New Beginnings in 2020

January first! Every year on this day - the first day of a brand-new year and a brand-new decade - always excites me! It makes me me think about all the first days of my life. What are yours?

• The first day of marriage?
• The first day you held your first child?
• The first day on a new job?
• The first day after a major loss?
• Your first kiss?
• Your first slow dance?

First days are both wonderful and sometimes challenging. And here we are, ready to take on another new beginning of the year and a decade. I have been thinking about all my firsts in the last 10 years, and goals for this coming year and decade. I’m sure most of you have begun to think about this too.

• What were you doing 10 years ago?
• How have you changed?
• How has your life changed? 

Every decade is a fresh new beginning to create the next ten years of our lives, almost like a brand new chapter in a book. It seems the older I get, the more I see how each decade is an...

Be Merry & Still

December always brings mixed emotions, though I love Christmas. I know that it also can trigger many emotions with many of my readers, some of which are sadness from loneliness or missing someone you have lost. For that reason, my focus has been on a value that I cherish especially during the holidays. It is learning to be still and to just be with emotions without judgment. When I do that, doors of God’s love open, giving way to peace and joy. All month I’ve sought ways to share ‘just be’ moments where stillness is honored, and joy is nurtured.

Advent, a season of reflection and being still is one that I have a vague memory of growing up. For a long time, Christmas made me feel both excited and anxious, not just because of childhood memories, but because of the extreme pressure we put on ourselves to make the holidays perfect.

Often, we get so wrapped up in all the Christmas activity, that by the time Christmas day comes, we...

Heart of Christmas 

I love Christmas. I love everything about it from the Christmas lights to the baby in a manger. I don’t even mind the hustle and bustle of these busy days as we prepare for bringing our families and friends together. We open our doors, our kitchens and our lives inviting people in, so we want to bring a sense of hospitality. But what exactly is true hospitality? And what does it mean to be hospitable? I know that if I’m not careful, I can easily burn out as I get ready for Christmas.

What I’ve found is that as I prepare my home that I want to look at its best, I can get so busy giving that I don’t necessarily prepare my heart to receive. In receiving the love, peace, hope and joy of Christmas, we receive the best of what hospitality is all about. My husband and I decided not long ago…to SLOW… it…down. Savor the moments of December day by day and bring the best of ourselves to our children, friends and family. What...

Snickerdoodle Cookies

The kid in me always comes out during the holidays when I make a round (or two) of soft & chewy cinnamon-sugar snickerdoodle cookies! My girls also devour them! Who doesn't love to snuggle up with a good holiday read , a warm beverage and something sweet to eat while they read? Or while they line up their favorite Hallmark Christmas movies? I know that is my favorite! Here is my absolute go-to recipe from Modern Honey.

Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe

The Perfect Christmas

2019 Mary & Martha Holiday Gift Guides

Shop This Guide: Under $50-  Made with Love Casserole Carrier, Grace & Gratitude Footed Sever, Fresh Joy Glass Cloche, Faithfulness Kitchen Caddy, My Life Photo & Card Holder, Prayer Journal with Pen, It Is Well Pillow, Fresh Joy Baking Dish, Grace & Gratitude Pitcher | Under $35 - 100 Days of Bible Promises + Fresh Joy Mug, 100 Days of Grace & Gratitude + Heirloom White Mug, Sanctuary Candles $30 Each, Fresh Joy Loaf Pan, Authentic Living Devotional, Honey Jar, Encouragement Box + Cards

A few thoughts...This collection of gifts under $50 are great for small gifts, colleagues and friends! The Honey Jar can be used for fresh flowers as an alternative to the honey & comes with a second lid to store and scoop! The Casserole Carrier can be used for hot or cold foods and even has compartments for side dishes, utensils. Great for picnic packing too! 

Candace Cameron Bure's Authentic Living...

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Christmas is a one of my favorite times of the year! I love the lights, the colors, the carols and hymns and all the fun we have creating a joyous Christmas for our family and friends. I simply can’t wait to begin.  But, somehow in the flurry of activities, a part of me longs to slow down. To savor the moments of each day before Christmas Day. So I began to search for ways to do that even while creating Christmas at home.

When I wrote my memoir, I learned the value of knowing how to just be, especially after experiencing trauma and grief. I learned that the doors of healing open when I can ‘just be’ with my emotions without judgment.  To find stillness within and know God is present opens the door to peace and joy - which is why I LOVE this devotional journal! 100 days of doodling and inspiration! Give it a try ------->

Just Be Moments

I have created what I call ‘just be moments’ throughout the year,...

Peace. Rest. Be Blessed

Greet all your guests with a message perfect for Christmas and all year long! This durable coir mat will do the hard work of welcoming! The "Welcome" begins at the door of your home. Made of natural coir fibers. Imported. When you send this message, those you welcome into your home feel embraced and loved.

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Geometric Metal Wreath | Peace on Earth | Welcome 

Christmas is a great time to welcome many to your home. Standing on the doormat that welcomes, let this Geometric Metal Wreath that fits any décor and welcome your Christmas season guests with a timeless truth, Peace on Earth. And here’s the great news…it’s reversible so that you can use it year round. One side says “peace of earth” the other side says “welcome”. It continues to send a message of love and hospitality. You can also add moss and a birds nest in the spring, daisies in the summer and fall leaves and pumpkins in...

Dark Chocolate

The best words to ever pair together are: chocolate and improving your mood! Dark chocolate in particular, has mood and brain boosting benefits that you can't ignore. Dark chocolate is now considered an anti-aging, anti-inflammatory “superfood” for the brain and body! For Thanksgiving, or any special dinner - bringing these delicious dark chocolate and raspberry cups will check both off the list!

What is Dark Chocolate and it's Benefits:

Chocolate itself is made from the fermented, roasted, and finely ground seeds of Theobroma cacao tree. When purchasing chocolate, look for chocolate that is labeled “70%” because this means it contains 70% ground cacao and roughly 30% sugar (however 60% for baking desserts is what I personally use because it makes a difference in "sweetness" for taste). The ground cacao is comprised of cacao butter (a natural oil) along with ground particles of the cacao seed. The ground cacao contains a...

The Perfect Christmas