It's time to display our red, white, and blue! Stars and stripes! Buntings, banners, garlands, wreaths, and.... Old Glory! It's time to get in the spirit of the holiday! Here's a simple, but festive way to.... Decorate a Vintage Window with a Patriotic Wreath and Garland for the 4th of July This garland might look a little bit familiar. I made a similar more simple star garland for my sunroom, which is all decked out for the Fourth of July! A handful of stars were left over from that project...just enough to create a garland for the vintage … [Read more...]
Do you decorate your home for Fourth of July? Generally, I add a few simple touches of red, white, and blue to my kitchen and great room. American flags are key to my decor inside and out. Then I pull out my Longaberger Baskets with red and blue accents, along with like-colored pottery. It's a fairly uncomplicated look, but evokes the spirit of patriotism for this fun, but very important national holiday. This year, I went all out in the sunroom. It might have something to do with the One Day, Three Ways :: Restyled Space Challenge. Yes, the one where seven fabulously … [Read more...]
This week I think I discovered the secret to rest. Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. Psalm 91:1-2 (NLT) What kind of week have you had? Do you find yourself working hard...at work...at relationships...homekeeping...etc.? Do you feel pressured? Burdened? Fill in the ______? Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest... I admit it.... It is way too easy to … [Read more...]
Recently I went for an early morning walk up the hill to the nearby school. There, I have a lovely view of the town and countryside. It's really quite beautiful. This particular day there was an ethereal cloud hanging low in the valley. The sun was shining high on the hillside as I stumbled upon these lovely daisies glistening with the morning dew. In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed. Khalil Gibran Though I am not a fan of Gibran's theology...these words speak truth. We all … [Read more...]
Maybe you've seen it as you've cruised around blogland. Jennifer Rizzo hosted a blogger party where seven gals each took a room in their home and over three days, made over one room, decorating it three ways. There have been some amazing transformations! The series concludes with an invitation to all who wish to link up their transformed rooms. As you can no doubt imagine. I was pretty much inspired to jump on this bandwagon. My sunroom was languishing. The weather has been really warm, and the only frequenters of said room are the cats. The temperature in the sunroom might have been pushing 80 … [Read more...]
You asked for it!! You got it!! A tutorial for creating your own Mason jar pleated collars from book pages. I confess to having fun dreaming up this one. You can click to see how I used these sweet pleated collars for a simple snowball viburnum table vignette and for my book page party tablescape. It all came about as I was creating the book page tablescape and though I wanted the Mason jars to hold flowers...they just looked 'naked.' The book page collars dressed them up in high fashion. And besides....I love pleats. Do you, too? Are you ready to create your own Mason Jar Pleated … [Read more...]
Are smitten with creating book page crafts, or is it just me? I was going through some old photos and discovered my first effort in book page crafting. A Book Page Medallion Wreath When I decided to make this wreath I watched videos and read all kinds of how-to's. It seemed pretty complicated to me. And really, it was a piece of cake. Kind of. Don't laugh, but rolling the pages into mini horns was not as easy as it looked. I think I needed a third hand. You know how it is....some things come very easily for a few and the rest of us we have to work it. The wreath looks … [Read more...]
In the stillness of the early morning, I opened the Word. Thirsty. Hungry. Needy. And I came upon this: Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving. and extol him with music and song. Psalm 95:1-2 We sit in the quiet. We wait on the Lord. We are such people of doing. Yet....here David...the psalmist....gives us something to do. Sing for joy. Shout out loud. Thank HIM. Play music and sing for HIM. Okay...it's really early. It's really quiet. I may not be … [Read more...]
Happy Summer!! Summer officially rolled in to town at 1:04 EDT Friday morning. Fortunately or unfortunately it was still dark here, so I was unable to see the sun at its most northern exposure at that hour. This First Day of Summer did not disappoint! It was bright and sunny and warm. The perfect summer day! The only thing that would make it better....an Endless Pool in my backyard. A girl can dream....right? When the weather heats up, most of us don't want to be cranking up the oven or leaning over a steaming pot on the stove. And sure...there is that thing called air conditioning. But, if … [Read more...]
Just in case you hadn't noticed.....I like graphic art. Something colorful for the holiday or the season that can easily be slipped into a frame to create a lovely 'moment' or vignette is easy to do, eye-catching, and whimsical. You'll laugh, I was thinking about creating a printable for the Fourth of July, but when I happened over to my Red, White and Blue Pinterest Board, well, it seemed rather unnecessary. I had already pinned several very nice 4th of July printables. It occurred to me that you might like to know about these too. So...here's a little round up of my favorites...just for … [Read more...]
Have you ever gone for a walk only to come back with a treasure from the roadside? Last spring I went for a lunchtime walk on an unseasonably warm and bright day. About a block and a half from my house I noticed a pile of disassembled furniture and other sundry items at the curb of a home that had recently been sold. Evidently the home was part of an estate and the remaining items had to be disposed. As I walked by slowly, I noticed some tall French provincial cabinet doors stacked on top of each other amidst the partially deconstructed cabinetry. As I continued my walk down that very long cul-de-sac, I … [Read more...]
Whenever I see my blue Mason jars I think of... sparkling blue waters of the Big Lake, summertime, and sea glass from the Mediterranean*. Decorating Mason jars can be one of the easiest ways to add a bit of summer to a corner that needs brightening, or even the table. Recently I created an extraordinary tablescape with my vintage Mason jars and book pages. That got me thinking that most of you didn't see this post of decorating Mason jars with burlap that I wrote late last summer. If you're looking for a splash of coastal color in your decor, you'll enjoy a few of these ideas. Be … [Read more...]
Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. Colossians 4:2 ~ The Message Have you read the book of Colossians lately? If not, let this be your encouragement. It is rich and full of wonderful teaching on how to live life fully, in the power of Christ. Here at An Extraordinary Day, we are all about living life to the full. Our home church in Michigan is studying Colossians. The pastor has asked the congregation to read one chapter in … [Read more...]
As the temperatures rise and the summer sun shines brightly.... what's one flavor that is cool and refreshing? Lemon! Enjoy this extraordinary round up of lemon beverages and delectable lemon delights sure to make your taste buds dance. Thirteen...Wow! All kinds of extraordinary lemony goodness! 1. Mini Frozen Lemonade Pies from What's Cooking in the Burbs 2. Orange Lemon Shake-ups from Love Grows Wild 3. Summer Citrus Shandy from Lemon Tree Dwelling 4. Strawberry Lemonade Frosted Cupcakes from Oh Mrs. Tucker 5. Lemon Poppyseed Muffin in a Mug from Cranberry … [Read more...]
One of the things I was taught when I was little was to keep all the best things to myself. Haha! You might have thought that since I am an only. But, it really is more fun to share. So with that, I have for you... And because I said it waaaaay before Martha ever did. It's a Good Thing! 1. Coconut Extract is made for Banana Bread. You may remember when I shared my Best Banana Bread Recipe during my blogiversary celebration. The other day I was in the midst of making more banana bread, when I realized I was out of vanilla extract. I surveyed the options in my cupboard. My … [Read more...]
Usually, this time of year I am up to my eyeballs creating fantastic spaces for kids. I would hardly have time to notice the beauty of creation around me. But, this year....I am having so much fun picking blossoms, creating fun tablescapes, and enjoying springtime. I love how the pink detail on the plates comes alive with the pink crabapple blossoms. Just for fun, I put together a centerpiece for the table using book pages and my vintage Ball Mason jars. The jars usually take residence on the shelves in my laundry room. They are so happy in their … [Read more...]
Can you think of cleaning products in your kitchen that you can't live without? For me, I like chlorine free dishwasher detergent, absorbent dish towels, a natural and pleasant smelling dish soap, and a small pot scraper. These products may change based on their availability and my budget. But, I don't equivocate when it comes to these two things: Dobie Cleaning Pads and Bon Ami Powder Cleanser . They are in constant use in my kitchen. Honestly, I prefer these brands over other nylon scrubbies and powdered cleaners. A question I hear from my Longaberger customers is: "How do I … [Read more...]
