Early July Morning, Cocoa Beach, Florida
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Links to Free Projects, Patterns, and Ideas!
Art Bead Scene
Check out Heather's beautiful color palette from our gorgeous vibrant monthly challenge piece.
Guitar String Bracelet Tutorial
Here is a fun idea for recycling old guitar strings. Terry shows how to make a bracelet and gives other ideas to make out of old instrument strings.
Much Crafting!
Crafty Princess published another crafting video podcast where she shares all the crafting madness, crocheting, beading, and knitting.
Father's Day Craft Ideas
Father's Day is June 21st! Here are 18 project ideas to check out.
Beading Arts
Cyndi has posted a tutorial for a quick and easy little bead embroidered pendant for the summer, featuring a beautiful painted button.
Connie Gee's New Pattern
Connie has added a new Welcome Sampler Cross Stitch Pattern to her Etsy shop. It is colorful and suitable for stitching on Aida or Linen. She has also added a new free pattern to the site. Be sure to check out recent blog posts!
Check out Heather's beautiful color palette from our gorgeous vibrant monthly challenge piece.
Guitar String Bracelet Tutorial
Here is a fun idea for recycling old guitar strings. Terry shows how to make a bracelet and gives other ideas to make out of old instrument strings.
Much Crafting!
Crafty Princess published another crafting video podcast where she shares all the crafting madness, crocheting, beading, and knitting.
Father's Day Craft Ideas
Father's Day is June 21st! Here are 18 project ideas to check out.
Beading Arts
Cyndi has posted a tutorial for a quick and easy little bead embroidered pendant for the summer, featuring a beautiful painted button.
Connie Gee's New Pattern
Connie has added a new Welcome Sampler Cross Stitch Pattern to her Etsy shop. It is colorful and suitable for stitching on Aida or Linen. She has also added a new free pattern to the site. Be sure to check out recent blog posts!
Monday, June 15, 2015
Lazy, Fat, and Sloppy, NO MORE!
Last week, I received my latest book from bloggingforbooks.com.
Ok, so the girl on the front of the book is not realistic for someone like me...55, mother of four, and menopausal. Maybe back in the day when I was in my 20's and dancing everyday, but not now, and I need to understand that.
I have done many diets throughout my adult life, since I started having babies, and I have found that my body rearranged itself. My waist is in a different place, and I tend to carry my weight around my gut, not my hips like when I was young. Boy, I use to have the teeniest, tiniest waist! I was very self conscience about it too. UGH!
Ok, so no more excuses! I know I cannot be the person I once was, but that doesn't mean I can't be healthy. I need to not listen to what the media says is the perfect woman. I have to be my perfect self!
The day after I got the book, I sat down, like I do with all the books I get from bloggingforbooks.com. Usually, I read and skim through them. Not this one! As I read through it, something told me to try it; and I am going to do just that.
Thursday, I sat down with the book and made my goals and plan of action. It is always best to start out with smaller goals to reach a bigger goal. I don't really need to loose that much weight, just a total of 15 pounds. My first goal toward that is to loose 8 pounds before I go to Florida to visit with my family, including my grand daughter and her mom and dad who will be there visiting too :D
I had 9 1/2 weeks from when I began. They say that loosing an average of 2 pounds a week is healthy, so, loosing that 8 pounds in 9.5 weeks, is doable.
Friday morning, I started my exercise routine. Now in the past, I have been one that exercises. Growing up, I was very active, and during college, well, I was a dance major, so I was VERY active. After I was no longer going to college, I worked at a hospital, and did a lot of walking to different clinics. I could have taken the elevator, but I did not, I took the stairs. I also taught aerobic classes in the evening and went to the gym.
When the kids started to come, that is when it all went downhill. I had to be put on bed-rest with everyone, and that got me out of the exercise habit. I did try to walk after their births, but between crying babies, and dogs chasing us, that didn't last very long. Over the years I did take tap classes, but that was only once a week, so not much as far as exercise goes there.
Fast forward to when the youngest two are in high school. We just moved, and I met a group of ladies that walked in the neighborhood. We walked 3 to 4 miles a day...in an hour, so it was not a saunter, it was a WALK! We were...."The Walkers...."
Then, we moved again. Well, this time, I joined the YMCA, and did Pilates, Yoga, Water Aerobics, Water Walking, and I swam a mile each day. Some days I added treading water for an hour. Being at the gym for 3 hours a day, I was in pretty good shape! Not the little thing I was in my 20's, but I was in good shape, and felt great!
Then...we moved, again (we do that a lot). And here I am today. Lazy, fat, and sloppy. But hopefully, not for long!
Each day (Monday through Saturday), I will get up at 6:45, grab a piece of fruit and out the door on my 20+ minute walk. Oh! and by the way...I met a lady in the neighborhood who just started to walk the very same day I did! That made me happy (and made her happy too). Now, I have a new friend to help me keep my commitment. That is important when doing things like this. A friend can help you keep on track.
We walk for about a half hour...2 miles, and then I come home, and have me a protein smoothie. Today, it was a cherry with chocolate flavored Slim and Sassy Trim Shake by Doterra. After my shake, I grabbed my yoga mat and small Pilates ball, and headed to our sunroom for some strength exercises, small weights for arms, planks, superman's, and Pilates sit ups with the small ball to support my back. I ended with several sun salutations and then a child's pose. I felt good....sweaty, but good!
So, I have made a commitment to myself, to my new friend, and to you....that is the reason for this blog. It will probably be a few months before I report back, but I do plan to do so....stay tuned....
No More Excuses Diet
3 Days to Bust Any Excuse
3 Weeks to Easy New Eating Habits
3 Months to Total Transformation
Ok, so the girl on the front of the book is not realistic for someone like me...55, mother of four, and menopausal. Maybe back in the day when I was in my 20's and dancing everyday, but not now, and I need to understand that.
I have done many diets throughout my adult life, since I started having babies, and I have found that my body rearranged itself. My waist is in a different place, and I tend to carry my weight around my gut, not my hips like when I was young. Boy, I use to have the teeniest, tiniest waist! I was very self conscience about it too. UGH!
Ok, so no more excuses! I know I cannot be the person I once was, but that doesn't mean I can't be healthy. I need to not listen to what the media says is the perfect woman. I have to be my perfect self!
The day after I got the book, I sat down, like I do with all the books I get from bloggingforbooks.com. Usually, I read and skim through them. Not this one! As I read through it, something told me to try it; and I am going to do just that.
Thursday, I sat down with the book and made my goals and plan of action. It is always best to start out with smaller goals to reach a bigger goal. I don't really need to loose that much weight, just a total of 15 pounds. My first goal toward that is to loose 8 pounds before I go to Florida to visit with my family, including my grand daughter and her mom and dad who will be there visiting too :D
I had 9 1/2 weeks from when I began. They say that loosing an average of 2 pounds a week is healthy, so, loosing that 8 pounds in 9.5 weeks, is doable.
Friday morning, I started my exercise routine. Now in the past, I have been one that exercises. Growing up, I was very active, and during college, well, I was a dance major, so I was VERY active. After I was no longer going to college, I worked at a hospital, and did a lot of walking to different clinics. I could have taken the elevator, but I did not, I took the stairs. I also taught aerobic classes in the evening and went to the gym.
When the kids started to come, that is when it all went downhill. I had to be put on bed-rest with everyone, and that got me out of the exercise habit. I did try to walk after their births, but between crying babies, and dogs chasing us, that didn't last very long. Over the years I did take tap classes, but that was only once a week, so not much as far as exercise goes there.
Fast forward to when the youngest two are in high school. We just moved, and I met a group of ladies that walked in the neighborhood. We walked 3 to 4 miles a day...in an hour, so it was not a saunter, it was a WALK! We were...."The Walkers...."
Then, we moved again. Well, this time, I joined the YMCA, and did Pilates, Yoga, Water Aerobics, Water Walking, and I swam a mile each day. Some days I added treading water for an hour. Being at the gym for 3 hours a day, I was in pretty good shape! Not the little thing I was in my 20's, but I was in good shape, and felt great!
Then...we moved, again (we do that a lot). And here I am today. Lazy, fat, and sloppy. But hopefully, not for long!
Each day (Monday through Saturday), I will get up at 6:45, grab a piece of fruit and out the door on my 20+ minute walk. Oh! and by the way...I met a lady in the neighborhood who just started to walk the very same day I did! That made me happy (and made her happy too). Now, I have a new friend to help me keep my commitment. That is important when doing things like this. A friend can help you keep on track.
We walk for about a half hour...2 miles, and then I come home, and have me a protein smoothie. Today, it was a cherry with chocolate flavored Slim and Sassy Trim Shake by Doterra. After my shake, I grabbed my yoga mat and small Pilates ball, and headed to our sunroom for some strength exercises, small weights for arms, planks, superman's, and Pilates sit ups with the small ball to support my back. I ended with several sun salutations and then a child's pose. I felt good....sweaty, but good!
So, I have made a commitment to myself, to my new friend, and to you....that is the reason for this blog. It will probably be a few months before I report back, but I do plan to do so....stay tuned....
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Happy Early Birthday to my Daughter In Law!!!
Today, we celebrated my daughter in law's birthday.
We had Hawaiian Haystacks for dinner, and I made a brownie for her "cake." Figured I did not want a huge cake laying around calling my name for the next week....
Anyway....
It was a caramel chocolate brownie...YUMMMMO!
The directions called for 1 egg, water and oil. In the past, I have used coconut oil, and it actually gives the brownies a nice taste. My daughter and her husband are vegan, and they usually substitute flax seed for eggs when baking or cooking. I decided to try that. The recipe...1 T flax ground flax seed, 3 T water, let set until it gels up...about 5 minutes. Then just use as you would an egg in your brownie, cake, or cookie recipe.
Now, I could lick the bowl without everyone getting on to me about eating raw eggs.
So...the outcome....
It taste good,
BUT, the consistency was crazy. The outer edges were way too done, and the inside was not done at all. Not sure if it was due to the fact I used a flax "egg" or maybe it was because I used my small oven (which I have done before). Maybe it was the combination of flax "egg", coconut oil, AND small oven.
Ya know....it tasted very good, and that is all that counts.
Friday, June 12, 2015
Old Guitar String Bracelets
The other day, someone posted something on facebook that describes my present state of mind....
"I am a proCRAFTenator"
Yep, I have a lot to do, but I just cannot get motivated. Let me show you what I've been up too...
"I am a proCRAFTenator"
Yep, I have a lot to do, but I just cannot get motivated. Let me show you what I've been up too...
This is a bracelet made of old guitar strings.
Here is another bracelet made of old guitar strings.
Here is another one...this one is a gift for someone.
If you want to see how I made the last two above, check out my youtube channel...tappingflamingo. I have a tutorial that shows how to make this easy project. I also show some other things you can make with old guitar strings on that video.
While you are over there, I hope you subscribe to my tappingflamingo youtube channel. There will be more tutorials coming in the near future.
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
The Amazing Make-Ahead Baby Food Book
Being a new grandma, I am always looking out for my granddaughter and her mom. I was really excited about this book, especially since my daughter and her family are very health conscience.
As I go through this book, I even see things "I" want to try! The author, Lisa Barrangou, shows you how easy it is to make food for your little one. Yes, buying processed jarred baby food is convenient, but homemade baby food using fresh, whole foods are far superior, and don't you want the best for your baby?
Lisa takes you through the simple process of making and freezing your baby's food. She even has a three month menu of meals. Great for the first time parent (or second, third, etc.)
Month one, first few days, she starts your baby out with sweet potatoes. The second food she introduces are sweet peas. By the last week of month three, the menu goes something like this: Breakfast, quinoa cereal + cherries + blueberries. For lunch it's blueberries + peaches + yogurt, and for dinner avocados + mangoes + black beans. Now does that not sound absolutely delicious?!
I know my daughter is very anxious to get this book, and I look forward to having dinner with them soon and tasting some of these yummy creations myself.
"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."
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