I don't know about you, but I'm getting excited for the holidays! It's a special time to be creative and spread joy throughout our communities and our families. The warm scent of cinnamon and chocolate layers the air in my home, and although I am never able to create every beautiful item pinned to my Pinterest boards, the idea of someday is enough to keep me happily dreaming. Among my favorite gifts throughout the season are those handmade and homemade creations. I've received many through the years. A monster cookie jar mix that provided a perfect rainy-day kid's activity. A beeswax candle that kept my home smelling fresh for months. Sachets of lavender tucked within my drawers remained fragrant all year-long. Delicately packaged sugar cookies, gingerbread men and biscotti to line Continue Reading
Why “No” Can Be Our Best “Yes”
Summer is nearly over, our kids are back in school, and it’s the time many of us choose to get back to work on projects, visions and dreams. And discerning what is best can get overwhelming once we sit down and set goals and agendas for how to get there. I’m big on setting goals for myself, but I’m also great at getting sidetracked. I tend to lose sight of the finish line or get distracted by the next “best thing” that tempts me toward a shortcut. Or I simply get lost in the gravity of what’s going to be required of me. Often I find I’m a much better visionary than I am an achiever. And when things don’t progress smoothly as planned, it’s very easy to become overwhelmed and distracted. How about you? Do you find yourself overwhelmed, under prepared or easily distracted once the Continue Reading
A Sweet Reminder That You Are Loved
I’ve had a week of sweet treats. Sweet reminders of how much I am loved, from people I work with, blog with and do life with. The fact that they came as a complete surprise makes it even sweeter for me because I adore surprises! And I always seem to be surprised when someone else chooses me or singles me out for something special. Because I tend to be a workhorse, and it’s my nature to seek out ways to take care of everyone else, I never seem to realize how much I need these sweet treats or how nourishing and refreshing they are to my soul. When they arrive, I hold on to them. I take pictures and add them to my daily counting of joy. And I make every attempt to savor them as long as possible. Tomorrow will come soon enough, where life will squeeze hard and overwhelm with the Continue Reading
The Best Marriage Advice – Dance
I'm not one to write often about marriage. And I'm certainly not one to give advice. Because I know from experience there is no perfect recipe for a long and happy marriage. Sure, there are the core elements of forgiveness, honor, grace and sacrifice, but how these ebb and flow through each marriage is different. We are different. And sometimes when all the words have been emptied out and the tears have been dried, the best marriage advice is found in the most unusual of places. Not in books or therapy sessions. Not in renewing of vows or marriage retreats. Sometimes the best marriage advice seeps into our hearts one step at a time and one twirl at a time, on the dance floor. Where there are only two roles, the leader and the follower. Where there is no room for ego and no space Continue Reading