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!}

“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

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

“Where liberty dwells, there is my country.”

- Benjamin Franklin

“Gee, Wally, that’s just swell.”

- Theodore “Beaver” Cleaver

L.o.v.i.n.g the Retro Look lately. It’s so summery and “Leave it to Beaver” to me . Thought I’d share a few fun pictures I’ve run across lately.

Sorry my posts have been few and far between lately. Along with Spring and Summer, there always comes a lot of outdoor work: raking, gardening, planting, mowing, etc. Hubby and I are also trying to finish leveling the backyard so we can put in a flagstone patio. We want to do it as soon as possible so we can enjoy it this summer. Maybe we’ll even get a fire pit so we can cozy up and roast marshmallows in the evenings… mmmm…

We’re also planting a bigger garden with my family this summer. Last night Jodie rented a big ASV to clear out trees and brush from the land, today we will be tilling it, and hopefully by monday we’ll have it all planted! It’s nice to do things as a family ~ many hands make light work… or lighter work anyway.

God’s also been doing a lot in my life in the last week or so. I’ve been taking time to journal and just enjoy some solitude and precious time with Him. Lots of tilling up in the garden of my heart and pulling out things that need to go ~ Fear of man being the main one. It’s been very challenging but so good at the same time. I’ll share more on that later.

I’ll try hard to post more often ~ last Spring and Summer I hardly posted at all, so I’ll try to do better this year. I’m definitely a Summer Girl… Sunshine and warmth bring such happiness to my soul. Hope you all are enjoying some warm, sunny days, too! Blessings and much love,

Melissa Joy

“Words are the voice of the heart.”

- Winston Churchill

(Make your own wordle at www.wordle.net. It’s fun!)

“Look at the stars, look how they shine for you… they were all yellow.” 

- Coldplay

“Taking joy in living is a woman’s best cosmetic.” 

- Rosalind Russell

“In Summer, the song sings itself.” - W. C. Williams