If you've been hanging out here for any amount of time, you've come to know that I believe that it's the little things that make life extraordinary. There is absolutely no need to have pretty embellished valentine towels in your powder room or bath. Truly, we don't need fancy towels. What if your friend gives you a bit of fabric? What if ivory hand towels the precise color of the fabric are discontinued and on sale for just $2.09 each? What would you do? Get out the scissors and sewing machine and embellish a few towels for Valentine's Day? Seems like a good plan … [Read more...]
How do you celebrate Valentine's Day? Usually my husband and I choose to make a lovely dinner together and I decorate the table in a way fitting for the day. We have been doing this for several years. It really is more fun than going out. And more economical, even if we splurge for special menu items or ingredients. This time of year we are inundated by offers from jewelers and florists and chocolate shops. At our house, we don't place any pressure on exchanging gifts and cards, but if we choose to give a gift, it probably will be in an unexpected kind of way. One year my … [Read more...]
For the past several years I've been seeing sweet hand pies popping up here and there. They look delicious and fun and imperfect. Maybe it's their rustic imperfection that has me drawn to them. After playing around with a few butter pie crust recipes, I settled on this one. It provided the most wonderful envelop for our savory chicken pot pie, so I thought I would sweeten it and try my hand at...yes...hand pies. Sweet hand pies to be exact. But, now that I've made these...I see some savory hand pies on the horizon. With Valentine's Day on the … [Read more...]
Recently I was invited to share a creative crafts tutorial over at It's Overflowing. My mind was spinning with so many possibilities, but finally I settled on these Easy DIY Dangling Beaded Heart Ornaments. I know, that's a mouthful! As you know, I always enjoy sharing projects that are low or no cost and require just a few items. I love these dangling beaded heart ornaments because they are a great example of using whatever you have on hand and turning it into something truly extraordinary. Here, the are making an appearance on my valentine mantel. To see how I used them in … [Read more...]
Raise your hand if you have decorated your valentine mantel or some area of your house only to have members of your household tell you it's pretty ordinary? Did you see my hand go up? Yup. It did. That's what they said in not so many words. It's not a good thing when your blog name includes the word, "extraordinary." Remember my winter birch branch mantel with the hand cut book page snowflakes? I liked that "mantelscape." It was different. And it seems that since it's being featured a few places, some of you like it too. Why not tweak it just a bit for Valentine's … [Read more...]
In a few days the calendar will turn to the 14th. Valentine's Day. The day when the florists' couriers have the best job in the world. The day when we all have an excuse to do something amazingly kind and loving for our co-worker, our neighbor, our parent, our spouse, our child, our significant other, the person in line before or after us, almost everyone with whom we brush shoulders. Or not. It's a day that makes it abundantly clear that how we live our lives is all about choices. On this day, we can choose to receive the love of God and in turn, demonstrate it to others. Especially … [Read more...]
I've been hearing this question a lot lately, "Is there enough snow for you?" Having lived in West Michigan and in the Buffalo area, I am familiar with snow. Lots of it. Record snowfalls. This year, it snows or seems to snow every day. Regardless of the amount, it's enough! Prior to this year's white avalanche, I shared my winter mantel and asked if anyone wanted me to create a tutorial for making pretty snowflakes. It seems that I am not the only one who did not know that there was a paper-folding technique that would make all the difference in the world. So, today, just in case … [Read more...]
I've had Valentine's Day on the brain lately. Finally a few projects are starting to come together and should make an appearance on the blog very soon. In the meantime, I thought it would be fun to revisit this Simple Valentine Moment I put together last year. This sweet framed pewter heart was enjoyed way beyond Valentine's Day. It was one of those little projects that put a smile in my heart. You all showed some incredible giftedness and talent this past week at Project Inspire{d}! I was amazed at all the lovely Valentine inspiration … [Read more...]
Valentine's Day is quickly approaching. To make it easy for you, I've put together ideas for valentines, delectable treats, wreaths, gifts, and decor. Have fun spreading love and joy to those in your path with these... 14 Ways to Make Valentine's Day Extraordinary When I first spied these valentines, I totally flipped. Every kid (or adult-sized kid) would love to get one of these. I've Got My Eye on You Valentine by Feelin' Crafty Do you feel the pressure to have cute treats for your child's classmates or friends, but really don't have … [Read more...]
The road of life is difficult. Do you ever wonder if you'll make it? Then, if that's not enough...we're called to live holy lives. Really. I know, in this day and age, who talks about being holy? So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God … [Read more...]
There's a big game coming up this weekend. Are you excitedly looking forward to the game, the commercials, and getting together with friends? If you're like most, the week has been super busy and though you'd like to put out a great game day buffet, it may or may not happen without some major help. Help is on the way!! I scoured our Project Inspire{d} link party and put together this line-up of Last Minute Super Bowl Party Ideas and Recipes Handmade in the Heartland has some fun ways for serving up delicious Super Bowl Party Food. Gal on … [Read more...]
Birch is such a fun wood to decorate with in the winter. It gives a space a certain brightness and the bark almost seems reflective. Both of which brighten corners and more during the dark gray days of winter. If you've been following along, you may remember the birch wreath for Christmas. Shhh...don't tell anyone...but it's still up and it has a few cardinals residing in it's quickly drying greenery. [wink] We also used it to decorate the front of the house, which for some reason none of my photos turned out, and we used it to decorate the fireplace and mantel area for Christmas as well. After … [Read more...]
Have you ever met someone who goes above and beyond what's necessary or expected? I have a very special friend who would do anything to help you in a time of need. So much so, that she gave a beautiful table, that she loved and recently hand painted with beautiful flowers, along with some other pieces of furniture, to a woman she didn't know who had a house fire and lost everything. Her kindness doesn't stop there, though. She loves to bless her friends and others with gifts she creates. The other day she did something special for one of the residents of the retirement center … [Read more...]
Today was a snow day for many people in our area. With strong winds and temperatures dipping from the single digits to below zero, we have two choices....embrace winter or hop a plane to the tropics. Since hopping on a plane really isn't a possibility for most of us....take a peek of my new Winter Mantel, or how about we open the archives and see how I embraced the snowflakes and icicles, last year, by decorating the table for winter with red and white, here: Winter Table And now on to our Extraordinary Link Party.... Mary Beth from Cupcakes and Crinoline ~ Malia … [Read more...]
Yet in the light of day, the Eternal shows me His love. When night settles in and all is dark, He keeps me company— His soothing song, a prayerful melody to the True God of my life. Psalm 42:8 ~ The Voice Isn't it comforting to know that all day long God demonstrates his love for us? Isn't it comforting to know that in the dark of night...God is with us? Isn't it comforting, at the end of the day, to remember what God has done for us and recount it to him? This is a way to put order in a stress filled day or to qualm anxious thoughts. There is one thing though. … [Read more...]
Bloggy friends... There's still time to link your extraordinary posts at our Project Inspire{d} Link Party. I can't wait to see your projects! I'm in the midst of several projects and posts and nothing is finished. A deadline is looming ahead. We're traveling this weekend and I will be "offline" so that means I need to accomplish much. If you pray, I would appreciate your prayers. Prayers to accomplish much....all that I need to...nothing more. Prayers for sleep. And wisdom. And traveling mercies. And discernment. And dry roads. Prayers for like-mindedness … [Read more...]
It's cold here in the Great Lakes. I woke up to a fresh blanket of sparkly snow and a big fat zero on the thermometer this morning. It was a gloriously beautiful morning with deep blue skies and sunshine casting dark purple shadows between the rows of trees. As I ate my blueberry banana pancakes this morning, I noticed a large flock of birds flying around the backyard. When I got up and went to the slider, I looked up to see a host of Cedar Wax Wings* flitting around in the tops of the maple tree, their breasts a gorgeous gold, illuminated by the rising … [Read more...]
