in which: i need a break

I'm not sure why it's so hard for me to stick to daily goals. Habits have always been the hardest thing for me to try to build. Bad habits? Super easy to form, like without even trying. Good habits or habits that help me accomplish things? Hellooooo procrastination! It's so easy to get distracted and want to waste time on things that won't get me anywhere. Then later, I come down on myself or worry about all the things I want to do with my life and stare in fear as the time passes and I don't get any closer.

I'm sick of it.

I think I need a sabbatical of some sort. I think I need to lose Wall-E for a while (my laptop). More than that though, I think I need God and that I need to just make a decision. ANY DECISION. If it's in my heart - do it. No more fear of the time it will take to accomplish it or the money it will take to get there. Just pick something and trust God to meet me in the midst of it and trust that He will provide. 

"Don't give up on your dreams because of the time it will take to accomplish them. 

The time will pass anyway."  

Earl Nightingale

Not that I've been very good at keeping up with blog anyway, but I think I may disappear for a while. I'm not sure for how long and I'm not sure entirely what all I'll be cutting out of my life that has been such a distraction, but much of it has been my addiction to aimlessly surfing the web. Facebook and Pinterest mainly, but also blog surfing too. I need a break. My future depends on it. I want to rekindle the passions that are in me for a reason and actually begin to DO things. SEE things, BECOME things, EXPERIENCE things. 

It's about time.

I am

Olivia

How To Carve A Watermelon Hedgehog

I don't often make posts centered around recipes or making things - but this I HAD to share! I made this cute Watermelon Hedgehog for a party last summer and it was a wild success. I didn't invent this idea but I had a lot of fun making it. The entire process took about an hour.

Here's what you'll need:

• A medium/large round seedless watermelon
• Blueberries
• Cutting Board
• Large cutting & pairing knives
• Toothpicks
• Large bowl & spoon
• Towels (you may be more tidy than I, but juice got all over my counter tops!)

So first you'll want to either pick a watermelon that either has one flatter side to it OR after washing the melon, you'll want to slice about 1/4" off the ground spot to create a flat foundation for your critter. Take care not to cut too deep into the rind or this will allow juice to leak out the bottom... no bueno!

photo source: whataboutwatermelon.com

Next you'll want to cut the top off as shown above. Remove this large piece and set aside. Taking the large spoon, scoop out the lush fruit from said removed portion and the rest of the melon. Chop into cubes, drain and set in the large bowl.

photo source: whataboutwatermelon.com

Now grab your pairing knife and cut small ridges along the cut line. The more uneven and irregular the better - this will resemble the hedgehog's spiky coat.

photo source: whataboutwatermelon.com & yours truly

Using the removed rind, cut out a small nose as shown above. To attach it, place toothpicks just above the stem spot on both sides and slide the nose over the other end of the toothpicks. Then stick a toothpick on the tip of the nose and place a blueberry on the end.

For the eyes, simply stick two toothpicks a little above the nose and place a blueberry on each end.

To make the ears, draw two curved upside-down "V"s that come to a point somewhere on the outer area of the face, wherever you like. Carefully cut with a pairing knife. Using your finger, GENTLY push from the back (inside the melon) until the ear is slightly protruding - not too hard or they will break off. To help them stay this way, I wedged a toothpick inside, behind the ear.

Using the remainder of the removed rind, cut four rectangles of equal size for the feet. The photo above cut them slightly more angular than I did - I just stuck with rectangles to keep it simple. I also, later ended up only using two feet for the front, as the back two would not cooperate with me! Attach with toothpicks, rind side down, to the bottom edges of the hedgehog as shown.

Finally, fill your hollow creature with the cubed watermelon, sticking toothpicks in for the hedgehog quills. I later added more toothpicks for a more authentic look.

Voila!

Le Hedgehog

I am

Olli

in which: it is 12/12/12

Forgive me dear friends! I have neglected you too long. The Christmas season is in full swing and if I'm not working, I'm either shopping for gifts or cleaning. I must say that the shopping feels a little easier this year and I think I have Pinterest to thank. Also, I'm trying to do more handmade gifts as well. Yay!

I've a candlestick burning a pair of cozy, striped socks on finally. A cold front blew in last night and I am oh so thankful. About time Texas!! I'm hoping it lasts through till Christmas. Usually "Winter" occurs about the time of New Years and through January. Sure wish we had snow though...

~

Thanksgiving with the Etheredges (babe's family) was so fun! Black Friday was my favorite part. Yes there was shopping, but mostly for the fun time I spent with Vanessa & Hannah, Peanut's sisters. Lots of laughing, hunting & coffee. We literally shopped for like 12 hours. Vanessa & I spent 3 hours at World Market alone! We also got to see some precious friends, like Shaffer, Travis, Jim & his daughters.

I love the people in Mobile.

~

As far getting to see AW during our stop in Houston... well, once again, it just didn't work out. Waa! She was planning on leaving that weekend to go be with her family in Pasadena for Thanksgiving. But as we were driving there, she had to leave rather suddenly for Pasadena right then. We were sad. But the letters continue and our friendship remains strong. Oh how I would love to see her though!

~

As for Christmas, it looks like I shall be spending it here between the A's and my grandparents. Perhaps even the Hernandez's. Peanutty will be driving back to Bama... is it terrible that it makes me a tiny bit happy he'll be sad without me? I may even be able to fit in a letter while he's away! I so love writing to him :) 

~

Well, it's off to dreamland for me. Need to be up early for coffee with Renata. PLUS - the date is 12/12/12! So many people are going to get married today. This day will never happen again... but then I guess everyday is like that. 

~

GOD, YOU ARE SO GOOD TO US!! WE LOVE YOU & PRAISE YOU FOR THE WORK ARE DOING IN US, FOR THE LIFE YOU GAVE FOR US & FOR THE REMINDER OF ALL WE'VE BEEN GIVEN... YOU ARE PRECIOUS & HOLY & LOVED. THANK YOU THAT WE ARE THAT IMAGE TO YOU AS WELL. MAY YOUR JOY ABOUND IN THIS SEASON & THROUGH ALL SEASONS!! HELP US TO SEE BEYOND OURSELVES & OUR OWN DESIRES. SHOW US HOW TO SEEK FIRST YOUR KINGDOM IN ALL WE DO, THROUGHOUT THE DAYS OF OUR LIVES. WE LOVE YOU, ABBA.

amen.

I am

Olli

in which: meet shaun

This is Shaun.

He's Bill & Dorothy's dog. When I worked at a vet clinic an older couple brought him in saying they'd found him on the side of the road with another puppy. He was very sweet and obedient for an 8 mo. old dog. I told B&D about him and within a couple weeks, they brought him home. He's my buddy. He loves toys and walks and cuddling and jumping (I joke that he's Italian since his hardest habit to break has been using his front paws - jumping, playing & pawing at people.) He hates his crate. He has to wear a shock collar when he gets put up or else he yodels like a demon. I'm serious.

It'll make your eardrums burst.

Shaun when I first saw him.

Found a few awesome new blogs/websites today I thought I'd share.
The photography makes my eyes drool:

• Freckles & Ivory
• Home Edit
• That Kind Of Woman

I am

Olli

in which: i have girly moments

http://pinterest.com/pin/207236020322697333/

This kind of goes against what this blog is about, but this idea is just too awesome not to share!! Definitely trying it this week :)

I am
Olli