Favorite 5 Friday: Let's Get Colorful

One of my favorite pastimes is browsing Etsy. It's not only a wonderful way to find a fabulous gift or to get inspiration, but also to mingle with like-minded individuals.
I will be promoting (blog, Etsy, Twitter) my "Favorite 5" every Friday, so contact me if you would like me to check out your items. Tell me what you think about these items or share some of your favorites...

Find something you want, just click on the name. Please take time to visit these shops to see all their awesome items.

With all the dreary rain we've been getting, I am in serious need for some happy colors.

This store offer recycled crayons in different shapes. I love these cute little butterflies.
Recycled Crayons


A pretty painting to look at would cheer up any room.
Painting


I like this colorful iPad case.
iPad Case


I love stained glass. I have several pieces haning in my windows and love to take pictures of stained glass windows. This fish catches my eye.
Stained Glass Fish


A colorful piece of jewelry will add pazazz to any outfit.
Vintage Button Necklace

In His Word Wednesday: Acts 16:24-31

It seems more and more people are enduring terrible tragedies in their lives. Whether it is with health, family difficulties, or other areas, many are feeling overwhelmed with the struggles they are facing. God led me to these verses and I wanted to share them with you. When you are finished reading, I hope you are able to sing.


Acts 16:24-31
Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and every one's chains were loosed. 
And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep ans seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself.
But Paul called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 
And he brought them out and  said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household."


As exhausted as they felt, Silas and Paul could not sleep. Being shackled in prison and their wounds kept them from getting much needed sleep. They had no idea whether they would live to see another day. Yet, in the midst of their troubles, prayers and songs were lifted to the Lord. Praising the Lord in the midst of their despair, the Lord responded with an earthquake, enabling them to be able to share the gospel with the prison keeper. The glorious outcome...the prison keeper and his family were saved.
You have a song to sing as well. Though your situation may feel overwhelming, are you willing to trust God in your circumstances? Do you believe that no problem is beyond His power? As you allow God to conduct the symphony of your life, you will see Him shaking your own prisons, so lift of you voice and sing!

For Love Of The Hedgehog

A hedgehog is a spiney, insectavoiries mammal, not related to the porcupine. There are 16 species of hedgehogs found through parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and New Zealand. They are not native to New Zealand but were introduced. There are no hedgehogs native to the United States. The domestic hedgehog can be kept as an exotic pet in all states but 7; Arizona, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, and Pennsylvania. The most common domesticated species is the African Pygmy Hedgehog. It is much smaller than the European hedgehog. Domestic hedgehogs come in a variety of color, and can have patterns such as pinto.

 Adorable Spike.
Hedgehogs should be kept in a well ventilated cage with a solid bottom. I prefer the cages that are for guinea pigs because they have a plastic bottom, not wire, and the bottoms are deep. Hedgehogs like to bury, so their pine chips needs to be thick. Never use cedar shavings as they can be toxic. If the cage has ramps, they need to be solid plastic too. They will get their feet caught in wire cages and accessories. The cage needs to be kept in a comfortable temperature of 65-80 degrees F. A good water bottle will provide water, and a small weighted (to help prevent dumping) bowl for feeding. One of the things I love about these little guys is that they can be litter trained. All you need is a small ferret litter box filled with non-clumping, unscented, dust-free cat litter. I feed my hedgehogs high protein, quality cat food and give meal worms for treats.

Lucy after her bath.

Handling can be a little tricky with hedgehogs, especially a grumpy one. They will roll into a ball with the intentions of not coming out, and pop, hiss trying to scare you off. When this happens, I just scoop them up into a Cozy Sak, and let them sit in my lap. This is a great way to bond, just letting them sit with me while I watch TV or read. They get use to my scent plus realize I'm not a threat, then they will unroll. My son's hedgehog, Spike, has always been easy to handle and tolerates just about anything. If fact he's so docile, we take him to the nursing home for visits. He's always willing to let others pet him. Now my hedgehog, Lucy, was a different story. I didn't think she was ever going to get use to us and let us play with her. But with much persistence, she has become a lap hedgehog, just sitting for hours enjoying our company.

Lucy enjoying a meal worm.

I fell in love with hedgehogs about 10 years ago. We seen some for sale at a flea market in Alabama. I am particular about having knowledge of an animal before purchasing, so when I got home I did some researching. I'm thankful I did too because we lived in Georgia and they were and still are illegal there. About this time last year, I started looking for my son, Aaron, a birthday present. His bearded dragon had died recently and he is an animal lover like myself, so I started researching different pets. Aaron has a lot of allergies, so I had to be finicky about my choice. I knew he would be happy with any one I chose. I finally narrowed it down to a hedgehog or ferret. I had been around ferrets before and wasn't particular thrilled about their odor. The more I found out about hedgehogs, the more I knew what pet he would get. As his birthday approached, I started to panic because most breeders had waiting list. I finally found a breeder who had 1 male that was 8wks old, so we drove 4 hours (that's 1 way) to pick up our little spikey bundle. I fell in love with Spike and decided that I wanted one too. I called the breeder we got Spike from and he was going to have another litter ready in March, so I got on the waiting list. I ended up with a female, my little fat Lucy. Our relationship was  tough at first, but now she is my little lap buddy.

Lucy stretched out in Aaron's lap.

I would now like to introduce you to my two new babies. Yes, I said 2. I couldn't choose, so I got both. These sisters were born September 1st.

This little cutie is Angel. She is an albino with pink eyes. She is a little moody. I will have to be persistent with her and spend lots of quality TV time.

This one I named Annabelle. I got the name from a children's book about a hedgehog. She is a little sweetie, but you doesn't do mornings.

If your considering one of these adorable creatures please read all the information you can find. Not all animals are perfect for everyone. Hedgehog Central is my favorite site with a wealth of information.

Product Review: Hair Bow

I'm always purchasing different items, so I thought it would be a good idea to share my thoughts on my purchases. And what better place to share my opinion than my blog...

There is this wonderful young lady at my church who has the most beautiful blond curly hair. In order to keep it out of her face, she pulls it back on one side with a hair bow. I don't think I have ever seen her with out one and it always matches her outfit. I also know that her favorite animal is giraffes. When I was creating a treasury on Etsy, I came across this adorable giraffe hair bow by Mommy's Little Princess. So I texted her mom to see if she had one, the answer was no. I had to order this bow for her.

My package was shipped quickly, coming to my house within the week. When I opened the package two small items wrapped in pink tissue came out.

I opened one which contained the bow I ordered and a business card. The bow was well made and secure on the clip. It is a good size too, not too bulky or over-powering.

The second package contained a free gift, a small felt flower barrette. It is cute and well made also. I appreciate the free gift, but it is too "little girly" for the young lady who is 17 years old. Fortunately, she has a little sister who is 5 years old, so I passed the gift along. I also gave her the business card since she may want to purchase more bows.

This purchase was a pleasant experience and I would purchase from again...if I had girls.

Favorite 5 Friday: January Garnet

One of my favorite pastimes is browsing Etsy. It's not only a wonderful way to find a fabulous gift or to get inspiration, but also to mingle with like-minded individuals.


I will be promoting (blog, Etsy, Twitter) my "Favorite 5" every Friday, so contact me if you would like me to check out your items. Tell me what you think about these items or share some of your favorites...


Find something you want, just click on the name. Please take time to visit these shops to see all their awesome items.


I wanted my theme this week to be the birthstone of January which is the garnet.


I love these bohemian earrings with garnet red stones.
Earrings


This is a lovely garnet scarf. It looks so soft.
Scarf


This necklace would make a wonderful gift for Valentine's Day.
Necklace


I simple love this garnet butterfly hair clip.
Hair Clip


I have a piece vintage carnival bowl similar to this one. It's beautiful under the light.
Vintage Bowl

In His Word Wednesday: Colossian 1:9-12; Part 7

We often drop to our knees with a petition to God. A lot of the times it's just to roll our burdens upon God. There is much more to prayer than a passionate plea for God to intervene. Paul often spoke intriguing prayers. We find one of them in Colossians 1:9-12:

(9)For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
(10)that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
(11)strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and long suffering with joy;
(12)giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.


In this prayer, Paul covers 7 areas of our lives that needs a daily touch of God. We have reached the last part the Paul's prayer in this wonderful prayer. 


The last part of Paul's prayer that I want to discuss is in verse 12. It says "giving thanks to the Father." Let's take time out of our busy lives to give thanks to Him for not only the large things or things that we need (our salvation, health, family, food to eat, etc.), but also the little everyday things that may slip our minds or luxuries that we have (a soft bed to sleep in, the ability to walk to the mailbox, that special  pet that makes you smile, the new tech gadget, etc.) Our love for Him should run so deep that we can't help but give glory and honor to Him, and thank Him graciously.


I have truly fell in love with this prayer. I have two sons, ages 19 and 11, that I have started praying this prayer over them. I mean who wouldn't want these things for their children or loved ones? 


I hope you have enjoyed this series as much as I have. I have truly enjoyed reading your comments. I praying blessings to each of you in 2012. 


I love this song...turn up your volume and enjoy.

Dogs Don't Come Fully Trained

Before I get into the meat of my article I would like to remind everyone that owning a dog is a big responsibility and a privilege. Our responsibility to care for our precious pooch includes the cost of food and veterinarian care, and the time spent training, exercising, and giving attention. Once one has committed to doing these for their dog, their return will be a wonderful, loyal, family dog that IS a privilege to own.

Picture from FunnyDogSite


Research Before Purchase
First rule of thumb, resist impulse purchases, especially when it is a pet! It is so easy to see an adorable puppy  (or any animal for that fact) and want one for yourself or your loved one. It's also easy to see a very well trained dog and think, "I want one of those dogs," not considering the time and dedication it took to train the dog or the characteristics of his breed. I'm here to tell you, not all dogs are good for every family. Dogs are categorized into 7 groups; hound, herding, non-sporting, sporting, terrier, toy, and working. Although the dogs in each group have similar traits, each still have differences that have to be considered. It is cruel to keep a herding or terrier dog confined when they need lots of interaction and exercise. Do not choose a "needy" (meaning needs a lot of attention), if you spend a most of your day at work. Instead choose a laid-back, content to sleep-the-day-away breed. That might mean that you you will not get that cute little dog you seen on TV, but you will be much happier in the long run. I am all about research when considering the purchase of a pet, and I want to know what I can mostly expect from the pet I get. Yes, I do know that not all dogs, even ones of the same breed, are going to be the same. But in training, same breeds can be trained similarly. If you do not want to search the AKC for the right breed for your, try this Dog Breed Survey to find the right breed for you.

Picture from FunnyDogSite

Honestly Consider Your Commitment Level
I am all for adopting a dog from the pound. I know the number of dogs in shelters far exceeds the number of families. But I also know that most of those dogs are mostly mixed breeds and/or pure bred that has some severe baggage. This is where it is time to honestly consider your commitment level. Sometimes the breeds of a mix can be seen clearly, other times not. If I adopt a Basset/Labrador mix, how will I know if it will be easy to train like a Lab or difficult like a Basset? I may be willing to commit to train a Lab, but get easily frustrated training a Basset. Also, most pure bred dogs found at the shelter have been neglected or abused, and require a lot more training than if they were gotten as a pup because of their emotional scarring. Are you willing to spend that extra time? I am not saying that a good dog can not be adopted, whether mixed or pure bred, because I have had a few. What I am saying is that the dog you adopt may require more of a commitment than your willing to give, which leads to an unhappy relationship. On the other side, purchasing a dog requires the same, if not more, of a commitment. Once you have narrowed your breed down, the time it takes to find a good, reputable breeder is a commitment in itself.

Picture from FunnyDogSite

Training Begins At Hello
The moment you have your dog in your hands, training begins. Your dog or puppy did not come knowing what you expect of him, so training must begin immediately. Important training fact to remember: dogs do not have the understanding capacity of "why can't I do it now, when they let me do it before?" If you do not want your dog riding in your lap later when it is 100lbs, do not let it ride in your lap when it is a puppy. Show your pup that you expect it to sit in a crate or harnessed in the back seat from the beginning. Yes, it may whine, howl, or bark, but this is how it will learn what is expected of it. The same theory goes for gnawing on your hands, jumping up on you or the furniture, licking you in the face, chewing up household items, using the bathroom in the house...the list could go on forever. If you do not know how to train your dog, invest in a good dog training book (preferably before you get the dog), and/or enter your dog in obedience classes. I know Petsmart offers basic training classes at just about all their facilities. You can also go to the Association of Pet Dog Trainers to find a trainer in your area.

Picture from FunnyDogSite

In All Seriousness
Dogs are a commitment that can last 10-15 years. Dogs are not disposable. They are a part of your family. They not only deserve your love and care, but your respect. With the right care and training, your dog will become an awesome member of your family. A member of your family that you will thank God for.