Chocolate.

Sometimes the only answer to any question asked is chocolate. Would you like to go out? Chocolate.
Should I clean the basement or go for a walk? Chocolate. You catch my drift.
I'm reading through the book, "One Word that will change your life"*  by Jon Gordon, Dan Britton and Jimmy Page (yup, three guys to write one teeny tiny little book-) with my hubby (well he's reading it to me- cause that's my favourite). We just started. It has been a crazy beginning to the year, and I feel like I'm behind already and we've barely just begun. But today I plan to take some time to look inward and quiet myself. If I had to guess at this exact moment what my word would be, I'm going to go with Chocolate.  It's just that kind of day :)

So in honour of Chocolate that magical concoction unearthed by the Mayans and perfected by the Swiss, this one's for you!

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M.

*embedded link to amazon.com up there :) 

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Z is for Zebra Speed Painting Video

Are we connected on Facebook? If not, you can click >>  here << and we can hang out there too. I tend to post a few thing there that don't ever make it to the blog... one of my favourite things to post, are little sneak peeks into how I create my graphics.

This little "Z is for Zebra" Print is up on my Etsy Shop, but I wanted to share how he got created :) 

Hope you enjoy!

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M.

(PS. it has music, so you might want to turn your speakers down a little...)

Body Break! Take A Break from Society.

Do you remember Hal and Johanne, who used to do Body Break! in the 80's. If you aren't sure what Body Break is, i'm sure you can youtube it, but it was a minute or so commercial on tv that taught you something healthy, this was just at the beginning of the health craze that has since taken over every aspect of our lives. Oh my goodness... it is crazy.

Anyway this year the hubby and I decided to make changes that makes our body's happy, for me, that means playing squash, throw in some weight lifting and the elliptical/treadmill, about 4-6 times a week (when I am not injured from falling off said treadmill). Now, let's be clear here, this body is made for comfort not for speed... I'm  built more like a Cadillac than a F1 race car, and I'm ok with that. But I also know that air plane seats are getting smaller as they try to pack more of us on a flight than every before. So on that note, I want to make sure I fit nicely into a seat for our long (long, long, long) flight to Uganda this fall. Duy and I also talked a lot about living a long time, apparently I feel like I'm going to live forever and Duy, well he is happy with his biblical allotment 70 years or so. Me- I scream and balk at the idea of only having 70 years. I have way too much to do, and so much to give that I just don't think one lifetime will be enough- but I digress...

We are soul/spirit beings that are housed in beautiful bodies that come in all shapes, sizes and colours... Make sure you don't judge yourself on your package... the gift lies within. In our society it is hard not to be hard on ourselves. I just want to remind you- be kind to you, take care of you, and love you. You are a miracle and you are here for a purpose, whatever that may be... you are awesome. 

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M.

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Fat Tuesday or Cat Tuesday?

Is today Fat Tuesday? or Cat Tuesday? the cat totally won.

I don't have a cat, but for those of you who do, I know you love them as much if not more than I love my Timothy the Dog. Also I believe If I were an animal, my preferred lifestyle is that of a cat, or a bear. Cats always find the sunniest spots for napping... and bears, well they eat all summer and sleep all winter... So Maybe I'm a CatBear.  :)

Anyway Happy Shrove Tuesday!
If you haven't seen my Lent Calendars, perfect to start tomorrow!
Check them out here >> LENT CALENDAR <<

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M.

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All Good Things...

All good things are wild + free.

Sometimes I feel the only thing about me that is wild and free is the peach fuzz that may or may not be residing on my upper lip. Oh but I do dream. But is Wild and Free actually a reality? Can we ever be truly free? free to just up and go, and if so, where?

I don't really think we can ever be truly free... but can our spirits be wild and free? Can we have our head in the clouds and our feet on the ground? We are bound by family ties, monetary ties, jobs, memories, dreams, goals, life in general, and for me- Timothy the Dog. Is that a bad thing? No... being tied to things in life is not bad- those are the things, I feel, will be most important in our lives - I mean not my mortgage payment, but my home, the place we laughed, loved and grew.

So what are some of the things that keep you from being totally wild and free and you are so grateful for? I definitely have a a few...

Share the love,
M.

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How Much Wood, Would a Woodchuck... donate. Just $1!

I am in full force up and running with my new "Dollar Donate to Download" campaign. I've always had a donate button, and I really appreciate those who have donated... I also know that donating maybe just a buck, feels insignificant sometimes- but it is not, every dollar counts.  So in order for everyone to feel at ease, (and me too, because sometimes when people ask for a donation, I give nothing instead of just giving a dollar,  because I feel like it's not big enough- But it is. I am asking for a dollar a download, no more... just 1 dollar. And I myself have made a commitment from now on, if I can only give a dollar when someone asks me for a donation, I will give that dollar, because every dollar counts. I didn't realize the truth behind that until I started this journey of Living Life On Purpose. 

And yes I am shamelessly promoting this, because the funds do not go to me... they go to children whose smiling faces flood my dreams at night. They are going to children I cannot wait to meet, to play with, to hear their stories, to share my art, and to open my heart too. I am overwhelmed with love for these little people I have never met.

We are working on our wish list for larger donations, at the moment we would love to take soccer balls and air pumps, as well as some badminton equipment and a few more things. I might also looking for a sponsor who would like to join with me to create t-shirts for all of the children (I know I will be working up until the day we leave) there are 73 children (!).

Along this journey or preparing, my commitment to you, is that I will continue to create great quality art and prints that I would be proud to display in my own home, and I would be proud for you to display in your home as well. If you have any scriptures, or sayings, that you'd like to see in a print, please let me know! I'd love to see what I can come up with... Let's Create Together!

But for now, I will leave you with another sweet Woodchuck, because I think I love them! and how much wood, would he chuck? that is always the question, and my response remains the same- no idea.

Share the love,
M.

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Wood You Be Mine?

"WOOD you be mine?" said the woodchuck.
"I wood, I wood, I wood!" said I.

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M.

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I like you a latte.

I'm in the middle of drinking my coffee, and I'm so excited that Starbucks (I know, not the best coffee in the world, but not the worst either... trust me, I've had a lot of coffee... in a lot of different places...) will be adding Coconut Milk to their line up of non-dairy milk substitutes, which means I'll be able to have a latte - which means I'm extra excited. Which means this happened.

And to think, just in time for Valentine's Day.
Oh, I do like you a Latte!
From me to you!
Share the love,
M.

Remember if you like these prints, please Donate to our Living Life On Purpose 2015 Journey. We are super excited and honoured that you would help us give to this orphanage. Our tickets are bought and we are now raising funds to leave directly at the orphanage to build more buildings, buy more books, plant more food, make/buy clothing etc. Share the love. Every dollar counts. 

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Simple.

Sometimes simple is best.
Be Mine.

Share the love,
M.

If you are into Project Life Journaling, be sure to check out my new JUMBO LOVE collection on Etsy.

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Firework.

It's crazy how a few words in one song can really change your perspective.

You're a Firework.

You are a one of a kind spark of energy and light that can do anything. 
Anything. Period. 
If you think it, and believe it, you can achieve it. 
You're a Firework. 
And don't you forget it!

So what are you doing?
Share the love,
M.

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Welcome to the GongShow. Make it Happen, Mama Said.

I love the saying "Make it Happen" - I am of the belief that you can change your world by doing something... anything, a teeny tiny step can be the beginning of a huge change... and then today started!

Here is a rundown of our morning:

a. Woke up this morning to Timothy the Dog crying (this makes me so nervous, a few days ago I was falling asleep and the last thing I said to my hubby was... I'm scared that something will happen to Timothy.) (Insert emoticon with HUGE eyes and gaping open mouth.)

b. Today was suppose to be my first day back to the gym... I've been off for 2 weeks due to an injury- I'm finally feeling 96% and I was all game to head back, because the sooner I start slowly working out, the sooner I get to be on the squash court. (I love squash!) But because Timothy was in pain, I decided to stay home with him... and that is ok with me, I love him.

c. The car wouldn't start, so no problem, it has a new battery, so we will just boost it from my little car, perfect. Not perfect. wouldn't start. Ok, no worries, Hubby decides to take my little car. Um, not today,  my little car now refused to start.

d. My Mom called. She is so full of wisdom and kindness and will never ever skimp on time and effort when a prayer for peace is needed... Thank God for praying moms.  At the end of our conversation she started singing this song to me, she said "Miss, sing this to yourself a few times today... cause tomorrow will be different".  Yup, she is the best.

So, today we have a choice, what kind of day are you having? are you having a MAKE IT HAPPEN kind of day? or are you having a MAMA SAID THERE'LL BE DAYS LIKE THIS day?

I'm kinda chuckling about today, it seems so off, yet it is all part of life- just a little tiny piece of it. Are things going wrong? Yup. Will I survive? Yup. Will tomorrow be different? Yup. Will this afternoon be different? Yup.

Am I going to make it happen? Yup. Did Mama tell me there'll be days like this? Yup.

Share the love,
M.

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Monday Morning Meditation.

I am meditating on the words to this song today...

So much goodness, so much truth.

Come out of sadness from wherever you’ve been
Come broken hearted let rescue begin
Come find your mercy, Oh sinner come kneel

Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t heal
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t heal

So lay down your burdens, lay down your shame
All who are broken, lift up your face
Oh wanderer come home, You’re not too far
So lay down your hurt, lay down your heart
Come as you are

There’s hope for the hopeless
And all those who’ve strayed
Come sit at the table
Come taste the grace
There’s rest for the weary
Rest that endures
Earth has no sorrow
That Heaven can’t cure

Come as you are
Fall in His arms, come as you are

There’s joy for the morning, Oh sinner be still
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t heal
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t heal

Share the love,

M.

To watch video of this beautiful song click here :)

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Happy February!

It's a new month, a Fresh Start!
Happy February!

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M.

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