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Monday, January 31, 2011

Do What You Love

I've been inspired and blessed by Kara Paslay's "Do What You Love" art for quite some time now, and finally decided it was time for that phrase to be up on the wall where it could continually serve as a reminder to my musician husband (and to me) to make time for the things that we love.  It's a call to live with purpose in our vocations, trusting all the while that Our Father will take care of our every need.  I am challenged and inspired by it an hope you are too. :)


My version goes a little something like this.


You'll need:
4 canvas stretcher bars, assemble to form a frame (courtesy of the Hobby Lobby giftcard from my wonderful mother and father-in-law)
Leftover burlap large enough to stretch around your stretcher bar frame (mine came from a similar project, I'll have to post at a later date)
Staple gun (I have a Stanley Light Duty Sharpshooter that was probably like $10 from Home Depot a few years ago)
Black acrylic paint
Fine tip paintbrush

This is really quite easy and could be done a number of different ways.  Since burlap is pretty see through, you'll probably want to stretch 2 layers of the burlap over the stretcher bar frame, tacking each in place with staples.  Since burlap likes to unravel, be sure to fold the raw edge under before you staple, like this:


Pull it tight!  When you get to the corners, you'll probably have to do a little creative cutting and tucking to get the fabric to lay flat.  Then, just flip her over and you're done!

jk.

The next part you can do a number of different ways.  In the past, I've printed my letters out on computer paper, cut them out and then traced them onto the burlap.  While this had great results, it was a bit tedious, and not really something I was up for with this project.  Since that time, Andrew and I have acquired an overhead projector (since we're school teachers and all.  ..not.  Long story.)  So, I printed my (well, Kara's) phrase on overhead paper (using "Roadway" font on dafont.com), and then shown (shined?) the phrase up on my new canvas, traced it (with my black paint and paintbrush), and then filled in the letters in to my taste.



It's sort of a reverse bus roll kind of thing.  But way more personal and inspiring.  ...at least in my book.




Watcha think?  Have you found some fun ways to display inspiring quotes too?  Or use up leftover burlap?

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Ground meat matchup!

So, I've always been a little wary of ground turkey.  It just always gets a bad rap, except for the supposed lower fat content than ground beef.  Well, that said I made a pretty darn good turkey meatloaf this evening with scalloped potatoes, green beans and corn (we like our veggies).  However, out of curiosity I decided to compare the nutrition facts between the ground turkey I purchased at Aldi, and the typical lean ground beef I get in bulk at Costco.  Here's what I found:

Kirkwood Ready to Cook Pure Ground Turkey 85/15 16 oz. (from Aldi)

Serving Size 4 oz. (112 g)
Amount per Serving
Calories 220  Calories from Fat 150
Total Fat 17g
Sat. Fat 5g
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 110mg
Sodium 85mg
Total Carbohydrate 0g
Protein 17g
Vit A 0%
Vit C 0%
Calcium 0%
Iron 0%


In Costco Lean Ground Beef (91/9), you ask?

Serving Size: 100g

Amount per Serving 
  • Calories 210 Calories from Fat 130
  • Total Fat 15g 
  • Saturated Fat 6g
  • Cholesterol 65mg
  • Sodium 50mg
  • Total Carbohydrate 0g
  • Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
  • Sugars 0g  
  • Protein 20g
  • Iron15%

(This is according to good ole Google.  I don't actually have any in ground beef the freezer right now to compare, but I'll definitely check next time I bring it home.)

Anyway, interesting, no?  No?  Oh. Well, I'm kinda a dork and think so. :)  Nutritionally, the lean ground beef and the ground turkey are pretty much the same.  The ground turkey actually has more cholesterol and sodium than the beef, but lacks the iron and protein of the red meat.  So what's it all mean?  Well, I guess it's up to you.  I see no really huge benefits to the turkey and having been told I was too anemic in the past to give blood on one or too occasions, I'll spring for the beef.  Of course lean turkey could be a whole other deal, as would less-than-lean beef...

That said, if you want to try a yummy Turkey Meatloaf, try this!  I used rice instead of quinoa (didn't have it) and added some chopped green bell pepper to ours.  It was a hit, and we will be enjoying leftovers manaƱa!  

The original inspiration to even try a turkey meatloaf came when I stumbled upon Mom Advice's Aldi Fall/Winter Menu Planner in an attempt to shop at Aldi more and see if it could save us a little on the monthly grocery bill.  I have noticed a few things definitely worth buying there.  Will update more on that when the month is over. :)

Happy cooking. :)

Saturday, January 22, 2011

And with this, I commence.

Whispers of doubt deluge me.  What will I write?  Do I really have anything noteworthy to say?  What is my purpose in blogging?  Will I really be able to share both the good AND the bad?  Can I be candid and clear?  Will I stick with it?  If not, is it even worth starting?  I'm not really much of a writer, after all...

But, God calms my heart and silences these doubts.  He has given me a story and gifts to share with you with confidence and joy. 

So, here it is:

A record of the evidences of God's grace,
a playground for new ideas, and
an environment for sharing
about
brokenness and restoration,
sowing and harvesting,
creation and beauty.


Welcome.  :)