First Impressions

You know what they say, "you don't get a second chance to make a good first impression" or something like that : )  Your front door, front porch, front entrance is the first thing people see when they approach your home.  For that reason you need to remember to keep it in tidy, clean and attractive condition.  This is an area I often forget as I go about my homekeeping tasks.  All of a sudden I look down at the welcome mat and it is covered in dust and dry leaves that have blown in from the great beyond.

 



So I make note to myself: check the front porch and take the broom with you!  You only get one chance to make a good impression : ) 

Truth and Wisdom

Proverbs 22:17    Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. * There are three prerequisites for learning truth and wisdom. And they are not listed in any college handbook. You must first humble yourself to admit you are ignorant; you must then stop thinking and talking, so you can be taught by those wiser than you; and then you must love and commit to what you are taught. This process guarantees learning!  * Good notes on this here.

Daily Bread on the Kitchen Counter

It has become a practice of late to keep one of my Bibles on my kitchen island.  It makes it so simple to read a verse here and there as I spend time in the kitchen.  I have read that Ruth Graham (Mrs. Billy Graham) did this when she was busy raising 5 young chlldren with her husband traveling much of the time.    With an empty nest my time is not limited like it was with Mrs. Graham but I simply like doing this and enjoying spiritual nourishment from my kitchen as I go about my day.

Each day I try to read one of the Proverbs (31 days - 31 Proverbs).  Some gems in today's reading:

Proverbs 21:2  Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
Proverbs 21:21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
Proverbs 21:23 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. 
Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. 

 

Table Top Tuesday Vignette

Again this week I am linking up with Marty at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com for her Table Top Tuesday Vignettes. 

My pictures are of an oak desk and book shelves that stands in my dining room next to my china hutch.  The desk was a find at our Salvation Army thrift store.  I had spotted the desk while out junking one afternoon and it caught my eye because the oak matches several other pieces I have and I liked the combo desk and shelves.  The next day while in the area with my Precious Husband I told him about the desk and he wanted to know why I didn't get it.  Two answers came quickly to mind - I don't need it and where would I put it anyway.  Precious Husband could tell I did want the desk so off to Salvation Army we went.  Oh, yes I forgot the good part of this story.  The price on the desk was $99 which is a good price for such a piece of furniture around our area.  But still I didn't need a desk and where would I put it?  So I stood in front of the desk at the store and hemmed and hawed.  Finally Precious Husband took the tag and went up to the desk to make the purchase knowing his wife as he does.  Would you believe, unbeknown to me everything was half-price that day and the desk went home with us for $49.50  Wahoooo!

I like the special woodwork detail on the front of the desk.  Precious Husband always answers my question of where would I put it? with, "I know you, if you want it you will find a place for it" and I did : )

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

 

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Linking up with Lisa for Tempt my Tummy Tuesday at  http://blessedwithgrace.blogspot.com/  to share the most wonderful in the world marinade.  I found this recipe at the home of a delightful AZ blogger named Lylah.  Go here for the recipe.  I use it on steak and it is just wonderful.  I go heavy on the garlic cause we love the taste!  

Living in Arizona we grill nearly year round.  Grab a few ingredients and try this marinade -- you won't be disappointed.  Let me know what you think if you try it and I will pass along the yummy reviews to Lylah too.

One Man's Trash Another Man's Treasure

One of my to-do projects is to start a journal and in it write about the "things" around my home.  I often wonder when my kids are around if they look at things and wonder things like: what in the world, wonder why this is so important to Mom, and where did she come up with this?  So I thought in this journal I would just take time and tell what the attraction is about some of my treasures.

My father's rocking chair for instance has been in the family forever handed down from father to son several generations back.  My brother is not sentimental nor was he interested in the chair when Daddy died so Mom gave it to me.  Wish I had been smart enough as a young child to question my Grandmother about it and be able to tell my son just how far back it really goes.  My oldest son was the only grandchild when my Dad passed away.  Jason makes it clear that the chair is his someday.  So I guess in this case it will be handed down from mother to son.

The silverware we use daily has a story too.  When I was a very young girl my Mother's mother was visiting one day and came across a big box filled to over-flowing with Betty Crocker coupons.  Grandma turned to me and said, "Your Mom is never going to do anything with these so let's see about getting silverware for your hope chest."  That is how I came to have My Rose by Onieda silverware.  Now you know.

Maybe if I write things down in the journal the kids will at least read about the item and have a little more information before they pitch it all at the Goodwill when I am gone : ) 

Another benefit of my journal besides enlightening the children and grandchildren is that it is very heart warming to sit down and reminisce over paper all the memories behind the object that makes me smile.

I do need to move this intention closer to the top of my to-do list.