LIVING {without perfectionism}

We ALL know who Martha Stewart is. I love her and I love how she does things. However, I have to remind myself that she has a lot of help and even whole teams working on the simplest of projects. She has a complete warehouse of props...the list goes on. Weather you know who she is, aspire to be like her, or just get discouraged watching her show {I don't even watch it anymore}there is something I want to "chat" about.

As I have been getting e-mails and reading a few blogs, I get the general idea that we are all trying to be perfect. Me included. I love a clean house and I adore clean sheet Monday. I look forward to making meals for my family and enjoy taking meals to friends. An organized fridge puts a smile on my face, and the feeling of a weed-free lawn and power-washed deck are almost too good to be true!

As I was getting our home ready for our daughter's graduation Open House, I decided there were a few things I wanted to be PERFECT, but I wanted to do an experiment and just let some things go {to see if I would actually still be alive and well to document how shock therapy went!} Obviously, it DID NOT kill me to let some things slide on by! Here is my list of things that did not get done {for those who are still reading} siding and paint on the house, landscaping, power-washing {hubby started and ended up having to take our graduate to the DR}, heaps of laundry, party favors, mini banana cream puddings, Fresh whipped cream, homemade brownies, lemon ice rings for the punch etc. etc.

I know my list was long, but we were seriously going to have it all done. Life happens and priorities change and I am glad. It was waaay more important to enjoy our time with our family and friends and to not be a complete control freak. I delegated, let friends help, let my son do a whole lot...the way he wanted to help without micro-managing and it was memorable and sweet!

I am not saying to get all sloppy and care free, but to set limits and to have realistic expectations and goals is so freeing. It IS LIVING.

I thought I would challenge each one of you to let ONE thing go this week. If your child is asking you to join in puddle jumping...do it! Maybe a friend needs to drop by for a few minutes when it isn't convenient, maybe that fancy dinner needs to wait and quesadillas need to be had, maybe you are already practicing this and you can give me advice. I am going to post my imperfect pictures and the pretty ones, too. The table,decorations and food were kept relatively simple. Things were all able to be made up ahead of time. It was the little details and our amazing family and friends that made this day a special day we will always remember.

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{GIVEAWAY} WINNER!

My hubby left for work before he could draw a number...so, to make it completely fair, I had to have him do it from work this afternoon. He drew number ONE, so whoever the first one was to comment, please e-mail me with your address, so that I can get your Demarle Flexipan shipped off to you! I am sure you will have a lot of fun baking with it!

Hope you are having a great weekend. Watch for the next GIVEAWAY. IT is going to be BRIGHT and CHEERY and fun for this summer's entertaining season. Aren't you curious? Also, I will be giving away TWO!

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{GIVEAWAY} Reminder

Don't forget to sign up for the DEMARLE FLEXIPAN giveaway before Saturday at noon PST.
Click Here for details.

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Calling All "Marthas" LIVING LIFE{without perfectionism}

Check back next week. {I think you'll like it!}

Please pray for me. My daughter is graduating and I have been on an emotional roller coaster. As you can see, perfectionism has flown OUT the window. I have set limits so that we {because YOU KNOOOW the whole family is affected by things having to be a certain way} can enjoy this very special milestone in Laurissa's life.

Now off to celebrate our family and friends.

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Home is...A Spring Tablescape

 


This picture pretty much sums it up! Spring is SIMPLE. Not a lot of fluff. Not a lot of stuff. Just the essentials: Peonies EVERY single day until the very last bloom. Our little yellow butter dish for slathering butter on veggies from the farmers market and warm berry scones. A white cake plate just because. Tiny spoons to help savor every bite of Dad's homemade ice cream or to stir dainty sugar cubes in fresh peppermint tea while sitting on the deck with my family...thanking God for our blessed life as the moon shines and the candles flicker. I love the simplicity of spring!

What is your favorite way to set your table in the Spring?

Today I am linking up to the Reluctant Entertainer.

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Thank you {GIVEAWAY}

Because I love you and because I love DEMARLE products, I am giving a Demarle Flexipan away to one of my FOLLOWERS.

If you aren't a follower, just sign up and leave a comment as to what your favorite summer recipe is{anything!} and the giveaway will end on Saturday, June 5th at noon PST.

"The best cooking assistant you have ever had… Flexipan®!Today Demarle is the ONLY flexible bakeware in the industry designed with the perfect combination of woven glass and food grade silicone, an absolute must for unmolding and browning. Flexipan® needs no grease, no oil, and no spray. For the best cooking results, we recommend using the Perforated Baking Sheet with all Flexipan® Molds." Demarle Website

One very happy Follower will have a bunch of fun baking,cooking,making ice rings, ice cream cakes, etc. in this Demarle European-sized bundt flexipan! The sky is the limit to this little kitchen "must have"! Just imagine a white cake with fresh berries piled high in the middle and topped with whipped cream! How pretty!

Thank you for being the sweet readers you are and for the constant encouragement you are to me!

PS. SEE, I told you I loved it! My hubby designed the island in our kitchen with big ole drawers to hold ALL of it in one spot. {I REALLY LOOOOOVE YOU!XOXO}

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The majority of us learn the most from our parents.

It is from them that I have learned that the greatest joy in life is not from what is received, but from what is given of oneself to others...A gift from the heart.

They served our Country for a total of seven years...Dad in the Air Force and Mom in the Army...but it has been over the past 35 years that they have continued to pour their hearts into the lives of military men and women.

I am thankful for my heritage. Thankful that they served our Country and continue to this day- to encourage sons,daughters,uncles,aunts,dads,and moms etc. here in the United States and abroad as they now serve as missionaries to the military.

This morning on my way to taking my son to basketball practice...I didn't take my cell phone, I kept the radio off, and drove down our old route (SPEED BUMPS AND ALL!) and we prayed.

As we talked about Veteran's Day, I reminded him that if he ran into anybody at the gym who may be a Veteran-to be sure to thank them for their service to our Country. He listed the men he knew had served and assured me he would thank them if he were to see them.

As I drove out of the school parking lot, I noticed I was driving on empty AGAIN! I can't stand stopping for ANYTHING when I haven't had a shower, brushed my hair or teeth and have my slippers on!

Reluctantly, I pulled up to the gas station and found the least intimidating gentleman to help me. I stuffed a piece of gum in my mouth, rolled my window down and asked for $30.00 of premium... not really wanting to "chat".

I HAD to say good morning and ask how he was. It wasn't his fault I was running late and a bit irritated. How RUDE would that be? As I wished him a good morning and asked him how he was doing...I was completely overwhelmed. This is what he said, "Just HONKEY DOREY, MAAM!" Smiling back, I said, "That's nice, we need more people in this world like you!" He had a twinkle in his eye as he squinted just a bit and was quick to add, "I woke up this morning, and that's something to be thankful for!"

I have seen this gentleman quite frequently. I never talk to him because I am usually on the cell phone, cleaning out my purse, trying to hush my dog when they are out of "TREATS" or whatever other crisis is happening in my car...anyway, I just simply have not taken the time to REALLY talk to him. BUT it was quiet this morning. Most people were taking full advantage of their day off!

As the gentleman went to open my gas tank-which I forgot HOW to open!!! I thought since I had just lectured my son on thanking a VETERAN, I should at least ask him if he was. He acted surprised that I would ask. He walked over to my window and said, "MAAM, most of us old guys here are!” We had quite the conversation. I should have had him fill my tank to the brim...just to listen to his heart and to hear his passion for his COUNTRY he still carried in his voice after all of these years. What was it that he had seen, experienced or achieved in his life that gave him such a sweet spirit and a zest for life on such an early, chilly November morning?

OH MY GOODNESS! As I started up my car and thanked him for his part in serving our COUNTRY, I was completely fascinated by him. Maybe because he reminded me of my very favorite Grandpa...something about his sheepish grin, the lines in his face, his slight limp. I don't know!

Baffled, I pulled out of the gas station. My vision was a bit blurred from tears. As I drove home, I was wondering how many of these men and women are out there amongst people like me and like you who are so compartmentalized and are too busy to even recognize the people we pass every day who have served with a willing heart ? The sacrifices so many of them have made? How many have lost a friend in their very arms, and then come home to hold a new life only to find out that they, too, have forsaken them, lost hope that they may return.

I know that we realize there is a price for our freedom, but I don't usually think about these amazing men and women as individuals. They each have their own stories. Their own lives have been altered in one way or another. Maybe one night they were being kissed by their mom and the next, only by the dripping rain! Who knows?

As I pulled into my garage and turned the car off. I just sat for a minute. It dawned on me why this distinguished gentleman was still on my mind: He was still experiencing the greatest joy in his life...not from what he had received, but from what he had given of himself...although many years ago...it was the gift from his heart!

Thank YOU

Reposted from 11/11/2009

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