Welcome to Day 19 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. What is it that makes your heart sing? I love going for a walk in the woods, especially in the fall, camera in hand. There is so much beauty to be seen. And captured through the camera's lens. It isn't the walk that makes my heart sing. It's the stopping. Maybe … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 18 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. When you think about being strong, what is the first thing that crosses your mind? Physical strength? Mental strength? Emotional strength? Spiritual strength? Something else? All those are important. Really important. All of those areas need to be supported by a healthy … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 17 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. My good friend often says to me, "Diane, you think too much." Have you been guilty of thinking too much? We are creative people. Yes, even you. The problem is that creativity gets hindered when we think too much. And that gives way to this exclamation, "I'm not … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 16 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. Have you ever had someone tell you, "You talk too much!" I don't know that I have ever been told that or have even said that. But...I have thought it. You too? Don't Talk So Much! Why is it that we think we need to give someone who needs encouragement a … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 15 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. Have you been noticing all the gorgeous pumpkins everywhere you look? All the colors and shapes. Truly amazing. Several days a week I drive by a spot that has tons of pumpkins. I've had my eye on a bright Cinderella-style pumpkin. You know...the one in the shape of her carriage. It's much nicer than … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 14 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. When I first decided on this series and came up with the topics for each day I was especially excited about today's topic: Be...Hospitable. This is a topic that sings in my heart. Yet, I have struggled each week to share something meaningful with you. It would be so helpful if you and I could sit down … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 13 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. Do you live in a spot where you can view a sunrise or sunset? Right now we're living at the beginning of a private cul de sac. It's a half mile from beginning to end. This little road runs from east to west. Or west to east depending on your perspective. The beauty for me is that each morning I can sit in … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 12 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. I coined the phrase "Why be ordinary when you can be extraordinary." in 1992. Every time I shared about Longaberger at a home show I also shared that phrase. Hundreds of ladies heard the phrase and many of my friends today still might reference it on occasion. It … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 11 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. This morning as I sat down to write this post these lyrics to a song ran through my mind.... "Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord." Earlier, I had been mulling over a few different directions I wanted to take our Friday topic: Be...Strong. But, after the song's lyrics kept playing over in my … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 10 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. We woke up to our first frost this morning. Clear, cool, and crisp. When autumn comes, we're ready for cuddly sweaters and evenings at home. And hearty meals at the table. There's nothing like creating... a cozy and warm homespun table setting in the fall. My menu is generally … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 9 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. 52 Ways to Be Encouraging.... 1. Listen Have you ever been talking to someone and all of a sudden they are looking over your shoulder and it seems, though they may be going through the motions of conversing with you, they are not totally engaged? Or have you found yourself in that same spot? … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 8 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. I was getting ready to write this post when I started scrolling through my inbox. As I deleted this e-mail and that, I was thinking about how important it is to choose to be content. And then there was an e-mail from Pottery Barn. It's been several years since I've lived near a Pottery Barn. But, … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 7 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. When you read the words Be Hospitable do you cringe? Are you thinking.... "I already have too many things to do, I can hardly keep my house together let alone have decent meals for the family, and I'm running constantly, when do I have time to be hospitable?" In this series about 31 … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 6 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. ...You direct me on the path that leads to a beautiful life. As I walk with You, the pleasures are never-ending, and I know true joy and contentment. Psalm 16:11 The Voice Really? Is that even possible? When life throws a knuckle ball, followed by a curve ball, it sometimes feels like there will … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 5 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. Be Extraordinary! What does that mean? I think it means that neither of us settles for ho hum. I think it's breathing deeper. Looking harder. And living more fully. For starters. This weekend...remember my motto: Why be ordinary when you can be extraordinary! ~Diane … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 4 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. I'm tired of being strong. Have you ever said that? That's about how I feel right now. Sorta. At the moment either of us feel that way, it's time to dig in a little deeper. Yes? Have you ever planted a small tree? There are two schools of thought on the tree planting business. … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 3 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. Somewhere I came across this quote and saved it to share later. “Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.” ~ Henry Ward Beecher Later came, and I read it again. At first, the words seemed wonderful. And then I realized this is NOT how I want to paint … [Read more...]
