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Showing posts from 2013

The Christmas Message Nosotros Oftentimes Ignore

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This is my husband’s foremost Christmas without his father. This is my family’s 2nd Christmas divided yesteryear unresolved conflict. In my house, at least, about of the “magic” of Christmas has been usurped yesteryear about other not-so-sparkly reality: The flavor of celebration oftentimes serves to magnify our suffering. Perhaps on this solar daytime to a greater extent than than whatever other, nosotros reveal the painful absence of loved ones, long for the way things used to be, or wishing for things, oftentimes intangible, that nosotros don’t have. Likewise, the nascency of Christ is inseparable from his crucifixion—Jesus’ joyous beginning, the solar daytime that nosotros telephone outcry upward Christmas, is eternally too inextricably tied to his agonizing ending.   Our Savior was born to suffer. In fact, fifty-fifty before  he was born, Jesus knew that his Father’s volition for him was rejection too expire (Luke 24:26)—and although Jesus was God inward the fles

What 1 Intend Phil Robertson Was Trying To Say

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Radar.com I’ve been writing professionally for vii years, the final several of which I spent as a gender activity editor at a national magazine. I’m also a Christian, which puts me inward the minority inward the liberal media the world (especially with gender activity editors). Writing nearly sex, patch yet existence deeply devoted to my faith, has been hard to reconcile (although God did create sex, together with he did blueprint it to last pleasurable. But that’s some other article). Many editors receive got told me I’m likewise traditional or conservative over the years (and I’ve fifty-fifty lost out on operate opportunities because of this, although no ane would ever acknowledge it). At the same time, I’ve been the champaign of study of Dominicus schoolhouse chagrin because my vanquish doesn’t sync with what a Christian author is supposed to cover. I’ve also been inward the seat I imagine Phil Robertson believed he was in: existence offered a rare chance to sp

Lemon Marshmallow Meringue Pie

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I know, I know, I’m supposed to locomote writing virtually pumpkin, apples, cinnamon —not lemon, the most summery of fruits. But this recipe was practically begging to locomote made, all because of a pocketbook of lemon-flavored marshmallows. And a field of pie I ate a yr ago. Let’s firstly amongst the mallows: I’m a sucker for novelty foods, peculiarly those involving marshmallow. So, naturally, when I spotted Lemon Meringue Campfire Mallow Bursts (i.e. off-brand fruity marshmallows) at Wal-Mart, I HAD to purchase them. Usually, flavored mallows disappoint me. Take Jet-Puffed Pumpkin Spice Mallows, for example, which gustation similar obviously marshmallows that select been spritzed amongst pumpkin-scented room spray.   But, WOW! These no-name marshmallows are amazing. The lemon season is intense together with authentic, hence good, inwards fact, that I nearly ate the entire pocketbook inwards an evening. Which is why I melted them downward into mar

Steal The Style: Cameron Diaz's Manhattan Living Room

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I was peculiarly excited to read my terminal upshot of Elle Decor , which featured Cameron Diaz's immaculately styled NYC floor on the cover. Part of my pleasance was, of course, peeking within a famous person's place. But fifty-fifty better, I late interviewed her for a story...and she was inward this real floor acre nosotros talked on the phone! What I dearest most the place: Diaz chose a warm, layered coloring palette, yet notwithstanding managed to exercise a feel of spa-like calm, without the typical white-on-white sterility.  As a commenter on the Elle Decor website wrote, "Her abode is an aphrodisiac of gorgeous textures, making it impossible to experience cold."  I'm non crazy most the custom wall covering, which says "cheap Mexican-inspired hotel" to me, equally exercise the pleated light shades, amongst their outdated A-line silhouette.  These transgressions tin give the axe move forgiven, though, if exclusively because the splashes

My Start Out Etsy Listing: Vintage Teal Dresser Amongst Distressed Finish!

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I've been interested inward refinishing together with selling slice of furniture on Etsy for about time, together with instantly that I've gone freelance, I genuinely convey the time! I chose this adorable dresser every bit my showtime projection for a few reasons: 1. That deer decal is precious! I'm e'er nervous most whatsoever line of piece of occupation organisation company that involves throwing out coin upfront (in other words, whatsoever line of piece of occupation organisation venture). But when I spotted the sweetness deer on this chifforobe, I knew I couldn't travel out it behind. So he came habitation amongst me.  2. I won't endure tempted to transcend away along it. This is a nursery/children's item, together with since I evidently don't convey children (unless you lot count Kitty Adelaide), the urge to hoard my showtime slice is non strong. It's however there, merely I'm fighting it. 3. Chifforobes are fantastic. You tin hon

Oreo Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

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This post is supposed to move near pumpkin cinnamon rolls. I stocked upwards on all the necessary ingredients this weekend, but every fourth dimension I idea near dealing amongst yeast, my zeal for cinnamon rolls dissipated.  Besides, I accept a jolt of Oreos getting staler yesteryear the second. (Without fail, my guests inquire for an Oreo, too I accept to warn them near the compromised quality, thank you lot to my non-air-tight cookie jar. That's what I become for buying a $4 jar.) I wasn't certain how Oreos would gustatory modality amongst pumpkin, peculiarly Birthday Cake Oreos, which accept been lingering to a greater extent than or less my trouble solid for months. But I plunged ahead. (Don't move alarmed yesteryear the colored dots inwards the photos. Those are from the Birthday Cake creme filling.)  I institute the recipe on Something Swanky , but modified it slightly. The recipe calls for Oreos crumbled on top, which I did, but amongst an extra flair:

My Coloring Obsession: Violet Blue

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My whole life I bring adamantly hated blue. Until I constitute this purse: It was waiting for me on the T.J. Maxx clearance rack. (Side note: Has anyone else noticed how pricey T.J. purses bring become? I immature lady the days of $25 bags.) I savage inward beloved amongst the rich, sumptuous gem tone, particularly when paired amongst the slightly irreverent aureate spikes.  When I decided to refinish a credenza left behind yesteryear our house's one-time owner, I took inspiration from my handbag-of-the-moment. I opted for purplish blueish ("Royal Breeze") paint...in high gloss. This was going to live a contention slice (or every bit my married adult man mightiness telephone phone it, a glowing blueish beacon inward the corner of the room). I beloved it. Which is a practiced thing, because Home Depot kindly gave me a total gallon of the paint, instead of the pint I asked for.  Next came this Loloi rug, purchased from Tuesday Morning for but $150 (compared to

Where Are They Now? Hgtv Dream Homes

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A rendering of the 2014 HGTV Dream Home Although the competitor hasn't officially opened, HGTV has announced the location of its 2014 Dream Home: Lake Tahoe, California. The 3,200-square-foot cabin is beingness built inward Schaffer's Mill , a golf, ski, in addition to lake community, amongst lots starting at $275,000. This is the 18th Dream Home giveaway, which most probable way the 18th abode HGTV builds, in addition to and hence either has the builder sell (if the winner takes cash) or watches the novel possessor sell after the reality of outrageous holding taxes sets in.  The winner volition live granted access to a 48-foot yacht (owned past times the Schaffer's Mill community) in addition to door-to-door service to a nearby ski resort. In add-on to the home, the winner volition have $250,000 in addition to a novel vehicle from GMC, but is responsible for existent estate transfer taxes, deed recording costs, in addition to closing costs (ack!). The IRS will, of