It's Christmas in Fairhope!!!!

It's Christmas in Fairhope where three of our daughters live and from the decorations in their homes, it is promising to be a holiday that entices everyone to settle in for joy and gladness. This lovely entrance is in Kristen and Brian's home where the house is filled with warm sunlight and a very cozy feeling. It was just the right spot for their family to host all of us for a small party honoring our daughter, Kara Ann and her engagement to her boyfriend, Phil. Phil is from England so his gentlemen ways and proper ways caught even Kara off guard on a recent stroll through Central Park in New York City. Phil dropped to his knee and made a very sweet proposal to Kara. They were able to share the Thanksgiving holiday with us and we all couldn't be more excited for them! They have dated for three years and met while both were students at The University of Reading in the UK.
Celebrating the season in style with a brand new shiny ring on a very special left finger! Congratulations Kara and Phil! We look forward to sharing the months ahead as the two of you plan your wedding! May God bless you both as you prepare your hearts to honor Him in this most special engagement period. Our prayers are with you both!

A Thanksgiving Table for Sharing........

This beautiful book COME TO THE TABLE was a gift to me last year by a dear friend. It is a book about food, fellowship, and a celebration of God's bounty as the cover so beautifully details. If you have a few extra dollars this season, it is a book you will enjoy all year! The writers' celebrate the goodness of God and the special ways that He brings forth food on the earth....which strengthens mans heart.


"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." III John 2 This is a beautiful time of the year when our hearts begin to turn closely to home and to family and friends that we love and care about. One of the glorious attributes that God has graciously bestowed upon a woman is the joy of nurturing and loving those around us. The result of spending time alone with God results in a quality of life, commitment, dedication, and action that is in line with His Word. He is there to help us on the road or succeed in each task that is before us. Thanksgiving and Christmas give us many opportunities to love and encourage those in our lives. I want to encourage you to celebrate God's bounty and make your table lovely for all to enjoy. We are blessed to be alive and to have another day and another Thanksgiving season to celebrate God's bounty and prosperity in our lives. May you know that God loves and accepts you as you come to HIS TABLE and He is there to listen, listen, and listen and He fully offers acceptance, blessing and refreshment and forgiveness. He is a God of goodness and GRACE! "Oh taste and see that the Lord is good: Blessed is the man or woman who trusts HIM!" Psalm 34:17

LIVE EVERDAY DAY TO THE FULLEST!!!!

Birthday Girl......Ava Grace

I could say many wonderful things about Ava but she has LIFE! She is artistic, bright, quick, happy, perceptive, inquisitive, athletic, "wild", and just an all round bundle of energy. She celebrated her birthday on November 11, turning five years old! She is such a special girl and I would say little girl, but Ava Grace is pint size but enormous in personality. She totally lights up a room with her personality. Ava was ALL about what a birthday should be~HAPPY! She woke up happy and her Mom, Kristen, had her breakfast ready! Ava enjoys eating her boiled eggs (at her request) European style in her egg cup, cracking her egg and then delicately eating it with a spoon. She brings so much joy to our lives and our family! She had a very special day! Her Dad purchased her an American Girl Doll named Julie and she was SO thrilled and suprised when she opened her gift! It was a joy to share in her special day! I believe GREAT experiences will come to her in her special life. Thank you dear Lord for sharing this special child with our family! HAPPY BIRTHDAY AVA GRACE!

Decorating for Comfort......

Both of these rooms are all about function, comfort, and living life. As I plan window treatments for clients, I try to listen and create something both functional, and with a touch of warmth. In both these rooms, one is my own home and the other my daughter, Kristen's home. We both wanted to create a space where family and friends could really enjoy just being together. This time of year our homes are busy places with family and friends gathering for the holidays and just dropping by for a visit. It's not so much about the decoration for the holidays as the mood that you want to create which can be accomplished with inexpensive items. I hope that when someone comes to your home that they arrive happy to see you and leave feeling loved and accepted for who they are. I hope that you can turn your home into an inviting place by making it a place of comfort. So......as you decorate your home for the holidays, give some thought to how people connect with one another. People connect better in a circle or a more intimate placement of furniture where they can look at each other and talk and connect.

Enjoy the days and weeks ahead......organize your time and your efforts will pay off. I will leave you with some precious thoughts as you prepare........

"Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness." Mother Teresa

"To speak kindly does not hurt the tongue."

"You can preach a better sermon with your life than your lips."

"We've got to build a better man/woman before we build a better world."

Blessings to you this lovely fall evening!!!!

A Very Special Place.......

This room holds many treasures. It is one of those rooms that is just for the treasures that it holds. It is meant to be a place that is familiar to those who come and go. The bedroom furniture was purchased 23 years ago at an antique market which was being held outdoors at the fairgrounds in Charlotte, North Carolina. We had just recently moved there from California and I found the beds and loved them! I asked my sweet husband to go and try and buy them for two of our daughters' and he came home with the beds, a dresser, and a high boy dresser! I was so excited. Today the room has sort of turned into a place where our kids come home to stay when they are in town. It has been a comfortable place to be. Most recently, when my grandmother passed away at 99 years of age, she left to me a beautiful quilt on the bed on the left made "before 1880" by my great-great grandmother, Virginia Bradley Murphy. On the right bed, she had given me this quilt in 1982. It was made by my great-great grandmother Harris in the late 1880's. I feel very blessed to have these in my home. The shell mirror was made by my daughter, Shelly, from sea shells she collected in one afternoon on the gulf coast of Alabama. The mirror is perfectly aligned. It is like a work of art if you look closely. I just love it!!! Needless to say.....this is a special room. There are books of the travels of our children and special photographs of their lives. The little cowboy boots were Steven's. He wore them....out! Literally! Life is meant to be lived and enjoyed and who would have dreamed that five generations ago when my great, great grandmothers were sewing, I wonder if they knew the love and admiration that I would have for their work and love would be felt and cherished in my home 130 years later. Yes....love does matter. Love and enjoy your family.......it matters!

Happy Fall and Happy Halloween to All the little ones....

Thought for a fall day...."There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." Albert Einstein! Enjoy the day that was made for children to enjoy eating candy, candy, and more candy!

Many Angels Around the Throne.....

Last week, I watched a documentary on the book of Revelation and although the commentator was very convincing about many of the revelations of the book, which I had read on occasions before, I decided to take a while and read the book again. I was most interested in the interpretation of the seven seals that would be opened in the last days. As I read I was touched by the realization that once again....there will be a new place prepared for us as Believers one day, it is true that we are destined for triumph! This sculpture in the picture was larger than life and most likely, it is Mary in the middle but the angels on the sides were beautiful and as I read the scriptures in Revelation 5:11-12, I could almost envision what I had seen and was in awe of what God has planned for our future and for the great privilege of Worship! "Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders, and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!" We can reign now and bless His Name on earth by our worship, our prayers, and our witness in word and deed. "Yes....it is true!" How do I know He lives.....He lives within my heart! May the grace of our Lord be with you!

A Custom Design......

~A BEAUTIFUL LIVING ROOM FROM HOUSE BEAUTIFUL MAGAZINE~

Design for a living space will most likely take you a while to plan, to save the funds for your plans, to shop for and to accomplish your design goal. I always advise to look at books and magazines that "jump" out at you. I have many favorites but I lean toward a style that is inviting and comfortable. I enjoy a room where people can relax, put their feet up, and just be themselves. Those are the best kind of places because usually they are cozy and warmth is sensed immediately when you walk in the room. One thing a room shouldn't say is "LOOK at ME".....in other words, you want the people invited to your home to feel like they really want to be there and that you didn't spend hours making it look like a show place....it should be just what it is.... YOUR HOME! Our homes can and should be the very dwelling place of God because He is our most treasured guest! God has gifted you in special ways and "He is available to shepherd you according to the integrity of HIS heart. And He can guide you dear friend by the skillfulness of HIS Hands." Psalm 78:72 So...don't be afraid to step out there and do anything you want to do. It might be something as simple as painting a picture frame or trying to sew a pillow for your sofa. Designers spend hours in training to be skillful. You can do it too with just a hour here or there......I always put my projects on hold until I have the time to complete them. It is much more rewarding to be fresh in your work. Here's another picture of one of my favorite rooms HOUSE BEAUTIFUL has ever published by a designer. Enjoy the picture.....

Even In a Kitchen......Miracles Can Happen!

Love this KITCHEN!!!! It's from my favorite magazine.....House Beautiful!



Dinner All Set For Two in our KITCHEN!!!

Did you know that God knows you by your name and calls you by your name? The Almighty, all-powerful, El Shaddai, calls you by your name. Everything you need, He is capable of bestowing upon you, that very gift! He even loves you so dearly and generously that He provides His angels charge over you to care for you and to keep you! Because He has set His love upon you, every morning, noon, and night, He is available to transform difficult and impossible circumstances in your life!!! We can welcome the overruling power of God's presence into any situation we face! Just Pray "Your kingdom come, Your will be done--HERE....even as I am praying in my kitchen!!!" Let me encourage you to set up a place for God's throne to enter by filling your life's settings (perhaps a special room in your house) with PRAISE! PRAISE opens the Heavens and allows God's Glory to flow to His children. "And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us, yes, establish the work of our hands." Psalm 90: 16-17 He knows us by NAME and His majestic love establishes the work of our hands.....whether it be in the kitchen, which is much of mine, or whether it be caring for your little ones, or actually whatever your hand finds you doing! God is with you! I hope that you will know that you are "IN HIS PRESENCE" no matter what you are doing.

More of New York.......

Kara worked so hard while at the University of Mississippi to achieve her degree in merchandising and while in her senior year, she earned an internship at Marimekko. Little did she know what God had in store for her.......she now has a management position on the Upper East Side of New York City! We are so proud of her. I had such a great time with her and while we were there, Phil celebrated his birthday one evening at a great true Italian restaurant in the East Village. The first picture is of the two of them outside the restaurant. The picture of "ELOISE" was taken at The Plaza Hotel, which is a beautiful place when you are in the city! I do love New York and have gotten very comfortable with being there! Three out of our five children have now called New York home....plus a son-in-law!

A Talent.....

"One may lack talent for doing great things, as men count greatness, but one's station in life does not determine greatness in the sight of God. He looks for dedicated hearts carrying prayerful burdens. God longs for those who work at prayer." Dick Eastman

This beautiful quote sums up my heart as I walked through and prayed in so many beautiful churches and cathedrals on my trip to New York last week. I was blessed beyond measure as I walked in each one at the silent reverence for the Lord sensed there.
Inner peace and tranquility can be ours regardless of circumstances. I was thinking one day, as I was there for six days, visiting Kara, that God used most likely men, maybe immigrants, from a foreign land to construct the amazing cathedrals in the city. Each man who worked on the construction probably did not have a high station in life by the world's idea of greatness but look what they did for the Glory of God and His majesty and for many generations to come blessings will flow from these places of worship. All of us have a foundation on which we build......may you find your foundation in a quiet trust in the Lord God.

The remainder of the pictures are of our cute, cute, cute hotel room, a boutique hotel in Midtown and time spent at the store Kara is now managing! My brother and sister joined me for one night and a day to celebrate our Grandmother's 100th birthday on October 1st. We had a great time.

Providence...."Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days." Ecclesiates 11:1

Many Scriptures in the Bible tell us that God desires for us to prosper. III John 2 says, "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." It is clear that God wants His children to prosper. Prosperity comes as a result of a quality of life, commitment, dedication, and action that is in line with God's Word. When we prosper or succeed, we've been helped on the road of life in an ongoing, progressing state of success and well being that comes at the Hand of a loving God providing direction and guidance for our daily needs. God intends for every area of our lives, the spiritual, the physical and emotional, and the material to be in balance. Then, true prosperity comes. "Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant." Psalm 35:27 God is pleased when His servants prosper. May you be safe, well, happy, healthy, and in peace. Daily may you and I find ourselves at the foot of the Cross in search of those provisions. May you prosper dear friend in every aspect of your life.....go ahead....Cast your bread upon the waters and after many days, I know you will find it. Blessings to you, ALWAYS!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KACIE ELIZABETH......

THE HEAVENS REJOICED AND THE ANGELS WERE SINGING WHEN THIS PRECIOUS BABY GIRL ARRIVED!!!

The Lord your God is in your midst....The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing!" Zephaniah 3:17

Happy Birthday to our Kacie! It seems like only yesterday, that we were thrilled that the Lord brought Kacie into our world on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. At the time, I was a LaLeche League Leader and many of my friends were having home births. We prepared in every possible way and decided we would have our baby in a birthing room and bring her home as early as possible. The doctor released us just two hours after she was born and we brought her home. Looking back, I suppose we took risks on that day, but we were young, prepared, and wanted to be as natural as possible. That evening my entire family and Steve's parents were gathered around in awe at this beautiful baby that we had been blessed to receive. Kacie is such a gentle and kind spirit and I believe that God has had His loving Hand on her from that very day for someone special. She has so many gifts but she grew up just naturally loving the Lord~always. She is a true witness and has a wisdom that is rare and deep. Many people witness with their words, Kacie witnesses with her life....through her movements, her love for others, her ability to stay calm in the storm, and her gentle spirit of love and goodness. She is frugal, can stretch a dollar further than anyone I know, likes simplicity in her home, and always throws a beautiful party with her eclectic style. She loves the Lord, Josh, Luke, Isabel, her family and friends, Anthropolgie, pedicures, to laugh, to sing, to dance, and to care....which she does freely. She was blessed to meet the love of her life in Josh and he has so many wonderful qualities that esteem and compliment Kacie and now to watch them with their beautiful Luke and Isabel is amazing! I thought having five kids was a big deal until I watched Kacie and Josh with their twins~it is hard work and they amaze me with their organization and happiness in every task they undertake. You are wished a very special and Happy Birthday and yes.....You are a Princess!!!! At 30, you do however become a Queen!!!!

The Guest Room

Kristen and Brian now have officially unpacked and are settling into their beautiful new home. Remember the Headboard a few posts ago.......she took it to a new level! I loved it when I saw this room! Great job Kristen!