Day Three. Saturday Switch

   I'm back! Today is Saturday, and it's time to see who will write today's blog...

   And so my daughter asked me to take over her blog for today.  As I do, I can't help but think back to my seventeenth year and the fact that there were no blogs when I was her age,  I was writing for our school newspaper though and co-editor or our school year book. It makes me happy to think that I have an offspring that enjoys wordsmithing. 
   As the mother of a newborn, I had intentions to pass along so many things to my innocent little girl.  I wanted to save my daughter from making the same mistakes that I had made in my life.  I wanted to give her a boost up in her relationship with the Lord.  I didn't want her to have to begin from the ground floor and climb over many obstacles.
   The last few years, I have come to realize that while it is a parental responsibility to lead their children to Christ and prepare them to launch into the world with a Christian worldview, there are things that we cannot do for our children, no matter how much we wish that we could.  There is much to be learned in the struggle to know Christ better.  And it is an individual relationship that Christ desires with each of us.  Each rung achieved by a young person in their ascent to be closer to the will of her Heavenly Father is a well deserved accomplishment.  Because it is a personal victory, it is one on which she can firmly stand.  It gives her strength for the climb to the next rung.
   And so as I read my daughter's blog, I have great joy when she speaks of things that encourage her along her path and I prayerfully cheer her along.  When she she writes of her interests and passions I appreciate her uniqueness and am glad to know that she is not a carbon copy of her mother.  She will leave her own mark on the world and build up the kingdom of God from an angle that is not mine.  But I have to admit that there is something satisfying about knowing that the talent and enjoyment of writing have passed on to another generation!


    AWWWW! So, that's my Mom's post for today. TUNE IN TOMORROW to see the next post! ~Promise

Day Two. Freestyle Friday

   Heyyy all the people...I'm back. Today I'm trying to figure out just what I'm going to post. I'm not sure how you feel about artwork, but I really enjoy looking at people's art. I love to analyze their style, and draw from the things that I like. Sometimes I'll start picking up bits and pieces of other artwork and melding it into my style. Actually, I think that's what all artists do. Anyway, let's get to the post.
   Today, I'd like to show you what I'd call 'my style.' Firstly, you need to know that I'm in no way a serious artist, nor do I claim to be, but I do draw and paint quite a bit. The other thing you need to know is that I don't really have one set style. I draw whatever I feel like. However, I do tend to have elements about my drawings that stay the same. Here are a few examples. 


1. I tend to put the most emphasis on the eyes. Eyes are hands down, my favorite feature. They can convey such emotion without saying a word. The way I draw eyes tends to follow a few patterns. Usually I don't add highlight to the pupil and forego the iris, I make the eye lines thick and defined, and I add a lid above the eyes. Even in simple drawings, I like to add the most detail to eyes. I like the look of a simple frame, face, and hair, and then you see defined eyes. I'll add examples below.

2. I like to try to my drawings show feeling. Strangely enough, I'm enamored by drawing tears and people with a strong emotional feel tied to them. Now, this doesn't always apply. When I'm sketching fashion ideas, I tend to give the characters no emotion, because it's not them that I'm focusing on, it's the fashion. I do have drawings of Kat, Kathryn, or Grace in which they're modeling fashion, but I give them some sort of feeling in their faces. If I'm drawing a person I know, I tend to show them with a mood or emotion that I associate them with, like my friend Kat. When I draw her, she usually looks confident and a little fierce, because that's how I see her most of the time. Grace tends to look sweet and quirky, and Kathryn looks polished and more serious. Example below.

3. I like to mix strong, harsh lines with softness. My style is a mix of a strong graphic, like a comic book, with softness, like flowing hair or a sweeping gown. I like the contrast. If I'm drawing a girl with sharp, strong eyes, then I often add soft tendrils of hair that frame her face. It's kind of a balance.  But, like always, this doesn't apply to every drawing. Like if the character I'm drawing is strong, I'm not going to overly soften the image, because I want them to stand out in the picture as who they are. I hope this makes sense. It's hard to explain it. Example below.

   Anyhow, I hope this a little interesting... See y'all tomorrow! ~Promise

Day One! Trim Thursday

    As I begin writing this, my SECOND blog post of the day, I wonder to myself, "What have I gotten myself into?" Too late now...Anyway! Food! The real reason you're reading this.

    Cauliflower Fried Rice

   This has quickly become one of my favorite foods, and it's way fewer carbs than actual rice. This makes a family sized portion of the faux rice.

Software: a wok or large pan, food processor, knife, chopping board
  
Ingredients:

1 head cauliflower
   
   1/2 cup coconut oil

   2 eggs

   pinch of garlic power, salt and pepper

   squirt of liquid aminos (optional, I never use this)

Directions:

   Chunk the cauliflower and put it into a food processor and chop until the the bits are about rice sized. Don't let it get too small or it will get mushy as you cook it. Next, put the coconut oil into the wok or large pan and turn the heat to medium/low, then add the cauliflower. Let it cook until you start to see dark flecks, then add the seasonings and crack the eggs into the cauliflower. Stir around until the eggs pieces are firm and well combined with everything else. Serve!


I hope you'll enjoy trying this, it's tasty, and a good way to get veggies into your diet.


See you
 

The Plan ~Promise's Daily Blog

   Well...Here we go. This should be interesting.

   I figured for my first post, I'd set up the structure for this, so here's the plan.

   Makeup Monday ~ Mondays I'll post something beauty related, like a tutorial or just some tips. I might even do a few product reviews.

   Tuesday Tunes ~ Keeping this one the same.

   Wednesday Watching ~ This will be about what I'm watching, be it YouTube or Netflix, and why I like it.

   Trim Thursdays ~ This day I'll post healthy recipes.

   Freestyle Friday ~ Clearly, I'm running out of ideas for alliteration for post days...Friday will be whatever I'm up to. Art, games, fashion, rant, lists, poetry, who knows? This will be my day to chill and just post whatever is on my mind.

   Saturday Swap ~ This day I'll be pawning off my blog to some poor human that I've dragged into this madhouse. ;) My sibling worded this so attractively. I thought it'd be fun to have a guest star on the blog.

   Sunday Devotion ~ This is pretty self-explanatory. Sundays I post some thoughts and maybe a scripture verse of two.

   Well, here we go...For the next 30 days, this is the blog. I hope you will enjoy this as much as I will!

   See you next post (which I'll be starting in like...2 minutes)

   ~Promise

Tuesday Tunes with Relient K / Should I do a Daily Blog?

   Hey people! Today I have a song from a band that I post about a lot. SORRY not sorry. Yes, my favorite band, Relient K! The song 'Prodigal' is so beautiful. If you sit and listen to the words...Wow. Pretty deep, eh? My favorite lyrics are 'Wish it was simple but it's trouble to say, 'cause nobody believes there's a debt to be payed for the things that come day after day, week after week...' Truth is, we're all prodigals because we're all sinners. That's not easy to 'fess up to, especially for a perfectionist like myself, but when we lay down our pride and come to Jesus as the broken, confused children we are, he welcomes us home and helps us back onto the right path. When you think about it, that what the majority of life is, failing and going to Jesus and starting fresh.
   So, I've been thinking it over, and I'm thinking I might try doing a daily blog for a week or a month. What do you think? I'm admittedly stealing the idea from Kelli Taylor, but I feel like it might be fun, and doing a post everyday might give me an idea as to what I like to post and such. Let me know if you like this idea, and or have ideas for posts. See you soon! ~Promise

Bleh.

   Do you ever just feel 'bleh?'

    'Bleh' is a moody, sluggish, sad kinda feeling we all get from time to time. My week's been 'bleh,' and I'm tired of it, so today I've got five ideas on how to beat 'bleh.'

1. Cook something. Now, this could just be personal, but there's something happy about working in a warm kitchen, surrounded by spices and herbs, and busily mixing ingredients in a bowl. It always seems to lift my spirits, especially when combined with-

2. Music. Music has a special power to influence your over all mood. Personally, I like to blast my Relient K play list on Spotify. They've got a song for everything! Feeling glum about school? Play College kids! Feeling blue about growing up and responsibilities? Play Forward Motion! Just get some positive music playing and-

3. Dance! You don't have to be good at it, I know I'm not. Physical activity releases endorphins in your brain that help to put you in better mood. You may not feel like it, but it should help. You don't even have to dance, any movement helps. After your workout you can-

4. Relax with Essential oils. I love essential oils, especially lavender and tea tree. You can use lemon or peppermint to help you feel energized, lavender to soothe, or bergamot to uplift. Whatever oil that makes you feel happy or relaxes you will help, I know it helps me. Finally, you can-

5. .....Eat Chocolate. Yeah, we women figured out this cure long ago. Eating chocolate creates feelings of well being in your brain, just don't go eating a pound of it. Dark chocolate's better because it has less sugar, and personally, I prefer it to milk. It just tastes more chocolatey to me.

   Well, I hope this helps you out, what do you do to feel happier? Leave me your tips below! ~Promise

Tuesday Tunes on 'Breakthrough'

   So lately, life's not been the best for my family. We have some hard situations going on and generalized stress. I happened upon this song on Britt Nicole's CD 'Gold.' Breakthrough is a great song. I love her use of metaphor in the lyrics 'I've been trying to soar with my hands tied up and my feet held to the floor.' It was such a captivating picture in my mind that I hand to try to draw it. I'm still working on it, but when it's done, I can post the final product on here if you want.

Hope you enjoy! ~Promise