Homegrown Hospitality

Completion & Casseroles

By now you know my OLW (one little word) for 2012 is PRACTICE and so in honor of me and my word, I practiced finishing things (because I have so too many "works in progress") by getting all of these hearts stitched up.

and instead of adding them to my "Basket of Happy" they have their very own place and I call these my "Casserole of Love".  

The name "Casserole of Love" might sound corny, but corny or not, anytime someone needs a little love, I am ready with a casserole..and hey, when I offer someone in need a serving of love and show them my casserole, it is bound to create a smile...

try it, you will see.

All of the Above

WARNING: A LONG ONE...Grab some coffee, tea...or drink of choice.

We all have a specific "purpose" and several years ago, when I not only "heard" that, but took it SERIOUSLY did I "get it" (no, not "my purpose" but the entire scope of what it means)  

I was EXCITED to know WHAT my purpose was, because I never really "knew" what I wanted to "be" when I grew up besides a wife, a mom and a PTA member (hold your comments !!!!).

Insert screeching breaks....

Ummm...It is not like you stand in line, wait your turn and then be handed a slip of paper that tells you what your Purpose is and, "Duh"...it's not really what "we want to be"... (I thought I had to figure it out...)

 

NOPE.

Our individual purpose is "what we were created to be" and up until a handful of years ago, did I REALLY get it...and I had to "grow through" what I had to go through* to understand it all and now I get it. I mean, I got it...

My Purpose, that is...

and here is the thing, everyone else around you may be able to "see" it and "know it" and even tell you what "it", your purpose is, but until you REALLY get it, you don't...

Oh, I hope I have not lost you because here it is:

I am starting to feel, think and see things differently than I really ever have before and with that, I have to say...

It's not about scrapbooking...(duh)

or doodling.. (eek!)

or making things from paper..(drat!)

or baking things from dough and batter..(whatttt????)

or stitching things from felt...(gulp!)

or painting, stamping or really anything thing else....It, MY PURPOSE is about inspiring, influencing, teaching, reminding and loving all of the above and creating a community around it.

Insert falling confetti, letting colorful balloons fly, blowing party horns, clicking heels like a leprechaun, lighting fireworks..

It only took 42.75 years to figure it out..now I have 42.75 years, give or take, to work it. 

 

Thank YOU for being part of my PURPOSE!

amen.

Practice:Contentment

I sat down last night, opened up my little "Smash" book and what did I find?  A lovely little something that I doodled and never shared. 

I am pretty sure that I was inspired by a quote I found on Pinterest and it says alot about our little home sweet home...

 

It really does not matter the size, it is what is inside (not the furniture, duh!)  and even though we live in close quarters 99% of the time, I love our little home sweet home (and I bet they do too, even though they think having a two story house and a three car garage would be super cool.) I say "it would just be more to clean!"

Today, be content with what you have and remember, life is not about things.

       "It is better to be satified with what you have than to be always wanting something else" Eccl. 6:9

 

Practice Journal 2012

It has been awhile since I have gotten really creative and super messy with paper, ink & paint so with a open weekend coming up that is supposed to be FULL of RAIN, I am preparing to start the beginnning of incorporating my 2012 word PRACTICE

with several techniques that I love, to create a new art journal.   

As I have become more intentonal with the things I do, the process of creating this journal is going to include me practicing the following ideas, purposes, feelings and emotions:

P - purpose;process;practice

R - relax;relish;remember

A - adventure;artful

C - challenge;commit;cultivate;create

T - transformation;time;together

I - improve;imagine;inspire

C - choices;changes;color

E - embrace;emerge;enjoy

I hope that this idea sparks something inside you to practice something today.

Practice:Finishing

Today I have made a list, set a goal and have a plan to get it all done! 

I am going to PRACTICE stitching this

with these

while PRACTICING my laundry skills by folding these

and FINISH the day by having it all done and put away!

Practice: Doodle

With "Practice" being my word this year, I have taken a little time each day to practice my doodles, working on new techniques, trying different paper types and experimenting with very basic tools...
(see the pen?? it is a papermate!) LOVE these and super happy that Santa left me a few new packs (that he bought at Target in the stationary section) in my stocking.

and oh, here is another good thing to PRACTICE...

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock." Matthew 7:24

just sayin...you know...in case you were going to ask. 

Practice

Getting things accomplished is such a great feeling and as this year comes to an end and we start a new one, I am setting some "goals" to "PRACTICE" accomplishing things. Notice I did not use the stereotype New Years Word "resolution"???

nah, just setting some "Goals" because it is a much more positive word.

My word "PRACTICE" word will help me "ACCOMPLISH" things and in return, peace of mind will happen, and peace of mind equals a overall peace, and if I am peaceful, then it might inspire you to do something to capture some peace, and if you are peaceful, well, then...someone you are around might sense your peace and want their own peace.

Inspired to accomplish, practice and obtain a little peace???

Me too!

"psst..." Registration for "Scrapbook*Life*Journal" ends tomorrow!!!!

 

One Little Word..

can make a huge difference. This is the fifth year I am taking Ali's lead with One Little Word.

2008 was a year to define my Purpose

2009 was a year to just plain Focus

2010 was a year focused on Hope

2011 was a year to Cultivate

and 2012 is the year to Practice all of the above....

practicing art...inspiring hope...sharing my faith...teaching the skills I have been given...being quiet...listening...comforting...praying...helping...developing...living...giving and loving...

these are just some of the things that I want to practice doing for the first time, better, stronger and longer...

for God, for me, for you, for them, for us.

What is your word?

The Happiness Habit

Cultivating my habit of embracing happiness...one day at a time by using my Log Your Memory Journal....have you opened your journal yet??...it is time!

                                                                                                                      Log Your Memory & One Little Word

and FINALLY the beginning of January meant that the wait was finally over for these (more on this next week!) and the others in the collection are coming soon!!!! promise!

 
You can check them out here.

 

Happy New Years 2011

I have finally decided on my "One Little Word" for the new year and although it won't look pretty stamped on a silver charm and won't really look great displayed in scrabble letters, it is a great word that applies to so much..so much potential...so many possibilities and something that I look forward to doing!

My goal for the new year is to work my word into daily life creatively, spiritually, physically and mentally...within my family, my friendships, my relationship with God and to apply it, practice it, pray on it and enjoy it each day...

 
As we all bid farewell to 2010 and welcome to a bright new year, I want to tell each and every one of you how thankful I am for you.  I appreciate you, your understanding, your compliments and comments...your concerns and wishes and I pray for you, a wonderful 2011..

Happy New Years to you and your families and cheers to "cultivating" a brand new year!!