Guess what I’ve discovered these past two weeks? When you’re on the lookout for awesome things all day, it makes your day fun and happy and light-hearted. That’s pretty awesome all by itself, isn’t it? Enjoy this bunch of randomness!

Melody: Awesome Love

Maria: Awesome Lens

Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.8 II Autofocus Lens – $99

Maria Simpson
Camp Staff
www.etsy.com/shop/chickadeebeadart
(Photo by Lara Blair)

Shamanie – Awesome Smoothie

” My husband came up with this recipe for our Create Health ECourse and it was a HIT!  It is packed full of healthy things like SPINACH but so delicious you would NEVER know!  Try it…Here is the recipe…”

5oz. Coconut Milk
1 Tbsp. Agave Nectar
1 tsp. Spirulina
2 cups Spinach (packed)
2 cups Frozen Mango Chunks
1 cup Frozen Peaches
3 Large Strawberries

Place the ingredients in a blender in the order listed, starting with the Coconut Milk. Blend until the mixture is smooth and completely mixed.

Pour, drink and enjoy!

Dr. Shamanie Heneca
www.drhaneca.com

Jennifer: Awesome Affordable Vacuum

“Eureka Smartvac. About ten years ago we needed a new vacuum, and whenever we need something that requires plugging in, my husband puts his researcher hat on. He found this beauty (though ours is green. They’ve changed the look, apparently) for under $150 that out-performed the really expensive vacuums in Consumer Reports. It cleans the carpets and hard floors like a dream. In ten years the only thing we’ve had to replace is the hose once (and that was after a lot of abuse), and a belt once. The bags are cheap and easy to find, and the hepa filter is really nice. Anyone is invited to come over and give mine a test drive at any time! “

Jennifer Rummler
Little Sister Extraordinaire

Luke: Awesome Heroes

“People who serve in the military and are willing to leave their families to protect and serve our country are awesome.”

Luke Merrill
Chelsea’s Brave Dude

Lara: Awesome Website

“I adore www.decor8blog.com for home decor ideas!”

Lara Blair
http://www.larablairimages.com
http://www.larablairimages.com/Blog
http://www.etsy.com/shop/larablair
http://www.modernprairiegirl.com

Chelsea: Awesome Animal Rescue Story

(Read the full story and see more photos here.)

Some fishing stories are a little hard to believe, but this guy has pictures to prove his story…

Tom Satre told the Sitka Gazette that he was out with a charter group on his 62-foot fishing vessel when four juvenile black-tailed deer swam directly toward his boat.

“Once the deer reached the boat, the four began to circle the boat, looking directly at us. We could tell right away that the young bucks were distressed. I opened up my back gate and we helped the typically skittish and absolutely wild animals onto the boat. In all my years fishing, I’ve never seen anything quite like it! Once on-board, they collapsed with exhaustion, shivering. We headed for Taku Harbour. Once we reached the dock, the first buck that we had been pulled from the water hopped onto the dock, looked back as if to say ‘thank you’ and disappeared into the forest. After a bit of prodding and assistance, two more followed, but the smallest deer needed a little more help (that’s him in the wheelbarrow). My daughter, Anna, and son, Tim, helped the last buck to its feet. We didn’t know how long they had been in the icy waters or if there had been others who did not survive. My daughter later told me that the experience was something that she would never forget, and I suspect the deer felt the same way as well!”

Chelsea Merrill (with Riggin)
Brave Girls Club Photographer
Camp Food & Staff  Manager
CM Photography

Thanks to everyone for leaving your “Awesome Things” comments. And send your Awesome photos to awesomethings@bravegirlsclub.com so we can include them in our video. You have until December 20!

Have we told you lately that we love you and we’re so thankful you’re here?? We do and we are.

xoxo

kathy

Part 5 of our favorite Awesome Things….so much goodness to share today!

Kelly Rae: Awesome Way to Comfort

Julie: Awesome Book

” The Dot, Peter Reynolds. One of my VERY favorite books…for anyone who has been afraid to express themselves…from a child in art class to an adult whose fear has shut down a long-held dream.”

Julie Hosley

Maria: Awesome Sport & Quote

“These are 2 awesome things together.  Surfing and a quote about freedom.  Two things I hold dearly in my heart.  I would LOVE this mural on the wall of my room.  AWESOME!”

Maria Simpson
Camp Staff

(Photo by Lara Blair)

Brock: Awesome Music – CAKE

“Cake tops the charts for me! They’re masters of composition and John McCrea’s lyrics and singing are one of a kind. They’re unique without being weird.”

Brock Ross
Brave Girls Club Video Producer (aka Brave Dude)

Lara: Awesome Fun Project

“I love “Improv Everywhere” based out of NY because they make every-day stuff fun. They make people laugh and appreciate life.”

Lara Blair

• http:// www.larablairimages.c om
• http:// www.larablairimages.c om/Blog
• http://www.etsy.com/shop/larablair
• http://www.modernprairiegirl.com

Kolleen: Awesome Stocking Stuffer

“Starbucks Single Serve. These are the best especially if you are needing that afternoon pick me up and don’t want to make a pot of coffee!!  They are the perfect stocking stuffer for the coffee lover in your life!!”

Kolleen Harrison
heartwingsisters.blogspot.com/

Jennifer: Awesome makes-everything-taste-better treat: Nutella

“My first encounter with Nutella was in high school when one of my lifelong best friends  came back from France with a jar; and true to her generous spirit, shared some with me. Of course, it was amazing! It’s easy to get now (Costco has the very best deal), but a few people I know still haven’t tried it or don’t know just how magically wonderful and versatile it is. We love it on crackers (Ritz are really scrumptious with Nutella on top), in sandwiches or wraps with peanut butter, on top of brownies, as a dip for fruit (SO good!). . . the possibilities are endless. I’ve seen recently that you can use it to make a sort of hot chocolate. I can’t wait to try that. My Tahitian friend had it every day on French bread growing up. In fact, she shared with us my very favorite way of using Nutella: in a crepe with sliced bananas and whipped cream. If you could roll heaven up and take a bite, that would be it. ”

Jennifer Rummler
Little Sister Extraordinnaire

Part 6 coming tomorrow!!

And…remember to leave YOUR ‘Awesome Things’ Comments at the bottom of our Awesome Things Challenge blog post (CLICK HERE), and while you’re there,  be sure to read the Awesome Things posted by Brave Girls EVERYWHERE. Not only is it tons of fun, but you’ll be entered into our drawing for a free Body Restoration tuition!!

Be part of our Awesome Things VIDEO! Just take a photo of yourself with your ‘awesome thing’ with a sign that says ‘awesome’…and email it to awesomethings@bravegirlsclub.com! Deadline is December 20, and the video will be LIVE before Christmas. Come on…it’ll be fun!!

Remember…we love you, and we think YOU are awesome!

xoxo

Part 3…more things we think are totally awesome!

(Have you left your comments on our Awesome Things Challenge post yet? Here are some ideas to get you started…we’d love to hear from YOU.)

Kelly: Favorite Accessory

“These boots are AWESOME!!!!!  Of course all my Brave Girls friends already know this, but this is my very first pair of OLD GRINGO cowboy boots, and I am IN LOVE!   Everytime I wear them, they will remind me of how brave I really am!”

Kelly Lish

• Kelly’s Blog
• www.kelsetsy.etsy.com
• www.kellylish.com

Terry: Favorite Awesome Magazine

““Modern Living with Man’s Best Friend.” LIFE+DOG is a glossy magazine that warms your heart with compelling content, amazing photography, and fun contests. Starting in 2012, LIFE+DOG will be available nationally and include a column from Melody Ross! Subscribe to LIFE+DOG at www.lifeanddog.com to receive the print edition each month. You can find them on facebook at www.facebook.com/lifeanddog for daily laughs, touching stories, and a weekly photo contest that is always fun to watch.”

Terry Chisholm
www.bravegirlsclub.com
Camp Staff & Mentor

Kim: Favorite Awesome Perfume
Escada

As part of our Awesome Things Challenge, we asked some of our friends to send over their favorite awesome things….and they sent over so many that we are going to do a post every day til Christmas…..here is today’s lineup!!!

Jeanne’s Favorite Beautiful Things
“I think beautiful art supplies are awesome!  I love the beautiful mess that a table of paints, pastels and inks make.  These are my new favorite pastels.”

Jeanne Oliver
www.jeanneoliverdesigns.com
www.jeanneoliverdesigns.com/blog
www.abushelandapeck.etsy.com

Kelly Rae’s Favorite Awesome Music
“You Are Part of Something Beautiful” by Alexi Murdoch

“it’s more than a song. it’s a chant. a mantra. a hymn. a meditation, and a lullaby. i’ve been singing it to baby True and I hope that every word, every piece of it, sinks into his soul, his bones, his heart.

May the Grace of God be with you always, in your heart
May you know the truth inside you from the start
May you find the strength to know that you are a
part of something beautiful…

I had to share with you as it’s not often that a song reaches me so deeply. Big thanks to my friend Jen for sending it over to me.”

Kelly Rae Roberts
Website
Online store (always full with goodies)
Blog

Liz’s Favorite Awesome Recipe
(one of many!)

Liz Hicks
http://blogerisms.blogspot.com

Stephanie’s Favorite Awesome Book
(one of many!)

“When you give and love unconditionally, it all comes back to you tenfold! When you give with no strings attached and without mention, you receive so much back in return. Doing a good deed not only affects those around us, it ultimately improves our own well being!”

Stephanie Ackerman
homegrownhospitality.typepad.com/

Melody’s Favorite Awesomely Inspiring Story
(one of many)

“I chose this totally awesome thing because it touched my heart and made me jump up and down with a huge smile on my face….and clap my hands over how proud I was of Stephanie Lee for taking on this challenge.

I think what is most beautiful about this story is that she is putting everything she’s got into helping her tiny little town…it’s not a glitzy publicity stunt and it’s not happening on a busy city street…it’s a tiny little town that she loves and she just wants to take what she’s got….truth and beauty and wisdom and creativity and art….and lift the spirits of others with it. (make sure you click the link to read about what she is doing!)

This is an AWESOME STORY about an AWESOME WOMAN….I love her art, I have taken a few of her classes, I own and LOVE her books….but THIS PROJECT HERE is really who she is….I love her soul…….”

http://stephanielee.typepad.com/theaffirmationproject/

http://stephanielee.typepad.com/stephanie_lee_studios/

Melody Ross
www.bravegirlsclub.com

Kathy’s Favorite Awesome Hero
(one of many!)

“In spite of all the noise being made by ‘celebrity chefs’ out there, this guy is my kitchen hero. Way back before there was a Food Network, Christopher Kimball (who I just noticed looks slightly like Dwight S.’s long lost ‘nicer’ brother) decided that what the cooking world needed is ‘Recipes That Work’ for real world cooks. So at the age of 29 and with help from family and friends as his angel investors, he started Cooks Magazine.  30 years later he is the creator (and active boss-man) of several cooking magazines, a tv show called America’s Test Kitchen (named after an actual place he created called by the same name), several websites, a ton of cookbooks, and a popular blog he writes himself right from his working farm in Vermont. I have a long shelf full of his cookbooks, subscribe to his magazines, watch his show if I’m home at 10:30 a.m. on a Saturday, and I’m a paid subscriber to his websites which I visit often…and I actually USE his recipes a LOT. They test the dickens out of every recipe, every ingredient, every tool, every technique…until they chunk it down to a recipe that really DOES WORK!!  www.cooksillustrated.com – absolutely phenomenal in every way and the best place to learn about anything food related. I would love to hang out with him and his gang at the test kitchen.”

Kathy Wilkins
www.bravegirlsclub.com

Dawn’s Favorite Life-Saver

“This is more of a necessity, I just discovered it a few months ago and I don’t know how I raised kids without it.  It is a stain remover:  Carbona Stain Devils. They come in these little yellow bottles and there are different numbered bottles for different stains.  (chocolate, ketchup, mustard; oil and grease; dairy etc…)  These work so great!  Available pretty much at any store.”

Dawn Blackstead

Janet’s Favorite Awesome Treat

“Have you seen them??!!!  True Story……you can roast the SAME Jet-Puffed JUMBO marshmallow FOUR times!
Craziest, puffiest, most AWESOME thing ever???  Of course it is!!!!!!! “

Janet Wilson
http://www.sealedwithasmile.com

Part 2 coming tomorrow!!

And…remember to leave YOUR ‘Awesome Things’ Comments at the bottom of our Awesome Things Challenge blog post (CLICK HERE), and while you’re there,  be sure to read the Awesome Things posted by Brave Girls EVERYWHERE. Not only is it tons of fun, but you’ll be entered into our drawing for a free Body Restoration tuition!!

Be part of our Awesome Things VIDEO! Just take a photo of yourself with your ‘awesome thing’ with a sign that says ‘awesome’…and email it to awesomethings@bravegirlsclub.com! Deadline is December 20, and the video will be LIVE before Christmas. Come on…it’ll be fun!!

We love you, and we think YOU are awesome!

xoxo