This week I've been thinking about how God told the apostle Paul, "My power is made perfect in weakness." Lately it seems that whatever I attempt to do in my own strength isn't successful. But, when I quit the striving, He moves. I'm not saying that God has been answering my prayers the way I would like. No. I'm just saying that I'm learning to get over the idea that it's me that needs to solve my situation. On January 2, I decided that I would put me aside and trust God totally for this leg of the great adventure. Do you realize that to consistently do that for four months is … [Read more...]
Lovely Lunaria as a Cut Flower A corner of our backyard has the popular dried flower, Honesty. Sometimes it is also referred to as the Money Plant. It often has a weedy appearance in the garden. But, this year the color was especially stunning. You might describe it as a deep magenta purple. On a whim I decided to cut two stems and bring them inside. A small cut-crystal vintage bud vase was the chosen vessel for this loveliness. There are lots of side stems on this regal-colored plant. I cut the side shoots off the main stem and had many pretty … [Read more...]
Hope is the word which God has written on the brow of every man. Victor Hugo I am so grateful that these words are true. Despite my circumstances...I have hope. And more importantly, I know the HOPE giver. Victor Hugo had a way with words. His hope quote was a gentle reminder for me today. And hopefully for you too! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Do you ever find yourself thinking that you want to order a book for your Kindle or maybe a book that has real pages? … [Read more...]
It's been really windy around here lately. I even have to wear a cute ball cap so that I don't end up eating my hair while I take my daily constitutional. Doesn't that sound so important....daily constitutional? The wind was so strong that it kept blowing my cap off my head. My ponytail fed through the expansion hole in the back didn't even help to keep it on. My dad used to say, "The wind doesn't blow for nothing." It's a funny remark. But...whenever the wind kicks up, I'm reminded of his phrase. The wind didn't cease through the night. The next morning I woke … [Read more...]
...and in all of our troubles I have great joy. 2 Corinthians 7:4b New Century Version When I read this the other day I was again struck with the realization that the Apostle Paul's troubles were many. Yet, because he trusted God and because the church there cared about him and encouraged him, he was able to choose joy. And not a little. Great joy. Wouldn't you like to have great joy? By reading scripture, it seems that the only way to have great joy is to live in the midst of trouble. If that is true....than I am in a pretty good spot to experience great joy. Maybe you are … [Read more...]
Back in my old stomping grounds, it's tulip time. It's a fabulous celebration of tulips and things Dutch. The funny thing is, usually before or after the big shin dig I'd drive over to see the tulip displays and fields of tulips. But, I never attended the parade or any of the festivities. I have a slight regret. When you live in an area most of your adult life, you think you're going to have plenty of time to 'get there.' After all, we had built our 'forever house.' We lived in one of the loveliest places in the country, a true vacation destination, of course there would be plenty of … [Read more...]
The party is finally over. We managed to enjoy this blogiversary celebration for nearly two whole weeks!! I am still in amazement at how much fun it was and how wonderfully gracious and generous my bloggy friends have been. This week, for me, has been an extraordinary wrap-up to the celebration. If you are a regular reader of Joy Day! posts each Sunday, you might have remembered seeing this scripture photo among the other spring flowers filling the post. One of you has quite a Pinterest following. I couldn't believe my eyes this morning when I saw that it was pinned … [Read more...]
When the weather turns warm, I can't wait to hit the greenhouses and garden centers for the most beautiful plants I can find. I make it into a challenge to get the good stuff before anyone else. I'm a competitor and my intent is to win. (But let's keep that secret between the two of us, okay?) Have you always wanted to create an extraordinary container garden? You see them at the garden centers and in magazines. Could you really create an extraordinary container garden? My resounding answer is, YES!! Why not create one this … [Read more...]
Would you like to know how to receive God's blessing? In my recent reading I made a discovery! Each morning I walk out to our great room and look out the windows. Though we live "in" town we have a great view. The hill where we live quickly drops, it's like living on a second floor, looking above our neighbors' rooftops. A small mountain lies just beyond. I can barely see any houses on the mountain, even when the trees have dropped their leaves. But, early in the morning, when it is still dark, the mountainside is dotted with lamp light. It's a comforting view. Now, as … [Read more...]
Our first Blogiversary Celebration! Whew!! What a week! Happy Blogiversary An Extraordinary Day! All week long we've been partying to the hilt. And boy, has it been fun! Just to add to the fun and my appreciation of you. I'm finishing the week with this lovely photo of apple blossoms. And... The fun part is that you can click here for an 8x10 to print, or here for a free desktop background. I hope you enjoy either or both. What day was my actual blogiversary? Though my first published post was April 29, 2012...technically Sunday was my … [Read more...]
Welcome to the final day of our fabulous celebration! All week we've been talking about friendship in some form or another. We even broke bread together the other day. And everyone wanted the recipe, so I provided the Best Banana Bread Recipe, ever. To wrap up our Five Days of Giveaways I wanted to give you something, too. Something I created special for you...and I'm giving away something from my Longaberger collection. I hope you like both. Free Friendship Printable Recently I was creating a book page runner...which you might see in upcoming posts. As I was removing … [Read more...]
Yesterday I teased you with tea and banana bread. Oh my! It is The BEST banana bread. Maybe the yummiest ever!! You couldn't believe that I would withhold the recipe until today. I hope we're still friends! [grin] Just look at it sitting on the plate with that creamy pat of butter. Mouth-watering. Extraordinary. Moist. Flavorful. Delicious. Banana Bread. I know you want to reach into your screen and pick up a slice. This banana bread is the wonderful balance of light and hearty. Delicate for a ladies' tea and yet filling for your lunch with cheese and … [Read more...]
Thanks for coming by today to help me celebrate this momentous occasion! I hope you were blessed yesterday by our special guest, Melissa from The Inspired Room. What a treat! We've been talking about extraordinary friendship and friends the past few days... One of my favorite things to do is to gather my friends, set a pretty table, and enjoy light refreshments and good conversation. So if you will indulge me today, I've set the small sideboard in the sun room for an intimate gathering of four. The perfect size for chatting. Friendship & Tea. I've brought out the cocoa set … [Read more...]
Our celebration continues today! Special greetings to Extraordinary YOU from an Extraordinary blogging friend and an Extraordinary giveaway! I'm so honored to have been invited by the lovely Diane, to share a little bit here today for her blog anniversary week! A little backstory, I first "met" Diane over three years ago when she reached out to me via email, before she even started her blog! And here we are today, celebrating her first year blogging anniversary! That is a milestone I'm thrilled to celebrate with her. As a blogger myself at The Inspired Room (my blog is nearly six … [Read more...]
I can hardly believe it! TODAY is the anniversary of the very first day I hit 'publish' and entered the world as an official blogger. You might say that I am slightly excited. This is a milestone. Maybe even a standing stone. Now I am probably going to sound like every celebrity or sports star you have ever seen on TV when they give their words of appreciation. [grin] Thank YOU for choosing to read and following my tappings into the cyberworld each week. You give what I do purpose and meaning. You make my day when you respond and tap back your sweet thoughts. I love reading and … [Read more...]
Filled with Joy.... Psalm 126 A song of ascents. 1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. 2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” 3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. 4 Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev. 5 Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with … [Read more...]
Doesn't this photo make you think garden party? It seems with so many trees in flower and color everywhere the earth is having a celebration. I stumbled across this quote. Is it not perfect? Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!" Robin Williams Speaking of party! There is a big party being planned for An Extraordinary Day! It all starts on Monday with a guest post from someone who is a VIP in my blogging book and one of the first people that I connected with in the blog world. It will be an honor to have her here to help celebrate my first year of … [Read more...]
