Even Artificial Roses are Romantic.

Middle of winter,

the roses you can buy have no perfume

and hardly look romantic.

So a bunch of fabric, artificial blooms

make an excellent substitute.

These are in an old well-shaped

pickle jar.

You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing.
The Message.Psalm 23.

Crochet Star on a Pillow Slip.

An inexpensive way to decorate white cotton bedlinen is to add a motif.

The white on white theme, which always looks crisp and peaceful is enhanced by added texture.

My friend made me the crochet star for my birthday and this is a brilliant way of displaying and preserving it.

Try to mix as many different textured whites as you can. Be sure to have some plain and smooth white in places so the look is not too busy.


I inherited your book on living,it's mine forever-What a gift! And how happy it makes me! The Message Psalm 119.

Chalk Drawing

Chalks come in such delicious colors and large sizes like sticks of GELATO ice cream.




Kids of all ages enjoy the freedom of drawing on concrete. The effect is textural and beautiful.

If the images are great, save them through
photography.

Bethany

Antique Version Of Beth

I choose the road to somewhere, I post your road signs at every curve and corner. Psalm 119 The Message.

Celebrate an Achievement!

Any and all achievements

are worth celebrating:

For eg: The finishing of a garden-Making a batch of jam or relish.

           A child's good report- A raise-An anniversary of any kind.

           A new baby in the family- A sum of money saved.

           An exam passed- A debt paid off- A friend's good fortune.

           A parent's good health report- A sports win.

           A creative project completed- Someone else's good news.

           A new address.

Also worth  celebrating are: A national holiday, the end of the week,

                                      Christmas, Easter, New Year, the arrival of 

                                       

                                      Spring, the first blossom, the first rose.

         These great things are not 'luck' so CELEBRATE them, and more.

Joining with friends, family, neighbours, strangers, or colleagues in a celebration for e.g.  in an open air music  or  national event, spreads 

enthusiasm and happiness- This celebrating makes you healthier by 

relaxing muscles, releasing endorphins and boosting your immune system-

Go ahead it's good for you!

The plan wasn't written out with ink on paper, with pages and pages of legal footnotes, killing your spirit. It's written with Spirit on spirit, His life on our lives! 2 Corinthians 3.

Old Wooden Furniture

Antique or older furniture and accessories are a great investment:

The use they get

won't cause them to lose their value

like new or modern goods.

 Chips and scratches in old wood can enhance it's appearance. Just add a bit of wax, oil or furniture polish. In the long run this attractive older furniture will cause a lot less trouble and won't need replacing.

  

Give pieces to those who appreciate " the Look "

They can become an heirloom.

They hardly ever look ugly-

although the simpler the design the better

for longterm delight.

He gives the rejects His hand and leads them step by step.

Psalm 25 The Message.

A Photo Bowl.

Do you have lots of photos

in boxes or files

that you hardly ever look at?

Find a nice bowl or purchase a recycled glass one like this, put into it photos that are themed. For example, the garden before and after. The kids when they were very young. The holiday in Europe and so on. In this way photos will be picked up by visiting friends or family and lovely memories recalled.

     Every couple of weeks change the theme so there are always some new ones to talk about and enjoy.

I delight far more in what you tell me about living than in gathering a pile of riches.Psalm 119 The Message.

One Way to Become Happier.

This may take a few weeks.

But you will notice a real difference

in your happiness level.

Keep a small journal

called WWW or What Went Well

or 

3 Blessings.

Every night before going to bed, write down 3 things that went well that day.

It can be very specific, for example: All the dishes got washed.

                                                  I wrote the letter I've been putting off 

                                                  writing.

                                                  It was fun at work today.

Or it can be more general:I'm alive!

                                    I love my family.

                                    God loves me.

Talk to your children or spouse in the evening and ask them: What went well today? Great for a positive end to a possibly difficult day.

Psalm 18 The Message: I feel put back together, and I'm watching my step. God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes.