Give the BEST Valentine’s Gift Ever — That Doesn’t Cost a Dime! (Guest Post by Sherry Richert Belul )

By Em, 6 February, 2011, 1 Comment

This time of year everyone’s thoughts are turning to love. It’s a great time to express our gratitude and appreciation for the people in our lives who bring us so much joy on a daily basis. It can be difficult to find a store-bought gift that truly mirrors how we feel. Not to worry! I’ve got an easy, delightful solution for you!

I want you to think about how wonderful it would be to give someone a gift that they would cherish forever. A gift that would be energizing and fun for you to make. A gift that doesn’t cost a dime, but would truly make a difference in your relationship. I promise you, if you’re willing to invest just one hour, you’ll experience something extraordinary.

This gift is so simple … yet full of thoughtfulness and creativity. It is called The Love List.

Here is what you do:

Say you want to make this really unique gift for your husband. All you have to do is set aside an hour of quiet time in which you can focus on him. Just sit down with some paper or at the laptop and start brainstorming what you love about your wonderful husband. Jot it all down. Think about qualities that are unique to him, things he does for you, special times you’ve shared together. Think about his quirky jokes or stories. How he always spends time helping the elderly lady next door. The way he makes up songs in the shower. How he saved the day that time in New Mexico. Tell him you love that he always answers the phone with a hearty “Hey there!”. That he taught the kids how to ride their bicycles. That he can always make you giggle. Tell him you love his eyes, his intelligence, his love of puns. Tell him you love how well he treats Champie, the family’s four-legged, furry gal.

Your Love List can include big things and small things, funny things and sweet things. Your list can have twenty things or two hundred things. It can be written in pen on a plain white piece of paper. You can do a fancy design on the computer and print it out. You can add a photo or two. You can draw a picture on it. You can frame it. Make a scroll or poster. You could even cut each idea out on its own slip of paper, put them all in a jar and call it the Joy Jar or hang them on a mobile. Use your imagination and present your list in whatever way feels right.

These lists are treasures for someone to hear. I swear to you, they are the best gift someone can receive. It is amazing to receive a gift that mirrors who you are. It is a gift to be seen. And unfortunately, people often don’t get to hear these kinds of things in their lifetime. For some reason in our culture, folks wait until funerals to express their love. Love Lists are a way to express your love and appreciation NOW!

Promise me you’ll try this out with just one person on your list. I can assure you, it will not only be one of the best gifts you’ve ever given, it will also feel like a gift received.

To help you get started on creating more love in your life, download the free Love List template here.

Sherry Richert Belul is mom to a witty and wonderful 10-year-old boy. She is also founder of Simply Celebrate and author of Present Perfect: It Really is the Thought That Counts —an ebook that includes dozens of creative-not-crafty gifts that are fun to make and full of love. Find her books or sign up for Simply Celebrate’s free newsletter here. Email Sherry to tell her your Love List experiences or learn about the one-of-a-kind tribute books she makes at celebrate@Madmoon.com.

Giveaway: Custom Necklace

By Em, 4 February, 2011, 16 Comments

I am giving away a custom necklace. It can have an initial, short name or design. Tell me why you would like to own one in a comment. Did I mention this is made by me! I feel like doing something nice for someone! Deadline will be Valentines Day at noon! Happy Valentine’s to someone special, I’m just not sure who yet!

-Emily

Snowpocalypse 2011- 3 days of fun!

By Em, 4 February, 2011, No Comment

We had 3 great snow days from Snowpocalypse 2011. We received 12 inches of snow at our house. Also a five foot drift on our porch! Thank you to OC for keeping me safe and letting me stay home with my family. I loved having my sister and her family so close. The first day we were snowed in they came over to hang out with us. We played Just dance on the Wii. This is a super fun game. It’s funny seeing everyone dance. They also joined us for dinner for Home made chicken Pot Pie. It turned out good I think. I baked a lot on this break and enjoyed cooking. Graysen and I played, painted and yes she helped me cook and make cupcakes. We played on Stringer Mountain right outside our door though some would argue that it looks more like a shark that is out to get us. Graysen, Landon and I enjoyed sledding on it. I made crafts, cleaned and enjoyed being home with my family. Thank you god for the beautiful snow. Did I mention that we are supposed to get more next week. Here are some photos from the fun week we have had.

-Emily

My Family’s Homemade Mac-N-Cheese

By Em, 4 February, 2011, No Comment

Kristen this for you, I promise it will be the best you have ever eaten!

Ingredients:

1/2 onion chopped

8 to 12 slices of bacon cooked and chopped

one can of cream of mushroom soup

one can milk ( soup can)

one big bag of pasta- I use or have used: large elbow macaroni, penne pasta, and bowtie pasta

one bag mild cheddar cheese shredded-2lb bag

salt and pepper

Directions:

Chop and saute half a onion.

Cook bacon and chop cook with onion.

Add soup and one can milk and 3/4 bag of cheese and stir. Cook on med heat on the stove.

Add salt and pepper.

Turn oven to 350 degrees.

Let sauce simmer constantly stirring while you cook pasta.

Cook pasta until tender and drain.

Put pasta in casserole dish and cover with sauce.

Bake in the oven at 350 for 30 minutes uncovered.

Pull casserole out and cover with remaining cheese then put back in oven for an additional 10 minutes.

Eat and enjoy!

This is my favorite.

P.S. don’t tell anyone this is a secret family recipe!

Snowpocalypse 2011 (here it comes!)

By Em, 31 January, 2011, No Comment

We are all stocked up on groceries. We bought sleds and we are ready for the snow! Bring it on!!!

The National Weather Service increased its snowfall predictions for late tonight and Tuesday, and the forecast now calls for up to a foot of snow in the northern Oklahoma City area and at least eight inches elsewhere in the metro. Northern and northeastern Oklahoma also could also get about a foot of snow. Blizzard conditions are likely early Tuesday in the Oklahoma City area with drifts of three to five feet possible due to strong north winds and a cold blast of air, forecasters said. The overnight low tonight in the metro is expected to be about 14 degrees with winds of up to 25 mph, and Tuesday’s high temperature is expected to be about 18 degrees with similar winds.

Shake It!

By Em, 29 January, 2011, No Comment

I’m headed to Girl’s night! It’s a shake what your momma gave you dance party complete with leg warmers! I don’t have any so I went with this! Have a great weekend!