Friday, November 19, 2010

When Company Comes: A Re-Post on Pretty Tables

Knowing that Thanksgiving meals are coming up soon, I thought it would be nice to re-post this blog from my archives. I still like these ideas, and once again, have tried a couple this fall! Enjoy!

There is something so attractive to me about making table settings pretty and using fall beauty! Here are some favorites from 3 different sites:

This, in my opinion, is fantastic, but would definitely NOT go on a table! Maybe on the piano?:)


I like this chocolate bar idea! :)

Wishbones! How interesting!

This picture is for the pats of butter, cut out in cookie cutter leaf shapes!

And using edible name tags! Hmmm....
This one is just funky!

And I actually really like this, more than a wreath. :) I think I could do this!

And I wonder how this would look in our dining room???

And color....I just love bright colors.

Rocks. Plain and simple.

But individual arrangements? That's cute.

And a bouquet doesn't just have to be flowers....greenery works too!
For how to do any of these, as well as more pictures and ideas, check out these links:
Better Homes and Gardens

Book Review: The Strategically Small Church

Another book I've had the pleasure of reading recently is The Strategically Small Church, by Brandon O'Brien.


This book is very well written making reading it a breeze. I believe it only took me a couple days to finish it. (Plus I was very interested in the topic presented)

The book is written with the purpose of encouraging those in small churches to look at the positives rather than the negatives. It also is written for those in ministry, to stimulate a different approach to traditions, standards, expectations, and programs.

I found his interviews and opinions quite intriguing, and wrote down many quotes for me to think about and "chew" on later, such as,

I very much enjoyed this book, and have already shared it with a couple others. I am curious as to their opinion on it, since I wonder if it was so relevant to me since it was a very familiar topic to me since childhood.

Either way, you can check it out of course either at Amazon.com or CBD.com.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their blogger book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."*
"...every community has needs. Loving our neighbors means considering their needs - not just adopting the latest trend - before we launch our ministry initiatives."

"We must recognize and acknowledge that God is at work even when and where our church is not."

"If a small church finds out that the key to success for a larger church in town is short, exciting sermons, they shouldn't give up their long an dweighty sermons simply to attract new people. These are important issues that are a matter of remaining faithful to God and His commands. If we change the way we understand these things, it should be because our convictions about God's revelation have changed and not because current trends are now leading in a new direction."

"As a small group, look at what you CAN do because you are small rather than what you CAN'T do."

Book Review: Beyond Opinion

Okay, so I have some Book Reviewing to really catch up on!

Here's one that was a hard read, but good too: Beyond Opinion by Ravi Zacharias.

If you know anything about Ravi Zacharias, you know that he is a Christian apologist and deep thinker. We've enjoyed watching some of his debate clips on YouTube.com, where we were first introduced to him.

Anyway, he and his team wrote this book about Living the Faith We Defend.

It's broken into chapters per topic addressed, such as Hinduism, Atheism, Post-Modernism, etc. and is basically a book written about answering the difficult questions we all have in a thoughtful, logical, and gentle manner.

This book is NOT a fast read, nor light reading. Hence the late review! It's the kind of book that I will keep on hand and re-read again, since it takes a while for this sort of writing and argumentation to sink into my brain.

It is on my recommendation list though. If you'd like to find it, you can purchase it on Amazon.com or CBD.com.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from BookSneeze.com as part of their blogger book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."*

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Still here

Ah, I'm still here. Just haven't taken much time for blogging recently! There are many things on my to-do-list as of late, and this one falls to the bottom of the list every time :) Maybe I can do better in the coming weeks...

Here are some recent happenings:

Had Company, and then went to visit Ula 

 Enjoyed the first snow and the pretty frost

Had my Christmas Cactus bloom for the first time in 2 years! 


Worked on some fun craft projects

Plus some napping, choring, reading, writing, searching, walking, resting, playing and in general Very Much Enjoying This Season of Life!

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails