A Custom Design......

~A BEAUTIFUL LIVING ROOM FROM HOUSE BEAUTIFUL MAGAZINE~

Design for a living space will most likely take you a while to plan, to save the funds for your plans, to shop for and to accomplish your design goal. I always advise to look at books and magazines that "jump" out at you. I have many favorites but I lean toward a style that is inviting and comfortable. I enjoy a room where people can relax, put their feet up, and just be themselves. Those are the best kind of places because usually they are cozy and warmth is sensed immediately when you walk in the room. One thing a room shouldn't say is "LOOK at ME".....in other words, you want the people invited to your home to feel like they really want to be there and that you didn't spend hours making it look like a show place....it should be just what it is.... YOUR HOME! Our homes can and should be the very dwelling place of God because He is our most treasured guest! God has gifted you in special ways and "He is available to shepherd you according to the integrity of HIS heart. And He can guide you dear friend by the skillfulness of HIS Hands." Psalm 78:72 So...don't be afraid to step out there and do anything you want to do. It might be something as simple as painting a picture frame or trying to sew a pillow for your sofa. Designers spend hours in training to be skillful. You can do it too with just a hour here or there......I always put my projects on hold until I have the time to complete them. It is much more rewarding to be fresh in your work. Here's another picture of one of my favorite rooms HOUSE BEAUTIFUL has ever published by a designer. Enjoy the picture.....

Even In a Kitchen......Miracles Can Happen!

Love this KITCHEN!!!! It's from my favorite magazine.....House Beautiful!



Dinner All Set For Two in our KITCHEN!!!

Did you know that God knows you by your name and calls you by your name? The Almighty, all-powerful, El Shaddai, calls you by your name. Everything you need, He is capable of bestowing upon you, that very gift! He even loves you so dearly and generously that He provides His angels charge over you to care for you and to keep you! Because He has set His love upon you, every morning, noon, and night, He is available to transform difficult and impossible circumstances in your life!!! We can welcome the overruling power of God's presence into any situation we face! Just Pray "Your kingdom come, Your will be done--HERE....even as I am praying in my kitchen!!!" Let me encourage you to set up a place for God's throne to enter by filling your life's settings (perhaps a special room in your house) with PRAISE! PRAISE opens the Heavens and allows God's Glory to flow to His children. "And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us, yes, establish the work of our hands." Psalm 90: 16-17 He knows us by NAME and His majestic love establishes the work of our hands.....whether it be in the kitchen, which is much of mine, or whether it be caring for your little ones, or actually whatever your hand finds you doing! God is with you! I hope that you will know that you are "IN HIS PRESENCE" no matter what you are doing.

More of New York.......

Kara worked so hard while at the University of Mississippi to achieve her degree in merchandising and while in her senior year, she earned an internship at Marimekko. Little did she know what God had in store for her.......she now has a management position on the Upper East Side of New York City! We are so proud of her. I had such a great time with her and while we were there, Phil celebrated his birthday one evening at a great true Italian restaurant in the East Village. The first picture is of the two of them outside the restaurant. The picture of "ELOISE" was taken at The Plaza Hotel, which is a beautiful place when you are in the city! I do love New York and have gotten very comfortable with being there! Three out of our five children have now called New York home....plus a son-in-law!

A Talent.....

"One may lack talent for doing great things, as men count greatness, but one's station in life does not determine greatness in the sight of God. He looks for dedicated hearts carrying prayerful burdens. God longs for those who work at prayer." Dick Eastman

This beautiful quote sums up my heart as I walked through and prayed in so many beautiful churches and cathedrals on my trip to New York last week. I was blessed beyond measure as I walked in each one at the silent reverence for the Lord sensed there.
Inner peace and tranquility can be ours regardless of circumstances. I was thinking one day, as I was there for six days, visiting Kara, that God used most likely men, maybe immigrants, from a foreign land to construct the amazing cathedrals in the city. Each man who worked on the construction probably did not have a high station in life by the world's idea of greatness but look what they did for the Glory of God and His majesty and for many generations to come blessings will flow from these places of worship. All of us have a foundation on which we build......may you find your foundation in a quiet trust in the Lord God.

The remainder of the pictures are of our cute, cute, cute hotel room, a boutique hotel in Midtown and time spent at the store Kara is now managing! My brother and sister joined me for one night and a day to celebrate our Grandmother's 100th birthday on October 1st. We had a great time.

Providence...."Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days." Ecclesiates 11:1

Many Scriptures in the Bible tell us that God desires for us to prosper. III John 2 says, "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." It is clear that God wants His children to prosper. Prosperity comes as a result of a quality of life, commitment, dedication, and action that is in line with God's Word. When we prosper or succeed, we've been helped on the road of life in an ongoing, progressing state of success and well being that comes at the Hand of a loving God providing direction and guidance for our daily needs. God intends for every area of our lives, the spiritual, the physical and emotional, and the material to be in balance. Then, true prosperity comes. "Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant." Psalm 35:27 God is pleased when His servants prosper. May you be safe, well, happy, healthy, and in peace. Daily may you and I find ourselves at the foot of the Cross in search of those provisions. May you prosper dear friend in every aspect of your life.....go ahead....Cast your bread upon the waters and after many days, I know you will find it. Blessings to you, ALWAYS!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KACIE ELIZABETH......

THE HEAVENS REJOICED AND THE ANGELS WERE SINGING WHEN THIS PRECIOUS BABY GIRL ARRIVED!!!

The Lord your God is in your midst....The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing!" Zephaniah 3:17

Happy Birthday to our Kacie! It seems like only yesterday, that we were thrilled that the Lord brought Kacie into our world on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. At the time, I was a LaLeche League Leader and many of my friends were having home births. We prepared in every possible way and decided we would have our baby in a birthing room and bring her home as early as possible. The doctor released us just two hours after she was born and we brought her home. Looking back, I suppose we took risks on that day, but we were young, prepared, and wanted to be as natural as possible. That evening my entire family and Steve's parents were gathered around in awe at this beautiful baby that we had been blessed to receive. Kacie is such a gentle and kind spirit and I believe that God has had His loving Hand on her from that very day for someone special. She has so many gifts but she grew up just naturally loving the Lord~always. She is a true witness and has a wisdom that is rare and deep. Many people witness with their words, Kacie witnesses with her life....through her movements, her love for others, her ability to stay calm in the storm, and her gentle spirit of love and goodness. She is frugal, can stretch a dollar further than anyone I know, likes simplicity in her home, and always throws a beautiful party with her eclectic style. She loves the Lord, Josh, Luke, Isabel, her family and friends, Anthropolgie, pedicures, to laugh, to sing, to dance, and to care....which she does freely. She was blessed to meet the love of her life in Josh and he has so many wonderful qualities that esteem and compliment Kacie and now to watch them with their beautiful Luke and Isabel is amazing! I thought having five kids was a big deal until I watched Kacie and Josh with their twins~it is hard work and they amaze me with their organization and happiness in every task they undertake. You are wished a very special and Happy Birthday and yes.....You are a Princess!!!! At 30, you do however become a Queen!!!!

The Guest Room

Kristen and Brian now have officially unpacked and are settling into their beautiful new home. Remember the Headboard a few posts ago.......she took it to a new level! I loved it when I saw this room! Great job Kristen!

Simple and Serene

On this day that is honored to cease from our labors, I hope for you.........

Health enough to make work a pleasure,
Wealth enough to support your needs,
Strength enough to battle with difficulties and overcome them,
Grace enough to toil until good is accomplished,
Charity enough to see good in your neighbor,
Love enough to move you to be useful and helpful to others,
Faith enough to make real the things of God,
Hope enough to remove all anxious fears concerning the future.

JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE

Artfully Fashioned Entry

This artfully fashioned entry merits a prominent spot with this beautiful heirloom, a bow front chest. Settings that start with furnishings passed down from one generation to the next help a room or an area take shape. Both culture and charm have a say here as you walk into this beautiful home. The other photographs are the same home and we clustered together items of similar details where the style the client wanted, which is relaxed, seems to clearly be accomplished. We enjoyed working together to achieve the look she wanted for her home. Balance is the key!

The President's Room

"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived but if faced with courage it need not be lived again." Maya Angelou

On late Tuesday evening, the last of the Kennedy brothers, Edward Moore Kennedy, passed away. I have always loved history and have sought to instill in our children a deep love for our country's heritage and encouraged them to respect those individuals who have served as a source of strength and inspiration to make our nation great. As our children were growing up, we made trips to Washington, D.C. regularly and stopped along the way at Williamsburg, Monticello, Mount Vernon, Stratford Hall, Gettysburg, Hyannis Port on Cape Cod, The JFK Library in Boston, and many more noteworthy historical locations. Often times we did this type of vacation because with a large family, history vacations were both educational but a bit less expensive than the exotic locations they might have preferred as kids. I believe though, that this gave them all a love for history and a yearning to live selfless when concerning their rights and freedoms. In these travels, we began to collect books on the Presidents and cities that have a political history rich with the early years of the United States of America. We even enjoy a room in our home, called "The President's Room" where we enjoy reading and sharing this collection of books. I have always enjoyed reading about the Kennedy Family and have read and enjoyed learning about their approach of service to our country. President Kennedy approached obstacles and decisions with wisdom, honor, and above all, courage. On January 20, 1961 during his Inaugural Address, John F. Kennedy said these prophetic words, "And so, my fellow Americans: Ask not what your country can do for you-ask what you can do for your country." In reading, we are able to understand that his brothers and sisters did also, so to the family of Edward "Ted" Kennedy, my heart is extended in sympathy. A life well lived deserves respect. He taught other Americans to tolerate and respect each other and to remove racial, religious, and other social blinders. He, like his brothers shared the values as well as dreams for peace and prosperity. His life may not have been perfect, but he and his family did much for our great country. The photograph above is from our "President's Room".

"To the service of that great and glorious Being who is the Beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, that will be; We unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection and for the great degree of tranquility, union and plenty which we have enjoyed; We most humbly offer.....our prayers and supplications to the Great Lord and Ruler of Nations." George Washington, 1732-1789

The Heavens

This photographer captured an amazing view in the sky of what appears to be a beautiful HEART shape........

"Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds!" Psalm 36:5 His love for you is beyond your understanding. Look up.....He longs to show you His majesty. Turn your eyes to see the beauty and glory of His creation. Ponder the vastness of His abilities. Do you know that you are a vessel than He lives through? How precious to understand and sense that He reaches from the Heavens deep within our human hearts to convey His love for us. It is then, when our hearts are full and our hearts are open to His working that we can then be the vessel that He can use for His amazing love and glory to be shared with a world that desperately needs His loving and kind touch. The heart, intellect, awareness, mind, inner person, inner feelings, deepest thoughts, inner self.....that is the heart. "Watch over your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23 May your day and heart and your home be filled with joy and His goodness.

Sleep Well.....

Earlier this week, my husband, Steve constructed this headboard and he and my daughter, Kristen, finished the upholstery work in just a couple of hours. Building the frame took around two hours so in an evening, they used their time to make something extraordinary. They did a beautiful job, working together from start to finish!!! They laughed and worked along side each other giving each other instructions about what the other should do.....all in fun of course! They finished their work beautifully and now we have a new product that we can offer. As they were working, I thought of a passage in the Bible that continues to bring blessing in our lives........

'Write these commandments that I've given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home, or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night." Deuteronomy 6:6-7 MSG

I remember discovering these words when my children were very young and was overwhelmed with the instructions and the urgency to live out those words daily in my life. Honestly, I am still developing ways to live out my days in a manner that is pleasing to the Lord. Truly I believe that He is urging us to live for Him in everyday ways and as the beautiful song goes....."Lead Me to The Cross, Savior I come, quiet my soul, remember Redemption's hill where Your blood was spilled for my ransom. Everything I once held dear I count it all as lost.....Lead me to the Cross, where Your love poured out. Bring me to my knees....." Our children, whether we have a new baby or an adult son, take their cues from us and I have to ask, am I laying down the things that do not matter. In my understanding of this passage of Scripture the Lord is saying lay down those things that do not matter and talk about the things that really do and then live them out ....before your children, your family, your friends and then share the Lords love with anyone who you sense needs some extra love.

In Praise of Water.....

Undoubtedly the most wonderfully inexpensive relaxation ritual we may do as women is bathing. It is essential in every culture and, each culture it may seem, has its own bathing rituals. In Exodus 2:5 the Scriptures say, "Then the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river. And her maidens walked along the river-side." It was while bathing that God brought a whole new purpose to her life with the discovery of baby Moses in a basket made of reeds. I doubt our times of relaxation will be quiet so dramatic but, depending on the time and the surroundings that one might find themselves in, often determines the amount of relaxation time that one has. Perhaps your schedule could allow you once or twice a week to make a habit of taking time to ease away the stress of your day. Perhaps your evening just once could be an unhurried luxury, and if you have a small baby or children, then I know that is very difficult and you might say, "are you kidding?" That day will come dear one....I promise. But, if you find that you can empty your mind and fill the bath, relax your body and cleanse the soul and lift your hands in PRAISE to the One who made the day for you, then you will find that a soothing effect will come upon you. Women of all cultures for centuries, the wise ones at least, have added natural ingredients to their bath water for a way to survive. Sparkling eyes, healthy sparkling bodies, need rest and restoration. I hope this week you might find the time to be restored! "O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the Sanctuary to see Your power and Your glory!" Psalm 63:1-2

The Beautiful Starfish......

This beautiful STARFISH washed upon the seashore and the timing of it was brilliant.....A perfect backdrop for the photographer. It was not me, so I give the credit to some unknown person who beautifully captured a Sea Creature in all his glory.....perfectly placed on the sand. Just this summer, my husband and I were walking along the beach in Hilton Head, South Carolina and a young boy walked up to me and offered me a starfish! Little did he know my fascination with them but the starfish was alive and I did not think it was my place to take him from his natural habitat. Timing is everything....God has a due season for all of our lives and the seeds that we plant along the way. God has a timetable for every seed we plant. His timetable is not always our timetable. Sometimes the "due season" means a quick return. Sometimes it means a process or a slow return that may take years--even a lifetime. But we can count on three things. First, God will cause a harvest to come from our seeds. Second, God is never early or late-He is always right on time with our best interests at heart. Third, our harvest will have the same nature as our seeds sown: good seeds bring good harvests, bad seeds bring a not so good harvest. During this growing season of waiting for seeds to be grown into their fullness, be encouraged that God has a timetable, determine to keep faith alive and active through prayer and reading of God's words from the Bible, give and keep on giving, love and keep on loving. Know this--His harvest is guaranteed. Continue your life always in an attitude of expectancy. Enjoy the journey! "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:9-10

Fresh Ideas and A Serene Bedroom

Coral is a beautiful piece of nature to bring into your home.  Reefs of coral are found in tropical seas. It's beauty is amazing and can be used in places in your home to bring a touch of perhaps a time remembered on a trip to the sea this summer.  Each piece is unusual and unique! Next time you are at the beach, pick up a piece at a shop that sells sea shells and use it for a paper weight! Stunning!

Simple Roman Shades are practical and attractive option for this bedroom that has a trio of windows to let light in....