tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74215188586569511902024-03-05T23:11:49.583-06:00grace's adventuresGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482221361070394708noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421518858656951190.post-76091396437774542432009-08-06T10:12:00.003-05:002009-08-06T10:16:49.681-05:00Encyclopedia of an Ordinary LifeI'm starting a project. I love digital scrapbooking, but I have a lot of trouble figuring out what to make pages of. Most people scrap their kids, and that won't work for me. I've tried scrapping pictures of friends' kids, which is fun, but I don't feel really pushed to do it. So, I was reading a blog post about something called the "Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life." Basically, you create a book that has information about you for all of the letters of the alphabet. So far, I've made a list of 3 words (about; some were harder!) for each letter that fit me or I have a story about. I'm loving my list--it's so <b>me</b>. I'll make a page for each of these words, then have it all printed into a book.<div><br /></div><div>Here's my list:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Marker Felt'; font-size: medium; line-height: 20px; "><div>A: Apartments, Antique Furniture, Alarm Clock</div><div>B: Blogs, Bookworm, Brother</div><div>C: Car/Carolla, Churches, Cooking</div><div>D: Desserts, Dreams, Digital Scrapbooking</div><div>E: Engagement, Electronics (DVR, Apple, etc.), Eyes</div><div>F: Faith, Family, Flute, Football</div><div>G: Grandparents, Guilty Pleasures, Growing Up</div><div>H: Haircut, Holidays, Hometown</div><div>I: Ice Cream (Favorite), Internet, iPhone</div><div>J: Jonathan, Job History, Jewelry</div><div>K: Keepsakes, Kids, Karaoke</div><div>L: Lola, Living Simply, Laundry</div><div>M: Marriage, Mexican Food, Movies</div><div>N: Name, Nerves, Nicknames</div><div>O: OBU, OSU, Oklahoma</div><div>P: Parents, Procrastination, Pratt (Maiden Name)</div><div>Q: Quiet, Quotes, Quirks</div><div>R: Rachels, Research, Recipes</div><div>S: Salutatorian, Sophie, Sushi</div><div>T: TV, Therapist, Texas</div><div>U: Unorganized, Unfinished, Understanding</div><div>V: Values, Vacations (Cruises), Visiting</div><div>W: Wedding, Wine, Weight</div><div>X: Expenses, Exercise, (Extreme? Extraordinary?)</div><div>Y: Youth group, Year (seasons), Yummy Flavors</div><div>Z: Zzzzzz... (Sleeping), Zodiac (Sagittarius)</div><div><br /></div><div>It's an ambitious project, but I think if I streamline it by using the same format for each page, it will turn out just fine. Now, I just need to pick a template and a kit or some kits to work from. I'll update you again when that's done!!</div></span></div>Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482221361070394708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421518858656951190.post-10258622197171871572009-05-29T10:23:00.002-05:002009-05-29T10:25:49.578-05:00Willow OakThis is a little essay I wrote for my first college English class... I was digging around on my hard-drive and found it, and thought it would be appropriate to post here. Brings back fun memories! :)<br /><br /><div>______________<br /><br /><div><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Across the street from my childhood home on Willow Oak, there was an empty lot. Except for the very center, trees grew thickly, obscuring our view of the street and effectively giving us a place all our own, a stage on which we acted out various dramas. The cast of players was usually the same, consisting of Alison, Katherine, Taylor, and myself. Alison was the oldest. Even then, she was striking: tall, blonde, and bronze. Katherine lived down the street. Besides being the same age, we were as different as possible; still, we were best friends. Taylor, my brother, was the youngest. At first, he joined us because my mother made us let him play; we often had to dictate his roles to him. Later, though, he made for himself his own niche in our game. The lot took on for us many different personalities, and with it, we changed as well.<div><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>When we played house, the hollow was our home. A fallen tree was transformed into our couch; a stump served as our table; the holes in the trees made perfect cabinets. Alison always played the mother; as the oldest and the tallest, it was logical. Katherine and I were the twins; since we were the same age, it just made sense. Taylor was usually the baby brother. When he got older and knew the difference, though, he insisted on being the father; being the baby was below him. Our dramas were numerous and extremely varied. On hot days when it was time for us to “eat,” Alison would run back to her house and bring us Big Red popsicles. Other times, conversing politely, we would sit Indian-style around our stump-table and “dine” on a feast of leaf salad, sweet-gum ball stew, and a side of acorns. At some point during the game, we always had to clean house. It fell to Katherine and I to sweep the floor with imaginary brooms and make-believe dustpans. Taylor tended to the yard, picking up leaves and grass and piling them for a “camp fire” that we would “burn” later that night. Alison kept us on track, leading us in rounds of Whistle While You Work and The Cleaning Song. It was during these role-playing games that I came to realize how different each of our concepts of “home” was. Alison lived in a house with two brothers; the ritual cleaning was a part of her normal life, and so to her, of course it would be a part of our game. Taylor and I had never known what it was like to live without a daddy, so the concept of not having a father was a new experience for us. Katherine, the only child, learned in some aspects what it was like to have brothers and sisters.<div><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>On other days, the lot became our battlefield. We never fought against each other; there were greater, unknown enemies to be fought, and even then we knew that to win, we would have to work together. Most of the time, we didn’t put a name to the force we were fighting. We fought the bad guys. We stood up for justice. The hollow, of course, was our fortress, inside of which we were invincible. As the oldest, Alison was the general. We let Taylor be the scout; we would send him out among the trees to listen for coming enemies. He stayed away for as long as he could bear it, always running back and shouting, “They’re coming! Hurry up!” And with Taylor’s call to arms, we sprung into motion. Alison told us which corners of the lot to defend, but we ran around, never following her plan, shooting the bad guys and destroying the evil of the world. The older we got, the more sophisticated our techniques became. The same sweet-gum balls that had served as the main entrée of our meals the night before suddenly became grenades, which we haphazardly threw, taking out legions of bad guys at a time. The dirt “carpet” of our house became the drawing board where we created battle strategies and plans of attack. We learned together what it meant to battle the evil in our world. The enemy didn’t always have a name. It never had a face. We stood unrelenting, though, for what we believed in; to protect the hollow and the lot that we loved.<div><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>When my family moved to the house on Brookwood, there was another empty lot across the street. It was different, though, from the last. It had only two trees and lots of blank space; in no way could one feel isolated from the world as we had in the hollow. The differences, however, went beyond the physical. In my new neighborhood, there were far fewer children than there were on Willow Oak, so I spent a lot of alone time in the new lot. At ten years old, I was the perfect age to learn what it meant to be independent; the lot on Brookwood gave me the classroom for my lessons. One of the trees was the perfect shape for climbing it with a book- the branches formed a chair that, like the books that I was growing to love, gave me a new perspective on all that was around me. Other times, I would just lie on the grass and stare at the clouds, experiencing the wonder of nature and trying to grasp the God who created it all.<div><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I realize that both of these places were instrumental in the definition of my sense of community. Through the first, I realized what it was to be in a group. We cooperated. We compromised. We coordinated ourselves into a hierarchy. It was in the lot on Willow Oak that I realized how many different roles an individual can assume. I could be a daughter, a soldier, or a spy. Even at my young age, I found that one person could play an infinite number of parts. I also realized how versatile a place could be. If we were creative, we could use the same resources for a million different purposes. Although it was radically different, the lot on Brookwood also taught me. I learned the importance of being alone, and I discovered that even when you are a part of a community, there is a time when you need to escape, to develop a sense of self without which you cease to be part of your surroundings at all. <div><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The lot on Willow Oak isn’t there anymore; they built a house on it shortly after we moved. While it’s disappointing to think that there will be no other sets of actors and actresses playing within the trees and the hollow, I know with certainty that the children on Willow Oak have surely found their own stage.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482221361070394708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421518858656951190.post-30255754567585090692009-05-04T09:15:00.004-05:002009-05-04T09:25:55.231-05:00Spring Cleaning: Day 1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sxc.hu/pic/m/l/lu/lusi/858505_cleaning_tools_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 237px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.sxc.hu/pic/m/l/lu/lusi/858505_cleaning_tools_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I'm going to be following along with S<a href="http://simplemom.net/spring-cleaning-day-one/">imple Mom's spring cleaning</a> for the next couple of weeks. (Yeah, I know... I'm not a mom... it's still a great website!)<br /><br />Today's task is to do a clean sweep... Go through the house, throwing away trash and putting things where they belong. I worked some this morning and will have more time this evening to finish that task. One nice thing about living in a small apartment is that working through to put stuff where it belongs doesn't take that long!<br /><br />I thought about taking before and after pictures in the interest of full disclosure... but... I didn't really want to show off how messy our apartment was! Maybe I'll grab some pictures along the way on the rest of the days. Anyway, it already feels better to have things picked up around here!Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482221361070394708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421518858656951190.post-69633606021552284952009-05-01T10:09:00.003-05:002009-05-01T10:22:50.915-05:00{inter}National Scrapbooking Day/Weekend{Look <a href="http://graduategrace.blogspot.com/2008/08/i-digi-scrap-uh-what.html">here</a> for my introduction to Digital Scrapbooking. Also, a gallery of my favorite pages I have made <a href="http://www.theredporch.com/Artist/132">is here</a>.)<br /><br />If you've ever had an inkling of wanting to try digital scrapbooking, this weekend is the time to jump in! In honor of iNSD, people are going to be giving things away like crazy! If you're going to be downloading freebies, here's a few good rules of thumb:<br />1. Don't download something you KNOW you won't use.<br />2. Only download if you think you would buy it.<br />3. After you've downloaded, immediately delete things that are unnecessary (the no piracy graphics, extra kit previews, fan blinkies, etc... even the parts of the kit you don't like (i.e. computer generated ribbons, for me!)<br /><br />Here are a few great freebies I have found so far:<br />Several <a href="http://www.funkyplaygrounddesigns.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=536">free kits here</a> for a design competition.<br />There's <a href="http://www.myscrapbookart.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8964">a giant really pretty kit here</a> if you sign up for the forums and log in.<br />A gorgeous kit at DigiShopTalk created by The Digichick designers (that means something, I promise... something good!). <a href="http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=188688">This thread explains how to get it.</a><br /><br />That should get you started! :) If I find anything else really good, I'll update this post. If you have any questions about digital scrapbooking, PLEASE ask!!!Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482221361070394708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421518858656951190.post-7633388143772397212009-03-19T19:40:00.004-05:002009-04-26T00:23:51.753-05:00Installing Actions in Photoshop Elements 6 for MacFirst, make sure you're putting the action in the right place. <br /><br />ATN and PNG files go here:<br />Macintosh HD>Library>Application Support>Adobe>Photoshop Elements>6.0>Photo Creations>photo effects<br /><br />(NOT in Your username>Library>Application Support... etc.)<br /><br />XML Files go here:<br />Macintosh HD>Library>Application Support>Adobe>Photoshop Elements>6.0>Locale>en_Us>Photo Creations Metadata>Photo Effects<br /><br />For the XML File:<br />Open any xml file in the folder by choosing open with>text edit. Before you change anything, do file, save as: Your Action Name.xml in that same folder.<br />Then, find this line:<br />name id="Name" value="<span style="font-weight:bold;">Whatever Action You Opened</span>" localize="true"/<br />and change the bolded part to the name you want to call the action you're installng.<br /><br />Then, if you want to put your installed actions in their own category, you'd find this line:<br />typecategory id="TypeCat" value="<span style="font-weight:bold;">Category of action you opened</span>" localize="true"<br />and change the bolded part to the category you want. For example, I have all the actions I've installed from CoffeeShop actions in a folder called Coffee Shop Effects.<br /><br />Save that xml.<br /><br />Now, go back to:<br />Macintosh HD>Library>Application Support>Adobe>Photoshop Elements>6.0>Locale>en_Us<br /><br />Rename MediaDatabase.db3 to MediaDatabase.old<br /><br />Open PSE. It will take awhile to load because it is re-doing the media database. When it opens, you should open your actions panel. If you put the action in its own folder (in teh XML file editing step), you should see that folder name in the drop down menu. If not, you should see it in the all actions category. <br /><br />When everything's working right, go back and delete mediadatabase.old in the Macintosh HD>Library>Application Support>Adobe>Photoshop Elements>6.0>Locale>en_Us folder.<br /><br />...<br /><br /><a href="http://graduategrace.blogspot.com/2008/11/adding-styles-in-photoshop-elements-6.html">Also, be sure to check out my tutorial on installing layer styles, which can be found at this link</a>!!Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482221361070394708noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421518858656951190.post-91546023355002084162009-02-22T11:02:00.004-06:002009-02-22T11:13:17.366-06:00InconsistencyI am consistently inconsistent. Key example: Blogging. Also, I like to drink hot tea, but I probably only fix myself a cup twice a month. I enjoy cooking for my family, but I usually only do it a few times a week. I enjoy a clean house, but I am horribly inconsistent in my cleaning. I have a plan for diet and exercise, but I fail to stick to it regularly--even though I also have a plan for helping myself be consistent. I long to be closer to Christ, but I am inconsistent in my quiet times.<div><br /></div><div>It seems that one of the only things I'm consistent in is my inconsistency. This bothers me about myself. I want to be steady, dependable, and sure. I want to be steadfast and unyielding in the things that are important to me. </div><div><br /></div><div>I wonder, sometimes, if my inconsistency is really a reflection of misaligned priorities. What do I consistently do? Read blogs. Take a nap in the evening before going to bed. Watch a litany of television shows. Things that do what for me? Fill my mind? Take up my time?</div><div><br /></div><div>Yet I serve a God who is eternal in his consistency. From the beginning of time, he told his people that he was sending a savior--His Son--for rescue. He is consistent in his love, in his forgiveness, in his promises. His yes is yes, and his no is no. He is perfectly consistent.</div><div><br /></div><div>My hope, and my prayer, is that consistency will come. That my repeated efforts, along with his abounding grace, will combine to form in me the steadfastness that I so wish that I had.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>(p.s. bonus points if you add up the number of times the root word "consistent" shows up in this post.)</div>Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482221361070394708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421518858656951190.post-21842607563392659352009-01-28T17:18:00.000-06:002009-01-28T17:18:42.949-06:00a favorite picture<div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjs40VYqdrMgY0rV8vBtJ8Wvx2A9Tby01KFi0HPh4VAZCI9Bk7TP9VUnlAJaVNjGRQfa9qMvrTibJO6JpSSyA3yS_AODViOQLtOu-qzZL5DAmSBq2Q_sERyQGpjsr9k3TLVgN6Tm3AMs/s1600-h/Grace+%26+Jimmy.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjs40VYqdrMgY0rV8vBtJ8Wvx2A9Tby01KFi0HPh4VAZCI9Bk7TP9VUnlAJaVNjGRQfa9qMvrTibJO6JpSSyA3yS_AODViOQLtOu-qzZL5DAmSBq2Q_sERyQGpjsr9k3TLVgN6Tm3AMs/s320/Grace+%26+Jimmy.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div>My uncle (dad's youngest brother) and I circa 1988. Love this picture... and my uncle. :)<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482221361070394708noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421518858656951190.post-60726650119979728092009-01-09T09:58:00.002-06:002009-01-09T10:18:32.570-06:00Urgent Prayer Request<div>This is not what I had planned for our company girl coffee, but I'm on my way out the door.</div><div><br /></div>Please pray for my sweet papaw. He's in the ICU in Dallas. He's been in the hospital since the week of Christmas. I'm about to head down there because they have put him on a respirator and a feeding tube, and they're going to do a lung biopsy--they're not sure if he's going to make it.<div><br /></div><div>I know that I will see him again in heaven, but that doesn't curb the sadness my family is feeling now. Thank you, friends.</div>Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482221361070394708noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421518858656951190.post-89376472101541700612009-01-08T16:32:00.002-06:002009-01-08T16:36:46.143-06:00Food for ThoughtShaun Groves has an interesting post on his blog today.<blockquote>Seth Godin, a marketing leader and accidental theologian, writes in his newest book Tribes that fundamentalism is the opposite of curiosity. He says “A fundamentalist is a person who considers whether a fact is acceptable to his religion before he explores it.” He says a curious person “explores first and then considers whether or not he wants to accept the ramifications.”</blockquote>Click <a href="http://www.shaungroves.com/shlog/comments/invitation_to_the_curious/">here</a> for more.<div><br /></div><div>Do you feel open to curiously studying what you believe? What you think you believe? I am so thankful for the attitude of intellectual curiosity that I got at OBU. I was genuinely encouraged to explore my beliefs and discover new truths. There is a staunch encouragement to re-examine what you think you know is in the bible, to discover what's really there, and to be willing to examine all facets of the Christian life and doctrine. Where do you fall on the continuum from fundamental to curious?</div>Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482221361070394708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421518858656951190.post-59340962488836514912009-01-06T18:27:00.005-06:002009-01-07T09:03:27.624-06:00WFMW: Getting fit!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451c5ac69e2010536ad6767970c-800wi"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 230px;" src="http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451c5ac69e2010536ad6767970c-800wi" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I have a confession to make: I don't have an athletic bone in my body. The evidence? In school, gym was always my least favorite class. I've never played on an organized sports team (unless you count inter-murals in college... and I'm not sure you could call that organized!!). In fact, after what would be light to moderate exercise to other people, I've been known to feel faint and even pass out! <div><br /></div><div>So, when I realized that my weight was creeping up the scale, and dieting alone wasn't getting where I wanted to be, I had a dilemma--how could I go from practically no physical activity to some kind of work out?</div><div><br /></div><div>For me, the solution was <a href="http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml">the Couch to 5K workout</a>. (Click that link to get the whole plan). Thist workout is designed to get you from being a couch potato to running a 5k in just 9 weeks. It gradually gets you started with interval training, where you alternate walking and jogging/running (jogging for me!!). This is something even I can do. Before the holidays, I worked my way up to week three. Every week was challenging, but do-able. Then, there was finals, and traveling, and, well... suffice it to say I'm starting back! Yesterday I did the week 1 workout again, but I think I'm going to move straight back to week 2... week one was actually easy for me!</div><div><br /></div><div>And--the greatest part. There are some free podcasts on iTunes by a guy named Robert Ullrey. These podcasts have techno-ish workout music, and Robert chimes in at the appropriate intervals to tell you when to walk or run, as well as to give some encouragement. It's great! If you do a little searching around iTunes, you can also find a podcast that is just silence with someone giving you the instructions. That way, if you have garageband or a program like it, you can add your own music. Of course, you don't have to use the podcasts at all if you have a stopwatch or a clock on your treadmill!</div><div><a href="itpc://www.ullreys.com/robert/Podcasts/page4/files/rss.xml">Robert Ullrey's Podcasts on iTunes</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, the Couch to 5k workout is working for me. So far, combined with eating healthier (a 1200ish/day diet), I've lost 9 pounds. I'm half way to my goal!</div><div><br /></div><div>For more WFMW posts, check out Shannon's blog, <a href="http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com">Rocks in my Dryer</a>!</div>Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482221361070394708noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421518858656951190.post-91039775731371177082009-01-05T10:40:00.003-06:002009-01-05T12:51:37.157-06:00Meal PlanningIn an effort to keep my resolution to keep up with <a href="http://homesanctuary.typepad.com/">Rachel Anne's Small Things at Home Sanctuary</a>, and because it's Monday, I did a doozy of a meal plan today. Rachel challenged us to plan meals for the month using categories.<div><br /></div><div>My categories, and the meals they include (Most are links to the recipe!):</div><div>Crockpot: <a href="http://lm3recipes.blogspot.com/2007/07/pork-chops-1-can-chicken-broth-1-pkg.html">Pork chops</a>, <a href="http://lm3recipes.blogspot.com/2007/07/slow-cooker-chicken-tortilla-soup.html">Tortilla Soup</a>, <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Awesome-Slow-Cooker-Pot-Roast/Detail.aspx">Roast</a>, <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Slow-Cooker-Chicken-Stroganoff/Detail.aspx">Chicken Stroganoff</a></div><div>Chicken: <a href="http://lm3recipes.blogspot.com/2008/09/chicken-piccata.html">Chicken Piccata</a>, <a href="http://lm3recipes.blogspot.com/2008/09/simple-italian-chicken.html">Lemon Pepper Chicken</a>, <a href="http://lm3recipes.blogspot.com/2007/06/oven-bbq-chicken.html">Oven BBQ Chicken</a>, Skillet grilled chicken</div><div>Beef: <a href="http://lm3recipes.blogspot.com/2008/09/marvelous-mini-meatloaves.html">Mini-Meatloaves</a>, Hamburger Pockets</div><div>Fish/Pork: Salmon, Tilapia, Tenderloin, Pork Chops</div><div><br /></div><div>And I have some substitutions, too: <a href="http://lm3recipes.blogspot.com/2008/09/spicy-rotel-chicken.html">Rotel Chicken</a>, Honey Mustard Chicken, <a href="http://lm3recipes.blogspot.com/2007/06/easy-quesadillas.html">Quesadillas</a>, <a href="http://lm3recipes.blogspot.com/2007/07/homemade-pizza-rolls.html">PIzza Rolls</a>, Homemade Pizza, and Baked Raviolis</div><div><br /></div><div>I also have two places for new recipes, because I'm always wanting to try something different.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then, based on OUR schedule, I plugged the categories into the calendar, and then plugged meals into the categories. The result is a really nice meal plan with four weeks of meals that our family likes to eat. I like it!</div><div><br /></div><div>This week, we're having:</div><div><a href="http://lm3recipes.blogspot.com/2007/06/oven-bbq-chicken.html">Oven BBQ Chicken</a>, green beans, rice</div><div>Baked Raviolis, buttered corn, salad, sourdough bread</div><div>Salmon, brocolli, <a href="http://lm3recipes.blogspot.com/2009/01/garlicky-baked-butternut-squash.html">butternut squash</a></div><div><a href="http://lm3recipes.blogspot.com/2007/07/slow-cooker-chicken-tortilla-soup.html">Tortilla Soup</a></div><div><br /></div>Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482221361070394708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421518858656951190.post-37523580540981320192009-01-04T21:06:00.006-06:002009-01-04T21:27:45.814-06:00And we're off!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://static.theredporch.com/0/786_a077e368_s.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="http://static.theredporch.com/0/786_a077e368_s.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">(click to see full sized)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Chocolate Fall by Kasia Designs; Tape by Vicki Stegall; Netters Alpha by Scarlet Heels; Paper Tear by Jess Gordon</span><br /></div><div><br /><div>Have you heard of the Amazing Digi-Scrapping race? Teams of two digital scrapbookers "race" around the online scrapbooking world, completing two challenges a week to fulfill the requirements set by whatever site is hosting the challenge. This is my first layout of the race! The challenge set forth was to rip a picture into at least three pieces, and include journaling on your layout. Here's my answer!</div><div><br /></div>In case you can't read it, the journaling says: </div><div><blockquote>During our senior year, Rachel, Maren, Andrea, and I got together for a Grey's Anatomy and LOST watching party every Thursday night. I depended on them to keep the mood light, even when LOST was scaring the poop out of me! Graduation came and sent us in all directions... Even though I'm still in Oklahoma, Rachel is in California, Maren is in Colorado, and Andrea is in Missouri! Now the new season is starting in about two weeks. I sure will miss my girls--I don't know how I'm going to get through watching it alone!</blockquote></div><div>Do you want to see what my partner comes up with, or to follow us along the race? Then check out our team blog: <a href="http://cosmochicas.blogspot.com/">The Cosmo Chicas</a>!!</div>Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482221361070394708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421518858656951190.post-5996946815541980892009-01-04T17:12:00.005-06:002009-01-04T17:16:11.838-06:00Garlicky Butternut SquashNew recipe on my recipe blog... and it's a GREAT one!<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://lm3recipes.blogspot.com/2009/01/garlicky-baked-butternut-squash.html">Click here:</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 250px;" src="http://images.allrecipes.com/site/allrecipes/area/community/userphoto/big/50727.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></div>Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482221361070394708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421518858656951190.post-54531897292646530842009-01-03T09:13:00.003-06:002009-01-03T11:37:06.860-06:00A New YearThree days ago, laying on a double-sized air mattress with Jonathan and two dogs (don't worry, one belongs to the friends we were staying with), we began to think out our resolutions for the year. I'm not big on keeping resolutions. <div><br /></div><div>I love to make them--the fresh start of a new year gives me the same feeling as a blank journal, so full of the promise of what is to come. However, just as I tend to write a few entries in my journal and leave the rest blank once it's not new anymore, I usually stick to my resolutions for a few weeks or days, and then they fall by the wayside as the rest of life comes around.<br /><br /></div><div>I don't have any reason to think that I'll do anything different this year, but I am going to try. I also think that it's helpful to reflect on the past and look forward to how you want life to be different, even if it's not in the form of specific resolutions to be tackled. There are lots of things that I want to change about myself--I want to cook more. I want to keep a neater house. I would like to be more dedicated to my quiet times. But I feel confident that if I set more than just a few goals, I will fail at all of them. So, here is what I did come up with:<br /><br /></div><div>1. I want to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">e</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">mbrace simplicity</span> in my life. I want this to be my motto for 2009. Simple. Simple. Simple. Seek it, enjoy it, revel in it. This applies to my home--do I really need another spoon, or that shirt that looks similar to the one I already have? No. Declutter. It also applies to my attitude. Take joy and pleasure in a good cup of coffee, a bird's song, or an open window. Finally, it will apply to my commitments. I want to (as much as is possible) simplify my schedule. If something is required for school, I'll do it. But I'm not going to overcommit myself.<br /><br /></div><div>2. I want to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">scrap 50 pages</span> this year. I hear people making scrapping goals in the multi-hundreds, but I know I would not make it there. This goal gives me a little less than 1 per week, and since I'm doing the Amazing Digi-Scrapping Race (don't know what that is? want to see our team blog? It's right here), I know I'll do 2 pages a week for the next six weeks and get a head start. I want to make sure that Jonathan and my memories are recorded, and I'm going to do that by scrapping more and shopping/surfing less.<br /><br /></div><div>3. I want to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">lose 10 pounds</span> and stay within a 5 pound range of that number. It is amazing what a difference eating smaller portions of healthier food, paired with a little exercise, has done for me. Since October, I've lost 8 pounds (I was down 10, but I gained 2 over the cruise and the holidays... a number I'm happy with)! I want to continue these healthier habits and get back down to a weight that I feel really good about.<br /><br /></div><div>4. I want to commit to doing Rachel Anne's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Small Things</span>. Have you heard of the small things? Rachel runs a blog, <a href="http://homesanctuary.typepad.com/">Home Sanctuary</a>, on which she encourages women to make their home a sanctuary for their family. She posts one simple small thing that you can do every day to achieve this goal. Sometimes it's a cleaning task, sometimes it's a word of encouragement to a family member, and other times it's a spiritual truth. She has been posting them for a whole year, and while I faithfully read her blog, I rarely do the small things. This year, I want to do them at least three times a week.<br /><br />So... Those are my goals. I'm feeling good about them and their likelihood of getting completed. I'm feeling pretty good about 2009 in general, actually. I think it's going to be a good year. Happy 2009 to you. :)</div>Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482221361070394708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421518858656951190.post-44055912580150067032008-12-01T21:59:00.001-06:002008-12-01T22:01:28.556-06:00Thansgiving<div>I hope your Thanksgiving was happy and blessed. Big paper due Wednesday, then two days working out of town for my assistantship, then one more paper, four finals, and the first semester will be over a week from the day after tomorrow! Now if I can just pack in everything i need to do in those nine days.....!</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://www.theredporch.com/Layouts/132/149" title="Grandad by Grace on TheRedPorch.com"><img src="http://static.theredporch.com/0/149_8d774509_m.jpg" alt="Grandad" /></a>Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482221361070394708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421518858656951190.post-54242759646784619642008-11-29T08:29:00.003-06:002009-02-03T12:29:08.039-06:00Adding Styles in Photoshop Elements 6 (Mac)There are a wealth of styles and actions available to add to Photoshop Elements, both free and for purchase. However, many users have difficulty installing them. When I was first trying to figure out how to add some new ones, I could not find a good comprehensive walk-through of the process for a mac computer, so I’ve put one together here to maybe be of help to someone else!<br /><br />Get your style file ready (.asl). I drop it on my desktop for easy access. Open the following folder: Microsoft HD/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Photoshop Elements/6.0/Locale/en_US/Photo Creations/layer styles.<br /><br />Drop the .asl file in that folder.<br /><br />Then, if you want it to show up by itself on the drop-down menu (instead of having to view ALL your styles to see it), follow these next instructions:<br /><br />Go back up to Microsoft HD/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Photoshop Elements/6.0/Locale/en_US and open the Photo Creations Metadata folder, and then the folder called "Layer Styles."<br /><br />Right click on one of the .xml files and choose "Open with... Textedit." Here is what you will see:<br /><br /><?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><br /><psecontent xmlns="http://ns.adobe.com/PSEContent/1.0/"><br /><global><br /><type value="style"><br /><br /><typecategory id="Cat<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Bevels</span></span>" value="<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Bevels</span></span>" localize="true"><br /></typecategory></type></global><br /></psecontent></blockquote><br /><br />Let's say that your style is called "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">BlueStripes</span>."<br /><br />Use FILE SAVE AS to save it in that same folder with the name of the style, "BlueStripes.xml." This file name needs to be the same as the .asl file you started with. It will ask you if you want to use .xml or .txt as your file extension, and you need to choose .xml.<br /><br />Then, In the text above (in the texteditor), change both instances of "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Bevels</span>" to "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">BlueStripes</span>," and ONLY change that. So then, it would look like:<br /><br /><psecontent xmlns="http://ns.adobe.com/PSEContent/1.0/"><br /><global><br /><type value="style"><br /><br /><typecategory id="Cat<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">BlueStripes</span></span>" value="<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">BlueStripes</span></span>" localize="true"><br /></typecategory><br /></type></global></psecontent><br /><br />Then, save your changes using File>SAVE this time.<br /><br />Okay, you're ALMOST done.<br /><br />At this point, go back to Microsoft HD/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Photoshop Elements/6.0/Locale/en_US, and rename the file called "MediaDatabase.db3" to "MediaDatabase.old." This will cause Elements to rebuild the styles so yours shows up.<br /><br />Now open Elements. It will take a little longer to start because it is building the new media database, but when it does finish loading, your styles should be in the drop-down styles menu under their own name!<br /><br />I should add that I NEVER could have figured this out without Wendy at Elements Village (who also hangs out here). That site is a GREAT resource with some really ncie people who have full knowledge of elements.Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482221361070394708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421518858656951190.post-38655346947678109372008-11-24T08:26:00.003-06:002008-11-24T08:30:19.475-06:00On being like Jesus in Therapy<div>(from a book report on "On Being a Therapist" by Jeffrey Kottler)</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Kottler writes that <blockquote>“the ideal therapist is comfortable with herself and appears warm, tolerant, sincere, serene, tranquil, and self-assured. This quiet confidence is counterbalanced by a contagious zest for life. Passion. Excitement. Electricity. Enthusiasm. She radiates from body and soul” (p. 36).</blockquote> If I could write a description of the person I want to be, this would be very close to what I would write. Maybe this is one reason I’m drawn to a therapeutic career—the goals of who I am supposed to be professionally match very well to the personality characteristics that I want to have in my every day life and interactions.<br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>However, this seems to be somewhat of an impossible goal. When we’re in a therapy session, with intense concentration, maybe it is possible to be all of these things. But all the time? In every situation? In every relationship? This seems unconquerable. However, with this in mind, I can consider what I tell myself when I think about trying to be all of these things as an integral part of who I am—it’s a journey. I can seek to make progress in the moment, and eventually, I will become closer to the person that I want to be, if not fully, then the best that I can. </div><div><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>This is where a religious element comes into play for me. The reason why I want to be these things in every day life is because they are the characteristics that I see in Jesus, who I want to emulate. Further, I know that I can never be like Him on my own—on the contrary, I can only achieve these personality characteristics through God’s grace and transformation of my life. In a way, this makes also makes it easier for me to not be hard on myself. I know that if I am working on improvement, I don’t have to be perfect (which is good, because I never will be the ideal version of myself that I seek). Instead, I can try to be more, relying not solely on myself, but on transformative grace for the change in my personality (no pun intended). In the process, I try to extend the same grace to myself that I see from God—not beating myself up or despairing over my imperfections, but continuing to move forward on the journey.</div>Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482221361070394708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421518858656951190.post-46354103527458680122008-11-21T11:05:00.003-06:002008-11-21T11:08:58.360-06:00Go Pokes!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMydajLMakagY_UDCwK-baFH0ZC1Jup5QpQmOTl_96dF3O92rIBMNGn0aB4l_dks4aJGQMMxACI0_qeah4uxBGeOGxFh9kr-GNI4Zh_gB3_jODCW-WPkw5c7xLBKu39z67HSp_Q04pF4/s1600-h/IMG_0799.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMydajLMakagY_UDCwK-baFH0ZC1Jup5QpQmOTl_96dF3O92rIBMNGn0aB4l_dks4aJGQMMxACI0_qeah4uxBGeOGxFh9kr-GNI4Zh_gB3_jODCW-WPkw5c7xLBKu39z67HSp_Q04pF4/s400/IMG_0799.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271158430328626178" /></a>Jonathan, Me, Mom, Dad, & Taylor at the Baylor game a few weeks ago. Fun times! I ended up with a horrible sunburn though!<div><br /></div><div>(Incidentally, which one of these is not like the others? Jonathan always looks like a giant in pics with my family. hehe)</div>Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482221361070394708noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421518858656951190.post-69939445058602449082008-10-03T10:30:00.004-05:002008-10-03T10:52:18.984-05:00Lists and lists<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z209/rachelanneridge/Picture2.png" border="0" alt="" /><div>Hello company girls! I don't drink coffee, so won't you join me for some Vanilla Caramel Truffle tea, or a Non-fat sugar-free hazlenut steamer? :) I'm addressing all the things I need to do this weekend... Commiserate with me, won't you? Just click the button above to get back to this week's coffee.</div><div><br /></div>I make lots of lists. Lists of what we're going to eat, what I need at the store, lists of what I need to read for class, lists of to-do's around the house.... I guess I'm currently making a list of a list! Anyway, I think they're a good organizational tool. So, today, I have several lists to keep me organized!! These are lists for the weekend.<div><br /></div><div>For school:</div><ol><li>Literature search for Assistantship 1 (on fertility choices and infertility... so interesting!)</li><li>Data analysis for Assistantship 2 (on aging services)</li><li>Article review for Systems class</li><li>Journal entry for Systems class</li><li>Read chapter 2 Patterson book (Essential Skills in Family Therapy)</li><li>Read DSM</li><li>Read chapter 19 in Maxmen & Ward (Psychopathology book)</li><li>Read chapter 12 in Preston (Psychopharmacology book)</li><li>Read Selvani chapters (for pre-practicum)</li><li>Complete take-home final for Family Theory (due Tuesday)</li></ol><div>For home/self:</div><div><ol><li>Repaint nails</li><li>Track calories eaten</li><li>Exercise (Cooking Light had a nice home work-out in it last month)</li><li>Cook dinner (see below list of what we're eating this week!)</li><li><del>clean litterbox</del> done!</li></ol><div>Meal Planning:</div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Friday</span>: <a href="http://lm3recipes.blogspot.com/2008/09/spicy-rotel-chicken.html">Spicy rotel chicken,</a> black beans, mexican rice<br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Saturday</span>: Baked breaded tilapia, asian veggie mix (from Green Giant), rolls<br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Sunday</span>: <a href="http://lm3recipes.blogspot.com/2008/09/french-onion-pork-chop-skillet.html">Pork chop skillet</a>, <a href="http://lm3recipes.blogspot.com/2008/09/slow-cooked-green-beans-tomatoes-bacon.html">special green beans</a> (didn't get cooked last week!)<br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Monday</span>: Teriyaki tenderloin (Hormel marinated; it's very good!), rolls, mixed veggies (from Green Giant again)<br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Tuesday</span>: Homemade pizza<br /></li></ul><div>Finally, Rachel Anne is asking us all to think about the weekend and plan ahead. She asks what we'll eat, what we'll wear, and what we can cut out. I addressed <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">what we'll eat</span> above. As far as <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">what I'm going to wear</span>... Tomorrow it will be school colors (football game tomorrow night!!) and jeans, and on Sunday, I think I will wear my pink skirt and black top. Well, that was easy! :) As far was <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">what we can cut out</span>... Uh... I don't know! I have so much to do this weekend! I think I'm going to cut out some of the less essentials (i.e. watching tv, spending too much time reading blogs, etc.) By doing this and sticking to my list, hopefully I'll be able to get everything done that I need to do this weekend!!</div></div></div>Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482221361070394708noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421518858656951190.post-21846985569711084562008-09-27T11:16:00.004-05:002008-09-27T11:36:09.614-05:00Before & After ~ Closet Office<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h134/boomama205/BeforeAfter3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><div>For BooMama's Before and after, I want to demonstrate a space solution that I am PRETTY proud of. By the end of it, I felt as if I had added another room to our apartment!</div><div><br /></div>For two years, we lived in a tiny, one bedroom, 500 sq ft apt. (I almost typed 50 sq ft... now that WOULD be small!). It was very difficult for us, as two students, to manage our clutter with no storage space at all. One particularly hard thing for me was knowing where to do my work. We had a desk, but it was covered with the desktop computer and my husband's stuff. <div><br /></div><div>The solution came in the form of our dining room closet. This closet was cluttered and not being used often (just storage, and mainly of things we didn't need). Here's the before:</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRMjFcWOLkoAQ6JrWwb-wQM8QGGr5loNGA8MKkMjKfs9Fuo7-kyL_c-X5gpCcUjFI2LRB3or79xcOdimPX-FqlxAEBumrIqC9hZtKrRnTnJQbu8RRqwY61OdunNdFqCdGJYb804iMKRE/s1600-h/P9150083.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRMjFcWOLkoAQ6JrWwb-wQM8QGGr5loNGA8MKkMjKfs9Fuo7-kyL_c-X5gpCcUjFI2LRB3or79xcOdimPX-FqlxAEBumrIqC9hZtKrRnTnJQbu8RRqwY61OdunNdFqCdGJYb804iMKRE/s320/P9150083.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250737446163760994" /></a>And here are some after pictures:</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bJw2tN8SS0yCcPEdJ0k2prpr6Hpq81LYHxYWW-gVyoDVgDgVwNUmcUumLkCR7s_mWCjvRmLJmHhTZi1bCy-flBmjv_aYCS-zBNml0WmZk2Y7tCsSlzqbwPVtLoAK8khybOU-a9CxqXI/s1600-h/P1010065.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bJw2tN8SS0yCcPEdJ0k2prpr6Hpq81LYHxYWW-gVyoDVgDgVwNUmcUumLkCR7s_mWCjvRmLJmHhTZi1bCy-flBmjv_aYCS-zBNml0WmZk2Y7tCsSlzqbwPVtLoAK8khybOU-a9CxqXI/s320/P1010065.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250739410415428994" /></a></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdu2K3ezhJJpN5Ezqs2wy6DocMdpaMYjRzkx1ivbgWCBllAa7MQkruyvUnPWWA80RIbWTVRvdDKMiayZ9H19f-xBpGnjA1T3RkYe4QwdPKj3o9q0k84Z2Gh8ovzqLFT3AG7INaKVxbKw/s1600-h/P1010072.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdu2K3ezhJJpN5Ezqs2wy6DocMdpaMYjRzkx1ivbgWCBllAa7MQkruyvUnPWWA80RIbWTVRvdDKMiayZ9H19f-xBpGnjA1T3RkYe4QwdPKj3o9q0k84Z2Gh8ovzqLFT3AG7INaKVxbKw/s320/P1010072.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250739419100662562" /></a><br /></div><div>We still had storage in the top and the bottom:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-zL0hN8ExvHdZsRQ84t-m8dWmMs4DV4d9dhWnjKClOCClowcLvZsnQIhCRpcdZUWmo7RGqvgXtYce2FKT-IVgRbx3XwURd8xogZGJFFGWm0b9qu3zQCf3gbTfW_-aUl1fnHquMuhq9Q/s1600-h/P1010068.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-zL0hN8ExvHdZsRQ84t-m8dWmMs4DV4d9dhWnjKClOCClowcLvZsnQIhCRpcdZUWmo7RGqvgXtYce2FKT-IVgRbx3XwURd8xogZGJFFGWm0b9qu3zQCf3gbTfW_-aUl1fnHquMuhq9Q/s320/P1010068.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250739416502755234" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1wLzA2qI93hJbR2SI4xIamTkEhfHiidJnvxVBdgP1LmxlUGa_GJ2L-A2_RmnysdzR58CTH9iReWEU7RmFYfQ4zIXtj14p1KbCbqrnz35Cyyqs1cGIMLhyphenhyphenKsb9XDL1hWha0qaN9DcTfc/s1600-h/P1010067.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1wLzA2qI93hJbR2SI4xIamTkEhfHiidJnvxVBdgP1LmxlUGa_GJ2L-A2_RmnysdzR58CTH9iReWEU7RmFYfQ4zIXtj14p1KbCbqrnz35Cyyqs1cGIMLhyphenhyphenKsb9XDL1hWha0qaN9DcTfc/s320/P1010067.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250739420911784738" /></a><br /></div><div>We moved this past summer to come to grad school, but I am so proud of myself for this project that I just had to share! The "desk" part was plywood (cut for me at lowe's), covered in contact paper, and mounted on some brackets for stability.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you're looking for more space, think out of the box... er, closet!</div><div><br /></div><div>For more before and after transformations, visit <a href="http://boomama.net/2008/09/26/before-after/">BooMama's blog</a>!</div>Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482221361070394708noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421518858656951190.post-35085755759114594482008-09-25T10:29:00.002-05:002008-09-25T10:57:14.251-05:00Menu PlanningThursday: clinic; no plan<div>Friday: Marinated grilled chicken, <a href="http://lm3recipes.blogspot.com/2008/09/italian-veggie-bake.html">Italian Veggie Bake</a>, Rolls</div><div>Saturday: <a href="http://lm3recipes.blogspot.com/2007/06/easy-quesadillas.html">Quesadillas</a>, Mexican Rice, Black Beans w/ Rotel tomatoes</div><div>Sunday: out</div><div>Monday: <a href="http://lm3recipes.blogspot.com/2008/09/french-onion-pork-chop-skillet.html">French Onion Pork Chop Skillet</a>, <a href="http://lm3recipes.blogspot.com/2008/09/slow-cooked-green-beans-tomatoes-bacon.html">Slow-Cooked Green Beans, Tomatoes & Bacon</a></div><div>Tuesday: Tilapia, rice, <a href="http://lm3recipes.blogspot.com/2008/09/asparagus-with-balsamic-butter-sauce.html">asparagus</a></div>Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482221361070394708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421518858656951190.post-78675899793723438152008-09-01T14:54:00.005-05:002008-09-01T15:10:42.777-05:00God is BIGGER<object width="300" height="110"><param name="movie" value="http://media.imeem.com/m/1iNrHCkje5/aus=false/"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://media.imeem.com/m/1iNrHCkje5/aus=false/" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="110" wmode="transparent"></embed><a href="http://www.imeem.com/people/9v5O9H/music/8hb7511a/chris_tomlin_passion_my_glorious_chris_tomlin/">My Glorious - Chris Tomlin - Chris Tomlin Passion</a></object><br /><br /><br />God is bigger than the air I breathe<br />The world we'll leave<br />God will save the day and all will say<br />My glorious!<br /><br />And all you ever do is change the old for new<br />People we believe that<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">God is bigger than the air I breathe<br />The world we'll leave<br />God will save the day and all will say<br />My glorious!</span><br /><br />The world's shaking with the love of God<br />Great and glorious, let the whole earth sing<br />And all you ever do is change the old for new<br />People we believe that<br /><br />God is bigger than the air I breathe<br />The world we'll leave<br />God will save the day and all will say<br />My glorious!<br /><br />Clouds are breaking, heaven's come to earth<br />Hearts awakening let the church bells ring<br />And all you ever do is change the old for new<br />People we believe that<br /><br />God is bigger than the air I breathe<br />The world we'll leave<br />God will save the day and all will say<br />My glorious!<br /><div><hr /><br /></div><div>he's bigger than my reading. he's bigger than my time. he's bigger than my boredom. he's bigger than my overwhelm-edness. He's bigger than two years. He's bigger.</div>Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482221361070394708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421518858656951190.post-88268142202391828382008-08-26T15:32:00.005-05:002008-08-28T11:13:43.534-05:00I Digi-scrap! And you can too!I'm trying to think where to even begin to tell you how you can get in to it! Get ready now to learn more than you ever wanted. lol<br /><br />The main things you need are a program to use and the actual scrapbook supplies. I use Photoshop Elements 6.0 as my program. You can use an older version of photoshop Elements (you could get it cheaper) and have most of the same features--I started with elements 3.0 on the pc, and then upgraded to 6.0 for my mac. You DON'T need to get the full version of Photoshop (CS2 or CS3). It's way expensive and totally unnecessary.<br /><br />Then, you just need the supplies! You can find tons and tons of stuff for free. People give stuff away (like samples of their work) all the time. Here are some great sites for finding free digital scrapbooking supplies:<div><a href="http://www.pickleberrypop.com/startuppack.htm">http://www.pickleberrypop.com/startuppack.htm</a><br /><a href="http://scrap-a-lot.blogspot.com/">http://scrap-a-lot.blogspot.com/</a><br /><a href="http://digifree.blogspot.com/">http://digifree.blogspot.com/</a><br /><a href="http://ikeagoddess.blogspot.com/">http://ikeagoddess.blogspot.com/</a> (a great one for finding other sites with freebies all in one place)<br /><a href="http://artisticmusings.typepad.com/artistic_musings/">http://artisticmusings.typepad.com/artistic_musings/</a> (every Friday)<br /><a href="http://sugarsnapscraps.blogspot.com/">http://sugarsnapscraps.blogspot.com/</a><br /><a href="http://www.shabbyprincess.com/downloads.asp">http://www.shabbyprincess.com/downloads.asp</a><div><br />My advice is to find some kind of RSS reader (like Google Reader; it's free) and subscribe to the feeds of each of these blogs. Then, you can go through the posts easily and see what freebies are being offered. Also, if you find a freebie you really like, subscribe to the blog it came from so you can look for more stuff by that designer.<br /><br />I have probably over 100 blogs that I subscribe to. It only takes me a few minutes to go through them and see which ones have freebies. There are other ways to get free stuff too. Some websites will have "challenges" and if you complete the challenge, they give you a free prize (<a href="http://www.pickleberrypop.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3625">here's an example</a>). Also, there is a forum where people who are giving away free stuff post. <a href="http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/forumdisplay.php?f=31">Here's the link</a>.<br /><br />Also, there are special events when people give stuff away. Different stores open all the time and give away free kits. You just kind of have to keep your ear to the ground. :) I'll give you a heads up if I hear of any really good ones. November 1 this year is "(Inter)National Digital Scrapbooking Day." People are going to be giving away free stuff like CRAZY, and you should be able to find some great deals.<br /><br />You can also buy the supplies. I haven't spent a whole lot (but you can if you're not careful!). I usually buy when there are huge sales, or if it's something really unique that I can't do without (lol).<br /><br />Here are some websites that have forums with great advice on scrapping:<br /><a href="http://www.thedigichick.com/forums/">http://www.thedigichick.com/forums/</a><br /><a href="http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/index.php">http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/index.php</a><br /><a href="http://www.scrapartist.com/scrapforums/index.php">http://www.scrapartist.com/scrapforums/index.php</a><br />Each of those pages also has a "Gallery" where you can look at scrapbook pages other people have made to get ideas for your own.<br /><br />Finally, here are some tutorials that explain how to use the software:<br /><a href="http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/tutorials/software_tutorials.asp">http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/tutorials/software_tutorials.asp</a><br /><a href="http://www.scrapbook-bytes.com/cgi-script/tutorials/publish/cat_index_21.shtml">http://www.scrapbook-bytes.com/cgi-script/tutorials/publish/cat_index_21.shtml</a><br /><a href="http://twolittlepixels.com/tutorials.htm">http://twolittlepixels.com/tutorials.htm</a></div><div><br /></div><div>If you have any questions, I would be really happy to answer them for you. I LOVE digital scrapbooking... it's just like scrapbooking, but without the mess. You can do everything in your program (and more) than you would do online. </div></div>Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482221361070394708noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421518858656951190.post-39478325267619106472008-08-24T21:28:00.003-05:002008-08-24T21:41:47.673-05:00Menu Plan Monday ~ August 25Today is my daddy's birthday! It's also the second week of graduate school classes for me & Jon. We've made it so far, but this week we have to start our assistantships on top of classes, so things are going to be getting busier!!<div><br /></div><div>Monday: Honey Mustard Chicken <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">[recipe below]</span></span>, green beans, rice</div><div>Tuesday: Late class, so I won't be cooking</div><div>Wednesday: Baked breaded tilapia filets, vegetable saute, wild rice</div><div>Thursday: Marinated Stove-grilled chicken, rice, green beans</div><div>Friday: <a href="http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/marvelous-mini-meatloaves-75574.aspx">Marvelous Mini-Meatloaves</a>, skillet potatoes, rolls</div><div>Saturday: Hamburger Rolls <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">[recipe below]</span></span>, french fries</div><div><br /></div><div>This week's recipes:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Honey Mustard Chicken</span> (from Dining on a Dime cookbook)</div><div>One whole chicken, cut up</div><div>1/3 c. margarine, melted</div><div>1/3 c. honey</div><div>2 T. prepared mustard</div><div>1 t. salt</div><div><br /></div><div>Arrange chicken in a baking dish (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">i</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">f you leave the skin on, put it skin side up; I usually remove the skin first to make it healthier</span>). Combine the rest of the ingredients and pour over chicken. Bake at 350 for 1 hour and 30 minutes, basting every 15 minutes (until chicken is tender and brown). You may have to cover with foil if it looks like it's getting too brown before the inside is done. Pour extra juices over rice. Serves 4-6.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Hamburger Rolls</span> (adapted from Dining on a Dime cookbook)</div><div>Hamburger meat</div><div>McCormick's Montreal Steak seasoning</div><div>Cheddar Cheese</div><div>Roll dough (refrigerated or thawed frozen rolls if you don't have time or want to make from scratch)</div><div><br /></div><div>Brown hamburger meat; rinse and drain. Season with McCormick's Montreal steak seasoning. </div><div>Roll out two rolls per person. Top one roll with a few tablespoons of seasoned meat and cheese. Cover with another roll and seal edges. If desired, top with more seasoning/cheese/both. </div><div>Place constructed rolls on a baking sheet lined with foil (for easier clean-up). Cook according to roll directions + another minute or so. These are good! We usually eat one and a half or two each.</div>Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482221361070394708noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421518858656951190.post-27484463514378234202008-08-24T17:28:00.005-05:002008-08-24T21:46:49.163-05:00I digi-scrap! Uh... what?One thing I have discovered that I love is digital scrapbooking. For me, I get *nearly* all the joy of regular scrapbooking, but without all of the mess and expense. Everything you would use on a paper scrapbook, you can get digitally--buttons, stitches, brads, photo-corners, ribbons... you name it! The only thing missing for me is the tactile sensation of really <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">touching</span> the creations, but I think the benefits outweigh the costs. <div><br /></div><div>I've been digi-scrapping since November of last year. I'll have a post soon about how you, too, can get involved, but for now, I'll leave you with a little sampling of the layouts I've made. If you would like to see my most complete gallery, you can <a href="http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=all&ppuser=10748">click on this link</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Note: When you play the video below, it will open a new window (sorry)! Just close it to return here.<br /><br /><br /><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://smilebox.com/play/4e4451784d7a55784e413d3d0d0a&campaign=blog_playback_link&blogview=true" target="_blank"><img width="386" height="303" alt="Click to play Sample Layouts" src="http://smilebox.com/snap/4e4451784d7a55784e413d3d0d0a.jpg" style="border: medium none ;" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/?partner=commissionjunction&campaign=blog_snapshot" target="_blank"><img width="386" height="46" alt="Create your own photobook - Powered by Smilebox" src="http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmileboxSmall.gif" style="border: medium none ;" /></a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/photobooks" target="_blank">Make a Smilebox photobook</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div>Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482221361070394708noreply@blogger.com1