tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52601405376452727662012-02-13T12:55:42.022-08:00writer.speaker.entrepreneur.leader.wife.mom.Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.comBlogger401100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-91857896255861641372012-02-13T12:06:00.000-08:002012-02-13T12:17:43.487-08:00

If you've ever spent time with a curious toddler, you'll know that they are in the prime stage of exploring and trying new things.  One of the things that our 16 month old MJ loves doing these days is trying to fit random toys into each other.  For example, today she took a toy dental mouth mirror and tried fitting it into a toy gas bottle meant to fill one of T-Hawk's racing cars.    I

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-3568091258726623292012-02-07T13:48:00.000-08:002012-02-08T10:28:49.233-08:00

What a day!  What a day!  What a day!!  I'm still so full to the brim of sheer and utter joy that I received during one of the best birthdays (if not THE best) I've ever had!!  (Read my LAST BLOG POST to find out the plan!!) Below is the list of the acts of kindness (some random, some planned!) that we with some friends here and friends across the country (who I felt were here in spirit!) did

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-73274141630431974112012-01-30T21:34:00.000-08:002012-01-30T21:39:56.844-08:00

I couldn't be more excited about my birthday this year.  Is it a big one?  NOPE.  Just 33.  Kind of a boring number, isn't it?  So I decided to spice it up even more with totally UN-BORING birthday plans.  See I got totally inspired when I read a random blog by a woman (Robyn) who celebrated her 38th birthday by doing 38 random acts of kindness.  She said it was her BEST BIRTHDAY EVER, and I

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-50121151456242607342012-01-05T22:31:00.000-08:002012-01-05T22:31:00.574-08:00

Okay so yes...it's been a LOOOONG (unintentional) hiatus.  I've fallen off the blog-wagon...and I'm sorry!!  I really am!!  Allow me to explain. First I blame forgefulness. Then I blame busyness. After that, came lazy-ness....and then more busyness. But my big excuse for the last couple weeks is simply that I've felt this self-created pressure for the next blog to be BRILLIANT.  I mean,

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-10557551413423670082011-09-09T10:35:00.000-07:002011-09-09T10:35:58.041-07:00

When I was little girl, I was blessed to have a Dad who regularly told me he loved me...unconditionally.  We had this thing going where I would ask him why, and he'd almost always respond with "Because you're Sara."  Sweet.  Simple.  He loved me because I was me.  Now Ty and I have this thing.  I kind of adopted it from my sister.  I ask him, "Who loves you??" He responds with "Mommy!!" I

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-20814925405627541952011-08-21T18:43:00.000-07:002011-08-21T18:48:13.464-07:00

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Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-71455567080847359082011-08-17T13:16:00.000-07:002011-08-17T13:16:05.550-07:00

I have always wished I could be more creative when it comes to home decor, fashion, etc.  My sister Christy has always been really great at hands-on creativity.  She can sew likes there's no tomorrow and her handmade gifts are always super cute and unique.  When I've asked her about how I can get more creative (especially with home decor stuff), her suggestion has often been to look through

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-47036799182064360602011-06-28T12:54:00.000-07:002011-06-28T13:08:42.527-07:00

As I was cleaning out my spare room, I came across this letter I wrote to God 3 years ago.  During this time, I was touring with Beautiful Unique Girl (CANADIAN YOUTH LEADERS - Check them out!)  It was a good but very challenging year.  I had told God before moving to Winnipeg and joining BUgirl that I wanted to see GROWTH in various aspects of my life, but forgot that it usually requires "

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-20473580674731679132011-06-19T21:24:00.000-07:002011-06-19T21:26:58.094-07:00

I am blessed. Dad and I have always shared a wonderful and close relationship.  These are just a few reasons why I love him...... As a little girl, he introduced me to my Heavenly Father.  There is no greater gift he could have given me.As a young child, he would tuck my sisters and me in to bed, singing songs like"Peace peace".For grade 8 graduation, he took me on my 1st date to the Skylon

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-20442415061555398902011-06-16T21:15:00.000-07:002011-06-16T21:15:30.072-07:00

Tuesday marked 11 weeks down and 1 to go with db and I being on the Maximized Living Advanced Plan diet.  So I thought that I would write about this experience NOW since 5 days from now, I'm going to be too busy chowing down on sugar and grains.  (Kidding...well sort of... No, we're going to take it slowly, reintroducing various fruits and only limited whole grains at first.  More on that later.)

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-54990447206752186392011-06-02T19:01:00.000-07:002011-06-02T19:01:13.337-07:00

I was in Niagara Falls last weekend and was overwhelmed with memories from university. 1998-99 was 1st year university at McMaster in Hamilton, Ontario.  I honestly don't remember an entire year in my life that left me thinking "That was the best year ever!" like that year did.  I had never found a group of friends who I connected with and "fit" with better.  Combine that with my new freedom (

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-37142173081521587372011-05-31T18:39:00.000-07:002011-05-31T18:39:28.495-07:00

From "Maximized Living Nutrition Plans" book Most muffins are loaded with sugar, bad fats, and refined flours.  This healthy version is both satisfying and delicious.  (I would have to agree.) 1 1/4 cup Flaxseed Meal (I grind up flax in the coffee grinder or buy it already ground.  It's cheap at Bulk Barn!) 2 tsp Baking Powder 1 Tbsp Cinnamon 1 tsp Nutmeg 1/2 tsp Sea Salt Stevia or Xylitol or

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-32802849120700174652011-05-10T06:00:00.000-07:002011-05-10T06:00:47.884-07:00

Tonight I posted a picture of what we had for dinner on Facebook and it got a fair amount of interest...  Pizza made with chick pea flour.  Chick pea flour Pizza?  WHY??? Well I'm glad you asked!  First of all (contrary to what John K may think!), it's super delicious!!  Secondly, for the last 6 weeks (as of today!! YAY!  We're 1/2 way there!), db and I have been on the Maximized Living

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-7279728764422761592011-05-07T20:11:00.000-07:002011-05-07T20:14:10.988-07:00

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Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-68075138895814011522011-05-04T19:39:00.000-07:002011-05-04T19:40:23.128-07:00

So the hubs and I don't have cable.  We feel like it's a waste of money.  But we did recently get NetFlix which is awesome by the way!  We get all kinds of t.v. shows and movies at our fingertips, commercial-free, for just $8.99/month.  (There's a little plug for you NetFlix!) One of the shows I've been enjoying lately is Being Erica.  It tells the story of a 32 year old Toronto woman (YAY!

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-19990392559283029882011-04-12T19:16:00.000-07:002011-04-12T19:26:50.576-07:00

Some of you know we moved to Winnipeg almost 4 years ago so that I could be part of a ministry called Beautiful Unique Girl.  We traveled across the country doing themed events for teenage girls.  My friend Cecilia (from Steinbach, MB) is now a part of this awesome ministry, traveling the country, inspiring young girls and giving them hope.  She is now in the Ontario part of her tour and a

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-47515277775101063382011-02-27T16:38:00.000-08:002011-02-28T04:40:41.988-08:00

I watched a movie last night ("Switch" - cute flick!) that started out talking about how maybe it's called the human race because it actually is a human RACE.  I count myself as one of many people that I know who often say we have NO TIME.  We say our lives are too busy as we run RUN RUN.  We try to juggle work, family, kids, friends, church life, volunteer work,  etc.  And we spend our lives

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-53271056198139097442011-02-16T07:47:00.000-08:002011-02-16T07:47:46.554-08:00

First of all, let me just put my bias out there.  I grew up the old-fashioned way when my parents' friends were "Mr and "Mrs Last Name".  Now that my son is of the age where he's starting to talk more, I am finding the issue of teaching him how to address adults a complicated one.  When I introduce him to my friends, I will usually say, "This is Mr. or Mrs. (insert last name)."   But most in my

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-47262565210954436382011-02-13T19:47:00.000-08:002011-02-14T13:10:13.691-08:00

Wow!  I can't believe we've been here for a month and a half already!  I was thinking tonight as I often do about the end of our time in Winnipeg.  It was filled with so many mixed emotions as we wrapped up our life there and began preparations for our new life here in Ontario.  On the one hand, I left very sad to leave so many loved ones who I still miss greatly.  On the other hand, I was

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-5852587900402531062011-01-09T22:22:00.000-08:002011-01-09T22:23:08.993-08:00

So we packed up the house and watched our possessions get loaded onto a truck. We said goodbye to some great friends... some of them pictured here: We had our 1st Christmas Day with "just our family" while borrowing Tash and Ains' house  (sorry this is the closest pic to "turning out") We had one last HURRAH at our home church The Meeting Place on Boxing Day (Drew led worship like a champ...

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-54895053223454645192010-12-19T08:14:00.000-08:002010-12-19T08:14:20.930-08:00

I recently realized that aside from eluding to it briefly in my last blog, I haven't written about the "major move" in any real detail here.  Well for those of you who may be unaware.... I grew up in Hamilton.  At 24, I married my love (db) and lived in Richmond Hill (just north of Toronto) and then 4 years later moved to Winnipeg where we've been living for the last 3.5 years.  (For you Math

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-37272403592645376562010-12-04T10:49:00.000-08:002010-12-04T10:51:22.426-08:00

I know it's not the New Year yet but I have a resolution already:  I want to write here more.  Let me rephrase:  I NEED to write here more.  Mostly for myself ... because life is just BETTER when I'm able to organize my thoughts and see them looking back at me.  It's also a great creative outlet.  I've always loved to write, but since this is a public blog, clearly my hope is that at least once

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-88378088052456726572010-11-17T20:08:00.000-08:002010-11-18T05:16:59.086-08:00

Okay I will admit it to you all.  The sleep deprivation is really getting to me.  No, I mean REALLY.  It's been over 4 weeks since my precious daughter MJ has arrived but when she's been up for 4 or 5 hours in the middle of the night, the word "precious" isn't the 1st that comes to mind!  I don't do well on little sleep.  I can't start my days at 3am like I did today. But to be honest, I'm sick

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-66409032146415817792010-10-31T19:48:00.000-07:002010-11-17T19:04:08.017-08:00

Well for those who haven’t heard already…. Our family of three has grown to four.  Marley Joy Brown joined us on October 19th and we are thrilled!! @font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } Soooo in honour of her first 10 days (which I

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-52452005053279390362010-09-25T12:10:00.000-07:002010-09-25T12:10:27.962-07:00

T-Hawk had a long overdue bath today.  I was remembering when he was a baby and I did "hairstyles in the bathtub" as part of a "TY TV" episode.  (If you're on my Facebook, check out:  Facebook - TY TV: Episode 3 .    But I figured since I was able to now BRAID his hair to be about 3 inches long, I figured it might be time for a trim. So Daddy got the brand new hair clippers out and began

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-39602265757612433702010-09-20T20:15:00.000-07:002010-09-20T20:15:20.257-07:00

DISCLAIMER:  If you're looking for a story with a dramatic plot or shocking twist, you won't find it in this blog.  I chose the title "the sweet and simple".  Why?  Because I'd like to write a series of blogs every now and then that track the simple pleasures in my every day life that I might appreciate them more...and perhaps inspire you to do the same in your own life.  I would LOVE to see your

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-27773127200045534222010-09-13T21:51:00.000-07:002010-09-14T12:03:38.416-07:00

I know it's so cliche to say but we often don't realize the blessings we have right in front of us.  One such BIG blessing I've been thinking about lately is the gift of my sisters... and I can honestly say that the 2 of them are a couple of my biggest heroes. I am the oldest and next comes Andrea. She is married to Derek and is a full-time Mom raising 3 boys.  Oliver just turned 4,

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-75482495252757861492010-08-30T20:18:00.000-07:002010-08-30T20:51:53.262-07:00

I know - I know. 2 blog posts in 1 day!! But it's been raining. And I saw Inception for the 2nd time this afternoon (always inspiring). I had great conversation with the friends we saw it with. And then I had two "deep" phone conversations with women I love back in Ontario tonight. I also didn't get enough sleep last night (you know that hazy feeling in your head but you can't quite go to

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-33514466689222137922010-08-29T20:12:00.000-07:002010-08-30T19:22:53.240-07:00

 Okay I will admit it.  I was going through a TOUGH time.  Feeling more homesick than I have in awhile and a lot of other things weighing me down as well.  I felt like I was in this rut of feeling depressed, life was just "sucking" and I didn't know how to come up for air.Then God brought me a gift - a visit from an old, dear friend Cecily.  Cec and I have been friends since our 1st year of

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-33239801332877530582010-08-11T14:25:00.000-07:002010-08-11T14:33:29.997-07:00

"The Business of Being Born":  Such an informative documentary surrounding the issues of birthing in the US (though I'm sure much of the info applies to Canada too!)  Some really interesting facts!! Like for example, did you know that the US spends almost twice as much $$ on birthing than in most other developed countries.  They also have FAR more interventions (inducing, epidurals, c-sections

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-78913270447635073452010-08-02T14:03:00.000-07:002010-08-02T14:03:59.763-07:00

This weekend was simply wonderful.  Good friends Tracy and Randy and their 3 teenage boys invited us to spend a couple days with them at their cottage on Albert Lake.  How can I describe the bliss I felt those 2 days?  There is something so powerful about being able to "get away"...out of the city, away from responsibilities and things you "should" be doing. I didn't want to come home. We

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-74472423048668691322010-07-29T06:07:00.000-07:002010-07-29T06:07:53.679-07:00

How many times have you gone shopping looking for that perfect dress for the upcoming wedding or other social "do" -- only to be disappointed.  If you're like me, you've often wandered aimlessly through the mall, thinking things like: "Nothing looks right on me!" "Everything in the stores looks the same!" "Every other woman at the function will be wearing the same thing!!" Do you

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-26582813902600533832010-07-22T23:47:00.000-07:002010-07-23T08:29:21.761-07:00

If you've read the About Me section here on my blog, you've read "entrepreneur. owner/distributor of UpTowne Accessories". And it's really true!!  In January 2010, I created UpTowne, a home-based business selling accessories that bring "pizzazz" to the every day outfit and help us ladies feel that much more "put together" when we leave the house! I have two amazingly talented wholesalers who

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-22189295648546552142010-07-08T22:08:00.000-07:002010-07-08T22:08:56.424-07:00

As those of you who know t-hawk know, he is not usually the immediately outgoing social butterfly.  In fact, I hate to admit it, but he actually might easily qualify as a "Mama's boy": mama's boy (plural mama's boys) (idiomatic, derogatory) A male person, especially a young man or boy, who is overly attached to or influenced by his mother; a sissyhttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/mama%27s_boy  Okay

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-41123181097268373012010-07-02T22:45:00.000-07:002010-07-02T22:45:41.341-07:00

What a FANTASTIC night!   The best date night in awhile for sure!! A little while ago Drew told me to book a sitter for Friday night b/c he was taking me on a "special date night".  I was so curious and had no idea what it could be...until driving and seeing a billboard:  TiCats VS Bombers - July 2nd - 7pm I thought to myself, "That would be so fun to go to!  Wonder when July 2nd is...

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-73588745598223177782010-07-01T11:02:00.000-07:002010-07-01T12:11:09.720-07:00

PART 1 I was folding laundry yesterday in the living room while listening to the CD of the church service at TMP. The band did a great version of Kim Walker's "How He Loves Us" and as soon as it started to play, t-hawk started bouncing up and down.  I asked him, "Do you want to dance with mommy?"He responded, "NO" (very enthusiastically)....which in this season of our lives, almost always means

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-66284413998922773092010-06-30T11:35:00.000-07:002010-06-30T11:35:32.764-07:00

Needed to take some pics of t-hawk in his new shirt from Aunt Christy for her to see and thought I'd share some of them here.  Enjoy!  (thanks Auntie! you're the best!)

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-67183896576944790642010-06-28T21:03:00.000-07:002010-06-30T06:57:41.076-07:00

This morning was a good morning.  T-Hawk and I headed to the "big metropolis" of Niverville, Manitoba (or rather just outside) to spend time with friends Cyndi, her little guys, L, T and C, and the 2 little ladies she takes care of. I like going to their place.  Lots of open country.  Lots of imaginative play for the kids.  Always great conversation. But today was even more special.  Today we

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-50142409063652788412010-06-26T19:39:00.000-07:002010-06-26T19:39:08.832-07:00

Within the last couple weeks, little t-hawk has learned how to string two words together.  Keep in mind, his vocabulary is probably still between 15 and 20 words (which is generous).  But he knows how to and is in love with saying "buh bye _____" (fill in the blank).   While in Ontario, it was a lot of "buh bye Papa" to my Dad....who as you can see was a popular guy (an awesome Grandpa!)

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5260140537645272766.post-11039935564530360842010-06-26T19:01:00.000-07:002010-06-26T19:44:47.569-07:00

So here's the story.  I used to sporadically blog on tumblr.  But for several reasons which I'd rather not get into here, I'm switching over to Blogspot.  If you want to look at old blogs on tumblr, feel free to go to www.thisissarabrown.tumblr.com.  There you'll find a variety of blogs:  some spiritual devotional kind, some of less depth.  BUT if you're a "leave the past in the past" kind of

Sara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07603930130644629294noreply@blogger.com1