Passion Perspective-Getting to Know the Co-owners of Forever Vintage Rentals
Precious friends are a blessing from above and when that friend becomes like “family” there are no words to describe the peace and joy that accompanies that forever friendship. Rhonda Piper is one of those friends!! I have known her for over 6 years and she is as close as a sister to me. She is a talented photographer and we were blessed to have her as our wedding photographer for both Bethany’s and Bekah’s weddings. She and her cousin, Cara Nelson, are the founders and co-owners of Forever Vintage Rentals.
Their website is amazing and they describe their business as such-“Forever Vintage presents an eclectic melange of vintage treasures. We specialize in the truly antique, elegant, rustic & boho rentals for a one of a kind design. We travel anywhere the back roads will take us to bring you the finest in vintage rentals. In addition, our designers will custom build anything your heart’s desire. We rent, style, & deliver so you can relax & enjoy your special day!
Servicing all Northern, Central, & Southern California plus Oregon, Washington & Nevada.
Showroom located near Sacramento, in Northern California.”
It is our privilege to feature them this week on our Passion Perspective. Today we take you on an introductory journey into their business, Forever Vintage Rentals
We interviewed Rhonda and Cara to get some fun facts about them to help you understand what sets them and their business apart and makes them so special. In order to set the stage for why we chose them for our Passion Perspective week, we asked both gals how they got to know us. Rhonda stated, “We met the Weisser Family through our daughters. Our girls played softball together at Azusa Pacific. What a blessing they are in our lives. I’ve also had
Pay Attention!
Today I was struck by how easy it would be to go about my day inwardly focused. I have so many things going on at every moment I can get lost feeling overwhelmed by just being Rachel, mommy to three adorable, but needy, girls. By the time I get somewhere the last thing on my mind is others. I’m ready to just tune out for a bit while watching my kids at dance class or the park.
However, by “tuning out” I’m missing out on the opportunities for connections. I am a very shy person and don’t usually instigate conversations, but recently I’ve had some great connections with other parents at my daughter’s dance class. It is so rewarding to have adult conversations and learn about other people while also sharing a little bit about myself. So far it is just nice to have friends that one day a week to talk to, but maybe some day these once a week friends will become something more.
Maybe not, but I’m so glad for the time I do have with them: sharing parenting tips, talking about books and tv shows, recommending swim instructors or house cleaners. We never know what someone might have to offer to us, or what we can offer to someone in return. Maybe that person just needs a smile or a listening ear. I’ve tried to work harder to be patient and polite to customer service agents or make eye contact and smile to the Starbucks employee handing me a drink in the drive thru. I know that I feel better, and it is my hope that maybe I made someone else feel better too!
“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.”
― Thích Nhất Hạnh, Peace …
Commitment of One!
With the theme of commitment this month, I wanted to remind our readers of a post I wrote a few months ago. So here it is again! Are you ready to commit?
How many different things do you say yes to? What are those things? What things do you say no to? How do those every day little decisions end up affecting your whole life?
We make yes and no decisions all day long, every day. Life is all about choices. Will you say no to getting out of bed and hit snooze one more time, will you say yes to driving the speed limit, will you say yes to another cup of coffee, will you say no to watching just one more show… Some decisions are methodically thought out over time, others are quick and hasty. Some have instant feedback, others have slow results. Some affect only you, others affect numerous people. But regardless, our lives are filled with decision after decision that determine our steps, actions, and ultimately lives.
But don’t be overwhelmed by this seemingly endless cycle of choices… I can think of a pretty amazing way to make it less of a swamped feeling. God has called us to say yes to Him. Saying yes to Christ, yes to following Him, yes to love, yes to His truth. And the rest of the decisions can just flow all determined by the one overall decision. It’s not always an easy process, but it is a simple solution. And it is not just one way, it is THE way. Yes to Christ is the most important part of any decision. It is the thing we have to remember and cling to. It isn’t about saying no to the other things. It is about saying yes to pursuing Christ, …
Read MoreNew Uses for Old Things
I love Real Simple’s book “869 New Uses for Old Things” – it is so fun to find ways to use what often times seems like “junk” in your home. Here are a few of their fun ideas that will make you say, “Why didn’t I think of that!”
Paper Towel Tube
USE TO: Tame a tangle of computer cables; Ward off wrinkles in a silk scarf – wrap it around a tube; Dispense plastic bags – Stuff them in a tube (stashed in a drawer) and pull out as needed; Preserve remnants of gift wrap – Wind them around the tube and fasten with a rubber band or just roll them and slide them in the tube.
Q-tips
USE TO: Make a quickie cosmetics kit for a tiny evening bag. Dip cotton swabs into eye shadow, concealer, and lip gloss. Roll them up in a plastic bag and go; Polish crevices in silver pieces; Extend the life of batteries in a cordless phone, cell phone or laptop – Clean the battery contacts with a swab dipped in alcohol; Touch up paint in tight corners, or apply stain in the ridges of architectural details
Tennis Ball
USE TO: To open a stubborn jar lid without straining, slice a ball in half, use the rubber lining to grip the lid, and twist; A halved ball is a great way to remove a warm bulb that has just burned out; Add resistance to jumping jacks and lunges with weights made from tennis balls filled with pennies (about 3/4 pound each) – make a small slit in a ball, insert the coins, and seal with duct tape or Super Glue; Cut dryer time for a bulky comforter by tossing a few balls in with it; To relieve neck tension, tie two balls in …
Read MoreAvocado Zucchini Bread
A few weeks ago on a Saturday, my husband and I went to our local farmer’s market and we had a blast picking out the fruits and vegetables we needed for the upcoming week. He decided he needed a snack and although his go-to favorite snack from the farmer’s market is kettle-corn he took me up on a challenge to try a chocolate chip cookie made with avocado (instead of oil). You have to understand that there are only a few things in the entire world that my hubby will NOT eat and avocado is one of them. To his great surprise, he actually liked the cookie and was quite impressed!!!! So I came home excited and inspired to try some baking using avocado instead of oil. So here is my first try….Avocado Zucchini Bread.
Ingredients
1 ¾ cups flour (you can use an oat flour and almond flour combo for gluten free)
¼ cup flax seed ground
2 teaspoons cinnamon (I used fancy vietnamese cinnamon)
1 teaspoon nutmeg (I used fresh ground nutmeg)
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¾ cup sugar or honey
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 eggs
½ cup mashed avocado (1 whole avocado)
1 ½ cups grated zucchini
Optional add-ins: ½-1 cup mini chocolate chips, ½-1 cup chopped walnuts
Combine first 7 ingredients in a large bowl and set aside. Grate the zucchini and let it weep on paper towels so that moisture wicks away. In a mixer, combine the avocado and sugar and beat until smooth. (You can mix by hand if you like) Add eggs one at a time and mix until blended. Add vanilla and mix. Pour avocado mixture and grated zucchini into large bowl with the flour mixture and stir gently until combined. Do not over mix. …
Heart Garland
Just in time for Valentine’s Day tomorrow is a fun craft to brighten your home with reds, pinks, and of course HEARTS!
I used the instructions from Strumpet’s Crumpets Valentine Paper Heart Chain.
- Supplies Needed:
- Colored Construction Paper (I used dark pink, light pink, and red)
- Ruler
- Scissors (or a paper cutter!)
- Stapler
- String or ribbon to hang your garland
Commitment
February is a perfect time to look over where you are invested. What have you committed to? Have you committed to too little, too much, or just enough? Is your heart invested in those things? Or are you just going through the motions? Is it time to say no to something, is it time to recommit to something else? Think through all that you have going on in your life. How are you really doing… Has anyone asked you that question lately, and if so, were you able to honestly answer?
To recommit to something, you have to first understand what that initial commitment actually meant. What drew you to getting involved, diving in, taking part, and investing your time, talent, or treasure? It must have been something. Looking up the definition of commitment, I found this ” the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.; a pledge or undertaking”. Are you dedicated? Are you fully invested? Or do you have your fingers in a lot of different things?
If you have kids, how committed are you to your kids? Do you love them, spend time with them, get to know them, engage in their lives? Do you remember that feeling on your wedding day when you made the commitment and covenant with your spouse? What did that commitment feel like? Or if you aren’t married, do you remember when you committed to a school and the excitement and energy that went towards that investment. It isn’t a commitment with your spouse, where you give 50% and expect him to give the other 50. It is a 100%/100% commitment, so you can make the most of your investment. When you commit to a school, you have to give it 100% to get the full experience. Life …
Read MoreProtecting Your Hearts and Minds Against the 50 Shades
50 Shades of Grey…For years now it has been on the bookshelves and now it is on our TVs previewing the (unforutnately) much anticipated movie coming out this weekend. I didn’t read the book and was very confused the more I heard about it as women all over the world began reading it. Then, when I began seeing the previews a few weeks ago, I decided that I had to see what all they hype was about. I googled it and could barely get passed the first paragraph of the article describing the plot. Now, I was even more confused. I knew I wanted to speak up but wasn’t really sure how to or what to say. It is hard to have such a strong stance on something that I haven’t actually read. But, I really don’t need to in order to know where I stand.
And, I hope you don’t hear me wrong, this is not a JUDGEMENT post, but more a CALL to STAND UP! Christian women, don’t succumb to the lies of this world – protect your hearts and your minds by looking to Jesus for your truth- in your marriage, for your future marriage, through honoring your husband!
In the last few weeks, I have found some really great articles. The first is from a blog that I just found in the last week- “PrSCISSORTAIL SILK” – her words are so encouraging, and true, and honest. The other articles are from FAMILYLIFE- a ministry that I trust and have come to use as a great resource in my life and in my marriage!
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” – Philippians …
Read MoreWhat IF this Valentine’s Day……….
I just wanted to take a moment and give a shout out to the “If Gathering” that took place this weekend in Austin, Texas. If you did not hear about it or have not had a chance to log in and listen to the amazing speakers, I highly recommend taking the time to listen to some of the archived videos. Go to www.ifgathering.com and you will be blessed.
What IF this Valentine’s Day you took the time to refocus on your relationships? Our culture sets this day aside to honor your “one true love”, which is awesome….but what if we took the time to honor the author of LOVE? What if we took the time to refocus on God? I believe that the closer you draw to God the better you can love, not only your “one true love” but you can learn how to truly love your neighbor, your friends, your enemies, strangers, the poor, the downtrodden. In Chapter 2 of the book of Ephesians, the apostle Paul talks about how we were once far away from God, but we have now been brought near to Him through the blood of Christ. Christ himself brings peace and hope to our lives. Christ, who is LOVE, is the perfect example of LOVE and His love is perfect.…
Sneaky Applesauce Muffins
Our February theme is RECOMMIT. I have decided to recommit to making healthy muffins for my kids. They are SO picky and I get discouraged when they don’t eat the food I make. However, I know it is important to not get into a rut (a.k.a. quesadillas every meal) AND muffins are an excellent way to sneak healthy extras into my kid’s food. These muffins have applesauce AND butternut squash puree.
I am once again grateful for the new “Deceptively Delicious” cookbooks I received for Christmas that incorporate hidden vegetable purees in the meals.
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