Sunday Reflections
Happy Sunday, ladies! Welcome to my weekly lifestyle post called Sunday Reflections….and I have been reflecting on so much lately.
Upon writing today’s post, I am exhausted. In a good way, this past week was a busy, busy one…a little more about that later in Sunday Reflections.
Whenever I miss one daily post, I am either slammed or sick…and this week I was slammed.
Thank you for your patience when that happens occasionally.
Just a reminder that on this day, I go a little more in depth about my life the past week, and give you a tease as to what lies ahead.
I am freezing and hate losing an hour of sleep, but love the return of longer days of light.
So, join me this morning in a cozy, warm spot with a warm beverage…and let’s talk about my Sunday Reflections.
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: THOUGHTS ON TUSCAN SUN
I confess that I have never read Under The Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes because I saw the movie first…and was not motivated to read the book.
So thank you for recommending the read…it is much better than the movie and I was taken with her home restoration and Italian travels.
For me, this was one more confirmation that books are most often better than the movie version.
Just to be clear, there were moments in the movie I found enjoyable…I did enjoy the setting and stories of working and cooking for the Polish contractors.
The book had me actually dreaming about Italy (at night, in a couple of dreams!).
During the time of the read, I have been cooking Italian…and though the book includes recipes, I did go searching for a Baked Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic Recipe.
She talked about this as if it were a staple in her Southern family cooking.
I love garlic so I will make this soon.
If anyone else has not read it because they saw the movie first, then do as I do and give it a read. I am now a fan.
I have been reflecting on words in her last paragraph:
“When I look back on crucible moments, I see how each major change burned up something, and created the ashes from which bigger ideas emerged….How small changes amount to revolutionary changes if they give you your time back, your focus back, your priorities back. Delight…Joy…Excitement…Surprise. These are the words for guiding writing…an living.”
I love that…and believe this move is doing the same for me in many ways…again more later.
Work on my own house continues and I am feeling very much at home…shopping for this house and making it mine has been so much fun.
A third book about home decor is about to begin!
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: EXPANDED TERRITORY
At the same time I was finishing up the book, I was also spending time with this Scripture.
I told someone this week that I was feeling such joy and that God had expanded my territories!
That was when I remembered Jabez. Many believe that praying his exact prayer will lead them to great financial success and blessings.
I am one who believes praying the exact words of Scripture verses is powerful..but I also believe that blessings and expanded territory can come in many different packages.
I have discovered many blessings and expanded territory in a much smaller town….I know, go figure, the big city life is suppose to be the dream.
The sound of the postman bringing the mail to my door…the train whistle on nearby tracks…smokey aromas from fireplaces all around have all become blessings.
Less traffic allows more time to do activities and meet new people. Because I meet new people, expanded opportunities arise. (Remember Frances wrote that time had been given back? I get that!)
Of course, I am doing more with my daughter and her family.
I will always say how hard it is to be away from my children and grandchildren in the big city, but I also see why God answered prayers of my daughter and brought us here.
When I spoke to myself that God has expanded my territory, I realized that He does answer the Jabez prayer in many different ways.
It is my Scripture focus for the week.
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: STYLE MATTERS
I was in charge of the 6 -year- old football game yesterday and Beck told me that his look was as important as his play!
Thus I had to make sure NOT to leave behind the glasses and gloves!
He did play an awesome game…so perhaps he is right that Style Matters as much! LOL
Any way, Style Matters this week on the blog…I am really excited about the posts I have for you….I was working on them this past week and the major reason I was so busy and blessed.
So, I hope you can join me each day this week….
It starts tomorrow…until then…
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS & KEEP SMILING!!
By Pamela Lutrell
Whether shopping new arrivals or clearance sales, please shop with the links on my SHOPPING PAGE…thank you, thank you to all who shop this way.
Pamela, reading this post today made me feel joyful. Your home is looking beautiful, and what a special grandson you have! I’m glad you liked Frances’s book. Another of hers is a novel called Women in Sunlight, which is about 4 women who are strangers and they meet and pursue an adventure. Delightful! Have you ever read Alexandra Stoddard? She has written many books about gracious living, design, and happiness. I can’t wait to see your excititing posts this week. You are the best!!
Thank you for bringing in joyfulness! At times this week I have needed a lift too. Your posts seem to soften whatever else is going on. Reading them is li a hug….
Thank you, Marcia. I will research Alexandra Stoddard. Thank you!
Happy to bring a hug, Paulette! We all need one every week!
I always look forward to your Sunday posts and today’s was joyful. Your transformation of your new home is amazing. It is so inviting and it looks so “Pamela” to me. Tux is adorable on his new rug. And speaking of adorable your grandson is so cute in his football outfit. Glad you decided to give the book, “Under the Tuscan Sun”, a try. I really enjoyed it too and was very disappointed with the movie which has very little in common with the book other than being set in Tuscany. Looking forward to the upcoming Style Matters post. I’m just finishing When Women Ran 5th Avenue and I wrote down my favorite quote in the book, from Geraldine Stutz: “Fashion says, ‘Me, too,’ style says, ‘Only me. ‘”
I am thankful that someone suggested the book or I might not have read it because of the movie…so glad to know that I am not the only one who felt that way. There will not be one post called Style Matters…but rather, I think that is the theme for all of my posts this week, but they will cover different aspects of style. I hope you enjoy this week as much as I have enjoyed working on the posts. Thanks Kathie.
Love today’s post. The first picture of the wall is gorgeous. Love it
Thank you, Gail…I love shadows created by sunlight. They always capture my attention.
Thanks for your post today. Jabez’s pray prayer is one on my mind often.
Thanks for the joy you bring to me.
I agree with you that books are almost always better than the movies. If I have read the book before seeing the movie, I am usually disappointed with the movie. It is such a joy to see you making your house into a home for you & Mr. B. I know it is a process. Looking forward to this week’s posts.
Pamela, your house is becoming a lovely home. It looks more like your home and Tux on your foyer rug is the icing on the cake. I love your moment of blue plates on the wall, the antique table and the way you have displayed it. So perfectly done. I’m so glad that you are making your home and new town yours. The very things you mentioned about Abilene are the same things we love about Canon City. We have a mail pod instead of a mailbox but it is a great chat spot on nice days. Our town of 15,000 is much smaller but it sounds like you have the same feel. I far prefer small town life to living in a big city. I feel like I can breathe here and feel safe here. Happiness is from within. It is God expressing joy from our spirit and giving us peace.
You are so sweet, Audrey..thanks for being here.
Thank you, Becky!
I agree…I am loving the smaller town life! Thanks Sydney!
I always look forward to settling down to read your Sunday posts over my main meal, which today has turned into dinner. You are making such great progress on your home, and it is really starting to shine with your personal touches. It’s fun to see your grandsons growing so quickly, and I love that you are getting more time with your daughter and her family. I never saw the movie version of Tuscan Sun, but enjoyed the book a great deal. I plan to put it on my “re-read” list now that you’ve reminded me how many good thoughts were found there. Although I’m now living in a larger city, once I finish cleaning out the old house and putting it on the market I will regain the many hours of time I’ve spent driving back and forth to church and social activities. I can volunteer longer at church because my drive is now less than ten minutes, when it used to take up to an hour depending on the time of day. I want to be a good steward of this gift of “found time” that has been given back to me, and I appreciate your post being such a timely reminder. I’m looking forward to seeing what you have in store for us this week on “Style Matters,” and hope everyone survives the spring time change. As a night owl who struggles to wake up every day, the whole “spring forward” thing is always tough and it takes me several weeks to adapt. I try to be thankful for every sunrise, even when it feels like they come too early!
I almost missed your comment…so sorry. I think we both agree at how important “found time” is…and I know Mr. B is discovering that after getting out of hours on freeways going and coming from work. It is a precious gift to find time now.