A recap of the Best Night in Hollywood!

Okay, so in case you live in a cave, or are just too busy to sit down for 5 seconds, the Oscars were last night. And you know what that means!! Dresses!!! You thought I was going to say movies, but we all know what it is really all about! A whole week of talk about the dresses and who wore what best and in some cases, who wore it the worst!
I mean how in the world did Anne Hathaway breathe in that beautiful blue number and how many dresses did she actually wear in a 3 hour span? We could probably feed a few some villages with the money spent on Oscar night, but that is not why we are here!
Let’s talk about the dresses. I for one thought Halle Berry looked outstanding and that Reece Witherspoon looked like a Barbie doll, which is a compliment! Sandra Bullock and Michelle Williams also looked ravishing in their muted ensembles. Helen Mirren always looks so regal and full of grace. Although I think Nicole Kidman is absolutely beautiful, her dress looked a little too futuristic to me! I didn’t really love Scarlett Johansson’s purple dress, but I thought Natalie Portman did a nice job of rocking the eggplant color with her belly bump.
Whatever your taste, it is easy to find something to fall in love with at the Oscar’s, even if it happens to be Matt Damon! If you didn’t have a chance to take it all in, no worries, you can catch up at the Oscar’s website and then sound like a pro when your friends ask if you saw Helen Bonham Carter’s dress, and you say, “It was hideous, but her tattoo was awesome!”

http://oscar.go.com/

MWANGAZA Children’s Choir from Uganda, Africa

I will likely remember this past Sunday for the rest of my life, as it had several high and holy moments. The Mwangaza Children’s Choir from Uganda visited my home church (Hillsdale UMC, Advance, NC) and we will never be the same. The Mwangaza Children’s Choir will return to NC and our area in June.  (see calendar below)

First they participated in worship with our community of faith on Sunday morning. Their joy and energy blessed everyone present. At one point, the praise team at our church invited them to come up on the stage and help lead us in worship.  This was probably the highest and most holy moment I’ve experienced in a long time. 

Sunday night they returned to present a special program to a completely filled house. The children talked about not giving up hope and then one child spoke about how America was founded on God and the Word of God. Then with great enthusiasm, they began to wave the flags and sing American the Beautiful. The harmonies were beautiful, their faces glowed and their smiles lit up the room while tears streamed down my face.

The name of the group Mwangaza, is a Swahili word for “shining light.” They certainly are a shining light and I highly recommend that you visit their website and look for an opportunity to hear them while they are here in the United States. Most importantly, I encourage you to consider donating to ARM. ARM (African Renewal Ministries) helps provide meals, education, health care and more to children in Africa.

More about the MWANGAZA Children’s Choir

MWANGAZA Children’s Choir Calendar

Snacking the Healthy Way!

Spring is on its way and there is no better time like the present to start thinking about summer weather! So an easy way to get yourself on track is to watch your snacking. We all run around all day and say we will eat better, but most of the time, we are so busy we grab the closest food we can find. A lot of times, we do not pick the healthiest choices. Below are a few options to help make your snacking healthier. It is a good idea to go ahead and prepare these snacks ahead of time, so when you are in a hurry and heading out the door, you can grab and go!
• Grapes. Regular grapes can make a healthy snack, and you can also freeze them for a candy-like treat.
• Carrot and celery sticks. These crunchy items not only help satisfy a craving for food, but are healthy for you!
• Sliced tomato. Dress this snack up a little bit of low calorie dressing.
• Apple wedges. You can spread peanut butter on top for protein.
• Broccoli and cauliflower. These vegetables are very healthy and make a super snack between meals.
• Sliced cucumber. Also great with a low calorie vinaigrette.
• Watermelon cubes. A great sweet treat!
• Grape or cherry tomatoes. You can pop a few of these in your mouth when you start to get hungry.
So the next time hunger strikes, you can be prepared with a great snack that is good for you!

Reading any good books?

What are you reading now? Has anything caught your attention and held it? My idea of a good book is a little different from most people.  Currently I am reading Under Her Wings (by Kathy Bence) for the third time. I am reading it with a group of women who meet monthly to discuss the book. It is about wisdom and guidance for everyday living, although the guidance and wisdom comes from women who lived in the 1300’s – 1800’s.

The book includes small portions of the writings of Teresa of Avila, Madame Guyon, Therese of Lisieux, Julian of Norwich and Catherine of Sienna. The insight and wisdom from 500 years ago touches something deep within me (and others) and makes a difference in mine (and others) life today. The author of the book helps the readers understand the ancient writings and apply them to everyday living.

Just a few nuggets from the book:

I began to think of the soul as if it were a castle made of a single diamond or of very clear crystal in which there are many rooms, the door of entry into this castle is prayer and meditation . . . (Teresa of Avila)

Never try to imagine what God will do. There is no way God will ever fit into your concepts.  (Jeanne Guyon)

Peace and love are ever in us, being and working, but we do not always let peace and love work their way in us.  (Julian of Norwich)

If you are looking for a book to read during the upcoming Lenten Season, I would highly recommend this. It is a book about women from history that loved God, served God, and had a unique language of love for God and people.

Do you have any books you would recommend reading and why?  Why type books do you enjoy most?

Valentine’s Day on a Budget

It’s doesn’t have to cost a fortune to tell someone you love them.  Here’s a few free ways to say I love you:

1.  Show up at their office with a handmade card in hand and lunch.  Sit outside talk and enjoy each other on this beautiful day.

2.  Phone into a radio station they listen to and request a song – yes, people still do that.

3.  Put your heart out there for the world to see, update your Facebook status, tweet how much you love them.

4.  Write a note and tuck it in the jacket pocket, lunchbox, or briefcase telling them how special they are.

5.  When you hug them today – linger.

6.  Send an email with the 10 things that make that person special.

7.  Make their favorite dinner, light some candles.

8.  When you kiss them – linger.

9.  Tell others how wonderful they are, there is no better compliment than hearing it through another person.

10.  Don’t forget to say I love you, it doesn’t cost a dime but are 3 words that are absolutely priceless!

Happy Valentine’s Day – now get out there and get working!

Give A Gift on Heart’s Day!

As you know, I love my sweet tea and I frequent the neighborhood McDonalds almost every day! I might tell you that they know me by name, but that would make me sound like I have a problem, and really, I don’t think I do.
Anyway, that is when I noticed the”Share the Warmth” campaign. You can give a $1.00 donation to the Ronald McDonald House until today, February 14th.The money goes to the local Ronald McDonald House and helps out families who are dealing with children who are under pediatric care in local hospitals. The Ronald McDonald House offers families a place to stay and feel at home while being in unfamiliar surroundings.
So during this day of love, why not open your heart and your purse and give $1.00 to help out families going through a difficult time. They give you a sweet heart to write out your donation. I have already filled my quota for sweet tea for the week, but I plan to go by at least a couple times tomorrow to help out this great foundation!
If you need more info, here is the Ronald McDonald House website: http://www.rmhwinstonsalem.org/

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

Creative Romance Month – did you know?

All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt!
(Lucy Van Pelt in Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz)

Not only is Valentine’s Day less than a week away, now I have learned that it is “Creative Romance MONTH!”  Sorry, I know many of you feel great pressure or great expectation regarding Valentine’s Day, now it is an entire month?????

Historically speaking, there were several Christian martyrs who were named Valentine.  They expressed the deepest love a human being can express, they were willing to die for the One (God) they loved.  This kind of love certainly has nothing to do with hand-made or purchased cards, chocolates or flowers.

There seems to be many stories and beliefs about the origins of Valentine’s Day, but one thing for sure, modern people have put their own spin on things: 

1590

The original (maybe), “roses are red, violets are blue . . . “

1797

Limited numbers of Valentine Cards were produced and a publisher issued “TheYoung Man’s Valentine Writer” which included suggested verses for young men unable to write their own.   (Hmmm . . . the pressure begins!)

Early 1800’s  

Paper Valentines assembled in factories (began in England)

Mid 1900’s      

The U.S. A. added gifts such as candy and flowers

1980’s     

The diamond industry began to promote the day as an occasion for giving jewelry

I will be honest, I expect to give and receive something on Valentine’s Day, because one of my major love languages is gifts.  I enjoy giving gifts and receiving them.  However, it does not have to be complicated, just something simple. I often cook for my husband because one of his primary love languages is acts of service.  

What are your plans for Valentine’s Day?  What is your idea of the perfect day?  My perfect day doesn’t involve cards or diamonds, but it might include a little fine chocolate!

Love language assessment tool – click here

Hold My Hand, No, Wait, Don’t!

To go along with Wendee’s article on chapped lips, I thought I would put in my 2 cents worth on dry, chapped hands. About this time, as the thoughts of spring fill my head, I start to get really chapped hands, mostly between the spaces between my rings. It gets so bad, that I have to take my wedding rings off and have naked hands for a couple of weeks. I really hate this time of the year, but it always seems to happen. I have a few tricks that I use that help to lessen the “itchiness”, but I have found that it is just like the common cold and has to run its course.
So here are a few tips:
1. I like to use “Gardener’s Therapy”. It is a great lotion and really helps to heal the skins without the burn.
2. I also have put Vaseline on my hands and worn gloves to bed. This works well if you are not inclined to take the gloves off during the night!
3. Another product that I love is called “Glovin Care”. It is for people who have to wear gloves all the time and have dry hands as a result. It is a little expensive, but it does work really well.
4. I always try to carry extra travel-sized lotions with me at all times. The small size is easy to tuck in a jacket, purse, briefcase or lunch sack.
Like I said, it seems it is really hard to get through a winter without cracked, dry hands, but hopefully these tips will help us get to the sunny days of spring!

Winter Lips

Collective wisdom and experience is what we need to combat dry, winter lips! What is your favorite way to moisture or protect your lips during these cold months? What really works for you?  Just how many tubes of lip balm are necessary?  After doing a little inventory, I decided my absolute favorites were Bistex Deep Renewal and Blistex Silk and Shine.   

Below is my winter plan and I must say it is working well.

Do’s
Blistex Deep Renewal (keep on the bedside table)
Blistex Silk and Shine (keep in the car)
Mary Kay Lip Mask (weekly)
Drink plenty of water
Take vitamins
Always protect lips when you go outside.  (Lip balm, scarves, etc..)
Never lick my lips, never, not even inside!

How are you preventing dry, chapped lips this winter?  Do you know of any home remedies? 

February IS GO RED MONTH!!

February is GO RED month at Forsyth Woman!  Don’t forget to GO RED with us by taking advantage of the great deals at the following restaurants:

Full Moon Oyster Bar – A percentage of every glass of red wine sold will be donated to the American Heart Association

Milner’s – 25% of every order of a special heart healthy dish will go to the AHA

New Town Bistro – $1 from the sale of every cup of famous Red Wagon hot chocolate will be donated to the AHA

WS Prime – Proceeds from a special heart healthy entrée throughout the month will be donated to the AHA, and WS Prime will also offer ½ price wines by the glass every Friday during the month of February