I link up with Amiee over at Dear Harper Blog, for Find Beauty Friday. It's about sharing a beautiful part of your week, but with the small things! She can explain it so much better than I can, so head over and link up!
Sunrise Find Beauty Friday
I link up with Amiee over at Dear Harper Blog, for Find Beauty Friday. It's about sharing a beautiful part of your week, but with the small things! She can explain it so much better than I can, so head over and link up!
The Easiest Pad Thai You Will Ever Make
How To Survive A Sneaux-mageddon
OK, I know things are tough for those of you still in the south, and are seeing/dealing with snow for the first time in your lives. And, as crazy as it is, for some people, being stuck in a traffic jam for 13 hours can become a life or death situation.
I moved to Illinois last year, and this is my first "real" winter. Temperatures have been dancing around 20°F to NEGATIVE 30° F! Negatives, my friends, and snowing a few inches at a time, but the snow hardly melts, so there is about 10" down you have to deal with constantly. And while I did not grow up with this kind of weather, and many folks will tell you, "She has more talent and book smarts than common sense" (yes, possibly a true story) I have learned a few things in dealing with an impending
1. LONG UNDERWEAR, long johns, thermals, ninja suits, A.K.A. your Under Armor heat type things that you put on under your clothes to keep warm probably when you are hunting. I don't care if you are just walking 10 feet to check the mail box, PUT THEM ON!
2. Layer! Layer your thermals with a t-shirt, and then a fleece hoodie or something of the sort. For the bottoms, it wouldn't hurt to throw on a pair of sweat pants over your thermals and then a pair of jeans. Layering is the key for the wind not getting through, especially on your lower half since the top half will have a jacket.
3. Gloves, Hat/toboggan, and scarf stays in your big coat pocket. You may not think it's that cold when you first walk out the door, but after walking the dog for 5 minutes and she still hasn't done her business, you'll be thankful you have those items in your pockets!
4. Always bring a snack(s) and a jug of water or drink. I tend to grab a granola bar and I'm always carrying water or tea, just something with me for emergencies. And I grab enough for The Mr. when he is with me too. You never know when you will need it. Just remember not to keep the water bottles in your car because there are studies showing the plastic breaks down over time. Not sure if that's true or not, but I'm not chancing it. So, I fill up a cup with a lid of whatever I want and take it with me.
5. Have a safety bag with you in the car. Ours is an old Army book bag of The Mr.'s. In it, I've put duct tape, a small set of tools, plastic bags, rags, a couple of granola bars, a nice new bright red first aid kit, a couple of blankets, baby wipes, the ice scraper/snow brush, and any other random things that normally would be laying in your kitchen junk drawer but that you could potentially use in case of emergencies while on the road. You never know when things will be needed, and keeping it in a book bag makes it easy to grab if the car catches on fire. Oh and I've heard kitty litter or sand will help you get out of the ice or snow, so grab some of that and keep in there.
6. STAY HOME If you think that the weather men are nuts when they put out warnings days ahead of a certain event, you are nuts yourself! They don't warn you for nothing! They could be wrong about rain or how hot it will be that day, but normally when they are warning you for days, you'd be smart to listen to them. Stay home! Keep your kids home from school when they predict a Sneaux-mageddon, stay home from work, don't wait until the last minute for getting groceries, and never let your gas tank go below the 1/2 way mark. NOTHING out there is worth more than your life, no job, no errands, no school... nothing. Just stay home, snuggle with your family and make it a nice, hot chocolate filled day! I'm sure the State Police and other emergency workers will thank you that you are one less accident waiting to happen!
Oh, and for Heaven's sake, bring your animals inside! If you couldn't stay out all day and night with a jacket on, they can't either. Fur does not protect them from the cold as much as you'd like to think! If YOU are warm, let THEM be warm too! I just don't understand how people can do this to their pets! It's inhumane! Even if they have to stay in a kennel inside, it's still better than outside freezing to death!
Ok, tips and rant over! I know the name is funny, and makes a little joke about the Cajun language, and most situations that are happening right now are anything but funny. I am sending prayers up like crazy for all of my friends and family having to deal with this!
For all of my Northern readers, please chime in if you have any other tips for my Southern friends to handle the snow/ice/freezing temperatures!
Sunset Beach Days
Today, while Part 2 of the Polar Vortex is hitting us, I am going to share a normal, Hawaiian beach day with you! This beach is called Sunset Beach. It's on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. During this time, I had torn ligaments in my ankle, and had the dreaded "Moon Boot" walking cast on, so I had to wrap it up to enjoy the beach! (you'll see) Which is a great tip, wrap your moon boot up with your beach wrap to avoid getting sand in there and enjoy the beach!!
Warning: this post is extremely photo heavy, and has a video of the waves (hopefully, if it loads correctly)! I hope you guys enjoy!
Tell me- What is your favorite beach?
Weekly Wishes- Polar Vortex Part 2 Edition
Issued by The National Weather Service
Chicago, IL
Mon, Jan 27, 2014, 11:27 AM CST
Local Temperature Map
* WIND CHILL VALUES... 15 TO 30 BELOW THIS AFTERNOON. 25 BELOW TO 40 BELOW ZERO TONIGHT THROUGH MID TUESDAY MORNING. AS COLD AS 30 BELOW ZERO TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH EARLY WEDNESDAY.
* OTHER IMPACTS... BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW COULD RESULT IN LOCALIZED BRIEF NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS IN OPEN AND RURAL AREAS THIS AFTERNOON AND POSSIBLY EVENING. SOME ROADS IN OPEN AND RURAL AREAS MAY BECOME PARTIALLY DRIFTED OVER.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A WIND CHILL WARNING MEANS THE WIND WILL COMBINE WITH VERY COLD AIR TO CREATE DANGEROUSLY LOW WIND CHILL VALUES. THIS WILL RESULT IN FROST BITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA OR DEATH IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN.
As low as 30 BELOW!!! Have I told you guys lately that this is my first winter and it's really uncool? AH! And this is a photo of what we are having to deal with...
Yep, they snow blow the sidewalks, but do you see how much builds up? You can't even see the curbs! This has been here for a while, and I'm sure it's not going anywhere anytime soon! Poor Ginny has to try to go out in snow that is the same height as she is! And she is refusing to use a puppy pad indoors. She'll just hold it forever! I don't know if there are any tricks to making them use the pads other than putting it by the front door... I'm all ears if you have an idea!
Anyway, lets do this Weekly Wishes and dream about living on Oahu again....
Last weeks wishes were:
1. Get the new camera strap designs sewed and listed! I currently offer the camera strap covers, which offers more padding for the strap that comes with the camera (at my Etsy store here) But my strap often gets twisted around and so I came up with a new strap design that is awesome! I can't wait to show you guys!
2. Dwindle said craft supplies to what I actually use, and sell the rest on the Etsy store. I don't need most of this, and will probably never use it, so my goal is to bundle up the surplus and sell it. It will eliminate most of the clutter... hopefully!
4. (Yes, I'm going to keep putting it on here until they are done) FINISH THE QUILTS! I HAVE to finish these quilts as soon as possible! I feel like they are sitting here mocking me! I will never again put the stress of quilting 6 quilts in 2 months again! Well, actually we are working on the 3rd month now, but you get the idea!
5.
Is it just me, or is it really hard not to have cabin fever and be a little unmotivated during blizzards? (yes, everything from now until March will be blizzards to me)
How are you guys coping with cabin fever during the Polar Vortex Part 2? I need suggestions!
Beauty Product Junkie- Sunday Social Edition
1. How old were you when you started wearing makeup? I had to be 17 before I could wear any makeup. Dad is old school and always said I didn't need any, and even at 17 it was only powder and lip gloss!
2. What are your top 3 favorite beauty products? Clarisonic Mia, Naked 2 palette, and Yes to Cucumbers products. I LOVE the way the Mia and the Yes to Cucumbers are making my skin feel smooth and amazing!
3. What is one makeup product you don’t leave home without? It would have to be my Naked 2 palette. I look about 12 and completely washed out if I don't have any eye shadow on.
4. What is your daily beauty routine? Clean face with Mia and Yes to Cucumbers Milk cleanser, apply Yes to Cucumbers cream, powder, eyeliner. If I'm going anywhere that day, I'll throw on some eyeshadow and blush.
5. What is your favorite hair/makeup product you’ve discovered in the last year? For Christmas, I received the Yes to Cucumbers items and I loveeeee them! And no, I am not getting paid to say this, the products are just that awesome!
How about you? What's your favorite products and have you ever used the Yes to Cucumbers?
Find Beauty Friday! Link up!
Happy Friday! Today is going to be a glorious day, I can just feel it in my bones! I hope everyone is staying warm, even my family and friends in the Southern States. And hopefully my Niece and Nephews actually saw a few snow flurries last night!
Today is Find Beauty Friday, where you capture an ordinary picture, of your ordinary life throughout the week that somehow you found beauty in. My sweet friend, Aimee over at Dear Harper Blog started this link up and it's just a way for us to share our beautiful simple moments! I LOVE this and encourage, and well- CHALLENGE you to link up with us!
My picture is of a couple of big, chunky snowflakes that fell Wednesday morning. It was incredible to actually see the shape of the snowflake! I wish I had a stronger lens so I could get in closer, but this one is pretty close! It made me contemplate about how pure snow is. While it's falling down, it's so clean and white and crisp. On the other hand, after a while of being walked on, driven on, and yes, even peed on, it turns colors... often times gray or brown with how dirty the roads are, and its no longer so pure. This made me think of how our souls are on Earth. Coming into this world, we are like the snow flakes, so pure. As the world gets ahold of us, we become tarnished, dirty, and yes, even peed on at times. We are no longer pure. Except we are through Jesus' love for us. We can become pure again, and live in that state of crispness and love if we just would chose it.
Now that, my friends, inspired this graphic. Isaiah 1:18 is the perfect scripture to this photo.
Doesn't it pull at your heart strings? I love it! I may or may not print it out and frame that baby this weekend!
Speaking of weekend, what do you guys have going on? Someone tell me you will be on a beach so I can live vicariously through you!
The Gumbo Post
Today will be called The Gumbo Post because I'm throwing a little of everything in here! Mostly pictures below with commentary front and center!
Over the past week, we have fought the snow and single digit weather-again. When is Spring?? I am beyond over the cold weather!
We did manage to get in a play called 42nd Street at The Paramount Theater. It was so lovely! I think we had ear to ear smiles the entire time! Definitely worth the pricey tickets!
And then you have the ham Ginny. Im trying to upload her diva video, but I dont know if it will upload right! its not looking like it is. But if youre on my instagram- TheArtsyCajun, then you can see it! Basically she's having a diva fit that her Pa won't let her on the recliner so she can get some cuddles.Yeah, she's THAT girl.
Also, check out that awesome salad!! As it turns out, the doctors are running all sorts of tests to make sure I am not a freak of nature (which we all know I jus ain't right!) And have Coronary Artery Disease at 31. So if youre the praying kind, it would mean the world if you said a little prayer for me tonight!
And that's all folks! What are you guys up to on this Thursday morning?
Meet Ruffled Paper!
"I graduated from St. John’s University in 2007 with a degree in Communications. I had dreams of working in the magazine industry...which I did for a few years at a couple national and international teen and women’s magazines. During the same time, I started freelancing as a graphic designer and opened my own design shop – J Kali Designs. My clients were mostly twenty-something women looking for wedding invitations on a budget. In 2012, I opened Ruffled Paper as a online stationery boutique where customers could choose their products based on their budget without sacrificing quality."
This lady is really cool, and her shop is ah-mazing! She's re-launching a newly designed shop and blog this week, so you should definitely check it out! This should be your one stop shop for everything, stationary, design, party supplies, AND they're having an end of the year sale going on, 25% off! I'm going shop as soon as I publish this post!
You can also sign up for email updates about them and sales, but they even have a blog! LOVE IT!
Check them out!
What are some of your favorite things to get printed?
Are your circles of relationships beneficial?
Today, I want to share something with you that's been on heavy on my heart lately. Friendship. Sounds simple enough right? Wrong! It's anything BUT simple, especially when you have friends who are different or were raised differently than you, who have different beliefs and who may or may not live far away. There are thousands of things that can alter your friendships, but who is worth overcoming the obstacles for?
At my church Sunday, the message was about your circles. I automatically think about Meet the Fockers when Jack tells Greg that he is no longer in the "inner circle" of trust. Ha! Ok, back to church- the pastor spoke about 3 rings of your circle,
- the center ring being your Circle of Intimacy which should contain your spouse, parents, and anyone who you would trust your life with.
- The next circle going outward is the Circle of Influence, which includes most of your friends, anyone who can tell you "You look chunky in that dress" and you immediately throw the dress away.
- The last, and outer circle is your Circle of Concern, which may include folks that are considered acquaintances, or people who you've clicked with, but need more time before you bring them into an inner circle.
Oftentimes, I am the one who gets called when someone's life gets a curveball. I don't mind this AT ALL, I love to comfort and talk someone through tough times. I feel like I have a nurturing spirit and if that's what God gave me, then I'll use it on anyone who comes to me needing comfort. Still, I feel like I only hear from some of my friends in the event of a tragedy... they've split up with their love, their dog died, they have to move, they don't know who to date, they've had some sort of medical set back and are on bed rest with no one else around and they are bored so they call me! Wow! Really? I'm your last resort?
Most of my friends are not in the coveted Circle of intimacy, and that really saddens me! And in all honesty, most of my friends will drift off for a few years, then get back into contact. And since I move around so much it was difficult to stay in touch... in 1999, but now- with the obscene amount of technology- there shouldn't be any excuse! So, do they really belong in ANY of my circles? Do they uplift me? Do they encourage and support me? Do we have heart to heart chats about MY life? Do we have bible studies together? Do they inspire me to get closer to God? Do they even really pray for me like I do them every.single.night.? The answers will probably break my heart. So do I consider them dead weight and cut them loose no matter how much it breaks my heart? It's a tough one, my friends. But don't I deserve to have healthy friendships?
Weekly Wishes
Now, on to the Weekly Wishes! (trumpet solo inserted here)
1. Get the new camera strap designs sewed and listed! I currently offer the camera strap covers, which offers more padding for the strap that comes with the camera (at my Etsy store here) But my strap often gets twisted around and so I came up with a new strap design that is awesome! I can't wait to show you guys!
2. Dwindle said craft supplies to what I actually use, and sell the rest on the Etsy store. I don't need most of this, and will probably never use it, so my goal is to bundle up the surplus and sell it. It will eliminate most of the clutter... hopefully!
4. (Yes, I'm going to keep putting it on here until they are done) FINISH THE QUILTS! I HAVE to finish these quilts as soon as possible! I feel like they are sitting here mocking me! I will never again put the stress of quilting 6 quilts in 2 months again! Well, actually we are working on the 3rd month now, but you get the idea!
5. Dive into my Beth Moore study: Breaking Free. Last week, maybe it was the week before, I shared on Facebook the link to get 16 Beth Moore e-books for free. I hope you guys like my Facebook and saw this, or saw it somewhere else and got them! I couldn't wait to get in there and dive in! The first book I've started is her Breaking Free book, it's awesome and I'm only to Chapter 2!
How about y'all? What's your number one wish for this week? And I'm not kidding from the post yesterday, if you know of any tips to get off of sugar and NOT turn into a monster, please share with me! My Mr. will thank you!
Sugar, Greece, and How I Met Your Mother
Ok, on to the Questions-
Meet Katrina!
A huge "thank you" to Jessy for her work and ministry on The Artsy Cajun, and for giving me this opportunity to share my art with all of you!