Hello, friends!  Thanks for coming by! This past weekend we had the hottest and steamiest days so far this summer.   At this point everyone's looking for ways to stay cool.  What's your favorite way to cool off and get a reprieve from the summer heat? If you're like me, spending time by the lake is great, swimming in the pool, drinking lots of water is wonderful.  But... finding a cool and refreshing treat is the best!  Check out these summer fresh frozen dessert recipes shared with us at last week's edition of Project Inspire{d}!   And be prepared to fill up your Pinterest board with all these clever … [Read more...]

  Hello, friends!  Thanks for coming by! We had a very busy but good weekend and hope you did too. The weather has been humid and hot. It sure makes me grateful for air conditioning... though I only turn it on for a few minutes each day.  Have you noticed? The sun is setting noticeably later each night. It makes me sad to think summer is starting her hurry towards fall. In order to savor every moment... I'm planning on stealing a bit of time each day to sit by the lake or walk the water's edge.  It restores my soul like nothing else.  What do you do to enjoy the last remaining days of summer? I've … [Read more...]

  Hello, friends!  Thanks for coming by! I have a long history of pulling out the sewing machine each summer.  It seems there's always something I want to whip up.  It started when I was learning to sew and continued on through my college years when I was always sewing up a new simple summer dress, skirt, or shorts for a date.  I never made anything complicated.  There wasn't time.  Between work and the beach... a few hours was all I had. If you only have a few hours... you too can have fun creating with fabric this summer.  You don't need to get out the sewing machine for every project.  Why not make a … [Read more...]

  Hello, friends!  Thanks for coming by! A belated Happy Canada Day to my friends north of the border and Happy Independence Day to my fellow Americans! We took a little vacation at the end of the week to host some friends to our beautiful sunny shores.  It was an amazing and very busy time.  There isn't much better than spending time with people you love who live so far away. Are you hosting family or friends this holiday? I love it when friends put in a request for one of their favorite foods.  It's so fun to cook for people who want to enjoy my cooking. Today's features include 12 delicious recipes … [Read more...]

  Hello, friends!  Thanks for coming by! Are you enjoying your summer?  We've been really busy the last several weeks, but this weekend we decided that we need to be more intentional about going down to the lake for walks and sunsets.  It's funny how "life" gets in the way, yet when we lived elsewhere, it was what we missed the most. These warm days will be quickly fading, so we need to make the most of our beautiful summer weather. What kinds of things are you doing to make your summer special? One thing that's fun to do in the summer is cookout! I just know you'll want to whip up these fabulous … [Read more...]

  Hello, friends!  Thanks for coming by! Happy First Day of Summer!!  I love that it's the longest day of the year!  Yay for sunshine and staying up late and doing all things summery.  On the other hand... tomorrow begins our descent into darkness.  I'm sorry for being so dismal... but the ride up to summer is slow and wonderful and the ride down is too much like being on the highest ever rollercoaster plummeting to fall.  I just want to savor this time... forever... and the strawberries, too.  Because yes, strawberry shortcake is my favorite food and there's nothing better than local berries.  Yum! Now … [Read more...]

  Hello, friends!  Thanks for coming by! Raise your hand if you play Pickleball.  I had never heard of America's fastest growing sport until I moved back to Michigan.  One of my dearest friends plays all the time, and this weekend she played in a tournament.  I went and so enjoyed watching her do what she loves and doing well, too. For those of you who don't know what Pickleball is... I would describe it as a variation on tennis with a much smaller but similar looking court, it uses a racketball sized racket that is more like a ping pong paddle and the ball is a wiffleball and the matches are much … [Read more...]

  Hello, friends!  Thanks for coming by! I know some of you are suffering from too much rain. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Here in the mitten state, even though it did rain over the weekend, we haven't had nearly enough liquid precipitation.  Though I have to say, after a long gray winter the sunshine is so welcome.  It's great for garage sailing... I scored a few treasures that should be making an appearance on the blog... and today I transformed the lampshade of one of those great finds. I was in need of a new iron and God provided... not any iron... but top of the line Rowenta and … [Read more...]

  Hello, friends!  Thanks for coming by! Today was a picture-perfect Memorial Day.  We went to the beach early, "fished" for driftwood that will hopefully turn up in some projects soon, walked the boardwalk, and even sat down on the benches for a bit to people, dog, and boat watch.  We're looking forward to a lovely sunset over the lake tonight to cap off the holiday.  I can't tell you how very blessed we are to live in such an incredibly beautiful area.  I can't wait to hear how you spent this official first of the summer weekend. Summer is salad time and so many of you shared the most delicious looking … [Read more...]

  Hello friends!  Thanks for coming by! I hope you had a wonderful weekend.  Mine was picture perfect!  I even enjoyed spending some time at the beach checking out the flying antics of some expert kite flyers at our local kite festival.  The wind was mostly perfect and the sunshine warmed me to my core.  My face got a little sunburned... but it was so worth it. Can you believe that this coming weekend is Memorial Day?  Boy did that sneak up on us quickly!  If you're a little behind... you'll want to check out these inspiring red, white, and blue ideas curated from this past week's edition of Project … [Read more...]

  Hello friends!  Thanks for coming by! We had sunshine this weekend and even a wee bit of snow. I won't complain... because in a matter of weeks I'll be melting from the heat.  What I am loving... all the pretty flowering trees, bushes, and spring bulbs! It's simply glorious! I guess that's why I'm so excited about these features from last week's link party.  You're going to LOVE these fun and pretty floral crafts to make and dress up your home... Check out these extraordinary blogs and be inspired to.... Make some Pretty Floral Crafts How to make Bendy Flowers by Heart Handmade UK Faux … [Read more...]

  Hello friends!  Thanks for coming by! We had an amazing weekend and lots of sunshine!  YAY! And I want to wish a Happy Belated Mother's Day to all you wonderful MOMS! Here's a brief glimpse of some of the awesomeness from last week's link party that caught my eye: Check out these extraordinary blogs and get some.... Outstanding Outdoor Living Ideas for Your Home   DIY Planter Box with Wheels by I Should Be Mopping the Floor Easy Homemade Arch Trellis by Get Busy Gardening French Courtyard on a Backyard Deck by Old Things New Beach Chair Redo by Crafts a la Mode How to Make an Upcycled … [Read more...]

  Hello friends!  Thanks for coming by! Last week we had an amazing party.  Your creativity blew me away. Here's a brief glimpse of some of the awesomeness that caught my eye: Check out these extraordinary blogs for ideas on how to... Get the Fixer Upper Style    Farmhouse Organization Board from One More Time events The Perfect Weathered Gray Wood Finish from Petticoat Junktion Farmhouse Front Entry from Worthing Court Blog DIY Farmhouse Style Bakery Kitchen Sign by The Crazy Craft Lady 5 Best Places to Find Handmade Farmhouse Signs from Making It In The Mountains Easy Pallet Blanket … [Read more...]

  Hello friends!  Thanks for coming by! Last week we had an amazing party.  Your creativity blew me away. I can't wait to see what you bring to the party this week! If you missed stopping by this past week I shared some extraordinary goodness on the blog...   Meditating | It’s JoyDay! Plus...Project Inspire{d} Link Party Features: Creative Home Decor DIY Ideas to Inspire You 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 … [Read more...]

  Hello friends!  Thanks for coming by! What a great weekend!  We had amazing weather with clear blue skies and temps in the mid 70's.  That meant time walking the beach, enjoying gorgeous sunsets, a little work, a little play, church, and helping a friend get her home staged for sale.  The forsythia bushes popped into color almost overnight, too.  I'm sure this summer-like weather won't last... but it sure was nice. I'm so glad you're here!  We have a great link party in store for you today and would love it if you'd share and tweet the news... there's always room to meet and greet more … [Read more...]

  Hello friends!  Thanks for coming by! This weekend I got together with some of my blogging friends to bring you a very fun Mason jar blog hop filled with fun ideas for Mother's Day AND a lovely GIVEAWAY as well.  Be sure to scroll down to check it out and enter to win in the giveaway. I clicked on the weather forecast this morning and noticed that there is some sun expected every day this week.  Wheeeee!!  AND it looks like we might even hit 60 degrees by the end of the week.  Things are looking up my friends!! I have to say I'm a bit envious of all of you who have been enjoying your pretty spring … [Read more...]

  Hello friends!  Thanks for coming by! Hope you've had a wonderful week. It's Spring Break time for many.  If you live in my part of the world... it's a great time to travel south and enjoy some warm temps.  We braved several inches of snow... but that didn't keep us from enjoying the week and getting some springy projects accomplished... like the pretty wreath below that makes me smile every time I pass it by. I'm so glad you're here!  We have a great link party in store for you today and would love it if you'd share and tweet the news... there's always room to meet and greet more … [Read more...]