Winter swept in yesterday... bringing the darkest skies, strong winds, and a small accumulation of crystals to scrape off the sidewalk and windshield. After a wonderful and unseasonably warm entrance, Winter definitely turned her heel. One day we're "enjoying" temps in the low 40's with rain and fog and the next... temps are in hovering in the teens. Gosh it feels cold! Since there is a layer of ice under all this beauty, I think I'll wait a day or two before hitting the walks and roads for my daily constitutional. Instead, I think I'll roast a chicken tonight to turn into chicken soup. That sounds sooo … [Read more...]
Many of us are going through something right now. If we aren't, then most likely someone we are close to needs our support. That something might be a job loss, a physical or emotional illness, a challenging relationship or a break in a relationship, finances, even death. The journey is difficult. And my words sometimes seem empty. One thing I know for sure..... ...the joy of the Lord is your strength! Nehemiah 8:10 This is true.... The JOY of the Lord IS our strength. It's not in our doing, striving, reaching, or any other effort. It's HIM...all … [Read more...]
What's your favorite way to enjoy a little chocolate treat? My first choice is always a cup of oh-so-rich homemade cocoa. These delicious chocolate recipes just might break your New Year's resolution. Get Your Fix with These Delicious Chocolate Recipes Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate from Simply Designing Mini Cups of Cocoa Cheer from Hoopla Palooza Skinny Homemade Hot Chocolate from Cooking in Stilettos Strawberry Chocolate Truffles from Sweet and Savory by Shinee Mocha Fudge from Premeditated Leftovers Chocolate Crazy Cake from Totally the Bomb Snickers Rocky Road Brownies from I Go … [Read more...]
I could hardly believe it! We had sunshine today... all day! After endless days of gray... it was wonderful. I decided to brave the cold winds and mid twenties to walk the beach. There's just a trace of snow on the ground and a wee bit of ice... so unusual for the beginning of January. But, I love it! The sunshine was warm on my face and my spirit was renewed. The best lunch hour forever! Next to an hour in the sun at the beach... my favorite Monday fun is Project Inspire{d}! I'm so glad you're here.... Mary Beth from Cupcakes and Crinoline ~ Malia from Yesterday on Tuesday Stephanie from The … [Read more...]
Did you step into the new year with a new planner and a new plan to make this the best year ever? The success experts encourage us to set goals, to map our days, our work, even our relationships. As you penned those good intentions into your life planner have you set holiness as one of your goals? What? Who in this day and age, talks about being holy, let alone list it as a life-goal? That's a good question. Most of us would agree God calls us to holy living, but really, making that a penned-on-paper life-goal... whom among us is that purposeful? As obedient … [Read more...]
2016. Here we are stepping into the New Year filled with so much possibility. Have you made some New Year's resolutions? Getting organized seems to be high on the list for many. If that's you... you are in for a treat. We've got several ways to get organized after the holidays.... including how to pack up all those Christmas decorations. Of course... you probably already have yours taken down, the house swept clean, and your decor all neatly stored away for next year. If not... be sure the check out these tips. 12 Ways to Get Organized After the Holidays How to Nest for Less :: Craft Room … [Read more...]
Did you notice that the blog loaded more quickly today? (Let me know if you noticed a difference.) I strongly dislike going to other blogs and twiddling my thumbs while I wait for them to load. That isn't fun. Along with the slow load time, I was having a few other issues. So, I decided that the most important thing for me to do was to get new hosting which I did. And we'll see if it impacts the other issues. I hope so. However, my timing was a little off and I made a rookie mistake and brought the blog offline for a few hours yesterday... during the time I had set aside to finish up this … [Read more...]
My favorite way to ring in the New Year is by hosting a party at home. Unfortunately, it doesn't happen that often. Usually after an incredibly busy Christmas season I have run out of steam and my party is just a dream by New Year's Eve. This year I had fun putting together a few ideas to ring in the New Year. They aren't New Year's Eve specific. If you host friends or family for a New Year's brunch to watch the Rose Parade (Some day I'm going to see those floats up-close and personal and even behind the scenes!) or a lovely sit down dinner, you'll love creating special memory book favors or … [Read more...]
It's hard to believe! 2015 is quickly slipping away and it's almost 2016! My co-hostesses and I are so blessed to have you join us each and every week... whether you're a blogger linking up or a regular reader thirsty for new and fresh ideas... we love every one of you. Thank you so much for visiting and leaving your thoughtful remarks week in and week out. Whatever lied ahead for 2016... I have no doubt it will be good and Project Inspired{d} will continue to get better and better... because of YOU. Thanks for coming along as we get ready to embark on an extraordinary new … [Read more...]
I love quick and effortless ways to make New Year's gatherings spectacular. And what's easier than the addition of a little gold and sparkle? If you're entertaining this year, you'll want to make New Year's Eve spectacular with golden memories favors for your guests. My printable and tutorial will make it a 5 minute gift which can't be beat. Whether you've put out the welcome mat for New Year's Eve or you're accepting an invitation out, you'll love to share a plate of No-bake Classy Gold-beaded Treats. And there's more! My friend Jennifer of Celebrating Everyday Life invited me … [Read more...]
2014? Yup... you read that right. I am sharing a glimpse from 2014. But why 2014? Can you believe that I put together this top 10 list and never published it? Me either. Today I spent a little time going through my drafts... a year-end clean-up of sorts when I discovered the list. It might have seemed appropriate to let it go and move forward to 2015, but I couldn't. You see, there's something different about these Sunday posts. First, they require more effort than any others, except maybe some sponsored posts. The reason they take more effort is because I'm sharing my … [Read more...]
There's so much anticipation for Christmas. It always seems a long way off and then in a blink... it was yesterday! How can that be? I hope you had a wonderful holiday creating many special memories with those you love and celebrating the Indescribable Gift we've been given. And now... we're on to New Years! If you're feeling like you you have trouble catching the New Year's "train," you'll love these Fun and Fizzy New Year's Eve Ideas shared this week at Project Inspire{d} link party. They will surely get you ready to ring in the New Year! So... get your "pinning finger" ready... Fun and Fizzy … [Read more...]
Praise God for this incredible, unbelievable, indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 The Voice Most days are filled with the common, the ordinary, nothing spectacular happens. And we just keep rolling along in a field of gray. As I write this on Christmas Eve just a little more than an hour before the 11 p.m. service at church, I'm reminded that incredible moments come in the midst of pain and ordinariness. Early this morning I awoke with a terrific pain in my stomach. I am pretty sure it was that glass of egg nog cut with some Vernor's, in addition to the chocolate truffle I enjoyed earlier in the day. … [Read more...]
What's your Christmas decorating style? I'm having so much fun trimming my home in coastal style that I decided to share with your some unique ways to decorate a nautical Christmas tree. Before we talk about the decorations... let's talk about the tree. Don't you LOVE the aroma of a fresh evergreen tree at Christmas time? It makes the house smell so fresh and festive. It's an aroma you just want to capture and bottle. The candle manufacturers try really hard to create a wonderful balsam fragrance... but it just doesn't compare. How do I know? Because I was asked if I would … [Read more...]
Merry Christmas! It's Christmas week! Wow... it's already here! Time just zooms by too quickly! I confess I had more project in the works than I have been able to get up on the blog. Hope you've been better with your time. And speaking of time... Thanks so much for taking the time to join us for this week's party. I'm so glad you're here! Each week you bless me with your extraordinary creativity. And I know our non-blogging friends can't wait to be inspired. I'm excited to see what you bring to the party this week! Mary Beth from Cupcakes and Crinoline ~ Malia from Yesterday on … [Read more...]
This week I flipped for all the Pepperminty Crafts and Recipes you shared at our Project Inspire{d} link party. Maybe it was because of some treasured memories. You see, when I was a little girl, I loved going to my aunt's apartment for a visit. I always thought that everything she did was so special and elegant. She used to keep a beautiful lidded crystal candy dish on her desk filled with pink and white peppermints. I thought they were the ultimate treat and always savored the one I selected from her perfectly pepperminty stash. If you're a lover of peppermint, I'm pretty sure you're going to love all the … [Read more...]
For the past six weeks we've been discovering how to pray with power and purpose. This prayer discovery (which began here) has taken us on a journey through... The Lord's Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. This is the prayer Jesus taught his followers … [Read more...]
