Painting it Forward #5

This will be my fifth "Painting it Forward" bidding event.   So far, $75 has been donated to charities through these events.  Wow!  Thanks to all who have placed a bid and helped a cause! 

Since the first four paintings were a success, I've decided to put another piece up for auction.  I've had requests for this painting to be the next one to bid on so here's your chance to have your very own original and support your favorite cause at the same time!

The name of this painting is "The Lorax's Truffula Trees".  This is an original painting by me on canvas using acrylic paints.  The dimensions are: 8 x 10.  Frame is not included. 

Estimated value is $14.

In case you missed my post about "Painting it Forward", you can read all about how I came up with the idea here. 

The bidding on this painting will start at $1.  The bidding will begin at 7:00pm Thursday night (12/6/12) and last for 48 hours on Facebook.  The bidding will close at 7:00pm on Sunday (12/8/12).  You may bid at anytime during this 48 hour period, but the amount must exceed the previous bid.  At the end of that time period, the person with the largest bid will get to keep the painting and will also get to choose a charity for the net profits to go towards.  If you are not Facebook friends with me and would like to bid, you may comment below with the amount you would like to bid.  If yours is highest, then you win the painting and the net proceeds will go to the charity of your choice.  Checks will be made out to me and I will then donate the net profits to the charity of your choice.  A receipt of your donation will be mailed to you along with the painting.

Questions?  Ask away! 

Happy bidding and thanks so much for supporting me in this venture!  Good luck!

New Art

I've decided to do some of my favorite things to de-stress.  Painting is definitely one of my favorite things to do so I whipped out my painting supplies and dove into all those beautiful colors.

Here is Tom's favorite, which he thinks looks like the Truffula Trees from The Lorax by Dr. Seuss.  I hadn't thought of them as that, but I can totally see the resemblance.  

 

 "The Lorax's Truffula Trees"

$14

I've been doing a lot of praying through the Proverbs and this is one that has touched my heart the most.  Painting words proved to be tricky, but it was a good challenge for me.

"Trust"

$15

If you would lke to have either one for your very own, please leave a comment below or comment on my Facebook page.

I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.

Painting it Forward #4

This will be my fourth "Painting it Forward" bidding event.   So far, $60 has been donated to charities through these events.  Thanks to all who have placed a bid and helped a cause! 

Since the first three paintings were a success, I've decided to put another piece up for auction.  I've had requests for this painting to be the next one to bid on so here's your chance to have your very own and support your favorite cause at the same time!

The name of this painting is "Provision".  This is an original painting by me on canvas using acrylic paints and inspired by the colors of the season.  The dimensions are: 8 x 10.  Frame is not included. 

Estimated value is $18.

In case you missed my post about "Painting it Forward", you can read all about how I came up with the idea here. 

The bidding on this painting will start at $1.  The bidding will begin at 7:00pm tomorrow night (11/16/12) and last for 48 hours on Facebook.  The bidding will close at 7:00pm on Sunday (11/18/12).  You may bid at anytime during this 48 hour period, but the amount must exceed the previous bid.  At the end of that time period, the person with the largest bid will get to keep the painting and will also get to choose a charity for the net profits to go towards.  If you are not Facebook friends with me and would like to bid, you may comment below with the amount you would like to bid.  If yours is highest, then you win the painting and the net proceeds will go to the charity of your choice.  Checks will be made out to me and I will then donate the net profits to the charity of your choice.  A receipt of your donation will be mailed to you along with the painting.

Questions?  Ask away! 

Happy bidding and thanks so much for supporting me in this venture!  Good luck!

Painting It Forward #3

This will be my third "Painting it Forward" bidding event.   So far, $55 has been donated to charities through these events.  Thanks to all who have placed a bid and helped a cause! 

Since the first and second paintings were a success, I've decided to put another piece up for auction.  I've had requests for this painting to be the next one to bid on so here's your chance to have your very own and support your favorite cause at the same time!

 

The name of this painting is "Fall Breeze".  This is an original painting by me on canvas using acrylic paints and inspired by the colors of the season.  The dimensions are: 8 x 10.  Frame is not included. 

Estimated value is $23.

In case you missed my post about "Painting it Forward", you can read all about how I came up with the idea here. 

The bidding on this painting will start at $1.  The bidding will begin at 7:00pm tomorrow night (10/12/12) and last for 48 hours on Facebook.  The bidding will close at 7:00pm on Sunday (10/14/12).  You may bid at anytime during this 48 hour period, but the amount must exceed the previous bid.  At the end of that time period, the person with the largest bid will get to keep the painting and will also get to choose a charity for the net profits to go towards.  If you are not Facebook friends with me and would like to bid, you may comment below with the amount you would like to bid.  If yours is highest, then you win the painting and the net proceeds will go to the charity of your choice.  Checks will be made out to me and I will then donate the net profits to the charity of your choice.  A receipt of your donation will be mailed to you along with the painting.

Questions?  Ask away! 

Happy bidding and thanks so much for supporting me in this venture!  Good luck!

Painting it Forward 2

My first "Painting it Forward" bidding event was a success.  "Easy Breezy" went for $20 and proceeds went to the winning bidder's charity of choice, The American Cancer Society.

Since the first painting was such a success, I've decided to put another piece up for auction.  I've had requests for this painting to be the next one to bid on so here's your chance to have your very own and support your favorite cause at the same time!

The name of this painting is "A Cat's Life".  This is an original painting by me on thin canvas using acrylic paints and inspired by my own cat, Napoleon.  The dimensions are: 8.5 x 11.  Frame is not included. 

Estimated value is $17.

In case you missed my post about "Painting it Forward", you can read all about how I came up with the idea here. 

The bidding on this painting will start at $1.  The bidding will begin at 7:00pm tomorrow night (9/21/12) and last for 48 hours on Facebook.  The bidding will close at 7:00pm on Sunday (9/23/12).  You may bid at anytime during this 48 hour period, but the amount must exceed the previous bid.  At the end of that time period, the person with the largest bid will get to keep the painting and will also get to choose a charity for the net profits to go towards.  If you are not Facebook friends with me and would like to bid, you may comment below with the amount you would like to bid.  If yours is highest, then you win the painting and the net proceeds will go to the charity of your choice.  Checks will be made out to me and I will then donate the net profits to the charity of your choice.  A receipt of your donation will be mailed to you along with the painting.

Questions?  Ask away! 

Happy bidding and thanks so much for supporting me in this venture!  Good luck!

Living the dream with TMJD

It's been 10 days since I first started wearing my TMJD appliance.  For those of you who are curious about what this thing looks like, I took a picture.  Sorry if it grosses you out.  I get grossed out really easily and it didn't bother me too much so you will probably be fine. 

I turned it upside down to take the picture so you could see the metal parts and how it fits over my bottom teeth kind of like a retainer.  I have to wear it 24/7 except when I eat or drink anything besides water. 

Top 5 reasons my TMJD appliance is not my friend:

1. It makes me have a serious lysp (sufferin' succotash Sylvester!)

2. It takes up so much room in my mouth that my tongue has no where to go so it is harder to breathe when exercising.

3. It makes my breath smell wicked bad even with multiple scrubbings every day.

4. It cost $3,800. 

5. After it does "it's thing" I will have to either a. get braces again or b. get crowns on my molars. (more $$)

On a positive note, I sleep like a baby with it in.  (Or maybe that's just because I am dog tired from herding 2nd graders all day).  I did have a nightmare about trying to eat chips and not being able to crunch down on them to eat them so I just had to swallow them whole.  I woke up chomping on the thing. 

Seriously though.  I understand that I am incredibly blessed.  We have the financial means to pay for it (it does put a damper on paying off the car loan, but we can do it).  It might take my migraines away (I would wear this thing all day every day for the rest of my life if it actually did that).  So I am going to choose to be thankful and try really hard not to be a wimp about this.
**By the way, I have had 2 migraines since starting to wear the appliance.

Other random updates...

I have reintroduced sugar into my diet, sparingly over the past month.  I had 8 peanut butter m&ms earlier this week and a fudge bar yesterday.  It was great.  My weight is being maintained and I am still tracking on www.loseit.com.  I need to measure myself again because I've been lax about that lately.  I weigh in again on Monday so I'll let you know how it goes.

I will be auctioning off another painting next weekend so keep an eye out for that.  Bidding will begin on Friday and end on Sunday night as it did last time.  The last painting went for $20 and the proceeds went towards The American Cancer Society.  Super cool.

I have been crossing off more and more things on my 30 before 30 list!!!  Check out by 30 before 30 tab at the top of the blog.  The most exciting thing is being able to do a Bible Study with college women.  I LOVE college people.  They are way cool.  Our first night was last Tuesday and I get to co-lead it.  We are studying Phillipians, which is awesome. 

That's about it.  It is 6:00pm on Friday night and I am going to sleep.  It has been one doozy of a week and I am spent. 

Normal!

I just got a call that my hormone therapy is working!!!  Praise the Lord!  Both my progesterone and testosterone levels are in normal range.  I am so encouraged!!  I do feel better too...it's still tough trying to get my body awake and up in the mornings, but my energy levels throughout the day are definitely higher.  Yes! 

On another note, I am very much looking forward to next Wednesday, which is when I get my TMD appliance.  (It is much like a retainer, but is fit specifically for my bottom jaw and will apparently keep my muscles in the correct placement.)  If you asked a "normal" person if they were excited to wear a piece of metal/plastic in their mouth all day every day except when they eat and brush their teeth and makes them talk funny, they would say, "NO WAY JOSE!"  But you ask a person who deals with 8-10 migraines a month if they would be willing to wear a piece of metal/plastic in their mouth all day every day except when they eat and brush their teeth that makes them talk funny in an attempt to rid themselves of migraines all together, and they would definitely say, "HECK YES!  GIVE IT TO ME NOW!!"  <---------Well, that's me. I will get it just in time for "Meet the Teacher".  Haha...that's should be interesting learning to talk with it and meeting students and parents for the first time.  I'll let you know how that goes.  ;) ;)  Well, anyway, I am so excited about the possibility of reducing these migraines that I would dye my hair green and stand on my head all day if it would work.  But thankfully, I don't have to do those things.  I can just wear this tiny little thing in my mouth.  Sweet. 

Oh and guess what?  I took advantage of my last Friday before school starts up again and painted :)  You can find my new paintings in a tab at the top of this blog...yep look up...now to the right.  See the tab that says, "My Art"?  Click that and you can see all of my paintings.  I've sold two so far!  Really super excited about that.  One of my "30 before 30" goals is to sell three paintings.  If you have any interest in owning one (or two or three..hehe) please don't hesitate to make an offer.  Prices are negotiable and I really just want people to be able to enjoyment out of having them in their homes.  I will be doing another auction in September, so please vote for one of them to be the next painting to be auctioned off for charity.  Thanks friends!

One last thing...I just want to say how blessed I am by my readers' kind words, encouragement and comments.  Thank you so much for sticking with me and reading my blog.  I hope that my blog continues to help inspire you and bring joy to your life because you bring so much inspiration and joy to mine.  : D

Bidding begins at 7:00pm!

It was a resounding win to painting #1 in the votes for my first "Painting it Forward" bidding event. 

The name of this painting is "Easy Breezy".  This is an original painting by me on thin canvas using acrylic paints and transulcent buttons.  It's dimensions are: 8.5 x 11.  Frame is not included.  Estimated value is $22.

In case you missed my post about "Painting it Forward", you can read all about how I came up with the idea here. 

The bidding on this painting will start at $1.  The bidding will begin at 7:00pm tonight (8/10/12)and last for 48 hours on Facebook.  The bidding will close at 7:00pm on (8/12/12).  You may bid at anytime during this 48 hour period, but the amount must exceed the previous bid.  At the end of that time period, the person with the largest bid will get to keep the painting and will also get to choose a charity for the net profits to go towards.  If you are not Facebook friends with me and would like to bid, you may comment below with the amount you would like to bid.  If yours is highest, then you win the painting and the net proceeds will go to the charity of your choice.  Checks will be made out to me and I will then donate the net profits to the charity of your choice.  A receipt of your donation will be mailed to you along with the painting.

Questions?  Ask away! 

Happy bidding and thanks so much for supporting me in this venture!  Good luck!

100th Post

Wow, I can't believe I've already published 99 posts!  I started this blog on a whim and it's turned into more than I would have ever imagined.  It is such a blessing to know that this blog has inspired others to start their own blogs, grow more in their faith, begin an exercise program, experiment in the kitchen and explore their own hidden talents.  It has been a great journey for me and I hope it's been as beneficial to my readers as it has for me over the past 9 months.  What an amazing realization for me to look back 9 months ago and see exactly how far God has taken me in life. 

Laura's life changes in the past 9 months:

Dec. 2011                                         Aug. 2012

Just beginning to cook                       Cooking up a storm of healthy meals

Weight: 209.2                                   Weight: 179.2

Skeptical that I could paint                Completion of 6 paintings-1 sold

Could not run more than 30 sec.        Ran 60 minutes without stopping or walking

Never read through entire Bible        About to start 2nd reading of Bible

I am blown away at all of the positive changes that have occured in my life in less than a year. 

What a difference the support of family and friends, self discipline and prayer can make.

I wonder what God has in store for me in the next 9 months?  Whether good or bad, I know that it will be just fine because I have been richly blessed with an amazing support system full of love and encouragement.  Thank you to each and everyone of you who have read by blog. You have been a huge inspiration and encouragement to me.  Thanks for sticking with me and we'll see what the next 9 months bring :)

Painting it forward

One of my goals on my 30 before 30 list is to sell three of my paintings.  I found a great deal on canvas so I am ready for another set paintings.  I've been thinking about what I can do to help the world with my painting.  It would be nice to earn a little extra money with my paintings, but if I can benefit others with my painting then that's priceless.  I'd like to bless others with the money I make instead of keeping it.  I'm sure others need it far more than me.  These pieces are no "Picassos", but it's what I love. 

Through a lot of prayer and thinking, here's the plan...I'm going to let friends, family, fellow bloggers, etc. bid on my paintings starting at $1.  The bidding will go for 48 hours on Facebook.  At the end of that time period, the person with the largest bid will get to keep the painting and the winning bidder will also get to choose their favorite charity.  The net profits from the bidding will go to the charity of the winner's choosing. 

I'm planning to do this with six paintings in hopes to go above and beyond my goal.  I feel like this will be a great way for me to give back and allow others the opportunity to do so as well.  Here are my recent paintings...please vote for which one you would like me to auction off first.  Just leave a comment with the number of the painting!  Thanks so much!

#1

#2

#3

**afternoon painting delights**

All summer I have been wanting to sit down and paint so today I decided to do just that. 

I love the feeling that comes over me when my brush touches the canvas.  Peaceful and relaxing.

No plans for these canvases yet, so if you are interested in any of them please email me at spicycurrie83@gmail.com

Here's what I created today...

"Easy Breezy"

This is a dandelion similar to my previous painting, however, this dandelion is accented with translucent buttons.

$22

"Provision"

This is my first scripture painting. 

Matthew 6:26 "Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?" 

This is such a comfort for me because this verse reminds me that God is my ultimate provision.

$18

"Tree Vibrance"

This is my most colorful piece yet.  It's more abstract than what I usually make, but I kinda like that about it.  It's funky.

$16



**Enjoy and I'd love to hear your feedback.**

Red Door

It's always been a dream of mine to have a red door in my house.  I think it gives the decor a little character and just enough punch of color.  So today I'm making it happen.  Tom and I got the paint last month along with the bathroom paint.  Tom already painted the outside of the door and trim white and now it's my turn to paint the inside.  I can't wait to see how it turns out.  It's kinda scary painting with the color red.  It's way more intense than cocoa, blue or even green like the bedrooms.  Here we go!

I'm getting really excited about this color!!! 

1st coat done!

Wait, wait, wait for paint to dry...

Finished product!

I'm really happy with how it turned out.  Next project: landscaping!

Stuffed Chicken with Pink Poppy Blooms

It's gorgeous out!  What an amazing week for a break!  I have been keeping busy crocheting, reading, enjoying the outdoors, working in the yard, planting seeds, pilates, yoga, hiking, biking , shopping, and cooking some new recipes.  Last night we had my mom over for dinner and I combined two recipes I found online.  They both involve stuffing chicken with cheese and goodies.  You can't go wrong with that.  Because my hubby is a meat lover, I stuffed his chicken with pepperoni and swiss.  My mom and I love broccoli so I stuffed ours with swiss and broccoli.  You could get creative here and pretty much stuff these guys with any meat, veggie or cheese you want.



This is the broccoli and swiss one.  It's not the greatest picture, but you get the general idea.

 Here's what I did:

Laura's Stuffed Chicken Goodness

3 chicken breasts (cut each into 3 pieces and pound into thin cutlets)
1 egg
2 tsp water
1/2 c. bread crumbs ( I used Panko)
1 Tbsp oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Mix the egg and water together in a small bowl.  Mix bread crumbs and spices in another small bowl.  Place 1/2 slice of cheese and 3 pepperoni slices or 4 small broccoli cuts on each cutlet.  Roll up and secure with toothpicks.  Dip your stuffed cutlets into the egg wash one at a time and then roll in crumb/spice mixture.  Transfer onto sprayed baking sheet.  When finished dipping all cutlets, bake for 25-30 minutes.

Today I decided to bust out the paints.  I have been seeing a lot of flowers popping out of the ground in our backyard and poppies are a popular flower in paintings so I created my own version.  I used my red acrylic paint for the blooms, but I was too impatient to let the white background dry completely, so the petals have a pink stain to them.  I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it yet.  Does anybody have a room it would match?  Maybe a little girl's room?  Let me know if you are interested or know someone who might be.

Migraine Update!

January :4
February: 4
March: 12
April: 0

I haven't reintroduced anything this month since March was completely out of hand.  It's interesting that I haven't had a migraine since I've been on Spring Break.  Hmmm....possibly stress related??  Just might be.  No matter what the reason, I'm thankful.

So to recap...here's what I've changed about my eating since the beginning of 2012...

No sugars (nothing that ends with an "ose" ) or sweeteners unless it's in fruits or honey. 
No nuts. (I think I have a food intolerance to them).
No nitrites or nitrates (found in deli meats, bacon, sausage).
No MSG.
Red meats sparingly (1 to 2 times/month).
Preservatives sparingly (trying for less than 5 ingredients in foods).
No alcohol.

I'm getting a saliva test at the beginning of May, which is supposed to test my hormone and cortisol levels.  It's not covered by insurance, but I think it will be worth it to know if hormones are an issue.  We'll see!!

Happy Easter ya'll.  Enjoy the bunnies, eggs and family dinners, but remember the real reason we celebrate.  Jesus is risen and has paid the penalty for our sins so we could have a relationship with God and spend eternity with Him.  Praise God for this amazing thing he did for all humanity.

Pottery and Pirate's Booty!

Last week my sis-in-law and I celebrated our birthdays together by going to paint pottery.  Today was the pick up day...it's always a little nerve-racking because you think about how much money you spent on the item and how much time you put into it and what if it looks like a pre-schooler did it??  But then you remember that you had a wonderful time painting it and it is what it is-yours.  And you will love it no matter what because you put your heart and soul into it...well at least your mom will love it ;)  Anyway, it was all good because when I went into the "pick up" room I saw a bowl and I thought I want that bowl.  Well, guess who's bowl it was??  This girl's.  Aw yeah.  It turned out exactly the way I wanted it.  It is a multi-functional bowl, so right now it's holding some gorgeous juicy apples.  It matches my kitchen along with another piece I made that is a utensil holder.  I'm excited!! 

Another great thing that happened to me today was finding an AMAZING new to me food product from "Pirate's Booty"  The name in itself makes it awesome already.  But what is inside of the clever packaging makes it double awesome.  Yes I know I just time warped back to 5th grade with that saying, but it's gotta be said.  Just hearing the name "Pirate's Booty" doesn't give you much clue as to what the product actually is, which just happens to be my most favorite snack of all time...cheese puffs.  Oh I have missed you cheese puffs and now I can have you because the wonderful inventors of "Pirate's Booty" made it sugar free, preservative free, nut free and DELICIOUS!  Here's a pic.  It's on sale at HyVee for 2/$3!!!!  Can you believe it??  All that crunchy, cheesy goodness for only $1.50!!!  I will most certainly have to go back tomorrow and stock up. 

Well, the house is smelling very cozy right now because I'm baking up some Apple Pineapple Crisp.  Sugar free love in the oven.  The recipe is in my last post. Mmmm...it's ready so I'm off to have some dessert!

Adventures in Tostadas, Stir-fry & Painting

Still no sugar...and I'm feeling GOOD!

Day #4 of The Great Migraine Battle...Laura 4 : Migraines 0

Go anti-inflammatory foods go!!!  Woot woot!

Okay so here's the low down on my eats lately...last night was Black Bean Turkey Tostadas, which I was SO excited to make.  I browned the turkey, warmed the black beans, chopped the tomatoes, and was about to warm the tostadas when I looked at the ingredient label....DUN DUN DUNNNNNN...big fat no. 

So....I roll with it and magically, Black Bean Turkey Tostadas turned into Black Bean Turkey Salad!

Ingredients for one serving:

1/2 c. long grain brown rice
1/4 lb. browned turkey
1 c. spinach
1/2 c. black beans
1/2 c. corn
1/2 c. tomatoes
1 tbsp. sour cream
1 tbsp. shredded cheese
Squirt 1/4 lime on top...this is the best part...gives it a lil' Mexican flair ;)

**Assemble in any order you choose.

I am on a bit of an international kick this week so we went Asian tonight with Shrimp Stir-Fry.

Once again, pretty dang excited about fixing stir-fry...Tom and I bought all the fixings earlier this week and we got some fresh sprouts, pinnapple, water chestnuts, corn, pea pods...oh yeah it was gonna be good.

Well, I started to saute all the veggies and whip the soy sauce out of the fridge and...internal groan.  Nooooooooo!!!! There's dextrose in the ingredients.  Dextrose=sugar.  Well, I guess really yummy veggies and shrimp over brown rice it is. 

But I totally made up for the no soy sauce by throwing some garlic naan in the oven. 

Heaven. 

Oh my gosh.  Best bread I have ever tasted.  ( I will say this very quietly so I don't hurt the feelings of one of my favorite restaurants...but it was better than Flat Top bread).  Crazy.  I know.  Here's a pic.

It's $4 for 3 pieces so SUPER expensive but oh so tasty!

Here's my stir-fry minus the soy sauce.  The pineapple really gave it some zing!

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

1 c. long grain brown rice

1 can chunk pineapple

1 can corn

1 can water chestnuts

1 pkg pea pods

1 pkg bean sprouts

24 medium shrimp

Saute veggies for 2-3 min. Add shrimp and pineapple and steam 5 more min. Serve over bed of long grain brown rice.  Enjoy!!!

Yesterday I made a painting for a friend.  I tried out some birds and darker background colors.  Not the best, but I tried my best so that's what counts right?  That's what I tell my students! :)

Tomorrow's dinner is Tilapia Tacos!  This weekend I am going to roast my very first turkey!!!!

A new day and a new year ...(almost) :D

Wow.  I'm really excited about my blog.  I never thought I would be a blogger, but here I go and what a great time to start!  The purpose of my blog is to share what I've been doing and what God has been teaching me ever so patiently!  :)  This is my life and hopefully it will inspire someone else along the way.  :)

Over this Christmas break, I have logged more hours than I should have on Pinterest, but it definitely hasn't been wasted.  I've been blessed with the time off and so I've been trying to be productive by trying new recipes, meal planning, changing the decor in my house, reading as many books as possible, working out on the eliptical, planning out a garden for the backyard and also I started painting!!  The picture on the background of my blog is one of my first paintings.  I love it and it is now hanging in our bedroom.  I don't know what it is, but I just LOVE it and I am so glad that I reached out in faith and tried something new.

My first piece...

My second piece...

I've found that the canvas for painting is so expensive so a friend and I went thrift store shopping and found some old canvas paintings for 25 cents.  She had the great idea of just painting over them.  At first I felt bad painting over someone's work, but then as I thought more about it, I decided that if my work ended up in a thrift store for 25 cents I would be okay with someone repurposing it instead of it ending up in the trash. 

Tomorrow I plan to post some recipes that I've been experimenting with and are BONUS...husband approved :)