Handmade Gifts & Birthdays

Birthdays are celebrated in my family usually in some form or fashion. I love giving something that is handmade, unusual, and/or unique. Sometimes if I am unable to make the gift myself I will turn to someone who is crafty and purchase a handmade or handcrafted item. There is something about a handmade gift that is special...I think that it is the time, the effort, and extra thought. There are times when handmade gift are not called for...it all depends on the person...I have learned this first hand. I made my dad a UT Deco Mesh Wreath for Father's Day and he did not like it...he thought I was playing a joke on him, so he left the wreath at my house! I had to deliver the gift and place it on the front door. Everyone else loved my creation, but he don't appreciate it because he doesn't see the point to decorating the front door. Oh well...this was a lesson learned for me! But for my granny a handmade gift "Deco Mesh Wreath" was exactly what I wanted to do for her since I knew she would love it!

Here are the directions on how to make a Deco Mesh Wreath yourself...these aren't technical terms, but they should help you figure out how to make the wreath at home if you have never made one before.

Deco Mesh Wreath

Supplies:

• Work wreath with branches
• Deco Mesh (assorted colors and sizes of ribbon width)
• Embellishment(s)

Directions:

1. Unroll about 3 feet of your art deco mesh. 
2. Scrunch up the end of the mesh into a small bundle in your hand and place it against the top of wreath. Use the branches on the work wreath to secure the bundle by twisting to secure it in place.
3. Grab and scrunch another section of mesh and place this bundle against your wreath about and use the second set of branches to secure the next bunch of mesh.
4. Scrunch, bundle and tie mesh to the wreath until you have worked all the way around the wreath. Keep using the work wreath branches to secure to deco mesh in place.
5. It is best to start on the outside of the wreath and work your way to the inside. If you see some bare places, go around the wreath again, adding bundles between your first layer of bundles.
6. Cut the mesh from the roll very close to your last tied bundle.
7. Fluff up the puffy sections of mesh between the bundles to give your wreath a full look.
8. Embellish as desired.

 

 

Back to why I made the wreath...This weekend my Granny Trixie celebrated her 81st birthday. Some call her Tippy, mostly the great grandkids, but to me she will always be my Granny Trixie. We had a small celebration of life for her on the farm at my parents’ house. A total of 18 were in attendance out of a possible 24 people. A few cousins and their families were unable to make the journey because of distance, but we were blessed by all those in attendance. I hope everyone can make it next year for her 82nd birthday. She was super excited to see everyone and her expressions were priceless.

Here is a photo of Granny Trixie and I & the gift I made for her for her birthday. I love my Granny and I am very thankful for her! I am the youngest of 7 grandchildren and I will always be her baby girl even though she now has 5 great grandchildren. She calls me Lara Jane, even though my name is Lara Christen. My middle name is after her...Edith Christeen. She has been there through some of the rough moments in my life and some of the greatest times of joy. If I ever need advice and council that is sound, honest, and very truthful I can always count on Granny Trixie. Sometimes she gives the advice and council without even being asked. I guess that is a grandmother's instinct. I might get a little history and fluff with in the mix too, but that's OK. A lot of characteristics from my granny make up the "Savage Girl" in addition to many traits and characteristics from others.

I applaud granny for her patience on all those Saturday mornings I visited her on the Savage farm in Vernon. She helped my mama begin my culinary training in the kitchen when she would let me "help" make biscuits and wash dishes when I was big enough to standup in a chair.   

Tonight at church I was reminded that older generations are to help train-up our younger generations and share their wisdom and expertise to help teach others. I have always been accepting of advice and teachings from others especially my elders. This lesson made me think of my granny since she is the matriarch of the family. To me my granny has always been a good example in training-up those that are younger. She is an example of Titus 2 in teaching the younger generations in the family concerning what is good, to love their husbands and children, be self-controlled, to be kind, to be a keeper of the home, and not to show evil toward God's word. She taught everyone in the family in some form or fashion, but that doesn't mean that everyone always listened to what she had to say every time. I'm not perfect, my family members at not perfect, and neither is my granny, but then again no one is! Everyone makes mistakes along the way, and she has always been woman enough to own up to her mistakes and I believe she passed that down to everyone else too. She is loving, accepting, and forgiving of others faults and mistakes even when we might have displeased her with one of our decisions. I believe these are gifts of godly women that everyone should implement.

I am going to leave you with one question...just answer it to yourself for you will be the one who has to give an account for your life, not me..."What are you doing in your life to help teach others like is outlined for us in Titus 2?".

Breaks

Sometimes a girl needs a few breaks! Recently I got the opportunity to take a break to head South for a few days out of the great state of Kentucky. Don't get me wrong I love my home on the Tennessee and Kentucky border, but sometimes a break from normal routines and life is a great thing to help rejuvenate oneself and get oneself kick started "back" in the right direction.

Breaks give this Savage Girl (& maybe you too)...

Breathing room. (It was a long ride South, so I had lots of time to think, so watch out Monroe County I have a few ideas!)

Rest and relaxation. I went to bed early and slept in every day!

Endless hours of doing whatever you want. Like reading, sleeping, shell hunting, long walks on the beach, bike riding, etc. And yes I did all of these while in Florida!  My biggest accomplishment was getting The Chance by Karen Kingsbury read for my next book club meeting.

My travel partner in crime...Mr. Electric Man! He loved his room at the beach. For those of you who are meeting him for the first time...Mr. Electric Man is my extension power cord control man for all my chargers that keep me connected 24/7. He goes wherever I go.  

Awesomely good food, fun, fellowship & family time.

My aunt and I spent Sunday morning searching for the church building only to finally locate it just in time for worship services ;) There is nothing like driving around the block only to be a few blocks off and when you ask for directions people either don't speak English or send you to the wrong church. This was one time my blackberry came in handy to locate the correct address.

After worship I got to meet the newest member of the Craighead family...baby Shaw...the son of my cousin Sara Shaw and her husband Brandon. I think he is a keeper! I didn't get enough of the little man, so I had to visit them on Tuesday night before I headed back North. If you are headed South and need somewhere to stay give Brandon a yell...his information is located on this website. He recently started a new business in Santa Rosa Beach, FL (very near Destin, FL). He might have the perfect place for you to stay on your next vacation. Tell him a Savage Girl sent ya!

I tried to get a picture of his cute little feet...but Baby Shaw had another plan and didn't think all the picture taking was very fun, but Mila did! Check her out below!

 

 

Kickback & let time stand still ...at least until it is time to go home and go back to reality.

Even Dakota, my aunt's dog, got into this!

Some sun, vitamin D & beautiful picture perfect sunsets. Enjoy them while they last!

I enjoyed my "breaks" over the past few days. I was welcomed back to Kentucky in style last night! It was 74 degrees, warm and sunny in Florida when I left at 8:30 a.m. but I was welcomed home to 47 degrees in Kentucky at 6:30 p.m. Needless to say somewhere between Florida and Kentucky I changed from shorts to pants and from short sleeves to long sleeves. But I would not have it any other way. I'm blessed and thankful for everything I've been given. Now why don't you take a little break and then when you return maybe together we can conquer the world!

Projects versus Partners

I love Spring! Spring means planting, growth, and new life. Spring means projects...for me sometimes this means "house" and/or "yard" projects. Spring means you get to dig around in the dirt. This past weekend the yard projects consisted of spraying my lawn for weeds, spreading ant killer around the house to ward off the little critters from invading my kitchen, fertilizing my rose bushes, and attempting to nip the bag worms on my shrubs in the butt. But today I got to do one of my favorite projects! I got to plant flowers in my flower pots and dig around in the dirt before church. This made for a happy Savage Girl! 

Before I could plant my flowers I had a little project on my hands. So last night I started the flower pot project. I like to reuse items that I have on hand if they are still in working order. I have two really nice strong and durable flower pots that I have used probably for the last 6-7 years. I have had to paint them for the past several years to give them new life. They were an eye sore last night when I started the flower pot project. Last year I had painted them green, but the green paint over the winter decided to chip away leaving a black mess.  

Flower Pot Project "Before"

My mission was to distress the pots and make them look aged, so I took a gamble and experimented with using equal parts paint and Johnson Paste Wax to create a color glaze to paint on the flower pots. Basically I mixed the two products above together and painted them on the flower pots until I had the desired look I was after. 

The end result of phase 1 of the project. 

Phase 2 consisted of spraying the flower pots with a clear spray paint to seal in the color after the color glaze dried completely. Then I had to wait until the flower pots were dry before I could plant my flowers...I'm a little impatient, so I started planting....but I saved the ones above till last:)

I purchased a few new pots at the Dollar General Store to carry out the green and black "look" I had going with my newly repainted flower pots. Then I added a little dirt and some plants...and I was off to planting. 

My updated front door after today's project. 

The end result of my flower pot project :) I think they turned out pretty sweet! What do you think?

I planted a few other things because I got a little plant happy at the two greenhouses I visited. Hopefully I can keep this little guy alive! All of the ferns and succulent plants came from a greenhouse in Hartsville, TN and the annuals I got at the Monroe County High School Greenhouse that supports the local FFA chapter. 

  My tipsy pots! I've had these for the past several years and I love them because they give vertical and visual interest to my yard. Today I planted it full of new flowers for Spring and Summer. FYI there is a steel post in the ground a couple of feet that the clay pots are hanging on.

My favorite quote of the day came from John Pippin tonight at the Mt. Gilead Spring Gospel Meeting, "You need a partner not a project". I have lots of projects going on all the time as you can tell from my post tonight, but a relationship with someone else should be a partnership not a project. With projects you transform and change things...or at least try to change things, but a partner is a person with whom one shares an intimate relationship with. So until I find that "partner" in life to share with I am seeking to be content with waiting for "the one" and I am striving to strengthen my relationship with God. "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" Matthew 6:33. 

Weight ~ The Reality Series

Yes, I am going to blog about a work program on my personal blog! Call me crazy, but it is something that I believe in and want to be successful. Here is a press release I just sent off to the newspaper about a program that I having coming up in Monroe County. It is call "Weight ~ The Reality Series" and it is open to anyone. Continue reading for all the details. I hope that you will join me in the series if you want to be healthier too! If you need to contact me my information is below also.  

Warm temperatures and sunny days add up to spring fever and that means getting outside and becoming more active after a long winter. For some warm temperatures, also mean that many will begin to think about their body. If you are anything like me then shorts, bathing suits, and tank tops give you the heebie-jeebies! Whatever the case may be, it is important to make sure you are healthy and have a plan in place so those heebie-jeebies do not send you into hiding for the summer. If you are in search of a new program to help you think about your body in a real way instead of how the media wants you to think, then look no further. The Monroe County Cooperative Extension Service is offering a new program that you might want to take advantage of this Spring & Summer!

Weight ~ The Reality Series is an 8-week series we will offer on Tuesdays April 30-June 18. We will explore an aspect of weight control through healthy eating and living, share healthy recipes and ideas, weigh in, and engage in learning about the human body. Based on the latest research, this program gives you more options to create a plan that will work for you. Whether you’re interested in learning some new ways to eat and be active, or exploring how your clothes influence the way you see your body, Weight ~ The Reality Series offers many choices. There has to be a better way to achieve a healthy weight than the latest fad diet! You’ll learn how to make your plan flexible and to keep it working over time.

I know my personal goal is to be healthier and reduce my body size. Heart disease and diabetes run in my family, so over a year ago I decided to start living healthier. So far, it has paid off and I have been able to lose over 50 pounds. If you want to reduce your body size like me, then this series might be for you. Your concern might also be your health, but you might also be thinking about looking better in clothes, having more energy, enjoying new and favorite foods, being able to move more easily, and feeling better about yourself. Whatever your case may be, consider joining us with our new series called Weight ~ The Reality Series.

We do not yet know how people maintain weight loss after the 8-week course. National research suggests that maintaining a lower weight is very difficult, but one way to succeed is to create your own program designed specifically for you.

The series dates are April 30 ~ May 7 ~ May 14 ~ May 21 ~May 28 ~ June 4 ~ June 11 ~ June 18. The series is open to anyone and will be held at the Monroe County Cooperative Extension Service. We will weigh-in each week from 4:30 p.m.—5:30 p.m. and then we will have a short program at 5:30 p.m. The cost is $10.00 and is due by April 30 when you weigh-in. If you divide $10.00 by the 8 weeks that is just $1.25 each week! At the end of the 8-weeks the participant losing the most percentage of weight will win 50% of the “money pot”. The remaining 50% of the “money pot” will go towards costs associated with running the program and for door prizes that will be given away throughout the series each week. The winner will be announced on June 18. If the group wants to continue the series in July we will continue and/or if new participants want to join the group that can do so at that time.  

If you’re ready, so are we. Contact your Monroe County Cooperative Extension Service office to register for this series. It’s a better way to a healthier you. Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

Leadership via Moses

Tonight I was reminded about true leadership while attending a local gospel meeting. Here are seven key things that I learned tonight. 

1. Moses was a man of many successes. His goal was to lead his people out of Egypt and into the Promise Land. He took action within his life and exhibited leadership by allowing God's will to be used within his life. He wondered in the wilderness for 40 years, but he eventually made it to the Promise Land according to Matthew 17:1-4. 
2. Leadership is not "power over people" but it is "power with people". The power and action within leadership comes when we "power WITH people" instead of making things a dictatorship and having "power over people" by telling them what to do. The key is work together to reach a common goal because together we are better than one. 
3. Our differences when working on teams and within groups is what makes us stronger because we become more challenged. When we are challenged we become more vulnerable and we begin to open ourselves up and that is when we begin working through problems and progress is made. Being comfortable is bad, because it shows that we are not open to differences and challenges. Step outside your comfort zone and challenge yourself to something new then you will see your true inner strength. 
4. Experience is how you react to things...not what happens to you. See the beauty in your experiences instead of the cause and effect it might have on the things you might or might not get to do.
5. The worst sin ever...is rebellion! Submission takes wisdom. Moses was helped by his father-in-law, Jethro, to to see that one must submit unto God even if others that are to follow you do not listen and follow your lead (Exodus 18:17-19). We must realize that "here" is damage that has been done. We must realize "why" it is a problem. And then we must take the solution given and do as God would have us do even if no one follows. The key is that we submit and do the will of God otherwise we'll be rebelling like everyone else. This might mean that we have to get out our "Muscle and Shovel" to dig deep to seek out the wisdom of God's word.    
6. We each are responsible for ourselves and only those things that we come in contact with that we can control. We each have choices to make. Others can influence us or make an impact on us, but ultimately you are responsible for you! You can choose to be happy, glad, mad, or sad.  
7. God makes the impossible...possible, the weak...are made strong and righteous, the lost ...are made His children.  As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not (Romans 4:17). 

What is your mission in life? Do you have a vision for your future? Does it include being a leader? Open yourself up and allow yourself to be used by God. A few of my goals this year have been to put God first in my life and to have a servant attitude & give back to others. My prayer is to be a faithful Christian leader and servant while being patient and content while waiting for God's plan for the next stage of my life to be revealed. What's yours?