Magic Sauce

Everyone needs a little trick up their sleeve to look like superwoman. Gleaning those tricks from others is what I do best and Magic Sauce from one of my favorite food bloggers is no exception . A flash to make, it stabs the senses with flavor and aroma, an earthy addition for many foods. Dipping oil, a rub for meat (pork chops tonight…), eggs...

                                                                       Magical!

Plumb Line

In sharing my life story with a group of ladies this summer, I made reference to the term, “plumb line.” According to dictionary.com, a “plumb line” is a weight, usually with a pointed tip on the bottom that is suspended from a string and used as a vertical reference line.

A plumb line, for instance, is essential to hanging wallpaper; if the first piece is off center, all the walls will be askew. My plumb line is that straight line that determines if I fall off course. My chosen course is to love and serve God with all my heart, mind, and soul. How do I fall off course in my personal life? Do I believe today’s tv shows that seem to have to include offensive actions, behaviors and lifestyles in every episode? … do I believe the tabloids unavoidably read in the supermarket checkout line dragging people down? … do I watch the infomercials promoting a better body and younger looking skin? Usually not…I know to tune much of that out but what about the chit chat at work with someone higher up on the corporate ladder who is gossiping to us. How do we turn away and risk our work well-being? What about the empty spot in our heart that no person can fill – do we look to fill it in appropriate ways? What about the fears that keep us from accomplishing our potential and our excuses that keep us there?

A plumb line is a straight vertical reference...vertical - up and down. When we look up we see our Father and when we look down we see ourselves, it is a vertical relationship. Staying in alignment is a constant effort. Soaking in the Word of God, splayed with our face on the floor in prayer, a life serving others – time constantly spent aligning.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5 & 6

Important Mementos

Vacations take us away from the daily routine to eat more than we normally dare, sleep a little bit longer, and get closer with those we love. Memories are captured in our photography and our smiles at the end of the day. Often days are spent on beaches where our toes delight in the feel of the cool, wet sifting sand. Bulging pockets collect rocks from every location. Mementos are gathered and kept and stored away in tiny bottles and large jars where those times can, with a quick glance, be remembered at stolen moments during our normal rapid paced day.

Big Box Treasures

How many times a month are we in our local mass merchandise store for those everyday items such as deodorant, milk, scotch tape and birthday cards? It seems our normal quest for anything to do with decorating is a last minute basic candle or placemat purchase. Keep hunting… there is a multitude of treasures for you to save on your decorating budget. No need to haul off to Ikea (for me-over 2 hours) or to the antique shop which I scour continually. Hidden treasures are things like bolts of ribbon – sometimes for less than $2. Buy tons of colors and keep them on hand for gift wrapping, pillow trim, hanging Christmas cards, pony tail tying.  Inexpensive lamps can create an intimate area without spending a lot.

I found a really cool towel to create more of the look I wanted in my guest bathroom. Also check these stores for hooks instead of investing more than you need to in fancy hardware.

Using the same color plastic hangers throughout a closet looks better than a mish-mash of hanging devices. Maybe a project for a rainy day Saturday?

Mass merchandise stores carry great ready-to-assemble furniture that is so affordable and will hold up a lot longer than last generation’s counterparts. Check out how fitting this Sauder maple bedside table is in my Amy Butler inspired room.

Get over the stereotype of particle board furniture and get into the price point and the styles created for every decorating style.  There is lots of inspiration just around the corner. Be inventive!

Living Life

Blogging is an excellent way to document your life and for the last year I hve been living life without that documentation! My last blog was long ago and was over-run by my position as Women's Ministry Director at my church, being a "Mimi" to my 3 year old grandson, helping to care for my aging mother-in-law, and doing lots of reading and mentoring. What joy this brings when we are doing those things that enrich and fulfill our lives.

Gray Day: Part 2

Speaking of gray on my earlier post today, it made me look outside at yet another gray, dreary day in Ohio. Staying motivated and healthy in January is a challenge. Last September boasted several hot days that we could celebrate great garden veggie purchases and still be outside to grill them. I did an entire grill full of different veggies for soup and made lots of containers for the freezer. Today I pulled out a container for lunch. Yay for a Gray lunch Day!

Gray Days

I've been deciding what to paint my living room which is one big open area with the kitchen, library and the stairways to the other levels. I have had olive green for 9 years and have loved its ease of use with all colors from golds and yellows to orange to red to brown and also black. I have decided on gray and was pleasantly surprised to read this blog today. The Color Marketing Group determines the color trends of everything you will buy in the next few years. More will be posted on this huge color change decision at a future time. Yay for Gray!