The leaves are falling, the air is crisp, and coming inside to a warm bowl of chili or soup is comfort food at its best! We LOVE soup at our house and right now I have a pot of bone broth just waiting in the fridge to be filled with meat and veggies. YUM! I have to tell you... I was super impressed with the variety of recipes this week. A couple really caught my eye. Jenny from Honey and Birch created a Roasted Red Pepper and Brie Soup that sounds amazing. I love the idea of having a delicious chili waiting for me when I get home and this recipe for Pineapple Black Bean Slow Cooker Turkey … [Read more...]
Hello, friends! Thanks for coming by! Fall is here dressed in all her finery. I find myself oohing and ahhing around every corner as I travel around town. This must be the prettiest Halloween on record. Speaking of Halloween, Tim and I are picking up a couple of kids in our neighborhood tonight to take trick or treating. I hope we can show them a good time. What are your plans for the evening? If you missed stopping by this past week I shared some extraordinary goodness on the blog... There I was… sitting at the stoplight… | It’s JoyDay! Will You Join Me in Holding Up the Light? Make … [Read more...]
The countdown to Thanksgiving has begun! Have you already started shopping for your holiday pantry staples? With Thanksgiving less than a month away and Christmas nipping at TG's heels we all need to get prepared. This week's Project Inspire{d} link party has some fabulous recipes, decor, and crafts to inspire your Thanksgiving celebration. If you are a list-maker wannabe and like to have a plan for everything... than you'll love the detailed printable planner Megan from NEPA Mom has put together for you! I always make sure that I plan my table way in advance... that way it always looks … [Read more...]
Hello, friends! Thanks for coming by! We had the most beautiful fall weekend. My latest post will give you a glimpse of how we enjoyed it. I hope you had a lovely weekend creating memories, and enjoying the fleeting beauties of the season. As we approach the "season" of gratitude, I thought I'd share this great gratitude quote I ran across.... When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude. --Gilbert K. Chesterton Great words to live by. Yes? If you missed stopping by this past week I shared some extraordinary goodness on … [Read more...]
Wouldn't you love a few ideas to transition your home decor into fall? Picking up a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch will work, but it probably won't last past Halloween and if you're like me, you'll want to have some lovely decor for Thanksgiving, too. This week's Project Inspire{d} link party had some fabulous ideas to help you transition through the season gracefully. If you have a fireplace like Duane, you'll love how she used one word as the focal point of her mantel. Maybe you don't have a mantel, but you have a buffet or a sofa table that needs some help. Kristi gives several tips to … [Read more...]
Hello, friends! Thanks for coming by! How was your weekend? Here in West Michigan, we're finally starting to see some pretty color. The word on the street is that we're about 2 weeks behind. But, who can complain when we haven't had a freeze yet, and today we've enjoyed 70 degrees? I'll take it! What's it like in your neck of the woods? Even though Mother Nature might be behind on coloring our world pretty, the calendar still continues to turn faster than fast. Halloween will be here before we know it. If you're on the hunt for some cute and clever Halloween food ideas for all the kiddos in your … [Read more...]
Hello, friends! Thanks for coming by! How was your day? Today I struggled... seemly seeing all the not-so-good things in my day. That's a dangerous place to be. And so the realization led me to put together this graphic that encourages me to "look a little harder." Maybe it will be helpful for you, too. Look for something positive each day, even if some days you have to look a little harder. Did it help? I hope this quote was just the little encouragement you need. If you missed stopping by this past week I shared some extraordinary goodness on the blog... How to Make Easy … [Read more...]
Looking for some creative Halloween treats to wow your co-workers or your kids' friends? Maybe you haven't even realized that it's October and the end of the month will be here before you know it. Don't get caught at the last minute wondering what you're going to do. Check out these 20 clever ways to make cute and creepy treats for Halloween. You're going to thank me for giving you a head start on your planning and for reminding you to check out these cute and creepy ideas from last week's Project Inspire{d}. Don't forget to pin your favorites to your Pinterest boards, too! More … [Read more...]
Fall finally made her official arrival last week! That means it's time to peruse the farm markets, pull out that stash of all things fall you've got tucked away in the closet, and scope out the woodlands, highways, and byways for fall decor. I'm excited to inspire you with these 9 lovely ways to decorate your mantel for fall. No mantel? No matter. Seriously... any flat surface you have in your home can become your faux mantel. I've used my sideboard buffet, the top of my piano, and the top of chests. Check out these fabulous ideas from last week's Project Inspire{d} and fill up your Pinterest … [Read more...]
Hello, friends! Thanks for coming by! Over the weekend I hosted two long-time friends who made a 9+ hour trek to hang out and spend lots of time talking, eating good food, birthday celebrating, wiggling toes in the sand, taking photos, and soaking up all the wonderful sunshine and ionized air on the lake shore. It was good and the weather was pure perfection. So how about you? Did you do anything special this past weekend? If you missed stopping by this past week I shared some extraordinary goodness on the blog... Coming to grips with my age and how to see better (not look … [Read more...]
Hello, friends! Thanks for coming by! If you missed stopping by this past week I shared some extraordinary goodness on the blog... There’s just one thing we can do… | JoyDay! A Simple Summer Stacked Sandwich Your Family will Love Your Front Door Called… It wants a Fun Fall Wreath Stop back during the week for more extraordinary goodness. And now... on with the party! Mary Beth from Cupcakes and Crinoline ~ Malia from Yesterday on Tuesday Stephanie from The Silly Pearl ~ Diane from An Extraordinary Day Party Guidelines Link to a specific post, not … [Read more...]
Hello, friends! Thanks for coming by! Here we are.... Labor Day! The "final" day of summer with fall's official arrival in a mere 17 days. As you look back on your summer... was it a good one? Or did it seem to zoom in and zoom out? Tomorrow is the first day of school in my neck of the woods. I know, some of you have been in the throes of of back-to-school for a good month. But for those of you who are struggling to get your head out of summer and back in the routine, I think you're going be inspired by some pretty creative back-to-school ideas from last week's Project Inspire{d}. After … [Read more...]
What is it that your heart has been longing for this fall? Easy do-able home decor? Delicious beverages? Pumpkin crafting ideas? Grab a beverage and sit down for some fabulous inspiration. Be prepared to fill up your Pinterest board with all these clever and creative fall ideas! 12 Projects to Make Your Fall Wonderful DIY Picture Frames from Domestically Speaking Wood Cutout Pumpkin from H2O Bungalow Fox in a Teacup Bag Tutorial from Lynda Creates Home Sweet Farmhouse Pillow from Busy Being Jennifer Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookie Bars from DelightfulEMade Easy Seasonal Decorating … [Read more...]
Hello, friends! Thanks for coming by! If you missed stopping by this past week I shared some extraordinary goodness on the blog... Those two little words… “Thank you!” | It’s JoyDay! It’s About Time to Switch Up Your Dinner Menu for Fall Stop back during the week for more extraordinary goodness. And now... on with the party! Mary Beth from Cupcakes and Crinoline ~ Malia from Yesterday on Tuesday Stephanie from The Silly Pearl ~ Diane from An Extraordinary Day Party Guidelines Link to a specific post, not your homepage. Link back with a text link. Please do not … [Read more...]
Have you ever had a panic attack? I'm sure everyone has at some time or other. Except for that time when I was eleven and sightseeing at the Treasury Department in Washington D.C. with my mom, I've never had one. That is until the last several years. I've been dealing with mild panic attacks on and off. They seem totally random. However, it seems that there is a trigger at a particular traffic light which takes an unusually long while to get through. Today... it hit me again. It's crazy. I had a great day with no stress. Late afternoon I popped up to the workshop to do a little stuffing and … [Read more...]
Are you feeling it? Have you noticed it? The light is beginning to change and Summer is making a quick descent on the downhill side of this year's roller coaster. It's "the rush" we start to feel as the seasons begin their change. It's so bittersweet. I wish the early days of summer could go on forever. But... they don't. Part of me wants to hang on with all I have.... yet my husband reminds me that we LOVE fall. I think it's just that dreaded winter that I don't want to face. And once we get to this point... it just isn't all that far off. Okay... now that I'm all down in the dumps... I think I … [Read more...]
Hello, friends! Thanks for coming by! August first! Can you believe it? This summer has flown by. Here in Michigan... we're in the throes of summer with festivals and fairs and sun-soaking beach days. And then there are my friends who live in the south who are going back to school this week. Yikes!! The days go by way too quickly. And frankly... even as hot as it's been... I'm not ready quite yet to embrace fall. Or for that matter even think about fall. How about YOU? What will you be doing to savor these last few weeks of summer? If you missed stopping by this past week I shared some … [Read more...]
