Packing Tips:

~C~

Hi! I hope everyone is having a good week and had a great Easter! Today I thought I would share some packing tips that I have kind of made up. But they work really well!! So here we go!

If you know me you know that I LOVE packing! I don't know why but I do. Anyway, I make a packing list just about wherever I to stay somewhere. Ok, that might be a little over organized but I like to make lists. Haha! So if you seem to always forget what you want to take or just forget to put something in your bag.... a check list might be helpful for you. For me I get really excited about going and usually make my packing list two weeks ahead of time print it off and then... Of course forget where I put it but usually remember everything on it. But just to be sure I make another one about three days before we leave.

If it's a big trip and I'm going to be gone about a week then I start packing or pulling my stuff out about three days before. If we're only going to be gone a couple of days I just pack the day before I leave. I would suggest that you pull everything that you are going to be taking (clothes, shoes, socks, jackets, coats, ect.) out and lay the stuff on your bed or near your bed that way you have everything in one central location and don't have to go running around your room or house to find everything. Or thing you're absolutely finished with your suitcase, zip it up and then remember "Oh! I didn't put shoes in there!" Pull it back out and try to find room,to cram them in. (I've done that way to many times!!) If you're going to do a lot of walking take comfortable shoes!

I would also check the weather before packing your clothes. I'm sure that is something most everyone does but just in case... It's very helpful!

It's also helpful to check how long you're flight, train ride or car ride will be. If it's a long ride wear comfortable clothes! If you are going on a plain check for thing you can and can't take! If you're going out of the country check the date on your passport. In some countries if your passport expires in six months they won't let you in. So to be on the safe side make sure it expires in over six months.

When I am going on a trip I always try to take snacks, If I get hungry and don't eat I can get weak. So I always try to have something to snack on to keep the hunger at bay. (Peanuts, almonds, cashews, ect.) But remember if you're going to museums some of them might not allow food/water.

Take lots of pictures! I personally always take my camera on trips. I'm sure most people do, but it's so fun to look back on the pictures!

Be sure to pick a hotel that you will be comfortable in and that meets what you will need during you stay. But also make sure you stay within your budget. :)

Most importantly HAVE FUN!!!!!

So in summery:

• Make a packing list if you need one or just want to (for me I just want to I don't necessarily need one)  
• Pull your clothes out so you don't have to chase them down 
• Pack comfortable shoes
• Check the weather of where you will be going and pack accordingly
• How long is the ride? (car, train, plane) 
• CHECK THE DATE ON YOU'RE PASSPORT! 
• Snacks (crackers, nuts, ect.) 
•  Take pictures! 
• Pick a hotel that will be comfortable for you. But don't brake your budget.
• MOST IMPORTANTLY HAVE FUN!!!!!! 

I  hope you have enjoyed this weeks blog post! See ya next time!
~C~

Favorite Board/Card Games

Hey Everyone!! It's ~O~ here! This week I thought I'd share with you my favorite board/card games!!

So.....I enjoy playing card wise:

Phase 10


Russian Rummy (A twist on Phase 10)


Racko


Apples to Apples:


Swish


And for board games....I enjoy:

Monopoly


Battleships


Thank you for viewing my blog post! Have a blessed week!

Easter Cookies:

Hi y'all! I hope you're having a great week! It been super nice outside where I live recently! Anyway, I personally love to cook and bake!! I decided that since it's near Easter I would post an Easter cookie recipe! I hope you enjoy!!


You need:

• 1 cup whole pecans
• Mixing bowl
• 3 egg whites
• Wooden spoon
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. vinegar
• Zipper baggy
• 1 pinch of salt
• Wax paper
• Cookie sheet

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Place pecans in the baggy and  beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.

Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Add egg whites to the vinegar. Sprinkle the salt into the bowl. Add 1 cup sugar. Beat with mixer on high speed for 11-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Fold in broken nuts. Drop with a tsp. on to the cookie sheet with wax paper.

Put cookies sheet in the oven. Close door and turn oven OFF.  Leave cookies in the oven overnight and on Easter Morning give everyone a cookie. 

Enjoy!! 

(There are other recipes out there but this is just the one we use.) 

My Story Of Playing Harp

So, I wanted to share with everyone the (long) journey of finding a harp and a harp teacher!!

So I always attend FASA (Fine Arts Summer Academy) and one of the harpist there had always inspired me to play harp and I literally thought..."I'm never going to be able to play such a big and hard instrument!"

One day I told my mom "I really want to play harp one day." and she said "Ok." So, we prayed for over a year for a harp teacher where I live (we live in a small town).  I continued waiting and then it was time for FASA and I was able to have a private lesson with the harpist. That made my motivation level to play harp go WAYYYY UP! Haha!

So, after another whole year of praying and looking.....we found a harp teacher!! PRAISE THE LORD! I met with her and she was super sweet and was amazing at harp!

Now the search for a student rental harp...they are so expensive to rent so the search was on....and the Lord was good and ended up sending a lever rental harp that was in pretty good condition...for a good price!! Harp was SO much fun! I was progressing and enjoyed it lots! Then....I needed a bigger and nicer harp!

So, here we go again praying and looking! We looked for about 5 months.....and I saw many beautiful ones that were WAY too expensive or too far away.  I finally find two good priced harps about 5 hours away! Yay! Well, have you ever heard the saying "Its too goof to be true?" that was the case for me....yes, they sold the week before we were planning to go and look at them!

Theres still hope....one more about 4 hours away!! It again sold two days before we were going to look at it.....so now im pretty upset! So the plan for this trip is to look and learn more about harps....not buy one.

We arrive at the harp center and low and behold a used pedal harp (the kind I needed) for a good price and almost brand new sits there. Im speechless....we ended up buying it the next day! Im so thankful for my parents and mostly to God who made this harp playing dream possible!

Thank you for reading today's post! God Bless You!

(I haven't had time to download pictures of the harp....but here's the same model!)

March Monthly Post

Hello Everyone! Hope you are all doing great! Hope you enjoy the March monthly post!!

Chapter 6~

 Vivian’s POV~

Oh my goodness! So much has happened lately! Natalie, Taylor and I are ALL expecting at the same time! On top of that, David is recovering from his broken arm and Nicole will be turning 5 this month! WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE??? I remember when my sweet Nicole was first born! Now, I have 3 precious kids and 1 on the way! I am a blessed lady! Taylor and I need to think of  some ideas for our “Baby Announcement Party!” I’m trying to think of some ideas….I should call Taylor because she is the most crafty person I know!

Taylor’s POV~

Wow! I can’t believe that Vivian and I’s due date are only 1 week apart! It’s so fun being pregnant at the same time as your sister! We are both 3 months along now! Next month we find out genders! Ahhhhhh!! I can’t wait till our precious babies make their way into the world! I wonder if Vivian has any plans made for our “Baby Announcement Party?” I know I do!! Haha! A WHOLE list!

 Vivian (Calling Taylor): “Hello!”

Taylor: “Hey Viv!! How are you feeling today?”

Vivian: “Great! What about you?”

Taylor: “Good!”

Vivian: “I was just calling to see if you have any ideas on our “Baby Announcement Party?”

Taylor: “Yes! I do have quite a few things in mind!”

Vivian: “Awesome! I knew you would have some good ideas! Unlike me! Haha!”

Taylor: “Well…we could pick up some shirts that can announce the newest additions!”

Vivian: “That’s such a cute idea! I love it! We can have the family over for dinner this coming Saturday!”

Taylor: “Thanks! And…let me check my calendar really quick to make sure I’m free this Saturday! Yes! I don’t have anything!” 

Vivian: “Okay! Sounds like a plan! How about 6:00?”

Taylor: “That’s great! Do you want to have it at your house or mine?”

Vivian: “I would be happy to host it at my house! The kids always like having company over!”

Taylor: “Ok, sounds great!”

Vivian: “Love you! Bye!”

Taylor: “Love you too!! See you soon!