Lovely pink peonies were blooming in my back yard. Their heads were heavy. Rain was in the forecast. What a beautiful excuse to pick these ruffled lovelies and enjoy them indoors. Once inside, they beckoned me to play with my camera and a few antique pretties. Pink is not one of my favorite colors. But, I do adore pink flowers in the garden....along with shades of blues and purples and white and everything in between. Together they all make my heart sing. As does this love quote by Browning: Who so loves believes the impossible. Elizabeth Barrett Browning If you are … [Read more...]
God! Let the cosmos praise your wonderful ways, the choir of holy angels sing anthems to your faithful ways! Search high and low, scan skies and land, you’ll find nothing and no one quite like God. The holy angels are in awe before him; he looms immense and august over everyone around him. God-of-the-Angel-Armies, who is like you, powerful and faithful from every angle? You put the arrogant ocean in its place and calm its waves when they turn unruly. You gave that old hag Egypt the back of your hand, you brushed off your enemies with a flick of your wrist. You own the cosmos—you made … [Read more...]
The Lord is the one who is going ahead of you. He will be with you. He won’t abandon you or leave you. So don’t be afraid or terrified. Deuteronomy 31:8, God's Word Translation If you would like a free downloadable print, click here, and save it to your computer. Print on your printer or have the image printed by your favorite photo printing service ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Catch up on all that's Extraordinary... this week at An Extraordinary Day: Here are this week's … [Read more...]
It's rare to hear someone say, "It's the bee's knees." It is, however, a very fun expression. I love whimsy and this expression is whimsy all the way. Do you like bees? Most people run whenever a bee buzzes by. Me? I think I just put on these boots. [wink] Now I must admit that I'm not a fan of yellow jackets and wasps, though I am no entomologist, I don't think wasps are bees. At least not in my world. Bumble bees of all sizes, and honey bees and their cousins, are frequent visitors to my garden. And if one chooses to garden, one must make … [Read more...]
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13 Today...I will remember those who are, and were, willing to pay the price of sacrifice. So that we may have liberty. When we see the stars and stripes of our national flag waving in the wind.... Let us remember the sacrifice paid for our liberty. And with grateful hearts give thanks. May we stand against tyranny and for truth. "...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and … [Read more...]
Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 Okay. I'll admit it. This waiting is really hard. Really. I don't like it one bit. I have never, ever, prayed for patience. Maybe that's why God has put my patience to the test. What do you think when you read the words, be strong and take heart? I know....they don't seem too helpful do they? And more waiting! Really? It's easy to see a pretty picture like the one above and think, "That's nice." And move on. I decided to … [Read more...]
I am so very excited to join in the FUN tonight at MONDAY FUNDAY! For six weeks I'll be tagging along with the extraordinary ladies that regularly host this inspiring link party. Because I know that some of my readers are not bloggers and may not be familiar with blog or link parties, I just want to give you a brief intro into what my excitement is all about. Several times a week you pop by and enjoy my latest project or inspiration. Thank you!! How would you like to see 10 or 100 or 300 more ideas? Sounds like fun? Yes? There will be everything from DIY to recipes to home-keeping tips to … [Read more...]
This week I've been thinking about how God told the apostle Paul, "My power is made perfect in weakness." Lately it seems that whatever I attempt to do in my own strength isn't successful. But, when I quit the striving, He moves. I'm not saying that God has been answering my prayers the way I would like. No. I'm just saying that I'm learning to get over the idea that it's me that needs to solve my situation. On January 2, I decided that I would put me aside and trust God totally for this leg of the great adventure. Do you realize that to consistently do that for four months is … [Read more...]
Hope is the word which God has written on the brow of every man. Victor Hugo I am so grateful that these words are true. Despite my circumstances...I have hope. And more importantly, I know the HOPE giver. Victor Hugo had a way with words. His hope quote was a gentle reminder for me today. And hopefully for you too! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Do you ever find yourself thinking that you want to order a book for your Kindle or maybe a book that has real pages? … [Read more...]
...and in all of our troubles I have great joy. 2 Corinthians 7:4b New Century Version When I read this the other day I was again struck with the realization that the Apostle Paul's troubles were many. Yet, because he trusted God and because the church there cared about him and encouraged him, he was able to choose joy. And not a little. Great joy. Wouldn't you like to have great joy? By reading scripture, it seems that the only way to have great joy is to live in the midst of trouble. If that is true....than I am in a pretty good spot to experience great joy. Maybe you are … [Read more...]
Back in my old stomping grounds, it's tulip time. It's a fabulous celebration of tulips and things Dutch. The funny thing is, usually before or after the big shin dig I'd drive over to see the tulip displays and fields of tulips. But, I never attended the parade or any of the festivities. I have a slight regret. When you live in an area most of your adult life, you think you're going to have plenty of time to 'get there.' After all, we had built our 'forever house.' We lived in one of the loveliest places in the country, a true vacation destination, of course there would be plenty of … [Read more...]
Would you like to know how to receive God's blessing? In my recent reading I made a discovery! Each morning I walk out to our great room and look out the windows. Though we live "in" town we have a great view. The hill where we live quickly drops, it's like living on a second floor, looking above our neighbors' rooftops. A small mountain lies just beyond. I can barely see any houses on the mountain, even when the trees have dropped their leaves. But, early in the morning, when it is still dark, the mountainside is dotted with lamp light. It's a comforting view. Now, as … [Read more...]
Our first Blogiversary Celebration! Whew!! What a week! Happy Blogiversary An Extraordinary Day! All week long we've been partying to the hilt. And boy, has it been fun! Just to add to the fun and my appreciation of you. I'm finishing the week with this lovely photo of apple blossoms. And... The fun part is that you can click here for an 8x10 to print, or here for a free desktop background. I hope you enjoy either or both. What day was my actual blogiversary? Though my first published post was April 29, 2012...technically Sunday was my … [Read more...]
Welcome to the final day of our fabulous celebration! All week we've been talking about friendship in some form or another. We even broke bread together the other day. And everyone wanted the recipe, so I provided the Best Banana Bread Recipe, ever. To wrap up our Five Days of Giveaways I wanted to give you something, too. Something I created special for you...and I'm giving away something from my Longaberger collection. I hope you like both. Free Friendship Printable Recently I was creating a book page runner...which you might see in upcoming posts. As I was removing … [Read more...]
Thanks for coming by today to help me celebrate this momentous occasion! I hope you were blessed yesterday by our special guest, Melissa from The Inspired Room. What a treat! We've been talking about extraordinary friendship and friends the past few days... One of my favorite things to do is to gather my friends, set a pretty table, and enjoy light refreshments and good conversation. So if you will indulge me today, I've set the small sideboard in the sun room for an intimate gathering of four. The perfect size for chatting. Friendship & Tea. I've brought out the cocoa set … [Read more...]
Our celebration continues today! Special greetings to Extraordinary YOU from an Extraordinary blogging friend and an Extraordinary giveaway! I'm so honored to have been invited by the lovely Diane, to share a little bit here today for her blog anniversary week! A little backstory, I first "met" Diane over three years ago when she reached out to me via email, before she even started her blog! And here we are today, celebrating her first year blogging anniversary! That is a milestone I'm thrilled to celebrate with her. As a blogger myself at The Inspired Room (my blog is nearly six … [Read more...]
I can hardly believe it! TODAY is the anniversary of the very first day I hit 'publish' and entered the world as an official blogger. You might say that I am slightly excited. This is a milestone. Maybe even a standing stone. Now I am probably going to sound like every celebrity or sports star you have ever seen on TV when they give their words of appreciation. [grin] Thank YOU for choosing to read and following my tappings into the cyberworld each week. You give what I do purpose and meaning. You make my day when you respond and tap back your sweet thoughts. I love reading and … [Read more...]
