She Hath Done What She Could in the Home

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Thankful Through November - The 30th!

I'm thankful for .....My Girl! Oh yes, this little girl is my biggest buddy and helper. She is full of talent, so much talent I am amazed at her. She is so mature for her age! I love chatting and shopping and cooking and working around the house with her. She can crochet, she can do all her school work independently, she can write letters and essays and put together fabulous outfits all on her own. She helps me figure out all sorts of things on my blog and the computer- all self taught! She even has her own blog!

On the day the twins were born, they were put in the same incubator together. Side by side. Maggie would scream at the top of her lungs, and Will would just watch. As they got older, Maggie would talk and Will would just watch. Maggie would speak for Will. Maggie would take care of her brother. She still does!

One time I was gone to my grandma's funeral and my mother-in-law was watching the kids. She drained the spaghetti and left the room for a minute. When she came back Maggie & Will (age 2) were having a spaghetti fight - it was everywhere! My mother-in-law was quite mad! She gave them a lecture and then said "Do you get the picture?" Maggie said "Will gets the picture!" as if she had nothing to do with it!!

Even when she was 3 years old she would size up all the ladies outfits at church. One friend got a real kick out of it - you could see Maggie taking in everything they were wearing from head to toe! She even dressed herself from about age 3!! A mind of her own!

Life would sure be lonely without my girl. She is my constant companion and help when I go to the store to grocery shop, or run to Ross. Her reasoning is far above her years. She is responsible and kind. So on this final day of Thankful Through November, I give thanks to God for giving me my sweet little girl!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

The Relatives Came

This is one of my favorite children's books that I used to read to my kids often when they were smaller!

Our Hinds relatives came for Thanksgiving, I am so glad!

This photo is me and my niece by marriage, Lauren. We met when she was 4 and I was 21! We have always been close ever since she was little. Over the years she has still come to visit a lot (her dad still lives here) and we get to see her. This time her husband got to come too and he is simply the nicest guy! I am certain she made a wonderful choice in a Christian mate. My kids love him - he is so kind and thoughtful.


She has been taking some wonderful photos in her new photography biz- check it out at Two Girls and a Camera and look her up if you are in the area!
We had lots of fun shopping together (our favorite past time) and check out her rocking new Target boots! I want!! I'm sad to see Thanksgiving go.........now on to Christmas plans!!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Thankful Through November - The 26th & 27th!

I'm thankful for our wood-burning stove! It is my favorite part of our home in the winter! It is amazing how cozy and warm it keeps the whole house.
I am also very thankful for our church family! Everyone at our congregation is wonderful and so loving and we all work together for the good of the Lord's body. Today we went to a birthday party for one of the little girls in my Bible class, she was turning three. They had pizza to eat and cake for dessert. I was so hungry, but couldn't eat either item because of my gluten intolerance. I about cried when the little girl's mother came up and handed me a grilled chicken spinach salad and a box of gluten-free cookies!! Even amidst all of her preparations for her little girls birthday party, she remembered to think of me and my dietary restrictions. I told her truly, that was one of the most thoughtful things anyone has ever done for me!! This is the kind of love and concern we all share at our congregation!! It's such a blessing - and one I am so thankful for--my brothers and sisters there mean the world to us!


Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Get it Straight!

For kicks I had asked my hair dresser to use a flat iron on my hair after my trim. I like it for a change - my urban look!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Dreaming about the Holidays..........

I am in deep thought today preparing for the holiday season! (Not really, actually I'm working like a dog, shopping, cleaning and tomorrow cooking!)
Had to make time to pick this little pretty up for my Thanksgiving table......love!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

And the Winner of the Downeast Basics Giveaway is.........

Lucky #15!!!!
Sarah (Oh Pretty Day) said...

I love the Know When to Fold Jacket - Plantation! That is a gorgeous coat!

Congrats Sarah!!

I recently got this "Know When to Fold 'Em" coat from Downeast Basics! I love it! It's made of a super soft cotton, is warm and thick, but has a more tailored, classic cut! I've gotten tons of compliments on it already. Downeast Basics is a great company with affordable fashions. Check out their New Arrivals section! I have a few things on my wishlist already starting with THIS and then THIS and then THIS.
Great fall color!
Love the contrasting lining!
DownEast Basics has generously offered to give one reader of She Hath Done What She Could a New Arrival item of their choosing! Here are the rules to enter:

Mandatory
1. Go to DownEast Basics New Arrivals page and leave me a comment stating your new favorite item. Make sure to leave your email so I can contact the winner!

Additional Entries: (please leave a separate comment for each entry you make)
2. Become a follower of She Hath Done What She Could by clicking the follow button on the right sidebar. If you are already a follower, please leave a comment stating this.
3. Blog about this giveaway and come back and paste your link into the comments.
4. Become a Fan of DownEast Basics on Facebook and leave a comment stating this.
5. Follow DownEast Basics on Twitter and leave a comment stating this.

You can earn a total of 5 entries into the Giveaway!!

The Giveaway will be open until noon on Sunday, November 21st, and a winner will be chosen at random and announced on my blog around 6pm on Sunday, November 21st!

Winner selected can only win a giveaway on this blog for DownEast Basics every 90 days. Open to U.S. residents only.

Thank you to DownEast Basics for making this fabulous Giveaway possible!

Monday, November 15, 2010

Thankful Through November - The 15th!

One day, when my husband had to take our other children to soccer out of town, I stayed in town and took my youngest son to his game. Afterwards we came upon this game and he loves football so we went!
It was lots of fun. This kid loves anything with a ball, or wheels, or the outdoors! Here we are at the game.
It's hard to believe almost 11 years have passed since I found out I was having twins - what a shocker! I was thrilled - so happy! He is one of the two. I believe there is nothing this kid can't accomplish -he is full of dreams and hope and promise and great ideas! He is my "one-liner" kid. He has come up with so many funny things!

When he was really little he would climb into my lap and say "It's time for the Snuggle Shop to Open!" One night while making his way to bed when he was 5, he stopped to hug me and said "Come into these arms Mama!"

When he was about 3 he kept bugging me to have an Oreo cookie before dinner. I kept saying no. This was the dialogue:

Will: "Can I have an Oreo?"
Me: "No."
Will: "Can I have half an Oreo?"
Me" "No."
Will: "Can I have a quarter of an Oreo?"
Me: "No."
Will: "Can I have a bite of an Oreo?"
Me: "No."
Will: "Can I have a teeny, tiny mouse crumb of an Oreo?"
Me: "NOOOOOOOO!"
Pretty clever for a 3 year old! Gotta give him points for persistance! I tell him he will end up getting a girl to marry him because he will drive her nuts and wear her down until she says "Yes!"

Just the other day I was talking to him about work. I said "Now when you grow up, you want your boss to know you are a hard worker and you want him to value you as an employee. You want to always do your best and impress the boss right?"
He answered with a classic Will line, "Mom, I'm not going to have a boss, I'm going to BE THE BOSS!"

I love this boy who from day one was my snuggly little Willie. He would look up at me with eyes so huge and black, just quietly taking in the whole world and thinking. He hasn't changed much since then, still taking it all in and thinking, dreaming and planning for his future - and I'm so thankful for all he brings to our world!

Saturday, November 13, 2010

OOTD-The Goddess Amphitrite smiles on me!

I seriously can't believe the good fortune I've had of late at Anthro with sale items! This one even has a story!

I went the other day to check out the sales and didn't find much. I was standing in line with a Headwaters Tee in red - Demi Lovato rocking the tee HERE, and this lady comes up from behind me and just goes to the register (i.e. cuts the line as we used to call it in grade school). The SA looked at me apologetically and said "I'll be with you in a moment." I said "No problem" and just chatted with Maggie while we waited.


Then I saw it, she removed the Amphitrite Cardigan from her return bag. I was sizing up the woman doing the return to see if she looked my size. I KNEW this sweater had to be on final markdown by now and I had wanted it so much at full price and still couldn't swing it at it's $70 sale price. I was squeezing the circulation out of Maggie's arm at this point and couldn't ask the SA quick enough if I could buy the cardi! She said "Sure" and I ran to try it on - it fit, but still had the $128 price tag on it so I wasn't quite sure of the price. I asked her to check it, held my breath, crossed my fingers......................$29!!! Sold! I let out a squeal, entertained the SA with my reaction and went on my merry way with my cardi!!

The Greek Goddess Amphitrite
smiled on me that day!


Look at the cute little seahorse in the coral and cool ruffle trim! The details are truly what sets Anthropologie apart from any other store out there!
And why I love it so much!!

So don't despair if you think you can't afford Anthro - neither can I! Just have a ton of patience and in due time, you will get some pieces you love!

Friday, November 12, 2010

Such luck! My Anthro find!!

I'm speechless - $9.95!!! It's a happy day! I went shopping with my boss to Anthro -which is always fun because she buys great stuff and I went to my usual spot the "sale" room and this was hanging there for me!! Can't wait to style for fall!!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Thankful Through November - The 9th!

I'm thankful for my firstborn!

It hardly seems possible I've been a mother for 12 years! Where has the time gone! This big, strong lad almost didn't make it - my placenta abrupted and he was born too soon! He couldn't breathe on his own, had to be intubated and fed through a tube. It was the most awful few weeks of my life wondering if he would make it. But look at him now! You would never know, and we are so thankful to God for him!

When he was about 5 months old, my mother-in-law and I were sitting at the lunch table at church talking to him. We must have told him he was a "good boy" a million times a day. I was saying "You are such a good boy!" and all of a sudden, this 5 month old said "Good Boy!" My mother-in-law and I looked at each other with our mouths open - "Did you just hear what he said?" "Yes! He totally just said Good Boy!" Everyone thought we were nuts, but WE know the truth, my genius son spoke at 5 months old - and 2 words to boot! It didn't stop there - this kid talked like a grownup in sentences at age 1- yep, 12 months. Full sentences. Had a 1,000 word vocabulary. He has never ceased to amaze me.

The most amazing thing about him is his heart- it is huge and tender and wants to do God's will. What more could a mother ask for? I love you my firstborn! You bless my life everyday!!

OOTD- Jcrew Garage Sale Style!

Here is one of my Jcrew garage sale purchases! It's a Jcrew Perfect Shirt in Vine. I love it, makes me feel very girly even when wearing jeans!

Here it is from the catalog- my husband suggested I wear it in the same "cool" way half-way tucked in, half-way out - I think he was being sarcastic, ya think?
And here it is on a home school teaching mom. Speaking of, our assigned teacher is coming today to check on us and collect our expository writing essays! Better run!

Blouse: Jcrew Perfect Shirt

Jeans: Liz C.
Boots: Nine West Cuzza
Necklace: Premier Designs


Monday, November 8, 2010

Thankful Through November - The 7th and 8th!

I am thankful for my Vitamix
and my juicer!
It's been about 3 years now since I came to learn about Green Smoothies and adding more living plant foods into our diet. I am so thankful for good books and websites (Green Smoothie Girl, Juice Master, The Juice Lady, etc.) that have educated me along the way. I am thankful that God provided the money to buy the tools that I use every day for healthy living! (And blessed with with the juicer as a gift from my friend!) I'm thankful I live in such a place where organic and fresh produce is so abundant and that many other people are living a whole foods lifestyle! It's encouraging! I am sure I have read 100+ books in the last 3 years on nutrition and I'm so thankful for what I've gleaned and how incorporating the principles into our lives has made a positive change.

Long live the Green Smoothie and Green Lemonade and Turbo Juicing everywhere!

The bottom line is this, I am SO THANKFUL for good health - that's what these products help make possible. I don't know that you can fully appreciate your good health, until you have had bad! I have suffered with gluten and dairy allergies, adrenal fatigue and severe back, neck and migraine issues that all stemmed from - believe it or not - reactions to food! Cutting out certain items (sugar, dairy, gluten, food additives like MSG, BHA, colorings, preservatives, soda, caffeine) and adding in other items (whole foods, organic fruits and veggies, lean organic meats, whole grains, pure water) made all the difference.

God has given us the foods we need to thrive! I continually try to do my part to honor this body and care for it with nourishing foods. Does this mean I never eat candy or ice cream? Oh no, I fall off the wagon at times, but I'm finding it is just so NOT WORTH IT for the price I pay in how I feel. So I will keep on keeping on, asking God for his providential care and blessings to do the best I can. And to share these important truths with anyone else who will listen!

Now I gotta go drink my Green Lemonade! A wonderful alkaline drink that helps the body maintain a better balance (we don't want an acidic body - it is a breeding ground for diseases of all kinds!)

Robyn making a Green Smoothie!


How to make Green Lemonade from Peaceful Daily

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Thankful Through November - The 6th!

I'm thankful for Garage Sales!!

Who-hoo! I hit the jackpot today at our neighbor's garage sale! So many great, new or next to new items! Here are some of the things I got:

$200 bat for $1
Keurig Coffee Machine for $10 (these sell for $140)!! She only used it a few times and then decided she didn't have enough counter space! I already own one of these, but really wanted one to take to work!
A homeschool book for the kids I have look for for a long time for $.50!
Bialetti Muccka Express machine - brand new for $2!!! These sell at Amazon for $90! It was never used and you make cappuccino in it on your stove top!
Jcrew Perfect Shirt for $2 (pretty sure these retail for $58). Looks brand new. I got another Jcrew ruffle tank for $2.
We also got a Bombay Company Coat Rack, a solid wood bookcase with storage at the bottom and 2 solid wood end tables (that my DH will paint white for my cottage house) all for $7 total!

So as you can see, we had a lot of fun at the old Garage Sale today!

Friday, November 5, 2010

Thankful Through November - The 5th!

I'm thankful for the Starbucks Holiday Cup!!
Ohhhh, I don't know what it is about that RED cup that I love so much! The coffee tastes so much better to me in this cup! "It only happens once a year!"
There are special drinks only at this time of the year, Pumpkin Spice Lattes and Peppermint Mochas, and Pumpkin Scones (which I love but can no longer eat - gluten!) There are wonderful times ahead with the arrival of Thanksgiving and Christmas and family gatherings and seeing people we love and seeing the kids eyes light up on Christmas day.

I received my first holiday cup of the season and life is grand!

I love it so much my friend who worked at Starbucks got me the red ceramic cup!
And as luck would have it, today my daughter found this red travel tumbler brand new with tags for $.50 at our neighbor's garage sale! Now I shall have my red cup at home and abroad!

And every year I hang these on my Christmas tree!
I can remember my sister-in-law coming back to CA from NYC one year and saying "You would NOT believe this coffee shop they have there! It's so delicious and it's called Starbucks!" And then we got our own in CA. And I have loved it ever since. It's one of life's little luxuries!

And Starbucks and Peggy lived happily ever after!


Now everyone go enjoy some Red Cup goodness and you will be thankful too!


Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Thankful Through November - The 4th!

I am thankful for friends!
"A friend is someone who comes in when the whole world has gone out."

This is one of my dearest friends ever, Kathy! In fact, my kids have dubbed her "The Friend You Can Always Count On!" And it's so true! Kathy has been my friend, my advisor, my listener, my voice of reason, my encourager, my partner in spreading the healthy organic gospel, my connection for cool handmade things, my alerter of good buys, my sister in Christ!

Here is a photo of her sporting her late birthday present I just picked up for her at Anthropologie! She had told me about how much she liked the purse last week and I had recalled seeing it in my store. I went to Anthro yesterday to use my gift card and I couldn't find one on the racks. I asked the SA if she remembered it and she went to the stock room and found THE VERY HANDBAG! I was so excited! And as you can tell from the photo, so was she! Yeah for friends! Tried and true friends!



So I applied my gift card towards this bday gift for my buddy and got this for myself for $9.99! Awesome!

I am not my clothes..................

(Thankful Through November -The 3rd!)


After reading Bonnie's post a few weeks ago about someone criticizing her on Facebook regarding her blog, my mind has been spinning. It's hard for me understand why people level criticism at others. Many times, people criticize others because they feel badly about something in themselves and they project these negative feelings about self onto others. Saying she was a bad mother because she is interested in fashion is a huge leap.

Through the years, I've heard criticism leveled at Christian sisters because they had an interest in fashion. It is automatically assumed that these sisters are worldly and materialistic. Can one not be a Christian and be interested in fashion? Are the two mutually exclusive?

What about Queen Esther in the Bible? She spent a year in "beauty treatments" in preparation to meet the King! A whole year of being at the "spa", in an effort to make herself beautiful.

The virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 was clothed in fine linen and purple.

The Christian woman should follow the principles found in these verses regarding dress:
I Tim. 2:9-10
I Pet. 3:3-4
Rom. 12:2
I Tim. 4:12

I can't find anything written in the Bible that would make interest in fashion wrong unless it included the following:

1. Wearing fashions or trends that are immodest. The world would say "If you got it, flaunt it!" That is not the sentiment of the Christian. Sometimes people confuse modesty with being frumpy or being fashionable. You can be both modest and fashionable.
2. Spending money you don't have on clothing, shoes, jewelry, etc. and going into debt for it (not being a good steward of God's blessings.)
3. Spending too much time on fashion pursuits (shopping, finding sales, reading blogs, reading magazines) making your life out of balance.
4. Spending more time on fashion that on spiritual pursuits.

Why is it we criticize someone whose hobby is fashion, but label virtuous the woman who quilts, or knits or gardens? Aren't we presuming a lot when we think clothes are all she is about?

Many women write blogs about fashion. My blog is about fashion for less, dressing well and modestly without breaking the budget. Hopefully, I can help people find affordable fashion choices or share something they previously did not know about to add to their closet. My blog only shows one dimension of myself. The fact that I take 30 minutes a day to post a photo and write a few words is not indicative of what my life is about. It is simply what this blog is about.

It's easy to sit back and judge others in the blog world. God help us to put the best light on all situations and look for the good in others instead of being quick to criticize!

Therefore, today, I am thankful for those who encourage and not criticize!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Thankful Through November - The 2nd!

Today I am thankful for Giveaways!!

Yea! Here is a picture of all my loot I got from Lori at LoriSpeak! It's all fabulous and the Bad Girl Lash works wonderfully! I am excited to take my Anthro Gift Card and make a sale purchase- so it will make it a real bargain for me!!

Thank you Lori for the wonderful package!


Monday, November 1, 2010

Thankful Through November- The 1st!

Today is the first of November and day one of my thankfulness!
Today I am thankful to God for my husband!

We have been married for almost 20 years! I have NEVER met anyone like him - he is talented in so many areas and has the kindest heart I've even seen. He cared for both of his aging parents (his father until he passed and still caring for his mother.) He is my best friend and makes me laugh like no one else. My heart races a little faster when I am near him. I never have to worry about spiritual leadership in our home. Our children adore him. He has spent so much time with them through the years and has built a wonderful relationship with each one. He fixes the cars, paints the house, lays the hardwood floor, builds loft beds, remodels bathrooms, does electrical, etc. He has saved us so much money through the years because of his skill and determination! I have learned more from my husband than any other teacher I've had through the years- his teaching style is so clear and easy to understand and thought provoking (he is a preacher). I can honestly say that knowing him has made me a better person.
Thank you God for my husband!!