Saturday, August 10, 2013

Sunrise at Carolina Beach


Could we with ink the ocean fill, 
And were the skies of parchment made, 
Were every stalk on earth a quill, 
And every man a scribe by trade, 
To write the love of God above, 
Would drain the ocean dry. 
Nor could the scroll contain the whole, 
Though stretched from sky to sky.

O love of God, how rich and pure!
 How measureless and strong! 
It shall forevermore endure 
The saints' and angels' song.

(from the hymn 'The Love of God" ~ Frederick Lehman)


I pray you experience the love of God this week!

sharing at:

http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/2013/08/welcome-once-again.html
http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/2013/08/pink-saturday-august-10.html
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2013/08/backyard-topiaries-show-and-tell-friday.html
http://sundayview.blogspot.com/2013/08/inspired-sunday-and-another-pink.html
http://sunnysimplelife.blogspot.com/2013/08/from-farm-blog-hop_9.html
http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/2013/08/amaze-me-monday-19.html
http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/2013/08/mosaic-monday-under-bridge-at-natirar.html
http://www.deidrariggs.com/2013/08/10/sunday-63/
http://www.thebeautyinhisgrip.com/2013/08/sharing-his-beauty_11.html
http://www.whatjoyismine.net/2013/08/mondays-musings-73-garden.html
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/08/make-it-pretty-monday-week-62.html?
http://www.create-with-joy.com/2013/08/inspire-me-monday-week-84.html
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/08/177th-inspire-me-tuesday.html
http://www.cozylittlehouse.com/2013/08/tweak-it-tuesday-51.html
http://www.adelightsomelife.com/2013/08/a-return-to-loveliness-35.html
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/08/wow-us-wednesdays-131.html
http://judithwholeheartedhome.com/70-years-of-marriage-and-minitry-wholehearted-wednesdays-linkup-53/
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2013/08/wednesdays-adorned-from-above-blog-hop.html
http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/2013/08/hello-dolly.html
http://www.deeprootsathome.com/encourage-one-another-wednesday-link-up-99/
http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/2013/08/sunflowers-swinging-in-breeze-and.html
http://www.impartinggrace.com/2013/08/hello-friends-to-grace-at-home-party-is.html
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In My Father's Hands

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. "

1 Peter 5:6-7


I just love this picture of Olivia Grace, my sweet little grand-daughter. It was actually taken over four years ago when she was just a few days old. Isn't she precious? Among many, many family photos—grandchildren in particular—this is definitely one of my favorites. As you may have guessed, this is her daddy's hand that she is cupped in.  Her daddy is my youngest son, Adam. His hand is so big...so strong and her little body is tiny and fragile. She is trusting that her daddy's hand will hold her safely, even though at three days old she really hasn't learned about trust yet. Or has she? Look at her sweet face. She looks so content...as though she doesn't have a care in the world. What's that we've heard about child-like faith?

And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said,"Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kigdom of heaven." Matthew 18:2-4

He wants us to be able to trust Him fully and to rest in His peace and safety. He wants us to know that He is there to catch us when we feel like we are falling...that He will be there to pick us up if and when we do. And we will. Sometimes remembering to do that is so hard, isn't it? I know it is for me. Whether it seems like the circumstances we are facing will never change or maybe we just temporarily lose sight of God and forget about His promises. It happens to most of us at one time or another.


Whenever I see this picture of sweet Olivia resting in the palm of her daddy's hand, it reminds me to be confident and thankful that my God is there for me. What a comfort and great joy it is to know that I am resting in my Father's big, strong hands! Are you resting today?

Those who know your name trust in you,for you, O LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.  
Psalm 9:10

Oh, by the way, the little boy in the picture is my Adam...Olivia's daddy. He's grown up a bit :)

Blessings!
Sharing this at:

http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/2013/08/welcome-once-again.html
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2013/08/backyard-topiaries-show-and-tell-friday.html
http://sundayview.blogspot.com/2013/08/inspired-sunday-and-another-pink.html
http://sunnysimplelife.blogspot.com/2013/08/from-farm-blog-hop_9.html
http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/2013/08/amaze-me-monday-19.html
http://www.thebeautyinhisgrip.com/2013/08/sharing-his-beauty_11.html
http://www.whatjoyismine.net/2013/08/mondays-musings-73-garden.html
http://www.create-with-joy.com/2013/08/inspire-me-monday-week-84.html
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/08/make-it-pretty-monday-week-62.html
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/08/177th-inspire-me-tuesday.html
http://www.cozylittlehouse.com/2013/08/tweak-it-tuesday-51.html
http://www.adelightsomelife.com/2013/08/a-return-to-loveliness-35.html
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/08/wow-us-wednesdays-131.html
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2013/08/wednesdays-adorned-from-above-blog-hop.html
http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/2013/08/hello-dolly.html
http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/2013/08/sunflowers-swinging-in-breeze-and.html
http://www.impartinggrace.com/2013/08/hello-friends-to-grace-at-home-party-is.html










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Sunday, August 4, 2013

My Cup Runneth Over

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: 
thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 
Psalm 23:5

Fill my cup, Lord;
I lift it up Lord;
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.
Bread of Heaven, feed me till I want no more.
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole.
~Richard Blanchard

I pray your cup is filled with abundant blessings this week!

http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/08/make-it-pretty-monday-week-61.html
http://www.create-with-joy.com/2013/08/inspire-me-monday-week-83.html
http://www.whatjoyismine.net/2013/08/mondays-musings-72-back-to-school-ebooks.html
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/08/176th-inspire-me-tuesday-300-birthday.html
http://www.cozylittlehouse.com/2013/08/tweak-it-tuesday-50.html
http://sundayview.blogspot.com/2013/08/inspired-sunday-blog-party.html
http://www.adelightsomelife.com/2013/08/a-return-to-loveliness-34.html
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/08/wow-us-wednesdays-130.html
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2013/08/wednesdays-adorned-from-aboves-link.html
http://www.adelightsomelife.com/2013/08/home-and-garden-thursday-41.html
http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/2013/08/garden-plates-and-simple-sweet-fridays.html
http://www.deeprootsathome.com/encourage-one-another-wednesday-link-up-99/
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Saturday, August 3, 2013

"Wrought Iron" Wall Art

 

Isn't this a lovely piece of wrought iron wall art?
I think so too.

What would you say if I told you it wasn't made of iron at all?
What would you say if I told you it was actually rubber?



Yep, I said rubber...a rubber door mat from a discount store!

They come in several different designs, depending where you shop.
I think this one set me back about $7.00.

I actually saw the idea on Pinterest (of course)...
 ... they had painted theirs a lovely shade of turquoise and let the paint crackle.

It was so pretty but it did not fit into the decor of my room...

...maybe someday I'll do another one...it was gorgeous!


I have other decor items in an oil-rubbed bronze finish and that was what I was going for.
It was oh-so-simple since the mat was already black.
All I needed was some copper craft paint and a sponge.

I just lightly dabbed the raised areas of the design and wiped off the excess.


What was left was a coppery sheen around the detail of the design, really setting it off.


Now, how do I hang this puppy up so it doesn't droop? (remember, it's a soft-ish rubber)
I decided the best way was to use several very small tacks...I think I used about 10-12.

I placed them within the design, throughout the area of the mat. Remember, they were tiny.



Can you see them? I didn't think so :)

Then I added these plates and plate racks. I got them at Goodwill :)
Notice the fleur de lis theme?

I love how it looks together.

I do have to admit that the smell of the rubber was a little strong for a while.
I'm pretty sure if you decide to paint the entire thing, this won't be an issue.
Remember, I only added a light sheen to mine.
Just so you know, it doesn't stink anymore :)


Maybe one day, in a different room (or different house) I will have the opportunity to make that pretty turquoise one...
...or maybe a white chippy one...you could even hang several in a grouping.

The possibilities are endless!

Have a fantastic week!






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Friday, August 2, 2013

Against a Carolina Sky



What is one of my favorite things about living in the south in the summertime?
The fact that crepe myrtles are almost everywhere you look.

You don't see them in Ohio, where I come from.
I'll never forget the first time I saw them.


We lived in Kentucky (I never saw them there either) and we went to visit friends in Georgia.
They were everywhere, of course. I was mesmerized by their beauty.

It was autumn when we moved to North Carolina in 1992.
You can imagine my joy when summer came...and crepe myrtles were EVERYWHERE!


Don't you just love them too? 

O LORD, how manifold are your works! 
In wisdom has thou made them all: the earth is full of your riches.
Psalm 104:24 

I hope you have a week overflowing with blessings!


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Monday, July 29, 2013

Ode to the Sunflower

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow.
It's what sunflowers do."
~Helen Keller

I have loved sunflowers since I was a little girl. 
My dad grew them in his garden every summer and I was just amazed by them.
You just can't look at one without smiling, can you?

My oldest son who loved his grandpa dearly, has inherited so many of his qualities...
from his ability to fix anything that's broken to his love of growing his garden...sunflowers and all!
I took these pictures while visiting him this weekend.



A POEM TO A SUNFLOWER  

I see you there in glory shining bright,
Following the sun and its path of light.
Standing tall above all others in the field,
You grow, conquer, and do not yield. 

The little birds take great delight
In playing round you, from day to night.
With your petals of yellow and leaves of green
How very easily you are seen. 

But there is more to you than first sight,
More than beauty and grander to delight.
Every beautiful aspect that appears,
Gives praise to the Father dear. 

He made you a part of creation,
And you praise him in glorious celebration!
The beauty that within you is expressed,
Gives testimony to his greatness. 

Sunflower, how I long to be like you!
Glorifying God in all I do.
Following the Son and His path of light,
To worship Him in His glory shining bright. 

I can learn from you, my friend,
With every breath, praise to God, I might send.
With all of his creation telling the story,
Might I, with you, proclaim His glory. 

~By Katherine R. Lane ~ 


Have a blessed week!

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Stump Garden

Where I live in North Carolina, we are surrounded by tall trees all around the yard.
Sometimes these trees die and fall on your house :(
This one did just that a few years ago during an ice storm. 
My husband had just gotten out of the shower when a huge branch fell through the roof,
into the bathroom and actually into the bathtub where he had just been!
Oh well, that's another story for another day...this about stumps.

What do you do with such an unsightly thing without digging up a huge chunk of the yard?
You plant flowers in the hole of the dead stump, that's what!


And here's what I did with the rest of it.


And the best part is, the holes for planting were already there because it was rotten in the middle!
Aren't they lovely?

This my friends, is what I call my stump garden :)

Have a great week!


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