Welcome to Day 13 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. Do you live in a spot where you can view a sunrise or sunset? Right now we're living at the beginning of a private cul de sac. It's a half mile from beginning to end. This little road runs from east to west. Or west to east depending on your perspective. The beauty for me is that each morning I can sit in … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 12 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. I coined the phrase "Why be ordinary when you can be extraordinary." in 1992. Every time I shared about Longaberger at a home show I also shared that phrase. Hundreds of ladies heard the phrase and many of my friends today still might reference it on occasion. It … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 11 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. This morning as I sat down to write this post these lyrics to a song ran through my mind.... "Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord." Earlier, I had been mulling over a few different directions I wanted to take our Friday topic: Be...Strong. But, after the song's lyrics kept playing over in my … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 10 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. We woke up to our first frost this morning. Clear, cool, and crisp. When autumn comes, we're ready for cuddly sweaters and evenings at home. And hearty meals at the table. There's nothing like creating... a cozy and warm homespun table setting in the fall. My menu is generally … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 9 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. 52 Ways to Be Encouraging.... 1. Listen Have you ever been talking to someone and all of a sudden they are looking over your shoulder and it seems, though they may be going through the motions of conversing with you, they are not totally engaged? Or have you found yourself in that same spot? … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 8 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. I was getting ready to write this post when I started scrolling through my inbox. As I deleted this e-mail and that, I was thinking about how important it is to choose to be content. And then there was an e-mail from Pottery Barn. It's been several years since I've lived near a Pottery Barn. But, … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 7 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. When you read the words Be Hospitable do you cringe? Are you thinking.... "I already have too many things to do, I can hardly keep my house together let alone have decent meals for the family, and I'm running constantly, when do I have time to be hospitable?" In this series about 31 … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 6 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. ...You direct me on the path that leads to a beautiful life. As I walk with You, the pleasures are never-ending, and I know true joy and contentment. Psalm 16:11 The Voice Really? Is that even possible? When life throws a knuckle ball, followed by a curve ball, it sometimes feels like there will … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 5 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. Be Extraordinary! What does that mean? I think it means that neither of us settles for ho hum. I think it's breathing deeper. Looking harder. And living more fully. For starters. This weekend...remember my motto: Why be ordinary when you can be extraordinary! ~Diane … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 4 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. I'm tired of being strong. Have you ever said that? That's about how I feel right now. Sorta. At the moment either of us feel that way, it's time to dig in a little deeper. Yes? Have you ever planted a small tree? There are two schools of thought on the tree planting business. … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 3 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. Somewhere I came across this quote and saved it to share later. “Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.” ~ Henry Ward Beecher Later came, and I read it again. At first, the words seemed wonderful. And then I realized this is NOT how I want to paint … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 2 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. Let's be real. Life is hard. Some days are really hard. Have you had one of those hard days when a friend, a co-worker, or even a stranger said something that set you back? What if those words had been encouraging words? What if? Some people wear their emotions on … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 1 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. Be...Content Contentment. [sigh] Does your heart yearn for it? We live in this fast-paced world where every single media outlet teases and tantalizes us. They enthusiastically spread the message of discontent. We hear...our bodies are too fat or flabby...about the must-have features of the latest … [Read more...]
Do you feel like you're being pulled in sixteen different directions all at the same time? Sometimes we wear so many hats and spin in so many directions that we don't even know who we are. I have jumped through so many hoops to fill countless roles and in the process, I've lost myself. Through personal reflection I've discovered something... You and I are not designed to do...we are designed to be. For 31 days, we're going to focus on what it means to be. Surely, I do not have all the answers. But, together we can encourage and inspire each other on this … [Read more...]
Day 13 Every year as Fall rolls around we make plans to go apple and pumpkin picking. But, most of all, my husband can't wait to sink his teeth into a hot apple dumpling at a local apple barn. When we lived in Michigan we often took a drive to Crane Orchards and Crane's Pie Pantry Restaurant & Bakery in Fennville. We joined long lines of people, standing out the door and winding around the building while waiting for a seat, there to enjoy a fresh-baked peach pie, or apple dumpling, and a 10 cent glass of sweet apple cider. We have since moved … [Read more...]
Day 7 Why be ordinary when you (we) can be extraordinary! What can make a day extraordinary? One way... is to have a heart of gratitude. Earlier this year I started counting gifts. It was an intentional discipline on my part. As I undertook the challenge my eyes opened to seeing both the good and the not-so-good occurrences in my life as gifts. There's a verse in the Bible that I love... You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their … [Read more...]
