BeautyRevealed | The Blog of Melissa J. Dillon

I have six posts half written and waiting for pictures in my “drafts” section. There are dirty dishes in my sink. I have a basement full of dirty laundry. I have a “To Do” list a mile long of things that still need to get done before the baby arrives. I have messages on my phone that are 2 weeks old! I just don’t seem to have enough hours in my day. I’ve been busy from sun up till sun down most days and it’s a little over two weeks until my due date. So tonight I’m taking a break from thinking of all the things I need to do, and I thought I’d post some pictures of some dreamy kitchens. I’m really loving the look of white and wood together… especially aged wood and old cutting boards and wicker baskets. Someday I’m hoping to get rid of our old kitchen counter tops and replace them with wood… sigh… someday. Until then I’m just enjoying getting inspiration through these kitchens.

{P.S. I promise to be a better blogger! Check back soon!}

“Babies are bits of stardust, blown from the hand of God.”

- Barretto

Our Itty-Bitty Little Girl had her first ever party last Sunday afternoon! My sweetest Sister-in-law, Angela, and my two very dear friends, Becky and Heidi, threw a perfectly pink party for our little one. It was such a special shower! And despite a very snowy/icy day, almost everyone was able to make it.

Angela decided to use Mom and Dad’s cabin in the woods for the special occasion, and when I walked in I squealed with delight. Pink and white everywhere… it was beautiful! Fresh flowers, polka-dots, ribbons and all things sweet and pretty for this little darling. I can’t wait to show her pictures of how much she is loved and cherished already.

Angela created this sweet collage from pictures of me when I was a baby and child. If our baby girl is anything like I was, she will be c.h.u.b.b.y! Mark is hoping she will be… I’m not so sure.

I loved the diaper cake… it was full of fun things: pacifiers, onesies, diaper rash ointment, a rubber ducky, plastic utensils…

And the delicious cake! I love the little baby carriage on it… it matched the invitations. So many sweet details were thought of by these girls.

Mark and I were so blessed by all of the wonderful gifts showered upon us and our little one. We were overwhelmed by the kindness of so many family and friends. I am busy putting away gifts this week and washing clothes and blankets in Dreft. I’ve been working on her nursery, and it’s so much fun to see it all coming together. The drawers are getting organized and little dresses are hanging in the closet. We are still waiting for her crib to arrive, but her crib bedding is here and washed and ready to go. I’ve been waiting till it’s all done so I can post pictures of the finished nursery. Then I’ll show pictures of all the wonderful gifts from everyone. She received so many cute things!

Today Mark installed her car seat so we’re ready to bring her home whenever she decides to make her appearance! It’s just a little over 3 weeks until her due date, and we’re counting down the days.

Angela, Becky, Heidi and Mom ~ Thank you all for such a lovely party! I was tickled pink! Thank you for showering us with such love. And thank you to everyone who could make it on a snowy afternoon to celebrate our much anticipated “little joy” with us.

We love you all!

Melissa, Mark and little Baby Girl Dillon

“The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are of more importance
to the soul than their simplicity might suggest.”
- Thomas Moore

I read somewhere once that the daily rituals of living are not the rules of routine, but are the touches of passion that keep the heart beating. Isn’t that a lovely thought? I have been for some time now, trying to establish simple ~ but beautiful ~ rituals into my daily schedule that enhance the quality of my day. Of course the “rules of routine” exist as well: the dishes, the laundry, the cleaning, etc… but those little special rituals keep my heart refreshed and give me something to look forward to.

Ideas for creating rituals:

~ Morning coffee and a quiet time with Jesus
~ Reading the newspaper
~ Crossword puzzles
~ Story time with your child
~ Snuggling with your kitties or puppies
~ Afternoon Tea
~ A 20 minute nap
~ Checking favorite blogs
~ Daily walks
~ Pursuing a hobby
~ Light candles at dinnertime
~ Reading a good magazine
~ Evening Bubble Baths
~ Giving yourself a manicure
~ Spending time in the garden
~ Buying fresh flowers for your home
~ Praying & singing with your children before bedtime
~ A yummy Caribou Coffee stop with your Spouse
~ Bringing a blanket and a favorite book to a nearby park
~ A quick phone call to a friend
~ Listening to Worship Music while you work

Some rituals may be a once-in-a-while thing… while some may be ones that you want to incorporate into your daily routine to inspire and refresh you. It may be as simple as grinding your own coffee beans because you enjoy the taste. I’ve been learning to make even those little things a part of life… make it special!

I love to get feedback on posts… I’m sure you all have your own rituals that you love to keep. Please share!

“The small things in life are often so much bigger than the great things…
the trivial pleasures like cooking, one’s home, little poems,
solitary walks, funny things seen and heard…”
~Barbara Pym

“Our life us frittered away by detail… simplify, simplify.”

- Henry David Thoreau

Have you ever felt that life is spinning out of control… that life is “happening to you” or passing you by before you can get a chance to regroup? I’ve had these times all too often over the last year, and as I sit and ponder the whole of 2009, I realize that this is the area in which I would most like to change. I realize that busy seasons come to everyone… but when it becomes season after season of busyness, it begins to feel like life is passing by in a quick blur without so much as a chance to enjoy it. Jim Elliot said,“Wherever you are, be all there.” But I cannot “be all there” if I am spreading myself too thin.

So this is why I am thrilled to embark on this new year ~ 2010. This is a fresh start to live deliberately and on purpose. S.l.o.w.i.n.g things down and enjoying and absorbing the experiences in which I choose. I want to live in the moment. I want to live a simple life… basking in the sweet glow of small, simple moments. I must cut out the extra things in order to embrace fully those things which are most important: Daily quiet times with the Lord, loving my husband better, cherishing my newborn baby girl, disciplining my homekeeping, exercise, and healthy eating, and developing rituals. I am determined now, more than ever, to learn how to balance my needs in all the areas of Spirit, Soul, and Body. I don’t want to look back in many years and have regrets of not quieting myself enough to enjoy and engage in the simple and most important aspects of my life.

I know that many people don’t do New Year’s Resolutions anymore, but I still love the tradition of reevaluating our lives at this time of year and seeing what needs to change and improve. It’s a time for a fresh start. So my word for this year ~ for 2010 ~ is SIMPLIFY. And it excites me tremendously!

“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” - Hans Hoffman

So my question for you is… what is your New Year’s resolution? I would love to hear what is on your list for a fresh start in 2010.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand

and for a talk beside the fire. It is the time for home.”

- Edith Sitwell

It just wouldn’t be Christmas without spending it at Mom and Dad’s cabin in the woods. This year was perfect and magical as the snow fell for 3 days straight, creating such a cozy atmosphere. We actually aren’t celebrating Christmas with gifts and traditions until Jamie and Angela come this coming New Year’s weekend, so we made Christmas week special and relaxing with delicious food, games and Christmas movies at Jodie’s cabin. We watched “It’s a Wonderful Life” on his big flatscreen… my favorite Christmas movie. It is so nice to extend the holidays by celebrating two weekends in a row. We’re so excited to have the whole family together in a few days. Our New Year’s celebration will be at Jodie’s, and then we’ll have our Christmas celebration on Friday night.

I love Mom’s decorating on her front porch. It is so welcoming and festive.

The snow coated the trees and made a magical scene for us on Christmas Day.

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! I’ll post more pictures after our family Christmas this weekend. Blessings in the coming New Year!

“Heap on more wood! The wind is chill:

but let it whistle as it will, We’ll keep our Christmas merry still!”

- Sir Walter Scott

Looks like we’ll be snowed in this Christmas… which is just perfect in my estimation. Mark and I are packing our bags and heading to the cabin in Sugarwoods for Christmas. I hope we’re snowed in for a week (highly unlikely, but a girl can dream!)

We hope you have a wonderful Christmas, one and all!

I’m still holed up at home: recuperating, sleeping, watching Christmas movies, reading, snuggling with hubby & kitties, and catching up on some blogs that I simply adore.

There are so many creative and inspiring women out there in bloggyland… I often wonder how some have come to be so wise, or so creative, or so productive in life. And though I can’t spend hours in front of the computer or being so crafty or ingenious, there are so many things I glean from these women and their blogs. Whether it be about homemaking, marriage, motherhood, decorating, crafts, or relationship with God, my life is so much richer thanks to so many beautiful women.

So in this season of giving, I thought I would pass along a few of my favorite blogs for you to enjoy! I know that not everyone has the same tastes and styles (I love that we all so different!), but maybe at least a couple of these women will bless you as well. Just click on the photos to visit each site. Enjoy!

Well, I hope you love these women as much as I do… there is so much to glean! Have a Merry Christmas one and all!

Melissa

“Silent Night, Holy Night; all is calm, all is bright.”

I hope everyone is enjoying a bit of coziness in your homes this Christmas season. I have to admit, I kind of hit a wall after being so busy for so many months. This week my body told me it was imperative to slow down, or else. I have been getting headaches and dizzy spells, and the fatigue has been overwhelming. So, doing what is best for myself and this sweet little baby inside of me, I said, “Heck with this To-Do List” and I curled up under my down comforter for 5 days. And I’m still there. It seems my body can’t get enough sleep, so I know I’m fighting something off. So with lots of water and juice, some chicken noodle soup and rest ~ along with some Christmas music, a “warm fireplace”, and some twinkle lights ~  I’m starting to feel like myself again. I enjoy being home at Christmas time.

I’m getting close to entering my eighth month of pregnancy. Every little kick and movement is so precious to me. I’ve been taking these last few days of “down time” to just bond with her: talking, singing (she gets excited when we sing to her!), rubbing my belly, and praying over her. I want her to know that she is so loved. I’ve also been catching up in my pregnancy books which I hadn’t had time to read in a while.

With all of my Christmas cards finally in the mail and my on-line shopping done, I’m taking a little “me” time to enjoy the Christmas season quietly and reflectively. And it suits me just fine. Sometimes my focus can be on getting things done instead of on the truly important things in life: His humble birth, family, health and peace. So what if I don’t have freshly baked cookies this year?… it gives me more time to curl up next to my hubby and enjoy a good Christmas movie. So what if I didn’t ever get around to putting the garland up on the banister?… It just doesn’t matter in the large scheme of things. My goal this year is “all is calm, all is bright”, and to enjoy as many Silent Nights as I can.

“Sugar and spice, and everything nice; that’s what little girl’s are made of.”

- English Nursery Rhyme

I’m sure ya’ll know by now… word of mouth travels fast, but we are so excited that we’re having a little girl! I’ve been so behind in blogging that I’m sure this is old news by now to most of you. Her due date is February 23rd, and she is growing healthy and strong. Thank you for all the sweet gifts that we’ve been receiving already… her room is filling up with pink ~ So sweet. This sweet blessing is an answer to our prayers… and her grandparent’s prayers!