Life used to be black and white. And then my husband walked out. Two young-daughter-loving, church-going, Sunday School-teaching Christians got a divorce. And this then 28-year-old, married-almost-10-years, young mother got a rude awakening. Life wasn't black and white. It was multiple shades of grey... and they were messy. Her children did nothing to deserve their new reality. It was during those difficult days that I heard a story (I wish I remembered the source) about what beautiful flowers grow on a compost pile. Right then, I prayed that God would take the compost pile of divorce my daughters just had forced upon them and let flowers grow. Big, beautiful, sweet-scented ... Keep Reading...
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The Kitchen: Old House Renovation Story
It's said the kitchen is the heart of the home. When I first saw my old house, she needed a heart transplant... and Renaissance Man and I were blessed to provide it. In fact, the Kitchen was the first room we tackled. Have I ever told you demolition is perhaps my favorite part of a renovation? Why? Because only then do I know the project is really going to happen. Love it! As for the surgery... We couldn't clear out the mess fast enough to suit us! The horrid old cabinets and countertops The five layers of old vinyl and linoleum – with water puddled between each layer The rotted floor and subfloor The drop-down ceiling with its translucent panels and fluorescent lighting The ... Keep Reading...
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#RiskRejection: LOVE holds the key
Three days ago, on a cold, East Tennessee morning, I packed my bags and left home; Valentine by my side. He had work to do in the Midwest. I was searching for answers. We traveled through the snow-dusted roads... ...and the waterfall-laden cliffs of Kentucky. As we entered the heavily snow-covered farmland of Indiana, I was once again grateful for my iPad – allowing me to capture moments otherwise lost in years gone by. Thanks, Renaissance Man (and Apple)! See what I mean? Gorgeous small-town architecture... ... and functional farms. So brutally cold this year... Christmas decorations still visible everywhere. We've seen 20-below-zero temperatures, gray ... Keep Reading...
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I’ve decided: I don’t love homeless people.
How are you doing after all of our recent talk about RISK? Did you just tune me out? . . . Does that question make you a little uncomfortable? If you’re feeling a little squirmy right now, keep reading. This letter is coming straight from My Place… to yours. To YOU. Dear (insert your name here), If you followed my recent #RiskRejection posts (and hopefully some linked up at Amy Sullivan), your heart may be telling you it’s time to take a risk. Not just any ol’ risk for the sake of risk taking, but a risk for Jesus’ sake… for the sake of our world… for the sake of your soul. Does that scare you silly? I totally understand being paralyzed by fear. Fear of ... Keep Reading...
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The Dining Room: Old House Renovation Story
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...
