Friday Favorites - September 8th 2017
Oh my. Why is it that four day weeks feel so long? I've really struggled getting back into the swing of life's expectations coupled with the surreal amount of traffic this week (think one hour to drive two miles) and wrapping my head around the Hurricane Harvey destruction still remaining. I am so proud of my city and of my state for rallying together to help each other. It's truly heartwarming.
I'm linking up with Andrea to share my favorites from the past week. I still feel hesitant to resume blogging during this time, but I am intentionally looking for the good in all things.
Favorite #1
This passage from my One Year Bible reading on September 5th. THIS is what it's all about. I love this so much and the timing as well as the appropriateness/validity to Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts - both in helping lend a hand, donating financially, or donating goods.
(Emphasis below was added by me.)
2 Corinthians 8:7-15 (NIV)
7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
10 And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”[b]
***
Basically this is encouraging us that now is the time to give all that you can to everyone in need. It doesn't matter how much you have to give, what matters is that you give what you have. We are to be an example of Christ's love for the church so let's be the church.
My churches:
Hope City and the Hope City Harvey Flood Relief Fund
Ecclesia and the Ecclessia Harvey Relief Fund
Gateway Community and the Gateway Community Disaster Relief Efforts
Favorite #2
Old Navy quilted vests. Every year. Every time. They're light enough for Houston's mild winters, thin enough fit under coats and jackets, and warm enough to really heat up your torso even in the coldest of weather. Believe me, I've done the leg work for all three situations.
Old Navy textured vests. Same. All the love.
And lastly - I had to share this one because I simply had to have it. Christmas plaid. CHRISTMAS. It is a beautiful shade of Christmas red with pine green. I love it and can't wait to wear it in December.
They do sell "frost free" puffer vests for colder climates, but I refrain from those as I get so much usage out of these all season long. If you're an Old Navy shopper then I am sure you're aware that they have revolving sales so just keep an eye out for 40% off (or more or less depending on your concern for the item going out of stock).
Favorite #3
My sister and brother-in-law's tiny teacup babies are always a treat to love on. Both Lucy & Ollie have adorable personalities bigger than their pint sized bodies. I mentioned Ollie's affection for me recently on the blog when I visited in June, but here it is again from a visit in August. He smiles when I pet him. Hehe
These little nuggets as well as my (former) boys brighten our lives so much, and it was very emotional for me to see any and all animals (excepts snakes) rescued during the hurricane. The faces of every animal looked frightened and willing to let anyone rescue them. It made me cry, imagine that! But, this is a critical time to remember the fur-babies out there who have been displaced from their owners all around Houston, the surrounding cities, and east Texas who need help reuniting with their owners, or who need temporary or permanent homes. Please take a moment to consider any of these options in how you can help save these innocent animals.
SPCA - both in Houston and in Texas. There are umpteen other shelters and rescues around Houston, throughout Texas, and I am sure even into other states who are helping take in the animals who were flooded. The Texas SPCA site has a nice feed of status updates on what the state-level organization is doing in the relief efforts.
Favorite #4
If you're anything like me then now is the time that you begin decorating for fall. Because Houston fall weather is rather warm throughout even November at times and because my birthday falls in the middle of November, I have always opted to begin celebrating my favorite time of year early. I like to decorate early September to enjoy "fall" decor, add in some Halloween decor in October, remove said Halloween decor November 1st but leave "fall" decor up, and then decorate for Christmas the weekend of my birthday in mid-November as my own little birthday celebration + Veuve + Christmas music. Expect to hear about fall quite a bit until Thanksgiving when I switch to Christmas references. It should be a given.
Another blogger I started following mentioned some cute pumpkin bowls from Pottery Barn recently and I'm itching to acquire them as well as this serving bowl from Pier 1, but have hit the pause button so that my dinero is focused on Harvey relief efforts.
I used to have a pumpkin gravy boat that was to-die-for cute as well, but gave it away many moons ago because I have a younger cousin and holidays are magical for kids. If I had a giant house with ample storage + ample funds to splurge, I would totally buy these to add to my fall collection. They can be used for 3 months each year! I am 100% this type of woman. Holiday decorating fills my soul with harvest spices and pumpkin scents.
I'm going to wrap this up early since each favorite was a bit long winded. I hope everyone had a great week and is adjusting to life, work, and traffic post Harvey. Keeping everyone in prayer who's in Irma's path this weekend. The US coasts all need a break...
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend ahead!
XOXO
