1. I wanted to make a gratitude journal to start off the year but it wasn’t high enough on the priority list. yes, my word for the year is FOCUS. I’m trying, I really am. SO. Now I am ready and have the time and thank you Pinterest, I wasted time searching and then just did what I imagined in the first place – I covered a composition notebook. However, Pinterest did give me the idea to make it a family journal. Love that. 🙂 I also got the idea to use washi tape on the page edges – I think I will do that to either separate pages by family member or by month!
our family gratitude journal. I really like how it turned out!
And because I so appreciate you taking the time to read visit me, I am giving away one gratitude journal. See below to enter! (Please note: I will do my best to make yours in colors and a style that you like – it need not look anything like mine!)
2. The Overdrive system for lending e-books. Oh my gosh, I had have my Kindle touch for close to a year now and I have purchased so few books because I can borrow so many through my local library. Let’s just imagine that I have my library card number memorized… I love that they let you make a wish list (mine is a little long) and when I have a lot of space in my hold queue I go through my wish list and start placing holds.
3. This website – Really Reasonable Ribbon. Bonnie has excellent customer service and extremely reasonable prices on a large variety of ribbon. I use ribbon primarily for paper crafting, and I pretty much exclusively buy from her. She sends a sample with each order and your ribbon arrives tied with a sweet little bow (hello, second sample ribbon!). Go shop. In fact, the chevron ribbon on my gratitude journal is from RRR!
4. This recipe – tangy pork roast. It’s SO GOOD. Oh my gosh. SO good. Do, however, double the sauce. I didn’t at first and it looked like it was getting a little dry, so I whipped up more quickly and added it partway through cooking.
5. This book – Say Goodbye to Survival Mode. After our youngest had some medical issues and didn’t sleep well for a long, long, long time I had a hard time keeping up with everything that needed to be done. Plus, once she started sleeping I realized how sleep deprived I truly had been and let’s be honest, I didn’t function all that well until I had several weeks of good sleep under my belt. It was a bad situation all around. I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of Crystal’s book and a lot of what she shared about goals, saying no to things, and making health a priority really resonated with me. I had already started making some changes when I read this book last fall and I’ve started some new habits as well. It’s good. I highly suggest reading it! (I was provided with a free copy but was not compensated in any other way, nor am I required to give a good review. I bought a hard copy with my own cash because I liked it so much.)
Linking up with Hallie @ Moxie Wife for 5 Favorites today!
Leave a comment for your chance to win, please, because apparently I cannot figure out Rafflecopter. I’ll pick a winner on Sunday, Feb. 2!
Best,
Jen
The Sparkle Within 
Found your post through Hallie’s linkup- what a nice idea with the journal!
Your journal is lovely! What a great idea.
I love Overdrive too. Isn’t it amazing to get new books without spending money or leaving the house? Or waiting? 🙂
Your journal reminds me of the time I couldn’t find an address book in any store, so I just made my own with a journal and a set of alphabet stickers. Love the idea of separating the sections with wash tape!
Lovely journal, Jen! The color scheme is eye-catching and I really like the stamp you’ve used as your focal point. I have all of my students keep composition books and I ended up decorating the ones I use as a model for each class last summer. Aren’t they fun? I’m already looking forward to decorating new journals for next school year.
I, too, have resolved to be more appreciative of all of the incredible blessings in my life. Overdrive is one of my favorite “gravy” blessings!