Stating the Obvious

I think that it goes without saying, that I have been taking a break from blogging for awhile. I will continue with that break for the time being. Not sure when I'll be back, but I'm trying to focus on several other areas of my life right now. Hopefully I'll be back - refreshed & ready to go - at some point!


I enjoyed this rainbow last night!! We got some much needed rain.

I've not been posting much lately...what's up? Well, some of this...

• reading
• cleaning
• working
• visit from daughter & grandson
• trip to mackinaw
• working
• reading
• cleaning
• reorganizing
• reading
• working
• couponing

Seriously...that is about it. Over and over!!! (well except my daughter doesn't keep coming back for a visit, but that WOULD be nice!) Speaking of my daughter, she has gotten me hooked on couponing and it has been lots of fun and I am saving some serious money. Some day I will blog about that.

Don't forget to check out my book giveaway. It's a great book.

Spring is finally making its way here to northern WI. Daffodils are blooming and the trees are budding!!! Sorry no pics, perhaps soon...

Book Giveaway!

I have another book to give away! Start Here - Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are

I was thrilled to see another book by Alex and Brett Harris. Their first book Do Hard Things was a wonderful read & this follow up book is even better (in my opinion).

From the back cover: Do Hard Things inspired thousands of young people around the world to make the most of the teen years. Now Alex and Brett Harris are back and ready to tackle the questions that Do Hard Things inspired: How do I get started? What do I do when I get discouraged? What's the best way to inspire others? Filled with stories and insights from Alex, Brett, and other real-life rebelutionaries, Start Here is a powerful and practical guide to doing hard things, right where you are.

What I really appreciated about this book is that it focused on being faithful right where you. So many want to run out and accomplish something that seems "important" while leaving their first priorities unfinished. This book gives great examples of how young people can learn from observing what others have done, how to take the first steps and how to make plans. Brett & Alex have a great way of keeping the would-be world changer grounded. There is an order to stepping out, such as first being under the authority of one's parents and keeping a focus on Christ. The chapter "How to Move Against the Crowd - And Why" is great. It answers such questions as: Can hard things be fun? What about my friends? How should I relate to pop
culture?

This is a book that I will have my college-aged son read this summer. It is super practical and very motivating.

Leave me a message and you will be entered for a chance to win this book!!!!

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Morning Coffee & Two Giveaways!!

Welcome to all of the Company Girls coming via Rachel Anne's Home Sanctuary blog!!

This morning, I not only am having some coffee, but I was ambitious enough to make Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon rolls!!!

They are AMAZING, of course, as are all of her recipes!

This blog is a "catch-up" as I have two books to share with you that I should have posted last week...but that is another story.

The following books were provided for review by the Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Please read the following reviews, post a comment letting me know which book you are most interested in, and you will be in a drawing to receive that book, FREE!!!!

The first book: Mother - Daughter Duet: Getting to the Relationship You Want with Your Adult Daughter. This book caught my eye because I have two adult daughters. It is my desire to have a sweet relationship with them.

Cheri Fuller, along with her daughter Ali Plum, use lots of personal stories along with the wisdom of experience in describing what the mother-daughter duet should look like. Having the insight and perspective of the daughter certainly is a benefit!
After discussing such topics as Respect and Belief, Communication, Connecting and Bonding, Now that she's a Mom, When Crisis Arise, each chapter has a section entitled "A Daughter's Perspective." These were very helpful. Also included at the end of each chapter is a section entitled, "Two-Part Harmony." This section wraps up the chapter with some real practical application. The author and her daughter share what has worked for them, lessons learned and just open their hearts with the reader.
From the back cover: "Mother-Daughter Duet" helps moms open wide the door of communication so that daughters want to walk through it."
I highly recommend this book! I must say that I have enjoyed transitioning to this stage of mothering two very beautiful adult daughters.

Here they are:



The second book is: Dancing with My Father by Sally Clarkson. I have been a fan of Sally Clarkson and have read some of her previous books, so I was excited to be able to read her latest. The sub-title for this book is: How God Leads Us into a Life of Grace and Joy. Sally wrote this book after a time of noticing a lack of joy in her life. It's very easy for us, especially as women, to become overloaded with "busyness." She describes for us how we can take the time to live in beauty, grace, joy and peace. I love the title of Chapter 9: "Exchanging the Drudgery of Duty for the Dance of Delight." Sally's writing reflects her heart and she shares so much of her life with her readers. She comes across as someone who has been there and understands.

I know that I will be returning to both of these books again and again. They are both packed with practical advice and wisdom.

Don't forget...leave a comment and let me know which book you would prefer and I will put you into a drawing for that book. If you don't leave a preference, I'll just put you in both drawings!!

If you are entering the drawing for the Mother-Daughter Duet book, I'd love to have you comment about how you adapted (or are adapting) to this stage of life.

Before I leave you...here's one last look at those marvelous rolls. (All credit goes to The Pioneer Woman) I suggest that you take some time out and whip up a batch. (You know you want to!!)

28 Day Organizing Challenge

Today, I'm linking to OrgJunkies 28 Day Challenge. Because I was away unexpectedly for a week this month, I put aside my hopes of accomplishing a large area and settled for working on some kitchen drawers. Here's the silverware drawer before:
And here it is after:

My inspiration for this drawer was the two silverware trays that I purchased at IKEA for only 99 cents each!!
Then I moved on to the junk drawer. It was SERIOUSLY, a bunch of JUNK!

Afterwards, it became the towel, hot pad drawer. Again...IKEA!! I purchased some of their wonderful towels...49 cents each. It feels great to have some new, clean towels!!!

The challenge comes with 5 questions...So here we go...

1. What was the hardest part of the challenge for you and were you able to overcome it?

I'd have to say that just getting started was the hardest part. I had wanted to go BIG and get a lot accomplished in my bedroom, but when I knew that was not going to happen I pretty much wanted to sit back and do nothing. I'm glad that I DID attack something, if only 2 small drawers!! (See my last blog post)

2. Tell us what kind of changes, habits you have put into place in order for your area/room to maintain its new order?

I'm trying to be more aware of putting things away and not TOSSING things away! Actually, my theory is that I am finally getting things in order and now that my kids have all moved on, things will stay that way. (We'll see how long that theory holds!)

3. What did you do with your "stuff" you were able to purge out of your newly organized space?

I had three bags...one bag got thrown away (this was most of the stuff!), another went to goodwill, and the third I am going through piece by piece and finding new homes. (Some of that will eventually get thrown too).

4. What creative storage solutions were you able to introduce in order to create additional spaces as well as establish some limits and boundaries?

Nothing too creative here...just a few inexpensive new items to inspire!! (And lots of tossing!!!)

5. Why do you think you should win this challenge?

Well, I'm not too sure about that, but I am glad that I did accomplish something even though I had to give up larger goals. I'm so glad though, that I was able to get away and help out some friends...so worth the time away...my bedroom will still get finished at a later time. Switching to smaller areas instead of focusing on a large area helped me to see my home in more manageable chunks. I'll accomplish order in the bedroom through tackling one small area at a time!!!