the wart with a Q-tip or cotton ball. Repeat for several days. If the wart is not gone, dab for several more days.

I hope to make up a few lemon food recipes this next week.

NOTE: I tried a lemon crockpot cake. Don’t waste your time or ingredients. Make a regular one.

Your Turn . . .  What have you done with lemons lately?

Related Fruitful Words Posts

1. 6 Ways to Store Lemons 
2. Lemon Cream Cheese Mints  (recipe)
3. Lemon Marshmallow Snowdrifts (cookie recipe)

Related Internet Posts

1. 20 things happen to your body if you drink warm honey-lemon water in the morning
2. 31 Ways to Use Lemon Peels

13 Things to Pray

1. I’m starting a new quarter in seminary. I need prayers for organization & diligence; a quick, retentive mind; and applicability of what I learn.
2. I have 4 more quarters until graduation. Pray that happens in May 2009.
3. Regarding that, please pray for funds, strength, perseverance and all of #1.
4. Pray that my classes aren’t just classes. I want to find God’s will & heart in each class. I want to be captured & motivated by these qualities.
5. The next M&M Saturday is April 19th at 9 am. It will be on prayer. Please ask God to show Himself REAL to each woman who shows up. . . . That each woman will be encouraged, enthused and enlightened by this one hour of time together. . . . John Wesley said that “Prayer is truly the most useful of all pastimes.” Pray that I experience the truth of that statement. And that the women do too.
6. We have two pregnant women at church. Please pray for health and safe pregnancy/delivery for mom and baby. . . . That the transition will be smooth for all concerned. . . . That God will meet all the needs spoken and unspoken. . . . That the babies will come to know Christ at an early age and walk in a close love-relationship with out Saviour. . . That the church body will thoughtfully, consistently and lovingly gather around these women and their families to meet their needs and even some of their wants. . . . Please ask God to bless them and the blessings they carry in a very tangible way.
7. Retreat is happening June 4-6. Pray that all the details will be taken care of easily, well, and thoroughly in FUN. . . . Pray for the speaker and worship team. . . . Pray that the hearts of the attendees are already being prepared by God to hear from Him. . . . That friendships will be deepened or made.
8. About 6 Bible studies are happening at church. Please pray that the leaders put in the time to prepare for the class. . . . That the attendees prepare as well. . . . That the Word of God impacts thoughts & actions. . . . That relationships will be deepened with each other & with God.
9. Pastor Mike is preaching on “God’s remedy for Financial Worries.” Pray that the Word of God is mightier than our fear, habits, and strongholds. . . . That we live in the strength, joy, power & generosity of the Holy Spirit. . . . That this series impacts us so much that our watching family, friends and co-workers notice a difference. . . . That they want to have a new relationship with Christ.
10. Our youth pastor and his support staff are awesome. Please pray that God continues to give them all strength, unity, discernment, passion, and an ongoing and pure relationship with Him.
11. Women’s Ministry needs your prayer. Pray that we do God’s will as individuals and as a team. . . . That God continues to give each of us strength, unity, discernment, passion, and an ongoing and pure relationship with Him.
12. Please pray for my ex. His birthday is on the 12th and he has been on my mind a lot this past week. . . . Pray that God’s blessings saturate his mind, soul, heart and body. . . . That healing, peace, joy and provision find and meet his needs. . . . That relationship reconciliation is a deep yearning for him that takes place soon. . . . That God is a Friend as well as Master; Lover and King; Brother and Saviour.
13. Pray that I am diligent with my 40 days of prayer. . . That I discern God’s voice in the matters I am praying about. . . . That I am humble and mature enough to follow His will.

Now, how may I pray for you? You can leave a request here, on my home phone or email.

It is a great truth that Our God hears and answers prayer. I am grateful that He alwyas answers according to our best and His glory.

13 Things I Learned in New Testament Class on the Book of Acts

New quarter has started and I had my first class last night.The prof is funny, intelligent, personable, exhaustive speaker, soul-touching preacher, and moving pray-er.  He’s been said to be a cross between Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park) and Rodney Dangerfield.

The book of Acts was the topic. Here’s some of what I learned in class.

1. Acts is the only book of its type in the Bible and because of this it is the single most important book in the Bible. (Every prof says this about every book we study.  🙂 ) We could lose 3 of the 4 gospels and still know about Jesus. We could lose most of Paul’s books and still have Pauline theology. But without the book of Acts we would not have information about the early church from 30-60 A.D.
2. Acts does what no other book does; it speaks about an historical Jesus and the church.
3. Acts is an historical book, but misses a lot of history. Its focus is very narrow.
4. The book got its name, Acts,  in the 2nd Century– can’t remember by whom. 😦 Some have suggested the title “Acts of the Holy Spirit” (for obvious reasons) or “Tale of 2 Cities”because it records how the Gospel went from Jerusalem to Rome.
5. Before 40 B.C. old was better (in Roman thought) than anything new. But in 40-50 B.C. there was a new wave of artistic expression and so there was friction between this new stuff and old ways. It was an exciting time for some and a confusing, difficult time for others regarding the shifting morays.
6. The Roman authorities consistently ruled that the charges against Christians, sedition, were false. Christianity’s intent was never sedition; they weren’t preaching the gospel in order to overthrow the government. Rather, Christianity had a reforming emphasis. Therefore, those who practiced Christianity were the best citizens.
7. All of the external evidence points to Luke, the physician and traveling companion of Paul, as the author of Luke and Acts. None of the evidence says anything different.
8. Every archaeological point expressed in Acts has proven to be true per the work of Sir William Ramsay.
9. Every legal point expressed in Acts has proven to be true per the work of A.N. Sherwin-White.
10. Buy this book: According to the Scriptures by C.H. Dodd, the greatest scholar in English. There are 15 Scriptures that are consistently used in the New Testament. I.e. Psalm 2, 118; Isaiah 40, 53; Daniel 7. These form a complex theology and are mutually interpretive. Somebody did this. Paul says he didn’t do it. He never saw this mystery in the Old Testament. Rather, he received this information from the risen Christ.  This same risen Christ explained this mystery  to His Disciples as well.
11. Fellowship/friendship in the ancient world was one of reciprocity: “I scratch your back, you scratch mine.”  Jesus’ admonition for His Followers to practice “disinterested goodness” was unheard of. It was unique for groups/individuals to consistently do good for the sake of doing good.
12. The Christians are described as being “one in mind and one in heart.”This is a deep theological statement about commitment. Their ideology was one of “If it’s mine, it’s also available for your use.” 90-94% of the ancient population lived below the poverty line. Most people were days  away from starvation. So this type of unity and sharing made a startling impact on the people in Jerusalem. Perhaps this is why they added to their church number so quickly?
13. Words are not mere baubles that dissipate into the air. God takes them seriously. Therefor, be careful of oaths and the promises that we make.

Thanks for letting me share some of my notes. Only 5 more classes left.

If you’d like to read more Thursday 13 posts, click here. Don’t forget to check out the blog of RunningShoes too.

What “Online Places” Do You Read On A Regular Basis?

1. Of course the ones on my blogroll: These are family and friends and it’s a great way to “see” what’s on their mind. Any one of them is a GOOD read.

2. Widow’s Quest – Anna is “learning how to redefine and rediscover life” as a widow. Although I’m not a widow, I benefit greatly from many of her posts that deal with grief, healing and moving on.

3. Scribbit – Michelle, born in and still living in Alaska, writes daily entries about “favorite recipes, reviews, crafts and giveaways mixed with stories of life in the Last Frontier.” She also has time to be a mother to 4. Besides the previous, I like to read this blog because I lived in Anchorage for a year or so when I was in elementary school.

4. LifeHack – This blog features “hacks, tips and tricks that get things done quickly by automating, increas[ing] productivity and organizing.” Today’s post shares how to have a more effective weekly review. Since I want to review my days three times a week, as part of my 51 things to do this year, I find this article to be most helpful.

5. See Through Faith – Lorna (in Finalnd) is journaling her walk with God as a mother, wife, woman and seminary student. Since I’m an older seminary student as well, I find her blog interesting and encouraging.

6. Tammy’s Recipes – This is more than a food blog -although there are lots of good recipes, with reviews and pictures. Take a look and tell me why you like this site.

7. Unclutterer – Blog about getting and staying organized. There are several other good blogs on this topic as well. Someday I’ll do a roundup of them.

8. Like Merchant Ships – Blog about being a well-rounded woman, wife and mother with posts on a myriad of topics that are helpful, encouraging and interesting to even me a divorced, empty-nester who is finishing her masters.

9. A Creative Journal – Posts with lots of creative journal ideas – for those who like to do that sort of thing. I used to journal a lot and I miss it. While I don’t journal that much any more, I at least think about the journal idea generators.

10. The Simple Dollar – “Financial talk for the rest of us” – many tips on how to manage finances and save some money. Reading this site has given me some useful ideas to incorporate into my financial life.

11. Free Rice – This vocabulary-building game helps me with this aspect of English and do a good deed. For each word I get right, 20 grains of rice are donated through the UN World Food Program to the poor. I confess that I sometimes do this while having dictionary.com open.

12. Positive Psychology News Daily – Because I like to read research-based articles about “the Science of happiness and positive psychology.” Read this one about Positive Abnormality: Be a Genius by Discovering your Specialty, Uniqueness and Meaning. Leave a comment on what you think. I think these types of articles are thought-provoking, helpful, and fun to read.

13. Cordova Neighborhood Church – This site lets you know what the latest sermon series is – you can access this through an mp3 tab; gives info on the Youth, Big Kids Club and Socks and Gloves ministry. Go here for the Calendar. There’s also info about What we Believe, the Staff and more.

These are some of the sites I check on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Where do you spend your time?

For more Thursday 13 posts, go here.