Modern Designs....for the Girls.....

Family get togethers are wonderful times! In these gatherings we can be generous with our hospitality, time, and our love when we know our family is coming for dinner. These times are investments we make to bond our families together, creating last memories and traditions that bind us for our lives presently and the following generations! Our time in making our house a" home" is never wasted. We cherish the words "remember when" often followed by laughter and joy! As a young couple, my husband and I didn't have much in the way of material blessings! We had a small house, very old, borrowed furniture, gifts we had received as wedding presents and each other  and lots and lots of fun!  He had just graduated from the university and I was in my third year. By the time I finished with my university degree we were beginning our family! I enjoyed making our house a "home" and found items within our budget to create a nice interior (to me anyway). I enjoyed sewing, even then, and my husband recovered some furniture we were given so beautifully! Our home suited us well. We entertained my in laws quiet a bit because they lived nearby. I can honestly say that they were lots of fun. I think they enjoyed our friendships too. Our family gatherings were always memorable.

The tables are turned now and I am the mother in law and my daughters are enjoying making their houses a home. The four girls all have their own unique style. I love this about them. Their phsyical looks are different and their styles of decorating are somewhat different, but in a good way. I am blessed to visit each one in their homes from time to time. I so wish selfishly they all lived nearby but that is not workable right now. Their jobs or their husbands jobs have them in other cities and one in another country (England). Our son has a neat place too and it's really cool! He is as neat as a pen and has even acquired a few antiques.   


Our youngest daughter, Kara, has just moved to a new city near London so we've been exchanging ideas about her decor, what she would like, and how I could help her with a few pillows, etc. I am loving the ideas she has so I will share them below. She likes a very modern twist! The thrill of my heart though is hearing and seeing her desire to make her house a "home". It is my prayer that your home is filled with joy and gladness...then comes  lots of love, kindness, acceptance, warmth, and sincerity. The most beautiful interiors will be cold unless the candle of love is lit. Take time, dear friend this weekend to fill your heart with God's Word. When the blessed Lord is present in your home then your life is truly full and your needs will be met, even if your need is just a new pillow to spruce the place up! A modern design for sure but in my humble opinion it is very modern and satisfying to be Praising God for His Son, Jesus, who is more than able to fill the soul with joy and gladness!

~Kara sent me this photo of what she likes from an Esty sight!~

So pretty and in good taste.....

~These three photos all came from the October issue of VERANDA magazine~

Seems like she is right on with her decorating desires!

We must get busy.....soon!

Starfish Designs.....

 ~Isabel modeling a little dress called "Happiness"~

 ~Love is best when shared with a "twin" friend~

~Isabel modeling "Joy"~

(that she is...a joy)

~Isabel modeling "Cuteness"~

(at its best)

As the seasons change and fall is upon us it is time to also change our wardrobes for fall!  I love the summer months for the glorious weather of where I am privileged to live but I do love fall clothes! Fall comes slowly here, a little later than the rest of the US!  I am a "winter" person with my own "coloring" so I enjoy winter clothes, the colors, the styles, and the time of the year! I enjoy what the fall and winter seasons and the time spent with family and friends.  So, for children's clothing, the season is changing!  They grow so fast and rarely can a child wear the clothes from the "fall or winter" season of the year before! 

Children's clothing can be purchased inexpensively today but there are still those times when as a Mom you want something just a little extra special for Sundays or special occasions such as birthday parties or evenings out for a special dinner!  Even children enjoy these times that make sweet and special memories!  As a Mom, I cherish the memories that I have hidden in my heart of my children's most precious moments of life.  Many of these involved a beautiful new dress for my girls or a cute little jacket and slacks for my son, Steven! 

The little dresses above were a labor of sweet love for me.....last week I spent the time sewing for the little girls in my life now....my adorable grandaughters! Isabel was a sweet model and Olivia will be receiving hers by the end of the week and Ava's is on the way too!  Luke's shirt was a gift for him to feel "special" too!  Children keep us humble, keep us real, keep us realizing what is truly important in life....LOVE!!!

Treasures....from Chateau neuf de pap

 Anyone who knows me well knows that sewing is my passion!  I purchased this for 10 Euros!  I wished later that I had purchased the other two the gentleman was selling!

 As as seamtress, I know the hours it took this dear lady (bless her) to make this beautiful French hand sewn bonnet for a little French newborn.  The lace, the fabric, the work is perfection....still!  It has to be at least 50 years old.  I am so blessed to have this in my collection!

 As Kara and I approached Chateau neuf de pap, we noticed this flea market immediately.  Oh if we had a way to bring more of these treasures home.  The linens were amazing and beautiful, flawless and many were monogrammed!  If you visit France make sure you find the flea markets and have cash in Euros!  It will be worth the time you have!

 ~Every corner was a photograph~

 The photo was taken from the top of the village as we walked up to an old castle, although only the shell is still partially standing....it was magnificent!

 ~An interior view of the castle~

 ~Can you imagine driving your car down this beautiful street, narrow as it looks it is possible....I think I actually drove down this street.....or maybe one similar...it was not easy (nerve racking)!  Just ask Kara! But....we did manage it!!!

 ~I love this picture of Kara....she really wanted to go to Chateau neuf de pap for the vineyards.  We traveled there on a Sunday, it was Palm Sunday, so the vineyards were closed but she was able to shop for a wine for her first anniversary gift to Phil for their celebration!  As I look at this picture I see her reflecting, and thinking how much of life is before her......such a wonderful experience with her!

~Serious shopper here~

This past week I have enjoyed sewing again....serious sewing for my sweet grandaughters!  I thought about the joy that it brings me to see someone wear something that I have made.  I also am blessed when I see the finished product of curtains that I have enjoyed sewing or any sort of home decor that I am blessed to make for someone!  Yes, the little things of life give me joy!  Now, I am an educated woman....I earned a university degree but the areas of life that bring me the most rewards are the happiness I see or have a part of in anothers life. Life is not about degrees, or jobs, or praise from another.  It does not matter what you have the ability to give....just give it!  Give to someone, something! Your time, your love, your patience, your encouragment, your hearfelt prayers.   You willl be rewarded, time and time again in little suttle ways. Your life will be richer as will theirs.

For months, no years, I dreamed of traveling to places I would only read about, rearing a large family takes everything you have (in good ways and no regrets).  My children now live in wonderful places for holidays and for visiting!!!  Last April, when I was honored to visit Kara and Phil, I spent months preparing and reading everything about the regions we were planning to visit and what interesing history they would offer.  One of the places that Kara wanted to travel in France was Chateau neuf de pap in the Provence region of France.  We were spending a couple of days in Avignon, France so we decided to go for it!  We laughed as we drove along and realized reading the map and following the signs was much easier than we had expected.  We enjoyed the beautiful scenery of the countryside and had little idea of what was ahead for us that special day.  I loved it as we drove into this beautiful village set upon a hillside that we unexpectly drove around trying to find a "safe" place to park and came upon a wonderful flea market!  The first pictures above of the "bonnet" say it all!  Finding that treasure would have been enough but the joy, giggles, the blessing that we received that day will be a treasure in my heart forever!  I loved that day with sweet Kara!  The privilege of purchasing that little bonnet will one day come full circle when Kara can place the little bonnet on her own little daughter!  God is so good to give us treasures!  "Trust is the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths."  Proverbs 3:5~6  Do not be afraid to take chances.  Ask for God's guidance and He will guide you in paths He has planned for you.  It may takes years....but He will bring His plans to pass. 

Children.....Sweet Ones!

Relaxing......not a care in the world....purple and pink flip flop kind of day!

Over the summer months life has been very full for us with our children and their families!  A few weekends were quiet, but not too many. Life has a way of always changing for us.  We try to be together as a family as often as we can but our adult children now have jobs that have relocated a few of them over the summer and I am so happy they are all settled and prospering and yes...happy!  One of the benefits are the joy that our grandchildren bring into our lives.  It is my privilege to pray for them each day.  "Prayer is a strong wall and fortress...it is a goodly Christian weapon."  Martin Luther spoke those wise words regarding the importance of prayer.  Praying for another is a responsibility when asked to pray.  I wonder what importance, if any, our world today devotes to prayer.  Oh we say, "I will pray for you."  But real prayer is focused on the Heavenly Father, drawing near to Him so He will draw near to us.  It is trusting Him with our lives, our needs, our concerns, our joys and our trials.  It is having the willingness to be considerate of the needs of others.  "Lord I pray that you would give me a sensitive heart in regard to my friends need and really desire to build he or she up in the Lord."  May I encourage you to encourage and love those around you.  Convey to your loved ones the importance of their lives to your life and give thought to the opportunities that God might give you to be a part of their spiritual growth and development.  Time spent with Almighty God, whether in the comfort of your home or on a walk in the woods, or better yet a day at the seashore......will be time well spent if we are determined to take the wisdom that God gives us and then use that wisdom for His glory and honor and influence in the life of a child or a loved one. 

The beautiful words of Psalm 139 assure us that every life is thought about by God.  "How precious are Your thoughts to me, O God!  How great is the sum of them!"  Bless you today dear friend, bless you and those you love.  To bless, to thank, to praise, to congratulate, to kneel down.....giving words of blessing is an honorable privilege!  The Heavens offer us BLESSINGS everyday from God's side!  He is the Blesser, the One who gives the capacity for living a full, rich life.  Yes....blessed is HE!  Enjoy your weekend with those you love and create some beautiful and lasting memories!

Weymouth, England

 The beautiful harbor of Weymouth, England!

Boats line the harbor as far as the eye can see.

 ~This part of England boasts a gorgeous shoreline~

 Durdle Door is amazing.....disbelief that something so perfect could be a product of nature and God's handiwork!

 ~St. Mary's Church at Piddlehinton is situated near the river Piddle...more like a stream~

Phil's parents are both English bell-ringers and his Dad still rings the bells every Sunday morning at a church in Weymouth.  On this particular day, he was in a bell ringing competion in Piddlehinton.  We had the honour of watching a group of six bell ringers ring the bells! It was a glory to God to hear the perfect music of the bells!

 ~This is one of the favorite photos that I took the entire holiday~

~The Cross on the church at Piddlehinton~

 In Dorchester this magnificent Abbey takes up a entire block!

Before heading to London we enjoyed a wonderful meal at Phil and Kara's favorite place for dining....The Woody Nook near Reading, England!

One of our son in laws was born and grew up in this beautiful fishing village known as Weymouth!  It's lovely!  The village comes to life in the summer because its beaches are filled with tourists and in 2012 some of the sailing events for the Summer Games will take place there. Having seen it, I understand why the location was chosen for sailing!  Last April, while on a holiday to visit with Kara and Phil, he drove us to many beautiful places throughout England but the day we drove from a little village called Piddlehinton to Weymouth was one of my favorite days!  Piddlehinton is a village in west Dorset, England situated in the Piddle Valley five miles north of Dorchester.  Phil's grandparents live in Dorchester and it is lovely also!  I would say the best way to see England is in a car, with a British driver....like Phil or his grandfather! They might be available!  They know how to drive the curves with speed and have the ability to take you to places you would only read about otherwise!   Please do enjoy the beautiful pictures of England on a day when I am missing my girl......yes, she's in England, her home now!  As a mother, I reared my children to fall in love with life, to be passionate about their dreams, to laugh, to not think too highly of themselves and  to achieve educational goals. I encouraged them to pray and follow where God would lead them...they were and are encouraged to be an individual in every sense of the way. It is good to be an indiviual and develop your own thoughts and dreams. Sometimes, separations are hard but it is often those times that God uses to grow us and develop us into the people HE desires us to be.  Time spent with God and in thoughtful prayer does encourage us to have our own thoughts and dreams. The times we are blessed to be together  with those we love give us memory pictures so as time passes we can remember the details of those magic moments we have shared with others we treasure.  Sort of like a lingering fragrance that stays with you long after the person is gone from your presence.  I love it when a story begins...."Once upon a time..."  "Once upon a time, I enjoyed the pleasures of visiting England."  I need to begin saving up to go again. Yes, I do!   May God bless you on this beautiful Sunday! 

The Southern Home

 In the film, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof....a white sofa was important in the set design....fast forward to this beautiful white sofa as a mainstay in this home...designed for gracious living from House Beautiful!

 These sofas are set to mirror each other for great conversation!

A must in any "southern home"!

If Cat on a Hot Tin Roof were filmed today....I am sure that the decor' could look something similar!

Many southern homes are beautiful! Just close your eyes and imagine a beautiful lawn, a flower garden full of roses for cutting and an entrance that is welcoming and inviting! I know that description would be picture perfect! Truthfully not all southern homes are as grand and perfectly furnished as films about lives and families in the south have been portrayed. But, southerners do enjoy their homes and most enjoy entertaining in their homes. When I first moved to Mississippi, which is known as the Hospitality State, I was so pleasantly surprised at the warm invitations we received for dinner in people's homes and the food was actually prepared by the host. The table arrangement of flowers had most likely come from the garden of the hostess! It seemed it was here that I truly realized the joys of entertaining and sharing one's hospitality in their own home. The living room and the dining room are usually still important to a true southern home. Gathering spaces to talk......for the women and the men. Men like to talk too, just not what we, as women, enjoy talking about!!!


In the current film, The Help, I really enjoyed the set designs. The story is good because it deals with equality and snobbery and other unspoken and terrible things that happened in our country in the past and maybe even still happen in some places, regardless of race or region. Thankfully, I grew up in a southern town and family that respected the equality and fair treatment of all races. Another film I really like about life in the south set in the 1950's is Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.   It is based on the book by Mississippi author, Tennessee Williams. In the book, he deals with the southern family who in desperation tries to portray an image of new wealth and are living their lives to impress others. In reality, the portrayal is all a lie. They fight, quarrel, mistreat each other while trying hard to love each other and project the perfect southern family. The home that Big Daddy and Big Mama have built is furnished beautifully with antiques but is lacking the one virtue needed.....love. In the end, through the drunken brawls, jealously, and desires the family seems to realize that material wealth cannot ever bring one happiness. It is what goes on inside a home and a heart that is most important.


So....the southern home, I hope, is not so much different from any home. Hopefully it is beautiful because the ones who reside within the walls care and love each other. A little paradise right on earth. This is possible!!!  Take time to center your own heart in what really will matter in the atmosphere of your home. For me, that comes from my faith and hope found in my Savior, Jesus Christ. I am not striving for perfection, the Lord knows I am far from it!  I pray He will fill me and you first with sweet spirit and a love and joy that fills each and every room with the fragrance of Christ.

Paris.....Simply Beautiful!

 ~This lovely couple made me fall in love with a pink Rose'....I'm not kidding!~ A true French couple, just out for the early evening, enjoying each others company!

Her jacket, her complexion, her feminine pose....all made me see the French women are all about classic beauty...untouched by others they simply were enjoying Paris at dusk....~

 ~Just as beautiful as one would imagine...The Eiffel Tower, built in 1889~

 ~Pink peonies in Paris.... and of course I thought Kacie and her love for pink peonies~

 ~The floral displays were fresh, fragrant, and charming...makes you think anything can grow in the soil of France~

 ~Beautiful Luxemburg Gardens, right in the heart of Paris!~

 ~Yellow, pink, gold, blue, purple...you pick...it is heaven...spectacular gardens provide any variety of flower for a simple bouquet or a garden party!~

 ~In Paris, it seems everyone appreciates beauty~

Splendid Chocolate.... in beautiful gift boxes!

~The Louvre~

It IS magical!

~Chic design and the way the French display with such ease and effortless style make us all enjoy shopping for our favorite finds.....hoping for just that right gift to bring home to a treasured friend!~

Paris is beautiful! The city of lights! Street after street looks like a postcard!  The cafes, the flowers, the museums, the parks, the people, the churches, the boutiques, the bakeries, and the coffees all make a trip to Paris a wonderful experience!  Some people go often, or so I'm told, but I've only been once and I will forever treasure the memories of Paris in my heart!  A city where people do not get in a hurry!  Women smell so good with their perfumes lavished on! I do love perfume! French women spend a great deal of time, I am thinking, to look beautiful, and they DO!  To me, it seemed relationships were treasured and intense.  They may have spent time dressing beautifully..... but the transparent way that they talked and chatted with one another was inspiring to me.  I thought, do we talk to each other that much in the United States? In our relationships, in our families?  Many of our events have to be planned....their's seemed more spontaneous!

If our day is changed and we are called upon to listen to a friend in need, do we listen?  I hope so.  I hope you have someone to share your needs and dreams with and someone who will listen.  Most importantly, as I stated,  I hope you and I are listeners.  Listening is a rare  and valuable trait!  So many times our thoughts are racing ahead to the next hour or tomorrows activites.  I pray we slow down....we learn the virtue of listening and caring and sharing another's burdens....it is then that we truly find that our own burdens are lighter!  To listen...yes....we should!  The trip to Paris was worth it....and especially the lesson in listening!



God's Desire for Us

The Heavenly Father has always been drawing men and women into a realtionship with HIM! It is humbling to realize that long before you or I were born that over a thousand years ago, men were building this glorious cathedral in Norwich, England!  God never waste one single day in our lives.  Do you think these men understood that their labor would be adored and appreciated 1000 years later?  Yes, my friend, God has a desire for us.  A desire for us to know HIM and love Him.  HIS desire is for a personal relationship with us.  OH....come let us adore HIM! 

~Inner Courtyard of the Norwich Cathedral~

April, 2011

~Photos from inside the sanctuary~

~Jesus Christ~

The Louvre

Paris, France

April, 2011

 

                               What matters supremely, therefore, is not,

in the last analysis, the fact that I know God, but the larger

fact which underlies it~the fact that He knows me.  I am

graven on the palms of His hands; I am never out of His

mind.  All my knowledge of Him depends on His sustained

initiative in knowing me.  I know Him because He first knew

me and continues to know me.

~J.I. Packer~

The highest praise of God is to declare what He is.  We can

invent nothing which would magnify the Lord; we can never

extol Him better than by repeating His name or describing His

character.  The Lord is to be extolled as creating all things that

exist and as doing so by the simple agency of His Word.  He

created by a command; what a power is this!

~C. H. Spurgeon

~My Prayer~

Surrender~My plans for Yours

Confession~My sins for Your purity

Grace~My inabilites for Your abilities

Obedience~My obeying your heart and walking uprightly with You, O God!

"All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give....

I will ever love and trust Him....In His presence daily live....

I surrender all, all to Him, My blessed Savior,

I surrender all!

Blessings to you this beautiful Monday!

Holkham Hall....Holkham, England

 The 3,000 acre park is home to an abundance of wildlife and forms part of a valuable conservation area.  When you approach the landscape garden these deer are a magnificent sight!  It seems almost surreal that so many could be found in one place! 

 First glance of Holkham Hall is amazing!  An architectural gem among England's finest estates!  It is hard to believe that this is still a private family home.  It has been described as the perfect English house from the Golden Age of England's finest homes.

 The small village of Holkham provides a community for those who live and work there.

It is quaint and thriving beautifully!

 "THE VICTORIA HOTEL"  where we enjoyed a delicious meal!

~The interior of "The Victoria Hotel" lobby~

This has been my year to travel! It hasn't always been my honor to travel in this fashion but after rearing and mothering our brood of children for many, many years and having them all so close by, this has been their year to scatter....so to speak.  We were one of those families who did everything together!  I mean everything!  I enjoyed mothering my brood and totally found happiness in being full time Mom, cook, "maid", driver, teacher, sports enthusiast, encourager, spiritual mentor, university fan, and whatever else they might need along the path of growing up!  Today, the five of them are closer than ever in spirit and bond but their dreams are broad and their visions are even broader so they go where their dreams lead them and the opportunites they've been given guide them..... and for that I now have the divine pleasure of visiting some amazing places!  Yes....lucky or a better word is blessed.  Blessed that they still desire to share their lives with us. I enjoy every place they are living!

While visiting Kara and Phil, Kara casually mentioned that there was a beautiful coastal area about an hour and a half from where she and Phil are living in the area of Norfolk, England.  The area is Holkham.  She wanted to visit and my sister Pam and I said...."Why not?"  That was all it took to send us on a wonderful adventure!  Of course, you can travel there by car but our adventure began at the train station where we traveled as far as the train would take us, then we boarded a bus and traveled as far as the bus would take us, and then we walked another five miles to our destination, Holkham Hall!   We were not disappointed!

We enjoyed a wonderful meal at the historic, Victoria Hotel in the village of Holkham and then walked the two to three miles to the home of Sir Edward Coke.  He was regarded as one of the most brilliant lawyers of his time, wisely investing his wealth in land and from these shrewed investments grew the forutne that 150 years later, his descendant Thomas Coke used to fund the building of the house, known as Holkham Hall. Today, one of his descendants lives in the private home with his family. The architectural detail of the home was established in the early 1700's as one of the pioneer movements in England at the time known as the Palladian movement.  The beauty of the exterior and interior was brought to life in the film, The Duchess. Several of the scenes from the movie were set inside the mansion.  Much of the beauty of the interiors can be seen throughout the film.  Holkham Hall is exceptional for many reasons and we were blessed to experience its beauty while visiting England in the Spring of this year.  I hope to go again.  I hope you will enjoy the beautiful photos!  England is a beautiful country and I hope you will travel there to enjoy its beauty!  After all, history lessons are often our own private lessons we've experienced with those we love!