One of my dearest friends and her husband came to visit for the Thanksgiving weekend. We had a wonderful time together. She came bearing a most unusual hostess gift. A window from one of her previous homes. It was a window to a sun porch where we spent lots of time together, drinking tea - me and coffee -her, planning, and creating. An old window is so much fun to play with....but this one is special because of the memories associated with it. I couldn't wait to decorate with my new window! My husband helped me hang it up for the Christmas season. He screwed into the back of the … [Read more...]
Have you come across a pretty picture, a great quote, artwork, or even a Bible verse that you thought was unique or special in someway and you pinned it? Just because? Somewhere online I came across the artwork of Peggy AplSEEDS. I love the spirit and style of her art. And yes....I had a pinning frenzy. You'll see if you visit my Pinterest board. This morning I went to my boards to pick something to share on Facebook. This sweet piece of art was inspiring and encouraging to me. Peggy AplSEEDS And then I read it again. And felt the power of the words. Do you have a … [Read more...]
Do you find yourself stopping to admire a beautiful sunset? Have you noticed how time seems to stand still for just a moment or two when you do? And your soul is refreshed? A sunset is such an everyday (possibly ordinary) occurence. Or is it? The only difference between an extraordinary life and an ordinary one is the extraordinary pleasures you find in ordinary things. ~ Veronique Vienne This weekend...look for ordinary things in which you can find extraordinary pleasures. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ … [Read more...]
Originally I had planned to give the house a warm and wintry feeling after taking down all the Christmas decorations. But, when you get smacked in the face with your husband's unexpected unemployment, everything changes. Decorating doesn't seem important any more. Packing for a new destination is first and forefront. Yet, somewhere along the way the sparse sun room, with the bare-branched faux evergreen, beckoned me to do something. Something that did not involve a bunch of time and certainly no pennies either. You may remember the sun room from my Very Merry Christmas House … [Read more...]
~~ An Extraordinary Day now has its own Facebook page! ~~ ~~ Please take a second now to click the icon on the right and “Like” our page! ~~ Did I ever tell you that I used to weave baskets? What a great art to learn. I pretty much gave away every basket I crafted for gifts, I might have three or four left. During that time I was introduced to Longaberger....a basket woven of hardwood maple, unlike mine that were made of reed. I was smitten. My creations were beautiful, but they were not capable of the abuse, nor of holding all the weight a Longaberger basket can hold. This … [Read more...]
Have you noticed it? Hearts and cupids are popping up all over. Well actually I haven't seen any cupids. Which is okay. I'm not a fan. Are you? As you may know, I'm supposed to be packing. But, really it is much more fun to pop on here and have a chat with you and share a very easy little idea of mine for heart day. But, first off I can't resist sharing a few extra bits of inspiring sweetness, also. Most of these inspirations are quick and easy to create on a budget. Spreading {Valentine} Joy & Blessing.... Do you enjoy making little sweets to share … [Read more...]
Watching the setting sun and seeing the colors dance, refract, and saturate melts away the cares of the day. Late in the afternoon, we went for a walk. From one end of town to the other. We live almost at the end of our road. Just as we rounded the corner to our house I happened to look back and see the sky coloring. We proceeded a bit further, hoping to get a good look at the setting sun. And maybe a few pictures. Without telephone poles and wires marring the magical moment. Peace is seeing a sunset and knowing who to thank. Isn't it lovely? I don't know about you, but … [Read more...]
[An Extraordinary Day now has its own Facebook page! Please take a second now to click the icon on the right and "Like" our page!] Many of us are going through something right now. If we aren't, then most likely someone we are close to needs our support. That something might be a job loss like what we are experiencing at our house. It could be physical or emotional illness, a challenging relationship or a break in a relationship, finances, even death. The journey is difficult. And my words sometimes seem empty. One thing I know for sure..... This is true. … [Read more...]
We face all types of obstacles in life. But, this I know is true: ...nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Romans 8:38 NLT There are so many things running through my mind these days. So many things I want to do. Yet, when life gets turned upside down it takes time to sort it out. [sigh] I have tutorials and posts underway which I'd like to complete and post for you. I want to create vignettes and show you a few things before I get it all packed up for wherever God moves us. I really do. But, if I don't...if I write posts like this one or this one...for a little while....will … [Read more...]
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16 - NLT What is the feeling that comes over you when you read this verse? Me? I feel empowered. Picture someone in your mind who is wonderfully wise, strong, and loving. He knows you well. He truly cares about every. single. thing. in your life. He always wants the best for you. He has all the time in the world for you...to listen and to talk. And he has every resource available to make things … [Read more...]
The blog has been pretty quiet this past week. The week began with a Joy Day! post. We welcomed 2013 with a prayer by The Reverend Billy Graham. I then hinted at my quietness when I invited you to join me in Ann Voskamp's Joy Dare, the following day. So many times I wanted to write here, but just didn't have the right words. Today, I still don't know that I have the right words. But, my mind is camped on this scripture verse... God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 And then it is interesting to me that if we continue to read the … [Read more...]
Do you have any regrets from 2012? I know that is a silly question. I'm guessing that most of us have a regret or two. One of mine is that I started Ann Voskamp's "Joy Dare" last February and was mostly faithful to it, most of the time. (Please click the link to learn more.) Maybe you have been well-intentioned like that too. And then when my computer crashed...well that was the end of my little online journaling of gifts. I must say, that it has been one of the best things I have ever done, along with reading Ann's book, One Thousand Gifts. This is a New Year...and … [Read more...]
As we begin our fresh New Year there is much that can be said. But before all the talking, it seems that the best place we can begin is... on our knees. A Prayer for the New Year Our Father and our God, as we stand at the beginning of this new year we confess our need of Your presence and Your guidance as we face the future. We each have our hopes and expectations for the year that is ahead of us—but You alone know what it holds for us, and only You can give us the strength and the wisdom we will need to meet its challenges. So help us to humbly put our … [Read more...]
This year I've had fun making my New Year's table sparkle with gold and silver and candlelight. You might remember my Thanksgiving table. The gold trim on the plates were the hint I needed to splash gold accents all over my table. Then for an early Christmas party I decided to splurge and purchased some silver chargers for just 99 cents. That table setting was a twist on elements of the Thanksgiving table but in silver. In preparing my New Year's table setting, I thought it would be fun to meld the gold and silver together for a perfectly imperfect New … [Read more...]
Happy New Year! Okay...maybe I'm a wee bit early. But only 25 hours early! Remember my Joy Wreath hanging over the sideboard? I thought it would be fun to quickly and easily transform it into a New Year's Wreath. After removing the vintage balls and Joy and other nativity words, I added in some semi-blingy woodland picks I had in my stash. I borrowed a Silhouette machine which I have yet to master and cut out the Happy - New - Year - 2013 in some gold cardstock I also had in my stash. BUT, you can easily create these by using stencils and tracing them on cardstock … [Read more...]
Snow has blanketed our neighborhood. So white. And clean. And quiet. And beautiful. In the quietness this morning I heard the carillon of a nearby church. Though I was not familiar with the tune, I got caught up in listening to the beauty of the music...calling us to pull away from ourselves....calling us to communion with God...to rest....in Him. The snow seems to do the same. Inviting us to slow down, to pause, and to reflect the solitude of that shimmering white blanket. Do you do that? Do you cozy in with family, with a good book, or maybe - in … [Read more...]
It's the day after Christmas. Our friends in Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand celebrate Boxing Day today. If you make your home in one of those beautiful places....Happy Boxing Day! I decided to look up Boxing Day to see what it was all about. It isn't about the sport of boxing, nor is it about boxing up items. Instead, this holiday goes back many years when the service of employees would be required on Christmas Day. The employer would in turn give their employee the day after Christmas off to spend with family and boxes of food and other gifts to take … [Read more...]
