Beautiful Life

Celebrate Magazine

I have recently fallen in love with a quarterly magazine by Phyllis Hoffman called Celebrate.  This magazine is all about hosting events in your home.  I just picked up the fall issue last night and was delighted with some of her ideas including:

• Back to School Lunch
• Halloween Bunco
• Brunch for the Cure  (my favorite of all the ideas)
• Giving Thanks Together
• Tapas Party

For each event she gives full menus, decor ideas and creative invitations!  How fun.

LOVE IT. 

Fall Fashion

My neighbor and I were just talking about how we are having trouble finding stylish clothing for fall.  It has been slim pickings but here are a few things I've had my eye on.   The biggest surprise has been J Crew.  I am finally liking some of their style again.  

(Strapless lace dress - Talbots)

(beautiful trench - Talbots)

(Double serge wool pencil skirt - J Crew)

(Mona suede pump - J Crew)

(School boy blazer - J Crew)

Baked Shrimp with Tomatoes and Feta

We are having Baked Shrimp with Tomatoes and Feta tonight.  We have this dish over and over again because it is so good and so easy to make.  It's also healthy which makes it perfect for any weeknight.  Go buy a baguette and serve!!!  

Baked Shrimp with Tomatoes and Feta.

(photo courtesy of the Food Network)

The Duchess

I am loving many of Catherine's fashion choices of late.  She looks great in color, especially purples and reds. Here are my favorites from her Canadian tour.   

So thankful

I am so thankful tonight for my faith.  I went through a time in my life where I wasn't sure what I thought about God.  I wasn't sure if I wanted to believe in Him.  I was young and felt like I could control my own life. 

Fast forward a few years and I quickly realized that my life is fragile.  It isn't certain.  And I have no control over a lot of the challenges thrown my way.  This is where I put my trust in God and I haven't been the same since.  

• I believe Jesus died for my sins and that He is the only God.
• I believe God has a plan for my life (and yours)
• I believe that He is in charge of my future, not me.
• I trust that no matter what happens God will take care of me and my family.

All of this has been tested lately for me.  Three women in my neighborhood have been diagnosed with cancer within months.  These ladies are young, 37-44 year olds with husbands and children who love them. Enter fear (unless I immediately start giving it to God).  I am human.  I sometimes fear death and sadness until I remember who is in charge.  God will take care of my friends NO MATTER WHAT.  He will take care of me NO MATTER WHAT.  Even if we all die tomorrow, God will take care of us. This is what faith is, after all, right?

I am confident that I've already made the best decision about my future.  I've given my life to God.  This provides me with immense comfort. And so I am choosing to live my life to please Him.  Because I am human, I have to commit each day to this or I start trusting in myself again.

I am so thankful for my faith tonight.  

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.  

Hebrews 11:1

Praying for this family tonight. Will you join me?

Please take a moment to pray for this sweet family.  Baby James is with Jesus tonight.  His Momma and Daddy are still here.  I can't imagine. 

Recommended - Run Your Butt Off!

I have a recommendation for all of you looking to get into running.  It's called Run Your Butt Off by the Editors of Prevention Magazine.  This book is FABULOUS.  As many of you know I was running quite a lot before a series of health issues forced me to stop.  For two years I used other forms of exercise however, I always missed the results running gave me.  Recently I started running again!!!  With the help of this book, I started slowly and now I'm doing really well.  The key is to go gradually.  The goal for the end of this book is to be able to run for 30 minutes.  After you hit that goal, you can start working on running faster, longer, using hills, etc. to vary your workouts.  

 

Happy Anniversary

 

I post the same photo every year because it captures just how young we were on July 8, 2000.  Greg and I were both 22 years old when we walked down the isle.  Some thought we weren't ready.  Some thought we were too young.  Some thought we were a mismatch because he is so analytical and I am so social.  Some thought we should both finish graduate school before we got married.  

But we knew.  I knew he was the right guy for me.  I knew that God made us for each other.  These 11 years have been fun.  We've had challenges but we've survived happily.  And I am so thankful.

Happy Anniversary Love!  I am so blessed to be your wife.

Back in Business

My computer is back from the hospital and it is like new!  I love the team at Apple.  They are always so good to us.

Vacation was wonderful.  We relaxed by the water for a week and came home refreshed and happy.  The best part for me was spending time in my husbands Grandparents home.  Even though his Grandparents are gone and the house sold, it was amazing to visit and see the updates.  The owners are delightful.  Isn't this home beautiful?  I can only imagine what it looked like when my husbands Grandmother had it.  She was a master gardener and a very stylish woman.

Speaking of homes, I recently attended our local Builder Tour of Homes. I am not much of a fan of new construction however, one home really made an impression.  I plan on using some elements of this home when we hit the "go" button on our renovation. 

First, I really love the front porch.  It's 8 feet deep and perfect for sofas and entertaining. I also liked the garage, specifically the garage doors.  Aren't they pretty?

The bathrooms are beautiful.  I love the use of marble.

The gorgeous tub looks as if it is just waiting for someone to get a good book and come soak.

Computer Issues

My computer is headed to the Apple hospital for a few days.  As soon as I get it back, I have lots to post about.  I hope you all are having a wonderful summer.  Lots of love,  Maria