Burlap + Kindness

...... . . .. .... . .. ... . .. ... ... ..... .. .. ... .... .. .. .

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.

give us this day our daily bread

. .. .. .. .... ... ... .. ... .. ... ... .. ... ... .... .. . .. 

Recently, I was gifted these books, by a dear friend.

The Life-Giving Table

by, Sally Clarkson

 As well, we were recently gifted this table and bench, by another friend.  We've been enjoying it... a lot!!   Here is a thought taken from the second chapter... by Sally's husband, Clay Clarkson, who authored a portion of the book.

"Creating a lifegiving table is an intentional act of

 gathering, blessing, eating, sharing and serving."

So, the book, Life-Giving Table...what about it?  Well, I have been enjoying thumbing through; slowly reading the first couple of chapters of this book and there is so, SO much to take in.  I said, I feel like I have to "sit and marinate" in it - to let it all soak in.

Its really asking me to think about the "gathering" that takes place around our table.  Sure.  It's the place where a lot of our life happens! Things get plopped. Crafts are crafted.  Its used for play time - of forts and "race tracks"; coloring and games.  Homework is done, there.  Laundry is folded.

Piled high and cleared off again - so that meals can be spread out upon.

Its true that while we gather there to consume our daily bread... that, that is also where training and teaching happens.  Correction.  Encouragement.  Singing.  Prayers are prayed.

Community and Fellowship flow.  Sometimes its raw and loud and not always pleasant.  Most times and more often than not -its amazing!!

I have always said... that the kitchen is the heart of the home.  But, here of late, since reading this book, I've been trying to bring this "idea" to my kiddos.  For them to recognize, that our dining room table... this is a place of ministry... it is the Heart of the Home.  Even more than the kitchen itself.

"For Jesus...the home is not what defines the table; the table 

is what defines the home." ~ Leonard Sweet, from Tablet to Table

Its not a perfect place.  There are scuffs and scars.  Its worn and scratched...

But...it's ours!!

Its function is truly central to our home!

Where daily we pray and ask God... "Give us this day our daily bread."

Corners of my Home

. ... .. .. ... .. ... .. ..... .... . ... .. . .... .. . . . .. 

As with anything, it all takes time. 

Well, I've had a month to sit around (heal!) and ponder JUST what I was going to do in decorating.  One of the challenges with this old(er) home is that all of the exterior walls are are REALLY, REALLY (stuccoed) solid and so, adding any new holes (if I can get it past my hubby) will seem challenging.

I've been doing the best I can with what is already there - nail hole wise - and using command strips if and where possible.

One of the books that I have had for years... has been this Garden Style Projects book from Better Homes and Gardens.  I am telling you... this book... brings me so much JOY!!  It's so me.  My style in almost every way possible.  And, so when I look at it... I nearly drool... at the thoughts and ideas that cross my mind, of what I could do in my own home.  And truly, it is where a lot of my home decorating ideas and inspiration have come from.

Today, I busied myself as best as I was able.  Stopping every now and than to put my feet up.  Many more things got added to the walls, as I already alluded to, and some more boxes unpacked.  :)  It's starting to feel cozier around here.   At least, I hope so. 

I thought for your enjoyment you might like to see a few corners of our new home!!  Or, wait.  Maybe you want to wait and see after it's truly settled... ?

Obviously, pondering window treatments for all the rooms...?
What really stays on display or gets put away to the attic for another season...?
And, for what I really do want to have out and around, how it will best be displayed and implemented...?

I'm so grateful for the gift of time.  Time to take and make it home, as it is all meant to be..

***
A house is made of brick and mortar, but home is made by the people who live there!! - M.K. Soni

HOME is where your STORY begins!!

Gifts that remain..

. .. ... ..... ... . ... ... ... .... .. .. .. ... .. . ... .. . .

Friends are amazing!

And, sometimes there are those who go above and beyond!!

My sister in law and brother were gifted a Wedding Gift - that I have always admired.  One night, while visiting their home... I snapped a photo... and went to our mutual friend, who made it and asked her what it would be for her to make me one?  I wanted to pay for her time and talent and well, why not? It's so worth every penny...

Oh, NO!!  "Bevy, this is a gift - to you!"... a birthday/housewarming Gift.  Just because".

Ya'll.  I don't think my breath has been caught yet.  :)

I love it.

This is one gift that will always remain... 

"the thoughtfulness of a dear friend".

Housecleaning!!

.. .. .. ... .. .. ... .. ..  .. . .... .. .. . ..... .. . . . .

With the new year now upon us (obviously, here we are in the midst of January!) I took note of a little "update attention" needed with our address book!  It's tired.  It's back is breaking and it needs cleaning it up a bit, if you will.  Got to start cleaning house...somewhere!!

Lord, have mercy -  I say.  This poor book!  A life-treasure, for sure!

However, it seems there are more lines (names and addresses) crossed out; whited out, replacing the old with the new of updated name and addresses filled in and rewritten here and there - throughout this old book of ours; possibly, more than one can even imagine. It's no wonder, really, because the original book is close to 15 years old. :)

A lot of our life has taken a turn...

It's amazing how life's revolving door brings about such a dramatic and relational change, etc. People come and go!  Location and vocation take us here and there.
Unfortunately, we sadly lose touch!

 I don't know if you feel like this... but, it's like if you lose contact with certain folks - you feel almost guilty for taking them out of your address book - because it feels like you've "taken them out" of your life - for good!  Is that right?

I don't know if I like that... feeling!

Honestly, the one thing that the old book has allowed - is a pass down memory lane.   As I would think about so and so and wonder what they're up too; where life has taken them to... I pause to pray.

However, all of this is a literal two-way street - isn't it? - to stay in touch with everyone you know and even once knew?  I reckon, I haven't always done my faithful best.  But - this is how life rolls, doesn't it?

Maybe it's my loyal heart talking - but I wonder why so many silent good-byes...?  Makes me kinda sad... and yet - I think of all the new "hellos" that are out there for today - ones that I am so forever grateful for.  Ones that I KNOW will remain a part of our family and lives for a long, long time.

Nonetheless, it honestly is time to update, while continuing to cherish the family and friends
 that remain a constant in our young family's life.

Here's to 2016!!

:: Have you ever paused to consider just how many people you know? ::

Refreshing Rearrange {Can there really ever be such a thing?}

... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . ... . . . . . .. ... . .. .. . .. ... . . . .. 

I wasn't feeling too well this afternoon, and, as well, have been super busy this past week and a half trying to rearrange the whole of our upstairs.

Moving my entire sewing room/stuff into our bedroom.  Which allows our son to have pretty much his own room, now - short of sharing it with Dad  - for Scott's office use.

Getting rid of a toddler crib/bed - so that the two girls can have full use of the bunk beds.  Which creates a whole new look in their bedroom.  They are loving this!!

Getting rid of baby things and such.. things that we no longer have need of.

So - I. like I said, have been 'overwhelmed' busy with all of this... and on top of not feeling well.

I needed to take a break... after dinner, tonight.

I grabbed my camera and went outdoors to snap a few photos.  Granted, they're all of about the same thing... 

But who doesn't like a whiff of lovely lavender, sprinkled with a handful of buttercups and a johnny-jump-up here and there?

Ahhh... and the sweet summer evening - as the sun is on its way to setting in the west!

Refreshing!!

I love all the shadows  of the lavender on the white fence, in the background.

***

I'm tired.  But, there is still some more to do!  And, a shower will feel good to wash away the day.

As well, now... I'll be planning on making several trips to the local Five & Dime- as my hubby calls it, later this week or early... next.

By the way -- Scott was the one fully helping with the rearranging of furniture and such.  There was no way I could have done this all by myself.  And - of course!!  No pictures of all of this in action - is there?  (that's okay...)

FEELS SO GOOD!!  Wow... this clean-out and rearrange feels good.  

Even though I don't especially love it.  If you know what I mean? 

 I suppose I will grow accustomed to it.  Eventually.

Because - this really had to happen.  It's just that change is never easy, for me!

***
How about you?  Do you enjoy this sort of thing... rearranging and disposing of things?

Finding things you never remembered you had in the first place?  Oh boy!!!!

The Labor Day Weekend Stunt - we pulled.

. .. .. ... .. .. .. .. ... .. .. ..... .. ... .. . ....

How was your Labor Day weekend?  I wonder...

Ours truly was of the labor-of-love sort of kind.  I mentioned, last Friday, that I didn't want to talk about it  unless it really came through and because it did! And, I live, we live, to tell about it.  I shall.

It's not pretty.  It wasn't pretty.  I mean, it's better now.  But in the middle of it - wowzers!  And these pictures truly do not show it justice.

before

There is a bed in this photo...you just can't see it.  Hint: The red and blue bins, in the second photo, are sitting on it.

after

A long time ago... back in the spring!... we began a HUGE spring cleaning of the whole house..(I blogged about it back then).  Solely... because of this one room. This room was our motivation, for that.  This room was what prompted it all to happen in the first place.

We dub this room the "S" room.

• Spare Bedroom
• Sewing Room
• Study/Office
• Storage Room

You can imagine - because we keep the door closed on it so much - that what is behind closed doors ... grows!!!!!!! I'm serious.   I know... it is my fault.  Scott says it's his.  So, together we worked on it.  BIG TIME!

You should have seen our trash bin... As a matter of fact.  Here you go!

Sorting stuff,  throwing stuff, donating stuff, fixing stuff..and, cleaning.  Why and where do we get so much stuff??  And, why on earth is it so hard to keep it organized?  The truth is.  That *after photo* really doesn't look a whole lot better - yet!!  But it's progress not perfection.  That was our mantra from when we did the spring cleaning -  remember?? ;)

I laughed.  I recalled a line from an old movie (totally paraphrasing here) and used it on my husband. :)

"Lordy, land sakes alive!  There is so much dust in here I could scrape 

it all together and make me a new man!"

It was bad.  Scott just chuckled.

The problem is.  This isn't the first time that the room as come to this, since we've lived in this house.

Finger's crossed!  You know what I'm going to say..

**All that is left to do is to pull the quilt off the line; one of the many that I found in the "cleaning out"; and that needed to be put through the washer... fluff those pillows just so... and we have access to our guest bed/room once more!!

Scott suggests that - the first person we have (dare!) stay in at our place, in this room - gets a FREE Bag, by Bevy!!

I second that motion.  IF (big word, there!), if I can find time to pull off that stunt. :) (smile!)

Moving on!
***

On other weekend catch-up news... I went ahead and made these with some ready-to-use peaches,
I had on hand.  Along with three other peach pies.  I was grateful to be able to share that and those with family over the weekend.

Oh, and I made three batches of Garden Tea Concentrate - that I put into the freezer!!  This is some of the yummiest stuff to have on hand...
This is probably the last of the tea, for the summer, before it gets mowed off!



I also got my hands on some beets that I'm canning up, today!  I hope my counter looks like this in the morning. ;)  Although, I don't think it will be this many.

We shall see!!

~ Moving Forward ~

... .. ... .... .. .. ... . .. .. .... .. ... .. .. ... ..... .. .. ... .. .. .. .. .. . .. ... . ..

***

Happy 1st Day of May!

There is no better way to go... now, is there?

Somewhere, in the middle of it all..

. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .. .. .. . .. ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .. .. .. .

In the middle of the cleaning...
In this particular Corner of our Home !

...are the
new and
continued, and
lasting,
forever... childhood
memories
made!

Kept.

Back onto the shelf... until another time!

It's Progress - Not Perfection!

. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. . .... . .. ... ..  .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .... .. .. .. .. .

***

We just wanted to "check in" with you all!

We wanted to let you know we're still in the throw's of Spring Cleaning.

But one thing is true..

It's Progress.  Not Perfection!

and in just saying that... that has helped us tremendously to stick to task, work together (well!) and to come out on the other end with a smile.  Still!

It's been hard.  But progress is certainly being made..

There still is MUCH to do.

So, I've decided that blogging will still very much be sporadic over here.  I just wanted to let you know that, and to let you know we're still here... and missing you!

Friday's Finds | Photo Board

.. . .. .. . .. . .. . .. . .. .. .... . . .. .. .. ... .. .. .. . .. .. ..
It's been so long that I have done a Friday's Finds for you.  So here it goes.  By they way, this DIY project has been a long time in the making...and it is finally hanging in the back hallway.

Friday's Finds, You ask?

{For those of you who are new to this blog and/or just poppin' in - Hello and Welcome! Often on Fridays I like to try and feature "a find" of no particular value or sentiment, no reason or rhyme and yet, exactly for all of those reasons I just mentioned.}

\

I discovered these very old window frames at my aunt's place - around the same time frame I found this piece, in her garage they were trying to clean out.  

Fall of 2011? - Yes!, that is how long ago this project was in the works.  

 I knew what I wanted to do with the four-pained frame. I wanted to scrape it off and paint it a rustic black.  Nothing perfect and shiny.  Rough!   But for the "inside" - I wasn't sure if I wanted to do cardboard covered with linen or burlap.  Or, if I was going to go the cork board route.  I had trouble finding cork board...(mind you I am frugal) and I also didn't want  it to get "expensive".

And then.  Recently - I had a Blessings Unlimited Gathering.  I'm so glad I had one of those. Not just because my items came in GOOD, STURDY boxes (thank you, very much!) but because I love Blessings.  (More on that another time... stay tuned! I promise.)

Anyway. Yes!  These boxes were perfect.  This was a no-brainer.  I went with the cardboard covered in burlap.   I was able to cut a total of four pieces of cardboard and I covered them with burlap that I had on hand.  You see glue in this photo - which I did not end up using.  I just cut the cardboard (and with the burlap) close enough that  it was a tight enough fit.

So.  The photos.  I picked out a few of my favorites... just to show you.  This is my intention of using this piece.  It is finally now hanging in our back hallway.  There are four sections (you only see three!) and in effort to keeping the fridge clean(er).  I have decided that this will now be our Photo Board.

One problem  I have in mind a certain type of thumbtack/pin, that I would like to use... and have yet to come across them.  So, for now the Photo Board hangs empty...
((sad, to say..))

PS:  I know you're all laughing at the wall  this board is hanging on.  If you must know.. yes!  I have to live with the hallway and our back bathroom - and those walls.  Gold (never mind the print) is not really my thing... but what are you going to do when you rent?  Nothing. But the best you can.

***

Have yourself a wonderful weekend.  Do you have any plans to hang out with some good friends?  I sure do.

I look forward to our monthly ladies breakfast in the morning.