Precious

In the Grief Share group I did last year, they talked about Miracle Moments. Times when you get a glimpse of Heaven or something that is a reminder from the person you have lost.

This is one of mine.
My dad left this note in my Bible right before I was baptized when I was 17.
It has always been one of my favourite verses.

I have always kept the note right there.

The first time I found it after he died, I fell apart. But now it is one tangible thing that I can look at whenever I need to.
I am so thankful to have something with his handwriting on it, and for the verse itself.


It is one of my most precious possessions.




We also found a note in my dad's wallet with this verse written on it after he died.

It was included in Rick's message at the funeral.

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

I am struggling right now.
Some friends lost their dad last week after a long battle with cancer. My heart breaks for them.
It seems there is heartache everywhere I turn

Yet there is hope. Which I cling to.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 (The Message)

And regarding the question, friends, that has come up about what happens to those already dead and buried, we don't want you in the dark any longer. First off, you must not carry on over them like people who have nothing to look forward to, as if the grave were the last word. Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus.

Good Deals

This is my latest addiction - searching for deals online.

I don't buy a lot. But have got a few really good deals:

- a fair trade, organic cotton adorable dress for my daughter for $12.50.
-awesome Autonomie Project Fair Trade Sneakers with organic cotton and sustainable soles for $25 total (shipping included)

-Ecobumz organic bamboo, AIO cloth diapers for $12 each (just waiting not-so-patiently for my washer to be installed by a plumber so they can be washed to try them out. The joys of living in a century old house with OLD plumbing)


-half priced amber necklace to try for my teething daughter because I was too cheap to pay full price for something I wasn't convinced would work. I do think it has helped though!


Some points to remember before buying:

• Deal a day sites can actually be bad for your budget. They’re all about buying on impulse. They create a sense of don’t-miss-out urgency that’s hard to resist. Take a few deep breaths before you buy and ask yourself these three questions:

Can actually use the item? If not, it’s not a bargain at all.

Is there a possibility you’ll want to return the item? All sales are final at some sites.

Is it still a deal after you factor in shipping costs?

• Keep in mind that some of the items may be final sale (no returns). Read up on the site’s return/exchange policy before you buy.
• Do a quick price comp to make sure you’re getting the deal you think you are.
• Shipping timelines on some items may be extended.

These are some of the sites I look at:
Mamabargains
EcoBabyBuys
BabyHalfOff
BabySteals
KidSteals
BabyHeist
Hippo Bargains
Olivia Place
MiniBargainz



Some of my talented friends have started their own businesses! Check these out and shop locally!

Three Leaf Designs specializes in eco friendly, organic or alpaca (sometimes local yarn) hats. Children and adult hats available for custom orders. Amy's hats are gorgeous!

Odd Duck Creations makes handmade custom hats, diaper bags, and accessories made to fit your own personal style. Karis can pretty much make anything you ask her to! I gave her a picture of shoes I liked and she made some for my daughter.

Yummy

We made these today and I have to say they are some of the best muffins I have ever made. And I make a lot of muffins. It's an easy breakfast or take to work food. Plus my kids will always eat them.

The ricotta cheese makes them so goooood! They don't taste cheesy though.

I cut the sugar down to 1/2 cup instead of 3/4 cup and they were definitely still sweet enough. I only had frozen blueberries and they worked just as well. Just make sure not to add them until the very end. It also made more than a dozen, so you could fill the cups up more or just make more muffins.

Make sure you do the streusel topping!

Blueberry and Ricotta Muffins Recipe
( makes 12 )

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 c flour
• 3/4 c sugar
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 2 tsp baking powder

Wet ingredients:

• 1/3 c canola oil
• 5 Tbs whole milk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 3/4 c ricotta cheese
• 1 c fresh blueberries

Streusel Topping:

• 1/4 c sugar
• 2 tbs flour
• 1 tbs butter

1. Mix the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients separately then using a spatula stir the two together until incorporated. Don’t over mix.

2. Fold in the blueberries then fill 12 muffin silicone cups 3/4 of the way full. Top with 1 tbs of streusel topping if desired or just sprinkle some sugar on top then bake @ 375″F for 20 min or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

3. Cool in the muffin cups on a wire rack for 10 min. Turn upside down and the muffins will slide out