Arise and Shine!

“Arise and Shine” coffee/tea mug

Good morning, friends. Arise and Shine! I hope you’re enjoying a sunny day, no matter the weather.

I love this Arise and Shine design. It just seems to make me want to start the day with vigor. If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you’ll notice that most of the lovely photos that have accompanied my articles here on the Leisure Lane blog over the years are now available on products for you to enjoy. It was a dream of mine for you (and me) to enjoy these lovely photos in your own home – everyday.

“Arise and Shine!” phone cases

to see all the products this design is available on, click here.

Another intent of mine has always been to encourage, motivate, and inspire others to be their best – to grow in confidence, knowing that their total well-being is supported by someone. The journey is a lifetime, and sometimes arduous – so many steps back along with the steps forward – but it should be sprayed with joy knowing that progress is being made. That’s how I look at it. Being able to show my authentic self after so many years of hiding who I really was at a struggling job is one of the most liberating things God has done for me. It was like he said, “You don’t have to start all over, my dear one…we’ll just brush off some of the dust on your soul and continue on.” What a gift to know I am so important to the LORD, the one who flung the Universe into existence.

So, Arise and Shine and let your light shine through – there’s no better day than today!

Well, I hope you enjoyed your visit here today, and you found something to inspire and uplift you. If you have, share it with someone else – spread the positive aspects of everything about you, and…

Until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne
LeisureLane1

 

 

Chocolate Covered Banana/Peanut Butter Bites

Good Monday, friends, and welcome to Leisure Lane. I hope you all had a nice weekend, and are ready to splurge on a delicious snack.

These snack bites are all over Pinterest. They’re a healthy treat and easy to make. One of my family members likes peanut butter and bananas, so I thought these would be something good to try without all the bread.

You’ll need:
2 bananas – sliced in 1-inch chunks
Smooth or chunky peanut butter (I used an Organic smooth)
Dark Chocolate Chips – enough for dipping. (I used Organic 72% dark chocolate chips)
Tooth picks (or any utensil needed for dipping banana ‘sandwiches’ in melted chocolate)

*Place the banana chunks on a cookie sheet lined with waxed or parchment paper, and put in freezer for about 30 minutes, or until frozen.
*In a double boiler, melt chocolate chips, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat.
*Remove the bananas from the freezer and sandwich some peanut butter between two chunks. Place the still frozen sandwiched chunks on a toothpick and dip it into the melted chocolate. Wait a few seconds for the chocolate to harden and place back on cookie sheet, removing the tooth pick.
*Continue until all sandwich chunks are dipped and ENJOY! You can put any left overs (ha) in a freezer or refrigerator safe container and keep cold.

Easy and yummy and oh, so healthy, too. If you try them, let me know what you think. I’ll be back soon to share more homemade items. Be safe and healthy, and…

Until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne

 

Thrive!

“Thrive the way God intended. And if you don’t know what that is, then look at a flower in all its uniqueness and beauty.” Marianne Coyne

Good day, dear ones…

Welcome to Leisure Lane, and thank you for strolling by to visit.  A quick post to let you know how much I appreciate all of you.  I hope today you come to know the things that make you THRIVE with joy and contentment, and to treat them as the precious jewels they are.

Until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne ♥

“The Christmas Pin Society” Free Kindle Promotion

Hello friends and new visitors,

I’ve been updating my Kindle account by joining Kindle Select, where I get to offer “The Christmas Pin Society” for free for 5 days.  And I decided to jump right in, so from September 4th thru September 8, 2014 you can download the story for FREE!  So if you’ve never read it before, why not take advantage of this offer.

If you don’t have a kindle reader, you can download a free app for your computer or other devices.  Simply click here to see more about it, and to read the synopsis.  If you enjoy the Christmas holiday movies, you’ll love this story.

I’m rather new to the Kindle Select, and it seems all systems are GO, but I’m not sure where the free promotion will show up, because I don’t see it on the main page.  I’m suspecting it will engage during the ordering process.  If not, please let me know.
Update September 4th:  Everything is working fine, so ordering is easy-peasy! 

Thank you for visiting Leisure Lane.  And remember to download “The Christmas Pin Society” for free during this 5 day promotion.  If you do, please leave a review on the Amazon page.  Word of mouth is everything, so tell your friends about it.  It’s a perfect story to wrap yourself in for the holiday seasons, or anytime.

Until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne ♥

 

 

 

Kindness is Love Tag

Hello and welcome to all who stroll by Leisure Lane today.  It’s always a pleasure to see you.

Today we’re featuring a new tag – “Kindness is Love”.  I hope to create a matching booklet.

Until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne ♥

Sing Me a Song

Sing me a song, and I’ll pour you some tea.
Don’t make it loud, but hum it gently.
Let the words gracefully flow from your lips,
As I move to its rhythm with soft swaying hips.
And when you are done we will laugh and rejoice,
That life is so happy when that is our choice.

Marianne Coyne©2014

Thank you for strolling by Leisure Lane.  Until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne

Kare and Mare: Tally Ho

Welcome to Leisure Lane,

It’s playtime for Kare…well, at least she’s going along for the ride…COL (chuckle out loud).  And it’s nice to have a friend who’s always on your side. Stay tuned for part 2 of “Tally Ho”.

If you’ve missed any “Kare and Mare”, or you’d like to know more about them, you can go to the Kare and Mare page and view them there.  Also, Kare and Mare are now on Pinterest.  You’re welcome to stop by and visit me there.

Until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne

Note:  “Kare and Mare” is a comic panel created by Marianne Coyne.  All rights reserved.

Summer Potholders

Hello everyone,

In a previous post, in which I featured similar potholders, a viewer requested the pattern.  So today, in featuring my pretty, summery potholder set, I am also offering the pattern for diagonal knitted potholders.  They’re so easy to make and if you are a minimal knitter, such as myself, they are perfect to try.

The following pattern is for mini potholders, but you can continue with the pattern for any size you want.  I created one large and two mini contrasting potholders.  Let your imagination soar.

Mini Pot Holders

Size 6 needles
cotton yarn – Peaches ‘n Cream or Sugar and Cream

Cast on 3 stitches.
Row 1 – Knit across the 3 stitches.
Row 2 – Knit 2, Yarn Over (YO), knit across.  Knit Row 2 until there are 27 stitches on needle.

Next Row – (Decrease) Knit 1, Knit 2 together, YO, Knit 2 together, Knit across.
Continue decrease row until you have 5 stitches.
Knit 1, Knit 2 together, Knit 2 together.  3 stitches left.
Next Row – Knit across the 3 stitches.
Bind off 3 stitches.

There is a lovely knitted edging that is formed with this pattern.  In the above photo, however, I added a crocheted edging to the existing one.  So just be creative.  I’d love to hear how yours turn out.

Thank you for visiting Leisure Lane.  I hope you found something here to enjoy.  Until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne

Additional Information Update:

Oh, by the way, I neglected to say that some of these cotton threads tend to bleed a bit when washed, so pre-wash or soak with some vinegar in the water to set the colors. I usually wash these by hand, first with some vinegar, afterward simply wash with some cool to warm soap and water, as the threads keep nicer that way. If you wash in a machine, place items in a laundry bag to keep better.

Kare and Mare: Girls’ Outing II

Ahh, yes, the food pyramid…You know that this is just a joke – right? RIGHT?  🙂

If you’ve missed any “Kare and Mare”, or you’d like to know more about them, you can go to the Kare and Mare page and view them there.  Also, Kare and Mare are now on Pinterest.  You’re welcome to stop by and visit me there.

If you missed the first “Girls’ Outing” and would like to see it, click here.

Until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne

Note:  “Kare and Mare” is a comic panel created by Marianne Coyne.  All rights reserved.

Today I’m joining Melody at Brown Gingham Creations for REDnesday.

Kare and Mare: Girls’ Outing

Hello friends,

It’s been a while since Kare and Mare, so I thought I’d share some more.  Everyone needs an outing once in a while, and Kare and Mare love the opportunity.  Remember ‘Nilla?  She’s staying home.

If you’ve missed any “Kare and Mare”, or you’d like to know more about them, you can go to the Kare and Mare page and view them there.

Until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne

Note:  “Kare and Mare” is a comic panel created by Marianne Coyne.  All rights reserved.