“The Vision that you glorify in your mind, the Ideal that you enthrone in your heart-this you will build your life by, this you will become.”
James Allen (1864-1912)
The above principle, which others have called “The Secret” or the “Law of Attraction,” was clearly stated for the first time in “As a Man Thinketh” by James Allen.
In “As a Man Thinketh,” James Allen reveals how our thoughts determine reality. Whether we are conscious of it or not, our underlying beliefs shape our character, our appearance and health, our circumstances, and our destinies. Allen teaches us how we can master our thoughts to create the life we want.
My advice is this simple: Buy it, read it, live it, love it.
Aren’t books the most incredible gift? I mean, to me, it’s like finding an immediate, soul mate to explore the planet with. The best part is that you have no real idea where you’ll end up with a new one at your side.
“Little Felted Animals” is going to teach me how to make–ahhh—well, little felted animals. Doesn’t that kitten look positively real? I’ve always wanted to try felting. I don’t even really know what it is–but I’m going to learn. My creatures may end up looking more like SpongeBob than animals, but I’m excited to give it a try. If it ends up really scary–well, then–we’ll have some new crafts for Halloween. har har.
I’ll let you know how it goes.
Here we have “Celebrating Cookies.” Now I ask you…who can resist a title like that? The best part about this book is that each recipe has a full page photo of the cookie–like the cover–so you know way before you start if it’s something you want to eat. Pretty sure, if it’s a cookie in any form, I want to eat it. But I still like to have a picture first. Good things coming from this place soon. Mmmmm….
The Bald Kid and April’s Jacob both got a large package of Paracord (really strong, kinda pretty rope) for Christmas to make some survival gear with. When I saw all the colors that this stuff came in, my creative juices started flowing and before I knew it, I’d–ahem–accidentally pushed the Amazon 1-click button and had to give “Decorative Knots” to myself for Christmas. It looks fun and has projects in it that–again–I’m quite certain you’ll see in the next few weeks.
But before I can get too carried away with my new treasures, I’ve got to get better acquainted with an old, dear friend. Remember our family book club? Well, it’s still going along nicely–with the exception of the slow poke, that everyone has to wait for. I love to read– really I do. But the problem is, I’m usually in the middle of about 8 books at one time and so it is…slow going. But this one, along with “Simple Abundance” that a few of us are reading again this year–are just the motivation I need to get all my little duckies lined up and heading in the right direction.
After all, any journey is better when walking with a friend.
What about you? Did you get any “literary companions” for Christmas this year?
If you’re curious about the “Simple Abundance” adventure–grab a copy here and read with us.
Oh, I couldn’t help myself–I had to show you this cute little thing.
Twenty-four origami envelopes–each with a different family friendly activity to do sometime during the day before bedtime. You’ll want to start out by making a list of things you and the kids would love to do as a family–then pick your favorite 24.
Next, write one activity on a sheet of origami paper–or Christmas scrapbook paper then, fold each paper into a cute little envelope. I’ve included an Origami Envelope Tutorial in the post below–if you want to use the one that we did.
Each envelope is either numbered or dated–that gives Mom the ability to plan the slightly longer activities on the weekend–and to put the simpler ones on the days when you might have a bit more going on. You might want to plan something really special for Christmas Eve.
Let your kids take turns reading the envelopes each morning. You’ll be surprised at how much fun they’ll have all day long as they look forward to drinking hot chocolate by the Christmas tree, or painting each others toenails.
After all…
so much of Christmas is about anticipation–isn’t it?
Activity Ideas
Read a favorite Christmas picture book—if you love books like us, this one could work for 20 of the activities!
Don’t you just love the book, “A Very Hungry Caterpillar?” It has been one of my favorites since I picked it up in a local bookstore when I was a teenager. This sweet book is 40 years old this year and with celebrations going on world wide–how could we possibly do anything different today other than say, “Wahoo!” for the most famous caterpillar of all time?
If you own the book–now would be a great time to pull it down from the shelf and read it to your kids–no matter how old they are. If you don’t have the book–that’s ok too.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which was published in 1969. Celebrations and activities based on this much-loved book will be held throughout the year in schools and libraries and by readers and friends all around the world. Also, a special edition of the book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Pop-Up Book featuring Eric Carle’s illustrations in a 3-dimensional format, will be available for sale at your local bookstore.
Now, go eat an apple, 2 pears, 3 plums, 4 strawberries, 5 oranges, some chocolate cake, an ice cream cone, a pickle, some Swiss cheese, a slice of salami, a lolipop, a piece of cherry pie, a sausage and a cupcake. If you really want to be a sport–try a leaf for dessert.
Happy Reading!
“A Very Hungry Caterpillar” quilt is from the Springville Art Museum 2009 Quilt Fair.
This week’s food storage prompt is: 1 can tuna, 3 cans mushroom soup
Took a little road trip the other day with some of the kidlets. We visited–and fell in love with so many cute shops along the way. That’s always the best part of adventures like this–the serendipitous goodies that insist on coming home with us.
Found an adorable “bubble” pattern for the baby chickies. That’ll be coming soon.
Discovered some pre-punched baby bibs–one for each baby. All I have to do is trim around them and crochet some scallops or somthing. I’ve never tried it before–so this could get interesting. I’m game. If it’s ugly–I don’t have to show you. ha!
This is a quilt pattern that I’m sure will look so much better in prettier colors. Of course, since I’ve never made a quilt–perhaps it will actually look better if I get someone else to make it. haha
Found these sweet little file folders in the close-out corner in a tiny fabric shop–while I was wandering around…touching stuff.
This is a felt pattern for holiday felting. Sorry the picture is blurry. I’m sure it’s because I was so excited to show this to you–I couldn’t hold still. Don’t you just love Christmas stuff?
This should help with my SQDD. You know…Severe Quilting Dysfunction Disorder. If not–oh well. It was only 50 cents.
Last and certainly best–we found a used bookstore that had a huge 1/2 off sign in the window. Ohhhh…game over. The bald kid and I nearly got lost–never to be seen again. The titles are a bit blurry–camera hands trembling with joy again, no doubt. We found both volumes of “Sherlock Holmes”–by Doyle, “Ruby Holler” by Creech, “Esperanza Rising” by Ryan, “The Dark is Rising” by Cooper, “Peter Pan” (our next Family Book Club Choice) by Barrie, and “The St. Nicholas Anthology,”–by a huge raft of famous writer’s. Summer could be over tomorrow and I’d still be happy. New stuff. Old stuff. Cool stuff.
I’d put it all away, but I just have to leave it stacked up for a while…you know…
James Allen (1864-1912)
As A Man Thinketh by James Allen. Buy it here.
