I was blessed to be partnered with Sarah who blogs over at A Future & A Hope. Sarah also homeschools her children, and also shares about homeschooling her children, with sweet quotes, thoughts, and insights into the daily business of being a joyful mother. She is a precious lady, and we have communicated back and forth since sharing our addresses and it has been a wonderful experience to get to know her better!
We communicated back and forth about what book to send each other. We were so much alike that we had the same books in mind to share, but finally we decided on a book for each other that neither one of us had read.
Sarah shared this amazing book with me, and it is a true gem, I'm so excited to have it! The book I received is "Living a Beautiful Life" ~ 500 ways to add elegance, order, beauty and joy to every day of your life by Alexandra Stoddard. This book was printed in 1986, but it is truly timeless! What beautiful thoughts, ideas and inspirations with godly quotes all throughout the book to inspire any housewife to beautify her space with joy. Oh my! I'm enjoying this book so much! Sarah also sent me the sweetest note, and samples of her favorite green tea as well, so I will be enjoying this lovely book over a wonderful cup of hot tea! :)
In looking through this book, I started at the the very first page which starts out with this quote
"To be happy at home is the ultimate result of all ambition,
the end to which every enterprise and labor tends..."
Samuel Johnson, The Rambler, November 10, 1750.
I wondered if such a book could be found to buy new, and when I checked on Amazon, there was still one copy available! Here is the link if you are interested... I tell you it is a gem of a book for any housewife to own! Living a Beautiful Life on Amazon.
This is a sampling of the package I sent to sweet Sarah. I discovered that she had never read Hinds Feet on High Places, and sent her my very much loved copy of this book. I also knew that she loved Grace Livingston Hill, and I happened to be in a thrift store and saw this book for a few pennies, and just had to send it to her as well. I included a few other little goodies with her package.
I wanted to put her package in a special box, and found this one that was just perfect to fit the books and a few little things inside as well.
We both love green tea as well, and what fun it was to send her one of my favorite brands of green tea.
And a special bookmark included for Sarah that was made by my special friend who blogs here.
All packed up and ready to go... I hope this package was as much a blessing to Sarah as hers was to me... what joy it was to participate in this book swap. I do hope Chrissy does this again, it is always wonderful to participate in these fun swaps, and I look forward to meeting new friends!
Speaking of swaps, there is an incredible tea cup/mug swap coming up soon that is hosted by the amazing and talented Stephanie who blogs at Roses of Inspiration. If you would like to be a part of this incredible swap, mark your calendar for the dates to participate are coming up soon! You do not have to have a blog to participate, and it is open to ALL countries!
Have a blessed and wonderful day friends... make your life a BEAUTIFUL one today :)
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Beautiful...what a lovely gift. Thank you for sharing...Blessings
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda, it was a joy in all respects! Blessed, yes I am! :)
DeleteHow wonderfully fun! I have had a copy of Living a Beautiful Life for years and just recently pulled it out to reread it again. It is sitting next to my bed on the night table and I read glorious little tidbits from it a few times a week. :)
ReplyDeleteOh isn't that amazing! It is such a special book, and I'm so thankful to have it in my collection now, and I've enjoyed, like you said, just reading little tidbits of it at a time! :)
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ReplyDeleteOh, my, I apologize if this comes through twice...I had left a comment, and it doesn't appear to have posted. But, anyhow, this is just so sweet of you to have put together such a lovely box for your dear friend. And I know you are enjoying your lovely book, too. Blogging is such a wonderful way to connect with those of like mind and kindred spirit! God bless you and all of the other wonderful Christian bloggers who are so connected by the love of Jesus!
ReplyDeleteIt has been such a blessing dear Cheryl to be a part of this book swap, and the wonderful book I've received has the loveliest tidbits in it about a beautiful home and life, such an encouraging book to read! Appreciate you and your friendship and prayers so very much, how truly blessed I am that the world of blogging has opened up the beautiful friendships that it has!
DeleteSuch lovely gifts. I so agree with Cheryl, Christian bloggers have something so special.
ReplyDeleteBlogging has brought such beautiful things in my life, I'm so thankful!
DeleteBlogging friends are so very special, aren't they? How wonderful that you can bless each other with heartfelt gifts like this.
ReplyDeleteBlessings.
Debbie
xo
Blogging has brought such wonderful joys in my life, and I do feel so very blessed! Hope you have a wonderful day dear Debbie!
DeleteI know how you feel after reading Alexandra Stoddard's book. It was the first book of hers that I read, years ago. I ended up buying most of her other books. This is the best one!
ReplyDeleteIt changed the way I looked at my home. It opened up a new way of looking at our senses for me. Now I have colored pens that sit out in a charming holder. She is big on letter writing and now I an too!
The list goes on and on.
Oh wow! That is so awesome that this book influenced you in such a special way! I am having such enjoyment as I take my time reading the book, and I will have to look for her other books too! I do enjoy letter writing as well! It is truly in the little beautiful things that spruce up our lives and make an ordinary day special! Appreciate your visit Christine! :)
DeleteSo sweet!! I will need to look up that book - it sounds just lovely!
ReplyDeleteIt would be worth every penny to own this book, a real beauty and timeless gem to have!!! :)
DeleteI never heard of this lady but will definitely check her out now, many thanks for all the good suggestions !
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, I hope you can find this book, it is a true gem and treasure to own!
DeleteI love this idea! And your package to her looks great! I'd be delighted to receive something like that!
ReplyDeleteThe book swap was so wonderful, and I'm so thankful to have been a part of it!
DeleteHow funny to see Living A Beautiful Life here. I'm reading this book right now; I bought it at our library's book sale. Alexandra Stoddard seems the epitome of "a lady". I'm so glad I found this book, as I'm enjoying it. I noticed Hind's Feet On High Places in your package to send to Sarah. Another good book. I think I've read it three times so far. Enjoy the weekend and your reading. Hugs, Nancy
ReplyDeleteHow amazing that you are reading that book right now! Indeed it is a precious joyous book full of wonderful tidbits of little things that make life beautiful! And oh yes, Hinds Feet on High Places has ministered to my heart many times as I've read it, a true classic gem. Appreciate your visit as always Nancy! :)
DeleteWhat a blessing you have received. I hope you will share some more gems from Alexandra Stoddard. I am going to looking for that book to share for myself. Your package is beautiful, she will be so delighted when it arrives.
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed weekend....hugs from Shirley
That is a great idea! It would be nice to share some of the things that she writes about in her book! Indeed, it was such delight putting the package together for Sarah, and she has shared with me how much it all meant to her. :) Appreciate your visit Shirley! Have a blessed day :)
DeleteI would love to have that box of beautiful things myself. Such beautiful messages.
ReplyDeleteIt was a joy to put together! I hope you are doing well my friend, much love to you today!
DeleteGood Morning,
ReplyDeleteIt is always nice to find ways to beautify the home, especially if it does not cost much.
What a lovely box you created for Sarah!
:)Hope
Oh it truly is a joy to be at home, and to enjoy the bountiful blessings of a simple life that is beautiful! And it was a delight for me to put together the box for Sarah. Blogging has opened such beautiful opportunities for friendship! Appreciate your visit :)
DeleteThis blogging world is filled with new friends, isn't it! And oh the joy when we discover one who says, 'oh, yes ... you, too?'
ReplyDeleteWeekend blessings to you, to your family, to your friends old and new!
Indeed, the joys of blogging have overflowed into my heart recently, and I cannot say Thank You Lord enough for this wonderful avenue He has opened to us! Appreciate you and your visits so very much, and am thankful for your friendship too! Have a blessed day :)
DeleteI am so glad you made a new friend! What treasures both of you got! I am so thrilled for you both. The book you got sounds wonderful. I have never read the book you shared with her either. I will have to. Blessings friend!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI was doing some work on my blog, and realized I had comments that I had not responded to, oh my! So sorry that my reply comes so late to your wonderful and much loved comment!
DeleteIndeed, the book was much loved and has been such a blessing to me already :) Appreciate you for taking the time to put the swap together!
Blog friends are the best, aren't they? I have that book, and as I am sick today, I might just pull it off the shelf and make myself a cup of tea to go with it. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI was doing some work on my blog, and realized I had comments that I had not responded to, oh my! So sorry that my reply comes so late to your wonderful and much loved comment! I appreciate your visit to my blog so very much, and hope to stop by and visit you now.
DeleteThis is truly a beautiful book to have on your shelf, and enjoyed over a cup of tea! I've been inspired in many ways just by reading her thoughts.
Appreciate your visit so much, and pray you have a blessed day!
I read Hinds' Feet on High Places years ago and it remains a favourite on my book shelf. I also have tons of GLH novels. My mother is enjoying those. I really like Alexandra Stoddard too and I often use her quotes. Lovely post and thank you for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sandi
Hinds Feet is such an amazing book, I've read it several times and always am blessed by it. GLH was an author I enjoyed very much growing up, but haven't read as much lately, so I am inspired to get back into one of her books. I've really been enjoying my "Beautiful Life" book. Appreciate your visit as always, and apologize for my late response comment! Have a blessed day my friend :)
DeleteGood evening, my sweet and wonderful friend! What a delightful swap and it sounds like you were partered with the perfect lady.
ReplyDeleteChrissy seems like a delightful lady and a wonderful blogger {I, too, am just getting to know her}. It was very sweet of her to host such a lovely swap.
Thank you for sharing your sweet self with Roses of Inspiration. I always enjoy having you at the party. Love and hugs!
It was a wonderful swap, and I'm so thankful to have been gifted the delightful book of Living a Beautiful Life, such a blessing to have! Chrissy is so sweet, and she and I just met recently as well! Blogging has brought so many wonderful friends, for which I am so very grateful! Apologize again for my late response to your precious and much loved comments! Have a blessed day my friend! :)
DeleteI agree... chatting over a backyard fence is almost as good now as the precious friendships that have happened through blogging! I am so thankful to have met you Teri, and appreciate the loveliness in your special blog space, always a joy to visit with you there! Hugs and love to you today :)
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