I love this Thoreau quote on winter... “One must maintain a little bit of summer, even in the middle of winter.” ~Henry David Thoreau This week...my bit of summer has been bluebirds.....perched high up on the tree in front of my window. Those round feathery puffs of blue and orange are a true delight while the branches sway and the snow drives horizontal. They are the true blue promise of spring. It may be February, but I'm counting the days 'til spring. You too? Thank you for stopping by today. I appreciate you and your sweet comments make my … [Read more...]
Have you ever noticed that when you come to a river, or any running body of water, you pause? Last weekend we went for a morning walk. When we got to the river, we carefully walked a lumpy path carved by massive tires and made our way close to its shore as we could get. And we paused. Yes, I took lots of photos....breathed in the beauty....and most of all...lost my hurry. Pooh Bear said, "Rivers know this: There is no hurry, we shall get there some day." Ahhh...what's your hurry? And now, on to our Extraordinary Link Party.... Thank you so … [Read more...]
The road of life is difficult. Do you ever wonder if you'll make it? Then, if that's not enough...we're called to live holy lives. Really. I know, in this day and age, who talks about being holy? So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God … [Read more...]
Bloggy friends... There's still time to link your extraordinary posts at our Project Inspire{d} Link Party. I can't wait to see your projects! I'm in the midst of several projects and posts and nothing is finished. A deadline is looming ahead. We're traveling this weekend and I will be "offline" so that means I need to accomplish much. If you pray, I would appreciate your prayers. Prayers to accomplish much....all that I need to...nothing more. Prayers for sleep. And wisdom. And traveling mercies. And discernment. And dry roads. Prayers for like-mindedness … [Read more...]
Faith. It's a complicated word. For some...it has great spiritual meaning. For others...it's a bit nebulous. A long time ago, when one of the girls from my youth group got married, I created some counted cross stitch art for her as a wedding gift. I stitched these words from Hebrews 11:1....Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Why in the world was I so enamored with this verse that I created cross stitch art? And for a wedding gift, no less. I can't answer that. One thing I do know.... In order to navigate through life, faith is a … [Read more...]
What was the best Christmas gift you have ever received? I would need to think long and hard about that one. As a child there were too many gifts under the tree for me. I'm not quite sure what my parents' thought process was on Christmas gifts. Most kids get some new clothes to start off the school year. Not me. Sometimes I got new shoes....in the first few weeks or months of the school year. My parents were not into starting off the school year all shiny and fresh. For all the picture-taking, I never remember, one time, a first-day-of-school picture. But, always, there was a new wardrobe of clothes … [Read more...]
Reading portions of the Book of Psalms in the Bible is something I do almost every day. It's full of wisdom and pain and gratitude and praise and fear. Today's passage included this verse...Psalm 111:10, from the New Living Translation: Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever! I don't know about you...but I want wisdom. People who are wise seem to navigate life more gracefully. They are the ones others seek for advice. People who are wise are more thoughtful, less reactionary, … [Read more...]
November is the gratitude month. With the holidays approaching it's a good thing to get ready by being thankful. We can and should be gracious....encouraging....kind. But...most of all we should be thankful! This image is available as a 5x7 printable. Download here and save to your desktop for printing at home or via your favorite photo shop. Seriously... Contentment comes from a thankful heart. Creativity comes from a thankful heart. Generosity comes from a thankful heart. And that's just the beginning of what we need as we approach the holidays. I'm sure you can … [Read more...]
It's confession time. Do you ever let your feathers get ruffled by something someone has done or said? When was the last time your feathers were ruffled? I looked out my window the other day to see a gathering of bluebirds around the bluebird house at the end of the driveway. It's seems to be rather late in the season for birds to be checking out houses. But, that's exactly what these birds appeared to be doing. In and out they went. With hope in my heart, I grabbed the camera, just knowing that today, I would finally be able to snap some shots. And yes! I got a few. It was … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 19 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. What is it that makes your heart sing? I love going for a walk in the woods, especially in the fall, camera in hand. There is so much beauty to be seen. And captured through the camera's lens. It isn't the walk that makes my heart sing. It's the stopping. Maybe … [Read more...]
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 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 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...]
Did you enter An Extraordinary Day's giveaway to win a beautiful European house number sign? The best thing about Fall Nesting is bringing the outdoors in. It truly makes my heart sing. image: tradgardsflow So, when I came across this image on my Fabulously Fall Pinterest board I knew I had to share it with you. It is just the reminder I need to go on a scavenger hunt. Clippers in hand. Seeking out the beauties of the season to capture and enjoy. Maybe it's a bunch of leaves you can stick in a vase of water. I did that yesterday. [big cheesy grin] Maybe you … [Read more...]
When my world gets turned upside down, I love to go on a nature walk. This quote by Sara Moss-Wolfe says it all. Nature is my medicine. Maybe you are like me.... Or, maybe another activity feeds your soul. When you're weary and worn and need to set things right, what do you do or where do you go? ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Catch up on all that's Extraordinary... this week at An Extraordinary Day: Here's a rundown of the posts... … [Read more...]
All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence. Martin Luther King, Jr. May you and your family enjoy an Extraordinary Labor Day. And may the work of your hands and mind be a blessing. On Labor Day I want to celebrate the farmer. This Labor Day quote by Martin Luther King, Jr., truly speaks to the vital role of the farmer in our health and vitality. At our house we have a huge appreciation for farm fresh everything. We were blessed to be able to walk (it's a 2 miles round trip) or bike to a farm for fresh eggs or to the weekly farmers' … [Read more...]
Twenty-three days ago I read the quote below and tapped out the following thoughts. I'm not sure why I forgot to publish the post. But, I wanted you to know that little detail so the time reference makes sense. [sigh] We're hurdling towards the deadline all too quickly... “You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you. It is easy to say you believe a rope to be strong and sound as long as you are merely using it to cord a box. But suppose you had to hang by that rope over a precipice. Wouldn't you then first … [Read more...]
