Lord... I will exalt you in praise... For you have done extraordinary things. Isaiah 25:1 NET Download this frameable 5x7 graphic for personal use HERE. 3 Ways to Overcome Overwhelm It's a brand-new squeaky-clean week. Are you excited for what lies ahead? Sometimes we cannot wait to greet the first day of the week! We're full of joy, ready to zoom off at full speed. Other times, we feel used up and worn out and it's just Sunday. We look ahead and sigh, already worn down with not-so-positive anticipation. Where are you as we begin a new week? Not long ago I came … [Read more...]
Mother's Day comes at one of my most favorite times of the year... flower planting time. If I could give Mom the ultimate gift for her special day, I'd create an English cottage-style garden with a white picket fence filled with all her favorite pretty flowers. It would be so fun to design, shop for, and create. Around Mother's Day all the garden shops and greenhouses are brimming over with the most beautiful flowers and plants of the season. All that goodness makes my heart swell with joy and anticipation. I don't know that there is anything I like better than to go greenhouse … [Read more...]
Have you checked the calendar lately? It's April and it's supposed to be spring. How can that be true if I'm wearing my winter parka and writing with a big fluffy blanket across my lap? It must be a bad dream and I'll wake up from it, any moment. In the meantime, I'm going to concentrate on creating something beautiful today and at the end of the day looking back to answer the question, "Where did I see God today?" One thing is for sure... doing just those two things will make cold days warm and happy. You know... we can't control a lot in life... but we can choose our happiness. Hmmm... I wrote … [Read more...]
I hope you didn't feel any pressure by the question, Did You Create Something Beautiful Today? When you hear the words create, creative, or creativity... what comes to mind? A few days ago I needed to stretch my legs, but the wind was so fierce and the skies were randomly opening up with a creative mixture of precipitation, so I drove over to one of the ubiquitous shopping areas every medium sized town has. I first hit the dollar spot at TarJay and walked away empty handed. Then, just a few doors down, I popped into the HobLob. As I was cruising the aisles a journal on one of their end caps caught … [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...]
Today I was reading Emily Freeman's email, Let's Share What We Learned in March, where she briefly mentioned how valuable it is to her to look back at the end of the day and ask questions like, where did I see God today? It really got me thinking. Until last fall, I had a daily practice of writing down 10 things for which I was grateful at the end of each day. A big change in my routine caused me to abandon that practice. I regret it a bit. Maybe that's why asking the question, "Where did I see God today?" caught my attention. Do you evaluate your day before you turn in … [Read more...]
This week I've seen crocuses and daffodils and pussy willows in bloom. I hope they don't get ruined with all the rain, sleet, and snow in our forecast for the next week. Spring is pretty wonderful... but... oh my! is she ever fickle. While she makes up her mind... I'm going to get my creative juices flowing and have a little fun. And... I just might be found trying out a few of these fresh fruity recipes from this week's Project Inspire{d}! Hope you have a wonderfully creative and tasty weekend too! 17 Yummy Fresh and Fabulous Fruity Recipes Blueberry Muffin … [Read more...]
There's something so inviting about a pretty wreath gracing a front door. We all want to have beautiful, warm, welcoming homes. But getting there... can sometimes be a challenge. Do you ever watch Fixer Upper or some other home show and think, "She makes that look so easy." "Everything is so beautifully and artfully arranged." or "I wish I could do that." You know what? You can! It just takes a little practice. The first time I arranged flowers, created a wreath, or plied my hand at some creative project... usually it was just okay. The great thing was... I … [Read more...]
Hello friends! Thanks for coming by! I hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend. It was so beautiful here we were able to take some nice long walks... observe kids on various egg hunts... attend two great services at church... take in a gorgeous sunset.... and enjoy the beginnings of spring. How was YOUR weekend? I'm so glad you're joining us for.... Mary Beth from Cupcakes and Crinoline ~ Malia from Yesterday on Tuesday Stephanie from The Silly Pearl ~ Diane from An Extraordinary Day Thanks for choosing to party with us! If you missed stopping by this past week I shared some … [Read more...]
Something happened on Good Friday. I was preparing my Facebook posts for the An Extraordinary Day page... it wasn't something I wanted to do... I was just going through the motions... and then I found myself going from being detached... to totally desiring to speak and share Truth. God's Truth. Jesus' sacrifice. Something happened to my heart in the midst of writing and preparing those posts. Our church had a Good Friday service which we attended. For several weeks I had struggled to join in the corporate singing. But that night, I easily sang those songs. I sang Truth. And worshiped. Really … [Read more...]
One of my favorite things about Spring and Easter is seeing the huge displays of flowers at the supermarkets. Oh my heart! I want to take them all home! Easter lilies, hyacinths, tulips, daffodils... I can't get enough! Unfortunately they don't last long. But, today we've put together some fresh ideas for adding a little spring to your home decor from this week's Project Inspire{d} that WILL last! It would be hard for me to choose a favorite. What catches your eye? Whatever you have on the agenda this weekend, have a blessed and Happy Easter! 10 Fresh Ideas for Adding … [Read more...]
I'm so excited to share this quick, easy, and so pretty Mason jar floral arrangement that is the perfect farmhouse style Easter centerpiece. Seriously it's so simple you don't need a tutorial... but just for fun... I created one for you... because that's what I do. I can't stop myself!!! Here's how it all came together... Last year I was blessed to participate with a group of my blogging friends in a Mason jar blog hop for Mother's Day. As part of the event, each of us received aqua blue, amethyst, green, and clear Ball pint jars. I created … [Read more...]
Hello friends! Thanks for coming by! Happy Spring! The sun is shining... it's freezing cold... and there's snow in the forecast. BUT! It's spring and where some of you live, the trees are bursting with green and flowers are blooming. Here, the robins are singing and I saw some pussy willows as I buzzed along a country road. I think I need to go to the flower shop and purchase some daffodils to celebrate Spring's arrival. What do you think? I'm so glad you're joining us for.... Mary Beth from Cupcakes and Crinoline ~ Malia from Yesterday on Tuesday Stephanie from The Silly Pearl ~ Diane … [Read more...]
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #Bananamazing #CollectiveBias Yummy Banana Snacks Kids and Moms will Love Growing up... my dad was determined that I would eat foods that were good for me. Bananas were high on his list of nutritious foods and fortunately for me, I loved bananas. Many of my after-school snacks and suppertime desserts included bananas. Because my dad was generally the main cook at our house, he made easy to prepare snacks and desserts.... a small bowl of sliced bananas with a little sugar sprinkled over the … [Read more...]
I might as well say it. I'm in a funk. It's not a fun place to be. And it's an unhealthy one, too. I'm feeling sorry for myself because nothing is going my way. You've been in that place, I'm sure. That place where it feels like God is actively involved in the lives of others around you. But does He even know we exist? (Don't answer that!) Yesterday I was working at a little side gig... sewing away on pillows... upstairs of one of the little cute shops in our little downtown... when the shop owner came upstairs to ask me if I had a strong stomach. I … [Read more...]
Have you gotten caught up in a little "March Madness?" I'll admit to being a Michigan State fan... but I guess it just goes to show that sometimes a fairly unknown school has a bigger "want" to win. So... Middle Tennessee... be fueled by your big "want" and go for the big win. Today my co-hostesses and I put together some truly tempting game day appetizers that are sure to delight the fans. HOWEVER... Many of these would be super special for your Easter buffet, too. Be sure to pin them now for later. Whatever you have on the agenda this weekend, have a great weekend, and find someone to … [Read more...]
With St. Patrick's Day just around the corner I wanted to inspire you to create some mason jar happiness to dress up your little corner of the world. And throw in a few riddles... just for fun! What do you get when you cross poison ivy with a four-leaf clover? A rash of good luck. Last year I received some lovely green Ball mason jars for a Mother's Day blog hop. I also received blue, and purple, and clear jars, and never got around to doing anything with the green jars. I knew I wanted to use them for St. Patrick's Day. My plan wasn't to do anything … [Read more...]
