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.

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!!

Gifts that remain..

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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".

Happy Mother's Day!

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*** warning: buttercup photo overload ;)  Enjoy!!

Flowers on the windowsill are never an exception.  They are always the rule this time of year!

I caught my girls out in our "empty" cowpasture - over the weekend.  These photos were taken through the dining room window.  I don't prefer they wander the meadow and usually it's a strong "no-no" for them to be out there but I guess since there were no cows and the buttercups kept calling their names (wonder how I could tell?)... I let them continue.  Simply capturing these moments.

They do know that it'll probably be the VERY last time - they can do this.  The grasses will be too high and the tick's will be out aplenty before too long.   This is what we will have to deal with - with no cows to keep the meadow grass at bay.  We miss "our" cows.  Truth is.  

We've never seen so many buttercups in one place before.  ((sigh))

We love they're yellow glow under the chin!!  Buttercups are so dainty and precious..

For now.  I will take ALL their bouquets of buttercups they can collect and call it a Happy Mother's Day - in advance!

***

If you are Blessed.  Be a Blessing!!

See! The winter is past...

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Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past.  
See, I am doing a new thing!  Do you not perceive it?  ~ Isaiah 43:18

I love this verse, from Isaiah.  It's been applicable to so many seasons of my life.  So many life challenges and changes.  It's filled with hope!!  That there is something NEW to experience. Something God is doing and that He is all about.  I appreciate the reminder that the past shall be left alone.  Forget about it!

I learned something the other day.  Something I had no idea of and now I will continue to think about every time I see a bush of forsythia...

As a side note:  It bothers me to see a fully manicured bush of forsythia. So controlled.  So stifled. Why? For sure, pruning and trimming are necessary in moments. Besides, they look beautiful - arranged into a bouquet.  However, the untrimmed branches, on the bush, take on a much more natural state. Fully reaching.  Anticipating... excited!

You do know that certain flowers have meanings behind them, right?  See this site for reference.

Yes!

So - here is what I learned.  I learned that forsythia means: anticipation of an exciting thing!  Perfect, for decorating at a Baby Shower, this past weekend, wouldn't you say?  At the time... I had no idea what forsythia meant until during the event... who knew?

Anticipation.

It couldn't have been more perfect!  And, we couldn't be more anticipative of this little bundle of blessing for my brother and sis-in-law.  Baby due in June...

How fitting to be able to enjoy these beautiful flowers - this time of year!

See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.  Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.  The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. ~  Song of Solomon 2:11-13a

*** Linking with Finding the Grace Within | tuesday @ ten :: past

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