Archives for 2020

Gift for Bridesmaids: Personalized Canvas Carry Bag

November 3, 2020 by 1 Comment

Mother of the Bride, has your daughter given any thought yet to the gift she’d like to give her bridesmaids?

Most brides give their maids a little something special just to thank them for being a special part of her big day and for all their support along the way. Some give the gifts during the rehearsal festivities and while others give them on wedding day. Some might even opt to surprise their bride tribe ladies at a bridesmaids luncheon or some other special time like a spa day together. Any time will work—it’s the gesture and heart behind it that matters the most.

Possible gift ideas abound, of course, but one super cute idea is the Beigetone Soaps Personalized Canvas Carry Bag pictured above.

Tuck in a few special items like the amazing soaps Beigetone offers and possibly a nail polish that would work perfectly with the dresses they’ll be wearing on the big day. Your daughter will have fun selecting items and whatever she includes will be a special treat for all.

This sweet little zip bag can be used in a variety of ways and will provide your daughter’s maids with a fond memory every time they use it. On wedding day it could hold the essentials each lady will need as they get ready or it might serve as a handy catch-all as they make their way to the party following the ceremony. After that the bag might become a favorite makeup bag or a handy little item to have when packing a suitcase.

So Mother of the Bride, why not suggest this idea to your darling girl? If she loves the idea, my friend Nancy at Beigetone Soaps will be happy to help in any way she can. I’ve ordered from her before and she does a wonderful job of packaging your purchase. Your daughter can send her a note if she has special requests, and Nancy will do her best to fulfill them! (By the way, MOB, this would also make a perfect little gift for you to give the mother of the groom just for fun!)

*You might also like to read Ten Thousand Villages Gifts for the Bridesmaids, A Fun Gift from the Bride to Her Maids, and Fun Gift Idea: Tote Bags for the Bridal Party

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride check out my Books/My Work page.

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out yesterday. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is free and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

*Photo by Beigetone Soaps

Filed Under: accessories, bride, bridesmaids, decorate, fun, Gift, memories, Mother of the Bride, preparation, variety Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Glorious Sounds of Fall

October 20, 2020 by 4 Comments

I don’t know what fall sounds like in your corner of the world, but fall means music in the air to me. And I mean that literally.

Since we live just a few blocks from our local high school, the marching band has jazzed up my fall mornings for years with its lively, high-stepping melodies. They’re carried to me loud and clear by the autumn breezes.

The staccato beat of drumsticks readies the band for action. The syncopated rhythmic boom, boom, boom of the bass drum provides the cadence the whole band needs as they march in unison. The blare of the horns energizes the very air around me, and their crisp cut-offs add the perfect punctuation to a fall morning’s melody.

Even though this year is slightly different because of COVID, in years past the band has busily prepared to perform at football games and march in area parades. As they’ve done that, I’ve gotten to enjoy a sound that transports me back in time not only to my high school and college days but also to childhood memories of going to homecoming parades with my parents and grandparents. Larger-than-life days, for sure. The band helps me taste them again.

What does fall sound like to you? Maybe a fire crackling in the fireplace or a flock of geese honking high overhead as they fly south for the winter? It might be leaves skittering across the driveway or crunching underfoot, or it might even be the sound of someone splitting wood nearby. Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s music in the air to you.

Let’s thank God today not only for the beauty of the autumn season, but also for giving us ears to hear the glorious sounds of fall. Truly music in the air!

“‘But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.’” Matthew 13:16 NIV

*What are your favorite sounds of fall?

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early November. One lucky subscriber (new or current) will receive a $15 gift card to Starbucks and a signed copy of my book to use personally, give as a gift, or donate to a library. Sign-up is free and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.) p.s. If you sign up after Oct. 30th, you will be included in all future Life Notes giveaways but not in this current giveaway.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride check out my Books/My Work page.

*Flickr photo by Chandler Abraham, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: autumn, blessing, joy, listen, memories, music, sounds Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

White or Cream Bridal Bouquet: Add Hint of Color

October 20, 2020 by 1 Comment

Mother of the Bride, does your daughter know what kind of bridal bouquet she’d like yet? She may be overwhelmed with all the possibilities out there. Should she go with vibrant color or a shade of white or cream to blend with her dress? Roses or a mix of blooms? A hand-held stem bouquet or a cascade design?

If she loves the white or cream-colored rose option (always beautiful!), suggest this tip our florist gave us for my daughter Kelli’s bouquet: add just a hint of another soft color. For example, like in the photo above, incorporate just a few roses that have a pale pink edge but with a center color that blends with the color of the primary roses.

Isn’t it amazing how the lightest touch of color can make a bouquet even more distinctive and beautiful? And just think how gorgeous the photos will be. Give your girl this suggestion, MOB—you’ll both be glad you did!

*You might also like to read Bridal Bouquet Idea: Add Some Sparkle with Gemstones, Bridal Bouquet Roundup, and Bridesmaid Bouquet Idea: Add Candy!

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride check out my Books/My Work page.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early November. One lucky subscriber will receive a $15 gift card to Starbucks and a signed copy of my book to use personally, give as a gift, or donate to a library. Sign-up is free and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.) p.s. If you sign up after Oct. 30th, you will be included in all future Life Notes giveaways but not in this current giveaway.

*Photo by Flowers Photography

Filed Under: advice, appearance, beauty, bride, color, flowers, Mother of the Bride, variety Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Praying for Members of a Wedding Party

October 6, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Mother of the Bride, it’s so easy to be consumed with all the details of planning a wedding you might overlook one of the most important ways you can provide support—prayer. Chances are you have felt the need for prayer yourself so it’s safe to assume most everyone else involved has felt the need as well.

My article “Praying for Members of a Wedding Party” will give you specific ways you can pray for each member of your daughter’s wedding party. The article is now appearing on the War Cry website (national magazine for The Salvation Army) so just follow the link below to find it.

I pray that it will be a great blessing to you and many others. Why not share it with the rest of those playing a role in your daughter’s big day? And don’t be shy about sharing it with others who would love to provide you and yours with the gift of prayer.

Now enjoy and be blessed, MOB: Praying for Members of a Wedding Party

*You might also like to read A Mother of the Bride’s Thanksgiving Prayer, A Prayer for Weary Mothers of the Bride, Pre-Ceremony Wedding Day Prayer Idea: The Mother of the Bride Prays for the Bride, and Mothers of the Bride Need Prayer.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride check out my Books/My Work page.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early November. One lucky subscriber (new or current) will receive a $15 gift card to Starbucks and a signed copy of my book to use personally, give as a gift, or donate to a library. Sign-up is free and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.) p.s. If you sign up after Oct. 30th, you will be included in all future Life Notes giveaways but not in this current giveaway.

*Flickr photo by Corey Ann, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: Above and Beyond, advice, blessing, bride, bridesmaids, Gift, groom, groomsmen, group, help, Mother of the Bride, prayer Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Prayer Can Transform Faces

October 6, 2020 by 2 Comments

As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.” Luke 9:29 NIV

We’ve all heard that familiar saying that prayer changes things, but can prayer actually change our faces? I think it can.

The Bible gives us examples of faces transformed by prayer. The scripture above refers to the day Jesus took three of his disciples—Peter, James, and John—up onto a mountain to pray with him. Never in their wildest dreams could they have imagined what was about to unfold. As Jesus prayed, his face changed and his clothes turned bright as lightning. A transformation (known to Christians as the transfiguration) took place and the disciples were allowed to see Jesus in his glory. Just thinking of it leaves me in awe.

Moses’ face was also changed by spending time with God. After God met with Moses on Mt. Sinai and engraved the Ten Commandments on stone tablets for the Israelites, the Bible tells us that “[Moses’] face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.” (Exodus 34:29 NIV)

Think of Paul and Silas. After they were severely flogged and thrown into prison, they prayed together and even sang hymns as the other prisoners listened to them. Scripture doesn’t mention the expression on their faces, but it’s safe to assume that as their prayers gave way to hymns, the distress on their faces must have been replaced by peace and even joy.

Yes, our faces often reflect what’s going on in our hearts and lives, don’t they? When we pray and tell God our burdens and hopes and as we give him our thanks and praise, our faces will indeed show the peace and comfort, joy and refreshment, and even strength or determination he’s imparted to us.

So is prayer transforming our faces today, this week, this year? Can people see God’s love and care reflected there? Oh, may it be so! Let’s allow prayer—time we spend with God—to change our faces!

“Those who look to him are radiant;” Psalm 34:5 NIV

*When was the last time you felt your face change as you prayed?

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early November. One lucky subscriber (new or current) will receive a $15 gift card to Starbucks and a signed copy of my book to use personally, give as a gift, or donate to a library. Sign-up is free and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.) p.s. If you sign up after Oct. 30th, you will be included in all future Life Notes giveaways but not in this current giveaway.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride check out my Books/My Work page.

*Photo by Radu Florin on Unsplash

Filed Under: appearance, body, change, joy, peace, prayer, refresh, signs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,
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