Sunday Reflections
Happy Sunday, friends! Welcome to my weekly lifestyle post that I call Sunday Reflections.
On these days, I discuss what has been on my mind this past week and what is on my mind for next week.
As many of you were treated to the Northern Lights this week, West Texas was treated with it’s own autumn lights.
This was one of my views at our grandsons’ football games last week…the evening was cool and glorious.
Get a comfy spot and join me as I also explain my reflections during these games.
It is time for Sunday reflections….
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: COMFORT IN THE FAMILIAR
As I sat In my athletic chair, gazing upon these fields, I found great comfort in the familiar.
I was born in North Texas, and attended high school in West Texas, not far from my new home.
Cowboys, football, captivating skies are all too familiar to me and I found great comfort in remembering my past.
There are moments I feel as though I have returned home…Texas is very big and the regions can be quite different and hold their own beauty.
Though West Texas is flat, it can be mesmerizing.
These memories last week were very comforting and I was thankful.
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: BACK IN THE KITCHEN
I encourage anyone moving to set up your kitchen first and begin cooking as quickly as possible.
We ate out for two weeks, and I felt it on my body…not a good feeling.
Even though I made healthier selections, I still did not feel healthy.
There really was a difference in how I felt and slept as soon as I began to cook once again.
Yes, it takes time away from opening boxes, but it is worth it.
I am excited about my new kitchen and spending more time there.
Last week, I also made pumpkin bread and cookies for the grandsons.
It went so well, that they have placed orders for this next week.
Both of the older boys want me to make cookies for their football teams, and one wants to take them to his class at school.
So, today, I am in the kitchen making mass quantities of my chocolate chip cookies.
I hope to be back to cooking new meals that I can share with you soon.
One more challenge I have is with my favorite grocery store…HEB.
I just moved from San Antonio where there is practically an HEB on every corner and is the home of their headquarters.
In Abilene, there is ONE.
Because there is only one, it is usually packed. A checker told me that some drive two hours a way to shop there.
I have learned that the key is to go very early in the morning…so that it what I am doing right now.
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: THE COZY PROJECT
My goal to bring “cozy” to this house continues.
Thank you to all who gave your thoughts on the monkey lights last week…they are still hanging around…but I hope to have time to shop replacements this week.
This very large room is the dining room, so I have an idea of how to make it more functional and warm.
The first thing I did was paint the walls of this room only.
I selected a BEHR paint color called Armadillo…and I love it.
I do not want to show you the room until it is finished…because it is a different vision and I hope it works.
But, I promise to show you soon.
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: QUINCE FOR HOME
I am attempting to accomplish much around here with little budget, so I decided to give QUINCE Home products a try.
And I am pleased.
I decided to change out the blue curtains above for these RAW SILK CURTAINS in sand. I will show you when I am ready to reveal the room.
These are lovely curtains.
I also needed to add a bed for grandchildren when they stay here.
I selected a day bed with a trundle which is now in my office.
Mr.B and I have slept on bamboo sheets for years and prefer them, so I went with bamboo for this bed as well.
These are the ORGANIC BAMBOO VISCOSE SHEETS in Sky Blue.
Let me tell you, they are so comfortable and soft…I am probably going to get a pair for us as well.
Now, here is a little secret…..Quince is hosting a flash sale this Tuesday with many items marked down.
I hope you will return to my links to shop on Tuesday…this is a brand that continues to impress me. Make sure you shop Quince
As I go forward with my house, I will be sharing more with you…including when the monkeys say Bye!
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: BUILDING ON THE ROCK
This rock has been with me a long time.
It previously sat on my school desk for 16 years, as I taught teenagers.
It is a constant reminder to me of this verse from Matthew 7, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
I start each day in prayer that God is building a spiritual rock inside of me for this mission He has given to make a new home in a new place, and serve all here.
Before I complete decorating a new house, I must not forget rock building inside of me, so I can withstand anything we face ahead.
My rock is now displayed in my new office, which I love, where I can see it every day.
Thank you for joining me for Sunday Reflections…
Make sure you saw my most popular post this month so far…WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO LOOK YOUR BEST EACH DAY.
I have much planned for you this week…including a special appearance that I hope will bring you a smile….it is also my week to meet a new hair stylist and new nail technicians…
Love you all…now…
STAY STRONG & KEEP SMILING!!
By Pamela Lutrell
Please consider for all of your fall shopping needs to click on your favorite brands on MY SHOPPING LINKS page. Thank you to everyone who supports the blog this way.
Wow I kept a rock too from Austin soo many fossils.
Didn’t know u were from west Texas. Welcome back home.
After 10 yrs I went back to the coast where I’m from, know the feeling, no place like home.
For your dining room color I like mid brown like cocoa. Can’t wait to see what u pick! Love decorating lol. Have fun!!
Thanks Debra… I went to high school in Midland. I like to say I am Texan through and through!
Pam, it is so enriching to see you building a new life in your home and surroundings. That room is going to be gorgeous. Armadillo looks so pretty. You are right about cooking. Even if you just have a small meal at home, it’s healthier than eating out. Enjoy this fall day!
Hi, Pam. It’s wonderful to see you enjoying your new surroundings!
We were eating out too much during the early part of arriving here, but it was a necessary evil. I felt so sluggish…but now much, better and love cooking in this new kitchen (new to me, anyway). Thanks Marcia.
I am enjoying it!
I’m excited to see how you cozy up your new abode! And you’re so right about home meals vs. eating out. We have teenagers in activities and are so busy all of the time! It easy giving in to convenience.
Thank you for welcoming us into your new home. When you said you wanted to warm up the room my immediate response was, ” Change the drapes.” I actually said it out loud. The new ones you found look lovely. I’m looking forward to seeing how you incorporate a day bed into the room. The grandchildren, I’m sure, will love their visits.
It’s almost impossible to eat a healthy meal when eating out. My husband’s cardiologist says the meals are very salty. A friend who eats out often (choosing healthy entrees such as fish) always has them box up half her meal before serving the other half, and says when she goes to reheat it the next day there is often a pool of solidified butter over everything. It’s fun sometimes, a treat, and necessary at times, as when things are in boxes. But you were wise to listen to your body. I do very simple cooking nowadays (large main dish salad, cottage cheese and fruit, hummus and vegetable wraps, eggs for dinner) that keep meal preparation reasonable. I did make homemade lentil, potato and kale soup the other day, and sometimes it’s fun to do all that chopping and prep, but not -for me- every day. Whether you like to cook or not, it’s helpful to have some easy prep go-tos. Life gets busy!
Thank you for sharing all these exciting changes! I look forward to your posts every day. I never knew Quince has a home goods section so I will check that out. Your positive outlook is always an inspiration.
Good to hear you’re settling in well. It’s hard but at least you have family near by.
Bummer about the grocery store. I live in a small town and don’t have a good one nearby. But I stock up when I’m near the store I like. I always do enjoy your recipes! So I’m looking forward to seeing them again.
Interesting what you said about your prayer every morning. It is a good one. I need that every day.
The armadillo color will be lovely! Love the warm shades you’re putting into your dining room. Want to say thanks for your many shopping links. I ordered cold weather booties from Easy Spirit yesterday and your Pamela20 promo code took 20% off, even though those were already on sale. Now if it would just get cold enough to wear them!
Hi Pam,
You are doing so well, and have made good head way. The paint color is excellent and your drapes are going to look outstanding.
You survived the move and even baking, you are something. Give yourself a huge pat on the back.
🧡🎃🧡
Lovely new home. I trust you’ll make it your own! All in good time. Isn’t it great to gave a kitchen in which you feel just right! That’s how I feel!
Well, football is starting so must run! Enjoy your Sunday afternoon!
Sharon, I have those booties and I love them! I also got them on Pam’s links so great price. I also have gotten my Denise AustinMel emove sneakers, two lace up and the one Pam showed us recently in red, I got in grey. I love that they come in wide as my arthritic feet now need that width for comfort.
I also am so glad that you are taking down those dark curtains Pam. Your choice in silk and color of Sand is perfect. I know you are renting for now but if you decide to buy, I hope you will consider changing the flooring to a light warm LVP. We put it in all of the rooms except for Brent’s office/den and our bedroom where we put in new carpet. We did it two years ago and love these floors. When Trix goes scratching around corners, I am so grateful that they just don’t scratch. I hope you don’t take that as forward. It is just a suggestion.
Your meal made my mouth water! It is simple and I bet delicious! You have a lot of stamina to already be baking for the grandchildren. But that is part of the joy you chose to move near your daughter. Good luck on nesting in your new home. It will be fun to see how you transform your house into your cozy home.
So great to read how well you’re doing. Personally, I am interested in seeing your office how you set it up, etc. if that would be okay with you. Being a native Texan myself, I totally agree with you. Unfortunately I was raised in Austin and now it is simply not the same. I moved down to Houston back in 1988 and it has become my Texas home. Actually I live just north of Houston, but it feels like home to me. And I have at least two HEBs within five minutes of my home.
So happy for how well everything is falling into place in your new surroundings. Looking forward to the recipes. And you probably have, but could you share your chocolate chip cookie recipe with us?
Sometimes it is just the easiest way to go, Stacy…I remember those days. We ate out today after church, but we are trying to eat at home as much as possible. Thanks!
I hope so…they are excited about this bed…hope at least two of them will sleep on it! I knew the drapes had to go immediately!
Sometimes the prep and number of ingredients required can get overwhelming, but it does make me be smarter with meal planning. Your soup sounds yummy, Linda.
Thank you, Dorothy. Quince seems to be expanding their brand rapidly…they just announced artificial Christmas Trees! I am pleased with these two products so far! Thank you for being here.
So do I, Paula! There are a couple of items we enjoyed in San Antonio grocery stores and we cannot find them here…nor does Amazon deliver them. Interesting, right? Mr. B will be back soon for a meeting and he promises to pick up supplies!
I agree…I am so tired of this heat, but we are suppose to have a cool front tomorrow. I also have a new Easy Spirit post tomorrow. Hope to see you then, Sharon. You were smart to remember the discount code…it is good through December 31!
Thanks Katherine! All of these …blogging, home decorating, and baking for the grands brings me so much joy…a true pleasure.
We have football on as I type this, Paulette. It has been a lovely Sunday.
I wish I could make all of the changes I want to at once, but there are budget limitations after this move. Hopefully I could change the floor at some point. I sat down and looked over my priorities and did budgeting…I still have money to say good-bye to the monkey lights!
Thanks Sydney.
Yes, I will share that recipe sometime next week. I really love my office, but I warn you, it is eclectic and done with random pieces…but I so believe it is me. I will put it in next Sunday’s post along with the cookie recipe.
Thanks Rhoda.
The right paint color can certainly make a difference in how a room feels. When we moved to our condo 35+ years ago, I had all the rooms painted an off white just to get a fresh coat of paint on the walls. My high-ceilinged living room felt so cold & sterile. It was repainted in a soft beige & immediately felt so much warmer. The color you have chosen looks lovely & the drapes are beautiful. Thanks for the heads up on the Quince bamboo sheets. I had a bamboo blanket that I loved but didn’t care for properly, so it shrank. Lesson learned. I will head over to check out the home goods on Quince.
The sheets feel really nice, Becky. When we remodeled our old master bath, I selected an antique white that I loved. Thanks for reminding me!
I always enjoy your Sunday musings so much, and it’s good to hear you are back in the kitchen. Thank you for mentioning the trundle bed in your office. I’ve been looking for ways to create sleeping spaces for my grandkids in the older home I hope to buy soon. I hate to size up in this life stage, but I only have a two bedroom house right now, and feel like I want a three bedroom with an additional office/sewing space. I have a beautiful iron trundle bed that could easily be set up in my office and sleep two of the kids. Not sure I would ever have thought of it if you had not shared what you were doing with yours. Thank you for the inspiration!
I love your rock story Pamela. Thank yiu for the inspirarion!
You are welcome, Beth. Looking over at my rock right now!
I found this one on Wayfair and I do have a link on my Shopping Links Page…I did sleep on it one night when Tux kicked me out of bed and wouldn’t move. It is comfy and the kids like it.
So happy I gave you and idea!