Hello, friends! Thanks for coming by! It's 2017! How many times have you had to check yourself when writing down the year today? Are you struggling with any of your resolutions on Day 2? Hopefully not. But, you and I both know that sometimes we just plain struggle to do the things we know we ought to do. The things we need to do. Even the things we've dreamed of doing. If you need a nudge to quit making excuses and get on with whatever your goal or dream is, then I hope you'll download this FREE printable to help you do it! This quote from Barbara Sher, "You don’t need endless time … [Read more...]
I coulda... If only I woulda... There's no question, I shoulda... If that's your assessment of the past year, then turn your head, move forward, and never look back. The past few days I've been thinking through the past year and I've had more coulda, woulda, shoulda thoughts than I care to admit. I confess I spent too much time spinning my wheels. I allowed my circumstances to cloud my vision and impede my forward movement. There were days I made good choices and moved forward... but those days were too few and far between. I don't want another year of that. I don't want to look back on … [Read more...]
Oh my goodness! 2016 was filled with so many highs and lows... and it seems to have all gone whooshing by in a blink. In between all that living I wrote 176 posts and today I sharing what I call readers' favorites! If it were not for you... I wouldn't be here. It's a joy for me to create and share my inspirations with you. Thank you for traveling through 2016 with me. I truly appreciate YOU!! If your favorite post isn't here... let me know. Or if one of the posts below was a personal favorite of yours... I'd love to have you tell me. Right now I'm working on setting up my editorial calendar for … [Read more...]
Here we are... on the brink of a New Year. Are you ready? There's something about the fresh start we feel as we clean up from Christmas and prepare for the turn of the calendar. Lots of resolutions are being made... shed a few pounds, work on fitness, set goals and priorities for ourselves personally and at work, and getting organized. If you could use a few terrific organizational ideas... you are in for a treat! This week's Project Inspire{d} had several organizing ideas that you'll want to check out! With these helpful ideas, you'll be able to address a few areas and feel good about … [Read more...]
Hello, friends! Thanks for coming by! Here we are, quickly sliding out of 2016 and into a fresh new year! Are you excited for the new year? I'm in the process of re-evaluating a lot of what I do and how I do it. And because I'm a doer... this thought process doesn't exactly turn my crank. It would if I were doing it with a team that I led, but as a solopreneur, it's more of a necessary task. To that end... I discovered this quote from Teddy Roosevelt: Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. And it's providing me with some framework in which to do some dreaming and goal … [Read more...]
I heard the bells on Christmas Day I HEARD the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along The unbroken song Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Till ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, A chant sublime Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Then from each black, … [Read more...]
Here we are... Christmas Eve Eve! Are you ready? Today I'm having a friend over and doing a little baking for tomorrow, it's kind of nice to not have to be running all over the place or scurrying for last minute gifts. I did that yesterday. And with two short stops it was done. Yay! In the midst of the hustle and bustle, I hope that you're able to take a few minutes with a cup of tea, music low, lights low, the tree glowing, and sit. And in those moments ponder the reason for this great expenditure of effort and energy. May your heart be overwhelmed with the reason... the gift... God's amazing … [Read more...]
Just when you think you can't add one more think to your holiday to-do list, you realize you have forgotten about dessert. Sure there are plenty of Christmas cookies, but really, you want to have a dessert to finish off your meal. I have a wonderful and easy holiday cake recipe for you that's absolutely delicious and is filled with the flavors of the season. It's a cake mix recipe that's been tweaked so you can say it's homemade. [wink] I LOVE egg nog for Christmas and New Years celebrations. There is something about that flavor mix that is so very festive. What I … [Read more...]
Merry Christmas! Are you in the Christmas spirit? This can either be an incredibly busy few days leading up to Christmas, or it can be a time of celebration, family, friends, and many memories in the making. I hope that there is more of the later for you. This year it's a much more relaxing pace than ever before. As a final Christmas "present" I wanted to create one more Christmas printable for you. If you'd like to make an easy gift or create a little something extra for your Christmas decor, then I hope you'll take advantage of this Christmas art printable I created for you. Download it by … [Read more...]
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the entire inhabited earth should be taxed. This taxation was first made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to his own city to be taxed. So Joseph also departed from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to the City of David which is called Bethlehem, in Judea, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be taxed with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So while they were there, the day came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in strips of cloth, and laid Him in a … [Read more...]
When it's cold outside, there's nothing I like better than a delicious cup of hot cocoa. If you're like me... you'll be excited to see all the fabulous winter and holiday drink recipes we lined up for you! This week at Project Inspire{d} there was a trove of sweet liquid deliciousness just waiting for you. Since I'm a huge fan of hot chocolate AND smores, this Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate from my friend, Randi, of Dukes and Dutchesses make me grab a napkin. There just might have been a wee bit of drooling when I saw her yummy winter drink. Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate And … [Read more...]
Do you love to decorate with gold at Christmas? I confess that I love a little glitter and a LOT of gold. That's why I'm so excited to share with you this super EASY project that YOU can make... A Stunning Gold Leaf Tabletop Christmas Tree It's really eye-catching and guaranteed to get lots of rave reviews. Plus, it's a super inexpensive project and fairly quick to do. If you make a gold oak leaf wreath like this, then it will be even quicker to complete your Christmas tree with the same supplies. This post contains affiliate links. If you're like me, you … [Read more...]
The Countdown to Christmas has Begun! It's time to finish up the shopping, creating, decorating, and start wrapping and baking. And just to make it super easy for you, I created these sweet candy cane Christmas gift tags for you. There are 12 on an 8x10 sheet to make gift giving even sweeter. I think these would be especially perfect for those food gifts you'll be making. They are my gift to you!! Download these Free 8×10 sheet of 12 Merry Christmas Gift Tags for personal use HERE! If you missed stopping by since last week, I shared some extraordinary goodness on the … [Read more...]
How often do you hear the statement, "I just want her to be happy." Happy. Happiness is great... but what if we instead would say, "I what him to have joy." Joy, to me, seems supremely greater than happiness. Joy is something my heart deeply desires. It isn't dependent upon circumstances. It's that deep abiding sense of well-being that transcends our situations. Meeting an old friend on the street, hearing a humorous joke, or watching a comedy may induce the feeling of happiness. Yet, if that old friend were to meet you for lunch and you were to have a true heart to … [Read more...]
What is there about peppermint and Christmas? If you're like me and love peppermint you are in luck! This week at Project Inspire{d} we were blessed with some amazingly tasty and delicious peppermint treats you'll want to make for your family and friends. Usually, we have a small dish of peppermint ice cream with an extra fancy cookie at the conclusion of our Christmas dinner. Just the perfect bit of sweetness to finish the meal. This year, I'll make one of these delectable peppermint treats instead. There are so many yummy ones to choose from... Deb from Cooking on the Front Burner … [Read more...]
It's officially the Christmas season! Why do I say that on the 5th of December? Because last night it snowed! Two whole inches! And it was gorgeous and wintry and Christmasy and beautiful. And I'm not even a fan of snow!! How are you coming along with your Christmas decorating? Today I used fresh greens and rose hips to make two wreaths for my windows... inside. The aroma is delightful, too! If you're like me and would like to add a little extra something that speaks to the meaning of Christmas... I've created another FREE 8x10 art print for you to frame and set in a vignette for the holidays. … [Read more...]
Peace. We all want it. Peace for the world. Peace in our hearts. Peace in our homes. Peace in our relationships. Often, our struggle looks like the kitty here. Let's take some time together for a few reflections on peace. For several years, I hosted an annual Christmas open house in my home. One of the attendees had been there for quite a while when she said to me, "I love being in your home, it's so peaceful." How is it that my home was a peaceful place when ladies were coming and going and eating and laughing and chatting? … [Read more...]
