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...
Why I’m Mentioning Christmas Today
by Cathy Baker If you’ve attempted to balance simplicity with trying to create Christmas memories for the loved and lonely, maybe you’ve found (as I have) that it’s not as easy as it seems. We’re all wired differently, but for me, intentionality is the game changer. As mentioned in a 2008 Christmas post, we kept a Nesquik® Chocolate yellow box nearby when our...
Curling Book Pages Instead of Turning Them
Book Wreath, by Myquillyn Smith, The Nester by Cathy Baker Okay, so Monday mornings may not be the most ideal time to share a creative idea but I know we can do it! Especially if there’s an extra shot of espresso involved. You know I’m a huge fan of Myquillyn Smith’s blog, The Nester. Her mantra immediately won me over: It doesn’t have to be perfect...
When An Apple Does More Than Keep a Doctor Away
A basket of truth for our Bible Study friends. by Cathy Baker Searching for a way to put your Fall apples to good use? Here’s one idea to throw in the hat: Remind someone how special they are in God’s eyes by placing one apple in a clear cellophane bag, tying the top with jute or a ribbon and adding a card that says this: You are the apple of my eye. Love,...
Baking With the Best Ingredient in Mind
Encouragement Wrapped in a Bow by Cathy Baker Remember this post from 2008? Starbucks has the Pumpkin Spice Latte The Beacon has the Hash-A-Plenty My late grandmother, Elsie Knighton, had her egg custard pie Like those “signature” dishes, my other grandmother, aka “Ma-Ma”, was well known for her pound cake in Fairforest, SC, back in the day. For as long as I can...
A Favorite Find: Life Beautiful
Fall Issue 2014 by Cathy Baker I’ve been asked what magazines I buy as it’s no secret I enjoy perusing the pages more than once. I’ve mentioned life:beautiful magazine in previous posts but it’s worth multiple mentions, especially the Fall 2014 issue. This issue offers up a buffet of hospitality tips beneficial to both the Mary’s and Martha’s of the...
Focusing on the Holiday Grounded in Gratitude
My favorite Hallmark Christmas Movie by Cathy Baker I’m perfectly content siding with the those who are not prepared for Hallmark Christmas movies beginning in October or brushing up against fake-o tree limbs in the aisles of favorite stores while fumbling for the candy corn. No, not yet! I mean, what happened to the celebration of Thanksgiving? Could it be that merchandisers...