Tag: Scottish Novelist

My Abundant Life 5-14-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

May 14th, 2026

A Sense of Charm

“Why do we love certain houses, and why do they seem to love us? It is the warmth of our individual hearts reflected in our surroundings.”

T.H. Robinson-Gibbings (British Architect & Furniture Designer)

“The warm resonance of a charming room s beckons us to sink into comfort to our heart’s content. Simple beauty delights. Serenity, harmony, and order soothe. Touches of whimsy amuse. Personal memory reacquaints the present with the past. All’s right with the world in such an engaging and inviting home.”

“If you have it, you don’t need to have anything else; and if you don’t have it, it doesn’t much matter what else you have.”

Sir James M. Barrie (Scottish Novelist & Playwright; May 9th, 1860 to June 19th, 1937)

“…charm seems to be a quality of the soul that cannot be bought or sold. But charm can be channeled from Creative Spirit. It is accessed through our authenticity, expressed in our personal flair.”

“Beauty doesn’t lie in the expenditure of much money, but in the artistic disposition of little. The desire to make the home dearer and sweeter to those who live in it.”

August 1917 The Mother’s Magazine; “The Charm of the Unexpected”

“I love a home that is LIVED in and not a museum.”

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 159 to 160 of 501.

I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.

My Abundant Life 1-28-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

January 28th, 2026

The Illustrated Discovery Journal

“Knowledge of what you love somehow comes to you; you don’t have to read nor analyze nor study. If you love a thing enough, knowledge of it seeps into you, with particulars more real than any chart can furnish.”

Jessamyn West (American Author of Short Stories and Novels; July 18th, 1902 ~ February 23rd, 1984)

“The key to loving how you live is in knowing what it is you truly love.”

“To know what you prefer instead of humbly saying Amen to what the world tells you you ought to prefer, is to keep your soul alive.”

Robert Louis Stevenson (Scottish Novelist, Essayist, Poet and Travel Writer; November 13th, 1850 ~ December 3rd, 1894)

“One of the most pleasurable ways to start finding out your personal preferences is by creating an illustrated discovery journal. This is your explorer’s log as you begin to make your way into the darkest terra incognita: your authentic inner world. We feed our imaginations and get in touch with our authenticity by gathering together beautiful images that speak to our souls.”

“Meditating on one visual image a day can jump-start your creativity and lead to revealing insights.”

“At night before you go to bed, when you’re in a drowsy, relaxed, and receptive state,…” select images and place in your “Illustrated Discovery Journal.” = My Bucket List…”Soon they will give you directions about where your heart wants you to go.”

My Bucket List

Positano, Italy (2022)
Iguazú Falls, Argentina and Brazil (2026)

“I found a couple new job opportunities that seem to have fallen into my lap today. All three are within my professional expertise and potentially advance my career while paying me what I am worth. I am revamping my resume to market myself specific to these positions. I know a few people with in two of the organizations I am applying to who I am reaching out to for referrals. Here goes my hat…throwing it into the ring.”🤞(Heather Houston 1-28-22)

“I am at a point in my career where making a difference and having an impact is paramount. Today, One of our social workers was planning a visit to an indigenous youth and wanted to develop a connection. This youth is transexual and 9-years old. I encouraged the social worker to connect with the youth’s tribe who offered to provide him a quilt. I also suggested he visit 8th Generation in Seattle to purchase a blanket for the youth. She picked a purple toned blanket. I also encouraged the social worker to connect with the youth’s identity by gifting her a hair accessory. The social worker was not sure what to get so I offered to make her something as an indigenous elder. Below is what I created and I hope this gift will help her be seen as she sees herself.” (Heather Houston 1-28-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 29-30 of 501.

I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.

My Abundant Life 1-8-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

January 8th, 2026

The Underrated Duty

“There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy. By being happy we sow anonymous benefits upon the world.”

Robert Louis Stevenson (Scottish Novelist, Essayist, Poet and Travel Writer; November 13th, 1850 ~ December 3rd, 1894)

“But don’t you want to start making happiness a habit right now?”

“YES!!! In action as I write.” (Heather Houston 1-8-22 & 1-8-26)

“Happiness is not a possession to be prized. It is a quality of thought, a state of mind.”

Dame Daphne du Maurier (Lady Browning; quote from Rebecca) (Author, Playwright and Romantic Novelist; May 13th, 1907 ~ April 19th, 1989)

“But the magic seeds of contentment are planted deep within us. Happiness that the world cannot take away only flourishes in the secret garden of our souls. By tending to our inner garden and uprooting the weeds of external expectations, we can nurture our authentic happiness the way we would nurture something that’s beautiful and alive. Happiness is a living emotion.”

“Ultimately, genuine happiness can only be realized once we commit to making it a personal priority in our lives.”

“BINGO!” (Heather Houston 1-8-22 & 1-8-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 7-8 of 501.

I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.