Little Luxuries......

There are definitely days when we need to add relaxing moments and warming touches to a cozy place of refuge. I know working outside the home and even being at home as a busy Mom or woman that days are hectic. Trust me....I have walked the path of mothering a brood of children. The most rewarding profession around (to me) is being a Mother but whether you stay home or leave everyday for work....you do have emotional needs. For me, the past few weeks have been up and down! Up when we rejoiced over the birth of our new grandson and the blessing of sharing this joy with his siblings and our daughter and her husband. This week though, my precious Grandmother has passed into her eternal home in Heaven with Jesus. My emotions have been tender, raw, and I find myself embracing the love of two generations. It has been a bit overwhelming but with praying friends, my trusty Bible, and the strength of The Savior.....I rejoice in His kindness and goodness. So.....I decided to do a little cozy tea and coffee time. Thinking of my darling daughter Kara in England and her love of tea time...... well......I indulged. I had been wanting to use my newest find, a little antique glass dome just perfect for two yummy cookies! I placed the dome on an antique French limoges I have had since Steve and I first married. The darling cups I purchased fifteen years ago at an antique shop in Jackson, Mississippi! The flowers are from my garden, the linens from my mother in law, and the sterling flatware from a shop in Newport, RI, purchased years ago. There is no doubt, all these little touches together made everything work together for a good afternoon tea time.....a perfect pick me up to a day spent thinking about those I love and have made, or are making, my life worth living! You see dear friend, God goes to enormous measures to bring little things that happen in our lives to a place of working it all together for good. Romans 8:28 says this much better! Each of us must practice the art of contentment, sometimes waiting for it all to fall into place. "Now Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content". I Timothy 6:6~9. Tea time helps the British to enjoy a tranquil and balanced spirit. It is a comfort time for them. I like that! I hope to share tea again with my American-British daughter. I feel better already!!!! Here's to Tea or Coffee! Have a blessed day my friends!

Beautiful Chairs.....for Sitting

Where do you like to sit? A chair, a bench, a beach chair, or perhaps a blanket on the grass! I prefer a nice comfortable chair! Above are some pretty ones from Lee Chairs and my favorites from Hickory Chair. These days most of us do not have the time for much sitting because we are a people on the go. Busy, busy! When we stop and LISTEN, even for a few brief moments, our lives are more balanced and we are wiser when we are refreshed by pleasant and good words. In the Bible in Luke 11:38-42 the true story is shared about two sisters who welcomed a visitor into their home in Bethany.......the visitor was Jesus! Martha was distracted with all her preparations but Mary was seated and listened to the Lord's word. She was seated, the Scriptures say, at His feet! How much more beautiful could life be than to be seated at the Lord's feet? Many overlook the "also" in verse 39, meaning Martha sat too, so both sisters DID listen to Jesus although Martha perhaps was the one busy with all the preparations. Both of these women reveal unique spiritual gifts with which they lovingly served God. They remind us as I stated above the importance of balancing personal devotion with practical duties. Each sister gave to Jesus out of their individual hearts. Such inspiration for each of us today.....give as you can, but "also" take time to listen. Enjoy this wonderful day, my friend!

Italian Cypress

Until I visited France, I had no idea what I was missing! As many of you know......I go on and on about France.....but I love it! The beautiful Italian Cypress trees are everywhere in France, in villages and the countryside used in landscaping and growing naturally. This week I am visiting Austin, Texas where one of my dear daughters lives for my fourth visit to this area. Italian Cypress are found, it seems, everywhere here....... used in landscapes and parks! Very, very beautiful. When I am back home, I plan to plant a few in our yard! The pictures below give you an idea of how they can be incorporated into your landscaping. The first four photos I took in France and the last one also in St. Remy de Provence! The others I found on the Internet and liked the way they were used! Whether standing alone or in a line they seem to really make a perfect statement!































"And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good!" Genesis1:11. God prepared this wonderful world for us to live in long before we had the privilege to enjoy living here! The beauty of the natural world whether it is found in the flowers growing wildly, the fruit from the trees, or the herbs of the fields.....God gave us these natural blessings. We must and should teach our children and future generations the joys of taking the time to grow fruits and vegetables and eat properly foods in their most natural state. Be blessed today my friends....the earth is full of the glory and goodness of the Lord!

Our Newest Family Member

The Lord has blessed our daughter, Kristen and her family with a new baby boy! He is precious! His name is John Brian. Below him are his big brother and sisters! Children are truly a gift! We are so happy for their sweet family!








And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us: And if we know that He hears us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him. I John 5:14-15

Soft Whites......and wise words.....

These images above inspired me and hope they will you....from other places.....Pinterest, Rachel Ashwell, Annelle Primos, and the white flower from my garden....hope you have a blessed and special Saturday!

An Act of Service......

This magnificent work of art is today found in Then Grand Louvre museum in Paris. The appearance of the folds of the fabric in the sculpture and the hours of work so truly obvious show hours and hours of service for this artist who created The Winged Victory! The artist transformed a piece of stone into a beautiful and now treasured work of art! I could never place myself even near this sort of talent but as a seamstress and decorator, I see my job when sharing or designing something for someone's home as an act of service. Listening to what they need, then setting about my work to accomplish their desires. I enjoy serving others. It is a blessing for me, one I do not get to do often enough. There are many more opportunities I pray are ahead to give and share what is in my heart and the many ideas in my mind! Being hopeful about the future is wonderful. It is good. God's words are full of hope about serving others and especially living for HIM as we serve. Romans 11:33 says "Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements and His ways past finding out!". He desires to share HIS wisdom with us, to give us opportunities to be of service to others. Where and how does this begin? I believe we first must come before Him humbly, repentant, seeking, and ask. We must be willing to be transformed from a sometimes stony heart by HIM.....every part.....mind, will, and emotions then we can clearly see the will of God and the joys He desires us to share as we go about each day living, loving, and serving those within our midst. Life is about others! I hope your day is filled with an opportunity for a grand victory of loving service! May I share these lovely verses about a Living Sacrifice! 

Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

REAL BEAUTY........

Of late, it seems the airways are back at it.....defining "BEAUTIFUL" for our young women and even those of us who are progressing in age! Personally, I feel extremely blessed to be a woman today. Being a woman, being whole, being healthy~ both emotionally, physically, and intellectually~is not always easy but if approached sensibly, we can arrive in a good place. A truly beautiful woman feels good about herself on the inside(her heart or soul). Her life is filled with positive images and positive relationships. It has taken her a while to get there, most often. There are people who sometimes tatter and tear at life and unknowingly at times rip apart the image that God imagined. This can begin many times in childhood and progresses through preteen and teenage years and then on into college and perhaps even adulthood. My heart breaks for a girl or a woman with an image of imperfection and feeling that this will keep her from fulfilling her dreams. I admit, there were times I too struggled, but nothing compared to women today (of any age). The constant need for celebrity updates, the latest fashion trends, magazines with flawless images (which are perfectly airbrushed) add to this trend of being less than beautiful. My prayer and my desire is to see young women and older women return to the right places for their definitions of beauty and happiness. There is nothing like a real example of beauty. If you are a Mother and have a daughter, she looks to you for this image and definition. Words have a lasting impact. A beautiful woman is known by her physical appearance and includes the facets of voice, countenance, and personal qualities that make her who she is. When we look at her we see her as someone unique and special. If you struggle with self-image let me urge you to turn to the Bible for God's definition of beauty. "Look to HIM and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed". Psalm 34:5. Beauty comes from surrounding yourself with the right people, right images and thoughts and the right words. We have to protect ourselves from wrong images and people who seek less than our best. Please do not let another rob you of your joy! Joy and gladness can fill your heart daily when you take the time to fill your spirit with uplifting words, soothing music, and the nature around you! Add a little laughter and you are there!!! It is refreshing to breathe the air and look UP to the ONE who formed you and made you, YOU! Psalm 139

The poster above came from a blog I ran across the other day! It is a blog called Lavender and Lilies! Just simply beautiful!

Thoughts for Easter Weekend.....

Mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Write a long overdue love note. Hug someone tightly and whisper, "I love you so." Forgive an enemy. Be gentle and patient with an angry person. Gladden the heart of a child. Find the time to keep a promise. Make or bake something for someone else. Anonymously. Release a grudge. Listen. Speak kindly to a stranger. Enter into another's sorrow. Smile. Laugh a little. Laugh a little more. Take a walk with a friend. Lessen your demands on others. Play some beautiful music during the evening meal. Apologize if you were wrong. Turn off the television and talk. Treat someone to an ice-cream cone (yogurt would be fine). Do the dishes for the family. Pray for someone who helped you when you hurt. Fix breakfast on Saturday morning. Give a soft answer even though you feel strongly. Encourage an older person. Point out one thing you appreciate most about someone you work with or live near. Offer to babysit for a weary mother. From: Chuck Swindoll





Most of all just enjoy the life God has so graciously given you........

Hands and Gloves

Before the days of hand sanitizer, children and adults wore gloves! By the time I was a little girl, we wore gloves to Sunday school and church and other special occasions. These little memories of childhood are still fun for me to think about! I am fascinated by hands, perhaps because using mine bring me the most happiness whether sewing, cooking, gardening, writing a note, or most importantly touching with a hug or a kiss someone I care about and love. Did you know that over one third of our five million touch receptors are centered in our hands?!? [Sensation and perception: an integrated approach.....a book by Harvey Schiffman]. Through study, he and other professionals have found that some blind people are being taught to read without Braille, by seeing through their fingertips! That seems unreal! In the Bible there is much written about laying on of the hands and it was always used in passing a blessing on to another person or a family member. Hugs and kisses were a part of meaningful touch pictured in the Scriptures. In another study, Dr. Dolores Krieger, a professor of nursing at New York University, has made numerous studies on the effects of laying on of the hands and touch. What she found is that both the touched and the one being touched receive a physiological benefit. Inside our bodies is hemoglobin, the pigment of the red blood cells, which carries oxygen to the tissues. Dr. Krieger found both people's hemoglobin levels go up during the laying on of the hands. Body tissues receive more oxygen during this time and can even aid in regenerative process if a person is ill. This speaks volumes to me about the importance of hands. Hands communicate love and acceptance and blessing. I read this in a wonderful book I have called, THE BLESSING. I think the prior generations were wise to cover their hands and protect them for the purpose of what God truly intended for our hands. If you are SO blessed to have a little child, think of the first time he or she reached out their hand to touch you. As a mother, there is nothing more beautiful than a little baby recognizing your face and you realizing this.....it is a most holy moment between mother and child.....a bonding that can last forever when nurtured and treasured. I hope you have some special moments to lay your hands on someone for a blessing. It is truly healing and a gift!!!


These beautiful gloves fit the hands of my late grandmother, Virginia! A beautiful reminder for me of all the love she shared through her hands! I know I was loved.....I have the proof....her gloves.