Why We Need To Love...

For The Love...

Why we need to love...

My life can be poured out as an offering,

Or I can save it and keep it and stuff it in a box

Like a piece of chocolate placed within the confines of a little paper cup;

The box is lined with a gold foil,

There is also a white frosted paper neatly folded over the top.

There is a bow attached to the outside of the box.

This box is safe and very orderly;

Every piece of chocolate has its own little space!

Each one is different in its taste and texture!

We all remember the silly saying

(Life is like a box of chocolates as you never know what you are going to get)

Love has a way of being a bit like the word;

Bittersweet...

Love can fill us with rapturous feelings

Love can make us cry our eyes out at the loss of it

Love can stretch your heart till it feels like it might explode

Love can make your heart ache

Love can come in many forms;

But true love never fails

True love really works patience in us

True love never keeps the list of the wrongs done to us

True love just plain hurts at times

True love doesn't quit when things get tough

True love is not easy

Take a risk and love like there is no tomorrow;

Take a risk and say what is in your heart

~Better to love and feel loss, then to never love at all~

Why do we need to Love?

Because it is the only thing that makes the world a better place...

Marriages

Parents and Children

Siblings

Friends

Make these relationships a priority!

God created us to love...

How To Make A Rose Tea Cake...

This beautiful Tea Cake is a work of art, yet it not only looks fabulous,

It is scrumptious!

For the complete step by step recipe, go to her Blog

Treasure in An Earthen Vessel- search for Rosewater Tea Cake

This Tea Cake is just fabulous darling...

There are just times in your life, you just have to go big!

Special occasions and Birthdays.

Holidays are made to celebrate and to do something special.

Times a ticking girls!!

Get your engines started...

I must confess that I have had to make a look alike in my own way and ability!
This lady is an artist an a baker to boot...
But like I said we need an inspiration to look at and at least try!

Okay, here is my version;
A white cake mix
Whipped cream frosting, or cream cheese frosting
You need some Rose petals
A cake stand or glass plate
Once again, it is all about presentation!
If you like coconut you can garnish it on top of the cake!
Use your imagination!

Or you could make a smaller version as cupcakes!

Relax and reach for a lovely cake a bit above the normal...
Extra special...
For someone near and dear
For those we love...

Just for the inquisitive at heart;
This Rosewater Raspberry Tea Cake is a creation of my best friend!
She is my dearest...
We go back to the dinosaur age...
I miss her so much as she has just moved south
Next to an ocean...
Well, at least for me, I get to go to a warm place to visit!

Remember;
We are all Living From Glory To Glory

Blessings to each and every one of you...

Daily Is A Very Good Thing...

Daily...

When you think of that word, it really means daily

Every day

Not annual, But Daily

Our days can become very mechanical or filled with a routine that

We can loose the importance of the dailies!

Daily, really means fresh to me,

Even if I have done that same chore over a million times!

When we pray the Lords prayer,

We ask Him for our daily bread...

Do you think He is going to give you left overs from yesterday?

NOT

Every day is a new beginning;

Every evening is a time to stop and reflect

Repent and Replenish

We are called to guide our homes;

And to guide our lives...

I bet you washed a thousand loads of laundry!

I bet you have washed every pot and pan in your home hundreds of times!

"Just think"

If you make your bed every day it has been made

on an average 365 days last year.

And if you went to church every Sunday last year you went 52 times...

Does the fact that we do these things often, make them any

Less special?

All days are just different;

Some days you will need snow gear, some days rain gear...

But everyday we need our hearts in tune

Our spiritual armor on!

Daily...

It is a very good word!

Daily Bible reading

Daily Chores

Daily Meals being prepared

Daily News

Thank God for the dailies...

Work while it is yet day!

This is what is happening around my Home;

Wrote out all my Valentines to mail today!

I gave two sweet little girls a crocheted heart.

I taught these same little girls the beginnings to learn to crochet!

I unpacked three huge boxes of more Fransician china...

I had to repack some of it to store for future use!

My Brother is so generous to me...

Planning my Valentine Lunch party!

Worked on crafts for the table as little gifts!

Do you enjoy making each day special?

Do you look forward to the comforting Dailes?

Do you enjoy the rhythm of the seasons and days?

Happy Valentines Day!

I appreciate each and every one of you dear ladies...

Will YOU be mine?

How To Have Real Beauty Rest...

Beauty Rest...

Is is imperative to have a Bedroom that has been created to bring about;

Peaceful Calming, Sleep and Good Loving...

If your Bedroom is messy, dirty, and cluttered;

You owe it to yourself and your Hubby to rectify it immediately!

As any room in your home it must have all the elements needed,

To provide a safe and clean environment for healthy sleep and;

Pillow Talk...

You must take a whole day or more time if needed to deep clean!

Dressers and closets, gone through and organized.

A place for every item!

Also good window treatment to keep the light from coming in;
This also helps keep the room warm in the winter,
And cool in the summer!

Nightstand needs a good lamp for reading in bed!

A candle or a non-wicked candle with batteries for abeyance.

(I prefer this soft lighting)

A box of tissues, and some nice hand lotion, nail file etc.
A neat stack of out treasured books... (Smile)

Tops of dressers need to be clean and not overloaded with stuff;

As this stuff collect dust and gives you a cluttered feeling!

But it is the Bed itself that is really important here;

Clean Sheets
Soft Fluffy comforter
Pretty Bedspread
Good quality pillows

I have seen the upkeep of homes, really not a top priority anymore;

But I urge you ladies to make your bedroom into a sanctuary...

You need to change those sheets every week!!

You need to dust and vacuum under your bed;

Sleeping with dust bunnies is not healthy.

Keep a couple bedspreads that you can change it a couple times a year.

Have at least two sets of sheets so you have a clean set always ready.

If you keep your bedroom clean and organized you will have;

A place to unwind and rest and love and re-connect!

Make a real effort to keep the Bedroom your Sanctuary...

Have you done something special to make your bedroom into

A place of Rest and Beauty?

A Frugal Gift Idea Made From Lace Doilies...

A Pretty Frugal Gift...

Here is a very frugal craft idea;

That makes a very sweet gift for you homemaker's!

These I have made for myself to place in my home.

I like to use them because they are so small and do not interfere with

My tabletops decor, or the use of the table.

I have placed a small lamp on them;

Draped them over a basket;

Placed a vintage bottle upon it!

Firstly, check out your fabric stores such as Joannes or any other;

Purchase a few of these small doilies, they come in small, medium or large.

The small ones run about $1.99

The price goes up with the larger sizes.

You can buy them in a few different colors;

For this project, may I suggest the white or cream color!

I did iron them to make them nice and flat;

(I love to iron)

My sister asked me why I iron everything?

I told her without missing a beat

~ was this~

Well, it's because some days it's the only thing I can control!

The wrinkles in my clothes;

Of course until I sit down (smile)

You can either glue on your little flowers or bows;

Or you can tack them on with needle and thread!

Some of the little flowers have a self stick glue,

But it does not hold for very long,

 So you will need to still use one of these two methods!

Evenly space out your little Rose buds or the bows; or even buttons!

I remember years ago when making ones with little pearls on them,

I actually used material and beaded a flower pattern onto the material.

It was a lot of work;

That is why this project is easy and frugal

I gave these as gifts to my girlfriends last year for Valentines Day

I think these would also make a lovely hostess gift to give!

Also for a Bridal shower;

They are a frugal gift with just a pinch of homemade added to them...

Use your own imagination and make a few up to have a quick gift on hand!

Sometimes even the smallest little touch can make a home seem special!

It really is the little things we do in our homes, that make them comfy!

Remember, each day to do something that says

~I Love You~

How To Serve Meals That Are Lovely, Yet Frugal...

A Frugal Idea!

I must admit, one of my most favorite easy peasy meal is this--

A warm bowl of tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich,

Made either on sliced bread or a flour tortilla.

I think sometimes we just need something easy to prepare and to enjoy!

Even if it is just an easy frugal meal does not mean it can't

Be served in something pretty!

Being visual in serving a meal goes a very long way.

Sometimes just serving something light on a pretty platter or plate,

Is a secret key to not feeling cheated in what might be considered a frugal meal!

We all know how often we come across a pretty plate or bowl,

While on our treasure hunts, keep this in mind to find a few items,

To use for appeal and presentation of our frugal meal ideas.

If you could plan at least a few meals a week that were considered

(Very inexpensive to make) and then were able to save a bit of money.

You would learn to be very creative to keep the cost down, 

But the appeal and the presentation of it is desired!

A quiche made of eggs and a bit of veggies can be very satisfying

When served with a bit of bread!

A hearty bowl of soup made from things that were just a bit of this and that.

Served in a pretty mug can fill an empty tummy!

Can you buy a whole chicken and make three meals or more from it?

Well, If not you should learn quickly!

Can you take a few items and make a meal?

You could and should!

Do you eat out often?

May I remind you of the expense of this little convenience;

"Do not even mention the sodium and fat.

Think simple and real food items!

Serve with love and on some pretty dishes,

Say grace and enjoy...

Then serve a little bit of something sweet;

Maybe a small cookie,

 Or a little glass custard bowl filled with some pudding.

Try a  little square of some dark chocolate.

Being frugal is down right fashionable dear ladies;

It shows a great creativity on your part!

And speaks volumes to out Hubbies that we honor them

And their Hard work and the income they bring in!

We really need to ask ourselves a bit more often before a purchase,

Is this;" Is this a need or a want??"

Ask Yourself this question;

How many hours has my Husband had to work for me to purchase this item?

What are some of your frugal meal ideas?

When a Man Loves A Woman...

 

When a man loves a woman...

Do you need a little cupid dust to be sprinkled upon your head?

Do you need to be squeezed and pulled into a bear hug?

Do you need someone to fan your flame?

When a man loves a woman, He loves with a deep longing that,

God put into him...

He needs a good woman!

Yes, I can hear from this side of my little screen;

You are just looking for a good man!

We need both;

Lets face it, we are seeing so much divorce and broken homes galore.

But ladies, if you could just be patient;

Wait and see if you can find that heart in your man;

Because I have some real undercover information here!

If you are married to this man called your mate;

You do have the special part that His heart is missing...

He needs a woman with more heart than looks or money!

He has a need that only you can fill!

"Trust, integrity, honor"

Wait, these are qualities that he should have!

A man needs to have a woman that is a bit above the cut!

Why?

Because it is just getting darker and harder to keep the light,

In our marriages and homes.

I know we get tired and really worn out;

But men are the targets for so many schemes and assaults out there!

I just know how much energy and time it takes

 To run a business or work a full time job...

Been there, done that!

Did not work very well for us,

But it was a training ground for me to see what it was like,

To be out in the world, and see what my husband dealt with daily!

Coming Home...

This was not just a physical move

But a spiritual one!

When a man loves a woman he wants here heart and soul;

~Even when he has not given all of his~

It's all work my dear sweet ladies;

But, just tell me where exactly you can have, 

A little bit of heaven on this earth,

Without working at it??

Open up your own little bag of cupid dust...

Sprinkle a little love!

Remember, just a spoon full of sugar helps everything!

I have witnessed a love that was grown and blossomed with the strain of

Selfishness and Me syndrome.

God's word and advice for a good marriage is powerful,

Yet, sometimes it just takes time!

There is nothing more glorious that seeing a woman well loved...

What words of encouragement or advice can we give to each other?

How To Become An Active Listener...

Artist: Carolina Elizabeth

Responding To Our Husbands

I wish I could stress enough how important this is...

Now lets just clarify right up front here ladies,

I am speaking about responding to them with our;

Words, our body language and tone of voice. And our listening to them!

And our loving them in physical ways of contact...

None of us appreciate  or enjoy being ignored when someone is not showing

Appropriate response in listening to us when we are talking.

It can be downright frustrating!

I realize at times we are so busy it is hard to just stop when, He

May be speaking to us!

We as women are always multi tasking;

But sometimes we just stop listening;

Sometimes we stop seeing the needs that are being displayed.

I can get so busy as he can also that we both realize we need some

ALONE time...

It does not matter whether you are a newlywed or have been married

For years. We all want to be heard!

And to not feel like we are talking to ourselves.

I think one of the most important skills we need to learn;

But more importantly is to use it!

Being an ACTIVE listener...

Blah blah blah

Seriously...

Husbands feel very disrespected when we do not listen to them.

When they are talking to us!

We can do so many things just right in so many arenas;

But I can tell you for sure this one thing that we might be doing;

Can and will cause great trouble!

I had an older woman tell me many years ago to STOP

Interrupting my Husband and to look at him when he was speaking to me!

( I NEVER)

Was my first thought, I was mad and embarrassed over this correction.

But she was right and very wise...

When I started doing as she suggested, the whole relationship blossomed!

We all need to be heard!

We all can learn to be an active listener!

We can respond with our eyes, and our head nodding!

We can respond in a way that he will be validated!

I am sure we have all experienced this;

When we are watching a movie;

And someone starts talking to us, we just space them out!

(Well, if this is the way you act all the time)

You can see that this can become a real source of trouble for a marriage.

Can you hear me?

Are You listening?

Do you think you are a good listener?