Written in the 1700s by Charles Wesley, Christ the Lord is Risen Today is my absolute favorite Easter hymn. So much so that if the church I attend on Easter does not sing it, it doesn't feel like Easter. Here are a few stanzas of my favorite Easter hymn. Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia! Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia! Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia! Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia! Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia! Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia! Christ has opened … [Read more...]
Happiness. It's something we all want. In the midst of our busyness and running.... Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open. ~ John Barrymore How much better would we be if we consciously left the door to happiness open, everyday? It's so easy to get caught up in the busyness of life. Consumed with work, projects, tasks, errands, appointments, and running here and there, we often leave no margin or open door for happiness to present itself. Chasing after happiness for happiness' sake is inward focused rather than outward focused and … [Read more...]
May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks. May your heart be as light as a song. May each day bring you bright, happy hours. That stay with you all the year long. Irish Blessing This year I used book pages to help decorate the mantel for St. Patrick's Day. If you missed the post, check it out here. And now, on to our Extraordinary Link Party.... I am so excited to join with Mary Beth from Cupcake and Crinoline, Malia from Yesterday on Tuesday, and Stephanie from The Silly Pearl, my co-hosts here at Project Inspire{d} to see what you've been working on this week! Your … [Read more...]
With St. Patrick's Day coming soon... I put together this old Irish Blessing Printable for you. Download this FREE 8x10 St. Patrick's Day PRINTABLE for personal use ONLY I love using graphics and pictures in vignettes. Maybe you would like to frame this FREE Irish Blessing printable and use it in a St. Patrick's Day vignette. And now, on to our Extraordinary Link Party.... Thank you so much for coming by and sharing your extraordinary creativity and ideas and tips each week. I truly appreciate you! And...I can't wait to see what you've … [Read more...]
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...]
Yesterday, Ann Voskamp's blog post hit my inbox. As I was reading through the post I came across these words... When you’re overwhelmed with the goodness of God to you — you overflow with the goodness of God to others. Ann Voskamp I had to ask myself this question... Are you overwhelmed with the goodness of God Maybe you'd like to join me in contemplating this question and Ann's statement. Thank you for stopping by today. I appreciate you and your sweet comments make my day. Overwhelmed... Diane P.S. Don't forget the check out or link up to our Project Inspire{d} Link … [Read more...]
Winter weather seems to be the topic of conversation everywhere. Did you get snow? I love hearing the excitement of those of you who are experiencing the first real snowfall in a long time. Please tell me you celebrated by making snow ice cream. Yesterday the sun was shining here in the Mitten State, for a while, and the temps were all the way up to the low twenties! My husband and I celebrated by going for a long walk at a local park. The best part was walking on some of the frozen marsh. I know...it doesn't take much for me. [wink] And of course, I took a bunch of photos … [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...]
“The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year, but rather that we should have a new soul.” G.K. Chesterton Do you make New Year's Resolutions? Whether the resolution is to be more organized, get healthy, read more books, or run a marathon....as significant as all of those are....the resolution to restore our souls is the more lasting resolution. What do you resolve to do in 2014? The photo quote above by Chesterton is available as a Free 5x7 Printable. Download the New Year's Quote and Printable for 2014 here. Save it to your desktop to print out at home or take to your favorite photo … [Read more...]
Twenty Fourteen will arrive in just a few days... Are you ready for the fresh start and opportunity she will bring? The New Year is like a beautiful blank book..... We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day. ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce What words are you hoping to write in your new book? ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Catch up on all that's Extraordinary... this week at An … [Read more...]
Gratitude changes everything... Especially our hearts. “When it comes to life the critical thing is, whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.” Gilbert Chesterton When I first came across this quote it stopped me in my tracks. I know I am guilty of taking way too much for granted. You too? Let's make a pact together to take things with Gratitude. Are you in? ~ PRINTABLE ~ If you like this #GratitudeQuote, download it here to print on your printer or take it to your favorite print or photo … [Read more...]
If you would enjoy framing this quote, please download the free printable here and save it to your desktop for printing or take it to your favorite photo shop. Do you have a thankful heart? Have you ever noticed that some people seem to be so blessed regardless of their circumstances? The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings! Henry Ward Beecher Isn't this a great quote? One other thing I've noticed...those with a thankful heart are … [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...]
Welcome to Day 28 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 embarked on this #31Days series, and chose Hospitality as one of the weekly topics, I had plans for all kinds of things hospitality-minded. But, as I began writing, I had an 'Ah Ha' moment. I needed that 'Ah Ha' moment and so did some readers. But....that totally turned my plans all upside down. (You can … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 26 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 are not called by God to do extraordinary things, but to do ordinary things with extraordinary love. ” Jean Vanier Day 26 Challenge: Because God loves us with an extraordinary love, we too can love others with that same love. The freedom to be and do comes from receiving his love. Have … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 25 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. Small Things Being faithful in "small things" is about our character. It takes discipline. Daily. Not only is it our attention to those "small things" that makes a difference in the world. They make a difference in our personal lives too. This image is available as a 5x7 printable. Download … [Read more...]
