When Chick-fil-a Just Opens The Door

I have to admit I’m still reeling from reading Just Open the Door. I throughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend.  

 This book was an excellent read. I recently found out what happens when Chick-fil-A Just Opens the Door. 😉

~Attic Organizing~

Many years ago when we moved into our house, I read a book by Emilie Barnes. In it Emilie shares a crazy but very creative and organize way to organize your attic! I have used this method and have found it extremely effective. Sadly, I do not know which book it came from. I do know I heard her speak once and it actually may have been at the event that I heard of this method.

I would caution that using this method when you are not moving, or trying to re-organize an existing attic might be a bit challenging. However if you are moving somewhere new, just starting out or have just a few things in your attic this would be very effective. I must tell you I am a keeper. I am a saver. I love to keep things for sentimental reasons! Therefore I must keep all of these things organized!

The method is simple. Grab some storage containers. Start by numbering them. Now in the book (or when she spoke) Emilie says to use the number 25 for Christmas items, the number 31 for Halloween items, etc. I did not do this. I just started with number one and went.

I took the first tub. I filled it up with items. Put a number one all around the bin (top, all sides). Put it in the attic. Then the key is this.... I started typing a list on my computer. Number one on the list tells exactly what is in bin number one. Number two on the list tells exactly what is in bin number two. And so on and so forth!

Of course I am way too embarrassed to admit how many bins I have. I put all of the bins in numerical order in my attic.

When it’s time to go up and get something I just look at the printed out list. If I am looking for my summer shorts, I know they are in bin number 25. I simply go up to the attic, locate bin number 25 and there they are. Then I take the bin down, empty it, and put winter clothing in that bin. I then must make sure and mark on the list that bin 25 contains my winter clothing. Back up to the attic it goes. 

This system has worked out well AS LONG AS BOXES ARE MARKED ON THE LIST AND BOXES RETURNED TO THE CORRECT SPOT!!!

I have also seen this method using notecards (instead of a list) to mark each box. Simply mark what is on each card that corresponds to the box. Keep the cards in a box!

Actual Box from my attic! Box 12. I've done this for so long I had to remark my boxes!

Boxes 24 & 25. Notice the dust on the box! These are real folks! Just keeping it simple and real!

Because You Never Know

We've had so many friends lose loved ones over time. Many of them suddenly.  So the other day I grabbed the Cricut to cut out letters. Found a piece of board (I think it's part of a cupboard?) at the Habitat Restore.  Added some Modge Podge (but then I found Modge Podge spray which I am sure anxious to try!). I don't like the brush stroke look, but it will just have to do!

Attach the letters with the Modge Podge.

Hang it by the door.
Pray for the kids.
Hope they read it as they head out and do what it says!

365 Trivia Twist Devotions

Time to review another book!

365 Trivia Twist Devotions: Fun Facts and Spiritual Truths for Everyday of the Year

Since this book is geared towards older children I am excited to have my 12-year-old daughter give the pros and cons of the book!

Her pros included:
1. It shows the National day (for example May 18 is “National Visit Your Relatives Day”), 
2. Relates to a lesson to that day
3. Gives a scripture verse or passage
4. Gives an additional “on this day” information, or fun fact. (Ie. May 18 is also when David Gochnauer finished swimming 55,682 miles in a 25 yard pool!). 
5. Has good illustrations 
6. Relates the fun fact of the day to scriptures. 

Her con and this was her only con was that sometimes the explanations are long. However this took a little bit to get out of her because honestly she didn’t really have a con!!!

From a parent perspective I love the fact that they give a fun fact or National Day and the way it relates to Scripture. It’s just a short devotional that you could do in the car rider line or while waiting for the bus. This could be a great discussion starter. This is definitely a book that could be a great resource for family devotions or dinner table conversation.

Therefore, both my 12-year-old and I recommend this book! I was given a free copy for my honest review. All opinions are my own as well as my 12-year-old’s!

More Organizing ~ Scarfs

Oh that scarf collection. The one you just can't seem to organize!

Do you roll them up in a ball? Wait, you have too many!

Do you buy the organizer that has the rings all down it in rows and columns? Wait, it won't hold all your scarfs AND you can't get them untangled! {Trust me,  I know this. Thank you Ikea!}

I started putting my scarfs on hangers with ring. BUT it didn't work. The rings would roll all around. They HAD to be perfectly balanced!

So I finally got smart and grabbed the pipe cleaners. Yes, the kids pipe cleaners!

And simple solution.

You will need:
pipe cleaners
2 inch capacity loose leaf binder rings (Amazon!)
Fancy hanger ~ well not that fancy. I got the velvet type coated ones from Ross. They are supposed to hold more.

Take the pipe cleaner and cut it in thirds or fourths.  Fasten the ring to the hanger. I did about 6-7 rings evenly spaced on the hanger.

Make sure the opening for the ring is facing DOWN. That way if you a scarf that is a never ending one you can open the ring.

I sorted my scarfs (mostly) by color.

Hang them up and you are DONE!

Overwhelming, Power Packed, Comprehensive, and Informative! The Study Bible for Women CSB

Wow! I just received The Study Bible for Women Christian Standard Bible. This Bible is amazing. As a point of reference, I generally read out of the NIV (1984) and Message ~ parallel passage Bible. So I haven’t used a study Bible in a long time. This Bible is rather large. It is very comprehensive. Not one you would carry around with you all the time. However I do think it is very beneficial.

I will refrain from much discussion on the theology aspect. However I will say that it is definitely much more gender neutral. It is geared towards women. Which, let’s admit, makes sense as it’s a women’s study Bible!!!

This Bible is full of many features including a word study, in-depth introductions to each book of the Bible, a timeline featuring both world events and biblical events, devotionals, insight into biblical womanhood, maps, a comprehensive index, studies on the doctrine of God, character profiles, and much more! Wow! This Bible could be a little overwhelming. However I think you could pick and choose which features you wanted to use. You could spend days upon days, no make that years upon years, reading through this Bible and still not take it all in. I will admit it was overwhelming. However when you look at the price this is quite a deal for this type of resource.

This is a great Bile for any woman looking to go deeper in her Bible study. I was given a free Bible for my honest review. All opinions and thoughts are my own!

Organizing ~ Earrings!!!!

So admittedly I didn’t get my ears pierced until I was older. Um, not that old. But older than most!!! Let’s just saw it was after my 20’s! Once I finally took the leap (I had waited for many reasons) I had started to accumulate many pairs of earrings. All just everywhere!! Which quickly lead to how to organize them!?!?!?

I think I found this in a magazine. And it’s perfect! Well, perfect as long as you put them back! I {obviously} clip or hook any earrings together that I can do just that with! However what to do with all the other pairs? I put them on a button. Yes, it’s that simple! Better yet, I use the button collection I have of all those buttons that come with a top or such that “you just might need one day” if said top loses a button! Yes, those. The ones you can’t decide if you should hang on to just in case or where to stash them “just in case”.

 Honestly when I think about it my grandmother (my beloved Mimi) had a button collection. Just the other day I took buttons off an old dress shirt  my husband had that was torn! Into my button collection they went! Using those buttons to store your earrings is perfect for that collection!

This is simple it is!

Earrings hooked on buttons!!!

JUST OPEN THE DOOR!!! Wow! Another Book Review!

Wow, I had the amazing opportunity to read Just Open the Door by Jen Schmidt. First, I have never read any of her blogs or other writings. But I will be looking them up! I am so glad I had a chance to read Just Open the Door. Hospitality is something I have struggled with over the years! I wish I had had this book fifteen years ago, but find that it's also very practical even now!

Yes, Just Open the Door is a book on hospitality. But also so much more! In it Jen shares some practical ways to honor Christ through hospitality.  She puts practicality to that hospitality. Jen shares the we are (as my football loving son puts it thanks to Carson Wentz) preparing for an "audience of ONE". That ONE being Jesus. When you get your home ready to host guests all that matters is that audience of One. All the rest will come together.

I love that Jen shares the realness (hide the clutter in a plastic bin - maybe two if needed, and don't let the adults upstairs!) Oh I can so relate!

Jen also writes of having a "get to" attitude instead of "have to".  I love this. I have to do laundry. No, I get to do laundry. I have to make brownies for the school festival. (Yes, this just happened!) No, I get to! As we have friends who have recently lost loved ones we are quick to have our focus shifted to the joy of serving others, BUT then so easily it's shifted again to that have to attitude.

Jen shares, "Life-giving hospitality is never about us. It's a journey to surrender control, to preset our seemingly insignificant offering to Him. It's about stewarding the one thing before us well, becoming an unlikely messenger for the gospel and pointing it all back to Him."

She also writes, "Becoming a woman of significance doesn't start with a microphone or stage or even a blog following. It doesn't depend on special talents or a larger-than-life personality. It begins by simple saying, 'Yes, Lord, I'm willing to be just one simple person. Here's my one door, my one table, my one sofa. Use them."

I love that this book is written for all stages of life. It gives practical advice for young mommas (who sometimes are hot messes, oh I have been there!) as well as those who are hosting (or trying to host) teens in their home.  It even shares advice from her mother and other family members that has been modeled through that generations. As well as experiences her children have modeled!

And I can't forget to mention that Jen writes about how to do this with a tiny space or a large space, a small budget and my favorite thrift shops and yard sales!

May Jesus use the simple around us to bring others to Him. In Just Open the Door, Jen shares a practical way to do just that!

I have been given a complimentary copy of Just Open the Door for my honest review. I am thankful for the chance to read this book! I highly recommend!

Don't Judge A Book By It's Cover!

Wow! I recently had the chance to read The Hidden Side by Heidi Chiavaroli!  All I can say is don't judge a book by it's cover! More on that as you read on!

The Hidden Side is Heidi's second book.  She is a wife, mom and very talented author! In The Hidden Side, Heidi takes you on a very real journey of parenting teens.  Natalie, the mother of the twin teens, must live with the fact that her younger son passed away several years ago.  She is desperately trying to relate, communicate, or simply understand her teenage twins. Until it all comes crashing down one fateful day.  However, woven into the book is also the tale of Mercy Howard, who is also trying to relate to those around her. Her story is quite different as she is a spy for the new states during the American Revolution.  She is witnessing some dreadful things along the way. Just as Natalie is.

When I first picked up The Hidden Side, I thought for sure it was going to a be historical fiction. I was ready to settle down and enjoy. However, when I started reading, I was I realized there was a component that was realistic fiction...then slightly teen fiction....then I was disappointed. BUT then I kept reading on...and I could NOT stop! I thoroughly enjoyed that way Heidi weaved several genres together in one book.  Hence, don't judge a book by it's cover! I'm so glad I didn't.

I would highly recommend this book. However, I must caution you. You will be consumed. You will not want to put it down. You will be relating to the characters and engaged in their world. I am anxious to read other works by Heidi since The Hidden Side was so well done!

I was given a complimentary copy of the Hidden Side for my honest review.