$14.99 Magazines and Funky Church Signs

 So I took my $20 to the bookstore to treat myself! I had the most difficult time choosing something. I wandered around for over an hour just looking. I ended up buying this special issue of Creating Keepsakes Magazine!

 It is a very good special issue. It had a few project ideas that I'm going to use. I especially love the mini album designed to show off your Christmas cards. The holiday season planner was also very cute! It is a definite must have if you are new to scrapbooking!

If you have been reading Creating Keepsakes magazine or Simple Scrapbooks for a while you will recognize some of the projects. I counted 11 projects that have been published in previous issues of Creating Keepsakes and Simple Scrapbooks.


I also found the price of the issue to be very steep. $14.99 is a lot for a magazine! The issue is all content except for one advert for Bazzill and a few for other Creating Keepsakes products.


It was nice to see projects created by some scrap-celebs that I haven't seen much of lately such as Stacy Julien,Erin Lincoln,and Rebecca Cooper!


All together I found this Special Issue to be very good. The projects featured are very nice. The style is pretty simple, no over the top techniques! Very doable! If you miss Simple Scrapbooks magazine,you will enjoy this issue a lot! 

On the way back from church we saw this sign at another local church. :D I had to stop and take a picture!!

Here is the other side of the same sign!!


:D
Have a wonderful Monday everybody! :D


Emily

Menu Planning and What I'm Reading

Menu Planning

Fed up with eating out far to often, I have decided to actually plan meals. To many of you this may not be the most earth shattering idea. For our family it has really made a big difference. We are consuming much healthier foods.We are wasting less time thinking about what to have for dinner every night. Not to mention the less last minute trips to the grocery store eating up time.  

Each evening has a different theme.

Monday: Breakfast for Dinner

Tuesday: Crock Pot Dinners

Wednesday:Pasta or Casseroles

Thursday: World Food Night

Friday:Sandwich night!

The food is simple.With our busy work schedules it feels so nice to have a plan!

What I'm Reading!

I've recently been reading "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin. It is just what I need to be reading this time of year. The gloomies tend to creep in this time of year.Just by reading this book and thinking of the concept of being happy is making me happier. Speaking it into being? Maybe!

The author strives to make her life happier. Is that even possible? Without moving to a private island or other such radical life changes she wants to make her everyday life happy. She sets monthly goals such as  "Being Serious About Play" and "Pursue a Passion" to give her project a nice framework. 

The author came to the realization that she was in danger of "wasting her life away." I can relate to this. We can let the blah and drudgery of everyday get to you. Life can seem dull when all you do is just "exist" in a haze and not take the time to notice all the truly wonderful things going on. Being mindful and deliberate in the way you choose to act and feel. 

This book has been a real joy to read. The author writes in a manner that is easy to connect to. She is transparent and shares her challenges as well as her successes. I have been inspired to step out of my own "hum drum" life and try something new. 

So I am going to strive to try/make something new every week. A new recipe! A new craft project! Meeting someone new! I plan to document in this blog what new things that I am trying!

Off to bed!

Emily