Happy Friday friends! I hope you had a wonderful week! We were blessed with our first snow of the season, which was a treat (for those of us that love snow haha *smiles*) and I am excited for the long weekend! Today though I am excited to wrap up one of my final posts from our Alaska trip in August and share with y'all about the beautiful room that we stayed in at the Pursuit Collections's Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge. If you missed my review of this lovely property you can find it HERE!
Walking into Room 209 definitely left you feeling like you had entered a cozy-luxury Alaskan getaway. The decor of the room, the pictures lining the walls over the bed, and the magnificent windows that looked out onto the Denali Range (which was visible!!) all led to the perfect combination of cozy-luxury at its finest. Can you believe the view from our window above?? It was AMAZING.
The room (as you can see in the pictures above) has all of the basic things that you would expect in a hotel room, which included the two queen beds, a TV, a phone, towels for the bathroom, and there was also a small table in the corner with two chairs (as you can see in the middle picture above).
While the room may appear basic (like I mentioned at the Seward Windsong Property), it was anything but. It was well laid out, spacious, and simply wonderful.
I always hate to compare properties, but it is impossible to not compare the two places as we stayed at two of the Pursuit Collection properties. I will be honest and say that I loved both, but that the that the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge was my favorite... the room, the entire property (fireplace, location, the views, and that incredible porch/dining location!) all led to this being the ultimate cozy luxury experience.
There were so many lovely things about this room... a few of my favorites were...
Large Picture Window
This was hands down my favorite thing about this room (I talked about it in my stories also which you can see HERE) - it was just incredible. I think that this gave the space more room, and a more private feel with this addition to our room.
Amazing Shower & Water-pressure
I took a shower it was lovely with great water-pressure and had great water pressure.
*the room also had a complimentary hair dryer for those who need it*
Complimentary Wi-fi
Sparkling Clean
The room was extra clean and looked like it was still brand new.
Coffee and Coffee Cups
Comfy Chair by Window
This comfy chair was my friend for a couple of hours in the morning as Emily & Sue were packing and getting ready- the view was gorgeous, the chair was so comfortable and it was the perfect cozy nook.
Easy Access to Main Lodge
I loved the fact that it was such an easy access to the dining area, the main lodge area (with that incredible fireplace) and the porch area. It was so easy and so lovely.
Extra Bedding/Bed Mat
They were so wonderful here with our request for extra bedding, pillows, and a way to make this area a special sleeping area for Emily who had kindly volunteered to sleep on the makeshift bed once again on the trip. The way that this was handled (like it was no big deal and that they were happy to help) was so lovely!
Incredibly Quiet
All three of us decided to sleep in and it was sooo quiet and restful. It was honestly one of the best nights sleep we had and it was so lovely to have this "cap off the trip" in this way.
I hope that this review of room 209 at the Pursuit Collection's Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge helps you see what a wonderful place this would be for a visit! Y'all- definitely book this room... it was SERIOUSLY so perfect!
Interested in booking a stay at the Pursuit Collection's Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge? You can connect with the Pursuit Collection's Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge and make reservations here:
Phone Number: 1.800.808.8068
I hope that each of you have a chance to stay at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge. Like the room card says above, it truly is "above the rest". It is truly such a beautiful and lovely place. Please let me know if you have any questions!!
A huge thank you to the Pursuit Collection and the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge for the complimentary stay and experience to stay at this beautiful property. ALL opinions are my own.
Happy Friday friends! Today I am so excited to share that When Light Dawns (the Advent and Christmas Devotional for Lyme patients) is on a special sale rate of $5.99 for the paperback version (HERE) and $.99 for the Kindle Version (HERE!) this holiday Season! One of the things that I wanted to do this month was to make the book the cheapest possible so that anyone could have access to it.
As this holiday season approaches, I am well aware that it can be a very difficult and painful season to face while fighting a serious illness like Lyme Disease. "When Light Dawns" is the first and only Lyme patient specific book for the Advent and Christmas season. Starting with devotional chapters in November, the book features daily reflections that will inspire and give hope to Lyme Warriors.
Containing a daily reflection & song for each day of the Christmas holiday (from the last week of November through the first week of January), "When Light Dawns" can be used as a simple encouragement to the weary heart or as a guided devotional study. However it is used, "When Light Dawns" will provide encouragement and give new meaning to the popular phrase, "holiday preparations" this season.
If you know a local library, doctors office, or religious community center that would be interested in me donating a copy of this holiday devotional to them- would you please send me an email or leave a comment? This book is in several libraries around the world, but I would love to get it into more to give people access to it!
I have one request: if you have read When Light Dawns- would you consider leaving a review for others to know more about this book? It doesn't have to be long, but ANY reviews that help potential future readers learn more about this book would be such an incredible blessing! Reviews are truly a huge thing for authors and your time is truly appreciated! Thank you! (You can leave a review HERE!)
If are not a Lyme patient, but know a Lymie this would be a great gift to give them! If you don't know a Lymie and would still like to help I have a list of Lyme patients who want to purchase this book but due to treatment costs can't afford to do so. If you would like to bless them anonymously please contact me or leave a comment and I will message instructions!! Thank you for your support of not only my books but of Lyme patients around the world!
Thank you again friends! I hope that you have a lovely Friday!
Happy Thursday friends! As I shared a couple of weeks ago, I am excited to re-share some of the most popular devotional posts that I wrote in 2017-2018 (if you would like to see the complete list you can find it HERE!) and am excited to share this one this week! I am also excited to share that these devotional posts will soon be available (without the tie to When Calls the Heart) in a new and upcoming devotional book, February Caravan, that will be released February 1st. Stay tuned for more information to follow! In the meantime I am excited to start sharing again with y'all and I hope you have a wonderful Thursday!
The second time that I
watched episode 5 of season 1, I was struck by these simple 13 words that
Dewitt Graves speaks to Mary Dunbar. What stood out to me the most was the
depth of what he was communicating and something that we all feel and long for
on a daily basis, which is finding a little bit of hope into each of the cracks
and crevices of our lives.
We may be longing for
something that is the deepest part of our hearts that we don’t see coming to
fruition. We may be longing for a spouse to share our lives with, a baby that
we have always wanted, a job that we could feel fulfilled and useful in, a
broken relationship to be restored, a dream that we have had since childhood to
finally come true, or maybe, just maybe, we are longing even to see a little
bit of hope in every situation in our lives.
Our world isn't so
different then what the people of Coal Valley experienced. Everyday our world
faces extreme tragedy, heartbreak, and loss. Maybe you
are walking through a similar situation. Maybe you feel that there is no hope
for you in the situations that you find yourself in. Maybe you are fighting an
impossible situation that isn't getting better. It may seem like you have had
to give up on so many hopes, dreams, and desires for your future or even for
your present life. You may feel that your desperate longings and dreams are
passing you by and maybe like many of us, you are hoping for just a little bit
of hope.
For myself during extremely
intense times of waiting on dreams to be fulfilled I find that I feel a sense
of hopelessness. I am often tempted to take my eyes off of God and all of the
blessings that He has given me and focus more on what I am “missing out
on”. Sometimes I struggle when I see others receiving things that I long
for and feel that I am missing out on and deeply ache to have. In these moments
I pray that the Lord would grant me grace to help rejoice with those who are
rejoicing remaining confident that God is working in both of our lives.
But it is so hard. As
Dewitt so adequately expressed to Mary, all a man can ask for –all any of us
can ask for is a little bit of hope. These last several years as I have fought
for my life through several serious diseases I have been challenged to examine
exactly what I place my hope in. Just this past month as I faced a
scary and unplanned surgery with no promise of a good outcome, I found myself longing for hope.
Throughout these past years
I have found myself challenged to really examine what my hope is being placed
in. For me, if my hope is simply placed in healing or my circumstances to
change that is not enough. Whatever I put my hope (no matter how good it is)
that is apart from God, I will always be disappointed. I am humbly learning
that my hope must be placed solely and only on the Lord alone.
And when we place our hope
solely on the Lord, we are tenderly met with encouragement, peace, and most of
all true hope. One of my favorite passages of scriptures comes from Psalm 33,
verses 20-22. It states;
“We wait
in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in His holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even
as we put our hope in you.”
I also love how the
version, the Message, states these same verses...
"We're
depending on God; He's everything we need. What's more, our heart brim with joy
since we've taken for our own His holy name. Love us, God, with all you've got-
that's what we're depending on."
One of my favorite quotes that I think of when I consider this topic is from Lee Strobel who in his book, The Case for Hope says, "Biblical hope is the confident expectation that God is willing and able to fulfill the promises He has made to those who trust in Him."
Our hope is confident expectation. It is secure in God and we can trust in His unfailing love. Our path and our circumstances may seem hopeless. You may be feeling like all you need to make it through another day is a little bit of hope. I am here to tell you it is yours in abundance. Place the deepest longings that you have in the precious scarred hands of the One who loves you most. Weep through the pain, and hold on to the hope that will never disappoint. Your longings and desires may seem like they are forever out of your reach, but our hope remains steadfast in the One who is the ultimate source of Hope. Rest in that hope today.
One of my favorite quotes that I think of when I consider this topic is from Lee Strobel who in his book, The Case for Hope says, "Biblical hope is the confident expectation that God is willing and able to fulfill the promises He has made to those who trust in Him."
Our hope is confident expectation. It is secure in God and we can trust in His unfailing love. Our path and our circumstances may seem hopeless. You may be feeling like all you need to make it through another day is a little bit of hope. I am here to tell you it is yours in abundance. Place the deepest longings that you have in the precious scarred hands of the One who loves you most. Weep through the pain, and hold on to the hope that will never disappoint. Your longings and desires may seem like they are forever out of your reach, but our hope remains steadfast in the One who is the ultimate source of Hope. Rest in that hope today.
"Lord, you know the hopes of the hopeless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them."
-Psalm 10:17-
-Psalm 10:17-
Looking for past From Hope Valley Devotionals? You can click HERE to find a complete listing of all of the devotionals!
*Please note that the quotes used in these weekly devotionals are the sole intellectual property of Hallmark Channel, WCTH, & Crown Media, LLC. These on-line posts are in no way supported, endorsed or affiliated with WCTH, Hallmark Channel, or Crown Media. They are simply encouragement inspired by Janette Oke and this precious show.*
Do you feel as though you aren’t as happy as you could be? Maybe you just feel as though it’s time to make a change but you just don’t know where to start. Either way, you can find out what you need to do in order to make a change, right here.
Set Small Goals
Small goals remain to be one of the best ways for you to become both happier and healthier. If you have a dream of running a marathon then don’t just set a goal for that. Instead, set miniature goals that will give you small boosts of confidence along the way. This could involve running around the block 10 times, going to the gym once a week or even losing 10lbs. When you do this, you will give yourself a new-found level of motivation and you will also be able to focus on what you are capable of, rather than what you aren’t.
Hidden Vegetables
Getting enough veg in your diet can be difficult. If you don’t like a lot of vegetables, then there are ways for you to work around this. For example, you could try and hide them in meals by blending them into a pasta sauce or even by making a soup. When you do things like this, you will be getting tons of vitamins without having to eat things that you don’t like.
Walk
Consider waking up early and going walking. When you do, you will be able to get some fresh air and you may even be able to meet new people too. Walking is great for your health and you may even find that you feel more energised after. If you just don’t know where to walk to then get involved with your local community to see if they can offer any ideas.
Visit the Doctor Every Year
Feeling tired all the time? Having trouble concentrating? Then this could indicate an underlying problem. They may be able to diagnose it for you. If you are having issues with your hearing for any reason at all then it may be that you need to have a hearing aid fitted, or even some new hearing aid batteries. Either way, it helps to go for a yearly check-up because if you don’t then you may find that you end up compromising your own health and happiness.
Focus on Portion Sizes
If you have never actually measured out a portion size before then there’s a high chance that yours are too big. If you want to stop this then you need to look on the back of your packet of pasta, and to also check your meat servings too. This will help you to make sure that you are getting just the right amount and it will also help you to avoid overeating too. When you get into the habit of doing this, you will find that it comes much more naturally to you and that you are also able to monitor your weight better too.
*contributed post*
Hidden Vegetables
Getting enough veg in your diet can be difficult. If you don’t like a lot of vegetables, then there are ways for you to work around this. For example, you could try and hide them in meals by blending them into a pasta sauce or even by making a soup. When you do things like this, you will be getting tons of vitamins without having to eat things that you don’t like.
Walk
Consider waking up early and going walking. When you do, you will be able to get some fresh air and you may even be able to meet new people too. Walking is great for your health and you may even find that you feel more energised after. If you just don’t know where to walk to then get involved with your local community to see if they can offer any ideas.
Visit the Doctor Every Year
Feeling tired all the time? Having trouble concentrating? Then this could indicate an underlying problem. They may be able to diagnose it for you. If you are having issues with your hearing for any reason at all then it may be that you need to have a hearing aid fitted, or even some new hearing aid batteries. Either way, it helps to go for a yearly check-up because if you don’t then you may find that you end up compromising your own health and happiness.
Focus on Portion Sizes
If you have never actually measured out a portion size before then there’s a high chance that yours are too big. If you want to stop this then you need to look on the back of your packet of pasta, and to also check your meat servings too. This will help you to make sure that you are getting just the right amount and it will also help you to avoid overeating too. When you get into the habit of doing this, you will find that it comes much more naturally to you and that you are also able to monitor your weight better too.
*contributed post*
Happy Monday friends! It is the first week of November, which if you have been around the blog for any length of time than you know that this is the week that I start adding Christmas items to the December Caravan Etsy shop! I started doing this years ago so that those who are trying to prep for December Daily or giving early presents have the opportunity to purchase ahead of time!
Today I am so excited to share with you one of those fun and cute additions! This adorable Santa's Rocket Sleigh Junk Journal is now available for purchase! (You can find it HERE!) This is an EXACT replica of one that I created last year that was incredibly popular and so I am so excited for more people to have the opportunity to own one!
Y'all know how much I love creating different and unique journals and altered books. These beautiful and unique journals are the perfect way to grab onto ordinary moments or days and remember special times in life, especially during this holiday season!
I found this adorable and popular vintage (1957!) Santa's Rocket Sleigh Rand McNally Book in an antique book store back in the early part of Spring last year and was so excited as it was in excellent condition and I knew it would make a special Junk Journal for this holiday season. I also was thrilled because as I mentioned above this junk journal had been so popular last year that I was thrilled to have the opportunity to create another one!
I fell in love with the precious pictures, the detailed illustrations, and the vibrant colors of this classic book that has delighted happy Christmas lovers for generations.
This Vintage Santa's Rocket Sleigh Junk Journal contains approximately 200 pages that includes gorgeous original book pages, vintage paper, pretty ephemera and tags, vintage and sweet modern ribbon, beautiful washi tape, and quality coordinating and pretty scrapbook paper. You can easily add in pictures and quick notes so that you can remember the special days forever.
This Junk Journal would create a treasured keepsake for a lifetime and can be used throughout the holiday season (for special holiday parties or a special occasion) or as a December Daily album for those who may be participating in that!
What I love about some of these precious vintage books is that the stories are timeless for dreamers to dream and wish in all different ways during the holidays.
No matter how you would use this junk journal it would be precious. *smiles*
If you are interested in this Santa's Rocket Sleigh Junk Journal can find it HERE. Or if you are interested in looking at other Christmas items in the shop you can find them HERE! New items will be added daily, so keep checking back!
You can find a video of this junk journal is now available on my new Youtube page which you can find HERE!
Happy Monday friends! I hope that you have a wonderful start to your week!
Some people may feel like they have no luck in the love department. You may easy-going, fun-loving, successful and still find it hard the find ‘the one’. This can often be because of all pressure and different methods there are now to find someone to date. It can sometimes be that there are just no suitable people in your circles if this is the case then you have no choice but to try elsewhere and this can be daunting.
Have a look below at some of the dating methods you could try:
Online Dating
Online has to be the top of the list purely because we live in such a digital world. The amount of people that now use online dating has significantly increased due to there being an abundance of different websites and apps that you can use such as ones for muslim dating, Tinder and Match.com. It can most definitely be intimidating, or frustrating, but no other platform can offer so many opportunities to meet people who are single, whether they are in your area or further afield. It’s best to do your research and make sure you find legitimate websites that stay up to date.
Local Meetups & Make Friends
If you’re looking for a relationship, unfortunately, you have to get yourself out there as much as possible, it’s not something that is just going to happen. One of the best ways you can do this is to attend as many meetups as possible and aim to make some friends. You can take part in anything from playing games together, going to a book club or even a sports activity group. This way you are going to find someone who also has common interests. They often provide you with a low key environment too which can make a stressful situation easier.
Go To Bars And Clubs
Although you don’t want to be getting drunk or meeting someone who is intoxicated too much, spending some time on an evening at a bar or club is great way to meet new people. You will find that often single people will hit the town at a weekend in the hopes to meet someone. Just remember not to get carried away with drinking and you should be fine. You’re not likely to meet the person of your dreams if you have both been drinking a little too much. You may find that you make new friends if you regularly go to the same places, this way you can buld friendships that may grow into something more.
Ask Your Friends Or Family
Although you may not like the idea of being set up with someone by your mom, this can sometimes be a great way to meet someone that you might not think about or otherwise meet. Try going through facebook lists with your friends and make recommendations. It could be that someone you know may know the ideal person for you.
These are just a few of the ways that could work for you, do you have any others that you can share in the comments below?
*contributed post*
When you’re no longer a young, wild and carefree twenty-something, the wide world of adulting takes over your life- Your life takes on a routine, working to pay the bills takes precedence, and you begin to feel a little surer of yourself than you may have done before. This is no different when it comes to finding somebody to do life with.
Trying to find a companion in your 30s takes on an entirely different tone. It takes preparation, and a greater understanding of the people left available on the market.
Understandably so, this can be a worry- especially when it seems as though the only potential partners are those who have strange interests or those who are married looking for something a little extra.
Let’s face it, in your former years, you may well have served your time with kissing frogs, you may now believe it’s now time to search for Prince (or Princess) Charming, settle down, get the ring, the house, the 2.5 children and the dog.
Being over 29 and dating will bring a whole set of new and interesting rules to boot. There are many things that you wished people would have told you about this season in your life. It’s not just about finding ‘the one’, it can truly about having your cake and eating it, too.
For the genuine, here are some of the things that you must know, and that are completely fine about being single and dating in your 30s.
Deal Breakers are a Real Thing
Once you leave behind your reckless, stressful, impoverished 20s, you begin the value the important things in life- Including how to value your time. You no longer waste time on dates that will lead to nothing. You begin to value the sense of quality over quantity.
This is also the case with knowing what your dealbreakers are. At 21, it may not have mattered so much if your date expressed the desire to travel the world, or that they absolutely didn’t want children, because your life may not have been at that settling-down stage at that point in time.
However, the 30-something-year-old you has a different agenda altogether. Your relationships now have a future-focus, meaning that even a slight difference in politics and morals can be a deal-breaker to whom you may decide to settle down with.
While this is fine, unless their habits are utterly unbearable, there may be some things that you’ll have to let go- like their growing interest in collecting loud shirts. It may be annoying, but they certainly aren’t offensive. On the plus side, it will also give you the opportunity to take your beau shopping!
You’ve Surveyed The Landscape- and that’s Okay
By now, you may have had several romantic experiences with several people. You may have had a few naughty weekends here and there, and you may now even be searching for a new relationship after a marriage ended. All of these experiences have shaped your personal, and indeed, your dating landscape. As a slightly older person, you have the wisdom and growth from the years behind you to help you realize what you want and need out of life.
Back in the day, playing hard to get and having that exhilarating thrill of the chase may have brought an ego boost with it. However, now, you want to cut to the chase, as somebody who is comfortable in their own skin--playing to win, and not a power play.
Since dating is now about getting real, you’ll be able to tell when somebody is talking too smooth. Along with this, you’ll be more aware of your worth, and know that chasing them around to gain affirmation is not the way to go to secure your lifelong partner. You’re a little older and wiser- this works massively in your favor.
Everyone Has Opinions
Most single women in their 30s will have heard comments about how their biological clock is ticking away, and how all of the decent people are already off the market and settled down. Dating in your 30s can be a tough ride.
The rising pressure to find love can take center stage in one’s life after a certain age. When it feels as though you have the right to be a little more selective, the dating-pool can feel a little more sparse making it seem much harder to find your sexy suitor.
What makes it worse are the happy couples around you trying to set you up with their co-worker’s cousin who they met at another wedding! People will believe that they know what’s best for you based on ‘need’ and not ‘want’. You may not want to settle down with whoever, but they believe you need to.
Stay firm with what, and more importantly, who, you want to go for.
Apps Make it Easy to Get Lost in Translation
Love them or loathe them, dating apps are a gamechanger when it comes to meeting a potential match. Today, around 40% of couples first meet online.
This could mean the end of long, lonely evenings sipping the same beverage at the bar hoping to happen upon your one, true love.
Having a catalog of potential suitors at your fingertips means you can select your matches from the comfort of your living room. Sure, online dating has a reputation of swiping your way to a hookup, but there are premium services available to help you to get to know people.
Swiping not your thing? Hear the voices of people also looking for love by using MyMobileline Free Chat lines for Women, an accessible service available to singletons who want something a little different than the usual online dating service. By using chat lines it gives you the chance to speak to someone and get to know them on a personal level which can’t be done through messaging and emojis. So giving lesbian chatlines or whatever your preference is a go, it might be just what you are looking for.
Knowing how to date at any age comes with its challenges, but it is not all doom and gloom. Having clarity over what you want means that you can take the wins and losses in your stride saving yourself from heartbreakers and timewasters.
Being over a certain age does not mean its too late to get your dating life off the ground. Your 30s are the greatest- you’ve left behind the turmoil of your twenties, you’re richer, more world-wise and much more headstrong. Get yourself out there and enjoy life.
*contributed post*
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