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.

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!!

Joy is never perfect!

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Yesterday, I decided I wanted to add a little touch of JOY to a corner of my kitchen.

Pulling out an old barn board, from when we visited Kaitlin and her family, back in April, was just the piece I needed...

I threw some white paint on there and handpainted the letters.  Not perfectly.

Joy is never perfect!

But how it results... is!

I like how this piece adds its touch to brighten our little corner of the kitchen.

But what I like even more... is this.

Jesus and Others and You!

What a wonderful way to spell JOY!

Jesus and Others and You.

In the life of each girl and each boy.

J is for Jesus, for he has first place.

O is for others we meet face to face.

Y is for you. And, for all that you do, 

Put yourself last and spell JOY!

A reminder for me, my children, for us...

as a family!!

***
May JOY brighten the corners of your heart and home this Christmas!

Five Minute Friday :: here

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Inspired by here.

The color of an summer evening sky promises for yet another beautiful day.

It is.  The day is gorgeous.

We gather colors to hold and collect.  Ready to give away.

Colors strung out, line after line, are here to stay - drying for yet another...
We make colors to match our mood.

Happy.  To be here.

Together as family; cousins and best friends.

We slather the sidewalks and watch chalk gardens grow.

Even I join in... showing how to blend the hue.

The day is busy and full of fun.

Grateful.  Wonderful.  Sun.

Here is lick and a promise.. holding true.  Captured as now.

Not a day, too late nor a future to prove.

Here in color.

Here is a happy place to be!

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Have a wonderful weekend!!

Linking today with the Five Minute Friday link-up @ Heading Home!
Today's word prompt was: here