Hello all! It's the end of a long week, and we're sitting in the Sao Paulo airport. Hopefully we'll fly home tonight, but we're going stand-by, so that remains to be seen. I have so much more to share with you about our trip to Brazil, but tonight my tired mind is ready to be home. I've got to do some of this ... Thanks for traveling with me this week. I'll see you soon! ... Keep Reading...
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Day 6: Beauty and the Beast
Welcome to Vitoria, Brazil! The city of Vitoria and its surrounding communities (total population 1.66 million) present some of the most alluring vistas in all of Brazil. Beautiful beaches, a monastery built high on the hill of an island, and stark granite cliffs rising up out of the bay all contribute to a pleasing visual palate. The port at Vitoria is one of the busiest in the world. From the air, cargo ships are anchored miles out to sea ... and as far up and down the coastline. You can just see them along the horizon in this picture. But it does not take long for the darker side of Vitoria to become apparent: signs in hotels along the beachfront warn that soliciting minors for ... Keep Reading...
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Day 5: Where’s the Energizer Bunny When You Need Him?
Hello, my friends. I hope you're having a wonderful week "traveling" with me. I also hope you're not as tired as I am! Today has been a very long day, and I'm still processing a lot of our activities. I'm also still enjoying the events of yesterday in Campinas, Brazil. Here are a few pics so you can enjoy them, too ... Hope Unlimited for Children ministers to over 430 children and their families through the Nave Mae Preschool located in the Rosalina favela. I love seeing these little ones! Next stop: The City of Youth -- home to about 100 children who have no other safe place to live. I've written about their residential care here at My Place to Yours on several occasions. You ... Keep Reading...
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Day 4: Made to Feel …
The children of Hope Unlimited are taught hospitality ... and this gift basket was placed in the room of each Board member and guest to be found upon their arrival. The cookies were made by the students in the baking class. Yum! It's the end of a very long day, and my pics aren't accessible, so they'll have to wait ... but suffice it to say that we were overwhelmed by precious children at both the Preschool and the City of Youth. We were amazed and sobered by staff members at both locations as they gave updates on their work and the children they serve. We were encouraged and hopeful to hear possibilities of future ministry opportunities. We laughed and hugged and butchered the Portuguese language as we attempted to communicate with ... Keep Reading...
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Day 3 – PM: An Evening of Friendships
When last I was here, I told you I hoped to be back later this evening -- after a tour, a dedication service, and an appreciation dinner. I made it. The tour of new office space for Hope Unlimited for Children. This is the "before" ... and renovations start soon. This will be a great improvement to our existing location, and we are extremely grateful for God's provision. The dedication of a thrift store in a new, highly-lucrative location in Campinas. Hope's current thrift store raises a significant amount of in-country income to support the ministry. This new boutique-style store (with its convenient drop-off and storage space for donations) should do very well. They have a fantastic display ... Keep Reading...
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Day 3: A Day of Friendships
Welcome back to Campinas, Brazil -- home of Hope Unlimited for Children's City of Youth and Nave Mae Preschool. This morning, as planned, I took advantage of my it's-never-before-happened-in-Brazil-relaxing-morning and took a walk -- camera in hand, of course! It was almost like you were "right there with me" as I took these pictures. Don't you just love how friendship transcends the miles? ... Any favorites? Click twice to enlarge collage. I'm happy to report that, shortly after my return to the hotel, Board members and guests arrived safe and sound after their overnight flights ... and we enjoyed catching up over lunch. I sat at that cute little table (above) with Hope's Chairman of the ... Keep Reading...
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Day 2: Welcome to Brazil
Bom dia! Welcome to Brazil. I'm so glad you've decided to join us for this trip. If you arrived here today not expecting to travel, you may want to check out these posts first ... so you'll know our plans: I Wasn't Prepared to Hear It ... Day 1: Rise and Shine ... Let's Go to Brazil! Day 1 - PM: Leaving on a Jet Plane ... to Brazil After a smooth night of flying (which included watching Argo and a few welcome hours of sleep), we arrived in Sao Paulo a few minutes ahead of schedule. Sailing easily through Customs and Immigration, I was tired but faced a glorious blue-skies day. Click pics once -- or twice -- to enlarge. We were met by a staff member of Hope Unlimited for Children who ... Keep Reading...
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Day 1 – PM: Leaving on a Jet Plane … to Brazil
Hello friends! How has your day been? I'm glad you took me up on the invitations in my last couple of posts and decided to "travel" with us this week. Really I am! We finally made it to DC and have just boarded our flight to Sao Paulo, Brazil. I'll admit. It sure was hard to leave behind these beauties before doing some tablescapes. Can you believe all the buds on this one peony plant? That's what a wet Spring will do! Maybe a few blooms will be left when we get back home. Here's hoping! But for now, it's time to start leaving behind the luxuries and start thinking about these beauties instead ... and these... and all the ages in between. It's ... Keep Reading...
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Day 1: Rise and Shine … Let’s Go to Brazil!
Good Monday morning all! As I told you HERE, Renaissance Man and I leave today for Brazil ... and we're taking you with us! We have a fantastic week ahead, but this morning we're just trying to get out the door. Seems like the perfect time for my favorite Banana Oat Breakfast Cookie and a glass of milk. Care to join me? Click HERE for the recipe. Unfortunately, due to some crazy-high airline prices this month, we won't be flying out of Knoxville as we usually do. Instead, buckle up and smile 'cause we're driving 7 hours to DC to catch our late-evening flight to South America. After all, there are places to go and people to see! In case you like to read in the car as much as I do, here are ... Keep Reading...
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How to Have Beautiful Plants … Even When You’re Away from Home!
Did anyone get a big, beautiful hanging basket for Mother's Day? If you did, I've already told you my secret for keeping it looking good. What? You missed my secret? OK, HERE it is again. You're welcome. **Big smile** Today Renaissance Man and I did a little work in the yard before heading to Brazil. We leave in the morning. You are planning to come with us, aren't you? I invited you. If you're like me and want your plants to stay pretty all Summer long ... even while you're away on vacation,or busy blogging, or taking the kids or grandkids to the pool ... then click on the shade garden picture below to see my secret over at Hometalk. It won't take you long to read it. Good thing! It's getting ... Keep Reading...
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I Wasn’t Prepared to Hear It …
Last week, Renaissance Man and I attended the Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit. Thank you to those of you who prayed for us! I've been trying all week to put my thoughts into words, but I'm afraid they're still "all over the place." Adoptive (and waiting) families, foster parents, and orphan care leaders worldwide gathered to "defend the cause of the fatherless." (Isaiah 1:17) The group of 2500+ was impressive, but even more impressive were the stories ... Carissa Woodwyck, adoptee and author, mesmerized us with "Listening to the Beauty & Brokenness in Every Adoptee's Story." Steven Curtis Chapman shared both music and testimony about his experience as an adoptive parent; some of his story is ... Keep Reading...
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Two Things That Inspired Me …
An unexpected patch of brilliant orange poppies in the middle of an open pasture... ... and an East Tennessee Spring blue sky. Inspiration is everywhere! I just had to open my eyes... What's inspiring you these days? If you like "countryside" inspiration, you'll probably like this Spring Farmhouse inspiration board, too! Join me? Let's Dish! @ Cuisine Kathleen Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch ... Keep Reading...
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Are Your Hanging Ferns the Envy of the Neighborhood? They can be!
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 coir-lined wire baskets and a good-quality potting mix. The pics below show you how. Step 7 isn't always necessary, but you want to be sure your chains are secure before hanging. Ferns get very heavy when wet, and you don't want them to fall! Step 8 is an absolute "must" when it comes to ... Keep Reading...
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How to Set the EASIEST Tablescape Ever!
My Favorite Fatigue Wearer doesn't "get" my love of tablescaping. In fact, we have a good-natured, running conversation that goes something like this ... He: I prefer a "plain" table. Just a wood table with a plate, knife and fork. Me: ... and a napkin. You need a napkin. He: Nooooo (with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes and a slow swipe of his arm across his face from his elbow to his wrist) Me: (laughing and shaking my head at the "boy") Yes, you need a napkin! The last time we had this conversation, I was issued a challenge: Set a "plain" table ... and make it look good. I'm sure he didn't mean something like this. Source After giving it some thought, I remembered a "minimalist" table I once set ... Keep Reading...
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I’M NUMB: Will You Pray Us To The Summit?
For those of you willing to pray ... Later this week, Renaissance Man and I will be in Nashville attending Summit 9, an international conference sponsored by Christian Alliance for Orphans. It's my first chance to participate and, quite honestly, I have mixed emotions. I'm excited about joining with ... and learning from ... other people and organizations who care about orphan I wonder if most of the sessions will be led by "normal" people like me -- or ones whose language and everydayy demeanor is "over the top advocate for social justice." I'm curious if God will use this conference to draw me even further out of my comfort zone. I have a feeling He might How will my spirit be ... Keep Reading...
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PRIDE AND PRESIDENTS: The Opening of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
It was a Texas-size celebration with lots of presidential presence ... plenty of protocol and pomp ... ... and one Proud Papa (and Mama, and Wife, and children). As a young girl growing up in Austin, I had multiple opportunities to visit the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library. I vividly remember the old campaign buttons ... and the ball gowns worn by Lady Bird, Lynda, and Luci ... and the White House china. Imagine that! A few short years ago, Renaissance Man and I toured the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station. Because the events it recalled took place when I was an adult, my experience was less superficial ... but I still loved the china! There's ... Keep Reading...
