I ♥ Cherries sooooo much - I’ve made a Cherry FREEBIE for YOU!

Living in the heart of the beautiful Okanagan Valley in British Columbia is living in fruit heaven. 
This year I’m all about the cherries.  I’ve never seen them so BIG! 

A BC cherry is a HAPPY cherry I say!

I’ve been freezing them in batches, so yes, my fingernails look horrible and my kitchen is speckled red and my fingers were getting awfully tired of my regular cherry pitter (though I’m sure it’s a drastic improvement over the ones our grandmother’s must have used) 
And then my sister came to visit and we were at Home Hardware in town - our Home Hardware is AMAZING - truly people come from all over to shop there.  Our Home Hardware is a shop with a heart - they do all sorts of good for our community and we’re really proud of them. 
So, we went and looked at all the gizmos and gadgets that might be new when we came across one of these:

This is a Chef’n quickpit One-Handed cherry and olive pitter. 

And it not only WORKS… it did not take my sister and I to declare a “show down”

That’s right, this hot little “cherry gun” PITTED sister against sister hehe. 
Well, actually we turned on our photographer (my Mr) who clued in at the last moment and just barely avoided being maimed.  He may take my cherry gun away if I’m not careful.
All this “cherry-ing” has inspired me to make a fun .studio cut for YOU!  I also built a card to showcase it for you - I think it turned out perfect!

Sentiment reads:

“One must ask children and birds how cherries and strawberries taste.”

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Supplies:

Designer Paper - Your Life Beautiful by Brandin O’Neill

Inks - Versafine, Colorbox

Cutting File - Cherry Love by Barb Derksen

Method:

I cut the file on my Silhouette SD.  I inked the cherry pieces and then I heat embossed the cherries. 

I’ve created this file both as a .studio cut but also as separate png’s as well so if you’re a digi-scrapper you can adapt the cherry for your needs as well. I would ♥ to see what you make with my files, send me a jpg and I’ll feature your artwork here!

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Personal Use

credits:
Kristin Cronin-Barrow's - Gone Camping Kit

This is a layout of my Sister Nina's one-eyed cat Vogue on a recent camping trip. Think she'll catch a fish? Perhaps she's gone away to avoid the earthquake that happened at home (just a tiny one) or maybe even she's embarrassed of Nina's sharing all her most intimate details that have been shared on my sister's blog. At any rate, here's Vogue where a cat is most happy, out of doors!

Nina had shared a photo of her cat in this little camouflage tent and I could not resist to make it into a layout.

Make sure you're ready to have a laugh if you visit Nina's blog as she reveals all Vogue's (funny name, right?) personal info! Nina, you have a gift to journal too, it appears! You have me entralled.

I made another layout for my friend Betty too, of her daughter, but forgot to ask permission to publish. Is it OK, Betty? If so, look for it coming next post!

First Skate!

It DID happen.

Ok, I can forgive all the miserable weather we've been having for at least now its COLD enough that the lake has frozen into a fun state of skate-able-ness. Oh, there are still swirlie patches of snow about, but I am able to navigate around the worst of them to be able to go along the shoreline. I was so HOPING this time would come - and its generally a brief few weeks window in the year.

My first skate was on Monday - it was sunny and I took my camera along. These are some of the photos I took in the magical frozen land of ice:

I'm thinking of someone today - someone who is hurting and perhaps lonely, afraid or angry. Someone who feels like there's NO hope. There is, my friend.

One who is there to intercede,
One who helps you in your need;
One who has a soothing power,
Calming you in your darkest hour.
One who shares your grief and pain,
And when rebuffed, comes back again;
One who knows your every mood,
Does not condemn, does not intrude.
One who shares your happiness
As well as sorrow and distress.
One who's with you to the end.
Won't you let Him be your friend?

I've been working out ever since the 'holidays' passed - a promise to get whipped into shape for my husband in time for our anniversary, coming up soon. I'm averaging anywhere from 60 - 90 mins of aroebic exersize a day, 5 days a week, and beginning to see results. Oh, I'm still a long ways from where I'd like to be, but its coming.

Some days are easier than others, but I'm always glad I put in the effort. I was talking about exersize with a friend the other day, and we were talking about the effort it takes, the dedication and the time factor. It occured to me that a perception people sometimes have is that it is EASIER for people who work out regularly than for beginners. Well, thats not entirely true, at least for me.

What IS true, is that once you've established a routine and wrassled your mind over body to accept that you ARE going to work out, like it or not, for a certain portion of your days - then you waste less time fighting with yourself, and it helps to just KNOW its part of your day. And then too, as you get STRONGER, and you realize you CAN do it, then you are simply more ABLE. You're not spending time just trying to convince yourself to go ahead.

But, there are NO shortcuts to a workout. They never not 'hurt' - if you are doing it correctly. If you don't sweat or push yourself or feel some sort of pull on your body then you are not truly getting a benefit to your system. Actually there's a reward in 'feeling it' - if there were not, then every single person would be walking around fit as a fiddle! Seems that most good things in life take a dedication and a working towards. Its the gift you recieve for being obedient and caring for this amazing human body God blessed us with!

Not only this, it allows you to be more energetic - to enjoy life, a longer life to be with those we love!

On my worst days - days when I have to talk myself into it - I realize there are people who CANNOT work out, that are physically unable to walk, run, work out. That in itself is a reason I should work out this body to be its best.

That, and the fact that my husband wants to take me to some place with a hot tub and wear a swimsuit for our anniversary. *wink*

And lastly I'll mention something about the time factor - its a huge chunk of valuable time out of already packed days - well, I put it to good use. I DO enjoy a bit of reading while I work out (using and elliptical trainer mostly) but I've put aside a portion of this time to read my bible and Praise the Lord. If you were outside my house during this time you might here me cry out and sing at the top of my lungs. Best I'm at home for I'd probably scare them all away at the gym!

Sweet Birthday Wishes Add On
Personal Use Only

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(click to view a bit larger)

credits:
KimB's Geometric1 Patterns

Happy Birthday Zach!

Wishing a wonderful day to my nephew, who's an avid guitar lover. I decided, since I actually now have a functioning printer, after being 1 yr without one, to do my first hybrid. I think it turned out pretty cool! The wire on the card was a string from Mr. Miles guitar - no, I didn't steal it, they needed to be changed anyways. The pick is real too. LOVE Kim's Geometric Patterns, they are ideal for these masculine/funky projects. The card is my own design (I mean the way its laid out)

Uncle Miles says he KNOWS what you will be doing today!

You'll have to slip over to Nina's (click HERE) to view the card she's made for her son, and to Judy's blog (click HERE) too, where she's got a birthday greeting too!

BIG CONGRATS are in order for my friend JanMary, from Ireland, who has just had a layout published in a real, live PAPER, sold magazine!!! I'm so proud of you, girl, I could just BUST. Way to go! Just click HERE to check it out and see what I'm talkin' about!

Prayer requests:

Please continue to pray for my friend Gina's family as her husband (thankfully) made it through very adverse flooding conditions to go for a job interview. Please pray that if this is the right job for him it will come to pass, if not for the right one, and when. Gina is a true inspiration to me as her faith only strengthens through these trying times. Click HERE to visit and leave some encouragement.

Please pray for my friend Valinda for an unnamed need within the family. I'm not at liberty to share yet as I've not the opportunity to ask if I may share. But there is a NEED and could you please prayer, and leaving an encouragement HERE would surely bring her comfort too.

Thanks for visiting today, and for all your comments, they mean A LOT!

Our new church sign

YAY! Our church has a new sign - something that is funky, fresh and ... totally does NOT go with the look of our building at the current time LOL! To be honest, the facade of our building is aged and worn, with some of the lettering falling off... but there is a NEW spirit within and God has been blessing us - and we are beginning to dig ourselves out and bring about some welcome changes. It has been a year of great growth and renewal and it will be exciting to see what 2009 brings about. We desire to be a church that does not seek only to who comes in... but more importantly, who will 'go out' from our body as missionaries.

My multi-talented husband designed the sign - he'll be blushing I said so, but I can't help but show him off.

Speaking of churches etc...

I will link you here to an article I heard on NPR radio - did you know that (and this is a sign of our times) some churches and synagogues are planting GPS chips in their nativity displays - to help locate them when they get stolen? Truly - you can read all about it (or listen, just click on the little red speaker symbol at the top) by clicking HERE. Who'd have ever thought there would be Geo Caching for Jesus?

Layout by Judy (my SIL)
credits: Barb Derksen (me) Heart Music Kit

Love this layout of my niece Melissa and her guitar instructor strumming out a tune on the guitar Melissa recently recieved for her birthday. I am impressed how you cut her out, Judy - looks great!

Tag by Nina (my Sister!)
credits: Music note image design by Barb Derksen (me)
Burgundy cardstock from Nature Preserve Recycled cardstock,
DCWV- Clear Glitter paper,
Figgy Pudding Kringle Designer paper.
Unknown elastic cord.

It is so exciting to see my items used in a hybrid project. Really - it sort of makes it 'come to life' I always get a new appreciation for my items - seeing them used this way. Thank you Nina, for sharing! I suspect we may see more items coming from Nina's blog in the future. In fact... speaking of which, she'd asked me to make a 'gift kitty' for a project, so I whipped one up. Only... when I showed her, she said she wanted a birthday kitty, not a Christmas one, so I'm going to share this one with you.

I've put a watermark over kitty in this preview, but the download will not have it on. I do this to prevent pirating in the form of just downloading a jpg - so my terms of use are included in the download. I hope you enjoy this purr-fectly delightful little kitty.

personal use only
download

And while we are on the subjects of kitty's ... here's a quirky, funny, typical kitty video which you will get a giggle out of, I'm sure.

~My Sister Gets A Blog ~

Ah, I'm all warm and fuzzy today. I get to brag on my talented Sister and Sister-in-laws! I'll begin with my sister, Nina. Nina just had her birthday recently and I finally convinced her to consider starting her own blog. She's been hand-crafting beautiful scrapbook-type cards for quite a while now and this will be a showcase for her lovely work. I helped her get set up a few weeks ago, but she's just now ready to 'make her entrance' - I hope you'll give her a warm welcome.

I'm so proud I could just bust at the seams.

click HERE to visit my sister's blog!

This is the type of amazing carding she does - I feel a little intimidated by her talent! Welcome to bloggie world, Nina.

PS: don't b'lieve all that mush she says about me... *blushing!*

my birthday card, created by Nina, my Sister!

_________________________________________________________________

~My Sister-in-Law Makes Christmas Craft~

And of course, I've shared a special blogging bond with my sister in law Judy, for quite some time now. Judy has been a crafter for YEARS and amazes me with her handiwork. I love that her blog is a showcase for her close-knit family. Thanks for blessing us, Judy.

hand-made Christmas Crackers
made by my sister in law Judy.

Judy has been gathering with a few of her close family to share some fun evenings of preparations for the festive season. It seems that the warmth and fellowship of family brings out the creative side. You can visit Judy at her blog by clicking HERE.

_________________________________________________________________

~My 'Nudder Sister-in-Law Sells Her Crafts~

And finally, my sister in law Neti has been taking part in a Christmas Fair held in Sparwood, BC, where she was selling her incredible crafts. Looking at these photos she's sent. I'm trying to figure out how many hours of hard work this represents!

Ohhh - lookit the SNOWMEN!

Crafts by Neti - my sister in law
Next craft sale - November 27th, 2008
at the Sparwood Mall

So, if you just happen to live in the area, please drop in to check out Neti's tables. G'wan, give her a hello from me too!

Neti, you're the next for a blog, right? Don't worry, us Sisters have got it down to a science.

_________________________________________________________________

I've had requests coming in to re-issue some of my older Christmas Kits - so here's the one I've been getting the most requests for (which delights me seeing our King and Savior being honoured!) I'd love to see how you use this kit, just send me a small jpg of your layout along with credit details and I'll make you the star of my blog. I think there is someone I'm forgetting who's already sent me a layout. If you're out there can you please let me know?

Worship The King Mini Kit
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY NINA!
(click to view larger)

Card Credits:
Paper - LLW - Fall Splendour
Elements - LLW - Fall Splendour and Chance of Rain

Card reads:

Even though you're 'getting on'
You're still pretty 'spunky'
And no matter how the years pass by,
You're still a 'little monkey'!

My sister shares a part of me,
That no one else shall ever see,
And when the days and miles divide us...
The bond we have will live inside us,
Together, sharing dreams, love and laughter...
My SISTER for always,
My FRIEND, forever!

YAY! It's my sister's birthday today. Nina is my only sister, and my 'little' sister. Its funny this phrase for she's not really 'smaller' than me, we are about the same build, but I suppose its because her years are smaller than mine. Thinking in this way, she is a lot 'littler' than me.

Sometimes when I look at this beautiful, self assured, witty, talented lady - my mind morphs back to a little girl with a smile from ear to ear and impossibly long blonde braids in a little brown polyester jumpsuit... you were always such a cute little imp, Sis!

Now, I think you've outgrown the word 'cute', but you are sweet and kind and downright FUNNY at the most unexpected times. You brighten up my days with our conversations and I'm constantly in wonder that my sister has become such a dear, dear friend to me over the years.

Mr. Miles and I are thinking of YOU today and hope you are being lavished, wherever you read this from! We love you!

*****

You may notice, I've added new permanent link to my blog for the website for Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes A Day. Since I've become addicted to working (or shall I say BAKING) my way through this amazing book I thought it would be of value for you to be able to just click to find out about this book yourself. The Authors - Jeff and Zoe are very helpful and prompt should you have any questions about their recipes. Be sure to check back often, and send your friends as there are new ideas and recipes being 'cooked up' every so often.

*****

If you are sitting in the cold and wet today, like me, you might want to cuddle up with a big mug of hot coffee and take a 'virtual vacation' to Guatamala where my new blog friend Betty is Oh, so patiently answering my questions I keep peppering her with about the beautiful place she is living. She's gone and written a good, long, interesting article about the fruits native to the area she lives. A GOOD read! Just click HERE to visit.

I LOVE to ask, Betty, for you actually answer. Warning though, one answer is leading to more questions, we could be at this for quite a while LOL! Thank you for taking the time to do this!

Mmmm - Nummies!

Ok, so now there is a little TRENCH around our mailbox. I was heading out for a walk yesterday and checked BEFORE walking {like how silly is THAT?} and what should I find to my complete and utter astonishment? Another parcel!

I was in disbelief! So, I did a few little loops round the boxes {neighbors must really wonder!} and even though I was on my way TO my walk, I could not resist. I was careful to check the package cuz it was from my sister, and she knows I'm such a kid that I can't wait to tear open a parcel. Sometimes she puts a caution on the package, like "do not open till ???-day" Sometimes she's even MORE clever, she will address it to Mr. Miles and have him be the gaurdian.

But this parcel had nothing on it, so I opened it immediately.

It was these neat candies and a beautiful card! Or should I say a BOO-tiful card as it was a halloween themed one. I'll really have to take a pic of that too! She rocks at card building, I'm envious of her paper-craftiness!

The candies taste great - the ones in the far dish are like tiny wine gums, VERY sticky to the teeth, but they almost have a floral taste, cuz Sis knows I love the taste of Thrills gum. Do any of you remember thrills?

LOL - the picture I picked of the gum has been altered!

Mr. Miles agrees with this pic tho. He won't kiss me {well he would never REFUSE to kiss me} when I chew thrills, cuz to him they DO taste like soap. I do have to admit that I can only chew it for like 10 mins then it turns to hard rubber, but I do enjoy the flavour.

The other candies are sours - cute shapes!

Fangs Sis!

Speaking of TREATS - KimB has a nice QP for download today, click HERE, and Linda is supposed to be offering another part of her rain kit today... click HERE.

Barb's Apple 'Slaw' or 'Apple 'Sgetti"

I know I've been baking bread almost daily and on the other hand telling you the Miles household is on a diet. We only eat a slice or two a day, thats it. Mr. Miles likes cutting of the 'bumms' - good thing I make round loaves so then he gets 4 on each loaf LOL!

But for breakfast, I've never been a big breakfast eater. Its hard for me to put food in my tummy till noon. But I know I must to have proper nutrition so I created this recipe. Its fast, easy and healthy. And I think Kids would like it because it looks like spagetti, sort of.

1. I take 1 apple. Wash it carefully and dry it. Grate it with the cheese grater into a bowl.
2. top it with any variety of fresh nuts, snipped dried fruits, raisins, raw bran, oats etc
3. season with cinnamon, nutmeg or whatever you wish.

Thats it. I could easily see making a Apple Sketti 'Bar' for kids - grate the apples, have everything else ready to sprinkle on. I think kids eat more if they are given the choice to build it for themselves, no?

I'd love to know if you try this!

Shoeboxes DONE!

I finally got my shoeboxes ready for giving. Last year I totally got behind and had to rush putting them together. This year I put it high on my priority list. I have discovered a few helpful things this year.

1. If you don't have your own custom shoebox you decorate, simply take the flat, unfolded box that Samaritan's Purse supplies and lay it down on the undecorated side of christmas wrap (or any pretty wrap) Use double sided bits of tape to secure the wrap in a few places around the edges so that the wrap and box hold together. Make sure you have a good cutting surface underneath and then, using a sharp xacto knife cut all around the edges. When you are finished you simply have to fold the box together. It helps to use some packing tape to make the box more stable (that the wrap won't rip off on handling) I understand some of the children like the boxes almost as much as the gifts!

2. Make a THEMED kit. What do YOU like to do? If you are like me, put together an ART kit, with brushes, sketchpad, paints, pastels etc. If you are a musician, how bout a harmonica, a recorder or any other instruments that will fit in a box. Some friends of mine take little TOOLBOXES and fill them with inexpensive tools from the local hardware. These may even help a child earn a living one day!

3. Use plastic 'tubs' or containers - the see thru ones. It saves the people who inspect them time of having to open each single one.

4. Start collecting for next year's boxes NOW. A year slips by pretty fast.

5. Collect as a GROUP - if you're on a team or group of any kind, get a box started as a group - many hands make light work!

6. A church member showed us that if you use your own shoebox, a good way to judge the size (cuz there ARE rules) is to lay the Samaritan's Purse BROCHURE out over the top of the box, it should not measure bigger than that. If you don't have a brochure handy then spread your hands wide - the length should measure the span of your two hands, the width one hand span.

Oh, and if you don't know about Samaritans Purse Operation Shoebox, you can find out more by clicking HERE.

*****

I've been really used this week to have my eyes opened to some needs. Some needs I can address in a physical way, some only by prayer, but I am so grateful for having been made aware of them. Now I'll do whatever I can to help.

Find out where you can render a service;
then render it.
The rest is up to God.

~ S.S. Kresge

"Therefore, as we have opportunity,
let us do good to all people..."

Galatians 6:10

The one thing we can ALL do, is lift these needs. Can you do this for me today, please? These are the specific prayer requests I have.

1. For G. for her son.

2. For Barb - who has hurt her back. Her son was in a motorcycle accident this past summer, losing some of his limbs. The family has been through so much. She needs a rest.

3. For G. a friend of ours who lost his wife to cancer a few years ago. He's alone, they had no children. He's hurt his back too. Can't work. Won't accept welfare. Living in lesser circumstances.

Please pray we will be used to help these people. Thank you.

credits:

KimB's Fall Splendor Kit

{part of the AMAZING 70 designer blog train!}

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

NETI!

Ah, sorry I'm posting so late, but I was in a bit of a JAM today - literally! I'll share more on this later. So... with no further ado, we wish our Sister in Law Neti a happy, happy day!

Neti, I looked at lovely poems, sweet sentiments, quotes and greetings and finally decided on this cute little video. We know our Dave is spoiling you rotten.

I got spoiled today too, by Valinda - who bless her heart, knows I rarely hold up my end of the bargain to forward them. I am so greedy they just get to me and ... stop. How be I turn it into a lil some sorta giveaway element in the future instead of an award - that way everyone can share! Thank you Valinda, you're such a sweetie! You always bring a sparkle to my day. In case you've not visited Valinda lately, she always has something free and fabulous cooking on her blog! Just click HERE.