Lilolu

Ya Me Despido 2009

 

As 2009 comes to an end, I leave it feeling...grateful.  It certainly was one of the roughest years my family has ever been through but we are feeling whole and strong.  There is no denying we are ready for 2010.  Not because we now have strength, but because we know whatever comes our way will only teach us to find joy in small things, and to love harder.  So, I begin the final day of 2009 with a few small things that put a smile on my face.  

 

 

Enjoy this moment...since it is happening now.  Choose to love, be happy, and be content with who you are and what you have.  You will be amazed with how incredibly at peace you will feel. 

 

Thank you for following my journey and I hope we continue it together after the New Year.  hasta luego!

Fighting Hunger Worldwide

 

  

 

The World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  In emergencies, they get food to where it is needed, saving the lives of victims of war, civil conflict and natural disasters. After the cause of an emergency has passed, they use food to help communities rebuild their shattered lives.  WFP is part of the United Nations system and is voluntarily funded.

 

 

How To Help

 

Overview

For individuals

For companies

Spread the word

Ambassadors

 

 

 

 

The Feed Bag

The FEED bag was created by Lauren Bush to generate funds for WFP.  Purchasing one FEED bag helps WFP feed a child in school for a whole year.

School feeding acts as a magnet, dramatically increasing enrollment, sometimes by as much as 100 percent, and also improves performance at school; children concentrate better on a full stomach.

Girls who go to school not only marry later, but have half as many children than illiterate women, and their children are healthier and better educated. School feeding is a simple but effective way to beat hunger and poverty and can help transform a child's life by providing the tools for self-reliance. The FEED Project is a partnership between the United Nations World Food Program and Lauren Bush, WFP Honorary Spokesperson.
 

          

                 

 

Buy One Now

First Sewing Project

 

 

 

Bella, loves to try new things.  No challenge is too big for her.  she learned to knit and crochet  and now sew.  Last night, Nana showed Bella the basics of sewing.  Well, she caught on quicker than it took me to make dinner.  There she was, happily sewing a pillow with a penguin print.  If you knew just how much she loves penguins you would understand why.  I'm so proud of my little girl for not letting anything or anyone stop her from dreams, no matter how small they are.  

 

 

...Keep dreaming my little Bella.

 

 

 

 

 

This morning I woke up feeling a little unsettled.  Perhaps it's because of the Christmas mess still lingering.  Yes, It's that time of year to find a place for all the new things and new homes for the old.  I have so many goals set in my mind but something is making me think I can't accomplish them.  This is a confusing thought for me because in my soul, I feel great things coming.  Have you ever felt this way? 

So, my printer is no longer working and I have a few projects waiting to be printed.  This may be another reason I think I will not accomplish some of my goals.  Sure, if I had the cash, I could just run to the nearest electronics store and purchase one, but who has that kind of money laying around!?  Certainly not me.  Aah...now It's becoming all clear...this is going to be a test of my patience. 

My family and I had a very, very difficult last two years.  We overcame it and have grown so much.  Our hardship turned out to be a blessing in disguise.  If we were able to overcome that, then waiting to purchase a new (or used) printer should be simple. 

"Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves.  Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them.  And the point is to live everything.  Live the questions"

Rainer Maria Rilke

This is for all of us living our questions.

Hoping For A White Christmas

 

 

 

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white

(I'm dreaming of a white Christmas)
(Just like the ones I used to know)
(Where the treetops glisten)
(And children listen)
(To hear sleigh bells in the snow)

(I'm dreaming of a white Christmas)
(With every Christmas card I write)
(May your days be merry and bright)
And may all your Christmases be white

 

Merry Christmas Everyone!

 

It's A Wonderful Life

"What is it you want , Mary?  You want the moon?  Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and I'll pull it down.  Hey, that's a pretty good idea, I'll give you the moon, Mary."

Is that just the sweetest scene, or what?  Believe it or not, last Friday was the first time I saw "It's a Wonderful Life" and I just LOVED it!  They were playing the original film reel, at the first-run movie house in Albany, NY - The Palace Theatre.  Two of my munchkins fell asleep towards the end but they all enjoyed the entire experience.  My youngest son said, "Mommy, look at the big chandelier.  I think it's the biggest one ever!"  It was all such a treat and a wonderful way to share the holiday spirit. 

What's your favorite "It's a Wonderful Life" scene"?

Family Calendar

 

 

Here is a free printable weekly family calendar for you.  I used this type of calendar a while back but as time went on I created new ones.  I hope you enjoy it

weekly family calendar (blank)

weekly family calendar (example) 
 

 

Week 5 - Cook Yourself Thin Recipes

My goodness, I must have overlooked week 5 of the "Cook Yourself Thin" recipes.  My sincere apologies to those of you who have been following this series.  So here it goes; the following is week 5 of the super yummy "Cook Yourself Thin" recipes.   You still have time to enter Lifetimes sweepstakes, for a chance to win the new book "Cook Yourself Thin Faster".  Be sure to enter the sweepstakes by December 31, 2009.  Go to MyLifetime.com to enter and for the official rules.  GOOD LUCK!

NEW ORIGINAL RECIPES! Spicy Dinner Options | Week of December 14 Tortilla Soup Kebabs With Roasted Red Pepper Sauce Chipotle and Marshmallow Sweet Potatoes Tex-Mex Steak with Pepper Salsa Chicken and Veggie Curry Chicken Tacos With Lime Mayo Spanish-Style Paprika Shrimp

I'm really looking forward to trying the Tortilla Soup.  We love any recipes that are Spanish or Tex-Mex.  On another note, I just got the "Cook Yourself Thin Faster" cookbook and the recipes look awesome!  I'm talking about French Toast Bread Pudding, Blush Sangria, Flank Steak with Indian Salsa, Stuffed Peppers with Orzo and Olives, and OMG, Chocolate Volcano Cakes.  I plan of sharing the recipes my family enjoy, so be sure to come back to check them out. 

 

To Believe...

Author Unknown

 

To believe is to know that every day is a new beginning. It is to trust that miracles happen, and dreams really do come true. To believe is to see angels dancing among the clouds, To know the wonder of a stardust sky and the wisdom of the man in the moon. To believe is to know the value of a nurturing heart, The innocence of a child's eyes and the beauty of an aging hand, for it is through their teachings we learn to love. To believe is to find the strength and courage that lies within us. When it is time to pick up the pieces and begin again. To believe is to know we are not alone, That life is a gift and this is our time to cherish it. To believe is to know that wonderful surprises are just waiting to happen, And all our hopes and dreams are within reach. If only we believe.

The Other Trouble Maker

 

Yesterday Henry had his paws on my camera and computer and now Oscar has his on my knitting project.  My Hubby thinks maybe I shouldn't have taken up knitting a few months after getting a kitten.

 

I can't blame the little guy.  How could he not be tempted to play with these when the're hanging around all the time.

   

Originally, I planned on using this basket for holding my produce, when shopping at the grocery store.  It quickly became convenient for keeping knitting projects.  Maybe I should make this basket into a cozy cat bed instead. 

 

What would you use a basket like this for?