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...]
Welcome to Day 2 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. Let's be real. Life is hard. Some days are really hard. Have you had one of those hard days when a friend, a co-worker, or even a stranger said something that set you back? What if those words had been encouraging words? What if? Some people wear their emotions on … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 1 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...Content Contentment. [sigh] Does your heart yearn for it? We live in this fast-paced world where every single media outlet teases and tantalizes us. They enthusiastically spread the message of discontent. We hear...our bodies are too fat or flabby...about the must-have features of the latest … [Read more...]
Day 30 There's no doubt about it. This has been the year of pumpkins. You might remember when I shared my excitement and pumpkin blessing here. Prior to my blessing, I had made up my mind that I was just going to try to be creative with the things I had in my house, and the little bits of fall stored in my "Fall Decor" box. I had pretty much thumbed my nose to anything from the Fall Decor Store. Of course, that's easy to do when shopping the aisles of the Fall Decor Store is not an option. I was enjoying the challenge until I experienced Pumpkins from Heaven! Do you hear the … [Read more...]
