Burlap + Kindness

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This morning I took on a challenge.  Well, I attempted to anyway.  It's been on my heart and mind to tackle a project in my kitchen and that being to make curtains out of burlap (I'm using burlap coffee bags).  A friend let me know recently a source where I could get me some... and whalaa!!!  IT TOOK FOREVER - to find the right "coloring" that I wanted.  So... here we are.

It was a beautiful morning, sunny and cool - sitting outdoors - ripping seams.  A simply wonderful time to just sit and pray and reflect.   Why these flowers?   I added them to my table just to tie everything in - for the photo's sake.  Let me tell you a story.

Every morning, before school, I try to read a story of value (tying in Scripture, too) to my kiddos.  This morning it was about kindness and that when you give it away - more will come back to you!  Did you know... that these flowers... zinnias.. are like this.  The more you cut the more they come back.  So, de-head often - and their beauty will keep on coming.  Same is true.. if you give away an act of kindness; a word spoken in love or care; a thoughtful deed... it will come back to you.

I remember saying this often to my kids - 

You can't have it till you give it away.  Love doesn't live in a selfish place.

***

Well, I started this post awhile ago, like as in last year, sometime.  It's been in draft mode ever since.  :( 

 I'm about to wrap up the last of the curtains - it'll be a valance for over my double window at the kitchen sink. I'm hand sewing the seams, for the casings, using the jute I'm pulling out.  It certainly has been a project, one I'm proud of, for sure.  Not hard - just time consuming.  One of the reasons it took me "so long" was I really cared about what kind of day I could be outdoors to do the task.  AND... burlap is a messy thing to work with - especially when it is cut and it frays.  I love the look, though.    And... I'm grateful for the beautiful chance I took on waiting for just the right color/texture of burlap.  

The only thing missing this year are the zinnias.   I didn't get any planted.

But.  Let kindness, love and patience continue.

When Push comes to Shove

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So. What's going on,with our housing situation?  I know a lot of you dear folks are wondering, interested and would like to know.

Push is coming to shove and changes are all around us.

Just a few days ago, the farm went under contract. Pretty much - it's been SOLD!   Let the cleanout - begin!!  We're not sure, but we think a small (larger home) housing development is going in. (Don't quote me!)

A short year ago... we had a farm sale here and that was a "sad day".  This is, in a way, almost sadder.  I had no idea there were so many treasures hidden, buried deep within the "guts" of this ole farm.   

Things that belong in an auction house - in my opinion.  :)

But even more - are the memories and stories that if only these walls could talk.

Honestly, this puts us (our family) in position for some immediate changes (at least, in the next couple of months) to begin afresh with our own "new adventures".

Lord Willing, we'll be buying a house... 

A home of our own... where out lives will continue on to tell our own stories.  

This place.  This farm was our home for the past eight years.  Our roots run deep...here.

Intertwined. And, this ripping and pulling away feels hard to bare.  Feels hard to face.   It feels like a birthing.  The pains are great.  
Taking our breath away...

We need lots and lots of prayer... as the days ahead continue. We ask for peace, patience, and God's continued providence... in our lives!!

**You know what else this will mean?  The nature of the photos/my photos, for this blog, are going to change.  And, see!!  Now, I made you sad too!  
I'm so sorry...

***

Changes Marked with Gratitude

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You know how they come up!!  Sometimes too fast, sometimes slow.

Changes.

Here we are facing some "new" ones, all - in our face - again.

Oh, they've been expected.  It's just that when it's happening - you don't always feel as ready as you'd like to think or hope.

Why do I talk about this so much?

Because, it's where we're at.  The challenge of change.

{I'm so glad my kiddo's got a chance to see the Supermoon of 2016 - this morning!}

However.  Here is what I'm learning - through these changes.

If it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you!!


It's amazing... 

When you choose gratitude in the moments that are hard... then, the changes that come aren't so severe in the making.

Here is what's going on.  My Mother-in-law has found a place to relocate to.. so she is moving from her little apartment, beside us. She is a ball of mixed emotion, and rightly so.  Missing us and yet longing to feel truly settled "one last time" (she swears she's not moving again!).  

The thing is.  We'll be moving, too.  Though we don't know when or where.  We think we'll ride it out until we absolutely have to move... but, the days are ticking down for this.
We've got word - about this land (property), that it will be developed...

and, that too is change.  The kind I don't like.  The process will still take time.  So, a lot of unknowns... for sure!

Back to gratitude.  We're just grateful for God's timing.  That we can trust HIM.  Because, he never changes.   We're grateful we can count on his blessing.  His goodness.  And, he knows...
He knows our need before we even ask.

This is what He says.

"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 a hope and a future."
~ Jeremiah 29:11

**
In the meantime, Life goes on.  It must.
But, my challenge is to keep my days focused on HIM.  Being ever thankful... grateful for his blessing that never ends!!

Thank you for your continued love and prayers!!

Proof that vibrant life is still happening in and around our home!! :)

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Just to prove that life is still in "happening" form and fashion here on our little homestead...

(sigh) 

Oh, it's been such a good summer and it's all about to end!

We've had playdates (with our new little cousin) and lots of family time.  Sewing opportunities, and flower picking.  Crickets to capture and bunnies to chase. :)  Baking and preserving...

What else..

Proud Auntie Bev!

While life still happens from week to week strung out upon the laundry lines... oh the stories it could tell.  Did we have company over?  Or, did we go swimming...?  Each day rolled into the next...full of much!

Mush disappointment. Tears and heartache...
It's part of life, too!!
We've had places to go and people to see!!  Things to anticipate..

And, someone special is about to turn FIVE!! Tomorrow is her big day!!

We're looking forward to celebrating her life, around our table, in our own special how-we-do,

 sort of way!

I cannot believe my baby... will be heading off to Kindergarten in just a few short days!

Oh, changes.  Like seasons.  We need to them!! To stay refreshed and vibrant...

A heart at peace gives life to the body. 

~ Proverbs 14:30

Stay, stay at home my heart and rest;
Home-keeping hearts are happiest,
For those that wander they know not where
Are full of trouble and full of care;
To stay at home is best.
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Changes. Ready or Not... here they come!

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Ready or not... Changes are on the rise.

If you follow me on Facebook, at all, you've seen a lot of photos lately.  :)

You know our kids have celebrated their last day of the school year, this past Monday.

With that... I've done quite a bit of sewing for each of the teachers and bus driver... making Pocket Pouch and Tea Wallet gifts!!

I celebrated my 43rd birthday - with my family - as we enjoyed a family vacation to Niagara Falls, via bus, with my daughter's Frontier Girl Troop....

In the past... 43 was an age I was not willing to embrace.  Surprisingly... I think I've overcome that one.  When you feel really good (healthwise) - it's amazing how your thoughts and feelings feel pretty good, too!

You may have figured out that I am aunt all over again.  My brother and his wife had their first baby.

 A little girl!  By photos, she is so sweet, yet I'm anxious to meet her in person. :)

We have "new" neighbors (for not sure how long)... and "old", original neighbors who are moving on, to other housing arrangements.  In time, it will be our turn.  We keep hearing random rumors about the demise of this property - that has been our home for seven/eight wonderful years.  It makes for something rather bittersweet.

It's been strange seeing more wildlife critters in and out of the fence - rather than the cows!!

Definitely, taller grasses and TONS more wildflowers...

Yet, life goes on. 

There is still laundry to be done and "gardening" to tend too.

I'm so, so thankful for the gorgeous weather that has been part of this week, so far.  WOW!!!

***

Psalm 116:7

Be at rest once more, O my soul, 

For the LORD has been good to you.

A beautiful handwritten scripture on the inside of one of many birthday cards.  

Perfect timing in it's reminder.

I truly am so blessed!