Download this 5x7 Photo Art Printable for Personal Use. Last week I had a great time hanging out with a few dear friends. It was nice to take a blogging break and get refreshed. My days were very full. One afternoon we went to Meijer Gardens to see the butterfly exhibit. There's nothing like being in a tropical garden for a few hours trying to capture butterflies with the camera for a wonderful break from the cold weather. Though, I must say each day the temps were in the forties with my last day hitting 50 degrees! (Today it's supposed to hit 64 degrees!! I'm ridiculously excited!) While there I … [Read more...]
Think about a time when you made something. Remember the feeling of pleasure you had at creating something special? Did someone comment on it and appreciate your handiwork? Your music? Your story? Your art? Your garden? Slowly over time I've come to realize that we see the glory of God when we take time to admire his handiwork. The heavens declare the glory of God; the sky displays his handiwork. Psalm 19:1 I'm learning that God takes pleasure in the time I spend in marveling at the works of his hands. It's during that time he draws me closer to him. It's an intimate … [Read more...]
I'm a good person, you're a good person, what could we possibly be tempted with? A cookie or piece of candy we shouldn't have? For me, often times I'm tempted to worry or fret. One day I'll overcome temptation to worry or fret. But, until then... I've acquired an arsenal of weapons to use when I'm tempted to start a journey of worrying or fretting. Just in case you need one too... I am sharing mine with you, today. Now that I've fessed up... Do you worry? Do you fret? I know, it feels kind of icky to admit it doesn't it? Usually that's something we think we keep to … [Read more...]
Do you have any rituals in your daily routine? For some of us, a daily ritual might include fluffing all the pillows in the family room and pushing the start button on the dishwasher before going to bed, or picking up a personal electronic device and checking email first thing upon waking. Those rituals are important to keeping our daily lives moving in a rhythmic fashion. We need them to help us function effectively in our super busy, fast-paced lives. As much as we need those functional rituals, we also need personal rituals too. Most of us don't take time for ourselves. As women, we … [Read more...]
Are you bold? Would you call yourself a risk-taker? Or... does that cause you to feel anxious? In the past I was a bit of a risk-taker. Except in areas where I might injure my body. It's amazing what one broken arm and sleeping with ten pounds of sand hanging from a cast, while trying to sleep sitting up in a chair for six weeks, did to cure me from that. And then, there was that bad business decision which has made me much more cautious. I think we can agree that we need to use discretion, common sense, and wisdom in our daily activities. Fear, however, should not control … [Read more...]
Have you ever embarked on a new project and then found yourself overwhelmed? Maybe you've been working at something for a while, but things just haven't clicked. Or... Maybe if you read another book on the subject and get some expert advice, you'll figure things out. Most of us have hopes and dreams. Have you noticed... some people not only reach their dreams, but those dreams are spectacular when they come to fruition? While on the other hand, some seem to move from one hope or dream to another, with nothing to show. I have a few dreams which have yet to come to fruition. Last … [Read more...]
I'm a sheep caller. You laugh. Truly, I am. You see, one day as Tim and I went for a long walk in the country, we noticed a good number of sheep scattered all over the hillside. They were happily grazing near the farmhouse and the adjacent field. As we got closer I started talking to them. I'm friendly like that. I'll talk to horses and cows and maybe your dog. Though I am afraid of dogs I don't know. When I talk to animals I don't really expect that they're going to respond to me. After all I'm a city girl. … [Read more...]
Yesterday day was Ash Wednesday. Did you observe the day in any significant way? For the last few years I've attended churches where they smudge a cross on your forehead with ashes. This year... I live in another place and Ash Wednesday was just another day... as it has been for most of my life. I missed it. Not so much having ash applied to my face... but the order of going to church... and making a plan for what I will do to observe Lent. There's much good in my world. But somehow, this year, I feel scattered and unfocused. I need to feel more grounded. Yesterday I thought I'd sign … [Read more...]
Do you have a best friend? Since selling our "forever" home, we've made five moves to addresses in four states. At each new town, I've been blessed to make wonderful friends. Each friendship is a special treasure... but there's something special about long-time relationships, regardless of the miles. Because I treasure my friendships, when I came across this wonderful Irish friendship quote, I immediately wanted to create an art print for you. It's early for St. Patrick's Day, but I decided you should have it in plenty of time to print and frame, so you could enjoy it for more than a few … [Read more...]
There's a saying... "Talk is cheap." I'm pretty sure I used to hear my dad say that. Lately I've been thinking about love and I think we could say, "Love is cheap." There's the controversial movie... the broken relationships... the 400,000 children needing a home in the U.S. alone... the issue of human trafficking... and on I could go. If you were new to our world, you would think that love was cheap and love had no apparent value. Times were probably like that back when the Apostle Paul penned these words to the people in Philippi. And this is my prayer: that your … [Read more...]
Is it me, or do you get a little excited around Valentine's Day? Maybe it's silly, but I love the idea of using the holiday to spread a little joy to those around me. For many, Valentine's Day is NOT a fun day. Though we see aisles of candies in the stores, and heart-shaped balloons floating at the ends of check lanes, many will not get a treat or any kind of "love" unless they purchase something for themselves. It's their reality... every day. Yet, they are reminded that "everyone," it seems, is enjoying something special for Valentine's Day. Except them. These … [Read more...]
I'm sure you've heard the phrase, "Let it go!" many times. Something bugs us and just like a tick, it gets under our skin. And like the tick... it will fester and bring disease to our bodies. Some of us have control issues. [ahem!] We have trouble letting go, don't we? This scripture jumped off the page when I read it... Let go of your concerns! Then you will know that I am God. I rule the nations. I rule the earth. ~Psalm 46:10 Did you see it too? Then. Then you will know that I am God. And just for good … [Read more...]
Do you love secrets? I'm thinking that secretly you do. Who doesn't love being an insider and knowing and hearing the secrets behind someone's success, recipes, DIY projects, relationships, or just about anything? There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up. ~ John Holmes This quote passed by my screen and I immediately loved it. And then I immediately tweaked it... There is no better exercise for the human heart than laying self down to lift others up. ~Diane Miller This is my secret. Available as a 5x7 art print … [Read more...]
The questions... "What makes you afraid?" or "Of what are you afraid?" do not seem to hold the same intensity and emotion as this grammatically incorrect question... "What are you afraid of?" What are you afraid of? Maybe it's surgery, or loss of a job, or loss of a home, or illness, or accident, or... Most of us, if we're honest, we struggle with some sort of fear. I know I do. I have a friend who is anxious about an upcoming court date. Knowing that the judge can rule in her favor or not is almost debilitating. She's asked me to pray for her and I do... but aside from praying all of us feel … [Read more...]
Here we are three quarters of the way through the first month in the New Year. Can you feel it? The pause and quiet that we felt the first few days of the New Year are gone. You know that sensation you have as the airplane lumbers down the runway, picking up speed, bump by bump, and all of a sudden you're thrust firmly into your seat as the rumbling ceases and the plane lifts off the ground? I feel we're in that part of the year where we feel the speed and that pressure of take-off. Before the year runs away with us on our individual jet planes... and it will... let's pause for a moment. … [Read more...]
Download your Free 8x10 Creativity Quote HERE. You can't use up creativity. The more you use the more you have. Maya Angelou It's really true, too! When I get on a creative flow, the ideas come more quickly, and I seem to improve my craft with everything I attempt. It also inspires me to want to try new things and express myself in new ways.... like creating more printables such as the creativity quote I made for you. Would you like to be a better photographer... or maybe get ideas to jump start your art? Would you like to create some beauty for your home, but aren't quite sure how to … [Read more...]
Last week I was doing a fair amount of contemplation regarding this space and decided to share a few of my thoughts with you. It was one of those "streams of consciousness" kinds of posts. Sometimes it's helpful to process our thoughts with others. Sometimes it's helpful to simply write those thoughts down. As I wrote, I surprised myself by writing this... But even more… I want to thrive. I want YOU to thrive. I also created a printable with a thoughtful quote I found. The post went live, and I shared it on Facebook. End of story. Not really. Shelly, a faithful member of our An Extraordinary Day … [Read more...]
