Happy Weekend to all! I'm just stopping in to offer a quick Happy Pink Saturday to Beverly—and all of you pink lovers—at How Sweet the Sound... and to share a super simple creative caring idea with you. This afternoon I'll have the pleasure of attending a baby shower for our pastor's wife. Baby #2. This time... It's a Girl! Of course I'll take a gift for our soon-to-be-youngest church member, BUT (and this is the part I love!)... guests are also encouraged to bring baby things to share with little ones and their mothers who can't easily afford them. That's where the creative caring part comes in. See how easy it is to include "ministry" in the everyday events of life? All it takes is being ... Keep Reading...
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January WHITE AGAIN Sale on Restoration Linen Cleaner
Ever since 1878, when merchant John Wanamaker declared January to be a great time for a "white sale," retail establishments have followed his lead. But now—in 2015—I'm going to change it up a bit ... because vintage linens have been on my mind a lot lately—and because I know some of you (still) have old pretties stuck in drawers and attics. Just for you... through the end of the month, it's a January WHITE AGAIN Sale at My Place to Yours. RESTORATION—my all-time favorite linen cleaner for vintage linens—is on sale in my Etsy shop through January 31. Just click HERE to purchase -- then enter coupon code WHITEAGAIN15 to receive 15% off of each 2 lb. jar. I can often ship at least 2 jars (sometimes 3) for the same low ... Keep Reading...
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Stinky Face theology: My response to a children’s book
I Love You, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt At first glance—it's not the kind of children's book I'd typically choose, but choose it I did. When Little Man was just a baby, I discovered the book and thought it would appeal to his Mommy. Now it also appeals to me—and my grandsons. Doesn't it look well-loved? If you don't know the story, it begins like this... The question? The little guy wanted to know if his Mama would still love him—if he were a big, scary ape! Well, not only did Mama answer in the affirmative, but she said she'd bake his birthday cake out of bananas—if he were a big, scary ape! Of course, in typical little boy fashion, Question #1 was ... Keep Reading...
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Looking for a lifeline in 2015 . . .
January 2014 found me looking for "what next" in my life—and meeting with various community agencies to learn about local needs. I knew... No matter where I eventually "plugged in," I'd better be preparing for a broken heart. May 2014 found me jumping from the frying pan into the fire. Downsizing our life — to upsize our faith Training to be a Court-Appointed Special Advocate for Children (CASA) Beginning a conversation about starting Safe Families for Children in my county To say 2014 was a long year is an understatement. We're still downsizing... and our old house is still on the market. I had all but finished training to be a CASA when that door closed. Slammed shut. I ... Keep Reading...
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An UNWANTED GIFT on Christmas Day
Yesterday I received a Christmas update from our ministry partner Philip Smith, founder and CEO of Hope Unlimited for Children. Isn't this a wonderful picture of his family? Unfortunately, Christmas Day with the boys at Hope Mountain wasn't all smiles. Hear the story—in Philip's words... A patrol car pulls up in the middle of our Christmas celebration with the Hope children. Out comes a shirtless, angry 15-year-old, with a yellow mohawk and a cantering swagger. Walking across our campus, he immediately picked quarrels with our boys, boasting about the people he has killed. He says within earshot of the house mothers that he plans to settle a score with (kill) one kid before he left. The ... Keep Reading...
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Giving away hard-earned cash at Christmas
Hello all! It's four days after Christmas, and I hope you're still experiencing the afterglow of a wonderful celebration. I hope your celebration WAS wonderful... As I reflect on Christmas 2014, I must say that I am quite content with the details. Oh, I'd love to have seen more of our family, but overall, my heart was blessed by the season—and I feel a little more ready to take on a new year. We did exactly the amount of decorating we wanted to do—and not a bit more. We took time to drive around and look at Christmas lights—more than once! I got my Hallmark Christmas movies "fix" while playing in the vintage ornaments. We spent time catching up with friends. We shopped for the grandsons ... Keep Reading...
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Last-minute thoughts at Christmas…
It's Christmas! The Holiday Hustle's in full swing. With decorating long-ago complete, the *twinkle factor* remains high in the background as the pace of the season picks up in its final sprint to Christmas Day. Open houses, office parties, and holiday concerts have spread their holiday cheer. Christmas cards and letters make their way to destinations near and far. Santa Baby and Jingle Bells bring smiles—and a spring in our steps. It's Christmas! Little ones have whispered their wishes in Santa's ear... and parents act as elves as they wheel shiny new bicycles out of stores, preparing to find a hiding place until their big reveal on that magical ... Keep Reading...
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Christmas throughout the house…
Just a few pictures today to document Christmas 2014 and what we presume will be our last Christmas in our old house. I added a few simple touches in every room. Thought you might like to see a few of them: ornaments and vintage "Made in Japan" gift boxes garland in the Dining Room angel guardian and little drummer boy in the Living Room poinsettias in front of the Master Bedroom fireplace the Reason for the Season — front and center This year, stockings are hung very simply along the banister using festive red tulle ribbon. Did you notice the vintage ornament wreath (aka my newest obsession)? Hundreds of vintage ornaments hang on our "first REAL tree in a long time" Fraser Fir... and we are loving it! ... Keep Reading...
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Are you forgetting anything this Christmas?
8 days and counting ... In these hustle-bustle, crazy-baking, online-shopping, gift-wrapping days of the season, I hope you're not forgetting Christmas. Will you spend less than 3 minutes to see if you are? There's still time for some creative caring ... ... Keep Reading...
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CHRISTMAS TEA: A Tablescape Event
Fifteen days 'til Christmas... but who's counting? Since you're stopping by My Place during these busy days of holiday happenings, I'm honored—and very glad to "see" you! The last time we were together, I promised you some tablescapes, so let's get right to them... Last Saturday our church hosted a Christmas Tea for women in our community. We were reaching beyond ourselves—beyond our own church members—and, if you visit here often, you know that gets my vote! This is a new church for us, so it was my first time to tablescape with this particular group of ladies. Fun! I've put together a collage for each table with lots of close-ups—and just a few "first impression"comments. That's one ... Keep Reading...
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Still obsessing…
What a fun weekend it was at My Place! I hope you can say the same thing about yours. On Saturday afternoon I hosted a table for a Christmas Tea at church. Can you guess my tablescape theme from this picture? I'll show you all of the tables in a few days. If you're not already on my email list, be sure to subscribe to get new posts via email so you don't miss them! Saturday night, once I'd hauled the dishes back home, washed, and put them all away... I made another wreath from my stash of vintage ornaments. On Sunday it sold -- woo hoo! And Sunday I made yet another one... What are YOU doing to have fun—and de-stress— these ... Keep Reading...
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Gingerbread Houses at the Historic Grove Arcade – Asheville, NC
Do you like leftovers? I sure hope so, because this is a post of "leftover" photos I never got to show you last Christmas! It features entries in the 2013 National Gingerbread House Competition hosted in cooperation with Asheville's beloved Grove Park Inn. Can you believe I've never made a gingerbread house? I'm afraid if I ever do, it will become my NEWEST new obsession! But I do love them—and some of you do, too!—so I'll give you a peek... and some great ideas. (I know you won't mind overlooking the camera phone quality—and pics taken through glass cases.) The Historic Grove Arcade was decked out for the holidays. Gingerbread houses were everywhere! I'll just shush and let ... Keep Reading...
