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.

The Spirit of Loveliness

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It's bedtime.  More often than not, the only time of day - I get to pull out a book to read.  Too many times, the pile of books that I want to read is higher than my arm is long.  I typically never can stay awake long enough to read, let alone retain - anything - that I may have read, in the first place.  Sure, I want to.  It's just that either life is way busier than I think or other conversations take over and take place... but... that really is no excuse.  Personally.  I just don't like reading - not like I'd like to.  I was talking to a dear friend of mine - on Sunday - at church and we were talking about this very thing... and she said ALMOST the exact same thing is true for her... and ya'll... she's an author.  A homeschooling mama... she HAS to read... and yet, she struggles, too!!  I have never felt so supported as to hear my friend admit to this very thing - herself.
Don't get me wrong.  I love books!  I sure do.  In fact, I try to encourage my kiddos' to read, read, read. That books are their "friends".. they need to treat them well, etc.  Honestly, I really do like feeling the pages in between my fingers.  The way they smell,  the way they open, the clever illustrations.... even the font matters a lot!!! I would much, much rather hold a book in my hand than an electronic device - such as a kindle, etc.   And, yet... the "art" of reading; it's novelty, the time it takes itself to read the words and comprehend... is a real struggle.

Why do I share all of this?  And, why the photos of this book - that I share with you today?

Great question.  So, first off, this book was recommended to me by a cousin of mine, some time ago.  My cousin, Carmen, has truly become a dear, dear friend of mine - someone whom I respect quite highly and has become almost, more like a sister to me than some of own immediate sisters.  I clearly remember the day when Carmen truly encouraged me to open this book and take to heart the "teachings" of Emilie Barnes.  A dear saint of the Lord - who has recently gone home to be with her Saviour.  I would say (in my heart and mind) - Emilie has become a pillar post in the foundation of my "home-making"... and home keeping.  I have really admired the things she wrote and shared.  In fact, I have several of her books.  BUT... this one.  The Spirit of Loveliness... has carried me.  I'm forever indebted to my sweet cousin for her persistence that I get myself a copy of this book.

So.  I got to thinking.  There is no better way to get back to who I am than to dust off the cover of this "dear friend" and because it's format is like that of a coffee table book (its easy to read, in bite-sized chucks) ... I can slowly get back into reading (what I would say) has been and always will be one of my first loves.

For me.  The topic of home- keeping, hospitality, and growing in character (to be that godly influence as a wife and mom; a woman of Christ) ... is my deepest passion and desire.

***
In earlier years of blogging - I have alluded to this book before, although I'm not so sure that I actually referenced it.  There is a post about "glowing windows" whose idea came from this book, I'm pretty sure. You've got to go read that one!!!  I even linked it for you - so you can find it easy and go read...
It is simply another but continual prayer of mine.

Naturally, Budding Art and Artists

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When fun - HUGE, GIGANTIC - white things pop in your yard outta the blue and you've got two youngsters, nearly born with pencils and paintbrushes in their hands... these two!... and when Dad and brother are away on a camping trip and you - as a mama - gotta come up with something creative to do with your girls... well.  We didn't have to look far!!

Out in our backyard -we were provided with such an opportunity!!

Look at these art-forms!!

My girls!!  They pulled out their paintbrushes...

I whipped up a batch of homemade cornstarch paints (*recipe below) and my girls went to town.

Painting "the town" - red!!

That's what this became.  Little houses.  A mini town... per say.

**And I, I CANNOT believe it.  I ended up NOT getting a photo of the finished work!!  

It looked like the Mario Brothers.. lived there.  At least, that is what Scott and Caleb said when they got home and saw all the colored (painted) mushrooms, out across the lawn.   

Don't ask me.  I don't know much about Mario and his brothers.

The funny thing is.  These mushrooms only grew in this particular spot on the lawn.  Only to get mowed over once or twice but that is all they grew. 

Such a neat part of Creation!!   I enjoy finding things like this. 

I'm glad I got a photo of these beauties...

I'm glad my girls had the opportunity to see them up close and personal.  So intense, too!!

Did you Jayne's face??

Paint Recipe, anyone?

Equal parts of cornstarch and water. Mix well.  Divide evenly and color with food coloring.  

It all washes off in the rain...

Easy, Peasy.

***

Nature alone is antique, and the oldest art the mushroom.  ~ Thomas Carlyle

Corners of my Home

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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!!

{BagsbyBevy} I don't think you've ever met Maude!!

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:: Homespun Baby! Shoes ::

gifted to my cousin Sarah and Randy - for their little guy!!

:: Homespun Baby! Shoes ::

gifted to Mrs. G (my youngest's Kindergarten Teacher) 

:: Tea Wallet ::
small, holds 4 tea bags
gift to a sweet friend from church

~~

These are all gifts - but I wanted to show you what all has been happening in stolen moments, here and there!!

Basically, I needed to get these items done - before "packing up" shop.

Oh, and I don't know that I've ever shown you Maude...
I found "her" at a fabric sale for all but $12.00!!


Can I say - thrilled?  I've always wanted a dress form and now, I think I may have a second one on my  hands - here shortly!!  Can't wait.
I love these vintage things!!

**
That's the latest from BagsbyBevy!!!

More Each Day!

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I needed this gentle reminder today....

Today you know more than you did at this time yesterday.  

Today you are one day closer to becoming the person you were meant to be.  

Today you have more experience, and more wisdom than you did just one day ago.

So, what's the best thing to do today?  More!

You are more today than you've ever been before.  

What a waste it would be to ignore that!

What a waste it would be not to make full use of it!  

Now that you've become more, it's time to do more.

Right now, you have what it takes to put more effort into your work, more love into your relationships, more discipline into your actions, more passion into your life.

The tools and opportunities available to you have grown.  

So use them to improve your results and make your life grow, too - not next week,

 not in a few days, but right now.

What can you improve just a little bit today?  Those little improvements add up, compounding each on each other until you've soon forged your life into a masterpiece.  

You have more today than ever before - so make more of this day than you've ever done.

Today is a truly golden opportunity

 to let your life shine

 more brightly with each passing moment. 

~ author unknown

Spread a little love and kindness

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You'll never change your life until you change something you do daily.  
The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.  
~ John C. Maxwell

***
Do you find this to be true for you?

I've been challenged to think on this in some simple, but practical ways..
Know your passions,
Be a helper.
Have Fun!!
Listen and Learn.

Reach out with a word of encouragement to family or friends.
Affirm
Hug a little tighter...
Sing along... or simply listen to uplifting, positive, encouraging music!
SMILE!
Try a new recipe!  Or, stick to what's comfortable... and keep everyone happy!
Make your bed every day!
Keep looking for ways to bless others... be attentive to their needs!

Be a Blessing!!
Spread a little bit of love and kindness

I happened to think of this upbeat song as I was writing here... I hope you enjoy!!
A perfect way to sign off on this post for today!!

Building Home

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How are you building your home - today?

Proverbs 24:3-4

By wisdom a house is built ...

And by knowledge the rooms are filled

With all precious and pleasant riches.

I've been thinking of this.  Pondering.  

The implications of a life-giving home... are strong!

What does that look like and how?

What can I learn and what can I do better?

Can't wait to find out...

I've been gifted this book as part of a birthday gift and it's been a slow, but good read.

The Life-Giving Home by Sally and Sarah Clarkson

As well, the same old - same old.  LIFE continues to happen as it does.

The laundry still needs to fill the line...

Finding a little creative inspiration for my kitchen...

The business is growing by leaps and bounds (BTW: my husband and I are having a blast! - working this together...) and yet I still find time to sew, for HERE!

Having my kids home all day long with less camps, this year ... enjoying these slow summer days.

I'm grateful for each new day the Lord grants to me.  

How the opportunity to build my home on the rock of his salvation... 

is constant and imperative!!

***

Have a wonderful rest of the week!!

You know what?  I know my blogging has been some touch-and-go here, so thanks for stopping by to read - would you just say "hello" (here via comments) - I would love to hear from you...

How is your summer going so far?