Patience is a Key Ingredient for Life

So here we are in March and the snowflakes came down again yesterday.  So weird to see snow this late but the temperatures are still very cold and people are still dressing for winter.  However, yesterday I felt like baking some spring theme sugar cookies.  Why not bring a little sunshine into the house!   

I like to bake but sometimes I'm not sure why I choose to do baking that takes a lot of patience like sugar cookies that you have to roll and cut out and then decorate with pretty icing colors.  I guess it is nice to see them finished and know that I hung in there til the end. 

I made butterflies and cupcakes.  Royal icing is not one that I make often and can be a little finicky as you have to get the perfect consistency to outline your cookies and then another called a flooding consistency to fill in the cookie.  Of course you need to separate your icing into small bowls and add gel paste or food coloring to have a variety of colors to use.  Then it definitely takes some practice and lots of patience to outline with a steady hand and fill in your cookie so that it looks appealing.  Although I'm sure in my house my hubby or sons would gobble them up no matter what they looked like.  I enjoyed making them to some degree but did find I got a little tired and impatient after decorating a dozen or so! 

Patience is something we get better at through time, trials, and experiences in life. I believe it builds character.  There are so many instances and circumstances in life where we need a great deal of patience. Whether it is at work, while driving, in relationships, with a friend or in your family we all can be challenged. Patience takes practice and we can all find little ways to practice our patience that can help us with the times we really need to call on those skills.  Perhaps we can learn to listen more, not react so quickly, not interrupt as much and over all be a little more empathetic.  

Ahhh, I think it's time for a cookie! 

Valleys and Mountain Tops

In life we can all expect to find ourselves in a despairing valley at sometime. We are all human and things are going to happen to us and around us that are out of our control!  It might be a different type of valley that you experience. For some it may be a physical health issue, mental health issue, financial stresses, business disappointments, relational difficulties or one of many other circumstances that you find yourself in.  

When you are in the valley it may feel like things are never going to change and you are never getting out of there. You can't will the problem away or demand it leave because life just doesn't work that way.  

Mountain tops are high and lofty and seem like a great place to remain. We can see amazing scenic views from the top of mountains. Unfortunately living on a mountain top will not allow us to grow. What I mean by that is growth takes place in hard places, like down in the valleys, where trials come. Yup, as hard as it is to lose the view from the mountain top we all have our turns in  the valley and we all need to find the strength and resilience to climb out once again.  

Everyone will experience trials and difficulties in this life. For me, I am so glad of my relationship with Jesus because I know he is always working for my good even when it feels like I'm being swallowed up by a valley experience.  I can trust that he is with me and I'm not on the journey alone.  The valley is where we learn and can truly appreciate God's grace in our lives.  Even through the most difficult times we are not alone.  

Spending time reading, praying and listening to inspirational devotionals can help you relax and know that God's grace, comfort and peace will never fail.  His promises are true.  I hope you find this encouraging if today you find yourself in a valley of despair and discouragement.  Good days are coming! 

Eat Well Live a Healthy Life

The new Canada Food Guide has been released this week and there are visible and valuable changes to be seen from the old Canada food guide of 1977.  Now promoting only three categories rather than four. Promoting a healthier way to eat based on a high consumption of plant based foods and less emphasis on meat and dairy.  Finally we are being told the truth, plant based eating I believe is the way to go. 

For many years we have been told that we need to eat a variety from all four food groups to live a healthy life.  This new food guide reduces the food groups to three. The new groups are made up of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and proteins and meat and dairy combined. There are no longer serving size recommendations or suggested numbers of servings. The new guide recommends eating plant based foods more often and de-emphasizes the meat and dairy saying that eating this way can have positive effects on our health and help fight disease. 

The new food guide is also telling Canadians to make 'water' their drink of choice.  Adding emphasis on staying hydrated through out the day and choosing alcoholic and soft drinks less often. Fruit juices which are high in sugar are also not recommended. 

The Canadian guide also promotes 'mindful eating', cooking at home as often as possible, enjoy your meals and they suggest this will encourage a healthier way of eating. 

I have been a vegetarian for many years so this is confirming the approach that I take to eating and maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle.  Many people have food intolerance and don't even realize it.  Making some plant based choices more often you may find that you can improve your gut and help fight many diseases. 

Time to cut up some fresh veggies! Enjoy your week! :-)

Coffee and Hearts Address Labels

Slumber Party & Pancake Breakfast Invite

Paper Plates great for a Pancake Breakfast

Valentines Day Stickers

(sheets of 20) 

Just Plan It

Wow, here we are already in the second week of 2019!  I can't believe how quickly time is going by, how about you?  Are you jumping in with both feet and making a good start or are you feeling a little unmotivated and overwhelmed as to how to get yourself on a good track?!  

I have not been one to keep a journal or planner in the past but it has been on my mind for some time and so this week is going to be the week I prepare a planner and set some goals for myself in regards to maintaining a healthy eating plan, drinking enough fluids throughout the days and keeping my fitness and devotionals on track.  Anyone with me... 

I have a pretty floral notebook that I purchased months ago and I just need to set it up like a planner. Create some calendar pages and simple set ups where I can write down what I eat and drink in a day as well as track my gym workouts and walking schedule, I am a big walker and it helps me stay motivated when I see good progress here. So today and tomorrow I will be setting my book up. I have been told it helps to add pretty stickers, colored sticky notes, inspirational quotes and little reminders to help motivate and inspire you to fill out the pages.  You can also add other pages in your journal like meal plans, cleaning your home, organizing rooms, reading/spending time on your devotions, you can track your sleep patterns, organize your business, etc. 

This brings to mind a quote from Stephen R. Covey "A fail to plan is a plan to fail"  

Planning is key...  wherever you are on your journey I hope you are making some great plans for 2019 and maybe this year will be your year to start a journal as well. Great habits don't just happen they are made. 

                                         Planner Stickers

Daily Planner

Journal

Marketing Plans and Wrapping Up 2018

Here we are in the final weeks of December, 2018.  Time to reflect on all that's taken place this past year and savor the blessings and good memories of your journey. Whether you've had a rough year dealing with health issues, relationships, financial struggles or other things it's time to look up and see all that you have been blessed with. We take so many things for granted these days. My husband and I have this saying of 'first world problems' when we find ourselves complaining or whining about something that is usually so trivial. Really we have been given an amazing life full of wonderful family, friends and blessings. 

As we move forward it's time for me to look at some SEO and marketing ideas for 2019. Changes are constant in technology and it is overwhelming and hard to keep up with the new information.  So as time allows I will be adjusting some of my marketing plans and trying some new things for the new year. 

As always I will be busy coming up with some new designs and images for Designs by Shell. I will look at what my best selling designs and products have been and go from there.  Thank you to all my customers from around the world. I still think it is so amazing to work from home and be able to sell my designs all over the world.  

So I am wishing my reader's a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous and blessed new year! 

Count Down to Christmas #25 Candy Cane Bark

Candy Cane Bark, simple and delicious holiday treats you can make in a hurry!