Tuesday's Tips - Image Change on Rollover

This is a simple little bit of code that will allow you to make an image change each time you mouseover it.
(an example is at the end of the post--blogger is being a pain and won't let me move it...)

First create two images, one original image and one for when you hover over it. Make sure they are the same size.
Upload them to your image hosting site.
Copy and paste this html code wherever you would like the images to appear (your blog post, sidebar, etc).

<a href="linkurl"><img src="image1"onmouseover="this.src=&#39;image2&#39;" onmouseout="this.src=&#39;image1&#39;" alt="alternate text" /></a>

Replace the red colored text with your own information. Make sure you don't delete anything but the red colored text.

linkurl

--should be replaced with whatever url you want the image to take you when you click on it.

image1

--should be replaced with the direct url for your first image in both places it appears in the code.

image2

--should be replaced with the direct url for your second image.

alternate text

--should be replaced with whatever text you want to appear if for some reason the image won't load. (it will also appear when your mouse hovers over the image in some browsers)

In the end your code should look similar to mine:

<a href="http://emilygrace-blog.blogspot.com/">
<img src="http://70.38.54.187/h/405/a0863d67-bc09-421c-9619-a73d13b283c2.jpg" onmouseout="this.src=&#39;http://70.38.54.187/h/405/a0863d67-bc09-421c-9619-a73d13b283c2.jpg&#39;" onmouseover="this.src=&#39;http://70.38.54.187/h/405/87d54c49-7edb-413e-94d2-b7a82316df1a.jpg&#39;"  alt="Tuesday's Tips"/></a>

and your image should appear similar to mine:



As always, if you have any questions about this tutorial, just let me know and I'll get back to you asap. If you have any suggestions for Tuesday's Tips, I'd love to hear it. =)

In Christ,

The Hope of Easter

Yes, it is Veggie Tales. =) It has such truth though.

There's a story that started on Christmas
When a baby was born in the night
And those who came far, who followed the star
Were seeing a heavenly sight ...
a heavenly sight.

Well the years hurried by, and the boy, now a man
Could make the blind see with a touch of his hand
He was born to be King -- he was Rabbi and Priest
But the best that he had, he gave to the least ...
He gave to the least.

He was born and he died, almost 2,000 years ago
He laughed and he cried, he felt all the fears we know
But what does it matter? A story so strange ...
Even if it is true, what does it change?
What does it change?

Well he spoke like a prophet -- like no one they'd heard
This simple young carpenter -- crowds hung on every word
He hated injustice -- He taught what is right
He said “I'm the way, and the truth, and the light.”

His friends soon believed that truly he was the one.
The Savior, Messiah, God's one and only son.
But others, they doubted, they did not agree
So they took him, they tried him,
He died on a tree ...
He died on a tree.

God has made a way
for all who mourn and grieve
Death will never be the end
if you just believe.

There is nothing left to fear
nothing Heaven knows
For he died for us to give us life
and to give us hope He rose
He died for us to give us life
And to give us hope He rose.

The hope of Easter is that:

Matthew 28:6

Happy Easter!
In Christ,

April Showers

Hannah over at Beauty {free blog designs} is having a spring sale and giveaway at her shoppe!

Everything in her shoppe is 50% off plus she's giving away two packages – the Photographer’s Special (worth $60 – has website, blog, logo, watermark) and the Designer’s Collection (worth $20 – is completely custom with all the trimmings).

Absolutely amazing. If you haven't seen her work you need to go over to her blog. She creates a very professional yet unique feel to each of her designs.

Now onto the questions...

1. Do you like being outdoors or indoors?

Depends. =D I like both. 

2. Hot or cold weather?

Can I say in the middle? Because I don't like it extreme either way, I enjoy variety. =)

3. Favorite color?

Blue. 

4. Favorite song, and why?

Oh, this changes constantly. Right now it is Blessings by Laura Story. 

5. One word that describes you.

One?! ohhhh... perfectionist. (that can be a good thing and a very bad one too)

6. One song that describes you. 

I honestly have no idea. =P

7. What’s your biggest goal in life?

8. Sweet or sour foods?

Sweet. 

9. Favorite movie, and why?

Um, I don't really have a favorite...

10. Greatest accomplishment so far?

oh, I don't know...passing German I. =P Now if I could just pass German II...

Have a wonderful Easter weekend!

Love in Christ,

Convicting is...

Convict \kən-ˈvikt\
-verb
1: to find or prove to be guilty
2: to convince of error or sinfulness

This article by Leslie Ludy. Go [here] and then skip to page 8 and read. Now. 

Then come back and tell me if it was convicting to you too. I'm serious, go read that before you read any more here.

I'm so terribly guilty. Especially because I know in my head that I need to change yet when it comes to my life, nothing is changing. *sigh*

If you found that convicting, maybe you'll also find these encouraging like I did.

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
- 1 Corinthians 10:13

There is a way out. I can overcome this temptation. I won't be tempted beyond what I can stand up under. God is faithful!

Only Yours
by Meredith Andrews

Undivided, strip everything else away,
Burn the idols, the things in my life that have replaced You,
I lay my life down here on Your alter,
Empty my hands of all I've been holding back

Take everything I have, only to be Yours, Lord, Yours Lord, take it from my hands until I'm holding on to only You.

Captivated, You've stolen my heart away,
I've been liberated, the chains of this world forever broken, You laid Your life down,
Now I surrender, lifting my hands,
I'm holding nothing back

So take everything I have, only to be Yours, Lord, Yours Lord, take it from my hands until I'm holding on to only You.

For every need I want is found in You,
every breath in me a gift from You,
I have nothing here apart from You,
I am Yours Lord, only Yours

Take everything I have, only to be Yours, Lord, Yours Lord, take it from my hands until I'm holding on to only You.

Take everything I have, only to be Yours, Lord, Yours Lord, take it from my hands until I'm holding on to only You.

What is convicting to you? You don't have to share, just think about it and then don't neglect to act on it.

In Christ,

Tuesday's Tips -Expandable/Collapsible Toggle Menu

Brooke, here is the requested tutorial! I learned how to do this by Olivia's tutorial over at Robin Blogs. Unfortunately she took her tutorial down, but she did give me permission to write my own tutorial.
I do have to warn you all that this is one of those more advanced tutorials, that will take a lot of patience, time, and trial & error. =) That said, let's get to it!
If you'd like to take a look at what we'll be making turn your attention to the menu at the top of my sidebar. =)

1}

adding the script behind the code

First of all search for this little bit of code:

]]></b:skin> 

Right underneath that copy/paste this:

<script src='http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.3.2/jquery.min.js' type='text/javascript'></script>
<script src='http://photographybyemilygrace.bracehost.com/accordionButton.js' type='text/javascript'></script>

This is what makes the toggle menu work.  =)  So if you mess this part up, the whole thing won't work. But if you just copy/paste it should work just fine.  (one note, it took some time for mine to start working, so don't panic if the menu doesn't work right after you install it)

now for the creative part...

2}

adding the code behind the menu

This is what controls what the menu looks like.
First of all search for this little bit of code(again):

]]></b:skin> 

Right above that copy/paste one of these codes (I'm giving you a few examples to show you how you can change the design--please feel free to tweak it however you'd like, infact I encourage you to make it as much 'yours' as possible):

.accordionButton {
width: 250px;
height: 25px;
float: left;
background: #EEF0F1;
background-image:url(//70.38.54.187/h/404/d4d8c700-2855-485e-94a0-5de81b9f1329.jpg);
background-position: 0% 0%;
background-attachment:fixed;
border: 1px solid #999;
margin-top: 1.5px;
margin-bottom: 1.5px;
padding-top: 3px;
cursor: pointer;
color: #666;
font-family:"century gothic", verdana, arial, sans-serif;
font-size:20px;
text-transform:none;
letter-spacing: 0px;
}
.accordionContent {
width: 250px;
float: left;
display: none;
font-family:"Century Gothic";
font-style: none;
font-size: 12px;
letter-spacing: 1px;
text-transform:none;
letter-spacing: 0px;
margin-bottom:3px;
}

.accordionButton {
width: 250px;
height: 25px;
float: left;
background: #d94b51;
border: 1px solid #999;
margin-top: 1.5px;
padding-top: 3px;
cursor: pointer;
color: #fff;
font-family:"century gothic", verdana, arial, sans-serif;
font-size:20px;
text-transform:uppercase;
letter-spacing: 0px;
}
.accordionContent {
width: 250px;
float: center;
border: 1px solid #999;
display: none;
font-family:"Century Gothic";
font-style: none;
font-size: 12px;
letter-spacing: 1px;
text-transform:none;
letter-spacing: 0px;
margin-bottom:3px;
}

.accordionButton {
width: 200px;
height: 25px;
float: center;
background: #FFFFFF;
border-bottom: 0px solid #a6ba7c;
cursor: pointer;
color: #a6ba7c;
font-size:14px;
text-align: center;
text-transform:none;
letter-spacing:4px;
}
.accordionContent {
width: 200px;
float: center;
display: none;
font-size:12px;
text-align: left;
letter-spacing: 1px;
border:1px solid #a6ba7c;
}

3}

adding the menu

Add a new HTML/Javascript widget and paste this into it:

<div class="accordionButton">

TITLE

</div>
<div class="accordionContent">

CONTENT

</div>

Replace TITLE with your title and CONTENT with your content, respectively.
Copy and paste that code as many times as you need for however many buttons you want your menu to have.

Extra Tip
If you'd like to make one of your buttons link to a page instead of a drop-down follow this example:

<a href="http://emilygrace-blog.blogspot.com"><div class="accordionButton">Home</div></a>

Ta-da! You did it! =D
If you have any questions, feel free to let me know and I'll get back asap.

In Christ,

A Recipe - Georgia Pecan Cake

This is the most delicious cake I've had in a long time. It is like a regular pound cake with a hint of lemon and pecans sprinkled throughout--absolutely delicious! Especially if you love pound cake, lemon, and pecans. =D

Georgia Pecan Cake



1 c. butter, softened
2 c. sugar
4 eggs
1 t. vanilla extract
½ t. lemon extract
3 c. flour
¾ t. salt
½ t. b.powder
½ t. b.soda
1 c. buttermilk
1 c. chopped pecans

1.) In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in extracts.
2.) Combine the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda; set ¼ c. aside. Add the remaining flour mixture to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Toss pecans with the reserved flour mixture; fold into batter.
3.) Pour into a greased and floured 10-in tube pan. Bake at 325* for 60-70 min or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
4.) Cool for 10min before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

Let me know if you try it and what you think, k? =D

A verse I read today that jumped out at me:

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation.

-Psalm 51:12

I'm off to bury my head in history. *sigh*

The Ottomans were the first to use ultra heavy guns. One super cannon was 27 feet long. Its barrel was almost 3 feet in diameter with sides 8 inches thick. It could shoot a 1300 pound ball.

That is one massive cannon--I think I'd like to stay on their good side, wow.

Oh, are the dates for my posts showing up for you? Cause they aren't working on my end and I have no idea why.

In Christ,

Praise the Lord!

Lord, may I never cease to praise you! For sunny days, healing, answered prayers, trials, raspberry lemonade, friends, laughter, what seems like unanswered prayers, Your word, books, music---everything.

Blessings
by Laura Story

Tuesday's Tips -Signature the easy way

So sorry for the lack of these lately!
I've had many questions on how to make a signature appear for each post. So here ya go! I've found two different ways of inserting a signature in each post. The first way is without messing with any of your blog's HTML code--the easy way. This way only inserts the image in future posts and the image is in the actual post itself.(can accidentally be deleted!) If you do it this way the image for your signature will appear just as any other image in your post. (not such a great idea if your images have borders or drop-shadows)
The second way is to use HTML to automatically put a signature image at the bottom of every post, past and future--the harder way.

Without further ado...

Post Signature the easy way


1}

create your signature

Create your signature in whatever image editing software that you use.  (I personally use GIMP because it is free and works well for what I need)
I would include your name and make the design represent your blog's feel and design. Make it represent you!

2}

upload your signature

Upload your image using whatever image hosting site that you use. (I would suggest imgur because it is free, doesn't downsize images, privacy settings, is easy to navigate, and usually loads quickly)

3}

creating the code

Yes, I know I said there wasn't html involved the easy way. What I meant was that you don't have to go messing with your blog's html. You kinda need html in order for your image to appear. =P

<a><img height="IMG HEIGHT IN PX" src="DIRECT LINK TO YOUR IMAGE" width="IMG WIDTH IN PIXELS"/></a>

Now let's take it apart...

<a>

--this is just letting blogger know that this next part is a certain type of html

<img

--letting blogger know that the following code is for an image

height="IMG HEIGHT IN PX"

--this is just the height of your image. Your image will load faster if the height and width is given.

scr="DIRECT LINK TO YOUR IMAGE"

--this is the source that the image comes from. Replace DIRECT LINK TO YOUR IMAGE with the direct link to your image. =P Don't delete the quotation marks around it!

width="IMG WIDTH IN PIXELS"

--this is just the width of your image.

/>

--end of the image section

</a>

--end of the specified code

Your code should look something like this:

<a><img height="133" src="//70.38.54.187/e/364/9504693d-aeeb-4bc6-8b93-96398b2d021f.png" width="200" /></a>

4}

add the code

Go to your dashboard> Settings> Formating

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and pate  your code in the box under Post Template.

Hit save! Now each time you go to make a new post that image will appear in the post already.  (Just don't accidentally delete it!) You can position it anywhere you'd like just like any other image in your post.

Next week will be the 'harder' way to create a post signature. =P

Love in Christ,

I Enjoy...

Enjoy [en-joi]
–verb (used with object)
1. to experience with joy; take pleasure in
2. to have and use with satisfaction; have the benefit of
3. to find or experience pleasure for (oneself)

The feeling of a productive day.

Smelling maple syrup boiling

--and tasting it too!

Receiving 100% on a German Test.

Hard work pays off! This one really made my day. =D Really and truly. =D =D =D

Sweet comments.

Calvin & Hobbes

haha! =P

Warm & sunny weather.

Especially when I can take my schoolwork outside on the deck. =D

Amazing blog posts.

Especially that one has to read more than once to catch all the truths. Go [here] to read an absolutely amazing one by the awesome Liz.

Mint-chocolate-chip ice cream.

and photography too

Giveaways.

Speaking of such, I have one that you might want to know about.

Emma over at A Hopeful Heart is also hosting a giveaway in honor of 20 followers. She is giving away seven custom made cards!






Enjoy your day and I'd love to know what made it enjoyable to you! =)

Love in Christ,

Saturday err Sunday's Scrawls - 4 -

1. I was awarded! Twice.

Eve over at Preparing for Battle: The thoughts and ramblings of one of His swordmaidens. tagged me with the Stylish Blogger award.  Rebecca over at Living for Christ: In all I do I'll honor Him tagged me with the Versatile Blogger award. Thanks so much girls!
Here are seven random somethings about myself...

2. Something I find hysterical.

Peanutopolis \pE-nut-ä-pu-lis\ (noun). A state of mind making you feel very strong and powerful, almost mayor-like.

hahaha!!! That's what my snickers wrapper just said... haha! =P just a bit hysterical!!

3. Something I just realized recently.

I can sing the Sixteen going on Seventeen song from The Sound of Music. How is that even possible?! Leisl seems so much older than I am for some reason...or else I just don't feel quite that old. =P

4. Something I just listened to.

Healer
by Kari Jobe

You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease

I trust in You
I trust in You

I believe You're my healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus, You're all I need

You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease

I trust in You
I trust in You

I believe You're my healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus, You're all I need

Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You

5. Something I love to drink.

Crystal Light Raspberry Lemonade. Best. ever. --that you can make at home that is. Chick-fil-a lemonade beats everything, but they aren't around where I live. tear. =,(

6. Something I long for.

Days like [this]

when I could go barefoot without having my toes turn purple.

Days of painted toenails, warm sunshine & laughter, soft breezes, sweet smoothies, cheerful flowers, ...I'm digressing...
Although, after snow flurries all this past week, I'm so very grateful for a sunny day in the 50's. =D

7. Something that made my week.

Getting a belated birthday present from a wonderful friend. Four months belated. That's AWESOME.

8. Something I've accomplished.

This is my 51st post on this blog. Yup. I've posted 50 posts! =P

9. Something I require.

Anyone who also longs for sumer days may take the Versatile Blogger Award and do the tag.
Anyone who found the Peanutopolis definition absolutely hysterical  may take the Stylish Blogger Award and do the tag.
 (If you do either or both tag(s), let me know by commenting! I'd love to read your answers.)

The supposed rules:
1. Thank the person who gave you the award.
2. Write seven things about yourself.
3. Pass on to seven other bloggers.
4. Tell the seven awardees of their award!
5. Be creative and have fun. (yes, I added this one. =P)

Have a wonderful weekend!

In Christ,

Challenging is...

Challenging \-lən-jiŋ\
-adjective
1. offering a challenge; testing one's ability, endurance, etc: a challenging course; a challenging game.
2. stimulating, interesting, and thought-provoking: a challenging suggestion.

This short message by Leslie Ludy:



Oh that I may be like that man--being so fulfilled by spending time with Christ

I've also just received two of Leslie's books and LOVE them. (The Lost Art of True Beauty and Set-Apart Femininity) Set-Apart Femininity expounds more on the points Leslie made in that short clip. The night I got the books I stayed up past midnight reading them, they're that amazing. Just read this section from The Lost Art of True Beauty:

The secret to becoming the radiant, beautiful princess of our childhood dreams is forgetting all about our self and becoming completely consumed with only one thing ---Jesus Christ. Just as John the Baptist, who declared, "He must increase, but I must decrease."
This isn't just eh secret to living out the true Gospel: it's also the secret to glowing with divine loveliness. It's the cure for female insecurity.

Isn't that amazing news?! She continues...

Think about it. A woman who has truly denied herself, taken up her cross, and become entirely consumed with Jesus Christ is not going to be an insecure young woman, starving herself and obsessed with making herself look more attractive. Rather, she's so enraptured with Jesus Christ that she's completely lost sight of herself. As Bishop Bardsley put it, "They care not at all what the world thinks of them, because they are entirely taken up with the tremendous realities of their King."
...
The women throughout Christian history who have truly glowed with heavenly beauty all had one thing in common---an emptying of self. They were so caught up in the things of God that they gave no thought to their own lives.  They did not seek to draw eyes to themselves. They sought to bring glory to Jesus Christ alone.
As a result they were some of the most confident, posed, and courageous women who have ever lived.  They accomplished amazing things for the kingdom of God. They saved lives.  They stood before kings. They rescued dying children.  They reformed societies.
And they did it without spending their time and energy focused on self.

Ahh, so challenging.

If you'd like to hear more from Leslie Ludy I would suggest checking out her site: Set Apart Girl.

What do you find challenging?

Have a wonderful evening! I'm off to a violin concert. =)

In Him,

Little Things

I love this song.

Little Things
by JJ Heller


There are not enough minutes in the day
I am crippled by the thought of wasting time
I don’t have enough money to heal the poor
So I don’t want to try

But it’s the little things that make a difference
It’s the little things that show love
It’s the little things

A simple cup of water that can change the world
That can save our sons and daughters

I’ll be praying for the widow all alone
Sewing clothes for a loaf of bread
It is not my fault that she is hungry
It’s my joy to make sure she’s fed

We are all related, children of the King
We may not have much, but what we have we bring

What's one of your favorite songs that is so true?

Have a marvelous day evening.

In Christ,

Beautiful is...

Beautiful \ˈbyü-ti-fəl\ 
–adjective
1. having beauty; having qualities that give great pleasure or satisfaction to see, hear, think about, etc.; delighting the senses or mind
2. excellent of its kind
3. wonderful; very pleasing or satisfying.

- a smile that brightens a rainy day

- this song
 

- a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:4) 

-God's creation

SOOC

- forgiveness

- love like this:

"God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." --Romans 5:8

- laughter


What is beautiful to you?

Love in Christ,

Updates on Life, Photos, & Spring Birds

First off, I'm very sorry for not posting for what, two weeks?! where has the time gone...
Well, I can tell you that my time has been taken up with school, dance, school, dance, school...
I had a dance competition last weekend and I have another one this weekend.  That makes for lots of extra practices.  Last weekend went pretty well--despite some last minute changes--and my dances received gold, high gold, and two platinums. This weekend should go much better, I think. =D Now, where was I...
Oh, yes. school, dance, school, a trip to...

can you guess?

If you said Washington D.C. you're correct! =D  I so enjoyed the warmer weather. Well, it was slightly warmer--it stayed in the 40's but that's an improvement over the teens!  Sunshine and no snow was also a bonus. =)  Plus the cherry blossoms were at their peak!

(lots more photos coming soon on my photography blog...hopefully, soon. I've run out of space on blogger for images...any suggestions? I'm thinking about flicker...)


Another highlight of the trip was eating at...

Chick-fil-a!!! =D (we don't have them near my home) That's the only photo I have of our treat--I was too busy enjoying my lemonade, chicken sandwich, and waffle fries with Chick-fil-a sauce. =D


Oh, speaking of Chick-fil-a, [this] is the funniest April Fools joke I've come across today. =P

And speaking of fools, I love this quote:

‎"You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time."
--Abraham Lincoln

Now on to Spring Birds...
Notice anything different around here? Yup, I changed the design! I was getting sick of the snow and decided to go with something more 'springy'. I'm still tweaking a few things, but for the most part it is done. The original design I planned came to a screeching halt when I came across some difficulty with html. (bother html ...) So this is different than what I planned, but I love the birdies! =)

What think you? =P

Have a wonderful weekend my friends!

Love in Christ,