Items retiring at midnight!

Our beautiful Cathedral Luminary along with many other popular items are being retired from our catalog on New Year's Eve at midnight!  Order from me via my website at www.darlenesdesigns.willowhouse.com.  If you want our complete retired items list, message me.

Happy and Blessed New Year to you and yours!

30 Items under $5 This Week!

There are 30 items on the Weekly Deals in my Outlet that are all priced UNDER $5.00!! Order them online, and they will be delivered to your home in time for Christmas. 







darlenesdesigns.willowhouse.com

Wednesday Words

Many of us are familiar with Jeremiah 29:11,

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 

But I think alot of us have never read the following verses or thought of what they require of us,

"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity."

God doesn't just offer us unlimited prosperity and a bright future for nothing.  That would not be good for us.  That's like if we let our children have chocolate cake for breakfast.  They would love it, it would certainly be a great "plan" in their eyes.  But it would not help them grow and be strong and able to face their day in a healthy way.

That is why God puts some parameters on His promise of prosperity and hope and a bright future for us.  He has a wonderful plan for us, but He wants us to "call upon" Him first and seek Him with all our hearts.  THEN we will find Him and THEN He will bring us out of the "captivity" we are in and THEN He will be able to lead us to His perfect plan for our lives.

You may say, "I'm not in captivity like the children of Israel were."  Really?  What about your unhealthy eating habits that are keeping you from living a long healthy life?  What about that unhealthy relationship you just keep holding on to for fear no one else will be there for you?  What about that addiction that has you in its grasp?  These are all forms of captivity that God wants to free you from, if you will only seek Him.

This Christmas season, as we celebrate Jesus' birth for bringing us eternal salvation, let's celebrate the salvation He offers us daily...salvation from ourselves if we only seek HIM with all our heart.

Pig Tailz - Home

Just wanted to share this wonderfully creative designer that I just met this past weekend at our Journey shopping event.  If you want some really cute children's items, check out her site.

Pig Tailz - Home

Wednesday Words



http://www.klove.com/music/artists/matthew-west/songs/my-own-little-world-lyrics.aspx



In my own little world it hardly ever rains

I've never gone hungry, always felt safe

I got some money in my pocket, shoes on my feet
In my own little world, population: me


I try to stay awake during Sunday morning church
I throw a twenty in the plate but I never give 'til it hurts
And I turn off the news when I don't like what I see
Yeah, it's easy to do when it's population: me


What if there's a bigger picture?
What if I'm missing out?
What if there's a greater purpose?
I could be living right now
Outside my own little world


Stopped at a red light looked out my window
I saw a cardboard sign said, "help this homeless widow"
And just above that sign was the face of a human
I thought to myself, God, what have I been doing?
So I rolled down the window and I looked her in the eye
Oh, how many times have I just passed her by?
I gave her some money than I drove on through
And my own little world reached population: two


What if there's a bigger picture?
What if I'm missing out?
What if there's a greater purpose?
I could be living right now
Outside my own little world

My own little world

Father, break my heart for what breaks Yours

Give me open hands and open doors

Put Your light in my eyes and let me see

That my own little world is not about me

What if there's a bigger picture?

What if I'm missing out?

What if there's a greater purpose?

That I could be living right now

I don't want to miss what matters

I wanna be reaching out

Show me the greater purpose

So I can start living right now

Outside my own little world

My own little world

My own little world

86 Fresh Christmas Ideas from SouthernLiving.com!

Use our Willow House Bradford Latice Lanterns to create this great look!

Willow House Holiday Gifts with Melanie Grant (Part 1)

Special of the Week

What a great gift idea—it’s everything you’ll need for a cheerful holiday season! Find 20 complete holiday menus, 12 mix-and-match year-round menus, and bonus sections including “5 Ingredient 15 Minute Gifts from the Kitchen.” Plus, over 350 tried-and-true kitchen-tested recipes with over 175 photos. 288 pages. (9 3/8" x 10") Hardcover.

Only $4.96 (orig. $27.95)--This is something you can give to everyone on your gift list including teachers, friends, and family! Write a note on the inside for a special touch!   Buy 9 and qualify to receive your favorite $40 item from the catalog at 1/2 price!

darlenesdesigns.willowhouse.com

Need a Christmas Gift?

Are you looking for the perfect gift for Christmas?  Don't have any idea what to give this year?  Do you find yourself out on Christmas Eve trying to find something for that hard to buy for person?

I have the answer!  Shop online from our new Willow House online catalog and outlet and take advantage of our Holiday Sale.  You can even have your items shipped directly to your home or office or to the recipients! 

Feel free to contact me with any questions or if you need some gift ideas!  Gift wrapping available!

Wednesday Words

I Am Second

A story by Jason Castro of American Idol.
http://www.iamsecond.com/#/seconds/Jason_Castro/

Join our Willow House team!




SIMPLY GOOD DESIGN

  Our creative team goes to work every day--thinking about you.  Whether we're developing a new product, writing a Vision Statement, or styling a photo, we are constantly demanding the best--for our Design Consultants, and for our customers.  It's not an overstatement to call our work a labor of love.

Won't you consider joining us!darlenesdesigns.willowhouse.com

In Honor of Veterans' Day

Today only, 25% off anything in our catalog or from our online outlet that is red, white, or blue!  Place your order by midnight tonight, and I will mail you a check for 25% of the product total.  Thanks!!! 

Wednesday Words

Today I just want to share the words to my new favorite song, "What Love Really Means."  Hope it ministers to your heart.  See the video of JJ singing it on KLove. 


"He cries in the corner where nobody sees
He’s the kid with the story no one would believe
He prays every night, “Dear God won’t you please
Could you send someone here who will love me?”

Who will love me for me
Not for what I have done or what I will become
Who will love me for me
‘Cause nobody has shown me what love
What love really means

Her office is shrinking a little each day
She’s the woman whose husband has run away
She’ll go to the gym after working today
Maybe if she was thinner
Then he would’ve stayed
And she says…

Who will love me for me?
Not for what I have done or what I will become
Who will love me for me?
‘Cause nobody has shown me what love, what love really means

He’s waiting to die as he sits all alone
He’s a man in a cell who regrets what he’s done
He utters a cry from the depths of his soul
“Oh Lord, forgive me, I want to go home”

Then he heard a voice somewhere deep inside
And it said
“I know you’ve murdered and I know you’ve lied
I have watched you suffer all of your life
And now that you’ll listen, I’ll tell you that I...”

I will love you for you
Not for what you have done or what you will become
I will love you for you
I will give you the love
The love that you never knew"


BY JJ AND DAVE HELLER

Melanie Grant with Willow House

Fun Christmas ideas!

Plate & Pattern

Be sure and check out my Plate & Pattern feeds at the bottom of my blog!  Great ideas from our design group at Willow House!

Wednesday Words

I am going to start sharing "words" each Wednesday, something that has helped me in my walk with God and man.  Hope you will join me each week and share your comments.  My first is from Beth Moore's book, So Long Insecurity...

The fact that the inspiration of the Holy Spirit on the pages of Scripture is not dampened by the insecurities of those God chose to pen it is perhaps the greatest testimony to its incomparable potency.  After the likes of Adam, Eve, Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Leah, Rachel, Saul, the woman at the well, the super-apostles, and Paul, surely we can breathe a sign of relief that we are not alone in our struggles.  Human flesh and blood have no weakness so strong that God's strength is made weak.  He's got what we need.  It's up to us whether or not we're going to let the worst of us get the best of us.

What do you think?

Product Giveaway!

What is your favorite Willow House product and how do you use it in your home?  Enter it in my blog comments and I will enter YOU into my monthly product giveaway.

Thanks for sharing!

8 Weeks til Christmas?

Can you believe it is already November and that we have only 8 weeks left until Christmas?  Let me help make this year's holiday preparations so much easier for you!



Graymont Party Bucket and Stand

First, if you aren't receiving my monthly newsletter, which this month highlights 20 holiday and gift items at a 25% savings, let me know, and I will forward it to you.  You will also find a yummy fall recipe and decorating ideas! 

Second, our online outlet is always full of discounted items and daily specials so that everyone on your list can receive a gift as special as they are!

And, lastly, if you host a party with me this month, you can choose your favorite entertaining bucket and stand for FREE--just in time for all of those holiday parties and family get togethers.  Everyone will love your new entertaining bucket, but the fact that you got it FREE will be our little secret!

Last Chance!

Today is the last day to order from  October Bonus Days!  Place your order at my online store via my website by 12 pm tonight.  Check off some of the names on your Christmas list by treating them to our wonderful seasonal and everyday products found at darlenesdesigns.willowhouse.com.  Your items can ship right to your front door.

Today's Special

Visit my website and place an online order at darlenesdesigns.willowhouse.com today before midnight and I will send you a check to pay for your shipping!  Get some of your Christmas shopping done early by taking advantage of our October Bonus Days sales and our huge outlet store savings.  Enter my name as "hostess" to receive the shipping refund.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Soup

If you love pumpkin pie - you will love this easy to make soup recipe. It will warm-up your dinners this fall season and have your guests asking for more.
Just promise not to tell them how easy it is to prepare...make them think you spent hours getting it just right.
Whether your serving up a fancy dinner party - or it's just something casual with family or friends - Pumpkin Cheesecake Soup will warm them up and WOW them all.
Ingredients:
- 2 cans (30 oz each) pumpkin pie mix
- 2 cans (14-1/2 oz each) ready-to-use chicken broth
- 2 cups (1 pint) half-and-half
- 1 cup sour cream
- Nutmeg for garnish, optional
  

Preparation:
In a soup pot, whisk the pumpkin pie mix and chicken broth over medium-high heat and cook for 7 to 8 minutes, until hot. Slowly stir in the half-and-half and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until heated through. Top each serving with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg, if desired. 8 - 10 servings
SERVING SUGGESTION: Why not use hollowedout gourds such as pie pumpkins or squash as individual serving bowls?

Psalm 103:19

"The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all."

FRIENDS!

I am so thankful for my two best girl friends (you know who you are) who continually lift me up.  What a joy you are in my life!  Proverbs 18:24 says,

"Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family."

God bless you T and S.

A little more Carroll

Mad Hatter: "Have I gone mad?"

Alice: "I'm afraid so. You're entirely bonkers. But I'll tell you a secret. All the best people are..."

 

LOVE this!  Thanks, Jordan.

Okay...

so I seem to be stuck on the word "impossible."  Maybe that is because I have been running up against alot of seemingly impossible situations lately.  But God seems to be bringing things across my path to let me know that my situations aren't really all that impossible, and that I can trust Him when they seem that way.  I "just happened" to read the quote that I posted under my son's football picture on another young man's Facebook page (thanks Matt Goodson).  He also quoted this verse,

"For in the world you will find many troubles, but don't worry, I have overcome the world," John 16:33.

I knew that before today, but it is nice to be reminded of it.  Especially from a young man like Matt.  It is so refreshing to know there are young people out there not only reading God's word but putting it on their Facebook page for the world to read.  Perhaps that is how God is going to overcome... 

A little Carroll

"There is no use trying," said Alice; "one can't believe impossible things."

"I dare say you haven't had much practice, said the Queen.  "When I was your age, I always did it for half and hour a day.  Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

Have you ever wanted to be on the ground floor of a new opportunity?

Do you need an extra $500 a month to pay a credit card, school tuition, or a car note? Do you want to have fun and party for a living? Or maybe you just want to get out of the house once a week and make new friends! It's never been a better time to become a Willow House Design Consultant! Join my team in October and earn a $100 shopping spree! Act quickly, though, because the number of starter kits is limited.