Finding joy in the everyday

Procrastination   the practice of carrying out less urgent tasks in preference to more urgent ones, or doing more pleasurable things in place of less pleasurable ones, and thus putting off impending tasks to a later time, sometimes to the "last minute" before the deadline. Who procrastinates? Be truthful? Procrastination is deliberately ( wilfully ) delaying what we ought to be doing for what ever reason, often due to laziness.  It is putting off work that should be done today, until tomorrow, or the next or the next.  Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth. (Proverbs 27:1) I was one of those students at school who did my homework at the last minute, except for the title page and drawings, as that was fun and often (at primary school) involved coloured pencils and being creative. I put off what was hard for as long as possible. This, of course, made life much more stressful as I had to rush the most difficult p...

Art Friday: Danielle Richard Canadian born artist *****

Since I started sewing almost 2 years ago, I have been building my pattern collection so I have a range of different outfits I can try my hand at. With McCalls/Butterick's having a pattern sale this week, I thought I would spoil myself and buy 4 new patterns. Whilst it can be difficult to find feminine clothing in the store, there are plenty of modern patterns that are lovely and feminine and you can alter the hem length, neckline or add sleeves if you so wish.  I am still a novice at dressmaking but I am willing to trying things that perhaps are out of my comfort zone. A few months ago I lined a dress and was so pleased with the end result I will certainly do it again - in fact I surprised myself with how well it worked. Youtube is an excellent source for sewing tips and tutorials. My next sewing project will be one of the dressers below - they all look great for summer and very suitable for work. To help with my sewing and hopefully do away with the need to buy some...

I am currently searching for a new devotional in preparation to when I finish the one I am currently reading. What would you recommend? What do you look for in a devotional - aimed only at women, one for mothers, one that works it's way through the bible, random topics? What is your current devotional? When do you read your devotional - morning/night/anytime during the day? My current devotional is The Excellent Wife: Day by Day by Karen Eiler. This is a 5-days-a-week devotional that aims at helping women become a godly wives, mothers and women. It presents hundred of common scenarios (some far too common and close to home!) and provides biblical responses - God's way of responding with love and grace. It is designed to reinforce the biblical truths taught in "The Excellent Wife" by Martha Peace. It is a very practical devotional which is one of the reasons why I am enjoying it so much. I use this with a journal and take notes each night which hel...

She watches over the ways of her household (Proverbs 31:27) ****** I am not a superwoman and I don't even try to be one. I only do what I can manage and nothing more. This means some jobs are left for another day.  I only have 1,440 minutes in every day and some of that time I'm sleeping - I can only do so much.  Don't stress about the things you haven't manage to achieve today and don't try and do too much in one day. Whatever you can't manage will still be waiting to be done tomorrow. Working out what is important by prioritising your activities is a good way of organising your day. Making my husband a home-cooked healthy meal each day is far more important that dusting the house. The dust isn't going anywhere but my husband's health might! However washing the clothes on a regular basis is important otherwise we will run out of clothing. Likewise, keeping the pantry well stocked is something I need to keep on top of - not go...

All things bright and beautiful By Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-95) A simple hymn to remind us all that God was the creator of all Heaven and Earth For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:16 ***** All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all. Each little flower that opens, Each little bird that sings, God made their glowing colours; God made their tiny wings. [Refrain] The purple-headed mountain, the river running by, the sunset, and the morning that brightens up the sky: [Refrain] The cold wind in the winter, the pleasant summer sun, the ripe fruits in the garden, God made them every one. [Refrain] God gave us eyes to see them, and lips that we might tell ...

Art Friday:  Stephen J. Darbishire I love these, I do hope you do to. To me, this is what "home" looks like (pets included!!!).  *****