Tip of the Day 4/10/12

Day two of going green, while saving some green, to enjoy the green. If you enjoy spending the warm days and evenings outdoors it makes sense to put effort into making the space homey and enjoyable. You have probably heard the term "outdoor room" and it is possible to create this type of a space without spending a fortune, but re-purposing things you already have. We have a small deck where we eat almost every meal from breakfast to dinner throughout the warm months. We have tall lattice surrounding a portion of it for privacy. This provides a wall to decorate and brighten the space. For the past few weeks I have been looking for a bold colored decorative piece to hang and when getting something out of a closet I noticed a plaque a granddaughter had painted for us a few years ago. The colors were too bright for any room in my house, but perfect for my outdoor room. After a few coats of protective sealer, I have a perfect piece on the wall. Look around and see what you have not being used that could move outdoors. Other great items to re-purpose for outdoor use are sarongs for table coverings, doillys or decorative scarves etc. that might have been handed down from a family member used as placemats, the odd collection of dinner plates saved over the years can make great chargers. If the item is just sitting in a drawer or closet, take it out and use it. You have kept it for a reason, you like it or can't stand the thought o parting with it. Use up your odds and ends of napkins, paper plates, and candles for an eclectic setting. Nature is the real beauty we want to behold, but we can bring some fun into the mix.

Word for Today, Perfection: Since the beginning of time people have sought perfection. It is why, no matter the economy, people still buy the newest cream for wrinkles, put themselves through the torture of botox, live on food stamps but have manicures and pedicures, purchase magazines filled with pictures of what our bodies and homes need to look like, and are never satisfied. We all want to look and be our best, and this is a good thing. We need to take care of ourselves and live a healthy lifestyle, taking care of our body and possessions is the right thing to do. Striving for perfection on this earth, however, will only lead to discouragement. Our bodies will never look like the airbrushed/photo shopped pictures in the magazines. Our homes will never look like Candice Olsen or David Bromstad just finished designing a room. We live in a world where things get dusty, wrinkles happen, and spare tires appear. Our call is to be a good steward of our body and the things that we are blessed to possess, but not worship them. We will reach perfection one day and it will be of no work on our own, but because of the perfect work of Jesus' death and resurrection. We will have a perfect body and perfect home to live in forever. (I have put in a request that when I get my new body in heaven I have long, straight, blond hair and be tall enough to reach the top shelves without using a step stool. My silly ideas of the perfect body. LOL) "Behold you are fair my love. There is no spot in you. You are complete in Him. Perfect in Christ Jesus."