Welcome back to the next chapter of my walk down Memory Lane as Renaissance Man and I prepare to put our old house up for sale. *sniff* Just because we're choosing to downsize doesn't mean I'm not human. After all, I did pour my blood, sweat, and tears into this place, so an occasional melancholy moment is allowed, don't you think? Thank you. I believe I left you sitting on the couch in the Study reading a book. (You were a little tired from your whirlwind tour of the Front Porch and the Living Room – and all the "tricks of the trade" I shared with you.) Let me remind you of one of them... Remember me telling you that the crown moulding for this bookshelf was originally the plate rail in the Dining ... Keep Reading...
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BLOGGERS UNITE: Give Yourself a Gold Medal – and a Silver and Bronze…
We bloggers practice our craft. Sometimes we even feel like we've performed well. But the post that bared our soul or stretched us in some way gets buried in the Archives ... and new readers aren't likely to find it ... and (perhaps it's just me, but) it seems like if they could only read it, they'd understand us better. IS it just me -- or do you bloggers out there sometimes feel that way, too? Over the next couple of weeks, while these are awarded to athletes who have perfected their craft and performed well, let's have our own medal ceremonies – and introduce ourselves to new readers while we're at it! And readers – you get to meet some fantastic new bloggers! Between tonight's 2014 Olympic ... Keep Reading...
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If you’ve been blessed by love, read this!
I thought of you last Fall when this pair of antique courting couple brass girandoles sold in my Etsy shop. While packing them to ship, I realized I'd never used them in a tablescape. So–in October–I put together a quick romantic Valentine's Day tablescape to celebrate young love and old mature love. All it took was a few simple elements: Antique lace Gold-encrusted Lenox china (a mixture of "Stanford" and "Hanover" patterns) "Pops" of red Roses – white (purity, youth, innocence) and red (respect, courage, passion) Young love to mature love... It's a beautiful thing to observe – and to experience. Many of us have been blessed to witness our own parents' and grandparents' relationships – and to learn from their choices, ... Keep Reading...
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The Study: Old House Renovation Story
Welcome back for the continuation of my old house renovation story. When last week's chapter ended, I had welcomed you into my home, shown you the Living Room, and we were standing right here in front of these century-old pocket doors. They lead to Renaissance Man's study. Sometimes I call it his Trophy Room. If you have a problem with hunting wild game, you might want to skip this part of the story... but you'd also miss one of the best renovation decisions we made. Your choice. The first time I looked behind these doors, I saw a very dark room with a great old light fixture and filthy–once pretty–draperies. You can't see it in this poor excuse for a picture, but there was ... Keep Reading...
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#RiskRejection: Unsubscribe if you must
Have you noticed? RISK has been a common topic here lately. Even before Amy Sullivan issued her #RiskRejection challenge – and I accepted it – risk was already happening. I guess without intentionally choosing one, RISK has become my word for 2014. Throughout the month of December, as I wrote my daily Themes of Christmas series, I'll admit: My heart wasn't completely in it. Oh, I enjoyed writing those posts – because I always love playing with themes – but I was distracted. Distracted by impending risks. My very first post of the year spelled it out: That’s where I find myself here at the beginning of 2014: stepping into the unknown. . . . the more I watch God work in lives of desperate children, the ... Keep Reading...
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Another City Girl : Country Girl Moment…
I took a RISK this morning... leaving the warmth and safety of my home to venture out into single-digit temperatures (a warming trend from the pre-dawn negative 7). It was worth it to see some of my favorite sites in the snow. In the city... Click any pic to get a closer look! The house at the top left is Glenmore Mansion - a local favorite. And in the country... The house at the top middle pre-dates the Civil War. I know some of you have had more snow already this Winter than you want... but (although it wasn't our first snowfall) this was our first absolutely gorgeous, super-powdery snowfall, and I had to share it with you. Besides, I know some of you are City Girl:Country Girl like ... Keep Reading...
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The Living Room: Old House Renovation Story
Brrrr! It has been soooo cold here the past few days... It seemed only fitting that, while going through a file, I would come across a forgotten picture of my old house in the snow. It's the picture on the left. I'll tell you one day how it is I happen to have it – and who the Witts were. But today, before I open the door and invite you in where it's warm, I want to tell you one more thing about the exterior. I forgot to mention it last week when I wrote the rest of the front porch story. Look closely at the front porch in the two pictures. (Enlarge it if you like.) What's missing in the first one? Yes, I know you with "eagle eyes" saw it immediately. Just be patient a second and let everyone else catch up with ... Keep Reading...
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#RiskRejection: Preparing for a broken heart
I saw the notice: Retired school teacher looking for volunteers to work with children at a local elementary school. Informational meeting on Sunday night. I could do that. Probably should think about it. I heard the story: While running errands on a cold, snow-blowing day in December, it came on the radio. A young deaf boy, once rendered "unteachable". A Christian woman–no relation–who wouldn't let that happen. She couldn't possibly have known his future held a Ph.D. OK, Lord. I'll go to the meeting... And so I went, and I committed to two 30-minute sessions per week with a child who needed help learning. One measly hour per week. In January 2002 I walked into the elementary school for the first time ... Keep Reading...
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Old House Renovation Story: In the beginning…
The first time I scoped out my old house, it was with an eye to "fix it and flip it." You see, the designer in me had a dream of giving a boost to some of the neglected old homes in town. Fortunately, my local banker friend liked the idea–and my business plan–and so an offer was made on the house... and accepted. The old gal had some issues, but as far as I was concerned, she was entitled to them. After all, it was September 2005, and she had been standing in that same spot since 1907. She'd experienced a little "remuddling" but nothing substantial, so mostly I was facing original elements. Usually that's fantastic, except original knob-and-tube wiring doesn't fall in that category. But I'm getting ahead of ... Keep Reading...
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#RiskRejection: Downsize to Upsize (Part 2)
I can't get it off my mind... The comment I made last week about downsizing my life to upsize my faith. The more I thought about it, the more I wondered just what I'd have to downsize to make that allow that to happen. I already told you we'll be downsizing the house–which, of course includes our "stuff". That was Risk #1. Surely that's enough. Could there be more. Should there be? And so I began another list... A list of things in my life that *could* downsize–not necessarily things that *will*. And then I added more things I've struggled with in the past that kept my faith from growing–because even if they're not dragging me down today, I might need the reminder tomorrow! I wonder if you ... Keep Reading...
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The Notecard Party: Practicing the Discipline of GRATITUDE
It's mid-January and time for another Notecard Party at A Haven for Vee. I always enjoy seeing what's on participants' minds every month. Are they looking back ... or ahead? Are they hungry ... or working on a project? You never know what kinds of notecards you'll see! And I never know what kind I'll share! This month, it's gratitude that's on my mind. I so enjoyed having Renaissance Man home during the holidays! Even though he traveled a lot in December, it's been really nice having him around. So when he left this week on his first trip of 2014, I didn't want to miss thanking God for my husband – and my husband for being such a wonderful, faithful spouse. These inspiration boards all have an earthy, ... Keep Reading...
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Something everyone needs at the end of the day to know they’re loved…
[pe2-image src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-waaRCVdyKK8/Txs9HO4wyBI/AAAAAAAAQDc/7ALVMqewDmw/s144-c-o/18422262240.jpg" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/110933187416986729297/SallyList#5700216947832047634" caption="Valentine's Day" type="image" alt="18422262240.jpg" ] When I heard about this project, it immediately went on my Sally List. Immediately. It's such an easy way to make a big difference! My friend, Kelley, is a missionary in the Philippines and sometimes ministers at the National Children's Hospital. Her 80-year-old mother-in-law enjoys sewing pillowcases. Sometimes it doesn't take much to birth an idea! Between now and December 1, 2014 Kelley is collecting new, standard-size pillowcases ... Keep Reading...
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#RiskRejection: Downsize to Upsize
That's what blogger Amy Sullivan has challenged us to write about: risks we're taking. And she suggests we write once a week for the next four weeks. You can read the challenge HERE. I immediately picked up pen and paper and started making a list of risks I'm facing in this new year. There are many; some more "risky" than others, but risks nonetheless. When I told you what I was doing wrong as a Christian woman, I didn't tell you my first "next step" ... Renaissance Man and I are preparing to put our old house on the market. We continue to feel the need to de-clutter "stuff" even more and to downsize our living space–because the comfortable lifestyle has become less and less comfortable. No, we're not taking a ... Keep Reading...
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The Christian Woman I Will Never Be Again. What I Was Doing Wrong.
I hope you've gotten off to a great start in this new year; this period of 365 days that stretches out before us full of... What, exactly? What will 2014 look like? What do you want it to look like? What will you do over the next twelve months to make the year ahead better, easier, more productive than last year... to be more thoughtful, compassionate, attuned to needs in the world around you? I have my own list of things I'm choosing to focus on differently this year. I want to be the "new and improved" version of me when 2015 rolls around. In some areas, it's way past time... You don't have to know what's on my list–and I don't have to know what's on yours–but we can still encourage each ... Keep Reading...
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Light: A Christmas Theme
Today is the final post in the Themes of Christmas series. Some of you would like to keep going, but I know some of you are more than happy to move on. How about this? I'm going to swear off of 31-day series until at least next October; I'll reconsider then. But today, I have one important post I'd like to share with you as we end 2013 and look forward to a new year. I've thought a lot about Light over the past few days... ever since receiving an update from Brazil. I've shared with you about the new work Hope Unlimited for Children is beginning with the boys' prisons in Vitória, but last week we were asked to begin working with girls, too. I've told you how we've prayed for that opportunity, but we had no idea the ... Keep Reading...
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Bells: A Christmas Theme
Bells are one of my favorite elements of the holiday season, so I can't get to the end of this Themes of Christmas series without including them! Just think how many Christmas songs have the word "bells" in their title... Jingle Bells Silver Bells Carol of the Bells I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day Jingle Bell Rock Come On, Ring Those Bells With Bells On (Don't know this one? It's an old favorite performed by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton back in 1984, and in my neck of the woods, we don't forget Dolly!) Can you think of others? A Bell theme is another one of those easy, don't-have-to-plan-ahead themes. Aren't those nice? All you need is BELLS. Bell ornaments, figurines, linens, music, wreaths, ... Keep Reading...
