Homegrown Hospitality

I am me...who are you?

seems like a simple phrase.  I am me.  duh.  You are you, I am me...but this is me typing...and I like to simply....complicate things...not on purpose, that is just the way GOD made me...I look into things a bit more than just simply letting them be.

I am working on a new kids classes and wrote a little poem for thier title page of their book...to remind them of who they are..and that reminded me of a little something that I wrote during this past summer.   

I was invited to contribute a layout to a book that will be coming out soon by my friend Lisa. When the book was being put together, at the last minute, the theme of my layout needed to be changed, so I started over, but the content of my first layout was SO me.  It is a bit personal, but I thought, it is me, and if you don't know me, or are new to this blog, I thought I would re-introduce myself, and maybe spur you to look at yourself, and write who you are. 

so, I am me...

My plan as a little girl

was to be a wife,

become a mother

create a home and live a good & faithful life

filled with family & friends.

My dream

as a young girl

was to marry the first boy I fell in Love with.

My goals as a young woman changed as life did. 

I have learned along the way

that people take different roads,

make their own choices & base decisions

on their own understanding.

It has taken me 38 years of life filled

with situations, disappointments, wonderful memories,

poor choices, awesome experiences and a

renewed focus on God to understand and accept

that the plans we had made when we were young

are ultimately not in our control.

My wishes now lie in my heart,

in my mind and with the plan that God has for me.

I know to accept the “thrills of victory and

the “agonies of defeats”  that happen with life.

Had the things that happened in my life up till

now not occurred, I would not be where I am

at this very moment.

I cherish my children, love making my house a home

that is inviting and comfortable,

I do not take for granted, but cherish

the family & friends that bless my life,

& I continually thank GOD for his faith and undying LOVE. 

and

twenty-three years later…. . I married that first boy I Fell in Love with.

so, who are you?

dig deep.

don't force it

and be honest, you are the only one reading it...(well and GOD, but he already knows...he made you, duh!)...

Intentions, Focus and Faith...in Black & White..

The past few days my blog should have been called BLAHHH-G...just plain blah, oh except for the helmet cam (that came via UPS last night!)

I am in a tiny, only a tiny bit of a funk again...which I think is normal for the 3rd week of a new year...I don't set up resolutions because I don't want to get like this...and so I don't set resolutions...and I get like this anyway....but I only let it, the funk, hang with me for a few minutes...that's all I have time for...and then I set in my FOCUS....

so...

today, I am focusing on my faith...first and very most importantly..my faith in GOD and believing God...did you see that?  not believing IN GOD, (because, duh, you all know I do) but simply learning and being reminded to focus on BELIEVING HIM...on what he does, and what he says...please do not misunderstand me, I do believe him, it is just a bit deeper than that, and with our new study, Believing God, by Beth Moore,  it is helping me FOCUS. 

Here are five "good things" to remember:

pretty basic, to the point things...don't cha think?  good stuff....

alright, so with all of that in mind, I believe that I am handling this whole magazine on a tight rope issue quite nicely...the old me probably would have shed a tear or two by now, which I have not, would have worried about it so much I would have developed some type of stomach issue, which I do not have, and would have just plain turned in a whirling dervish, which I am not (hold your comments on that one...) I do not want to sound ungrateful or not effected, because I really really care , but like I said, it is going to work out the way it is going to work out, and whatever happens...good or not so good....it will be okay....(someone PLEASE remind me of that should the "not so good" rear its ugly head!)

alright, and with all of that...I must tell you that I have COMPLETELY FALLEN OFF OF THE L.O.A.D (layout a day) due to deadlines, children, laundry, dishes, homework, responsibilities..yadda yadda yadda...and although I have not checked in with the other 3500 participants, I am certain that I am not the only one...BUT, my INTENTIONS, are to catch up.  For just a moment, I was a tiny bit bummed that I would not be in the runnin for a prize...it is okay...I have enough "prizes" here to get me through the next 100 or so years....and with CHA around the corner, well I will say no more.

but speaking of CHA (don't you just love how my blog writings are like a pin ball, just bouncing from one thing to another..)(p.s. it is not like that just in my blog) I will be in the FISKAR booth doing the Heidi Grace make-n-takes each day (while she is off having another baby!)  and on Tuesday, I will be in the CKMEDIA booth from 2:00-3:00 doing a make-n-take and giving you a look at the new (insert name of magazine here) that hits the newsstands March 1...so come find me...I will have coooookkkkiiiieeeesssss..........

okay, that is all for now... I need to get ready for the day....I hope you have a super day, wherever you are, and what ever you are going to be doing...just remember to "do good", "be kind" and "just smile"....

A proud daughter & big sister.....

THANK YOU all for your support with Homegrown Hospitality and the S.O.S that I sent out yesterday regarding the magazine name.  From the comments I received and the extreme support I was given from all of you on taking the survey, I feel like I need to explain a little more....

I was just being the messenger on the survey, but the survey was not being given by me...This survey is being presented by CKMEDIA. They are the company that I work for, the company that brings you Creating Keepsakes, Simple Scrapbooks, Paper Crafts, Digi.....you know who they are...

anyways, with that, they feel that a name change is needed.  This is not something that I am completely excited about, because Homegrown Hospitality is me, but I have realized that it is not about me, but about you, and what you want to see, what you want to read and what appeals to you plus, I  trust they they know waaayyyyyyy more than I do, so on we go. 

With this change, I am reminded to rely solely on faith that this is all in the big plan, and although I did my share of whining and pleading for the name....the show must go on....and soon we will see the results....nevertheless, the HOMEGROWN SPIRIT is alive and well inside of me...and who knows what will happen.... so, here is another look at the options....if you did not get a chance to go over and vote...click here to share your opinion....

okay..onto being the proud daughter & proud sister...

let me start with when I ran my 1st (and only) marathon as few years ago, my sister also ran, but started with the 1/2...sadly, she did not make it through...she ate a powerbar for the first time just prior to running and well, that did not really fit into her body's idea for the day....and she was so upset and swore that she  WOULD NEVER RUN ANOTHER DAY IN HER LIFE......fast forward to last year at the Phoenix Rock & Roll Marathon where she completed her first marathon (with several 1/2's in her pocket) well, last year, she signed up again for this year's 1/2...and so did my mom & dad!!!  Jen planned to run & mom & dad committed to walk it...and that they did...after several months of training, cold AZ mornings, warm AZ evenings, and some HOT days in-between...THEY DID IT!!!!!!!!

Hip Hip Hooray for my mom, dad & sis....and look at the picture...they are holding hands...

YEAH for them...I love you...wish I would have been there...maybe, that is maybe..next year..

S.O.S

Homegrown Hospitality needs your immediate attention to this matter....

please click here:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=DSY7Y0ppWGDzcM5b_2b_2fxGmQ_3d_3d

thank you so much....

In Fiskars Orange....

of course!

and I also bought the helmet attachment for the cam...because I am an extreme crafter....

can you imagine me walking around CHA with my helmet cam on...HOW FUN!!!

T.G.I.F

Happy Friday!!!!  the year is already moving a little bit faster, although it makes dieting a little easier!!!

Thank you for your comments regarding Homegrown Hospitality.  I have had some discussions with the higher ups in the CK family...and it looks like there will be some visual changes to HGH so that it is more appealing to the mind & eye. I went to Borders the other day by myself and just sat in front of the magazine racks just to take it all in ....did you know that you make a decision within 8 seconds at a newsstands on whether you are going to buy something or not???? I am going to pay a little more attention to that...

alright, in honor of a comment from Noel Holly (is that not a total Heidi Grace sounding paper line???) about the letter of the day...I am going to dedicate this portion of the post to the letter F again...because F words are easy to come by...that sounds terrible...GOOD F words...like

FONT (insert a little self-promotion here)

I have started to receive emails from some of you regarding the Homegrown Font CD and I even received a few photo's of layouts using the FONTS...so cute, and SO GLAD that it seems that it is easy to use...I worked on a few quick things to show you examples of what you can do....

   I opened up a new word document and typed out what I wanted to say using the the Homegrown Alphabet. I highlighted the entire document (control A) and changed the color to light gray.  Then on some of the words I wanted to stand out ( Good News, GOD, etc.) I either made them all caps or increased their size.

I printed it out on Bazzill white paper.  That is ALWAYS my paper of choice when I am using markers.  The ink sets well with the paper.  I used a black .03 pen and just traced around each letter, then I colored in my letters, and added gray marker to shadow the words.  Using the same black pen, I doodled out little boxes around some of the keys words, added a little gray shadow her & there...and bam (you should say it like Emeril does) you have yourself a little Homegrown Doodle...

The great thing about this kinda stuff is...there is no right or wrong way to do it AND no perfection required!!!! That is a good thing....

here is another project for my upcoming Kids Spring Break Classes at Timeless Treasures where I used the Homegrown Alphabet .... In the layout (this will be the opening page) I applied my "Garanimals" approach when choosing colors for the doodle that matched the colors in the Heidi Grace & Scenic Route papers...looks pretty cute! 

okay, so if you have already gotten your cd, please be sure to share with me what you are using it for, I would love to see it and love to share with the other readers...you can email me at homegrownhospitality@cox.net.

If you have ordered a CD, except for the INTL. orders that take a tiny bit longer to get to you...and the orders placed yesterday...everything has shipped and the USPS should be delivering something to you soon...

and well, if you have not purchased a CD, or have absolutely not a clue as to what I am talking about...there will always be CD available...I try to replenish ETSY as often as I can....so go on over and take a look...

another F word stands for FOCUS (my word of the year)...which is a bit out of whack right now..I think it was because I ate an entire bag of popcorn and at least 6 Hersey kisses last night as I typed away on the computer trying to stay up for a new episode of GREY'S ANATOMY...

BUT...I am dressed and ready to hit the GYM after I drop the kids off, so that should re-adjust things a little...I started a new Bible Study on Wednesday, "Believing God" by Beth Moore, and already, it is Fantastic...she is a FUNNY, FASHIONABLE, wild & crazy GOD lovin Lady!!! we have done many of her studies, but by far, even though it was only the first day, it is my FAVORITE.

okay...WHOOPS...I FORGOT to post this before I went off to the gym..and know I am home...so sorry...have a FABULOUS DAY.....and thank GOD that he made FRIDAYS...Thanks God!

"It's a Good Thing"

Before I tell you about last night...I just had to share this with you.  I am in no way boasting or bragging about this, it just made me stop in my tracks, completely.

37.  Who was the best new person you met?

Too many to name on line. In person: Linda Woods. Stephanie Ackerman.

This is a portion of a Q & A with my pal, Lain....and that was her answer.  ME?  I am speechless. 

How do I, oh bother...dang, I am just gonna let that one stay in my heart for a bit...Thanks Laine!!! oh you!!!

alright...I want to thank Margaret, Jill, Jennifer, Jami, Kathy, Jennifer, Tara, Isabel, Suzanne, Denise, Naomi, Marian, Linzi, Christy, Gloria, Christi, Heather, Bernadette & Kat, Sandy, Mitzi, The Wahine, and Cheryl for the best ever Fiskar night!!!    It was almost like we were in San Antonio...the room was alive with the love for all things Fiskar...it was like a mini Fiskar convention...

with "Oohs...and ahhh's" and "I didn't know that" and "oh, that's so cute" and lots of talking, smiles, cutting, stamping, distressing, embossing,  corner rounding, heart punching card makin women...with lots of Fiskar colored snacks!!!

Really was a total fun night...and I am excited to be able to schedule our next training date...probably in March.  February is a crazy busy month with CHA, deadlines, etc. so it looks like March will be the month....and speaking of March...the new issue of Homegrown Hospitality comes out in March...all about Celebrations...and as soon as I know an exact date, you will be the first to know....maybe we will have another little party!

I want to thank all of you for your emails, letters, cards and comments regarding the first issue.  It has taken this long to have it all sink in, and I am excited for the next issue! Just like anything else in life, Homegrown Hospitality is a total "Work in Progress" it's got its highlights...and low lights.  I am going to be honest and tell you that the first one, well...it did not do real good on the newsstand, not bad...just not real good...

It could be for a number of reasons, and a closer look is going to be given to see what can be improved, which means that there may be some changes...

Who knew that I would be saying this after my post about CHANGE??? 

For each hour of the past few days, my faith has been put to work....I have 10 minutes of anxiety and 50 minutes of "I am putting on my boxing gloves and gonna give it all I got".. and I am looking to you out there...

to get your input on what you'd like to see,

what you think I could do to broaden the horizon of spreading the Homegrown Hospitality, Home Sweet Home way of life...

It is not just about scrapbooking...not just about the Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe (well, for some it may be!)  not just about felt, paper, batter & paint...it is all about the passion, love, desire (wow, where is Fabio when you need him!)

You all know what I mean...

I am so grateful and fortunate to be doing what I am doing, and I  just can not tell you how important it is for me to keep on keepin on...so share your thoughts with me...would it make a difference to come to your town and teach?

Would it make a difference if I baked a dozen cookies for each one of you....(oh, that is ALOT of butter!)...on the other hand, GOD has a plan for me, and I have said to you before, and I will say it again....

I do not know where I am going, but I know FOR SURE that where I am, is right where I am supposed to be. It has taken me a long time to figure that one out, and I am so thankful that I can say it, and feel it, and mean it....

I betcha that is where Martha got the phrase "It's a Good Thing" and if she did not have that copyrighted, registered, tattooed on her butt (totally kidding, it is probably on her shoulder blade!) and trademarked, oh how I would LOVE to own that phrase....

because it really is a good thing! 

Thanks again to all of my Fiskateer Friends for such a wonderful night of fun...and Fiskar colored snacks!!!

and THANK YOU LAINE!!!!LOVE YOU...

HOUSTON....

we have a problem....I am not sure what it is...BUT I am POSITIVE that it is something that I have done...

remember...the artist, not the tech....

anyways....if you are trying to purchase a Homegrown Font CD from my ETSY SHOP, they are not sold out.  If you follow the link

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=57408

you will be in the right place...and there is now an INTERNATIONAL option, so make sure that if you live in the US of A, you don't order from the INTERNATIONAL OPTION....

Today is a very very busy day....I need to FOCUS on lots and lots and lots of things today and I am anxious for 9:00 pm to be here (that means I will have gotten done all I need to have gotten done for today, oh & it is only 4:36 am right now) I should not do that...It makes me a little anxious....but I am going to kill that with an early morning run...

FOCUS on the HEALTHY LIVING is first on my list this morning...hopefully that will kick me into high gear, because LORD (he already knows) I need it today....

OH MY GOSH....today is my blog's birthday...HAPPY BIRTHDAY blog.....wow, what a year....I know I have posted that before, but honestly....what a year!  Thank you to each one of you...wouldn't be doing it and it wouldn't be the same with out each one of you...and thanks again Sandra, for the card!

I tell ya, it's the little things!!!!

okay, it's time for lift off (that kinda goes with the title!) I need to get one more cup of coffee in me and my running shoes on......have a super day!

Winner Winner...Chicken Dinner

okay...so yes Susan, Heather is the winner....but not to worry...there will be more to come...Valentine's Day is still over a month away...and I appreciate your passion for helping, as does Miranda.  You may have seen her comment on a post or two ago, but she also sent me an e-mail just moments ago....Here is a blurb from it...

"Just wanted to say thanks yet again!  please also let everyone else know how much it helps and that I and many others GREATLY APPRECIATE it!!!!!!!!  You may not realize it but every little bit makes a HUGE difference!! It all goes to helping all the young kids and adults fight arthritis and find a cure"

She invited me to walk and I need to look at my calendar, but I am always up for a good walk...and guess what I got in the mail today.....a "Happy Blog Anniversary" card from reader Sandra Smart...how stinkin sweet is that???? My gosh, thank you so much Sandra...that was so thoughtful, and I know that Sandra is "Thinking" about going on the cruise in April...how about you???  After CHA is over, I am going to get to work on a new Font CD for all of the ladies on the cruise...maybe I should have kept that a secret, but really...there will be so many fun surprises...I can let one, or two out...for now, that is it.

and my day 7 of the BPS & Lain LOAD challenge....my mom & dad.....married almost 42 years!  Yikes...they got married right out of high school (19 years old) and they are still happily ever after... Sorry about the "flash" in the picture, and now that I look at in, my doodles & the Daisy D embellishment does not really flow...but that is okay....right...this is something I struggle with..only with myself though....repeating that...IT IS OKAY!

and a riddle to end this post.....

what is orange & green, sweet, healthy, creative & fun....

My Fiskars Training at Timeless Treasures tomorrow and it is FREE, there are snacks that match the fiskars colors (see above pic) and we are going to play, play, play...and there is room for you!  So send me an email AND call the store at (949) 888-7191 to get your name on the list!

Oh...and one last thing...If you are an INTERNATIONAL reader and are interested in purchasing the Homegrown Font CD (click on the link posted on the right side of this blog >>>>>>                          I have loaded on an additional 10 cd's for INTERNATIONAL shoppers...make sure to click on the title that reads "Homegrown Font CD International"....Thanks again to everyone who has purchased a cd...they are on the way!.

1 hour to go....

we have one hour to go and Heather is in the lead with $100.00....

do I hear 125.00??????

post your bids to this post...