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3 Comments» Continue ReadingThe Preacher and I lived in a small town on the Western slope of Colorado for two years before we had kids. It was a charming little town. One of the most endearing things for my Spanish-speaking hubby and non-Spanish speaking-but-Mexican-food-loving me, was the smattering of authentic taquerias and Mexican restaurants found around town. I remember the first time I ordered “Shrimp Cocktail” from one of our favorite hole-in-the walls, forever curious to try new ethnic concoctions. The description Shrimp Cocktail did not do it justice, as this was no mere icy cooked shrimp and dip. What was served in a giant margarita glass should’ve been more aptly described as spicy-tomatoey-shrimp-avocado-chunkiness-infused-with-lime. You see why I generally cook by taste, rather than recipes…I have vivid taste recall. I figured it was about time to share the flavor explosion with all of you, so I made sure to take photos and write […]
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“The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it.” -Thucydides Giving thanks for those who serve our country today. ************************************************************************ Thank you all so much for participating in last week’s book review and giveaway! I would’ve loved for each of you to receive a free copy of Give Them Grace, by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Jessica Thompson! So, without further ado, the winner of the giveaway is: Congratulations, Kerry! I’ll be emailing you! Fret not if you didn’t win! You can purchase a copy here. I sincerely hope you do…it’s a worthy read. Have a wonderful Monday!
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» Continue ReadingYou see that pile of laundry ready to be put away? It can wait…at least for a little while longer, as I oogle, and swoon, and fall in love… …all over again, for the 31st day in a row. The last month has flown by…and we’ve been charmed by your sweetness every moment of it, little one.
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» Continue ReadingFrom Valley of Vision: Lord Jesus, I am blind, be thou my light, ignorant, be thou my wisdom, self-willed, be thou my mind. I was a stranger, an outcast, a slave, a rebel, but thy cross has brought me near, has softened my heart, has made me thy Father’s child, has admitted me to thy family, has made me joint-heir with thyself. O that I may love thee as thou lovest me, that I may walk worthy of thee, my Lord, that I may reflect the image of heaven’s first-born. May I always see thy beauty with the clear eye of faith, and feel the power of they Spirit in my heart, for unless he move mightily in me no inward fire will be kindled.
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» Continue ReadingI write about parenting quite a bit here on this blog. Sometimes the moments I write about are gloriously inspiring; sometimes they are terribly embarrassing. What you don’t get in my posts is an audio file of the joyful noise that fills our home throughout the day. It’s the joyful noise that can sometimes include crying, yelling, whining, complaining, and arguing. If your home is filled with joyful (and sometime non-joyful) clamor, you, too, likely spend many an hour praying, preaching to your own heart, applying self control, venting to your spouse…and reading parenting books. Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus is a new book co-written by one of my favorite Christian authors, Elyse Fitzpatrick. In collaboration with her daughter, Jessica Thompson, Elyse Fitzpatrick writes no ordinary parenting book. Offering no formulas and systems, Give Them Grace girds the parent with the paradigm and […]
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» Continue ReadingYou know I have a thing for succulents. Waxy, green, sculptural plants that require very little work–what’s not to love? I move my indoor plants around quite regularly; it changes the entire look of a room with very little effort. My most recent table display includes various succulents and airplants, mixed in with clear glass, candles, and a femininely sculpturesque phalaeonopsis for balance. It feels fresh, bold, and a little bit sophisticated. It may have been Martha Stewart that said that any humble object or flower, when clustered in quantity, becomes luxurious and uncommon. Carnations, baby’s breath, and even grass, can be strong arrangements when used in mass quantities. (I posted a few weeks ago about making extraordinary arrangements out of ordinary cut bouquets if you want some simple ideas.) Source Source So, don’t underestimate the power of clustering! Gathering several like-objects or textures, and grouping them in a charming, or […]
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» Continue ReadingHave you noticed that laundry and other housework does not naturally reset itself at the beginning of a new week? You don’t wake up on Monday morning to find that the counter is set to zero, and the baskets are miraculously empty for reloading. No, instead, we find that what awaits you on Monday morning is the culmination of what you have or have not addressed the previous week. When it comes to housework, there’s no “clean slate,” so to speak, unless you cleaned the slate, or are progressively cleaning the slate. This is not a difficult concept. So why do we struggle to apply this same reasoning with our attitude towards worry? Jesus tells us not to worry, to be anxious for nothing. But, rather than addressing the worry and anxiety the moment it comes into our minds, we so often grow lazy and allow the piles of fruitless […]
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» Continue ReadingIt’s difficult to concentrate on studying and work when the sweetest baby in the world passes by your desk. You must stop to cuddle, to gaze with awe, to whisper little secrets… …because the last three weeks have gone so fast, there’s no time like the present to savor each moment. So…here’s to noticing, engaging, stopping, reveling, remembering, and breathing deeply each and every minute… …because the sweetest blessings cross our path each day if we only stop to take note.
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» Continue ReadingNow that DSLRs are ubiquitous, many of us are wondering how to lug our camera and lens(es) to the zoo, birthday parties, and even Starbucks, in hopes of capturing memorable moments of our kiddos in action. If you are like me, you’ve probably got a diaper bag and often a purse already, and the last thing you want is to carry a ginormous black camera bag that screams, “Look at my photography gear!” At least, that’s how I feel. I’ve spent a little time doing the research online, and thought I’d share my findings with you: For the stylish photographer, if you don’t mind carrying yet another bag for a camera (or the hefty pricetag), here are some of the industry’s most fashionable options: Jill-e Bags Kelly Moore Bags The Shootsac Here are some less fashionable, but very functional options: Lowepro SlingShot 202 AW (The SlingShot is the one we […]
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» Continue ReadingO God, the Author of all good, I come to thee for the grace another day will require for its duties and events. I step out into a wicked world, I carry about with me an evil heart, I know that without thee I can do nothing, that everything with which I shall be concerned, however harmless in itself, may prove an occasion of sin or folly, unless I am kept by thy power. Hold thou me up and I shall be safe. Preserve my understanding from subtilty of error, my affections from love of idols, my character from stain of vice, my profession from every form of evil. May I engage in nothing in which I cannot implore thy blessing, and in which I cannot invite thy inspection. Prosper me in all lawful undertakings, or prepare me for disappointments; Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with food convenient for […]
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» Continue ReadingNumber 2 is turning 7 in July, but his first grade class wants to celebrate him before school is out for summer vacation. So, as the mom of a clan obsessed with Bear and his cliff-hanging, snake-eating, and camel-gutting, I did my part in creating a tough and dirty boy cupcake. This is the closest I’ll ever get to eating worms. One box cake mix makes 24 cupcakes plus a small section baked in a loaf pan, which I crumble and use for dirt: Store-bought frosting… …and a light dunk in the “dirt”. With all that dirt…Don’t call me “cupcake!” Eeewww…it’s an earthworm. Bear would’ve preferred a gummy scorpion or grub. Sorry to disappoint. Now Number 2′s class will know that around here, we are all-boy, all-survival, all-dirt… …and all very well-loved by a girlie Mama.
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» Continue ReadingI wrote last week about the Brotherhood at our house. I spoke of the boys becoming best of friends. I don’t know of any parent who wishes for their children to simply co-exist and tolerate one another. Although it is common to hear a mother request for her children to “just get along,” it is never for the lack of desire for her children to “love one another.” Mothers long for their children to be best of friends…for their children to defend one another…for them to enjoy spending time with each other. I’m sure I’m not the only one who encourages my children to this end. I was pleased to read the question: “Any words of wisdom on how to encourage that?” in the comments last week, as it was my intention to follow-up that post by writing about this very thing. Because my mind is currently supplied by the […]
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Hello, friend...I'm Ruth. Welcome to GraceLaced, where you will find my imperfect, but grace-filled musings on the Gospel, motherhood, crafting, art, domesticity, cooking, and the often-times overlooked joys of finding grace in the everyday of life. Read my full profile here.
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