by | Feb 6, 2016 | From the Heart |
Hello Beautiful People!
I pray your week has been great. February is upon us and during this month of Valentine’s Day; I wanted to write a few posts that focus on marriage. My hubby and I have been married for sixteen and a half years; and while we do not claim to be marriage experts, we wanted to share some of our moments that make our marriage special.
Saturday morning breakfast is one of those special times for us. We start our weekend with great breakfast and great conversation. We typically stay up late on Friday night, so we sleep a little later than usual. By the time we get up, we are ready to eat and start our day.
My hubby is the chef in the house and he makes the breakfast for us. Depending on our cravings and how hungry we are, we may have a mushroom and spinach omelet and a bagel with peanut butter; or possibly a bowl of granola and fresh fruit; or even a mixed berry smoothie with protein powder. While we are eating, we start to plan our weekend. My hubby may be off to work or off to get his hair cut and run a few errands. Either way, we want to make sure we start the day together. If he is not heading off to work or getting his hair cut, breakfast can last for an hour or more. We talk about what we want to accomplish for the day; whether it is cleaning the house, completing other around-the-house tasks, or exercising.We also want to plan time to read from our Bible Reading Plan; practice the piano, or if we are planning to go church in the evening. The conversation is not just about completing these tasks. We talk about what is on our mind. It may be related to our jobs, or the message that our pastor is teaching on at Church; or the current book we are reading. Sometimes the conversation is light-hearted and filled with many laughs, while other times it is serious and filled with a cry or two. Either way, it is a great opportunity for us to enjoy some quiet time with each other; without any distractions from the outside world. In a world that can be hectic at times, it is wonderful to have this time together so that we can draw closer and enjoy each other. I cherish this time we have together.
All the while we are eating, planning, talking, laughing and / or crying, I am having a cup of hot tea. Hot tea has been a part of my life for a long while. Before my hubby and I were married, my daddy would bring a cup of tea before I went to bed at night. And now, my hubby has carried on that tradition. I will have a cup before bed, but I will also get a cup in the morning with my breakfast. At night, I enjoy tea that will help me relax and unwind. But in the morning, I will go for a tea that will energize my day; like Japanese Matcha Green Tea by Matcha Organics. This tea taste very soft and smooth and provides so many health benefits. It will give me a boost if I am planning to exercise or will help me stay mentally sharp if I am planning to finish some house work. It is filled with so many antioxidants that I like drinking it for all that it does for my body.
JT enjoying a cup of Japanese Matcha Green Tea while having breakfast with her hubby.
No breakfast would be complete without our puppies joining us. Gio and Vinny are close at hand whenever we are eating. They have their specific spot. Gio is under the table, while Vinny is next to the table. Gio is a smaller dog that acts like he is a big dog. And Vinny is a big dog that acts like he is a smaller dog. If my hubby and I are eating early, they will be getting breakfast after we finish ours. So here, they are trying to remain patient as we finish our meal.
Gio (the Beagle) and Vinny (the Collie) waiting for their breakfast, as we eat, talk, plan and enjoy the company of each other.
Saturday morning breakfast is a special time for my hubby and I because it allows us to connect and draw closer together. Every married couple needs a time like this in order for their marriage to flourish and prosper. If you and your spouse have a time like this, tell us what it is in the comments section below. We would love to hear about it.
DISCLAIMER:
Bubbling With Elegance And Grace purchased the Japanese Matcha Green Tea at a discounted price in order to write this review. We received no monetary compensation and all opinions are strictly our own.
by | Jan 18, 2016 | From the Heart, Inspirations |
This is an open letter to the Retail Industry
of the United States!
Today we, as Americans, honor the life and remember the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is a solemn day because Dr. King lived his life to fight the oppression and the racism that plagued America during the 1950s and 1960s. He gave speeches, lead marches and even went to prison in an effort to break this curse that had a stronghold on the American culture from the beginning of slavery. He had a dream where people of all colors and backgrounds would come together and live in peace and harmony. Unfortunately, King’s life ended prematurely by an assassin’s bullet in April 1968 while he was in Memphis, fighting for the rights of striking sanitation workers.
Room 306: The room where Martin Luther King stayed and the balcony where he was assassinated.
Today is not a day when you, as the retailers of America, need to have specials deals and sales in your stores. It is not a day for a “Holiday Sale!” You do not need to mail fliers that are labeled as “Martin Luther King Day Specials.” You do not need to send emails with “Martin Luther King Day Coupons.” I don’t need another excuse to save 50 percent on that winter coat that you could not sale over Christmas, or during the New Year’s clearance sale.
With the racism and oppression that is so deeply rooted in American culture, it is a mockery to King’s Dream and his fight to encourage people to head to the mall to find the latest deals. We, as Americans, do not need to be shopping. We need to come together to break these strongholds and find a way where Dr. King’s Dream is no longer a dream, but a reality.
We need to be going to Libraries, Museums or other Cultural Institutions where King celebrations are being held. if people of all colors and backgrounds could sit down and find the thread that binds us together as Americans. It is a day to come together in peace and not finding the pair of shoes at a rock-bottom price.
The future of America is dependent on working and living together as one America, not how much we can save on flannel bed sheets.
Hey Retailers, save the specials and sales for another day. What about Groundhog’s Day? How about that day?
If the Groundhog says we are having six more weeks of winter, put the winter coats on sale. If the Groundhog says spring is on the way, the put the garden supplies on sale.
But not today! Not Martin Luther King Day! His life and his legacy is much too important to be used with a clearance event at your store.
by | Jan 18, 2016 | From the Heart |
“This is not a black holiday; it is a people’s holiday,”
Coretta Scott King after President Ronald Reagan signed the King Holiday Bill into law on Nov. 2, 1983.
Today we, as Americans, honor the life and remember the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is a solemn day because Dr. King lived his life to fight the oppression and the racism that plagued America during the 1950s and 1960s. He gave speeches, lead marches and even went to prison in an effort to break this curse that had a stronghold on the American culture from the beginning of slavery. He had a dream where people of all colors and backgrounds would come together and live in peace and harmony. Unfortunately, King’s life ended prematurely by an assassin’s bullet in April 1968 while he was in Memphis, fighting for the rights of striking sanitation workers.
JT standing in front of The Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King was assassinated.
With the racism and oppression that is so deeply rooted in American culture, we need to come together to break these strongholds and find a way where Dr. King’s Dream is no longer a dream, but a reality. Today, hopefully all Americans are reflecting on the Dr. King’s fight and struggles to make America a country that was described in the Declaration of Independence, that all men are created equal, regardless of their skin color. We all have a part to play in this together. Racism is not a black problem or a white problem. It is a spirit problem that needs to be broken; and it will take prayer, intercession and effort from everyone.
We need to sit down with people of all colors and backgrounds and find the thread that binds us together as Americans. We all bleed red. We often look at reasons why we cannot get along or look at our differences to keep us a part. But, I know that if we sit down and took the time to communicate, we could find at least one or two things that we have in common. It could be something as simple as sports.
Many Americans, no matter their background, have a passion for a specific sport and claim a favorite team. I challenge you to sit down with someone who does not look like you and see if you can find that common thread. It may be that you have the same favorite team. The both of you might been life-long fans of the Pittsburg Steelers. Or, it might be that you dislike the same team. You might have a strong distaste for the New England Patriots. There is nothing like bonding a friendship over your passion for football: talking about your favorite players, last year’s draft picks, last week’s game, or talking about how much you despise the team who won the last year’s Super Bowl.
Give it a chance. We are not much different if we take the time to find the similarities. So often, we only look at the surface. But if we take the time and dig a little deeper, you will find that bond that can bring you together to a lasting and enduring friendship. And then Dr. King’s Dream will be come lasting reality.
by JTwisdom | Dec 31, 2015 | Fashion, From the Heart |
Hello Elegant Readers!
I pray that you are having a wonderful and peaceful Christmas Holiday Season! Christmas is my favorite time of the year. My wife and I decorate our home with four trees and put up lights on the outside. With all the Christmas hype, are you feeling a Christmas Letdown? In speaking with people and how they describe their holiday, this is a very true emotion felt by many people.
JT standing next to one of our Christmas Trees
The buildup to Christmas is months in the making. You start seeing retailers advertise for Christmas in July specials. And then once Halloween is over, the gift-giving season is in full-swing. Every store you go into, or every website you click through, they are trying to sell you something. Black Friday Steals, Doorbusters Deals, Cyber Monday Deals! It’s everywhere! Retailers are telling you that you need to buy a gift for everyone, from your mailman to your co-workers, to your long lost cousin Jimmy who you haven’t seen in twenty years.
Christmas Day arrives. You have your gatherings, whether with family or friends. You distribute your gifts, and partake in a feast (or two) and have a sweet treat (or two). And then before you know it, it is over. Just that fast, all the hoopla is over and Christmas is done for another year. It’s time to start planning for New Years. And the Christmas LetDown starts! Why? With the months of planning and purchasing gifts, preparing meals and organizing gatherings; it is all over in a matter of few hours. Here are a few quick tips to avoid the LetDown and to be able to enjoy more of Christmas.
Celebrate the True Meaning of Christmas
With retailers forcing their agenda of purchasing a gifts for everyone; you must step back from the commercialization and shift your focus on why you are celebrating Christmas. My wife and I celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, first and foremost. Without Jesus, there would be no Christmas and no gift-giving season. If you are a Christian, Jesus should be the center of every part of your life, including Christmas. As Christmas Day approaches, take some time to read about the Birth of Jesus and reflect how His birth forever changed the world and forever changed humanity. It is an amazing story that should never be forgotten through the deluge of gifts. Many churches often have a Christmas celebration. Find one in your area and be sure to attend. This will help keep the true message of Christmas in the foreground.
Make Christmas Last More Than One Day
Christmas is only one day on the calendar – December 25th. Many people plan their celebration for that day, or maybe Christmas Eve. Since the holiday is on a random day during the week, many people only have that one day to celebrate before going back to work. And with New Years Eve the next week, people turn their attention to the next holiday. The key is to make Christmas last longer is to spread out the festivities. If you are planning a gathering for friends, try for the weekend before. If your family is out-of-town, you can visit them on a weekend in January. Another thing that I like to do is to continue saying “Merry Christmas” beyond December 25. If you have many people who you are giving gifts to, then spread out the distribution throughout the entire month of December. If you have more than one gift for a spouse or a child, then give the gifts to them over a course of days. All of these things will keep the Christmas Spirit alive and burning in your heart.
Avoid the Hoopla and Enjoy the Season
The Christmas season is a fast-paced ride and it can be quite overwhelming. The key to really enjoying the Season is to step back, slow down and enjoy every moment. If you are buying gifts for friends and family, be sure to make a list of who you are buying for, how much you want to spend for that person and then start searching for the gift as early as possible. Don’t wait until the last moment before going out and finding the gift. It will make the buying process less stressful. If you are making home-made gifts – cookies, lotions or crafty items, make sure you have all of your supplies and start the process early. Then as the Christmas approaches, you are already finished and you can sit back and enjoy visiting with family and friends.
The Christmas LetDown can easily set in when we get caught up in the craziness that other people have placed on Christmas. If you step back and remember why you are celebrating and learn how to avoid the rush and hoopla; then Christmas will never be a burden again. You have to put your mind to it and make an effort to follow through with these tips.
Let me know if you have felt a Christmas LetDown and what you did to do to combat it. Or if any of these tips have helped you through the Season.
by | Dec 20, 2015 | From the Heart |
Hello Elegant Readers!
Christmas if fast approaching. For some people the season is more stress than joy because they focus too much attention on buying gifts for people without having the money to do it. Here are some common sense tips to make sure you can enjoy the holidays without getting into financial trouble.
Decide who you are buying for before you start.
If you have a large family or have many friends, you may not have the finances to purchase for everyone. Decide before you start purchasing any gifts who you are buying for. It may just be your spouse, your children, your parents, your in-laws and a select few other people. You may not need to buy something for Uncle Jimmy who you only see once a year at Christmas or Cousin Betty who moved to Florida twenty years ago and you have not seen her since. You may need to let your people know that you are cutting back on the number of gifts you are purchasing because you are want to be financially smart.
Know your limit on how much you are spending on each person.
Once you have decided who you are buying for, then you must decide on an amount you are willing to spend. For some people, you may want t0 spend a little more, like your parents. For others, you may be a little less, like a niece or nephew are just babies. One way to stick with a designated amount is to buy a gift card to the person’s favorite store. Gift cards are an excellent idea because the person can get what he or she really wants and you don’t have to guess. Also, it prevents you from buying multiple gifts and going over your designated limit.
Do not feel obligated to buy gifts for someone just because they buy you a gift.
Many times, you will receive a gift from a co-worker or a neighbor. You may feel like you are obligated to purchase something for them. But check your list, if they are not on your original list, don’t feel like you have be buying something for them. If they truly gave you the gift from their heart, they should not be expecting anything in return. You can give them a thank you note, expressing your gratitude. And then for their birthday or another date in the future, you can give them a gift.
Consider homemade gifts.
Some times the best gifts are not the ones purchased, but the ones that are home made. If you have a favorite recipe, nothing can warm a person’s heart like homemade cookies, cakes or breads. I have given friends and family homemade cranberry bread and I have received the most enthusiastic “thank you’s”. And the cost for an entire cake is generally in the $5 to $10 range. Using this price range can help you expand your list of people who you can give to.
Homemade Cranberry Bread
Another alternative, homemade lip balm.
The holiday season should be a joyful and happy time spent with family and friends. You don’t want to get consumed by the need to be buying for everyone and hurting your financial stability in the process. Set your limits, stick to it and it will be a happier time for everyone.
by | Sep 11, 2015 | From the Heart, Inspirations |
Hi Beautiful People!
Blessings to you!
My hubby and I are celebrating our sixteenth wedding anniversary. He is just as handsome as when we first met as he is right now. We first met at work and we were friends and the friendship blossomed into marriage. Now you think I would create this facade by writing imagery of everything is wonderful and we have the perfect marriage. Well, I don’t want to bust your bubble; but I want to let you know that no marriage is perfect. The best marriages require two people communicating with each other to make the marriage work.
Me and my hubby at our wedding!
The hubby and I learned early on that we had to make the effort to talk to each other and listen to each other. Sometimes I feel I have so much to say and he takes the time to really listen to me. And the most important part of our marriage is putting God first as our center because without Him we know our marriage will not work.
Our Pastor is teaching this month on Believing God.
I read this morning a Joyce Meyer Devotional and the scripture reference was Joshua 1:5&6
…As I was with Moses, so I will be with you: I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong (confident) and of good courage.
Believing God in this world is so important because that is where our strength comes from.
I appreciate and am thankful for the man that God has given me as my husband. He serves the Lord, loving, kind, a provider for our family and truly loves me for me.
On our 15th wedding anniversary we travelled to San Francisco and road-tripped to the Four Corners to celebrate. However, this year we planned a staycation for our anniversary. It is special because we are getting to spend quality time with each other. We have some goals for ourselves and we are planning and spending time with each other is one of them.
One of the highlights from this year’s staycation has been going to the Japanese Festival, which occurs every year at the Missouri Botanical Garden. However this was our first time that we going. It was such a cool and meaningful experience.
While there, we saw the Kimono fashion show where the models showed designs of various styles of kimono, including some that were over one hundred years old.
Kimono Fashion Show
And, I had the opportunity to see my name written in Japanese and learn the significant meaning. I will write a post on this because it’s so special.
Planning Goals
It is important to create goals so you know where you are going and what things we need to pray about and then cross off of our list once they have been accomplished.
Reflections
I am reflecting and thanking God for sixteen years of marriage. And In Jesus Name, we have many more prosperous and joyous years Praise God!
This post is linked to Visible Monday.
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