Another Entrepreneurial Endeavor

My good friend, Leigha, recently interviewed her mother-in-law about her neat new business, Angel's Puppets, in which she is creating and selling puppets on eBay. If you are interested in purchasing a made-to-order professional quality puppet, visit her blog to see all that she offers!

Entrepreneurial Endeavors: Flibby Pie Design

Several people have recently asked about my blog's new layout, so I am very happy to share an interview with the web designer who created the lovely, organized new look. Katie is a nineteen year old homeschool graduate from Alabama who has a website and design business, Flibby Pie Design. Katie:

What does your business offer? I am a freelance graphic and web designer, and I offer custom blog/website and graphic designs! You can find me at http://www.flibbypiedesign.net/.

How did you get started in your business? I started getting interested in web design when I was around 11 or 12 - it was then that I really discovered the internet, and whenever I would get online I used to play these online adopt-a-pet games (kind of like 'Webkins'). The pets had their own pages that you could customize and I ended up spending more time adjusting the pages than I did playing the games! Then, in 2005 my Mom started a blog and I spent hours in Photoshop and online fixing up her template through trial and error. It was about 2007 when I started making graphics and fixing up blogs for other people, and the business just grew from there!

How my business name came about is a bit of a funny story! When my Mom started her blog she gave each of her children a different blog nickname. Mine was 'Flibbertigibbet', which came from of my love of 'The Sound of Music.' After using it in blog postings for quite a while, it quickly got shortened to just "Flibby." Then, when it was time to name my business, I knew wanted to use Flibby in the title, but it needed a little something extra. Just "Flibby Design" didn't sound quite right. My sister just happened to be baking a pie that day, and one of my siblings suggested "Flibby Pie." I thought it had a nice ring to it.

What marketing avenues have you pursued? Do you have future ideas to "grow" your business and what you offer? I do plan to grow my business as I learn more about design. I would like to be able to offer designs on more blogging platforms. As far as advertising and marketing, I just recently created a facebook page, and the more designs I have out on the web the better! I'm always changing my business website too. As I improve as a designer I constantly update it. I can be very fickle!

Does your family play any part in your business? My family plays a large part in helping me by allowing me to have a lot of time to devote to it, and encouraging me. I also use them to bounce ideas and designs off of. As far as doing the actual designing, they don't help me so much with that. ;-)

Do you feel that being homeschooled has benefited you as you've begun this business? If so, how? I definitely feel that homeschooling has benefited me! For one thing, had I been at public school all day, I would never have had the opportunity to develop these interests! I also wouldn't have the entreprenuerial mindset that my parents have instilled in me. They have always stressed the importance of doing all work as unto the Lord, instead of taking an easy way out. With web design comes lots of tiny details that some people would rather skip over because no one will notice, but I attribute my desire to finish a job well to my parents and their teaching.

How do you spend your time not related to your business? I always have a lot going on! Playing piano, beekeeping, studying (I'm working toward a degree with CollegePlus), sewing, writing stories, drawing, listening to music, participating in church activities, reading, playing outside (I still act like I'm 10 years old at times), taking care of and playing with my siblings, gardening, and holding any babies I can get my hands on.

What are your future goals? Lordwilling, I would like to get married and be a stay at home wife/mother someday. Some other possible goals I have for the future include writing a book, going on trips, and running a 5k. But other than that I'm going to keep at my business and whatever else my hands find to do - and do it with all my might. Hopefully all for the glory of God!

First Cake Decorating Assignment

This past weekend I had my first real cake decorating assignment for a friend's baby shower. They requested a monkey-shaped cake:Tonight was supposed to be my final cake decorating class from the second Wilton course, but it was rescheduled until next week. I was very happy to learn that it had been rescheduled because I still need to make and dry 15 more icing flowers in preparation for the class! I will post a picture of my final cake once it is completed.

Scrapbook of Homemaking Inspiration

I have been working on a fun little project over the past few days, which I have affectionately named my "Scrapbook of Homemaking Inspiration". When I often sift through magazines and catalogs, I usually tear out any pages that have decorating ideas, recipes, photos, cute outfits, etc. that I especially like and hope to emulate in some form or fashion in the future. Recently, I decided to take my disorganized collection of torn out magazine pages and create an organized folder of ideas.

On the front cover, I wrote out the most challenging passage of scripture regarding homemaking- Proverbs 31- and added my favorite picture. I bought page protectors and dividers so the folder would be easy to reference in the future. I divided the folder into the following categories (below are a few of the pages):

Meal Planning...Desserts (this is the largest section!)...
Bed & Bath, Kitchen & Dining...Outdoor Dining & Gardening...Clothing (I don't know that this could really be justified as having much to do with the art of homemaking, but the woman of Proverbs 31 did "dress in fine linen and purple" (31:22), so that will be my excuse!)...
Photo Album (various photos I have taken in homes)...

I look forward to browsing through more magazines now so I can add more creative ideas to my organized collection!

Hot Fudge Cheesecake

(Photo courtesy of myrecipes.com )

This cheesecake's salty pecan crust perfectly complements the rich, bitter taste of the hot fudge and makes this cheesecake one of my family's favorites!

1 cup crushed saltine crackers
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
3 tablespoons sugar
6 (1-ounce) squares semisweet chocolate
3/4 cup butter or margarine
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3 large eggs

Combine first four ingredients; stir well. Firmly press onto bottom and sides of a 7'' springform pan. Bake at 350° for 8 minutes. Remove to a wire rack; let cool. Reduce oven temperature to 300°.

Combine chocolate squares and 3/4 cup butter and melt in microwave, stirring frequently. Let cool. Beat cream cheese at medium speed of an electric mixer until creamy. Add 3/4 cup sugar; beat well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in cooled chocolate mixture. Pour into prepared crust.
Bake at 300° for 50 minutes to 1 hour or until almost set. Turn oven off and let cheesecake cool in oven for at least 30 minutes.

Today I posted my first entry on the Women for God Bible Study site, titled "Accepting the Criticism of Man."

"...When I made the decision to live at home with my family in an effort to better prepare for my future as a wife and mother instead of pursuing a college degree or full-time career, I faced a lot of criticism. It was through this experience that I first learned that criticism is often a discouraging by-product when the Lord calls us to make choices that go against the grain of what is expected in our culture. Sadly, it often appears that those closest to us seem to feel the most at liberty to voice their criticism regarding our choices. Rather than sulking in self-pity, we can find encouragement in scripture..."

To read the entire entry, click here.

And the Winner Is...

Lisa Queen from Life with the Queens

Congratulations Mrs. Queen!

Custom Monogrammed Tote Giveaway!

I am excited to announce a GIVEAWAY for a custom personalized monogrammed canvas tote! Fashioned after L.L. Bean's popular monogrammed totes, these totes can be used as beach bags, farmers market totes, library book bags, a personalized gift for a friend... the list goes on and on! The winner can choose any of the colors shown above (black & white polka dot, red & white gingham, pink, green, & white plaid, lime & white polka dot, or pale pink & white polka dot) and can have their name or initials monogrammed in any of the three styles shown above (3-letter initials "MAI", printed name "Joy", or cursive name "Sheridan").

I look forward to drawing a winner on Tuesday, January 12, at 10 PM ET. This Giveaway is open to anyone (including those in other countries). To enter, simply leave your name as a comment below this entry. If you post a link to this Giveaway on your blog, website, Facebook, or other social network your name will be entered twice.

Women for God, New Blog Layout, & Colossians 1:9-12

I want to encourage you to visit "Women for God", a new Bible study blog that recently began with the new year. Laura, from Becoming A Godly Woman, coordinated the study and wrote the first post over the weekend. Laura's entry is titled, "The Capable Woman" and is about one of my very favorite topics-- the woman of Proverbs 31. I was greatly challenged by Laura's wise, thought-provoking words and am eager to read her future entries. I was honored to be asked to be among the Bible study's contributors and look forward to writing my first entry in a couple weeks. Please pray with me that the Lord will give me the right words to say and that He will use this exciting new endeavor as an encouragement to others.

Also, on a different note, you have probably noticed my new blog layout! I am grateful for the time and creativity that Katie from Flibby Pie Designs put into this new look for the new year. Katie is a 19 year old homeschool graduate and a very talented web designer. Check out her website and portfolio here. As you will see, I am still in the process of completing some of the pages, but I hope to finish soon. Please let me know if you come across any errors or other items I may have overlooked.

Last, but not least, I want to share an amazing way that the Lord has recently encouraged me. My dear friends, Elizabeth and Marie, emailed me several weeks ago and closed their sweet letter telling me that they had prayed Colossians 1:9-12 for me. The verse seemed so perfect for me right then and I was so amazed that the Lord placed that scripture on their hearts. I was shocked when the following Sunday at church, the sermon was on the exact same scripture, Colossians 1:9-12! Realizing that the Lord was obviously leading me to this verse through two different avenues, I began memorizing it. Well, just this past Sunday-- at a different church, with a different pastor, in a different state-- imagine my surprise when he began his sermon on the very same passage-- Colossians 1:9-12! This verse is the cry of my heart right now and it has brought me so much joy and confidence knowing that the Lord is very near to me and is very much aware of my current thoughts and hopes. He has been so good to me.

"For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light." Colossians 1:9-12

Scrapbook of 2009: As Told on the Blog

In January, we went to our very first square dance and began our Pioneer Challenge, in which we tried to see how long we could go without buying groceries. In February, we had our first snow of the year and sweet Sheridan turned two!

In March, Daddy and Mama celebrated their 25th anniversary by spending one week skiing in Colorado and the following week on a cruise to the Mexican Riviera. While they were away and we were running the farm (which included handling the milk deliveries all over Richmond and its suburbs, Charlottesville, and Raleigh, NC), we had 11'' of snow and lost electricity for a while, but the Lord helped us and we got along just fine. Also during their trip, we created a video tour of our farm, and shortly after they returned, Daddy and I went to the first and second rounds of the NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament in Greensboro, NC. In March I also wrote an article about being an at-home-daughter for a magazine. Daddy and Mama on their cruise...

In April, I wrote about Proverbs 14:1 and how it related to my new-found role as a farm girl, as well as about what the Lord was teaching me about "drinking muddy water". We held an old fashioned pig pickin' and square dance at a nearby plantation in celebration of Elliott's high school graduation with about 250 friends and family.Our cheerful servers at Elliott's Graduation Celebration...

In May, we began fixing up an abandoned, 100 year old farmhouse so we could provide more adequate pasture for our cows to graze. We rented out our current home and moved into our small, one bedroom garage apartment for several weeks while we completed the necessary work on the farmhouse. In the midst of our move, I went with several friends on a trip up to Baltimore to attend a very challenging Christian conference during Memorial Day weekend. Baltimore's Inner Harbor...

In June, we moved into our not-quite-finished farmhouse. Although the new farm has required a lot of work, we have been grateful for the Lord's provision for our family. It suits our farm's needs very well. Our summer was also filled with helping Elliott process 100-150 chickens twice each month, monthly bushhogging work for the tractor service in NC, and working at two farmers markets on Saturdays. We tried to take a "day off" every couple of weeks and greatly enjoyed our season passes to King's Dominion, a nearby amusement park and water park.

In July, I finished decorating and sewing for my new bedroom at the farmhouse, canned peach jam and blackberry jam for the first time, and had the opportunity to meet my "blogging friend", Leigha, as she and her husband drove through VA during their vacation.

In August, we continued fixing up the farm and farmhouse and Sheridan and I enjoyed our first little tea party in our new bedroom. I wrote a blog entry about God's continued faithfulness as I waited for His will regarding my hope of marriage. Also in August, I was so happy to meet my dear sister in Christ, who I also met through this blog, Marie, along with her husband, Jon, and their precious brand new baby, Zane. I sewed matching dresses for Sheridan and I and we had our pictures taken together at our family's wonderful overnight stay at the beach (our first overnight "vacation" in over two years-- since the beginning of our farm! We were so thankful for the help of our two farmhands and our milk delivery driver who milked the cows and handled deliveries for us while we were away).

In September, school resumed for my two students as Sullivan entered the 5th grade and Harrison began the 3rd grade.

In October, I began a series of blog entries about redeeming our time as daughters at home, indefinitely suspended my real estate listings due to the high association fees and terribly slow market in our rural area and decided to redirect my real estate focus to only include the pursuit of my personal investment properties, wrapped up the 2009 season of bushhogging with Sullivan's Tractor Service, and answered a bevy of questions after a Q&A post. :) Elliott had a scary seizure late one night and continues to undergo testing to diagnose the cause. Because of the seizure, his drivers' license was suspended for six months (until April 17), which has been discouraging for him.

In November, Sullivan, Harrison, and I volunteered in the campaign for governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general. We were so happy when our candidates swept the race with landslide wins! I wrote a blog entry detailing most of the items in my beloved hope chest collection. We prepared the farm for two big, exciting events: a barn dance with 125+ friends, and our annual "Day to Give Thanks for Udders" customer appreciation day, in which over 400 people came out to the farm. We celebrated Thanksgiving at our grandparents' home in NC.

In December, I attended an inspiring course on cake decorating and learned many new cake decorating techniques, attended the beautiful Edenton Candlelight Tour with Mama, celebrated my 22nd birthday, had a wonderful Christmas, and made cinnamon rolls and sourdough bread for the first time.

And that brings you up to date, as most of this was written as I awaited the arrival of the New Year as signified by the infamous ball dropping in Times Square, and am now finishing it on New Years Day.
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I am very excited about this upcoming year and what the Lord may have in store for my life in 2010. I am blessed beyond measure with a very good life that is brimming with great hope and expectation for the future as I continue to strive to wholeheartedly serve God and desire His will for my life.

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Blessings for a productive, challenging, and spiritually enriching 2010!

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Click here to read my blog entry chronicling 2008.