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FUN/DIY

Valentine's Day

Save A Stamp And Shopping Time While Sending Love To Your Valentines

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Treat.com for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

No matter how hard I try, I can never get snail mail out on time.

Here is what gets me every time–stamps and envelopes!  I have the best intentions, get a nice handmade card written or even actually get myself to the store and buy a card, but then I find I’m out of stamps or can’t find an envelope.

This is why Treat.com is my new best friend.  This online service is not only going to save me the hassle of shopping for cards and finding a stamp, but they will also make it a breeze to create a personalized, one-of-a-kind greeting card.

photo Treat_zps832edd2c.png

Create your Treat card using your PC or your iPhone.  Treat will print it out and mail it for you.
My fear with using online services is feeling like what I send might feel impersonal.  Not so with Treat. The wide selection of greeting cards make it easy to choose the perfect card for each individual person, and you can make it super fun and personal by adding photos and editing the text.

Here are a few more reasons to use Treat:

~ you can create your card anytime, anywhere

~their mailing service mails it for you

~they offer a reminder service so you never miss a special occasion

~you are able to add a personalized Photo Gifts or gift card to any greeting card

Really, this service is genius, especially for those who have large families.  My mom and I were just talking about this…how keeping up with family birthdays can be such a daunting task.  She said she had just got everyone’s birthdays written down on her side of the family and on Dad’s side of the family.  That is A LOT of birthdays!  I can’t wait to tell her about this service, where she can just add the dates, get reminded, and even give a gift along with the card. Treat makes gathering birthday dates super easy allowing you to add your Facebook friends and email contacts.  No more shopping multiple times a month.  Think of all the checkout lines she won’t have to stand in!

I made a few Valentine’s Day Cards and had a blast doing it.
I made a card for my mother-in-law, my little niece, my little nephew, my husband, and my sister.

The process was so easy and so fun! I loved finding cards that fit each individual’s personality.

I can see myself doing this on my phone while waiting at doctor’s offices or sitting in my car waiting while picking up my girls from school.  What a time saver!

Here is a way you can send some love and try out Treat:

Use the code #SENDMORELOVE.
With this code, you can enjoy 3 cards for $6.  Send them to your self for free, or send them to a recipient for the price of a stamp.  Be quick!  Offer expires 2/28/2014.
If you are sending Valentines, make sure to get your order in by 11:00 PM Pacific time on 2/10/2014.Which of your loved ones deserve a card?
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Cancer Journey/ HEALTH/ Music Renews/ Spiritual

He Is Making Me

I spent most of the day yesterday making appointments.  Not just for me, but for my family, as I have fallen behind in life during my surgeries and the holidays. 

~Orthodontist (2 girls)
~Ophthalmologist (3 of us)
~Dentist (2 of us)
~Pediatrician 
~Parent Teacher Conference 
~Counselor
~Oncologist #1 (Zoladex shot)
~Oncologist #2 (6 month check up)
~OB (follow up on pelvic ultrasound)
~Plastic Surgeon (2 month followup)
~Hair Stylist (me)
February is full of appointments, but I still felt good about it all.  It felt great to get things on the calendar that I have not been able to get to.  At least it did yesterday.
Today, I need an attitude check.  I no longer feel great about a month full of appointments, because I’ve had to add a few more. 
My sweet friend Ann was here with me this morning and we were sharing our hearts.  I told her that I have had some new side effects from the new meds I am taking–joint pain in my feet, ankles, spine and hips.  She understands as she has been living with rheumatoid arthritis for at least 15 years.  She knows joint pain, and has shown me what it looks like to walk through life with pain and grace.
I also told her that I have been having some chest pains that remind me very much of when I had pleurisy and pleural effusion after surgery about a month ago.  The pain is not as severe as it was, but very noticeable on my inhale and causes me to breath shallow.  I’m also feeling a little breathless, and have to stop mid-sentence at times to take a breath in.  It has kept me up at night.
My Ann gently encouraged me that it was time to call the Doc.
I needed that push. You see, I chose the word NEW as my word of the year.  I am healing very nicely from surgery and everything does feel new and fresh.  I have REALLY been enjoying that feeling, and if I had it my way…that nice, shiny, new, no-problem feeling would stay around for a bit…if I had it my way. 
So I start dialing.

Being a cancer patient, one question we often run up against is “which doctor do I call?”  I have my 6 month checkup February 19 with my oncologist, and if I had my way, they would move it up for me and see me now due to my chest pain.  They have a lab right there in office, and an x-ray machine.  It would be easy, one appointment, nice and tidy.  But that is not usually how it goes..and it didn’t.
I called my oncologist and because my surgeon was the one to deal with the pleurisy a month ago, she said to call him.  I had a feeling she would say that.
I called my plastic surgeon’s office and his nurse was so very sweet, but she said exactly what I knew she would.  “You need to call your primary care doctor and be seen and let her listen to your lungs.”
Now I’m sitting here, not dialing and honestly….pouting.
I don’t want another appointment.  I love my primary care doc, but I know she will be thorough and order a whole bunch of tests, which will send me around the city of Lincoln and cause me to have to make more appointments. 
After making all these phone calls while my dear Ann was still hear, I received a call from my OB with results from an ultrasound I had last week.  It was to make sure the shots I take really has shut down hormones.  This is important as I am taking a med should only be taken if a woman is in menopause.  The OB nurse told me I need to be seen to discuss the ultrasound.  There is still what they think is a cyst on my ovary which surprised us all, because I am on shots that cause chemical menopause.  
This is when I got upset.  
I’m taking these shots so I would not have to deal with these cysts anymore.  The news that it is still there really surprised me.  I’m not happy about it.
This is when my Ann, after holding my face with both hands and giving me a hug, started to sing a song.  A song that she could not get out of her head. She asked me if I had heard it.  
We looked it up on YouTube and listened together.  I have listened to it 3 times since she left.
Here is what I am reminded of through this song:
There has to be broken to be healed
There has to be empty to be filled
There has to be loneliness, to know our desire is really for Him
He is making me.  
Make me broken
So I can be healed
‘Cause I’m so calloused
And now I can’t feel
I want to run to You
With heart wide open
Make me broken
I heard the beginning of the song, and my immediate thoughts were..”I don’t want to be broken.  I don’t want to heal anymore.” Yep, right smack in the middle of my pity party.
But I know my God.  I know He is healer.  I know He is faithful.  I know how amazingly precious the moments have been with Him in my most broken state.  Precious moments I would not trade.
I do not want to become calloused and unfeeling.  This is what I feel when I start thinking of ‘what-ifs’ and worry about the future and all these crazy appointments!  My head spins, my thoughts worry, my heart pouts & I become distracted and numb. This is NOT what I want.  
I want a heart wide open.  So yes, Lord, make me broken.
Make empty
So I can be filled
‘Cause I’m still holding
Onto my will
And I’m completed
When you are with me
Make me empty
Did you notice above how many times I said “if I had it my way”?  Tight grasped holding onto my will.  Oh why do I want it?  Have I not seen?  Have I not heard? 

Isaiah 40: 28-31
Do you not know? Have you not heard?The Everlasting God, the LORD, the creator of the ends of the earthDoes not become weary or tired.His understanding is inscrutable.He gives strength to the weary,And to him who lacks might He increases power.Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly,Yet those who wait for the LORDWill gain new strength;They will mount up with wings like eagles,They will run and not get tired,They will walk and not become weary.

I am completed when you are with me.
[Chorus:]
‘Til You are my one desire
‘Til You are my one true love
‘Til You are my breath, my everything
Lord, please keep making me
My one true love, my desire, my breath my everything.  Sounds like a Valentine.  So fitting for February.  
Make me lonely
So I can be Yours
“Til I want no one
More than You, Lord
‘Cause in the darkness
I know You will hold me
Make me lonely
Oh boy this is a tough one.  One I am doing battle with.  I want to be heard & understood.  Cared for. Loved.  Held.  
God knows the desires of my heart.  He cautions me to not want anyone or anything more than Him.  He tells me He will hold me in the dark, fully known, fully loved.
[Chorus}
‘Til You are my one desire
‘Til You are my one true love
‘Til You are my breath, my everything
Lord, please keep making me
Yes, my word of the year is ‘NEW‘ and my Ann reminded me today that He is making me new daily.  He gives me a new day, gives me new strength, and opens my eyes to the new.
So I will set aside my pity party, and make the phone call.  Maybe.
Or I might wait until the 19th for my 6 month checkup and see what my blood work says and if Oncologist is concerned and pain is still there, she can order a chest x-ray to be done in her office.  I will see what my body tells me in the next day or two.  If it stays the same or gets worse, I will call my doctor.  If it gets better, I will wait.
In the meantime, I will listen to the song one more time, and remember:
There has to be broken to be healed
There has to be empty to be filled
There has to be loneliness, to know our desire is really for Him
He is making me.  

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FUN/DIY/ Holidays/Parties/ HOME/ Organizing/ RECIPES/ Sides/ Sponsored/ Sweets

A Sweet Snack Mix & A Salty Snack Mix– Perfect For Your SuperBowl Party

“This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign withPollinate Media Group™ and Rubbermaid and Sharpie but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #RubbermaidSharpie  http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO
If I’m going to take the time to make a savory or sugary treat (or both!) that does not offer much nutrition, I’m going to have a few ultimatums.
1. It has to be for a fun reason–a get together with friends, a birthday or a party–like THE SUPER BOWL!
2. It has to make a lot of treat for a little time in the kitchen.
3. It has to be low cost.
4. It has to be easy.
5. It has to taste awesome!
Bonus points: It has to be easy to store.
These two snack mixes do all of those things…times 2!
My favorite thing about both mixes is that they have at least 4 ingredients in common–peanuts, cheerios, pretzels and bugles.  It is so great to buy one bag of each of them and divide it between the 2 recipes! I love efficiency.
These mixes are perfect for feeding a crowd and munching on during a football game.
Let me tell you how I made them the perfect snack for the Super Bowl game.

I headed out to Target to pick up my supplies.  I got 2 glass Rubbermaid bowls for holding the mix, a package of Sharpie Pens, and some plastic cups.  I made sure I got enough cups for holding both drinks and snack mix.  Again, I’m all about efficiency!

While you are at Target, make sure you use the mobile coupon service and text COUPONS to TARGET (type TARGET into the phone number section of your phone) and grab the $1 off food storage Rubbermaid coupon and the $1 off Sharpie 4 pack or larger coupon.  This option will be available January 25- February 8.

I love my Sharpies! If you have been reading this blog long enough, you know I am a huge fan of Sharpie markers.  I use them all the time.  I love them for crafting and I use them almost daily in the kitchen to label my leftovers or write little surprise messages for girls’ lunchbox.
You probably also know I am a big fan of using glass for storage…usually I re purpose jars.  I have been wanting some bigger bowls to store larger portions of soup leftovers and snack mixes.  Rubbermaid glass line is the perfect solution.  They completely seal with one easy touch, they lids nestle into each other for easy storage, or if you want to stack the bowls they do that perfectly, too!

I used the bright green insert from the Rubbermaid bowls — which was actually a picture of green beans– to use as a fun border for my snack tags.  I thought it looked like grass which is perfect for a Super Bowl party.

I cut a piece of white card stock into a square, backed it in the green, then used Sharpie markers to embellish with a simple black and white border on top and the numbers of a football field on the bottom.  You don’t have to be an artist to get crafty with Sharpie!
I used a container I found in the dollar section of Target to put my Sharpie markers in.  It looks pretty to set the Sharpie markers out and let the guests mark their own cups.

Isn’t Juiper the cutest name ever?  My daughter has a friend named Juniper and they call her ‘Junie’ for short.  Ahh..so cute!

Some guests will use the Sharpie Markers to write the team name on their cups– in team colors of course–letting everyone know who they are rooting for.
Doesn’t that look yummy?  Bugles, pretzels, cheerios, peanuts and M&M’s!  Like I said, a great thing about making these two recipes at the same time is that they use common ingredients, but no one would even notice because they are such different tasting recipes.
It had been awhile since we had a fun sugar treat in the house.  This is how my daughter felt about that!

Every party should have a little bit of sweet…

…and a little bit of salty!
Make sure you pick some of these cute football brownies up while you are at Target.  They come in a long, thin box with a little girls face on it.  Yea…that one!  They make a fun, football touch to the table without having to spend hours in the kitchen, AND they are inexpensive!

If you are traveling for the party, you can just put the tags on top of the lids and use the lids as snack markers.  If your party is at home, grab a couple little jars, tape a paper clip to the back of the jar, fill it with mix to cover the tape, and display your snack tag.  Easy!  If you love how this looks but are taking the mix to a party, take the jar and and stick the mix in and the tag on when you get there.

I bet you are wondering how these snack mixes taste?
Well, the sweet one speaks for itself.  It is very sweet with just a touch of salty, crunchy with chocolate and peanuts, all covered in white almond bark.  It makes a ton and both kids and adults love it.
The savory, salty mix is a unique one, and you will get asked for the recipe often.  It is salty with a bit of sweet, has chili powder and curry in the seasoning which makes it stand out from your typical snack mix.  It uses some fun colored potato and vegetable chips which also makes it stand out from the crowd. It is very addicting and also makes a very good amount.

What are your super bowl plans?

————–

Super Bowl Sweet Mix

1/2 jar (8oz) peanuts (16 oz jar)
1/2 bag(8oz) pretzels (16 oz bag)
1/2 bag (6oz) bugles (12 oz bag)
1/2 box Cheerios (8.9 oz box)
1/2 bag M&M’s (12 oz bag–use extra to make table pretty, or just eat them :))
1 lb vanilla almond bark

Mix all ingredients except for almond bark in a large bowl.  Melt almond bark as package directs.  Pour over mixture, mixing to coat well.  Spread out onto waxed paper to dry.  Break into chunks and store in airtight container.  Saves well for several weeks.

Super Bowl Savory Mix

1/2 jar (8oz) peanuts (16 oz jar)
1/2 bag (8oz) pretzels (16 oz bag)
1/2 bag (6oz) bugles (12 oz bag)
1/2 box cheerios (8.9 oz box)
6 oz chips (I used Terra Chips- Exotic Harvest)
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup butter
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tsp curry powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Mix peanuts, pretzels, bugles, cheerios & chips in a large bowl.

Mix brown sugar, butter, worcestershire sauce, chili powder, curry powder and garlic powder in a small saucepan.  Heat on med until sugar is dissolved.

Pour seasoning mixture over dry mix.  Toss until well coated.  Pour onto 2 large cookie sheets.  Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes, stirring after 20.

FAMILY/ Marriage/ Sponsored/ Valentine's Day

Datevitation–The Perfect Gift For Any Occasion + Giveaway

We were recently at a family get together, and all the adults were discussing Valentines Day.  I realized in that discussion that I usually plan ahead and have lots of fun ideas for my 3 lovely girls for Valentines Day each year, but have fallen in a rut when it comes to Valentines plans with my sweet husband.  Don’t get me wrong–getting dressed up and going out for dinner and an evening focused on the two of us is pretty close to perfect, but I wanted to think outside the box and get a bit more creative this year.
Usually getting creative means getting crafty, and honestly, that is not too appealing to me right now.  I’m trying to live the simple life, with less mess and more time. After spending the last 3 months laid up while healing from surgeries,  I am in the habit of looking for ways to simplify. Using online services for creating gifts and shopping for gifts certainly is convenient, and when you can customize those gifts, it makes it so much more personal.
This is why Datevitation jumped out at me as something fun to do for my man.  It is the web’s first online platform to create a custom love coupon book. Unlike the pre-packaged coupon books on the market, you get to pick the title, the dates, and the text. Datevitation will then print it out and and ship it to you. 

That alone intrigued me, but when I saw that their library contains over 500 date ideas ranging from skydiving(um, no) to stargazing(maybe) to steamy adult-only(umm…ok!) activities, I knew this was the fun gift I was looking for for my Todd.

I loved all the different & fun date ideas they had to choose from, there is no way I would have been able to think of all of them myself!  I also thought the stick figures and graphics were really cute. The Datevitation website is really well laid out and super easy to use, and I think Todd will love the dates I chose.  Two of them were pretty traditional, but things we both love to do.  The last 3 dates I chose from the steamy adult-only section, which are also things we both love to do {blush} and I think they will make this a Valentine gift he won’t forget!

 I especially loved the new feature that allows you to add your own photos to the faces of the illustrations.  So funny!

The packaging is simple, which of course appealed to me.  I liked that it was not too fru-fru as it IS for my guy.

The thing that appeals to me about a love coupon is that it gives the recipient something to look forward to.  It also gives me, the giver, a way to stay committed to giving to my husband in a creative and purposeful way.  I need this accountability, as life can get busy.  I like that I am the one who chooses what I am committing to, and being this purposeful about a gift makes it happen.  The process of ordering Datevitation coupon love book was so fun that it sure made me look forward to fulfilling those coupons.

Especially THESE coupons!  {wink}
Datevitation is not only for a significant other.  They make great gifts for all ages and all occasions.  All 3 of my girls (age 14, 13 & 10) would love this, and I love that I could customize them according to their personalities and interests.  My middle girl would especially love coupons that includes spending quality time together, as that is her main love language.  My oldest would appreciate getting to go out and shop or get a manicure with me.  My youngest would like just about anything, and would really get a kick out of seeing her own face in a book and on a stick figure!

So how much are these super cute love coupon books?

Well, regular price starts at just $25 so it makes for a super thoughtful yet economical gift.  But, with Valentines Day is coming up, Datevitation wants to spread the love to all of my followers, so by using the code ‘NEWNOSTALGIA’ you can get $10 off you purchase plus FREE shipping. (total values of $13.50)  That means you can order your Valentines a customized gift starting at just $15!

To guarantee delivery by Valentine’s Day, the order cut-off date is February 3, so make sure you get your order in before then!

——-

Datevitation is also sponsoring a super great giveaway, so be sure to enter via the rafflecopter form below.

Winner will receive a coupon code for a Datevitation coupon book with 5 personalized pages and free general shipping (Additional pages are $1 each.)  Books ship to U.S. only.

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DIY/Crafts/ FUN/DIY

8 Easy & Creative DIY’s To Bring In The New Year

by Meghan Newsom {Health & Gluten Free Contributor}

Hello sweet readers! Oh how I’ve missed connecting with you guys over the past couple of months. I have had a crazy busy wedding season (my daytime job is a professional photographer:), and when I’m not shooting weddings I’ve been laying in bed recovering from them! Amy has been gracious to give me grace as I’ve been struggling to get through these past few months alive.

I’m taking a bit of a break from posting about recipes and healthy living this month, because I have been crafting like crazy (I get bored laying in bed!) preparing for Christmas. The majority of the presents I give every year are handmade because 1. I love making things, and I feel like it is such a special gift to give and 2. it saves us so much money!

As most of you guys have a bit of a break over the holidays, I thought It would be great to share some easy and fun DIY’s you can make as gifts, make with your family while they are home.. or make for yourself! ALL of them are extremely inexpensive and you might just have all of the supplies hanging around your house already! Simply click on the bold and underlined words to find the link to the tutorials.

1. Bike Taxidermy– This fun DIY is perfect for the bike lover in your family. It looks awesome mounted on a wall as part of a gallery!

2. Fabric Covered Letters- These letters are only .50 cents, and are so fun to make using fabric scraps you have around the house! A perfect gift for a kids room or a crafty friend of yours.

3. Felt Woodland Mask- What’s better than make believe? Playing make believe as a woodland fox! Kids will love dressing up as woodland creatures with these masks.

4. Potato Stamped Tea Towels– Make a batch of these guys and send them out as house warming presents, birthday presents, Christmas presents.. or just keep them for yourself:)

5. Acorn and Washi Tape Bunting- Bring a bit of nature indoors with this easy bunting DIY.

6. Driftwood Mobile– Making mobiles has become a favorite of mine. Use collected shells, driftwood, nuts and rocks for yours!

7. Terra Cotta Coaster- Let your imagination run wild with these easy (did I mention CHEAP?) coasters! Gift them with the tea towels for a beautiful housewarming gift.

8. Vine Wreath- Do a bit of forging for the perfect vine and turn it into a wreath that can be used all year long.

I would love to see what you guys do with these! Please share any projects you complete on my Facebook page!! Have so much fun:)

————–

Meghan Newsom
Health & Gluten Free Contributor
Meghan’s site: eat.live. make.
 You can follow her here:
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Books/ Spiritual/ Sponsored

Peace in the Pressure Cooker + A Book Giveaway




“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned: struck down, but not destroyed.” 
2 Corinthians 4:7-8


I have been waiting and waiting to share this amazing book with all of you!  I can’t think of a better time than Christmas to give you all the gift of knowing this beautiful woman’s story. Boy, do I wish I could give one of her books to each and everyone of YOU!  But since I cannot, I decided to celebrate this Christmas season of giving by having a book giveaway.


I am giving away 5 copies of Peace in the Pressure Cooker to five wonderful readers.  If you would rather not wait to read Patti’s story, then order her book right here, right now! 


I watched the powerful video below of Patti talking about her life story a few months ago.  I had the honor of being one of the first to watch it, while it was still in the editing phase.  Even then, I knew that what I had seen and heard from Patti would be life-changing for me.  I finished watching the video with tears streaming down my face and chills covering my body.  I became very passionate about sharing her story, and even felt frustrated that I had to wait until the book came out and the video was done! 


There is so much that struck me about watching and hearing Patti’s story. It is very rare to see someone who has overcome the challenges Patti has, yet still see joy and peace in their life. Peace & joy just flow from Patti.  Patti has shown me exactly what it looks like to love our God with a giddy love (she even gives a giddy giggle in the video a couple times, so watch for it..it is my favorite!) It is a  passionate, intimate and trusting love.  She also showed me what it looked like to just hold on, as she grasped tight, pushed back, and found peace despite the extreme pressures life brought..

Some of the pressures that Patti has overcome?
 ~physical and sexual abuse
 ~breast cancer
 ~divorce 
~single-parenting
~ living with a chronic pain and a brain injury from an auto accident 
~depression and homelessness. 

Yes, she has had her share of life’s pressures, but what peace she has found in the midst of them.

When I finally got my hands on her book, Finding Peace in the Pressure Cooker, the timing was perfect.  If you have been following along, you know that since mid-October I have been going through breast cancer reconstruction surgery.  It was a much longer process than we thought it would be, with many, many complications.  Reading Patti’s book truly helped get me through it all, and reminded me to keep giving my concerns and burdens to God.  I found myself highlighting  many pages as I read.  

Here are some of her words that really touched me:

“That’s Mom; she was never going to change. But something changed inside me. I had gained new ground by standing up to her, and I was healed of the emotional injury that day in church. I was never going to let her bully me again. She tried, but I stood my ground for the next eight years.”
“Then the Lord spoke to my heart telling me to make a choice: I could either carry the offense of my Mom’s actions or carry the burden of her lost soul. The choice was mine to make. What was it going to be?  I felt a strong burden for Mom’s soul.”
“…if I carried fear, resentment, and malice—then these emotions would keep me from sensing his presence.”
“What have I told you that you can do with all your burdens?” I answered him, “You said I can give all my burdens to you.” God promises he will not just walk with us when we are burdened, but that he would also take our burdens upon himself. Isn’t he amazing? I love him so. I was instantly released of the heaviness in my heart, and peace took its place.”


Patti writes with an honesty that I could relate to.  She is authentic and vulnerable.  I kept finding myself nodding my head at the book in my hands…I could so identify with her feelings.  Her honesty was very refreshing.  

Here are some examples:

         “Angry people frightened me.” 
         “Personal criticism made me defensive.”
         “My life was shaped by the demands of the people around me, and I lost all sense of my own      identity.”
         “I confused love with pity by protecting the addicted or depressed people in my life, rescuing them from their problems.”
          “I felt responsible for the damaged people in my life and tried hard to help them change their behavior or attitudes.” 
          “I trusted the addicted or depressed person’s promises, even if he or she had broken countless promises before.”
          “I had unhealthy boundaries and couldn’t say no without feeling guilty.”
          “I avoided pain by working, spending, serving, and clowning around—anything to not feel.”
 Can you relate to any of these things?  I know I could…most ALL of them. Patti tells us how she overcame and found peace.  


I will end this with some of my favorite words from Patti:

What drives me to sit before women? I love to get eye to eye with them so they can see into my heart.  I share the pressures of life, not to pick a scab, not to trigger anything, but just to show them that I understand pressures of life–prolonged, consistent pressures that can crush you–but because of what we have in God, because of the empowering of His word & His promises, we can push back from the inside out.   

Maybe our surroundings won’t change, but we change.  This is the God I serve. He changes the conditions inside my heart.  He didn’t take me out of anything, He kept me in everything. I’ve been hit by cancer, I’ve been hit by cars, I’ve been tied in chairs, I’ve had my nose torn open–but I’m NOT going to be quiet about my God.  The world has done alot to us, but my God has taken it back by His design.  You CAN have peace in this pressure cooker world.

Join the Giveaway!



Get to know Patti Davis:




~Follow Peace In The Pressure Cooker On Facebook


Don’t forget to watch the video above! 

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Christmas/ DIY/Crafts/ FUN/DIY/ Holidays/Parties/ Sponsored

Last Minute Simple But Thoughtful Christmas Gifts With Easy Homemade Gift Tags

I have so many sweet friends, but I only buy Christmas gifts for a select few of them.  Every year I try to come up with something simple but personal. This year I decided I could not go wrong with a coffee gift card — they ARE my closest friends after all, so of course they all love coffee!  I smile when I think about the precious time I have had with each one of them sharing our hearts over a cup of coffee.  
Another thing I know my close friends all love is chocolate.  Coffee + chocolate + a fun gift tag, “homemade” by the help of a kit and my love for Metallic Sharpies = a fun & simple gift!
Sharpies have always been my favorite brand of marker– by far!  I love that you can always expect them to work long and hard for you.  They are dependable, predictable, come in all types of point sizes & colors.  My new Sharpie crush is the Metallic Sharpies. Gold, Copper & Silver –they are so pretty!
Right now is a great time to purchase Sharpies.  Staples is having an amazing deal. They are selling the 12 pack of Sharpies for only $6.00!  I bought a 12 pack of black Sharpies and a 12 pack of multi-colored fine-point Sharpies both for $6.00, and a 4 pack of assorted metallic Sharpies for only $5.00.  
I store mine in mason jars (of course!) and they sit out on our art desk so I can easily grab a single marker or a whole set if needed.  My 10- year old Avery drew this amazing owl using the metallic Sharpies and some crayons.  She is crushing on the metallic Sharpies, too!
On to my fun project.  I stamped the tags with white ink, and envisioned how I could embellish them with metallic Sharpies just to make them a bit more special.  
I used the metallic Sharpies to add a bit of shiny & shimmer to my gift tags.  Just a touch here and there made a huge difference.  I also used metallic Sharpies to to write who the gift was ‘to’ & ‘from.’

I got out my ribbon and some jute, stacked the coffee card and chocolates, and tied the shiny gift tags to the gifts.

I had fun finding different ways to tie the gifts together and using different Sharpie markers to embellish and sign the tags.
So festive and fun!
Don’t you love how the gold Sharpie shines? I wish the camera could capture it better.  Take my word, it is PRETTY!
These little packages look so cute under my tree.  I cannot wait to give them to the special ladies in my life.  I hope it reminds them too, of our shared love of coffee and chocolate, and just how much they shine light into my life!  
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For a TON of fun Sharpie project ideas, make sure you follow them on:
Get inspired, then head to your nearest Staples this holiday season and purchase the 12-Ct multi colored pack of Sharpies for &6.00 and the Sharpie Metallic Assorted 4-Ct pack, as well as other Sharpie products for your holiday needs.  You will love them!
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