Stayin' Alive!......Blog Recap at Eight Months

How Deep Is My Love...For Blogging!

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Hello, dear readers! Welcome to my blog recap and celebration of eight months of blogging. I woke up thinking of one of my fave Bee Gee's songs, "Stayin' Alive" and decided to incorporate a Bee Gee's theme into today's blog recap. Too much??? Hope not...I am a disco fan...and at eight months of blogging I feel like I truly am stayin' alive with posting, coming up with ideas for the blog and growing in my bloggy skills!  Let's take a peek at some of the highlights of this month's posts. 

Most Viewed Post

Without a doubt, my most viewed post has been this fashion post in which I share a grey and white tunic with dark grey leggings. I so enjoy this comfortable and versatile outfit. I added a pop of color with a pink infinity scarf. 

A Tie For Second Place

Once again this month, there was a tie for second place with posts. My post about "Craving the Quiet" as an Introvert garnered lots of attention.  I am planning more posts about introversion in the future because I think our world can overlook quiet, thoughtful people. Stand up and be heard, Introverts of the world!!

Also in second place, was a post entitled, "When Can Stylin' Become too Much?" in which I thought out loud about how I was feeling about doing style posts and how style blogs in general were affecting me. This was a "food for thought" type of post and part of my growing as a blogger. 

Least Viewed Post

My least viewed post was the Easter Day greeting entitled, "A Day Like No Other" basically wishing everyone a blessed Easter Day.  Easter is a really busy time for many people so no surprises here that folks didn't have time to be checking out blog posts!

March has been a month of growth for me as a blogger. Really thinking about the direction I want to take with my blog. Beginning to think about some possible future changes. But, definitely enjoying the ride as I blog! I think I'll let the Bee Gees end this recap for me. Pardon me while I hang my disco ball and put on my leisure suit and platform shoes........

As the Bee Gees might say......."I've Gotta Get A Message to You" and I'm not doing any "Jive Talkin'" when I say this! It's "Lonely Days" when you don't visit my blog and if you want to  know "How You Can Mend A Broken Heart" and  keep me "Walking On Air" just keep taking those minutes to visit and to leave me a quick response.  "Time is Passing By" so do it today! As always, I "Love You Inside Out!!"

Until Next Time,

Debbie (The Disco Queen)

Enjoy Listening To A Sample: 

"Love You Inside Out" by the Bee Gees. 

Joining the linky party at Julie Wunder's Best of the Blogs linkup. Thanks, Julie! Also linking to Over50Feeling40 Thursday blog hop. 

Shopping My Closet...Grey, White and Pink!

A Winning Color Combination

debbiethisandthat.blogspot.com

What colors do you love to mix and match from your closet?  I love the cool, Spring look of grey and white. My outfit consists of a striped tunic/dress top with dark grey leggings and grey boat shoes. 

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Grey and white are classic colors that provide a base that can be matched with brighter colors easily. This outfit provides just the right amount of comfort with a bit of dressiness, as well.

debbiethisandthat.blogspot.com

The pink infinity scarf adds a bright pop of color to the mix. 

debbiethisandthat.blogspot.com

This is a look that can take me from doing chores around the house to lunch out with friends. 

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I feel happy and relaxed when my clothing is soft, comfortable and easy to move in. This outfit meets all those requirements and more!

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So, what colors are in your closet that you love to mix and match?  Please leave a comment. I enjoy hearing from you! Hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend!

Until next time,

Debbie

Linking with Not Dressed As Lamb and Elegantly Dressed and Stylish .Please visit their blogs and the great linkup parties! Linking also to The Pleated Poppy. Also linking to Living on Cloud Nine. 

A Day Like No Other!

Happy Easter!

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The Lord Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed!

May you and your loved ones enjoy this blessed day, dear readers!

Until Next Time,

Debbie

Easter Tablescape and Foyer Update!

An Easter Table

Today, I'm featuring an Easter tablescape that will get you in the mood to decorate with all the colors of Spring!

I'm mixing and matching pastels, which I think are a must for an Easter table! These cute pink and white napkins look cheerful next to the yellow placemats.

And these metal "Easter Greeting" nametags are precious as accents. I tried rolling the napkins and using the tags as napkin rings, fittig the napkin through the rope hanger. But, I decided I like them best laying on top of the napkin as you see here.

And what's an Easter table without an Easter basket?! This basket belonged to my mother, which adds nostalgia to the tablescape. I used pink "Wrinkled Shred" as basket filler and added a ceramic bunny, glitter eggs, small Easter bunny statue and a larger metal Easter tag to decorate the basket.

A large wooden bunny stands behind the basket.

Aren't these miniature baskets sweet? They were created years ago by my Mother and one of my sisters and add additional nostalgia to the table. There's a little lamb in one and a bunny in the other with both baskets holding miniature blue and pink Easter eggs. I just love them!

Another peek into the basket.  And now.....for something a little different......

Here's my latest update to the Foyer Table! I decided it needed something more than the two bunnies I shared in a previous post. So, I added a blue and white thrifted pitcher and this cute "Spring Thyme" sign that I found at A.C. Moore recently. I think it adds just the right touch for Spring, don't you? 

I hope you are enjoying Spring and looking forward to Easter. What special ways do you decorate for Spring or Easter? Do you have special Easter plans? Please leave a comment. I enjoy hearing from you so much!

Until Next Time,
Debbie

Linking with FabJourney Thursday's Favorites Blog Hop. 

Things I'm Delighted To Share With You!

Happy Spring!

Tomorrow, it's official. Spring will arrive! So, to show my joy, I'm delighted to share some things with you today that make me happy! Hope you enjoy!

Aren't these Pansies beautiful?! I start to really miss seeing flowers on my porch about this time every year and Pansies are such a great Spring flower. They can take the fluctuating temps of Spring and can even withstand a little snow. I once had a bowl of Pansies totally covered by ice during a Spring snowstorm and they popped right back after the ice melted! I'm delighted to have them on my back porch. Just hope the deer don't decide to have them for a snack!!

The Daffodils are blooming! How delightful! They are such harbingers of Spring. I snapped this photo one evening this week in my yard. They don't last long, so you have to enjoy them quickly.

And it's so wonderful to see the trees budding. I love it when everything is blooming and we can enjoy all of the colors of Spring!

And although these flowers are artificial, this Spring basket sure does brighten up our front door!

Additional Delights....

I've been enjoying this great body lotion by Clinique. It is called, "Happy Heart."  The usual Clinique scent is called "Happy" and I have used and enjoyed it over the years. However, this is a new product scent. I find it is a lighter fragrance that goes well with Spring. How delightful!

And, I'm really delighted to find a dry shampoo that I can use! I have heard about Batiste from other bloggers and decided to give it a try. I really like it! I have found other dry shampoos to have an overpowering scent which bothers me. Batiste leaves my hair smelling fresh with a mix of coconut and citrus scent. It also makes my hair feel really soft and is great for those days when you don't have time to shampoo but want to freshen up your hair. 

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I hope you are finding some things that delight you as Spring begins! What do you like best about Spring? Please leave a comment. I enjoy hearing from you!

Until Next Time,

Debbie

                                            

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I'm linking this post to Katherine's Corner Thursday Blog Hop. Please visit Katherine's blog and note her request above for over 50 bloggers to join her in the "Between the Lines" blog series. 

Life As An Introvert...Craving The Quiet

Craving The Quiet

Happy Monday, dear readers! Are you happy to be home from work? Looking for a little quiet? Getting some down time by yourself with a good book, some TV or alone time on the computer? Or, are you craving a crowd....hoping to get together with friends, looking forward to a party? The way you answer may give a hint to whether you are an introvert or an extrovert. 

I am most definitely an introvert. After teaching all day in a busy classroom interacting with children and adults of various temperaments and personalities, I crave quiet time when I get home. No big parties or crowds for me in the evenings. That just doesn't appeal at all. Most of my "favorite pastimes" are things that can be done in a solitary fashion. Things like reading....

Cooking.....

Decorating....

Sewing.....

Or working on the computer with Gracie by my side. 

As I mentioned.....I'm an introvert. And I renew my energy by spending time alone.....

It's not that introverts don't like people.....we really do....we just crave the quiet. We need it in order to be the best that we can be.

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Introverts and Extroverts are defined in the following way:

"A person who tends to turn inward mentally. Introverts sometimes avoid large groups of people feeling more energized by time alone. The opposite of an introvert is an extrovert, who finds energy in interactions with others."

(Defintion from www.vocabulary.com)

Sometimes, having an introverted personality can cause misunderstanding. In addition to being introverted, I am also somewhat shy, especially in new situations, so that can be a double whammy for people with my personality trait. In college, some friends told me that when they first met me they thought I was being "snobby" because I always went to my room after class rather than hanging out in the hall to talk. After they got to know me, they realized I loved to laugh and be silly and have fun and goof off just like they did. But, I needed that time in my room after class to recharge my energy, so I could be a wild and crazy gal with them! (Saturday Night Live-Steve Martin-Wild N Crazy Guy talk of the 1970s!)

                              

So, why am I writing today about being introverted?  I think because of an experience today that got me thinking.....

I was invited to be part of a panel of teachers at a local university. We were asked to talk about what life in the classroom was like, especially as it pertained to teaching gifted students. I was working with two other colleagues who are extremely talented ladies....very knowledgeable in their field....and also extremely extroverted. It occurred to me that our introverted/extroverted personalities showed through even in the ways we chose to approach our presentations. Mine was presented in a very calm, factual but passionate way. Theirs was also factual but with lots of laughter, louder voices and excitement. And at the end of the presentation, I was exhausted by the questions and the stress of being "on" in front of a group. I mingled for a short while and then headed for the door, while my colleagues were still surrounded by the students talking and visiting. Now.....I love sharing about teaching and I was excited to be a part of this panel. But, this is how an introvert responds to being "on" in front of a group. (Plus, I had already taught all day before doing this.)  I couldn't wait to get home and do this:

 Chop some onions, cook dinner and chill out!

There's nothing wrong with being an introvert or an extrovert. You are what you are.......it just is......

So, whichever you are, I hope you are having a good evening. Whether you are heading out to a party....or curled up with a good book......

                   Just enjoy being you!

And as for me....I'm soaking up the silence.......

Until Next Time,

Introverted Debbie 

Please leave me a comment below. Are you introverted or extroverted?  Or share anything else you would like to share. 

I'm linking this post with Shellie at TheFabJourney for Wonderful Wednesday. Thanks so much for the linkup!

Spring Forward Foyer Table, Coloring Books and Go Take A Hike!

Spring Forward.....On The Foyer Table!

Happy Saturday, dear readers! Are you ready to "Spring Forward?" Those clocks have to be set ahead one hour tonight before we go to bed. That means we lose an hour of sleep. It's been a really busy week for me, no time for a mid-week post, so losing an hour of sleep doesn't sound great at all!! But, I know I'll enjoy the extra light in the evenings. 

Today, I'm springing forward on the foyer table, showing you how I have styled the table for early Spring. These photos are a bit dark, I realize. I snapped them one evening this week when it was dark outside and no natural light. Sorry about that. As you can see, I'm keeping it simple right now on the table with shades of blue. The wooden bunnies were made for me many years ago by one of my former teacher assistants who is a gifted artist. I just love them!

I added another wooden bunny on the bottom shelf. It says "Easter Blessings." This bunny was a gift to me by my "Secret Pal" at work last year. This bunny has more grey and pink and I think those colors go well with the blue on the bunnies above.

Here is the completed look. It's very understated. But, that's OK for early Spring. I may add more or change things up as we get past Easter. Sorry for the blurriness. 

Adult Coloring Books

Oh my...that heading sounds a little bit racy doesn't it??!! I assure you there is nothing "naughty" about these adult coloring books! I've always loved coloring and was so excited to see that it is now being promoted for adults. We have "permission" to color again! (Not that we really needed permission).

I find it very soothing to color and there are so many choices for pictures. As you can see above, I have coloring books for snowflakes, nature and flowers. You can also download pics from the Internet to color. So, you can imagine my delight when I got an email about the following.....

 info@debbiemacomber.com 

You know Debbie Macomber is one of my favorite authors and I was thrilled to see that she is coming out with an adult coloring book that will be available April 16th! According to her newsletter, it features knitting images, soothing landscapes and scenes from her Rose Harbor and Blossom Street series. Looking forward to seeing it!

Go Take A Hike!!

In true "this and that" fashion, I have one more thing to share with you today! Last evening, Mr.thisandthat and I took an evening hike on one of our beautiful, nearby trails. I could tell I don't have my "hiking feet" back from being more sedentary this winter. Thought I was doing enough treadmill. Oooops!! The photo above was snapped as I looked up through the trees at the evening sky. 

A glance ahead at the trail. Remember, it was evening so low light for my phone camera.

And a final peek through the trees at our beautiful mountains! 

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So, are you relaxed?  I hope you are able to take time this Saturday to do whatever helps you relax. Whether it's Spring decorating, doing some coloring, taking a hike or whatever appeals to you....may you have a blessed and peaceful Saturday!  I would LOVE for you to leave a comment below about how you spend your Saturdays...or about anything else you would like to share! And remember......

Spring Forward!!!

http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=70056&picture=green-alarm-clock

Until Next Time,

Debbie

Debbie's Stylin'...On The Inside!

When Can Stylin' Become Too Much?

Lately, I've been thinking about the style posts I have done and wondering if I want to continue to do them. To be honest, I always feel a little silly doing those posts, even though I've had some fun and chuckles while doing them. As I've mentioned several times, I am not a model. (And it shows!!)

But mainly, I've been thinking about what I want to represent on my blog and how I've been feeling on the inside about clothing and accessories since I began blogging and following other blogs. 

Now, please understand...I'm talking about me here and what is right for me. I'm not speaking about anyone else. I'm also not speaking badly of anyone's blogs whom I follow, because I enjoy reading those blogs. It's just that lately, I've found that I have developed a bad case of the "wants" since I started blogging. I want certain clothes, or shoes or accessories because I see other folks wearing them. I think....gosh...I must need that so I can look that good too! If I'm going to be in style, shouldn't I be buying? But the truth is, I don't need these things at all. In fact, I've got closet fulls of clothes and more pairs of shoes than I care to mention. Accessories as well. So, why do I want more? 

I'm like any other woman. I want to look good. I want to be "stylish."  But, I also want to be true to myself and my personal beliefs. I want to have gratitude for what I have and not always feel like I need more.....like I want more. I guess I'm having a crisis of conscience. (Well, not a crisis....but I'm doing some deep thinking!)

It just seems like we live in a world where there is a constant barrage of "things" we are told we need. These "things" are touted with a promise that they will somehow either make us better or our life better. There is a constant barrage of commercials and ads and sales and on and on and on. Buy, buy, buy....want, want, want!

But, I believe the truth is......

What I have is enough........

I don't need more. My personal style is my own. What I like to wear and be comfortable in is my choice....not someone else's.  And even buying at thrift stores can be overdone. And I also believe.....

I'm beautiful (and so are you) because we are children of God, not because of the clothes or shoes we wear or the "things" we have or don't have. 

I think what Jesus said in Luke 12: 22 sums up what I'm thinking about today. 

"Don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more." 

And a few verses later, Jesus says:

"Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don't fuss with their appearance--but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?" 

So, for today, I'm just going to give thanks for all I have. For the many blessings which I enjoy each and every day. For today, I am choosing to try and not want more and to try to be a good steward of what I have. 

And, for me, that's the best kind of stylin'........

Until Next Time,

Debbie