Start Again!

Find your Joy Everyday!

I cannot believe that a year and a half has passed since I last posted in this blog! Where did the time go! I only meant to take a few weeks and finish a project that I was working on and somehow I never got back to it:(  What happen? I don't even know!! But I'm back, and you guys know how I like to find truth "nuggets" and life lessons in everything and every situation, right? So what are the lessons in this one? 

Sunset at Ocean Shores! Beautiful!

First of all, I realized that I REALLY missed doing this blog and connecting with people this way. I have always loved  finding beauty, joy, encouragement and wisdom in everyday life. I am a teacher and a philosopher at heart...Not the kind of teacher who has earned a degree at a place of higher education, but a teacher of life lessons and wisdom that comes from the heart. A thinker...And I am unashamedly a positive Pollyanna! No matter what, I want to find the "brightside" of the situation. I want to view the glass as half full instead of half empty! I love sharing these thoughts, wisdom, and "brightside Pollyanna stuff" with those around me who are interested in being lifted up, inspired and encouraged. I want to believe that we can get through anything, and we can.

I love this spot in Newport, OR

Next of all, wouldn't you agree that we need inspiration in our day, our lives and our world. That's what I want to give...Inspiration, wisdom, laughter, help...a sunny spot to help you find the joy in your day. There is so much negativity, rudeness (for no good reason), meanness and darkness going on in our world today.We can't ignore it or pretend that it's not happening, but we don't have to allow it to rule our lives and attitudes. I refuse to let someone else's behavior or attitude turn me into "Miss Meanie," Scrooge or the Grinch. I'm gonna spread love, peace, joy and goodness wherever and however I can. I wanna encourage you to do the same.

For the last lesson...Here it is: Start again, try again, get up when you fall, NEVER give up on you! Now I had every intention of keeping this blog going when I started it the last time, but that CLEARLY didn't happen. I could tell myself, "Sandra, this is not working for you, you can't do this, just leave it along." And then I could just walk around feeling like a failure, wishing I could do it. But no way! I like doing this blog, I love connecting with people (you), and I know that I have good "heart stuff" to offer...So that settles it. No matter how many times I have to start, I will keep doing it. That is one of the greatest lessons that I have learned in my life, "Keep on Keeping on." It's the same for you...Whatever it is that you are working on in your life, family, career, health, dreams etc, never give up. It's okay to start over however many times it takes. (I'm not sure that's good grammar, but you get the point, right?) As long as you are willing to try again it's never, ever over. So just like before I will bring you some occasional recipes, my love of life, thrifting and travel, with truth nuggets, life lessons, joy and encouragement in the mix.

I am here to remind you that there is 
"Joy in Your Everyday Life." Look for it! 

Remember...Start Again...It's okay! 

Please let me know that you enjoy this blog and please follow it!
Also share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, etc

Joy to you
Sandra 

Happy Valentines Day!

Can you tell that I am ready for some warm
summery weather!! Come on!

Just wanted to take a minute and say HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to you guys! I hope that your day was full of peace and the knowledge that you are loved. Hope that you celebrated and enjoyed the day in some way, whether you are in a relationship or not. Don't allow your emotions to get hijacked and taken over by sadness and negativity if you're single or in a tough relationship. (I have been in both). Focus on the good, on your blessings and think about the potential that is ahead of you...And I know that there are plenty of people who are CRAZY about you!! Keep your head up, ENJOY, you're blessed!



To you my friend...

Stay tuned...For all of you southerners or those with southern appetites, I will be sharing a great recipe for "Delicious Oven Fried Chicken." Sooo good! As we say in my family, "It tastes so good it makes you wanna slap yo mama." Now you know that it's either really good or someone is OUT OF THEIR MIND...Where I come from you don't slap your mama!...Unless you have nothing planned for your future because that's probably the last thing that you will do!!...Anyway I love this recipe and so will you. Stay tuned.

Enjoy your day!!

Blessings and love
Sandra

Birthdays are for celebrating!

Happy Birthday to me! Thankful to be here!

Birthdays are for celebrating. Whether you choose to spend your day alone or to gather with family and friends...It's your special day and you should spend it doing what brings you joy.

The day that you were born God sent you into the earth with purpose and life in your heart to share with others...Your life is your time in history...It honors Him when you celebrate your day.

Fun with Lori

In the past few years I 
have celebrated my birthday in many ways...I have spent it quiet and alone in reflection,  or taking myself shopping, to the spa, then out to dinner. That's a fun day...I have also connected with girlfriends and taken in a movie. That's fun too! One thing that I like to do is to have a good fun party...Friends, food, laughter and dancing...I tell my friends that when you come to my birthday party you are expected to dance and have fun. No wallflowers here! We 'gon' have some fun!....That's what it's all about...Enjoying one another, celebrating each other...celebrating life and God's goodness.

Good friends are what make fun celebrations!

Who cares if we don't know or can't do the latest dance moves...It's just fun, good exercise, keeps your bones and joints from locking up, (trust me, you do think about these kinds of things as you get older; can't have stuff locking up on me!), and gets rid of all the 'party food' calories...And we can get some good fun laughter out of it too...I mean this is the greatest! 

I like bringing people together for fun and laughter

This year for my 52nd birthday (where did the time go) I had a party at the home of some really gracious friends, invited some people over and celebrated my arrival day on planet earth...It was fun and beautiful...Unfortunately we were having so much fun I forgot to get pics of us dancing...

Judy and Carol

We did the "Cha Cha Cha Slide" and I taught everybody the "Cupid Shuffle." It's a fun dance and one of my exercise songs...

Sandra, David (my honey) and Mike

If you are interested in learning this dance you can find a demonstration of it on You Tube under "Cupid Shuffle"...(I would have posted it here but as I am new to the blogging world I am still learning all the legalities of such matters)...

Carol a special sister and friend

Anyway here are pics from my birthday party...Just good clean fun...It was great and I absolutely enjoyed it...When your day comes make sure that you do something special and unique just for you. Don't talk yourself out of the celebration of "you." That's not selfish or prideful...It's honoring and acknowledging the creator by honoring HIS creation. I hope that you are experiencing "Everyday Joy."

Love and Blessings
Sandra


Please leave a comment - more pics below

More friends

Guys hanging  out

Just chilling

Having fun - Enjoying the evening...

Birthday loot! Sweet!

Sandra's Sun-Dried Tomato Salad

Looking for a tasty, healthy delicious salad with a bit of kick...Here is the perfect one. This is a "Sandra" special...Keep in mind that you can leave out the peppers if spicy is not for you. You will still enjoy all the different flavors and textures in this salad...Happy healthy eating! (I hardly ever measure when I cook, so these are estimations...This will serve 1-2 people)




Sandra's Sun-Dried Tomato Salad
1/2 cup of finely chopped Spinach
1/2 cup of finely chopped Romaine Lettuce
1/4 to 1/2 chopped Avocado
1/4 cup of frozen peas (thawed)
1/4 cup of frozen corn (thawed)
1-2 chopped mushrooms
1 peeled and chopped Kiwi
1/4 cup of Sun-dried Tomatoes
Chopped Jalapeno (according to taste)
Handful of slivered Almonds or nuts of your choice
Handful of Raisins
A squeeze of Lime
Garlic Powder, (or chopped Garlic Clove), Black Pepper
A little low-fat Sesame Ginger Dressing (or other of your choice)
1-2 Tablespoon of Mango Salsa (Or regular mild or hot salsa)

I like to layer all the ingredients on my plate (toss everything in a bowl if you are making salad for several people)...Next squeeze on a little Lime (Lime is pretty tart so only a little), then sprinkle on Garlic and Black Pepper, and Sesame Ginger dressing...Finally add Mango Salsa on top...This makes a beautiful and tasty salad...Enjoy

Tips...Substitute different veggies like Bell Beppers, Zucchini etc...Use Pineapple or Oranges instead of Kiwis...try different seasonings...Add Black Beans or Kidney Beans.

Love and Blessings
Sandra

A Fun Place to Visit - Gig Harbor

In Gig Harbor...Posing for the girls!

We all have our favorite kinds of places to visit. Some people like big cities, lots of lights, activities, crowds, noise and lots of things to see. Some people like the water, sand on the beaches and solitude...some like the mountains, forest, quiet and isolation.

Erica, Lisa, and myself getting ready for our drive to
Gig Harbor

I believe that it is important to get out and see the world around you...And the world around you is not necessarily across the country or across the globe. It can be checking out the beauty in your own town or the areas, towns, and cities right next door. 

A local Gig Harbor art gallery...We visited several

If beauty is inside you...If it is a part of your perspective and it is the lens that you see the world through, then you'll find beauty no matter where you are. 

Lisa and Erica

This is an incredible and beautiful earth that God has given us to live on, and I want to visit lots of different places in it. I have places near and far that are favorites for me...big and small cities...but my favorites are small, quaint, cozy, unique places...quiet with just enough people, places, and shops to be interesting...I like eclectic places and things...

One favorite place near me (In fact there are a lot of beautiful and cool places near me) is a city called Gig Harbor...What a fun cute place...Great boutiques, antique shops, galleries, restaurants...It's quaint, with unbelievable water views, walkable and easy to get around...Great for a quick get away, down time etc...David and I have driven there several times just to hang out and have fun...I also took my daughter there for an overnight birthday stay at a cute B&B...

Lisa and I at the Harbor...Cold and beautiful

A few weeks ago when my friend Lisa was visiting me, I took her and Erica over for a few hours of fun... If you live in this area and are looking for a cute, fun, quick place to visit and unwind then Gig Harbor could be the place for you...

What's your favorite sort of place to visit? Go take a trip and check out the beauty all around...Whether it's far away or right in your own backyard!

love and blessings
Sandra


P. S. One more day!!...(I know...I'm like a kid right!!) My birthday is tomorrow, Friday...Got some birthday goodies today from hubby and a friend...Flowers and a camera stand that I REALLY wanted...You're never too old for gifts:) More pics below

Having some Java!!

Gig Harbor art gallery...Sorry but I can't remember the name of this one

Erica enjoying  a sit-down

You have to stop at this cute little place...A coffee and pottery shop called
"Java & Clay Cafe"

"Go enjoy your world!"

Friends and Creativity

Lisa and I out to lunch

OK as you can see I am still catching up with posting some holiday stuff here...Took a little break but hope to stay on top and up to date (ha ha).

Getting items together for my project...Wood frame, glue, grout
sponge, assorted colored glass gems, big chunk of broken glass bowl 

During the holidays I had a good friend (Lisa) from Texas to come and stay with me...Friends are great and the one thing that I love about Lisa is that she totally inspires me to creativity. She is an artist and painter and is crazy creative. I love being around people who inspire me. While she visited me for the holidays we had a ton of fun and made some cool art projects.

Lisa working on her project...Didn't get a picture of the start before she
painted everything. This is midway through the process.

I love creating...painting, repurposing and remixing items, and I love the idea of having things in my home that I did with my own hands. That really excites me...Make me feel all warm and happy when I walk through my house.

One of the projects that we worked on was a glass mosaic using grout. This was my first time doing a mosaic and working with grout...It was no small project but I got it done. Lisa also made a piece and left it at my house! A Lisa original! Happy about that...

My paint supplies...Just finished painting my frame this beautiful
metallic green color

For my piece, I bought some glass gems from the store, but I also had a big chunk of glass from a beautiful bowl that was given to me several years ago as part of a gift after speaking at a conference. It was a really gorgeous piece but got broken in an accident. 

I have kept the broken pieces for many years because I knew that I would find something creative to do with it. I named my mosaic project "Redemption." It reminds me of how God is so great at taking the mistakes, broken pieces and fragments of our lives and recreating something amazing and beautiful in spite of it all. Don't ever think that He can't do something great with your mess...I have personal experience that He can!! I am so glad about that. 

Lisa has added more paint and glass tiles to her piece

I still have one more piece to finish with my project...I am going to make some sort of tag to hang with it on the wall that has the name "Redemption" on it and a short story of the meaning...Just like you find in some art museums...I think that  will be cool!

Adding glass gems and I also added a picture of
David and I in Mexico

How about you? What's your area of creativity? Hope your New Year is going great so far...

Love and Blessings
Sandra

P.S. By the way...I celebrate my birthday THIS Friday, January 25...Yea! Gonna have a fun birthday celebration with some of my dear friends...Very excited!! Very thankful to my amazing and wonderful God to still be here enjoying peace, life and love...Yes very grateful indeed! More pics below.

Lisa's finished art piece! Beautiful!

The cool thing is she finished this and gave it to me
for Christmas! I love it!

Tada!! And here is my piece..."Redemption" I really like it.
 I will get a better pic of it for the blog when I finish the
 name tag. Not to bad for first timer!

Here is another piece that we worked on. I already had this
piece. It was a plain brown and white so Lisa spiced it up
with some color and I added some gemstones on it.

Fun Fun Fun

My Favorite Scripture!

I thought that I would share one of my favorite scriptures with you...This particular one is great any time but especially as we enter into a new year...

A good friend shared this with me about 15 years ago and it has since become an important part of my life...I frequently sign it on greeting cards, letters, and emails...Here it is:



I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13)

This verse of scripture has brought encouragement and hope to me in times of challenges and trouble. It reminds me to believe and be confident that no matter what I am currently facing, I am headed into more of God's goodness. It's a reminder to me that God wants to be good to me on this side of heaven, while I live...I love that!

Because of this scripture I learned to expect to receive good into my life.

When I come across a scripture, quote, or 'saying' that moves or inspires me, I love to write it down and put it someplace where I can constantly see it...My mirror, refrigerator, kitchen cabinet etc. So write this one down and put it somewhere to remind yourself of all the good things that lie ahead.

I hope that you are expecting to see God's goodness in your life in 2013!!

Love and Blessings
Sandra