Flowers for My Friend Leontien

So, Nancy over at A Rural Journal organized a wonderful surprise for our lovely friend Leontien today.

Of course, I was supposed to post a flower for Leontien at 8 a.m. this morning...I'm just 12 hours late or so. But my Love for Leontien is as strong as ever.

Hugs, my dear friend, lots and lots of hugs.

I'm Giving a Llama for Christmas

Source: clawsondesigns.com via Megan on Pinterest

Since I can't sing AT ALL, I'm trying to find other ways to spread some Christmas cheer this year.

I love giving presents...finding just the right gift for friends and family.

I'm thinking of getting my friend, Leontien, a llama.

She's a dairy farmer but she loves llamas. Not really sure what the story is behind her adoration for these long-necked spitting machines, but she does.

Unfortunately, I'm not quite sure how to wrap a llama or if it would even fit into the trunk of my Corolla.

Just think of the spit I'd have to clean up...yuck!

So, I went to Heifer International's website and to see about buying a llama for a family in need.

Source: secure1.heifer.org via Megan on Pinterest

Once in a while when I can't decide what to give someone, I'll look into making a donation in their honor. I struggle with this because I want to be sure the gift is to an organization/cause that they support or believe in. (Remember Will's gift of a polar bear or whale to his friend's little girl...I don't want to be that gift giver.)

As a farmer who works hard to care for her animals, I think Leontien will appreciate the gift to Heifer International.

As a lover of llamas, I think she will love that a woman somewhere in the world is receiving a llama in her honor.

I love Heifer's mission, strategy and their history.

Heifer’s mission is…
To work with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the Earth.

Heifer's strategy is…To “Pass on the Gift.” As people share their animals’ offspring with others – along with their knowledge, resources, and skills – an expanding network of hope, dignity, and self-reliance is created that reaches around the globe.

Heifer’s History
This simple idea of giving families a source of food rather than short-term relief caught on and has continued for over 65 years. Today, millions of families in 128 countries have been given the gifts of self-reliance and hope.

Check out their FAQ page if you want to know more. (Yes, some of the animals given are eaten by the family...but not llamas.)

What kind of nontraditional gifts are you giving this Christmas?  I'd love to hear about them!

Count Your Blessings

I was reminded once again yesterday that we need to stop, take a deep breath and realize all of the blessings we have in this life.

It was a post on the Love for Leontien page that brought me tears and perspective.

This is from Leontien's husband who is gracious enough to find the time, strength and words to keep his wife's friends and supporters updated while she undergoes treatments to fight cancer (for a second time).

Next time I start to whine about "all" the work I have to get done...

Next time I start to complain about something a friend, sister, coworker said to upset me...

Next time another driver cuts me off, drives slow in the fast lane or waits forever to turn right...

I'm going to think about Leontien and her family sitting in the hospital praying for the treatment to work and I'm going to get over it...whatever "it" is and be grateful for what I have.

via

Loving on Leontien, Vacation and Fall TV

I'm wrapping up a week of vacation where I did nothing more exciting than sleep in, clean my house, and cook up some butterscotch rolls...and maybe some pinning over on Pinterest!

Here are just a few things I'm "loving on Wednesday."

I'm loving...My wonderful IRL and blogging buddies, Liz and Cris. They organized a wonderful "love bomb" effort for our friend Leontien who just found out that she has cancer for the second time in just a few years. 

In just one day, the Love for Leontien Facebook page had more than 100 likes. Head over and give her some encouragement and love!

Don't know the connection between skull underwear and cancer? Check out Leontien's blog post.

When you are saying a little prayer for Leontien, please say an extra one for my granny. She's in a lot of pain and my family is bracing ourselves for the worst. I just want her to be at peace and not hurt anymore, whatever path that leads her down.

On a lighter note...I'm loving that the new television season kicked off this week. I didn't PLAN my vacation around it but it was a great coincidence. 

I'm loving and looking forward to...

Source: google.is via Megan on Pinterest

and...

Source: 27.media.tumblr.com via Megan on Pinterest

I'm loving...that I've probably spent too much time on Pinterest this week and not enough time cleaning my house. Oh well...look what I found!

For my NYC trip at the end of October...

Source: polyvore.com via Megan on Pinterest

For my wall...I really did buy this!

Source: etsy.com via Megan on Pinterest

For my listening pleasure, I've been obsessed with these guys...

Source: userserve-ak.last.fm via Megan on Pinterest

I'm in love with Mumford and Sons. If you don't have their CD...go get it now! Or plug them into Pandora and enjoy the mix!

What are YOU loving this Wednesday?

Linking up here.

This is for You, Leontien

My lovely friend is dealing with some heavy stuff right now.

Her cancer is back.

So, I'm joining some friends to "love bomb" her today to show her how much we love and care for her. Check out the Love for Leontien Facebook page and leave a note.




Leontien loves her husband.
Leontien loves her family.
Leontien loves her dairy cows.
Leontien loves her horses.
Leontien loves Calvin and Hobbes, chocolate and books.
There's one more thing that I know she loves...well at least loves to look at. 
So, Leontien, this is for you...

Source: google.com via Megan on Pinterest

I wasn't sure which Jared Leto you like best. I'm partial to the one above, but just in case you like him with a bit of eyeliner...

Source: None via Megan on Pinterest

Source: bing.com via Megan on Pinterest

And one more just because I can...

Source: google.com via Megan on Pinterest

Leontien, if you need more "pick-me-ups" let me know!