Today I am writing as I sit by the fire, doing my best to stay warm. This week has brought snow, sleet, and cold rain to our part of the world, so I am grateful for our fireplace.
Last week was very different. Instead of being at home by the fire, I was relaxing by the pool! My husband and I took our first vacation in two years and spent a week in Palm Springs, California. This was the courtyard of our VRBO apartment with our own private little pool:
I started to share some of our vacation photos on Instagram while we were in California, but since we'd left our home empty, I found myself wondering if I should spread the word that we were out of town. What do you do in that situation?
Anyway, I'm so glad to welcome you to the Grace at Home party, where we celebrate all the ways we make our homes places of grace and beauty. Here are some highlights from last week's party.
Want to create a welcoming front porch even if the weather's frigid? Denise from My Home for All Seasons shows you how.
Want to treat the hungry birds in your yard? Liz from Howling at the Moon shows you how to make this beautiful cake for the birds.
Does your skin suffer in the wintertime? Vicki from Fivespot Green Living may be able to help. Check out her simple recipe for homemade eczema cream.
Hoping to get organized this new year? Melissa from Everyday Savvy can help you get started by showing you what to throw away. I need this list!
Niky from The House on Silverado will take you step-by-step through organizing your linen closet and bathroom drawers.
If you need some motivation to get organized, Angela from Simply Beautiful by Angela can help. She shows you her favorite organized spaces, and they'll inspire you.
It's hard to believe that Valentine's Day is less than a month away! If you'd like to make homemade treats for your loved ones, check out these coconut truffles from Renae at Peacock Ridge Farm.
And for your soul's health, I highly recommend reading how Michele Morin from Living Our Days answers the question: "Is It Worth Going Back to Church Again?"
Thank you to everyone who joined last week! Now for this week's party. Here at the Grace at Home party, you can link up any post you've written that demonstrates how you're filling your space with truth, goodness, and beauty. 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 or sphere of influence 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!
Nothing better than sunshine to warm the spirit in winter. Have a great week ahead.
ReplyDeleteRichella,
ReplyDeletewe have had low temps. in the single digits here for a few days!!
Thanks so much for hosting this wonderful party each and every week!! I really appreciate the time and effort that goes into it along with visiting all the links and choosing Features!!! Thank You!! Stay safe, healthy and happy!!
Hugs,
Deb
That private pool area looks so nice! And so inviting just now! I don't usually say anything on social media about being away from home until we get back.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for featuring my bird cake! Also thank you for hosting the party!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Liz
How wonderful that you got a warm vacation in the middle of winter! And now back to that fireplace. We kept a fire going last weekend in our fireplace even in Alabama. Then yesterday it was up to 60 degrees outside and people were in shorts; today it's back down to 30. lol. Now I'm off to look through the links you shared!
ReplyDeleteHow nice to finally have a vacation. Thanks for hosting this party!
ReplyDeleteHow nice to have a little getaway with your husband, in warm sunny Palm Springs, no less! How sweet and romantic. Thanks for hosting and have a blessed week.
ReplyDeleteGreat features, Richella! Thanks for hosting! Stay warm this weekend!
ReplyDeleteI'm careful not to advertise that I am not home. Just a creepy feeling I have about it. And thanks so much for sharing my post!
ReplyDeleteI vote for warm weather vacations during the winter! We live in the south (Alabama) but south Florida sure is nice the first week of January! I'm not on social media these days but I never shared while we away. Hope you had a sweet, restful time away! Palm Springs is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteRichella, While these past few weeks have been true winter weather, I'm happy for you that you were able to take a vacation. Thank you for sharing these features. They are especially welcome during this house-bound month of January as my reading fodder. And no, I don't share on social media when we are away from home.
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful that you were able to escape the winter weather and enjoy some warm temperatures.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for hosting Richella and including me in your features today! I am so glad you were able to get away and I think that was the right call. I'm very paranoid about putting it out there when we are out of town. Can't wait to see your pictures now though. I love Palm Springs! Thanks again and have a great weekend ahead.
ReplyDeleteThanks for another great party Richella. I am glad you were able to get away. It's good for the soul and I agree with you- I don't post when we are away from home anymore. It's a complicated world we live in. XO- MaryJo
ReplyDeleteRichella, thanks so much for hosting. I am so happy for you to have a wonderful getaway to somewhere warm and sunny. I don’t post when I am away from home. Happy Weekend!
ReplyDeleteI never understand it when people post their whereabouts on social media. When I used Facebook, a friend shared that she and her husband were taking off for Hawaii. I immediately reached out and told her to remove the post unless she was ready to be robbed. She never thought about it yet once she did think about it, she removed the post. I asked her why does the world need to know about her vacation? It would be different if she were sharing it in a small group. I don't get it! I could be in the Maldives and social media would never know! P.S. that eczema cream looks rich and luscious. Glad you had a nice getaway with your husband.
ReplyDelete