Snow Days!!!

As snowy, frigid weather sweeps through the Midwest, its nice to take a break and focus on being cozy.  Luckily, I hit up the market on snow-themed books in the children's section at our local library. But books and hot chocolate and movies can only get your kiddo so far when the wiggles start to set in.  By noon, we took it outside for about an hour to shovel the pathways and romp in the snow.  

After drying off and warming up, we were both content to stay in the coziness and do crafty things together.  We made snow scenes with paint and construction paper shapes, then we whipped up  Coconut Snow-Cream.

Most days I try to avoid using tempera paints and go for the Crayola no-mess sets, but sometimes real paint is just more fun.  I had an empty egg carton and cut off the lid.  I filled the lid with a couple tablespoons of water and laid paper towels over the water to absorb it and work as a sponge for paintbrushes.  Then I mixed pastel colors separately in the grooves of the crate.  I left a space between each color mixtures so we wouldn't have spillover issues and muddied colors.  It worked out great!  The most non-messy painting session we've had to date!

I picked out a dark color of construction paper for the "canvas" and white for the snowman shapes.  My little girl helped me find different sizes of circles in the house to trace our snowman shapes. It was good practice the size sequence concept - each time we cut or glued the shapes, I would ask her to point out the biggest circle, bigger circle and smallest circle.  We cut-out the shapes and glued them to our canvas to make our snowy scene.

We glued cotton balls on the bottom as snow and used the end of a pencil eraser dipped in white paint as snow.  It was a fun!  

But the main event was definitely making ice cream from snow - my little one was amazed!  We happened to have some coconut milk and coconut shreds and one thing happened after another … yada, yada, yada … and we had ourselves some fluffy, coco-nuty, sweet, snowy goodness!

Coconut Snow-Cream

Yes, it does taste as good as it looks!

5-6 cups of fresh snow (or enough to fill up a large mixing bowl)

1 can of Coconut Milk

1 cup of granulated white sugar

1/2 cup shredded coconut (chopped finely in a food processor)

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Just put all of this in a really big mixing bowl and whip on high with an electric beater.  It mixes up pretty fast - like under 3 minutes.  Serve immediately or store in the freezer for later, but definitely eat within 3 hours of making it.  I would be prepared to use the mixer again for snow-cream stored in the freezer because it hardens up.

I am listening to one of my favorite songs by Burlap to Cashmere, Love Reclaims the Atmosphere.  This song speaks to me anew every time I hear it … and for that reason, you'll hear it loop on my blog media player.  I just heard the line, "I used to walk on water, but now I fan the flame," and it speaks exactly what I've been feeling today.  Some days I feel like a superstar - accomplished, eyes focused, patient, balanced; other days, I feel like all I can do is barely fan the flame in my heart to keep it burning.  On these days, I find myself asking, "Do any of my efforts even matter?"

For me, there is a definite division between dream-driven goals and purpose-driven goals.  Dream-driven goals aren't necessary to my life, but they are novelty and natural at the same time.  My dream-driven goals include to publish a book for children and to achieve reasonable livelihood from my art.  My purpose-driven goals hit to the very core of who I am, who God created me to be, and His lot for my life, such as mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend and lover of Jesus Christ.  At times when these two states of being intertwine, it makes sense - but sometimes it just doesn't!  Nevertheless, my God-given precious lot trumps all.  What hurts is when I have a day where I feel like I'm not any good at ANY of it!  I don't think I'm alone in feeling like that sometimes, but in the midst of it I can tend to get a little (aka - a lot) melodramatic.

Despite all of the melodrama and emotional hiccups - one thing keeps me grounded, thankful and strong:

Photograph by Nigel Howe

And I know that despite how ineffective, unorganized, disconnected, behind-the-mark and unaccomplished I may feel at times - God knows my heart (Psalm 139), loves me ALWAYS (Isaiah 54:10), and only has precious blessings and good gifts in mind for me (James 1:17).  He never condemns me, never berates me and never thinks less of me.  He gives me a new day everyday and His promises to me are eternal and unchanging.  Not one person is exempt from God's unending, never-failing, all-encompassing, extravagant, honest love.  

Knowing all of this, I am immediately able to respond to my self-condemning questions with, "God sees everything I do and, to Him, everything matters."  It's all going to work out (Romans 8:28).  It's all going to make sense … eventually (1 Corinthians 13:12).  He's got it covered.

Quote of the Month

Safety Week Unit: Free printables and lesson plan

My little preschooler is really obsessed with safety signs.  By that, I mean she yells to point out each
one she spots.  Sometimes she can tell you the purpose of the sign and sometimes she can't.  We've got the stop-sign down, but she wants to know what ALL of them mean.  So I decided to maximize on the opportunity and have a Safety Unit in our studies.  It was so much fun doing this with her!  Plus, it's a practical unit so the study goes on!  

For this unit, I made a "Stop Sign and Shape Matching Game", coloring pages and posters for a coordinating Bible lesson on Isaiah 40:31, games and science experiments.  It worked great for her as a primary lesson plan, but it would also be great for mixed grades or to supplement an elementary lesson plan.  

Grab some free printables below and have fun with your kiddos!

Click here to download the Safety Sign Shadow Game Pieces

Click here to download the Safety Sign Shadow Game Board

Click here to download the Safety Week Lesson Plan: Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3

Click here to download the Safety Week Memory Verse Posters: Part 1,Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4

Click here to download the Safety Week Memory Verse Coloring Pages: Part 1,Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4

Halloween Party Decoration Printables

Check out the new Halloween Party Decoration Printables on my Etsy Shop!

Find these PRINTABLE PARTY DECORATIONS and more, go to:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LamparaDesigns?section_id=14419402

Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Party Printables

Check out the new Custom Party Printables on my Etsy Shop!  Great for a fun, fall 1st birthday!

Find the CUSTOM PHOTO INVITATION at

https://www.etsy.com/listing/166938618/reeses-peanut-butter-cup-1st-birthday?ref=shop_home_active

Find the PARTY DECORATION PRINTABLES at

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LamparaDesigns?section_id=14419402

Autumn Scripture Art

Find this printable on Etsy

October Freebie: Leaf Counting, Colors & Adding Game

The concept of numbers can be very abstract for children ... at least, I had always read this but teaching a preschooler to count and number recognition has proved it for me!  So, I like to design and I like to teach, which means I love designing teaching printables for my little one.  It's fall and I love incorporating the seasons (even when teaching preschool math), therefore I made a Leaf Counting, Colors & Adding Game.

I printed and laminated the game sheet last night, and this morning we scavenged the backyard for pebbles to use with the game.  I designed two sheets - one for PreK/Kinder and one for 1st/2nd.  It's essentially three games on one sheet and you can customize the games to suit your learner's level of number know-how.  You can do the Adding Game (shown in picture), Color Game or Adding Game, and the first sheet is 1-10 while the second sheet is 11-20.  It's really fun and great practice for young learners!  Snag a copy of each sheet below, then print, laminate and have fun!

Sriracha-cha: Poser Thai Peanut Noodles & LowCal Spring Rolls

Courtesy of Google Shopping & Breadenfish Media

What does Sriracha sauce, broccoli slaw, rice vermicelli, peanut butter, bean sprouts, spaghetti noodles,  soy sauce, jicama, rice vinegar, spring roll wrappers, sesame seed oil, an apple and a lime have in common?  They are all in my world renown, low calorie, kid friendly dinner ... not sure about the "world renown", but my family and friends REALLY like it!  My good friend Emily, creator and writer of Running Like A Mother blog, and I even had a spring roll wrapping party this week and got to munch on the goods with our kiddos.  Emily steamed edamame that we ate on the side for extra protein and nutrition.  It was probably the most flavorful meal I had all week!

Courtesy of runninglikeamother.com

Here's what you need to make Poser Thai Peanut Noodles and LowCal Spring Rolls:

~ Shopping List ~

Fresh Ingredients

1 lime or lime juice concentrate
1 tbsp garlic paste (or 2-3 garlic cloves, crushed into paste)
1 bag Dole broccoli slaw
1/2 cup bean sprouts, fresh or canned
1/2 cup Dole carrot shreds
1 Gala or Fuji apple, peeled and cut into spears
1/2 Jicama, peeled and sliced (optional)
1 - 12 oz bag Spring Roll Wrappers

Pantry Ingredients

1 tbsp Sriracha sauce (or to taste)
1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
3/4 cup rice vinegar
1/2 tsp sesame seed oil
1/2 cup peanut butter (or more!)
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp ginger powder
4 oz Rice Vermicelli noodles (also known as cellophane noodles)
8 oz Whole Wheat Spaghetti noodles


LowCal Spring Rolls
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 28 min
Yields 12-14 Rolls

1) Heat oil in a frying pan on medium-high, then toss 1/3 cup broccoli slaw, carrot shreds and bean sprouts in to quickly stir-fry.  Don't overcook - make sure it stays crunchy!  2) Use instructions on the bag of vermicelli to prep the noodles (usually involves soaking the noodles in warm water.)  3) Add 1/4 cups rice vinegar, 3 tbsp soy sauce and 1/2 tbsp garlic paste to the frying pan.  Stir and turn heat to low-medium.  4) Stir prepped noodles into frying pan and turn off heat.  5) Prep your spring roll wrappers per package instructions, set your oven on 400 degrees, and spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray.  6) Now the rolling of the spring rolls!  Place a small amount of the veggie/noodle mix onto the spring roll wrapper and fold away.  Secure the seams with a paste made of 1 tbsp water and 1 tbsp flour.  Optional: brush each roll with a little olive oil. (See folding instructions below.)  7) Once you fill your baking sheet, place rolls in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.  After 15 minutes, turn the rolls and leave in for another 10-12 minutes or until browned on both sides.  8) Serve hot and dip in sweet & sour sauce or my Thai Cucumber Sauce (see recipe below).

Watch to learn how to wrap your spring rolls, but bake instead of fry :D

Poser Thai Peanut Noodles

Prep Time: 15 min

Chill Time: 30 min

Yields 6-8 servings

1) Prep spaghetti noodles per package instructions for al-dente, drain immediately after cooked.  2) Mix the dressing in a small bowl: 1/2 cup rice vinegar, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/2 cup peanut butter (or more if you like a thicker dressing), 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp ginger powder, 2 tbsp boiling spaghetti noodle water, 1/2 tbsp garlic paste, 1/2 tbsp sriracha sauce, and 1/2 tsp sesame seed oil.  3) Peel your apple and  jicama, cutting both it into bit-size spears.  Place spears in a large bowl and toss in about 1/4 cup lime juice, which will preserve their color and crunch.  4) Add the rest of the broccoli slaw (a little over 1 cup), jicama spears and whole wheat spaghetti noodles.  5) Toss everything in the peanut sauce really well.  6) Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes and serve chilled .... kids LOVE it!

Thai Cucumber Sauce
1/2 cup rice vinegar
1/2 clear corn syrup
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp Sriracha sauce (or to taste)
1/2 cucumber, peeled and diced
Heat vinegar and salt in a saucepan until boiling.  Stir in syrup and boil for 2-3 minutes.  Remove from heat, stir in Sriracha sauce and pour over diced cucumber.  Place in fridge 30-45 minutes.  Serve chilled.

July Freebie Download

My friend Emily, blogger of Running Like A Mother, and I have been putting our creative heads together to make a printable party packet for an upcoming baby shower she is hosting.  As I worked on it today, I started to feel overwhelmed with all the plans and ideas I have been dreaming up for it.  My brain started feeling like a balloon: the more I blew it up, the closer it got to either popping or instantaneously blowing-out from all the pressure.  I immediately thought, "Oh no!  I don't want to spend my day chasing this project around in circles and find myself at square one."  So, I started praying and asking the Lord to focus my mind and place before me the most important tasks.  As I prayed, I started remember all the verses that inspire me towards ingenuity, time management and wisdom.  Then I felt inspired to use the project artwork to create a Prayer Plaque to print and put up in my office as a constant reminder.  When I look at it, it makes me so happy!  Plus, it reminds me to keep on task and to seek the Lord for wisdom!  Friends: click, print, enjoy, and be inspired!

May Freebie: Mother's Day 2013 Print

Framed art is the perfect gift for Mother's Day.  I outlined my daughter's hand and pulled it into Adobe Illustrator to make this printout.  I added the poem "Mother" by George Wiseman (tweaking the verbiage a bit ... I think he was a Deist, but I'm not ;)  When I printed this, I scaled it to fit a 4x6 frame.  However, you can print it in the original size (an 8.5x11) or scale it to fit a 5x7.  Click here to pull up the image in your browser and right-click or pull it onto your desktop to save!  Happy Mother's Day!!!

44 Prophecies About Jesus Christ

Image found on thedivineevidence.com

So I lost track of time and wasn't able to write up my post regarding the Old Testament prophecies of Christ's birth, life, death, resurrection, and return.  However I found an article that outlines 44 accounts of prophecy about Jesus Christ in chart form by About.com's Mary Fairchild.  It's really cool!  Definitely check it out!

But here are some prophetic scriptures in the Old Testament that blow me away:

Jesus' Betrayal Prophesied

Zechariah 11:12-13 "I told them, “If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.” So they paid me thirty pieces of silver.  And the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the handsome price at which they valued me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter at the house of the Lord."

Fulfilled in Luke 22:47-48 and Matthew 26:14-16

Jesus' Death

Isaiah 53:4-7  

⁴ 

"Surely he took up our pain

    and bore our suffering,

yet we considered him punished by God,

    stricken by him, and afflicted.

⁵ 

But he was pierced for our transgressions,

    he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was on him,

    and by his wounds we are healed.

⁶ 

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

    each of us has turned to our own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

    the iniquity of us all."

Fulfillment in scripture is found in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19.

Jesus' Resuxrrection

Psalm 49:15

But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.

Fulfillment in the scripture is in Matthew 28, Luke 24, John 20, and Mark 16.

Around this time last year, I wrote a piece on Easter for Yahoo Voices called Preparing Our Hearts for Easter and posted the article in my feed.  I'm working on another article this year covering the Old Testament messianic prophesies, but until then here's a link to last year's article:

http://sojogazette.blogspot.com/2012/03/preparing-our-hearts-for-easter.html

DIY Bath Salt

I have a public confession to make: I have recently become addicted to bath salts and I have been making them in my kitchen.  Wait ... before you unsubscribe to my feed, it's not what you think!  Sorry for my morbid sense of humor!  

I'm not talking about the illicit, chemically charged, deadly, make-you-go-crazy bath salts; instead, I'm talking about the all natural, put-in-a-relaxing-foot-soak bath salts!  They are the easiest thing to make and since I'm such a reluctant crafter, easy is my middle name!  (Again, not what you think!)

My latest creation: Lemon Sorbet Foot Soak

1 cup Epsom salt

1/4 cup sea salt (I use pink salt for color)

2 tbsp Sweet Almond Oil

8-10 drops Lemon Essential Oil

Combine the salts in a plastic bowl.  In a separate dish, combine the oils.  Once the oils are mixed together well, stir them into the salt mixture.  Stir the oils into the salt and keep in a sealed, plastic container.  I've been keeping mine in a baby formula dispenser, such as Munchkin brand Powdered Formula Dispenser.  I can put in more than one bath salt mixture, keeping them ready for whenever I wish to use them!  

P.S. For an aromatherapy soak, pour 2 tbsp of Lemon Sorbet Foot Soak and 2 tbsp of Rosewater into your foot bath.  Add warm water and turn on the bubbles!  I did this the other day and it softened my feet and lifted my mood all at the same time.  Not to mention, lemon has natural anti-fungal and antiseptic properties. Check out the healing powers of Lemon Essential Oils on Doterra's website!  You'll be amazed!

Honest Friendship

Proverbs 27:5-6

Better is open rebuke 

  than hidden love.
~~~

Wounds from a friend can be trusted,

  but an enemy multiplies kisses.

Featured is one of my original illustrations.  Contact me for more information or quotes on logo designs, illustrations and other vector designs!

Porque Cristo Santo se glorifica dentro de mi ...

Picture found at amrigunawan.blogspot.com

Man, I found myself stuck in a really murky "wish pond" today!  Of course, not literally.  When I say "wish pond," I mean that I was being Debbie Downer times ten.  As I tracked down my daughter's dirty laundry from five different rooms in the house (she's potty training and loves the freedom of being able to take off her own clothes ...) I was sighing and thinking to myself, "I feel so ineffective ... I wish I could just do something."  Then memories from my young adult years entered when I traveled the world and lived adventurously, and I thought, "That's it!  I just need to take a humanitarian missions trip!"  So then, I asked God, "Lord, could this really be just the medicine I need?"  He promptly responded with, "Heck, no!"  And here's what God pursued to speak into my heart:

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." Galatians 6:9

I don't think I'm alone in these moments where I feel this way (at least I hope I'm not).  I think everyone has moments when they feel like they're just waiting for something to happen.  We feel stuck in monotonous jobs that leave our passions and gifts seemly lying dormant within us.  We feel ineffective in our faith when we just can't seem to find our place, purpose and ministry.  We feel weathered and aged when we struggle through a sickness we just can't seem to shake.  We feel emptied when someone we love leaves us for no fault of our own.  But should we just drop it all and take three months of "me time"?  Heck, no!  

While every day is a battle, it is also a choice.  I'm reminded of a song I learned when I lived in Puerto Rico:

Alabad a Dios cuando las cosas salen bien, que bueno es

(Praise God when things go well, how good it is)

Alabad a Dios cuando en la vida no hay problemas, que cosa bueno

(Praise God when life has no problems, what a good thing)

Pero yo le alabo desde mi quebranto

(But I also praise Him from my calamity)

Porque Cristo Santo se glorifica dentro de mi 

(Because Christ is glorified in me)

Some days I just have to belt this song out!  I start out feeling like Debbie Downer, woe is me, but by the end I'm saying, "Thank you, Jesus, for this moment!!"  Thank you, Lord, for the reminder to keep doing good and that He is good regardless of what life brings me!  God is the answer to all of our needs and He loves to lavish blessings on us in the most miraculous ways.  

If you're lacking money to pay your bills, 

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.  Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." Malachi 3:10 

If you're struggling with sadness,

"When the righteous cry out, the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.  The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:17-18

If you're confused about a decision you have to make, 

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." James 1:5

If you're burdened with guilt over something you've done,

"If we confess our sins, [Jesus] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

If you're feeling lonely or unfulfilled,

"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ." Philippians 4:19

If you're feeling overwhelmed as a parent,

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

My personal conclusion to all of this: I did something!  And it feels great to be effective in my own way!  As I swept up the countless cheerios from the corners of my family room and separated off the random small toys as I swept, I started praying for my friends.  Specifically, for friends from my past, who I never get a chance to see or talk to.  NO props to me, by any means!!  I hadn't thought of, let alone prayed for, these people in months, maybe even years!  What am I doing with my time?!  Oh, well - it's a new day and I've just been awaken from a sluggish sleep.  I'm just glad that I now feel thankful for where I am and what I'm doing!  Every day is truly a gift!

DIY Cold Remedies

Body aches from head to toe.  Can't get enough sleep.  Runny nose and raspy cough.  

I hate being sick!  

On days like this I'm so thankful for my momma!  I use her tips and tricks to nurse my colds (it doesn't hurt that she is coincidentally also a nurse), which means that honey, epsom salt, an herbal heat compress, and Theraflu are essentials for making me feel better.  Being a teenager of the 90's, staying home sick from school meant that I'd be watching tv and sipping on Theraflu.  Now I have a toddler to tend to which means I don't get to sleep as much or pamper my cold as much as I'd like!  So I grab a moment whenever I can.  For instance, while my daughter was at preschool, I pulled the humidifier into the bathroom and ran a hot bath with my homemade bath salts. 

Cold Remedy Bath Salt - in a plastic or glassbowl mix 1/4 cup Epsom salt, 2 tbsp pink sea salt and essiental oil mixture (I premix 1 tbsp sweet almond oil and 3 drops of peppermint essental oil).  I usually make up a bunch at once, package them in little glass bottles and give them as gifts.

To Theraflu Or Not To Theraflu? I looked at the ingredient list on a packet of Theraflu and here's what I found: 1) Acetaphetamine - the painkiller you find in Tylenol, 2) Dextromethorphan - a cough suppressant, 3) Chlopheniramine - antihistamine used to treat runny nose and sneezing, 4) Dyphenhydramine - treats runny nose, cough and sneezing but also causes drowsiness, 5) Pheniramine - antihistamine used to treat cold symptoms, 6) Guaifenesin - cough expectorant, and 7) Phenylephran - a decongestant.  If you feel uncomfortable taking any of these substances, a more natural alternative is ginger tea with lemon juice and honey.  But if you want something stronger, you really can't go wrong with the moonshiner's method: whiskey, lemon juice and honey.  The Kitchn blog has a good post and recipe, check it out.  

An Herbal Heat Pack Can Cure Anything  I get a migraine about every other week, especially between seasons when the weather jumps around.  I swear I wouldn't be able to survive migraines, colds or a nasty case of the flu without the herbal hot/cold pack my mom made for me!  She made it with rice and dried lavendar and chamomile buds.  I heat it in the microwave for a minute and forty seconds ... Perfection!  So comforting on an achy head, for sinus pressure and for cold chills.  Frugal Granola has a really good DIY tutorial, definitely check it out!

PS. While researching for this post, I found a flu map on Theraflu's website, which is great for tracking flu epidemics in your area! 

March Freebies: Chevron Background & Clover Buttons

Spiff up your website or blog with my March Freebie Graphics Package, a Monochrome Chevron Background and 4 Leaf Clover Social Media Buttons!  Click on the images you want and drag them to your desktop or right-click and save.  (If you're new to using customized social media buttons, check out my notes at the bottom of this post).  Don't forget to follow me on Pinterest and Subscribe to my blog via email for more freebies and tips!

3 Steps for Blogger Custom Social Media Buttons:
1) Save the facebook, twitter, email, pinterest, linkedin, and rss images to your desktop, then upload the pictures to your Picasa or Photobucket account (this will give you the image links you need for Step 3).
2) Login to your Blogger dashboard, go to Layout, click "Add A Widget", then select the HTML widget.
3) Fill the HTML Widget pop-up screen with the following code:

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.MyFacebookLink.com"><img src="YourImageLink"></a>
<a href="http://www.MyTwitterLink.com"><img src="YourImageLink"></a>
<a href="http://www.MyEmailLink.com"><img src="YourImageLink"></a>
<a href="http://www.MyPinterestLink.com"><img src="YourImageLink"></a>
<a href="http://www.MyLinkedinLink.com"><img src="YourImageLink"></a>
<a href="http://www.MyRssLink.com"><img src="YourImageLink"></a>
</div>

Now all you have to do is personalize the information within the links!