This is an AWESOME writing, by Sylvia Gunter.  This ministered to me today,  and, I know you will be encouraged by reading it.  We are SECURE all because of God!!  You Are Secure As The Beloved Deuteronomy 33:12                             Hear God's Word for you in Deuteronomy 33:12. "Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders."             Beloved one, get quiet, listen to this blessing, and hear the voice of love saying good things to you. You can rest in the full truth that you are your Father's beloved. The voice of your loving Father resonates in you in a deep place. He called you his beloved from eternity. Taste deeply of love, of God, and of truth. Know the treasure you are to God. You are a chosen one, a special person, noticed in your uniqueness, eternally valued. You are priceless and irreplaceable, safe in his everlasting embrace, at rest in his non-comparing love.             Increasingly be aware of your belovedness. You are precious in your Father's heart. Hear this so that you live with a stable, settled sense of true belonging. The good things you DO reveal what a beautiful person you ARE. Your real gift is not so much what you can DO as who you ARE.             Be blessed with your heavenly Father providing a safe, secure environment, without having to test him continually, fearfully asking the questions, such as "Are you still with me? Will you still be with me if...? Prove it by..." Be blessed to choose against the accuser's lies about your adequacy, identity, legitimacy, your past, present, and future. Be blessed to know that you can never be rejected or abandoned by your Father. Your loving God never leaves you alone. His love is your companion every step of the way. Be blessed with knowing his heart nurturing belonging, inclusion, and worth. Be blessed with healing of your soul's rejection wounds and the spirit abandonment wound that is deeper.             Your Father calls you to become who you are in totality: spirit, soul, and body. All your life is an opportunity to become who you are, to affirm your own true spiritual nature, to claim your unique truth, and to say "Yes" to the one who calls you the beloved. God's love is the core of your being. Discover more fully who God is and whose child you are. Your legitimacy is settled in him. Trust what he wants you to see and hear.             God has given you great gifts of inner peace, joy of living, sense of well-being, solidness and strength inside, and healing. Share your life in encouragement, hope, and trust. When you are secure, your presence is a joy to those who know you.             Receive and drive a stake in this blessing as the truth that shapes your daily life. Trust the voice of affirmation; it is persistent, strong, and deep. It will never let you go. Synchronize with the voice calling you chosen, and continually align yourself with your belovedness. Don't be pulled out of your center in your belovedness. Be blessed to be attentively present to him to see his fingerprints and feel his closeness. Be blessed in the life and in the name of the Chosen One (Luke 23:35).

Taken from You Are Blessed In The Names of God, Blessing 23, "You Are Secure As The Beloved," page 48, © 2008 by Sylvia Gunter.  Available at www.thefathersbusiness.com

AN EXCELLENT WIFE - A MUST READ FOR ANY WOMAN!

II I love this!!!!   This material is from The Resurgence.  AWESOME!!!

AAn excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.           –P Proverbs 31:10

I often believe my husband has not found an excellent wife. When he tells me I have been short with him lately, overreacting and snapping unnecessarily, I am discouraged at my lack of excellence. Impatience and disrespect have brought embarrassment to him on several occasions.

My task-oriented, performance-driven heart attempts to fix itself by making a list: An excellent wife cooks with organic food (not Velveeta), sews her own clothing (or at least irons her husbands shirts!), speaks only words dripping with grace (and not sarcasm) and reads her Bible for hours on end (okay, minutes?!).

The list brings more condemnation; concrete evidence that I cannot be an excellent wife on my own.

Forged not Found

While all of these things can be signs of excellence, they are definitely not requirements. Turning to Scripture for comfort and conviction, I am reminded: An excellent wife is not found but forged. No man goes out and finds a woman who is pure wife perfection and marries her. Neither of them truly know what that even looks like yet!  

“

It is the character of God, and not our husbands, that can be fully and firmly trusted. Our core identity must be anchored in Christ alone.

”

Bringing Shame

An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones. – Proverbs 12:4

When I humbly and honestly assess the times I bring my husband shame, I am sobered by its destruction. To bring rotA godly woman becomes an excellent wife as she understands she is made in the image of God, re-made in the image of Christ, and formed over a lifetime of repentance and redemption. Excellence is not measured by a to-do list; it is manifested in the life of a wife who knows Jesus intimately.

tenness to his bones means mine are already disintegrating with unbelief and bitterness. We bring shame as wives when we:

1. Focus on our husband’s sin
2. Think our way is better, prioritizing ourselves over him
3. Speak harshly to him or derogatively about him to anyone 
4. Withhold blessing, prayer, sex, or encouragement of any sort in an effort to punish, manipulate, or “get the message across”

The wife who brings shame to her husband is the daughter who does not truly know and trust her heavenly Father.

If the wife’s identity is centered around her man, she will certainly deliver shame when he disappoints – as he will inevitably do. It is the character of God, and not our husbands, that can be fully and firmly trusted. Our core identity must be anchored in Christ alone.

Made Precious by Jesus

We are made precious by Jesus. This heart transformation is the basis for any preciousness that our husbands experience in us. It is not about what we do but what our precious Savior has done for us that graces us with the power to be excellent wives. We are helpless on our own.

“

Excellence is not measured by a to-do list; it is manifested in the life of a wife who knows Jesus intimately.

”

A godly wife understands that she is nothing outside of the saving grace of Jesus Christ and has no excellence apart from him. Christ’s grace and love are precious to her. Fueled by his riches, she will become a glorious crown to her husband as she helps, nurtures, and loves him from the depths of Christ’s righteousness in her.

It takes a 10-minute ceremony to become a wife. It takes a lifetime to become an excellent wife – one who understands that Christ’s shed blood on the cross is needed to offer excellence to our husbands.

SUMMER DINNER PARTY FOR TEN

My husband and I had such FUN hosting 4 sweet couples for dinner last night.  Several of these couples are newer friends and, they are delightful to get to know.  The women each offered to bring something and, I was amazed at how MUCH this helped me in the prep time.  Collectively, they brought: a wonderful appetizer, salad and dessert.  


I had FUN preparing fried chicken and Belgian waffles, sweet potato casserole and, green beans with bacon.  


The MOST fun in the preparations?  The table!  I had a BALL setting the table with a blue and white color scheme.  


Summer Fun.....sweet friends, lots of laughter, home cooking and, most of all...
FELLOWSHIP!  


Plan a dinner party TODAY!  You will love the time spent with dear friends.  

A blue and white table.  My favorite! 

I used sea shells as place cards.   The entire bag was $3.99 from Michael's .    

A bouquet of flowers adorned the entry hall table.

My dear sister-in-law placed white hydrangeas in cobalt blue goblets for our niece's graduation party this past May.
I loved the look and decided to "borrow" her idea. 

A dinner table set for ten. 

Chicken and waffles!   Down home Cookin'!
I started making the waffles one hour before the guests arrived.  Place cooked
waffles under aluminum foil in a glass baking dish.   Keep warm in an oven set on 250 degrees.
SERVE WITH WARMED MAPLE SYRUP......OH.....YUM!!!!! 

Sweet Potato Casserole 


5 cans Bruce's sweet potatoes, drained and mashed
3/4 cup half and half
3 eggs, beaten
1 stick butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1/4 t. salt
1 t. vanilla
Topping:
1/2 cup flour
1 t. cinnamon
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 stick butter, softened


In a mixing bowl, combine the sweet potatoes, half and half and eggs.  Mix well with a hand mixer.  Add the butter, sugar, salt and vanilla.  *Can add 1/4 cup additional half and half as needed.


Combine the topping ingredients in a heavy duty zipper top plastic bag.  Knead with hands until crumbled.  Pour over top of casserole.  Grease a glass 9 x 13 baking dish with butter and, place mixture in the dish. 


Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes until hot in the center. 

GREEN BEANS SUPREME WITH FLAIR


5 cans whole green beans, drained
8 slices thick sliced bacon, reserve grease 
3/4 cup chopped and roasted pecans
1 t. garlic powder
1 t. ground sea salt
1 t. pepper 


Lay the bacon slices on a cookie sheet and bake at 425 degrees for 15-20 minutes until browned.  Let cool and...*Reserve the grease. 


Place pecans on a baking sheet.  Sprinkle with 1/2 t. garlic powder, 1/2 t. cayenne pepper (optional) and 1/4 cup brown sugar.  Toss lightly.  Drizzle 1/2 stick melted butter over pecans and toss again with hands. *Add more garlic powder per your taste. 


Place pecan pieces in a 425 degree oven and, roast for 5-6 minutes.  *Be careful to not over brown.  Cool. 


Spray a glass 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray.  Place the green beans in the dish.  Cut up the cooked bacon with cooking scissors, approximately 1/2 inch pieces and add to the green beans.  Toss with hands.  Drizzle the bacon grease over the top.  Add the garlic powder, sea salt and pepper.  Add the roasted pecans.  Toss again with hands.  


Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes until hot. 


* FLAIR TIP:  For the second time in this posting, I credit my sister-in-law, Mrs. Tara Bryson.  She gave me the idea to pre-purchase chicken strips from Kentucky Fried Chicken.   Purchasing the chicken strips made serving this main course a SNAP!  I confessed to my guests that I did not actually fry all of that chicken!  The chicken strips were fresh and tasty.  EASY to serve too!  

AN INCREDIBLE DESIGNER ~ GORGEOUS ROOMS!

I was recently reading a story in TRADITIONAL HOME magazine and, came across an article and spaces designed by TOBI FAIRLEY.  She is AMAZING and,  I plan to follow her work from now on.  Her designs are fresh, bright and happy.  

Photo Credit:  TOBY FAIRLEY

These photos are all featured on her design website: TOBY FAIRLEY.


She is from Little Rock, AR., only 2 short hours from Memphis, TN.  Who knows? Maybe I could take a "field trip" one of these days and meet her!  

CAN YOU SAY "FABULOUS"? These spaces are GORGEOUS!  Keep your eyes open for more of her work in interior magazines....there are sure to be many more displays of her work in the future. 

FLAIR PICKS FROM ONE KINGS LANE

There are some especially GREAT items right now from ONE KING'S LANE.  I selected a few just to give you a sampling.  GREAT items for the home or, your "gift pantry".  STOCK UP now and, be happy later.....when you are all ready to go on your friend's birthday or for a child's birthday party.  Planning Ahead....this is living with FLAIR!!!

Luxury candles 

CUTE!  Crab beach bag by Melissa and Doug.

LOVE!!!!  Embroidered dragon fly pillows.  Buy a set and put them on your couch for a great look! 

Neat looking contemporary coffee table.  Mix contemporary pieces with traditional pieces for an updated look or....use all contemporary pieces for a very clean and inviting look to a home.  This table
would be a great addition to your space. 

Red coral embroidered pillows!!!!  A FUN 'pop' of color and, the design adds interest.   You can NEVER go wrong with red accents and, red is TIMELESS!!!! 

By Melissa and Doug.  Sand cupcake set.....only $7!!!!  Buy one for your child or grandchild or, buy several to store as birthday gifts.  WHAT A FUN gift!!!!

OH HOW FUN!!!!  A red 'funky' shaped side table!  This would look so COOL next to a recliner or in between two matching chairs!  You could even order two of them and use as a coffee table.  VERY CHIC!!!

A GREAT BOOK FOR MOMS

I have really enjoyed "digging in" to Ginger Plowman's DON'T MAKE ME COUNT TO THREE! this week.  My sister gave me the book recently, citing it as one of her "all time favorite parenting books".  Ginger explains methods of truly getting to the heart of a child and, although I am not finished, I am excited to complete it.

You can purchase at AMAZON for only $9.17.  An encouraging read for any Mom in the trenches of parenting/discipline.  

BEACH HOUSE DESIGN

I have been reflecting this week on beach house design.  We are staying here in MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA,and, the views of the ocean and the beautiful sand are stunning.  A beach house should be filled with a lot of light and, the paint and furniture should be such that it makes you want to sit and read a book and relax, all day long. 


The beach house spaces below inspire me and, I hope you enjoy them.  Take time to visit one of the many GORGEOUS American beaches this summer.  You will love it!  US BEACHES .

Photo Credit:  COASTAL LIVING

Photo Credit:  COASTAL LIVING

Photo Credit:  COASTAL LIVING

Photo Credit:  COASTAL LIVING

Photo Credit:  COASTAL LIVING

Photo Credit: VERANDA

Photo Credit:  VERANDA

Photo Credit:  VERANDA

Holiday Breakfast Casserole

We are staying in MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA this week with my husband, JOHN BRYSON'S family.  I have been blessed to be partaking in this family tradition for 18 years.  We truly take the time to RELAX!  Lazy mornings drinking several cups of coffee, toes in the sand, family dinners and, the best part....much visiting.  I look forward to this week all year long and, let me tell you, it is worth the wait.

There are 13 cousins and, they truly have a ball being together.  My sister-in-law, Tara Bryson, surprised the children with matching t-shirts this year, what FUN!  

My dear Mother-in-Law, Patricia Bryson, is truly one of the best southern cooks I have ever known.  Nearly every time she prepares a tasty dish, I find myself asking her, "May I have this recipe?".  She is a great cook and, a truly gracious and wonderful woman.  I have gleaned much wisdom from her over the years...everything from marital advice and home keeping to raising children.  I am excited to share this WONDERFUL breakfast casserole that she prepared for us on Sunday morning.  You will LOVE this!  ...I promise! 

Photo Credit:  ALL RECIPES

HOLIDAY BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

2 pkg. (12 ounce each) sausage links

6 English muffins, cut into one inch cubes

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

1 cup grated mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup onion, chopped

1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped

12 eggs

2 cups milk

1/4 t. salt and 1/4 t. pepper

4-5 slices bacon, fried and cut up 

Cook sausage until brown.  Spray a 9 x 13 glass baking dish. Layer 1/2 English muffins and 1/2 sausage.  Repeat layers.  Drizzle butter over the top.  Add cheese, onion and red pepper.  Combine eggs, milk, salt and pepper in a small bowl.  Pour over the top of the English muffins and sausage layers. Sprinkle with cut up bacon.  Cover and refrigerate over night.  Remove 30 minutes before baking.  Uncover and bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or, until a knife inserted comes out clean.  

*FLAIR TIP:  Invite a few family members or friends over for a Saturday morning breakfast and treat them to this WONDERFUL dish. Serve with fresh strawberries and biscuits with preserves.  Don't forget the hot coffee!  ENJOY!

Thank you Patricia Bryson for being my 'Mother-in-Love' and a wonderful mentor in my life.  You truly have taught me about living with FLAIR! 

COTTAGE DESIGN- EUROPEAN FRENCH- FABULOUS!

We are on vacation, 80 miles outside of Atlanta, Georgia, at the AMAZING REYNOLD'S PLANTATION.  The cottage where we are staying is quite COZY, VERY French European and, DELIGHTFUL!  I took some pictures of our cottage to show you why I ADORE this design.  VERY old world and SO inviting!  Impeccable and well thought out spaces INSPIRE me!  I hope you can get a feel for this wonderful space. 

A gorgeous bath tub, overlooking tall pine trees

Gorgeous French sliding doors that open to the veranda 

I ADORE a cozy sitting room!  Not too big and PERFECT for a nice conversation. 

Wonderful wood beams accentuate the ceiling with a horizontal window above them.

SO southern!  Blue hydrangea bushes in full bloom right on the edge of the east porch.  I LOVE the cream painted pillars and wood work around this porch!  GLORIOUS! 

The exterior of our cottage.  

White wicker rocking chairs on the porch......I am reminded of why I LOVE the deep south!  
White wicker  furniture on the patio.....a perfect place to sit and read a wonderful novel. 

Framed botanicasl add a nice touch to the den.  Classic art at its finest. 

This den is VERY cozy and I have LOVED sitting here and rocking our 8 week old baby and,  visiting with my family.   You cannot top a cozy and comfortable space in front of a stone fire place.  AWESOME! 

Don't you always wish you could duplicate a wonderful and comfortable hotel bed?  This bed is plush and wonderful!  Goose down pillows, 600 thread count sheets and, a down comforter.......I can barely pull myself out of it each morning!  You can achieve this comfort in your own bedroom.....purchase good quality goose down pillows,  a set of 600+ thread sheets and, a down comforter.  You will be able to achieve this
SAME look and, most important, COMFORT! 

Great looking duck prints in the master bedroom.  

A wonderful crewel coverlet....folded neatly at the end of the bed.  Crewel is TIMELESS and, I love the
texture of  the design!  This pattern adds a lot of interest. 

AMAZING crown moldings over the door ways and accenting the ceilings!  GORGEOUS! 

FANTASTIC and HEAVY doors are hung throughout this cottage.....this door is the main entrance and, I LOVE how heavy it feels when you push it open or close it.  GREAT QUALITY!  TIMELESS!