About The Book

Total Christmas Makeover: 31 Devotions to Celebrate with Purpose (Abingdon Press, October 2017)Give your Christmas a makeover with this practical approach to help your family learn what it means to truly celebrate their Savior.

In the bustle of the Christmas season, it can be easy to get swept up in all of the things to do. But it’s important to pause and remember that our priority should be to spend time celebrating Christ’s birth and not forget to invite Jesus to his own party.

 Christmas is far more than a celebration of an event from long ago or a modern holiday centered around shopping. Mindfully take time to listen to how God continues to speak through the Christmas story as the Gospel narratives centered around the birth of Jesus provide encouragement and revelation concerning the love of God and his wisdom for us today.

In Total Christmas Makeover, author and Bible teacher Melissa Spoelstra provides a practical approach for you and your family to turn your attention toward God’s grace day-by-day as you prepare for Christmas. This 31-day devotional presents key scriptures, ideas to implement with each reading, and questions for reflection to guide you in rediscovering rituals, relationship, and rest to connect you more deeply with Christ this holiday season.

Learn More and Buy a Copy

My Review

  How can you miss the coming Holiday Season?  The stores have had Christmas displays since October 1 and the decorating blogs have jumpstarted the urgency of early preparations with beautiful and creative home decor. It is so easy to jump feet first into what is expected of us and forget the reverence and honor of the season. I find myself very eager to create perfect memories and traditions but fail to take into account the simplistic and beautiful meaning of the season…and I wonder why I deal with exhaustion, cranky family members (myself included) and the inevitable countdown to when it will finally be over. I am sure I am not the only one.  How do we take this overly commercialized, stressful, material driven season back? With a deep breath and a little dose of reality offered in this small book. Separated into several topics such as ritual, traditions and gift giving, this 31 day devotional guides you to realistic and authentic ways to celebrate…fun and very family friendly…to create those genuine memories we all long to establish with our family. I look forward to a season of less stress and more intentions.  
*I was generously given a copy of this book by the publisher but the review is all mine*

The sky is overcast, the temperature is sweater appropriate and I gained an hour of sleep last night. I am content and happy to stay cozy and warm with my Hero and my Princess in our wonderful, although a bit drafty, old home. What is making me happy this afternoon?

The color orange in my dining room. My little wooden pumpkins make me smile

A pile of white pumpkins in an old red and white enamelware baking pan.

Mercury glass pumpkins atop a mantel with hints of the Thanksgiving to come

A bench covered with pillows that just begs one to curl up and watch the beauty of a Fall afternoon.

The deep gratefulness for another year spent on this beautiful earth! And not worrying about the number of candles on my birthday treat.

Show and share. Inspire me Monday. Tuesday at our house. The scoop. Inspire me Tuesday. Make it pretty. Made by you. Metamorphosis. You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Let’s talk vintage. Wonderful Wednesday. Wow us. Talk of the town. Tuesday talk. Share your cup.Share your style. Home and garden. Welcome home. Thursday Favorites  waste not.Dagmar’s house.  Vintage charm. Friday features. Home sweet home. Feather nest. Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday.Grace at home. Pit stop. Morning cup of joe home matters. Sweet inspiration. Best of the weekendcreate bake grow.  5 things Friday. Sunday at homeshare it. Snickerdoodle. Simple Saturday. Silver pennies. Create with joy. Inspiration Monday. DI&DI. Amaze me. Style showcase. Fresh market Friday

About the Book

“A Woman Overwhelmed” is a phrase with which many women can relate. But what would happen if we could see the insanity in our pace and embrace our overwhelming God?
There is a reason they say that a woman’s work is never done— because it isn’t! As women, we often are overwhelmed by the demands and circumstances of life, resulting in stress, fear, worry, impatience, fatigue, frustration, and even depression. The truth is that we were created to be overwhelmed . . . not by life but by God! When we learn to be overwhelmed by God, the fruit in our lives goes from rotten to fragrant—filling our days with peace, hope, love, and joy.
In A Woman Overwhelmed, best-selling author Hayley DiMarco shares biblical insights and personal stories to offer a glimpse at the comedy of an overwhelmed life while encouraging us to discover the depths and heights of God’s love and power.
Be empowered to find freedom in becoming overwhelmed with who God is—by learning to focus on what we know about God so that we can hold onto faith even when it seems that all is lost. For it is when an overwhelmed woman gives up the mission of me and exchanges it for the mission of God that being overwhelmed becomes a good thing.

My Review

Choose to bask in the abundance of the Father instead of the abundance of life as his unfathomable depths can surely replace our fathomable messes.The first few pages perked my interest, the next few grabbed my attention and by the time I ended the chapter I was wondering how the author was able to read my mind. Overwhelmed…how often this emotion keeps me from enjoying the here and now. How often do I fret and worry about things that will never happen? How many times do I see the day ahead as an endless To-do list rather than an adventure waiting to unfold? It was a hard thing to face, however the author very patiently and gently leads you through some hard realities…realities I would rather keep hidden from view. There is safety in isolation and fear is a wonderful reason to retreat. Discovering that I was far from alone was a great comfort and helped me to find honest answers to my relationship with God and how the “overwhelmed” life is far from honoring.  Life may be unpredictable, messy, uncomfortable and scary but it is also the greatest gift meant to be enjoyed and experienced. We may lose personal control over our lives but we are entrusting it to the God of the universe…I think I can trust his judgement…or should anyway. 

  This book is ideal for small group studies as well of a personal devotion. It is divided into weekly topics with a daily application and bible verse.  It is lighthearted in places and dead serious in others. It is sure to inspire conversation within a group. 

* I was generously given a copy of the book but the opinions are all mine*

And a Magical night was had by all! The Princess won’t miss those Kit-Kats…will she?

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Amy at A Day of Small Things – Pin

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About the Book

Everyone loves to receive a gift.

And God has given us many, such as his grace-the gift we don’t deserve and can never earn. Promises from the One who declares we are already loved, already accepted, already created in his image. The question becomes, will we truly receive that gift? Will the reality of it actually change the way we think and notice and reach out?

God’s Word will stand forever, in any season of life. These truths prompt us to respond with compassion and courage.

Through inspiring devotions, Lucinda Secrest McDowell reveals biblical blessings that remind us that: God’s promises give us strength, God’s grace can be most evident at our weakest points, a proper response to our abundance of blessings is simply gratitude, and the “more” we are all looking for is the same abundant life that Jesus came to give us.

Would you like to receive these gifts of ordinary grace? Join Lucinda in focusing on one word a day through devotional readings and short benedictions for any and every season to explore the many facets of Grace, Strength, Gratitude, and Life.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

Are you ready to receive gifts of ordinary grace and abundant life from God and His Word? Join Lucinda in focusing on one word a day through devotional readings and short benedictions in her new book, Ordinary Graces. God has given us many gifts, such as his grace-the gift we don’t deserve and can never earn. Promises from the One who declares we are already loved, already accepted, already created in his image. The question becomes, will we truly receive that gift? Will the reality of it actually change the way we think and notice and reach out?

Celebrate the release of Lucinda’s new book and grace your holiday season with a $75 Etsy gift card giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Ordinary Graces
• A $75 Etsy gift card
• A grace bracelet
• A set of Ordinary Graces greeting cards

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on November 17. The winner will be announced November 20 on the Litfuse blog.

 

My Review

This sweet little book arrived at just the right time for me. The gentle reminders to look for God’s grace in the ordinary of my day spoke to my heart during this very busy season of life. The small lessons fòr each day offer a simple example of God’s grace, an application story, supporting scripture and a brief prayer to center your focus for the day. Some of the stories are laugh out loud funny, some blink to hold back tears, all real and relatable.  It was written to serve as a daily devotional, but would also work perfectly to start conversation with a small group.  I plan on revisiting this book again.  Life has a tendency to pull me away from the value of God’s simple grace and often ordinary seems to small for God’s touch. But he speaks to me in the seemingly small and mundane. I think he speaks to you as well.

*I was generously provide a book from the publisher but the opinions are all mine*

‘Tis the season for all things pumpkin and I especially adore adding this Fall favorite to all my baking. The problem…the recipes always seem to call for one cup of pumpkin purée and my trusty can of Libby’s holds many, many more.  I am always on high alert for pumpkin flavored yumminess and when I saw this recipe for pumpkin cornbread, well, I had the frozen purée out of the freezer before the recipe was completely pinned to my pumpkin board.

The usual cast of characters 

Servings: 12 muffins

Ingredients
1 cup canned pumpkin purée (such as Libby’s)

1 cup low fat milk

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons honey

1/4 cup sugar

2 large eggs

1-1/4 cups yellow cornmeal-May I add a shout out to my beloved Bloody Butcher Red Cornmeal from Castle Valley Mill…it is the bomb!

3/4 cup all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon cloves

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

The Steps to Glory

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray 12-cup muffin tin generously with nonstick cooking spray or grease with butter.( or use a cute pumpkin pan like me!)
In a medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin purée, milk, honey, sugar and eggs.

In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices.

Add the wet ingredients and melted butter to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not over-mix.

Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup full, and bake for 20-23 minutes, or until the tops are a golden-orange color and set. Let cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then serve warm with butter or transfer to a rack to cool completely.

Delicious addition to a hearty Fall Dinner!

After a crisp fall afternoon!

Show and share. Inspire me Monday. Tuesday at our house. The scoop. Inspire me Tuesday. Make it pretty.   Made by you. Metamorphosis.  You’re the star. Tuesday with a twist. Let’s talk vintage. Wonderful Wednesday. Wow us. Talk of the town. Tuesday talk. Share your cup. Share your style. Home and garden. Welcome home. Thursday favorites. Waste not. Dagmar’s house. . Friday features. Home sweet home. Feather nest.  Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at home. Pit stop. Morning cup of joe. Home matters. Sweet inspiration best of the weekend. Create bake grow. Sunday at home. Share it snickerdoodle  Simple Saturday. Silver pennies.  Create with joy.  Inspiration Monday. DI&DI. Amaze me. Smell good sunday Style showcase

My Autumn Delight post was featured on Create-Bake-Grow.  I am, well, delighted!

How is it possible that next week my beloved month of October slips away into November. Not that I don’t enjoy November, but it seems to always be lost in the frantic busyness of the holiday season. My goal this year is to slow down the crazy and increase the intentional.  Will you join me? Enjoy all the Fall goodnesss this week…and let’s give November more than a fleeting glance!

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Maisy at Becoming Alice – FB | G+ | Pin

Sheree at Stage Presents – Twitter | FB | Pin | Inst | Inst

Lisa at Condo Blues – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Amy at A Day of Small Things – Pin

Penny at Penny’s Passion – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Kelly at Under a Texas Sky – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!

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You can show your love for this week’s favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!

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Isn’t Fall the best! Especially when the air is crisp, the leaves are in full color and there is a college football game within walking distance of your house. We won’t talk about the result of yesterday’s Navy vs UCF game, however the excitement of a good tailgate, energetic cheerleaders and beloved hometown team makes for a memorial Saturday afternoon.  Also exciting, packages on my front porch…with French postmarks…holding treasures from far away.  So much new red for my home…let me show them off!

Just look at this gorgeous big pitcher.  I am completely undone for the French Lustucru design…

…completely undone…what can I say? Would you be able to resist this sweet milk jug?

Oh, the beauty of Victorian red work! I spotted this beauty in a local antique shop and just knew I could not leave it there. 

I know…the pumpkins are not technically all red but the eight sided enamelware tray holding them is a lovely red and white!

Another great Fall experience for the Princess is the discovery of cornhole. She is still on the basics…like correct playing distance.  

Show and share  inspire me Monday. Tuesday at our house. The scoop. Inspire me Tuesday. Make it pretty. Made by you. Metamorphosis. You’re the star. Tuesday with a twist. Let’s talk vintage. Wonderful Wednesday. Wow us.         Talk of the town. Tuesday talk. Share your cup. Share your style. Home and garden. Welcome home. Thursday favorites.                 Waste not. Dagmar’s house. Vintage charm. Friday features. Home sweet home. Feather nest.  Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday Grace at home. Morning cup of joe. Home matters. Sweet inspiration. Best of the weekend. Create bake grow. Sunday at home.      Share it one more time. Snickerdoodle. Simple Saturday. Silver pennies create with joy. Inspiration Monday. DI&DI. Amaze me pit stop.         Five things

My cake was popular! I was featured on Morning Cup of Joe!