Grace at Home No. 381

Hello, friends, and welcome! Today is the last Thursday of May. Isn't it funny how time can seem to drag but then all of a sudden months have gone by?

We've all been busy at home these past few months, and it's fun to see what some of you have accomplished. Here are some highlights from last week's Grace at Home party.

Want to add some interest to your walls? Jenn from The Everyday Farmhouse painted buffalo checks on her dining room walls, and they look wonderful! She provides a really good tutorial for getting this look.

Looking to make your back yard into a beautiful retreat? You'll be inspired by seeing what Marty from A Stroll Thru Life has done--you must click over and see the "before" photo!

Looking for a small project to tackle? Check out this industrial-style chalkboard created by Pamela from DIY Vibes.

If you're like me, you like to change decorative pillows with the seasons. Want to make them last longer? Try sewing pillow cases with hidden zippers! Jayne from Chalking Up Success provides a detailed tutorial for this.

If you have children and have been thrust into the world of homeschooling, you might want to celebrate the end of the school year by throwing a Start of Summer party. Amy Senter shows you how, including free printables!

One long-lasting effect of the coronavirus crisis is that many people may find themselves needing to move into smaller, more affordable apartments and homes. If you're facing that situation, do not fear: Julie from My Wee Abode can show you how to live large in small quarters! This week she showed how you can create a fully-functioning kitchen from a sliver of space.

If you're in need of some spiritual encouragement, I highly encourage you to check out this post from Amy at Wasteland to Graceland: "Am I an Expert at Keeping My Heart?"

Thanks so much to everyone who joined last week's party!

Now for today's party.  Here at the Grace at Home party, I invite you to link posts about

• DIY projects
• decorating
• recipes
• hospitality
• homemaking tips
• parenting
• marriage
• faith
• self-care
• soul care

Whatever you do to make your home a place of grace, I'd like to hear about it.  Here's what I ask of you.  Please include the permalink to your post, not your blog's home page.  Please let people know that you've linked up.  No more than three posts per person, please.  Note that if you link a post here, you are giving me permission to share your post, including a photo.  And visit at least one of the other party participants--that's what really makes it a party, and during these difficult times, it can really make someone's day!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Grace at Home No. 380

Hello friends, and welcome to the Grace at Home party, where we celebrate all the ways we make our homes places of grace.

Today in North Carolina our focus is mostly on keeping our homes dry. It's been raining non-stop for several days now. All this rain has made me realize just what a sunny spring we've had up until now, which has been a huge help during this time of lockdown. We've kept our spirits up by taking walks in our neighborhood; this week we've had to stay indoors. How are things in your neck of the woods?

Here are some highlights from last week's link-up.

Want to freshen your home up for Spring? You'll be inspired by this home tour from Kim at Shiplap and Shells .

Looking for a little craft project? You'll like these Rae Dunn-inspired containers from Linda at It All Started with Paint.

Now that so many of us are working from home, it can be a challenge to keep everything organized. So I was delighted to see this "office in a box" from Ann at The Apple Street Cottage—she created it from an old silverware box!

Facing some lean times? You'll be glad to get this list of money-saving tips from Lazy Budget Chef.

While our weather here has been gloomy, we're hoping that there won't be any serious flooding. But anxiously watching the weather made me glad to get these emergency preparedness tips from Carol at Comfort Spring.

Having trouble adjusting to so much time at home? You'll benefit from reading this post from Debbie at The Debbie-Dabble Blog. Based on her advice, I'm going to change the way I talk about things!

One of the best ways I've found of dealing with trials is to try to help others. So I was grateful for this post from Dr. Michelle Bengtson.

Thanks so much to everyone who joined last week's party!

Now for today's party.  Here at the Grace at Home party, I invite you to link posts about

• DIY projects
• decorating
• recipes
• hospitality
• homemaking tips
• parenting
• marriage
• faith
• self-care
• soul care

Whatever you do to make your home a place of grace, I'd like to hear about it.  Here's what I ask of you.  Please include the permalink to your post, not your blog's home page.  Please let people know that you've linked up.  No more than three posts per person, please.  Note that if you link a post here, you are giving me permission to share your post, including a photo.  And visit at least one of the other party participants--that's what really makes it a party, and during these difficult times, it can really make someone's day!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Grace at Home No. 379

March, April, May--the weeks keep rolling by, and we're still in lockdown! How about you? What a strange time we're living in. I pray that you and yours are well.

Never have I been so grateful for a lovely home as in these past few months. So I feel very privileged to host the Grace at Home party, where we celebrate all the ways we make our homes places of grace.

Here are some highlights from last week's party.

Have you wished for an outdoor kitchen but don't have the funds for it? Check out the way Penny from Penny's Vintage Home created a dedicated grilling area from items she already owned.

Are you growing your own herbs this year? I certainly am! So I was delighted to get this tutorial for making these herb markers from Pamela at DIY Vibes.

Have you been sewing and crafting during this time of lockdown? I think many of us are re-discovering the joy and practicality of making things for ourselves, don't you? I was tickled to see this darling pincushions made by Lisa from Fresh Vintage. She shares complete instructions for making your own.

If you're up to trying a larger product, you'll find inspiration in this DIY house number/planter created from Unique Creations by Anita. It's even got a solar light at the top so the number will be visible at night!

And most of us are cooking at home and need to stretch our food dollars these days, so I was glad to see these ideas for inexpensive meals from Joy at Artful Homemaking.

Here's another recipe for that list: Mexican Bean Salad from Carol at Comfort Spring. Doesn't this look delicious?

Thanks so much to everyone who joined last week's party!

Now for today's party.  Here at the Grace at Home party, I invite you to link posts about

• DIY projects
• decorating
• recipes
• hospitality
• homemaking tips
• parenting
• marriage
• faith
• self-care
• soul care

Whatever you do to make your home a place of grace, I'd like to hear about it.  Here's what I ask of you.  Please include the permalink to your post, not your blog's home page.  Please let people know that you've linked up.  No more than three posts per person, please.  Note that if you link a post here, you are giving me permission to share your post, including a photo.  And visit at least one of the other party participants--that's what really makes it a party, and during these difficult times, it can really make someone's day!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Grace at Home No. 378

Welcome, friends! I'm so glad you're here for the Grace at Home party, where we celebrate all the ways we make our homes places of grace.

These days I'm so grateful for my home and even more mindful than ever of those who don't have a home. This time of lockdown has been hard, but what a gift to have a lovely and grace-filled place to live.

Here are some highlights from last week's party.

If Mother's Day has sneaked up on you and you need a little DIY gift idea, you'll be glad to see this cute idea (and printable gift tags) from Linda at Mason Jar Crafts.

Or if you've been wanting just to try a new simple craft, check out this tassel garland made by Linda of It All Started with Paint.

Need more ideas to get your creative juices flowing during this extended season of lockdown? Check out this post from Jayne at Chalking Up Success.

Have a special occasion to celebrate during Lockdown? Check out the charming birthday tablescape created by Lori from Dining Delight for inspiration!

If you need some encouragement for trusting God in times of uncertainty, you'll be glad to read this post from Karen at Growing Together in Grace and Knowledge.

And for even more encouragement, I'd love for you to check out this panel I'll be joining on Friday, May 8: Peace in the Pandemic. (Even if you can't join the live presentation, register and you'll receive a PDF of key takeaways and be able to watch the replay. It's free!)

Thanks so much to everyone who joined last week's party!

Now for today's party.  Here at the Grace at Home party, I invite you to link posts about

• DIY projects
• decorating
• recipes
• hospitality
• homemaking tips
• parenting
• marriage
• faith
• self-care
• soul care

Whatever you do to make your home a place of grace, I'd like to hear about it.  Here's what I ask of you.  Please include the permalink to your post, not your blog's home page.  Please let people know that you've linked up.  No more than three posts per person, please.  Note that if you link a post here, you are giving me permission to share your post, including a photo.  And visit at least one of the other party participants--that's what really makes it a party, and during these days of social distancing, it can really make someone's day!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Some practical help for these times

How many times have you heard an older person say, "Well, back in my day. . . "? 

Friends, I believe that one day we're all going to be telling our children and grandchildren about what happened back in the year 2020. None of us has ever before lived through a time like this. Sometimes it feels like the learning curve is really steep, doesn't it?

Yet in the midst of this change and uncertainty I am certain of this one thing. Despite our current circumstances, peace is available to us. God’s peace, that he gave us and left with us (John 14:27), hasn’t changed or disappeared

God's peace is still available to us, now, today, and always and it will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). 

This peace isn’t just waiting for us when this is over. It’s available right now and in these difficult times we need to grab hold of it and live in it more than ever.

Do you believe that? It's hard to believe right now, isn't it? But even when our heads are spinning with overwhelm, fear, uncertainty, and worry, I still believe these things are true.

We might just need some help finding that peace then holding on to it and living in it.

The PEACE in the PANDEMIC panel will help you do that.

I’m joining with some friends to share with you what they are doing in their hearts, homes, and families to find this much-needed peace and calm in the midst of this overwhelming and difficult time.

Join me and these amazing women of faith and learn how to replace fear, anxiety, and overwhelm with peace in your homes, your families, and hearts. We’ll also have a LIVE Q & A so our panel members can personally support and encourage you! If you’re able to attend on Friday when it’s live, you’ll be interacting with our panelists and other attendees in real time; our messages are not pre-recorded. 

Our hope for the discussion is to help you learn how to find peace in your heart, mind, home, and family and relationships. 

Want to get to know my the panelists? I’m linking to their amazing books and sharing their Instagram handles; I know you’re going to love them, their work, and their words. Clockwise from top left:

Niki Hardy (leading our panel discussion)
@NikiHardy

Robin Dance

@robindance.me

Me! Richella Parham 

@richellaparham

Rachel Pieh Jones

@rachelpiehjones

Jessica Herberger

@jessherberger

Ronne Rock

@ronnerock

The panel presentation will be live at 12:00 noon EDT on Friday, May 8. Can’t make it then? No worries! As long as you register at this link, you’ll be able to access the replay at your convenience, and you’ll receive a .pdf with key takeaways, scriptures, and prayers from each panelist. 

I sure hope to see you there! 

Meanwhile, I want to tell you about one thing that's blessing me during these days. I don't know about you, but I've been wanting to snack 24/7. Oh dear. So instead of ordering a case of candy bars (which I seriously considered), I've been making homemade granola each week. It's simple to make, delicious, and pretty good for you! 

I snapped a photo after I made a batch the other day. I wish you could smell it!

Here's the recipe (click here for a printable version):

Homemade Granola

3 cups rolled oats

1 cup sliced or slivered almonds (or whatever nut you like best)

1 cup coconut

¼ cup plus 2 Tablespoons brown sugar

¼ cup honey

2 Tablespoons corn syrup (or use more honey if you don’t like corn syrup)

¼ cup vegetable oil (I use canola)

¾ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, almonds, coconut, and brown sugar. 

In a small bowl, combine oil, honey, syrup, salt, and cinnamon. (Tip: use measuring cup to measure oil first, then honey. Honey should pour right out!)

Stir wet mixture into dry mixture. Be sure all dry ingredients are coated. (I use my hands for this.)

Spread mixture onto two baking sheets sprayed with cooking spray or lined with parchment paper. Cook for 1 hour 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. (In other words, bake this just like you bake party mix.)

When evenly brown, remove from oven and transfer granola to a large bowl. If you want to add raisins, dates, or Craisins, mix them in at this point. (I don’t add fruit, but I’m sure it would be tasty.)

When cool, store in an air-tight container.

Enjoy!

Now, go register for the PEACE in the PANDEMIC panel, and I hope to see you there!