Giveaway From Twisted Tape! // THIS IS NOW CLOSED

Today's giveaway comes from my amazing daughter, owner of Twisted Tape duct tape creations!  I am SO SO PROUD of my oldest girl, Teagan.  She has been a busy bee at her Twisted Tape Shop, creating and selling duct tape hair bows, clips, rings, purses and pins.

For this giveaway, she is offering a $25.00 gift certificate to her shop!

Ever since she was little, she has been our entrepreneur, always thinking of ways to make money through her creations.  I always told her she had to wait until she is responsible enough to make a quality product and keep a business running properly.  Well, she has shown me she is, proof is the amount of product stock she has right now--over 150 bows!

She has been very involved in every part of this, she had a huge say in what her logo would look like. She has also helped get everything prepared, from business cards printed, mailers and packaging ready, to using her saved allowance to purchase supplies.  She wrote her "about me" at Etsy shop, helped me think through shop policies, and helped list and gather all the supplies needed to share her creations with the world!

I would love to see my little hard working girl succeed in this venture, and I am so thankful that I have you all to ask to help us spread the word and participate in this giveaway.  Thank you!

**all of Twisted Tapes graphic design work was done by my talented sister at Beauty Divine Designs were she specializes in graphic digital templates for photographers.

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**TO ENTER GIVEAWAY, DO ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING**

Each one counts for one entry.

~tweet one of Twisted Tape's products and then let us know about it in comments
~share about Twisted Tape on Facebook and then let us know in comments

~follow New Nostalgia on Pinterest here

~follow New Nostalgia on Facebook here

For each of these entries, you must comment separately - one comment saying you tweeted, one saying you follow shared about Twisted Tape on Facebook, etc. That gives you a total of 4 entries!

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The winner of the Because of Katie book is:

Joyce Shelton - comment #7!

Joyce, I've messaged you - if you don't get it soon, e-mail sponsornewnostalgia@gmail.com

Breakfast Burritos For The Freezer

I've made these twice in the past 2 weeks.  My family LOVES them, and I love that there is always something in my freezer when I hear "MOM, there is nothing to eat!"

I started out with 12 eggs.  I prefer feeding my family organic eggs from a local farm.  Fresh is best!

I cracked them all in a cup and used my handy dandy most favorite thing ever--my Cuisinart SmartStick Immersion Hand Blender.  If you have ever thought of buying one, DO IT, and use the above link if you so please?  If you do, I will get a lil' something to help with buying those darn expensive organic eggs!

I bought a bag of shredded potatoes from Trader Joes.  I saw on Pinterest that you could cook them on your waffle maker.  I think I needed to use more oil.  I didn't want to, so mine are not at pretty as the ones on Pinterest, but it worked!  Plus, I would be dividing them up over my burritos so pretty was not important.

My not so pretty potatoes.  

I laid out 12 burritos.  Ugh.  I keep misspelling that word.  Burritoes instead of burritos.  Remember, there are no toes in burritos.

I scrambled my eggs.  I don't add any milk or water when I scramble eggs.  I'm not sure why.  I guess I like to keep it simple.  I added seasoning salt and pepper.

I then sprinkled them with cheese.  I went very light on the cheese.  My kids complained about wanting more cheese next time, but they still devoured them!

This pic makes me wish I still ate animal products.  Sorta.  Sorta kinda.

I then added the potatoes as the finished cooking.  I made 3 batches with the waffle iron.  My kids took the left over shredded potatoes and have been making their own potato snacks in the waffle iron.  I love that they make their own, but I MUST teach them how to clean that thing.  Cleaning waffle irons take patience, all those little squares! 

I wrapped in parchment paper, and put in a ziplock.

When my kids wanted one, they would unwrap and put in microwave until hot.  We did have some issues with the insides being still frozen while the outside was too hot, I need to fiddle with our microwave settings.  We found if we cut them in half while still frozen, that helped.  My solution was to keep these in the refrigerator.  When I saw that the girls were eating them for afternoon snack and breakfast, there was no need to freeze.  With 3 girls and a husband, 12 burritos can easily be eaten in less than a week.

If you want to add meat to these, sausage or bacon, click here to see where I got the inspiration.  She makes a meat version.

Breakfast Burritos For The Freezer


12 eggs
12 tortillas
1 cup cheese
3 cups frozen shredded hash browns
s & p

Blend & scramble the eggs. Season to taste.  Put about a cup of hash browns on your waffle maker, close and cook until lightly brown.  Repeat 2 more times (or brown up in a pan on the stove, according to package directions.)  Divide eggs among 12 tortilla shells. Divide cooked hash browns among the 12 tortillas.  Sprinkle each with cheese.  Roll up, wrap with parchment paper, put into a ziplock and freeze or refrigerate.  Will keep in freezer up to 4 months, in refrigerator 5 days.

Fresh Lime Soda

Boy oh Boy oh Boy!  I'm so excited about this recipe for Fresh Lime Soda!  It is SO refreshing and delicious.  This would be perfect on a hot summer day, or frankly, ANY day!  I love finding delicious  recipes that are great substitutes for things that are not so good for us, like regular soda.

The original recipe calls for homemade simple syrup, but I used Organic Raw Agave Nectar.  It gives it a tea color, but makes it so good!  I think its quite a pretty drink!  I'm eager to serve it to my friends who visit. It is the perfect 'sit in the sunporch and sip' type of beverage, and I intend to do just that!

Fresh Lime Soda

2 Tablespoons Organic Raw Agave Nectar (or maple syrup, or simple syrup)

Slice of Lime

2 Tablespoons Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice (about one medium sized lime)

3/4 Cup Sparkling Water

Pinch of salt

Ice

Put ice in jar.  Add agave or syrup, lime juice and water.  Put lid on and shake until well blended.  Add lime slice and enjoy!

 In A Historical Dictionary of Indian Food (Oxford University Press, 1998), author K. T. Achaya says that fresh lime soda was "the supreme quencher of colonial thirst" in India.


I totally agree with K.T. Achaya!

Pain, Perspective, Peace & A Spot On My Kidney

I have had stomach pain, it started Monday night.  Woke me up in the night both Monday and Tuesday.  It was severe in the night, but during the day only bothered me slightly.  It did keep me from running, which frankly ticked me off, and got me to the doctor.  I was suspicious of gall bladder.

I had an ultrasound yesterday morning.  Yes, they think my gall bladder may not be working properly and want further testing. That is what is causing pain.

 But that is not why the doctor called me at the end of the day.

She called to let me know that there is a 1-2 centimeter spot on my kidney.  It showed up in an ultrasound that I had in January and was cyst-like, so we were told to watch it due to my history.  Well, it now looks more solid, a nodule or lesion.  They are not jumping to conclusions but because of the definite change from the ultrasound in January, the radiologist suggest further testing due to my history.

My primary care doctor is going to call my Oncologist for the "now what?"  I expect a scan or two, maybe a biopsy.  I will know more next week.

You have all so graciously come along on this journey with me, so I want to keep you informed. It seems like these "bumps in the road" may just be a way of life-- these ups and downs with my health.  I am ok with that.  I have done my pouting in the past and have come to accept the 'what is.'  I am at peace, and so thankful for how many prayers have been answered on my behalf.  So many.

I am also very thankful for the perspective that all of this brings.  It is a gift.  I find when pain forces me to face what we all need to face, that we are here on this earth for a short time, I live.  I REALLY live.

I see more clearly.  I think about what matters.  I notice beauty.  I touch and hug my kids more. I kiss my husband more (well, I would be if he didn't have a cold :)) I treasure the moments with those I love.  I eat it all up, and I am present.  That, friends, is a gift, one that I would not have to this extent, if it were not for pain.

Emotional pain, physical pain, both bring perspective.
I reach out to my Heavenly Father in these moments, I rest in His love, and I find peace.

I will keep you updated.  Again, it very well could be nothing.  Hoping for the best!!

Decluttering & Finding Chemo Memories

{notice how dark the valleys are, but without them there would be no mountaintop}

{photo credit}

I've been cleaning out my gmail inbox, which was a complete nightmare!  It is slowly getting better as I file, label, delete and respond.  Such a great feeling!  I have come across some pretty precious emails, notes of encouragement from when I was sick, ones I read, but never filed away properly.  I have to make some sort of scrapbook out of all the amazing words I got from people. 

Even after all this time I am still amazed at how God put the perfect note, or song, or person in my life at all the right times to carry me through the hardest times.  He continues to do that, but I do find it is harder to see when I have the energy to be busy.  I am working on keeping eyes open to see.

I remember the below video.  I remember it was a couple days after chemo #2.  I was in such a fog that frankly scared me.  I couldn't think clearly.  I couldn't see clearly.  I couldn't walk well.  I was weak & nauseous.  I remember sitting at the computer desk, staring at the screen, trying to make it focus.  


I had a file of songs on hand to play for those valley days, and hit the first one I could find.  It was the song below.  I remember laying my head on the desk, eyes blurred but not from tears, yet.  My head so heavy, my heart, too.  I listened to it 3 times at least, it was the perfect song for my heart that day. The desk became wet with my tears, but I was too weary to do much about it.  

My Caring Bridge Journal October 6, 2010:

I'm in the valley today. I am weak, sick and in the fog.  I woke up last night from at least 6 different dreams where I was telling people I only had months to live, different people each time.
 
As this linked video says, "I need a voice that is louder than mine" today.

By chemo #3, I figured out that lots of my "fogginess" was side affects from the type of nausea medication I was taking.  Once we changed that, it was so much better!

Back to cleaning out my email folders and inbox.  I found this short but powerful prayer from my mother in law, Kathy.  She sent it to me that same day, October 6, 2010.  It was perfect and just what I needed.

Dear Lord,

Hear Amy's cry and give heed to her prayer. Her heart is faint and her body is weak.Lead her to you... the Rock that is higher than I. You are her refuge, her tower of strength. Let her find comfort in the shelter of Your wings.   Amen

from Psalm 61

I pray that if you are in your own valley today, that you too, would find His sweet grace, that His voice would be louder than yours, that you would find shelter in the wings of God!  He is the lifter of heads and the healer of hearts.  So often He has lifted my head and cradled my heart.  He takes our valleys and gives them meaning & purpose. He is a good, good God, one that we can turn to when we just can't carry on ourselves.

Recipes I Want To Make This Week From Pinterest

Source: fortheloveofcooking-recipes.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

Baked Vegetable Spring Rolls



{wanna follow me there? Click here.}

Source: famfriendsfood.com via Amy on Pinterest

Simple Pasta. Olive oil and breadcrumbs and fresh herbs.  Yum.

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Amy on Pinterest

Chicken With Tomatoes and Garlic-from the Pioneer Woman!  I have heard this sauce is delish.  I plan on adding potatoes and carrots so I can enjoy it meatless while my family eats the chicken!  Oh, AND it uses wine, which is my excuse to buy some!

Source: fortheloveofcooking-recipes.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

Smashed Potatoes.  Boil. Lightly smash. Drizzle with olive oil and seasonings.  Rave reviews!

Source: saveur.com via Amy on Pinterest

Fresh Lime Soda.  I have a bunch of limes left over from my juice fast.  I'm gonna pick up some sparkling water and make this!  We will use maple syrup instead of simple syrup.

Source: thekitchenandthegardenpatch.com via Amy on Pinterest

Breakfast Quinoa with Blueberries

Source: loveveggiesandyoga.com via Amy on Pinterest

Raw, Vegan Taco Nut "Meat"--my local vegan cafe makes nut "meat" out of chopped walnuts and sprinkles it on her taco salad.  It is amazing.  I've wanted to try it myself, so I will!

Source: adashofcompassion.com via Amy on Pinterest

Raw Oatmeal Cookie Dough Bites--like eating oatmeal cookie dough.
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I'd love you to:


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Anti-Procrastination Tuesday #92

My Goals For This Coming Week:

Why, I think I am going to take a week off!

I have enough normal, everyday stuff to do around here and last week was crazy.

Whose with me on having break time?

{some new product at Teagan's Etsy Shop, Twisted Tape}

Last Week's Goals Accomplished:

~update daughter's Etsy shop with her new product (link above)

~get out spring/summer clothes

~help daughter finish science fair project

~make dr appointments

~call plumber

~clear out garden/add compost

~start seedlings

~organize recipes on blog

~write book review

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Have you checked out this weeks Giveaway yet?

Author Karen Gerstenberger is giving away one copy of her book called "Because of Katie."

{taken by Paul Dudley Photography}

This giveaway is one that is super close and dear to my heart.  An important real life story of a girl named Katie, and her cancer diagnosis.  The book takes you through her story, from diagnosis, treatment, surgery, recovery, relapse and beyond.  It is a story by her mother, Karen Gerstenberger, told as only a Mother could.

I read it and could not put it down.  I am so grateful to Karen, for sharing this with us here at New Nostalgia!

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Last Week's Most Clicked On Links

Cutting Kitchen Paper Clutter @ Confessions of a Semi-Domesticated Mama

New Look For Old Jeans @ Making It Feel Like Home

Laundry Tips Using Vinegar @ Ask Anna

DIY Organic Eye Makeup Remover @ Potholes & Pantyhose


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Be Inspired, Be Encouraged, and Get Something Done! 
(or take a break this week) ;)