Motivation 02/17/2012
 
The name of the game: Motivation
The players: Me, Myself, and I
Rules: Do more!
The Obstacle: This Gloomy Weather

I really don't see how people function in the Winter. I wish we could all just hibernate like Bears. Walled up in our warm houses, letting our bodies use the stored fat from Thanksgiving and Christmas, waiting till the sun comes back. 

Don't get me wrong. After the drought we had this past year I am so thankful for the rain and after 100+ days of 100+ degrees highs...I am so extremely thankful for the cooler weather. But a little bit of Sun everyday would be nice, and inspirational. I find myself getting up, half-way getting dressed, making breakfast for my boys-sending them off to school and work (the living room), straightening up and then begging the hubs to crawl back in bed with me. 

When the sun is out tho-I usually spend some time weeding my garden or planting things outside after morning routines are done with. I'll go on a walk, and crank up the music to putter around the house, and blog and cook and make crafty things...but now. This dreariness has me craving my bed and sleep and cuddling. 

Maybe I should listen to my body-I mean we need to do that, right? When our body is craving something it's because it needs something...and my body says: "Sleep. Cuddle. Eat. Repeat." 
So I resist the temptation one more day...and am off to get something done. 

Happy Friday-oh and I'd welcome some reader inspiration...as always.


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Wow. How is it already February? 

I am going to have to keep this one short, but I made a video this morning about something I found in Pinterest and just had to try. 
The video was fun to make, sorry it doesn't have bells and whistles, but it has what you need. Good, old fashioned information. 

So, I am back to the blog, and ready to get writing. Wait and see what I have in store for this month! 


Just another day in the life of C A Stone...♥
Live in the rhythm of love...and share the bliss!   
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This Christmas I saw love, from my Husband in the form of thoughtful gifts, and gestures of his affection. He dotes on me and is such an attentive, loving man. His gifts reflected the attention he pays to details when it come to my wants, needs and desires. Even though it is rare for me to ask for something-he seems to pick up on things I don't even realize I drop hints on, not to mention sweet reminders of our life and love together. I dare say I am the luckiest girl in the world. 

I also saw the love of my parents, in their unceasing efforts to take care of us, and dote on our son. They are truly amazing, encouraging and loving Grandparents. They are wonderful at showing love through supportive actions and helping us set our son up for a happy, healthy life. ...and in some cases spoil him as good grandparents do.

Then there is our son. Words fail me on describing his ability to melt my heart. He first gave me a present, handmade, and unassisted by Daddy. He wrapped it himself, and brought it out the day we put up our tree, and immediately wanted me to open it. I was unaware of the contents, and I love surprises so I would tell him, that I wanted to wait until Christmas. 

Every day it was the same spiel. He asked me to open it, and I said unless it is suffocating or rotting, I wanted to keep the surprise going, and every day I got the same "But I just know you are going to LOVE it!" and cute little pouty face, followed by, "ok, but you don't know what you're missing"

Finally, on Christmas Eve I opened it. It was fair-he was able to open one early present, so I could too. 
Does that face just scream happiness, and love, or what? Not to mention pride, and joy. His kindness perfectly mirrors that of his Father's. I see it more and more each day. Just today I picked him up and instead of doing our usual routine, for some reason I chose to take a scenic route. We drove by some of my favorite houses here in town (next to ours, of course) and I pointed to one, and said how I loved the house, and if I could pick a house it would be my favorite in town. the conversation continued and it came up that the house was very expensive, and that we lived in a house we could afford. He then offered all of his money he's been saving-to turn in his saving bonds, and money, and buy the house. 

I literally had to stop the car. I looked back at him, and said "you would do that? For me?"

He said "Well, yeah! I love that house too, so I think we should get it for the Family."

I acknowledged how amazingly sweet his idea was, but that he should save his money-and we had a perfect house for our family, then he said it. Those words that get you every time "but I want to because I love you" How do you tell your child that a.) the intention is worth more than the action in this case. b.) the money isn't enough. and c.) there is no way I would ever, not in a million years take his money. And how do you do this in a way that isn't going to break his heart? I took a shot at distraction-made sure he knew his gesture was appreciated, and then quickly distracted him with prospects of a delicious evening of baking. 

I am curious to see what happens next time we pass that house. I am also curious to see the other ways that love will manifest in our little life together. 
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Oh yes. It is that time. Time for tamales. A ritual of sorts with my family. 

As I sit here, waiting for my darling Husband to finish up some work I will update this bloggy thingy of mine. 

I grew up with a Mother who was and is amazing. A cook, an artist, a crafter, a sewer, a boo-boo kisser, an advice giver... a woman that filled many roles well. One of the things I remember most were the tamales growing up-well that and her crafting in general. I loved watching her make things in the kitchen as well as at her craft tables.

Her and my father-she more than he, used to make tamales to sell every year around the holidays. They became so popular and in such high demand it would take a few days to make enough to sell, and still have some left for us to eat. That eventually caused the Eberle Tamale production to cease. They got so burnt out that we didn't even make tamales for us for a few years. Once the hubbub died down, a few years ago, as if by magic- the production line was up and running again. 

This time I was able to help. I learned the mysteries that were raveled in her corn husks, and the secrets that were in her masa...of course nothing could prepare me for the production line other than just jumping right in. Making a mess, and making a few mistakes as well. Whoever comes to make the tamales gets some to take home as well. If you just come to hang out you only get to eat them as they are finished, and no extras go home. This rule blossomed from the fact that some would come and hang out while the Little Red Hen did all the soaking of the husks, making of the masa, blending of the herbs and turkey for the filling, and the tedious wrapping of the tamales-and expect to get a dozen or two to take home...but as the fable tells us-if you don't help, you don't get to share in the rewards.

We made over 300 tamales by my count, er rather: estimation of how many eaten by how many guests plus how many were stuffed in the vacuum sealed bags...I would not be surprised if my count was low. 

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Assembly table...we made a sticky mess, but it was yummy fun!
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One steamer pot full...I think there were five total. A MA ZING and GOOD!
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This was the way my Mother used to make ALL of her tamales... isn't it just darling? She made one special tamale for my Hubby and I to share. :)
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It was hard not to lick the plate before taking a picture. Sorry about the bad quality...hubby had the iphone.
Oh and did I mention that these tamales are made with Turkey...and have no lard...and are the BEST I've ever had?
Yeah. Guilt-free tamales. Just try to say no to that.

Time to end the first day of 2012. Good night all, and thanks for reading!

Just another day in the life of C A Stone...♥
Live in the rhythm of love...and share the bliss!  

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Another year. Another fabulous year of love! Such a whirlwind of a year as well! I married the love of my life, became a mother, and have a home to call ours all in one year. I started my book, and have over fifty thousand words. I discovered that just like a bad habit, you can't force change or goodness on people-they have to want it for themselves. Not that I have any true vices-other than love. But I am pretty sure that is a totally acceptable vice to the better parts of the world.

This year was also a lot of firsts for me and my new family. As well as that addition I was talking about. I had quite a few people on Facebook thinking it was an addition of the living kind...of course-Elves are real, aren't they? Last year I was shopping in one of my favorite shops in town and saw the cutest idea...The Elf on the Shelf. 

I had to buy it. It was an opportunity to have more fun around the Holidays, and I am always looking for excuses to do fun and creative stuff.
Our Elf arrived on the First of December, and it was quite the arrival. Our lil guy had no idea he was actually going to be moving around the house. He arrived on our doorstep, with a note about a movie we found online, and after reading the book we were ready to see him in action. Er rather...see where he ended up after his nightly departures.
That night we decorated our tree, and our Elf decided to put one in Shi's room! I guess someone heard a wish for a tree in his room...what a sweet little elf.
So a bit of the story, when a family adopts an Elf, you have to first give him a name so he can have his magic to go to the North Pole and report to Santa nightly. He is supposed to arrive around the Holidays, some elfs arrive at Thanksgiving, but ours came on December 1st, and we will get him out around that time next year. He has magic to fly to the North Pole, but the catch is kids can't touch him or he loses his magic for a while. I have to admit, this pose was a bit freaky for me-and our Lil' guy's response was "he's brave- if he fell I would have accidentally taken his magic, and that'd be super sad."
Yes, indeed. However nothing of that sort happened...and the Elf was able to leave that evening...
And come back with enough time to put away the Lil Guy's clean clothes...Which was welcomed and appreciated wholeheartedly by Shi. 

I will post more of the adventures of the Elf, the closer to Christmas it came, the crazier our Elf named Star became. I think it was the eggnog or the excitement, or maybe both.

Time to go ring in the New Year. No resolutions for me this year. I quit that a while ago. If I want to change something, I just will do it. No need to make a resolution, right? I mean, why wait until a New Year? Every day is a new day to improve yourself, and embrace the light and love.

Just another day in the life of C A Stone...♥
Live in the rhythm of love...and share the bliss! 
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So if there is something I try not to do, it is make excuses. I really can't stand when you call a person out on why they let you down, and they just make an excuse. Like when someone treats your wrong, and then needs something from you-so they "apologize" with this: "I'm sorry if I did anything to upset you, but..." 

Ok. Stop there. Apology is too obviously insincere, and no need to apologize. I already forgave you in my heart because I feel sorry for you. I know you are too miserable inside to make things really better, so I will continue to do what I do, and be happy knowing that nothing can take away my happy heart. And no, you lame attempt at an apology doesn't mean I'm going to let you continue to use me. But um, nice try. heh...

Back to the excuses. I am not here making excuses, I am just admitting that I let myself down by not keeping up with this blog. I have to admit I got a little upset with it. I have been more creative than ever this past month, but part of me didn't want to share what I've been doing. It's my precious! 

Haha, but really. I didn't really think that too many people read this blog, since I never got many comments-or e-mails. I was beginning to think this was all just me being silly. Then, about a week ago I decided to just peek at my stats for page hits. I couldn't believe how many I had been getting. But where are the comments? Where is the love? Then I remembered I had an e-mail linked to this blog, and I hadn't really been checking that either. I had the sweetest e-mail there from someone who had been reading-not my Mom (I love you for keeping up with me here), not my Grandma (also-you are so sweet for your comments and love too), not any relations. But a stranger. Someone who felt an impulse to contact me. We have more in common in our Mommy lives than I thought. So I know that even if I can't see what my words do now. Maybe someday later they will be here in the vast interwebs to help or entertain someone that needs it someday. And if not, well- at least it is a great outlet for creativity for myself. 
So, just a rant today. No pretty pictures. I know...I'm sorry. No new recipe...no new craft or fun thing. But I will tell you this. I have the start of a book in the works, I am wanting to start a Real Mom's group, and I have been using my sewing machine, and making awesome things with my sweet Momma. So. All of that coming soon. Oh yeah, and there is a big reveal of something coming soon. I would say...Tomorrow...I will share the news. :) 


Just another day in the life of C A Stone...♥
Live in the rhythm of love...and share the bliss!
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I lost a bet with my husband...we were at my parents' house recently and somehow got on a discussion of cookies, and baking. I had made some dark chocolate banana muffins (yes they were divine), and my Hubby said they would be better with cinnamon chips. 

I started laughing-Cinnamon Chips!?!? Never heard of them. He swore up and down that his Mom used to bake with them. So my Mom and I bet that they wouldn't have them at HEB in town. We went, and not only did they have them, but they are a "staple" they keep in stock year round. Dag nab it. I lost. 

So I tried finding a recipe that I could use them in. Many of the recipies/blogs I found talked about not knowing what to do with them other than baking into bread or scones...I found a recipe from Martha Stewart and tweaked it a bit, as I usually do...then served it up for a birthday treat!
So I made these Cinnamon Chip Chocolate Cookies. They are delish, a hint of spice, chocolate and cinnamon! They are great with a cup of coffee, or tea. But of course dunking in milk is quite nice as well. 

I found if you make them smaller than the recipe calls they are nice and crisp, but if you'd rather them chewy follow the recipe's size instructions. Easy to make, I was popping the trays in the oven while making other stuff too. And the dough seems it would do fine to freeze and keep on hand to pop in the oven as needed. 
Just another day in the life of C A Stone...♥
Live in the rhythm of love...and share the bliss!
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I am so glad I posted earlier today. I am exhausted. And just want to sleep. I was hoping I didn't need to post too much...

This day was filled with smokescreens and illusions of greatness. Someday we will all be able to walk around with lie detectors and call people out on their inabilities to believe (or even tell) the truth. But until then I just have to be thankful that there are people out there setting examples of how NOT to be. I do have to pray that someday they learn from their mistakes, and I pray it isn't too late. Some lessons are hard to learn, you have to want to improve yourself and it takes effort and time...but the sad part is-Life is harder if you never learn the lesson, and very lonely.

Learn from others mistakes, and become a person you can truly look at in the mirror and love...then, and only then can you find the true happiness within. 
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Love Everlasting 11/15/2011
 
Yesterday we achieved the six-month marker for our Marriage! How incredible! Some how it doesn't feel like it's only been six months, and yet it also feels like we've acclimated to each other so well that we've been together forever. 

My sweet man made me think he had forgotten...but when I got home from homework with our lil guy I came home to a new screen door (which means a lot to me-yay for breezes in the house!) and this:
Dinner at my favorite restaurant...the first flowers he ever gave me...and the sweetest card. I am a lucky gal. Yesterday marked a great day for us and I hope today marks a good change for our family as well. 

Wish me luck on the Nano...I've almost caught up with my word count! Woo hoo! 
Just another day in the life of C A Stone...♥
Live in the rhythm of love...and share the bliss!
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I love cooking and creating food for my family and friends. This weekend I got to do a lot of that. I like making that stuff as healthy as I can. So this weekend I made a few new recipes. Since I've been doing the Food Affairiate Program with Beth Aldrich's website and new book coming out in January I've had access to some new products. I tried some new Greek Yogurt by Stonyfield called Oikos. It is really great as a substitute for sour cream. I've tried other regular yogurts as substitutes for Sour Cream and Mayo, but I love Greek Yogurt the best. This recipe was something I've been wanting to try out for a while now. When I am in the grocery store I'm always checking labels and making sure what I buy doesn't have MSG or High Fructose Corn Syrup, and I haven't been able to find a french onion soup mix that doesn't have MSG in it. So instead of avoiding a dip that I love, or just eating the stuff I know I'll react to...I decided to make my own version. 

I found a few recipes for French Onion dip online but none were what I was wanting. Some didn't have enough of the flavors I was looking for, and all had Mayo, or started with a box of Onion Soup Mix. That kind of defeated the whole purpose of making it in the first place. And who puts a recipe online that is right off the box, anyway? That is just too funny.

So I took a few recipes and decided to make my own changes and see what happened...I think it turned out pretty good, and we will be having it with future family celebrations. I was too busy this weekend to take pictures of the food... so I'll just have to make some more dip. Oh darn. Gotta go get to work on that corner that's been screaming my name all morning. Have a great Monday! And take a look in the recipe section for more updates on good things soon!
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I wish I had taken a picture...but this one looks close to mine.
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