This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ChangingPrepaid #CollectiveBias I used to think that having a smart phone for personal use and blogging was an extravagance. But today, I'm enjoying my new Simply Prepaid™ plan from T-Mobile and Samsung Galaxy Avant phone. It wasn't all that long ago I had this conversation with my husband... Are you crazy?! $129 a month for one cell phone? Do you realize what we could do with that money? I confess, my wonderful sweet husband got quite an earful. And then he said... … [Read more...]
I need to tell you that I am a wee bit embarrassed. Me... the gal who strives toward perfection. Okay.... I've never hit the mark. Regardless... I hate when I make mistakes. And this one is a big one!! If you are one of those really sweet and kind friends who added the Project Inspire{d} Link Party button to your blog or sidebar... would you please update it for me? I just discovered that, way back when, I somehow added a coma to the link and... it kills it from working. Yup! Deader than a door nail. And that is no help to anyone. I am sooo sooo … [Read more...]
I'm a sheep caller. You laugh. Truly, I am. You see, one day as Tim and I went for a long walk in the country, we noticed a good number of sheep scattered all over the hillside. They were happily grazing near the farmhouse and the adjacent field. As we got closer I started talking to them. I'm friendly like that. I'll talk to horses and cows and maybe your dog. Though I am afraid of dogs I don't know. When I talk to animals I don't really expect that they're going to respond to me. After all I'm a city girl. … [Read more...]
Last year I made a layer cake and decorated it under the guidance of an experienced cake decorator. This post contains affiliate links. Most or us don't have an experienced cake decorator at our disposal. But, one thing we do have... is Craftsy. As an introduction to their new eGuides, and for a limited time, you can download a FREE Craftsy eGuide on a variety of topics. I'm pretty sure, you'll want to download this Cake eGuide: "Not-So-Basic Buttercream Decorating Ideas." Most of us like to dabble in a variety of areas, so feel free to check out these FREE eGuides as well: Photography eGuide: … [Read more...]
Yesterday day was Ash Wednesday. Did you observe the day in any significant way? For the last few years I've attended churches where they smudge a cross on your forehead with ashes. This year... I live in another place and Ash Wednesday was just another day... as it has been for most of my life. I missed it. Not so much having ash applied to my face... but the order of going to church... and making a plan for what I will do to observe Lent. There's much good in my world. But somehow, this year, I feel scattered and unfocused. I need to feel more grounded. Yesterday I thought I'd sign … [Read more...]
Do you have a best friend? Since selling our "forever" home, we've made five moves to addresses in four states. At each new town, I've been blessed to make wonderful friends. Each friendship is a special treasure... but there's something special about long-time relationships, regardless of the miles. Because I treasure my friendships, when I came across this wonderful Irish friendship quote, I immediately wanted to create an art print for you. It's early for St. Patrick's Day, but I decided you should have it in plenty of time to print and frame, so you could enjoy it for more than a few … [Read more...]
There's a saying... "Talk is cheap." I'm pretty sure I used to hear my dad say that. Lately I've been thinking about love and I think we could say, "Love is cheap." There's the controversial movie... the broken relationships... the 400,000 children needing a home in the U.S. alone... the issue of human trafficking... and on I could go. If you were new to our world, you would think that love was cheap and love had no apparent value. Times were probably like that back when the Apostle Paul penned these words to the people in Philippi. And this is my prayer: that your … [Read more...]
Do ordinary things with extraordinary love. Mother Teresa Happy Valentine's Day! Images ~ Red Mug :: Red Door :: Patterned Heart "Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." Mother Teresa 14 Creative Home Decor Ideas DIY Cutting Board Wall Art :: Anderson + Grant Ballard Designs~Inspired Monogram Art :: Snazzy Little Things DIY Industrial Pipe Shelves :: Table and Hearth Custom Blue Chest of Drawers Makeover :: Art is Beauty DIY Ikea Hack "Hicks" Pendant Light :: The Gathered Home Mid Century Modern … [Read more...]
Wouldn't you love to make a sweet treat for family or friends that looks like you slaved for hours in the kitchen? I've got just the dessert. I'll keep how easy it is to make a secret if you will, too! While browsing Pinterest for pink flower arrangements, the cutest little pastry caught my eye. Of course I pinned it. And then I forgot. I'm so glad I remembered the dainty envelope fruit tarts, just in time for Valentine's Day. These dainty envelope fruit tarts are super simple and easy to create. And best of all... they'll be the talk of the town! Okay... the … [Read more...]
Is it me, or do you get a little excited around Valentine's Day? Maybe it's silly, but I love the idea of using the holiday to spread a little joy to those around me. For many, Valentine's Day is NOT a fun day. Though we see aisles of candies in the stores, and heart-shaped balloons floating at the ends of check lanes, many will not get a treat or any kind of "love" unless they purchase something for themselves. It's their reality... every day. Yet, they are reminded that "everyone," it seems, is enjoying something special for Valentine's Day. Except them. These … [Read more...]
Everywhere you look there's lots of red and white and pink! If you're like me and enjoy a little Valentine's Day fun, then you'll love my Valentine Hand Pies. Truly I had the most fun ever making them... and eating them! I just know you'll want to make some too. Find all the details here. Just in case you missed all the extraordinary goodness from this past week... What are you afraid of? | JoyDay! The Best Ever Chocolate Hot Fudge Sauce & Easy Too! Can I Tell You a Secret? Plus...Project Inspire{d} Link Party Features: 9 Fabulous Valentine's Day Classroom … [Read more...]
I'm sure you've heard the phrase, "Let it go!" many times. Something bugs us and just like a tick, it gets under our skin. And like the tick... it will fester and bring disease to our bodies. Some of us have control issues. [ahem!] We have trouble letting go, don't we? This scripture jumped off the page when I read it... Let go of your concerns! Then you will know that I am God. I rule the nations. I rule the earth. ~Psalm 46:10 Did you see it too? Then. Then you will know that I am God. And just for good … [Read more...]
There's something about February, despite getting 18 inches of snow, and Phil seeing his shadow, that makes me believe that spring is really on her way. Maybe it's that we're getting more sunlight, or maybe it's because I've started to hear a little bit of birdsong. Whatever it is... February is a huge improvement over January. And, in case you hadn't checked the calendar... Valentine's Day is exactly a week away. Have you started making plans? For some couples it's a wonderful romantic celebration. For others... it's family time with tons of memories in the making. However you plan to celebrate the day, I … [Read more...]
Do you love secrets? I'm thinking that secretly you do. Who doesn't love being an insider and knowing and hearing the secrets behind someone's success, recipes, DIY projects, relationships, or just about anything? There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up. ~ John Holmes This quote passed by my screen and I immediately loved it. And then I immediately tweaked it... There is no better exercise for the human heart than laying self down to lift others up. ~Diane Miller This is my secret. Available as a 5x7 art print … [Read more...]
Are you a chocolate lover? There's a saying I've seen floating around the internet for quite some time... Chocolate makes everything better. Today I'm here to tell you that chocolate hot fudge sauce makes everything better. Okay, maybe not everything. But surely, it's the finishing touch to a brownie and ice cream sundae. I have to tell you, I'm a recent convert to hot fudge sauce. Recently my friend made it for my husband's birthday. And as you might have guessed...I was skeptical. Why? Because I was always disappointed whenever I ordered a dessert anywhere topped … [Read more...]
Did you know that I occasionally write guides for eBay? Last week I enjoyed writing about how to create a collected look for our tables with blue and white. I shared about it on Facebook and Twitter. If you missed those posts, please use this link, to stop by. I'd be blessed if you'd take the time to vote and leave a comment, too. Thanks! While you're there, look for other guides for topics that interest you. Just in case you missed all the extraordinary goodness from this past week... What Sacrifice is Better than Coke, Chocolate, or … [Read more...]
The questions... "What makes you afraid?" or "Of what are you afraid?" do not seem to hold the same intensity and emotion as this grammatically incorrect question... "What are you afraid of?" What are you afraid of? Maybe it's surgery, or loss of a job, or loss of a home, or illness, or accident, or... Most of us, if we're honest, we struggle with some sort of fear. I know I do. I have a friend who is anxious about an upcoming court date. Knowing that the judge can rule in her favor or not is almost debilitating. She's asked me to pray for her and I do... but aside from praying all of us feel … [Read more...]
