Oh Sweet!

1.) Finding books you never knew you had.
2.) Warm scarves on windy days.
3.) Encouraging verses

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard you hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
--Philippians 4:6-7

4.) Purple polka dot socks =P
5.) Having learned all my dances(competition and recital!)--all I have to do is perfect them now! =D
6.) Sweet sets with ruffles on Polyvore

oh so Sweet by ~EmilyGrace on Polyvore.com

7.) Customers who are polite and aren't afraid to talk or laugh--they don't pretend that you aren't there...
8.) Smiles =D
9.) Having blisters from pointe heal enough so that they don't become raw each time you dance!
10.) Encouraging songs

You are More
by tenth avenue north



There's a girl in the corner
With tear stains on her eyes
From the places she's wandered
And the shame she can't hide

She says, "How did I get here?
I'm not who I once was.
And I'm crippled by the fear
That I've fallen too far to love"

But don't you know who you are,
What's been done for you?
Yeah don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

Well she tries to believe it
That she's been given new life
But she can't shake the feeling
That it's not true tonight

She knows all the answers
And she's rehearsed all the lines
And so she'll try to do better
But then she's too weak to try

But don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

'Cause this is not about what you've done,
But what's been done for you.
This is not about where you've been,
But where your brokenness brings you to

This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You've been remade
You've been remade.
You've been remade.
You've been remade.

Love in Christ,

Saturday's Scrawls 2

1.) I came across this quote and love it:

""Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it." --C.S. Lewis

Pretty profound, huh? (he just told the truth! =P)

2.) My photo made it in the top five for Allie's Happy Monday photography challenge! =D

(you can go [here] to see the other finalists and vote for your favorite)

3.) Polyvore is just way too much fun =D


4.) A favorite verse of mine this week:

5.) I've got a fun new spring design for my photography blog in store--but not for this blog. =( So we'll just have to deal with the winter theme for a while more. (after all it is still snowing outside anyhow...)

sneak peak at the spring-y colors!

6.) I'd better get back to finishing up school--I'm rather behind this week....yuck.

7.) Oh and a special welcome to all the newest followers! =D

Love in Christ,

A Recipe - Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

Ingredients:

1 c. butter

1 c. creamy peanut butter

1 c. sugar

1 c. packed b. sugar

3 eggs

1 t. vanilla extract

3 c. flour

2 t. b. soda

1/4 t. salt

Filling:

1/2 c. creamy peanut butter

3 c. powdered sugar

1 t. vanilla extract

5-6 tablespoons milk

Directions:

1.)  In a large mixing bowl, cream the shortening, peanut butter, and sugars.  Add eggs. one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Add vanilla.  Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well.  

2.)  Shape into 1-in. balls and place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.  Flatten to 3/8-in. thickness with fork.  Bake at 375 for 7-8min or until golden.  Remove to wire racks to cool. 

3.)  For filling, in  a large bowl beat the peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve spreading consistency.(I ended up using more milk than it suggested)  Spread on half of the cookies and top each with another cookie. 

This is a unique twist on a traditional peanut butter cookie.  The filling keeps the cookies nice and moist if you have soft cookies. It also adds a bit of soft texture if your cookies are more on the crunchy side(if you well-bake your cookies =P ).

I would suggest spreading the frosting more on the thin side--otherwise it makes the sandwich overpoweringly sweet(my opinion).

I'm entering the recipe in this contest.  Head on over to see other recipes and enter your own!

While you're baking, go ahead and listen to this powerful song by Chris Tomlin.

Our God
Water You turned into wine
Opened the eyes of the blind
There's no one like You
None like You

Into the darkness, You shine
Out of the ashes, we rise
There's no one like You
None like You

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God, You are higher than any other
Our God is healer, awesome in power
Our God, our God

And if our God is for us then who could ever stop us,
And if our God is with us then what could stand against?
And if our God is for us then who could ever stop us,
And if our God is with us then what could stand against?
Then what could stand against?

Love in Christ,

Tuesday's Tips -Scrolling Button Widget

Have you ever wondered how to make on of those nifty little scrolling gadgets that help to keep your sidebar clutter-free?
Wondering what I'm talking about? Check it out below:

Some of my Favorite Photographers:

Clicked & Captured Photography

a story told in pictures

Expressions of His Gracce {Photography}

Farmgirl in Flip-Flops

His Creations Photography

His Light Photography

So how on earth do you make it, you ask?
Simple as 1,2,3 I say!


1.) Head on over to your blog dashboard>design tab>click new widget>select 'html/javascript' widget

2.) Paste the following code into your widget:

<center><div class="textwidget"><marquee direction="up" width="250" onmouseover="this.stop()" scrollamount="3" onmouseout="this.start()" height="250" align="center"><center>
(YOUR BLOG BUTTONS HERE)
</center></marquee></div></center>

3.) Head out to your favorite blogs and get their buttons to replace (YOUR BLOG BUTTONS HERE).
[If you want to know how to make a blog button, html code, and grab box head over to my tutorial on that HERE.]

Customizing

<center></center>

--makes your scrolling button widget centered.  You can change 'center' to 'left' or 'right' if you'd like.

align="center"

--also makes it centered, if you change the previous customization to 'left' or 'right' change this to match.

direction="up"

--controls the direction the widget scrolls, you can change "up" to "down", "left", or "right".

width="250"

--controls the width of the widget, you would want to change this to the width of your sidebar.

onmouseover="this.stop()"

--This allows the widget to stop scrolling when you mouse over it, allowing you to stop the widget so you can read the buttons without it scrolling.

onmouseout="this.start()"

--This allows the widget to continue scrolling after you mouse over it and back.

scrollamount="3"

--controls how fast the widget scrolls. The higher the number the faster it goes!

height="250"

--This controls how tall the window for the scrolling button is--so customize it for how much space you want it to take up on your sidebar.

Troubleshooting
Oh, yes. I've had several issues with this widget myself. I don't know all the reasons it doesn't work. =(  I do know that it doesn't show up in all browsers with some templates(one of which is the blogger watermark template).  The classic minima template works very well with it though. I've also had it not work due to weird button codes. (for that I suggest going through and editing the button codes so they follow this example to avoid any odd glitches)  Let me know if you come across any other errors or suggestions to make it better!

As always I'm always open to suggestions for Tuesday's Tips! =D (as a little heads up: a tutorial on block quotes and one on the sliding menu like mine are in the works...) 


Love in Christ,

The Sweetness of Life

1.)  Going through old pictures and remembering all the good times one had forgotten.

2.)  Receiving one's new laptop! =D (now I don't have to use my brothers--win win situation for the both of us! =P)

3.)  Writing in third person--even though it isn't required (most of the time one doesn't like to have to write in the third person) =P

4.)  Conquering HTML once again! :D (especially when it means one is finished with the entire new design of one's blog--releasing March 1st!)

5.)  Finally feeling like one's school project is manageable.

6.)  Perfecting a dance so well that one's teacher allows one to finish practice 10 minutes early.  (this is especially appreciated when one has blisters on one's feet)

7.)  Chocolate. 'nuff said. =)

8.)  Figuring how to graph on one's TI-84 Plus graphing calculator issued by the school. It is one pretty sweet calculator. :)

9.)  Warm fires, soft sweatshirts, and fuzzy socks!

10.)  Reading the last sentence in a book series, the one that makes everything right. =D

What makes your life sweet?

Love in Christ,

Tuesday's Tips -Comment Form Message

Today's tip is on customizing the comment form.  Recognize this lovely?

It is my comment form as of right now. =) The highlighted area is the section that we are going to be customizing.

1.) Go to your Dashboard>Settings>Comments

2.) Scroll down until you see the 'Comment Form Message' section

Whatever you put in the box is what will appear above the comment form on your blog.  You can even use some HTML tags.  (go here for examples)

3.) Click save and you're done!

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns just drop me a little note below! I'll get back to you as soon as possible. =)
Any suggestions for a topic to cover would also be appreciated--most of the tutorials are here because someone asked!

Love in Christ,

These songs played on the radio recently and caught my attention.  Thought I would share them with you.  They are both by Tenth Avenue North. 

Let it Go

I've been holding on so tight 

Look at these knuckles 

They've gone white 

I'm fighting for who I wanna be 

I'm just trying to find security 

But You say let it go, You say let it go 

You say life is waiting for the one's who lose control 

You say you will be, everything I need 

You said if I lose my life it's then I'll find my soul 

You say let it go. 

Well it's hard enough to hear 

Harder still, to move beyond this fear 

We know there's nothing I can bring, 

So tell me what do you want from me? 

But You say let it go, You say let it go 

You say life is waiting for the one's who lose control 

You say You will be, everything I need 

You said if I lose my life it's then I'll find my soul 

You say let it go, You say let it go 

What do I love? 

What do I hate? 

What will I lose? 

What will I gain? 

How do I save my soul? 

What if I bend? 

What if I break? 

What will it cost? 

What will it take? 

For you to save my soul. 

You say let it go, You say let it go 

You say life is waiting for the one's who lose control 

You say You will be, everything I need 

You said if I lose my life it's then I'll find my soul 

You say let it go, You say let it go 

You say life is waiting for the one's who lose control 

You say you will be, everything I need 

You said if I lose my life it's then I'll find my soul 

You say let it go, You say let it go

Healing Begins

So you thought you had to keep this up 

All the work that you do 

So we think that you're good 

And you can't believe it's not enough 

All the walls you built up 

Are just glass on the outside  

So let 'em fall down 

There's freedom waiting in the sound 

When you let your walls fall to the ground 

We're here now 

This is where the healing begins, oh 

This is where the healing starts 

When you come to where you're broken within 

The light meets the dark 

The light meets the dark 

Afraid to let your secrets out 

Everything that you hide 

Can come crashing through the door now 

But too scared to face all your fear 

So you hide but you find 

That the shame won't disappear 

So let it fall down 

There's freedom waiting in the sound 

When you let your walls fall to the ground 

We're here now 

We're here now, oh 

This is where the healing begins, oh 

This is where the healing starts 

When you come to where you're broken within 

The light meets the dark 

The light meets the dark 

Sparks will fly as grace collides 

With the dark inside of us 

So please don't fight 

This coming light 

Let this blood come cover us 

His blood can cover us 

This is where the healing begins, oh 

This is where the healing starts 

When you come to where you're broken within 

The light meets the dark 

The light meets the dark 

Now I'm off to finish school...yuck...

Love in Christ,

Tuesday's Tips -Formating Comments

Today's tip is on formating comments.  Have you ever wondered how to include bold or italics in your comment? Or a link? Here is a three part tutorial that will answer those questions!

This is what your comment looks like to start off:

This is your comment that you want to post.  Now this is the part you want to bold.  This section you want to be italic. This is the text that you want linked to your blog. =D

1.) Bolding Comment Text
All you need to do is add:

<b>text that you want to bolden here</b> 

If you put that in your comment this is what it will look like:

This is your comment that you want to post.  <b>Now this is the part you want to bold.</b>  This section you want to be italic. This is the text that you want linked to your blog. =D

2.) Italicizing Text
To make text italicized all you need to do is add this little bit of code:

<i>text that you want ti italicize here</i>

Put that in your comment and this is what it looks like:

This is your comment that you want to post.  <b>Now this is the part you want to bold.</b>  <i>This section you want to be italic.</i> This is the text that you want linked to your blog. =D

3.) Linking Text 
Here is the bit of code you need to link text:

<a href="YOUR BLOG URL HERE">the text that you want to link</a>

 *NOTE: you cannot add target attributes to links in comments 

Now this is what it will look like in your comment:

This is your comment that you want to post. <b>Now this is the part you want to bold.</b> <i>This section you want to be italic.</i> <a href="YOUR BLOG URL HERE">This is the text that you want linked to your blog.</a> =D

Understanding the Code(s)
Do you want to understand a little bit more about the codes you are using? Read on!

<i> or <b> or <a> is letting blogger know that this is the beginning of an italicized, bolded, or hyper-linked area.  Basically it is letting blogger know that it is going to have to do something special for the following text.

</i> or </b> or </a> is telling blogger that that is the end of the italicized, bolded, or hyper-linked area.  Telling blogger that that is the end of the special text.




Do you have a topic that you would like me to cover on an upcoming Tuesday's Tips? Just drop me a little note below--I'm always open to suggestions! =) 

It is snowing! The trees are covered in about 2in of fresh snow--I might have to go take some pictures later. =D after school is done, of course...

Wishing you a Tuesday that is really terrific!

Love in Christ,

the Monday Morning Daybook --07FEB11

Date: Monday, February 7, 2011

Starting time: 8:39AM

Outside my window...it is cloudy and wet--all the snow is melting! =(

I’m creating...a history essay, but otherwise nothing fun...

I’m feeling...slightly tired (I stayed up late finishing Inkspell the sequel to Inkheart =P )

I’m hoping to...finish my school due to night on time!

I’m learning...about the early civilizations--for history.

I’m listening to...my sister play the piano

I’m looking forward to...practice for the youth led Sunday!

I’m praying for...diligence
I'm praising God for...for always being with me. =)

I’m reading...Inkspell--well, I finished it last night. um, Lies Young Women Believe

I’m thinking...about all I have to do today

I’m wearing...my pj's still--oops!

I’m wondering...who all will link up ;)

Ending time: 8:45AM

Grab a button...

<br /> <a href="http://emilygrace-blog.blogspot.com/search/label/the%20Monday%20Morning%20Daybook " target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="theMondayMorningDaybook" src="//70.38.54.187/f/396/c527f8a7-f16d-45ad-87de-9b302bccdf9e.jpg"></a><br />

...and link up!

Love in Christ,

Saturday's Scrawls

It is cold. It is gray. There is freezing rain outside. Customers are gone.  I'm tired. An hour left before I can go home.  History essay yet to be written.  Algebra II yet to be solved.  PE yet to be done.  German yet to be learned.  Bathroom yet to be cleaned.  --but you know what?

Scrawl 1.)

I still have Hope. 

why you ask? because...

 You are always with me, Jesus

You know everything about me

You know when I wake and sleep

You know everything I’m thinking

You know all my secret deeds

You know every word I say

Long before I say it

You know everywhere I go

And all my ways

You are always with me, Jesus

Where could I go?

Where could I hide?

You are always with me, Jesus

Where could I go?

You never leave my side

If I flew away to heaven

Jesus, there I would find You

If I sank into the ocean

Jesus, You would be there too

Even in the darkest night

To You it’s bright as day

You have laid Your hand on me

It’s wonderful

  

You are always with me, Jesus

Where could I go?

Where could I hide?

You are always with me, Jesus

Where could I go?

You never leave my side

You Are Always with Me by Mark Altrogge from the Awesome God album

Thank you for always being with me, Jesus!

Scrawl 2.) a quote I came across this past week:

"You can't live for God until you learn how to live because of God. And you can't go and make good choices for God until you understand the gospel that says the choices you make don't make you who are, what Christ has done for you makes you who you are." Mike Donehey

Scrawl 3.) I discovered two websites this past week:

 pandora

Listen to up to 40 hours of music for free each month! =D You get to create stations based on songs or artists that you like. There are ads that show up every once in a while, but I have not come across any negative ones. You can also skip songs that you dislike and 'like' songs that you like so that it will play them again.  =)

polyvore

Find me on Polyvore

Does this have the possibility of becoming a time waster and a procrastinator's tool---yup! 

Have a spectacular Saturday, friends! 

Love in Christ,

the Sweetness of Life

Joining up with Ara over at Shilah!




Things that make my life sweet...

1.)  Neighbors who stop by to scoop your driveway because they know your dad is away on business(that way you don't have to scoop it all by hand!).  =D

2.)  Sunshine lighting up icicles until they sparkle. 

3.)  Reading a book late at night by the warm woodstove.  

4.)  Dancing until you're breathless! 

5.)  Singing the same song all day long. =D

6.)  Smelling homemade bread in the oven. 

7.)  Sunshine!

8.)  Laughing out loud for no reason at all.

9.)  New books arriving in the mail.

10.)  A God who is always there. 

Love in Christ,

Tuesday's Tips -Removing the State Label Box

This is a very short and easy tutorial on how to remove that anoying little state label box.

What is the label state box, you ask? Recognize this thing?

This is what shows up at the top of the posting area when you search a blog for a certain label.

A very simple piece of code will remove that box completely.

1.) Go to your dashboard> design> edit HTML
     
2.) Scroll down or search for this little piece of code:

]]></b:skin>

     
3.) Right above that code past this one:

.status-msg-wrap {display:none;}

     
4.) Save your changes and voila! the label state box has disappeared! =D

Have a topic that you would like me to cover on an upcoming Tuesday's Tips? Just drop me a little note below--I'm always open to suggestions! =)

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Sister in Christ,