Gayla's Magazine

Holiday Table Settings

Often I am asked how to set a proper holiday table for guests without stressing out!  My collections have taken me years to develop and collect.... so don't think all things come quick and easy (unless you can pour money into your design immediately) 

First begin with the inspiration table.  Browse through magazines and websites till you see something that you really like.  Then KEEP THAT PICTURE so you can refer to it when you start building the 'look' you love.  

I keep my inspirations on my phone so when I am shopping I can  refer to it.

Look for simular pieces that you can 'match up' to your picture.  Here is my Thanksgiving tablescape inspiration.

  

I love the golden, the rust, the deep ruby reds, the peachy light colors that all add interest and 'eye candy' to enjoy while eating one of the special holiday dinners of the season.    I want my table to make a statement that says..... ' the blessings of God are bountiful at our table'.

So I have shopped here and there building this look for my tablescape.  And here is the finished result.  

It's not exactly like the idea table but it's my style done with the same colors and ideas.  Friends.... once you own the pieces you can use them in a variety of ways all season long.  Every fall season these pieces are used in different ways at my table.  Nothing makes a meals more special and inviting than a table well set and thought out.  

Not only does this work for a Thanksgiving tablescape, but it also works for pictures. This is our 2014 Thanksgiving Ecard this year. See how I used this same look? 

Every woman can do this!  Get started 'shopping' with a magazine today and by next Fall you can have an amazing table to share with others.  Not only beautuful to see, but it will be so much fun to search and find just the right pieces for your look.  

Happy Thanksgiving friends!  

 

 

 

"How are you doing all this?"

There have been times when my responsibilities OVERWHELMED me and I have thought in a panic.... there isn't a way to accomplish, complete, 'do' all of this, manage all details, take care of all the children, touch everyone, encourage different teams around me. 

Then I remember.... I don't have to try to keep things under my own control... that's God's part. 

The bigger things get around me... the more I have to simply trust God to take care of all issues.

Every day.....

 many times every hour....

and sometimes every minute.

I'm not only holding His hand.... He is holding mine. 

That gives me peace and helps me manage different responsibilites, places and people.

 

Related articles

7 Steps to a Successful Day

7 Steps to a Successful Day

My Staff Meeting Notes to teach this morning.....

Prepare thy work without   ( prepare your plans before you start
working)

And make it fit for thyself in the
field (listing your responsibilities on the job)

And afterwards build thy house.  (the completion- creates the project done)
Proverbs 14:27

Responsibilities:
Outside, Inside, Front, Back, Upstairs, CS, Incoming & Outgoing, Donations,
Yard, Signage, Maintenance, Office.  

 

1. Get a notebook and start keeping a
   daily dated record of activities. This will serve as a reference in case we need to go back and see what was done that day. 
2. Plan your work – list everything that needs to be done today.
3. Number the levels of importance of each (what to do first, second, ect)
   1. This is based off of all the operations of the store, and who is responsible for each area.  Teamwork means we get projects done when we work together. (Outside, Inside, Front, Back, Upstairs Ect.)
   2. First priority is doing what will impact the total picture first. So number the list starting with #1 for first thing to be done.
   3. Work your plan – keep your list handy all day so that you don’t get distracted.  It also will help you to remember all that is to be done daily.
   4. Check each thing off as you complete it.  This gives satisfaction and accomplishment at the end of each day.
   5. Follow the Daily / Monthly Checklists that are in place.
   6. If you were unable to complete something – put it on the next days list (don’t forget it… it was important to the whole operation and remains so)

Plan your Work….. then work your Plan.

Hidden Pockets of Time

It can be easy to think.... "I just don't have enough time to get everything done that I need to." Which is why people text and drive at the same time.... we are all multi-tasking all the time.    But really the secret is not in having more time, but rather it's in managing time wisely.  Everybody has the very same amount of time each day, be they  rich or poor.  It's how it's spent that causes either progression or regression in all things.

Here's a little daily practical  math test....

How much time is spent in traffic?

How much time is spent on the phone?

How much time is spent watching tv?

How much time is spent on the internet?

What time is bedtime for you?

What time do you get up?

Add these areas  up and you can see where some extra time is hiding at. 

There are hidden pockets of time here that managed better could reap more time in your life.   For instance just getting up one hour earlier than normal is a whole hour to yourself!  Try two hours earlier and you will be amazed!  Suddenly there is time to pray.... to think.... to study....

 Find the time.... it's there.... just buried under lots of other people's stuff, ideas, and entertainment.  

Try to find those areas that put you back in control of time, instead of the alarm clock, the door bell, the phone calls, the text chirps, the addiction of Facebook and the wrist watch.  

It's worth finding them.... after all once a moment is gone.... it's gone.  We can't get time back.  Spend it wisely my friends. 

 

How to make a straight board curve

Have you ever wondered how do straight boards become curved and usable for forming concrete?  Ok maybe no... but it's still interesting to find out. I'm watching  workers create something nice from bare dirt, a tiny yard and boards.....

I watched them take a straight board lay it on the ground and pick up a saw...

They cut little cuts across each board about every inch...

And when the boards were 'cut' they simply formed up a curved line with them and poured concrete inside their formed design.  All within an hour!

Nice job guys... I learned something today. 

My faux painting projects

In between so many ministry duties I am trying to squeeze in painting our new home.  It's been a ordeal in process, patience and priorities for me!  Process as in deciding exactly what we want to create in atmosphere, patience in waiting on enough time to do it..... and priorities as we will always put ministry issues before our own. Nevertheless my painting is  happening from time to time.  Finally areas are taking shape and I thought you might like to see the special color treatments I've been working on. 

Old World Italian is the atmosphere decided on for our home.... so here's how the faux painting is happening to get this look. It started with  heavily textured walls, then all walls were prepped by painting them white. Then the first coat was applied it's  called 'Cosy Cottage' it was sprayed on - a complete covering of all surfaces.  It's a pale yellow that looks different according to lighting in each room. And I am adding different colors to blend with it in each room. 

Then I used a old tshirt and rubbed a color called 'Dolphin' over it.  It's a greyish green color and basically it highlighted all the raised surfaces. I mixed half water and half paint to thin out the paint.

It adds dimension and depth to the walls that makes it look aged wonderfully! I just soaked the tshirt and patted it over the walls - the textured effect causes the paint to vary and depending on how often I pat the surface makes it light or darker. 

See how it looks finished on one wall...

I love it..... this is the bathroom finished...

The bedroom has another coat of paint rubbed over these two coats. It's called 'parchment' and it is a pale light linen color.  Instead of a tshirt dipped in paint and worked over the walls. I used a washcloth and simply dipped it in the solution of half water half paint and swiped it over the walls then dried it quickly smudging it and softening the texture making it really look old and the colors really mix down with the linen on top.  It's more a light silvery glaze... (sorry I forgot to take a picture and show you those walls)

It looks fabulous and makes me happy. These walls will lend themselves to the style I am hoping to create. It's being done slowly and carefully but exactly how we want it to look!

A Blast from the Past

Looking for something in my files I came across my 'small beginnings' and it brought a smile!  Look at my newsletter way back in the 1980's.  It's so funny to see now.... what was in my heart then... is still there. I am still writing.

Take what is in your hand and just start today on your dream. If it's a God dream it will prosper and grow into something far beyond you can imagine.

It doesnt feel like a sacrifice when you love what you do.

How to pay tithe to God

How to clean a house - sight unseen!

My husband taught me the valuable principal 'to inspect what I expect'.  And since life does not allow me to be in several locations at once, check lists are my eyes and hands for helping others accomplish tasks completely and well.  Today a CS worker will complete a task using such a cklist.  This morning I will meet her - don't know her yet- and take her to the Mission House to clean - she has not been here before. And hand her this list for her to complete.  This way whoever, whenever and however it can be done.  I am assured of 'quality control' and a good job done.  And continue my own work... having done this too...sight unseen! The Pastor's Wife's best organizer is cklists!!

NLCF Mission House

Cleaning Schedule

Living Room

o        Windex the end tables

o         Dust off the book shelves

o          Dust inside china cabinet – carefully

o         Dust off the window seal

o         Dust the tv, and cabinet

o         Dust off lamps, pictures ect.

o         Dust the ceiling fan

o          Wipe baseboards

o          Vacuum the rug

o          Sweep the floor

Dining Room –Kitchen

o         Pledge the table and chairs

o         Wipe off counters and sink

o         Dust pictures

o         Ck the fridge and wipe off any smudges – inside and out

o         Dust the ceiling fan blades

o         Wipe baseboards

o         Empty trash – put new liner in

o         Sweep the floor

o         Mop the floor

Master Bedroom

o         Dust off side tables

o         Windex glass on side tables

o         Dust out the window seal

o         Dust pictures

o         Change sheets on the bed – extras in dresser drawers

o         Put changed sheets in trash bag

o         Dust dresser

o         Windex mirror

o         Dust off the ceiling fans

o         Empty trash

o         Wipe off baseboards

o         Sweep floor

o         Mop

Guest Bedroom

o         Dust bedside table

o         Dust off the window seal

o         Dust off dresser

o         Wipe baseboards

o        Windex mirror

o         Dust off ceiling fan

o         Dust pictures

o         Change beds  - sheets in dresser - put changed ones with other sheets

o         Sweep floor

o         Mop

Bathroom

o         Clean bathtub

o         Clean commode

o         Clean sink

o         Dust off window seal

o         Empty trash

o         Wipe baseboards

o         Windex mirrors

o   (   Put any used towels in trash bag with changed sheets)

o         Sweep floor

o        Mop

o       Put all cleaning supplies back under cabinet

Porch

o      Sweep

o      Make sure all lights are off when you leave

• Take the trash bag of sheets and towels to Community Center – give to Receptionist
• Take all garbage to Community Center – put in dumpster
• Be sure to lock the door when leaving
• Turn this completed form  and the key  to Receptionist at the Community Center

When you have too much to do......

When the plate of duties overwhelms the timeframe allowed.  Here's what to do.
Decide what is important and what is urgent first.

Prayer and devotions are paramount and MUST be done first. The Holy Spirit will help carry the load with you when asked.

Then think of the day like a jar with different size rocks, pebbles and sand to all be packed into the jar.  

If you put the smallest in first and then try to put the big pieces in, it's impossible.  But when you put the big ones in first, the other little sizes all slide in and it all fits!

1. Make a list of everything to be done.

2. Divide the morning actions from the afternoon.

3. Pick out the biggest- most time sensitive duty and do it first.

4. The rest will flow in around the big things - and by the end of the day..... it's all done.