tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60175399256206420592013-06-19T13:49:23.908-06:00It's A Beautiful LifeBrenda @ Its A Beautiful Lifenoreply@blogger.comBlogger896125awordfromhomehttp://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017539925620642059.post-37748142721821288862013-06-07T00:15:00.000-06:002013-06-08T18:53:50.342-06:002013-06-08T18:53:50.342-06:00Remembering Dear Friends With A Giveaway Click to preview pages inside I'm very excited about something I just ordered online.  And I'm delighted to share it with you, my dear friends! In less than two weeks the mailman will be delivering a parcel that contains not just one, but two copies of a book I never knew existed until I did a very modern 'Google' search looking for info about its author. Now, if you have been, or Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Lifenoreply@blogger.com26http://beautiful.wordfromhome.com/2013/06/remembering-dear-friends-with-giveaway.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017539925620642059.post-65279752531152028222013-06-06T14:45:00.002-06:002013-06-06T19:19:04.042-06:002013-06-06T19:19:04.042-06:00Can You Live A Beautiful Life When... ..the dust bunnies have not only mated under the antique Duncan Phyfe sofa in our bedroom, but they have now taken liberties to hop out and show off their dusty powder puff tails with their children so that I can see them!  Not even in the crystalline rays of sunshine (where all hidden things are revealed) but when the room is shadowy because it was overcast outside. A couple of days ago we Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Lifenoreply@blogger.com5http://beautiful.wordfromhome.com/2013/06/can-you-live-beautiful-life-when.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017539925620642059.post-89289808676767566602013-06-02T13:47:00.000-06:002013-06-02T15:06:35.258-06:002013-06-02T15:06:35.258-06:00The Transformation Begins Watch it unfold as Spring around us has been unfurling.  Leaf by leaf.  Bud by bud.  Bird nest by bird nest. So begins the slow unveiling of the new season of my blog.  Oh my, when I started pondering the new direction, message and, of course, deciding on a new look to signify something old has passed away, something new is about to be given, little did I realize how much mulling, Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Lifenoreply@blogger.com14http://beautiful.wordfromhome.com/2013/06/the-transformation-begins.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017539925620642059.post-28143258927085407342013-05-15T11:41:00.001-06:002013-05-15T14:32:10.265-06:002013-05-15T14:32:10.265-06:00Wouldn't It Be Lovely If You... ...caught a glimpse of the author of this blog once again? She knows it's been a while and promises soon.... soon....soon. While we've been away busy with needful things, we've also taken this time to ponder the next chapter of this blog. I've been dreaming a new look and some new ideas.  I'm eager to share. In the meanwhile... I'm hoping the old saying has some truth to it... Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Lifenoreply@blogger.com17http://beautiful.wordfromhome.com/2013/05/wouldnt-it-be-lovely-if-you.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017539925620642059.post-36153226474896529252013-04-04T09:58:00.003-06:002013-04-04T10:01:50.666-06:002013-04-04T10:01:50.666-06:00Sprightly Sight.... Nothing says Spring quite like tulips. And nothing puts a s-p-r-i-n-g in my step quite like a bouquet or two of them in my house. I've been enjoying this fine, fragrant bunch for several days now. (And although they didn't come from my garden--which is still filled with worn out piles of melting snow-- the delight of it all still pulses through 'me' veins!) Joyfully, Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Lifenoreply@blogger.com13http://beautiful.wordfromhome.com/2013/04/sprightly-sight.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017539925620642059.post-1485078773652378302013-03-14T09:05:00.000-06:002013-03-14T15:29:06.276-06:002013-03-14T15:29:06.276-06:00Dreamin' It may be snowin' on the outside....  But we're dreamin' Spring on the inside! Aren't you glad for photos and imaginations and true hope that let a person catch a glimpse of 'heaven' even when we can't see it...yet?   Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Lifenoreply@blogger.com10http://beautiful.wordfromhome.com/2013/03/dreamin.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017539925620642059.post-45640729241854571442013-02-18T10:01:00.001-07:002013-02-24T08:15:40.799-07:002013-02-24T08:15:40.799-07:00A-way...  Away.... No mood of heart for blogging these days. (as you can tell from lack of postings.) Say a prayer if your heart feels a tug Just not myself at present-- things are well, but not well, (if that makes sense). I'm not sad or depressed but something is not flowing here. So I'm doing my thing of gathering my resources and turning inward where He dwells to be quiet with Him Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Lifenoreply@blogger.com14http://beautiful.wordfromhome.com/2013/02/away.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017539925620642059.post-1586028525960376942013-02-14T00:30:00.000-07:002013-02-14T00:30:02.610-07:002013-02-14T00:30:02.610-07:00Heart Day Happiness "Love is a friendship set to cookies... er...music." ~ E. Joseph Cossman  Hugs and blesses! Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Lifenoreply@blogger.com7http://beautiful.wordfromhome.com/2013/02/heart-day-happiness.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017539925620642059.post-51074404085177858012013-02-13T09:39:00.004-07:002013-02-13T09:39:54.833-07:002013-02-13T09:39:54.833-07:00A Glimpse of Heart Day Surprises... Hubby came home a few days ago with a surprise.... The tiniest pleasures of sweet variety... Delectables handmade by an up and coming local Chocolatier... Lovely to look at... still better to eat! The savouring has been most delicious! Happy Heart's Day! (even though it's a day early!) With a gentle kiss atop thy head... Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Lifenoreply@blogger.com6http://beautiful.wordfromhome.com/2013/02/a-glimpse-of-heart-day-surprises.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017539925620642059.post-37355546200413132942013-01-25T21:09:00.001-07:002013-02-02T13:44:21.197-07:002013-02-02T13:44:21.197-07:00A Little Bunch Of Heaven As soon as I saw them, I knew these were coming home with me. What a dash of colour amidst all the winter white. Can you imagine the delight of my heart as I popped them into a vase and set them in front of me?  And, then can you imagine the completely unplanned moment when having stopped at the library to pick up a book I had on hold, to find that it was Deborah Moggach's Tulip Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Lifenoreply@blogger.com22http://beautiful.wordfromhome.com/2013/01/a-little-bunch-of-heaven.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017539925620642059.post-64666957132626836212013-01-16T18:30:00.002-07:002013-01-16T18:34:51.824-07:002013-01-16T18:34:51.824-07:00The Beauty of Grey I would never have thought that I'd include grey in a list of favourite colours. I mean, grey? Of all colours, it's so...well...grey. But then, not that long ago, I began to see the colour in a whole new light. And yes, I like days with overcast, grey skies... and I feel cozy when grey fog wraps itself over some early mornings. There is something calming...almost protective...about themBrenda @ Its A Beautiful Lifenoreply@blogger.com11http://beautiful.wordfromhome.com/2013/01/the-beauty-of-grey.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017539925620642059.post-22897389380186874862013-01-15T09:56:00.001-07:002013-01-15T10:02:53.974-07:002013-01-15T10:02:53.974-07:00What Else Is She Up To? Quick Irish Tea Bread SHE is still enjoying playing in the kitchen trying out some new recipes. She made this yummy loaf on the weekend and found it made a wonderful addition to her now regular 'Tea at Three' with hubby. In browsing through the recipe book, she was captured by the word 'quick'... yes, she liked that...and by the ingredients, raisins and spices. Yes, that will Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Lifenoreply@blogger.com2http://beautiful.wordfromhome.com/2013/01/what-else-is-she-up-to.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017539925620642059.post-65558396470837905052013-01-12T06:30:00.001-07:002013-02-02T13:37:28.411-07:002013-02-02T13:37:28.411-07:00Where Is She? Good question.... She is around. Just not here. In Blogland. She does think of you often, though, and wonders how you all are.  She reminds you, dear ones, did you back up your blog recently?  If you are with Blogger, a friend just shared a link to a set of perfectly simple instructions on how to do that.  So if your 2012 material is still not backed up... don't wait another second...Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Lifenoreply@blogger.com11http://beautiful.wordfromhome.com/2013/01/where-is-she.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017539925620642059.post-89000496867943287152013-01-05T09:13:00.002-07:002013-01-05T13:27:15.120-07:002013-01-05T13:27:15.120-07:00Do You Sing? Many of us may remember the little tune the seven dwarfs whistled in the old Disney movie, Snow White. It seems even these short fellows recognized that their musical whistling helped make the work feel lighter and easier to bear. Sometimes we find ourselves in a work situation or project where the song in our heart has died or has been replaced by a weary sighing or, even worse, a Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Lifenoreply@blogger.com10http://beautiful.wordfromhome.com/2013/01/do-you-sing.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017539925620642059.post-32055451892257666142013-01-04T20:41:00.001-07:002013-01-04T20:41:16.207-07:002013-01-04T20:41:16.207-07:00Trouble Loading?   Over the last two days I've noticed that my blog is taking ages to load the sidebar.  Do you find that too when you visit It's A Beautiful Life?  I'm not sure why, as I haven't loaded anything new to it. Is anyone else finding their own blog taking ages?  I ask in case it's a Blogger thing. I already did a Google search and basically already follow their suggestions on speeding up the Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Lifenoreply@blogger.com5http://beautiful.wordfromhome.com/2013/01/trouble-loading.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017539925620642059.post-83308574343860634622013-01-01T12:11:00.000-07:002013-01-04T20:27:11.713-07:002013-01-04T20:27:11.713-07:00<summary> Wishing you grace for the journey! </summary><link rel="replies" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://beautiful.wordfromhome.com/feeds/8330857434386063462/comments/default" title="Post Comments" /><link rel="replies" type="text/html" href="http://beautiful.wordfromhome.com/2013/01/blog-post.html#comment-form" title="7 Comments" /><link rel="edit" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6017539925620642059/posts/default/8330857434386063462?v=2" /><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6017539925620642059/posts/default/8330857434386063462?v=2" /><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/awordfromhome/~3/BoQnSZvccS8/blog-post.html" title="" /><author><name>Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Life</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail" width="22" height="32" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kbyaq6j1y74/UZrM0GN7ezI/AAAAAAAALPY/c9Uk8pH6yTc/s220/FotoFlexer_Photo.jpg" /></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Faz1CwcS8tA/UOedhY37XtI/AAAAAAAAJ80/JpQvaVjhkjA/s72-c/860584mvnsd0ku9f.gif" height="72" width="72" /><thr:total>7</thr:total><feedburner:origLink>http://beautiful.wordfromhome.com/2013/01/blog-post.html</feedburner:origLink></entry><entry gd:etag="W/"DUACRH85cCp7ImA9WhNUEUo.""><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017539925620642059.post-1914781757994509595</id><published>2012-12-31T17:15:00.002-07:00</published><updated>2013-01-02T18:49:25.128-07:00</updated><app:edited xmlns:app="http://www.w3.org/2007/app">2013-01-02T18:49:25.128-07:00</app:edited><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="New Year's Eve" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="New Years" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="Mario Lanza" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="promises of safety in a new year" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="guardian angels" /><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="future and hope" /><title>My Heart This New Year's Eve Long shadows wind themselves over and around our chimney and tree tops as I sit down to write a wee note on this mild last day of the year. I had plans certainly to write something more substantial in keeping with the season -- of looking back over the past year and facing forward to the new one. But, although my heart is full, my wordsmith has been, and still is, on holiday.... and Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Lifenoreply@blogger.com10http://beautiful.wordfromhome.com/2012/12/new-years-eve-contemplation.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017539925620642059.post-1387694437077800452012-12-29T15:34:00.000-07:002013-01-04T20:41:51.538-07:002013-01-04T20:41:51.538-07:00Sunshine in a Muffin Here is the muffin recipe recipe I mentioned earlier today. The original recipe is from The Best of the Best and more, but this is my adaptation of it: Orange, Apricot and Pecan Muffins Makes 12 small or 6 large muffins. Turn on the oven to 375F (190C) Get out your blender (yes, your blender). 1 large orange - cut into 8 wedges and then cut wedges in half; leave rind on. 1/2 cup orange Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Lifenoreply@blogger.com7http://beautiful.wordfromhome.com/2012/12/sunshine-in-muffin.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017539925620642059.post-76221031856294272842012-12-29T12:47:00.003-07:002012-12-30T15:07:14.278-07:002012-12-30T15:07:14.278-07:00This and That... We're well. Still in that relaxed mode. Just pulled Orange/Apricot/Pecan Muffins from the oven. As you can see we barely wait for them to cool before testing them.  Oh yes... yum!  Will set out the recipe next time.  Fresh linen on the beds with plumped pillows (awaiting an afternoon nap, I'm sure). How fortuitous then that the sun will be slipping in through the west Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Lifenoreply@blogger.com6http://beautiful.wordfromhome.com/2012/12/this-and-that.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017539925620642059.post-78430351968368389992012-12-26T16:15:00.001-07:002012-12-26T16:16:54.240-07:002012-12-26T16:16:54.240-07:00Relaxin' Nibbling away at leftovers and goodies... deciding which new book to start... a handful of new movies to watch... relaxing by the fireplace... It's all good on this Day After. We'll chat soon,  Photo source:  Vintage Catnip Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Lifenoreply@blogger.com4http://beautiful.wordfromhome.com/2012/12/relaxin.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017539925620642059.post-53139715277834222032012-12-23T09:03:00.002-07:002012-12-24T11:05:36.798-07:002012-12-24T11:05:36.798-07:00Wishing You... With loving wishes for a Happy Christmas to you and yours. Wishing you lots of presents to give wonder and delight under the tree...as well as ones that nestle snugly deep inside your heart. With loving hugs, a Christmas kiss atop your heads, and glimpses of heaven in unexpected places! Photo source:  GlitterGraphics.com Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Lifenoreply@blogger.com8http://beautiful.wordfromhome.com/2012/12/wishing-you.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017539925620642059.post-30248405263555497122012-12-17T09:08:00.003-07:002013-02-02T15:20:56.865-07:002013-02-02T15:20:56.865-07:00The Dawn Painter The skies were dark and cloudy this morning.  And then, the Dawn Painter arose. We scurried for our camera.   Have you ever noticed that skies filled with lots of clouds seem to provide the best canvas for the most amazing sunrises (or sunsets)? My artist friend says you need dark to show light. Perhaps the Dawn Painter uses the clouds in our own lives as canvas for Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Lifenoreply@blogger.com12http://beautiful.wordfromhome.com/2012/12/the-dawn-painter.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017539925620642059.post-14560389458359012042012-12-11T19:06:00.004-07:002012-12-12T10:06:45.523-07:002012-12-12T10:06:45.523-07:00It's My Song This Christmas   Every December for years now there seems to be one carol or piece of music that makes its home in my heart over that particular Christmas season. I never know which one it will be... but it always comes out of the blue and I feel it's been given as a gift to me.  (I don't choose the song -- it chooses me!) From all the possible choices one will stand out from the rest. One year it was O Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Lifenoreply@blogger.com7http://beautiful.wordfromhome.com/2012/12/its-my-song-this-christmas.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017539925620642059.post-57574661055855036842012-12-09T00:05:00.000-07:002012-12-11T08:16:42.887-07:002012-12-11T08:16:42.887-07:00Advent: At Home In My Heart "Christ asks for a home in your soul, where he can be at rest with you, where he can talk easily to you, where you and he, alone together, can laugh and be silent and be delighted with one another. ~ Caryll Houselander, This War is the Passion Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Lifenoreply@blogger.com7http://beautiful.wordfromhome.com/2012/12/advent-at-home-in-my-heart.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017539925620642059.post-8426591699795831572012-12-08T07:05:00.001-07:002012-12-09T11:53:35.787-07:002012-12-09T11:53:35.787-07:00Toes Up Time   Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths. ~ Etty Hillesum If you are feeling a little weathered from the stress of the week or maybe even a little numb by all the stuff expected or toted as 'must do this or have this' in order to have a merry Christmas, then Dr. Brenda is definitely prescribing some 'toes up' time. I think IBrenda @ Its A Beautiful Lifenoreply@blogger.com12http://beautiful.wordfromhome.com/2012/12/toes-up-time.html