Got a sweet forward from my friend, Heather. There were a lot of beautiful flowers in the email, which made me think of our backyard and all the B-I-G yard projects we have slotted on the ever growing "To do" list. Thinking of the backyard made me look out the window and I saw the sunlight and heard birds chirping and this....ALL this ...gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling of enjoyment.

In the email were a list of suggestions about taking life slower and fight for the deeper and true meanings in life. How about I just share the ones that seemed to hit me....

1. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety . If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
2. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut).
3. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good 'Thank you Jesus ....'
5. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
6 Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.

Six Things and the yellow chair.

This says...KELLY.

I have a friend who changes her decor like the rest of us change our underwear. Shhhh. Don't tell anyone I said underwear. (I just want to snicker and start making under there? under where? jokes)

It's a part of her personal DNA and nothing to apologize for.

I believe strongly in BEAUTY as more than a concept to ponder and wax on about in ethereal terms. Beauty is not just something I visit at a museum. It's found in the everyday moments showing up in the sound of laughter, words on paper, touch, color, how well we love.... Beauty is meant to be a part of our everyday life's. God created and said it was GOOD and then He rested and enjoyed what He made. It wasn't a "well that's done...let's move on to the next task shall we", but more of a savoring and delighting in that which was complete and formed.

We were created by a magnificent Creator; so it stand to reason that beholding and constructing beauty are part of expressing the image of God. I would go so far as to say we cannot NOT create wherever we are and creating done in the palm of the hand of God is worship. What I mean by that is the kind of creating that God can touch regardless of whether the world would disdain it.

We've all been in homes where it's just easier to relax and enjoy because of the surroundings. That describes Kelly's house and her theme for the season is yellow. One of the many connections I have with Kelly is our kindred spirit to find a deal. She is the connoisseur of the garage sale and bargain rack and I LOVE IT! Kelly is one of the few people I would like to own a business with; I think I'd call the store "Quirk" because that would about describe what you'd experience. Everything from modern to French Provencal would be woven in the shopping palette. It would be a paradise for expression (in a healthy way :) )

So this bright and cheery chair is a shout out to my friend Kelly and to beauty....may we find it in the most unexpected places.

This says....REST with friends and enjoy a day at the villa.


This says....CREATIVE.
A glass flower vase faucet. I'd be freaked out some one in my busy bunch would break it (my favorite statue has a chip in it because of some sword swinging by little miss busy), but I'm imagining it with stones or glass marbles looking so serene with water flowing out of it. I'd just want to stand there and turn off the faucet and then on, off, on, off - faster...now slower.....you get my drift.

You can see this faucet at Hego Waterdesign


This says... I WANT TO HANG OUT IN MY ROOM.

For those who are trying to figure out creative, yet artful ways to share divide space with siblings this is a great way to do that. I actually think the storage / nightstand could be reconfigured to fit 2 bookcases back to back. The bottom portion would be a headboard for each kiddo with storage on the top, all the while lending a little privacy.

Check out the Italians at Dearkids for more zany ideas.

Check out that guard rail.

These stairs say....SMILE. (with storage to boot...these are my kind of designers)


This say ...RELAX.

I have fond memories of a trip I took with my friend Heather to Pennsylvania. We stayed at a Great Aunt's house and one of the things that captured me about her abode was the red claw foot tub sitting at an angle in the middle of the bathroom. I think the impression went deep because it was so out of the box and said...do what you enjoy.

The SWAP party

Last night I gathered with a group of chic and very hip gals to partake in a SWAP party...so fun! My sweet friends, Kelly and Becky, decided to host this little shindig and it was sparkling in every way!!! Food, friends, free stuff - ingredients to make a very fine evening. (all displayed in high fashion if I might add)

You can swap anything you want, but this round was all about accessories. They invited gals with similar fashion sense and we all dug out jewelry, belts, glasses, purses, scarves, etc. in lovely, but slightly used condition, which we no longer wanted. There were rules (of course there were rules!!), but basically you could walk away with new bling you didn't have to pay for and that.....that is very satisfying!

I scored!!! Lime green, Tommy Hilfiger purse, dangly beaded bronze earrings, very cool silver bracelet, and some other shiny what-nots.

Here's the deal - I thought I wore some decent jewelry before I moved to these here parts, but since running with the likes of Kelly and Becky, I have been inspired to step out of my accessorizing comfort zone - mainly with LARGER baubles. They both seem able to wear anything and pull it off with panache'. Reality is they could wear a red vine around their necks and others would applaud it as a fashionable signature mark.

OK - so I mentioned the loot, but the food - oh man the food was so, so tasty. There is something deeply satisfying about eating food you have not had to prep or clean-up for. But... when the food is gourmet it just takes it up a notch (BAM!...sorry had to say it)

Artichoke Bisque (I didn't even know artichoke could be bisqued), venison sausage with a cream cheese spread layered between wafer thin, light as air, crackers, slices of ciabatta bread stacked with brie cheese, pear and dark chocolate wine sauce drizzled on top. OH - and apple cider ala mode drinks. WOW!

It is was intimate, it was fun and we are going to repeat the process in a few months, only this time with household decor. Eventually we will move on to linens, kitchen wear, shoes, cars...(OK just joking with the cars - although I have a really sweet RV I'd trade :) )

If you are interested in hosting your own SWAP party all you need to do is Google the term for ideas. The great thing is that a SWAP is not gender limited. Think of the swap arenas left to be unfurled...power tools, books, office supplies, crafts, hats, sports equipment.

On a deeper scale, think about how SWAP parties could revolutionize the ministry. Churches could swap people like they trade players in sports. Pastors could swap sermons. Ministries could just trade whole conferences; including the personnel to run the things.

The ideas are limitless really - just think about it.