Has all the craziness of life sent you looking for peace? It's here. Contentment and peace are waiting for you. The sunsets have been stupendous lately not that I've actually seen them. What I have seen of that early setting sun is its blinding reflection bouncing off windows of the downtown condos with screaming shades of deep rich orange and the most brilliant pinks I have ever seen. Swimming in orders to be filled, I only get a glimpse while standing at my worktable in our busy upstairs workshop. Night after night I missed the sunset... until this day. This day we were … [Read more...]
Search Results for: advent
"There is always Hope." One of my friends posted a beautiful graphic she created with those words on Instagram. Immediately my mind went to these words from scripture... And Hope does not disappoint. Romans 5:5 People disappoint... but God never does. I'm not saying that God gives me everything I ask for. No, far from it. We had moved to a new state and my husband was working for a new church that was quite large. After several months, I wanted to restart my home decor business, so I sent invitations to my new friends at church and those that were on my … [Read more...]
Wouldn't you LOVE for this Christmas to be your BEST Christmas EVER? Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. Colossians 3:16-17 When you realize that there are just 29 sleeps until Christmas does it excite you, not phase you, or stress you out? After my more than 29 years of anticipating … [Read more...]
Sometime after 8 AM and I heard a little tap on my door. If I had known that it was an invitation to open up my heart and day to spending 5 prime hours with two neighbor kids, I might not have answered. Then again. That morning's invitation was God's way of letting us know he has two little lives to entrust to us with the important task of being Jesus with skin on. Frankly, though, it was inconvenient. My to-do list was a mile long. Somehow all the lovely warm fall weather we have had disconnected me from the actual dates on the … [Read more...]
Have you ever read a book that resonated with you? I just put down a well-written, humorous yet poignant, behind the scenes story of a life that looked so perfect to me. But, things aren't always as they appear are they? I remember wearing a new outfit to elementary school that my mom made for me. Back then, most of my school clothes were handmade, except that special outfit my Aunt Martha would buy for my birthday or Christmas. My mom was pretty good with the sewing machine, actually, most everything involving a needle including putting needles in the veins of her patients when … [Read more...]
Easy tutorial and TIPS for making and styling a modern farmhouse 3 tiered tray. And more farmhouse tray inspiration from 11 of my favorite blogging friends! It was Tuesday... I dropped Tim off at work and then swung around to Walmart for a quick kombucha run, jumping back on the road for another busy day. And then it happened! My car steered itself into a parking lot... and right into the first parking slot... smack dab in front of the Goodwill store. I looked over and a lady was just unlocking the door. There I was... the first customer of the day with the whole store … [Read more...]
Have you ever read a Bible verse like this and thought "that" sounds so good... but can I do "that?" Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Maybe that's what comes to your mind when you read... Never stop praying? Never stop praying sounds like work, doesn't it? Over time I've been learning that my relationship with God is more dependent on me than on him. What? God is constant, never changing, always present. Me... I'm up and down, coming and … [Read more...]
Writer and theologian Thomas Merton penned this... We receive enlightenment only in proportion as we give ourselves more and more completely to God by humble submission and love. Last week, my small group was discussing options for our next study. A list of possibilities was presented by our leader. As the list was being read, one after the other got checked off the list until the topic of knowing God's will was suggested. Immediately a man commented that he really needed to know God's will. And with that, a new study was chosen. This morning I opened the new study guide in … [Read more...]
Want to know a secret? I just figured on how to make the most beautiful... yes... perfect mossy eggs. Even better... I'm going to share the secret with you. But, first... let's just look at this pretty spring vignette. It's filled with some of my favorite things... pussy willows, an old cement planter, moss, birds, eggs, bunnies... and even a little gold. Okay... maybe a lot of gold. This year I am all about moss for spring. It's a great way to infuse life and spring into my home decor without spending a lot of money. A bag of moss, … [Read more...]
I am absolutely giddy today for this First Day of Spring! Yesterday I discovered that the pussy willows were coming on and those little soft furry little pale gray catkins were stunning against the clear blue sky. We stopped the car to take some trimmings. I have so many ideas... but haven't quite decided what I will do with my bundle of kittens. You'll just have to watch the blog to see. [wink] In celebration of the First Day of Spring, I've created a sweet 8x10 printable art quote for you to print out and frame. The colors are so soft and lovely. I hope you can find just … [Read more...]
Shhh! Don't tell anyone, but my dear husband and I aren't very romantic. I think I would like it if he was and I think he'd like it if I was. But we aren't. Not that we haven't tried. In our early years, we thought we were being romantic by purchasing pretty new sheets for our anniversary. We'd go out to dinner dressed to the nines. We've had fancy foods at our bedside. And my dear husband has sent me countless gorgeous floral bouquets. All romantic sounding things to do.... but bells don't ring and birds don't sing. He brings me flowers and … [Read more...]
Wouldn't you love to bake and Package a Chocolate Valentine's Day Gift for family and friends using recycled items and things you have on hand? This edition of Make Something from Nothing is all about Valentine's Day Gifts! Who knew recycled tuna cans and cardboard saltine cracker boxes would help make these adorable and delicious gifts you'll LOVE to give? Be sure to stay until the end to see the creative gift ideas my friends, Jennifer and Mary Beth are sharing this month too. What's your love language? Is it receiving gifts, words of … [Read more...]
"Never take your eyes off the master because he knows things you don't." Lysa Terkeurst Friday night I had an opportunity to attend a woman's gathering at my church, something I rarely do. One of my dear friends mentioned it and we decided, last minute, to go together and I'm so glad we did. It was a thoughtful time of live worship with an all-girl band at our church and there was a simulcast so we could watch, with other women around the world, wonderful and challenging speakers like Lysa Terkeurst and Ann Voskamp. I took a few notes, but this quote from Lysa -- "Never take your eyes off the … [Read more...]
It's rare for me to pop on the blog for a random chat. But here I am! First of all, I'm a little excited about an upcoming feature series that I will be hosting with some good blogging friends. You know how I love to make something from nothing? Well, that's just a little hint about what we have in store for you very soon. Not long ago my husband was helping a builder friend with a little demolition work. It was good for him because guys can work out their frustrations when they have a good demo project. It was good for me, because as they were throwing debris down the chute to the … [Read more...]
Hello, friends! Thanks for coming by! Here we are, quickly sliding out of 2016 and into a fresh new year! Are you excited for the new year? I'm in the process of re-evaluating a lot of what I do and how I do it. And because I'm a doer... this thought process doesn't exactly turn my crank. It would if I were doing it with a team that I led, but as a solopreneur, it's more of a necessary task. To that end... I discovered this quote from Teddy Roosevelt: Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. And it's providing me with some framework in which to do some dreaming and goal … [Read more...]
I heard the bells on Christmas Day I HEARD the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along The unbroken song Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Till ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, A chant sublime Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Then from each black, … [Read more...]
Merry Christmas! Are you in the Christmas spirit? This can either be an incredibly busy few days leading up to Christmas, or it can be a time of celebration, family, friends, and many memories in the making. I hope that there is more of the later for you. This year it's a much more relaxing pace than ever before. As a final Christmas "present" I wanted to create one more Christmas printable for you. If you'd like to make an easy gift or create a little something extra for your Christmas decor, then I hope you'll take advantage of this Christmas art printable I created for you. Download it by … [Read more...]
