The bigger picture

This has been our week. Every day has been foggy, hazy and rainy. I'm NOT complaining (HA) I'm just statin' a fact...I've been challenged a little bit by the gloom;)

I'm making a choice to be grateful. These warmer temperatures and rain are melting the snow. The ground is being prepared for the tulips, daffodils and birds. I'm thanking the Lord for the gloom...knowing that there is a bigger picture in store. PROGRESS...I think:)

Hope you all have a blessed weekend.

Prescription for Contentment

This past week I finally got my hands on the book Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow. A few people had told me how great this book was and so I had to check it out for myself. Eye opening would be my first words to describe it. She starts off sharing about two very different women...one who has everything and complains constantly and then one who has nothing and is completely content.

Obviously the latter woman is who I would like to be. The search for contentment seems to be like finding a unicorn or the pot of gold under the rainbow. In this case I know it's real...contentment is REAL. Just how do I find it and when I do...how do I keep it??

The content woman in her book had a diary where she kept her prescription for contentment:

* Never allow yourself to complain about anything - not even the weather.

* Never picture yourself in any other circumstances or someplace else.

* Never compare your lot with another's.

* Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise.

* Never dwell on tomorrow - remember that [tomorrow] is God's, not ours.

Ummm does anyone else feel like a complete and total loser right now?? I know I do and when I read this to my husband he actually got a little mad. He was like I do all of those things!!! How is that even realistic?


Then we had a discussion about the difference between being content and being goal oriented or driven. Is it wrong to want more...to pursue dreams...to strive for better?? This chapter obviously struck a chord with us both, but I knew that it would. We have struggled with contentment in lots of areas in our journey together. So what if this book is just what we need?!

I'm excited! I got the companion journal to go along with the book, and so far I've been recording my thoughts and just learning to let God be the one in Control. God...is the blessed controller of all things, the king over all kings and the master of all masters. (I Timothy 6:15, PH)

We've also been "challenging" ourselves not to complain. Amazing how if you start paying attention to that one area how God will make you aware of every little word that comes out of your mouth. OUCH! It's a little painful...this process, but I want that pot of gold. To be content in all things and to trust completely...wow is there anything more valuable???

Have a blessed day.

All photos found here.

This little light of mine:)

This little light of mine I'm gonna let it shine, oh this little light of mine...I'm gonna let it shine. I loved that song as a kid. Can I just say I'm a little giddy about my new chandelier! I've always wanted one. I had a dream that someday I'd be able to put one over my bathtub and this weekend that dream became a reality:)


I saw this lovely light from a post Tara did a while back. I was smitten. I called up the charming South African man with the wonderful accent and promptly placed my order. If you want one too... I can hook you up!

This idea was all warm and fuzzy for me, but a huge part in the process was getting Honey on board. He hates handyman stuff. It stems from years of playtime being lost as a child helping his dad with stuff, so now that his dad is gone it makes him sentimental and sad. I really hate bothering him, but it had to be done;)

What should have been an easy job though turned into a nightmare project and nothing seemed to be working right. But after three trips to Home Depot and plenty of set backs we got it working. I say WE because I helped a lot. Someone had to hold the light...for what seemed like hours:)

It's finished and I LOVE IT!!!! I keep finding excuses to go into the bathroom. I loved taking baths before, but now it's an event. Amazing how a little twinkle and sparkle can change a room;)

Have a blessed day.

On a side note today is our 20 year "dating" anniversary. Even Honey remembered! Oh Lord I love this man. Thank you Jesus for placing me with my perfect match:) Can you believe we were just 16 when we started dating?

Special somethings...

There was a surprise on my doorstep this week. One of my readers made me a beautiful painting. She loved my view and decided to paint it.

Can I just say how much I love this! Katrina you did such an amazing job. No matter where we end up I'll always have this gift to remind me of this place...this time. Thank you!!!

Every now and then I do a post with some of my favorite little things. So I wanted to share some of my treasures from my recent trip to Seattle. When I travel I always try to buy a fragrance while I'm there. I wear it every day and then when I get home and wear it it reminds me of that trip. I got this lemony fragrance at Watson Kennedy...one of Lissa's favorite places:) It definitely reminds me of Seattle.

I also saw this book there too. Remember my theme word for the year... BE! Well when I opened this book I knew it was for me. On every page is a be still, be proactive, be happy etc... and then a quote. I love quotes.

Love this!!!

As I sit down with my BE book I can brew some yummy Market Spice Tea. Several of you told me to get some and I was like...how good can it be?? Well I gotta say it's really GOOD. Every afternoon I make a cup and it's like dessert:) The best part...no calories!






I finally got my bowl in the mail this week. It's so pretty. Glazes are hard to work with. They are gloppy and you never know what color it's going to turn out, but that's half the fun. It's challenging and the end result is a surprise:)





Every time I look at it I remember my friend and that special day...BEing crafty, creative and having so much fun:)

Have a blessed day.

Thanks to all of you who participated in the "tooth fairy" discussion. I really enjoyed learning about all of your traditions. I laughed so hard at some of your comments!! It thrills my heart that despite our differences we can share our beliefs and have a safe place to discuss things. That so far has been one of my favorite things about blogging. I just love you guys:)