March Reads

I have enjoyed blogging about what I read each month.  I think it will be neat to look back on at the end of the year and see all the books I read and think about each one.  Sometimes I cannot remember the details very well once I move on to a new book, but I can usually recall how I felt reading a book.  Anyway, this month starts with another book I snagged as a Kindle freebie...

If Naturopaths are "Quacks"...Then I Guess I'm A Duck: Confessions of a Naturopath by Shauna K. Young.  I have been reading a lot about food, health and alternative medicine this year.  After having thyroid cancer and surgery to remove my thyroid last year, I started to rethink some of the things that I put in and on my body.  So, when this book popped up as a freebie one day it piqued my interest.  I really enjoyed the writer's humor, her description of typical types of patients has me laughing.

The other book I read this month was The Magpies by Mark Edwards.  It was a $1.99 special even though it was just published last Fall.  I enjoyed the writing and the characters.  I also liked that it was written from the point of view of Brits.  I had to Google a few things I wasn't familiar with, like Gretna Green, in order to fully understand the story, but that is just a good opportunity to learn about something new.  Even though it was a bit creepy, I will read the next book coming out by this author later this year.

What are you reading or have finished recently?

New Handmade Cards

Last weekend I attended a baby shower and a wedding shower.  My brother is expecting a baby and my step-brother is getting married.  Fun times in the family!  Of course I made cards to go along with my gifts for each shower.

Here is the baby shower card I made.  I used my cricut to cut out the onsie shape.  I merged together the same shape with one upside down so that the onsie would open.  Then I mounted it on a cardstock base embellished with washi tape and ink.  It was simple yet cute.  I also used my envelope punch board to make a matching envelope out of patterened paper.

Here is the card I made for the wedding shower.  I used my cricut again to cut out a scalloped circle as the base for my wedding dress skirt and a heart as the top of the wedding dress.  I also cut out the "Congratulations" using the Calligraphy Collection cartridge.  I used a peacock feather patterned paper because peacocks are their wedding color scheme and theme.

I also made a card to encourage my friend Jodie who is a full time missionary in Tijuana, Mexico.  She works with children at risk and survivors of human trafficking.  She spreads the words, love and encouragement of God.  You can check out her blog and learn more about her missionary here.

I really loved this little card.  It was one of the first things I made using the Texture Boutique I got for Christmas.  Birds are a favorite "symbol" of mine to work with.  They signify so much in terms of freedom and soaring to reach goals.  I hope she enjoyed the card and felt the love coming to her from my craft room and heart. 

Kid's Chore Chart

I recently completed a new chore chart system for my son.  He has regular chores he has to do every day that he does not get paid for.  However, he has been asking for opportunities to make some money because he wants to save up and purchase a WiiU.  So, when my Aunt Linda posted a link to this awesome idea on Facebook I knew it would work for us. 

 I had actually purchased the cork board strip months ago with something similar in mind, but these printables made it easy to execute.  I used some scrapbook paper to mount the printed pieces and it looks great hanging in our office next to the calendar.  Now I can only hope my son will take the initiative and do some chores around the house.

Orange less Orange Smoothie

This morning I made a new smoothie and it is tasty. It's a nice sunshiney orange color and full of healthy foods. 

Ingredients

1 banana

1 handful strawberries

1 kiwi

3 oz organic carrot juice

Almond milk

Ice 

Directions

Blend it up. I use whatever amount of almond milk and ice gives me the thickness I want, it's your preference on those. 

Enjoy!