Inspire-Home

Little Lost Souls

2011-09-12T13:34:00.000-07:00

Two days ago, my daughters brought a pitiful looking little furrball into my office. Of course, the first words out of their mouths were, "Can we keep her????"

Poor little Ginger, as we named her, was starving and very weak. She had a bad cold, and her eyes were caked shut, and she had fleas. The girls had found her out on the sidewalk. I don't know if she got lost from her original home, or if she was dumped, an unwanted lost little soul.

After two days of care, Ginger is improving rapidly. She's perky, eating well, playing a bit, and she LOVES to be loved! The first day we had her, I could almost feel the happiness in her because she had a nice warm blanket to sleep on, food to eat, water to drink, her eyes were cleaned out, and she had children to pet her and love her.

Our older cat, Caramel, also showed up out of nowhere, but she was in much better shape. She just appeared in the front yard one day and decided to stay.

There are so many animals without homes, needing someone to care for and love them, and they ask so little in return. A huge problem in communities is feral animals breeding without limitations, or pet owners who allow their pets to breed and then don't know what to do with the offspring if they can't give them away or keep them. All too many of these animals end up on the streets, and if young, they often die because they aren't able to care for themselves.

People who start feeding strays can help the problem by catching the animals and having them spayed or neutered and then releasing them again. The animals will be happier and healthier, and there won't be two or three litters of new babies to feed and care for. No-kill shelters can refer people to resources that can help with spaying and neutering, and may be able to take in the strays and help them to find adoptive homes.

The no-kill shelters are always in need of donations (both money and food/pet care items) and volunteers. Our local shelter for cats and kittens (SartOhio.org) does an absolutely wonderful job caring for these animals. But they have over 300 cats and kittens in need of a forever home.

Sue, the director of SART, posted a very thoughtful note about responsible pet ownership here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/sart/pets-trash/10150315603550821

Ginger was lucky that my girls found her and we were able to take her in. She'll have her forever home with us. But many aren't so lucky. If you love animals, please get involved any way you can in helping these creatures to have the care and love they deserve. Find out about your local shelters and help out if you can.

Thanks for reading!

What Is a Trivet

2011-08-24T12:20:00.000-07:00

A household item that you may not be familiar with is a trivet. There are several definitions, but essentially, a trivet is a small plate or rack that sits on the table or countertop on which you place hot pots or serving dishes. The trivet allows you to protect the surface underneath. The word "trivet" originates from Middle and Old English words for cooking vessel (trevet) and three-footed (trefet). Traditionally, trivets were made with three "feet" to provide a cooling airflow underneath the pot.

Trivets are commonly made from metal, ceramic, or tile. They often have decorative features, allowing them to dress up a table as well as serving a functional purpose.

Trivets should be used whenever a hot pot or serving dish may damage or scratch the surface of a table. They can also be used as spoon rests, or for display.

We carry a beautiful line of AbsorbaStone trivets with gorgeous artwork. These tile trivets absorb moisture, protect the surface beneath from heat and scratching, and clean up easily. Many beautiful designs!

Take 5% off trivets with coupon code TRIVET, valid through 9/30/2011, please feel free to share the code!

Shop for Trivets

Recipe - Spinach Quiche

2011-06-23T17:24:00.000-07:00

What's for supper?

Well, today, I looked in the freezer and realized - no meat. Okaaay, hmmm, still have eggs in the fridge, just picked some spinach from the garden, looks like quiche tonight.

Quiche is really quite a simple dish to make and very customizable to your individual tastes. I usually make it with whatever vegetables are in season from my garden, and serve with a salad and/or slices of watermelon and a warm, crusty bread.

So without further ado, here are the recipes I used for dinner tonight. (The pie crust and quiche recipe will make one 8-inch pie).

No-Fail Pie Crust (Trust me, this is the easiest pie crust you will ever make!)

1 c. flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/6 c buttermilk
1/3 c vegetable oil

Mix the flour and salt in the pie pan. Make a well in the center and add the buttermilk and oil. Mix with a fork until it forms a dough. Press the dough into the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Place in the refrigerator to chill.

Spinach Quiche with Bacon, Mushrooms and Feta

7 slices bacon
1 c sliced mushrooms
2 c chopped fresh spinach
2 tbsp diced fresh chives
1 tbsp minced garlic
4 eggs
1 cup milk or cream
1/2 cup shredded cheese (I used Mexican)
1/2 cup Feta cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Heat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fry up the bacon until crisp and remove from pan.

While the bacon is frying, beat together the eggs, milk, salt and pepper.

Add the mushrooms to the pan drippings and saute until tender. Remove the mushrooms.

Add the spinach, chives, and garlic to the pan drippings just until the spinach is wilted through.

Take your pie crust from the refrigerator. Lay the mushrooms on the bottom. The next layer is the spinach, followed by the bacon. Top with the shredded cheese and then the feta. Finally, pour your egg mixture over the top.

Bake at 375 degrees for 40-45 minutes. Remove from oven, and let sit for 10 minutes. Serve warm or cold.

I served the quiche with fresh asparagus. As soon as I took the quiche out of the oven, I put the asparagus spears into a Pyrex dish and drizzled olive oil over the top, and sprinkled with lemon pepper, kosher salt, garlic powder and parmesan. Tossed and baked at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes.

Italian bread and a glass of red wine made this a perfect summer evening meal! Enjoy!

Beach Party Tempered Glass Cutting Board

Saving Your Pennies

2011-06-21T09:49:00.000-07:00

It's no secret that many people are struggling in the current economy. With many people unemployed or under-employed, most are realizing the value of frugality and care in their purchasing decisions. Even people who are fully employed have become more cautious in spending and saving.

My grandfather did not get a credit card until he was in his seventies. Even then, he never carried a balance. He always paid it off every month. He and my grandmother grew up during the Depression years. The only purchase they ever made on long-term credit was their home and farm, which they purchased through the GI Bill. Otherwise, they paid cash for everything. My grandmother always raised a big garden, and she sewed most of her own clothing and home decor items. If they needed to make a large purchase, such as a car or home appliance, they saved up until they could pay cash. Because of their frugality and commonsense approach to their finances, when my grandfather passed away, he left my grandmother well-provided for in her old age.

In the last several decades of rampant spending, families largely abandoned the thrifty ways of their grandparents (I must admit, I am no exception here!). Many people charged their credit cards to the max, lived paycheck to paycheck, and stopped setting aside money in savings. But since the Great Recession hit, people are going back to a philosophy of prudent spending and saving to try to stretch their dollars further. They are cutting up the credit cards and paying them down, and setting aside a rainy day fund. Even baby steps can help you save those pennies that add up to dollars.

I have started socking away all my spare change in my "Magic Money Jar" - I call it that, because the more I put in it, the more I have :) Whenever I pay cash for something and get money back, it goes into that jar.

Saving your change and small bills in a money jar is a painless way to save up for things you really want, or for emergencies or rainy days. I always have cash on hand if I need it, and those pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollar bills really add up over time. When the jar is full, I can put it into a savings account and start filling it up again. It's one of the small ways I can practice the prudent financial frugality that helped my grandparents have a comfortable, well-funded retirement. And it's never too late to start!

Do you save your change? How are you practicing frugality in your daily life?

Pretty Penny Coin Banks help you save up your spare change

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Songs for Dads

2011-06-19T08:03:00.000-07:00

In honor of Father's Day, and to recognize all the great dads out there, I would like to offer a list of some of my favorite "Dad" songs. Enjoy!

This first song is called "Just Fishin" by country artist Trace Adkins. I'm sure there are many dads out there who remember taking their kids out fishing for the afternoon, and who know that the time spent together is about so much more than "just fishin'".

This second song is also from a popular country artist, Brad Paisley, called "He Didn't Have to Be." So many step-dads have filled such a big role in the lives of the children they have brought into their families, and this song honors them.

What loving father can forget that first moment of meeting his brand new baby and thinking "Isn't She (or He) Lovely"? One of the best Stevie Wonder songs Ever!

The time with our children passes by so quickly, and there are so many precious moments in their lives. Bob Carlisle's song "Butterfly Kisses" captures the love a father has for his daughter with sweet poignancy.

"Seein' My Father In Me" by Paul Overstreet. Every parent's dream is that they will be able to pass down the good things about their lives down to their children.

A sweet song called "Always Be Your Baby" from Natalie Grant. Yes, no matter how old they get, they will always be our babies.

George Strait's classic "A Father's Love" is all about fathers loving their children, no matter what.

There is no power on earth greater than Father's love in this beautiful song by Gary Valenciano (originally sung by Bob Carlisle).

A day comes in one's life when you realize just how much your dad really loves you. A great song from Keith Urban called "Song for Dad."

This song is for those who have lost their dads, "Heaven was Needing a Hero" by Jo Dee Messina.

I hope you've enjoyed this list of tribute songs for father's. There are so many great songs out there honoring dads, that it was hard to choose just a few.

What's your favorite father song?

Turning an Ugly Duckling Room into a Swan

2011-06-02T17:37:00.000-07:00

So we have a breeze way room. This room was once a concrete slab between the house and the garage. At some point in time, the previous homeowners decided to roof over the slab and turn it into a room. By the time my husband bought the house, the rubber roofing material over this room had deteriorated and rain periodically leaked into the room, creating lots of problems with the ceiling in the form of mold and rot. Ugh!

We decided SOMETHING HAD TO BE DONE! Not being rich folks, we decided to tackle the project ourselves a little bit at a time. Luckily, my husband has some experience in construction, and he's the kind of guy that will work at a project until he gets it right. I'm his "Girl Friday" (meaning, I fetch and carry tools, hold stuff, and help with the heavy lifting).

Last year, we replaced the rubber roof with a metal roof. Yes, even though I am terribly afraid of heights, I got up on the roof with him, helped to nail down the new decking and attach the metal panels. Yes, girls can do roofing! (We did get a couple days help from hubby's son for this project - that was a BIG help!)

This year, we replaced the ceiling with new drywall (please note that you should not undertake this sort of a project unless you really love your spouse!) and installed a ceiling fan. My son had accidentally broken out the glass in one of the patio doors, so hubby built a new wooden insert to take its place. Then we painted the old yucky veneer paneled walls with a lovely light and bright color (Ostrich Feather) which lightened up the room considerably. With new molding along the ceiling, the room was beginning to show definite signs of beauty.

With the new ceiling and walls in place, it was time to tackle the old, ugly, cracked and pockmarked concrete slab. This required patching and resurfacing the concrete. Sounds easy, but it took my husband 4-5 days just to get the concrete adequately prepared for resurfacing. Once the concrete was resurfaced, we had to wait 30 days to apply stain. So we waited.....and waited....and waited.

Finally, it was time. I was in charge of the staining project. I taped off the lines of the design with masking tape, and used the Rustoleum Semi-Transparent Concrete Stain in Sienna and ragged it on. After drying and removing the tape, my husband and I painstakingly painted Sandstone concrete stain over each and every line, and used the Sandstone color to lighten four of the triangles in the center design. I also stenciled a floral design into alternating border rectangles using gold craft paint. Then we sealed.

The floor is just gorgeous! I really had no idea how it would ultimately turn out, but it has a lovely marbled look to it, and when hubby resurfaced the floor, he left the concrete with a texture rather than smooth, so it almost looks like old stone or leather - truly a unique look that I just love.

We still have some work to do - we'll replace the ugly black floor molding and a little paint touch ups. The room opens on either end with patio doors to a brick patio in the front and our pond and garden area in the back. I'll probably add some wicker and distressed furniture and an electric fireplace for the winter.

It is so satisfying to see a room come to life with a little hard work!

Have you got an ugly duckling project? How about sharing!

Remember the Brave

2011-05-30T06:46:00.000-07:00

Today, May 30, 2011, is Memorial Day. Many people will take the opportunity of the long holiday weekend to spend time with family, to cook out, to picnic, to go on vacation, to shop the many sales that are offered, to enjoy the sunshine and beautiful weather.

I won't begrudge anyone for doing any of those things today.

But there are some people who won't be doing those things ever again. Those are the men and women who laid down their lives so that you and I would have the freedom to spend time with family, cook out, go on picnics, travel where we wish, shop at any store we want to, enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

These men and women have died defending our freedoms and our way of life, with honor and integrity and courage. They fought the brave fight, and because they did, they secured our rights. They were mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, sons and daughters. They served in the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marines. They died at Bunker Hill, Gettysburg, and Pearl Harbor, Iwo Jima, Normandy, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq. When the call went out for brave men and women to defend liberty and freedom and justice, they answered the call with courage. They came home in a box with a flag, and their families are left with a hole in their lives that can never be filled. But their families can know that their son or daughter, brother or sister, father or mother, laid down their life for an idea more grand, more universal, more important than any other in the history of the world - the idea of individual freedom. And their families can know that the memory of their soldier or sailor or airman or marine is preserved in the memory of a grateful nation.

So today, as you go about your activities, take a moment to reflect that your freedom was bought in blood. Take a moment to remember the sacrifice of a young soldier that made your freedom possible. Perhaps take a little time from your day to visit a cemetary and kneel at a military grave and say "thank you." Say a prayer for those families who have lost a hero. And thank God that there remain men and women of courage and valor, integrity and nobility, who fight for freedom every day, for us.

“What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.”

Garlic Chicken

2011-05-25T16:45:00.000-07:00

So I needed something to do with chicken thighs for dinner tonight. I cook them fairly often, but I wasn't feeling inspired. Off to Google chicken recipes. I found this recipe, with lots of great reviews:

Easy Garlic Broiled Chicken

I'm one of those cooks who just can't leave a recipe alone. I rarely go exactly by a recipe, unless it's for sweets or something really off the wall that I've never made before.

So I tweaked it. The nice thing about this recipe is that is a very good basic recipe that lends itself well to tweaking. I took some of the suggestions of the reviewers, and used what I had on hand in the kitchen.

Here's how I made it:

6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp Italian seasoning
3 tbsp minced garlic (from a jar)
1 tsp liquid smoke
1/4 tsp black pepper
pinch of salt (optional)
1/2 cup of sliced mushrooms

1. Turn oven on to 350 degrees F.

2. Mix the sauce ingredients and microwave until the butter melts, stir and spoon over the top of the thighs (You could put the thighs in a baggie with the sauce and marinate for 30 minutes to increase the flavor). Reserve some of the sauce for basting.

3. I topped with sliced mushrooms and set to bake for 20 minutes.

4. Turn the chicken over, make sure the mushrooms were down in the sauce, added a little more sauce. Bake for another 20 minutes.

5. Turn the oven to broil, baste again, broil for 4-5 minutes. Turn over, baste, broil another 4-5 minutes.

6. Remove from oven, and let rest for a few minutes.

To serve, plate the chicken with some mushrooms and spoon a little of the pan drippings over the top. The rest of the pan drippings would be lovely mixed with rice or pasta, or used for dipping bread. I served the chicken with mixed vegetables and cheesy rice.

This was a very easy dish to make, and the flavors were yummy. The mushrooms really absorbed the flavor well and added a nice touch.

As I said, this is a good recipe for tweaking. Next time I make it, I may add rosemary, or a splash of lime juice or orange juice for a bit of a citrus-y twang, wrap the chicken in bacon, or add some red pepper for a little heat. I also think the marinated chicken thighs would be awesome cooked on the grill. This chicken would be great diced up for a salad or mixed with pasta, or for chicken fajitas. The recipe is also very economical, so it is perfect for large families.

Enjoy! If you make this recipe, let me know how it turned out for you!

Need a fun apron? Here it is - Will Cook for Shoes Pink and Multi-Color Leopard Apron

What Is the Voice in Your Head Telling You?

2011-05-22T16:22:00.000-07:00

Off and on, I struggle with depression. Probably not the type that is severe enough to require therapists and drugs to get through, but enough to impact my life in a negative way.

When I feel depressed, there is a little voice in my head with a running commentary that goes something like this:

"You're worthless. You're a loser. You're fat and ugly. You do nothing but make mistakes. Everything you do is an epic fail. Why should anyone love you? You're not worthy. You're a waste of oxygen."

Sad to say, sometimes I listen to this little voice. Sometimes, I even believe the things it says. And on those days, my ability to cope with life and all the little problems and aggravations that come with it is severely impacted. I find myself feeling tired, run down, sad, tearful, a real self-pity-party. And I really hate that. Because you know what? I'm not a failure, I'm not a mistake, I'm not worthless, I'm not unloveable, I'm not fat and ugly (ok, maybe a little fluffy :)

And deep down inside, I know these things. But that little voice wants me to believe a lie.

Where does that little voice come from? Guilt over mistakes made in the past, feelings of inadequacy, fear of the future...I don't know. What I do know, is that I can tell that little voice to go take a hike.

How? Well, I can tell you the things that I do that work for me, at least most of the time:

1. Take a walk, enjoy nature, get away from the house and the computer and the problems that are bugging me.

2. Do something - anything! - that will make me feel that I've accomplished something, no matter how small.

3. Look in the mirror and say to myself, "You are a good person, and you are worthy of being loved. You are fine, just the way you are." Replace the negative voice with positive thoughts.

4. Focus on the good things I've done, rather than the mistakes. Make a list if I have to.

5. Talk to my husband, who is my biggest supporter and fan.

Now, I know that I am not the only one who hears this little voice. So say something nice about and to yourself today. And share what you do to banish the negativity.

Whether you are Christian or not, I hope you enjoy this song because you truly are Beautiful!

Music for the Soul

2011-05-20T05:40:00.000-07:00

My husband is a guitarist. I mean, he can really play the guitar. That man can pick up a guitar and just start creating music without even thinking about it. The most beautiful music just flows from the strings like a river of notes that all make sense.

I play the piano, but nowhere near like my husband plays the guitar. I can play something if I have the music in front of me, and can even play it well, if I practice long enough.

My husband taught himself to play by ear. He never learned to read music. He can listen to any song and soon pick up the chords. But his true gift is his own compositions. He doesn't write them down. He told me once that each piece he plays is unique - it will only ever be played that way one time and depends on how he is feeling when he plays it. The next time, it will be different. And it will mean something else. I tell him it seems as if every piece he plays is telling a story without words. He says that music is a musing of the soul.

I've been begging him to make a CD for me of his instrumental pieces because I find them so beautiful and relaxing. When he does, I'll post my favorites here!

Music is your own experience, your thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn. ~Charlie Parker

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Rhythm Sections Four Pack Coaster Set

Bring Me Sunshine

2011-05-20T05:39:00.000-07:00

The sun is FINALLY shining again today after days and days of rain, so I have a fun song for you:

This is a song called "Bring Me Sunshine" by the Jive Aces - guaranteed to get you hopping and bring a smile to your face!

It's easy when the days feel dark and dreary (literally or figuratively) to let our world be colored in shades of gray, feeling slow, down, depressed, blah.

Not that music can solve all problems, but sometimes when you are feeling low, choosing to listen to uplifting, motivating, sunny music can lift your spirits, make you feel happier, and give you a new perspective.

Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness. ~Maya Angelou, Gather Together in My Name

Do you have a favorite song that lifts your spirits? Post it below in the comments.

Enjoy the day!

Angels Playing Violins Throw Blanket

Mistakes Are Okay

2011-05-18T10:03:00.000-07:00

Last spring I planted strawberry plants in a bed I made especially for them. They were little, tiny bare root things when I planted. Last year, they were well-behaved little plants, even producing a few little strawberries.

That was last year.

This year, they turned into monsters, trying to take over everything in their path. They escaped their well-ordered bed into the garlic and broccoli beds. Now, they are big, huge plants covered in blooms.

I also planted two blueberry bushes in the center of the strawberry bed. I thought the blueberry bushes would grow fast enough that they would be taller than the strawberries. Mistake. Instead, the strawberries have overwhelmed the blueberry bushes.

Not to worry though. This week, I'm going to dig out the blueberry bushes and give them their own space so they can become a hedge around the goldfish pond. Sometimes, different things just need their own space.

We all make mistakes, whether it's gardening, or something much more serious. Some mistakes can be fixed (like my blueberry bushes), some can't. Some mistakes hurt.

But to overcome our mistakes, we have to try to forgive ourselves, recognize that we are human and mistakes will happen, and try to learn from them and not repeat them.

Forgive yourself for your mistakes and forgive others theirs.

If you have made mistakes, even serious ones, there is always another chance for you. What we call failure is not the falling down but the staying down.
-- Mary Pickford

Have a happy day!

Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens

2011-05-13T14:48:00.000-07:00

I must be on a Julie Andrews kick lately, because I keep hearing songs from her movies going through my head. Here's another one of my favorites:

Let's face it - we all have those days - the ones where we don't feel so great, or we feel scared or sad or lonely or our get up and go has got up and went. And when we have those days, it's a great time to remember and do our favorite things.

For some people it's cooking or quilting or reading. For me, it's gardening. Sometimes, just getting outside and digging my fingers into the dirt, planting seeds, helping new things grow - helps me to relax and gives me a new perspective. Gardening frees my mind and helps me to think. I think this song teaches a great lesson - WE choose what we will focus on. If we choose to focus on those things that make us happy, we will feel happier.

What are your favorite things that pick you up when you are feeling down?

Don't Feed the Dust Bunnies

2011-05-12T07:41:00.000-07:00

Last night, I told my dear husband that the refrigerator/freezer was leaking a little bit. I told him around 10 p.m. at night.

So, after a hard day's work, he pulled everything out from under the refrigerator, cleaned out and vacuumed all the coils, pulled out the refrigerator from the wall, and cleaned the floor underneath it. Boy, was it dirty down there!

He didn't have to do all that right then. It could have waited until the morning when he was rested. But he took care of the problem right then and there. Why? Because he loves me, and he wanted to do something nice for me that would make my life easier.

Yesterday morning, he also slipped into the kitchen when I wasn't looking and did the dishes for me.

That's true love - doing something kind for someone else, even when it's not necessarily convenient or easy or the timing isn't that great, not because you have to, but just because you want to help them out.

It's all too easy to take such acts of kindness for granted, to say, "He's just doing what he ought to". Well, I don't see it that way. Anytime my husband, or my kids, or a friend does something for me, without any expectation of a return, they are giving of themselves, from the heart. It doesn't matter if it's something I would see as small - doing the dishes, or bringing me a glass or soda, or taking me for a drive by the lake so I can get out of the house and away from the computer for a little while - or something big, like cleaning out under the fridge. It's all special.

I sooooo love and appreciate my husband - he's absolutely the best! And I appreciate him for everything he does.

So, two things to learn:

1. Clean the dust bunnies from underneath your fridge :)

2. Someone has done something nice for you recently - let them know how much you appreciate them!

Flowers, Flowers, Flowers

2011-05-09T16:19:00.000-07:00

The quote that I have at the top of my shopping site reads:

"Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower."
Hans Christian Andersen

Now, I really put that quote in because I love spring, and I LOVE flowers!! There is just something about flowers that makes me feel happy.

I've been noticing all the flowering trees around town. Right now, the fruit trees are all in bloom, the redbuds have burst forth with reddish-purple flowers, the big white shrubs in the back are covered in big snowball flowers and .... it's just the beginning! Not only are the trees in bloom, but the flowers and bulbs have also been showing their spring colors - tulips and daffodils, some sort of little white flower in the back of my yard, and even the shasta daisies have buds forming. All these lovely flowers are waiting on the fashion runway of nature's garden to strut their stuff and show off their beauty. Soon, all my flower beds will be a riot of color with zinnias, marigolds, nasturtiums, dianthus, forget-me-nots, sweet alyssum, roses, and anything else I can find to plant in them. I don't think I've ever met a flower that I didn't love.

I'm a Texas girl, transplanted to Ohio, and while I love the beautiful spring daffodils and tulips that seem to grow with such ease here, my first and true flower love will always be the Texas Bluebonnet. I can remember the first time I drove through the Hill Country as a young girl, and it seemed as if the whole land was blanketed with these gorgeous, spiky blue and white flowers. There is nothing that says spring to me more than a field of bluebonnets. There is a huge album of bluebonnet photos here that takes me back to those warm, lovely Texas spring days.

So, I'm telling you all this because we just got in a new cutting board that I just love because it has...you guessed it...Texas Bluebonnets! So even though I live far away from Texas now, I can look at bluebonnets all year long. And that makes my heart happy!

What's your favorite flower?

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T09:46:00.000-07:00

Today is the day we celebrate mothers and motherhood, and you know what? Moms deserve it!

The influence of a mother on her children cannot be measured. We care for them and provide for all their needs when they are little, we shepherd them through the difficult teenage years, we becomes a friend when they reach adulthood. We pass down the lessons we learned from our own mothers. We impart our values and life philosophy to them, and whether they accept or reject our teachings, our influence will always be felt in their lives.

I recently shipped a personalized Lord's Prayer blanket for a customer. She had requested that the embroidery read, "This is the first prayer you taught me. It sustains me every day of my life." Wow! What a statement! That simple prayer that her mother taught her as a little child had become a guiding light and comfort for the rest of her life.

So many times, it's not the big things we do for our children, but the little things that they remember and take with them in the years ahead - baking cookies with them, saying prayers with them at night, helping them with a big homework project, listening to them read a book, encouraging them when they are feeling down, singing a special little song for them.

Let's face it - being a mother is hard. It's hard work, and sometimes it's painful. When our children hurt, we hurt. We watch over them, pray for them, love them. It's joy, too, when they take their first step, say their first word, when they beam with pride at winning their first soccer game, playing their first song on the piano, or bringing home that all-A report card.

There are mothers who have lost their children, and children who have lost their mothers (I am one - my mother passed away 25 years ago, but she is ever-present in my thoughts and memories). I grieve for and with them. Today is hard for them.

My husband recently wrote, "What gives a parent peace and joy? It is to see their children doing well, and finding their place in the world, they are the hope of the future and they will take into the future a part of you with them as they go." I think this is the perfect statement of what we as parents hope for our children.

Bless all the mothers today who do so much. Happy Mother's Day!

Feed the Birds

2011-05-07T07:22:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite songs is "Feed the Birds" from the movie Mary Poppins. This simple, lovely song with its eloquent lesson always brings tears to my eyes.

I think of this song often when I watch the critters at my backyard feeder. It seems that all the neighborhood birds and squirrels have discovered it, and it is a regular stop in their daily routine. Here is a picture of the newest visitors, a pair of Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks:

And here's a picture of the comical squirrels, the little moochers :)

I love the fact that all these little animals have found a source of food at my feeder, as I watch their antics with delight. They're much more entertaining that television! I give them food, and they give me joy.

No matter how little or how much we have, there is always something we can do to make the world a better place. In the movie Mary Poppins, the little old bird woman, who is obviously just barely surviving herself on the pittance she makes, urges the passersby to buy her little bags of bird feed for "tuppence a bag." In the lyrics, she says,

"Come feed the little birds, show them you care,
And you'll be glad if you do --
Their young ones are hungry, their nests are so bare;
All it takes is tuppence from you."

The lesson I take from this, is that it doesn't take a lot of money, time, or effort to make a difference. Sometimes all it takes is "tuppence." And "you'll be glad if you do."

How do you "feed the birds?" Tell us your story below!

Honor a Teacher Giveaway

2011-05-05T08:33:00.000-07:00

This month at Inspire-Gifts.com, we are honoring teachers and we are having a giveaway to go along with it because we love to give stuff away!

So here's how you enter:

1. Tell us about your favorite teacher either here on the blog or on our Facebook page. You can post on either page or both.

2. We will choose one comment from our blog and one comment from our Facebook page at random to win a quilted book cover from Victorian Heart (your choice).

3. You can also nominate a teacher to receive one of our teacher gift mugs (our choice). We will also choose one teacher nominee from our blog and one from our Facebook page.

4. You have until Thursday, May 12, at midnight PST to post your comments. We will choose the winners on Friday, May 13th.

Don't forget to spread the word and tell your friends! Now let's hear about those teachers who inspired, encouraged, and motivated you! Good luck!!!

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

2011-05-05T07:08:00.000-07:00

Finally, the sun is out after weeks and weeks of rain and cool, cloudy days. Although the tulips and daffodils and trees began blooming several weeks ago, the gray, dreary days made it seem as though winter was hanging on way past its time. But today finally feels as though spring has arrived.

The birds and squirrels are happily visiting our bird feeder and they seem to enjoy the cheerful warmth of the sun today, too. Two little chickadees are building a nest in the bird house. The flower seeds I planted back in March are sprouting. With the clouds gone, and the sun shining brightly, the world seems to be bursting with new optimism, new growth, and new life.

The beauty of the world today reminds me that even though clouds may darken one's life for a time, eventually the clouds will pass away, the sun will burst forth, and a new day will begin. "This is the day the Lord has made...let us rejoice and be glad in it!"

Thank a Teacher

2011-05-04T16:02:00.000-07:00

As the end of the school year approaches, I have been thinking about the teachers I had who really inspired me, who really made a difference in my life by making me interested not just in the subject matter they had to teach, but also in being a better person.

Now, like most of you, I had my share of good and bad teachers. I had a few teachers who didn't really seem at home in the classroom, or who gave the impression they would rather be anywhere else than standing at a chalkboard trying to force math facts into the heads of mush-brained teenagers. Luckily, those teachers were few and far between. Most of my teachers were competent and did a good job imparting their knowledge and getting their students through to the next grade level.

But there were a few teachers who really stood out for excellence, and I want to tell you about them because they never failed to go above and beyond the classroom.

My 11th grade honors English teacher, Mrs. Kingston, was one tough cookie! She was not one to put up with laziness and if a student wasn't there to learn, he or she might as well just pack up and leave. Mrs. Kingston could bring a book to life. She instilled a lifelong love for Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury and a good dose of work ethic on the side. She taught me to speak clearly and concisely in oral reports (she wouldn't put up with the ubiquitous "you know" in speech), and she was always there to help her students out. Out of all the teachers I have had, Mrs. Kingston was my favorite.

My 12th grade Humanities teacher, Mrs. Ginn, taught us about the world through slide shows and movies. In her class we traveled to Greece and Rome and Medieval and Renaissance Europe from our plain metal and wood desks and viewed with awe the achievements of the great cultures of the world and the artists who epitomized them. From Mrs. Ginn, I gained a love of world history, philosophy, art and culture, an appreciation of man's (and woman's) quest to build great monuments that will last long after they and their civilization are gone.

My high school Science teacher, Mr. Jarman, was a spry little man with a love for his subject matter. He would get so excited about what he was teaching that he would bounce back and forth across the front of the science lab, arms swinging wildly, and talking so fast that while I couldn't always understand what he was saying, I could tell he loved what he was talking about. He worked with the math and science clubs and put in many after school hours working with his students. He was never sick, always enthusiastic, and he loved his students. Sadly, Mr. Jarman is gone now, but he lives on in the hearts of the many, many people who passed through his classroom through the years.

Great teachers make a difference in the world, because they make a difference for their students. I honor my great teachers, and thank them for all they did for me and for others. Without their influence, my life would be much less rich than it is.

Who were your great teachers? I'd love to learn more about them. Tell your story in the comments section below!