Day 18 One of my new friends came to my home for a visit. While she was here I shared with her a few projects I have on the back burner. It was good to get a little feedback. Sometimes a gal just needs to know she hasn't jumped off into the deep end. I'm just teasing...sorta. While we were walking around I took her to the sun room where I recently hung a favorite seasonal wall hanging. I mentioned that in this small house I have limited wall space, but really wanted to put up that bit of artwork. One day I realized that it would fit perfectly over one of the windows between my (mini) great room … [Read more...]
Day 17 I love this quote by Aaron Rose... "In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary." Living an extraordinary life means training our eyes to see beauty in the ordinary. Have you ever spent time with someone who sees things you don't? My husband is intrigued by birds of prey. He'll notice Red-tailed Hawks as we drive down the road. I asked him, "How do you see them?" He reminded me that he had trained his eyes to see them. Isn't that the way it is? Whether seeing beauty in nature or bubbles in the sink … [Read more...]
Day 15 Several years ago, this very week, my dear friend flew in from Indianapolis to join me for a fun Fall jaunt. I don't know anyone who loves fall as much as she does. Not only is it her favorite time of year, but she revels in its beauty and all the stuff of fall more than anyone I know. My friend is the essence of being extraordinary. The phrase carpe diem I'm pretty sure was coined because of her. Not only is she a delightfully wonderful, thoughtful, kind, and considerate woman...she spells fun with a capital "F"! My dear friend had never experienced Fall in … [Read more...]
Day 14 Some days, it is so easy to get stuck on ourselves and our agendas. To get caught up in the doing....not the being. Do you ever have days like that? We may or may not have started our day with prayer and scripture. And before anyone knows it...we've replaced HIM with US. When we have days like that, it is good to get ourselves realigned. To read verses like this one... It is good to praise the Lord.. to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night. Psalm 92:1-2 That's what we want to do here at An Extraordinary … [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 11 Today I got up from the table in the breakfast nook and noticed a small famed graphic that usually sits on the generous chair rail there. We had been eating out on the sun porch since Spring and except for dusting the chair rail, once in a while, I hardly noticed the picture there. Isn't that just the way it is? We stop noticing things sometimes, even things we think are important or beautiful. It's sad, really. I'm sure you're wondering about the picture that I once again noticed. It originally was from one of my favorite calendar artists, Ellen Stouffer. Are … [Read more...]
Day 10 Recently I put together a little luncheon tablescape on my sun porch and wrote about it here. In the busyness of the week, I left the place setting on the table. One morning I walked out there and discovered my little Poppy laying right in the middle of the tablescape soaking up the sun. She relaxed to the point where she was just a little puddle of gray and tan fur. In our house, cats generally aren't allowed up on the counters or the tables. But, she was definitely in her happy spot, so I let her stay. And like any good pet owner, I took her picture. You can … [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...]
Day 5 "Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness. Kindness in your face. Kindness in your eyes. Kindness in your smile." ~Mother Teresa~ I came across that quote of Mother Teresa the other day and thought, "Could I impact another life so that following our brief encounter the other person would walk away better and happier?" Could you...or I...really do that? Really? On this adventure of 31 Extraordinary Days we are exploring what it means to live more fully, more intentionally. And … [Read more...]
Day 4 “I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house.” ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne~ When the autumn skies are mostly blue and the sun is shining I want to be outside? How about you? Do you do any fall fluffing in your outdoor spaces? As I attempt to live more fully, more intentionally, I find myself taking time to make inviting outdoor spots. Such as the addition of a pillow to a chair. Rearranging the seating in the fall to take advantage of the sun's warmth. Or even bringing a little decor...which is often … [Read more...]
Day 2 ...I Love about Fall! Zinnias Isn't it the little things that can make your day? Like... Zinnias Crisp cool air The smell of wet leaves Wooly Bear Caterpillars The Aroma of Concord Grapes Fresh Pressed Apple Cider Pumpkins, Squash, & Gourds Sitting by the Fire with a Creamy Mug of Hot Cocoa Falling Leaves A Kaleidoscope of Red, Orange, Yellow, and Green Corn.... Candy, Indian, & Stalks The Aroma of Apples in the Apple Barn Hot Apple Pie, Crisp, & Dumplings Butternut Squash Soup Warm Wooly Sweaters Snuggly Flannel Sheets El … [Read more...]
Hello! If this is your first time here, scroll down to read day one. Otherwise, here are the current links to the rest of the series:: 31 Extraordinary Days…. {Day 2} 20 Extraordinary Little Things...I Love About Fall! {Day 3} October Dining...Outdoors! {Day 4} Autumn Inside Outside {Day 5} Just a little kindness... {Day 6} Autumn....where every leaf is a flower {Day 7} Joy Day! | Intentionally Developing a Heart of Gratitude {Day 8} Organize the Nest for Fall {Day 9} Fall Fluffing {Day 10} Breathe {Day 11} think about such things {Day 12} Fall Window Box ~ Plumping with … [Read more...]
I had the most amazing week, Thursday afternoon. My week was so busy, it went by in a blur. But one moment of time stood out. Have you ever had a week like that? What was that ONE moment? For me... I had an important phone call to make....and I was dreading it. It was one of those times when I felt totally helpless, inadequate, and lost. The matter of concern had also been a matter of prayer...for some time. This day I needed to press the numbers on the keypad and connect with the unknown. I needed help. Just before making my phone call I asked my husband if he would … [Read more...]
A Skeleton of Queen Anne's Lace silhouetted strong against the sunset sky There is a harmony in autumn, and a luster in its sky, which through the summer is not heard or seen, as if it could not be, as if it had not been! ~Percy Bysshe Shelley Will you join me each day in October for... If you aren’t a subscriber via RSS feed or e-mail… PLEASE take the time now to subscribe in the little green box up to the right… and be ready for the start of our new series… 31 Extraordinary Days beginning October 1st!! Wishing you An Extraordinary … [Read more...]
A 31 day series.... beginning October 1st! We're going to take off on brand new, and for me, unexplored territory.... Get ready to join me for 31 days straight as I write... 31 Extraordinary Days! This will be challenging and stretching for me. I hope you'll join me in the adventure. The success of this will depend on you, too. I know how it is....we click and read and click away. I'll be hoping that you will click and read and comment. Please? It will be a great way for us to develop our own little community here. How fun is that? If you aren't a … [Read more...]
This afternoon I realized I had a smile in my heart. It's been a good week. A really good week. A week of joy here at An Extraordinary Day! I've enjoyed sharing special stories. Readers have been blessed. And that in turn blesses me. An Extraordinary Day has gained new subscribers, and has almost tripled this week in views. {Pinch me!} And all of that has happened despite the fact that I'm still limping along with some computer issues. But, even that is a blessing. A friend loaned me his old laptop, though rather slow, it helps tremendously. Plus, in the evening I get to use my … [Read more...]
When you hear the word wedding what immediately comes to mind... Prince charming and his fairy tale princess vowing to love each other, dancing the night away, and finally stepping into their coach on their way to living happily ever after? Perhaps your mind goes to the expense and planning and expense and details and expense which consume the engaged couple for a year or two or more? We know that many weddings don't fit either of those categories. But, we do know that every couple wants to have a wedding day that is memorable. And maybe even a bit … [Read more...]
