Imparting Grace: July 2020

Thursday, July 30

Grace at Home No. 389

Hello, friends!

Here we are at the end of July--can you believe it? I realized this week that, although it has seemed to d_r_a_ggg, 2020 is actually flying by pretty quickly!

I hope your summer is proving to be a good one. In a year of so many challenges and difficulties, it's a blessing to know that people are carrying on, doing the best they can. I'm especially grateful to see all the ways you're working to make your homes places of grace. Here are some highlights from last week's Grace at Home party.

Need a new way to display flowers from your garden? Shelley from Calypso in the Country created a beautiful flower box using a few materials from around the house, and she shows how to do it step by step.

Need a large piece of art for your walls? Niky from The House on Silverado shares her technique for creating a custom piece from a photocopy of blueprints of her house. Such a cool idea, even if you don't have custom blueprints. I can imagine doing this with a map or an architectural print.

Need another wonderful idea for creating your own wall art? Check out these pressed flower prints from Jayne at Chalking Up Success.

Do you like to plan ahead? The Drugstore Divas offered some great tips for planning for Christmas.

If you like to crochet, you might want to try making these scrunchies designed by Liz from Howling at the Moon.

Need quick and healthful ideas for breakfast? You might want to try these make-ahead egg bites from Estelle at Homemade on a Weeknight.

Last but not least, if you're in need of some encouragement for making it through trying times, you'll want to read this post from Dr. Michelle Bengtson.

Thank you 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!

Thursday, July 23

Grace at Home No. 388

Hello, friends, and welcome to the Grace at Home party, where we celebrate all the ways we make our homes places of grace. This past week I learned that many people are calling this season we're in "Coronatide" or "Coronatime." Whether you've done that or just tried to carry on without ever thinking about the global pandemic, there's no doubt we're living in strange times, is there?

If you could use some help with your prayer life these days, I'd love to help. I've written a prayer guide titled "Daily Prayers for Uncertain Times." You can get it as a free download here.

Now for some features from our last Grace at Home party.

Getting tired of your bedroom decor and want to freshen things up? Check out the one simple change that Marty from A Stroll Thru Life made in her bedroom--and see how it changes everything.

Looking for some inspiration for your back yard? Look no further than Penny from Penny's Vintage Home!

As this "Coronatide" lingers, most of us are going to be looking for creative ways to celebrate birthdays. Here's some help: Lisa from Drugstore Divas put together a list of 30+ Birthday Freebies.

Looking for a yummy new treat that doesn't take much time to make? You'll like these Frito Bars from Paula at Sweet Pea.

If you need some encouragement today, check out this post from Michele Morin: You Are NOT What You Are Not.

Thank you 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

Thursday, July 16

Grace at Home No. 387

It's the middle of July, and I'm amazed at how the summer is flying by, even though some of the days of this pandemic seem to drag. Does anyone else feel that way?

Still, I'm glad to see that so many of you have been busy making your homes places of grace, and I'm delighted to celebrate that fact with you. Here are some highlights from last week's Grace at Home party.

If you've ever been discouraged as you consider the bathroom(s) in your home, you should check out this bathroom makeover from Jolena at While I Linger. Lots of wonderful details in a tiny space!

Need ideas for a playroom makeover? Angela from Simply Beautiful by Angela has you covered! Check out the beautiful and practical space she created for her children.

Itching to do a small DIY project just to brighten things up in your home? Check out the newly upholstered barstool and the wall art Kathy from Petticoat Junktion created from cloth napkins!

Are your walls looking a little worse for the wear after spending months at home? Kendra from A Proverbs 31 Wife shows you exactly how to touch up wall paint.

Are you itching to have a few friends over for a lovely time together but also want to be safe during the pandemic? Check out what Patti from Pandora's Box did!

Tomatoes are my favorite things from the summertime garden, and I'm always looking for good recipes for cooking chicken, so I was delighted to find this recipe from Niky at The House on Silverado. Can't wait to try this!

Need some encouragement for your soul? Check out this post from Melissa at Home Life by Design.

Thank you 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

Thursday, July 9

Grace at Home No. 386

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

It's been so interesting to see what's going on with y'all this year. We're now in the middle of the summer, a time when historically many of us have left home to go on vacation. Not this year! We're at home, and it's wonderful to see how so many people are making good use of the time at home.

Pam from Everyday Living is in the process of building a new garden shed. But who said a shed has to be an eyesore? Just see what's she's up to!

Want to see a beautiful new guest room? Check out the guest room Kristin from White Arrows Home created for the One Room Challenge. Lots of great ideas!

Does your home have old bathroom elements you'd like to update? Serena from Thrift Diving had a turquoise shower that she transformed with paint! Check her post for detailed instructions for how she went from this:

to this:

If you're looking for ways to add pretty elements to your landscaping without spending a lot of money, you'll be interested in this post from Gena at Pretty + Efficient. I really like this brick pillar she built for one of her flower beds.

Looking for a smaller project? Check out these darling summer tea towels created by Pamela from DIY Vibes.

Need to find some new ways to save money? You'll be glad to get this list of products to replace expensive disposables from Lazy Budget Chef.

Need some food for your spirit? Check out his post from Tai at A Spirit-Kissed Soul.

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

Thursday, July 2

Grace at Home No. 385

It's July! Never have I been so excited to say that. Rarely do I want time to go quickly, but this year I am glad to see us enter the second half of the year. If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen this picture I posted. This is the unedited photo:

I took that picture from my deck on the evening of June 30. Isn't it good to be reminded of God's promises?

One of my favorite things about warm weather is sitting on one of our porches. Not everyone has a porch, but MaryJo from Masterpieces of My Life shows you how she created a front yard sitting area. Love it!

And if you're hungry for more outdoor space inspiration, check out this post from Kristin at White Arrows Home. You'll be drooling!

Do you love a good DIY project like I do? Then you'll like this table created from a metal cabinet by Serena from Thrift Diving.

I think this time of pandemic has taught a lot of us that we need to be prepared for emergencies, don't you? Check out this post from Jessi Fearon about establishing an emergency fund.

Need a bit of decor for a July 4 celebration? Check out this easy project from Pamela at DIY Vibes. You'll be surprised at how easy this is to put together.

I like to read the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution this time of year. Our Founding Fathers got many things wrong, but they got some important things right, and I am grateful to live in this country. May God help us to make the promises of these documents true for every American.

Looking for something easy to prepare for a July 4 celebration? Look at this beautiful charcuterie board created by Lindsay from Lindsay's Sweet World. She includes a list of red, white, and blue foods!

Need some encouragement to remember what is good and true these days? The enemy of our souls is a liar, plain and simple–yet sometimes those lies are so easy to believe! Check out this post from Dr. Michelle Bengtson for scriptures to combat those lies.