I’ve thought about quitting. This blog — just quitting. This week marks 7 years since My Place to Yours made its foray into Blogland. Perhaps it’s the “perfect” time to quit. But honestly? I don’t want to quit. I love my time here; there just hasn’t been enough of it lately. But those voices . . . They just won’t go away. ... Keep Reading...
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COMFORT: Five Minute Friday
This is a first for me. For years I've watched Five Minute Friday with interest. It's a creative, "stream of thought" writing exercise that begins with a word-prompt. You just set a timer and write for five minutes. No editing. No cheating. Many times I've thought, I should try that someday. "Someday" finally arrived this morning. Yes, I realize today is Saturday, but . . . I'm going to participate in this exercise and see where it takes me. Hopefully I'll get in the habit of doing it weekly. FIVE MINUTES ... Keep Reading...
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Our Illuminating Adventure
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1 John 1:7) When I read this, my eyes saw, "But if we walk TO the light...". That's what I needed to see. In this season of being still but hearing no answers, having no direction, I needed to be reminded that what may feel like a bit of darkness doesn't have to be. Life doesn't get darker if I keep walking toward the Light. If I keep turning my face from the shadows to the face of Christ in all His glory, my path (though I don't yet recognize its destination) will be illuminated and safe. Renaissance Man and I are on an adventure. December ... Keep Reading...
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Breaking Free from a Blogging Funk
Gee . . . I've sure missed meeting you here. I just haven't been able to "get my blog on" lately. Too much — and not enough — going on. But today is the perfect time to say Happy Independence Day to my fellow Americans. There is so much for which to be thankful, and being silent about that simply is not an option. When last we met, I told you about a long-awaited dream come true and the dedication of Mossy Creek Station, a festival park in my small town's historic district. Step One in revitalizing our once-bustling downtown. In the last two months, the park's been hopping with "first time ever" events. And today we hosted the first 4th of July Celebration ... Keep Reading...
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PROGRESS DOESN’T NEED TO ERASE HISTORY: Long-awaited dream come true
When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for; and let us think, as we lay stone on stone, that a time is to come when those stones will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say, as they look upon the labor and wrought substance of them, ‘See! This our father did for us.' John Ruskin 19th century art critic, social thinker, and philanthropist: So began the public overview of a project a lot of people have been working on for a long time; some of them years longer than me . . . Some of you long-time readers will remember me telling you about A New Day in ... Keep Reading...
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NAKED CAKE — for a church baby shower? Yes, please!
Hello, Friends! It's been a whirlwind since we last met here, but I'm stopping in for a minute to say "hello" and share a few quick pretties with you. Today's inspiration began with nursery bedding chosen by our pastor and his wife for their first baby. When asked to decorate for the church shower, I almost laughed. After all, my pretties are in storage as we continue our house-building adventure. But when I learned the Mommy-to-be had chosen a woodland theme, I knew I was in luck! ... Keep Reading...
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BREAKING THE SILENCE: On the third day . . .
Picking up where we left each other . . . Contemplating the crucifixion of Jesus and His sacrificial death. Pain. Grief. SILENCE. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, ... Keep Reading...
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What’s so GOOD about Good Friday?
Good Friday: The term we Christians use to acknowledge the day Jesus died on a cross. Willingly. His crucifixion amidst jeers and and hatred was the beginning of a series of days that would forever change history. It was part of a plan of unbelievable love for mankind — every one of us . . . . . . but it began with immense personal pain and selfless sacrifice. Jesus, the human image of the holy God, fulfilled his life's purpose by dying on a brutal cross, taking on the sin of the world for all eternity. Sin is real. Sin has consequences. Sin can be forgiven — covered by the blood of Jesus. That's ... Keep Reading...
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Serendipity . . . and Silence
It stopped me in my tracks. That rarely happens. The space was HUGE with gorgeous light streaming through the windows. Beautiful bedding, quirky collections, and age. Lots of age. I was so happy to be alone with my camera. Exploration only. No words. Scroll slowly. Look closely. Try to imagine . . . These pics simply don't do it justice. Have you ever walked into a space and been totally enchanted? Do tell! ... Keep Reading...
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The Hunt for Texas Bluebonnets: A 24-hour vacation
Happy Monday! If, like me, you're still trying to recover from your weekend, here's a chair. Sit a spell. If you follow My Place to Yours on Instagram, you know Renaissance Man and I were "wheels up" before dawn last Friday and headed to Texas. We were hunting for bluebonnets. Best we recall, it had been twenty years since we'd last laid eyes "up close and personal" on the state flower of Texas. And since we're both native Texans, there's something seriously wrong about that! We flew into Austin, rented a car, and started working our way west. First order of business was lunch in Fredericksburg with a couple who supports our work with orphans in Brazil. They actually ... Keep Reading...
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Finally Farmhouse update – and a 24-hour question
The bad news: The builder we chose for our Finally Farmhouse was diagnosed with cancer. We're broken hearted for him. If you pray, I hope you'll pray for Danny as he spends the foreseeable future focusing on his health. The good news: We met with another builder this morning; someone Danny recommended. His name is Jeff. I really liked him! He immediately caught the vision we have for our home and, like Danny, he's very familiar with using reclaimed wood and salvaged pieces. We have a lot of those! He's willing to work with subs with whom we already have really good relationships — and and y'all, he's worked with my all-time favorite painter and has the same respect ... Keep Reading...
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LOVE FOR THE GABLED FARMHOUSE
Show me a house with lots of steep-pitched gables, and I'll show you some old house love. Condition is irrelevant. I fall just as hard for the ones losing the battle. Maybe harder. I have a friend who once told me she'd really wanted her custom-built home to have lots of gables—but her husband only saw their risk: Too many intersecting angles/valleys; too many potential leaks. And so she got her cookie-cutter house. I don't want a cookie-cutter house. I want a Folk Victorian Farmhouse. one-story (though my heart skips a beat over the two-story beauties) big front porch bay window 2/2 double hung windows corbeled chimney decorative ... Keep Reading...
