Everyday Living

Backyard Beginnings

May 11, 2015~ Outdoors

“The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, shall bless us”
Psalm 67:6

Many of you have commented and have been interested in our landscaping project, so I wanted to give you an update! Last Wednesday, the crew arrived after lunch with a caravan of trucks, trailers, and equipment. They didn’t waste any time…they unloaded and got right to work! We can see progress and we are excited! Be sure to check out the other posts about our backyard project here:
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Patio Possibilites?

Two former steelworkers discuss the future of our back yard. Frightening!

This is only part of the rocks that showed up in our pasture. Butch wondered if we should go to the highway and erect a sign that says “See Rock City” with an arrow pointing our way!?

The nature of the work when the boss has left the scene to pick up supplies…our foodie landscapers dined on Vienna sausages and pickle juice!

A relief to see that the stones really do have a purpose as work gets underway!

This is really taking shape. It’s our first full week of dry weather in a long time and the guys are taking advantage!

There are many decisions to be made concerning plants, flowers, grass…you know, all that “stuff” that goes into it. You could break the bank with all the great options, but we have to be reasonable with budget and maintenance! On Saturday, I made a quick trip to a nursery about sixty miles from home. I wanted to see some of the trees and plants that the landscaper recommended and look at decorative pieces for the garden!

I will be using two large pots (containers) in a green space! They had many to choose from!We Southern girls love our hydrangeas!We will be using limelights for sure!I really liked this bench, but it won’t fit into the budget!Hydrangeas…never met one I didn’t like! I have enjoyed a small herb garden for years. Now I will have more space-so I can add new varieties! Beautiful roses! …and I don’t have much success with them I will be planting perennials and annuals! I have always liked box woods…the basic and quintessential shrub! Ahh…the smell of gardenias! Lorapetalum provides relief from all the green with their burgundy leaves!

All of your suggestions and comments have been most helpful! We can hardly wait to see the finished project…and share it with you, our faithful readers! Who knows…we might just have a patio party when it’s all said and done! Thank you for joining us in our everyday living!

Linking with Pieced Pastimes , It’s Overflowing , Be Different Act Normal , Silver Pennies , Life on Lakeshore Drive , Thoughts From Alice , Pink When , Mod Vintage Life , Coastal Charm , My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia , The Dedicated House , Dwellings-Heart of Your Home , Savvy Southern Style , Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage , From My Front Porch To Yours , Stone Gable , Confessions of a Plate Addict , Worthing Court , Between Naps on the Porch , Cedar Hill Farmhouse , A Stroll Thru Life , The Style Sisters , The Charm of Home , The Winthrop Chronicles , Cornerstone Confessions , A Delightsome Life , Imparting Grace , Craftberry Bush , Posed Perfection , Katherines Corner , My Romantic Home , Chic On A Shoestring Decorating , Rooted In Thyme , Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, Alabama Women Bloggers, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Oh My Heartsie Girl, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, The Turquoise Home

Simple + Southern Sunday No. 29 • Mother’s Day Edition

May 10, 2015~ Simple + Southern Sunday

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised”
Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭30

When you think of Mother’s Day, I am sure your mind is flooded with all sorts of emotions, memories, and responsibilities. I have been most blessed to have had a Mother that I enjoyed celebrating while she was living, and now looking back on the full life of love she lived. For me, being a Mother has taken on many forms, and each one brings it’s own unique joy! May I share?

“Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”
Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭28-29‬

My Mother was the epitome of a faithful Christian, a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother! She was a beautiful model of the Proverbs 31 woman, and for someone to tell me that I remind them of her is the highest compliment I could ever receive! Her love extended to those who were in need, and we never knew who to expect at Sunday lunch or holiday meals! Her cooking and hospitality were legendary! To say I had a wonderful childhood would be a huge understatement! I can’t explain why, I only know it is the mystery of God’s mercy that I would be born to my parents! After my Mother passed away, only then did I realize her far reaching impact on so many people. Dozens of stories surfaced of her generosity, encouragement, and wise counsel to countless peopleI could not begin to estimate the number of home-baked cakes that she delivered to the sick, broken-hearted, and lonely people that she lovingly and diligently ministered to. She was truly loved by all who knew her, and the love with which she loved changed the lives of so many. I miss her sweet voice, her listening ear, her delicious food, her gentle hugs, and her comforting words! She loved me unconditionally!
May I follow in her footsteps. I love you, Nanny! Happy Mother’s Day!

“For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him”
‭1 Samuel‬ ‭1‬:‭27‬

Butch and I prayed for a child for many years! When Seth was born, I knew that motherhood, the desire of my heart for many years, was indeed a gift. Seth has brought so much joy into our lives! From the very formative years to the teen years to adulthood, I have been able to teach and guide him in the truths of scripture. Reading God’s word every morning as he ate his Cheerios as a little boy and texting him scripture as a grown man has been my God-given responsibility, but above that, my privilege. I am beyond thankful that he continues to grow in his love for the Lord and serves as worship leader for our church! There is nothing to compare to your son hugging you close and saying I love you!I love you Seth, and count it an honor to be your Mom!

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh”
‭Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭24‬

Before I ever saw her beautiful face, I had prayed for her. Our desire for Seth was a young lady that loved the Lord with her whole heart! God’s timing was perfect (as always) in sending Allison into Seth’s life! Allison is the perfect daughter-in-love! She is a hard worker with a full schedule of teaching, earning her Master’s degree, and serving in ministry. She complements Seth and is an amazing help mate!

I could not be happier that this precious young lady was God’s choice for Seth. I am so thankful as I watch Seth and Allison build their marriage on the Word of God! I am privileged to be her mother-in-love! Allie, I love you! I so love my beautiful girls and so humbled that they love me!

^“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change”
James 1:17
How many times in my life has God totally surprised me with good gifts, when I least expected it…and Katy is one of those! She came into my life almost 3 years ago, and what started as a mentoring relationship quickly turned into her being our adopted adult child! Wow, what an undeserved blessing to be chosen and adopted! Katy is so much fun and she helps me stay young! She loves to learn and I love to teach, so what a perfect fit! I am teaching her about good food, accessorizing her wardrobe, and my favorite-decorating! God always sends people into our lives at just the right time. During a very difficult season of life, she has been there for me, with a listening ear and a heart of compassion as only a daughter knows how! We love doing life together! I am so encouraged as I watch Katy grow in her walk with the Lord. She has a servant’s heart and is gifted in so many areas. I am blessed to call her my chosen daughter! I love you, Katy!

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world”
‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭27‬

As a Mother, the thought of the countless orphans across the world breaks my heart. Further still, to think of the mothers that were forced to place their children in an orphanage due to circumstances out of their control.

These precious boys are orphans in a small village in Togo. In 2011, we traveled to West Africa and helped build facilities to provide shelter for the precious children who had been orphaned! We support two of these boys, Modeste (sitting on my lap) and his brother, Yao (on the left). As a Christian, it is my responsibility to care for the least of these. As a mother, it breaks my heart to see children with no one to hug them and love on them! Little girls with no mother to do fun things with…like painting their nails! What an honor it is to have been able to be a motherly figure to them in the short time that I was there!

^“…but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home”
John 19: 25-27

We can look to Jesus on the cross to see how important his Mother was to him. In his dying moments, just before he gave up his Spirit, he was sure to make provisions for his Mother. Today, if at all possible, hug your Mother a little tighter. If you can’t hug her, call her and tell her you love her. Tell her how much she means to you. Look to the King of Kings as an example of just how much honor a Mother is deserving of. And Happy Mother’s Day to all of you. I hope you all feel loved and celebrated today!

Dreaming Blue

May 7, 2015~ Decorating

“The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth”
Psalm‬ ‭145‬:‭17-18‬

Having served in the interior design field for many years, I have heard so many differing opinions about how to decorate the most private space in our homes…the bedroom. It is not just a place to sleep – it is where we dress, often read, perhaps drink our first cup of coffee , and wind down after a long and tiring day. It is the space in our home where we should feel free to decorate as we wish! My clients have run the gamut in their preferences for their bedrooms. Some want to use vibrant colors with lush window treatments and bedding, others prefer a romantic cottage feel with floral fabrics, and still others have a need for soft and soothing hues. Today we will showcase the latter. When I think of a calming bedroom, I imagine soft shades of blue mixed with hues of white! This is a guest suite (could serve as a master) that I designed in a client’s home over ten years ago. It has a soft and dreamy aesthetic…from the beautiful curves of the iron bed to the creamy silk window treatments to the luxurious custom bedding. It might be hard for a guest to leave these comforts!
Beautiful cabinetry that houses books, collectables, and a TV sit opposite the bed. Sitting in front of a large window is a beautifully painted chest with the perfect accessories on top-particularly the Venetian gondola by Lladro! Between the bookcase and chest is a comfy chair and ottoman! You might think the walls are papered, but they are hand painted. Tall matching lamps flank the bed with differing bedside tables. On the right is a small writing desk and chair, perfect spot to journal and enjoy a cup of hot tea! The left side of the bed has a skirted round table!

The following bedrooms are from my Pinterest Board “Beauty Sleep”. You can go to the original source by clicking on the picture. Follow here: Beauty Sleep

I will always love a poster bed. The sitting area in the bay window, the drop-dead gorgeous chandelier, and the lovely shade of robin’s egg blue combine to make this an elegant room! Design by Cullman and KravisThis ethereal bedroom with its whitewashed ceiling, canopied bed, lovely fabrics, and French doors offers a serene respite!
A smaller bedroom, but no less beautiful, with twin beds and a sweet floral fabric draping the windows! What a perfectly delightful room- dressmaker details on the bedding and window treatments! The bedside table catches my eye along with the lamps and their blue shades! This bedroom would be at home at the beach, in the mountains, or anywhere, for that matter. Casual elegance!So I admit this bedroom had me with its four-posters! The window fabric, bedding, and the pale blue bedside chest combine for a delightful room! Design by Tobi FairleyWhat is not to love about this bedroom? A guest room with twin beds is a great option if you have more than one guest room. You can see a guest room that I designed using twin beds here: A Breath of Fresh Air! The patterned carpet plays wonderfully well with the wallpaper and canopy fabric! Designer: Cathy Kincaid The chandelier is the obvious showstopper, but the matching pair of chests run a close second!
A bedroom that is slightly bolder in its approach. The wall color is a medium shade of brown (latte describes it for me) with blue canopy and window treatments. My personal favorite in this space is the leopard carpeting. A tip: think of leopard as a neutral! I think this bedroom is charming! The French stone mantel and fireplace with club chairs and ottoman would make it impossible to leave for work. Note the desk and clock, antiques, I presume! The bench at the foot of the bed is an ideal spot for putting on your shoes or stacking books and magazines. I have a love of fabric and this pattern is subtle and calming! Miles Redd, a designer known for mixing it up with color and styles, designed this bedroom! Note the contemporary mixed with traditional and the pop of yellow for the lamp bases!