Pretty much every year of my adult life I’ve attended at least one holiday gathering where there was a white elephant gift exchange. Though the specific details vary, most of these have involved the exchange of silly, strange, or humorous gifts. I often scramble around the house a day or two before a white elephant gift exchange in an … [Read more...] about 26 White Elephant Gifts from Around the House
just for fun
Our Hearts Are So Full!
My hands and my heart have been so full these last two weeks as we’ve been adjusting to life as a family of five! We welcomed our third child, Gilana Brielle, on September 20th. Gilana means “joy” and Brielle (a diminutive of Gabrielle) means “strength of God” or “heroine of God.” She weighed 7 lbs. 15 oz. and was 19 in. long. Her … [Read more...] about Our Hearts Are So Full!
6 Things that Foster Creativity
Last week we discussed how creativity benefits all of us, regardless of the particular roles we fill. We also examined 6 mental blocks and habits that stifle creativity. Today we are going to consider 6 strategies that can help us foster creativity when we’re feeling stuck. Hopefully these strategies will help us come up with new ideas … [Read more...] about 6 Things that Foster Creativity
Why Minivans are Really Cool Vehicles
A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I reached a new milestone in our lives as parents: We purchased a minivan. Many couples shudder at the thought of driving a minivan. In fact, just a couple of days before we purchased our van, I saw this bumper sticker on a minivan parked in the grocery store parking lot. I’ll concede that they … [Read more...] about Why Minivans are Really Cool Vehicles
6 Things that Stifle Creativity
We tend to associate creativity with certain people or roles. For example, artists and musicians need creativity for their work. However, we don’t often consider how creativity benefits the rest of us. I’m a stay-at-home mom, yet creativity is incredibly beneficial in my work. When I’m creative, I’m better able to plan menus, better … [Read more...] about 6 Things that Stifle Creativity
Differences Between Hymns and Contemporary Worship Songs
My husband and I began discussing hymns and contemporary worship music a few weeks ago after we heard some radio personalities discussing what they considered to be some of the greatest worship songs of all time. As we debated the songs they mentioned, we began to wonder what makes one song a hymn and another song a worship song. I’m a … [Read more...] about Differences Between Hymns and Contemporary Worship Songs
Celebrating Five Years of Blogging at Of The Hearth!
Last weekend marked five years since I began blogging here at Of The Hearth. Five years! It seems like just yesterday that I stumbled through the process of creating this website. It wasn’t just yesterday, though. Since starting the site, I have shared 606 blog posts! Today’s post is going to be a little walk down memory lane. The … [Read more...] about Celebrating Five Years of Blogging at Of The Hearth!
25 Ways to Make Your Husband Smile Today
We all know how good it feels to smile and how having something about which to smile can brighten our days. Unfortunately, my family has had a lot weighing on our hearts and minds lately, so we haven’t been smiling as much as we usually do. I want to bring cheer to my husband, so I’ve come up with some ideas for bringing a smile to his … [Read more...] about 25 Ways to Make Your Husband Smile Today