My New Beach Hat

This summer I'm taking a beach vacay. My husband says that everything I do begins with an outfit-not entirely untrue!  So, I decided I needed a great beach hat and started looking. I found the perfect hat, but it was $450!  I decided I could make a similar DIY hat and got busy buying what I needed.

First, the hat. I found one that fit right at Academy for about $15. Then, Hobby Lobby had their trim 1/2 price, so I bought a roll of black sequins for 1.50, and a bottle of fabric glue. 

I wanted a great beach "saying" and my friend who does my nails chose this one. 

I just wrote the words in glue on the hat. Then started covering the glue with sequins. If I made a mistake, I quickly cleaned it up with water on a washcloth. Fabric glue dries clear, so you have to be patient. Simple as that - and my beach hat is ready to go. 

I Made Grain-Free Granola

I'm neither gluten-free nor grain-free, but when I'm paying attention I do like to limit grains in my diet.  I also love yogurt parfaits.  The ones that I buy are usually full of sugar, and I'm a fan of plain, unsweetened yogurt.  A few weeks ago, I picked up a small container of coconut, grain-free granola at my local natural market.  It was delicious, but very spendy! So, I decided to make my own, and it's almost perfect! 

Here's what you need:

Heated oven - 350 degrees; cookie sheet and Silpat or parchment

A little less than 1/4 C coconut oil

1/3 C honey

1 C of any mixture of nuts, seeds, dried fruit you like

1 C coconut (shredded)

Vanilla

Cinnamon

Here's how I did it:

Mix a little less than a 1/4 cup of coconut oil with about 1/3 cup of honey.  I buy honey at our local farmer's market, and you can get coconut oil anywhere-it's great for everything from cooking to slathering on your skin! 

Cook these for a bit in a small sauce pan until a little bubbly.

I added about a teaspoon of vanilla after cooking.

Then in a bowl mix a cup of whatever you choose from nuts, seeds, dried fruits, etc. I used raw almonds, and pumpkin seeds (because that's what I had!) that I buy from the bins in our local market.

 Also add a cup of shredded, unsweetened coconut. I also buy this at the local natural market. Once these are mixed, add the liquid, and you can also add some cinnamon at this point. 

Once it's mixed well, pour on to a cookie sheet covered with a Silpat, or parchment paper. 

Cook it until it's browned (maybe 15-20 minutes).  Let it cool, then break into pieces.  I did this process twice, because I wanted it more brown in the middle.  So I pulled off the browned pieces, and back in the oven it went.

It is really toasty, crunchy-chewy, and delicious!  I stored in in the fridge in an airtight glass container.

What I will do differently next time: I'll definitely use pecans as well as almonds and I may try NO oil since I've seen some recipes online with just the honey...maybe a little butter?? 

If you try it, be sure to let me know your results.

Dressember Day #7--It's Not About The Dress!

It's about dignity for all women and children.  One hundred percent of all of the proceeds raised by Dressember go to International Justice Mission.  I've read about their work...it's good, it's honorable, it's changing many lives for the better.  You can read about them here:

https://www.ijm.org/

On another note-why is my hair so big today??

The Power of a Dress

It's just the 6th day (dress) of December, and many thousands have been raised to rescue women and children-all by spreading awareness in a dress. Be a light!

https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraise?fcid=576609

Dressember Day#3

Because not all women have a voice.

How Can wearing a dress every day in December change the world?

https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraise?fcid=576609

This is why I'll be wearing a dress every day in December-  I'm thankful for all of the beautiful women in my life. I'm thankful that we've had opportunities that some can only dream of having. I'm thankful that through everyday advocacy I can help a woman in unbearable circumstances find freedom. Please support Dressember by donating here to help stop human trafficking, and please share!

House Blessing

One of my children recently bought a new house.  I was trying to think of a good "house blessing" for him and his family. In my search, I found two that I am going to use.  The first one is from 2 Samuel 7:29.

New Living Translation

And now, may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that I may continue forever before you.  For you have spoken, and when you grant a blessing to your servant, O Sovereign LORD, it is an eternal blessing!

The second is a traditional house blessing, but I think the only time I've seen it is on one of my favorite movies, It's a Wonderful Life.  It will be accompanied by the items mentioned.

Bread - May this house never know hunger.

Salt - That life may always have flavor.

Wine - That joy and prosperity may reign here forever.

I hope you're blessed today!