Living Life In Technicolor

Have you ever been accused of living your life in technicolor?!! I was recently told I'm like this, and it made me stop and think: Why would I want to live my life in boring black, white, and beige when a technicolor life is so much more interesting, and FUN?! :) Why NOT enjoy life as an adventure to be highly experienced, and savored? I LOVE living this way; it's a lifestyle choice. How about you?!

Oh yes, I know we all have bills to pay, and deadlines to meet, and babies to feed, and kids to put through college, and elderly parents to tend and such. And like you, by age (almost!) 52 now, I've had my share of sorrows and life stresses, yet I strive to do my best to focus on beauty, and positive experiences, and God, and to remain young at heart, and you can too!

Travel makes me positively giddy with the anticipation of new sites, sounds, textures, and adventures, doesn't it you? And most of the time, you don't have to go too far to have a new adventure...it can be right in your own neighborhood. I think it's important in life not to lose one's childhood curiosity, don't you? Travel feeds that for me. How about you?


Can you enjoy a mountaintop vista today, for instance? If there's not one in your own backyard, then turn on your computer and Google "mountaintop vista!" :) Either in real life, or by Google, it's free!


I savor little lifestyle things like this sweet greeting card from a long time friend...

that says "far apart but close at heart" and wishes me congrats on my writing successes. We "technicolor queens" are a bit sappy like that; I mean, we LOVE our friends, and make an effort to stay in touch with them. Even by e-mail, we share our triumphs, sorrows, and life stories, and cheer each other on! I saw a sign the other day that said, "It's good to pick your friends, but not to pieces." Boy did that get me thinking!

Living in technicolor is not just for the privileged few; it doesn't matter what your race, creed, color, or your religion is. Nor is it a male or female thing, or dependent on the size of your bank account. Anyone, including you, can live this way if you take time to notice what is beautiful, and real, and meaningful to you. It's there for the taking! My hubby Steve told me when he bought these flowers (Costco; only 12 bucks!), that one of the things he loves about me is how much I love BEAUTY. Isn't that a sweet thing to say when you've been married 30 years? He recently put his arms around me and said, "Kath, I love our lifestyle and thanks for teaching me how to really live." Awwww, so sweet!

Sometimes living in technicolor is as simple as touching tootsies with your sweetie-matie-pie and watching a movie in bed together on a rainy Sunday afternoon... Ah, snuggly bliss!

or savoring a cool refreshing drink together at the beach...

or buying an inexpensive yet pretty scarf that lights up your face so others can enjoy your smile, and give you their smile in return. Priceless!

A canyon view is free for the taking....

as is the turquoise blue of the ocean! Remember, you always have Google to find one!

And a dinner invitation from friends...

for good food, and wine, and fellowship is one very special treat! (Thanks friends!)


And did I mention lemon sorbet? Yum! Sweet and tart and oh so delish!

When other people are buying practical things in stores, we technicolor spirits tend to notice things like this sign by Rebecca Puig about how to live a great life!

And so my wish for you today is that you'll live like the sign says, and I'm going to give it my best shot too, of course!

Here is the important life message:

Remember when you go into the world to keep your eyes and ears wide open.

And be kind.

And love one another.

Take care of each other.

Tell the truth.

Always do your best.

Listen to the big people and the little people.

Explore new paths and have fun.

Know that you are loved like crazy.

Give thanks for all your blessings.

Above all LOVE and you will do wonderful things in the world.

--Rebecca Puig--

P.S. The author of this beautiful sentiment above is Rebecca at SugarBoo Designs and her store has given me permission to tell you about it here on my blog. You can purchase this product, and other beautiful sentiments, through her website!! :) Thank you Rebecca for sharing beauty!

'Til Next Time, live and love COLORFULLY!

Kathryn :)

http://www.kathrynbechenink.com/

Recipe For Creating a Happy Home Together

Creating a Happy Home: A Recipe for Wives

by Kathryn Bechen

Houses may be built of sticks and stones but a true home is more.

Combine these tasty tidbits to create a happy home recipe with your husband:

* Understand that he loves you to make him his favorite homemade meal once in awhile.

* Hug and kiss him hello when he gets home from work at night, but give him some downtime afterwards if he needs it.

*Even though your home is your little castle, don’t keep it so overly neat, or overly messy, that he dreads coming home at night.

*If he asks you to go golfing, to a baseball game, or hiking with him, he wants your company, so go. If he wants to go alone, say okay. (Without whining.)

*Buy him some sports equipment once in awhile, rather than a tie.

*Wear your outfit that’s his favorite, at home.

*Tell him thank you every day for providing for you and your kids, no matter what his line of work, because he works hard at it, and he needs to know you appreciate him.

*Make him breakfast in bed once a month.

*Don’t wear ratty PJs to bed, no matter how long you've been married!

*Watch an action movie on TV with him now and again, even if you have to cover your eyes for the gory parts.

*Even if you've been married for years and years, tell him you’re in love with him every day.

*Remember that as his wife, he needs you to be his best friend, devoted lover, and an honorable woman of grace that he’s proud to be married to. ‘Til death do you part.

© Kathryn Bechen Ink. 2010. All rights reserved worldwide.

Creating a Happy Home: A Recipe for Husbands

by Kathryn Bechen

Houses may be built of sticks and stones but a true home is more.

Combine these tasty tidbits to create a happy home recipe with your wife:

* If you can make her laugh often, and you take out the trash without her asking, you’re truly her prince.

* Understand that when she wants the house to be so clean it sparkles, it’s because she’s proud of her nest, as it’s an outward reflection of her inner beauty and grace.

*Go out with your guy friends once a month, no matter how long you’ve been married. It will give you another life perspective and her a break from the demands of being a wife.

*Tell her at least once a day, no matter how long you’ve been married, that you’re still in love with her. Yes guys, really.

*Wear the shirt she buys you even if you don’t like it; she spent precious time choosing it because she thought it would look good on you.

*When she’s cranky, crying, and overwhelmed from the busy demands of being a modern woman, say, “How can I help?” instead of “Stop; I can’t take this drama!”

*Take the kids somewhere fun on Saturday morning so she can get a pedicure.

*Realize she doesn’t need you to “fix” everything in her life; but she does love it when you can fix the toilet. (Or at least can call the plumber without her help!)

*Take her out and buy her a pair of new high heels. And act interested.

*Buy her flowers. Just because.

*Leave the kids with grandma twice a year and take her to a fancy hotel. Even though she’s the heart of your home, she needs time away from it once in awhile, with you, and you alone.

* Remember that as her husband, she needs you to be her best friend, devoted lover, and an honorable man of integrity that she’s proud to be married to. ‘Til death do you part.

© Kathryn Bechen Ink. 2010. All rights reserved worldwide.

AUTHOR NOTE: Kathryn Bechen has been happily, and yes, sometimes stressfully and hilariously, married to her husband Steve for over 30 years, and they have several close couples friends who have also experienced the grace of long term, loving, committed marriage. This article is based on Kathryn's "writerly observations" of the heart-tests, hilarity, and holy love of these marriages, where they take place most of the time: at home.

Seaside Serenade

I LOVE color! I suggested the Benjamin Moore paint colors above for my friend's master bedroom and bathroom because she wants a serene seaside palette to get her through the cold South Dakota winters. I think they are rich and sophisticated, yet gentle, and will give the feeling of sweet rest that she's after while her husband is being treated for cancer. I recommend the environmentally friendly "Natura" paint line by Benjamin Moore. Click on photo above to see color numbers.

I also recommended berber carpeting to her because it will give the feel of "sand at the beach" with its casual, yet sophisticated look, and it's easy to clean. It also shows no lint or dirt. Easy, um.....breezy!

'Til Next Time!

Kathryn :)

http://www.kathrynbechenink.com/

A Bloomingly Great Week!

I hope you all have a bloomingly great week this coming week! I just took this photo with my new camera, the Sony Cyber-Shot. It self-adjusts for lighting etc. and is small enough to fit in my purse. What do you think of the photo quality?

'Til Next Time!
Kathryn :)
http://www.kathrynbechenink.com/

In the News: My Fall Home Decorating & Organizing Tips

Need fall home decorating and organizing tips? I was interviewed recently by an AP news reporter and my tips have appeared now in several media outlets.

Enjoy!

Kathryn :)
www.KathrynBechenInk.com