the homespun heart

Extending Grace: The Beginning

2012-01-27T06:00:00.008-05:00

Extending: holding out, offering, reaching out, puts my desires second, unselfish, thinking of others {Phil. 2:3-4}

Grace: undeserved favor or blessing, believing the best, non-judgmental, not critical

Yes, I know there are times I should extend grace to myself! Those times are there - but today I am thinking of extending grace to others. Jesus is our ultimate example of this. I cannot extend salvation like He can, but I can still follow His example in grace.

To whom should we extend grace? There are many examples in Scripture of who we should extend grace to - because of the grace that has been extended to us. This very moment however, I'm drawn to Proverbs 31 to look at the virtuous woman and how she extends grace and to whom she extends it.

~ vs. 10: she is a wife {she extends grace to her husband}
~ vs. 10: she has noble character {receives grace to be able to have this kind of character}
~ vs. 11-12: she extends grace to her husband
~ vs. 15: she extends grace to her family - she serves them; meal times are an extending of nourishment and are a wonderful opportunity for beauty and grace
~ vs. 16: the way she plans her finances and the choices she makes extend grace to her family
~ vs. 17-18: she extends grace to herself by working hard, diligence and taking care of herself; laziness does not match well with extending grace - it requires initiative
~ vs. 20: to those in need, the poor, she is ready to help and serve
~ vs. 25: she extends grace into the future
~ vs. 26: gracious words - she extends
~ vs. 28: to her children, to her husband
~ vs. 31: the extension of grace from her heart and life create beauty that pleases and glorifies the Lord and generates reward - eternal reward

So much grace that has been extended to us, we take for granted.

The mere fact that God has equipped us to do good things for Him. Our eternal security through His free gift of grace when it is especially undeserved.

Beauty extended to us, a warm quilt, a cup of tea, a beautiful flower, a prayer offered on our behalf.

All these thoughts bring me again to our perfect example ~ which is where we'll begin next time!

{Photos: enjoying my new camera and its ruffly strap!}

Mason Jar Lid Pies

2012-01-26T06:00:00.007-05:00

I recently saw these little mini pies on Pinterest and knew I wanted to make them! I have tons of mason jar lids and what a fun way to make tarts without buying tart pans! To top all of that off - David's aunt and uncle have a pecan farm in Georgia and sent me a big box of fresh shelled pecans from their farm - what a gift!

So, one evening when I had a friend over for movie, crafting and fun - I made these little delights - mini desserts are so fun!

I loved the tart dough - all done in the food processor - I had success with pie crust for once! And, since you don't have to roll it out - just press into the lids, even better. Then, I tried a family recipe for pecan pie that David's aunt included with all the pecans and my sweet friend shared some whipping cream from her fridge.

YUM!

Courageous

2012-01-25T06:00:00.003-05:00

I can't say enough good things about the movies from Sherwood Pictures! We love all of them and are so pleased that we can even share a couple of them with our children. I was excited when I heard they had a new movie coming last Fall ~ Courageous.

In our house, this movie lined up with so many things that envelop our life: faith, family, law enforcement, marriage - David and I both loved it. And, if you haven't had a chance to see it yet - I hope you will get to!

We got to see it on a date night with some dear friends and that is a fun memory in itself. But, the movie really was great - I laughed and cried and was moved and reminded of my walk with God - wow, how often can you say that about a movie!?

I love seeing movies like this succeed - for their willingness to stand up for our Lord publicly, to complete a project with excellence and to show how it can be done on an exponentially smaller budget.

Our copy arrived last night and David instantly wanted to watch one of his favorite parts where Javier pretends to be a really bad guy in the back of a patrol car and in Spanish describes what he wants for lunch - a perfect Chick-fil-A lunch, it's hilarious. I love that they know when you need a laugh and when to let the moment move you.

Learn more about the movie, which is now out on DVD, here.

Have you seen Courageous? Did you have a favorite part?

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Disclosure: I'm telling you about the movie in exchange for a free copy! All opinions above are my own.

Around Here

2012-01-24T06:00:00.018-05:00

Just an assortment of snapshots of life around our place {for some reason, I had the urge to call it a homestead!}

~ one morning I ventured outside to see what caught my eye and was shocked to see spring hiding very close by

~ enjoying our home: the lived-in feel!

~ playing Monopoly for the first time with littles: a loose connection to the monopolies of the Industrial Revolution!

~ playing grocery store

~ apparently fun = a living room that looks like this!

Rooms Updated!

2012-01-23T06:00:00.001-05:00

The girls got a new bed for Christmas - a bunk bed! As David and I talked about the idea we knew that we could not really give the girls each their own room in our home, but we could give them their own space and a space that suits them more as they are growing.

David wasn't thrilled with the ladders on bunk beds {for safety} and I was nearly insistent on a twin over full as the full bed has been our guest bed as well. More storage is always a plus too and this bed fit all the details. We saved up our money and were happy to surprise the girls for Christmas!

They were very surprised and then we had fun waiting for the bed to arrive! Nothing else in their room is new - I had fun using what we already had as we rearranged!

And, since the box spring from the twin bed was now unused - we were able to fix Samuel's room up a little bit too! I had intended originally to paint the head and foot board for his room that I found at the Habitat ReStore - but I just loved the color and decided to try and make it work - now I love the contrast of turquoise with the chocolate and red! The only thing we had to buy for Samuel's room was a mattress for his bed! {In the photos, there is no mattress yet - though we've got it settled now!}

We still want to replace the blinds in his room and have a chandelier {free to us} for the girls room - but I'm so pleased with the progress and they are enjoying their new digs!

Art

2012-01-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

I love this quote from Emily Freeman and it was a perfect choice to write on my big chalkboard one Saturday some crafting took place here.

Just thinking about art gets me excited and opens up that place inside that longs to feel alive. I've waxed on and on about my love of beauty and how it speaks to me.

A few nights before this, I watched a movie that I'd seen recommended in a recent magazine. Babette's Feast. I had no idea it was a foreign film, or that it was subtitled or what it was really about. I could only guess based on the title and with a moderate G rating, what did I have to lose?

Well, for the first long time of the movie - I wondered why I hadn't turned it off. Nothing was wrong with it - but there was no plot, and I could not really figure out exactly what was going on. Emily watched most of it with me and she was enjoying it - so we persevered.

The last part of the movie redeemed the whole thing for me and made it so worth watching. Babette {a French refugee} spends all of her money for one dinner. It is a work of art. It is sacrificial and beautiful and inspiring. The recipients of her art don't really appreciate it for what it is until later. And, I don't think that they get why she would do something so extravagant for them.

But, see - that is just it! She does create art for them {in her case, cooking} but she also does it for herself. You can just see how alive she is in the kitchen. What joy and care she is taking with each dish, each plate, each presentation and impression.

YES! This reaches that place in me that longs to be like her in the ways she was artistic and true to her art. My art is not someone else's art. I am an artist. Right or wrong, it is my art. My eye that sees the beauty. My heart that was created to create and beautify.

Valentine hoop art inspired by this.
Silver Chalkboard inspired by this.

Rainbows

2012-01-19T06:00:00.019-05:00

Rainbows and I go waaaaay back ~ oh, yes - I can picture my bedroom in Overland Park, KS circa 1980 with sweet yellow furniture and pastel striped rainbow bedspreads! I had rainbow stripey sandals and a Rainbow Brite doll. I had a bunny with rainbow striped ears that played Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Cheer Bear Care Bear. Rainbow earrings, socks, necklace, everything - I loved rainbows!!!!

And, how cute is this? I saw a friend from elementary school this summer and asked her daughter what her favorite color was - she said rainbows because her mom told her that rainbows were my favorite. Oh.my.for.cuteness. (as Carrie would say!)

Moving 30 years (ack!) past 1980 - we are being revisited by a rainbow love! While discussing science project ideas for an upcoming homeschool science fair Rachel mentioned wanting to do something with rainbows. Okey dokey - that's just fine with me! And, so fun!

So, we've been working on her project board and doing some fun rainbowy things ~ plus, with rainbows on the brain I've just noticed a few others around our home.

These rainbowy popsicle sticks even look amazing in Film Grain mode - my new fave:

A super fun new breakfast idea - which was a big hit!
Note: We are loving reading these stories at breakfast!

Art supply rainbows! {thank you, Kayleigh & Kassy!}

I'll share more about Rachel's project as we get closer to the Fair!

So, did you have a favorite color as a child? Mine was rainbows all the way!

Far Beyond

2012-01-18T06:00:00.001-05:00

{Not written today ...}

It's been one of those days. No, not one where my children were out of control and misbehaved and everything went haywire. Though, everything did seem haywire. It was one of those days where I felt like I absolutely could not keep up.

At the very same moment this morning:
Samuel was waiting on me to start his workbook.
One of the girls called needing help rinsing her hair.
I was working to try and get a lid that was stuck in the bath tub drain.
The phone rang.

I laughed out loud {better than crying, I guess} on my way to the phone and wondered to myself and the Lord how I was supposed to succeed under these kinds of demands. I mean, you know the drill - you are helping one child and two others are getting into other things or not doing things they should be doing or the phone is ringing or the laundry needs switching or, or, or....

I've failed miserably all day. And, now in the late afternoon - I finally sit down to process and try to refocus and make more of the evening than I did the day.

When I close my eyes - I picture this gentle and quiet spirited mama sitting on the sofa with her Bible and her sweet children peacefully sitting nearby looking quietly at books so they can all cultivate the inner beauty that the mama longs for both herself and her children. I picture a mama who is more concerned about a heart for the Lord than a tidy house. A Mary heart and spirit.

And, then I open my eyes or at least my mind and remember how very far I am from this imagined ideal. I'm struggling to focus on my spiritual life because of the overwhelmed feelings that come from knowing how I'm failing at all the things I wish I was doing and wish I was doing better.

So I force myself to do the next thing and grab my copy of Jesus Calling. I've already read it for the day, but I pull it out again to see what I need to learn today, what obviously did not soak in the first time. Desperately looking for some truth to cling to. This is what I read,

"I am able to do far beyond all that you ask or imagine."

... far beyond ...

Really? My mind instantly starts to doubt the beauty and reality of this. Because if that is true - then the image I saw earlier when I closed my eyes and even more could become a reality. And, I show my lack of faith and how well I know myself by fearing that could never be.

Desire runs deep and is stirred at this thought - could I really begin praying that God would go far beyond with me? That He would take the things I'm fearful about or struggling with and make them into beauty just because He can and promises He will?

Next, I look up the Scripture references listed at the bottom of the days reading:

Ephesians 3:20-21, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

Romans 8:6, "The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace."

Isaiah 40:30-31,
"Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint."

~ far beyond
~ immeasurably more
~ life & peace
~ renew their strength, soar, run, walk

Today, these thoughts gave me comfort and hope and courage for the race. And, amazement that He would go far beyond with me.

Locks of Love

2012-01-17T06:00:00.008-05:00

Our girls had been wanting to get their hair cut at mommy's hair place! So, I gave them a little homemade coupon in their stockings to get their cut. The idea sort of morphed into them desiring to participate in Locks of Love as well! I was pleased, but did not push this as I wanted it to be their choosing. I love their new look! And, it has been so much easier to take care of! Here's the story in pictures!

Thirty-One Winner!

2012-01-17T05:14:00.003-05:00

Winner of the thermal tote is Schkinner!

Just a reminder that the special pricing on the thermal totes is good through January 31st and if your order is $31 or more, Angie will cover the shipping! Contact Angie: angiechadwell@yahoo.com to place an order!

Thanks for all of your great comments!

One Thing

2012-01-16T06:00:00.003-05:00

During my mom's recent visit, we were talking and I asked what one thing she would impart to me if she could ...

{simplify}

She encouraged me by saying that she observes me working on getting this and making an effort at choosing to simplify some things.

For example, I bought Christmas jammies instead of making them. And, even though we had lots of homemade food for Christmas - I picked some convenience things to help me out and make time for the things we really wanted to have homemade. I bought rolls, meatballs and pizza already made. But, we had homemade cinnamon rolls, cookies and chili. Just picking and choosing was a huge step in simplifying!

But, like a lot of things - I could do better. So, I challenged myself to come up with some things that I could still simplify. I sat here with a blank screen and thought of things that frustrate me or feel complicated regularly!

meal planning/grocery lists
book storage for littles
garden
library dilemma
clothing for my littles - storage, organization
deep cleaning
filing
chores/allowance for littles
recycling plastic grocery bags and foam egg trays
mending
phone calls (mostly how to manage my children while I'm on the phone)

Whew - there's my list and I'm hoping to make progress on these things throughout the year. I have a couple of them in progress already and ideas for several more. I'll be sharing on things as I make some progress.

Your turn! What in your life needs simplifying?

Thirty-One Giveaway!

2012-01-13T19:40:00.000-05:00

A sweet friend and long-time blog reader, Angie, has offered to do a giveaway today from her Thirty-One business! I have a couple of Thirty-One products and have been so pleased with them!

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Thirty One is based on the woman described in Proverbs 31. She is industrious, resourceful, wise, and prepared.

Thirty One's organizational totes, bags, thermal totes, purses and wallets help women to balance all that we do in a day in stylish designs and patterns. I like to say that our products are FUNctional !

Thirty One's full catalog is available online here. Currently, our very popular thermal totes are $5 off of their regular price. The zipper style is on sale for $10. The NEW cinch style is on sale for $15.

No matter what season of life we are in, we all pack lunches or snacks to take on the go. These totes are especially effective at keeping foods the correct termperature. Because of their shape, they hold so much more than the average lunch bag on the market. And, they fold flat for space saving when not in use. The fabrics wipe clean so easily, and they can be personalized for $7.

These totes make great gifts for:
Valentine's Day --the black is hubby-approved or pink circle spirals for your li'l girl

Easter -- use it as the basket

kids' birthdays -- fill the cupcake pattern tote with ingredients for making their own cupcakes

Mother's Day --the new cinch style allows moms to be "hands free"

End of school year -- teacher's gift

Summer -- use it everyday for taking drinks and snacks to the park, camp, and pool

Please view the 19 different fabrics and 2 styles that the thermal totes are available in.

I am pleased to offer readers of The Homespun Heart the opportunity to take advantage of this great sale. You may place an order of thermal totes or ANY product from our catalog by emailing me at angiechadwell@yahoo.com. At that time, we will make payment arrangements. Bonus: With any order $31 or above, I will pay the $4 drop ship charges for you!

In honor of our annual thermal tote sale, I would like to offer one reader the chance to win a zipper style thermal tote. Please leave a comment stating which style and pattern is your favorite and how you will use a Thirty One thermal tote! Include your email so that you may be contacted if you are the winner!

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I love the new cinch style and gave my mom one of the original thermal totes for Christmas! I love the cute pattern shown above! They are so cute! Thanks, Angie, for sponsoring this giveaway!

To enter the drawing, please leave a comment sharing your favorite style and pattern! Comments will be open until Monday night {January 16, 2012} at 10pm EST.

{Organize} My Closet

2012-01-13T06:00:00.002-05:00

I struggle with keeping my closet tidy. For one thing, it is pretty big {a blessing!} and I think that makes me lax about keeping up on it or just tossing something in it. Secondly, it has to hold a lot of miscy {Carrie invented this word!} things that won't fit anywhere else.

It got especially bad in December because it was sort of Christmas-central in there. Anything that needed to go to our Christmas House and any boxes that arrived were just stashed in there. Ahem.

Here's the awful before:

Here's what I did:
* set the timer on my cell phone for 35 minutes
* toss out any trash
* take out anything that does not belong
* straighten shoes
* tidy shelves
* clear doorknobs

Step Two:
* set the timer for 20 minutes
* purge
* file
* organize

Step Three:
* set the timer for 5 minutes
* clean up
* shred
* collect trash

Total: 1 hour

End Result:

Successes like these that I've had this week are so motivating to me - when I see a clean space it makes me want to do more organizing and keeping things nice! Hope you got some organizing done this week as well!

I have a giveaway later today and it ties in with organizing!

{Organize} Cards

2012-01-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

For this project, I grabbed a stack of cards I already had and my card organizer. About 30 minutes later, I had chosen cards and written at least their first name on the card and filed them by month. Of course, I still need a few cards to finish things off - but what a great start to have most of the cards for the year organized.

Whew! Good feeling, small investment of time. Love that!

Are you organizing today?

{Organize} Clean Out

2012-01-11T06:00:00.000-05:00

An obvious one, I know! But a definite must on my list for now! After putting Christmas things away and feeling the crunch of clutter - I was in a mood to purge.

Several boxes and bags have already been safely delivered to Goodwill and I have one more big bag to go through before this one is completely done. What a good feeling! I always picture our home breathing a sigh of relief when I take a big load of stuff to donate :)

{Organize} Art Cabinet

2012-01-10T06:00:00.005-05:00

This art cabinet that I re-did several years ago has been working out GREAT! However, that doesn't mean it is staying neat and tidy all the time!

Here is how it looked before I started organizing!

It really did not take all that long to tidy, purge and organize these supplies! Once again, I wonder why I put these things off - but I am so glad that it is done now and it looks great again!

Are you organizing anything today?

Inspiring me right now ...

2012-01-09T06:00:00.010-05:00

Freshly squeezed orange juice in the dusky morning...

A new magazine from my Mom! I'm writing little notes in it to share with her when I have finished! I can't say enough good things about this great find!

1000 Gifts Gratitude Journal
I've been logging three gifts a day to complete my own list of 1000 thanks this year,
a lovely exercise!

I've also been doing a little organizing - want to jump in with a few projects of your own? I'll be posting my projects over the next four days!

Embellishing January

2012-01-06T06:00:00.025-05:00

As I mentioned the other day, January can be a tricky time of year to decorate - for me at least. We don't have snow, so snow related items seem out of place. Not only that, we are coming off the decorating-high of December and if you are like me, we are seeking a simplified feeling. Fresh, organized, minimal.

But, nothing? Not sure that works either. I love to add things seasonally to freshen my home. And, I'm not even all that sure what I've done in January past but for this year - this is what is working for me.

Cream, twine, simple, fresh, organic. Those are thoughts that come when I think of January right now. Plus, the desire is fresh to use what I have and enjoy making it pretty again. I did buy the flower bulbs, but everything else was already on hand.

I pondered planting the four bulbs together in one container and then realized I'd love the flexibility of spreading them out throughout the house if I decided I wanted to. But, I'd also love to group them together possibly. These simple {yet beautiful in their simplicity and humility} cans and pears can work together to provide a few decorating options for January.

Grouped together on the table or one here and there as an accent!

Communicating hopes for the new year:

Take one can along on a picnic!
Deliver one can to a neighbor or your church secretary!
Take one to work to brighten your desk!

Choose music that inspires or speaks to you right now. Choose words for tags that will inject beauty and hope into your mind in small doses. {Print out free sheet music here.}

How about pinecones? Just remove any greenery that made it feel Christmas-y and twist a few curls of sheet music if you want:

More sheet music!

Beeswax candles and old silver and spoons. Simple things that are just part of home ~

Wanting something new for the front door, I considered purchasing a letter at the craft store to wrap in twine. But, when I could not find what I wanted and was feeling that inner tug to use what I had - I cut this initial out of our take-out pizza box, wrapped in twine and embellished. It seems a tad floppy - so I may end up reinforcing the back with sticks or popsicle sticks or something - but for now, I love it.

Bottom line: I spent a total of $2.50 for the paper white bulbs and everything else was just around or in the recycling bin. And, I'm loving it!

Little embellishments can make for a beautiful simplicity that we can tend to crave this time of year. Look around and see what you already have that can fill your need to create and bring some simple beauty into your home this month.

Isaiah 43:19, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

Do you do any January decorating?

Three Cups Winner is ...

2012-01-05T11:27:00.001-05:00

... Julie!

Twine Pears

2012-01-05T06:00:00.008-05:00

Inspired by a photo on pinterest {I couldn't find any actual directions} I saved a couple of burned out light bulbs and had fun making these twine pears the other day! Looking back at the original photo now, I'd say I didn't wrap these enough to even out their shape. But, I don't mind - they are fine to me like this too!

If you want to make some, I think they are pretty self explanatory! Use twine and wrap attaching with hot glue! I used a little twig from the yard for the stems.

I made little leaf tags: extend grace and they are happily perched on the shelf in my living room. Total cost: free!

Fresh & New

2012-01-04T06:00:00.023-05:00

The past few years, I've longed to force bulbs and had trouble finding them. Enter: Christmas Clearance 2011! After Thanksgiving, I bought one amaryllis bulb and it has startled me with how tall it has gotten {still waiting for the bulge to open into bloom!}

So, browsing the Christmas clearance at Wal-Mart one day - I was thrilled to find some paper-whites! Not only does planting something feed that desire for new life, it is so fresh, so new, so pure and a step of faith.

We plant these bulbs of faith into the soil and anticipate the beauty they will bring. And, knowing how the simple beauty of watching nature can feed the soul - excitement builds before you've even begun.

Looking back at 2011, one thought that returns is beauty. I miss the 30 Days of Beauty series and wish it could go on forever - for that is exactly what makes me tick and feel alive. And, in this moment I realize that beauty does permeate everything I write about and the series is not over. Beauty permeates my life because I am a beauty-lover and beauty-seeker and beauty-maker.

Just as God's creatures are true to their nature, my heart and hands cannot escape the desire for beauty because it is my nature. Even though I have Christmas to pack away and tidy and recover from - I'm drawn to create.

Rather than just rush through the simple box directions on planting the bulbs of beauty, I am drawn to hunt through my home for things that would add beauty and make this a project I'll never forget.

I'm kind of on a mission to use what I have right now {perhaps it will last all year?} so David fished out a few cans from the recycling bin and I embellished them with what I could easily find here: sheet music, string, twine, tags.

And, the time outside with sun soaking deep was fun, relaxing and full of beauty.

Tomorrow, a little accent project that will coordinate with these cans {and uses all things you probably have on hand} and then on Friday - pulling these ideas together with some thoughts about decorating in January {a tricky time of year to decorate!}

Three Cups

2012-01-03T06:00:00.001-05:00

Here's a great new resource from Tommy Nelson Publishers called Three Cups. As you can see from the cover, it discusses the idea of saving, spending and giving portions of money in child-friendly language and story. You can view the flip book here.

I love the idea of the book! Teaching our children about money early will hopefully give them foundational principles for the future when they have more money to manage and more needs. And, I really want my children to understand especially the giving and saving aspects.

Rather than cups, in our home we use these banks. So, the other night after dinner - I read this story out loud and we brought it home by discussing some Christmas money that our children had received.

We went through the Samaritan's Purse gift catalog and had them each choose something to give out of their "giving" money! The book was a fun story that made it easy to communicate some powerful truths.

Would you like to win a copy? Leave a comment sharing how you teach your children about money to be entered to win. Comments will be open until Wednesday, January 4th at 10pm EST.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Tommy Nelson in exchange for sharing it with you. All opinion given is my own.

2012: Extending Grace

2012-01-02T06:00:00.004-05:00

A new year provides such a reflective opportunity for us. It is a fresh start in many ways and a blank canvas of life ahead of us waiting to be made into a beautiful masterpiece.

Some of the strokes on this masterpiece will be drawn for us and we will work around them or with them to make beauty. Some we will add ourselves and they may be beautiful or perhaps not. Of course, I hope it is a work of beauty - but more importantly, I am hoping it is heart-beautiful.

I like to reflect, so facing a new year is usually enjoyable to me. Last year, the word on my heart and mind emerged at Relevant '10 ~ see. This year, I began wondering if I would have a new word. I mean there is no unwritten {or written} rule that I need to have a word for this new year. And, I'm not the kind who likes to force things. So, I just spent December wondering and listening to what has been on my heart and it came ~ not one word, but two.

Extending Grace.

To myself, to others, in my home, in my choices and finances and all areas. Gracious living. Believing the best in others.

According to dictionary.com grace means, "elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion or action; a pleasing or attractive quality or endowment; favor or goodwill; a manifestation of favor; mercy, pardon."

The verse that I am pondering with this right now is Philippians 2:3-5, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus..."

I have a list of ways I want to look at this already written out. I want to explore Biblical examples of grace extended. But for today, just beginning here feels right and enough.

Is there a specific word or phrase on your heart for 2012?

2011: Favorite Posts

2011-12-30T06:00:00.017-05:00

As the year wraps up - I thought it would be fun to highlight a few of my favorite
posts from this year!
These aren't necessarily the posts I received the most comments on.
These are the posts that I feel like best represent me, my heart and what I want to remember from this year!

Wrapped Around You

See Series

When things don't go as planned ...

How sweetly they know me.

Hydrangea Happy!

A Blessing of Thanks

Bring Beauty In

Cousin Game Night

Reflections from my day at Glen Eyrie:
Becoming Smaller part one and two
Narrow Way
Back to Basics
Quiet

First Day of School

When You've Had Enough

Apple Picking and Canning

Days of Beauty Series

MRI Reflection

A Dreamy Thanksgiving Part One

A Dreamy Thanksgiving Part Two

Creative Worship Part One

Creative Worship Part Two

Last Day ...

2011-12-28T21:05:00.000-05:00

During our last full day together - we lazily came to breakfast and a list of everyone's names on a sheet of paper. The question was asked of each one, "What is one thing you want to do on our last day together?"

~ lay in the hammock
~ go to the beach
~ see the sunset
~ spend time together

The answers were sweet and we spent our energy making them reality during our day. Plus, I stayed in my jammies all day and took a nap - divine! You'd never know by these pix that it was grey and rainy all morning - what a gift to have the sun come out for the rest of the day!

I don't have pictures of the hammock - but here are the other things mentioned. And, yes, I have had fun playing with my new camera and the many settings :)

Christmas Memories!

2011-12-26T08:04:00.001-05:00

Happy Christmas Eve!

2011-12-26T06:42:00.014-05:00

Highlights of Christmas Eve:
* Toodling around in the golf cart ~ to the end of the island!
* Cool enough for a fire and hot tea!
* A little program our children did - I hope I remember it forever, precious!
* Being together!
* Christmas Eve PJ's and a scavenger hunt all over the house to find them!!
* David gave me an amazing new camera - yippee! I've had fun playing already!

Celebrating!

2011-12-24T14:40:00.003-05:00

December 23

2011-12-23T16:05:00.002-05:00

More photos here.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-23T12:00:00.001-05:00

Humble & Heavenly

2011-12-23T07:44:00.000-05:00

As I was laying sleepless a couple of nights ago and waiting for family to arrive the next day, I wondered about this idea of family gathering for Christmas. When did this idea begin? When did we fiercely begin to defend and work hard to be together this time of year?

Mind you, I'm not complaining one bit about this idea! I love it and will continue to defend it and work hard for it. I was just curious ... and couldn't sleep so what else is there to do?

And, He speaks to my heart in the quiet - the very first Christmas was a gathering of family too.

Mary & Joseph were headed to their ancestral town ~ surely they had some family living in their hometown? It's a logical thought - though I certainly cannot verify the actual fact of the idea. Whether or not there were actual family members in Bethlehem for them to reconnect with, it was still a gathering.

A gathering of the humble and the heavenly.

The humble: the sweet parents willing to do God's will so fully and willingly, the shepherds who believed what they had been told and went!

The heavenly: the sweet baby ~ Jesus, the angels ~ heavenly hosts!

And, the ideas beckon me to want to be one of the humble joined by the heavenly this Christmas in celebrating, remembering and worshiping Him. I am so thankful for that first family gathering which changed history forever ~ praise the Lord!

Today, I am also thankful for the gathering of family - two thousand years later, thankful that we can still return to our roots and be reconnected as families. Oh, how this ancient census feels like a blessing to me this Christmas when I realize the tradition it began. And, how true that during times we want to make really special - we long to gather those we love close.

May your Christmas be blessed, sweet friends, with gatherings of the humble and the heavenly!

Textures

2011-12-23T06:00:00.014-05:00

This house is loaded with differing textures which I love! I had fun snapping pix before more family arrived yesterday!

December 22

2011-12-22T10:19:00.003-05:00

This picture was technically taken yesterday - but it so captures the joy and what we're loving today!

We're settling into our ah-mazing beach house - wow!!! It will be a very fun week! And, apparently I've been inspired to take pix because I've taken a whopping 92 since we got here last night :) There are so many textures! I'll try to share more pictures tomorrow of the house...

More December Photos here.

Gift from Little Hands: Wooden Nativity Figures

2011-12-22T06:00:00.009-05:00

I recently came across this link and knew I wanted to try and make these little wooden nativity figures with my children.

David ventured out to the shed and I scoured the craft cabinet. All we bought for this were the little buttons for Baby Jesus' head and a few more large wooden beads for the heads. Everything else we had on hand. {Thanks Dad, for the furring strip!}

The littles and I had fun painting these one day. I only gave out one color of paint at a time to help ensure everything turned out the right color. :)

I love that this is really doable for little hands and I think they turned out soooo neat! We're going to gift them on Christmas Eve to all of our visiting family! Plus, we have a set for ourselves and gave one to some special neighbors.

December 21

2011-12-21T10:46:00.000-05:00

My parents arrive this afternoon! And, more family arrives tomorrow - we're all headed to a beach house for the week and I'm busy packing food, household items, gifts and things to do!!!

More photos here.

To See Like My Savior: Remind Me

2011-12-21T06:00:00.003-05:00

I don't think there is a sign big enough to hold all the things mine would need to say ...

But, so thankful that God sees my sign this way:

What would your sign say?

Yes, Lord - please remind me I am Your beloved...

PS: This is powerful coupled with the song above!

December 20

2011-12-20T16:40:00.003-05:00

I have taken a grand total of one picture today. Apparently when our washer lid was open overnight, a box of unwanted ornaments (glass gold balls) fell in and the whole box went through with a load of clothes - um, yeah. I'm brilliant and apparently did not think to check the washer for stray boxes of ornaments but you can bet I'll be checking better now! Whew - what a mess!

More photos here.

His Body & His Blood

2011-12-20T06:00:00.014-05:00

I've had this post and this one open for days wanting to bring life to them in my home and heart. I'm compelled to participate, to worship ~ and our day starts out hard. One isn't feeling well, one is overly tired, one is into things, etc...

This hard feeling hits me that these things, the struggles are a constant reminder of why we need Christmas! Why we need Jesus so much. Why my home needs Jesus. Why my heart needs Jesus.

And, I need Him in two ways - I need His Body. I needed Him to be born as a little baby and come to this earth as a perfect and sinless man. Secondly, I need His Blood. Oh, how I need forgiveness and my sin is a reminder of why. This fallen world is a reminder of why and how very much we all need Him.

Of course, I see other parallels in the bread making - the molding and shaping as He molds and shapes me, the making of beauty out of individual ingredients, the heat and process to become exactly what it is meant to be. And, in the waiting for the rising - it is like waiting for Him to come. I share at lunch that so many were waiting for the Messiah and He came!

We eat fresh-from-the-oven bread and drink sparkly grape juice for lunch and talk about how we need His Body and His Blood. And, the girls get crafty and we visibly remember that we are thankful for His Body and His Blood.

We talk about how He is the Bread of Life. About how we can take the Word and it brings life!

And, while I am not feeling too great before lunch - the nourishment of the bread and juice has revived me in body and spirit. I feel so much better afterwards and I realize, too, that this is exactly how it is before and after Jesus. Not only do we feel better, we are whole.

My girls have been interested in learning more about communion and this seemed like a great way to begin introducing some of the context to them, some of the meaning and especially a good reminder of Christmas and Easter truths that we need every moment.

Thank You, Lord, for this food for both body and soul today. Oh, how I need You.

December 19

2011-12-19T19:10:00.003-05:00

Cinnamon Rolls for Christmas morning? Check.
More photos here.

Cinnamon Roll Tortillas

2011-12-19T06:00:00.001-05:00

When I was so uninspired by the weekly grocery ads - I decided to just eat out of our pantry and freezer for the week. Near the end, I did not know what to make for breakfast and came up with this, which was very tasty and a huge hit with the little crowd!

Lightly butter both sides of a flour tortilla. On one side sprinkle cinnamon, brown sugar and nuts. Fold tortilla over to cover. Brown on both sides. Drizzle with powdered sugar glaze or melted and thinned icing.

I had some leftover white frosting in the fridge, so I melted that for a few seconds in the microwave and put it in a ziploc bag to drizzle and do the names on the plates!

A fun new breakfast and using what I had on hand!

December 18

2011-12-18T21:22:00.002-05:00

I've split the day between the couch and bed trying to feel better as quickly as possible!
It is no fun to be sick anytime - but feels harder at this time of year.
On the upside, I finished Shepherd's Abiding, started and finished Christmas Jars and started and just finished The Wedding Promise. So thankful we'd been to the library a few days ago!

On another note, it smelled like a Sunday afternoon growing up today because I made No-Peek Chicken & Rice. It was so comforting today! I used to love smelling this when we came home from church!

Here is the recipe in case you would like to try it!

No-Peek Chicken & Rice

3/4 c. regular rice, uncooked
1 can condensed cream of celery soup {today all I had was crm. of chicken, but I usually use homemade cream soup}
1 envelope onion soup mix
2 1/4 c. water
1 pkg. chicken thighs with skin removed

In a casserole dish with a lid, combine rice, soup mix, onion soup mix and water. Arrange chicken on top and cover. Bake at 350 for 1-1 1/2 hours. Our church service lasts longer than this, so I reduce the heat to 300 and leave it for 2-2 1/2 hours. Yum!

More December Photos here.

December 17

2011-12-17T20:34:00.003-05:00

A friend invited us for tea today and we made these cute wreaths! This one is tracings of Rachel's hand with mine. Sweet!

More photos here.

December 16

2011-12-16T14:18:00.004-05:00

The girls and I just finished a fleece hat and scarf kit that I found at a garage sale for $1.00. This hat is SO Rachel! And, she loves to wear hats even when it is not cold. I just checked our outdoor thermometer and it says 90.5 degrees. Sheesh - it's December! I also love Emily's motion blur in the background - very typical of our day!

More photos here.

Photos: Random!

2011-12-16T06:00:00.021-05:00

As I've been selecting a photo of the day to post, a bunch haven't been making the cut - but I want to have these memories, so here goes a random assortment of extra photos!

Updated: A couple of you asked about the little Christmas Countdown on the fridge - I got mine with a great coupon at Hallmark last year, but you can find the same thing here.

December 15

2011-12-15T10:59:00.002-05:00

Today's photo greeted me as soon as I got up this morning. Ahhh, getting up to a clean kitchen {including the counters!} is a great way to start the day!

More photos here.

Seeds of Grace Winner

2011-12-15T07:25:00.004-05:00

Winner of the shop credit was my sister! Thanks for all of your entries!

Creative Worship: Part Two

2011-12-15T06:00:00.021-05:00

Now on our third year of planning a special time to worship Him and create during Christmas, it was another time of beauty! Read about our first time here and second here. Each year, our time has looked and worked differently, but a few things remain the same. First, I create some beauty to bring as my offering. We pray, we listen to peaceful music and try to keep things fairly quiet.

This year, the idea came to have a true quiet time after lunch. We had a fire in the fireplace, a pot of hot tea, read Luke 2 and sang, "O come, let us adore Him!" I had two nativity sets out for quiet play, art supplies and beauty.

Please don't get the idea that my children just sit still in perfect quiet for an hour. We are a work in progress! But, it was quieter than it usually is! And, they were really trying to go along with what I suggested.

This is my primitive and humble drawing. A humble stable and manger. Yet the glory coming from it is beautiful! And, as I drew in the yellow over the manger - it looked like a crown - and I went with it. He is King! Then, I thought of things that come from His Presence: peace, hope, salvation, glory and love.

And, then based on how my own heart has been struggling - I thought of how these things that concern me fade the closer they are to the manger. So the words fade out as they get closer and are darker as they are farther. Lesson: stay close to the manger and focused on this!

Emily drew this!

And, Rachel drew, "Gabriel, Mary and Joseph."

Rachel also drew this.

Emily drew this!

Creative worship inspired by Ann.

December 14

2011-12-14T20:06:00.003-05:00

Gift wrapping: done!
More photos here.

Creative Worship: Part One

2011-12-14T06:00:00.021-05:00

I wake one morning so weary.

And, the idea I cannot shake is to create something.
I'm reminded that when I am weary - creating is worship and rest and refreshment.

So an idea that has been brewing was brought to reality ~ today, lots of pictures of creating.
I know most of you don't want to see twenty five pictures of what I made - but it is part of the worship for me to create and take photos and enjoy them.

Using all things I had or gathered: an old Coke crate, nature goodies - pine needles that had fallen and pinecones from a nature walk, cranberries, split peas and candles!

The little metal cups are what usually hold the markers and colored pencils here - I just emptied them out to enjoy them for this!

The little wreaths are napkin rings that I found on clearance one year!

Every time I look at these pictures in the future, it will make me smile just like it made me smile the moments I was creating. And, I picture God smiling as I use what He made and gifted.
To pull this together took about 15-20 minutes yet what a difference!

Tomorrow, more of our quiet time together.

The finishing touches inspired by the split peas and cranberries in galvanized metal here.

December 13

2011-12-13T20:29:00.006-05:00

When I'm posting a photo for DPP, I typically try to keep my words to a bare minimum and let the photo do the talking. But, today I have things I want to record and share and just feel wordy. :)

I'm feeling all kinds of thrifty {and thankful} today! God provided something we wanted for Samuel for Christmas for *free* - yippee! We visited a favorite thrift store and scored a football cookie cutter for 25 cents {little boy b'day coming up!}, a pair of shoes for Emily, a Thomas the Train ABC game and some amazingly cool and old looking candle holders {shown below}. Then, I got ambitious and shelled some gifted pecans - saving again!

Emily *discovered* my blog today. She wanted to sit down and look at it after lunch. She read through the past three months and frequently exclaimed, "Mom, your blog is awesome!" Awww, how sweet. She then asked if she could start her own blog. Um, not sure about that one yet, but it was very cute.

We enjoyed a charming candlelight dinner and then went to a local HS Basketball game. As soon as the door to the gym opened - the smell took me back to the six years I coached cheerleading. Then I was all nostalgic and it was fun to walk down memory lane in my mind. Met a sweet mama and we had a nice chat and then home to put littles in bed.

Confession: I have not wrapped one single gift except for the very few things I've mailed already. So, that is up next on my agenda tonight. A movie + gift wrapping = fun!

Emily took this photo and I love that it showed the candle holders I scored today thrifting! Plus, I actually just really love this photo that she took! Great job, sweetie!

More December Photo Project here!

Winner!

2011-12-13T06:30:00.002-05:00

Winner of the Paper Craft Boutique giveaway is a mom of many! Sew Seeds of Grace giveaway is still open!

Merry Swap!

2011-12-13T06:00:00.008-05:00

My swap partner was Lizzie! Here are the fun goodies I put together for her:

She loves red! So, that was an easy thing to accommodate with Christmas!
Lizzie - I hope you love your box!!

And, here are the beautiful and fun goodies she sent me:

Thank you, Lizzie!
Visit Carrie's to see more swap show & tell!

December 12

2011-12-12T21:05:00.003-05:00

Tent building here today!
More photos here.

Sew Seeds of Grace

2011-12-12T06:01:00.001-05:00

My friend, Grace, has just opened her Etsy shop and I love the name: Sew Seeds of Grace! Here are a few of my favorites:

Bird Nest Necklace

Camera Straps

Car roll with roads to drive on!

And, she has graciously offered to give away a $15 shop credit to one of you!

To enter - hop over to her shop and let me know what you'd use your credit on!
For a second entry, "like" her page on Facebook!

Comments will be accepted until Wednesday, December 14 at 10pm EST.

Patchwork Scrap Tree Art

2011-12-12T06:00:00.002-05:00

Before you roll your eyes that I am sharing another Pinterest idea - a few thoughts:

* I recently started feeling guilty that I don't always post original ideas, but show my completed projects from others ideas I've seen on-line. Then I realized there was absolutely no pressure for me to come up with original ideas. This is an online journal - it needs to be an accurate picture of who I am and the projects I've been working on.

* Other people have REALLY great ideas! This reminds me of a favorite line from Anne of Avonlea, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!" If I want to try an idea I've seen online, it means I love it and think it is worth some of my time to complete.

* Each project has my own spin on it. Confession: when I see an idea, I rarely study the photo or tutorial. Often after I've seen it just one time - I will sort of form a picture in my mind of how to do it whether it matches the given instructions or not. Honestly, I like this because it is never a direct copy - but my own interpretation of an idea. Sometimes my method is dictated by supplies or limitations of time or resources, but sometime it is just how I picture it differently than shown.

Here's a cute project that I finished in under an hour - all fabric came from my scrap stash, I just bought a canvas to put this on. {$5.50 for 2} I didn't have enough fabric to allow seam allowances for each row - so just took one piece of canvas fabric and stitched all the rows onto it. I love how it turned out and it now happily hangs over the lamp on my nightstand! {Every little shadow shows up in the last photo - but I still like how the light is glowy from below!} Inspired by this.

Have you crafted anything for yourself this season?

December 11

2011-12-11T16:25:00.004-05:00

We just returned from Emily's piano recital, she did great!
More photos here.

Paper Craft Boutique

2011-12-10T19:48:00.006-05:00

Tara of Paper Craft Boutique sent me these adorable gift tags - and look how cute they are wrapped up!

She has some very cute tags and cards in her shop and has offered to give one item away! I love to support and encourage crafters and was impressed with the quality of her work! To enter, would you head over to her shop and come back here sharing what you like? Comments will be accepted until Monday, December 12 at 10pm EST.

You can also use the code: HOMESPUN for 15% off anything in her shop until December 15th. Please note that Paper Craft Boutique will be closing on December 15th until after Christmas!

Disclosure: Tara sent me my choice of tags from her shop in exchange for sharing about her shop here.

December 10

2011-12-10T19:46:00.003-05:00

I suggested Samuel wash his cars in this tub of water while I was baking this afternoon and pretty soon his feet were in it. Not long after that - he was stripped bare and sitting in it. A good laugh for my afternoon and it did occupy him for quite some time! :)

More photos here.

December 9

2011-12-09T13:42:00.003-05:00

Why, yes I did let my children watch Playhouse Disney this morning all snuggled up in my bed! I thought it looked downright cozy especially with the tree in the living room peeking through!

More photos here!

Handmade Gift Idea: Liquid Soap

2011-12-09T06:00:00.004-05:00

Another great idea I saw on Pinterest - making your own liquid hand soap from bar soap. I really want to try this again with Mrs. Myers bar soap if I can ever find it! But, for now - I tried it with soap I had on hand so this project was nearly free. I already had the glycerin, but not enough so did buy a new bottle of that but used such a tiny amount it will last me a while! Basically, 8 oz. of bar soap will make one gallon of liquid soap. Wow. It only took me about 15 minutes and I did it while talking on the phone to my sister - perfect! Wouldn't this make a nice gift?

Have you ever tried this?

December 8

2011-12-08T14:16:00.002-05:00

Creative worship here for quiet time this afternoon!

More photos here.

Edible Nativity Craft!

2011-12-08T06:00:00.013-05:00

I had pinned this idea on Pinterest a few weeks ago hoping that we would get it made during our Christmas season! The other day, I pulled out all the goodies and we got to work. It requires quite a bit of Mom-help, but it occupied my littles for a full hour and they had a great time tinting the coconut and making sheep and people for the stable. {Incidentally, I have a Pinterest board just for ideas I've already tried if anyone is interested.}

We had a little trouble getting our stables to stay together - but I put them in the freezer to harden the icing and that helped! Because I was so busy helping, I didn't get any pix of the process - but here are some of our results:

Another note: I did not buy all the candies shown in the original idea as I was too cheap. All I bought was coconut, chocolate frosting and gum drops. I had toothpicks, graham crackers and a few candy canes. We drew the sheep faces with food coloring markers - Samuel made his a black sheep :)

The little trays are my empty Christmas card boxes covered with some scrap fabric with hot glue.

Lately, I've been reminded how worthwhile it is to invest in these activities which are memory investments in their childhood and memories. I don't get to everything I wish I did - but each thing I do is one more deposit in their memory bank. As I've been working on editing another blog book, I have been reminded of so many fun and sweet things we've taken time to do. I am very good at being hard on myself for all the things I haven't done - but this December I'm trying to just enjoy the things we do experience together!

Projects like this are largely about the doing and creating and much less about the eating. These have been sitting on my counter mostly untouched (one little gumdrop here and there) for days. And, I'm ok with that - again in the investment of memories!

What deposits will you make in little memory banks this month?

Winner

2011-12-08T05:48:00.000-05:00

The winner of the Pine Tree Parable is brianamy10@! Congratulations!

December 7

2011-12-07T21:04:00.003-05:00

Our Classical Conversations Christmas party this afternoon!
More photos here.

Homespun Candle Gift Idea

2011-12-07T06:00:00.009-05:00

I loved this cute candle holder idea I saw in the most recent issue of Country Living! And, at first I planned to buy little votive holders and make them like this - but I already had everything else so decided to see if I could make the idea work without spending anything.

Bet you can't guess what I used? {HA!} The one thing I always have in abundance: canning jars! Here's how mine turned out ~

I didn't use their time consuming directions - just cut and hot glued! The webbing is inexpensive and came from Wal-Mart. And, the candle holders that fit in the top of canning jars are sporadically on sale for 3/$1 at Michael's. Mine is the small one {a jelly jar size} and you can see that the webbing wraps underneath. The others are pint size canning jars and the webbing fits perfectly!

Of course, once I saw how cute the first one was - I ran to my cabinet to get more jars! And, then I thought these would make a cute gift for our AWANA teachers. I attached a tag that says, "Thank you for investing the light of His Word into the little hearts of our children. Merry Christmas!"

It took me less than 20 minutes to make four {one is for me to keep!} of these and add the tags! And, I used only things I already had ~ love that!

Are you making any gifts by hand this year?

December 6

2011-12-06T21:37:00.003-05:00

Oh, I love this little guy. He is concentrating so on his cookies and
those eyelashes are scrumptious!

More DPP here.

His & Hers Christmas Goodies!

2011-12-06T06:00:00.005-05:00

I recently saw this delish recipe over at My Blessed Life and knew I wanted to try it! I'm a huge peppermint fan and this instantly caught my eye! I only made half of the recipe and saved the other half of the almond bark to make something David loves. His and hers. Awww...

First, I made the peppermint bark cookies. I used 1/2 package of almond bark, 3/4 tsp. peppermint extract and less than half a package of store brand Oreo cookies. YUM! I'm not usually a huge fan of things like this {dipped} but these were perfect - especially the mint!

Then, I used the remaining almond bark to dip pretzel rods for David. I melted 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to drizzle over the tops. The melted bark and chips were enough to dip the entire bag of pretzel rods.

It was fun to be able to leave a little treat to greet David when he got home from work and the girls and I were gone to ballet!

It's fun to make a Christmas goodie here and there throughout December and then enjoy our more traditional Christmas recipes during Christmas week. Have you tried any new Christmas recipes lately?

Listening

2011-12-05T20:29:00.003-05:00

I really like Christa Wells' music ~ I was introduced to her at Relevant last year and have so enjoyed her CD and now new music as well. Sharing here via Noise Trade for free music!

December 5

2011-12-05T14:18:00.002-05:00

Rachel invited me to eat at her restaurant this morning called, "Memee's Cafe" named that because, "I love Memee so much." Precious. I ordered a cinnamon roll and hot tea! Oh, and I was informed that all of the food is free and they have anything you want - plus amazing service. I will definitely be returning!

More DPP here.

Christmas Tree Farm Part Two

2011-12-05T06:00:00.016-05:00

We ventured out on Saturday to cut our Christmas tree and it was a gorgeous day that made our outing that much more enjoyable! Read Part One here. We were all excited to go back with David this time around! Most of this story can be told just through pictures - so I will keep the words few until the end!

At this point in the day, we stopped to make and enjoy dinner: snowman pizza! And, we read The Pine Tree Parable! We've enjoyed this book before - but, I recently received a copy from Tommy Nelson to review. We loved reading it at dinner - you can view the flip book here.

After dinner and decorating, we always turn all the "real" lights off and just enjoy tree lights and other Christmas lights. We also had a cozy fire and I served a little Christmas tree themed treat:

Our friends at Tommy Nelson want to give one of you a copy of the Pine Tree Parable! To enter the giveaway, please share how you reach out to help others during the Christmas season! Leave a comment {make sure I have a way to contact you!} on this post ~ comments will be accepted until Wednesday, December 7 at 10pm EST.

Inspiration for snowman pizza here.
Inspiration for Christmas tree brownies here.

Disclosure: I received a copy of Pine Tree Parable as part of the Tommy Mommy program. But, it is already a book I love and all opinions are my own.

December 4

2011-12-04T14:49:00.003-05:00

Sunday afternoon crafting! {Bliss!}
More photos here.

December 3

2011-12-03T20:34:00.003-05:00

I've always wanted to decorate the outside of our house - but for various reasons we just haven't. Until this year! Last year I snagged wreaths and lights on at least a half off clearance, but perhaps a 75% off sale. Either way, it is fun to have lights outside tonight. This pic was taken during the process! Oh, and a hurray for David - who made this a reality! More December Photo Project here!

December 2

2011-12-02T17:41:00.003-05:00

I know this defeats the purpose, but I had a tie today. I wanted to include the top photo courtesy of guest photographer, Emily! We spent the day with my dear friend Melissa and we had a great time together! Oh, and she treated me to a peppermint choc chip milkshake at Chick-fil-a: YUM!

We were at the mall for our annual jaunt to ride the Christmas train and it did not disappoint. I love this photo of Samuel and Rachel! Samuel had an eye appointment this morning and is excused from wearing his glasses for six weeks as we continue to explore ways of helping his crossing eye. Looks like he doesn't mind the no glasses part too much!

More photos here.

Christmas Tree Farm Part One

2011-12-02T06:00:00.019-05:00

Early in November, I had the opportunity to put together a couple of articles for a local publication. One of the articles was about visiting a Christmas Tree Farm as a family. So, my littles and I got to go visit one!

Down a very cute road, only about fifteen minutes from my house -
we found a Christmas tree farm!

I packed a cute Christmas-themed lunch:

I had a light-bulb moment when trying to figure out how to enjoy the hot chocolate experience when it is not cold ~ chocolate milk!

And, Christmas tree cakes {Little Debbie} were a perfectly fun dessert!

A little holly tied onto our wagon made a festive way to cart our things around.

I way over-planned things to do: I brought a craft, books to read, etc... and we didn't do any of it! Just enjoyed learning all about planting and farming Christmas trees and being outside in the fresh air!

I'd sort of avoided Christmas Tree Farms thinking they would be outrageously expensive. But, was pleased and surprised to learn that this one was not!

The leaves were falling and my littles had a ball picking up these big beautiful leaves and making
"leaf bo-fay's!"

Obviously we did not cut our tree during this visit since it was early November! However, we are headed back there this weekend to get our tree ~ so part two will show our visit as a family!

December 1

2011-12-01T20:26:00.003-05:00

Well, here it is only the first day and I struggled with what to take a picture of!
This is our Jesse Tree and we're having so much fun with this already! More DPP here!

Welcome December!

2011-12-01T06:00:00.007-05:00

Well, it is the first day of December! And, while I cannot believe that in some ways - I am determined to embrace this season and enjoy it to the fullest! Only a few weeks to enjoy all the lights and twinkle and sparkle and fun!

I've determined to make the most of this time with my children and also for myself. And, I'm super excited to be joining the December Photo Project again!

Yippee! I sort of want to set a challenge for myself with the photo project but am also afraid of it. Afraid I wouldn't meet the challenge or that it would become stressful feeling. So, I'll just run with taking my photo a day and see what emerges!

Meanwhile, not my photo for today - but a few photos of some of the fun things we've been doing!

What fun Christmas things have you done so far?

Pillows!

2011-11-30T06:00:00.015-05:00

My couches have been looking a little bare to me lately - after having such a pattern, I guess. Anyway, I saw this and was sooo inspired to make pillows for my couches! The day before Thanksgiving - I hit Goodwill and came home with old pillows, three shirts, a big fitted sheet and a pillowcase.

Just a quick thought about buying pillows used. I am generally very hesitant to buy things like this used even if I'm going to recover them because you just never know if you'll be able to get them clean or if they came from a home that had smoke. But, I had priced the pillow forms at Wal-Mart and can just tell you that was out of my budget. I decided to take a risk. I bought 8 pillows and all but one worked out beautifully. At $1.99 each - this was so worth the risk.

When I brought the pillows and fabric home, of course I plopped everything in the washer and dryer before doing anything else. I had two of each of these ~ aren't they lovely?!

One pillow I loved as-is, but the rest I just figured out as I went along. I really did not have preconceived ideas or a big plan. Pillow by pillow, I just got creative with each one as I got to it.

The quilted pillow on the left is the one I found already made - I love it!
The other two shown here were made out of shirts and some trims I already had.

These two are fun and yet so different from the other side! I love that they each have their own personality!

The pillow on the right is a vintage-y looking pillow case that ties closed with some ribbon I had on hand.

The front pillow is from a fitted sheet and the gray ruffle swirl is from an Old Navy shirt!

The smaller couch holds my very favorite pillows!

I made two the same for this - one for each side: also out of the fitted sheet and with the gray ruffles coming from the same Old Navy shirt {Goodwill}.

I think the little birdie pillow is my very favorite of all! It was the last idea I came up with and the one that I've oohed and aahed over ever since.

This one was made out of a skirt that I used to wear and I'd cut it up before, but still had part of it in my stash. The birdie template can be found here. Another thing I love about this pillow is that inside it is the "give thanks" pillow I showed a couple of days ago with our Thanksgiving celebration. Since the cover just ties on, I can take it off in the Fall and use it for a cute seasonal pillow and tie the cover back on when I'm finished!

I'm loving the difference this made on my couches and the extra fluff it brings to my living room. I spent about $30 on eight pillows, three shirts, a sheet and pillowcase and ended up with eight pillows to enjoy!

What do you think?

A Dreamy Thanksgiving Part Two

2011-11-29T06:00:00.023-05:00

As I mentioned yesterday ~ I've wanted to have Thanksgiving Dinner outside in years past and am so grateful for David helping me make this a reality this year! He is so good when I say, "I have an idea!" Thank you, David for supporting my ideas and helping them become reality!

Of course, I took a zillion photos to capture the beauty! It was an absolutely perfect day - no rain, a slight wind to keep bugs at bay and 68 degrees - I thanked God numerous times for creating such a perfectly beautiful day and for the opportunity to enjoy our meal outside!

So sad that Emily wasn't feeling well and did not feel like joining us outside. We missed her!

Tablecloth was inspired by this and made from leftover couch canvas!
Placecard Inspiration.
Give Thanks banner printable.
Burlap Thanksgiving printable. I just put it in one of the frames I keep current photos of my littles in - no need to buy a new frame just for a short time of using it!
Twine Candle Holder Inspiration.
Napkin Ring printable.

David's mom and brother joined us, I only got a picture of one of them - oops!

What do you have for Thanksgiving dinner?

We had:
Turkey & Gravy
Stuffing {box of Stove Top}
Cranberry Sauce
Twice Baked Potatoes
Green Bean Casserole
Rolls
Pumpkin Pie and Real Whipped Cream

Under a canopy of leaves turning yellow:

I will never forget this wonderful day!

A Dreamy Thanksgiving Part One

2011-11-28T06:00:00.020-05:00

Wednesday and Thursday of Thanksgiving week were so fun! I was in crafty, decorating, styling, cooking heaven! And, since it is still November - it seems to be too early to talk about Christmas stuff or maybe it is just an excuse to keep going with Fall!

Either way - here are some pictures of our Thanksgiving celebration:

Thankful for You Breakfast:
I made our traditional Thanksgiving breakfast and had so much fun making it pretty and sharing it with a sweet friend and her family! I took a ridiculous number of photos of her breakfast :)

And, we enjoyed the same breakfast!

After breakfast, I made pumpkin pie and made it cute with inspiration from here:

Ok, one more thing for today and then I'll finish up tomorrow. Have you figured out yet that we ate outside?! This is something I've been wanting to do for several years but for one reason or another it hasn't worked out. Yippee! It did this year! And, I loved every minute of it!

I moved out this rocking chair from our screened in porch and earlier in November, I made a little pillow {with leftover drop cloth and a Sharpie} via this inspiration.

More tomorrow!

Winners!

2011-11-27T06:55:00.003-05:00

Winner of the Half Pint House Handmade shop credit is: Naomi!

Winner of the FOTF Radio Theatre is: Melissa!

Congratulations!

Christmas for the Heart

2011-11-25T17:05:00.005-05:00

I've spent a lot of the day packing up my Fall decorations and pulling out Christmas decorations! It is fun to sit now and enjoy some of the benefits of my work! The rest will have to wait for another day as I'm tired out!

But, while I've been working - I've been thinking of all the opportunities we will have over the next month to invest in the hearts of our children for eternity. I'm just going to create a list here of all the things I remember seeing or enjoying in case you are looking for some inspiration!

* A Christmas Adventure from Scripture Adventures (use code: candycane for 10% off)

* Look at this cute {and free!} Nativity Preschool Pack!

* I'm intrigued by this Truth in the Tinsel ebook, it is only $2.99 today!

* Sweet Ann's Jesse Tree Advent Family devotional and ornaments {free!}

* I'm considering printing out these Jesse Tree coloring pages to enjoy with our Jesse Tree celebration!

* Here are some parent devotions that go along with each day of the Jesse Tree!

* Anna, a reader here, and a friend have teamed up to create a collection of Jesse Tree readings and ornaments. {$5.00} Find out more here.

* Make an advent wreath.

* I ordered this today ~ I love how you move the heart towards when "Love Came Down" a precious visual for young hearts! {Use code SUPER30 for 30% off!}

* I found a used copy of this book a few years ago and we LOVE it!

* This looks neat!

How will you invest in the hearts of children this Christmas? I'd love to hear your ideas!

Giveaway Day: Focus on the Family Radio Theatre

2011-11-25T06:30:00.003-05:00

Here is another great product for enjoying with your family! Focus on the Family sent me a copy of Anne of Green Gables Radio Theatre and is giving one away as well!

Have you ever listened to any of their Radio Theatre productions? They are fantastic! We have a couple of other titles as well and they are always done professionally and with great quality! These would be great for road trips! Also handy for when your family is sick and laying around a lot - we put it to this use last night.

If you would like to enter to win a copy of Anne of Green Gables Radio Theatre on CD - here's how:

* Leave a comment sharing how Focus on the Family has helped your family.
* For a second entry, visit their Facebook page and click Like. Leave a comment here that you did this.

Entries will be accepted until Saturday, November 26 at 10pm EST. Open to US Residents only.

Disclosure: Focus sent me a copy of Anne of Green Gables Radio Theatre to keep and share with you here. All thoughts above are my own.