It Might Be Hope

Monogrammed Ballet Slippers Tote Bag Dance
cutestitch $22 Etsy




Hand Stamped Personalized Necklace - BUBBLEGUM Ballet Charmer
LillyEllen $20.00 Etsy





Princess Ballerina Cupcake Toppers (12)
CupcakeSocial $4.00 Etsy







It Might Be Hope by Sara Groves

This song can be found on her "Tell Me What You Know" album.


You do your work the best that you can
you put one foot in front of the other
life comes in waves and makes *its* demands
you hold on as well as *you're* able

You've been here for a long long time

Hope has a way of turning *its* face to you
just when you least expect it
you walk in a room
you look out a window
and something there leaves you breathless
you say to yourself
it's been a while since I felt this
but it feels like it might be hope

It's hard to recall what blew out the flame
it's been dark since you can remember
you talk it all through to find it a name
as days go on by without number

You've been here for a long long time

Hope has a way of turning *its* face to you
just when you least expect it
you walk in a room
you look out a window
and something there leaves you breathless
you say to yourself
it's been a while since I felt this
but it feels like it might be hope

Patriotic Decorating Ideas

4 Easy Decorations for the 4th - Photos - MyHomeIdeas.com
4 Easy Decorations for the 4th. Independence Day is just around the corner, so enjoy four quick ideas to spark your celebration.




Summer Picnic Food and Party Ideas - Country Living
Fresh-made pies, ice cream, and frosty drinks take pride of place at this Fourth of July picnic

Flag Fans Shop variety stores and flea markets for decorations and party favors. Trim a fence with paper flags. Put flag-inspired fans on the table to encourage conversation as well as provide the occasional cool breeze.




4th of July Easy Origami Hats - Paper Hat Patterns - Country Living
Place card, paper, hat, crafts, craft projects, simple projects, july 4th, party crafts paper hat. Fold right and left side back at ends and staple down from ...






Easy 4th of July Recipes - Ideas for 4th of July Crafts - Country ... Living

Celebrate America's birthday with all things red, white, and blue. Fire up the grill, make some vintage-inspired crafts, browse our patriotic decorating ideas, or make a festive place setting. Whatever your celebration-style, we've got you covered.




4th of July Decor - Patriotic Decorating - House Beautiful

An All-American Deck

On the deck of this waterfront home, Crate & Barrel deck chairs and umbrellas keep to a blue-and-white theme, with splashes of red from Ralph Lauren Home beach towels.

Tis the gift...

The Violinist painting by Jasmin Aldin

The name Michael Province is well worth making note of. Playing violin since the age of six, this 14-year-old Palm City, Florida resident recently won rave reviews for his appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show featuring The World’s Smartest and Most Talented Kids. To see him perform go to: 4 Questions 4... Michael Province @ Lynn University



'Tis the gift to be simple,
'Tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gained,
to bow and to bend, we will not be ashamed
To turn, turn, will be our delight,
'Til by turning, turning, we come round right.'


Simple Gifts was written by Shaker Elder Joseph Brackett, Jr. in 1848. It was first published in The Gift to be Simple: Shaker Rituals and Songs.

What is your valley of love and delight?

The Prentender

.....
Ice Cream Journal » DID YOU KNOW: EARLY ICE CREAM PEDDLERS WEREN'T ...
well received? In today’s society, the ice cream man is a welcome distraction on a hot summer day. But it wasn’t always that way. In the 1850s, when ice cream vendors began selling their treats in the streets, people complained of what they thought was unsanitary conditions and of the poor quality of the ice cream. The vendor’s outspoken sales pitches were also deemed a public nuisance.

During this period, ice cream also hit the streets in London, at a time when Londoners were still unfamiliar with the treat. Said one writer, “The consumers had to use their fingers instead of a spoon, and no few seemed puzzled how to eat their ice, and were grievously troubled by its getting among their teeth. I heard one drover mutter that he felt ‘as if it had snowed in his belly!’”






















Neapolitan Ice Cream Pie Recipe at Epicurious.com
Find the recipe for Neapolitan Ice Cream Pie and other fruit recipes at Epicurious.com. ... Neapolitan Ice Cream Pie. SELF




The Pretender - Jackson Browne (filmed 1994)

I'm going to rent myself a house
In the shade of the freeway
I'm going to pack my lunch in the morning
And go to work each day
And when the evening rolls around
I'll go on home and lay my body down
And when the morning light comes streaming in
I'll get up and do it again
Amen
Say it again
Amen

I want to know what became of the changes
We waited for love to bring
Were they only the fitful dreams
Of some greater awakening
Ive been aware of the time going by
They say in the end its the wink of an eye
And when the morning light comes streaming in
You'll get up and do it again
Amen

Caught between the longing for love
And the struggle for the legal tender
Where the sirens sing and the church bells ring
And the junk man pounds his fender
Where the veterans dream of the fight
Fast asleep at the traffic light
And the children solemnly wait
For the ice cream vendor
Out into the cool of the evening
Strolls the pretender
He knows that all his hopes and dreams
Begin and end there

Ah the laughter of the lovers
As they run through the night
Leaving nothing for the others
But to choose off and fight
And tear at the world with all their might
While the ships bearing their dreams
Sail out of sight

I'm going to find myself a girl
Who can show me what laughter means
And well fill in the missing colors
In each others paint-by-number dreams
And then well put out dark glasses on
And well make love until our strength is gone
And when the morning light comes streaming in
Well get up and do it again
Get it up again

I'm going to be a happy idiot
And struggle for the legal tender
Where the ads take aim and lay their claim
To the heart and the soul of the spender
And believe in whatever may lie
In those things that money can buy
Thought true love could have been a contender
Are you there?
Say a prayer for the pretender
Who started out so young and strong
Only to surrender

Why We LOVE Dad

10 Things My Father Was Right About Real Simple
Maybe your dad taught you how to make people laugh. Or how to let a boy down easy. Chances are, he's still doling out nuggets of wisdom.



Father's Day Gift Guide - Southern Living




Father's Day Dishes FOOD & WINE
Fantastic recipes for Dad, like thick, spice-rubbed T-bone steaks (left).



HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Looks We Love On Sale!

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LOFT: Women's Clothing, Petites, Dresses, Pants, Shirts, Sweaters
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Grace Notes

Arrange to live sensibly, truthfully and always with a sense of our limitations . . . true peace of mind comes from accepting the worst. -- Lin Yutang

When we overdo, we're out of control. Overload results in chaos and even sickness. Limit yourself so you can enjoy some peace of mind.

Is your life in balance? Are you working too hard? Do you have too many challenges? Do you have enough fun? Minor readjustments will make you feel whole again. I just had a nap. Wow, what a difference. - Alexandra Stoddard, Grace Notes Insights, Reflections, Inspirations, and Quests for Every Day of the Year





From Carrie's album "Carnival Ride", a song about not sweating the small stuff, but instead focusing on the fact that love is what's important in life.

Jesus Christ himself stated what He thought were the two greatest commandments, and both of them had to do with love: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart...", and "Love your neighbor as yourself." Everything else is small by comparison.

Pretty And Pink

A trip down memory lane – Pink Anthill Cupcakes « The Cookie Shop
Jul 4, 2009 ... A trip down memory lane – Pink Anthill Cupcakes .... These are the sweetest pink cupcakes! Don't you love old recipes? ...




Pink --Dasha Nikonchuk


Luv the sweet owl pillow and Funny Girl poster on the wall.
Domino Magazine.com





My next house {I wish} -- don't you just love it?
Pink House by Poppy {Pixidus}


Here's a blast from the past: The Pink Panther Original Trailer (Blake Edwards 1963)

Enjoy the weekend!

Found...

Knot Your Everyday Jewelry {I heart this only because it's different}

One-of-a-kind standouts include the bead-like vermilion and baby blue knots and multicolor challah braids. Buy a few of the clasp-free, washable creations to mix, match, and layer at will. Available online at http://www.saakodesign.com/buy-online/ $50-$100.



Room Seven Spring 2010 --Room Seven is a fabulous children's clothing collection from the Netherlands that mixes unique fabrics, colors and styles. Enjoy!


Found -- Hillsong

{I hope you enjoy this beautiful song and lovely video by Kool Christian Girl}


Amazing love,
now what else shall I need
Your name brings life,
it's more than the air I breathe

My world has changed,
when Your life You gave for me
My purpose found
and all that You want for me


And I've found myself in You, Lord
And I've found myself in You
And I've found myself in You, Jesus
And I've found myself in You, Lord


Chorus:

So take me to a place
where I can see You face to face
and all I wanna do, all I wanna do
is worship You
So take me to a place
where I can see You face to face
and all I wanna do, all I wanna do
is worship You

Million Pieces: 20 Marriage Principles

20 Marriage Principles for a happy marriage

Marriage is a ‘life relationship’ between two people. Marriage principles are ways, techniques and methods that can be followed by a couple to strengthen and protect their marriage relationship. It is a fact that more and more marriages....




Million Pieces - Newsboys

Falling from a blue sky
Kissing your cares goodbye
They all fall like a million pieces
A tickertape parade high
And now you're free to fly

Carrying a millstone malaise
It's been pulling down your gaze
You pound the pavement, it don't give or care
This weight ain't yours to bear

Why you holding grudges in old jars?
Why you wanna show off all your scars?
What's it gonna take to lay a few burdens down?
It's a beautiful sound

When that muffled sigh
Says you're barely getting by
Cut your burdens loose and just simplify
Simplify

This is not your floor
You're going higher than before
Drop the weight now, wait for the lookout guide
Look outside

You've gotta lay that burden down
You're gonna lay that burden down
It's time to leave your burdens in a pyre
Set a bonfire

'Cause when you lay your burdens down
When you lay your burdens down
When you drop them burdens
What a free-fall, what a thrill
Bury them all in a landfill

Bulbs for Summer Bloom

Vintage Colorful Chippy Garden Tools Made in Japan Claws, Spade, Forks
by: magark $25 Etsy






Border design - Great ways to use flowers in your garden - Photos ...
Great ways to use borders in the garden: Garden border for a pool, to accent a lawn, edge a path, or frame a focal point. Flowers that bloom over a long season and require only modest amounts of water or time ― isn't that what we all want? Choose the right plants and you can have vibrant borders from spring through fall. {Sunset Magazine, photo 2 of 13)



Great garden borders: A few well-chosen plants
Borders don't have to be large or complex to have visual impact; just four or five well-chosen plants can work wonders. Here, a border of purple African daisies, lobelia, sea lavender and silver dusty Miller hugs a pool in Scottsdale, AZ. {Sunset Magazine, photo 3 of 13, link above}

Design: Graham Smith, Arcadia Studio (602/955-0301)


Bulbs for Summer Bloom - P. Allen Smith

"When I think of bulb planting, I always think of the fall, the time of year we plant many of our favorite spring blooming flowers like tulips and daffodils. But if you're willing to expand your definition of exactly what a bulb is, there's a whole world of possibilities out there. By planting many of these in the spring, you can enjoy blooms and interesting foliage all summer long."

Summer Reading: Heart of the Matter

Book review: 'Heart of the Matter,' by Emily Giffin ‎

By CATHERINE MALLETTE / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News

Emily Giffin's Heart of the Matter is delightfully packed with many of the requisite elements of a good chick-lit novel: A handsome husband (Nick) who has an impressive job (pediatric plastic surgeon); a smart, good-looking wife (Tessa) with an Ivy League education; a house in a tony suburb of a sophisticated city – in this case Wellesley, outside of Boston.

Tessa once taught at Wellesley College, but she has given that up to be a stay-at-home mom, where she surrounds herself with tennis-playing mom-friends who obsess about . . .

Fox Interview with author Emily Griffin's

Screen Doors, Sweet Tea & Warm Summer Breezes....

Notes from A Cottage Industry: Inspiration Friday-First impressions
We're talkin' curb appeal, baby. The ability for your home to say, "Welcome, leave your worries at the door, friendly folks live here" just by a glance at ...





Screen Doors and Sweet Tea: Recipes and Tales from a Southern Cook ~ Martha Hall Foose

"This is one cookbook I would proudly have in my kitchen! It has great information and wonderful recipes!"—Paula Deen, Food Network host and bestselling cookbook author

The warm, languid air of the South filters through this engaging book, in which Foose shares the traditional recipes that she ate while growing up on the Mississippi Delta and has returned to after training as a pastry chef in France and traveling the world. Gently humorous stories about family and friends form a seamless part of her instructions for community recipes like Strawberry Missionary Society Salad, as well as pleasant surprises like Tabbouleh, Curried Sweet Potato Soup, and Chinese Grocery Roast Pork that take Southern food beyond stereotypes....





Jasmine Auriculatim Bush

The aroma from a beautiful jasmine bush, the sun in your hair and a warm summer breeze. . . what are you plans this summer?



Seals & Croft - "Summer Breeze" 1972

See the curtains hanging in the window
In the evening on a Friday night
A little light a-shining through the window
Lets me know everythings alright

Summer breeze makes me feel fine
Blowing through the jasmine in my mind
Summer breeze makes me feel fine
Blowing through the jasmine in my mind

See the paper lying on the sidewalk
A little music from the house next door
So I walk on up to the door step
Through the screen and across the floor

Summer breeze makes me feel fine
Blowing through the jasmine in my mind
Summer breeze makes me feel fine
Blowing through the jasmine in my mind

Sweet days of summer, the jasmine's in bloom
July is dressed up and playing her tune
When I come home from a hard days work
And you're waiting there, not a care in the world

See the smile a-waiting in the kitchen
Food cooking and the plates for two
Feel the arms that reach out to hold me
In the evening when the day is through

Summer breeze makes me feel fine
Blowing through the jasmine in my mind
Summer breeze makes me feel fine
Blowing through the jasmine in my mind