New year-New day-New mercies x

First day of a new year. Love is best  demonstrated , that is the motto I want to live every day. So I will write about a demonstrative love given, received or found.

Today I accept the demonstrative love of Jesus. His actions are the greatest in all of history and are living out everyday. My sins forgiven , my life redeemed , my soul loved .

That's a love that keeps demonstrating

Purposeful Purchasing

okay so I should have put this post out about 5 days ago, but it has been a whirlwind. It's not the Christmas season, it's my life- some days its just spinning out of control. So here is my post in all of its late glory

Its Saturday.( Obviously not now, but..)  

 Hope you go to enjoy your chill Friday night. (I did and it was the last time I actually took a breath) The kids came up with  a few creative things for gifts .I on the other hand have a few artistic challenges.    

The shopping centers are bustling right now and I bet there are a few things on your list to still get. It seems like the out of town gifts have a deadline pretty close to this Monday if we want everything there on time.  So as your out and about today stop by some unusual places. We are fortunate to a have a plethora of artist around the Eastern Shore. Buy a thing of beauty that will be a joy forever. And buy it local.  Art is on display at various restaurants, galleries, and even at Thomas Hospital.   So visit The Sugar Kettle in Daphne and scan their walls for a unique treasure, Take a walk in Fairhope and stroll into the Eastern Shore Art Center checking out the latest exhibit  . Call up BRAG , mobile studio or head down to Orange Beach to learn glass blowing while creating a gift for Aunt Sally.  

Not only will you support your community, grab a one of a kind present but you will have spent time with the ones you love in exploration of your own backyard!!   You just hit as triple in the purpose department!!!  Girl, you get that extra peppermint shot from Coffee Loft (insert your town’s coffee shop) , you’re going to need it to keep up with your fabulous self!!

Friday Freedom

It’s Friday people and December so far has been great But like most Fridays I am spent and ready for some down time.  The feature today is one of planning. Giving a gift with purpose is different than the run of the Mill” I ran to Target or Amazon can get it in two days, I’m off the hook” mentality.  Not downing these two great vendors, I frequent them myself but I am trying to really access want vs need.

It seems in America we have blurred those lines a lot. Our instant accessibility possibilities have left us with very little introspection of our choices.  So today your mission should you choose to accept it is to lay like broccoli and scroll through all of the fabulous ideas on Pintrest.  This app is a wealth of ideas and knowledge on thoughtful gifts to make with how to links included. So scroll, dream and pin.

 Then get realistic and pick a pretty, simple idea that reminds you of someone in your life. You can even search for “nature crafts” and it will give you a host of ideas from your own back yard ( or translated in  frugalise  “free”.  You don’t have to be Martha Stewart. You just have to think enough of someone to make a homespun effort.  Here are a few ideas we are going try. It might be a nailed it or failed it, but one thing is for sure. It’s going to be fun.

I see a frame coming out of this tree

So enjoy your license to veg tonight and couch potato on up with your yoga pants, warm blanket and your Pinterest searching device. When the kids holler for diner- tell them that God gave you an air popper for such a time as this.  

Happy Pinning, Planning and Purpose!!!

The Right Idea

Today's suggestion is simple and to the point. Order something off of Etsy for someone.  Etsy has the right idea for homemade small artists to bring their one of a kind treasures to your doorstep.  They get global with the Internet but stay small and support pockets of Cal communities and individuals. I'd write more but I am due for some local gift giving myself  . Local wine with local friends.

Happy Shopping

Double Blessing!!!

weekly basket with eggs

Today's purchase with purchase choice is outstanding.  In my very own backyard of Spanish Fort, Alabama there  is a local farm that supports CSA or Community Supported Agriculture.  Season in the Sun is a small, family-owned farm that is committed to producing and providing fresh foods, free of chemicals and preservatives. A CSA program offers customers  a healthy, convenient alternative to purchasing processed food from grocery stores. I bet you have one close to you they are popping up everywhere!!

Seasons in the Sun is offering CSA Christmas Specials, Holiday Gift Baskets, and Gift Certificates this holiday seasons! What could be a more perfect gift than fresh, local fruits and vegetables? This is a great way to support your local economy, your local farmer, stick it to the chemical food industry and give your a neighbor a gift that is not filled with ingredients that produce cancer. Even if that is only known in California. Why do they even put that label on things? As if your in Maine it is safe to completely inhale and eat things you can't pronounce?  Whatever.  Let's eat and give real food!!!

Blessings, Blessings all around!!  While your ordering your baskets check out their classes, recipes,  Farmer's Market Saturdays and Farm to Table dinner events.  I hope to see you at one!!

   

Day 2 of December.  Whew. I am no closer than yesterday to finishing Christmas gifts as today was sheet washing day as well as Pintrest craft day!!!  I made a beautiful scroll art painting that read " I procrastinate, therefor I am." 

But in the click of a mouse I am going to purchase a great gift for my girls.  I have searched high and lo for companies that deserve my dime and I want to mention a great organization that has a 40 year history of mercy and accountability.  A rare gem in today's world.   

Samaritan's Purse is a wonderful organization that provides sustainable economic solutions for individuals and communities in poverty.   What does that mean in layman's terms ?

They.  Stick.  Around. 

They don't drop off a meal, gander a nice southern " Bless your heart" and then line the administration's pockets .  They allow you and I the privilege of giving a sustainable gift of chickens, goats, mosquito nets, milk, education, skills training to a family that can continue to grow, learn and give on to others. Samaritan's Purse invests in the community and family as a whole for years. They live with the community, they eat, worship and work together. 

 For as little as $14 you can give some chicks to a family. 

Baby Chicks when grown,  can produce up to 200 eggs each year. 

 Not as pets but as food and income. Food leads to healthy families who work better , who learn more effectively in school, who are less likely to be ill.  Income leads not only money but pride and dignity to be able to provide for your family.

I will be giving the baby chicks because - well I love my 3 chicks , AKA, literally,-

Ashlyn, KK and Addie.

But you can give what speaks to you.  And you can give it in honor of one you love.  My girls are be honored with chicks and they will be gifted themselves by knowing that it's not all about them. It is not about us.

We have enough. If you have access to the Internet and our able to read this blog you have more than 75% of the world.  So check out Samaritan's Purse gift catalog and let me know what you give.

Someone needs a goat people. Get on it .

Let's Browse.

Welcome to December

The clock is ticking.  25 days until Christmas. 

At this point  no one should really be panicked . I mean it's not like we all wait around and tune in on a random Saturday waiting for the announcement of when Christmas will be.

 It's not as if  lottery balls  float up the tube in a  random pattern to set the date. 

 Can you picture that? 

Some overdressed fake blonde, with a symmetrical set of twins at her disposal, turning the number balls to the front so all can see. A cheesy male announcer with over bleached teeth and a microphone he insist on handling like a trophy cackles " The next number is ...., "as Blondie obliges.   And just like that the first number comes out.

 The crowd leans in and BAM there they go.

"A 1 and now a  2. That's 12 !" 

" Nuts that means December. And then it's 2. And a 5!!

 December 25th . Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh this is crazy. " 
Then all of America scrabbles around like its on fire . 

Really?  It's the same date  every single year people !! 

I'm not done shopping but I refuse to make panic purchases. You know the ones that are a gift for the sake of  giving a gift. Or the "I-must-get- a -gift-of-equal-or-greater-value "scenario.  That always results in heartfelt and useful item. :)

We have been trying hard over the past few years to be conscious shoppers. Support our local community,  buy creative and handmade items and purchase from companies with fair labor practices.  Yeah we are still Amazon junkies , but it's not our automatic go to.  We strive to purchase with purpose.  Purpose for the maker, the giver and the reciever.  

What exactly does that look like? Here are a few things we've done so far:

1.Bought a black and white drawing of a human heart from a nephew at an art show to give to my sister who loves weird things like that.  It promoted my nephews skills, contributed to his income, was easier on my wallet and will tickle my sister to have a one of a kind sketch.

2.My mom always gives me a cow or a goat.   Not the kind that live on my land, but one for a family in an impoverished country to make an income. She does it in my name through Heifer International and it suits me fine. The last thing  I need is another random object to dust or of course,as n actual cow in my yard.

I'm over stuff. Please just take me out to lunch some random Tuesday in June and I'm golden . I get that cows and drawings might not be your or your families thing.  I'm going to try and list some great  companies,websites and ideas with unique and purposeful gifts each day until December 24th.

But for today check out the holiday guide at Art of Simple holiday to get you going.

Happy Shopping