THANKFUL THURSDAYS

Giving thanks today for those "three little beeps" at the other end of  my cell phone -- not too unlike a busy signal on most calls -- but whenever I call my son who is in Tanzania, those "beeps" mean "YES, I've got a connection and he's going to answer!" :)  You see, the alternatives -- which for the last several days I've been receiving are silent airtime followed by what we have come to refer to as "funky Tanzanian dance music" and a recording in Kiswahili I clearly don't understand...or the one which really has had me worried this week, silent airtime followed by an actual ringing but then a recording in English informing me that the number I was dialing has been disconnected or changed.

When one's son is half a world a way (with the Peace Corps since June 2008), one really, really is grateful for those "three little beeps" and delayed voice answering, "Hello, Mom? Is that you?"  Today was a good day!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

TUESDAY TREAT

~ Frosty Earrings

To "celebrate" the return of winter to our area, this week's treat is a very special OOAK deal, indeed!  Purchase the Frosty Necklace from the SignatureSterling shop at regular price and get the Frosty Earrings, shown above --- FREE! (a $27.99 value!). 

~ Frosty Necklace

But, like we hope this wintry blast is, you better move quickly as these are OOAK so this treat is only available to the first buyer!

Be sure to put "TREAT" in your "Notes to Seller" at checkout and wait for a revised invoice (or if you prefer to make full payment immediately, I'll refund your $27.99 through PayPal).  "Treat" expires at midnight, tonight, EST!

MONDAY MUSINGS

One of my "non-resolutions" (yes, I resolved to make no resolutions this year so I wouldn't be breaking any as the months moved on...) this year was to continue actively working on stress management in new and old ways.  I suffer from chronic migraine headaches which can often be debilitating and am also finding that my body is beginning to protest more frequently and increasingly.  Therefore, I was intrigued by a seminar on "mindfulness" as a means to stress reduction which a friend recommended and that I'm beginning tomorrow for six weeks.  As I've already begun the 40-day meditation practice (Winter Feast for the Soul), the work we do in the seminar should be a further step into slowing down, breathing deep, and centering for peace within.

I know that one of the practices I should return to is yoga - I've been an "occasional" yogi-wannabe (??) for a few years and by no means am an expert or even much above a beginner, most likely.  But I DO know my favorite pose, lol!  Balasana - also known as "Child's Pose" - is the most relaxing, releasing, peaceful, peace-filled pose that I find in yoga.  This morning I was moving through some recommended stretches for my protesting lower back muscles and happily ended with an exercise that involved "Child's Pose."  Ahh.....yes, now, if I could just stay here....

FRIDAY FEATURES

I've  been in wedding planning mode for a couple of weeks now.  Even with a small, intimate affair, there is planning to be done, decisions to be made...and much fun to be had in the process.  Today's features are some finds I've stumbled upon along the way.

Frame the Date is a special way to celebrate all the occasions in your life and those dear to you - you'll create a OOAK gift that will indeed be treasured!

Intimate Weddings is a site full of advice, other links, and how-to's for the bride and groom planning a small wedding ~ lots of ideas to consider!

Another fun site, again full of suggestions, blogs, and other links, is Wedding Bee ~ and one of the contributors is my talented dressmaker! :)

StelieDesigns offers beautiful, creative invitations and more, many available to be customized with your wedding colors!

Now, where did I put that "to-do list"...

THANKFUL THURSDAYS

My grandmother is such a blessing to our family.  She is 99 years old ~ her 100th birthday will be celebrated in December of this year ~ and still lives completely on her own.  Now, I'll admit, as the last few years have brought her increasing challenges with hearing, sight, mobility, and memory, there are times that our patience is tested as well, but yet we know that it truly is her independent spirit and strength that drives her.  And that one day, we will be doing the same to our daughters ~ at least that is the joke we whisper to each other ~ and how wonderful it will be to follow in her footsteps! 

Nana claims that daily exercise and healthy eating are an important part of her lifestyle.....as well as her daily 5pm highball (just one!) :)   She plays Bingo whenever she can find a game, has a jigsaw puzzle always going in her living room, and never misses church on Sunday (or if she does, you'll hear about it...).  She truly is a special woman, the matriarch of five generations now of incredible women in this family.  We are blessed, indeed.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

TUESDAY'S TREAT

This week's treat ~ our one day only special, good until midnight EST tonight ~ continues our focus on peace by featuring 15% off two "peace-ful" items from the SignatureSterling Etsy shop.

~ Deep Blue Peace Earrings  

And now available again, the Peace Bracelet  

Just put "TREAT" in the "Notes to Seller" at check-out, and wait for a revised invoice (or if you prefer to make full payment immediately, I will refund your 15% discount through PayPal).  Discount does not apply to shipping and is only available on these two special "treats" for today only.

MONDAY MUSINGS

If someone has asked me in the last few years about my faith, I have found it difficult to answer.  It is a question I have struggled with, stumbled over, avoided when at all possible for very real reasons...those who know my vocation prior to these years sometimes find this odd, even shocking or outright strange, especially if they are unaware of the circumstances surrounding my journey into the desert of doubt.  I worked for "the church" and was in ministry in various areas for more than ten years, even attending seminary at one point, determining a call to ordained service.  How could I "abandon" this church, question my God, and simply seem to "fall away" from the kingdom of God?

The desert has not been an easy journey.  Dry, long, empty at times and quite lonely.  Yet through it all I sensed a presence not so much leading me but "with me" as I stepped along and found my way, as long as it took, whatever route I took.  I see with new eyes, eyes more open and a heart more full of the incredibly abundant love of our God and knowledge of Her joy and delight in all of us, ALL of us throughout this world.  I celebrate quietly that the journey is bringing me peacefully home.

Today I began "Winter Feast for the Soul" ~ a globally organized 40-day spiritual practice period, believing that "A life grounded in daily practice is one that knows inner peace. It is that peace which translates into peace throughout our lives and ultimately to peace and healing for our planet."

The guided meditation schedules provided are available from various faiths and practices and ages to accommodate all.  I found great comfort in "coming home" to the Contemplative Prayer model which today used the practice of lectio divina, reminding me in today's message that the kingdom of God is within me. Such powerful words!  Throughout that desert journey, indeed, I was not alone, and I had not "fallen away" as the kingdom of God is already here, within me.  What peace that brings.

FRIDAY FAVORITES

"Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Monday we remember the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. and in doing so, might we also remember all that the Reverend King worked to achieve in his too short life ~ equality for all, justice, peace.  May the word "peace" be more than a "word" in your life but a mantra of action, a reminder of release, a way of living.  This week's Friday's favorites are some "peaceful" reminders for your world.

 

From LaPellaPottery on Etsy, this custom "quilt" Blessings Platter.

 

 This beautiful tile from dpkphoto would be a simple reminder on a desk, tabletop, or wall.

Stunning "Peace" print by PhotosbyErika

And be sure to share the "peace" with the little ones in your life! This Mushroom Hat is adorable from angelbellcouture.

THANKFUL THURSDAYS

This week's devastating earthquake in Haiti, a country already beset with the overwhelming challenges of poverty and survival, have to make us remember in gratitude the very simplest and yet, grandest, of blessings that surround us - warm beds, safe shelter, food, water, our loved ones around us.  The images that we see shatter our quiet winter realm, and as we whisper prayerful gratitude for our lives, we are called to reach out and help our Haitian brothers and sisters who need so much at this time.  Some "how to help" resources that have been recommended...

EASY-PEASY!   Text "HAITI" to "90999" and a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the American Red Cross to help with relief efforts, charged to your cell phone bill.

Other organizations on the ground in Haiti now...

World Vision 

Save the Children

CARE 

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

TUESDAY TREAT - Ring in the New Year!

Tuesday's Treat - always a one day/all day surprise just available for blog readers! Today, why not "ring" in the new year with.....(wait for it...)....a new ring (!) from SignatureSterling, especially when you can scoop one up today as a "Tuesday Treat" at 15% off!

Just put "TREAT" in your "Notes to Seller" and wait for a revised invoice before making payment (or if you prefer to make payment immedeiately, I'll refund the discount to you through PayPal).  Discount does not include shipping and handling and only applies to the rings in your order today.  Offer expires at midnight EST tonight.

~ Garnet Nest      

~ Berries and Cream

~ Wrapping Up a Win

~ Three Wishes

MONDAY MUSINGS

"Being Mimi" is such an incredible journey for me.  My first granddaughter (and first grandchild), Abigail, arrived in February of this past year and has had me smiling ever since. :)  From the first time her mom, my daughter, placed her in my arms - just hours after her birth - to today's impromptu Monday moments when she pulled up on my jeans and put out her arms to be picked up, nestling her head into my shoulder for a cuddle, I have found that "being Mimi" means priceless smiles, treasured times, and warm memories in the making.  My heart is full each and every day with the blessings of this journey.

FRIDAY FAVORITES

This week's first significant snowfall for our area makes me looking for the following "Friday Favorites" ~ comfort, warmth, and celebrating the beauty of winter...let's see what I find!

This gorgeous merino wool scarf in luscious cranberry plaid is available from scarfguy at Etsy...

What to fix for dinner when the weather is blustery and cold? Soup, of course...here's a recipe that looks great to try even you're not under the weather!

Hearty Chicken Vegetable Soup

 

 

Keep your toes warm with these great slipper socks from Etsy's yoyohats ~ available in different sizes! 

 

 

And remember to celebrate the beauty of winter as it surrounds you ~ stay warm and give thanks for the time to slow down.

THANKFUL THURSDAYS

"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out."

One of my FaceBook friends, orignally a dear beading artisan friend, posted  this quote yesterday as her status, and I gave it a resounding FB "likes this" response.  I am especially grateful today for the real  friends in my life - those friends who have been with me a lifetime (one who just traveled across the country for her family and still took time to trek through our first "snowstorm" to have lunch and catch up with me :) );  those who have walked side-by-side through crisis with me and see the sun still rising gloriously on the ocean's waters each day;  those who are scattered across the world and are joined with me forever in our bond of caring for each other and our common passion for the art of beading and creating;  those who just know the right time to send that email, call for that cup of tea or coffee or just to chat....yes, real friends are rare and precious gifts ~ give thanks for them today and every day!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

TREAT FOR TUESDAYS!

Starting with this new year, Tuesdays will offer a special "treat" for anyone who checks in on the blog...and we're beginning with a BIG one!



Today's "Tuesday Treat" is BOGO - Buy One, Get One 1/2 Off* on ALL EARRINGS in the SignatureSterling Etsy shop ~ whatta deal to kick-off the new decade! So, stop by all day (deal ends at midnight, EST) and "treat" yourself or someone else :).

~  Mint Juleps



Just put "treat" in the "Notes to Seller" at checkout and WAIT for a revised invoice before making payment OR if you prefer to make payment immediately, I'll refund your discount through PayPal.  Either way, the more you buy, the more you save - but today only! :)

~ Deep Blue Peace

*1/2 off least expensive of purchased items

MONDAY MUSINGS

Ok, yes, I'll admit it, I'm guilty. Completely 100% guilty of blog neglect. I've ignored this thing first for a few days, then a couple of weeks, and before I knew it months, and now a new decade has dawned -- what was I thinking?! :)

So, new year, new decade, time for resolutions and all that, right? Well, at least I can give it my best shot at breathing some new life into the blog world here and see what happens...

Looking back at 2009 ~ becoming Mimi (welcoming my first grandchild!); finding love and saying "yes" (how wonderful to find and share such happiness); road-tripping with my youngest around the country (just call us "Thelma and Louise") for fun, soccer, and college exploration; saying a too-soon 'good-bye' to my remarkable, strong, and so loving father; celebrating my grandmother's 99th birthday (her "secret"? one highball everyday at 5pm)...

Looking ahead to 2010 ~ celebrating Abby's first birthday (my creative daughter has already selected a wonderful theme - "Winter ONE-derland!") ; celebrating "soccer girl's" college commitment (stay tuned - she's close to making an announcement, I think!), her high school graduation, and her travels abroad (Spain this spring, Nicaragua over the summer); planning our "simply" wonderful (key word is "simply") wedding and terrific trip; welcoming my son home from Tanzania for a three week visit before he returns to Africa to extend his work with the Peace Corps...much to look forward to in this new year and in this new decade, indeed.