Inspire. Encourage. Challenge. Interior design of the Soul. It's the tagline I chose for this blog—for myself, and for you. But last Friday, when I saw "challenge" as the word prompt for Five Minute Friday, I just couldn't bring myself to write. The week had been too challenging. So has this one. So last night when I went to bed, I wondered what word prompt today would bring. I hoped this morning there would be a word I could write about; a word that fits my reality. Weary — scream — heavy — resigned — noise — anxious — turmoil — struggle — quit I could work with any one of those. Instead, I saw START They're all first world ... Keep Reading...
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Hello to Fall
The breeze picked up just slightly this afternoon, and I saw them. Falling leaves. 🍂 It's about time! Like many of you, I've been waiting for this season to arrive, and here it is—on the calendar. But with the exception of a few leaves as eager for this day as I am, it doesn't feel like Fall yet with temperatures in the 80s and 90s and no rain in sight. But it's happening. All around, ever so slightly, nature is beginning to shift its focus. It's saying goodbye to Summer and hello to Fall. I captured these last week when I picked up the camera and headed to the farm. Reminders to self: Watch for those tiny bursts of cool breezes. Pay attention ... Keep Reading...
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Goodbye to Summer
I lost it. Summer 2019. I have no idea where it went. It flew by in a blur of travel and emotion and stress . . . . . . and Autumn 2019 arrives in two days. Two days! It's been a long time since I joined the party at Pink Saturday, but Beverly and her husband are celebrating 49 years of marriage, so it seems as good a time as any to drop by to say congratulations—and thank them for the wonderful example of commitment they are to the rest of us! So in honor of a party I often joined when I first started blogging, here are some (very random!) Summer pinks for you . . . But this pic is my favorite because it holds a special memory from earlier ... Keep Reading...
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SELF CARE: Camera in hand
Last week for the first time in a very long time, I picked up the camera. Not the phone camera. The camera. It had been so long I had to re-familiarize myself with the buttons and settings, but it felt good in my hands. I wonder why I put it away over a year ago? I wonder . . . Is there something you know is good for your spirit that you've set aside, too? We were traveling cross country from Tennessee to Colorado (and back again) in less than a week, but we made time to slow down just a tad along the way, and I was really glad I stuck in the camera before we left. I've got so much to learn about photography, but even in my learn-as-I-go state, I managed to capture a few ... Keep Reading...
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I’m seeing things again…
You know how sometimes a word or song seems to be everywhere you turn? Magazines, books, tv, radio . . . there it is — again. For the past little while, I’ve been watching damage done by someone’s lack of humility. This verse keeps showing up. I could easily be tempted to read its words as a promise that “they’ll get theirs” one day. . . . but I’d better read it (with gratitude!) as a reminder to closely watch myself. To approach relationships and situations with humility and gentleness and self-control. Just in case you need this reminder today, too . . . you’re welcome. Is there a verse or song or quote that’s been front-and-center for you lately? ... Keep Reading...
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FIVE MINUTE FRIDAY: Start
On your mark. Get set. And we were off . . . flying with the wind for mere seconds, racing toward the finish line. For a couple of years, I was a sprinter. 40-, 60-, 100-yard dashes. The shorter the better. But Life’s not a sprint, is it? ... Keep Reading...
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Is it just me, or is this GENIUS?
I grew up in Austin, Texas, so I'm a city girl. But every move I've made since leaving home has taken me to a smaller town. This post may prove I don't get out much! When I see a new-to-me idea that I think is brilliant, it makes a BIG impression. Last year about this time, Little Man (our older grandson) began playing youth football in the big city where he lives. Of course, this Nonna and Poppa (aka Renaissance Man) had to go watch him play. It was a big deal! But this isn't a "football" post—other than to tell you that his team won every game last season except the two we attended; one was lost in the final minute. So sad! Little Man's not sure he wants us to come ... Keep Reading...
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FIVE MINUTE FRIDAY: Testimony
It's been quite a week around My Place! On multiple levels (and in multiple places) I've been privy to some heavy discussions in my community. May I just remind us all that Satan is alive and well—and we can't ever forget it? Lots of disappointment, hurt feelings, and mishandling of too-long-ignored issues. Lots of name-calling. Sometimes . . . too much keeping quiet; not taking a stand. Too much choosing "sides" and forgetting community. It's Five Minute Friday, and today's word prompt is bursting with expectations and preconceived stories. Having grown up Baptist in the South, I could give you the "I was raised in a Christian home and became a Christian when I was 10 years old" ... Keep Reading...
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SAVE THE DATE — and help me out?
The 31-day blog series: You either love it . . . or you don't. Me? It depends on the year! I've done a few—sporadically—but, once committed, I've always enjoyed the process. They're virtually timeless, so enjoy! In case you're not familiar with it, Write 31 Days was a writing challenge for bloggers that took place every October (all 31 days!) for a decade. Officially, the challenged ended last year. But unofficially, there are some of us who still enjoy the challenge and plan to give it a go again this year. So what theme am I working on for next month? YOU! Have you ever contacted a blogger? You know . . . Have you ever clicked on that ... Keep Reading...
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FIVE MINUTE FRIDAY: Back
This week the call came. Paperwork signed by both parties. It was time for a new beginning. I was numb. Was this really happening? Could it really be another "win" for the weary? It was. Yesterday I walked into the old Melody Theater in our historic downtown. The trash and overgrowth of vegetation was surreal. But the light . . . Oh, the light was amazing! I didn't expect the old walls to feel so peaceful, but that's what happens when I start to get "in the zone" with a vision. This building is now back in the hands of someone who will do something positive with it. Someone who won't let it continue to be demolished by ... Keep Reading...
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TABLESCAPING: Defined and Resurrected
I've never seen a good definition—so here's mine. Tablescaping verb Artfully combining elements such as color, texture, height, and size to set a visually appealing and emotionally evocative table. The very first time I hit "publish" on this blog, I shared a tablescape. That was July 22, 2010, and we were celebrating 100 weeks of tablescaping at Between Naps on the Porch. I then proceeded to share tablescapes—and tablescape events—virtually every week for a very long time. Until one day I stopped. Oh, I've shared some table-related posts with you over the last while, but it's been far too long since I've spent time playing in the dishes! I've missed it. I got a ... Keep Reading...
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Five Minute Friday: PACE
This is a story about pace (speed) and pacing (anxiety). It's about digging deep for patience when everything inside says MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN! It's a story of a community loving its neighbors even when things are unlovely. About creativity and focus. Walking away and deep breaths. Not giving up. And finally, more creativity and focus. It's a story of success—happening now! ... Keep Reading...
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ADVENTURE AWAITS: A family wedding
No one ever wants Plan B on their wedding day. Sometimes they get it. And it's okay. In fact, it's better than just okay. I told you a couple of weeks ago in my old house renovation update that 2019 has been a hard year at My Place. I've often been reminded of that movie Three Weddings and Funeral. In our case, it's been five funerals and (thank God for the relief!) a wedding. My niece got married in May. I offered to go a week early so I could help my sister with all of the last-minute details. So.much.fun! But there was one big unknown: Texas weather—and rain was in the forecast. But you've gotta belieeeeeeeve, right? ... Keep Reading...
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Five Minute Friday: HOSPITALITY
I used to think hospitality was all about inviting people in to a clean house to sit at a beautiful table and partake of a carefully-planned and prepared meal. No more. I now see "hospital" so very clearly when I look at the word hospitality. Hospital. If I extend hospitality, true hospitality, I must offer a healing hand, word, smile. I must look at those around me—friends, acquaintances, strangers—closely enough to see them. Closely enough to notice pain, fear, worry. I must extend my hand, open my door, invite them to my table regardless of whether the house is clean, the good dishes set in place, or cloth napkins at the ready. Regardless of whether a full ... Keep Reading...
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SURPRISE IN THE SUNROOM: Karpen & Bros. antique furniture
In my last post, I promised “the rest of the story,” so let’s pick up where we left off . . . If you missed “the first of the story,” go ahead and read it now so you’ll be caught up. I’ll wait for you. :-) When I first saw this room, it looked like this. I wasn’t impressed either. Other than the low-ceiling, dirty carpet, un-air conditioned, currently-used-for-storage addition on the other side of that door, the sunroom was probably my least favorite room in the house when we moved in. It’s an addition on the back of the original farmhouse, and there are so many things I would have done differently. Perhaps someday I will. If I could have closed the door on it, I would have. But the door ... Keep Reading...
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Re-entry into Blogland: OLD HOUSE RENOVATION UPDATE
It’s been a lot... 2019. In January, we received the first call telling of a longtime friend’s “out of the blue” death. Since then, there have been four more unexpected calls—and three more lonnng trips to Texas. We saw a beautiful sunrise this morning as Trip #5 got underway. Renaissance Man will do yet another funeral this weekend, and we’ll count it a privilege to grieve alongside friends and family. Honestly, we just want to stay home. To work on our house. To rest. Instead, today is an opportunity to reconnect with you here! How have you been, friends? I want to keep my promise to take you along on this old house renovation we took on late last year. I want to show you a few ... Keep Reading...
