Home Sanctuary

Giving Thanks

Last year's Thanksgiving tables

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I'm always a little sad that it gets squeezed by Christmas and the increasingly-popular Halloween, because it's the holiday that carries such meaning and is a joy to celebrate.

 

I love that it doesn't take weeks of planning, shopping and stress to pull off a good Thanksgiving.

I love that it revolves around food, family and friends.

I love that there is pumpkin pie, stuffing and sweet potatoes - things we don't normally eat at other times of the year.

I love that there are leftovers.

I love that we spend time giving thanks.

 

Thanksgiving is a time to pause and reflect on the many gifts we've been given. Some years, like when my husband's job was downsized, or when we struggled so long after the crash of 2008, or the year we lost a baby, Thanksgiving came just when we needed it. It was hard to see past our troubles to the blessings, but even then, there were things we could give praise to God for. It made us stop and look for them...and see that He was still with us and still providing for us.

Comfort, strength, friends, faith, life. The tough years have a way of shifting our focus from the material to the eternal, and maybe that's the way it should be all the time. Just a little bit off-kilter, a little unsteady on our feet so that we hang on to our Heavenly Father and give thanks in the midst of it all.

Wherever Thanksgiving finds you this year, may you be blessed with the things that matter most. God has brought you so far, my friends, and He has so much more in store for you. Celebrate this holiday knowing that you are smack in the center of His care and that He is with you each step of the way.

I'll be back on Monday, so until then, enjoy your week. Know that I give thanks for you each and every day.

Love, Rachel Anne

Enough

I'm posting at Priscilla Shirer's blog today - a lesson that God has pressed upon me so clearly in recent days, about "Enough!" I hope you'll go over and read it! Grab yourself a cup of coffee and enjoy.

Enough

 

I realized that my post about Flash did not include a link to the video so many of you were unable to see it in your emails. Here is that link.

Rachel Introduces Flash

Love you all!

 

Rachel

In Which I Introduce Flash in a Video

Last weekend, we did a bit of filming. I wanted to introduce Flash, my incorrigible donkey, to the people I've been speaking with about publishing my book.

Why am I not surprised that Flash stole the show? You've GOT to watch his antics in the first 2 minutes. And if you listen carefully, you can hear my husband snickering in the background.

 

 Here is the youtube link.

Since I THOUGHT we were doing a practice run for my speaking part, I didn't rehearse or try to get it perfect....but he was being so silly that we just went with it "as is." What a goof ball.

 

Let's have a little fun with a Small Thing today, using Flash as our inspiration. You can see he has a bunch of great qualities....aaaaand some he's still working on. He's obviously a work in progress, just like we are. 

 

Today's Small Thing is easy and requires no heavy lifting:

 

1. Pick one of YOUR great qualities...and celebrate it today. Take joy in how much you've grown, what you've learned, or what you're naturally good at. Is it empathy? Sense of humor? Ability to cook? Don't belittle, undervalue or underappreciate the good stuff that's inside you.

You are filled with treasure. You ARE a treasure. Believe that.

 

2. Pick one quality you'd like to improve on today. And then, make an intentional choice to be the kind of person you want to be. Choose to have patience with the kids, choose to respond lovingly to your husband's request for....well, whatever he's requesting, pray for someone rather than gossipping. You know what you're working on.

See, change never happens until we decide to make it happen. Make today the day you do it.

 

These are two solid ways you can improve your life today. We all want to be better women, moms, wives, workers and all the things we need to be - and it takes both self-affirmation and self-motivation to get there.

Give yourself a carrot AND a stick today....just like Flash.

For actions 1 and 2.

40 Extra points for sharing your two qualities in the comments today!

What are you celebrating about yourself, and what are you working on? I'm celebrating my ability to laugh at myself, and working on my lack of exercise discipline.

Enjoy your weekend!

 

N is for Necessity, the Mother of Invention

This post is part of an ongoing "Be More Creative" series that has something in it for everyone.

 

 

 

 

 

I sat with my son, and all the other potential engineers at the A&M Engineering orientation just before his freshman year started. I looked around at all those smart young people, the pocket-protector-wearing kids who tote graphing calculators around for leisure entertainment. Not a super creative bunch, clearly. That's why I was surprised when I heard the professor say this:

 

"Engineering is creativity in action. It is taking things meant for one purpose, and figuring out how to make them work for another."

 

He went on to recount the story of Apollo 13, the famous mission in which duct tape, baling wire and creative problem solving got the astronauts home safely. They used what they had on hand, because that was all they could do. And it worked.

 

I started looking at engineering in a whole new light.

 

I love hearing stories of pioneers and Depression-era people. They, too, were inventive and imaginative in how they took everyday objects and made them into tools, or say, re-worked old drapes into dresses, or fixed leftovers five ways. Without the luxury of going out and buying new things, they were forced to think outside the box. 

 

They made do, invented, reinvented, reworked, re-used, rearranged, recycled and repaired.

 

Necessity made them get creative.

 

I believe the energy those generations put into motion is part of what made our country great...and we can learn much from them.

 

 

Today's Small Thing is to look at your necessities in a new light. What can you re-use, rework, rearrange, recycle or repair?

 

 

• Do you need a new tool to do a job....or could you use something you have on hand in a new way?

 

• Do you need a new outfit....or could a scarf be creatively tied with it to make a "new" ensemble?

 

• Can you make a dinner from leftovers and pantry items without going to the store?

 

• Could you make hand weights out of canned food or bags of rice, rather than getting "real" ones?

 

• How about going to the library, or borrowing books online instead of buying?

 

• Would your children play a board game rather than going to see a movie?

 

• Can you highlight your own hair without spending a fortune at the salon?

 

• How about rearranging your decor and "shopping your house," before shopping Hobby Lobby?

 

• What service could you trade with friends, rather than hiring someone?

 

 

The list is endless, once you start imagining what could be.

 

 

 

 

You see, we often limit "creativity" to artistic talent, when in reality that is only one aspect of it. If you can solve a problem - fix a leak, make a birthday card, harvest seeds from this year's garden, you name it - you are being creative.

 

Sometimes creativity looks a lot like hard work... and making do with what you already have.

 

Use your necessity for invention!

 

 

What are some of YOUR creative problem solving feats? Is there something you are especially proud of? What will you do today to turn your necessity into an invention? Have fun with this one!

 

 

Are You Getting Good Rest?

My daughter, Lauren, is struggling with insomnia. As a new mom, her system is in the throes of hormone changes and it's caused a switch to be thrown that won't let her fall asleep - and stay asleep - at night. There is nothing more frustrating than laying awake at 4 am, knowing you've got a full day of infant care ahead of you. Since she is still breastfeeding, she's been limited to natural remedies that so far have not consistently helped. Heads up: I'm going to ask for some suggestions and help from you today!

Sleep deprivation - lack of good rest - is a serious issue for many of us. Menopause, stress, caffeine, physical illness, spiritual fatigue....all can affect your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Listen, we work hard, often carrying heavy loads of work and family obligations, and getting good rest is essential to our health and well-being, not to mention our mental outlook. When I get tired, the first thing that goes out the window is my happy disposition. I get grumpy real fast. And anxious about everything.

Gen. George S. Patton once said, "Fatigue makes cowards of us all."

In other words, when you're lacking courage or motivation to face the day (and that mountain of laundry), perhaps what you need is a good night's sleep. Don't we know it!

 

Here are a few common sense tips for getting the sleep you need:

 

1.  Make sure your room is dark. Street lights, moonlight, lights from electronic devices can keep you from falling asleep.

2. Avoid caffeine. I cannot exist without my morning cup of coffee, but I can't have caffeine after about 5 pm without it affecting my rest. Tea, colas, 5 Hour Energies, chocolate - all have stimulants to avoid.

3. Add exercise to your day. Physical activity gets your metabolism moving and helps you expend energy during the day so you'll be more likely to rest at night.

4. Boost your serotonin levels. Seratonin is the "health and well-being" chemical that contributes to your ability to rest. Think of the turkey dinner you're going to eat next week - turkey, rolls, carbs - all things that are tryptophan laden, which make you feel sleepy. Supplements and a good diet can help boost your intake.

5. Have a nightly routine. Avoid TV watching and electronic device-reading in bed. A routine - cup of tea, washing your face, reading a boring book, getting into comfy PJs - helps signal your body, "Hey, it's time to sleep!"

6. Get adequate sunlight during the day. When you're stuck in an office or indoors all day long, your body craves the cycle of natural light. 

7. Try white noise, such as a fan, to block outside interruptions. A cool temperature in your room also promotes better sleep.

8. Avoid stress. YEAH, RIGHT! After you're done doing the crazy laugh over this one, think about ways you can reduce the stress in your life. Eliminate some busyness, extricate yourself from unhealthy relationships, create some margin. Take your anxieties to the Prince of Peace.

9. Try natural supplements. I'm going to ask for your suggestions, here, ladies. I'm not an expert in this field so I'd love for you to share in the comments below today.

10. Set regular bedtimes and awake times. This is almost impossible for new parents like my daughter, but most of us could use some discipline when it comes to turning off the light at a decent time - a regular time!

 

Today's Small Thing is to share your tips for getting good rest. And then put them into action tonight!

 

Lauren has tried all of the above tips with some success, but not consistent success. And I know she is not alone in her frustrating quest for rest. I'd love it if you could share your solutions for sleeping well, that will encourage those around you to continue to seek a good night's sleep.

We need this, all of us, to be able to do - and be - all God wants for us to do and be. Good rest is essential...so let's help each other out today!

Points: 40 for sharing your good rest tip - and putting one of the tips into action, starting tonight!

PS Wondering what the "points" are all about? Read here.

Ketchup Monday

 

Hmm. It's been awhile since we dipped into Catch-Up. Properly served, catch-up really goes with just about everything. I can't think of a single thing in my life that can't use a little bit of catch-up. Or a lot.

And Mondays are the perfect day for this delicious sauce.

heinz.com

 

It never fails that when Monday rolls around I wish I could have had two Saturdays. One for my To Do list, and one for the What I Didn't Do list.

Deja vu. A few years ago, I was feeling pretty discouraged about the way the weekend had gotten away from me and I'd gotten so little done that I really needed to do. I blurted this out on my Facebook status:

and was instantly bouyed by these great suggestions in return.

 

Relief flooded my soul. Thanks to the kindness of friends, I gained new perspective on my Mondays.

Yep, just squeeze a big ol' blob of Catch-Up all over it!

 

Do you need to get caught up on a "weekend" task?

 

Today's Small Thing is to Catch up on something you were supposed to get done over the weekend.

 

Go ahead! Get it crossed off your list! The points are on me.

Folding clothes, vacuuming, writing emails, paying bills, cleaning......you'll find that an extra 15 minutes of catching up will yield great results!

 Points: 40 for catching up on one task you meant to do over the weekend.

 

Now...tell me: do you say "Catsup" or "Ketchup?" And is it your favorite condiment? Is there a difference between brands? Have you ever had Whataburger Ketchup?? I've actually seen someone drinking that stuff!

Serving in Love

After such a great birthday (see post below), real life returned full force on Monday. I jumped into this art project with its short deadline, and of course we juggled other projects and our bank balance as well. Fun times.

By Wednesday, I was yanking dishes from the dishwasher and feeling bitter. It sure didn't take long to descend from the clouds. Why am I the only one to do the dishes around here? I'm working just as hard as "everyone else" Tom and yet here I am, ALONE, to deal with the stacks of spaghetti plates from the dinner which I ALONE cooked.

I wandered to the bathroom, where I noticed the potty - again, am I the only one to notice AND CLEAN the commodes? Big sigh. The sink, oh the sink. Seriously, could we not hang the hand towels neatly?

I noticed everything that day. And by everything, I mean everything that I, the serf of this small kingdom, do without thanks. Without a nod of appreciation. The bed-making. The cleaning, the laundry. So much is required of me to keep this place running. Why it's a wonder we even exist.

My bitterness settled into a comfortable martydom as I went about my day. This is what is feels like to be a slave, clearly.

Suddenly, uninvited, a verse or two dropped into my mind:

 

Do all things without complaining or arguing. Phil. 2:14

 

By love, serve one another. Gal. 5:13

 

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.Phil. 2:3

 

Ouch.

I realized in an instant that being a martyr is not the same as being a servant. That I was not serving in love the way I should be. And just like that, a new light was shed on my tasks...AND on the tasks that my husband has been doing thanklessly for me all along. I just forgot to look beyond my bitterness to see the grace around me.

 

Today's Small Thing is to serve. In love.

 

I know you are already serving and giving so much. I'm not asking you to do more than you're already doing. But I am adding the "in love" part to the equation because it makes all the difference. Those two words take service from "servitude" to "ministering grace." And ministering grace to those around you only happens when you willingly give of yourself.

Funny thing is, that grace comes back around to you in full measure. The more you give, the more you receive.

I like that.

Points: 50 for a real, tangible form of loving service.

What will you do, IN LOVE, today? 

The Fabulous 50 Weekend

I promised I'd post some photos from my birthday weekend, and although it makes me very uncomfortable to post so many "me" pictures, here they are. Sorry.

"Everyone tells me that the 50's are fabulous," I told my husband, Tom, on my birthday. 

"Yeah, everyone in their 60's and 70's," he immediately responded. He sounded so certain.

Unfazed by his snide remark, I had a wonderful first weekend into my new decade. 

He later apologized, but with the tiniest of smirks. So I slugged him.

 

See? I got a tiara and a boa!

 

 

THIS WAS MY ONLY WISH: To have a girl's night with my daughters, Lauren and Meghan. We talked and talked, ate and talked....

 

We were mostly silly.

 

We pretended to be stock photo models, cheesily holding hands in the leaves.

 

And I got to enjoy time with this little gem, my grandbaby Ivy Grace! No words.

 

 

I even got to speed down to College Station to see my favorite A&M hockey player. This is Grayson...my baby.

 

He knows how to crack me up. Oh, I miss him terribly. But I didn't think of that. I only thought of how lucky I was to see him that day. I barely cried for a minute on the way home.

 

My two bestest guys. The one on the right has put up with me for a real long time. I owe him.

 

 

It was quite a weekend. When I hit my 60's and 70's I'll be sure and let you know how the 50's turned out. Everyone says they are fabulous.

Be a Grouper

I'm working on a really messy art project right now. It involves lots of paper and glue and scissors.

 

Can you say, "collage?"

 

After several rounds of creating concepts and making presentations, I'm now making art pieces that will eventually be used as huge graphics in a beautiful retail/office area in Dallas. I love that the marketing team decided to go with something artsy and cool for these spaces that cover future storefronts. And I love that it's a challenge for me to produce these pieces in a short amount of time - haha. (Notice I didn't post yesterday? Yeah. Blame this project.)

There are six to be done in the next couple of weeks. Yes, I believe in miracles.

 

This is the first (and smallest) one, not quite done.

 

I had fun photoshopping it into place, just to see how it will look!

Cool, huh?? I like how I can work the branding in there, heh heh.

 

All this paper and magazine mess, though! It's too much, I tell you! I can't start the next piece until I get some order. That's why I'm pulling out my Grouping Technique.

This is perfect for those moments/days/weeks when you are overwhelmed by clutter. Is this you?

Simply start by grouping.

 

The Steps:

1. Group your clutter into "like" items. This morning, I'll be grouping my magazine pages and cuttings by color so they'll be easier to find. You could group socks, or towels or books...whatever is unruly and living it up in disarray.

2. Put one or two groups away.

The end.

OK, you overachievers can put more than a couple of groups away, but for some people the thought of having to DO something with their groups gives them heart palpitations.

Hey, go easy, there. Shhhh. It's OK.

Just make a coupla groups. Put a coupla groups away. There. Breeaathe. Aaahhh.

 

Today's Small Thing is to be a Grouper!

 

Follow steps 1 and 2 and then sit down for a minute. If you feel so inclined to do more, then by all means, carry on. Grouping is a great way to stage your items so they will be easy to scoop up and tuck away.

Let's get points for these steps:

20 for each group put away - up to 10

So....GROUP AWAY! Group those socks, those books, that bathroom countertop clutter, the books by the bed, the shoes by the door, the cups in the car, the tools, clean towels...there is no end to what can be grouped. But your group must be put away to get the points! 

What things need grouping at your house?

M is for Music

This post is part of an ongoing "Be More Creative" series that has something in it for everyone.

 

Once upon a time, this blog featured a Song of the Day, each and every day. I had a little pop-out music player in my sidebar and I loved picking fun songs to go with each post. It took time to find just the right music, but I felt that it was an important addition to the Small Things because it added an element of joy.

I mean, you just can't help but smile when you hear Snow White singing, "Just Whistle While You Work," or Hank Williams crooning, "Hey Good Lookin' Whatcha Got Cookin'!"

 

Music stirs emotion like nothing else can. Imagine watching the movie Braveheart without its epic melodies, or Pride and Prejudice without the piano and strings to accompany it. Music is able to set atmospheric mood, and that's something we often forget about in our busy lives. As home-keepers, we have a fantastic opportunity to use music to create a feeling of sanctuary and creativity. I loved that my mother played classical music on the record player when I was growing up. It gave me an appreciation for beautiful music and made our home feel special...something I still try to emulate.

These days, I love to have music playing while I create art in my studio. I usually listen to Pandora stations through my phone, hooking it up to small speakers to boost the sound. My favorite music is often worship music, but I'll crank up John Mayer, Big Band, country, and even movie soundtracks to get me going. I find that simply having music on gets my creative juices flowing like nothing else can.

 

Today's "Be More Creative" Small Thing is to enjoy some music!

 

My goodness, that's an easy Small Thing!

Yes, well. creating Sanctuary isn't all about cleaning. It is about setting a tone. Communicating love, care, belonging and fun through a multitude of unspoken ways. Sharing a love of music builds bonds, brings peace and creates a fun atmosphere.

Points 40 - simply for turning up the music today! Home, car, headphones...you choose. Enjoy.

What's your favorite kind of music? Do you have different types of music for different moods? What is your favorite musical memory? What is your current favorite song? What do you listen to when you're feeling creative?