Friday Favorites – Fall Party

October 7, 2016October 6, 2016 RefreshHer1 Comment

Last weekend we got to have a lovely Fall party in our backyard. It was so much fun to prep and decorate for it, and I couldn’t wait to show you some pictures.

The guests were our recent Apples Of Gold mentoring group and their husbands. The Lord gave us a gorgeous day and evening to enjoy being outside for the entire dinner.

I used mums and small pumpkins, as well as corn stalks out on the patio area. I covered the three round tables where our guests ate with brown butcher paper. Then I wrote the guest’s names on the paper. Each table had a centerpiece that was a mixture of fall items – pumpkins, candles, apples, leaves and other decorative pieces set on a wooden tray or a piece of barn wood (see pic below).

The menu consisted of:

Artichoke Dip and crackers

Veggie Tray and dip

Blue Cheese Crackers

Cream of Wild Rice Soup

Potato Soup

Beef and Barley Soup

Homemade French Bread

Harvest Salad – Greens, apples, red onion, dried cranberries, walnuts and blue cheese with a Balsamic vinaigrette

Pumpkin Crunch Cake

Texas Sheet Cake

The evening turned nice and cool, making the fire a welcomed place to gather to share testimonies of how the Lord has used Apples of Gold in each life, to sing songs and to be challenged by my husband to “Continue” and “Compliment.” I thought the night was a huge success and can’t wait to host another gathering outside this fall!

Other events of the weekend consisted of a morning in Jonesborough with my daughter, Alli. Jonesborough (the oldest city in TN) is always quaint and fun and beautiful, but add a farmer’s market, a library book sale and fall decorations, and you have a perfect morning!

That waffle with blueberries above was my breakfast – fixed by my sweet husband before I headed out to Jonesborough! Okay, I made the waffles and froze them, so all he had to do was toast them, but he thought of me, fixed breakfast, added blueberries and brought it up to me while I was having my Quiet Time! What a great way to start any day!

One last group of photos below will reveal a kitty who curled up in the wooden tray on my chaise lounge – one I used ot hold magazines! I never know where I’ll find her sleeping!

I was on the search for a gray cardigan and I found the one pictured here clearnanced priced for a whopping $5! Double win!!

The fall sunrises have been so beautiful! I feel like Robert Sheffey, the old circuit riding preacher when he would see the sun setting and would take his sheep skin and go pray because he could “almost see heaven peeking through those clouds.” I use my walking time to pray out loud to the Lord. These cool, beautiful mornings have been such a blessing as I cry out to the Lord, walk and pray!

My week and my heart is full of so many of God’s blessings! I am undeserving, but so very thankful! What fun things did you do this week?

Stay refreshed,

Home decor

Bedroom Re-Arrangement

September 21, 2016September 20, 2016 RefreshHerLeave a comment

Hmmm,. maybe I should’ve been a licensed furniture mover. Why? I love moving the furniture around in my house! It just hits me while I’m sitting in the room. I’ll think…

That would look better over THERE! Then I could put this where that was!

Recently I was in my bedroom and realized that the two chairs in there were too far apart. My husband and I needed a place in our room where we could sit and chat without having to sound like we were having a knock-down drag out! Ha!

So, I started pulling and tugging the chairs and side tables that were already in there to a more “conversational-appropriate space.”

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Of course I don’t just move one thing – one leads to something else and something else and …well, you get the idea. So I also moved that little cafe table near the window for good lighting and a lovely view of the backyard. I’ve really enjoyed sitting there and working. That window gets great sunshine in the late afternoon, making it bright and even lovelier!

I’m still on the lookout for a throw or blanket to put on our bed that has some turquoise in it to add a pop of color.

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I put my little round table in the corner, but when I sat down to have my coffee, there was no where to set my coffee cup, so I scooted it closer within reach. This is a perfect spot for my daily Quiet Time! There’s good lighting with the lamp over the chair and the floor lamp beside the chaise lounge. Of course the window gives light as well. Liza tested it out and she approved!

Another change I did in the bedroom recently was the picture over the headboard. I had a mirror there, but it was too high to reflect the windows as I’d hoped, so it’s now over the mantle in the living room. I walked through my house and realized that the bicycle picture I had in the foyer was perfect for over the bed! The colors are perfect, and it speaks well of our love for biking! I love it when I don’t have to buy a thing to complete a rearrangement!

bedroom-rearrangement

All our married lives our bedroom has been quite small, and to have the blessing of this kind of space is a true gift from the Lord. But you know what? Even when our room was small, I still did what I could to create seating for conversation and coziness. No matter the size of your home, do what you can to love your bedroom. Make it a space you and your spouse love retreating to. Little changes like moving the furniture around, adding soft lighting, or bringing in a little table from another room can make a huge difference!

My home is a work in progress. It’s ever changing with our needs and the seasons, and I love it! Change keeps things from getting cluttered up and it also keeps the occupants on their toes so they don’t fall over or bump into the most recently moved piece of furniture!

What do you need to do to make your bedroom space even cozier?

Thanks for dropping by!

cat · Home decor · Marriage

Friday Favorites

September 9, 2016September 6, 2016 RefreshHer3 Comments

The first week of September has been a good start to the month! These are some of my favorite things that happened this week. (From top to bottom, left to right)

My flower boxes were looking a little weary, so I refreshed them with mums, rosemary and Asters. This is the first time I’ve added rosemary, but I’m hoping since it’s so hardy it will do well all winter!
If you follow me on Instagram (denisec_refreshHer), you saw this picture on my #Mondaymarriagematters. I drew this little picture on the bathroom mirror the night before my husband jumped back into preaching after sabbatical. I wanted to remind him I was praying for him and behind him!
Sunday morning our dear Rod Carter, 90 years old, was so happy to see his pastor at the door. We missed every member while we were gone, and Sunday was quite the reunion!
My husband ran in a 10K on Saturday! I’m so proud of him for staying fit and active! I am NOT runner, so I went to stand on the sidelines and cheer him on!
This sunrise was September first. What a glorious reminder that my God is in control and will give grace and glory for each day ahead!
The mornings have been so cool and refreshing that one morning I sat in a rocker on the front porch and had my Bible reading. It was so beautiful, quiet and refreshing in every way!
My kitty Liza does so many funny things. She is not one to jump on the counters, or furniture, so the morning I found her like this was quite hilarious. I had used the tub to fill my water pitcher to water the flower boxes and she jumped in to get a drink of the droplets that were still in the tub! How would you caption this picture?

Then to end the week we have our really special ladies’ event at our church! If you’re in the area, I invite you to join us for our Ladies’ Event. Our Theme is, “When God Writes Your Story.”

Carol Trahan is our guest speaker tonight and tomorrow morning. Carol is a Word-filled speaker whose story is not what she would have chosen, but she has allowed the Lord to take the tragedies that have touched her life to refine and mold her into the image of Christ. She is a Word-filled speaker who exalts her Savior with her testimony of His goodness in her times of brokenness.

Friday night begins with a fashion workshop, some fun skits, then a time in God’s Word with Carol. Then we go home and sleep in our own comfy bed and return the next morning. Saturday will be filled with helpful workshops you can choose from, and two more sessions with Carol. Breakfast starts at 9:00 and the day moves on from there. I pray you’ll come and bring a friend!

Praying you have a great weekend of spiritual encouragement!

Denise Signature 150 px

entertaining · Home decor · organization · summertime

A Look Through My Lens

July 8, 2016July 7, 2016 RefreshHerLeave a comment

It’s unreal how much activity goes on in one week, isn’t it? I look through my photos on my camera and am shocked at how much we did in the last seven days! Let me give you a look through my lens:

On Friday night we hosted our church teen group at our home. They are led by Alli’s husband, Andrew who does a great job! The teens love both Alli and Andrew, and it was fun to see them interact that evening. They played volleyball, and a new version of football. Oh, and they ate. A LOT! Which means they loved it, and that makes me happy!Their meal was a simple one of grilled hot dogs and the fixings, but I can’t wait to tell you about the dessert we served. Here’s a little peek, but I’ll share the details with you on Monday.

On Saturday I hosted a baby shower for a sweet young mom, expecting her first baby. You can tell by the pictures that she’s expecting a girl!

A friend at church did the food, and it was amazing.

Another gal does the cupcakes for our church showers. These are White Chocolate Raspberry. Oh my goodness!! The little size makes it completely safe to try without feeling too guilty! Also check out the waffle bowls filled with fresh fruit; those were so good!

Saturday night my husband and I went with Alli and Andrew to Carter’s Fold to hear Fiddlin’ Carson Peters, a talented 12 year-old who plays fiddle with his father and two other instrumentalists. It was such a fun night! The music was great, the setting was country and perfect!

Sunday morning we had the blessing of seeing two little girls who recently accepted Christ as their Savior get baptized, or as one of them called it, “Bap-ti-tized!” It always brings tears to my eyes to see these young ones trust Christ, then declare their devotion to follow Him all their lives!

It also always makes me so thankful to be married to the pastor who gets the privilege of baptizing, and pouring into their lives the Truth of God’s Word. He always gives a personal challenge to each one, and it’s so sweet.

Sunday evening we did not have services at church. My husband and I took special care to spend time together and also to rest. We sat on our front porch rockers and played Farkle while several of our neighbors put on quite a firework display.

We had front row seats and never had to leave home!

Even Liza got to enjoy some time outside. That’s a great treat for this indoor kitty!

Monday’s Fourth of July celebrations took us to Cherokee Lake to friends’ home. We had a wonderful time. It included a feast of picnic foods, a boat ride, and fellowship with new friends.

This barn was on the dead end road that took us to the lake house. What is it about old barns that makes them so beautiful?

My pantry got some further organization when I finally found a couple of Lazy Susans at TJ Maxx. These will make finding my canned goods so much easier!

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Lastly, I harvested some of my herbs a few weeks ago and had them drying in small bundles in our hot, dry garage. This week I pulled the leaves off and got them stored in small jars. They’re so fragrant and I can’t wait to use all three – Thyme, Dill and Oregano.

God is good to give sweet blessings that we get to enjoy each day. He also gives grace for the difficult things that come, but God is always good!

How have you seen God’s goodness to you this week? Do you have a favorite photo from this post?

Stay refreshed,

Denise

accessories · Home decor

My Favorite Things

June 3, 2016June 2, 2016 RefreshHer4 Comments

Don’t you love it when you find something you’ve been searching for for a very long time? I want to share with you a couple of the items that had been on my search list and then one other fun item that is too good a deal not to share with you!

#1. I had purchased an outdoor rug some yers ago for my front porch that was only about 3 x 5 and cost me $65 – which is steep in my book. I really wanted to purchase a similar rug for my patio, but didn’t want to spend a fortune on it. My sister put me onto Lowe’s patio furniture area that had huge outdoor rugs for $30!

I made my way to Lowe’s as quick as I learned about this. Sure enough, there were several patterns and colors available and for only $30. Here’s the one I came home with. I’m loving it! I believe its size is 5×8.

#2. White jewelry for summertime is so perfect, but I had a really difficult time finding white earrings that weren’t either too huge, or too small. I was at Charming Charile’s on our vacation and came across their buy one get one free sale! I found the perfect set – a tassel necklace and matching earrings that were gold and WHITE! Chances are if you see me two days in a row, one of those days I’ll be wearing this duo!

Do you own a tassel necklace? I’m probably a bit behind the rage, but I’m glad I’m finally on board! I love this one.

#3. Lastly let me show you what I stumbled across at Big Lots this week. I’m a gonner when it comes to pretty dishes. I’ve really held myself back since we moved, but since we eat outside on the back porch so much I thought it would be nice to have some outdoor (unbreakable) plates. TJ Maax had a turquoise set I loved but they were more than I wanted to pay. Then when I ran into Big Lots for something else entirely I saw these for only $2.50 each.

I bought the lunch size and they’re also perfect for salad or dessert. I got four and my have to go back for four more so I’ll have enough to use when we entertain outside. They also had yellow, and I’m thinking I may do half and half. Pretty dishes can make even a simple meal more special!

So there you go! Who else is on the quest for a special item? I hope my recommendation helps someone with their search!

Stay refreshed,

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