Good Manners.....

Good Manners are always refreshing!  Growing up, I was exposed to good manners through my grandmother who truly enjoyed the finer things in life and enjoyed teaching me and my siblings how to properly set the table for a dinner party during the holidays and other family gatherings.  She was a busy lady as a school teacher and community volunteer but still found the time to teach us what was important to her personally.  I will always remember her dressing in her pearls and heels when we would go out for dinner or to the theater.

She presented me with gift of six place settings of my sterling silver, one place setting a year at a time before I graduated from college.  She purchased the silver box also where they are kept today.  Along with this, she taught me how to properly fold dinner napkins, and use the words, "Excuse me", "Thank you", "No thank you", and "Yes, please".  She wore beautiful hats and gloves and a few of those, I inherited as gifts from her later in her life.  She was what I would call a lady. She carried herself with dignity and grace until the day she passed away. I was sooo blessed by her life!

Thinking about what it means to be a lady is probably not something most young women give much thought about today.  Today the emphasis is placed on sports, education, career, physical appearance and the social life.  Times have changed but the opportunity to develop good manners is still something we can appreciate!

When my son was growing up, he was taught how to always open a door for a young lady.  He was taught that this was the polite thing to do. In today's world, some young women may not care for this gesture, but I still think of it as just plain nice behavior for a young man or really a man of any age.  

In France, one of the proper etiquette's is to say, Bonjour when entering a boutique or shop and to say Au revoir when you leave.  Yes, manners are chic! Manners make a difference.  Etiquette is much more than a set of rules.  It is about connecting with our fellow human beings in a positive and polite way!

It's never to early or to late to begin to develop manners.  We can begin by thinking before we speak.  Choosing our words wisely and guarding our words so we do not blurt out anything that comes to mind.  As I said in the post yesterday, let your words be gracious.......think about how they will be received by others.  It is so easy to hurt someone's feelings with the words we speak or write.

A simple suggestion is to teach your children by allowing them to properly set the table for dinner or breakfast on a Saturday morning when family time is not as rushed or hurried. A simple "tea time" could be an easy beginning. You could show your children how to pour the tea, hold the cup, stir the tea, and place the napkin in the lap. For dinner, you might show them how to fold the napkins properly, where to place the fork, the knife, and the spoon along side the dinner plate.  Then, most importantly, allow them an opportunity to use the utensils properly during meal time. Teach them to use words properly such as , "yes sir" and "no sir".  It may seem foreign to you and to them at first but in time, I promise, these will be the very words and actions which separate the ladies and gentlemen for the ordinary.......manners are always IN STYLE!

UPlifting Words.....

Gracious words are beautiful words!  Gracious words flow like a fountain out of lips that are thoughtful, kind, wise,  loving and good.  In the book of Nehemiah in the Bible, the Word speaks of a kind of patience that God had (and still has) with people who would not listen to HIM.  Even though, they did not listen, God did not forsake them because the Word says...."For you are God, gracious and merciful."  Nehemiah 9:31  Merciful and gracious words  are able to spill out of lips graciously because God is able to change a person's words into a sweet aroma that can fill a room!   He has given us beautiful words to follow and live by.  Everyday HE IS ABLE to pour into our lives living words of TRUTH that can penetrate....... even the not so soft places in our hearts.


We all love to hear words that lift up and encourage!  Encouragement is a gift and the person whose heart is filled with it cannot help but let it spill out.... blessing whoever walks into their world!  God is gracious in placing these people everywhere!  Recently, my husband and I had the honor of attending a beautiful wedding for a friend's daughter.  Truly the entire wedding was a blessing for me because I love my friend so much and to see her happy for her daughter and the love that I know went into the planning of every single second of the wedding day.  Her love was gracious for her daughter and her countenance radiated with joy.  Love spilled out of her lips for everyone who attended!


As I was thinking about that special day, I thought about how everyday,  gracious and loving words should spill out of our lips for others.  Sort of like a fountain that spills water out so beautifully  that we stand in awe!  We remember the sight (or sound) over and over again.  Beautiful words have a way of lingering long after they are spoken.....like the first, I love you!  Remember when you first heard those words.


Our days are filled with many things.  Many things that are necessary to do such as preparing meals, cleaning our homes, working at our jobs, running errands, paying bills, etc. but the day is better and the burdens of the day are lighter when we spend time on what matters. The time we spend with God.  May I encourage you today to fill your heart with what truly matters!  The value of filling your life with spiritual truths is to reach the highest human potential, to have abundant life. For us there is a promise if we do and it is to  "Rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ!"   I Peter 1:13  HE has a great and gracious day planned just for YOU!  Enjoy!  

Being Real and 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

Building A Life With Others.....all in the timing!

Just about two years ago, a sweet friend of ours was diagnosed with cancer. He was a Godly man with a beautiful wife and three amazing children and one grandchild with another on the way.  He was a man building a life for his family each and everyday.  Quickly with this news, people were praying and hoping and expecting a miracle for healing. But, in just a few short months, our friend was called home to Heaven for an ultimate healing in the presence of God. 

 D. L. Moody once said, "Next to the might of God, the serene beauty of a holy life is the most powerful influence for good."  

Our friend, Doug, was a good man. He had done everything right. He was a professional man, a dentist, and devoted his life to caring for his family.  He was loved by everyone who knew him.  His son was my son's very best friend growing up.  Steven spent a lot of time with them at their house and on vacations. Their son, Scott spent a lot of time at our house and on beach vacations also.  Naturally, his wife, Vickie and I shared a friendship as our sons made this so easy. After Doug's passing, we began to have a "girls time" with two other fun friends who we love about three times a year! Let me tell you they are special ladies! We are all within a few years of each other in age and also we had attended Bible studies together. On one of our visits, one of us said, "we should all go on a trip together"!  Running ahead of ourselves with determination and lots of talking, we decided we could do this!

  Now, two years later the dream will become a reality! We started planning this because of what Vickie was going through and the bonds and love we all share are precious because of the sensitivity of her loss.  God's timing is so important in life.  We can run ahead but as life unfolds, one day at a time....well, to me it's just better. Who would have known all those years ago that the bonds that our children had made as friends would be the glue that now would move us forward today.  Truly, we should ask God to help us in everything we do and especially in the timing of being a friend.  For several months, I have poured over the plans for our trip. I have searched for our hotels, our trains, and even a few of the places we will visit and see.  We will begin in London and get to visit with Kara and Phil and then travel to Bath, England and then on to France.  We have a schedule but we plan to enjoy the time together and not rush or insist on seeing more than we are able to see. The joy of seeing England for the first time and spending time with my precious daughter Kara will always be a blessing and a design of God's timing.  The pictures below are from my first trip...a gift!  I have a feeling Doug will be looking down on us and smiling about the timing of this trip for his sweet wife, Vickie! Everyday is a GIFT!  Don't wait to make that call or write and mail that card and appreciate your family and your friends!  Have a blessed day dear one!

Goodness in conversation and a grateful heart....

Beauty found in nature and the natural, unattended beauty of earth's creation is one of God's greatest gifts to mankind! In His wisdom, God gave us such an inspiring and beautiful world to live in! The natural colors of the stone, wood, flowers, and fabrics used above are so beautiful to me and extremely calming. Decorators are using less and less of color and more and more of natural creams and whites! I so enjoy helping other people create homes that are comfortable and beautiful! I like to do this because the home is where my heart is! The beautiful people that live inside your home look to you each for inspiration too!!! Who inspires you? What inspires you? Where do you search for encouragment and direction when you need an answer? Do you turn to a trusted friend? I love the adorable picture above of the two friends sharing conversation and a cup of tea! What is better than wise counsel? As we are about to begin a new week, let me encourage you to arrange your days so that you create an environment in your home where others are loved and nurtured. A house decorated with LOVE is the most beautiful! Before the day begins, you and I have been given a clean slate! Thankfully, it is calm early in the morning. Turning toward the Lord gives direction (not perfection) for our day. We can begin each day by rejoicing in Him and being thankful for all the blessings around us. As you begin your new week, may I share with you a passage from His word than sustains me daily as I look to Him for guidance. In His way and In His time, He truly is able to make all things in our lives beautiful! From the scraps of our lives, He is making something beautiful....even inspiring. "Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every sitaution, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable~if anything is excellent or praiseworthy~think about such things." Philippians 4:4~8 May your week be blessed and may your home be a haven or blessing and peace!!!

Changes Around the House....

Throughout our home I have made a few changes over the past few weeks.  No real purchases were involved, only a few changes of a few pieces from one room to another and changing window treatments from one room to another.  I always find inspiration in my home from books that I read or from inspiration from our travels.  I also find inspiration from people.  A kind heart, a warm smile, and a sincerely good person warm my heart as well! I am finding in life, it is the goodness and honesty found in the heart that most often warms a person's home.  The weather has been dismal in our area but in our home it has been beautiful and bright because my family lives with me!  Live your life and let your love of life overflow into the hearts of others!  Everyday is a GIFT!

The Path and The Door....

Imagine travel, especially to somewhere unfamiliar and without a map! We need a map if we want to arrive at our destination in a timely manner.  Today, we have Mapquest, Google map, google earth, and oh my heavens.....so many more!  Back in the day, my day that is,  paper maps were essential when we were planning a trip.  For weeks, we mapped out the best streets, roads, and highways to assist us and guide us to where we needed to be.  Today, we can plan to get to our destination and then type or key in the hotel address and follow the voice on the smart phone.  Times have changed!


What do you think, are shortcuts better?  I think we can all agree technology has changed the way we live and the way to travel to our destination.  Planning is part of the fun for me.  This is where I gain my confidence to actually......GO!  I am one of those who truly enjoys being home but, I have found, you can only see and accomplish so much inside your own home. We have to open the door and get out!!! The good Lord made us a people who need other people and so by getting outside and involved in other people's lives our path is enlarged and our lives are richer. We thrive best emotionally, physically, and spiritually when we share our lives with others. These relationships are a part of the guiding forces of our lives.  We are inexperienced  in too much of life without a guide.  Aside from needing a map to guide me [my husband and I have lived in 9 different cities over 40 years], I have turned to God's Word as a guide. Finding my way around Los Angeles, California helped because I had a map when we lived there, a large multi-page map!


In a similar way, God's word guides me each day on how to live life as a Believer!   The whole of Psalm 119 unfolds as how God's guidance will assist one in life's most practical circumstances.  Psalm 119:105, the psalmist David clearly calls out to God "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."  We gain strength from these words as we trust He is able to guide the path of our own life, long range. Isn't that what a path does.....takes us on down the road, so wisely to our destination?  This passage also assures us that "the entrance of The Lord's Words gives light, It gives understanding to the simple."  We really shouldn't hasten ahead without a map or a guiding word.  Yes, the map of God's loving words is able to guide us and also nourish our soul.  God calls this provision, manna.  It is hard to survive for long without nourishment and especially nourishment for the body and the soul.  There is nothing more beautiful than being guided sweetly along the way......today and everyday!  Praying your path will be guided and the door will be opened by His shining Light!  Be blessed my friend....He longs to show you and me The Way!

A Thank You Note.....

Ideas for Just The Right Paper, Pen, and Desk!

There is nothing more beautiful than a sincere hand written note.  Truly, it is a mark of class and good taste.  A lovely way to spend a few minutes telling someone, with gratitude, how much you appreciate their gift or their time spent with you.  It is personal.  In our culture of the masses and the media, it is rare to find someone who personally takes the time to make another feel loved and special.  Our thoughts go into written words so in essence we share a part of ourselves when we write a personal note.  As in speaking, we should think before we write, making sure our words are the right words and sincere.  Then, we should address the envelope carefully.  When our children were young, we encouraged them  to write thank you notes for nice things that had been done for them.  All of them, to my knowledge, carry this beautiful expression of thanksgiving on to others.

Years ago someone shared with me a  lovely book called, Silver Boxes.  It was a book written about words and how our words should be like little silver boxes tied up with silver bows......a special GIFT to others.  Those words have always remained with me because our words should be full of encouragement and grace.  We must choose wisely what we allow to enter our hearts because out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.  Psalm 19:14 says to us...."Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer."  Many of the notes that I have received, I enjoy keeping because they serve as little silver boxes of encouragement.

Once on vacation in Newport, Rhode Island, we found a beautiful little shop, called Papers.  The name told exactly what we found inside the quaint little storefront~papers!  All kinds of writing papers were found..... to buy, to order, to customize and for me, since I love paper, it was like....... Heaven!  Selecting the paper one chooses to write on and the pen with which one writes can be an expression of oneself also.  It doesn't have to be expensive to express how you feel and what you would like to say.  To someone like my husband who has a large pen collection, selecting the pen he will write his note with is the most important part.  He is gifted with a beautiful ability to script words.  His handwriting is beautiful.  There is another store in New Orleans, Louisiana called Scriptura and it also is filled of with papers, cards, stationary, and a vast array of books to select and customize one's stationary.

My most favorite letter is the letter that God inspired and wrote to all of us.....The Holy Bible, His written words to us.  "Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to may path."  Psalm 119:105  and "The unfolding of Thy words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple."  Psalm 119:130  God's love letter to us is available to us everyday and in this new year, I pray that you can begin each day with the most special WORDS ever written.  It's simple......"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."  James 4:8  Bless you dear one as you write and as you read your notes!!!  Have a blessed and happy day!!!

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!"