Cozy rooms are so inviting, but how do we create that atmosphere? Is it by our signature style? Paint? The furniture? If I could only give one way to make a room inviting, my word would be lighting. It makes all the difference in the world.
I love adding lights at varied heights and brightness. Lamps help with tasks, like reading or handwork, and a dim light can make a dark corner glow with warmth. I’ve recently added some lights to my house and I’m loving the difference they’ve made!
One day my husband and I took our lunch from home and headed to the lake to sit on the boat dock and enjoy the pretty weather. The water in the lake was still low, due the early time in the season. So our seat on the dock was not sitting in the water, as you see in the picture below. Instead, we were looking immediately out onto rocks; big, little and in-between, as well as the dirt beneath them. There was even a bit of trash that had accumulated at the shoreline. it wasn’t a beach shore – it was the exposed lake bottom. It wasn’t exactly picturesque.
However, if I looked upward to the other side of the lake, there were beautiful homes to enjoy. Trees were blooming. The water was shining as the sun reflected off of it. I decided to look upward instead of down! I could then point across the lake and say to my husband, “Look over there! Isn’t that beautiful?” If I was thinking, I could have also reminded him that in a month or so this lake would be full again and it would be so pretty right where we were sitting, too!
We love a steak cooked on the grill! How about you? It’s juicy, flavorful and easy. Sometimes, however, things happen that keep the gas grill from being the best way to cook the meat. The weather can interfere and sometimes the propane tank is empty with no time to run to get a refill. It’s at those times that it’s nice to have a method to cook your steak inside that will make them taste JUST as good. I found a cooking method that is so easy and delicious that I almost prefer it over the grill! It’s also cooked within about 15 minutes for medium rare!
I love my front porch and keeping it inviting is important to me. I want to feel that it’s always opening its arms and welcoming all who pass to sit down, enjoy the shade and have time to rest. That takes careful attention to the chairs, rugs and flowers out there. The pillows on the chairs also need to be refreshed, especially after a summer of sunshine beating down, fading their colors. I don’t want to buy a new pillow for each season, but I do want the pillows to coordinate with the time of year. Here’s how I accomplish that without spending a fortune ~
Two friends bump into each other at the grocery store and we hear them chat –
Friend One speaks – “How are you doing? I’ve been praying for you. The last time we met you were going through a hard time. Are things better?”
Friend Two answers – “Oh, that was such a trial, let me tell you…(and she does). Oh, and that reminds me to tell you about my Jason. Did you hear he made the first string in basketball? He scored more than anyone on the team. I don’t know what they’d do without him! One of his games was unforgettable. I have to tell you about it (and she does). Of course he gets his agility from his dad – he played in college you know. That’s how we met – he played, and I cheered! We had some fun times, let me tell you (and she does). Goodness sakes, we’ve been yakking a half an hour! I’ve got to get my groceries and get home. It was great getting caught up on you! Take care!”
RefreshHer 