N - News

News? How do you get it?

When I was a kid/young adult, newspapers were the go-to source for news. I have to admit, the comics were usually the first section I turned to, but I generally knew about what was going on in the world.

Today I get my news from my MSN homepage. The only problem, it's not very indepth. I've recently caught myself saying in conversations, "I saw something about that." The only problem is, that's it. I don't have a lot of information, thus, I don't have an informed opinion.

I also listen to news radio when my kids aren't in the car. I listen to a local station, but their news cycle is repeated hourly. Again, I'm just skimming for news, but not getting any meat.

Even though we don't have tv in our home, I did watch several of the GOP debates. I purposefully watched online so I could have an informed opinion regarding my choice for a candidate.

I have to admit, I read more blogs (love you bloggy friends) and WonderWall (MSN's celebrity gossip site) than I do anything resembling hard hitting news. Over Lent I gave up the celebrity reading and to be honest, I felt the void. Now that I'm back to reading who's dating who, who's finally getting married, etc I can honestly say I wish I'd never returned. I could be doing something more profitable.

I would prefer to not spend money getting news (ie newspapers that stack up), but I would love to change up how I'm getting information about the world.

So...how do you get news? Any tips?

M - Mug Rug Give-Away!

How about another give-away?

Last spring I was involved in a mug rug swap.

What's a mug rug, you ask?

A mug rug is a small quilted mat on which to enjoy a drink and dessert.

It's a cute way for quilters to try new blocks and use up their scraps.

(A mug rug from England made for me; I love the owls.)

Mug rugs make lovely little gifts.

(These are the two mug rugs I made and sent off in the swap.)

I would like to make the winner of this give-away two mug rugs in the colors of your choice. With two mats you can share a treat with a friend, spouse, child, etc.

All you need to do is leave a comment and let me know what color choices you would enjoy in a mug rug AND what small drink/snack would you most likely have with your mug rug.

You might want to match your colors with an eating area in your home or you may choose your favorites. It's up to you!

(Open to US and Canadian residents only)
I'll choose a name on Thursday and announce the winner!

L - Life (P365 for weeks 12 - 15)

Sara hosts the P365 Project over at

 Make Music in your Heat to the Lord.

I have participated off and on for 3 years and I'm trying to be more diligent this year. So far I haven't missed taking a daily picture, but I have been remiss in posting my pictures each week.  Here I am with another post to catch up!

Monday, March 19 -

The chicks move out of the office into the barn.

Tuesday, March 20 -

I begin a week long baking frenzy to make 500 sugar cookies for a family Easter event at our church.

(15 batches total. Whew!)

Wednesday, March 21 -

The car wash has been out-of-order and I truly look like I live in the country. Eww.

Thursday, March 22 -

The horses enjoy getting sprayed down. 

They will turn around and back up to the fence to get their showers.

Friday, March 23 -

Easter event at church - a big success

Saturday, March 24 -

Six new chicks added to the pen in the office. These are bright yellow!

Sunday, March 25 -

The Martens' girls are ready for a special drama/worship program called KidStuff.

Monday, March 26 -

Remember the quilt I made for a mini-quilt swap?

Here's the quilt and extra gifts I received from a sweet lady in TX.

Tuesday, March 27 -

Time to fire up the grill for our first spring burgers.

Wednesday, March 28 -

We tied up the dog on the front porch and she got bored and made puzzle-pieces of my doormat.

I asked the girls to take a trash bag out after dinner and pick up the pieces, but they had already begun putting them back together in front of the door.  That cracked me up!

Thursday, March 29 -

I love dandelions and Picnik effects (how I will miss you picnik!)

Friday, March 30 -

The chickens are growing!

Saturday, March 31 -

The horses have to be brought into the corral at night to curb their eating of the rich grass.

This is their usual sleeping spot where you can find them in the morning.

Sunday, April 1 -

Mark came to church casually dressed and said this was his Palm Sunday shirt. :)

Monday, April 2 -

April's calendar page

Tuesday, April 3 -

The chickens explore outside for the first time.

Wednesday, April 4 -

We filled 170 eggs for an Easter egg hunt on the farm.

Thursday, April 5 -

We invited 9 families from our Homeschool CoOp (30 people) and enjoyed a picnic lunch, Easter egg hunt and smores.

Friday, April 6 -

Easter Mantel

Saturday, April 7 -

We celebrated Easter a day early so we could serve freely at church the next day.

The pic at the top left makes me laugh. They are looking diligently in the pantry for an egg and it's sitting right on the door handle just past them. Love it!

Sunday, April 8 -

I made a sunflower/peep cake for Easter. So easy and cute!

Monday, April 9 -

A clear spring day with soft clouds.

Tuesday, April 10 -

Katie being silly.

Wednesday, April 11 -

Jewelry give-away on my blog.

Thursday, April 12 -

Tiny Taco Meatball appetizer on Doritos. (watch for the "T" post on my cooking blog)

Friday, April 13 -

Rhett becomes an Eagle Scout!

Saturday, April 14 -

We had a BBQ with 18 people at our house. We had three different countries and four different states represented - it was quite the international crowd! We shared the Martens' smores with them.

(Again...wait for the "S" post on my cooking blog!)

That should catch you up! Hope you're enjoying your spring!

J - Give-away Revealed!

I know I'm behind on my A-Z and I plan on doing a little catching up. We hosted Rhett's Eagle Scout Ceremony on Friday and then I had 18 people to the farm on Saturday, including out-of-town family staying with us. To top it off I think I have a cold or sinus infection. I made it through work, but the blog has taken a hit!

Life, you know.

I'll get back on the wagon today, but until I can get caught up I wanted to announce the winners of the Jewelry Give-away!

The winner of the blue and silver necklace is

Conny

And the winner of the White necklace is

Nel

Congratulations, ladies!  If you would send your full name and address to my email: angie@creativityltd.com, I will send your necklaces to you!  I hope you'll enjoy them!

K - Best Movie Kisses

When trying to come up with my letter "K" post, the only two words I could think of were ketchup and kisses. It was pretty easy to choose between the two.

These are my favorite movie kisses:

A Walk In The Clouds

I just loved this movie. Keanu Reeves. Sigh.

Love Actually

(although I'm not proud I've seen this movie)

She was so sweet to give him a kiss!

Titanic

Don't we all love this kiss?

The Notebook

Those two had some chemistry. Whew!

Pretty Woman

They finally kissed when he rescued her!

Clark Gable knew how to kiss...

in Gone With The Wind.

"No, I don't think I will kiss you,

although you need kissing, badly.

That's what's wrong with you.

You should be kissed and often,

and by someone who knows how."

Best Lines Ever!

I love when my husband says this to me!
(and he thinks he's being funny)

J - Jewelry Give-Away!

I have a sweet friend who makes and wears beautiful jewelry.

Her name is Tracey and you can see her jewelry works-of-art at

traceyjolleydesigns.etsy.com

This beautiful silver and turquoise necklace is stunning.

I love these clear chunky beads; they would go with everything!

Whether you wear these wonderful pieces yourself or give them as a gift, I'm sure they will be appreciated. ( and noticed!)

1) If you would like to win one of these necklaces leave a comment telling me which necklace would be your favorite to win.  (Yep, sorry, you've got to pick one.) 

2) If you visit Tracey's etsy shop, choose your favorite design and come back and let me know in a comment. You'll be entered into one of the necklace drawings one more time. (pick one!)

3) If you follow this blog you may enter both necklace drawings, just leave me a comment that you are following.

You may comment until Saturday night at 9pm and the winner will be announced on Sunday.

Good Luck!

I - Input and Intellection

Tom Rath, Gallup's Global Practice Leader, is the #1 New York Times Best-Selling Author of Strengthfinders 2.0, as well as many other fantastic books.

I first heard Tom at a leadership conference and my interest was peaked as he talked about working in your strengths instead of working on improving your weaknesses.  His premise is that we're all good at something. Shouldn't we be working on trying to share what we're good at, making improvement in the areas we already shine, instead of working on things, that quite frankly, we'll probably never be good at no matter how much effort we put into trying to improve our weaknesses?  It was an interesting idea, certainly one that deemed further investigation.

Well, it didn't take long for me to get further into Mr. Rath's idea of working within your strengths. At work we were given the Strengthfinders 2.0 book and asked to take the online assessment (a code is included in the back of the book to access the test). As employees we took the assessment and then shared our results within our department, talking about whether our positions fit our strengths and how we could work our strengths into being more productive in our areas of responsibility.

I took the test and was amazed at the results! (Don't I sound like an infomercial! Heehee!)  The Strengthfinder's test nailed my personality and honestly, gave me confidence. I realized that my strengths could be leveraged for good at work and at home and that I could embrace the needs that I had to feed my strengths, significantly alone time.

Have you figured out two of my strengths? Input and Intellection.

Someone with the strength of Input:

• collects physical and/or virtual stuff they find interesting

(I have a paper problem!)

• enjoys information, words, facts or quotations, books or collectibles. 
• finds many things interesting (Have you visited my Pinterest?)
• Inquisitive

Someone with the strength of Intellection:

• enjoys solitude - in fact, needs it!
• introspective, likes to think
• mental hum is a constant part of life
• must schedule quiet time to "just think"
• thrives on mental activity (maybe that's why I try lots of crafts!)

I am a thinker. I love learning and collecting information. It makes me happy! 

Hope you enjoyed learning a little more about "I." :)

If you're interested in reading Strengthfinders 2.0 and taking the assessment, click here. (BTW, don't buy a used copy if you intend to use the online code in the back.You could pick up the book to peruse and make guesses as to your strengths, but you'll be tempted to take the test, I promise!)

If you take the assessment, please, share your strengths with me. I'd love to know what makes you unique!