A Week in CASL Photos: January 22nd- January 28th

I am so glad you stopped by to visit me today! What I love about Wednesday is that I get to share with you a peek into what my week has been like, and possibly a sneak peek to what next week will bring. I've tried 365 Photo or Daily photo memes several times before, and surprisingly, I am getting farther posting my photos once a week, instead of once a day. It makes a big difference, and it's really nice to look back and see a slice of my day!

Let's start with Downton Abbey, I don't know where I've been, but I just caught up with all 4 seasons on Youtube (except for two of the Christmas specials). Seriously, now I can watch the new season on PBS and be up to date. To start my week off I give you a couple of my favorite mixed matched fine china plates I have in my collection.

January 22: Collection

January 23: Far Away

Last week, it started warming up, I was working out in the yard pruning bushes, getting ideas on my garden, and then out of the blue it turned chilly and cold again. When I looked up at these clouds, I imagined myself on a beach somewhere Far Away, with my toes in the sand, soaking up all the warm sun.

January 24: Playtime

May I introduce my assistant, isn't she a sweet heart! I don't know who was more excited, me or her to put this IKEA Rast dresser together. She was amazing. I got distracted with a request from her sister, five minutes later, I returned and she had half of it put together allready. What should I expect, she is the daughter of a woodworker. He loves to remember, before she went to kindergarten, I worked Friday mornings so he would take her to his wood shop, and they'd spend the day together.  She did seem to have a lot of fun with the power tools. Start 'em early, so I've been told!

January 25th- Black and White

One of my favorite things that reminds me of my Nana who passed away three years ago, was her copper collection. When I saw this little copper heart cake pan at a flea market for $2, I picked it right up!

January 26th- Three

My three loves. There is a 4th, but she grew up and moved to Washington State. It broke my heart, for her to move away, but just knowing she's happy is all that matters to me. Back to these three, it warms my heart to know they are all really close and love each other. Ok, well most of the time!!

January 27th...Morning

So far this is the only picture I didn't take. My daughter in Washington took this picture. In Arizona, we have the most amazing Sunsets, my husband texted my daughter a picture of a gorgeous Arizona sunset, and she texted him back this incredible Washington Sunrise. 

January 28th.....Strange

Do you think Dark Chocolate and Chili a Strange combination? 

Hmmmm. My husband actually wants me to make THESE Dark Chocolate Chili Truffles!

If you are interested I am following THIS photo a day prompt!

You can  Follow me here on Instagram !

Let me know if you decide to join in the fun!

Have a great rest of your week! Until next time!

Frest Start/ 5 Random Things

 

via flowersgardenlove

 

“Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new beginning.” ~Carl Bard

 

 

In years past, I was like everyone, making resolutions, trying so hard to keep them up, that ultimately my drive would dwindle down to nothing, and I would be back to my old ways by February. Then last year, as if the light switched on, it hit me. Not only was I being too hard on myself, the idea of failing, meant the end of my resolution.

 

Realistically, even goal setting, while it has it good intentions, and may last a little while longer, I faced the fact, that I was ultimately looking to change my bad habits to good ones. After a lifetime of doing something a certain way, it is very hard to expect a change in only a few short days, weeks, even months.

 

Not to despair, for there is always hope. Instead of telling myself, I will eat healthy this year. I tell myself, everyday, that I will make healthier choices in the foods I am going to eat. Take for instance last year, I had a goal to eliminate Diet sodas, and artificial sweeteners all together, while at the same time, decreasing the amount of sugar I do use.

 

Not such an easy task. If you read food labels, you will notice sugar is just about in everything. So with my goals in mind, I switched to using either, honey, agave nectar, and even real maple syrup. At Trader Joe's I actually found a combination of agave nectar and maple syrup, that was very reasonably priced.

 

That was my focus, and it allowed me to learn to make right choices, and when I did use an artificial sweetener or drink diet soda, they didn't appeal to my taste sensors anymore. Have I completely quit drinking diet soda, use artificial sweeteners, or sugar; the answer is for 2014, I did manage to considerably cut down my drinking of Diet soda, and use of artificial sweeteners to mostly once or twice a month, and sugar to only 1 Tbls a day; (my 3 coffee or hot tea cups a day).

 

My focus for 2015 is to get out and exercise more with my children. My daughter joined a running club at school (she's 8; never too young to start). Honestly I ran cross country in High School, once I graduated, I've tried really hard to stay active, but what I really need to do is to implement some type of physical activity into my schedule.

 

Whether it's eating better, or exercising more, try not to be too hard on yourself, and to use your resolution as a focus on a greate change for the better, and to a healthier you!

 

 

. 17 Ways to Make a New Year’s Resolution You’ll Actually Keep

 

The Ultimate Guide to Totally Nailing Every One of Your Goals in 2015

 

 

via whimsicalraindropcottage

 

 

#1- On dreary days like this weekend and today, my thoughts always turn to the beach. When it's this cold outside, I just want to put my toes in the sand and soak up as much sun as I can.

 

 

via theidearoom

 

#2  Valentine's Projects~ I have one started. I asked my daughter if she wanted to see red or pink hearts, She told me RED...and two more ideas, one of which I was inspired today by this post.

 

 

via Beneathmyheart

 

#3 Blue Ombre~ Since my trip to Pier One last week, I've been on a mission to pick out colors for a new dresser project ( I know I said my daughter, but I want one too) .

 

 

 

#4 I ordered this rug for our living room...coming soon! Here is one that is similar (affiliate link) !

 

 

#5 Bright~ Even on a dreary day today, while my other rose bushes are lying dormant, this rose brightened the day. I'd love to pick it, and take it in the house, instead I'm leaving it so I can look at it's beauty, and thinking of other ways to brighten my house up!

 

Here are 4 ideas to Brighten a room!

 

Until next time! Have a great week!

 

 

 

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 Metamorphosis Monday