It's almost enough to make me want to learn to knit. Almost. Each Sunday when I walk into church, I glance at the front row to see if there are any prayer shawls. Yesterday there were three. Our church has a Sit 'N' Knit group of ladies who meet to sit and knit—and pray over the beautiful shawls (and scarves and blankets) they create. Rarely do they know in advance who will receive their creations, but you can be sure... When one is needed, it will be ready. There's an entire closet dedicated to their handiwork, and the ladies work hard to keep it stocked. ... Keep Reading...
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Plan ahead for ENVY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD hanging ferns!
It was May 2013 when I asked you this question... I asked the same question over at Hometalk where the post (so far) has 252,000 views + 71,000 Facebook shares + 204,000 pins on Pinterest It's popular. Seems like a good time to reprise it here... My favorite homes here in the South have big front porches with huge hanging baskets of lush green Boston ferns. Apparently I'm not alone. At this time of year, the garden centers sell out quickly. Renaissance Man and I recently bought our usual six for the front porch ... plus the "necessaries" for planting them. You'll have better luck if you don't leave the plants in their original plastic pots. Instead, replant them using ... Keep Reading...
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Valentine Tablescape Inspiration: Some of the colors may surprise you!
On this Valentine's eve, you probably already have your tablescape in mind. If not, here are a few inspiration boards to help you get motivated. Of course, if you're one who likes to let ideas "simmer" for awhile, just pin these to your Pinterest board, and you'll be ahead of the game for next year! Perhaps the most popular color for Valentine's Day is red. Table linens, ruby-red dishes, a little button-embellished, heart-shaped pillow to hang on your door. And in my neck of the woods, a beautiful snow-covered red barn. I suspect the second most popular Valentine color is pink. It's certainly a favorite of mine! But sometimes I like to stretch myself and use non-traditional ... Keep Reading...
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“SOON”, said the groundhog…
It really hasn't been a long Winter (yet!) here in East Tennessee, but I'd like to make a motion that we skip whatever's left of it and move on to Spring. Can I get a second? All in favor say "aye"! ... Keep Reading...
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Valentine’s Day 2016: Share Faith, Hope, and Love
If you come here often, you know my heart beats strong for children. I especially believe it's important to speak up for children who have no one else to do it for them. Some of those children live in Brazil and reside in homes provided by Hope Unlimited for Children. I'll be going back to see them in June, and you can come along via My Place to Yours! Girls from the streets and slums of Brazil are especially vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Once rescued to Hope, though, the girls begin to look forward to bright futures filled with love. This Valentine's Day, I encourage you to gather your family, friends, or small group to make Valentine's Day cards for them. Each card means something special to ... Keep Reading...
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How reliable are you?
The topic has been an ongoing conversation at our house for the past couple of weeks: GIFTS Not tied-up-in-a-bow gifts, but rather the talents and abilities kind. It started with a sermon at church and the idea that we each have something to contribute that will benefit the whole. And then, a few days later, I was reminded that the 30th anniversary of the space shuttle Challenger was approaching... and it took me back to that day so many years ago when I watched that tragedy unfold in real-time—and tried to explain to a three-year-old what happened when I didn't understand it myself. Within a short time, we knew the end result—but for several months, we didn't really know what happened. ... Keep Reading...
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A Tablescape Tutorial: The Key to a Quick-change Centerpiece
Recently I asked if this centerpiece looked at all familiar... If you come here often, it should have. :-) With our house on the market, I've wanted to keep a tablescape on the table at all times, so I've been quick-changing this centerpiece—since Christmas! Want to know the trick? It's LAYERING. In the #1 tablescape, I went super quick-and-simple with pinecones, fresh greenery, and vintage Silent Night stenciled ornaments in a wood tray. Then, after (an unseasonably hot) Christmas, I was ready to cool things off a bit. In my #2 tablescape I added a few rocks and sweetgum balls to the pinecones for a little more texture ... Keep Reading...
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A Summons to Appear: Jury Duty
On a Friday evening not long ago, a friend told me she'd had jury duty. I told her I'd never been selected—but wanted to do my civic duty. The following Monday afternoon, look what arrived in my mailbox. Now why don't my other wishes come true so quickly? I'm blogging about this now because once I report for duty, I probably won't be able to. From what I understand, the first day is really just a time for checking in, hearing the rules, and getting a list of dates to keep open over the next few months—so I'll be available to serve if selected. I wonder what lies ahead. I'm not unfamiliar with the legal system. I've worked with lawyers, given depositions, and sworn to "tell the ... Keep Reading...
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Casual Winter Tablescape: We can build a snowman!
Since S*N*O*W is the talk of the town around here, it seems like the perfect time for a quick-and-casual Winter tablescape. And a quick-and-casual Winter tablescape calls for fun-and-casual snowman dishes! And a snowman, of course! Is S*N*O*W the talk of the town where you live? By the way... If something seems a bit familiar about this centerpiece, then this isn't your first visit to My Place! I'll show you why that is—and show you the key to a quick-change centerpiece—early in the next few days. Sign up to receive new posts via email so you won't miss it! In the meantime, please stay warm and be safe! Join me at How Sweet the ... Keep Reading...
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OMG
OH MY GOD In this world of social media and "shortspeak", that's what OMG stands for: OH MY GOD This is the first—and almost certainly the last—time I will ever write it. As with many other of today's common phrases, it strikes me as a flippant, tossed-around expression that has little if anything to do with God. That really bothers me. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain. (Exodus 20:7) But today... OMG Today it's my heart cry... Oh, my God. MY God. The one who created me, loves me through every one of my good and bad choices, and will not leave me or let me down no matter how bleak the circumstances. The one who's proved himself faithful for all of ... Keep Reading...
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The END of Life as we know it…
This post first appeared here January 16, 2012. Last January I reposted it—to give myself a check-up on how I'm doing. For some reason, I feel compelled to reprise it again this year. Perhaps you'll benefit, too. Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr. I can't help but wonder ... Is the opposite true, too? Is it possible that life in its truest and best form actually BEGINS the day we stop being silent about things that matter? The day we give voice to someone who has none ... When we value the life stories that came before ours ... ... and let the generation after ours be born to tell theirs. When we stop worrying about awkward ... Keep Reading...
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Winter Magic Tablescape
After a much warmer than usual December here in East Tennessee, I decided I'd try to speed Winter along by adding a few icy touches in the dining room. I'm not a big fan of Winter (except for its beauty!), but if it will just come, we can move on to Spring sooner! I decided to keep this Winter Magic wreath. It was so much fun to make, and since it's "all about Winter", it's now found a new home. Its colors inspired today's tablescape... I just made a few simple changes to THIS centerpiece and moved on to the next season. A little faux snow sprinkled around adds a nice touch of Winter elegance to an otherwise casual ... Keep Reading...
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How a Google search extended a legacy: The stained old blanket
On New Years Eve, I received an email. The subject line: Getting stains out of an old blanket As I clicked on the email, I was sure it would be another (always welcome!) email asking for "how to" advice—but it wasn't. It was a success story! And Kim—a total stranger—wrote to say thank you. Made my day! Kim had discovered one of my posts via a Google search (thanks, Google!)—and then followed my linen care instructions all the way to CLEAN! With her permission, here's the back story... I had a baby blanket (that had never been used but had been in storage for 18 years) that was made and given to me by my grandmother to put in my hope chest. I wasn't able to have kids, so in the chest it ... Keep Reading...
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Old house reveals another secret
Happy New Year, dear friends! I wonder what lies ahead in 2016... Without a doubt, if the past is any indication, we'll look back this time next year and stand amazed at how the year played out. Today, even with all of the puzzle pieces spread out in front of us, we can be sure there are "unseens" that will join the picture. There's more influencing our lives than meets the eye... Recently while cleaning house, I spotted something on the floor. When I bent down to pick it up, I realized something was stuck under the baseboard. Something I'd never seen before. In case you're a new reader here (welcome! and I hope you'll stop by often), I should tell you that Renaissance Man and I purchased an uninhabitable old ... Keep Reading...
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Foreshadowing
Sometimes Life blindsides us—and then we look back and see pieces of the proverbial puzzle that we hadn’t seen before. Ever had that experience? ... Keep Reading...
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Pilgrimage to Bethlehem
It was December 2013 when a dear friend called from Louisiana asking, "Do you know where I am?" A quick mental check told me it was the second weekend of December, and so I answered with a wistful smile, "You're in Bethlehem." I was right—and I was flooded with memories of a time past when Renaissance Man and I were in Bethlehem, too. Over 18 years ago, while living in Louisiana, I was asked to brainstorm—dream out loud—with a small group of church members about a unique way to tell the story of Jesus' birth. Some churches do Christmas pageants; others do live nativity scenes. We envisioned something more. Much more. We envisioned a full-scale recreation of 1st century Bethlehem where guests become pilgrims—and part ... Keep Reading...
