Imparting Grace: November 2020

Thursday, November 19

Grace at Home No. 404

Hello, friends! I pray you are safe and well. Can you believe we're just one week from Thanksgiving?

I've noticed that for months 2020 seemed to drag interminably. Now, though, the weeks are flying by! Does it seem that way to you? My brain knows that each week contains 168 hours, but I'm not sure my heart gets the message.

I am certain, though, that I am grateful for God's grace in my life, and I am glad you are here for the Grace at Home party, where we celebrate all the ways we make our homes places of grace. Here are a few highlights from last week's party.

Thanksgiving is going to be very different for most of us this year, but I think perhaps that's even more reason than usual for setting a lovely Thanksgiving table. Looking for inspiration? Here are some great ideas!

Julie from My Wee Abode shows us how she sets her table and offers this wonderful printable (completely free!).

Paula from Sweet Pea shows us how she decorates with vintage items such as these gorgeous postcards:

If you do have the privilege of hosting a little larger group, you'll want to check out the wonderful ideas from Pam at Everyday Living.

If you're struggling with the fact that this Thanksgiving will not be what you wished for (I certainly am—instead of our usual table of 10 people, there will just be four of us!), you'll want to read these words of wisdom from Michele Morin at Living Our Days.

And this year, more than ever, it's important for us to take care of ourselves during the holiday season. Dr. Michelle Bengtson offers 13 suggestions for doing just that!

If you're hoping to get a head start on Christmas decorating, why not start with an Advent wreath? Jayne at Chalking Up Success gives step-by-step instructions for making your own evergreen wreath.

Speaking of Advent, I'm writing a prayer guide for this Advent season. Click here to download it for free!

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, November 12

Grace at Home No. 403

Hi friends, and welcome! I am so glad you're here. I hope that you can take a deep breath and enjoy today's Grace at Home party, where we celebrate all the ways we make our homes places of grace.

It's been quite a week, hasn't it? While I don't talk politics around these parts, I am grateful for the election to be past, and I pray that a transfer of power can happen with peace. This election revealed that the people of the U.S. are deeply divided in our views of how our country should be run, but I hope that we can be united in working together for the good of all.

Here are some links from last week's party I think you'll enjoy.

Although many people are starting to decorate for Christmas, I like to keep things fallish until Thanksgiving. If that sounds like you, you'll enjoy seeing these fall decorating ideas from Theresa at Shoestring Elegance.

If you're looking for ideas for celebrating Thanksgiving safely during this era of COVID-19, you'll be glad to see this post from the folks at the K'Mich Wedding Soiree Blog.

Want to get started on making Christmas decorations? Check out these cute angel ornaments made by Niky from The House on Silverado. She shares detailed instructions for making your own.

Looking for a yummy homemade treat to share with neighbors? Jennifer from Satsuma Designs has a recipe and a free printable for you to make pecan praline topping mix.

Looking for a new dessert recipe for the upcoming holidays? You might want to try these gorgeous cranberry sauce cheesecake from Ann at Ann's Entitled Life. Doesn't it look delicious?

Last but certainly not least—if your soul is weary from all the fighting we've been witnessing, I highly recommend that you read "A Thread of Unity" by Nylse from LifeNotes Encouragement. I think you'll be truly blessed by Nylse's wise words!

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, November 5

Grace at Home No. 402

Hello, friends! What a week it's been! I pray that you are safe and well as we here in the U.S. await final election results.

You know, I never talk about politics online. Some people have questioned me about that, suggesting that everyone has a responsibility to use their platforms to discuss important matters. My approach is different. I have carefully formulated opinions, and I welcome in-person conversations. For me, though, these discussions must take place face-to-face, as I find there can be too much lost in translation if I can't talk in person with someone.

I will say this, though: I think the final election results will show a nation fairly evenly divided, which I believe means that we must all take seriously the task of loving one another well.

Meanwhile, I am grateful to see that so many of you have been busy making your own homes places of grace and beauty, and I am delighted to celebrate that fact here at the Grace at Home party. Here are some features from last week's party.

If you're planning to host Thanksgiving dinner in your home, you'll want to see this gorgeous centerpiece created by Carol from Blue Sky at Home.

If you're looking for some ideas for setting a fun table every day, you should check out this idea from Chas at Chas' Crazy Creations—she created chalkboard placemats from thrift store finds!

If you have a pumpkin that is ready to be thrown away, you'll be glad to get the recipe for maple roasted pumpkin seeds from Michele at Cook Clean Repeat.

Looking ahead to Christmas? Penny from Penny's Vintage Home shared the "deconstructed" Christmas planner she created for herself. I love this!

And check out these good ideas for making Christmas fun instead of crazy from Marty at A Stroll Thru Life.

If you're like me, you'd love to visit New England in the autumn sometime—I've never been, and I've always wanted to go. So I was glad to enjoy the trip vicariously through Paula at Sweet Pea. Just look at this beauty!

If you're going through a rough time right now, you'll be glad to get this encouragement from Karen at Growing Together in Grace and Knowledge.

If you'd like some help in talking with God during these turbulent days, I'm so glad to offer you a free resource. It's called Daily Prayers for Uncertain Times, and you can download it here.