Shells, Ribbons and Pearls

We were having dinner with Kari and Ben when the subject of jewelry came up. In the conversation Kari came up with the idea that maybe Dad should buy her jewelry and Ben could buy mine! This is because she appreciates nice jewelry! She can glow with excitement at the mention of Tiffany's. I, on the other hand, have frustrated my dear H with the whole, “I’d rather have fashion jewelry” thing. Not that I don't appreciate some special timeless things, but I really like the easy, inexpensive come and go jewelry that changes things up.
So, I browse through the latest jewelry racks and get excited about a pair of earrings that go well with a certain dress, or a different twist on cute a necklace. So, for a fun post I thought I'd share what I've seen done with necklaces. Things anyone can do.

I bought a few yards of ribbon, got out some of my longer chains and changed them up a bit.

This is a choker made with a string of shells. I looped it several times, twisted it and then added the ribbon to tie it in the back.

A longer chain can also be folded once and tied with a coordinating color of ribbon.

I have an extra long sparkly chain from Indonesia and have enjoyed wearing it looped twice (still long) but looping it several times and adding the ribbon, gives it a totally new look.

This final collage may not quite do the idea justice, but I like the idea of mixing the old with the new. Pearls, really a timeless classic, have found their way back in again, and I like their simple elegance and reminders of the past. Who says you can't be classy and trendy at the same time?

A Backward Glance

On our recent trip home from LA, I purchased the January 2010 issue of Good Housekeeping and quickly found out that this magazine is celebrating a Big Birthday - 125 years of housekeeping tips, recipes, decorating, stories and advice on raising kids, money, organizing, budgeting etc.

The editor did some reflecting on what it was like 125 years ago and tells us that “on May 2, 1885, Clark W. Bryan published the first edition of Good Housekeeping . . . it’s mission: to produce and perpetuate perfection… as [it] may be obtained in the household.”

Although she does go on to say that today it’s not so much about perfection, I still had to smile and be surprised that a magazine with this name has lasted this long. I think it’s wonderful that a secular magazine took on the task of inspiring women, according to the New York Tribune (1985) "with noble suggestions for the making of happy and healthful homes." It would be fun to see some of those earlier editions.

For example, an ivory soap ad went as follows:

Said Mrs. Brown to Mrs Green,
“What makes your garments look so clean?
No speck of dirt on them is seen
To mar your linen’s glossy sheen.
Your woolen dress that was so soiled,
I thought that it was surely spoiled,
Now looks as spick and span as though
It never had been spattered so!
This fine old lace is firm and white;
Your silk hose keep their colors bright;
Your shawl, your gloves, are spotless too;
That old print gown seems really new!
In vain my laundress boils and rubs
The clothes, and labors at her tubs.
My newest garments soon look worn,
Get streaked and lusterless and torn.

Said Mrs. Green in turn, “My dear,
Poor soap has spoiled your clothes, I fear,
Compelled your laundress first to boil,
Then spend her days in fruitless toil.
My laundress uses IVORY SOAP
And in its cakes for you there’s hope.
What in my clothes so pleases you,
To Ivory Soap is wholly due.”

What I do wonder about is, what is a laundress?
Ha, I guess my Whirlpool Cabrio has taken her place.

Morning Thoughts

I woke up from the alarm and thought it had to be a mistake! Seven thirty came too quickly, once again. As I stumbled to the bathroom, my next thought was that no one should have to get up while it is still dark. I can’t believe people jog, eat breakfast and go to work in the dark. At least by the time I get out for my walk, it is light.

But I guess no one is asking me . . . and the world does need to keep turning, so I am grateful for my hubby who always gets up without complaining. He’s a born provider, looking out for the needs of those he loves. He doesn't only work hard, but he gives unselfishly. He’s careful, knowing money does not grow on trees, but when we decide to help someone out and each of us comes up with a sum – his amount is always bigger than mine.

This reminds me of a verse that we learned with our Sunday School class of young boys a long time ago. (Words spoken by Jesus)
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:38

Christmas Clean-Up

What goes up, must come down. That’s always the sad reality of Christmas. At least the peripheral stuff. The true meaning and joy of Christmas is there to stay while everything else has to be cleaned up, exchanged and used up.

This week I’m hauling out my boxes. Over the years I’ve realized that the best thing is to always put everything back into the same box it came from. With that in mind, when I clear off space to decorate in November, I put those items into the co-ordinating box that I take that decor out of. So now, when I take down the décor, say, on the fireplace, the items that go on the fireplace during the year are inside the fireplace decor box. I don’t have to find them elsewhere. Maybe this is something everyone has always done, but it took me longer to figure out.

Another time saver is it to put the extension cable and lights with each garland. If the lights can stay on, even better, but it’s nice not to have to look for extension cables next time. If you don’t do this someone in the house will find some use for them during the year and you may not find them when you need them.

As I take things down, I use the opportunity to dust or wipe down places that I don’t do on a regular basis. For example, wiping down the banister and spindles is as good a time as ever when you’re already taking down the garland. High, hard to reach places, windows and ledges can use a quick dusting or cleaning while you’re up there.

And you thought you could just take everything down lickety split? Well, you can do that too.

Pregnant with Anticipation

It’s been a while since we were told
That in the New Year
There’d be a new child to hold.
My heart leapt for joy -
I cried at this wonderful news.

Now the waiting has changed meaning,
From a wait that looks into infinity
To a wait that expects any time.
And the any time anticipation
Makes every moment a possibility.

He has assembled the furniture.
The car seat is buckled in tight.
Maybe he even read instructions,
Because this time it has to be right.
I see a twinkle in his eyes.

She’s wondering how life will change.
I watch as she sits up straighter,
Shifting in her seat to get comfortable.
Inspite of her breathing getting harder,
Her hands caress her rounded tummy.

I recall. I can almost feel those silent sighs -
Leaving a life of just the two of us
And waiting for this mystery, this miracle
That wove our lives together.
A part of him and a part of me, forever.

Two lives joined to create another,
Hidden from sight by all – yet
Fearfully and wonderfully made.
Each step ordained by a Master Weaver,
Each day before it comes to be.

So we wait in wonder in this process.
We remember and cannot help but give praise
As we watch our children become parents.
How precious are His thoughts and ways
How vast the sum of them!

(thoughts interwoven with verses from Psalm 139: 13-17)

What Do You See?

What you see defines who you are.
Max Lucado

"Your eyes are the windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dark cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have.”
Matthew 6:22-23

It has been said that if you look long and hard enough, you can always find something to complain about. We make a choice as to whether we complain about the one fruit we can’t have or appreciate all that we can have. During those times when we don’t understand or when we are afraid, God's Word encourages us to look at what is unseen and to see as God wants us to see because in faith we cling to the hope that God is at work even when we see no color. In other words, things are not always as they appear.

These thoughts, coming from a devotional by Max Lucado, reminded me of a story about Elisha. As the story goes, the king of Aram was at war against the king of Israel and was not succeeding because Elisha ( a man of God) was giving the king of Israel a heads up about the plans or where-abouts of the Aramean army, their enemy. The Aramean king began to think that someone in his army was being disloyal, so when he questioned his officers they told him about Elisha. Upon finding out where he was staying the king of Aram sent his army by night to surround that city. When Elisha’s servant got up in the morning and saw the Aramean army of horses and chariots, he called out, “Oh my lord, what shall we do?” Elisha answered, “Don’t be afraid, those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see. “ Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:8-17)

It's a New Year. A new page. Am I looking at a drab winter picture or do I see the sun sparkling on the snow? Will I complain about the line ups, or use the time to chat with someone and smile at the cashier? My prayer is that I will learn to allow God to open my eyes to see beyond a given situation and catch a glimpse of what He is doing. May I look for the color.

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