Hello RSS Readers!

You all know that I switched from Blogger to a Wordpress platform and am now RIGHT HERE. It shouldn't have changed the RSS feed but a few of you are missing my latest and greatest posts.

Please make sure that you are using this RSS Feed: http://feeds2.feedburner.com/BeautifulCalling

(Thanks Rachel for letting me know!)

If you notice something not working right at Beautiful Calling, just send me a note at jennifer@beautifulcalling.ca to let me know. I'm still working all the kinks out.

Fleeting Moments vs To-Do Lists

I had a to-do list as long as my arm. I was cutting the grass while the littles played. It was hot. Then I turned on the sprinkler and told the girls it was time to come in for lunch. Chloe longingly looked at the sprinkler as she headed in. I was tired and hot and didn’t want to fuss with changing 3 littles into their swimsuits.

…then I threw thoughts of to-do lists and swimsuits out the window. I filled up the (empty)sandbox with water, and we played in the sprinkler. John filled his water with mud…and I laughed with him.

We had cheese sandwiches and peaches while sitting on a soaking wet lawn in our wet clothing. That day was one of the highlights of my summer!

I was searching pictures for a silly photo contest and came across these photos from that day. I remember that I had a long to do list but I can’t remember what was on it. But as I look at these pictures, a smile comes across my face for I will never forget the looks on their faces when mommy jumped in too!

And years from now, when my littles are grown up, I’ll still have to do lists, but I won’t have these moments. Let’s make sure we make the most of these moments while we have them!

   

Seriously a Little Monkey!

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• Wordless Wednesday at 5Minutes for Mom and Two of a Kind

GraceWorks PDF Planner Winner

A big thank you to those who shared and linked up their goals for the new year. It was fun reading what others are working on and a great reminder that none of us have ‘arrived’ yet!

 

The winner of the GraceWorks PDF Family Blessings Planner pages is my dear friend, Beth @ Not a Bow in Sight! You can read Beth’s goals here. Amazing since I enjoy her blog greatly and feel like I ‘know’ her.

 

For those who missed it:  Handfuls of Purpose (the GraceWorks blog) announced a new, downloadable print at home planning aids.

This new product from GraceWorks is only $10.00 until the end of January and includes:

• Weekly Home Journal Pages
• Monthly Home Journal Calendar
• Weekly Planner with Menu Spot
• Monthly Reminder Checklist
• Monthly Home Blessings Reminder

Now Tricia was kind enough to send me my very own copies and at first I wasn't sure if I would use them since I am so in love with my planner already but you know, these are really neat. Simple, yet effective. In traditional GraceWorks style, Christ through scripture, is evident throughout the pages and serves as a reminder of what our true purpose, priority and focus should be!

What am I most excited about in the package? The Home Blessings Reminder! It is broken down into months with suggested tasks for each month/season.  I am definitely going to put that to work for me and as a result, I know my home and family will be blessed!

 

Buy It!

So be sure to take advantage of the sale, at $10.00 for the complete PDF file set you won't want to miss it!

 

(Still working on the blog transition. Please bear with me and the funny, hard to read editing!)

I'm now on Facebook!

Yes, I am taking the week off because Katie is working on the blogger to wordpress transition but I had to share:

Beautiful Calling now has a facebook page!

It’s My Birthday: 31 Things About Me!

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So this is one of the only wedding photos that I have in digital format; horrible isn’t it? At least I am smiling! We uploaded them to a site during our 3 week long wedding/honeymoon. The site we uploaded most of the photos to doesn’t give you access to the photos except to print through them. Ugh! If you view the full album there are quite a few more pics if you are interested.

 

I turned 31 on January 8th. I’m Ok with that. Last year I wasn’t Ok at all when I turned 30. DH is older than I am and I have never thought of him as old. I have many friends older than I and I have never thought of them as old either. 30+ isn’t old for others; it just seems old for me! I don’t feel 30. I thought I would feel more grown up by the time I was 30 but you know, I still feel the same as I did at 23.

 

With that being said, we’ll celebrate my 31st birthday with 31 things about me. (and I am sorry but for some reason, numbering or bullets do not show up on my site right now which means it is hard to read. I’m working on it!)

 

I love chocolate. Actually, it’s more than that. I’m a chocoholic! Maybe it’s a problem but hey, there are worse things in life right?

 

I’m not a morning person. Never have been. I am now a morning person but not by choice. The good Lord in His infinite wisdom (and with a sense of humor?) blessed me with a sweet little girl who is most definitely the happiest person alive in the morning! The early morning!

 

I was born in a very small town in Northern Ontario. It could be –40 and we were fine with that and, dressed appropriately, we headed outside. I loved it. Ice-fishing, ski-doing, skiing and more!

 

I now live in Southern Ontario and when it dips below 0, I’m freezing and have a tendency to hibernate in my house LOL.

 

I got my motorcycle license before my drivers license.

 

Most of my growing up friends were my guy pals.

 

I have one sister and one brother. My sister lives in the same city, my brother lives in Africa. Sorry, senior moment?!? He lives in Australia with his Australian wife and daughter. My mother-in-law lives in Africa though. We’re going to visit her this spring but that is another story!

 

The meat I grew up eating was whatever dad shot or caught (fish, partridge, moose) interspersed with ground beef and the occasional chicken.

 

I don’t remember how little I was when I first shot a gun but I was little. At 12, I got my hunting license. I own a couple of guns which are collecting dust since we moved south and I became a very busy mother of littles.

 

DH and I took archery lessons with my dad three years ago. Our bows are also collecting dust until life settles a little bit.

DH and I took ballroom dancing classes too!

 

DH and I were engaged in 2004, married in 2005 and also built our first home, miscarried our first baby in 2006, birthed our daughter in 2007 and our son in 2008. (I need to blog a little about these things huh?) Three years ago today, I woke up in labor. I thought for sure I’d have a baby for my birthday. Alas, Chloe wanted her own day. Tomorrow is CHLOE’S Birthday!

 

DH and I both worked in the same office. I had seen him around but I wasn’t interested in my DH at all. My friend Carm, who was friends with him, insisted that we go to the Office Christmas party together. I figured why not…and the rest we’ll save for a blog post :)

 

I hate spiders….I really hate spiders. I also dislike bananas, milk (on it’s own), tomatoes and melon. I like liver, brussel sprouts and almost all veggies.

 

I am terrible at public speaking; it doesn’t matter the size of the group, if I have to stand up in front and speak while everyone listens, I am nervous as anything. But I was a cheerleader in high school. Go figure!

 

I loved accounting in high school and almost failed gym class.

 

I dropped out of high school.

 

Four years later I went back to school via correspondence and graduated. I then started college courses but didn’t pursue them further after becoming a mother.

 

I’m currently on weight watchers to finish losing the baby weight I gained (and my baby is 17 months!)

 

I have birthed both our littles at home and hope to have the privilege of birthing a third one at home :)

 

I had a cleaning lady until December 2008 when she retired. Due to finances and our decision for me to stay home, we didn’t replace her. Since then I have discovered that I actually like washing my floor. I love the feeling of accomplishment I have when it is sparkling clean (for about 5 minutes).

 

I had never ironed a thing (successfully) before 2009, when I started ironing for DH as a birthday gift.

 

I had dogs, cats, ponies, hamsters, fish and birds growing up. We also briefly had a duck that we found and kept in the garage in a swimming pool one afternoon until dad came home. That was the end of our pet duck. (Turns out he belonged to someone a road over. *sniff, sniff* )

 

I love cloth diapers. Oh, not the washing of them so much but I do like to browse through online diaper shops, see the latest diapers, and ‘ahh’ at all the pretty colors. I also think that fluffy ‘diaper bums” are adorable! And though my first attempt with Chloe was a flop, cloth diapering with John is a breeze!

 

I love pink; so bright, happy and cheerful. As a child, I hated pink and would never wear it.

 

I am kind of an optimist, I always expect the best outcome (which is sometimes a problem!) and I am happiest when others are happy too.

 

I love to read. I have never read my bible through entirely. You can see my reading goals for 2010 here.

 

Reitman's is my favorite clothing store. I only own 2 pair of jeans (in 2 different sizes) and mostly wear skirts every day. If you want to buy me a present for my birthday, almost anything from there is sure to be a hit!

 

My husband claims I hog the bed and *gasp* he claims that sometimes I snore. I think he’s exaggerating. He also says that I should add “chatty” to my list. Is being chatty a good thing or a bad thing?

 

I have always disliked my hair. Oh, I’ve had it done at the salon and love the results but when I get home, I’m never happy. I guess I am looking for the elusive, “wake up, shake my head and everything falls perfectly into place.”

 

I never wanted to blog! I am married to the most wonderful man. I didn’t want to blog and was frightened of the whole thing. He encouraged me to do it anyway and said it would be a perfect fit for me. Now I am hooked.

 

______________________________________________________

So did you make it through my whole long list? I’m flattered if you made it half way through!

 

 I have a birthday request: if you’re a regular around here, please leave a comment with your website if you have one and something about yourself. I’d love to come visit you too!

TUT: Trust the Engineer (Giveaway Reminder)

Source

"When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer. "

Corrie ten Boom

Well, throughout the month of December planning fell by the side with the hustle and bustle that Christmas brings. I have a Beautiful Life Management planner from Graceworks that I love but sometimes, I get too busy to plan and the results are chaos and nothing like the Beautiful Life I want to have.

So January, I dusted off my planner and so far, the New Year has been wonderful. Not picture perfect but I'm back to my 'morning latte' with the Lord, I feel that my home is getting back to a state that is functional and works for our family, Chloe has started her regular "school" time, and I feel a sense of peace.

In my reader Handfuls of Purpose (the GraceWorks blog) announced a new, downloadable print at home planning aids. The moment I saw it I thought, "Wow, that would be the perfect giveaway for our 2010 Goal Link Ups!"

This new product from GraceWorks is only $10.00 until the end of January and includes:

Weekly Home Journal Pages

Monthly Home Journal Calendar

Weekly Planner with Menu Spot

Monthly Reminder Checklist

Monthly Home Blessings Reminder

Now Tricia was kind enough to send me my very own copies and at first I wasn't sure if I would use them since I am so in love with my planner already but you know, these are really neat. Simple, yet effective. In traditional GraceWorks style, Christ through scripture, is evident throughout the pages and serves as a reminder of what our true purpose, priority and focus should be!

What am I most excited about in the package? The Home Blessings Reminder! It is broken down into months with suggested tasks for each month/season.  I am definitely going to put that to work for me and as a result, I know my home and family will be blessed!

Buy It!

So be sure to take advantage of the sale, at $10.00 for the complete PDF file set you won't want to miss it!

If you missed the BLMS planner series, please read A Real Blessing, Plan to Bless, Morning Latte Anyone?, Our Beautiful Calling isn't ALL about Housework! and finally, The Main Thing.

Win It!

This week’s TUT is located here for December 31 and January 7th. We are working on goals for 2010 and I hope you will join in! By participating, you'll have a chance to win a complete PDF set. If you don't have a blog, just share your 2010 goal(s) in the comment section of this Goals post!

Have a Blessed Day!

Eating a Freezee: Tu-Tu Cute!

To have been posted August 2009. Chloe loves her tutu!

• This post links to Wordless Wednesday, Two of a Kind, 5MinutesforMom, and 7 Clown Circus

Bookin' It 2010: My Reading Goals for the Year

(taken this evening so it is kind of dark)

We have a library in our home because my husband and I both love to read. Yet, since I became a mother in 2007, I have found myself reading very little except small portions of scripture and many, many picture books. I seriously feel like my intelligence is slipping because of it, or it's just mommy brain. I find myself grasping for words when speaking and such. I enjoy reading, I need to start reading more and I will make time for it in 2010!

In 2009 I read:

• Small portions of scripture each day most days
• Little House in the Big Woods with the Chloe (I'd love to get the set; Chloe loved them and so did I!!)
• Passionate Housewives Desparate for God (Which was an incredible blessing! Highly recommended!!)
• The Love Dare (only part of it)
• The Unfinished Gift and The Christmas Dog
• Many wonderful blogs!

Wish List for 2010:

I hope to read more. These are some of the books that I would like to read in the coming year. They are in no particular order. I have a ton of unread books to read because last spring a Christian bookstore near us closed and they had clearout prices of $2.99 to $4.99 for most books. I bought 30+ books. I couldn't help myself! Sadly, most are still unread but that will change this year!

Books I Have and Hope to Read:

• Living Life on Purpose by Lisa TerKeurst
• The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace (I am super excited to read this one though my knees are shaking at the prospect. This is one comprehensive looking book that came highly recommended!)
• Youniquely Woman by Kay Arthur, Emilie Barnes & Donna Otto
• Biblical Womanhood in the Home by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
• Habits of a Child's Heart by Valerie Hess and Mari Watson
• With All Their Heart by Christine Yount

Refresher Reads (Previously read, would like to read again someday!)

• Loving God with All Your Mind by Elizabeth George
• Life Management for Busy Women by Elizabeth George
• Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
• To Train Up a Child by Michael & Debi Pear
  

Books I Would Like to Read (*hint hint* to my DH who reads my blog LOL )

• Laying Down the Rails: A Charlotte Mason Habits Handbook
• Steady Days by Jamie Martin (I read her blog Steady Mom and enjoy it greatly! This is her first book and it officially comes out in a few days!)
• No Greater Joy by Michael & Debi Pearl

Now I have a serious love for self-improvement books (my "self help" books as DH calls them) and I have to watch myself! I love books that give me fresh ideas for home-making or organization, or books the provide encouragment and motivation to a higher plain in my walk with the Lord, in my marriage or as a mother. I enjoy books that give me new ideas in teaching my tots about the Lord, life, crafts and education. And you know, I have to admit that reading blogs fills a good portion of these catagories but you know what is missing? Reading a nice story just for fun. My favorite kinds? Historical Christian Romance with a happy ending. My goal? Getting one of these in during the coming year!

• 
  
  This post links to Life as Mom
  
  
  

Amazing Marbled Coffee Cake

It’s an Austrian yummy marble coffee cake in a bundt pan. It is amazingly delicious!

Ingredients:

1 ¾ cups flour

1 cup softened butter

3 oz semisweet chocolate roughly chopped

Splash of imitation rum extract (optional; original recipe called for 2 TBSP dark Rum)

3 Tbsp corn starch

½ cup icing sugar

1 Tbsp vanilla

5 eggs (separated)

1 cup sugar

Putting it All Together:

Preheat oven to 325 deg
Butter and flour bundt pan
Set medium bowl over simmering water and melt chocolate. Stir in optional rum extract and set aside to cool slightly
Sift together flour and cornstarch and set aside
Beat butter, icing sugar, and vanilla until pale and fluffy.
Add egg yolks one at a time beating after each addition
Add flour mixture to butter mixture in 3 additions, beating after each addition
Set aside
In a large bowl beat the egg whites on high until frothy.
Sprinkle in sugar and beat until stiff and glossy peaks form
Whisk 1/3 of egg whites into cake batter to lighten it.
Use a rubber spatula to fold in the remaining egg whites to make an airy batter
Fold 1/3 of the cake batter into the chocolate mixture to make the chocolate flavored batter
Put ½ the vanilla batter in the pan, then all the chocolate batter and then the remaining vanilla batter.
Use a knife to swirl the batter to marble it
Bake until toothpick comes out clean (about 50-55 minutes)
Let cool, turn upside down on a place and dust with icing sugar

 

• Recipe Adapted from Saveur. DH has a subscription and reads it the day it arrives!
• This post links to Mouthwatering Mondays, Tasty Tuesday,and Tempt My Tummy Tuesday since it seems to go with them all.
• And it was less than 30 Minutes to write in keeping with Steady Mom’s Challenge. I need to start timing these posts accurately!

One Fine Fall Day We Went for a Walk

One day we went for a walk. Chloe brought her baby and I brought mine. Chloe picked her own outfit to wear right down to the boots. She wore a tutu just like Ina, her cabbage patch. She loves her tu-tu and those crazy boots. It’s the simple things in her life that she loves the most – like walks.

Thank you Lord, for precious days like these!

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P is for Picnic

A Picnic with Pasta & Pesto, Pickles and Popsicles = Paradise for Chloe anyway!

(if only our table cloth were Pink!)

Anything is as exciting as you make it! Few things are more exciting that a Picnic! The little ones love pasta and Pasta Pesto is easy, economical and good hot, cold or at room temperature. No need to worry about anything spoiling in the sun.

Praise the Lord that the nice weather is here!

(Another post that was never posted. this one is from April 2009.)

Make the Most of Your Visit to African Lion Safari

Ready to go! (Well, most of us. Not sure where John is going.)

Thoughts on African Lion Safari:

• *Pricey but worth it as a special treat. Parking, train ride and boat ride are all included in admission.
• *Children under 3 are free!
• *Buy advance tickets. It saves quite a bit. (Ours were purchased at Costco.)
• *Take your own snacks and drinks.
• *I would also suggest taking your own lunch too. Standard fries and a burger will run you about $8+.
• *Go early to avoid crowds and lines.
• *Go on a cooler day if possible. Overcast but not rainy. Animals are much more active.
• *Skip the waterpark stuff. There is too many other things to do.
• *Go through the safari driving park more than once.

We went to African Lion Safari in the morning on a cooler day. There was hardly anyone where and ALL the animals were active. We had monkeys climbing, lions and zebra wandering and an ostrich pecking at our window. It was pretty neat and we almost had the place to ourselves. It took us about 2 hours to drive through the animal reserve the first time. We then had lunch, took a train ride and visited some other exhibits. Before we left we did another drive through. It only took us about 1/2 hour that time. The girls are 2 and they LOVED it!

 

In my van we have one of the captain seats removed to make it easier to get the littles in and out. I have John and Chloe on the back bench and add an extra seat on the passenger side when Jaiden comes with us. I let them out of their seats to stand at the window and watch. It sure made it nice for them!

The Lions were walking around our van. I had to wait for one to move before we could drive away!

And of course the monkeys were leaping on our van. Lots of baby monkeys which impressed the girls!

John escaped from his seat into Nana’s lap :)

 

No matter where we go…Chloe always finds some poor seagull to chase!

Well, don’t I have a big smile LOL. We crowded onto the seat for the picture but for the actual ride, Chloe moved back with Nana and Jaiden sat where Chloe was. They both had a fun ride.

Jaiden took to the goats. Chloe doesn’t “yike dem much.

Places to go…

And with this picture, I had the camera on something other than auto. Being fairly camera-illiterate, I didn’t understand what was happening with my pictures. I love this photo though because it really captures the spirit of the day!

Interesting Links: December Edition

Photo by Dezz

 

Is there Life After “No”? at (In)Courage pointed out that it can be well with us even when it isn’t.

More Important that Your To-Do List @ Life as MOM offered up an incredible reminder that we should keep in mind all year round whenever we get to thinking we have it all together or get too overwhelmed in the realization that we don't!

Quietly Treasuring @ (In)Courage was a beautiful post about quietly treasuring His birth in our hearts.

Will All the Real Moms Please Stand Up  and Real Mom Follow Up @ Heavenly Homemakers was an incredible blessing.

20 Ways to Stay Healthy (and happy) This Winter Season @ Simple Mom

3 Reasons You Should Enter Blog Giveaways @ 5 Minutes for Mom was something I appreciated. I love to enter giveaways and at times host some of my own. I always appreciate those who enter and support me!

How to Get Through a Stressful Season @ Steady Mom will encourage you if you are going through a rough patch. But whether or not you are, letting go of mommy guilt is something many of us need to do - and often!

Pro-Mom not Pro-Blogger @ Keeper of the Home was an amazing read. One that will strike a chord in all of us mom bloggers whether we are at home or in the work force!

It's The Thought That Counts @ (In)Courage reminds us to give gifts that show we care.

A Christmas Story @ (In)Courage was a touching. I often feel a bit sad after Christmas as we head into the new year. I tend to think about memories and all we've left behind. But with Christ - we havea  bright future. Let's make that our focus!

A Challenged Heart @ The Well spoke to my heart as well. Though I am a positive person, at times when DH is otherwise occupied and I am still doing housework, I can easily slip into an unthankful spirit!

Blogger Sellout @ Emily's Latest really put into words what I feel too. While I do receive items to review and often have a giveaway associated with it, the review is truly my experience. I also often do a google search for a review if there is a product that I am considering buying. I VALUE A REVIEW IF IT IS GENUINE. It really helps me with my purchasing decisions. Reviews that are clearly not written based on an honest experience I tend to ignore. Whether they bought the product or received for free doesn't matter as long as it isn't a "paid to say" review.