How to Save Big with Blurb:Blurb can make your Instagram/Facebook photos into beautiful tangible memories in a few short minutes. Or you can write that children's book you've been dying to get started on for years...and even sell it on Blurb's website! If that doesn't appeal to you, you can make an inspired recipe book. You starting to catch my drift? The possibilities are endless and there are a few great deals you can cash in on right now. Use the links below to get started:

Save 25% on print book orders of $75+ at Blurb (Good through , only 1 more week! 3/26/14)

Save 15% on all print book orders. (Good until 4/30/14)

These are such great offers.  I love Blurb and I think it's great to be able to put all of your ideas into a book.  I think that I may try my hand at a cookbook, or maybe natural beauty products.  So many things to choose from.

Have a great week creating you book.

Debi

This is a sponsored ad

10 Drinks for Friday's Happy Hour from Pinterest

Today, I am featuring 10 Drinks for Friday's Happy Hour from Pinterest.  I pin so many pictures all of the time, I thought it would be nice to honor some of the great pictures and recipes that I find on Pinterest.  All of you are so amazing, so this week is for all of you.  These drinks are both with and without alcohol.

1. Blood Orange Blackberry Sangria from Appetizers Today on Tumbler

2.  Fresh Peach Soda from Recipes From The Kitchn

3.  How To Make An Italian Cream Soda from Ella Claire

4.  Cherry Cream Soda from The Bojon Gourmet

5.  Charleston Pink Lady From Return To Sunday Supper

6.  Key Lime Smoothie from Recipes We Love

7.  Rainbow Freezies from Duhlicious

8.  Sweetheart Black Cherry Mimosas form Real Housemoms

9.  Blue Raspberry Spiked Lemonade from Sugar and Charm

10.  Party Punch from Chef in Training

I hope that you enjoy these recipes and that one of them fits into your Happy Hour this week.

Have a great weekend.

Debi

Find us at these great parties

Make Your Own Coffee Table Book

How to make a fashion book with Blurb:Blurb is a cool company that lets you make books about anything that interests you. And if you’re interested in fashion and style—and love to show it off—making a book of your personal fashion is a fantastic way to capture your sartorial genius for all time. Whether you want it just for yourself, so you can look through your greatest hits, or you’re a bit of an Internet fashionista who wants to make a book to sell, you’ll find these tips pretty helpful:

1. It’s all about lighting. To make your fashion really pop, choose natural light or studio light with a soft box (you can even make one from a lamp and last season’s white t-shirt). If you’re using a flash, you’ll probably want to bounce it or stick a diffusion filter on it.


2. Make a shot list. This is a critical step, and even more important if you are photographing models. Even if your model is just your best friend who owes you a favor, they’ll appreciate it if you know exactly what you want to shoot. Think about the poses you want to capture, the outfits you want them to wear, and the details that you want to highlight in every shot. 

3. White balance (WB). Accurate color and skin tones come from making sure the WB function on your camera is set to your lighting situation. 


4. Choose the right lens/zoom setting. If you’re using a wide angle, you’re going to lose your beautiful lines (and your model may never forgive you). If you have a camera with different zoom levels, zoom out to minimize lens barrel distortion. 

5. Keep it stylish. It’s a fashion shoot, after all. Play music, keep things moving, try new angles. Attitude, attitude, attitude.


6. Dress it up. Make your book as fashionable as the clothing featured in it. Choose a simple design that doesn’t upstage the clothing, but still looks chic. Pick a size and paper type that showcases the work brilliantly.

If you’ve ever paid attention to what’s on the catwalk, you know that fashion means different things to different people. Follow your own fashion obsessions and document them in a fashionable book. If you look good today in person, imagine looking great forever on the printed page with Blurb! Start your Blurb book now and Save 25% on print book orders of $75+ at Blurb.

This is such a great idea, not only for fashion, but even travel books for pictures that you have taken on vacation, or books for grandma or grandpa for Mother's Day and Father's Day.  The sky is the limit with what you can do, and these are books that you can share with family and friends or even sell.  I love travel books and photography and this is such a fun idea.  I love pictures of doors and windows, and I'm thinking that would be a fun book idea.   Maybe an art book to sell.

The sky is the limit, so head over to Blurb and make your publishing dreams become a reality.

Have a great week.

Debi

This post is sponsored by Blurb

Wednesday's Adorned From Above Link Party 81

We want to thank everyone who shared with Wednesday's Adorned From Above Link Party 80.  We love seeing all of your posts.

We decided to change the party up a bit, and are now starting it at 6:00PM on Tuesday's.

Welcome to Wednesday's Adorned From Above Blog Hop 81.

Now for the featured bloggers from both parties 76 and 77, and grab your featured button from our sidebar.  We will only be featuring 4 posts from each party this week.

Featured Bloggers from Blog Hop 80

1.  Knitted Sweater Made with Love from Julie's Lifestyle

2.  Painting Pine Floors Again from Simply Vintageous by Suzan

3.  Nella's Story from Pitter Patter










4. Spelt Flour Mini Floral Cupcakes from Twigg Studios

5.  Shrove Tuesday - Mini Fold-Up Pancakes from Button Mad

6.  Early Fall Cocktail from Horrific Knits

7.  86 Fabulous Cakes and Cake Pops to Make (Recipes) from Tip Junkie

8.  Thin Mints Moose Tracks Mud Pie from Diana Rambles

We are happy to have you at this week's party.  We always love hearing from you, so leave your comments.

Have a great week.

An InLinkz Link-up

Homemade Sunburn Lotion

Today I am sharing my recipe for Homemade Sunburn Lotion.  Last week in Florida, I got a bad sunburn.  I of course stupidly sat outside without sunscreen and this sunburn was a doozy.  Anyway, since I like to try to make my own beauty products, I headed over to the Whole Foods Body near my house and picked up some essential oils and other things that help with sunburns.  This Homemade Sunburn Lotion was better then anything I have ever bought in a store and it was pretty simple to make.  It will also go a long way.  I know some of the ingredients are a little more expensive, but they are worth it.

I made several different kinds, the first one made my forehead peel immediately.  Don't use witch hazel in a sunburn lotion, it will dry your skin out even more.  The version below is the second version I made, and it even turned my sunburn into a tan, and I have not peeled yet and it been about 10 days since I did such a stupid thing.  I don't know why I didn't put sunscreen on, but definitely don't do as I do, do as I say.

Homemade Sunburn Lotion

Ingredients:

2 oz Aloe Vera Gel
1 tsp Herb Pharm Calendula oil
1 tsp Neem Oil
20 drops tea tree oil
1 TB Distilled water

Mix all ingredients with a whisk and pour into a container.  I would normally uses an amber or blue glass container, but unfortunately this whole foods didn't have any, so I had to pick up this plastic one at the dollar store.  Oh well!

Shake well before each use.

Apply to skin wherever needed, whenever needed.  I put it on several times a day, but at least morning and night.

The reason for the ingredients:

Aloe Vera Gel - Is known for its healing properties for the skin.  It's and analgesic, so it helps with pain (my sunburn).  An antipruritic - helps with itching from bites and burns.  It also helps with hydration.

Calendula Oil - Calendula is know for helping to heal wounds and minor infections skin.

Neem Oil - it's and anti inflammatory and an analgesic when applied to the skin.  Great for a sunburns

Tea Tree Oil - antiseptic properties



I used the distilled water to thin it out a little bit and add a little extra hydration for burned and dried out skin.

I hope that you like this Sunburn Lotion.
Have a great week.
Debi
Find us at these great parties

Unity in Ephesians 4:1 - 16 Bible Study

Today I will be writing about Unity in Ephesians 4:1 - 16 for our Bible Study.  I have been reading a book called The Secrets of Intercessory Prayer by Jack Hayford and it brought my attention to Ephesians 4:25 - 32, but as I was reading Ephesians 4:1-16 I was drawn to the word Unity in these verses.  I would love for you to read the verses down below and then I will share a little of what I have been reading with all of you.

First for the definition of unity.  I searched google and found several defintioins.  Very interesting.

1.  the state of being united or joined as a whole

2. unity - Dictionary Definition : Vocabulary.com

1. Unity is being together or at one with someone or something. It's the opposite of being divided.

These are just a couple of the definitions, but I think they really describe the meaning of the word.

My Bible (New Spirit Filled Bible) gives some additional information on the word unity.  

It says that unity comes from the Greek word henote.  Hen is the neuter of a word heis, meaning the word "one" 1*

Paul is telling us in these verses to keep the "unity of Spirit" and to come to the "unity of faith"  He is telling us in these verses that the Holy Spirit is the source of unity.  Paul is also telling us in verses 4-6 that in the church of Jesus there is only one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one Father and God of all.  That God is above all, through all, and in all.  

That's a pretty big deal.  So as we receive the Holy Spirit it not only brings us together with Christ and God, it also joins us with the body.  There is unity, a joining with the whole through the Spirit.

  The Spirit is who helps us overcome our proclavity self-centeredness, independance, and self-serving.  He draws us together with other believers and creates the miracle of oneness Jesus prayed for in John 17. 1*

I am so happy that you joined me today.

Have a Blessed week.

Debi

1. New Spirit Filled Life Bible - Jack Hayford

Find us at these great parties

Chocolate Andes Mint Milkshake for Friday's Happy Hour

These Chocolate Andes Mint Milkshakes were delicious for Happy Hour.  I hope you like them.  I am kind of on a milkshake kick right now, and these are seriously delicious.  Again, I made them with Sugar Free Ice Cream, so I am a pretty happy camper right now.  I love being able to have dessert.

Chocolate Andes Mint Milkshakes 

for Friday's Happy Hour

Ingredients:

5 cups chocolate ice cream (I used Blue Bell Dutch Chocolate Sugar Free)

1 cup milk

1 tsp mint extract
2/3 cup Andes Mint Chips

Directions:

Put all ingredients into you blender and blend until smooth.

Pour into glasses and serve.

Makes 2 milkshakes.

Let us know what your favorite milkshake flavor it and it may show up in one of our blog posts, just for you.

Have a great weekend.

Debi

Find us at these great parties

Craftsy Class Sale - Up to 50% off

Save Up to 50% on All Craftsy Classes!

Don't miss out on Craftsy's Endless Creativity Sale! Get ALL online classes at up to 50% off for a limited time only. You won't see hundreds of classes with prices this low again soon. Hurry, offer expires March 17 at midnight MT.

Craftsy's Endless Creativity Sale

My favorite classes are the jewelry classes.  I have taken the Micro Torch Basics and Wire Wrapped Stones, Crystals and Clusters, and I'm signed up to take Make Your Own Wirework Findings and Metalsmithing at Home.  I love all of the Craftsy Classes and have signed up for approximately 15 others and taken many of them.  The pizza class is great and so is the bread class.  I have signed up for sewing and knitting classes, but have not gotten to them yet, but I will.

I hope that you'll give some classes a try and at least take a look around and see if there is anything new that you would like to learn.  There are so many choices.

Have a great week.
Debi

Craftsy's Endless Creativity Sale 

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links

New to Blurb Comic Books and Cartoons

Comic Books Made Easy at Blurb 

Ever wanted to make your own cartoon or comic book? You can do it without a publisher at Blurb! And if you're worried about quality, don't! Blurb paired up with one of the all time comic book greats, Paul Rivoche, who is known for illustrations of Batman and Ironman to name a few. Heard of those guys? I thought so! Take a look at this video and try not to be inspired to write up your own book right now.

I think that this would make such a great project.  My kids would have loved making their own cartoons and comic books.  I think this would be great for any age group, not just kids.  It would even make a great learning tool.

I hope you'll give it a try and see what great things that you can come up with.

Have a great weekend giving one of these great projects a try.

Debi

Here are some other great deals for Blurb this month also

.Customers Save 25% with code: MARCHSAVINGS 

Now through the end of the month, Blurb is offering 25% off first purchases of $75+. This offer only lasts until 3/27/14, so act fast!

Link: Save 25% on print book orders of $75+ at Blurb

Valid: through 3/27

Save 30% with code: MARCHTHIRTY on orders of $150+

Now through the 17th, Blurb is offering 30% off first purchases of $150+. This offer only lasts until 3/17/14, so act fast!

Link: Save 30% on orders of $150+ at Blurb

Valid: through 3/17

This is a post sponsored by Blurb

Shamrock Green Frosted Flake Treats

I made these great Shamrock Green Frosted Flake Treats.  These came out really great, I liked them even better then regular rice crispy treats.  I took them to a party for the academy awards, and they were a big hit.  

Shamrock Green Frosted Flake Treats

Ingredients:

4 TB butter

1 10 oz bag and 2 cups miniature marshmallows 

6 rice frosted flakes

16 drops green food coloring

Directions:

Spray a 9 x 13 inch pan with cooking spray and set aside.

Melt butter in a large pan and then add the marshmallows.

Stir over medium heat until marshmallows are melted.

Then stir in 16 drops green food coloring and mix well

Next add the frosted flakes and stir until well coated with the marshmallow sauce.

Pour into your greased baking dish and press down with wax paper or a buttered spatula.

Once cooled, cut into squares and serve.

Makes 20 squares

I hope that you enjoy these Shamrock Green Frosted Flake Treats as much as we did.

Have a great week and enjoy.

Debi

Find us at these great parties

AdornedFrom Above Link Party 3/12/14

Hi Everyone,

We are so sorry, but we need to cancel this weeks party.

Debi and Charly

Matthew 19:4 - 19: 7 Bible Verses

I was at church with Danny, his fiance, and her family last week and the pastor had a great sermon on Righteous Sex.  The first part of his sermon was based on Matthew 19:4 - 19:6.

Mat 19:4  And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
Mat 19:5  And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
Mat 19:6  Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

The pastor said that sex is something that we neglect to talk about in church.  That somewhere along the way it became a bad thing, but that sex between a husband and wife is a good thing, and it should be discussed.  He quoted parts of Genesis and Adam and Eve, saying, after God created them in the Garden, they were naked and they were not embarrassed and God said that it was good. (Gen 2:25)

The Bible says that when we become Man and wife, and once we are with one another we become one flesh.  That God has created this and it's a good thing.  This is not only in Matthew, but all Gen 2:24.

Next week I'll be posting about Song of Solomon.

It's pretty interesting.
Have a Blessed Week.
Debi
Find us at these great parties

Shamrock Mint Milkshake for Friday's Happy Hour

Hey everyone, I decided that these Shamrock Mint Milkshakes for Friday's Happy Hour this week.  I love mint milkshakes, and I very rarely them.  First, because I am constantly on a diet.  Second, because sugar and I do not really get along, but in honor of St. Patrick's Day, and because David loves milkshakes I made these for Happy Hour this week.

Shamrock Mint Milkshakes

Ingredients:

3 cups vanilla ice cream (I used Blue Bell Sugar Free Ice Cream)

1/2 cup milk

1/2 tsp mint extract

12 drops green food coloring

Directions:

Put all ingredients in a blender and blend on high until smooth.

Pour into glasses and serve with a straw.

This makes 2 milkshakes.

I would love to hear what your favorite milkshake flavor is.  My other favorite flavor is Hot Fudge Peanut Butter.  Sonic makes that it is is really good.  I haven't tried making one yet, but I guess that is a good idea for a post another day.

Have a great weekend and enjoy!!!

Debi

Find us at these great parties

Corned Beef Sandwiches for St. Patrick's Day

I was talking to my aunt several weeks ago, and she was talking about making Corned Beef Sandwiches for that weekend, and it sounded so good, that I decided to make some to share with all of you.  She was saying she was going to make it and slice it thin and serve it with rye bread.  Needless to say, I was drooling by the end of the conversation.  That weekend David and I went to a restaurant near our home called Maggie Smith's.  It's an Irish Pub.  Well I was so craving corned beef that I ordered their corned beef sandwich, and it had a Dijon Aioli which was amazing.  So when I made these sandwiches, I made a very simple Dijon Mayonnaise to go on the sandwiches.  This was a great simple weeknight meal, but would also be great for St. Patrick's Day.

Corned Beef Sandwiches for St. Patrick's Day

Ingredients:

3 lb corned beef brisket

1/3 cup mayonnaise

2 TB Dijon mustard (more or less depending on the flavor you want.  I would taste it as you go.)

8 slices rye bread

1 package tricolor cabbage for cole slaw

Directions:

Rinse your corned beef and put in a large pan and cover with water.

Turn you heat to high and bring to a boil.

Once water is boiling turn to low for a low boil and cook for 3 to 4 hours or tender, but not falling apart.

After your corned beef is cooked, let it cool before cutting it.  I left mine in the water for about 45 minutes while I got the rest of our dinner ready.  This way it cooled down, but was still slightly warm when I started cutting it.

Next, mix you mayonnaise and Dijon mustard together and set aside.  (again, taste it to see if you want to add more mustard to the mayo.)

Next, you will take your cored beef from the water, and slice it very thin.  Mine were slices were about 1/8 of an inch.

You will then spread your Dijon Mayonnaise on each slice of bread.  Then lay 4 to 6 slices of corned beef on 4 pieces of bread.  Next you will add some of your tricolor cabbage over the corned beef and then top the sandwich with the other slice of rye bread. 

Cut in half and serve with a side of your choice.  I made onion straws and will share that recipe next week with all of you.

I must say, this was an amazing sandwich.  I am going to make them again really soon.  I hope that you like them as much as we did.

Enjoy!!!

Debi

Find us at these great parties

Wednesday's Adorned From Above Link Party 80

We want to thank everyone who shared with Wednesday's Adorned From Above Link Party 79.  We love seeing all of your posts.

We decided to change the party up a bit, and are now starting it at 6:00PM on Tuesday's.

Welcome to Wednesday's Adorned From Above Blog Hop 80.

Now for the featured bloggers from, and grab your featured button from our sidebar. 

Featured Bloggers from Blog Hop 79

1.  Make Your Pics More Pinteresting - Part 4 - Cropping

2.  Your Blog Post Needs Social Sharing Buttons from The Mom Maven

3.  Makeup Monday - DIY Dry Shampoo from Julie's Lifestyle

4. Baked Yummy Marshmallow Cake from Juggling Food Family and Chaos with Jodie Fitz

5.  Frozen Birthday Cake from Mommy in Sports

6.  Dragonflies, New Shapes, Challenges, and Bead Mojo from Saraccomo

7.  Pan Fried Cinnamon Sugar Bananas from Melissa's Cuisine











8.  Faux Carrots (they're strawberries) from Crafts A La Mode

We are happy to have you at this week's party.  We always love hearing from you, so leave your comments.

Have a great week.

An InLinkz Link-up