Archives for January 2016

A Wedding Registry to Consider: Best Buy!

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Mother of the Bride, when you and your daughter think of wedding registries, I’d be willing to be that Best Buy isn’t the first thing that springs to mind, is it? It’s definitely not one of the old standards where wedding registries are concerned, but it’s definitely one worth considering—especially if the bride and groom would like to include some electronics, home entertainment, or computer products in the mix.

You may not be aware of the wide range of products available at Best Buy. Not only do they have all the items they’re most well-known for that would fall under the electronics and technology umbrella, they also carry large and small appliances, home and personal care products, and also home office items. Check out their website for a full listing of items offered.

Best Buy has a helpful online wedding registry page, and couples can easily update their registries with a hand Best Buy mobile app. Group gifting is also available on gifts priced at $200 or more.

MOB, why not share this Best Buy wedding registry idea and info with your new Mr. & Mrs.-to-be? I think they will likely be very happy that you did!

*You might also like to read A Fair Trade Wedding Registry: Ten Thousand Villages, A Wedding Registry to Consider: Williams Sonoma!, and Wedding Registry to Consider: Pottery Barn!

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early February. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*Flickr photo by JeepersMedia, Creative Commons License

An Artist without Limits

IMG_3582As you feast your eyes on the varied canvases God paints for us day in and day out, are you ever inspired in your own creative tendencies? I am. Words, phrases, or sentences sometimes come to mind as I stop to notice a gorgeous sky or the beauty of a perfect flower.

Below you’ll find my latest poem—one example of just such inspiration. Hope it blesses you. And remember, even though you may not be a writer or an artist, each of us is creative in one way or another. Let God’s beauty spark your own creative juices!

The Endless Artistry of God

Your artistry, O Lord, is endless,
your creativity without limit,
no two skies are ever the same
no two clouds identical.
Even on winter days
when the green of leafy trees
no longer dances with the sky,
you grant us a new view of beauty,
a gorgeous glimpse
of blues and puffs of white
through the dark lace of naked branches.

Never do we need to fear
continual sameness in our lives,
we can simply step outside
and discover the special treats
you craft for us each day.
Varied sights, sounds, smells
all await us as gracious gifts,
gifts of your artistry,
gifts of your unlimited creativity,
gifts of your love and power.
Oh Lord, my Lord, your artistry is endless.

“I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.” Psalm 9:1

*What artistry of God has inspired you recently?

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early February. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*My photo

Midweek Morsel: A Prayer for Our New Year

8611976301_ee8de83e72_zHere is the prayer of my heart for each of us in this New Year. Won’t you join me in lifting these requests to the Father?

Lord, with each unfolding day of this glorious new year you’re allowing us to live, may we stay ever close to you. May we start each day with words of worship on our lips and end each day with thanks in our hearts.

Help us remember that you long to be our companion and friend for each step of our daily journeys. May we look to you for all that we need, whether protection and provision, forgiveness and love, wisdom and guidance, courage and strength, or inspiration and encouragement. May we always remember that you are the source of all things good.

Father, whatever this year may bring, whether good times or bad, may we trust you completely and conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of you. May you shine through us in such a way that we provide a winsome witness to those who don’t know you and a source of encouragement to those who do.

Father, we humbly ask for your blessings this year. Please show us your love in amazing ways, especially when we’re hurting, and be our strong support and supply for each task you have for us to do.

Help us, O Lord, to seek you and follow you and always give you the glory for any accomplishment or good thing that comes our way. May our lives ever glorify you!

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

*Do you have a specific prayer request for this year? I’d love to join you in prayer!

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early February. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*Flickr photo by evanforester, Creative Commons License

Wedding Cake Idea: The Single Layer Cake!

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Mother of the Bride, has your daughter noticed the gorgeous single layer wedding cakes that brides can choose today? Most single layer cakes feature a tall layer and, wow, do they look classy and beautiful.

Variety abounds when it comes to the design a bride might select. The cake above features flowers and polka dots, but pretty much anything can be done, MOB. You and your daughter can find some other options on my Wedding Cakes Pinterest board as well as on a Pinterest page that exclusively features single layer wedding cakes.

When might a bride decide to go with a single layer cake? If a bride is having a small wedding, a single layer cake would provide the servings needed, help keep the overall cost down, and still look gorgeous at the same time. Some brides also want to have a small cake at each table with a special one up front for the bride and groom. Others like to have multiple cakes displayed so single layer cakes would be perfect for that as well.

MOB, talk with your daughter about her wedding cake wishes. A single layer cake (or cakes) might be just what she wants or needs!

*You might also like read Wedding Cake Trend: Multiple Mini Cakes.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early February. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*Flickr photo by Whipped Bakeshop; Creative Commons License

Fun Wedding Reception Idea: A Chef at Work!

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Mother of the Bride, are you and your darling girl and her guy considering the menu for the wedding reception yet? Options are numerous, and families today choose anything from a full sit-down dinner to a buffet to hors d’oeuvres to cake and punch alone. Your choice will be determined, of course, by the happy couple’s wishes as well as the wedding budget.

One fun idea is to feature a chef-attended live action station at some point during the festivities. A chef at work could be incorporated in any number of ways, depending on your specific menu items.

For our younger daughter’s wedding, we chose a dinner buffet with an Italian theme. The caterer arranged for a chef to be at one of the serving tables preparing cheese tortellini in pesto sauce. It added such a fun and special touch to the celebration. Could you do something similar with the menu your couple has chosen?

MOB, grab the bride, put your thinking caps on, and see how you might incorporate a chef at work in the upcoming party-of-your-lives!

*You might also like to read A Creamy Addition to a Wedding Dessert Bar and Wedding Reception Game for the Bride and Groom.

*Photo by Flowers Photography