Want to know a secret? I just figured on how to make the most beautiful... yes... perfect mossy eggs. Even better... I'm going to share the secret with you. But, first... let's just look at this pretty spring vignette. It's filled with some of my favorite things... pussy willows, an old cement planter, moss, birds, eggs, bunnies... and even a little gold. Okay... maybe a lot of gold. This year I am all about moss for spring. It's a great way to infuse life and spring into my home decor without spending a lot of money. A bag of moss, … [Read more...]
Each day I read a few devotional meditations as part of my time with God in the morning. One of them has music videos that are included, but it is rare I ever view them. This morning, for some reason I was nudged to click the music video open. It was good. And I was grateful to have engaged in worship to God with it. When it was finished, as always happens on YouTube, a collage of other music options came up. I noticed a song we sing in church, at least I was hoping it was the same song and decided to listen to it as … [Read more...]
You'll never guess my accidental discovery for cleaning the tarnish off silver. It all started after a trip to a thrift store. This particular thrift store is notorious for using wide packaging tape to tape sets of things together... glass, pottery, metal, plastic... they use it on everything. Have you ever tried to get that tape gunk off from items? It can be a real challenge. On plastic... you can just about forget it. This week I picked up a set of tiny bowls, the kind you use to hold pre-measured spices and such for baking and cooking, for a dollar. I also picked … [Read more...]
Are you settling for second best? God intends for us to live life fully. He doesn't want us to settle for second best. Sometimes it's really good to read scripture out of context. It's then the Ah-Ha moments can come. That's what happened when I read this verse.... God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won’t he freely give us everything else? Romans 8:32 As we make our approach to Easter, we're contemplating this amazing love that God has for us and the significance of Jesus giving His life to pay the price of our sin. When God sent Jesus to earth to be … [Read more...]
Last night we had one of those long rumbly spring thunderstorms. Just what we needed to clean the air and the winter from our neighborhood. I love when Easter arrives late and we get to enjoy decorating our homes for Easter and spring without having to shovel snow or wishing winter away. Recently, I created a lovely Easter centerpiece and tablescape and now I'm working on spring and Easter decorating at home. To inspire you, I put together a plethora of Eggstra special Easter ideas. Cute ideas for decorating eggs, using eggs on the table, on the door, and more. They all … [Read more...]
Is breakfast time crazy and chaotic at your house? We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so doing something to make a breakfast that will stick to your ribs for the day is something we all need to do. My husband loves a bowl of oatmeal. It's quick to fix and can be topped with all kinds of yummy toppings. To make those few breakfast minutes more organized and special, I created an oatmeal toppings tray. It was super fun to do. Costs very little. And you can customize it to match your decor or go crazy with … [Read more...]
I am absolutely giddy today for this First Day of Spring! Yesterday I discovered that the pussy willows were coming on and those little soft furry little pale gray catkins were stunning against the clear blue sky. We stopped the car to take some trimmings. I have so many ideas... but haven't quite decided what I will do with my bundle of kittens. You'll just have to watch the blog to see. [wink] In celebration of the First Day of Spring, I've created a sweet 8x10 printable art quote for you to print out and frame. The colors are so soft and lovely. I hope you can find just … [Read more...]
Adventuring... it's my very favorite springtime activity. There's nothing like the exhilaration of discovering tiny whorls of spring green pushing through the thick decaying blanket of brown covering the woodland floor or spying the first marsh marigolds in the wetlands or catching sight of the elusive Baltimore oriole that beckons us with his melodious song. My husband and I love to get out in the early light of the morning. It's the best for picture taking, but it also feels like we are on a holy adventure. There's something extraordinary about the world waking up for the day and being a part of … [Read more...]
This evening we sat at a red traffic light. My husband is usually a very patient man, but tonight, he was very tired and commented several times as we sat under the heavy gray skies about how the light was slow, that the timing must be off, and then finally, it turned green. I, the typically impatient one, wasn't bothered by the length of time the light remained red. Remember, I said Tim was tired. He is usually quite busy on the weekends with his work and we also volunteer at church... so we don't have much time together. I had some errands to do and he offered to come with me. … [Read more...]
Officially for me... it's NOW spring and Eastertime. Why do I say that? As I was looking out my treetop window on this cold misty gray morning a robin descended onto a branch and proceeded to begin the preening process. It was such an ordinary spring sight... except that it's now past the middle of March and this is my FIRST robin sighting this year. As the sun sinks into the horizon tonight, I'm going to listen for the robin's evensong. I cannot wait! Truly it will be music to my ears. There's something about hearing those evening trills. Even for a few moments... peace descends upon my … [Read more...]
You can create fun, whimsical, home decor for St. Patrick's Day for pennies. And it's quick and easy, too! I've been having the most fun transforming this wall and cast-off table for the different seasons and holidays. All on a super small budget. You're going to love all these super easy ideas that you can duplicate, too. Let's start with the items on the table top. Books are a great way to frame objects that would otherwise seem to be floating in space. They serve two purposes. One... to give some additional height and two... to give substance or weight to the … [Read more...]
March is the month that winter and spring collide. And boy do they collide. With unseasonably warm weather followed by whipping high winds and then snow. (I'm sorry to hear some of you are going to be walloped with a foot or more.) March is definitely the month when the sun shines warm and the winds blow cold. That's why I created this lovely printable quote on March for you. It would look perfect framed alongside a pretty floral arrangement somewhere in your home. I hope you like is as much as I do...I created a FREE 8x10 printable version of this … [Read more...]
Are you been in that spot where you are looking for answers but can't seem to find any? There I was in that very spot, trying to make things happen, and being completely frustrated when I came across this verse... This is what the Almighty Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: You can be saved by returning to me. You can have rest. You can be strong by being quiet and by trusting me. But you don’t want that. Isaiah 30:15 The morning I read that verse I had no idea that it would be a day where I would encounter an obstacle at every turn. Nothing seemed to go the right … [Read more...]
Yesterday I had one of those days. You know the kind... where you open every possible drawer and cabinet looking for that elusive piece of chocolate. Because. Chocolate. I'm not an emotional eater, but sometimes, a piece of something chocolate assuages those frayed nerves. If your favorite go-to sweet is chocolate then you are in for a treat! Oh yes!! We discovered NINE wonderful chocolate recipes to make from this week's Project Inspire{d} link party. They all look amazing! In fact, this weekend I'm pretty sure you'll be making one. These Fudgy Rollo Brownies from My Suburban Kitchen especially … [Read more...]
Do you ever look at your home and wonder if it would be better to have a tornado sweep through and start over fresh? There are times when all of us... those of us who don't have a natural decorating bone in our bodies and those of us who relish making a room into a happy sanctuary for those we love... need to be inspired. My friend Melissa Michaels from The Inspired Room just launched her latest book, Simple Decorating. It's a small book. But, don't let the size fool you. I've been reading and collecting decorating books for years and this is one that you … [Read more...]
As March roars in like a lion, there's nothing better than some good comfort food to warm me.... body and soul. And it must be quick and easy to prepare. Goulash, with those cute elbow macaroni, fits the bill and is a long time favorite of ours... except pasta doesn't like me. Between giving me achy elbows (Funny coincidence, huh?) and pushing the number up on the scale, I needed another option. So one day when I accidently discovered that my favorite vegetable, wax beans, are available canned, I decided to experiment. This happy pairing provided me with the perfect option … [Read more...]
Are you up for all that's green, Irish, and yummy that makes St. Patrick's Day fun? Then you'll love knowing I got bitten by the St. Paddy's bug. In just a short time I had cut paper, covered books, moved a few things around, and created a brand new St. Patrick's Day vignette to take the place of my Peaceful Winter Vignette. To say I had fun is an understatement. All that goodness inspired me to find an Irish Blessing to turn into a St. Patrick's Day Quote and Printable for you. I hope you like this one... May your troubles be less, And your blessing be more. And nothing … [Read more...]
