by Amy | Dec 31, 2012 | Blog, The Art of Adventure, The Art of Living
At the stroke of midnight a new year will begin. Each year I come up with a list of things I’d like to do in the upcoming year. But as with most things in my mind/life…it’s not a typical list. Sure I have diet goals, career goals and all that jazz. I just tend to work on those goals constantly. So, without further ado here is my 2013 list of things to do, master, try and travel. I hope you enjoy…and maybe get a couple ideas for your own list. {No particular order of course.}
1. Finish mastering the Rubix Cube. It’s all about memorizing a pattern. I’ve got it all the way to the last side…now, to finish it off.
2. Go to Voyager National Park.
3. Learn to tie knots. Good ones. Like a sailor, or Gale from the Hunger Games.
4. Reupholster a chair. {Not just the seat, but a whole living room chair.}
5. Improve my unicycling skills. I’d like to be able to ride in a circle.
6. Dress my cat up in a lot of costumes and take her photo. Just for laughs.
7. Learn to bake artisan breads.
8. Make macaroons.
9. Get on a letter writing schedule and write more letters…to all the people I love and don’t see very often. And to help me do that….
10. Make personalized stationary.
11. Get my passport updated {it still doesn’t have my married name on it.} Then…
12. Go to Canada {I’m practically there.}
13. Paint a mural.
14. Improve my eye makeup skills.
15. Clear my closet. Seriously, once and for all get rid of all the stuff I don’t use.
16. Learn to wire a lamp.
17. Make an amazing cheesecake.
18. Go to an auction and bid on something I love.
19. Go to the Mall of America.
20. Go to the shooting range.
21. Make some killer chili.
22. Make tomato soup from scratch.
23. Paint a piece of furniture.
24. Learn about arranging flowers. Then make some awesome arrangements.
25. Landscape.
26. Throw an amazing party.
27. Do something to benefit a cause.
28. Conquer the french braid consistently.
29. Go dog sledding. {Yes, there really is a place in North Dakota that will teach you!}
30. Learn an ice skating trick. {This one might have to wait until next winter.}
31. Climb something.
32. Go backpacking.
33. Visit Montana. Anywhere…but preferably Glacier National Park.
Will they all get done? Probably not. But it’s sure fun to try. Enjoy your NYE. Promise me you’ll think of Dick Clark at least once tonight. Be safe. If you indulge adultly, get a DD. Pinky swear? K good. I’m so excited about spending another year with you!
Amy
by Amy | Dec 31, 2012 | Blog, The Art of Living
Wow. My goodness I’ve missed you. The big holiday is behind us…and New Year’s Eve is on the brink. I didn’t mean to take so much time off…but it happened. And, like I’ve told you before, I’d rather not write to you…then write you a load of garbage. Believe it or not, I do strive to write things that are worth while.
Anyway, I had a blast over the Christmas season. Maybe the best part was getting to meet up and chat with some of you who read the blog that I don’t see or catch up with very often. I cannot begin to describe how my heart leaps when one of you tells me you’ve been touched by, humored, or amused by something you’ve read here. I love every single one of you who takes a moment or two from your day to escape with me into the escapades of everyday life.
So with another year nearly over, another birthday behind me…I find myself pondering. It happens every year around this time. Another year older, another year ahead. More times than I like to remember, I’ve felt quite lost at the turn of the year. But for once, I feel like I’m entering the year with a direction. With a bit more calling. I’m on the cusp of a whole lotta projects and a load of new and curious interests. I’m very excited to tell you all about them in the coming weeks.
I know this wasn’t much of a post. Just a little update on things. Tomorrow I’ll be giving you my list of yearly goals. If you don’t know me very well…you know it’s more than lose 10 pounds and things like that. I’m more about quirky skills and the like.
For tonight I’d like to leave you with something fun. I know we all got lots of awesome stuff {and I’ve gotten double awesome stuff because my birthday was a few days ago too}. And I’d like to share a few of the most shockingly amazing things Santa dropped off for me this year. Now, a quick disclaimer. I loved everything I received. This is a short list of the more inexpensive items in Santa’s sack that really caught me off guard. Total clarity: My family and friends rock.
1. Fleece lined leggings!!! Yes, this is a thing. And yes, they are as awesome as they sound. Do you like the idea of wearing a warm cloud as pants? Then I suggest you get some of these.
2. Layered gym shorts like these. They look super cute and no one can see my under-oos when I lay down and do leg raises.
3. A knife sharpener. Yep, forget that one that came with your knife set. This totally rocks.
4. A new 1000 piece puzzle. Okay, but it’s not a regular puzzle. This one comes in a sturdy box and includes a fold out print of the image and a big ziploc baggie to put the pieces in after you’re done. I’m a new, huge fan of Dowdle Puzzles. Perfect for these sub-zero nights.
5. Bootsocks. My mom scored me a super cute pair from Eddie Bauer. Boots over skinny jeans are cozy. But warm snuggly socks over skinny jeans in boots…well, you just can’t beat it. I never would have bought them for myself. Now I’m hooked. And they look super cute peeking out over my boots. {Which were also a gift from Mom and Daddy. Told you they rock.}
My favorite part of the day is seeing my crafty/thrifty/awesome-shopping genius surprise my family…and I love it when they surprise me too. So what surprised you this Christmas? I’d love to know what knocked your Christmas stockings off this year!
Amy
by Amy | Dec 25, 2012 | Blog, The Art of Design, The Art of Faith, The Art of the Moment
As usual, I had good intentions of writing to you diligently while I’ve been home in Elkhart {IN}. I also had good intentions of working out…since I teach a triple {three classes in one day} the day after we return home. {Woof.} I even brought me super sweet new Brooks home. But guess what? I didn’t do either. I hope you don’t hate me…or even worse…disown me. Or shun me, like Dwight Schrute to Andy Bernard on the Office.
I’m digressing.
I wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Over the years that feeling deep in the pit of my stomach…you know the one…the excited, can’t-hardly-sleep, what-will-morning-bring feeling–well, it’s faded a bit. But it has been replaced by a new feeling. One of a deeper relationship with Jesus and a better understanding of what His birth really meant.
Both are good. However…I’ve got to say I like the latter even more that anxiously waiting for Santa.
I hope you do too.
Thanks for sticking with me. I wish you could all be on my Christmas card list. But I have enough trouble getting a very few cards out on time. {Some are still sitting in my car, awaiting the USPS.} So here is your card. Straight from me {and Derek} to you. It’s a little different than the one we put in the mail. That’s a long awkward story. Maybe I’ll tell it to you someday. I love you all.
The back side reads:
“Them little lights aren’t twinkling.” “I know, Art…and thanks for noticing.”
It’s a quote from Christmas Vacation. Drumroll please…
Have a great day with your family.
Amy
by Amy | Dec 20, 2012 | Blog, The Art of Adventure, The Art of the Moment
Christmas is a magical time, no matter where you are…but I’ve come to believe that it might be a little extra magical the further north you go. And in Practically Canada it’s pretty magical. I know we are still a long way from Santa’s house at the North Pole, but I feel closer than I’ve ever been.
Is it cold? You bet. So cold that I can’t feel my fingers if I forget my gloves after dark. So cold that 25 degrees {F} feels balmy and I think…”Oh good, I don’t need a coat.”
But the thing about North Dakota is that the cold doesn’t deter folks from having a good time. Christmas festivities {yes outdoor stuff too} goes on in full flavor.
Last week I went to a Christmas cantata in a barn held in the middle of no where. We sat on hay bales and singers wore jeans and cowboy hats. I’ve driven through parks lit with lights, shopped the precious downtown stores, been served hot chocolate and shishkabobs cooked on the sidewalk while strolling downtown.
Then…when I thought I truly knew what Paul McCartney was talking about when he sang the song, “Simply having a wonderful Christmas time…” it happened. The coolest Christmas event I’ve ever been part of. The Christmas Train.
Yes. This is as close as you’ll get to the real life Polar Express. Each year the Canadian Pacific train makes a pass across the northern part of the country. Stopping off at towns along the way, spreading holiday cheer and raising awareness for community food banks. It’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. My fingers were too cold to take video…but these folks took a pretty good one and posted it. You really need to watch this baby roll.
Was it cold? You betcha. Only 5 degrees with a windchill well below zero. But that doesn’t stop the masses in Practically Canada. Loads of folks braved the cold to see the lights, indulge in hot cider and cocoa…and partake in a sing along concert that took place on a stage that opened out of one of the train cars. Amazing.
And what would a Christmas train be with no Santa? Easy…the answer to that question is…LAME. So obviously the man-in-the-hat was there as well to dance on stage during the finally. Then, as sweetly as it arrived, the stage closed up, the crowd backed away, a whistle blew and the jolly express rolled away into the night.
See what I mean? Magical. I hope your December has been as special as mine has! For more info on the Holiday Train check out their blog here!
Amy
by Amy | Dec 17, 2012 | Blog, The Art of Gathering, The Art of the Kitchen
Last night we hosted our annual Jingle Mingle holiday party. Of all the parties I have the privilege of hosting every year, the one we host at Christmas is my favorite. This year I kept things simple by setting up a hot chocolate bar {with all the fixin’s} and of course cookies and treats.
Here are my tips for a stellar hot cocoa bar.
1. Set out a canister of hot chocolate instead of packets. {So guests can make it as strong as they like.} A recipe for my mix is below.
2. Offer a variety of stir ins. Crushed peppermint, whipped cream, marshmallows, cream, and Kalua are all good options!
3. Keep the milk hot. Don’t send guests running to the microwave. Keep the moo juice warm in a crock pot.
In addition to cocoa powder I also made those cute hot-chocolate-on-a-stick’s that have been cropping up all over the Internet. Now, don’t be intimidated. They really were not as hard as you’d think. I followed this recipe for the chocolate blocks…and used this Alton Brown recipe for the marshmallows.
Word to the wise…Homemade marshmallows are the bomb. So good! And don’t freak out if you don’t have a fancy Kitchen Aid mixer. I used a little hand mixer and it worked just fine.
When I poured the fudge blocks into my pan I sprinkled crushed candy canes on top to make a rich peppermint hot chocolate block.
When just stir into a cup of hot milk. Very tasty!
To make your own hot cocoa mix follow this recipe:
Mix all these ingredients together…
1 Cup unsweetened cocoa powder | 1 Cup powdered sugar | 1 tsp cinnamon
To make flavored hot cocoa mix these ingredients together…
3/4 Cup unsweetened cocoa powder | 3/4 cup powdered sugar | 2/3 Cup of your favorite flavor dry coffee creamer {like CoffeeMate}
Stir 3 spoonfuls into a mug of hot milk. Yummm!
If nothing else…make the marshmallows. Thank you to Make & Takes for the awesome idea that has swept Pinterest this holiday season. You rock!
See you tomorrow!
Amy
by Amy | Dec 13, 2012 | Blog, Crafts, The Art of Design
Hi guys. We’ve had a little COP. {Change of plans.} Today I’m giving you six…count ’em SIX free printable gift tags for all your wrapping needs. They were really fun to make. I like to punch holes in the top and string them on to packages. But they are just as cute taped on. Enjoy!
I’ve put all these tags into individual Google Docs. Just save the files you like and print them out. You can save paper by arranging more than one tag onto a Word document. The tags measure 3″ x 1.75″ but the files are high res…so you can make them a bit larger if you like. And, yes…they are free! All I ask is that when friends and family compliment them…you tell them that you got them here, at the very-fun-and-awesome Amy Allender blog.
Here is the Peace Love Joy tag…You’re Gonna Love This…Santa Asked Me…and the Something Awesome tag
And here are links for the You’ve Been Nice tag…You’ve Been Naughty…Ho3…Special Delivery
Merry Christmas. Now, I’ve got cookies to make!
Amy
by Amy | Dec 12, 2012 | Blog, The Art of Projects, the house
These weeks before Christmas always take a toll on me. You too? Most likely.
Because in all the holly-jollyness there are about a million things to do. Food to buy, gifts to wrap, crafts to make. Last night I crafted up a storm. Today I’ve got to fill empty cupboards and pick up a few last gifts {yuck…that means a trip to Wal-Mart.} Honestly, I feel like my house is in a constant state of chaos lately.
The upside is that it is frightfully cold outside. Which means that the thought of being outside is not too appealing at the moment. But we still have to go out to shovel.
It’s 10:30 a.m. and it’s -3 degrees outside. The windchill makes it more like -7. Oh. My. Goodness. But you know what? It’s beautiful. I love it here. Even though it’s cold. {Really cold. Nostrils sticking together cold.} I really do love it. I love the people. My house. The community. I’m quite smitten with North Dakota, Practically Canada. And I’m quite smitten with warm mittens too.
{We’ll see how I feel about this cold after it’s been below zero for a few months…}
See you tomorrow. Get excited…I’ll be showing you the latest progress in the living room. A super awesome solution for our cords and media equipment. And later…printable gift tags just in time for wrapping madness.
Amy
by Amy | Dec 7, 2012 | Blog, Devotional, The Art of Faith
Derek and I have been helping out at the youth group at our church. Together we are working our way through the book of Acts. Just a few verses at a time…slowly…but surely.
{This amazing photo is from L.A. Birdie Photography’s Flickr stream.}
This Wednesday we talked about chapter 8: 1-8. I’ve thought about it a lot since then. Here is the gist of the passage. The church is brand new and young. This had been going great, but suddenly Stephen was stoned for preaching and Saul {later, Paul} begins persecuting Christians. Violence breaks out. Believers are put in prison, beaten, or killed. The church then scattered throughout the region to avoid persecution.
And here is what verse 4 says:
“Those who were scattered preached the Word wherever they went.”
Wherever.
And you know what? The church needed to be scattered. The Good News, the Gospel, the Word…it had to move beyond the walls of Jerusalem. God allowed hard times, violent times to fall on His children. But, as always, His hands guide our paths and lead us to His purposes.
Often I feel very scattered. Uprooted, changed, challenged. Scattered. A lot of times when I feel like that I wallow. Like a hippo in a mud hole. I just wallow in it. Because, surely I’m the first one to feel uprooted and scattered.
But the reality is that this isn’t new at all. God uproots us all for different reasons at different times. Whether it means we move to a new house, a new town, or just change schedules or activities. We all get uprooted and challenged. Our responsibility is to carry the Word with us wherever we go. And not just to carry it, but to preach it too. {And I’m not talking about preaching in a street corner condemnation kind of way. But a loving, understanding, approachable way.}
Really, this is the meaning of life. Spreading His kingdom, preaching His Word, bringing Him glory. That’s what it’s all about. God has a plan in place to spread His kingdom to the ends of the Earth. And it involves you. And me. And everyone we come in contact with. His plan is elaborate. So elaborate, it may even seem unclear to our little mortal minds. But there is a plan. I promise you. There is a plan.
And that’s why you are where you are right now. Where you are living, what you are feeling, the struggles you are overcoming. They aren’t accidents. You are young to reach the young. You’re a mom to be relatable to moms. I work at the gym to reach those who want to improve their bodies, and who may need a little confidence boost. I live in Practically Canada to reach people here.
We are scattered from our comfort zone to better serve the LORD. Are you feeling lead to scatter? Have you been scattered? This is a blessing, friends. When He calls us to scatter apart, he calls us to a new mission field…with new lives waiting to hear from us.
Will you preach the News wherever you go? I sure hope so.
Amy
