New Blog Name Contest and Giveaway.

 Well, I've been thinking about all the stuff I write about on my blog. Originally, I wanted this to be a place to encourage other women to live for the Lord and talk about how God has worked in my own life. I also have been keeping track of the many "gifts" God has blessed me with each week, through Ann Voskamp's Joy Dare. Recently, though, I find myself adding other side posts that have very little to do with any of those subjects. I have an array of interests, but have specifically been posting on my love of tea things, my interest in gardening and flowers, and also my fascination with Pinterest and Polyvore, by sharing the many creative ideas found there.

(Our soon-to-be lake cottage)

Even more recently, my husband and I are planning, God willing, on moving out of our large home and into a small, lakefront cottage very soon. We are at that age, where we are anticipating the days of becoming empty-nesters and retirees. We've dreamed of living on a lake for a few years, and have had a few fortunate events that helped us to make that dream a reality. The cottage is a bit outdated and has very little landscaping and literally no flowers! So I'll be working on new ideas and I know I'll be wanting to share the progress of the changes to our new cottage.

The thing is, it seems like I'm shifting gears a little bit, but I don't want to forget about my original desire to have a blog in the first place. That is why, I've decided that the best thing to do is to keep my original blog "Christ in the Clouds," where I'll continue to share my list of God's gifts and blessings, as well as encourage other women, and start a "home and garden, lake cottage, tea lover, empty-nester" blog. I know, I should probably start at least a couple more blogs, but I just don't have the time to keep that many going. I hope having 2 blogs won't be too much for me! I am currently posting about 3-5 times per week. That is plenty for me. By dividing them up, I hope to post about 2-3 posts in each blog a week, at the most. I don't want blogging to take over my life, like I've heard has happened to some bloggers.

Anyways, I'm having some trouble coming up with just the right name for my new blog-page. I was hoping that some of my bloggy-friends out there, might offer some suggestions. Like I said, this blog is going to be geared more towards the following:

•  sharing my love of tea
•  lake cottage living
•  cottage decorating
•  being creative with clothing ensemble combinations
•  gardening and landscaping ideas
• life as an empty-nester

Any ideas will be considered up till Thursday, May 3rd.

• I also know that it usually helps to have a gift/prize for the person who's blogname I decide to use.  My friend Malorie, makes some pretty cute homemade greeting cards and tags (3-D, embossed).
• The winner of the blog name contest will receive 6 homemade cards and envelopes made by Malorie. If you have a sweet tooth, you'll love these cupcake and ice-cream shaped cards, with different cute sayings on the inside of each card.

So PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, leave a suggestion or comment, as well as a link back to your blog-page or email address.  I will keep you all posted on my final decision and the winner that is chosen. I am excited to hear all the cute and creative ideas you all come up with!!

Linking up at these blog parties:

Fashion Friday and Sharing My Pins

Many area schools are on or will soon be on their spring breaks. Of course, that got me dreaming about being on a beach in some tropical place! So I thought I would share some of my Pinterest pins and Polyvore ensemble sets.

                                                                                         Source: Uploaded by user via Ann on Pinterest

                                                                                     

                                                                            

 
Beach Life by apop1234 featuring hot short shorts

pretty in pink by apop1234 featuring cut off shorts

Vintage Top and Skirt by apop1234 featuring 1928 jewelry

Since I won't be going to any beaches this spring, I guess I'll just take the advice of the sign below!!!

                                                                                      

                                                          Source: weheartit.com via Ann on Pinterest

              Source: dustjacketattic.tumblr.com via Ann on Pinterest

Have a great weekend!!!

Linking over to these blog hops:
Fashion Friday(Musings of a Housewife)
Say G'Day Saturday(Natasha In Oz)

Consider the Lilies

                                                                                              Source: google.com via Ann on Pinterest

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Luke 12:27 

                                                                                       Source: dreamstime.com via Ann on Pinterest

Easter Lily History

The Easter Lily is the traditional flower of Easter and is highly regarded as a joyful symbol of elegance, beauty, spirituality, hope, and life.

The popular Easter lily we use today to celebrate the holiday is referred to as ‘the white-robed apostles of hope.’ These beautiful trumpet shaped white flowers were brought to the United States in 1875 from Japan by an American tourist and named after the florist who made it popular. The flower retells the resurrection story with its life cycle. These snow white flowers symbolize new life and hope. 

                                                                                                 Source: vernabob.com via Ann on Pinterest

The bulb of these flowers buried in the ground represents the tomb of Jesus and the glorious white trumpet-like fragrant flowers which grow from the bulbs symbolize His life after death. The snowy white color stands for the purity of the Divine Savior and the joy of the resurrection while the trumpet shape signifies Gabriel's trumpet call to rebirth and new life.

                                                                                    Source: colorsofthegarden.blogspot.com via Ann on Pinterest

Of all the flowers God made,  lilies are my all-time favorite!!! During the Easter season, I am reminded of all that He has done to give me new life!!!

Linking over at these Blog Hops

Say G'Day Saturday (Natasha In Oz)

Fresh Brewed Sundays(My Freshly Brewed Life)

Jumping Tandem Sunday