Happy Thanksgiving...

Via

... and give thanks for your many blessings. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Low-cost holiday craft: Wall art...

This weekend seems to be the weekend for holiday decorating so I thought I would share a low-cost craft that makes a big impact. In our family room we have a beach sunset canvas print on the wall. While it's beautiful, it's not very "Christmasy." So I grabbed a few supplies I had lying around the house and got to work.

I used an old canvas, craft paper and staple gun. You simply wrap the canvas in paper, staple and you're ready for decorating. As far as decorating goes, you can do whatever works with your decor. 

I added ribbon to make it look like a package, painted the word Joy in glitter glue, then add glitter. 

For a little more sparkle, I added a few snowflake ornaments and it was done. Easy peasy. This one is at the top of our stairs. The one below is the one I created to replace our sunset canvas.

You could cover the actual art you have on your walls this way, instead of using an old canvas, but I would be careful about the hot glue or glitter glue getting onto your print. You could even hit up Thrift stores for cheap canvases to cover.

Happy Holiday Decorating! 

Holiday decor sneak peek...

I know Thanksgiving isn't here yet, but Christmas decorating has begun. I need a full 4 weeks of Christmas up in here.
Here's a sneak peek....

Book recommendation: The Time Keeper...

This is a My Life By Design first, I believe -- a book recommendation. 

Last night, I read The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom in its entirety in a couple of hours. 

You all probably know his other works, Tuesdays with Morrie and The 5 People You meet on the Way to Heaven. The Time Keeper was written in Albom's signature fashion. Simple prose, deep message. It explores the idea of time -- wanting more, wanting it to stop, and our fascination with it -- seen through the eyes of Father Time himself. It is such a unique and captivating story. I've never read anything like it. The message, like in all of Albom's stories, is simple and true, and something we seem to forget in our busy lives. 

My dad gave me this book after he had read it. It sat on my nightstand until last night, and once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. I bet you won't be able to either. I urge you to read The Time Keeper, you won't be disappointed. 

Thank you, Veterans...

To all those who have fought, continue to fight and will fight for our freedom in the years to come, I humbly send you all an immense thank you. I cannot even fathom the sacrifices you make on a daily basis. To your families: thank you for your sacrifices, which may not be as obvious to the casual observer, but are equally as great. I hope that, even with our downfalls, we as Americans make you proud to defend us and that we continue to strive to be worthy recipients of the freedoms you you so honorably fight for. May God Bless You All. 

Thank you.