SEASONAL SIMPLICITY: Practicing the Disciplines

It's unseasonably warm here in East Tennessee, and everywhere I look I see both the dead foliage of Winter and the early harbingers of Spring. It's that "in between" season, and I'm never quite sure how to respond to it. I'm just a little afraid to fully embrace the beauty of Springtime ... because it's not unheard of here to have sub-freezing temperatures in April. I just try to wait patiently, but that takes a lot of practice and discipline, and sometimes I do that better than others. It's also one of those "in between" times at my house.  Renaissance Man just returned from a trip yesterday ... and he leaves for Brazil tomorrow.  Today is all the time there is to catch up on laundry and conversation and family happenings.  But since ... Keep Reading...

Saying Bye-Bye to Google Friend Connect

"Follow me" statue at the National Infantry Museum (Fort Benning, GA)   You know what?  I'm just going to admit right here up front that this is a frustrating post to write.  I'm conflicted about the topic and not even sure where to start ... but I think I have to address it.  To you faithful visitors, this time it's not about poverty or neglected children.  I know how I feel about those things, even if I am uncertain how to "make it all better."  In some ways, this is petty and distracting, which is perhaps exactly why I have to write about it.   I'm a firstborn.  I have a natural, God-given gift of leadership ... and a sometimes not so blessed (but thankfully less prevalent as I get older) "gift" of Bossy.  ... Keep Reading...

Grand Canyon Inspiration

Hello all! I don't know about you, but this is a busy week at My Place. Renaissance Man and I had the unexpected great fortune of taking a weekend vacation with our Little Man while his sweet parents worked to ready the nursery for his little brother ... and I've been behind ever since.  Think I care? Nope!   The result of all my play time, however, is that I'm pulling out a tablescape inspiration board I put together (but never shared with you) last Fall while on our California-to-Tennessee road trip after The Big Event. (Check it out if you have no idea what I'm talking about!) I still think it's "grand," so I'll share it today.   Some of you will remember seeing the beautiful Aspen bark in this ... Keep Reading...