Working In a Workout

My husband and I try our hardest to stay fit. It's hard when we are both going to school, and studying for tests to get us into our separate grad school adventures. The other day we decided to change up our normal running route and head to the hills. It was a fun way to get out and see the sights of the city we love and catch some rays too!

Adventures of a Sunbeam Teacher

There's something about little children. They love you unconditionally, forgive you instantly. They are the first to offer a smile and a hug. Why can't I be like these little children?

As a member of my church, I serve as a Sunbeam teacher. That means for the last two hours of our 3 hour session another sister in the ward and I are with 10 of those beautiful children aged 3-4 so their parents can serve in their callings or attend Sunday School. They make my Sunday special. As soon as I walk in the room, I get a smile and a high five from 10 little hands. I cannot tell you how much I need these sunbeams to light up my day, I can only thank my Father in heaven for blessing me with the opportunity to be with them. I learn so much more from their sweet spirits than I could ever teach them.

Our lesson for today was I Am Thankful for Water. As I was going over how water comes down to earth and why we need it, a sweet sunbeam offered his advice. "Fish live in water. If they come out, they dead."

I laugh more in the 2 hours every Sunday with those kids than every other day of the week... combined. An especially rambunctious child (who ultimately had to sit on my lap to sit still) slipped me a mischievous look and said, "I'm about to fart!"

At least he warned me.

Homemade Fruit N Yogurt Parfait

I love fresh fruit. Raspberries and Pineapple are my favorite. But, I hate when you buy your Raspberries, head home and as soon as you place them in the fridge... moldy. 

It makes me boil over. Then you can only eat 5 or 6 raspberries instead of the entire box.

Well, fret no further. I am here to show you how to keep your fruit fresh for weeks.


Supplies needed:
1 cup vinegar
10 cups of water
a large bowl
your choice of fruit
paper towels/ towels
strainer

Pour in your 1 cup vinegar and 10 cups of water into a large bowl. I use my hands to stir it around gently 

Gently remove the fruit, pour out the water

Into a strainer

Lightly rinse the vinegar solution off of your fruit

Lay them out on a paper towel

Take another paper towel and GENTLY press it on top to remove excess water

Lay the fruit out in your fridge. I space them out so they aren't touching each other. Then I cover it with another paper towel. 

I used Blackberries and Raspberries. My raspberries usually only last for a week, and Blackberries a little bit longer.


My favorite breakfast to eat before I go for a run or jet off to rehearsals is my version of a fruit n' yogurt parfait.

I use non-fat Vanilla yogurt: ~6 T
Granola: ~1/2 C
and 5 or 6 berries

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Here are the results from almost two weeks later

My Raspberries are getting a little wrinkly but still taste great. I will probably keep them for another day or two then toss them.

My Blackberries are still going strong!

Pink Ruffles Styrofoam Ball

I've had a lot of requests from this post about how to make the pink one in the back. I aim to please!

You need
a styrofoam ball
any kind of decorative pins
felt cut into circles

This is easy peasy. I love it because it is simple, but adds a lot of texture

First cut your felt into a bunch of little circles about 1.5 to 2 in. across. They don't have to be perfect circles

Fold the circle in half

Fold it in half again

Pin it in to the styrofoam laying on top of the precious one

Thats about it. I love to put them on top of candlesticks. I made a pink and red one for Valentine's day. I use the red one around Christmas time. I hope this helps!

Tulle & Pom Pom Garland

I love how this looks hanging up in my apartment. It gave just the right touch bringing in a little more pink and red. Pink is definitely my favorite color, and I incorporate it shamelessly into just about every holiday decor item I make.


It is relatively easy to do, just a bit time consuming. Its a good idea to put on a movie, watch The Bachelor, or even work on it while you are watching the Super Bowl! It would put a girly twist on such a manly occasion.



Supplies Needed:
Desired colors of tulle-- I used two different colors of pink
Fabric scissors
Needle
Your choice of thread (I used a skinny red thread because I didn't want it to show up too much. It is up to you)
something to wrap the tulle around. I just cut off a flap from the top of a box.
Pom Pom Balls

Measure how long you want your piece to be ( I used about a 2.5 foot piece each time) and cut.

I folded the tulle in half length wise (like a hot dot) because it was too wide for my taste. This is optional.

Wrap the tulle around the cardboard piece

Slide it off of the cardboard

Tie string or yarn like it did around it. Make sure you keep the folds at the top and bottom so you don't tie them together.

Once it is tightened, you can cut along the folds

Pull the individual pieces apart...

And Voila! You have a Tulle pom pom!

Decide on a pattern

Thread the needle, and get crackin'! Push your needle straight through the middle of the tulle and pom poms. 

I made another garland with just the pom poms to add a little texture. I I love it and think it adds a little pink and red touch that is desperately needed after the long, dreary January we had around here.

Thanks for stopping by!

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