A new calendar has replaced the old on my wall, and the busy season of holiday plans and parties has finally dwindled. I don’t know about you, but I always breathe a little sigh of relief when the holidays are over and life returns to “normal!” One of the things I love about January is… View more
It was only a matter of time, friends. Given my life-long love of both reading and stitching, I’m actually surprised it’s taken me this long to come up with a craft project that puts them together! Lately, my daughter’s been showing more interest in sewing ventures, and I thought it’d be fun to encourage her… View more
(This post is part of The Enemies of Grace series. Click here to learn more.) Sitting behind the wheel of my car, I let out a frustrated sigh as I twisted the key into the ignition. Will I forever feel like a square peg in a round hole? I threw the question toward the overcast… View more
Here toward the end of December, I flutter about amidst presents, and cookies, and festive parties. Family traditions and Christmas twinkle lights bring a cheery glow to my heart. As precious and comforting as all these holiday celebrations may be, though, I don’t want to turn them into a substitute for what my soul most desperately… View more
Do you remember the sights and sounds that filled your childhood home at Christmastime? The feelings of anticipation that stirred in your little heart? When I think about Christmases past, I remember the familiar decorations that my mother placed around the house, impatient curiosity about the packages tucked under our tree, and wide-eyed wonder at… View more
Well friends, it won’t be long now. In a few short weeks, I’ll haul the Christmas tree out of storage and huff and puff my way through pulling it upstairs to our living room. Next will follow the annual ritual of testing lights, muttering about their poor manufacturing quality as I attempt to replace burnt-out… View more
A couple weeks ago, I sat down to design a “Merry Christmas” bunting for the blog. I came up with a festive music style bunting that was inspired, in part, by some DIY ornaments I had crafted for our Christmas tree this year But then I opened the mail and saw a flyer from my… View more
It’s getting closer, friends. December will be here soon. With just a couple days left before Thanksgiving, I’m giving myself permission to start dreaming of a white Christmas this afternoon. Snowflakes are dancing through the air as I type these words and the notes of Frank Sinatra’s “Holly Jolly Christmas” float around me. The next… View more
(This post is part of the Enemies of Grace Series. Click here to learn more.) They sat there in my closet, judging me as I tried to fall asleep. Two bags. One with some adorable gray fashion boots and a pair of black ballet flats. The other stuffed with several cute tops and a new… View more
. And just like that, the calendar on my wall says “November” and taunts me with the reality that December is close on its heels. So much has to happen in these few brief weeks of the year! My daughter has a birthday. Thanksgiving celebrations to cook for and attend. And, of course, the preparations… View more
