Not just for girls

I have a confession. Not a huge embarrassing one, but still, I have to admit: I dislike girly colors. you know the kind I mean, don't you? The bubblegum pinks, pale blues, minty greens, and soft purples so often associated with young girls.

I, however, have nothing against grown-up takes on those colors. In fact, my bedroom decor has been inspired by delicious lavender hues (tempered with gray). How can you resist the combination? check these beautiful examples from Apartment Therapy:

Yummy!

Here's some more grown-up versions of "girlish" tones:

Soft pink on living room walls, at Making It Lovely.

Minty green, from The Inspired Room (originally from Country Living)

Nearly-baby-blue, from House Beautiful

What do you think? do these pastels have a place in home decorating, or are they too feminine?

Thanks for Tuesday

Thank you, God, for

1. Today

2. Friends joining us for dinner

3. Bounty of food to share with friends

4. This time of year, and the memories of years past

5. The sanctifying circumstances in my life. They are tough, but without them, I would forget (more than I already do) how much I need Christ.

Merry (3 days before) Christmas!

Monday's Blessings

Today I am so very grateful for...

1. My husband, who knew I needed encouragement today, and left work early to be with me.

2. Peppermint mocha's. Actually, this is just misplaced gratitude for my husband, who brought me a peppermint mocha from Starbucks just 'cause.

3. My sister-in-law, D. She is the kind of sister-in-law I hope to be to my other dear sister-in-law, Y. Thank you for your gentleness, D!

4. Mom Chrisman. She is an encouraging, godly woman whom I admire greatly and hope to know better and better as the years pass.

5. Mom Warfield, who bore and raised me, and loves me anyway! Another encouraging, godly woman I hope to be better and better friends with through the coming years.

My day in pictures (just because)

My day started beautifully...it all began by sleeping until 10 (yes, 10!) in this:

Well, not exactly that bed. That would be nice though, wouldn't it? that looks like a bed you could really dream in. Ahhhhh.

Next, LOML and I pulled ourselves reluctantly from bed and warmed ourselves by drinking strong cups of this:

After our tea turn tepid, we ate a delicious breakfast here:


And when we were done, we went shopping for dear friends here:


Upon returning home, I made some of this:


While LOML did this:


And then I decided to be a nice wife, let him sleep, and amused myself doing this:

The End (have a wonderful weekend).

Friday

It is a challange to put my mind towards the good grace of God today...I'm feeling ill and tired. Even so, His grace is evident.
To begin...

1. It's Friday, which means I have two whole days with LOML

2. I got to sleep uninterrupted all morning. It's not fun to feel ill, but it's delightful to get to sleep so much!

3. I had energy to clean my messy house. I really just wanted to crawl into bed and pretend I didn't even have a house, let alone a messy one. But despite my complaining body, the house got cleaned, and it makes me happy.

4. Entertainment for low-energy days. I've been watching 84 Charing Cross Road...what a sweet, only-slightly-sad tale.

5. Frozen dinner. The frozen lasagna that will be our dinner tonight is enough to make a gal sing the Hallelujah Chorus.

Yet more grace

I'm so thankful today...my brother and sister (and 3 cute nephews!) are traveling our way for Christmas. And, I got to go Christmas shopping for them yesterday! So those 2 things will start out today's list of grace shown and received.

3. my family. They're not perfect, but they are wonderful.

4. love. How is it that I have a marvelous relationship with a dear man who loves me? amazing grace.

5. my sisters -"A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not ourselves - a special kind of double. "

More Grace

Grace

1 a : unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification b : a virtue coming from God c : a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace
2 a : approval, favor s> b archaic : mercy, pardon c : a special favor : privilege d : disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency e : a temporary exemption : reprieve

...as evident in:

1. hot, nourishing food

2. Christmas gifts from friends

3. my kitties who are affectionate and keep me company

4. hot tea on cold mornings

5. my friends at bookclub and fellowship with them

Grace for today

Today, I am grateful for Gods grace, so evident in:

1. Salvation, which is free, and comes only from God

2. my husbands job

3. my job as a homemaker, which, although not your typical 9-5, is fulfilling and helpful to LOML

4. the house I am sheltered by while typing this

5. this weather...all this rain is good for my parent farmers

Daily Grace

God's grace was evident to me today in:

1. my husband who took me out to lunch just because

2. my church family

3. worship, prayer, and the rich, nurturing Word

4. Christmas plans, and people to share them with

5. warm clothes, warm car, warm house.

Image from Country Living

Grace in small things

God is so gracious to me. I know it in my head, I see evidence all around me, everyday. But in my heart, I struggle with discontentment. I forget. I ignore His grace. Do you ever do that? I think we are prone to forgetfullness...prone to selfishness.

So as a personal challenge to recognize Gods grace daily, I'm resolved to lists 5 evidences of His grace per day on this blog (inspired by this) until Christmas. And as a matter of fact...I'll begin right now!

I saw God's grace today in the small things...
1. Having enough money for the groceries I needed today.
2. Having enough money for the things I didn't need, but wanted.
3. My wonderful husband, and his buying me a peppermint mocha
4. Friends coming for dinner
5. Beautiful snow that delights my soul, and being able to keep warm despite it.

Ahh. There. Thank you Lord for all these blessings, and the ones I didn't list as well.