French Inspired Toile de Jouy: Part II

Toile de Jouy always looks beautiful to me and continually inspires my love of all things French! Many of the original designs give a unique pictorial view of French history and rural life in the French countryside. The fabric was given the name Jouy from the French town where the fabric was first printed in the 1700's. The most commonly used Toile de Jouy has always been printed using a one color print for repeat design on a white or cream cloth. The most familiar print colours are red, blue, black, and grey. When these beautiful designs are used along side a solid or checked or even a striped fabric they become timeless in a room. 

The charm of a French home seems to be the imperfections found in antiques which makes them so warm and appealing. Finding a new piece of fabric to bring the furnishings back to a new life is what makes the hunt for me so fun! I enjoy the search as much as the work! Each day, we are given a day that is ours. God in His wisdom set the boundaries in the earth of day and night. He made the seasons to give the earth it's growth and it's rest. Do you have seasons of growth and of rest? These times are important in all our lives. I think of the season of childbearing and rearing as one of the important growing seasons of a family. Busy, busy, busy! A Mom rarely has time to sit down and a Dad is busy providing the money for this season in the life of his family. It's interesting that many of the toile de Jouy designs include children and family scenes. 

Families are important in all cultures. Families are strengthened by times together of both work and play. Perhaps that is another reason I love these French fabrics so much as my heart totally loves family times! Yes, each season of life, whether at work or at rest is needed in our lives. We are blessed by an awareness of the value of both. Work brings discipline and order into our lives and the rest balances the work and refreshes us so we can do our best when we return to the workplace, whether this is in our homes or an office away from home. It's very easy to get off the path and conform to the pressures of the world. You know.....work,work,work....get more, get more, see more, be more of what the world says is "success". The beautiful words found in Romans 12:1-2 though call us simply to live a different way. A way and a path where our lives are balanced and beautiful between work and rest. Yes, as ideal as the French countryside scenes we see in the Toile de Jouy fabrics.

 The Scriptures say, "I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

 If we will come early and then often to God in our day, our lives can be transformed into a beautiful tapestry woven by our Heavenly Father. May we seek the Lord's presence in all we do today! Have a blessed and beautiful day!

The Beauty of PINK!

There is a belief that pink interiors are for little girls! I happen to love pink! Practically, when we think of color, we select colors that will be soothing and calming when decorating our homes. Most of the rooms in my home are a creamy white and the color comes from furnishings or accents I have used in the decor. However, the bedrooms are a different story. I selected a soft pink for one of our guest rooms and most people who visit, gravitate to this soulful pink room!

 Actually, pink offers limitless possibilities if you do not go overboard on the shade of pink. The soft shades are beautiful. Perhaps I like it also because it seems to blend well with white. White, like the color of snow reflects more light than any other. In the bedroom that is so popular now, I used accents of white and the good news is by introducing small items of white in various places, they will really pop in a pink room! I used a white coverlet and made pillow shams in shades of cream and white and then added a lovely brocade pillow in silver and pink silk to give the white a bonus pop! Soothing is a good word to describe pink rooms!

A romantic interior is what I am best at creating for others. Everything from the lines in the furniture to the fabric selected for upholstery are combined for just the right look! What has most influenced your approach to decorating? Perhaps it is your mother or a favorite aunt. Perhaps it is a close friend you have admired. I have some lovely French postcards that are soft shades of black and white. The images inspire me.

Our homes do not have to be perfect to be inviting and welcoming. When we greet someone at our door, hopefully our words are welcoming and friendly! After all, people will enjoy visiting and living in your home when you share your joy and your love with them in a place that is both comforting and peaceful! This is what truly makes a home beautiful!!! Have a special weekend! It's Friday!!! 

"She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue are the words of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Many women do noble things but you surpass them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears The Lord is to be praised!" Proverbs 31:26~30

Searching.....for God

"If we have a Godly thirst, it will appear by diligence in frequenting the place and means of grace; brute beasts for want of water will break through hedges, and grace-thirsty souls will make their ways through all encumbrances to come where they may have satisfaction." THOMAS PIERSON........... The psalmist, David, in the Bible, sought God, and only God to meet his needs. Everyday is a GIFT and a wonderful way to draw upon the refreshment that comes when we stop our busy lives to be refilled at His table. May we take refuge in the shelter of Thy wings!

French Toile De Jouy....la vie est belle!

 

A French inspired home is both comfortable and beautiful.  Furnishings in a French home are usually inherited or found here and there at a second hand sale called a Brocante!  The French are famous for their brocantes!  One of my daughters and I happened upon one three years ago in Chateaunuf du pape in southern France.  I still vividly remember the day....... and what I most remember about it is, that I drove there!  We had rented a little French car upon our arrival in Avignon, France via the TGV Train from Paris.  My first venture was realizing the car was not an automatic but a "stick shift"  and SHOCK overcame me quickly!  It had been years since I had driven anything but an automatic but somehow on that fateful day, I remembered how to shift gears! Yes, Divine Intervention!  Directions were all in French, so YES it took a while for the arrival into the walled town of Avignon.  But, we made it and waited another day before I was brave enough to drive to the areas my daughter and I had longed to visit in Provence.  Our destination was a winery for Kara, as she had desired to purchase a vintage wine, in France, for her first wedding anniversary of marriage to Phil.  We enjoyed our drive and laughed and marveled that we were seeing France from a car and I was actually driving!  As we drove into Chateanuf du pape, we noticed a SALE of antiques, which would become our first brocante!  The items for sale were beautiful!  Gorgeous monogrammed linens, stemware, furniture, handmade French sewn layette items and beautiful paintings in beautiful frames.  So much more......one of my treasures that day was a French hand-sewn baby bonnet, which has become a treasure for a future grandchild!

It was there and at that point that I decided that someday, my home would evolve into a French home.  It has been easy, and a comfortable decor' has evolved in our home.  Parts of the things we have found have been accidental and most have been inexpensive.  We purchased a beautiful French sofa and had it totally redesigned.  The sofa was the perfect anchor piece for the setting room.  We framed photographs we had taken on our visits to France and picked up limoges here and there over many years of collecting small items. I love books, so who can ever have enough books about France!

This past year, we became a bit more serious about totally changing out the room with our love of France!  I made French silk drapes in a simple pleated style with buttons at the base of each pleat.  We found two Louis XV chairs at a second hand shop and then I searched and searched for the right fabric.  I decided upon a linen Toile du jouy fabric, which I found on sale.  Again, I waited and interviewed three upholstery professionals before I made my decision.  Waiting eight weeks, finally he was finished.  The room is complete now. The way it has all come together is as important as each individual element found in the room.  Everyday, I am reminded of my love for France and truly....all things French and my love of sharing with others this beautiful and inspiring country and way of life!  Now.....I may just have a Croissant!  la vie est belle! 

Raising Great Kids......(your own way)

"Our words to our children should be like a beautifully wrapped gift tied

with beautiful ribbons on TOP of them!" 

(The Book, Silver Boxes encourages this lovely thought!)

Everybody, or so it seems, has advice these days about how to rear a child.  The advice increases if one is blessed with multiple children!  This advice normally comes from people who feel that they have knowledge and wisdom on child rearing, perhaps because of an educational degree or the excellent role model their child is to others. I am not intending to slight the many hours needed for a degree as I have a degree in early childhood education and I am certainly not an expert, even with all my children grown! Lately, it seems this is on Facebook more and more and on blogs by the "experts".  I don't mean to be sarcastic in this regard but, these people are often just listening to their own voices.

My own children, now adults, have been judged by some of my fellow parenting partners so to speak when we were young parents.  As a Christian mother, I do and certainly confess to quoting Scriptures from the Bible to my children when they misbehaved or did things that I thought were just not right and sometimes truly embarrassed me.  Our children were "in church" from the time they were born, throughout childhood, the teenage years, and throughout college (when they were with me). Sharing our faith as parents in everything we did was a way of life for us. Our home was a happy home.  Our home was always fun and I think, balanced, because my husband was and still is a fun guy.  He was the one who made up the games they would play, told countless true stories from his own childhood of mischievous deeds that always propelled them forward into creating their own mischievous deeds for the fun of it!  He always saw the VERY best in each child and refused to listen to me if I became negative about one of the children's actions or attitudes.  He always saw the bigger picture of who they could become.  In the end, I think he won out and his way of parenting taught me so much about listening to their needs and being able to accept the children's choices and decisions as a part of growing up into an adult.

Now, for the RECORD, it is extremely hurtful when someone  decides to "judge" your child.  I have cried tears over this, when it has happened.  One incident, I even lost a friend, who judged my child for my decision to allow my child to have music in the bedroom.  How do you stop a child, who, from the age of three loved musical instruments and found playing music a passion? Today, this child's career is in the music business! Once, a person I respected a great deal told me I needed to find longer skirts for one of my daughter's. (I wish she could have seen the length/shortness of my skirts in the 1970's)!  Vividly, I remember one of my daughter's being so hurt by judgment that she begged her Dad and I everyday until we decided to change her to a public school, a decision that changed her course in life for the positive and the beautiful life she has today. Parenting is tough business. The best kind of parenting evolves time and time again.  I share this because we should be extremely careful about not accepting other peoples parenting styles and the path their child is on. Love unconditionally, your own children and your friend's children. There are so many "experts" who have failed miserably at rearing their own children and these failures somehow seem to propel them into advice to share with others rearing children. If you want to judge, count to 100 first! :) 

I am so proud of our five children.  They all have found their own way in spite of my mothering them.  I do believe I mothered my children with an open hand.  I listened to them, to their needs, to their educational goals, their interests, and made every effort to see their gifts and talents. I wanted to do this. I am thankful, I was given the gift of children and a husband who supported me as a mother.  We drove thousands and thousands of miles to sporting events, historical vacations, fun vacations, and yes, we spent a lot of time in church and at home praying for them and guiding them the best we knew humbly how to.  For me, this was the key, just doing my best as a mother, one day at a time.  Did I make mistakes?  Oh....YES!  Did they do things I did not approve of?  Yes, they did, but thankfully I learned as much as they learned in these times. We learned together.  This is the beauty of parenting......you must ultimately choose to parent with the skills and knowledge and WISDOM that you, yourself possess.  You are the one God entrusted with a child.

Today, when our grown children gather, their differences, not their similar traits, are what makes them a beautiful group to be around.  They love each other so very much.  They truly enjoy being a part of each others lives. The laughter is so REAL! This was my main goal in mothering.....that they would love each other more than they loved me.  It is a different kind of love, the sibling love verses the parental love but the one that most likely will keep them bonded as a family long after my husband and I are in our eternal home of Heaven.  In the Bible, in 2 Corinthians 9:7 some lovely and beautiful words remind us that "God loves a cheerful giver."  Yes, I believe this!  I believe that everyday your words spoken to and about your child should be like a "SILVER BOX wrapped up with a beautiful BOW on top!"  May I encourage you to be a giver to your child.  You will be tired, you will be discouraged at times, but hang in there, for being a mother or a father is a priceless gift from Heaven! One that will matter forever in the legacy you leave behind.

In closing, I share another true story.  One day, I received a phone call from another Christian mother who I was serving on a committee with at our church.  Our children (one of mine and one of hers) had been playing together while we worked.  She was angry  and I could tell immediately from her tone of voice and her words about "my child".  I found what she was saying, hard to believe but accepted her words and assured her I would speak to my child and ask the child to apologize to her child.  I told her I was so sorry and complimented her on her child.  I meant this sincerely. A day or two passed and I received the sweetest note from her in the mail.  She told me how my reaction was totally NOT what she expected.  She had assumed I would be defensive and we could battle it out in words. She ended up telling me that she was sorry she spoke so unkindly about my child and that she had learned a valuable lesson about judging another's child.  We became good and kind hearted friends after this.

Yes, it is possible to raise GREAT kids, even if our parenting style is not perfect! Enjoy your day if you have a child and BE Blessed my friend!  God always stands ready to do great things in each life! 

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the GLORY of God."

I Corinthians 10:31

 Our Four Girls!

Our One Son! 



Christmas in France!

A friend, who I love dearly, recently shared with me how she wisely saved her money to accomplish and fulfill her dreams!  She said part of the fun of wanting to do something new in life was the dreaming!  I thought that was pretty neat, especially the part about saving for the dream. Dreaming actually costs us nothing but time and when we dream our imagination can go wild!  This is something I always tried to encourage in my children, dreaming BIG!  There are truly no limits in life.  A dream for me began as a desire simply to visit my daughter, Kara, when she and her husband were married and living in England.  At the time, I had never traveled abroad so I spent several months planning and dreaming and learning.  Today, it is my joy to share with others how simple it is to travel abroad and learn new and beautiful cultures different from our own, yet similar in many ways.  Along the way, I fell in love with France and truly all things French!  So.....come on along and let us learn together about Christmas in France!

In France, heralding the holiday season is St. Barbara's Day, December 4th, when water soaked wheat grains are placed in dishes and set to germinate.  An old Folk legend predicts fast growing grain to mean good crops for the coming year. *

The religious accent is strong upon all French Christmas customs.  A miniature nativity scene, called a "Crèche" is arranged by the children and placed in the home.  The crèche is artistically lighted for the magnificent religious services when age old hymns are sung, incense burned , and bells rung.  Following the midnight mass, all partake of "reveillon", a luxurious meal of oysters and special wines and sauces.

A giant wicker figure, "Melchior", named after one of the three Magi, has a basket on his back and is dressed in fantastic garb.  Strapped to a donkey, he is paraded from door to door to gather whatever foods the generous May give.  A candle is lighted at the church which beckons all the poor of the parish to come and receive of these gifts brought to the church by Melchior.

YES, I do love France and all the beauty of this blessed season reminds me once again that no matter where we live, giving in a generous way is still what makes us human and truly extending the hand of Christ Jesus.  May we all have an opportunity to share Christmas blessings!

Today on my blog I am giving away a mounted photograph I took in Paris of the Eiffel Tower!  Just send me an email at penelopeannbevilaqua@gmail.com for a chance at the drawing!  I will select a winner on Friday, December 20th!

*source: Ideals, published in 1949

Giving the GIFT of LOVE......

Christmas is just a week away now!  Most of us have written our sentiments in our Christmas cards and addressed them to friends and family!  Gifts have been selected and wrapped or, if you are like me, waiting to be wrapped!  This is the time when last minute touches are being carefully finished around the house and afterwards it seems the twinkling lights on the Christmas tree take on a wonder all of their own!  All around us, people are in the hustle and bustle.  This year, like every year since Jesus was born in a manager in Bethlehem, there still are some people just too busy to hear the greatest story ever told!  The story of how Angels proclaimed that Christ had been born!  Mary, had brought forth her first born Son, and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manager, because there was no room for them in the Inn.  No room for the Savior who had been born gloriously to redeem the world from sin.  The Angels proclaimed good tidings of great joy which was for all people then AND for all people now!  God's gift of glory, Jesus, had come to earth and every Christmas since then, men and women of Faith continue to lovingly proclaim the message of LOVE and of HOPE and redemption found in Jesus!  The Holy Scriptures teach us that all those who heard then and hear now marvel at this truth told by the Shepherds who were simply going about their business on that glorious night of tending their sheep.  Yes, they were on the job, so to speak, but their hearts were soft and tender enough to hear and to witness and BELIEVE!  Oh, how I want to be available to hear when God sends a message of HOPE!  Let us draw near and be still so we can hear!!!

May the next few days leading up to Christmas give a desire for a full spirit of LOVE for the Lord Jesus! The greatest gifts we can share cannot be wrapped in a box with paper. Our greatest opportunity is to give of ourselves!

Psalm 92:4 "For You, O Lord have made me glad by what You have done.  I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands!"

A Simple and Beautiful Change......

The Lord knows our names, the number of our days, and where we are to spend each one of them!  Sometimes it seems He just gives us too few days to spend with someone dear to us.  "The Lord is our Shepherd, we shall not want.....He guides us in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake."  Psalm 23

I admit, I am a sentimental person.  It's hard for me to part with people I love and care about and it is hard for me to let go, but I do and usually, it's finding something productive in my life that helps me to move forward and exclaim....."everything will be okay."  Change is good for all of us in our lives.  The ocean is a wonderful analogy of change......it is constantly moving and the tides and waves roll in and out and bring a freshness and a calmness that change can be beautiful if we take the time to stop and look and especially listen.  It's almost soothing and can lead us in those paths of righteousness that David was speaking of in the 23rd Psalm.  There is a renewal that accompanies change.

Change brings me to this picture.....someone needed a change and decided to part with this table!  Can you believe it?  My husband has an eye for vintage and antique furnishings that he knows I will bring back to life, of course with his help.  When he first brought this table home, it was cracked across the top, two legs were broken and it looked like it had seen it's better days and where it would spend its future, discarded...... While furniture comes and goes......it seems it rarely does with us!  We find something, and decide to  try and make something beautiful out of it!  Swedish furniture is often times painted and it seems that we have really been into painting furniture lately!  Painting does cover the unsightly blemishes of something with a bit of age, plus it gives the piece depth and detail. This is exactly what we found with this table and every detail appeared as we painted it for the ultimate dinner table for entertaining.  I've prepared the table for an early dinner with a wonderful friend.  As you see, it doesn't have to be an elaborate production to be a beautiful evening.  Something small and modest can be very nice.  Yes, simple can be lovely.  Entertain your family and friends for truly, we do not know how long they will be in our presence!

I leave you with a beautiful thought by Mother Teresa. "Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.  Be the living expression of God's kindness."

Lighting A Candle.....

Have you ever faced a difficulty so large that the impossible lurked in your mind? Perhaps something you've been praying for is delayed. Maybe you've looked at the situation, considered the options and felt overcome. The children of Israel faced a similar delay when God spoke to Moses and told him to lead the Israelites to the promised land to a place flowing with milk and honey. Joshua and Caleb were two of the mighty men sent to spy out the situation they were facing as they sought this new land. Caleb declared, "Let us go up at once and take possession for we are well able to overcome it." Numbers 13:30 What faith! He knew they had the power to overcome, a capacity to prevail and succeed. However, the spies Caleb sent to survey the situation brought back a bad report, complaining about giants in the land who were stronger than them. They wanted to give up! But Moses and Aaron after hearing of these giants in the land of Canaan, fell on their faces before the Lord. These faith filled men did not deny the difficulty of defeating giants, but sought instead the POWER OF GOD in the face of their problem. Caleb stood his ground and later, even though delayed, ultimately brought victory. God is able to bring you through any situation into a land flowing with milk and honey. In my own life, I have seen it! We have been faced with situations that seemed impossible to overcome, but we did with the salvation of the Lord. Let the power of the Living God work in your life today.... "They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed." Psalm 34:5 The Christmas season brings much hope and joy because Jesus has overcome a cruel world and we too can have the peace and joy right now...even a prayer request has been delayed, an answer will come. God will find a way to meet your every need. As you go out, take your faith and the Light of Jesus with you! Even a small gesture, such as lighting a candle in your home can be a reminder to you of God's good and shining light and that He is faithful in every situation. He is shining bright! Blessings to you dear one during Christmas and always!!!

San Francisco and Napa Valley......Celebrations of LOVE!

 I spotted this table and loved the French influence!

Beauty everywhere in Napa Valley!



My husband and I are blessed with a large and sweet family!  We love being together, although the times seem to be rare the past two years.  We make the most of the times we are all together!   For someone like me, who enjoys elegance and preparation for a dinner party, I must say I enjoy the spontaneity our children bring to our lives!  They are so fun when they are all together! 

I met my husband, by accident (another story), when I had just turned 18.  I was a freshman in college and really  had planned only to finish out the semester and transfer closer to home and my family! But........ He was so much FUN from the beginning!  Fast forward forty years and here we are today, five children, five spouses, and six grandchildren.  Blessed totally!  Our five children planned a wonderful holiday for us to San Francisco and Napa Valley, California to the Napa Wine Country!  We had a wonderful time and we appreciate so much the spouses giving of their time for the weekend also!  The highlight was just being together, laughing, enjoying San Francisco, Napa Valley, and Sausalito, California for it's wonderful seafood and the beautiful homes and the views!  Listening as they shared their memories of childhood, the memories of the teenage years, the wonderful spouses they all share their lives with now, and their children were the topics of the weekend!  So much thankfulness fills my heart!!!!  We have been blessed, truly!  Families are forever! 

 "I sing for JOY at the works of Your hands"  Psalm 92:4 

Looking UP......

Early this morning on my walk, I was thrilled to see a beautiful rainbow, which honestly just appeared! I so wished I had carried my camera!!!   It was vibrant and unexpected. It appeared for about ten minutes and disappeared....long enough for me to thank my Heavenly Father for the beauty.  Another two to three minutes passed, and another one popped up on the opposite side.  I am sure it was the same rainbow but only visible one side at a time.  The glorious beauty of the rainbow at times can be overwhelming for me.  This is the time of year filled with busyness.  People are shopping, partying, eating and drinking and enjoying every possible event on the list!  These are wonderful activities and they can be so fun.

Home and being with family and friends still is my favorite place to be during this Christmas season. We must slow down in order to hear and see all that our Heavenly Father has to give us as His gifts in life.  My heart is to serve HIM and to KNOW HIM in all his fullness!  This morning as I was looking UP,  God's GLORY appeared in the sky!!!  May you have a beautiful day and may you look UP!!!

"My voice you shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to you. And I will Look UP!" Psalm 5:3

Christmas Joy.....

Today I have been totally wrapped up in the holiday of Christmas!!!!  From early this morning until around four in the afternoon, I decorated my home for Christmas!!!!  I am extremely organized when it comes to Christmas decorations!  It is easy for me to decorate my home because each year, I lovingly place them once again into the boxes so they will be ready for the next year!  Christmas memories for me are special.....every year of my life!  When I was child, the happiest days were Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! We always woke up early for the gifts from Santa then we attended Worship at our church to celebrate the Birth of our Savior, JESUS!  Glory to God in the Highest and Peace on earth to all men! 

This year because of my love for FRANCE, I decided to use more of a French influence in my decorating for the holidays!  Our sitting room has evolved into a beautiful French room and the mantel was decorated with all the French items I have gathered and could find!  The finishing touch...... postcards my sister, Pam,  purchased for me at an ESTATE SALE of a close friend whose uncle had been stationed in France during WWII.  They are so so so beautiful!  After I finished my decorating, around 4:00 pm I decided to check the mail, in the mailbox I had a lovely surprise!  Vicki Archer of French Essence had selected my name to receive one of her beautiful postcards from Paris and wouldn't you know, it arrived today!!!!  Talk about perfect timing!!!!   It takes center stage on my mantel!  Thank you Vicki!  I feel so blessed!  It's going to be a beautiful Christmas!  May every moment of December bring you LOVE, PEACE, and JOY!  Merry Christmas!!!!

A Thanksgiving Table

This beautiful book COME TO THE TABLE was a gift to me a few years ago 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

Enjoying the Gifts of Our Labor.......

How I wish you could join me for a cup of tea and a freshly baked scone!  The joy of joining someone that we enjoy conversation with is always a reason to celebrate! In my thinking, the British have us beat on the stopping point in their afternoon when they enjoy "taking tea".  My youngest daughter is married to a handsome Englishman.  He is truly British through and through.  He loves my daughter dearly and knowing how much she is loved and cared for is the only reason I can stand the separation of an ocean!  His parents work together in their business out of their home, but everyday they stop in the afternoon and have tea.  From all indications, this is a very pleasant time of the day.  All stops!  Just conversation, the kettle, tea, cream, and sugar.  Sounds lovely to me and the photo above is from my own tea time at The Mandeville Hotel in the Marylebone area of London!

When you invite someone into your home, do you spend more time in preparing your home and the table setting in comparison to the importance of the grace with which it is prepared and offered?  This may be why tea time is so wonderful for British people, the focus is the time spent with another, like a cup of comfort.  I have heard it is like getting a hug from someone.  There is no rush or schedule.  

In this busy time of the year, may you and I remember that spiritual nourishment is as important as physical nourishment.  Let us remember not to be hurried and rushed.  Families suffer when lives are too hectic.  This break for tea seems also to help refocus and perhaps give renewed thinking as well.  There is nothing more beautiful in a woman's face than peacefulness and a real genuine smile.   

May your journey throughout this day be filled with time to share and perhaps dream over a cup of tea with a friend and conversation filled with gratitude and thankfulness.  

In the beautiful words found in Ecclesiastes 3:12 may " every man (and woman) eat drink and enjoy the good of all his labor~it is the gift of God!"  Enjoy a beautiful and blessed day........what a gift!!!!

Balcony People......Revisited!

It is such a JOY to be around people who lift up others with their actions and their words! Maya Angelou often quotes these priceless words:  "I have learned people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you make them feel."  It is my prayer to always be a balcony person and lift others UP!  Let us set about this beautiful task of encouraging others every day that we live!

A BRIGHT sunny balcony just waiting to open up the day with sunshine! Balcony people in our lives cheer us on to be our best!

How about a whole "choir" of balconies just waiting to cheer on the day? When we are a part of God's family.....we become a choir of cheerleaders!

This Balcony is closed......closed to the sunshine and the joy of morning!

Just at the right time God sends a whole row of Balcony people! One of my favorite little books is called simply, Balcony People! I loved this little book for it's endless encouragement but long ago, I gave it to someone who I felt needed it! I have never forgotten it's beautiful message. It truly ministered to me, and was life changing.....at the time. Valuable words are something I hope to give or receive everyday. I grew up without a Father in the home. I did get to spend a limited amount of time with my Father though and I did love him and in his own way, I believe he loved me. My mother worked full time and so a great deal of my childhood was spent with babysitters or grandmothers. These factors developed in me a deep, deep, deep desire to always be a mother available to my children and made me want to cheer them on in every situation! I have loved being a Mom and along with my husband, we have sought to not only cheer on our own family but anyone that God so graciously placed in our pathway. In my own life, I was divinely blessed to have people who mentored me or believed in me and used encouragement to lift me up to be what I needed to be and helped me. These were the balcony people, always using words to lift up, not tear down. These kind of people help others set goals that can be achieved so that their lives can be positive and they can become the BEST that they can be. The pictures above give you a visual image of those who set in the balcony bring sunshine to our lives.....sometimes God sends a whole choir of balcony people and those people truly make an impact. May I ask.....what kind of person are you? Are you one who lifts up or sits in the basement and tears down, in negative ways. It is something to think about each and everyday. The minister and best selling author, Joel Osteen, says " If you truly want to become a better you, it is imperative that you learn to feel good about yourself. Too many people live under condemnation, constantly listening to the wrong voices". He reminds us to listen to God's Words from the Bible and live each day seeking to become the person God planned for us to be! I might add, that it begins by looking upward, becoming real before God in prayer through repentance and accepting the beautiful TRUTH that God loves you and sent His Son as the Savior of the world, knowing that the Heavens declare His Glory and the TRUTH that you can become all you were meant to be! "Thank you precious Lord for the Balcony people in my life......now let me be a Balcony person to others! Amen!"