28 Days

They say it takes twenty eight days to start a new habit.  (whoever that vague "they" may be)  And what luck - February just happens to have 28 days in the month.  It's like February was meant for forming a new habit or two!

That that in mind, I have decided to select a couple of habits to develop this month.  Since February is the month of Love - I'm going with a sort of "self love" theme and developing some habits that help me take care of me.

1)  Do a skincare routine every morning and evening.

I have been bad lately about not washing my face every night or doing a skincare routine.  And sadly, I feel like my skin is really beginning to show the neglect.  It's time to get into the habit of a little self care and show my skin some love.

2)  Drink a cup of lemon water every morning as soon as I wake up.

This is something I have been meaning to try for a while and somehow never really got around to.  I have done it occasionally, but not on a regular basis by any stretch of the imagination.  I'm curious to see if I can see or feel any results after doing it every day for a month.

3)  Schedule 30 minutes into each afternoon to have a snack and a cup of tea while I read.

Doesn't that sound delightful?  Just a small little rest in the day to indulge in a couple of things I enjoy.  A little break from the housework and running my Etsy shop.  Time just for me.  

What about you?  Are there any habits you've been wanting to change or develop?  Join me for 28 Days to A New Habit!  What habit will you be committing to during February?  Share in the comments!



With Love,

Sunday Inspiration: Beloved

A Spirit of Gratitude: January 25

The biggest thing I am grateful for this week is my precious grandson who turns 6 today!  He is truly one of the most wonderful blessings I have ever received and I am thankful for him every day.

I Am Thankful For:

Snowy mornings

Watching the snow fall while I drink my morning coffee

A busy bird feeder

Mailing orders

Half price buttons

My Valentine's day mantle

The Male Offspring going grocery shopping with me

Melting snow

Warm, sunny January days

Hot chocolate with Bailey's

Watching British quiz shows with the Man of the House

Surprises in the mail

A light box for taking photos

DIY pedicure with a pretty nail polish

Starting a new Bible study

Taking time to browse Target while enjoying a coffee

The Male Offspring was somewhere safe when his car broke down

Leftovers for a quick dinner

Without a sound...

You know the feeling when you stand on a beach next to the ocean?  Or on a mountain top with the world at your feet?  Or looking up at a star-filled night sky?  

You feel small, yet somehow powerful - all at once.  You find yourself in awe of the vastness of it.  Struck by the beauty.  A little bit overwhelmed.  

The heavens and earth are able to speak without sound.  They display the greatness and glory of God every single day and night just by being.

I want my life to be like that. 

Even when I don't talk about God, I want my actions to speak loudly of Him.  I want  my choices to display the influence He has on me.  I want the way I treat others to shout of His Love.  

I want to share God with others.  Loudly... without words.

Sunday Inspiration: Just The Way You Are

Laughing at Myself

Wednesday morning started snowy and cold.  Which is always the weather that seems to bring an extra large crowd of birds to the feeder hanging outside my kitchen window.  This day was no exception.

After watching a flock of chickadees and their tag-along titmouse, a pair of cardinals, and an assortment of other feathered friends, I suddenly found myself singing...

"My feeder brings all the birds to the yard.  And they're like... it's better than yours"

You know, like that milkshake song by Kelis from the early 2000's.  You don't?  Well, look it up.  On second thought - don't do that to yourself.

 I thought I was pretty funny.  Based on the look the male offspring gave me, I'm guessing he did not agree.  When he said, "Please stop." that left little room for doubt. 

Oh well... at least one of us thinks I'm funny.

With Love,

A Spirit of Gratitude: January 18

This week has been a weather roller coaster.  A few days ago it was almost 60 degrees.  As I write this, it is 20 degrees (with a wind chill of 4) and snowy.  But that's winter here in western North Carolina.  And I'm thankful for ALL of it.  I love snowy days, but I wouldn't want to have them all of the time.  Those almost spring-like days are a nice break between the chill of winter.

I Am Thankful For:

New bathroom scales

Getting coffee with the female offspring

A pretty new measuring cup (that was FREE!)

A sleepy kitty

The male offspring making pizza for dinner

Lazy evening watching football playoff games

Going with the Man of the House to get his haircut

Exciting last minute wins

Snuggles on the couch

Dozens of birds in the pear tree waiting their turn at the feeder

Silvery light sunrise

The male offspring making me laugh

Tacos

A trip to Hobby Lobby

A black and white mocha at Starbucks

Watching season 2 of The Crown

Snowy mornings

Seeing this outside my back door:

What are you thankful for this week?

With Love,

No Excuses. Unless...

Something I have been thinking about a lot recently is how much time many of us spend looking for the "Unless".  

We know the Bible is full of things we should be doing to follow the commandment of loving others as yourself.  (Mark 12:31)  Which is difficult to do sometimes.  Really difficult.  This leads to us trying to make excuses and justify our failure to love on others. 

I'll be honest.  Sometimes I wish it was there.  The unless.  

Love your neighbor as yourself. (Mark 12:31 NLT) 
Unless... your neighbor is really annoying 

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:44 NIV)
Unless... they were really mean or hateful and just don't deserve it

Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. (Matthew 5:42 ESV) 
Unless...  you really want or need it for yourself. 

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. (Proverbs 31:8 NIV)
Unless... you are too busy to get involved

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4 ESV)
Unless...  you believe no one is going to look out for you unless you think of yourself first.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32 ESV) 
Unless... what they did was so terrible that they don't deserve to be forgiven.

But you know what?  It's just not there.  No where does Jesus ever say it's OK to be selfish, or jealous, or prideful, or hurtful.  No circumstances that make it alright or that justify it.  

Only...  Love your neighbor.  Love your enemies.  Love others

Just... Love.

Sunday Inspiration: Out of Control

A Spirit of Gratitude: January 11

This past week has been one of those which proves that no matter how stressful things get - there is always something to be thankful for!

I Am Thankful For:

The Male Offspring buying me lunch

The Man of the House enjoying his new VR headset

Sparkling water

Being out of the wind

Tomato basil soup

Snow flurries

Watching Trolls with the grand kid

My dad finally feeling better

Prayers

Skilled doctors

The Man of the House bringing me coffee

The Man of the House doing the grocery shopping

Being OK with the Panthers losing in the playoffs

The Man of the House making yummy cheese dip to snack on during the game

A quiet evening crocheting and watching Victoria

New schedules

Meatless Monday

Going to bed early

What are you thankful for this week?  Share in the comments!

With Love,

Out of the Box

The grand kid has a great fondness for "Mystery Boxes"  They are tiny little boxes or capsules which contain a small toy or figurine from favorite TV shows, movies, games, cartoons, toy lines, etc.  When you have one of these little boxes -  you never know exactly what you are going to get.  You have certain hopes and expectations. But to really know what it is, you have to open the box and let it out.  It could potentially be even better than you ever imagined.

Thinking about these mystery boxes one day got me to thinking... sometimes we kind of treat God like a mystery box.

We expect God to meet certain expectations.  We think of him in human terms. With human limitations.  But, if we keep God in a nice tidy little box - we'll never know how great, how loving, how truly amazing He is!

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. - Ephesians 3:20

Whatever you ask of Him - he can do far more.  Your thoughts about God don't even begin to touch who and what He really is!  

No matter how big you think God is - He is bigger! 

As great as you think God is - He is greater! 

Whatever you think He can do or accomplish - He is able to do more! 

How much you believe He loves you - He loves you more!  

He is all powerful.  All knowing.  All loving.  He is beyond time, space, borders, expectations, limitations.  

It's time to stop expecting too little of God.  Think outside the box!!

With Love,

Sunday Inspiration: LOVE

A Spirit of Gratitude: January 4

I am so excited to be sharing my first gratitude post of 2018 with y'all!  Do you know this is the FIFTH year I have been celebrating each Thursday with all of you by giving thanks for all the good things in my life?

I Am Thankful For:

Getting to go grocery shopping with the Man of the House
A chanced to help; someone else
Setting goals for 2018
Game night
Pulled pork
Christmas gift cards
Leftovers
A warm house when the weather is cold
New Years Eve snow flurries
Happy New Year!
The male offspring making a budget
Cherry pie
The female offspring's art skills
Sunny but COLD days
New recipes
Gloves
Running errands with the Man of the House
Velcro

What are you thankful for this week?  Share in the comments!


With Love,

Currently... January 2018

Happy New Year, y'all!!   2018 has arrived.  Along with all the exciting potential that comes with every new beginning.  It's also time to reflect.  To look at what has come to pass and where things stand right now.

Reading:  My current "just for fun" read is Into the Water by Paula Hawkins.  My personal/spiritual growth book is Crazy Love by Francis Chan

Eating:  oh my goodness...  I have overindulged SO much over the past 2 weeks!  I should probably live on nothing but fruits, veggies and a little healthy protein for a while.

Working On:  New items for my Etsy shop.  Setting goals for this new year.

Enjoying: Having my guys home for a couple more days before everyone goes back to work and school.

Anticipating:  2018 and everything it potentially holds!

Feeling:  Very grateful that I have a warm house to keep me safe from this bitter cold.  Brrrr...  Stay warm out there y'all!

What are you up to as 2018 kicks off?