Relax! It's Saturday!

I hope you have a relaxing weekend with your family....doing something that you love!

With somebody that you love!

Maybe finding some beautiful treasures..........

Or starting a new project that has been in your mind all week.........

Or my favorite....sipping a Starbucks Peppermint Mocha........it's a hug in a cup!

(I cheat though......I order a tall coffee with a shot of Peppermint Mocha flavor with no whip. I am lactose intolerant. It tastes absolutely delicious and it has less calories and it's cheaper! You can even get decaf if you want! That's my story and I'm sticking to it!)

Shabby and Spooky

Thought I would share some pretty things with you that inspired me! Such Shabby Chic sweetness....I never get tired of it.

Don't you just love the garden gate above the bed? And who is sleeping in the bed?

I just love how sunny and bright this room is and yet warm and cozy!

Love,love, love..............

Shabby and Spooky.........how can you not love this Halloween Kitty?

Sparrows

My inspiration for this blog and my etsy shop, came from my love of nature and from the encouraging Bible Verses found in the book of Matthew chapter 10, verses 29 through 31.

"What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.  So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows."

 My whole life I have had to deal with an anxiety disorder. I have a prescription for this, as this is a genetic, medical condition. This medication helps me live my life but it does not cure the condition that I have. I rely on God to help me and comfort me when the anxiety starts spinning out of control. God has been so compassionate to me and I love these verses. 

I like to view myself as a little sparrow. I am the mother bird that works hard for her children and searches the countryside for bits and pieces of beauty to create a cozy nest for my husband and children. 
This past week, I was headed to an appointment that was causing my anxiety to be escalated and I was feeling scared and out of control. Terror is not too extreme of a word for what I was feeling! I was praying and trying to trust God as I was "bravely" heading out the door. I had promised myself that I would sit and look at my new Somerset Life magazine later. I was trying to anticipate something fun and pleasant. As I was backing my car out of the garage, I noticed some fluttering by a window. There was an adorable little house sparrow trying her hardest to get out of a closed window. She didn't realize that the whole garage door was open and she could have easily flown right out. She was fluttering up against the window, trying in vain to escape. I smiled. I remembered the verses. I was like this little sparrow. I wanted to escape! God used this moment to show me that He was thinking of me!  I was more precious to my heavenly Father than even this sweet little sparrow that was thrashing around. It was so precious that God would choose this way to show me He was with me and would help me. How sweet of God to send a little sparrow to comfort me as I was so nervous. I left the garage door open as I left, hoping the little darling would find her way back out into the world that was waiting for her. When I came home, she was gone. I will forever remember this and it will always bring a smile and a joy to my heart. 

Is there something you are facing in your life that you need courage for?

Something happening that has you worried?

Look to God for your strength. He loves you so much more than the little sparrows...and He keeps an eye on them too!

What a comfort it is to me! I hope it brings you comfort as well!

I'm Back

I arrived safely back home and was so happy to see my own bed and my children. After some very rough turbulence out of Denver,(think roller coaster extreme) I was so happy to be done traveling for the time being. I took some great photos of Colorado and had a great time. I will share some of those soon. I hope your week is off to a sweet start. Is it bad I made my son a cup of coffee for breakfast? He is 13 and really likes coffee and I recently bought a little coffee pot and he really wanted to try it out! I am much more of a black tea drinker and more of a social coffee drinker but needed a 5 cup little pot! His cup of coffee was flavored with Creme Brulee creamer and he was a happy camper going off to school! Some days a man just needs a cup of coffee! LOL

Enjoy your Monday doing something that makes your heart smile!

Retreat

We've been very busy for a very long time. Our 25th anniversary passed us by without really getting away. We have a busy, crazy life that we love and four busy, crazy kids that we love, but we are going away...just the two of us. We get to go to Colorado for a special retreat for ministry workers. There will be meetings and fellowship but we plan on sneaking out and spending some time together with God in the beauty of Colorado. I have never been to Colorado, so we are excited to be going during Autumn. What will we find?

I don't think our accommodations will look like this,since we will be in the mountains, not the seashore, but wouldn't that be relaxing and fun? Who knows what we will find in Colorado? I'm taking my camera along.............

Country Beauty

My youngest son and I have a fun thing we do every year in the fall. We go to visit our local farm that sells pumpkins. He is in middle school and he loves to visit the animals that are in the petting area. This year they had little kittens to hold. While I was busy picking out the most photogenic looking pumpkins and gourds, he was sitting holding a kitten on his lap. When I came back to tell him it was time to leave, I couldn't believe what I saw! This little kitty was so lazy and sleepy that he stretched out in my son's lap and my son was petting his little tummy and the purring kitty just fell fast asleep! My son is a Cat Whisperer!He has two cats of his own at home. He is just like my Dad. My father has always loved cats!

At the pumpkin farm, I spied this sweet little storage shed that I just had to photograph! I have a soft spot in my heart for very old little farm sheds like this. It looks like "home" to me. The layers of shabby white paint, the fading hollyhocks, and the overgrown step that is a huge piece of rock.

These photos capture a piece of what I remember from my childhood! When I was a little girl I used to imagine living in a little shed like this one. I thought it would be so fun to have my own little house. I still have thoughts like this. I would love a little place like this one for my art studio! How fun would that be?!

New Giveaway on Dreamy Whites

If  you love to enter blog giveaways like I do, here is a sweet one! Hop on over to Dreamy Whites, and enter to win beautiful Cabbage and Roses pillows and banners! Secretly, I hope no one else enters because I would love to win, but it's too late....word is out! If you win, let me know, so I can jump up and down and celebrate with you....and then you can share your prize with me! LOL