Companies that Give Back

Several of my favorite Christmas presents (presents I gave and got) were items made by companies that give back. These companies, some small, some quite large, have the philanthropic philosophy ingrained into their business models to give a portion of their profits to the truly needy.

This is becoming something of a trend - and a good one! Over the next little while let me introduce you to a few of my favorites.

Tom's shoes. Lots of colors and fabrics, mostly the same style - very comfy, affordable ($54). With every pair purchased Tom's will give one pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for one. Here's their story.
I'm not a huge shopper but I could do some damage here. And ballet slippers are coming February 1st! I am in line for a pair. Shop Tom's!

Guarding Marriages, part 2

If you read the post on November 9 titled Guarding Marriages, this is the follow-up. After my two questions, 'How are you guarding your marriage?' and 'What do you believe would guard your marriage?', I got several comments on the blog, but even more emails personally to me.

I want to get back with you a few findings. Here is what you said guards a marriage... in no particular order:
1. Prayer - any kind of prayer - praying for one another, asking others to pray, and especially...
2. Praying with one another
3. Date nights
4. Going to church together - worshipping God side by side
5. Lots of communication
6. Making the marriage a mutual focus
7. Celebrating personal anniversaries, first date, the date he proposed, trips we take every year
8. And one other that may sound odd, but the more I think of it, the more truth I believe this friend speaks... getting to the root of 'your stuff'... whether with the Lord, or in counseling, or however... not his stuff, my stuff. Amen.

If this spurs you to think of other things that guard your marriage, please comment or email. Friends, we need this! Much love and prayers sent for marriages out there. Let's find ourselves in the category below.

drybar San Francisco

Have you ever heard of drybar? It is a cool hair salon with nothing to offer but a wash and blow dry. Nothing = everything. Only in 12 locations nationwide (California, Arizona, NYC, & Atlanta), you make your appointment online, walk in, choose from a menu of about six styles, and get started. 35 minutes later, $35, voila!

Molly and I made a stop while in San Francisco just so we would not have to worry at all about hair while there. I'm sold. Would someone please open one here?


The schematic is grey and yellow, even the wobbly glasses. I should have known that Molly would match the decor (every stitch of clothing she owns is grey), but I laughed when I realized I did too!

Nancy Franke at Museum

It's almost Gala time again and the 2012 Featured Artist is Nancy Franke from Atlanta. I love her work! I've posted a brief collage including her famous boxes and amazing colors. Her yellow lab is fantastic. I wish I were a better photographer!

Nancy also writes a good art blog, Musings on Painting. From her blog you can get to her website and see more of her work. All of her paintings, along with all the Gala art, will be on view at the Museum by mid-February. It's well worth a trip!

Settling In

I have spent the day there. I have painted, had visitors, had a meeting, looked out the windows, gotten my bearings, made phone calls, run an errand and run back. I love my studio!

I finished up two paintings, signed them, and hung them on my walls!
Tuscany Table
Limoncello

My first visitors - Cathy, Megan, Molly and the little girlsIn a few weeks I will post studio hours. Stop in and see me!

Bitten by the Bug

I am talking about Pinterest.

Friends have mentioned it to me, but I always steered clear because I did not want to do Facebook. I know, I know, I am the only person on the planet reluctant about Facebook. Anyway, last weekend I desperately needed a mindless, thinkless, entertaining, fun, zone out on the computer, whittle your time away activity. I was almost brain dead from all the travel and emotional stress. So I signed up for Pinterest, created some virtual bulletin boards, and started 'pinning' away. I am just learning, but now have a teensy collection of such things as yummy things to cook and fabulous paper I would have in a store, if I had a paper store, which I have always wanted.

It's fun! I'm just learning, but I'd love to know any tips you may have, who you follow... and I'd like to follow you. Let me know if you do Pinterest. Whoever thought this up was a genius!

Another Word on Hope

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, spoke to me this morning.

Hope in Me, and you will be protected from depression and self-pity. Hope is like a golden cord connecting you to heaven. The more you cling to this cord, the more I bear the weight of your burdens; thus, you are lightened. Heaviness is not of My kingdom. Cling to hope, and My rays of Light will reach you through the darkness.

Do you read Jesus Calling? You can get it downloaded to your Kindle ($7.16) or an app for iphone or ipad ($9.99). It is well worth it. Start your year off with this amazing little devotional. Most importantly, read Sarah Young's Introduction.

January - Hope

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15: 13

I must apologize for being so long in posting on the blog. Just before Christmas my father-in-law had a mild stroke, and on January 30th my beloved brother-in-law, John Buchanan, went from death to life after an eleven-month battle with pancreatic cancer. I know many of you were praying for him and have been praying for our family through these difficult days. Thank you so much. I have felt prayer holding me together as we have traveled to Naples and back, to Nashville and back, and soon to San Francisco and back. Please continue to pray for Lucy's comfort and Big Ben's quick improvement, healing, and return home soon.

Lucy and John in July at Sarah's Rehearsal Dinner

All of the above has landed me in January and it has been very hard to say "Happy New Year". But I have. And I have meant it. Somehow through the grace of God, hope springs up in my heart and I am grateful and humbled by what the Lord has done this past year, and has done in just the last few days. It gives me great hope for the year ahead.

I want to follow Him more closely, love Him more dearly, and be more surrendered and sold out than ever before. I want the year ahead to be all about Him and not about me. I pray the same thing for you. Happy New Year, my friends.

You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. Psalm 65: 11 NLT