Love… One Sip At A Time // A Valentine Tea Party
I started hosting tea parties in an older home propped as pretty as you please on the corner of a quiet street. A family of four in a two-bedroom, one-bath home made for a tight fit, and tea parties felt downright snug, but no one would change a thing. Some teas were scripture-based, and others celebrated holidays, but every time, the room filled with the scent of scones, floral tea, and...
Random Lessons Learned
"I have not failed 10,000 times. I have successfully found 10,000 ways that will not work." -Thomas A. Edison Lessons learned over the weekend: The Weather Channel's roving reporters add nothing to the drama level by standing sideways against 80 mph winds. They look ridiculous and put not only themselves in harm's way, but the camera men as well. Never substitute napkins propped by the...
My Friday Fave
I call them "God glimpses"—those instances when we catch sight of God moving in our life, or in the lives of those around us, in very specific ways. On Monday morning, I got a call from God inviting me to a "come to Jesus" meeting. His tone was firm, yet full of tender mercies. We conversed, I repented, and began anew with a fresh awareness of His presence. As a result, this week was unlike...
Why Saying No Is Saying Yes
I said “no” to something on Tuesday that I’ve not declined in months. (Hint: it’s frozen, yet pliable enough for scooping, 500+ calories, and chock full of cookie dough) So why say “no” this time? It wasn't a matter of being too full or not in the mood for ice cream (is there such a mood?) I said “no” to ice cream that night in order to say “yes” to a healthier me for a lifetime. It’s simple...
Redeeming Minutes via Pomodoro
Three reasons I didn't hesitate to download information on the Pomodoro Technique® via Mary DeMuth's tweetdeck tonight: 1. I'm a huge Mary DeMuth fan! 2. I need it. 3. It's FREE! The technique, activity sheets, and even a cheat sheet -- all FREE! The basic unit of work in the Pomodoro Technique® can be split in five simple steps: Choose a task to be accomplishedSet the Pomodoro to 25 minutes...
Faith Requiring Headphones
I sat in the balcony, eyes fixed on a woman lovingly but firmly speaking truth into a teenager's life. The teenager seemed quiet, a bit of a loner, and in need of someone like her who was willing to take the time to sit beside him, get beyond the How are you? surface-type questions and listen. Really listen. How inspiring! But it's the woman's identity that serves as the catalyst for today's...
Exterior Snobbery Be Gone!
Some may not judge a book by its cover but many judge their choice of dinner by the appearance of the restaurant. Well, maybe not many. Okay, maybe only me—but my exterior snobbery caused me to miss out on one of the best kept secrets in Simpsonville, SC. That is, until last night. The Pasta House, located on 635 N.E. Main Street (directly across from the Simpsonville Post Office) sits...
My Friday Fave
Why this hot-off-the-press special issue from The Writer is a fave of mine: Slick cover (eye candy!) Topics helpful to both seasoned and newbie writers Such as: grammar (which would've come in handy for yesterday's post when I apparently left a participle dangling...ouch), strategies to bring fiction and non-fiction to life, 7 essential elements to creating suspense, 8 methods to capture a...
Cathy Baker
Join the Creative Pauses Facebook Community
I Recommend Fistbump Media!
