Day 20 Today was Tim's day off. Generally we like to do something special....after a few chores are completed....like raking countless tarp-loads of leaves. Oh...no....raking the leaves wasn't the something special! Haha! After the chores we walked to a local Italian restaurant for a late lunch. I had been fretting that I didn't have all my 31 days blog posts planned and didn't know what to do. I wasn't feeling very creative. Then, Tim had a fabulous idea! Since he … [Read more...]
Day 19 "Creepy!" That's what I said when my friend handed me a sandwich bag full of fingers. Yes. Fingers! Later that day I called my friend to tell her I ate a finger. Ewwwww! I couldn't eat more. Not because it wasn't tasty. It was very tasty...almond flavored even. Have you ever eaten a finger? This was my first. Are you still with me or are you grossed out? I hope you're still here because I have a few fingers left to show you. And the recipe to make some yourself....if you're so … [Read more...]
Day 18 One of my new friends came to my home for a visit. While she was here I shared with her a few projects I have on the back burner. It was good to get a little feedback. Sometimes a gal just needs to know she hasn't jumped off into the deep end. I'm just teasing...sorta. While we were walking around I took her to the sun room where I recently hung a favorite seasonal wall hanging. I mentioned that in this small house I have limited wall space, but really wanted to put up that bit of artwork. One day I realized that it would fit perfectly over one of the windows between my (mini) great room … [Read more...]
Day 15 Several years ago, this very week, my dear friend flew in from Indianapolis to join me for a fun Fall jaunt. I don't know anyone who loves fall as much as she does. Not only is it her favorite time of year, but she revels in its beauty and all the stuff of fall more than anyone I know. My friend is the essence of being extraordinary. The phrase carpe diem I'm pretty sure was coined because of her. Not only is she a delightfully wonderful, thoughtful, kind, and considerate woman...she spells fun with a capital "F"! My dear friend had never experienced Fall in … [Read more...]
Day 13 Every year as Fall rolls around we make plans to go apple and pumpkin picking. But, most of all, my husband can't wait to sink his teeth into a hot apple dumpling at a local apple barn. When we lived in Michigan we often took a drive to Crane Orchards and Crane's Pie Pantry Restaurant & Bakery in Fennville. We joined long lines of people, standing out the door and winding around the building while waiting for a seat, there to enjoy a fresh-baked peach pie, or apple dumpling, and a 10 cent glass of sweet apple cider. We have since moved … [Read more...]
Day 10 Recently I put together a little luncheon tablescape on my sun porch and wrote about it here. In the busyness of the week, I left the place setting on the table. One morning I walked out there and discovered my little Poppy laying right in the middle of the tablescape soaking up the sun. She relaxed to the point where she was just a little puddle of gray and tan fur. In our house, cats generally aren't allowed up on the counters or the tables. But, she was definitely in her happy spot, so I let her stay. And like any good pet owner, I took her picture. You can … [Read more...]
Day 5 "Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness. Kindness in your face. Kindness in your eyes. Kindness in your smile." ~Mother Teresa~ I came across that quote of Mother Teresa the other day and thought, "Could I impact another life so that following our brief encounter the other person would walk away better and happier?" Could you...or I...really do that? Really? On this adventure of 31 Extraordinary Days we are exploring what it means to live more fully, more intentionally. And … [Read more...]
Day 4 “I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house.” ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne~ When the autumn skies are mostly blue and the sun is shining I want to be outside? How about you? Do you do any fall fluffing in your outdoor spaces? As I attempt to live more fully, more intentionally, I find myself taking time to make inviting outdoor spots. Such as the addition of a pillow to a chair. Rearranging the seating in the fall to take advantage of the sun's warmth. Or even bringing a little decor...which is often … [Read more...]
Day 3 Last Friday night we were invited to the home of some new friends for dinner. We had the best time. When was the last time you asked someone over for dinner? All this month we're exploring how to live an extraordinary life. When we live life to the full we do things outside our comfort zone. We do crazy things like carve time out of our busy schedules to spend with friends. We clean the house, decide on a menu, figure out what to do with the pets, or even the kids...just so we can invite new or old friends to dinner. When was the last time you … [Read more...]
Day 2 ...I Love about Fall! Zinnias Isn't it the little things that can make your day? Like... Zinnias Crisp cool air The smell of wet leaves Wooly Bear Caterpillars The Aroma of Concord Grapes Fresh Pressed Apple Cider Pumpkins, Squash, & Gourds Sitting by the Fire with a Creamy Mug of Hot Cocoa Falling Leaves A Kaleidoscope of Red, Orange, Yellow, and Green Corn.... Candy, Indian, & Stalks The Aroma of Apples in the Apple Barn Hot Apple Pie, Crisp, & Dumplings Butternut Squash Soup Warm Wooly Sweaters Snuggly Flannel Sheets El … [Read more...]
Hello! If this is your first time here, scroll down to read day one. Otherwise, here are the current links to the rest of the series:: 31 Extraordinary Days…. {Day 2} 20 Extraordinary Little Things...I Love About Fall! {Day 3} October Dining...Outdoors! {Day 4} Autumn Inside Outside {Day 5} Just a little kindness... {Day 6} Autumn....where every leaf is a flower {Day 7} Joy Day! | Intentionally Developing a Heart of Gratitude {Day 8} Organize the Nest for Fall {Day 9} Fall Fluffing {Day 10} Breathe {Day 11} think about such things {Day 12} Fall Window Box ~ Plumping with … [Read more...]
A 31 day series.... beginning October 1st! We're going to take off on brand new, and for me, unexplored territory.... Get ready to join me for 31 days straight as I write... 31 Extraordinary Days! This will be challenging and stretching for me. I hope you'll join me in the adventure. The success of this will depend on you, too. I know how it is....we click and read and click away. I'll be hoping that you will click and read and comment. Please? It will be a great way for us to develop our own little community here. How fun is that? If you aren't a … [Read more...]
One of my favorite baskets is the Longaberger Picnic Basket. I ordered mine way back in 1992. I know because the weaver signed and dated the bottom of the basket. Let me be right up front with you. I'm going to tell you all the reasons I'm in love with this basket. And the reason I'm doing it, because it's a retired basket and not in the regular Longaberger line. However, it is being offered as an ONLINE EXCLUSIVE from Noon EDT to Midnight - Wednesday, September 5th. Also, I am not planning to be all selly on this blog. occasionally I will let you know about something Longaberger that I … [Read more...]
The other evening Tim and I went for a stroll. I no doubt needed a power walk. But, I can't leave home without my camera and then that power walk ends up becoming a stroll. Yes, I married a man who has incredible patience with me and my camera. On this particular night I came across these lovely yellow wildflowers. I haven't yet discovered what they are. I think they might be a variety of Coreopsis. Do you know? As I was going through my photographs this stunning bit of yellow inspired this post. Years ago my dear friend Kaye gave me a book, Creating a Beautiful … [Read more...]
Five things. Heart-bending. Mind-grabbing. One of my favorite bloggers, Emily P. Freeman whose blog Chatting at the Sky I always read, wrote a guest post over at A Holy Experience. She addresses one of my big issues. Fear. Maybe sometime I'll chat about that. But right now, I want to draw attention to this. Emily wrote: But if we have forgotten how to live, it’s only because we have also forgotten we’ve already died. The life we hold on to isn’t really ours. And it’s hard to fear a thing if the worst is behind … [Read more...]
Okay, I confess. My heart goes pitter patter whenever I see a collection of red, white, and blue. What about you? Does your heart sing for the all-American colors, too? Better Homes & Gardens Just for fun today, I thought I'd share with you a few ideas that I've been collecting on Pinterest. I may, or may not, have guests coming for the holiday. It's a little tricky when a holiday is right smack dab in the middle of the week. Regardless I'll be ready with all the fun things that I've pinned. That is if I actually get working on … [Read more...]
Who knew a visit to a Country Market would be so much fun? Locals have been telling us all about their "wonderful" version of a farmers'/crafters' market. Shhhh... Don't tell anyone, but I was a bit skeptical. After all, I grew up in a town where we had one of the biggest farmers' markets in the country. I was spoiled. Every kind of fresh produce and plant was available every Wednesday and Saturday. This morning the Country Market opened at 8 AM. We arrived at 7:58. Lines of cars were turning in to the parking area. The crowd had already begun to assemble. Anticipation filled the … [Read more...]
