Weekend Plans....

I hope you have a SPECIAL weekend planned!  It is a time to celebrate with family and friends and enjoy and entertain outdoors!  You can create a charming retreat for your guests with little effort if you plan in advance!  But who does these days?  I say.....just enjoy the moments and the time with the ones you love!


The grass is trimmed, the flowers clipped, the fridge is full, the drinks are on hand, the children are happy and ALL the freedoms we share are part of the BLISS!  I love our country and am so thankful to be an American!  May we celebrate and remember those who helped to give us our freedoms!


Today I am preparing for the rest of my family to arrive, those that are within driving distance.  The two who cannot be with us will be missed most dreadfully but they are ALWAYS in my heart and my spirit!  I am busy making plans because I love it shower my family with love.  To me that is the joy of mothering.....being able to dote on them, prepare their favorite meals, and love on them and their children. I know my husband shares these sentiments!  Every season of life just is better and better!  


From Victoria:  "These are the moments when sizzling days give way to sultry nights~when the breeze is a blessing and the shade is a sanctuary."  I am hoping that your home becomes a sanctuary not only for you but for all those who dwell within.  Blessings for a Happy Memorial Day long weekend!  

Home and House of Style.....

Home is a reflection of who we are and all we love~a place for family, friends, laughter, and tears.  A mix of cultures past and cultures present.  A place we are loved and accepted.  In my own home, I try to capture a mood of love, joy, kindness, and fun for everyone who enters.  My home continues to evolve and I  like that. It changes as I change.  The things that I enjoy bringing into my decor' are the pieces of places I have traveled or books about interesting places and people.  Edith Wharton is one of my favorite interior designers of the past because her style is still relevant today and for todays families.  She was also a novelist, but her first published book, The Decoration of Houses, had an enormous impact on the emerging field of interior design in 1897 when she was a mere 35 years old!  The text described how rooms should be elegantly furnished in a style appropriate to the architecture of the house but arranged to accommodate the needs of modern life.  That was 1897!  She aimed the book at the wealthy elite of East Coast society and referenced the European palaces and manor houses she had visited on trips abroad with her family.  She sounds like a progressive woman even for the times!


In my own, I try to keep one room straight. The pictures above are of  that room~our Library room.  We use it for reading and just a place to be! Recently we've added a sisal rug and it makes it even more our relaxed style. The rest of the house can me lived in, filled with toys for my little grand children and their art work on the tables instead of prepared for fine dining but that is okay because I want a home that is full of love!  The home of my dreams is truly when all my loved ones are with me!


In the Bible, God speaks of entertaining Angels.  He reminds us do not forget to entertain even strangers because some have entertained angels unaware.  I think He sends us these Angels (people) at unexpected times.  Times when we need to be reminded what is truly important and what is truly of value.  A heart full of the love of Christ cannot help but overflow onto to guest within our homes.  Fill your heart today with the love of God....we are encouraged to look first into our own hearts.....a heart full of the fruits of the spirit cannot help but see something good in another.  Here's to a love~filled day!!!

Sleek, Chic, and Really, Really Cute!

I snapped this cute outfit in the window of a store in southern France!

I loved everything about it!  The skirt, the length of the skirt, the color of the top, and the pop of color in the scarf, my favorite, PINK, and the adorable belt!  Oh to wear this, one would be perfectly adorned!

Trust me, with four daughters, I am always on the hunt for a cute outfit!  They always look so together whenever I am with any of them.  Even in their workouts they look good!  It seems that I will always be working on looking good in my workouts too!!!  I jog for exercise and I enjoy eating healthy meals!  I ask though, is this enough?  Should I do more?  I believe that our lives, our faces, our bodies all reflect the life we live.  From the moment of birth, we begin to age and so we really should be giving careful attention to our overall health and quality of life.  That means desiring spiritual health of the soul also.

I don't know about you....but I want His thoughts to fill my soul.  There are times that this journey of life is difficult but I believe that God is involved in everyday of our lives, always, always, always at work..... and if we truly give Him each day of our lives, balance will come in every area and our reflection will look more like He intended.  This reflection is sort of like a mirror that we look at as we are dressing each day.  Our desire is to look a certain way.  We want "the look" to all  come together.  God has this desire for us also because He loves us and cares......  We can begin to reflect Him by coming to Him with awe and reference.  We have to desire to stop and look toward Him, into His heart.  Earlier in the week, I spoke of the importance of Praise.   Josh McDowell says, "There is something about expressing your appreciation to God in words, song, and meditation that solidifies your faith.  The Book of Psalms is the Bible's hymnal of praise.  The more you praise God for being who He is-a loving God who judges righteously~the more you can act upon your belief of what He is~eternal love."  Love radiates out of a person who has been with Jesus.  Love gives.  Love shares.  Love envelopes another.  It is never about self.  It is always about others.  Give yourself away to others and you won't have to worry about your cute outfit or your exercise routine to make you look good.  Oh, it helps to stay fit but a person who looks to the Lord radiates the Lord.  True intimacy with God is being confident that what we reveal about ourselves will be understood and that the person with whom we disclose ourselves will accept us, seek our good, and communicate, support and love. Very much like a loving parent.  When one gives their life to Jesus Christ, a covenant is formed that can never or ever be broken.  His banner over you and me is LOVE........ so in todays language, take that banner and wrap it around your neck like a scarf!!!  Beautifully adorned!  Have a wonderful weekend!!!!

Avignon

On The Bridge Of Avignon

On the bridge of Avignon,

See them dance, see them dance!

On the bridge of Avignon,

They trip around, retire, advance;

Gallant swains bend low, like this,

And once again do so, like this.

On the bridge of Avignon,

See them dance, see them dance!

On the bridge of Avignon,

They trip around, retire, advance;

Fair ladies curtsey low, like this,

And once again do so, like this.

See them dance, see them dance,

On the bridge of Avignon.

In Avignon, in southern France there is a beautiful bridge that was built between 1175 and 1185.  The majority of it collapsed during a monumental flooding in 1668.  The bridge is not so much for dancing today as it is to be appreciated for its beauty of four arches that remain of the original twenty-two that once crossed the Rhone River and connected Avignon with the village of Villeneuve-les-Avignon.  The story goes that a local shepherd boy, Saint Benezet, claimed that angels appeared to him in a dream and told him to build a bridge across the Rhone.  His dream was dismissed as nonsense until, by some miracle, he single-handedly lifted a massive block of stone~an impossible feat for any one person.  Saint Benezet became a hero overnight and funds were found to build his "dream" bridge.  He is buried in the small chapel above one of the remaining arches.  Some believe that angels watch over anyone who enters the walled city of Avignon.  I  do believe that too.  I think Kara and I were watched over on our visit there.

The beautiful bridge!

There are days that I want to be enclosed inside a walled city....... or so it seems.  You know, when you have a desire to slow down and be enclosed by only people and places who are uplifting.  Those who love you for who you are and accept you for who you are.  It seems that Avignon offers this security within its walls.  Avignon is a city to be celebrated...........let us dance, let us dance and be free to be who we were meant to be!  Dreams really do come true!  Please don't be afraid to dream!  Sweet dreams, my friend!

~The beautiful little chapel up close~

A Pink House....in England!

 Oh to live in a Pink House!  I wonder what is inside!

I am thinking......tea cups with roses on them, white sheets with pink pillows,

white bath towels with a pale pink monogram, and..........

 A magnificent array of colorful flowers selected from LIBERTY in London!

 Perhaps a throw pillow or two with a gorgeous flower for a pop of color!

 And of course.....WHITE LINENS!!!

Whatever your day holds, wherever you live, or on a lighter note where your house is located.....there is someone who loves you and cares about you in every way!  In prayer, we are more than able to give God our plans for this day and KNOW that He will show us the way, provide for us in every way, enclose us in HIS Love.  During the day, if you will go often into His Presence, you can relax your mind.  Being with Him equals peace.  You can let go of "figuring it all out" or "getting it all right."  He is trustworthy and able.  He is Your REFUGE!  Psalm 91:1~ 2  His desire is to shelter you ......after all, He is the Most High God!

"For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord.  Plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope."  Jeremiah 29:11

French Influences......

 Fountains and Courtyards are around every corner in France!

~This one is in St. Remy de Provence~

 ~Entrances make a statement~

The doors are ornate, beautiful and grand!

~Each home has a unique character~

~House Beautiful~

I am able to imagine this beautiful dining room in any one of these fine homes!

~House Beautiful~

~ A French sofa  makes a single statement in this entry in New Orleans~

A blend of influences helps me to decorate my own home.  Through the years of collecting and homemaking, having a  large family has greatly influenced my style.  When the girls were young, I found two beautiful antique twins beds at an antique market in Charlotte, North Carolina.  I sent my husband back to look at them and he came home not only with the beautiful beds but with a dresser and a highboy that matched.  How sweet!  How surprised!  They still grace our home today.  Your home should be a place where memories made are the treasures that grace each life living there.  It hopefully is not about just things but words, moments, and pieces that make our lives and those we love feel more comfortable and warm.  Home is about creating a place for people to sense and receive acceptance and love.  

It is yet to be seen, how a recent trip to France will influence future decorating ideas!  I truly enjoyed taking photos of "doors"! Doors leading inside can say just about anything!  What does your front door say?  Given the influence that pictures hold, I hope these images remind you that it doesn't matter where we live, it is how we live that is important.  Create a home that is warm and welcoming each time a friend or a family member arrives. 

In honor of Mother's Day........I am reminded a mother is the center of the home and always the heart of the home.  Such a beautiful thought to start Mother's Day Weekend!  Happy Mother's Day to all my beautiful friends who are Mothers or  those who have a mother's heart! To be a mother is to be overwhelmingly blessed.  God has graciously given me a loving husband and five children, their spouses, and five beautiful grandchildren who are healthy and cheerful!  Thankful, thankful, thankful!!!  Being a mother has taught me to never doubt the faithfulness of God!  To Him, I offer, ALL Praise, Honor, and Glory!!!!

A Beautiful Pathway.......

Stourhead Landscape Gardens ~ England

Children love to walk down unknown paths!  Give them a little space and they are off......fast and furious!  We are like that too, we walk down unknown paths each day looking for the right way.  Many times we are off, like children, fast and furious without stopping to think of where the path might lead us.  It could be that we actually walk down a road without asking for clear direction or it could be words we use that lead others down the wrong path.  Either way, it is wise to remember that we have a Heavenly Father who delights to show us the right way to go.  The basic way to begin is putting the spotlight on our Father in Heaven.  I call it a Praise Pathway.  Here is the most basic reason for our praise to God.  HE IS WORTHY TO BE PRAISED!  The Hebrew word haiai means "praise with a loud voice", causing Him to shine.  It has been proven that sunshine is of great value to our mood and outlook on life.  How much more will praise introduce the light of God and bring us into the pathway of JOY in the Lord!  I am praying today that God's Heavenly Sunshine will light your day and guide your path in a way that brings Glory and Honor to Him and gives you exactly what you are needing today.  "Seek ye first the kingdom of God........"  Matthew 6:33

"You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."  Psalm 16:11

The Path led to this.........one never knows what is just around the bend!

"I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised!"  

Psalm 18:3

Simplicity and Elegance....

This beautiful and simple dinner invitation is at The La Mirande in Avignon, France!

Simplicity is a way of life!  Less is always best!  In every walk of life when we allow the clutter to escape, the real beauty is unveiled.  What goes into the room when one is decorating says much about the ambience, beauty, and style one is looking to create.

Take time today to clean away the clutter ~ start with your own heart and soul and then move to your surroundings......you will find a peace and joy flooding your soul!  

Blessings to you always dear one on this magnificent and beautiful day.....called LIFE!  Enjoy!

Paris and St. Remy de Provence

Prayerfully and hopeful let your life become an open door for others......always!

"Come in......I have been waiting for you!"

 Le Marais ~ Paris
An old, old Jewish neighborhood full of cute shops!
Street after street looked like postcards!

 Flower Markets are everywhere in Paris!

Strolling streets........a favorite pastime!

 Magnificent Paris

Chocolate shops.....EVERYWHERE!!

Reminders of the sights!

Palais des Papes

Avignon

Every church or cathedral gave us a  wonder and a sense of awe of our Mighty God!

Norwich Cathedral
This beautiful Cathedral has stood for over 900 years as a presence of Christian worship in the heart of Norfolk in Norwich!  It is a mere 15 minute walk from Kara and Phil's home.  They can see it from their window each morning!  

 A lovely interior in Avignon!

 Beautiful courtyard in Provence

 Enjoying a glass of Rose'

Saint Remy de Provence
Even the simplest exterior becomes beautiful!

A few days in Paris and one becomes transported to a different time and place!  Parisians do not rush about anything....they have their coffee with leisure, they enjoy their meals with much conversation, they listen, they laugh, they enjoy LIFE!  Then, they have dessert and a latte or perhaps a class of rose'  They enjoy their wine slowly and with conversation.  The beauty of their city is everywhere!  


The history of the world is everywhere in France!  Strolling through the narrow stone streets of Paris or Saint Remy de Provence the evening is cool and the surroundings are quiet.  I am aware, even as I write this, of the softness of the lighting and the particular mood that is everywhere.  Sidewalk cafes become "rooms" where friends gather to enjoy conversation and each other.  Differences seem to fade. I understand now why people have a ongoing love affair with France, and particularly Provence!  There is a balance and a harmony only found there.


The art, the flowers, the gardens, the vineyards, the antique markets, the holiday.....forever etched in my heart!  I miss my daughter, Kara.  I love her so much.  She is so kind.  So sweet.
I hope to go again............if I am blessed!

Chateux neuf du Pape

Trust

Trust is defined by Websters as a confidence in honesty, integrity, reliability of another person or thing.  Sometimes things are entrusted to our care for a period of time for safe keeping.  To be trusted is a valuable quality.  A healthy marriage is based upon mutual trust between two people. I understand that kind of trust because I have been blessed to be in a marriage that is in it's 37th year.  My husband is my best friend and he trusts me each morning as he leaves for work that I will manage my day in a way that will benefit us both in the evening when he returns home.  He knows that I live by my words and that I have his best interests at heart, always.


Are you a person who can be trusted?  I hope so.  God's words to us can be trusted and when we meet the living Lord we are given the opportunity to live in a relationship with HIM that can be a life changing encounter daily.  The "good news" of the Bible can be trusted time and time again as we draw upon His words throughout our daily lives.  Thankfully God speaks to us in a calm quiet voice that speaks of love and kindness.  He can be stern and demanding  when he desires that we follow His ways......... but these words can be fully trusted,  for He is wise and  He sees the whole picture of our lives.


Who trusts you?  In my life, because I have been blessed to be a full time mother, homemaker, and wife, I have depended upon God for many, many situations in our family life.  Our children trust me also.  Our grandchildren trust me.  I am glad.  I want to be trusted and in return, I trust them.  Trust is built one day at a time, doing the things that are as the definition above said.....being honest, being full of integrity, and being kind.  The picture below is a living example of trust.  Isabel trust me.......I want to live a life where she knows that her Nina can be trusted.  "Dear God, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me."


Enjoy the blessed day that God has given you dear one!!!!

England

"Lord, You alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.  You guard all that is mine.  The land You have given me is a pleasant land.  What a wonderful inheritance."  Psalm 16:5-6


That verse speaks to my heart of the time that I was blessed to spend in England with our precious daughter, Kara and her sweet husband Phil. Later we were joined by my sister, Pam.  Together we spent sixteen days in England and in France.  This was my first time to travel to Europe and indeed it was a blessing.  For four months, I read and planned this trip, I guess overly.....but I wanted so much for everyday to be special.


My heart is full to say the least and so for now I will just share a few photos of the 700 that I took!!!  I wouldn't dare bore you with all of them.  They are treasures of treasured times forever imprinted now on my heart.  These photos were taken at Stourhead Gardens and Home in the Dorset region of England.  The film of Pride and Prejudice was filmed in part on the grounds.  The bridge was in the film and the scene where Mr. Darcy declared his feelings of love for Lizzie.  Love is a beautiful and glorious gift!

The Easter Season and the Kingdom of Love......

 ~First Presbyterian Church of Ocean Springs~

 ~Chapel of First Presbyterian Church of Ocean Springs~

~The Episcopal Church of Ocean Springs~

The Easter Season is here!  Throughout the month of April the flowers will be bursting forth with beautiful colors and the trees will be green again with new leaves!  New life is everywhere!  For the Believer in Jesus Christ, this season is a most Holy time.  We seek to prepare our hearts for this season and remember the importance of THE CROSS.  In Jesus' earthly life, the unbelief of leaders and people produced intense resentment against HIM and His claims as King and Savior.  As I read the story of Easter in the Bible what stands out is the glory of Jesus as the Son of man and the Son of God.  His courage, His dignity, His unflinching obedience, His unselfish concern for others, His unswerving faith and commitment to His Father.  He suffered in order to fulfill God's plan for redemption.  Jesus was willing to do the Father's will.  A relationship with our Heavenly Father encourages our faith, especially in moments of weakness. The steps He took to The Cross so willingly for us followed HIS greatest triumph......The  Resurrection!  Easter is about new life and the season of worship and the invitation to be a part of God's kingdom of love.  "It is a kingdom of boundless, glorious, powerful, and transforming love. When you are filled with the glory of that love, when your heart is taken up by the mystery of that love, when what daily fills your heart is deep and worshipful gratitude for the miracle of divine love, then your words begin to be words of love, words of service, words of grace, words of encouragement, words of peace, and words that heal."  Paul David Tripp   Knowing this strength of Christianity we can SEE that it is not outward laws but inward character.  In a transforming way, Christ imprints His nature upon a sinful mind, will and emotions.  When Christ enters a life, He brings His very life-the very soil in which we take root and blossom!  He is a MIGHTY GOD!


Morning, Noon, and Night His redeeming love fills the soul of one who has embraced Christ and the Easter message.  Easter is a time to celebrate our Lord and celebrate with others the love in our hearts and the joy set before us!  These beautiful pictures above represent the importance of worship for Believers from the early 20th century in our little town.  Believers have gathered together each Sunday to embrace and celebrate the joys of fellowship and love, especially at Easter. 


Every season, even though the same flowers sprout up in a spot where they were last year, they are different.  They seem to multiply and grow more beautiful every year.....I think that is picture of how we can be.  Each year we can become more beautiful inward and more aware of who we truly are in Christ! His heart is  truly open and full of love for you!   My prayer is that you enjoy this Easter season and find the time to embrace His love for you and seek to bless others as you yourself have been blessed!  Look up and SEE The Cross!  May the Lord bless you and keep you.....always!

A French Salad....Nicoise!

~Dining Outdoors on the Coast~

Nicoise Salad Recipe

INGREDIENTS

Vinaigrette

• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium shallot, minced
• 1 Tbsp minced fresh thyme leaves
• 2 Tbsp minced fresh basil leaves
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh oregano leaves
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Salad
• 2 grilled or otherwise cooked tuna steaks* (8 oz each) or 2-3 cans of tuna
• 6 hard boiled eggs, peeled and either halved or quartered
• 10 small new red potatoes (each about 2 inches in diameter, about 1 1/4 pounds total), each potato scrubbed and quartered
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 medium heads Boston lettuce or butter lettuce, leaves washed, dried, and torn into bite-sized pieces
• 3 small ripe tomatoes, cored and cut into eighths
• 1 small red onion, sliced very thin
• 8 ounces green beans, stem ends trimmed and each bean halved crosswise
• 1/4 cup niçoise olives
• 2 Tbsp capers, rinsed and/or several anchovies (optional)

METHOD

*Marinate tuna steaks in a little olive oil for an hour. Heat a large skillet on medium high heat, or place on a hot grill. Cook the steaks 2 to 3 minutes on each side until cooked through.

We are truly blessed with our coastal weather in Mississippi!  We may have a thunderstorm one evening but most days the sun does shine!  It's a beautiful and inspiring place to live and the blue skies and the array of color this time of the year is magnificent!  My husband's job brought us to the wonderful place five years ago and it was sort of a new beginning for us!  Not that we really need a new beginning but most of our life has been about change and making our home "work" wherever his profession has taken us!  It has been a beautiful life together!  Like anyone, I miss with being away from our children on a daily basis but the times we are together are wonderful and crazy and always filled with love and fun!  Our children are fun!  The free spirits that we all have has developed in each of us a love to travel and enjoy the world!  My children began early on family holidays to the beach and to cities full of history and historic towns and homes.  We were never afraid to venture across the country to California, Oregon, Washington, Victoria British Columbia or to the northeast to Boston, New York City,  or New Port, Rhode Island and other interesting places in between!  Chicago is one of my favorite cities!!!  I love the shopping on Michigan Avenue.  Our children have traveled the world and their passports are interesting to say the least!  So......I say to venture into England and France should be nothing for me!  Next week I will be meeting Kara in London and we will be off for sixteen days together!  One of my beautiful sisters is also joining us at the end of the first week and we will travel to Paris and then into Provence!  On our final day in France before returning to London, we plan to travel to Nice and dip our feet into the sea and enjoy dinner before our flight leaves Nice for London at nine in the evening!  We can hardly wait!  My daughter's have long said........."Let's go to France!"  It is a standing date when the girls come, moving the chairs into the yard and pouring something nice and cool in their wine glasses!  It is fun!  They have taught me to enjoy life!  This salad has also become a favorite of our family!  I hope you will enjoy making it!  It really doesn't matter where life takes you if your heart and spirit is yielded to God's guiding!  I am most thankful that no matter where we have made our home that HIS loving spirit has been with us.

"The coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah;  They shall feed their flocks there; In the house of Ashkelon they shall lie down at the evening, For the Lord their God will intervene for them and return their captives Zephaniah 2:7  Today as I read that verse from the Bible, God indeed spoke to my heart and peace flooded my soul that I am where I am supposed to be and that God has fed me here and blessed and intervened on my behalf many, many times and He will indeed do the same for you!  God bless you dear friend as you seek to live out your life for him and be nourished by HIS GOODNESS AND LOVE!