On this day officially proclaimed as the day to gather together to give thanks to our Great and Holy God... Let us do just that. Let us join with the Psalmist here... Thank God! He deserves your thanks. His love never quits. Thank the God of all gods, His love never quits. Thank the Lord of all lords. His love never quits. Thank the miracle-working God, His love never quits. The God whose skill formed the cosmos, His love never quits. The God who laid out earth on ocean foundations, His love never quits. The God who filled the skies with light, His love never quits. The sun to … [Read more...]
As we approach Christmas, you may or may not feel like decorating based on a whole number of reasons. But, if your reasons have anything to do with the state of your current house...this just might be for you. Especially at the holidays, take time for making your house your home. As I was looking through some past posts, this one popped out at me and I thought that I would share the link with you. It's all about making your house your home....and my experience of doing that last fall. Funny how things change overnight. We were working at making that rental "our" … [Read more...]
Do you feel like you are already on the quickly spinning hamster wheel? For many of us, the holidays are so busy we hardly have time to breathe. I don't think that is how Thanksgiving and Christmas are supposed to be. Do you? Hespe Have you ever thought about observing Advent? I'm not talking about the little calendar where you open the door each day in December as you countdown to Christmas. or even the very fun games and gifts and random acts of kindness that families can do together for Advent. No, I'm thinking about observing Advent in a more quiet … [Read more...]
Are you getting excited for Thanksgiving? Usually, we gather with friends and family we rarely see and enjoy those foods we only eat at Thanksgiving. If I'm hosting the meal, I put almost as much effort into creating a beautiful Thanksgiving Tablescape as I do the meal. I have to admit, for me, it isn't all about the food. Though I have shared a few recipes that would be a great addition to your Thanksgiving menu. My Far East Celery is crunchy and light and makes a perfect accompaniment to turkey and stuffing. Or a true fall dish that you can enjoy as a salad or … [Read more...]
Are you feeling grateful? What about when there's snow on the ground and it messes up your plans? What about when you've been working like crazy, putting in extra time, and someone else gets the promotion? What about when your head hurts, your family is counting on you, and all you want to do is collapse? Giving thanks with a grateful heart is much easier when the sky is blue, the sun is shining, and you're comfortably sipping your lemonade at the pool on a perfect 75 degree day. Giving thanks with a grateful heart is much easier when everyone notices your hard work and you get an … [Read more...]
Here we are....less than a week from Thanksgiving. Are you ready? Last year I was blessed to have one of my dearest friends drive 8 hours to come for Thanksgiving. That was an extra special gift to me. I wanted to make everything special and so I brought out my grandmother's flow blue china and created a very dressy Thanksgiving table setting. And yes, I even blogged about it. But, since the post came out just two days before Thanksgiving, you might have been too busy to even notice. So...I thought I'd link to it again. You just might get an idea or two or three. When you pop … [Read more...]
Gratitude changes everything... Especially our hearts. “When it comes to life the critical thing is, whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.” Gilbert Chesterton When I first came across this quote it stopped me in my tracks. I know I am guilty of taking way too much for granted. You too? Let's make a pact together to take things with Gratitude. Are you in? ~ PRINTABLE ~ If you like this #GratitudeQuote, download it here to print on your printer or take it to your favorite print or photo … [Read more...]
I know...I've been an awful tease. First I gathered some pine cones, made them pop! and told you they were for a wreath. Then, I decorated the mantel with a sweater vase filled with pampas grass and peacock feathers and mentioned the wreath. And if you saw some of my posts on Facebook, you probably feel doubly teased. Maybe you were beginning to wonder if you would ever see this wreath. Today is the day for unveiling my Pampas Grass Wreath embellished with pine cones and peacock feathers. So without further ado....drum roll please... I love that nature provided … [Read more...]
Have you ever done any decorating with pampas grass? This lovely row of beautiful plumes grows over at the neighbor's home. They have a landscaping business, so their property is beautifully landscaped with trees and shrubs and ornamental grasses. It's like a small arboretum. The rear of the property has rows of plantings where this pampas grass grows. One day as my friend and I were pulling grapevines growing wild in the pine trees, I kept noticing the long fluffy row of pampas grass rustling in the wind. I was so intrigued with them and they were so … [Read more...]
How was your week? Today I was standing in line at Kroger with my husband. He asked me if I was okay. I mumbled something. But I wasn't okay. I had been running a grocery list in my mind on the drive over. It wasn't the grocery list of things I needed to pick up from the store. As I was standing in line, I let the weight of that list come down on me. I guess it was written across my face. At that moment I knew that I needed to start a new list.... a list of blessings. And I did....right there in line at Kroger. And then I found myself telling my husband the … [Read more...]
Last year I wrote and shared a tutorial for making Christmas stockings from a sweater. I'm not sure that it caught the attention of very many people....on December 19th. Don't you think most everyone probably already had their stockings ready for Santa? It seems to me that it would be a lot more helpful to be inspired to try your hand at creating a sweater stocking for Christmas on November 19. Or even the November 16. So...that's what I am doing here... This was a super easy project. Just what I like. The most difficult part of the project was drawing out the shape of the … [Read more...]
If you would enjoy framing this quote, please download the free printable here and save it to your desktop for printing or take it to your favorite photo shop. Do you have a thankful heart? Have you ever noticed that some people seem to be so blessed regardless of their circumstances? The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings! Henry Ward Beecher Isn't this a great quote? One other thing I've noticed...those with a thankful heart are … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Many of us are thinking about how to set a beautiful and bountiful table. As I was dreaming about table decor, I remembered that this past New Year's table would be perfect for Thanksgiving. Actually...it's probably even more appropriate when you look at the elements of the table. Plus, mixing gold and silver in home decor is gaining in popularity right now. So...why not think about mixing gold and silver for Thanksgiving to create a truly elegant table setting? The key elements were leaves and nuts and pine … [Read more...]
Growing Paperwhites for Christmas is one of my favorite holiday traditions. There is something about their tall stems and pristine pure white blossoms that dress up a room so perfectly. Plus, with everything so bleak and barren outdoors, fresh new life and bright green stems just make me happy. If you would like to add this lovely touch to your holiday decor, you need to purchase your bulbs now. I have had Paperwhite bulbs start blooming two weeks after planting them....but some years they have taken three weeks or more to bloom. Bloom time is not an exact science. … [Read more...]
Reading portions of the Book of Psalms in the Bible is something I do almost every day. It's full of wisdom and pain and gratitude and praise and fear. Today's passage included this verse...Psalm 111:10, from the New Living Translation: Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever! I don't know about you...but I want wisdom. People who are wise seem to navigate life more gracefully. They are the ones others seek for advice. People who are wise are more thoughtful, less reactionary, … [Read more...]
Raise your hand if you enjoy fall nesting. Do you transition your fall decor from September through Thanksgiving? Last year I had fun playing with my then, new-to-me sideboard. I thought it would be fun to take a look back to see the process I went through. This photo is the last iteration before Christmas. Please pop over to the post and see where it all started, and the changes that led to this. While you're at it....please let me know which version you like best. Where are you in the fall nesting process these days? With Halloween behind us and Thanksgiving … [Read more...]
November is the gratitude month. With the holidays approaching it's a good thing to get ready by being thankful. We can and should be gracious....encouraging....kind. But...most of all we should be thankful! This image is available as a 5x7 printable. Download here and save to your desktop for printing at home or via your favorite photo shop. Seriously... Contentment comes from a thankful heart. Creativity comes from a thankful heart. Generosity comes from a thankful heart. And that's just the beginning of what we need as we approach the holidays. I'm sure you can … [Read more...]
